Eton News

Eton would probably be the world's most famous school even if Prince William hadn't spent the happiest days of his life there.

Thirty local schools are among Georgia's 896 Title I Distinguished Schools named by state school superintendent Kathy Cox during the state Board of Education's meeting on Wednesday.

Incumbent Steve Shaw will enter his third four-year term for Post 2 of the City Council after defeating the wife of a former Eton mayor by 18 votes on Tuesday.

Editor's note: For candidate profiles or a story on the freeport referendum, search our archives under "search our site." Some candidates in Tuesday's local municipal elections said on Monday they planned a little last-minute campaigning, but most said they will rest.

With no national, state or county races on the ballot, most of the action in Tuesday's elections in Murray and Whitfield counties will take place in the area's smaller cities.

I have my doubts about my old school - " who doesn't? - " and these are not diminishing as Etonians come more into political prominence than they have for a couple of generations.

David Loughridge's homestead and farm has been in his family since just after the Civil War.

The Pleasant Valley District is the third district in Murray County to be named to the National Register of Historic Places, and historical enthusiasts are hoping more districts will soon be added.

Steve Shaw believes he has helped contribute to Eton's growth in his eight years on the City Council - helping bring in sewer, a new shopping center and other businesses - but he thinks there is more to do.

Donna Hogan wants to see business growth come to Eton, but doesn't want the burg to lose its "small town feel." "Eton is growing tremendously," said Hogan, who is challenging two-term councilman Steve Shaw for the Post 2 seat in the Nov.

The Whitfield-Murray Historical Society received notification last week that the Pleasant Valley Historic District in Murray County had been named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Candidates for City Council and Eton stressed the need to grow and diversify the economy Thursday night at a forum hosted by the Murray County Democratic Party.

The Democratic Party in Murray County will host a "get-to-know the candidates" event on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the senior center.

The Old Rock Building adjoining the temporary home of North Murray High School will likely have to be demolished after a fire gutted most of the structure on Saturday, officials said.

Flash floods and rising water temporarily closed several roads in Whitfield and Murray counties on Saturday, but many were reopened by the end of the day, officials said.

Richard Boucher is charged with two felony charges for assaulting a prison guard and then escaping back in 1982.

With flooding to the north, south and west, Whitfield and Murray counties have so far managed to escape the worst of this week's rain-related problems.

* Ronald Weslee Biddy, 28, 23 Falcon Circle, Eton, was charged Thursday by the Murray County Sheriff's Office with theft by taking and theft by deception.

Murray County Head Start will accept enrollment applications for the 2009-2010 school year Sept.

Thursday was the fourth day of qualifying for area municipal elections. As of late Thursday afternoon: * In Eton, incumbent Jeff Manis qualified for Post 1. Incumbents Billy Cantrell and Steve Shaw previously qualified for mayor and Post 2, respectively.