http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/georgia/la-fayette/ La Fayette, GA News http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/georgia/la-fayette/content/3724bd2be4086558c8fb3e48813d8eef.html The Tennessee Valley Authority on Wednesday approved its largest electric rate increase in more than 30 years citing skyrocketing fuel costs and a threeyear drought that has sharply reduced its ability to generate cheap hydroelectric power http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/georgia/la-fayette/content/ea1253fdaf1035ecc05c4c27f44df597.html Underneath a lone streetlight John Smith can point out a halfdozen burglary victims' homes on tiny Luther Lane Smith's Spring Valley neighborhood has one of the highest crime rates in the county Residents reported 26 thefts between February and August The workingclass East Athens subdivision also coincidentally stands to lose almost half its streetlights if the AthensClarke Commission votes Sept 2 to shut off a fifth of the county's streetlights to help alleviate a budget crunch http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/georgia/la-fayette/content/da508be224197d30309cc44f58b22649.html Thousands of people in Catoosa County who buy their electricity indirectly from Tennessee Valley Authority can expect higher bills officials sayTVA on Wednesday raised its rates by 20 percent The hike will take effect beginning Oct 1North Georgia Electric Membership Corp which purchases electricity from TVA has about 26000 customers in CatoosaThe rate hike will be passed on to customers officials said The typical household can expect to see a 1520 hike on their electric billsRon Hutchins North Georgia EMC president and CEO addressed the issue recently at the companyrsquo;s annual meeting in DaltonHutchins stressed that the rising cost of fuel and ongoing drought will continue to drive up customersrsquo; energy costsThe fuel cost adjustment FCA portion of North Georgia EMCrsquo;s rates will rise in coming months because the fuels used by TVA to generate electricity continue to increase in cost Hutchins saidMost of TVArsquo;s 20 percent increase that was announced Wednesday is covered by a quarterly FCA which will increase rates 17 percent The TVA board on Wednesday also voted to raise its base rates by another 3 percent to cover growing expenses for inventory and forward contracts used to help minimize rising fuel costsTVA is facing the same pressures from rising fuel costs as other utilities across the nation Hutchins said at the annual meetingldquo;TVA our power supplier recovers fuel and purchased power costs through its quarterly fuel cost adjustment FCArdquo; Hutchins said ldquo;The FCA is necessary to recover the growing cost of fuels Significant increases in fuel and purchased power will be reflected in future FCA adjustments which mean your energy costs will be going up Despite rising costs and tight supplies I can confidently say that your cooperative has served you and its mission well with reliable safe quality power at the lowest possible costsrdquo;Sixty percent of TVArsquo;s power is generated by coal oil and natural gasTVA then must pass some of the costs to almost 9 million consumers it serves in the Tennessee Valleyldquo;Specifically coal prices have more than doubled since the beginning of the year and continue to riserdquo; Hutchins said ldquo;In addition the TVA region continues to suffer from extreme drought conditions causing the replacement of its cheapest form of generation hydrowater with one of the most expensive mdash; power generated by natural gas or purchased power from other generatorsrdquo;Hutchins said North Georgia EMC strives to keep rates low while offering excellent service to customers on a very small marginHutchins said that 80 cents of every dollar North Georgia EMC collects is paid to TVA for power supply The remaining 20 cents covers expenses for consumer services operating maintaining upgrading and expanding the systemCLICK ON THESE LINKSFEEDBACK: Send a letter to the editorSUBSCRIBE: Get The Catoosa County News each WednesdayGO BACK:Return to our homepage http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/georgia/la-fayette/content/c1166af243e5ad8c1f53c0367e34612f.html The Get Georgia Moving coalition which represents more than 50 groups across Georgia including business leaders government leaders transit advocates road builders and environmentalists on Aug 14 honored several key members of the Georgia General Assembly with the Champions of MobilityAwardAt a celebration in Atlanta Get Georgia Moving presented the honors to Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis RChickamauga Senate Transportation Subcommittee on Rail Chairman Doug Stoner DSmyrna House Transportation Committee Chairman Vance Smith RPine Mountain and House Caucus Committee Vice Chair Donna Shelton RDaculaAll four legislators