2014 Houston County STAR Students, Teachers & STAR System Winners Announced

Submitted by Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce, Membership/Investment Organization

Thursday, February 6th, 2014, 12:43pm

Pictured (l-r): Sherin Hinnant (teacher) & Willa M. Wang (student)- Houston County High School; Patricia Ogletree (teacher) & Hunter Riley Craft (student) -Northside High School; Debra Anderson (teacher) & Jacob Allen Turner (student)- Perry High School; Jeremy Williams (teacher) & Emily Megan Deyton (student)-Veterans High School; Louis Leskosky (teacher) & Brendan Kennedy- Warner Robins High School; and Grady Knight (teacher) & Gehrig Allan Broxton (student)- Westfield School.

WARNER ROBINS, GA- The Robins Regional Chamber’s Educational Foundation and the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2014 Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) System Award winners.  The 2014 STAR System Winners for Houston County are: student-Willa M. Wang and teacher- Sherin Hinnant from Houston County High School.  The award is given to one student from a high school in the county.  STAR students compete for System Title and System STAR student in turn compete for region honors in the 12 STAR Regions.  Region winners and their STAR teachers are invited to further compete for the state STAR awards.

Six seniors and teachers from each high school in Houston County were awarded on Wednesday evening.  The 2014 STAR students and their teachers who were recognized include:

Houston County High School                                               Northside High School

Willa M. Wang                      STAR Student                           Hunter Riley Craft                   STAR Student

Sherin Hinnant                       STAR Teacher                        Patricia Ogletree                    STAR Teacher

Perry High School                                                                   The Westfield School

Jacob Allen Turner                STAR Student                          Gehrig Allan Broxton              STAR Student

Debra Anderson                    STAR Teacher                         Grady Knight                          STAR Teacher

Warner Robins High School                                                  Veterans High School

Brendan Kennedy                  STAR Student                          Emily Megan Deyton              STAR Student

Louis Leskosky                      STAR Teacher                         Jeremy Williams                    STAR Teacher

The recipients were honored at an Awards Reception, each receiving an engraved plaque.  Each System Winner was also given a $250 gift certificate.  Mr. William Carroll, Westfield’s Head of Schools and Dr. Robin Hines, Superintendent of Houston County Schools were also present to offer encouragement and congratulate the students for their achievement.

The STAR program is sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Education.  Since its inception, the STAR program has honored more than 24,000 students and the teachers they have selected as having had the most influence on their academic achievement.

To obtain the STAR nomination, students must have the highest score in one sitting on the three-part SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average.

For more information about the STAR Program, call Aura Lee Durham, Chief operating Officer for the Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce at 478.922.8585 or Beth McLaughlin, Director of Community and School Affairs for the Houston County Board of Education at 478.988.6390.

For more photos from this event, please visit the Chamber Flickr page:http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinsregional/

Pictured (l-r): Christina O’Brien- Vice Chair, Educational Affairs (RRCoC), Sherin Hinnant (teacher), Willa Wang (student) and Marc Martin- Chairman (Perry CoC)

New base workout facilities offer advanced readiness training

Submitted by RAFB

Thursday, February 6th, 2014, 10:09am

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – The fitness center here will cut the ribbon Friday on a new set of workout areas geared to Mixed Martial Arts training, Warrior Athletic Readiness, and Fitness on Demand. UFC Featherweight Cole Miller, a middle Georgia native, will be on hand to open the MMA room which offers specialized training using the latest fighting techniques to help individuals subdue an aggressor.

“Our Security Forces and military units have learned that you’ll perform on the battlefield the same way you train” says Scott Peavy, Fitness Program Coordinator.

A newly-renovated Warrior Athletic Readiness –W.A.R. room offers a variety of strength and conditioning equipment for the demands of military duties. A Fitness on Demand kiosk gives individuals or groups the convenience of workout routines according to their schedule.

UFC’s Miller to help open new facility at Robins

Submitted by 13WMAZ Web Staff

Thursday, February 6th, 2014, 1:06pm

 

Robins Air Force Base invited a special guest to help them open a new Mix Martial Arts training facility Friday.

Macon-native Cole Miller, an Ultimate Fighting Champion featherweight, will open the newly-renovated Warrior Athletic Readiness – W.A.R. room at 1 p.m.

The gym now features an MMA room which offers specialized training using the latest fighting techniques to help individuals subdue an aggressor, according to a news release.

Miller, 29, who was a Mount de Sales Academy baseball standout, has a record of 28 wins – 8 losses in the UFC.

Housing Recovery Unmoved by Rising Interest Rates

Author: Krista Franks-Brock January 23, 2014

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Mortgage rates may be rising, but the housing market doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, several indicators have improved alongside rising rates, according to the HousingPulse Tracking Survey released by Campbell Surveys and Inside Mortgage Finance this week.

