The first Mennonites arrived in America on October 6, 1683 aboard the Concord.
On October 5, 1864, the Battle of Allatoona Pass was fought in Bartow County, Georgia.
Cy Young threw his last professional baseball game as a member of the Boston Braves on October 6, 1911.
On October 4, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson sent a telegram to the Georgia Democratic Party Convention delegates in appreciation for their support of his administration.
The Savannah River Bridge opened on October 4, 1925.
The first televised Presidential address from the White House was broadcast on October 5, 1947.
At the time of Truman’s food-conservation speech, Europe was still recovering from World War II and suffering from famine. Truman, the 33rd commander in chief, worried that if the U.S. didn’t provide food aid, his administration’s Marshall Plan for European economic recovery would fall apart. He asked farmers and distillers to reduce grain use and requested that the public voluntarily forgo meat on Tuesdays, eggs and poultry on Thursdays and save a slice of bread each day. The food program was short-lived, as ultimately the Marshall Plan succeeded in helping to spur economic revitalization and growth in Europe.
On October 6, 1953, WTVM-TV began broadcasting in Columbus, Georgia.
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, on October 4, 1957.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience held its first rehearsal on October 6, 1966.
The second Presidential debate between Republican incumbent Gerald Ford and Democratic challenger Jimmy Carter took place on October 6, 1976. During the debate, Ford said, there was “no Soviet domination in Eastern Europe”. Polling released on October 8, 1976 indicated that Democrat Jimmy Carter won the second debate against President Gerald Ford by a 50-27 margin.
Pope John Paul II became the first Pope to visit the White House on October 6, 1979. Carter’s notes from the meeting are at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta.
The last four B-52 bombers stationed at Robins Air Force Base in Warner-Robins left the base for the last time on October 6, 1983.
Beverly Hills, 90210 debuted on October 4, 1990.
The Georgia Supreme Court outlawed use of the electric chair as “cruel and unusual punishment” on October 5, 2001.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
For the second year in a row, McDonald’s announced today that the McRib is returning. From the Springfield News-Leader:
In less than two months, a beloved — by some — fast food menu item will return once again.
McDonald’s McRib will hit restaurants in the “greater Ozarks area” on Wednesday, Nov. 27, a McDonald’s spokesperson told the News-Leader on Wednesday.
The McRib features five key ingredients: a boneless pork patty, pickle slices, onions, a homestyle bun and McRib Sauce, which is flavored with “natural smoke flavor,” “spices,” onion and garlic powders, chili pepper and beet powder (which are among other ingredients), according to the McDonald’s website. As for the pork patty, the McDonald’s website boasts that it only features four ingredients: pork, water, dextrose (sugar that comes from corn or wheat) and rosemary extract.
The McRib is popularly recognized for its limited runs, but fans remain assured that it will always return. In 2022, McDonald’s announced that the McRib would embark on a “Farewell Tour,” yet it returned to menus again in fall 2023.
Former President Donald Trump and Governor Brian Kemp will appear onstage together in the Augusta area, according to 11Alive.
Both members of the Republican presidential ticket will be in Georgia on Friday, with former President Donald Trump joining Gov. Brian Kemp for joint remarks on Helene recovery in Columbia County while Sen. JD Vance campaigns in Floyd County.
The Trump/Kemp appearance will be held in Evans, Georgia, at 3:45 p.m. According to the Trump campaign, it will include a briefing “on the devastation of Hurricane Helene.”
Gov. Kemp is also due after that at the Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency about 30 miles away for remarks on Helene response with local and state officials.
They’ll speak at 3:45 p.m. Friday at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center.
From the AJC’s Greg Bluestein:
Trump has reason to cozy up to the governor. Kemp regularly rates as the state’s most popular Republican in Atlanta Journal-Constitution polls, and Trump’s campaign is desperate to win split-ticket pro-Kemp voters in November.
A stronger alliance with Kemp could also help bolster Trump’s ground game in a state Republicans consider crucial to their White House hopes. The political machine Kemp built helped him humiliate a Trump-backed primary challenger in 2022 and then sweep aside Democratic star Stacey Abrams in a general election rematch.
For Kemp, there are advantages, too. He has his own political future to worry about, and those close to him say he’s more likely to run for president in 2028 than the U.S. Senate in 2026. No matter what he decides, being branded a GOP traitor won’t help him on the campaign trail.
