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Railroad work to cause traffic delays in Habersham, Banks

By
Brian Wellmeier
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A Norfolk Southern freight train runs through a crossing (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Traffic delays in Habersham and Banks counties could be possible in the days ahead.

A contractor with Norfolk Southern railroad company plans to continue work to replace railroad crossings between Suwanee and Baldwin, which could temporarily cause delays for drivers in the area.

As of Monday, Jan. 20, crews will work on the north end of Lula, so crossing closures could potentially impact Habersham County and Banks County residents this week.

Possible closures

In the coming days, the following railroad crossings in Habersham County will be temporarily closed for repairs:

  • Garland White Road
  • Alto Village Road
  • Grant Mill Road
  • Wynn Shoals Road
  • McDaniel Street
  • Apple Pie Ridge Road

Closure Details: Each crossing will be closed for 48 to 72 hours to allow crews to replace crossties, resurface the crossings, and repave the area. These closures are necessary to ensure the safety and quality of the railroad infrastructure.

Access for Emergency Vehicles: During the closure periods, emergency vehicles will continue to have access to the affected areas. Drivers are advised to plan alternate routes and be aware of temporary detours.

Wolf Man

By
Justin Hall
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Wolf Man is another attempt by Universal to reboot one of their classic monsters. The first time was back in 1941 with Lon Chaney Jr., which still remains the definitive Wolf Man movie thanks to its fantastic makeup effects and Chaney’s wonderful performance. That series lasted until 1948.
In 2010, Universal tried again with a remake starring Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins. The movie did a decent job of combining atmosphere with CGI, but it didn’t really leave a lasting impression, even with its Oscar win for Best Makeup.
Now it’s been rebooted once more, and it’s sort of a split decision for me. It does offer a haunting atmosphere, convincing makeup, and good performances from its cast. However, its story leaves a lot to be desired, with dragging scenes and no real effective scares.
This new version stars Christopher Abbott as Blake Lovell, a writer who receives the keys to his childhood home after learning about his father’s death. He wants to take his wife (Julia Garner) and daughter (Matilda Firth) to the remote area surrounded by mountains to work on their marriage and spend time together.
Before they even get there, there’s a legend about a deadly virus in the mountains that causes people to mutate into creatures. It isn’t long after the family gets there when they discover some things going bump in the night. 20 bonus points if you figure it out.
Of course, a werewolf attacks Blake and gives him the curse. After this, it’s up to his wife and daughter to stay away, or they’ll become victims, too.
The movie relies much more on actual prosthetics than hammer us over the head with relentless CGI. I have to credit the makeup that pulls it off in a convincing, impressive fashion. Blake’s transformation is one of the few high points.
I’ll also give credit to the movie’s effort to develop the characters without blasting the screen with endless amounts of blood and gore. However, the movie could’ve done better with more organic thrills rather than giving us something we already expected. We know each time a werewolf will peek out and terrorize the family, so there’s little in the way of suspense.
Plus, we get a backstory for Blake and his father, and we know it will be useful later. The movie has an attempted surprise that is predictably absurd.
Director/co-writer Leigh Whannell did an outstanding job rebooting another Universal monster, The Invisible Man, from 2020. That movie had genuinely suspenseful moments and a psychologically credible story.
It’s a shame he couldn’t replicate the same success with Wolf Man. It’s a movie thriller without any bite.

Grade: C+

(Rated R for bloody, violent content, grisly images, and some language.)

Habersham County Schools closed Jan. 22 due to ‘slippery’ road conditions

By
Joy Purcell
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School administrators checked Habersham County's roads Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 21, and found snow-topped roads on the north end of the county were still slippery. Superintendent Matthew Cooper says some of their vehicles slid as they were out riding the roads. (Habersham County School District)

Habersham County school students’ return to the classroom following an extended snow week and a federal holiday was short-lived. School officials say they’ll be out of school again on Wednesday due to hazardous road conditions.

School superintendent Matthew Cooper issued a statement Tuesday evening, saying snow showers earlier in the day had made roads slippery in some parts of the county.

“We have checked road conditions and have found some roads are snow covered and slippery. Especially in the northern areas,” says Cooper. “We actually slid on some roads while checking.”

