About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (March 4, 2020)
8A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com Wednesday, March 4,2020 What Dawson County Schools are doing to prepare for virus By Jessica Taylor jtaylor@dawsonnews.com Dawson County Schools released a statement to students and parents Friday afternoon about the ways in which the school system is preparing itself for the potential of a Coronavirus outbreak. Though there are no confirmed cases in Dawson County at this time, offi cials with Dawson County Schools say they are working with local and state health to prepare for a possible out break of the virus. “Our Safe Schools Coordinator has already been involved in local meetings with our local Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services Department and state-level meetings to prepare for any needed actions,” Hershel Bennett, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Operations said in the release. “We have also been in commu nication with the Department of Public Health and the State Board of Education.” Based on information released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) concerning the Coronavirus, Dawson County School officials say they plan to keep students safe by pro viding healthy school environments. According to the release, the school system has purchased and utilized a Victory Handheld Electrostatic Spray System which uses a disinfectant spray, combined with an electromagnetic charge to prevent the spread of germs and viruses in the schools and on buses. School staff have already attend ed training sessions on how to use the new spray system. School nursing staff will provide detailed information to principals and district staff on the number of students they see each week, and why. Should a confirmed case of Coronavirus occur, the school community will be immedi ately informed, the release says. In the event of a school closing, the school system will utilize online learn ing days to provide instruction and sup port for students. “Dawson County Schools will take all necessary actions to keep schools open and operating while providing a clean and safe environment,” Bennett said. “While the full impact of an out break cannot be predicted, planning for teaching and learning to continue will lessen the impact on our students, staff, facilities, and mission. The health and safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.” The school system also stated that the common cold and flu viruses are still active during these last few winter months, recommending everyone stay healthy through frequent hand washing, symptom awareness and avoiding con tamination of public spaces when ill. Photo courtesy CDC FROM 1A COVID-19 respiratory problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and smokers may be at a more serious risk to the virus, he said. “It’s deadly because humans have not ever seen this virus before, so you’re being exposed to a virus that you’ve never had a chance to build up anti-bodies to it, or anything similar to it,” Anderson said. Much like the common cold or flu, Anderson said that COVID-19 is spread person to person through close contact, respiratory droplets from coughs or sneez es or from contact with infected surfaces or objects, and therefore can be fought in a very similar way. Handwashing, sanitizer, caution around public spaces and public use facilities, and avoiding handshakes, and touching the face or eyes, would all be effective ways of preventing the virus’s spread, Anderson said. People should also stay home if they feel sick, cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, stay hydrated and get vaccinated for the flu, Anderson said. “Do all those things that your mom told you to do to stay healthy,” he said. “At this stage, we should have a heightened aware ness that the virus is out there.” Update from the Gold Dome After committing last week to Appropriations subcommittee meetings, the Senate returned to its usual cycle of business convening in the Senate Chamber and holding meetings for our various other committees. This week was a productive one, with eight bills receiving passage in the Senate and important progress being made on the budget and other legislative priorities. In the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, we heard an update from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs on the progress of Senate Bill 2. SB 2 passed during the 2019 session and was subsequently signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp. The legislation enabled Georgia’s Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) to provide internet services and broadband to their customers directly, or indirectly, through a broadband affiliate. We have witnessed great success as result of this, especially in the rural parts of the state. Importantly, we received a progress report on a mapping project to clearly identify where Georgia’s broadband deserts are, so we can more efficiently allocate resources to expand access. In the Senate Transportation Committee, I presented Senate Bill 371, which would create the Georgia Freight Railroad Program under the Georgia Department of Transportation. One of the key lessons we learned over the interim, as part of the Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics, was the importance of railways in trans porting freight across the state. The Georgia Freight Railroad