|
Burk rejects Masters protest site
The Wednesday ruling that all Masters demonstrators must protest
at a preselected site didn't sit well with Martha Burk, who
said the Richmond County sheriff's ties to the Augusta National
Golf Club may have influenced his decision. Augusta Chronicle, New York Times, Washington Post , WJBF-TV
Barnes' flag stance earns JFK Profile
in Courage Award
Roy Barnes, whose stance on the Georgia flag may
have cost him the state's governorship in the 2002 election,
was one of three Southerners, including fellow Georgian Dan
Ponder Jr., a conservative Republican who fought passionately
for tough hate crimes legislation, who are to receive the
2003 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, given annually
by the library to officials who defend sometimes unpopular
principles. WAGA-TV, Washington Post, Rome News-Tribune, Savannah Morning News/AP, Marietta Daily Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, *Cherokee Tribune
Economists blame war fears for slump in
Georgia economy
War jitters are slowing recovery from an extended
economic slump that has left gaping holes in the state budget,
legislative negotiators were told Wednesday. Augusta Chronicle/AP
Georgia unemployment claims up 1.3% in
February
The Georgia Department of Labor has reported that
first-time claims for unemployment insurance rose by 1.3 percent
in the state in February as the economy continued to stumble.
Atlanta Business Chronicle
State insurance chief laying off staff
Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine is laying
off staff and cutting the working hours of other workers as
a result of the state budget crunch. WXIA-TV/AP, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
List of decaying roads grows
The commuter nightmare discovered last week on Interstate
75 south of Atlanta will grow to include at least five more
stretches of freeway: digging up and replacing sections of
I-285, I-75, I-85 and I-185 will cost at least $193 million,
according to the state Department of Transportation. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thousands expected at pro-war rally
Thousands are expected at Olympic Centennial Park
in Atlanta for what is being called "The Rally for America."
WXIA-TV
Atlanta number 6 in cities with same-sex
households
Atlanta ranks number six in the nation in the number
of households with partners of the same sex, according to
a census report. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Group honors women from Georgia's history
A ground-breaking group of diverse women became members
of Georgia's Women of Achievement during the organization's
12th annual induction ceremony. Macon Telegraph
Ethics reform future in doubt
The much-anticipated transformation of the perennially-underfunded
state Ethics Commission seemed in place, but hope for
change has been replaced by a big dose of reality. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Senate may vote on redistricting maps
State senators may vote on maps to redistrict the
state, which was redistricted last year, when the General
Assembly reassembles later this month. Gwinnett Daily Post
*New sex offense laws approved
by House committee
A new crime of "obscene
Internet contact" was approved by a Georgia House committee
Wednesday, but not before lawmakers removed a provision
requiring prison time for all people convicted of child
molestation. WTVM-TV, WJCL-TV
State to unveil new Web-based parolee database
Two Georgia senators today plan to unveil a new Web-based
parolee database that will allow Georgia residents to review
records and photos of parolees living in their neighborhoods.
Atlanta Business Chronicle
Open Meetings Act in question for Decatur County
Commission
Decatur County Commissioner Earl Perry has heatedly
criticized his fellow commissioners and the county administrator
and implied that the body was not complying with state law
requiring open meetings. Bainbridge Post-Searchlight
*Cherokee County picks planner
Watkins
New Cherokee official left neighboring
Forsyth County under a cloud. Atlanta Journal Constitution/Cherokee
*Franklin councilman pleads
guilty, won't resign
Franklin Councilman Don Nelms
says he won't resign from public office after pleading guilty
to three misdemeanor charges. LaGrange Daily News
Hart County administrator retires
Hart County Administrator Gary Cobb will retire next
month after nearly four years in charge of day-to-day operations
of the Hart County government. Anderson Independent-Mail
Gasoline prices soar to all-time high
Gasoline prices reached an all-time high in Augusta
Wednesday, according to AAA Auto Club South. Augusta Chronicle, *Statesboro Herald
*War could bring spurt in temp
jobs
A war with Iraq could generate a quarter of a
million temporary jobs on the home front and create big demand
in some industries as reservists head into active duty. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lockheed lands $6 billion Air Force contract
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin Corp.
