New Sex Offender Bill

Registered sex offenders would not be allowed to run for or serve on a school board in Georgia under legislation that passed in the state Senate. State Sen. John Douglas sponsored the measure that passed unanimously Tuesday. Douglas, a Republican from Social Circle, says he was spurred by a 2008 incident in his Newton County district where a convicted pedophile unsuccessfully sought a seat on the local school board. He says the legislation would stop sex offenders from using a seat on the school board to gain access to children. It now moves to the House.

(Associated Press)

Georgia's fastest-growing counties

Paulding County, near Atlanta, was the third fastest growing county in the nation in 2007. Census estimates rank 23 Georgia counties among the top 100 fastest growing. Paulding County had more than 50,000 housing units in July 2007, up 72 percent from April 2000. Henry County was the sixth fastest-growing county in the nation. Forsyth County was seventh. Also in the Top 25 were Newton, Fannin, Cherokee, Barrow and Jackson counties.

Zebra owner threatens legal action

The owner of a zebra at the center of a college prank earlier this week says he will press charges. Curtis Jackson's zebra Barcode was taken from Jackson's house and placed in a school building at the Emory University at Oxford campus in Newton County. Jackson says he will press theft and trespassing charges against the culprits. The zebra wasn't hurt.

Zebra unharmed after prank

A zebra at the center of a college prank in Newton County has been returned to its owner unharmed. This week, someone placed the zebra – named Barcode – in a building at the Emory University at Oxford campus. Apparently, putting animals inside the Seney Hall building has been done as a prank for decades at the Emory at Oxford campus.

Local tax measures approved

A number of local tax measures were approved by voters yesterday.

Clayton County voted for a penny sales tax increase to help pay for new county facilities, including a juvenile justice center, police stations and libraries.

In Gwinnett County, voters approved a $750 million bond referendum to build more schools.

Metro Atlanta voters favored extending an existing sales tax to fund repairs to the city’s sewer system.

Forsyth County, voters approved a one percent sales tax for road improvements and property tax increase for more county parks.

Colquitt, Madison, Jones and Polk Counties all approved local sales tax measures for school funding and other projects.

Newton County voters granted senior citizens an additional exemption from school property taxes.

A Lumpkin County referendum to allow liquor-by-the-drink sales passed, while an effort to allow Sunday alcohol sales in Jackson County was rebuffed.

Man arrested selling LSD in chocolate bunnies and ducks

Rockdale County sheriff's deputies arrested a 20-year-old man after they caught him allegedly selling chocolate bunnies and ducks that contained hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Sgt. Jodi Shupe said Saturday deputies were tipped off that Matthew Jackson was selling LSD along with candy containing psilocybin mushrooms in Newton and Rockdale Counties.

Deputies caught the suspect after an officer saw Jackson allegedly selling a sheet of LSD and a chocolate duck containing the mushrooms for $650.

"It appears they were using the chocolate to cover up they were selling drugs, and they had been doing it for a while," Shupe said.

Shupe said officers found 74 more of the chocolate psilocybin candy ducks and bunnies in a cooler bag in Jackson's truck, along with $1,200 in cash in his pants pockets.

Click here for more GPB News reports of illicit drug use.

(The Associated Press)

Alcovy Circuit needs new judge

The Alcovy Circuit is in dire need of a new judgeship, according to the Judicial Council of Georgia. The Council says the Circuit, which includes Newton and Walton Counties, should be lawmakers’ top priority. There are 49 judicial circuits in Georgia and 202 authorized Superior Court judgeships. More than 417,000 cases are filed annually in the state's 159 Superior Courts.