Inclement Weather Forecast For Afternoon and Early Evening

Carroll County and the majority of Georgia should brace for rough weather today as the Georgia Emergency Management agency is predicting the possibility of severe thunderstorms starting this afternoon.

Most of the state, Carroll County included, has a slight risk of severe thunderstorms, while northwest Georgia has a moderate risk. Typically the storms are accompanied by frequent lightening and damaging winds, and less frequently, tornadoes and hail.

Carroll Board of Elections Has New Web Address

The Carroll County Board of Elections and Registrations unveiled a new website earlier today, and moved from their old web address to www.elections.carrollcountyga.com. 

Judicial Center Construction A Sight to Behold (Day 1 of the Progress Series)

Progress doesn't get much prettier than this. Check back every day for a new photograph of the progress on the Carroll County Judicial Center, and watch your tax dollars at work from the ground up.

Country Star Headlines 10th Annual Black Tie & Boots

Gary Allan will be the latest country star to play Waco when he headlines this year’s Black Tie & Boots event for the West Georgia Technical College Foundation.

Governor Recognizes Carroll County in Signing First Bill

Gov. Nathan Deal today signed his first piece of legislation as the CEO of Georgia. The bill, HB 104, required an expedited signature by the governor and deals with sales tax distribution in Carroll County. It is now Act 1.

Rec Department to Offer Zumba Classes

Local residents looking to get in shape for swimsuit weather will be excited to learn that the Carroll County Recreation Department will soon offer Zumba classes.

Tax Assessor Adds New Map Interface, Aerial Photography to Website

The Carroll County Board of Tax Assessors and Appraisals Office recently unveiled a new mapping interface that will help members of the public find information on parcels of land throughout the county. 

Carroll Emergency Personnel Learn New Tech, Increase Preparedness

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency visited the Villa Rica Civic Center and Sports Complex Tuesday morning for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plane (WIPP) Road Show.

Tech Park Work Moving Despite Rough Weather

Despite a flurry of weather-related delays in recent weeks, work on the Carroll County Technology Park is moving full steam ahead, and it should be wholly complete by sometime this summer.

All this week, crews have been hard at work leveling and compacting the area just off of the Carrollton 166 Bypass. According to project manager Randy Simpkins, this initial grading will last into the spring.  Once that work is complete, all that stands between companies laying claim to the site is the paving of roads into the complex, which should put the opening of the park at sometime in the summer months.

Sex Offender Registry Online

Residents can now access the Georgia Sex Offender registry online through the Carroll County Sheriff’s website.

To do so, go to http://carrollsheriff.info/sexoffenderregistry, and then click on the link titled “Carroll County Sheriff Sex Offender Watch.” From there, residents can search for registered sex offenders in their area.

It’s just one of the many services the Sheriff’s Department offers to help keep the area that much safer for residents of all ages.

Cross Plains Hulett Bridge to Reopen Soon

Construction crews were out in force last Friday to pour concrete for the soon-to-be-opened bridge on Cross Plain Hulett Road.

Carroll to Host Department of Energy, WIPP Officials

The Carroll County Emergency Management Agency will host representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy and GEMA Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Villa Rica Civic Center and Sports Complex for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Road Show.

Let's Get Out and Have Some Fun!

Outside enjoying the unseasonably warm weather? Don't forget that John Tanner Park and McIntosh Reserve are open year round. The water may be too cold for a swim, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy Tanner's sand beach, playgrounds, minigolf course and walking trails, or McIntosh's horse trails and beautiful river overlook.

Arbor Day in Carroll County

Jacob Cahler, an employee at John Tanner Park, plants a redbud tree in view of the park’s sand beach Friday in observance of Arbor Day. The first Arbor Day was held in 1872 when an estimated 1 million trees were planted.

AARP Tax Help

Carroll County residents seeking help filing their tax returns should look no further than the AARP’s Tax-Aid program, a free service that helps low-to-moderate income taxpayers, with a special emphasis placed on senior citizens.

Story Time is Always Fun Time at the Library

Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Children’s Specialist Teresa Jones hosts pre-school story time at the Neva Lomason Memorial Library for young children and parents to come and enjoy. Jones always ensures the stories are entertaining and age appropriate. The weekly themes for February have been groundhogs and shadows, valentines and getting dressed.

