Cumming man dies in Thursday traffic accident
News July 15, 2022FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Cumming man was killed Thursday evening when the 2021 Harley Davidson Softail he was riding was struck by a GMC Canyon on Canton Highway at the entrance to Green’s Corners Shopping Plaza.
Andrew Perillo, 31, was traveling east on Canton Highway after being stopped at the red light at Bethelview Road. His motorcycle was struck by an unidentified 16-year-old driver traveling west on Canton Highway. The driver of the GMC attempted to turn left into the shopping plaza and struck the motorcycle. Mr. Perillo was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Forsyth County Fire Department responded to the scene. The teen was uninjured in the crash. The crash remains under investigation by Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Specialist Unit.
Dawsonville man killed in motorcycle accident Thursday
News April 29, 2022FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Joshua Waldrip, 33, of Dawsonville was killed Thursday evening when his 2007 Kawasaki ZX600 crossed the centerline on Buford Dam Road and collided head on with a Mercedes Benz GLE.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Forsyth County Fire Department responded to the accident. Mr. Waldrip was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
Public Safety Agencies host Career Fair
Press Release February 7, 2022PRESS RELEASE
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department and 911 Center along with the Forsyth County Chamber will host a career fair on Saturday, Feb. 12, for individuals interested in learning more about starting or continuing a career in public safety.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Forsyth Conference Center (3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd.) on the campus of Lanier Technical College.
“Public safety is more than a job; it’s a calling and the backbone of our community,” said Forsyth County Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Grimes. “If you are passionate about making a difference in your community and in the lives of others, a career in public safety could be the perfect fit for you. In addition to a rewarding career, Forsyth County offers exceptional benefits, including healthcare and generous retirements plans.”
A range of job openings are available with the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department and 911 Center. Staff from each agency and the Forsyth Chamber will be on hand ready to discuss job duties, career qualifications and the benefits of working within Forsyth County and public safety.
All members of the public interested in learning more are welcome, and registration is not required. Career opportunities through Forsyth County government, including opportunities within the Fire Department and 911 Center, can be found by clicking here https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/forsyth?page=1
Career opportunities within the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office can be found by clicking here https://www.forsythsheriffcareers.com/careers
Forsyth County Fire Dept. Safety Poster Contest
Press Release January 28, 2022FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. –The Forsyth County Fire Department invites all local third-grade students to share their artistic talents while promoting a commitment to safety in their annual Safety Poster Contest.
Students are asked to make an original poster about one of three themes:
- Get Out and Stay Out (Do not go back into a burning building)
- Seatbelt Safety (Passenger safety car seats and seatbelts)
- Poison Prevention (Prevent accidental poisonings)
Submissions will be accepted through Feb. 25, and the winners of each theme will be announced March 11. Winners will be offered a socially distanced dessert party with their class and local firefighters, a Certificate of Accomplishment from the Forsyth County fire chief and winners will also have their artwork displayed in various Forsyth County government buildings.
Participants must fill out a release form, which can be found by clicking here, and attach it to the back of their poster for proper submission. For full information regarding contest rules, themes and release forms, please visit the Fire Department webpage.
For more information or questions, contact Fire Prevention Training Officer Erin Long by calling 770-205-4688 or emailing [email protected].
BOC can approve $4.3 million purchase to upgrade Fire Department Tuesday
News January 24, 2022FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – County Commissioners will consider awarding a sole source purchase totaling $4.3 million to Ten-8 for several fire apparatuses for the County Fire Department when they meet in a Tuesday work session at 2 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street in Cumming.
If approved, the purchase will include one Arrow Pumper Truck, one Arrow Aerial Tower Truck, one Arrow Heavy Rescue Squad Truck and, one Arrow HazMat Squad Truck.
The Board will then consider authorization for the Fire Department to apply for the Fiscal Year 2021 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program. The application total is estimated at $1.7 million for the three-year period of performance of the Grant, which will be fully federally funded (no match required). If approved, the Department will hire/add six new Firefighter positions.
