SEC Charges Russell Todd Burkhalter and His Atlanta-Based Firm With $300 Million Ponzi Scheme and Obtains Emergency Relief
Featured News, Featured Stories, News August 15, 2024
Burkhalter allegedly stole investor funds to buy a $3.1 million yacht and fund a lavish lifestyle. According to public Georgia records, Burkhalter owns multiple properties in Fannin County, Georgia.
Washington D.C., Aug. 14, 2024 —
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that it obtained a preliminary injunction, asset freeze, and other emergency relief against Atlanta-based Drive Planning LLC and its founder and CEO, Russell Todd Burkhalter, to halt a $300 million real estate Ponzi scheme impacting more than 2,000 investors. Additionally, a receiver was appointed over Drive Planning. The SEC alleges the defendants misappropriated millions of dollars of investor funds to fund Burkhalter’s lavish lifestyle and to make Ponzi-like payments.
“Drive Planning and Burkhalter gained the trust of everyday people and encouraged them to invest in this scheme by promising exorbitant returns, but as our complaint alleges, the defendants’ business was nothing more than a classic Ponzi scheme, using new investor money to pay returns to existing investors, with Burkhalter stealing millions to fund a lavish lifestyle,” said Nekia Hackworth Jones, Director of the SEC’s Atlanta Regional Office. “Investors should be vigilant when they encounter aggressive sellers who make over-the-top sales pitches and promise high rates of guaranteed returns.”
The SEC’s complaint alleges that, from 2020 through at least June 2024, Drive Planning and Burkhalter raised more than $300 million for purported real estate investments, telling investors their money would be used to fund land development projects. The defendants promised 10% interest every 3 months and encouraged investors to tap their savings, retirement accounts, and even open lines of credit to invest. In reality, the defendants did not have a business capable of generating the promised returns, and they instead used investor funds to make Ponzi-like payments, according to the complaint. The complaint further alleges that Burkhalter stole investor funds to fund his luxurious lifestyle, including to buy a $3.1 million yacht and spending $4.6 million on chartering private jets and luxury car services and $2 million on a luxury condo. 
The SEC’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, charges Drive Planning and Burkhalter with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. In addition to the emergency relief granted by the Court, which the defendants did not oppose, the SEC seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties against the defendants, and an officer-and-director bar against Burkhalter. The complaint also names Jacqueline Burkhalter, Burkhalter’s spouse, and several related entities as relief defendants and seeks disgorgement of ill-gotten gains from them.
The SEC’s ongoing investigation is being conducted by Austin Stephenson and Cody Turley, under the supervision of Peter Diskin and Justin Jeffries, of the SEC’s Atlanta Regional Office. The SEC’s litigation will be led by Pat Huddleston and H.B. Roback, under the supervision of M. Graham Loomis.
BKP makes endorsement in Georgia HD7
Feature News, News January 5, 2023
Many have called and texted me wondering if I was going to back someone in the runoff. I have made that decision.
The people of Georgia House District 7 need a representative that understands our North Georgia values: That is obviously not Sheree Ralston. Throughout the campaign it became clear she doesn’t have a clue about any of the issues. Remember what she said was her legislative priority, when our law enforcement responds to a call to have a clinician in the car with them. Ask your local law enforcement if they want a counselor to join them when responding to a call. Remember when she said that mental health legislation is a work in progress… but could not tell the voters what that means….
We need someone who doesn’t have to rely on someone else to write the answers to questions for them, someone who will listen and study the issues, someone who will represent the people and not Atlanta. I am endorsing Johnny Chastain for HD7. Johnny needs our vote, needs you to call your neighbors and ask them to vote and will need financial support. He is running against the establishment of a well funded machine. Let’s pull together and elect Johnny Chastain as our Rep for HD7.
BKP
Ellijay resident arrested in Canon for Methamphetamine Trafficking
Featured Stories, News August 28, 2022
CANON, Ga. – On August 24, 2022, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested Dustin Tyler Burgess, 34, of Ellijay, Georgia, and Uriel C. Mendoza, 30, of Copperhill, Tennessee, charged them both with “trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of children.”
According to the GBI’s press release, the arrest occurred in the city of Canon in Franklin County, but the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), a branch of the GBI, stretches all across Northeast Georgia including Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, and Cherokee Counties along its western edge. ARDEO agents executed the search warrant at 2064 New Franklin Church Road where they report they found “an active methamphetamine conversion lab inside one of the buildings” which was identified as a horse stable.
Allegedly converting liquid meth into crystal meth, the lab was so large that the ARDEO agents could not process the scene alone. They contacted the DEA Clan Lab Team to aid in the scene. Additionally, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Banks County Sheriff’s Office, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol aided in the investigation.
