They will travel from Cartersville to Cairo, and from Blue Ridge to Brunswick, with almost two dozen stops in all: the Peach State Tour, organized by the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State University, is underway today. The college information events will continue through September 5. From Janis Gleason, UGA Today…   Many students and families in rural Georgia who live more than 25 miles from a Peach State Tour location will be able to take a free, chartered bus provided by the University of Georgia to one of the college information events planned across the state from Aug. 19 to Sept. 5. UGA’s Office of Admissions staff teams up with their counterparts from Georgia State University and Georgia Tech each year for the Peach State Tour, when the three institutions hold information sessions in 23 cities and towns across Georgia. The free transportation provides an additional opportunity for students to attend one of these events, which are hosted within 50 miles of every Georgian. The President’s Office at UGA is providing funding for the free buses to encourage all interested students to attend a tour event and learn more about higher education opportunities in Georgia. “The University of Georgia aims to develop leaders who represent Georgia’s diverse population, including students from rural parts of our state,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “Providing free transportation to the Peach State Tour information sessions is one of the many ways we are helping these students gain access to the outstanding education offered at UGA.” Currently the university has finalized plans with 15 rural high schools to offer the free transportation to their students, and that list will continue to grow. This initiative builds on the university’s ALL Georgia Program, launched in 2018 to support enrolled students from rural communities with a network of resources and common experiences to help them succeed and graduate from the university. In its first year, the program was made available to about 4,200 students. “More than 85% of undergraduate students at UGA are from Georgia, and the university is committed to serving students and families all across our state,” said Patrick Winter, UGA’s associate vice president for admissions and enrollment management. “During our outreach efforts, we answer questions about UGA’s programs and application process, but we also provide information about the University System of Georgia and emphasize that with its 26 schools, there’s one that will be a good fit for everyone.” The Peach State Tour begins on Monday, Aug. 19 and ends on Thursday, Sept. 5, with free sessions throughout the state. It offers specific opportunities for students and their parents, as well as for high school counselors, and will answer questions about academic opportunities and the application process. Last year, nearly 6,000 students, parents and counselors attended one of the statewide Peach State Tour events. 

A well-known fishing guide on Lake Lanier and his wife were indicted Monday on a combined 29 felony charges for allegedly running a large fraud scheme, court records show. Bradley Shane Watson and Pamela Jo Watson each face nine counts of theft by taking and one count of deposit account fraud, Forsyth County Superior Court records show. Bradley Watson also faces an additional count of theft by taking, seven counts of theft by deception and one count of theft by receiving. The couple is accused of reportedly defrauding investors out of more than $235,000. When Bradley Watson was arrested in July 2018, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said he took money from two people for a boat deposit and investments to purchase boats for resale, AJC.com previously reported.    However, after he gave the two a check for $45,000, the check bounced, the sheriff’s office said. Pamela Watson was arrested later in the month, and she’s accused of writing bad checks on her husband’s behalf. Since then, more victims have come forward, leading to the numerous other charges against the couple. The alleged theft incidents took place between February 2016 and December 2017. The check bounced in April 2018, according to court records. The two are also defendants in several civil lawsuits in Forsyth County, including one involving Carolina Skiff, which is a Waycross-based boat manufacturer, court records show. Bradley Watson allegedly had a marketing agreement with the company. Judge Philip Smith is presiding over their cases. Bradley Watson’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 10.

An Elbert County woman is sentenced in court in Madison County: Lois Sorrow is from Bowman; she gets five years in prison on a burglary conviction. We have this morning the name of the teenager killed in a car crash in Stephens County: Anna Whitlock was 18 years old, daughter of Joey Whitlock, the pastor at Toccoa Creek Church in Stephens County. The two-vehicle wreck happened on Highway 106 near the Franklin County line. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating. Two juveniles were shot and wounded outside a high school football stadium in Atlanta: it happened over the weekend at Lakewood Stadium in Southwest Atlanta. Police say the shootings came during a fight after a game. One of the shooting victims was 16 years old, the other was 12. Police were, at last report, still trying to find the gunman.

