Author: Tee Johnson

Putnam County officials have confirmed that they have recovered the body of a coach that went missing mfore than a month ago.

Sheriff Howard Sills has confirmed that Gary Jones’ body was discovered around 1 p.m. in approximately 45 feet of water, not far from where the body of his fiancée, Joycelyn Wilson, a Spelman College instructor, was found.

The gruesome discovery made Sunday, March 9, 2025, marks almost exactly one month since Gary Jones and his fiancée, Joycelyn Wilson, disappeared while boating on Lake Oconee.

Wilson’s body was recovered after they both went missing during the first week of February. The 47-year-old was a senior track-and-field instructor in the Department of Mathematics at Spelman College, where she had been since 2007.

Jones was a faculty member and varsity track-and-field coach at Westminster, a private Christian school in Atlanta.

Gary Jones: Body of Well-Like Coach Found in Lake Oconee

Gary Jones, a faculty member and varsity track-and-field coach at Westminster Schools in Atlanta, has been missing since February 8, 2025, following a boating incident on Lake Oconee. He and his fiancée, Joycelyn Nicole Wilson, a senior instructor at Spelman College, were last seen together when their unoccupied boat was discovered circling near Wallace Dam.

Joycelyn Wilson’s body was recovered the next day, but despite extensive search efforts—including the use of divers, cadaver dogs, and aerial assistance—Gary Jones had not been found. The search was suspended indefinitely after 22 days, but resumed shortly after.

Authorities have noted certain peculiarities in the case, leading them to treat it as more than a routine drowning. Items such as Wilson’s fanny pack containing cash and credit cards, along with a cell phone, were found, prompting further investigation. The Secret Service began assisting in attempting to unlock Wilson’s phone for additional evidence.

Gary Jones’ family had expressed their unwavering commitment to finding him, stating, “We will not rest until he is found.”

The Georgia General Assembly is in the midst of its 2025 legislative session, which began in January and is expected to conclude by late March or early April.

As of this writing, a slew of bills have already passed both legislative bodies in Georgia and have been signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp.

What Bills Are Due To Take Effect in Georgia This Year?

Bills passed during this session that are signed will typically take effect on July 1, 2025, unless specified otherwise in the legislation.

However, since the session is ongoing and the governor has 40 days after the session ends to sign or veto bills, it’s not yet fully determined which bills will officially become law in 2025.

Below is an overview of notable bills that have either already taken effect on January 1, 2025, or are currently advancing through the legislative process with a strong chance of becoming law by July 1, 2025, based on available information and legislative progress.

Bills Already in Effect as of January 1, 2025

Several laws passed in previous sessions took effect at the start of 2025, such as these:

• Amendment 1 (HB 581): Approved by 62.92% of voters in November 2024, this constitutional amendment limits property tax increases by adjusting the statewide homestead exemption. Local governments can opt out via a specific process. It includes broader property tax changes outlined in HB 581.
• Amendment 2: Passed with 51.89% voter approval, this establishes the Georgia Tax Court to handle tax disputes, moving jurisdiction from the Department of Revenue to the judicial branch. Administrative setup begins January 1, 2025, with the court fully operational by August 1, 2026.
• HB 1072: Provides tax exemptions for donating drugs to a state drug repository program, effective January 1, 2025.
• SB 19: Requires superior court clerks and probate judges to disclose passport fee collections quarterly to county governments, addressing past concerns about clerks retaining these fees.
• SB 232: Updates probate court fees for various filings, including legal documents, weapons carry licenses, and marriage licenses.
• HB 1339: Includes a tax credit provision for rural hospital organizations, effective January 1, 2025.
• HB 880: Allows spouses of military servicemembers stationed in Georgia to practice their occupations without a state-specific license.
• SB 341: Amends legislative privilege rules for General Assembly staff communications with the Office of Legislative Counsel, aligning them with existing member privileges.
• SB 366: Reforms the process for introducing and formalizing the state budget (general appropriations bill).

