Hall County's Acting Fire Chief Jeff Hood was officially named Chief of Hall County Fire Services during a pinning ceremony at the Hall County Board of Commissioners meeting on Jan. 22.  

Hood began his career with Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services in 1978 and remained with that department until his retirement in 2013.  During that time, Hood became state-certified as a firefighter, paramedic, Level II Paramedic instructor and Georgia-certified Emergency Manager.  He was also named Clayton County's Fire Chief and Emergency Management Agency Director in 2011. In addition, Hood was appointed by the State Homeland Security Director to represent the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs on the State Homeland Security Task Force in 2013 before being named deputy chief of Hall County Fire Services early last year.  He was then named acting chief in August.   

"We have been very pleased to have Chief Hood's knowledge and expertise on our side, and we feel confident that his presence will continue to enhance the level of public safety for the citizens of Hall County," said Hall County Administrator Randy Knighton.

Hood and his wife Suzanne reside in Hall County.  They have two grown sons and three grandchildren.

Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie D. Woodard has been appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal as a new member of the state Commission on Family Violence.

"All Georgians will benefit from Solicitor General Woodard's service on the commission, which works with communities and systems across the state to provide leadership in strengthening Georgia's families by ending family violence," Patrise M. Perkins-Hooker, president of the State Bar of Georgia, said in a statement, "Solicitor General Woodard's acceptance of this post is evidence of her continued dedication to serving the public and the justice system."

The commission publishes reports on family violence trends and the adequacy of interdiction laws, and will co-sponsor the Stop Violence Against Women Day on Feb. 3 at the state Capitol in Atlanta.

There are 37 members on the commission, including lawmakers, the attorney general and the director of the Division of Family and Children Services.

Woodard was appointed to serve as Hall County's chief prosecutor of misdemeanors by Gov. Sonny Perdue beginning in 2009. A Republican, she was then elected to the post in 2010 and re-elected in 2014.

- Firefighters at Hall County Fire Station #5 collected more than 200 coats as a part of a coat drive for the kids at Martin Technology Academy this winter. Firefighters are pictured at right, delivering the coats to Martin Technology Academy. 

- Hall County Fire Services and local America Red Cross volunteers conducted a neighborhood canvass on Jan. 10 in the area of Highland Terrace.  The group checked for working smoke alarms and replaced or installed new ones for those that needed them.  Volunteers also educated residents about home escape planning and the safe use of space heaters.  Approximately 70 alarms were installed.  The alarms were purchased through a grant opportunity from United Way of Northeast Georgia.

- It's still winter, and unfortunately, as temperatures drop, the number of residential fires usually increases.

Fire prevention officials encourage residents to take extra precautions during this cold weather.  

"Many times, people just don't understand the risk involved in using alternative heating methods.  They are trying to keep costs down, and stay warm, and sometimes those things just don't add up," said Batt. Chief Scott Cagle, Hall County Fire Marshal. 

Fire officials recommend that residents consider the following safety guidelines when using fireplaces or wood stoves:

*Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.

*Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.

*Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove. 

*Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.

*Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.

*Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.

When using electric space heaters, remember:

*Space heaters need space. Keep items at least three feet away from each heater - in front, behind, above, and below!

*When buying a space heater, only buy one with a safety feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls over, and that has been evaluated by a testing laboratory.

*Space heaters require a large amount of electricity.  When using a space heater, do not plug anything else into the same outlet.

*Never leave space heaters unattended.  Turn them off and unplug them when leaving the home or when going to bed at night.

Another problem during the winter months is carbon monoxide (CO).  Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas.  CO gas can come from several sources: gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, wood-burning furnaces or fireplaces, and motor vehicles.  CO poisoning symptoms are similar to flu symptoms.  These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue.  CO poisoning is deadly.

*Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage. 

*Never keep a car running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.

*Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms.  

At the reception, a number of fellow judges spoke of their admiration for Judge Jolliff and the work he has done to improve the Juvenile Court System in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit.  They included the current Northeastern Judicial Circuit Chief Juvenile Court Judge Lindsay Burton, Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Kathlene F. Gosselin, Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge C. Andrew Fuller and retired Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge John E. Girardeau, who recalled offering the circuit-wide juvenile judge position to Jolliff in the early 90s.

"It was one of the best decisions that we ever made," said Girardeau.

The reception also included a letter of appreciation from Governor Nathan Deal, read by Northeastern Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court Judge Pro Tem Bethany Magnus.  Comments were also made by Gainesville-Northeastern Circuit Bar Association Vice President Tripp Wingate and former Hall County Juvenile Court Judge David Fox.

Jolliff received degrees from Oxford College of Emory University, University of Florida and Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University.  He has actively served on the Northeastern Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Task Force, Hall-Dawson Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Board of Directors, the Juvenile Court Council Executive Committee, Georgia Commission on Family Violence, Supreme Court Child Placement Project, the Advisory Committee for Rape Response Sexual Assault Prevention and countless other organizations and groups that promote a better quality of life for all, especially children.  Judge Jolliff also received countless accolades, awards and recognitions over the years for his passion for service within the Hall County and Dawson County communities.  

The Northeastern Judicial Circuit juvenile judges are appointed to the bench by the Superior Court judges of the circuit.  Judge Jolliff received seven such appointments during his career.  Following Jolliff's retirement, the Northeastern Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court is now being served by Chief Juvenile Court Judge Lindsay Burton, Juvenile Court Judge Robert A. "Bo" Weber, Jr., and Juvenile Court Judge Alison Toller.