Oconee County, GA Politics

Backpage sex sting nets nine arrests in Oconee County

Too bad that the First Friday was cancelled last night - lots of people turned out any way and at least a couple of candidates did as well.  The OCAF event was packed as usual. So in this first early edition of awards - most tongue in cheek - go to: Most illegible signs - hands down, Sheriff Scott Berry, the Old West scripted font is quaint and the brown and tan color scheme make them almost impossible to read from a distance of more than a dozen feet. This has also been the only sign to stolen from my yard, and so far unable to replace despite a couple of attempts. I have seen some Berry signs with an extra outer frame that makes them somewhat easily to notice but not necessarily easier to discern the message. Next time get an graphic artist to consult before pulling the trigger on any massive purchase. And to the miscreant who stole my sign and left the metal stand in the grass, may the affluent effluent of a thousand septic tanks fester outside your broken bedroom window. Mo...

Tractor Trailer is broken down with a tire fire on 441 south bound at Crystal Hills Dr. Please use caution in this area from Oconee County Georgia Sheriff's Office : Nixle

Empty school bus involved in accident on 316 leaving one injured | Online Athens

Victim of attack in Oconee home likely to lose eye; more charges filed

Oconee sheriff installs box to collect old drugs | Online Athens

One candidate drops out of Oconee County sheriff's race | Online Athens

Pat Holl Withdraws Bid for Sheriff of Oconee County

Since often my endorsements are considered a kiss of death, consider this at the very least a recommendation of someone who deals with the Oconee County Sheriff Department on a semi-regular and professional basis. So far no one has given me one legitimate reason to vote otherwise. Berry Touts His Experience, Record As Oconee County Sheriff

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With the six inches of snow, the Oconee County Sheriff's Department just closed Epps Bridge Road from the Oconee County line to Wal-Mart with several cars stranded, according to Deputy Lee Weems of the Oconee County Sheriff's Department. There is a very steep grade from the bridge until Wal-Mart. This is the tail end of 316 as well so please do not drive on that road. Do not drive people, stay at home and be safe.

Oconee County Sheriff's Deputies are raising funds to attend the National Police Week May 9-15 in Washington, DC. National Police Week is a memorial week for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Funds are being raised through a Glock pistol raffle, hat drawing and donations. Stickers memorializing Deputy David Gilstrap will also be sold. For more information call Lt. Griffin Attaberry (my former neighbor) at 706-769-5665.

In what could be considered a trial run for future local crisis news model, Sheriff Scott Berry of the Oconee County Sheriff's Department Wednesday posted updates in comments section from an article on the only mainstream breaking news site of the Athens Banner-Herald newspaper. Berry bettered described exactly where the crash was initially and gave an official update on what exactly this truck was carrying and to let people know that it is toxic to inhale. "The chemical is a caustic, concentrated additive to the detergent process. It is an inhalation hazard. Cleanup crews are standing by, but it will take some specialized equipment to transfer the caustic chemical from the wrecked tanker to an operational one. It will be late tonite when the cleanup is complete." This main artery Hog Mountain Road cut off of the routes of both public high schools and at least some traffic for three other private high schools

The horrific scene at the Town and Gown Theater this weekend found its way to Oconee County today as Sheriff's Deputies investigated a remote area of woods in the Northwest part of the county, according to a great article written by newly non-sports journalist and old friend of mine Chip Towers in today's non-issue. I have mixed emotions about the whole capital punishment movement, and do not feel all that swell about the government taking someone's life in my name. The death now scheduled for tomorrow afternoon in Butts County for a murder occurring in Oconee County does not make me happy or upset in particular, but if Zinkhan has not already taken his own life, I would fully agree with the government doing it in this particular instance. I know we have a great Sheriff's Department and I hope the Deputies find Zinkhan soon.

Mailbox blast makes for a rude awakening | allison.floyd@onlineathens.com Hopefully this is just a prank, but they sure chose a large and difficult mailbox to explode. Sounds like we will be finding out more soon. Thanks to Sheriff Berry for his vigilance and service

Adam Thompson of the Athens Banner-Herald wrote me an email today to ask if everything is all right, and I replied that I have been very busy and bummed out massively about the death of guitarist Randy Bewley of Pylon. I need to add more content to this blog and keep people posted on my rather narrow viewpoint of what is going on in Oconee County, Georgia. Truth is not a whole lot has been happening in my neck of the world. About the most exciting thing I have done recently is buy a glow in the dark 28.5 gram basketball for my son. Lowell decided not to play soccer this spring and also asked not to be talked into playing on either the Oconee Recreation Department or Oconee Futbol Club traveling teams. With the economy the way it has been lately, that was not a difficult decision to swallow. Some parents would make their little soccer prodigies play even if they did not want to, but honest to goodness I could tell he was not that into it the last season we played on the big field. I am...

I have no beef with the way Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry patrols the county other than I would like for him to be a little more cooperative in sharing information with Chief Lee O'Dillon and the Watkinsville Police Department, but seldom are lawsuits filed without some merit, despite the public perception. I hope the county sees the light on this one and settles before it really costs us a lot. I know nothing of the people or circumstances in this case but have heard many rumors over the years about various alleged misdeeds done

The Athens Banner Herald newspaper correctly took Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry to task for inappropriate comments coming on the heels of the murder of a motorcycle rider in Bogart. The death of anyone is a tragedy and should be treated as such, not to be woven into socio-political commentary (even though that is what I am guilty of here). The editorial is a well written chastising of Sheriff Berry for letting his true feelings come out at a most difficult time. Oconee and Clarke counties have been remarkably free of conflagration and horrible tragedy on a mass scale, and I certainly hope it remains that way. However our leaders need to show a little more discretion before opening their pie holes to make fools or our selves and our counties. For the record, I have nothing but the highest regard for the fine deputies and staff of the Oconee County Sheriff's Department and have always been treated extremely well and very professionally every time I have had any reason to step fo...