Body Found in Lake Oconee, Search for Missing Man Continues

A new Covid variant, NB.1.8.1, has been detected in several U.S. states following a surge in hospitalizations in Asia, according to health officials and reports from the World Health Organization (WHO). The variant has been traced to locations including New York, California, Arizona, Ohio, and Rhode Island. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the public health risk from NB.1.8.1 is currently considered low, its transmissibility may be higher than previous variants. "Data indicates that NB.1.8.1 does not lead to more severe illness compared to previous variants, although it appears to have a growth advantage," stated Subhash Verma, a microbiology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Current Covid vaccines are expected to remain effective against this variant; however, access to vaccinations has become increasingly limited due to recent changes in policy by the Trump administration, which has removed certain vaccines from the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule. Vaccine experts express concern that such limitations could hinder public health efforts.

A tragic double murder-suicide unfolded in Dalton, Georgia, this week, when 37-year-old Kevin Andrew Akins fatally shot his wife, Rebeca Nicole Akins, 35, and his pregnant girlfriend, Cindel Mae Rhoden, 33, before turning the gun on himself. Authorities confirmed the sequence of events, stating that Akins first killed Rebeca at their apartment and then traveled to Rhoden's home, where he committed another fatal shooting. Family members revealed that Cindel Rhoden was expecting a boy, and concerns about her well-being prompted her father to check on her after she had not communicated for days. Police discovered her body after responding to his call, while Rebeca’s coworkers had requested a welfare check on her after she missed three consecutive days of work. Dalton Police have not yet disclosed a motive for the tragic events, which are still under investigation, and detectives are reviewing CCTV footage related to the case. The incident raises further concerns about domestic violence and mental health, echoing previous cases of severe domestic violence in the U.S., officials noted.

A small private plane, identified as a Cessna 550, crashed into a neighborhood in San Diego, California, early Thursday morning, resulting in multiple fatalities. According to San Diego authorities, the aircraft was reportedly carrying 8-10 people, although the exact number is still being determined. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among residents on the ground, as stated by Assistant Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy during a press conference. The crash occurred around 3:45 AM local time and took out numerous parked cars along the street, igniting significant fires fueled by jet fuel. "Every single car was burning down both sides of the street," Eddy noted, highlighting the extensive damage caused. The plane was approaching Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when it crashed, and investigators are looking into whether the aircraft struck a power line before impact. Further details about the victims and the circumstances surrounding the crash are expected to be released as the investigation progresses, officials confirmed.