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July 4-10, 2015 Volume 7, Issue 8
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Local man orchestrates Covington fireworks show, PAGE 8 Serving Rockdale County and Conyers
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New basketball coach Shane Ramsey takes charge at Heritage, PAGE 12 Fireworks, hotel fee, gas tax changes hit July 1 with new laws By Staff Reports
Darrell Everidge / The Rockdale News
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Purple Heart for a Hero Rockdale County resident Ret. Command Sgt. Maj. Simon Ramos was awarded a long-overdue Purple Heart for wounds he received in Vietnam in 1962 in a ceremony held at the Walk of Heroes Veterans Memorial in Rockdale County on July 1. Due to confusion about his military records, Command Sgt. Maj. Ramos was not properly recognized previously. After attempting to correct the record for six years, Ramos turned to Congressman Johnson’s office, where District Director Cathy Register resolved the matter within weeks. Ramos served for more than 35 years in the Army from 1952 to 1987. He served valiantly in both the Korea and Vietnam wars. On Wednesday, Ramos was finally recognized and presented the Purple Heart by Congressman Johnson in a ceremony held at the Walk of Heroes Veterans Memorial in Conyers, attended by his family and friends. Ramos joked, “We’re going to celebrate and get drunk. It only takes three drinks, so it’s not a long process.” Due to confusion about his military records, Command Sgt. Maj. Ramos was not properly recognized previously. Mr. Ramos served for more than 35 years in the Army from 1952 to 1987. He served valiantly in both the Korea and Vietnam wars. In May, 1962, Ramos was injured in Vietnam when his company came under grenade attack, seriously wounding his left arm.
July 1 typically brings a bevy of new laws into effect that were approved by the General Assembly earlier in the year. This year, Georgians can expect to see a new $5 fee tacked on to hotel/motel stays, slight changes to their gas taxes, and will now be able to buy aerial fireworks that were formerly illegal. Fireworks Starting Wednesday, fireworks that have long previously been illegal will be available for purchase and shooting off in Georgia. Consumer fireworks - defined as aerial fireworks, or those that explode in the air - will be legal to purchase in Georgia. Residents can already purchase hand-held and ground-based sparkling devices, such as sparklers and fountains. Consumer fireworks legal to purchase include: • Sky Rockets and Bottle Rockets • Missile-Type Rockets • Helicopter and Aerial Spinners • Roman Candles • Multi-Aerial Mine and Shell Devices • Aerial Shell Kits • Reloadables • Firecrackers These fireworks can be used between 10 a.m. and midnight throughout most of the year. On July 3 and July 4, consumer fireworks can be used from 10 a.m. through 2 a.m. And in celebration of the New Year, consumer fireworks can be used from 10 a.m. through 2 a.m. on December 31 and January 1. You must be 18 years old to purchase consumer fireworks. Consumer fireworks are prohibited within a school safety zone, at a school function or on a bus or other transportation furnished by a school. Fireworks cannot be exploded within 100 yards of a nuclear power facility or gas station, or a facility
See FIRWORKS on PAGE 9
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