Students who attend Richmond County Schools will be required to mask up when school starts Aug. 2. The school system announced last week that it would be following the new guidance for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for K-12 schools. School official say the safety of the school system’s nearly 30,000 students and […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Georgia’s health care system slammed with coronavirus patients
Georgia’s COVID case numbers jumped by 4,800 in the state figures reported Thursday, continuing a recent upswing that’s apparently fueled by the Delta variant. “It is believed that the Delta variant is highly prevalent throughout Georgia,” said Dr. Charles Ruis, health director in the Southwest Health District, which is based in Albany. “The best way […]
Posted inLocal
Don’t be alarmed if you see smoke in Columbia County next week
Smoke testing on sewer lines in Columbia County will begin Tuesday Aug. 3 and should be completed by Wednesday Aug. 4. What is smoke testing?Columbia County Water Utility is conducting smoke testing in order to: Locate sewer defects before they become more serious. Reduce quantity and severity of sewer backups. Reduce costs of added sewer […]
Posted inCoronavirus
A closer look at Georgia’s unvaccinated problem
New numbers from Georgia’s Department of Public Health show nearly all new COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state in the past seven months were among unvaccinated people. The DPH looked at what it calls “breakthrough cases.” That’s people who got sick and in very few cases died, even though they were fully vaccinated. Comparing those […]
Posted inLocal
Gwinnett County designated a Purple Heart County
As a sign of Gwinnett County’s deep respect and admiration for those men and women wounded or killed in defense of their country, the Board of Commissioners proclaimed Gwinnett County as a Purple Heart County on Tuesday. Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation announcing the designation, which was presented to Lou Zayas, commander of Chapter 465 […]
Posted inGeorgia By The Numbers
This is Georgia’s worst county to live in
Life expectancy fell by 1.5 years in the United States in 2020. The decline, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid crisis, represents the most pronounced regression in public health in the United States since World War II. While the most recent dip in life expectancy in the U.S. is alarming, there are many […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia investigator arrested on three counts of Sodomy
LEESBURG — A former investigator with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested and charged with three counts of Violation of Oath of Office, three counts of Solicitation of Sodomy, and three counts of Sodomy. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested 46-year-old Christopher Troy Harnage, of Leesburg, and booked him into the Lee […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Dougherty County reinstates mask mandate
Dougherty County officials announced Thursday that the county will again be requiring masks in all county buildings and facilities. The move comes as the delta variant of COVID-19 is causing a new coronavirus surge — primarily among the unvaccinated population. Dougherty County was an early hot spot in for coronavirus last year after several residents […]
Posted inCrime
Fayette County man arrested for sexual exploitation of children
PEACHTREE CITY — A 43-year-old Fayette County man has been charged with four counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children after a GBI investigation. On Wednesday, July 28, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, arrested Jason Mitchell, of Peachtree City. The GBI began an investigation into Mitchell’s online activity after receiving […]
Posted inCrime
Body found in Yellow River Park identified
New Today: Police have identified the body found Wednesday morning at Yellow River Park in Gwinnett County. The victim was 18-year-old Lithonia resident Tori Lang. According to police, Lang’s family saw the media release and tattoos on social media and notified law enforcement. The motive is still unknown and detectives urge anyone that may have […]