Dozens of demonstrators gathered in front of the University Arch on Broad Street in downtown Athens, staging a weekend protest and calling for new gun laws in the aftermath of recent mass shootings in El Paso Texas and Dayton Ohio. Members of the group Moms Demand Action staged rallies in Athens and in other cities around the state.   From WSB TV…     Hundreds of people gathered in Decatur Square on Saturday afternoon to demand tougher gun laws in the wake of two devastating mass shootings.  Moms Demand Action for Gun Violence hosted the rallies in 10 cities across the country in response to the recent shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas. At the event in Decatur, chart-topping music group the Indigo Girls performed for a crowd of people wearing red and holding signs.  Channel 2's Alyssa Hyman talked to Georgia organizers, who said they are fighting for background checks on all gun sales and want their senators to pass a strong red flag law.    Red flag laws would allow people to alert authorities if someone is concerned a loved one may harm themselves or someone else. 'These are smart steps to just ending gun violence,' one participant said. 'We could respect the Second Amendment, but with great power comes great responsibility, and we really need to be responsible and take common-sense steps to end the epidemic of gun violence.' Another speaker, Jeff Binkley of Dunwoody, said enacting changes should not be a partisan issue. Binkley and his wife, Margaret, started a foundation to promote 'positive social change.' His 21-year-old daughter, Maura, was one of six women shot outside a Florida yoga studio last year by a gunman police said hated women. Maura died in the shooting. 'This should not be cast as a matter of left or right, blue or red. It is rather one of red, white and blue,' he said. The events also honored the 100 Americans shot and killed every day. Several people at the rally were personally impacted by gun violence or lost a loved one.  Hyman talked to Sharmaine Brown, who lost her 23-year-old son Jared to a stray bullet in 2015. He was going to a friend's house for a barbecue in southwest Atlanta when he was killed.  'I'm here because I want to send a message loud and clear to our senators that something has to be done,' Brown said.  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution contributed to this report. 

There is a morning meeting of the Athens-Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission, a 10 o’clock session at the Government Building on Dougherty Street.  Oconee County Planning Commissioners meet tonight, 7 o’clock at the Oconee County courthouse in Watkinsville.  The Oglethorpe County Zoning Board meets, 6 o’clock at the courthouse in Lexington.  Tonight’s Jackson County Commission meeting is underway at 6 o’clock at the Jackson County courthouse in Jefferson (pictured above).  Today marks the start of a three-day candidate qualifying period in municipalities in Jackson County: there are November 5 elections for mayor and city council seats in Arcade, Braselton, Commerce, and Hoschton; also in Jefferson, Maysville, Pendergrass, and Talmo. 

ATHENS Georgia coach Kirby Smart doesn't play the respect card, or even use oversights as motivation. But, truth is, the Bulldogs are getting as much preseason recognition as any other team that brings a two-game losing streak into the 2019 campaign. Pro Football Focus and ESPN released their preseason All-American teams, and plenty of Georgia players were recognized. Pro Football Focus (PFF), which is known for its metrics and microscopic positional breakdowns and grading, raised a few eyes with its first-team All-American offensive line selection. Junior offensive guard Solomon Kindley not left tackle Andrew Thomas was the pick of PFF for first-team preseason All-American honors on offense. PFF penned: 'Kindley is a dominant force on the ground for the Bulldogs rushing attack just as he is strong in pass protection. A well-rounded guard anchors one of the nation's top tackle duos.' Thomas, a projected top 10 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and an Outland Trophy favorite, was a second-team pick at offensive tackle. Georgia senior safety J.R. Reed was a preseason first-team All-American pick by PFF. Bulldogs kicker Rodrigo Blankenship was a preseason second-team All-American pick by PFF. ESPN, meanwhile, made both Thomas and Kindley first-team preseason All-American picks. Safety J.R. Reed, however, was not a first-team preseason All-American pick by ESPN, nor was Blankenship. Sports Illustrated released its preseason All-American teams last week. Thomas was a first team preseason All-American pick for S.I. Tailback D'Andre Swift was a second-team preseason All-American pick by Sports Illustrated, as was Kindley. Blankenship was also a second-team pick by Sports Illustrated. DawgNation Georgia football fall camp Georgia No. 3 in preseason AP Top 25 New DC Dan Lanning impressing early in fall camp Kenny McIntosh stands out in Scrimmage Two Kirby Smart breaks down 'spirited' Scrimmage Two Georgia football injury updates, post-Scrimmage Two Mark Webb's 'rough' start has proven beneficial Could RB James Cook be biggest UGA surprise? J.R. Reed says Havoc Rate is out the roof' The post PFF, ESPN All-American teams: Georgia OG Solomon Kindley emerges as first-team pick appeared first on DawgNation.

