Ready, aim, fire! The Hiram High School Rifle Team has ended the month of January with a bang! The first month of the new decade has surely been busy for students at Hiram, but for our Rifle Team it has paid off!

January 16th marked the end of the first week of the session - that's four legislative days already under our belt! There's no doubt that the Capitol is a whirlwind of activity. Governor Brian Kemp gave his State of the State Address. This address is important to legislators for two key reasons. First, Governor Kemp presents a picture of the current state of Georgia, not just our wins but also areas that can still be improved upon. Second, Governor Kemp shares his administration's priorities for the year. This information is given consideration as we craft the annual budget.

Warmth For Winter Project Donates Hundreds of Articles of Warm Clothing and Personal Supplies to Locals in Need. Donations of new or gently used warm articles of clothing or personal care items such as toiletries are accepted year-round. Individuals, Churches, Schools, Civic Organizations, etc. are welcome to contact the project to learn how to get involved and help.

Paulding Rotary Club welcomed Caroline Gränsbo, an international student from Sweden who is currently attending West Georgia University. Caroline is in the Georgia Rotary student program (GRSP). Paulding Rotary is one of three local Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsoring Caroline in the GRSP. Her Paulding-Rotary host family is Brian and Ashleigh Headrick. Miss Gränsbo is pursuing a degree in political science. Last semester she studied American Government learning about the Congress and the Senate for which she received an A in the class.

Rotary Club member Brett Reece welcomed and introduced Linda Vercharen the director of the Family Alliance of Paulding, a nonprofit group dedicated to the local community through vital social services. They provide opportunities for individuals and families to grow and recover through education and advocacy. Best known for providing supervised visitation for foster children and their families.

The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office mourns the loss of retired Sheriff Bruce Harris. Sheriff Harris passed away surrounded by his family at Kennestone Hospital on Sunday, January 12, 2020, at approximately 7:40 PM. Sheriff Bruce Harris was a native Paulding Countian and loved his home and the people of Paulding County.

American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 111, in Dallas, recently presented Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge with a $3,000.00 check to support “Cops for Kids.” This is a shopping event that “takes underprivileged children who live in Paulding County and pairs them with a Deputy to go shopping at Christmas.”

Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative has restored power to all but just a handful of its Members affected by storms that pushed across the service area Saturday evening. Efforts continue Sunday morning to restore electric service to those remaining.

Paulding County High School honored former Coach Nancy C. Waldrep for her dedication to students and athletes in Paulding County. The basketball court in the old gym was named in her honor.