Habersham Schools closed Feb. 3 due to continued icy road conditions

By

-

February 2, 2026

Snow and ice remain on many roadways across Habersham County, and while some melting occurred Monday, officials warn conditions could worsen again by early Tuesday due to refreezing.

Habersham County Schools will be closed to students on Tuesday, February 3, due to ongoing road hazards and the high potential for black ice in the morning. Superintendent Patrick Franklin said that twelve-month employees should report to work at 8:30 a.m. or when it is safe to do so.

The closure comes as temperatures hovered near freezing overnight, allowing melted snow to refreeze on untreated roads, bridges, and shaded areas. School administrators are monitoring the roads and shared photos of

Franklin said higher temperatures and rainfall on Tuesday will allow students to return to class after one more snow day.

“I look forward to having our students back in school on Wednesday [Feb. 3],” he said.

RELATED

School Closings & Delays

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says expanding regular season to 18 games ‘not a given’

By

Rob Maaddi

-

February 2, 2026

AP26033842467917 — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during his state of the NFL news conference on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in San Jose, Calif., ahead of the Super Bowl 60 football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Matt York)

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Not so fast on an 18-game NFL season.

A week after Patriots owner Robert Kraft made it seem inevitable, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said expanding the regular season to 18 games is “not a given.”

“We have not had any formal discussions about it and, frankly, very little, if any, informal conversations,” Goodell said Monday at his annual state of the NFL news conference ahead of the Super Bowl. “I’ve heard people talk about it in the context. It is not a given that we will do that. It’s not something we assume will happen. It’s something we want to talk about with the union leadership.”

Last Tuesday, Kraft made it seem 18 games was a foregone conclusion.

“I want to tell you guys that we’re going to push like the dickens now to make international (games) more important with us,” Kraft told 98.5 FM last week. ”Every team will go to 18 (regular-season games) and two (preseason games) and eliminate one of the preseason games, and every team every year will play one game overseas.”

Clearly, word reached Goodell.

He mentioned that the NFL Players Association will be going through a leadership transition and that the conversation will be complex. Goodell pointed out player safety concerns, competitive issues, the potential need to add another bye and roster sizes as areas that have to be addressed through collective bargaining.

The current CBA between the NFL and its players’ union expires in 2030.

“As (the NFLPA) determines their priorities, we are doing the same at the ownership level so that when we get together, we can address these issues together,” Goodell said.

The momentum for an 18th game took off when Goodell made an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show at the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit and said: “I’d rather replace a preseason game with a regular-season (game) any day, that’s just picking quality. If we got to 18 (regular season) and two (preseason), that’s not an unreasonable thing.”

He’s walked it back previously but not to this point.

The NFL added a 17th game in 2021 in the most recent CBA.

Seattle Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp hinted Monday night that owners would have to give up a bigger piece of the financial pie to get an 18th done.

“For the 18th game to happen, there’s obviously going to be some negotiation,” Kupp said. “There’s some things, give and take. Unfortunately, it’s one of those things. If the 18th game is on the table, there’s going to have to be some talks about what makes that worth it to the players. And we’ll get to that point. We’ll cross that bridge.”

Tisch-Epstein

The NFL will look into New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and his association with Jeffrey Epstein after his name showed up more than 400 times in files released by the U.S. Justice Department regarding Epstein.

“Absolutely we will look at all the facts,” Goodell said. “We’ll look at the context of those and try to understand that. We’ll look at how that falls under the (league personal conduct) policy. I think we’ll take one step at a time. Let’s get the facts first.”

Tisch said last week he knew Epstein and that they “exchanged emails about adult women” and “discussed movies, philanthropy and investments.” But Tisch, 76, denied going to Epstein’s island and was never charged in the investigation.

Epstein killed himself in a New York jail cell in August 2019, a month after being indicted on federal sex trafficking charges.

