The Paulding Judicial Circuit Drug Court Program celebrated its eighth graduation on Friday, July 10, 2020. Since its creation in January 2016, the program has inducted ninety-seven participants, forty- two of whom have now graduated. Given Covid-19 concerns, the graduation was semi-virtual. Only the six graduates and a limited number of supporters, including the Drug Court Team, attended in person. Other participants and community members tuned in remotely via Zoom. Masks were worn but were removed for photographs.
Paulding County’s Richland Creek Reservoir (RCR) is now – incrementally – in the process of taking in water and has reached the one-third level by the start of July. By 2021 the RCR will begin to function as the county’s primary water source far into the future.
Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative has selected eight local individuals as the 2020 recipients of the Lineman School Scholarships. Carl Cooke, Wynston Denney, Zeb Hand, Jake Harrod, Brystol Phillips, Caden Raines, Benjamin Ranger, and Nathan Urquhart were awarded scholarships to attend a lineman school in Georgia.
Michelin Raceway’s 12-turn track will be a challenge for MotoAmerica’s top competitors as they battle it out at speeds of up to 190 mph. Alongside five competitive classes of racing, attendees will enjoy stunt shows and bike displays, plus the chance to get autographs and see participating riders, teams, and motorcycles at the open paddock. To ensure the safety of riders and spectators, government-sanctioned safety protocols and social distancing measures will be enforced.
The Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District is changing testing hours at its ten Northwest Georgia drive-up COVID-19 testing locations. Beginning Monday, July 13, free testing will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Chattooga, Catoosa, Dade, Gordon, Haralson, Paulding, Polk, and Walker county health departments.
(Paulding County, GA) As we all get ready to celebrate our nation’s birthday, many of you will have cookouts, pool parties, maybe catch a rerun baseball game on television or even shoot some fireworks. But do you know what the law says about discharging fireworks? What you may not know is that the Georgia General Assembly changed the times on when you can legally ignite fireworks last year. The new law went into effect on July 1, 2018.
On Friday, June 12, 2020, Renita White retired from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. Renita began her career with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office as a Terminal Operator in the GCIC Division on June 1, 2001. While in GCIC, Renita was tasked with entering and confirming arrest warrants and stolen items. She also maintained information regarding Paulding County's protective orders.
Paulding County Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a residential structure fire located at 195 Hillside Drive. Fire Department personnel immediately commenced fire suppression and search & rescue operations. Engine 3 was able to quickly locate and rescue the trapped 15-year-old using a bedroom window where Paulding County Sheriff Deputies rendered first aid.
Detectives from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division secured warrants and arrested Lacy Jolee Boles (W/F, 37 YOA) without incident.
On Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Major Ava Davis retired from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. During her 39-year law enforcement career she served under four different Sheriffs. Throughout her career she served in multiple capacities to include Dispatcher, Patrol Deputy, and as a Detective in the Burglary Unit and Juvenile Investigations Division. Major Davis was also the first female to attain the rank of Major at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.
The Silver Comet Trail Heads and County Parks remain open for walking, hiking, running, and bicycling. The facilities at the parks will remain closed and organized sports continue to be prohibited. Braly Sports Complex will remain closed at this time. Social distancing requirements remain in place.
At the county level, there are two Board of Commissioners races. With the exit of Post 1 Commissioner Ron Davis, voters will have two new faces to choose from in that race, James Curtis will face Keith Dunn and two familiar faces in the race for Commission Chairman, Incumbent Commission Chairman Dave Carmichael will face former Commission Chairman Bill Carruth. The primary will occur on June 9, 2020. The general election will follow on November 3, 2020.
DALLAS, GA: Free COVID-19 testing is available to all Georgians who request it, whether they have symptoms or not. The Paulding Health Department, 451 Jimmy Campbell Parkway, Dallas, is offering free drive-up COVID-19 testing from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative received national recognition as a 2020 Spotlight on Excellence award recipient sponsored by the Council of Rural Electric Communicators (CREC) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The cooperative received a Silver Award for its extensive employee communication in its bi-monthly internal publication, the Hardhat Herald.