Still, the Friday meeting may not be a bury-the-hatchet moment. There’s no evidence Kemp has forgiven Trump for the abuse he’s taken over the years. And Kemp recently acknowledged he cast a blank ballot in Georgia’s presidential primary rather than vote for Trump.
As for the former president, he hurled so many insults at Kemp and his wife, Marty, at his August rally in Atlanta that die-hard Republicans worried it would cost Trump a victory in Georgia.
But as the race tightened, Kemp has stepped up his advocacy for Trump. He made peace with the Georgia GOP – a MAGA bastion – at the Republican National Convention. And he’s taken steps to directly embrace the former president.
At a Republican Jewish Coalition gathering this week, Kemp told an audience of hundreds that he views the race as a contest over “who’s going to be better for our state and for our country” and not a personality clash.
“It goes back to the record of where we were four years ago and where we go now. To me, that’s how we win this election,” Kemp told the Sandy Springs crowd.
“Look, you may not like Donald Trump personally, but you’ll like his policies a lot better than Kamala Harris’. It’s a business decision. You’re making a business decision.”
Republican United States Senator and vice presidential candidate JD Vance (O-H-I-O) will speak in Floyd County, Georgia today, according to Atlanta News First.
Vance will give remarks in Lindale on Friday, Oct. 4. He will give remarks at The Mill in Lindale at 1 p.m.
Based on a media advisory for the event, Vance will likely talk about immigration — which has become a hot button campaign issue for the Republican party.
The media advisory notes Laken Riley’s death, which was pushed to the forefront of the immigration debate. Riley, a nursing student from Augusta University, was killed at the University of Georgia’s campus in February.
Vance was set to make campaign stops in Macon and Flowery Branch but those were postponed because of Hurricane Helene.
On Friday morning, the Trump campaign will kick off the Team Trump Bus Tour through the Peach State.
It will include stops in Columbus, Macon, and Athens.
Both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have targeted Georgia as one of the key states needed to reach 270 electoral college votes.
On Monday, Trump visited South Georgia to see the devastation caused by Helene and discuss raising money for those affected by the storm.
The Donald Trump campaign will be stopping in Macon Friday as part of a bus tour across Georgia.
The event will feature prominent Republicans stumping for the former president, but is not expected to feature Trump or his running mate. It will take place at the Bibb County GOP’s headquarters at 3220 Riverside Drive. Tickets can be obtained online on a first come, first serve basis.
JD Vance, U.S. senator for Ohio and former President Donald Trump’s running mate, was scheduled to give a speech in Macon on Sept. 26, but it was postponed due to the severe weather threat from Hurricane Helene. Vance has not yet scheduled another appearance in Macon
The Trump campaign’s Friday stop will be its first appearance in Macon this year, but it has not ignored Georgia.
The most notable name is Matt Gaetz, a Republican representing Florida’s 1st congressional district in the U.S. House who has been an outspoken supporter of Trump.
According to messages sent to media and supporters in the Macon area, Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator for Iowa, will make an appearance, as well as former Deputy White House Press Secretary Hogan Gidley, who worked for Trump.
The Team Trump bus tour will also stop in Kennesaw, featuring U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Florida Man.
C-Span appears to be broadcasting the Vance event online.
Vice President Kamala Harris visited Augusta, according to the New York Times.
Vice President Kamala Harris surveyed damage from Hurricane Helene on Wednesday in Georgia, promising residents that the federal government was rushing to help with the recovery.
“The president and I have been paying close attention from the beginning to what we need to do to make sure the federal resources hit the ground as quickly as possible,” Ms. Harris said, adding, “That work has been happening.”
President Joe Biden approved 100% federal reimbursement for local and state emergency costs related to Hurricane Helene, Vice President Kamala Harris announced at a news conference in Athens Tuesday.
The funds will cover response efforts such as food, water, shelter and debris removal, Harris said.
Additionally, anyone with “immediate needs to be met such as food, baby formula and the like,” is eligible to apply for $750 in federal relief and assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Harris said.
“The assessment of the damage is being done across the board and of course the highest priority is to locate and determine individuals, people who are in need and making sure that we are getting to them as quickly as possible,” the presidential candidate said.
Harris recalled conversations she had with Augusta residents who lost family members during the storm, and others who have not been able to leave their homes.
“I was speaking with one of the residents of the community who needs that big tree removed so she can actually get to work and make sure that her child is able to get to school when schools reopen,” the vice president said.
