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      A road closed sign keeps motorists from reaching the bridge that washed out off Gennett Drive in March. Repairs are not expected for a few more months. 

The bridge on Gennett Drive that washed out earlier this year will remain closed at least until fall, with the project expected to be bid out at that time. 

The bridge was damaged from flooding this past March. According to Jasper City Manager Brandon Douglas, the city received $141,000 in emergency GDOT funding for the project and immediately hired a GDOT pre-qualified engineer to assist with design and construction drawings.  

 New signs have made some people think this building that’s been empty for years is now open, with officials saying a few passersby have pulled in to grab a bite. New signs have been installed here and at the motel across the street for filming of Netflix’s Pieces of Her, based on a book by the same name. 

     No, the new signs don’t mean the East Church Street building is now open to the public. The façade renovations are strictly for a Netflix series being filmed there and at the Budget Inn across the road for portions of three days through July 15. 

Since filming of Pieces of Her was announced, officials say they have been inundated with calls about the project, including people concerned about road closure and detours, and how it would impact businesses.

     It would be a challenge for anyone to guess how the planning commission will react to proposed rezonings and Monday’s meeting was true to form with the seven-member appointed board green-lighting a new storage building location over residential opposition, while denying a residential rezoning for a large developer in west Pickens.

Up first at Monday’s meeting was RLF Talking Rock, which has seen another of their projects denied a rezoning recommendation recently. In this case, it was a technical but mostly straightforward request from the company.

See full story in this week's print or online editions. 

Lies, bullying led to former Supt. Townsend’s removal, according 

to testimony from school board members Smith and Holland

     Local advocacy group Impact Pickens did not get the news they hoped for in court last week when a judge ruled to dismiss their application to recall two school board members for their role in the termination of Dr. Rick Townsend. The judge’s ruling will stop the group’s efforts to recall those board members unless they file an appeal. 

The issue became public and contentious early this year when Townsend was dismissed without cause in a 3-2 vote by the school board. The system paid Townsend $420,000 to buyout his contract. Impact Pickens formed in response to the actions of board members Sue Finley, Steve Smith, and Aaron Holland, who they alleged conspired to have Townsend removed, displayed fiscal maleficence by wasting taxpayer money, and violated the open meetings act.