Pickens Progress 2021 Business Directory

278-acre Big Ridge Road rezoning tabled; RV park denied

  Photo/QPublic website

Commissioners tabled consideration of a rezoning request for a 278-acre tract off Big Ridge Road where developers want to put in 80 home sites.

     In a meeting dominated by rezoning issues, Pickens County commissioners tabled their decision for proposed residential development Talking Rock Bluffs, which could bring over 80 new homes to Big Ridge Road if approved. 

In a public hearing on March 8, residents expressed deep concerns that the development would negatively impact Talking Rock Creek, which flows through some of the lots. There were also concerns about how to supply water to the property. Water cannot be provided by the county because there are no county lines in that area and no plans to run them anytime soon. Water would have to be supplied by wells, which developers were aware of at the time of the application.  

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

The Pickens County School District has announced 2020-2021 Teachers of the Year. 

The best of the best are chosen for this honor from all six campuses. Each of the six teachers will be recognized at a banquet on May 10th at Chattahoochee Technical College, when the Teacher of the Year for the entire district will be announced. 

"In an extremely difficult year, our teachers have continued to persevere,” said  Superintendent Tony Young. “Their contributions continue to impact the lives of our students in Pickens County and it is exciting that their peers have chosen them to represent their respective schools.  These teachers represent the best of Pickens County."

     Max Caylor at the Rotary Peace Park, just one of the many projects the retired minister puts his time into.

By Louise Fox

PCREA President

The Pickens County Retired Educators Association (PCREA) held their March meeting on Wednesday, March 10th via Zoom, and the winner of the 36th Golden Deed Award was announced as Max Caylor.

Max Caylor with his big-hearted personality along with his love for people and his community made him the perfect candidate for the 36th Golden Deed Award. He is a Georgia native and earned degrees at Reinhardt University, Lagrange College and Emory University. 

In 1972 he was ordained as a minister and served at Jasper United Methodist Church from 1984-1991.  While pastoring at JUMC, he founded the Rotary Club of Jasper and served as chaplain for the Pickens High School football team and videographer for Pickens High School graduations.  

Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Governor Brian Kemp today announced the state will expand its COVID vaccine eligibility beginning March 25, 2021, to include all Georgians aged 16 and older. Increased COVID vaccine supply and significant progress in vaccinating Georgia seniors, our most vulnerable population, allows the state to move forward and to ensure all vaccine doses are being put into arms. 

  Vaccination, along with strict compliance with basic prevention measures - wear a mask, stay six feet from others, avoid large gatherings, wash your hands frequently - will help Georgia stop the spread of COVID-19.