You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience Editor’s Note: This will be the first part of a two part series covering the Alabama Department of Environmental Management public hearing and meeting held on April 8 This article will cover the public hearing The second part of the series will cover the public meeting and will appear in Saturday’s edition the Chambers County courthouse was a hive of energy ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) representatives flanked the atrium for a scheduled public hearing period to talk with citizens about the proposed quarry in Cusseta The quarry has been a contentious issue in the county as Cusseta residents have used the time for public comment at County Commission meetings since November 2024 to discuss their concerns about the project the Commission voted unanimously to request a public hearing and meeting with ADEM concerning the quarry The first part of Tuesday consisted of citizens going to different tables to ask questions and raise their concerns with representatives from ADEM’s air and water divisions Chambers County officials and representatives from Rocky Glade Fund political officials and Rocky Glade gave statements on public record ADEM has not approved Rocky Glades air and water permits necessary to open the quarry ADEM’s Chief of the Office of External Affairs said the hearings were to “listen and educate the community as best we can.” The Valley Times-News spoke to representatives from ADEM and Rocky Glade during the public hearing portion of the night “We are very understanding of the community and their concerns and that’s why we come so that there is clear understanding,” Battle said we have to look at the legal ramifications of what can be permitted and what cannot.” According to an information sheet provided at the hearing ADEM is authorized to administer both federal and state regulations on air emissions from mineral process plants “Technical reasons that are mentioned at a time like this would be taken into consideration we have decided that we could possibly permit meaning that the permits are on notice so they have met certain obligations,” Battle said She adds that the public hearing and meeting “gives an opportunity for the people in the community to bring anything else forward that should have been considered should be considered…we actually look at every single comment and we determine whether that comment is something that would need to be addressed prior to any type of permitting.” The company wanting to open the proposed quarry and who applied for the permits it’s frustrating whenever anyone opposes something that you feel is good for the community,” said Justin Laney with Rocky Glades we’re just complying with what ADEM and federal regulations Laney and the company’s consulting geologist argue that the quarry would be a net good for the area “One of the things that needs to be understood is that almost everything that we build is composed of aggregate the street out there [is comprised of] between the 90 and 95% of aggregate,” Fousek explained if you have to truck it more than 25 miles “More businesses will be able to come [to] the area because the cheap product to actually build infrastructure [is here].”  A vocal concern of the citizens opposing the quarry and the county commission is that the cost to maintain the county roads from the trucks hauling rocks from the quarry will outweigh the money saved on the product and the taxes paid for by the company A road study is being done by the county to see what the cost for upkeep would be however it has not been completed at the time of publication Fousek said the quarry would bring 10 to 15 jobs to the area The geologist also addressed the environmental concerns about the site specifically the worries raised by citizens that the quarry will impact the quality and quantity of well water for local residents and farmers “We have to show exactly how we’re going to treat any wastewater We use water to wash aggregate and to control the dust so that there’s no dust,” Fousek said “[The water] will go into the initial settling pond and then as the material and the water settle out and then we’ll reuse that water in the crushing site.” He also spoke on the specific geology of the area Aquifers are located in sedimentary rocks … essentially you’re looking at a slow-flowing underwater river,” Fousek explained So when you drill a well in crystalline rock you have to intersect the fracture that contains water.” Fousek talked with VT-N about the concern about the quarry draining local wells and ponds of water “One of the things that [citizens] were mistaken on was they more or less implied that water was trapped within the crystalline rocks every rain event recharges that water…for us to totally drain those fractures He said that while some wells share the fractures Fousek used the example of quarries in Beulah which is within 1,000 feet of the Halawakee Creek which is within 300 feet of the Sougahatchee Creek Neither of them has had issues with water taken from the fractures draining the creeks Fousek said in summary that “it’s extremely unlikely that we will affect any wells.” the crowd moved into the courtroom to make public statements the Brooklyn Nets (21-39) square off against the Atlanta Hawks (27-33) at 6… Ranked squads are on Monday’s college basketball schedule in two games including the Kansas Jayhawks squaring off against… The Tampa Bay Lightning versus the Florida Panthers is a game to see on a Monday NHL schedule… Ranked squads will be on Monday’s college basketball schedule for two games including the Kansas Jayhawks playing the… There is no shortage of excitement on Monday in college basketball play including