UPDATED DAILY… COVID-19 RELATED ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 INFO:
May 4th: Will begin the final week for new assignments/material.
May 8th: All students work is due.
Principals will provide a drop of schedule for instructional materials similar to previous weeks.
May 11th- May 22nd: Remediation and optional enrichment. If your student is struggling please reach out to your school principal. They will arrange help for them. During this period school staff will continue to work on remediation planning to support our students moving forward.
July 16th: On-site Pre-K-KG registration will be held at Big A Elementary. Online registration is also currently available. Please see: www.stephenscountyschools.org.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What should students who still have personal items inside school buildings do?
A detailed schedule and procedure for pick-up of materials and other belongings will be provided once the Governor’s Executive Order for shelter-in place is lifted. Personal items may include yearbooks, student desk/locker contents, etc.
If you received any school materials required to be returned, what should we do?
A detailed schedule and procedure for returning school materials will be provided once the Governor’s Executive Order for shelter-in place is lifted. This includes required returned materials beyond classroom assignments.
Will high school graduation still take place?
We are committed to honoring our students, particularly those in the Class of 2020 who have been impacted by the current circumstances. Graduation is tentatively planned for May 22nd. During the first week of May we will start looking at guidance from the DPH and the state to determine if May 22nd is still an option. July 17th and October 16th are potential alternative graduation dates.
Will lunches still be delivered?
Yes, 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.
Will we still get report cards? Yes, each school will develop a plan for report card distribution.

– North Georgia Technical College announces that exclusive online instruction will be extended through the end of the spring semester and that the college’s originally scheduled graduation will be postponed to a later date to be determined.
The end of the term, originally scheduled for April 30 has been extended one week to May 7 for programs needing additional time to complete requirements. Students with questions regarding their particular class timeline and situation are encouraged to email and discuss with their individual instructors. Students are asked to check their student email daily.

-Toccoa Falls College has an online format for all students until further notice.
Government
– The Stephens County Government Building will be closed to walk-in traffic. You can enter by appointment only.
-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.
-Toccoa City Hall and the Toccoa Police Department Offices will be closed to walk-in traffic until further notice. Appointments can be arranged by calling 706-886-8451. City of Toccoa Utility customers are asked to make payments by mail or the drive-thru open weekdays from 1-5 P.M.
-The Historic Stephens County Courthouse has limited access to the public until further notice.
-All Main Street Toccoa and Ritz Theatre events have been canceled for May.
-The Town of Martin ask water customers to make payments in ways other than entering the City office until further notice.
-Stephens County Recreation Department Sporting Events and Senior Center Group Activities are canceled until further notice.
-The Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library is closed until further notice.
Organizations

-World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series officials, together with track officials and in accordance with mass gathering restrictions from local and state authorities surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, are postponing the event at Lavonia Speedway scheduled for May 8th. Fans with tickets to these events should hold onto them for the rescheduled event date. For more on Lavonia Speedway, go to LavoniaSpeedway.com.

-Toccoa Symphony Orchestra has canceled the Spring Concert for May 3rd.
– To comply with the governors “Shelter in Place” order the Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter is suspending animal adoptions and scheduling for low-cost spay neuter services. The shelter will remain closed to the public until further notice.
-The Toccoa Rotary Club has canceled meetings through May.  -During the month of April, in an attempt to protect volunteers, staff and patients, OPEN ARMS CLINIC  will have altered hours and functions. All appointments are cancelled.  If you are a patient and experiencing a medical issue or have a question, please call 706-491-8639 and speak with a nurse. Hours to Order or pick up medication are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 P.M.- 5 P.M. only.
-The Stephens County Historical Society and Currahee Military Museum will be canceling the monthly Veteran’s Coffee for the month of May. The museums will be closed until further notice.
-The Toccoa VFW is closed until further notice.
-The Toccoa Welcome Center is closed to the public until further notice.
-The Toccoa Little League all play and practices have been suspended until further notice.
-The Toccoa Lions Club will be doing video conference calls for the near future due to general health concerns.
-Neighbors 4 Neighbors food pantry closed until further notice.
-Oconee County (SC) Libraries are closed and no book sales in April.

Business

-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.
-Van Minos Insurance-closed to walk-in traffic, but there to take calls and take care of your insurance needs at 706-886-7517.
-Bulldog’s Xpress Car Wash-Wash through “The Falls” and Oil Change only.
-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.
-Addison Agency is closed to walk in traffic, but there to take calls and post payments over the phone. Call 706 886-1247 with questions.
-X-Factor Grill is carry-out or curbside only.
-Shirley’s Sole Food is carry-out only.
-1st Franklin Financial Investment Center lobby closed to all walk-in traffic. They encourage investors to use the drive-thru window and call with questions.
-Oconee Federal Savings and Loan is temporarily closing the Doyle Street branch and limiting the Big A Road branch lobby to “appointment only service”. Drive-through lanes will be open during normal business hours.
-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.

-The Wright Credit Union is “ drive-thru” only until further notice
-Northeast Georgia Housing Authority offices closed to the public. Please call 706-886-9455 if you need information.
-Salvation Army Family Store is closed until further notice.
-Ping’s Grill and The Links at Lake Toccoa will be closed until further notice.
Georgia Courts:

Following the Shelter in Place Order issued by the Governor and in recognition of the fact that there are confirmed cases of Coronavirus (Covid-19) in each of the Mountain Judicial Circuit
Counties of Habersham, Rabun and Stephens, 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.