Boy Sent Home for Not Removing Mask in Swine Flu Incident

School officials in Newton County sent a seventh-grader home from school Thursday after he reportedly would not remove a mask his mother gave him to protect against swine flu.

According to school officials in Covington, the 13-year-old started a disturbance when he showed up at Cousins Middle School with the mask and rumors began to spread that he had the virus.

The student's mother reportedly plans to send him to school Friday wearing the mask.

The woman claims her 11-year-old son wore a mask to elementary school and was not told to remove it.

Cobb Chairman Honored by United Way

Chairman Sam Olens was recently honored by the United Way as Cobb County's Volunteer of the Year at the 24th annual Heart In Hand volunteer recognition award program. Milton James Little Jr., president of the Metropolitan Atlanta United Way, said Olens was selected for his hard work and dedication.

"You are everything a volunteer could be, or we could ever want," Little said. "Someone who is passionate, someone who is committed and someone intolerant of doing things a certain way just because that's how they've always been."

Olens has volunteered with the United Way for more than eight years and served as a representative on the Regional Commission on Homelessness. He also serves on the Board of Directors and as the 2008 Cobb County campaign chair. More than $9 million was raised during the campaign.

For more information on the United Way, visit www.unitedwayatlanta.org.

Off-Duty Gwinnett County Sheriff Fatally Shot

Police are investigating the fatal shooting of an off-duty Gwinnett County sheriff, who was killed early Thursday morning in a house in Dacula.

According to authorities, Don Bassett, 38, who had been with the sheriff's department for 17 years, was fatally shot in an apparent domestic dispute with a young woman in the house.

The woman, who was initially indentified as Bassett's girlfriend, was being questioned by authorities.

UGA's Warnell School Holding Pair of Summer Camps

High school students in grades 10 through 12 could spend a week at the University of Georgia free of charge if they are chosen for two summer camp sessions that will focus on “test-tube gardening.”

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources is now accepting applications for the two sessions, open to 10th, 11th and 12th graders who have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and a strong interest in science. Each of the two sessions has a capacity of 10 students and is free of charge.

Students chosen for the summer camp will receive free lodging, meals and activities for the week on UGA’s main campus in Athens. Free roundtrip transportation will be offered to participants coming from Tifton.

There are two sessions from which to choose: Sunday, June 14, through Friday, June 19, or Sunday, June 21, through Friday, June 26.

The sessions will be taught by Warnell professor C.J. Tsai, a tree biotechnology expert. The sessions will teach students different ways of growing plants such as by hydroponics or tissue culture, how trees produce chemical weapons to protect themselves, how plant DNA is extracted plant genetic improvement, how to write lab reports and how to make research presentations.

The deadline to apply is Friday, May 8. The application can be found on Warnell’s Web site, www.warnell.uga.edu. For more information, contact Emily Lakemaker at (706) 542-0879.

Tech Student Named to USA Today's All Academic Team

Georgia Tech’s Virgil Secasanu, a recent biomedical engineering (BME) graduate, has been named to USA Today’s All Academic Team.

Secasanu was one of 20 students named to the first-team; each winner will receive a $2,500 cash reward. Judges based the selection on grades, leadership, activities and, most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom.

Secasanu plans to go to medical school in the fall and says his long-term goals include melding his passion for medicine and bioengineering to help treat and eradicate ailments.

“This award is very exciting to me,” said Secasanu. “I’m humbled to be a part of this group of students and to have my hard work nationally recognized.” Secasanu’s accomplishments go well beyond the classroom. “I worked with another undergraduate student and a BME professor to almost quadruple the output of a laboratory technique used to control the micrometer-scale synthesis of cell scaffolds,” said Secasanu. “We published this work and used the technique to synthesize neuron scaffolds for a nerve regeneration project (which could have strong benefits to curing nerve damage, and even paralysis).” Secasanu also worked with several physicians to design and develop medical devices.

“My most ambitious project was working with two additional BME students where we designed, developed, constructed and evaluated a minimally invasive device for treating atrial fibrillation (a cardiac disorder),” he said. “It has strong benefits to reducing healthcare costs and improving treatment availability.”

That work helped Secasanu land his current job as a research and development engineer at an Atlanta medical device startup (TransCardiac Therapeutics). As part of his work, he’s been able to design, patent, evaluate and submit for FDA review several novel cardiac devices.

He plans to go to medical school in the fall and says his long-term goals include melding his passion for medicine and bioengineering to help treat and eradicate ailments.

Teen Dies of Injuries Sustained in Auto Accident

A 16-year-old DeKalb County teen has died from the injuries he suffered in a weekend crash that also claimed the life of a 43-year-old woman.

According to authorities, Benjamin Bynum, 16, died late Tuesday evening from injuries he sustained in a crash last Saturday night on Rockbridge Road in south DeKalb County.

Bynum was a passenger in a car that allegedly crossed the center line and hit a car being driven by Lisa Hutchinson.

Hutchinson died on impact and her young daughter suffered broken bones.

Safely Dispose of Electronics at Recycling Event

Keep Cobb Beautiful will host Electronics Recycling Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, May 2, at Tommy Nobis Center, 1480 Bells Ferry Road, Marietta.

Many items will be accepted at no charge, including computers, microwaves, printers, VCRs, CD players and cell phones. Televisions will be accepted for a processing fee. Some items will not be accepted, including refrigerators, washers and dryers, ovens, freezers, tires and non-electronic equipment. Tax deduction slips will be provided for donated items.

The Tommy Nobis Center is located 1/4 mile from the intersection of Highway 41 and Bells Ferry Road.

For more information on accepted items, visit cobbcounty.org/KCB or call (770) 427-9000, ext. 5148.

Appalachian Trail Web Site Warns Hikers of Zinkhan

The Appalachian Trail Web site (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/) has put out a warning for hikers to be on the lookout for triple murder suspect George Zinkhan.

Zinkhan is wanted by police for questioning in the murders of three individuals in Athens, Georgia on April 25, including his wife.

