Piedmont College reacts to Coronavirus concerns

Investigators from the FAA have joined their counterparts from the National Transportation Safety Board in Oconee County: they will search for the cause of a Tuesday afternoon plane crash near Eastville. Three people were killed when a small plane went down in woods off Elder Road. The plane was flying from Columbia South Carolina to Tuscaloosa Alabama. Oconee County Coroner says the victims were businessmen from Texas. Their names have not yet been released. 

The Georgia Bulldogs fell to the Florida Gators, 68-54, in their final home game of the 2019-20 campaign in Stegeman Coliseum Wednesday night. A crowd of 10,007 was on hand for the contest, the Bulldogs’ school-record 11th crowd this season. The Bulldogs finished their home slate with 164,071 fans over 17 games this season, breaking the program’s all-time total attendance record by more than 15,000.   Junior Rayshaun Hammonds recorded his fifth double-double of the season and the seventh of his career with 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Freshman Anthony Edwards paced Georgia in scoring for the 20th time this season with 14 points.    Freshman Sahvir Wheeler dished out six assists on the night. He’s now just four assists shy of Georgia’s all-time leading freshman in assists, Litterial Green with 133.   'We have to keep growing, getting better and build the guys that we have,” Georgia Head Coach Tom Crean said. “[We need to] make sure, as we go through this, we focus on the guys who are going to bring us stability and leadership as we move forward in the program and keep growing the guys that we have... Real toughness knows it's never easy. Toughness that you're trying to grow has to go through it, and that's where we are.”   Hammonds got the Bulldogs on the board, accounting for Georgia’s first five points and eight of the first 14. The Bulldogs got off to another hot start, jumping out to the early 14-6 advantage off an 8-0 run to force an early Florida timeout.    Out of the timeout, Georgia continued to extend its advantage, grabbing the first double-digit lead of the night off an alley-oop dunk to senior Jordan Harris, assisted by Edwards. On the ensuing possession, Edwards drained a shot from behind the arc to cap the 13-0 run and gain the 19-6 lead.    Florida answered with an 8-0 run of its own while holding Georgia scoreless for nearly seven minutes to cut its deficit to five (19-14).   A layup from senior Tyree Crump ended the Bulldogs’ scoring drought while the Georgia defense held Florida to no points for over four minutes. Following an 8-0 run, the Gators were able to get within one of the Bulldogs, 23-22, with 3:37 remaining in the opening frame.   For the first time in the contest, Florida knotted the game 25-all with just over two minutes to play. The Gators would tie it once more, but an and-one from Harris regained the lead Georgia would retain for the remainder of the first half. The Bulldogs went into the locker room sporting the 30-28 lead.    After Georgia took a six-point lead in the opening minutes of the second period, Florida was able to tie the game yet again at 40 due to another Bulldogs’ scoring drought. The Gators would then take their first lead of the contest on shots from the line with 11:47 to play.    A basket from sophomore Tye Fagan marked the first Georgia points in nearly six minutes of play. Edwards followed with a one-handed jam to cut the Georgia deficit to one and bring the momentum back to the Bulldogs. Georgia was able to get a defensive stop and an offensive rebound to regain the lead (46-45) on another basket from Fagan.    Florida strung together two consecutive three-point shots as part of a 10-0 run to grab its largest advantage of the game up to that point of nine with just under five minutes to go.    The Gators continued to score, grabbing their first double-digit lead of the contest. Following another Florida 3-pointer, the Bulldogs were unable to overcome their deficit, falling to the Gators, 68-54.   Georgia will conclude regular season play against the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge Saturday, March 7th, at 2 p.m. 

