GHC president shares vision for the future
August 16, 2022–10:13 a.m. STAFF REPORTS It has been a busy month and a half for Georgia Highlands College President Dr. Mike Hobbs. Recently, the college started a new “Ready to Start” scholarship for any student who falls a few hundred dollars short of paying after financial aid and other scholarships have been applied. GHC…
Limited Monkeypox vaccine available in Northwest Georgia
August 16, 2022–10:11 a.m. NEWS RELEASE The Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District has received limited doses of monkeypox vaccine as part of the distribution of federally funded JYNNEOSTM vaccine to public health districts throughout Georgia. These vaccines are available at no cost to the individual. However, due to a limited number of doses, the vaccines are…
Monkeypox: How to stop the spread
August 10, 2022–10:50 a.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) continues to closely monitor the current outbreak of monkeypox in the state. As of today, there are 625 confirmed monkeypox cases in Georgia. Testing and vaccination are available in health districts throughout the state; however, vaccine supplies from the…
Dr. Voccio gives COVID-19, vaccine updates
August 8, 2022–10:25 a.m. STAFF REPORTS Hospitals are seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, accounting for 10% of current hospitalizations. Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the Northwest Health District, did have some encouraging news about the BA 5 variant. “It appears as though the vaccine, at least in one medical report, does demonstrate that…
DPH debuts kiosks for COVID-19 PCR testing
August 4, 2022–4:03 p.m. NEWS RELEASE The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is offering COVID-19 PCR testing at kiosks placed in communities across Georgia. In most locations, these kiosks offer access to COVID-19 testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After completing a brief registration form, the kiosks dispense a test kit…
Operation Southern Slowdown starts this week
July 17, 2022–1:12 p.m. CALHOUN POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE Law enforcement officers in Georgia are ready to put the hammer down on drivers who are hammering down on their gas pedal during the fourth annual “Operation Southern Slow Down” speed enforcement operation. After the last 5year’s highly successful operation that drew national attention, Georgia will…
Paulding Law Enforcement Agencies make Meth Conversion Lab Arrest
July 8th, 2022 – 2:30 PM Paulding County Sheriff’s Office – On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, and the Haralson-Paulding Drug Task Force (HPDTF) executed a search warrant at 89 Paces Lakes Point Dallas, GA 30157. This search warrant was executed following a brief investigation that…
20 die in holiday weekend traffic crashes in Georgia
July 5, 2022–6:31 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY At least 20 people lost their lives on Georgia’s roadways during the July 4 holiday weekend, which ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday. In Troop A, which covers Northwest Georgia, fatal crashes were investigated by the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County Police Department, the Cherokee…
Man kills himself after driving pickup into vehicles, gas pumps at Paulding store
July 4, 2022–10:55 a.m. PAULDING COUNTY POLICE The driver of a pickup truck that slammed into a sign, gas pumps, and vehicles at a Paulding County store Sunday has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, the white GMC Sierra crew cab truck was traveling southbound on GA…
Atrium Health Floyd helps students overcome pandemic delays
July 3, 2022–9:25 p.m. NEWS RELEASE We, no doubt, will be talking about the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic for years to come. The resulting mental health issues, the toll on clinical caregivers, and the educational delays in young students all have gotten media attention. High school students experienced their own unique pandemic losses such…
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…
Woman charged with murder after juveniles found dead in burning Paulding County home
June 26, 2022–3:07 p.m. PAULDING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE At approximately 9:19 pm on June 24, Paulding E-911 received a call about a domestic disturbance and house fire at 776 Woodwind in Rockmart. It was reported that a female who was inside the home was attempting to stab the occupants and that at the…
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…
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…
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…
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…