Vehicle accident leads to first responders’ exposure to unknown substance
News May 20, 2022
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Two Gilmer Sheriff’s Deputies and five EMT/Paramedics are being treated for a kind of exposure today after responding to a single vehicle accident last night, May 19, 2022, around 7 p.m.
After deputies responded, alongside a state trooper, to the single motor vehicle accident approximately nine miles out Boardtown Road, just north of the intersection at Boardtown Road and Whitepath Road, county authorities began showing symptoms of exposure to a substance. At this time, the Sheriff’s Office believes the substance may have been Fentanyl. However, they are awaiting testing results to be sure.
The vehicle, a pick-up truck, contained a driver and passenger, when it impacted a tree. Both the driver and passenger sustained injuries during the accident and have since been transported to a hospital. According to a statement from Gilmer County Public Safety Director Keith Kucera, those on scene began treating the two for trauma related injuries. The statement said, “While on scene, emergency crews were exposed to an unknown controlled substance that was in the vehicle. Two Gilmer Sheriff’s Deputies along with five Gilmer Emergency Medical Services crew members became symptomatic of exposure and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. All seven exposed members have been treated and released from the hospital.”
That investigation shut down the road as authorities called in Cherokee County Fire Department’s hazmat team to process the scene, collect several items for testing, and clear it for public travel again. At this time, the Sheriff’s Office stated it cannot be sure specifically what substances are or are not present. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), First Responders typically use a NIOSH-certified Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) with a Level A protective suit when entering areas such as this with unknown or potential Fentanyl substances.
Kucera stated, “I would like to thank the brave men and women of the Gilmer County Fire Rescue and Gilmer Sheriff’s Office for their selfless efforts every day to keep the citizens of Gilmer County safe. I would also like to thank the partners who responded to support our agency while our crews were being medically treated from an extremely dangerous situation. The GA Office of EMS & Trauma, Region 1, coordinated regional mutual aid with ambulances from the following agencies: Pickens County, Fannin County, Gordon County, Murray County, Floyd Medical, and Redmon EMS. Additional support was provided by GA Department of Public Health, GEMA/HS, GSP, Cherokee County Fire/Rescue Hazardous Materials Team, and Fannin County EMA.”
The statement from the Sheriff’s Office did say that the deputies were in and out of consciousness but did not specifically state the extent of the symptoms that they or the paramedics showed. Reports indicate that while those exposed were initially take to Gilmer’s Emergency Room, the facility locked down while treating them to prevent further spread or contamination as they worked to find exactly what the substances was.
While the investigation continues into both the accident and the exposures, the Sheriff’s Office did state that those county authorities who were exposed have been released from the hospital this morning and are showing signs of improvement. However, no further details have been given about the accident, the possible substance, or the driver and passenger of the vehicle.
BOC exposure sends employees and officials into quarantine
News December 16, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Reported earlier, an exposure inside the Board of Commissioners Office prompted the cancellation of their work session for December.
However, the December meeting also confirmed that employees of the BOC are being sent into quarantine because of the possible exposure. The meeting saw only Post 1 Commissioner Hubert Parker, Post 2 Commissioner Karleen Ferguson, and County Attorney David Clark in-person for the meeting. The board had County Clerk Edwina Daman, Financial Officer Sandi Holden, and Board Chairman Charlie Paris all attending by phone.
According to a statement given in the meetings by Ferguson, who led the meetings in Paris’ semi-absence, Paris has not tested positive for the virus himself, but is instead quarantining due to possible exposure as he came into contact with the person. The office of the BOC has not named which employee tested positive.
The Board proceeded in this manner during its meeting, approving appointments to the Joint Development Authority, appointing members to the Planning Commission Board.
These appointments include Jim DuPont and Carl Hill being reappointed to the the Gilmer Planning Commissioner Board.
The BOC also approved Penelope Marshall and Alan Dover for the Joint Development Authority.
Additionally, the county also looked into an opportunity for the Gilmer Animal Shelter. According to Paris, the county is looking to receive a donation to improve and expand the shelter. The county would be asked to match the donation funds of $200,000 with their own $200,000 in the project for a total of $400,000.
Paris did not name the people or organization behind the donation.
Paris stated, “Looking down the road a few years, I don’t want to look back and think we need this, we need that, and we need to enlarge. Whatever it is we need, we missed a good opportunity to do it for half price, essentially.”
Paris made a motion to add a line item of $200,000 to match the donation coming from a specific fund in the Road Department with some extra. However, Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson countered, suggesting the funds come from capital funds instead.
While the facility is not in dire urgency at this moment, Paris did say he felt it could come soon as the county relies on other groups to the north that come to pick up animals on trips and projects to pursue adoption. Paris noted some of this has decreased in recent months as these groups tend to focus more on shelters that put their animals down and tend to skip over some no-kill shelters like Gilmer has become.