The documents were disclosed under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted after months of public and political pressure that requires the government to open its files on the late financier and his confidant and onetime girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.

International games

The NFL will play its first regular-season game ever in France next season with the New Orleans Saints set to travel to Paris later this year and the league will also head back to Mexico City for the first time since 2022, increasing the total of international games to nine in 2026.

The league announced the plans to play a game at the Stade de France next season in addition to a multiyear deal to keep playing regular-season games at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, and a game to be played in Mexico City in December.

Goodell said 16 international games remains the goal.

Baldwin council to revisit Cook annexation Tuesday

By

Patrick Fargason

-

February 2, 2026

Baldwin Council — The Baldwin City Council. (Patrick Fargason/Now Habersham)

BALDWIN, Ga. — The Baldwin City Council will take up first readings of Cook Construction’s proposed annexation and rezoning Tuesday night, following a work session where council members are expected to review the request and its timeline.

The work session begins at 6 p.m. at Baldwin Municipal Courtroom and will be immediately followed by the regular city council meeting. During the work session, council members will review the Cook Construction annexation and zoning proposal and discuss next steps. The council agenda later calls for first readings of ordinances tied to both the annexation and rezoning.

The Cook proposal involves property along Ga. 365 that was previously tied to a failed annexation effort in Cornelia. In Baldwin, the request has drawn public attention and concern, particularly over traffic and growth, and has been tabled once before as council members sought additional information and public input.

Tuesday’s meetings come as the city continues transitioning to a revised meeting structure approved by council last year. Mayor Doug Faust said the current charter ordinance under consideration is intended to provide flexibility in scheduling while maintaining a minimum requirement.

“The minimum that we have in this new charter ordinance is one meeting a month,” Faust said. “The changes are meant to allow the city to announce meeting dates in advance rather than being locked into a fixed number each month.”

Despite the shift to two meetings per month — typically a work session and a council meeting — both are scheduled back-to-back Tuesday night as the city works through several ongoing items.

In addition to Cook Construction, council members will discuss and consider approval of a preliminary plat for the Chitwood development. Faust said the item represents the next phase of a long-planned residential project.

“Developers previously submitted a master plan as part of the city’s zoning process,” Faust said. “They are now seeking approval to move forward with construction of 79 homes. The full Chitwood development is planned to include more than 500 homes.”

Other items on Tuesday’s agendas include a review of the city’s meeting schedule tied to the home rule charter amendment during the work session and consideration of a police department Flock camera agreement during the council meeting.

Hall County Schools warns of consequences for student walkouts

By

Joy Purcell

-

February 2, 2026

Hall County School District Central Office — (Photo courtesy Hall County School District)

Officials with Hall County Schools are warning students that participating in school walkouts could result in disciplinary action after a group of students left class Friday amid protests tied to immigration enforcement.

In a message dated February 2, Superintendent Will Schofield said the district is aware of national events and local social media activity encouraging student walkouts. He said the district’s immediate priority during Friday’s incident was student safety and preventing escalation.

“Because of time constraints, our immediate priority was ensuring student safety and preventing escalation,” Schofield said. “While we respect the First Amendment rights of students and staff, our responsibility is to maintain a safe, orderly learning environment for everyone.

Schofield said schools will continue operating on a normal schedule. Students are expected to remain in class and follow their regular routines. Those who leave campus or skip class without permission may face consequences under the district’s Code of Conduct, including loss of instructional credit, parent notification, and out-of-school suspension when necessary.

Staff members are expected to remain at their assigned duty stations and focus on instruction, supervision, and student support.

Protests driven by fear

The walkout in Hall County was part of a broader, statewide protest movement. According to Atlanta News First, classrooms across Georgia emptied Friday as students walked out in protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The demonstrations were part of a nationwide day of action sparked by deadly shootings in Minneapolis.

