Victims of the recent tornadoes that devastated several Georgia counties may call Georgia Legal Services for free legal assistance if they are having trouble getting help.
Low-income individuals and families affected by the tornado may be eligible for special federal and state disaster benefits if they live or work in counties declared disaster areas.
Special benefits may include unemployment benefits for those whose jobs or businesses were shut down by the disaster. Special food stamp benefits and other assistance may also be available. In the longer term, GLSP can help with other legal problems, such as home repair scams, mortgages or other consumer issues.
Individuals in need of legal assistance may call GLSP’s Piedmont office at 404-894-7707 or 1-800-822-5391. Or find us at www.legalaid-ga.org. The Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia also has established a hotline for people needing legal assistance. It is 866-584-8027.
CRAIG SCHNEIDER
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Gov. Nathan Deal announced Monday the launch of a five-county pilot program promoting childhood fitness in public schools. The program will expand statewide if proven successful in Gwinnett, Hall, White, Bidd and Lowndes counties, Deal said. The SHAPE public-private partnership allows students to measure their own progress in physical fitness. Schools can jockey for recognition and equipment grants through the Governor's Fitness Honor Role. "This puts our state on the leading edge of innovation in addressing this health problem," Deal said.
Read more about how schools are addressing childhood obesity on D1 of today's paper. NANCY BADERTSCHER
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An immigration lawyer has pleaded guilty to a scheme in which he made about $1 million by harboring illegal immigrants, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Parmesh Dixit, 40, of Alpharetta, pleaded guilty Friday to a conspiracy charge. According to federal prosecutors, Dixit helped more than three dozen illegal immigrants enter or remain in the U.S. by submitting fraudulent applications on their behalf to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The applications made it appear they were eligible for work visas when they were not. BILL RANKIN
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CHRISTOPHER QUINN
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Actual Factual Georgia
Where was the governor's mansion before it was on West Paces Ferry? B4
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Group strives to provide shelter and resources to victims of domestic violence. B5
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