Ft. Gordon to get upgrades

Officials at Fort Gordon in Augusta say they are working to repair problems with leaky plumbing and mold at the barracks there. Four thousand trainees live at the 40-year old facility. A spokesperson for Fort Gordon say the problems are similar to those at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Complaints at Fort Bragg prompted the Army to reshuffle $250 million toward emergency repairs at eight posts. Fort Gordon will receive $49 million. Six point two million has also been slated for heating and air conditioning upgrades at Fort Stewart.

Lawmakers reach '09 budget deal

From the Associated Press ...

Georgia lawmakers reached a deal on a $21.2 billion budget that boosts salaries for state employees and funnels money into schools on the chaotic final day of the legislative session. But an agreement on tax cuts was proving a bit more elusive today as weary legislators raced against the clock to consider hundreds of measures in the dying hours of the 40-day session. House Majority Leader Jerry Keen said, "I'm an eternal optimist. But I'm cautious." The impasse over tax cuts created a logjam for other high-profile measures, including a new fee to help the state's trauma centers and a sales tax hike to pay for transportation improvements. Republicans pledged to deliver tax relief this election year, but with a few hours left in the session's final day they remained sharply divided over how to do it. The House wanted to eliminate the car tag tax over two years. The Senate pitched a competing plan that would trim the state income tax by 10 percent over five years. Also up in the air were vast changes to the education system, drought-inspired measures to bolster Georgia's reservoir system and a proposal to allow Georgians to carry concealed weapons in more public places. The budget deal removes at least one contentious issue from the table, but both chambers won't get to vote on it until tonight.

New chip on the block means faster file transfer

Move over wi-fi and bluetooth, says Georgia Tech Professor Joy Laskar. To date, both technologies have been considered the gold standard when it came to sending small amounts of data over short distances. But, Laskar says he and his team at Georgia Tech's Electronic Design Center have developed a way to move massive amounts of data … more quickly. Laskar says the secret to his new SM technology is unused high frequency radio waves. "If you watch Star Trek, and people talk about the communicators on their shirt, in a lot of ways what we're developing is the enabling technology for something like that. So what today might take ½ hour to an hour, might take a matter of seconds in the future." The application could make wi-fi obsolete and has the potential to serve both the consumer and defense markets. Laskar says he hopes the hardware for transferring files could be available by 2009 with chips installed in new tv sets by 2010.

http://www.gedcenter.org/laskar.html

Rally to oppose Troy Anthony Davis execution

Opponents of the death penalty rallied in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday to protest the pending execution of Troy Anthony Davis. Barring intervention by the U-S Supreme Court, Davis will be put to death on July 17th, making him the second death row inmate executed by the State of Georgia this year.

Davis was convicted in the late 1991 shooting death of a Savannah policeman. Davis, however, maintains he did not shoot Officer Mark Macphail sixteen years ago. And, since his 1991 conviction, several witnesses have withdrawn their testimony, saying the police pressured them to lie. Members of Davis's defense team presented over 4-thousand letters of support, including one from a former Texas district attorney, to Georgia's Board of Pardons and Paroles. Defense attorney Jason Ewart says the lack of evidence should be enough to convince the board to release Davis. "It's not a DNA case. What the DNA cases have told us is that people are convicted erroneously. Here you have to do the work. If you really examine the evidence now, there is beyond a reasonable doubt that Troy did not commit this crime."

Coke in, Pepsi out at NASCAR

Atlanta-based Coca Cola Company has inked a ten year deal that gives the company, near exclusive distribution and marketing rights to what some describe as the nation's fastest growing spectator sports ... NASCAR. The agreement with International Speedway Corp. ("ISC"), adds an additional ten races to Coke's roster. That brings to 17 the number of tracks where Coke will have exclusive marketing and distribution rights beginning in 2008. The deal nearly drives Coke's chief rival, Pepsi, out of the lucrative NASCAR market. Included in the deal, the Daytona 500, which Pepsi has sponsored for nearly all of its 49 year history. Susan Stribling is with Coca Cola and says the company is revving up for 2008, when Coke debuts at the Daytona 500. "We’ve had almost a 40 year relationship with NASCAR in some form, with cars that we’ve sponsored, tracks and that sort of thing, but to see it expand even further, just makes everybody down here really excited." Although International Speedway Corp. won't confirm exact numbers, in 2004 the company estimates its mostly male fan base at around 75 million. Stock in Pepsi Corporation was slightly down Monday on trading volume of nearly 3-million shares.

