For hundreds of photos and updates about Oconee events and people, go to theoconeeleader.com
This Week: Sports
Issue 14
From the Oconee to the Apalachee
Volume 11
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Running for a good cause Titans keep winning, sweep Stephens County
Story, page 4
Malcom Bridge sweeps track and field titles
Sports, page 4
News jacquoi turner/Oconee Leader Fourteen current and former military men and one civilian stopped in Athens and Oconee County on Saturday as part of a run from Boston to Atlanta in an effort to bring public awareness of the high rate of suicide among military veterans. The men are attempting to raise $1 million for a program at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center helping veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress syndrome. The “Shepherd’s Men” set out on their nine-day journey March 26. They have committed to run 22 kilometers a day. See photo gallery, TheOconeeLeader.com.
Fire rescue volunteers gain added expertise in week-long courses
Oconee Business Expo
By Mike Sprayberry TheOconeeLeader.com
Oconee Farmers Market packs them in
News, page 2
In brief Oconee Regional Humane Society fundraiser The Oconee Regional Humane Society is offering tickets to the annual Belk’s Private Charity Sale. The sale offers ticket holders 20-70 percent off Belk purchases storewide including special savings on rarely discounted brands such as Free People, Ralph Lauren, DKNY, Frye, Michael Kors, Karen Kane, Vince Camuto, Coach, Dooney & Burke, Kate Spade New York and many more. Tickets to the event are $5, which is refunded with the holders first purchase. All of the proceeds go to ORHS. The sale is from 6 to 10 a.m. on April 30 in all Belks stores. Tickets to the sale, and fliers detailing sale items, are available at the ORHS adoption center (1020 Park Avenue, Suite 101, Greensboro, GA 30642) from 11-3 Monday through Saturday.
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Oconee County Fire Rescue volunteers participated in additional training at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland last month. Dustin Gurley, Dusty Powell, Adam Smith, Paul Thaxton and Kenney Wilson represented Oconee County in the week-long courses intended to better prepare firefighters and rescue personnel and allow them the opportunity to exchange ideas with other fire departments around the country. “These volunteers took a week away from their families and jobs to attend the six-day courses,” said Fire Chief Bruce Thaxton. “This is an excellent example of the dedication that we have within our volunteer fire department.” While Oconee County Fire Rescue participates in National Fire Academy courses annually, it is supplemental to required training and those firefighters selected to participate are not necessarily the same firefighters every year. “Some of those individuals were recently honored at the (Oconee County Fire Rescue) Appreciation Dinner,” said Melvin Davis, Chairman of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners. “Those are some pretty dedicated volunteers. “I do know that they spend time in classes and in conversations with folks from other areas discuss-
Highlights from the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Expo held at the Oconee Civic Center last week. Community members meet face-to-face with representatives of dozens of local businesses conveniently gathered in one spot at the Oconee Business Expo. For more photos, go to TheOconeeLeader.com . Oconee County Fire Rescue volunteers (left to right) Adam Smith, Kenney Wilson, Paul Thaxton, Dustin Gurley, and Dusty Powell.
ing what other counties are doing with volunteer fire departments, picking up ideas on new techniques, safety and equipment. Then, they come back and I think they make a report to their station chiefs or to their stations. They may have training one evening where a firefighter may share with others in the station what they learned and what ideas they picked up.” Smith, Station 1 Captain, was among the five Oconee County Fire Rescue volunteers to attend the course. “Having the opportunity to attend the National Fire Academy for a weeklong class was great,” he said. “We met fellow firefighters from all across the country. The classes that the National Fire Academy offered are some of the best and the instructors are top notch.” Travel and tuition was funded by the National
Fire Academy, part of the Department of Homeland Security and funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “We are proud to see our volunteers continue their education and training,” continued Chief Thaxton. “This trip gave them the opportunity to gain knowledge and share ideas with other fire department personnel from all over the United States.” Davis echoed Thaxton’s comments on the value of collaborating with other fire departments. “I think any time we get a chance to interact with other fire departments from other states or counties, it benefits us to share what we do here because I think we have a pretty good system with our own volunteer fire department; the things we do to recruit and maintain their status Please see ‘Fire’
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Photos by Blane Marable