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WRBL, CSU reverse course after candidates reject debate criteria

By
Robbie Watson
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Mayoral candidates reject debate criteria (Robbie Watson/NowGeorgia.com)

WRBL and Columbus State University are reversing course on their debate criteria for mayoral candidates. A candidate will no longer be excluded from their upcoming debate based on the amount of campaign donations raised according to a statement from CSU spokesperson Michael Tullier.

“Earlier today, SGA President Undrell Walker updated all candidates that, after conferring with debate media partner WRBL News 3, the fundraising guidelines for debate participation had been lifted and again invited them to participate.”

As reported earlier, an invitation to participate in the upcoming televised mayoral debate was met with immediate backlash from the candidates. The debate is being hosted by Columbus State University’s Student Government Association and WRBL the local CBS affiliate. The invitation was emailed to mayoral candidates by the SGA and included an attachment of criteria that must be met by each candidate in order to participate.

Now Georgia obtained the original email invitation to the mayoral debate and the criteria attached was crafted by Nexstar Media, the company that owns WRBL. Part of the criteria required the candidates to have raised a certain amount of money and reads in part “For non-statewide or local offices, a candidate must have reported, on official forms filed with the appropriate election authority, having accepted at least $25,000 in campaign contributions.”

That $25,000 donation threshold made three of the five candidates who have filed a Declaration of Intent to run for mayor ineligible to participate. Mark LaJoye is one candidate who would be excluded from the debate based off campaign donations. LaJoye immediately responded to the invitation saying “This action is completely discriminatory and voter suppression. I will file through the University President an appeal in reference to this discriminatory action. Legal action will be forth coming.”

City councilor and mayoral candidate Joanne Cogle did meet the financial criteria but took to social media to publicly share her response to the invitation to participate. Cogle wrote “I am struggling with the idea that any candidate who qualifies to run for local elected office would be excluded from a public and televised debate due to a minimum monetary requirement. Our citizens deserve to hear from all of the candidates who have qualified, and candidates deserve the same opportunity to address our citizens, regardless of how much they have raised.”

Cogle initially said she will participate in the televised debate if that provision was removed but has since changed her stance saying she will only participate if all the candidates are invited to attend.

Reached by telephone this weekend Eric Ludgood, WRBL’s news director said the company would issue a statement on Monday regarding the debate criteria.

Blizzard warnings cascade across East Coast as winter storm hits

By
Colleen Barry
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Due to the expected blizzard, the City of New York has issued a travel ban through noon Monday, Feb. 23. (NYPD/Facebook)

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City and New Jersey announced travel bans, airlines canceled thousands of flights and even Broadway shows were canceled Sunday evening as a fierce winter storm bore down on the Northeastern U.S., prompting blizzard warnings from Maryland to Massachusetts.

Snow began falling in New Jersey and New York as the storm moved northward. The National Weather Service said 1 to 2 feet of snow was possible in many areas, along with heavy winds. Visibility in many areas was expected to be a quarter-mile or less. Officials throughout the region urged residents to avoid travel.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a major nor’easter and major blizzard of this magnitude across the Northeast,” said Cody Snell, a meteorologist at the service’s Weather Prediction Center. “This is definitely a major winter storm and a major impact for this part of the country.”

The weather service issued blizzard warnings for New York City and Long Island, Boston and coastal communities in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. State of emergency declarations were issued in New York City and other parts of New York state, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts as officials mobilized readiness efforts.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a ban on non-emergency travel on all streets from 9 p.m. ET Sunday through noon Monday, with travel restrictions planned in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and elsewhere in the region. The emergency alerts, blasted to the phones of New York City residents, warned them to stay off roads “due to dangerous blizzard conditions.”

Around the region, airports canceled flights ahead of the storm, and even DoorDash announced it was suspending deliveries in the city overnight.

To the south, landmarks such as the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., announced closures Monday.

Some of the heaviest snow forecast for overnight Sunday into Monday

The weather service said some of the heaviest snow was expected to fall overnight, with as much as 2 inches (5 centimeters) of snow per hour accumulating at times in some areas, before tapering off by Monday afternoon.

It said the storm’s strong wind gusts could cause whiteout conditions and warned of a “Potentially Historic/Destructive Storm” southeast of the Boston-Providence corridor.

