Really? They object to making Hood "wear a device that would deliver an incapacitating electrical shock should he try to escape while making court appearances."...how about shackles and chains and an orange jumpsuit like every other killer in the criminal justice system? I hate to inform you Athens but we seem to have lost our minds...and don't seem to care about finding them. We should all be ashamed.

The Homeless God Bless guy is now on the Milledge off ramp and he leaves a bunch of trash behind when he goes to his homeless place. I've seen the whole gang of them on Lexington with the same sign and when the police go by they fold up the sign and put it under their shirts. They have quite a lucrative scam going on...and they will be there as long as people give them money. Stop it already, they have more money than you and I put together...I've seen them pull out wads of cash to give change. It's ridiculous.

Was this package addressed to her, if not, why did she open it? Did the FedEx driver ask her to sign for a neighbor's package and then leave a note for the neighbor and that's how the real recipient got her name? Or was the package left at the door with out getting a signature? There are too many unanswered questions for me to side against FedEx.

I've been reading some of the comments on this article as well the other ones about this situation and trying to understand all that is printed. Joe, I admire you and your talent and hopefully will not sound snarky when I ask about the parents not cooperating. I have been thinking that the young man who is accused of this horrific action is 22 years old. He is an adult. His parents live in other areas, not Cartersville. Why do they need to cooperate? Please understand I'm only asking this question because last nights comments were giving information about the father and his profession. I keep thinking that when my sons were 22 years old, I would have been unable to give the LEO information about them. They didn't live at home and I would think the natural instinct of a parent is to get the story from their adult child's mouth and not what is printed in a newspaper. I would hope that my sons were responsible enough to not only remain at the scene, but to not be driving while so impaired that someone would in the condition of this young woman. But, I can't swear to that, because again, they are adults and on their own. I sincerely wish the very best for Ms. Bowman and her family. I can't imagine how awful things are for them and how scared they must be, so don't misunderstand and think I am not horrified or outraged at the poor choices made by the driver of the truck.

I edited this because I thought he was from Carnesville...

For those of you who are inclined to pray...now is the time to ask God to keep His hand on this family. If you are inclined not to pray...send good thoughts their way. They have been through so much...I can't imagine how frightening this must be for them. Go Team Boom...

@Joe Johnson: my name is Sally and I'm an alcoholic. I always say you can have my last breath, my last drop of blood, but you can not have my sobriety. It's mine and I'm keeping it. AA is not for everyone and the best advice I got was to keep my mouth shut and my ears open for the first thirty days because once you put it out there, there is no taking it back. My road on the journey into wellness was easier than most, because I wanted to get sober and that is the key, ya gotta want it for it to stick. Plus it's great knowing that when I wake up and feel bad, alcohol has nothing to do with it. Sure wish I could have all the days back when I was nursing a hangover...Thank you Joe for your honesty and your sensitivity.

@monkey_of_shame: I think Stacy said that not only was this a freak accident, but the daycare personnel is like family because Tripp has been going to them since he was three months old. She has also stated that if and when Tripp is able, he will return to this daycare. It's one of the endearing qualities that she has. In a "sue-happy society" she and Bill understand that this was simply a horrible, tragic accident. It could happen to anyone, but for it happen to a two year old...and he survived, is truly amazing.

I so love this family! They are so incredibly positive about all things with Tripp's recovery process. It is so inspiring to read their posts on Facebook. The scary thing is that this could happen to anyone...at anytime. The daycares in Georgia are not required to have insurance so there is no claim to be filed for this unfortunate accident. There have been a lot of fund raisers for them, but as we all know, that only goes so far. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we would all commit to one dollar per month, the price of a lottery ticket...I do it each month through the Paypal account on Tripp's Facebook page. I know it's not a lot, but I feel like I've hit the lottery when I do it because it's going to a wonderful family who could be sitting around wringing their hands and instead they have opened their lives for us to be a part of. There are 131k people following them on Facebook...one dollar...can you imagine how far that would go if we all did it? They could build the type of house that would truly benefit this precious child...

@bobbidiboo: best comment ever!

My heart aches for the families of the victims and the entire town of Newtown Ct, but there are several things that have bothered me about this tragedy. One is the unreliable "police sources" that make comments that are untrue,for instance the older brother being named as the shooter. This type of irresponsibility puts this innocent brother's life in danger. Unless it's a fact and you are permitted to inform the media, keep your mouth shut. Something else that upsets me is the feeding frenzy that the media makes when there is a shooting...we all feel horrible about this, but to show us the street where the shooter lived serves no purpose. My family had a horrific tragedy and there were people that would drive by, for no apparent reason other that to yell things toward the house. They felt it was their right to do so, since the media had broadcast the address.
I remember when Columbine happened and thinking that there would be some idiot that would try to "top it"...and it's happened time and again. The media needs to be reined in when it comes to senseless tragedies such as this. I'm sure my opinion doesn't matter, but irresponsible journalism and journalists should be held accountable for their actions. Been there personally, and witnessed the pain in the eyes of my loved ones because the media swears they are entitled to report the "news", never mind the innocent victims that are simply related by blood.

