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Showing posts from April 20, 2014

Prep roundup: Oconee County boys tennis team advances in playoffs

Prep roundup: Oconee County boys tennis team advances in playoffs

Nunn sidesteps all but one debate

Nunn sidesteps all but one debate

Southern Whites’ Loyalty to G.O.P. Nearing That of Blacks to Democrats

Southern Whites’ Loyalty to G.O.P. Nearing That of Blacks to Democrats

Southern White Republicans

Southern White Republicans

Oconee County Observations: Oconee County Candidate Forums Feature Discussion ...

Oconee County Observations: Oconee County Candidate Forums Feature Discussion ... : November Vote Likely While liquor by the drink has played a prominent role in all three of the candidate forums, and was particularly cent...

Clues over what led to Chip Rogers’ GPB departure | Political Insider blog

Clues over what led to Chip Rogers’ GPB departure | Political Insider blog

Oconee schools After Prom Party kicks off Saturday night

The 2014 After Prom party for students of North Oconee and Oconee County high schools is set for Saturday night at Oconee County High School, even as organizers continue to look for more contributions. An After Prom committee has set a goal of $15,000 for the event, which has taken place for the past 12 years. The party provides a safe place for students on a what can be a risky night in a teenager’s life. The party will begin at 11:30 p.m. and will end at 6 a.m. Sunday. The event depends on volunteers, who help set up for the party and assist with activities. The party includes a rock wall, bungee jumping, laser tag, intramural sports and a dance. Gift cards will be awarded throughout the night, along with cash prizes. Free food and drinks are provided by local restaurants and businesses. Currently, donations to the effort, which help fund the various activities, are lagging. Tickets for juniors and seniors at both schools are sold at Oconee County High School.

Basketball challenge in Oconee to help with medical bills for baby

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Basketball challenge in Oconee to help with medical bills for baby

Gov. Deal signs bill restricting some abortion coverage

By now it is to the point that Governor "No" Deal should go ahead and take everyone's right to anything away from you here in Georgia, so that maybe enough people will wake up, pull their heads out of their rectums, and realize what damage this Republican party has done to this state is quite comparable to what the Taliban have done in Afghanistan. Maybe this will be enough for a majority of Georgia voters to remember when it was illegal for a woman to decide her own health care priorities and Nathan Deal will be tossed on his can come November. Legislating morality is no way to govern ever. Georgia women will vote more than 2 to 1 against Deal and the GOP come November, if the Democratic Party of Georgia makes a big enough stink about this. " Gov. Nathan Deal has signed a bill into law restricting abortion coverage in plans for state employees and those sold on the insurance exchange as part of the federal health care law. Deal signed the bill Thursday, and it

Rural ERs face serious hurdle

Rural ERs face serious hurdle

Why Georgia’s new gun law is dividing law enforcement

Why Georgia’s new gun law is dividing law enforcement

Mothers and daughters to gather for workshop Saturday in Watkinsville

Mothers and daughters to gather for workshop Saturday in Watkinsville

Oconee raised food makes it to area restaurant dishes

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Including at Kumquat Mae, the National and Heirloom among other fine area eateries that utilize and serve local food. Grady Newswatch » Farm to Table: Athens Edition

Crowded GOP field fights for Broun’s seat

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For the past seven years, this northeast Georgia district has been represented by U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, whose outspoken conservatism and reputation as a frequent “no” vote earned him national attention. The race to replace him, though, has been anything but a contest to take up his mantle. Broun is running for the U.S. Senate, and his family name — his father was a longtime state senator who represented a part of Athens — still carries weight. Yet in debates and at events, only one of the crowded field of seven Republicans seems eager to trade on Broun’s name. Georgia politics and government Instead, it’s a muddied fight with no clear front-runner among candidates trying to build their name recognition and burnish their GOP credentials ahead of the May 20 primary. Awaiting them is Democrat Ken Dious , an Athens lawyer who is his party’s nominee for an upset in thi

Add Anthropology and vast sweeping generalizations about African Americans to the list of things I hope the GOP keeps talking about heading into 2014 elections (rape, abortion, trans-vaginal ultrasounds, homelessness, etc.)

