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Douglasville wins for tastiest water
Douglasville, just west of Atlanta, took top honors Thursday
in the state's sixth annual Best Tasting Tap Water competition,
topping Blythe in Richmond County and six other finalists.
Augusta
Chronicle
Hard rains fuel floods
As West Point, Ga. and Lanett, Ala., braced for the highest
floodwaters in 42 years Thursday night, Georgia Gov. Sonny
Perdue took a helicopter flight over Troup County along the
Chattahoochee River to survey the damage. Columbus
Ledger-Enquirer
- Water upriver fills 'Hooch
The sometimes sleepy Chattahoochee River was wide awake
Thursday afternoon as it surged past downtown Columbus.
Dams north of the city worked overtime releasing water,
but there was no doubt who was in charge of the flow. Columbus
Ledger-Enquirer
- Several Columbus-area roads closed because of flood
damage
As a result of the severe storms and subsequent flooding,
the Georgia Department of Transportation has closed I-85
northbound and southbound at milepost 2 in Troup County
at the Alabama state line. Columbus
Ledger-Enquirer
- Waters rise after series of storms. Athens
Banner-Herald
- Ocmulgee River not expected to pose problems
Short break from rain expected before more storms hit midstate
next week. Macon
Telegraph
- Area rivers still high, but no rain in the forecast.
Rome
News-Tribune
- I-85 closed as Chattahoochee rises. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
- * Rains flood South; Hundreds
flee homes. New
York Times/AP
- * Heavy rain, flooding
hit Gilmer County. Ellijay
Times-Courier
- * Even Weather Service
took cover from fierce storm
Wednesday night's destructive weather can't be named a tornado
until officials from the National Weather Service office
can analyze all thedata. But the fierce storm was scary
enough to shut down the NWS forecast center in Peachtree
City, which manages weather information forthe entire North
Georgia region. Fayette
Citizen News
- * Storms sweep through
Henry County. McDonough
Herald
- * Violent storm slams
Coweta. Newnan
Times-Herald
- * Water closes schools,
postpones graduation. WTVM-TV
SARS postpones Korean talks
North Korea just reiterated its commitment to peace talks
in Athens, but the meeting must wait until the SARS epidemic
abates, according to University of Georgia professor Han Park.
Athens
Banner-Herald
Backup transit funds face legal scrutiny
The state's backup plan to keep transportation projects moving
also may be at the mercy of the courts. More than $830 million
in loans for roads and rail is stalled as the state Supreme
Court determines whether the debt was illegally backed by
the State Road and Tollway Authority. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
State childhood obesity study to be released
Results of the first study to document the percentage of Georgia's
children who are overweight will be released at 9 a.m. next
Thursday as part of the University of Georgia's Biomedical
and Health Sciences Institute's Spring Symposium.
Athens Banner-Herald
Eligibility of UGA's Golston in doubt after
rings sold on eBay
University of Georgia officials are trying to determine whether
starting nose tackle Kedric Golston jeopardized his eligibility
by selling his 2002 SEC championship and 2003 Sugar Bowl rings
and one of his game jerseys. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
* Glennville
man to head Animal Homeland Security project for Georgia
Dr. James E. Strickland of Glennville has been selected by
the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department
of Agriculture Veterinary Services to serve as the Animal
Industry Homeland Security Project Coordinator.
Tattnall Journal
* Bennett, oldest
veteran, dies
World War I veteran J.B. "Jack" Bennett, 110, believed
to be the oldest living veteran in the United States, died
Wednesday. Tifton
Gazette
New flag flies over Capitol
Gov. Sonny Perdue signed into law Georgia's third flag in
two years on Thursday, hoping that an end to the bitter, racially
tinged debate over the issue will follow. Savannah
Morning News/Morris
- Cobb legislator's design flies over Capitol
An excited Rep. Bobby Franklin stood on the roof of the
House chambers Thursday and watched as the banner he helped
design unfurled in a stiff Georgia wind and took its place
as the official flag of Georgia. Marietta
Daily Journal
- House speaker takes flack for flag vote
House Speaker Terry Coleman came face-to-face Tuesday with
the fallout of his historic vote that passed the new state
flag and possibly vanquished the Confederate-dominated flag.
