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Rescuer calling for education, foster homes

     Pot-bellied pigs Bonnie and Clyde have been in the care of the Whittling family in Ball Ground for the last year after they were saved from the slaughterhouse. One local rescuer said pot-bellied pigs often end up unwanted because their owners don’t realize how large they get.  

If everything goes as planned, Bonnie and Clyde, a pair of pot-bellied pigs, will get a new home soon.  

“About a year ago my father-in-law got them from some friends who decided they didn’t want them anymore,” said Ball Ground resident Nicholas Whittling. “They were going to kill them and take them to the processing place and he didn’t want that. His health isn’t great anymore and he can’t care for them.” 

Fortunately, the Whittlings were recently contacted by a potential adoption family, but Nelson resident Victoria Bragg - potbelly pig rescuer and board member with Forgotten Angels Rescue & Education Center - said not all pigs are as lucky as Bonnie and Clyde. 

     Honoring the founder of a community institution -  (l-r) Dr. Moiz Master, Medical Director at Piedmont Mountainside; Don Russell, Thrift Store founder; Dr. Rose Spillane, member of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Board and hospital CEO Denise Ray. The hospital will name their new Chest Pain Clinic in honor of Russell.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital will name their Chest Pain Center in honor of Don Russell, the founder of the Community Thrift Store – an institution that has contributed millions to area non-profits made by the sale of donated second-hand items.

Submitted by Dr. Carlton Wilson, Pickens County Schools Superintendent

The Pickens County School District is reviewing school times for the 2017-2018 school year. We would like public input for this decision.

Current School Start and End Times: 

Gary Pichon, at almost 70 years old,  completed a bicycle ride across the country. This week he passes along his observations on the nation garnered from the sights and conversations with people along the route.

By Gary Pichon

Well I finally did the big ride, coast to coast on a bicycle just short of my 70th birthday. 3,000 miles is a distance you notice. I had a great time for 52 days. Got up, drank coffee, grabbed something to eat and then got on the bicycle and rode between 50 and 90 miles. Then  drank a beer and ate supper.  Back to bed, usually in a tent.  And then got up and repeated. A  very simple life.