Posted: 10:32 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Man Convinces Moms To Molest Kids; Sitter Charged In Baby's Death; Hines Ward In New DWTS Cast
By Veronica Waters
- Monday afternoon's strong thunderstorms produced high winds and lightning that damaged property and knocked out power to several thousand people. A massive pine tree smashed into a Cherokee County home; lightning caused a fire that destroyed a house in Snellville. Despite the damage, there were no reports of serious injuries or deaths.
- Could a stranger convince you to abuse your kids? Police in Michigan say that's what happened when a man posed as a therapist online and persuaded mothers across the country to molest their own children, calling it therapy. He then had them send him images of the encounters with the kids, ages 3 to 15. Three mothers have also been arrested and 41-year-old Steven Demink has been linked to four other mothers--one of whom lives in Georgia. Authorities say there is not enough evidence to bring charges in the other cases. Demink targeted single moms through online dating sites.
- Three Georgia emissions inspectors are indicted by the feds for giving folks the hookup on emissions tests when their cars would've flunked a legit test. Jackie Baker, James Hinton and Michael Kelly worked at a Stop 'N Shop in College Park. The U. S. Attorney in Atlanta contends they phonied more than 1,400 emissions tests over a five-month period in 2009, charging up to a $125 a pop.
- A 22-year-old babysitter is in custody after a five-month-old dies in his care. Fayette County sheriff's investigators say the initial statements from Stephen Anthony Haire indicated that he'd laid the child down for a nap with a bottle and that the baby just stopped breathing--doctors say that doesn't line up with what they saw at the hospital. Haire's charged with felony child cruelty, and charges could be upgraded.
- As the Georgia House prepares to vote this week on a bill to save the HOPE Scholarship, state Senator Vincent Fort is among the Democrats who complain the bill moved through the legislative process in only a week--with not nearly enough time for public input. Changes would reduce HOPE to 90% of tuition for everyone except the highest grade earners. Democrats say they will offer their own suggestions for how to fix the programs, which are set to go broke as early as next year.
- A state legislator from south Georgia is pushing a bill that would let motorcycle riders treat red lights a lot like stop signs--come to a full stop, and then go through. Ann Purcell says the problem is that most motorcycles aren't big enough to trip the sensors at intersections--so often, bikers can get stuck at a light.
- The 12th season of Dancing With The Stars will feature former boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver and former UGA standout, Hines Ward. Rapper Romeo and talk show host Wendy Williams will also be among the contestants. Other cast members of the ABC dance compeition include actress Kirstie Alley, pro wrestler Chris Jericho, Loveline host Mike Catherwood, Disney Channel's Chelsea Kane, TV talk show host Wendy Williams, model Petra Nemcova and former Playmate Kendra Wilkinson.
- An ex-seasonal worker with the IRS is accused of doctoring tax forms to get credits for relatives and friends. Catherine Griffin, 46, from Lithonia, allgedly took $4,000 in payments in exchange for altering forms to make it appear that people were eligible for first-time home buyer credits.
- Looks like there will be no government shutdown--at least not this week. The White House and GOP lawmakers seem to be coming to terms on keeping the government up and running while spending bills get finalized. A proposed agreement includes immediate cuts of $4 billion, and extends the deadline for reaching any final deal until March 18.
- The KISS 104.1 weather forecast: sunny and cool with a high of 64, lows tonight 34-39.
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