Oconee County
Reporting about Oconee County, Georgia. Some stories will be republished in The Oconee Enterprise as part of a news-academic partnership with Grady Newsource.
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Oconee Sheriff Partners with Athens Regional to Provide Trauma Kits
The recent terrorists attacks in Paris and Brussels have prompted local officials to take action. Oconee County Sheriff is partnering with Athens Regional Medical Center to put trauma kits in every officer’s patrol car. Sheriff Scott Berry and Joyce Ebert Reifsteck, an Oconee County resident, developed a fund raising initiative to help buy the kits. Oconee…
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Oconee County Removed As Defendant in Lawsuit
Oconee County has been removed as a defendant in the lawsuit by ex-deputy Lisa Price against Sheriff Scott Berry. Price sued Berry and the county at the beginning of March claiming the Sheriff’s office kept a “secret discriminatory file.” Sheriff Berry says the county should have never been sued in…
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Oconee County Celebrates World War II Veterans
From Marines, to Navy commanders, to student veterans, more than 100 people gathered in Oconee County yesterday to thank World War II veterans for their service. U.S. Congressman Jody Hice organized the event to honor the soldiers of what some call “The Greatest Generation.” Between stories of war time,…
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5 Stories to Expect Today
Here’s Thursday’s top 5 stories for northeast Georgia news: 1. Sine Die. Today is the last day of legislation in the Georgia General Assembly, and the last day to get bills passed. Reporter James Thompson takes us through this complex process, and what it could mean for certain bills. 2. Lawsuit and Sexism. An ex-deputy…
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Ex-Deputy Files Lawsuit Against Oconee County, Sheriff
A former deputy is filing a lawsuit against Oconee County and the sheriff for discrimination. Ex-deputy Lisa Price claims sheriff Scott Berry and other superiors maintained a file criticizing her performance with “derogatory remarks and unfair criticism.” Price says Lt. Griffin Attaberry brought the file to her attention in summer 2014. Attaberry,…
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UPDATE: Bishop Bypass Project Continues
OCONEE– The passage of a bill (Georgia Senate Bill 346) could have a direct effect on Oconee County residents. If passed, the bill would allow for most state and local transportation projects to avoid current state environmental protections. This would directly influence the plans for the proposed Bishop Bypass. If built as planned, the…
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Student Protection Act Could Pass Soon
A bill that would allow students to opt out of standardized testing is in the Georgia House Rules Committee and could see the Governor’s desk soon. The Student Protection Act passed the Georgia Senate two weeks ago on February 29. The goal of the this bill is to allow a…
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Candidate Overview for Oconee County Commission
Local citizens are running for openings in the Oconee County Commission. Here’s a look at some of the candidates running for election in 2016. -Brett Homer
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Teaching to Inspire: Mize Named OCHS’s Teacher of Year
As the school bell makes its monotonous dong signaling the end of the day, anxious students rise from desks, sling book bags over their shoulders, and begin their way to the door. By the door stands the students’ teacher: a petite woman, with fair skin and striking blue eyes, bidding…
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Man Missing in Oconee County
24 years-old Chad Ruark is still missing nine days. Today his family spoke to the media about it, for the first time. Chad’s brother, Ernie Ruark, says that Chad is not acting like himself at all. He says, “Chad is just not keeping up with his kids, not calling real close…