Church robber: Sorry, but I’m poor
ELLENWOOD, Ga. (AP) — Officials at an Ellenwood church are repairing damage left by an apologetic robber who asked the Lord for forgiveness — but still made off with the loot.
The Rev. Roger Davis tells WSB-TV in a Tuesday story that the church was robbed of expensive equipment including microphones and a laptop containing important records. The robber broke locks and busted up the church’s safe, but it was empty.
A message saying "Sorry but I’m poor. Forgive me Lord" was written on a wall after the weekend break-in.
It was the fourth time the church has been robbed in two years.
Davis joked he’s considering putting up a note of his own.
He said it’ll tell those thinking of robbing the church to call him instead and parishioners will take up a collection for them.
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Information from: WSB-TV, http://www.wsbtv.com/index.html
Former student posts bail in frat beating
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — A former University of Georgia student has posted bail on charges he held a Clemson University student against his will at a local fraternity and beat him.
An Athens-Clarke Magistrate Court judge set a $7,000 bond for 23-year-old Gene Whitner Milner III and he was released Monday.
UGA police allege that Milner held and beat the 18-year-old Clemson student early Nov. 15 in the basement of the Chi Phi fraternity. Police charged the on-and-off UGA student with false imprisonment, a felony, and misdemeanor battery.
Milner told the Athens Banner-Herald he only happened to be in the area when the victim came running from Chi Phi about 3:20 a.m., just as a UGA police officer was driving by.
Milner is scheduled to appear in Clarke County Magistrate Court on Dec. 15.
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Information from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens.com
Atlanta's top cop to resign
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington has announced he will resign at the end of the year.
Pennington’s top deputy, Alan Dreher, also announced his departure Tuesday, saying he would leave the department Dec. 8.
The two had worked together in Washington, D.C. Pennington was hired away from the New Orleans Police Department in May 2002 after a five-month search.
Pennington was credited with cleaning up the New Orleans department and more than 350 police officers were indicted, fired or disciplined for misconduct under his tenure.
He said crime is down 25 percent, but the statistics haven’t appeased a growing number of detractors. A series of brazen crimes this year has led to widespread criticism of Pennington’s leadership.
The 62-year-old said he has no plans to leave Atlanta and will do some consulting work among other projects.
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Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com
Stations to ban PETA commercial
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Four NBC affiliates broadcasting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade are banning a commercial promoting veganism sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
PETA spokesman Michael Lyubinsky said Tuesday the organization wanted to air the commercial during the parade but stations in Raleigh, N.C., Columbia, S.C., Savannah, Ga., and Little Rock, Ark., had banned it.
The commercial depicts a young girl saying grace at Thanksgiving, giving thanks for "the turkey farms where they pack them into dark, tiny little sheds for their whole lives."
The ad encourages viewers to "Go vegan."
Brad Moses, general manager of Raleigh's WNCN, said he decided to ban the ad in Raleigh and Savannah because it's not appropriate for the spirit of the parade.
Paula Deen smacked in face with ham
ATLANTA (AP) — Celebrity chef Paula Deen got an unexpected serving of ham — across her face.
The Food Network star was helping unload 25,000 pounds of donated meat for an Atlanta food bank on Monday when someone threw one of the hams like a football and accidentally smacked her.
Deen tells WGCL-TV: "I thought it busted my lip, but it didn't."
Though smiles and laughter, Deen added: "I'm OK. It just knocked me for a little bit."
She says she was unloading hams when she tossed one to a man, who then said "Back at 'ya." Thinking he meant it only as a sentiment, she turned around to get another ham when the errant swine came at her.
"He really meant, 'Back at 'ya.'"
Later, she tweeted: "I haven't met the ham that could stop me yet!"