The inaugural Obesity Initiative Research Symposium is on tap for today at UGA. University graduate students are presenting information on obesity-related research topics in a day-long session that starts at 9 o’clock this morning in the Richard Russell Library. From the UGA master calendar… The inaugural Obesity Initiative Research Symposium will begin with oral presentations from UGA graduate students on obesity-related research topics. This will be followed by lunch and poster presentations by UGA students. The afternoon will feature our four keynote speakers:  Alyssa Hasty, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics and associate dean for faculty development of the basic sciences, School of Medicine at Vanderbilt University. Hasty, who developed one of the first mouse models to study obesity-related hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, also serves as a research health scientist with the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Corby Martin, director of the Ingestive Behavior Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La. Martin has extensive experience conducting interventions to improve food intake, exercise and body weight. His research interests include the application of technology to change people’s behavior and improve their health through mobile health interventions. Jeni Burnette, associate professor of psychology at North Carolina State University. Burnette’s research focuses on how mindsets matter for dieting self-regulation and weight-loss goal achievement. Rita Hamad, social epidemiologist and family physician in the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies and the department of family and community medicine at the University of California-San Francisco. Hamad’s research focuses on the pathways linking poverty and education with health disparities across the lifespan.

Investigators in two Georgia counties are trying to figure out why a man went on a rampage and allegedly killed two women in less than two hours. WSB-TV Gwinnett County bureau chief Tony Thomas was live near Lawrenceville on Wednesday, where one victim’s family hopes others can learn from the tragedy. In an arrest warrant, Gwinnett police told a judge Arrief McKenzie stabbed his girlfriend, Jillian Myers Walters, multiple times with a “large knife.” A little over an hour later, McKenzie is accused of killing his estranged wife, Niki Banks, more than 30 miles away. Banks’ son, Keith Martin, told Thomas he hopes the killings serve as a lesson to others. “It's OK to open up and ask for help when needed,” Martin said. Martin said his mother was a strong woman. He said she loved and wanted to be loved. Newton County authorities said McKenzie killed Banks in a fight Tuesday morning. “I knew him. That’s as much as I’ll say. I pray that he finds Christ,” Martin said. Investigators said the motives are unclear, but just an hour before Banks’ murder, Gwinnett police got a call about a fight at an apartment complex off Herrington Road. Authorities believe McKenzie stabbed his girlfriend, Walters, to death in her apartment. McKenzie was later booked into the Gwinnett County Jail. At one point, while being booked, he kept looking at his hand and arm like he had some type of injury. His left hand was already bandaged. “We do hope for a speedy trial, quick prosecution and justice to be served,” Martin said. Authorities said McKenzie was captured when Dunwoody police pulled him over after he almost hit another car on I-285 on Tuesday morning. McKenzie is held without bond on the Gwinnett charges and is due in court Thursday morning.

Flood watches and warnings are up for most of the state, from Athens south to the Florida line through at least this afternoon: more rain falls today, before clearing skies for the weekend. From WSB TV… Give yourself extra time on the roads as you head out Thursday morning. Widespread rain will make it messy for your morning commute across north Georgia. Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan says some areas could hear rumbles of thunder but there are no storm threats. Severe Weather Team 2 and Triple Team Traffic are watching out for possible flooding and traffic problems. Watch Channel 2 Action News This Morning before you leave. Here’s what to you know as you plan for Thursday:  Flash flood watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. tonight.  Temperatures will stay on the cool side today with the rain around.  Drier, warmer weather by second half of the weekend

