Here are some of the top stories you may have missed this weekend.
City of Gainesville offering $1 rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites
The City of Gainesville is now offering $1 rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites through its WeGo vanpool service, as opposed to the usual fee of $3.
Beginning today through March 31, WeGo will transport customers to vaccination sites within the city limits of Gainesville, including Northeast Georgia Medical Center, the Hall County Health Department, Longstreet Clinic, MedLink Georgia, Kroger, Riverside Pharmacy, Lawrence Pharmacy and McElveen’s Pharmacy.
WeGo utilizes a fleet of 10-12 passenger vans to transport travelers and operates through a smartphone app called “WeGo Powered by VIA.” The service operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and is available to everyone within the city limits of Gainesville, including persons with disabilities. READ MORE
Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde fined for bypassing U.S. House metal detectors
Congressman Andrew Clyde of Jackson County will reportedly have his congressional pay docked $5,000 for bypassing metal detectors recently installed at the entrance to the U.S. House.
The fine is a result of a new House rule adopted last Tuesday that imposes a $5,000 fine for a first-time offense and a $10,000 fine for subsequent offenses. The new rule was enacted in response to the Jan. 6 breach at the U.S. Capitol, when six people were killed during the four-hour raid.
Clyde and Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas are the first lawmakers to be fined under the new rule. READ MORE
Brenau Catering raises money to help patients at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Brenau University’s catering service raised more than $4,300 for the Children's Hospital of Atlanta during a curbside pickup meal fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 4.
All cash proceeds from the meals will go to the Wesley Warriors Foundation Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation, a fund that helps nonprofits and initiatives involving children and families affected by childhood cancer. Currently, the fund is providing Medi Teddys, plush bears that make medical equipment less intimidating for children by hiding IV bags, to patients at the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. READ MORE
Braselton Town Council to consider two options for booting ordinance
The Braselton Town Council will consider two options for a “vehicle immobilization ordinance” that would determine whether businesses can hire private booting companies to immobilize vehicles illegally parked on their property. The proposal is largely due to a lack of parking spaces at the Pilot Travel Center on Highway 53, which causes people to park illegally on the interstate and at the nearby Wendy’s.
One of the ordinance options would require businesses who use a private booting company to maintain signage clarifying that a private company has booted their vehicle and not local authorities, while the other would prohibit private booting companies from operating in Braselton altogether. READ MORE
Over 1,000 animals adopted from Humane Society of Northeast Georgia in 2020
1,318 animals were adopted from the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia in 2020, around 100 more than the previous year. HSNEGA Development and Marketing Director Samantha Threadgill attributed this increase to people being at home more due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, the Humane Society saved 127 special case animals throughout the year. Special cases refer to any animal that comes in with a health condition that is out of the ordinary, such as a broken leg or a mother with puppies. Donations have allowed the center to take in more special case animals each year. READ MORE
