The Mt. Airy Town Council discusses the new Homestead Exemption Law during its meeting Friday evening. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
The Mt. Airy Town Council met Friday evening for a called meeting to finalize the town’s 2025 budget, approve participation in a new first responder PTSD funding program, and discuss the allocation of remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The meeting, which was held at Town Hall, addressed several key topics for the town’s financial planning and public safety.
Budget public hearing
The meeting began with a scheduled public hearing for the proposed 2025 general fund budget. Mayor Ray McAllister opened the floor for public comments on the budget, which was balanced at $433,050. No residents spoke during the hearing, and the council moved to close the session.
Homestead exemption and FLOST
Following the budget hearing, McAllister turned to the discussion of House Bill 451, which addresses the Statewide Floating Homestead Exemption and the Flexible Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST). This new law, which goes into effect on January 1, 2025, gives local governments the option to participate in the new provisions or “opt out.”
McAllister explained that if the town chooses to participate in the program, no action would be required. However, if the council decides to opt out, they would need to schedule three public hearings between January 1 and March 1, 2025, and pass a resolution formally opting out. He noted the complexity of the law and suggested the council take time to further research its details before making a decision.
The council took no action on the matter during the meeting, opting to gather more information before making a final decision. However, there was some discussion among the council that the town may opt out.
First responder PTSD fund
The council then turned to a discussion about the First Responder PTSD Program Fund, which is part of the mandates of House Bill 451. The fund is designed to help first responders cope with the psychological toll of witnessing traumatic events in the course of their duties.
McAllister presented the estimated cost for Mt. Airy’s participation in the PTSD fund: $148 per year, billed in two six-month increments. The council unanimously approved the town’s participation in the program, which will be managed through the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) in partnership with the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency.
ARPA fund allocation
One of the key topics discussed was the remaining balance of the town’s ARPA funds. McAllister recommended allocating approximately $46,500 of the $67,483.32 in remaining funds towards the purchase of a new patrol vehicle, with the remaining funds earmarked for public safety salaries and payroll taxes.
Councilman Ken Moore made the motion to approve the Mayor’s recommendation, which was seconded by Councilman Mike McCoy. However, during the ensuing discussion, Councilman Adam Tullis raised concerns that the funds might be better spent on public safety salaries rather than a new vehicle. He noted that the town’s current patrol vehicle, which has just over 50,000 miles, could be repaired and used for a few more years, especially given that SPLOST funds had already been earmarked for a patrol vehicle for future purchase.
Police Chief Jaime Bowden added that part of the public safety funds in SPLOST would go toward purchasing new police radios, and cautioned that the cost of the radios could exceed the remaining $20,000. Councilman Chris Green suggested that the entire ARPA fund could be allocated to public safety salaries, with the patrol vehicle purchase postponed using SPLOST funds.
After further discussion, Moore withdrew his motion. Tullis then made a motion to allocate all of the remaining ARPA funds to public safety salaries and payroll taxes, a motion that passed unanimously. With this decision, the town’s general fund budget increased to $500,533, while remaining balanced.
The Mt. Airy Town Council is set to meet again on Monday, January 6, 2025, for its regularly scheduled meeting to kick off the new year. The meeting will be held at Town Hall at 1231 Dicks Hill Parkway in Mt. Airy.
Nora Almazan, pictured to the right, with the inspiration for her book, sister Jennie.
She wants to fly higher than birds and run faster than cheetahs. She wears a red cape with a gold “A’ emblazoned on the back. The “A’ stands for autism. Meet Jennie and the author who brought her story to life, her sister, Nora Almazan.
Jennie was born in 1977. Up until that time, treatment for autism was very limited. According to the National Autism Center at May Institute, most children diagnosed on the autism spectrum were placed in institutions far from the public eye to live out their lives.
Although Jennie’s family kept her sheltered for several years, by the time Nora was in high school, she began working closely with her sister, focusing initially on her communication skills.
“I would go with her to special classes and camps for children with disabilities. I learned basic sign language to better communicate with Jennie and help her with signing or spelling words,” Almazan explained.
