Sen. Jesse Stone (R-Waynesboro) and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle welcomed Pastor Randy Byrd to serve as the Chaplain of the Day on Feb. 23 in the State Senate. Byrd is the pastor of Bible Fellowship Church in Martinez and is involved in the music ministry. He has been playing music with his family since he was 7 years old. The Byrds have traveled around America singing gospel songs at churches for years. His wife, Mary Byrd, who is also a pastor, joined him in the Senate with their daughter Jen and granddaughter Lily.
Best Western Evans Hotel staff members Tiffany Forrister and Pooja Kondur received Stars of the Lodging Industry awards (Division 1) during the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association's event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead.Forrister received an award for Outstanding Food and Beverage Employee. Kondur received the award in Stevan Porter's Emerging Hospitality Leaders category, Division 1. The Stevan Porter award recognizes those under 30 years of age who demonstrate professional dedication and leadership skills in the performance of their job.The hotel also received a Stars award for its Kibble for Kritters community service program, which benefits CSRA Happy Tails Rescue. Shown are Forrister (from left), Tommy Johnson, Kondur and Bonnie Icenhour.