Across the state

Shepherd's herd helps control yard's kudzu

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ATLANTA --- A kudzu-eating flock of sheep is being used in Georgia to help control the fast-spreading plant before it overtakes fields, yards and other areas.

WXIA-TV reports that Brian Cash is a local shepherd who runs a service using plant-eating sheep and goats to clear kudzu and other unwanted vegetation -- a problem across the South.

Cash says the animals also eat poison ivy.

Dunwoody resident Kevin Brown said he'd heard of sheep being used to control vegetation and prevent wildfires in California. So he sought help from Cash's herd to help clear his suburban Atlanta backyard.

Cash says he provides a temporary fence to keep the animals from wandering, and the homeowner provides them with water.

Monroe County official pleads guilty to DUI

MACON, Ga. --- The chief magistrate for Monroe County has pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge.

Judge Jeff Davis entered his plea in Bibb County court Friday morning. He was sentenced to one day in jail, a year of probation, 40 hours of community service and an $800 fine.

Bibb County authorities arrested Davis early June 4 at a safety checkpoint near the Monroe County line.

The next day he resigned from his job with the Forsyth Municipal Court because he hears DUI cases there. He has not stepped down from his Monroe County job.

UGA fundraising arms decide to join forces

ATHENS, GA. --- The University of Georgia Foundation and the Arch Foundation have formally approved merging.

The two private groups voted Thursday to join forces after an ongoing feud led the university to split from its longtime fundraising arm. UGA cut ties with the UGA Foundation in 2005.

Foundation leaders say they hope to cut costs by eliminating redundancies. It also comes as UGA prepares for a $1 billion fundraising campaign.

The new group will be known as the University of Georgia Foundation.