LATEST GEORGIA NEWS
Obama administration eying Georgia's immigration...
The Justice Department is reviewing Georgia's tough new immigration law and is discussing it with businessmen and law enforcement officials here, but it has not decided to sue to block the statute like it has in four other states, U.S.
Obama administration eyeing Georgia's immigration...
The Justice Department is reviewing Georgia's tough new immigration law and is discussing it with businessmen and law enforcement officials here but has not decided to sue to block the statute like it has in four other states, U.S.
Georgia High Court Exonerates Final Exit Network's...
ATLANTA, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supreme Court of Georgia yesterday struck down the state's assisted-suicide law, abruptly terminating the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's prosecution of four ...
Georgia Force Acquire NFL-experienced Defensive...
The Georgia Force have added speed and NFL experience to their defensive backfield as Jamar Wall joins the team for the upcoming 2012 Arena Football League season. A native of Lubbock, Tex., Wall (5-foot-10, 204 pounds) stayed close to home and suited up for the Texas Tech football...
Georgia law limiting assisted suicide ruled...
The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a law aimed at controlling assisted suicide was unconstitutional, a decision that is likely to help shape the national debate over the practice.
Georgia Southern surge beats Furman 64-57
Jelani Hewitt scored 16 points and Ben Drayton 13 as Georgia Southern defeated Furman 64-57 Monday night and took sole possession of second place in the Southern Conference. The Eagles (11-12, 9-4) outscored Furman 26-13 over the final 15:14 after the Paladins (12-12, 6-7) had gone ahead 44-38, their first lead since the opening minutes.
Ga. Court Overturns Assisted Suicide Restrictions
Georgia's top state court strikes down assisted suicide restrictions over free speech concerns
Georgia Supreme Court knocks down law restricting...
The Georgia Supreme Court's unanimous ruling found that the law that bans people from publicly advertising services to assist someone in a suicide violates the free speech clauses of the U.S. and Georgia constitution. 
Court strikes down Georgia's assisted-suicide law
Georgia's Supreme Court on Monday struck down the state's assisted-suicide law, ruling it violates the free speech clauses in both the U.S and state constitutions.
Former Georgia Tech Employee Cleared in Alleged...
ATLANTA, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After a lengthy investigation by the GBI and the Georgia Attorney General's Office, former Georgia Tech employee, Chris Evans, has been cleared of RICO charges filed ...
Georgia Supreme Court Throws Out Law Banning...
A Georgia (STOGA1) law barring the advertisement of services related to assisted suicide is an unconstitutional violation of free-speech rights, the state's supreme court ruled.
Georgia Assisted Suicide Law Overturned By State...
ATLANTA - Georgia's top court on Monday struck down a state law designed to discourage assisted suicides after a legal battle brought by four members of a suicide group who said the law also violated free speech rights.
Georgia's Top Court Overturns Assisted Suicide...
The unanimous ruling by the state Supreme Court concludes a 1994 state law "restricts speech in violation of the free speech clauses" of the U.S. and Georgia constitutions. The ruling could help reshape the state's end-of-life policy.
Georgia court overturns assisted suicide...
Georgia's top court today struck down a state law designed to discourage assisted suicides after a legal battle brought by four members of a suicide group who said the law also violated free speech rights.
Georgia court strikes down assisted suicide...
Georgia's top court on Monday struck down a state law designed to discourage assisted suicides after four members of a group that helped a cancer-stricken man die said the law also violated free speech rights.

Board approves Hale as chair
By Kathryn SchiliroManaging EditorThe Morgan County Board of Education's makeup didn't change at all this year.In elections at their meeting Monday night, school board member Nelson Hale was again elected chairman while board member Keith Howard was elected vice chairman, both unanimous decisions by the board.The board also decided to keep board meetings on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., the exceptions being March, April and July. The dates for 2012 meetings are Feb. 13, March 19, April 16, May 14, June 11, July 16, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10.The board also unanimously approved the financial report for December 2011.The school system began last month with more than $3.6 million in the operating fund. After more than $2.2 million in receipts and more than $2.6 million in expenditures, there was more than $3.2 million left in the operating fund."It's pretty much what we've seen...as far as [collections]," Superintendent Dr. Ralph Bennett said.As far as the year-to-date financial totals, the school system is 50 percent through the year. Total revenue collected thus far comes to more than $10.6 million, 41 percent of the budgeted amount for fiscal year 2012."Most of our revenues are right on target," Bennett said. "[Local revenues, i.e. property tax collections] haven't quite caught up yet."Year-to-date expenditures totaled $14 million – 49.5 percent of the FY12 budgeted amount – the largest being more than $9 million in "Instruction," or teachers' salaries.The school nutrition fund ended last month with more than $233,000 after beginning with almost $308,000, receipts of more than $23,000 and expenditures totaling more than $98,000.read more
BOC debating date of election for Cathey's seat
By Patrick YostEditorVote was to be set for July, now BOC is considering March electionThe Morgan County Board of Commissioners is reconsidering the projected date of a special election to fill the seat of former Commissioner Sammy Cathey.Cathey died on Dec. 13, 2011.At Tuesday’s meeting, the board was expected to approve a resolution proclaiming July 21 as the date of the election.However, Commissioner Mack Bohlen requested that the board table discussion on the resolution until a...
