Local

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

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

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

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

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

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

    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.
The state lab has processed 5,362 tests, and commercial vendors have processed 78,966 tests.

The state lab has processed 5,362 tests, and commercial vendors have processed 78,966 tests.

Kemp's comments on reopening businesses

These are the complete remarks by Gov. Brian Kemp during his news conference Monday regarding lifting some of the shelter in place restrictions in place for Georgia. ”Good afternoon, everyone. Today I’m joined by Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, Speaker David Ralston, General Tom Carden, Dr.
Stephens County Hospital CEO Mike Hester reported Tuesday the  hospital and its physician’s group have tested 100 people for the  coronavirus with nine positive results.

Stephens County Hospital CEO Mike Hester reported Tuesday the hospital and its physician’s group have tested 100 people for the coronavirus with nine positive results.

COVID-19 reaches 24 in Stephens this week

  By Tom Law The Toccoa Record     The  confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Stephens County since the coronavirus outbreak  climbed to 24 late Tuesday, according to the Georgia Department of Health.     That’s up from 14 confirmed cases at the same time a week ago.