GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Wet weather is causing difficulty for Georgia farmers.

The owner of Cedar Hollow Farm in Cleveland, Glen Cook, says the large amount of rainfall has made it hard to weed and do other essential field work.

He said some potatoes are rotting in the ground because of the moisture.

Forecasters say the Gainesville area has seen more than 36 inches of rain this year, compared to the nearly 50 inches that fell last year. And the rainfall has come in short intervals, giving farmers limited time to work dry fields.

Jody Farmer of Hall County told The Times of Gainesville that he is roughly a month behind schedule working his wheat and soybean crops

Fat Tony's Garage held the Hot Rides Calendar Girl Contest at Island Time Bar & Grill on Saturday.

Click here to view Spotted® photos

JEKYLL ISLAND — The Jekyll Island Authority wants to make sure private tour operators are knowledgeable about the island’s history and plans to do so with an ordinance regulating tours.

The ordinance has not been adopted and will be available for public comment during its second reading at the Jekyll Island Authority’s next board meeting, which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday.

If adopted, the ordinance would mandate that private tour operators pass a written and oral test and require information disseminated by tour guides to be approved by the authority executive director, currently Jones Hooks, “to ensure accuracy and uniformity of content.”

It’s not about controlling content, said John Hunter, director of historical resources for the authority that operates the state park. It’s about providing consistency.

“Because we do not regulate activities currently, we do not know if the information is accurate or not,” Hunter said. “Our goal is to provide resources for people providing tours that is up to date from a research perspective so they can feel comfortable with the information they are sharing with guests.”

That had been done through informal education in the past, but the proposed ordinance allows it to be done in a more structured fashion.

Hunter says the authority welcomes the growth it has seen in visitations and, in turn, tour operators.

“However, we have seen a growing trend for businesses that are not based on Jekyll offering tours of the island, many times in direct competition with businesses that make investments and commitments to be a part of Jekyll,” Hunter said. “We want to make sure that we are supporting these businesses and amenities, such as the Tidelands Nature Center, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Jekyll Island Museum whose revenues directly support conservation, historic preservation and education programs on the island.”

The proposal also puts other mandates in place designating parking spots, prohibiting use of loudspeakers outside of a vehicle and requiring accidents to be reported to the authority.

Traffic hasn’t become a problem on Jekyll, but the authority wants to make sure it stays that way.

That’s not the case on St. Simons Island. Traffic caused by tour operators is a problem on St. Simons, said Scott McQuade, executive director of the Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau. He added there has been no discussion about implementing testing requirements for tour operators.

He noted that multiple tours will sometimes stop at the same place simultaneously. That causes logistical problems at tourist destinations like Christ Church, which often hosts worship services while tourists take in the historic property.

“These stops aren’t meant to handle the volume of people, as well as the parking and the noise that comes with all of the buses and people,” McQuade said.

He, too, has noticed more tours gaining popularity and plans to organize a group that will tackle the issue.

Parking spots in the popular Pier Village can become few and far between during peak tourist season, he said.

“It begs the question that we might need to put a little more of a process in place to facilitate a more reasonable schedule,” McQuade said.

Glynn County spokeswoman Candice Temple says the county has designated areas in Pier Village for tour busses to park but does not impose any restrictions on the content of tours.

Two motor vehicle collisions that closed northbound Interstate 95 at mile marker 109 have now been cleared.

All lanes of the interestate are now open and traffic is flowing freely.

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) -- Greg Biffle raced to his second straight Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway, easily holding off Kevin Harvick after points leader Jimmie Johnson smacked the wall in the final laps Sunday.

It was the 1,000th victory for Ford across NASCAR's three national series -- Cup, Nationwide and Truck.

It was Biffle's first win since he overtook Johnson to win at MIS in August. Johnson's engine faltered with six laps left in that race. This time, he was about a second behind Biffle with three laps to go -- but a tire give way, and he dropped all the way to 28th.

Harvick was second, 3 seconds behind Biffle. Martin Truex Jr. was next, followed by Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart.