She thanked Gov. Brian Kemp, Sen. Jon Ossoff, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, first responders, and others working to support those affected.
President Joe Biden visited South Georgia, according to 13WMAZ.
“I want you to know: I see you, I hear you, I grieve with you and I promise you, we have your back,” Biden said. “We’re going to stay until you’re restored.”
During a speech in Ray City, Ga., which is 30 minutes outside of Valdosta, Biden urged bipartisanship and unity in the response to Hurricane Helene.
Biden expressed support for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and touted collaboration crossing party lines to get people recovering from the storm the support they need.
“I hope we begin to break down this rabid partisanship. I mean that sincerely. There’s no rationale for that,” Biden said. “It doesn’t matter who we help; It’s who needs help. And we look to help as many people as possible.”
The visit to Georgia came after trips to Florida and North Carolina. Earlier this week, Donald Trump also visited Valdosta and, on Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris surveilled damage in Augusta.
Kemp said he spoke with Biden on the phone moments before the afternoon press conference.
While Kemp did thank Biden for the federal support, he is urging the White House to add more Georgia counties to the list eligible for additional resources.
“I did tell him I felt certain he would hear on the road that there are a lot of counties expressing their frustration that they haven’t been added to that list,” Kemp said. “So he’s aware of that situation on the ground.”
While 41 counties were added to the list, the state requested 90 counties receive additional aid.
But Biden highlighted other efforts to support state governments.
He says that the federal government has agreed to cover 100% of the cost of debris removal and emergency protective measures in Georgia for the next 90 days. FEMA also issued the same promise for North Carolina and Florida.
Biden flew to a pecan farm outside of Valdosta, Georgia. The president addressed the emergency response in front of a downed tree, characterizing Helene as “one of the strongest hurricanes ever, ever, to hit Florida and this part of Georgia.”
“I promise you, we have your back. We’re going to stay until you’re restored,” Biden said. “In moments like this, it’s time to put politics aside.”
The president offered thanks to Georgia’s governor, Kemp, who spoke with him by phone on Thursday morning. But he did not offer a similar overture to DeSantis.
“He just said, ‘Hey, what do you need?’” Kemp told reporters earlier in the week of a previous call with the president. “I told him, ‘You know, we got what we need. We will work through the federal process.’ He offered that if there’s other things we need, just to call him directly, which, I appreciate that.”
Governor Kemp announced that damages from Hurricane Helene total more than $400 million dollars, according to the Savannah Morning News.
Roughly 200,000 Georgians are still without power one week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced during a Thursday press conference at the Georgia state capitol in Atlanta. The storm brought “unprecedented” levels of damage across the state, Kemp said, resulting in $417 million in damage, though that number is expected to rise substantially according to Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) Director Chris Stallings.
Hurricane Helene has reportedly caused at least 33 fatalities across the state, including one first responder. A family of three in Chatham County also died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after using a gas generator inside their home due to widespread power outages in Savannah. Roughly 85% of Georgia Power customers have now had power restored, but the Augusta area was particularly hard-hit.
“Previously, the worst storm Georgia Power had ever dealt with, they had 1,700 poles that needed to be replaced,” Kemp said. “Currently, there are over 8,000 that have to be replaced, so this is just a significantly larger power outage storm than we’ve ever dealt with in the history of our state.”
“Driving down some of these state routes and seeing chicken houses laying on the ground, a whole pecan orchard, every tree laid over, I mean, it’s just 100% destruction,” Kemp said. “We talked to one farmer that literally had 10 chicken houses on the ground, and he’s lost every ability to have any revenue off his farm this year. That’s the level of destruction that’s out there.”
“This storm left a tremendous amount of devastation, but the response efforts by all involved have been phenomenal,” said Georgia National Guard General Dwayne Wilson.
As part of the ongoing recovery effort, Kemp issued an order suspending the state’s gas tax, which took effect Thursday.
“A lot of people in rural communities that we talked to yesterday are spending a lot on fuel right now, responding to the storm, running generators to get their wells going, to power their homes, to power nursing home facilities and other things,” Kemp said. “So we feel like this will economically help people a little bit.”
The federal government is also stepping in to help with relief efforts. On Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Augusta to survey Helene’s aftermath, and President Joe Biden authorized increasing the federal cost-share from 75% to 100% for the first three months after the storm. Disaster Survivor Assistance crews from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will soon be on the ground in 41 affected counties to help residents apply for federal assistance. Residents can also apply for assistance online by visiting disasterassistance.gov.
