Georgia

Java, August 13, 2008 – Human Rights Watch researchers in South Ossetia on August 12, 2008, saw ethnic Georgian villages still burning from fires set by South Ossetian militias, witnessed looting by the militias, and learned firsthand of the plight of ethnic Ossetian villagers who had fled Georgian soldiers during the Georgian-Russian conflict over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.    » read more »

July 16, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of nine soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died of wounds suffered when their outpost was attacked by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades from enemy forces in Wanat, Afghanistan, on July 13.

They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Killed were:

1st Lt. Jonathan P. Brostrom, 24, of Hawaii.

Sgt. Israel Garcia, 24, of Long Beach, Calif.

Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers, 24, of Snellville, Ga.

Cpl. Jason M. Bogar, 25, of Seattle, Wash.

Cpl. Jason D. Hovater, 24, of Clinton, Tenn.    » read more »

13 June 2008 -- "I am shocked by the announced $8.4 million dollar cut in funds for mental health services for children in the state of Georgia, particularly considering the current crisis state mental health services face.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Steve A. McCoy, 23, of Moultrie, Georgia, died June 10 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, of wounds suffered on March 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.    » read more »

May 28, 2008 -- ATLANTA - Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue asked President Bush for a major disaster declaration to assist residents and local governments in Cherokee County with emergency response measures and aid for losses resulting from the severe weather and tornadoes that occurred on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

“This is the third tornado event this spring that has disrupted the lives of our citizens and devastated one of our communities,” said Governor Perdue. “I am hopeful that our federal partners will recognize the extent of this damage and will render the appropriate assistance to help the residents of Cherokee County recover in the aftermath of this severe weather.”    » read more »

Residents May Call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA to Apply for Assistance

May 23, 2008 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced that President George W. Bush approved a Federal Disaster Declaration today for the 14 counties that Governor Perdue requested aid for following the tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that hit Georgia on May 11-12.

"I am grateful to President Bush and FEMA Director Paulison for their quick action in offering assistance," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "This Federal Disaster Declaration will broaden our capability to recover from these devastating storms."

This means that individual assistance is now available to disaster victims in 10 counties: Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs.    » read more »

May 20, 2008 -- The Department of Defense today announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Master Sgt. Davy N. Weaver, 39, of Barnesville, Georgia, died May 18 in Qalat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, Macon, Ga.

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Governor also signs additional bills promoting Georgia industries

May 14, 2008 -- ATLANTA – Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed legislation capping the sales tax on energy used in the manufacturing process. HB 272 provides a cap for certain energy prices over which no additional state sales and use tax will be paid by manufacturers. Commodities subject to this partial exemption include natural gas, No. 2 fuel oil, No. 6 fuel oil, propane, petroleum coke, coal and the fuel cost recovery charge component of retail electricity rates.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- GAINESVILLE, Ga—Today on the banks of a depleted Lake Lanier, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed the Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act of 2008, SB 342. The legislation will expedite the construction of new reservoirs throughout the state.

Lake Lanier, Georgia drought: March 4th 2007 (left), February 11th 2008 (right). Montage by Brian Hursey (CC)    » read more »

ARLINGTON, Va. (05/12/2008) - National Guard members in four states were called out by their governors to assist civil authorities May 12 after tornados crossed the Southwest May 10 and flooding on the Delaware coast left communities in need of emergency assistance.

Arkansas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Lucas Jennings discusses tornado response missions in Arkansas: Arkansas National Guard photo

Since May 7, the National Weather Service has confirmed at least 42 tornados in the southern Plains and the southeastern and middle Atlantic regions of the nation with the strongest tornado recorded May 10 as an F-4. It developed from a super cell storm that tracked through three states.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- ATLANTA – Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in seven additional counties affected by tornadoes that struck on Sunday. The seven counties are Clayton, Crawford, Emanuel, Glynn, Jenkins, McIntosh, and Twiggs. The announcement follows an emergency declaration released on Sunday declaring six Georgia counties in a state of emergency: Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson and Laurens.

“We are working together to ensure response efforts reach all Georgians affected by these storms,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Joint local, state and federal assessment teams will continue to determine the full scope of the damage to businesses, state facilities and residences.”    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- MACON, Ga – Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed an executive order suspending the collection of the state gas tax on diesel sold for off-road uses. Governor Perdue also signed several agricultural-related pieces of legislation during his visit to Farm Bureau headquarters in Macon: Senate Bill 515, House Bill 649, and House Bill 1178 and House Bill 1088.

Georgia tractor at work in cornfield: Photo by Judy Baxter (CC)    » read more »

The Georgia Forest Land Protection Act of 2008 signed today

May 8, 2008 -- SWAINSBORO, GA — Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed The Georgia Forest Land Protection Act of 2008, HB 1211, at the Swainsboro Pine Tree Festival and Timber Expo.

Sunset at Lake Oconee, Georgia: Photo by C.J. Peters (CC)    » read more »

May 03, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Jerry L. DeLoach, 45, of Jackson, Georgia, died July 7, 2007, in Riverside, Ga., of a non-combat related injury, while assigned to Fort Knox, Ky.

He had been medically evacuated from theater. He was assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Knox.

   » read more »

Sewon America to create 700 jobs and invest $170 million with new manufacturing facility

May 2, 2008 -- ATLANTA -- Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Sewon America, Inc., a major Kia supplier. Sewon is locating its first U.S. plant at the Callaway South Industrial Park in LaGrange.

The company plans to create 700 jobs and invest $170 million in a facility to manufacture automotive components for the Kia plant in West Point over a three year period.

“I am honored to join Sewon as they break ground and officially join the LaGrange community,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Kia suppliers have announced upwards of 2,300 jobs, which is on top of the 2,500 employees planned for the Kia Motors factory in West Point.”    » read more »