Georgia special teams coach Scott Cochran was hassled behind closed doors by Nick Saban leading up to his departure from the Alabama staff, according to an AL.com report citing unnamed sources. Saban was 'riding Cochran mercilessly in front of staff,' according to the report published online Thursday. Georgia hired Cochran on Feb. 24. The news of the long-time Alabama staffer joining forces with Kirby Smart at Georgia sent shockwaves across the SEC. RELATED: Kirby Smart welcomes Scott Cochran to Georgia football family Cochran had been a long-time assistant to Saban, as far back as LSU (2003) before rejoining him at Alabama in 2007. Many believed Cochran played a key role in Saban's championship run at Alabama. Indeed, the Al.com report quoted one unnamed source as saying that 'Saban really wanting him out is so not true.' RELATED: Tua Tagovailoa says Scott Cochran backbone to organization' But the report also suggests Cochran's desire to advance from strength and conditioning coach to on-field assistant created friction, particularly after he showed interest in openings at Ole Miss, Michigan State and with the New York Giants. Cochran reportedly told people close to him that 'outside forces intervened to squash the hire' with Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. Saban does in fact carry a great deal of political clout in the collegiate football ranks. Several of Saban's former assistants are now head coaches and share the same agent, including Kiffin, Kirby Smart, Jeremy Pruitt and Jimbo Fisher. According to the report, Cochran turned down a chance to join Smart at Georgia in 2015. Smart did manage to bring former UGA defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and current defensive coordinator and co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann and Dan Lanning with him from the Alabama staff, however. Lanning and Schumann oversaw the nation's top defense last season. The Bulldogs led the country in scoring defense and rushing defense while finishing third in total defense and eighth in pass efficiency defense. Cochran, seen attending Wednesday night's home basketball game against Florida, has arrived in Athens seeking an opportunity to help enhance Georgia football and achieve career goals. Many weren't even sure Smart would hire a special teams coordinator after Scott Fountain left the staff on Jan. 4 to join former UGA offensive line coach Sam Pittman at Arkansas. Georgia assistant Todd Hartley coached tight ends and special teams at Miami from 2016-18, and there was speculation he might do the same for the Bulldogs. Smart had the staff vacancy since Jan. 24, when former offensive coordinator James Coley left Georgia to join forces with Fisher at Texas A&M as a tight ends coach. Many thought Smart might hire an on-field quarterbacks coach to work with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the four scholarship QBs the Bulldogs have on campus. But Smart zigged rather than zag, looking to pump up the energy for what's expected to be another run at the SEC championship and College Football Playoffs. Cochran brings a unique style that Smart says 'elevates our entire program.' Kiffin on the record offered his support of the hire: ' I know that he will be successful as he moves on the field with Kirby at Georgia and I believe will be a head coach one day.' Alabama is behind Cochran, for now. But it's a safe bet there will be plenty more talk about the new Bulldogs' special teams coach both behind closed doors and in the national spotlight leading up to the team's Sept. 19 showdown. DawgNation Scott Cochran stories PODCAST: Former Alabama All-American says Scott Cochran will be successful at UGA State championship prep coaches discuss what Scott Cochran brings to UGA Scott Cochran took pay cut to leave Alabama, salary released How Georgia hiring Scott Cochran could hurt Alabama football Nick Saban reacts to Scott Cochran leaving Alabama for Georgia The post REPORT: Nick Saban was riding (Scott) Cochran mercilessly' leading up to Alabama departure appeared first on DawgNation.

ATHENS Georgia basketball had several great moments in Stegman Coliseum this season, but Saturday night's regular-season finale wasn't one of them. Florida (19-11, 11-6 SEC) beat the Bulldogs (15-15, 5-12) by the count of 68-54 rallying from 13 down in the first half and taking over down the stretch. Freshman Anthony Edwards led UGA with 14 points on 3-of-10 shooting, but Edwards also had three turnovers Georgia, which set a single-season home attendance record, finished 12-5 in games at Stegman Coliseum. The Bulldogs honored three senior players before the game, Tyree Crump, Jordan Harris and Donnell Gresham Jr. The energy was good early on, Georgia hitting its first seven shots and racing out to a 19-6 lead. Florida didn't lead until Scottie Lewis hit a pair of free throws with 11:47 left to make it 42-40. The Gators had drawn even five times to that point but didn't surge ahead until the free throws in the midst of an 8-0 run. Andrew Nembhard's 3-pointer capped the Florida rally and make it 45-40 with 10:09 remaining. The Bulldogs answered with a 6-0 run to go back up 46-45 with 7:47, and Florida coach Mike White called timeout. The Georgia burst featured a sensational Edwards dunk, the freshman flying high and throwing down with enough authority to bring the crowd to its feet. White's timeout served its purpose, however. The crowd quieted as play resumed, and Georgia went into a self-destruction mode. The Bulldogs turned the ball over on four straight possessions and Florida raced to a 55-46 lead. The Gators' 10-0 run featured consecutive 3-pointers and a Keyontae Johnson (18 points) dunk. UGA didn't get closer than five the remainder of the game. The loss assures Georgia it will open play next Wednesday at the SEC tournament, when the four lowest seeds tip off in Nashville. The Bulldogs had held a 30-28 lead at the half after a roaring start. Georgia's roaring start led to its largest lead in the game, up 19-6 on Edwards' 3-pointer. Hammonds had eight points in the first four minutes, but he scored just four more the rest of the game to finish with 12. The Gators answered UGA's fast start with an 8-0 run, UGA going nine straight possessions without scoring as coach Tom Crean shifted the lineup. Crump finally ended the dry spell driving for a basket with 8 minutes left in the half to keep the Bulldogs on top, 21-14. Georgia held the lead but struggled the rest of the first half, making just 5 of its final 19 shot attempts. The Bulldogs close out the regular season at 2 p.m. on Saturday at LSU (TV:ESPN2). The post Georgia basketball goes cold in regular-season home finale, Florida scores 68-54 victory appeared first on DawgNation.

