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Showing posts from May 4, 2014

Telenet in Oconee County adds new positions | Athens Banner Herald Mobile

Telenet in Oconee County adds new positions | Athens Banner Herald Mobile

Georgia: Ground zero in the Medicaid expansion battle

Georgia: Ground zero in the Medicaid expansion battle

Kane nets four goals in Oconee County's win over Savannah Arts Academy

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Kane nets four goals in Oconee County's win over Savannah Arts Academy

Oconee's next opponent West Hall dominates Peach County 6-0 in Class AAA soccer quarterfinals

Spartans dominate Peach County 6-0 in Class AAA soccer quarterfinals

Marbut moves Sunshine from Washington to Baxter and celebrate with BMX big air demonstration

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 Watkinsville resident Jimmy Marbut moved his Athens anchor store of Sunshine Bicycles from West Washington Street to a new location on Baxter Street with a celebration of the opening featuring the talents of the Freestyle Connection BMX Stunt team grabbing big air for a good crowd encouraged well by emcee Jon Dowker. He introduced every rider from ages 13 to 41, coming from Colorado to Commerce and all points in between.

Titans select former Oconee County, UGA QB Mettenberger in sixth round

Titans select former Oconee County, UGA QB Mettenberger in sixth round

Oconee County grad Mettenberger goes in 6th round to Tennessee Titans

Former Oconee County High School and University of Georgia football quarterback Zach Mettenberger was drafted in the 6th round of the National Football League player draft by the Tennessee Titans team of the American Football Conference. Mettenberger, who transferred to LSU, becomes the first athlete out of Oconee County to be drafted by the NFL. Tony Taylor played for the Falcons as a Free Agent.

Westminster baseball wins first GICAA championship

Westminster baseball wins first GICAA championship

Alabama man unofficially breaks record at Oconee County fundraiser

Alabama man unofficially breaks record at Oconee fundraiser

John Berry, barbecue planned for Oconee Memorial Day celebration

John Berry, barbecue planned for Oconee Memorial Day celebration

KOCBC - Great American Cleanup in Oconee

KOCBC - Great American Cleanup in Oconee

Pick up trash in your Oconee County library, dump it next to the Library Saturday

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 There is plenty of garbage on the streets of Watkinsville, Bishop, North High Shoals, and Bogart, not to mention the vast swath that is unincorporated Oconee County. Saturday sees the second Keep Oconee Beautiful and Clean committee working to try to get rid of litter. They will have two big dumpsters ready for all your refuse Saturday morning

An incredible project with Michelle Nunn in Atlanta

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Join Michelle Nunn in Atlanta tomorrow if you can Sincerely,  Dan Matthews Date: Fri, 9 May 2014 16:06:49 +0000 From: info@michellenunn.com To: danmatt@hotmail.com Subject: An incredible project --> And you can be a big part of it, Dan! Dear Dan, In my 25 years of service, I have seen the incredible things Georgians can achieve when they roll up their sleeves and tackle community challenges together. Building houses and playgrounds and setting up free cafes to deliver meals after natural disasters – these are all things I've seen volunteers achieve in the course of a few days.  That's a focus on results and a commitment to service that Washington could learn from – and there's a way you can help me share that message. On Saturday, May 17, our campaign is holding a Day of Service all across Georgia. It's going to be a truly incredible day – and I would love for

AJC Poll: Carter in tight race with Deal, Nunn leading GOP Senate contenders | Political Insider blog

AJC Poll: Carter in tight race with Deal, Nunn leading GOP Senate contenders | Political Insider blog

Republicans Have Blocked 500 Bills - obstructionists

Republicans Have Blocked 500 Bills

Phil Gingrey: The Constitution Shredder

Ending Spending ad attacking Phil Gingrey

Somewhere, Michelle Nunn's strategist is smiling

Somewhere, Michelle Nunn's strategist is smiling

Kingston Perdue attack ad

Athens doctor testifies to $1 million loss in Donnan trial

Athens doctor testifies to $1 million loss in Donnan trial

New AJC poll shows voters disapprove of Georgia’s new gun law

New AJC poll shows voters disapprove of Georgia’s new gun law

Oconee County teen being called "Miracle Boy" after semi-truck wreck - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Thank you to Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry for sharing this on his Facebook page Athens teen being called "Miracle Boy" after semi-truck wreck - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

