James (Jimmy) William Parks III, 56, of Clarkesville, GA passed away on Tuesday,
February 17, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born December 27,
1969, to James W. Parks, Jr and Laura Parks in Rootstown, OH. He grew up in a home
centered on faith, learning, and family, which shaped his character, values, and pursuits
throughout his life.
James is survived by his parents Jim and Laura Parks of Stockbridge GA; his sister,
Anita Parks and brother-in-law, Chip McKinney of Aiken SC; his nephew, Tyler Reeves
of Clarkesville GA; his niece Tori Solomon (Aaron) of Aiken SC; and his dear friend and
former spouse Corinna Parks of Clarkesville, GA.
He is also survived by 2 great-nephews who adored him. He was also blessed with 18
aunts and uncles and numerous cousins, who fondly remember his constant need for
cookies, earning him the nickname of “cookie monster” at an early age.
James was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and two
uncles.
He was employed by Process Technology International, Tucker, GA as an engineer.
James loved riding his motorcycle with his friends and fishing with friends and family. He
loved music and enjoyed playing his guitar and singing with friends. His quirky sense of
humor was appreciated by all who had the privilege of spending time with him.
The family acknowledges with deep gratitude the care and support we received from
Northeast Georgia Medical Center Hospice. We are especially grateful to Jamie, the
best hospice nurse ever!
A memorial service will be held at The Church at Jodeco, 1290 Jodeco Rd, Stockbridge
GA on Saturday, March 7, 2026. An informal visitation will begin at 12, with the
memorial service beginning at 1 PM. A fellowship meal will follow the service. Please
RSVP for the fellowship meal to admin@jodecobaptist.net.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to Georgia Campers on
Mission, 207 Lakeview Dr, Stockbridge, GA 30281, or to The Church at Jodeco, 1290
Jodeco Rd, Stockbridge, GA 30281 (Please write Campers on Mission on the memo
line) or online donation and can be made at Jodecobaptist.net.
Alexis Nicole Betsill Hamilton, age 37 of Clarkesville, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Born in Atlanta on September 11, 1988, Alexis was the daughter of John Betsill and Ivey Saylor Bennett. Alexis was an incredible sports fan and enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Falcons, as well as WWE wrestling. She also loved anything Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or Marvel Comics. Alexis was an animal lover, especially her cats “Slippers” and “Nutter Butter,” and she also had started crocheting. Alexis had been quickly building relationships and bonds with her work family at TJ Maxx, where she was employed. More than anything, Alexis loved being a mom to Oliver, the great love of her life.
Survivors include her husband Charlie Hamilton and son Oliver Charles Hamilton of Clarkesville, father and stepmother John and Deanna Betsill of Palmetto, mother Ivey Saylor Bennett of West Point and Clarkesville, step-siblings Ashley and Matt Noel of Hiram and Kris and Alma Betsill of Chicago, IL, grandmother Joyce Payne of West Point, sister in law Katie Hamilton of Clarkesville, nephews Cash Noel and Colt Noel, nieces Holly Galasso and Penny Galasso, and aunt and uncle Audra and Steve Galasso of Peachtree City.
A gathering celebrating Alexis’s life will be held at Locos Grill & Pub, 601 S. Enota Drive NE, Gainesville, GA, on Saturday, February 28th, from 2-5 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habersham County Animal Shelter, 4231 Toccoa Highway, Clarkesville, GA 30523.
Big changes coming to Airport Commission (Robbie Watson/NowGeorgia.com)
Columbus Airport Commission Chairwoman Delois Dee Marsh will announce newly appointed airport commissioners at the upcoming monthly commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be held in the
Layfield Conference Room at Columbus Airport, located at 3250 W. Britt David Road,
Columbus, Georgia.
During a Special Called Commission Meeting held on Tuesday, February 17, former
Commissioners James Barker, Philip Badcock, and Dannell Marks formally offered their
resignations. In her remarks, former commissioner Marks expressed appreciation for the
dedication and professionalism of airport staff, acknowledging their commitment to the
organization during challenging circumstances.
Chairwoman Marsh stated, “Leadership is not an easy task, and transition does not define an institution; stability collaboration and forward progress do. I am absolutely proud of the team we have, of the team that is to come and the great work we will do together. The airport is an economic engine for our region supporting workforce mobility, tourism, business recruitment, and regional competitiveness.”
