FILE PHOTO - According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, transportation contributes about 10% of air pollution in the region. (John McCosh/Georgia Recorder)
(Georgia Recorder) — The American Lung Association’s 2025 annual air quality index gives failing grades to Georgia’s population center for smog and air pollution.
The American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” report, released Wednesday, ranks Atlanta third worst in ozone pollution and fourth worst in year-round counts for particle pollution in the Southeast. The association’s 28th annual report examines data during a three-year window from 2021 to 2023, a period during the transition out of a pandemic that kept the roads clearer due to more people working from home.
Atlanta’s grade also slips from a C to F for ground-level ozone pollution after recording 5.5 unhealthy days per year compared to 1.8 days in the 2024 report.
Atlanta’s ozone emissions ranks 48th worst out of 228 cities across the country, which is the third worst metro area in Southeast. Atlanta ranked 67th worst nationally in the Lung Association’s 2024 findings.
The 2025 report issued Atlanta a failing grade for short term spikes in particle pollution levels recorded above the federal standard.
Atlanta, which received a failing grade in 2024, was ranked 34th worst out of 204 nationally and tied for fourth worst metro area in the Southeast.
The report measures levels of ozone, which is one of the components of smog that becomes worse during the summer as Georgia’s dog days set in. The program also tracks the amount of particle pollution emitted from industrial sources such as power plants.
Nearly half of the U.S. population live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution, the report says.
Danna Thompson, advocacy director for the Lung Association in Georgia, said that poor air quality, particularly caused by ozone, poses a health risk to children and the elderly, as well as people suffering with pre-existing conditions like asthma or heart disease.
She said it’s important that commuters help reduce emissions, especially in metropolitan areas where the amount of smog is affected by the number of cars and trucks traveling along roads and highways.
“When heading into higher temperatures in the summer in the South, we certainly really encourage people to consider taking and using other forms of transportation, whether it’s biking, walking, taking trains, because cars and the trucking industry do impact air quality,” Thompson said.
According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, there has been a significant reduction in air pollution emissions since 2010. ARC publishes online transportation-related emissions data, which has included Environmental Protection Agency data since 2020.
According to the regional commission, transportation contributes about 10% of air pollution in the region, while power generation and manufacturing are also major sources of air pollution.
Thompson said the lung association is concerned about the potential rollback to Clean Air Act regulations that are designed to protect the public and environment.
Last week, President Donald Trump administration’s EpA granted a two-year exemption allowing several power plants across the nation, including Georgia Power’s coal-firing Plant Bowen and Plant Scherer bypass federal emission regulations for mercury and other air pollutants.
Thompson said it’s tough to determine what is the largest factor that changes the levels of pollution recorded on a year to year basis.
Thompson said the report highlights the need for the EPA to set up more air quality monitors in Georgia since only 27 of 159 counties currently have the equipment used to measure how safe air is.
“It’s hard to pinpoint one factor that causes the air quality to be worse,” she said. “ The ozone is like a powerful oxidant. It’s like household bleach. When it’s inhaled, ozone damages the tissues in our respiratory tract.”
The 2025 American Lung Association report other notable findings for Georgia include Augusta ranking among cleanest in the nation for ozone smog while also tying for fourth worst in the Southeast for year-round level of particle pollution.
Savannah was downgraded from an “A” to a “B” because of higher levels of ozone smog.
The Baldwin City Council will hold a special called meeting on Thursday, April 24. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
The Baldwin City Council has announced a special called meeting for Thursday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom, located at 155 Willingham Avenue in Baldwin.
According to the agenda, the council will enter an executive session during the meeting to discuss personnel matters. This portion of the meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with legal provisions governing confidential discussions.
While the executive session will be private, the council may make an announcement and take a formal vote in open session if any decisions result from the closed-door discussion.
Residents are encouraged to attend the public portion of the meeting to stay informed about any developments that may be shared following the executive session.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing executive orders in the Oval Office on April 23, 2025. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon look on. (White House livestream image)
WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — President Donald Trump signed a series of education-focused orders Wednesday related to accreditation in higher education, school discipline policies, historically Black colleges and universities, artificial intelligence in education and workforce development.
The executive orders are the latest in a slew of efforts from Trump to dramatically reshape the federal role in education. Last month, Trump called on U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of her own agency.
