Georgia News Roundup

Isakson recovering from back surgery

ATLANTA — U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Marietta, is expected to return to his work in the U.S. Senate the week of March 6 after undergoing back surgey last week at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital.

Isakson, 72, was admitted to Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital on Monday for a scheduled operation on his back to address spinal deterioration. Dr. Keith D. Osborn of Resurgens Orthopaedics performed the surgery and Georgia;s senior senator was released from the hospital Thursday.

“I’m extremely thankful for Dr. Osborn and the wonderful medical team at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital for their excellent care,” Isakson said. “I look forward to returning to Washington with a new and improved back to continue working harder than ever on behalf of Georgians.”

Isakson’s doctor has instructed him to rest this week before returning to Washington, D.C.

Kaiser Foundation names Georgia chief

ATLANTA (GHN) — Jim Simpson has been named president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, the Oakland, Calif.-based nonprofit organization announced Friday.

Simpson has been serving as interim president for Kaiser’s Georgia Region.

He was previously senior vice president of finance for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals. Simpson also has served as vice president and controller for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Northern California.

“Jim is a proven leader who is well prepared for this role,” Bernard J. Tyson, the Kaiser Permanente chairman and CEO, said in a statement Friday.

“I am confident his skill and expertise will support our Georgia Region’s positive growth trajectory and allow us to provide care and coverage to more people in our region’s communities.”

Kaiser Permanente of Georgia provides coverage to more than 300,000 members at 26 medical offices and partner hospitals, primarily in the Atlanta and Athens markets.

Man shot at 80th birthday party

CONYERS (TNS) — A man was arrested Friday after police say he fired two gunshots during an 80th birthday party hitting a Conyers man in the jaw.

Police arrived to a home on the 1000 block of Adcock Circle about 10:30 p.m. Thursday and found Emmanual Asamoah, 34, “bleeding profusely” from his jaw, Conyers police spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Lucas said.

“Witnesses in the area reported seeing a fight in the front yard of the residence then hearing two gunshots,” Lucas said.

Police said several people, who were celebrating an 80th birthday party, ran as soon as they heard the gunfire.

And the few witnesses who remained on the scene were not able to identify a shooter, she said.

Conyers police eventually lucked up when nearly 11 hours later a witness said Asamoah and Bernard Johnson, 50, had gotten into a fight.

Police say Johnson grabbed his gun from his car and fired twice at Asamoah, hitting him in the lower jaw. He then left in his black Suburban.

Police did not say what led to the argument. Asamoah was listed in critical yet stable condition.

Authorities arrested Johnson during a traffic stop. He was charged with aggravated assault and two weapons charges. He was being held at the Rockdale County jail without bond.

Man dies after Taser used on him

ATLANTA (TNS) — A man died Friday morning after a Butts County deputy used a Taser on him while serving a drug warrant, the GBI said.

About 5 a.m., deputies went to a home in the 200 block of Keys Ferry Road near Jackson to serve the warrant and encountered 53-year-old Douglas Roger Tanner Sr., agency spokeswoman Nelly Miles said.

Things escalated and the deputy deployed the Taser, Miles said.

Tanner showed signs of physical distress and was taken to Sylvan Grove Hospital, Miles said.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Butt County Sheriff’s Office arrested the homeowner Chad Hoek, 39. He faces two counts of sale of methamphetamine. A child was in the home during the search, but was unharmed. The child was later turned over to family members.

Miles said no officers were injured during the altercation.

Mayoral candidates don’t defend City Hall

File Photo

ATLANTA (TNS) — In a discussion that sometimes grew tense, candidates hoping to succeed Kasim Reed as Atlanta’s next mayor agreed on one thing: nobody wanted to defend City Hall.

With an ever-growing bribery scandal swirling around the city’s central government, not one of the eight candidates who took part in a Friday forum for the Judicial Qualifications Commission raised a hand when asked if they were willing to stand up for City Hall.

“I do believe there are people at City Hall who are there to enrich themselves and not serve the people, ” state senator and candidate Vincent Fort said getting the ball rolling. “There is a culture of corruption there.”

Ceasar Mitchell, who earlier in the day held a press conference saying he will push to have future contracts posted online, said, “To know people would allow this type of activity in our city when it is not necessary is disappointing.”

Atlanta City Hall has been engulfed since January in a federal investigation over an alleged “pay for play” bribery scheme for city contracts. Two contractors have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and the head of the city’s procurement division was fired earlier this week after the FBI seized items from his office.

Mayor Kasim Reed has said he has not been questioned in the investigation and will pursue efforts to clean up City Hall.