High Wind Warning Until 6pm - December 31, 2008

HABERSHAM-

INCLUDING THE CITY OF.CLARKESVILLE

342 AM EST WED DEC 31 2008

..HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON.

THE NATL WEATHER SVC IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED

A HIGH WIND WARNING.WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS

AFTERNOON.

STRONG WEST TO NW WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ACROSS THE

REGION EARLY THIS MORNING & CONTINUE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON.

SUSTAINED WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED. GUSTS OF 60 MPH WILL

BE COMMON ACROSS THE N. PART OF HABERSHAM COUNTY. THE

STRONGEST WIND GUSTS ARE EXPECTED FROM SHORTLY AFTER SUNRISE

THROUGH MID- AFTERNOON. MANY TREES WILL BE KNOCKED DOWN BY THE

WIND.BLOCKING ROADS & CAUSING POWER OUTAGES.

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS

EXPECTED. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS OF

58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE. PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE

STEPS NOW TO MOVE OBJECTS INSIDE THAT COULD BE BLOWN ABOUT BY THE WIND

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH Until 3PM

December 11, 2008 - SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 951 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM EST
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
GA

.    GEORGIA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
BANKS                BARROW              BURKE
CLARKE               COLUMBIA            ELBERT
FRANKLIN             GLASCOCK            GREENE
HABERSHAM            HALL                HART
JACKSON              JEFFERSON           LINCOLN
MADISON              MCDUFFIE            OCONEE
OGLETHORPE           RICHMOND            STEPHENS
TALIAFERRO           WARREN              WILKES

December 11, 2008 - An Flash Flood WATCH has been Issued

HABERSHAM COUNTY -

A Flash Flood WATCH has been Issued until 4:00pm

A LARGE AREA OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN IS ADVANCING NORTH FROM
GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA AND WILL OVERSPREAD WESTERN NORTH
CAROLINA THIS MORNING. RAINFALL AMOUNTS WILL BE A QUARTER TO A
HALF INCH IN AN HOUR AT TIMES. STREAMS AND CREEKS WILL EXPERIENCE
RAPID RISES WHERE THE HEAVIEST RAIN FALLS. PEOPLE WHO ARE
TRAVELING SHOULD DRIVE WITH CAUTION DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR
HYDROPLANING AND RAPID CHANGES IN VISIBILITY.

December 10, 2008 - FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 4PM

HABERSHAM COUNTY ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA...
NORTHEAST GEORGIA...NORTHWEST GEORGIA AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA.
* UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON
* AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ASSOCIATED WITH A STRONG
COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO NORTH GEORGIA THIS MORNING. WIDESPREAD
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES ARE LIKELY AS THIS LINE MOVES
THROUGH. LOCALLY HEAVIER AMOUNTS WILL BE POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY
ALONG THE SOUTH FACING SLOPES OF THE APPALACHIANS WHERE STRONG
SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL TRANSPORT THE MOISTURE UPSLOPE.
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR HEAVY
RAIN ACROSS THE WATCH AREA WHICH MAY LEAD TO RAPID RISES...
ESPECIALLY ALONG SMALLER STREAMS AND CREEKS. IF YOU ARE IN THE
WATCH AREA...CHECK YOUR PREPAREDNESS REQUIREMENTS...ESPECIALLY IF
YOU HAVE INTERESTS ALONG AREA RIVERS. KEEP INFORMED...AND BE
READY FOR ACTION IF FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR IF A FLASH FLOOD
WARNING IS ISSUED.

WCHM Supplies LIVE VIDEO & INFO

WCHM has a Web Site set-up with Info and Video from Texas on Hurricane IKE. Just go to www.MyWCHM.com and Click on the Hurricane Link and you will see a Few Links for Multi Video and Maps on the Area that Treatens the Texas.

August 25, 2008 - The City of Cornelia has issued a Voluntary Ban on all outdoor water use.

This ban affects all persons provided water by the City Of Cornelia, both inside and outside the incorporated City limits! We ask that everyone conserve as much water as possible. The State Guidelines continue to govern water usage.

Water Boil Order Issued in Mt. Airy

Mount Airy GA, - Aug 23, 2008 - There was a Water Main break in the early morning just north of the railroad bridge in Mt. Airy. Crews have fixed the break around 4:30am this morning. Mt. Airy Officials have Issued an WATER BOILING ORDER for residents that live north of the railroad bridge until Sunday Morning. Officials Noted this is only a precaution. The EPA has a Web Site for Water Boil Orders if you need more info on it, their web site is: www.epa.gov/ogwdw/faq/emerg.html

Clarkesville Imposes Total Outdoor Watering Ban

CLARKESVILLE - Another city in Habersham County imposes a total outdoor watering ban on its residents.