Zinkhan was last seen driving a red Jeep Liberty and he may be in possession of a firearm. Police are unsure of his whereabouts but say that Zinkhan is an avid hiker and has spent time on the Appalachian Trail in the past.

A wanted poster (PDF download) has been provided by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Zinkhan is 57 years of age, 6' 3", 240 pounds. He was last seen driving a 2005 red Jeep Liberty with Georgia tags (AIX1376).

If you locate Zinkhan or his vehicle, do not contact him, dial 911. Any other information can be forwarded to Ranger Eric Barron of the Appalachian Trail Park Office at (301) 639-0167.

Cobb County Outdoor Burning Ban Begins May 1

The annual outdoor burning ban goes into effect for Cobb County and much of north Georgia Friday, May 1.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources issues a ban on open burning through Sept. 30 of each year. Limiting open burning during the hot and sunny months of smog season helps decrease ozone and particle pollutants and improve the air quality and health in Cobb.

During the ban, no one may burn leaves, tree limbs or other yard waste, forest land or use air curtain destructors for commercial burning. Recreational fires and bonfires are allowed under certain circumstances and restrictions.

For more information, visit cobbcounty.org/Fire or call (770) 528-8310.

Woman Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Heroin at Airport

A woman who was taken into custody for smuggling some two pounds of heroin at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport back in January has pled guilty to the charges.

According to prosecutors, Zanada Moses, 25, of Baltimore, pled guilty to smuggling the heroin for $20,000.

Moses, who was caught with the drugs on a flight from Panama, was indicted in February on charges of importation of and possession with intent to distribute heroin with an estimated street value of $1 million.

Moses, who will be sentenced in June, could get up to 40 years in prison and a fine of $2 million.

Emergency Managers Seek Input on Hazards

The public is invited to help plan ways to respond to both natural and manmade hazards in the Gwinnett area. A public meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, will offer an overview of the planning process and give the public an opportunity to offer recommendations.

Emergency Services Coordinator Greg Swanson said, “This will be a multi-jurisdictional plan to identify local hazards, assess the risks and plan ways to reduce loss of life and property damage in emergency situations. We welcome any and all input from our residents to help keep everyone safe.”

The final plan will eventually be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for review and approval. The public meeting will be held in Conference Room C on the second floor of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

For more information, call (770) 513-5060.

Atlanta Police Dept. Opens Mini-Precinct at EUHM

In an effort to better serve the community and keep the neighborhood safe, Emory University Hospital Midtown (EUHM) and the Atlanta Police Department (APD) are partnering together to open APD’s newest mini- precinct on hospital grounds. The grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new facility took place on Monday.

Located in a 1,026-foot space in the W.W. Orr Building on Peachtree Street, the new Zone 5 mini-precinct will house approximately 30 sworn police employees (lieutenants, sergeants and officers) who are responsible for patrolling Midtown and Downtown Atlanta. This new mini-precinct is one of six in Zone 5.

“The partnership between Emory Healthcare and the APD to open this mini-precinct will bring our patients, visitors and employees an extra measure of safety, while increasing police visibility for the surrounding community,” says Dane Peterson, COO, Emory University Hospital Midtown. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.”

Discussions to place a mini-precinct at EUHM have been ongoing for several years. APD officials say the hospital’s location on Peachtree Street is conveniently located and easily accessible to Midtown and Downtown Atlanta, Interstate-85 and Interstate-75.

UPDATE: Search for UGA Professor Continues

The search for a University of Georgia professor who is the prime suspect in the shooting deaths of three people last weekend in Athens is focusing on a purchased plane ticket.

According to authorities, George Zinkhan, 57, who allegedly gunned down his wife and two men off campus last Saturday, has a Delta Air Lines plane ticket in his name for this Saturday to fly to the Netherlands. Zinkhan reportedly left behind an empty passport wallet.

Zinkhan is alleged to have killed his wife, 47-year-old attorney Marie Bruce, and two members of her theater group, Ben Teague, 63, and Tom Tanner, 40. Zinkhan disappeared after the shootings in a red Jeep Liberty with Georgia plates.

The shooting victims were members of the Town & Gown Players, which was staging a showing of "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure" at the theater. Members of the group were gathered for a reunion Saturday at the time of the shooting.

University officials noted on Monday that Zinkhan has been fired from his job as a marketing professor.

Where is UGA Professor George Zinkhan?

Police locally and nationwide continue in their efforts to find University of Georgia professor George Zinkhan, who allegedly gunned down three people, including his wife, Saturday in Athens.

According to police, Zinkhan, who is an endowed marketing professor at the school's Terry College of Business, has relatives in Texas and owns a home in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A nationwide lookout was issued for the red 2005 Jeep Liberty Zinkhan was driving when he was last seen following the shootings Saturday.

Zinkhan allegedly killed Marie Bruce, 47, Zinkhan's wife and a prominent Athens attorney; Tom Tanner, 40; and Ben Teague, 63.

The victims were all associated with the Town and Gown Players, a theater group that was holding a reunion picnic Saturday off campus when Zinkhan allegedly killed the three.

According to Athens police, Zinkhan was not at the Town and Gown event originally but showed up and got into "a disagreement" with his wife. He left the scene -- police believe to return to his car, where the couple's children apparently were waiting -- and returned with two handguns.

Following the shooting, Zinkhan departed the scene with his children, ages 8 and 10, still in the car, according to police. He drove the kids to a neighbor's home in nearby Bogart, where he lived, and left the children there.

Emory Law Professor Wins U.S. Supreme Court Case

David Bederman, a professor at Emory University School of Law, was the winning attorney in the U.S. Supreme Court case, Ministry of Defense and Support for the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran v. Elahi, by a 6-3 decision last week.

The court overturned a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Dr. Dariush Elahi, who sought $2.8 million as compensation for the killing of his brother in Paris in 1990.

“Speaking personally, I’m gratified with the decision and very appreciative of the assistance of everyone in the Emory Law community during the case,” Bederman says. “That includes faculty, colleagues and my student team.”

