South

By Ethan Fowler, education writer

ALBANY — Several times during the hour-plus community forum, Albany State University President Everette Freeman reminded the crowd that the university's proposed $3.6 million additional cuts were simply an "informational exercise."

Freeman, Vice President in the Office of Fiscal Affairs Larry Wakefield and Vice President of Academic Affairs Abiodun Ojemakinde addressed the audience of more than 750 students, faculty and community members about the proposed reductions to ASU for Fiscal Year 2011 Wednesday afternoon at the HPER Gymnasium.

By JAMES HEALYjhealy@statesboroherald.com

912-489-9402 

By Elizabeth Williamson

President Barack Obama asked the White House press corps to keep a secret, of all things!

By Darlene Superville
Associated Press writer

SAVANNAH - Sounding a familiar clean-energy theme, President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced details of a proposed energy rebate program he hopes will spur demand for insulation and water heaters - and jobs for hurting Americans.

Obama said the administration's "HOMESTAR" program would reward people who buy energy-saving equipment with an on-the-spot rebate of $1,000 or more. He cast the idea as one that would save people money on utility bills, boost the economy and reduce American dependence on oil.

By ERIKA CAPEK
The Brunswick News

The Glynn County School System, reacting to state budget cuts, is adopting a plan to reduce personnel costs by eliminating some substitute staffing.

Effective today, substitutes will no longer be hired to fill in for sick or absent school system clerks or paraprofessionals. The cutback does not immediately affect classroom teachers.

By PHIL BOYUM
pboyum@statesboroherald.com

Teresa Williams 

THOMASVILLE — The City of Thomasville took another step forward Wednesday in its quest to create a multi-purpose trail.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. - MAP International officials worked feverishly Wednesday to clear the way for shipment of the Brunswick-based humanitarian organization's first wave of medicine and medical supplies to help earthquake victims in Haiti.

Sometimes I don't understand my beloved state of Georgia. How in good conscience can we spend $19 million on something like Go Fish Georgia, which Gov. Sonny Perdue thinks is the greatest thing to hit the state since James Oglethorpe's two feet? We have a $2 billion deficit and severe cuts are being proposed for everything from education to public health, yet we are flacking a fishing tournament.

Perdue and his supporters claim a fishing championship can bring several million dollars into the state's economy. So can a hog killing if you put $19 million into promoting it.