Five people were arrested for their role in what Baldwin County authorities call an "elaborate fraud ring" involving fake checks.

It all started with two fraudulent checks, totaling about $1,600, deposited into a SunTrust bank account in Atlanta.

One was allegedly written by the county commissioners' office to a juror for grand jury duty.

"Our jurors' checks are $35. This check was over $700," said Captain Brad King of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.

The second was allegedly written by the Sheriff's Office for an inmate who had bonded out.

King says there's no record of that inmate or the person who supposedly signed the check.

"If they have money on their books for either commissary or phone use, they can receive a check to clear their account," King said.

The Old Governor's Mansion became the first affiliate to the Smithsonian on Friday.

Officials from both Georgia College and the national museum gathered at the historic spot in Milledgeville to celebrate the mansion's new accolade and partnership.

A release from the college says that the Old Governor's Mansion is the ninth affiliate in the state and the first for Central Georgia.

Harold Closter, director of the Smithsonian Affliations program said, "The museum is not only a singular example of Greek Revival architecture, but it is also the place where all Americans can relive a long stretch of our nation's history."

A charter to consolidate the City of Milledgeville and Baldwin County governments goes before the Georgia General Assembly on January 12th, but the city's acting mayor isn't pleased with what she sees as a lack of opportunity for public input.

Next Thursday a local committee will meet for the last time to put any finishing touches on the charter.

"Why have two governments when you can have one doing the same thing?" asks state representative Rusty Kidd.

He is one of the main players behind the merging of the City of Milledgeville and Baldwin County governments.

The whole process has taken about three years, and in just a few weeks, it could be voted on in the General Assembly.