Mold Remediation in Gainesville, GA

Recovery continues after Hurricane Helene

Crews are working to repair some of the immeasurable damage that Hurricane Helene left in its wake across Georgia.

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Former President Donald Trump, Gov. Brian Kemp, and Sen. Raphael Warnock will each do their own tour of areas in Georgia hit hard by Hurricane Helene as crews work to repair some of the damage the massive storm left behind in its wake.

The death toll from the storm has now climbed to at least 107 and over 500,000 customers across Georgia remain without power.

Over the weekend, Kemp toured Valdosta, one of the areas hardest hit by the storm, and said the damage was "unprecedented."

"It looks like a tornado went off. It looks like a bomb went off, and it's not just here. It looks like that from all the way to Augusta," Kemp said after viewing the remains of houses and debris-covered highways from the air.

Later on Monday, the governor will be in Augusta to survey the damage there. Trump plans to be briefed on storm damage in Valdosta before weighing in on the distribution of relief supplies and delivering remarks in the afternoon.

PHOTOS: Hurricane Helene arrives in Georgia bringing rain, high wind

Warnock will also visit Augusta on Monday to meet with local leaders and survey the devastation. President Joe Biden plans to visit the impacted areas later this week as long as his involvement does not impact the emergency response.

The White House said Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the storm-ravaged areas "as soon as it is possible without disrupting emergency response operations." At a Las Vegas rally Sunday night, Harris spoke about the impact of Helene, saying, "I know everyone here sends their thoughts and prayer for the folks who have been so devastated by that hurricane."

FEMA response to Hurricane Helene in Georgia

Recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene are happening around the clock in Georgia. FOX 5 Atlanta heard from FEMA Administrator Deanne Christwell about the plan for restoration.

Crews are working around the clock in the Peach State to clean up the damage and restore much-needed power. Georgia's emergency management agencies are currently in 32 counties across the state.

GEMA officials say their priority is clearing roads to emergency locations like hospitals.

Kemp believes the cost of Helene will surpass what the state saw with Hurricane Michael in 2018.

"It has been unlike any other storm I think we've ever faced because of the size of the wind field that this storm brought through and how it literally is affecting 159 counties, not just 20 or 30 counties in south Georgia," Kemp said.

Georgia Power representatives say they have about twice as much damage to their system compared to Idalia's impact on the area in 2023. According to the company, more than 5,000 power poles must be repaired or replaced. Georgia Power also says more than 425 miles of wire were destroyed, 5,000 transformers were damaged, and crews have to remove about 1,500 trees from power lines.

HURRICANE HELENE DAMAGE STORIES:

FEMA response to Hurricane Helene in Georgia

Recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene are happening around the clock in Georgia. FOX 5 Atlanta heard from FEMA Administrator Deanne Christwell about the plan for restoration.

Support for Hurricane Helene relief

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is taking action to help the victims of Helene.

The foundation announced it is donating $2 million to World Central Kitchen to help the organization serve nourishing meals and water to areas affected by the storm.

"As a community, we are defined by how we come together in times of need," said Arthur M. Blank. "In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we have witnessed unimaginable devastation, but also the resilience and strength of the people affected. Our hearts are with those who have lost loved ones and been impacted in so many ways by this storm. We are so grateful for the brave first responders, neighbors and others who have bravely stepped in to help so many across the southeast and we continue to pray for their protection and safety throughout the recovery from this devastating storm."

You can donate to World Central Kitchen's efforts here.

GoFundMe has also set up a hub with all verified fundraisers connected to Hurricane Helene here.

Concerns over new tropical depression in the Atlantic

A new tropical depression in the eastern Atlantic Ocean could become a "formidable hurricane" later this week, the National Hurricane Center said Sunday.

The depression had sustained 35 mph winds and was located about 630 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, the center said.

It could become a hurricane by Wednesday.

The Source

Photo/Rinburche Duong

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Twice within a month, Gainesville has had a chance to show that it could win the games that matter most.

For the second time, however, the Red Elephants were left pondering just what is needed to clear that final championship hurdle.

Milton, the top-ranked team in Class 5A and a squad many feel is the current gold standard in Georgia, left City Park Stadium late Friday night with a 42-24 victory and control of Region 7-5A as the regular season winds down to its final stages.

It was much the same story as their trek to No. 1 Carrollton (Class 6A) last month. Untimely penalties, little mistakes, and being unable to get off the field on third down turned a competitive game at halftime into a no-doubter by the fourth quarter.

