Protect Your Family’s Future by Getting Vaccinated this August

Health

Protect Your Family’s Future by Getting Vaccinated this August

Georgia Department of Public Health Urges Georgia Residents to Protect Themselves by Getting Immunized during National Immunization Awareness Month

 

NORTH GEORGIA – It’s time to really think about vaccinations.

“August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and it’s when we particularly urge parents to make an appointment to get themselves and their families vaccinated.” said Ashley Deverell, RN, BSN, Immunization Coordinator for the North Georgia Health District, based in Dalton. “Vaccinations are our best defense against vaccine-preventable diseases and are available at all our health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties.”

People of all ages require timely vaccinations to protect their health, and in August, public health advisors especially focus on vaccinations needed for pregnant women, babies and young children, preteens and teens, adults, and children entering or heading back to school.

Every adult in Georgia (19 years of age and older) should follow the recommended immunization schedule by age and medical condition. Vaccinations protect you and they protect others around you, especially infants and those individuals who are unable to be immunized or who have weakened immune systems. It is always a good idea to have the adult vaccine schedule nearby as a reference and to make sure you are current on your immunizations. This link is to the recommended adult immunization schedule:

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-schedule-easy-read.pdf.

Vaccines protect families, teens and children by preventing disease. They help avoid expensive therapies and hospitalization needed to treat infectious diseases like influenza and pneumococcal disease. Vaccinations also reduce absences both at school and at work and decrease the spread of illness in the home, workplace and community.

Before starting seventh grade, all students born on or after January 1, 2002 and entering or transferring into seventh grade will need proof of a whooping cough booster shot and a meningococcal shot unless the child has an exemption on file with the school.

And, looking ahead for the 2020-2021 school year, all students entering or transferring into 11th grade will need proof of a meningococcal booster shot (MCV4), unless their first dose was received on or after their 16th birthday. Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness that affects the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can cause shock, coma and death within hours of the first symptoms. To help protect your children and others from meningitis, Georgia law requires students be vaccinated against this disease, unless the child has an exemption.

Some schools, colleges, and universities have policies requiring vaccination against meningococcal disease as a condition of enrollment. Students aged 21 years or younger should have documentation of receipt of a dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine not more than five years before enrollment. If the primary dose was administered before their 16th birthday, a booster dose should be administered before enrollment in college.

“The focus of vaccinations often lies on young children, but it’s just as important for teens, college students and adults to stay current on their vaccinations.” said Shelia Lovett, Director of the Immunization Program of the Georgia Department of Public Health.

This August, protect your family by getting vaccinated. The North Georgia Health District remind adults to check with their local county health department or healthcare provider for their current vaccination recommendations, and parents are urged to check for their children. Safe and effective vaccines are available to protect adults and children alike against potentially life-threatening diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, shingles, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox). So, visit your public health department or talk to your health care provider and get immunized today.

For more information on immunization, visit http://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section.

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GDOT Pleads for Safe Back to School Driving in Northwest Georgia 

Announcements
Safe Driving for Back-to-School Season…
GDOT Pleads for Safe Back to School Driving in Northwest Georgia 

WHITE, Ga. – Students heading back to school means more traffic, increased congestion and the need for extra safety precautions. From school buses loading and unloading, to kids walking and biking, to parents dropping off and picking up – dangers abound.

As back-to-school gets into full swing, Georgia DOT urges drivers to put safety first – especially in and around school zones, buses and children.

  • Pay attention to school zone flashing beacons and obey school zone speed limits.
  • Obey school bus laws.
    • Stop behind/do not pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
    • If the lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, opposing traffic must stop unless it is on a divided highway with a grass or concrete median.
  • Watch for students gathering near bus stops, and for kids arriving late, who may dart into the street. Children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.

According to the National Safety Council, most children who lose their lives in school bus-related incidents are four to seven years old, walking and they are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus.

“It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially in the peak traffic hours before and after school,” said Grant Waldrop, district engineer at the DOT office in White.

Research by the National Safe Routes to School program found that more children are hit by cars near schools than at any location. Georgia DOT implores drivers to watch out for children walking or bicycling (both on the road and the sidewalk) in area near a school.

“If you’re driving behind a school bus, increase your following distance to allow more time to stop once the lights start to flash. The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to give them space to safely enter and exit the bus,” Waldrop explained.

Whenever you drive – be alert and expect the unexpected. By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in and around school zones. Let’s make this new school year safer for our children. 

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S.A.F.E. Kids Fishing Derby Results

Community
What a splendid day May 19 was for all of the families who attended the first annual S.A.F.E. Kids Fishing Derby at Nottely Marina. The parking lot was filled. The sun was shining and the fish were biting. The excitement was evidenced by all who participated.
This was a terrific way to celebrate the ending of the school year. Families enjoyed hot dog meals, on shore fishing games, the playground, and of course the serious fishing Derby.

