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May 11, 2008 – WSB TV - Atlanta
Storms Knock Out Power Across Atlanta; Damage Homes
WSB reports that a Mother's Day storm moved through north Georgia early Sunday morning, knocking out power to thousands in metro Atlanta and causing severe damage in some areas. About 20,000 households were without power at one point, according to Carol Boatright of Georgia Power. The hardest hit areas appeared to be Forest Park and parts of central Atlanta. Crews fanned out across the area to repair downed lines and get electricity flowing again.
May 11, 2008 – Athens Banner-Herald
Thomas tells grads of goal blocked by injustice
Blake Aued reports that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, the fifth Georgian to serve on the high court, would have been the first black University of Georgia graduate if he'd had his way. Thomas wanted to be a Bulldog, but segregation stopped him, he said Saturday during his commencement address at Sanford Stadium.
May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Thomas gives grads familiar advice
Jeffry Scott reports that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, the commencement speaker before the 2008 graduating class of the University of Georgia, said when he graduated from high school 41 years ago, attending UGA "was not an option" because schools in the state were still largely segregated. But then Thomas, who grew up in Pin Point, outside Savannah, told the approximately 3,500 graduating students gathered on the field at Sanford Stadium on Saturday that he was happy to be back at the school, where he gave the law school commencement address in 2003.
May 11, 2008 – Valdosta Daily Times
Notes from Death Row: A reporter’s observations from an execution
EDITORS NOTE: The Valdosta Daily Times’ Dean Poling was the journalist tapped to serve as the media monitor for the May 6 execution of William Earl Lynd for the 1988 Berrien County murder of Virginia “Ginger” Moore. As monitor, he was granted access to preparations for Lynd’s execution as well as witnessed the execution. What follows are some of his impressions from the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, Jackson, which houses the state’s death chamber and death row.
May 11, 2008 – Georgia Times Union
State eyes No Child compromise
Brandon Larrabee reports, when a Glynn County school fell short of annual goals in just one category for a couple of years, it was labeled a problem school even though it excelled in other areas. Now Georgia education officials are hoping to win a spot in a pilot program that would allow the state to treat less harshly than others some school districts that fall short of federal standards. The State Department of Education has asked to be one of 10 states included in the new program, seen as a response to growing congressional resistance to renewing the landmark No Child Left Behind Act. U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings unveiled the proposal in March.
May 11, 2008 – Savannah Morning News
Ready or not, part-ethanol gas is here
Mary Carr Mayle reports, if you're looking for "pure" gasoline these days - unleaded fuel not infused with ethanol - you're likely to be out of luck. As of April 15, the terminal operator who supplies the overwhelming majority of gasoline sold in the Savannah area made the switch to 100 percent E10 - gasoline that's blended with up to 10 percent ethanol - to comply with federal mandates issued by Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency.
May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Georgia State's Carl Patton: We 'worked hard to become a part of this city'
Andrea Jones reports, during Georgia State University President Carl Patton's 16-year tenure, the college grew from a small commuter school into one of the state's leading universities. Patton presided Saturday over his last commencement. Former U.N ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young delivered the commencement speech, and Atlanta architect John Portman received an honorary degree. We caught up with Patton, 63, for an interview as he prepared to pass the torch to a yet-to-be-determined successor and head into retirement.
May 11, 2008 – Athens Banner-Herald
Veterans of civilian army reflect on service
Adam Thompson reports, before John Derden fought in Europe during World War II, he was part of a different army deployed within his own country. Fueled by a dollar a day, "three hots and a flop" and a raw hunger for jobs, Derden and more than 3 million other boys in the Civilian Conservation Corps battled enemies of a different sort throughout the Great Depression. The young volunteers, unmarried men between 18 and 25 years old, built roads, planted trees, moved earth and put out forest fires to counteract more than a century of neglect of the country's natural resources. At work camps in remote places across the U.S., Corps enrollees built the country's national and state park systems, including 12 state parks in Georgia.
May 11, 2008 – Chattanooga Times Free Press
Dalton forum tackles teenage pregnancy
Erin Fuchs reports that more than 100 people with varying stakes in the teen pregnancy issue convened at Dalton State College for the forum on Thursday, with the objective to tackle the area’s high teen pregnancy rates. Among them were physicians, elected officials, social workers, business leaders and teen mothers. In a state where abstinence-based education often rules, several panelists said current sex education is inadequate. Kim Nolte, of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, or G-CAPP, gave the keynote speech, and lamented the lack of safe-sex teaching in the state’s schools.
