MainStreetNews

A number of people in Jackson and Banks counties received misleading phone calls Tuesday related to the runoff elections. Officials said they are getting reports from a number of people about calls which tell the person answering the phone that they would be inelgible to vote in November and taken off the voter's list if they didn't get out and vote in today's runoff elections.

But officials said the information is erronous and "totally untrue."

Information about the calls has been turned over to the secretary of state's office for investigation.

Three heated races in Jackson, Barrow and Banks counties will be decided today as voters go back to the polls for the Primary runoff elections. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to decide who will be the county commission chairman in Jackson and Barrow counties and who will be the next District Attorney of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, which includes Banks, Barrow and Jackson counties. In Madison County, the District 2 BOC seat will be decided between John Pethel Sr. and Johnny Fitzpatrick.
In the Piedmont DA’s race, Donna Sikes faces Brad Smith in one of the most hotly-contested political races in recent years. In Jackson County, Hunter Bicknell squares off with Ron Johnson for BOC chairman. In Barrow County, incumbent Doug Garrison faces a stiff challenge from Danny Yearwood All of the races are on the Republican ballot.
Those who voted a Republican ballot in the primary election must vote Republican in the runoff. Those who voted a Democrat ballot in the primary election must cast a Democrat ballot in the runoff. Those who did not vote in the primary election may choose either ballot in the primary.

Election results will be posted tonight on www.MainStreeNews.com, www.JacksonHeraldTODAY.com, www.BarrowJournal.com, www.BanksNewsTODAY.com, www.CommerceNewsTODAY.com, www.BraseltonNewsTODAY.com and www.MadisonJournalTODAY.com.

A Banks County High School junior died as a result of injuries suffered in a one-vehicle accident on Hwy. 441 Saturday evening, just north of the county sheriff’s office.

Cody Gowder, a member of the school’s football team, died after the pickup he was driving crashed and flipped several times on Hwy. 441 shortly before 9 p.m. The vehicle struck a guardrail, according to reports from the Georgia State Patrol which investigated the accident.

Two other passengers, Bill Redmon and Kane Duncan, classmates and football teammates of Gowder’s, suffered injuries in the accident after all three were ejected from the truck. Redmon and Duncan were both airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital where they were in stable condition Sunday.

Reports indicated those in the vehicle were not wearing seat belts.

Gowder’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Grove Level Baptist Church. Little-Ward Funeral Home of Commerce is handling arrangements.

BCHS football coach Blair Armstrong said practice would be cancelled Monday.

See obituary at www.mainstreetobits.com

BY MIKE BUFFINGTON
EDITOR
The closer to an election, the crazier the comments become. There’s something about close elections that makes some people so cranky they can’t see straight. Anyone who disagrees with them is an idiot. The candidates they don’t support have horns, a long tail and carry a pitchfork. All you have to do to see evidence of this election frenzy is to read the comments posted over the last week on election stories in the various websites shown below.
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