Bederman, the K.H. Gyr Professor in Private International Law, represented the Iranian Ministry of Defense. His student team included second-year student Lauren Crisman, and third-year students Michael Eber, Jennifer Fairbairn, Brian Spielman and Robert Carroll (a 2004 Emory College graduate), all of whom helped in preparing briefs and with oral arguments.

Bederman's Emory colleagues, William Buzbee, professor of law; Thomas Arthur, L.Q.C. Lamar Professor of Law; Charles Shanor, professor of law; and Robert Shapiro, professor of law, helped strengthen his oral arguments with a moot court in January.

Elahi sought to collect by attaching a judgment obtained by the Iranian Ministry of Defense against California-based Cubic Defense Systems. Iran won the $2.8 million after the California defense contractor did not deliver an arms system after the Iranian Revolution in 1979.The Court held that Elahi’s acceptance of a payment of $2.3 million from the U.S. government waived his right to claim the Cubic Judgment under the conditions of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002.

“Rather, we determine that Elahi cannot attach the Cubic Judgment regardless, for the Judgment is at issue in a claim against the United States before the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal,” wrote Justice Stephen Breyer for the majority. “The judgment consequently falls within the terms of Elahi’s waiver.”

UPDATE: Manhunt On-going for UGA Professor

The search continues locally and nationwide for a University of Georgia professor accused of killing three individuals at an off-campus location, including his wife.

According to authorities, George Zinkhan, 57, allegedly shot to death Tom Tanner, 40; Marie Bruce, 47, an Athens attorney and Zinkhan's wife, who also served as president of Town and Gown Players; and Ben Teague, 63.

The three were killed on Saturday at a community theatre located behind The Taylor Grady House.

Authorities were keeping an eye on airports in case Zinkhan tried to head to Amsterdam, where he owns a residence, or Austin, Texas, where he reportedly has relatives.

Cobb County to Review Roadway Project April 29

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners will review details of the Lower Roswell Road East Roadway Improvement Project during the 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, regular meeting at the BOC Room, second floor, 100 Cherokee St., Marietta.

The board is expected to reconsider action taken at a previous meeting and consider restoring a multi-use trail to the project.

The $7.3 million project starts at the intersection of Davidson Road and extends to the intersection of Timber Ridge Road. The proposed concept presented to the Board of Commissioners at the Jan. 27 meeting included: Two 11-foot lanes with 4-foot bike lanes on both sides and a 5-foot sidewalk on the north side and 8-foot wide multi-use trail on the south side. Right turn lanes and left turn lanes will be added at key intersections.

Georgia Counties Approved for Disaster Assistance

Gov. Sonny Perdue announced that President Barack Obama approved a Federal Disaster Declaration for 27 counties that the Governor requested aid for following a devastating period of severe weather beginning March 26 and continuing through April 10. Tornadoes, straight-line winds, hail, severe thunderstorms, flash flooding and flooding resulted in widespread residential, commercial and infrastructure damage across South Georgia.

The counties eligible to receive individual assistance include: Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pierce, Tift, Ware, Wheeler and Worth.

Residents and business owners in these counties who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday.

Individual assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

The President has also designated that local governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations in the following counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Early, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pierce, Toombs and Ware; will be able to receive federal funds to help offset 75 percent of the cost of the initial emergency response, debris removal and restoration of damaged public facilities.

This disaster declaration also makes all counties in Georgia eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program which provides assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

Search Continues for UGA Professor in Shootings

Police nationwide continue their search for a University of Georgia professor who allegedly shot and killed three other adults, including his wife, Saturday afternoon at an off-campus locale.

According to Athens police, professor George Zinkhan (pictured), 56, is a suspect in the shooting deaths of Tom Tanner, 40; Marie Bruce, 47, an Athens attorney and Zinkhan's wife, who also served as president of Town and Gown Players; and Ben Teague, 63.

The victims were shot around noon at a community theatre behind The Taylor-Grady House in the 600 block of Prince Ave.

Zinkhan was reportedly driving a 2005 red Jeep Liberty, with Georgia tag No. AIX 1376.

"The University community is shocked and saddened at this tragic event," University of Georgia President Michael Adams, said in a written statement. "Our first thoughts are for safety of the university community and for prompt apprehension of the person responsible. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those who have been affected."

Keep Cobb Beautiful Van Showcases Volunteers

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Keep Cobb Beautiful recently unveiled its newest marketing tool - a van decorated with its programs and volunteers.

"As we celebrate 25 years of service to Cobb residents, KCB wanted more people to know who we are and see some of the things we are doing every day in our community," Gwen Baldwin, KCB public program coordinator, said. "This is also a great way to show appreciation for our many volunteers."

People depicted on the sides of the van are actual volunteers for the organization. Planting a tree is longtime volunteer Helga Hong, KCB board member Dr. Michael "Pic" Petelle and associate board member Gabrielle Arrington. The Adopt-A-Mile volunteers are associate board members June Utash and Jessica York. Students Grace Buhmeyer and William Zheng represent the many recycling programs that KCB has worked to establish in schools, businesses and parks around the county.

For more information on KCB, visit cobbcounty.org/KCB.

Attorney Pleads Guilty in $28M Investment Fraud Scheme

Robert P. Copeland, 48, of Marietta, pleaded guilty recently in federal district court to committing a five-year long investment scam that defrauded more than 125 victims of more than $28 million.

According to the United States Attorney's Office, Copeland, a Marietta-based real estate and elder law attorney, operated a fraudulent investment scam, commonly known as a “Ponzi” scheme, from at least 2004 through early 2009. He solicited individuals directly, through seminars he participated in, and through financial planners to whom he paid commissions in exchange for referrals of investment clients.

Copeland represented that he would use an investor’s money in lucrative real estate financing and/or development activities, such as by funding a mortgage or bridge loan to a real estate purchaser who needed financing. Typically, Copeland would promise returns as high as 15% every 6 to 12 months, and would furnish the investor a note and security deed that would purport to document the investor’s secured interest in a particular piece of real estate.

Based on these representations, Copeland raised more than $40 million since 2004 from hundreds of investors nationwide. Some of these investments constituted retirement funds.