Jennie is a young girl with autism who discovers her own special abilities in the self-published children’s book “Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers.” Inspired by her sister, Jennie Cordell, to write the book, Now Habersham’s Nora Almazan enlisted the help of local artist Jason Fowler to illustrate it. (Amazon Digital Services, 2024)
After graduating high school, Nora attended the University of Georgia. Her dad bought a house in Athens so Jennie could get specialized help at UGA. Nora continued working with her sister on communicating and other life skills, including eating properly and dressing herself.
“Jennie has made progress. She developed a habit of taking off her clothes whenever she wanted to. She doesn’t do that anymore. We’ve worked on eating properly. She now knows to take her plate and utensils to the counter when she is finished eating. She is 47 years old, and even though we aren’t sure of her mental capacity, I think she understands more than she is given credit for.”
According to the National Institute for Health (NIH), about 25 to 35% of children diagnosed with autism are nonverbal. Just because someone is nonspeaking does not mean they’re non-thinking.
For example, notable figures throughout history, including Wolfgang Mozart, Albert Einstein, and Isaac Newton, showed signs of autism and have been recognized for their exceptional intellectual abilities.
The author and caregiver
Nora’s book, Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers, was written after her dad passed away. Soon after her book was finished, her mom fell. Now, Nora cares for her mom, three foster children from Guatemala, and her sister Jennie, who moved in with her last year at her home in Clarkesville, Georgia.
The eponymous character, Jennie Jenkins, imagines running faster than a cheetah in the book, “Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers: A Book About Autism,” written by Nora Almazan and illustrated by Jason Fowler. (Amazon Digital Services, 2024)
No wonder Jennie has superpowers; some of that energy and ability must have rubbed off from her sister Nora.
Jennie inspired the book, but the story also came from Nora’s heart, not only for her sister’s challenges but for any child with intellectual disabilities or behavioral difficulties.
“I believe there is more awareness now of what children need to be successful, especially those with special needs and abilities. We must be more vocal about differences and similarities and celebrate those. I wanted to be one of those voices,” said Almazan, who, besides writing books, reports for Now Habersham.com.
She has read Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers in classrooms, and it resonated with special needs children, especially those with autism.
One little boy proudly stood up after Almazan read the book in a Special ED class and said, “That’s me! I have that! I’m a Superhero!”
When Nora reads Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers, students love it! (photo submitted)
Facts about autism
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism prevalence has increased 178% since 2000.
About 1 in 36 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to estimates from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.
ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
ASD is nearly 4 times more common among boys than girls.
About 1 in 6 (17%) children aged 3–17 years were diagnosed with a developmental disability, as reported by parents, during a study period of 2009–2017. These included autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, blindness, and cerebral palsy, among others.
From “Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers,” written by Nora Almazan and illustrated by Jason Fowler. (Amazon Digital Services, 2024)
Social communication and interaction skills can be challenging for children with ASD. Examples of social communication and social interaction characteristics related to ASD can include:
Avoids or does not keep eye contact
Does not respond to name by 9 months of age
Does not show facial expressions such as happy, sad, angry, and surprised by 9 months of age
Does not play simple interactive games like pat-a-cake by 12 months of age
Uses few or no gestures by 12 months of age (for example, does not wave goodbye)
Does not share interests with others by 15 months of age (for example, shows you an object that they like)
Does not point to show you something interesting by 18 months of age
Does not notice when others are hurt or upset by 24 months (2 years) of age
Does not notice other children and join them in play by 36 months (3 years) of age
Does not pretend to be something else, like a teacher or superhero, during play by 48 months (4 years) of age
Nora includes Jennie in routine tasks like grocery shopping. (photo submitted)
Authoritative parenting is often considered the most effective and balanced approach for children with autism. It combines clear expectations with warmth and support, which can help children feel secure while promoting their development.
Nora has involved Jennie as much as possible in everyday life experiences, including eating out at restaurants and shopping trips. These skills teach her to become more independent. That is exactly how Vikki Voorhees Condrey is raising her adopted son.