the McNeese Cowboys playing the… By John BriceCorrespondentNews of plans to construct a new rock quarry in the portion of Cusseta located in Chambers County spread on social media this past week leaving many local residents shocked and upset According to the description on a GoFundMe page titled “CONSERVE CUSSETA: STOP the Quarry” created by former Chambers County Development Authority Executive Director Valerie Gray it was stated “A proposed aggregate mining operation has submitted a permit application to ADEM There are numerous reasons for this being detrimental to our community The most important being the health and safety of our citizens in Cusseta when it comes to air quality and destruction to our roads and infrastructure Join us as we fight to protect our children and quality of life in the amazing Town of Cusseta!”So far that fundraiser has reached $1,625 of its $5,000 goal which dovetails with passionate sentiments expressed on Facebook such as a post by local eatery The Front Porch Restaurant of Cusseta who commented “WE DO NOT WANT A ROCK QUARRY IN CUSSETA!!! A rock quarry can have significant negative environmental effects including: landscape disruption air and water pollution from dust and runoff and disruption of natural streams and springs to which one commenter responded “Sink holes what I’ve been told: at least two miles which causes silicosis and potentially lung cancer RLM beef is also right across the road from the potential quarry Not sure if anyone has actually cared to research what effects this will have on the livestock and wildlife but like someone said before: Nobody wants to live near one.Providing further context on the case against the planned quarry another user noted “For any that may not be aware This is prime residential AND livestock area Most of us in Cusseta are here for peace and quiet in the country but all that could change soon without your help and activism I have lived near a quarry in the past and it is no fun Blasting days can be rough for noise and dust Private wells have been known to run muddy Not only will this negatively impact the protection of peace and quiet in this community but it will adversely impact businesses I have Bald Eagles that fish my lake and this quarry will likely disturb their natural habitat A sign protesting proposed Chambers County Quarry at the Parr Law Firm on December 8th several Chambers County farms filed a joint lawsuit against Nocoseekar The companies are seeking permits to develop a quarry on privately owned land near Cusseta that the surrounding farms will suffer significant losses because of disruptions in noise boards 16 horses for members of the Auburn University Eventing Club and hosts club events on a regular basis Members of the club claim the construction of a quarry on the proposed land would have major adverse effects on their horses and the local horse community.  The potential quarry will be up to 500 feet in depth and will be partially dug through repeated blasting to collect granite according to permit applications filed by Rocky Glades These applications suggest that the quarry could be active until 2070.  The lawsuit states that the proposed quarry will be situated in an area with active bald eagles, a federally protected species and a potential sore spot for the Auburn community after a local bald eagle nest was suddenly cut down by Hughston Homes Before the mining companies can break ground on the project they are required by state and federal law to go through a permitting process with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management they submitted an initial permit application on Aug Before ADEM makes any final judgments on these applications there will be a period for individuals to express their relevant environmental concerns to ADEM officials responded to a request for comment over email “Once a complete application is received and draft Air and NPDES permits are developed the draft permits will be put on public notice for a minimum of 30 days All relevant comments received during the public comment period will be considered before making final permit decisions,” wrote Hand Hand added that ADEM is primarily waiting on additional information for the air permit before the process moves toward the public comment period.  the pending lawsuit’s complaint claims a granted permit will not be legally sufficient to justify the project "Alabama cases make clear that a defendant’s compliance with a statute or permit does not preclude a claim for harm," the complaint states The complaint mentions that the Auburn University Eventing Club a group of 50+ members that receives university funding Eventing is a sport in which riders compete on horseback in three phases which require extensive land and appropriate facilities Flint Hill Farms has hosted regular clinics for the club since Auburn Eventing’s inception in 2013 The club has been successful in competition—winning four intercollegiate championships since 2018—and has become a recruiting draw for the university.  “If something were to happen moving forward not only the people that actually have their horses there but everyone in the Auburn horse community and in the surrounding areas,” said Alayna Backel about the importance of maintaining Flint Hill Farms.  “From what I understand with all of the different blastings and the big trucks going up and down the road the quarry would be very bad not just for the horses’ health and safety but also our riders’ health and safety,” she added.  Popular support for stopping the potential quarry has been strong; hundreds of “Stop the Cusseta Quarry” signs have sprouted throughout Chambers County and beyond and activists have regularly spoken out at Chambers County Commission meetings Going forward the main recourse the community will have to support the cause will be in ADEM’s public comment period and through the outcome of litigation like the recently filed lawsuit.  