The remaining board members accepted the resignations and subsequently identified two
nominees to submit to City Council to fulfill the remaining terms of two of the vacated seats. Nominations are based on qualifications and the work that the nominees have done in the community. One seat remains open, with a nominee to be determined and submitted at a later date.
The public is invited to attend the upcoming Commission Meeting.
Muscogee County Coroner asking for public's help (Robbie Watson/NowGeorgia.com)
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan is asking for the public’s help finding the next of kin for a deceased male. The coroner is trying to locate a relative of 80-year-old Eugenio Dones-Rivera.
Dones-Rivera is from Puerto Rico and has lived in Columbus for many years. If anyone knows him or any of his family, please call 9-1-1 and ask to speak to the coroner.
On February 19, around 8:36 p.m., deputies with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office received information from Troup County 911 that a suspect in a Murder which occurred earlier in the day in Wake County, North Carolina was possibly traveling southbound on Interstate 85.
A few minutes later, deputies along with Troopers from the Georgia State Patrol came in contact with the vehicle just south of Exit 6. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver identified as Ricardo Maldonado, 28 years old, was arrested without incident and transported to the Troup County Jail.
North Carolina officials were contacted and will take custody of Maldonado soon.
Heavy flames consume a Clarkesville home in the early morning hours Friday as a firefighter advances a hose line toward the fully involved structure on Robertson Loop Road. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)
HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Firefighters battled an early morning house fire in Clarkesville on Friday. Habersham County Emergency Services Stations 5, 13 and 14, with assistance from the Clarkesville Fire Department, were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 2:37 a.m., according to Habersham County Public Information Officer Ashlyn Brady.
The first unit arrived at 2:45 a.m. and found approximately 25% involvement of the structure, with heavy fire showing from the front of the residence.
Fire crews initiated an interior attack and brought the blaze under control quickly. Knockdown was achieved at 2:55 a.m., Brady said. The last unit cleared the scene at 5:20 a.m.
No occupants were inside the residence at the time of the fire. A family dog was located on the back porch and was safely turned over to a family member. No injuries to civilians or responding personnel were reported.
A dog from the Robertson Loop residence rests safely beside firefighters following the early morning fire. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)
The fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Habersham County Emergency Services investigators. At this time, no preliminary cause has been released.
Brady said officials are not releasing any personal information about the homeowners at this time. Should the family request community assistance or approve the release of additional information, an update will be provided.
Now Georgia will provide updates as they become available.
White County Schools Finance Director Lauren Anderson selected as next Chief Financial Officer for Gainesville City Schools, effective June, 2026 (Photo Gainesville School System)
CLEVELAND, Ga. – White County has been tapping talent from Habersham County lately, now Gainesville has captured White County School System talent.
The new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Gainesville City School System is going to be Mrs. Lauren Anderson, who currently serves as White County Schools Finance Director.
A press release on Friday morning from Gainesville School Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Williams listed Mrs. Lauren Anderson as the district’s next CFO. Mrs. Anderson will succeed Kathy Pethel, who is retiring in June and has served as the Gainesville School System’s Chief Financial Officer for the district since 2017.
Anderson joins Gainesville’s schools with a distinguished background in educational finance and human resources. Her extensive leadership history also includes serving as the Chief Financial Officer for the Stephens County School System and nearly a decade of financial and personnel leadership at Mountain Education Charter High School.
Steve Black Rd. in Clarmont near US 129 is shut down following a box truck snagging two power poles. (Hall County Sheriff's Office)
CLERMONT, Ga. — A stretch of Steve Black Road in Clermont is closed after a box truck pulled down two power poles, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
As of 8:10 p.m. on Friday, FEB. 20, the road remained closed between Cleveland Highway (U.S. 129) and Redstone Lane while crews worked to repair the damage.
Deputies on scene said the box truck snagged a line attached to a utility pole, bringing down two poles along the route. No injuries were immediately reported.
(Hall County Sheriff’s Office)
Jackson EMC crews responded to the scene around noon to make repairs. The utility reported that the outage is affecting 19 customers in the area.
Authorities said the closure was expected to last several hours. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while repairs are underway.
President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House Feb. 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C., after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against his use of emergency powers to implement international trade tariffs. Also pictured on stage, left to right, are Solicitor General John Sauer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. (White House/Facebook)
WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — President Donald Trump said Friday he plans to keep tariffs in place using different authorities after the Supreme Court ruled he exceeded his power under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act.
