GBI: Rep. Powell’s death not considered suspicious at this time

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Powell

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga – Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) called to investigate the death of Georgia District 171 State Representative Jay Powell, 67, who passed away at Brasstown Valley Resort on Nov. 25, 2019.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) called the GBI to assist with the investigation into Powell’s death. GBI Special Agent Kim Williams told Fetch Your News that they will have more information after the autopsy, but at this time, there appears to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. TCSO asked for the GBI’s assistance due to the high profile nature of the case. “We have limited resources and only two investigators,” commented TCSO Captain Jim Couch, “The GBI has numerous investigations, and as he was a state official, we want to ensure that everything was done properly.

The Georgia legislator was at Brasstown Valley Resort for a GOP house leadership retreat. He served as the Chairman of the House Rules Committee.

Fetch Your News spoke with Brasstown Valley Resort General Manager Charles Burton, who corroborated Speaker Ralston’s statement that Powell collapsed late into the evening. Burton stated that he got the call around 1 a.m.

“They were just on the patio with a few guests talking,” explained Burton, “I think they are still uncertain as to what caused it. They are going to do a full medical examination.”

Burton also added that Towns County EMS/EMA Responders took Powell to Chatuge Regional Hospital, which is the protocol for the resort whenever a guest is found unconscious or in need of medical attention. The statement released by Speaker Ralston indicates that the representative passed immediately, however, this can’t be confirmed until the autopsy is completed.

Two TCSO deputies also responded to the call before turning the investigation over to the GBI.

Powell represented portions of Colquitt, Decatur, and Mitchell counties, near the Georgia/Florida border. He served on the Appropriations, Governmental Affairs, Judiciary, Judiciary Non-Civil, Rules, and Ways and Means committees. Previously, Powell chaired the House Ways and Means Committee, and in 2016, Georgia Trend magazine named him as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians.

He was elected to office in Jan. 2009 as a Republican and worked as an attorney when the legislation wasn’t in session. He was married to Deidra White-Powell. She and other family members have been notified.

This story is still developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Ralston and Collins release statements about Rep. Powell

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Powell

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga – Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston and District Nine Rep. Doug Collins have sent out heart-felt statements addressing the sudden passing of District 171 State Rep. Jay Powell.

The statement below was just sent from Ralston concerning the passing of beloved Rules Chairman Rep. Jay Powell:

Friends,

It is with profound sadness and a broken heart that I write to inform you of the passing of our colleague, dear friend and brother Jay Powell.

Jay collapsed last night at a Caucus leadership retreat and, from all indications, passed immediately.

At this time of heartbreak, we take solace in the fact that our brother is now with our Lord Jesus Christ. We lift up his wife Deidra and his beloved family. We pray for God’s mercies and comfort for them.

I know this loss touches us all and leaves a hole in our hearts and in the heart of our House family. Jay Powell served with integrity and his leadership truly moved Georgia forward.

We will get through this together, with God’s grace. If you need anything, please reach out to one of our fellow members. We will support one another as we grieve and celebrate his life together.

-David Ralston

Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released a statement following the loss of State Rep. Jay Powell (R-Camilla).

Today is a sad day for the state of Georgia and a very hard day for me personally. Jay Powell was not only a respected leader in our state, but more importantly, my friend and brother.

“When Jay was elected to the state house, he was seated next to me on the floor. Over those many hours on the floor, he shared his thoughts about life, law and politics that made me a better person.

“Jay always had my back even through the storms of politics, which means more than anything. He helped me as a new attorney and provided wise counsel over the years regarding our public service.

“I saw Jay last Friday night for what I now know was the last time. We talked, we laughed, and we picked on each other as only friends can do. When it came time for the event to start, he hugged Lisa, hugged me and said, ‘I love you man, let’s talk again soon.’ If I had only known it was the last time I would hear his voice and get that needed bear hug, I would have held on just a little bit longer.

“I will miss you, my friend.

We’re Blind To What’s Coming

Opinion

We’re Blind to What’s Coming

Let’s see if we can figure this one out. ISIS claims 64 year old Stephen Paddock, the mass murderer in Las Vegas, was a convert to Islam fulfilling their call to conduct lone-wolf attacks in the West. Almost Immediately the FBI tells us there’s absolutely no such connection; and this conclusion from an agency that is still trying to pin Trumps November election victory to Russian collusion.