VIDEO: UGA RB Chubb shows versatility, strength by winning shot put title

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Reese Hoffa, the former Georgia thrower who won the 2012 Olympic bronze medal in the shot put and who still trains in Athens, was watching the AAA competition because his wife is the throws coach at Oconee County. “It doesn’t surprise me,” Hoffa said of Chubb’s prowess in the shot put and sprints. “Being just a great athlete, you’re going to be able to do things incredible and I guess throwing the shot put and sprinting is no different.” VIDEO: UGA RB Chubb shows versatility, strength by winning shot put title

Tight games nothing new for Oconee County (w/ video of Warriors river dancing)

Tight games nothing new for Oconee County (w/ video of Warriors river dancing)

Polls open Saturday for early voting

Polls open Saturday for early voting

Gov. Deal keeps his Pro-Georgia magazine afloat with massive tax payer funded purchases

Gov. Deal approves of this message. But you paid for it. | Better Georgia

Long Road Studios Grand Opening

Long Road Studios Grand Opening

Former UGA football players say they trusted Donnan, but lost money

Former UGA football players say they trusted Donnan, but lost money

Poll shows Perdue pulling ahead, Handel and Kingston fighting for second

Poll shows Perdue pulling ahead, Handel and Kingston fighting for second

Denise Freeman for State School Superintendent

My Site

Jurita Mays

Jurita Mays

Alisha Thomas Morgan

Alisha Thomas Morgan

Valarie Wilson for Georgia State School Superintendent

Valarie Wilson for Georgia State School Superintendent

Art Rocks Athens with Geoff Seila, Cindy Wilson and Paul McCartney

Crabtree testifies that Donnan knew he was misusing investor...

Crabtree testifies that Donnan knew he was misusing investor...

Jim Donnan’s alleged co-conspirator next to take stand

Jim Donnan’s alleged co-conspirator next to take stand

Remember, early voting continues through SATURDAY in Oconee County

The Oconee Enterprise > News > Early voting continues through next week

The Oconee Enterprise online poll this week: Should Government meetings start with a prayer?

It is down on the left side of the page toward the bottom to vote in the online poll. Please do and share with others. The Oconee Enterprise > Opinion

Bishop art gallery opens Saturday

Long Road Studios, a collective group of clay artists, will have a grand opening of their new permanent gallery at 4860 Macon Highway, Bishop, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. The event features live music, food by Rooter’s BarBQ, complimentary drinks and desserts, and games. The gallery features pottery and clay sculptures by Long Road artists Jorie Berman, Laura Cooper, Juana Gnecco, Nancy Green, Kendall Steele, Melanie Sgrignoli and Caryn van Wagtendonk. Also available will be beer ware by Red Wolf Growlers, textiles by Sarah Parker, handcrafted soaps by Lisa Pickett and jewelry by Jim Norton. Bishop art gallery opens Saturday

Mettenberger set to become 1st Oconee Cty. HS athlete drafted by NFL this evening or weekend

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Two of a kind: Murray, Mettenberger share similarities on way to NFL draft

Oconee County withstands own-goal to advance in Class AAA playoffs

Oconee County withstands own-goal to advance in Class AAA playoffs

Sen. Don Balfour - The Big Dipper

I wish I could get $22,000.00 worth of free tickets to sporting events.

Even more reasons to buy fresh bread at Kumquat Mae bakery.....