According to the GBI, “Agents seized approximately five kilograms of finished crystal methamphetamine and approximately 255 gallons of liquid methamphetamine solution. It is estimated the amount of liquid methamphetamine solution that the lab was likely capable of producing was over 700 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of over $7.8 million.”
Piles of crushed cans of Acetone, tubs, plastic boxes, barrels, and coolers were found at the site and processed by the agencies in the investigation. More photos of those items can be found on the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office’s social media page. The current status of the two arrested, including Ellijay’s Dustin Burgess, is currently unknown as FYN awaits a response from the GBI about the status of the two.
Appeal filed as BOC and BOE discuss Tax Assessors issue
Featured Stories, News August 20, 2022
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Both the BOC’s special meeting and the BOE’s monthly work session saw discussion after falling median sales ratios in the Tax Assessors Office could set the county up for another state consent order and penalties in fees.
Chief Appraiser, Theresa Gooch stated that if the county’s median falls below a 38, the first consequence comes as the possibility of losing some public utility money or tax revenue. This number comes from the state’s Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA) studies that occur annually. This means the Audit will look at samples of sales in the year and look at the sale value and compare that to what the county Tax Assessors assessed the value at. Since the state expects the assessors to set there evaluations at 40 percent of the property’s value. The optimum ratio, according to the state, is set between 38 and 42 percent so that there is no major variations.
However, to “pass” the audit, a term presented by BOE Finance Director Trina Penland, the assessed evaluations must fall between 36 percent and 44 percent, allowing for a 4 percent margin of error on either side as some might say. The report of the test samples for 2021 in Gilmer County fell to 35.88 percent, according to Penland’s report.
The study lags, however, according to Gooch who explained that the Department uses 2021 sales to set 2021 values while the county must use 2020 sales to anticipate and set expected 2021 values. The time lag also comes as the county has to have its values set by January 1, 2021. The state, however, comes later as Gooch said in the August 2022 meeting that the county just received the study results. Since the county’s and the states values are at odds, the discrepancy arises. The difference is so stark this year with the rising inflation and market values in just the course of one year.
There is no immediate consequence this year as the county is not under an official review year, Gooch said that will take place next year with regards to the 2022 assessments currently in their final stages. The Tax Assessors will use this information to set the expected 2023 values, but the state will wait until the end of 2023 to set those values based on actual sales.
With the current issue, she urged the county to formally file an appeal to have their concerns on record that Gilmer is “not happy with the findings.” Additionally, Gooch noted that the county could rise up again and make the requirement by next year’s review, but she has concerns if the state continues studies with the time difference allowing major influences to change market values drastically between the county’s anticipatory values from 2022 and the states actuals from 2023.
Not meeting the state required study median causes a fine, County Chairman Charlie Paris noted $174,000. The option is going under a consent order. Paris also noted that the last time the county was under a consent order, “it cost us more than paying the fine.”
In addition to those, Penland reported to the BOE that the Tax Assessors will also have to change their ratios for the digest in coming years, further reducing the money collected for both the Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners budgets.
Gilmer County is not the only county going through this issue currently as Penland showed reports from 2019, 2020, and 2021 audits with more and more counties falling out of compliance each year. In the 2021, the majority of North Georgia along with counties all over the state are facing this same issue of being out of compliance.
Gooch reported that the last time Gilmer County was out of compliance, with a median percentage below 36, was “prior to 2010” and the last time it was out of optimal range, with a median percentage below 38, was 2013.
Gilmer holds meeting for Amicalola Falls Scenic Byway
News July 26, 2022
ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is moving forward with a project to designate a scenic byway between Gilmer, Pickens, and Dawson counties. Meetings are being held this month informing citizens about the byway and answering questions on the topic.
Each county is looking to hold one meeting for the the project, allowing their citizens an opportunity to attend a closer location. The counties’ Boards of Commissioners have already approved the initial process of the designation for the byway. Gilmer approved it in November 2021.
Gilmer’s meeting, led by Janet Cochran, saw citizens attending and questioning the projects aims and benefits to the county and balancing them against the costs. Many citizens questioned whether the project might increase traffic on local and state roads as one of the main roads of the byway travels along Highway 52 between Dawson and Gilmer. However, the entirety of the byway involves several offshoots, loops, and branches of the route connecting small roads into it, roads like Orchard Lane.
But the inclusion of many of those side roads are part of the discussion as Executive Director of the Greater Gilmer Joint Development Authority (JDA) Kent Sanford said that is part of what they are asking citizens for. Sanford said that utilizing input from citizens who live in the area, they can not only offer suggestion or requests to move certain sections or alter the route in ways to provide the best scenario as well as offering suggestions on improvements to the route.
A map of the proposed Amicalola Falls Scenic Byway as presented in the July 2022 meeting with citizens.
