By Kent A. Miles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Alpharetta Police arrested two home-invasion suspects following a high-speed chase Sunday that ended in Atlanta.
Suspects identified by police as Demarcus Graham, 20, and Demarkus Jamal Grier, 18, were in a stolen Cadillac Escalade that crashed on Old Bankhead Highway and burst into flames.
Graham and Grier were arrested at the scene and charged in connection with the home invasion robbery. They are being held without bond.
A third suspect in the robbery remains at large, police said.
Police received an emergency call just before 7 a.m. Sunday that three masked men entered a Club Court home and robbed a family at gunpoint.
The gunmen stole televisions, jewelry and cash before two of the suspects fled in the homeowner’s Cadillac Escalade, according to police. The third suspect left in another vehicle.
A Milton Police officer saw the Escalade on Ga. 400 near Windward Parkway and alerted authorities. Alpharetta and Milton police chased the Escalade for 25 miles southbound on Ga. 400 at speeds exceeding 100 mph, police said.
The pursuit continued until the driver of the Escalade lost control and crashed in Atlanta.
Investigators believe the suspects stole from another, unoccupied house on Club Court prior to the home invasion.
Fulton County Sheriff’s Office records show that Grier was released on bond from the Fulton jail May 9. He had been charged May 7 with receiving stolen property, discharging a firearm and reckless conduct.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Gas Line Break Closes Alpharetta Road
www.cbsatlanta.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- A large gas line break forced the closure of a busy Alpharetta highway Tuesday afternoon.
Old Milton Parkway had to be shut down completely from Haines Bridge back to Westside parkway for a couple of hours.
Old Milton parkway has reopened.
CBS Atlanta Sky Eye flew over the scene where a construction crew hit a gas main.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- A large gas line break forced the closure of a busy Alpharetta highway Tuesday afternoon.
Old Milton Parkway had to be shut down completely from Haines Bridge back to Westside parkway for a couple of hours.
Old Milton parkway has reopened.
CBS Atlanta Sky Eye flew over the scene where a construction crew hit a gas main.
BlackBerry developer to add 200 jobs in Alpharetta
By Alexis Stevens
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The company that developed the BlackBerry is planning to expand its Atlanta operation, a move that could bring 200 jobs to Alpharetta, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Research in Motion has apparently identified a 40-acre site near North Point Mall. Plans include high-tech jobs that will earn annual salaries of around $70,000, according to the Chronicle’s report. The Chronicle did not name its source.
RIM, based in Waterloo, Canada, has offices in North America, Europe and Asia, according to the company’s Web site.
The company did not reply to a request for information.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The company that developed the BlackBerry is planning to expand its Atlanta operation, a move that could bring 200 jobs to Alpharetta, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Research in Motion has apparently identified a 40-acre site near North Point Mall. Plans include high-tech jobs that will earn annual salaries of around $70,000, according to the Chronicle’s report. The Chronicle did not name its source.
RIM, based in Waterloo, Canada, has offices in North America, Europe and Asia, according to the company’s Web site.
The company did not reply to a request for information.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Northside Singers perform at Alpharetta Presbyterian May 31
Courtesy Appen Newspapers
May 20, 2009 The Northside Festival Singers, under the direction of Don Brainerd, will present their season finale concert Sunday, May 31 at 4 p.m. at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta.Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at www.festivalsingers.org or at the door the day of the performance. The Northside Festival Singers is a member group of the William Baker Choral Foundation, dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and the joy of singing. Visit www.festivalsingers.org for more information.
May 20, 2009 The Northside Festival Singers, under the direction of Don Brainerd, will present their season finale concert Sunday, May 31 at 4 p.m. at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta.Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at www.festivalsingers.org or at the door the day of the performance. The Northside Festival Singers is a member group of the William Baker Choral Foundation, dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and the joy of singing. Visit www.festivalsingers.org for more information.
Atlanta man pleads guilty in $25M Ponzi scheme
By BILL RANKIN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The head of an Alpharetta firm that claimed hefty profits from trading Japanese and American currencies pleaded guilty Thursday to his role in a Ponzi scheme.
James G. Ossie, 48, of Atlanta, defrauded more than 100 people out of more than $25 million in a nine-month period, according to federal prosecutors.
Ossie pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Bill Duffey in Atlanta. He is to be sentenced July 30.