The Board will also consider:
- Approval of a list of items as surplus with authorization for the Department of Procurement to dispose of accordingly;
- Approval to award Bid 21-154-5211 for Construction of the Phase 5 Big Creek Greenway Trailhead for the Department of Parks and Recreation to Diversified Construction of Georgia, Inc. in the amount of $1,689,000.00;
- Approval to award RFP 21-188-5211 for Phase 2 Lanierland Park Playground Design and Installation for the Department of Parks and Recreationto PlaySouth Playground Creators in the amount of $249,996.00;
- Approval to award Bid 21-145-1620 to provide Commissioning Services for the County’s new Administration Building Bid 21-145-1620 to Total Systems Commissioning Authority Services, Inc. in the amount of $84,000.00;
- Acceptance of the Council of Accountability Courts Judges State of Georgia Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program in the amount of $97,200.00, with no required match, through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES); Grant Period is from January 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022. Funding will be used for emergency shelter for individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders that are currently participating in the Accountability Courts Program;
- Authorization for the Sheriff’s Office to accept the award from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation in the amount of $49,550.00 with no match required with approval of a Budget Resolution;
- Authorization for staff to proceed with the Public Hearing process regarding a proposed abandonment of a portion of Era Road (a/k/a Old Tribble Road) as requested by HEPCM, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, to facilitate the Publix-anchored commercial development at the intersection of SR20 and Tribble Road;
- Reappointment of Richard Neville as Counsel and Hearing Officer to the Civil Service Board for calendar year 2022;
- Board reappointment of Kathy Echols as Clerk to the Civil Service Board for calendar year 2022;
- County rdinances regarding build-for-rent communities;
- A presentation regarding the future Employee Center with possible Board direction;
- Authorization to hire an additional Deputy Sheriff for the purposes of adding an additional inmate litter and grass detail;
- Adoption of the 2022-2026 5-year Capital Improvement Program;
- A Resolution ratifying the proposed BOC District Boundary Map previously approved by the Board on Oct. 21, 2021, or to consider modified district boundaries;
- Enabling legislation, with regard to qualifications for Board of Commissioners’ office.
Sheriff’s Office reports single-vehicle fatal accident
Press Release January 24, 2022On January 23, 2022 at approximately 3:00 a.m., Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department were called to a single-vehicle crash on Martin Road near Cordova Lane.
A gray Chevrolet Silverado was traveling west on Martin Road and failed to negotiate the curve in the road between the Settingdown Road roundabout and Cordova Lane. The truck ran off the roadway and struck a tree. The driver, 21-year-old Glenn Worley of Dawsonville, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
This case remains under investigation; however, speed and alcohol are considered to be factors
Search for man missing in Lake Lanier continued through late Friday
News December 17, 2021FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The search for an unidentified man who is missing and presumed drowned in Lake Lanier at Mary Alice Park in Cumming continued for a second day and late into Friday afternoon (Dec. 17).
Mark McKinnon with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said it appears the man was working on his boat and slipped into the water and never resurfaced.
Division Chief Jason Shivers, with the Forsyth County Fire Department, said they were first dispatched to the scene at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, but the search was later suspended because of darkness.
The search resumed at 7:30 Friday morning. Shivers said they are operating from Mary Alice Park, and searching near Bald Ridge Creek and Bald Ridge Marina.
Game wardens with DNR, personnel with the Forsyth County Fire Department and authorities with the Army Corps of Engineers are part of the ongoing search.
Fire Department will begin annual Aerial’s House toy collection Nov. 15
News November 9, 2021FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Forsyth County Fire Department is best known for saving lives. But, for the 19th straight year, it will save Christmas for many families in need with the annual Aerial’s House toy collection.
“The Fire Department is honored to continue a wonderful initiative that brings joy to children and families during such a special time of the year,” said Forsyth County Fire Division Chief Jason Shivers. “We appreciate the community’s support for this program.”
In 2020, over 6,500 toys were collected during the drive helping to provide a brighter Christmas for nearly 2,300 Forsyth County children.
