Across Georgia

4,500 pounds of pot seized

SAVANNAH --- Nearly 4,500 pounds of marijuana was seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents recently from a ship at the Port of Savannah, officials said this week.

The narcotics -- with a street value of more than $3 million --- were discovered at the Garden City Terminal aboard a vessel arriving from Jamaica, said Timothy Sushil, who served with the customs field operations office in Atlanta.

Several federal, state and local agencies have launched a joint investigation to identify who attempted to smuggle in the marijuana, Mr. Sushil said.

Gator hunted in backyard pond

DANIELSVILLE --- Georgia wildlife officials are trying to catch an alligator in the backyard pond of a Madison County couple.

Officers have been putting out hooks baited with pieces of chicken in hopes of coaxing the gator out of the pond.

Joyce and Jack Fendley first spotted the animal last week at their home off Georgia Highway 98. Mrs. Fendley says state officials estimate the gator is 6 to 7 feet long. Officials are unsure how the gator got into the pond.

Cemetery will be open after dark

ATLANTA --- The Historic Oakland Foundation opens its iron gates at the 158-year-old cemetery this weekend for night tours.

"Capturing the Spirit of Oakland -- 2008 Halloween Tours" will be offered today, Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors will call on cemetery "residents," who tell their stories by the flickering lights of candles. The tours are the only time during the year that the cemetery is open after sundown.

The 48-acre cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and contains more than 70,000 graves.

Tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 or younger and must be purchased in advance.

-- Edited from wire reports