Program would finance rail enhancement proj ects, including the acquisition or leasing of rail track. By placing a stronger emphasis on rail, we can reduce some of the traffic congestion on our roadways, while at the same time expanding our capabilities to move goods throughout the state. The establishment of this pro gram will signal Georgia’s commitment to enhancing economic capabilities throughout the state. Friday, the Senate passed a bill in support of Georgia’s children in foster care. Senate Bill 335 would open the door for more children to find a loving, stable home by reducing some of the mandated training requirements for prospective foster par ents, adding certain data collection and tracking procedures for the Clerk of the Juvenile Court and would allow the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services to contract with more child placing agencies to increase the options a child has to find a home. Every child deserves a supportive home and this bill streamlines the process for foster parents to connect with Georgia’s children in need. Next week’s schedule looks even bus ier than this one, with five legislative days on the calendar. In addition, the Senate will likely take action on the amended budget for the 2020 Fiscal Year, which recently received passage from the House. With only 24 legislative days remaining, the time we have as leg islators to pass and debate bills and res olutions continues to diminish. In the days we have left, we will do all we can to promote policies that put the people of Georgia first. If there’s anything I can do for you, or if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my office. Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Majority Caucus. He repre sents the 51st Senate District, which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties, and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov. Steve Gooch State Senator Athens business owner Andrew Clyde to run for 9th District in U.S. House By Megan Reed DCN Regional Staff Andrew Clyde, owner of an Athens firearm business, is running for Georgia’s 9th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Clyde, a Republican, is a U.S. Navy veteran and “is running on a platform of limiting government and expanding individual free doms,” according to his campaign announcement. Clyde was hit by civil asset for feiture in 2013, when the Internal Revenue Service confiscated about $940,000 from his gun shop, Clyde Armory. Federal agents ulti mately found no issues and returned $900,000 to Clyde. The experience inspired Clyde to go to Washington D.C. to advocate for civil asset forfeiture reform. Clyde had been accused of “structuring,” or setting up bank deposits in order to avoid reporting to the IRS. The RESPECT Act, signed by President Donald Trump in 2019, changed IRS rules to only allow forfeiture for “structuring” if the money comes from an illegal source or is used to hide illegal activity. Prosecutors are now required to demonstrate probable cause that the seized money was somehow used illegally. “I never intended to run for public office, but this experience showed me there is a very thin line between ‘We the People’ running our government and our government running us,” Clyde said in a statement. “This is the fight of our lifetime, and I won’t back down.” Clyde’s Navy career began when he earned his commission as an officer from the University of Notre Dame. He served in the Navy for 28 years, including three combat deployments to Kuwait and Iraq. He earned a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy Commendation Medals and a Navy Achievement Medal, among other awards. After his Navy service, he settled in Athens and earned a master’s degree from the University of Georgia in corporate finance and entrepreneurship. He opened Clyde Armory in 1991, and the business also has a second location in Warner Robins. Clyde and his wife Jennifer live in Jackson County and attend Prince Avenue Baptist Church. Clyde Dawson County man charged with false imprisonment and aggravated sodomy By Alexander Popp apopp@dawsonnews.com Dawson County authorities say that a local man was arrested in February on charges of false imprisonment and aggravated sodomy, following a domestic incident which allegedly occurred at a residence off Hwy. 53 in west Dawson County. Bryan Keith Martin, 44, of Dawsonville, was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 and charged with battery family violence, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment and interference with a 911 call. According to a Dawson County Sheriff’s Office incident report, late on Feb. 17 deputies responded to a resi dence on Hobert Styles Road to investi gate reports of suicidal threats and miss ing persons. Warrants filed for Martin allege that between approxi mately 2 and 9 a.m. on Feb. 17, the 44-year-old physically pre vented a female victim from get ting to her phone to call 911 during a domestic violence inci dent, during which he allegedly pulled the victim out of her bed, forced a sexual act upon her, and prevented her from fleeing the residence. Following an investigation at the resi dence, Martin was taken into custody by local deputies and taken to the Dawson County Jail where he is being held without bond. Martin K 6/ ° (The fflimts MARCH 21, 2020 7:30 PM The Venue at Friendship Springs Purchase your Tickets at: gainesvilletimes.com/michaelcombs