Bills Advancing in the 2025 Legislative Session

The following bills are currently under consideration in the 2025 session and have either passed one chamber or are gaining traction. Their fate depends on passage by both the House and Senate and the governor’s approval:

• Tort Reform Package (Announced January 29, 2025): Governor Kemp unveiled a package to stabilize insurance costs and reform litigation. Key provisions include:
  • Limiting premises liability to what property owners directly control.
  • Requiring medical damages in personal injury cases to reflect actual costs paid, not inflated amounts.
  • Allowing bifurcated trials (separating liability and damages phases).
  • Permitting evidence of seatbelt non-use in auto accident cases.
  • Banning double recovery of attorney fees and reforming third-party litigation funding to exclude hostile foreign entities.
• SB 65: Mandates kindergarten attendance, under consideration in the Senate.
• HB 566 and HB 556: Address AI and deepfakes—HB 566 protects artists’ likenesses, while HB 556 curbs AI misuse. Both are being reviewed in the House.
• SB 303 and HB 215: Aim to protect voter roll integrity and election processes, highlighted as critical by some observers on X.
• Transgender Athletes Ban: A bill to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ school sports has been advancing, per StateAffairsGA.
• Gun Safety and Death Penalty Reforms: Bills on gun safety and banning the death penalty for intellectually disabled individuals are moving forward, as noted by GeorgiaRecorder.
• SB 233 (School Voucher Law): Already passed in a prior session, this law expands in 2025, offering $6,000 vouchers to students in the bottom 25% of schools under Georgia’s academic ratings.
• SB 189: Changes voting registration for homeless individuals, requiring them to use county election offices for mail, effective in 2025.

The Georgia Assembly 2025 Legislative Session

• Crossover Day: March 6, 2025, is Crossover Day, the deadline for bills to pass one chamber to remain viable this session. Bills not passing by this date may still be revived via attachment to other legislation.
• Budget: Lawmakers are crafting a $40.5 billion state budget, the largest in Georgia history, which must be finalized and signed into law.
• Past Session Insight: In 2024, Kemp signed over 700 bills, suggesting a high volume of legislation could again become law in 2025.

Kemp Signs Amended Budget

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recently signed an amended budget that includes some key initiatives for the state. Here’s what they entail:

n addition to investments in healthcare, public safety, education, and returning $1 billion to taxpayers through a third one-time special tax refund, the amended budget includes investments and allocations for:

• Hurricane Helene Relief: More then $867 million for response costs and relief, including but not limited to, one-time grants to public rural and critical access hospitals included in the major disaster declaration area to assist in financial stabilization and recovery efforts, disaster relief assistance to impacted farmers and timber producers, and grants to non-profits for Hurricane Helene rebuilding and recovery efforts.
• Education and Workforce Development: $140 million in additional allocations to fully fund QBE and support our local school systems to help us build an unrivaled workforce as we work to make Georgia the Top State for Talent.
• Public Safety and Corrections: More than $434 million in new funding for the Department of Corrections to fortify state facilities, invest in Corrections Officers, and equip them with the tools they need to be effective and efficient.
• Fighting Human Trafficking: $3.5 million to design a recovery center for victims of human trafficking – an effort championed by First Lady Marty Kemp – and over $187,000 to expand the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit to the Macon and Augusta regions.
• School Security: An additional $50 million in one-time funds for another round of security grants to all K-12 public schools.
• Coastal Water Infrastructure: $501.7 million in funding for the development and construction of water infrastructure in Georgia’s coastal region to meet the growing demand due to historic economic development.
• Local Water and Sewer Infrastructure: Over $266 million in funding for the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to support water and sewer infrastructure development projects across Georgia.
• Local Road Infrastructure: $265 million into the local maintenance and improvement grant program and $46 million to the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank’s grant and loan program. 
• Combating Wildfires: $4.7 million for the Forestry Commission to purchase a new fire suppression helicopter

Since the legislative session is ongoing, the final list of laws effective July 1, 2025, will only be confirmed after the session ends (likely late March) and the governor acts by mid-May.

Final Word

Atlanta is filled with things to do, including dining options, from fine dining to trendy cafes, and some of the city’s best rooftop bars with skyline views.Boutique shops, unique galleries, and retail options add to Midtown Atlanta’s charm for those looking to shop local or find unique items.Downtown Atlanta is a hub for tech companies, startups, and corporate offices, giving it an energetic, innovative vibe.