GA News Podcast – East Metro for Sunday, 4/7 – Published Friday 4/5

From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to your Georgia News Podcast. This podcast features stories compiled from the publications of Times Journal Inc. 

Today is Sunday, April 7th, and Happy 84th Birthday to director Francis Ford Coppola.

***04.07.24 – BIRTHDAY – FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA***

I’m Keith Ippolito and here is your top stories Georgia is talking about, presented by Drake Realty 

1. Cartersville High Teacher Had 'Inappropriate Relationship' With a Student
2. Former Cherokee County Daycare Worker Accused of Abusing 2-Year-Old
3. Addy’s Law Passes Georgia General Assembly

We’ll have these stories and more, coming up on your Georgia News Podcast and If you want community, local, and statewide news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! 

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Story 1: POLICE: Cartersville High Teacher Had 'Inappropriate Relationship' With a Student

John Paul Snead, a teacher at Cartersville High School hired in 2019 to establish the Junior ROTC program, has been charged with felony sexual assault by a teacher/school administrator and sexual battery, following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student. Snead, 53, was arrested and booked into Bartow County Jail. The Cartersville Police initiated an investigation after receiving a report about the suspected relationship in mid-March. Snead, identified as a sergeant first class with 28 years of service in the Army and National Guard before retiring in 2017, faces ongoing investigation and anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the criminal investigative division.

Story 2: Former Cherokee County Daycare Worker Accused of Abusing 2-Year-Old

Ashley Marie O'Connor, a former daycare worker at The Sunshine House in Cherokee County, has been arrested on child abuse charges. O'Connor, 28, is accused of multiple acts of abuse against a 2-year-old child, including forcefully holding a blanket over his nose and mouth, dropping him on his head, dragging him on the floor by his neck, applying her body weight to hold him down, shaking his head forcefully causing it to strike the floor, and slapping him in the face. The incidents, which occurred on March 13, were caught on security cameras. O'Connor was immediately fired, and the authorities were notified. She was booked into the Cherokee County jail and released on a $15,000 bond.

Story 3: Addy’s Law Passes Georgia General Assembly

"Addy's Law," a bill aimed at increasing fines and penalties for drivers who pass stopped school buses, has been passed by both the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate. The legislation, named after 8-year-old Adalynn Pierce who tragically died after being struck by a car while boarding a school bus, mandates public school systems to consider safer bus routes and imposes harsh penalties for violators. Offenders will face high and aggravated misdemeanor charges, with fines of at least $1,000 and potential imprisonment. Civil penalties will increase from $250 to $1,000, and repeat offenders may have their violations reported to their insurance companies. The bill, introduced by Georgia Rep. Lauren Daniel, aims to prevent reckless driving near school buses and hold offenders accountable.

We’ll be right back 

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Story 4: Monster Jam Driver Brings Megalodon to Atlanta Motor Speedway

Monster Jam, known for its gravity-defying stunts, is set to thrill audiences at Atlanta Motor Speedway in mid-April. Veteran driver Todd LeDuc is excited about the event, praising Atlanta's unique track layout and massive airs. LeDuc, who pilots the popular Megalodon truck, aims for another championship at the season-ending event in California. Despite the physical toll, LeDuc remains focused on winning. Reflecting on his career, which includes successful stints in mountain biking and off-road racing, LeDuc credits technology, fitness, and luck for his safety. As for retirement, he remains uncertain, emphasizing his commitment to stay at the top of his game as long as possible.

Story 5: Northside Hospital offering newly-approved melanoma therapy treatment

Northside Hospital announces the availability of AMTAGVI T-cell therapy for melanoma patients, making them the first hospital system in Georgia to offer this treatment. Approved by the FDA, the therapy is aimed at patients with unresectable and metastatic melanoma who have not responded to conventional treatments. This therapy utilizes tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) to target and destroy cancer cells, offering hope for patients who have exhausted other options. With melanoma being a significant health concern in Georgia, Northside's initiative is seen as a promising development in the fight against this aggressive form of cancer. Patients interested in the therapy can contact Northside Hospital for further information and referrals.

Story 6: Georgia Highlands College Named One of the Most Affordable Colleges in the Country

Georgia Highlands College (GHC) is recognized for its affordability, ranking among the most budget-friendly institutions by College Consensus. The ranking considers factors such as tuition and fees for out-of-state students, accredition, and online program availability. GHC offers various online bachelor's degree programs, including nursing, dental hygiene, criminal justice, healthcare management, logistics, supply chain management, health science, building information modeling management, and environmental and natural resources. Recently, GHC extended its $95 per credit hour in-state tuition to Alabama residents and facilitates credit transfers from Alabama colleges. For further details, interested individuals can visit GHC's website.

Story 7: Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls for Resignation of Georgia GOP Vice Chair

Brian Pritchard, the first vice chair of the Georgia Republican Party, faces calls for resignation, including from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, due to his conviction for voter fraud and continued false claims of election fraud. Despite pressure, Pritchard refuses to step down, dismissing the demands as sensationalized. He was fined for illegally voting nine times while on probation for a felony forgery sentence. Pritchard, known for promoting conspiracy theories about election fraud, claims he was unaware of his probation status. Despite his conviction, Pritchard aimed to enhance election integrity, as stated in his 2023 questionnaire.

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Thanks again for listening to today’s Georgia News podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. 

Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do.

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