Adopting a child with autism
Luca came to live with his grandmother in Dawsonville, Georgia, when he was five years old. Vikki and her husband, James, started the process of adopting him in 2018. Luca’s biological father refused to legitimize him, which slowed the undertaking, but in August 2022, the adoption became a reality.
“It hasn’t always been easy. I can remember being asked to leave restaurants and other public places with Luca. There’s been a lot of training and coaching on what to do and how to act. He has come a long way in the past nine years. Time outs and positive reinforcement have helped,” explained Condrey.
Luca came to live with Vikki and her husband in November 2015, just before his 5th birthday. (photo submitted)
Luca has become a quick learner with her guidance and through his school where teachers seemed to understand him. He has learned to count to 100. He likes music, art, swimming, therapeutic horseback riding, and gymnastics.
As the adopted mother of a child with autism, Condrey advises not to plug an autistic child in front of the TV or an iPad but to acclimate them to real-life activities. That includes what they eat.
“Food therapy is important. Whether eating out or cooking at home, I try and introduce Luca to a new food every day. His diet and daily physical and mental activities keep him healthier.”
Vikki’s husband, James, passed away earlier this year. She runs a business. She and Luca now support each other.
“Luca has chores at home. He brings in the groceries and takes out the trash. He lets the dog out and feeds our cat.”
Vikki makes sure Luca stays active with swimming lessons,
…therapeutic riding,
…and gymnastics. He seems to enjoy it all. (photos submitted)
Superpower or not – You Matter
“I’m seeing a generation of kids whose parents are involved with their careers and absorbed in social media. I feel that children are being left behind to find their own value. Part of the reason for the book was to help them understand their value,” explained Nora Almazan.
Vikki Voorhees Condrey agrees that Nora’s concept of including “people that aren’t like you” is invaluable.
Pam Stevens wishes there had been a book like “Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers” when she was teaching special education. (photo submitted)
“I think books like Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers should be required reading! I can’t wait to read it to Luca. I like to read to him, and he loves turning the pages.”
Pam White Stevens taught Special Education in Memphis, Tennessee, for 28 years. Although it was a challenging career that required much patience, she loved it so much that she would have done it for no pay.
“I loved Nora’s book. It would be great for any Special ED teacher to read in their classroom, and it could help parents of any child to better understand and respect children with autism,” said Stevens.
Nora also authored another book called You Matter. It perfectly describes the uniqueness of every child and all the wonderful ways we can express ourselves. It’s about the adventures of Tony Baloo, an overstuffed bear who found himself on the shelf of a second-hand store, who wants everyone to know “You Matter” and that being different is as wonderful as being similar.
“You Matter” was written by Nora and illustrated by Jason Fowler. (Amazon Digital Services, 2021)
Both Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers and You Matter showcase the need for everyone to understand that what makes us different also makes us special.
Autism and your child’s future
Families of children with autism and support organizations across the country have a common goal: to help Jennie, Luca, and the more than 5 million people in the U.S. live life fully. Like Nora and Vikki, they include being hands-on with daily coaching for everyday tasks and responsibilities that many might take for granted.
There are also numerous options for kids who want to go to college. According to Yellow Bus ABA Therapy Services, some of the highest-rated colleges for autistic students include the University of Alabama, the University of Arkansas, and California State University. You can visit their website here for more information and to learn about scholarship opportunities.
Vikki helped, but Luca did much of the work on a K’nex set to build a Ferris wheel. He applauded when he finished it. (photo submitted)
If higher education isn’t a good fit for your child, there are also employment options.
“Luca is now 14 years old, but at some point, I believe he could have a part-time job even for only three hours or so a day. He is great at sorting and organizing,” said Condrey.
Getting a job for a person with autism can be difficult as they might not know what their skills are or have trouble keeping a job with needs that are different from other typical employees.
These employers have been identified as a good match for someone with autism:
AMC Theaters: Works with the FOCUS program, which gives autistic people the same opportunities to earn wages and benefits as typical associates.
Chevron: Works with PathPoint, which helps place people with autism into jobs that match their skills well.
