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Baldwin commends officers for saving a man’s life

By
Jerry Neace
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Cornelia Police Officer Jackson Cooter-left and Corporal Aaron Spivey-right receive plaques from Baldwin Police Chief Chris Jones commending their efforts in saving a man's life on the evening of March 2. Baldwin City Council looks on. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

Baldwin Police Chief Chris Jones took a moment during Monday’s Baldwin City Council meeting to commend two officers who saved a man’s life.

According to Jones, on the evening of March 2, Corporal Aaron Spivey of the Baldwin Police Department was assisting the Demorest Police Department on a DUI traffic stop.

While on this call, another call was dispatched in Demorest about a physical domestic dispute in progress. Spivey responded to the call, and Officer Jackson Cooter from the Cornelia Police Department assisted.

Once on scene, Spivey and Cooter were advised that the call may actually be a burglary and home invasion. After sorting through the details, the officers determined that the suspect had left the scene.

Spivey and Cooter canvassed the area, during which time Spivey made contact with the suspect at the Exxon convenience store located at the corner of Central Avenue and Florida Street in Demorest. According to Chief Jones, Spivey took the suspect into custody, handcuffing him with his hands behind his back. Cooter assisted in securing the individual in the patrol vehicle.

Situation changes

Before Spivey pulled out of the parking lot, Jones said the suspect began trying to hang himself with the seat belt in the back seat of the patrol vehicle. Jones added that this is a common occurrence when transporting a suspect, where they will twist around and get the seat belt wrapped around their neck.

Spivey pulled over, where he and Cooter untangled the seat belt from the subject’s neck and re-secured him in the vehicle. Due to this incident, Cooter decided to follow Spivey to the jail.

While en route to the jail, the subject did it again. Both officers pulled over, untangled the seat belt, and re-secured the subject. Then, both officers continued to the jail.

While en route, the subject managed to move his cuffs from the back to the front, where he secured the drawstring from his jogging pants. He then tied a knot around his neck with the drawstring.

According to Jones, the subject managed to strangle himself with this action.

Saved a life

The plaque that CPL Spivey received commends his life-saving efforts. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

At this point, Spivey ran code directly to the hospital. Once at the emergency entrance, Spivey managed to get his fingers between the drawstring and the subject’s neck. Cooter ran into the hospital, retrieved a pair of trauma shears, and returned to cut the drawstring from the subject’s neck.

After the drawstring was cut, the subject spun his head around and drool from his mouth landed in Spivey’s eyes. Chief Jones said at this point in the encounter, the subject informed Spivey that he had just ingested a bag of fentanyl.

Spivey had to be treated at the hospital in the event he may have been exposed to the drug from the saliva.

“Those actions saved that life. He would have died that night,” Chief Jones told the council while making his presentation. “Both of these guys put their lives on the line in a town they don’t even work for. That shows you what they’re willing to do.”

Corporal Aaron Spivey from the Baldwin Police Department and Officer Jackson Cooter from the Cornelia Police Department received a plaque from Chief Jones commending them for their actions.

Michael Dennis Maguire

By
Now Habersham
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Michael Dennis Maguire, age 79, of Cleveland, passed away on April 23, 2024.

Born in Washington, D.C., on January 7, 1945, Mr. Maguire was the son of the late John and Jeanette Ruppert Maguire. He was a self-employed carpenter and worked in many areas of construction, both commercial and residential. He was an avid horseman and enjoyed raising them for many years. Mr. Maguire was also a classic car aficionado. He spent much of his life in New Mexico and later in Hartwell, Georgia. Mr. Maguire was of the Catholic faith and he was a United States Army Veteran. In addition to his parents, Mr. Maguire is preceded in death by his sister, Debbie Mulcahy.

Survivors include daughters Bridget Maguire Tuckey (Trevor) of Cleveland and Meghan Cirivello (Jim) of California, son Jim Maguire (Leigh French) of Texas, brother John Maguire, sisters Joan Sena, Vivian Maguire and Trish Maguire, as well as four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

No services will be held at this time.

An online guestbook is available and may be viewed at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.

Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens.

Trump fined $9,000 for violating gag order in NY hush-money trial

By
Jacob Fischler
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Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears ahead of the start of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15 in New York City. Former President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Jabin Botsford-Pool/Getty Images)

(States Newsroom) — Former President Donald Trump defied a gag order in his New York state hush-money trial by posting attacks on likely witnesses on his social media platform and campaign website, the judge in the case ruled Tuesday.

