The former Stearns Bank / Covenant Bank building in Rock Spring was the topic of Thursday afternoon’s Walker Commissioner meeting.

In a world that makes sense, the meeting would be to end any talks of buying it, but in Bebeland it was for finalizing the paperwork to buy the thing even though Walker County is flat broke and getting broke-er by the day.   

LPD says the pellet that took out a window at Queen City Bistro last Saturday was probably fired from a silver Nissan Maxima driven by a man.

Beyond that, investigators have no suspects, leads, or motives in vandalism case.   

Drugs continue to take their toll..

WQCH Radio, 04/13/15: “LAFAYETTE POLICE CHARGED THREE LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH POSSESSION OF METH AND MARIJUANA, THIS WEEK.

“OFFICERS WERE LOOKING FOR A RESIDENT TO SERVE A WARRANT ON NAPIER STREET, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE MAN THEY WERE LOOKING FOR WAS LOCATED INSIDE A TRUCK IN THE DRIVEWAY ALONG WITH TWO OTHERS.

“A CONSENT SEARCH OF THE TRUCK LOCATED METH AND MARIJUANA IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. NO ONE WOULD CLAIM OWNERSHIP OF THE DRUGS, SO ALL THREE WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF METH AND POT WERE 43 YEAR OLD JUDY LEE HALE, 27 YEAR OLD BOBBY ALLEN BALL AND 27 YEAR OLD BRITTANY LEEANN BROCK.”   

Walker County’s new eyesore plastics plant in Noble will have another job fair next Friday at the Housing Authority office.

This press release and other media statements about the factory conflict each other – this says the company will make parts for vehicles, while local radio says it will make raw plastic which OTHER companies will make into parts for vehicles, which is closer to the truth.

WQCH Radio, 04/10/15: “AUDIA INTERNATIONAL HAS ALSO BEEN MAKING ITS FIRST LOCAL HIRES FOR SUPERVISORY JOBS. THE INTERNATIONAL PLASTICS MANUFACTURER WILL PRODUCE THE RAW PRODUCTS USED IN MAKING EVERYTHING FROM FOOD PACKAGING TO AUTOMOTIVE PARTS.”

Raw plastics is what we’re actually talking about. Train loads of chemicals come in, train loads of plastic beads or bars or flakes go out.

Bebe claimed on UCTV last week the company’s starting pay rate is $18 an hour. That’s complete crap. Even Volkswagen assembly line workers make less than that, and Audia International is hardly Volkswagen – even if the county mafia wants you to think it is.

Also notice we’ve dropped from Bebe’s 150 jobs claim to less than half that:

“The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) will help Audia Plastics hire about 60 manufacturing workers”

Same Bebe who said 100,000 people would attend the Civl War reenactment, who said the EPD will never fine the county, same Bebe who said Hutcheson’s debts aren’t a problem.. Same Bebe who said the Audia jobs will pay $18 an hour. Same Bebe who welcomed the garbage fish water bottling factory and its 50 jobs to the county three years ago.   

Yesterday health inspectors visited Chattanooga Street Tavern for the establishment’s first full inspection since being taken over by “new” owners.

..and gave it one of the worst local scores seen in years: a 60.

Since changing hands early this year, the Tavern’s food has at least looked better than it did in the “asparagus hamburger” days of Mike and Gary Lovelady. Unfortunately looks aren’t everything – this week’s awful score is the West LaFayette restaurant’s worst ever.

MISSING CHILD: Cilla Alexus Raines, last seen on Thompson St. Age 10, blonde/blue. WQCH says she goes by the nickname “Bebe.” She’s considered a runaway.

LPD is currently conducting a search spreading out from Thompson. The county cave and cliff rescue team is being called in for more boots on the ground.

If you see Alexus or have any idea where she might be, call LPD at 706 639 1540 or call 911.

UPDATE: Child was located unharmed, per LPD.     

Downtown business falls victim to “drive by” shooting; Window at Queen City Bistro hit by bullet fired from moving vehicle Saturday afternoon.

Per the business owner, an 8×6 window was destroyed by a BB shot from a car on the street. No customers were inside, the mess was cleaned up and store opened normally without injury. Repairs are estimated to cost $1,500 to $2,000.

So far there seem to be no suspects or any clear motive.   

WQCH Radio, 03/10/15: “POLICE RESPONDED TO A RARE SHOPLIFTING CALL FROM THE LAFAYETTE BI-LO STORE, WEDNESDAY MORNING.

