News Nearby: Drowning; Porn Charges for Former Teacher

Former Teacher Indicted on Child Porn Charges

A former teacher at New Georgia Elementary in Villa Rica was indicted last week for receipt and possession of child pornography.

Joseph Monroe Wilson, 43, formerly of Dallas but now residing in Spartanburg, SC, was indicted on the charges last Tuesday and arrested Thursday.

“This defendant did not simply seek out inappropriate images of children, but as a teacher put himself in a position of trust and authority with respect to children of that same age and went so far as to attempt to adopt a young child,” U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a news release. “We will do everything in our power to prevent predators from having contact with potential victims in our community.”

Man Drowns in Lake Acworth

Thomas King, 55, of Marietta, drowned Sunday afternoon while on a paddle board in Lake Acworth. 

Officers arrived at South Shore Park on Ragsdale Road about 1:40 p.m. after witnesses reported seeing a man on a paddle board going under the water.

Cobb authorities responded to the scene as well and were able to locate and recover the body within about 30 minutes after the initial report.

Baby Found in Home with Roaches, Dog Feces

Cobb police arrested two Austell parents last week after roaches and dog feces were found in their house, where their 4-month-old also lived.

According to an arrest warrant obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, molded food was left out in the kitchen, and police said roaches were crawling on the infant seat, which was below exposed electrical cords.

4 Injured in Crash Following Police Chase

Four people were injured after a police chase ended in a serious wreck at the intersection of Thornton and Maxham roads in Austell.

Those injured are expected to survive, Douglas County Sheriff Phil Miller said.

Miller said his deputies only assisted with traffic control and that Austell police were chasing the Chevrolet Aveo when the car broadsided a Chevrolet Avalanche. The Avalanche ended up on its roof.

The man being chased had two small children in the car, Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins told Patch. Read more...

Ethics Board Member Resigns

One member of Kennesaw's Board of Ethics said she has resigned effective immediately after being "blindsided" at a .

Eileen Alberstadt said she sent a letter to members of the City Council. City Manager Steve Kennedy confirmed that Alberstadt had sent an email regarding her resignation to the city clerk.

Mathews said it was unfortunate that Alberstadt resigned. Read more... 

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