Doors in limousines are designed the same way as they are in any other car. You can lock out those from the outside, but would still be able to open the doors from the inside.

The problem with limos is that they carry no fire extinguisher in the back passenger compartment and the design of them (Most not all) only have the back two doors for an exit.

When the fire started it more than likely was close to the doors and prevented most of them from going out that way. The victims were all found near the divider window between the passenger compartment and the drivers area.

It would have helped if the driver carried a tool to break the glass, but then again these types of things don't happen every day. As it is none of the side windows in a limo are equipped to be used as an emergency exit.

Could be the AJC has a bigger staff which allows them to employee somebody 24/7 to write the story. ABH may not have a web guy on duty at night.

If this was a aspiring rapper, then this means to me he hasn't made it big yet. So how does he afford a Maserati? Those things aren't cheap or so I hear.
http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/07/maserati/pricing/

This indeed is NOT a tractor trailer. Not all tractors have 10 wheels and not all trailers carry 8. Inner-city tractor trailers can carry six and four (tractor/ trailer). This being a Penske truck it could have been rented and more than likely was either A) overloaded or B) The load shifted depending on the road conditions. The load shifting could have been caused by speed or that the load was not well secured within the trailer.

The State Patrol will generally do the investigation along with the Sheriffs department to determine exact cause, but I'm guessing driver error.

Although on second look at the pictures it appears this was a six wheel box truck although a very odd looking combination one. I'm changing my thoughts to overloaded and load shifted due to excessive speed.

@geronimo509: I think the numbers speak for themselves. You have to remember if I put a tip in somebodys hand, that person then spends that money somewhere and it's most likely in Athens. Be it at Wal Mart or 8e's on a beer. Most hotel rooms are between $89 to $129 a night. A two or three night stay will generate a 3 to $500 revenue stream with meals thrown in. I've never heard of a six figure economic impact for one conventioneer.

Also as for the SPLOST, YES you can consider that many as coming from outside the county. You've got some 30,000 of em on campus at UGA everyday. They don't pay any other type of direct tax otherwise to the county. When their parents show up more money.

@geronimo509: And thats just the point of the expansion. Many restaurants and small businesses depend upon that convention crowd in Athens. Athens cannot survive on 6 home games a year.

While you don't seem to keen on Paul, you have to remember he answers to a board and it's director. Yes Paul and his staff manage the CC, but Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau helps to fill it.

The economic impact of this expansion started with the designers, the construction crew, the new staff that will work in the CC. The hotels and restaurants that will benefit shortly. So I think it's more than just Pauls ego that will benefit from all of this.

If Dexter were a smart business person he would be talking to the CC folks about how he can advertise his business to those that are there, just like any other business should be doing.

@Tripollo: Soon to have a hotel that will block part of it. I think 2015.

@geronimo509: Despite your negative feelings (your entitled to them however) I for one think Athens should be proud of the new(er) venue.

I traveled from out of town. Ate at Weaver D's and then went to the reception. Thats the whole purpose of this facility. If they can bring me into town just for an opening just think what kind of revenue they will bring in with the conventions.

I think you and most others will change your tune soon.

Just got back (from the public opening) and I have to say Very Impressive Athens. Very Impressive.

I'm kind of curious, but since I've never been arrested don't you only have to put 10% of your bail down to get out? Then if you violate the terms of the bail does the bail bonding company loose the $10,000?

It seems like after he cut the ankle monitor the first time most bail bond companies would think he was to high a risk to write the bond. If ACC is not collecting the bonds (from the bonding company)when the repeat offenders violate the bond, then why not? If you hit these bonding companies in the pocket they would be a little more careful about who they wrote bonds for and then maybe more of these guys WOULD stay behind bars.

@grove600: Much like us "normal" people?

Could be. However if you do drugs or alcohol long enough and don't have a support network around you then you could end up homeless.

Many people with mental illness can or have qualified for some type of government assistance (Generally SS if anything) to cover the costs of meds and being disabled. Local LEO's will tell you that often when brought into the jails they get treated and streeted and then the cycle starts all over again.

@10-8 I don't give money directly to the homeless because of drugs and alcohol. If you came to me and said you needed money for battery's or whatever else, if I had time and money I would much rather go to the store and buy it for you.

The vast majority of homelessness started in the mid 80's when most mental hospitals were shut down. It used to be that those needing mental health were warehoused there. It was deemed that it would be cheaper and more socially acceptable (for the patient) to live amongst the community.

The problem however is that unless the mentally ill are placed in group homes where their medications are taken daily they fall off the wagon. There is nothing that mandates the patient stay in the group home environment. They then turn to drugs and alcohol and other vices. Ask any police officer and they will tell you that most of the homeless they encounter have mental health issues.