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Conservative hero Cliven Bundy: 'I want to tell you one more thing I know about the Negro ...'

A House speaker under siege by tea party forces | Political Insider blog

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A House speaker under siege by tea party forces | Political Insider blog

Fire destroys former State Rep. Bob Smith's house in Oconee County

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A fire destroyed former state Rep. Bob Smith’s house in Oconee County early Wednesday morning, a spokesman for the State Fire Marshal’s Office said. The fire was reported at 8:53 a.m. at the brick home located on Porter Creek Drive in Watkinsville. No one was in the home at the time of the blaze. “Someone called the police reporting smoke in the area. The police and fire department went out and discovered the fire,” the spokesman said Fire destroys former State Rep. Bob Smith's house in Oconee County

Guns Everywhere bill makes Georgia look like a lawless land of gun nuts to the rest of the world

I don't want to see guns in Hartsfield. I don't want to see guns at churches. I damn sure don't want to see rednecks toting guns at the 40 Watt Club.

TONHS Dog Day This Saturday April 26 at 9am Park

From: Fred Johnson < ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com > Subject: TONHS Dog Day This Saturday April 26 at 9am Park Date: April 23, 2014 at 9:32:16 PM EDT T Reply-To: Fred Johnson  lovehighshoals@yahoo.com Hey People of North High Shoals, Once again we will have....... DOG DAY SATURDAY, APRIL 26 , 9–NOON CITY PARK (HILLSBORO RD NEAR 186) Contests, Clinics, Pet Supplies Plus, and More! Prizes for Cutest and Ugliest Dogs Youngest and Oldest Dogs Fastest and Slowest Dogs Best Dressed / Best Trick Obedience / Obstacle Performance And More, And It's All Free! www.northhighshoals.org , mackay@northhighshoals.org , 706.769.4289, 706.286.4572

Gov. Deal signed into law a ticking time bomb today

Gov. Deal, the gun bill and what the hell are we doing ...

Strawberries at Washington Farms-Watkinsville, GA

Blog: Richt on Georgia's 'trim-down phase'

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Blog: Richt on Georgia's 'trim-down phase'

Georgia Poll May Give GOP Pause - Washington Wire - WSJ

When the company that owns Fox News begins to realize that there is a palatable political change in the air in the Peach State, well you can't just blame Washington anymore.  Republicans need to keep talking about vaginas, forced ultrasounds, "legitimate rape" and making women felons for controlling their own healthcare choices. Also the biggest secret is that all the Republicans running for Congress in the 10th District in Georgia at least want to increase your taxes by snatching back your Affordable Care Act insurance tax subsidy on outrageous monthly premiums. Georgia Poll May Give GOP Pause - Washington Wire - WSJ

Nathan Deal prepares to allow guns almost everywhere in Georgia

Nathan Deal stresses ‘positive changes’ in gun bill he’ll sign today | Political Insider blog

Lawsuit challenging Georgia gay marriage ban filed

When will voters and Judges in Georgia realize that gay people love exactly the same way that straight people do? Lawsuit challenging Georgia gay marriage ban filed

Local officials work to keep political signs out of rights of way

Local officials work to keep political signs out of rights of way

North Oconee boys golfers wins third consecutive Region 8-AAA title

Whoever writes headlines for online athens dot com needs English 101 possessives chapter again North Oconee boy's golfers wins third consecutive Region 8-AAA title

Oconee County Chamber of Commerce candidates debate at the Oconee County Civic Center

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Tim Bryant wanted to know the Congressional candidates definition of the word "Liberty"    John Larkin making some kind of comment

North Oconee girls soccer beats Oconee County 3-1

At Bogart, Erin Roche scored two second-half goals to lead North Oconee to the Region 8-AAA championship. After a scoreless first half, Oconee County’s Anna Kate Brown scored the game’s first goal with 29 minutes remaining in the second half. Roche evened the score a 1-1 with an unassisted goal with 14 minutes remaining, and she put the Titans up 2-1 about six minutes later with another unassisted goal. Jessie Denney completed the scoring with four minutes remaining on a penalty kick. North Oconee (12-0-2, 6-0) — ranked No. 9 in Class AAA — will host Madison County at 5:30 p.m. today. Oconee County (11-3-0, 5-1) — ranked No. 5 in Class AAA — will host Jackson County at 5:30 p.m. today. North Oconee girl's soccer beats Oconee County 3-1

