Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
State & National August 7, 2017
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Ines Owens, Director
Elisabeth Fletcher, Communications Specialist
[email protected]
404.656.0028
Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
ATLANTA (August 7, 2017) | Sen. David Lucas (D – Macon) will hold a two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting to discuss broadband, healthcare, telecommunications and developing tourism TOMORROW from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and WEDNESDAY from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The meeting will be held at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
WHO: Sen. David Lucas and Rural Georgia Study Committee Members
WHAT: Two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, August 8, 2017
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE: University of North Georgia
Continuing Education Center in Dahlonega
25 Schultz Avenue
Dahlonega, GA 30597
Sen. David Lucas, Sr. represents the 26th Senate District, which includes portions of Bibb, Houston and Jones Counties and all of Hancock, Twiggs, Washington and Wilkinson Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.5035 or by email at[email protected].
Meeting the Unique Mental Health Needs of Veterans
Health July 7, 2017
By Melanie Dallas, LPC
The statistics were shocking. A 2014 study by the Veterans Administration (VA) found that 22 veterans were taking their own lives each day in the U.S. A follow-up study published last year found that although suicides among veterans were decreasing, there was still an average of 20 veteran suicides each day. The latter study also found that while veterans accounted for only 8.5 percent of the U.S. adult population in 2014, they accounted for 18 percent of all deaths by suicide.
While it can be easy to assume veterans’ experiences in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – in which thousands of young adults experienced physical and psychological injuries – were driving these tragic numbers, it is more complicated than that. In fact, the 2016 report found the majority of veterans dying by suicide – 65 percent – were aged 50 and older. The VA concluded the overall risk for suicide among veterans was 21 percent higher than for civilian adults.
Psychologists have long known that mental health disorders, including major depression and other mood disorders, are associated with an increased risk of suicide. And although not everyone that attempts suicide has mental illness, the vast majority – by some estimates, 90 percent – of individuals that complete suicide suffer from a mental health disorder.
There may be several conclusions that can be drawn from these reports, but a primary one is that many veterans are in need of mental and other behavioral health services. In addition, it would seem, many veterans are not receiving the services they need to successfully deal with the psychological effects of their military service – whatever those may be and however they occurred.
As the number of veterans in need of mental health services – and healthcare services in general – surged with the wars in the Middle East, the Veterans Administration found itself overwhelmed. In order to help meet the needs of these and other veterans, the VA began partnering with local healthcare providers.
In Georgia, the Atlanta VA Medical Center partners with Highland Rivers Health to provide behavioral health services for veterans – and Highland Rivers has become one of the largest providers of these services to veterans in the state.
As a VA partner, Highland Rivers is able to provide services to veterans who have VA healthcare benefits. But all of our services are available to veterans, even those that do not have VA benefits or are uninsured.
Highland Rivers has worked to tailor our services to the unique needs of veterans as well, and several of our therapists are STAR-certified behavioral health providers (meaning they have completed intensive training developed by the Center for Deployment Psychology to meet the deployment-related psychological needs of veterans and their families).
Currently, Highland Rivers provides a variety of services specifically for veterans, including outpatient counseling for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), prolonged exposure and military sexual abuse. We also offer PTSD and veteran peer support groups, so veterans can learn from others who have had similar experiences and can relate to their challenges.
In addition, Highland Rivers provides crisis intervention and stabilization, veteran-specific supportive housing assistance, supported employment, substance use treatment and community support services, among other programs.
Although there is no easy solution to the problem of veteran suicide, it is critical that veterans receive the mental health treatment services they need to help them recover from trauma, depression, mood disorders or substance use disorders associated with their service.
Highland Rivers believes that recovery is always possible and that no veteran should feel the only choice is to end his or her life. Highland Rivers is close by and ready to help. For an appointment, call us at (800) 729-5700 or speak with your VA case manager about receiving services from Highland Rivers Health.
Melanie Dallas is a licensed professional counselor and CEO of Highland Rivers Health, which provides treatment and recovery services for individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities in a 12-county region of northwest Georgia that includes Bartow, Cherokee, Floyd, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk and Whitfield counties.