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. SYRIA, ECONOMY HEADLINE G-8 SUMMIT

Obama and Russian Prime Minister Vladmir Putin will meet to discuss their differences on Syria's civil war, while thousands of police are securing the summit from protests.

2. REPORT SAYS BRITISH SPIES HACKED DIPLOMATS AT G-20

The Guardian newspaper cited documents provided by NSA leaker Edward Snowden in a report that diplomats' emails and phones were bugged.

3. TURKISH UNIONS PROMISE STRIKE AFTER PROTESTERS PUSHED BACK

The one-day walkout today comes after riot police used tear gas and roadblocks to evict demonstrators from Taksim Square.

4. WHO WILL CLOSE GUANTANAMO

Obama was to name high-powered Washington lawyer Clifford Sloan today to handle the shutdown of the military-run prison.

5. FINDING ORGANS WITHOUT DONORS

The AP's Malcolm Ritter reports scientists are working toward building hearts, lungs livers and kidneys to grow custom-made implants in labs.

6. CHINA AND NORTH KOREA TO OPEN DIALOGUE

The agreement was announced after Pyongyang's surprise offer of new talks with the U.S.

7. RAIN HELPS PUT OUT COLORADO FIRES

Firefighters still said they would not have the state's most destructive fire contained until Thursday as some evacuees returned home.

8. ACCOUNTANT TAKES PAGEANT CROWN

Miss Connecticut Erin Brady, 25, strutted in a white sparkly gown and answered a question about a court ruling on DNA tests before becoming Miss USA.

9. ROSE'S BIG US OPEN MOMENT COMES AT LEFTY'S EXPENSE

A steady hand gives Englishman Justin Rose his first major championship. A wild ride gives Phil Mickelson another second place finish.

10. SPURS ONE GAME FROM NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

San Antonio beat Miami 114-104 to take a 3-2 lead in the series and push the defending champion Heat to the brink.

ATLANTA (AP) — A line of strong thunderstorms moving through a large part of north Georgia left scattered power outages early Monday morning.

Georgia Power reported before dawn Monday that fewer than 1,500 customers statewide were without power as the storms continued to push south of metro Atlanta.

Some of the heaviest overnight rains hit Atlanta's northern suburbs.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that rainfall totals through 5 a.m. Monday were 1.35 inches in Marietta; 1.33 inches in Cartersville; and 1.29 inches in Chamblee.

WXIA-TV reports that around 2 a.m. Monday, a large oak tree crashed onto a home in Kennesaw where more than a dozen people had gathered for a Father's Day party. Homeowner Cathy Neher said the tree fell on two bedrooms , including the master bedroom where she and her husband were sleeping. No injuries were reported.

The National Weather Service reported that thunderstorms would be possible early this week across Georgia as upper-level disturbances combine with a moist and unstable environment. Forecasters say the main hazards will be gusty winds, frequent lightning and heavy rain.

JAMISON CITY, Pa. (AP) — Four central Pennsylvania residents said they used only a rope and a flashlight during a wild chase to rescue a young bear whose head had been stuck in a plastic jar for at least 11 days.

The frightened but powerful bruin fell into a swimming pool at least twice during the ordeal, according to a report Saturday in the Press Enterprise of Bloomsburg (http://bit.ly/166z97k ). But the group eventually yanked off the jar and set the animal free.

"I thought, 'No one is going to believe us,'" said Morgan Laskowski, 22, the bartender at the Jamison City Hotel and a member of the impromptu bear-wrangling team.

Area residents first spotted the 100-pound bruin with its head in a red jar on June 3, but it eluded game wardens. The animal was attracted to the container because it appeared to have once contained cooking oil.

"He put his head in, and had a problem," said Mike Jurbala, 68, another rescuer. "He'd have died in a couple more days."

Jurbala saw the bear Thursday night as he was leaving the bar at the Jamison City Hotel. He called Jeff Hubler, a local employee of the state Game Commission who had been among those trying to capture it for days with a lasso.

The two teamed up with Laskowski and her mother, bar owner Jody Boyle, to follow the bear through the darkness.

