Mrs. Mabel Lois Rathyen, age 89 of Lori Loop Blairsville passed away on Sunday December 5, 2010 at Stonehenge Assisted Living following an extended illness.  Mrs. Rathyen was born on January 3rd, 1921 in Bayonne, NJ, the daughter of the late William Hundley and the late Margaret Mayhan.  She lived...

Mr.Jack Howard Baker age 84 of Kristen Lane Blairsville passed away on Saturday Dec.11,2010 at his home following an extended illness.Mr.Baker was born on Sept.25,1926 in St.Pete,FL.,the son of the late Claude Baker and the late Marion Hunt Baker.He was a veteran of the US Army Air Corp.Jack was a member...

Mr. Herbert Randall Stewart, age 52 of Brawley Lane Suches,GA, passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at his home.  Mr. Stewart was born in Robbinsville, NC on September 18, 1958, the son of the late Herbert Stewart and the late Shirley Horton.  Randy was employed with Ingles for over thirty six...

Mr. David Keith Banks, age 58 of Kimsey St. Blairsville, passed away on Tuesday December 7, 2010 at his home.  Mr. Banks was born in Puerto Rico at a US base on September 23, 1952, the son of Mary Ruth Harris and the late George Samuel Banks.  David was a loving father, brother,uncle and grandfather. ...

Betty Jean Parker, age 79, died on Sunday, December 5th, 2010, at Athens Regional Medical Center after a sudden illness. She was born to the late Montine Wilson Spiva and Cecil D. Spiva on June 3, 1931, in Blairsville, Georgia, where she resided most recently. Betty was the widow of James Earl Parker,...

The Green Column by Richard C. MacCrea, Andrews Valley Initiative rmaccrea1@gmail.com Tougher State Energy Codes There is a fight about a new state energy code. The North Carolina Association of Home Builders is complaining it will increase building costs too much now. Environmentalists are arguing that...

CHOOSING A FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL There’s nothing like doing your homework and being selective. Provided by:  Robert C. Williams, Jr. CPA When we buy a car or a house, consider a school for our children, or plan our next vacation, what kind of approach do we take? For one thing, we take our time....

Leaning Left Jim Fitzgerald I am wondering whether the Republicans learned anything during the November elections. It has been my understanding that the national debt was of huge concern to fiscal conservatives and that they sent a message to DC to reduce the national debt and end pork-laden earmarks....

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS – for 12-15-10 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS:  Let’s give thought to poison-proofing our homes. Help keep the season merry and bright by avoiding plants and decorations and other items that pose problems for curious youngsters or pets.  Take a moment to read these safety tips and precautions...

What’s going on with the Republican leadership?  Don’t they have anyone who can articulate why letting the Bush Administration tax rates expire on New Year’s Day means that the lowest bracket will increase by 50% (from 10% to 15%) and increasing the rates in the upper brackets mean that the people...