served on the Joint Transportation Study Committee in 2007 and all contributed long hours in a bipartisan effort to promote a regional transportation funding proposal during the 2008 legislative session The proposal was conceived to combat a multibilliondollar shortfall in the state transportation budget that has led to the cancellation of hundreds of projects across Georgia threatening economic development and creating some of the nation's worst congestionThese four lawmakers have worked tirelessly to address Georgia's critical transportation needssaid Charles Tarbutton assistant vice president of Sandersville Railroad Company chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and cochair of the Get Georgia Moving coalition We commend them for moving the ball on this important issue and we anticipate significant progress toward a solution in 2009 This is a problem that simply must be resolved for the sake of nearly 10 million people who live in Georgia and the millions more who will join them in the next several yearsUS Sen Johnny Isakson and Dick Anderson Executive Director of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority also spoke at the ceremony Anderson gave an update on Gov Sonny Perdue's IT3 initiative which is working on solutions to the funding shortfall Isakson a supporter of the regional TSPLOST concept and other financing options spoke about the need for adequate infrastructure funding in Georgia and at the federal levelLooking ahead Get Georgia Moving and our legislative champions are even more united and determined to pass legislation in 2009said Joe Leonard retired chairman of AirTran Airways chairman of the transportation policy committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and cochair of the Get Georgia Moving Coalition Now more than ever Georgia needs a transportation stimulus package to provide mobility jobs and prosperity in both rural and urban Georgia Our coalition is committed to working with the Governor House Senate and all stakeholders to find the right stimulus and funding policies for GeorgiaThe Get Georgia Moving coalition supports a funding mechanism that will relieve traffic congestion ensure air quality and promote economic development To that end the coalition also supports efforts to optimize current revenue sources invest in transit and all other modes of transportation and support innovative funding programsParticipants in the coalition include: AAA Auto Club South American Council of Engineering Companies Association County Commissioners of Georgia Atlanta Regional Commission Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development at Georgia Tech Central Atlanta Progress Citizens for Progressive Transit Civic League for Regional Atlanta Clean Air Campaign Community Improvement District Alliance Council for Quality Growth CSX C W Matthews Contracting Co Inc Georgia Asphalt Pavement Association Georgia Association of Regional Development Centers Georgia Chamber of Commerce Georgia Concrete Pavement Association Georgia Conservancy Georgia Construction Aggregate Association Georgia Department of Transportation Georgia Economic Developersrsquo; Association Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Georgia Engineering Alliance Georgia Highway Contractors Association Georgia Municipal Association Georgia Policy and Budget Institute Georgia Power Company Georgia Railroad Association Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Georgia Transit Association Georgians for Better Transportation Georgians for the Brain Train Governorrsquo;s Office of Highway Safety Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce HNTB Corporation Livable Communities Coalition Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Norfolk Southern Regional Business Coalition Sierra Club Transit Planning Board Zipcar http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/georgia/la-fayette/content/16860bb69d18db955e130071f93fed70.html Jackson County commissioners approved a plan Monday to expand the county's airport by 52 acres so airport managers will be able to add a second taxiway http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/georgia/la-fayette/content/006d936e983f7b0fe46915a7d83b9b6f.html Scots Irish and Appalachian folk will gather Labor Day weekend for traditional fun and gamesThe Appalachian Celtic Festival is Saturday Aug 30 and Sunday Aug 31 at Lee Gordonrsquo;s Mill According to Michael Whitfield president of the Heritage Conservancy Alliance the added attraction of Scottish Highland Games will enhance the enjoyment of all visitorsRichard Ball former Catoosa County News editor will be serving as emcee for the eventldquo;This is important to the area so the public can learn more about the Celtic and Appalachian connection in our regionrdquo; he said Ball is very active in researching his own ancestors from Scotlandldquo;The