Judge Juan M. Merchan fined Trump $9,000 for nine violations of an order barring him from making public statements about “reasonably foreseeable witnesses” or prospective jurors in the case, in which Trump is accused of disguising payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels to conceal an alleged affair.

Merchan also ordered the offending posts to be taken down by 2:15 p.m. Eastern Tuesday.

Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee for president, had posted to his social media site, Truth Social, and to his campaign website comments about Daniels and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney and fixer, who prosecutors say delivered a $130,000 payment to Daniels.

Cohen and Daniels are expected to testify for the prosecution in the criminal trial, the first involving a former U.S. president.

Trump did not deny posting any of the items, but said they were in response to political attacks by Cohen and Daniels. Merchan’s order allowed Trump to respond to political attacks.

Prosecutors had asked Merchan to fine Trump for 10 statements, but the judge gave Trump a pass on the first post in question, which Merchan said could be interpreted as a response to tweets from Cohen that could be considered political attacks.

Merchan said Tuesday he was broadly interpreting political attacks out of deference to Trump’s First Amendment right to free speech, which he said was especially important as Trump runs again for the White House.

“It is critically important that Defendant’s legitimate free speech rights not be curtailed, that he be able to fully campaign for the office which he seeks and that he be able to respond and defend himself against political attacks,” Merchan wrote. “For that reason, this Court exercised discretion when it crafted the Expanded Order and delayed issuing it until the eve of trial.”

Reposts as endorsements

Trump also argued that “reposts” from other accounts should not count as his own speech.

Merchan roundly rejected that argument, noting Trump has bragged about the size of his audience on Truth Social and fully controlled its content.

“There can be no doubt whatsoever, that Defendant’s intent and purpose when reposting, is to communicate to his audience that he endorses and adopts the posted statement as his own,” Merchan said. “It is counterintuitive and indeed absurd, to read the Expanded Order to not proscribe statements that Defendant intentionally selected and published to maximize exposure.”

Tuesday’s order also warns Trump “that the Court will not tolerate continued willful violations” of the gag order and warned that Merchan may impose jail time for further violations.

U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat who is the ranking minority member on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, told reporters in Washington Tuesday that he did not expect the ruling to lead Trump to change his behavior.

“I don’t think he’ll take it seriously, unless he’s going to be held overnight or something like that,” Raskin said. “He acts with utter contempt towards the rule of law.”

Raskin, a constitutional law professor, was the lead impeachment manager during Trump’s second impeachment, which dealt with the then-president’s efforts to overturn his loss in the 2020 election. Raskin also was a member of the House Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, Attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The trial resumed Tuesday with testimony from Gary Farro, a former banker of Cohen’s, after a break Monday.

Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report.

Cornelia Fire Department responds to power surge at The Peaks

By
Jerry Neace
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File photo (Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)

Cornelia Fire Department was dispatched Sunday night April 28 to a possible commercial apartment fire at The Peaks apartment complex in Cornelia. Fire units were dispatched at 9:15 p.m. to respond to 1100 Peaks Circle. Units from Baldwin, Demorest, Lee Arrendale, and Habersham Emergency Services responded to provide automatic aid.

According to a press release from Cornelia Fire Marshal Josh Hazle, when units arrived, they found no fire showing from the apartment building and residents of the building had been evacuated. Firefighters found that the fire alarm had been activated by a resident to alert occupants of a possible hazard

Firefighters determined that there was a power issue occurring in the 1100 building due to lights flashing on and off.

Personnel on scene cut the power to the building and checked eight apartment units for any signs of fire or other possible hazards to the residents. All firefighters found were tripped breakers in the units due to the power going on and off creating power surges.

Residents were not allowed to return to their apartments until Georgia Power arrived to determine the cause of the power issue. The property manager opened the clubhouse at the apartment complex for residents to wait.

According to Hazle, the Red Cross was notified and on standby in the event residents had to be relocated.

Georgia Power determined that the issue was caused by an underground wire and dispatched a crew to replace the line.

After the cause was determined, Georgia Power and fire personnel allowed the residents to return to their respective apartments.

Responding units remained on scene as a precaution until 11:48 p.m.

Raymond Henry Rudeseal

By
Now Habersham
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Raymond Henry Rudeseal, age 88, of Mt. Airy, Georgia, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 29, 2024, following a sudden illness.