With concerns raised from Post Commissioner Hubert Parker about plans for covering higher utilities and the perceived need, the Commissioners did not approve the line item, but rather will revisit this agenda item at a special called meeting next week.
Gilmer and Fannin Courthouses reopening today
News July 13, 2020
UPDATE – Gilmer Traffic Courts cancelled as office operates without Judge
While Gilmer’s Probate Office has reopened without its Judge, many operations are continuing as normal through the clerks and under guidance of the Chief Clerk Tracey Teague. Almost every operation in the courthouse is continuing back on track according to Teague who stated that the office is cancelling this week’s traffic court.
As Chief Clerk, Teague is trained and able to fill in on many operations that would normally require Judge Chastain this week, however, this time as she “fills in” for the Judge does not extend to the court system. Despite that, she did affirm that any permits or applications that citizens may need from the office can be done as usual in this time.
Original Post
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer and Fannin Counties will both have their courthouses reopening today after an order from Chief Judge Brenda Weaver.
Superior Court Chief Judge Brenda Weaver
The order came over the weekend acknowledging the cleanings and steps taken against the virus spread. With those cleanings done and employees continuing to remain quarantined, the offices are set to resume normal functions today, July 13, 2020.
The order states, “Having found that the deep cleanings have occurred and that the employees have been tested and are quarantining according to Department of Health Guidelines, it is hereby ordered that the Fannin Courthouse and the Gilmer Courthouse will re-open all offices and proceed with regular business hours beginning Monday, July 13, 2020.”
In addition, the Probate Office of Gilmer County has also confirmed that it, too, will be reopening to resume normal operations. Probate Judge Scott Chastain was one of those in the courthouse with exposures and he also followed guidelines reporting a positive test.
The county has been taking steps to increase safety and social distancing in the offices as some are asking people to only allow a certain number of citizens in offices at a time. Restrictions like these are likely to continue as they return to operations.
Despite the return to operations, however, there are continuing cancellations and reschedulings going on. Just as last week in Gilmer County, while the courthouse is open, some offices may stay closed. Additionally, these individual offices are releasing notices such as the District Attorney’s office. The Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office released a statement notifying citizens of cancellations of Superior Court this week.
They said, “Due to the potential infection and continued transmission of the Coronavirus/COVID-19, court cancellations are as follows:
1. Gilmer Superior Court on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 – Civil and Criminal NJ; and
2. Fannin Superior Court on Thursday, July 16, 2020 – Civil and Criminal NJ.
Fannin County is also confirming the reopening of the courthouse, but is urging citizens to contact individual offices and departments for “access protocols.”
As both entities attempt to return to operations, Public Health officials are also paying closer attention to the area. Spikes and increases are causing for many to urge testing for citizens who may think they have been exposed.
Possible COVID-19 exposures in Gilmer and Fannin’s Court Systems
News July 7, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Several offices in both Fannin and Gilmer County are closing today as reports indicate one or more employees may have had exposures to the Coronavirus in recent days.
The District Attorney’s Office in both Fannin and Gilmer have closed today. Additionally, Gilmer’s Probate Office has confirmed closing and the Gilmer Board of Commissioners has cancelled its Wednesday morning Work Session citing a “recent spike in Covid-19 cases.”
The Gilmer County Probate Court released a statement with this photo saying they would be closed immediately and “until further notice.”
The Probate Court of Gilmer County issued a statement on Social Media saying, “The Probate Court Office of Gilmer County will be closed effectively immediately and remain closed until further notice.”
FYN has also confirmed that every office of an elected official in Gilmer County has been closed until Monday along with the court systems with the exception of the Sheriff’s Office.
According to County Attorney Lynn Doss and Fannin Magistrate Judge Brian Jones, Fannin County’s Court systems are also shutting down including Superior Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court. The closings come “by order of the Chief Judge Brenda Weaver.”
According to Fannin County Commission Chairman Stan Helton, only the second floor of the courthouse is closed and it will reopen on Monday after it has been sanitized.
Despite the offices closing and courts canceling, the Gilmer Courthouse and Fannin Courthouse are both, as a whole, not closed at this time. Citizens may still enter the courthouses.
Reports are coming in that in Gilmer, Sheriff’s Deputies at the security checkpoint in the entrance are informing citizens of the offices and courts closing and are directing visitors accordingly.
Additionally, FYN confirmed that the Gilmer Planning and Zoning Office was closed late last week due to possible exposures of an employee.
Sources tell FYN that at least one of the exposures this week may have been related to a recent church revival held in Gilmer County. However, no cases have been officially confirmed at this time.