Copeland admitted that his investment business was a scam. He was engaged in little if any real estate financing, development, or other profit-making activities with investor funds. The notes and security deeds he furnished investors were in almost all cases bogus. Instead of using investor funds in the ways he had represented, he operated a “Ponzi” scheme, using new investments to pay earlier investors the distributions that he had promised. When the time came to pay the new investors, he would have to solicit and take in more investments. This created an unsustainable and ever-expanding mountain of debt. When the scheme collapsed in early 2009, Copeland was left owing over $28 million to over 125 victims.

Copeland was charged in a Criminal Information earlier this month with one count of wire fraud, which encompasses the entirety of the approximate 5-year long scheme. He pleaded guilty to that charge this week. He could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, along with full restitution to all victims and forfeiture of all proceeds of the scheme.

The United States has already seized or frozen numerous assets relating to Copeland’s scheme, including 12 real estate properties, bank accounts, artwork, jewelry, and automobiles. As part of his plea agreement, Copeland is cooperating in the ongoing investigation of this case and in efforts to recover all remaining assets.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 10.

Gwinnett County Launches Healthy Lifestyle Program

Gwinnett County’s Health and Human Services Division is producing a new television program that engages, informs and entertains its viewers, Growing in Gwinnett.

The show includes interactive segments that incorporate exercise, cooking and an interview, and is the first program of its kind on TVgwinnett, the County’s government access cable television station.

Producer Melanie Miller says, “Growing in Gwinnett is unique because it truly represents diversity in Gwinnett County as the show’s talent is made up of people from Hispanic, Caucasian, African-American and Asian descent.”

The show is hosted by Adrienne Noble, who also serves as information and referral specialist in Health and Human Services. Noble conducts interviews with experts on a particular topic related to the show’s theme.

The program also features Virginia Watson, a nationally-certified personal trainer and deputy fire marshal. Watson leads the exercise segment of the show, which provides helpful fitness techniques to viewers. The cooking segment is conducted by Inés Beltrán, family and consumer sciences agent with the County’s Extension Service, who serves up healthy meals and offers information about good nutrition.

The show’s tag line—Celebrating, Educating and Inspiring—is the goal for everyone involved in presenting timely topics that concern both younger and older generations of people through Growing in Gwinnett. A new episode focusing on various topics such as volunteerism, finances and education will air each month on TVgwinnett.

Gwinnett cable customers can access TVgwinnett on cable channel 23 or 25, depending on the cable provider. TVgwinnett programming is also available streaming and on demand at www.tvgwinnett.com, where viewers will also find a program guide.

Gwinnett County Commissioners to Accept Stimulus Funds

Work will begin soon on several “shovel-ready” transportation projects in Gwinnett after commissioners on Tuesday took actions required to receive about $38 million in federal stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

One project will extend McGinnis Ferry Road from its current end at Satellite Boulevard over I-85 and across Old Peachtree Road to a new junction with Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. The bridge over I-85 has been designed to be long enough and wide enough to accommodate potential future ramps accessing the interstate. The project will also extend North Brook Parkway to Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, completing a four-lane road parallel to I-85 that begins as Shackleford Road at Beaver Ruin Road.

Another project will build a new, four-lane bridge on Gravel Springs Road (State Route 324) over I-85 near Mall of Georgia. The County recently completed road widening there from SR 20 to SR124. The project will also relocate Camp Branch Road and Morgan Road away from I-85 to improve access to and from SR 324 at both roads. Similar to the McGinnis Ferry Road project, the SR 324 design includes a bridge over I-85 that will accommodate potential future ramps to allow interstate access.

The Board’s actions on the McGinnis Ferry Road project included approval of condemnation proceedings for 25 parcels of land. Along with approximately 50 other parcels the County is currently purchasing, this action allows the County to certify to the Georgia DOT that all of the land needed to build the project has been obtained. Additionally, an agreement with Jackson Electric Membership Cooperative will allow them to proceed with moving their facilities as needed.

Commissioners approved a separate agreement with the state transportation department to allow the County to complete right-of-way acquisition for the SR 324 project and agreed to condemnation proceedings for 10 parcels and a purchase and sale agreement for another parcel. These actions, together with the acquisition of 18 other parcels of land, will allow the County to certify that all of the land needed to construct the project has been obtained.

The Board also approved work resulting from a value engineering study of the SR 324 project from its designer, Gresham Smith Associates. The $55,000 in design changes is expected to reduce construction costs by about $550,000.

Teen Gets 8 Years in Fatal Car Accident

The sentence is eight years in prison for a 17-year-old who pled guilty to hitting and killing a Clarke County woman as she walked along a road with her 3-year-old son last June.

At Thursday's sentencing, prosecutors reported that Abel Gonzalez-Perez will be held in a youth detention facility until he turns 17 in September, then will be sent to an adult prison.

According to prosecutors, the teen is a native of Mexico who was working illegally in the U.S. at the time of the accident. He earlier pled guilty to first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI and hit-and-run in the death of 19-year-old Nayasheika "Keisha" Cooper of Athens.

Gonzalez-Perez will also be required to serve seven years of probation after he is released from prison.

Athens Area First-Grader Arrested for Striking Teacher

In an unusual instance, a first-grader at an Athens school got more punishment than going to the principal's office Tuesday.

According to authorities, the student at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School was arrested on charges he attacked his teacher.

Athens-Clarke County police report the 8-year-old boy hit his teacher a number of times in front of his classmates. Police claim the boy then went outside the classroom and "wildly" waved a large stick.

The boy was finally restrained by a principal and two teachers until police came on the scene.

The boy, whose name has not been released, has been charged with battery, disruption of school functions and disorderly conduct. He was released to the custody of his mother.

Gov. Perdue Reports Final Ideas From Education Group

Gov. Sonny Perdue recently announced the final recommendations of the Tough Choices or Tough Times working group.

The working group was tasked with investigating innovative ways to create long-term, comprehensive education reform to make Georgia more globally competitive. The group, which was chaired by Dr. Charles Knapp and Dean Alford, reviewed the national Tough Choices or Tough Times report to determine how Georgia might improve its education practices.

