Across the region

Lawmakers push ban on downtown begging

MACON, Ga. - Inspired by a panhandling ban passed by Atlanta this week, Macon lawmakers are pushing a similar ordinance to forbid begging in downtown Macon.

Councilman Mike Cranford asked Macon city attorneys to take the Atlanta proposal and several others to craft one specific to Macon.

He and Councilman Cole Thomason argued that new rules on public begging will help residents and visitors feel safer.

"I'm sure they're going to say it's cold-hearted," Mr. Thomason said. "It's a safety issue for the people who go downtown and try to conduct normal business."

Rapper is accused of slaying and assault

ATLANTA - Atlanta police executed a search warrant Thursday at a record studio where rapper Gucci Mane is accused of assaulting a promoter in June.

Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Davis, is in the Fulton County Jail while he awaits trial in the alleged assault of a man with a pool cue at Big Cat Records in June.

Police said they intended to serve warrants on aggravated assault charges in the case Thursday.

Mr. Davis, 25, was also accused in the May 10 shooting death of Henry Clark, whose body was found three days later in the woods near an Atlanta middle school. Mr. Davis claimed he acted in self-defense, and the case has been put on hold until October, pending a new investigation.

Grand jury indicts two county officials

ROBERTA, GA. - A grand jury has indicted Crawford County Commission Chairman Harold "Doug" Spillers and County Administrator Sandra Smith on theft charges, District Attorney Howard Simms said.

Mr. Spillers also was indicted on a charge of false swearing.

The district attorney said Mr. Spillers is accused of having county employees work on his property, and that Ms. Smith is accused of stealing county gasoline.

Bus driver is found innocent of assault

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - An Orangeburg County jury has found a bus driver innocent of sexual assault charges involving an 8-year-old girl who rode his bus.

Roy Roundtree, 69, was fired from his Orangeburg District 5 job after the allegations were made in November 2003. Mr. Roundtree was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and committing a lewd act on a minor.

Margarett Austin, a 15-year veteran bus driver, testified that the girl told her nothing happened with Mr. Roundtree.

Pastor is accused of years of sexual abuse

UNION, S.C. - A church pastor has been charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor for incidents involving a relative.

George Watson, 57, was charged with three counts by Union police and sheriff's deputies.

Mr. Watson, pastor of New Trinity Baptist Church, previously served on the Union County school board. A friend urged the victim, now 21, to report the crimes, sheriff's Lt. Terry Humphries said.

The boy told investigators that Mr. Watson had sex with him numerous times from the time the boy was 12 or 13 until he was a senior in high school.

Sister helps woman win $1 million prize

GREENVILLE, S.C.- An unemployed mother of two teenagers owes her sister a million thanks.

Lisa Porta, 36, won $1 million dollars in Alltel's TXT2WIN contest Wednesday, but only because her sister entered her in the contest. Ms. Porta was one of nearly 600,000 customers who participated in the contest. Her entry was selected randomly from 17 million text messages, pictures and videos.

Her sister, Lauren Mathis, entered her in the contest by sending texts messages to a certain number.

Marine Air Station gets new commander

BEAUFORT, S.C. - Col. Robert Lanham will take over the command of the Marine Corps Air Station next week, officials said.

Col. Harmon Stockwell, who has been in charge since June 2002, will relinquish command of the station Aug. 25 during a ceremony open to the public, the Marine Corps said.

Col. Lanham assumes command after a year of study at the National War College in Washington, D.C.