Saturday, February 18, 2023

Department of Public Health Reports Drop In COVID-19 Case Count For Northeast Health District

***Clarke Reports Two Additional Deaths From Disease***

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported that the Northeast Health District added 353 new cases of COVID-19 in the week ending on Feb. 15, based on the Department’s electronic tracking system.

That number of added cases on a week earlier on Feb. 8 had been 400.

Both Oconee County and Clarke County reported a decrease in cases.

Self-Storage Units Proposed Instead Of Business Park At U.S. 441 And New High Shoals Road

***Three Buildings On Site Plan***

In 2015, Halloran Masonry, an Athens construction contractor, told the county it planned to move its corporate offices to one of three lots in a business park it proposed to develop at the southwest corner of U.S. 441 and New High Shoals Road.

Halloran Masonry has changed its plans, and now it wants to build a self-storage facility consisting of up to four interior or external loaded building that could be up to two stories in height.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Dove Creek Elementary School To Receive Largest Number Of Students Through School Choice

***Students Leaving High Shoals, Malcom Bridge Elementary***

One in five of the Oconee County students who requested a different school assignment for next year from the one they were given through redistricting opted to move to Dove Creek Elementary School.

Nearly the same ratio opted not to attend High Shoals Elementary School and not to attend Malcom Bridge Elementary School, as they would have under the new redistricting plan adopted last year by the Oconee County Board of Education.

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Proposal To Freeze Oconee County School Property Taxes Not Well Received At School Board Retreat

***Focus On Fiscal Year 2024 Budget***

About halfway through her hour-long presentation to the Oconee County Board of Education, Oconee County Schools Chief Financial Officer Liz Harlow paused and asked a question.

Harlow had just reviewed the current fiscal year budget and presented a slide showing the calendar for the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget.

“Are there any goals that the Board would like to consider for the FY 24 Budget?” Harlow asked.

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Hard Labor Creek Reservoir Management Board Moves Forward With Water Treatment Plant, Issuing $8.3 Million Design Contract

***Plans For Intake On Apalachee Also Progressing***

The Hard Labor Creek Reservoir Management Board on Monday approved an $8.3 million proposal from Jacobs Engineering Consulting Group Inc. of Atlanta for design of the water treatment plant at the reservoir jointly owned by Oconee and Walton counties.

The Board also agreed to shortlist and request competitive pricing from the three highest ranked firms for engineering design services for the transmission system from the plant to Walton County’s currently existing water distribution system.

Friday, February 10, 2023

COVID-19 Cases In NE Health District Up Slightly; Transmission Rates In District Remain High

***Clarke Reports One Death From Disease***

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported three new confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in the Northeast Health District in its report on Wednesday, including one in Clarke County.

The Department of Public Health reported four confirmed deaths from the disease in the Northeast Health District on Wednesday of last week.

Oconee County Schools Received And Granted Large Number Of School Reassignment Requests Following Redistricting

***All Requests Approved***

Oconee County Schools has received and approved a whopping 379 applications for School Choice, meaning that the student requested and was granted transfer to a different school in the system than the one assigned as a result of redistricting.

Last year, by comparison, Oconee County Schools received 84 applications and seven of those were denied because the applications were made to schools, North Oconee High School and Malcom Bridge Middle School, where no space was available.