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Region Tournament Hub

By
BLITZ Sports
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(Courtesy: blitzsportsga.com)

Here’s your one-stop shop to the region tournaments for our local programs. For a complete listing of all around the state, visit Sandy’s Spiel for Girls Tournaments and Boys Tournaments.

REGION 8-AAAAA

GIRLS

@ Winder-Barrow
Tuesday (2/17)
#4 Habersham Central 49, #5 Clarke Central 37
#3 Winder-Barrow 61, #6 Apalachee 15
#7 Alcovy at #2 Jackson County, 6:00
Thursday (2/19)
#1 Loganville vs. #4 Habersham Central, 4:00
#2 Jackson County/#7 Alcovy vs. #3 Winder-Barrow, 7:00
Friday (2/20)
Consolation: 4:00
Championship: 7:00

BOYS

@ Winder-Barrow
Monday (2/16)
#5 Loganville 60, #4 Apalachee 44
Tuesday (2/17)
#6 Clarke Central at #3 Jackson County, 7:30
#2 Habersham Central 82, #7 Alcovy 60
Thursday (2/19)
#1 Winder-Barrow vs. #4 Apalachee, 5:30
#2 Habersham Central vs. #3 Jackson County/#6 Clarke Central 8:30
Friday (2/20)
Consolation: 5:30
Championship: 8:30

REGION 6-AAA

GIRLS

Tuesday (2/17)
At GAC
#5 North Hall 70, #4 Lumpkin County 64
#3 White County 49, #6 Chestatee 39
#2 Pickens 64, #7 Dawson County 31
#1 GAC vs. #8 Johnson-Gainesville, 8:30
Thursday (2/19)
At Chestatee
#2 Pickens vs. #3 White County, 4:00
#1 GAC vs. #4 Lumpkin County/#5 North Hall, 7:00
Friday (2/20)
At Chestatee
Championship: 6:00

BOYS

Monday (2/16) @ Lumpkin County
#4 Dawson County 66, #5 North Hall 57
#3 GAC 66, #6 White County 47
#2 Pickens 55, #7 Chestatee 53
#1 Lumpkin County 66, #8 Johnson-Gainesville 37
Thursday (2/19) @ Chestatee
#2 Pickens vs. #3 GAC, 5:30
#1 Lumpkin County vs. #4 Dawson County, 8:30
Friday (2/20) @ Chestatee
Championship: 7:30

REGION 8-AAA

GIRLS

Monday (2/16)
At Cherokee Bluff
#4 East Hall 57, #5 Monroe Area 35
#3 Jefferson 61, #6 West Hall 23
Wednesday (2/18)
At Jefferson
#2 Cherokee Bluff vs. #3 Jefferson, 4:00
#1 Oconee County vs. #4 East Hall, 7:00
Friday (2/20)
At Jefferson
Championship: 6:00

BOYS

Monday (2/16)
At Cherokee Bluff
#4 Monroe Area 70, #5 Oconee County 55
#3 Cherokee Bluff 75, #6 West Hall 35
Wednesday (2/18)
At Jefferson
#2 East Hall vs. #3 Cherokee Bluff, 5:30
#1 Jefferson vs. #4 Monroe Area, 8:30
Friday (2/20)
At Jefferson
Championship: 7:30

REGION 8-AA

GIRLS

At Prince Avenue
Monday (2/16)
#4 Prince Avenue 63, #5 Stephens County 45
#3 Franklin County 53, #6 East Jackson 24
Wednesday (2/18)
#2 Hart County vs. # Franklin County, 4:00
#1 Hebron Christian vs. #4 Prince Avenue, 7:00
Friday (2/20)
Consolation: 4:00
Championship: 7:00

BOYS

At Prince Avenue
Monday (2/16)
#4 Hart County 88, #5 Stephens County 38
#3 Prince Avenue 75, #6 East Jackson 51
Wednesday (2/18)
#2 Franklin County vs. #3 Prince Avenue, 5:30
#1 Hebron Christian vs. #4 Hart County, 8:30
Friday (2/20)
Consolation: 5:30
Championship: 8:30

