Georgia gas prices increase
March 1, 2021–8:52 p.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices increased at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $2.57 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 6 cents more than a week ago, 33 cents more than last month, and 29 cents more than this time last year. Because…
Rockmart murder suspect in custody
February 28, 2021–2:56 p.m. POLK TODAY A man wanted in connection with a deadly shooting in Rockmart Saturday morning is now in custody. According to Polk.Today, 40-year old Jesse Castillo of Rockmart was taken into custody Saturday evening by Bartow County Sheriff’s Deputies and later booked into the Polk County Jail. Castillo is charged with murder…
[VIDEO] Dr. Voccio gives NWGA a COVID-19 update
February 26th, 2021 – 3:05 PM Northwest Health District– Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the ten-county Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District, give us a quick update on coronavirus in Northwest Georgia, and vaccine/immunizations. Then Cicely Thomas, nutrition services director for the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program and someone who has…
Polk Police seek help in making arrest of Hit-and-Run Suspect
February 26th, 2021 – 12:00 PM POLK TODAY – (Via Polk Today) Polk County Police are still seeking help in locating a suspect in a hit-and-run that occurred last week that injured a woman. Detective Caleb Bowman said at midweek that police had yet to locate Ronald F. Forsyth, 42, who is being sought after…
DPH announces COVID-19 Health Equity Council
February 25, 2021–8:24 p.m. NEWS RELEASE The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) announces the newly-created DPH COVID-19 Health Equity Council. The group will help DPH increase the effectiveness of its public health programs statewide, ensure equity in COVID-19 vaccination distribution and administration, and improve outreach and communication within Georgia communities most affected by COVID-19.…
[VIDEO] More Georgians will soon qualify for COVID-19 vaccine
February 25, 2021–8:17 p.m. GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP More Georgians will soon qualify to get the COVID-19 vaccine. On Thursday, Governor Brian Kemp announced that due to the steady increase in vaccine supply the progress made in getting more doses administered, starting March 8, the state will expand the current 1A+ vaccination criteria to include adults…
Public health to end free COVID testing in Northwest Georgia
February 23, 2021–8:19 p.m. NEWS RELEASE The Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District is ending its nearly yearlong operation of free COVID-19 testing sites effective Thursday, February 25, with the closing of that day’s site in Walker County. “Over the last two months, we’ve been shifting more and more of our limited public…
Georgia has prices headed upward
February 22, 2021–11:02 p.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices increased at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $2.51 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 18 cents more than a week ago, 27 cents more than last month, and 21 cents more than this time last year. Abnormally…
Dr. Voccio gives COVID-19 update
February 21, 2021–9:38 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the ten-county Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District, updates us on coronavirus in Northwest Georgia. He said we are seeing diminished transmission in Northwest Georgia with the lowest numbers since last summer. He also tells us where we…
Governor Kemp Announces $552M Georgia Rental Assistance Program
February 20th, 2021 – 9:50 PM Press Release – Governor Kemp announced that the State of Georgia has received more than $552 million in stimulus funds through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Congress appropriated $25 billion to provide relief to landlords and tenants who are behind on rent and utility payments due to the…
GDOT Hosting Small Business Webinar in NWGA
February 18th, 2021 – 2:20 PM Georgia Department of Transportation – The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) State Supported Funding Program (SSFP) will be hosting an online webinar for small business owners interested in learning about routine maintenance opportunities in Northwest Georgia. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), small business owners and veteran-owned small businesses will…
GA DPH and DHS Help Seniors Get COVID-19 Vaccine
February 18th, 2021 – 2:15 PM Georgia Department of Public Health – The Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) are joining efforts to ensure vulnerable seniors get access to the COVID-19 vaccine. DPH, DHS and local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) will be helping older adults to sign up…
Paulding County DA indicted
February 18, 2021–8:24 a.m. NEWS RELEASE Attorney General Chris Carr has announced that the office’s Prosecution Division has indicted* Paulding County District Attorney Donald Richard “Dick” Donovan on four felony charges: Bribery, False Swearing (two counts), and Violation of Oath by Public Officer. A Paulding County Grand Jury returned the indictment on February 17, 2021. “We…
Legislation seeks to end “no excuse” absentee voting in Georgia
February 17, 2021–5:09 p.m. STAFF REPORTS A Georgia State Senate subcommittee has voted to advance a bill to end no excuse absentee voting. The legislation limits absentee voting to those over the age of 75, those with a doctor’s note and people who are out of town. The vote was 3-2 along party lines. The…
Flash Flood Watch Issued for much of NWGA
February 17th, 2021 – 3:45 PM The National Weather Service in Peachtree City – The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a Flash Flood Watch for much of north and central Georgia from 7 PM EST this evening through Friday morning. NWGA Counties impacted include: Chattooga, Gordon, Polk, Floyd, Bartow, and Paulding County. Widespread…
Weather delays COVID vaccine shipments to Georgia
February 16, 2021–8:23 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Winter weather across the country is significantly impacting shipments of COVID-19 vaccine to Georgia. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) received notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that normally would have arrived the first part…
New COVID vaccine dashboard on DPH website
February 16, 2021–4:04 p.m. NEWS RELEASE The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is launching a new COVID vaccine dashboard on the DPH website at dph.georgia.gov. The dashboard provides a detailed, transparent picture of vaccination administration in Georgia. As part of the transition to the new dashboard, you will see a one-time decrease in the…
Polk Police request public assistance with Hit & Run
February 16th, 2021 – 1:55 PM Polk County Police Department – The following is a public service announcement from the Polk County Police Department: The Polk Criminal Investigations Division is requesting your assistance in remaining watchful for this vehicle: The vehicle listed above is a 2006 Red Infiniti M35 (Georgia Tag #RSW9118). The vehicle is…
NWGA Health Departments announces delayed openings on 2/16
February 15th, 2021 – 5:10 AM GA DPH Northwest Health District – All Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District offices, including the district office in Rome and all ten county health departments, will delay opening tomorrow, Tuesday, February 16, until 10 a.m. This effects health departments in in Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd,…
NWGA: Black Ice/Wind Chill Potential until Tuesday morning
February 15th, 2021 – 5:00 PM The National Weather Service and GDOT- According to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, the potential for black ice on roads in Northwest Georgia is expected until Tuesday morning with the following Counties potentially effected: Floyd, Polk, Gordon, Bartow, Paulding, and Chattooga. Rainfall associated with an approaching cold…