Alex Ward - Barrow County Commissioner

10/08/2026

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT 🚨
See below and share with your friends and family, especially those on bikes.

TRAFFIC ALERT

The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office is advising motorists to use caution on Highway 211 NW at Old Thompson Mill Road due to loose gravel obstructing the roadway.

The gravel poses a significant hazard, particularly for motorcyclists navigating the curve.

Please reduce your speed, remain alert, and use extreme caution when traveling through this area.

10/07/2026

If you use Patrick Mill Road/West Winder Bypass to get on or off 316, see the important information below from GDOT.

BARROW COUNTY: Your SR 316 route is changing October 13!

Travel through SR 316 and SR 211/Patrick Mill Road? A traffic shift will bring new turn restrictions, roundabout routes and access to the new Exit 19 ramp.

➡️ Eastbound: The left turn to SR 211 north/Patrick Mill Road north will close.
⬅️ Westbound: No turns will be allowed at the existing Patrick Mill Road intersection. Drivers must use Exit 19 to access SR 211, Patrick Mill Road and Tom Miller Road.

📲 Know your route before you go! Check out the press release below in the comments for detailed directions.

Allow extra travel time and follow posted signs. Weather and conditions permitting.

10/01/2026

Please see important information below from the Barrow County Fire Department and Barrow County Fire Marshal

🔥 OUTDOOR BURNING SEASON BEGINS OCTOBER 1 🔥

Outdoor burning in Barrow County is available October 1 through April 30, weather permitting. A FREE online burn permit is required before burning.

🌐 How to obtain a permit:
Visit GeorgiaBurnPermits.com, select Barrow County, and, if weather conditions allow burning that day, select “Apply for a Permit.”

⚠️ If permits are not available, weather conditions do not allow outdoor burning. Please check again after 8:00 AM the following day.

📅 Remember: Burn permits are valid ONLY for the date they are issued. If you need to burn again the following day, you must apply for a new permit. Fires can be started after daylight and should be extinguished an hour before dark.

🚫 You can NEVER legally burn man-made materials, household trash, tires, or plastics.

Before burning, make sure conditions are safe, maintain appropriate clearances, outdoor burning is permitted only in daylight hours, never leave a fire unattended. If conditions become unsafe, extinguish the fire.

🔥 Apply for a FREE permit:
GeorgiaBurnPermits.com

ℹ️ Additional Barrow County information:
barrowga.org/494/Obtain-a-Burn-Permit

Please help us keep Barrow County safe by burning responsibly and following all outdoor burning requirements.

Barrow County Fire Department | Fire Marshal’s Office

09/17/2026

See the important information below from the Barrow County Tax Commissioner about your property tax bill.

📬 TAX BILLS ARE HITTING THE MAIL TRUCKS TODAY! 📬

Your 2026 property tax bill is on its way!

Remember: If you were not the owner of the parcel on January 1, 2026, the tax bill will not come in your name. You can visit www.barrowgatax.org to pull a copy of your bill and sign up for e-Alerts so you never miss an important tax notice.

Also if your home has homestead you received the HTRG credit, explained in the photo below.

Have questions or need clarification about your tax bill? Our office is here to help!
770-307-3106 or email [email protected]

09/11/2026

Tonight at sundown, Jewish families here in Barrow County and around the world will welcome Rosh Hashanah and the year 5787.

As I celebrate the Jewish New Year, I am taking time to look back on the past year, appreciate its blessings, and think about how I can do better in the year ahead.

I wish everyone celebrating a sweet and meaningful new year filled with health, happiness, and peace.

Shanah Tovah U’Metukah!
שנה טובה ומתוקה!

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, our country was changed forever. I'm sure many of us still remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news.

Today, we remember the nearly 3,000 people who were killed on September 11, 2001. We remember the first responders who ran toward danger, those who answered the call to serve in the years that followed, and the families who still live with that loss.

Twenty-five years later, we must continue to tell their stories and honor their lives.

We will never forget.

09/04/2026

Two years ago today, our community experienced a tragedy that forever changed Barrow County.

Today, we remember the lives lost at Apalachee High School: Mason Schermerhorn, Christian Angulo, Richard Aspinwall, and Cristina Irimie.

We also remember those who were injured, and every student, teacher, family member, first responder, and member of our community who carries the weight of September 4.

We remember. We stand together. We remain .

08/28/2026

The Red Cross if facing a blood supply crisis for only the second time in its history. The Barrow County Fire Department is hosting a blood drive today at fire headquarters. I've got my appointment set up for 10:15, come and join me and the fire department to help save lives.

🩸❤️ MARK YOUR CALENDARS! ❤️🩸

Your donation could make a life-saving difference! Join Barrow County Fire Department and the American Red Cross for our upcoming blood drive. 🩸

📅 Friday, August 28, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 BCFD Headquarters
222 Pleasant Hill Church Rd NE
Winder, GA 30680

Every blood donation has the potential to help someone in their greatest time of need. ❤️

📲 Appointments are encouraged! Scan the QR code on the flyer or schedule through the Red Cross Donor App using sponsor code BARROWHQ.

🩸 Stop by Headquarters, roll up your sleeve, and give the gift of life. Your donation could be someone’s second chance. ❤️

08/21/2026

Everyday our firefighters show why they are the best in the business. Thank you for hard work in rescuing the homeowner and taking care of those puppies.

08/14/2026

FYI the go live has been pushed back to Wednesday.

UPDATE: The go-live date has been pushed back to Wednesday, August 19.

ORIGINAL POST:

Heads up, drivers! A new traffic signal will go into operation this Saturday, August 15, along Haymon Morris, Tom Miller Road and Roxey Maxey Road. Drivers should slow down and use caution in the area. Thank you for your patience!