That is part of the Georgia Rural Economic Development organization’s process in the byway designation. They will offer recommendations to government entities from local county commissioners to the state and GDOT on the needs of this route to both improve and maintain the scenic nature of the byway. Cochran said that this could be an increase in trash pickup, addition of certain things as a part of the Corridor Management Plan. However, the committee itself has no power to enforce or accomplish these tasks as they can only suggest them to the roads management.
This is all to maintain the six intrinsic qualities of a byway including scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological, and recreational sites. Of which, the route being designated has five qualities. Only archaeological wasn’t found.
Being 81 miles long, the Amicalola Scenic Byway touches jurisdictions of Dawson County, Dawsonville, Gilmer County, Ellijay, Pickens County, and Jasper.
Cochran told citizens that the designation does not come with a widening of the road, construction, or other private property encroachments. There will be signs erected identifying the byway on the roadside, but no major expansions are included. On of the only restrictions that comes with the designation is no new billboards will be erected. Something that Sanford says Gilmer County already has in its ordinances.
A map of Gilmer’s portion of the Amicalola Falls Scenic Byway route proposed in the July 2022 meeting.
Gilmer’s meeting saw both opposition and support for the project as some suggested renaming it to include apples in the name and others worries about the state coming in to widen and control the roads. Still others spoke on the byway’s potential to add traffic to certain roads already under stress and in major need of repair. Countering that, some spoke about the byway’s plan to aid “market share,” a term used by Cochran, as draining tourists from the apple houses and directing them elsewhere. Similar discourse came in November 2021’s Gilmer BOC meeting as the board was questioned on the designation, its benefits, and “ulterior motives.”
In that meeting, Paris said he had begun thinking of something similar to this for Boardtown Road, though it would be a county designation and not a state designation.
Sanford said that the plan is to increase information and as people are likely to see the signs while already visiting the area. This could lead them to following the road after visiting apple houses and traveling in different directions instead of immediately returning via the same road after visiting their original destination. Cochran also assured citizens that the scenic byway doesn’t restrict their rights to develop their land along the road. As the county ordinances still dictate Land Use, citizens will not have any change in that area either. The county is also not required to fund any of the initial process of the designation. The meetings, information distribution, and even putting up the signs, if the designation is completed, is covered by Georgia’s Rural Center.
That process continues now, after this meeting, as the development of the Corridor Management Plan begins. Another meeting will be held to present that plan and it is sent to GDOT for approval and review by the DNR and DCA and then must be approved by the commissioner and board. If approved, it will join the 17 other Scenic Byways designated in the state. Citizens can find all scenic byways on the GDOT’s Scenic Byways page.
Apple Blossom planned after 3 years of cancellations
News April 10, 2022
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Gilmer Chamber is accepting vendor applications for the 2022 Annual Apple Blossom Festival. The spring event has seen three cancellations over the last three years for various reasons and is once again on schedule to see its return in 2022.
With the outbreak of COVID-19, the past two years have seen the event cancelled in favor of caution for both attendees and vendors. Last year, the event was also set in motion with plans and vendors on track for May. However, a last minute statement from the chamber said, “Out of an abundance of caution and desire to keep our public safe, the decision has been made to cancel the 2021 Georgia Apple Blossom Festival.”
This statement came after rising case numbers of COVID-19 had many thinking the virus would return as bad or worse as the height of the outbreak that saw cancellations of virtually every major event in 2020, including the same Apple Blossom Festival. As numbers declined again in late summer, the 2021 Apple Festival returned as planned despite the cancellation of the earlier spring festival.
The year before that, the Apple Blossom Festival was cancelled in 2019 due to weather conditions. Chamber representatives said they could not reschedule the event due to many of the vendors already having full schedules and other difficulties.
This year will also represent new Chamber President Jennifer Grimmer’s first Apple Blossom Festival since taking office. Last year’s Apple Festival saw Grimmer leading the Chamber to a record setting first weekend for sales. She operated alongside former President Paige Hutto as a consultant during that festival where the Chamber operated with modifications for distancing between vendors and attendees as much as possible.
Now, with just under a month left until the planned return, Gilmer’s Apple Blossom Festival is scheduled to see its return on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday, May 8, 2022, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Vendors will be setting up on Friday, May 6, 2022, 1 pm to 7 pm. Those still wishing to apply as vendors can do so on the Chamber’s Website.
GHS honored twice for AP Honor School and a student as Georgia Scholar
News April 9, 2022
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer Schools has reason to celebrate this week as Gilmer High School was honored by the state as 1 of 239 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools from 88 LEAs that State School Superintendent Richard Woods named earlier this week for 2022.
