Georgia
Most students in a Georgia school district hit by a shooting will return to class Tuesday
ATLANTA (AP) — Many students in Georgia’s Barrow County are headed back to class Tuesday, six days after a shooting killed two teachers and two students at the school district’s Apalachee High School northeast of Atlanta.
While no return date has been set for the 1,900 students at that high school, the 13,000 students in Barrow County’s other schools will return, including at the middle school and elementary school that border the Apalachee campus in Winder.
Superintendent Dallas LeDuff, in a video message Sunday, said sheriff’s deputies and state troopers will provide extra security when schools reopen Tuesday, with counseling available at all campuses. He said that if students or employees aren’t ready to return, they should contact their school’s principal for aid.
“We know the days ahead are going to be difficult, and that we have some staff and some students who are not ready to return to school,” LeDuff said. “We also believe as a school system that it is our responsibility to provide a safe space for those who are.”
Sabrina Masters Reed, a third grade teacher at Holsenback Elementary School, said she attended grief and trauma training on Monday. She said she’s not sure how many students will return Tuesday, but said many parents will need their children to return so they can go to work without having to find child care.
Many in the community remain in shock nearly a week after the shootings, said Reed, who leads the county’s chapter of the Georgia Association of Educators, the state’s second-largest teachers group.
“I know of other coworkers — who are parents — and parents who chose this community because they thought it was safe here,” Reed said of the rapidly suburbanizing county of 90,000 people. “The thing is, I think it is a safe place here in Barrow County. It’s just a sad fact that these tragedies can happen anywhere in any community in the U.S.”
Relatives and friends are mourning the victims, including teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. A memorial service was held Sunday for Aspinwall, while a Romanian Orthodox Church congregation honored Irimie. Her funeral is set for Saturday.
Colt Gray, 14, is charged as an adult with four counts of murder, and District Attorney Brad Smith has said more charges are likely to be filed against him in connection with the wounded. Authorities have also charged his 54-year-old father, Colin Gray with second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children. Investigators allege Colin Gray gave his son access to the gun when he knew or should have known that the teen was a danger to himself and others.
Another teacher and eight more students were wounded, with seven of those hit by gunfire. More of the wounded are going home from hospitals. Doug Griffith said his 15-year-old daughter, Natalie Griffith was released from a hospital on Monday after being treated for gunshot wounds to her arm and wrist.
Natalie Griffith is a freshman and a flute player in the band. She was shot in her algebra class.
“She’s got an A in algebra, and she’s extremely proud of that,” Doug Griffith said.
Griffith is one of a number of relatives seeking to raise donations through GoFundMe. He said he wants to make sure his daughter has help, as well as to support other victims.
“I just want to make sure that she has the support that she’s going to need because this is uncharted territory,” Griffith said.
On Monday the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and county officials opened a community recovery center in Winder, offering counseling, legal and financial assistance and other services.
‘Gator Crusader’ gives alligators holiday baths
Michael Womer, known as the “Gator Crusader,” hopped in with the alligators and gave them baths ahead of the holidays.
Want to see a gator in Georgia? Then, here’s the best alligator filled places you should head to in the state.
World Atlas has released this list highlighting swamps, rivers, and lakes filled with this ancient predator. Here is the list.
1. Okefenokee Swamp
The Okefenokee Swamp is a large blackwater wetland that straddles the Georgia-Florida line. It has a population of around 10,000 to 13,000 alligators.
The swamp is “known for its dark, tannin-rich waters, lush vegetation, and abundant wildlife, it’s a hotspot for alligator sightings,” World Atlas wrote.
2. Lake Blackshear
Located in Southwest Georgia, Lake Blackshear is a popular spot for fishing and boating. It was created by damming the Flint River and is known for its calm waters, lush vegetation, and plentiful prey.
It is home to around 10,000 alligators and “in 2019, a wildlife biologist found a 13-foot, 700-pound alligator in a ditch side outside of Lake Blackshear,” World Atlas wrote.
3. Altamaha River
The Ocmulgee and Oconee Rivers are two rivers in Georgia that form the Altamaha River, one of the state’s largest waterways.
“The Altamaha River has a history of producing large alligators,” the World Atlas wrote. “For example, in 2017, an 11-foot, 3-inch alligator was legally hunted and taken from the river in Brunswick. In 2021, a 12-foot, 5.5-inch alligator was hunted in the river.”
4. Lake Seminole
Lake Seminole is a popular destination for anglers and boaters. It is located between Georgia and Florida and is known for its diverse aquatic ecosystem and thriving alligator population.
