Regional Roundup: Walton Schools Mourn Passing of Assistant Superintendent, Super Solar Storm Strikes, and Machu Picchu in Photos

-- Loganville-Grayson Patch

announced the passing of Robert Daria, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for Walton County Public Schools. The announcement was posted on the WCPS website Jan. 23, 2012.

“Dr. Bob Daria was a much loved member of the Walton County Public Schools family. His professionalism and talent as an administrator were very important to the school system. We feel the loss of our fellow educator and friend deeply. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family at this difficult time," Gary Hobbs, WCPS superintendent said in the announcement.

-- Dacula Patch

The strongest solar storm since 2005 is currently underway, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The storm has peaked – but is not over – with the Coronal Mass Ejection expected to arrive at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. A Coronal Mass Ejection or CME is a cloud of electrified, magnetic gas hurled into space at speeds as fast as 2,000 kilometers per second. When these CMEs strike Earth’s magnetic field, magnetic storms can result. The NASA website states magnetic storms may affect satellites, radio communications and power systems.

For the latest space weather forecast, follow the NWS Space Weather Prediction Center on Facebook.

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-- Athens Patch

A photo exhibit of early photos of the discovery of he ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu closes today, but see a sample of the pictures on Athens Patch.

The ruins, located in the Andean mountains of Cusco, Peru, were discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Bingham went on to become lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, was elected to be Governor and after occupying the office for only one day stepped down to become that state's Senator, following the suicide of his predecessor. He was the shorted sitting governor in history.

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