The Plainsman will continue to report on this ongoing case and will provide updates if and when a date is set for the public comment period The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees But you can donate to support The Plainsman Small towns are choice destinations for retirees due to the tranquility These towns also enjoy close-knit community relationships adding to the reasons seniors prefer them to spend their post-work lives Retirees will find the state of Georgia appealing because it fits all the prospects for a perfect retirement destination laid-back small towns with low crime rates It is also easier for retirees to adapt and blend with the locals since most of these small-town populations comprise a sizable percentage of individuals above 65 These small towns in Georgia may have their individual uniqueness but they all share one thing in common - tranquility Check out these eight small towns in Georgia for a worthwhile retirement living Cusseta is a charming small town in Chattahoochee County, with all the elements of an ideal retirement destination, including easy access to healthcare facilities. Along with its small-town allure, Cusseta enjoys tranquility and a low crime rate with a small population below 10,000. As for natural beauty, Cusseta does pretty well due to its position by the banks of the Chattahoochee River and kayaking are relaxing activities to soak in nature's beauty the town won't be boring as it boasts a string of shops Offering history and natural allure at once Cusseta is also home to Chattahoochee County Court House which houses 19th-century artifacts and architecture For retirees looking for an island destination with serenity, slow-paced life, easy access to healthcare, and natural beauty, Skidaway Island has it all. Located 12 miles south of the incredible Savannah with 39% of its 9,310 population above 65 - the largest age group on the island stilly island also offers retirees a few natural attractions for relaxation and exploration with their safety assured due to low crime rates seniors can unwind at open-air picnic shelters or admire nature's beauty by walking on the easy sandpiper trail loop of one mile or the Big Ferry Trail of two miles The walk passes through natural habitats like tidal creeks retirees can enjoy a boat ride to Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge seven miles of natural beach sets the stage for canoeing Adairsville is a small town nestled between Atlanta and Chattanooga The standout quality of this town that makes it ideal for retirees is its tranquility allowing seniors to escape the chaos of cities and rest undisturbed But that's not the only draw to Adairsville and there are few natural beauties in the town to soak in nature and unwind A famous attraction here for retirees to lodge or relax is the Barnsley Gardens and Resort - a 3,000-acre estate where colorful flowers and trees define the landscape with its gorgeous lake flanked by lush vegetation features an easy 2.1 km loop trail by the lake for a slow-paced hike retirees can stroll along the town's sleepy streets to shop antiques and see some of its historic buildings quaint town in Habersham County that fits all the prospects for a perfect retirement destination It has a population of just over 1,000 people and a fraction (around 27%) of them are retirees which makes it even more enticing for seniors boasting a friendly atmosphere with a low crime rate and locals ready to receive a new retiree neighbor The city may be quiet but not boring as it has a small is an incredible spot for boating and fishing The Soque River is another beautiful destination to experience natural beauty and flyfishing a local craft shop and gallery on its banks The town sits by the shores of Lake Blackshear which offers a scenic natural environment for retirees to relax and bond with nature The lake has a marina resort where guests can fish the town is only home to around 11,000 people creating the perfect environment for serenity there are other small-town attractions for retirees to see and indulge in The Georgia Veteran State Park is one of them and preserved helicopters for sightseeing tours For shopping groceries and farm-to-table cuisines Stripplings General Store is a great place to be the town celebrates its annual watermelon festival every June perched at the foot of a gigantic mountain with the same name Retirees looking for the relaxing and charming aura of a mountain town will look no further at Stone Mountain it sports a world-class park - Stone Mountain Park with the iconic stone mountain at 1,686 feet above sea level is the most visited tourist attraction in Georgia Retirees may not hike the steep trails on the park to the mountain's summit for scenic natural views they can opt for the more relaxing Skyride aerial Tram to the mountain's summit a museum that educates visitors on the mountain's geology and another open-air museum with historical buildings to explore The park also hosts many festivals that retirees can enjoy Some of them are The Stone Mountain Christmas and the fireworks and laser lighting display festival in summer St. Simons Island is a barrier island off the coast of Georgia in Glynn County Retirees can enjoy the island's natural charm and serenity by roaming around its numerous beaches Another scenic natural hot spot here worth visiting is Gascoigne Bluff which overlooks the sea and has a small park for picnics and a fishing pier where retirees can go fishing Retirees will love to visit historical sites