Politics

Rabun County Schools announce that after continuous communication with emergency management and government agencies, Rabun County Schools will not be in session (in person nor virtual) for students on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. At the time of this notification, only 50% of our bus routes can operate sufficiently, and 15% of the county remains without power. All employees should report to work if conditions allow. Please contact your principal if you are not able to report. Thank you for your understanding and please watch for further communications regarding school operations for Wednesday. Rabun County Schools will be able to provide both breakfast and lunch for any child 18 or under on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Both meals (for all students) can be picked up at Rabun County Primary School from 10am to 11:30am.

The Clayton City Council recently limited the number of downtown street closures for special events to four a year, explains Clayton Mayor Kurt Cannon. “They decided to make sure that we weren’t hindering any of the business downtown more than necessary so they limited that to four closures a year. Of course, the annual Christmas Parade is one of those and then our big Ramshackle event will be one of those and then we will have two more block parties during the year, but we don’t want to harm any of the businesses in any way. We want to make sure that we are doing events that are helping them and promoting their businesses and then when we’re not doing that we’re not closing the streets anymore.” The Clayton City Council unanimously passed the resolution limiting downtown street closures for special events at their regular monthly meeting on September 17, 2024.

Clayton Mayor Kurt Cannon is praising the efforts of city employees during the recent storm that swept through the city on September 27, 2024. “City Manager Trudy Crunkleton, Police Chief Andy Strait, and the Roads Department were all prepared beforehand. They worked the whole week getting ready for the storm. Then during the storm, they quickly got out and got trees out of the road, the ones they could that weren’t still on power lines, they got those out real quick, and then as soon as Georgia Power got the trees off the power lines, they got those cleaned out as well. They all did a really good job, really quick. Andy had on more officers during the night for the storm just making sure that everybody was safe and we could get out and move around the next morning. They got it done.” Thanks again for all the extra effort that went into protecting the community during and after the storm.

The missed school days associated with the recent storm will not impact Rabun County Schools calendar, says Superintendent Steven Cole. “Any time we have to miss school it is very unfortunate but there are going to be circumstances that arise due to unforeseen events that are going to cause us to miss school from time to time. As far as we are concerned, the State Law in terms of attendance allows four days for each system to miss school related to disasters, acts of God, or other related emergencies. So, as of now, we have missed four days related to the hurricane that came through but two of those days we did count as virtual learning days, so we don’t have to count those in the four that are allowed but we still have the other two, Monday and Tuesday, that we do have to count towards that but one of the things too is we are also a Strategic Waiver System, which means we have some flexibility related to the laws pertaining to attendance. So, if we go to a situation where we move beyond the other two days allotted then we can work through that system to gain some flexibility there in terms of our attendance for the rest of the year. So, that is where we are at right now. Of course, it is a situation like I said we don’t ever want to miss school if we can help it. Instructional time for students is so important and any day they are out they’re losing another day of instruction and even if it is virtual it is not the best situation and then of course we always consider the wrap-around services that our students receive. When they’re not at school of course they’re not getting the breakfast and lunch sometimes that a lot of kids depend on and things like that. So, those are considerations too that really weigh on me when we have to decide on whether to close school or not are the other things that come along with that outside of just the instructional component.” To learn more about Rabun County Schools, visit https://www.rabuncountyschools.org/.

TOCCOA, G.A. (FOX Carolina) - The Toccoa-Stephens County Airport is collecting donations to send to those affected by Helene in Western North Carolina. The airport is partnering with Horizon Dreams Aviations to coordiate an aerial relief drive. Relief flights will be made until donations run out. The following items are...

(Cleveland)- White County Emergency Management reported Monday they are actively monitoring the ongoing Bio Lab fire in Conyers, Ga. which resulted in diminished air quality. A social media post by White County Public Safety said, while there are currently no indications that the air plume will move into White County, we recommend that residents who are sensitive to air quality or have medial conditions that could be aggravated by such events take precautionary measures. These include minimizing outdoor activities, keeping windows closed, and turning off ventilation systems to reduce potential exposure.

Habersham County, in conjunction with Georgia Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) is collecting supplies to be sent to some of the hardest-hit areas of Georgia. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Helene,” said Habersham County Emergency Management Agency/E-911 Director Lynn Smith. “The loss of lives and the devastation are unimaginable, and we extend our deepest sympathies. We are incredibly grateful to the men and women who continue to serve their communities, especially the Communications Officers who are still answering calls despite suffering personal losses.” Georgia APCO is coordinating supply deliveries to some of the 911 centers most affected in Georgia, including those in Augusta-Richmond County, Columbia County (Evans area), Burke County, and others. In Habersham County, donations may be dropped off at the Habersham County Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center, 120 Paul Franklin Road, Clarkesville, or to the Habersham County E-911 Center, 175 EOC Drive (off Chase Road), Cornelia. Collections will take place for about the next two weeks as those affected await power restoration and work to get their lives and homes back in order, and those who live in the cities also are welcome to donate. Donors may feel free to include cards or messages of support for the dispatchers who continue to work despite personal crises. Reminder that no clothes or linens are being accepted.

(Cleveland)- Action by the White County Board of Education Monday night is seen as a major step in upgrading the security in White County Schools. Speaking on Local News Radio WRWH Tuesday morning Dr. Laurie Burkett, Superintendent of Schools and Dr. Jonathan Stribling, Assistant Superintendent share information about what the school system is currently doing, what is in place, and what they are looking to do in the future.

While the United States Postal Service (USPS) prides itself on delivering the mail through all types of conditions, even its distribution centers and carriers can be slowed by nature. The USPS has recently announced service disruptions and delays to many smaller facilities in areas affected by Helene late last week....