Gainesville coach Josh Niblett knows his group is close but also knows it must find that final missing piece of the puzzle to attain championship status.

“As we talked about before, there are little things within the game that you got to take full advantage of, and if you don't, you know, it'll come back to bite you,” Niblett said afterward. “We get them backed up to start the second half, but then we just couldn't get off the field. Two or three times, we had them stopped on third, and then they convert on fourth down. We had some untimely penalties that hurt us.

“This was kind of a semifinal or final kind of match up and atmosphere. It’s the kind of game where you can gauge where you're at. So I think that's the critical part. We just gotta learn how to win these games. That's our next step in this program, and within our process is to learn how to win these games.”

Coupled with Roswell’s win over Chattahoochee on Friday, the loss dropped Gainesville (6-2, 3-1 Region 7-5A) into third place in the region standings behind the Eagles (8-0, 4-0 Region 7-5A) and the Hornets (6-1, 3-0 Region 7-5A). It was the first home loss for Gainesville since Niblett arrived in 2022.

The Red Elephants close out the season in two weeks against Roswell but first with travel to Chattahoochee next week. Finishing second and with a home playoff game to open the playoffs is still within their grasp.

But Niblett said they can't get ahead of themselves.

“We’re not concerned with the playoffs or anything like that right now,” he said. “We have Chattahoochee next week, and that’s our only focus starting on Monday.”

The opening minutes against Milton could not have gone worse for the Red Elephants.

Quarterback Kharim Hughley was sacked for 11 yards on the opening play as Gainesville went a very quick three-and-out. After a short punt, the Eagles needed just two plays as Luke Nickel found a wide-open Ethan Barbour for a 39-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead barely two minutes in.

The Red Elephants' second drive produced one first down—on a Milton roughing penalty—but ended in another punt as they committed two big penalties, including one that negated a 20-yard pass for a first down.

The Eagles followed with a 4-play drive, capped by a 23-yard TD pass from Nickel to Tristen Payne for a 14-0 lead just six minutes in.

But Gainesville found some traction over the final 17 minutes of the first half, as a 32-yard pass play from Hughley to Taz Smith ignited not only the offense but the entire sideline. That drive ended in a 31-yard field goal from Francisco Johnson, and then Trent Jones picked off a Nickel pass.

Two plays later, Hughley and Jeremiah Ware connected on an electrifying 73-yard bomb to cut the lead to 14-10 early in the second quarter.

Milton answered back as Nickel and Georgia-commit Ethan Barbour connected on a 55-yard touchdown pass to increase the Eagles’ lead to 21-10. That was the first of several moments where Big Red appeared to have stopped Milton, but a roughing-the-passer call kept the drive alive.

The Gainesville defense then stopped the Eagles on downs, and Hughley threw for 18 yards to Smith and 12 yards to Shane King before capping the quick drive with a 39-yard keeper around the right end to pull them within 21-17 by halftime.

Considering the 9 penalties for 105 yards in the first half, the second quarter rally was remarkable.

“We felt really good at halftime,” Niblett said.

But the Eagles showed their championship mettle in the second half. The Eagles outscored Gainesville 21-7 after halftime, all on TJ Lester touchdown runs as they took control on the ground. Nickel finished 18-of-31 for 286 yards, and Lester had 139 yards of rushing, 124 coming in the second half.

Gainesville was held to a season-low 54 yards rushing as the Red Elephants struggled against the Eagles’ powerful front-7 that came in with 53 TFLs on the season.

Hughley, still just a sophomore, was 13-of-25 passing for 232 yards, 1 TD and no interceptions. Carmelo Byrd was held to just 20 yards on 10 carries for the game.

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It was the first time Milton (Ga.) and Gainesville had played a high school football game since 1985. After Milton's stirring 42-24 win in the road Friday, Georgia fans will no doubt wish the Eagles and Red Elephants play every year.

The game featured some monumental big plays, hard hits and lots of fireworks as the nation's No. 6 team and defending 7A champion improved to 8-0, while Gainesville dropped to 6-2.

With Florida State coach Mike Norvell in attendance, both teams showed remarkable determinations on touchdown runs.

TJ Lester had second-half touchdown runs of 42 and 25 yards and Georgia-bound tight end Ethan Barbour was dominant all night and had touchdown catches of 55 and 40 yards both from Miami-bound quarterback Luke Nickel in a game Milton never trailed. Nickel threw for close to 300 yards and three touchdowns.

