White County Fire Services receives $2,500 grant
News August 26, 2018
Public Safety Director David Murphy
CLEVELAND, Ga. – FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers, presented White County Public Safety Director David Murphy with a check for $2,500 last week to help fire service respond to emergency situations.
The award will be used to assist with pre-fire planning to efficiently collect and track data related to local community buildings.
Because fire continues to be the leading cause of property damage worldwide, during the past 40 years FM Global has contributed millions of dollars in fire prevention grants to fire service organizations around the globe. Locally, the company has awarded grants to a number of Georgia-based organizations.
“At FM Global, we strongly believe the majority of property damage is preventable, not inevitable,” said Michael Spaziani, assistant vice president – manager of the fire prevention grant program. “Far too often, inadequate budgets prevent those organizations working to prevent fire from being as proactive as they would like to be. With additional financial support, grant recipients are actively helping to improve property risk in the communities they serve.”
To learn more about FM Global’s Fire Prevention Grant Program and other resources for the fire service, visit www.fmglobal.com/fireservice. Established nearly 200 years ago, FM Global is a mutual insurance company whose capital, scientific research capability and engineering expertise are solely dedicated to property risk management and the resilience of its client-owners.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
‘Active shooter’ training exercise at White County Middle School April 4
News March 27, 2018CLEVELAND, Ga . — White County Public Safety Director David Murphy wants the public to be aware that an “active shooter training” exercise will take place at White County Middle School on Wednesday, April 4, from 7 a.m. until noon.
This is a joint exercise by the school system, Cleveland Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Office, White County Public Safety, Cleveland Fire Department and the Georgia Emergency Management-Homeland Security Agency.
Murphy said the exercise will evaluate the plans for both the system and first responders in the event an actual situation should occur. This exercise will include volunteer students and faculty from White County Schools and Truett – McConnell University.
The public should be aware of the increased presence of personnel on this date and not be alarmed as this is only an exercise of emergency response plans.
School systems and public safety personnel all across Georgia have conducted these exercises for some time, but the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 students and faculty Feb. 14, has led to a heightened awareness of the importance of such exercises.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
White County after-the-storm assessment
News January 22, 2018
Public Safety Dir. David Murphy
CLEVELAND, Ga.—White County Public Safety Director David Murphy provided an after-the-storm assessment, following last week’s inclement weather.
“I don’t know if drivers realized the effects of the snow melt, causing a layer of ice under the snow,” Murphy said. “Salt and pre-treatment causing the melt, with temperatures being so cold, it froze as a layer of ice. You cannot scrape ice off the roadway. This particular snow was dry in comparison to the snow back in December. The snow was more like pellets than flakes and most likely contributed to the quick freeze into an ice layer.”
Murphy reported more than 25 motor vehicle accidents. Some included multiple vehicles, but only minor injuries were reported and none required transport to hospitals. There were also 14 reports of vehicles that could not move due to icy conditions.
Road closures included the west side of Westmoreland Road, Town Creek Road, Hwy. 129 south between Industrial Drive and Collins Road, Hwy. 115 east between the Habersham County line and Hwy. 254.
The White County School system was closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to icy conditions and wind chill advisories. Government offices were closed and delayed openings due to icy conditions.
White County Public Works Department pre-treated bridges and problem areas while spreading over 150 tons of material in response to icy conditions. All county fire stations were manned from late Tuesday through Wednesday afternoon.
Murphy added that no power outages were reported, no requests were made for made for comfort shelters and no fires were reported during the period.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
No injuries reported in Thursday mobile home fire
News March 3, 2019
CLEVELAND, Ga. — No injuries were reported when a single-wide mobile home caught fire Thursday afternoon at 68 Aardvark Trail off Camelback Road.
White County Public Safety Director David Murphy reported units from White County Stations 4, 5 and Tanker 2 responded shortly after 4:45 p.m. along with mutual aid units from the City of Cleveland and Lee Arrendale State Prison.
In a press release, Murphy stated that units responding reported heavy smoke conditions from the area prior to arrival. Firefighter arrived on scene to find the home was 50 percent involved and had partially collapsed..