System to test DOE's pilot program
By Kathryn SchiliroManaging EditorThe Morgan County School System has been chosen by the state Department of Education (DOE) to try out an online program relating to individualized education plans (IEPs) for special needs students.Morgan is one of four systems – the other three being Thomas County, Coweta County and Dublin City Schools – to test the program. And there's no cost to the school system for testing the pilot program."It's really kind of an honor," Assistant...
BOE explores privacy of school emails
By Kathryn SchiliroManaging EditorEmails from school-based accounts aren't private.The Morgan County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night, Dec. 12 to table a policy regulating school system electronic communication for public comment.The official regulation applies to full- and part-time employees of the school system, contractors, interns, consultants and students. Employees are "strongly discouraged" from using personal email accounts for official business, according to...
County to roll out new voting software early in...
By Michael ProchaskaStaff WriterThe Morgan County Board of Elections and Registration will implement new voting software come March, 2012.The county will acquire “Georgia Easy Vote,” in time for the March 6 Georgia Presidential Primary. According to its Web site, the system scans state ID quickly and accurately, increases accuracy to 99.9 percent when recording Absentee balloting and manages voter flow with easy to use charting and reports.“A lot of the neighboring counties are...
Local club wins state award
By Michael ProchaskaStaff Writer The Georgia Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs last week recognized the Madison-Morgan board as the most outstanding board in the state at an annual gathering in Atlanta.The local chapter, which was founded less than three years ago, has a unique model that works closely with the Morgan County School System, said Harris Warbington, an executive committee member.The typical Boys & Girls Club for the state hires one employee as a unit director and a series of...
Meet the 'Sporty' Homecoming Court
It’s Homecoming Week at Morgan County High School, and Monday was Sports Day. Members of the Homecoming Court pictured on the school’s campus Monday are (standing, left to right)?senior Amber Wilson, junior Cassidy Sims, senior Meredith Owen, freshman Jessica Bailey, senior Ansley Jones, senior Haley Day, (middle) junior LeeShondra Clark, senior Brittini Gonzalez, (bottom)?senior Josie Radar and senior Jordan Busbee. Seniors Khadijah Gibbs, Ashley Lewis, Carley Nelms, Latoyia...
MCHS's SAT scores hit five-year high
By Kathryn SchiliroManaging EditorSAT average scores for schools and the state are in, and Morgan County's doing better than ever.A total of 141 Morgan County High School (MCHS) seniors took the test this year, about 30 students more than in the previous five years. The total average score in 2011 came to 1489 – a perfect score is 2400, as there are three sections worth 800 points each –with MCHS students scoring an average of 490 in Critical Reading, 509 in Mathematics and 490 in...
County breaks ground on site for new, $2.9M...
By Michael ProchaskaStaff Writer About 30 residents representing the chamber, county commission, rotary club and other groups attended the groundbreaking for the construction of a new library last Thursday.The Morgan County Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously at the end of August to go with a construction firm that had offered a base bid of $1.63 million. The entire cost of the project, including shelves, furniture and equipment, is $2.9 million. Other amenities include a minimum of 30...
Cop charged with DUI wreck
By Patrick YostEditorA Morgan County Sheriff’s Office investigator has been arrested and charged with DUI refusal after he allegedly wrecked a county-owned vehicle at the intersection of Bethany Church and Seven Islands roads.Joshua Curtis Hayes, 31, a 12-year veteran of the department, faces DUI refusal charges after, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) reports state, he refused to take a blood test following the 2:30 a.m. incident. The incident occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 6.GSP reports state that...
NO?BOMBS?HERE, BUT CHEWIES?ARE?A?DIFFERENT?STORY
Above: Dasty, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office bomb dog, wrestles with Deputy Harvey Stewart for his chewie. A true German Shepherd, Dasty followed the officer's teutonic commands and alerted the officers to a small amount of TNT, planted for a demonstration for Julie Jameson's eighth grade class. Officer Hickey, the new MCMS SRO, looks on. photo by k. walker
Local SPLOST?vote to be held with presidential...
By Judy A. MaxwellNews EditorThe Morgan County administration has set Sept. 21 as the date to hold the 2013 SPLOST negotiations with the county's municipalities.County Manager Michael Lamar told the Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning that Secretary of State Brian Kemp is aiming to hold the presidential preference primary as early as Jan. 31. If that ends up being the case, Lamar wants to give the administration enough time to hold public hearings and advertise for the SPLOST. Georgia's last...
Ready?
Malachi Careathers, 6, locates his name on the door of Sandy Davis' first grade classroom. Careathers moved to Morgan County with his family in July and begins school Wednesday morning with the rest of Morgan County's students. Davis and Careathers chatted briefly about his experience in Kindergarten at his school in northwest Georgia, and Careathers answered with a firm "No" when Davis asked if he had nap time in Kindergarten. Davis promised that, after recess tomorrow, he'd have a...
