• The Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers Contractors held its meeting on Feb. 9 and made decisions affecting some local plumbers. The board voted to accept a consent order for a failure to perform client services from Claude Morgan, of Acworth; to accept a consent order for unlicensed practice after David Ridgeway, of Woodstock, who is licensed as a non-restricted master plumber, reportedly knowingly allowed an unlicensed person to practice; and to accept a cease and desist order for Claude Morgan Jr., of Acworth, who apparently is not licensed as a master plumber.
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Tim Cavender | Special
Fire investigators continue to look into the Feb. 15 fire that completely destroyed an area cabinet shop. According to Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Director of Public Affairs Tim Cavender, firefighters were dispatched to the structure fire call at 185 Harmony Grove Road around noon Feb. 15. While in route, firefighters said the smoke from the fire was visible several miles away. Once on scene, firefighters discovered a chicken house fully engulfed in flames, as well as a structure completely destroyed, according to Capt. Dennis Hall. “Early reports that came into 911 indicated that the structure had also been used as a cabinet shop,” Cavender said, noting that firefighters extinguished the fire while units from the forestry service created breaks to keep the fire from spreading into nearby woods. No injuries were reported and the cause remains unknown at this time.
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Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services responded to a single vehicle accident Feb. 17 off Jep Wheeler Road. According to Director of Public Affairs Tim Cavender, the Cadillac had left the highway and traveled into a lake, with the front portion submerged. The 49-year-old male driver escaped without injuries and the accident is under investigation.
• Two weeks ago, a Cherokee sheriff’s deputy was called to Florida to testify in the murder trial of Gary Michael Hilton. According to Public Information Officer Lt. Jay Baker, Det. William Ballard was called to testify in a Florida murder trial after making contact with Hilton near Lake Allatoona following the murder of Meredith Emerson, who went missing in 2008. Ballard reportedly captured Hilton’s image on his vehicle camera. Baker said Hilton already has been convicted and is serving a life sentence in Georgia for the murder of Emerson. Sentencing for the Florida trial began last Thursday. The state reportedly is seeking the death penalty.
• Investigators with the Woodstock Police Department secured an arrest warrant for Justin Johnson, 35, of Marietta, on a felony theft by taking charge. Public Information Officer Brittany Duncan said Johnson is suspected of stealing cash from his former workplace, All Fleet and Automotive Service, located at 9880 Main St. Johnson is accused of collecting cash for services rendered, deleting the repairs out of the computer system and pocketing the money, which totaled more than $1,400. Anyone who has paid cash for repairs at the auto shop since September, should call (770) 592-6030.
