Across Georgia

Hotel locks out guests suspected of smoking

ATHENS - Some fans of Athens band Widespread Panic are fuming after complaints over cigarette smoke got them locked out of their hotel rooms during a recent series of concerts by the band.

Athens-Clarke County bans smoking in public places, and Hilton Garden Inn guests must sign a letter informing them that the hotel is 100 percent nonsmoking, said hotel manager Barry Gilliland.

On April 24, guest complaints about the smell of smoke led Mr. Gilliland to start room searches while guests were away. Guests' electronic room keys were deactivated if evidence of smoking or illegal drugs was found.

Personal phone line open despite rape

ATLANTA - A telephone chat line can continue operating in Georgia for at least a couple of weeks, despite a lawsuit filed by a 15-year-old girl who was raped after using the service.

A Cobb County Superior Court judge delayed his decision Friday on whether to shut down Quest Personals in response to the suit. The next scheduled court date in the case is May 22.

Attorney Lance Cooper asked for an injunction against the company after the north Georgia girl was raped by a man she met through the phone service.

A 58-year-old Marietta man is in prison for the crime.

Fort's teams take off in walk to Iraq event

SAVANNAH -Teams started walking Saturday in Fort Stewart's fitness program called "Walk to Iraq and Back." The walkers will cover a combined total of 13,000 miles - the approximate distance to and from Iraq.

More than 130 military family members in more than 30 teams have signed up to take part in the walk. They will report their monthly totals toward the group goal. The event is being organized by the Army post's family readiness groups and its morale, welfare and recreation department.

Georgia-Pacific drops lawsuit over property

BRUNSWICK - Georgia-Pacific-Gypsum has dropped its lawsuit against the Liberty Harbor development and the Georgia Ports Authority.

The suit was filed in Chatham County Superior Court in mid-March after the ports authority sold 26.5 acres to Jered Realty, a subsidiary of Liberty Harbor. The strip of land is next to Liberty Harbor's billion-dollar project on Brunswick's waterfront that will combine residential and commercial development.

Georgia-Pacific leases about four acres on the northern end of the strip and uses it as a staging area for trucks. Company officials expressed concern that their ability to continue using the property would be at risk if it changed hands.