
Georgia


GBI: Drug overdoses on the rise
ATLANTA — The number of people dying from drug overdoses in Georgia — whether it be prescription or illicit drugs or a mix of the two — is on the rise, according to a newly released GBI analysis. The examination, which looked at autopsies that GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in 152 counties statewide performed, found a 10 percent increase in the number of prescription overdose deaths in 2010 when compared to 2009. The analysis looked

Ga. execution put on hold for a day
ATLANTA — The scheduled execution of a man convicted of murdering his parents and his 14-year-old sister in Cobb County in 1993 has been postponed a day, various outlets reported. A judge previously ordered that the Wednesday lethal injection of Andrew Grant DeYoung be videotaped. The state sought to overturn the order, but failed, according to published reports. The execution as been put on hold while the state handles the logistics of the videotaping. The

Officer fatalities on the rise
ATLANTA — A Clayton County sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Wednesday, the latest victim in an increase in law enforcement deaths nationwide, according to a new report. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 98 officers were killed nationwide during the first six months of 2011 — a 14 percent increase over the same time period of 2010. “The economy has forced reductions in training, safety equipment and personnel at law

Three former Department of Revenue employees plead to credit card fraud
A trio of former Department of Revenue employees pleaded guilty this week to financial transaction card fraud in DeKalb County Superior Court, state officials said. Judge Melvin Westmoreland sentenced Marcus Britt, Micah Decuir and William Gladney to 30 days imprisonment and two years on probation. In addition, the three were ordered to pay restitution to the Department of Revenue. Britt, who pleaded guilty to nine counts, was ordered to pay $877.53; Decuir, who pleaded guilty

Man faces Wednesday execution for murdering parents, sister
ATLANTA — A man convicted in the 1993 murders of his parents and sister faces a Wednesday execution. However, lawyers for Andrew Grant DeYoung contend one of the drugs the state is planning on using during the execution — an alternative to sodium thiopental — could lead to pain, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. A judge ordered that the exeuction be videotaped, the newspaper reported. DeYoung was convicted in Cobb County of the June 14, 1993, murders of

Convicted murderer faces July 20 execution
ATLANTA — A man faces a July 20 execution for the murder of his parents and sister. Andrew Grant DeYoung was convicted in the 1993 murders of his parents, Kathryn and Gary DeYoung and sister, Sarah DeYoung. If executed, he will be the 28th inmate put to death by lethal injection in Georgia. DeYoung was convicted in Cobb County.


Smyrna council approves FY12 budget
SMYRNA, Ga. — The Smyrna City Council recently passed a $70.9 million annual budget for Fiscal Year 2012, an increase of nearly 6 percent over the previous year’s budget. City officials said they will not need to lay off or furlough any city employees or close any facilities. In addition, the city did not need to dip into its reserve funds to cover the budget or increase the millage rate, which has remained at 8.99