Ossie and his company, CRE Capital, offered investment contracts of at least $100,000 that guaranteed the investor’s deposit plus 10 percent interest within just 30 days.
Instead of making profits, Ossie lost millions of dollars. During the time the currency fund operated between April 2008 and this past January, it lost more than $12 million in its foreign currency trading accounts, prosecutors said.
Ossie only repaid some investors, but the scheme was unsustainable and shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission in January, prosecutors said.
“The damage done by this fraudulent investment scheme is extensive, leaving a trail of victims in its wake,” Gregory Jones, FBI special agent in charge said.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The head of an Alpharetta firm that claimed hefty profits from trading Japanese and American currencies pleaded guilty Thursday to his role in a Ponzi scheme.
James G. Ossie, 48, of Atlanta, defrauded more than 100 people out of more than $25 million in a nine-month period, according to federal prosecutors.
Ossie pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Bill Duffey in Atlanta. He is to be sentenced July 30.
Ossie and his company, CRE Capital, offered investment contracts of at least $100,000 that guaranteed the investor’s deposit plus 10 percent interest within just 30 days.
Instead of making profits, Ossie lost millions of dollars. During the time the currency fund operated between April 2008 and this past January, it lost more than $12 million in its foreign currency trading accounts, prosecutors said.
Ossie only repaid some investors, but the scheme was unsustainable and shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission in January, prosecutors said.
“The damage done by this fraudulent investment scheme is extensive, leaving a trail of victims in its wake,” Gregory Jones, FBI special agent in charge said.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Flat-screen TV thieves busted, Fulton police say
By MEGAN MATTEUCCI
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Police say they have busted a burglary gang that targeted businesses with flat-screen televisions.
Fulton District Attorney Paul L. Howard Jr. is scheduled to announce a 69-count indictment against “The Old Virginia” burglary ring Thursday morning.
Yvette Brown, Howard’s spokeswoman, said she could not release the indictment, the number of arrests nor identify the suspects until Thursday. A press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday.Brown described the gang as a “small group of criminals targeting businesses with flat-screen electronics.”
The arrests and indictment are the result of a joint investigation between the Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Roswell and DeKalb County Police Departments, Brown said.
DeKalb and Roswell Police said they could not release any information. Alpharetta and Sandy Springs Police did not immediately return phone calls Wednesday.
Police across the metro area have reported a rise in flat-screen television burglaries this year.
In March, a multi-jurisdictional police task force arrested four alleged Clayton County gang members on charges they broke into dozens of businesses throughout metro Atlanta and stole more than 200 flat-screen televisions.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Police say they have busted a burglary gang that targeted businesses with flat-screen televisions.
Fulton District Attorney Paul L. Howard Jr. is scheduled to announce a 69-count indictment against “The Old Virginia” burglary ring Thursday morning.
Yvette Brown, Howard’s spokeswoman, said she could not release the indictment, the number of arrests nor identify the suspects until Thursday. A press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday.Brown described the gang as a “small group of criminals targeting businesses with flat-screen electronics.”
The arrests and indictment are the result of a joint investigation between the Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Roswell and DeKalb County Police Departments, Brown said.
DeKalb and Roswell Police said they could not release any information. Alpharetta and Sandy Springs Police did not immediately return phone calls Wednesday.
Police across the metro area have reported a rise in flat-screen television burglaries this year.
In March, a multi-jurisdictional police task force arrested four alleged Clayton County gang members on charges they broke into dozens of businesses throughout metro Atlanta and stole more than 200 flat-screen televisions.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Campaigns begin for Alpharetta municipal election
By Caroline Gray /Neighbor Newspapers
Several seats will be in contention in November in the city of Alpharetta.
Alpharetta City Councilmen John Monson and Doug DeRito have announced their intentions to run again but Councilman Jim Paine’s seat will be completely open due to term limits. Alpharetta Municipal Judge Jim Matoney said he plans to seek his seat again. The judge who served before Matoney, Scott Childress, said he does not plan to run again.
Matoney served 12 years on city council and said he still keeps abreast of politics in Alpharetta but refrains from commenting publicly. He said although local politics I can be mired in controversy, when taking his role on the bench his biggest goal was to keep things running smoothly.