CVS: Works with people with autism to provide job training and connect them with a job coach who can help them find a job that meets their skills.
Ford: Developed FordInclusiveWorks to help those with autism get jobs in the company and combat issues that people with autism face in keeping jobs.
Google: States on its website that they accept, thrive, and benefit from the skills that people with autism bring to the workforce. They also allow for accommodations during the interview and training processes.
Grocery Stores (Kroger, Giant Eagle, etc.): Many grocery stores will hire people with autism of all ages, from teens to adults, to do entry-level jobs such as bagging, cart return, and stocking.
Home Depot: Both CVS and Home Depot work with the same group to help those with autism get job training and match their skills to jobs. According to the company, 1,000 people with autism have been matched with jobs at Home Depot to date.
JP Morgan Chase: Launched the Autism at Work program to hire those with autism and allow them access to needed accommodations in the workforce.
Lowe’s: Has won many awards for its inclusive workplace. Once hired, the company offers many opportunities, such as scholarships, tuition reimbursement, job coaching, and skill training.
Walgreens: Works with the group “retail employees with disabilities” and has a special evaluation process for those with disabilities to ensure they are placed in a job that promotes and uses their strengths.
Walmart: Scored a 100% on the Disability Equality Index (which measures how well a company is doing with hiring, training, and keeping employees with disabilities).
It takes a team
Nora’s words brought Jennie’s story to life, but it wouldn’t have been the same without the illustrations by Jason Fowler. He is also the author of several children’s books. To learn more about his work, click here.
“Jason has a heart for children like I do. It was a great team effort for the book.”
Nora Almazan, Jennie Cordell, and Jason Fowler brought all their talents, skills, and ‘superpowers’ together to bring to life the inspiring children’s book, “Jennie Jenkin’s Superpowers.” (Amazon Digital Services, 2024)
Everyone has a valuable skill, whether it’s a superpower or not. For all the children who have been diagnosed with autism or will be in the future, Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers and You Matter could be a great place to start on the journey. Both books are available through Amazon. To order Jennie Jenkins’ Superpowers, click here. To order You Matter, click here.
ELBERTON – A North Carolina man has died from injuries sustained in an ATV accident in Elberton before Christmas, Elbert County Coroner Chuck Almond said.
Richard Scott Hudson, 45, of Arden, North Carolina, was involved in a single-vehicle accident on the afternoon of Dec. 20 near River Road and Sam Tate Road. Emergency services transported Hudson to the hospital in critical condition. Almond said he died Christmas Eve.
The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.
Hall County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Unit (AIU) deputies arrested an Oakwood man on a list of traffic offenses from two hit-and-run vehicle crashes on Thursday evening, Dec. 26.
According to the preliminary investigation, Mateo Fernandez, 23, was driving a 2008 GMC Yukon on the wrong side of the road on Memorial Park Drive and struck another vehicle at Centennial Drive. He fled the scene of the crash, which resulted in minor injuries to the driver whose vehicle he struck, says sheriff’s office spokesperson Derreck Booth.
“Several minutes later, Fernandez crashed into a trash can and mailbox on Mountain View Road at Hilldale Road. He again left the scene of the crash but was detained by Oakwood Police Department Officers on Mountain View Road at Holiday Lane,” says Booth.
AIU deputies arrested Fernandez and cited him for the following offenses:
Driving under the influence
Open container violation
Duty to stop at accident (hit and run, leaving scene) – two counts
Failure to maintain lane – two counts
Driving on the wrong side of the roadway
Driving while license suspended/revoked
Tires – no metal tire contact on any roadways
According to online jail records, Fernandez remains in jail on a $6,300 bond.
Alberto Rodriguez and Alicia Sosa, posing for a photo on the square, plan to bring new Cuban restaurant to Clarkesville (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
A new Cuban restaurant is coming to Clarkesville’s downtown square, and the name might seem familiar among food connoisseurs across North Georgia.
Husband and wife Alberto Rodriguez and Alicia Sosa, owners of The Hush Cuban Kitchen and Bar in Clayton, now plan to bring their unique taste of Cuban cuisine to Habersham County early next year.
