Two Griffin High School Students Presented with Major Nordstrom Scholarships

Two Griffin High School students, Kristen Tuggle and Exzayvius Williams, were surprised when their families, administrators, and representatives from Nordstrom entered their classroom with large presentation checks on Tuesday morning.

Both seniors, two of 40 in the nation were receiving $10,000 in tuition scholarships for the college or university of their choice.

Ellen Greene, Nordstrom’s Corporate Scholarship Coordinator from Seattle for the presentation said, “Nordstrom loves partnering with communities. It’s a great way to give back to those who support us. We are proud to be a part of this.”

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones said, “On behalf of the Griffin-Spalding community, we thank Nordstrom. We are trying to reach out and find ways to partner with the community in different ways. This is a great example of organizations working together to benefit students.”

He continued with a challenge to the other students in the classroom, “You can’t wait and just think that things are going to come to you. You have to plan ahead. Remember this day and what it could mean for you. There are many more opportunities out there – just go the extra step and look for them!”

On hand for the presentation to Kristen Tuggle and Exzayvius Williams were Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones, Board of Education members Fannie Delaney, Pete Graham, and Zachary Holmes, GHS principal Keith Simmons, Counselor Portia Lacy, teacher Jeff Anderson, families of both students, and students of Mr. Anderson’s Advanced Placement English Literature class.

Griffin CAP Squadron to Hold Aerospace Educational Fair

The Griffin Cadet Squadron, of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, invites you to visit the Aerospace Education Fair. The fair will run from 10 AM – noon, this Saturday at the squadron building at the Griffin Spalding Airport. The cadets have worked hard, doing research, and creating displays for the fair, and your support is greatly appreciated.

Please visit the Griffin CAP website at http://www.griffincap.org/cadet. There you will find additional information about the Griffin squadron and a map to the squadron building.

Georgia Distilling Company signs deal for Reality TV Show

Shawn Hall, and Bill Mauldin of Jackson the Co Founders of the Georgia Distilling Company, of Jackson, GA, have announced that they have signed a deal with a California based production company for the development of a reality based television series. Though the proposed show has yet to be titled, this is an event of great potential, as it could greatly enhance the marketing strategies of the distillery, and create a national demand for their products, almost overnight. It would also allow for the showcasing of our state, and this area of Georgia, to a viewing audience that may also increase demands for other Georgia products, or increase tourism possibilities in this tough economy.

The proposed series will be focusing on the building and development of a distillery in a small Southern town, located deep in the Bible Belt, and in an essentially dry county. The day to day operations of a distillery is a fascinating item in itself, but the show would also focus on the town of Jackson, GA and the people in the town, as well as bring interest on this area of Georgia. The show would also highlight other places and events throughout the Georgia where the distillery will be participating in events, and making sales calls as Shaun and Bill grow and market their brands. This essentially means that any town or business could be featured on such a show. In other words, it could be a win-win for our entire area and the state.

For more information, you many contact the distillery or owners at anytime, or feel to browse the website at www.GeorgiaDistilling.com for updates. Shawn and Bill have stated they look forward to having you as a partner during their progress.

The Spalding County Health Department has advised WKEU that it will be providing free flu vaccinations on Sept. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Medical Clinic on Memorial Drive across from WKEU/WHIE Studios. The program is funded by the Pepsi Refresh Project in conjunction with Buffalo Rock, an independent Pepsi Cola bottler.

You may walk in for Vaccinations and the Health Department has stated that one flu shot covers both the seasonal flu and H1N1. Individuals that are age 49 and younger can choose between a flu injection and a flu mist, individuals 50 years old or older must take an injection, according to County Nurse Manager Cynthia Tidwell.

Individuals with asthma or other respiratory issues can’t receive the flu mist, and anyone who is allergic to eggs can’t receive a flu shot at all. Tidwall told WKEU news that “In four hours, we can probably administer between 250 and 300 shots.

The free flu shot event is an opportunity to get vaccinated before flu season arrives. The Health Department will not receive its regular shipment of vaccinations for several weeks according to the Health Service Office in LaGrange. Anyone who is being vaccinated now will be protected during the flu season, which typically lasts from February to April according to Ms Tidwell.