a $6 billion contract to provide systems upgrades for the
F/A 22 Raptor stealth fighter, with part of the work to be
done at Lockheed's Marietta plant. Atlanta Business Chronicle
Savannah seeking to snag large conventions
Trade center authority still working out funding
kinks, asking hotels for feedback on fee proposals. Savannah Morning News
*Delta's service numbers up,
but rankings fall
Actual performance has improved,
but not enough to avoid moving down the ladder. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Athlete's Foot targets Europe and Middle East
for expansion
The Athlete's Foot, a chain of stores based in Atlanta,
plans to add more stores in 2003, with an emphasis on adding
up to 100 international franchise stores, particularly in
Europe and the Middle East. Atlanta Business Chronicle
*Turner, Coca-Cola blur ad
boundary
Two Atlanta powerhouses, Coca-Cola and
Turner Broadcasting System, are teaming up for a "Diet Coke
MovieFest" on TNT. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Homeland Security water project set for metro Atlanta
The international engineering and services company
AMEC has been awarded a contract to help assess the terrorism
vulnerability of a water supply system that serves two Georgia
counties and parts of three others. Atlanta Business Chronicle
Inspectech acquires Indiana home inspection company
Atlanta-based Inspectech,which provides residential
and commercial inspections in six states, has purchased an
Indiana-based home inspection company. Atlanta Business Chronicle
Valdosta airport gets new executive director
Bob Holliway, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, is to become
Valdosta Regional Airport's new executive director. Valdosta Daily Times
*SouthEast Piper picks airport
for showroom
SouthEast Piper, which specializes in
sales of new Piper airplanes, is planning to open a showroom
soon in Falcon Field in Fayette County. Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Fayette
Atlanta-based Archway Broadcasting makes acquisitions
Archway Broadcasting Group LLC has completed the
acquisition of four radio stations from Eastern Carolina Broadcasting
Company for $6.5 million. Atlanta Business Chronicle
DRA Development plans mixed-use development in McDonough
Stockbridge-based DRA Development plans a mixed-use
project that will include houses, townhouses and an assisted
living facility in Henry County. Atlanta Business Chronicle
Marietta amends hotel and conference center contract
Marietta City Council voted Wednesday night to amend
its contract with the firm that runs its financially draining
hotel and conference center and also agreed to settle a $200,000
disagreement with the management company. Marietta Daily Journal
Service Resources changes name, gets $15.5 million
Atlanta-based Service Resources Inc. has received
an additional $15.5 in funding from three private equity and
venture capital funds and has changed its name to Prenova.
Atlanta Business Chronicle
*Newnan turns down moratorium
idea
The Newnan City Council decided against
taking any action on Coweta County's proposed six-month
moratorium, thus allowing the moratorium to possibly expire
depending on county commission action next week. Newnan
Times-Herald
*Moultrie's National Beef to
expand
A $1 million enhancement to the National
Beef facility in Moultrie is expected to bring with it about
15 new jobs. Moultrie Observer
Americus excursion train chugs along
The first spring season of an Americus excursion
train is barely underway, but already the Southwest Georgia
Excursion Train Authority is poring over figures. Americus Times-Recorder
Sale of Truett Watkinsville campus approved
The state University System Board of Regents, on
behalf of Gainesville College, on Wednesday approved the purchase
of the Watkinsville campus of private, Baptist-affiliated
Truett-McConnell College. Athens Banner-Herald
UGA students protest low ratio of minority
students
A group of University of Georgia students rallied
Wednesday to call attention to the low ratio of minorities
on the campus, including the fact that African-American males
make up only 1.9 percent of the student enrollment. Athens Banner-Herald
Screven County coaching incentive draws
fire
The approval by the school board of $20,000 in incentives
for the coaching staff of Screven County High School's state
championship football team is drawing opposition from forces
who consider the action inappropriate. WJBF-TV
Two Dalton schools trying new strategies
in teaching reading
The children of Dalton's Park Creek School and Roan
School may not know it, but they are on the cutting edge of
reading education in the United States. Dalton Daily Citizen
*Clayton County
school board members support uniforms for
students
Three Clayton County Board of Education
members have signed a petition to bring a mandatory dress code
to students in Clayton County schols. Jonesboro News Daily
Marietta school board looking for specifics
regarding schools' split
Members of Marietta school board pushed for time,
cost analysis for controversial plan. Marietta Daily Journal,
*Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Cobb
Ocmulgee reservoir plans suspended
Facing a federal lawsuit by environmental groups,
the Army Corps of Engineers has rescinded the go-ahead for
a reservoir on Tussahaw Creek, a tributary of the Ocmulgee
River upstream from Macon. Macon Telegraph, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chickens replace snakes at Fitzgerald festival
Although organizers of an annual festival at Fitzgerald
replaced rounding up rattlesnakes with celebrating chickens
for economic reasons, they find themselves in line with Department
of Natural Resources efforts to curb rattler roundups, which
are contributing to the decline of the rattlers, struggling
to survive in a hostile environment. Albany Herald
Emory's CEO for hospitals to retire
John D. Henry, chief executive officer for Emory
Hospitals, will retire Aug. 31, Emory announced Wednesday.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Spring is here, but so is allergy season
Spring is just around the corner, and the explosion
of swelling buds and blossoms can spell trouble for allergy
sufferers. WSB-TV
Adverse drug effects studied
Information about the number of mistakes and drug-related
injuries that result from medication is raising concerns.
