Project Jackson: Should Augusta be Worried?

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC - The Hammond’s Ferry Planned Development, approved by ordinance in 2002 as the North Augusta Riverfront Planned Development and revised by ordinance in 2010, is the subject of an application for a major modification to the Planned Development General Development Plan (GDP). The intent of the current General Development Plan modification is to outline proposed development of the Riverfront Center (Phase B) to include the proposed GreenJackets Ballpark and other commercial and residential uses.

Overtime Pay Changes Welcomed

WASHINGTON, DC (PR) — The American Federation of Teachers welcomes the Department of Labor’s long-overdue proposal to change the overtime rule to include millions more American workers. Overtime pay is a basic workplace right that should be afforded to all employees. By raising the threshold beyond the current cutoff of $455 a week, millions of Americans will once again have their time above and beyond their regular work hours recognized. At the same time, the new rule provides a disincentive to squeezing current employees to work more or to work inhospitable hours.

Fayette County Under Scrutiny

Immigrant Residents Unable to Get Licenses Punished with 120 Days in Jail

ATLANTA, GA (PR) - Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR) will rally at the Fayette County Sheriff’s office and march to the County Court to protest what they describe as unjust targeting of immigrants who are blocked from obtaining drivers’ licenses in the state of Georgia and call upon local authorities to use their discretion in how such cases are addressed.

Random Search of Guest Registries Unconstitutional

By Sunita Sohrabji, India-West - In a landmark decision, in which the concerns of Indian American motel owners were addressed for the first time at the highest level of the U.S. justice system, the Supreme Court determined June 22 that the Los Angeles Police Department’s random inspection of motel guest registries constituted unwarranted search and seizure, violating Fourth Amendment constitutional rights.

Recognition of the Confederacy in Georgia

ATLANTA, GA (PR) - Georgia WAND joins Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) and civil rights organizations, woman's groups, the faith community, LGBTQ groups, and the labor movement to address the concerns regarding Georgia's need to eliminate recognition of the Confederacy. The state of Georgia currently celebrates Confederate Memorial Day and allows drivers to opt-in for a license plate displaying the Confederate flag. 

Public Transportation is Moving Forward

AUGUSTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - The Transit Citizens Advisory Committee will keep pushing for a comprehensive public transportation for residents in Richmond County and beyond. The group won't be deterred by the surprise move to end the pilot program Fort Gordon Route 10, a move made last week by the Richmond County Commission. During its monthly meeting the new Augusta Public Transit Director Pat Stephens said he is optimist to accomplish the goal of a improved public transportation and that he is working to put a plan in that direction.

Women Applaud Supreme Court Decision in ACA

NEW YORK (PR) - Today, the Supreme Court announced its decision in King v. Burwell to uphold the Affordable Care Act’s provision of federal tax credits, or “subsidies,” which help offset health insurance premium costs for low and middle-income Americans. The removal of these subsidies would have placed insurance coverage out of reach for millions of low-income and middle-income individuals. 

Ski Clinic at Lake Thurmond

AUGUSTA, GA (PR) – Isabelle Green is counting down the days to Saturday. That’s when the eight-year-old, living with the challenges of arthrogryposis, will experience a day drenched in fun as GRHealth and Champions Made From Adversity team up again for adaptive water skiing at Lake Thurmond.

Officer Involved in Deadly Shooting

AUGUSTA, GA (PR) – Deputy Bryan Mealing was identified as the officer who killed Tyler James Wicks, according to official reports. The case is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) requested by the Richmond County Sheriff Office (RCSO).

Augusta Ranks High by National Standards

With Fourth of July around the corner, it’s a good time to ask: Which U.S. cities bleed the most red, white and blue? To find out, the leading personal finance website WalletHub took an in-depth look at 2015's Metro Areas That Most and Least Resemble the U.S. Augusta’s overall ranking is No. 24 and its ranking within medium-sized metro areas is No. 9.

Father's Day Gift? Get Covered

ATLANTA, GA (PR) – In celebration of Men’s Health Week and Father’s Day, Get Covered America wants the XY chromosome community in Georgia to know all the ways they can take care of their health this summer. Whether you plan on coaching your kid’s soccer team, hiking the Sweetwater Creek State Park, playing ball with the boys, or simply staying home and reclaiming your man-cave, you should also consider making the appointment for your not-so-annual yearly visit to the doctor.