Gainesville, led by sophomore quarterback Kharim Higley, who passed and ran for touchdowns, kept fighting back but the fight in Lester's 25-yard touchdown late in the third quarter epitomized the Eagles' drive.

It wasn't just from Lester.

Stopped for a 10-yard gain at the 15, Lester drove an extra five yards to the 10, then was driven by his entire line all the way to the goal line to give his team a 35-17 lead. The teams traded two touchdowns from there.

(See all the scoring plays, video and live-game highlights at the bottom)

PREGAME

It’s been a busy time for the Milton (Ga.) high school Eagles football team.

The nation’s No. 6 team according to SBLive had to play two games in less than a week due to Hurricane Helene, victories over Seckinger and Lanier by a combined 93-14 count. And now they play one of the best teams in Georgia while visiting Gainesville (6-1), which is 32-3 since 2022.

The game features at least 15 top college recruits, led by Gainesville junior linebacker Xavier Griffin, the No. 1 recruit in the state for the Class of 2026, according to 247Sports.

This is the first time these powerhouses have met — at least since 2004 — but what a long line of success each has had.

NATIONAL HS FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD | GEORGIA HS FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

Since 2022, the Red Elephants are a combined 32-3 with a loss in the 2022 6A title game to Langston Hughes, 35-28.

Gainesville is led by Griffin, a Georgia commit, offensive tackle Alex Payne (North Carolina), defensive lineman Julius Columbus (Duke), tight end Shane King (Troy) and sophomore quarterback Kharim Hughley.

Since 2017, Milton is 84-18, including 13-2 seasons in 2018, 2021 and 2023, with state championships in 2018 and 2023.

The Eagles, with 19 returning starters from a defending state championship, are loaded everywhere with talent. It starts with its Miami-bound quarterback Luke Nickel (1,556 yards passing, 16 TDs) and senior running back TJ Lester, who has rushed for 678 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Their top two prospects are Clemson-bound offensive tackle Brayden Jacobs (6-7, 310) and tight end Ethan Barbour, another Georgia commit.

Milton vs. Gainesville Live Score Updates

(Updates will be placed here once the game starts, with the most recent updates at the top.)

FOURTH TOUCHDOWN

FINAL SCORE: Milton 42, Gainesville 24

TOUCHDOWN MILTON! Kevin Maven-Winchester with yet another DETERMINED 2-yard TD run. Very similar to the previous two scores and certainly Lester's second TD. Stopped at the 2, he was held up and then pushed acrossed the line for likely the game-clinching TD. Milton 42, Gainesville 24. 5:05 4Q.

TOUCHDOWN GAINESVILLE! Carmelo Byrd 1-run. Like Lester's determination, Byrd somehow gets into the end zone when he was stopped three yards short. Milton 35, Gainesville 24. 9:25 4Q.

THIRD QUARTER

TOUCHDOWN MILTON! TJ Lester with a seen-to-be-believed 25-yard touchdown run, only because he seemed absolutely stopped at the 15, then carried over goal line by teammates. This used to be illegal. Milton 35, Gainesville 17. 3:01 3Q.

TOUCHDOWN MILTON! Thanks to a second faked punt run for first down, TJ Lester sprints around the left side for a 42-yard touchdowns. Milton 28, Gainesville 17. 9:13 3Q.

SECOND QUARTER

FIELD GOAL MISSES! After recovering a fumble on the Gainesville side of the 50, Milton drives all the way to the red zone. But after a penalty, Alex Nover misses a 35-yard field goal at the horn. HALFTIME: Milton 21, Gainesville 17.

KHARIM HUGHLEY AGAIN! This time the lightening quick sophomore QB sprints 39 yards for a touchdown. Gainesville closes to 4. Lot of great athletes, but the 10th grader has been key. Milton 21, Gainesville 17. 2:01 2Q.

GAINESVILLE HOLDS! Milton, aided by a fake-punt conversion, drove to the Gainesville 29, but the Red Elephants held on downs. 3:07 2Q. Milton still leads 21-10.

MILTON TOUCHDOWN! Luke Nickel again, with 60-yard touchdown strike, second to Ethan Barbour. Great answer for Eagles. Miami-bound QB Luke Nickel who now has thrown three TD passes. Milton 21, Gainesville 10. 6:25 2Q.

GAINESVILLE TOUCHDOWN! Sophomore QB Kharim Hughley rolls right and lofts a beautiful 71-yard TD pass to Jeremiah Ware. Gainesville right back in it. Milton 14, Gainesville 10. 10:33 2Q.