Gov. Kemp toured Thomson on Wednesday, according to WRDW.
Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday made his second visit to the CSRA in three days.
He was in Thomson to look at damage from Hurricane Helene and offer an update on the state’s hurricane assistance efforts.
“When the first emergency declarations came down, there was only 11 counties in that. A lot of people were outraged, including me, because there was such devastation and, you know, up to 90 counties. So, we called the White House. We spoke to the president’s chief of staff, the FEMA administrator, and said, look, your son in the signal, you’re not paying attention to some of these rural communities,” said Kemp.
Warnock pushed for Augustans to support one another.
“A glimmer of light in the midst of this darkness is the ways in which neighbors are responding and helping other neighbors. I stopped by a small town on the way here, and he’s just checking on the folks at the local gas station, and they were gathered around. One gentleman was talking about the fact that he had a generator, and so he had power. So, he spent all weekend cooking with his neighbors, making sure that they have enough food and making sure that they were okay. And so, I want to encourage that spirit of neighborly love and support,” said Warnock.
Kemp said the hurricane response will be a bipartisan effort.
Also speaking at the news conference was U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, who told of how a tree fell on his roof during the storm and shared the story of a dear friend who’d died in the storm.
He also said there were many miracles that morning, including people who happened to wake up at the right moment and leave their bedroom to see what was going on. Being out of the room where the tree fell is what saved their lives, he said,
Allen ended his portion of the news conference with a silent prayer.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation requesting immediate federal funding to help Georgia farmers and producers recover from Hurricane Helene. The letter specifically requests federal aid be provided in the form of a block grant to the state, which state officials feel would provide greater flexibility than existing federal emergency relief programs.
Supreme Court of Georgia Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs issued a statewide judicial emergency order extending certain deadlines in ongoing court proceedings due to the effects of Helene. The order’s extensions apply only in cases where parties affected by Helene certify that they were unable to file or take other required action by applicable deadlines.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Extreme Northwest GA) spoke in Eton, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen News.
Greene, who represents Whitfield and Murray counties as part of Georgia’s 14th Congressional District and who is running for reelection, said she is paying close attention to the escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s missile attack on Israel earlier in the day.
“(I’ve been) in communication with many colleagues I have in Washington and we are watching closely the situation developing in the Middle East,” Greene said. “We’re watching Israel and Iran, and praying for Israel.”
“Hopefully, this is going to calm down,” Greene said. “We really don’t want to see America pulled into another foreign war, especially after over 20 years in the Middle East. That would be devastating.”
Greene also spoke about the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26. The hurricane and its aftermath ravaged parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia while causing more than 190 deaths.
Greene said those living in Northwest Georgia were “blessed” to see the hurricane divert from its original projected path.
“Hurricane Helene was directed straight up our entire district,” she said. “We all prepared for the storm thinking that we would see devastation. We didn’t. We saw that storm turn to the east and tragically devastate South Georgia, Central Georgia and the eastern part of our state, from Valdosta to Augusta.”
“Here in our state of Georgia, so far they’ve declared (at least) 25 casualties from this hurricane,” she said. “And 2,500 Georgia National Guard (members) have been called up by Gov. (Brian) Kemp to help people here in Georgia.”
“I had signed a bipartisan letter and all of us joined together here in Georgia asking for funding, and that was finally approved today,” she said. “So, we’re very grateful that that happened.”
Greene also spoke about inflation, which she accused “not one party,” but “everybody” in Washington, D.C., of making worse.
“The spending is outrageous,” she said. “It’s out of control, and that is exactly why inflation is so rampant. That’s why the cost of living is ridiculous … This out-of-control spending is exactly why people are drowning in credit card debt and it should not happen.”
Greene said she is “completely opposed” to rampant spending, saying Congress should have to operate under a balanced budget amendment.
“This is a simple concept,” Greene said. “The state of Georgia passes a balanced budget every single year. We should be able to do that in Washington, D.C.”
Bulloch County Schools announced students will not make up days missed because of Hurricane Helene, according to the Statesboro Herald.
Following a Monday announcement that all Bulloch County Schools would be closed this week due to the effects of Hurricane Helene, the school district said Tuesday that the six and one-half days of school lost to the storm would not be made up.
“After thoughtful consideration, care and concern for our community’s well-being, Bulloch County Schools has decided to keep its scheduled fall break intact for October 14-18,” BCS Public Relations Director Hayley Greene wrote in an email.