North High Shoals 5th annual Dog Day Saturday 9 am to Noon

WHAT A WINTER!!! NORTH HIGH SHOALS' 5TH ANNUAL DOG DAY SATURDAY, APRIL 26 , 9–NOON CITY PARK (HILLSBORO RD NEAR 186) Contests, Clinics, Pet Supplies Plus, and More! Prizes for Cutest and Ugliest Dogs Youngest and Oldest Dogs Fastest and Slowest Dogs Best Dressed / Best Trick Obedience / Obstacle Performance And More, And It's All Free! www.northhighshoals.org, mackay@northhighshoals.org , 706.769.4289, 706.286.4572

In Georgia, people aren't the priority

It’s nuts. In terms of economic impact, common sense and basic human decency, what we’re doing is just plain nuts. We have 2 million people in this state who live their lives without health insurance, giving Georgia one of the highest uninsured rates in the country. We have rural and inner-city hospitals struggling to keep their doors open while trying to care for large numbers of people who have no means to pay. In Georgia, people aren't the priority

Gov. Deal’s executive strategy sparks debate

Protests over sweeping changes to the state’s insurance plan were fast transforming into a drive to register voters when Gov. Nathan Deal’s administration announced last week that it would give teachers and state workers more choice in their coverage options. It was a tactical move that served as a prescient reminder of the strategy that helps drive the governor’s bid for a second term. If the opening months of this election year have taught us anything, it’s that Deal and his aides won’t hesitate to intervene to temper a fight — and, critics say, score political points in the process — if a growing controversy threatens. Gov. Deal’s executive strategy sparks debate

What's Going On -- Michelle Nunn for U.S. Senate

Falling in Love with Atlanta — THE BITTER SOUTHERNER

Chuck Reece runs The Bitter Southerner and this is a great example of how guerrilla marketing can go underground and succeed with a bigger effect than any corporate government attempt. Falling in Love with Atlanta — THE BITTER SOUTHERNER

Jarryd Wallace | A Leg in Faith - my vote for Oconee athlete of the year

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I commend this young man and everything he has gone through in the daily struggles of life. As a disclaimer, I used to work for his father, Jeff Wallace, at the University of Georgia Athletic Association, working for women's tennis team and getting to tote out the National Championship trophy at home to our Lady Dawgs winners here in 1994. I remember those days fondly and talk to Coach Wallace any chance I get and will support the Lady Dawgs hosting the NCAA Championships this year as well. But Jarryd has dealt with amputation after compartment syndrome and evolved into a world class Paralympic team sprinter. He has a marathoner mom and a tennis coach dad and went to school in Oconee County High School as a miler and 800 meter runner.  I hope he wins a gold in Rio. Jarryd Wallace | A Leg in Faith

Oconee County Observations: Challengers For Oconee County Board Of Commissione...

Oconee County Observations: Challengers For Oconee County Board Of Commissione... : Incumbents Waiting On Input Oconee County voters will get a chance to vote on liquor by the drink if two of the challengers to incumbents ...

Nathan Deal: ‘My record speaks louder than any words’ - power, corruption, and lies

Yes it does, Governor Deal, your record of power, corruption, and lies speaks volumes Nathan Deal: ‘My record speaks louder than any words’ | Political Insider blog

Racial nicknames can be bad for business

Do you think this applies to the Oconee County Warriors or the Atlanta Braves? Olbermann Monologue

Oconee County schools second only to Jefferson city schools on state report cards in this area

