Student Pilot Admits to Joy Ride

Rufus Crane, a 27-year-old student pilot, pleaded guilty to stealing a private plane and going on a joy ride from Perry to North Carolina and back in May 2024.

His sentencing is set for Sept. 17, when he will face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.

On May 4, Crane stole a Beechcraft Bonanza A36 plane stored at the Perry airport, turned off the transponder, made multiple stops, and flew in foggy weather before returning the aircraft the next morning.

Authorities said Crane demonstrated advanced flying skills, including flying by using the plane’s instruments when visibility was poor.

  Utility Commission Races Take Shape

The race for two seats on the state Public Service Commission came into clearer focus following Tuesday’s primary election, with a Democratic runoff still needed in District 3 and incumbents advancing elsewhere.

Keisha Sean Waites topped the District 3 Democratic primary field with 46% of the vote and faces runner-up Peter Hubbard in a July runoff. Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson was unopposed in the primary. See election results here.

In District 2, GOP incumbent Tim Echols won and faces Democrat Alicia Johnson in the November election.

Restaurants Passed Over for Awards 

Georgia restaurants were shut out at the 2025 James Beard Awards, known as the Oscars of the food world. 

Aria in Buckhead was the state’s sole finalist but lost to Atomix in New York City in the Outstanding Hospitality category.

Aria founder Gerry Klaskala officially retired this past weekend, handing the reins to general manager Andrés Loaiza and chef Joseph Harrison.

In other award categories, The Bitter Southerner in Athens won a medal for best food coverage in a general interest publication, and The Bartender’s Pantry, co-authored by Atlanta resident Bart Sasso, won a medal for best beverage recipes book.

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➤ Hall County: Brenau University launched a program with four school districts to combat the state’s teacher shortage, offering online degrees at discounted rates. (More)

➤ Barrow County: A judge denied a venue change for the trial of Colin Gray, the father of suspected Apalachee High School gunman Colt Gray. (More)

➤ North Georgia: More severe storms are expected today before weekend heat arrives. (More)

➤ Savannah: A pawn shop clerk was accidentally shot in the arm by a customer after a loaded chamber was overlooked during a sale. (More)

➤ Fulton County: Former sheriff’s deputy Khadijah Solomon was indicted for allegedly tasing detainees without cause and falsifying reports to hide her actions. (More)

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➤ Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar went 2-for-3 in his Triple-A rehab debut for Gwinnett, a strong start following his suspension. (More)

➤ Former MLB player Sean Casey, 51, tore his hamstring during a Savannah Bananas game at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, requiring surgery after a base-running mishap. (More)

➤ WANF Channel 46 will air four Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic high school football games on August 16, its first day of splitting with CBS and operating as an independent station. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | WNBA | NCAAB | Soccer

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➤ By 2028, Northwest Georgia is projected to gain 43,000 residents, 27,000 jobs, and $9 billion in economic activity, with Kennesaw State University helping drive talent development for booming industries, area leaders say. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech will convert the Atlanta Biltmore into another innovation center in the school’s Tech Square district. (More)

➤ Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power completed the world’s largest hydrogen blend test in Smyrna, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 22%. (More)

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NASA Turns to Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Deep Space Power

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Infinity’s regenerative hydrogen fuel cells are designed to deliver long-duration power where traditional systems fail—in areas without oxygen, too cold for normal batteries to survive. These fuel cells have already flown aboard Blue Origin (Jeff Bezos’ company) and are now being built for critical lunar and underwater missions.

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➤ Fulton County animal services officer Jessica Lawton faces daily danger rescuing aggressive and abandoned animals, balancing enforcement with compassion for protecting pets and people. (More)

➤ Day-camp youth at the Villages at Carver YMCA received free eye exams and glasses, part of a metro Atlanta effort to provide early vision care. (More)

➤ Another case of the measles was confirmed in Georgia, raising the state’s 2025 total to six. Officials say the individual is a family member of a person who contracted the measles in May. (More)

Have you ever had issues with an aggressive animal in your neighborhood?

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Yesterday’s Results:

Did you vote in the Public Service Commission primary?

1. Yes: 32%
2. No: 68%

When did the Atlanta Biltmore Hotel open? 

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