Georgia

Georgia sheriff laments scrapped jail plans in county under federal civil rights investigation

Published

6 months ago

July 12, 2024

Georgia sheriff laments scrapped jail plans in county under federal civil rights investigation

ATLANTA — The sheriff in a Georgia county where prison conditions have led to a federal civil rights investigation criticized a decision not to move forward with plans for a new jail, calling the vote “shortsighted” on Friday.

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday voted 4-3 to approve a request for proposals to assess jail facilities, recommend renovations and provide an estimate for a future special purpose building. The U.S. Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation last year over longstanding problems with jail conditions in the county.

“This project is really putting a Band-Aid on open-heart surgery,” Sheriff Pat Labat, who has pushed aggressively for a new jail, told reporters Friday.

County commissioners in May voted to end a search for a project manager to oversee the building of a new jail at an estimated cost of $1.7 billion, news outlets reported. State legislators had said they wouldn’t allow a new local sales tax to fund the project and commissioners were unwilling to increase property tax rates.

The maximum allowable budget for the new project is $300 million.

Labat has long complained about dangerous conditions at the jail, including overcrowding, crumbling infrastructure and critical staffing shortages. He maintains that the only solution is to build a new jail that is more in line with modern corrections practices. In addition to being a safer and more humane jail it would also be more cost effective, the sheriff said.

“The county is responsible for the maintenance of this facility while we oversee it,” Labat said. “Ultimately, the county funds the actual maintenance and what it looks like is $300,000 a month. We’ve had since May of last year nearly 15,000 work orders just for this building alone. The building, the infrastructure itself is out of date.”

Attorney Michael Harper holds a photo of Lashawn Thompson’s cell in the Fulton County, Ga., Jail at a news conference, May 22, 2023, at the state Capital in Atlanta. Thompson died in the bedbug-infested cell in the county jail’s psychiatric wing in 2023. The Fulton County Sheriff said Friday, July 12, 2024, that a decision this week not to move forward with plans to build a new jail is short sighted. Credit: AP/Christina Matacotta

Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. could not support the new jail plan, he said during Wednesday’s meeting.

“I believe we need a new facility,” he said. “The facility is crumbling apart, and I believe this is the wrong direction.”

Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman said she had been one of the biggest proponents of a new jail but that the reality had sunk in that “we do not have public support” for it, she said. She did vote for the renovation plan.

“To do nothing is to continue to tell the public that we will not make the hard decisions when we need to make them,” she said.

Some commissioners said they are working under uncertainty since the Department of Justice has yet to issue any findings from its investigation.

When the Justice Department began investigating, it cited violence, filthy conditions and the September 2022 death of Lashawn Thompson, one of dozens of people who has died in county custody during the past few years. Thompson, 35, died in a bedbug-infested cell in the jail’s psychiatric wing.

Last August, former President Donald Trump went to the Fulton County Jail to be booked and to sit for the first-ever mug shot of a former president after he was indicted on charges related to efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia.

Civil rights groups and advocates for people held in jails and prisons applauded the county’s new direction on the jail.

“We’re elated to hear the news that the $2B jail will be scrapped. This was a long fight with local advocates demanding their voices to be heard,” said Michael Collins, senior policy director at Color of Change. “For far too long, those in power have disregarded the will of the people. Today, that has been rectified.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia also applauded the decision.

“We reiterate that the wholesale warehousing of people pre-trial is expensive and does not make our communities safer,” executive director Andrea Young said. “There are better solutions and we will continue to advocate for more effective approaches to safe communities.”

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Georgia

Season stats for Notre Dame vs Georgia (or why the Irish should be favored)

Published

8 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Season stats for Notre Dame vs Georgia (or why the Irish should be favored)

Whatever happened to the old fanshots section? I hadn’t really planned on writing a whole post, just providing a link to an article that summarized all of the reasons ND really should be considered the favorite in the Sugar Bowl. So here I am having to actually write out an entire post. Oh the life…

Georgia entered the season with all the pomp and circumstance you’d expect from a team fresh off two national championships in the last three years. Ranked #1 and everyone’s favorite pick to three-peat, they kicked things off in dominant fashion by dismantling a supposedly strong Clemson squad in Week 1. The “ESS-EEE-SEE! ESS-EEE-SEE!” chants were deafening. But then came Kentucky.

In a shocking turn, Georgia barely scraped by with a 13-12 win over the Wildcats. Yes, Kentucky. A game marred by an overturned Pick-6 that could have flipped the result and an offense that looked completely adrift, the Bulldogs survived more than they won. And it didn’t get better from there.

The following week in Tuscaloosa, the Dawgs looked shell-shocked from their near miss. Alabama, despite their own issues, came out swinging and stormed to a 28-0 lead before Georgia could even blink. While the Bulldogs managed to put points on the board later, the damage was done, and the Tide rolled on. Looking back now, with Alabama’s glaring flaws becoming more evident, that loss casts an even darker shadow over Georgia’s season.

Then there was the Ole Miss debacle and the marathon against Georgia Tech on Thanksgiving. Four overtimes to beat Georgia Tech is not the stuff of legends—it’s the stuff of memes (and this coming from a Jackets Alumn). These games solidified what was already becoming painfully clear: Georgia is not playing like an elite team this year.

All of this underscores a significant downturn for a program with sky-high expectations. The Bulldogs’ talent pipeline and championship pedigree might keep them competitive, but this season has revealed cracks in their armor. Whether it’s a temporary blip or the beginning of a larger issue remains to be seen, but for now, Georgia’s struggles serve as a reminder that even dynasties can wobble.