ATHENS Can anyone stop Zamir White one-on-one in the open field? It's a fair question to ask after the redshirt freshman blew threw another tackle attempt in a two-on-two- drill that appeared to involved projected starting inside linebacker Tae Crowder and Quay Walker against Eli Wolf and White. Wolf tied up Walker just long enough for White to run through a strong tackle attempt at the goal line in one of many head-to-head battles captured by Georgia's award-winning film crew last Saturday. Teammates Isaiah Wilson and J.R. Reed have raved about White's fall camp. RELATED: Zamir White kicking and trucking' through offensive line holes 'I feel sorry for the guys that have to go against him,' Senior safety J.R. Reed said. 'He reminds me of (Nick) Chubb, especially running the ball, how physical he is and downhill ' Senior Brian Herrien was the Bulldogs' most effective runner in short yardage last season and remains among the most trusted. White's powerful style, however, raises questions as to who might get short-yardage and goal-line duties in the backfield. Three were other moments, such as when Kenny McIntosh ran through the tackle attempt of Trezman Marshall and then dragged Nate McBride into the end zone. RELATED: Kirby Smart says Kenny McIntosh delivered some blows' For those who enjoy watching the big guys battle, it appears Kirby Smart pitted freshman end Travon Walker (6-5, 290) against massive Xavier Truss (6-7, 330). Defensive back William Poole was tasked with trying to tackle Tyler Simmons, and then there's a clip of what appears to be an intense exchange between Malik Herring and Cade Mays. Freshman Dominick Blaylock had a chance to get his run on, too, running through Lewis Cine on a 2-on-2 drill with George Pickens leading the way on defensive back Christopher Smith. DawgNation Georgia football fall camp New DC Dan Lanning impressing early in fall camp Kenny McIntosh stands out in Scrimmage Two Kirby Smart breaks down 'spirited' Scrimmage Two Georgia football injury updates, post-Scrimmage Two Mark Webb's 'rough' start has proven beneficial Could RB James Cook be biggest UGA surprise? J.R. Reed says Havoc Rate is out the roof' The post WATCH: Zamir White runs through another Georgia linebacker in drill video appeared first on DawgNation.

ATHENS The Georgia defense has enjoyed a strong camp under the direction of new coordinator Dan Lanning, a young task master with seemingly boundless energy. Even in last Saturday's scrimmage, with the Havoc Rate not up to par, Lanning's defense earned praise from Kirby Smart for its Red Zone execution. RELATED: 5 takeaways from Georgia Scrimmage Two 'We had some big red area (inside the 20-yard line) stops,' Smart said. 'I thought, man, they're just driving down the field and then, boom! We hit the red area. 'Defensively, if you hold people to field goals, that's big.' The 33-year-old Lanning, promoted from within after veteran assistant Mel Tucker took the Colorado head coaching job, recently said fall camp represents his favorite time of year. ' You know, we really enjoyed the opportunity to work for our guys and this is really why you get in the profession, the opportunity to teach,' Lanning said at the start of fall drills. 'Every year, we do a self-scout, and we try to evaluate what things can we do better, what issues can be created for the offense, and what can we change schematically. 'And then I think every fall when you start, you say okay what are the points of emphasis, what are we really going to hammer home,' because if you try to do everything, you're going to be an expert at nothing, right? So, we want to really focus on how do we coach it and how do we create it.' Senior safety J.R. Reed said last week that stopping the run and creating Havoc are the two issues discussed every day in the team meeting rooms. Lanning and Smart a championship defensive coordinator during his tenure at Alabama have put their heads together to find some new approaches for the Bulldogs. Lanning's creativity is one of the reasons Smart elected to take a chance on the young assistant, rather than go outside the program and hire a more proven coordinator. Smart was gushing over Lanning's game plan for Kentucky last season. In hindsight, Smart's remarks about Lanning should have provided some strong hints the outside linebackers coach could be on deck for the coordinator position. ' He's got fresh ideas, he's been with different defensive coaches, he's got ideas in the room that are outside of our box,' Smart said last November. 'He does a great job with his presentations to our defense. 'He gave one last week that was epic on behalf of Benny Snell and Kentucky. He does a tremendous job and he's really helped D'Andre Walker become a better player.' The Bulldogs are loaded at outside linebacker, even after Walker's departure and Brenton Cox's transfer. Redshirt freshman Azeez Ojulari is currently a projected starter, but close behind 5-star true freshman Nolan Smith and top-rated JUCO transfer Jermaine Johnson are competing for snaps. Reed said Lanning's energy level make him a popular coach to play under. 'Most definitely his energy is phenomenal, no matter how it looks outside, he's going to bring that energy every day,' Reed said. 'We could be down by 40 and he'll still bring energy. 'Vocally, physically, jumping up and down, I don't know how he keeps his voice, he's like Coach Smart, his voice never goes out.' It's a good thing, because Lanning said he's planning to call on several players to step up on defense. ' I'll say this, especially going into this year, we're not going to play 11 players on defense,' Lanning said. 'We're going to play a lot of guys. We've got a lot of experience returning. I'm looking to play as many guys as we can that are ready to play.' DawgNation Georgia football fall camp Kenny McIntosh stands out in Scrimmage Two Kirby Smart breaks down 'spirited' Scrimmage Two Georgia football injury updates, post-Scrimmage Two Mark Webb's 'rough' start has proven beneficial Could RB James Cook be biggest UGA surprise? J.R. Reed says Havoc Rate is out the roof' The post Georgia football's new DC Dan Lanning outside the box,' impressing Kirby Smart appeared first on DawgNation.