Valdosta court bars Muslim woman wearing headscarf

Officials in Valdosta who last week refused to admit a Muslim woman to a local court, say there were justified because the woman refused to remove her headscarf. Aniisa Karim says she went to court to contest an outstanding parking ticket. Sheriff's deputies, however, refused to admit Karim to court, citing homeland security concerns and because they say wearing the traditional headscarf would be disrespectful to the judge. A spokesperson for the city of Valdosta said court officers acted properly but did offer apologies if Karim was offended. Since Karim's story was made public, anti-Muslim postings to an Internet blog suggest she go home. Karim however, is African American and says she been wearing her headscarf since she was a child. Valdosta City officials say they'll review their court admittance policy this coming week.

New stream rules create water quagmire

A recent vote by the state's Department of Natural Resources requires all of Georgia's 159 counties to establish minimum buffers along all of the states streams and tributaries, even those on private land. The new rules mean counties must establish a 150-foot buffer zone on both sides of all potential drinking water sources, no matter how small. If a county refuses to adopt the new guidelines, they'll be cut off from all future state funding. Steve Gooch heads Lumpkin County's Board of Commissioners. His family has owned land in the county for nearly a century. Gooch says the new regulations are unfair to property owners because they make 350 feet of land unavailable for development, but landowners still have to pay property taxes on the land. Under the new rules, counties must also establish an extensive list of monitoring and education programs. No final date has been set for implementation of the new rules. However, the City of Dahlonega is under pressure to adopt the new guidelines. The state won't let the City sell water to Lumpkin County until it does.

Annual tax adjustment means gas prices up

The cost of filling your gas tank has been down in recent weeks from prices that hovered around three dollars and twenty-five cents earlier this year. But, if you fill up today, you'll notice a slight increase as the state tax on gasoline goes from 15 to more than 17 cents a gallon. At his website, State Senator Chip Pearson calls the gas tax the most reliable funding mechanism for our state's transportation system. The current Georgia Motor Fuel Tax was enacted in 2003. House Bill 43 requires the state's gas tax be adjusted twice a year -- in January and July -- to reflect the cost of gasoline. So, the higher the price per gallon, the greater the motor fuel tax. A midterm adjustment is also required if average gasoline prices fluctuate more than 25 percent, as happened recently on June 1, 2007. According to a spokesperson for Triple A, statewide gasoline prices are averaging 12 cents more than a year ago.

Commssion debates secret hearings

On Tuesday, Georgia's Public Service Commission will decide whether or not to restrict secret conversations between the Commission itself and the utilities it monitors.

The state's PSC is supposed to monitor utilities, such as Atlanta Gas Light Company, on behalf of consumers. In the past, if a consumer dispute arose, the Commission and the utility would hammer out a deal out of earshot of the public...in secret hearings.

At its next meeting, the Commission will vote on whether or not to continue that practice.

Twice in 2007, Commissioner Angela Elizabeth Spier proposed banning such hearings. First in February and again in May. Both proposals were tabled for further study.

Also at the May meeting, several motions were defeated that would have limited access to members of the Commission by the general public.

In a statement at the Public Service Commission website, Commissioner Spier wrote that any process which excludes the public "undermines the hearing process" and public confidence.

Wilson defense rejects lastest plea deal

Defense attorneys in the Genarlow Wilson case have rejected the latest offer from the Douglas County District Attorney that would have cut five years off Wilson's 10-year sentence. Wilson was convicted nearly three years ago, when he was 17, for having consensual oral sex with a then 15 year old girl.