The Sept. 30 event is made possible through a $2,000 local grant by Pepsi and Buffalo Rock.

Through September 20, the public can give their opinions of school calendars proposed for 2011-2013 on a survey at www.spalding.k12.ga.us.

Denise Burrell, Deputy Superintendent, said, “The Teaching and Learning Department developed three calendar options for consideration and feedback by our stakeholders. Two calendar proposals have breaks balanced through the school year like the current school calendar. The third proposal is a more traditional school calendar which begins school two weeks later than we currently begin school and has only traditional holiday breaks during the school year.

“Stakeholders can tell us their preference on these three options.”

Calendars for the school years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 are paired for feedback purposes because they share the same characteristics : comparable start and end dates; same breaks; and same holidays. A stakeholder would choose one calendar option representing both school years when giving a preference on the electronic preference poll.

These are the highlights of the three calendar proposals.

Option 1 – Balanced breaks

· Monday, August 1 – first day of school

· 5 day student break beginning on Columbus Day in October

· 5 day Thanksgiving break

· Christmas break begins Thursday Dec. 22

· Students return Jan. 9, 2012

· 5 day student break beginning on President’s Day in February

· 5 day spring break April 23-27 following CRCT

· Last day of school Friday, May 25

· Traditional holidays of Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day

· 5 days Pre-planning, 2 days post-planning, professional learning – 1 day in Oct., 2 days in Jan.

Option 2 – Balanced breaks

· Monday, August 8 – first day of school

· 5 day student break beginning on Columbus Day in October

· 5 day Thanksgiving break

· Christmas break begins Wednesday Dec. 21

· Students return Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012

· 5 day student break beginning on President’s Day in February

· 5 day spring break April 23-27 following CRCT

· Last day of school Friday, June 1

· Traditional holidays of Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day

· 5 days pre-planning, 3 days post-planning, professional learning – 1 day in Jan, 1 day in Feb.

Option 3 – Traditional short breaks

· Monday, August 15 – first day of school

· 2 day student break in October on Columbus Day week-end

· 5 day Thanksgiving break

· Christmas break begins Thursday, Dec. 22

· Students return Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012

· 1 day student break in February on President’s Day

· 5 day spring break April 23-27 following CRCT

· Last day of school Friday, May 25

· Traditional holidays of Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day

· 5 days pre-planning, 3 days post-planning, Professional learning – 2 days in Jan.

At the conclusion of the opinion poll, a recommendation for one school calendar will be made by Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones to the board of education for consideration at its September 28 meeting. The board of education’s recommended calendar will remain on first reading for more public input until the board’s final vote on October 26.

.A Griffin Man identified as Scott Payne was shot in a Family Disturbance incident on Smoak Road.

A Griffin man is clinging to life after being shot during a domestic dispute at his residence on Smoak Rd. According to Spalding Sheriff Dee Stewart deputies were called to the Smoak Road address reference to a person shot. When the officer’s arrived they located 43 year old Scott Payne with a gunshot wound to the stomach area.

Payne was air lifted by Emory air flight air ambulance based at the Griffin Spalding Airport to an Atlanta Hospital and is listed in critical condition. Apparently an argument took place about family issues. The argument was between Payne, his father in law 57 year old Mark Hoffman Sr., and brother in law 31 year old Mark Hoffman Jr. Investigators were called to the scene and after the reconstruction of the Crime Scene and interviews conducted both Hoffman’s were arrested and charged with one count each of Aggravated Assault and are currently in the Spalding County Jail. Sheriff Stewart said that more charges could be forthcoming.

Early Voting Begins Monday September 20th

Early voting for the November 2nd General Election begins Monday September 20th and continues through Friday October 29th.

Voting will be held in Memorial Drive Plaza – suite 819. Hours are 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday each week. Registered voters do not have to have a reason to vote absentee during this period. Photo ID is required for voting in person during the early voting period.

WKEU Launches New Website

Image of the New WKEU Website DesignWKEU Radio launched a redesigned website on Wednesday, September 15, 2010. In addition to new graphics and old favorites such as the weather and online poll, the new site also includes an RSS feed to make it easy to subscribe to news updates.