Here are some of the top stories you may have missed this weekend.
Fund established for families of poultry workers killed in nitrogen leak
A fundraising account aimed to assist the families of the six poultry workers killed in a nitrogen leak Jan. 28 has been set up through Peach State Bank.
The account, named the Gainesville Family Victim Hope Fund, is a collaborative effort by local organizations and churches to provide monetary support to the immediate families of the victims of last month’s chemical leak at Foundation Food Group in Gainesville.
Donations to the fund can be made by calling Peach State Bank at 770-536-1100 or by visiting the bank at 325 Washington Street in Gainesville. In addition, Art Gallegos with the Latinos Conservative Organization is taking personal phone calls with questions at 678-614-5011. READ MORE
Buford man charged in U.S. Capitol riots granted bond
Verden Andrew Nalley, a Buford man charged with participating in the Jan. 6 breach at the U.S. Capitol, is now out of jail on bond. Nalley was arrested by the FBI last week and is one of nine Georgians who have been implicated in the incident so far.
Nalley is accused of entering the Capitol with Americus attorney William McCall Calhoun, Jr., who is being held without bond in Washington, D.C. Other Georgians charged in the storming of the Capitol have also been denied bond in their court hearings. READ MORE
Six Flags, White Water to reopen for 60th season
Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags White Water Atlanta are scheduled to reopen this spring for the 60th anniversary of the amusement park. Six Flags Over Georgia will reopen March 6, while White Water Atlanta will reopen May 8.
The reopening is part of plans by the park’s national organization, Six Flags Entertainment, to reopen all 26 parks across the country this year. Many parks halted operations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and those that remained open are operating according to COVID-19 precautions. READ MORE
GDOT to add sidewalk to Atlanta Highway creek crossing
The narrow bridge on Atlanta Highway that spans Flat Creek will soon become pedestrian-friendly through the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Quick Response Project Program. The Quick Response Project Program addresses transportation needs such as restriping, intersection improvements, turn lane additions and extensions that can be accomplished in a short period of time for less than $200,000.
The bridge is currently dangerous for pedestrians as there is no sidewalk and steel guardrails within inches of the traffic lanes inhibit convenient travel across the bridge. The new project, which will involve adding a raised sidewalk to one side of the bridge, is aimed at rectifying this situation. READ MORE
Forsyth County's Therapeutic Recreation continues to add new programs for kids with disabilities
Forsyth County Parks and Recreation’s Therapeutic Recreation Program, which offers activities for children and adults with special needs, is currently celebrating its third year of service.
The program saw a year-over-year membership growth of 32 percent, offered several new out-of-school programs and added 10 new programs last year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. According to supervisor Jeffery Jones, the programs try to provide the same standard recreation programs that anyone else in the community would attend, including art programs, music, sports, fitness and social activities, as well as summer camps and special activities.
Jones said that there are several ways for the community to get involved in the program, including being a “program buddy” who helps participants by giving them individual assistance when needed. READ MORE