Defense attorney B.J. Bernstein tells why her client turned down this latest offer.

"Genarlow Wilson has a court order now. A court order, not just my argument, that says '12 months in jail, and you’ve already served your 12 months and get out.'" How anyone on this earth believes that a young person should get '15, serve 5' because he engaged in consensual oral sex with another teen, is just insane."

The deal by Douglas County D-A David McDade includes 10-years probation for Wilson but excludes registration as a sex offender.

Earlier this week, a Douglas County judge denied Wilson's request for bond, saying he was ineligible under Georgia law.

Franklin halts vote on proposed "Free Speech Zone"

The City of Atlanta has backed down from a measure that would have required prior written permission before a public demonstration.

The ordinance by Atlanta Councilman Jim Maddox would have set up "Free Speech Zones" for any public demonstration where counter-protesters may be expected. The measure was to go before the city council this week for a vote. However, over the weekend Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin asked the city's Law Department to review the idea. The ACLU had warned the city that the ordinance would be unconstitutional.

In his proposed resolution, Maddox says if a group of vegetarians are gathered and someone hands out flyers touting the benefits of chicken, such interference threatens public safety.

The proposed law would require event organizers to submit the names of authorized participants to the police in advance of the event. And, anyone who attempts to protest outside the free speech zone could have been arrested.

Genarlow Wilson freed; remains locked up pending appeal

A Georgia judge today freed Genarlow Wilson. But, the 20-year old remains in jail, awaiting appeal by Georgia's attorney general.

Wilson was seventeen in 2004, when he was convicted of aggravated child molestation after having consensual oral sex with a girl two years younger.

The Superior Court judge who ordered his release said keeping Genarlow Wilson locked up for a crime now considered a misdemeanor in the state of Georgia, amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. But, Georgia's Attorney General immediately appealed the ruling, saying the court overstepped its boundaries.

The appeal means Genarlow Wilson's case now goes before the state’s highest court. Wilson has served two years of a ten year mandatory sentence. Wilson decided to fight charges of aggravated child molestation because it came with lifetime registry as a convicted sex offender.

In the meantime, defense attorneys say they'll ask the court to release Wilson on bond pending the appeal.

Judge to decide Monday on Genarlow Wilson's freedom; lawyers argue constitutionality of 10-year prison sentence

Lawyers for Genarlow Wilson argued in Monroe County Superior Court on Wednesday, that keeping their client in jail any longer amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

Wilson has served more than two years of a mandatory ten-year sentence for receiving oral sex from a 15 year girl at a New Year's Eve party in 2003.

Since Wilson's conviction in 2004 for aggravated child molestation, the Georgia legislature passed a law that makes consensual sex between minors a misdemeanor.

But, attorneys for the state argued the so-called Romeo and Juliet law does not apply to Wilson's case since it was adopted after his conviction.

In opposing the state's argument, BJ Bernstein says her client deserves to be released because his case prompted the change in legislation.

"What our constitution says and requires, is no matter what a legislature says about something being retroactive or not, it has to be fair. And it's clearly unfair on one day and then a week later, the law changes. Opps! It's just a misdemeanor; it's what we truly meant."

Genarlow Wilson's mother says 'no' to sex offender status

Juanessa Bennett says her son doesn't deserve to be known as a convicted sex offender.

Speaking with reporters outside the Monroe County courthouse on Wednesday, Bennett remains optimistic her son will soon be free.

Wilson could have gotten out more than a year ago, if he had taken a deal offered by the state. However, part of the deal required that he register as a convicted sex offender.

Juanessa Bennett says accepting such a plea was never an option. "A sex offender registry is lifetime. So, what's the difference between being in and out, if you still have to suffer? He will have to suffer for the rest of his life."

A ruling in this case is expected by next Monday. In the meantime, Monroe County Superior Court Judge Thomas Wilson has asked both sides to submit briefs in support of their argument.

Hearing set for Genarlow Wilson; lawyers argue GA's "Romeo and Juliet" law should apply

A hearing in Monroe County Superior Court on Wednesday, could decide whether or not Genarlow Wilson will have to serve eight more years in prison. In 2004, a Monroe County jury unanimously convicted Wilson of aggravated child molestation.

