Lively candidates forum in Perry

The first face-off of the candidates in the U.S. Senate race came last night in front of a boisterous crowd at the Georgia Fairgrounds in Perry Thursday night. Sharp words were traded between Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss and the challengers--Democrat Jim Martin and Libertarian Allen Buckley. The financial crisis was the overriding topic. Chambliss calling the crisis the "9/11 of our domestic economy". He defended his vote for the 700-billion dollar federal bailout, and said his opponents were sticking their heads in the sand over the issue. Martin and Buckley fired back that Chambliss was too aligned with President Bush policies, and said there are not good enough safeguards in the bailout for homeowners.

Last night’s debates also featured the 8th Congressional district race combatants--Representative Jim Marshall and Republican challenger Rick Goddard.

Georgia National Fair to host candidates

The Georgia National Fair in Perry has the rides, fair food, and concerts on its menu. For today, it’ll have politics on the schedule. The first face-to-face meeting for Saxby Chambliss and Jim Martin is set as time is ticking down toward next month’s election, when voters decide the Georgia U.S. Senate race. Republican incumbent Chambliss, along with Democratic challenger Martin, will be joined by Libertarian Allen Buckley in the candidates forum.

Lightning ignites a fire in downtown Perry

The Middle Georgia city of Perry is still cleaning up after a weekend fire downtown. Business owners and volunteers are cleaning after a fire that officials say was probably ignited by lightning.

Perry Fire Chief Joel Gray says the blaze was more than likely sparked by lightning that struck the C. Synder Chapman Accounting Firm on Saturday during a storm. He says it took nearly three hours to bring the fire under control. No injuries have been reported yet.

Gray says the accounting firm was the only building to sustain fire damage. Smoke and water damage was reported next door at Carlton Interiors and smoke damage at Perry Book store. Store owners were taking stock of their losses on Sunday afternoon.

New state park planned for Perry-area

Plans for a new state park are on the boards, and the first draft is expected on Thursday. A meeting will be held on that day at the Houston County Board of Education in Perry--a third and final public hearing on the proposal.

Three different concepts have been developed, and officials are asking for the public to choose. The site for the proposed park is an 858-acre property located between Interstate-75 and U.S. 41--just south of Perry. Each of the plans include a multi-use trail, hunting fields and public fishing lake. However, there is a question as to whether funding would be available in the upcoming Legislative session.

FBI nabs reputed 'Grandpa Bandit'

Phillips (Access N. Georgia.com)

Authorities say they have arrested the so-called "Grandpa Bandit," a man in his mid-60s who is suspected in seven bank heists in Georgia and Tennessee.

The FBI says Bobby Joe Phillips was arrested Saturday morning without incident by a police officer in the central Georgia town of Perry.

Authorities say Phillips is suspected of robbing banks in the Georgia cities of Covington, Suwanee and Warner Robins. He's also accused of robbing two banks in Knoxville, Tenn., two times each.

FBI Special Agent Gary Kidder has said the case is unusual because of Phillips' age - and because he makes no effort to disguise himself during the robberies.

(The Associated Press)

Georgia National Fair opens today

The Georgia National Fair gets underway in Perry today, as it enters its 19th year. It’s seen as an economic engine in the state, pulling-in nearly 24-million dollars in 2006. A record 450-thousand people attended fair activities a year ago. Highlights this year include a circus, concerts, and nightly laser shows. The Fair runs through October 14th.