Across the region

Grady Health System's chief executive quits

ATLANTA - Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, considered an emerging national leader in health care, has announced he is resigning his post as chief executive of Atlanta's Grady Health System.

Dr. Agwunobi, 40, decided that the timing was right to leave, said Kirk Wilks, Grady's vice president for public affairs.

The hospital system is about to begin a three- to- five-year phase of implementing a new strategic plan, and Dr. Agwunobi said it would be appropriate for a new chief executive to be at the helm through the entire phase, Mr. Wilks said.

Dr. Agwunobi will serve through the end of the year. He does not have another job lined up.

37-year-old jailed after sex with 'husband,' 15

GAINESVILLE, GA. - A 37-year-old woman was charged with child molestation after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy whom she married last week.

The Gainesville Times quoted unidentified members of the boy's family as saying that Lisa Lynnette Clark is pregnant with the boy's child and that they were married last week.

Ms. Clark was arrested Wednesday and brought to the Hall County Detention Center, where she remained on Monday, said Hall County Sheriff's Maj. Jeff Strickland.

District Attorney Lee Darragh said Georgia law says a person younger than 16 cannot legally consent to a sexual act, whether the minor is married or not.

Ms. Clark will appear in court for a committal hearing Nov. 30, said Mr. Darragh, who would not comment further on the case.

Doctor gives up license over flesh-eating paste

ATLANTA - A south Georgia physician has surrendered her medical license after allegations that she aided a man who sells a flesh-eating paste that disfigured patients seeking a cancer cure.

Dr. Lois March, of Cordele, surrendered her license last week. She must stop practicing no later than Dec. 1, an official with Georgia's board of medical examiners said Monday.

She's accused of providing pain medication to patients who received the treatments. One patient's flesh was eaten so badly from his shoulder that the bone was exposed.

Sanford is among worst governors, 'Time' says

COLUMBIA - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is one of the nation's three worst state chief executives, an article in Time magazine says.

Time consulted political analysts, academics and former governors for its article.

The magazine, on newsstands Monday, notes South Carolina's loss of its AAA credit rating under the Republican governor's watch. And it also mentions his reputation for penny-pinching. It says critics within the GOP "fear that his thrift has brought the state's economy to a standstill."

Time said the best governors were Democrats Mark Warner of Virginia, Janet Napolitano of Arizona and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Republicans Kenny Guinn of Nevada and Mike Huckabee of Arkansas.

76-year-old hit with Taser now faces trial

ROCK HILL, S.C. - A 76-year-old woman zapped by a police stun gun goes on trial Wednesday on charges of trespassing and resisting police.

Margaret Kimbrell was struck with a Taser in October 2004 when she refused to leave the Eden Gardens retirement home after being asked by staff and a police officer, according to a police report.

Ms. Kimbrell, who was 75 at the time, swung either her arm or her purse at Officer Hattie Jean Macon, police said.

Lottery director won't switch to N. Carolina

COLUMBIA - State lottery director Ernie Passailaigue said Monday that he's staying in South Carolina after interviewing for the job to run North Carolina's new lottery.

The former Charleston lawmaker said he interviewed with the North Carolina lottery commission Wednesday. Tony Cooper, the South Carolina lottery's chief operating officer, also has interviewed for the post. Both were among six finalists.

Mr. Passailaigue told the South Carolina Education Lottery commission Monday that he has withdrawn his name from consideration.