In the Loop
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UGA Plans to Reopen This Fall
The University of Georgia plans to resume classes on campus this fall, President Jere Morehead said in a message today to students, faculty and staff.
"We are anticipating a resumption of in-person instruction for the Fall Semester beginning in August 2020 for all USG institutions," Morehead said. "However, I would emphasize that this situation remains a fluid one, as the USG monitors developments related to COVID-19 and receives counsel from state public health officials. Guidance could be subject to change, even after our plans are put in place. We will need to remain flexible and patient as we move forward."
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Accreditation Agency Puts CCSD on Probation
Former superintendent Demond Means.
Accreditation agency Cognia has changed the Clarke County School District's status from "accredited" to "accredited under review" after looking into allegations of school board members micromanaging made by then-superintendent Demond Means last year.
Cognia—formerly known as AdvancED—told interim superintendent Xernona Thomas about the change in status Apr. 24. The agency gave CCSD until December to make changes and restore accredited status.
Thomas said in a news release that the change in status will not affect graduating seniors, nor does she anticipate it affecting future graduates, since the district is committed to addressing Cognia's directives.
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ACC Names New Transportation and Central Services Directors, Sustainability Officer
Mike Wharton.
Athens-Clarke County Manager Blaine Williams tapped a recently retired traffic engineer to head the county's Transportation and Public Works Department, promoted the county sustainability officer to lead the Central Services Department and named a longtime county employee as the new sustainability officer in a flurry of personnel moves last week.
New Transportation and Public Works Director Steve Decker was ACC's head traffic engineer for 10 years until retiring in 2017. He has also worked for the Florida Department of Transportation and as a bike planner in Albuquerque, among other posts.
"During his previous time with Transportation and Public Works, Steve demonstrated an enthusiasm for safety, innovation, and collaborative projects that are still paying dividends today," Williams said in a news release. "He brings over 40 years of experience in both local and state government transportation departments that gives him a unique perspective that will serve this community well. Steve knows this community and its transportation systems. We look forward to welcoming him back to ACCGov."
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Athens for Everyone Grades Mayor and Commissioners
Commissioner Mariah Parker.
The progressive political group Athens for Everyone gave high marks to Athens-Clarke County commissioners Tim Denson, Mariah Parker and Melissa Link in recently released report cards for the ACC mayor and commission.
According to the organization, the grades were based on how commissioners' votes aligned with A4E's positions, as well as subjective factors like "public statements, perception of priorities and stated stance on issues including the Linnentown Resolution." The commission's response to COVID-19, which A4E said has been "sound and humane, especially in contrast with decisions on the state level," was not considered.
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Athens Unemployment Claims Spike 2,000 Percent
Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.
Nearly 5,000 Athens residents filed for unemployment in March, according to the Georgia Department of Labor.
Clarke County had 4,868 initial unemployment claims last month. That's a 2,346% increase over February, when there were 199, and a 2,698% increase over March 2019, when there were 174.
Metro Athens—which also includes Oconee, Madison and Oglethorpe counties—finished the month with 96,300 jobs, down 300 from the previous month, and 94,982 employed residents, down 1,978. The unemployment rate rose from 3.3% to 4.2%.
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Mayor Girtz Urges Athens Residents to Stay Home
Photo Credit: Chris Scredon
Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz is urging local residents to keep sheltering in place and businesses to stay closed despite Gov. Brian Kemp saying that some businesses can begin to reopen later this week.
Girtz appeared on CNN this morning to discuss Kemp partially lifting his statewide shelter-in-place order.
"I'm exhorting everybody in this community to continue sheltering in place. Do not reopen," he said. "It's like telling your quarterback, 'We don't have a helmet for you, we don't have pads, but just get out on the field and try not to get sacked.'"
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Kemp Says Businesses Can Start Reopening This Week
Gov. Brian Kemp.
Gov. Brian Kemp will start allowing some businesses that have been shuttered since his shelter-in-place order Apr. 2 to start reopening over the next week.
Gyms, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, hair salons and massage studios can re-open Friday, as long as they practice social distance, follow hygiene guidelines, Kemp announced at a news conference this afternoon. Restaurant dining rooms and movie theaters will be allowed to open next Monday if they follow rules Kemp said his office will release later this week.
Kemp's order came as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia approached 20,000, with 733 reported deaths as of noon. The head of the World Health Organization warned earlier today that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is still ahead, and many public health experts believe .
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Food Bank of NE GA Gets $465,000 Donation
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has donated $465,000 to the Athens-based Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. No, that isn't a typo: $465,000.
That's the local food bank's share of the $100 million the billionaire gave to the nonprofit Feeding America earlier this month. To put it in perspective, it's about an eighth of the agency's annual $3.5 million budget.
The food bank will use the money to buy food, of course, but also to purchase distribution vehicles, upgrade warehouse equipment and offer cold and dry storage equipment to its 230 partner agencies, according to executive director Chuck Toney.
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