like Fort Federica National Monument and St Simons Lighthouse which offer a glimpse into the town's history One more historic point of interest here worth visiting is Christ Church - one of the Island's most photographed places is a sleepy town in Wayne County that's ideal for retirees for good reasons a reasonable point to make retirees feel a sense of belonging retirees can enjoy movies at the Jesup Drive-In outdoor cinema one of the few surviving cinemas of its kind in the state the 10,546-acre Penholoway Swamp Wildlife Management Area features wildlife sightings as well as birdwatching the reserve has two lakes - Cogden and Hogan which are great for fishing small towns that are often overlooked in preference to its bigger cities like Atlanta and Savannah these small towns are where people who have worked all their lives prefer to call home after retirement These towns are the perfect escapes from the hustle and bustle of large cities so retirees can enjoy fun-filled after-work lives photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com The Chambers County Commissioners have approved an action to respond to the proposal for a quarry site located in a contentious location in the Cusseta community The resolution authorizes the county attorney to request that the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) hold a public meeting at the courthouse so citizens and commissioners alike can pose questions about the quarry “I think they were very pleased with a resolution and response from the commissioners as well as the county attorney and the county engineer wanting to be involved,” said Valerie Gray who serves as a consultant and spokesperson for the Conserve Cusseta team “Because that shows that they are listening and they do hear the citizens’ voices and the business owners’ voices…” Gray said that the resolution shows a genuine concern for the potential public health issue that a quarry would present for the water source in Cusseta the Conserve Cusseta team will continue to fight the proposed quarry Commission Chairman David Eastridge told the Valley Times-News that the commission and the highway department are currently conducting a road study in response to the Cusseta group’s concerns he also told residents to leave their contact details so he can reach out to them after the meetings Cusseta landowners organized against the proposed aggregate mining facility and quarry on County Road 389 naming themselves the Conserve Cusseta team They began visiting the commission meetings asking them to step in and take action against it the Conserve Cusseta team has conducted extensive research on all the wells and well water systems including the depths and distance from the quarry One of the members also did a statewide study on all quarries in Alabama and their proximity to state highways very few quarries in the state are located on a county road rather than having direct access to state-maintained roads which could cause issues for the county commissioners more costly than other quarries in the state because of the location Conserve Cusseta has spoken to other Alabama communities who have faced a similar battle the Loachapoka mayor was vocal about the negative effects of the quarry that was placed in Lee County some years ago Some of the landowners of Cusseta have taken legal steps against the potential quarry according to the document which is public record is the “Protection of Rights in and to the Use and Enjoyment of Privately Owned Homes and Horses Without Interference or Harm from the Rocky Glades Pit or Any Quarry.” This means that these landowners are seeking to protect their homes land and agricultural and cattle farms from “the imminent and irremediable harm” that they anticipate from the intended quarry plans “an open pit mine designed specifically for the removal of large deposits of rock … The rock is fractured and removed by drilling and blasting The hole that is formed in the earth as the rock is removed becomes the quarry or pit.” The Cusseta residents have raised concerns about the quarry polluting the rain and groundwater around the area over 55 wells support farms and homesteads in the area that may be affected by granite fissures This could also financially impact many agricultural and cattle businesses in Cusseta Another concern landowners have is that the county roads will likely be degraded by the load-bearing trucks that will have to transport rock to processing plants The intended quarry site is about 5 miles from the nearest state road a Cusseta landowner who spoke on Monday night the plaintiffs maintain that the quarry operations will “torment the plaintiffs and the surrounding community for decades while it is operational massive and hazardous hole in the earth.”  They argue that it will be a nuisance and cause harm to nearby landowners and their agricultural businesses; it will disrupt a “common area aquifer” and interfere with local wells; it will interfere with groundwater; it will cause injury to plaintiffs’ cattle and other livestock/wildlife; and it will damage county roads that are public use “This is people’s livelihood and their homes so obviously emotions are going to come into play,” Gray said and I am so proud of our citizens who mobilized and are treating each other with respect every two weeks [at the commission meetings].”  