Georgia Plum

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

2011-01-06T12:17:00.000-08:00

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.”

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

2010-04-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

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

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

2010-04-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2010-04-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

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

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

2010-04-07T16:39:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2010-03-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2010-03-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

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.

Georgia Sees Spike in Swine Flu Hospitalizations

2010-03-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

Georgia sees a spike in swine flu hospitalizations. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the spike was the most in the country for three weeks in a row, federal officials said Monday.

It is too early to say whether Georgia or the country are seeing another wave of the illness, which had diminished across the nation for several months, the officials said. But the number of people being hospitalized in Georgia equals the number of swine-flu hospitalizations when the disease peaked here last September. Officials stressed that no other state is seeing such an increase.

"In Georgia," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, a Center for Disease Control expert on influenza, "things appear to be different." In the first two weeks of March, Georgia had 80 and 72 hospitalizations, respectively, according to the state Department of Community Health. In contrast, the first week of February saw 17 hospitalizations.

The weather is changing in Georgia and it is getting warm. Let's hope this is much ado about nothing. To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Parents Call in National Firms to Launch New Schools Out of Frustration with Crowded Classrooms, School Boards

2010-03-11T15:18:00.000-08:00

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Lagging test scores. Crowded classrooms. Inattentive school boards. Aloof superintendents. Parents fed up with some Georgia school districts are partnering with national education management chains to open public schools of their own. The management firms enable parents to open charter schools with national resources.
The number of Georgia schools run by community groups and education management firms is expected grow by 50 percent next fall as six new campuses prepare to open using government money to privatize the daily functions of public schools.

The firms, which charge a management fee, handle the heavy lifting of opening campuses -- sometimes constructing classrooms, developing the curriculum, hiring and training staff and overseeing operations. A few even offer stock options to teachers. Nationally, for-profit education management organizations, or EMOs, oversee more than 500 charter schools, about 10 percent of the charter school population. Their nonprofit cousins in education management have a larger share of the business, overseeing 11.5 percent of charters. Public education is estimated to be a more than $554 billion industry, according to U.S. Department of Education school funding projections.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

UGA Research: Myth President Obama is a Muslim Still Exists

2010-03-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

From Athens Banner-Herald

News reports debunking the myth that President Obama is a Muslim did nothing to dissuade religious conservatives from believing the rumor, according to research by a University of Georgia professor.

Despite the best efforts of journalists, people on both the left and the right tend to believe what they want to believe whether it's true or not, said the paper's author, UGA journalism professor Barry Hollander.

"You have people out there who want to believe the worst about politicians they don't like," Hollander said, noting that panelists who called Obama a Muslim perceived it to be negative.

Hollander analyzed data collected by American National Election Studies, a political think tank that asked 2,400 panelists questions in September, October and November 2008 to gauge how their opinions changed.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Police Officer Gary Clements Tests Positive for Cocaine, Allowed to Resign by Police Chief & Wasn't Charged with DUI

2010-03-11T14:34:00.000-08:00

Why in the world didn't College Park, Ga., interim police chief, Ron Fears, fire police officer Gary Clements when he tested positive for cocaine. He should not have been allowed to resign. He should have been fired on the spot and charges filed for driving under the influence.

According to investigators, Clements tested positive for having cocaine in his system when he backed into another car while transporting two prisoners. After the accident, he had to take a drug test.

Police said Clements told them he had the drug in his system after he tested the drug by tasting it after he pursued suspects who got away. "He did some of the old type of testing. He tested with his finger," said Fears. Right. He should have been fired on the spot and arrested for driving under the influence immediately. Smells like a cover-up to me.

Milton County Proposal Gets Committee Approval, Could Get House Vote by Next Week

2010-03-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

A controversial proposal is making its way through the Georgia legislature that could lead to the re-creation of Milton County, made up of cities in North Fulton County, and could be voted on by the state House of Representatives in a week. The proposal, known as HR 21, won approval from the State Planning and Community Affairs Committee on Thursday by a 9-7 vote. This now clears the way for consideration by the House Rules Committee and the full House shortly thereafter.

Milton and Campbell counties were merged with Fulton County during the Great Depression as a cost-cutting move. Since then, however, northern Fulton’s population has exploded. Some north Fulton residents contend that the county's Board of Commissioners has become increasingly unresponsive to their needs and an inefficient steward of their tax dollars.

