Watch the Atlanta Press Club debates from July 29

The famed Big Chicken is currently undergoing a major renovation. What many passersby and admirers might not know is that the iconic landmark almost moved to nearby Smyrna.

The former police chief of Talbotton pleaded guilty this week to a federal charge of making false statements, according to federal authorities. Michael Howard, 43, admitted that in June 2011, he lied to a federal agent when he denied knowing a known drug dealer had transported narcotics through Talbot County, the FBI said. “Former Chief Howard chose to lie to federal investigators during a broad investigation wherein four other area law enforcement officials have already