Georgia
Georgia confirmed free of bird flu
ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced March 4 that Georgia is now free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), a.k.a. — bird flu.
This designation means Georgia poultry products can once again be exported and traded internationally.
HPAI was previously detected in two commercial poultry farms in Elbert County, Ga, marking the fifth and sixth cases detected in the state. The nationwide outbreak began in 2022.
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Georgia
Police officer killed, another seriously wounded in hotel room shootout in Georgia
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A man being questioned by police at a suburban Atlanta hotel Sunday shot the two officers after inviting them into his room, killing one of them and seriously wounding the other, authorities said.
The suspect, who was shot by one of the officers, was undergoing medical treatment and expected to survive, Gwinnett County Police Chief J.D. McClure said during a news conference.
The shootout happened Sunday morning near Stone Mountain, about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta. The officers were dispatched to the hotel after a caller in another state reported someone had fraudulently used their credit card there, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. The agency said the front desk clerk directed the officers to the room of the person who had used the credit card.
McClure said the suspect greeted the officers at the door to his room and invited them inside.
“They began discussing the scenario or the incident with him,” McClure said. “And at some point the suspect produced a handgun and, in an unprovoked attack, fired at our Gwinnett County police officers.”
Officer Pradeep Tamang, 25, died of his injuries at a hospital, McClure said. A native of Nepal, Tamang had joined the Police Department last year.
Office David Reed was hospitalized in serious condition but stable Sunday afternoon, the police chief said.
“This is the latest reminder of the dangers law enforcement face on a daily basis, and we are grateful for every one that puts themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow Georgians,” Gov. Brian Kemp said on X.
McClure identified the shooting suspect as 35-year-old Kevin Andrews of Decatur, Ga. It was not immediately known whether Andrews had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
The investigation has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which customarily handles shootings involving law enforcement officers in the state. McClure said it would be up to the GBI and local prosecutors to decide what charges to bring against Andrews.
Georgia
Georgia brothers sentenced for Georgia Lottery fraud scheme
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. – Two Georgia brothers have been sentenced after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said they defrauded the Georgia Lottery more than a dozen times over a years-long period.
Brothers accused of lottery fraud
What we know:
Quinton Watts, 27, and Phillip Watts, 31, both of Sparta, were sentenced Thursday after being arrested for defrauding the lottery.
The GBI began investigating the men in August 2024 at the request of the Georgia Lottery Commission. Agents said the brothers stole money from video poker-style machines—commonly known as Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAM)—across more than 12 counties between June 2021 and September 2024.
The two were charged with multiple felony charges, including racketeering, lottery ticket fraud, theft by taking, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.
Lottery fraud sentencing
What’s next:
Columbia County Superior Court Judge Barry A. Fleming sentenced Quinton Watts to 20 years in prison, followed by 45 years of probation. Phillip Watts was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by 35 years of probation. Both men were ordered to pay $86,000 in restitution to the Georgia Lottery Commission. Judge Fleming also banned both men from Columbia County, prohibited them from entering any stores involved in the case, and barred them from playing COAMs.
What are COAMs?
Dig deeper:
COAMs are arcade-style machines regulated by the Georgia Lottery and are typically found inside gas stations and convenience stores. The machines award points that can be exchanged for in-store items, gas credits, or Georgia Lottery tickets. The machines are legal as long as they are properly licensed. Under Georgia law, customers may only redeem credits for specific non-cash rewards.
The Source: Information in this article came from a release posted on the GBI’s website.
Georgia
Social media reacts to UNC controlling Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon
What did social media have to say after UNC beat Georgia Tech on a snowy, Saturday afternoon in Atlanta?
An easy, dominant win is the best way for teams to keep their fans happy. That’s exactly what the UNC basketball team did on Saturday afternoon, controlling Georgia Tech from start to finish in a 91-75 victory.
North Carolina (17-4, 5-3 ACC) won its second-straight conference road game, a welcomed sight after losing its first three. The Tar Heels shot a solid 46 percent (36-of-79) from the field and, perhaps a more impressive mark, sank 92% (11-of-12) of their free throw attemps.
UNC took amazing care of the basketball, turning the ball over twice compared to 12 turnovers for the host Yellow Jackets (11-11, 2-7 ACC), who lost their third-consecutive outing. North Carolina scored a whopping 18 points off Tech’s 12 turnovers, which averages out to 1.5 points per turnover.
If you predicted Caleb Wilson to have another big game, you guessed correctly. Wilson finished his afternoon with a team-high 22 points, his 15th time reaching the 20-point plateau this season. This broke a previous tie with Tyler Hansbrough, the best collegiate basketball player to come through Chapel Hill, for most 20-point games by a freshman.
Henri Veesaar continued showcasing why he’s a top center in the country, recording a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double. Seth Trimble stepped up to lead the Tar Heels’ backcourt, recording 18 points (most amongst guards), four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Luka Bogavac made his case for a starting lineup return, netting 16 points off the bench.
UNC makes its long-awaited return home on Monday evening, hosting Syracuse in a 7 p.m. tip-off. For now, though, North Carolina players, coaches and fans can celebrate alike.
Take a look at social media for some postgame reactions from Saturday’s domination of Georgia Tech, which proved a needed big win before a big week ahead:
Easy work for the UNC offense
We agree, Caleb Wilson is awesome
Luka’s big day fueled the UNC win
It’s always a good day to…
Agreed – from start to finish
The doctor ordered a good one today
What can’t he do?
Win #17!
You can’t shake him!
Plenty of positive postgame thoughts!
Cue the excitement!
Are the Heels on fire?
He’s a once-in-a-lifetime player…soak it in!
Can I get a…
Are the shoes lucky?
That’s two straight on the road!
Statistically, UNC played awesome today
Recipe for success.
General Wilson back at it!
Make that three in a row!
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