Area briefs: UGA students begin finals, GBI probes homicide in Hart Co

University of Georgia students begin their spring semester final exams today: UGA’s spring graduation is set for May 10.

There is an afternoon meeting of the University of Georgia’s Staff Council: UGA says the last Council meeting of the spring semester is a virtual session set to start at 1 o’clock.

The Joint Development Authority for the City of Winterville and the Athens-Clarke County government meets at 5:30 this afternoon.

A graveside service for Don Leebern is now scheduled for 1 o’clock Thursday at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Athens.  Leebern, who died last week at the age of 85, was a longtime business leader in Athens. He played football for the Georgia Bulldogs in the late 1950s and served on the state Board of Regents. E-mail threats lead school officials in Barrow County to place extra security at Bramlett Elementary School in Auburn.

Morgan County Commissioner Blake McCormack is investigating complaints from residents in Rutledge. Some of them are reporting problems with water contamination near the two thousand acre site that has been cleared for construction by electric vehicle maker Rivian.

A GBI investigation continues in Hart County, where an Elbert County man is facing a murder charge: 41 year-old Matthew Carey of Bowman is accused in last month’s death of 36 year-old Candy Downer, who was found dead in a motel in Hartwell. Charges against Carey, who was arrested earlier this week, include felony murder and aggravated assault.

Hart County’s new jail is open for business. The Sheriff’s Office in Hartwell held an open house at the newly opened lockup on Bowman Highway in Hart County.

The Hall County Animal Shelter says it is limiting animal intakes until later this month: crews are installing a new HVAC system at the facility in Gainesville.

A Dacula man files a lawsuit to stop the referendum on what would be a new city charter in Gwinnett County: Mulberry’s cityhood vote is set for May 21.