In one executive order, Trump aims to “overhaul” college accreditation, setting up more of a clash between his administration and higher education as they look to reform the system responsible for ensuring institutions meet quality standards.
The order directs McMahon to hold accreditors accountable by “denial, monitoring, suspension, or termination of accreditation recognition, for accreditors’ poor performance or violations of federal civil rights law,” according to a White House fact sheet.
The order also directs McMahon and Attorney General Pam Bondi to “investigate and take action to terminate unlawful discrimination by American higher education institutions, including law schools and medical schools.”
During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to fire “radical Left accreditors,” claiming they “have allowed our colleges to become dominated by Marxist Maniacs and lunatics.”
AI in education
Trump also signed an executive order aimed at advancing artificial intelligence in education. The order calls for a White House task force on AI education that will help agencies implement a “Presidential AI Challenge” and establish public-private partnerships to provide resources for AI education in K-12 schools.
The order also directs McMahon to “prioritize the use of AI in discretionary grant programs for teacher training and directs the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to prioritize research on the use of AI in education,” according to a White House fact sheet.
The order also calls for Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, by collaborating with the director of the National Science Foundation, to “work with State and local workforce organizations and training providers to identify and promote high-quality AI skills education coursework and certifications across the country.”
Job training
Another order directs McMahon, Chavez-DeRemer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to “modernize American workforce programs to prepare citizens for the high-paying skilled trade jobs of the future,” according to a White House fact sheet.
The order asks the Cabinet members to review federal workforce programs and refocus programs to train workers in industrial manufacturing.
Trump and Lutnick framed the order as part of the administration’s moves this month to place tariffs on every trading partner, with particularly high levies on goods from China.
“All those factories that you’re bringing in because of your trade policy, we’re going to train people” to work in them, Lutnick said.
Following the signings, Trump took several questions on his tariffs policy, acknowledging the rate on China was “high” but saying that was by design to hurt Chinese manufacturers.
“It basically means China is not doing any business with us, essentially, because it’s a very high number,” he said. “So when you add that to the price of a product, you know, a lot of those products aren’t going to sell, but China is not doing any business.”
Other orders
Other education-related executive orders signed Wednesday include:
an order establishing a White House initiative on historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, and a “President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs” within the Education Department.
WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — A handful of leading U.S. Senate Democrats on Wednesday asked the Social Security Administration’s acting inspector general to examine how reductions in staff, closing some regional offices and other changes implemented by the Trump administration have impacted the safety net program.
“These actions have already created a chilling effect among the agency’s workforce, with several senior SSA officials with centuries’ worth of institutional knowledge and experience having already left the agency,” the five senators wrote in a letter. “We are concerned that this hostile environment will foster burnout, low morale, higher attrition, and worse productivity among employees.
“Collectively, this will undoubtedly lead to disruption in benefit payments and increasing barriers for Americans to access their Social Security benefits.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Special Committee on Aging ranking member Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., signed the letter.
They requested the office look into how the changes have impacted customer service throughout the agency, the speed of disability appeals hearings and how quickly employees can process clearances, among other requests.
The senators asked the acting inspector general to share quarterly updates on the effects “of the agency reorganization and any future workforce reductions” on customer service.
The Social Security Administration’s office of the inspector general didn’t immediately respond to a request from States Newsroom about whether the independent watchdog would respond to the letter.
Staff cuts
The Trump administration released a plan earlier this year to reduce the Social Security Administration’s workforce from 57,000 to 50,000 and close six of its ten regional offices.
The Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner also announced that the agency would reduce its budget by $800 million during the current fiscal year through freezing SSA and Disability Determination Services hiring and “drastically” reducing overtime within that division, canceling Information Technology Systems contracts and closing down office space.
U.S. DOGE Service, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has been spearheading efforts within the Trump administration to cut spending and restructure the executive branch.
Musk, however, plans to shift his attention back toward his businesses starting in May after watching Tesla’s stock drop more than 40% this year, according to news reports.
Nominee pledges to reduce wait times
President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the SSA, Frank Bisignano, hasn’t yet received Senate confirmation but did pledge during his hearing in March that if approved, he would ensure beneficiaries have the option to visit an office, use the website, or speak to a real person after calling the 1-800 number.