150TH Anniversary of Juneteenth

ATLANTA, GA (PR) - "We cannot change history or alter the wrongdoings of those that came before us  but we can endeavor to work together for the betterment of all mankind," said Georgia Republican Party Chairman John Padgett.  "The Republican Party was founded by abolitionists seeking to end the proliferation of slavery.  Now, the Party works tirelessly to protect freedom, promote growth, and preserve hope for generations to come."

Hunger Strike for Deaths at Detention Center

PHOENIX, AZ (PR) - In response to a 200-person hunger strike in the Eloy Detention Center launched this previous weekend, Representative Raul Grijalva has called for an immediate Department of Justice investigation into two recent deaths at the facility, as well as allegations of ongoing abuse by guards.

New Deportation Program Raises Constitutional Flags

ATLANTA, GA (PR) - When the President announced executive action on immigration in November of last year, a memo from DHS Secretary Johnson announced the end to the Secure Communities program because, according to the memo, “the program has attracted a great deal of criticism, is widely misunderstood, and is embroiled in litigation; its very name has become a symbol for general hostility toward the enforcement of our immigration laws.”

“Your Liberties and Your Rights Will Be My Sacred Charge”

WASHINGTON, DC (PR) - Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch delivers remarks at her official investiture ceremony: “Mr. President – I pledge to you to lead this department with integrity, with honor and a total dedication to the cause of justice.  To the people of this great nation, I pledge to you that your protection, your liberties and your rights will be my sacred charge.  To the law enforcement community, I pledge that this department will be your partner as we work to carry out our highest mission, the protection of the people of this great nation.”

Partidos Políticos en la Historia Actual

VENEZUELA (PR) - ¿Ya están establecidas las correspondientes complicidades para el fraude-trampa electoral 2015? ¿La oposición hoy día solo busca sobrevivir electoralmente? Estas interrogantes son analizadas en un foro sobre el rol de los partidos políticos y la situación de la “revolución bolivariana y socialista del siglo XXI”.

More Restrictions for Personal Care Homes

Commissioners wished the best to survivors of the fire at
Marshall Square in Evans, Georgia.   

AUGUSTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - New regulations are being imposed to personal care homes. The Richmond County Commission passed a new ordinance and those stipulations focuses on ADA standards and parking in order to ensure a high quality of living and safety. Commissioner Marion Williams voted against the additions arguing that with more restrictive requirements the city isn’t making friends with business owners.

Stormwater Fee Substituted by SPLOST VII

AUGUSTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - Discussion about the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) is catching the attention of the Richmond County Commission this time. The amount to be charged as stormwater fee was washed away from the agenda after several attempts to vote on the matter without success. 

The evil is in the details and one in the package proposed for the SPLOST VII, like the last year defeat, promise to be a “hell” one if the $100 million request for a new civic center is suggested. Voters of the county are going to decide if the package is approved or not on November 3. Over $80,000 is estimated the cost of the election with the referendum being the only item.

Inter-agencies Disagreement on Tax Credit

According to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), almost $11 billion in the Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTC) was paid to insurers in Fiscal Year 2014. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created the new refundable tax credit (at the center of a legal challenge to be decided by the Supreme Court this month). The actual amount of the PTC that taxpayers are entitled to receive is based on their actual income and family size reported on their annual tax return, which can be different from the estimates used by the Exchange to determine the allowable APTC, reveals an audit. 

Spousal Influence in Drugs Ads

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is interested in researching how drug ads are perceived when viewed alone versus with a spouse. They feel that when viewed with a spouse, drug benefit and risk may be interpreted differently. I think the study could yield interesting information. Does viewing with another person cause different benefit/risk takeaways? The FDA has a comment period ending 6/25/15. 

HB 2 Threatens Latina Health

WASHINGTON, DC (PR)— The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) condemns the decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit today vacating the lower court decision enjoining House Bill 2 (HB 2).