Snow-covered roads are expected to stay slick overnight as temperatures plunge to single digits. (Habersham County School District)

With overnight wind chills expected to reach single digits, current road conditions will continue to pose a potential threat. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Habersham County through Wednesday morning.

County schools in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Hart, Oconee, Jackson, and Stephens are also closed on Jan. 22 due to the weather. Clarke, Hall, and Gwinnett students will have an online learning day. That isn’t an option in Habersham, where online learning has not been implemented.

“While students are on another snow day, we recommend parents encourage them to read,” Cooper says. “We believe this is more beneficial than busy work that could be issued in a virtual format.”

SEE ALSO

Northeast Georgia area school closings and delays

Wood heater sparks house fire near Homer

By
Joy Purcell
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Fire broke out inside this house on Hwy. 51 North in Banks County Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 21, 2025. Firefighters were able to contain it to the room where it started and the attic. (Banks County Department of Fire and Emergency Services)

Banks County fire officials say a wood heater may be to blame for a fire that moderately damaged a home east of Homer.

Around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire at 973 Highway 51 North. When they arrived, they found a single-family residence with smoke showing from the rear of the structure, says Banks County Fire Chief Steve Nichols.

Firefighters contained the blazed to the room of origin and attic area. Chief Nichols says the resident was home at the time of the fire, but no one was injured.

Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours to investigate. They could not rule out the home’s wood heater system as the cause of the fire.

Company bidding for old courthouse demo previously investigated by EPA

By
Brian Wellmeier
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Lula Mercantile owner Dave Wilson recalls alleged mishandling of asbestos behind his business on Carter Alley in Lula (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)

A Marietta-based company that could soon receive a bid for the demolition of the old Habersham County courthouse was previously investigated by the EPA for alleged mishandling of asbestos-ridden homes on Carter Alley in Lula.

Asbestos, a carcinogenic mineral that can cause lung cancer and other respiratory diseases when inhaled, is believed to exist throughout the former courthouse building.

Demolition and remediation company Southern Environmental Services offered a bid of between $184,000-190,000 to bring down the former courthouse in downtown Clarkesville. That offer, which still needs to be approved or denied by commissioners, is around $300,000 lower than previous estimates by county officials in years past.

President of Southern Environmental Services Tom Wasson could not be reached for comment.

Carter Alley in Lula (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)

Background

Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division opened an investigation into complaints against Southern Environmental Services in 2023 after accusations the company failed to adhere to proper protocol and EPA regulation throughout the city-approved demolition process of four homes on Carter Alley.

In April of 2023, complaints from residents who live near Carter Alley prompted the city of Lula to issue an initial stop work order. Work on the homes continued a few days later, though Georgia EPD would investigate the allegations in the coming months.

While the EPD vindicated Southern Environmental, the investigation continued under the EPA. EPA hasn’t released the findings of its investigation – which Now Habersham requested under the Freedom of Information Act submitted last week.

Pamela Storm, an environmental engineer with EPA, told Now Habersham in December that the investigation determined the company committed only one violation. With only poor-quality video footage taken by witnesses at the scene, Storm had said it was difficult to determine whether other violations actually occurred.

“We found a violation of a late notification (before work began), but we didn’t take any enforcement action,” Storm said.

Still, this single alleged transgression deviates from statements made by multiple eyewitnesses – residents of Lula who say they saw workers from the company in clear violation of federal and state law.

Lula business owner Dave Wilson gestures the space – now clear for additional parking – where asbestos-ridden homes once stood on Carter Alley (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)

Witnesses

Even now, nearly two years later, Dave Wilson, the owner of Lula Mercantile Vintage Shop, maintains that he witnessed Southern Environmental’s workers allegedly mishandling asbestos without proper protective apparatus. Workers allegedly “broke” asbestos tiles off the structures and threw them in the back of trucks and trailers to be hauled away, according to Wilson. 

Wilson also said a work order provided to him by a supervisor that day stated the siding was 15% friable asbestos. By law, to prevent the potential spread of particles in the air, material containing asbestos should be saturated with water before it’s handled. 

