Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for August 21, 2024

James Oglethorpe and the Creek Indians signed the Treaty of Coweta Town, delineating geographic areas open to British settlement, on August 21, 1739.

On August 21, 1831, Nat Turner led the largest slave rebellion in American history; Turner was later hanged in Jerusalem, VA.

The first of the Lincoln-Douglass series of seven debates was held in Ottawa, Illinois, on August 21, 1858, pitting Democrat Stephen Douglass against Republican Abraham for the United States Senate seat held by Douglass. Expansion of slavery in the United States was the topic for the debates.

On August 21, 1907, Georgia Governor Hoke Smith signed legislation to place a Constitutional Amendment designed to disenfranchise African-Americans by requiring passage of a literacy test to vote. A number of exceptions allowed local officials to exempt white voters whom they wished to allow to vote; one exemption was for anyone descended from a U.S. or Confederate wartime veteran – the so-called “grandfather clause.”

On the same day, Gov. Smith also signed legislation prohibiting fishing on Sunday, subject to misdemeanor prosecution.

The sale of Coca-Cola Company from the Candlers was announced in the Atlanta Constitution on August 22, 1919.

On August 21, 1935, Benny Goodman and his orchestra began a seven-night stand at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles, beginning the Swing Era.

Happy 62d birthday to Hawaii, which became the 50th State on August 21, 1959.

The 1968 Democratic National Convention began in Chicago on August 21, 1968.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Governor Brian Kemp issued Executive Order #08.20.24.01, ordering flags flown at half-staff on state properties in August 21, 2024 in recognition of National Fentanyl Prevention Awareness Day.

United States Representative Buddy Carter (R-SSI) spoke to high school students about Narcan, according to WTOC.

Groves High School played host to a very important event Tuesday.

It was a Naloxone training awareness program.

Naloxone is a medication that can be used to reverse the effects of an overdose.

“If used quickly enough it can actually reverse the effects of fentanyl and thats important. Now, you still need to call 911 and you need to get them help but at the same time if you can reverse those effects even temporarily it can save lives,” said Representative Buddy Carter.

“Well this is very important, this is a tool in our tool chest, this is not the silver bullet but is a tool in our tool chest. I carry Naloxone everywhere I go. I got it in my backpack. Thank god I’ve never had to use it, I hope I don’t have to but I’ve got it,” said Representative Carter.

Georgia Democrat Jason Carter spoke at the Democratic National Convention, according to USA Today via the Savannah Morning News.

During his brief speech, Carter emphasized his grandfather’s legacy of service, and said that Vice President Harris encapsulates that legacy, adding that the former president, nearing 100, was hoping cast his ballot for Harris.

• Who is he: Jason Carter is a former Georgia state Senator and the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter. He was also the 2014 Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia, but lost the election to former Gov. Nathan Deal. He currently works as a lawyer and chair of the Carter Center, the human rights organization his grandparents founded in 1982.

• What role he plays: Former President Carter spent his life promoting peace and defending democracy, both at home and abroad. His grandson serves as an emissary of that legacy.

• Key quote: “My grandfather can’t wait to vote for Kamala Harris. She reminds us all that the promise of America remains unchanged. We are one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, and my grandfather knows that with her as our next president, we will keep that promise.”

From 13WMAZ:

Grandson Jason Carter has previously said that his grandfather is looking forward to casting his ballot and voting for Vice President Kamala Harris as president.  And although the former president wasn’t able to make it all the way to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention this year, Jason Carter took the helm and represented them both.

The former Georgia state senator spoke during the second night of the DNC and immediately mentioned how much his grandfather wished he could be there. Jimmy Carter has been in hospice care for over a year as he spends time with loved ones in his hometown of Plains.

“My grandfather, President Carter, will have his 100th birthday in October. I call him Papa,” Jason said after he introduced himself. “And I can tell you that he wishes he could be here tonight.”

Jason Carter said that for his grandfather, nothing he’s done in his life was ever about fame, recognition, accolades or awards.

