Stephens County urges FCC to use similar judgement as La Plata County, CO in Orphan County ruling

Stephens County continues its fight for a market modification through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

During the recent Stephens County Board of Commissioners meeting, Chairman Dean Scarborough presented an update on Stephens County’s request to lift its Orphan County Status.

In a joint effort, the Chairmen from Stephens, Franklin, Hart, and Elbert counties signed a letter addressed to the FCC requesting them to uphold the Memorandum and Orders granting each County a satellite tv market modification.

Scarborough pointed out, the letter is requesting that the FCC make the same decision that was made to allow La Plata County, Colorado’s market modification.

The FCC approved Stephens County’s initial request to lift its Orphan County Status in April; however, the Carolina Stations filed an appeal against Stephens County’s application causing the process to be held up.

Stephens, Franklin, Hart and Elbert counties are all considered orphan counties because their citizens with satellite service are not receiving Georgia local news, weather, or sports from their home state TV stations.

In their initial approval, the FCC said Stephens County’s requested market modification was a close call, but it is concluded that in such close-call cases, “the outcome that best serves the intent of Congress…is to provide the petitioning orphan county with the access to the in-state programming it is requesting.”

At this time, it is uncertain when or if Stephens County residents will gain access to the Atlanta stations.

WNEG News will continue to follow this story and bring you additional details as they become available.