Headlines for Friday, October 12, 2007

Macon police detectives continue to investigate a murder that has shocked the community. Local businessman and community volunteer Waldo Sheftall was found shot to death in his Washington Avenue home late Wednesday evening. Police say robbery may have been the motive and that no suspects have been arrested at this time.

Meanwhile a double murder trial is continuing in Milledgeville. Brian Duane Brookins is accused of murdering his wife and step-daughter and faces the death penalty. Defense attorneys put a psychiatrist on the stand Thursday who testified that Brookins is mentally retarded. Prosecutors dispute these findings saying the defendant has an IQ of 72. Legally a person must have an IQ of 70 to be considered mentally retarded. Those found mentally retarded cannot face the death penalty.

Bibb County's Chief Tax Appraiser, Jim Davis, is staying in Macon. Davis was offered a job in Glynn County but turned it down. This means he will oversee a massive reevaluation project set to begin in a few weeks.

A Macon woman remains in jail after being charged with theft. Trudy Rutland is accused of stealing nearly a quarter million dollars from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. Investigators discovered the theft after the center's anniversary celebration. Proceeds from the celebration could not be found, and when officials checked the account they discovered the shortage.

A Bolingbroke zebra is back home. Ziggy was given back to his owners after they paid fines and fees to the Department of Natural Resources. Officials confiscated the animal in August saying the family did not have the proper permits.

Headlines for Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Lawyers for a Baldwin County man, accused of killing his wife and step-daughter, say he suffers from mental illness and mental retardation and therefore should not receive the death penalty. Brian Duane Brookins is accused of shooting and killing the two women and faces the death penalty. His trial is underway in Milledgeville.

Bibb County's Chief Tax Appraiser, Jim Davis, has still not accepted a job in Glynn County. Davis was offered the top appraisers position just as Bibb County is set to begin a massive reevaluation. Glynn County officials say they are still looking for someone to fill the position.

A local teach has announced that he will run against Congressman Jim Marshall in the Democratic primary for the Eighth Congressional District. Robert Nowak, who lives in Macon but works in Warner Robins, joins Macon Mayor Jack Ellis in the growing field of potential candidates. Nowak says he disagrees with Marshall on funding for children's health care programs and the Iraq War.

Macon Mayor, Jack Ellis, has reserved the city council chambers this evening for a celebration. The mayor, along with the Macon Islamic Center, will host an event to mark the end of the Islamic holiday, Ramadan. Ramadan does not officially end until Friday. The event includes a panel discussion and a community feast. Ellis converted to Islam last December.

In today's weather we'll have partly cloudy skies with a high of 91 degrees. There's a 20% chance of rain this afternoon.