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02/08/2025

The Georgia Senate passed SB1, or the Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act, on Thursday.

The bill will look to prevent K-12 and college students from competing in sports designated for the opposite s*x at publicly funded institutions.

On largely partisan lines, the bill passed 35-17 with support from two Democrats.

“SB1 was necessary in today's climate and culture to protect girl’s sports,” Republican State Senator for District 50 Bo Hatchett said.

The bill’s critics say that the legislation was unnecessary, citing the minuscule amount of transgender youth in the state and other pressing issues.

“These are not the issues facing most Georgians,” Democratic State Senator for District 38 Rashaun Kemp said. “Georgia is last in the southeast as it relates to home ownership. We have a high maternal mortality rate.”

The Georgia Senate passed SB1, or the Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act, on Thursday. The bill will look to prevent K-12 and college students from competing in sports designated for the opposite s*x at publicly funded institutions

02/08/2025

A man has been arrested after allegedly shooting at sheriff's deputies in Gwinnett County this week.

The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office said the deputies were serving a search warrant at a home in Snellville Thursday when Denzel James Thompson began shooting at them.

No one was injured and Thompson was eventually arrested. He's being held in the Gwinnett County Jail on charges including aggravated assault on an officer.

The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office says the deputies were serving a warrant at a home in Snellville when the incident happened.

02/07/2025

The Flowery Branch City Council approved considering a conditional use permit for a microbrewery at 5205 Railroad Avenue.

Speaking at the council meeting Thursday night, Bangarang Brews Co-owners Adam Fiddler and Josh Roberts said they have received an outpouring of support to open a family-friendly brewery.

The Flowery Branch City Council approved considering a conditional use permit for a microbrewery at 5205 Railroad Avenue.

02/07/2025

A South Carolina man was arrested for allegedly trafficking m**hamphetamine in Habersham County.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a press release the Georgia State Patrol pulled over Samuel Devahn Jones, 30 , for a traffic violation on Ga. 365 on Jan. 29. During a search by GSP, officers reportedly found 4.5 kilograms of suspected m**hamphetamine and a firearm in the vehicle.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a press release the Georgia State Patrol pulled over Samuel Devahn Jones, 30 , for a traffic violation on Ga. 365 on Jan. 29. During a search by GSP, officers reportedly found 4.5 kilograms of suspected m**hamphetamine and a firearm in the vehicle.

02/06/2025

By the time May of 2026 rolls around, it will be the first time in four years Representative for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District Andrew Clyde will face primary opposition.

On Jan. 28, Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon announced he would be running for the seat in the Republican primary. Clyde, however, says that will not deter him from seeking another term.

“Being a congressman for Georgia’s ninth district has been the honor of my life,” Clyde said. “I have been focused on keeping the promises that I made to the ninth district. Promises made, promises kept.”

A major issue for Clyde in this congressional term is immigration.

“What we want to accomplish in this session is we want to close that border,” Clyde said. “We want to deport these illegal aliens.”

Clyde is also on the House Appropriations Committee and the Budget Committee, with responsible spending being another key issue.

“So those two very important committees are going to be able to do this and give the President and his executive branch the funding that they need in order to accomplish this very important agenda,” Clyde said.

Listen to the full interview at the link below.

By the time May of 2026 rolls around, it will be the first time in four years Representative for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District Andrew Clyde will face primary opposition

02/06/2025

After years of discussions, alterations and ownership changes, the site of Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville finally has a clear direction.

The Gainesville City Council voted Tuesday to approve rezoning allowing for Atlanta-based Branch Properties to re-imagine the mall as a mixed-use development. Gainesville City Manager Bryan Lackey said Thursday that the project has been a long time coming.

"It's been quite the process," Lackey said. "Branch Properties bought it from another ownership group that really had no vision, just wanted to keep operating (the mall) as it was. They had, we think, some plans to chop it up and make some out parcels, which was not what we wanted."

The plan calls for most of the mall, except for the Belk store, to be demolished. In it's place would be around 200,000 square feet of new retail space, roughly 75,000 square feet of restaurant space and hundreds of townhome and apartment units.

After years of discussions, alterations and ownership changes, the site of Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville finally has a clear direction.

02/06/2025

Watch as Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon discusses with Martha Zoller why he’s running as a representative for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District.

For the full interview, click the link below.



https://accesswdun.com/article/2025/2/1284976/watch-gainesville-mayor-sam-couvillon-talks-about-running-for-congress

02/06/2025

Lakeshore Mall may soon change after the Gainesville City Council approved Branch Lakeshore Associates, LP's request to rezone the property for a mixed-use development.

The Lakeshore redevelopment project, as outlined in the site plan, will feature 303,444 square feet of commercial space, including major and junior retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, a 95-room hotel, 80 townhomes, parking, and 652 multi-family apartments.

Lakeshore Mall may soon change after the Gainesville City Council approved Branch Lakeshore Associates, LP's request to rezone the property for a mixed-use development.

02/05/2025

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has made an arrest in Cornelia.

20-year-old Miguel Andres-Mateo is a Guatemalan national who was arrested for driving under the influence in 2023 according to the agency.

Habersham County police arrested Andres-Mateo in May of 2023 and sentenced him to 12-months probation.

Enforcement and Removal Operations Atlanta arrested Andres-Mateo on Jan. 21.

ICE then issued him a notice to appear before an immigration judge following his arrest, and he remains in ERO’s custody.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, has made an arrest in Cornelia

02/05/2025

Banks County's Probate Court is now one of several counties in Georgia that is requiring those convicted of driving under the influence or reckless conduct to purchase car seats to be provided to those in need in the county.