During the afternoon press conference in the White House briefing room, Trump repeatedly criticized the six justices who wrote “that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs.”
“The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing and I’m ashamed of certain members of the Court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country,” he said.
Trump’s disdain of Chief Justice John Roberts as well as Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor did not stop there.
He said the justices’ opposition to his tariff policies meant they were a “disgrace to our nation” as well as “unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution.”
Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh wrote dissenting opinions. Justice Samuel Alito and Thomas joined Kavanaugh’s dissent.
Trump appointed Barrett, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh during his first term.
But, Trump said, the ruling would not change the tariffs he has implemented under IEEPA since he planned to institute the same tax on goods coming into the country under different laws.
“The good news is that there are methods, practices, statutes and authorities as recognized by the entire Court in this terrible decision, and also as recognized by Congress, which they refer to, that are even stronger than the IEEPA tariffs available to me as president of the United States,” he said.
Trump said he would sign an order later in the day to “impose a 10% global tariff under Section 122, over and above our normal tariffs already being charged.”
Trump didn’t commit to returning the tens of billions of dollars the U.S. government has collected from IEEPA tariffs, saying the ruling didn’t address that issue.
“They take months and months to write an opinion, and they don’t even discuss that point,” Trump said. “I guess it has to get litigated for the next two years.”
Trump said he didn’t plan to ask Congress to pass any new laws or give the president broader tariff authority.
“I don’t have to. I have the right to do tariffs. And I’ve always had the right to do tariffs. It has all been approved by Congress, so there’s no reason to do it,” he said. “All we’re doing is we’re going through a little bit more complicated process, not complicated very much, but a little more complicated than what we had. And we’ll be able to take in more tariffs.”
Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress, which will likely be attended by many, if not all, of the Supreme Court justices, on Tuesday night.
Trump said he “couldn’t care less” whether the justices attend the speech, which is held in the House chamber. He said they are “barely” still invited, even though the president, who leads the executive branch, doesn’t hold the authority to exclude guests from either chamber of Congress, which makes up the separate but equal legislative branch.
“I think when the lights go out, it’s over,” he said in an interview for “Famous Last Words,” a Netflix series that’s available now. “I do believe that once we go to sleep or however it is we — we go, once we’re gone, we’re gone.”
He also hoped in the interview that his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, would remember how he was present in their lives. He went to beach volleyball games and dance recitals, adding that he’d seen “The Nutcracker” many times and his review was, “That thing drones on, man.”
“Famous Last Words” is based on a show that originated in Denmark. The premise is that a person is interviewed — executive producer Brad Falchuk does the questioning in the Netflix show — and it will not be released until their death.
Dane’s interview is the second episode. The first was with primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall, who died last October. Falchuk tells The Associated Press he’s recorded five conversations already with plans for more.
No one else was present on set for the taping last November and even the camera operators were in a different room.
“The guest needs to be totally safe to speak honestly and say whatever they want and know that they’re leaving something for people to experience with them not here,” Falchuk said on Friday. Only a small number of people work on the production of the show afterward. “Very, very few people have seen it and very, very people even know whose done it,” explained Falchuk.
“Famous people don’t often get an opportunity to speak honestly about themselves and about what they think in the world,” said Falchuk who is married to Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow. “They have to be very protective, especially nowadays. They say things and it goes everywhere and it gets misinterpreted and they also want to keep working or keep you know doing what they do, so this is an opportunity for them not to have to be guarded.”
Dane’s ALS advocacy lives on
After his ALS diagnosis, Dane became an advocate to raise awareness and money to fight the disease. After his death, the organization I AM ALS released clips of him recorded for an upcoming documentary.
“It’s a tough thing to respond to, it’s a tough thing to live with, yeah. But it’s really hard for the people around me too. And it’s almost like — in a weird way, it’s to some benefit, because I spend a lot of my time consoling others,” he said in a clip released Friday.
Filmmaker Chris Burke also captured Dane on a trip to Washington D.C. where he lobbied politicians for a bill that would help accelerate research, expand access to treatment and secure one billion dollars in federal funding for ALS patients.
“He understood that ALS is not just a diagnosis; it is a call to action for families, for answers, and for change,” the organization said in a statement after Dane’s death.
Dane’s last message to his daughters
In the Netflix show, Dane also reflected on the lifelong impact of losing his father at age 7 and subsequent struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol. He said he immediately knew he would marry Rebecca Gayheart when he met her and shared a memory of a family vacation to France where he spent a car ride speaking with a “spot on” French accent that made everyone laugh.