Mr. Rudeseal was born on December 20, 1935, in Hall County, Georgia, to the late Rev. Doyle and Eliza Southerland Rudeseal. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Austin Sprayberry, and his brother-in-law, Rev. Charles Masters. Raymond was a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned an associate’s degree in business. He was the owner and operator of Rudeseal Furniture and Appliance Company in Cornelia, a business he dedicated himself to for 50 years. Throughout his tenure, Raymond also touched countless lives, helping families start anew with his generosity and compassion. In addition to his work in the furniture industry, Raymond was a respected poultry farmer for over 40 years. His commitment to hard work and integrity was evident in every aspect of his life. Raymond proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army Reserve. He was also an active member of Victory Baptist Church. As a young man, he had led singings when his father served in the ministry. Most importantly, Raymond will be remembered as a family man, being a loving husband, an amazing father, and a wonderful “Grand-Daddy”.

Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Yvonne Jean Franklin Rudeseal, of Mt. Airy; son and daughter-in-law, Deral and Gina Rudeseal, of Mt. Airy; daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Greg Sprayberry, of Mt. Airy; Angela and Brent Banks, of Clarkesville; sister, Dorlyn Masters, of Demorest; grandchildren, Blake Rudeseal, and his spouse, Cassie; Morgan Rudeseal Iles, and her husband, Noah; Emilee Banks; Lexie Sprayberry; Gracie Banks; and three great-grandsons, James Rudeseal, Jonah Rudeseal, and Jacob Rudeseal.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the Victory Baptist Church, with Rev. David Nix and Rev. Shane Jenkins officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Rev. David Masters officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel, 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700.

U.S. House Democrats vow to back Speaker Johnson if Republicans try to oust him

By
Jennifer Shutt
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., left, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., talk during a ceremony as the remains of retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett lie in honor during his congressional tribute in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on April 29, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (J. Scott Applewhite – Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — U.S. House Democratic leaders on Tuesday killed efforts by a small group of far-right House Republicans to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership post.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar released a joint statement saying their members would vote against efforts to oust Johnson using the so-called motion to vacate — an extraordinary sign of bipartisan support in the House.

“We will vote to table Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Motion to Vacate the Chair,” they wrote. “If she invokes the motion, it will not succeed.”

Greene, a Rome, Georgia Republican, filed the motion to remove Johnson, of Louisiana, in March. She has since gained support from Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar.

But other members of the House Freedom Caucus, including Chairman Bob Good of Virginia, have said the GOP Conference should wait until after the November elections to debate leadership.

The far-right GOP lawmakers are frustrated that Johnson has brought numerous bipartisan measures to the floor, including government funding packages as well as military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. 

The trio of House Democratic lawmakers wrote in the Tuesday statement that “(f)rom the very beginning of this Congress, House Democrats have put people over politics and found bipartisan common ground with traditional Republicans in order to deliver real results.”

“At the same time, House Democrats have aggressively pushed back against MAGA extremism. We will continue to do just that,” they wrote.

Johnson, asked about the statement during a press conference Tuesday morning, said he hadn’t heard about the statement.

“I’ve not requested assistance from anyone,” Johnson said. “I’m not focused on that at all. I’m focused on getting the job done and getting the legislation passed.”

Johnson said that “no deals at all” were made with Democrats to secure their support during a possible motion to vacate vote.

Hiker and car wreck victims rescued over the weekend in White County

By
Joy Purcell
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(Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)

White County Public Safety responded to multiple incidents over the weekend, including a fall at Raven Cliff Falls, a car accident, and a house fire.

At around 6:50 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, dispatchers were sent to Raven Cliff Falls after reports of a person who had fallen. Crews used a drone to quickly locate the patient and provide a visual assessment to crews entering the trail. Ground crews made contact with the individual and began providing medical assistance.

According to White County Public Information Officer Bryce Barrett, a medical helicopter was called in due to the extended time it took to rescue the victim, but it was later canceled. A ground ambulance transported the patient to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

A short time later, at around 9:30 p.m., dispatchers were called to a motor vehicle accident on Highway 75 north of Helen. Officials say a vehicle left the roadway and ran down an embankment. The wreck injured four people who were transported to the hospital. Habersham County provided mutual aid with an additional ambulance.

Then, at around 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, dispatchers were called to a residential structure fire on the 7400 block of Highway 115 East. White County Public Safety spokesperson Bryce Barrett says a passerby reported heavy smoke from the vents in the back of the house. When firefighters arrived, they found a working fire.

Barrett says the residence was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Firefighters from Cleveland and Habersham County helped extinguish the blaze.

“Thanks to combined efforts, firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, preserving much of the home,” says Barrett.