Lt. Governor Cagle to Host Health Care Reform Task Force Meeting
State & National June 30, 2017
ATLANTA, June 30, 2017 – Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, along with Sens. Renee Unterman, Dean Burke, Chuck Hufstetler, Ben Watson, Kay Kirkpatrick, Jack Hill and Doc Rhett, will hold a meeting of Georgia’s Health Care Reform Task Force at Tift Regional Medical Center on MONDAY, July 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Members will discuss innovative reforms to advance Georgia as a national leader in delivering patient-centered health care.
The Task Force will be hear presentations from representatives of Tift Regional Medical Center, Emory University, and Dr. Keith J. Mueller, Interim Dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa.
Who: Lt. Governor Casey Cagle
What: Georgia’s Health Care Reform Task Force Meeting
When: Monday, July 10th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Tift Regional Medical Center
901 18th St. Tifton, GA 31794
GBI Seeks Help with Identifying Body Found in Banks County.
News June 23, 2017
GBI Seeks Help with Identifying Body
Commerce, Georgia – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is seeking the public’s help in identifying human remains found near Interstate 85 in Banks County.
On Sunday, February 5, 2017, a skeleton was discovered in a wooded area near New Salem Methodist Church, at 2170 Highway 59, in Commerce. The body’s location was one mile south of I-85, Exit 154 for Toccoa/SR 63/Martin Bridge Road. The Banks County Sheriff’s Office requested GBI’s assistance with the investigation.
A forensic anthropological examination estimates the remains to be of an African American/Hispanic female, approximately 30-44 years of age, and approximately 4’9’ to 5’6” in height. The date of death is estimated to be up to 4 years prior to the time of discovery.
Found among the remains, was a metal ring and a butterfly necklace charm (see attached photographs). Blue, purple, and gray in color fabrics were also collected from the scene. Dental is available for comparison.
Anyone with information concerning the case is asked to call the GBI Athens office at 706-552-2309 or the Banks County Sheriff’s Office at 706-677-2248. Information may also be submitted on-line here.
Governor Signs House Bill 146 in Gilmer Fire Station
News May 4, 2017
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal visited Fire House 1 in Gilmer County Thursday to officially sign House Bill 146 known as the “Firefigher’s Cancer Insurance Bill.”
Joined by several officials including Georgia House Speaker David Ralston and Senator Steve Gooch, author of the bill Micah Gravley, District 67 Representative, opened the ceremony by speaking about the two year effort to bring the bill to this point. Gravley related his interactions with two firefighters, Frank Martinez and Brian Scutter, who he said were the honor of the Bill as they fought for and spoke with legislators to get the bill passed, as well as the appropriateness to have the signing in Scutter’s home station in Gilmer County. Scutter was also mentioned by Speaker Ralston who said he had made a promise to Brian that he would give all that was in him to bring this day about. Turning to face Scutter, Ralston said, “I kept my promise.”
Governor Nathan Deal, who originally vetoed last year’s Bill 216 called the new House Bill 146 an “innovative and great solution to the situation.” Deal said the Bill provides relief for firefighters by providing a different method for compensation and money for treatment and care for firefighters who contract cancers during their work. Gravley thanked the Governor for his support of, as he called it, a “better bill.”
The sentiment was echoed by Speaker Ralston who said, “We have arrived at a better solution. By requiring a local government to provide insurance to our firefighters for certain types of cancer, the firefighter can skip the process of litigating a worker’s comp claim. This will allow the firefighter to focus on getting better and recovery rather than having to worry about legal bills and depositions and hearings.”
FYN caught up with Speaker Ralston and Governor Deal to ask them to elaborate on why the bill is better, comparative to last years Bill 216. The Speaker replied saying, “This uses a Health Insurance Model as opposed to a Workman’s Comp model which means instead of having to make a claim and perhaps go through a court type process to get benefits and income, Firefighters in this case will file a claim just like health insurance.”
Governor Deal also spoke on the insurance versus workman’s comp comparison saying it was an awkward and “adversarial way of deciding whether or not compensation is owed.” Deal went on to say the newer Bill is a much better solution “to provide insurance coverage that will define benefits and give some flexibility as to deciding the compensation that will be given to firefighters.”