Desperate Housewife

How heartwarming to see the community come together for such a worthwhile cause. The monies collected will enable Tripp's parents to be with him as he heals. I can't begin to fathom the fear and uncertainty they must feel. Imagine taking your child to daycare and getting the call that a limb weighing over a hundred pounds has hit your two year old in the head. There are over 89 thousand people on Facbook following Tripp's progress...someone mentioned if all of the followers gave one dollar...that's one sweet tea from McDonald's...that would give this young family such a cushion, so that they can be with their child. Sign me up...I'm in.

@linnyt: Reefer Madness

@snarkydude: I couldn't agree with you more. I am so sick to death of this kind of crap. I don't care how much money she swears she was making...there is no price on self respect. Ten years? Not me...it would have been more like ten minutes...and I also agree that that the political aspect of the article is unnecessary. I am unsure of the angle that the reporter was attempting. Is it because the CEO is Republican or that the suer is looking for a fast buck and he is wealthy? Either way, it was unnecessary.

Well...there goes the neighborhood...

@kconner: Well ya know, I wasn't sure at first. Most of his posts are directed to the downfall of today's black young men and how they seem tobelieve that they have a sense of entitlement, so I was taken aback when I read that post...and then I re read it...and since I was the next poster I wanted to be certain that I wasn't gonna blast him if he was being sarcastic. It was late...my mistake. Should have waited. Sorry for doubting you Ben. Carry on everyone. I'll watch from the corner as punishment.

@Ben-Shockley: please tell me you're kidding.

This is a sad situation all the way around. I do have to say that I can understand these comments...the first post was an attack on Joe Johnson...even though the poster was a relative of the victim and rightfully upset, we don't take too kindly to you jumping on Joe...so naturally the remarks back were snarky and snide...looks like the waters have calmed somewhat.
My sympathies also are with the family and also the poor train conductor. This awful disease seems to have touched more lives than the afflicted.
@smcfalls1968: best of luck to you, I can't imagine how anxious you must be about this inherited gene in your family.

That's alot of money for a glass pipe...bet it still breaks if you drop it on concrete...and if you have merchandise that expensive, wouldn't you do something more than put a piece of wood over the hole...like perhaps install an alarm system? Maybe the assortment was the entire inventory.

@Digdug: Thank you. Again...I know nothing about swine (except the flu variety) I thought pigs and hogs were the same. Probably should clarify that I am not much of an outdoorsy kind of person...my favorite thing about the outside is the door to get back in the house.

@Digdug: Thank you. Again...I know nothing about swine (except the flu variety) I thought pigs and hogs were the same. Probably should clarify that I am not much of an outdoorsy kind of person...my favorite thing about the outside is the door to get back in the house.

First of all...I don't understand anything about pigs, so forgive my ignorance; I was unaware that pigs ate meat. I thought they ate "slop" which in my mind was a soupy kind of feed. Is 700 lbs a normal size for a pig? And when the article says they haven't ruled out criminal activity, does that mean that someone may have thrown him in with the pigs? And now what happens to those pigs...are they butchered and the meat sold in stores? I think this is one of the most bizarre stories I read in along time. Pigs...who knew?

I don't even know where to begin with this...he's 48, she's 33...let's start there. 1. Non compliant with his meds.
2. She feels like he might throw hot grease on her.
3. Then he approaches her with a knife. But oops...cuts his own throat instead.
No cut in the mug shot...run 33 year old girl who is too young to waste her life with this moron...RUN FAST AND RUN FAR...DON'T LOOK BACK. Next time you may not be as lucky.

And just when I prayed this morning that God would keep one hand on my shoulder and the other across my mouth...a pen...seriously? One arm, one leg...waving a pen in the air. What kind of pen would you shoot someone over...perhaps a bullpen. Cornered him...one arm, one leg...cornered him...like in a circle? Unbelievable.

@grove600: I work for a doctor and I promise you this...it's the specialist and not the primary care physician that makes the money. We do all the diagnosis and then we have to send them to a specialist who takes the same diagnosis and makes way more money than we would have. The problem with healthcare is not doctors or hospitals and certainly not pharma companies...it's the insurance companies. They have a strangle hold on the industry and they want us to believe that what they cover is sufficient...when in fact, it's not. But they continue to raise rates and pay the provider less and less. Leaving more for the patient to pay. I have seen charges of $85.00 get a payment of $29.00. Try to pay staff and overhead with this...nope...doctors are not overpaid.