“These recommendations provide a useful framework for addressing critical areas such as teacher preparation and gauging when high school students are ready for additional challenges,” said Gov. Perdue. “I applaud the working group for taking a long-term view of improvements needed in our education system and providing recommendations to produce high achieving students prepared for the 21st century.”

Key findings of the working group fall into three areas of recommendations; Move on When Ready, Recruiting and Retaining World Class Teachers, and Development of Students’ Analytical and Creative Problem-Solving Skills.

In addition to receiving the group’s findings, the Governor also asked the group to continue to meet and develop more recommendations for transforming education in Georgia.

Complete findings of the working group will be posted at http://www.gaosa.org/toughtimes.aspx.

Cobb County Ceremony Notes Newly Renovated Library

Cobb Board of Commissioners and other community leaders cut the ribbon to the newly renovated Mountain View Regional Library last Friday. Guests at the event included State Rep. Don Parsons and Cobb County Public Board of Trustees Chairman Charles Switzer.

The 4,000 square foot expansion project added additional space in the children's wing for seating, more room for materials and a larger program room. Three new study rooms, teen space for materials and study and additional computer workstations were also added. The renovation included upgrading all restrooms, replacing the roof and new paint and carpet. The parking lot was expanded to include 62 new parking spaces and improved lighting.

The library is located at 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta.

For more information, visit cobbcounty.org/Library.

Gov. Perdue Signs Bill to Recruit More Math, Science Teachers

Gov. Sonny Perdue on Wednesday signed House Bill 280, which will start new fully-certified math and science teachers at the same salary as a fifth year teacher.

The legislation was introduced by House Education Committee Chairman Rep. Brooks Coleman and carried in the Senate by Education and Youth Committee Chairman Sen. Dan Weber. The Governor was joined at the bill signing by the Georgia robotics teams that participated at the FIRST Championship that was held in Atlanta last weekend.

In the 2007-2008 school year Georgia produced 2,000 early childhood teachers, but only one physics teacher, nine chemistry teachers and 140 math teachers.

The Governor’s proposal was based on recommendations by the Alliance of Education Agency Head’s Math and Science Task Force. Under the legislation, math and science teachers with less than five years experience will be brought up to the fifth year pay level.

To encourage elementary teachers to increase their competency in math and science, the Governor’s proposal also provides a $1,000 annual bonus to elementary teachers who hold a math or science endorsement.

The incentives will be available for the 2010-11 school year, which will begin in the Fiscal Year 2011 state budget.

SPLOST Funding New Gwinnett Co. Road Projects

Three million dollars’ worth of SPLOST-funded transportation projects will get underway following actions yesteray by the Board of Commissioners to approve three improved intersections, two new sidewalks and a school safety project. The 2001 and 2005 SPLOST sales tax programs raised funds for the projects.

Blount Construction Inc., was the lowest of 13 bidders at almost $709,850 to make intersection improvements at US 78 and Rosebud Road. There will be left and right turn lanes on both Rosebud Road approaches to the intersection.

GS Construction Company was the lowest of 13 bidders at $1.17 million for improvements at New Hope Road at Chandler Road where they will improve alignment and add turn lanes and a traffic signal. A school safety project in the contract with GS Construction Company will add turn lanes, flashers and sidewalks on Hurricane Shoals Road for an additional $555,000.

Strickland and Sons Pipeline Inc., the lowest of 13 bidders, will rebuild the intersection of Hurricane Shoals Road at Dacula Road with turn lanes, alignment improvements and a traffic signal for just over $523,000.

The Dickerson Group will build sidewalks on Davis Circle from Old Norcross Road to Satellite Boulevard and on Holcomb Bridge Road from Peachtree Corners Circle to Station Mill Drive. The contract also includes a short section on West Liddell Road for a total of $591,552, the lowest of 12 bids received.

Chairman Charles Bannister said, “We’re grateful to the voters for approving the SPLOST so we can keep making improvements to our infrastructure.”

Emory Hosts Religion and Public Health Research Symposium

The Religion and Public Health Collaborative at Emory University will host a symposium April 30 showcasing faculty and student research at the intersection of religion and health.

The research symposium will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Emory Conference Center located at 1615 Clifton Road in Atlanta. It is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. To RSVP, email: slandsk@emory.edu.

The Religion and Public Health Collaborative research symposium includes more than three dozen poster presentations that represent past and present research conducted by interdisciplinary Emory research teams. Emory President James Wagner, PhD, will present opening remarks, and Provost Earl Lewis, PhD, will lead a panel discussion on religion and public health.

The panelists include:

*James Curran, MD, MPH, dean, Rollins School of Public Health:Curran is a renowned HIV/AIDS researcher and was part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research team that responded to initial outbreak of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. in the 1980s.

*Laurie Patton, PhD, director, Center for Faculty Development and Excellence, and professor of religion:Patton's teaching and research focuses on interpretation of early Indian ritual and narrative, comparative mythology, and literary theory in the study of religion.

*Claire Sterk, PhD, senior vice provost for academic affairs, and professor of behavioral science and health education, Rollins School of Public Health:Sterk's primary research interests are addiction/mental health and HIV/AIDS, with a focus on women's issues, health disparities, and community-based behavioral interventions.

*Lisa Tedesco, PhD, dean, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and professor, behavioral science and health education, Rollins School of Public Health: Tedesco is working to establish training programs that partner researchers in schools of medicine with those in schools of public health, as well as with a diverse range of other partners.

For more information, visit http://www.rhcemory.org/

New Bank Will Exchange Environmental Mitigation Credit

When construction projects encroach on protected waterways or wetlands, federal laws require mitigation by either making environmental improvements nearby or buying credits from other projects that have already done so. Gwinnett County will soon be exchanging those credits through its own mitigation bank, recently approved by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The County’s stormwater management division routinely restores eroded streambanks to protect water quality as required by state regulations. Now Gwinnett County will be able to use its own credits from those projects to offset the environmental damage of new road building or other construction projects.

