A former Valdosta State University student who sparked national attention by walking on an American flag during a campus protest has been taken into custody by law enforcement authorities for probation violation. Eric Sheppard is reported to have violated the terms of his probation by traveling to Texas and making harassing phone calls while in the state.

Georgia’s General Assembly opens a new legislative session Monday that’s expected to focus on education, gambling and health care. Gov. Nathan Deal is likely to push an alternative to a failed constitutional amendment letting the state take over low-performing schools.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region Four Office was requested by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved use of force incident. The Ashburn Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle south-bound on I-75 in Turner County. The driver, identified as Erin Sean Hogue, 26 of Jacksonville, FL, refused to stop and the vehicle was pursued into Cook County. The Georgia State Patrol assisted in the pursuit and utilized a precision immobilization technique to end the chase at milepost 40 near Adel, GA. When law enforcement officers attempted to remove Hogue, he displayed a handgun which resulted in a Turner County Deputy firing his weapon. Hogue was arrested and taken to Tift Regional Medical Center for a non-life threating injury.

The Valdosta-Lowndes County NAACP Monthly General Assembly Meeting will be held this Thursday, January 12th, 6 pm at the Valdosta City Hall Annex located at 300 North Lee Street. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 229-231-5403.