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Georgia appeals court denies GOP state election chief’s bid to ban early voting the Saturday after Thanksgiving

Sen. Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker (John Bazemore/Brynn Anderson/AP)

(GA Recorder) — Georgia’s Court of Appeals has rejected Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s attempt to keep Georgians from voting in the U.S. Senate runoff on the Saturday after Thanksgiving,

On Monday evening the appeals court blocked the state’s emergency motion to nullify a Fulton County judge’s order giving Georgia counties the option to open early voting sites on Saturday, Nov. 26, which falls two days after Thanksgiving and one day after a state holiday previously named in honor of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Attorney General Chris Carr, a Republican, filed the appeal on behalf of the secretary of state claiming that state law prohibits advanced voting on Saturdays that fall within a day after a state holiday.

The secretary of state’s spokesman said after Monday’s appeals court ruling Saturday voting can go forward without further challenge.

“The court has worked its will,” spokesman Mike Hassinger said in a statement. “We believe this is something the General Assembly should clarify to avoid confusion in the future. I hope that Georgia election workers will be able to enjoy a somewhat restful day despite this decision.”

After Monday’s ruling, voters in a few of the state’s most heavily populated counties will be able to vote in the runoff election between Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and GOP challenger Herschel Walker.

Both candidates failed to get the 50% of votes needed for an outright victory in the Nov. 8 midterm election, prompting a runoff that both parties are battling to win even though Democrats already won control of the Senate this month.

Georgia State University law professor Anthony Michael Kreis noted on Monday that the appeals court ruled in favor of voter accessibility.

“We don’t have a decision on the merits or an explanation, but two things won out tonight at the Court of Appeals: (1) last minute changes in interpretation of state election law are disfavored and (2) there’s no irreparable harm to the state by erring on the side of voters #gapol,” Kreis said in a tweet.

In a press conference after the Nov. 8 midterm election, Raffensperger said he expected some counties to offer advance voting on Saturday. Raffnespeger’s state election director sent guidelines shortly afterwards stating that state law prohibits voting on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

The Georgia Democratic Party and Warnock’s campaign filed the lawsuit on Nov. 14, arguing that the ambiguous state law does not specify runoff elections and that providing more opportunities will benefit Georgians.

In the closely contested runoff, Walker may be at a disadvantage since, during the early voting period, counties with strong Democratic leanings are more likely to offer weekend voting than those with Republican majorities. Georgia counties planning to open early voting precincts this Saturday include Chatham, DeKalb and Fulton. State election officials recommend voters check the website of their county election office to see when local early voting is available.

Following the 2020 presidential election, Republican lawmakers overhauled Georgia’s voting laws in response to the unexpected loss of former President Donald Trump to Democrat Joe Biden.

Georgia law specifies that in-person voting can begin as soon as possible prior to a primary and general election, but no later than the second Monday before the runoff date. Early voting sites can be open on the third Saturday of the month if a state holiday precedes the prior weekend.

The Dec. 6 runoff, however, does not fit the timeline listed in the code since the third Saturday bleeds into the midterm certification window.

Cleveland man caught driving stolen vehicle, sheriff’s office says

A White County man faces charges in connection with a stolen vehicle from Hall County.

Saturday night, a White County Sheriff’s deputy observed a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban that was believed to have been stolen out of Hall County.

Captain Clay Hammond with the White County Sheriff’s Office says the deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as 47-year-old Brannon Bowman of Cleveland.

Hammond says further investigation confirmed the vehicle was stolen. The deputy arrested and charged Bowman with theft by receiving stolen property, which is a felony.

According to jail records, Bowman was released from the White County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond.

Single-lane closure planned on I-85 northbound bridge near Commerce

(Georgia DOT)

If you’re traveling I-85 North near Commerce on Tuesday, prepare for possible delays. The section of interstate between mile markers 144 and 145 will be down to one lane while crews conduct bridge maintenance.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says maintenance on the North Oconee River bridge will take place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on November 21. Motorists are advised to expect delays and use caution in the work zone. Law enforcement officials will be present for traffic control.

Georgia DOT and contractors statewide will observe holiday work restrictions in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no lane closures between the hours of 5 a.m. Wednesday, November 23 through 10 p.m. Sunday, November 27.

