Georgia

Cherokee County Fire pitches in to help south Georgia counties impacted by Helene

Published

1 year ago

October 7, 2024

Cherokee County Fire pitches in to help south Georgia counties impacted by Helene

Metro Atlanta firefighter help in south Georgia

A group of metro Atlanta firefighters just returned from helping Hurricane Helene victims. Cherokee County firefighters were in south Georgia, which took some of the fiercest winds.

A group of Cherokee County firefighters have just returned from south Georgia where they were helping Hurricane Helene victims.

All of them talked about the incredible damage in south Georgia. They also talked about what a privilege it was to be able to lend a helping hand.

“The wind was crazy. The amount of structural damage from the trees, roads being washed out, power lines across the roads, it was pretty bad,” said Cherokee County firefighter Johnny Fournier.

Helene swept through south Georgia with a vengeance, leaving a wide path of damage in its wake, and local first responders working around the clock helped those in their community.

“They served for multiple days, no sleep. So, we came in,” said Battalion Chief Scott Gwinn.

Nine members of Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services went to Hazelhurst in Jeff Davis County to assist.

“Provided some more resources for them to allow them to go home and take care of their own people,” said Chief Gwinn.

They fought fires and responded to medical calls, like usual. But they say it was different doing it in an area they weren’t familiar with.

“To run calls in a county you know nothing about, you don’t know any of the people, and just being able to help strangers was very rewarding,” said Fournier.

In the midst of it all, Firefighter Nick Janflone was able to get to know some of the locals.

“While I was down there, I did get close with a 12-year-old boy who was the son of a firefighter down there. It was impressive to see him working hard and doing everything he could to help,” said Janflone.

Cherokee County’s EMA Director Rebecah Logan also went to south Georgia to help, just north of where the firefighters were stationed.

She saw the destruction the moment she pulled into town and got to work.

“I was assigned to [Soperton in Treutlen County]. They just needed help. It’s a very small community, small county. I was thinking, ‘What do I need to do to get these people help to survive and live and continue on after this hurricane?’” said Logan.

“I think everybody came together with a servant’s heart, wanting to serve, wanting to run calls. Everybody did a great job,” said Chief Gwinn.

Cherokee County Fire Chief Eddie Robinson said it was an honor to stand by our fellow Georgians during their difficult time.

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Georgia

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

Published

2 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

ATHENS, Ga. – A 19-year-old is facing assault-related charges after police said he raped a University of Georgia student early Saturday morning while she was walking home.

What we know:

Tydarius Wingfield of Athens allegedly approached the student in the area of 400 North Thomas Street just before 1:40 a.m. and asked to walk her home.

Wingfield and the victim did not know each other.

Wingfield then forced the woman behind a building where he sexually assaulted her, police said.

Investigators used the Real Time Crime Center’s camera system to see where the assault happened and track the victim and Wingfield’s movements. Officers continued tracking Wingfield until his arrest and positively identified him using the RTCC technology.

He is charged with rape, kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery and battery.

An investigation is ongoing.

What we don’t know:

It is unclear whether the victim was taken to the hospital after being attacked.

What you can do:

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Burgamy at Charles.Burgamy@accgov.com or 762-400-7173.

The Source: Information in this report comes from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Athens-Clarke CountyUniversity of GeorgiaNewsCrime and Public Safety

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Georgia

Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei

Published

14 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei

ATLANTA – As conflict intensifies between the United States, Israel and Iran, reactions are pouring in across the Atlanta metro area after President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Iran’s supreme leader.

The president confirmed on Truth Social that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint strike led by the U.S. and Israel.

What they’re saying:

“I have been waiting to hear this news for the last 20 years,” said Dr. Sasan Tavassoli, an Atlanta-based pastor born in Iran.

“Ayatollah Khamenei has been responsible for the killing of tens of thousands of Iranians over the last three decades. He has been a very evil dictator and a very oppressive tyrant.”

Other local Iranians, like Shohreh Mir, expressed a long-standing desire for internal change rather than outside intervention.

“This was an imposed war,” Mir said. “We still very much would like for Iranian people to change the regime by themselves.”

What’s next:

Tavassoli said the Ayatollah’s death now creates a new issue.

“Ayatollah Khamenei never invested in raising a succession after himself,” he said, “so the crisis of the Iranian revolution and the Iranian regime is there is no legitimate successor.”

While the long-term duration of the conflict remains unknown, Iran has already begun launching retaliatory strikes following the attack.

“This is a huge development for day one, but the war is not over,” Tavassoli noted. “There are still many ways that things can become even more bloody and destructive in the coming days and weeks.”

The Source: Information in this article came from FOX 5’s Rey Llerena speaking with Iranian Americans across Georgia.

IranDonald J. TrumpNewsPolitics

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Georgia

Body found near Georgia Power dam on Radium Springs Road in Albany

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Body found near Georgia Power dam on Radium Springs Road in Albany

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – A person was found dead in the 5200 block of Radium Springs Road on Saturday morning, according to Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler.

Body recovered in early morning water rescue call(WALB NEWS 10)

Fowler said the call came in as a water rescue. The body was recovered early Saturday, Feb. 28.

The coroner confirmed the person found was male. His identity and age remain unknown.

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To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

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