REGION 7-AA

GIRLS

#At North Murray
Saturday (2/14)
#8 Rockmart 34, #9 Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 29
Monday (2/16)
#7 North Murray 40, #6 North Cobb Christian 36 OT
#5 Coahulla Creek 57, #8 Rockmart 45
Tuesday (2/17)
#3 Sonoraville vs. #7 North Murray, 4:00
#4 Ringgold 49, #5 Coahulla Creek 42
Thursday (2/19)
#2 Union County vs. #3 Sonoraville/#7 North Murray, 4:00
#1 Murray County vs. #4 Ringgold, 7:00
Friday (2/20)
Consolation: 4:00
Championship: 7:00

BOYS

@ North Murray
Saturday (2/14)
#8 Sonoraville 75, #9 Rockmart 56
Monday (2/16)
#7 Coahulla Creek 69, #6 Union County 58
#5 North Murray 42, #8 Sonoraville 30
Tuesday (2/17)
#3 Murray County vs. #7 Coahulla Creek, 5:30
#4 Ringgold vs. #5 North Murray, 8:30
Thursday (2/19)
#2 Lakeview-FO vs. #3 Murray Co/#7 Coahulla Creek, 5:30
#1 North Cobb Christian vs. #4 Ringgold/#5 North Murray/#8, 8:30
Friday (2/20)
Consolation: 5:30
Championship: 8:30

REGION 8-A DI

GIRLS

Saturday (2/14)
At Banks County
#6 Providence Christian 55, #7 Oglethorpe County 47
Monday (2/16)
At Piedmont University
#4 Elbert County 52, #5 Commerce 42
#6 Providence Christian 46, #3 Banks County 43
Wednesday (2/18)
At Piedmont University
#2 Athens Academy vs. #6 Providence Christian, 4:00
#1 Rabun County vs. #4 Elbert County, 7:00
Friday (2/20)
At Piedmont University
Championship: 7:00

BOYS

Saturday (2/14)
At Banks County
#6 Banks County 75, #7 Oglethorpe County 55
Monday (2/16)
At Piedmont University
#4 Providence Christian 67, #5 Athens Academy 56
#6 Banks County 55, #3 Elbert County 43
Wednesday (2/18)
At Piedmont University
#2 Commerce vs. #6 Banks County, 5:30
#1 Rabun County vs. #4 Providence Christian, 8:30
Friday (2/20)
At Piedmont University
Championship: 8:30

REGION 8-A DII

GIRLS

At Washington-Wilkes
Wednesday (2/18)
#2 Warren County vs. #3 Lincoln County, 4:00
#1 Washington-Wilkes vs. #4 Towns County, 7:00
Friday (2/20)
Consolation: 4:00
Championship: 7:00

BOYS

At Washington-Wilkes
Monday (2/16)
#4 Greene County 55, #5 Lincoln County 53
Wednesday (2/18)
#2 Towns County vs. #3 Warren County, 5:30
#1 Washington-Wilkes vs. #4 Greene County, 8:30
Friday (2/20)
Consolation: 4:00
Championship: 7:00

Shooting at Rhode Island youth hockey game leaves 3 dead, including shooter, and 3 more wounded

By
Kimberlee Kruesi
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A woman reacts near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) — A shooting during a Rhode Island youth hockey game left three people dead, including the shooter, and three more hospitalized Monday night in critical condition, authorities said.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves told reporters that someone helped bring a swift end to the violent scene Monday afternoon by intervening and trying to subdue the shooter, who was at an arena to watch a family member’s hockey game. The shooter died from an apparent self-inflicted gun wound, she said, noting that authorities were still investigating.

“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” she said.

Goncalves identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, who she said also went by the name Roberta Esposito and was born in 1969.

The police chief did not provide further details about the shooter or the victims, except for saying it appeared that both victims who died were adults.

She said investigators were trying to piece together what happened and have spoken with scores of witnesses who were there inside Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, a few miles outside Providence. They also were reviewing video taken from the hockey game. Unverified footage circulating on social media shows players diving for cover and fans fleeing their seats after popping sounds are heard.

Outside the arena, tearful families and high school hockey players still in uniform were seen hugging before they boarded a bus to leave the area.

Monday’s shooting came nearly two months after Rhode Island was rocked by a gun violence tragedy at Brown University, where a gunman killed two students and wounded nine others. That shooter went on to also fatally shoot a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor. Authorities later found Claudio Neves Valente, 48, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a New Hampshire storage facility.

