Man pleads guilty to racist threats
NASHVILLE - A Nashville man has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime for making racially motivated threats to a black assistant football coach at a high school.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, 20-year-old Jonathan Caine made repeated anonymous threats to the assistant coach and others in the high school administration.
Caine is a former student and football player at the high school where the victim works. He pleaded guilty in federal court in Nashville on Friday to threatening the victim with violence because of the victim's race and employment.
The name of the victim and the high school where he works were not disclosed in court records.
Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 24. Caine faces a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Waterfowl season opens Thursday
NASHVILLE - Waterfowl hunting season opens on Thanksgiving Day throughout Tennessee except in the Reelfoot zone.
The season there opened for two days earlier this month and reopens Saturday. Both waterfowl seasons end Jan. 26
The inaugural sandhill crane hunting season also starts on Thanksgiving and will continue through Jan. 1.
The sandhill crane hunting is restricted to an area south of Interstate 40 and east of Tennessee Highway 56. There were 400 permits issued in October and each permit carries a limit of three birds.
More information is available in the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's Waterfowl Hunting Guide. The guide is available at TWRA regional offices, license agents and online at www.tnwildlife.org.
Site of future Atlanta Braves stadium in Cobb County, Ga.Citizens ask delay on Atlanta Braves stadium
MARIETTA, Ga. - A coalition of Cobb County citizens' groups are asking that a decision to build a new $672 million stadium for the Atlanta Braves be postponed.
Cobb Citizens for Governmental Transparency planned to deliver a letter to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners Monday asking that a vote on whether to move forward with a plan to build the new stadium and $400 million entertainment complex be postponed for 60 days.
Organizers say the extra time will give residents a chance to become fully informed.
The deal calls for $300 million in public funds to help pay for the stadium.
Police protection for Georgia mayor denied
DAWSON, Ga. - Dawson city leaders have voted against providing 24-hour police protection for the mayor after he was shot at his house on Halloween night.
WALB-TV reported Monday that an attorney for Dawson Mayor Christopher Wright is asking the city council to reconsider its decision against providing the mayor with protection.
Wright's attorney William Godfrey said the mayor is still recovering from the shooting and won't feel comfortable until an arrest is made.
Information on the shooter's potential motive and a description of the suspect was not immediately available.
City leaders said concerns over liabilities and the approximate $16,000 monthly cost of around-the-clock protection factored into their decision.