News Nearby: Man Killed by Garbage Truck; UGA Grad Missing

Man Killed by Garbage Truck in Norcross Area

Gwinnett police say a man was hit and killed by a garbage truck Thursday in unincorporated Norcross, according to media reports. The full identity of the man, who was in his 60s, has not been released.

UGA Graduate and Camden County Native Reported Missing

Ivy Merck, 24, has been reported as missing by the Camden County Sheriff's Office. Merck is a UGA graduate and is originally from Camden County.

Merck lives and works in the Athens-Clarke County area but is believed to have been in Camden County recently.

Woman Struck by Own Vehicle Dies

Mary Cantrell, the 69-year-old woman who was flown to Grady Hospital in Atlanta after she was struck by her own vehicle on Wednesday, has died.

"The victim was taken off life support and was pronounced as dead at 3 p.m.," Det. Candy Worthy of the  said in an email this afternoon. "Her injuries were consistent with generalized massive trauma to the head and body. Our prayers are with her family."

Vande Zande Denied Hearing

Canton City Manager Scott Wood said there's no basis to change Chief Robert Merchant's decision to fire assistant police chief Todd Vande Zande.

In an Aug. 15 letter to Vande Zande, Wood wrote that he'd reviewed the matter "in accordance with the City of Canton Personnel Policy," and saw "no reason to overturn or modify his decision in the matter." 

Previously, Todd Vande Zande asked that the  assign a hearing officer "who does not report to the City Manager" to oversee the appellate process.

Vande Zande believes Wood was behind his firing.

Residents Help Police Nab Burglar

Thanks to the vigilance of Virginia Highland residents, an accused burglar is now behind bars.

Charles Echols, 54, is in the Fulton County Jail on 14 charges related to burglary, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office website.

“We believe he is responsible for 13 burglaries in Morningside, Midtown, Virginia Highland, North Highland, Amsterdam and Monroe,” said Atlanta Police Department spokesman Carlos Campos.

Last week, police asked residents to be on the lookout for Echols. He was wanted for suspected parole violation in connection with burglary. As the word spread on a Yahoo Group message board, VHlist, neighbors started reporting sightings of Echols.

Tell us what you think in the comments below and don’t miss any of the local news you care about—subscribe to Cartersville Patch's newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.