The days of unexpectedly big hospital bills in Georgia could be nearing an end if a bill filed Tuesday in the state Senate reaches the finish line during the current legislative session. Senate Bill 293 would prohibit medical patients from being charged extra for medical services performed within a person’s insurance network but done by out-of-network […]
Posted inYour Family
Will this be the year Georgia fixes surprise medical billing?
A key state senator said Tuesday that he is optimistic a compromise plan on easing the problem of surprise medical billing will finally pass the Georgia General Assembly this year. Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah), who chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, told a breakfast gathering that the Governor’s Office has been involved in […]
Posted inMissing
Police search for missing Jasper girl
JASPER — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Department needs the public’s help finding Emily King, who has been missing since Monday night. According to the Sheriff’s Dept., King was last seen at the Pickens County Recreational Department at 1329 Camp Road in Jasper at about 7:27 p.m. She left on foot in the area and has […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia elementary school teacher accused of shoving 7-year-old students
MACON — A Bibb County elementary school teacher has been arrested and charged with simple battery against two 7-year-olds. Bibb County Sheriff’s Office investigators served arrest warrants on 53-year-old Roger Edward Clark this morning, for two counts of Simple Battery. Clark is a school teacher at L.H. Williams Elementary School. According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, it […]
Posted inYour Government
Chatham Islands Cityhood efforts halted
Efforts to create a city out of four islands off the coast of Georgia have come to an end, at least for the remainder of this year. In a joint statement by Georgia State Sen. Ben Watson and State Rep. Jesse Petrea, the lawmakers said after a thorough vetting of incorporation by residents of the […]
Posted inCrime
Police look for shooter in assault on a driver in Macon
MACON — Authorities in Macon are searching for information about an unknown man who shot a motorist this morning on Smith Street. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the Aggravated Assault incident that was reported to have occurred in 700 block of Smith Street at 11:28 a.m. According to the Sheriff’s office, it was […]
Posted inCrime
Arrest made in North Georgia missing person case
CALHOUN — A fugitive has been arrested and charged with false imprisonment, battery and aggravated assault among other charges related to a missing person case in Gordon County. On Jan. 13 Kayla Silvers was reported missing by a family member who told deputies she had last been seen Jan. 11. Detectives initiated a search for […]
Posted inYour Government
Lilburn mayor resigns to run for Georgia state house seat
LILBURN — The mayor of Lilburn has resigned his post effective March 1 and announced his intent to run for a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. Lilburn Mayor Johnny Crist announced his resignation Tuesday. He has served Lilburn as a council member since 2008 and as mayor of the city since January 2012. […]
Posted inFood
Wing and Rock festival comes to Canton in March
CANTON — Wing lover’s rejoice. The city of Canton will play host to the annual Wing and Rock Festival. Taste over 50 styles of the best tasting chicken wings from various eateries throughout the Southeast at the beautiful 80-acre Etowah River Park in Canton March 28 and 29. Voted one of the Top 50 food festivals in […]
Posted inCrime
Stone Mountain man shot after officers say he backed his car into a patrol car during a traffic stop
GAINESVILLE — What began as a traffic stop in Hall County ended with a Stone Mountain man being shot in the shoulder and crashing into a utility pole. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, preliminary information indicates that at about 1:10 a.m. on Jan. 14, Hall County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on […]
Posted inCrime
Police search for 3 suspects in robbery of Savannah Planet Fitness
SAVANNAH — The Savannah Police Department is looking to identify three people who stole credit cards, a vehicle and other belongings from patrons at the Eisenhower Drive Planet Fitness location. According to detectives, an unknown black male with a mustache who was wearing a long, black wig entered the women’s locker room the morning of […]
Posted inMissing
Search continues for 26-year-old Georgia man missing since New Year’s Day
GAINESVILLE — The Hall County Sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help locating a 26-year-old man who has been missing since New Year’s Day. Sheriff’s Dept. officials say Jebazz Jovan Jackson Jr. was last seen Jan 1. at about 4 p.m. He was at a family member’s residence on Dean Street in Gainesville when […]
Posted inYour Government
Gambling is not a priority for Georgia senators
Georgia Senate leaders cast the prospects for new legalized gambling in doubt Monday on the first day of the 2020 legislative session. Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, plus members of the influential Senate Majority Caucus, all said passing gambling legislation is low on the legislative totem pole this year. Instead, they aim to push through bills […]
Posted inYour Government
Georgia lawmakers take aim at toxic coal ash disposal
On the heels of recent reports about the dangers of toxic coal ash seeping into groundwater in Georgia, several democrats in the state legislature are taking aim at coal ash disposal procedures in the state. State Representatives Erick Allen, D-Smyrna, Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, Debbie Buckner, D-Junction City, Jasmine Clark, D-Lilburn, Mary Frances Williams, D-Marietta […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Former Paulding Sheriff Bruce Harris dies
PAULDING COUNTY — The man who served as Paulding County’s Sheriff from 1993 until 2008 has died. The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office announced the death of retired Sheriff Bruce Harris. Harris died surrounded by his family at Kennestone Hospital on Sunday Jan. 12, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. Harris was a […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia mother arrested in connection with death of her 2-year-old son
SYLVESTER — A mother has been arrested in the November death of her son in South Georgia and police are searching for a second suspect in the case. On Jan. 10, the GBI arrested 21-year-old Chassity Nicole Swain for Felony Murder and Cruelty to Children in the 1st degree, in connection to the death of […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Georgia lawmakers take time out to honor deceased members of the legislature
Georgia lawmakers took time on the opening day of the 2020 General Assembly session Monday to honor two colleagues who died late last year. House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, remembered Rep. Jay Powell, R-Camilla, who died unexpectedly in November at age 67, as a legislator who followed his conscience regardless of the political consequences. […]
Posted inCrime
Police searching for man who allegedly touched 13-year-old girl inappropriately
LAWRENCEVILLE — The Gwinnett County Police Department Special Victims Unit needs the public’s help in identifying a man who allegedly touched a 13-year-old girl inappropriately in a local clothing store. According to the Police Dept., the incident occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at the Burlington Coat Factory at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway in unincorporated Lawrenceville at […]