No injuries were reported.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Baldwin approves animal control IGA

By
Jerry Neace
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The Baldwin City Council approved an animal control intergovernmental agreement with Habersham County at Monday's meeting. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

After months of back and forth over wording in the agreement and a year of negotiating, the Baldwin City Council formally approved the animal control intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Habersham County during Monday’s council meeting.

The issue was the language used in how the county calculated the animal control costs to the city.

The wording in question has been debated since December when the county issued the IGA’s to the cities for animal control service. It outlined the formula used to compute the cost to the city. The wording the county originally had in the agreement is as follows. “City shall pay to County the sum of $18,455.58 reflecting the net value of actual cost less tax contribution from the 2023 Tax Digest.”

According to Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster, that wording was not correct. It did not reflect the true formula the county was using to calculate the cost to the cities. She explains to the council that the county has agreed to change the language in how the county computes the animal control costs.

Wording change

The county resubmitted the IGA to the city with the wording change. “City shall pay to County the sum of $18,455.58 reflecting the net value of actual cost less the gross digest percentage from the 2023 Tax Digest.”

Woodmaster stated, “So this is not what we agreed to a year ago. However, this is the accurate calculation they are going by today.”

“I’m really glad. That’s great news. I’m really glad we were able to work it out.” stated Councilmember Alice Venter.

Woodmaster explained to the council that since the cost was higher than what was discussed a year ago, the city would have to do a $1,800 increase for the service in the budget. She adds that the city would use fund balance to cover the increase.

The City Council approved the animal control IGA and the $1,800 increase to come from fund balance unanimously.

Walker’s walkoff single in 11th inning of game two saves Indians, forces game three

By
TFS Athletics
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Caden Walker (Austin Poffenberger)

Tallulah Falls dropped one and won one in dramatic fashion at Pepperell in the Sweet 16. Both teams were ranked as high as #4 in the state polls, the Dragons came back to win game one 4-2 before a lengthy 7-6 second game that spanned 11 innings went to Tallulah.

GAME 1

TFS made an early statement with a two-run first inning when Chris Waldron scored on a wild pitch and Chase Pollock singled in Diego Gonzalez. The offense only mustered three hits and four walks, and were shut out the rest of the way.

Pollock threw a complete game, taking the tough-luck loss after giving up only five hits and a walk, striking out six while surrendering four runs, only one of which was earned. The 2-0 lead held until the Dragons scratched across one in the fifth and three in the sixth.

L: Chase Pollock (5-3)
RBI: Chase Pollock

GAME 2

The Indians looked to rebound in the second game with Andrew Skvarka getting the start. Pepperell got a run in the first inning, but Tallulah responded in the third on a BJ Carver two-run single. The Dragons reclaimed the lead with a three-run fifth to go up 4-2. That deficit reached 6-2 after another two runs in the sixth off Cole Bonitatibus in relief.

Ashton Roache ignited the offense in the home half of the sixth with a line drive homer to right. David Dutary doubled in Carver moments later, and the game was tied on a two-run, two-out single by Waldron. It remained 6-6 for the next several innings. In fact, neither side could get another run across until the 11th inning.

Roache doubled to right to lead off the bottom of the 11th. He stole third with one out. After a fly out kept him there, Caden Walker laced a single to left to plate the game-winning run.

The Indians had 13 hits, with Roache going 3-for-6 with a homerun and two doubles. Carver had three hits and two RBI, while Walker and Dutary each had two hits and an RBI. Bonitatibus (7-1) grabbed the win after pitching six innings with six strikeouts against two hits and six walks. He gave up four runs (one earned). Skvarka went five innings with two earned runs, giving up six hits.

The Indians are now 22-10 on the season, and will play a decisive game three on Tuesday for a chance at making the Elite 8.

W: Cole Bonitatibus (7-1)
HR: Ashton Roache (5)
RBI: 2 Chris Waldron, 2 BJ Carver, Ashton Roache, Caden Walker, David Dutary

Pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Georgia ends in more than a dozen arrests

By
Chase McGee
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UGA police arrest pro-Palestinian protestors in a Monday morning demonstration. (Credit: Chase McGee)

A pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Georgia early Monday morning resulted in more than a dozen arrests.

Protestors brought tents and set up an encampment on the University’s North Campus, violating university policy.

A little over an hour later, University police announced the protest was over, and those who stayed on site would be arrested for criminal trespass.

UGA student Nicole Collier took part in the protest, she said university police went too far.