Migrantes Discapacitados en Caravana

ATLANTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - La Caravana de la Asociación de Migrantes Retornados con Discapacidad llega a Atlanta para hablar sobre las realidades de la inmigración. Su objetivo es alcanzar Washington, D.C ., en Junio 17, 2015 e intentarán hablar con el Presidente Barack Obama, y también hacer conocer a las comunidades inmigrantes el motivo de su presencia en los Estados Unidos.

Georgia Power Enciende Luz de Acercamiento

AUGUSTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - La empresa que provée energía eléctrica a más de 2 millones de usuarios, Georgia Power, aseguró un servicio eficaz y de acercamiento a la comunidad hispana para responder a sus necesidades energéticas. Fue durante la primera reunión celebrada con una docena de representantes latinos.

Linda W. Beazley Community Room

AUGUSTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - On Monday, June 8, 2015 a Dedication Ceremony for the Linda W. Beazley Community Room was held in the space at the entrance located at the Municipal Building at 535 Telfair Street. The Beazley Community Room is used as the primary voting site during Advance Voting periods in Richmond County and is also widely used for training, public hearings and community meetings. 

TPA Would Boost Georgia’s Film and TV Economic Sector

WASHINGTON, DC (PR) – Today, as Congress continues to consider Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) is revealing new state economic data, showing that the film and TV industry supports over 24,000 direct jobs and pays local workers over $1.68 billion in wages in Georgia. Over 9,200 of those jobs are directly related to productions, representing a growth of over 1,000 production-related jobs since this data was last compiled.

NAACP Convention in Philadelphia

BALTIMORE, MD (PR) – From July 11th to the 15th, the NAACP will host its 106th Annual Convention in Philadelphia, PA.  This year’s convention theme is “Pursuing Liberty In the Face of Injustice.” In the wake of the social and economic unrest across the country, the NAACP will focus on building a broad based agenda around voting rights, criminal justice reform, health equity, economic opportunity and education equality ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

The Power of an Informed Public

Two years ago today, in a Hong Kong hotel room, three journalists and I waited nervously to see how the world would react to the revelation that the National Security Agency had been collecting records of nearly every phone call in the United States. 

Cyber Institute at GRU

AUGUSTA, GA (PR) – Georgia Regents University is creating the GRU Cyber Institute to develop research, new curriculum, and outreach opportunities in cybersecurity starting this summer. “We want to be known for cyber,” said Joanne Sexton, Director for GRU Cyber Security Educational Initiatives. “The Augusta area has been growing in this aspect, and we want to be a major player in that.”

Expanding Medicaid in Georgia

 WASHINGTON, DC (PR) - “The administration is willing to work with any state interested in expanding Medicaid, said Vikki Wachino Acting Director, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. “We are committed to supporting state flexibility and working with states on innovative solutions that expand Medicaid to low-income individuals in accordance with the law’s goals and consumer protections, while securing quality, affordable health coverage and growing a state’s economy.” The White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) released estimates of the health and economic benefits if Georgia decides to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Augusta Charter Unintended Consequences

AUGUSTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - When Charles Walker, the architect of the Consolidated Augusta-Richmond County government was drafting the Charter, probably never came across with the idea; that a fellow black democratic party member would be the colateral damage as unintended consequences of his brilliant plan. The genius near 20 years ago was to pass a legislation, while Democrats were controlling the Georgia General Assembly, that forever will put a brake to any white mayor aspiration to have absolute power in local government, according to people in the know.

Investigan Caída Fatal de Albañil

Protectores ayudan a evitar accidentes fatales, pero son ignorados

AUGUSTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - Funcionarios de OSHA - Oficina Federal de Seguridad Ocupacional y Administración Sanitaria - están investigando la muerte del mexicano Ricardo Ramírez Aguas, de Jackson Road en North Augusta. El albañil murió el 16 de mayo como consecuencia de las heridas luego de caer al concreto de piso de unos 20 pies de altura, en el lugar donde trabajaba, sito en Evans, Georgia.

El muchacho de 20 años fue herido fatalmente tras la caída en el sitio de construcción de viviendas, en el barrio Bartram Trail, del condado de Columbia, aproximadamente a las 2:30 de la tarde del 15, según el reporte oficial.