“His legacy is measured by the lives he has touched and the good he has done,” Jason said. “Kamala Harris carries my grandfather’s legacy.”

And as time continues to pass, Jimmy Carter is holding on — not only for his 100th birthday but also to make his vote count come November.

“Papa is holding on. He is hopeful. And though his body may be weak tonight, his spirit is as strong as ever,” Jason said at the DNC. “My grandfather cannot wait to vote for Kamala Harris.”

Atlanta rapper Lil Jon also performed at the DNC, according to the Athens Banner Herald via the Savannah Morning News.

Atlanta rapper Lil Jon hopped out on the floor to perform an abbreviated version of his hit ‘Turn Down for What’ before Georgia congresswoman Nikema Williams cast the state’s 123 delegate votes for Harris.

Williams was joined on the United Center floor in Chicago by Georgia state Sen. Raphael Warnock, who high-fived Lil Jon as Williams proclaimed Georgia as the home of President Jimmy Carter and the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement.

Former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan (R-Forsyth County) will speak to the Democratic National Convention, according to WSB Radio.

Duncan has been an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, and he will be joining other Republicans who are throwing their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

Duncan appeared on CNN on Tuesday and was asked why he thought it was important to appear at the DNC.

“I’m here as not as a Republican, not as a Democrat, but as an American that wants to give the air cover to the 10s of millions of Republicans that are absolutely sick and tired of Donald Trump, and that’s what I’m doing. I’m here to share my thoughts and to give some air cover,” Duncan said.

Duncan has received criticism from other Republicans, with even the head of the Georgia GOP Josh McKoon, telling him at one point that he needs to stop calling himself a Republican.

“Geoff Duncan is no longer a Republican. Geoff Duncan clearly decided to join with the Democratic Party, and particularly extreme elements of the Democratic Party,” McKoon said.

Duncan said he has always stood with the rule of “policy over politics.”

“I think (Kamala Harris is) going to protect democracy better than Donald Trump will. I think it gives us as a Republican Party, enough time to heal and rebuild this thing from the ground up because it’s broken,” Duncan said. “I think a majority of Americans just want somebody to come in and understand the complexities of the economy and understand the complexities of their lives.”

Duncan is expected to speak on Wednesday, but the DNC has not released at what time.

From WALB:

Former State Representative Winfred Dukes says he’s attended many DNC conventions since Al Gore was nominated in 2000, but this year’s convention is off the charts.

“The energy and the enthusiasm that’s associated with nominating Vice President Harris, like I said I haven’t seen anything like it,” he said. “It’s exciting. This is probably the most exciting convention that I’ve ever attended.”

With the Coffee County Election breach last election and the recent rule just passed by the election board in Georgia on Monday, WALB asked Dukes if he has any concerns ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

“When people can come and blatantly try to disrupt the democratic process, than that is something that all of us as Georgians and Americans should be concerned about,” he said. “This is America’s time. This is America’s moment. It is more about our nation than it is about Kamala Harris, or Governor Waltz,” he said.

From WTOC:

Georgia State Representative Al Williams is in Chicago and said there’s momentum in the air.

“The excitement of the last 30 days is almost indescribable. With Kamala Harris stepping up I’ve found new energy throughout the state and throughout my district particularly among young people,” said Representative Williams.

Williams represents Liberty County and said he’s looking forward to President Biden’s speech. After Biden stepped away from re-election efforts Williams says the focus should still be on his record – as it is Vice President Harris’ too.

“This is the pep rally to put democrats on the field. We have the team together, the quarterback is in place, the coach is ready this is the exciting part where the election really really takes off now,” said Williams.

From WSAV:

James “Jay” Jones is a tenured figure in Chatham County and Georgia politics, serving as a former Chatham County commissioner and a former Chatham County Democratic Party chairman.

He is now the chair for Georgia Democratic Party’s 1st Congressional District.

