The Gist: Savannah recently ranked as the fourth-best city in the United States for outdoor weddings, according to a Lawn Love study comparing the 200 largest cities. Charleston, South Carolina, tops the list, with Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida, rounding out the top three. The Survey: Lawn Love analyzed 36 metrics across eight categories to […]
Posted inIn The News
Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens says homicides are down 56%
Tuesday morning, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens delivered his 2023 State of the City breakfast address to a ballroom of business leaders downtown. Public safety, affordable housing and empowering youth were primary topics. “Here in our city, workers who serve our residents every single day — the teachers, the coaches, mentors who show up for our young […]
Posted inCrime
Do Georgia hospitals need their own police departments?
Georgia lawmakers have signed off on legislation allowing hospitals to start police departments using certified law enforcement officers, similar to the approach many colleges take. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle overwhelmingly voted in favor of House Bill 383, the Safer Hospitals Act, to send the measure to Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican. The […]
Posted inRepresenting You
Is Roswell’s new open records policy the end of anonymous public records requests?
ROSWELL — Residents wishing to make an anonymous open records request in Roswell could face additional hurdles after a recent policy change. The Roswell City Council voted 5-1 Monday to approve changes to the city’s open records policy, requiring individuals and entities to provide verifiable names and addresses to receive public records. Councilwoman Sarah Beeson […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Meet Woodstock’s new fire chief Shane Dobson
WOODSTOCK — Shane Dobson, a seasoned firefighter with 30 years of experience, is set to return to his roots as the new Fire Chief for the City of Woodstock. Dobson, who began his firefighting career with Woodstock in 1993, will assume his new position with Woodstock Fire & Rescue on Monday, April 24, 2023. Before […]
Posted inRepresenting You
Representing You: Georgia Lawmakers Champion Gas Leaf Blower Bill
The Georgia Legislature is one step closer to passing a bill designed to protect gas-powered leaf blowers and appliances from cities and counties that might seek to restrict them. Lawmakers attached a slew of other bills to the original leaf blower bill, including provisions regarding de-annexing properties from cities and county bodies called Commercial Property […]
Posted inCrime
Glynn County community unites for justice for hospitalized teen Trenton Lehrkamp
The Glynn County community has been shaken by the harrowing events involving 19-year-old Trenton Lehrkamp, who was left at the Southeast Georgia Health Center by three juveniles on Tuesday, March 21, after he was tortured and forced to consume large amounts of alcohol and controlled substances by a group of minors he thought were his […]
Posted inIn The News
Body of 4-year-old who went missing in Yellow River found
After an extensive search for the 4-year-old boy reported missing in Yellow River, search teams have sadly located the body of a child matching the description provided by the child’s mother. The search resumed at 10:39 a.m. Sunday, with three boats deployed into the river to work alongside teams on the riverbanks. They conducted a […]
Posted inIn The News
Georgia is under a state of emergency due to tornadoes that hit Sunday morning
The Gist: Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency for tornadoes and severe storms that have caused damage to homes and businesses across the state on March 26. What Happened: A severe storm system moved into West Georgia earlier today, producing thunderstorms, high-velocity straight-line winds, and multiple tornadoes. The tornadoes and straight-line […]
Posted inIn The News
Emergency crews search for 4-year-old boy missing in Yellow River
A frantic search is underway for a 4-year-old boy who was reported missing in Yellow River at 5:41 p.m. Saturday. The child was spotted floating down the river and unable to get out, according to a 911 call. Emergency crews from Gwinnett County Fire Department, Gwinnett Police Department, and DeKalb Fire Units were involved in […]
Posted inIn The News
One killed in helicopter crash in Hall County
The News: A helicopter crash on Clarks Bridge Road in Hall County resulted in one fatality and a temporary road closure. What Happened?: A helicopter crashed in the 4700 block of Clarks Bridge Road just north of Glade Farm Road, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Department. The incident led to the closure of the […]
Posted inMissing
Have you seen missing 11-year-old Georgia girl Havana Alexander?
ROSSVILLE — The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is urgently seeking the public’s help in locating a missing child, 11-year-old Havana Alexander. Havana was last seen at 10 p.m. on March 23, at her residence on Asterwood Drive in Rossville. Havana is described as a white female, 5’3″ in height, weighing about 104 pounds, with brown […]
Posted inEducation
Dooly County Education Chief Decries Profiling of Students During Field Trip
The Dooly County School Superintendent is standing up for Dooly County students who he says were profiled and wrongly accused of theft during a recent field trip. In a letter released to parents, Craig Lockhart stood up for the students and criticized what they were put through. Below is his letter in its entirety for […]
Posted inCrime
Rome police remind residents not to leave guns in their cars
The Gist: The Floyd County and Rome Police Departments’ Operation Save Our Seniors program, designed to protect seniors in South Rome from drugs and violent crimes, has led to 39 arrests and the recovery of around 40 guns. The program emphasizes the importance of vehicle owners locking up and removing valuables from inside their cars, […]
Posted inCrime
Police investigate fatal shooting in Lawrenceville
The Gist: A man was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in Lawrenceville early this morning. The Gwinnett County Police Department is investigating the case, and they are urging the public to share any relevant information. What Happened?: Just before 2 a.m. on March 25, Gwinnett County Police officers were dispatched to a residence on […]
Posted inYour Government
Fight over medical care for transgender youth moves from state house to courthouse
A new Georgia law limiting medical care for transgender children is likely to face serious legal challenges, experts say. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill into law Thursday that prevents Georgians under 18 from obtaining gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy or surgery. The Georgia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has vowed to sue […]
Posted inCrime
Decatur Murder Suspect Arrested in Atlanta after Multi-Agency Manhunt
The News: A major break in a Decatur murder case from last year has led to the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect. What Happened?: Today, Chris L. Jackson of Atlanta was located and arrested at a Fairburn Road location in Atlanta. According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson attempted to flee the scene but […]
Posted inYour Government
Gwinnett County will be getting 97 more Flock security cameras
The Gist: Gwinnett Police are set to increase safety measures by installing 97 new Flock safety cameras across the county. County officials say the cameras have already proven successful in recovering stolen vehicles and locating wanted individuals. How it works: The Gwinnett Police Department has been utilizing Flock safety cameras to monitor and record passing […]