More than Senators and Congressman came to see Deal sign the Bill, though. Several representatives from neighboring and local emergency services attended the event including Gilmer’s own Director of Public Safety Tony Pritchett who said the Bill “gives you a sense of protection… You can lay your head down and sleep better at night knowing that if you contract cancer because of the job, there’s some protection that will take care of you and your family.”
For more on the Signing of House Bill 146 watch the full ceremony below or find more Photos in our Album:
Put your phone away and just drive: Hands-Free cell phone use is now the law drivers in Georgia
Press Release July 2, 2018Hands-Free cell phone use is law
Drive Alert Arrive Alive, Georgia!
CARTERSVILLE, Ga.—Just put down the phone and DRIVE! Hands-free cell phone use is now the law for drivers in Georgia. The Hands-Free Law (House Bill 673; Hands-Free Georgia Act), which went into effect on July 1, requires hands-free technology when drivers use cell phones and other electronic devices. Among other things, it is illegal for a driver to hold a phone in their hand or to use their body to support a phone. Penalties range from $50 and one point on a license for the first conviction to $150 and three points for the third and subsequent convictions.
Read Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) The EXTRA MILE blog post – Hands-Free Means Big Changes for the Better in Georgia – by guest author Robert Hydrick of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). For additional information on the many facets of the law, visit http://www.headsupgeorgia.com/
“I am optimistic that Georgia’s new Hands-Free law will save lives,” GDOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry. P.E. said. “I also want to emphasize how crucial it is for drivers and passengers to buckle up. Seatbelts truly save lives.”
Through its Drive Alert Arrive Alive campaign, GDOT has, for several years, called attention to an alarming surge in fatalities on Georgia’s roads after a decade of reductions. Many of these deaths are preventable. The campaign implores motorists to focus on driving, to not drive distracted and to wear a seatbelt to reduce the chance of serious injury or death if there is a crash. Visitwww.dot.ga.gov/DAAA.
While GDOT reports that, as of June 28, 2018, overall roadway fatalities are down 10 percent in Georgia from the same time last year, pedestrian deaths are up 22 percent. GDOT’s See & Be Seen campaign, the pedestrian component of Drive Alert Arrive Alive, emphasizes that pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility between motorists and pedestrians. Visit www.dot.ga.gov/SBS.
Summer construction roadwork is underway across Georgia. Before you get on the road, call 511 or visit www.511ga.org for real-time information about active construction, incidents and road conditions.Pay extra attention in work zones – slow down and watch for workers. Work zone safety is everybody’s responsibility.
Casey Cagle receives NRA endorsement
Election 2018, Featured, News, Politics April 13, 2018
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – The National Rifle Association (NRA) announces its pick for Georgia’s next Governor, and released that the association would officially be backing Casey Cagle. Not all Republican candidates are happy with the NRA’s decision.
Casey Cagle receives NRA endorsement.
With more than 100,000 active members in the state of Georgia, the NRA’s endorsement is sure to pull some weight in the upcoming May General Primary.
Earning an A+ rating from the NRA for each year that he has served in office, this is not the first time that Cagle has been endorsed by the organization.
“Gun ownership is a right that Georgians take seriously, and the NRA endorsement is the gold standard in our state,” Cagle said explaining his enthusiasm for receiving this endorsement. “I’m an avid outdoorsman, and I taught all three of my boys how to hunt, shoot and respect firearms. That’s an American legacy that I want to see handed down to my grandchildren and to the generations that follow them.”
“I’m honored and excited to have the NRA’s support because its cause is one that I share and that I have fought for,” Cagle continued. “I’m a lifetime member of the NRA, and I’m proud of my unwavering record for the Second Amendment. Like the NRA, I believe the framers of the Constitution meant what they said when they wrote that the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Having already received backing from Educators First and the Georgia Realtors, the NRA endorsement makes a third announcement of support for Cagle this week.
The NRA endorsement comes on the heels of Secretary of State of the U.S. State of Georgia and Republican Governor hopeful Brian Kemp sending an email to a top NRA lobbyist, Christopher Cox, concerning Cagle’s true allegiance to the organization.