Meet the owners
In 2019, Rodriguez and Sosa opened The Hush in Clayton with a vision. Together, combining their unique skill sets – his in culinary arts and hers in business – have since filled a void for Latin American-style dishes in Rabun County.
Rodriguez brings an impressive 28 years of experience as a five-star chef. Throughout his career, he’s worked at prestigious restaurants across the southeast U.S. – including stints at the Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood and the Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek (Florida), as well as executive sous chef roles at notable venues like Highlands Country Club in North Carolina.
Alberto Rodriguez and Alicia Sosa come together for a photo inside the future location of The Hush in Clarkesville (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
All of it, combined, serves as a wealth of knowledge that shaped his expertise and sharpened his culinary craft.
Sosa, who Rodriguez described as “the brains” of their success, has spent years building her business acumen, particularly through management positions that have sharpened her ability to run The Hush’s operations. Her entrepreneurial eye was pivotal in navigating the challenges of maintaining a newly-opened restaurant amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hush in Clayton
The initial days of The Hush location in Clayton were not easy, according to the couple.
Opening just before the pandemic hit, the restaurant first launched as a BBQ joint in hopes of matching the taste of the local community. But when the pandemic forced businesses nationwide to adapt, Rodriguez and Sosa found themselves at a crossroads.
There were times when Rodriguez considered aborting the idea of a restaurant entirely. But, he said, Sosa’s determination kept him going.
The HUSH Cuban Kitchen & Bar opened in Clayton, GA, just before the pandemic. (Joy Purcell/NowHabersham.com)
“As long as one person is coming through that door, we’re keeping these doors open,” she told him.
And with that commitment, they pushed forward and The Hush reinvented itself.
“My dad always said: ‘If you want to sell potatoes, sell the best potato in town,’” Sosa said. “If you want to do something, do it right.”
Upon reopening, the couple redefined the direction of the restaurant and decided to embrace home-style Cuban food – a change more or less solidified by a popular Cuban sandwich that quickly became a customer favorite since the early days of The Hush.
And the shift to Latin-American cuisine eventually resonated with locals and even food enthusiasts from beyond Clayton.
The Hush expands to Clarkesville
Crews have spent months renovating and repainting the historic buildings where HUSH is moving into. It will be in the old Taylor’s Trolley restaurant at 1456 Washington Street on the square in Clarkesville. (Joy Purcell/NowHabersham.com)
In February, The Hush will open another location in Clarkesville (at 1456 Washington Street) in the pink building situated across from the old courthouse on the square – where the new 4,000-square-foot space will offer a seating capacity of up to 60 people in its first phase, with plans for outdoor seating in phase II.
There, Rodriguez and Sosa aim to bring the same authentic Cuban flavors to Habersham County. The menu likely will consist of traditional Cuban recipes – but with a more modern presentation. And nearly all ingredients (rice, beans and fresh-cut vegetables) will be prepared and served fresh on a daily basis.
“We didn’t want to do any pretentious food,” Rodriguez said. “We wanted to do more humble, honest food. We want to offer something that we can execute every day with the same consistency for customers.”
Alongside fresh food, The Hush also will offer an extensive selection of cocktails, beer and wines, with the sangrias and mojitos standing out as favorites among regular patrons at the location in Clayton.
Why ‘The Hush’
While Rodriguez and Sosa envisioned the restaurant as a place known for hushpuppies in the beginning, they decided to keep the name despite the menu shift. Now, the name represents both the restaurant’s evolution and a nod to their beginnings.
The Cuban Lunch Pot is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. (Joy Purcell/NowHabersham.com)
Despite Rodriguez’s extensive experience as a chef, the couple’s vision for the menu is “home-style.” Not luxury, excessive, overpriced or high-end dishes. At The Hush, dishes are served to include staples of a Cuban cookbook – while also rich in flavor.
“At the end of the day, the mentality is the same,” Rodriguez said. “We want something that will exceed your expectations by not offering you too much. When you go to a Cuban restaurant, you’re not expecting a five-star type of food. But, believe me, when you step into that door and eat, we deliver an experience you were not expecting.”
