A Look Back at 2016

2016—What stands out the most in your mind?

Well I can think of two topics that have trended throughout the year, on the international, national and local levels. The first being the most obvious and talked about, still, around the workplace water cooler and the dinner table which oft times divided friends, families, and a nation—politics.

It was a presidential election year and it did not disappoint! While Donald and Hillary battled it out on the national stage, Jasper County had its share of candidates ‘going down to the wire’ to make it into office or stay in office. Two local contested elections produced different results—one ushered in new leadership while another maintained status quo.

The second trend is that of our climate. With unseasonable, inconsistent weather patterns, nobody knows how to dress from day-to-day without hinging on the meteorologists probable forecast from the eve afore. Winter officially began December 21 with mid-60s temperatures locally only to escalate to the mid-70s for Christmas. Hope no one dreamed of a white Christmas?

Then there’s the rain. We went 32 plus days without any such significant precipitation taking much of the Southeastern U.S. into drought conditions and imposed water restrictions. Those conditions have recently been followed by cloud-heavy, mist-filled skies with intermittent down pours. It seems many of our wishes for rain have been answered. But as the new year approaches, lurking in the back of my mind is whether 2017 will grace us with an ice storm that typically sends Southerners into a traffic frenzy and on frantic trips in search of milk, bread, kerosene, and candles.

A review of the total calls made to the 911 Center by years’ end can be a good indicator of how the community fared with regard to public service issues.

Numbers compared to previous years can reflect trends of growth in population, increase/decrease in crime, and aging of the community’s population. The Jasper County 911 Joint Authority diligently supplied The News office with the total number of incidents reported as of December 27. I will share some of the statistics:

A total of 21,275 calls have been logged of which most have been traffic stops with 2,317; followed by 1,848 service calls for 911 assistance; 1,642 visits of civil papers served; 1,599 premise checks; 1,051 calls to direct traffic; and 1,014 suspicious person and/or vehicle checks.

Though the previous categories had the heftiest numbers some I found interesting included the number of cow calls for our rural community stood at one but likely some of those cow situations may have been grouped into livestock which tallied 226.

Here in the Deer Capital of Georgia, the number of dead deer on the side of the road totaled six while the number of accidents with deer amounted to 176 with most occurring in the fourth quarter just as gun season begins in these parts.

Accidents with fatalities totaled two, accident with injuries totaled 89, and accidents with no injuries totaled 153. The categories of armed robbery, active shooter, arson, and prison break each amounted to one. There were 770 controlled burn calls, 84 brush fire calls, and luckily no wildfires like North Georgia experienced.

Juvenile problems totaled 149; kidnappings were two; child abuse totaled 19; and child custody calls amounted to 34.

Sex offender cases seemed to be rampant this year with 71 calls logged and many of those perpetrators made front page appearances courtesy of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation undercover sting operations notably known as Hidden Thunder.

A huge part of any community is its educational system, Jasper County Schools, Piedmont Academy, and Shiloh Christian Academy were the source of much encouraging news for the community. The local public schools officially became part of a charter system, allocating increased power to local leadership rather than that of the federal and state.

Jasper County High School (JCHS) had a trio of Health Occupation Student Association (HOSA) youth that placed first in state competition to advance to nationals while yet another trio of Biotech students took their “Best in Show” sickle cell research all the way to the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Washington Park Elementary School (WPES) hosted its inaugural science fair this year and Jasper County Primary School blossomed with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM) activities including several outdoor garden projects assisted by volunteer hours from several community groups notably the Monticello Garden Club.

Piedmont is home of the reigning Georgia Best Robotics Team champions while the Literary team earned top honors in the region and state. The private facility is also home to a fourth grade Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) scholar.

Who can forget the statewide and national attention that media outlets showered on Jasper when corporal punishment became a hot bed issue when a local principal sought disciplinary action with a young student.

The local Recreation Department and school athletic programs have produced a bevy of talented youth who have earned numerous titles throughout the year. The Cougar baseball team earned a “three peat” this year winning its third consecutive state title while the lady Cougars softball team won region and advanced to the semifinals.

