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HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL Sluuston Dmlg:saunuii Perry Office 1210 Washington St. P.O. Box 1910 Parry, GA 31069 (478) 987-1823 See us online at www.hhjnews.com Reader OKF© Classified Advertising: Call (478) 987-1823 between the hours ot 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can fax an ad 24 hours a day to (478) 988-9194. Display Advertising: Call Nicole Crofutt at ext. 224. Delivery by mail: Delivery by mail is available for $62 in-county and SB2 elsewhere per year paid in advance. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 1910, Perry, GA31069 The Houston Home Journal, A peri odical, mailed (ISSN 1526-7393) at Perry, Ga., is published Tuesday through Saturday for $62 per year by Evans Newspapers Inc., 1210 Washington St., Perry, GA31069; (478) 987-1823 Fax (478) 988-1181. Not published Thanksgiving and Christmas. Office Hours: The office in Perry is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. NEWS TIPS: Call (478) 987-1823 ext. 231 Newsroom Fax: (478) 988-1181 Presentation editor: Contact James Tidwell at jtidwell@evansnewspapers.com Corrections: The HDJ strives for fairness and accuracy, and will print a correction or clarification when one is in order. Call ext. 231. Advertising errors and omissions: The advertiser agrees that the pub lisher shall not be liable for damages arising from errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. There shall be no liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. This newspaper is a member of The Georgia Press Association, The National Newspaper Association and The Associated Press Two suspended after allegations SAVANNAH (MNS) - Police are investigating allegations that two city employees sexually assault ed three teenage girls at a city pool. The employees, who work for the city’s leisure servic es department, have been placed on paid administrative leave, said Joe Shearouse, leisure services director. The victims, ages 14, 15 and 18, were at the Delaware Pool on Lincoln Street Thursday evening when the attack allegedly occurred, according to two Savannah- Chatham Metropolitan Police reports. According to a report, one of the employees was play ing with the 18-year-old in the water when he took her to the corner of the pool. She told police she tried to get away, but he pulled her bathing suit aside and raped her, the report says. She was treated at Candler Hospital. The 15-year-old girl was working at the pool when the second suspect pulled her into the water, accord ing to the report. She was then touched inappropriate ly by both suspects, she told police. Her 14-year-old cousin climbed into the pool to help the girl. She told police she also was touched inappropri ately by both suspects, the report says. The suspects are two men between the ages of 39 and 50. As of Monday evening, no charges had been filed, police spokesman Sgt. Mike- Wilson said. Police: Mother's death a homicide LAWRENCEVILLE (AP) - Gwinnett County police have ruled the death of YOUR WEATHER TEAM! [TODAY’S Today's Weather Local 5-Day Forecast Fri 8/11 / 92/74 A few thunderstorms possible. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the mid 70s. Sunrise Sunset 6:57 AM 8:23 PM Thu 8/10 94/74 Scattered thunder storms possible. Sunrise Sunset 6:56 AM 8:24 PM Georgia At A Glance \ Atlanta ~ V \ 90/72 X Augusta \ 93/75 \ 7 x? 5 © V Warner Robins \ \ TNI/74 \ Savannah 'Tfeprc > Perry © 95/75 £ ) *»BsJ*\*! 93/74v_.X £ ( / Valdosta \ty • 99/73 / r>s — Area Cities I Illy Ml Lo Cond. | Albany 93 73 t-storm Athens 91 72 t-storm Atlanta 90 72 t-storm Augusta 93 75 t-storm Bainbridge 93 75 t-storm Brunswick 95 77 t-storm Cartersville 91 72 t-storm Chattanooga,TN 85 71 t-storm Columbus 93 74 t-storm Cordele 94 74' t-storm National Cities Lo C° n d. I Atlanta 90 72 t-storm Boston 80 66 t-storm Chicago __ 81 68 t-storm Daflas ” 104 83 mst sunny Denver 91 64 t-storm ©2005 American Profile Hometown Content Service a mother a homicide and arrested her two adopted 15- year-old daughters on mis demeanor charges. One of the girls has been charged with misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter and the other with misde meanor tampering with evidence, police spokesman Cpl. Darren Moloney said Tuesday. The mother who died Sunday night at the family’s home in Buford. Authorities declined to release the girls’ names because both are juveniles. The mother’s name also has not been released until the next of kin has been noti fied. Asked whether charges against others are possible, Moloney said the investiga tion still is ongoing. “We’re not done yet,” Moloney said. The girls sought help at a nearby house - tell ing a neighbor they had a fight with their mother and that she was dead. Police answered a 911 call and found the 57-year-old woman dead. They questioned the daughters Monday. Man indicted for McDonald's killing COVINGTON (AP) - A Newton County grand jury handed down a 12-count indictment against Lanny Perry Barnes, the man accused of running down five family members at a McDonald’s restaurant. The 46-year-old has been charged with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, four counts of aggravated battery and five counts of aggravated assault. The indictment was released Friday. Newton County District Attorney Ken Wynne said he has made a decision whether to seek the death penalty against Barnes but has not announced it yet. He said a trial was not likely to hap pen this year. Sat 8/12 90/73 Scattered thunder storms. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the low 70s. Sunrise Sunset 6:58 AM 8:22 PM TRENT WILLMON a little more livin’ ava;l.aHLk: -fHtiRCTiBR »u;s:e :s sole- j City Ul Lo Cond. | Dalton 91 72 t-storm Dillard 84 67 t-storm Dublin 96 73 t-storm Duluth 90 71 t-storm Gainesville 90 73 t-storm Helen 88 69 t-storm Lagrange 90 71 t-storm Macon 93 74 t-storm Marietta 90 71 t-storm Milledgeville 90 74 t-storm Houston 94 75 t-storm Los Angeles 85 69 mst sunny Miami 89 81 t-stQrm Minneapolis 83 69 t-storm New York 87 71 t-storm STATE BRIEFS The three murder charges stem from the death of 2- year-old Avery Nicole King of North Carolina. Witnesses previously said Barnes laughed as he repeatedly struck Avery; her mother, Anita King; and Covington residents Stephanie Casola and her two sons, Isaac and Jake. The surviving victims continue to recover from their injuries. Developers to keep sex offenders out CANTON (AP) - A group of developers has a plan to keep sex offenders from buy ing homes in a new subdivi sion. The developers say they will conduct background checks on prospective buy ers and will not sell to any one who has been convicted of a sex crime. Edwin Swords 111, one of the developers of the 54-acre community, about 34 miles north of Atlanta, said the plan is not a perfect solu tion. But he says developers of Iris Park are doing all they can “to create a safe family environment.” “These offenders are sup posed to be registered, but many of them don’t, and that’s concerning, because it’s overwhelmingly difficult r •Air Conditioning Repair •Engine Repair •Tune Ups, Belts & Hoses BILL BREWER, JR. SMtotthDH** (47»)H« MM STATE AND REGION Meteorologist Jerry Mathewson Turns fsr Ntows* Sun 8/13 / 91/72 Scattered thunder storms possible. Sunrise Sunset 6:58 AM 8:21 PM Moon Phases Thu 8/10 Kj Extreme Fri 8/11 H Extreme Sat 8/12 || Very High Sun 8/13 fl Very High Mon 8/14 H Extreme The UV Index is measured on a 0-11 number scale, with a higher UV Index showing the need for greater skin pro tection 0 : "i«11 jetty Ul Lo Cond. Peachtree City 89 71 t-storm Perry 93 74 t-storm Rome 92 72 t-storm Savannah 95 75 t-storm St. Simons Island9s 77 t-storm Statesboro 99 77 t-storm Thomasville 92 74 t-storm Valdosta 90 73 t-storm Warner Robins 93 74 t-storm Waycross 96 73 t-storm Hi Lo Cone}. Phoenix 105 86 pt sunny San Francisco 77 58 : Windy Seattle 74 55 pt sunny St. Louis 92 74 t-storm Washington, DC 88 72 pt sunny to keep up with them,” said Christopher Geiger, another of the developers. The plan to screen poten tial homeowners in the development comes as Georgians continue to con sider the merits of a tough new sex offender law. And the developers’ pro posal apparently is legal. Man charged with molesting children ALPHARETTA (AP) - A man is accused of molest ing his three daughters and showing it in an Internet video chat room where he took requests from viewers, police said. Steven L. Pease, 40, was jailed on seven felony charg es after being arrested last week. Most of the abuse took place while the girls’ moth er was working three jobs to support the family, said police, who added that the girls - ages 5, 7 and 12 - were also abused while their mother slept, and at a com munity pool. Pease repeatedly raped his oldest daughter, directed her in performances for Web viewers and also sexually abused her in the pool dur ing a game of “Marco Polo,” investigators said. ASE MASTER MECHANIC mm l Mon 8/14 / Hk* 96/73 A few thunderstorms possible. Highs in the mid 90s and lows in the low 70s. Sunrise Sunset 6:59 AM 8:20 PM 1 w Last Aug 16 m First Aug 31 © Full Aug 9 • New Aug 23 OBITUARIES HUGH M. MANTOOTH KATHLEEN - Hugh M. Mantooth, 77, passed away Sunday. Services will be held at 3 p.m. today in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with interment following in Magnolia Park Cemetery. Mantooth was born on June 30, 1929 in Bradley County, Tenn. His parents, Alpheus Lonnie Mantooth and Grace Hayes Mantooth, his brothers, Wayne and Herman Mantooth, all preceded him in death. Lawmakers consider ending tax on cars By BRANDON LARRABEE Morris News Service ALPHARETTA - An unpopular tax is in the cross hairs of Georgia lawmakers as the November elections approach. Republicans in the General Assembly are considering repealing the state’s proper ty tax on cars, putting local governments on edge. A study committee meet ing centered on the proposal drew a standing-room-only crowd of