Man breaking into house shot and other news from areas around Chattanooga

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Man breaking into house shot

POWELL, Ala. - A Powell man shot and wounded a man breaking into his house Wednesday, DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said in a news release.

The owner of the home on Wigley Avenue called 911 and said someone was trying to get in the house. While waiting for officers to arrive, the homeowner retrieved a revolver and shot the intruder, Cecil "Monty" Gant, 44, of Dutton, Ala., several times, Harris said.

Gant left in a car driven by another person. He was listed in critical condition in Huntsville Hospital late Wednesday night.

Harris said there appears to be a history of conflict among the three people and the homeowner offered evidence of ongoing threats from Gant. He said the case will likely be presented to the grand jury soon.


Rabid fox bites Fannin resident

MORGANTON, Ga. - A fox that bit a resident of Morganton in Fannin County, Ga., has tested positive for rabies.

According to Fannin County Environmental Health officials, the resident was bitten on the arm and leg while tending to chickens early Thursday at a home on Dry Branch Road. The resident's spouse shot the fox and the Georgia Public Health Laboratory test results came back positive later that day.

The victim will be treated for exposure to rabies. County environmental staff, meanwhile, have canvassed the neighborhood with fliers and rabies information.

Untreated rabies is almost 100 percent fatal. Any bite to humans or domestic animals should be reported to Fannin County Environmental Health at 706-632-3024.


Women's prison getting upgrades

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Corrections says it is working with a consulting group to make changes at Alabama's Tutwiler Prison for women, including providing more privacy in the bathrooms.

Corrections Commissioner Kim Thomas said Friday that shower curtains, toilet partitions and privacy curtains have been installed in part of the prison and the full installation should be complete by Oct. 1.

The prison is working to comply with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act after criticism from the Justice Department and others over sexual abuse of inmates.


Teachers offered bonuses

ATLANTA - Georgia will offer early childhood educators bonuses of up to $2,500 if they get additional training under a program state officials announced Tuesday.

The bonuses apply to credentials earned from Jan. 1, 2014, through July 1, 2017, and are funded by a federal Early Learning Challenge grant.

For more information, call 800-227-3410 or visit www.decalscholars.com.