New federal rules mean some residents of public housing (those who choose a “flat rate” rent instead of one based on income) will be paying higher rent in the fall.

LU contacted LaFayette Housing Authority about the change. Director Ruth Bass says LHA is “working through the changes” but doesn’t yet know what the local impact will be.

Average monthly rent for public housing in LaFayette now is $200; any changes will start on September 1st.   

Most employed Walker County citizens drive almost half an hour to get to work.

LaFayette residents average 21.6 minutes; people living in the Villanow area drive 32.4. Even those in the Chickamauga area are driving 30.8. That’s about five hours a week lost to commuting.

That’s because more than half of Walker County’s jobs are located in Hamilton or Whitfield. Hamilton, particularly, imports more than a quarter of its workforce from outside communities like Walker and Dade.

Dozens of people in LaFayette, Rock Spring, Chickamauga, even down into Trion and Rome, drive to Chattanooga for jobs in the Enterprise South Industrial Park where VW, Amazon, and several other giant companies are located.   

WQCH Radio, 07/09/14: “A COUPLE SUSPECTED OF DEALING DRUGS WERE WERE FOUND SLEEPING INSIDE THEIR CAR ON THE LAFAYETTE WALMART PARKING LOT. POLICE WERE NOTIFIED LAST FRIDAY AT AROUND 1 PM.

“THEY ARRESTED 23 YEAR OLD SHELBY LYNN FRANKLIN AND 28 YEAR OLD CHARLIE JUSTIN HARRIS, BOTH FROM CHICKAMAUGA. A 2 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS SLEEPING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND WAS TURNED OVER TO DFACS FOR PROTECTIVE CUSTODY.

“A SEARCH OF THE CAR REVEALED BAGGIES CONTAINING CRYSTAL METH, A GLASS PIPE AND 5-THOUSAND FIVE-HUNDRED DOLLARS CASH. BOTH ADULTS WERE CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF METH.

“AFTER HER ARREST, FRANKLIN WAS SEARCHED AGAIN INSIDE THE JAIL, AND A HYDROCODONE PILL WAS FOUND ON HER PERSON. SHE WAS ADDITIONALLY CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE-3 NARCOTICS AND CROSSING THE GUARD LINE.

“LAFAYETTE POLICE TURNED THE DRUG CASE OVER TO THE DRUG TASK FORCE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.”

$5,500 in cash and they can’t find a hotel?   

The “dysfunctional” Rollins family, which has ties to Catoosa and Walker, is ranked 33rd wealthiest in the US. They control assets worth around $7.8 billion, including the Orkin Pest Control empire.

The Rollins lived in Catoosa County before getting big and moving to Atlanta. At one point the family patriarch owned all the land that currently makes up Pigeon Mountain wildlife area AND Mountain Cove Farms.

They still own mineral rights under much of that land, and also own a company that does oil fracking. Don’t be surprised if those two facts eventually come into play at the same time..   

Last year Summerville legalized liquor by the drink. On November 4th the rest of Chattooga County will have a vote to legalize liquor in restaurants.

In May Walker County voters approved a measure that promised to bring liquor by the glass into local eateries, but so far the Commissioner here hasn’t finalized any changes to the law.   

Senator Jeff Mullis (R-Caterpillar) continues to show his true colors by campaigning and fundraising for GA School Superintendent candidate Mike Buck. Buck has taken a position in support of Common Core standards, opposes charter schools, and represents the status quo in broken Georgia’s educational bureaucracy.

Buck’s Web Site: “I will continue to work with our economic developers, elected officials, and business communities, including the state and local Chambers of Commerce…”

Dancing the tune of the Chamber and politicians, just like Mullis does.. Not what the parents or voters want but what Walmart, Home Depot, GA Chamber of Commerce, Nathan Deal, and Bebe Heiskell want.

“‘Mike Buck is my choice for state school superintendent,’ said Sen. Mullis. ‘I’m confident that he will effectively lead our state’s education system. He has over 30 years of experience in education, a proven record for increasing academic performance and a clear dedication to maintaining personal integrity. Join me when I vote for him on July 22.'”

Mullis and Buck sound like two peas in a pod.. If you love Georgia the way it is, ethically, educationally, and financially struggling, be sure to take Senator Mullis’ directions and vote for Buck.   

LaFayette Library is seeking donations to supply a few furnishings and equipment for the (hopefully) soon to be completed branch renovation.

Library will be putting in a “Legacy Tree” with the names of donors who give over $100.   

Last week LU mentioned several new laws starting on July 1st. Here’s a look at a few more state rules new for Summer 2014.   

The ruins of “Corpsewood Manor” have been a macabre tourist destination in Chattooga County for over three decades.

Last week Nooga.com visited the site and made photos, almost 32 years after the murder that made it infamous.   

The number of Georgians living in poverty has shot up over the last decade. During the 2010 census, a full third of Peach State residents had family incomes below the poverty line.

Research conducted by the New York Times finds most counties in Georgia are “hard places to live” based on poverty, education, healthcare, and several other factors. (CNBC says Georgia is #1 place to do business but apparently that’s only for businesses whose owners get to live somewhere else.)

Walker County is firmly in the “doing worse” column, behind Dade Catoosa and Whitfield, but stays slightly ahead of Chattooga.   

Trion woman, 24-year-old Chassidy Faith Spraggins, arrested last week in Ringgold for breaking into an abandoned car while her child watched.

Other local arrest reports: June 26-July 2 and June 30-July 6.     

A civil rights advocacy group requests a federal investigation of conditions inside Georgia state prisons.

Organization cites 34 murders behind bars in the last four years (including several at Hays in Trion) as a sign something is wrong at GA Department of Corrections.   

A select number of Georgia teachers will soon get a preview of new year-end tests they’ll be required to teach to during the next school year.   

84-year-old Joe Barger is finishing out his last term as Mayor of Ringgold. He was elected to Ringgold’s city council in the late 60’s and has been mayor since 1975. He’s a veteran of Korea and claims his grandfather fought in the Civil War.   

A local business owner (no need to give a name, you can guess who) is now comparing LU to Adolph Hitler.

Guess that means he’s out of legitimate, relevant points to make. Per Godwin’s Law, that means he loses the argument and discussion has to end…

LU is an anonymous blog run by citizens of the community concerned about government abuse. Hitler, if you forget, was an insane dictator who invaded most of Europe, murdered millions of innocent people, and started World War II.   

Mt Vernon Mills, largest employer in Chattooga County and a major supplier of jobs for Walker residents, says new EPA rules regarding power generation will hurt business (especially manufacturers) all over the state.   

“The painful reality is that the majority of Americans do not fit tidily into the two major political parties that dominate our government. The United States is too big a country filled with too many people for two parties to credibly lay claim to blanket representation.“   

Last year cleaning crews restored 50 of the monuments at Chickamauga battlefield. This summer they hope to clean and repair another 160.

Leaving about 500 more to go.   

During July, LU earns a $2 bonus for everyone who signs for a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime.

Free shipping on Amazon products, streaming video, streaming music, and Kindle ebook rentals – pretty cool service if you haven’t checked it out before. Free for a month, $99 a year if you don’t cancel the trial.

(LU also gets commission on Amazon sales made through this link.)   

Kim Williams has been named “chief parole officer” for the State Pardons and Paroles office in LaFayette.   

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