“What I saw was (workers) removing friable asbestos shingles from the outside of the building with no kind of tenting and no water being sprayed on it and nobody wearing proper PPE,” Wilson said. “…I was concerned. It was a dry, breezy day. You could see asbestos in the dust. There were little girls playing in the street in the middle of the dust, and the wind was blowing right over them.”

Another witness, Lula resident Joseph Johnson, said he felt certain he saw more than one alleged violation that day. 

(Wilson) and I both witnessed the company scraping asbestos tile off the side of the house with no protection, no personal protective equipment, no remediation equipment,” Johnson said. “They weren’t wetting it down at all.”

Johnson said he was “surprised” and “concerned” Southern Environmental might be the company that could finally tear down the old courthouse, if approved by commissioners. 

“As citizens, obviously, (we) want the best quality work being done in our communities,” he said. 

Lula Councilwoman Juliette Roberts, who had not been elected at the time of the alleged incident, had a specific message for Habersham County’s elected officials.

“My gut reaction is that this doesn’t sound like a good idea, based on what we witnessed happen in Lula and saw,” she said. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. To know that happened, and to know that it could happen again, that scares me.”

The old Habersham County courthouse was built in 1964. It housed the county’s courts and judicial offices until 2013 and county administrative offices until 2019. The building now sits empty and decaying on a prime piece of real estate in downtown Clarkesville. In 2016, it was appraised at around $1.3 million. (NowHabersham.com)

Local officials react

Habersham County Commission Chairman Ty Akins said that while the allegations are “concerning,” he’s confident the company would abide by regulatory requirements stipulated by the county if demolition were approved.

“If (Southern Environmental) were the one providing that service, that would be right in downtown Clarkesville,” Akins said. “We would expect them to follow any and all EPD and EPA guidelines. It would be hard to get away with, disguise it or get away with it – with what a high-profile building this is…(the county) would have people to go by and inspect the demolition. There’s a lot of concerns about safety they would have to follow.”

If that vote proceeds toward approval, Akins said commissioners could officially mandate the company to follow protocol in accordance with EPD regulation.

Clarkesville City Manager Keith Dickerson said the city also would see that regulations at the state and federal levels are followed.

“The county has an environmental study that was done…so I would expect them to follow the rules, and I guess there should be an inspector over there to make sure they do,” Dickerson said. “That’s how you have to handle it, especially if they have a history of it.”

Habersham County Commission Vice Chair Bruce Harkness said he believes the company should be given the benefit of the doubt without a presumption of guilt. 

“I’ve been told this company is going to take all the safety precautions to ensure everyone is properly protected (if) they demolish the courthouse,” Harkness said. “I hope and pray that maybe that (in Lula) taught them a lesson, if that is true. I’m sure we’re going to require a bond, and I guarantee you – if they don’t perform correctly – we will be making a claim on their bond.”

GOP congressional leaders and Trump stalled on how best to pass big policy package

By
Jennifer Shutt
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U.S. Capitol (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — Republican congressional leaders huddled with President Donald Trump on Tuesday in search of a clear path forward to make sweeping changes to the country’s border security, energy policy and tax code, though they remained stuck on a question they’ve been mulling for weeks.

Republicans secured unified control of government by promising voters they’d pass new laws addressing major policy areas, but aren’t yet aligned over whether to bundle all the various changes together in an omnibus measure, or to pass them in two separate packages.

GOP leaders also still need to determine where far-right members and centrists overlap in dozens of areas, since votes from nearly every Republican in Congress will be necessary to get any bill to Trump’s desk.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said after arriving back at the Capitol that negotiators had yet to reach consensus on how to package their policy proposal. It was Trump’s second day in office and the first gathering of top Republicans at the White House with him.

“Well, I think that discussion is always predicated on what we can get done and we’re obviously all interested in getting to the same destination,” Thune said.

The South Dakota Republican said in addition to working out agreement amongst themselves on reconciliation, GOP leaders need to figure out how to fund the government ahead of a March 14 deadline and how to address the country’s debt limit prior to a default date that’s expected to take place later this year.

Both of those issues will require Republicans to reach agreement with Democrats to avoid a partial government shutdown starting less than 100 days into Trump’s presidency, or a first-ever default on the country’s debt, which would likely trigger a global financial crisis.