The 2022 AP Honor Schools are named in eight categories, based on the results of 2021 AP courses and exams. AP exams are administered by the College Board, which also administers the SAT. AP courses are one of several ways Georgia students can access college-level learning at the high school level; students who receive a 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam may receive college credit. ‘
The category that Gilmer High School was honored for was AP STEM Schools. Schools named to this category must have a minimum of five students testing in at least four AP STEM courses. (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles).
This is an annual recognition for schools as the GaDOE began recognizing AP Honor Schools in 2008.
State Superintendent Richard Woods stated, “We are committed to expanding opportunities for Georgia students, including in advanced and accelerated coursework. I offer my sincere congratulations to each of this year’s AP Honor Schools, and thank each teacher, student, and school leader who worked hard to create strong AP opportunities in these Georgia schools.”
Kinsleigh Purvis, Gilmer High School’s 2022 Salutatorian, 2022 PAGE STAR Student, and 2022 Georgia Scholar.
Gilmer Schools also offered congratulations to GHS and all of its AP students and AP teachers. However, their is one student among the high school who is being honored specifically as another annual recognition was presented by Woods recently, the 2022 Georgia Scholars.
GHS honored one of its students in February of this year as the 2022 PAGE STAR Student. That student is Kinsleigh Purvis. She is the daughter of Steven and Kara Purvis of Talking Rock, Georgia. As the PAGE STAR Student, she named former Mathematics teacher Ashley Stover as her STAR teacher at the time. Now, Purvis is still achieving more in here senior year at GHS as she is among Superintendent Woods’ 2022 Georgia Scholars.
According to Georgia State Department of Education, a total of 216 graduating seniors from across Georgia have been recognized as 2022 Georgia Scholars. Through the Georgia Scholar program, the Georgia Department of Education identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life. Georgia Scholars are students who carried exemplary course loads during their four years of high school, performed excellently in all courses, successfully participated in interscholastic events at their schools and in their communities, and assumed leadership roles in extracurricular activities sponsored by their schools. Each Georgia Scholar receives a seal for their diploma as well.
Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley stated, “I offer my sincere congratulations to Kinsleigh on her designation as a 2022 Georgia Scholar. As our class of 2022 salutatorian and STAR student, it is obvious that she is an impressive young lady with a bright future ahead of her. We are extremely proud of her achievements.”
Two charged with Heroin Trafficking in multi-agency investigation
News April 1, 2022
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Continued operations throughout the Appalachian area are seeing Gilmer’s Sheriff’s Office stepping up its work both in solo operations, and in joint operations alongside groups like the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement, Police, and Sheriff’s Offices in other counties and leading to drug seizures like heroin and meth.
On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, one of those operations involved Gilmer County Deputies, Fannin County Investigators, the Cherokee County North Carolina Sheriff’s Office, and the GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.
This coalition of law enforcement offices arrested two individuals allegedly involved in heroin trafficking. According to Gilmer’s Sheriff’s Office, an investigation into the trafficking saw the arrest of Jamie Willis Whitener, 44, of Murphy, North Carolina, and Natalie Lynn Scogin, 47, of Murphy, North Carolina.
The two have been charged with Trafficking Heroin after being stopped on Highway 515 in Gilmer County, Georgia. Headed north on the highway, Whitener and Scogin are suspected of being involved in trafficking heroin between Gilmer County, Georgia and Murphy, North Carolina. The Sheriff’s Office states that the two were known to the agencies involved in the investigation.
Gilmer Sheriff’s Office stated, “Approximately 10.9 grams of heroin was seized in this investigation, its value being approximately $1,600.”
Working along other agencies, numerous arrests have been made over the years after joint operations such as a four month long investigation in 2017 with the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force. Additionally, Gilmer’s own deputies continue solo operations resulting in drug seizures like the record-setting arrest for 1.69 pounds of methamphetamines made in 2021.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, Gilmer County, Fannin County, the Cleveland Police Department and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, Department of Community Supervision and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Public Works beginning Lift Station project with new grant
News March 9, 2022
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County is soon to begin a major project in its landfill after a major leachate issue in 2019 saw engineering firm Carter & Sloope send a representative to the Board of Commissioners discussing this project.
In July of 2019, Kurt McCord of Carter & Sloope said that they had mad an emergency repair to the pipe to stop a leachate leak. Now, Gilmer Public Works Director Jim Smith stated today that the county has just finished a pre-construction meeting with engineers and the contractor on the project, Stanco, as well as the GEFA (Georgia Environmental Finance Authority) Project Manager.
Leachate, by definition, is water that has percolated through a solid and leached out some of the constituents. In this situation, that water has soaked through trash at the landfill before it gets collected and pumped out to a holding tank for treatment later. McCord explained in 2019 that the piping on the site uses two pipes, an inner 6-inch pipe, and an outer 10-inch pipe.