“On the phone, I’m committed to reducing wait times and providing beneficiaries with a better experience; waiting 20 minutes-plus to get an answer will be of yesteryear,” Bisignano said at the time. “I also believe we can significantly improve the length of the disability claim process.”
Democrats have criticized the Trump administration’s actions toward the Social Security Administration for months, arguing that staff cuts and proposed changes to how the agency operates could cause significant issues for recipients.
“Social Security is about more than retirement accounts. It’s about honoring a fundamental trust between government and people,” Biden said during the Chicago appearance. “It’s about peace of mind for those who work their whole lives, so they can rest assured they’ll have a chance to get back some of what they earned and what they deserve.”
White County Firefighter Trace Swoszowski holds Ari at the hospital while visiting her on April 22, 2025. (White County Public Safety)
White County first responders who helped save a toddler’s life in March visited her at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Tuesday to see her progress.
Ari is the child that White County Sheriff’s deputies Wesley Vandiver and Jaileen Brown rushed to help after receiving a pediatric drowning call on March 5, according to WRWH News. The deputies performed CPR until firefighters arrived to continue lifesaving efforts.
White County Firefighter Terry Stewart with Ari at the hospital in Atlanta on April 22, 2025. (White County Public Safety)
Fire Captain Jody Holland, Assistant Chief Josh Taylor, and firefighters Trace Swoszowski and Terry Stewart traveled to visit Ari and her parents, Hannah and Patrick Day. It was the first time they’d seen each other since that frightening day. A social media post by White County Public Safety described the reunion as emotional and filled with gratitude.
Ari’s recovery continues at Children’s Healthcare, where she is surrounded by her family and medical staff.
Bringing Ari home
Ari’s grandmother, Lucretia Roberts, says preparations are underway to bring Ari home. She says the toddler will require around-the-clock care.
Roberts set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for Ari’s transition from hospital to home. This includes building a ramp to access the house, modifying the living room for her to stay in, cabinet storage for all her medical supplies, and a therapy area.
Roberts says Ari’s parents “have started a new chapter in their lives that brings both joy and fear.” She adds that any amount donated will help ease their stress. “In God’s embrace, they will conquer these difficult times.”
White County firefighters with Ari, whose life they helped save after a drowning incident on March 5, 2025. White County Asst. Fire Chief Josh Taylor is pictured holding the toddler. With them are, from left, Captain Jody Holland, and firefighters Trace Swoszowski and Terry Stewart. (White County Public Safety)
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, the first responders who visited the Days posted, “Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her caregivers throughout this journey. We look forward to the day we welcome Ari back home to White County.”
Sen. Bill Cowsert, an Athens Republican, has launched a campaign for attorney general. He’s the second GOP candidate to enter the race, joining McDonough Republican Sen. Brian Strickland. No Democrats announced a bid for the seat yet. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
(Georgia Recorder) — Long-time Athens GOP state Sen. Bill Cowsert has jumped into the race for Georgia’s next attorney general.
The seat is being vacated by sitting Republican Attorney General Chris Carr, who launched his campaign for governor late last year. Carr has been the state’s top law enforcement official for nearly a decade.
Cowsert, who was first elected to the Senate in 2006, touted his work on a special investigative committee focused on Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, whose office indicted President Donald Trump and 18 others in the 2020 election interference case. Willis was disqualified last year by the Georgia’s Court of Appeals for misconduct because of a relationship she had with the special prosecutor in the case, and that case has largely stalled.
A controversial bill sponsored by Cowsert this year expands that committee’s scope to also examine groups affiliated with Stacey Abrams after the New Georgia Project, a left-leaning voter engagement organization she founded, settled long-running ethics allegations in January.
If elected, Cowsert said he would work to make sure “illegal immigrants, sex traffickers, violent gangs and fentanyl pushers are too afraid to cross the state line.”
He also took a swipe at his hometown.
“Let me be clear. I will use every power allowed by law to slam the door shut on sanctuary cities like my hometown of Athens,” he said. “Our Georgia will no longer tolerate the musings of extremist liberals more concerned with hurting the feelings of Venezuelan gang members in our country illegally than they are with keeping young women from being brutally murdered and raped. Her name was Laken Riley. We will say her name, and we will not allow this to happen again in Georgia.”
Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student who was killed in February 2024 while jogging at the University of Georgia. A Venezuelan immigrant authorities say crossed into the U.S. illegally, Jose Ibarra, was sentenced to life in prison last year. Riley’s murder became a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration.
Cowsert, who grew up in Macon, is the founding partner of Cowsert Heath LLP in Athens, a “small town” law firm that handles cases from northeast Georgia down to Macon, according to its website. He also chairs the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
Cowsert will face fellow Sen. Brian Strickland in the GOP primary for the seat. Strickland, a McDonough Republican and attorney who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, became the first candidate for attorney general when he filed his paperwork early this month just before lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 legislative session.
No Democrats have announced a bid for the office yet.
Qualifying for the 2026 election is still a year away, but the prospect of open seats in a competitive state has prompted many candidates to get a jumpstart on the campaign trail.
The Habersham County Board of Tax Assessors discusses countywide reevaluation project at a regular meeting Tuesday, April 22 (Brian Wellmeier/nowhabersham.com)
Overall property values could climb by an average of at least 18% as a countywide reassessment of residential, commercial, and industrial land throughout Habersham wanes into its final phases.
The estimated figures came during a regular meeting among Habersham’s Board of Tax Assessors, county officials, and services firm McCormick & Associates Tuesday, April 22.
Certain residential property values could rise by 17% compared to last year, while commercial values may see increases of up to 20%, according to Kelly McCormick of McCormick & Associates, who is leading the countywide reappraisal.
McCormick stressed the 17% increase reflects a general adjustment, or an “overall digest change,” and may not be applied uniformly. Instead, certain properties could appreciate on a case-by-case basis.
Kelly McCormick (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
“That’s not an average change,” McCormick said. “That is adding all of the values for those same commercial properties last year, and you added the new values, that’s the difference in the two. Some of these properties aren’t changing very much, and some of them are changing a lot.”
How this started
The reappraisal project came after a state review of tax assessment procedures in Habersham County discovered various communication issues and miscalculations by employees and former board members, as well as a widely-held belief that commercial values in particular were too low.
In 2023, in response to the perceived debacle, Habersham County agreed to pay McCormick just over $1.1 million for three years to reassess residential, industrial and commercial properties across the county.
A breakdown of those funds includes $50,000 for the supervision of new software installation and $75,000 for commercial property assessments, as well as almost $1 million to reassess all other property.
“Right now, commercial (property) looks like it’s going to have the highest percent of increase,” McCormick said. “But residential makes up such a large amount – that, dollar-amount-wise, it’ll be the biggest. It’s going to be a lower percentage increase as a class, but it’ll be a larger number on the (county’s tax) digest.”
Reassessment wrapping up
New housing construction in Cornelia (nowhabersham.com)
With a chunk of properties (17,000) already reassessed by McCormick’s team of five since last October, around 5,000 still need to be reevaluated. According to McCormick, at least 300 of 800 commercial properties have been reappraised during the process. He said an actual average change for each property owner won’t be known until the reassessment is complete, and those figures could vary drastically across the board.
“It’s going to be a case-by-case basis, depending on where their property was last year,” McCormick told board members. “…as far as an average value change, it’s really going to depend on how close your value was to correct from last year.”
Still, the firm’s findings have appeared higher than past estimates.
Last summer, preliminary figures for Habersham’s latest digest suggested a 12% rise in growth – including residential, industrial and commercial property – compared to last year.
Those numbers also estimated a value of $1.4 million in revenue from industrial property, plus a total of $3.7 million from commercial property, since last year. Total values for industrial property was just over $1.4 million and $3.3 million for commercial property the previous year.
While the latest preliminary digest numbers could be available in May or June, final figures should be calculated by July, when assessment notices are due to go out to households.
“We’re hoping for June, but July would be the latest,” McCormick said.
High values, lower millage rate?
If property values rise after reassessment, the county could see a significant boost in potential revenue and even greater digest numbers. While higher values could by default trigger higher taxes, a lower millage rate could lessen that burden on homeowners.
Habersham County’s current millage rate is 12.682. A mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 in taxable property value. Property is assessed at 40% of its value in Habersham.
Habersham County Commission Chairman Jimmy Tench (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
Habersham County Commission Chairman Jimmy Tench said he’d undoubtedly support a millage rate rollback, regardless of the circumstances.
“I don’t like taxes to go up on people – not in the situations we are in right now,” Tench said. “We’re not in a good position right now to (raise taxes).”
