Across Georgia

Study gives homeless population estimate

ATLANTA --- More than 75,000 people are homeless in Georgia at some time during the year, according to a first statewide study of the problem released Wednesday.

The report estimates that on any one day, 20,000 people are homeless in the state, with more than half living on the street.

State officials say they hope to use the data gathered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to appeal to lawmakers and private donors for funding for shelters and agencies that help homeless find jobs and places to live.

The state's homeless shelters and other agencies have 7,400 beds for individuals and 5,100 for families.

E. coli case linked to outbreak in Midwest

ATLANTA --- A Midwest E. coli outbreak traced to recalled beef has spawned at least one case in Georgia, health officials said Wednesday.

Georgia has one lab-confirmed case of a bacterial infection that is a molecular match to 44 previously reported cases in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and New York, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Georgia health officials are investigating at least seven more cases of E. coli, all of them in Colquitt County, said Taka Wiley, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Human Resources.

Beef from a Moultrie restaurant tested positive for E. coli, health officials said.

Development stance helped incumbent win

ATLANTA --- Those pushing for limited redevelopment of Jekyll Island claimed a victory in state Sen. Jeff Chapman's win over primary challenger Terry Carter, saying the incumbent's resistance to a sweeping plan for new hotels and condos helped put him over the top.

But Linger Longer Communities, the private partner crafting a proposal for the island's future, said the results wouldn't change the company's plan.

Mr. Chapman, of Brunswick, has been an outspoken critic of a $352 million proposal to revitalize Jekyll Island by building new condominiums, beachfront hotels and shopping centers.

-- Edited from wire reports