“The fortunate thing is that the two incidents are not related, but it is very tragic,” Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien said. “These are high school kids. They were doing an event, they were playing with their families watching, a fun time, and it turned into this.”

Pawtucket is nestled just north of Providence and right under the Massachusetts state border. A city of just under 80,000, Pawtucket had up until recently been known as the home to Hasbro’s headquarters.

Opening statements held in trial of Apalachee High School shooting suspect’s father

By
John Raby
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A man whose teenage son is accused of killing two students and two teachers at a Georgia high school should be held responsible for providing the weapon despite warnings about alleged threats his son made, a prosecutor said Monday.

The trial of Colin Gray began Monday in one of several cases around the country where prosecutors are trying to hold parents responsible after their children are accused in fatal shootings.

Gray faces 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter and numerous counts of second-degree cruelty to children related to the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder.

“This is not a case about holding parents accountable for what their children do,” Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith said in his opening statement. “This case is about this defendant and his actions in allowing a child that he has custody over access to a firearm and ammunition after being warned that that child was going to harm others.”

Prosecutors argue that amounts to cruelty to children, and second-degree murder is defined in Georgia law as causing the death of a child by committing the crime of cruelty to children.

Investigators have said Colt Gray, who was 14 at the time, carefully planned the Sept. 4, 2024, shooting at the school northeast of Atlanta that is attended by 1,900 students.

But Brian Hobbs, an attorney for Colin Gray, said the shooting’s planning and timing “were hidden by Colt Gray from his father. That’s the difference between tragedy and criminal liability. You cannot hold someone criminally responsible for failing to predict what was intentionally hidden from them.”

With a semiautomatic rifle in his book bag, the barrel sticking out and wrapped in poster board, Colt Gray boarded the school bus, investigators said. He left his second-period class and emerged from a bathroom with the gun and then shot people in a classroom and hallways, they said.

Colin Gray, the father of Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray, listens to opening statements on the first day of his trial at the Barrow County courthouse, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Winder, Ga. (video image via AP)

Smith told the jury that Colin Gray’s daughter was in lockdown at her middle school and texted her father that there had been a shooting at the high school. When law enforcement arrived at Gray’s home, he met them in the garage and “without any prompting, he blurts out, ‘I knew it,’” Smith said.

Smith said that in September 2021, Colt Gray used a school computer to search the phrase, “how to kill your dad.” School resource officers were then sent to the home, but it was determined to be a “misunderstanding,” Smith said.

Sixteen months before the shooting, in May 2023, law enforcement acted on a tip from the FBI after a shooting threat was made online concerning an elementary school. The threat was traced to a computer at Gray’s home, Smith said.

Colin Gray was told about the threat and was asked whether his son had access to guns. Gray replied that he and his son “take this school shooting stuff very seriously,” according to Smith. Colt Gray denied that he made the threat and said that his online account had been hacked, Smith said.

That Christmas, Colin Gray gave his son the gun as a gift and continued to buy accessories after that, including “a lot of ammunition,” Smith said.

Colin Gray knew his son was obsessed with school shooters, even having a shrine in his bedroom to Nikolas Cruz, the shooter in the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, prosecutors have said. A Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent had testified that the teen’s parents had discussed their son’s fascination with school shooters but decided that it was in a joking context and not a serious issue.

Three weeks before the shooting, Gray received a chilling text from his son: “Whenever something happens, just know the blood is on your hands,” according to Smith.

Colin Gray was also aware his son’s mental health had deteriorated and had sought help from a counseling service weeks before the shooting, an investigator testified.

“We have had a very difficult past couple of years and he needs help. Anger, anxiety, quick to be volatile. I don’t know what to do,” Colin Gray wrote about his son.

But Smith said Colin Gray never followed through on concerns about getting his son admitted to an in-patient facility.

The trial is being held in Winder, in Barrow County, where the shooting happened. The defense asked for a change of venue because of pretrial publicity, and prosecutors agreed. The judge kept the trial in Winder but decided to bring in jurors from nearby Hall County to hear the case. Jurors were selected last week.

