News Nearby: Family Jumps from Burning Home; Murder-for-Hire Plot Foiled

East Point Family Forced to Jump from Burning Home - Cascade Patch

The East Point Fire Department has released information about an early morning fire that forced a father and daughter to leap from the 2nd story of their East Point home Monday morning.

According to the East Point Fire Department, a distress call came from 1419 Gus Thornhill, Junior Drive at 2:56 A.M. When fire trucks responded, "heavy smoke and flames were seen coming from the two story wood frame structure.  The two (home occupants) were outside." . 

PCSO: ‘Murder for Hire’ Plot Foiled - Dallas-Hiram Patch

A daycare teacher from Hiram was arrested Friday after authorities investigated a murder for hire plot.

On Friday, detectives with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Calhoun Regional Office arrested 48-year-old Melissa Bennett Silvers at Lost Mountain Academy Daycare where she worked as a teacher. Authorities subsequently charged her with conspiracy to commit murder, a felony.

- Cumming Patch

A 44-year-old woman died early Saturday morning after her vehicle crashed in a wooded area in North Forsyth county, authorities said.

Kathryn J. Dodd, 44, of nearby Alpharetta, was dead at the scene after being ejected from her car, according to Cpl. David Garrison of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. .

Student Rape Allegation 'Unfounded' - Dacula Patch

Allegations made by a 14-year-old Dacula High School student regarding an alleged rape on Dec. 4 have been ruled "unfounded," but the investigation is ongoing according to Gwinnett County Police public information officer Cpl. Ed Ritter.

"The rape allegation has been [determined to be] unfounded," Ritter wrote in an email to Dacula Patch. "Charges may be pending for misdemeanor statutory rape. The investigation is not closed yet and is still being investigated." .

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