“This work serves as part of the construction of the I-85 Widening, Phase III project,” the transportation department states in a press release. “The Design-Build project will improve mobility by extending the widening from two to three lanes from US 129 to US 441 in Jackson and Banks counties.”

According to the DOT, this project will create additional capacity for “more reliable travel times and more efficient movement of freight.”

Initial activities will consist of drilling with heavier construction slated to begin soon.

Investigators look for cause of Athens apartment building fire

(photo by Athens-Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services)

Fire investigators are still trying to determine what caused a blaze that burned out several families from their apartments in Athens.

The fire broke out just before 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 18, at the University Oaks Apartments at 2360 West Broad Street. Flames could be seen shooting into the air from the two-story structure. Athens-Clarke County firefighters used two aerial ladder trucks to fight the fire from above.

Once the blaze was under control, firefighters checked the first and second-floor apartments to make sure everyone made it out safely. They also worked with property management to establish a list of names of the residents displaced by the fire. Representatives from the American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist those residents.

The fire damaged 14 units, 12 of which were occupied. According to the Red Cross, 19 adults and 8 children received assistance, while some were able to stay with friends or relatives. No injuries were reported.

“We believe that the time of day and the fact that these apartments had in-date, and working smoke alarms contributed to early warning and time for escape,” says Athens-Clarke County Fire Battalion Chief Nate Moss. “Events like these are a sobering reminder to check dates on our own smoke alarms and to regularly test them.”

Reality TV’s Chrisleys get hefty sentences in fraud case

FILE - Todd Chrisley and his wife, Julie, were driven by greed as they engaged in an extensive bank fraud scheme and then hid their wealth from tax authorities while flaunting their lavish lifestyle, federal prosecutors said, arguing the reality television stars should receive lengthy prison sentences. The Chrisleys were found guilty on federal charges in June and were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. (Facebook)

ATLANTA (AP) — Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley were sentenced Monday to lengthy prison terms after being convicted earlier this year on charges including bank fraud and tax evasion.

U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in Atlanta gave Todd Chrisley 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley got seven years behind bars, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Atlanta. Each is to serve three years supervised release afterward, and Ross also ordered them to pay restitution in an amount to be determined later.

The Chrisleys gained fame with their show “Chrisley Knows Best,” which follows their tight-knit, boisterous family. Federal prosecutors said the couple engaged in an extensive bank fraud scheme and then hid their wealth from tax authorities while flaunting their lavish lifestyle.

“The Chrisleys have built an empire based on the lie that their wealth came from dedication and hard work,” prosecutors wrote in a pre-sentencing court filing. “The jury’s unanimous verdict sets the record straight: Todd and Julie Chrisley are career swindlers who have made a living by jumping from one fraud scheme to another, lying to banks, stiffing vendors, and evading taxes at every corner.”

Attorneys for Todd Chrisley, 54, had argued in a court filing that he should not face more than nine years in prison. Lawyers for Julie Chrisley, 49, said a reasonable sentence for her would be probation with special conditions and no prison time.

The Chrisleys were convicted in June on charges of bank fraud, tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the IRS. Julie Chrisley was also convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

Peter Tarantino, 60, an accountant hired by the couple, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the IRS and willfully filing false tax returns. He was sentenced Monday to three years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Prosecutors have said the Chrisleys submitted fake documents to banks and managed to secure more than $30 million in fraudulent loans. Once that scheme fell apart, they walked away from their responsibility to repay the loans when Todd Chrisley declared bankruptcy. While in bankruptcy, they started their reality show and “flaunted their wealth and lifestyle to the American public,” prosecutors wrote, and then hid the millions they made from the show from the IRS.

The Chrisleys also submitted a false document to a grand jury that was investigating their crimes and then convinced friends and family members to lie under oath during their trial, prosecutors argued. Neither has shown any remorse and they have, instead, blamed others for their criminal conduct, prosecutors wrote.

“The Chrisleys are unique given the varied and wide-ranging scope of their fraudulent conduct and the extent to which they engaged in fraud and obstructive behavior for a prolonged period of time,” prosecutors said.

Todd Chrisley’s lawyers said in a filing that the government never produced any evidence that he meant to defraud the banks, and that the loss amount calculated was incorrect. They also noted that the offenses were committed a long time ago and said he has no serious criminal history and has medical conditions that “would make imprisonment disproportionately harsh.”

