Local News
Dalton Utilities: Drought persisting, state water plan flawed
Dalton Utilities president and CEO Don Cope briefed board members on the drought Wednesday. He said water flow in the Conasauga River, the area’s main source of drinking water, was 46 cubic feet per second in October. The historical average flow in October is 199 cubic feet per second.
The area remains under Level 4c drought restrictions, which limit many outdoor water uses.
Cope also brought the board up to date on the state water plan.
“This process continues to be driven top down,” he said.
Cope said that while the plan was being debated and passed into law, lawmakers promised that regional water councils would perform assessments of local water resources and needs and be able to modify the plan to meet those local conditions.
“Now, it says the state will tell you how to do it. The state will perform the assessments. The state will do the studies, and they’ll give them to you and tell you how to make a plan,” he said.
Cope said the Water Association of Georgia, which is made up of trade groups and the large water utilities including Dalton Utilities, has sent a letter asking for more public participation and more participation by the regional water councils in the planning process.
Cope also told board members that Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) transportation projects currently on the books could cost the utility about $1.6 million in utility relocation costs. Unless the utility is reimbursed for those costs, he said, it could affect customers’ rates.
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Deadly blast ruled accidental
An explosion and fire that killed two people in a Dalton apartment complex in August has been ruled accidental by the Dalton Fire Department.
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Spring arrives
Starts today at 1:32 p.m.
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Woodlawn archery team takes first
Woodlawn Elementary School just hit the bull’s-eye with a first place win among 21 schools competing in Georgia’s National Archery in Schools state tournament.
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Planting seeds all over the world
Asked how many countries he has traveled to, Richard Edwards thinks for a second.
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Grant applications accepted
The Dalton-Whitfield Community Foundation is accepting fall grant request applications through March 31, 2010, according to board chairwoman Linda Blackman.
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Area arrests for March 20
Recent arrests from the Whitfield and Murray County jail reports.
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Man charged with sodomy
A Chatsworth man has been charged with a sex offense against a minor in Whitfield County.
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Ecumenical Earth Day is April 25
The 14th Ecumenical Earth Day in Dalton will be on April 25 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 623 S. Thornton Ave. in Dalton. The event will run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and feature live music, recycled crafts, petting zoo, a free hot dog lunch and exhibits from local agencies and groups promoting recycling, conservation, and more.
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Church news
Upcoming church-related events
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Whitfield County Board of Commissioners meeting agenda
Board will meet Monday at 6 p.m.
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