“Instead of buying these credits on the commercial market as we’ve had to do in the past, we will now be able to buy them from ourselves, keep the money in Gwinnett and use it for more stormwater projects,” explained Board of Commissioners Chairman Charles Bannister.

The Board of Commissioners on Tuesday adopted a formal policy for mitigation bank operations and delegated its management to County Administrator Jock Connell. Excess credits can also be sold to developers and others for non-County projects at the prevailing commercial rate.

Celebrate Earth Day at Repast With Intro of the Green Plate

Repast Restaurant is celebrating Earth Day with the introduction of the “Green Plate Special”.

Put aside your woes from the “New Economy”, the singing-the-money blues and your search for the best blue plate special on date night. Now you can enjoy a relaxed evening out at one of Atlanta’s most celebrated local eateries.

Supporting Georgia farmers by using select organic foods from local farms, Chef Joe Truex and Chef Mihoko Obunai have created the Green Plate Special that will delight your taste buds! The $15 special available Monday through Thursday will include a wedge salad, the evening’s entrée offering and a sweet morsel to top off your meal. A special wine list of 8 selections offered at $30 a bottle will allow you to dine in a manner foreshadowing the good times to come.

The entrée selections grant you access to the collaborative food creations of Chef Joe’s Creole and Southern style combined with Chef Mihoko’s Japanese and French delights.

The weekly Green Plate Special schedule includes:

Monday – Chef Joe’s Crossroads Gumbo
Tuesday – Chef Mihoko’s Japanese Fish & Chips
Wednesday – Georgian Shrimp & Grits
Thursday – the return of the All-American Hamburger (voted Atlanta’s Best in 2007)

The husband and wife chefs understand the wants and needs of a special evening out with your significant other. Enjoy time together in a unique environment where the innovation is not limited to the food and décor.

Repast Restaurant is located in the Old Fourth Ward at the corner of North Avenue and Glen Iris Boulevard across from the City Hall East building. Open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Call (404) 870-8707 for reservations (preferred but not required) or visit www.repastrestaurant.com to book your reservation online.

Gwinnett County to Undertake Solid Waste Study

What to do about solid waste collection and disposal was back on the Gwinnett County commission’s agenda again on Tuesday.

Commissioners officially extended the current system by renewing the residential and commercial solid-waste collection agreements with all 22 current haulers from May 1 through Dec. 31.

Meanwhile, there will be a new, six-month study of the issues that have tied up in court a proposed new system that was to have taken effect in January. The highest-scoring of three responders to the County’s request for proposals, R.W. Beck Inc., whose Atlanta office is located at Colony Square, was awarded a contract in the amount of $131,467. They will study the history and current status of solid waste collection in Gwinnett, benchmark the County against its peers and analyze the business issues and possible options before seeking public input to help develop a new plan.

R.W. Beck Inc. is an engineering-based management consulting company founded in Nebraska in 1942. It is now headquartered in Seattle with 24 regional offices. The firm has dealt with solid-waste management since the 1970s.

Family Seeks Answers Following Suicide

Family members are continuing to seek answers to their questions in the case of a DeKalb County youth who killed himself last week after reportedly being bullied at school.

Jaheem Herrera, 11, a fifth-grader at Dunaire Elementary School, died after using a belt to hang himself from a bedroom closet. Herrera reportedly returned from school last Thursday and soon after went upstairs and locked the door to his bedroom. He was later discovered by his 10-year-old sister, who attends the same school.

Family members say they complained to school officials that Herrera was being bullied at school, but their pleas went unanswered. Herrera was reportedly being bullied because he spoke differently and looked different than other kids in his grade.

The family relocated to DeKalb County from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands less than a year ago.

School officials have not commented for the most part on the incident, other than to say that they sent a letter out to parents regarding the incident, and that there is an anti-bullying program in place in the school system. Dunaire Elementary School serves students in pre-K through fifth grades.

Moody Won't Run for Fifth Term in State Senate

State Sen. Dan Moody (R-Alpharetta) announced recently he will not seek a fifth term in the Georgia State Senate. Since qualifying begins this time next year, Moody wanted to announce his intentions now to allow for others to consider the opportunity.

“It has been an honor to represent the residents of the Roswell area since I was first elected in 2002 and I’m confident a leader in the community will step forward to represent the city’s best long term interests,” said Moody. “It’s a wonderful group of people and they deserve the best. By sharing my intentions at this time, they will be assured all candidates for this office can be thoroughly evaluated between now and the primary election.”

Moody represents the 56th Senate district, which covers a large part of North Fulton County including the entire city of Roswell and parts of a few other cities.

Moody commented he is most proud of his role in securing the passage of legislation to ensure children with disabilities are provided appropriate services. “I tried to focus my attention on the less fortunate people that needed the most help,” he said. Moody successfully led several major Education initiatives through the legislative process.

When asked about his future plans, Moody expressed an interest in helping his physician son with mission work and spending more time with his six grandchildren.

Homebuying Opportunities Available With New Program

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program will provide emergency assistance to state and local governments to acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities.

Cobb County will receive approximately $6.9 million from Housing and Urban Development and $1.7 million from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to rehabilitate, resell or redevelop foreclosed residential real estate in the county's areas of greatest need. The goal is to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the decline of home values.

Homebuyers may qualify for this program if they meet certain income criteria. For instance, a family of four can have an income of $85,450 and be eligible to participate.

For additional information, contact the program office at (770) 528-7980 or visit buycobb.com.

Roswell Man Charged With Murder in Death of Mother

Police in Roswell have charged a 37-year-old man with murder for allegedly killing the mother of his children, then attempting to attack a man he discovered showering in their residence.

According to authorities, Calvin Meyers has been charged with felony murder, malice murder on top of an initial charge of aggravated assault.

Police allege Meyers, the father of two of the mother's four children, killed 40-year-old Minka R. Grogan with a rock. Police also reported that Meyers crashed his vehicle into the front of her townhome.

An unidentified male who was upstairs showering came out when he heard the car crash.

The man reportedly fled when Meyers allegedly chased him with a butcher knife. Meyers eventually surrendered to police and was taken into custody.