The Country’s Most Republican Company? The Makers of Wonder Bread

Common Core and the GOP effort to keep a lid on red-zone rhetoric | Political Insider blog

Common Core and the GOP effort to keep a lid on red-zone rhetoric | Political Insider blog

Georgia legislature chock full of hateful, intolerant bigots

Business Casual: The Bullies' Pulpit - Georgia Trend

Scenes from inside the State School Superintendent candidate forum at the Athens Clarke County Library

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State superintendent candidates tout more money for schools, less standardized testing Eight candidates for state school superintendent tried to win votes in Clarke County Wednesday night — all six Democratic candidates and two of the nine Republicans running. Only two candidates from each party can make a runoff election, which is likely in both races. With so many candidates on the stage in the Athens-Clarke County Library auditorium, none had a chance to present more than a little of their platforms. But each tried to address key points, or got to answer a panelist’s pointed question. Democrat Denise Freeman called for re-funding state public education after many years of de-funding. “If we can spend $35,000 to house a prisoner, we should able to be able to spend whatever we need to ensure the future of education,” Freeman said. Traffic kept some candidates from arriving on time, but the throng of six Democrats and two Republi

Spotted@: Remember the One Celebrity Golf Classic

Spotted@: Remember the One Celebrity Golf Classic

Health insurers: Payment rates above 80 percent

Health insurers: Payment rates above 80 percent

First witness takes stand in Donnan trial

First witness takes stand in Donnan trial

GOP heavyweights make Senate contest crowded, fluid

GOP heavyweights make Senate contest crowded, fluid

Buford commission: just say no to new gun law

Buford commission votes on procedures related to new gun law

Congrats to John Wes Townley on 2nd place finish at ARCA Talledega race

Tom Hessert wins with wild ARCA Talladega finish | AccessNorthGa

Lawyers condemn, praise Donnan in opening arguments

I know Jim Donnan and his son and grandchildren. I was employed at the University of Georgia Athletic Association when he was first hired. I am not able to be objective or dispassionate in this case. I work right across the street from the Federal Courthouse and will report any celebrity sightings I happen to see. Lawyers condemn, praise Donnan in opening arguments

Prep roundup: Oconee County bests Coahulla Creek in PKs to move on to quarterfinals

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Sounds like an exciting match; congrats to the Warriors and sympathy to the Titans but I do think the state of soccer in this county has now caught up with the rest of the state of Georgia. After 90 minutes in regulation and two 5-minute overtime periods on Tuesday, the Oconee County boys soccer team took its Class AAA second-round game against Coahulla Creek into penalty kicks with the score knotted at 0-0. Both teams hit their first seven attempts before Oconee County goalkeeper Jeff Greenfield came up with a stop on Coahulla Creek’s eighth attempt for a 1-0 win, putting the Warriors in the quarterfinals that will be Friday against visiting Savannah Arts Academy. The Warriors improved to 17-3 with the win. Prep roundup: Oconee County bests Coahulla Creek in PKs to move on to quarterfinals

FINAL NOTICE: Athens Area Democrats Breakfast - Saturday, May 10th

From: Denise Ricks Date:05/07/2014 6:19 AM (GMT-05:00) To: Denise Ricks Subject: FINAL NOTICE: Athens Area Democrats Breakfast - Saturday, May 10th ATHENS AREA DEMOCRATS BREAKFAST SPEAKER DR. CORRIE BROWN TOPIC:  THE GLOBAL POLITICS OF FOOD SATURDAY, MAY 10 th  – 9:00 a.m. BRETT'S 3190 ATLANTA HIGHWAY * ATHENS, GA (in the Ingles shopping center – near Phil Hughes Honda) RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY: MAY 9th PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS WITH:  Denise  Ricks (706) 247-3558   or   athensareademocrats@gmail.com BRETT'S IS NOT NORMALLY OPEN FOR BREAKFAST. They open and prepare the breakfast just for our meeting.  Therefore, we must give them a reasonably careful number to expect.  We do allow people to come just for the program.  However, this is a breakfast meeting and space is limited.  While we welcome anyone who makes a reservation, it is not open to the general public for walk-ins. Brett's offers a full b

Stephen Colbert looks at Georgia's 'guns everywhere' law

Stephen Colbert looks at Georgia's 'guns everywhere' law

Congrats to Kasey Knight as she is chosen to lead West Hall softball

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Kasey is my former across the street neighbor and has been known to ride her family's tractor lawn mower across my scruffy half acre in Watkinsville. I was unaware she was coaching Greene County, yet alone got hired by West Hall. West Hall High School has a new softball coach. West Hall principal Scott Justus and athletic director Ethan Banks announced on Tuesday that current Greene County softball coach Kasey Knight will take over the Spartans' program. Knight will teach physical education at the school. Originally from Oconee County, where she won three state championships as a player, Knight also starred at North Georgia College and State University (now the University of North Georgia) where she was a four-year starter for the Lady Saints softball team coached by Mike Davenport. Knight won three Peach Belt Championships with North Georgia and participated in three Division II World Series tournaments. In addition, she was individually awarded Peach Belt F

