Area briefs: Morehead speech today at UGA, police officer fired in Commerce

University of Georgia president Jere Morehead delivers his annual State of the University Address today: UGA says it will be delivered virtually at 10 o’clock this morning.

Jessica Fore says she is again a candidate for Congress: the Athens Democrat waged an unsuccessful campaign in Georgia 10 two years ago; she’s now the second Democrat to launch a bid for the seat now held by Butts County Republican Mike Collins. Lexy Doherty announced her congressional run late last year.

The advisory committee that is looking at plans for a Tax Allocation District for the eastern edge of downtown Athens meets this morning, 9 o’clock at the Government Building on Dougherty Street in Athens.

There is more talk about plans for Prince Avenue this afternoon in Athens, with a 3 o’clock meeting of the Prince Avenue Corridor Improvements User Group.

A Commerce police officer whose DUI arrests had come under question has been fired: Jacob Wood was dismissed after an internal investigation by the Commerce Police Department.

The Hoschton City Council signs off on a property purchase, snapping up 17 acres that will be used for parks and greenspace in Hoschton.

Three businesses that share strip mall space with a grocery store in Royston are closed until further notice: a carpet store, a sporting goods shop, and a Mexican restaurant have been deemed unsafe after the fire that destroyed Dill’s Food City. The state Fire Marshal’s Office continues its investigation into last weekend’s fire in Royston.

The Elections Supervisor in Carnesville says poll workers are need for upcoming elections in Franklin County. Tracie Creason says there are enough workers for the March 12 presidential preference primaries, but she says Franklin County will need poll workers for elections in May and November.

The GBI is investigating in Towns County: a person was found hanging from a tree at High Shoals Falls.