"You knew where he was because you could hear him banging into things," Jurbala said.

They cornered the bear in a resident's backyard, where it ended up falling into a pool a couple of times. Eventually, they wrangled the animal into a position where Hubler could pull off the jar.

"You'd think the bear would be weak, because it hadn't eaten or drunk for a week, but it was strong," Boyle said.

Hubler said people should keep lids on food jars that they throw away.

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Information from: Press Enterprise, http://www.pressenterpriseonline.com

Mandela's wife thanks world for 'love, generosity'

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela says that love and generosity from across the world have brought comfort and hope during Mandela's latest hospitalization.

Mandela spent his 10th day in the hospital Monday for a recurring lung infection.

President Jacob Zuma said Sunday that Mandela remains in serious condition but that his doctors are seeing sustained improvements. Zuma said Mandela is engaging with family during visits.

Graca Machel, Mandela's wife, in a written message Monday expressed the family's gratitude for messages of support, in particular from children singing outside the Mandela home.

The leader of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, Mandela spent 27 years in prison during white racist rule. He was freed in 1990 and became South Africa's first black president in 1994.

Savannah-Chatham Metro police will be operating radar hot spots along Liberty Parkway and Staley Avenue.

Police remind drivers there is zero tolerance for speeding in school zones. 

Average retail gasoline prices in Savannah have risen 1.5 cents a gallon in the past week to $3.41a gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 262 gas outlets in Savannah.

The national average has fallen 2.1 cents a gallon in the last week to $3.61, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. 

Prices Sunday were 20.5 cents a gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 6.0 cents a gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has decreased 5.0 cents a gallon during the last month and stands 8.0 cents higher than a year ago. 

"The national average has continued its downward decline in the last week, likely being helped by relief in the Great Lakes, a region that had been plagued with refining issues that have seemingly been resolved," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "While the national average stands higher than it did a year ago, we likely will see the average decline."

Two men and a woman have been charged in two Saturday shootings in west Chatham County, Savannah-Chatham police announced today.

 Zhaejuan A. Johnson, 17, and Kassandra Diane Perryman, 29, were arrested after a robbery and shooting on Fenwick Village Drive Saturday afternoon. Victor Myron Baker, 51, was charged in a shooting on Larchmont Court Saturday evening.

 Johnson was charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm in commission of a crime after he was shot in a struggle with Michael Perryman, 28, at Perryman’s apartment.

He was transported to the Chatham County Detention Center after spending a night at Memorial University Medical Center where he was treated for the wound. Kassandra Perryman was charged with armed robbery.

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police violent crimes detectives said Michael Perryman was in his apartment when Johnson arrived about 1 p.m., produced a firearm and attempted to rob him. The two struggled over the gun which  discharged, striking Johnson on the side of his head.

 Kassandra Johnson was charged with setting her husband up for the robbery. The couple is separating.

Baker was charged with reckless conduct after Donnie Reed Cantrell, 45, was shot in the foot just before 10 p.m. The two next-door neighbors had argued several times during the day before Cantrell went to Baker’s residence for a third  time to continue the discussion. Baker produced a weapon and fired it twice into    the ground and struck Cantrell’s foot.

 SCMPD detectives continue to investigate both incidents.

In Liverpool, England, a duck bus - which is supposed to be amphibious - sank while full of tourists.

Source: CBS

Savannah Fire & Emergency Services investigators say there is no evidence to suggest any suspicious activity was involved with the Thursday fire that destroyed a west Savannah woodworking facility.

Savannah Fire investigators have been examining the West Gwinnett Street site of the late afternoon, two-alarm blaze that took several dozen firefighters more than two hours to bring under control, said Mark Keller, department spokesman.

The blaze at Savannah Architectural Supply, 1880 W. Gwinnett St., was reported just after 5 p.m. and responding firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames upon their arrival at the business.

The second alarm was sounded when it became apparent that the flames had engulfed the entire structure and additional resources were necessary to fight the blaze.

