DNC Chair criticizes Kemp in stop in DeKalb Co

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez visited a small group of Hispanic and Latino voters at Buford Highway’s Plaza Fiesta on Wednesday, urging them to support gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and down-ballot Democrats.  Perez, alternating between English and Spanish, advised them to defy what he called efforts to increase voter suppression by Secretary of State Brian Kemp, the Athens Republican and GOP candidate for governor.  “Donald Trump and Brian Kemp want Latinos and other people to be afraid to vote,” Perez said in Spanish. Latrice Latin, a Lawrenceville immigration attorney, said many of her clients feel they do not have equal access to the benefits of being in the United States even though they have gained legal permanent residency. “You look at the ads of Stacey (Abrams)’s opponent, and those ads don’t surprise me. He’s a voter suppression expert,” Perez said. “As long as you have people like Brian Kemp in charge, people who like to demonize others in charge, that’s the direction you’ll be going in.” Kemp has scoffed at those types of attacks. In a recent interview, he cited the online voter registration system that was launched under his tenure, along with new apps and a voter ambassador program. “That narrative is just not true,” he said. “To be called a voter suppressor – nothing can be further from the truth when you look at the number of people added to the polls. We’ve bent over backwards to help get people to vote.” There are 200,000 registered Latino and Hispanic voters in Georgia, and at least 50,000 more who are eligible to vote, but unregistered, Perez said. The DNC and state party are utilizing an “army of volunteers” in Georgia and across the country to register these voters and encourage higher turnout among Latinos and Hispanics, Perez said.  “It is not something that we began yesterday, but something that has been in the works for many months,” Perez said.  Perez also visited Abrams’ campaign headquarters in Atlanta, and plans to visit the city again soon, a DNC spokesman said. 