Georgia basketball closes out the home portion of the regular-season schedule against Florida on Wednesday night. The Bulldogs (15-14, 5-11 SEC) play host to Florida (18-11, 10-6) at 7 p.m at Stegeman Coliseum (TV: ESPNU). The game will be Georgia's seventh sellout of the season and the 11th crowd of more than 10,000. Georgia will celebrate 'Senior Night' with Jordan Harris, Tyree Crump and Donnell Gresham Jr. set to be honored at 6:40 pm. It's likely also the final regular-season home game for freshman Anthony Edwards, a projected NBA lottery pick who was named to the five finalists for the Jerry West (shooting guard) Award earlier this week. UGA coach Tom Crean has worked to make sure the Bulldogs stay focused. Georgia enters the night playing its best basketball of the season after wins in three of the past four league games. 'The the most important aspect is getting ready to play the game,' Crean said during a media opportunity on Tuesday, per a UGA release. 'And obviously, when it's senior night you focus on that, but the focus is really, how do we get ready to play Floridamore than anything else.' No doubt, the last time the teams met in Gainesville the Gators rallied from 22 points down to score an 81-75 victory on Feb. 5. Georgia loses big lead at Florida It marked the start of a four-game losing streak that saw UGA lose double-digit leads in three of the setbacks. Gresham said he expects this Georgia-Florida game to go a different way. 'I think it will be a different game than it was the first time,' Gresham said. 'We obviously got up early last time and let them back in the game at their home place. But we feel confident going into the game in that we can take care of business and win even though they are playing pretty good as of late.' Florida has won four of its past six games and four straight at home dating back to its win over the Bulldogs. The Gators have most recently been projected as a No. 9 see in the NCAA tournament 'bracketology' by ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi. Georgia, meanwhile, is fighting to improve its SEC tournament seeding to optimize its chance for a run. The Bulldogs might also be an attractive NIT choice should they finish above .500, featuring highlight-friendly Edwards. DawgNation Georgia basketball Georgia basketball rallies, falls short at South Carolina in OT WATCH: Georgia celebrates like crazy after Vandy win Tom Crean: We're building a program' after big home win Bulldogs score resounding win over No. 13 Auburn Georgia basketball drops close one at Texas A&M, Anthony Edwards ill Georgia suffers deflating defeat at Florida UGA snaps four-game losing streak with Texas A&M win Perplexing loss for Georgia basketball at Missouri Column: Anthony Edwards needs to get back to having fun Georgia comes up short in hard-fought loss at Kentucky Freshman Anthony Edwards discloses injury, status Sahvir Wheeler on clutch game-winner, 'been there a ton of times' Anthony Edwards lights up Michigan State for 37 in 93-85 loss Rayshaun Hammonds wrecks Georgia Tech Anthony Edwards draws standing ovation in opener The post Georgia basketball aims to pop NCAA tourney bubble team Florida on Senior Night' appeared first on DawgNation.

