Alex Ward - Barrow County Commissioner

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!

08/12/2026

For those who travel through the Roxey Maxey/Tom Miller/Haymon Morris intersection, the new traffic light will be activated on Saturday. The contractor will then monitor operations for a month to make sure everything is working properly and timing is accurate. Please use caution when traveling through the area.

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!

08/05/2026

The concerns you all have raised have been heard. GDOT will be activating a temporary traffic signal at 81 and Tom Miller.
See below for more details.

Heads up, Barrow County drivers!

A temporary traffic signal is coming soon to the intersection of SR 81 and Tom Miller Road/Tanners Bridge Road.

Installation is expected to begin next week, weather permitting, as Georgia DOT crews work to improve safety and traffic flow while the permanent roundabout project moves forward.

Please watch for message boards, follow the new traffic control, and use extra caution as crews work in the area.

Learn more in our news release: https://mailchi.mp/dot.ga.gov/barrow-county-traffic-update-temporary-signal-to-improve-safety

08/04/2026

Here is some important bus stop safety information from the Barrow County Sheriff's Office.

Every school bus stop is a child’s safety zone.
Stay alert and remember to stop when a school bus is displaying flashing red lights and its stop arm is extended, as required by Georgia law. A few extra seconds can make all the difference in protecting a child’s life.

07/31/2026

It’s back-to-school time in Barrow County!
As students return to the classroom this morning, I hope everyone has a great first day and a safe, successful school year.
Thank you to our teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians, school resource officers, and everyone else who has worked hard to prepare for today. I also want to wish all the parents and families a smooth start to the new school year, especially those sending a child off to school for the very first time.
Please allow a little extra time on the roads this morning, slow down in school zones, and be alert for stopped school buses and students walking to school.
Welcome back, Barrow County students! Make it a great year! 📚🍎🚌

07/30/2026

🚧Road Projects Update:
With school starting tomorrow, I want to provide a quick update on road projects around some of the schools in District 4.
The full depth reclamation projects on Patrick Mill Rd from Atlanta Highway to Matthews School Rd and on Matthews School Rd from Patrick Mill to Bill Rutledge are complete with fresh pavement, except for permanent striping. They have to wait about thirty days before installing that permanent striping. In talking to our deputy county manager, they will be working with the contractor to make sure striping is not done during the height of morning drop-off or afternoon pickup at the schools.
The sidewalk installation on Matthews School Rd is still in progress.
The new traffic light installation at Tom Miller Rd and Haymon Morris Rd is set to be completed sometime in August. I was hoping it would be completed before the start of school, but that timeline got pushed back. County staff is continuing to work with a third party's contractor to get that project wrapped up.

07/26/2026

Today is the day! The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office is hosting their annual free back-to-school haircut event this afternoon.

We are gearing up for the 2026 free Back-To-School haircut event. Check out the amazing lineup of generous community partners who will be joining us this Sunday to help make sure kids have a great start the new school year.

In addition to haircuts, there will be fingernail painting, fun activities, refreshments, and DJ Alex Ward. We can't wait to see you there!

52 West Salon
Birch Salon Co
Bombshell Barbershop
Byron Dominican Barbershop
Harmony Salon Company
Pristine Dominican Barbershop
Razors Edge Barbershop
Renegade Barbershop
Salon Heaven
Unique Cuts Barbershop IV
Uptown Dominican Barbershop
VIP Cuban
Breakfast at Tiffani's
Bethlehem Christian Academy
Bethlehem Target
Agape Hospice Care
Burton and Burton