“Winds like that, combined with heavy, wet snow, are a recipe for damaged trees and prolonged power outages,” said Bryce Williams, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Boston office. “That’s what we’re most concerned with, is the combination of those extreme snow amounts with that wind.”

The storm could possibly meet the definition of a bomb cyclone, said Frank Pereira, another weather service meteorologist. That’s when a storm drops at least 24 millibars in pressure in 24 hours.

“We’re expecting it to drop by that magnitude at least over the course of the next 24 hours,” Pereira said. “I think when all is said and done, it will meet the definition of a bomb cyclone.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also canceled in-person and virtual classes for city schools on Monday, calling it the “first old-school snow day since 2019.”

“And to kids across New York City, you have a very serious mission if you choose to accept it: Stay cozy,” he said.

In addition to their robust plow operations, city officials recruited people to shovel snow, some of whom will begin work Sunday night to get an early start on the first wave of snowfall, Mamdani said.

Meanwhile, outreach workers have also been out working to coax homeless New Yorkers off the street and into shelters and various warming centers.

More than 3,500 flights were canceled across the U.S. as of Sunday afternoon along with thousands of delays, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. Airports in the path of the storm, including in New York City and Boston, were also seeing widespread cancellations and delays.

Preparations for major snow clearing

With the storm zeroing in, John Berlingieri scrapped plans for a family trip to Puerto Rico. Instead he was preparing his company, Berrington Snow Management, for what could well be a mammoth task: Clearing snow from millions of square feet of asphalt surrounding shopping malls and industrial parks across Long Island.

Employees spent the last few days recharging batteries on the company’s 40 front-end loaders and replacing windshield wipers on snow-removal vehicles, before resting up Saturday.

“I’m anticipating at least one week of work around the clock,” Berlingieri said. “We’re going to work 24 to 36 hours straight, sleep for a few hours and then go back.”

Warming center opens in Cornelia as temperatures plunge

By
Joy Purcell
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FILE PHOTO - The gym at First Baptist Church of Cornelia will open as an overnight warming shelter Feb 22-23, 2026. Space is limited. Call 678-548-7853 to reserve a spot. (Joy Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)

CORNELIA, Ga. — A warming center will open in Cornelia Sunday and Monday nights as North Georgia braces for a sharp return to winter and a nearly 40-degree temperature drop.

The shelter will operate Feb. 22 and 23 from 6 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. in the gym at First Baptist Church in Cornelia. Capacity is limited to 10 people. Anyone needing a warm place to stay should call 678-548-7853 in advance.

“It’s important for people to know that they can’t just show up; they have to call to make a reservation,” Cornelia Police Chief Jonathan Roberts told Now Georgia. “We encourage people to do this quickly, as spots are first-come, first-serve.”

Many recall that First Baptist served as a shelter during severe weather events years ago. Chief Roberts said the church has worked with Ninth District Opportunity for several months to bring the shelter back to the city.

“All paperwork and such was finally approved, and now we have a partnership back in Cornelia,” he said. “We hope everything goes well and we can make this something that can be available in our area in the future. We see a lot of people say we need this, but don’t understand what it actually takes to pull it off. We are very thankful for First Baptist stepping up to bring this to Cornelia.”

High winds, isolated power outages expected

The warming center opens as a strong cold front sweeps through the region, replacing recent record warmth with gusty winds and bitter wind chills.

Forecasters say northwest winds will increase quickly Sunday, with widespread gusts of 30 to 35 mph by afternoon. Gusts over 40 mph are possible in the mountains. Along the eastern shores of Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell, lake-enhanced winds could also approach or exceed 40 mph. Isolated power outages are possible.

Plunging temperatures

Temperatures will tumble through Sunday. Highs will only reach the mid- to upper 30s in the mountains and low 40s elsewhere. Wind chills will hover around or below freezing most of the day.

The coldest air arrives early Monday. Wind chills at sunrise are expected to drop into the low to mid-teens, with single digits possible in higher elevations — a dramatic 40-degree swing from Friday’s warmth to Monday’s chill.

