• GSP cautions to not let friends drive drunk over New Year's Holiday
• Budget cuts, stimulus package to dominate 2009 Georgia Legislature
• County purchases building for use during courthouse renovation
• Following accident hours before start, woman pushes friend 13 miles to complete half-marathon
• Annexation of hundreds of acres on Highway 515 North recommended by Jasper Planning Commission
• Jasper's City Clerk retires after 30 years
• Plan unveiled for converting flood-control lakes into reserviors, but price sinks proposals
• Second batch of entered autos raise sheriff investigators’ concerns
• Animal Rescue foster home found not guilty of barking dogs
• Airport projects expected to fly this spring
• County Officials Sworn In --
• Sheriff’s office says: Burglaries suprisingly not on the rise
• The Christmas tree is not dead says Talking Rock Grower
• Following years of “Golden Deeds” Edge awarded annual Retired Teachers service award

• Water treatment expansion should serve Jasper until 2010. Page 10A.
• Christmas shenanigans but little real crime reported. Page 8A.
• Bring one for the Chipper -- Have your Christmas Tree recycled by chipping this Saturday at the Chamber of Commerce. You may drop off your tree any time before then. Page 10A.

Pick up a copy of the paper at these locations.

• Foreclosures in Pickens follow nation’s lead
• Commissioner adopts budget for next year
• Courthouse Makes National Register - With or Without Commissioner's Knowledge
• Following son’s allegations he was molested by mentor, mother criticizes school board
• Slow Growth forces city to hike water, sewer rates
• School Board chairmans responds in ongoing case of mentor accused molestation
• Appalachian Tech college merger reconfigured -- again
• Citizens to offer input to $17 million courthouse plans
• Pickens County Audit 2008
• Let's look at other options, says courthouse renovation commission
• Prescription pills, marijuana surpass meth use in Pickens
• PHS students show slight edge on statewide SAT averages
• School mentor charged with molestation granted bond but restricted to home
• If courthouse project can’t be moved, can it be cancelled? asks advisory commission
• Courthouse plans can't be moved nor cancelled, says commissioner
• PE instructor Pickens named Teacher of the Year
• Grant announced for Jasper Fire Department
• Pickens food pantry takes out loan to get through hard times
• Monday fire leaves seven homeless for the holidays
• Dynamite discovered by off-road motorcyclists
• Traffic woes top list of Downtown Development Authority issues
• Additional charge, second victim in mentor molestation case
• Council hammers out Sunday alcohol ordinance
• Sheriff Wofford honored at retirement celebration
• Sports complex, county sewer and water, new businesses discussed by Economic Development Council
• Pickens and Dawson counties team up for fire protection on Burnt Mountain
• How much less are we spending? Sales tax update
• Three months into school, dropouts adding up
• 40 guns stolen in weekend heist at Bargain Barn
• New website recognizes Pickens Veterans
• Burgess sworn in as Jasper Council member
• Pickens one of 100 fastest growing counties in nation
• Courthouse construction timeline discussed

• Trail Trees now subject of scientific inquiry
• Local Lincoln impersonator sets sights on IRS
• Meaghan McConnell still making plans despite incurable disease
• Scam ad in Progress turned over to GBI - Fraud fastest growing, hardest to solve crime
• Pickens churches see sharp contrast to national trends of decline in attendance
• Vendors at the Jasper Farmers’ Market growing veggies and passing it on
• Jasper attracts handful of new healthy, environmentally conscious businesses
• Talking Rock Heritage Days -- A lot going on in picturesque small town
• It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a Model Airplane
• Etowah River drought Levels make canoeing a challenge
• Lady Beetles: So Good, But Oh So Bad
• Taking the banjo back to the pre-recording days
• The Snake Charmers of Foggy Hollow bring walking sticks to life
• Jasper Cruise-In puts you in a bit of a nostalgic trance
• Yellow Jackets abuzz about town
• The ‘Sacred Harp’ tradition of singing: Still alive and well
• Burnt Mountain Center Board names Debbie Rooker director
• Maxine Moore -- Citizen of the Year
• Jones is the regular contributor of An Appalachian Voice in the print edition

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