No one was at home at the time of the fire and no cause has been determined. Fire investigators were called to the scene. American Red Cross was also called to assist the victims. Road conditions in the neighborhood caused a delay in apparatus getting to the home, however, Murphy said it was not a contributing factor to the loss
Fraudulent firefighter support fund soliciting donations
Business, News October 16, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Public Safety Director David Murphy forwarded an alert from the Georgia State Firefighters Association (GSFA) and the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs that states they have become aware of individuals who are contacting departments claiming they are raising funds for Firefighter Support Funds.
The individuals have been unwilling to provide details about the organization and the purpose of the donations, when asked. The group is not affiliated with any department in Georgia. This fraudulent activity has been reported to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.
If you receive calls from this organization, please do not give them any information and notify either the GSFA or GAFC.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
White County residents urged to register for Code RED weather warnings
News February 15, 2019
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County includes Weather Warnings within the Code RED system in order to provide residents and businesses with automated severe weather alerts. The opt-in service will automatically notify those registered of tornado, flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings just moments after an alert has been issued by The National Weather Service (NWS).
To receive severe weather warnings, residents and businesses must first visit White Counties Emergency Notification enrollment page at www.whitecounty.net . Individuals are encouraged to enter both a cell phone number and email address as well as to select the types of weather warnings they wish to receive.
David Murphy White County Public Safety Director encourages all citizens to enroll to receive CodeRED Weather Warnings. “The Code RED system provides our community with numerous benefits; we use it to keep our residents informed by issuing general and emergency related messages. Now, Code RED Weather Warning is an additional tool we will use to help keep our citizens safe and to provide them with additional time to prepare during severe weather events,” he said.
The system’s advanced technology is designed to quickly notify residents in the direct path of projected weather as issued by the National Weather Service, to help eliminate false alarms.
“This is a valuable feature as those citizens who do receive an alert, will be able to take immediate protective actions,” Murphy said. “CodeRED Weather Warning will keep our community prepared if severe weather strikes; therefore, it’s vital that all residents enroll to receive alerts or to update their information within the database if they have recently moved or changed contact information.”
CBS Evening News, among other news outlets and other public safety agencies across the country, have successfully credited Code RED Weather Warning notifications for potentially saving lives by delivering notifications to those impacted well ahead of the storm. The severe weather alert service comes as an enhancement to the counties current Code RED system, which informs citizens of time sensitive information that may impact their overall safety and wellbeing.
For more information concerning this valuable tool or emergency preparedness measures, contact White County EMA at 706-865-9500 or visit the website at www.whitecounty.net
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
BOC honors retired White County teachers
News October 31, 2018
(Pictured front row: Commissioner Terry Goodger, Elaine McCleary, June Collins, Martha Senkbeil, Judy Lovell and Tony Kemp. (Back row) Commissioner Craig Bryant, Chairman Travis Turner, Frank Senkbeil and Lamar Collins.)
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Board of Commissioners had a full slate of agenda items to address at Monday’s work session and called meeting.
The first order of business was to read a proclamation in recognition of retired White County teachers and declare Nov. 4 as Retired Teachers Day in White County.
Retired teachers who attended Monday’s meeting included Elaine McClean, June Collins, Martha Senkbeil, Judy Lovell, Tony Kemp, Frank Senkbeil, Lamar Collins.
Commissioners held two public hearings. The first was to consider the application for a land use permit submitted by Todd Campbell to redistrict 3.2 acres located at 1617 Hwy. 115 East from Community Commercial District (C1) to Highway Business District (C2). Campbell would like to extend a parking lot to accommodate his used car lot.
The second public hearing was to consider the application for a land use permit filed by Tina M. Della for 1.66 acres located at 373 Yonah Mountain Road. The proposed use is to place the property in a “Rent by Owner” program. The present use is Residential Single Family District (R1).
Commissioners also discussed awarding contracts for animal control/veterinary services, senior services and scoreboards for ball fields at Mount Yonah Preserve.
Public Safety Director David Murphy asked the board to approve a one year contract for veterinary services with VCA Chestatee Animal Hospital in Dahlonega.
Murphy said that six request for proposal (RFP) had been hand-delivered to veterinary services and VCA Chestatee Animal Hospital was the only one that responded. The county has used a local veterinary service in the past, but was charged $108 to have the vet prepare the animal for adoption. Since the county’s fee to adopt an animal was only $90, taxpayers were losing money. Chestatee VCA charges the county $55 per animal.
