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Jasper and Ball Ground both got early Christmas gifts in the form of "not-too-bad" weather for their parades over the weekend.

In Ball Ground Friday, the parade had just ended when the bottom fell out with heavy rain. And in Jasper (see picture above) on Saturday night it was cold but not the coldest Jasper Night of Lights and dry. Rain didn't develop until much later.

See information on Christmas events at area churches in this week's print edition.

By Pam O’Dell
Capitol Reporter
    Regular readers know that I have written extensively on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
    As a result, I have been barraged with both questions and strong political commentary. 
    During the course of reading everything I can get my hands on (including major parts of the bill) and talking to experts on the law (as well as

    Cheryl Blankinship lived a quiet life but left a significant impact.

By Dan Huth
Progress contributor

    [Writer’s Note: Over the years I gained Cheryl's confidence, became her friend. She was able to express herself more clearly using a keyboard than in person, and often shared her thoughts in e-mails.  Sensing something special about this person, I saved these e-mails, which now enrich this article with her own voice.]  

    Cheryl Blankinship didn't have a car, and would only reluctantly ask friends to take her shopping. When she did leave her run down double-wide for a shopping trip, she'd split her list between Fred’s and Sav-A-Lot, letting a few cents savings determine where to make each purchase. Then she'd shuffle through wrinkled coupons, wrenching every last drop from every last penny—squeezing a nickel until the proverbial buffalo howled. Her wardrobe came from the Community Thrift Store.
    And she gave over $700,000 to Pickens County charities.

To read more about The $700,000 Bag Lady Cheryl Blankinship check out this week's print or online editions.

From Sheriff Office Press Release

"On Monday November 25th, Carolyn Diane Green turned herself into the Pickens Sheriff’s Office for the offense of Felony Theft by Taking.

Green had served as the Treasurer for the Pickens Sheriff’s Auxiliary. The Pickens Sheriff’s Auxiliary is a nonprofit organization that exists to provide support to the employees of the Sheriff’s Office in times of sickness or hardships and supports the Pickens County Community in times of disaster by operating and managing an emergency shelter.

During an audit of the financial records, some discrepancies were found that created suspicion. To avoid any possibility of a conflict of interest in the investigation, Sheriff Craig requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) complete the investigation into the matter. Upon completion, GBI agents found evidence that led to the arrest of Ms. Green for Felony Theft by Taking.