His lawyers had also submitted letters from friends and business associates that show “a history of good deeds and striving to help others.” People who rely on Chrisley — including his mother and the many people employed by his television shows — will be harmed while he’s in prison, they argued.

They urged the judge to give him a prison sentence below the guideline range followed by supervised release and restitution.

Julie Chrisley’s lawyers contended that she played a minimal role in the conspiracy and was not involved when the loans discussed in sentencing documents were obtained. She has no prior convictions, is an asset to her community and has “extraordinary family obligations,” her lawyers wrote, as they asked for a sentence of probation, restitution and community service.

The Chrisleys have three children together, including one who is 16, and also full custody of the 10-year-old daughter of Todd Chrisley’s son from a prior marriage. Julie Chrisley is the primary caregiver to her ailing mother-in-law, according to the filing.

Her lawyers also submitted letters from character witnesses describing her as “hard-working, unfailingly selfless, devoted to her family and friend, highly respected by all who know her, and strong of character.”

 

Lightbourne’s last-second shot saves #9 Tallulah Falls in win over Jefferson

Tanisha Seymour (Savannah Sanchez)

Playing in the second game of the Jackson EMC Thanksgiving Tournament at Jefferson, #9-ranked Tallulah Falls led for nearly the entire game before the host team mounted a big comeback. Still, Denika Lightbourne’s shot with three seconds to go lifted TFS to the 61-60 thrilling win.

Tallulah Falls edged Jefferson 13-11 through the first quarter and kept that pace to the tune of a 29-25 halftime advantage. In the third quarter, the Lady Indians went ahead 48-38 heading into the final quarter. Jefferson began to chip away at the lead and brought it back to a 59-59 tie with 40 seconds to go and heading to the charity stripe.

There, Jefferson got one to go up 60-59, taking its first lead of the game. Lightbourne drilled a basket with three seconds remaining to give the newly-ranked top-10 Lady Indians the victory.

Lightbourne led in scoring with 29 points, while Tanisha Seymour added 10. Allie Phasavang and Molly Mitchell had seven apiece, Haygen James had six, and Breelyn Wood two.

The Lady Indians now have a pair of wins in a row and stand at 2-1 on the season.

#5 Indians roll past Jefferson in Jackson EMC Tournament

Diego Crotta (Savannah Sanchez)

The #5-ranked Indians secured a 68-37 win against Jefferson on Monday in their second game of the Jackson EMC Thanksgiving Tournament.

Anfernee Hanna led in what was a complete team effort, scoring 19 points. However, Vlad Popescu (17 pts), Lincoln Hall (15), and Krystian Jankiewicz (12) were all in double figures as well. Diego Crotta also played a major factor in the win.

With the win, TFS moves to 3-0 on the season. The Indians will take on Berkmar on Tuesday in the Tournament Championship.

Eloise Christine Parson Wade

Eloise Christine “Weezy” Parson Wade, age 89, of Homer, passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2022.

Born on May 17, 1933, in Maysville, she was a daughter of the late Ervin Carter Parson and Minnie Magnolia Powell Parson. Mrs. Wade graduated from Banks County High School. Over the years, she was employed by the following: Baker & Taylor in Commerce, where she retired after 20 years; the Hosiery Mill in Gainesville; the Golden Pantry in Homer; Banks County High School where she retired from nutrition. Mrs. Wade was a member of Temple Baptist Church, who also attended Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. She was a lifelong resident of Banks County, but recently resided at Jackson Oaks Senior Living in Jefferson. She was loved by many, who knew her for her wonderful recipes that she enjoyed cooking. In her spare time, she also enjoyed puzzles, and traveling the United States, which she did until age 89.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie D. Wade; grandson, Adam Tailor Wade; brothers, Paul Carter Parson and Edward Parson.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, David Wade of Phoenix, Arizona, Danny Wade (Crystal) of Homer, Dwight Wade (Jean) of Homer, and Derek Wade (Lisa) of Homer; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; brother, Jasper “Jack” Parson of Warner Robins; sisters and brothers-in-law, Irene Magnolia Griggs of Anderson, South Carolina, Bonnie Parson Marchbanks (Edward) of Demorest, Vickey Parson Thomas of Homer, and Debrah Rose David (Walter) of Homer; brother-in-law, Grady White of Hall County; sister-in-law, Mary Davidson of Demorest; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the funeral home.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 pm on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Lula, with Rev. James Duncan, and Rev. Lamar Purcell officiating. Interment will follow at Temple Baptist Church Cemetery.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Steward Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of the arrangements.

