Georgia DNR Charges 7 with 113 Counts in South Ga. Poaching Investigation

Georgia Department of Natural Resources officers charged seven people with a total of 113 poaching-related counts in Dodge and Laurens counties this week.

The investigation sparked by complaints and started in March resulted in search warrants served at the Rentz home of Michael Warren and a home and cabin owned by William Stacy Jones of Eastman on May 18. Evidence seized varied from computers to animal parts, said Sgt. Keith Byers of the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division. The counts range from hunting deer at night to possession of illegally taken wildlife, hunting out of season and taking over the bag limit. Most involved deer or turkeys.

“In my 28 years (with the division), I’ve never seen anything like this,” Byers said of the amount of evidence and scope of violations.

Those charged were William Stacy Jones, 31, of Eastman (70 charges); Mary Michelle Warren, 28, of Eastman (17 charges); Michael Warren, 30, of Rentz (nine charges); Cody Coleman, 21, of Marietta (six charges); Durwood “Trey” Graham III, 29, of Eastman (four charges); Summer Page, 28, of Rentz (four charges); and, Brandon Brisco, 31, of Eastman (three charges).

Each misdemeanor count carries a maximum penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Other charges are possible. Most were filed in Dodge County. Michael Warren faces five counts in Laurens County.

Byers said complaints about the suspects increased in February. An investigation was opened in March. Two months later, Cpl. Johnny Ashe and Rangers 1st Class Rodney Horne and Barry Britt served search warrants at the homes of William Stacy Jones and Michael Warren, leading to the arrests and the array of charges.

Byers explained that such investigations take time. Rangers spent hours working the case, sorting evidence and making charges. “When looking at evidence you have to basically connect the dots that lead you back to a suspect,” Byers said. “In this case, there were a lot of dots to connect.”

Bonds for the suspects range from $1,500 to $15,000.

Georgians can report game and fish violations by calling the TIP hotline, 1-800-241-4113, or by e-mailing TurnInPoachers@dnr.state.ga.us. For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com (select the TIP logo on the bottom of the home page), contact your local Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement office or call (770) 918-6414.

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Boys & Girls Clubs Members Gain High-Tech Experience

GFP Note: Kudos to Georgia's own Gabriel Jones, 12, Columbus, Ga., who brought attention to the positive environmental change that can occur in her graphic design entry, Global Cooling.

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Summer vacation is a time reserved for students to get a break from school, but for 16 youth, learning continued with a hands-on experience in art and technology. Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) recently recognized its National Club Tech Digital Arts Festivals winners with an educational yet fun and engaging trip to Minneapolis.

Annually, Microsoft and Best Buy Children's Foundation sponsor the Club Tech Digital Arts Festivals, celebrating the creativity and technical abilities of Boys & Girls Club members across the globe. During the 2007-2008 school year, Club members were challenged to create digital
artwork reflecting the theme "Our Changing World" and how they can make a change in the world today. More than 900 entries were submitted to the contest that covered five categories: photo illustration, music making, movie making, web design, and graphic design.

"The Club Tech Digital Arts Festival brings a world of opportunity to our members, allowing them to experiment and explore the limitless possibilities of their imagination and creativity, and perhaps discover a potential career path," said Roxanne Spillett, CEO and president, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "It's amazing what our young people can do when given access to technology."

The winners, ranging in age from 10 to 18 experienced first-hand the diverse career opportunities that lie ahead through behind-the-scenes tours at Best Buy and Microsoft. Employees from various departments of both companies shared career choices and personal experiences with the youth, opening their eyes to the many ways they could employ their technology skills in a future career. Winners also visited some of Minneapolis' top tourist destinations, including the Mall of America, Science Museum and worked alongside students at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

"Creating programs that inspire and engage kids to pursue careers in technology is not just a good thing to do, it is an economic imperative," said Todd Cione, Microsoft's North Central District General Manager and a member of the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. "At Microsoft we are delighted to be able to partner with great organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Best Buy Children's Foundation, who are so deeply committed to helping kids connect their passions with skills that position them for bright career paths."

By 2010, more than 77 percent of all jobs in the United States will require some tech ability. And as the knowledge economy continues to evolve, more and more American workers will need higher levels of technology skills training and education to compete successfully in the global economy.

The Club Tech partnership helps to combat this trend and promote technology knowledge and skill in America's youth by providing access to technology and educational programming. The Digital Arts Festivals National Winners' trip is one way Club Tech levels the "virtual playing field," giving youth the opportunity to explore technology on a level that may not otherwise be available.

-----

www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page