The shooter may, or may not, be a convert to Islam but I’ll bet he was really a deranged Democrat who voted for Bernie Sanders. His daddy, Patrick Benjamin Paddock, was a psycho bank robber, prison escapee and once on the FBI’s ten most wanted list.

The Islamic State, of course, immediately claimed credit for the mass shooting in Vegas that greeted us early this Monday morning. ISIS also claimed the attacker had converted to Islam only a few months ago. Quoting the ISIS propaganda source, Amaq, they said: “The Las Vegas attack was carried out by a soldier of the Islamic State and he carried it out in response to calls to target states of the coalition.”  Maybe? They’ll claim about anything but…?

Following the same sources, we now learn that ISIS is stepping up their game, possibly to be in synch with planned riots and confrontations planned by the deranged anarchists, “antifa, Black Lives Matter, New Black Panther Party,” et.al., demanding that Donald Trump be removed from his office. They want Trump gone and civil conflict, they believe, is their vehicle to do it. Throw in the Jihadists threat, like ISIS, the lone wolf attacks and the screaming propaganda drowning out voices of common sense, and the way to war may soon be on us. It will not be nice.

Paddock may, or may not, have been ordered by ISIS to do this wicked deed. But, we do know that ISIS is calling for more lone wolf attacks, in Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Philadelphia, home of the first Colonial American attack against Great Britain. Islam likes anniversaries and use them as excuses to pillage and murder and, make their statement.

ISIS spokesman Abu Al-Hassan Al-Muhajir is reported urging lone wolf attacks in America, Russia and Europe. Al Hassan said: ‘Know that our war with our enemy is an all out war and the interests of the enemy can be easily targeted,’  Make sure they are preoccupied with their own safety, thus diverting their attention away from your Caliphate.’  Should we take him at his word? Probably!  If we are to protect ourselves we must know our enemy even when our leaders insist that Islam is a religion of peace and that we are all haters, racists and Islamaphobes if we don’t accept them as is, Shariah law and all. Not on my watch!

The tawdry NFL issues spawned by Colin Kaepernick two years ago over due respect to our flag and National Anthem, the assault against Confederate statues and battle flags, and the massive destruction to Puerto Rico by hurricanes Irma and Maria, not forgetting Harvey, is taking our attention away from the enemy at the gates. Jihadists are here and more are coming.

We will soon be overrun by twelve hundred years of inbreds from the middle-east whose only hope for racial salvation is through re-creation with non tainted women of the West. It cannot be done without submitting—to Islam.

We’ve been warned. There is a threat to Trump that if he doesn’t step down from office, “all hell will break loose.” Can we believe that? Yes, if the dementia displayed by the Progressives and their acolytes against Donald Trump are any guide to go by, we had better be prepared.

Remember, freedom is the goal, the Constitution is the way, Now, go get ‘em! (02Oct17)

Area churches offer support for those suffering from grief

News

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – A new session of GriefShare will begin on Sunday, Jan. 13, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church Ministry Center in Blairsville. Additionally, McConnell Baptist Church, located in Hiawassee, offers the grief support program.

The 14-week seminar is designed to support and assist those who have experienced the loss of a loved one through death. Advice from professionals is extended throughout the program. A $15 fee is requested although scholarships are available. For questions related to the program or to register in advance, contact First Baptist Church in Blairsville at 706-745-2469.

The reality of grief is that it cannot be avoided and working through the grieving process is necessary in order to heal. Throughout the process, many different emotions may be experienced – disappointment, sadness, anger, despair, fear, guilt – and support is often needed. Many people wonder if they are grieving the right way and if what they are experiencing is normal. There is no right or wrong way to grieve over loss.

In the 1970s, British psychiatrist Colin Murray Parkes and psychologist John Bowlby proposed a concept involving four stages or phases of grief. According to research, grief is often divided into stages: shock and numbness, search and yearning, disorganization/ disorientation, and reorganization/resolution. Sometimes the stages can overlap and those suffering may move back and forth between them. In some individuals, certain stages may not be experienced at all.

Because everyone grieves in his or her own way and own pace, there is no specific or “usual” amount of time in which people experience or complete the phases.

