Fifty Georgia Colleges, Universities to Increase GI Financial Aid

Nearly 50 colleges and universities in Georgia have signed on to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs program to improve financial aid for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

The 45 campuses include Georgia Tech and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Mercer University in Macon and Savannah College of Art and Design. The institutions have agreed to pay up to half of the tuition, housing and textbook expenses for veterans who sign up under the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The program is part of the new GI Bill passed last year, offering veterans the most significant expansion of educational benefits since the original GI Bill in 1944. The VA expects nearly half a million veterans to participate in the coming year.

On the Net: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: http://www.va.gov

(Associated Press)

Perdue Clears Way for Road Projects

Gov. Sonny Perdue has cleared the way for 11 road projects funded by the federal stimulus package to move forward. The projects cost $51 million and span Georgia, from metro Atlanta to Washington County. They include a $14.4 million project to build auxiliary lanes along a busy Macon highway and $10.1 million to refurbish a stretch of Interstate 85 from Franklin to the South Carolina border. Another $9 million will be spent to replace and refurbish bridges in Coffee County, Colquitt County, DeKalb County and Douglas County. Some $7.6 million will improve a main road in DeKalb County. Perdue said the state is "using these federal dollars wisely to improve our transportation network and to put Georgians to work."

(Associated Press)

Famed Peachtree Road Race Has Military Versions

The world’s largest 10-K running event is Saturday morning in Atlanta. But the reach of Georgia’s famous Peachtree Road Race also extends to overseas war zones.

In Atlanta, it’s now 40 years that Independence Day morning again will bring a stampede of 55,000 runners sweating down Atlanta’s famed Peachtree St. And it’s been the past few years that troops who’ve run the race and now serving overseas have carried the Peachtree spirit with them.

More than 3,000 military members are competing in specially-organized Peachtree races in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Groups involved include the 108th Calvary Division of the Georgia National Guard out of Macon.

Retired Colonel Tom McKenzie has run the race in Atlanta and overseas. He says the camaraderie for the so-called 'military-Peachtree’ is unmatched:

"There are some folks that have run the race in Iraq, and now they’re running in Afghanistan. It’s a testament to the folks who have continuous deployments, and the families who have to sacrifice. Those folks have the tough job."

McKenzie is the official ‘starter’ for the military Peachtree races. He will give the ‘go’ via phone at the Atlanta starting line for the bulk of the races Friday night (July 4th morning for military races).

Nine Candidates for Top Court

A state judicial nominating commission has submitted a list of nine candidates for an open seat on the Georgia Supreme Court. Gov. Sonny Perdue will appoint the replacement to former Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, who stepped down on Tuesday. He is not required to pick a name from the list, but said he would meet with each of the candidates. Among the candidates are U.S. Attorney David Nahmias, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Craig Schwall and Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley. Also on the list is Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge William M. Ray II, Alcovy Circuit Superior Court Judge Samuel D. Ozburn, Henry County State Court Judge Benjamin W. Studdard, Macon attorney Stephen Louis A. Dillard and Atlanta attorneys James P. Kelly III and Rocco E. Testani.

(Associated Press)

President Names Atlanta Judge for US Court Post

President Barack Obama has nominated one of Georgia’s own for a vacant seat on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. U.S. District Judge Beverly B. Martin of Atlanta has been on the district court bench since 2000.

The 53-year-old grew up in Macon, graduated from Stetson University and the University of Georgia School of Law. After private practice in Macon, she worked for 10 years as an assistant state attorney general, then served as assistant U.S. attorney and U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of Georgia.

If confirmed by the Senate, Martin will fill the appeals court spot left by Judge R. Lanier Anderson, who assumed senior status February 1st.

The court hears appeals from Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

(Associated Press)

Georgia Gazette Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Join host Rickey Bevington tonight for Georgia Gazette. On tonight's show… One gubernatorial candidate under scrutiny from the State Ethics Commission for past campaign contributions. Why people in Macon can rest a little easier when big storms hit. How country crooner Ronnie Milsap made his history on this day and his connection to the peach state. And can Georgia afford to keep its giant pandas? Zoo Atlanta launches a new campaign. These stories and more tonight on Georgia Gazette at 6, 7 in Athens, re-broadcast at 11, hear our show any time at www.gpb.org/georgiagazette, and download a free podcast on iTunes.

Middle Georgia U.S. Attorney Resigns

U.S. Attorney Maxwell Wood of the Middle District of Georgia is resigning after almost eight years in office. Wood announced Thursday that he will step down midnight July 31, paving the way for a new lead prosecutor in the district to be nominated by President Obama. The 49-year-old Wood was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate on Nov. 7, 2001. The Middle District includes 70 Georgia counties, with offices in Macon, Athens, Albany, Columbus and Valdosta. Wood is a graduate of LaGrange College and the University of Georgia School of Law.

