WGAA 1340AM Cedartown

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met in a special work session to continue budget talks for the 2012 budget Tuesday night. Commissioners heard reports from three department heads to discuss budget issues. Sheriff Kelly McLendon, Chief Kenny Dodd of the Polk County Police Department and Chief Roy Anderson of the Polk County Fire Department meet with commissioners to ask for more money to be added to their budget. Since the meeting was a work session, no action was taken to make any changes to the budget. The commission’s next meeting will be on June 6^th at 5:15 p.m., which is their regular monthly work session. The current budget is set at $18.8 million dollars, which is around $1 million short of what was requested of departments in Polk County.

According to a report from the Polk County Narcotics Enforcement Team, three more Polk County residence are in jail on drug charges. The arrests come after a four-month investigation that concluded with the raid on Monday. NET officers arrested 3 individuals at 115 North Estes Street in Cedartown with assistance from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit. All 3 individuals are charged with methamphetamine trafficking, methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute, possession of drug-related objects and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. The Polk County Police Department encourages anyone with drug-related information to contact them at 678-757-9616 or tipline@polkcountygeorgia.com.

Cedartown Police Officers have made arrests in three major felony crimes that took place in Cedartown in May. On May 9^th, a juvenile was sexual assaulted at Peek’s Park by a Senoia, GA man. Nicholas Ray, age 31 was arrested and charged with false imprisonment, sexual battery and battery. Ray, an employee with the Department of Homeland Security was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport by Atlanta authorities on May 17^th and transported to the Polk County Jail. In the early morning hours of May 15^th police were called to King Street to a report of a man being shot. Officers arrived on scene to find Danny White with gun shot wounds to the face consistent to a shot gun. Joseph Penson was arrested and is currently in the Polk County jail. Within 15 minutes of the King Street call, police were called to Slusser Avenue to a trouble with subject call. According to reports 2 men were attempting to pull a women from her car through the window. Charlie Daniel Martinez and Uriel Gonzalez were both arrested and charged.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met in a special work session on Tuesday night to begin budget talks. A public hearing was called prior to the meeting, but there were no parties present with any questions or comments. County Manager Clinton Lester went into detail describing the process of putting together the budget. Commissioners then brought up the million dollar question, asking what would happen if the budget was not met and more money was needed. Chairman Marshall Thaxton assured all board members that he felt certain the board would cut the budget before considering a tax increase. Commissioners debated several non-specific issues for nearly an hour before adjourning. Chairman Thaxton encouraged commissioners to review the budget and make any changes they feel necessary for next week’s meeting. The board will meet again next Tuesday, May 24^th at 5:00 p.m. in a work session to continue budget talks.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to assist those who have been affected by the April 27^th tornados that ripped through the South Eastern United States. 4,213 Polk and Floyd County residents registered for assistance from FEMA. 125 Polk County residents and 601 Floyd County residences have been assisted by FEMA. Disaster relief is still available through FEMA by phone at 800-621-3362 or by online at www.disasterassistance.com. Small business loans and home owner’s loans are available through the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. GEMA has awarded 1,194 home owners loans and 479 small business loans. Officials warn residents of fraud and give a few signs to look out for. Residents should always ask for identification and should insure it is a proper FEMA or GEMA ID. Officials also remind residents of the differences between FEMA and GEMA. FEMA awards grants and not loans, while GEMA awards loans.

A home on Piedmont Highway was destroyed Saturday night after it caught fire around 9:45 p.m. The house was located between South Lewis Road and Cornelius Road. Firefighters from Blooming Grove, Esom Hill, Prior Station, Young’s Station and Lake Creek fire departments responded to the fire. Upon arrival of fire crews the house was fully engulfed in flames. (more…)

The Polk County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for 2012 on Tuesday, May 17th. The meeting will be held in the board room at the Georgia State Patrol Office. The proposed budget for 2012 will be discussed at the meeting, which is open to the public.

Wendy Lynn Corn, 29 has been arrested and charged in the fatal wreck on April 13th. Corn has been charged with second-degree vehicular homicide, two counts of child restraint violations and failure to maintain lane. Corn was arrested Tuesday morning at her home. An attorney for Corn is seeking information about a possible red truck that allegedly crossed the yellow line into Corn’s lane. Corn told troppers the truck caused her to leave the roadway, which then caused the accident.

Some 500 competitors flocked to Polk County over the weekend for the International Bowhunting Competition.   The IBO-3D shoot was held at the J.L. Lester Wildlife Management Area in the Antioch community. According to Seven Hills Archery President, Tom Watson, the event will more than likely return next year. Competitors and organizers had nothing but good things to say about the competition and the venue. (more…)

Polk County got its third round of severe weather in three weeks Friday night. The weather system moved into the area around 5:45 p.m. and continued into later Friday night. Rain, strong winds, thunder and lightning swept through through the area causing some power outages. Floyd County residents suffered significant hail and power outages reaching into the 10,000′s. Some Polk County residents did not have power until sometime Saturday. There were no reports of any injuries in Polk County due to the weather.