Opponents of a re-created Milton County argue that dividing Fulton County would hurt Atlanta and the entire region. Some opponents have alleged that race is an underlying motivation for the proposal -- south Fulton is predominately black, while north Fulton is majority white. Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves on Thursday called the 1932 merger of Fulton with Milton and Campbell counties a “marriage” that Milton County proponents are trying to tear apart. Source: AJC

Personally, as a resident of North Fulton County, I applaud such a plan. I am aware that the road to the November ballot is a long and arduous one, because proponents need a two-thirds vote in the House, which has been deemed an uphill battle by many, since Republicans would need to pick up at least 15 Democratic votes. My tax dollars aren't being used in my town because they are being used for Fulton County's needs in general. Some say that a re-creation of Milton County would hurt Atlanta and the entire region. Well, sometimes you can't always have it your way. Some have also expressed the notion that race is an underlying motivation for the proposal, with South Fulton being predominantly black and North Fulton, predominantly white. As I said before, my grouse with Fulton County is the ineptitude and waste of our tax dollars. It has nothing to do with race.

Students Say Racism Still at University of Georgia, Though Less Blatant

2010-03-01T12:41:00.000-08:00

From Athens Online:

Nearly half a century after a federal judge forced the University of Georgia to admit black students, race still is an issue at UGA, students on campus say.

But today's students are a lot more likely to judge each other on quality, not color, say both black and white scholars. UGA still has a predominantly white student body, even though the number of blacks and other minority students has climbed dramatically in the past five years.

Greek organizations are among the most segregated of UGA groups, but last month two fraternities took what may be a historic step toward more integration at UGA, holding an open forum to talk about race relations.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Dekalb County Taxpayers Foots School Superintendent Crawford Lewis' Salary & Legal Bills During Probe

2010-03-01T12:36:00.000-08:00

Dekalb County taxpayers will continue to pay school superintendent Crawford Lewis' salary and legal bills despite his decision to step aside temporarily as an active investigation into school construction projects is underway. Under the terms of his contract, board Chairman told the Atlanta Journal Constitution, that the district will pay his legal expenses unless he is arrested or indicted. In the event that happens, the board may seek reimbursement of those expenses.

Lewis isn't the only one afforded such treatment. Most public officials, including teachers, fire fighters and police officers, who are placed on administrative leave during an investigation are usually compensated. Their pay cannot be taken away unless they are proven guilty.

The board voted to give all Lewis' duties to Ramona Tyson, who makes $165,035. Lewis' salary was recently raised to $255,000 and his contract extended to January 2013.

Complaints Filed with EPD, EPA Over Allegations Toxic Wastes Buried at Reed Bingham Park

2010-02-25T05:49:00.000-08:00

According to the Moultrie Observer, a complaint has been filed over the illegal dumping of possibly toxic chemicals at Reed Bingham State Park. The complaint was filed with both federal and state environmental agencies. A park employee has reportedly given statements to the Department of Natural Resource officials that the dumping did take place. The dumping involves used motor oil and paint. It is important to note that this park has been embroiled in a myriad of hot issues recently.

An initial complaint of buried toxic wastes was filed in recent days with the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Shortly afterward, the complaint was received at the state’s Environmental Protection Division. An EPD spokesman in Atlanta said he had referred the case to the regional EPD office in Albany. Ken Shepard, of the Albany EPD office, said the complaint “will be investigated soon.”

The dumping issue is just one of several hot topics that has embroiled Reed Bingham State Park recently. The firing of park manager Chet Powell after he opposed clear cutting of timber at the state park has drawn a storm of protests from “Friends of Reed Bingham,” a volunteer group that has worked closely with Powell on significant improvements at the park. Sources told The Observer that the dumping took place before Powell was appointed.