The varsity Hurricane basketball squads both advanced to the Elite Eight round of state with boys powering into the Final Four for the first time since 1988 during the Coach [Lester] Davis “Good God Son” era.

Lady Hurricane cross country runners and sisters Mari Jablonski and Alina Jablonski earned the state title and runner up title respectively in the 5,000 meter run. The duo are former Lady Cougars.

The varsity Hurricane football squad advanced to the first round of state playoffs.

The Shiloh Lady Knights volleyball team advanced to the first round of state as well.

Jasper County Middle School (JCMS) athletes brought home Piedmont Athletic Conference (PAC) titles in baseball and track.

With regard to the Recreation department, the 10-13 year old Jasper Purple soccer team won the Lake Area soccer championship while the 9-10 year old Grey Canes won the Lake Area football championship.

Let’s take a mental trip down memory lane as I highlight some of the local happenings that made news in 2016 month by month.

January

Stone Workman, Cynthia Miller, and Jenny Murphy were sworn in as the three newly elected members of the Monticello City Council.

The Stewart Family appeared on the Family Feud game show.

Drs. John and Kelly Degarmo were named Co-Citizens of the Year for their tireless effort for the plight of foster children.

Heartland Chiropractic was named Business of the Year.

February

Lathaydra Sands is named Monticello City Clerk.

Chad Cain and Morgan Leach are named Star Students as Christy McAlum and Leslie White are Star Teachers..

March

Luke Zech returns home from Shepard Spinal Center after falling from a tree on New Year’s Day.

Physician Assistant Candace Lewis joins the staff at Venture Medical.

Woman dies in a car crash on Hwy. 212 east.

The DeGarmos purchase the building that will house the Never Too Late Foster

Home for Boys with funds contributed by generous donors.

Landfill fees are waived for county clean up.

April

Fatal crash on Pitts Chapel Road kills one, seriously injures another.

Peggy Billerman retires as Monticello City Manager while Doug White is hired as City Manager.

Mason Street is declared a Drug Free Zone.

Cougar Tanner Casey signed a scholarship to play golf at Georgia Military College.

The Marching Hurricanes perform in New Orleans.

May

Jasper County Schools officially named a Charter System.

Piedmont Academy had 29 graduates, JCHS had 150 graduates, and Shiloh had three.

Hurricane Bryce Crawford signed to play football at St. Andrews University while De’Miria Glover signed to play basketball at East Georgia State College.

A 20 year prison sentenced was given to a man charged with armed robbery of A-1 Foods in 2014.

June

Jasper County receives a positive 2015 audit review.

City of Monticello approves a budget of $9.39 million.

Rainstorms wreak havoc in Jasper County downing power lines and trees across the county.

A prisoner escapes from the Jasper County jail and is recaptured the same day in Newton County.

July

Tim Lam was voted as the new Chief Magistrate of Jasper County after a run-off with Angie Steele.

Pokemon Go adventures invaded the nation as well as the county.

August

Tamara Jernigan is named the Jasper County Mentor Program Director after Jehan El-Jourbagy vacates the position.

Jasper County is awarded a $452,000 development grant for a green project in the Industrial Park.

Mercer University medical students tour the county.

September

A new fire truck is added to the Emergency Services rotation.

Ride for Recovery cyclists ride through Jasper for a good cause.

Teacher Scottiann Cummings is selected as a National Science Fellow.

The Monticello High School Class of 1961 conducts its 55th reunion.

Cissy Benton is named Lt. Governor for Kiwanis Division 18.

October

Jasper County 4’H’ers repeat as the state 4-H Challenge Bowl winners.

Kathy Mudd is named Kiwanian of the Year.

November

Water restrictions are implemented statewide.

Mrs. Reva Standifer celebrates 99 years of life.

Tracy Norton is named Senior Center Director.

Stop Hunger Now and and Blue Christmas church events hosted.

December

Don and Louise Kelly announce retirement from the Bank of Monticello.

Horace “Junior” Hardwick is honored for 50 years of service to Jasper County schools.