Brantley County officials have ordered a mandatory evacuation for two areas as an active wildfire continues to burn Wednesday. What’s Happening: The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office issued the evacuation order, which has since been extended. As of 3:30 p.m., the fire is still burning. Evacuation Zones: Two areas are under the mandatory order: Evacuation Route: […]
Posted inYour Government
Kemp declares state of emergency for more than half of Georgia
An extended spell of dry weather has led to major wildfires in South Georgia, prompting Gov. Brian Kemp to declare a state of emergency covering more than half the state. Kemp’s order on Wednesday covers 91 of Georgia’s 159 counties. It will be in effect for 30 days and includes a ban on burning yard […]
Posted inFire
Georgia bans outdoor burning across 91 counties as wildfires ravage state
Georgia’s top forestry official has issued the first mandatory outdoor burning ban in state history, covering 91 counties across the lower half of the state as a deepening drought pushes wildfire risk to dangerous levels. What’s Happening: State Forester Johnny Sabo signed the order Wednesday, putting it into effect immediately. It covers counties below metro […]
Posted inFire
What is all the smoke in Columbia County today?
The smoke Columbia County residents are seeing and smelling Wednesday is not from a local fire. It is drifting north from active wildfires burning in Brantley County and Clinch County in South Georgia, Columbia County Fire Rescue said. What’s Happening: Wind and weather conditions are pushing smoke from those South Georgia fires into Columbia County. […]
Posted inIn The News
High fire danger across North Fulton as wildfires rage through Georgia
Dry, breezy weather is making it dangerously easy for fires to start and spread across North Fulton County through 8 p.m. Wednesday. What’s happening: The Roswell Fire Department says low humidity, dry fuels, and wind are creating high fire danger conditions that will last through this evening. Fires can ignite quickly and move fast under […]
Posted inFire
Smoke from Pinelands Road fire drifts into Bulloch County
Residents in Bulloch County can smell smoke Wednesday as a fire burning on Pinelands Road to the south, pushed by wind and worsened by drought, sends hazy air across the area. What’s Happening: Bulloch County Public Safety and Emergency Management says wind is carrying smoke from the Pinelands Road fire into the county. Ongoing drought […]
Posted inFire
Wildfire smoke will make driving dangerous in Glynn County tonight
Smoke from two active wildfires in neighboring counties is expected to drop close to the ground in Glynn County after 8 p.m. Wednesday, making driving on US Highway 82 and nearby roads potentially dangerous. What’s Happening: A large, fast-moving wildfire is burning near Highway 82/520 in Brantley County. A separate fire has scorched 9,000 acres […]
Posted inFire
Smoke over Hazlehurst is coming from fires in other counties
The smoke hanging over Hazlehurst, Denton, and Jeff Davis County on Wednesday is drifting in from active fires burning in Brantley and Clinch counties, EMA Director and Fire Chief Charles Wasdin said. What’s Happening: A few fires are still smoldering inside Jeff Davis County, but Wasdin said the smoke residents are seeing does not necessarily […]
Posted inFire
Wildfire closes roads in Brantley County
A large wildfire in the Atkinson Community of Brantley County has forced the closure of three roads Wednesday evening, the Georgia Department of Public Safety said. What’s Happening: The fire is burning on both sides of GA 520 / U.S. 82 and on both sides of GA 110. Three road closures are in effect: What’s […]
Posted inCrime
Atlanta police arrest 40 at downtown warehouse drug bust
Atlanta police arrested 40 people at a downtown warehouse pop-up event on April 18 after a search turned up more than 1,600 pounds of drugs, 15 guns, and nearly $33,000 in cash. What’s Happening: Officers served a search warrant at 275 Ted Turner Drive SW, a roughly 69,000-square-foot warehouse. The operation, called “Operation No Smoke,” […]
Posted inFire
Echols County wildfire forces evacuations
Residents on or near Will Rewis Road and Chauncey Road in Echols County have been ordered to leave their homes immediately as a wildfire moves closer. A shelter is now open nearby. What’s Happening: The Echols County Emergency Management Agency has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents on or near Will Rewis Road and […]
Posted inGeorgia By The Numbers
Atlanta’s mosquitoes are back… and they brought friends
Atlanta is No. 5 on Terminix’s annual list of the Top 50 Most Mosquito-Infested Cities. That’s one spot lower than last year’s No. 4 ranking, but it still puts the city firmly in the company of America’s buzziest metros — and the bugs aren’t going anywhere. What’s Happening: Terminix builds its list from 2025 service […]
Posted inCrime
Atlanta man convicted of kidnapping Gwinnett County woman
A federal jury convicted an Atlanta man of kidnapping last week after evidence showed he tied up a teenage boy, sexually assaulted the boy’s mother, and drove her across Georgia over two days in 2016. What happened: 39-year-old Alfredo Capote was found guilty of kidnapping on April 16 after a four-day trial. The crime began […]
Posted inCrime
Gainesville man now faces more than 420 child sex abuse charges
A 32-year-old Gainesville man already facing child sexual abuse charges now faces more than 420 felony counts after investigators found hundreds of images and videos on his devices. What’s Happening: On Monday, investigators added 400 felony counts of sexual exploitation of children against Benjamin Larmar Gudmundson after completing forensic screening of his cell phone and […]
Posted inCrime
Carroll County coach faces 39 charges of child sex crimes
A Carroll County man is facing 39 additional criminal charges after a juvenile reported years of alleged sexual abuse that authorities say began when the child was 12 years old. What’s Happening: Geoffrey Brad Matthews faces 2 counts of aggravated child molestation, 28 counts of child molestation, 8 counts of enticing a child for indecent […]
Posted inFire
Wildfires in two nearby counties send smoke into Glynn County
Smoke hanging over Glynn County Tuesday morning is coming from two active wildfires burning in neighboring counties. A burn ban already in place across Glynn County will stay in effect with no end date set. What’s Happening: A brush fire is burning in Brantley County, and a separate fire has scorched 9,000 acres in Clinch […]
Posted inFire
Why is there so much smoke in Brunswick today?
If you’re noticing heavy smoke in Brunswick on Tuesday, it’s coming from wildfires burning in surrounding counties, city officials say. There are no active fires within Brunswick itself. What’s Happening: Smoke is drifting into the city from fires burning outside its limits. Brunswick Fire Department says it will keep issuing updates as conditions develop. Why […]
Posted inLocal
Long County sheriff denies asking for furloughs as county sinks into $2 million debt
Long County Sheriff Craig Nobles said he never asked for county employees to be furloughed or fired, responding to claims made during a county commission meeting last week. What’s Happening: Nobles issued a statement saying reports from the April 16 commission meeting contained inaccuracies about his office’s budget requests and spending. The county is dealing […]