“So there’s a lot to do and part of it is just figuring out how to stage it and what’s the best way to get all those results,” Thune said, adding with a bit of a laugh that there are a lot of “great theories” about how to get it all done this year.

“But, you know, it’s always different when you have to translate that into practice,” he said, previewing the complicated and rocky path that accompanies writing campaign promises into law.

Trump said during a press conference at the White House after the meeting that he believed the House, Senate and White House had “pretty much” figured out a strategy.

“I think we have a good situation now,” Trump said.

Tricky process

Republicans are planning to use the complex budget reconciliation process to pass their border security, energy and tax proposals without needing Democratic support to move past the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.

The process requires every part of the package to impact federal revenue or spending in a way that is not deemed “merely incidental” by the Senate parliamentarian.

That could cause some challenges for the committees tasked with drafting various sections of the package in the months ahead, especially on immigration policy, which might not have the price tags that typically go along with the reconciliation process.

Democrats, for example, tried to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour in a coronavirus relief bill they moved through the reconciliation process in 2021. But the Senate parliamentarian ruled its impact on the federal budget was “merely incidental,” leading Democrats to remove that provision from the larger bill.

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, ranking member on the Budget Committee at the time, released a written statement in February 2021 praising the parliamentarian’s ruling on the minimum wage language.

“Very pleased the Senate Parliamentarian has ruled that a minimum wage increase is an inappropriate policy change in reconciliation,” Graham wrote at the time. “This decision reinforces reconciliation cannot be used as a vehicle to pass major legislative change — by either party — on a simple majority vote. This decision will, over time, reinforce the traditions of the Senate.”

Budget resolution

Republicans need to be on the same page about one rather than two reconciliation bills and generally about how to change U.S. law before they can officially begin the reconciliation process.

The House and Senate must vote to approve a budget resolution with reconciliation instructions before they can unlock the reconciliation process. That will require leaders to at least have some outline of what they plan to do, how much they expect it will cost and which committees hold jurisdiction over those policy areas.

House Republican leaders hope to vote on that budget resolution in February, draft the legislation in March, hold a floor vote in that chamber in early April and work out any disagreements with the Senate before late May, at which point they hope to send the entire package to Trump.

Ashley Murray and Ariana Figueroa contributed to this report. 

HabCo Comm. cancels Tuesday work session, commission meeting

By
Jerry Neace
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(Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)

The Habersham County Commission has cancelled its work session and regular commission meeting for Tuesday afternoon.

According Public Information Officer Ashlyn Brady, both meetings were cancelled due to the potential of deteriorating weather conditions this evening.

According to County Clerk Brandalin Carnes, the Board of Commission meeting will be rescheduled for Monday, January 27, at 6 p.m.

Carnes also stated that Kimley-Horn, a consulting firm from Atlanta, had cancelled their presentation that was scheduled for the work session due to weather conditions in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Carnes anticipates that their presentation, Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan, may be rescheduled for February.

 

College Hockey South is preparing for an action-packed playoff in Athens, Georgia

By
Nora Almazan
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Akins Ford Arena, Athens , Georgia

Six teams from the Division 1 and Women’s Division Playoffs have officially secured their spots in the College Hockey South (CHS) post-season tournament, set to take place at Akins Ford Arena from February 7-9, 2025.

Get ready for an exciting weekend filled with top-tier hockey action in both divisions!

Tickets will be available for purchase starting Friday, January 24, at 10:00 a.m.
For the full playoff schedule and to buy tickets, visit AkinsFordArena.com.
The tournament will kick off with the No. 3 through No. 6 seeds battling it out in the quarterfinals on Friday, February 7. The No. 3 seed will face off against the No. 6 seed, while the No. 4 seed meets the No. 5 seed. The semifinal matchups are set for Saturday, February 8, and the championship game and third-place contest will take place on Sunday, February 9.

Here is the current CHS bracket:

Division 1:

No. 1: University of Tennessee
No. 2: University of South Carolina
No. 3: University of Georgia
No. 4: University of Tampa
No. 5: University of Florida
No. 6: To be determined after this weekend’s games
Women’s Division:

No. 1: University of Alabama-WM
No. 2: University of South Florida-WM
No. 3: University of Tampa-WM
No. 4: Auburn University-WM
No. 5: University of Georgia-WM
No. 6: To be determined after this weekend’s games

Don’t miss the thrilling action as the top teams compete for the title!