Just two days after Cornelia announced an end to outdoor watering, the city of Clarkesville followed suit Thursday.

"We are making an application petitioning the state of Georgia based on current weather conditions, forecast of precipitation and the demand on the water system itself," said Clarkesville City Manager Steve Hashimoto.

Hashimoto said residents should blame the weather for the ban.

"We don't have any guarantee of when it's going to rain, so we have to deal with the factors that are available to us on a daily basis," he said.

Hashimoto said the lack of rain has also brought the Soque River, Clarkesville's water source, to less than one fourth of its flow rate. He said Cornelia pulls its water supply from the Chattahoochee River

Hashimoto said there are exceptions to the ban such as licensed professional landscaping and car washes.

The City of Cornelia is at a stage 4 Water Shortage

The City of Cornelia is at a stage 4 Water Shortage. Effective immediately is a mandatory ban on all outdoor water use until further notice. This ban affects all persons provided water by the City Of Cornelia, both inside and outside the incorporated City limits! This ban is in effect until further notice!

Contract Signed for New Judicial Center and Governmental Campus

Today, the Habersham County Board of Commissioners signed a contract offering to purchase 30.82 acres for the new Habersham County Judicial Center and governmental campus. The property is located at the intersection of State Highway 17 and Hills Crossing Road. The total purchase price for this large tract is $1,189,000.

Chairman Butterworth said, “The location of this property will accommodate future growth and is consistent with the twenty year vision of the Comprehensive Plan. Accessibility to the Judicial Center will be from State Highway 17 and from Hills Crossing Road and will result in less traffic congestion for our citizens. One thing the current economic environment does is create a buyer’s market for purchases like this. We believe this is a wise, long-term decision for the taxpayers of Habersham County”

“The Board considered several alternative sites after studies showed that the original site would not accommodate growth and the location would cause significant traffic congestion. The Board feels that this site is ideally located for easy access by citizens from all areas of the county and it will accommodate all the needs of Habersham County Government for decades to come,” Butterworth concluded.

Habersham Animal Shelter will not Renew Lease with County

The Habersham County Board of Commissioners received notice on Friday, August 8th that the Friends of Habersham County Animal Shelter will not be renewing their contract with the County to manage the animal shelter in September.

"Over the past month, we have been discussing a 'reorganization' of our relationship with FOHCAS so that our citizens are well protected and our animals are well taken care of" Chairman Jim Butterworth said.

"there is an excitement between us, the County Staff and FOHCAS that this new direction will prove to benefit our community in a tremendous way. We plan to work with FOHCAS, and rescue groups around the area to ensure that our Shelter is not a 'high-kill' shelter and we provide the best possible service and education to our citizens, "Butterworth concluded.

Pedestrian Bridge is Finally up in Demorest

Piedmont College’s long-awaited and much anticipated pedestrian bridge is finally up for all to see. “It adds a physical connection between the campus and the community,” Dr. Tom Bowen with Piedmont College tells WCHM Radio. Several years ago, Piedmont College requested the bridge after seeing too much traffic come through the city of Demorest. “If you just stand here and count the cars, you’d be amazed at the number that comes through in a minute,” Bowen explains. And with hundreds of students crossing the busy street everyday… “One car running into another to keep from hitting a student that may or may not have been paying attention when they crossed the road,” College President, Dr. Ray Cleere adds. School leaders knew something had to be done...especially after one of their own..a leading librarian lost their life crossing the street. “We moved ahead with the bridge more aggressively.” Now after countless meetings to justify the need for a bridge in this small mountain community, the Department of Transportation has finally given students and local residents a safety feature they’ve all wanted. The $1.4 million Bridge only took part of one evening to install. There’s 18 feet between its floor and the road for easy clearance. An elevator tower and walkway have also been installed for easy access. But pedestrians still have to wait a little longer before they can actually use the bridge. Once the bridge is complete, this crosswalk will be removed, caution lights will be taken down, and even fencing will be placed on each side of the road to prevent pedestrians from getting in the way of traffic. “In the interim, until they pour the floor for the bridge, and the walkways, and finish the elevator tower, the crosswalk is still necessary.” Students and residents should be able to use the pedestrian bridge within the next few weeks.

A Nail Biter in the Coroner Race

Well the Runoff is Behind us, and 4 of the 5 races have no problem to who won those races except the Habersham Coroner race. Only two (2) votes separate the two candidates with Kasey C. McEntire in the lead. To see the results, please go to www.VoteHabersham.com. The site will be updates twice a day until the Secretary of State Certifies the August 5th Runoff, which will not happen until the week of the 11th.

