Q: The awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Masters winner Tiger Woods (and previously to three other golf greats) makes me wonder: What is the criteria for consideration for this honor?
FRAN JORDAN, PEACHTREE CORNERS
A: The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S., is awarded to "individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors," according to the White House.
The award was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Athletes who recently have won the award include Roger Staubach, Babe Ruth, Alan Page, Billie Jean King, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Willie Mays and Yogi Berra.
Woods is the fourth golfer to be honored, joining Arnold Palmer (2004), Jack Nicklaus (2005) and Charles Sifford (2014).
Q: I noticed the rest stop on Interstate 16 near Dublin is shut down again. I know it was open for a while. What is the status now?
BILL MARKERT, DECATUR
A: Rest areas 87 and 88 on I-16 in Laurens County were closed in late February, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
After investigating possible water pressure loss, it was determined that the water main supply line was broken, Matthew Bradshaw, engineering director for the city of Dublin, told Q&A on the News via email.
He said they hope to re-open the rest areas by Sept. 1.
Q&A on the News runs Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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