“There was a lot of controversy within the court and various departments in the city,” said Matoney. “My intention was to eliminate the controversy and keep Alpharetta out of the news. There was a wonderful staff who wanted to work for the public but things had become an embarrassment.”
Matoney said some improvements he has made include a user-friendly computer system and working with the police department to minimize officers’ time in court.
Although Alpharetta City Council discussed changing to a system of appointing judges, for the time being the judge will still be elected by the public. Matoney said he plans to visit citizens door-to-door and post signs as he ramps up his campaign.
Monson, who serves as the council’s primary liaison to the department of engineering and public works, said transportation remains a top priority.
“In the 2009/2010 fiscal year we will complete over $6 million worth of transportation infrastructure projects. I am very proud that we continue to leverage Alpharetta’s funds for transportation projects at a current rate of 280 percent return on taxpayer dollars,” said Monson.
He also mentioned contributing to the city’s conservative leadership and helping to provide additional homestead tax relief and a balanced budget with reduced revenues among his accomplishments.
Although the economy has caused several of the city’s projects to stall, he said in the meantime the city must do all it can to position to rebound quickly when liquidity returns to the capital markets.
Several seats will be in contention in November in the city of Alpharetta.
Alpharetta City Councilmen John Monson and Doug DeRito have announced their intentions to run again but Councilman Jim Paine’s seat will be completely open due to term limits. Alpharetta Municipal Judge Jim Matoney said he plans to seek his seat again. The judge who served before Matoney, Scott Childress, said he does not plan to run again.
Matoney served 12 years on city council and said he still keeps abreast of politics in Alpharetta but refrains from commenting publicly. He said although local politics I can be mired in controversy, when taking his role on the bench his biggest goal was to keep things running smoothly.
“There was a lot of controversy within the court and various departments in the city,” said Matoney. “My intention was to eliminate the controversy and keep Alpharetta out of the news. There was a wonderful staff who wanted to work for the public but things had become an embarrassment.”
Matoney said some improvements he has made include a user-friendly computer system and working with the police department to minimize officers’ time in court.
Although Alpharetta City Council discussed changing to a system of appointing judges, for the time being the judge will still be elected by the public. Matoney said he plans to visit citizens door-to-door and post signs as he ramps up his campaign.
Monson, who serves as the council’s primary liaison to the department of engineering and public works, said transportation remains a top priority.
“In the 2009/2010 fiscal year we will complete over $6 million worth of transportation infrastructure projects. I am very proud that we continue to leverage Alpharetta’s funds for transportation projects at a current rate of 280 percent return on taxpayer dollars,” said Monson.
He also mentioned contributing to the city’s conservative leadership and helping to provide additional homestead tax relief and a balanced budget with reduced revenues among his accomplishments.
Although the economy has caused several of the city’s projects to stall, he said in the meantime the city must do all it can to position to rebound quickly when liquidity returns to the capital markets.
Alpharetta HS donates patrol car
Courtesy Appen Newspapers
May 14, 2009
Fulton County School Resource officers at Alpharetta High School accepted a donation April 27 from the city of Alpharetta: a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria police interceptor. Previously used by Alpharetta fire marshals, the vehicle has 84,000 miles and serves as a step up from the 1997 Crown Victoria previously donated to the school by the city in 2006. That vehicle provided the school with about 37,000 miles of service.
With 74 acres of school property to cover at Alpharetta High School, and much of it on a hilltop, resource officers are thankful to get the vehicles."We are extremely grateful," said Fulton County School Resource Officer W.M. Stanley. "It does speak to how well we've worked together over the years."It definitely makes our jobs easier and hopefully it will help Alpharetta officers as well who may need a backup," he added.
May 14, 2009
Fulton County School Resource officers at Alpharetta High School accepted a donation April 27 from the city of Alpharetta: a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria police interceptor. Previously used by Alpharetta fire marshals, the vehicle has 84,000 miles and serves as a step up from the 1997 Crown Victoria previously donated to the school by the city in 2006. That vehicle provided the school with about 37,000 miles of service.
With 74 acres of school property to cover at Alpharetta High School, and much of it on a hilltop, resource officers are thankful to get the vehicles."We are extremely grateful," said Fulton County School Resource Officer W.M. Stanley. "It does speak to how well we've worked together over the years."It definitely makes our jobs easier and hopefully it will help Alpharetta officers as well who may need a backup," he added.
