Legislation aimed at separating Georgia school sports teams between children assigned male or female at birth advanced in the state Senate Wednesday amid criticism it discriminates against transgender persons. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Marty Harbin, R-Tyrone, would bar “biological boys” from playing in school sports against “biological girls,” using language that transgender advocates […]
Posted inCrime
Charges filed in killing of Georgia Sheriff’s Lieutenant
Charges have been filed in the killing of Decatur County Sheriff’s Lt. Justin Bedwell. The charges against Troy and Brad Phillips from Georgia include the following, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. 1. Felony Murder 2. Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer 3. Party to the crime of murder 4. Attempted home invasion 5. […]
Posted inMissing
17-year-old Symone Thompson has been missing for a year
UNION CITY — March 2, 2021 marked one year since Symone Thompson vanished from Union City, at 16 years old. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, and Symone’s family are seeking the public’s help in finding this missing girl. Symone was last seen at her home […]
Posted inLocal
Gwinnett County wants to give its commission chairwoman a raise
The Story: Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson earns a salary of $74,266 per year for running the day-to-day operations of one of the state’s most populated counties. Comparing Salaries: According to census data, the county has just under 1 million residents. However, the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner earns about $141,098 per year, while […]
Posted inMissing
Missing Atlanta 11-year-old found
UPDATE: According to the Atlanta Police Department, 11-year-old Christopher Dodson Jr. has been found safe at a nearby location and will be reunited with his family. The original story is below. ATLANTA — The Atlanta Police Department’s Special Victim’s Unit is asking for your help locating 11-year-old Christopher Dodson Jr. According to police, Christopher is […]
Posted inYour Government
Controversial bill would make Georgia cities responsible for violent protests
Wide-ranging legislation aimed at cracking down on rioting protesters in Georgia that criminal-justice advocates say could trample on free-speech rights faced debate in the General Assembly Tuesday. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Randy Robertson, R-Cataula, contains several proposals to punish vandalism and violence during protests such as those seen last summer in response to […]
Posted inTraffic & Transportation
Overturned gasoline tanker shuts down Braselton Highway
DACULA — Firefighters are on the scene of an overturned gasoline tanker on Braselton Highway and Hamilton Mill Road. There is an active fuel leak from the cargo tanker. Hamilton Mill at Braselton Highway is currently shut down due to the incident. Police are diverting traffic in the area. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Alpharetta mom pens book about raising confident kids
When raising children, especially pre-teens and teenagers, parents can face tension when big topics are brought up and it can be challenging for them to navigate these tough conversations. Author Kim Moog, a parent herself, has recently published “Food for Thought: Raising Confident Kids One Conversation at a Time,” which is a guidebook filled with insightful […]
Posted inCrime
Atlanta Police Sergeant: Violence ‘will not be tolerated’
A weekend of violent crime throughout the City of Atlanta prompted the police department’s spokesman to release a statement on the recent rash of violent crime and what the city plans to do about it. Sergeant John Chafee said violence would not be tolerated and that police will find those responsible for violent crime and […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Henry County commissioner dead from COVID-19
Henry County Commissioner Gary Barham died this morning due to complications from COVID-19, according to county officials. Barham served as Henry County’s District 3 Commissioner since his election in 2013 and spent much of his life in service to the Henry County community. “His passing is an immense loss for all of us. Our thoughts […]
Posted inCrime
UGA employee charged with child molestation
ATHENS — A maintenance worker at the University of Georgia has been arrested and charged with two counts of child molestation. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested 26-year-old Obadiah Lindsey, of Monroe, on two counts of child molestation Monday. According to the GBI, information was discovered during a separate investigation that indicated Lindsey had been […]
Posted inYour Government
Georgia House passes major voting overhaul
Republican state lawmakers took a major step Monday toward overhauling voting by mail and other election procedures in Georgia with passage of an omnibus bill by the state House of Representatives along party lines. Sponsored by Rep. Barry Fleming, R-Harlem, the 66-page bill contains more than two dozen provisions including proposals to impose stricter identification requirements on […]
Posted inCrime
A Georgia Sheriff’s Lieutenant has died after being shot during a car chase
A Georgia law enforcement officer who was shot over the weekend during a car chase died from his injuries this morning. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Lt. Justin Bedwell of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office died Monday morning. “Lieutenant Bedwell will be truly missed and we are devastated by his passing. Please continue […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia man faces up to 60 years in prison for child porn production
The Story: A Valdosta resident is facing a maximum 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts charging him with child pornography production, said Peter D. Leary, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. The Sentence: According to the FBI, 43-year-old Robert Abacan, of Valdosta, pleaded guilty to two counts […]
Posted inIn The News
Will the Biden administration halt mining near Okefenokee?
Environmentalists hold up the controversial proposal to mine for minerals near the Okefenokee Swamp as the poster child of the lands that lost federal protection under former President Donald Trump’s administration last summer. That rule replaced an Obama-era one that opponents criticized as government overreach and shifted the focus of the Twin Pines Minerals’ mining […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia state trooper shoots knife wielding man at gas station
The Gist: A Georgia State Patrol officer shot a man at wielding a knife at a gas station in Atlanta. Time of Incident: 5:22 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27 How it Happened: According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, preliminary information indicates that at approximately 5:22 p.m., an off duty Georgia State Patrol trooper was getting gas at […]
Posted inTraffic & Transportation
Crash in Savannah leaves pedestrian with life-threatening injuries
SAVANNAH — The Savannah Police Department is investigating a pedestrian-involved crash on Bay Street that occurred Saturday morning. Police say a 64-year-old woman was driving a Toyota Corolla East on Bay Street approaching Montgomery Street at about 5 a.m. At that time, a 29-year-old man attempted to cross Bay Street near its intersection with Montgomery […]
Posted inCrime
70-year old Gwinnett man charged with murder
LAWRENCEVILLE — A 70-year-old Lawrenceville man has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of 44-year-old Anthony Collins. Homicide detectives say they received information on this murder that identified Stanley Elliot as the suspect in the case. Investigators met with Elliot Feb. 26 and arrested him at his home for Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault […]
