DOT suspending lane closures for holiday weekend

June 30, 2022–9:50 p.m. NEWS RELEASE To allow for an anticipated increase in Fourth of July weekend traffic congestion, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) will suspend lane closures on Georgia interstates and state routes beginning Friday, July 1 at 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 5.  While construction-related lane closures will be…

Commissioner King: Stay safe when celebrating with fireworks

June 28, 2022–6:30 p.m. NEWS RELEASE Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King encourages all Georgians to stay safe when celebrating with fireworks this 4th of July. “Independence Day is a time to celebrate the founding of our nation with friends and family,” said Commissioner King. “Although celebrating with fireworks is a fun and…

Georgia gas prices down seven cents

June 27, 2022–6:00 p.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices decreased seven cents compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $4.40 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. According to Montrae Waiters with AAA, if crude oil continues to decline, it is possible gas prices will follow suit this week as more…

What Roe v. Wade ruling means for Georgia

June 24, 2022–8:40 a.m. STAFF REPORTS On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, essentially giving the states the power to make their own laws regarding abortion. In the short term, in Georgia, that will likely mean the return of the so-called “Heartbeat Bill.” The bill was signed into law…

GNTC Foundation awards summer scholarships

June 23, 2022–8:14 p.m. NEWS RELEASE The Foundation at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) awarded $16,500 in scholarships–including the Vernon and Gaynelle Grizzard Scholarship, Patrick D. Doyle Law Enforcement Scholarship, and Gene Haas Scholarship–for the summer semester of 2022 to 31 students. Each scholarship included an award between $500 and $1,000 to assist in paying for the summer…

GNTC student to compete in national competition, visit family in Chicago

June 22, 2022–6:39 p.m. NEWS RELEASE A trip to Chicago is not only an opportunity to compete in a national competition for one Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) student, but also will reunite her with her sister for the first time in six years. Aixa Rodriguez, who was born and raised in Chicago, is among…

Primary Runoff Election returns

June 22, 2022–6:18 a.m. The November General Election contests are now set. On Tuesday, there were four Democrat primary runoffs that were decided. Charlie Bailey won his runoff against Kwanza Hall and will now face Republican Burt Jones in November. For Secretary of State, Bee Nguyen defeated Dee Dawkins-Haigler. Nguyen will now face incumbent Republican…

AAA offers some hop tips for driving in the heat

June 21, 2022–5:09 p.m. NEWS RELEASE A heat wave is anticipated across north Georgia this week.  AAA urges motorists to be cautious while driving in extreme heat. “Nothing ruins a summer trip faster than a flat tire, overheated cooling system, or battery that quits working on a hot summer day,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman, AAA-The Auto…

Today is runoff election day

June 21, 2022–9:53 a.m. STAFF REPORTS Today is runoff election day in Georgia. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. The only runoff contests locally are state contests on the Democrat ballot. Charlie Bailey is in a runoff with Kwanza Hall for Lt. Governor. For secretary of state Dee Hawkins-Haigler and Bee Nguyen…

Georgia gas prices down a penny

June 20, 2022–10:11 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices decreased by one penny compared to a week ago. The average price is now $4.47. The national average was down three cents and is now $4.98 a gallon. AAA can’t predict if gas prices will decline this week, but you should be prepared to deal with…

Georgia Power offers energy efficiency tips during heat wave

June 20, 2022–9:41 a.m. NEWS RELEASE With afternoon high temperatures soaring into the upper 90s and 100’s this week across the state, air conditioners will be running at full capacity. Georgia Power has some tips on how to keep your home cool without breaking the bank. The company’s My Power Usage program, a free service available for…

2022 Census of Agriculture underway

June 19, 2022–1:24 p.m. UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Have you started farming or producing in the last five years? That means you are new to the #AgCensus. Take a minute to register for the 2022 Census of Agriculture, also called the Ag Census, so you can have a voice in the future of our…

GNTC holds 2022 GED® commencement ceremony

June 19, 2022–1:13 p.m. NEWS RELEASE Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Office of Adult Education held its 2022 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 16, for students who have earned their General Educational Development® (GED®) diplomas. The ceremony was held at the Conference Center on GNTC’s Gordon County Campus in Calhoun to accommodate students and families…

High temperatures in Georgia raise health concerns

June 19, 2022–1:05 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH It’s going to be another hot week in Georgia, with temperatures expected to top 100 degrees by Wednesday. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging Georgians to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat and sun and to limit strenuous outdoor activity to prevent heat-related…

Heat Advisory today

June 16, 2022–9:21 a.m. FLOYD COUNTY EMA/NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE  A Heat Advisory is in effect today from 11 am – 8 pm for most of north and central Georgia (excluding the northeast Georgia mountains). For more details, please see below. HEAT THREAT: ·  Widespread high temperatures in the upper 90s to 100 are expected for most of the forecast.  Factor…

Heat Advisory in effect for Wednesday

June 15, 2022–7:51 a.m. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Heat index values of up to 107 are expected in portions of north-central, northeast, northwest, and west-central Georgia. Afternoon thunderstorms could temper the heat in some areas today and provide relief earlier than expected, but…

Heat Advisory from noon until 8 p.m.

June 14, 2022–8:36 a.m. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory which will be in effect from noon until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Heat index values of 105 to 110 are expected. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives…

Georgia gas prices up by 21 cents

June 13, 2022–6:05 p.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices increased by 21 cents last week. Motorists in the state are now paying an average price of $4.48, as of Monday morning. The national average is now over $5.00 a gallon. According to AAA, demand for gasoline continues to grow, and crude oil supply remains tight. This…

[VIDEO] COVID-19 update

June 12, 2022–6:00 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Floyd County has experienced a slight increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. The testing positivity rate is around 9%, according to Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the 10-county Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest District. Fortunately, we are not seeing a major increase in…

[VIDEO] Gas prices increase 14 cents

June 6, 2022–11:02 a.m. STAFF REPORTS Georgia gas prices are up 14 more cents compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $4.27 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. That is 51 cents more than last month, and $1.37 more than this time last year. According to AAA, prices at the…