County waits for state's plan
By Judy A. MaxwellNews Editor Morgan County plans to sit tight and wait for the state General Assembly to re-jigger the state’s political boundary lines before it tackles redistricting. Gov. Nathan Deal is expected to call an Aug. 15 special session of the state Legislature to deal with redistricting based on 2010 Census results. This is the first time in Georgia’s history a Republican-controlled House and Senate will be involved in redrawing the boundary lines. The ideal...
Commission hung up on "Event Facility" ordinance
By Judy A. MaxwellNews EditorThe Morgan County Planning Commission roped in a proposed zoning ordinance Thursday that would have set new ground rules for holding outdoor events in the county, including a proposal to open an arena for rodeos.With board member Tom Joiner voting no, the eight-member planning commission voted 7-1 to table a proposed addition to the county zoning ordinance that would have created a new category called “Event Facilities,” which would govern commercial or...
SPLOST?vote to wait until 2012
By Judy A. MaxwellNews EditorThe Morgan County administration has decided to hold the 2013 SPLOST ballot referendum during the presidential preference primary in March 2012.County Manager Michael Lamar said after he and other county officials attended a workshop about special purpose local option sales tax planning last week in Forsyth County, they realized how little time was left before a SPLOST ballot question could be placed on November’s General Election ballot.Lamar and county...
Bennett to lead school system
By Judy A. MaxwellNews?EditorThe Morgan County Board of Education named Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Bennett to the school system’s top post Thursday evening.The roomful of teachers erupted in cheers and applause when BOE Chairman Nelson Hale made the announcement during a called meeting at BOE headquarters held specifically to name the finalist for superintendent. Bennett’s joy was obvious as the room gave him a standing ovation while he sat smiling next to his wife.Hale said...
Bennett, Quigg, Wilson left in top school post...
By Judy MaxwellManaging Editor The Morgan County Board of Education has narrowed the list of candidates seeking to be the next superintendent of the county’s school system down to three. Two of the applicants are from Morgan County’s own backyard. Dr. Ralph Bennett, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for the school district, and Dr. Mark Wilson, principal of Morgan County High School are on the short list released by the BOE last week. A third, and as equally...
Dooley to lead rally
By Judy A. MaxwellManaging Editor‘Extreme Makeover’ to hold pep rally at Morgan High School read more
BOC adopts $13.9 million annual budget
By Judy A. MaxwellManaging Editor The Morgan County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday evening to approve the $13.9 million budget for 2011-12 fiscal year. The BOC passed the budget resolution at a called meeting after County Manager Michael Lamar and County Sheriff Robert Markley agreed to work together to deal with a $30,000 revenue gap in the law enforcement budget. And BOC Chairman Mack Bohlen reminded Markley that debt the county faces for the new jail had to be paid...
County spending matches values
By Judy A. MaxwellManaging Editor The Morgan County Board of Commissioners is expected to mull a $17.4 million budget proposal for fiscal 2012 at a public hearing Thursday. The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. at BOC headquarters, is the only public hearing legally required of the BOC in relation to the first draft of the spending plan. County Manager Michael Lamar and finance director Mia Wilson both stressed Tuesday that the total amount of the budget proposal is preliminary and subject...
Despite funding set backs ACTION Inc. still...
By Judy A. MaxwellManaging EditorACTION Inc. in Morgan County has re-opened at a new location.The anti-poverty organization has moved to its new site on Monticello Highway, next to the Georgia State Patrol facility. It was shut down during the federal budget brouhaha in March when a significant portion of its $860,000 annually budgeted funds was stalled by Congress. The money was available, but ACTION had to file a revised budget with the federal government to continue to receive...
Over–collection of ELOST to lower millage rate
By Judy MaxwellManaging Editor The Morgan County Board of Education expects to roll back property tax rates in July. The reduction is because of a surplus of revenue collected through the district's ELOST II, which exceeded targeted collection by $1.7 million. Superintendent Dr. Stan DeJarnett told the BOE Monday evening that the $3 million remaining in the special sales tax fund includes the surplus. "At some point we are going to move the $1.76 million of the $3 million to roll...
Redistricting presents seismic shift
Judy A. MaxwellManaging Editor Morgan County citizens can expect to be part of a historical shift in political districts this year as government leaders reapportion the county's five districts. "It's going to be pretty significant," said Bobby Howington, director of the county's board of elections and voter registration. Georgia experienced population growth in the past decade, according to the 2010 Census results, and it will gain a 14th seat in the U.S. House of...
MCPS, Kiddy Land buck Deal's PreK cuts
Judy A. MaxwellManaging Editor Two Georgia Pre-Kindergarten Programs in Morgan County will not have to reduce the number of school days available to local 4-year-olds next year. The Morgan County Primary School and Kiddy Land Early Learning Center Inc. have found the money needed to offer the publicly funded program for 180 days, a typical academic year, after Gov. Nathan Deal reduced the program to 160 days a year. Deal said the cuts are necessary to weather the state's tough economic...

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