(Associated Press)

Georgia Gazette Thursday, June 11, 2009

Join host Rickey Bevington tonight for Georgia Gazette. On tonight's show … Suspicion over cheating fifth graders… Inside the state investigation. Re-branding Macon as the birthplace of southern rock. And classical music from two living American composers. These stories and more tonight on Georgia Gazette at 6, 7 in Athens, re-broadcast at 11, hear our show any time at www.gpb.org/georgiagazette , and download a free podcast on iTunes.

Section Of I-16 Remains Closed

A two-mile stretch of Interstate 16 in middle Georgia remains closed this morning to westbound traffic at Dublin as repairs continue on an overpass. The state Department of Transportation says the section of I-16 West could remain closed throughout the Memorial Day weekend.

Repair crews are working on an overpass damaged Tuesday by a tractor-trailer carrying a piece of heavy equipment that was too tall to pass beneath the bridge. The impact sent chunks of concrete raining down onto the interstate.

Georgia DOT officials say holiday travelers on that route between Savannah and Macon should plan for delays and a possible detour.

South Georgia Gets Air Ambulance Service

A new air ambulance service in South Georgia should improve access to trauma care for people in an under served part of the state.
Interstate 75 south of Macon is often referred to as the "Death Corridor." Once you leave Middle Georgia the highway takes you through a part of the state far from a Level One trauma care center.
If you have an accident there it can take you a long time to get to a trauma center according to Crisp County Emergency Medical Services Director, David Edwards.

"Macon is the closest place for us and it's about 65 ground miles for us to transport by ground, and then we have a Level 2 trauma center which is Archibald located in Thomasville, but that's 100 miles away."

The new air ambulance service will be able to pick people up at the scene of accidents. It is owned by Missouri-based Air Evac Lifeteam which focuses on rural trauma care.

WB Macon-Savannah Route Closed

The Georgia State Patrol says a tractor-trailer hauling a piece of equipment damaged an overpass on Interstate 16 West at Exit 49, forcing traffic to be diverted. The GSPP said large chunks of concrete covered all of the westbound lanes Tuesday and officials said it likely will be months before the bridge is repaired. Officials said a two-mile stretch of westbound lanes on I-16 -- from Exit 51 to Exit 49 - likely will be closed through the end of the week. State trooper Ronnie Shuemake said the truck was too tall to travel under the overpass. He said the boom of a track hoe struck the bridge as the driver of the truck, John F. Crowe, drove under it with the boom elevated. Shuemake said the case is still under investigation.

(Associated Press)

Army Corps of Engineers Searching for Old Weapons

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is getting ready to look for leftover weapons in Middle Georgia.
In the 1940's close to 20-thousand soldiers trained at Camp Wheeler Army base in Macon. Much of that training included learning to use things like; rifles, grenades, and mines.
When soldiers left in 1946 the land was given back for public use. Fifty-one year old Linda Harris has lived in the area all her life and remembers playing on the property as a child.

"There were shells, like we would play in the dirt. We would dig up shells and metal fragments. Even my dad saved a cannonball, but we don't know where it is right now. It may still be on the property."

Experts will spend four months going over the land with metal detectors. If ordnance's are found, they'll mark the area and come back later to remove them. Two years ago officials removed more than 300 unexploded devices on the former grounds of Camp Wheeler.

Security Bank Now Under Regulatory Oversight

The Federal Reserve is keeping a close watch on Georgia's fourth largest bank as the government tries to prevent another closure.
Macon-based Security Bank is already under a cease and desist order from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The just imposed regulatory oversight means the bank will have to submit a plan to the FDIC within the next 60 days on how to strengthen its position. In the last eighteen months the bank lost 226-million dollars.
Security bank's Tom Woodbery says their challenges are not unique, but have been with them for several months.

"The challenges are quality of loans, capital stability and liquidity and those three areas are problems that a number of banks in Georgia and the Southeast are facing because of the economic crisis we're in today."

In March auditors expressed quote, "substantial doubt" about the bank's ability to stay in business. Security Bank moved into the Atlanta market during the height of the housing boom.

Macon May Impose Idling Ban

The Macon City Council is considering limiting the amount of time city-owned vehicles can idle. The proposed law would fine violators 500-dollars if they leave their engines running for more than 15 minutes. Proponents of the measure say it will help the City of Macon have cleaner air. Macon is being considered for non-attainment status because its air does not meet new, stricter guidelines for ozone set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. Some exemptions to the proposed law include emergency, maintenance, and construction vehicles that need to keep engines running to perform their jobs.

Former State Representative Dies

Funeral services are being held in Macon for former State Representative, Wayne Elliott. The Florida native and Republican served two terms in the Legislature from 1990-1994. According to the Telegraph Elliott created controversy after he introduced a bill designed to protect medical waste incinerators, which another lawmaker was trying to ban. A business Elliott owned produced medical waste incinerators. The ban passed, but Elliott was able to receive an exemption for the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. He is survived by a wife and daughter.

