(GA. NEWS NETWORK EXCEPT AS NOTED)
*Memorial Health in Savannah is participating in a clinical trial focused on improving outcomes for premature infants by introducing a next-generation feeding tube system in their NICU. WSAV reports the system, called Entarik [en-TERR-ik], is designed specifically for premature infants and includes built-in sensors to guide placement and monitor position and digestive activity. Hospital leaders believe this innovation could significantly enhance how feeding is managed for premature infants, leading to better health outcomes.
*Travelers are reminded to declare large amounts of cash when they travel through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers told Channel Two they have seized almost $375,000 in cash from 24 people in Atlanta so far this year. Anything over $10,000 should be declared with U.S. Treasury. One man was reportedly caught traveling to El Salvador with more than $44,000, which was the largest single seizure.
*Investigators are searching for a kidnapped teen who may be in Georgia. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says 15-year-old Adriana Hernandez was taken last week from her home in Milton, near Pensacola. Now, it’s believed the girl may have been brought to Georgia. Hernandez is five-feet, 130-pounds with reddish-brown hair. Meanwhile, employees at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport are training to recognize signs of human trafficking. WSB-TV reports a Cobb County trafficking awareness organization called Rescuing Hope is preparing workers ahead of the World Cup this summer. Atlanta is set to welcome half-a-million visitors surrounding the matches being held here. The organization’s founder says they’ve trained every sheriff in Georgia.
*Now, don’t everyone make a mad winter-storm-like rush to the grocery store, but the Sweet Vidalias are back. Monday was the Official Vidalia Onion Pack Date and Georgia’s world-famous Vidalia Onions are heading to store shelves around the state and around the country. Renowned for their sweet, crisp taste, Vidalia onions thrive in a unique growing region spanning 20 counties in South Georgia. Their exceptional flavor results from a delicate balance of specific weather patterns and soil conditions found exclusively in this area, creating an optimal environment for their growth. (GA. AG COMMISSIONER NEWS RELEASE)
*Colquitt County officials ordered a ban on outdoor burning ’til further notice because of the dry weather. No burning of any kind – wood piles, yard debris, or any other types of outdoor burning activity (including prescribed fire) – “until we get some rain and moisture on the ground,” a news release says. Colquitt County is currently under D4 – Exception Drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor which is the highest level possible.