WE are a nation that spends billions on fighting a drug war, yet spend so little on drug addiction. I wont give money to a homeless person, but if I happen to have a little extra food I will share my meal.

@grove600: I guess she didn't read the part about how an employer factors that cost into what the EMPLOYEE makes. If people only understood that all cost of doing business are factored into either what one makes or what one pays then we would really take a closer look at what government takes from us.

This issue was a two headed snake from the get go. I don't think you lay the blame squarely on the Republicans as you could the Democrats. Back when the recession was at full tilt, extending unemployment beyond it's normal standard of 26 weeks was a way of stimulating the economy. You know those guys in Washington saying that giving Mr. or Mrs. unemployed another 25 weeks would help them buy grocery's, etc, etc, etc could only help the economy.

What those wizened politicians didn't tell the public was that somebody would have to pay it back at some point. As a business owner I have to factor in this cost as to what I pay you for your services.

Bottom line is if the states had not accepted the money those politicians (In this state Republicans) would have been raked across the coals for not helping the unemployed.

Yes and No. Many police departments use the broken window theory when looking to fight high crime areas.

In other words they focus their efforts on a high crime area, doing random road blocks. If the ACCPD were to set these up at different high crime areas the word would get out and thus make customers a little more cautious about coming into these areas.

I didn't mean they should only focus their efforts on this one place. From what I read on line here, this should be a regular task force of the ACCPD, but I guess it is a manpower issue.

I got notified of this by my payroll processing provider at the first of the year. It seems while those in D.C. sing the praises of keeping the unemployed on the public dole for longer than usual, there is also a hidden cost to all of this at some point.

As we in business for ourselves say. Nothing is for free.

Well if you can't catch the dealer then why not focus on the buyers. Set up random road blocks at either end of the street and watch the customers go elsewhere.

You do this enough times right outside the front entrance of this place and the dealers will know it's time to move on.

@boiledpeanutsbrother

Not necessarily true statement you made. All of Georgia's lakes are man made and as such they didn't spend a lot of time landscaping the area before flooding it to make a lake.
As it was described here the young lady was walking an apparently stepped off a hidden ledge. Even an experienced swimmer could be caught off guard and drown in just a matter of minutes. DNR rangers will tell you unless your swimming at a beach with sand it's always a good idea to wear a life preserver.
A tragic death never the less.

Wait a minute. I always thought that if you were out on bond and you committed another crime or were arrested that was automatic grounds for having your bond revoked. So why does the DA not push for having his bond revoked?

If I ever want to go bad, I'm coming to Clarke County to do it.

This whole story is kind of funny in a way. Here the Post Office is saying doing business via the internet is hurting their business model and the government is trying to figure out a way to give them more money.

Yet much of government on the state level has switched over to doing business via the internet. Sales tax, Corporate renewals and even Drivers Licenses can all be done via the internet.

Why can't government change with the times when it comes to innovation?

@danktheorist So how much would you do the job for if it was given to you? I really don't think you have any idea what it takes to run or manage a large corporation or university.
His salary is probably a result of his years of experience and level of education. Your gripe about not getting a raise is pale, since I would think many are thankful to have a job and those that are not always have the option to go look for another one.

I think the headline is a bit misleading and thus the readers comments are leaning the way the headline reads. The first line of the article clearly states "Athens has been named one of America’s Top 10 Cities for Affordable Vacations". We're talking affordable here not quality.
Athens being a college town has many opportunities to experience music, arts and sports (with the exception of football) at realistic cheap prices. Then since Athens is not a major concert stop when you do get somebody with a name the prices aren't as high as they would be in Atlanta or New York.
Athens has many wonderful museums and old homes to visit. If you want quality with a price, Yes New York and Las Vegas and many other places will out do Athens any day of the week, but with a price. If you want affordable and close to home, then Athens is not that bad of a place.

If you wanted to look at this a different way the cabbies could charge the kids up front when they get in the van. Problem solved unless they get sick.

When people drink they tend to forget things and so it makes it easier to forget how much should be paid. If I were an attorney or this kids attorney I would look at the fact that Georgia law clearly states that cabbies must have meters to be considered a cab. Otherwise they are considered to be a vehicle for hire such as a limo or bus and come under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Public Service Commission. Of course from what I hear those in the government of Athens have a tend icy to look the other way on these matters.

Put meters in the cabs and this would solve the problem. Most of the cabs I see in Athens say $5 per person. Doesn't seem that hard to figure out if they are being overcharged, just point to the sign and say thats what I paid them.

Does this mean the current crop of college players should take their classes more seriously since there's no NBA to jump to anymore? And maybe hold off on the tattoos since they might have to get a real job someday.