“I think it was unnecessary, we are just students, we were there peacefully, we had no weapons or any type of means of violence, we are just here to stand in solidarity with those who have died in Gaza.”

In a statement, University administration says “while the University of Georgia staunchly supports freedom of expression, we will not cede control of our campus to groups that refuse to abide by University policy.”

This article appears on Now Habersham in partnership with GPB News

UGA releases statement regarding arrests at campus protests

By
Staff Report
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A group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators link arms to form a privacy circle for Muslim demonstrators to pray on the lawn at New College on the University of Georgia's campus on Monday, April 29, 2024. The afternoon demonstration was held in response to 16 demonstrator arrests on the same lawn earlier that day. (Photo/Liz Rymarev courtesy The Red & Black)

Following Monday’s arrest of more than a dozen pro-Palestinian protesters on the University of Georgia campus, UGA’s administration released the following statement:

“The University of Georgia is firmly committed to the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and expression. Over the course of this academic year, we have facilitated dozens of events in which members of our campus community and guest speakers have publicly expressed differing viewpoints through lectures, marches, vigils and protests.

These expressive activities are consistent with the University System of Georgia Board of Regents’ Policy on Freedom of Expression, which requires institutions to protect the rights of all students and employees ‘to share ideas and opinions, even those that some may find offensive.’ For the most part, these activities have been conducted peacefully, without incident. When issues have arisen, they have been addressed appropriately by campus authorities.

The University’s commitment to the safety and security of our campus community is our foremost priority. While we must provide ample opportunity for protected expressive activities, we also have the right and duty to regulate the time, place and manner in which they occur. This morning’s encampment on the North Campus Quad crossed a line and violated our policies. Early this morning, without making a required reservation under our Freedom of Expression Policy, approximately 25 protesters began erecting tents and a barricade, blocking sidewalks and building entrances, and using amplified sound. Shortly thereafter, Student Affairs and University Police personnel established a dialogue with them to ensure awareness of applicable policies.

For decades, to protect health and safety, University of Georgia policy has expressly prohibited camping in outdoor areas of campus. In addition, those engaging in protest are prohibited from disrupting University activities inside and outside buildings, including classes. Accordingly, our policy expressly prohibits blocking sidewalks, ingress and egress from buildings, and use of amplified sound. Protesters were advised repeatedly, for more than an hour, that the tents and barricades they had put in place had to be removed and that they must comply with applicable policies. They were also given the opportunity by Student Affairs personnel to make a reservation and relocate to one of our centrally designated forums, but they refused. After multiple warnings that they would be arrested for trespass if they did not comply with our policies, at 8:30 a.m., UGA Police were left with no choice but to arrest those who refused to comply. Any students, faculty or staff members arrested could also face further disciplinary action by the University.

We remain grateful for the dedicated service of our Student Affairs team and University Police officers, who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to facilitate the safety of those who choose to exercise their right to peacefully protest on our campus. Anyone who feels threatened or who has experienced threats, harassment or discrimination is encouraged to contact the University’s Police Department and/or Equal Opportunity Office immediately.

Let us make it abundantly clear that while the University of Georgia staunchly supports freedom of expression, we will not cede control of our campus to groups that refuse to abide by University policy and threaten the safety of those who live, work and study here. The University of Georgia remains an institution where ideas, viewpoints, and scholarship can be openly expressed and debated.”

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian committed to building plants in Georgia

By
Jeff Dantre
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On Dec. 16, 2021, Gov. Brian Kemp attended a press conference with Rivian officials where they announced the vehicle manufacturer would build a $5 billion plant in Georgia. That plant has since been put on hold. (Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder)

Executives for electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian are continuing to reassure Georgia officials that their company remains committed to building a massive plant in Morgan and Walton counties despite a recent pause in construction.

During an appearance in Atlanta, Tony Sanger, vice president of facilities for the company, acknowledged concerns over the Rivian’s plans for the state but stressed they’re not abandoning Georgia even though they have shifted production of its new R2 SUV to its sole plant in Normal, Illinois.

When Rivian announced plans to delay construction of the $5 billion Georgia plant, the company said it would save nearly $2.2 billion in costs by moving to an existing production line and get vehicles in the hands of customers faster.

During Saturday’s event at Rivian’s Ponce City Market showroom in Atlanta, prototypes of three new EV models were revealed in an effort to calm fears about the company’s future plans.

Sanger said the automaker will meet its obligations in Georgia to have 7,500 workers at the Rutledge site by 2030.

This article comes to Now Habersham in partnership with WUGA News

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