 

 

The Readjustment Will Be Painful

Opinion

The Readjustment Will Be Painful

We’re in for a rough ride in the next few years readjusting ourselves, as a democratic country,
from our experiment with Socialism to a return to the representative government our
Constitution demands. Competing forces are tearing us apart. Thank a Democrat.

The war cycles are converging; the economic cycles are converging and the demise of the long
established welfare state, gifted to us by decades of Democrat control of tax payer dollars, is
facing its own end of cycle. President Trump is doing what he promised he would do and it’s
painful to the “Establishment.”

When I say welfare cycle, I especially include the billions of tax payer dollars gifted to the NFL in
tax breaks over the years based on the demonstrably false pretext that new stadiums in major
cities would be economically healthy for those communities. The money making NFL is taking a
soon to be unbearable financial hit against their incomes. Supporting politically correct stands
for team “unity,” by mostly over paid, nearly illiterate black players refusing to pay due respect to
to America’s traditions, also on false pretexts, has rilled the middle Americans that have
supported them. I think the NFL has miscalculated their business model.

What we have here is one race, blacks, finding an opening through which they can attempt to
dominate America’s other races, on the pretext they are still the victims of what slavery from
over two hundred years ago, is still doing to them. The black dominance in the NFL and NBA
have made them believe they can in fact, achieve political dominance as well, or, so that’s what
the race grifters have told them. Being overpaid, highly praised athletes, has convinced them to
push anti-Americanism into the face of their fans. The envelope of their personal incompetence
that justifies their massive salaries, is exposed. Tell that to a combat infantryman in Iraq.

What about slavery? Talented young black players annually come to the NFL’s auction block in
bids for their skills. Like the gladiators of Roman times, once bought, they are expected to suit
up, enter the arena and demonstrate their talents, and they get paid big money for it. Roman
gladiators, if they didn’t get killed outright, didn’t do too bad either, in their day.

Did you know the NFL League owners voted to move the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas? Did
you know the Las Vegas citizenry said “No Thanks” to building them a shiny new stadium? Did
you know that this very Sunday, (01Oct17), the black team members of the NFL’s Oakland
Raider’s, punishing their white quarterback for refusing to “take the knee” with them, allowed
him to be sacked multiple times, hiked the ball out of cadence breaking up the plays, and that
receivers dropped his passes multiple times that, in effect, threw the game?

After Sunday’s mass murder in Las Vegas, does the NFL really believe they can get the tax
payer money needed to build a stadium? I don’t reckon that will work, do you? In fact, I think
that if anyone has investments in anything associated with the NFL or NBA, might start
reconsidering their investment portfolio before the awful cycle of collapse hits them as well.

The Indianapolis Colts have doubled down on supporting team ‘unity’ and will continue the
practice of “taking a knee.” Colts team owner Jim Irsay, publicly said: “Our players are hurting,
our people are hurting, our neighborhoods are hurting, and kneeling was a direct response to
that.” The logical question is: Hurting from what? Things are changing and rapidly. The status
quo no longer applies so get ready.

Remember, freedom is the goal, the Constitution is the way. Now, go get ‘em! (04Oct17)

Brothers charged with murder in motor vehicle death

Featured, News

Rabun County, Ga. – On Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol and the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jesse Reeves Smith, 22, of 238 Gipson Lane, Lakemont, Georgia, and his brother, James Cody Smith, 22, of 259 Gipson Lane, Lakemont, Georgia, for murder.  This case stemmed from a motor vehicle wreck which resulted in the death of Marshall Wayne Turpin, 18.  Jesse Reeves Smith was arrested at the Rabun County Jail where he was incarcerated on unrelated charges.  Jesse Reeves Smith was charged with one count of felony murder, four counts of aggravated assault and one count of making false statements.  James Cody Smith was taken into custody by the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office and charged with one count of felony murder and four counts of aggravated assault.  The brothers are currently incarcerated at the Rabun County jail awaiting court proceedings.

The charges stem from an incident occurring July 14, 2017, on East Wolf Creek Road in Rabun County during which a vehicle occupied by the Smith brothers intentionally struck a vehicle occupied by Turpin which resulted in the fatal crash.

The arrests come as a result of a six-month investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office and the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.  The investigation remains active and ongoing.  All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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