Northeast Georgia News
Reporting from Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee and surrounding counties.
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Social Media Helps Artists, Performers Showcase Their Art in COVID-19 Era
As a hairstylist, Amanda Hamarics never thought she needed social media until a pandemic happened. Her Instagram is now the only way she can connect with her clients and share her art. Social media is helping artists, like Hamarics, and their businesses that usually rely on in-person interaction. Hamarics,…
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‘Coronavirus Sets The Timeline’: UGA Athletes Try To Stay In Shape Despite Uncertainty
In late March, University of Georgia track athlete Victoria Powell went to her former high school track, at The Lovett School in Atlanta, to work out. With college students being sent home, Powell’s only option was her former home. She was promptly turned away by school security guards, who explained…
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Love Through Screens: How Different Generations Of One Family Connect During Coronavirus
Listening to the Wahn family sing “Happy Birthday” is like hearing a choir of wolves howling to the moon—disjointed, a bit off-key and, above all, loud. Coming in at 28 members strong when all are present and accounted for, it’s a broken chorus that fills a cramped kitchen at least…
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UGA Coaches Find New Ways To Communicate With Athletes During Pandemic
University of Georgia equestrian coach Meghan Boenig and her staff set up an Excel spreadsheet soon after the COVID-19 pandemic ended the team’s season. Riders can sign up just to chat by phone or FaceTime. Boenig knows that her role is more than being just a coach to her riders,…
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CARES: Local Business Owner Relies On Community After Denial
Rashe Malcom, small business owner of Rashe’s Cuisine in Athens, said she was disheartened after being denied access to funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “I am not just sitting around saying ‘oh, they ran out of money,’ but I got an actual denial, and…
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‘It’s All About People’: Fast Food Employees Become Essential Personnel During COVID-19
As COVID-19 continues its exponential growth, fast food workers have been named “essential workers,” alongside doctors and government officials. Among those personnel is Randy Stewart, district manager of Wendy’s through Meritage Hospitality Group in Jacksonville, Florida. Although the nation’s economy is a big concern, Stewart said, “people are what matter…
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A Place For PPE: How One Nurse Got Strategic in Unprecedented Times
The rest of the world has stopped. Stores are closed, concerts are canceled, and people are being asked to stay inside. For Courtney Cornell, however, this is the busiest time of her life. Five weeks ago, Cornell was the director of oncology for a hospital in the suburbs of Washington,…
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COVID-19 and its Effects on Georgia’s Unemployment Numbers
Unemployment initial claims have greatly risen in the state of Georgia since the arrival of the novel coronavirus pandemic. In the United States, numbers of unemployment claims are reaching historical highs. The U.S. Department of Labor reports the number of unemployment initial claims being filed are marking “the highest level…
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Mental Health Under COVID-19: Using Self-Care to Cope
The worldwide lockdowns occurring due to COVID-19 are creating unique and unprecedented challenges for people who now find themselves stuck at home and dealing with keeping their mental health in check. To cope with this new challenge of keeping sane while working from home, people are turning to methods of…
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Art Lessons in Minecraft: How Liberty County Schools Are Pivoting To Online Learning
Core classes like English or math translate relatively easily from classroom to computer. “Connection classes,” like art and band, require a little reworking in order to successfully make that transition. Liberty County, Georgia, is experiencing these transitions with all of their courses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the county…