As travelers start thinking about winging off to summer vacations, many could learn a few things from expert fliers to ensure they get the best value for their money when booking flights.

Augusta-based businesses, institutions and people collected more than $400 million in federally-funded grants, payments, subsidies and salaries last year, an Augusta Chronicle analysis of federal spending data found.

EVANS, Ga. - Funeral Services for Mr. Gordon Taylor Hey, 95, formerly of North Augusta, who entered into rest December 10, 2012, will be conducted Friday morning at 11 o'clock from the Posey Funeral Chapel. Rev. Tom Kalliokoski officiating.

HOMER, Ga. - A student was severely injured Friday when he shot himself inside a bathroom at Banks County High School, prompting authorities to lock down the school, officials said.

Airlines give many reasons for refusing to let you board, but none stir as much debate as this: How you're dressed.

Before the city of Augusta takes a giant leap forward with plans to revamp a main thoroughfare from downtown to south Augusta, leaders are asking residents to talk about their ideas.

Federal officials are considering restoring a subsidy of more than $1 million to keep Atlanta to Macon passenger flights, despite the route's 2011 average of about one person aboard each flight.

$11 million marked for roads projectsWASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation says Georgia has $11 million in federal funding to spend on road and rail projects, but the money must be used by the end of the year.Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Keith Golden said the state will review transportation projects assigned by Congress from 2003 to 2006 to see what can be completed by Dec. 31. The biggest project is $2.97 million for rail facilities near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

In a few weeks, about 2,800 cars, trucks and buses will start talking to one another on the streets of Ann Arbor, Mich., in a giant experiment that government officials are hoping will lead to safer roads.

Nearly a year after Georgia passed a ban on texting while driving, authorities in the Augusta area said they haven't seen a noticeable difference in crashes attributable to the law.