Wine and Vineyard Group to Hold First Board Meeting

Carroll County is a step closer to reclaiming its status as a premier wine producer with the Vineyard and Winery Association of West Georgia’s first board meeting scheduled for early next week; the group has met previously, but this is the first formal meeting of its board.

West Georgia Quilters Guild Annual Exhibit on Display

Flowers Forever by Sue Hardin.

Show your support of the West Georgia Quilters Guild by visiting their annual exhibit on display at the Neva Lomason Memorial Library's Cultural Arts Gallery. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public during library hours, will be on display through the remainder of February. 

Inmate Labor Saves County Millions Annually

Inmate labor through the Carroll County Prison is estimated at saving the county more than $3.7 million annually, providing construction, janitorial and other services that would otherwise need to be done by county employees; the county would inevitably have to hire more employees to do this work, coming at an ultimate cost to the taxpayer.

Anyone who has traveled around Carroll County has seen at least one of the 32 different labor details that go out every day, but what most people don’t realize is how many different services the 170 inmates in the labor program provide for local residents, said Deputy Prison Warden Tim Tant.

UWG Receives Scholarship Funds From Suntrust

The SunTrust Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to the University System of Georgia Foundation, with the money going to implement the “SunTrust Scholars” program at the University of West Georgia among nine other Metro Atlanta University System of Georgia institutions.

Funding received will be used to enable students facing significant financial barriers to attend the any of the 10 institutions.

Art Class for Kids at Cultural Arts Center

The Carrollton Cultural Arts Center will be hosting a free art class for children, ages 7-12, on Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will work with artist Alan Kuykendall to “upcycle” discarded items into decorative “pieces of candy” to be used on the set of Carroll County Community Theatre’s production of Willy Wonka. There is no cost to attend, but participants must be pre-registered by Feb. 17. There is a limit of 20 participants. Call 770-838-1083 to register and for more information.

GPS Treasure Hunt Draws Tourists

While most people probably haven’t heard about it, the treasure-hunting game of geocaching is quietly and steadily bringing tourists to Carroll County, and they’re bringing their wallets with them.

Carroll County Clerk of Court's Office Now Takes Passport Pics

Residents looking to travel abroad will now find that getting a passport made at the Carroll County Clerk of Court’s office is that much more efficient.

For more than a month now, Clerk of Court Alan Lee’s office has offered passport photos for the same price customers would see at drug stores or big-box retailers. Photos are $10, and by having them made at the Clerk’s office, residents can be sure that the photos meet the necessary requirements laid out by the U.S. Department of State. By doing so, they’ll also expedite the application process as a whole.

On Facebook? We Are Too!

You can now "like" Carroll County, GA on Facebook, giving you another way to stay abreast of all things Carroll.

Photo Collection Captures Carroll County's Rich History

Source: Benjamin M. Long Collection, Annie Belle Weaver Special Collections, Ingram Library, University of West Georgia.

Carroll County has long maintained a rich history. From its founding in 1826 to the cotton boom of the late 19th century to the rural traditions still present today, the county has enjoyed a distinct cultural history that reflects both the changes of the decades and the values that have remain intact throughout. Photographs dating back to the early 20th century are available at the Digital Library of Georgia, showcasing the county’s unique past.

Summer Gymnastics Camp Info

 Click for larger view

Huge Turnout for Carroll County Council on Aging's Valentine's Day Fellowship

Over 500 seniors citizens from around Carroll County were present at the Carroll County Council on Aging's annual Valentine's Day Fellowship at the East Carrollton Recreation Center Thursday.

AG Forecast Looks Sunny

Local and state officials told a crowd at the 2011 Georgia Ag Forecast on Wednesday that agricultural industry has been and will remain a vital asset to the Georgia economy; in the coming year, it will continue to be a boon both to the local and regional economies through the further implementation of locally-sourced food programs and other innovative approaches.

County Talks Paving with Residents

Tuesday evening Public Works Superintendent Charles Pope and District 5 Commissioner Kevin Jackson met with residents from Old Five Notch Road to discuss the possibility of the county paving the dirt road.