CCRPI SCORES SCHOOL REPORT CARDS Most area schools and the state as a whole got higher grades on the state Department of Education's new school report cards, the College and Career Ready Performance Index. Here are the scores for area school districts released by the state on Monday. The first figure in each column is the 2012-13 score. Numbers in parentheses are the score on the same scale, recalibrated, for the 2011-12 school year. The scoring scale goes up to 100 points, with up to 10 bonus points possible. System / Elementary / Middle / High School / System score Barrow / 85.7 (71.8) / 73.6 (77.2) / 73.5 (73.7) / 79.6 (73.5) Clarke / 71.1 (68.9) / 63.7 (73.3) / 68.3 (66.6) / 68.8 (69.3) Commerce / 86.8 (88.1) / 82.9 (82.3) / 82.2 (85.5) / 84.6 (86.1) Jackson / 85.7 (82.8) / 83.4 (75.7) / 78.6 (81.4) / 83.3 (80.8) Jefferson / 94.4 (93.9) / 89.9 (91.2) / 81.3 (84.3 / 89.5 (90.5) Madison / 84.6 (86.0) / 79.4 (80.0) 77.9 ((74.1) / 81.4 (81.1) Oconee / 87.3 (85.3)

Watkinsville Railway Bridge

Former UGA football player Chase Vasser sinks teeth into new 'The Walking Dead' Season 5 role: Emily Kinney Talks Beth Greene's Return, New Actor Teases Possible Terminus Cannibal Character [WATCH]

AMC 'The Walking Dead' Season 5: Emily Kinney Talks Beth Greene's Return, New Actor Teases Possible Terminus Cannibal Character [WATCH]

Your opinion on a winner depends on your perspective at local debates

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 I had a great time at the Oconee County GOP candidates forum last week at the Watkinsville Community Center. Just so every knows, I will repeat this for 10,000th time, I vote in the Republican primary in Oconee County depsite my McGovern Democratic party roots and upbringing, to have as much impact on the local representation and government. In a race like Regina Quick versus Doug McKillip in the GOP primary for State House 117th in 2012, it can make a difference when the vote total is 64 votes. In primaries or run offs when second and third can be separated by an equally small margin, the Democratic to Republican crossover vote can make a huge difference as well. Beyond that it might seem like a kiss of death for certain longtime Democratic supporters such as myself to offer up endorsements or to put a sign in their yard. I was not successful supporting the Board of Education candidacies of Chuck Toney or Ashley Hood, or the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners in Chuck Horto

Karen Handel’s tax return challenge gets two takers — but not the big fish | Political Insider blog

Karen Handel’s tax return challenge gets two takers — but not the big fish | Political Insider blog

Oconee County Observations: Oconee County Revised Its Farmland Protection Prog...

Oconee County Observations: Oconee County Revised Its Farmland Protection Prog... : Now Waiting On Federal Funding When the Oconee County Board of Commissioners began its overhaul of its farmland protection program 15 mont...

Only UGA team to compete in Oconee County wins 6th national title

Georgia equestrian wins sixth NCEA national championship - The Red and Black : Sports

Watkinsville's Jonathan Wallace quoted in Red & Black article about Rails Girls web development camp at UGA

“When I began to learn this stuff, I would go online and find people who had more experience, ask them questions,” said Jonathan Wallace, a Rails Girls coach and web developer from Watkinsville. “They would respond and help me out and help me through problems that I might face, so for me this is a chance to do that and give back to the community and people who are just starting in this, the same that others did for me.” Athens Rails Girls seek to close gender gap in web development

Chris Neil of Watkinsville quoted in Red & Black story about Loch Johnson lecture

UGA professor shares perspective on diplomacy for U.S. foreign policy

Football notebook: Spring practice ends, Richt looks ahead to summer camp - The Red and Black : Sports

Football notebook: Spring practice ends, Richt looks ahead to summer camp - The Red and Black : Sports

UGA receiving corps eagerly awaits return of top weapons

UGA receiving corps eagerly awaits return of top weapons

17 Athens-area runners in Monday's Boston Marathon

Cindy Adams is a good friend and even better Democrat and runner and mother. God bless her and her family for running last year and this year in the Boston Marathon. Some things transcend politics and terrorism. 17 Athens-area runners in Monday's Boston Marathon

Oconee County's Rodriguez works from mat to pitch

Oconee County's Rodriguez works from mat to pitch