Marietta
Daily Journal
- Smith: Too early to tell if new flag will stay
It’s too early to tell if even a state referendum
next March on the Georgia flag will put the issue to rest,
state Sen. Preston Smith said. Rome
News-Tribune
- Perdue signs flag legislation, new state banner flies.
Atlanta
Business Chronicle
- New flag catches the wind.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- * Georgia Governor approves
new flag, urges calm. New
York Times/Reuters
- * Georgia unfurls new
flag. Washington
Post
Groups challenge Perdue on prescription drug benefit restrictions
Patient advocacy groups met at the state Capitol today to
pressure Gov. Sonny Perdue to turn back proposed restrictions
on prescription drug benefits for Medicaid recipients and
state employees. Atlanta
Business Chronicle
- Drug plan angers patients' advocates
A state plan that could lead to new restrictions on prescription
drugs would jeopardize health care for 2 million Georgians
and cost more than it would save, several patient-advocacy
groups charged Thursday. Augusta
Chronicle/Morris
Tech office, jobs out of A-C over tax issue?
It is unlikely that Athens-Clarke County will keep 165 high-paying,
high-tech jobs in town, according to state Rep. Louise McBee,
D-Athens. Athens
Banner-Herald
DaimlerChrysler plant a 'go'
DaimlerChrysler is building its new Sprinter van plant in
Pooler. Officials with the Savannah Economic Development Authority
confirmed Thursday they expect company executives to jet in
from Germany on July 14 for a formal announcement. Savannah
Morning News
Convention Bureau drive seeks Augustans'
business
With National Tourism Week set to kick off Monday, local officials
are preparing to educate area residents about the virtues
of their neighborhood attractions. Augusta
Chronicle
* World Airways
in midst of boom
Based in Peachtree City, the carrier, specializing in military
charters, humanitarian relief missions and international air
cargo, is making money and talking about adding new airplanes
and routes. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
WellStar posts $1.96M profit for March
For the past 12 months, WellStar Health System has posted
a monthly profit, and March was no different. WellStar posted
a profit of $1.96 million for the month of March, on revenues
of $70.3 million. The total profit for the current fiscal
year totalled $13.8 million. Marietta
Daily Journal
Atlanta ranks high in business/careers survey. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
* Home Depot offers 'Do-It-Herself'
workshops
Home Depot is offering Do-it-Herself Workshops at 7 p.m. Wednesday
at more than 1,500 Home Depot stores. The special clinics
will help women learn how to use power tools, build a patio
with pavers and install outdoor lighting.
Anderson Independent-Mail
Toccoa plant cutting 200+ jobs
Toccoa's largest manufacturing plant is closing a division
- leaving more than 40 percent of its workforce out of a job.
Coats North America says it is moving its thread finishing
operation to other plants. AccessNorthGeorgia.com
Family reunions mean big bucks for cities
The visitors bureaus use their expertise and connections with
local hotels and vendors to create whatever kind of reunion
the family wants, with an emphasis on bargain pricing. Savannah
Morning News/Morris
Augusta's Blanchard agency buys insurer's assets
Augusta's Blanchard and Calhoun Insurance Agency Inc. announced
Thursday it has acquired the local assets of Palmer &
Cay Inc., the nation's second-largest privately held insurance
brokerage. Augusta
Chronicle
Controversy over spam visits murky areas
of law
Spam. Junk mail. There ought to be a law against it. But is
there? That depends on who's talking. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
* Student expose rattles Toccoa
Falls College
Student Joel Elliott discovered that there was no résumé
in the library on the current college president, Donald Young.
When he found the résumé, he also found some
conflicting information. Young's résumé claimed
he had received a master's degree from Fuller Theology Seminary
in California. Fuller officials say he attended there, but
never received a degree. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
- * Kincaid questions context
of quotes (by Joel Elliott)
The chairman of the Toccoa Falls College board of trustees
says quotes attributed to him in a recent news story were
taken out of context. Ray Kincaid, chairman of the board
of trustees of Toccoa Falls College, said he wants to clarify
his stance in relation to Donald O. Young, president of
Toccoa Falls College. Toccoa
Record
Savannah school board goes high-tech
Even with the addition of laptops and electronic agendas,
Savannah-Chatham Board of Education gets business done.
