First Amendment controversies took a back seat to the

	PLEASE NOTE: Beginning October 1, 2000, we will no longer keep older news headlines on file. However, some will be available at ongoing pages dealing with special sections or subjects HEADLINES BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 24 Cobb Schools lift girl's suspension, says Tweety can come back, too Eleven-year-old Ashley Smith and her Tweety Bird wallet can return to school Monday in Cobb County. After two days of national media attention, the school district Friday afternoon abruptly reversed its decision to suspend her for 10 days for bringing the wallet and attached 9-inch chain to school. Link to the story Prayer, flag controversies fail to upstage games With two kickoffs at separate stadiums 50 miles apart Friday night, First Amendment controversies took a back seat to the South's oldest religion --- football. At McEachern High School in Cobb County, several thousand people recited the Lord's Prayer in protest of the Supreme Court's ruling that prayers cannot be broadcast over school sound systems. Link to the story Another Firestone tire brand being probed The government opened an investigation Friday into another brand of Firestone tires after receiving reports they were involved in accidents in which two people died and 12 were injured. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has received 167 complaints about the Steeltex R4S and A/T light truck tires since Aug. 1. The tires are original equipment on Ford F250 and F350 pickups, the Ford Excursion, General Motors' Suburban and G Van, a commercial vehicle. Link to the story CNN: Cobb's growth causing a 'lost of community' Heavy traffic and unhealthy air are not the only unintended consequences of Atlanta's 20-year economic and population explosion. There's also uninspired design. The proliferation of strip malls created for car traffic in Atlanta is leading to a loss of community, warns real estate consultant Christopher Leinberger in a televsion program on CNN called 'Democracy In America.' Link to the story Cobb making an effort on historic preservation Cobb County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state of Georgia. Because of growth, the county faced the challenge of preserving its rich past, while accommodating the demand for new development. Cobb answered the problem by creating an active preservation partnership, called the Cobb County Historic Preservation Commission Link to the story Another teenage victim of road carnage is buried They filed into St. Ann's Church in East Cobb County shortly before 3:30 in the afternoon Tuesday, filling every space in the wooden pews. Teens had traded their relaxed colorful clothing for crisp white shirts and dark dresses. Parents and teachers came to comfort their children. And the family of John Stephen Bickelhaup arrived to say goodbye to their son, who, along with Jarrod Norman, had died in a street race just three days earlier. Link to the story Mustang driver found, denies drag racing The driver of a yellow Ford Mustang met with police Tuesday but said he was a witness --- not a competing hot-rodder --- in the weekend crash that killed two Cobb County teenagers. Cobb police aren't necessarily buying that claim and today plan to start going over witness statements to see if they support the driver's story, said Officer C.H. Williams, the lead investigator on the case. Link to the story NEW! MARIETTA LIVE TRAFFIC CAMS Gore trying to link Bush to 'broadly unpopular' Gingrich Vice President Al Gore is resurrecting an old Democratic punching bag, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, to cast doubt on George W. Bush’s plans for Medicare reform. Trying to link the GOP presidential candidate to one of the least popular proposals of a broadly unpopular national figure, the Gore campaign is highlighting 5-year-old comments the Texas governor made in support of a Gingrich Medicare proposal. Link to the story After Barr's ad appears, Kahn challenges him to debate at his farm Roger Kahn has challenged Bob Barr to debate agriculture issues at his farm in White, GA. Kahn said the voters would be better served by a debate "focusing on the issues, rather than the smear tactics used by Barr's campaign." The Barr campaign released its first television commercial on Monday, seemingly questioning Kahn's farming abilities at his compound in that Bartow County community. Link to the story Cobb making an effort on historic preservation Cobb County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state of Georgia. Because of growth, the county faced the challenge of preserving its rich past, while accommodating the demand for new development. Cobb answered the problem by creating an active preservation partnership, called the Cobb County Historic Preservation Commission Link to the story Williams: Very low density growth in Lake Allatoona area West Cobb commissioner candidate Judy Williams wants to make something clear. She wants low-density developments