County Employees Win Insurance-Sponsored Drawing

A group of lucky Carroll County employees were smiling Wednesday afternoon after recieving $100 gift cards won in a drawing by Northwestern Benefits Corporation of Georgia and United HealthCare, with one employee, Sheriff's Deputy Scott Smith, taking home the grand prize of a 40-inch high-definition television.

The drawing was a means of encouraging employees to participate in a voluntary poll about the insurance benefits provided by the county.

From the National Weather Service Regarding Potential Snow Tonight

The National Weather Service conducted a briefing this afternoon in reference to the forecasted winter weather tonight. Our area will be under a Winter Weather Advisory from 6:00 p.m. tonight through noon Thursday. The current forecast is for less one inch of snow accumulation in our area. 

The precipitation is expected to begin in our area between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. as rain and then change over to snow. Ground temperatures are in the 30’s and 40’s, and initial snow will melt but then begin to accumulate as temperatures decrease overnight.

Carrollton Moves Forward on New Downtown Amphitheater

The Carrollton City Council voted Monday to move forward with construction of a 700-seat capacity amphitheater off of Bradley Street in the downtown area. Carroll County is partnering with the city to raze the Skinner Building, which the city currently owns, to make way for the amphitheater and an accompanying park. The county will also do some grating work on the project.

Carroll County Buys New Salt Spreader

The recent addition of a 9-ton salt spreader to the Carroll County Public Works Department will make it easier and safer for county crews to keep the local highways and byways clear of ice should Old Man Winter rear his ugly head again.

Severe Weather Awareness Week

Today marks the beginning of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia, and local officials say they hope residents use the week as an opportunity to prepare for the worst.

The announcement of Severe Weather Awareness Week from Gov. Nathan Deal came on the heels of the conception and formation of Ready Georgia, a public awareness campaign aimed at helping citizens understand the importance of emergency preparedness as well as providing them with the tools necessary to be prepared in the event of an emergency.

Italian Artists Bring a New View of Art, Music and Literature to UWG

Music, visual arts, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, some Samuel Beckett, a little Keats and Shakespeare too.

That’s what the University of West Georgia’s Music Department will present on Feb. 10 at Kathy Cashen Recital Hall at 8:15 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

“The Gothic Dream: The Horror of Silence,” is a multi-media production that dissects music, literature, cinema and fine arts to explore the varying themes in particular pieces of literature.

West Georgia Region Turns Out for Livestock Show at Carroll County Ag Center

Eager youth and adults from around the region were present Saturday at the Carroll County Agricultural Education Center to show off their cattle farming prowess during the 2011 West Georgia Livestock Show.

 

The Great Gatsby is This Year's Big Read

This year's Big Read will give the Carroll County community the opportunity to be transported back into a golden era between two world wars when the economy boomed, women wore flapper dresses and hot jazz music kept speakeasies open into the early morning hours: the roaring 1920's.

The Friends of the Neva Lomason Memorial Library recently announced that the book for next month's 2011 Big Read will be F. Scott Fitzgerald's great American novel The Great Gatsby.

Today is the Last Day for Spring Rec Signups

Those interested in signing up for spring sports at the Carroll County Recreation Department have only a few hours left to do so, as registration ends at 5:30 p.m. today.

Sports available during the spring season include baseball, soccer, track, softball and wrestling. The cost for each sport is $30 per participant. For additional info, consult the attached flier or call (770) 830-5902.

Mayfest Apps Now Available

Applications are now available for the 26th annual Mayfest, one of Carroll County's most popular springtime events, which annually sees several thousand attendees. Set in the heart of downtown Carrollton, Mayfest has become a staple of the county's social calendar by offering something for the entire family. Opportunities for fun at the event range from games and merchandise vendors to live music and delicious food to a host of crafts and fine art.

Mark your calendars, as the 2011 Mayfest is scheduled for May 7th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event will be held at Carrollton's Adamson Square as well as parts of Bradley and Rome streets.

