Adams Barber Shop was one of the first businesses to reopen Monday
News April 27, 2020
CLERMONT, Ga. – At midday the little, three-chair barber shop in Clermont was empty Monday which was a bit of a shock since it had been closed for four weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and men were anxious to get a haircut.
So why no customers? After all, owner Jimmy Adams is the best dang barber in Georgia.. He does a thriving business even though his shop is a little remote — just a stone’s throw from the Lumpkin, White and Hall county lines. The shop is usually full, especially on Saturdays, when most men have time for a shave and haircut. His customers are farmers, businessmen and a few politicians. Gov. Nathan Deal has been a regular for years. So has Congressman Doug Collins. Men drive for miles to come to this barber shop.
Jimmy laughed when he was asked where his customers were. “They were all waiting outside when we opened up this morning,” he said. “Some of them waited in their cars until it was their turn. It was busy then. It’s slowed up some now.”
He was wearing a protective mask and he pointed some sort of temperature-taking device at customers before seating them. “We’re required to do this now,” he explained. COVID-19 has changed a lot of things in America and around the world.
Jimmy has been a barber for 55 years. I’ve been a customer for 30 years. His shop on Thompson Bridge Road in Gainesville used to be a five minute drive from my house. But then Kroger opened up and he moved a lot farther away. But still worth the drive.
He said he the four-week closure didn’t hurt him much. In fact, he welcomed the respite from the barbering business. He also owns a poultry farm. “I was really getting behind on that work so I used the time off to catch up,” he said.
He was more interested in talking about one of his favorite topics than the pandemic. So he talked about politics. He likes the president, but he didn’t like him criticizing Gov. Kemp’s decision to open business back up. “He shouldn’t have said that,” he said. Good to have him back at the barber’s chair.
Adams Barber Shop
Hours 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 7a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday. Closed Tuesday.
Location: 5225 Dahlonega Hwy. Clermont
$14 for a haircut; $5 for a beard trim.
Phone: 770-983-5755
UPDATE: It’s official! Collins will run for U.S. Senate, Tanner may run to replace Collins in House
News January 29, 2020
Rep. Doug Collins
Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) made it official on Fox and Friends this morning. He will leave the U.S. House of Representatives to campaign for Senate against Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp in December to complete the term of Johnny Isakson after his resignation due to health concerns.
In making the announcement, Collins said, “I’m going to confirm that we’re in it for the Georgia Senate race down here.”
So who will replace Collins?
Popular Republicans like Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), Sen. Butch Miller (R-Gainesville), radio talk show host Martha Zoller and Chris Riley, Gov. Nathan Deal’s former Chief of Staff, have reportedly said they will not enter the race.
Rep. Kevin Tanner
District 9 State Rep. Kevin Tanner could emerge as the leading candidate. The former fireman, law enforcement officer and Dawson County Manager told Fetch Your News Tuesday “I am giving it serious consideration and I will make a decision in the next few days.”
It will need to be a quick decision. Qualifying for the race will take place in March and the Republican Primary will be held in May.
Tanner, a four-term representative, is chairman of the House Transportation Committee and serves on the Appropriations, Education and Special Rules committees. He has more than 27 years of public service.
“This is an unexpected opportunity,” he said. “It’s not something I had planned on or thought about. But I have had a tremendous outpouring of colleagues and constituents calling on me to run.”
He added, “When I have a decision like this to make, I try to do so prayerfully. I want to do what is in the best interest of my family and the constituents in the 9th District.”
Gooch told Fetch Your News Tuesday “I believe it is a good opportunity for somebody to run for an open seat, but it won’t be me. I’m happy doing what I’m doing here. The three main reasons I won’t run are my three sons, Samuel, Seth and Sawyer. They are in public school now and they need a full-time Dad. This just isn’t the right time for me to leave and go to Washington.”
State Sen. John Wilkinson’s office confirmed Wednesday that he will also campaign for Collins’ seat. The Toccoa Republican, who lists his occupation as farmer/teacher, is now in his fifth term in the state senate. He has chaired the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee the last eight years.
Should Tanner pull the trigger on a run for the U.S. House of Representatives that will leave an open seat in the Georgia House.
One name that has surfaced multiple times as a potential replacement for Tanner is Lumpkin County attorney Zack Tumlin.
Tumlin said Wednesday morning, “If Kevin Tanner runs for Ninth District Congress, I will 100 percent run for his seat in the Georgia House.
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
Gov. Deal swears in Joy Parks as superior court judge
Business, News August 15, 2018
Superior Court Judge Joy Parks
ATLANTA, Ga. – Gov. Nathan Deal swore in White County’s Joy R. Parks at the State Capitol Tuesday as Enotah Judicial Circuit’s new superior court judge. She replaces Judge Murphy C. Miller who announced his resignation in July.