A few mountain flurries are possible Sunday night into early Monday, though no accumulation is expected. Highs Monday will stay below freezing in the mountains and in the mid- to upper 30s elsewhere, with gusty winds keeping it feeling colder.

Short-lived winter blast

The bitter blast will be short-lived. Temperatures are expected to rebound into the 50s by Tuesday and climb back near 60 degrees ahead of the next weather system arriving Thursday.

In the meantime, residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items, prepare for the possibility of brief power outages, and check on elderly neighbors and pets as winter makes a quick but sharp return.

Jack Hughes scores in overtime as US beats Canada for gold at the Olympics

By
Stephen Whyno
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United States' Jack Hughes (86) and Jake Sanderson (85) celebrate after Hughes scored the winning goal in overtime against Canada to win the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

MILAN (AP) — No miracle needed. The United States is on top of the hockey world for the first time in nearly a half-century.

Jack Hughes scored 1:41 into overtime and the U.S. defeated Canada 2-1 in the gold medal final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday, claiming the nation’s third men’s title at the Games and its first since the “Miracle on Ice” on 1980.

Unlike that ragtag group of college kids that pulled off one of the biggest upsets in sports history 46 years ago by knocking off the heavily favored Soviet Union, the Americans in Milan were a machine that rode goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and a stacked roster full of NHL players through the tournament unbeaten.

United States’ Connor Hellebuyck (37) knocks the puck out of the air during the third period of a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Hellebuyck was by far the best player on the ice, stopping 41 of the 42 shots he faced as Canada tilted the ice toward him. He made the save of the tournament by getting his stick on the puck on a shot from Devon Toews in the third period, then minutes later denied Macklin Celebrini on a breakaway — something he also did to Connor McDavid earlier.

It was only fitting they needed to go through Canada, their northern neighbor that beat them at the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago and has claimed hockey supremacy for quite some time, winning every international competition over the past 16 years that featured the world’s best players.

Not anymore.

Winning a fast-paced, riveting game that was full of big hits and plenty of post-whistle altercations, the U.S. got a goal from Matt Boldy 6 minutes in and led until Cale Makar tied it late in the second period. Hellebuyck and the penalty kill was a perfect 18 for 18 at the Olympics.

The U.S. finally came through after generations of churning out talent from the grassroots level like a production line. All but two of the 25 players on the team went through USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.

That group of 23 includes captain Auston Matthews, the top line of Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel, and the second set of brothers, Jack and Quinn Hughes. Much of the team played together either at the program, under-18s, the world junior championship or some combination of them.

The United States celebrates after a sudden-death overtime goal by United States’ Jack Hughes (86) against Canada during the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

The U.S. winning silenced criticism of general manager Bill Guerin and his management group choosing a roster full of experienced veteran players to fill specific roles and leaving four of the top 10 American goal-scorers in the NHL this season at home. Some decisions were no-doubters, like coach Mike Sullivan giving the net to Hellebuyck, who was the best goalie in the tournament.

Canada, back-to-back Olympic champions in 2010 and ’14 and winners of three of the first five, fell short while playing without injured captain Sidney Crosby. The 38-year-old two-time gold medalist and three-time Stanley Cup champion left the quarterfinal game against Czechia and sat out the semifinal game against Finland.

McDavid, the widely considered best player in the world who wore the “C” in Crosby’s absence, suffered another devastating defeat on the doorstep of a title. He and the Edmonton Oilers have lost to Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final each of the past two years.

WRBL debate criteria excludes more than half of mayoral candidates

By
Robbie Watson
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Mayoral candidates reject WRBL's debate criteria (Robbie Watson/NowGeorgia.com)

An invitation to participate in an upcoming televised mayoral debate was met with immediate backlash from the candidates. The debate is being hosted by Columbus State University’s Student Government Association and WRBL the local CBS affiliate. The invitation was emailed to mayoral candidates by the SGA and included an attachment of criteria that must be met by each candidate in order to participate.

Now Georgia obtained the email invitation to the mayoral debate and the criteria attached was crafted by Nexstar Media, the company that owns WRBL. Part of the criteria requires the candidates to have raised a certain amount of money and reads in part “For non-statewide or local offices, a candidate must have reported, on official forms filed with the
appropriate election authority, having accepted at least $25,000 in campaign contributions.”

