Latest Announcements Related to Covid-19…Updated Daily

Out of caution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, several local agencies have announced changes with group activities, including schools, government, organizations, businesses and courts in Toccoa-Stephens County and surrounding area.

Schools

-Stephens County Schools will open August 12th. Teachers are to report July 29th.

-The school nutrition department will continue to provide meals without a break in service into the summer. Any changes to locations or implementation will be provided when necessary.

-Stephens County Head Start is accepting applications for the upcoming school year. Head Start is a free preschool program that serves children who will be 3 or 4 by September 1st. Call 706-886-7675 or visit www.ndo.org.

-North Georgia Technical College announces graduation for spring and summer semester 2020 graduates will be drive-thru ceremony celebrations on Wednesday, Aug. 5, between 9 and 11 a.m. on the Clarkesville campus and 6 to 7 p.m. on the Blairsville campus. For more information visit northgatech.edu.

-Toccoa Falls College President, Dr. Bob Myers encourages new freshman and transfer students and all continuing students that TFC plans to be “back in business” for Fall 2020. TFC Admissions plans to re-open for prospective student visits with safety precautions in place.

Government
-CITY OF TOCCOA -Toccoa City Hall is open to the public. The Doyle Street Community Pool is operating at an increased, limited-capacity. Each employee will wear masks and encourage social distancing at the pool. You do not need to register, but you can call in advance prior to coming to ensure you will have access to the pool. For additional information regarding the Doyle Street Community Pool visit www.Campfirega.org or call706-886-8453.
-All Main Street Toccoa and Ritz Theatre events have resumed  with Covid-19 restrictions.
– The Stephens County Government Building is open.
-Stephens County Convenience Centers will no longer accept recyclables.
-Until further notice, the Bulky Item Disposal for Stephens County residents has been suspended. This service is located on Scenic Dr. at the Public Works office. It does not include the five Convenience Sites.
-The Town of Martin ask water customers to make payments in ways other than entering the City office until further notice.
– The Stephens County Senior Center is open with Covid-19 regulations.
-The Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library is now open. Hours are weekdays from 10A-4P.

Organizations

-The Toccoa VFW is now open Fridays 4-11 P.M., Saturdays 4-12 P.M. with Bingo back on Saturdays-doors open at 11.

-The Stephens County and Currahee Museums are open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10A-3P. Volunteers and staff will observe Covid-19 social distancing. For more information call 706-282-5055.

–WNEG Senior Expo planned for May 28th has been postponed until September 24th.
– The Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter is open to the public.
-The Toccoa Welcome Center is closed to the public until further notice.

Business
-1st Franklin Financial Investment Center lobby is open. The staff will be wearing masks, limiting the number of visitors, and maintaining social distancing.
-The Salvation Army Family Store is open with a reduced schedule of Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10-4:00 each day. Customers are advised that we are limiting the number of persons inside the store at one time and that each customer is asked to sanitize their hands upon entry. Masks are encouraged and if a customer is sick with any symptoms of COVID-19, they are asked not to enter.
It is their desire to accept donations from 11-2 on these days only as donations must be quarantined once accepted, reducing our ability to move donations to the sales floor quickly.
The Salvation Army Service Center at 306 East Franklin Street in Toccoa remains closed to the public although food distribution is available Tuesday and Thursday from 9-12.
-Oconee Federal Savings and Loan-Both Toccoa locations are open with our normal business hours – Lobby: 9 – 4:00 Monday through Thursday, 9:00 – 5:30 Friday; Drive Thru opens at 8:30 daily. They are requesting that customers still use our drive-thru lanes, if at all possible. If it is necessary for you to physically come in the bank, please call 706-886-2111 to schedule an appointment. The night deposit is available for any documents or deposits that need to be made after hours. They also encourage customers to take full advantage of our online and mobile banking services.
-North Georgia Credit Union is open for drive-thru only at all locations until further notice. Hours of service from 8:30am–5:00pm on Monday – Friday, and will continue to be open from 9:00am – 12:00pm on Saturdays. In-person visits will be made by appointments only.
-Physical Therapy Specialists and Balance Center is open. Patients are asked to remain in their vehicles until their appointment time. Patients and employees are having their temperatures read prior to treatment. They are also providing care through Telehealth.
-Tru Vista has provided field staff with single use gloves, hand sanitizer and wipes, with instruction to use frequently and with every property, home or business visit. The Toccoa office is closed, but payments may be dropped off at the payment box or mail slot. Call 1-800-768-1212 with any questions.
-Picture of Life Personal Care Home-no visitors until further notice. Residents can be reached by phone.
-Hart EMC drive-thru windows ARE OPEN, and the call center is staffed. Any questions you have can be answered by calling 1-800-241-4109. Drive-thru windows are open Monday – Friday from 7 am until 7 pm for your convenience.
-Northeast Georgia Housing Authority offices closed to the public. Please call 706-886-9455 if you need information.

Georgia Courts:
Chief Superior Court Judge Russell W. Smith and Superior Court Judge B. Chan Caudell have issued a Declaration/Standing Order providing that during the period of emergency, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge, all court proceedings will be held online.
Attorneys and parties will be sent an email with a link to access their hearing. Members of the public who would like to attend a hearing may contact the office of the clerk of court for the county in which the case is scheduled to be heard. The Clerk will provide a link which can be used to access the hearing remotely from any laptop or smartphone. Laptop
computers are available at each courthouse for use by the parties or their witnesses who do not have other access to a laptop or smartphone. Litigants should direct any questions regarding a particular case to their attorneys. Any general questions or concerns may be directed to Chief
Judge Russell W. Smith by email to [email protected] or at his office at (706) 886-7525.
I. APPLICABLE TO ALL COURTS
The provisions of this order shall be applicable to all Superior, State, Juvenile,
Magistrate, Probate and Municipal courts in the Mountain Judicial Circuit.
WNEG News will continue to update this page as more announcements become available.