The Big 10: April 4-11, 2014
Terry Lewis
Here are the most-read stories at www.albanyherald.com for the week of April 4 – 11, 2014
1. Radium Springs Middle teacher arrested on sexual exploitation of children charge
ALBANY — A Dougherty County middle school teacher was arrested late last week after officers received a tip that he was in possession of child pornography. Lt. Julie Wood and Capt. Craig J. Dodd of the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office present information concerning the Friday arrest of Dougherty County middle school teacher Brian Owen Brannen on a child sexual exploitation charge at a Monday news conference.
2. Allman Brothers Band’s 10-year run as Wanee festival hosts to end with headlining performances
LIVE OAK, Fla. — Organizers may be celebrating 10 years of the Wanee Music Festival here Thursday-Saturday, but the celebratory nature of the landmark anniversary has taken on a measure of finality after two key members of festival hosts The Allman Brothers Band announced they would no longer play with the venerable Southern rockers after this year.
3. Mosely named Dougherty County Schools permanent superintendent
ALBANY — The Dougherty County school board voted 5-2 at a called meeting Monday morning to name Butch Mosely as the system’s permanent superintendent. James Bush and Velvet Riggins cast the dissenting votes, citing concerns that the board has yet to discuss Mosely’s new salary and contract.
4. Uncle Bubba’s, co-owned by Paula Deen, closes
SAVANNAH — As long-time employees collected severance checks in the parking lot, Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House announced its closing Thursday morning on its website and Facebook page. “Thank you for 10 great years,” the written comment stated, “Uncle Bubba’s is now closed.”
5. Dougherty School Board to name Butch Mosely permanent superintendent
ALBANY — The Dougherty County School Board will hold a called meeting at 8:30 a.m. Monday at which time interim Superintendent Butch Mosely is expected to be named as the system’s 15th permanent superintendent. Mosely, 72, has held the interim job since January 2013 after former superintendent Joshua Murfree stepped down at the end of 2012.
6. Cable TV network location scouts visit Albany
ALBANY — As the entire state of Georgia continues to see an unprecedented increase in film and television productions being done throughout the state, Southwest Georgia may also see increased exposure as production companies look for new and interesting film locations.
7. Georgia Mom and pop businesses are not buying ACA
The health insurance marketplace for small businesses is now open. But Mom and Pop aren’t buying. Many small employers do not even appear interested in checking out this feature of the Affordable Care Act, which is different from the better-known individual exchange where people buy coverage for themselves.
8. Former Dougherty school chief Joshua Murfree to head athletics at Fort Valley State University
FORT VALLEY — Former Dougherty County School Superintendent Joshua Murfree has been named director of intercollegiate athletics at Fort Valley State University. Fort Valley State President Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith announced the appointment Friday.
9. Albany City Commissioner B.J. Fletcher: Tax owners of dilapidated properties
ALBANY — When businesswoman B.J. Fletcher campaigned for the Ward III Albany City Commission seat, she vowed to do what was best for her constituents, no matter whose feathers she might ruffle.Fletcher ruffled a few feathers at the commission’s work session last week when she asked her colleagues to work with her to require downtown property owners to bring their dilapidated properties up to code or face city-imposed fines.
10. Man sought for causing three auto wrecks in Albany
ALBANY — Police in Albany were looking Wednesday for Travis West, 35, who they say caused extensive and intentional damage to three vehicles on Tuesday. According to the Albany Police Department, about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday Zabrina Roberts, 32, was driving west on Clark Avenue in a Honda Accord when West deliberately rammed her vehicle from behind with his 2006 Cadillac CTS, pushing Roberts’ vehicle into an intersection.
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