‘The backbone’ of the chef
Rodriguez credits his wife and business partner for much of the restaurant’s success. For Sosa, her background at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Florida – where she worked and managed a team of 80 people for 10 years – has been a crucial element in bringing that success. And if you ask Rodriguez, she is, after all, “the backbone” of the operation.
“This is all because of her,” he said. “I follow, and she leads now. I have the most experience (in cooking) that you could have. But what she has, I’ll never have: Patience and determination…I couldn’t be what I am if it wasn’t for her.”
(Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
As a chef, Rodriguez’s career includes prestigious roles as Chef de Cuisine at NYY Steakhouse, where it was named Best North Broward Restaurant by SouthFlorida.com. He has also worked in top locations across Puerto Rico, Nevis, St. Croix, and the U.S., including high-end resorts like Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
Heath Gayton, the owner of that building in Clarkesville, said he’s waited to find an ideal tenant to lease that space for some time. And when he spoke to Rodriguez and Sosa, he knew he’d found the right ones.
“I think that’s a great spot for (The Hush),” Gayton said. “Clarkesville is changing by the day…that space is really going to transform. We wanted something great for that building, and now, I think it’s the perfect time for that.”
Rodriguez and Sosa hope to see doors open before Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14.
FILE - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a visit to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in Vienna, Va., on Jan. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her agency will need to start taking “extraordinary measures,” or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling, as early as January 14, in a letter sent to congressional leaders Friday afternoon.
“Treasury expects to hit the statutory debt ceiling between January 14 and January 23,” Yellen wrote in a letter addressed to House and Senate leadership, at which point extraordinary measures would be used to prevent the government from breaching the nation’s debt ceiling — which has been suspended until Jan. 1, 2025.
The department has in the past deployed what are known as “extraordinary measures” or accounting maneuvers to keep the government operating. But once those measures run out the government risks defaulting on its debt unless lawmakers and the president agree to lift the limit on the U.S. government’s ability to borrow.
“I respectfully urge Congress to act to protect the full faith and credit of the United States,” she said.
The news comes after President Joe Biden signed a bill into law last week that averted a government shutdown but did not include President-elect Donald Trump’s core debt demand to raise or suspend the nation’s debt limit. The bill was approved by Congress only after fierce internal debate among Republicans over how to handle Trump’s demand. “Anything else is a betrayal of our country,” Trump said in a statement.
After a protracted debate in the summer of 2023 over how to fund the government, policymakers crafted the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which included suspending the nation’s $31.4 trillion borrowing authority until Jan. 1, 2025.
Notably however, Yellen said, on Jan. 2 the debt is projected to temporarily decrease due to a scheduled redemption of nonmarketable securities held by a federal trust fund associated with Medicare payments. As a result, “Treasury does not expect that it will be necessary to start taking extraordinary measures on January 2 to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations,” she said.
The federal debt currently stands at roughly $36 trillion — which ballooned across both Republican and Democratic administrations. And the spike in inflation after the coronavirus pandemic pushed up government borrowing costs such that debt service next year will exceed spending on national security.
Republicans, who will have full control of the White House, House and Senate in the new year, have big plans to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and other priorities but debate over how to pay for them.
The Okefenokee Swamp attracts some 650,000 visits each year and is a major economic driver in Georgia's Ware, Clinch and Charlton counties. (Joe Cook/Georgia River Network)
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a step closer to becoming a UNESCO’s World Heritage site.
The U.S. Department of the Interior recently announced the nomination of the 400,000-acre refuge in Southeast Georgia will now go to the Federal Register for public review.
The World Heritage Committee, composed of representatives from 21 nations, makes the final decision on inclusion. If included in the list, the Okefenokee would join more than 1,200 cultural and natural sites of universal importance, such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Great Wall in China. If successful, the Okefenokee would be the first U.S. wildlife refuge to earn the designation.
The push comes as state regulators evaluate a permit application from an Alabama company to strip mine for titanium dioxide and other minerals near the eastern side of the refuge. The company, Twin Pines, says the effort poses no environmental risk, but academic researchers disagree.