The Board also discussed:
- An update of the Chestatee/Chattahoochee Research Conservation and Development Council activities;
- A contribution to the “Cabin Fever Campaign” to relocate a historic Appalachian log cabin to the visitor’s center at Smithgall Woods State Park;
- An update of the SPLOST program;
- Options for a scholarship program at White County Parks and Recreation Department;
- The 2018 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program application for the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO);
- Revisions to the fire recover fee schedule in accordance with revised Federal Emergency Management Agency standards;
- Including Westmoreland Road repairs for the 2019 local maintenance and improvement program (LMIG) for deep patching, leveling and resurfacing from Hwy. 129 to Hwy. 154;
- Awarding two certificates of deposit currently held by United Community Bank;
- Changes to the Alliant/Health Partners Network effecting county employees access to Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic providers;
- An appointment to the White County Board of Health to fulfill the remainder of a six-year term previously held by Emmett Shotts.
Issues discussed during a work session are not generally voted on until the next county commission voting meeting.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
New 9-1-1 system will bring White County into 21st century
News September 28, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – This new 9-1-1 phone system will bring us into the 21st century, Public Safety Director David Murphy told White County commissioners during the work session on Monday.
The new age system Murphy was describing is an AT&T product that comes with a price tag of a little more than $222,000, but it has several features that could be critically important to those in need of emergency services.
First, it allows the caller’s location to be pinpointed even if the caller doesn’t know where he or she is. That is critical in White County where first responders are often called upon to locate lost or injured hikers remote and rugged terrain.
Next the system will accept text messages. That feature can save a life in a situation when someone has broken into a home, the occupant is forced to hide and is afraid to speak. Instead of communicating by voice, they can test the 9-1-1 message.
Murphy says the new system is a critical need.
“The current equipment was installed in 2007 and has outlived its usefulness,” Murphy told commissioners Monday. “Also the company it was purchased from is no longer in business and portions of it no longer work.”
This new equipment will meet the requirements coming down from the Federal Communications Commission that 9-1-1 systems be able to provide access by different forms of media.
The cost of the system, which includes software for recording 9-1-1 calls, was approved in the 2019 budget and will be paid for with revenue from the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST).
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Fire destroys mobile home on Wooten Road
News May 31, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – White County firefighters, along with automatic aid from the city of Cleveland and Lee Arrendale Fire Brigade, fought a mobile home fire on Wooten Road in the south part of the county for nearly three hours this morning.
White County Public Safety Director David Murphy said the fire was reported around 5 a.m. and the mobile home was approximately 50 percent involved when firefighters arrived.
“Thankfully all occupants were out of the home,” Murphy said in an email. The occupants said they smelled smoke and saw fire in the home and ran out. It is unknown at this time if there were smoke alarms in the home.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, but the home sustained extensive loss and the heat damaged three vehicles.
The Red Cross was called to assist the occupants, three adults and two small children.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Hazardous road conditions exist in White County
News January 17, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Public Safety Director David Murphy is reporting multiple traffic accidents today (Wednesday, Jan. 17) as snow is creating hazardous travel conditions.
Murphy says many roads are “slick and dangerous for travel.” Major problems include Town Creek Road, Westmoreland Road, Westside Hwy. 129 south and Hwy. 115 east.
The message from White County Emergency Management is “do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Hazardous/dangerous travel conditions exist at this time and will not improve through the morning as temperatures will not get above freezing.”
Murphy adds, “Snow is coming to an end across White County. Totals range from one-fourth of an inch to one-half. All roads are in bad shape. Accidents reported county wide. Schools are closed. Most governments have delayed opening.”
Conditions are not expected to improve much at all today as the temperatures will not get above freezing until Thursday afternoon. Some heating from the sun may help a little with the roads, but they will refreeze.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Fire destroys school superintendent’s home
News January 16, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Fire destroyed the Teal Mountain Drive family home of White County School Superintendent Jeff Wilson shortly after noon Monday.
White County Public Safety Director David Murphy said the house is a complete loss, but no one was at home and no injuries were reported.
White County responded with automatic aid from the City of Cleveland Fire Department. Flames were visible when the first units arrived on the scene.
Murphy said it is believed that the fire was accidental, but state fire investigator Brian Smith was called to determine the cause of the fire.