Ga. GOP hopeful would ‘rather see another terrorist attack’ than deal with TSA

Video: Ga. GOP hopeful would ‘rather see another terrorist attack’ than deal with TSA | Political Insider blog

Jury selection begins in Donnan trial

Jury selection begins in Donnan trial

Eldridge: Lots at stake in May 20 election

Eldridge: Lots at stake in May 20 election

Tom Cochran of Watkinsville helps prepare tax documents for the needy

UGA College of Family & Consumer Sciences partners with IRS & Georgia United Credit Union to Provide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance for 779 Athens-Clarke County Residents « CU Insight

Wishing the best for Oconee County and North Oconee High Schools in soccer AAA playoffs

Four Athens area teams hit the field Tuesday evening

5 questions: Spring football has most area teams looking for answers | AccessNorthGa

8-AAAA will be a whole lot tougher for North Oconee this football season. 5 questions: Spring football has most area teams looking for answers | AccessNorthGa

President Obama at White House Correspondents' Dinner

Thank goodness for humor and levity amidst the mudslinging and venom of Washington, DC

Time to Stop Being Puss-Weeds -- An Open Letter to Every Democrat Running in 2014 - The Political Garbage Chute

Time to Stop Being Puss-Weeds -- An Open Letter to Every Democrat Running in 2014 - The Political Garbage Chute

Here's to the teacher: A long appreciation from John Barge

I am glad this Democratic crossover voter selected this Republican for the nomination for this party in the race for the GOP nod for Governor in Georgia: Here's to the teacher rising at 4:00 a.m. to tend to the needs of her own family prior to leaving home for her school.  Here's to the teacher who arrives at school by 6:00 a.m. to ready her classroom for the day's lessons.  Here's to the teacher who is at his duty station every morning by 7:00 to monitor student behavior as students begin arriving on the buses, but the school day doesn't start until 8:00 a.m.  Here's to the teacher who used his own money to buy some new clothes for the child who has worn the same outfit for the last three days; other children are beginning to taunt that child for his smell.  Here's to the teacher who arrives at school an hour early every day to tutor students who are struggling to keep up the pace in the regular class -- and receives no extra pay.  Here's

Bribery is one way to get people to pay attention to your lunacy

How to lure reporters to a north Georgia presser: Offer $5,000 in cash | Political Insider blog

Jim Donnan trial scheduled to start Tuesday

Jim Donnan trial scheduled to start Tuesday

Jury selection starts today in Donnan trial

Saw a huge line of perspective jurors including a few people I knew personally outside of the Federal Courthouse/Post Office downtown this morning. This is not going to be a pretty or brief trial. I was part of the Athletic Association when this was first circulating and I remember thinking then: what the hell is this, and losing a whole lot of respect for some coaches circulated this in some kind of misguided loyalty. Jury selection starts today in Donnan trial

Keep Oconee County Beautiful and Clean Follow-up message from Oconee County Chairman Melvin Davis

From: Keep Oconee County Beautiful and Clean kocbc@oconee.ga.us Subject: Follow-up message from Oconee County Chairman Melvin Davis Date: May 5, 2014 at 3:32:59 PM EDT To: Keep Oconee County Beautiful and Clean kocbc@oconee.ga.us Cc: " gacoconee@gmail.com " gacoconee@gmail.com Good afternoon Oconee County: Just a quick reminder that this Saturday is the day to participate in the Great American Cleanup in Oconee County - starting at 9 am at the Oconee County Library in Watkinsville. We are so fortunate to live in such a wonderful place with rolling green hills, a pastoral setting, and small town charm.  However, as you travel the roads of Oconee County, you have likely noticed that we have a growing problem plaguing our beautiful community:  Litter. I would like to issue a person invitation on behalf of KOCBC.  May 10th is our annual Great American Clean Up in Oconee County and they need your help. You can make a big difference.  Please consider partici

