Free Republic

COLUMBUS — A motorist accused of striking and killing a road construction worker from Barnesville while driving on Interstate 70 in Franklin County last year was sentenced to five years in prison after entering an Alford plea to aggravated vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle while under the influence. Edward Torres, 31, of South Solon, was sentenced to five years on the aggravated vehicular homicide charge and 180 days on the OVI charge with the sentences to be served concurrently for a total of five years in prison. Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Schneider also suspended Torres’ driver’s...

Pastor James Brown Jr. of the Covenant Baptist Church in Barnesville, Ga., wants his state legislature to pass a bill that permits churchgoers to carry firearms to worship at his church. Joining him in the effort is Pastor Joe Morecraft of Chalcedon Presbyterian Church in Cumming, Ga. And the campaign is just getting started. The bill, HB 54, was introduced in late January by Republican state Rep. Bobby Franklin, who serves the state's 43rd district. If passed, it will repeal a section of a law prohibiting individuals from carrying guns in a church setting. Currently, the state's "Common Sense Lawful...