Earth Day Celebration Set for East Cobb Park

The Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department invites the public to celebrate Earth Day 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at East Cobb Park.

Activities will include guided nature hikes, flower planting, alternate cleaning products and creek activities. The alternate rain location is Fullers Recreation Center, 3499 Robinson Road, Marietta. East Cobb Park is located at 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta.

For more information, call (770) 509-2737 or e-mail Wendy.Collins@CobbCounty.org.

Carpet Company Insiders Sentenced in Scam

Johnny Lamar Smith, 54, of Bridgeport, Ala., and William J. Percy, 65, of Dalton, Ga., have been sentenced to prison by United States District Judge Harold Murphy on a charge of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of property obtained by fraud.

Smith was sentenced to 2 years, 6 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,499,999. Percy was sentenced to 1 year, 3 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,499,999. Smith and Percy pleaded guilty to the charge on January 15, 2009.

According to United States Attorney's Office, Smithwas a long-time employee of Beaulieu Carpets, holding the position of Quality Assurance Manager at the Bridgeport, Alabama, plant. Smith’s wife also worked at the plant in the accounting department. Percy owned Glenwood Tufters, a carpet processing company in Dalton.

For over three years, from 2001 through 2003, using his wife’s password, Smith reportedly manipulated Beaulieu’s computer system and diverted more than 3,931,000 pounds of first-quality yarn. He then sold the yarn as second-quality yarn at a price of twenty cents per pound to Percy, when the yarn was in fact worth over eighty cents per pound. Percy paid Smith more than $289,000 in kickbacks.

Beaulieu sustained a loss of almost $2.5 million. When Beaulieu discovered the loss, the company fired Smith, and Smith’s wife resigned from Beaulieu.

Emory President, Renowned Neurologist Honored for Work

Emory University President James Wagner and Emory Professor of Neurology Mahlon DeLong, M. D., have been elected fellows of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.

The Academy, one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies and a center for independent policy research, announced their selection April 20. They are among the 210 new fellows and 19 Foreign Honorary Members representing leaders in the sciences, the humanities and the arts, business, public affairs and the nonprofit sector.

This year’s group includes Nobel laureates and recipients of the Pulitzer and Pritzker prizes, MacArthur Fellowships, Academy, Grammy and Tony awards, and the National Medal of Arts. The scholars, scientists, jurists, writers, artists, civic, corporate and philanthropic leaders come from 28 states and 11 countries and range in age from 33 to 83. They represent universities, museums, national laboratories, private research institutes, businesses and foundations.

• Wagner is an award-winning teacher and scientist who became the 19th president of Emory University in 2003. Following a distinguished tenure on the faculty of Johns Hopkins, Wagner served as dean, provost and interim president of Case Western Reserve University before joining Emory. Wagner has authored more than 115 publications and has served as editor or editorial board member for several publications. He earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in clinical engineering from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Johns Hopkins as well. In 2007, Wagner received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering and the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association.

Throughout his administrative career, Wagner has worked closely with faculty, students, alumni and staff to enhance the undergraduate educational experience, grow research, and foster more effective partnership between the academy and local institutions, including government and industry. Currently Wagner serves on the boards of The Carter Center, the Georgia Research Alliance, SunTrust Banks, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the Woodruff Arts Center. For the 2008-2009 academic year, Wagner is serving as chair of the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education (ARCHE).

• DeLong is the William Timmie Professor of Neurology at Emory University School of Medicine. He has played a major role in research discoveries about the functional organization of the brain and its role in movement and movement disorders. DeLong’s studies have led to the development of new and effective surgical approaches for the improved treatment of Parkinson’s disease and therapies for other movement and neuropsychiatric disorders.Among numerous awards, DeLong recently received the 2008 Movement Disorders Society Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2009 American Academy of Neurology Movement Disorders Research Award.

He is recognized by Health America as one of the Top Doctors in Neurology for the treatment of movement disorders. DeLong was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine, the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars and is a past chair of the Society for Neuroscience. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and currently serves as chair of its section on neuroscience. He is scientific director of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the American Parkinson Disease Association. DeLong received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his medical degree from Harvard University.

The new class will be inducted at a ceremony on Oct.10, at the Academy’s headquarters in Cambridge, Mass.

Playing the Field Card Game Puts the relating Back in Relationships

Not certain of what to say on that first date? Tired of spending months trying to figure out if the person you are dating is really the one for you!?!

With divorce rates on the rise and careers taking precedence, women are becoming more independent and dating is harder than ever. Amanda Brown, a Relationship Expert & Dating Designer, wants to make getting to know that special someone easy and FUN with a cheeky card game called Playing the Field (www.playingthefieldcardgame.com).

“I created Playing the Field to ease the pressure of getting to know someone,” stated Brown. “Playing the Field is a deck of playing cards but with a twist – each card has a question exploring ideas you want to know about someone but may feel uncomfortable asking at first. The series goes from 1st Base to Home Run with the questions becoming more intense and risqué as you progress around the bases. Playing the Field simplifies the discovery process and narrows down the months it would normally take to get to know the ‘real person’ you are dating. This game allows people to learn more about each other in a playful and thought-provoking way. I chose a card game because it’s easy and fun, and the deck of cards is small enough to put in your bag when heading out” added Brown.

As an added bonus, Brown has included a Body Language Cue Card. Since ninety percent of what is said is nonverbal the BLCC gives the player who bought the cards the upper hand by explaining the subtly of body language. Everyone needs the extra advantage of being able to decipher and understand the “moves” of the one they are dating!

How to Play

Intended for a sit-down-get-to-know-you date, the cards provide the vehicle for storytelling. No scoring, no extra pieces, just a deck of cards placed between the couple with the back and forth exchange of questions and answers...the easiest and most inexpensive thing ever when planning a date!

The 1st base deck consists of non-intrusive yet playful questions like… “Have you ever gone skinny-dipping?” and “If you were an animal what would you be?”

