End of an era: Five Points Waffle House closes

It opened in the 1960s: it closes today after more than 50 years in Five Points in Athens. The Waffle House at the corner of Lumpkin and Milledge will serve its last patrons, shutting down because the restaurant operators were unable to reach a lease agreement with the property owners. There is still no word on what will replace the Waffle House in Five Points. 

First class graduates from UGA residency program

Georgia needs more doctors. In fact, the entire country does. The University of Georgia and Augusta University are working to address this need. In June, 10 residents from the initial class (some pictured above) of the Medical College of Georgia at the Augusta University/ University of Georgia Medical Partnership Internal Residency Program marched in recognition of finishing their three-year residency program. Each was surrounded by their family members, mentors and other physicians who guided them along the way. Several graduates accepted positions in the state. According to a 2017 study by the American Association of Medical Colleges, the U.S. is expected to face a shortage of between 40,800–104,900 doctors by 2030. This is fueled by a growing population, and an increase in the amount of aging Americans and retiring physicians. And in order to meet the national average of 36.6 physicians per 100,000 people, Georgia needs an additional 1,456 graduate medical education positions in various specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine and general surgery. About the program The Internal Medicine Residency Program, a joint effort of the AU/UGA Medical Partnership and St. Mary’s Health Care System, received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in January 2014, becoming Athens’ first medical residency program. This program takes three years to complete and concentrates on producing community-based physicians. Since the inception of the Medical Partnership residency program, an additional internal residency program has been established at Piedmont Athens Regional bringing an additional 15 residents to the Athens community each year. Combining the two programs, the total number of resident positions in Athens is now 85.

Police: SWAT team arrests man after he shoots mother, fires at police

Police have a man in custody after they said he shot his mother and then shot at officers before an hours-long standoff with police. Investigators told Channel 2’s Carl Willis that the man's mother had to roll under a car to save herself and call for help. The GBI identified the man as Jonathan Wayne Allen, 37, of Jackson County, 'It doesn't sound like small town Braselton,' neighbor Tim Tanksley said. Tanksley said he was shocked to see the entrance to his neighborhood along Charlie Cooper Road blocked off with armored vehicles Friday afternoon as officers moved in on a man holed up in his house after investigators say he shot his mother in the back. 'He shot her outside. She was able to roll up under a vehicle,' Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum told Willis. TRENDING STORIES: Watch: Priest slaps crying baby during baptism ceremony 4 Wendy’s employees accused of dealing meth at restaurant There's a new mosquito-borne virus in town, and you may have it When deputies arrived, the sheriff said the man fired at them too. 'Even the UPS driver caught two rounds in the side of his truck, so he was pretty much shooting wildly,' Tanksley said. One of the deputies shot the suspect before he retreated into his house, creating a standoff that lasted over an hour before Hall County SWAT went in and got him. 'What are the questions that you and your agency still have about this?” Willis asked Mangum. “I'm just thankful my deputies are OK and they're not hit, hurt, dead. I’m just thankful. That's all I can think about right now,” Mangum said. The sheriff said a small child was in the home but was taken from the scene before the shooting began. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to process the scene as neighbors processed what happened next door. 'I moved away from the city to try to go somewhere where this stuff doesn't happen. It doesn't really matter where you're at,' Tanksley said. Allen was taken to a hospital, where he is expected to survive his injuries, the GBI said. His mother is also expected to survive. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Patrol vehicles were shot, but none of the deputies were injured, the GBI said At this time, Allen is charged with aggravated assault against the family member. The GBI said additional charges are expected.