Elana Meyers Taylor of Georgia wins Olympic monobob title

By
Tim Reynolds
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From left, Germany's silver medalist Laura Nolte, United States' gold medalist Elana Meyers Taylor and United States' bronze medalist Kaillie Armbruster Humphries pose for photos on the podium of a women's monobob competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Elana Meyers Taylor’s two young sons watched her leap into the air, throw her fists skyward, wave the American flag, then fall to her knees and start to cry.

In time, they’ll understand what they saw.

They saw history.

The 41-year-old U.S. bobsledder — a mother of two special-needs children, an athlete whose career was jeopardized by concussions, someone who dealt with plenty of doubt in recent years — is, finally, an Olympic champion. Meyers Taylor won the gold medal in monobob at the Milan Cortina Games on Monday night, her sixth career medal and first Olympic title.

“I thought it was impossible,” Meyers Taylor said.

She was never happier to be wrong.

She became the oldest American woman to hear “The Star-Spangled Banner” played in her honor at the Winter Games. Rallying in the fourth and final heat, Meyers Taylor prevailed with a four-run, two-day time of 3 minutes, 57.93 seconds.

Meyers Taylor had medaled five times before — three silver, two bronze. She was the most decorated Black athlete at a Winter Olympics even before this win, and her place in history got a whole lot more dazzling on a frosty night in the Italian mountains. And this medal, her sixth, tied Bonnie Blair for the most by a U.S. woman in the Winter Olympics.

“To have my name up there with Bonnie Blair, it doesn’t even make sense to me,” Meyers Taylor said.

Germany’s Laura Nolte — the leader after the first, second and third runs — was second and Kaillie Humphries Armbruster of the U.S. was third.

“I’m a bit sad because now at the moment it feels like I lost gold — and not that I won silver. In a few hours I think I can celebrate it, because it’s still a great result,” Nolte said. “Elana also deserves it. She’s a super kind human and she has won silver for many times now and the gold was missing.”

It was the fifth career medal for Humphries Armbruster. She’s 40 and about 18 months removed from becoming a mom — and she technically became the first woman 40 or older to clinch an Olympic bobsled medal, since she finished her competition exactly 2 minutes, 29 seconds before Meyers Taylor crossed the line to join the 40-something medal club.

“You get a lot of people that like to write you off as soon as you reach 40, it’s all downhill from there, is what you hear. I think Elana and I are both proof that that’s not true,” Humphries Armbruster said. “As soon as you become a mom, your body’s not the same, and you can never get that high performance back, and I think we were able to show that that’s not true again.”

Nolte led by 0.15 seconds going into the final run, with Meyers Taylor second and Humphries Armbruster third — 0.24 seconds off the lead. Barring big mistakes, gold, silver and bronze would be theirs in some order; nobody else was within 0.6 seconds of Humphries Armbruster, nor within about a full second of Nolte’s lead going into the final heat.

They go in reverse order in sliding. That meant Humphries Armbruster went first among the final three, then Meyers Taylor, then Nolte.

Humphries Armbruster finished in 3:58.05, knowing she was assured of her fifth career medal when she crossed the line. As the sled skidded to a stop, she was already on her feet — throwing her arms into the air, knowing at least bronze was coming her way.

U.S. coach Brian Shimer, often stoic, started punching the air in celebration. And then the scene was set for Meyers Taylor, who held on to no worse than the silver spot and wrapped herself in an American flag after hopping out of the sled.

Nolte had the lead going into the last run. She just couldn’t hold it.

Kaysha Love, the world monobob champion for the U.S. last year, had big trouble in her second and fourth runs and finished seventh with a final time of 3:59.27.

“Seeing Elana, that was iconic,” Love said.

Humphries Armbruster won the gold medal in the inaugural running of monobob at the 2022 Beijing Games, with Meyers Taylor winning silver.

This is the fifth time that Meyers Taylor and Humphries Armbruster have competed in the Olympics. Each has medaled in each of their previous four appearances; Humphries Armbruster was also on the Canadian Olympic team in 2006, but did not race in those Turin Games.

They’re now 5-for-5. And Meyers Taylor, finally, has the golden moment.

“I didn’t need it,” Meyers Taylor said. “But I wanted it.”

Small Business Spotlight: VETsmart Animal Hospital

By
Mitzi Oxford
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VETsmart Animal Hospital serves West Georgia and East Alabama.