Jones says after around five years of being involved in the party structure, he has learned a lot that has led up to this pivotal moment, being selected as a DNC delegate for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District.

“Politics is not just the rigmarole you see on TV,” says Jones, “It’s just been a joy ride learning the process of how to become a DNC delegate and how to be a representative going to Chicago.”

“We want to do everything we can, learn tricks and trades from other places and other states- how they’re doing, what they’re doing, to try to get out the vote, and bring those things here to Chatham County,” says Jones.

Bryant Maude, a Savannah resident and homebuilder who was an RNC delegate for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District, is also a first time delegate. His journey to the convention started in 2020 when he began volunteering for the GOP, then overseeing a governor’s campaign for Candace Taylor.

“I watched a lot of conventions, but I never actively participated, so it was such an honor to go, the whole process,” says Maude.

Maude says he enjoyed the speeches from prominent GOP figures such as former President Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson, but more so personal stories, such as Gold Star parents of soldiers who died in the Afghanistan withdrawal, and a pastor a small church who received a visit from Trump.

“The people that I thought were gonna give the most, like the vice president, or something like that, but they weren’t as moving as the personal stories,” says Maude.

Maude says his experience at the RNC was entirely positive.

“When we got there it was very upbeat and optimistic, with lots of energy and so many people,” he says.

The Trump campaign hosted a press conference on immigration issues in Hall County, according to AccessWDUN.

Former 9th District Congressman Doug Collins spoke first, stressing the need for a change in policy at the border.

“We’re here today to make sure that there’s a contrast drawn from fantasy land that’s in Chicago this week, where (Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign will) tell you all the things that they’re going to fix on day one,” Collins said. “They’ve had three and a half years to tell us how bad it is and now they’re going to fix it on day one? That falls a little hollow.”

Georgia State Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) said despite border and immigration policy being a mostly federal issue, it has had impacts on the Northeast Georgia area.

“Last week, just in Atlanta at a farmers market, over 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine were discovered in a truck that was loaded down with celery coming straight out of the Mexican cartel into the city of Atlanta,” Gooch said. “Where was its destination? It was coming to our home towns in North Georgia, South Georgia, Central Georgia…it’s killing Americans every day.”

Several local law enforcement officials attended the press conference. Among them was Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell, who echoed Gooch’s sentiments about North Georgia feeling the effects of immigration issues.

“We have those bad actors, and that’s why we’re here. Our jails are full of them,” Terrell said. “Our legislators have worked hard on trying to shore up our laws, but when it comes to the federal government, we’re not getting the support we need…we deal with the drug cartel. They’re here. They’re here in Hall County.”

Jaemor Farms co-owner and District 49 State Senator-elect Drew Echols said Trump campaign official contacted him Friday looking for a location in Northeast Georgia to host Tuesday’s press conference. Echols said he was happy to offer Jaemor as a venue.

Echols is running unopposed in November’s general election after winning the May Republican primary. He said he wants to try to use his state office to mitigate impacts of immigration-related issues.

“I’m always going to err on the side of small businesses here in North Georgia,” Echols said. “Traveling all over Hall County during that campaign back during the spring, you’re not just talking to GOP grounds. You’re talking to homeowners associations and parent groups and things like that. People really are concerned about public safety in their community and gangs…those are things that are right here in our backyard that I look forward to working on.”

The Georgia State Election Board voted to adopt new rules about county vote certification, according to WTOC.

The Georgia State Election Board has voted to approve a new rule that will change the powers local election officials have before they finalize election results.

It’s a move that the members of the board who passed it say is necessary when it comes to ballot integrity but many say it could be used to cause issues on election night.

The rule requires county election officials to create a list of voters in any particular election and to examine them for duplicates. If any duplicate votes are found, the rule requires that an investigation be launched.

No votes would be counted from that precinct until the results of each individual investigation are presented to a county board.

Election officials across the state have expressed that the rule would prevent counties from reporting election results in a timely manner with some voter rights activists also concerned that the new rule could disenfranchise voters.

Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock says, “they’re preparing themselves and creating a pre-text for why they shouldn’t certify an election if they don’t like the results. This is not what it means to be American. This is not who we are, this is not what the American democratic experiment in self-governance is all about.”

This new rule approval follows the approval of a rule earlier this month that requires county election officials to make a “reasonable inquiry” before certifying election results – though the rule didn’t define what that means.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who’s a Republican, said after that rule change, “misguided attempts by the State Election Board will delay election results and undermine chain of custody safeguards. Georgia voters reject this 11th hour chaos, and so should the unelected members of the State Election Board.”

The new rule change was passed in a 3-2 vote.

From the AJC:

Election directors from across Georgia are urging the State Election Board to stop changing rules so close to the upcoming presidential contest.

The warning from the Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials on Tuesday comes after the board’s Republican majority approved new steps in the process before election results can be certified. The board is also considering a requirement to hand-count ballots to ensure totals match the number recorded by voting machines.

“We are already in the midst of extensive training preparation for our poll workers and preparing for one of the biggest and most scrutinized elections in years,” said Travis Doss, elections director in Richmond County and GAVREO’s president. “Any last-minute changes to the rules risk undermining the public’s trust.”

The election officials’ organization said in a statement that new rules will create confusion and strain among poll workers who are trying to create an efficient voting process.

“This could ultimately lead to errors or delays in voting, which is the last thing anyone wants,” Doss said.

The Republican National Committee praised the board for passing the rules, saying they will increase election security and accuracy.

The Liberty County NAACP is encouraging citizens to vote, according to WTOC.

“Get out and vote,” said Liberty County NAACP Political Action Chair, Deron Harper.

That’s the message Liberty County NAACP is pushing right now.

“Whoever you vote for, let it be better than what we did in May,” said Liberty County NAACP President, Lisa Thomas.

Liberty County NAACP President Lisa Thomas and her board say the primary election turnout was quote, “unacceptable.”

“In March, and that same thing kind of happened in May, we have 46,000 registered voters in Liberty County and in both of those elections, around about 5,000 voted each time,” said Harper.

Deron Harper is the political action chair for the chapter. He says, they’re working to increase that number for the Primary this November.

“We wanted to hear from our community about why that might’ve been and some of the things that they might have been hearing and to hear it from them, themselves,” said Harper.

They brought members of the community together to discuss ideas about how they can get more people to the polls. Democratic State Representative Al Williams, leading the discussion.

“The most important thing in the world is participation. My suggestion is, you need to have somebody in every precinct that reminds people constantly that they need to show up at the polls,” said Williams.

State legislators heard a proposal to switch Georgia colleges and universities back to quarters, reversing an earlier change to semesters, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Augusta Chronicle.

The university system made the switch from quarters to semesters primarily to align Georgia schools with most universities across the country, Dana Nichols, the system’s vice chancellor for academic affairs and student success, told members of a House study committee meeting on the campus of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.

Besides making transferring to a Georgia university easier for the growing number of out-of-state students, the switch helped graduating students looking to enter the workforce, Nichols said. While students in other states were graduating in May, Georgia students under the quarter system typically weren’t completing their degrees until June, she said.

“The semester (system) graduates were getting to the job market before our graduates were,” she said.

Nichols said converting to the semester system also allowed students to spend more time on each course, increasing the depth of their learning.

On the other hand, the quarter system lets students take more courses during an academic year, making it easier for double majors. Three terms of 10 weeks rather than two terms of 15 weeks also meant fewer breaks, Nichols said.

“There’s no lengthy breaks to disrupt the learning,” she said.

On the con side, the quarter system can make students feel rushed to meet more frequent deadlines, Nichols said.

House Speaker Jon Burns urged members of the study committee to keep an open mind when weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems.

“The semester system has served us well,” said Burns, R-Newington. “(But) we need to be open to new solutions, new ideas.”