the Alabama Department of Environmental Management will host a public hearing and a meeting in Chambers County to address concerns associated with a proposed quarry coming to the Cusseta Community County Attorney Skip McCoy announced that the Commission had requested the two meetings to be held in Chambers County ADEM had agreed to set the meetings for Tuesday The announcement was made first at the Commission work session At the top of the business meeting Woody Harmon addressed the county commissioners about concerns regarding the quarry “I’d like to point out what I think is the biggest concern for this county relative to this quarry is the financial impact the negative financial impact that this quarry will have on our county,” Harrelson started Harmon expressed concern about the timing of the ADEM meetings he worried the county would not have the results of the traffic study which is looking into the impact the quarry could have on local roads Harmon said that he spoke with the transportation engineer for the city of Auburn to discuss the financial impact of the Martin Marietta Quarry in the area the city of Auburn is spending $750,000 per mile just to reclaim roads that exist that are in pretty good shape because of the amount of traffic that they’re seeing from trucks,” according to Harmon in talking with the city of Auburn the cost of upkeeping the roads in Chambers would far outpace the tax revenue from the quarry “The plan will be to have a public meeting prior to the public hearing,” McCoy explained “The public meeting will be an opportunity for the Commission the people of Cusseta and any other concerned persons representatives from ADEM will be available to talk about the potential environmental and infrastructural impacts of the quarry The public can talk with the ADEM representatives as well as Commissioners and other elected officials who will be set up in the courthouses’ atrium at panels The public hearing will convene following the meeting at 6:30 p.m there will be three moderators that will be there for ADEM there will not be an exchange of questions and answers that will be during the public meeting….At the public hearing anybody who seeks to present will be required to sign in during the public meeting and everybody that’s listed on that sign in sheet will be able to address ADEM.” The speakers will get five minutes to address the Department officials The public can also submit written documents rather than speak at the meeting Both the verbal and written statements will become public record “I’d like to express my appreciation of Mr McCoy for going through this and route getting this Sure most of you know that the public hearing does not have to be in Chambers County but we felt it very strongly to request them This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page 1-800-693-7833 Se Habla Espanol emergency officials were called to the scene of an automobile accident that took place in Cusseta and claimed one person’s life Official reports indicate that an 18-wheeler and at least one other vehicle collided on Georgia State Route 520 near US Highway 27 Authorities responded to the scene of the accident and immediately shut down the road Firefighters and police worked quickly to remove debris from the involved vehicles from the scene One person involved in the accident sustained fatal injuries We offer our sympathies to the family of Melanie Henley Fatal collisions can have profound and heartbreaking effects on families leaving a lasting impact that is often difficult to overcome It is a sad reality that every day in the United States more than 100 lives are lost in such incidents leading to tens of thousands of fatalities on our roads yearly These tragic events create a ripple effect causing emotional and financial strain on those left behind Many of these vehicle accidents can be attributed to various forms of negligence or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs When drivers neglect to operate their vehicles safely the outcomes can be life-altering for those involved resulting in severe injuries or deaths that could have been prevented with more responsible behavior It is unfortunate that a significant number of lives are lost in preventable crashes eligible individuals may contemplate filing wrongful death claims against those responsible and parents of the deceased victim have the legal standing to seek accountability from the at-fault party aiming to find some measure of justice in the wake of their loss A wrongful death claim serves as a way to seek compensation for funeral costs, lost earning capacity, and other damages, such as emotional distress and loss of companionship. Taking legal action with the assistance of a Georgia wrongful death attorney immediately after a fatal collision improves the chances of maximizing the recovery process Your attorney will initiate the process of building your claim ensuring all essential evidence is collected By meticulously gathering this information your attorney will be better equipped to negotiate with insurance companies or present a strong case in court if necessary This thorough approach helps ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for their actions and that the surviving family members receive the financial support they need to move forward Losing a loved one due to someone else’s actions is a distressing experience we are dedicated to supporting you through this difficult time Our team of seasoned attorneys comprehends the sorrow and obstacles that accompany losing a family member in a car accident We are committed to providing compassionate legal representation for our clients assisting them in seeking justice and fair compensation while offering comfort and reassurance If you have lost a loved one in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence please reach out to us at (800) 693-7833 for guidance and assistance during this challenging period Ted A Greve & Associates365 N New Hope Rd Ted A Greve & Associates | Personal Injury Lawyers608 W Ted A Greve & Associates PA260 Peachtree St NW Ted A Greve & Associates PA118 Davis Rd