In regards to Cagle’s stance on Delta Airlines and recent Georgia legislation passed, Kemp stated in the email, “The NRA is getting played.”
Kemp added, “As those of us involved in Georgia politics like to say…..you’ve been “Casey Cagled”.”
Brian Kemp shared his thoughts with FetchYourNews on the recent announcement from the NRA: “The 2nd Amendment is not a talking point to me. It’s a way of life. I shoot, hunt, and carry – because we have the right to protect ourselves and defend our families from harm. As governor, I won’t compromise or play games for political gain.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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Senator David Perdue Holds Farm Bill Round Table Discussion
State & National November 22, 2017
Senator David Perdue Holds Farm Bill Round Table Discussion
ATLANTA, GA – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) last week held a round table discussion about the upcoming farm bill with Georgia farmers and industry leaders.
“Agriculture is one of Georgia’s largest economic drivers and a way of life for many people in our state. I saw this firsthand while working on my family’s farm as a teenager,” said Senator Perdue. “It was great to hear from Georgia farmers and industry leaders about their priorities for the upcoming farm bill since this legislation impacts them directly. Their input is critical as we work toward developing a farm bill that will contribute to a safer, stronger, and more abundant agricultural industry.”
Georgia hits 4.5 million job mark in October
State & National November 16, 2017
Georgia hits 4.5 million job mark in October
ATLANTA – State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that Georgia broke the 4.5- million jobs barrier in October, bouncing back from a job loss due to Hurricane Irma in September.
The state posted 4,510,100 jobs for the month. That preliminary number is higher than Georgia’s previous revised record of 4,497,700 set in August. In September, Georgia had a temporary setback with a job loss of 3,400.
Georgia also set records in October for labor force and the number of employed residents.
“After the effects of the storm, this month’s numbers are much closer to what we are used to seeing,” Butler said. “All the indicators – job growth, unemployment claims, labor force and employed residents – are trending in the right direction. October was a great month for a dynamic, growing state like Georgia.”
Monthly numbers can fluctuate due to short-term impacts like Irma and are subject to revisions. The story built over the year, Butler said, gives a clearer picture of the state’s economy and jobs picture because it smooths out short-term shifts seen in monthly reports.
Over the past 12 months, Georgia has added 87,800 jobs, a 2 percent growth rate. The state is outpacing the national job growth rate of 1.4 percent.
In October Georgia posted 15,800 new jobs. Growth came mostly in the private sector including, construction, 5,500 and professional and business services, 5,200. Georgia’s over-the-year job growth came mostly in the private sector. Jobs were added in professional and business services, 24,900; education and health services, 15,300; leisure and hospitality, 14,500; and trade, transportation and warehousing, 11,700.
“It’s important that Georgia is adding jobs,” Butler noted, “but it’s more important that people continue to get them. And, we continue to see both happening.”
In October, the total number of employed residents rose by 20,634 to 4,865,859. There are 173,402 more Georgians employed now than in October 2016.
At the same time, the state’s labor force, which includes the total number of Georgians with jobs and those unemployed but looking for work, rose to 5,085,519, up by 15,123 in October. The labor force is up by 123,441 since October 2016.
Butler added that the unemployment rate also continues to fall.
The unemployment rate in October was 4.3 percent, down from September’s revised number of 4.4 percent. That compares favorably to last October when the rate was 5.4 percent. The lowest jobless rate ever recorded for the state was 3.4 percent in November 2000.
Monthly unemployment claims were up by 9.6 percent to 27,040. Most of the increase came due to temporary claims filed in manufacturing. However, from October a year ago, unemployment claims were down by 7.9 percent from 29,355.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com, showed 59,231 new job postings statewide for October.
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED, TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
Senator David Perdue: RAISE Act Eliminates Outdated Diversity Visa Lottery
Politics, State & National November 2, 2017
Senator David Perdue: RAISE Act Eliminates Outdated Diversity Visa Lottery
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) comments on how the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act, would eliminate the outdated Diversity Visa Lottery:
“President Trump is right, the Diversity Visa Lottery Program is a problem and is plagued by fraud. Given these serious concerns, Senator Cotton and I have proposed eliminating this outdated program as part of the RAISE Act. While Senate Democrats originally created the Diversity Visa Lottery in 1990, many have supported legislation that would have eliminated it in the years since. I hope we can include this area of common ground as we work to fix our broken immigration system and strengthen our national security.”