When she was in elementary school, her parents’ yard in Phenix City became a sanctuary for all the neighborhood’s stray cats and dogs. That love for animals would eventually forge a career path for Brandi Stansell.

After earning a B.S. degree in Microbiology and then a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University, Dr. Brandi Stansell Hilton worked in the field for 16 years, but in her heart, she knew she wanted to create her own place. She opened VETsmart Animal Hospital five years ago at 5714 Windsor Drive in Columbus.

Even now, she still cares for her family of three children, 2 dogs, a cat, 10 chickens, and a pig.

VETsmart services

Dr. Brandi Hilton and her staff love your pets just like their own.

“Caring for dogs and cats can be a little challenging because they can’t talk. I rely on their owners to communicate what’s going on to some extent, but bloodwork and x-rays provide vital information for treatment,” said Dr. Hilton.

Like most advancements in human or pet medicine, state-of-the-art equipment, including digital x-rays, ultrasound, and the latest testing procedures are helpful for thorough diagnosis and treatment.

 

 

 

VETsmart Animal Hospital also offers:

  • Pet wellness vaccines
  • Spay and neuter and other surgeries
  • Onsite pharmacy
  • Dental care
  • Microchipping
  • Pet behavior counseling
  • Baths and pedicures

Some of these necessary procedures can be stressful for fur babies and their owners, Dr. Hilton and her staff address that up front.

“Our staff and I focus on creating a relaxing environment. I think owners and their pets appreciate our attention to detail from the reception area to the examination rooms. It makes for a better experience for all.”

Smart Paws Day Resort

Day boarding is offered and overnight stays may be on the horizon.

One of the latest additions to VETsmart is its boarding service. The description sounds like a hotel for humans. The day boarding facility is right next door to the VETsmart Animal Hospital and features an exam room, four large suites and three suites for small to medium-sized pets. Those suites include cozy beds, stairs, chandeliers, and TVs which can be tuned into your pet’s favorite shows, including Bluey, PAW Patrol, Meow Manor, or Kitten Rescuers.

“Those suites allow for individualized attention for each pet. We are also looking into extending hours for overnight stays. We are not quite ready for that just yet because we would need to invest in a sprinkler system to keep pets safe in any situation.”

Lessons learned for success

Stephen Covey, a successful businessman and author, always said, “Treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers”.

Aside from loving and protecting pets, Dr. Hilton believes in supporting her staff. “When you invest in your staff, it creates the ultimate working place for success.”

VETsmart has been voted a People’s Choice for three years and received 5 paws up, via gold stars on Google reviews and other social media.

You can follow VETsmart Animal Hospital on Facebook or call 706-507-3400.

Thomas Jackson Westmoreland

By
Now Georgia
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Thomas Jackson Westmoreland, age 82, of Cornelia, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Born on January 13, 1944, in Lula, Georgia, Thomas was the son of the late James Jackson Westmoreland and Nancy Clarice Welborn Westmoreland. He was raised in Banks County and attended Hickory Flat School before graduating from Banks County High School in 1962. He continued his education at Gainesville College, now known as University of North Georgia, where he earned a degree in Business.

Thomas dedicated over 34 years of faithful service to the Georgia Department of Transportation, retiring as a District 1 Engineer. Throughout his career, he was known for his strong work ethic, leadership, and commitment to serving the people of Georgia with integrity and excellence.

A man of deep and abiding faith, Thomas was a faithful member of Level Grove Baptist Church, where he worshiped and served the Lord for many years.

Thomas was a devoted husband to the love of his life, Sue Ellon Crowe Westmoreland. Together they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage built on faith, love, and unwavering commitment. He was a loving and dedicated father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who treasured every moment spent with his family. His greatest joy was found in the time shared with those he loved most.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving granddaughter, Brittany Wilson Anderson, and by his sister, Jean Westmoreland Stroud.

In addition to his beloved wife, Thomas is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Angela and David Wilson of Alto; daughter, Stephanie Westmoreland of Demorest; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Caitlyn and Jacob Smith of Alto; and great-grandchildren, Elvie Smith and Case Smith. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Pat and Barbara Westmoreland of Lula; Billy and Judy Westmoreland of Gillsville; Boyd Westmoreland of Lula; sister and brother-in-law, Kitty and Lane Griffin of Lula; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends who will cherish his memory.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home with Dr. Brian James and Rev. Terry Rice officiating. Interment will follow in Level Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Level Grove Baptist Church, 157 Old Level Grove Road, Cornelia, Georgia 30531.