May 11, 2008 – Augusta Chronicle
Autistic quadruplets and their parents work to overcome problems
Tom Corwin reports Leslie Mann remembers when it hit her. As she stood in a shoe store watching her infant son Michael stack boxes over and over and over again, she broke into sobs knowing he and his three brothers -- celebrated quadruplets -- really did have autism and would face long odds ahead. What followed was years of searching out therapies, and hundreds of hours of hands-on work by the family, to the point where three of the boys are living nearly normal lives.
May 11, 2008 – Augusta Chronicle
Vaccine case draws attention to autism
Tom Corwin reports, when the Augusta Chronicle began following the Mann quadruplets in October, there was little attention being paid to autism outside of the advocacy community and some researchers. That all changed in March when it became public that attorneys for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services conceded late last year that 9-year-old Hannah Poling, of Athens, Ga., had "features of autism spectrum disorder" caused in part by a series of vaccinations she received in 2000.
May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Tucker time capsule reveals its secrets at last
Jim Auchmutey reports that the grand marshal of the Tucker Day parade didn't smile or wave at the crowd. How could it? It was a time capsule from 1958. The old box was paraded down Main Street on Saturday on a float created by students at nearby Westwood College. The float had crepe paper tail fins meant to suggest a late '50s Chevy; in a sign of the times, it was pulled by a late-model Toyota 4Runner. One by one, the discoveries were announced to the audience. Many of the items had to do with an old Tucker Day custom. Fifty years ago, it seems, men had to grow beards like the pioneer citizens of the 1800s or they would be "arrested" and fined for charity.
May 11, 2008 – Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
'I'm glad it's finally over' - 700 graduates cross the state at Columbus State University
Sara Pauff reports that about 700 graduates were recognized Saturday during commencement exercises at Columbus State University. The college held two ceremonies, one at 10 a.m. and another at 3 p.m.; retiring president Frank Brown gave the commencement speech at both exercises. Several graduates said they were relieved and excited to receive their degrees.
May 11, 2008 – Macon Telegraph
Mercer graduates, others across midstate receive diplomas
Ashley Tusan Joyner reports that the diploma was in the bag Saturday for thousands of Middle Georgia college students, who participated in commencement exercises at four area schools. Donning caps and gowns, the graduating classes exuded the newfound maturity that is characteristic of graduation day. Accompanied by friends and family members, the students reveled in a shared sense of accomplishment.
May 11, 2008 – Rome News-Tribune
Berry College celebrates its 305 graduates
Andrea Freygang reports that Sephen Briggs, Berry College president said “Graduates, you are entering the world in a tough moment, but you need to step into the world with confidence and optimism that you will make a difference that has lasting value by being pillars of your community, by courage, character … by commitment to yourselves, to friends and families.” Briggs was one of several speakers who addressed 305 graduates Saturday afternoon at the school’s Memorial Lawn.
May 11, 2008 – Rome News-Tribune
Speaker tells GHC grads to ‘reach farther’
Kevin Myrick reports that in the real world, it’s not just how much you know that counts. Sometimes it’s also how much people think you care. That message was delivered to graduating students at Georgia Highlands College on Saturday by Willis Potts, commencement speaker. Potts represents the 11th Congressional District on the Board of Regents.
May 11, 2008 – Gainesville Times
Windows into World War II - Photos obtained by GSC professor show images of Nazi Germany, Russia’s war role
Jessica Jordan reports that the American archaeology professor readjusted the orange scarf hanging loosely around his neck, making sure it was still visible. He nervously scanned the crowd milling outside the Eastern European opera house. Steve Nicklas, a professor at Gainesville State College, was searching each face, wondering which belonged to a man he knew as "Alex."
May 11, 2008 – Valdosta Daily Times
Search progresses for new VSU president
Rabyn Ratliff reports that as Valdosta State University President Ronald Zaccari prepares for retirement this July, the VSU search committee has been working diligently, along with the University System Board of Regents, to complete the selection process for the university’s eighth president.
May 11, 2008 – Savannah Morning News
Isakson addresses GSU graduates
Staff reports that U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson was the featured speaker Saturday at Georgia Southern University's 2008 Spring Commencement, where degrees were conferred on 2,393 students.
May 11, 2008 – Savannah Morning News
Savannah State confers 219 degrees
Staff reports that Savannah State University conducted its 172nd commencement ceremony Saturday, awarding undergraduate and graduate degrees to 219 candidates in Tiger Arena.
May 11, 2008 – Macon Telegraph
Math, social studies scores down slightly for midstate juniors
Julie Hubbard reports that middle Georgia's high school juniors performed well overall on the Georgia High School Graduation Tests, but many of them did worse in math and social studies this year than last, test results show. Depending on the county, anywhere from 76 percent to 93 percent of juniors passed the math and social studies portions of the exam, but fewer juniors in Bibb, Monroe and Peach County high schools passed those tests this year compared to 2007.
May 11, 2008 – Carrollton Times Georgian
Schools cope with food prices
Laura Camper reports that just like the family food budget, schools’ food budgets are being stretched by rising food prices and directors of the local systems’ meal programs are having to squeeze every penny to make ends meet. Local schools serve roughly 16,000 lunches and 6,300 breakfasts to students every school day, and try to offer students foods they like and are good for them, but that job is getting harder.
May 11, 2008 – Americus Times Recorder
President Carter honors late mother
Staff reports that the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site (NHS) hosted a Mother’s Celebration Saturday when former President Jimmy Carter paid tribute to his late mother, “Miss” Lillian Carter. He will signed his new book, “A Remarkable Mother,” at the Plains High School Museum. Carter said his mother, who died in 1983, was a lifelong civil and human rights activist. He said his mother, who was born in Richland, grew up in a time when racism was the norm in America, but a person’s color wasn’t a factor to her.
May 11, 2008 – Gwinnett Daily Post
Gwinnett Supermom
Chase Mitchell reports that as we honor mothers everywhere on this important day of reverence, consider the uncommon case of Tyreene McLean. A 34-year-old resident of Lawrenceville who's raised half a dozen kids with little to no assistance and zero child support, this self-made supermom probably deserves some sort of single mother lifetime achievement award. That or a cape and costume.
May 11, 2008 – Savannah Morning News
Emergency responders train for burn care
Aldo Nahed reports that Savannah's first responders, many of who had never dealt with a major disaster, were surprised by the Imperial Sugar Co. explosion and fires. But they did an outstanding job with triage, transport and initial burn-victim care, said Jeanne Haid, an instructor from the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, where 20 victims were treated after the sugar-refinery explosion Feb. 7 in Port Wentworth. Haid and other educators from the Augusta burn center, along with the Grady Health System Burn Center in Atlanta and DeKalb Technical College, shared information on their best practices with first responders Saturday in Garden City.
May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Never enough GUITARS
Bo Emerson reports that when mega-rockers the Eagles went on the road for the "Hell Freezes Over" tour in 1994, they brought something like 48 guitars with them, an all-star lineup of wood, fiberglass and steel that included 10 Les Pauls, six Stratocasters, a double-necked Gibson and a smattering of Rickenbackers. This for a band with only three guitar players, plus a drummer who played a little acoustic here and there.
May 11, 2008 – Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Donations pile up, look to surpass total in 2007
Ben Wright reports that letter carrier Paul Erdvig had completed about 25 percent of his route in Lakebottom Saturday when he realized the floor of his van was filling up fast with donated food. "It's heavy," Erdvig said as he left a home on 18th Avenue in Columbus. "This is the heaviest I've seen it." Erdvig was one of 155 letters carriers taking part in the 16th Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kids take career cues from Mom
Helen Oliviero reports that she reads to us, sings to us and shuttles us to soccer practice. She juggles jobs and family life and listens to our troubles. We love our mother, whether she be an artist, a doctor or a stay-at-home mom. We admire her, and sometimes we even follow in her footsteps, taking the same career path. Here's a look at children who did just that.
May 11, 2008 – Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Benning homecomings especially poignant for soldiers' mothers
Sara Pauff reports that the call came Wednesday afternoon. "I'll be home Saturday morning at 8:15," Army Spc. David Gilmore told his mother, Ginger. Then the phone line went dead. After confirming the date and time of his arrival at Fort Benning, the family drove seven hours from Puckett, Miss., to welcome him home.
May 11, 2008 – Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Volunteers want to register 5,000 people
Staff reports that volunteers from Columbus and other cities across the state and the nation took part in a national voter registration drive Saturday. "We want to register 5,000 between now and October," said Gayle Daniels, team coordinator for Vote For Change. Although she supports Sen. Barack Obama's campaign for president, Daniels said the group doesn't register voters by party. The idea to launch a voter registration drive started in Columbus. Similar drives were held in Atlanta, Savannah and Macon.
