Georgia’s major food banks say they’re being stretched thin by demand that is outpacing supply. That’s trickling down to the local food pantries — run out of churches and community centers — that can be lifelines for people experiencing food insecurity. Frank Sheppard, president of Feeding the Valley food bank in West Georgia, said […]
Have you seen missing teen Jermaine Xavier Wesby?
What’s happening: Jermaine Xavier Wesby was last seen around 10 a.m. Friday on Fayetteville Drive in Augusta. He may be in the Thomson area, which is about 35 miles west of Augusta in McDuffie County. What we know: Wesby is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. The clothing he was wearing when […]
Big money flows as Georgia primary approaches
Georgia lawmakers are back home in their districts after adjourning for the year – barring an unscheduled special session to handle unfinished elections business. But while the halls of the Capitol are now largely empty, that hasn’t meant a slowdown in the world of Georgia politics. In this week’s roundup, the money and endorsements are coming in hot and […]
Three big questions Georgia voters will answer in November
(The Center Square) – Georgia lawmakers agreed to give voters a voice on two issues in November before adjourning in the early morning hours last week. A third constitutional question was approved by the General Assembly in 2025. House Resolution 1243, approved in March, will let Georgians decide whether to support the creation of the Georgia […]
The Heat is On: Georgia’s spring temperature ramp-up begins this week
Georgia is heading into an extended stretch of well-above-normal heat this weekend and into next week. Some daily temperature records are at risk, and an ongoing drought is expected to get worse. What’s happening: A high pressure system sitting over the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic is pushing warm, dry air across the region. The National Weather […]
SWAT team arrests child murder suspect who locked himself inside a house
A person wanted in connection with the murder of a child was taken into custody early Saturday after leading deputies on a vehicle chase and then locking themselves inside a home in Augusta. What happened: Deputies went to find the suspect around midnight. When they made contact, the suspect ran. A vehicle chase followed and […]
75-year-old man drowns while fishing on Lake Lanier. His 89-year-old uncle was the only witness
A 75-year-old man drowned Friday morning on Lake Lanier after falling from a boat — leaving his 89-year-old uncle as the only witness. What Happened: The Hall County Sheriff’s Office says Ronald Lamar Kirk, of Pickens County, fell into the water just before 9:45 a.m. near the 3200 block of Arrowhead Drive. Deputies say Kirk’s […]
FBI Atlanta shuts down global phishing tool tied to $20 million in fraud
A phishing tool that helped criminals steal login credentials from tens of thousands of people around the world has been taken down, and its alleged developer is now in custody in Indonesia. What happened: The FBI’s Atlanta office and Indonesian law enforcement seized the online infrastructure behind a cybercrime tool called the W3LL phishing kit. […]
Leave that baby deer alone, Georgia
Georgia wildlife officials want you to put down the baby bunny. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division issued a reminder today: leave wild animals where you find them, no matter how young, helpless, or alone they appear to be. What’s Happening: The agency says human intervention, even when well-meaning, often does more […]
Chamblee adds AI chatbot to city website
The City of Chamblee says a new chatbot called “Cham Chat AI” is now available on the city’s website. The city says it is designed to help people quickly find information and report issues. What’s happening: According to the city, “Cham Chat AI” is live at www.chambleega.com, and the chat window sits in the bottom […]
Man arrested after shots fired into home in Carnesville
A man was arrested within 20 minutes after shots were fired into a home in Carnesville, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. What happened: Deputies were called to Franklin Hills Drive in Carnesville earlier this month after a domestic violence incident in which someone fired multiple gunshots into a residence. Everyone inside the home […]
Candler County sheriff warns ‘squatted truck’ drivers: fix it or get a ticket
The Candler County Sheriff’s Office is putting drivers on notice: those lifted-front, dropped-rear trucks you’ve been seeing around town are illegal in Georgia, and deputies are done looking the other way. The agency posted a public warning this week about the so-called “Carolina squat” — a vehicle modification where the front end sits significantly higher […]
Rome police warn of fake traffic ticket texts demanding payment
The Rome Police Department wants you to know something: that scary text message saying you owe money on a traffic ticket is a scam. And yes, people are falling for it. What’s Happening: According to the police department, the texts claim you missed a ticket or a court date, threaten arrest or jail time, and […]
The Fayetteville Fire Department answered 376 calls in March
The Fayetteville Fire Department responded to 376 calls in March 2026. Medical emergencies made up more than two-thirds of all responses. By the Numbers: Of those 376 calls: What’s Important: At 268 calls, medical responses accounted for roughly 71 percent of the department’s total call volume for the month.
Georgia’s drunk driving numbers are down and my faith in humanity is up (slightly)
If you’ve been reading this column for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that I have a few recurring themes. Character matters. The South can do better. And drunk driving is one of the most selfish, preventable, and inexcusable things a person can do in a world where you can summon a sober stranger […]
Georgia drunk driving deaths fell 32% in 2024
Georgia recorded 176 alcohol-impaired driving deaths in 2024, down from 259 in 2023, a 32% drop that ranks seventh among all states with falling numbers, according to a new analysis of federal traffic data. What’s happening: The drop means 83 fewer people died in drunk driving crashes in Georgia last year compared to the year […]
Fire danger alert covers nearly 50 Georgia counties Friday
Nearly 50 Georgia counties are under fire danger alerts today as dry air and parched vegetation create conditions where outdoor fires can spread fast. What’s Happening: Two Special Weather Statements are active across a wide stretch of north and metro Georgia. Relative humidity, a measure of moisture in the air, is expected to drop to […]
Augusta murder suspect extradited from Thailand
A 23-year-old Augusta man wanted in a 2024 killing was flown back to the United States today after being arrested in Bangkok, Thailand. What’s Happening: 23-year-old Cedric Alandus Peters arrived in Atlanta earlier today, was booked into the Clayton County Jail, and has since been moved to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center in Augusta, […]


