What the story fails to mention is that they're raising the healthcare costs for the County Employees who are recieving 2% raise. So our fireman, police, road and facilities workers will be paying about $130 more a month. So in reality they will be taking less home. Smoke and mirrors.

Not sure why he Officer used his pepper spray in that manner, lesson learned I'm sure.

The fact that the judge let the man out on low bond, which he spent less than 24 hours in jail should be a major concern for the citizens of Athen Clarke County.

In my opinion there is only one reason why a person would try to take a weapon from an Officer, that is to use it.

The POS who is currently walking the streets of ACC is a known gang member with a violent past. Why the Judge didn't take this into account is just make sense. If he commits another crime and a citizen or officer is hurt or worse she the judge should have to answer for it.

I have an idea...Stick him in a cell with Jamie Hood throw a couple shanks in with them, turn on the cameras and walk away. When the dust settles use the proceeds from the video to pay for the defense team of the Victor. Just think of the money it will save the tax payer. Just an idea.

This guy is a complete POS...Nothing more than a lazy worthless career criminal.

Very tragic news. It awesome to see the community come together in its time of need. Huge thank you to Chic-fil-a.

I hope anyone who has benefited from this kitchen in the past will join efforts with the community to help where ever they can as well.

@grove600: Is that right? Most of the officers in ACCPD work 6 on 2 off, their days off rotate through the week then after about six weeks they get a three day weekend, providing its not football season, bike race or a big concert in which case they work. To add salt to the wound quite often on their days off that fall within the week they get to spend it in court. But I'm sure coming from a man/woman who has expressed his/hers opinion on this site 12,041 times you already knew that.

@pattyplush: that's a good start. Kudos.

@Mookie: Good catch.

@Bellehowell: ""Doesn't sound like these kids were doing much beyond an innocent Sunday evening film"

Well that goes back to what I said, blame the neighbors who called. Sounds like maybe a little history between neighbors if one decided to call the police for an innocent little movie.

Still this has nothing to do with the police who were called to do their job.

And a ticket wouldn't have been isssued if there wasn't a violation... If they feel it was unjust take it to court.

@Bellehowell: Really? Why don't you blame the neighbors who called the police, or the rude neighbors who were blasting a movie on a Sunday night. Rumor has it some people do work in Athens. Or maybe if people would handle minor differences like adults the police wouldn't have to waste their time responding to such calls. But since my tax dollars help pay for police services I'm glad a ticket was written to help off set the cost.

All the crimes you mentioned must of happened while the officer was dealing with the movie caper. Otherwise I'm sure the officer would of been at his post, parked in the driveways of all three of these residences.

Hold on...There are restrictions in place making it illegal for convicted felons to have guns. Not only did the criminal have a gun he commited another crime with it. Didn't somebody explain to this lawless criminal that he needed to turn in his firearms? Quick somebody call Joe Biden and let him know about this crazy stuff. To think a criminal would break the law, crazy!

@webbty80: Do you know him? Were you there? If you can't answer yes to those questions it sounds to me sonny you're just making assumptions.

@mkultra27: Nice comeback...I give, you win.

@SockPuppetsRUs: And I thought you were just the typical disrespectful troll, who knew that you had such a keen ability of stating the obvious.

That 81 year old gentleman could probably stomp your ass.

@mkultra27: You could always move it you hate it so much.

@harrumph: I laugh at you, and couldn't care less what you think. I will label you as Typical and move on.

@Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass: Nice catch...You're a kind soul.

Nice piece Ed. An enjoyable read.

Thank God for all the men that were willing to fight the wars, so these writers could continue to write. Because without the brave men who were willing to toe the line and fight for freedom, these three wouldn't have had the chance to work on the masterpieces that we all enjoy. I love the work of all three of these gentlemen and I'm am grateful that others were willing to lay their lives down to protect the freedoms of these men so they could work their literary magic and speak out against their government without having to worry about consequences.

Don't thank the Politician, Protester or the Writer for your freedoms, thank a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine. The others just exercise and benefit from the freedoms they died for.

Stienbeck sure lived the dream didn't he....He even profitted from the Vietnam War, as a War Correspondent in 1967, appointed by his personal friend Lyndon Johnson. His sympathetic portrayal of US troops Upset his liberal friends at the New York Post and associates in the communist organiztion of the League of American Writers. Mr. Stienbeck was a genius and we are all better off for it, but he did not live the lives of the down trodden souls he wrote about, he lived the American Dream to its fullest, he was wonderful 1%er with friends in high places. But he could spin a great story, and had absolute knack of keeping himself relevant and enjoyed the attention of J. Edgar Hoover.

But I honestly did enjoy the read. May you have a Happy New Year.

So he didn't have these issues before the SEC Championship game? Oh wait that game was important...

@SockPuppetsRUs: Its a nice place to go where you can take your family without having to listen to a bunch of college students. Look beyond the bars and the late night eateries and you might just notice it's not just a "College Town".

"After the exchange with the judge, Hood told Haggard, “I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt sir, but I’m going to tell you this here: I’m willing to face the death sentence before I come in here and let someone railroad me,”

Am I missing something here? Hood told this, gonna tell you that, and best of all he's going to give the Judge the benefit of the doubt...WTH, I think its time Hood gets his feelings hurt and get on with this trial. Frankly I couldn't careless what he thinks should or shouldn't happen.

@Joe Johnson: But an owner /manager should be able to fire dead weight instead of having to deal with Union crap if they want to. As for left leaning, historically especially in Chicago and NY the unions swing a very heavy political hammer which is left from center, and if you don't fold under the pressure and vote wrong you will find out real fast how many "Brothers" you have while you're waiting in the unemployment line. Anyways that's how the Union effected my family.

But now I know you responded to my post, can you help with the flag?

@Joe Johnson: Joe, awhile back I remember you wrote a very good article about how you proudly display your flag. As a retired military member I enjoyed reading that very much.

Now I'm asking you to please use the power of the pen to put pressure on the Post Office at 196 Alps Road to fix that disgraceful flag they have flying from one grommet. When the wind blows that faded, worn flag often times appears to be flying upside down, or it's stuck in a tree. I have seen several people attempt to fix this flag to include a police officer but I guess the lanyard is broken. Many people have asked the USPS employees to fix the flag and they just don't care. Last I heard they claimed the flag didn't belong to them...The US Flag that flies in front of the US Post Office isn't theirs...Really? According to the property owner it is.

Can we put our political opinions aside for a moment and work on a common goal?The flag represents us all, gives us all a voice without it there would be no online Athens that gives us the right to voice our opinions without worry.

Comeon Joe, media pressure works wonders.

@Ridgerunner: I agree. I witnessed a police officer walk into the Post Office and ask the woman behind the counter if they would fix the flag, and she just looked at him with not a care in the world. I remember this because it was Election Day. I guess this is the state of our once proud Nation.

@Joe Johnson: Joe, I could give you just as many examples of union corruption, laziness, stupidity and corporations unions have destroyed because of unwillingness to work with the owners, but who has time for that. Thanks for sharing the left leaning Northern pro-union attitude. There is a ghost town up north formally known as Detriot that can thank the union. And if it wasn't for Catepillar standing up against the union in Illinois (imagine that, Ill has a union) we wouldn't have a plant opening here with 1000's of soon to be had good paying jobs.

As for safety standards OSHA sets them, not the Unions. Did you have the proper safety gear on?