The Paper June 11, 2015

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CMYK Thursday, June 11, 2015

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Emergency disaster drill conducted. 3A

Grand reopening of depot is Saturday Reward still offered for information leading to arrest and conviction of arsonists responsible for March fire By LEANNE AKIN

lakin@clickthepaper.com

HOSCHTON –The historic Hoschton Depot is getting the finishing touches on the restoration journey the structure had been taking since a March 6 arson fire basically gutted the building. “We are excited to have her (the depot) up and running,” said Hoschton Mayor Theresa Kenerly. “She is beautiful. Just to drive by and see her still there is heart warming.” The fire, apparently deliberately set, was reported just before 4:30 a.m. on the day before a Public Safety Day that was to be hosted at the depot. That event, coordinated by city events planner Jennifer Kidd, was moved to the lawn in front of Lawson Funeral Home. Kidd is also coordinating Saturday’s grand reopening celebration which is incorporated into the June Bug Concert which was already on tap. The ribboncutting ceremony will be held at noon with Parker Young Construction joining with city officials for the celebration. There will be a presentation of flags from Independence Bank at 12:30 p.m., and at 1 p.m., refreshments will be enjoyed including a cake to be cut and served up and free grilled hot dogs.The Rocking Birds will be performing on the newly-expanded deck beginning at 2 p.m. When the fire occurred, Mayor Kenerly said it was a sad day but she was reassured that the community would come together once again and breath new life into the landmark which she called the historic heart of Hoschton since it was built in 1883 – and it has. Emergency units from West Jackson, Jackson Trail, North Jackson and the Jackson County Correctional Institute Fire Departments responded to the early morning fire call, and tte first firefighter on the

scene reported smoke and fire coming from the back side of the structure. West Jackson Fire Chief Ben Stephens had high accolades for the efforts of firefighters – both in firefighting and identifying some evidence for investigators. While the structure had heavy smoke damage throughout, the good stop made by firefighters kept the fire damage from being more extensive. The initial investigation suggested the blaze was started on the back deck near a hallway door and an accelerant was used and the State Fire Marshal’s Office launched its probe into the arson in cooperation with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. While cleanup was still under way, a poster was already out in front of the depot offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the blaze. Jim Beck and Al Barnett, who serve on the Georgia Arson Council which sponsors the arson hotline and provides rewards, say arson is not a victimless crime. Although insurance companies may provide money in the aftermath of a fire to help make the victim whole, property losses remain – totaling more than $20 million since 2004. And loss of life can be involved with some cases resulting in the tragic death of a firefighter responding to help protect lives and property. Arson can be a gateway crime for a juvenile who may be emboldened by the crime with fire and move toward more criminal activity. Beck and Barnett say the council’s work is paying off with almost 600 rewards representing $1.8 million in payouts to those who provide valuable information in arson cases since 1979. Some rewards have been made to those who wish to remain anonymous. Call the arson hotline at1-800-282-5804 if you have information related to this or other arson fires. See the website at www. georgiaarsoncontrol.com

LeAnne Akin The Paper

During the recent Bluegrass and BBQ event, the first happening at the depot since a March 6 arson fire heavily damaged the historic Hoschton Depot, blue lights from the cruiser of a Jackson County Sheriff’s deputy called attention to the poster reminding of the reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the fire. The emergency vehicle slowed traffic on Highway 53 for those crossing in the crosswalk to get to the Hoschton Heritage Arts Council event.

Lanier Tech

Site options are being narrowed By JOSHUA SILAVENT

Regional staff

More details are trickling out about the search for land to relocate Lanier Technical College, with sites now narrowed to six choices within Hall County. Officials with the school have said the current facilities are outdated and rebuilding at the Oakwood location is unrealistic. While price is obviously a critical factor in the choice, proximity is just as important, according to those involved in the search, which includes Philip Wilheit, chairman of the Gainesville and Hall County Development Authority, and representatives from the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and Lanier Tech. Land with easy access to Interstate 985 and Ga. 365, as well as the fact that Lanier Tech wants to keep its distance from other technical colleges in neighboring counties, has culled the list from more than 20. Availability of infrastructure, including access to water, sewer and gas, is also a key component of any decision. The Times has confirmed the location of three of the six sites being considered. One site being considered is land in the Chestnut Mountain area offered by Doug Magnus, president and founder of Conditioned Air Systems Inc. in Gainesville.

See LANIER TECH, 5A

LeAnne Akin The Paper

Remembering Olivia

Emotions were on the sleeves of the family of 9-year-old Olivia Ouimet, who died last November from complications from a bone marrow transplant. The daughter of Chris and Leah Ouimet was diagnosed in February of 2013 with Aplastic Anemia, the disease which Kelly, wife of Jackson County Brevet founder Robert Wilhite, has been battling for 27 years. See more on Page 2B.

It’s farmers market season! Downtown Jefferson was alive with sights and sounds Saturday morning for the opening day of the Jefferson Farmers Market. On Friday afternoon, Braselton Town Councilman Tony Funari donned a bright red Braselton apron to cut a watermelon to celebrate the opening of the 2015 season of the Braselton Farmers Market. It is held from 4-7 p.m. off Harrison Street between Frances and Davis streets. The square in Jefferson is hopping with vendors from 8-11 a.m. on Saturdays and last weekend, Sally Stites and the Sunroom Gang set up in front of Ferranti’s Cakery and entertained with toe-tapping sounds and you could enjoy freshly-made biscuits and strawLeAnne Akin The Paper

Lazy Goat Produce, operated by Jason and Tifant White, offered a selections of preserves, jams and jellies, relishes, salsa, butters and more at the Jefferson Farmers Market.

INSIDE Church Entertainment Events Features Forum

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Volume 9, Number 31 Obituaries 4A Police report 2A Puzzles 5B Sports 1-2B

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berry lemonade, shop for vegetables and peaches, preserves and more including Buffalo Creek Soap Shop products. Vendors on hand for the kickoff of the Jefferson Farmers Market on June 6 were Phillip and Ali Merk of Merk Farms, Tiffany White with Lazy Goat Produce, Sarah Copeland with Simply Sarah All Natural Products, Delia Buxton of The Back Forty, Kip Holt, Jenni Turley, Linda Newton and Lee Allen Wells. Participating in upcoming farmers market session will be the Jackson County Arts Council, Jerry Johnson, Walter and Cheryl Pelligrini, Lori Posnansky, Susan Stephenson and Master Gardener Michael Hollenbeck Bowers. “I have several other farmers interested in participating as their gardens come in so we will have lots of folks before the end of the season,” said Laughinghouse.

See MARKETS, 2A

The Paper P.O. Box 430 Hoschton, GA 30548

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