That $25,000 donation threshold makes three of the five candidates who have filed a Declaration of Intent to run for mayor ineligible to participate. Mark LaJoye is one candidate who would be excluded from the debate based off campaign donations. LaJoye immediately responded to the invitation saying “This action is completely discriminatory and voter suppression. I will file through the University President an appeal in reference to this discriminatory action. Legal action will be forth coming.”

City councilor and mayoral candidate Joanne Cogle does meet the criteria but took to social media to publicly share her response to the invitation to participate. Cogle wrote “I am struggling with the idea that any candidate who qualifies to run for local elected office would be excluded from a public and televised debate due to a minimum monetary requirement. Our citizens deserve to hear from all of the candidates who have qualified, and candidates deserve the same opportunity to address our citizens, regardless of how much they have raised.” Cogle said she will only participate in the televised debate if the provision is removed.

Reached by telephone this weekend Eric Ludgood, WRBL’s news director said the company would issue a statement on Monday regarding the debate criteria. Michael Tullier, a spokesman for Columbus State University responded to the uproar via email. “We are discussing the matter, and I’ll update you if we make any changes to our plans. I don’t, however, have a specific timeline on that update,” Tullier wrote.

Armed man shot and killed after entering secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, Secret Service says

By
Michelle L. Price
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FILE - This is an aerial view of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, Aug. 10, 2022, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Secret Service announced Sunday that an armed man was shot and killed after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Although Trump often spends weekends at his resort, he was at the White House during this incident. First lady Melania Trump was also with the president.

The name of the person who was shot has not been released. According to the Secret Service, he was “observed by the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.” The incident took place at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw, speaking at a brief press conference, said the man was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy.

“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with them. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”

The FBI asked residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.

The suspect, who was in his early 20s and from North Carolina, was reported missing a few days ago by his family. Investigators believe he left North Carolina and headed south, picking up a shotgun along the way, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, who added that the box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle.

Guglielmi said that the man drove through the north gate of Mar-a-Lago as another vehicle was exiting.

Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile and a motive is still under investigation. Asked whether the individual was known to law enforcement, Bradshaw said “not right now.”

The incident comes as the U.S. has been rocked multiple times in recent years by political violence. Just last year, that included the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the assassination of the Democratic leader in the Minnesota state House and her husband and the shooting of another lawmaker and his wife, and an arson attack at the official residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The incursion on Saturday at Trump’s Florida home is a few miles from his West Palm Beach golf club where a man tried to assassinate Trump while he played golf during the 2024 election. A Secret Service agent spotted that man, Ryan Routh, aiming a rifle through the shrubbery before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire and caused Routh to drop his weapon.

Routh was found guilty last year and sentenced this month to life in prison.

Trump also survived an assassination attempt at a Butler, Pennsylvania campaign rally in 2024. That gunman fired eight shots before being killed by a Secret Service counter sniper.

The White House did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Sunday.

The only way to win

By
Lynn Walker Gendusa
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(NowGeorgia.com)

My mother was a fierce competitor.  She won countless tournaments, not only in basketball but also in tennis and golf.  On top of all that, she was her high school’s valedictorian and a bridge champion.

Living with a genius every day can be challenging. By the time I learned to tie my shoes, I realized that I would never be as smart as my mom. She was truly one of a kind, and Dad and I felt lucky to be in her orbit.

Dad once said, “The smartest thing I ever did was marry your Mom because she was smart!!!” He would laugh every time he repeated the phrase. Truth be told, he had so much common sense that she was able to stay home with her children her entire life. Dad knew how to work hard and treat folks well.

My brother and I would often wonder, “How did they ever get together? They are so different!” But as the saying goes, opposites can attract. And anyone who knew our parents could see that was true.

I love sports, but when I find myself playing golf and the little white ball doesn’t go in the direction I want, I can throw a hissy fit. In those moments, I hear a voice from above admonishing me. It’s Mom, shaking her head in disgust. “Lynn, behave! It’s not about winning; it’s about how you play the game.”

Mom excelled at all games. She never lost her composure and always remained calm enough to correct her mistakes and continue playing without any outbursts.

I may not be very smart, but I have improved my temper control. I realized that I could easily upset those who played with me. Additionally, I was growing tired of the judgmental gaze from above.