Habersham County Commission Vice Chairman Bruce Harkness said he’d continue to push for a rollback.
“We will have to lower the millage rate because these increases in assessments is kind of a roundabout way that people’s taxes go up without commissioner involvement,” said Harkness, who indicated commercial property owners should “pay their fair share to relieve homeowners. “…I will definitely be fighting for a rollback in the millage rate to help ease this pain of the increase in the value of people’s property.”
In the wake of the projected figures, Habersham County Commissioner Ty Akins said he’s inclined to support a partial or full millage rate rollback. Still, he said, certain necessary expenses – like upgrading county fire stations in poor condition – should not be forgotten.
“We need to start knocking out one or two of those (projects),” he said. “…but I’m in that group. I’m going to support a rollback.”
‘People can’t afford to pay more taxes’
Commissioner Dustin Mealor agreed with fellow board members.
“I think that we still need to pursue a full rollback or more,” Mealor said. “The economy has definitely not gotten much better for our citizens. I don’t know why property values would’ve went up much. It seems to me home values actually retreated a little bit. But I think we need to pursue a budget that gives the citizens a full rollback. People can’t afford to pay more taxes right now.”
Habersham County commissioners, from left, Kelly Woodall, Vice-Chair Bruce Harkness, Ty Akins, and Dustin Mealor (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
Commissioner Kelly Woodall said he “believes in restricting the amount of money going into our county government, or any government,” and thus will advocate for reduced tax rates by any means.
“There never seems to be a shortage of ideas and ways to spend money when it comes to governments,” Woodall said. “We should make sure we adequately fund the government to provide the services we have committed to for our citizens and take care of the county employees who dedicate their lives to delivering those services. Any funds above this belong to the people, not the government.”
Woodall added that: “…rising valuations does not mean individuals or businesses can afford to pay taxes on that increased value. Penalizing businesses and individuals with higher taxes because their property values increased in a hyper-inflated market without taking into account the effect of inflation on their businesses and their lives in general would be unjust. Just because the property value increased, (that) doesn’t mean their incomes increased.”
With citizens coping with inflation and rising prices, Woodall went on to say, “the county must do the same.”
“The county is and will do the same in our spending and priorities,” he said. “All discussions on property reassessments and valuations should begin with the county budget and spending. If we do our best to hold spending, there should be no need for the additional revenue that could come from the reassessments.”
New software
McCormick already has implemented the widely-used WinGap software, a specialized system for property appraisal in Georgia, and replaced the county’s previous software, BI-Tek. The new system aims to streamline the process of calculating property values and enhance overall efficiency.
Habersham Board of Tax Assessors Chairman Bill Terry (Brian Wellmeier/nowhabersham.com)
Chief Appraiser Joan Church has said that some of tax office’s staff of eight employees has continued to familiarize themselves with the new software.
Bill Terry, chairman of Habersham County’s Board of Tax Assessors, said he feels positive about the ground gained since last year.
“I think McCormick is doing a fantastic job,” Terry said. “They’re pulling all the resources together to get it caught up…there have been some delays – some of which were unexpected – but we’re on track.”
Local Catholics attend Wednesday mass on April 23 at St. Mark's Catholic Church (Brian Wellmeier/nowhabersham.com)
Public mourning and tributes continue across the globe ahead of Saturday’s funeral for Pope Francis. The Argentine pontiff passed away on April 21 from a stroke. He was 88.
On Wednesday, pallbearers carried the pontiff’s body to St. Peter’s Basilica to lie in state for three days. As mourners gather in Rome’s Vatican City to pay their respects, here in Northeast Georgia, others are offering up prayers and gratitude for his spiritual guidance.
Pope Francis is being remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor, and insistent prayers for peace. After being elected as the first Latin American pope in 2013, Francis became known for his progressive stance, inspiring both admiration and debate. He frequently championed a more inclusive church – welcoming to LGBTQ individuals – and spoke out on political matters such as immigration.
To some, his views were as unorthodox as his ascension to the papacy. Francis succeeded Pope Benedict, who, due to declining health, was the first pope to step down in almost 600 years.
