The Gordon Central High School chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Awards Ceremony was recently held to recognize several individuals for their outstanding contributions to this career technical skills organization. Among those recognized were active members who earned 100 points or more, the members who received their business achievement awards, the region and state competitors and winners, Who’s Who in FBLA, Business Person of the Year, and Administrator of the Year. Ryan Kitchens, president of FBLA, received recognition for being nominated for Who’s Who in the State of Georgia for Region 8 and nominee for the state of Georgia Member of the Month. Catie Worsham, reporter of FBLA, received the Member and Officer of the Year Awards. Catie Worsham, Ryan Kitchens, and Summer Hamilton received Who’s Who Awards for the local chapter. Meagan Williams received the FBLA Scholarship. New officers were also inducted. Joshua McClure received the Business Person of the Year Award and Dr. Amy Parker, Gordon County CTAE Director and CEO of the College and Career Academy for Gordon County, received the Administrator of the Year Award. Both recipients were involved in FBLA and contributing in ways such as being guest speakers and providing opportunities for several members to compete. They were also involved in the Business Advisory Council to give input to strengthen the Business Department. Refreshments were served after the ceremony to celebrate the members’ accomplishments.

SAVANNAH (AP) — Federal authorities in Savannah have charged 33 people as part of an undercover operation into gun and drug trafficking. A majority of those named in 17 federal indictments that were unsealed Wednesday are from Georgia and South Carolina. The investigation, dubbed Operation Pulaski, began in late 2011. Undercover federal agents infiltrated multiple regional and international criminal organizations. Over time, the agents bought 189 guns, illegal drugs and stolen vehicles. Investigators found that the vehicles were stolen from the New York City area and were brought to the Southeast for resale or to be shipped abroad and sold. Authorities believe 26 of those arrested are convicted felons. Eleven are believed to be in the country illegally. A number of the guns the undercover agents bought had also been reported stolen.

ATLANTA (AP) — Researchers say a vaccine for a sexually spread virus has cut infections in teen girls by half. This is the first evidence of how well the HPV vaccine works since it came on the market seven years ago. For girls ages 14 to 19, the study found a 56 percent reduction in the types of HPV virus targeted by the shots. Vaccination campaigns focus on girls ages 11 and 12. Many men and women are infected with the human papillomavirus during their life. Most don't develop symptoms and clear the infection on their own. But some infections lead to genital warts, cervical cancer and other cancers. Results of the study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were released Wednesday.