in certain areas of the county, such as around the Allatoona area. "Density levels should not exceed 0-1 units per acre around this area in order to reduce the amount of water run-off into nearby steams," Williams says, "thus reducing the amount of stilt going into Allatoona Lake. This is our drinking water and we need to start acting now on ways to protect this resource." Learn more by clicking here Check out 11,500 metro Atlanta jobs Teen lost control of car on Chastain Road Jerrod Michael Norman recently had installed a new intake valve on his Camaro. The Marietta teenager liked to drive fast, friends say, and the valve gave his black Chevy more power. Perhaps too much for the 16-year-old to handle. Cobb police say Jerrod lost control of the car Saturday night while drag racing a Ford Mustang on Chastain Road in Kennesaw. Link to the story If Barr wins, redistricting could make it his last term If Bob Barr wins the Nov. 7 election, it may be his last term as 7th District representative, says political columnist Bill Shipp. "The legislature, led by Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, convenes in the summer of 2001 to reapportion legislative and congressional districts," Shipp noted in a recent column. "Barr is likely to be given a district in which he has little possibility of gaining reelection." What about Roger Kahn, Barr's opponent? "If Kahn wins, he probably will be rewarded with a district he can call home for at least the next decade," Shipp wrote. 1848 House: Charlie Croker flavors, Rhett Butler charm A white-columned manse, thickly framed by sweet-smelling shrubs and magnificently overgrown magnolia trees, giving way to massive, high-ceilinged rooms filled with distinctive antique furnishings. It's what everyone's looking for when they come south to visit. That's the 1848 House. Link to the story HEADLINES BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 17 Storm Helene falls apart over Georgia The remains of Tropical Storm Helene swept across Georgia and fell apart Friday after dumping rain on the Florida Panhandle and spinning off several tornadoes. Little damage was reported. Several inches of rain fell in Atlanta and flash flood watches were out for much of Georgia Link to the story Ford now says to increase tire pressure In what Ford Motor Co. is calling an effort to eliminate confusion for its customers, the automaker is now advising Ford Explorer owners to add more air to their Firestone tires. The recommendation comes a day after a Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. executive told Congress the tire pressure level Ford suggests for the sport utility vehicle is too low and makes the popular vehicle less safe. Link to the story Only 41% say Barr 'deserves to be re-elected' The race between Congressman Bob Barr and his opponent, Roger Kahn, is becoming more interesting every day. A recent poll conducted by Anzalone Research shows Mr. Barr has fallen below the 50% threshold in the 7th District, with 47% support. Mr. Kahn has 41%. What makes this all interesting is that 12% of registered voters are undecided. Traditionally, undecided voters this late in a campaign when it involves an incumbent usually means they will end up voting for the challenger. Most alarming for Mr. Barr is that only 41% say he "deserves to be re-elected," while 46% say it's "time for someone new" as Congressman. The poll was conducted September 18-20. Margin of error is 4.3%. 2000 voters were polled. Great Locomotive Chase wasn't just a movie, of course The true story behind the old Disney movie, "The Great Locomotive Chase," is what the Kennesaw Museum is all about. The museum's star attraction is The General, a steam locomotive nabbed by Yankee raiders in 1862 just 100 yards from where it stands today. The daring band of 22 planned to drive The General north to Chattanooga and destroy Confederate supply lines along the way. Link to the story Walton player's parents set to appeal to school board The parents of a Walton High School football player who was kicked off the team after being charged in a mailbox vandalism spree will appeal to the school board to get their son back on the team. The plan follows Wednesday's decision by the Cobb County school superintendent's office to uphold the suspension of William Donald "Donnie" Newsome Jr. Link to the story Despite protests, Commish ok's development on Sweat Mountain The Cobb County Commission has granted approval for a 20-house subdivision on 12.6 acres by Sweat Mountain near the Cherokee County line. The county staff originally recommended denial of the project because it was built on steep grades and threatened to create flooding problems for a nearby subdivision as well as the cutting of an old-growth forest. But despite neighborhood protests and environmental concerns, developer David Pearson won commission approval for the project on Jamerson Road near Hawk Trail by putting in an extensive drainage system to alleviate the risk of flooding, promising to protect the oaks, giving