Joshua Owens caught a Catfish and here he is holding his Carp.

A total of eight prizes were awarded including the top Four Largest Fish caught. Joshua Owens came in First Place by catching a 17 1/2″ 34.5 oz Carp. For his win, Joshua received a free half day fishing charter for one adult and two kids. This charter was provided by Jeremy Seabolt at Lake Nottely Fishing Charter.

Katryn Mason Placed Second, Ava Irwin, Came in Third Place, and Lindsey Hammond Placed 4th Place. The top four largest fish winners also received fishing rods and fishing gear which were provided by our
generous sponsors.
Karson Wester won the Tiniest Fish; Joshua Owens, won the First Catch of the Day, a Catfish; Cayden Cunningham caught the Ugliest Fish, and Ava Irwin caught the Prettiest Fish.
S.A.F.E. is grateful to the following businesses and individuals that are making these events possible:
Save A Lot, Blairsville; Paradise Bait and Tackle; Nottely Marina; Mike’s Seafood; Men on the Move;
Leon Farmer Company; Lake Nottely Fishing Charter; Lake Chatuge Marine; Mike’s Seafood; Jim/Linda
McAfee; Men on the Move; Ingle’s Blairsville and Hiawassee; G&S Bait; Hughes General Store; Hiawassee Antique Mall. Food Land; Cook’s Country Kitchen; Cindy Odom; Carl Bledsoe New Horizon
Homes; Bank of the Ozarks; Anonymous Donor.
S.A.F.E. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides services to Sexual Assault and Child abuse in
Towns and Union Counties. For information on available workshops or to volunteer for S.A.F.E. please
contact (706) 379-1901. If you are a victim of Domestic Abuse or Sexual Abuse or you know someone
who is, call S.A.F.E. for confidential assistance 24 hours a day. (706) 379-1901

The Second Annual S.A.F.E. Kids Fishing Derby at Nottely Marina

Community, Outdoors

What a splendid day May 18 was for all of the families who attended the second annual S.A.F.E. Kids Fishing Derby at Nottely Marina. The parking lot was filled. The sun was shining and the fish were biting. The excitement was evidenced by all who participated.

This was a terrific way to celebrate the ending of the school year. Families enjoyed hot dog meals, on shore fishing games, the playground, a boat ride, and of course the serious fishing Derby. Adults paid $1 for admission, and kids were free.

A total of eight prizes were awarded including the top Four Largest Fish caught. Blake Mounts came in First Place by catching the largest fish, a Bass. For his win, Joshua received a free half day fishing charter for his family. This charter was provided by Jeremy Seabolt at Lake Nottely Fishing Charter.

Hunter Tryzbiak’s Brim catch landed him in second place. Hunter also won a free half day family fishing charter from Jeremy Seabolt.

Hunter Trybiak, 2nd Place, a Brim

 

Third and Fourth Places overall were also Brim. Caleb Bates won at Third Place, and Kyler Sharpe scored in Fourth Place. Both of these winners received a free half day of fun on a Family Pontoon Rental compliments of Nottely Marina.

Kyler Sharpe 4th Place, a Brim and First Catch, a Bass

R.J. Rich’s Brim catch won the Tiniest Fish. R.J. caught a Brim; Lindsey Hammond caught the Ugliest Fish, a Catfish; Ashlyn Passmore won the Prettiest Fish, a Bass. Kyler Sharpea , won the First Catch of the Day, a Bass. He also came in 4th place overall in the Fishing Derby. Said Kyler, “I can’t believe I caught seven fish!”

RJ Rich tiniest fish, a Brim

Lindsey Hammond Ugliest Fish, a Catfish

All eight winners also received a fishing rod, a bait and tackle box and other goodies provided by S.A.F.E.’s generous event sponsors.

Donation only Pontoon Boat Rides were held every 30 minutes. This was an exciting opportunity for many attendees to take their first boat ride on the lake.

Volunteer Donna Towery entertained the younger children with shore games.

All food and drinks items were a dollar each. Participants enjoyed hot dogs, coleslaw, chips, popcorn, desert, Sparkling Water and regular water, all contributed by our event sponsors.

Eating dessert at the fishing derby

Three prizes were awarded in a six for $5.00 raffle. A random drawing was held and one lucky participant won a beautiful rod and reel and a tackle box.

Twenty five dollar raffle tickets were also sold for a 2013 14′ jon boat with mercury four stroke and trailer. Nice setup! Tickets can be purchased at Nottely Marina and sales are limited to three per person. Only 100 tickets are being sold, and not many are left. So stop in and grab a ticket soon, or you will “Miss the Boat”! All proceeds will benefit S.A.F.E.

