A Brazilian man wanted in his home country for allegedly killing his wife was arrested in Sandy Springs on Thursday. What’s Happening: Federal immigration agents took Job Da Luz De Freitas-Junior into custody in Sandy Springs. He is wanted in Brazil on homicide charges tied to his wife’s death. What’s Important: Da Luz De Freitas-Junior […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia man sold jailed woman’s Lexus for $700
A Coffee County man allegedly decided that a woman being locked up was a good enough reason to sell her car. It wasn’t. What’s Happening: According to the Coffee County Sheriff, 32-year-old Cameron Blake Spires has been arrested after investigators say he sold a tan 2005 Lexus RX that didn’t belong to him for $700. […]
Posted inFire
Pineland Road Fire reaches 38% contained but remains dangerous
The Pineland Road Fire burning across Clinch and Echols counties in South Georgia has grown to 32,573 acres and reached 38% containment as of Wednesday — a big jump from 23% earlier in the week, but firefighters say the fire is still dangerous and hard to control. What’s Happening: The fire is still actively spreading. […]
Posted inFood
Duluth karaoke bar fails health inspection with a score of 58
A Duluth karaoke bar is one bad inspection away from losing its permit to operate after state health inspectors found moldy food, a broken walk-in cooler, and expired products dating back more than a year. The Score Gangnam Style Karaoke, located at 2645 N. Berkeley Lake Road in Duluth, received a score of 58 — […]
Posted inCrime
Woodstock man known as ‘Uncle Nick’ gets 60 years for grooming six-year-olds
A Woodstock man will spend the rest of his life in prison after a Cherokee County jury found him guilty of sexually abusing three children he had befriended over several years. What happened: On April 25, a Cherokee County jury convicted 47-year-old Nicholas Scott Wrightsman on 11 counts of child sex crimes. Three days later, […]
Posted inEvents
Cherokee County 911 Foundation Car Show Set for Mother’s Day Weekend
A car show fundraiser to benefit the Cherokee County 911 Foundation is set for May 9 at First Baptist Church Woodstock, 11905 Ga. 92, Woodstock. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to the public. Proceeds will support the foundation’s work on behalf of Cherokee County emergency 911 personnel and […]
Posted inFire
Brantley County lets some wildfire evacuees go home
Some residents forced out by the Highway 82 wildfire in Brantley County can return home Thursday, though officials warn the fire is not out and hazards remain. What’s happening: The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office announced Zone 11, identified as Southern Browntown, is cleared for residents to return. The zone covers Mineral Springs Road, Connie Lane, […]
Posted inLocal Heroes
Free help center opens Saturday for Brantley County wildfire victims
People affected by the Highway 82 wildfire in Brantley County can get help in person Saturday at a resource center set up to connect them with aid organizations. What’s happening: The center opens at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Brantley County Recreation Complex, 3540 Baker Creek Rd. in Nahunta, and runs until 2 p.m. Residents […]
Posted inFire
Realistic Expectations: Rain today won’t put out Highway 82 wildfire
Rain is expected to fall Thursday over the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, but the 22,600-acre blaze will not be put out by rain alone, fire officials say. What’s Happening: The fire has been burning since April 20 and is 33% contained. Rain is forecast to reach the fire area today. What’s Important: Even […]
Posted inCrime
Operation Macon Gotti jails 12 gang members
Bibb County authorities want the public’s help finding a suspect who is still missing after a gang sweep ended with charges against 13 people. What’s Happening: On April 14, a grand jury indicted 13 people under Georgia’s RICO law — a law that lets prosecutors charge people as members of a criminal organization, not just […]
Posted inFire
Highway 82 wildfire grows slightly but holds containment gains
The Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County grew a little Wednesday but held onto the containment gains made earlier this week, even as temperatures hit 93 degrees and humidity fell to about 29%. What’s Happening: The fire now covers 22,600 acres and is 33% contained. When it started April 20 near the communities of Atkinson […]
Posted inCrime
Suspected arsonest arrested after string of fires near Georgia State University’s Clarkston Campus
DeKalb County police arrested a man the morning of April 27 after a series of grass fires burned overnight near Georgia State University’s Clarkston Campus in the Clarkston area. What happened: 37-year-old Wasim Majeed is in custody in connection with the fires. According to DeKalb County Fire Rescue, the fires started the night of April […]
Posted inFire
Fire tears through Roswell townhome
A fire tore through the back deck of a two-story townhome on Granby Hill Place in Roswell on April 21, with flames starting to climb the exterior wall by the time firefighters arrived. What happened: The first crew pulled up in 3 minutes and 34 seconds. They found heavy fire on the deck already pushing […]
Posted inCrime
Atlanta Hawks finance chief stole $3.8 million to buy diamonds, luxury trips and designer clothes
A former top finance executive for the Atlanta Hawks is going to federal prison after stealing $3.8 million from the NBA team over several years, using fake expense claims and corporate credit cards to buy luxury goods and pay for personal travel. What’s Happening: 46-year-old Lester T. Jones, Jr., of Atlanta, was sentenced to three […]
Posted inGeorgia People
A Brantley County first responder lost everything in the wildfire
While the Highway 82 Fire was consuming his home Tuesday, Brandon Lynn was on the clock. Lynn, a paramedic with Brantley County EMS, was at work when the fire reached his property. His wife and three children were at school. His landlord, whose house burned alongside Lynn’s, managed to get Lynn’s two cats out before […]
Posted inMissing
Missing truck driver found dead in coastal Georgia
A truck driver who went missing earlier this month after picking up a load of cars in Georgia has been found dead in Glynn County. The FBI is now investigating. What happened: Alejandro Jacomino Gonzalez picked up a shipment of cars on April 16 at the Port of Brunswick, a major vehicle import and export […]
Posted inEducation
Brantley County schools closed through Friday due to wildfire
Brantley County students will not be in school the rest of this week as the Highway 82 Fire keeps burning and smoke conditions remain a concern. What’s Happening: The Brantley County School System announced schools are closed for students Wednesday through Friday. Teachers and staff are expected to come back Thursday and Friday. What’s Important: […]
Posted inLocal Heroes
Forsyth County fire stations collecting supplies for South Georgia wildfire victims
Forsyth County fire stations are collecting donated supplies for families forced to leave their homes because of two large wildfires burning in South Georgia. What’s Happening: The Forsyth County Fire Department is accepting donations through May 10 at all Forsyth County fire stations and at the Public Safety Complex at 3520 Settingdown Road. Collected items […]
