Father's Day H A P P Y

Today, we honor all of our dads, the ones that are still with us & those who have passed on but remain in our hearts.

We would especially like to thank all of the fathers at Hightower Family Funeral Homes. You all deserve nothing but the best, and we hope you have a great day!

NEWS RECAP -

from stories on StarNews Online website at www.starnewsgaonline.com

UWG graduates 1350 including an honorary degree for country music singer/songwriter Zac Brown

University of West Georgia conferred 1,350 degrees including an honorary doctorate to Zac Brown, musician and singer-songwriter – during its Spring 2023 Commencement as a new class of Wolves turned their tassels.

Of the degrees conferred, 846 were at the undergraduate level, with the remaining 504 degrees being earned at the graduate level. All three ceremonies were live-streamed around the globe and are archived online.

UGA College of Agricultural Environmental Sciences researchers find improved ways to remove “Forever Chemicals”

University of Georgia researchers in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the College of Engineering are wrapping up the final year of a study to develop improved, cost-effective treatment systems with advanced technologies for removing polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water, wastewater and biosolids. Dubbed “Forever Chemicals,” PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals developed in the late 1930s that have been widely used in industry and consumer products due to their fire-resistant properties and ability to repel oil and water.

The team was awarded nearly $1.6 million through a congressionally mandated grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to mitigate PFAS, which take a long time to break down and can build up in people, animals, water and soil over time. PFAS are commonly found in paper food packaging, stain-resistant and waterproof clothing and furniture, firerepellants, and nonstick cookware.

PFAS treatment technologies fall into two categories: physical methods that separate the compounds and chemical methods that destroy them. A comparison of eight treatment technologies was conducted on various water samples to assess overall performance. The ultimate goal will be to combine technologies in what is called a “treatment train,” where each car of the train represents a different treatment method for various applications.

One of the more promising technologies the team is investigating is a destruction-type treatment called electrochemical oxidation (EO). Using this method, an electric charge is sent through contaminated water to degrade PFAS compounds. While most of the grant is focused on water treatment, another important aspect is building on biological solutions for removing PFAS from the soil.

Tanner Medical Group acquires West Georgia Urology, after recently acquiringWest Georgia Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes, and Carrollton Ear, Nose, and Throat

The long list of specialized care offered by Tanner Medical Group continues to grow as West Georgia Urology joins one of metro Atlanta’s largest multi-specialty physician groups. The practice offers specialized urologic care for men, women and children with locations in Carrollton and Villa Rica.

With about 30 practices in 40 clinic locations, Tanner Medical Group offers anesthesiology, breast care, cardiology, endocrinology, general surgery, infectious diseases, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, radiation and medical oncology, otolaryngology, pediatrics, plastic and reconstructive surgery, primary care, psychiatry, rheumatology, urgent care and vascular surgery.

The group has clinic locations in Carroll, Douglas, Haralson and Heard counties in Georgia and Randolph County, Alabama.

Tanner Medical Group has grown in recent months with the addition of the West Georgia Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes and Carrollton Ear, Nose and Throat.

West Georgia Urology, 150 Clinic Avenue, Suite 202, Carrollton; 705 Dallas Highway, Suite 205, Villa Rica.

More than 300 participate in the Community Foundation of West Georgia’s “On The Table” discussions

More than 300 people participated in this year’s “On the Table” events hosted by 35 people and organizations in Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties. “On the Table” is a unique initiative of community engagement sponsored by the Community Foundation of West Georgia. The program’s format features the gathering of community members of all ages, perspectives, and backgrounds for conversations in small groups. Participants have an opportunity to discuss things that they love about their community, as well as things that they wish could be better. Conversations were hosted in a number of locations, including homes, restaurants, places of worship, schools, libraries, offices, parks, and other community locations.

The Foundation made available $10,000 for “conversation to action” grants of $500 or $1,000 in support of initiatives that result from the “On the Table” events. Projects funded by these grants this year include:

-beautification project in Tallapoosa;

-foods for weekly backpack program at Carrollton Elementary School;

- books at Buchanan Elementary School;

- kits of microwavable items, can openers, bowls, plates for clients who need a hotel stay;

- video series highlighting local nonprofit organizations to educate and gain awareness;

- washer and dryer, laundry detergent and bags for clients of the Community Christian Council in Tallapoosa;

- feasibility study for warm water therapy facility for people with mobility challenges;

- assistance for temporary warming centers and help with a permanent location;

- resource fairs to provide information regarding resources for clients of the West Georgia area;

- creation of community garden at New Canaan Baptist Church in Temple;

- expanded public training about fentanyl and opioids for motel personnel and others to provide free Narcan nasal spray and materials.

“These conversations are inspiring new ways to work together to make our communi- ties stronger,” Kim Jones, president of the Community Foundation, said. “On the Table is providing a setting for residents to collaboratively build and maintain strong, safe, and dynamic communities. Events like these have been replicated in more than 30 cities across the country.” cfwg.net or contact Cindy Sanders at (770) 832-1462 or cindy@cfwg.net

Who has Dad’s Back this Father’s Day?

NEWS RECAPfrom stories on StarNews Online website at www.starnewsgaonline.com start of a multi-phase operations center that ultimately will house transportation, maintenance and school nutrition departments.