With this latest decision, the schools will have missed a total of 11.5 days because of Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene.
Savannah-Chatham County public schools announced virtual instruction for yesterday and today, according to the Savannah Morning News.
The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) announced Wednesday afternoon around 1:30 p.m. that it will return to operations with asynchronous E-Learning Days for Thursday, Oct. 3, and Friday, Oct. 4.
The district cited recent updates from the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) and Georgia Power indicating that Chatham County is at the “85% restoration level for our communities.”
Glynn County Schools will be business-as-usual on election day this year, according to The Brunswick News.
Election days, especially general presidential elections, have traditionally been teacher work days or full days off for schools, Superintendent Scott Spence told the board. That was because schools used to serve as voting precincts.
Schools are no longer used as precincts, however, Spence said there would be no issues with making that Tuesday a normal day of school.
“Because we’ve missed some days, I’d like to make Nov. 5 a regular school day,” he said.
The board normally does not vote in work sessions, but school board attorney Andy Lakin said because this was an emergency situation and time is of the essence to make the decision, a vote would be acceptable.
The board voted unanimously to make Nov. 5 a regular school day.
Richmond County schools will not return until October 16, 2024, according to the Augusta Chronicle.
Students were initially slated to return on Monday after being closed for several days due to Hurricane Helene. But the school system published a news release Thursday evening announcing students will not go back until Wednesday, Oct. 16 and will not have the scheduled distance learning day on Friday, Oct. 11. This is to ensure all schools open with power, water, internet, personnel, and clear bus routes.
Richmond County School System Nutrition Services is working with local agencies to identify food distribution sites to serve the community while schools and offices are closed.
“This week, we focused on our families, homes, and neighbors in need in the wake of the hurricane that impacted every community member,” said Richmond County Superintendent Kenneth Bradshaw. ” As we work towards returning to a state of normalcy, safety and accessibility for our staff and students is our highest priority. We know that many of you have concerns about lost instruction time. Right now, we ask that you focus on the safety of your families, and rest assured that we are considering several options that prioritize a smooth transition back to the classroom.”
The other Augusta area school systems are still tentatively scheduled to return to classes next week.
Hahira City Hall reopened yesterday, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.
The International Longshoremen’s Association union reached an agreement with East and Gulf Coast ports that will end strikes for the time being, according to the Savannah Morning News.
A union representing U.S. dock workers and port operators have reached a tentative deal on wages that will end a three-day strike that has shut down shipping on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast. the International Longshoremen’s Association union and the United States Maritime Alliance said on Thursday.
The agreement extends the master contract between the union and port operators until Jan. 15, 2025, allowing negotiations to continue on other aspects of the contract. A joint statement did not specify what wages were agreed upon or the other terms that required negotiation.
“Effective immediately, all current job actions will cease and all work covered by the Master Contract will resume,” the statement said.
The deal ends the biggest work stoppage of its kind in nearly half a century, which blocked unloading of container ships from Maine to Texas and threatened shortages of everything from bananas to auto parts, triggering a backlog of anchored ships outside major ports.
Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King sent staff to Valdosta to help hurricane victims with insurance issues, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.
At the Catastrophe Claims Village, policyholders can meet face-to-face with professionals in the insurance industry who can help them file a claim or answer any insurance-related questions they may have, the insurance commissioner’s office said in a press release. The Catastrophe Claims Village will include representatives from the Georgia Department of Insurance and major insurance carriers.
Members of King’s Criminal Investigations Division will also be on hand to investigate any potential fraudulent activity and educate residents on how to protect themselves from post-disaster insurance scams.
The Valdosta Claims Village will be held 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday at The Home Depot, 1825 Norman Drive.
Georgians who are unable to attend the event are encouraged to call the Consumer Services Hotline for assistance at 1-800-656-2298, available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Moms Demand Action and Indivisible Georgia District 10 will host a rally in Monroe to gin up support for gun control legislation, according to the Athens Banner Herald.
A rally to “support sensible gun legislation” will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday in front of the historic Walton County Courthouse on South Broad Street in downtown Monroe.
The rally is sponsored by Moms Demand Action and Indivisible Georgia District 10 with a focus directed toward U.S. Congressman Mike Collins, who represents the 10th District.