The S.A.F.E. Kids Fishing Derby was so much fun that one youngster said she didn’t care about winning a prize – she just wanted to fish. Another young lady said she did not like to fish but she was looking forward to the Derby ending so she could jump in the lake.

The Doucette brothers fishing on a log

Many participants said that this year’s S.A.F.E. Kids Fishing Derby was much better than the one last year.

Gail Kreher, Secretary of the S.A.F.E. Board of Directors served as the event Emcee. Many of you may remember her as Gail Janus, Weathercaster for 11Alive, Channel 11. Said Gail, “The Doucette family is a strong presence in the community. Their generosity, hard work, and dedication to S.A.F.E. and to our communities means the world to us. S.A.F.E. is so grateful to Nottely Marina for spearheading our Second Annual Kids Fishing Derby.”

S.A.F.E. is grateful to the following businesses and individuals that are making these events possible: Nottely Marina; Alexander’s; Brasstown Drug and Gun; Budget Blinds; Builder’s First Source; Circuit World; Cook’s Country Kitchen; Foodland Grocery; Hugh’s General Store; Ingles-Blairsville and Hiawassee; Jack’s Creek Bait and Tackle; Lake Nottely Fishing Charter; Leon Farmer Company; Majestic Mountain Property; Mike’s Seafood; Nelson’s Ace Hardware; Paradise Bait and Tackle; Rick’s Rental; Rose Auto; Sav-A-Lot; Service Plumbing; Sundance Gallery.

S.A.F.E. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides services to Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Victims in Towns and Union Counties. For information on available workshops or to volunteer for S.A.F.E. please contact (706) 379-1901. If you are a victim of Domestic Abuse or Sexual Abuse or if you know someone who is, call S.A.F.E. for confidential assistance 24 hours a day. (706) 379-1901

Tick tock, set your clock so you don’t miss the S.A.F.E. Kid’s Fishing Derby!

Community

Saturday, May 19, 2018, is almost here, Towns and Union County families! Nottely Marina, located at 86 Doucette Circle in Blairsville, is the place to be. The Kid’s Fishing Derby starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. You don’t want to miss this end-of-the-school-year family event. Admission and parking are free. Parents must accompany their kids.

Win a prize for catching one of the biggest fish. You might also win if you catch the ugliest fish, the smallest fish or the prettiest fish. The fish are biting. Carp, perch, stripers and bream have been sighted at the marina. There will be on-shore fishing activities to entertain younger kids.

Buy a lunch plate, snacks and a beverage. Enter the raffles for a chance to win more lake fun. All proceeds benefit S.A.F.E. (Support in Abusive Family Emergencies).

Meet representatives from the Georgia Deparment of Natural Resources and Lake Nottely Improvement Association. No fishing permit is required in order to participate.

The S.A.F.E. Kid’s Fishing Derby is one of two events being sponsored by Nottely Marina. There will also be a S.A.F.E. Sail Into Sunset Cruise on Tuesday evening, June 19, 2018. Watch for details.

Says Nottely Marina Manager Moriah Doucette, “We want Towns and Union counties to know that S.A.F.E. is available and the services S.A.F.E. provides to our communities. We are more than happy to assist this necessary organization in any fundraising event.”

S.A.F.E. is grateful to the following businesses that are making these events possible: Save A Lot, Blairsville; Paradise Bait and Tackle; Nottely Marina; Mike’s Seafood; Men on the Move; Lake Chatuge Marine; Ingle’s, Blairsville and Hiawassee; Hughes General Store; Food Land; and Cook’s Country Kitchen.

Additional event sponsorships are welcome, and necessary! All proceeds benefit S.A.F.E. www.SAFEservices.org. Donations are tax deductible. To make an event donation, call or text 404-664-1328.

The Mission of S.A.F.E. (Support in Abusive Family Emergencies) is to provide support, advocacy, and emergency shelter to victims of domestic abuse, child abuse and sexual abuse, regardless of gender, and to heighten community awareness of such abuse in Towns and Union counties.

Spring Break is here – Karla’s here to help you plan your “Stay-cation”!

Community, Featured

Spring Break 2017 is just around the corner. If you are staying in town and you’re short on ideas of fun things to do with your children during your “stay-cation” have no fear, Karla is here! Today during her segment, Karla tells us about many things to do and places to visit right here in Gilmer County. A list of all the local businesses she discusses in this video and many more can be found by clicking here: Gilmer Chamber

 

https://youtu.be/4zmOFDp5WSY

Fire & Ice Chili Cook-off February 18th 2017!

Featured, Lifestyle

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Light up Blue Ridge ~ November 25th 2016!

Community, Featured

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