Genarlow Wilson was 17 years old at the time of his arrest. He was convicted after a videotape showed him engaging in consensual oral sex with a 15 year old girl during a New Year's Eve Party in 2003. Wilson has served two years of a mandatory 10 year sentence.

At the hearing, Wilson's lawyers will ask the state attorney general to release their client from prison. They say a law adopted since his conviction, makes Wilson's crime a misdemeanor and should be applied retroactively.

Earlier this year, State Senator Emannuel Jones introduction legislation to amend Georgia's so-called Romeo and Juliet law. The law makes consensual sex between minors, a misdemeanor.
Jones' proposal, however, has met with stiff opposition. He believes it's because the defendant is African-American. "When I ask myself why the scales of justice came down so hard on this kid, I have to believe there's an element of race."

If the petition is denied, Gernarlow Wilson will be 27 years old before he is released from prison. Current law requires that he register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

GA's top judge says more work needed in drug courts

The state's top judge challenged a group of state lawmakers today to broaden their approach when it comes to reducing drug and alcohol related crimes.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears congratulated those gathered for the third annual drug court conference for successfully keeping more than 3,500 people out of prison.

The state's drug and DUI courts have a repeat offender rate of approximately 17 percent. The national repeat offender rate is close to fifty percent.

Sears, however, tempered her words with a bit of a challenge. "We're reaching only a small fraction of the people who are arrested every year for drug possession. Your challenge is to apply the model to all offenders who can benefit."

But Judge Kent Lawrence, who heads up a drug and DUI court in Athens-Clark County, says the program isn't as easy as it sounds. "I spend a lot of my time trying to talk the offenders out of coming into our dui-drug program. It would be easier for them to serve 12 months in jail than have to put up with me for two years."

Lawrence says the program works because it targets the addiction rather than the crime.

There are more than 50 drug courts scattered throughout the state. Some programs last up to two years, and all use a team approach with therapists and counselors.

Hurricane season underway; 5 major storms predicted

Ready or not, Friday, June 1st, marks the official start of the 2007 hurricane season, which runs through November 31st. Meteorologists say there could be up to five major hurricanes in the Atlantic and Gulf state regions this year.

But, a new poll by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, says fifty three percent of people who live in those areas just aren't ready with either an evacuation or a survival plan.

That doesn’t surprise Buzz Weiss of Georgia's Emergency Management Agency.

"The last major evacuation we had on the coast was in 1999. Well that has gone from people's minds because that hurricane made landfall in No. Carolina, and they assume, well, it's not going to happen again."

Weiss says if you're determined to stay put rather than evacuate, there's something you should know. "There's a term we like to use – YO YO 72. You're on your own for 72 hours. And people need to be aware of that."

Weiss says at a minimum, all families should have an evacuation and a reunification plan as well as a five day supply of water, food and medicines.

You can find more information about hurricane evacuation plans where you live, by calling your local office of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.

TB patient identified as Atlanta attorney

The first person to be federally quarantined for tuberculosis since the early 1960s has been identified at as an Atlanta attorney. His name is Andrew Speaker, and he's a 31-year-old newlywed.

Federal authorities say Speaker knew he was sick but traveled to and from his European wedding on commercial flights. When he returned to the U-S, Speaker was briefly hospitalized at Atlanta's Grady Memorial Hospital before flying to Denver for further treatment.

Speaker's new father-in-law is a tuberculosis researcher with the C-D-C. In a written statement, Robert Cooksey says he's never had TB and is not responsible for his son-in-law's infection.

Meanwhile, health officials here and in Europe are tracking down nearly one hundred passengers who may have been seated near speaker on the flights.