Due to the size and nature of the fire, firefighters established a defensive posture in battling the blaze. Firefighters attacked the flames from all sides of the building and from above, utilizing two aerial apparatus.

About an hour and a half into the operation, the roof of the structure collapsed. It took firefighters about another 30 minutes to bring the incident under control and extinguish the flames.

The fire was fueled by an abundance of material utilized in woodworking and construction of wooden items such as doors and decorative moldings.

Investigators say their examination of the site indicates the blaze appears to have originated in the vicinity of a truck that was parked inside the rear of the structure. Investigators say they are unable to rule out the truck as a possible ignition source for the blaze.

No one was inside the structure at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported as a result of the blaze. Investigators will continue their search for any additional evidence that might point to a cause for the blaze.

A Savannah man today was sentenced to 12 months on probation and banned from owning animals in response to the March seizure of exotic animals housed at his southside home.

Brian Allen Nettles, 25, must also pay more than $800 in restitution and medical bills for relocating and caring for the animals, most of which were underweight and malnourished. Chatham County Recorder’s Court Chief Judge Tammy Stokes ruled.

He also musts perform 100 hours of community service with the Savannah-Chatham mounted patrol, Stokes ruled. She left open the possibility of early termination of the probation after six months if all payments and other conditions of the probation were completed.

Nettles is to return to court June 24 and present proof of vaccinations of his dog if he wants to keep the animal and must return before Stokes Dec. 16 for a status review of his compliance.

“You’re not demonstrating to the court that you’re serious about taking care of your animals,” Stokes said after Nettles admitted he had not vaccinated the dog.

Under an agreement reached in chambers, Nettles admitted to keeping animals in unsanitary conditions, failure to remove dead animals and no shots of the animals in his care.

Two additional charges of animal neglect and possession of an alligator or alligator parts will remain as status offenses during probation and be removed upon successful completion of probation.

Included in the restitution if $430 due to Mike Ramsey, chapter leader of the local Georgia Reptile Society for caring and finding new homes for the animals. Nettle owes an additional $409.24 in medical bills, Stokes said.

Animal control officers found an assortment of animals at the home at 12405 Deerfield Road March 26 including an American alligator, three pythons, two geckos, a monitor lizard, a red tail boa constrictor, two tortoises, three dead turtles and a dead rat.

All of the animals lacked appropriate food, water and heat sources. Testimony showed Nettles faced eviction and all water and heat had been turned off. He was not living in the house, Stokes said.

The Savannah-Chatham Public School Board will hold several meetings tomorrow to allow the public to discuss their proposed 2014 budget and millage rate increase. They will also consider changing plans to alleviate crowding at Godley Station K-8.

Instead of moving 8th graders to New Hampstead High, Superintendent Thomas Lockamy is recommending that additional portables be moved to Godley Station. The budget workshop starts at 10 a.m. The first millage rate increase hearing starts at 11 a.m. The Godley Station vote will take place during the 4:30 p.m. meeting. The final millage rate increase hearing takes place at 6 p.m. All meetings will be held at the Whitney Administrative Complex, 2 Laura Avenue in Savannah.

Six people were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Monday morning after a two-vehicle wreck at West Boundary Street and Louisville Road.

James E. Leach Jr., 40, and four passengers in the 2004 Dodge Magnum he was driving, Orlando Robbins, Ashley Finley, Paul L. Williams, and Joshua Munns, were transported to Memorial University Medical Center after the 8:07 a.m. crash, said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman. Also transported was Steve Bragg, 38, driver of a Ford F450 pulling a trailer, Miller said.

Officers with the police department's Major Accident Investigation Team determined Leach was driving north on Boundary when he crossed the double yellow line into the northbound lane. Bragg was driving north on Boundary and slowed for a red light and attempted to avoid the collision by steering to the right, Miller said. The Dodge collided with the left front of the truck.

The investigation into the wreck is ongoing.

ATLANTA — The cast of an Atlanta sports radio show has been fired after mocking a former NFL player who has Lou Gehrig’s disease, a station official said Monday.