Meet Greg Hecht - Georgia Dems' Candidate for Attorney General

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From: Democratic Party of GA Date:05/05/2014 1:21 PM (GMT-05:00) Subject: Meet Greg Hecht - Georgia Dems' Candidate for Attorney General   In March, former Assistant District Attorney and state legislator Greg Hecht became Georgia Democrats' nominee for Attorney General. Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter expressed his enthusiasm for Hecht's candidacy, saying "Greg brings some serious credentials to our ballot, and will bring a lifetime's worth of experience protecting Georgia families to the office of the Attorney General." Early in

Atkins wins top prize in national writing contest

Ellie Atkins, a fourth-grade student at Oconee County Elementary, recently was awarded the top prize in a national writing contest sponsored by the Scholastic Book Clubs. The competition, centered on a “Harry Potter” theme, required students to write an essay answering the question “If you took a sip of Polyjuice Potion and became another person for a few hours, who would you be and why?” Atkins won an all-expense paid trip for two to New York City to visit Scholastic headquarters, lunch with members of the Harry Potter editorial team, and a $300 shopping spree in The Scholastic Store. Atkins wins top prize in national writing contest

Oconee investigators looking into who circulated nude photo of 15-year-old

Oconee investigators looking into who circulated nude photo of 15-year-old

Stupidity knows no boundaries especially when it comes to Nazi comparisons

Leaders of both parties in Tennessee are condemning a blog post by a state senator likening the federal health care law to the deportation of Jews to concentration camps in the 1940s. Republican Sen. Stacey Campfield of Knoxville said on his blog that Democrats boasting of about the number of people who have signed for coverage as required by the federal health care law is like "Germans bragging about the number of mandatory sign-ups for 'train rides' for Jews in the 40s." State Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney called the comment "ignorant and repugnant," and called for an immediate apology. Democratic Party Chairman Roy Herron called the statement "outrageous, pathetic, and hateful." Campfield said he stands by his comments. Health care law-Holocaust comparison criticized

Morning Plum: The GOP’s real position on immigration, laid bare

Morning Plum: The GOP’s real position on immigration, laid bare

Mama - Michelle Nunn for U.S. Senate

Point Guard - Michelle Nunn for U.S. Senate

Oconee Cty. Sheriff office's Deputy Chief Lee Weems on Georgia's new firearms carry laws

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From Chief Weems' personal facebook page: There is an article making the rounds on the interweb today in which I am quoted. The quote comes from a radio interview that I did on a local station and not from an interview conducted by the author of the article. It is being used to contrast statements being made by a Sheriff in another county, and his statements are taken from a newspaper interview and not from an interview by the author of the article in question. I have not seen the source material for that quote. The quote attributed to me is accurate. However, I want to be clear that my statement was not made in response to the Sheriff's statements, and this was not a case of comment sparring between us. I do not believe such was the author's intent. It was simply a matter of his using contrasting quotes. I'm not going to link to it as the site that it is on is full of autoplaying ads and spyware, but if you run across it, I wanted make s

Jason Carter addresses the Melting Point after introduction from former UGA TE Arthur Lynch

Jason Carter addresses supporters at the Melting Point Sunday afternoon, May 4, 2014

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 State Senator Jason Carter of Decatur wants to be the next Governor of the State of Georgia. The charismatic Democratic candidate faces no primary opposition in the May 20 Democratic horse race, unlike his likely opponent in incumbent Governor Nathan Deal (who faces two primary challengers in former Georgia School Superintendent John Barge and Tea Party endorsed Mayor David Pennington of Dalton). I would highly urge each and every reader of this blog to vote in the Republican primary May 20 and cast their vote against Nathan Deal. Furthermore, please consider voting for any of the Republican Senate candidates besides Paul Broun. Georgians have a real chance to get rid of Paul Broun once and (probably not) for all if he finishes third or lower in the Republican primary. Polls seem to indicate that there will be a run off between David Perdue and possibly Karen Handel or Jack Kingston in the Georgian Republican Senate primary. I cast a vote for Art Gardner for US Senate in G