News

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.
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

News Staff
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
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

Toccoa Editor
Thursday, April 16, 2020
  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.
District 2 Public Health is ramping up specimen collection to help meet Governor Kemp’s call for increased testing.

District 2 Public Health is ramping up specimen collection to help meet Governor Kemp’s call for increased testing.

DISTRICT 2 PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCES INCREASED SPECIMEN COLLECTION

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
District 2 Public Health is ramping up specimen collection to help meet Governor Kemp’s call for increased testing. This is made possible by additional testing supplies, increased laboratory capacity and expanded testing criteria.
County election officials in Georgia will have the option of installing drop-off boxes for absentee ballots.

County election officials in Georgia will have the option of installing drop-off boxes for absentee ballots.

Ballot drop-off boxes get green light for June 9 primary in Georgia

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
By Beau Evans Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service   County election officials in Georgia will have the option of installing drop-off boxes for absentee ballots in the June 9 primary election under emergency rules the State Election Board adopted Wednesday.
To ensure the confidentiality of the patients, only the address will be shared with 911 centers.

To ensure the confidentiality of the patients, only the address will be shared with 911 centers.

Information on COVID-19 cases to be provided to 911 centers

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
  The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health, will begin to provide a list of COVID-19 cases in each jurisdiction to 911 centers this week.
The National Weather Service says a tornado also touched down in Stephens County said EMA director Danielle Rhodes.

The National Weather Service says a tornado also touched down in Stephens County said EMA director Danielle Rhodes.

Kemp declares state of emergency

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Today Governor Kemp delivered the following update on COVID-19: "Good afternoon, and thanks for being with us.
This was the scene on Whispering Pines Drive this morning.

This was the scene on Whispering Pines Drive this morning.

Storm causes county-wide damage

News Staff
Monday, April 13, 2020
This was the scene on Whispering Pines Drive this morning in the aftermath of a storm that struck about 2:45 a.m. Monday. The Whispering Pines/DeFoor Road/Sunset Road area was one of the hardest hit in Stephens County.
The primary election scheduled May 22 has been suspended until June.

The primary election scheduled May 22 has been suspended until June.

Primary election date delayed until June

News Staff
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Today, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced that, pursuant to the authority vested in him by O.C.G.A. § 21-2-50.1, he is postponing the Statewide General Primary/Presidential Preference Primary Election until June 9, 2020.
The governor has extended public health emergency status.

The governor has extended public health emergency status.

Kemp extends public health emergency

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Today Governor Brian P. Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, and House Speaker David Ralston announced plans to extend Georgia’s public health state of emergency through May 13, 2020 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.