Gas Tax Holiday Saved $196M in May

Georgia’s gas tax break saved motorists about $196 million per month, based on May state tax data, consistent with estimates of more than $400 million in savings over its entire run. 

The gas tax holiday, which began March 18 and ended June 2, saved drivers 33 cents per gallon on gasoline and 37 cents per gallon on diesel.

AAA reports no significant change in the state’s average gas price in the week since the tax was reinstated, with the average at $3.83 as of Monday.

AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters said Peach State drivers should expect prices to “rise and fall throughout the summer.”

MARTA Shooter Caught as Community Mourns

A multi-agency manhunt for a suspect in Friday’s MARTA shooting in Atlanta ended with the arrest of Anthony Tyrone Gresham, 42, in Douglas County this past weekend.

Authorities say Gresham boarded a train and fired multiple shots at a 19-year-old on the train, who was treated for his injuries. He faces charges of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Meanwhile, dozens gathered Sunday at Oakland City Station in Atlanta for a vigil honoring Margaret Swan, 66, fatally stabbed on a MARTA train on May 30. “She was so sweet. She didn’t do nothing to nobody,” vigil organizer Wynecia Patterson said.

Attendees demanded improved security on the system.

$44M Estate Hits Market

A 5,519-acre southwest Georgia sporting estate held by one family for about 130 years hit the market at $44 million, a price that would eclipse boxer Jake Paul’s estate purchase last year.

Spread across Early and Calhoun counties, Spring Creek Plantation features a 182-acre spring-fed lake, managed quail and trophy whitetail habitat, a new lakefront lodge, and farmland and mining royalties forecast to generate about $500,000 annually.

Last year, Paul purchased the 5,746-acre Southlands ranch in Decatur County for $39 million. A Spring Creek sale at full asking would surpass that figure, reinforcing growing demand across the Albany area’s plantation belt.

You can see photos of the estate here.

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➤ DeKalb County: A man stabbed a police officer, who fired back and critically injured the man on Monday on the 2900 block of North Decatur Road. The officer was treated at a hospital and listed in stable condition. (More)

➤ Statewide: The state is surveying dentists about their antibiotic prescribing habits after a TV news station reported that Georgia ranks in the top 10 nationally for prescriptions of clindamycin, an antibiotic linked to potentially deadly C. diff infections. (More)

➤ Quitman: City leaders held a hearing on next year’s proposed budget, including a possible cut in police department staffing from 17 to 8, drawing community pushback. (More)

➤ Statewide: The state Department of Natural Resources will accept public comment and nominations through June 30 on the first planned update of Georgia’s protected species list in 20 years. (More)

➤ Albany: Firefighters freed a kitten that became trapped under the engine hood of a car, with the motorist alerted to the situation moments before starting the vehicle. (More)

➤ Atlanta Hawks coach Quin Snyder agreed to a multi-year contract extension after leading the team to the playoffs this season. (More)

➤ Georgia baseball will play the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, kicking off the Bulldogs’ first College World Series appearance in 18 years. (How to Watch)

➤ Atlanta Braves rookie Didier Fuentes, 20, became the franchise’s youngest pitcher in 55 years to earn a save, handed the ball with the team’s top three relievers unavailable. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | Soccer | WNBA | NCAAB

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➤ Kristin Scaglione reopened backyard fort maker Firefly Forts in metro Atlanta to honor the memory and spirit of her late husband, Mike, who came up with the idea for the company while building a backyard fort for his children during the pandemic. (More)

➤ Google donated $1 million to Ducks Unlimited to restore 35 acres of wetlands in the Flint River Wildlife Management Area, near one of its data centers. (More)

➤ The Southern Georgia Black Chambers celebrated 25 graduates of its Small Business Academy in Valdosta, an 11-week residency where graduates build core business assets to earn a credential and qualify for a $2,500 Georgia Power grant. (More)

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➤ The website Family Vacations lists 10 Georgia state parks as prime for outdoor adventures this month, from canyon rims in the north to salt marsh views near the coast. (More)

➤ Atlanta native McKenzie Kurtz joined in celebrating after Schmigadoon! won the Tony Award for Best Musical on Sunday. She plays Betsy McDonough. (More)

➤ Savannah plans a big 250th birthday celebration on the Fourth of July, featuring fireworks and three live music stages along the waterfront at Rousakis Plaza, Plant Riverside, and The Park at Eastern Wharf. (Details)

➤ Correction: A Cherokee County homeowner was shot at after going outside when a Ring alert showed a person in his driveway, with no injuries reported, authorities said. Incorrect information was reported in Monday’s edition due to an editor’s error. Our apologies.

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Who’ll win the College World Series?

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