Organizers told Atlanta News First that more than 100 schools across Georgia participated. One of the largest demonstrations took place at Centennial High School in north Fulton County, where more than 100 students gathered in the parking lot under school supervision, chanting calls for change.

Parents and students there said the protests were deeply personal, driven by fear among some Latino students and families who worry immigration enforcement could put them at risk, even when they are in the country legally. Some students said they walked out to speak for classmates who were too afraid to attend school.

Trump says he won’t tear down the Kennedy Center but it needs to be closed for repairs

By

Darlene Superville

-

February 2, 2026

AP26033619862118 — A woman walks outside The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he’s “not ripping down” the Kennedy Center but insisted the performing arts venue needs to shut down for about two years for construction and other work without patrons coming and going and getting in the way.

The comments strongly suggested that he intends to gut the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of the process.

“I’m not ripping it down,” the Republican president told reporters in the Oval Office. “I’ll be using the steel. So we’re using the structure.”

Such a project would mark the Republican president’s latest effort to put his stamp on a cultural institution that Congress designated as a living memorial to President Kennedy, a Democrat. It also would be in addition to attempts to leave a permanent mark on Washington through other projects, the most prominent of which is adding a ballroom to the White House.

Shortly after taking office last year, Trump dismissed Kennedy Center board members who had been appointed by Democratic presidents and replaced them with loyalists, who voted to make him chairman. He helped choose the recipients of the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, a program he avoided during his first term. He later hosted the event, and the board voted late last year to rebrand the Kennedy Center by adding his name to the building and website.

Trump announced Sunday on social media that he intends to temporarily close the performing arts venue on July 4 for about two years “for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding,” subject to board approval.

The announcement followed a wave of cancellations by leading performers, musicians and groups since the president took over leadership of the arts institution. Trump did not mention the cancellations in his announcements, or during his comments Monday.

Kennedy Center Arts Workers United, which includes several unions representing the institution’s arts workers, said in a statement that it was aware of Trump’s announcement but had received no formal notice or briefing about his plans. The group pledged to enforce its members’ contractual rights.

“Should we receive formal notice of a temporary suspension of Kennedy Center operations that displaces our members, we will enforce our contracts and exercise all our rights under the law,” the statement said. “We expect continued fair pay, enforceable worker protections, and accountability for our members in the event they cannot work due to an operational pause.”

Promising ‘the highest-grade everything’

Recalling his past career in construction and real estate, Trump said, “you want to sit with something for a little while before you decide on what you want to do.” Speaking of the Kennedy Center, he said: “We sat with it. We ran it. It’s in very bad shape,” asserting that the building is “run down,” “dilapidated” and “sort of dangerous.”

Roma Daravi, a Kennedy Center spokesperson, said in a social media post that “decades of gross negligence” has led to $250 million of deferred maintenance needs and that temporarily closing the institution “is the most logical choice to allow for comprehensive renovations, efficient project completion, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.”

Deborah Rutter, the Kennedy Center president who was ousted by Trump, declined comment Monday. In the past, she has said allegations from Trump and others about the center’s management were false.

A representative for David Rubenstein, the board chairman who was also pushed out by Trump, said Rubenstein was not available Monday to comment.

Trump, citing the complaints of a workman he said has been laying marble at the Kennedy Center, said the closure is needed because “you can’t do any work because people are coming in and out.”

He pegged the cost at about $200 million, including the use of “the highest-grade marbles, the highest-grade everything.”

“We’re fully financed and so we’re going to close it and we’re going to make it unbelievable, far better than it ever was, and we’ll be able to do it properly,” Trump said.

Congress earmarked $257 million for the Kennedy Center in a tax cut and spending bill that Trump signed into law last summer.

What kind of work is involved

The White House said after the president spoke that some of the maintenance includes work on the building’s structural, heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, fire protection and technical stage systems. Work on the building’s exterior, security standards and parking are also included.

Daravi, the Kennedy Center spokesperson, declined comment when asked how the closure would affect the annual Mark Twain Award and Kennedy Center Honors events this year.

