Local News
Small business centers merged
Budget cuts have led to the merger of the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Centers in Dalton and Rome.
“Tuesday was the last day of operations for the Georgia Highlands College office, and as of this morning, the operations are consolidated and will be up here in Dalton,” Georgia SBDC area director Peter Matthews said Wednesday.
“Instead of eight counties served out of Dalton, we now have 12 counties (including Whitfield and Murray). We’ve taken on Bartow, Floyd, Gordon and Chattooga counties,” he added.
Matthews said the two offices formerly had six staffers serving 14 counties. The combined office will have three people serving 12 counties. Polk and Paulding counties, which were served by the Rome office, were moved into a different service area.
“The people who actually speak with us will not see a whole lot of difference. There will be some longer times waiting to be able to get assistance,” he said. “The community leaders, the organizations we work with, are probably going to be the ones who see it the most.”
Melanie Suggs, executive director of the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority, says the merger will affect local entrepreneurs.
“We at least are somewhat relieved that they are going to be based here,” she said. “But anytime you cut assistance for small businesses that hurts our local entrepreneurs.”
The Georgia SBDC Network provides low cost training and free consulting services, including assistance with business plan development, market analysis and marketing strategies, financial analysis, compliance and legal issues, and preparation of loan submissions for individuals who want to start their own businesses or expand an existing one.
Matthews says the Dalton office, at Dalton State College, assists more than 200 business owners a year. It can be reached at (706) 272-2700.
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Bomb disposal deployment sends Marine to Afghanistan
The Marine Corps has taken Dalton native Joey Jones from the beaches of Hawaii to the deserts of Iraq.
During his five years in the Marines, he’s also held a multitude of positions, including a “nerdy” desk job as a communications technician and a machine gunner in a security detail.
But his most rewarding military job starts later this month in Afghanistan as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician. It’s his job to “render safe” — the term used instead of disarm — explosives in the field, whether it’s a roadside bomb, an unexploded shell or a land mine. -
Dalton schools may face up to $8 million in cuts
Dalton Public Schools may have to cut up to $8 million from its budget by July 2011 or risk running out of money, Superintendent Jim Hawkins told school board members Monday.
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School board says farewell to former post office
Frank W. Thomason grew up in Dalton and used to make runs to the building at 100 S. Hamilton St. when it was still a post office.
“I never thought I would have an office here and be superintendent,” said Thomason, who was superintendent of Dalton Schools from 1986-1996.
Now, the building is about to change hands again. -
Troops pull in today — finally
Lorri Harrison drove several hours with her 2-year-old granddaughter, Nevaeh, to see Nevaeh’s father last week. It was the day after Dad — Spec. Shawn Harris of Charlie Troop — arrived stateside at Fort Stewart with the rest of the 108th Calvary en route from Afghanistan.
“It’s a lot better knowing he’s here in Georgia,” Harrison said. “But even though I know he’s in Georgia, I want him home.”
That will happen today.
Charlie Troop is expected to arrive in Dalton sometime in the early- to mid-afternoon, following a five to six hour bus from ride Fort Stewart -
Man arrested for HIV risk
A Dalton man was arrested on Friday for putting another person at risk for contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV.
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Agenda for Tuesday's called Whitfield County Board of Education meeting
Whitfield County Board of Education members meet Tuesday to discuss a student tribunal appeal decision.
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Library’s van service to end this month
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Restaurant owner named ‘Rising Star’
Kasey Carpenter wasn’t sure what his career path would be after graduating from college.
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Commissioners eying increase in freeport
The freeport inventory tax exemption could cost Whitfield County significantly more than was forecast when it was put on the ballot two years ago, say county officials. Or it could cost significantly less. Or maybe about the same as forecast.
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Reception honors Dalton schools’ time in Hamilton Street offices
Today might mark the last time Dalton Board of Education members meet at 100 S. Hamilton St.
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