(GA. NEWS NETWORK UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
*Former National Park Service employee in Donny Campbell has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds after submitting false overtime entries, resulting in nearly $40,000 in wrongful payments. Campbell, who worked in the maintenance department at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in northwest Georgia, submitted fraudulent timesheets over 29 months, claiming pay for hours he did not work. WSB-TV reports as part of his plea agreement, Campbell resigned from his position and cannot seek future federal employment, in addition to paying full restitution. Campbell’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 23.
*The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is facing an $85 million deficit in its foster care system, due to a 50 percent increase in care costs and declining federal funding. To address this budget shortfall, state officials are cutting contracts with private providers and reducing supplemental aid to families.
*Murder at a funeral home in East Point: Police say 55-year-old Ina Chambers died when suspects outside the funeral home started shooting Friday night. Another woman suffered non-life-threatening wound and EMTs treated her at the scene. Police believe the victim who died was dropping off her daughter for a family member’s funeral home viewing. No one had been arrested as of mid-afternoon Sunday.
*(FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE) - A brief tornado touched down just south of Lowell in southern Carroll County late Saturday morning. The tornado was embedded within a line of showers and isolated thunderstorms. Damage was first seen at a residence near Lake Circle and Staples Dairy Road. There were no reported injuries.