“A FEMALE CUSTOMER WAS STOPPED BY THE MANAGER UNTIL POLICE ARRIVED. IN HER LARGE PURSE, THEY FOUND GROUND BEEF, PORK CHOPS, RIBEYE STEAKS, CHICKEN AND BABY FOOD, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF $68.00.

“27 YEAR OLD BRIEANNA NICOLE BOSHEARS OF RINGGOLD WAS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING.”

Some are speculating Boshears was stealing food to feed her children, but no evidence of that or any other motive have been released as of yet.   

Commissioner Heiskell says Hutcheson has signed a note promising to repay the $4.5 million loan Walker County just took out to repay Hutcheson debts. Heiskell says the hospital’s debts aren’t “the catastrophe” they’ve been made out to be, and she’s got no worries.

..which makes right-minded people worry even more, both about Hutcheson AND about Heiskell’s diminishing mental capacity.

Analysis of the situation by Chattanooga media matches LU’s initial reaction: the note isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on, except maybe for reelection shenanigans.

If Hutcheson could repay the $4.5 million they wouldn’t have needed the county to give them that (and a lot more) in the first place. The hospital’s word is worthless, especially when it’s got three times more debt than assets and losing more money each month it stays open.

Just how deep IS the pit under Hutcheson?

“According to a Dec. 15 bankruptcy filing, the hospital owes 790 creditors a combined $82 million against $32 million in assets, like the value of the land on which the hospital sits.”

“..According to monthly operating reports, the hospital spent $570,000 more than it made from December through February. Hutcheson will file the monthly report for March in about three weeks.

“At the beginning of December, according to those documents, the hospital’s available balance was at $660,000. By the end of February, it was at $100,000.”

At the current burn rate they won’t have a penny left by the end of April, but Heiskell delusionally (or just deceptively) says the hospital will start giving Walker County $28,000 a month to repay its debts starting in May. All they’re actually likely to give us is another request for a loan.

Meanwhile in Catoosa they’re considering forcing the hospital to liquidate in bankruptcy because of its heavy debt load and pundit Mike Cameron asks if it’s time to close the place down.

More HMC news: Hutcheson lays the groundwork to have future pro-Erlanger court rulings overturned or appealed by claiming its own lawyer was feeding Erlanger information before they entered the management deal years ago.

Also, a reviewer/observer hired by the hospital has very little positive to say about it, other than patient care hasn’t gotten worse during the bankruptcy – and really how could it?     

38-year-old Terri Lynn Christopher arrested Saturday after allegedly locking one of her children out of the house while intoxicated.

When police arrived she cursed them, threatened to call police on them, and refused to let officers inside the home. She later barricaded the door with kids and told one of the children police would kill them if they came inside.

She was eventually taken into custody and charged with cruelty to children, obstruction, reckless conduct, and disorderly conduct.

We may have found LaFayette’s belligerent criminal of the year.   

Catoosa law enforcement seeks two potential suspects in an armed robbery/shooting last week on Cloud Springs Rd.

They’re described as “persons of interest” involved with robbing a BP near I-75 early morning on April 2nd. A customer entering the store was shot in the leg during that crime.

If you recognize them call Fort O PD at 706-866-2512.   

ALERT: Local police seek teenager, possibly in a stolen vehicle.

Ryan Adkins, age 15, missing since last night. Multiple reports say he was spotted around 10 this morning stealing a Chevy Suburban from the hospice office by Walmart.

If you see this kid OR a 2001 charcoal gray Suburban, tag PXV 1491 being driven by him, call 911.

UPDATE / UNVERIFIED: Adkins located, with stolen Suburban, in Crossville TN.

That’s about 120 miles, depending on route.     

Walker County residents calling Senator Mullis last week about the Sole Commissioner petition found themselves dumped into a non-working voicemail system that cut them off before they can leave a message.

That’s how Senator Mullis can claim none of his constituents have ever asked him to deal with sole commissioner – because he generally won’t talk to them or let them leave messages.

A few callers managed to get a “teenager” to answer when calling Mullis. Those calling Rep. John Deffenbaugh and Rep. Steve Tarvin were variously able to leave messages or speak to office representatives; at least one person who e-mailed Deffenbaugh received a response that said he understands their concern and they aren’t alone. Which is something, at least.

The legislative session ended Thursday with no action taken, but legislators will have another chance to put something into place next year, shortly before the 2016 elections that will determine if they keep their jobs. Voters are watching closely.     

Strong storms rolling through the area Friday evening produced much wind but little damage; casualty reports were limited to the normal lawn chairs and garbage cans blown down.

Tornado touchdowns generated by the same system were verified in Rising Fawn and on Sand Mountain.