According to McCord, the system was not operating at optimal efficiency, about 35 or 40 percent. The resolution he offered at the time would run optimally at 75 percent efficiency, drastically reducing power consumption as well as systemic failures.
Now, according to Smith, the project is set to begin construction on the permanent solution in June of 2022. Smith said, “In the interim, we will be stockpiling dirt and things of that nature for getting ready.”
That stockpiling and preparation is going slow, however, as Smith has said that collecting supplies for major projects is stalling as waiting lists are backing up. Smith stated that, at this time, its hard to get a definitive answer on when materials like piping and concrete can be delivered.
Public Works Director Jim Smith
However, a new grant is aiding in funding the million dollar project. Smith said that the county has received official notification to receive an additional $286,000 from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act). The county has already received funding from the Act for other projects at the county’s discretion, some of those projects approved last year, 2021, included Hazard Pay for county employees who worked the the COVID-19 outbreak, a UV sterilization filter, and even considered utilizing some funds to expand the current water system further throughout the county.
This new contribution for $286,000 is a separate grant that the county will be using to fund part of this project.
Smith stated that with the extra funding they can replace the current gravity fed system with a force main pumping the water out of the 10,000 gallon collection and holding tank and into the public sewer system. However, Smith went on to add that this will be later in the project as they will focus on the area inside the landfill first.
The project is scheduled to continue into 2023 as the main project will complete in January and then they will move to the pump and line along Tower Road.
Human remains found in Gilmer County
News February 18, 2022
UPDATE: Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson confirmed with FYN today that the remains found in the Hudson-Martin Road area of the county were skeletal. He said that they were complete and not missing any major parts.
Nicholson also confirmed that the remains were found above ground, not buried.
Nicholson said that it could possibly take up to a week or more for preliminary findings but is confident in the GBI’s lab in determining details sooner than that. He also specifically stated that he was confident in the lab and investigators to identify the remains before the investigation ends, providing closure to either a missing person or a crime if investigations find something pointing to that.
Nicholson also confirmed that while they did call in a tech and support from the GBI, the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office is still leading the investigation into these remains.
ORIGINAL STORY GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities have taken custody of what the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office said is suspected human remains on Friday, February 18, 2022.
Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson
According to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office, the remains were located by a utility company lineman crew at approximately 4:00 a.m. this morning. The locations was said to be “in a wooded area just off of Hudson-Martin Road.”
Hudson-Martin Road leaves off of Highway 52 East at Hillcrest Apple Orchard and connects back to Highway 52 East near the Oakland Clubhouse after crossing Rackley Road.
The Sheriff’s Office went on to say, “Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives responded to the scene, and a GBI crime scene tech was requested to assist in recovering the remains.”
As of now, the Sheriff’s Office has not determined a cause of death. The remains are will be in the custody of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and their Crime Lab as they determine more information.
FYN has reached out to Sheriff Nicholson for comment and questions on the remains found and is currently awaiting his response. This article will be update with additional information as he provides it. Stay with FYN for new articles as well as new developments are reported.
Gilmer Schools sets Virtual Learning Days for coming storm
News January 14, 2022
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Across the county, people are preparing for a potentially dangerous Winter Storm over the weekend and the school system is no different. A new statement today confirmed that the school system is moving two days next week to virtual learning days for students in caution.
Tuesday, January 18, and Wednesday, January 19, will be virtual learning days for the school. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, Gilmer has been no stranger to Virtual Learning through the online academy or home packets when the school went completely to distance learning. However, it has also become a common option for the schools in the last year for inclement weather days. Allowing the virtual learning salvages a snow day for the education system instead of a total loss of the day.
But the weather is not the only reason for these virtual days next week. The statement from Gilmer Schools said, “In response to rapidly increasing numbers of positive Omicron cases among our staff and the potential of a severe Winter weather event early next week, the Gilmer County Schools will transition to virtual learning days for January 18th and 19th, 2022.”
Gilmer Schools has only this week changed its COVID response procedures in accordance with the state of Georgia and Department of Health (DPH) guidelines. This change included some new changes from just last week, but also quarantine days that both government entities had changed in their guidelines on December 30, 2021 including the following guidelines on when to leave isolation after a positive test:
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Had Symptoms:
- At least 5 days* have passed since symptoms first appeared and
- At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
- Symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved
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No symptoms
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At least 5 days* have passed since the positive laboratory test and the person remains asymptomatic
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Note, if you later develop symptoms, you should follow the guidance for symptomatic persons above.
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While the school system did not make a direct reference to these guidelines when setting their virtual days, Ridley has recently told FYN that the schools are doing everything they can to follow guidelines set while returning to a focus on students’ educations. Setting Virtual Learning Days for Tuesday and Wednesday will allow five days to pass without students in school due to the weekend and Monday’s school holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Accomplishing the virtual days will come with assignments being sent out to students through packets or Google Classrooms. The statement noted, “Teachers will be available via email communication.”
