Sunday, April 26, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1866, the Columbus Ladies’ Memorial Association held the first Confederate Memorial Day—a tradition born in the Peach State that was a precursor to the national Memorial Day commemoration.

Georgia’s surplus tax rebate checks are officially on their way to residents who qualify. Learn more in today’s Top Stories.

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Georgia Man Charged in Arson Spree

A Lilburn man is behind bars this weekend after investigators say he deliberately set a string of fires across three metro Atlanta counties.

Javon Heard, 42, faces charges of first-degree arson, burning of wildlands, and criminal damage to property after fires broke out across Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Walton counties. Loganville police and the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office identified Heard through security footage and took him into custody; he’s being held in DeKalb County, where additional arson charges are pending.

The arrest lands as southeast Georgia endures its worst wildfire season in recorded history. Two enormous blazes—the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County and the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County—have scorched more than 40,000 acres, destroyed 122 structures, and left nearly 1,000 more homes in the danger zone.

Evacuations remain in effect across multiple South Georgia counties, and both fires sit at only 10-15% containment. A mandatory burn ban is in effect across South and Central Georgia as extreme drought conditions continue to feed the flames.

Tax Rebate Checks Heading to Residents

Georgia’s surplus tax rebate is officially on its way—and for many residents, it may already be in the bank.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the measure into law in March, directing the state to put its budget surplus to work for taxpayers. The rebates send up to $250 back to individual taxpayers, while single people who head households could get back up to $375. Married couples could get back up to $500.

To qualify, you’ll need to have filed Georgia income tax returns for both 2024 and 2025, had a tax liability for the 2024 tax year, and be a state resident. Most payments are expected in early May, with direct deposit recipients likely seeing funds arrive first.

You can check on your rebate status through the Georgia Department of Revenue’s website, though you’ll need your Social Security number to look it up. State officials expect most eligible residents to begin receiving paper checks within six to eight weeks in their mailboxes, for those who didn’t opt for direct deposit.

Fraudster Stole Brother’s Identity to Sell Home

Authorities in Cobb County have charged 62-year-old Kenneth Lee Harris with identity theft and residential mortgage fraud, alleging he posed as his missing brother Ted to sell Ted’s home.

According to an arrest warrant, Kenneth produced his brother’s driver’s license to convince buyers and agents he was Ted, finalizing the $185,000 sale of the Powder Springs property on April 7.

Ted’s family had not heard from him since January but only grew alarmed after learning the home had been sold, prompting them to file a missing persons report on April 10.

Neighbors said the brothers looked so alike they were initially fooled. Kenneth was arrested April 11 and is being held without bond at the Cobb County Jail. Ted’s whereabouts remain unknown.

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➤ Clayton and Columbus: A Georgia Lottery player scored a $10 million jackpot on a scratch-off ticket. Meanwhile a Columbus resident won $1 million on the “2nd Edition Billionaire Club” game, claiming a lump-sum payout of $535,398 the very same day. (More)

➤ Savannah: IGY Marinas officially opened its new Savannah Harbor Marina this week, adding premium docking and waterfront amenities along the city’s storied riverfront. (More)

➤ Statewide: Georgia farmers are growing anxious as a severe drought stretches into late April, threatening early crops and water supplies—with Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley among the hardest-hit regions. (More)

➤ Macon County: Students earned top recognition in the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition, putting Middle Georgia in the spotlight for academic excellence this spring. (More)

➤ Vidalia: The city’s 49th Annual Vidalia Onion Festival wraps up today with rodeo action, food competitions, and the Blue Angels soaring over the crowd. (More)

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➤ The Atlanta Falcons selected former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch with the No. 79 overall pick on Friday night, keeping him within the state. The 22-year-old stands at just 5’9″ but runs a blistering 4.35 40-yard dash. (More)

➤ Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst became the highest-drafted player in school history on Friday night, going at No. 84 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (More)

➤ Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named the NBA’s Most Improved Player after averaging 20.8 points, 3.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, marking the second consecutive year an Atlanta player has won the award. (More)

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➤ The Inman Park Festival and Tour of Homes, one of Atlanta’s most-beloved spring traditions has returned this weekend, with live music, art vendors, a neighborhood parade, and plenty of food rolling through historic Inman Park until 6 p.m. today. (More)

➤ Atlanta Film Festival gave audiences a first look at Third, a locally produced film, on Friday as its run continues through May 3 at venues across the city. (More)

➤ Savannah scientists opened their research to the public last week as the University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography welcomed visitors aboard its research ship for Open Ship Night—a rare chance to meet oceanographers and explore life at sea. (See Images)

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