Embattled mayor says tests prove innocence

ATLANTIC BEACH, S.C. --- The mayor of a troubled South Carolina town says an independent test proves her innocence on a drunken driving charge.

Multiple media outlets reported Saturday that Atlantic Beach Mayor Retha Pierce says urine and hair tests done at a Sumter lab show she had no alcohol in her system when she was arrested last month.

A State Law Enforcement Division urine test also showed no alcohol in Ms. Pierce's system when she was arrested Sept. 16.

Ms. Pierce faces charges in separate cases including resisting arrest, public disorderly conduct, hit and run and leaving the scene of an accident.

Town officials want Gov. Mark Sanford to remove Ms. Pierce, but state law says the governor can only remove an elected municipal official after a grand jury indictment for a "crime involving moral turpitude."

SAVANNAH, GA. --- A disabled veteran will get a new roof this weekend, thanks to more than a dozen fellow soldiers who are pitching in as part of an effort that helps low-income, elderly and disabled military veterans and families in need.

Army Spc. Charles Nash and 15 fellow members of the 92nd Engineer Battalion, 554 Engineer Co. from Fort Stewart were reroofing the home of Frank Mack as part of Rebuilding Together Savannah.

This is the organization's 14th venture in the city, and Spc. Nash's third with the group. The 79-year-old Mr. Mack lost his foot in the Korean War and relies on a wheelchair to get around.

The soldier crew worked on screening his back porch, widening doorways to make the home more wheelchair accessible and installing a more accessible shower.

ATLANTA --- Gov. Sonny Perdue's Judicial Nominating Commission has submitted its recommendations to fill two judgeships.

The openings are on the Superior Court of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit and the State Court of Clayton County. Both judgeships were created this year by the General Assembly.

Recommended for the Brunswick Superior Court are Stephen D. Kelley, who is a district attorney with the Brunswick Judicial Circuit; Richard H. Taylor, a solo practitioner and former solicitor of Brunswick Municipal Court; and Jeffrey Ward of Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin, P.C.

Those recommended for the Clayton County court are James J. Dalton, a solo practitioner from Jonesboro, Robert L. Mack of Mack P.C.; and Aaron B. Mason, who is an assistant attorney general with the Georgia Department of Law.

WEST POINT, GA. --- The newly completed Kia Motors plant in West Point is open for business.

Production began at 7:30 a.m. Friday on the first road-ready crossover vehicle. The first shiny new Sorento will be displayed in the factory's lobby.

The plant is the South Korean company's first U.S. manufacturing plant. It cost $1 billion to build and created about 1,200 jobs.

Kia broke ground on the plant, which is near the Alabama state line, and plans to hold a ceremonial first car roll-out on Nov. 16.

Kia has plans to hire 1,200 more workers next year as production increases.

On top of the jobs created at the Kia plant, Georgia Tech estimates 20,000 new jobs will be created by 2012 at Kia suppliers in a nine-county area that straddles the Alabama border.