Why a community prayer breakfast?

Elementary principal says 32% leaving 1st grade at-risk

Angela Reinhardt / Photo

Hill City Elementary Principal Jennifer Halko, along with elementary principals Stephanie Hall and Marla Callahan, address the school board at a called meeting Friday, Feb. 7. The principals requested para-pros for all first grade classrooms.

At a called meeting of school administration and the school board, Hill City Elementary School Principal Jennifer Halko opened her presentation with a slide she called “shocking.” The slide referred to a “reading crisis” among students.

Halko’s presentation followed presentations from middle, junior high, and high school principals who discussed last year’s College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) scores and plans to improve those scores in the coming years. 

“Our test scores look okay,” said Halko, who spoke on behalf of all Pickens’ elementary principals at the meeting. “They’re pretty much right there with the state. However, when you really start looking into it, our test scores, as are the states, are hovering around that 50 percent proficient and above.”

Investigation of financial fraud expands

Allen Wigington

Pickens Sheriff's book-in photo

       The investigation of financial fraud by Allen Wigington, the former chief magistrate judge, has expanded to include all accounts under his control in the court and will extend back at least a decade, according to Pickens Sheriff Donnie Craig.

The investigation has also grown to include investigators from the Georgia Attorney General’s office, in addition to sheriff investigators and the GBI, who made the initial arrest on January 29.

        Wigington, who has submitted his resignation to the governor to be effective April 30, is accused of three counts of unauthorized use of financial transaction card for his use of a county credit card issued to him; six counts of theft by taking which includes checks written from the magistrate account to the Blaine Lodge to cover money investigators say he stole from the non-profit where he was treasurer; and one count of violation of oath of office.

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

      The Atlanta Guitar Trio  who form part of The Catanza Guitar Quartet will perform on the Monday February 17 concert of the Casual Classics Concert Series. Admission is free.

        The Catanza Guitar Quartet will perform on the Monday February 17 concert of the Casual Classics Concert Series. Admission is free, but contributions are gratefully accepted in order to fund the expenses for the series. The concert is at 7 p.m. at Fellowship Presbyterian Church, 389 Bent Tree Drive, Jasper.

Catanza Quartet was formed as a result of the friendship between the groups Duo Catanza and the Atlanta Guitar Trio. Scott Plato performs in both ensembles and had the idea to expand the possibilities of repertoire by combining the talents of both groups. In addition to music for four guitars, the quartet features varied performances with music for two guitars, three guitars, two guitars and theorbo, two guitars and ukulele, and theorbo and voice. The musicians give historical and musical explanations about the composers and compositions they perform. The use of varied instruments, including voice, is something rarely seen in a classical guitar concert. 

       Dr. Alveda King, who will speak in Pickens on February 26, is a Christian evangelist and civil rights activist and is also known for her contributions in film, music, politics, education and journalism. She is an actress, singer, songwriter, blogger, author, Fox News contributor, and a television and radio personality. As a former Georgia State legislator and mother and grandmother, she is also a guardian of the King Family Legacy. Alveda is the daughter of Rev. A. D. King and Mrs. Naomi King, the granddaughter of Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. and Mrs. Alberta Williams King, and the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She currently serves as a Pastoral Associate and Director of Civil Rights for the Unborn, the African-American Outreach for Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries. She is also a voice for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, sharing her testimony of two abortions, God’s forgiveness and healing. 

       In anticipation of Dr. Alveda King speaking in Pickens County during a community prayer breakfast at Chattahoochee Technical College later this month, Mt. Zion Baptist Church Pastor Ben Mock remembers what it was like growing up during the Civil Rights Era in the Deep South. Here he discusses the importance of Dr. King speaking and praying with the Pickens community. See details about the breakfast at the end of this article, including RSVP information. 

The Kings and I 

By Ben Mock

Mt. Zion Baptist Church Pastor

Growing up as a white kid near Sandfly, Ga., a "colored" community on the south side of Savannah, I had a front row seat to the injustices of the Old South. I recall riding on the Nancy Hanks to Atlanta, watching the cotton fields go by and wondering if the passengers in the rear cars weren't as thirsty as I was. I could get a cold Coca Cola in the dining car, they could not. On a later trip