According to a report, Georgia ranks 19th in the country in terms of states for government transparency. The study from the Sunshine Review gave Georgia an overall ‘B’ for transparency. The rankings were compiled based on the availability of information on government websites.
The Department of Health and Human Services` Impact Evaluation Report for Head Start study found that the $8 billion program is producing few measurable benefits.
The study found that by the third grade, effects of the Head Start program all but completely disappear.
Many facets of school safety, emergency procedures and parental concerns were discussed at the Community and Schools Safety Summit that was hosted in the Model High School auditorium on Thursday night, but one thing was reiterated by officials: an emergency can happen anytime, anywhere.
Anna Lumpkin, regional school safety coordinator for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, said the Sandy Hook school shootings are forever ingrained in minds across the world, but acts of violence are unpredictable, regardless of any amount of preparation.
These incidents have “happened before, and they’re going to happen again,” she said. “And most often, we’ve planned for what’s just occurred.”
Lumpkin said, currently, schools across the state are likely looking at their weather emergency drill strategies, after a tornado tore through Adairsville on Wednesday.
Lumpkin also said that, while many attribute school shooting to bullying issues, school shooters aren’t always going to be the ones that were bullied. However, bullying prevention in schools is important.
She also encouraged parents to update their student’s records if a parent contact number changes, in order for the school to be able to contact them in case they’re needed.
She said when things occur at our schools, we have to make sure we’re getting that information from a credible source, adding that impulsive Facebook posting or Tweeting or the like can cause misinformation and unnecessary panic.
Jerry Jennings, a Berry College professor and licensed psychologist, said that, from a mental health standpoint, counseling services, bullying prevention strategies and crisis interventions are being exercised actively at Floyd County Schools. He also said when he’s asked students if they felt safe in their school environments, the answer was unanimously yes.
However, Jennings stressed that arming teachers and increasing school security to the maximum level so that parents felt better about their children’s safety would spark fear and anxiety in the students.
Scotty Hancock, director of the Floyd County Emergency Management Agency, said a school system-wide test of the communication radio emergency buttons worked exceptionally well on Thursday and emphasized that the radios would be tested about every month to ensure they work in case of any crisis.
The deadline to register to attend the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce is Monday. The luncheon is set for noon Tuesday at the Civic Center. The luncheon is sponsored by Redmond Regional Medical Center. To register and pay the $10 luncheon fee go online to info@chattoogachamber.org and click on the chamber/luncheon tab. For more information call 706-857-4033.
Lafayette police arrested a man who is accused of shooting a killing his neighbor's dog last Friday. Christopher Lee Jones is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and firing a gun on a public street. The aggravated cruelty charge is a felony. The dog's owner reportedly returned home to find his small, mixed-breed dog, dead in the yard. His next door neighbor, 43-year-old Jones, complained that the dog's owner had been away, and while he was gone, the animal came into his yard and caused some damage.
The annual Chickamauga Civil War Show returns to the Trade Center in Dalton today and Sunday. There will be vendors, history talks and historic music, plus an authentic Civil War cannon on display. In addition to Civil War memorabilia, items from the Spanish-American War, Word Wars 1 and 2 will also be featured.
The Walker County Fire Department is in need of volunteer firefighters and training begins in February. Volunteers get a cash bonus each Christmas, starting at around $500. They can also qualify for a state pension, if they put in enough years of service. The department is currently operating with 98 volunteers, down from 180 a decade ago. For more information call the Emergency Services Headquarters at 706-539-1255.
State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Friday that the Georgia Department of Labor will provide assistance to workers who are out of work as a result of the tornado that struck Adairsville Wednesday.
Butler said the GDOL’s Cartersville Career Center will establish and staff two temporary assistance centers in Adairsville where employment-related services will be provided to victims of the storm. They will be able to file claims for unemployment insurance benefits and, if necessary, get assistance in searching for a new job.
Employees of the Daiki Corporation, which was heavily damaged by the tornado, will be served at a temporary center in the North Pointe Church at 30 Orchard Rd. The temporary center will be open Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 9 a.m-12 noon and 1-3 p.m. Company officials say about 80 employees will be out of work while the plant is rebuilt, which is expected to take a minimum of six months.
A second temporary assistance center will be set up to assist all others whose work has been affected by the storm. It will be at the United Community Bank at 7400 Hwy. 140 N.W. It will be open on Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 5 and 7, and again on Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 12, and 14. The hours of operation will be 9 a.m-12 noon and 1-4 p.m.
The Cartersville Career Center is located at 19 Felton Place, Cartersville. The telephone number for people who may need additional information is (770) 387-3760.
Gordon County emergency officials indicated Thursday that approximately 500 buildings were damaged by Wednesday’s tornado, an estimated 400 of those were single-family homes.
The tornado touched down in the area of the Farmville and Sonoraville communities, according to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
It reportedly passed within 50 yards of Sonoraville High School on Wednesday. Gordon County schools were closed Thursday and Friday.
Sonoraville High School has become the unofficial donation hub in the community.
The Gordon County Chamber of Commerce donated food from its annual banquet to those who lost their homes.
At 10 p.m. Friday North Georgia EMC crews replaced the last pole and all power was restored to it's customers impacted by Wednesday's tornado in Gordon County.
Berry College accounting students will offer free tax assistance beginning Friday, Feb. 8 to families and individuals with moderate levels of income.
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is designed by the IRS to assist families to complete their annual tax returns free of charge. This marks the fourth year that Berry has offered the student-operated program. Through VITA, students acquire firsthand experience with tax preparation and client relationships in addition to continuously researching and getting familiar with changing tax laws.
To make an appointment, please email freetaxes@berry.edu or call (706) 236-2233. Hours of operation are Fridays from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11a.m.- 4 p.m. in the Campbell School of Business, Room 109.