News

By Marti Alexander
malexander@casscountynow.com

In November, Queen City voters will have the option to legalize alcohol sales in the city.
During the May meeting, the city council approved and accepted a petition from citizens interested in legalizing the sale of all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption only.
At that time, QC Mayor Harold Martin said, “There’s really nothing else the council does except regulate when and where it can be sold if it does pass on the ballot.”
 

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By Angela Guillory
aguillory@casscountynow.com

Linden City Council reviewed information on several structures which have been deemed as safety hazards within the city.
Officer Gary Amburm with the Linden Police Department recommended to council that 12 buildings be torn down per the city ordinance. Amburm said the majority of the structures are on abandoned property that hasn’t been maintained in years and they have lost contact with the owners of the property.
He said these structures are dilapidated and beyond repair and pose a safety hazard.
 

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By Robin Aaron
raaron@casscountynow.com

A new event held Friday night has the community revved up about classic cars and getting people downtown. The Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce hosted Cruise Night Friday, June 13.
The event was a kick off to summer featuring the nostalgia of cruising the town in beautiful cars and spending time out and about with friends, for the evening, one of the city’s chamber and economic development goals was realized - Parking spaces were hard to come by.
There were 82 registered classic and custom cars entered in the event. Every era from the late 30’s to supped up newer models were represented and the chrome was plentiful.
Organizers and attendees have labeled the Cruise Night event a success and plans are in the works to build on the event for the future.  
 

By Angela Guillory
aguillory@casscountynow.com

By Jim Bryan
Special to the Journal

An extremely sophisticated and organized team of burglars stole several thousand dollars from Johns’ Iron and Metal sometime Thursday night.
Salvage yards across the region have been targeted by thieves recently and in fact, this is the second time in less than 20 days that the metal recycling facility has been burgled.
According to Reggie Johns, co-owner, the criminals gained access to the offices through a crawlspace.

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A Douglassville man accused of murdering his sister was sentenced to 40 years in prison during a May court hearing.
Jima Anthony Stone, 59, was arrested in July 2013 for the death of his sister, 60-year-old Deborah Steed, after an altercation. Her body was found in a barn on County Road 2113.
In previous reports, sources said the victim reported her brother for harassment prior to the incident and was in the process of having him barred from her property.
Earlier that day, July 5, 2013, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about an assault in progress at that location on CR 2116. Before deputies arrived on scene, Stone reportedly assaulted his sister and another female friend, according to CCSO reports. The friend left the house and went to a neighbor’s to call for help.
 

By Jennifer Lance
Special to the Journal

J.K. Hileman Elementary second graders on May 15 introduced their audience to Camp Runamok, the wackiest summer camp experience anyone could ever wish for.

The program, under the direction of music teacher Sandy Price and her sound assistant Tammye Fant, consisted of seven songs and a cast of characters who portrayed their love and fear of the summer camp experience.

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By Angela Guillory
aguillory@casscountynow.com

By Marti Alexander
malexander@casscountynow.com

Family and friends gathered Monday morning in a courtroom at the Bi-State Justice Center where they planned to receive the long-awaited justice for the murder of Sherri Jones.
Instead, the suspect, Tucker Strickland, decided at last minute not to accept the plea agreement he was offered.
Strickland was facing a capital murder charge for the April 2011 shooting death of Jones, a Bowie County deputy who was taking him back to the transport van following a hearing. According to previous reports, Strickland overpowered Jones, took her gun and shot her before driving away in the transport van.
 

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From Staff Reports

A Douglassville man accused of murdering his sister was sentenced to 40 years in prison during a May court hearing.
Jima Anthony Stone, 59, was arrested in July 2013 for the death of his sister, 60-year-old Deborah Steed, after an altercation. Her body was found in a barn on County Road 2113.
In previous reports, sources said the victim reported her brother for harassment prior to the incident and was in the process of having him barred from her property.
Earlier that day, July 5, 2013, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about an assault in progress at that location on CR 2116. Before deputies arrived on scene, Stone reportedly assaulted his sister and another female friend, according to CCSO reports. The friend left the house and went to a neighbor’s to call for help.