Experts: Mableton Should Separate Itself from Austell

Mableton should do what it can to separate itself from Austell if it wants to advance, according to an analysis by business and technical leaders in the Atlanta area.

One of the major challenges facing Mableton is its “poor reputation,” which the Urban Land Institute of Atlanta’s Technical Assistance Program committee members say is related to the Six Flags area.

“Mableton got saddled with the poor reputation of the Six Flags area when there was no one rebutting the misperception,” according to the TAP analysis report. It also says Mableton is fighting a reputation for being “redneck” despite the development of two John Weiland subdivisions. Read more...

Missing UGA Student Found Dead

Gwinnett County police confirmed the body discovered in a single-vehicle accident on Highway 316 was that of missing UGA student Quinton Ayers, 22.

The vehicle Ayers was found in was a match to the black GMC pickup he was last seen driving, a police spokesman said.

"The vehicle was found about 40 feet from the roadway. It was resting on its side and appeared to have hit a tree at significant speed," the spokesman said. "The vehicle was called in by a passing tractor trailer driver, who could just make out the truck's undercarriage from his elevated position." Read more...

Nude Atlanta Mural Gets Temporary Reprieve

The Chosewood Park mural that sparked a row in the neighborhood over its nude imagery is not getting repainted after all.

At least, not yet.

11Alive News reported the mural, painted by Argentinean artist Hyuro, will stay, pending the outcome of a Sept. 10 meeting of neighborhood residents.

The mural, which was painted as part of the Living Walls Conference, was to be repainted this weekend after the owner of the former General Motors Lakewood Plant decided the attention and controversy was too much. Read more...

APS to Investigate Possible Fraudulent Enrollment

After auditing enrollment records throughout the district, Atlanta Public Schools officials have determined that Grady High School’s enrollment is higher than anticipated.

And while that may not be of much surprise to parents and stakeholders who continually predicted such throughout the most recent APS redistricting process, APS nonetheless wants to “ensure that students currently attending Grady are there appropriately.”

In a letter dated Aug. 31 and addressed to Grady parents and guardians, an APS regional executive director, David White, explained how the district would soon begin “examining all aspects of registration documents, including affidavits.” Read more...

Marietta Man Charged in Wife’s Death

A Cobb County man has been charged in the shooting death of his wife near Marietta.

Cobb police responded to a report of gunshots fired at a home in the 2000 block of Olive Springs Road Sunday evening. When officers arrived, they found Lydia King, 53, dead in the yard from apparent gunshot wounds, CBS Atlanta reports.

Joe King, 55, of Marietta, was arrested and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault, according to CBS Atlanta. Read more...

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