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

Arrest made in Phenix City murder investigation

By
Robbie Watson
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Phenix City Police investigate deadly accident (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)

On February 15, 2026 at approximately 10:50 pm, the Phenix City Police Department Patrol Division responded to a call in the 100 block of 17th Avenue South in reference to a female being shot. Upon arrival, officers found 52-year-old Continaer Robinson Evans deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

At the scene officers quickly located Willie James Davis Jr. and he was taken into police custody for the shooting without incident. After a thorough investigation, Willie James Davis Jr. was charged with murder.

This is currently an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Phenix City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

 

Body located inside submerged vehicle at Lake Lanier

By
Daniel Purcell
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(NowGeorgia.com)

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A body was located inside a submerged vehicle Monday morning at Tidwell Park on Lake Lanier, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

In an official statement, authorities said, “We responded to Tidwell Park this morning for a submerged car. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team assisted. A body was located inside the car.”

Officials confirmed that next of kin has not been notified.

“The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, however, foul play is not suspected,” the statement continued. “No additional information is available for release.”

Images from the scene show a red sedan submerged at the base of a boat ramp at Tidwell Park.

NowGeorgia.com is actively monitoring this developing situation and will update this story as additional official information becomes available.

Jurors deliberate in Tara Baker murder trial

By
Kate Regan
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February 16, 2026 - Sitting amongst council for the defense and prosecution, the defendant, Edrick Faust, listens back to testimony during Day 11 of the Tara Baker Murder Trial.

(WUGA) – A verdict is possible any time now as jurors deliberate in the murder trial against Edrick Faust, the man accused of killing University of Georgia law student Tara Baker 25 years ago. Closing statements in the closely watched trial concluded Friday, after 10 days of evidence-packed testimonies, feuding between the defense, prosecution and judge, and multiple calls for a mistrial.

Edrick Faust faces multiple counts in the murder of the then 23-year-old Tara Baker, who was found dead in her off-campus home in January 2001 after emergency crews responded to a fire. Authorities confirmed the cause of the blaze was arson. Baker suffered from strangulation, a knife wound to the neck, blunt force trauma to the head and sexual assault, investigators confirmed.

The case remained unsolved for years before the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Faust in May 2024, citing newer forensic testing.

In Friday’s closing statements, prosecutors revisited each charge in the indictment, arguing that the evidence presented throughout the trial established beyond a reasonable doubt that Faust was responsible for every offense alleged.

The defense concluded their argument that the state failed to prove that the presence of Faust’s DNA equated to guilt for murder, rape, burglary, arson, or any of the other crimes listed in the indictment.

As of 3 p.m Monday, jurors have requested to revisit DNA reports and a transcript of one of the investigators on the case and have yet to reach a verdict.

Hall County, Oakwood react to planned $158M ICE processing facility

By
Joy Purcell
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The Department of Homeland Security intends to use this facility on Atlanta Highway as an ICE processing facility. It would house up to 1,600 detainees. Ninth District Congressman Andrew Clyde supports the move; Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock opposes it. (Source: Google Maps)

Hall County leaders say they want answers and a seat at the table after confirmation that a warehouse on Atlanta Highway in Oakwood will be converted into a regional U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility.

The project was confirmed through the office of State Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-9th District). The Department of Homeland Security plans to spend about $158 million to retrofit the property near Interstate 985. The facility will serve as a regional processing center for the Social Circle Detention Center, which is under construction. The Oakwood facility is expected to house between 1,400 and 1,600 people.

Clyde’s office told reporters it will cost about $160 million to operate during its first three years.

Clyde supports the project, saying it will be “a safe and prosperous addition to the Ninth District.”

“North Georgia knows the horrors of illegal alien crime all too well. I fully support President Trump in protecting American citizens by detaining and deporting criminal illegals from our communities,” Rep. Clyde said.

Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock opposes the plan. On Friday, he filed an amendment to the continuing resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security that would block the federal government from purchasing the warehouses and using them as detention centers.