'Super Speeder' Fines To Help Fund Trauma Care

Legislation signed into law today by Governor Sonny Perdue will slap excessive speeders on Georgia’s roads and highways with hefty fines. Money collected is aimed at injecting the state’s ailing trauma system with badly-needed funds.

Starting July 1st, drivers who go 20 miles an hour over the speed limit on Georgia roads will be hit with an extra $200 fine. The Governor’s office says a quarter of the more than 1,600 people who die every year from traffic accidents in the state, are caused by excessive speeds.

“We hope it will slow down people, where we don't have to issue tickets for speeding excessively.”

Governor Perdue wants to spend money collected from the fines on trauma care. It’s estimated the state’s fastest drivers could bring-in $23-million.

But that’s less than half the money the appointed state trauma commission had to work with last year. Ben Hinson is president of Mid-Georgia Ambulance in Macon, and a commission member:

“This is not enough...I don't know if could ever get enough to do everything we want. And if the trauma commission ever says that's enough, you've probably got the wrong members on the commission. We want it to get better every day."

Getting better includes getting emergency trauma service to pockets of the state severely neglected, especially in areas of rural north and south Georgia.

The Governor says he will again look to present a permanent funding model for a statewide trauma network in next year’s budget. Trauma officials estimate $80-million is needed to properly fund a statewide network--at least.

Rural Unemployment in Double Digits

Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond testified to Congress Today (Thursday). Thurmond was there to ask for more federal money and brief lawmakers how current stimulus funding is being spent to aid the unemployed in Georgia.

While Atlanta and Macon are seeing the job picture brighten up, much, if not all of rural Georgia is facing double digit unemployment rates.

According to the state labor department, there are three---what could
be described as--- blight belts in the state:

The corridor between Atlanta and Augusta, the Wiregrass highway in South Georgia, and the region between Atlanta and Chattanooga.

Some counties in these regions are facing unemployment as high as twenty percent.

State labor commissioner Michael Thurmond has warned the manufacturing sector in these areas is likely to continue to struggle. Thurmond is in Washington looking for
more federal funds in part, to maintain the future solvency of the unemployment trust fund as jobless rates, especially in rural areas, remains high.

48th Brigade Honored With Parades

All across Middle Georgia people are gathering to send off soldiers heading to Afghanistan. The Georgia National Guards 48th brigade id being deployed to Afghanistan. They are expected to be gone for a year. While there they will help train Afghan Security Forces. Many of them will leave for training by the end of the week.
This week people in Dublin, Macon, and Forsyth are holding parades to give the soldiers a proper send off. The 48th is headquartered in Macon and organizers of the parade there are hoping people will line the streets and hang yellow ribbons.
This is the second time the 48th has been deployed since 2005. They returned home in 2006 having lost 26 members of the brigade in Iraq. The various battalions will deploy between now and the end of the summer.

Macon receiving federal housing money

Federal dollars will help Macon tear down blighted homes and get foreclosed properties off the market.
In 2008 Congress passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. Four-billion dollars of the money was doled out to states hit hard by the foreclosure crisis.
Cities like Augusta, Atlanta, Columbus and Savannah qualified to receive part of those funds, but Macon did not, according to the Director of Neighborhood Stabilization for the City of Macon, Jesse Gerwig-Moore.

"The state received in total from HUD about 155-million. About half of that amount, around 74-million or so, went directly to the entitlement communities who already received community development block grant funds and that's where Macon fell below the 2-million dollar threshold."

The city remained undeterred and applied for a 4-million dollar grant from HUD. They were approved this week. The city will use the money to tear down blighted homes and provide down payment assistance to those who purchase foreclosed properties.

EPD Says Air Will Be Cleaner When New Coal Plant is Built but Environmental Groups Disagree

The state's top environmental regulator for air pollution says the air in eastern Georgia will be cleaner if and when a coal plant is built near Sandersville in Washington County.

Jac Capp, chief of the state environmental protection division's air protection branch, says the plant also won't add to ozone air pollution in Augusta or Macon. Macon is already near two other coal plants, one of them dubbed by environmental groups as the dirtiest in the U.S.

Coal plants are in the process of reducing pollutant emissions as required by federal and state regulations.

Capp says that the proposed new coal plant, Plant Washington, will also have lower emissions of pollutants.

But environmental groups disagree with Capp's comments. They say the goal of EPD should be to not pollute at all.

Ozone triggers respiratory illnesses. The EPD recently recommended, for the first time, that mid-sized cities in Georgia have failed ozone air pollution standards. Her recommendations are required by federal law and based on measures of the ozone. Newer and tougher restrictions this year have contributed to the cities falling into this category. The federal government will ultimately make the decision on whether the cities, which include Augusta, Macon and Columbus.

The state EPD is beginning the permitting process for Plant Washington. But Capp and his staff have already reviewed an extensive proposal for the plant.

Hear audio about Plant Washington:

Jac Capp, Georgia Environmental Protection Division

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Midge Sweet, Georgians for Smart Energy

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