Environment
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Drought Affects Barrow County
The Barrow County Commission has voted to increase the non-contract wholesale water pricing in Barrow County by 25%. This is a response to the ongoing drought in the area. Barrow County Commission Chairman Pat Graham said that the price increase should have little effect on Barrow County, as all retail…
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New Drought Restrictions For Area
ATHENS, Ga.– This week marks the 21st week of continuous severe drought in northeastern Georgia. Due to worsening drought conditions in about three-fourths of the state the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has declared a raise the state’s drought response to Level 2 in 52…
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Another Day, Another Fire Begins in Athens
Georgia Forestry personnel and firefighters will continue to monitor a fire in Athens-Clarke County over the next few days. Firefighters got word of a fire on John Collier and Hale Road around 1:30 pm. The Athens-Clarke County and Jackson County fire units were called, along with the Georgia Forestry unit…
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Drought May Continue to Have Impact on Local Farmers
Temperatures continue to increase as we get closer to what should be cooler weather. The rising heat may affect farmers’ crops. Record high temperatures have had Georgia in a drought for the last few months, and farmers’ crops are being impacted. University of Georgia professor in Agriculture, Joshua Berning, says farmers investments…
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Fires Threat to Northeast Georgia
The Georgia Forestry Commission was called to the start of a wildfire in Commerce, Ga today around 2 p.m. According to the Fire Danger Forecast, Clarke County and the surrounding counties are between a 3.5 and 4 rating, meaning high to extreme danger of fire. Payton Turner said he and his…
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Grady Explains: Georgia Drought
More than half of Georgians live in a county affected by drought or drought-like conditions. However, not many people have been treating it like a crisis. As of today, October 26, Athens-Clark is in a Level 1 Drought which entails voluntary water conservation measures and not much else, but Grady…
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Athens Has Some Unhealthy Waterways
Athens waterways aren’t as healthy as the naked eye can see. A 15-year study conducted by the Upper Oconee Watershed Network showed that several streams in Athens were not healthy. The study tested for conductivity, fecal coliform and dissolved oxygen. Of the nine streams tested, only three of them have improved in…
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Tips for Saving Water During Georgia Drought
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_oX9sBR3ic&feature=youtu.be Athens-clarke county, along with 52 other counties in North Georgia have are experiencing severe or extreme drought like conditions. Laurie Laftin, Water Conservation Specialist of Athens-Clarke Count says, “Our reservoir is full, we predict it will be full throughout the Fall, and we’ve made it through the Summer; the Summer…
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Athens’ Outdated Sewage Infrastructure May Endanger Local Waterways
Advocates say sewer lines proposed by city officials are not the answer Athens’ aging sewage infrastructure, up to 100 years old in some parts of the city, is threatening local streams, rivers and drinking water. “The bulk of it is still very antiquated and, really, they’re not putting any effort…
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Solarize Athens To Donate Solar Energy System to Nuci’s Space
ATHENS, Ga.-Nuci’s Space is set to start helping the Athens community in yet another way. The nonprofit resource center that works to prevent suicide by offering treatment to musicians suffering from depression will now be able to help the Athens environment. And it’s thanks to Solarize Athens, a program working to provide…