The Gaffney Ledger from Gaffney, South Carolina • Page 2

fy What are the odd "5 SSL undetected for long periods of time. The chances that two people involved in such an issue that affects the entire world is rare, with more than 7 billion people walking the globe at this given moment i This is such a coincidence to have two people native to this area in such a big news story," Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly said. Jolly, who has lived in Cherokee County his entire life, said he remembers Cooksey and his family when he was growing up. "I remember both his father and his mother relatively well," Jolly said. "His father was once the mayor of this city, and his mother taught me in school so I have a good recollection of them." Bob Cooksey ...1968 GHS annual ease.

This notice prompted her to take a skin test, which came back negative. Hawkins will be re-evaluated in a few weeks as an added precaution. Tuberculosis has a lengthy incubation period and may go By JOEL HUGHES a Ledger Staff Writer joeCgaffneyhdger.com Even though Gaf fney is city of a little more than 13,000 residents, two of its natives have figured prominently in a national and international news story. Gaffney Dr. Robert Cooksey, a CDC microbiologist specializing in the spread of tuberculosis, is the father in-law of Atlanta area attorney Andrew Speaker, the man who made headlines by boarding a trans-Atlantic flight after being diagnosed with an extremely dangerous strain of the disease.

Cooksey, the son of former Gaffney Mayor W.D. Cooksey, graduated from Gaffney High School in 1968. He currently lives with his family in Atlanta. Speaker, who was advised by doctors not to make the journey across the Atlantic for his wedding and honeymoon, was riding for several hours in close proximity to more than 20 USC Aiken students, including Gaffney resident Beth Hawkins. The student was part of a group that was studying abroad, making their way to several European destinations.

Upon her arrival back in this country, Hawkins received word of the possible spread of an extremely virulent form of TB that can withstand some of the main line drugs used to treat the dis- Ltdgw photaSCOTT POWELL OPEN WIDE Many cars were on display Saturday near the front entrance to Deer Track Farms. Habitat for Humanity hekJ a motorcycle ride and car show fundraiser to raise money to build more homes. The organization must build four homes this year to keep a $375,000 infrastructure grant used to develop the Hope Acres subdivision. JJ'J 4 Public hearing on city's budget set for tonight 1 mt if II UhmimJ Sflocp Seey fr-H MATTRESS, INC. "Manufacturer! of 'Fine Quality Mattresses" Hwj; 105 437 Hyatt St.

Gaffney 489-8286 consider keeping its hiring freeze in effect, eliminating capital expenditures from the proposed budget and raising taxes as options to balance the 2007-'08 budget. Real estate revenues increased this year, but not enough to offset a drop in vehicle tax collections, he said. The budget takes effect on July 1. Any millage increase for city taxpayers is capped at 4 mills, according to a new state law that limits tax increases to the Consumer Price Index and the city's population growth. At its May meeting, Taylor told Gaf fney City Council the city still faces a $143,000 deficit after trimming budget requests.

Taylor asked council to By LARRY HILUARD Ledger Staff Writer Iarry0gaffneyl9dger.com City residents get a chance to speak their mind on the city's proposed $10,881,663 proposed budget at 7 p.m. today. Second reading of the buck get will follow the public hearing. The proposed budget includes a 4-mill tax hike, a 3 percent cost-of-living raise for city employees as well as capital expenses for six new police cruisers and trucks for the maintenance and public works departments. The proposed 4-mill tax hike would mean an annual property tax increase of $16 on a home valued at $100,000.

ATTENTION Tim Parker, former co-owner of Carolina Collision, Inc. in Gaflhey invites everyone to visit him at 3 Body Shop in Shelby, N.C. STC3AC0 DUILDIIICS IN SECURED, FENCED AREA 10H EmSCSSmA en 1st filial (wtthWtH) Money Matters, LLC 521 W. Frederick St. 902-0202 vAX fx -t I 1 ll M.1 1 Cl rv I fill I Plans to 1 9-2314 S.

Post RoadHwy. 180) Kcyboardingj st iA Shelby, N.C. (704) 482-361 6 1 increase tower height thwarted Cfkrtd by the Cherokee Cccsty Education Program Sla trp today for basic class that wl expand your sk2a and Increase your speed on the concstsr keyboard. Qzzt Date June and 27th. CkaDsys: Monday aiklWednesday (2 weeks) aisjThnc: 9:00 im.

12:00 noon Oxss rhce: Limestone (tonaminity Learning Center Cct tr.o.eo Prir.2 a frfcd save for fnrt r. try y' L' mcr.a, rc.cue and forced lir nJ! Jon and entrants' and ct.x rcq-ranents specific to 716 5pn.9?m" Man $150 3 ccrr, t' 's -jct an r. i c'-i cr.es yr. fjr I'Jb to DM By LARRY HILUARD Ledger Staff Writer larryOgaffneyledger.com Texas-based Crown Castle International wanted a taller tower to broadcast the signal of a Spanish-speaking radio station that plans to move WAGI-FM from Gaffney to Gaston County, N.C. But it might not get it now.

The Gastonia planning commission last week voted 5-2 against amending the zoning law to double the size of a communications tower on Crowders Mountain to 250 feet. The commission denied the change after opponents expressed concern how the taller tower would affect views from the popular tourist attraction. Gastonia City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposal Tuesday. WAGI was purchased earlier this year by the Davidson Media Group, which plans to relocate the station to Gaston County. The radio station has been converted to a Spanish-peaking format There are also plans to change the station's call letters.

The Davidson Media Group also operates a network of Urban and Southern Gospel radio stations. They operate more than 40 stations In a 17-state network. mcrs cf d. A of rs succc crca-r-sd ar.d tt orjtr.bt!sn. 6i-n-l2n Tu' rV.Y Cherts Cz7 trli Feed! 2CC- Lr 1 Topics include Now Close To Home.

atthe t3 1 cn 1 Iclf Imn3 Cf tu9 SrwiTSr SwTiwf iMu)" C3 C3 7iC3 Cn3 pW laWJ imf-f MfJ ia 423 7113 tZ3 m) CHEROKEE COUNTY CAMPUS "jSThisdia .3 and Dcvcl- 12:13 C3 7-3 23 1fl3 4.13 73 IIC3 823 723 1213 ir3 223 413 C23 C23 1(9 Js 1I Cxu Jtrs 21st ration KriC 3 $199 SPARTANBURG COMMUNITY COLLEGE AA Meetings Tuesday Thursday Friday Gri. 117 CarRsJa St Church) or Corporate and Edsoticn For complete course listings and for more i irormation visit www -OR- Call 1-877-592-4401. 1515.