The most poignant part of the taping was at the end — when Falchuk left the room for Dane to look into the camera and deliver a final message which he dedicated to his daughters. Dane shared that his diagnosis with ALS taught him to be present. He also hoped the girls would “fall in love,” whether it be with a person or something that would make them want to wake up each morning.
“I hope you won’t just listen to me. I hope you’ll hear me,” he said.
Falchuk said this final message is something each guest has the opportunity to do. “People do all different kinds of stuff. Some people write it. Jane improvised hers. Eric wrote his,” said Falchuk, who was visibly emotional at the idea of Dane’s daughters watching his message.
“It’s hard to think about that,” he said. “They’re grieving and he loved them so much. They loved him so much and they’re just a beautiful family. I don’t know. Maybe they’ll watch it. Maybe they’ll never watch it, whatever it may be.”
Falchuk and Dane had dinner prior to filming and they didn’t know each other well, but a new friendship had developed from the experience.
”I’m grieving Eric a lot right now. It’s very hard. I was not expecting this to happen this soon. And I miss him,” said Falchuk. “It’s hard when they die. It is hard.”
The exchange seemed to also have an impact on Dane, who told Falchuk, “This is probably the most revealing and in-depth conversation I’ve had with just about anybody.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer picked by judges to serve as the top federal prosecutor for a Virginia office that pursued cases against foes of President Donald Trump was swiftly fired Friday by the Justice Department in the latest clash over the appointments of powerful U.S. attorneys.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the firing of James Hundley on social media shortly after he was unanimously chosen by judges to replace former Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. While the law says that the district court may choose U.S. attorneys when an initial appointment expires, the Trump administration has insisted that the power lies only in the hands of the executive branch.
“EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!” Blanche said in a post on X.
Hundley, who has handled criminal and civil cases for more than 30 years, didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday evening.
The firing of Hundley is the latest reflection of tumult in one of the Justice Department’s most elite prosecution offices, which since September has been mired in upheaval following the resignation of a veteran prosecutor amid Trump administration pressure to prosecute two of the president’s biggest political foes, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
That prosecutor, Erik Siebert, was effectively forced out and swiftly replaced by Halligan, a White House aide who secured indictments against Comey and James but was later deemed by a judge to have been unlawfully appointed. The cases were dismissed, but the Justice Department has appealed that decision.
Halligan resigned from the position last month after judges in the district signaled continued skepticism over the legitimacy of her appointment.
U.S. attorneys, the top federal prosecutors in regional Justice Department offices around the country, typically require Senate confirmation but the law does permit attorneys general to make temporary appointments for limited time periods. In several instances, though, the Justice Department has attempted to leave its temporary appointees in place in ways that have invited court challenges and drawn resistance from judges who have found the appointments unlawful.
Last week, a lawyer appointed by judges to be the U.S. attorney for northern New York was fired by the Justice Department after spending less than a day in the job. Judges in the district appointed Kinsella after declining to keep the Trump administration’s pick, John Sarcone, in place after his 120-day term elapsed.
President Donald Trump touts his economic record in a speech in Rome, Georgia. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
ROME, Ga. (Georgia Recorder) – In a freewheeling hour-long speech at a northwest Georgia steel plant, President Donald Trump sought to boost his second-term economic agenda ahead of November’s pivotal midterm elections.
“We have the most people working in history, and just recently, we crossed two milestones,” he said Thursday. “They thought it was totally impossible when the S&P hit 7,000 points, and the Dow Jones surged past 50,000.”
Trump’s motorcade brought him to the Coosa Steel Corporation, where hundreds lined up hours in advance for a chance to see the president tout his administration’s record and promote his candidates for governor and the ongoing 14th Congressional District race to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Trump spoke in front of a banner reading “Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!” but dismissed concerns about affordability as Democratic bellyaching.
“We inherited a mess with high prices and high inflation, and we’ve turned it around, and we’ve made it great,” Trump said. “And they don’t mention, like I said before, they don’t mention the word ‘affordability,’ they don’t mention – I haven’t heard the word in two weeks, because they can’t get away with the gig. It’s all a con job with them.”
President Donald Trump cited rising employment figures numbers in the markets and characterized concerns over prices as overblown. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
Nationwide, inflation fell to 2.4% in January, down from 2.7% in December, but consumers continue to pay higher prices on many types of goods than they did before the pandemic, stretching family budgets and driving discontent with politicians.
