Jail Guards Walk Off Job Over Pay

Security officers at an Atlanta jail walked off the job after the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office failed to pay more than $1 million owed to their employer, Strategic Security Corp.

The company ended its contract, leaving the jail understaffed as 17 contract officers walked out, creating immediate safety concerns.

Despite attempts to address the payment issue, the sheriff’s office consistently fell behind, and the company continued to pay its employees out of a sense of moral obligation.

Strategic Security Corp. CEO Joe Sordi stated that the sheriff admitted the money wasn’t available, while Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts noted funding was allocated but overspent.

Georgia Community Mourns Slain Hostage 

The Ramah Darom summer camp in Clayton mourned the death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a former counselor there who was one of the six hostages killed by Hamas.

“There are no words to express the heartbreak we are all feeling,” camp officials said in a statement. 

A memorial for Goldberg-Polin has been set up at Congregation Shearith Israel in Atlanta, where his family are congregants. The memorial is also for two other hostages with ties to the congregation.

Goldberg-Polin was taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel, where he lost part of his left arm to a grenade blast. His parents became prominent advocates for the release of their son and other hostages.

Titanic Expedition Reveals Lost Statue

RMS Titanic Inc., a Georgia-based company with salvage rights to the Titanic, released new images from its first expedition to the wreck since 2010. 

One of the notable discoveries was the rediscovery of the bronze statue “Diana of Versailles,” last seen in 1986.

A significant section of the iconic railing surrounding the Titanic’s bow has fallen off the ship, having survived the original wreck until 2022. 

“The discovery of the statue of Diana was an exciting moment. But we are saddened by the loss of the iconic bow railing,” said Tomasina Ray, director of collections for RMS Titanic.

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➤ Gainesville: A new elementary school has been named the Sandra Dunagan Deal Elementary School after Georgia’s former First Lady (2011-2019), who was known as a literacy advocate. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Georgia State University has created a 3.7-mile walking path called the GSU Blueline to knit together the sprawling campus and improve student security. (Details)

➤ Athens: The new press box at Sanford Stadium, the home of UGA football, will be named after two Georgia athletic department legends, Dan Magill and Claude Felton. (More)

➤ Lafayette: A 63-year-old man has been arrested after 24 years for the 2000 murder of a Georgia woman. Improved crime lab techniques allowed police to link the alleged killer to the crime. (Details)

➤ Habersham County: A 66-year-old woman was rescued by helicopter after injuring her ankle at Panther Creek Falls in a remote area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. (Details)

➤ Colquitt County: A man seeking to elude arrest was bitten by a K-9 patrol dog and died five days later. GBI agents are investigating the case as a use-of-force incident. (Details)

➤ Stetson Bennett, who led the Georgia Bulldogs to two national championships, made the Rams final 53-man roster. Bennett threw this game-winning touchdown pass to defeat the Dallas Cowboys. (Watch video)

➤ Elijah Griffin, a defensive lineman at Savannah Christian, has become the most sought-after high school recruit in Georgia. He received his first scholarship offer from UGA in 8th grade and now has 40 offers. (More)

➤ Georgia native McKenzie Coan, who suffers from brittle bone disease, won the silver medal in the women’s S7 400-meter freestyle in the Paris Paralympics Games on Monday. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | US OPEN | Paralympics

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➤ Atlanta’s second-largest commercial contractor, Brasfield & Gorrie, has named Rob Blalock as its new CEO starting Jan. 1. Current CEO Jim Gorrie will become executive chairman. (Details)

➤ The Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed new rules requiring employers to develop heat-safety plans, including water and rest breaks when temperatures exceed 80 degrees. (More)

➤ Consumer advocates warn of a new scam preying on potential renters. They use fake leases to get a victim’s deposit, then disappear. (See Details)

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➤ New movies currently shooting in Atlanta include “That’s Her,” “Superman: Legacy,” and a “Naked Gun” reboot. (See the Full List)

➤ Atlanta-born rapper “Lil Baby” (Dominique Jones) was arrested in Las Vegas on charges of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. (Details)

➤ Netflix’s “Love Is Blind” is now casting in Georgia. If you’re single, looking for love, and don’t mind your dating life being shown on television, you can apply to be on the show. (Application)

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Have you attended a football game at Sanford Stadium?

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2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to a Monster Truck show?  

1. Yes: 34%
2. No: 66%

Who was the first governor of Georgia after independence? 

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