UGA updates campus changes as new semester begins

Here is a roundup of changes that took place on campus during the summer. Sanford Stadium Visitors to Sanford Stadium will notice substantial changes to the west end zone area. Major improvements include a new home locker room, a recruiting lounge and improvements to restroom and concession areas below Gillis Bridge. A new plaza now connects directly to the bridge and provides another gateway into the stadium framed by a new, larger and enhanced scoreboard. Gillis Bridge Gillis Bridge reopened Aug. 6 for pedestrian and vehicular use after a complete deck replacement over the summer. Current plans, which are subject to change, call for the connection into Sanford Stadium to be open for the first home football game on Sept. 1.  Lake Herrick The Lake Herrick watershed restoration project is underway. A renovated pond and walking trails are completed in Oconee Forest Park. Pets are welcome and must remain on leash at all times. Renovation has begun on the Lake Herrick Pavilion. Landscape improvements at Lake Herrick will include expanded walking trails, an open lawn for passive recreation, native vegetation for ecological restoration, an overlook dock and a kayak and canoe launch for carry-in, nonmotorized boats. A dedication ceremony has been scheduled for Oct. 17. University Health Center The University Health Center has undergone extensive renovations this summer. Central to this has been the complete renovation of Medical Clinic Blue and Medical Clinic Green with the goal of improving the efficiency of exam rooms and clinical space. In addition to a new environment, the existing exam tables and medical equipment have been replaced.  D.W. Brooks Drive A major project on D.W. Brooks Drive is nearing completion, according to the Facilities Management Division. The project scope was to provide for more reliable cooling on Science Hill, replace an 1890s waterline and upgrade a vast storm water management network.  In addition to significant underground infrastructure renewal, the portion of D.W. Brooks from Barrow Hall to Soule Street is being converted to a pedestrian friendly greenspace. Additionally, Soule Street has been permanently converted to provide for two-way vehicular traffic between Sanford Drive and Hardman Hall.  One Stop Shop UGA Auxiliary Services opened a centralized office to provide students, faculty, staff and visitors a one-stop-shop experience for campus services. The new office is located in the former Bulldog Bucks building on Tate Plaza, next to the UGA Bookstore. Customers of the One Stop Shop can purchase a meal plan, obtain visitor information, manage Paw Points and Bulldog Bucks, purchase a license plate recognition permit, pay citations and receive information about bus routes and parking. Dining services Joe Frank Harris Commons underwent a series of upgrades this summer in its dining commons and retail locations. The Village Summit Dining Commons underwent interior upgrades that included all new flooring, LED lighting and paint to enhance the space. Sushi With Gusto opened in Red Clay Cafe at Joe Frank Harris offering a host of sushi meals, including vegetarian options and poké that are made fresh daily. Sushi With Gusto’s grab-and-go meals are available at other locations on campus, including the UGA Creamery, the Station at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and all Market locations (Tate, Russell, East Campus).  East Side Deli opened in Red Clay Cafe in place of Between the Bread and Tossing Greens. The new deli menu includes favorites of the former locations and offers a host of signature sandwiches, custom salad and wrap combinations, drinks, sides and homemade cookies.  A new c-store concept offering expanded grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, sushi, snacks and bottled beverages is now located in the Market at East Campus. The Market accepts Paw Points, Bulldog Bucks, cash, credit and debit cards. In an effort to eliminate Styrofoam from the unit, Panda Express switched to 8-by-8 inch compostable fiber containers. This is one of many sustainability initiatives in place, in addition to composting and recycling. An additional Jittery Joe’s location opened in the law library and accepts Paw Points. Other Jittery Joe’s locations can be found in the science library, Baldwin Hall and the Miller Learning Center.  Coffee and Bagels opened in the main library in place of Tween the Pages. This is the second Coffee and Bagels location on campus; the first is in the Science Learning Center. Coffee and Bagels is open Monday-Sunday but stays open late Monday-Thursday to accommodate those who are studying. Hours are at https://dining.uga.edu/locations-hours.  A new c-store concept offering expanded grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, sushi, snacks and bottled beverages is now located in the Market at Russell Hall, the first retail location to open in a residence hall (see story).  UGA Golf Course The UGA Golf Course has conducted a series of renovation projects to better serve golf course patrons. The renovation efforts include both facility and customer service updates such as a new entranceway that provides a clearly defined entrance to the course for golfers as well as an ADA-approved ramp. Improvements to the UGA driving range field and the cart path near hole 14 also were made. Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden The new Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden at the State Botanical Garden, a public service and outreach unit, is scheduled for completion and opening for public use in early 2019. Business Learning Community Construction of the third and final phase of the Terry Business Learning Community continues this fall with completion scheduled for the start of classes in August 2019. This phase of construction will provide two new buildings, adding 10 classrooms, staff offices and conference rooms. Georgia Center Renovations at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, a public service and outreach unit, continue with major improvements to the Classic Wing. Among these renovations are improvements to the exterior envelope of the building; hotel room, corridor and mechanical system upgrades; and a food concepts renovation to update finishes and enhance functionality of the Courtyard Cafe. These renovations are expected to continue until fall 2019.

Workers injured, dogs shot, suspects arrested

Three people were injured, one critically, in a Wednesday accident at an energy facility in Madison County: it happened at the Georgia Renewable power plant in Colbert. Madison County EMS says the men were pinned beneath falling pipe. All three men were taken to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.  There is an ongoing investigation in Crawford, where the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office says 16 dogs were found dead in woods behind a vacant home. Some of the dogs had been shot. A Commerce man is arrested by Hall County Sheriff’s deputies: there are theft charges for 38 year-old Christopher Bryant, who is accused of stealing a utility trailer, a welder, and tools worth an estimated $17,000. Bryant was booked into the Hall County jail, with bond set at $16,000.    A city employee in Covington is arrested on theft charges: Covington City Manager Leigh Anne Knight says Eric Wilson stole $50,000 worth of construction materials. Wilson, who was arrested by Covington Police, worked in the city’s electric department.Gwinnett County Police say they have taken an accused killer off the streets. 32 year-old Terrence Lee is allegedly responsible for a deadly home invasion and a host of other crimes in south Gwinnett and in Rockdale County. He’s charged in the August 2 death of 27 year-old Kemar Hawkins.