ALBANY, Ga.
Reward offered in crane killings
A federal agency is offering a $12,500 reward for information about the illegal shootings of three endangered whooping cranes in Southwest Georgia.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the reward in hopes of generating tips leading to an arrest and prosecution of whoever killed the migratory birds.
The cranes were found dead Dec. 30 by hunters in Calhoun County west of Albany. Authorities say necropsies on the birds determined all three had been shot.
The cranes were released in late 2010 in Wisconsin in a program to reintroduce the birds to the eastern United States. It’s estimated there are only about 570 whooping cranes left worldwide.
CHATTANOOGA
Palin hacker reports to prison
A man convicted of hacking Sarah Palin’s e-mail account reported to an unfenced federal prison camp to begin a yearlong sentence that could end sooner if he behaves.
A Federal Bureau of Prisons spokesman said Thursday that David Kernell, 23, reported to the minimum security camp at Ashland, Ky., Monday to begin a sentence that could end Nov. 23 with “good conduct time.”
A Knoxville jury in late April convicted Kernell of unauthorized access to a protected computer and destroying records to impede a federal investigation. The jury acquitted him of wire fraud and deadlocked on an identity theft charge.
Kernell was a University of Tennessee economics major when he deduced the answers to security questions and gained access to Palin’s private e-mail account just weeks before the 2008 election.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.
University issues campus alert
Officials at Austin Peay State University have issued a campus alert after a former student sent a letter that says he’s being forced to commit what will be perceived as a heinous crime.
The alert was sent by e-mail and text message to students, faculty and staff.
The letter was from Cliff Richard Guthrie, who was enrolled for the fall 2010 semester.
The Leaf-Chronicle reports it conducted a telephone interview with Guthrie in which he said he planned to burn his car and garbage bins. During what the newspaper called a rambling interview, Guthrie said he would protest his forced involvement in a “socioeconomic and political” experiment.
In the campus alert, APSU officials said the statements Guthrie made are considered threatening and are being taken seriously.
RINGGOLD, Ga.
Batteries taken from vehicles
Sheriff’s deputies are searching for whoever stole batteries from eight vehicles that Michael Perkins had parked on a lot at 2392 Pine Grove Road.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office at 706-935-2424. Anyone with information leading to an arrest and prosecution could receive a cash reward up to $1,000.
Article source: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/jan/14/region-digest/
Category: Prison Time