Wednesday’s baseball game at SRP Park in North Augusta, S.C., between third-ranked University of Georgia and Georgia Southern has been postponed due to inclement weather.   The teams have rescheduled the game for Tuesday, March 10 at SRP Park with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. Fans holding tickets for tonight’s game can use those for the rescheduled game on March 10. A limited number of general admission and standing room tickets are available. Please visit the Green Jackets website: http://www.gado.gs/1ij Also, parking will be $5 per vehicle and available in the Blue Lot. There will be the E-Z-GO shuttle service running down to SRP Park from the Blue Lot.    Georgia (11-2) will return to action Friday when it plays host to the University of Massachusetts for a three-game series. First pitch at Foley Field will be at 6:02 p.m. Saturday’s game will be at 2:02 p.m. and Sunday’s action begins at 1:02 p.m. All three games will be available on SECN+ and the Georgia Bulldog Sports Radio Network. For tickets, follow this link: https://gado.gs/4mq

ATHENS Georgia football could be in for a championship season if Jamie Newman can win over his Georgia teammates like he impressed his teammates at Wake Forest. Three of the Demon Deacon players at the NFL combine in Indianapolis took time to talk about Newman with DawgNation, sharing their take on the Bulldogs new quarterback. RELATED: Georgia has SEC highest QB-WR tandem, per advanced metrics 'You're going to get the hardest worker in the whole entire football program,' said Wake Forest offensive tackle and team captain Justin Herron, who matched UGA bench press leader Isaiah Wilson with 27 repetitions of 225. 'He's the hardest worker I've ever met. He's going to do a really good job, and Georgia should be really excited.' Newman is listed at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds and is a true dual-threat quarterback who can run as well as pass the football. Wake Forrest cornerback Essang Bassey saw that first hand competing with Newman in the Demon Deacons' practices, and then observed Newman on the sideline and in the locker room. 'You definitely have to start with his leadership ability on the field, he's a very vocal guy, guys are going to feel him in the locker room, on the field, in the weight room, he's going to let his voice be hard, and then he's definitely a playmaker,' Bassey said. 'He's a guy that's going to make the right decisions, put guys in the right spots, and he's not going to make too many bad decisions. He's also a mobile guy, so you always have to be on your toes, and be locked in when you are playing against him.' Wake Forest linebacker Justin Strnad said much of the same things. 'He's a great guy, a leader, someone who is going to push himself and push his teammates to the highest level, somebody that came into Wake and from the beginning had to work his way to become a starting quarterback,' Strnad said. 'I think they're going to get an ultimate competitor and somebody that's going to help win ball games.' RELATED: Jamie Newman's high school coach shares what UGA is getting The Bulldogs have their sights set on an SEC championship and College Football Playoff spot, and obviously there will be a physical challenge for Newman to get through the season. Strnad said he believes Newman, who had 180 rushing attempts for 574 yards last season, is plenty durable. 'Jamie is a big kid, big-boned guy, it's not hard for him to put on weight, he's a thick kid,' Strnad said, asked about Newman's frame. 'I think he's somebody that can run it between the tackles. 'It's not often you see a quarterback that can carry the ball 25 times a game like he did for us and basically be a running back back there, but have the arm and the intelligence that he has,' he said. 'I would just say he's a precise pocket passer, somebody that stands in the pocket and delivers throws. He's willing to take the hit, and that's something he's very strong at.' The metrics from Pro Football Focus agree: Newman was ranked No. 2 to departing LSU quarterback Joe Burrow on throws of 20 yards or more and tight-window throws last season. Bassey said Newman's arm strength will not be an issue. 'He has a very strong arm, deep balls were really big for us this year,' Bassey said, 'so he definitely has the ability to stretch the field, so I would say he has a pretty live arm.' But more than anything, Bassey and Newman's former teammates kept coming back to his leadership and work ethic. 'He's an even-keeled guy, he's not a guy that's going to want all the attention,' Bassey said. 'He's just a calm guy, he's easy to get along with, and he's a personable guy. Everybody is going to like him. 'I know the type of worker he is, I know how hard he works, so I expect a lot of success coming out of him. I wouldn't be surprised if they make a run this year.' DawgNation Jamie Newman stories Jamie Newman among Top 5 Heisman Trophy favorites How Georgia will look a lot like home to Jamie Newman WATCH: Mark Richt says Jamie Newman could be best in SEC in 2019 Future Georgia players weigh in on addition of Jamie Newman Jamie Newman much more than just a dual-threat QB trainer: Jamie Newman fits new direction of Georgia offense Numbers game: How Jamie Newman compared to Jake Fromm Why Jamie Newman can adapt to any offensive system The post Jamie Newman's Wake Forest teammates agree, Georgia should be really excited' appeared first on DawgNation.