If parents or students have any question, they are encouraged to contact their student’s school directly for more information.
While the days are virtual learning, the statement did note, “All 12 month employees should report on Wednesday January 19th.”
Gilmer Schools is changing COVID response for students tomorrow
Featured Stories January 10, 2022
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – “We will shift our focus away from contact tracing and quarantine to monitoring children for signs of illness,” says a new statement from Gilmer County Schools as the announcement comes today that COVID response and state guidelines are changing again. Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley said it was a return to focusing on educating kids in school and not being an “arbiter of quarantines.”
Dr. Ridley sent the letter out with this statement today, notifying the community of the change. He added that he wants to be a partner with parents in their care for their children.
Ridley noted that the change is coming after the governor and the Department of Public Health (DPH) announced changes in their guidelines for COVID response,acknowledging the hardships that families have had due to quarantines on any possible exposure.
Now, instead of instantly quarantining students who have been around others in school who have tested positive, they will be allowed to stay in class while being “strongly encouraged” to wear a mask. His letter this morning stated 10 days, but Dr. Ridley said that continued updates have made that a misprint as the schools will be encouraging mask usage for 5 days.
Additionally, the statement extended this same change to those currently in quarantine due to exposure. While the last update on the school systems website noted 77 students currently in quarantine, Dr. Ridley said this number is not up to date with these changes as well as another set of changes to guidelines that the schools just received last Thursday.
The school system will continue notifying parents when their students have been exposed and will be sending out letters “notifying you that your child was in class, on the bus, participated in a sport, etc. with a positive case just as we do with any other communicable disease.”
Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley
As such, some tracing will still be done with this new response as the school is still asking parents to monitor their children and notify the school if they test positive. Dr. Ridley stated, “We will continue to notify DPH when a notifiable disease is reported and alert DPH of concerns with clusters and outbreaks which may require immediate public health intervention.”
But this isn’t contact tracing as it has been in the last year, these notifications will not continue for those that have been around someone who was around someone who was exposed to a student that tested positive.
The school system is asking parents to continue monitoring your child each morning before sending them to school. They also noted that students showing any signs of the virus or any illness should not be sent to school.
The school system is also taking extra steps for parents in understanding the change or with further needs as Ridley’s statement asked parents to contact their student’s school if they have any concerns of if their child might need extra help for a medical vulnerability.
Superintendent Ridley did confirm that he had discussed the new response individually with members of the Board of Education before implementing them. While he said they mostly agreed with the new format, he did confirm that the board could still add or reinstate any extra steps and precautions should they feel the need arises.
The school system had just posted recent changes on January 4, 2022, with updates from over the December break, but the state is already updating new changes with this today. Dr. Ridley also said in his letter, “While the constant change in guidance has been frustrating at times, we want to thank our Gilmer County families for their support throughout this pandemic. We hope that with the help of our parents, we can even more effectively monitor students for symptoms while also meeting the new DPH standard of keeping healthy students in class.”
County supporting Hwy 136 and Hwy 183 Scenic Byway
News November 21, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Joining in support with Dawson County and the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Commissioners voted in approval of supporting a “Scenic Byway” designation for a portion of Hwy 136 and Hwy 182.
The resolution indicates a route “that begins in the City of Dawsonville out Hwy 183 and Hwy 136, past Amicalola Falls State Park and over Burnt Mountain.” The Dawson County Chamber is asking for the Georgia Scenic Byway designation from the Georgia Department of Transportation for this route.
The Gilmer Board of Commissioners discussed benefits for supporting the agenda item and were questioned by citizens on the usefulness of it. In fact, according to Chairman Paris, a number of surrounding counties have already done this and support the scenic byway.
One citizen who spoke during the work session asked about the development footprint and ulterior motives of supporting the scenic byway and the level of state and federal involvement into the county.
Paris said that Gilmer was approached by other counties to join the designation. He stated, “We have no reason on this at all other than just offering cooperation to other counties. We’re not looking for it to impact our growth or tourism or anything else really. No ulterior motives at all.”
Parker also noted that not all of Hwy 136 is covered, rather only the part crossing Burnt Mountain. Hwy 136 continues on crossing Hwy 515 and turning north to cross into Gilmer County in the southwest corner.
The county has been approached numerous times over the years for what they have called “letters of support” for different things from the roundabout at Hwy 382 to trails in the county. Sometimes they require promises of future action and some do not. The board even mentioned this in the regular session as Paris said he was okay with the resolution as long as it didn’t commit the county to spending money.