The body of Pope Francis lies inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, where he will lie in state for three days. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)
A pope of the people
Father Jose Raul de Leon, the priest of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Clarkesville, described Francis as a pope of the people – a holy man who sought to reach the masses directly. De Leon pointed to the name chosen by the pope, Francis, after Saint Francis of Assisi, a friar who chose a life of poverty and service of the Catholic faith and the poor.
“I think the pope came bringing a different vibe, a different attitude,” de Leon shared with Now Habersham following the pope’s death. “He was very down to earth since the very beginning. He had this priority toward the poor … this was his mission. He had a message of bringing people in, and it was very simple. Many people were able to understand his message and his words.”
De Leon said Francis, as pope, brought about the evolution of the Catholic church – not “by changing doctrines or beliefs” – but through mercy and compassion.
St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Clarkesville (Brian Wellmeier/nowhabersham.com)
“He brought that sense of freshness into the church, not so much as an institution, but as a house – a place where everyone is welcome,” de Leon said. “He touched many difficult issues, and for some people, Francis was kind of controversial because he threw things out there. But I think, in general, his heart was in making people feel that they are loved by God, regardless of their situation.”
As a priest, de Leon said Francis had a direct influence on him and the way he looks to lead his congregation – through action.
“It was that (concept of) reaching out,” he said. “Not staying in and waiting for people to come to me, but going to the periphery, going to the outside, going to the people who are not coming to church. (Francis) always used to say the phrase: ‘Smelling like the sheep.’ To be with the people – to go where people are.”
Francis’ death, for de Leon, was powerful in that it came a day after Easter, just hours after the pope had met with world leaders and delivered his final Easter message.
“Some of the last words of Pope Francis on Sunday were, ‘Your pains, your tears have been heard,'” de Leon said, recalling Francis’ Easter message. “‘God listens to you. He’s with you. He’s walking with you.’ The fact that he died a few hours after saying those words to the whole world – those words are fulfilled. God heard him…on the biggest day of the year. If there’s a day to die, it’s on Easter.”
Father Grzegorz Okulewicz begins Wednesday mass at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Clarkesville (Brian Wellmeier/nowhabersham.com)
Local reactions
“The pope has been a voice advocating for the freedom and equality, enlightened by charity, in our world – especially for the poor and those who are distraught by their socioeconomic situation among us – whether Catholic or non-Catholic,” said Father Grzegorz Okulewicz, a priest visiting St. Mark’s in de Leon’s absence Wednesday, April 23.
Tom Rios, the lead sacristist at St. Mark’s, also spoke of the pope’s impact on the Catholic faith as a whole.
For many, many years, people will realize that for his whole life, (Francis) wanted to be with God,” he said. “God willing, that’s what happened…we’re more happy than sad that he is where he wanted to be. As we are sinners coming into the faith, we’re being called to help others, to help the homeless, to help the food banks – everything that supports our community and other communities, so that we’re a model. This is what (Francis) always wanted us to be.”
Local Catholics pray before Wednesday mass at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Clarkesville (Brian Wellmeier/nowhabersham.com)
Baldwin Mayor Stephanie Almagno, a Catholic, described Francis as “a person who could distill the essence of an idea to its most fundamental position, and then share that essence.”
“For me, Pope Francis lived the fundamental and universal teaching of Jesus Christ: We are called to love and be in service to each other,” Almagno said. “The pope’s spirit resonated with little children and world leaders alike because all who heard Pope Francis received this same message of compassion. I believe that if I lead with empathy and compassion in all my life choices, I will honor the teachings of Jesus. Pope Francis demonstrated that to lead with compassion and empathy is not weakness but the highest calling. He was a true servant-leader.”
In Athens on Monday, students at the Catholic Center on the University of Georgia campus mourned the pope’s death, with many stopping by to pray, according to WUGA News.
What’s next
The public mourning period will end on Friday at 7 p.m. local time.
Local Catholics pray at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Clarkesville (Brian Wellmeier/nowhabersham.com)
Cardinals met at the Vatican on Tuesday to schedule Francis’ funeral and burial, and plan the conclave to elect his successor and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church.
Two conservative cardinals have bowed out of the upcoming conclave to elect the next pope. That brings the number of cardinal electors to 133 and deprives the conservative bloc of two necessary votes, according to AP News.
The Archdiocese of Valencia on Wednesday confirmed that Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, 79, will not be attending due to his health. Bosnian Cardinal Vinko Puljic, 79, will similarly not attend for health reasons, the Croatian HRT public broadcaster reported.