ATHENS Georgia coach Kirby Smart was in a noticeably better mood this Saturday, his Bulldogs responding to his challenge to bring more energy and execution to Scrimmage Two of fall camp. ' I think we ended up with 135 snaps, which is basically two football games wrapped into one,' Smart said. 'We got a lot of special teams snaps mixed in, too. The guys really pushed hard. They were hurting at the end.' But they were also smiling with their head coach pleased entering into a day off on Sunday and a light walk-through scheduled for Monday. Smart has pushed his team hard in fall drills knowing there's no margin for error in a 2019 season that's aimed at winning the first national championship at Georgia since 1980. The Bulldogs are operating with two new coordinators, and while both hires came from within, the transitions have had hurdles because of changing personal. The pass game, in particular, has been challenged to replace the top four receivers and pass-catching tight end from a season ago. Most of the pressure falls on the shoulders of third-year starting QB Jake Fromm, and on Saturday, Smart indicate Fromm and his receiving corps came through. It's clear the pass game will be pivotal to Georgia's championship hopes, and while it improved on Saturday, it's far from a finished product. Here are five takeaways from Scrimmage Two: Receivers emerging Smart said 'a lot of the receivers' connected on explosive plays plays of 13 yards or more by the head coach's definition and many did it by making plays on the ball while being covered. Lawrence Cager, George Pickens, Tyler Simmons, Trey Blount and Kearis Jackson all got call outs from the head coach for their explosive plays in Scrimmage Two. 'There's been progress,' yeah,' Smart said. 'I'm very pleased with that group's effort, toughness, resilience ' D-Line depth Georgia doesn't have one standout defensive lineman at this point, Smart said, but there's plenty of depth and experience. 'We may roll out there with six seniors who have played football: Michail Carter, J.Y. (Justin Young), Tyler Clark, Julian Rochester, David Marshall,' Smart said. 'It jus seems like we've got guys that have played a lot of football that are out there.' RELATED: Defensive line among 3 biggest offseason Georgia questions Smart added Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis to the list of defensive linemen he'll be counting on, and he said Travon (Walker) is he freshman who has a chance to help the D-Line most this season. O-Line push back Smart called out Georgia's celebrated offensive line in Scrimmage One for not doing enough to spark the offensive efficiency, and apparently the so-called 'Great Wall' responded. 'I probably saw a little more toughness on the front of the offensive line,' Smart said. 'They were knocking us off the ball. There were some licks passed out there, there were some pops made . ' Rat traps vs. red zone Smart have his defense mixed reviews, pleased with the red zone defense, but disappointed with some missed assignments at times. It's not just safety Richard LeCounte who must focus on not forgoing assignments in search of big plays, something Smart refers to as 'Rat Trap' football. RELATED: Richard LeCounte explains Rat Trap' prodding 'We've just got to get our guys on defense to play within the system,' Smart said, shades of final play of the 2017 season likely still haunting him. 'We're got some guys on defense who still want to play rat trap and do what thy want to do instead of what they're supposed to do, and when they do that rat-trap stuff it hurts us.' The red zone defense, however, was up to par. 'We ha some big red area (inside the 20-yard line) stops,' Smart said. 'I thought, man, they're just driving down the field and then, boom! We hit the red area. 'Defensively, if you hold people to field goals, that's big.' Pivotal Pickens The Bulldogs' talented freshman receiver will be key for Georgia, but he's not where he needs to be and it's clear the head coach has his concerns. Smart acknowledged he was just as impressed by Pickens' one-handed catch in Scrimmage One as anybody, but he knows there are challenges ahead for the 5-star. WATCH: Amazing one-handed catch made by George Pickens 'He's a special player, great catch,' He's a talented player, but he's got to learn his assignments and learn what to do, because he could certainly help us.' Georgia's leadership will be tested, from the staff on down to Fromm and the receivers coach and players who share reps with Pickens and the other incoming receivers. The Bulldogs will be a better team if Pickens and the incoming receivers can learn their assignments and get into sync with Fromm. DawgNation Georgia football fall camp Kenny McIntosh stands out in Scrimmage Two Kirby Smart breaks down 'spirited' Scrimmage Two Georgia football injury updates, post-Scrimmage Two Mark Webb's 'rough' start has proven beneficial Could RB James Cook be biggest UGA surprise? J.R. Reed says Havoc Rate is out the roof' The post 5 takeaways from Georgia football Scrimmage Two: Pass game pivotal appeared first on DawgNation.