The Bridge Church in Cleveland has established a fund to help the family. An online donation can be made at www.thebridgeonline.securegive.com and all proceeds collected will go directly to the family, with no administrative fees deducted.
For more information, visit The Bridge Church’s Facebook page or website.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
City/County Fire Departments Fight Camper Blaze
News November 14, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Fire Department, with automatic aid from the City of Cleveland Fire Department, responded to a camper fire behind Mossy Creek Grocery south of Cleveland at approximately 2 p.m. today (Nov. 14).
Public Safety Director David Murphy said when fire units arrived, they discovered a 28-foot camper with smoke showing.
“The occupants were not home at the time and 911 was alerted by neighbors who originally attempted to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher,” Murphy said in an email. “An investigation was conducted and found that the roof air conditioner malfunctioned which caused the living area to ignite.”
The camper received smoke damage and is considered a total loss. Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the owners. No injuries were reported.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Rabies Alert Posted in White County
News July 21, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Several dogs in the Mt. Scenic Drive area of White County had contact with a rabid raccoon this week. Public Safety Director David Murphy said the raccoon was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab – Virology Section in Decatur where it tested positive for rabies.
Positive alert signs have been posted in the area where the raccoon was located. If you live in this area and have concerns of rabid animal exposure, please contact White County Environmental Health at 706-348- 7698 during normal business hours. Animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their domesticated pets for rabies.
Three dogs that came into contact with the raccoon were not current on their shots and had to be euthanized. Three others that are current are under 45-day observation according to White County Environmental Health Manager Sean Sullivan.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
White County Weather Update Mon. Sept. 11
News September 11, 2017
David Murphy
CLEVELAND, Ga. – In a 3 p.m. weather advisory on Monday, Sept. 11, White County Public Safety Director reported that 158 Habersham EMC customers are without power in White County. No roads are closed at this time, but residents are still encouraged to remain inside. Government offices remain open today.
White County School Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wilson announced that schools that are closed today will remain closed Tuesday, Sept. 12.
Fire Units Respond to Two Weekend Calls
News November 14, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. –- Public Safety Director David Murphy reported on Monday that the White County Fire Department along with automatic aid from the City of Cleveland Fire Department responded to two fire calls over the weekend.
On Saturday, fire units responded to a call at a residence on Driskell Road at 7:23 p.m. Murphy said the first units on the scene used a thermal imaging camera in the crawl space on the side of structure and discovered that a water tank had shorted out due to water damaging the electrical components. There was no fire or smoke at the scene. Fire personnel advised the homeowner to replace the damaged water tank. Fire personnel secured the water and power to the appliance.
On Sunday, at approximately 5:39 p.m., fire units responded to a fire at Affordable Auto Repair on Highway 115 West. Cleveland fire units were the first to arrive and found a homemade heater that had malfunctioned sending flames from the side of the heater. The heater was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
White County Qualifies for Enhanced Disaster Relief
News November 1, 2017
Public Safety Director David Murphy
CLEVELAND, Ga. – White County is one of 29 Georgia counties that qualify for enhanced disaster relief to repair or replace infrastructure damaged as a result of Hurricane Irma.
President Donald Trump previously approved Public Assistance funding for emergency work, including debris removal and emergency protective measures in all 159 counties. The latest funding measure provides federal reimbursement for eligible projects to repair or replace damaged infrastructure including: public facilities such as hospitals, schools, fire stations and police stations, public parks, roads and bridges, utilities and other critical infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Irma.
The Public Assistance Grant Program is a reimbursement program paid to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofits. Under the Public Assistance program, FEMA pays at least 75 percent of the cost of disaster-related expenses such as infrastructure repairs, overtime and debris removal. Typically, the remaining 25 percent is covered by the state and/or local governments. Eligible private nonprofits are responsible for the full 25 percent. The program is administered by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMHSA). Eligibility and project approval is determined by FEMA.
White County Public Safety Director David Murphy estimated the county received between $130,000 and $150,000 in damage. “Our radio tower here at the 9-1-1 facility was damaged and we had some shingles knocked off the roofs on county buildings,” Murphy said. “We did have a lot of trees downed and a lot of debris to be picked up.”
Murphy said most of the damage in White County will be covered by the county’s insurance with the balance to come from FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.