The initiative gets its name from a piece of equipment which is used by the Fire Department known as an aerial ladder truck. New or gently used coats for children or adults may also be donated and will be distributed to those in need. New, unwrapped toys for local children in need (between newborn and 18 years old), along with new or gently used coats, may be dropped off into a contactless collection bin at any Forsyth County fire station or the Fire Department Headquarters (3520 Settingdown Rd.) beginning Nov. 15 through Dec. 10.
In December, donations for Aerial’s House may also be dropped off inside the lobby of the Forsyth County Administration Building (110 E. Main St.) underneath the Christmas tree located in the lobby.
In addition, over 1,200 coats were collected and distributed. To receive information regarding the distribution of toys collected through Aerial’s House, call The Place of Forsyth County at (770) 887-1098. For other questions such as making a large donation or drop offs, please call Firefighter Jeff Lyons at (678) 513-5899.
Countywide burn ban goes into effect May 1
Press Release April 28, 2021FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A countywide, state-mandated ban on outdoor burning goes into effect
Saturday, May 1, and lasts through Sept. 30. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning including the
burning of leaves, yard debris and storm damage.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division imposes this annual ban on outdoor burning to
comply with federal clean air regulations and to help improve Georgia’s air quality during the hot
summer months, a time when people, particularly young children, are more likely to be outdoors. This outdoor activity also coincides with an increase in ground-level ozone, which is most commonly produced in the heat of the summer and can cause lung inflammation and other health issues, and particle pollution, which is created by open burning.
For more details regarding outdoor burning regulations, click here, follow the Forsyth County Fire
Department on Facebook or call the Forsyth County Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office at (678)
455-8072.
Jefferson man killed in single-vehicle accident
News April 1, 2021FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Jefferson County man was killed in a single-vehicle accident Wednesday (Mar. 31) at approximately 12:45 p.m. near Browns Bridge Road and Little Mill Road.
Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and the Forsyth County Fire Department were dispatched to the scene where the driver of a 2007 Crown Victoria, 68-year-old Robert J. Phillips, was unresponsive and was transported to a local hospital.
Stacie Miller, Public Information Officer with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said, “The on-scene investigation revealed the Crown Victoria was traveling east on Browns Bridge Road towards Little Mill Road. The driver was in the process of passing slower traffic when he hydroplaned, lost control, and left the roadway. After the vehicle left the roadway, it rotated and struck a tree, then continued backwards and struck a larger tree.”
Mr. Phillips was pronounced deceased at the hospital. There was no evidence of alcohol or drug impairment. The crash remains under investigation.
Poultry farm fire not believed to be suspicious
News February 24, 2021FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – A poultry farm fire that killed about 17,000 birds Monday may have been the result of a mechanical failure.
Forsyth County Fire Department Division Chief Nathan Shivers said “Nothing about this appears to be suspicious. All indications are it was some kind of mechanical failure, although it is under investigation.”
The blaze took place off Pea Ridge Road in North Forsyth County near the Dawson County line and was reported about 4:30 p.m. The chicken house was fully involved when the firefighters arrived.
“Those buildings burn very, very quickly because they are such big, open, cavernous spaces,” Shivers said. “Fortunately we were able to keep the fire from spreading to the other 11 buildings on the property and there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Worker in stable condition after trench collapses
News February 24, 2021FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – A construction worker suffered injuries to his lower extremities but is lucky to be alive today after a trench he was working in collapsed on him in the Habersham Gates subdivision just off Buford Highway, trapping him from the waist down.
“Fortunately it didn’t cover his head or his chest,” said Forsyth County Fire Department Division Chief Jason Shivers. “Those types of collapses are very heavy because of this heavy Georgia clay. There is a lot of weight there.”
It is also fortunate that Fire Station 15 is right around the corner from the accident site, literally a few hundred yards away.
“The fire crews were able to get to him quickly and I believe their rapid response helped lead to a successful recovery,” Shivers said.
The man, who has not been identified, was transported to North Fulton Hospital where he was reported to be in stable condition Wednesday morning.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been notified and the cause of the collapse will be investigated.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com