event gives a unique opportunity for descendants of the Scottish and Irish settlers to learn more about their own ancestral customs and the early American experiencerdquo; he saidRob Hatch athletic director for the festival said he is excited about being a part of the AppalachianCeltic festivalldquo;We will be bringing several athletes to compete in events such as the Caber Toss Hammer Throw Sheaf Toss and morerdquo; he saidHatch said this would be the first time that Scottish Highland Games are held in this area and that he is looking forward to a long and fruitful alliance with the directors of the AppalachianCeltic Festivalldquo;They are coming from Florida South Carolina Georgia Mississippi and throughout the region to compete Ball said ldquo; On Sunday Hatch plans to have a segment where attendees can participate and learn more about the gamesrdquo;The Celtic band Highland Reign will headline the event said Christina Liner festival director She added that Ringgold performers the 1859 Band featuring bluegrass music and Frettinrsquo; on Faith Dulcimer Club featuring mountain dulcimer music will appear Gospel group Got Mercy from Chickamauga will also appearChristina Ball vendor and Scottish clan tent coordinator said she already has several vendors scheduled for the festival such as Celtic jewelry Celtic ironwork medieval clothing Appalachian pottery and woodcarvingFood vendors will include Scottish Appalachian and more she saidFestival hours are Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm Admission each day is 5 for adults; 3 for children age 6 12 and under age six will be admitted freeFor more information visit the festivalrsquo;s Web site at hcaheritagefestivalorg Also check out hcacelticfestivalcom Email may also be sent to reivercharternetCLICK ON THESE LINKSFEEDBACK: Send a letter to the editorSUBSCRIBE: Get The Catoosa County News each WednesdayGO BACK:Return to our homepage http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/georgia/la-fayette/content/03f76f46447a35682354e9d8abd3ec01.html Scots Irish and Appalachian folk will gather Labor Day weekend for traditional fun and gamesThe Appalachian Celtic Festival is Saturday Aug 30 and Sunday Aug 31 at Lee Gordonrsquo;s Mill According to Michael Whitfield president of the Heritage Conservancy Alliance the added attraction of Scottish Highland Games will enhance the enjoyment of all visitorsRichard Ball former Catoosa County News editor will be serving as emcee for the eventldquo;This is important to the area so the public can learn more about the Celtic and Appalachian connection in our regionrdquo; he said Ball is very active in researching his own ancestors from Scotlandldquo;The event gives a unique opportunity for descendants of the Scottish and Irish settlers to learn more about their own ancestral customs and the early American experiencerdquo; he saidRob Hatch athletic director for the festival said he is excited about being a part of the AppalachianCeltic festivalldquo;We will be bringing several athletes to compete in events such as the Caber Toss Hammer Throw Sheaf Toss and morerdquo; he saidHatch said this would be the first time that Scottish Highland Games are held in this area and that he is looking forward to a long and fruitful alliance with the directors of the AppalachianCeltic Festivalldquo;They are coming from Florida South Carolina Georgia Mississippi and throughout the region to compete Ball said ldquo; On Sunday Hatch plans to have a segment where attendees can participate and learn more about the gamesrdquo;The Celtic band Highland Reign will headline the event said Christina Liner festival director She added that Ringgold performers the 1859 Band featuring bluegrass music and Frettinrsquo; on Faith Dulcimer Club featuring mountain dulcimer music will appear Gospel group Got Mercy from Chickamauga will also appearChristina Ball vendor and Scottish clan tent coordinator said she already has several vendors scheduled for the festival such as Celtic jewelry Celtic ironwork medieval clothing Appalachian pottery and woodcarvingFood vendors will include Scottish Appalachian and more she saidFestival hours are Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm Admission each day is 5 for adults; 3 for children age 6 12 and under age six will be admitted freeFor more information visit the festivalrsquo;s website hcaheritagefestivalorg Other relative websites are: hcacelticfestivalcom and chattanoogagamescom Email may also be sent to: reivercharternetCLICK ON THESE LINKSFEEDBACK: Send a letter to the editorSUBSCRIBE: Get The Catoosa County News each WednesdayGO BACK:Return to our homepage http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/georgia/la-fayette/content/e67d58276caf772a9179eabcf2033a95.html Thariss Mapp showed up in his old southeast Athens neighborhood Monday morning talking to himself and threatening people