“The people of Georgia want secure borders; they do not want massive immigration detention centers in their backyards,” said Warnock (D-GA). “If the Trump Administration focused on getting violent criminals out of the country, we would not need new detention centers straining Georgia’s rural communities. That’s why I’m standing with the residents of Social Circle and Oakwood and fighting to BLOCK these detention facilities from towns that don’t want them.”

Oakwood: “Left out in the cold”

Oakwood City Manager B.R. White told Fox 5 that as of Friday afternoon, he had not heard directly from DHS or ICE about the project.

“Left out in the cold,” he described. “Our assumption was that this facility would be in support of the inland port that’s being located just to the north of here. We would have loved to have had a conversation up front to address some concerns that we have, especially about sewer and sewer capacity.”

White told reporters the property is expected to close within the next two weeks and could become operational in the coming months.

Around 100 protesters gathered outside Oakwood City Hall Friday night. Others voiced their opposition to the plan during the Feb. 9 Oakwood City Council meeting.

Opponents argue the proposed location is too close to schools and family-oriented businesses. Others point to the chilling effect such a facility could have on Hall County’s Latino population – many of whom work in local poultry plants and attend nearby colleges.

County: local concerns must be heard

The Hall County Board of Commissioners says its members are fully committed to supporting Oakwood and ensuring that local concerns “are heard and addressed by our federal partners.”

“We understand and support public safety both federally and locally, but not without regard to the impacts to our infrastructure and community as a whole,” Commission Chairman David Gibbs said.

Gibbs said the board is working with staff, local, state and federal representatives to coordinate meetings about the potential impacts on infrastructure, planning and economic development.

“The federal government supersedes our local controls,” he said. “But we want to ensure that this facility is developed in collaboration and with consideration for the local community.”

District 3 Commissioner Gregg Poole, speaking individually and not on behalf of the full board, voiced his opposition.

“Due to the lack of communication from our federal and state officials, I’m not for this facility. It will increase taxes for our Hall County citizens, and I do not support it.”

Hall County commissioners are encouraging residents who wish to share feedback to contact ICE and their federal representatives directly.

ICE can be reached at 202-282-8000, extension 3.

Federal offices serving Hall County include:

Andrew Clyde
Washington Office: 445 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-9893
District Office: 210 Washington Street NW, Suite 202, Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: 470-768-6520

Rich McCormick
Washington Office: 1719 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4272
District Office: 6230 Shiloh Road, Suite 230
Phone: 770-232-3005

Raphael Warnock
Washington Office: B40D Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3643

Jon Ossoff
Washington Office: Hart Senate Office Building, Suite 317, Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3521

Former YMCA gymnastics coach convicted in Hart County sex-crimes trial

By
Patrick Fargason
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Former YMCA gymnastics coach Jeremy Green received two life sentences for grooming, sexually abusing and raping Jennifer Cobb. (Hart County Sheriff's Office)

HARTWELL, Ga. — A Hart County jury has found Jeremy Green guilty on all counts in a sex-crimes case involving one of his former gymnastics students, and a judge sentenced him to two life sentences plus 89 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

The convictions stem from charges related to sexual abuse and grooming, including two counts of child molestation, one count of aggravated child molestation, one count of enticing a child, one count of statutory rape and one count of sexual exploitation of a child.

The verdict followed a multi-day trial in Hart County Superior Court that drew significant public attention. Prosecutors presented evidence they said showed Green used his position of trust to groom and abuse a minor. Defense attorneys challenged the state’s case and elements of the investigation.

After deliberating, jurors returned guilty verdicts on all counts. It was not immediately known whether Green plans to appeal. Any appeal would be filed through Georgia’s appellate courts.

Jennifer Cobb’s story and Susan Cobb’s advocacy

Jennifer Cobb dreamed of competing in the Olympics as a gymnast. But after years of being groomed and sexually abused by her coach, she was found dead in 2021 of an apparent suicide. (Justice for Jennifer Foundation)

Jennifer Cobb was known for her generosity, warmth and devotion, her family has said. A talented gymnast with dreams of one day competing at the Olympic level, she began participating in programs through her local YMCA at age 11, according to her family.