ATHENS Georgia freshman tailback Kenny McIntosh opened some eyes in Scrimmage Two, drawing unsolicited praise from Kirby Smart. A press conference question about tackling and toughness turned into a compliment for the 4-star freshman tailback from South Florida. ' I thought Kenny McIntosh did some good things today,' Smart said following Saturday's scrimmage. 'He continues to improve. He's got really good balance and he's been a good blessing. He's delivered some blows to people.' RELATED: Kirby Smart breaks down Scrimmage Two McIntosh, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound freshman, has seemingly been growing stronger as fall camp has gone on, bucking the trend of wearing down. That said, Smart made it clear McIntosh will need to perform well on special teams to 'make the bus' the 70-man travel squad for the season-opening game at Vanderbilt on Aug. 31. McIntosh said after signing he was willing to do whatever it takes to help the team his freshman season, and special teams contributions is part of what Smart has asked of all the UGA marquee backs. 'His value right now is going to be special teams, initially,' Smart said. 'He earns more value by how he plays on those teams. I think it's new for him. He's going trough the (Elijah) Holyfield effect, and the (D'Andre) Swift effect, and can I help on these teams, and how do I do it, because I didn't do it in high school. I don't know how to block somebody on punt, I don't know how to cover a kick.' 'But as you train those guys, by Game Five they're better than the guy that may have done it his whole life.' McIntosh might surprise his head coach on coverage units, as some schools were actually recruiting him as a safety. It's worth noting there was plenty of skill work done in the McIntosh's back yard and after practices. McIntosh's father, Richard, coached him and his brothers all the way through high school. Kenny's oldest brother, RJ, is a 6-foot-4, 283-pound defensive lineman who played at Miami and is now with the New York Giants. Deon McIntosh, another older brother, is a 6-foot, 190-pound speed back at Washington State. Kenny McIntosh has a running style similar to Le'Veon Bell, possessing great vision and footwork along with acceleration and power. 'We always brag about how Kenny will be the best out of all of us,' Deon told DawgNation last summer. 'We all knew he'd be something special. Kenny's high school coach predicted greatness, too. 'Now that Kenny is centered all on football, and it is Georgia football strength and conditioning year around, he's going to grow into the Incredible Hulk,' University School Daniel Luque said. 'He hasn't really been in a weight program like that year around because he was playing AAU with Team Florida through his junior year.' McIntosh, who looks up to fellow South Florida product and Georgia back Sony Michel, said before arriving in Athens he planned to play special teams. 'Sony was a first-round pick because he helped his team in a lot of ways,' McIntosh said. 'He ran the ball, but he could catch the ball, he could block, and he played special teams. 'So I'm ready to do whatever the coaches tell me to do at Georgia and win championships.' Kenny McIntosh stories from DawgNation Kenny McIntosh doesn't sweat comparisons to Sony Michel 'The Blueprint' for Kenny McIntosh involves special teams, championships Kenny McIntosh Produces Spins, Cuts and High School highlights The post Georgia coach Kirby Smart: RB Kenny McIntosh delivered some blows to people' appeared first on DawgNation.