Local parent Nakita Hemingway will emcee the event with guest speakers including Dr. Neil Priest, a retired emergency room physician; Dawn Johnson, a parent and advocate for the disabled in Winder; Jake Hays, president of the Young Democrats at the University of Georgia; Nicole Broerman, MOMS Demand Action co-founder; Lexy Doherty, candidate for the District 10 seat; and, Eric Gisler, candidate for Georgia House 121.
The rally stems from the shooting at Apalachee High School, where two students and two teaches were slain on Sept. 4, according to the news release.
Rally organizers say the event is staged near Collins’ office, where the congressman will be urged to vote for sensible gun safety regulations.
Hall County will host information sessions on the proposed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Transportation (T-SPLOST) that will appear on the November ballot, according to AccessWDUN.
The Hall County Government will be holding several Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) public information sessions this month before the ballot question on Nov. 5.
“The TSPLOST ballot question will be very generic and provide little detail,” Hall County Administrator Zach Propes said. “We want to ensure voters are informed before they reach the polls, and attending one of our informational sessions is one of the easiest ways voters can learn about the program.”
All presentations will be free and open to the public.
The Senate Study Committee on the Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands heard about solar siting, according to the Moultrie Observer.
The committee, chaired by Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro), held its third meeting at the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition Sept. 25. The committee consists of Sen. Jason Anavitarte, Sen. Brandon Beach, Sen. Jason Esteves, Sen. Russ Goodman, Sen. Freddie Powell Sims and Sen. Sam Watson.
Jim Cooley, director of district operations for the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources, made a presentation about some alternatives to traditional construction for solar siting.
“I want to start this off by saying that this is just intended to introduce you to options other than traditional large scale solar. EPD doesn’t have a position on these but this is more of a ‘food for thought’ presentation,” he said.
In May of this year, the EPD and Wildlife Resources Division released a document that provided voluntary guidance to support consideration of natural resources during the development of solar projects in Georgia. In the document, it stated that relevant, regulatory requirements were also provided.
The City of Lenox Police Department lost its ability to write speeding tickets based on speed detection devices, according to WALB.
According to a letter by the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS), the agency suspended the speed detection device permits for the city of Lenox for 180 days this past July. The state’s investigation found the city “consistently altered” tickets that “had the effect of excluding the fines and forfeitures for citations issued for speeding.”
Lenox is located about three hours south of Atlanta on Interstate 75, a popular route to Georgia’s coast and Florida.`
Longtime Gwinnett County Republican activist and State House candidate Scott Vandiver died, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.
Scott Vandiver died on Sept. 26 and his funeral is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the Tim Stewart Funeral Home Chapel, which is located at 300 Simonton Road in Lawrenceville. The Gwinnett GOP has rescheduled it monthly breakfast until Oct. 12 so members can attend the funeral.
Vandiver had been the GOP’s nominee in the House District 102 race against incumbent state Rep. Gabe Okoye, D-Lawrenceville, but his involvement with local Republican politics goes back farther than that. He’d even played a role in national Republican politics.
“Scott was a decades-long, very active member of Gwinnett County Republicans and a great friend to so many,” the Gwinnett County GOP said in a statement on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. “Most recently, he was the Republican candidate for Georgia State House District 102 for the 2024 election, as well as a delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention, a position he treasured.”
Vandiver leaves behind two daughters, according to his obituary. His impact in the community goes beyond his work in Republican circles, however.
“Scott’s candidacy for office reflected his longstanding commitment to both conservative values and the people of Gwinnett County,” Georgia House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, R-Dacula, said in a lengthy statement on X. “Scott was a friend to all as he served the Gwinnett Republican Party and was also a beloved member of the Georgia GOP.”
Okoye, the man Vandiver would have faced on the Nov. 5 general election ballot, praised Vandiver’s commitment to Gwinnett County and public service.
“I extend heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of J. Scott Vandiver,” Okoye said. “Although I did not have the privilege of knowing Scott personally, I recognize his deep commitment to the people of Gwinnett County and his dedication to public service as the Republican candidate for Georgia State House District 102.
“I have no doubt his active involvement in the community will be remembered by many. My thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Please keep the Vandiver family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this loss.”
Vandiver’s death means a replacement candidate, Kathy Statham, will now face Okoye in the House District 102 race in November. The Georgia GOP put Statham’s name forward to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office within days of Vandiver’s death.
That’s a classy statement by Rep. Okoye and reflects a sentiment I hope more people in politics will adopt toward their political rivals.
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