Trump said last October, also on social media, that the venue would stay open during construction. But on Monday he said that plan was no longer feasible.

“I was thinking maybe there’s a way of doing it simultaneously but there really isn’t, and we’re going to have something that when it opens it’s going to be brand new, beautiful,” Trump said.

“The steel will all be checked out because it’ll be fully exposed,” he said. “It’s been up for a long time, but as anybody knows it was in very bad shape. Wasn’t kept well, before I got there,” he said. “So we’re going to make it, I think there won’t be anything like it in the country.”

The Kennedy Center opened in 1971.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., who in November opened an investigation into the Kennedy Center’s financial management, said the planned closure is part of Trump’s “demolition tour of Washington.” Whitehouse is the senior Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, which oversees public buildings, and is an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center’s board.

Since Trump returned to the presidency, the Kennedy Center is one of many Washington landmarks that he has sought to overhaul in his second term.

He demolished the White House East Wing and launched a massive $400 million ballroom project, is actively pursuing building a triumphal arch on the other side the Arlington Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial, and has plans for Washington Dulles International Airport.

Quick response contains garage fire at White County home

By

Staff Report

-

February 2, 2026

White County FIre — White County first responders were able to contain a house fire Sunday to the garage of a residential fire on US Hwy. 129 in Cleveland. (White County Public Safety)

CLEVELAND, Ga. — A residential structure fire reported Sunday afternoon in White County was largely contained to a home’s garage due to a quick and coordinated response by first responders.

At about 4:42 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, White County 911 Communications received a call reporting a garage fire in the 5200 block of Highway 129 South, according to Bryce Barrett, public information officer for White County Public Safety. The caller reported that vehicles were inside the garage at the time of the fire.

Crews from White County Fire Services, the White County Sheriff’s Office, White County EMS and the Cleveland Fire Department responded to the scene. The Cleveland Fire Department assisted through a mutual aid agreement.

Due to the rapid response and coordinated actions of first responders, the fire was largely contained to the garage area of the home, Barrett said.

Fire crews remained on scene throughout the evening extinguishing hotspots to prevent re-ignition. No additional details on injuries or damage were released.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office.

This fire is the fourth for our area in the last two weeks. On Saturday, Habersham EMS crews responded a fire on Hazel Creek Road which was engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived. During Winter Storm Fern, a home burned on Welcome Home Road, and a Baldwin Police officer and his family safely escaped after being awakened by a loud ‘boom’ when their carport caught fire on Jan. 28.

Former City Manager raises most campaign donations in race for mayor

By

Robbie Watson

-

February 2, 2026

Former City Manager Isaiah Hugley has raised more campaign money than all other candidates combined in the race for mayor. According to the latest campaign disclosure forms Hugley has raised $87,187 and has $52,189 cash on hand since declaring his intent to run for political office.

City Councilor Joanne Cogle comes in second having raised $66,699 with $35,131 cash on hand. Political newcomer and mayoral candidate Jaketra Bryant has raised $4928.

Former combat veteran Steven Kelly signed an affidavit of a candidate’s intent not to exceed $2,500 in contributions and/or expenditures. Mark LaJoye has $0 cash contributions this reporting period.

Campaign funds raised and expenditures for each candidate is public record and listed on the Columbus Elections and Registration website. The qualifying fee to be on the ballot for mayor is $1950. Qualifying for the election begins next month. The election is May 19, 2026.

Groundhogs deliver a split decision on an early spring

By

Joy Purcell

-

February 2, 2026

AP26033459517533 — Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 140th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, Phil's handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

The nation’s most famous forecasting furball, Punxsutawney Phil, made it official at Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania: he saw his shadow, calling for six more weeks of winter. He wasn’t the only groundhog to predict that. General Beauregard Lee checked in from Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson and sided with winter, seeing his shadow and signaling six more weeks of cold. His handlers summed it up poetically: “Keep the kettles on and the fires steady, spring will come, but she’s not quite ready.”