Ted A Greve & Associates PA174 Church St NE Ted A Greve & Associates PA522 E Dixon Blvd Ted A Greve & Associates PA331 E Main St Ted A Greve & Associates PA926 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd SE Ted A Greve and Associates – Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyers1201 North Tryon Street Ted A Greve & Associates PA1213 Culbreth Dr The materials contained in this website are for informational purposes and are not to be considered legal advice an attorney client relationship between this firm and any reader or recipient of this information Know that the only time that this firm and it members have entered into an attorney-client relationship with you have signed an engagement letter/contract of representation do not send us confidential information until you speak with us and get authorization to do so Any reference or link to a third-party found on our Internet site is not an express or implied endorsement by us of the third-party or the information provided by them or within that link is a North Carolina and Georgia license doctor of chiropractic © 2025 Ted A. Greve & Associates, PA. All Rights Reserved. | Sitemap Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCOLUMBUS (WTVM) - The Columbus Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run incident near Old Cusseta Rd the victim has been identified as 29-year-old Columbus resident Seadrina Cook A pedestrian was killed in an apparent hit & run. It happened near Old Cusseta Rd. and Cusseta Rd. If you witnessed the incident early this morning, please call 911. #cpdga Officials say the incident occurred Saturday Cook was pronounced dead just before 3 a.m No suspect or suspects have been arrested or identified at this time The Columbus Police Department asks if anyone has seen or has information on this incident Stay with us on-air and online as we continue to gather more information A pedestrian was killed in an apparent hit & run. It happened near Old Cusseta Rd. and Cusseta Rd. If you witnessed the incident early this morning, please call 911. #cpdga A federal judge on Monday ordered an auto-parts manufacturing company to pay $1 million to the estate of a 20-year-old worker who was crushed to death by a machine at a Chambers County plant in 2016.  Regina Elsea was a contract employee working at the Cusseta when she entered part of the assembly line machinery to help clear out a sensor issue and Elsea was struck by a robotic arm.  Ajin developed "lockout/tagout" procedures a process to effectively disconnect machinery from a power supply during maintenance But federal investigators found that Ajin supervisors did not enforce the procedures.  "She was killed to keep the line moving," said her father in a victim's impact statement filed in court "Were the hours it took to free her from the machine shorter than the time it would have taken to stop the line and just get it fixed Was bypassing the safety measures built into the machine worth a life?" an auto-parts manufacturing company with an Alabama base in Cusseta was also sentenced to pay a $500,000 fine and serve a three-year probation with weekly inspections by a third-party auditor The company already faced a $2.5 million fine levied by the U.S Department of Labor for nearly 30 infractions.  "In the 15 minutes prior to Elsea’s fatal injury — in the presence of their supervisors —workers entered cells to troubleshoot machinery without following lockout/tagout no less than five times and the supervisors did not take any action to stop or reprimand them," the Department of Justice said in a press release announcing the civil penalty. "In two other instances the supervisors themselves entered a cell without following lockout/tagout none of whom had followed lockout/tagout procedures to de-energize the machinery within the cell." In a victim's impact statement filed with the court said their family will "never be the same all because someone decided to not follow safety protocol." "Do I think the OSHA fine of a million dollars to us You cannot put a price on my child's head and think that's OK I don't want anyone else to be hurt or killed." Ajin pleaded guilty to a "willful violation" of a federal standard requiring lockout/tagout procedures A third-party auditor will oversee a compliance plan which includes a review of the company's lockout/tagout procedures weekly inspections and the creation of a worker safety tip line.  “Every worker expects to return home safely at the end of his or her shift,” said U.S “The OSH Act was passed to ensure that workers could trust that their employers create and maintain a safe work environment the unfortunate reality is that some of them do not Ajin failed to comply with the OSH Act and Regina Elsea did not return home safely at the end of her shift Her death was preventable and Ajin’s failure to keep her out of harm’s way is inexcusable." Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Melissa Brown at 334-240-0132 or mabrown@gannett.com Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Visitation for Robert “Bob” Franklin Yarbrough Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Funeral Service for Robert “Bob” Franklin Yarbrough Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Interment following funeral service for Robert “Bob” Franklin Yarbrough Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Funeral Service for Debra Ann "Debbie" Daniel Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Interment following funeral service for Debra Ann "Debbie" Daniel a rock quarry had planned to open in Lee County just north of the Opelika city limits A private company was at the permitting stage when a massive community effort stopped them in their tracks The Beulah community is now in the same predicament but does not have the same kind of opposition Opelika could muster Opelika had more than 500 people at a meeting to express opposition to the quarry leaders of the Stop the Quarry movement in Beulah had an estimated 50 people at a meeting at the Cusseta Event Center Beulah residents have more time to stop the quarry than Opelika did There has yet to be a public hearing on it and there are more hurdles to clear for the developer than when Opelika residents started a last-ditch effort to stop it That site was near the much-beloved Storybook Farm creating some emotional opposition to what was planned A rock quarry did open on the western end of Lee County several years ago and has been the subject of numerous complaints from nearby residents Lee County Commissioner Richard LaGrand Sr. was present at Thursday’s meeting and asked to correct a statement attributed to him “You said I was 200 % against this,” he said said that he had recently visited the Loachapoka quarry site He said that a gray film covers everything near the quarry It’s what settles to the ground following the process when boulders of granite are blasted from the ground and pounded into smaller rocks While Opelika had Storybook Farm to defend Quarry opponent Tara Brumfield noted that the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) presently lists the creek as environmentally impacted This will likely worsen if a quarry locates nearby Halawakee Creek is roughly 16 miles long and has a watershed that covers approximately 96 miles It flows into Lake Harding near the intake for public water that serves areas both in east Alabama and west Georgia Quarry opponent Danielle Ritch said she had gotten email communication from people who no longer live in Lee County but grew up here and loved spending time in the woods near the creek They were very much concerned about the creek being environmentally impacted and were much opposed to a quarry being located nearby is seeking to develop a granite quarry in a location off Highway 29 and Lee Road 177 in the Beulah community not far from the Opelika city limits developers wanted to put a quarry on the north side of town; now they are trying to do it on the east side of Opelika They are trying to acquire land that could be accessed from Highway 29 In addition to the nuisance problems of blasting the increase of particulate matter in the air and possible problems with water a quarry would place a large number of trucks on the road increasing traffic on an already busy highway “It’s already a dangerous place to pull out on 29 from our farm,” Brumfield said “It would be much worse if we had a lot of trucks hauling rocks.” Brumfield is urging Beulah residents to sign petitions opposing this They can do it by emailing protectbeulahstopthequarry@gmail.com The opposition group also has yard signs they intend to distribute through the community “I have about eight of them in front of our farm,” Brumfield said “We have 40 or 50 more we’d like to get out there.” The petition to be signed lists the following issues with a quarry: •Infrastructure degradation and traffic congestion “US 29 is already a dangerous and highly-congested road with an average daily traffic count of 5,613 cars at Andrews Road,” the online petition reads “There is substantial research to show that property values decline significantly when a quarry locates in a community Not only will those in the immediate area see a significant decline in the value of their homes or businesses it will also make it more difficult for Lee and Chambers counties to attract new businesses to the industrial parks located along I-85,” the petition reads “Quarries have a long history of releasing dangerous disease-causing particulates into the air,” the petition reads Noise from the blasting can interrupt daily routines for those in Beulah and Lee County This disruption will impact educational instruction and individuals with special needs a campus of Southern Union State Community College and the Harbor Senior Care Center.” Brumfield said that the project will not create local jobs “It’s going to be their first quarry project,” she said “They have no track record to compare their past promises to They have no interest in protecting and growing Lee County and the surrounding area I urge you to stand with the citizens of Beulah Opelika and Lee County to reject this quarry and Creekwood Resources.” The quarry opponents have letters of support from the Lee County Commission and the Chambers County Development Authority Brumfield and Ritch will attend meetings of the city councils in Auburn and Opelika A big obstacle in being able to successfully fight a quarry involves cost said it cost Opelika $100,000 to keep the quarry out on the north side of town The question now is can that kind of money be raised to fight a quarry on the east side of town Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInSome Columbus residents are speaking out angry over an alleged prostitution problem they say is on Cusseta Road This area home to a number of prosecution stings and constant police patrol it doesn't matter when it is," said a neighbor living in Cusseta Road area While this particular neighbor did not want his identity revealed because of safety concerns he says women can be seen loitering around the streets all hours of the day and night He says even with an increased police presence the problem only seems to be getting worse Seems like once they closed the trailer park down everything came to this part of Cusseta Road," said the neighbor arrests made almost daily in prostitution-related offenses Just last week, a sting landed five people in jail along East Lindsey Drive, all charged with