Tag: Georgia

Brookhaven preschool director and teacher arrested on child cruelty charges involving toddlers, police say

Posted on by Leave a comment
police automobile parked on street sidewalk

The director of a Brookhaven preschool and its lead teacher have been arrested following multiple allegations of cruelty to children in their care.  Detectives with the Brookhaven Police Department began investigating reports of abuse of children at the Oglethorpe Presbyterian Pre-School and Kindergarten in early May. And on Thursday, 63-year-old Beverly J. Moon and 27-year-old Charles K. Wheeler were taken into custody at the DeKalb County Jail. The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning also conducted separate investigations, and their findings confirmed information gathered by Brookhaven detectives. 

Police said several witnesses came forward and told authorities that Wheeler, the lead teacher, used “excessive measures” to restrain kids inside the classroom, causing distress. However, no specific injuries were reported.  Based on the witness statements and accounts provided by the parents of the victims, detectives established probable cause to initially charge Wheeler with five counts of cruelty to children in the first degree. After investigators took Wheeler into custody, an additional victim came forward, and detectives charged him with one more count of cruelty to children in the first degree, bringing the total to six counts. 

Source: Brookhaven preschool director and teacher arrested on child cruelty charges involving toddlers, police say – CBS Atlanta

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
Psalm 86:5

Abortion Survivor; Michele’s Story

“My story began in the pre-Roe v. Wade era of 1962. As the youngest of seven children in a large, financially struggling family, my conception came at a particularly challenging time for…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Burn ban lifted statewide as two large South Georgia wildfires reach 90% containment

Posted on by Leave a comment
a woman standing on the grass field

Georgia’s statewide burn ban is over, but the fight against two massive wildfires in South Georgia is not. Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order Tuesday lifting the temporary burn ban that had been in place across Georgia counties as part of the state’s wildfire emergency declaration, citing improving weather conditions and decreased fire risk statewide. The burn ban was put in place on April 22, when Kemp declared a state of emergency across 91 counties in South Georgia at high risk for wildfires. The emergency declaration was later scaled back on May 5 to 17 counties in the southern part of the state. Tuesday’s order lifts the burn ban in all remaining counties, though the state of emergency itself remains in effect. Kemp’s order noted that weather conditions have continued to improve and that the emergency response has shifted toward recovery and rebuilding.

Source: Burn ban lifted statewide as two large South Georgia wildfires reach 90% containment – CBS Atlanta

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Luke 9:23

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Georgia Aquarium gives wounded veterans chance to swim with whale sharks and manta rays

Posted on by Leave a comment
a man swimming next to a whale

Swimming with manta rays, giant groupers, and even a whale shark brought joy and excitement to a group of injured U.S. military veterans who got to experience the healing power of water and wildlife at the Georgia Aquarium. The swim Wednesday at the aquarium in Atlanta also gave the U.S. service people who are part of the Wounded Warrior Project a much needed respite from their recovery and the stresses of life. The organization works with injured and wounded veterans and their families, “It gives them, you know, 30 or 40 minutes to just relax,” said Jason Bush, manager of the aquarium’s Military Salute program, which once a week brings members of the armed forces to swim or dive with marine animals.

“Whether it’s swimming in the water or scuba diving in particular, you’re weightless,” he added. “So physically, it takes away even for a moment physical pain that you feel when you’re on land.” The military veterans snorkeled or swam with the giant whale shark, Yushan, stingrays, and a variety of other marine animals. After being rescued from a Taiwanese fish market several years ago, Yushan is the only whale shark in captivity in the Western Hemisphere, according to aquarium officials.

Source: Georgia Aquarium gives wounded veterans chance to swim with whale sharks and manta rays – CBS Atlanta

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:5

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Forsyth County launches wildfire relief drive for South Georgia families, first responders

Posted on by Leave a comment
donation boxes on the table

A metro Atlanta county is stepping up to support families and first responders impacted by the South Georgia wildfires. The Forsyth County Fire Department launched a disaster relief drive Tuesday, collecting essential supplies through May 10 at all county fire stations and the Public Safety Complex on Settingdown Road. Officials say donations are already coming in quickly. “We’ve been watching what’s happening in southeast Georgia with a heavy heart,” said Division Chief Jason Shivers. “Let’s fill this local food bank warehouse so we can get a tractor-trailer shipped to South Georgia very soon.”

Shivers emphasized the urgent need, noting many families have lost everything. “They’re not just displaced in most cases—they’ve lost their homes and all of their possessions,” he said.

Accepted items include:

Shelf-stable, non-perishable food

Toiletries Household items

Baby and pet supplies

Socks, underwear, blankets

Smoke relief items like N95/KN95 masks and saline spray

The Cumming Police Department is also collecting donations, with plans to transport a truckload of supplies to South Georgia on Thursday. In a statement, the department said it is “heartbroken” by the devastation and called on the community to help support both families and first responders working around the clock. Meanwhile, World Central Kitchen is providing meals from an emergency operations center at the Brantley County Airport. Officials say they are serving about 600 meals each morning to support crews working long shifts.

Source: Forsyth County launches wildfire relief drive for South Georgia families, first responders – CBS Atlanta

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

State of Emergency declared as South Georgia wildfires force evacuations, send smoke into metro Atlanta

Posted on by Leave a comment
aerial firefighting helicopter over turkish forest fire

Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday as fast-moving wildfires in South Georgia prompted evacuations, road closures, and burn bans across the state.  As part of the order, Kemp has directed the Georgia Forestry Commission and other agencies to mobilize resources to help with the response and prohibits any form of price gouging. The order comes as residents across metro Atlanta reported heavy smoke and a strong smell of burning. The smoke drifting north is tied to multiple active fires, including large blazes in Brantley and surrounding counties, according to the commission.

Officials said dry conditions and wind are pushing smoke across the region, at times reducing visibility and affecting air quality.  “With much of Georgia remaining in extreme drought conditions, wildfires have already surpassed the state’s 5-year average and continue to spread,” Kemp said. “My team and I are working closely with Georgia State Forester Johnny Sabo and his team, along with federal, state, and local officials, to ensure we are doing everything possible to combat the fires and provide assistance to affected communities. We are praying for the families who have lost their homes in these devastating conditions, as well as for the first responders working around the clock.” The State of Emergency will be in place for 30 days. Burn ban issued for 91 Georgia counties

Source: State of Emergency declared as South Georgia wildfires force evacuations, send smoke into metro Atlanta – CBS Atlanta

Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
1 Peter 1:18-19

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.