I’ve been thinking, which you know is dangerous. Mama was right about many things in life. Living a full life is about how we play the game. Are we willing to lose in order to win?  Can we sacrifice our gratification for the benefit of others?

In golf, there are so many rules that most players don’t know or understand half of them.  If you cheat by moving the ball forward or improving your lie, your score will be affected.  But what if you moved the ball and no one saw you?  Your score might improve, but in that case, you lost the true essence of the game.

Our children are growing up in a highly competitive world where there is often little time for play and imagination. Achievement in various areas is frequently seen as the ultimate goal.  However, if we do not teach our children that acquiring success without humility and understanding is worse than failing, we all miss the mark. By often prioritizing creativity over competition, we may help our children thrive and flourish in the future

Young children often cry when they do not win the prize, and some adults still do. In our current society, there is a significant focus on winning, but true success comes from participating in the game with composure and grace.

We tell our children not to bully, not to lie, not to demean others – yet every election season we reward adults who do exactly that. If we cheer cruelty because it advances our side, we are teaching the next generation that winning matters more than integrity. And that lesson will cost us.

After the Super Bowl, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald was asked, “Do you ever yell at your players?  His response was, “No, I am not a yeller.” This approach may have contributed to their victory. Coach Macdonald proved you can triumph without yelling … that dignity still works. Intelligence and control led them to win the big game, a gigantic ring, and a shiny trophy.

To be a champion in life, one must embrace the values of human kindness. We are not true champions when we degrade others to achieve success. A CEO is not successful if he belittles his subordinates. He may increase his wealth, but not without a price.

Toward the end of my mother’s life, I asked her what she thought about God. She never spoke openly about her faith, and even though we attended church, she kept her beliefs very private.

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you other than I hope I pleased the Lord. I never judged anyone and believed in fairness. I think I played the game well.”

Initially, I found the response puzzling, but I soon realized it encapsulates the essence of life: to please the Lord by navigating our journey with integrity, kindness, and respect.  This is the path we can all take to achieve true victory.

Thanks, Mom!

Homeland Security suspends TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs

By
Associated Press
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is suspending the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs as a partial government shutdown continues.

The programs are designed to help speed registered travelers through security lines. Suspending them could cause headaches for fliers.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement that “shutdowns have serious real world consequences.” She also said that “TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts.”

The partial government shutdown began Feb. 14 after Democrats and the White House were unable to reach a deal on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats have been demanding changes to immigration operations that are core to President Donald Trump’s deportation campaign.

Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security criticized the decision about airport security.

They said on social media that the administration was “kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure” and accused them of “ruining your travel on purpose.”

Airlines for America, a trade group representing major carriers, said “it’s past time for Congress to get to the table and get a deal done.”

The organization said it’s “deeply concerned” that “the traveling public will be, once again, used as a political football amid another government shutdown.” It also criticized the announcement on Saturday evening, saying it was “issued with extremely short notice to travelers, giving them little time to plan accordingly.”

Former student threatens to shoot up Smith Station High School

By
Robbie Watson
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Dontae Deshawn Ford (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

On February 20th, 2026, a Lee County School Resource Officer received a call from a staff member at Smith Station High School regarding a social media threat about shooting up the school. Shortly after the first report, a second report was received about the threat from a concerned citizen.

SRO’s and Lee County Investigators worked with school officials in identifying the alleged suspect as being a former student. Dontae Deshawn Ford (18) was contacted and taken into custody by investigators at his home, located in the 6000 block of Lee Road 240 in the Phenix City area of Lee County. Investigators did not find any firearms on or around Ford at that time of his arrest.

Ford was never physically on the school campus at any point. Ford admitted to the
threat and was arrested and charged with one (1) count of Making a Terrorist Threat 1st Degree. He is being held in the Lee County Detention Center on a $15,000.00 bond with $2000,00 cash required. He is also not allowed on any school or educational facility property.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867)

LaGrange reports major increase in entering auto incidents

By
Robbie Watson
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LaGrange Police investigate shooting (LaGrange Police Department)

The LaGrange Police Department is asking residents to remain alert and proactive in reporting suspicious activity following a recent increase in entering auto incidents throughout the community.

