Suspected dog fighting ring busted in Austell

Seven people have been arrested with 16 dogs seized by authorities in Cobb County in a suspected dogfighting operation. The raid on a home in Austell found dogs in poor condition--malnourished, underweight and with untreated wounds. Police have charged two men in the case. 45-year-old Michael D. Sweeney and 28-year-old Erik M. Vann each face a number of charges including for animal cruelty and dog fighting--a felony in Georgia. Five women are also in custody on drug possession charges.

Gas pipeline plans move forward

A petroleum pipeline company is moving forward with an application process to build new line in west Georgia, despite legislation killed earlier this year that would have made the process easier.

Colonial Pipeline says the new line is necessary to meet growing demand. The entire 500-mile stretch would start in Austell, and run 46 miles through Georgia into Louisiana.

The House defeated a bill that would have allowed Colonial to bypass a stringent state permitting process.

Democratic Representative Don Wix of Mableton was a lead critic of the bill, because he says he wants to ensure environmental and property safeguards.

"We’re going to be watching them on every step because that comes through the heart of my legislative district...and these are people’s lives and houses they’re impacting".

The certification process is expected to begin in the fall.

Colonial says it hopes to build the new line as close to existing pipeline wherever possible.

More arrests in Six Flags beating

Four teenagers are now in police custody in the case of the severe beating of a teen outside Six Flags Amusement Park in Austell last week. Cobb County police made two more arrests Wednesday. The two teens were both charged with aggravated battery, battery, simple assault and violation of the Georgia Gang Act.

Authorities believe that as many as 25 people may have been involved as participants or witnesses.

Nineteen-year-old Joshua Martin remains in the hospital with serious head injuries. Of the four teens in custody, Six Flags officials say, three are seasonal employees at the park.

Third charged in Six Flags beating

A third suspect is behind bars accused of beating a teenager last week outside of Six Flags amusement park. Cobb County police say they picked up 17-year-old Willie Franklin of Riverdale. Franklin and two others are charged with beating 19-year-old Joshua Martin last Tuesday as he walked to a bus stop near Austell. Witnesses say at least 10 young males attacked Martin for no reason.

Reward offered in case of beaten teen

A $5,000 dollar reward is available to anyone with information about the attack on a teenager last week outside an amusement park. 19-year-old Joshua Martin is still hospitalized with head injuries. Witnesses say a group of at least 10 young males attacked Martin Tuesday outside Six Flags Over Georgia near Austell, apparently for no reason. Authorities say Martin, his brother and a friend were jumped while walking to a nearby bus stop. Their attackers escaped on a bus.