The lending atmosphere is becoming friendlier, especially to first-time buyers. Simultaneously, the average time on market for non-distressed properties and the average sales-to-list price ratio both improved year-over-year in December, according to the survey.

“Six months after the May-June 2013 rise in interest rates, the housing market is showing remarkable resilience,” said HousingPulse research director Thomas Popik.

“[U]nderwriting standards are getting a little looser” at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well, according to Campbell and Inside Mortgage Finance.

The average credit score for GSE loans in the fourth quarter was 743, down from 758 a year earlier. Loan-to-value ratios at the GSEs rose from 75 percent to 76 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac increased their share of the purchase market as well as their share of the first-time homebuyer sector. In fact, the GSEs posted survey highs in both categories, according to the four-year HousingPulse survey. The GSEs accounted to 19.2 percent of purchase loans originated over the last three months of 2013, up from 16.5 percent a year earlier. The GSEs’ share of the first-time buyer market reached 19.5 percent, up from 14.1 percent a year earlier.

Looking at the broader market, time on market over the last three months of the year averaged 9.7 weeks, a decline from 12.4 weeks recorded at the end of 2012. The average sales-to-list price ratio increased from 95.5 percent at the end of 2012 to 97.1 percent at the end of 2013.

“A year-over-year comparison of key metrics points to a housing market that was stronger at the end of 2013 than it was at the end of 2012,” Popik said.

The HousingPulse Tracking Survey relies on input from 2,000 real estate agents each month and calculates its metrics on a three-month moving average.

Business of the Year Award to Be Presented at the 64th Annual Chamber Meeting

Submitted by Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce, Membership/Investment Organization

Thursday, January 9th, 2014, 11:23am

WARNER ROBINS, GA– The Business of the Year Award, along with several other prestigious awards will be presented at the Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 64th Annual Meeting; to be held on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Warner Robins.  Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for a social period with heavy hors d’oeuvres and the program will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Each year at the Annual Meeting, the Chamber presents several awards honoring those who demonstrated outstanding service to the Chamber.  The prestigious awards include:  The Charles K. Shaheen Small Business of the Year Award, presented to one of the 2013 Business of the Month recipients for outstanding business achievement and exemplary service to the community; The Edward Bayer Employee of the Year Award, presented to one of the 2013 Outstanding Employee of the Month recipients for outstanding achevement and quality service to the community; The Charlie L. Jones Memorial Award, presented to the community’s most outstanding citizen, for sustained and superior service to the community (recipient’s service activities usually span a number of years and may involve a number of businesses, civic, governmental, cultural and/or religious activities); The Sherrill Stafford Good Government Service Award, presented to the community’s most outstanding elected or appointed official or employee of any governmental agency (award is made for exceptional, outstanding service in the performance of duty); The A.C. “Dick” Walden III Chamber Person of the Year Award, presented to the Chamber member having made the most outstanding contribution to the success of the organization or any one or more of its programs during 2013; andthe Heide Hubbard Ambassador of the Year Award, presented to the Ambassador who has shown exemplary support of Chamber events throughout the year.  This award is based on a point system.

In addition, the Chamber will honor the graduating Leadership Robins Region Class of 2013.

Cost to attend the meeting is $40.00 per person for Chamber members and their guests.  The fee for all non-members is $55.00.  Please RSVP as soon as possible to the Chamber via telephone (478.922.8585), fax (478.328.7445) or e-mail (rsvp@robinsregion.com).  Also, please include the names of those attending so the Chamber can maintain accurate records.  This is a reception-style event.

For more information, please contact the Chamber at 478.922.8585.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos of all recipients will be taken on stage during the program.

Men’s Civilian Firearms Training Classes Offered

Submitted by Warner Robins Police Department

Thursday, January 9th, 2014, 9:50am

The Warner Robins Police Department is offering basic handgun classes for men later this month.  There are three sessions to each class.
Participants must attend all three classes.
Topics include Georgia law relating to private ownership and carry of handguns, handgun safety, handgun selection and maintenance, and the basics of shooting a handgun.
Class Dates:
January 28 & January 30 – 6:00 P.M – 8:30 P.MFebruary 1 – 8:00 A.M. – Noon

Each student must bring a handgun of good quality and proper caliber, 50 rounds of ammunition, and eye and ear protection.  This is a basic class designed for the individual with little to no experience with handguns.
The classes are free to participants.
Click here for a registration form.
For more information – contact Captain John Clay at 478.322.0260.

Continue reading this article on the Warner Robins Police Department’s site.

Houston County Middle School Idol

Submitted by HCBOE

Wednesday, January 8th, 2014, 12:48pm

HOUSTON COUNTY, GA – The Houston County Middle School Idol will be held Jan. 9, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. at Feagin Mill Middle School in the cafeteria.  Tickets will be $10 at the door.

The final performers, who were chosen after two auditions, are listed below by school.