Cardinals have not yet said when the conclave would begin, but it could be as soon as May 5.
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins will deliver the keynote address at Piedmont University’s 2025 Commencement Ceremonies. The ceremonies will take place on May 9 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Johnny Mize Athletic Center & Museum on the Demorest campus.
Secretary Collins, sworn in as the 12th Secretary of Veterans Affairs on February 5, oversees care and benefit services for over nine million veterans nationwide.
The Gainesville native earned a degree in political science and criminal justice from the University of North Georgia. He also holds a master’s degree in divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
“We are deeply honored to welcome Secretary Collins,” said Piedmont University President Marshall Criser. “His commitment to service and leadership is an example we hope will inspire our graduates as they move forward into their own careers.”
The university will livestream both commencement ceremonies on its website and social media channels.
The Johnny Mize Athletic Center & Museum is located at 280 Laurel Avenue in Demorest.
Stephens County Commission (Brian Wellmeier/nowhabersham.com)
Stephens County took a major step toward renewable energy and long-term taxpayer savings after approval of the installation of a solar panel system adjacent to the county jail.
The project, at just over $1.1 million, was unanimously approved by the Stephens County Commission during its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 22.
Much of the funds spent will be returned to the county as part of a federal initiative, according to officials, while substantially reduced power/utility expenses are expected over the course of time. As planned, the net project cost will come out at just over $790,000.
Stephens County Administrator Christian Hamilton told board members the benefit would be an “immediate offset of utility costs at the jail” and that, “over the life of the panels,” the county will save money.
“It will tap into the transformer right outside of the jail,” Hamilton said following Tuesday’s meeting. “It will be used to offset the energy cost.”
While, for now, it’s unclear exactly how many panels could be installed, county officials reiterated the notion of significant savings to the taxpayers.
Currently, according to Hamilton, electricity costs at the jail amount to around $70,000 annually. With the addition of the solar panels, Hamilton said that cost could drop below $20,000 a year.
Another incentive – a federal tax credit rebate totaling 30% of the project cost, which Stephens County will receive.
Stephens County Commissioner Chris Rickman, who motioned to approve the item, commended county staff for discovery of the tax credit.
“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Rickman said. “I think it’s a step forward for the county to be – like (Hamilton) mentioned – one of the first (counties) in the region to do it. It’s something that’s going to benefit Stephens County as a whole for a long time.”
Officials say installation of the solar panels is expected to be completed before the height of summer.
Virginia Cole Parks, age 72, of Mt. Airy, passed away on Friday, April 18, 2025. Born in Atlanta on April 15, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Calvin Cole, Sr. and the late Catherine Bryant Cole.
Virginia graduated from Riley Training Institute as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and dedicated her time to volunteering at nursing homes. She later attended South Georgia Technical College, earning her Early Childhood Education Diploma and serving as a paraprofessional. In 2013, Virginia returned to school to further her education in Criminal Justice Technology at North Georgia Technical College, with the goal of volunteering to help at-risk children.
Family was everything to Virginia, and she cherished the time spent camping with her husband, Bobby. A devoted follower of Jesus, she loved worshiping with her family and her church community at The Torch. In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Joe Parks, Sr., and her brother, Calvin Cole, Jr.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Kaitlynn Parks of Monticello; daughter and son-in-law, Teresa P. and Gary Lumsden of Mt. Airy; brother, Truman Cole (Becky) of Sylvester; sisters, Roxanne Cole (Ricky Creech) of Moultrie, Rhonda Kimsey (Kerry) of Hartsfield, and Terri Hancock (Scott) of Tipton; sister-in-law, Debbie Cole of Leesburg; grandchildren, Rachel Graffam (Jessie) of Quitman, Matthew Lumsden (Aly) of Burnsville, MN, Hunter Parks of Leesburg, Dillon Lumsden and Samuel Lumsden of Suwannee, Zoey Parks and Chloe Parks of Monticello; great-grandchildren, Avery Jane Graffam of Quitman and Lara Lumsden of Burnsville, MN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Zion Hill Baptist Church, 678 Twin Pines Road, Cordele, GA 31015. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Mass General Hospital at www.angiopathy.org/support-us to help find a cure for CAA.
