Georgia Association of Museums & Galleries Names Carter Presidential Museum "Institution of the Year"

From Americus Times Recorder:

The all new Jimmy Carter Presidential Museum has been awarded “Institution of the Year” by the Georgia Association of Museums & Galleries (GAMG). In announcing its selection of the Carter Museum, the GAMG said, “The nominations this year reflected the strength of museums and galleries across the state of Georgia and the high achievement of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.”

President Jimmy Carter issued the following statement Wednesday on the award.

“Rosalynn and I are honored that the Carter Presidential Museum has been awarded ‘Institution of the Year’ by the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries. The museum represents some of the happiest and most productive years our lives. We hope this award will encourage more people to visit the museum and learn about our time in the White House and the work of The Carter Center to improve the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people.”

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Kimberly Johnson, Kennesaw State Univ. Student, Dies in DUI Accident, Shaneisa Newsome Charged with Vehicular Homicide

Drinking and driving just don't mix. Cobb county (Ga.) police arrested and charged Shaneisa Newsome, a 21-year old student at Kennesaw State University for her role in a DUI crash early Sunday morning. Newsome was reportedly driving eastbound on Barrett Parkway when she lost control of her vehicle, left the right side of the roadway and struck several trees.

Kimberly Johnson, 21, of Macon, was a passenger in the vehicle and was killed in the accident, police said. Police said Michelle Jackson, 21, of Waverly Hall, was in the front seat and a rear seat passenger,  Lauren Prewit, 22, of Kennesaw, were taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital with complaints of injuriesd.

Police said Newsome, who was sent to the hospital with complaints of injuries, was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol. She has since been processed through the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. When will offenders learn that driving under the influence is a serious threat to other motorists and, in some cases, to pedestrians

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George Houser & Wife, Rhonda Washington Houser, Accused in $30 Million Medicare & Medicaid Fraud

George D. Houser, 62, and his wife, Rhonda Washington Houser, 46, literally robbed Medicare and Medicaid blind. They are accused of using more than $30 million in federal funds to purchase real estate and fancy cars, the U.S. Attorney's office said. They were arraigned Friday on charges of conspiring to defraud Medicare and Georgia Medicaid programs. George Houser also faces charges for allegedly failing to pay payroll taxes to the IRS and file personal income tax returns. The truth will always come to light at some point. The pair operates nursing homes in Rome, Ga., and it is unconscionable that while they lived the high life, the residents went without basic necessities such as food and medicines, U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a statement.

Here is how the pair carried out their fraudulent scheme, according to the AJC:

Between 2004 and 2007, the Housers managed two nursing homes in Rome and one in Brunswick, according to information presented in court. Federal and state programs paid the Housers for nearly all of the expenses for the care of the approximately 300 residents in the homes, according to Patrick Crosby, spokesman for the attorney's office. The Housers continued to submit claims for payments and they received them, according to testimony. But the care they provided to the nursing home residents was inadequate.

Examples of the inadequate care include insufficient staffing and failure to pay vendors for various services. "They allegedly failed to repair washing machines and dryers, water heaters, air conditioners and a leaking roof," Crosby said. Because of continuous food shortages in the nursing homes, employees -- whose own paychecks were bouncing -- spent their money to purchase bread, milk and other groceries, Crosby said. Meanwhile, the Housers purchased Mercedes-Benz automobiles and a $1.3 million house in Atlanta, according to the indictment.

The Georgia Department of Human Resources closed all three homes in 2007 after giving the nursing homes chances to correct problems. Additionally, George Houser allegedly failed to pay at least $806,000 to the IRS for his payroll taxes, according to the indictment. He is also charged with failing to file personal income tax returns for 2004 and 2005.

Mr. Houser and his wife will be guests of the Georgia Corrections system for a long time and but what's sad is that they will get three square meals, cable television, medical attention and medicine as needed, thanks to Georgia taxpayers like me. They deserve to be treated the same way the did their residents of their three nursing homes.

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Christopher James III Arrested & Charged with Aggravated Child Molestation at Woodstock Fitness Center

 Christopher James III, of Woodstock, was arrested and charged with aggravated child molestation at a Life Time Fitness center. He reportedly entered the shower stall of a 13 year old boy and sexually assaulted him on April 5.

Police said the crime occurred at the fitness center located at 14200 Highway 92 in Woodstock. Police detectives said James is a member of the fitness center.

At this time, detectives are pursuing the possibility that the teen might not be the only victim. If you or your child have been assaulted by this dirtbag or anyone else at the fitness center, please contact the Woodstock Police Department at (770) 592-6030.

Photo credit:  Christopher James III, WSB-TV

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Fort Valley State University Alumni Stand Behind Lawsuit Filed by NAACP Over Underfunding of HBCUs

The leaders of Fort Valley State University's alumni association are standing behind a lawsuit filed by the Georgia State Conference NAACP, that alleges the state's public historically black colleges and universities are underfunded compared to other state colleges. According to the Sun News, a sophomore for Fort Valley State and a freshman from Savannah State University are also included as plaintiffs in the case.

Gov. Sonny Perdue and Erroll B. Davis, chancellor of the University System of Georgia, are named as the defendants in the suit. If the schools are underfunded, then that needs to change. These schools are suffering, especially in this tough economic climate.

No matter how you feel about this issue, HBCUs play an important role in education because they serve college students who may not have the same academic resources that are available at other schools.

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Dekalb County School Board Approves Lay-Offs for 430 Workers, Teachers Not Affected

Dekalb County school board has voted to lay-off approximately 430 workers amid a massive budget shortfall. The budget shortfall could be as high as $115 million one board member told Fox 5 Atlanta.

This reduction will not affect teachers, but will come from positions ranging from custodians to IT personnel.

A final vote is expected in May.

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Chattooga County Eyes Four-Day School Week for its Students to Curb Costs

From the Chattanooga Times Free Press:

School officials in Chattooga County are digging through ideas other systems are using to curb costs, including four-day weeks and fewer school days.

Chattooga Superintendent Dwight Pullen said officials are eying Murray County's 160-day school year calendar and Peach County's four-day week for some ways to save money.

"This is something I would want to have public hearings on before I make a recommendation to the board," Mr. Pullen said. "It would be a major cultural change for the community."

Chattooga County could save an estimated $218,000 with a four-day week, or about $125,000 with a 160-day year, he said. Schools would be in session Tuesday through Friday for more hours a day on the four-day week, Mr. Pullen said. The system now is on a 180-day schedule, like most Georgia school districts.

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