'Three arrested after standoff' and more Chattanooga region news

Three arrested after standoff

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. - The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office arrested three people after a standoff Thursday.

Officers found 22-year-old Aaron West, 24-year-old Deanna Mccurdy and 18-year-old Lee Baker in an abandoned house near Cartersville, Ga, according to a news release. Officers wanted West on outstanding felony warrants and a revocation-of-probation order.

The three refused to answer the door when police approached, according to the release, so a special response team entered the house and arrested West, of Higdon, Ala., without incident.

In addition to the warrants, West has been charged with manufacturing controlled substances, possession of controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with evidence.

Mccurdy, of Henagar, Ala., and Lee also were arrested on the same charges.


Red Cross: Storms hit 370 homes

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alabama Red Cross said 370 homes were damaged during powerful storms that struck the state Monday. A number of those homes were in DeKalb County.

Results so far from the nonprofit agency's damage assessment found that more than 65 homes were destroyed. Another 95 sustained major damage, and more than 200 had minor damage.

The organization said more than 40 Red Cross volunteers have worked to provide relief. The agency distributed supplies including 600 bottles of water and 500 meals.


Crossbow attacker kills self

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Johnson City police said a man awaiting sentencing in a crossbow attack on a television weathercaster has killed himself in a city park.

The Johnson City Press reported 54-year-old Gerald Taylor was found dead after a 911 call about an unconscious man in a vehicle at the Winged Deer Park Disc Golf Course on Wednesday morning.

The police report did not indicate how Taylor died, but noted there was a rope and a gun in the car.

Taylor pleaded guilty Feb. 8 to charges of aggravated criminal trespassing and perjury and was scheduled to be sentenced April 19.

He was arrested June 4, 2012, at a home he had shared with Rob Batot, professionally known as Rob Williams -- a meteorologist at WJHL-TV.


Crossing guard hit; man arrested

WOODSTOCK, Ga. - A 20-year-old Woodstock, Ga., man running late to his drug court graduation allegedly struck a crossing guard Tuesday afternoon and kept going, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

Victor Baruchman was arrested Wednesday morning, Crossing guard Jerrold Reaid suffered a broken ankle.

Baruchman has been charged with felony hit and run, and his bond has been set at $15,000.

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