prostitution, and pimping. Officers within the Special Operations Bureau of the Columbus Police Department say there are regular prostitution busts in various areas And it's not stopping," said another neighbor in Cusseta Road While this neighbor is not optimistic about any change being done officers within the Columbus Police Department say they are continuing to patrol the areas and working at getting to the root of the problem CPD is also using the resource to address the various gang The five arrested for prostitution along East Lindsey Drive are set to first appear before a judge Thursday morning at 9 a.m Copyright 2018 WTVM Home / News / Crime & Courts Records: Georgia man strikes woman with pistol A Georgia man was arrested Tuesday after he dropped off a woman authorities say he had assaulted at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics emergency department and then led UI police on a car chase control of a firearm by a domestic abuse offender reckless driving and driving while license under suspension to the hospital for a report of a possible domestic assault involving a weapon Morgan had dropped off a woman there after assaulting her at an Interstate 80 truck stop she tried to get out of the car they were in at the truck stop but he forced her back inside while wielding a gun He “hit her in the head with the pistol and stated that he would shoot her in the stomach and make her beg for her life,” the complaints state who police said lives with him in a vehicle they saw Morgan’s vehicle leaving and followed him They attempted a traffic stop at Grand Avenue and Byington Road Morgan drove onto sidewalks and sped 60 mph in a 25 mph zone He dumped a gun and magazine during the chase “The suspect abandoned his vehicle near the intersection of Tanglewood Street and Ventura Avenue and fled on foot toward I-80 just south of Kyle Drive NE at approximately 3:58 p.m No injuries were reported in connection with the pursuit and there is no ongoing threat to the public,” police said in a news release The investigation continues and additional charges may be filed Morgan had his first appearance in court Wednesday and was being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $1 million A no-contact order has been filed on behalf of the victim Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com I cover breaking news and trends related to public safety for The Gazette The Gazette has been informing Iowans with in-depth local news coverage and insightful analysis for over 140 years independent journalism with a subscription today © 2025 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved A man was arrested for attempted murder by the Valley Police Department on Feb 20 after allegedly trying to run over a police officer while avoiding arrest Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and transported to the Chambers County Jail while assisting the Chambers County Drug Task Force a uniformed officer was driving an impounded vehicle to the task force office on Lantuck Road near Hopewell Road when a gray pick up turned off and drove toward him head on The officer exited his vehicle after it stalled and identified himself as a police officer in an attempt to get the driver to stop The driver allegedly told the officer that he could not stop and continued on at a high rate of speed toward the location where the task force had assisted in the search warrant Once he discovered the task force waiting on him he turned around and headed back down Lantuck Road at a high rate of speed directly toward the first officer The officer ran but was not able to find cover and responded by firing several rounds from his service weapon The officer chased the vehicle but lost contact According to the Chambers County Jail website The 1974 Ford Pinto that Clinkscales was last seen in was found in a creek off of County Road 83 (AP) — Investigators have discovered the 1974 Pinto a 22-year-old student was driving on his way back to Auburn University from Georgia when he disappeared more than 45 years ago Kyle Wade Clinkscales’ car was pulled from a creek around Cusseta on Tuesday after a man called 911 to say he believed he had spotted a vehicle investigators found what they think are human bones along with identification and credit cards belonging to Clinkscales Sheriff James Woodruff said at a news conference The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking through the muddy vehicle for additional bones and will determine whether the two found so far belong to Clinkscales Authorities have previously said Clinkscales was killed they arrested two people in connection with his disappearance after they said his parents received a call from a man who said he witnessed the disposal of their son’s body as a 7-year-old and it was covered with concrete in a barrel and dumped into a pond The two people were accused of making false statements but it was not immediately clear whether they were prosecuted or served time behind bars in the case Woodruff said Wednesday that he was not involved in those arrests and could not comment on them we’ve looked for this young man and looked for this car,” he said and we’ve looked here and looked there and ran this theory down and that theory down and Woodruff did not rule out foul play in Clinkscales’ disappearance “I want to see what the GBI finds in the car The creek the vehicle was discovered in runs under a bridge from which part of the car was visible The vehicle was not far from Interstate 85 “It was always her hope that he would come home,” Woodruff said “It was always our hope that we would find him for her before she passed away Just the fact that we have hopefully found him and the car brings me a big sigh of relief.”