Leaders planning trip to Kenya

Community leaders are planning an trip this summer to Marsabit, Kenya, according to Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas. He said the city council approved a recommendation a year ago to join with Marsabit in the sister-city international-partnership program, but money was not available to pay for a trip.

GOP congressional candidates say change needed

Five of the six Republican candidates running for U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston's 1st Congressional District seat met Wednesday for a forum sponsored by the Savannah Area Republican Women.

Lawmaker named to Appropriations

State Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway, has been appointed by Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for the $20 billion annual state budget.

Ludowici officials defend chief's suspension

Ludowici Police Department Chief James Rogers has been put on administrative leave without pay, pending the results of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, the reported use of racial slurs and a possible EEOC investigation stemming from events that may have occurred at the Ludowici Police Department, according to City Attorney Joe Kitchings, who spoke Friday morning on behalf of the city.

County asking for its own TSPLOST

The Liberty County Commission Tuesday asked Georgia lawmakers to let counties to seek voter approval for local transportation special purpose local option sales taxes.

Ludowici PD chief on unpaid leave

Ludowici Police Department Chief James Rogers has been put on administrative leave without pay, pending the results of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, the reported use of racial slurs and a possible EEOC investigation stemming from events that may have occurred at the Ludowici Police Department, according to city attorney Joe Kitchings, who spoke Friday morning on behalf of the city of Ludowici. The move was made in light of information obtained by the city council and mayor.

Commissioner cleared in traffic incident

Liberty County Commissioner Marion Stevens confirmed this week he was cleared by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in a Dec. 22, 2012, traffic incident. The investigation was completed last month, Stevens said, but he would not comment further.

Temperatures expected to moderate

Freezing temperatures are on their way out. The National Weather Service is forecasting the high today in the upper 40s, possibly low 50s and the weekend highs in the 70s, above normal.

Lawmakers predict fast, furious session

Local state lawmakers are predicting that the 2014 legislative session, which begins Monday, Jan. 13, likely will be the quickest one on record.

Prescribed burns on post today

Fort Stewart is conducting controlled burns today, according to a news release from the post.

Ludowici PD, ex-employee at odds

Former Ludowici Police Department employee Robert Kicklighter and the city of Ludowici are in agreement that he no longer works for the city, but they are at odds over the circumstances surrounding his departure.

Last week's storm has little impact

Liberty County residents woke to nearly freezing temperatures Friday morning, according to Larry Logan, assistant director of Liberty County Emergency Management Agency.

Midway swears in new administration

Monday's swearing-in ceremony for Midway's newly elected officials became a standing-room only event as city hall quickly filled with residents eager to see re-elected Mayor Dr. Clemontine Washington, new Councilman Stanley Brown and incumbent city council members Melice Gerace, Levern Clancy and Curtes Roberts take their oaths. Stanley replaced former Councilman Terry Doyle, who lost his mayoral bid to Washington.

Locals encouraged to take transportation survey

Liberty County residents are encouraged to take part in a transportation survey conducted by the Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission.

Voting will seem early in 2014

Georgia's 2014 elections will most likely start two months earlier than in past statewide election seasons, with a general primary May 20, instead of in July. Candidates – including local ones – will need to qualify March 3-7.

Arts council asks county to renew lease

The Hinesville Area Arts Council asked the Liberty County Commission Tuesday to renew the organization's lease on its 640-square-foot space on Commerce Street in Hinesville.

Businessman Raleigh Way dies

Reports from 2014 General Assembly Jan. 13-24

The media player at left has daily reports from the Georgia General Assembly for 2014 session, which began Jan. 13: