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VOTE Tues. Feb. 13th for State Senator District 30 see page 4 for DISTRICT 30’s new boundary MAP lines see page 5 for PRECINCT LIST: Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, Paulding counties go to “My Voter Page” to check your precinct location: www.mvp.sos.ga.goc
StarNews monthly traditional print / StarNews Online daily local news
FEBRUARY 11, 2024 • VOLUME 30 NUMBER 2
www.starnewsgaonline.com
Carrollton Nursing and Rehab continues Special Election for State Senate District 30: February 13th to spew raw sewage out onto open ground One Democrat and three Republicans vie for State Nov. 7th, State EPD informed StarNews: “no observed sewage spill”
Videos taken November 28th show steady flow continuing out onto open ground
story by Sue Horn Despite being informed by the Georgia EPD that the longtime raw sewage spill out of the Carrollton Nursing and Rehabiliation facility had ceased, StarNews discovered through videos taken November 28th that the spill is continuing and ongoing. Raw sewage was videoed flowing freely out of old pipes, onto the open round behind the facility. See latest videos at www.starnewsgaonline.com. The October 15, 2023 edition of StarNews, a front page story relating the 20+ year ongoing sewage spill from Carrollton Nursing and Rehabilitation (located at 2327 Highway 27, Carrollton) into Buck Creek - identified as a “Water of the State” - which flows into the Little Tallapoosa River - also a
STILL SPEWING page 8
Sheriff Terry Langley invites the community to join him at his February 29th “Leap Day” re-election fundraiser at county Ag Center
Senate seat vacated by Republican Mike Dugan 4 COUNTY RACE: Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, and Paulding - see PRECINCT LIST on page 5
Lone Democrat Ashley Kecskes Godwin faces Republicans Renae Bell, Tim Bearden, and Bob Smith
story by Sue Horn A Special Election for State Senate District 30 will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2024, in Carroll, Douglas, Haralson and Paulding counties. A run-off, if needed, will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
County Commissioner for District 5 Ernie Reynolds will not seek re-election nor will he run for chairman seat
See SPECIAL ELECTION page 10 story by Sue Horn
Qualifying for these Carroll County elected offices is March 4th through the 8th
OFFICE / BASE SALARY / QUALIFYING FEE Chairman County Commission $106,381.99 / $3,191.46 District Commissioners 1,3, & 5 $9,689.71 / $290.69 Sheriff $96,381.99 / $2,891.46 Tax Commissioner $86,381.94 / $2,591.46 Clerk of Court $86,381.94 / $2,591.46 Probate Judge $86,381.94 / $2,591.46 Chief Magistrate $88,109.64 / $2,643.29 State Court Judge $120,411.27 / $3,612.34 Solicitor $114,725.70 / $3,441.77 Coroner $15,000.00 / $450.00 County School Board 1,3,4 & 6 Per Diem $50 County Surveyor Fee: $10.00
StarNews was informed January 30th, that District 5 County Commissioner Ernie Reynolds will not be seeking reelection. The well-respected and popular district commissioner also said he will not be seeking the office of chairman. He cited health reasons for his decision to not pursue another four years as District 5 Commissioner. He will comReynolds plete his term that ends Dec. 31st. Qualifying for his seat, County Board of Commissioners District 5, is March 4-8. Qualifying fee is $290.96. Reynolds shared wth StarNews that this past December he had experienced a “health scare” and a hospital visit that he described as “sobering”. Despite a positive outcome See REYNOLDS page 27
New county elections Kentucky-based Paxton Media, owner of local Times-Georgian supervisor and election/registration newspaper, cuts publications from five per week to three manager are hired Cites need to reduce expenses locally to “remain fiscally healthy”
Shown above right is Carroll County Sheriff Terry Langley with Don Levans, past Commander of American Legion Post 143 and Past President of the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Association. Levans, who lives in the Center Point Community, served in the United States Air Force, 1950-1954. The 92-year old veteran remarked, “How wonderful it is to have a sheriff who is totally dedicated to the welfare of the citizens of this county.” See story page 11.
from press release Keith West has been hired as Carroll County Local newspaper reports the 3 printed editions will now have more Elections Supervisor and Will Hobson has been puzzles: “We will double up on our popular puzzle feature page” hired as Carroll County Election and Registration story by Sue Horn Paxton Media Group, fifth largest newspaper company Manager. These two replace Greg Rigby and Carolyn Driver, respectively, who both retired at in the U.S. and owner of 120+ newspapers in 14 states, announced in its weekend edition, January 20-21, 2024 of the end of last year. West and Hobson were hired by Carroll Times-Georgian, that it will cut its print publications from See NEW HIRES page 5 See CUTTING COSTS page 30
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