This article comes to Now Habersham in partnership with GPB News
FILE - Rudy Giuliani speaks to reporters as he leaves the federal courthouse in New York, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge is signaling that Rudy Giuliani’s contempt hearing next Friday might not end so well for the former New York City mayor and onetime personal lawyer for President-elect Donald Trump as two Georgia election poll workers try to collect a $148 million defamation award they won against him.
Judge Lewis J. Liman in Manhattan issued an order Friday in which he was dismissive of what he described as attempts by Giuliani and his lawyer to dodge providing information to the election workers’ lawyers.
And he said the litigants should be ready at the contempt hearing to explain why he should not grant a request by lawyers for the two election workers that he make adverse inferences from evidence in the case that would put Giuliani’s Palm Beach, Florida, condominium in danger of being surrendered to satisfy the defamation award.
The judge also said he may rule on the contempt request at the hearing.
Giuliani has maintained that the Palm Beach property is his personal residence now and should be shielded from the judgment. He faces a Jan. 16 trial before Liman over the disposition of his Florida residence and World Series rings.
Lawyers for the election workers filed the contempt request after saying Giuliani had failed to turn over a lease to his Manhattan apartment, a Mercedes, various watches and jewelry, a signed Joe DiMaggio shirt and other baseball momentos. The judge ordered Giuliani to turn over the items in October.
Giuliani’s lawyers have predicted that Giuliani will eventually win custody of the items on appeal. A request for comment was sent to a lawyer for Giuliani, who was supposed to be deposed on Friday.
The contempt hearing follows a contentious November hearing in which Giuliani, a former federal prosecutor, became angry at the judge and said Liman was treating him unfairly.
Giuliani was found liable last year for defaming the two Georgia poll workers by falsely accusing them of tampering with ballots during the 2020 presidential election.
The women said they faced death threats after Giuliani falsely claimed they sneaked in ballots in suitcases, counted ballots multiple times and tampered with voting machines.
HALL COUNTY, Ga. — A Gainesville man has been charged with malice murder and aggravated assault in a Christmas Eve shooting at an encampment near Dorsey Street that left one person dead and another injured.
Demetrius Few, 37, was arrested by Gainesville Police Officers and Hall County Sheriff’s Deputies shortly after the shooting, which happened around 4 a.m. on Dec. 24.
According to the Gainesville Police Department, they responded to a report of a shooting near the Dorsey Street encampment. The shooter shot two people before fleeing the scene. Ashley Cherie Hill, of Gainesville, was pronounced dead at the scene while Marcus Robinson, 36, of Gainesville, was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment.
Witnesses and other residents at the encampment helped police quickly identify Few as the suspect. He ran away after the shooting but was found and arrested in the area a short time later.
Investigators worked through the day to build the case and collect evidence. Few is being held at the Hall County Jail and authorities say more charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
Three people were transported to the hospital following a wreck late Thursday in Alto.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, a Dodge Dart, driven by 34-year-old Sandra Pantoja of Alto, was traveling south on GA 365 in the left turn lane. She failed to yield while turning onto Ducan Bridge Road. The Dodge collided with a northbound Honda Civic driven by 19-year-old Jarim Valderrama of Gainesville.
The impact caused the Dodge to spin. The Honda veered off the roadway and struck a raised concrete island on Duncan Bridge Road.
(Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)
Both drivers and a passenger in the Honda, 18-year-old Victoria Escamilla of Cornelia, were taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville with apparent minor injuries.
Former longtime Lula councilman and WWII veteran Mordecai Wilson died on Christmas Eve at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. He was 99.
Elected to Lula City Council in 2000, Wilson remained in office for more than two decades and served until 2021.
Wilson was enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
After the war, Wilson would marry his lifelong wife, Mary. Over the years, the two would go on to foster more than a dozen children in need as kids of their own. Mary died in 2014.
Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 3, from 7-9 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Drive, in Gainesville.
A memorial service will take place at noon Saturday, Jan. 4, at Springfield Baptist Church, 6115 Hammett Street in Lula.