WSB-TV
CDC head gets smallpox vaccination
Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, received a smallpox vaccination
Wednesday. WGNX-TV
Judge denies UGA players' injunction request
Two University of Georgia players sued Wednesday
for the right to play in the SEC and NCAA tournaments, but
a judge quickly denied their request for a temporary restraining
order. WSB-TV, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Macon Telegraph, Athens Banner-Herald, Gwinnett Daily Post
Former Echols County sheriff pleads guilty to theft
Former Echols County Sheriff Donald Fender pleaded guilty
Wednesday to federal charges that he stole nearly $17,000
while serving as probate judge for the county. Valdosta Daily Times, WALB-TV
*Cherokee County military
families feeling effects of deployment
Some
separated already; others await their orders. Cherokee Tribune
Fulton County bars can sell liquor on Sunday
Fulton County bars and strip clubs won the right
Wednesday to sell liquor on Sunday. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
*Cherokee County landowners
slow to rejoin tax break program
Huge chunk of
Cherokee County, set aside from development, could stoke real
estate market if landowners don't rejoin land use program. Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Cherokee
Macon behind on IRS payments
Macon racked up more than $300,000 in penalties from
the IRS dating back to 2000, although the city's financial
director managed to get most of the fines abated. Macon Telegraph
*Storm water fees expected to
be high in Henry County
Improved storm water
management is going to be costly for Henry County residents.
Atlanta
Journal-Constitution/Clayton/Henry
Rush is on for Atlanta sewer deal
A new department in Atlanta government is using an
old method to get approval for a $22 million consulting contract.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Brunswick police merger raises issues
By handing police and fire services over to the county,
the city of Brunswick could save up to $6.2 million per year.
Florida Times Union
Rise in crime spurs Richmond County Sheriff's Department
to action
The Richmond County Sheriff's Department is working
to stem a recent rise in burglaries, rapes, robberies and
aggravated assaults. Augusta Chronicle
Hip Hop festival may move to Rockdale County
Organizers of a proposed hip hop music festival were
negotiating Wednesday to move the event to a Rockdale County
horse-training facility. WSB-TV, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Guardian Angels one step closer to coming to Savannah
Gerald Schantz reports hearing from hundreds of supporters
since beginning an effort to bring street protection units
of the Guardian Angels to Savannah. Savannah Morning News
Barrow County residents say they were not informed
of detention center plans
Residents just outside Winder are furious with Barrow
County's proposal to build a detention center in their back
yards, a proposal, they say, they were kept in the dark about.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Needed Peachtree City firefighters may go unfunded
again
The Peachtree City Fire and Rescue Department still
needs another nine members, but the request may go unfunded
for a second straight year because of budget restraints. Fayette Citizen-News
Marietta passes graffiti ordinance
Property owners must clean up or face fines. Marietta Daily Journal
Telecom tower approved, better cellular service expected
in south Georgia
Lowndes County Commissioners have approved a special
exemption request for a telecommunications tower that should
improve cellular phone service for some south Georgia residents.
Valdosta Daily Times
Georgia Supreme Court upholds Bainbridge mobile home
zoning ordinance
The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld a City of Bainbridge
zoning ordinance dealing with the placement of mobile homes
inside city limits. Bainbridge Post-Searchlight
Columbia County school bus drivers sue for back pay
Forty-three Columbia County school bus drivers have
filed a lawsuit claiming that the county school system violated
the Fair Labor Standards Act and committed a breach of contract.
Augusta Chronicle
*Talbot County school bus
drivers battle pay cut
Talbot County school bus
drivers face another roadblock in their battle against a 40
percent cut in pay. WRBL-TV
Bomb threat closes Loganville school again
For the second time in less than a month, a bomb
threat has forced officials to evacuate and close a Loganville
school. Walton Tribune
Panel forms to study threat of erosion in Augusta
A drainage problem in a west Augusta subdivision
that threatens several homes prompted an Augusta Commission
committee Wednesday to call for the formation of a residents
group to study erosion problems throughout Richmond County.