Over the past week, officers have responded to a significant number of reports involving vehicles being unlawfully entered, particularly within apartment complexes and multi-unit residential areas. In many cases, vehicles were left unlocked or the suspect(s) have forcefully entered the vehicles by busting a window out as the vehicles contained visible valuable items.

We are urging citizens to take the following precautions:

  • Always lock your vehicle doors, even when parked at home.
  • Remove all valuables, including firearms, electronics, and personal items.
  • Avoid leaving spare keys or key fobs inside vehicles.
  • Park in well-lit areas whenever possible.
  • Immediately report suspicious persons or activity in your area.

Residents are encouraged to work together with property management to ensure adequate lighting and camera systems are functioning properly. If you see individuals checking door handles, lingering around parking lots without a clear purpose, or behaving suspiciously near vehicles, contact law enforcement immediately.

Community awareness and timely reporting are critical in preventing crime. In the event of an emergency or a crime in progress, dial 9-1-1.

The LaGrange Police Department appreciates the continued cooperation of our community in helping keep our neighborhoods safe.

Phyllis Charlene Smith

By
Now Georgia
-

Phyllis Charlene Smith, age 75, of Toccoa, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 20, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on September 11, 1950, in Gastonia, Phyllis was the daughter of the late Charlie Ellington Smith and Mildred Tench Smith. She lived a life marked by strength, determination, and quiet compassion for others.

In 1982, Phyllis graduated from the 56th Trooper School and made history as one of the first seven women in Georgia to serve with the Georgia State Patrol. Her groundbreaking achievement reflected her courage and commitment to public service. Throughout her distinguished career, she earned the respect of colleagues and the community she faithfully protected. After years of dedicated service, she retired in 2000, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and perseverance.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Phyllis found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved golfing, tending to her flowers, and carefully landscaping her yard, taking pride in creating beauty wherever she could. Above all, she cherished her beloved fur baby, Gracie the cat, who brought her endless comfort and companionship.

In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by her sisters, Sandra Barrett and Denise Holland.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Amy Davis; her sister, Wanda Perry; her special nephew and his spouse, Mark and Stacie Perry and family; along with many other relatives and a host of dear friends who will treasure her memory.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home with Rev. Stacy Penland officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

An online guest registry is available for the Smith family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.

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

Dahlonega man jailed for auto thefts in two counties

By
Joy Purcell
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(Stephens County Sheriff's Office)

MARTIN, Ga. — Authorities say a Dahlonega man left a homeless shelter in Athens and stole two vehicles in two counties before deputies caught up with him Saturday.

The investigation began around 8:50 a.m. on Feb. 21 when the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) received a report of a stolen Dodge Durango from a home on Providence Lane near Freedom Drive in Martin. The SUV had been taken overnight.

Minutes later, the Durango was detected by a FLOCK license plate camera in Franklin County, heading toward Royston.

As deputies worked to track the SUV, they discovered a second stolen vehicle near the Providence Lane residence — a white Volkswagen Jetta reported stolen out of Athens-Clarke County. Investigators later determined the suspect allegedly stole the Jetta after leaving the shelter.

Authorities say that when the Volkswagen ran out of gas, the suspect abandoned it near the intersection of Providence Lane and Freedom Drive. He then allegedly stole the Durango, which had been left unlocked with the keys inside, and drove into Franklin County.

Around 10:30 a.m., officers with the Franklin Springs Police Department located the Durango and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as 25-year-old Jonathan Jordan of Dahlonega, was arrested and taken to the Stephens County Jail.

Jordan faces charges of theft by taking, a felony, and driving without a license. He also has an outstanding theft by taking warrant in Athens-Clarke County. He remains in jail awaiting a bond hearing.

Multi-jurisdictional effort

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Athens-Clarke County Police Department assisted with the investigation.

“This was a quick recovery and arrest thanks to a multi-jurisdictional effort,” said SCSO Public Information Officer Rebekah Smith.

Stephens County Sheriff Rusty Fulbright urged residents to take precautions, especially as temperatures rise.

“Vehicle thefts are more common in warmer weather, so please remember to remove important items, lock your vehicles, and take your keys inside,” Fulbright said.

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