Sheriff Couch receives President's Award from state organization  

A new Georgia gun law went into effect July 1, making changes to the list of places where persons with carry permits can carry their weapons.  Also, as a part of the new law, a plea of no contest is no longer treated as a conviction, and 18-20 year olds who are active military can apply for a weapons carry lisence.  In addition, residents who have a current Georgia Weapons Carry License issued by Hall County can renew the license as long as it hasn't been expired for more than 30 days.  Those seeking to renew their carry license will not have to be fingerprinted, so they can deliver their consent to a background check to the Sheriff's Office in the Hall County Courthouse rather than the Hall County Law Enforcement Center.  Anyone with further questions or concerns is asked to contact the offices of the Hall County Probate Court at 770-531-6921.

  

  

Hall County Financial Services has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2013. This marks the 22nd year the department has earned the designation, which is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.  Read more here.

If you would like to apply to participate in this unique experience, please call Sandy Garrett with the Court Services Division at (770)531-7093 or Captain Chris Matthews (770)531-7095. You may also obtain an application for attendance to the academy here. 

  

  

 

* New roadways

* Road widenings

* Bicycle and pedestrian facilities

* Transit improvements

* Safety projects

 

A formal presentation will be made at 6 p.m.   The meeting will be held at the Hall County Government Center, 2875 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville.

  

Officials with the Hall County Sheriff's Office are warning residents about another phone scam involving callers who claim to be employed by Georgia Power.   

 

From the onset of 2013, Georgia Power advised that their company had fielded more than 650 calls of suspected billing scams before the end of last summer.  Just this past week, the Hall County Sheriff's Office received reports of the scam recirculating in the area. Thus far, only a handful of such instances have been reported this summer. The callers seem to be targeting residents and businesses, stating that their electricity is about to be cut off unless the resident pays the past due amount on their utility bills. The victim is then instructed to purchase a prepaid debit card and provide the caller with his or her account number. Once the requested number(s) are given, the victim's money is taken and the scammer moves on to the next victim.

 

Georgia Power also stated that there had been some individuals going door-to-door, claiming to be business representatives of the company, asking for payment from residents. Contrarily, Georgia Power advises that the only representatives that would come to a customer's home would be their technicians. These utility workers will be in uniform, bearing the company ID badge. They also explained that they do not call their customers to speak directly and ask them for a payment via phone. Customers may receive an automated, pre-recorded message asking them to call Georgia Power to discuss their accounts.

 

If you believe that you have fallen victim to a utility phone scam, please call the Hall County Sheriff's Office for more information. Hall County's Community Service Office will be glad to help by answering your questions during normal business hours at (770)531-6900. You can also call the non-emergency dispatch line to have a deputy come out and make a report (770-536-8812).