Earlier, Becky Kelley, head of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division, referred to Powell and his management as “past baggage” in a letter to the editor printed recently in The Moultrie Observer. She encouraged the public to support the new management at the park. DNR has not offered specifics to the public about why Powell was fired except that it has charged he misused state funds.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Rajaan Bennett, Vanderbilt University Football Recruit, Shot & Killed by Mother's Ex-Boyfriend

2010-02-18T17:54:00.001-08:00

Rajaan Bennett, Fox Sports

Rajaan Bennett, a McEachern High School senior and football standout, was shot and killed early Thursday in an apparent murder-suicide at his home in Powder Springs, Ga. Bennett, 18, had recently committed to play running back for the Vanderbilt football team this fall. Police identified the decedents as Rajaan, who had recently signed to play football in the fall at Vanderbilt University and shooter Clifton O'Neal Steger, the former boyfriend of Bennett's mother. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a third person was wounded in the shooting.

Police were called to the Bennett's home around 2:30 a.m. Thursday after a caller to 911 whispered they needed help. Officers arrived about four minutes later, and "as they approached and knocked on the door, they heard several gunshots," Powder Springs Police Maj. Charles Spann told the AJC. Immediately after the four or five shots were fired, Narjaketha Bennett, 37, and her brother, Taiwan Hunter, 32, ran from the house, police said. Hunter had been struck by at least one gunshot, Boyd said. Shortly thereafter, two juveniles emerged from the home uninjured. Source: AJC

The AJC said Bennett was an all-state running back in Class AAAAA and was number 25 on the AJC's "Fab 50″ list of recruits published earlier this month. He also earned three letters in track. What a sad turn of events for this young man.

Study: Metro Atlanta Among Healthiest Areas in Georgia

2010-02-18T17:42:00.000-08:00

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Craig Schneider reports that Metro Atlanta is among the healthiest areas to live in the state, according to a report released Wednesday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The metro area -- in particular the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett -- ranked among the top counties in the state for health outcomes such as long life, as well as health factors such as access to health facilities.

Gwinnett and Cobb ranked especially high in the category of long life, coming in at fourth and fifth, respectively, in a comparison of 157 of the state's 159 counties. DeKalb ranked 13th and Fulton was 22nd.
Metro Atlanta counties also ranked consistently high in the area of health behaviors, which measured smoking, diet and exercise, alcohol use and risky sex behavior. Cobb and Fulton came in at No. 2 and No. 4, respectively. Gwinnett was seventh and DeKalb was 16th.

Click here to read entire article.

Troup County School Board Mulls Cutting 2010-2011 Calendar

2010-02-18T17:35:00.000-08:00

From Troup County's Ledger-Enquirer

Troup County students might find themselves in school for fewer days next year as a tightening state budget has put the screws to area education officials.

The Troup County School Board is mulling over a 2010-2011 calendar proposal that would save more than half a million dollars and have 15 fewer school days than the traditional 180-day school calendar. Since the state requires students log a certain amount of class time, the school day would be extended to make up for the days without school. But some instructional time would still be lost.

For example, the proposal would lengthen a high school student’s day by 25 minutes, which during the course of the year equals one day of instruction time lost. For middle school students, the day will be 20 minutes longer and result in 5.1 days of instruction gone. Elementary school students, who will see an extension of 45 minutes, will actually gain 7.5 days of instruction.

Click here to read the entire article.

White Workers Sue Kennesaw Over E-mail Search, Say Black Workers Weren't Subjected to Same Search

2010-02-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Four Kennesaw employees said the city violated their civil rights by searching e-mail archives for racially offensive messages and disciplining them, while not doing the same to minority employees. The employees – two white police officers and two white 911 center workers – filed a federal lawsuit last week against the city, Mayor Mark Mathews, City Manager Steve Kennedy and Richard Klein, who was the human resources director. City officials declined comment Monday, saying they hadn’t been served yet.

E-mails also were part of a racial harassment lawsuit filed last March against the city by two African-American employees in the Public Works Department and a former public works employee who was a native of Korea. That lawsuit alleged racist jokes, such as a depiction of a “Ghetto Wedding,” were forwarded to numerous people through the city e-mail system. Another e-mail linked to an interactive online video game called “Border Patrol,” in which players shot at illegal aliens.

The workers also said they were subjected to racial slurs and other insults. The suit was settled in July for $1.8 million. John Dowdy, who resigned from the city council, was accused of sending e-mails with racial jokes and stereotypes to the public works director. The four white employees said the filing of that racial harassment lawsuit set off a “witch hunt” as city officials tried to prove they wouldn’t tolerate racial harassment. The city information technology director was ordered to search the e-mail archives, the suit said.

To read the entire article, click here.

Kinaya Byrd, 2nd Grade Teacher, Stabbed to Death by Boyfriend Dana McFarlane During Altercation

2010-02-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

Dana McFarlane, stabbed his girlfriend, Kinaya Schenese Byrd, to death Friday during an altercation in her home in Stockbridge, Ga. Byrd, 34, was a second grade teacher at River's Edge Elementary School in Clayton County. McFarlane, who has been charged with murder, is sitting in the Henry County jail.

According to WSB-TV, Jason Bolton, Henry County police captain, said McFarlane was driving in Rockdale County when he stopped a sheriff's lieutenant and turned himself in.

Kinaya Byrd,'s funeral will be held on Friday. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Domestic violence continues to cut across all socioeconomic levels. It continues to be a real problem in our society. This is such a tragedy.

Atlanta Police Officer Mike Vogt Shot & Killed With High-Powered Weapon, Suspect Still at Large

2010-02-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

I am always deeply saddened when a police officer is killed. According to Channel 2 Action News, Officer Mike Vogt, was shot on Vernon Grove Road, in Chattahoochee Hills, Atlanta, and he later died at Grady Memorial Hospital. The officer noticed something amiss as he traveled on Vernon Grove Road. He stopped to talk to a group of people and was shot with a high-powered weapon, Col. Jeff Holmes told reporter Jeff Dore. The officer was able to drive away from the scene and call for help.

Police told Channel 2 that they looking for a '90s model, brown Chrysler in connection with the incident.e Hills Mayor Don Hayes told reporters that Vogt had been with the department for two years and was recently promoted to lieutenant. Hayes also said there were 14 police officers on the Chattahoochee Hills police force. Officer Vogt's death marks the first time the department has lost an officer in the line of duty.

Brandon Harris Dies in Emory Sleep Center, Mom Says He Pleaded for Help

2010-02-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

Brandon Harris, 25, died during a sleep study at Emory. His family has maintained that he pleaded for help that never came. Harris, a medical assistant, reportedly entered the sleep center on January 22, after attending an Atlanta Hawks basketball game. He was dead by the next morning, his mother Renee "Sunshine" Lewis told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

According to the AJC, Ms. Lewis states she received a telephone call informing her that her son's oxygen level was falling. When she arrived at the hospital he had already died. It is interesting to note, the mother said her son was healthy and was not sick. She also added that he had Type 2 diabetes for which he was receiving medical treatment and he was overweight. The hospital contends that his medical conditions were the cause of his death, but his family begs to differ.

Harris' uncle, John Lewis, told the AJC that the hospital allowed him to watch video footage taken while his nephew was at the sleep center. Lewis said video footage shows that his nephew waved at least seven times to those working in the sleep center, trying to alert them that he needed help. He said when Harris was finally able to sit up in bed, he attempted to put his feet on the ground before he collapsed. EMS officials came and tried to resuscitate Brandon Harris for 40 minutes before transferring him to the hospital's emergency room where he was pronounced dead.

Photo credit: Brandon Harris, family photo, AJC

Dekalb Fire Department Admits Firefighters Failed to Follow Procedures in death of Elderly Woman Ann Bartlett

2010-01-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

Ann Bartlett, an elderly woman residing in Dekalb county, Ga., lost her life due to the negligence of the Fire Department. Ms. Bartlett called 911 to report a fire in her home in Dunwoody. The firefighters dispatched to her home didn't see smoke and didn't bother getting out of their truck to knock on her door to see whether or not there was an actual fire. Well, Ms. Bartlett's house in literally reduced to a smoldering heap within a few short hours. What's worst, her body was found in the garage.

The Fire Department had no choice but to admit that the firefighters involved didn't follow proper procedures.

WEB EXTRA: DeKalb Fire Investigation Report, WSB-TV

This is a disgrace and Ms. Bartlett's life may have been saved if these firefighters had just done their jobs and investigated to see if there was an actual fire. According to WSB-TV, Ann Bartlett tried to escape the blaze through her garage, but the fire knocked out power to her electric garage door opener.

Sharon Barnes Sutton, Commissioner in Dekalb County, Ga., Plagued by Bad Checks, Foreclosure, Unpaid Bills

2010-01-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

Why is Sharon Barnes Sutton still a commissioner in Dekalb County, Ga? Ms. Sutton, who is charged with the task of overseeing a $600 million budget is a hot mess. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, she has written several bad checks, lost her home to foreclosure and has had her wages garnished. What's shocking is that Ms. Sutton had four outstanding warrants for writing four bad checks, for $300 to $400 each, to a Costco warehouse in Gwinnett county in 2007. She was involved in a minor traffic accident Wednesday night and the police officer did not see that she had these open warrants. Why was she allowed to leave the scene of the accident? She has since paid a little over $1,000 to satisfy the checks and a judge has recalled the warrants. She said, in an interview with the AJC, that she has made some mistakes, but her financial struggles help her better relate to taxpayers. Really? How many people have a history of bouncing checks and have had warrants out for their arrest because of such acts?

She claims that she can't remember writing the checks to Costco and further, she said she has contacted her attorney to look into the matter for her. Here's my two cents. If this was the first time this happened to her, one could give her a pass, but this isn't the first time. She was pleaded no contest in 1996 for writing a bad check to West Building Supply in Stone Mountain and she reportedly received a citation for writing another bad check to Advance Income Services in Lawrenceville.

DeKalb court records show she was sued by Atlanta Gynecology & Obstetrics in 1995 for not paying $1,817. She also had suits filed against her by a Tucker dentist and Atlanta Addictive Disease & Psychiatric for not paying bills.

Her wages were garnished for the Addictive Disease bill, but that case has since been closed, according to court records. The case with the dentist is ongoing.

Sutton is now paying $6,950 to Primus Automotive Financial Services after defaulting on payments for her Lexus. Since 2008, Primus has been garnishing her wages from DeKalb public schools, where Sutton teaches business and career technology. Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution

The reality is that due to the challenging economic conditions, most of us are struggling to make ends meet, but this woman seems to be the extreme. She needs to step down from her job as a commissioner. She is clearly not the best person to represent Dekalb county in these tough economic times. If she can't handle how own finances, how in the world can she manage the county's budget? She basically ignored the parties to whom she wrote those bad checks and forced them to seek redress from the courts. That is bad and she does not deserve to be sitting in such a job. Ms. Sutton was elected in 2008 to represent District 4.

Please, email Ms. Sutton at sbsutton@co.dekalb.ga.us to express your concern with her fiscal responsibility. You may also contact her at 404-371-4907.

Court Knowingly Incarcerates Frank Hatley Over Non-Payment of Child Support for Son that Isn't His Biological Child

2010-01-24T06:51:00.000-08:00

Frank Hatley has been sitting in a south Georgia prison since June 25, 2008, because he failed to reimburse the state for all the public assistance his so-called son received over the past two decades. The only problem with this is that the son in question isn't his biological child. What is unconscionable is that the special assistant state attorney and a judge knew that, but they threw him in jail anyway.

Hatley, who is currently incarcerated in the Adel county jail, is costing the county between $35 to $40 daily, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Hartey paid thousands of dollars to the state even after learning that he was not the biological father of the child. This is a classic case of the court system trying to "squeeze water from a rock." Even after losing his job and becoming homeless, Hatley still reportedly made payments out of his unemployment benefits.

According to the AJC, Hatley had a relationship with Essie Lee Morrison, who became pregnant and gave birth to a son, Travon, in 1987. The couple split up shortly after the birth. Morrison applied for public assistance for her son in 1989. The state then moved to get Hatley to reimburse the cost of Travon's support. Hatley agreed to make payments because he believed the child was his. According to court records, DNA samples taken from Hatley and Travon in 2000 showed that the two are not related. Another DNA test was recently done that confirms the findings of the earlier test.

This is a disgrace and he should turn around, once released from prison, and sue the county and the mother of this child. To read the entire article in the Atlanta Journal, CLICK HERE.

Gunman Kills Two People, Wounds Two Others at Penske Truck Rental Business in Kennesaw, Ga.

2010-01-12T12:11:00.001-08:00

URGENT: A gunman has killed two people and wounded two others at at Penske truck rental establishment in Kennesaw, Ga., Tuesday.

According to WSBTV, the gunman, who was dressed in camouflage, was taken into custody. Cobb County dispatch said Life Flight was called and transported two people from the scene to the hospital.

Ofc. Joe Hernandez told CBS Atlanta that said the man, who was identified only as Jesse, was dressed in all camouflage and walked into the Penske truck rental business at 3011 Barrett Lakes Blvd. and began firing.

Story developing. More to follow.

Paula Deen's Cookbook "Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics" Named Unhealthiest of the Decade

2010-01-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

Paula Deen has snagged a honor she certainly wishes she didn't win. Deen, Bobby Flay and Julia Child were named authors of books to avoid for people looking to eat healthy meals, at least that's how the Washington-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine feels in its latest list of "Best and Worst Cookbooks of the Decade." Deen's heavy dependence on fatty ingredients catapulted her to the top of the list, with her book, "Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics" named the unhealthiest cookbook of the decade. Ouch. I don't think Paula Deen's intention was to ever eat healthy. We visited her restaurant in Savannah two years ago and I couldn't find anything on the menu that was for the health-conscious diner, though her fried chicken was delicious. Still, the place was packed and there was a long line wrapped around the side of the building.

According to Savannah Morning News, the "Queen of Southern decadence," in essence a heartache-waiting-to-happen, released a statement through her publicist, Nancy Assuncao, stating “As always, I stand by my position that certain foods are meant to be eaten in moderation. One wouldn’t expect to eat dessert three times a day. You have to exercise some common sense.” It's time for Paula Deen to realize that she can tout much more healthy dishes and not the kind that packs on the pounds, no matter if it is eaten in moderation.

“Best and Worst Cookbooks of the Decade”
Compiled by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Unhealthiest
“Paula Deen’s Kitchen Classics,” by Paula Deen
“Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” 13th edition, by Julia Child
“Bobby Flay’s Grilling for Life,” by Bobby Flay
Better Homes and Gardens “New Cook Book: Celebrating the Promise”
“Bones: Recipes, History, and Lore,” by Jennifer McLagan

Healthiest
“The Kind Diet,” by Alicia Silverstone
“Skinny Bitch in the Kitch,” by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
“The Conscious Cook,” by Tal Ronnen
“The Engine 2 Diet,” by Rip Esselstyn
“Cooking the Whole Foods Way,” by Christina Pirello

I think it's safe to say people looking for healthy meals would not consult a cookbook by Paula Deen for such a meal. With that said, I am sure she isn't losing any sleep taking the top spot on this list, though it may be time for a paradigm shift for this Southern belle.

Photo credit: Paula Deen, (John Carrington/Savannah Morning News)

Georgia Revenues Continue to Plunge with Tax Revenues Falling 13.7% in 2009 Fiscal Year

2010-01-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

Georgia's revenues continue to plunge. For the fiscal year that begun in July 2009, tax collections are reportedly down 13.7 percent, a decline of $1.1 billion. Governor Sonny Perdue has ordered state agencies to slash $900 million, with additional tax cuts possibly coming in the very near future.

Sales and corporate income taxes both continued to decline in December, sales taxes by 20 percent and corporate taxes by 23 percent, while personal income taxes rose 6.3 percent, which is viewed as an encouraging sign by some.

December's 13.7 percent drop is the 13th straight month tax collections in Georgia have dropped.

Michael Pruitt is Being Sought by Richmond County, Ga., Police for Attempted Robbery Allegations

2010-01-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

Michael Pruitt is being sought by Richmond County police for allegedly attempting to rob an unidentified woman at knifepoint as she picked up a prescription at Belle Terrace Health Center Saturday, authorities said.

The woman told police she received a telephone call from the prescription program coordinator at the health center telling her she needed to come back to sign something. According to media reports, she told police when she returned the man asked her to go into his office and he then allegedly put a knife to her neck and told her not to scream.

She was released without the suspect taking anything from her. This story seems shady, but it is still developing. Georgia Juice has placed a call to the Richmond County police department and we haven't received a return telephone call as yet.

Teens Jacob Bullock & Marven Mathurin Die After Falling into Frozen Pond in Dacula, Ga., a Third Teen in Fair Condition

2010-01-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

Two teens, Jacob Bullock and cousin Marven Mathurin, die after falling into frozen pond in Dacula, Ga. A third teen listed in fair condition.

In the aftermath of the snow that fell in the Atlanta metropolitan area on Thursday, there have been events ranging from a 29-car pile-up due to ice on the roads to people being stranded and some without electricity, but the latest news is tragic. Three teens, ages 13 to 15, in Dacula, Georgia, were reportedly playing near the middle of a frozen pond in the Daniel Park subdivision and fell through the ice. Two of the children, identified as Jacob Bullock, 15 and his cousin Marven Mathurin, 14, have died, while a third, named Alex Paul, 15, is in fair condition. Okay folks, yes, we have had some unusually cold weather in the ATL, but that does not mean that a pond which appears to be frozen is safe to walk or play on. There is the very real possibility that it isn't frozen enough to withstand the weight of one person, let alone three.

According to WSB-TV, investigators said one kid made it out of the pond okay, but the other two got trapped underneath the ice and were in the water for more than an hour. The two boys who were trapped were unresponsive and unconscious when help arrived, according to the authorities.

This is a real tragedy, but why were the boys allowed to play on the ice? The freezing temperatures in Georgia in no way means that it is safe to walk on ice covering a body of water. It may not be stable, as evidenced in this case. The subdivision had reportedly sent to residents in the subdivision this week warning not to trust the ice on the pond.

Atlanta Record Producer, Rapper Demetrius Stewart "Shawty Redd" Arrested on Murder Charges

2010-01-02T16:05:00.000-08:00

Demetrius Stewart, popularly known as "Shawty Redd," has been accused of murder. The Atlanta based record producer, rapper and songwriter, is currently being held in the Henry County jail. He is scheduled to make a court appearance on January 12, 2010, after his appearance for Saturday was reset.

Shawty Redd allegedly shot and killed Damon Martin, 35, of Detroit, after the two got into an altercation, which turned physical and led to the murder.

Shawty Redd reportedly told police initially that he accidentally shot his friend in a house in the 2000 block of Ballymeade Lane in Hampton Friday morning. After the police conducted an investigation, they determined that the victim was shot following an altercation.

Demetrius Stewart has worked with artists including Young Jeezy and Snoop Dogg.

Georgia Personal Bankruptcies Rate Skyrockets to Third-Highest in the Nation, a 22% Increase Over 2008

2010-01-02T15:58:00.000-08:00

The state of Georgia has the third highest bankruptcy rate in the country. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, one in 50 households in Georgia declared bankruptcy in the first 11 months of 2009. The National Bankruptcy Research Center's statistics show that federal bankruptcy courts in Georgia handled 66,925 filings from January to November 2009, a 22 percent increase over 2008. The NBRC's report states that on a national scale, there were nearly 1.3 million personal bankruptcy filings between January and November 2009 -- a staggering 32 percent over 2008. The states with the highest household-adjusted filing rates are Nevada, which comes in at two and one-half times the national average, followed by Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Indiana. The lowest filing rates occurred in Alaska, which came in at less than a third of the national average, followed by the District of Columbia, North Dakota, South Carolina and South Dakota, all less than half the national average.

Experts have attributed the increase in bankruptcy filings to high unemployment, a real estate meltdown and creditor-friendly laws among the biggest factors. Georgia's position near the top of the list is nothing new. It has occupied this position for years because it is a very creditor-friendly state. Georgia's foreclosure laws have played a big role in the decision of many filers. The state's foreclosure process occurs without court or government supervision and takes approximately two weeks. That's quite the opposite of what occurs in the other states. That's a real shame that Georgians who face foreclosure are literally forced into bankruptcy because of this process.

According to NBRC, more than half of the filings by Georgians between January and November 2009 were for Chapter 7, which is liquidation that essentially wipes out most debts, but some assets are not protected by exemptions. Approximately 47 percent of filers in Georgia opted for Chapter 13, in which consumers are allowed to keep a house and car, but requires a restructuring of their debts to repay a portion to creditors, usually on a percentage for unsecured creditors -- two percent of the balance of a credit card, for example.

This trend is expected to continue as the economic conditions continue to dog the United States and unemployment rates remain high.

Tour de Georgia Canceled for Second Consecutive Year, Event Has No Title Sponsor

2009-12-24T17:59:00.000-08:00

The Tour de Georgia has been canceled for a second consecutive year due to financial struggles. The seven-day race has been touted as North America's premier professional bicycling event, but the event is missing a title sponsor for the second year in a row.

