SUMMARY: Latasha Day of Loganville speaks out after being wrongfully arrested due to a case of mistaken identity. In 2023, she spent four days in jail for a crime committed by a woman who used Day’s identity to steal over $40,000 in merchandise. Despite the evidence not matching, including discrepancies in tattoos and physical descriptions, Day was arrested because of a warrant from a neighboring county. After a year, the charges were dropped. Day now demands an apology from the sheriff’s office and an investigation into how her case was handled. She also wants her record cleared.

A Loganville woman is demanding answers after spending four days in jail for a crime she says she never committed.

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Bill to ban unscrupulous parking lot sales of pets in Georgia now up to governor

by Jill Nolin, Georgia Recorder
March 21, 2025

A bill designed to make it harder for unscrupulous breeders to entice animal lovers into an impulse purchase is now on the governor’s desk.

The measure, House Bill 331, would ban the practice of selling dogs, cats and rabbits in parking lots, along the roadside, on sidewalks, at seasonal flea markets and other similar outdoor areas that tend to be hotspots for unlicensed breeders who prioritize profit over the wellbeing of the animals in their care.

The Senate sponsor, Grovetown Republican Sen. Lee Anderson, said the bill targets “bad actors” in Georgia.

“We need this bill so we can make sure all our pets are taken care of, and also it protects the companies that already do it the right way,” Anderson said, referring to breeders.

Supporters of the bill say it will reduce opportunities for illicit pet sales, which they argue is commonly tied with other illegal activity.

The original sponsor, Concord Republican Rep. Beth Camp, pitched the measure as both a consumer and animal protection bill, since animals purchased from illegitimate breeders often turn out not to be as advertised.

“These dogs oftentimes end up getting dumped, and they get dumped at animal shelters, which cost our counties money every single day. And it’s just heartbreaking,” Camp said recently to state senators.  

Breeders would still be able to sell dogs, cats and rabbits from their home, business, a veterinarian’s office or other designated locations, like outside a police department.

“These individuals do not allow people to come to where these dogs live because they don’t want anyone to see where these animals live, because they’re living in deplorable, substandard conditions for anything that’s alive,” Camp said.

If approved, someone who violates the measure would be fined $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second and $500 for the third or subsequent offense. Each animal sold in violation of the measure would represent a separate offense, including if multiple animals were sold on the same day.  

In January, the state Department of Agriculture seized 136 dogs from a puppy mill in south Georgia.

The bill may be serious, but it also brought a little levity to the day.

Anderson rested his case Friday by saying a vote for his bill would help keep Lt. Gov. Burt Jones out of the “doghouse.” Jones’ wife runs an animal rescue organization. 

Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor John McCosh for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.

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SUMMARY: In North Augusta, SC, the class of 2025 celebrated their medical school match day, marking a pivotal moment in their journey to become doctors. Parents, faculty, and staff gathered to support the 246 students, with some pairs like Hannah and Hunter Spivey sharing their wedding plans amidst their studies. Jessica McElrheh balanced her family medicine aspirations with her new role as a mother. The class president, Queen Abure, highlighted their resilience during the pandemic and a curriculum change. Students dressed in themed costumes for the event, embodying the celebration of their achievements and bright futures in healthcare.

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