A Pew Research Center poll published in early February found that most Americans have a low opinion of the economy, with only 28% of respondents rating the economy good or excellent and 72% finding it fair or poor. Only 10% of Democrats and 49% of Republicans shared a positive view of the economy. A majority of respondents – 52% – told pollsters they thought Trump’s policies had made the economy worse.
The economy is a major driver of presidential job approval, which is a big predictor of success for the president’s party in midterm elections, said Emory University political science professor Andra Gillespie.
“President Trump has had an uncanny ability to be able to bend the narrative in the direction that he wants to,” Gillespie said. “And I think the big question of this year is whether or not he is still able to do that. In particular, is he going to be able to persuade voters that the economy is better than how they feel is going to be a big challenge for him.”
Trump’s visit also comes at a time of rising tensions over voting in Georgia after an FBI raid at a Fulton County elections warehouse in January. Trump has said the GOP should “nationalize” elections, and he recently boosted a story about a Georgia Republican lawmaker who is calling for the State Election Board to take over Fulton County elections. The State Election Board Thursday declined to do so but left the possibility open.
Midterms approaching
Trump is hoping to turn those opinion numbers around in the months ahead as the Nov. 3 midterms approach. Democrats are feeling optimistic that economic malaise and discontent with aggressive immigration enforcement will help fuel a blue wave in November, when Georgians are set to vote for offices including the U.S. Senate seat held by Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and Georgia’s next governor.
Speaking to reporters Thursday morning, Democratic Party of Georgia chairman Charlie Bailey previewed an economic populist message.
“Ever since Donald Trump’s been in office, his policies have hiked prices, the grocery bills, power bills, health care bills, and who’s made money? He’s made money,” Bailey said. “His family’s made money, his buddies and the billionaires and big corporations, they’ve made money. They’re doing real well. If you’re one of those, you’re getting off real well in Donald Trump’s economy.”
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and President Donald Trump in Rome, Georgia. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
Trump invited supporters to join the stage with him, including Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, whose gubernatorial run the president endorsed in August.
Trump’s praise for Jones included a jab at a new entrant in the race, wealthy health care executive Rick Jackson, whose announcement shook up the race earlier this month.
“Burt Jones, you know, all these guys are coming in now, loaded up with some money, who the hell knows how much money he’s got,” Trump said. “But Burt Jones has been here and been with you and been with me right from the beginning. He’s been with me for so long, right from literally the first day.”
Trump also invited Republican Congressman Mike Collins to the stage along with sitting Republican U.S. Reps. Barry Loudermilk and Brian Jack. Collins is one of the Republicans running to face Ossoff in November, along with another Georgia Republican Congressman Buddy Carter and former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley. Trump has not endorsed a candidate in that race and did not do so Thursday.
From left, President Donald Trump with Congressmen Barry Loudermilk, Mike Collins and Brain Jack. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
Residents of northwest Georgia are already casting votes for their next representative. In Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, which includes Rome, early voting has begun to replace Greene, who retired in January.
Nearly 20 candidates are on the March 10 ballot in the heavily conservative district.
Trump has thrown his endorsement behind Republican Clay Fuller, former district attorney for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit and a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, but a slew of other Republicans are seeking the MAGA mantle, like former state Sen. Colton Moore, who is considered a grassroots favorite in the district.
At the rally, Trump reiterated that Fuller has his complete and total endorsement.
Trump’s midterm endorsements largely did not pan out in 2022 for most of his favored Georgia candidates, and how Fuller fares could be a preview of how valuable the Trump seal of approval could be in November.
14th District candidate Clay Fuller with President Donald Trump in Rome, Georgia. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
“This is going to be a test of sort of the strength of a Trump endorsement,” Gillespie said. “In other races that, admittedly, are not special elections, President Trump has usually waited a little bit longer to make an endorsement. He didn’t have that luxury of time in this particular election to watch the polls and be able to sort of get a sense of who was in the lead.”
The results of that election may help reveal which faction of Republicanism represents the future in Georgia, Gillespie said.
“The big question will be, does the MAGA wing of the Georgia Republican party align with the Trump-endorsed candidate? Or does Colton Moore in particular have enough of a base and enough of a following that he might be able to attract a sizable portion of the electorate just on the strength of his own personality?”
