Georgia

Make preparations: State of emergency declared in Georgia ahead of second winter storm

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Make preparations: State of emergency declared in Georgia ahead of second winter storm

Remember when Georgia had some significant winter weather less than two weeks ago? Well, déjà vu.

On Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for all of Georgia. This authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the State Operations Center and mobilize any needed resources to address potential impacts. Georgia Department of Transportation the Georgia Department of Public Safety, and other agencies are instructed to provide essential personnel to the SOC.

The State of Emergency also prohibits price gouging, suspends hours-of-service limitations for commercial vehicle operators involved in response activities and temporarily increases weight, height, and length limits for commercial vehicles transporting essential supplies.

This comes shortly after the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for much of Georgia Tuesday and Wednesday which has since been upgraded to a winter storm warning for areas like Savannah, Valdosta, and Macon. The Athens and Atlanta areas are currently under winter weather and cold weather advisories. Augusta is just under a cold weather advisory.

The NWS probabilistic snow and ice forecasts are showing the heaviest concentration in the South. Up to 2 inches of snow is expected. Most of the South will see up to one-tenth of an inch of ice, but the most southern areas like Waycross and Valdosta may see up to one-quarter inch. As you travel further north, snow and ice forecasts shrink with much of north Georgia largely unaffected.

In a news release from Kemp’s office, it was confirmed that the GDOT began brining operations Sunday morning, focusing on pre-treating interstates, state routes, bridges, and overpasses across the state. Crews are prioritizing high-traffic routes and areas providing access to hospitals and urgent care centers. Residents are urged to avoid travel whenever possible. For those who have to, GDOT advises drivers to be careful and provide extra space for crews to safely continue treating and clearing roads.

Additionally, state offices in Atlanta, including the State Capitol and surrounding area, will be closed Tuesday as state employees who live in or commute to an office in the city limits work remotely. Agency officials have discretion to close offices outside of Atlanta and instruct employees to work remotely for the safety of their workers. That discretion extends into Wednesday and possibly into Thursday, depending on the weather.

“As we continue to coordinate with state and local officials throughout the state, I urge everyone to make their own preparations to ensure they and their families can remain safe over the coming days, especially if road conditions prevent travel,” Kemp said.

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.

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Georgia

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

Published

8 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

20 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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