Habersham Co. Work Ready Team Receives Grant - July 24, 2008 - 10:43am

Chairman Jim Butterworth wishes to congratulate the Georgia Work Ready Initiative Team of Habersham County. Governor Perdue recently awarded a grant to this Team to assist Habersham County in becoming designated as a Certified Work Ready Community. Habersham is one of 20 Georgia counties that have agreed to complete the18 month program.

“I would like to personally thank the employees of Habersham County for their interest and dedication. In March 2008, County Manager Janeann Allison approached the Board for their approval to permit employees to voluntarily take the Work Ready Assessment. Many employees participated and they have met the required public sector quota towards certification for the entire county. The Board is extremely proud of the team spirit that our employees showed by voluntarily participating in this initiative.” Butterworth said.

Butterworth also added that “Habersham County is extremely proud of their community spirit. This is one of several projects that involved volunteers from the community and private businesses joining together with government employees and officials to improve the quality of life in Habersham County. On this project, Habitat for Humanities Director Brent Lacy has been a motivating force. This accomplishment exemplifies the team spirit that is apparent in our community.”

For more information on the Work Ready initiative please visit: www.gaworkready.org.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For further information on Habersham County’s effort please contact: Brent Lacy, Team Leader at 706-754-5313 or director@habitatnega.org.

Senator Nancy Schaefer Ask for Grant to keep Cannery Open

Senator Nancy Schaefer has Sent a fax to Governor Sonny Perdue asking for a $ 10,000 Grant from his emergency fund to keep the Cannery open in Habersham County until the County can successfully fund the operation.

Agriculture is most important to Habersham County and many citizens have gardens along with farms. With the high cost of food, money can be saved by having access to the Cannery to process their food.

Schaefer pointed out: "I am not sure if the grant will be forthcoming, but the need is real and it certainly doesn't hurt to ask for needed help". A one time grant could keep the Cannery open until the County can assume the responsibility.

Airport Rd is Re-Opened, July 14, 2008 - 6:40pm

Airport Rd is Re-Opened, Accident Cleared

West Airport Rd Closed - July 14, 5:40pm

West Airport Rd Closed in Front of the Village Trailer Park in Baldwin, Due to Accident with Injuries

Special Weather Statement - July13, 2008 12:30pm

THROUGH 2 PM...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD
EAST ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA...AND INTO NORTHEAST
GEORGIA...AND THE UPSTATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA DURING THE EARLY
AFTERNOON. THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN AND LIGHTNING WERE
CONCENTRATED IN A LINE ACROSS NORTHEAST GEORGIA PUSHING EAST.
RAINFALL AMOUNTS FROM A QUARTER TO HALF AN INCH PER HOUR CAN BE
EXPECTED ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS...WITH AMOUNTS UP TO AN INCH OR MORE
IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA AND BORDERING COUNTIES IN THE UPSTATE WITH
THIS LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE
PONDING OF WATER ON ROADS AND LOW VISIBILITIES FOR
VEHICLES...ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOUR

Special Weather Statement - July-9, 2008 - 448pm

A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT HABERSHAM AND SOUTHWESTERN RABUN COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM. SMALL HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS OF 30 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM

Special Weather Statement - July 9, 1:34pm

A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT HABERSHAM AND SOUTHWESTERN RABUN COUNTIES THROUGH 230 PM. SMALL HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS OF 30 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

Hwy 17 Re-Opened - July 6, 3:49pm

Hwy 17 at Habersham Mills Connector, Re-opened, Accident Cleared to Side of Rd.

Hwy 17 at Habersham Mills Connector Closed - July 6, 330pm

Hwy 115 at Fred Pitts Rd. Re-Opened - July 2, 4:55pm

Hwy115 at Fred Pitts Rd. was Re-opened at 4:55pm

HWY 115 at Fred Pitts Road Closed - July 2, 4:05 PM

Hwy 115 at Fred Pitts Road Closed due to Accident.

Habersham County Transit Services - June 30, 2008

As of 7:00 AM June 30 of 2008, The Habersham County Rural Transit Service will be out of Operation. Normal operation are expected to resume Monday, July 7 at 7:00 AM. Habersham County Senior Center transportation operations will still be operating as normal. For further information, please call 706-754-6270 and Ask for Jason.

Hwy 17 Re-opened. June 25 900pm

Accident Cleared

Hwy 17 at Fred Pit Closed - June 25 - 834pm

Hwy 17 at Fred Pit Closed Due to Accident

Road Re-opened

Hwy 115 at the White County Line is re-opened. Accident cleared.

Road Closed

Hwy 115 Closed at the White County Line due to Truck with Hay on it, is On Fire.