NORTHEAST GEORGIA – The following information covers the COVID-19 cases in District 2 of the Department of Public Health in Georgia. Banks Cases (last 2 weeks): 209 Cases Per 100k (last 2 weeks): 1,046 Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 24.1% Vaccines Administered: 10,316 One Dose: 5,735 (31% of residents) Fully: 4,853 (26% of residents) […]
Read More »September 11 memorial service planned in Union County
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001. It remains the worst terror attack on United States soil as well as the deadliest single-day incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers. On September 11, 2001, a series of four attacks were executed by al-Quaeda. Two planes hit the Twin Towers of […]
Read More »Free COVID-19 test site open in Blairsville
UNION COUNTY – District 2 Public Health is partnering with LTS to provide FREE COVID-19 drive-thru testing at the Union General Hospital in Blairsville. The health department assisted in opening the location to alleviate some of the stress on the hospital. LTS medical professionals will be conducting the onsite tests. If an individual needs a […]
Read More »Union County accepting rollback for 2021 millage rate
BLAIRSVILLE, GA – The 2021 millage rate will be dropping to 6.024 mills from last year’s 7.187 mills in Union County. “The State Computation form indicates this is a 0.00% tax increase. The rollback rate is set by the State of Georgia using the county’s net digest number,” the county notice stated. Union County recently […]
Read More »Hall County Health Department providing vaccines on Labor Day
HALL COUNTY – Labor Day weekend will look a little different this year due to an increased need to be vaccinated due to the Delta surge. Hall County Health Department will be working on Labor Day to vaccinate the community. On Friday, September 3, Governor Kemp is providing paid time off for state employees to […]
Read More »COVID-19 testing event at Union County Farmers Market
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The Union County Farmers Market is the location for a COVID-19 testing event from August 29 through September 2. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University have partnered together for the research event. They will be testing people of all ages every day this week, Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. […]
Read More »UCS trying to find best way forward against COVID-19
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County parents will have the choice of keeping their child at home for the next month as COVID-19 continues to spike in the community. Last Friday, Union County Primary School was forced to close for the week because too many teachers were out due to COVID-19. The numbers in all schools […]
Read More »Incumbents only qualify for city council and mayoral races
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Only the incumbents qualified for the 2021 Blairsville municipal elections, so the three will retain their seats come November. Councilmembers Robert “Buddy Moore” and Tony Dyer and Mayor Jim Conley will serve another four-year term from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2025. Conley’s served as Blairsville’s Mayor since 2006. He previously […]
Read More »Special election for TSPLOST referendum proceeds forward
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales and Use Tax) will appear on the ballot this November. At the August County Meeting, Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris approved Resolution (R-2021-09) requesting the calling of an election to impose one percent TSPLOST within Union County. TSPLOST would raise the total sales tax from 7 […]
Read More »Union County issues five substance abuse grants to local non-profits
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Five substance abuse and mental health non-profits received grant funding from Union County. The funds come from a portion of the alcohol license fees. In 2010, $50,000 was set aside in alcohol licensing fees to give back to the community for the purpose of combatting local substance and alcohol abuse. “Roughly half […]
Read More »COVID-19 cases among children in Union County
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – As the Delta Variant spreads in Union County and Georgia, confirmed cases in children continue to outpace previous COVID-19 strains. On August 12, Union County reported a total of 245 confirmed cases in the 0 to 22 age group. One week later, the Department of Public Health recorded 21 new cases for […]
Read More »Masks again required in Towns and Union Courthouses
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Enotah Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Raymond George issued a mask requirement for all visiting the courthouses in Union, Towns, White, and Lumpkin Counties. The mandate will be in place at least until the Delta Variant wave of COVID-19 abates in the area. The order begins on Monday, August 23, 2021. All who […]
Read More »Union County Primary must close due to Covid-19 outbreak
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Primary School will close its building for a week beginning August 23 due to a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases. A letter from Principal Shane Womack outlined the current situation among staff and students. “We currently have 20.18 percent (22) staff absent, 3.18 percent (24) student positives, and 11.85 percent […]
Read More »Georgia sending more state-supported staff to help hospitals
ATLANTA – Governor Brian Kemp announced the state will increase the total number of supported staff in hospitals to 2,800 from the original 1,300. Across the state, hospitals told the governor’s office that they needed more staff to treat the influx of COVID-19 patients as well as other patients. Through October 2021, Georgia had committed […]
Read More »COVID-19 Data Health Department District 2 Update
HALL COUNTY – Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, and the need to increase public awareness about the health of our counties, District Two Public Health will provide weekly updates to the public about COVID-19 vaccinations, hospitalizations and deaths. District Two encompasses 13 counties in the north and northeast part of Georgia. These […]
Read More »Former Georgia Representative Carlton Colwell passes away
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Former Representative and immensely influential citizen Carlton Colwell passed away on August 9, 2021. The 95-year-old was born in Blairsville, Ga and served in the Georgia House of Representatives for District 4 from 1964 to 1991. He served as the chairman of the State Institution and Property Committee, which oversaw the prison […]
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