Walker County getting repaid for crematory cleanup

LAFAYETTE - Walker County officials have received $214,397 from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the first payment of the $2.9 million the Legislature approved for expenses involved in the Tri-State Crematory recovery. <br> <br> Officials said some 339 bodies that were to have been cremated were found on the crematory property in northwest Georgia, about 20 miles south of Chattanooga, since mid-February. <br> <br> County Commissioner Bebe Heiskell said Wednesday, ``They brought that money in a timely manner. They were really, really efficient.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The money will go into the general fund to pay employee overtime and other expenses. Officials said the county&#39;s total expenses will be between $800,000-$900,000. <br> <br> Crematory operator Ray Brent Marsh has been in custody on more than 200 counts of theft by deception for accepting money for cremations he never performed.