Of course, in true SEC fashion, rival fans will have their fun. (Yes, we see you, “Roll Toilets.”) But for Georgia, it’s back to the drawing board—and maybe a long, hard look in the mirror.

Now that I have my official word count, I can get to the link I meant to originally post:

Georgia vs ND Season Stats

I made a comment on a thread recently that the only reason Vegas has UGA as a 1.5 pt favorite right now is simply because of their name. If you look into any major stat, either simple or advanced ND comes out on top in just about every category. Here are a few that really will tell the tale IMO:

Yards per play

Notre Dame: No. 13 overall: 6.64 yards per play.
Georgia: No. 45 overall, No. 8 in the SEC: 6.11 yards per play

Total defense (yards allowed per game)

Notre Dame: No. 8 overall: 295.3 yards allowed
Georgia: No. 35 overall, No. 9 in the SEC: 336.5 yards allowed

Scoring offense

Notre Dame: No. 4 overall: 38.8 points per game
Georgia: No. 29 overall, No. 5 in the SEC: 33.2 points per game

Scoring defense

Notre Dame:No. 3 overall: 13.8 points allowed
Georgia: No. 21 overall, No. 7 in the SEC: 20.4 points allowed

Notre Dame holds clear advantages over Georgia in several key areas, making a strong case for their superiority this season. Offensively, Notre Dame outpaces Georgia by a considerable margin, both in production and efficiency. On defense, while the gap isn’t as pronounced, the Irish still hold a significant edge, with more consistency and impact across all phases.

What truly sets Notre Dame apart, however, is the sheer number and quality of their dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball. Whether it’s explosive skill players on offense or disruptive defenders capable of flipping a game, the Irish roster appears deeper and more versatile. Meanwhile, Georgia is navigating a transition at quarterback with a sophomore at the helm—an undoubtedly talented player but one still finding his footing in the big moments.

It’s worth noting that advanced stats, which we know Hayden will dive into soon, may shed even more light on the nuances of these comparisons. For now, though, the eye test and baseline observations highlight a team in Notre Dame that feels more complete and prepared to execute at an elite level. Just some food for thought as we gear up for the deeper analysis.

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Georgia

Should South Georgia be worried about potential impacts from the Bird Flu?

Published

19 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Should South Georgia be worried about potential impacts from the Bird Flu?

WALB is working to produce video for this story. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch our livestream.

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – According to the CDC, H5N1 or Bird Flu, is a virus that originates from wild birds. Both poultry and cows can contract this virus.

Through consumption of dairy products and interactions with infected animals, humans are also at risk for exposure.

“I think that people need to be appropriately concerned. And for most people, that’s going to mean taking precautions if they are engaging in any type of high-risk exposure. So, if they are a dairy or a poultry farm worker, absolutely they need to be taking precautions,” said Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist from the University of Saskatchewan.

The CDC reports that there are 65 confirmed cases of bird flu in the US, so far none in Georgia. But many are at risk for exposure. Experts say those with backyard chickens should wear appropriate personal protective equipment when near those birds.

“When you think about all the various ways that Avian Influenza can spread, the biggest vector usually is wild birds migrating, bringing the disease into an area it wasn’t before. It’s really hard to control that interaction between domesticated birds and wild birds, especially when we want things like cage free eggs,” said Chad Hart, an Agricultural Economist at Iowa State University.

In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that over 6 million infected chickens were slaughtered in an attempt to contain the virus from spreading to humans, but recent trends in raw milk consumption have experts worried for those who prefer unpasteurized dairy products.

“I strongly advise people not to drink raw milk. This is not a good way to immunize yourself against H5N1, and it might be a very good way to infect yourself with a massive dose of H5N1 that could lead to severe or fatal disease, and especially in a child,” continued Rasmussen.

Experts say the spread of Bird Flu from one human to another is rare. It’s more likely for an individual to contract the virus through exposure or consumption of infected animals and their by-products. The University of Georgia is currently one of five institutions working with the Food and Drug Administration to test the country’s dairy supply for signs of H5N1.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

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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Georgia

Georgia Lottery Mega Millions, Cash 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

The Georgia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

11-14-38-45-46, Mega Ball: 03, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 2-1-3

Evening: 7-9-7

Night: 3-4-6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 4-5-8-6

Evening: 4-7-0-7

Night: 4-7-9-2

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

07-23-25-46-57, Cash Ball: 03

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Early Bird: 03

Matinee: 08

Drive Time: 04

Primetime: 05

Night Owl: 11

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Georgia FIVE numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 2-8-4-4-7

Evening: 7-6-6-4-6

Check Georgia FIVE payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

04-15-25-37-42

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes under $601: Can be claimed at any Georgia Lottery retail location. ALL PRIZES can be claimed by mail to: Georgia Lottery Corporation, P.O. Box 56966, Atlanta, GA 30343.
Prizes over $600: Must be claimed at Georgia Lottery Headquarters or any Georgia Lottery district office or mailed to the Georgia Lottery for payment.

When are the Georgia Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Cash 3 (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 3 (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 3 (Night): 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 4 (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 4 (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 4 (Night): 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 4 Life: 9:00 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop (Early Bird): 8:00 a.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop (Matinee): 1:00 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop (Drive Time): 5:00 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop (Primetime): 8:00 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop (Night Owl): 11:59 p.m. ET daily.
Georgia FIVE (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
Georgia FIVE (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
Fantasy 5: 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
Jumbo Bucks Lotto: 11:00 p.m. ET on Monday and Thursday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Georgia editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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