Probate Court Judge Cameron Boswell, who was sworn into office at the start of the year, said he heard about the idea during annual judicial training. The program is already in place in Walton and Newton counties.

Boswell said under the program, which took effect on Monday, those convicted of DUI or reckless driving will, in addition to other fines or penalties, have to purchase and deliver to the court an approved car seat, which will be given to the sheriff's office to be distributed to those in need.

The county has released a list of approved car seats, costing between $260 and $280 dollars on average.

Banks County's Probate Court is now one of several counties in Georgia that is requiring those convicted of driving under the influence or reckless conduct to purchase car seats to be provided to those in need in the county.

02/05/2025

A Buford man was arrested after an armed robbery in Gwinnett County.

Gwinnett County Police said that on Jan. 27, officers responded to a business on Buford Drive.

The victim told police that the suspect came in with a firearm and demanded cash at the register before fleeing.

On Tuesday, detectives were able to review the video and identify the suspect as 26-year-old Samuel Norman.

A detective canvassed the area to speak with residents and obtain leads before he recognized Norman leaving a residence on Tybee Drive in Buford.

That’s when Norman was arrested and he was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

He is being held in the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.

A Buford man was arrested after an armed robbery in Gwinnett County

02/05/2025

White County officials arrested a father and son Tuesday in relation to selling m**h in the area.

Investigators were able to determine Danny Shane Helton, 33, of Cleveland, had an outstanding warrant out of Habersham County and that he lived at an address on Blue Water Drive.

During the ex*****on of the search warrant, investigators reportedly discovered 517 grams of ma*****na, 15 grams of m**h, two hydrocodone pills, three fi****ms, digital scales and other drug related objects.

During the investigation, Danny Shane Helton was found to be a convicted felon, along with Danny Lee Helton, 65, who is Danny Shane Helton’s father.

The White County Narcotics Investigations and Crime Suppression Unit arrested a father and son Tuesday in relation to selling m**hamphetamine in the area.

02/05/2025

A man was arrested on charges of s*xual battery in Gwinnett County after he allegedly groped a woman at a supermarket in December.

The Gwinnett County Police Department said a female victim was shopping at a supermarket when a male approached her, began complimenting her and then groped her and fled the scene.

The victim reported the incident to the police department.

Gwinnett officers were then able to discover that the suspect, Jordan Jamal Vernon, worked at a location at the Mall of Georgia.

Authorities were able to spot Vernon as he fled out the back door at the site, which resulted in a short chase on foot.

A man was arrested on charges of s*xual battery in Gwinnett County after he allegedly groped a woman at a supermarket in December. 

02/05/2025

The Stephens County Sheriff's Office has requested help from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after a death in a building on Collier Road.

The sheriff’s office said deputies received a medical call to the area just after 9 a.m. Once officials arrived on the scene, they discovered a deceased male within the building.

The agency said preliminary details in the case indicated there was no foul play.

The Stephens County Sheriff's Office has requested help from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after a death in a building on Collier Rd.

02/05/2025

There is bittersweet news coming from a Gainesville-based organization that aims to assist victims of domestic violence and abuse.

The executive director for Gateway Thrift Store and Gateway Domestic Violence Center is announcing that their Park Hill Drive thrift store is closing its doors permanently on March 31.

Jessica Butler says in a press release that while Gateway Thrift Store is closing, that Gateway Domestic Violence Center remains open to the community.

Butler says that Gateway Thrift Store is no longer able to accept donations, as they will focus on selling their remaining items over the next few weeks that were previously donated. She adds that there is a significant demand for domestic violence recovery services in Hall County, so they will continue to work at meeting those needs for the center.

There is bittersweet news coming from a Gainesville-based organization that aims to assist victims of domestic violence and abuse.

02/05/2025

The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office reported a potential school threat on Monday.

According to the sheriff’s office, two students received a text message from an unknown number that someone was going to be shot.

The message reportedly did not specify any individual. When the students arrived at school on Monday, they shared the message with others which led to rumors about a potential shooting at the school.

That's when school officials opened an investigation.

After the investigation, Rabun County officials said that there was no threat to Rabun County Elementary or any schools on campus.

The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office reported a potential school threat on Monday

02/05/2025

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp spoke about his tort reform efforts on WDUN’s “The Martha Zoller Show,” which has been a point of emphasis this legislative session.

“I just want it to be fair,” Kemp said. “We cannot continue to live with 20-to-30-percent increases on liability insurance.”

The core issue for Kemp is that other states competing with Georgia’s economic prowess are using “our legal environment against us.”

“I hear from people every week about insurance cost, frivolous lawsuits,” Kemp said. “We need to be on parity with other states around us … that we compete with everyday in the marketplace for good paying jobs and new opportunities in our state.”

Kemp did also say that the juries should be empowered to make good decisions. That is opposed to decisions that can be harmful to small businesses and business owners in the state.

Kemp added there was a $614-million package in his proposed budget to the legislature for hurricane relief.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp spoke about his tort reform efforts on WDUN’s “The Martha Zoller Show,” which has been a point of emphasis this legislative session

02/04/2025

•THREE more days to let us know know you can attend our Greece Information Meeting!

•Join us Thursday, Feb 6 at Peach State Bank and Trust at noon to hear all about the wonders of Athens, Santorini, Mykonos Greece.

•SPACE IS FILLING QUICKLY!

www.wduntravels.com