At North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park in White County, Yonah the Groundhog delivered a much warmer message, declaring an early spring. Yonah, named for Yonah Mountain near Cleveland and Helen, is technically still in his hibernation period but graciously woke up for the occasion, motivated by snacks and cuddles.

Groundhog Day tradition

The ritual of groundhogs predicting weather dates back more than a century and surged in popularity after the 1993 Bill Murray film Groundhog Day. Phil, by far the most famous of the States’ prognosticators, is greeted each year by a huge crowd. Monday morning, thousands of people bundled up in single-digit temperatures for the annual announcement. The crowd cheered, booed, and danced as the top-hatted handlers revealed Phil’s prediction.

Phil’s handlers insist his winks, purrs, and nods are carefully translated from “groundhogese.” Meteorologists, meanwhile, say the near-term forecast supports his chilly outlook.

In Georgia, children cheered, and adults booed as Beau delivered his verdict.

Groundhog Day falls on Feb. 2, the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Whether you’re Team Phil and Beau or Team Yonah, one thing is certain: spring will arrive eventually. The only real mystery is what kind of weather will show up between now and then.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Clarkesville City Council to weigh hotel feasibility study, grants and retirement plan

By

Patrick Fargason

-

February 2, 2026

Clarkesville City Hall Sign — (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The Clarkesville City Council will hold three meetings Monday afternoon and evening, with continued discussion expected on a proposed hotel feasibility study, new grant-related policies, and an update to the city’s employee retirement plan.

The meetings begin with a called meeting at 4:30 p.m., followed by a work session at 5 p.m. and the regular council meeting at 6 p.m., all at Clarkesville City Hall.

During the 4:30 p.m. called meeting, council members are expected to vote on entering executive session to discuss real estate matters and personnel issues permitted under state law.

At the 5 p.m. work session, council members will further discuss a hotel feasibility study approved earlier this year as part of broader budget and economic development planning.

The study is intended to determine whether Clarkesville could support a hotel, what size and type of lodging might be viable, and the potential economic impact on the city.

Last year’s council said the study would examine factors such as market demand, tourism trends, proximity to downtown, and whether a hotel could support ongoing downtown redevelopment efforts. The discussion follows council’s approval of funding for the study while reviewing the proposed 2026 budget, with leaders framing the effort as a data-driven step rather than a commitment to development.

Also on the work session agenda is discussion of a proposed Fitness Court grant and a formal grant policy that would outline how the city identifies, applies for, manages, and reports on grant funding. The policy would establish a standardized process across departments and define roles and responsibilities tied to compliance and financial oversight.

The grant-related discussion comes as the city begins work with a newly hired grant writer Sara Burke, a move council approved earlier this year to strengthen Clarkesville’s ability to compete for state, federal, and private funding. City leaders have said the position is intended to help offset local costs for capital projects and reduce reliance on the general fund.

The evening concludes with the 6 p.m. regular council meeting, where members will consider adoption of an ordinance updating the city’s retirement plan through the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System. The item appears under unfinished business and follows prior council action related to retirement matters during the city’s year-end leadership transition.

‘Today’ show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother is missing in Arizona and authorities suspect crime

By

Associated Press

-

February 2, 2026

AP26033511606009 — This image provided by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, shows a missing person alert for Nancy Guthrie. (Pima County Sheriff’s Department via AP) Screenshot

The disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie over the weekend is being investigated as a crime based on what authorities saw at her home, an Arizona sheriff said Monday.

Asked to explain why investigators believe the Tucson-area home is a crime scene, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Nancy Guthrie has limited mobility and said there were other things indicating she did not leave on her own, but he declined to further elaborate.

“I need this community to step up and start giving us some calls,” Nanos said during a news conference.

