Time's up -- State Patrol prepares to issue citations for texting while driving
Rhonda Cook reports that the grace period is up. No more second, third or fourth chances. On Sunday, the Georgia State Patrol will begin ticketing people caught texting while driving; even people stopped at a light or waiting in a turn lane.
Jul 31, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
With grace period over, DWT'ers find habit tough to kick
Katie Leslie reports that one month into Georgia's texting-while-driving ban, many nimble-fingered drivers are facing the possibility they might just have a problem. Their ears are primed for text message alerts. Kelly Ann Ryder, a 19-year-old driver from Bremen, has tried to quit cold turkey, turning her iPhone to silent, "no vibrating or anything ... because when I hear it, I get this sensation," she says.
Jul 31, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Report due Monday on testing violations at Atlanta Public Schools
Kristina Torres reports, almost five months to the day it started, an oft-delayed investigation of Atlanta Public Schools ends Monday with the release of a report expected to detail testing violations by as many as 100 educators.
Jul 31, 2010 - Georgia Times Union
Lightning sparks wildfire on Georgia's Cumberland Island
Gordon Jackson reports that lightning is the suspected cause of a Cumberland Island wildfire that has burned 25 acres since Thursday night and was still growing Friday. Julie Meeks, the National Park Service's administrative officer at the national seashore, said the fire is burning in the wilderness area near the Hickory Hill campground in the middle of the island between the Stafford and Plum Orchard mansions.
Jul 31, 2010 - Georgia Times Union
'Star Trek' fan project in St. Marys under way
Dan Scanlan reports, in the future world of "Star Trek," starships are built of exotic materials and powered by antimatter. But in a small warehouse off Osborne Street in St. Marys, Ga., sets for the continuing adventures of "Star Trek" fan film, "Starship Farragut," are built of Georgia pine powered by volunteer labor. After producing two episodes and two vignettes in the Washington, D.C., area for airing on www.starshipfarragut.com, the producers opted to move to St. Marys and build permanent standing sets for future productions due to start this winter.
Jul 31, 2010 - Athens Banner-Herald
Ila looks back as it turns 100
Erin France reports that some people in the Madison County crossroads can tell stories about how the city of Ila looked 100 years ago. Some people even remember what the city was called before leaders incorporated the town as Ila in 1910. "It used to be named Old Possum," said Buddy Thomason, who lives just outside the city limits. He prefers Ila because it's easier to spell, he joked. As Ila celebrates 100 today, Madison County will mark another birthday - its bicentennial - next year and give people a reason to come together and revel after a particularly contentious year.
Jul 31, 2010 - Savannah Morning News
Coast Guard's tall ship sails into Savannah
Pamela E. Walck reports, Heave. Ho. Heave. Ho. Heave. Ho. A half dozen cadets aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle called out a cadence Friday morning as they worked as a team on the Tall Ship's starboard side to slowly pull in the thick dock line drenched by the silty waters of the Savannah River. For many of these cadets - who hope to become commissioned officers one day - it's a crash-course, week-long introduction to the Coast Guard life.
Jul 31, 2010 - Savannah Morning News
Louis Gossett Jr. to host educational events in Savannah
Staff reports that Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor, author and activist Louis Gossett Jr. will visit Savannah and Hilton Head Island next week. Gossett is exploring the area as a potential site for an international arts festival while considering a Distinguished Artist in Residence appointment at Savannah State University. Gossett will be promoting the work of the Eracism Foundation, an organization that strives to erradicate racism, violence and ignorance.
Jul 31, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Movie keeps Whistle Stop Café cooking
Ralph Ellis reports that life is still imitating art at the Whistle Stop Café in Juliette. The restaurant is still cranking out fried green tomatoes as appetizers, salads and sandwiches. Elizabeth Bryant, who runs the Whistle Stop, said she modernized the menu a little bit but hasn't tinkered with much else. “I haven’t changed the building,” Bryant said. “I’m trying to keep that the same. It looks just as it looked in the movie.” Two decades ago, a movie crew took over Juliette, a little unincorporated community 65 miles south of Atlanta, to make “Fried Green Tomatoes.”
