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A group of paddlers start a trip down the Tugaloo River Water Trail. This is near the river’s confluence with Panther Creek.

A group of paddlers start a trip down the Tugaloo River Water Trail. This is near the river’s confluence with Panther Creek.

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COVID pandemic cancels Memorial Day river paddle.

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2020
     COVID-19 has slowed the Tugaloo River Water Trail down, but that’s all it’s done.     While the annual Memorial Day paddle has been canceled due to the large number of paddlers that usually come to the event, smaller paddles are being scheduled.
Keeping everything shuttered too long will mean people skip meals, lose homes, go without medications, sink into depression, and worse.

Keeping everything shuttered too long will mean people skip meals, lose homes, go without medications, sink into depression, and worse.

Public health or the economy? People or profits?

News Staff
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
By Kyle Wingfield    You probably have seen them pitted against one another often during the past couple of months: public health vs. the economy.     There’s a great deal at stake.
Businesses across the Peach State must continue to operate with strict social distancing.

Businesses across the Peach State must continue to operate with strict social distancing.

Governor clarifies business reopening

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Today Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Executive Order 4.30.20.01 and issued the following statement: "Tonight at 11:59 PM, the statewide shelter in place order for most Georgians will expire. However, moving forward, I am urging Georgians to continue to stay home whenever possible.
Stephens County had 73 positive COVID-19 cases for a rate of 280.9 cases per 100,000 residents.

Stephens County had 73 positive COVID-19 cases for a rate of 280.9 cases per 100,000 residents.

Stephens County has higher virus rate than larger counties

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2020
By Tom Law The Toccoa Record     Stephens County has a higher rate of positive COVID-19 cases than the mostly highly populated county in Georgia. According to the state Department of Health, as of Tuesday, Stephens County had 73 positive COVID-19 cases for a rate of 280.
Stephens 911 center is sheltering in place after receiving positive Covid-19 tests.

Stephens 911 center is sheltering in place after receiving positive Covid-19 tests.

Two Stephens 911 employees test positive for Covid-19

J. Todd Truelove
Friday, April 24, 2020
Two employees of the Stephens County 911 center are on home quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19. 911 director Danielle Rhodes said that on Monday, April 20, one 911 employee was sent home and was tested.
Restarting the session on June 11 would give Georgia hospitals and health officials more time to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Restarting the session on June 11 would give Georgia hospitals and health officials more time to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Georgia lawmakers eye mid-June date to resume 2020 session

News Staff
Friday, April 24, 2020
Top state lawmakers in Georgia are eying June 11 as a possible return date for the General Assembly to wrap up the 2020 legislative session, which was put on hold as concerns grew in March over coronavirus.
Game wardens are reporting that most people are following Governor Brian Kemp’s Executive Order.

Game wardens are reporting that most people are following Governor Brian Kemp’s Executive Order.

Game wardens report some unclear on social distancing guidelines

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2020
As news headlines are filled with reports of people continually and blatantly disregarding social distancing orders in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia DNR’s Colonel Thomas Barnard says his game wardens are reporting that most people are following Governor Brian Kemp’s Executive Order...
Some 548 Stephens County residents filed initial claims for unemployment with the state Department of Labor during the month of March.

Some 548 Stephens County residents filed initial claims for unemployment with the state Department of Labor during the month of March.

Unemployment claims skyrocket in Stephens

News Staff
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
    Some 548 Stephens County residents filed initial claims for unemployment with the state Department of Labor during the month of March.     That’s a 1,066 percent increase from the previous month and an 845 percent increase from March of 2019, according the labor department.