Georgia Digital Driver’s License and ID in Apple Wallet: may be used

at airport security checks

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) now offers residents the option to add a valid, Georgia-issued driver’s license and ID to their iPhone and Apple Watch. Once added, customers can present their digital driver’s license and ID using their iPhone or Apple Watch at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints, including those within Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Georgia residents must have a valid and easily readable Georgia driver’s license or ID card, as well as an iPhone 8 or later, or Apple Watch 4 or later, with the latest version of iOS or watchOS. You must also have your device set to the United States.

Adding a driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet is done by tapping the + button at the top of the screen in Apple Wallet on their iPhone; select ‘Driver’s license or State ID”; and then follow the on-screen instructions to start the set-up and verification process. (Note that it could take up to 48 hours for Georgia to appear as an option in Apple Wallet.)

At this time, Georgia digital driver’s license or ID in Apple Wallet is accepted at select TSA checkpoints at participating airports https://www.tsa.gov/digital-id

To present a Georgia digital driver’s license or ID in Apple Wallet at a TSA checkpoint, residents hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader. Residents’ devices will then display what information is being requested by the TSA. After authorizing with Face ID or Touch ID the requested information is then released from a device. Since the information is shared digitally, residents do not need to hand over their iPhone or Apple Watch to present their Georgia digital driver’s license or ID in Apple Wallet.

DDS reminds customers that a Georgia Digital Driver’s License or ID in their Apple Wallet is voluntary and has no additional cost, and Georgians must continue to carry their physical driver’s license or ID with them.

Georgia Digital Driver’s License and ID in Apple Wallet: drivers must continue to carry the physical driver’s license

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) reminds drivers to continue to carry a physical driver’s license with you; it’s the law. The newly launched Georgia Digital Driver’s License and ID is only accepted at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints.

If stopped by law enforcement, drivers will be required to display their physical driver’s licenses (hard card or paper temporary). Law enforcement officials do not accept Digital Driver’s Licenses at this time.

The Official Code of Georgia, 40-5-29 dictates ‘a. Every licensee shall have his or her driver’s license in his or her immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle.’ and ‘b. 1. When records of the department indicate that a license has been issued in an electronic format, a law enforcement officer may demand such display be made by physical format

Carroll County Schools to relocate bus yard/transportation department to 26-acre VFW fairgrounds site

Carroll County Schools is relocating its transportation department and bus yard to the 26-acre site of the VFW Fairgrounds as the

The Carroll County Board of Education will use $3.5 million of existing funds toward a transportation facility, with an additional $1.5 million in the next budget year. The project could take several years to fully complete, but will begin immediately with relocation of the transportation department and bus yard from its longtime home on Horsley Mill Road.

The new 26-acre site is currently accessed through a driveway to Bankhead Highway. The school system is in negotiations with nearby property owners to gain direct access to the traffic light at Old Airport Road.

The former fairgrounds at 1625 Bankhead Highway consists of two separate parcels. The tract nearest Bankhead Highway is a 4.4 acre parcel including the old restaurant and events center not included in this purchase. The second parcel has been purchased by the school district and includes the actual fairgrounds, barns and exhibition buildings, which the school system plans to renovate into a transportation shop and office space.

Work on the connection to the traffic light at Old Airport Road should begin this summer, with the entire transportation portion of the project perhaps completed in 2024.

Long-term, the property purchase will allow the school system space to relocate its maintenance and facilities department from the Burwell community to the new Bankhead Highway site, as well. There is also space for eventual relocation of the school nutrition department.

WGTC holds HighSchool Equivalency graduation: GED /HiSET diplomas

West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) held its High School Equivalency (HSE) graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 11, at the Murphy Conference Center in Waco. Students who earned their GED® or HiSET diploma for the 2022 – 2023 school year were recognized for their accomplishments.

Dr. Meghan McBride, Vice President for Adult Education at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, was the keynote speaker at the event. Christiana Yearta addressed her fellow graduates. She is now a student at WGTC pursuing a degree in Radiologic Technology.

Listed are the WGTC High School Equivalency graduates who participated in the graduation ceremony:

Vincent Adelung Estrella Aguilar Aguilar

Hannah Alexander Tiffanie Allen

Emma Biggs Naomi Bivens

Kayla Brand Kaliyah Brown

Richelle Brown Hailey Camp

Kaitlyn Carpenter Leilani Chapa

Weston Chapman Breanna Chunn

Alaina Collins Dustin Crider

Ethan Cristea Madelyn Crosby

Adrian Dyer Woods Espiegle

Autumn Garcia Barbara Gibson

Demarcus Gilbert Linda Haggerty

Maalik Hammett Jenniffer Hardaway

Christopher Howard Gary Huckaby III

Jeremy Hunton Kameran James

Sarah King Jaylen Lawrence

Kristina Ledbetter Caroline Lewis

Edward Lyle Jordon McIver

Adam McPherson Nickkar Miller

Mariah Moses Joseth Navarrete

Gabriel Parker Keith Patrick

Hazel Pendersen-Taylor Austin Thomas

Steven PughTina Rogers

Ismail SalimKatie Smothers

Rachel SteeleSavannah Strauch

Alexis ThurmanAshton Vorgity

Brittany WagnerRebekah Weiner

Dominique WeinerChristian Woodall

Christiana YeartaRebecca Yeb