Savannah Morning News
Macon schools may promote 'success' stories
The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and an education
advocacy group hope to work with the Bibb County schools to
publish a weekly page of positive public school news in the
Telegraph. Macon
Telegraph
* State delays
hamper Cartersville BOE budget
Weeks behind its normal schedule, the Cartersville School
System is still trying to piece together its budget because
of state delays. Cartersville
Daily Tribune News
Kennesaw State in line for funds, House speaker
says
Kennesaw State University should be in line next year for
building funds it needs to finish a proposed social sciences
building, House Speaker Terry Coleman said Thursday. Marietta
Daily Journal
* Third Rockdale
elementary school opts for standard attire
Parents of Peek’s Chapel Elementary School students may
find shopping for the next school year a little less complicated.
The school is adopting voluntary standard attire, a move that
84 percent of parents approved in a recent survey conducted
by the school. Rockdale
Citizen
* Environmental
group says Sycamore dangerous
Members of an Atlanta-based, non-profit environmental group
spoke to the Gwinnett County Board of Education Thursday about
the danger of opening a school between two landfills. Two
representatives from Eco-Action, an organization that specializes
in environmental activism issues, addressed the board about
Sycamore Elementary, which is slated to welcome 869 students
in August. Gwinnett
Daily Post * Committee
to oversee installation of methane detectors at Sycamore Elementary.
Gwinnett
Daily Post
Ethics unit will probe Wilbanks in Gwinnett
Georgia's Professional Standards Commission unanimously agreed
Thursday to investigate Gwinnett County Schools Superintendent
J. Alvin Wilbanks for allegedly submitting false information
on a state report. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution/Gwinnett *
Wilbanks’ ethics under investigation. Gwinnett
Daily Post
Young Macon inventor wins national award
Jo Jo Murphy is really on a roll. The Springdale Elementary
fourth-grader designed a mobile ladder that's earned her a
$5,000 U.S. savings bond in a national contest. Macon
Telegraph
* Reading campaign takes
to roof in Jonesboro
A muggy, wet night on the rooftop of Swint Elementary School
is what's in store Principal Frank Rezek and Assistant Principal
Doug Lozel. The outrageous act is a sign of appreciation for
students who have successfully participated in the school's
25-Book Reading campaign. Jonesboro
News-Daily
Clarke County BOE moving to buy Charter Winds
site
Clarke County school board members took the first step Thursday
night toward buying the former Charter Winds Hospital on Mitchell
Bridge Road as a site for the county's new non-traditional
high school - and the new site for district administrative
offices. Athens
Banner-Herald
Researchers guide threatened loggerhead turtles back to
ocean
It’s lights out for Tybee Island if loggerhead turtles
are to survive as a threatened species. Rome
News-Tribune/AP
Rain gardens aimed at pollution
The most serious threat to rivers and streams feeding the
Etowah and Lake Allatoona is from more insidious sources --
subdivision lawns, agricultural fields, construction sites,
shopping center parking lots and leaking septic tanks. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
Scientist defends hormone research
Even though she suffers from post-menopausal hot flashes,
Susan Hendrix isn't about to prescribe herself hormone therapy.
One of the principal investigators of a massive study that
found hormones increased the risk of breast cancer and heart
attack without any real benefit for asymptomatic women, Dr.
Hendrix answered some criticism of the study during a lecture
Thursday at University Hospital. Augusta
Chronicle
Mike Turki: It's cockroach season, so be most careful
about home
"Whether cockroaches carry Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) is unclear, but the most common household pest is a
confirmed carrier of up to 50 different known pathogens. There
are approximately 3,500 species of cockroaches worldwide,
with about 70 species in the United States. As the weather
warms, homeowners can take basic steps to help keep these
pests out of their homes." GwinnettForum.com
SARS readiness under way locally
Health officials and businesses leaders say they're prepared
to combat the new disease. Savannah
Morning News
Former nurses return amid staff shortages.
Augusta
Chronicle
824th Security Forces Squadron returns from Afghanistan
It's been almost six months since the 824th Security Forces
Squadron left Moody Air Force Base to support Operation Enduring
Freedom in Afghanistan. Valdosta
Daily Times
* ARC poll shows
Cherokee population happy with lifestyle
Most Cherokee residents are satisfied with life in the Atlanta
region, according to a recent survey of 10 metro counties.
