Area briefs include A-CC Commission meeting, Toccoa teacher arrest

Athens-Clarke County Commissioners meet this evening, again at Clarke County School District offices on Prince Avenue: a public hearing on the latest Athens-Clarke County budget is on the agenda, as is more Commission talk about a site for a new eastside fire station. Commissioners are meeting at the School District’s central office while security upgrades are being installed at City Hall.

There is an afternoon meeting of the University of Georgia’s Staff Council: UGA says the virtual session is underway at 2:30.

Final exams today at UGA: they’re for University of Georgia students who took the Maymester classes that wrapped up Tuesday.

Oconee County Commissioners met last night in Watkinsville to sign off on a budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. There’s a new Democratic candidate for a seat in the Georgia House: Courtney Frisch pulled out of the race to unseat Oconee County Republican Representative Marcus Wiedower earlier this week; Eric Gisler says he will run. The election will be decided in November.

There is a new committee assignment for Madison County state Senator Frank Ginn: the Danielsville Republican will serve on a committee aimed at advancing forestry innovations in Georgia. Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, Republican from Lumpkin County, is also on the committee.

There are charges for a teacher in Toccoa. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office says Brian Thomason, a 50 year-old teacher at Stephens County High School, is accused of having sex with a student. Thomason was booked into the Stephens County jail on charges that include sexual assault. He has since been released on bond.

A Hall County man will be the next Chair of the state Board of Pardons and Paroles: the job goes to David Herring of Gainesville.

24 year-old Marco Perez is facing charges of false imprisonment, assault, and child cruelty after his arrest in Gainesville. He’s accused of assaulting a woman in Gainesville. Perez is being held without bond in the Hall County jail.