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Community Corner

News Nearby: Retired School Employee Arrested; Murder Trial Begins Next Week

Check out these top stories from Patch sites around the Atlanta metro area and north Georgia.


Former School Employee Arrested
- Hall County Sheriff's Office

A retired Hall County Schools employee surrendered himself to authorities on Tuesday, March 5, in relation to a theft case.

In late February, school system officials notified Hall County Sheriff’s investigators that an internal audit had uncovered a series of discrepancies in maintenance and repair invoices. That audit pointed toward the likelihood of wrong doing by a 31-year employee who had retired from the school system on February 1.

Find out what's happening in Cummingwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that from February to December of 2012, an electrician for the school system, Ricky Donald Loggins, 48, of Maysville, allegedly manipulated repair and maintenance contract paperwork, enabling him to obtain excess electrical equipment and supplies.

Loggins then privately sold those materials and is suspected of pocketing more than $55,000. As a result, investigators obtained a warrant for his arrest. Loggins was booked into the Hall County Jail and charged with theft by conversion. He is currently free on $5,000 bond. The case remains under investigation.

Find out what's happening in Cummingwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Trial of First of 3 Men Accused in 2009 Murder of Epsie Ewing To Begin Next Week
 - Loganville-Grayson Patch

Alcovy Circuit Court District Attorney Layla Zon confirmed that jury selection will begin on March 13 in the death penalty trial of Cory Butler, one of the three Monroe men accused in the 2009 murder of 65-year-old Epsie Ewing of Loganville.

Butler is the first of the three scheduled to go on trial on March 13, 2013. Butler, John Jody Blackwell, Jr. and Barry Partee are facing the death penalty following the May 21, 2009 attack that resulted in the death of Ewing the following month. Visit Loganville-Grayson Patch for more on this story.


Police Say Gun Used in Grady High Shooting was Stolen 
- Midtown Patch

Atlanta Police investigators say that the gun a 17-year-old student had in her possession when she shot herself in the leg outside Grady High School was stolen, several news outlets are reporting.

Morgan Tukes is already charged with felony possession of a pistol by a minor, carrying a weapon within a school safety zone, reckless conduct, disruption of a public school in the Feb. 27 incident. Visit Midtown Patch for more on this story.


Identity of Monroe Shooting Victim Released
- Monroe Patch

The Walton County Sheriff's Office confirmed that 40-year old Reggie Hickman was taken to Clearview Regional Hospital in Monroe after being shot multiple times on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.

According to a press release from WCSO, three people are in custody in connection with the incident and more arrests are expected. The names of all involved will be released at that time. Visit Monroe Patch for more on this story.


Suspects Sought in Reddy Supermarket Car Theft and Robbery
- East Atlanta Patch

The Atlanta Police Department is looking for the public's assistance in identifying the lead suspect in a Monday evening robbery at Reddy Supermarket, located at 2199 College Ave. NE.

According to the APD's Facebook page, the individual in the attached photo is wanted for armed robbery and is responsible for the robbery at the convenience store. Visit East Atlanta Patch for more on this story.

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