Tornadoes Touch Down

Several radar-confirmed tornadoes touched down in north Georgia late Tuesday and early Wednesday, with the first hitting Chattooga County around 10:18 p.m. and the second near Jackson at 3:55 a.m.

The storms that produced the tornadoes caused widespread power outages, downed trees, and road closures across metro Atlanta and surrounding areas. There were no early reports of whether any structures were damaged by the tornadoes.

While cleanup crews began work Wednesday, the National Weather Service warned that isolated storms could arrive over the weekend.

  535-Worker Mill Closure Shakes County

Georgia-Pacific’s decision to close its 535-worker Cedar Springs Containerboard mill will hit Early County businesses and public services hard.

Odom’s Country Cafe in Blakely, which has been open for 15 years, announced it will close on May 23, citing the mill shutdown.

Meanwhile, local government officials have already frozen hiring, pay, and non-essential spending, bracing for lost tax revenue and the closure’s economic ripple effects on the 11,000-population county.

Georgia-Pacific announced the mill’s pending closure last week, saying most jobs will be eliminated by August.

Recreation Areas Scale Back

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will provide reduced services or close some campgrounds and waterfront beaches in Georgia, including some areas at Lake Lanier, citing staffing shortages and public health concerns.

The beaches and recreational areas on the agency’s list are expected to see reduced services at least through the summer. Essential operations like dam safety will continue.

Closures are expected to last until staffing levels recover, with visitors urged to check for updates before traveling.

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➤ Morgan County: A kidnapped South Carolina woman was rescued and a suspect arrested after a police chase. The kidnapped woman had alerted another motorist to call police while at a rest stop. (More)

➤ Coffee County: Jon Worrell, a 58-year-old man from Douglas, was arrested in Missouri for the 2006 murder of his wife in Georgia, closing a 19-year-old cold case. (More)

➤ Bulloch County: Georgia Southern researchers secured $800,000 to expand opioid crisis programs statewide, focusing on rural hospitals and student support. (More)

➤ Atlanta: A 22-year-old Georgia Tech student who was shot near campus has died. Police are investigating with no suspect or possible motive disclosed. (More)

➤ Fulton County: Atlanta’s $5 million criminal justice diversion center is getting minimal use, and officials are calling on police to send more low-level offenders to the site. (More)

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➤ Atlanta Braves ace pitcher Spencer Strider returned from an injury Tuesday, allowing four runs in 4 1/3 innings during Atlanta’s 5-3 loss to the Nationals. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins could be an expensive but experienced addition if the Pittsburgh Steelers trade for him, an analyst says. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech baseball won numerous conference awards, with coach Danny Hall named ACC Coach of the Year, Alex Hernandez chosen Freshman of the Year, and seven Yellow Jackets named to various all-conference teams. (More)

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

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➤ The average gas price in Georgia was $2.92 per gallon as of Wednesday, up four cents from a week ago, as rising demand and crude costs signal a seasonal increase before Memorial Day. (More)

➤ More than 11,000 apartments have been added to downtown Atlanta since 2020, ranking fourth nationally. (More)

➤ Gainesville trucking firm BMX Transport filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing up to $10 million in debt. (More)

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➤ Atlanta will become home to the nation’s largest indoor pickleball complex later this year. The complex will feature 33 courts, a cafe, a fitness center, and more. (More)

➤ Sandy Springs police spotted a black bear in a tree near Roswell and Morgan Falls roads. It climbed down and returned to the wild. (Watch)

➤ Zoox is bringing an autonomous vehicle test fleet to Atlanta this summer, joining Uber and Waymo as the city becomes a hub for driverless ride services. (More)

Have you ever seen a wild bear?

1. Yes
2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to Stone Mountain Park?

1. Yes: 73%
2. No: 27%

Which Georgia city was spared from destruction during Sherman’s March during the Civil War? 

Show me the answer