News Nearby: Brookhaven Becomes City

On Eve of Funeral, Ball Ground Learns 3 Were Murder-Suicide Victims

As relatives received visitors Friday, authorities identified the three bodies pulled from the rubble of a Ball Ground home leveled by a fire last month, and announced all were victims of a murder-suicide.

"Facts and circumstances of the deaths lead investigators to conclude that Ricky Norrell shot his wife Darlene and daughter Lindsey before taking his own life," Lt. Jay Baker, the spokesman for the , said in a press release.

The medical examiner at the GBI crime lab found that 46-year-old Darlene and 19-year-old Lindsey Norrell were shot in the head, the victims of homicide. The death of 49-year-old Ricky Norrell was listed as a suicide.

Brookhaven Voters Approve Cityhood

Brookhaven voters approved cityhood during last week's primary elections by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent.

"After the vote has been verified by the county, we'll catch our breath and get to work building a city," said J. Max Davis, chairman of BrookhavenYES. "Even those who were opposed to cityhood are welcome to join us."

Voters in 12 precincts, comprising about 30,000 registered voters, had the opportunity to decide the issue on Tuesday, July 31.

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q Damaged During Storm

 on DeKalb Avenue in Atlanta suffered extensive damage last week as a series of storms moved through metro Atlanta.

An oak tree fell on the dining room and outdoor patio of the landmark restaurant. No one was injured.

SweetWater Hosting Party for 'Spin for Kids'

Crank It Up, a party on Tuesday at the  in Atlanta, is meant to generate excitement about the seventh annual Spin for Kids bicycling fundraiser for Camp Twin Lakes.

Crank It Up will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. and will feature SweetWater beer, live music from local band Webster and Williamson Brothers’ barbecue.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door.

Another MTV Show Filming in Area

Large trailers, lighting trucks and other vehicles used for TV production are parked on Redding Drive near Ashford Park in Brookhaven, filming a pilot for MTV called Cassandra French.

It's based on a book of the same name by Eric Garcia. The subject matter tends toward the black comedy side of things. The titular character has three young men locked in her basement where she teaches them how to become perfect boyfriend material after she's endured years of frustration in the Los Angeles dating pool.

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