A Day for the Waterfowl

Winter Weather Won't Likely Have Big Impact on Carroll

Anyone who has stepped outside today knows that winter isn't over yet, and parts of Georgia are slated to see wet winter weather on Thursday and Friday that could make for hazardous conditions.

Yet, to the relief of local parents and to the chagrin of their school-aged children, county officials are optimistic that the winter weather isn't likely to have a major impact on Carroll County, and in all likelihood, the roads will be unaffected and the schools will be open on Friday.

Golden K, Southwire to Hold Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

The Kiwanis Club of Carrollton Golden K is partnering with Southwire to hold a pancake breakfast every Saturday in February, an effort that will give Carroll County residents the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal while supporting local charitable organizations in the process.

This year's pancake breakfasts will be held Feb. 5, 12, 19, and 26 at Little Hawaiian Seafood Grill & Tiki Lounge at 206 Rome Street in downtown Carrollton. Tickets are $6 and are available either at the door or at a variety of local churches and businesses.

Info for March 15 Election

The 2011 election cycle begins for Carroll County on March 15, with a referendum on a 1% sales tax for education, or ESPLOST. The referendum will decide whether or not to extend the existing 1% ESPLOST, it does not create an addition %1 tax.

The ballot is quite lengthy and citizens are encouraged to obtain a sample ballot before heading to the polls. The sample ballot can be found here.

The last day for residents to register to vote for the March election is Feb. 14. Some important information for registering:

Dyer Road Convenience Center to Expand

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to expand the convenience center on Dyer Road in an effort to alleviate traffic congestion, improve trash control and beautify the the surrounding area.

The expansion comes in the form of a .91 acre tract of vacant property located just northeast of Dyer Road located on State Route 61.

BOC partners with Carrollton for additional Neighborhood Stabilization funds

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted to partner with the city of Carrollton and the Carrollton Housing Authority to move forward with the application for additional funds through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

The city has already been pre-approved for the $1.1 million that will come with this third round of funding through the program, which will be in addition to the $2.6 million that was allocated to the city in early 2009.

A Foggy Day in Carroll County

Quilt Museum Gets Statewide Press

The Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum draws attention from across the state of Georgia

See below for pictures, and the initial release.

Carrollton business featured on Fox News

Clay Wood, with Fogo Data Center, talks about how Google is revolutionizing modern computing.

Will Google's Online Operating System Revolutionize the Computer?

For more information on FOGO, see the release below:

Certification For Temple Industrial Park Paves Way For Future Growth

The Carroll County Development Authority, the City of Temple and Carroll Tomorrow announced on Tuesday that the Temple Industrial Park has been named by the Georgia Allies as a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) site. The designation comes following an arduous two-year process of meeting state certification criteria, and it paves the way for further industries to locate in Carroll County in the future.

The 100-acre Temple site, located at E. Luke and Hanson Roads in Temple, is one of only 15 designated sites in the state of Georgia. These recognized sites effectively allow interested industries to quickly find a location that meets their needs without having to go through a lengthy surveying process. Prospective new industries often won’t even consider sites that are not well prepared for immediate development, and the GRAD qualification at the Temple Industrial Park will ensure that Carroll County is among the top contenders for any new industries coming into the state.

“This certification gives Carroll County a big leg up when it comes to attracting major industries. When companies are looking for a place to relocate or expand in the state of Georgia, they’ll think first about the Temple Industrial Park,” said John Peyton Boan, communications coordinator with Carroll County. “I applaud the work of the Carroll County Development Authority, the City of Temple and Carroll Tomorrow in making this designation a reality.”

To qualify for GRAD status, Carroll Tomorrow, the local economic development organization, with support by the Carroll County Development Authority, the City of Temple and the Carroll County Commission, submitted the site to the Georgia Allies for review, which was followed by a third party assessment. Qualifying is based on a number of categories including acreage, ownership, zoning, accessibility, utilities service, and wetlands and stream delineation. Accepted sites must have cleared topographical, geotechnical, and environmental (Phase I) surveys, and studies must be performed that look into the cultural resources and endangered species that may be located at the site.

The Temple Industrial Park currently hosts two successful existing industries: Janus International and Royal Metal, boasting over 500 employees. In response to the new GRAD designation, Carroll Tomorrow is updating print and online promotional materials of the remaining 35 acre tract to highlight the elevated status to state development project managers and prospective industrial interests.

