Latest Georgia news, sports, business and entertainment

ATLANTA AIRPORT-SHUTTLES

Passengers: Atlanta airport shuttles take too long

(Information in the following story is from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com )

ATLANTA (AP) Officials at the world's busiest airport in Atlanta say they are considering adding more shuttle buses to and from its new international terminals after complaints from passengers.

Craig Kimbrough of Atlanta says he waited in line for a shuttle bus for about 45 minutes last week after returning from a flight from Dubai. The shuttles take passengers from the international terminal to their cars or the airport MARTA station.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that passengers complain the shuttles are too small, and there aren't enough of them.

Airport general manager Louis Miller says the airport has 14 international terminal shuttles and is considering adding more from its park-and-ride shuttle fleet.

The new $1.4 billion international terminal opened this month at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

POLICE CHASE

Police say biker topped 140 mph in 2-state chase

(Information in the following story is from: Fort Payne Times-Journal, http://www.times-journal.com )

FORT PAYNE, Ala. (AP) Police say a motorcycle rider reached speeds of more than 140 mph as he was being pursued by officers in a chase that spanned two states.

The Fort Payne Times-Journal reports that the chase began when a Georgia State Patrol officer attempted to stop the biker on a routine traffic stop Wednesday. Georgia officers chased him to the state line and officers in Cherokee County, Ala., picked up the pursuit.

Fort Payne Police Chief Randy Bynum said officers tried to keep the red "crotch-rocket style" motorcycle in view as it traveled through the city's downtown, residential districts and three school zones.

Bynum said officers finally blocked a road and then found the suspected driver hiding behind a garage.

Police say the suspect faces multiple traffic violations in Georgia and Alabama.

ATLANTA SMOG

First smog alert of year declared in Atlanta metro

(Information in the following story is from: WSB-TV, http://www.wsbtv.com/index.html )

ATLANTA (AP) Authorities have declared the first smog alert of the year for metro Atlanta, where unhealthy levels of ozone are expected to climb.

The "code orange" smog alert will be in effect on Friday.

WSB-TV reports that Friday's air in the metro area will be unhealthy for sensitive group of people such as those with respiratory conditions. Officials advise active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Smog or ground-level ozone is formed when air pollutants from industry, vehicles and other sources react in sunlight.

COLUMBUS NEWSPAPER EXECUTIVE

Columbus newspaper names new executive editor

(Information in the following story is from: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, http://ledger-enquirer.com )

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer has named newspaper veteran Dimon Kendrick-Holmes its new vice president and executive editor.

The west Georgia newspaper reports that President and Publisher Rodney Mahone made the announcement to employees Thursday afternoon.

Kendrick-Holmes succeeds Joe Kieta, who was named editor of The Modesto Bee in California.

Mahone said the 44-year-old Kendrick-Holmes has been instrumental in recent newsroom successes, strengthened its breaking news coverage and played a key role in adding new content in print and online.

Kendrick-Holmes has been with The Ledger-Enquirer for more than a decade. He's a former U.S. Army intelligence officer who joined The Ledger-Enquirer in 2001. He's held the positions of features editor; metro editor; senior editor in charge of projects and planning; and managing editor.

VIETNAM VETERANS WALL

Vietnam veterans wall opens at Fort Gordon

(Information in the following story is from: The Augusta Chronicle , http://www.augustachronicle.com )

FORT GORDON, Ga. (AP) Military officials say a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall is now open to the public at Fort Gordon.

The Augusta Chronicle reports that the traveling wall opened Thursday after a solemn ceremony.

Col. Robert Barker, the garrison commander, invited people to visit the three-quarter-scale model of the national monument over Memorial Day weekend.

Barker said the display provides a time for remembrance, healing and reflection for veterans. He said that for those who didn't serve, the wall offers a chance to honor veterans.

The black granite-like wall stretches 244 feet long, stands 8 feet tall and includes the names of more than 58,000 service members killed in action or declared missing during the Vietnam War.

INDUSTRIAL LAND

Ga. county to buy land for industrial development

(Information in the following story is from: The Macon Telegraph, http://www.macontelegraph.com )

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. (AP) A central Georgia County is planning to spend millions of dollars for land in hopes of luring new industry to the area.

The Telegraph of Macon reports that Houston County leaders plan to buy two tracts of land amounting to 879 acres for $6.26 million.

County commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker says the county has to do something to add industry in order to expand its tax base.

Angie Gheesling, executive director of the Houston County Development Authority, says two industries have shown interest in developing the land. She said one would bring up to 100 jobs to the county.

NORTH GEORGIA ALLIGATOR

Gator sightings reported in northeast Georgia pond

(Information in the following story is from: WGCL-TV, http://www.cbsatlanta.com/index.html )

STATHAM, Ga. (AP) Police and residents in the northeast Georgia town of Statham say an alligator has been living in a local pond, making for an unusual situation so far north of where the reptiles typically roam.

Police officer Allan Johnston tells CBS Atlanta that he saw the gator in the pond on Saturday. He and resident Jim Verschraegen say the gator appears to be around 6 feet long.

Alligators have been found in the Chattahoochee River in metro Atlanta and in Lake Lanier, but sightings so far north are rare. Officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources say they suspect that someone kept the alligator as a pet and then dumped it in the pond.

Statham is about 12 miles west of Athens.