However, while this is set for Hwy 136 and Hwy 182 in sections not within Gilmer, Paris did note during the Work Session that the he could be discussing with the other members of the BOC to initiate a similar designation for Boardtown Road. Most recently, Boardtown Road and its residents gathered to oppose plans of putting major power lines and poles along the road in a Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) project to upgrade power and stability in the area. This was one of those items in which the BOC offered a letter of support to aid in the actions of the community.
No member of the BOC mentioned anything further about Boardtown Road, but if the county does pursue the designation, certain protections could be imposed. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation under their benefits of the designation of a Scenic Byway, “If a community decides to emphasize the protection of scenic and natural areas, land use ordinances could be created to preserve the rural character of a byway and limit development intrusion. Scenic Byway designation is a unique tool, in that it can be used to achieve a wide variety of your community’s goals.”
Highway 382 Roundabout continues upgrades and completes demolition
News November 1, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County’s newest roundabout has hit two new milestones in the project as it continues along the over $8 million project.
Despite a light rain shower, work continues on the landscaping for the 382 roundabout project on Friday, October 29, 2021.
With the rainy end to the week leading up to Halloween, the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Highway 382 connector project continued with minor additions. While the project has seen the demolition of the old section of 382 reach its very last stages, the main roundabout section is still seeing continuations.
Consistent rain has seen issues for the project, but this week saw workers on the roundabout planting shrubs and small trees despite the a light shower ongoing on Friday, October 29, 2021.
In addition to the interior of the roundabout, work continues for guardrails, road work, and lighting in the area among other things.
The project is already past its original estimated completion date, but could still see completion before Thanksgiving.
Safety equipment is still in use for the construction project as lighting has yet to be turned on for the roundabout.
While the lighting is still yet to be turned on, the orange barrels and constructions signs remain to highlight the roundabout for drivers in the night. Additionally, the same is true for the Highway 515 intersection and barrels remaining in the area with the speed limit remaining at 55 passing the connector.
Drivers are cautioned to remain aware of the new intersection and the use of the U-Turn lanes being utilized by drivers wishing to turn back towards Ellijay from Highway 382.
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the use of these u-turns instead of a direct left turn should help cut down on major accidents and drivers being struck in the side as they have seen in areas with low visibility and drivers crossing multiple lanes of traffic.
Gilmer BOE recognized as Quality Board by GSBA
News October 17, 2021
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga, – Gilmer Schools are celebrating this week as the Gilmer County Board of Education has been awarded the designation of 2021 Quality Board by the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA).
According to the GSBA, the Board Recognition Program is a 3 tier process to achieve the highest level in board governance. The 3 recognition levels are Quality, Distinguished and Exemplary with Exemplary the highest level. GSBA developed this program to reflect the state standards, which offers school boards additional ways to increase their effectiveness. The State Board of Education developed the state standards for governance that form the foundation for GSBA’s awards and recognition program.
Gilmer Schools Board of Education, from left to right, Michael Parks, Joe Pflueger, Chairman Ronald Watkins, Vice-Chair Doug Pritchett, and Michael Bramlett.
Recognition as a Quality Board requires board members to adhere to specific training requirements and standards of performance. Gilmer Schools said that as a part of the state recognition, the GSBA will be honoring the recipients at the 2021 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference in Atlanta.
In conjunction with the board attending the annual conference, they also select board members as representatives to attend legal conferences to provide input on state policies and other issues. These are only a couple of the gatherings that the board does as a part of the GSBA. The state requires training, but to achieve each status of recognition in the GSBA, each increasing level requires additional training time.
GCS Superintendent, Dr. Brian Ridley stated “I am very happy to be working with this outstanding board. In my short time with them, I have been very impressed with their willingness to work together as a team for the benefit of our students and I am very proud of their accomplishment.”
In addition to meeting state goals in training and budgeting, the board also must incorporate additional state guidelines into their system. Quality Boards have and utilize a strategic plan while incorporating the Georgia Vision Project, adhering to a minimum of 5 of those state imposed guidelines. Additionally, the GSBA’s website states that the Board must comply with standards of all selected accreditation associations applicable.
This Board Recognition Program requires a high level of commitment from school boards and individual members. The GSBA states, “The ultimate goal is to provide a platform based on governance standards which challenges boards, but creates a culture of success for students and communities.”
This is not the first time that the Gilmer Board of Education has achieved this status, but with annual renewals the board must qualify for the status every year.
Sheriff’s K9 units Milo and Novak receive new protective vests in donation
News October 4, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – “Invaluable.” This is the word that Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson used to describe the K9 units when they are needed for work that he calls “apprehension.” But even that is only a third of the value that he says the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office receives from K9 units Milo and Novak.