Cherokee
Tribune
Fire forces jet to divert to Rome
A suspicious fire aboard a Comair flight from Atlanta bound
for Huntsville, Ala., forced a landing at Richard B. Russell
Regional Airport Thursday night. Rome
News-Tribune * Fire in
plane's bathroom causes emergency landing. WGNX-TV
* Hall county
commission OKs lot size increase
After weeks of debate and controversy, Hall County commissioners
voted 3-2 Thursday night to increase minimum lot sizes for
homes and decrease housing density in rural areas. Gainesville
Times
Taylor County's uneasy tale of 2 proms
For the second May in a row, this county seat of 1,900 residents
has drawn international media attention and sparked arguments
that reached the Georgia governor's office for, of all things,
its high school prom. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
* Calhoun hopes
policy will help developers with utilities
The City of Calhoun is implementing a new permitting policy
for water and sewer line installation for developers that
should streamline what one council member referred to as a
“hodge-podge” of agreements that existed before.
Calhoun
Times
* Buford Dam
releases water from Lake Lanier
Buford Dam’s flood gates are open wide as the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers siphons off excess water dumped in Lake
Lanier by this week’s rains. Gwinnett
Daily Post
* Homeless shelter faces shutdown
in Porterdale
The Rainbow Covenant House Ministries faces possible legal
action to close its homeless shelter after Porterdale city
officials notified operators they were in violation of city
zoning ordinances. Rockdale
Citizen
UGA's Dooley hasn't heard yet on contract
extension
Georgia Athletic Director Vince Dooley's private request for
a contract extension hasn't received any response from university
president Michael Adams, and it's unclear when, or if, it
will. Savannah
Morning News/Morris
Greener Piedmont is near
One of Piedmont Park's most popular patches of green is expected
to reopen in July with a fresh spread of grass and its chronic
drainage problems resolved. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
* New-look library
in Brunswick
The Brunswick-Glynn County Library staff is inviting the public
to check out its newly renovated building during an open house
at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Florida Times-Union
Public gets chance to thank military
Celebration to be Saturday at A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus.
Columbus
Ledger-Enquirer
* Woodstock
stores survey downtown parking troubles
Traffic and parking continue to get worse in downtown Woodstock,
according to merchants and a customer survey, prompting the
city to look for ways to help solve the problem. Cherokee
Tribune
Fulton County neighbors say blasting by quarry
damages homes
57 people in the Grove Park neighborhood who have filed a
lawsuit against Vulcan Materials Co., the nation's largest
producer of gravel and asphalt. The company is leasing the
quarry from owner Fulton County. The monthly rent is 3,300
tons of gravel and asphalt. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
Study: Teen DUI arrests down in Macon
The number of Macon teenagers arrested while driving under
the influence of alcohol has dropped by more than a third
since last year, and police say that's because more teens
and businesses are complying with the alcohol laws. Macon
Telegraph
* Canton funds
lower in 2002; economy cited. Cherokee
Tribune
Crane drops air conditioner in Carrollton;
kills 1, injures 3. Rome
News-Tribune/AP
Town of Norcross tired of being tarred for
crimes over broad area
When the town of 9,000 people gets saddled with murders and
robberies that occur outside the city limits, city officials
and residents complain it's portrayed as the Wild West. They
don't like that. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution/Gwinnett
* Norcross adds
townhomes to downtown
Margaret Greer is turning a former dilapidated building in
this downtown into a $300,000 town home, much to the delight
of city officials, who hope the project is a sign of things
to come. Gwinnett
Daily Post
Harris housing growth concerns county
Harris County is on pace to issue more than 400 permits
this year for single-family houses costing a total of more
than $81 million, both far exceeding any previous year if
development continues at the present pace. Columbus
Ledger-Enquirer
Judge's drinking brings suspension
A Gwinnett County judge has been banned from the courthouse
and suspended with pay after a local TV news report showed
him drinking, then getting behind the wheel of his SUV. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution * Television
report leads to investigation into misconduct. Gwinnett
Daily Post
Fixing the food bank
"America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia can't afford
a credibility crisis. Otherwise, its important role in feeding
thousands of low-income people in the Savannah-area would
be jeopardized." Savannah
Morning News
2001 state flag may have few fans, but it
shouldn't be forgotten
"The flag which flew over the state of Georgia for the
past two years is officially retired - at least for now. At
10:30 a.m. Thursday, Gov. Sonny Perdue signed a bill creating
a new state flag. About 25 minutes later, it was unfurled
over the state's capitol. Next March Georgians will get a
chance to decide whether to keep it there or return its predecessor,
a switch few believe voters will make." Athens
Banner-Herald
Flag a win for wisdom, justice and moderation
"Georgia’s new flag was raised over the state Capitol
on Thursday — and we suspect most Cobb County residents
would consider it a triumph for the “Wisdom, Justice,
Moderation” extolled in the state seal incorporated into
the banner." Marietta
Daily Journal
* Newest flag
may allow issue to rest, at least for a while
"Georgia raised a new flag on Thursday along with hopes
that 47 years of controversy involving state banners might
finally be nearing an end. The flag, which features the state
seal and the words "In God We Trust" on a blue field
in the top left corner and the three red and white horizontal
stripes to the right, was run up over the Capitol in Atlanta
just after Gov. Sonny Perdue signed a bill authorizing it."
