City considers 4-day work week for offices

ST. MARYS, GA. --- City officials grappling with budget problems are now considering putting most employees on four-day work weeks.

The move could save the city $100,000 a year, City Manager Bill Shanahan said.

While details are still being considered, he said the proposal calls for city employees to work 10-hour shifts, four days a week. If the City Council approves the proposal for a four-month trial period beginning Jan. 1, Mr. Shanahan said city offices, which are currently open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, will open at 7 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. four days a week.

City officials have not decided which day of the week offices would be closed, he said. Police, fire and tourism offices would retain their normal workweeks.

Council members are expected to vote on the issue by the end of the year.

Man killed used to be soul star's son-in-law

ATLANTA --- A 38-year-old man who died of gunshot wounds in Atlanta was the former son-in-law of the late soul singer James Brown.

Atlanta police said 38-year-old Darren Lumar suffered gunshot wounds to the middle of his chest and both ankles and wrists on Nov. 5 in the garage of his Buckhead townhouse. He died from his wounds within a day.

The case remains under investigation.

Mr. Lumar was married to Yamma Brown. Fulton County court records show the Lumars were divorced in October 2007. They had two children, ages 5 and 8.

In other news

The University of Georgia's observatory is closed to the public because of a mechanical problem. A mechanical drive wheel used to rotate the dome failed last week.