TODAY'S HEADLINES

Monday, August 14, 2023

By Mark Berryman

mark@wsgcradio.com

Sam Nash Riggs, a design graduate student at the University of Georgia who partnered with the City of Elberton on a fellowship through the Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia Cities Foundation, and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at UGA presented her vision for improvements to the downtown area this past week.

Riggs focused her work on the Elberton Square, alleyway corridors and additional parking adding beautification and green space.

On the square, the proposed project redesigns the Elberton Square by removing the two triangles at McIntosh Street, adding parking along the islands on the square as well as brickwork in the areas crossing the islands. Riggs said the design also adds more flexible space near the fountain.

The plan also calls for making the alleyways leading to the square more assessable, redesigning parking areas near the square and adding beautification projects along the corridors as well.

Finally, the project even calls for adding trees along the top of the Granite Bowl.

City Manager Lanier Dunn said the project would be done in phases. The next step in the project will be to get the approval of city council.

You can see the presentation on our Facebook page for the next month.

news@wsgcradio.com – The Elbert County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and their regularly scheduled monthly meeting today at the county complex. The public hearing will begin at 5:15 p.m. and the monthly meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. According to the agenda, commissioners will discuss:

·       A request by John Tolliver to rezone 3.36-acres from A (Agricultural) to R1 (Single Family Residential). Located at 2497 Brickyard Road, Dewy Rose. Planning & Zoning approved by a 5-0 vote.

·       A request by Ryan Glenn to rezone 4 acres from A (Agricultural) to GB (General Business) to allow for a covered boat/RV storage facility. Located on Ruckersville Road, Elberton. Planning & Zoning approved by a 5-0 vote.

·       The FY2024 Budget

·       A request to the Georgia Department of Transportation to approve all roads in Elbert County for speed detection devices at the speed limits set in their outline

·       The nomination of Commissioner Mike Scoggins as the voting delegate for the 2023 Legislative Leadership Conference

·       A resolution authorizing the execution of quitclaim deeds to the former roadbed of Crystal Drive to adjoining property owners

·       A resolution commemorating Black Business Month

·       The surplus of two vehicles from the Senior Center:

·       1997 Ford Crown Victoria

·       2006 Ford Crown Victoria

Commissioners will also hear from:

·       Taylor Hart to update the Board on Animal Control policies and procedures

·       EMH CEO Tyler Taylor to present Elbert Memorial Hospital’s fiscal year-end report

The finance report will follow.

By Mark Berryman

mark@wsgcradio.com

The Elbert County Lady Devils softball team improved to 3-1 on the season by topping both Lake Oconee Academy and Oglethorpe County on Saturday.

In the first game of the day, the Lady Devils beat Oglethorpe County 10-2 in a five-inning contest. Ky Dubose led the way in hitting with three hits. Miller Drake accounted for two hits. Bellamy Nash collected two rbi’s. Peyton Jenkins pitched all five innings, giving up just two runs on five hits while recording six strikeouts.

Elbert scored nine runs on 11 hits to top Lake Oconee Academy 9-1 in another 5-inning game. Carmen Burden led the team in hits with three, followed by Audrey Lunsford and Dubose with two. Lunsford also collected two rbi’s, as did Drake and Burden. Kamryn Webb went the distance, giving up just one hit in the contest. She also struck out two batters.

Elbert travels to Carnesville tomorrow to take on the Lady Lions of Franklin County. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The Lady Devils volleyball team fell twice on Saturday. Elbert was defeated 0-2 by Oglethorpe County and lost to Westminster Christian 0-2 as well.

The Lady Devils will take to the court tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. to face Stephens County in Toccoa.

Photo courtesy of Elbert County True Blue Booster Club