Newton Citizen

More than 72,000 vote early in Georgia primary

More than 72,000 people have cast early ballots in Georgia's presidential primary. Secretary of State Brian Kemp's office said Monday that includes nearly 55,000 people who cast an early vote in person and around 17,500 who mailed in an absentee ballot.

Ga. university system names new academic chief

An administrator from the Oklahoma higher education system has been named the chief academic officer for the University System of Georgia. Chancellor Hank Huckaby announced Monday that Houston Davis will start the job May 1.

Ga. Senate honors American Idol star Lauren Alaina

The Georgia Senate is honoring American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina.

Sex offenders could not drive Ga. buses under plan

Sex offenders would be banned from driving school and passenger buses under a bill passed by Georgia's House of Representatives.

Repairs to tornado-damaged barracks nearly done

Officials say construction to repair three military buildings damaged by a tornado should be completed by April 15, one year after the storm struck at Fort Benning.

Group pushes for new Georgia port

A group of south Georgia leaders is pushing to establish a third state-run ocean port on the St. Marys River that forms the border with Florida.

Water pollution enforcement bill returns to Senate

A proposal giving water polluters a chance to voluntarily clean up their act is getting a second chance in the Senate after it was pulled from the agenda last week for lack of support.

Driver pulled from fiery crash after 100-mph chase

Police say they pulled a person from a fiery crash after they say the driver led officers on a high-speed chase that reached speeds of 100 mph.

Ga. court orders new trial for convicted killer

A convicted killer is getting a new trial after the Georgia Supreme Court ruled a verdict form given to jurors was improperly worded.

Ga. court sides with elderly woman facing eviction

Georgia's top court has ruled in favor of an elderly woman who faced being ejected from her home of 47 years.

Ga. DOT gets financial break from snow this season

Georgia road crews are still wary of winter taking a wicked turn, but they are celebrating a slow season so far.

New Ga. Caterpillar plant doesn't come cheaply

Taxpayers in Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties will pay a stiff price for the 1,400 jobs that Caterpillar is bringing to northeast Georgia.

Perdue's 'Go Fish' program flops in first year

It turns out even the most conservative attendance prediction for the Go Fish Education Center in Perry was too ambitious.

Ga. officials align with Republican candidates

The Republican speaker of Georgia's House of Representatives laughed when asked if he had endorsed any GOP candidates for president.

Golden lion tamarin at Zoo Atlanta is pregnant

A golden lion tamarin at Atlanta's zoo is pregnant. Zoo Atlanta says the due date is uncertain, but veterinary teams anticipate 5-year-old Robin will give birth in the spring. Golden lion tamarins are tiny monkeys that are about the size of squirrels.

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