SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin-Spalding County Library will be closed to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17. The decision to close the library until further notice was made by the library administration and its Board of Trustees. The Griffin-Spalding County Library averages approximately 450 patrons through the door daily. Library officials say the decision […]
John Hamilton named chief of Griffin Fire-Rescue
STAFF REPORT ::: John Hamilton, a 23-year veteran of Griffin Fire-Rescue, has been promoted to the position of chief. Hamilton has served in all capacities during his service with Griffin Fire-Rescue, beginning as a firefighter and advancing to rescue tech, EMT, hazardous materials technician, rescue tech lieutenant, captain and since 2001, has served as GF-R’s […]
Filed Under: Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Chief, fire service, Griffin, Griffin Fire-Rescue, John Hamilton, promotion, Public Safety, public service, spalding county
Public health state of emergency declared as state’s COVID-19 case count reaches 64
STAFF REPORT ::: Governor Brian Kemp on Saturday signed a public health state of emergency regarding COVID-19, followed by an address to Georgia residents. Kemp’s speech follows in its entirety: “My fellow Georgians: Over the past few weeks, our state has been facing an unprecedented public health threat with the spread of novel coronavirus. In […]
Filed Under: Health, Top Stories Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID-19, declaration, Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp, Griffin, Public Health State of Emergency, spalding county
Governor Kemp to declare Georgia’s first ever public health emergency
STAFF REPORT ::: Governor Brian Kemp has announced his intention to declare a public health emergency beginning Saturday morning. In a statement released Friday afternoon, Kemp stated, “Based on President Trump’s emergency declaration, I will declare a public health emergency for the state of Georgia beginning tomorrow morning. This declaration will greatly assist health and […]
Filed Under: Health, Top Stories Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID-19, declaration, Georgia, Georgia Department of Public Health, Governor Brian Kemp, Griffin, Public Health Emergency, spalding county
Spalding County Superior and State courts release jurors from March 16 trial calendars
STAFF REPORT ::: All jurors for Spalding County Superior and State Court jury trial calendars scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2020, have been released from jury duty for the week. Those jurors are directed not to report to the Spalding County Courthouse. All defendants and attorneys with cases on the March 16, 2020, Superior and […]
Filed Under: Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Clerk of Court Debbie Brooks, criminal trial calendars, Griffin, Judge Christopher Edwards, Judge Josh Thacker, jury duty, spalding county, State Court, Superior Court
Governor: COVID-19 quarantine facility under construction in Monroe County
STAFF REPORT ::: Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Public Health have announced that a COVID-19 quarantine facility is under construction on the Georgia Public Safety Training Center campus in Monroe County. Officials say this area is for persons who test positive for COVID-19 and are unable to self-isolate. This quarantine facility will […]
Filed Under: Health, Top Stories Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID-19, Georgia, Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, Governor Brian Kemp, Griffin, Monroe County, quarantine facility, spalding county
Griffin-Spalding School System announces closure
STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCSS) has announced that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, system offices and schools will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20. In a written statement released to parents and the press, Superintendent James Smith explained this is a precautionary measure and stated, “This […]
Filed Under: Education, Top Stories Tagged With: closure, coronavirus, COVID-19, Griffin, Griffin Spalding County School System, spalding county
Fayette County COVID-19 case count now at five
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: There are now six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the 12-counties served by District 4 of the Georgia Department of Public Health. Those six cases include five in Fayette County and one in Coweta County. The District 4 region includes Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup […]
Filed Under: Health, Top Stories Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID-19, Coweta County, DPH District 4, Fayette County, Georgia Department of Public Health, Griffin, spalding county
WellStar Spalding remains open with screening of all visitors for COVID-19 symptoms
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital is implementing changes in response to concerns regarding COVID-19. All WellStar facilities are open and continue to operate under normal business hours. The measures now being taken are in an “abundance of caution.” They include the assembly of a team of infectious disease and infection prevention specialists […]
Filed Under: Health, Top Stories Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID-19, Griffin, health care, patient care, screening, spalding county, visitors, WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital
NASCAR announces two upcoming races will be held without fans in attendance
STAFF REPORT ::: Officials with NASCAR have announced that upcoming races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway will be held without fans in attendance. “At this time, NASCAR will hold its race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway without fans in attendance. These events will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and […]
Filed Under: Arts and Entertainment, Health, Top Stories Tagged With: Atlanta Motor Speedway, fans, Griffin, NASCAR, race, spalding county
Officials confirm first Georgia COVID-19 death; urge at-risk groups to prepare
STAFF REPORT ::: Officials have confirmed the first COVID-19 death in Georgia. According to a press release from the office of Governor Brian Kemp, the individual was a 67-year-old man who had been hospitalized in WellStar Kennestone Hospital since testing positive on March 7. In addition to the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus, the patient also […]
Filed Under: Health, Top Stories Tagged With: at-risk, coronavirus, COVID-19, fatality, Georgia Department of Public Health, Governor Brian Kemp, Griffin, health and wellness, illness, preparation, spalding county
Georgia reports 31 confirmed, presumed positive COVID-19 cases in 12 counties
STAFF REPORT ::: There are now 31 confirmed and presumed positive cases of COVID-19 in 12 Georgia counties. The Georgia Department of Public Health is awaiting confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on three new presumed positive cases including two Dekalb County residents and one Lowndes County resident. All three are hospitalized […]
Filed Under: Health, Top Stories Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID-19, Georgia, Georgia Department of Public Health, Governor Brian Kemp, Griffin, health and wellness, illness, prevention, spalding county
Two Gordon State College students quarantined after possible exposure to COVID-19
STAFF REPORT ::: Two Gordon State College students may have been exposed to COVID-19 at an off-campus work location. The Georgia Department of Public Health is expediting testing on the students to determine if they have acquired the viral infection. According to a statement from GSC President Kirk A. Nooks, the students are currently quarantined […]
Filed Under: Education, Health, Top Stories Tagged With: Barnesville, coronavirus, COVID-19, Georgia Department of Public Health, Gordon State College, Griffin, health, illness, Lamar County, quarantine, self-monitoring, spalding county, students, testing, Wellness
Gordon State College presents Thornton Wilder’s Our Town
BRITTANY TENNANT ::: Gordon State College Communications Specialist Through the voices of ordinary people in early 20th century America, Our Town is a timeless tale that reveals our societies fundamental struggles. Gordon State College Fine and Performing Arts presents Our Town, a play that was first produced in 1938 and rebelled against the saccharine, showy […]
Department of Public Health awaiting confirmation on new COVID-19 cases
STAFF REPORT ::: Five more Georgia residents have tested positive for COVID-19 in testing conducted by the Department of Public Health Laboratory. Those results are considered presumptive positives and have been forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation. These five latest cases involve one resident each from Charlton and Fulton counties […]
The GRIP 