U.S. Senate Republicans have little to say about Trump pardons of 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants

By
Ashley Murray
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Video entered into evidence during the Jan. 6 Select Committee hearings showed rioters striking Capitol Police with flag poles as they attempted to push their way into the U.S. Capitol. (Jan. 6 Select Committee)

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — Barring a few exceptions, Senate Republicans on Tuesday largely deflected or altogether avoided questions about President Donald Trump’s broad clemency for over 1,500 defendants who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 — including many who beat police officers, smashed windows and trashed offices as lawmakers hid in designated safe areas.

Just hours into his second term Monday, Trump commuted the sentences of 14 felons, including leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

The president granted a “full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.” He also dismissed any pending indictments.

The pardons did not come as a surprise. As Senate Republicans were cheering for Trump on his march to electoral victory, the former and now current president exalted the “hostages” and “patriots” who injured more than 140 law enforcement officers and caused north of $2.8 million in damage to the Capitol, according to the Department of Justice.

Oath Keepers founder and Jan. 6 ringleader Stewart Rhodes told reporters Tuesday that it was “a good day for America.” Rhodes, who was released from federal prison in Cumberland, Maryland, faced an 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy, among other crimes.

But Trump allies had earlier raised questions about releasing some defendants, including Vice President J.D. Vance, who told Fox News on Jan. 12 that “If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned.”

As of early January the government had charged just over 1,580 people for crimes related to the riot, 608 of whom were charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement. Nearly a third of those charged with assaulting officers used a dangerous or deadly weapon, accordingto the Justice Department.

Investigations uncovered that weapons brought onto Capitol grounds included firearms, tasers, chemical sprays; edged weapons, including a sword, axes, hatchets, and knives; and makeshift weapons, including broken office furniture, fencing, bike racks, stolen riot shields, baseball bats, hockey sticks, flagpoles, PVC piping and reinforced knuckle gloves.

States Newsroom asked over 20 Republican senators if they are comfortable with Trump’s clemency orders, and followed up with some of the lawmakers who were willing to speak.

Trump ‘keeps his campaign promises’

Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he wasn’t comfortable with “any that involved an assault on a police officer.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski told a group of journalists that she was “disappointed.”

“I do fear the message that is sent to these great men and women that stood by us,” the Alaska Republican said as she gestured toward the Capitol Police officers posted outside the Senate Republicans’ weekly luncheon.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said there’s a “distinction to be made between providing clemency for individuals who may have been caught up in the crowd that day and did not commit any violent act, versus those who assaulted police officers with their fists, with flag poles, with pepper spray, and destroyed property, broke into the Capitol by breaking windows.”

“I do not believe those individuals warrant clemency,” she said. Collins also released a written statement.

Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who was photographed raising his fist in solidarity with Trump supporters as he exited the Capitol on Jan. 6, said “If you’re asking me if it’s what I would have done, what I’ve said is, is that for folks who committed violence, I wouldn’t commute their sentence or pardon.”

Hawley, who can be seen on security video running for safety during the attack, said the pardons send a signal that Trump “keeps his campaign promises.”

Biden pardons

When States Newsroom asked Sen. Deb Fischer if she was comfortable with the broad pardons, the Nebraska Republican responded, “I’m looking forward to getting some great opportunities and getting good things done.”

In response to a follow-up question on whether she condoned political violence, Fischer, who was on her way into Majority Whip John Barrasso’s office, said, “Ma’am, no one would ever condone political violence.”

As Sen. Markwayne Mullin walked by an entrance to the Senate chamber he greeted and shook the hands of Capitol Police officers posted at the doors.

The Oklahoma Republican refused to talk specifically about the Jan. 6 pardons, saying he didn’t get “near this many questions” about pardons issued by former President Joe Biden in his final hours in office.

“Here’s my thing on pardons, I’m not any more comfortable with Biden releasing and pardoning his whole family too,” Mullin said. “When you all want to cover both, come talk to me.”