Drought and fire update; water policing

Georgia's worsening drought means ground water levels are dropping to amounts usually seen only in late summer or early fall. Officials say it's not unusual for groundwater levels to drop as summer approaches; winter storms usually replenish the source. To get an idea of how low water levels are: the Suwanee River flows out of the Okeefenokee Swamp at around 1,600 gallons per second. This year it's down to a four-gallon-a-second trickle. But that didn't happen this past winter. The combination of an unusually warm spring and sparse rainfall has led state climatologist David Stooksbury to predict extreme temperature changes statewide this summer, as hot soils heat up their surroundings. "I do expect temperatures in North Georgia to be between 100 and 105. In South Georgia, between 108 and 115. Even in the mountains – in the mid 90s." With over half the state under severe drought conditions, officials say that barring a strong tropical storm, relief is unlikely any time soon.

FIRE'S EFFECT ON GA ECOSYSTEMS

Officials say so far this year, fires in Georgia have consumed more than four hundred and fifty thousand acres. Those fires -- along with one of the worst droughts Georgia's seen in decades -- mean the state's ground water levels are dropping. Stooksbury calls these events natural occurrences in the state's delicate ecological cycle. "Fire is good. It resets the clock. It regenerates the swamp. If you don't have fires in swamps they die." As for drought, Stooksbury says it a natural component of the southeast's climate system. Fire and drought serve an additional purpose as well. They help to eradicate invasive species giving native flora and fauna a better chance at survival.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATER POLICING

Last week, Atlanta city officials turned off the faucet on residential outdoor weekday watering. In Sandy Springs, parts of South Fulton County, and Atlanta, residential watering is restricted to midnight until 10 am. Officials elsewhere in the state, officials are getting tough with outdoor watering, as well. In Columbia County, east of Augusta, officials turned off the water supply to nearly 50 households which ignored repeated restrictions. Violators were turned in by their neighbors.

Yolanda King memorialized in Atlanta

A memorial service was held in Atlanta today for Yolanda King - the oldest child of Dr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King Jr.

Yolanda King died earlier this month at the age of 51.

Nearly two-thousand mourners filed past trees bearing yellow ribbons, to remember King at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Ebenezer is the same church where decades earlier Dr. King was a young pastor.

Among those paying tribute to King was legendary actress and civil rights activist, Cecily Tyson, the Reverand Al Sharpton and Atayallah Shabbaz, the daughter of slain civil rights leader, Malcolm X.

King tried to move from under the mantle of responsibility the King family name brought with it. She studied acting at NYU and found success as an actress, although she found it hard to break into roles that did not cast her in the role of the suffering martyr.

The cause of King's death has not yet been determined. Family members say she suffered from heart disease and hypertension. Autopsy results are pending.

Hartsfield Jackson get $1 million to study expansion

A new study by the Federal Aviation Administration warns airports around the country to expand, otherwise they won't be able to meet the growing demand for international air travel and freight.

The study comes on the first anniversary of Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson expanded fifth runway and coincides with a $1-million dollar grant to the airport.

Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson airport joins nearly 2 dozen others across the country with limited choices: expand or perish.

The $1-millon dollar grant from the federal Department of Transportation will fund the first ever airport expansion feasibility study.

Federal Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters says one other option metro areas should consider is converting dormant military bases to civilian use.

"Make no mistake, building a handful of airports is not enough to get us off the hook. Our new report shows that by 2025, 15 metropolitian areas won't have the ability to handle the demand for flights unless they move forward with planned improvement."

Ben DeCosta is general manager for Hartsfield Jackson. DeCosta supports regional expansion but says, an additional runway at Hartfield Jackson is not an option.

"We'll look at everything and see what's in the best interests of our region. It's something that local leaders will have to address, not only in the best interest of the local economy but in the best interests of the region and the nation."

In 2006, nearly 100 million people passed through the terminals at Hartsfield Jackson. Airport officials say a burgeoning international travel market makes a second airport essential to the region's economic viability.

A feasibility study on just where a second airport might be located is still years away.

Meanwhile, as construction continues at Hartsfield Jackson, airport officials contemplate doubling the passenger facility fee to $7-dollars. That's the amount passengers pay above the actual ticket price. Hartsfield officials say the money is an important source of funding airport construction.