up lots in another drainage area and agreeing to limit grading. Link to the story Potential tax freeze called unfair to some homeowners Wallace Pickel says a ballot question that aims to freeze property taxes is unfair to about a quarter of Cobb County homeowners. On Nov. 7, Cobb County voters will go to the polls to decide whether to increase homestead exemptions to keep pace with property reassessments. If the question passes, homeowners who stay in their homes year after year won't see their property taxes increase. That would start next year. Link to the story Black churches in area celebrate growth Ralph Martin thinks his new 38,000-square-foot church is large enough for the next 10 years. His pastor isn't so sure. This Sunday, the pastor will lead his congregation on a march along Whitlock Avenue from a church that seats 350 to a new one a half-mile away that can hold more than 1,000. Link to the story Barr names controversial figure as a campaign co-chair Congressman Bob Barr has named the controversial Tom Watson Brown as a co-chairman of one his campaign committees. Brown recently drew headlines when he reportedly claimed supporters of Leo Frank had bribed Governor Slaton during that dark period in Georgia history. A rabbi in Cobb is currently seeking censure against Brown, saying the statement was 'bigoted.' Brown's great grandfather, Tom Watson -- who has been described as a virulent racist, allegedly whipped-up anti-Semitism during the Frank case. Click for background story Black Lockheed workers in DC to press case Dozens of Lockheed Martin employees, including some from Marietta, are in Washingtion, D.C. trying to get support in their fight against what they call racial injustice. The workers say the way the company treats its minority employees is illegal. Link to the story Growth is the issue in West Cobb Commission race It wasn't long ago that District One was known for its picturesque rural areas. But over the past five years there has been an explosion of development in the area. How future growth will be handled depends on the strength and experience of whoever represents the district. Two candidates stand out. Bill Askea and Judy Williams have both made the issue the centerpiece of their campaigns. West Cobb Commissioner's race Growth is the issue in West Cobb Commission race It wasn't long ago that District One was known for its picturesque rural areas. But over the past five years there has been an explosion of development in the area. How future growth will be handled depends on the strength and experience of whoever represents the district. Two candidates stand out. Bill Askea and Judy Williams have both made the issue the centerpiece of their campaigns. West Cobb Commissioner's race Lassiter's Bonner among last week's 'gridiron greats' We got the lowdown on last week's gridiron greats in high school sports. They include Josh Bonner of Lassiter High School. Bonner was a workhorse for the Trojans carrying the ball 37 times for 165 yards and three touchdowns pacing Lassiter to a 23-0 win over Walton High. Link to the story Cobb safety group to discuss teen driving issues Cobb County's Neighborhood Safety Commission will discuss driver's education and teen licensing with State Sen. Phil Gingrey and other community leaders during its September meeting. The meeting will be 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 in the third floor conference room of the Cobb County building, 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. The Neighborhood Safety Commission is a citizen's board appointed by the Cobb County Commission to make recommendations for community safety improvement through education, coordination and program development. HEADLINES BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 10 Lott's Blackmail: Elect Mattingly Or Lose C-130 Powerful U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott put it on the line for Georgia voters Friday: Elect Republican Mack Mattingly to the Senate or run the risk of losing valuable C-130 military contracts. "You don't want all those C-130s built in Meridian, Miss. But if Mack is not up there, I will do everything I can to move the whole operation to Mississippi. Link to the story Barr voted against ban on porno flicks of woman who kill animals with high heels Who would believe that a family-values Republican -- a former U.S. attorney, no less -- from a conservative north Georgia district would vote to allow perverts to sell pornographic videos that depict women in high heels stomping kittens, chicks and hamsters to bloody death as Rep. Bob Barr did? Link to the story Police rule out connection between Ramsey and other murder case Boulder police have ruled out a connection between a 1997 sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl and the 1996 slaying of JonBenet Ramsey. Police began investigating a possible link in May after a newspaper article suggested police may have overlooked a connection. Link to the story Kahn ad blasts Barr on nursing home