Regional

The General Assembly gaveled into session Monday with the usual pageantry and little of the heavy lifting that will be required to make it through the 40-day session. 

The General Assembly gaveled into session Monday with the usual pageantry and little of the heavy lifting that will be required to make it through the 40-day session. 

Georgia lawmakers open session with usual mix of old business and new

By Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service   ATLANTA – The General Assembly gaveled into session Monday with the usual pageantry and little of the heavy lifting that will be required to make it through the 40-day session.
New Orleans Police Department along with other agencies are involved in an ongoing investigation regarding the attack that killed 15 people and injured dozens more on Bourbon Street on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 2. WADE CHEEK/CNI NEWS SERVICE

New Orleans Police Department along with other agencies are involved in an ongoing investigation regarding the attack that killed 15 people and injured dozens more on Bourbon Street on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 2. WADE CHEEK/CNI NEWS SERVICE

New Orleans Sugar Bowl postponed amid terrorist attack on Bourbon Street; rescheduled for Jan. 2

By Wade Cheek CNI News Service  NEW ORLEANS — Pregame jubilation and anticipation was abruptly displaced with horror and safety concerns in New Orleans prior to the 91st Allstate Sugar Bowl as a pickup smashed through a city street filled with New Year's partiers, killing 15 and injuring others.
Incoming Northern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Christopher NeSmith (left), with wife Melissa holding the Bible, is sworn in by Senior Judge John H. Bailey Friday at the Hart County Courthouse. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Fargason of The Hartwell Sun)

Incoming Northern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Christopher NeSmith (left), with wife Melissa holding the Bible, is sworn in by Senior Judge John H. Bailey Friday at the Hart County Courthouse. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Fargason of The Hartwell Sun)

NeSmith takes oath as Superior Court judge

By Patrick Fargason   The Hartwell Sun   HARTWELL – The region’s legal community gathered Friday at the Hart County Courthouse for the swearing-in of Judge J.
Georgia energy regulators have signed off on a 3.5 percent rate increase for customers of Georgia Power.

Georgia energy regulators have signed off on a 3.5 percent rate increase for customers of Georgia Power.

Georgia Power to hike rates in January

By Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service   ATLANTA – Georgia energy regulators have signed off on a 3.5 percent rate increase for customers of Georgia Power.
Harmony House staff and board members attending Thursday’s 20th anniversary celebration were (from left) James Williams, Walker Rice, Regina Hooper, Laurie Whitworth, Wendy Risner, Kayla Farmer, Sydney Jordan, Jennifer Rainer, Kaitlin Andrews, Olivia Owensby, Kimberly Brewer and Darrin Haley.  (Photo by Eavenson)

Harmony House staff and board members attending Thursday’s 20th anniversary celebration were (from left) James Williams, Walker Rice, Regina Hooper, Laurie Whitworth, Wendy Risner, Kayla Farmer, Sydney Jordan, Jennifer Rainer, Kaitlin Andrews, Olivia Owensby, Kimberly Brewer and Darrin Haley. (Photo by Eavenson)

Harmony House celebrates 20th anniversary

By Charlie Eavenson Staff Writer   FRANKLIN SPRINGS – Harmony House Child Advocacy/Sexual Assault Center hosted a lunch meeting Thursday to celebrate its 20th year of serving Georgia’s Northern Judicial Circuit.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has officially certified the results of this month’s presidential election in Georgia and said audits showed the state’s election system is in good shape.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has officially certified the results of this month’s presidential election in Georgia and said audits showed the state’s election system is in good shape.

Audits confirm election results

By Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service   ATLANTA – Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has officially certified the results of this month’s presidential election in Georgia and said audits showed the state’s election system is in good shape.
Ninth District Opportunity Inc. announces applications for home heating help for the elderly and medically homebound will begin Dec. 2.

Ninth District Opportunity Inc. announces applications for home heating help for the elderly and medically homebound will begin Dec. 2.

Application period opens Dec. 2 for heating help

Ninth District Opportunity Inc. announces applications for home heating help for the elderly and medically homebound will begin Dec. 2. The program is open for residents in Franklin and other North Georgia counties.
Russell R. McMurry, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT), has been elected 2024-25 vice president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). 

Russell R. McMurry, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT), has been elected 2024-25 vice president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). 

McMurry elected VP of association for state road officials

ATLANTA – Russell R. McMurry, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT), has been elected 2024-25 vice president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
Four years after losing to Democrat Joe Biden by fewer than 12,000 votes in Georgia, former President Donald Trump captured the state’s 16 electoral votes Nov. 5 by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris by more than 117,000 votes.

Four years after losing to Democrat Joe Biden by fewer than 12,000 votes in Georgia, former President Donald Trump captured the state’s 16 electoral votes Nov. 5 by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris by more than 117,000 votes.

Trump wins state back for GOP

By Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service   ATLANTA – Georgia voters have reasserted the Peach State’s bona fides as a Republican stronghold.
Drivers are reminded to be aware of deer while on the roads this fall.

Drivers are reminded to be aware of deer while on the roads this fall.

Stay alert while driving during deer season

From the Georgia Department of Natural Resources   SOCIAL CIRCLE –Whenever you’re behind the wheel, staying alert is essential.