The sheriff said Guthrie, who lived alone, was of sound mind.

“This is not dementia related. She’s as sharp as a tack. The family wants everyone to know that this isn’t someone who just wandered off,” Nanos said, adding that she needs her daily medication.

Guthrie was last seen around 9:30 p.m. Saturday at her home in the Tucson area and her family reported her missing around noon Sunday, the sheriff said.

Nanos said a family member received a call from someone at church saying Guthrie wasn’t there, leading family to search for her at her home and then calling 911.

“From what the family’s told us and everything we’ve learned, she could not walk out of that home 50 yards. We believe she was taken out of the home against her will, and that’s how this investigation is moving,” the sheriff told NBC’s Tom Llamas.

Searchers were using drones and search dogs to look for her, Nanos said. Search and rescue teams were supported by volunteers and Border Patrol and the homicide team was also involved, he said. It is not standard for the homicide team to get involved in such cases, Nanos said.

“This one stood out because of what was described to us at the scene and what we located just looking at the scene,” Nanos said Sunday. He was not ruling out foul play.

On Monday morning, Nanos said search crews worked hard but have since been pulled back.

“We don’t see this as a search mission so much as it is a crime scene,” the sheriff said.

Even so, a sheriff’s helicopter flew over the desert Monday afternoon near Guthrie’s home in the affluent Catalina Foothills area on the northern edge of Tucson. Her brick home has a gravel driveway and a yard covered in Prickly Pear and Saguaro cactus.

Savannah Guthrie issued a statement on Monday, NBC’s “Today” show reported.

“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” she said. “Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear Nancy.”

FILE – Savannah Guthrie attends the third annual World Mental Health Day Gala, hosted by Project Healthy Minds, at Spring Studios on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, file)

“Today” opened Monday’s show with the disappearance of the co-anchor’s mother, but Savannah Guthrie was not at the anchor’s desk. Nanos said during the Monday news conference that Savannah Guthrie is in Arizona. Savannah Guthrie grew up in Tucson, graduated from the University of Arizona and previously worked as a reporter and anchor at KVOA-TV in Tucson.

Nancy Guthrie appeared in a November 2025 story her daughter did about her hometown. Over a meal, Savannah Guthrie asked her mother what made the family want to plant roots in Tucson in the 1970s.

“It’s so wonderful. Just the air, the quality of life,” Nancy Guthrie said. “It’s laid back and gentle.”

She said she likes to see the javelinas, pig-like desert mammals, eat her plants.

Bloom where you’re planted: Dale Jones blends design and innovation

By

Veronica Respress

-

February 1, 2026

With all of the conveniences of modern technology, do people still buy flowers? According to Dale Jones, owner of All In Bloom Studio in Clarkesville, the answer is yes.

“Every day, people are born. Every day, people have anniversaries. Every day, people die. Every day, there is some sort of celebration—a new home, a milestone. So therefore, flowers are essential for everyday deliveries,” says Dale.

All In Bloom Studio is located at 1325 Washington Street in downtown Clarkesville, Georgia. (Joy Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)

Business is ‘blooming’

And her business is blooming. According to Dale, 2025 was All In Bloom’s best year yet, with 87 weddings and a host of Christmas decorations and arrangements.

“We are busy from November first all the way to Christmas. We are booked almost every day, Monday through Friday, decorating Christmas trees, homes, churches, event centers, and hotels,” she explains.

All in Bloom floral designer Amber Gilbert with floral shop owner, Dale Jones, at the new shop in Clarkesville. (Veronic Respress/NowGeorgia.com)

All In Bloom Studio began in 2020, with 2012 being Dale’s first attempt at entrepreneurship. That’s right—at 22, Dale pivoted from majoring in accounting at Lanier Tech to graduating from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a degree in landscape design.

After years of moving and reinventing herself and her creations, All In Bloom Studios finally has a home of its very own at 1325 Washington Street in Clarkesville. Shop employee Amber Gilbert says, “We are so excited about the new location. We open on Monday [February 2] at 9 a.m.”