Gainesville
Times
Obesity linked to birth defects
"Health professionals define obesity as an excess amount
of body fat. A person who is obese runs the risk of a full
range of medical problems, not limited to gallbladder disease
and gallstones, liver disease, gout, pulmonary problems and,
in women, some reproductive complications. If their condition
is left untreated, an obese person might permanently jeopardize
their health by succumbing to heart disease, stroke or diabetes."
Valdosta
Daily Times
Beating City Hall
"You can beat City Hall. Ask the residents of Mount Alto
Road who, by being loud, persistent and persuasive, have managed
to lift a million-gallon water tank and hurl it off their
mountain. The proposed tank, needed to improve water service
and pressure for at least 6,000 people in West Rome, will
now be relocated to somewhere along Wilkerson Road."
Rome
News-Tribune
T.R. Reid: Giving teens the wrong message
"My 16-year-old called me from a bar. She said my 17-year-old
was there, too, along with the rest of the gang from high
school: ''Everything's fine, Dad. We'll be home after last
call.'' Like many other parents, I knew my teenagers were
out drinking that Saturday night. Unlike most American kids,
though, my daughters were drinking safely, legally and under
close adult supervision - in the friendly neighborhood pub
two blocks from our London home. My kids could do that because
Britain, like almost every other developed nation, has decided
that teenagers are going to drink whether it's legal or not
- and that attempts at prohibition inevitably make things
worse." Athens
Banner-Herald/Washington Post
Don McKee: New flag a remarkable combination
of state, nation
"Here’s a salute to the new Georgia flag. It was
raised at 10:54 a.m. Thursday, catching the breeze and streaming
briskly from the flagstaff at the Capitol. It looked sharp,
the bold colors of red, white and blue of this modern version
of Stars and Bars waving under the red, white and blue of
the Stars and Stripes." Marietta
Daily Journal
Elliott Brack: Wonder if you can identify
this American city?
" Bet you will have problems identifying this American
city. Here are some clues:
… First capitol of the Louisiana Territory.
… Founded by the French in 1703.
… First city in the nation to celebrate Mardi Gras.
… Major water transportation center.
… Area population more than half million.
… Famous for seafood.
… State is associated with letters "LA."
You think you have the answer? We bet you are wrong. It's
Mobile, not New Orleans. The "LA" connection? Lower
Alabama." GwinnettForum.com
Bill O'Reilly: All-white prom made for very rainy night
in Georgia
"Put yourself in the shoes of a 17-year-old black student
at Taylor County High School in Butler, about 150 miles south
of Atlanta. For weeks you watch the news and see an integrated
American military machine take apart Saddam Hussein’s
regime. You read on the BlackAmerica Web site that about 18
percent of U.S. casualties in Iraq were African-American.
You see the country celebrating a great victory and waving
the flags of patriotism." Marietta
Daily Journal
Charles E. Richardson: Air pollution control
is a regional problem
"Macon area leaders have known for some time the day
would come when the area's air quality is deemed below federal
guidelines. The perplexing part of the situation is, no one
knows exactly what to do about it." Macon
Telegraph
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