Bradley County Sheriff Jim Ruth

Bradley sheriff hospitalized

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Bradley County Sheriff Jim Ruth is receiving treatment in a Nashville hospital after suffering an episode of atrial fibrillation, a condition involving a fast and irregular heartbeat.

Ruth was hospitalized Thursday while attending an FBI training seminar in Nashville, according to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office website. An update said that Ruth's condition continues to improve, and a full recovery is expected.

"We want to express our thoughts and prayers to Sheriff Ruth and wish him a speedy recovery," said Dan Howell, executive assistant to Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis.

Four arrested on drug charges

CROSSVILLE, Ala. - The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office has arrested four people on drug charges and issued a warrant for a fifth person, also on drug charges.

Sheriff Jimmy Harris said a deputy found marijuana plants and five meth labs at a home near Crossville. The deputy had gone to the home to follow up on a missing-person report, a news release said.

The deputy saw the plants and detained four suspects, while a fifth fled.

Michael Mooneyham, 43, of Crossville; Hannah Beth Mooneyham, 18, of Albertville; Cynthia Kay Mooneyham, 49, also of Crossville; and Stacie Mooneyham, 40, of Grove Oak, were charged with unlawful possession of controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful manufacturing of controlled substance first, and trafficking in marijuana.

James Dewayne Nelson, 41, of Crossville, was identified as the person who fled. Warrants were obtained for his arrest on the same charges, the release said.

Man struck, killed by train

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - A young Maryville man has been struck and killed by a train.

The Daily Times reported the body of 19-year-old Austin Tyler Hitch was located about 300 yards from a railroad crossing in Maryville.

The Blount County Sheriff's Office said Hitch was struck by a CSX Transportation train about 4:45 a.m. Sunday.

Democratic Party head stepping down

ATLANTA - Georgia Democratic Party Chairman Mike Berlon said he will step down on Sunday.

Berlon had announced his resignation last week, citing concerns by Democratic leaders that his personal issues were becoming a distraction as a major election year looms.

Vice Chair Nikema Williams, director of public policy for Planned Parenthood's southeast affiliate, will assume leadership of the party until a permanent leader is elected.

Berlon, an attorney who became chairman in 2011, has been dealing with several issues in recent weeks, including a reprimand by the State Bar of Georgia.