Rep. Shaw Blackmon, R-Bonaire, the committee’s chairman, said the panel will focus on the schools that make up the Technical College System of Georgia at its next meeting in September.

Former State Rep. Ann Purcell, who represents the 1st Congressional District on the Georgia Department of Transportation Board was elected to Chair the Board, according to the Savannah Business Journal.

Ann R. Purcell, Georgia’s 1st Congressional District representative, was elected chair of the State Transportation Board (STB) of Georgia at its monthly board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 15. Joining her as newly elected leaders are Jamie Boswell as vice chair and Dennis McEntire as secretary. The new positions are effective immediately. Board elections are held annually to ensure all regions of the state are represented at the executive leadership level.

“Georgia’s economy is growing, and the state is investing in our transportation network to support the people and businesses that use our roadways every day,” said Chair Ann R. Purcell. “As chair of the State Transportation Board of Georgia, I will continue to work to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure which has helped position it as a top state for business and great place to raise a family.”

Purcell, a former state legislator, resides in Chatham County. She was elected to the board in 2013 and was re-elected to serve her third term in 2022. Purcell has been named one of the 100 Influential Women in Georgia Engineering by Engineering Georgia magazine. Purcell has previously served as chair, vice chair and secretary.

The 14-member STB determines policy and governs the Georgia Department of Transportation. Each member is elected by a caucus of Georgia General Assembly members from their specific congressional district.

Darlene Hudson was declared winner of the election for Habersham County Board of Education District 4 after being unopposed, according to AccessWDUN.

Board of Education District 4 candidate Darlene Hudson qualified for the special election for Habersham County earlier this month to fill Kristie Dover’s remaining term.

The remainder of Dover’s term runs through Dec. 31, 2026 and Hudson has been the appointee since Dover’s resignation.

Hudson won by way of running unopposed.

“The above unopposed candidate shall be deemed to have voted for herself,” Habersham County Election Supervisor Laurel Ellison said in a press release.

The “win” for Hudson came on Friday. The election was originally scheduled for Nov. 5.

Tifton Mayor Julie Smith addressed an apparent conflict with a city council member, according to the Tifton Gazette.

In response to an announcement from Cromer Aug. 10 that he had filed an official grievance with the mayor regarding her decorum during an executive session, Smith took a moment during the Aug. 19 city council meeting to clarify what had transpired and assert Cromer’s claims were unfounded.

She explained that the executive session in question had been for the purpose of discussing a joint venture between the city, Downtown Development Authority, and Urban Redevelopment Agency for a real estate development in District 3, the district Cromer represented.

Smith and vice mayor Josh Reynolds had been invited by the Development Authority to tour the property planned to be developed, she said, but Reynolds was unable to attend due to work constraints. The Development Authority had instead offered councilman Michael Franks the chance to attend the tour.

The city mayor announced that she had evidence dating back six months of Cromer receiving invitations and announcements via email from both the Downtown Development Authority and the Urban Redevelopment Agency regarding their meetings or special events, but claimed Cromer had not attended any of these, citing this as the reason he had not been selected to participate in the tour.

She planned on providing this evidence alongside her response to the community through public record.

During the subsequent executive session, Smith said, Cromer had nonetheless expressed dissatisfaction with not being offered the opportunity to tour the property due to the location being in his district, which she had argued was due to him not checking his phone often.

She admitted that she had sworn at Cromer when conveying this point to him, but had apologized over text for her actions to the other council members later that evening.

Smith provided an excerpt from the text exchange, which Cromer had also included in his letter to the public, in which Cromer rejected her apology, calling it empty, and she in turn suggested he needed to act like an adult.

Rome Mayor Craig McDaniel City Commission member Jamie Doss were named to the Georgia Municipal Association’s policy council, according to the Rome News Tribune.

Those councils are advisory bodies that strive to set legislative priorities for the state legislature in Atlanta and U.S. Congress in Washington D.C.