In the 2nd base set, couples advance their understanding of each other with such questions as, “Have you figured out what you are going to be when you grow up?” and, “Define sexy.”
As couples let their guard down and eye third base, they are tantalized with questions such as “If money were not an issue what would you be doing with your life?” and “Do you have any strange sleeping habits?”

Now that the couple has successfully passed 3rd base and has home plate in sight, the questions take on a more intimate and personal tone, such as, “Are you happy with where you are in your life?” and, “Where is the wildest place you’ve had sex?”

What it all means

“Playing the Field is a common sense way to get to know each other that I think more people should apply when dealing with their relationships. The game takes the pressure off trying to think of the next cute thing to say by putting those questions out there that you want answered….for once you can actually listen! There is no scorecard – just a mental check. None of us has time to waste with dead-end dating - if your date gives bad answers to three important questions strike him out and look for another player. With the game, people are getting the chance to know each other one-on-one,” Brown explained. “Playing the Field makes dating more fun on your way to finding ‘the one’! There are 100 million sexy singles out there and Spring Fever is in the air! Everyone should try Playing the Field!”

Duo Indicted on Sex Trafficking Charges

Lawrence Edward Pruitt, a/k/a “Paulo,” 26, of Central Islip, N.Y., and Marvis Nichole Harris, a/k/a “Brianna,” 26, of Columbia, S.C., have been indicted by a federal grand jury for sex trafficking of a minor.

According to authorities, the charges and other information presented in court show that on Feb. 21, 2009, local law enforcement officers, working in conjunction with the FBI, arrested Pruitt and Harris at a hotel in the Atlanta area after agents arrived at the hotel to investigate possible illegal activity involving underage girls recruited to work as prostitutes.

At the hotel, the agents encountered the 17-year-old victim, whose photographs the agents had previously seen on an internet Web site advertising erotic services. The FBI believed that the victim, whose advertisement listed her age as 19, was a juvenile.

While at the hotel the victim agreed to cooperate with agents and explained that Pruitt and Harris brought her to the hotel to work as a prostitute. The victim further explained that after meeting Pruitt and Harris on Feb. 20, 2009, Harris took nude photographs of the victim at a hotel that Harris then uploaded onto the “Craigslist” internet Web site.

Within approximately 25 minutes, Harris began receiving telephone calls regarding the victim’s advertisement. Subsequently, Pruitt and Harris allegedly caused the victim to engage in commercial sex acts with approximately 13 men between Feb. 20, 2009, and Feb. 21, 2009. The defendants knew that the victim was 17 years old, but cautioned her to state that she was 19 years old. The defendants kept all of the money earned by the victim.

The indictment charges Pruitt and Harris with one count of conspiring to commit sex trafficking of a minor, and a second count charging Pruitt with the substantive offense of sex trafficking of a minor.

Count One of the indictment carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Count Two carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Aflac Unveils New Info Technology Center

Gov. Sonny Perdue joined Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos and Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington, this week to dedicate the company’s newest facility on the Paul S. Amos (PSA) campus at Corporate Ridge in Columbus. The 161,000 square foot building will host the Columbus-based insurance giant’s Information Technology (IT) Center.

The new building will accommodate 850 workers with 550 IT employees who will begin moving in on April 20. The IT unit is responsible for maintaining a reliable infrastructure and ensuring that technology systems are available to support internal and external electronic communications and the more than 870 servers and 6,000 desktops and laptops used by Aflac employees and sales personnel.

Construction of the new IT Center began in 2007. The $41 million building brings the total work space at the PSA campus to 504,000 square feet, capable of accommodating 3,300 employees. It includes a fitness center for employee health and wellness, as well as a full-service cafeteria called the Mega-Bytes Cafe.

The expansion includes preferential parking for carpoolers and preserves more than 2,000 feet of green space. More than 70 video monitors throughout the IT Center will help facilitate communication for employees and visitors. Local architectural firm Hecht Burdeshaw Architects Inc. was responsible for the design of the new building. As the general contractor, Batson-Cook was responsible for the IT Center’s construction.

Ribbon Cutting Friday for Mountain View Library

The Mountain View Regional Library has undergone renovations and improvements over the past several months and all that work will be celebrated.

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony 11 a.m., Friday, April 17, at the library located at 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta.

The 4,000 square foot expansion project added additional space in the children's wing for seating, more room for materials and a larger program room. Three new study rooms, teen space for materials and study and additional computer workstations were also added. The renovation included upgrading all restrooms, replacing the roof and new paint and carpet. The parking lot was expanded to include 62 new parking spaces and improved lighting.

For more information, visit cobbcounty.org/Library.

Gov. Perdue Notes NCI Cancer Center Designation

Gov. Sonny Perdue this week announced that Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute has earned the coveted National Cancer Institute Cancer Center designation.

Winship is the first medical facility in Georgia to earn this distinction. As an NCI designated center, Winship joins an elite group of 64 cancer centers nationwide that are on the forefront of the battle against cancer.

Winship’s NCI designation will reportedly benefit patients through increased access to new clinical trials and technologies that are available through NCI-designated cancer centers.

As an NCI-designated center, Winship will receive more than $4.2 million in funding over the next three years to grow scientific research. The NCI will then review Emory’s designation for a five-year renewal. According to the NCI, a designated cancer center’s research components are the core of a much larger assembly of cancer activities, including clinical care, support services and education, extending the benefits of research directly to patients, their families, and the general public.

The Winship Cancer Institute is part of Emory’s Woodruff Health Sciences Center, Emory Healthcare and Emory University. Researchers and clinical members of the cancer center are faculty at Emory or at partner institutions such as Georgia Institute of Technology. Faculty members collaborate with national and state agencies, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Cancer Society.

The Winship Cancer Institute was established in 1937 through a $50,000 gift to Emory from Coca Cola CEO Robert Woodruff, who named the center after his grandfather, Robert Winship. Woodruff’s vision was for a center that focused on research, education and patient care.

The Woodruff Foundation has continued to support Emory in achieving this vision, and in 2002 Emory dedicated the 275,000 square-foot Winship Cancer Institute building, constructed with funds from the Woodruff Foundation and designed to facilitate development of new and more effective cancer treatments.