States Newsroom reported Monday Biden preemptively pardoned lawmakers who served on the congressional committee to investigate the Capitol attack, as well as police officers who testified before the panel.

He also preemptively pardoned former administration officials who’ve been the target of death threats, as well as five of his family members — roughly a month-and-a-half after he pardoned his son, Hunter. Major news outlets published numerous articles covering Biden’s pardons.

Mullin walked away from a follow-up question highlighting violent acts committed by those who received Trump’s clemency.

Collins similarly said the press “ought to be paying attention” to Biden’s pardons as well, especially the commutation of indigenous activist Leonard Peltier.

Iowa’s Sen. Chuck Grassley, the most senior member of the Senate and the body’s president pro tempore, said, “Hey, everybody’s asked me about J6. None of you guys are asking about the Biden pardons.”

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said “Congress doesn’t have a role to play in pardons” and walked away from further questions on the topic.

No response at all

Many GOP senators did not respond to clearly shouted, and many times repeated, questions from journalists Tuesday afternoon about the pardons.

They included Mike Crapo of Idaho, Barrasso of Wyoming, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, John Curtis of Utah, Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott of South Carolina, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Joni Ernst of Iowa.

Blackburn and Curtis specifically said they don’t speak to reporters in the hallways of Congress.

Some GOP senators said they hadn’t yet seen Trump’s Monday night order.

“I haven’t looked at it yet,” said Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.

When States Newsroom summarized the 334-word proclamation and underscored that it was highly publicized by major news outlets, Scott replied “I haven’t looked at the executive order yet.”

Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said: “I don’t have anything for you.”

“You don’t have anything about people who came here with weapons and beat police officers?” States Newsroom pressed as Kennedy walked away.

Murkowski’s fellow Alaska senator, Dan Sullivan, stopped to speak to reporters about the “grand slam home run” executive order from Trump that expands energy development in his state, but he would not comment on the president’s clemency for Jan. 6 defendants.

“I need to read the order first,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office did not respond to requests for comment. The South Dakota Republican briefly told reporters outside of a committee room, “We’re not looking backwards, we’re looking forward.”

States Newsroom reached out to all members of Senate and House Republican leadership for comment, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, but did not receive any response.

State officials warn rare winter storm in S. Georgia could cause power outages, road hazards

By
Ross Williams
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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp joins state emergency management officials at the State Operation Center for a briefing on the incoming winter storm on Jan. 21, 2025. (Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency/Facebook)

(Georgia Recorder) — More wintery weather is heading to Georgia, and state officials are urging residents to stay off the roads and be prepared in case of power outages.

This time around, south and central parts of the state are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with up to five inches possible from the Florida line up to south metro Atlanta and up to two inches possible farther north.

Frozen precipitation is rare in Georgia, even more so in the southern part of the state, and conditions could be similar to 2014’s “Snowmageddon,” Gov. Brian Kemp said at a news conference Tuesday.

“This could deteriorate very quickly like it did in 2014. That’s what we’re trying to avoid,” he said.

That year, a blizzard paralyzed much of the Atlanta area as icy conditions stranded people at work and in their cars on frozen highways. The day started with dry conditions in metro Atlanta and streets were coated with snow and ice soon after lunchtime.

Just like that time, with both air and ground temperatures close to freezing, any precipitation could melt and instantly refreeze, quickly causing dangerous driving conditions, said Georgia Emergency Management Agency meteorologist Will Lanxton.

“I’d encourage you to stay off the roads this afternoon and evening if at all possible because the temperatures tonight are going to be so cold, anything that sticks today is going to stick around tonight and tomorrow,” he said.

Unlike in 2014, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said crews have been out pre-treating interstates and high-traffic roads across the state, and 448 snow plows are ready to start clearing problem areas.

But McMurry said Georgians in affected areas should hunker down at home as much as possible so crews and first responders can do what they need to do.

“We really need that cooperation so we can do our job once the snow comes in and we have a big territory to cover, and we’ll stay with it until we can finish and make sure it’s safe,” he said. “Just be weather aware and make sure that you’re seeing what’s going on and trying to stay off the roadways so we can do our job.”

