11:00 - Friday, September 2

The American Red Cross is accepting only cash donations at this time and cannot take food clothing and other items, officials said Thursday afternoon.

Donations can be made to the American Red Cross Relief Fund at local Publix and Kroger grocery stores, or they can be made online at www.redcross.org.

Local residents can also call 404-870-4440. Volunteers are also needed and can call 404-870-4425.

11:00 - Friday, September 2

Congressman David Scott (D-GA) announced Thursday that Congress will vote on Friday to approve a $10 billion emergency aid package to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"We in Congress are moving quickly to provide the necessary funding for relief efforts for the victims in the Gulf Coast and New Orleans," said Congressman Scott. "The magnitude of destruction and suffering is staggering and I will continue to do everything possible to provide relief for the victims of this horrific tragedy. This $10 billion relief package is simply a first step on the long road to recovery, rebuilding, and the renewal of life for our fellow citizens in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama."

11:00 - Friday, September 2

Governor Sonny Perdue announced Thursday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Georgias waiver request to allow the use of high sulfur diesel fuel (off-road diesel) for on-road purposes through September 15, 2005. This has been done to increase the supply of diesel fuel and to minimize supply disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Under normal conditions, federal law requires motor vehicles to use low sulfur diesel fuel because it is less polluting, while the high sulfur fuel can be used only for off-road purposes.

11:00 - Friday, September 2

Governor Sonny Perdue signed an Executive Order Thursday directing members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard into active duty to assist Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in relief operations associated with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Georgia soldiers and airmen are headed west to assist the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama who are in need of our help and support, said Governor Sonny Perdue. I ask the people of Georgia to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they participate in these important relief efforts.

11:00 - Friday, September 2

With the outpouring of sympathy and support for Hurricane Katrina victims becoming a major focus here and throughout the nation, Office of Homeland Security Georgia Emergency Management Agency (OHS-GEMA) officials say it is important for those who want to help to realize what will be needed m ost in the weeks and months to come is cash donations to reputable relief and charitable organizations.

10:10 a.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

About 20 families from Louisiana that fled Hurricane Katrina are in Fayette County seeking help from the Department of Family and Children Services, and the most immediate need is for food and clothing, but there is no storage space so used clothing cant be accepted, officials said.

DFCS is asking for gift cards to grocery stores, Wal-Mart or Target and even prepaid credit cards that can be used for anything to help these families with food and clothing. Cards can be dropped off at the DFCS office at 905 Ga. Highway 85 South; going south from downtown Fayetteville, the DFCS office is the second driveway to the right just past the traffic light at Hwy. 85 and Ramah Road, after the Kroger Town Center shopping center.

5:30 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue signed an Executive Order Sept. 1 directing members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard into active duty to assist Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in relief operations associated with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Georgia soldiers and airmen are headed west to assist the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama who are in need of our help and support, said Governor Sonny Perdue. I ask the people of Georgia to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they participate in these important relief efforts.

3:20 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

The Atlanta Community Food Bank has joined the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the United Way and the American Red Cross to support disaster relief efforts for individuals who have been evacuated or impacted by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast area. The food bank will continue to distribute food and other donated products to more than 750 nonprofit partner agencies who assist low-income Georgians. They also expect to assist the individuals imapcted by Hurricane Katrina throughout the fall in metro Atlanta and through relief efforts for the Gulf Coast region.

2:00 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

ATLANTA - Today at the Metro Atlanta Red Cross, Governor Sonny Perdue announced Georgias plans for assisting Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama with disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Governor Perdue also discussed actions taken to address the increasing price of gasoline due to fuel shortages and Georgias aid to counties impacted by tornadoes earlier this week.

2:00 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

I am enclosing information I received from our Fayetteville DFAS contact, Sharon Herbert regarding how Hurricane Katrina is impacting our local area and what we can do to help.

2:00 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

This is a follow-up to my original email regarding the 20 refugee families sitting in our DFCS office. Chief Pete Nelms and Chief Jack Krakeel, Fayette EMS are calling for a Town Meeting tomorrow night, Thursday- September 1, 7 PM at the Fayette Library. They particularly want church leaders to attend. The families we have an opportunity to help need short-term and long-term assistance until (of if) they are able to return to Louisiana. The county collaboratively can address the need much better than a few individual efforts. Please pass this email on to every one you think may be interested in helping, especially church leaders.

2:00 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

ATLANTA (GA) - Since Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the Gulf Coast, the Department of Human Resources Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) has been working closely with the American Red Cross to provide emergency shelter for storm refugees. Under the governors Emergency Support Function 6 Mass Care (ESF 6) Initiative, DFCS and the American Red provide food and shelter for disaster victims. After tornados ravaged parts of North Georgia, DFCS opened shelters to meet local needs.

2:00 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

Our hearts and prayers are with all people who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina. The Department of Education is ready to help in everyway it can.

The education of displaced children:

Children who have been evacuated from their homes and are being sheltered in Georgia are our responsibility. Should it become necessary, their education can and will continue in Georgias schools.

11:15 a.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

Sandra Lyle, an employee at Allan Vigil Ford in Fayetteville, is traveling to Gulfport, Miss. to rescue her daughter and grandson. She is leaving at 4 a.m. on Friday morning and is willing to take donations of any kind to Gulfport with her. If you would like to make a donation of food, clothing or of any kind, it can be dropped off at Allan Vigil Ford today.

The American Red Cross is providing temporary shelter at more than 230 locations for victims displaced by damage from Hurricane Katrina.

The Optimist Club of Peachtree City will be making a donation fo collected food to the hurricane relief efforts.

2:00 - Friday, September 2

City Cafe in downtown Fayetteville will hold a lunch buffet fund-raiser to benefit the American Red Cross on Sunday, Sept. 18. For $16.95 per person, patrons will receive good comfort food with music in the background, said Doreen Schatte of City Cafe.

Customers will have the chance on their bill to donate more if they wish, and the employees are donating the

5:30 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

Governor Perdue announced Sept. 1 that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Georgias waiver request to allow the use of high sulfur diesel fuel (off-road diesel) for on-road purposes through Sept. 15, 2005. This has been done to increase the supply of diesel fuel and to minimize supply disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Under normal conditions, federal law requires motor vehicles to use low sulfur diesel fuel because it is less polluting, while the high sulfur fuel can be used only for off-road purposes.

1:30 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue signed an Executive Order Aug. 31 enacting Georgias price gouging statute to protect Georgia consumers from unlawful increases in gas prices and other products. The Governors Office has received Wednesday credible evidence that price gouging has occurred in parts of the state.

We will not tolerate the exploitation of Georgia consumers as we recover from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, said Governor Sonny Perdue. Violators of this price gouging statute will be punished to the fullest extent possible.

1:30 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin reminded gas station owners and managers and other outlets that sell gasoline to the public that it is illegal to post one price on the street or on a billboard and charge another at the pump.

This bait-and-switch is a violation of state law and will not be tolerated, said Commissioner Irvin. We have had reports about stations or convenience stores saying they did not have time or enough employees to change the price on the sign. That is not an excuse. If you have enough employees to change the price, you have enough employees to change the sign that advertises your price or to take the sign down.