The 465 commercial casinos operating in the United States at the end of 2019 reported a combined revenue of $43.6 billion — an all-time high. Gambling in the United States is by no means limited to casinos, either. All but six states had lottery games in 2019, and lottery ticket sales totalled $81.6 billion that […]
Posted inCrime
Bibb County authorities search for credit card thief
Bibb County Sheriff’s Office investigators are asking for your help identifying a man wanted for questioning in a Financial Card Theft and Fraud Investigation. The incident occurred on April 7, 2021 in the 3200 block of Ridge Avenue. A victim noticed that her purse had been removed from her vehicle. She also received a notification […]
Posted inWeather
Get ready for a stormy Saturday in Georgia
Today’s cool, dry weather will bring in a strong storm system tomorrow. According to the National Weather Service, some storms could become severe on Saturday with damaging wind as the main threat. Rainfall will also be heavy, and parts of the state could see more than two inches of rain. Storms are expected to push […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia father and daughter plead guilty to selling stolen products online
A Georgia father and daughter have plead guilty to selling millions of dollars in stolen retail products online. Robert Whitley, who goes by Mr. Bob, and Noni Whitley, have each pleaded guilty to a separate criminal information charging them for their roles in operating Closeout Express and Essential Daily Discounts, which for years sold millions […]
Posted inCrime
UGA grad student charged with cyberstalking Massachusetts woman
A University of Georgia graduate student was charged Friday with cyberstalking and extortion through interstate threats aimed at a Massachusetts woman. Gary E. Leach, 23, of Athens, is accused of obtaining private video calls from the victim by surreptitiously recording the calls, as well as photographs of a sexual nature from the victim. He then […]
Posted inIn The News
Inside Look: Why Georgia’s video gambling machine reforms failed
Efforts to reform Georgia’s coin-operated amusement machines (COAM) business will have to wait until next year. Legislation aimed at cleaning up the industry by offering game winners redeemable gift cards as an incentive to stop illegal cash payouts fizzled on the last night of this year’s General Assembly session. The bill fell victim to a […]
Posted inYour Community
Atlanta is getting more license plate readers
ATLANTA — The eyes of Atlanta are upon you. At least, the electronic eyes of Atlanta are upon your license plate. The number of those electronic eyes will soon be increasing. “The use of modern technology is integral to our holistic approach to increasing public safety in our communities,” Bottoms said. “LPR cameras are a […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Will Georgia colleges require students to get coronavirus vaccines?
After a stressful year of video conferences and hybrid coursework, University of North Georgia associate professor of rhetoric and composition Matthew Boedy is beginning to think about what he’ll say when he greets his students in the classroom this fall. “What I’m looking forward to most is the individual student conferences,” said Boedy, who is […]
Posted inYour Government
Georgia lawmaker leaves legislature to take job at Georgia Tech
Georgia Rep. Bert Reeves is leaving the General Assembly to join the administrative staff at Georgia Tech, the university announced Thursday. Reeves, R-Marietta, will serve as vice president for institute relations at his alma mater starting May 1. He will report directly to Tech President Angel Cabrera and serve as a member of the president’s […]
Posted inYour Government
How to get a voter ID card in DeKalb County
After the passage of Georgia’s new election law, DeKalb County’s department of voter registration and elections is urging DeKalb voters to plan ahead and get a voter identification card. There is no cost for the ID card, and it is specifically intended for voters who do not have a valid state-issued driver’s license or ID […]
Posted inYour Community
Want to know more about Woodstock? Take a downtown tour
WOODSTOCK — If you want to know more about the history of Woodstock, or just need a reason to go downtown, The Downtown Tour Series offers free guided walking tours exploring various aspects of the area. On the last Thursday of the month from March to September, themed guided tours will be offered. Each month’s […]
Posted inYour Government
Permanent switch to Daylight Saving Time among new laws signed by Kemp
Gov. Brian Kemp has signed into law several bills on taxes, time change and teacher retention that the General Assembly passed in the 2021 legislative session. Among the more high-profile measures Kemp signed at a ceremony in Savannah Wednesday is an income-tax credit to recruit and retain teachers for high-need subjects in underserved Georgia public […]
Posted inCrime
Vehicles damaged under Allgood Road Bridge in Marietta
MARIETTA — The Marietta police are asking for your help determining the cause of falling debris that damaged several vehicles under the Allgood Road bridge at about 7 p.m. Wednesday evening. Several vehicles were damaged while driving on the northbound express lanes under the Allgood road bridge. According to the police department, the bridges were […]
Posted inYour Community
Monticello mayor and city council could vote themselves raises
MONTICELLO — The mayor and city council of the City of Monticello are planning to vote for pay increases for themselves next month. If the measure passes on May 11, the mayor would get a $300 per month pay raise, bringing the mayor’s yearly salary to $14,400. The Mayor Pro Tem would get a pay […]
Posted inCrime
Sheriff’s Office says Hall County man may have died from blunt force trauma
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation involving a possible homicide off of Candler Road. Deputies responded to the call about a man who was found dead at a home in the 4000 block of Talmo Road at about 10 a.m. According to the sheriff’s department there appears to have been a […]
Posted inMissing
Savannah police search for girls missing since April 12
SAVANNAH — Savannah Police Department detectives need your help finding two missing girls. According to police, 12-year-old Alana Waples was last seen at about 5:30 a.m. April 12 on the 2000 block of Nash Avenue. Her hair was styled in long black and blonde braids. Detectives believe she may be in the company of 15-year-old […]
Posted inYour Government
No Surprise: Voters split along party lines over Georgia’s new election law
Georgians’ support or disapproval of the state’s controversial new voting law largely broke along political party lines in a survey the University of Georgia released Wednesday. Republican voters in the survey supported while Democratic voters opposed the more high-profile measures in the recently enacted elections bill, which has become a lightning rod for national debate on election integrity […]
Posted inEvents
Popular lunch time concert series returns to Valdosta
VALDOSTA — The popular lunch time concert series is back in Valdosta. The Main Street Office will host the Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series in Downtown Valdosta on Monday, May 3 through Friday, May 7. This event, which is free and open to the general public, features the live performance of a different band each […]