Jul 31, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Georgia Tech's ACC defense begins now
Doug Roberson reports that neither Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, running back Roddy Jones nor defensive lineman Jason Peters wore their rings from the 2009 ACC championship during the conference's recent media days. Perhaps it was a reminder that it's a new season, with a new title to chase.
Jul 31, 2010 - Macon Telegraph
The nervous folks aren't on the field ... they're in the stands
Joe Kovac Jr. reports that the mother’s hands trembled as she scribbled in the scorebook on her lap. Her daughter’s team had just scored a run on a dust-cloud-raising slide into home plate. “I’ve got chill bumps,” Elizabeth Deaton said. It was only the first inning of Alabama’s Friday morning clash with the Georgia girls from Warner Robins in the Little League Softball Southeastern Region Tournament.
Jul 31, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
UGA football tickets available for three home games
Tim Tucker reports that although season tickets are again sold out, Georgia will put a “limited number” of single-game tickets to three home football games on sale to the general public next week. Tickets to the Sept. 4 season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, the Sept. 18 game against Arkansas and the Nov. 6 game against Idaho State will be available starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday by phone and online. The tickets are $45 apiece.
Jul 31, 2010 - Newnan Times-Herald
West Georgia Foundation has $7.3 million of its initial $8 million goal
Jeff Bishop reports that, despite the recession -- which has absolutely crushed many similar capital campaigns -- West Georgia Technical College announced Friday that it's less than a million dollars away from its $8 million fundraising goal to establish a Coweta County campus.
Jul 31, 2010 - Albany Herald
'Growing pains' challenge for Albany State
Terry Lewis reports that the largest incoming freshman class in Albany State University history is causing on-campus housing problems, forcing school officials to boost dorm room occupancy from two to three students. Incoming freshmen at ASU are required to reside on-campus unless they live within a 50-mile radius of the university. The housing crunch is temporary and will be alleviated next fall with the construction of two new residence halls.
Jul 31, 2010 - Marietta Daily Journal
KSU: Making history one cap at a time
Marcus E. Howard reports that James Clinton Stockton made history this week when he was granted the first doctoral degree in Kennesaw State University's 47-year history. Stockton is among thousands of students graduating from Cobb colleges and universities this week during summer commencement ceremonies.
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Jul 31, 2010 - Georgia Times Union
Georgia rules in favor of Charlton schools' appeal
Gordon Jackson reports that school officials have convinced the state to lower the total assessed property value in Charlton County. School board lawyer Kelly Brooks said Thursday's decision by the Georgia Department of Audit and Accounts to lower the total assessed value of property will likely lead to an increase in state funding for education in the county this year.
Jul 31, 2010 - Chattanooga Times Free Press
Most North Georgia graduation rates short of goals but improving
Ben Benton reports that a 5 percent increase in the graduation rate benchmark for 2010 caused many North Georgia high schools to miss the mark for adequate yearly progress. But the schools still are improving, figures show.
Jul 31, 2010 - Rome News-Tribune
New teachers are few in 2010: Tight budget curtails school hiring
Daniel Bell reports that during normal times, when the state and nation aren’t gripped by the effects of an economic recession, local school systems would be reporting this time of year about the dozens and dozens of new teachers joining area schools. But, like most every other profession right now, teaching jobs are in short supply, and Rome and Floyd County Schools hired only a fraction of the number of people they might have were the budget not such a concern.
Jul 31, 2010 - Gwinnett Daily Post
Gwinnett welcomes more than 200 new educators
Deanna Allen reports that some will be taking the helm of a classroom for the first time; others have left schools across the state and country to teach in Gwinnett. A little more than a week before students return to classes for the 2010-11 school year, educators joining Gwinnett County Public Schools were welcomed Friday to their new jobs. “The people who really make a difference are our teachers,” said school superintendent and CEO J. Alvin Wilbanks, welcoming the new teachers Friday.
Jul 31, 2010 - Athens Banner-Herald
Young investigators on the scene at UGA camp
Lee Shearer reports that watching "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" never will be the same for one group of Athens-area middle school students. The 18 youngsters spent the week learning some of the fundamentals of crime scene investigation at a day camp at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. This is the second year the University of Georgia has run the camp, which focuses not just on crime scenes but the science (and sometimes, the lack of science) that underlie police forensic techniques such as fingerprinting, hair and fiber analysis.
