Investigation of Porterdale Fire Department complete
As a result of allegations from ex-employees of the Porterdale Volunteer Fire Department, the City Council requested that Police Chief Jacobs conduct a comprehensive review of Porterdale Fire Department operations and the actions of the Fire Chief. The investigation is now complete. The findings are as follows.
• Chief Jacobs identified issues of poor filing and inadequate record keeping which are being addressed.
• There was no evidence of the misuse or misappropriation of public funds.
• All other allegations were determined to be unfounded.
The chief and the dedicated firefighters of the Porterdale Volunteer Fire Department have the full support of the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager.

Railroad crossing repairs coming
The traffic slowdown for the rough CSX railroad crossing on Emory Street north of U.S. Highway 278 is about to become a thing of the past.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says it will repair the crossing next week.

That will entail two days of detours, though, with the crossing closed from 8 a.m. Thursday until 5 p.m. Friday, April 29. Through-traffic will be routed onto U.S. Highway 278 to Alcovy Road, then North Elm/Herring Street.

USDA cyclical program continues
Enrollment for the 2011 Direct and Counter-cyclical Program will continue through June 1.

The USDA urges producers to visit the local Farm Service Agency office to complete their 2011 DCP contract.

The deadline to report spring and summer seeded crops is July 15. At this time you need to report all grazing or haying unless you purchased NAP for 2011 crop year. The deadline for all NAP crops to be reported was March 1.

If you purchase a farm or land or if you inherit any land, please come by the FSA Office to update the ownership. You may be eligible for benefits from the programs offered by USDA/FSA.