May 11, 2008 – Macon Telegraph
Whale of a find: Oaky Woods backers cite fossil discovery
Wayne Crenshaw reports that John Trussell has spent 31 years looking for a whale bone in the Oaky Woods wilderness in Houston County, but Amanda Rhonemus found one on her first visit. Trussell didn't seem to mind, though, that Rhonemus made the discovery while Trussell was giving her Cub Scout Pack a tour of the wildlife management area on Wednesday.
May 11, 2008 – Gainesville Times
Challenged mom gets a helping hand
Edie Rogers reports that as a mom to two special-needs children, Donna Aldridge is the first to admit that she needs help. Though she has hired two people who help take care of Ryan, 4, and Julie, nearly 2, she credits a local preschool with being her saving grace. "Challenged Child has given me my life back," Aldridge said. "I don't care what kind of mother you are, you need to take time to nourish yourself."
May 11, 2008 – Gainesville Times
It’s not just about beating cancer, it’s all in attitude
Ashley Bates reports that Sue Yarck doesn't really believe she is much of an inspiration. But surviving cancer three times speaks for itself. She attributes her survival to her positive attitude and lots of support from friends and family. "I tend to laugh at the serious part of it because that is how I pull myself through," said Yarck, a Gainesville resident. "I have come to realize that I do have a purpose and that is why I am still here and I don't know if I've fulfilled that yet."
May 11, 2008 – Independent Mail
Hart County shooting leads to big marijuana bust near Bowersville
Crystal Boyles reports that a call of a shooting that came into the Hart County Sheriff’s Office led deputies to a large marijuana-growing operation located in a historic home in downtown Bowersville. The home is a stone’s-throw behind the Bowersville Post Office. Deputies received the call at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, and found Michael Garrow sitting on the side of the road, unable to drive because he had been shot.
May 11, 2008 – Cherokee Tribune
Legion installs boxes for old flag disposal
Barbara P. Jacoby reports that flying a tattered United States flag not only offends the patriotic, it also can result in fines for code violation in at least one city. Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques said the city's code enforcement officers take reports of less than glorious flag displays seriously, especially given a new initiative for their proper disposal.
May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some animal stories have happy endings
Sandra Eckstein reports that Franz and Cainin are home. So is Cali. Sushi and Daisy are still waiting. All five were featured in recent Pet Dish columns as pets in need of homes, and a number of readers responded.
May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Journal Constitution - COLUMN/BLOG
Political Insider: The fallout — and lack of it — from Isakson’s choice
The Political Insider writes that Johnny Isakson’s decision to stick to the U.S. Senate rather than run for governor in 2010 was on the front page of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Marietta Daily Journal. It was the talk of Georgia’s political elite. We reporters were fascinated, because the decision unleashes the ambitions of a dozen or so elected officials. But on Friday night, Isakson made his first public appearance since making his choice — at the Marietta Country Club, to speak to a group of Rotarians.
May 11, 2008 – Marietta Daily Journal - COLUMN
Armstrong: Being a mom gets harder as you go
Laura Armstrong writes, I never imagined I'd have four children, now aged 19, 17, almost 3 and 16 months - three girls and a boy. I'm proud to be their mom, and it's easy to accept that our lives revolve around them and their activities. The age range means a lot of diversity in our days, but it's their continued good health, safety and the promise of a prosperous and peaceful future for them that matters to me above all. Which is how I came to write this column three years ago, and which is why taking a stand on issues affecting them is important to me.
May 10, 2008 – Atlanta Business Chronicle Saturday
Georgia Rx Exchange launches
Staff reports that Gov. Sonny Perdue has issued an executive order creating the Georgia Rx Exchange, which will aid in creating a system where prescription information is shared electronically between publicly funded health-care programs administered by state agencies . The governor's office said the move will improve patient safety, health care efficiency, and the coordination of care.
May 10, 2008 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
King statue critique stalls project
Julia Malone reports that construction of the national Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial has been postponed after a federal arts commission likened its proposed sculpture to the art of totalitarian regimes. The U.S. Commission on Fine Arts, which has the power of approval for such projects in the capital, has notified the memorial's planners that the "colossal scale" and static style of the planned 28-foot granite statue "recalls a genre of political sculpture that has recently been pulled down in other countries."