GEMA Director Chris Stallings advised Georgians who do not normally experience freezing temperatures that they should keep pipes dripping to avoid having them burst. Georgians should be prepared with blankets or other heat sources in case of a power outage and should be ready to check on elderly loved ones or others who may be vulnerable.

Stallings said one person described as a critical needs patient died of hypothermia Monday night after leaving a facility. No further details were immediately available.

Lanxton expressed optimism that the worst of the ice could melt away quickly, but he said dangerous conditions could last through Thursday.

“We’re going to get a lot of sunshine tomorrow, which hopefully will help to melt and dry what falls, but it’s not going to be very much above freezing, so we could see these impacts lingering through Thursday morning as well,” he said. “This could be a multi-day event. It is a statewide event. We’re not typically used to seeing snowfall amounts like this in middle and south Georgia.”

Stallings said people in affected areas should not make a run on grocery stores and will be OK with a couple days’ worth of supplies.

“Most everything you’ve got in your house right now is fine, you’ll be just fine,” he said.

“It’s more about preparing yourself for the water freezing, your pets being outside, things of that nature,” he added. “Also, preparing your phones. Go ahead and charge those devices should you have a power outage. It’s also important that you’re thinking about a plan should you lose power.”

Georgia Power prepares for another winter storm

By
Staff Report
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(NowHabersham.com)

As another winter storm settles in over Georgia bringing sub-freezing temperatures, Georgia Power reminds customers to prepare for potential power outages and to stay safe during the cold weather.

The company shares resources and reminders with customers on its website, GeorgiaPower.com, and social media channels to help them minimize the effects of the storm on their energy bills and to stay warm.

One of the biggest ways to save energy in the winter is to focus on heating, which uses about half the energy in a typical home, according to Georgia Power. The company recommends changing heating filters once a month or every three months for pleated filters; making sure heating vents and return air registers are not blocked; and checking insulation in attics and walls.

Georgia Power is also preparing for potential power outages from the storm. Crews will be ready to safely and quickly restore power as soon as conditions permit. Customers can stay informed about outages through the company’s Outage Alert service, social media channels, the Outage & Storm Center at GeorgiaPower.com/Storm, and the Georgia Power mobile app.

They can report and check the status of outages through the Outage & Storm Center, as well as find safety tips and update their contact information for outage alerts. Customers may also report outages by calling 888-891-0938.

Georgia DOT continues preparations for winter storm

By
Staff Report
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The Georgia Department of Transportation continues preparation operations ahead of Tuesday's winter storm. (Georgia Department of Transportation)

As a winter storm descends upon Georgia, the Georgia Department of Transportation continues to work to keep roads clear and safe. Since Sunday morning, crews have been treating Georgia interstates, priority state routes, bridges, and overpasses with brine, a mixture of salt and water designed to keep ice from bonding to the road.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 43,000 lane miles had been treated with over 1.7 million gallons of brine. According to GDOT, all interstates and priority state routes had been treated at least one time by early Tuesday morning, with many treated multiple times.

The National Weather Service predicts that central and southern Georgia could start seeing impacts from the storm as early as noon Tuesday. Heavier precipitation is expected to occur south of I-85, but there could be some accumulations north of the interstate.

GDOT crews will continue to monitor and treat roads through Wednesday as the storm moves out of the state. However, temperatures will remain below freezing, which could affect how well the brine works. Additionally, overnight melting and refreeze could create hazardous driving conditions.

“This is an enormous winter weather event, and it’s going to impact parts of the state that don’t often see this kind of weather,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry. “We will continue to be agile and direct our resources where they most need to go.”

GDOT crews will rely on the Road Weather Information System (RWIS) and sensors in the roadway at 57 locations statewide to help predict road conditions such as ice, temperature, precipitation, and wind. RWIS data helps Georgia DOT deploy crews to those trouble spots.

Two express lanes are currently closed: the I-75 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes northwest of metro Atlanta and the I-75 South Metro Express Lanes south of metro Atlanta. Those closures will remain in place until officials determine it is safe to reopen them.

While GDOT can clear roads, they cannot do so effectively if they are filled with vehicles. Motorists are encouraged to limit travel as much as possible and to stay informed of changing weather conditions. If you must be out, exercise extreme caution and give GDOT crews the space they need to work safely.

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