nearly 100 people at the Marriott Hotel in the suburbs of Atlanta. Citizens, lawmakers, candidates and education groups crowded a section of the hotel’s ball room to hear about the pro posal. Supporters say it’s unfair for citizens to continue pay ing a tax on a vehicle once they have bought and paid sales tax on it. But political concerns also entered the conversation in an election year. “It’s good political policy,” said Jack Reid, a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He added that, if lawmakers believe tax money belongs to citizens, “then I suggest to you that it’s not only good political policy, it is excellent public policy.” He said former Virginia Gov. James Gilmore, a Republican, was locked in a tight battle for the state’s highest elected office when he proposed repealing the car tax at an event in north ern Virginia. “Ladies and gentlemen, the place erupted,” Reid said. “It erupted. The reaction of the electorate was instanta neous. ... As of Labor Day, that election was over.” But Reid said the state slid a little in its goal of eliminat ing car taxes after Gilmore, limited to one term by state law, left office. Residents still get a hefty Forecasters lower hurricane predictions By JESSICA GRESKO Associated Press Writer MIAMI (AP) - The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season should be slightly less active than originally predicted, federal forecasters said Tuesday. Forecasters now expect there to be 12-15 named storms and seven to nine hurricanes, three to four of which could be major hurricanes with sustained winds of at least 111 mph, the National Hurricane Center and other National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration agencies said. Government scientists made their first prediction ‘THE ORIGINAL SINCE 1924*’ : ■ ■ '. / • Vacuum Cleaners & Shampooers l ilters. Bags. Parts, Hoses, Service and Repairs. All makes and models ELECTROLUX 478-788-8835 SUGARLOAF A Lovely Sidewalk Community In Perry These Homes are quality built all brick homes. We have 3 & 4 bedroom homes starting at 131,900 Homes have features such as custom cabinets, fireplace, sod, sprinkler system Builder is giving a 55.000 bonus if you contract on one of our last 2 completed homes and close within 30 days We have a new loan program available to use that is a 100% loan with no PMI. Information Center open daily Mon, Thur, Fri 12-6 weekdays. Sat 11-5 Sun 1-5 Stop by and visit with Karen or give her a call at 954-HOME (4663) Located on the Perry Parkway right across from the new Court House Coming Soon Another CARTER-WILKES S/D REMINGTON CHASE CONSTRUCTION, INC. -- 00036421 i fSj Fairclothßealtv -Inc. (478) 971-2115 331 Margie Olive, Warner Robins, GA. 31088 Disclaimer Bonuses based on certain completed homes only Loan program based upon credit and may not apply to an purchasers WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2006 discount. Arthur Ferdinand, the Fulton County tax commis sioner, said it’s not unusual to hear complaints about taxes. “The one on motor vehi cles really sticks in people’s craws,” he said. However, any move to get rid of the car tax wouldn’t primarily hit the state. The overwhelming major ity of the tax flows to local governments. Of the nearly $650 million in car taxes, only about $5.2 million goes to the state. Another $368.8 million goes to school districts, $171.9 million to counties and $55.7 million to cities. And those figures don’t include the revenues for some fire and police depart ments, parks and other ser vices. House Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter, R- Alpharetta?, said the state was not trying to starve school systems, cities and counties that rely on the tax from being able to cover the costs of governing. “The idea is to try to reim burse or local governments, not to take it away from them,” said But school systems and other local governments across the state are still con cerned that a repeal of the car tax cut could hit local revenues. “Some small school sys tems, this is a really huge chunk of their revenue,” said Rick Williamson, the assis tant director for planning at DeKalb County Schools who attended the meeting. He said local officials were skeptical that the state would completely cover any loss stemming from the end of the tax. “The question is, will the state be able to reimburse it in all economic conditions?” Williamson said. in May, saying the season could produce 13-16 named storms, and eight to 10 hur ricanes, four to six of which could become major. There have been only three tropical storms and no hur ricanes so far, but August through October are typi cally the most active months of the season. The revision follows that of forecasters at Colorado State University, who updated their forecast Thursday. They reduced their storm estimate from nine hurricanes, five of them major, to seven, with three to five major ones. The forecasters had ini tially called for 17 named storms, but now predict 15. 3A 00036365