Walker County recently received a $6,000 Employee Safety Grant from the ACCG - Group Self Insurance Workers' Compensation Fund. This grant program rewards local governments that foster a culture of workplace safety through additional training, equipment or services. The bulk of the grant was used to purchase 18 pairs of chaps, 20 high visibility vests and 30 high visibility waterproof jackets.

The Augusta Judicial Circuit has been awarded $2 million to address the backlog of court cases that has occurred since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will be used to hire 12 new employees, allowing the court system to expand the number of trial weeks and adjudicate the more than 500 cases that are awaiting trail. This $96 million state American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program is being overseen by the Judicial Council of the Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts. The next grant application cycle ends on Jan. 15. To learn more, click here.

Forsyth County Senior Services recently introduced Hank, a six-month old labradoodle, as its first therapy dog. Hank is participating in ongoing therapy dog training as part of the county's Pups with a Purpose Program, a collaboration between the Forsyth County Animal Shelter and the Sheriff's office that gives selected inmates at the county jail an opportunity to provide care and obedience training to dogs provided by the shelter.

The Paulding County Water System prepared a donation drive to help some of the seniors in their community who are no longer living on their own. They providedd the residents of The Pearl, an assisted living community specializing in memory care, with essentials like snacks, blankets and personal care items - even gifts. The donated items stocked the family's in-house store, so that residents have an opportunity to spend their winnings from game nights, like bingo, on the donations.

Name: Bari Allen

Program: Retirement Services

Position: Retirement Database Administrator 

Joined ACCG: 2021

About Bari: Bari is active in her church and enjoys discussing Bible prophecy. She finds joy in witnessing the fulfillment of Gods promises. Bari is also a fledgling musician. She takes harp, piano and hammered dulcimer lessons. When she isn't practicing music, you might find Bari cooking, swimming or interacting with animals.