Not too late to get a flu shot
December 1, 2021–11:40 a.m. STAFF REPORTS According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reduced population immunity due to lack of flu virus activity since March 2020 could result in a possibly severe flu season this year. Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the 10-county Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest District said it’s not too late to…
GNTC to hold commencement ceremonies Thursday
December 1, 2021–10:31 a.m. NEWS RELEASE Students representing Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) nine-county service area will participate in two traditional Fall Commencement Ceremonies on Thursday, Dec. 2, to celebrate their success in completing their program of study. The 2021 Fall Commencement Ceremonies will take place at the Dalton Convention Center. Two separate ceremonies are…
Inmate sentenced for running a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme from state prison
December 1st, 2021 U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Georgia Damon Thomas Young, a/k/a Morgan Sylvia, has been sentenced for his fraud scheme to steal heavy equipment worth nearly $3 million from various dealers while serving a 20-year state sentence as an inmate with the Georgia Department of Corrections. According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the…
Dr. Gary Voccio talks about the Omicron variant
November 30, 2021–10:23 a.m. STAFF REPORTS Over the last few days, we have been hearing about a new COVID-19 variant. The Omicron variant was first detected on November 9 in Botswana in Africa, according to Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the 10-county Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest District. “Then a very astute physician…
Wednesday is World AIDS Day
November 30, 2021–9:18 a.m. STAFF REPORTS Wednesday is World AIDS Day and the Floyd County Health Department will be offering free testing, information and other resources. Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the 10-county Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest District said there has been a disturbing trend regarding HIV infections. “The last data that…
Georgia gas prices down slightly
November 30, 2021–7:17 a.m. AAA SOUTH There is a little relief at the pump. Georgia gas prices decreased slightly, with motorists now paying an average price of $3.22 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. That is two is 2 cents less than a week ago, 3 cents less than last month, and $1.26 more than this time last year. According to…
Black Friday shopping tips
November 25, 2021–9:20 p.m. STAFF REPORTS The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It is anticipated that there will be more shoppers this year than last year. Remembering a few safety tips will help make your quest for the perfect present more enjoyable. If you are…
Salvation Army looking for volunteers to ring bells
November 25, 2021–9:17 p.m. STAFF REPORTS Every Christmas Season, at kettle stands all over the world; volunteers ring the Bells of Hope for The Salvation Army. Volunteers are being sought to help ring those bells this holiday season. Many businesses, organizations, families, and churches have found it to be a wonderful way to get involved…
Public health officials fear post-holiday COVID-19 spike
November 25, 2021–9:09 p.m. STAFF REPORTS Public health officials are fearful that we could see another spike in COVID-19 cases as we did following the holidays last year. Some countries in Europe are already seeing an increase as colder weather sets in and more people are spending time indoors. “Historically we have seen a spike…
DOT to suspended lane closures for holiday weekend
November 23, 2021–12:05 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION The Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending lane closures on Georgia interstates and state routes from Wednesday morning until Sunday evening. These statewide lane closure restrictions will help to reduce traffic congestion during the Thanksgiving holiday. While construction related lane closures will be suspended, the department reminds…
Roads are expected to be busy this holiday weekend
November 22, 2021–7:10 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Based on travel volume data following Labor Day Weekend 2021, it is predicted that Thanksgiving travel volumes will return to pre-pandemic levels this year. If you do need to travel this holiday, please keep in mind the following Thanksgiving travel forecast for metro Atlanta interstates: Heavy congestion on…
Gas prices expected to remain elevated during the holidays
November 22, 2021–8:51 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices are slightly lower than a week ago. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $3.24 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is a penny less than a week ago, but 4 cents more than last month and $1.29 more than this time last year. There…
Buchanan nominated for US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
November 15, 2021–8:54 p.m. STAFF REPORTS President Joe Biden has nominated Ryan K. Buchanan for the job of US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Buchanan is currently an Assistant United States Attorney for the office, where he has served since 2013. Mr. Buchanan has served as the Deputy Chief of the Violent Crime…
Gas prices hold steady
November 15, 2021–10:39 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices remain unchanged this week as motorists continue to pay an average price of $3.25 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 15 cents more than last month and $1.28 more than this time last year. Although gas prices have managed to remain stable for the past few weeks,…
Motorcycle pursuit ends with an arrest at Polk County line
November 10th, 2021 – 3:45 PM Polk County Police Department – On November 9th the Polk County Police Department was dispatched to the area of Highway 101 in reference to a motorcycle pursuit that began in Gordon County and ended at Floyd County at the Polk County Line. Officers spotted the motorcycle in the area…
Max Cleland dies at 79
November 9, 2021–3:25 p.m. STAFF REPORTS Former US Senator Max Cleland has died. Cleland passed away Tuesday morning at his home in Atlanta. He was 79. In addition to serving in the US Senate from 1997 to 2003, Cleland was Georgia’s Secretary of State from 1982 to 1996. He also served in the Veteran’s Administration under…
Gas prices remain elevated
November 8, 2021–6:15 p.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices remain elevated as we head toward the holidays. Motorists continue to pay an average price of $3.25 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 22 cents more than last month and $1.33 more than this time last year. AAA anticipates pump prices will remain elevated through…
Gordon County man sentenced to life without parole for murder
November 4, 2021–11:58 a.m. STAFF REPORTS A Gordon County man has been sentenced to life without parole plus 130 years and 24 months in the murder of his wife more than two years ago. Dwight Juliuse Jones shot and killed Krystal Lynne Jones during a standoff with Gordon County Sheriff’s Deputies on September 12, 2019, at…
Mike Murrill named president and CEO at Redmond
November 4, 2021–10:35 a.m. NEWS RELEASE As AdventHealth expands throughout Northwest Georgia with the purchase of Redmond Regional Medical Center, leadership roles have evolved in the organization’s Southeast Region. Mike Murrill, previous president and CEO of AdventHealth Gordon and AdventHealth Murray, has assumed the president and CEO role at Redmond, soon to be renamed AdventHealth…
COVID vaccine recommended for children 5-11
November 3, 2021–7:39 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Following the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and health districts throughout Georgia will offer Pfizer pediatric COVID vaccine to children 5-11 years old. Vaccination will begin…