·         Feagin Mill Middle:  Taylor Johnson, Adlih Leggette, Julian Santos, Grace Thomas and

Alex Williams.

·         Mossy Creek Middle:  Cacee Clowers and Mary Grace Moore.

·         Perry Middle:  Sherlon Farmer, Madeline Geiger and Emma O’Neal.

·         Thomson Middle:  Daisy Astudillo, Taylor Beasley, Aria Buzhardt, Kiri Connell, Holden Mathison, Curtis Noles and Mishael Smith.

·         Warner Robins Middle:  De’Andria Cray, Jessi Crutchfield and Nora Wilchinski.

Feagin Mill Middle School is located at 1200 Feagin Mill Road in Warner Robins.  Dr. Jesse Davis serves as principal.  For more information, please contact Michelle Leary, Feagin Mill teacher and event organizer, at 478-953-0430 or Michelle.Leary@hcbe.net.

WRRD Footballer to Participate in National PP&K Competition

Submitted by Warner Robins Recreation Department

Tuesday, January 7th, 2014, 4:24pm

The Warner Robins Recreation Department has a youth football player, Isabella Winston, competing in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick National Championships.  The competition will be held in Denver, Colorado this weekend January 11th and 12th.

Isabella, or Bella, as everyone calls her began her journey by participating in the local NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition which was held in Warner Robins, Georgia on September 26, 2013 at Memorial Park.  She won her division and advanced to the NFL PP & K Sectional competition on November 17, 2013 at Memorial Park in Warner Robins, Georgia.  Isabella was then notified that she had qualified to compete in the NFL PP & K Falcons Team Championship which was held December 15, 2013 at the Georgia Dome.

Photo of the Day: Perry, GA

 

Submitted by Jacqueline Harnevious, 13WMAZ Community Web Producer

Tuesday, January 7th, 2014, 10:23am

Job openings in Central Georgia

Submitted by Jacqueline Harnevious, 13WMAZ Community Web Producer

Thursday, January 9th, 2014, 5:00pm

Each Thursday, a Georgia Department of Labor representative joins 13WMAZ toshare several open jobs in the Central Georgia area.

You can watch this on 13WMAZ-TV on Thursday mornings and again at 5 p.m.

The jobs are updated here weekly.

Call the Department of Labor Career Center at (478) 751-6164 and give them the job number of the position that interests you. You can also check out other jobs on the Georgia Department of Labor’s website.

VIEW: Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Job Search

Job Title: Cleaner

Location: Macon GA

Pay: $8.00 per Hour

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8148182

Job requires a high school diploma/GED; one (1) year experience as a commercial cleaner.

Job Title: Street Maintenance Crew Leader

Location: Milledgeville GA

Pay: $30,126.94 per Year

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8144708

Three to Five years of progressively more responsible Public Works or General Contractor Experience. Georgia Driver’s License.

Job Title: Production Worker

Location: Dublin GA

Pay: $8.00 to $9.00 per Hour

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8136726

Must have high school diploma or GED. Must have six months manufacturing experience. Must be able to read drawings/prints and tape measures.

Job Title: CNA

Location: Warner Robins GA

Pay: N/A

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8147089

High school diploma/GED, Certified Nurse Assistance(CNA)certificate, 1 year documented experience working with Mental Health Development Disability (MHDD) Population. A valid class C Drivers License, CPR, First Aid, and current TB test.

Job Title: Store Manager

Location: Macon GA

Pay: Depends On Experience

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8145836

Job requires a high school diploma/GED and one (1) year of experience in store management. Must also have the ability to read, interpret and explain to others operational directives (e.g., merchandise schematics, etc.)

Job Title: Communications Officer

Location: MILLEDGEVILLE GA

Pay: $25,978.37 per Year

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8146942

High School Diploma or equivalent and previous experience in communications.

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Location: DUBLIN GA

Pay: N/A

Education: Bachelor Degree

Job Number: GA8143012

Bachelors degree (BS) in Manufacturing Engineering or related engineering field and two (2) or more years of related experience.

Job Title: Childcare Teacher

Location: Perry GA

Pay: $7.25 to $8.00 per Hour

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8148146

High school diploma/GED and 3 months of experience working with children.

Job Title: Desk Clerk

Location: MACON GA

Pay: $7.25 per Hour

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8147558

Job requires HS diploma/GED. Employer will train.

Job Title: Material Handler

Location: Eatonton GA

Pay: $7.25 per Hour

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8145153

High school diploma and 6 months warehouse/production experience.

Job Title: Auto Mechanic

Location: Dublin GA

Pay: N/A

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8147046

Must be an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified mechanic with a minimum of twelve (12) months experience.

Job Title: CDL Driver

Location: Perry GA

Pay: Depends On Experience

Education: 12 Years

Job Number: GA8147965

Must have valid Class A CDL with clean MVR and a minimum of 1 year driving experience (does not have to be over the road).