Not your average flower shop

With Ingles around the corner and online florists at our fingertips, what makes All In Bloom Studios unique? Take one look at their arrangements on TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram and the answer becomes clear. Thinking outside the box is Dale’s superpower. “I don’t want to be like the rest. I don’t want to be another cookie-cutter flower shop,” she says.

And just in time for Valentine’s Day, Dale has another surprise up her sleeve.

“We will have the first flower vending machine in North Georgia,” she shares. “We want to put them in local hospitals, and we’re working with the city to place one on the sidewalk outside my store doors.”

Within the next few weeks, those vending machines will be in Habersham and Stephens counties, and possibly beyond. Dale often receives frantic phone calls on prom day from people who forgot to order bouquets or last-minute Valentine’s requests. With these vending machines in place, the community will have 24/7 access to All In Bloom’s classic and creative floral clusters.

So yes, whether it’s for a partner, a parent, a friend, or yourself, a beautiful bouquet will now always be just around the corner, even at the last minute.

Winter weather highlights gas safety risks

By

Patrick Fargason

-

February 1, 2026

natural gas meter1 — (Joy Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)

Two weeks of winter weather have not only reminded Georgians of why they chose to live in the South, but also why being prepared matters. Beyond stocking up at the grocery store, awareness of potential dangers is essential to weathering bad weather.

Most Georgians know the dangers snow and ice pose to power lines, but gas meters and natural gas lines are often overlooked. Heavy snow and ice can weigh down tree limbs, causing them to snap and fall onto gas equipment near homes and businesses.

During the recent ice storm, a fallen tree damaged a natural gas line in Clarkesville, causing a large gas leak and prompting an emergency response. The incident underscores the need for broader winter safety awareness.

Clarkesville firefighters block off a section of Hwy. 115 after a NowGeorgia.com crew discovered and reported a natural gas leak during Winter Storm Fern. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)

Don’t mess with gas

DeAllous Smith, media relations supervisor for Atlanta Gas Light, said the Clarkesville incident underscores the importance of leaving damaged equipment alone and contacting emergency responders.

“If customers see a damaged meter or exposed gas line, they should leave the area immediately and call 911 or the gas company from a safe location,” Smith said.

Install and check carbon monoxide detectors, especially if you plan on using a generator for electricity.

Smith warns against using gas stoves or ovens to heat homes during power outages, noting that dangerous fumes and carbon monoxide can build up indoors. Gas fireplaces should only be used if they are operating properly, with flues or dampers fully open.

Smith also encouraged customers to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly, replace batteries annually and use the test function frequently. Most detectors should be replaced after 10 years.

Keep gas meters clear of snow

During winter weather, natural gas meters should be kept clear of snow, ice and debris. Smith said customers should use their hands or a broom to gently remove snow, avoiding shovels or snowblowers and never striking or kicking meters or piping, which can cause damage and create safety hazards.

Customers are also advised not to shovel snow against meters or vents or allow excessive snow to accumulate around them. Hanging icicles should be removed to prevent water from dripping and refreezing on equipment, Smith said.

Know who to call, when – but don’t dial your phone around a gas leak

Generators are helpful in power outages, but can be dangerous. They should be kept outside, in well-ventilated spaces, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. (photo submitted)

Because winter storms can uproot trees and disturb underground utilities, gas customers should call Georgia 8-1-1 before removing downed trees to have utility lines marked and should always watch for fallen or concealed power lines.

Gas-fueled generators should only be operated outdoors in well-ventilated areas and should never be run in garages, carports, basements, crawl spaces or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas.

If customers smell gas, Smith said they should never attempt to identify the source of the leak. They should avoid using phones, light switches or appliances and immediately leave the area before calling 911 or the gas company.

For more winter weather and natural gas safety information, click here.