VOLUME 23 NUMBER 7
FREE
MAY 13, 2017
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
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I-85 corridor to reopen by May 15
he I-85 corridor, closed since the bridge collapsed as a result of a March 30 fire, will reopen on May 15, officials announced. Gov. Nathan Deal, along with Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Commissioner Russell McMurry and State Transportation Board Chairman Robert L. Brown Jr., made the announcement on May 9. The northbound and southbound lanes of the I-85 bridge over Piedmont Road in metro Atlanta are projected to open to traffic by morning rush-hour on May 15. The new opening date Construction crews put the finishing touches on the I-85 corridor on May 11. Photos by Glenn L. is nearly two weeks earlier than Morgan/OCG News tremendous challenge, the response from I-85 weeks ahead of original projections. GDOT’s most recent commitment the people of Georgia has been nothing This high-traffic section of I-85 of Memorial Day weekend, and five less than remarkable,” said Deal. carries nearly 243,000 vehicles each day weeks ahead of the original projected GDOT estimates approximately $27 under normal circumstances. opening date of June 15. million in motorist savings by opening “We knew that the closure of the “While this situation has been a
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corridor would have a major impact on local and regional travel. We have been laser-focused not only on rapid construction, but also on safety and efficiency,” said GDOT Commissioner McMurry. “Six weeks is an amazingly short timeframe to complete this project. At the same time, it is probably the most inspected, most scrutinized construction project Georgia DOT has ever undertaken, with our inspectors working on site around the clock. We did our due diligence each day and every step of the way.” To date, GDOT has logged more than 3,500 man hours of on-site inspections, with as many as eight inspectors on-site at a time. Inspections include examining the fabricated steel beams off-site and inspecting them again for size and spacing on-site. Inspectors also sampled and tested the concrete before it was poured. The latest updates on the reopening of I-85 can be found at www.I85rebuild. org or www.dot.ga.gov.
DeKalb honors fallen officers at memorial service
eKalb County Police Chief James W. Conroy and CEO Michael Thurmond honored the county’s fallen officers during a memorial service, which was held on May 10 at the DeKalb Historic Courthouse in downtown Decatur. The memorial service recognized May as the month law enforcement agencies across the country honored those who have died in the line of duty. The service brought together surviving family members, police officers elected officials and community groups. DeKalb honored officers from Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb County Marshal’s Office and MARTA Police.
Deal appoints panel to investigate DeKalb Sheriff Jeffrey Mann
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ov. Nathan Deal has appointed a three-member panel to investigate DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann, who was arrested by Atlanta Police for public indecency and obstruction on May 6. Deal signed an executive order on May 11 to appoint County Sheriff Attorney General Chris Carr, DeKalb Jeffrey Mann Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown and Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese to the panel. The panel must report its findings within 30 days. Based on the findings, Mann could be suspended for up to 90 days and an interim sheriff would be appointed by DeKalb’s Chief Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson. Mann issued a statement after his arrest saying he is working with the city of Atlanta to clear the charges. He has hired Attorney Noah Pines to represent him.
Mann’s arrest sent shockwaves through DeKalb and metro Atlanta as the news circulated nationally and was picked up by The Houston Chronicle, The New York Post, and the U.S. News &World Report to name a few. Mann was arrested on Saturday, May 6, around 11 p.m. after he ran from an Atlanta Police officer who said he saw Mann exposing himself in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. The officer said in his report he noticed Mann approaching him as he stood near a tree in the park: “The male was in an area known for sexual acts after dark. Therefore, I stood back to watch the male’s activities.” The officer said Mann exposed himself and began masturbating while walking toward him. “I allowed the male to get approximately 7 to 10 feet away from me before I used my issued flashlight to shine light on the male. The male immediately fed on foot. I ran behind the male while yelling, “Police, Stop!” Mann looked back at the officer several times but
continued to run toward the sidewalk and the street, according to the police report. Mann stopped to tie his shows, while the officer waited to cross 10th Street and traffic. Mann started running again but eventually surrendered and got on the ground as ordered, the officer said in the report. The officer said he searched Mann and found two condoms in his right pocket. Meanwhile, some supporters maintain Mann has done a good job as sheriff, despite the charges against him. DeKalb’s Commissioner Gregory Adams said the incident must play out in the judicial system. He said the alleged incident aside, he still believes that Mann has done a good job in his capacity as sheriff and he is confident that Mann will continue to do a good job. “He was charged with two misdemeanors. Those charges would amount to a fine. I really hope that we can get past this,” said Adams.