The show, Mayhem in the AM, was broadcast on 790 The Zone Monday morning. In a statement, General Manager Rick Mack said the station regrets comments made about ex-New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason.

The 36-year-old suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS patients lose the ability to speak and move, which has happened to Gleason.

The station lists the hosts as Nick Cellini, Steak Shapiro and Chris Dimino. But Mack didn’t give the names of those fired.

During the segment, two of the on-air personalities took a call from a third host who pretended to be Gleason by using a voice that sounded automated — mimicking another famous ALS patient, Stephen Hawking.

The host pretending to be Gleason told a series of jokes and eventually asked the two others to do him a favor by smothering him.

All three took to Twitter on Monday evening to apologize to fans and others who criticized the segment. Listeners and critics turned to the station’s Facebook page to call for the hosts’ termination.

Gleason played for the Saints between 2000 and 2006. Team Gleason, an organization named after the former NFL player, is geared toward finding a cure for ALS, raising awareness of the disease and connecting patients to technology, equipment and services tailored to fit their needs.

Police have charged two men and one woman in connection with two shootings Saturday in western Chatham County.

Zhaejuan A. Johnson, 17, and Kassandra Diane Perryman, 29, were arrested after a Saturday afternoon robbery and shooting on Fenwick Village Drive. Victor Myron Baker, 51, was charged in a Saturday evening shooting on Larchmont Court.

Johnson was charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm in committing a crime after he was shot during a struggle with 28-year-old Michael Perryman at the latter’s apartment, said Savannah-Chatham police spokesman Julian Miller.

Johnson was treated for his wound at Memorial University Medical Center overnight before being taken to the Chatham County jail.

Kassandra Perryman was charged with armed robbery.

Miller said detectives determined Michael Perryman was in his apartment when Johnson arrived about 1 p.m., pulled a gun and attempted to rob him. The two struggled over the weapon, which discharged and struck Johnson on the side of his head, Miller said.

Kassandra Perryman was charged with setting her husband up for the robbery, Miller said.

In the later shooting, Baker was charged with reckless conduct after 45-year-old Donnie Reed Cantrell was shot in the foot just before 10 p.m.

The neighbors argued during the day before Cantrell went to Baker’s residence for a third time to continue the discussion, Miller said. Baker produced a gun and fired it twice into the ground, striking Cantrell’s foot, Miller said.

Both shootings are still under investigation.

Drug agents charge man with selling heroin

A 51-year-old man is behind bars on eight felony counts after undercover drug agents Friday charged him with selling heroin.

Calvin Herman Lovett is charged with three counts of selling a controlled substance and one count each of criminal attempt, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, use of communication facility for criminal use, attempt to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and failure to appear.

The investigation into Lovett began in January, when the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team learned he was allegedly selling heroin, said spokesman Gene Harley.

Undercover agents were able to purchase heroin from Lovett twice, but he was not arrested then in order to further the investigation, Harley said.

While the investigation was ongoing, however, Lovett seemingly disappeared from the Savannah area. The case was then indicted by the Chatham County Superior Court and sent to the U.S. Marshals Service.

In June, CNT agents working undercover on a separate drug investigation learned Lovett was back in the area and allegedly selling heroin.

Agents set up an operation to bring Lovett into custody by purchasing heroin from him. On Friday, he arrived at an area by Skidaway Road and Victory Drive to complete the transaction and was taken into custody, Harley said.

At the time of his arrest, Lovett had about $500 worth of heroin on his person, as well as $1,499 in currency, Harley said.

Lovett is in jail and does not have a bond. In addition to charges stemming from his arrest Friday, he was also served with warrants for the initial investigation.

Harley said Friday was the 23rd time Lovett was booked in Chatham County since 1985 and the second time he was arrested by CNT.

Arson not suspected in Thursday blaze

Savannah Fire & Emergency Services investigators have found no evidence to suggest suspicious activity was involved with the Thursday fire that destroyed a west Savannah woodworking facility, said department spokesman Mark Keller.

