The City of LaFayette has announced that applications are open for the Annual Honeybee Festival, taking place on May 30-31, 2025. This festival celebrates community, culture, and the important role of honeybees. Vendors, entertainers, and sponsors are invited to apply in various categories such as arts and crafts, food, a beauty pageant, a BBQ competition, and a scenic bicycle ride. The festival will start on Friday, May 30, and continue through Saturday, May 31, offering a weekend filled with music, food, and entertainment for residents and visitors. Since it began in 2017, the Honeybee Festival has become a cherished community event that promotes awareness about honeybees and encourages unity among the people of LaFayette. Attendees can expect live music, a Kid’s Zone, BBQ and baking contests, and displays of antique tractors. There will also be many unique arts and crafts vendors, tasty food, and educational exhibits on honeybee preservation. Vendors and sponsors can apply online for more information.  HERE

Georgia Power, Georgia’s main electric provider, is revising its plan to close coal plants because of rising energy needs from data centers. The updated integrated resource plan (IRP) aims to upgrade nuclear plants, increase renewable energy, and enhance the power grid. The CEO stated the 2025 IRP intends to supply clean, affordable energy for economic growth.

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Georgia residents are enjoying a small reprieve at the gas pumps as prices have dipped compared to last week. As of Monday, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline stands at $2.93, which marks a decrease of 3 cents from the previous week. Despite a slight increase of 3 cents over the past month, this figure is still 10 cents lower than the average price recorded a year ago.

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Over the past weekend, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division highlighted a case of illegal hunting in Chattooga County that took place this past fall.

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A seventy-year-old woman from Alabama has been sentenced in Chattooga County State Court to twelve months of probation following her recent conviction for shoplifting at a local Walmart in Trion. Martha Jane Bowes, who has made headlines before, was also ordered to pay a $500 fine and is now prohibited from entering the store. Bowes’ latest legal troubles come on the heels of a peculiar case last year in neighboring DeKalb County, Alabama, where she faced charges for theft of property and the desecration of graves. In that incident, she was caught on surveillance cameras stealing handmade floral arrangements from a cemetery. After authorities in Alabama obtained a warrant for her arrest, Bowes was taken into custody. When the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputies searched her home in Hammondville, they discovered multiple stolen floral arrangements that had been reported missing from the cemetery.

State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) has released his weekly legislative report.  Last week, Georgia House members returned to the Capitol after a winter storm. Chief Justice Michael Boggs delivered the State of the Judiciary address, noting increased public confidence in state courts. The House adopted House Resolution 50 to recognize January 27, 2025, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, honoring lives lost during the Holocaust. Chief Justice Boggs discussed issues like the need for digital court recording options, the lack of attorneys in rural counties, and efforts to improve legal services for low-income Georgians. He highlighted a program for veterans in the criminal justice system and addressed threats against judges, advocating for improved security measures. Several House committees met to review the Amended Fiscal Year 2025 budget. On Thursday, they introduced the Governor’s tort reform package aimed at improving the legal environment in Georgia. They closed the week with a moment of silence for victims of a tragic mid-air collision. Week Four of the Legislative Session started on Monday of this week. You can read Rep. Lumsden’s complete report below:

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A teenager from Summerville, 18-year-old Elijah Bleu McCool, faces several charges for allegedly attacking and robbing an elderly man.

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