Parks becomes the first female superior court judge from White County and only the second person from White County to serve in that capacity.
Until Tuesday, she was White County’s magistrate judge. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Parks earned her law degree from Walter. F. Georgia School of Law at Mercer University.
The superior court judges in White, Lumpkin, Towns and Union counties will meet soon and name her replacement to the magistrate court.
Parks and her husband Robert have one child and live in Cleveland.
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
Large voter turnout reported in White County so far
News July 18, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – White County’s Chief Registrar Lisa Manning said Wednesday (July 18) she is extremely happy with the large voter turnout during the advanced voting period which ends Friday at 5 p.m.
“Considering we lost two voting days due to the Fourth of July and the fact we had no Saturday voting this time, I’m excited. I don’t ever remember a time when a runoff election drew more voters than the primary election,” she said.
As of 3:30 Wednesday, 804 White County voters had cast their ballots in person compared to 1,009 who voted in the May primary. With two days left, it is likely the turnout for this runoff election will exceed the number who voted in the May primary.
“Here in White County, the governor’s race and the local school board race have drawn a lot of attention,” Manning added.
The governor’s race has been a no-holds-barred battle between Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Both candidates have attracted last-minute endorsements with Cagle getting the endorsement of Gov. Nathan Deal and Kemp earning Hunter Hill’s endorsement.
The only local race on the ballot is for the White County School Board between incumbent Charlie Bryson and John Solmon.
The poll will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Election Day is Tuesday (July 24) when the poll will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
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
Yonah Preserve Ballfields Complex is now open
News May 5, 2019
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County’s own field of dreams became a reality Saturday when the ribbon was cut on the beautiful $4.1 million Yonah Preserve Ballfields Complex.
The day began with the Parade of Athletes as hundreds of ballplayers and coaches marched to one of the four new ballfields. White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner dedicated the facility and thanked those who helped make the day possible.
Gov. Nathan congratulates county at Saturday dedication ceremony.
Governor Nathan Deal and wife Sandra were on hand along with Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) and Commissioners Terry Goodger, Craig Bryant, Edwin Nix and Lynn Holcomb.
The ballfields are part of the 1,000-acre Yonah Preserve that thus far, included about 9 to 10 miles of hiking and biking trails that attract about 350 vehicles per week. The trails were built by the Southern Off Road Biking Association (SORBA) at no cost to taxpayers. There is a beautiful fishing lake on the property that will be open soon and a new football field will be added in the near future.
The property was originally leased to the county for $1 with the agreement that it would be used for the public good and recreation. The lease was converted to county ownership last year.
“We are continuing to hold dear to our word to that we will manage this property with respect to its natural God-given aspects while providing an awesome recreation program not only for White County but Georgia as well,” Turner said.
The ribbon cutting ceremony at Saturday’s Yonah Preserve Ballfields Complex.
Gov. Deal said, “You all did a great job with this property. I envision that it will continue to grow and expand and you’re going to become a destination spot. If there is one thing I have noticed in Hall County and Gainesville area, in particular, is that the investments they have made in fields like this bring many, many people from all over the country. Traveling baseball for young people is a very popular activity. There is a lot of recreational dollars that follow it so I think you’re going to be richly rewarded for your foresight and your investment and I congratulate all the members of this county commission and you, Travis, in particular.”
Senator Gooch thanked the governor for his help in making Yonah Preserve possible and added that things like this don’t happen without good relationships between city, county and state officials.
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
Kemp Bus Tour stops at Truett McConnell Tuesday
News, Politics October 30, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp’s “Road to Victory” bus tour visited the campus of Truett McConnell University, a Christian liberal arts and sciences school in the foothills of the north Georgia mountains, Tuesday morning.
Following morning chapel service led by Anthony George, senior associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, in the beautiful George Blaurock Student Wellness Center, Kemp briefly addressed students and staff and delivered a message of faith and hope.
The Republican candidate for governor said, “I know God has a plan for our family and I’m just here living It out. We’re going to know shortly what that plan is and we’re trusting in the Lord every single day. That is giving me a lot of peace in my heart. Its people of faith – in a lot of ways – this campaign is about.”
Kemp said he was encouraged to see how many young people are interested in the campaign.
“I’m optimistic that we see a lot of young people all over our state that are interested in who their leaders are going to be. They want good government. They want to have good opportunities and that’s why I’m running, so my kids and you all and your kids, one day, will have all the same opportunities that I have had.”
Many government heavy-hitters at both the state and local level were on hand to show their support for Kemp, who will face Democrat Stacey Abrams and Libertarian Ted Metz in next Tuesday’s election.