The late afternoon, two-alarm blaze took several dozen firefighters more than two hours to bring under control. Materials used in woodworking and construction of wooden items such as doors and decorative moldings fueled the fire.

The blaze at Savannah Architectural Supply, 1880 W. Gwinnett St., was reported just after 5 p.m. A second alarm was sounded when it became apparent the flames had engulfed the entire structure and additional resources were necessary to fight the blaze.

No one was inside the structure at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

Investigators say the blaze appears to have originated in the vicinity of a truck parked inside the rear of the structure and they are unable to rule out the truck as a possible ignition source.

Investigators will continue their search for additional evidence that might point to a cause, Keller said.

Investigation into Ranger’s parachute death continues

The U.S. Army has deployed what’s described as a centralized accident investigation team to lead the inquiry into the Thursday death of a Ranger at Fort Stewart.

Pfc. Christopher P. Dona was found unresponsive with parachute cords around his neck after a routine proficiency jump at Taylor’s Creek Drop Zone, according to a U.S. Special Operations Command news release.

Dona was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, where he was assigned to the Army’s elite 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

The CAI team includes experts in safety, maintenance, operations and training, said Michael Negard, spokesman for the Fort Rucker, Ala., Combat Readiness/Safety Center, which deployed the team. The team will investigate the accident and make recommendations to prevent future accidents, Negard said.

The investigation report, he said, will be used within the Department of Defense for accident-prevention purposes only.

Missing Missouri teen could be in Savannah

Missouri police believe a teenager missing from the greater St. Louis area may be in Savannah.

Savannah Baker, 15, went missing from St. John, Mo., on May 20, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. She was last seen wearing pink sweat pants with “PINK” written across the bottom and a black button-down shirt atop a blue T-shirt.

Baker is described as a brunette with green eyes who is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds.

“All indication is she’s a runaway,” said St. John police Capt. J.R. Morris.

Baker also went missing last year and in November was found on Savannah’s southside, Morris said.

Anyone who sees Baker should call the St. John, Mo., police department at 314-427-8706 or local authorities.

Eight hurt in Monday wreck

Six people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Monday morning after a two-vehicle wreck at West Boundary Street and Louisville Road.

James E. Leach Jr., 40, and four passengers in the 2004 Dodge Magnum he was driving, Orlando Robbins, Ashley Finley, Paul L. Williams and Joshua Munns, were transported to Memorial University Medical Center after the 8:07 a.m. crash, said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.

Also transported was Steve Bragg, 38, driver of a Ford F450 pulling a trailer, Miller said.

Officers with the police department’s Major Accident Investigation Team determined Leach was driving on Boundary when he crossed the double yellow line into the northbound lane. Bragg was driving north on Boundary and slowed for a red light and attempted to avoid the collision by steering to the right, Miller said. The Dodge collided with the left front of the truck.

The investigation into the wreck is ongoing.

Compiled by Dash Coleman and Josh Rayburn

CHATHAM COUNTY BOOKED

To see pictures and details for individuals serving their initial incarceration in Chatham County, as reported by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, go to ChathamCountyBooked.com.

CONLEY, Ga. (AP) — Police were searching for a suspect after a boy was hurt while trying to save his sister in a carjacking.

Clayton County police say the crime happened Monday on Willow Way in the county just south of Atlanta.

The boy, 9-year-old Brannon Brown, says the suspect jumped in the car with his 5-year-old sister inside.

"He put it in reverse, tried to back up, and I shoved it back in park," Brannon tells WSB-TV (http://bit.ly/11L0gBh ).

Brannon said the car door hit him and he fell, and the carjacker took off with his sister inside.

The children's mother, Ashley Brown, said the girl was let out of the car several miles away, near a salon on Jonesboro Road. She was unharmed.

Brannon's injuries were described as minor. He fought back tears as he recalled details of the crime and explained why he took the actions he did.

"That's the only reason I did it. Because of my sister," he said.

Police were still searching for the suspect's vehicle, described as a black 2003 Acura TL.

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Information from: WSB-TV, http://www.wsbtv.com/index.html

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.