But her life took a tragic turn after she was groomed and abused by a coach who was significantly older. Her family has said she endured years of sexual abuse before coming forward to report it — leading the family to pursue both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit against her alleged abuser and the YMCA.

Although the family later reached a settlement with the YMCA, they say justice for Cobb in life was never fully realized. She was found dead in 2021 in what authorities have described as a suspected suicide — a loss that devastated her family and friends.

For Cobb’s family and supporters, the verdict and sentence represent a significant moment in a yearslong pursuit of justice — and part of a broader effort to bring attention to the lasting impact of abuse and the need for stronger protections for children.

Following her death, her mother, Susan Cobb, emerged as an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking, often speaking publicly about her daughter’s case and pushing for stronger legal protections. She was among survivors and advocates at the Georgia Capitol in 2024 when Gov. Brian Kemp signed a trio of bills aimed at increasing protections for sexual abuse and trafficking survivors, including legislation creating a felony offense for grooming a minor.

Jennifer Cobb’s mother Susan, who became an activist following the death of her daughter to educate the public on the dangers of grooming. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

Cobb also opposed more recent legislative efforts to overhaul Georgia’s civil litigation system — arguing that proposed limits on lawsuits could shield entities or individuals responsible for enabling abuse from accountability and make it harder for survivors to seek justice.

“This has been a long and painful journey for our family,” her family wrote on the website “Justice for Jennifer Cobb,” thanking supporters who stood by them as the legal process unfolded.

Trial follows years of community attention

The trial in Hart County drew significant attention from community members and supporters who filled the courtroom at times to follow proceedings.

The verdict and sentence bring the trial phase to a close, though the legal and emotional aftermath for the family is likely to continue. If Green files post-trial motions or an appeal, additional proceedings could take place in Georgia’s appellate courts.

For Cobb’s family, the verdict marks a significant moment in their yearslong pursuit of justice — one tied not only to the circumstances of her death but also to broader conversations about survivors’ rights and legal protections in Georgia.

‘Brushstrokes of Change’ Valentine’s Day workshop transforms love and memory into public art

By
Carly McCurry
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Audrey Davenport, Margaret Shirley-Myers, Sandra Davenport and Renetha Gipson gather at the J.P. Ballard Center on Valentine’s Day to collect community memories that will shape future Brushstrokes of Change murals at Jim Smith Park. (Carly McCurry / Now Georgia)

On Valentine’s Day, residents gathered at the Ballard Center in Cornelia for a Brushstrokes of Change workshop led by Audrey Davenport. From noon to 5 p.m., participants shared stories of loved ones, family traditions and neighborhood life, contributing memories that will shape a series of murals planned for the fence at Jim Smith Park.

The J.P. Ballard Center on Chattahoochee Street in Cornelia served as the gathering place for the Valentine’s Day Brushstrokes of Change memory-mapping workshop. (Carly McCurry / Now Georgia)

Brushstrokes of Change treats public art as a civic process. Rather than presenting a finished design, Davenport invites the community to build one together. She asks for details — a phrase from a poem, a game once played in the park, a church across the street, a stove that kept hands warm on a stark winter’s day. From those details, she extracts symbols. From those symbols, she builds layered imagery.

The Valentine’s gathering centered on love and remembrance. Davenport spoke of her sister, Tanya, who was born on Valentine’s Day and died at 15. She shared poetry and photographs as proof that memory survives through art. Participants wrote reflections and described the people who shaped them. The workshop turned those recollections into visual concepts that will appear on large panels.

Inside the J.P. Ballard Center in Cornelia, tables line the room for the Brushstrokes of Change memory-mapping workshop, where community stories will shape future murals at Jim Smith Park. (Carly McCurry / Now Georgia)

Tables lined the room with photographs, historical displays and writing materials. Organizers offered small snacks and gifts — lotions, hair barrettes, and candy — reinforcing the day’s theme of care. Conversation moved from personal stories to shared history as attendees identified recurring images tied to faith, education, recreation, and family life in Cornelia’s historically Black neighborhoods.

Gift bags, lotions, candy and small keepsakes lined a Valentine’s-themed table at the Brushstrokes of Change workshop at the JP Ballard Center in Cornelia. (Carly McCurry / Now Georgia)

The finished murals will line the fence at Jim Smith Park. Through participation, the project invites residents to make new history while preserving the old.

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