Tom Saddlemire, a board member of the Tour de Georgia Foundation told the Athens Banner-Herald that they remain committed to reviving the race “as soon as possible.” He also said that canceling the race was the best decision due to the current economic climate.

The last race was held in April 2008, and Kanstantin Sivtsov, a native of Belarus, won. This was the first time he competed in a bicycling race in the United States.

Gen. David Petraeus to Speak at Georgia Tech January 19, 2010

2009-12-24T17:41:00.000-08:00

Gen. David G. Petraeus, commander of the U.S. Central Command, is coming to Georgia. He will speak at Georgia Tech on Jan. 19, 2010. The event is free and open to the public. He will give the Col. Leslie Callahan Memorial Endowment Lecture at 2:30 p.m. at the Ferst Center for the Arts.

For those of you interested in seeing Gen. Petraeus, please note that seating is limited. Reservations will be accepted until Jan. 11 on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, log on to www.cistp.gatech.edu or call 404-894-3199.

Jimmy Carter's Apology to Israel Gets Mixed Reaction

2009-12-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

Former President Jimmy Carter isn't getting rave reviews and praise for his recent apology to Israel. It seems a little hollow, at best, considering that he has been accused in recent years, of bias against Israel, starting with his book, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," which was published in 2006. The book caused a dust-up in Israel and in the Jewish community in the United States. He has been accused of blaming Israel for the constant unrest in the Middle East. I had to ponder why he apologized at this time. Is there more to this than mending political fences? It is widely known that his grandson, Jason Carter, 34, has indicated that he may seek a Georgia State Senate seat in a district that has many Jewish voters.

According to media reports, he sent a letter to JTA, a wire service for Jewish newspapers, which is being called his "Al Het," which is a Hebrew plea for forgiveness. Carter's letter says, in part, "We must not permit criticisms for improvement to stigmatize Israel...I offer an Al Het for any words or deeds of mine that may have done so." "We're happy that he issued that statement," says Bill Nigut, Southeast Director of the Anti-Defamation League, "it's a hopeful sign."

But Nigut told 11 Alive News on Thursday that the former President still has a long way to go to be believed. "One statement is the beginning of a process," Nigut continued, "What's the next step? In what ways will Jimmy Carter continue to speak out in a more balanced way about the State of Israel's right to exist? That's what we'll wait to see." Source: 11 Alive News

We'll just have to wait and see how this apology is digested and studied to see if it ease the tensions between Jimmy Carter and Israel.

Fermin Garfias, Jesus Pena & Jonathan Segovia-Saucedo Arrested & Charged with Trafficking Marijuana After Agents Seize 800 Pounds of Weed

2009-12-21T15:31:00.000-08:00

Officials said narcotics agents seized 800 pounds of marijuana, valued at $957,600, from a home in Acworth, Cherokee County.

Agents arrested Fermin Garfias, 35, of Douglasville; Jesus Pena, 29, Birmingham, Ala., and Jonathan Segovia-Saucedo, 22, of Acworth. All three men were charged with trafficking marijuana and are being held without bond at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

The seizure was made Saturday in the 6300 block of Bells Ferry Road in Acworth. Agents were able to obtain a search warrant for the residence as a result of surveillance on the location.

SLIDESHOW: Pot Seizure Nabs 7 Drug Suspects, Courtesy of WSB-TV

Accused Shoplifter Marty Bridges, 38, Dies After Scuffle with Wal-Mart Store Officers

2009-12-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

Marty Bridges, 38, accused of shoplifting, died after he was forcibly apprehended by loss prevention officers at a Wal-Mart store at 4725 Ashford Dunwoody Road, in Dunwoody, Ga., Saturday. Bridges was attempting to flee the store when officers grabbed him. Another shopper reportedly intervened and a scuffle ensued.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Dunwoody Police spokesman Mike Carlson said of the altercation that "it was basically a big pile-up. "They had him pinned on the ground to keep him from running."

When police arrived around 1 p.m., two bystanders were administering CPR, but they were unable to save him. He was pronounced dead shortly after being brought to Northside Hospital. An autopsy is underway.

Photo credit: Marty Bridges, WSB-TV