Background:
- The Immigration Act of 1990, established the current Diversity Visa Lottery Program which was spearheaded by Senator Chuck Schumer.
- The Diversity Lottery is plagued with fraud, advances no economic or humanitarian interest, and does not even promote diversity.
- The Diversity Lottery is an arbitrary way to distribute the privilege of U.S. citizenship based on nothing more than the luck of the draw.
- The RAISE Act would eliminate the 50,000 visas arbitrarily allocated to this lottery.
Ask the Doc – Dr. Jennifer Jones from Georgia Cancer Specialist
Health October 30, 2017
This morning Dr. Whaley couldn’t be with us. But have no fear we had a great Dr. to fill in for him today! Dr. Jennifer Jones from the Georgia Cancer Specialist answers our viewer questions of the week, discusses some of the things BKP talked about in his opening, and even told us a great corny joke!!
This week’s questions are:
- When should I use a cool-mist humidifier versus a warm-mist humidifier for relief with a cold?
- Several months ago, I developed a small white patch on the skin of my arm. It appears to be getting larger. Is a white patch on skin anything to be concerned about?
- What’s the difference between a tumor and a cyst? Could a cyst be cancerous?
To submit a question to our doctors email them to [email protected]
GDOL to Co-Sponsor Northeast Georgia Career Fair in Cumming
Announcements, Community, News October 3, 2017
GDOL to co-sponsor Northeast Georgia Career Fair in Cumming
ATLANTA – About 60 employers will be recruiting to fill a number of jobs at the Northeast Georgia Career Fair in Cumming on Oct. 5.
The expo will be co-sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL), Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, WorkSource Georgia Mountains and Lanier Technical College.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College located at 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Cumming.
While GDOL staff will provide workshops to aid the job seekers, local and area employers will be providing information about their companies to job seekers and recruiting qualified applicants for job openings.
Employers will be recruiting for a wide-variety of job openings in a number of fields, including information technology, telemarketing, manufacturing, construction, real estate, food service, banking, medical facilities, retail sales, education, clerical, pharmaceuticals, security, landscaping, commercial (CDL) drivers, and hotel and motel personnel, along with warehouse and other general workers.
The link below provides event details, including the list of currently registered vendors.
Job seekers interested in attending the expo may visit employgeorgia.com to create an account and upload, or prepare, a resume. Having an Employ Georgia account expedites the interview process.
Applicants are encouraged to dress appropriately to improve their opportunities for jobs.
For more information about the recruitment, contact [email protected]
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers, and to connect with us on social media.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
Senator David Perdue Discusses Tax Priorities On Fox Business
Politics, State & National September 27, 2017
Senator David Perdue Discusses Tax Priorities On Fox Business
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) spoke with Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business Network’s Mornings With Maria about President Trump’s efforts to overhaul the tax code to help middle-class families and make America more competitive.
Acting on Tax: “The first thing is to get this tax bill that the President wants passed. The reason we need this tax package is to get the economy growing again and to put people back to work.”
Driving A Solution: “Right now I’m moving on and trying to drive to a solution on tax. I’m really optimistic that we will get to a tax bill because this economy wants to turn. Consumer optimism is at a 16-year high right now. If we move on this tax fix, I believe we’ll see a nice rebound next year.”
Lowering Rates: “We have to get the corporate tax rate as low as we can. President Trump wants 15 percent and so do I.”
Investing Back Home: “We can clean up corporate welfare as we work on deductions, but the real thing is we’ve got to eliminate is the repatriation tax. There is between $2 and $3 trillion stuck overseas in U.S. profits. That money can come back into the country as a capital investment and create jobs.”
Solving Fiscal Problems: “Job one is get the economy going, then start working on these redundant agencies. I believe if we get tax done this year, the economy starts to work, then we can start saving social security, whose trust fund goes to zero in 17 years, and Medicare.”
