WGAA 1340AM Cedartown

A former professor at Dalton State College will be tried on rape and child molestation charges next week. Monte Salyer had negotiated a plea deal with the District Attorney’s Office but backed out at the last minute. The former English professor faces charges of rape, statutory rape, child molestation, aggravated child molestation and criminal attempt to commit a felony.

Dick’s Sporting Goods is suspending its sales of modern rifles nationwide because of the school shooting in Connecticut. A statement on Dick’s website expresses sympathy for the victims families. It says sales of modern sporting rifles will be suspended during this “time of national mourning.”

A daycare teacher in Paulding County has been arrested for hiring someone to kill her ex-husband. Melissa Silvers, 48, thought she was hiring a hit man, however, the hit man was an undercover agent. Silvers was arrested at Lost Mountain Academy Daycare. Silvers has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and is in jail without bond.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is clearing a path for travelers this holiday season by lifting lane closures over the extended Christmas and New Year’s travel period. GDOT announced today that all scheduled and ongoing construction-related lane closures in Northwest Georgia would be suspended for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The suspension will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 and continue until midnight Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Georgia Power has agreed to buy more power from solar equipped homes and businesses as part of its plan to increase the amount of solar power it sells. The Ga. Public Service Commission recommended the change in the utility’s plan. Ga. Power agreed to buy 30 megawatts a year for three years from solar equippedhouses and businesses. It also plans to buy 60 megawatts a year for two years from solar farms. One megawatt can power a department store.

Georgia highway safety officials are urging motorists to take extra care this holiday season.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety says the state is on track to experience an increase in fatalities for the first time in six years. If fatalities continue at their current rate, the state will surpass last year’s total of 1,226 deaths on the roadways.

State highway officials always reinforce their zero tolerance policy for impaired driving during the holiday season. This year, they want people to be extra careful to avoid an increase in fatalities.

The state’s annual Operation Zero Tolerance campaign begins Friday and lasts through New Year’s Day.

Authorities say a woman bumped into a scooter with her car at a central Georgia gas station, leading to a brief burst of gunfire that claimed her life.Macon police say she was shot to death Tuesday afternoon, in what they describe as a random encounter.

Police say 65-year-old Linda Hunnicutt’s car bumped into a scooter operated by a 73-year-old man.

Police say Hunnicutt stepped out of her Buick Lucerne and briefly exchanged words with him. They say he drew a gun and shot her once in the chest.

Police say the suspect, Frank Louis Reeves, was apprehended in the parking lot. He was being held on a murder charge at the Bibb County Jail. Police didn’t know whether he has an attorney, and jail records do not list one.

The Ga. Department of Agriculture is now taking applications\ for the Ga. Agriculture Tax Exemption or “GATE”, recently created by the Legislature. It offers qualified AG producers a sales tax exemption on equipment and production inputs, including energy used in production of AG products. The program will replace the AG certificate exemption form, effective January 1st. Applications are now available online at AGR.Georgia.gov. There is a $20 fee for online applicants and a $25 fee for those mailed. For more information call 1-800-FARMTAX.

The Georgia Department of Transportation will suspend all construction related lane closures on interstate highways and primary state roads in Northwest Georgia from noon on Wednesday, November 21st through 9 p.m. on Sunday, November 25th. The D.O.T. reminds travelers to exercise caution as heavy holiday traffic is expected throughout the state.

Georgia voters should be reminded that you need to bring a valid photo I.D. such as a driver’s license to vote. You can view a sample ballot or find where you vote at www.mvp.sos.state.ga.us. There are two proposed amendments on the ballot -1- Shall the constitution be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities -2- Shall the constitution be amended to provide for a reduction in the state’s operating costs by allowing the Gen. Assembly to authorize certain state agencies to enter into multi year rental agreements.