“Its slow waters, plentiful food, and ideal breeding conditions make it a perfect habitat for these ancient reptiles,” World Atlas wrote. “In 2023, Meghan Bailey of Carrollton caught a 13-foot, 3-inch gator, the largest of the season. Previous record-breaking catches include Jim Overman’s 13-foot, 10 ¾-inch alligator in 2013 and a 692-pound, 13-foot, 9-inch giant in 2010.”
5. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is located near Augusta and is a great place to see gators in their natural habitat. The park has a mix of cypress swamps, marshes, and ponds, making it a perfect home for these reptiles.
People visiting the park can often see alligators sunbathing near the boardwalk or swimming in the water.
6. Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a shallow lake located in southern Georgia near Lakeland in Lanier County. It is surrounded by cypress trees and marshes, making it a great habitat for alligators.
“While paddling, watch for alligators sunbathing on logs or gliding just below the surface,” World Atlas wrote. “If you prefer staying on land, you may spot alligators resting on the banks or drifting in the shallow waters while hiking the Banks Lakes Trail.”
7. Satilla River
Satilla River, located in Southeast Georgia, is a blackwater river with surrounding wetlands, a perfect home to alligators.
“While alligators can be seen throughout this free-flowing river, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Satilla River basin, is especially popular,” World Atlas wrote. “Visitors can explore the area by boat, kayak, or canoe, giving them a unique view of the river’s wildlife and the alligators living there.”
For more information, visit worldatlas.com.
Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
Georgia wide receiver Rara Thomas has entered the transfer portal.
With the 2024 college football regular season officially over, players around the country will start announcing their plans regarding the transfer portal and the NFL draft. That includes the Georgia Bulldogs, who are currently in the hunt for a national title.
Georgia was very active in the transfer portal last season as they had a good number of players leave the roster while also adding to their roster via the portal. It has become a large phenomenon in college football that all football programs have to deal with every offseason. The transfer portal officially opens on Dec. 9th and will remain open until Dec. 28th. There will also be a window that opens during the spring time, but that isn’t until late April.
The latest Bulldog to enter is wide receiver Rara Thomas who joined the Bulldogs’ roster last season. He transferred from Mississippi State but was suspended indefinitely prior to the 2024 season. The event occurred July 26th, Thomas was arrested for three counts of Cruelty to Children in the 2nd Degree, and three counts of Battery – FV. He was suspended from the team following the incident.
In 2023, Thomas had 23 receptions for 383 yards and touchdown in his lone season with the Dawgs.
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From simple to “Griswold” these light displays are full of cheer
From the Islands to Richmond Hill residents have gone all out to decorate their homes for the holidays.
While a cold front moves across Savannah and the Golden Isles throughout the weekend and the early part of Christmas week, the forecast for snow looks bleak.
The temperature will be around 53 degrees on Christmas Eve, but it will warm to 63 degrees Christmas morning in Savannah, according to AccuWeather’s 10-day forecast.
Low temperatures are forecasted to be in the low 40s each morning. Its forecasted for dry weather both days, with intervals of cloud and sunshine.
A cold front will pass through Georgia late Saturday and bring colder temperatures to the state for the weekend, with lows in Savannah dropping into the mid-20s and highs on Sunday and Monday only reaching the upper-40s.
In other parts of the state it is expected to be cooler but no precipitation in the forecast. Athens will only reach a high of 44 on Christmas Eve but is expected to reach 53 on Christmas Day.
Augusta is expecting highs in the 50s both days while Dalton will have a high of 47 on Christmas Eve and reach 54 on Christmas Day.
Hiawassee will reach 50 on Christmas Day, with a chance of a passing shower in the evening.
But, sadly for many in the state, no snow.
Has it snowed on Christmas in Georgia?
While it’s rare, the last significant event was in 2010 when Athens received two inches of snow on Christmas Day while Atlanta received a little more than an inch.
An ice storm in 1962 affected north Georgia, according to the National Weather Service, which had its biggest impact in Gainesville, downing numerous trees and powerlines and causing power outages.
A snow storm in Savannah just before Christmas in 1989 remained on the ground Christmas Day, and remains the only measurable snow on the day in recorded history.
What is the average temperature on Christmas Day in Georgia?
Average highs across north Georgia are in the mid-40s while the southern half of the state is typically in the mid-50s, according to the NWS.
Average low temperatures range from the mid-20s for north Georgia to mid-40s for south Georgia.
Ryne Dennis is the Deep South Connect Team Editor for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X@RyneDennis and email atrdennis@onlineathens.com.
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