Governor Nathan Deal told attendees he is aware that politics has a bad rap but he said, “The truth of the matter is our great nation is based on the idea we are not just a democracy. We are a republic in which people have the right to elect their leaders. If those leaders do not reflect the moral values that our nation should have, our nation will not remain strong.”
Other leaders who visited with Kemp included, Congressman Doug Collins, State Senator Steve Gooch and White County commissioners Travis Turner, Terry Goodger and Edwin Nix.
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
Judge Parks appointed to Enotah Judicial District
News July 21, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Governor Nathan Deal has announced that White County Chief Magistrate Judge Joy R. Parks has been appointed to fill a vacancy in the Enotah Judicial Circuit that was created when Judge Murphy C. Miller resigned.
Parks, who owns her own law firm, earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a law degree from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University.
Parks, her husband Robert and one child reside in Cleveland.
The Enotak Judicial District includes White, Lumpkin, Towns and Union counties.
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
Georgia General Assembly Back in Session
News January 9, 2017
ATLANTA — The Georgia General Assembly convened today.
Legislators say there is a long list of issues to consider, including how to proceed following President-elect Donald Trump’s repeal of the Affordable Care Act, regional transportation planning, expansion of the medical marijuana bill and a renewed effort by Gov. Deal to pass an altered version of the Opportunity School District (OSD) that was soundly defeated by Georgia voters last year.
It is unclear what Republicans plan to dismantle with regard to Obamacare since Georgia did not expand Medicaid or create an exchange.
Republicans have placed crafting a regional transportation plan at the top of their agenda. But there will also be a strong push for an initiative to bolster job training programs in high schools as well as an effort to get the Georgia Lottery to reduce the prize money it offers to winners in order to direct extra funding to the HOPE scholarship program.
As they have in the past, Democrats are likely to push for gun safety, voting rights an expansion of the medical marijuana bill passed in 2015, and added protection for the environment.
Deal, who is in his final year in office, appears determined to ignore the will of the voters and pass some form of his unpopular OSD.
The governor told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week he is working with lawmakers on a plan that would give the state more power to let students transfer from the 153 schools on the state’s failing list.
Conservatives may push for a religious liberty bill for the fourth year in a row. House Bill 757 passed both the House and Senate last session before Deal sided with the LGBT and Chamber of Commerce lobbies and vetoed it in April.
The bill protected pastors from having to perform a same-sex wedding ceremonies and allowed businesses to refuse service to couples if they cited a sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions regarding marriage.
Some Schools Close Early Today as Winter Storm Approaches
News January 6, 2017
ATLANTA — The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a storm warning just after midnight as schools, road crews and public safety officials in Dawson, White and Lumpkin counties prepared for the first winter storm of 2017.
Schools in White and Lumpkin counties announced they will close at noon today and some schools have altered their athletic contests scheduled for today.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal plans to declare a state of emergency for 79 counties – including Dawson, Lumpkin and White.
The NWS said that some areas could get up to four inches of snow. Lumpkin County Emergency Services Director David Wimpy said one official told him the higher elevations of Lumpkin could get up to eight inches.
The winter weather is expected to begin early Friday evening as rain, snow or a mixture of both, becoming all snow overnight tonight. Officials say snow should end Saturday morning. Temperatures Friday evening will be in the low to mid 30s, making roads slick and travel hazardous.
White County is expecting snowfall of between four and five inches. White County Public Safety Director David Murphy advises the county Emergency Operation Center will activate at 7 PM Friday and will remain on partial activation until the weather threat has ended.
All fire stations will be manned beginning Friday evening and until such time the response phase of this event is completed. According to Murphy, all Public Works crews are prepared and ready to respond and pre-treat if necessary, they will begin shift operations Friday as well.
The Georgia Department of Transportation will begin pre-treatments for our area and region at 7a.m., Friday morning. First focus will be on interstate highways, and main state routes such as US Hwy 129. The DOT will work 12 hours shifts beginning Friday morning for 24 hours operations.
Fetchyournews.com will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
Governor Reappoints Baker to State Board
News November 25, 2016
ATLANTA, Ga. — ATLANTA, Ga. — Governor Nathan Deal has reappointed White County Probate Judge Garrison Baker to serve on the Georgia Historical Record Advisory Council. Baker lives in Cleveland and is chairman of the board of directors for Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. He also sits on the board of directors for the White County Historical Society and the board of commissioners for the Judges of the Probate Court Retirement Fund of Georgia.
Baker has served as Probate Judge since Jan. 1983. He is actively actively involved in the preservation and conservation of Northeast Georgia’s local history and cultural heritage and has authored two books on local history.
Previously, he worked with the Georgia Department of Labor and served as the county planner for White County. He is a member of the National College of Probate Judges and the board of directors of Regions Bank of Cleveland. Baker attended Gainesville College and the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Susan, have two children.