Augusta Chronicle
Protester, Macon police at odds over drug activity
Janice Hamlin took to the streets in Macon on Wednesday, saying
she wants drugs out of her Village Green neighborhood. Macon Telegraph
Harlem city leaders sketch plan for growth
Officials of the town of Harlem are preparing their
town for controlled growth as development sweeps westward
across Columbia County. Columbia County News Times
*Laurens County shelter gets aids from Victims'
Assistance
The Victims' Assistance program, a
service administered by the District Attorney's office, has
donated $50,000 to Area Residence for Kids, a children's
shelter planned for Laurens County. Dublin Courier Herald
FBI arrests white supremacy group leader near Dahlonega
Chester James Doles, former Georgia unit leader of
the white supremist organization National Alliance, was arrested
by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation following
an investigation dating to 2001. Dahlonega Nugget
Flooding bedevils south Georgia
Flooding continues across southern Georgia. where
rain-swollen rivers have swept out of their floodplains, stranding
residents in their homes and forcing road closures and school
closings. With some rivers still cresting, south Georgians
braced for another round of thunderstorms on already saturated
ground, and farmers were forced to delay spring planting.
United Nations quicksand
"The United States has been engaged in what has been
described as "Groundhog Day" diplomacy, a reference to the
Bill Murray movie in which his character is caught in a time
warp and keeps reliving the same day over and over again with
the same results. Thus, as America spins its wheels in the
quicksand of the United Nations, attempting to curry the favor
of such world powers as Cameroon, Guinea and Angola, the resulting
delay in military action against Iraq doesn't just undermine
the allied effort to forcibly disarm Saddam Hussein. It also
handcuffs the United States from dealing with burgeoning crises
in Iran and North Korea." Savannah Morning News
OK, France, take that, and that....
"Never let it be said that
our patriotic lawmakers in the U.S. House let those French
folks go unpunished because they steadfastly refuse to go
along with the United States in a war against Iraq. No, solons
put aside less demanding issues, such as health care, tax
cuts and education, to take immediate action expressing dismay
with France's unreasonable stance on the war. In a wham-bam,
one-two punch, they changed the name in the House cafeteria
menu of French Fries to "freedom fries," and that fine old
breakfast delicacy, French toast, is now "freedom toast."
Macon Telegraph
U.S. can't abandon ethics this
time
"Although the United States is divided on
whether the war against Iraq is necessary, there is agreement
that Saddam Hussein's evil record is not one to emulate. While
the United States does not plan to export terrorism, there is
every danger that our military may resort to state terror. We
must not become a police state at home and abroad if we expect
to win the war, as well as the battle against terrorism." Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
God help us
"If you'd said the following even a couple of years
ago, people might have thought you were paranoid or worse.
But it has become inescapable: There is an ongoing, cynical
and relentless effort to get the courts to purge any mention
of God or spirituality - or even morality - from public life
in America." Augusta Chronicle
Fatheaded thinking
"The governor and many members of the General Assembly
do not seem to understand that they have, in one key area,
not embarked on an effort to cut the state's budget but rather
its tax revenues. Reducing spending is not only called for
during the current economic downturn but necessary and overdue
-- even without a recession. Government has become so bloated
that it can't even afford itself." Rome News-Tribune
Dick Yarbrough: for the Georgia GOP, it's deja vu
all over again
"The Republican party in Georgia made a grievous
error in 1996 when they denied Johnny Isakson the nomination
for the U.S. Senate. The reason for refusing Isakson was some
in the party thought him soft on the abortion issue. The party
instead chose charisma-challenged Atlanta businessman Guy
Millner, who promptly lost the general election to Democrat
Max Cleland. As a result, Georgia was subjected to six years
of a do-nothing senator with a pro-abortion record who voted
the Democratic party line. How this benefited the state and
the GOP cause still baffles me. Isakson, currently a three-term
member of Congress from Georgia's 6th District, is running
again for the Senate to succeed retiring Democratic Senator
Zell Miller. To date, he has no Republican opposition and
has raised more than a million dollars for his campaign, which
should give any potential opponent pause for reflection. No
wildly popular Georgia Democrat is waiting in the wings to
take him on, because Georgia has no wildly popular Democrats
except for Zell Miller, and Miller can't wait to see Washington
in his rearview mirror. So, things look good for Isakson.
Or do they?" Athens Banner-Herald
Wal-Mart coin has more than two sides
"Recent confirmation by a local property owner that
he had been approached by developers seeking a site for a
Wal-Mart shopping center brought mixed reactions to the community:
Wal-Mart lovers were ecstatic at the prospect of closer proximity
for their choice. Kmart fans were anxious at the impact such
a development might have to their familiar old favorite. Small
independent retailers were apprehensive about a future competing
with the nation's largest retailer and discounter. Big-ticket
franchises, dealerships and service providers not threatened
by a Wal-Mart in their midst smiled at the prospect of the
consumer traffic it would bring this way. Planners struggling
to revitalize and redevelop downtown were concerned at what
a major retail center outside of town would do to their efforts.
And local food stores probably wondered how market share would
be affected by the presence of a new player. All are legitimate
concerns." Bainbridge Post-Searchlight
|