Quilters From Around Georgia Turn Out For Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum's First Show

Thomas O'Connor/Carroll County

Scottie Blumke and Beverly Gibson admire a quilt by Rae Giddens Monday in the Georgia State Capitol Building during a quilt show hosted by the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum. The quilt, which Giddens contributed to as part of the Wiregrass Quilters Guild out of Fitzgerald, Albany and Tifton, GA., was one of many from quilters around the state.

Thomas O'Connor/Carroll County

Scottie Blumke and Beverly Gibson admire a quilt by Rae Giddens Monday in the Georgia State Capitol Building during a quilt show hosted by the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum. The quilt, which Giddens contributed to as part of the Wiregrass Quilters Guild out of Fitzgerald, Albany and Tifton, GA., was one of many from quilters around the state.

Thomas O'Connor/Carroll County

Bessie Burnett describes the process used to select colors for her quilt, A Mountain of Brown Sugar by the Brown Sugar Stitchers out of Decatur, Ga., to Darlene Johnson during a quilt show at the Georgia State Capitol Building hosted by the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum Monday. Guilds and quilters from around the state were present to show off their work and help promote the museum project

Thomas O'Connor/Carroll County

The Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum hosted its first quilt show inside the Georgia State Capitol Building Monday. All of the quilts on display during the show will be auctioned off at a later date to help raise funds for the museum.

Thomas O'Connor/Times-Georgian

A panel from the 'Georgia on Our Mind' quilt by the West Georgia Quilters guild depicts the old Carroll County Courthouse. The quilt was one of many on display during the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum first quilt show which was held inside the Georgia State Capitol Building Monday.

Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum Showcased Under Gold Dome

The Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum held its first public show at the Georgia State Capitol on Monday, drawing attention from the statewide press, the public and lawmakers alike.

The event, which featured more than 50 quilts from 70 guilds across Georgia, was the premier large-scale show hosted by the museum, and while it wasn't held in the Bradley Street Cotton Warehouse in Carrollton—the location where the museum will eventually be housed—organizers say it was a major success, bringing much-deserved attention to the long-anticipated project. Upon completion, the museum will be the only such space in the entire Southeast, which is currently the only geographical region of the country that does not have a quilting museum.

Once the show ended Monday afternoon, all the quilts on display were transported to a climate-controlled space in Carrollton to be housed until they could be auctioned off at a later date. While it’s yet to be seen how much money the auction will generate, organizers said the initial asking price on all the quilts will be $500, and as of late morning Monday, several attendees to the show had already expressed an interest in paying much more for some of the pieces on display. Talks about the museum itself date back to as early as 2001, but Monday’s event marked the first step in generating the funds necessary to make it a reality, said Marilyn Osterkamp, chairwoman of the museum’s board of directors. Osterkamp said she is optimistic that the event will serve as a catalyst to bring in future donations, which will in turn pave the way for a 2012 grand opening.

The museum promises to be a boon to Carroll County as a whole, with estimates showing that it could pump upwards of $25 million a year into the local economy, drawing 50,000 tourists to the area annually. By bringing in such a high number of visitors to the Carroll County area, the museum promises to promote other county businesses both big and small, as newcomers to the area learn about all that Carroll County has to offer.

“The closest one is in Paducah, Ky., and that’s a long way away. We went all the time, and every time we went, we spent over $1,000, and we want that money to come to Carrollton,” said Beverly Hammack, who is with the museum. “Since we’re on U.S. 27, people coming through will spend money all over the state of Georgia.”

Not only a tremendous economic stimulus, the museum will provide one more addition to the cultural epicenter that is downtown Carrollton. The art of quilting goes back generations, and the museum will ensure that it stays vibrant and alive for generations to come, said Ginny Hendrix, with the Hall County quilters guild.

“Some people think that quilting is a dying art, and nobody does it anymore. That’s not true, and it really is an art form,” Hendrix said. “Our mothers, our grandmothers going back quilted. I’m excited to have a place where we can display our quilts and share them with our children, and it’s in our own backyard too.”