FIRST QUARTER

GAINESVILLE FIELD GOAL! Francisco Johnson 31-yard field goal. Milton 14, Gainesville 3. 1:02 1Q.

MILTON TOUCHDOWN! Nickel with his second touchdown pass, a 23-yard strike to Tristen Payne. Milton 14, Gainesville 0. 5:25 1Q.

MILTON TOUCHDOWN! The Eagles strike first on first possession on TD pass from Luke Nickel to Georgia-bound tight end Ethan Barbour after holding the Red Elephants to a 3-and-out. Milton 7, Gainesville 0. 9:55.

Carrollton (Ga.) cornerback Shamar Arnoux entered Friday night's matchup against undefeated Gainesville (Ga.) knowing he was going to have a big challenge across the way.

A physically imposing 6-foot-4, 210-pound challenge known as Shane King, a Troy commit who entered Friday averaging 100 yards receiver per game. King had racked up yards after the catch this season using his size and strength to fling off smaller defenders. King is an unenvious matchup for most high school cornerbacks, but the 6-foot-2, 175-pound composite four-star cornerback came ready for the battle, knowing he needed to be physical at the line of scrimmage.

"I just attack it as in I'm in a fight with a bear," Arnoux said, "and I got to make it out."

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Though they didn't match up the entire night, Arnoux did his part to help Carrollton slow down King. In their matchups, Arnoux held King to two catches for 22 yards. Most importantly, King had no yards after catch on either reception.

"My physicality and competitive edge [are my strengths]," Arnoux said. "[I show that] by putting hands on receivers and just winning."

Arnoux won the battle with King while the Carrollton secondary, which features Arnoux, 2026 Alabama cornerback commit Dorian Barney and 2026 Texas safety commit Zelus Hicks, held Gainesville sophomore quarterback Kharim Hughley to 199 yards passing. He was just 10 of 23 on the night and 80 of his yards came on one play when the Trojans busted a coverage in the fourth quarter after taking a five-touchdown lead.

Here's a look at isolation film, above, of USC cornerback commit Shamar Arnoux facing off for the majority of his snaps against Georgia Southern receiver commit Jeremiah Ware (No. 1) and Troy receiver commit Shane King (No. 3) in Carrollton (Ga.)'s big home win over Gainesville (Ga.):

Georgia Theatre Conference has announcd its 2024 convention, taking place from October 16-19 in Gainesville, GA. This milestone year marks the highest attendance in the organization's six-decade history, with more than 40 theatre companies and schools participating in the highly anticipated one-act festivals, and over 25 registered organizations and colleges eager to recruit students and hire professional artists.

"We are thrilled to be back in Gainesville, after nearly a decade," says Jono Davis, Executive Director of Georgia Theatre Conference. "Brenau University and the University of North Georgia have been so good to us. We have a lot of fun events and surprises in store for this special year. I can't think of a better way to celebrate theatre."

This year's convention offers a diverse lineup of workshops, performances, and networking opportunities for theatre professionals, students, and patrons alike. A major highlight of the event is the debut of the New Play Festival's winning entry, Abbadon House by Felix Manuel Cortes Rodriguez, which will be rehearsed and showcased in a special play reading.

Additionally, GTC will celebrate the achievements of this year's inductee into the prestigious Georgia Theatre Hall of Fame: Natalie DeLancey, Executive Director of City Springs Theatre Company. DeLancey has made an indelible impact on Georgia's theatre and education scene and will be honored for her dedication to advancing the arts in the state.

"When I look around at a GTC Board meeting or at the conference, I see a beautiful web of theater artists celebrating each other," says Lucy Lynn Bryson, GTC's Board President. "So many conferences are highly specialized, but GTC gives us a space to welcome and support everyone from an elementary school student performing in their first play to an established professional. The intertwining of all artists is our strength and brings us back joyfully year after year, for the past 60 years."

There are activities and events for all ages. Any minor not affiliated with a participating school or organization must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets start at $15 and may be purchased online at georgiatheatreconference.com.

Producing Partners and Sponsors of Georgia Theatre Conference 2024: Georgia Council for the Arts, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Carnival Entertainment, Brenau University, University of North Georgia, Ludus, Explore Gainesville, Live Arts Theatre, the Southeastern Theatre Conference, Northeast Georgia History Center, Young Harris College, Michael Karl Studio, and Merby's Farm.

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