“This impressive group of city leaders bring a wealth of knowledge and dedication to GMA’s policy councils. This expertise will be invaluable as we continue to advocate for the interests of cities across Georgia,” said GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson in a release. “The work of the LPC and FPC is essential in ensuring that our cities are well-represented and that their voices are heard. These leaders connect state and federal legislators with municipal priorities and ensure that we remain #CitiesUnited under the Gold Dome and on the Hill.”

Doss has been appointed to the GMA Legislative Policy Council which has over 50 members and comprises six policy committees. The council’s aim is to set goals for the GMA and build relationships that connect state legislators back to municipal priorities.

McDaniel has been appointed to the GMA’s Federal Policy Council which is composed of over 40 city leaders from the state’s 14 congressional districts. The aim of the council is to build and maintain relationships with their representatives to advance municipal priorities on issues before Congress.

In Richmond County, Board of Education members proposed a property tax increase while County Commissioners are proposing a decrease in their portion of the property tax, according to WRDW.

The commission decided Tuesday on a rollback on millage rates. Under the new rates, there would be no change in the tax bill for a $200,00 house, according to documents presented at Tuesday’s Augusta Commission meeting.

Commissioner Sean Frantom and Catherine Smith McKnight moved for a full rollback, and the measure passed in a 6-2 vote, with Commissioners Stacy Pulliam and Tony Lewis voting no.

But the county millage rate isn’t the only thing affecting tax bills.

The Richmond County School System also has its millage rate, and it’s aiming in the other direction.

The Richmond County Board of Education wants to raise property taxes this year by more than 13%, having passed a budget that requires the increase.

Essentially, the board wants to increase the rate from 16.493 mills to 18.33 mills. That means if your home is valued at $200,000, you would have a $13.93 monthly increase in taxes.

For the past two years, the millage rate has gone down.

This millage rate is still lower than it was between 2017 to 2021.

Brunswick City Commissioners are expected to vote tonight on a partial rollback of the millage rate, according to The Brunswick News.

Brunswick’s property tax rate is not increasing, but due to higher land values, the city expects collections to rise by 7.63%. The millage rate is currently 13.219 mills.

Commissioners do not plan to increase the tax rate, but when land values rise, state law requires local governments to advertise a tax increase if they do not lower the rate to keep total collections the same as the year prior. In this case, the city would have to lower its millage rate to 12.282 to collect the same amount in tax revenue as it did in 2023.

Commissioners will also hear an update on SPLOST 2022 projects, consider approving and updating the city’s hazard mitigation plan and further discuss a proposed redevelopment incentive ordinance, which includes provisions for a blight tax.

The City of Valdosta expanded the hours for yard trash collection in the wake of Hurricane Debby, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.

“Following the recent storm, our team is dedicated to addressing the needs of our residents as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Public Works Director Larry Ogden. “By extending our hours, we aim to manage the increased volume of debris and ensure that all areas of the city are serviced promptly.”

Richmond Hill City Council met for the first time after Hurricane Debby, according to WSAV.

The floodwaters have receded in Richmond Hill and now the true scope of the devastation is clear. Many storm victims are wondering what’s next.

Scarred by the storm’s destruction, multiple people were present at Tuesday’s meeting. Only standing room was left. Many were concerned about how the city will handle the next tropical storm. Mayor Russ Carpenter addressed the concerns.

“We continue to access and revise drainage in all neighborhoods,” Mayor Carpenter said. “But the fact remains. We live in a very low area with slow drainage, even under normal conditions. Nonetheless, we’ve already enlisted in hydrology engineers to devise improvements.”

He said Federal Emergency Agency have toured the area. He went on to say they are currently making a determination for individual aid for people who suffered property damage.

As for when that determination is made, he told the public the city will post further instructions.

“I understand the natural reaction is to find someone to blame, but the city action and policy is perfect. our flood planning response will be addressed in the coming months,” Mayor Carpenter said.

Tybee Island Fire Department lost their medical license, according to WTOC.

