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J.D. Sumner

Stories by J.D.

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District Attorney: Serious threats uncommon for local prosecutors

The Kaufman County, Texas, district attorney and his wife were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds at their home near Forney, Texas, on Saturday.

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DA, police have suspects in drive-by killings

William Davis and Desmond Williams were killed in a drive-by shooting March 17.

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Smallcakes franchise coming to Albany

The cupcakery has more than 80 different flavors available.

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Boler: Primary mission is focus on customers

Ken Boler is The Albany Herald's newly appointed general sales manager,

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On the job with Jim Vaught

Deputy Dougherty County Emergency Management Director Jim Vaught is an interesting character. After 27 years in the Marine Corps, the Harley Fatboy-riding leatherneck continued his public service in a variety of different ways — ending in his current role as the county’s top disaster planning specialist.

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Albany Herald carrier shot at while on his morning delivery route

A newspaper carrier for the Albany Herald was shot at while making his rounds early Friday morning, police officials say.

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Serial arsonist prompts evacuation of Albany Heights

Fire officials say they have a number of suspects they’re interviewing but no charges have been filed.

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Sumter County fire chief indicted in South Carolina

John Ekaitis was the chief of the Hardeeville, S.C. Fire Department from 2003 to 2007.

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City on lesbian and gay rights: 'We follow state's lead'

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on two major gay rights issue this summer.

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High court reverses Albany gang conviction

Prosecutors vow to retry Jones for his role in the August 2009 shooting at Carver Pool.

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Law enforcers learn to handle mentally ill

According to statistics, it costs seven times more to treat mentally ill prisoners than the cost for private care.

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On the Job with Wes Smith

With 27 years of municipal government under his belt, Assistant City Manager Wes Smith has seen a lot during his tenure in Albany. He’s handled flood recovery, political scandals and has managed to balance a home life that includes a wife and four children.

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Downtown churches collaborate for Holy Week services

Services this week will start each day at 12:15 p.m. at Hines Memorial CME Church on North Madison Street.

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Technology brings new level of convenience to craft fairs

New levels of convenience for customers and safety for vendors does come at a price, however.

There is one annoying facet of craft-fair shopping that has plagued consumers as long as people have had hand-made wares to sell.

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Top chamber official resigns

An Albany chamber official accepts a position in a community where her son can continue to receive therapy for autism.

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Consular and trade officials take tour of Thrush

Representatives of 23 countries are taking a three-day tour of Southwest Georgia this week.

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Chamber drops to three-star accreditation

The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce was given a five-star rating after its last evaluation in 2007.

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Cairo man pleads not guilty to child pornography charges

Federal agents say they found images and videos of prepubescent children on discs seized from a suspect's home.

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First trafficking defendants make court appearances

An indictment lodged against nine defendants charged with cocaine trafficking remains under seal.

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VIPs from across the globe to visit Albany today

Local officials hope that a tour of Southwest Georgia cities leads to further investment in the area.

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First of nine in cocaine trafficking conspiracy make court appearances

The first three defendants in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy case brought by the federal government appeared in court Tuesday

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Two die in drive-by shooting

Police on alert for possible retaliation

Albany police are on alert for a possible retaliation for Sunday’s shooting.

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On the Job with Chris Hardy

In this week's On the Job, Chris Hardy talks about his personal and professional life; his dream of escaping to Hawaii and his addiction to golf.

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Albany woman convicted of public assistance fraud

Five years on probation, more than $5,000 in resitution and a $1,000 fine await Carol Johnson.

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Brothers charged in armed robbery

Two armed men robbed the Family Dollar on East Oglethorpe Boulevard, police officials say.

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Hotel/Motel tax passes on second vote

A controversial Fulton County bill fails by one vote to pass.

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Link Up concert set for Friday

The annual concert is a collaboration between the Albany Symphony and Carnegie Hall.

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Trial starts for woman accused of public assistance fraud

The trial of an Albany woman accused of covering up her marriage so that she could receive public housing assistance from the state started in earnest Wednesday with lawyers completing opening statements and the state calling its first witnesses.

Assembly passes Tift namesake resolution

Henry Harding Tift was the nephew of Albany's founder, Nelson Tift.

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Fulton County spat prompts lawmakers to table Albany Hotel/motel tax bill

A bill that was originally passed by the Georgia House of Representatives but then lumped into a package that was up for reconsideration Monday has now been tabled by lawmakers in a move one local representative says is akin to holding all of the state's local legislation "hostage."

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Judge grants request for 'Big Daddy's' hearing

A controversial night club that was stripped of its liquor license by the Albany City Commission will continue to serve patrons until a March 27 hearing after a court order handed down in late February.

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Albany hotel/motel tax tied up in Fulton County political wrangling

A House Bill set to be voted on Monday will determine if Dougherty County’s hotel/motel tax will increase.

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Hospital authority bill fails to meet crossover deadline

The bill remains viable for the legislative session next year.

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Airport officials working on appeal to avoid tower shutdown

Airport officials are busy filing appeals to a decision handed down by the federal government to shutter the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport's tower control center due to sequester-related cuts.

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Accused Merry Acres Inn shooter indicted for separate crime

Michael Johnson is currently booked in the Bibb County Jail awaiting a court hearing on armed robbery charges there.

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Smithsonian to bring black history presentation to ASU

The symposium is set Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school’s student center.

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Snickers Marathon among nation's top two races with Boston Qualifiers

Albany's Snickers Marathon had the second-highest percentage of runners finish with a Boston Marathon qualifying-time in the nation, officials say.

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Former Lee County school board member running for Congress

Sanford Bishop is currently in his 11th term of Congress.

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Cold weather chills Mardi Gras turnout

Last year, organizers say nearly 30,000 people came out for the street festival — 24,000 more than this year’s estimate.

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On the Job with Ufot Inyang

This week's On the Job features Ufot Inyang, who is the assistant superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Dougherty County School System.

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Standard & Poor’s hikes Synovus credit rating

Synovus is the parent company of SB&T Bank.

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Former Camilla pharmacist's appeal denied

J. Harris Morgan was convicted of health care fraud in December 2011.

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On your mark ...

Last minute details worked out on Albany marathon

Albany's marathon starts at 7 a.m. today with the Mardis Gras festival starting at 10 a.m.

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Two suffer minor injuries in fire at company

A fire that erupted at an Albany equipment company this afternoon injured two people and caused interior damage to the structure.

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Blakely peanut defendants plead not guilty

All four defendants indicted in connection to a Blakely peanut processing facility that prosecutors contend sickened hundreds and killed nine people by spreading Salmonella bacteria entered not guilty pleas before a U.S. Magistrate Thursday.

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Caregiver charged with stealing from elderly woman

A caregiver who had been on the run since being questioned by police in November in connection to a series of thefts from an 86-year-old woman has been arrested, authorities say.

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River waters receding in most areas

Officials in Lee County are still closely watching the Kinchafoonee Creek as surging waters flow in from the north.

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Petsmart looking to open Albany store

Pet supplies retailer PetSmart is eying a location in Northwest Albany, documents obtained by the Herald Wednesday show.

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ASU 'Cash Mob' helps downtown restaurant

A group of Albany State University students uses a unique strategy to boost sales at an Albany restaurant.

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Weather service downgrades flood prediction for Albany

Lee County, Bainbridge and Thomasville are expected to see “moderate” flooding from recent heavy rains.