vote Democratic congressional candidate Roger Kahn has been running a new campaign commercial criticizing Barr's 1999 vote to allow nursing homes to continue evicting patients on Medicaid in order to fill their beds with wealthier patients. The ad, which began running on September 8, was opposed by just twelve voting Members of Congress. Link to the story South's brilliant fall colors will mask drought damage The mountains of north Georgia will be painted with yellows, oranges and reds as usual this fall - perhaps in even more brilliant shades because of the drought. But the colors are masking what one scientist calls "the worst year in a generation for tree health." The colors may be beautiful, but mature trees are dying all over the South from a lack of sustained rainfall. Link to the story HEADLINES BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 4 Rabbi seeks NFL censure for remarks by Watson Brown about Frank lynching A rabbi who has asked the National Football League to censure Tom Watson Brown, a part-owner of the Atlanta Falcons, for remarks about the notorious 1915 lynching of Leo Frank said Friday that if he gets no response he will complain to the team's corporate sponsors. Watson Brown is the great-grandson of one of the most vile and disgusting politicians Georgia has ever elected to office. Link to the story Who was Tom Watson? Tom Watson Brown's great-grandfather, Tom Watson, was a virulent racist, a far cry from his beginnings in the 1890's when he was a Populist leader who had openly called for black political equality and racial unity along class lines. Money changed his outlook into hate. As his own wealth grew, he denounced socialism, which had drawn many converts from the ashes of Populism. He was a vigorous anti-Catholic crusader who called for the reorganization of the Ku Klux Klan. He played an inflammatory role in the 1913 case of Leo Frank through his publications, Watson's Magazine and The Jeffersonian. Remarkably and shamefully, the people of Georgia elected Watson to the U.S. Senate in 1920. Read more about Watson Heartbreak at Marietta HS Northcutt Stadium No. 1 SW DeKalb showed, unfortunately, why it's the top-ranked team in metro Atlanta as it held the high-powered Marietta High offense to just 77 total yards in the Panthers' 16-14 win. The Panthers limited Marietta's star running back, Derrick Tinsley, to 37 yards on 10 carries. High School Sports Governor in Marietta defends education reforms Using a third-grade class in his native Cobb County as a backdrop, Gov. Roy Barnes on Friday defended his push for smaller class sizes and insisted that opposition to his education reforms appears to be subsiding. "There's been a lot of misinformation by those who fight any change - not as much now that the doors of school are open and they found that the sky did not fall over the summer ...," Barnes told a standing-room-only crowd at Marietta's Westside Elementary School. Link to the story Cobb wants residents to give CCT buses a try Passenger shelters for the new CCT transfer center on the South Loop are nearly complete, while planning continues on improving the system's main operations, maintenance, and administration on and near the site. It's all part of the county's plan to expand public transit in Cobb. Link to the story Shelters for CCT riders being built on South Loop Passenger shelters for the new CCT transfer center on the South Loop are nearly complete, while planning continues on improving the system's main operations, maintenance, and administration on and near the site. It's all part of the county's plan to expand public transit in Cobb. Learn more Finally! Barnes calls for crackdown on bad drivers Lamenting the latest string of teen highway deaths, Gov. Roy Barnes said Tuesday he's ready for the state to take a tougher stance against all traffic offenders. "People of all ages are not obeying the traffic laws and are being aggressive drivers," Barnes said Tuesday. His remarks were sparked by the traffic deaths last week of four metro Atlanta youths, ages 15 to 17. Link to the story Robinson Rd widening work continues until next summer Robinson Road, from Roswell Road to Roswell Road, is undergoing 3.091 miles of reconstruction, widening and overlay of the once-two lane roadway, including the replacement of an existing bridge at Campground Creek with a new box culvert. This $3.8 million project is 7 percent complete and should be completed in summer 2001. Check on other road projects Towery issues on-air apology for remark Former Cobb Republican politician Matt Lowery issued an on-air apology Friday evening on WXIA for a slur he allegedly made the night before. Towery, who is a political commentator for Channel 11, called the GOP convention in Philadelphia the "Taco Bell Convention" on Thursday night's broadcast. The following day the increasingly-agitated metro Hispanic community demanded and received an apology. Towery said his remark was not meant as a slur.

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