Leaders, Citizens Discuss Proposed TSPLOST Projects

Oconee Patch

Mixed views about five road projects proposed in Oconee County collided Thursday in a public meeting among county leaders, transportation planners and citizens.

At the Oconee County Civic Center, those who hope to pass a one-cent sales tax referendum next summer trumpeted the economic growth benefits of widened roads and improved traffic flow. The tax would run for 10 years. Critics, however, struggled to see the congested traffic problems, and worry that road expansion would eliminate the rural community appeal.

“Just the facts in this case would be enough to irritate people,” said Kelly Huff, a Mars Hill Road resident. “They’re being inflexible.”

The Northeast Georgia Regional Transportation Roundtable has spent nearly a year compiling road improvement projects in a 12-county region. The Oconee County projects are on Mars Hill/Experiment Station Road, the Oconee Connector, Daniells Bridge Road, Simonton Bridge Road and Jimmy Daniell Road. The projects are part of the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum, or TSPLOST.

Titans Hold Off Warriors, 21-13, in Final Scrimmage

Oconee Patch

The annual scrimmage, unlike any other scrimmage, officially ended the preseason schedule on Friday night for the North Oconeeand Oconee County High School football teams.

Overflow parking was needed for the large crowd, and because the teams don’t meet in the regular season, it had the feel of a game that counted in the standings. But in reality, it was a way for players to learn how to fight off muscle cramps, and coaches to dissect one more video.

Thanks to a couple of sustained drives, and one big pass play, North Oconee held off host Oconee County 21-13. The Titans now turn their focus to their season opener next week against Arabia Mountain, while Oconee is off until Sept. 2 at East Jackson.

Solar-powered Car Races Spice Up Science Class

Combine seventh graders with warm weather and a cool science project, and it turns into a fun week.

That was the recipe in Tom Pee’s seventh grade classroom at Athens Academy this week. Thanks to a contribution from Walton EMC, who received a $500 grant from Green Power EMC, Pee’s classes enjoyed the second annual “Sprint to the Sun” races for solar-powered cars the students built Monday and raced on Friday.

“It’s a lot more fun being able to go against your friends, instead of just doing a regular classroom experience,” said Sarah Slocum, who partnered with Bailey Carter to win the Science 3 section with the “Beast Mobile.” “It was fun, decorating was probably the best part,” she said.

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Oconee Patch: Warriors Tennis Flourishing Behind Ondo Siblings

After they graduated a combined seven players from last year’s teams, the Oconee County High School tennis teams were considerably younger to start this season.

“We were all worried about this season,” junior Sam Ondo said. “We thought this was going to be a build-up season.”

That build-up season never came. And a youth movement hasn’t triggered a dropoff in wins and losses.

A year after the girls’ team advanced to the second round of the state tournament, it’s poised to begin the Region 8-AAA tournament with a 15-2 record, including an undefeated region mark.

The boys’ have stayed right with them, as they posted a 13-4 record and went 9-3 in region play. Following spring break, the teams will play the region tournament April 13 and 14 at West Hall High School.

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Oconee Patch: Freshman Goalkeeper Hopes to Follow Warriors' Legacy

In the team’s first six games of the season, Jeff Greenfield posted four shutouts, leaving little doubt that the coaching staff made the correct choice.

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