Tuesday, we spoke with the island’s interim city manager about getting it back, and what this means for people on the island in the meantime.

Tybee Island’s Interim City Manager said turnover in staffing is what led to this paperwork issue, leaving the island’s fire department without it’s medical license. ​

“He initiated it and handed it off to another staff person,” said Tybee Island’s Interim City Manager, Michelle Owens.

That first person, Owens said is the previous fire chief, who was fired just a few months ago.​

“There’s been a lot of turnover in the department. So, yes, yes. It would be due to that turnover that the application kind of got slowed down,” said Owens.

“We’ve only been offering that service for three years, so we’re just as safe as we were three years ago with the level of service that we’re offering,” said Owens.

“We have one paramedic on staff, but the other ones can all do first responders type stuff again, you know, the lift assist, the helping up the stairs, a variety of public safety measures,” said Owens.

Everything else will be taken care of by Chatham Emergency Services.

“There’s no less level of service. You’ll either get it from our firefighters, or you’re going to get it from Chatham EMS,” said Owens.

Island officials said they understand people are nervous about this current situation, but want to assure people they will be safe while they work to fix this issue.

“We are going to take care of Tybee,” said Owens.

The city is aiming to get this new paperwork in within the next two days—to get these services back as quickly as possible.

A petition seeking changes in Richmond County public school policies garnered more than 6,000 signatures, according to WRDW.

More than 6,000 petition signatures join the chorus of voices calling for Richmond County schools to rework their total ban on cellphones, smartwatches and headphones.

We spoke with the student who started the petition on what change they want to see happen.

“You can’t have headphones or earbuds or anything out. You have to have it in your pocket or put it away in your backpack. If they see you pull it out during the day, they can take it,” said Hayden Griffin-Dunbar.

Griffin-Dunbar is a senior in the Richmond County School System.

“If you were on a break at work, as they call schoolwork to us, we should be able to use our phones. But we got to lunch and we weren’t able to use our phones,” said Griffin-Dunbar.

If they do have their phones, school policy says they could face up to four offenses, ranging from their phone being taken away until the end of the day to it being taken away for 10 school days, a meeting with their parents and three days of in-school suspension or even out of school suspension.

“I’m not saying to allow students to have their phones out all day. Do whatever they want. I’m like, allow us to have our phones during lunch and breakfast. At least allow us to listen to music sometimes, or like, when we’re done with work. Does it make sense to not allow us to have our phones at all,” said Griffin-Dunbar.

Fort Valley Police Department rescinded an earlier action to dismiss speeding tickets after determining they were in compliance, according to 13WMAZ.

 If you’ve gotten a speeding ticket from Fort Valley police lately, you’ll have to pay up.

This month, Police Chief D.J. Flores told us that he was dismissing more than a hundred tickets issued by his officers.

All speeding tickets between the start of the year to the day were invalidated, Flores said at the time.

The reason: he said state certification for their radar devices had lapsed and, therefore, the tickets were invalid.

Now, Flores said he was wrong.

In a statement posted over the weekend, Flores said the department was always in good standing with the state.

The chief apologized for causing concern and inconvenience but said he acted swiftly in the best interests of the city.

“It is always our goal to ensure that all operations within the city are conducted with the highest level of integrity and in accordance with the law,” Flores said in a statement. “We remain committed to serving our community with transparency and accountability, and we appreciate your understanding as we continue to navigate these processes.”

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reopened clamming season after it was closed due to Hurricane Debby, according to WSAV.

The DNR says the decision follows after careful analysis of water samples from all shellfish growing areas. The samples were found to be below the bacterial threshold levels set by the United States Food and Drug Administration and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference.

“The health and safety of Georgia’s residents and visitors remains our top priority,” said Walter Rabon, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Rabon continued, “We appreciate the patience of our commercial and recreational harvesters during the closure and are pleased to report that the waters are once again safe for harvesting.”

DNR, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture say they will continue to monitor water quality to ensure ongoing compliance with federal and state regulations.