These are two of the Sheriff’s Office three K9 Units, the third being Arlo. Milo and Novak are more advanced in their training, though. These dogs are used daily in patrols and services by the Sheriff’s Office as Nicholson told FYN they are multi-purpose dogs. In addition to apprehension of suspects in dangerous situations, both dogs are used to detect or “sniff out” drugs and also to help in searches of lost people.
Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit Milo
With so much of Gilmer County being forested areas, and with the Cohutta Wilderness in the county, tracking can prove to be yet another “invaluable” skill for the Sheriff’s Office.
A state organization, the Georgia Police K9 Foundation (GPK9F) has vested 112 Georgia Law Enforcement K9s within the state through its program. Now, these two dogs have been selected to receive new protective vests to wear in their service. The vests are designed to be worn as body armor for the K9 units when engaging in their work while maintaining a lighter weight.
According to LOF Defence Systems, the retailer for these items, the basic “K9 Streetfighter” vests retail for a base price of $550 each with upgrades costing more. However, GPK9F are donating the vests to Gilmer’s K9 Units, made possible through the generous donation by Kelly Bostick in memory of Richard E. Bostick, Jr.
According to a release by GPK9F, “What is unique about these K9 protective vests is they have a soft body armor specifically constructed to be lightweight. This helps protect our Law Enforcement K9s from becoming exhausted from heavier vests, which may cause overheating. In Georgia, heat indexes can reach over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes. Keeping a K9s body temperature down is crucial while they are working to avoid heat exhaustion or even a heat stroke. The fabric in the LOF Streetfighter vest helps regulate the K9’s body temperature keeping them comfortable and cool and are meant to be worn for entire shifts so that our four legged officers are protected at all times. K9 Officers unconditionally run into dangerous situations, regardless of whether or not a suspect could be armed with a lethal weapon. These vests are bullet resistant and shield the K9’s vital organs during any apprehension that may involve tracking and even, detaining a fleeing suspect before an officer can take full control. The Georgia Police K9 Foundation could not be more excited knowing we have assisted in the protection of our K9 officers against work related injuries or worse yet, death.”
LOF Defence Systems uses a special fabric to help with the cooling system as well. They state, “The StreetFighter vest also contains an inner layer of Outlast Thermal Management Systems fabric to prevent excessive heat soaking and to help regulate your K9’s body temperature keeping them comfortable and cool.”
Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit Novak
According to Kyle Briley, Founder and President of Georgia Police K9 Foundation, “Our organization is honored to have these two heroes protected in memory of Richard E. Bostick, Jr. It is through generous contributions and support that we are able to make a difference.“
While these K9 units are the ones receiving the vests, it is their handlers who may be more pleased with the upgrades. Deputy David Ridings is the handler for Milo. Ridings did, at one time, serve as handler for Novak who is now in service with Corporal Frank Parks. Parks is a familiar name of recent weeks in Gilmer County after he made an arrest during a traffic stop, discovering over a pound and a half of Meth.
K9 Milo is a three-year-old Belgium Malinois. K9 Novak is a six-year-old Belgium Malinois.
GPK9F also stated in their release, “As a foundation, we want to especially thank Kelly Bostick for the generous donation in memory of Richard E. Bostick, junior to protect both K9 Novak and K9 Milo. We thank each sponsor, donor and supporter of our mission.”
According to Nicholson, the K9 program utilizes both Milo and Novak for detection, tracking, and apprehension, making them the prime candidates for the vests. They go through weekly continuous training under the guidance of their handlers, but Nicholson says the dogs do periodically attend larger training seminars as well. Eventually, he hopes to have the agency’s third dog, Arlo, trained and ready for everything that these two do as well. While Arlo is trained for detection and tracking, training and certifications for apprehension are expected to come at a later date.
Until then, it appears that Novak and Milo are the frontline in K9 unit operations in Gilmer County utilizing their new protective vests.
Georgia Police K9 Foundation (GPK9F) is an All Volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit, which helps raise awareness within the State and the local communities of the infinite contributions made by the Police K9s and how they save lives to make our communities safe. Our goal is to protect as many of Georgia’s four legged officers by providing them with safety equipment, such as, bullet-proof vests, heat alarm systems, and Naloxone (Narcan Kits) in the event a K9 is directly exposed to any opioids during a search and seizure. Once a K9 has retired, the Handler will adopt their K9 partner and best friend. In the absence of State or local retirement benefits for the K9s, GPK9F will help provide retirement support (food and medical care) for the retired law enforcement K9s, who have unconditionally served their communities for years. To date, the Georgia Police K9 Foundation has assisted over 1,000 Georgia K9s by provided 112 K9 Protection Vests, 45 Heat Alarms, 200+ Training equipment, seminars, and trainings were supplied to numerous K9 teams across the State of Georgia, and assisted 100+ Retired K9s. Read their full press release here.