New Milton County Legislative Advisory Committee
Many thanks to J.D. Easley / House Communications Specialist GA General Assembly for providing this information.
ATLANTA - Representatives Mark Burkhalter (R- Johns Creek) and Jan Jones(R-Milton) announced today an initial Milton County Legislative Advisory Committee. The Committee will assist and advise Representatives Burkhalter and Jones as they proceed forward with historic legislationto allow the re-creation of Milton County.
Rep. Burkhalter first introduced legislation to facilitate Milton County's re-creation over 15 years ago. This January Rep. Jones authored House Resolution 21 to allow the re-creation ofpreviously-merged counties. Rep. Burkhalter and other north Fulton representatives co-sponsored the resolution.
Two counties remain that were merged in the 1930s, Milton County in north Fulton and Campbell County in south Fulton. North Fulton legislators will push to bring HR 21 to the House floor for a vote inthe 2010 Georgia General Assembly session.
"The Milton County Legislative Advisory Committee will evaluate,collaborate with and make recommendations to the north Fulton delegation," said Rep. Jones. "I look forward to working with the Committee to addressing issues identified in the recently-released study performed by the University of Georgia and Georgia State University on the re-creation of Milton County."
The primary areas to be evaluated by the Committee relate to separating the counties' functions, establishing a new school system and addressing judicial services and tax concerns. The Committee will serve through March 2010.
The Committee will consult and engage north Fulton citizens with expertise in specific areas being evaluated. It will also serve as a conduit for information and input with other north Fulton elected officials, including school board members, judges, mayors and city council members. The Committee will be composed of: Tom Campbell, Fulton County Superior Court Judge; former State Representative Randall Johnson, Johns Creek City Council MemberJim Paine, Alpharetta City Council Member, Mayor Pro TemRusty Paul, Sandy Springs City Council Member, Mayor Pro Tem; former State Senator Robert Proctor, Tax Attorney, north Fulton resident Katie Reeves, Fulton County School Board Member Lynne Riley, Fulton County Commissioner Ashley Widener, Fulton County School Board Member Ex Officio Mark Burkhalter, State Representative, Speaker Pro TemEx Officio Jan Jones, State Representative, House Majority Whip.
ATLANTA - Representatives Mark Burkhalter (R- Johns Creek) and Jan Jones(R-Milton) announced today an initial Milton County Legislative Advisory Committee. The Committee will assist and advise Representatives Burkhalter and Jones as they proceed forward with historic legislationto allow the re-creation of Milton County.
Rep. Burkhalter first introduced legislation to facilitate Milton County's re-creation over 15 years ago. This January Rep. Jones authored House Resolution 21 to allow the re-creation ofpreviously-merged counties. Rep. Burkhalter and other north Fulton representatives co-sponsored the resolution.
Two counties remain that were merged in the 1930s, Milton County in north Fulton and Campbell County in south Fulton. North Fulton legislators will push to bring HR 21 to the House floor for a vote inthe 2010 Georgia General Assembly session.
"The Milton County Legislative Advisory Committee will evaluate,collaborate with and make recommendations to the north Fulton delegation," said Rep. Jones. "I look forward to working with the Committee to addressing issues identified in the recently-released study performed by the University of Georgia and Georgia State University on the re-creation of Milton County."
The primary areas to be evaluated by the Committee relate to separating the counties' functions, establishing a new school system and addressing judicial services and tax concerns. The Committee will serve through March 2010.
The Committee will consult and engage north Fulton citizens with expertise in specific areas being evaluated. It will also serve as a conduit for information and input with other north Fulton elected officials, including school board members, judges, mayors and city council members. The Committee will be composed of: Tom Campbell, Fulton County Superior Court Judge; former State Representative Randall Johnson, Johns Creek City Council MemberJim Paine, Alpharetta City Council Member, Mayor Pro TemRusty Paul, Sandy Springs City Council Member, Mayor Pro Tem; former State Senator Robert Proctor, Tax Attorney, north Fulton resident Katie Reeves, Fulton County School Board Member Lynne Riley, Fulton County Commissioner Ashley Widener, Fulton County School Board Member Ex Officio Mark Burkhalter, State Representative, Speaker Pro TemEx Officio Jan Jones, State Representative, House Majority Whip.
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