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Judge could gut APS criminal case

Judge could gut APS criminal case

ATLANTA -- The judge in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating case strongly indicated he would issue a pre-trial ruling that could gut the prosecution's criminal case against 35 educators.

At the end of a day-long hearing into motions challenging the indictment against Superintendent Beverly Hall, principals, teachers and other school officials, Fulton Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter said the case made by prosecutors to keep the indictment intact was "ugly."  He repeatedly indicated he was inclined to rule in favor of a motion challenging the case.

The defense motion says that APS administrators improperly compelled staffers to cooperate with investigators appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue to probe the cheating scandal.  Attorneys for Lucious Brown, principal at John F. Kennedy Middle School, argued that the order stripped witnesses of their 5th amendment right against self-incrimination.

Man accused of shooting 7 year old turns himself in

ATLANTA -- A 28-year-old man accused of shooting of a 7-year-old boy in northwest Atlanta Sunday evening has turned himself in.

Atlanta Police spokeswoman Kim Jones said Elrico Smith turned himself in Monday afternoon. He faces an aggravated assault charge.

The victim was playing with friends outside a home in the 2600 block of Mango Circle when he was shot Sunday night by someone aiming at two passing cars.

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The child was not the intended target, police said.

Atlanta Police Maj. Lane Hagin said the boy was hit in the stomach just after 7:30 p.m. after someone opened fire on two vehicles driving through the neighborhood.

APS hearings continue Monday

APS hearings continue Monday

ATLANTA -- Court hearings into the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal continued Monday.

Former state attorney general Mike Bowers is expected to speak. Bower is one of three special investigators appointed by then-Governor Sonny Perdue to investigate APS. The investigators' 400-page report formed the basis for the criminal investigation.

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Indicted APS educators

Young readers to earn free meal at local Piccadilly restaurants

Young readers to earn free meal at local Piccadilly restaurants

ATLANTA -- Piccadilly restaurants have launched a summer reading program for kids where completing a number of books earns a free meal for each child that participates. 

By taking part in the Back to Books summer program, young readers must finish reading a log of ten books. 

A spokeswoman for Piccadilly said the restaurant teamed up with Reading is Fundamental, which helps children in need. So, all Piccadilly diners can help the cause by adding a $1 donation to their checks when they eat at a Piccadilly during June and July. Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is a large organization that helps kids get their hands on high-quality, free books.

"The positive reinforcement that Back to Books offers kids for continuing to read throughout the summer will encourage healthy reading habits that will stay with these years to come," Tom Sanderman, Piccadilly's CEO said. 

Each Piccadilly restaurant will have the Back to Books reading logs available. 

Atlanta chef Ford Fry hosts fifth annual JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival

Atlanta chef Ford Fry hosts fifth annual  JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival

ATLANTA (June 14, 2013) – Join Chef Ford Fry as he hosts the fifth annual JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on Sunday, July 21 from 1-5 p.m. This year, more than 40 of the South’s top chefs along with 15 skilled mixologists and over 30 farmers are teaming up to create the tastiest tomato concoctions and to help raise money for Georgia Organics.

“Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is absolutely one of my favorite events,” says Ford Fry, owner/chef of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and The Optimist. “I love seeing the creativity of all the participants and I’m looking forward to seeing what this year’s crop of talent comes up with,” he adds.

Tickets are now on sale for $55 per person and $50 for Georgia Organics members and can be purchased online through Xorbia. Starting Monday, July 1, all ticket prices will increase to $70 per person. A total of 1,400 tickets are available for attendees. Last year’s festival brought in close to $26,000 for Georgia Organics.

Local nonprofits gain grant to help domestic violence victims in Georgia

Local nonprofits gain grant to help domestic violence victims in Georgia

ATLANTA -- The Judicial Council of Georgia Domestic Violence Committee awarded a grant on Friday that will go towards the work of nine nonprofit organizations in and near Atlanta. 

The grant of almost $1.6 million will help bring legal services to around 4,500 people with low income around Georgia who have suffered from domestic violence and are working to bounce back. A spokeswoman for the Judicial Council reported that the funds are given each year to develop domestic violence training and legal services for victims.

According to the spokeswoman, not included are divorces, deportations and other matters which are not related with the victim's safety, along with economic security. 

Fulton County Workforce Investment Board changes time for June 27 quarterly meeting

Fulton County Workforce Investment Board changes time for June 27 quarterly meeting

The Fulton County Workforce Preparation and Employment System – Workforce Investment Act Board (FCWPES-WIA) has moved its Thursday, June 27, 2013, meeting time from10:00 A.M. to 11:00 a.m. to accommodate a Board Special Development meeting to discuss changes to the By-laws required by the Governor’s Office and discuss potential new board members. The Board’s Special Development meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. in Room 242 of the Adamsville Regional Health Center at 3700 Martin Luther King Jr., Drive SW, Atlanta, Georgia.   The meeting will address recommendations for Officers of the FCWPES Board of Directors for Program Year 2013 -14.

The FCWPES-WIA Board oversees activities related to providing an environment that supports a skilled and trained workforce and to creating innovative programs that serve the changing needs of employers and the business community.