Stephen Brian Beard

Stephen Brian Beard, age 79 of Clarkesville, Georgia passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022.

Born in East Point, Georgia on April 09, 1943, he was a son of the late Charlie Beard & Martha Cecil Johns Beard. Mr. Beard retired as a security guard. In his spare time, he enjoyed trout fishing and was an avid Atlanta Braves fan. Most of all, Mr. Beard loved his wife and family tremendously.

In addition to his parents, Stephen was preceded in death by his loving wife, LaWanda Staten Beard as well as his sister.

Survivors include his son & daughter-in-law, Brian, II. & Bonnie Beard of Cleveland, GA; daughters & sons-in-law, Sherrie & Michael Miranda of Clarkesville, GA; Stacie & Lance Kochen of Ocala, FL; grandchildren, Matthew Winston, Andrew Winston, Jake Beard, Amber Kochen, Megan Markowich; great-grandchildren, Beau Winston, Jackson Winston, & Elise Winston.

Mr. Beard’s wishes were to be cremated & services will be held at a later time.

An online guest registry is available for the Beard family at www.HillsideMemorialChapel.com.

Arrangements are in the care & professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel of Clarkesville, Georgia. (706) 754-6256

Flowery Branch teen charged with supplying fentanyl that killed co-worker

Brandon Jared Soto (Hall County Sheriff's Office)

A Flowery Branch teenager has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the drug overdose death of a co-worker earlier this year.

Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) investigators arrested Brandon Jared Soto on Friday, November 18. The investigation revealed Soto and the victim, Halaya Graciela Herrera, were taking fentanyl on July 12, 2022, while on the job together at a fast food restaurant in Oakwood. Herrera began to feel ill after taking the drugs and Soto transported her to her Oakwood home, where she experienced an overdose, the sheriff’s office says.

Herrera’s mother called 911 and the victim was transported to the hospital, where she died in the early morning hours of July 13.

Herrera was just a few weeks shy of her 18th birthday at the time of her death.

The ongoing investigation into Herrera’s death found Soto, who was 17 at the time of the incident, supplied the lethal dose of fentanyl to the victim.

At last check, Soto was being held without bond at the Hall County Jail.

Three injured in Hollywood wreck

A Franklin County man was seriously injured and two others were hurt in a wreck Sunday evening in Hollywood. Troopers say the crash was caused by an SUV driver who pulled into the path of a pickup towing a camper on GA 15/US 441.

The accident, which was initially reported to law enforcement as a head-on collision, happened around 5:47 p.m. on November 20 at the intersection with Talmadge Drive.

According to the state patrol, the driver of the Nissan, Garnett Pitts, 77, of Cornelia, failed to yield while turning left onto Talmadge from US 441 North. The Nissan struck the driver’s side of the Ford Super Duty truck. The impact caused the truck and camper to travel off the west shoulder of the highway into a ditch.

The pickup driver, 39-year-old Dustin McElreath of Canon, was trapped in the wreckage. First responders had to extricate him. Paramedics airlifted McElreath to Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) in Gainesville with serious injuries.

The wreck also injured Pitts and a passenger in the pickup, Lisa McElreath, 40, of Canon. EMS transported both of them to NGMC Gainesville with non-life-threatening injuries.

Traffic at the intersection was slowed for several hours as emergency crews and wreckers worked to clear the scene.

The state patrol charged Pitts with failure to yield while turning left.

An SUV ran into a pickup hauling a camper on GA 15/US 441 in Hollywood on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (nowhabersham.com)
It took emergency crews several hours to clear the scene at the intersection of GA 15/US 441 at Talmadge Drive. (nowhabersham.com)

Firefighters, forestry crews respond to woods fire near Mt. Airy

(NowHabersham.com)

Habersham County firefighters and forestry crews were working to put out a woods fire near Mt. Airy late Monday afternoon.

A caller reported the fire to Habersham County E-911 shortly before 4 p.m.

Dispatchers sent units from Habersham County Emergency Services (HCES) to the area of Border Line Drive off of Dicks Hill Parkway. The fire was burning northwest of the county landfill.

Smoke from the fire could be seen for several miles around, witnesses say. HCES Director Jeff Adams says available information is limited at this time.

Now Habersham will update this story as details are released.