Two arrested after car chase
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. - A high-speed car chase Wednesday led to the arrest of two men charged with running a meth lab, according to a news release.
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office deputies doing speed checks about 9:45 a.m. Wednesday clocked a gray Honda headed south on Interstate 75 going 85 mph.
A deputy tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver sped up and began throwing what appeared to be paper items from the car. The driver drove in excess of 100 mph, the release said.
Just south of West Nance Springs Road, the vehicle veered to the right and struck a tree. Its occupants fled but were taken into custody after a short chase.
Officers checked the registration and found that the vehicle had been stolen from East Ridge. While searching the vehicle, deputies discovered a "shake and bake" meth lab. Dangerous chemicals were removed from the car and turned over to a hazardous material team from Atlanta. Two officers involved in the arrest were decontaminated after exposure to the chemicals.
The arrested men have been identified as James W. Mears, 34, of Spring City, Tenn., and Christopher L. Coleman, 37, of Hixson.
Each is being held on a charge of violating the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and for bringing stolen property into Georgia. Mears also faces charges for multiple traffic violations, officials said.
Jet team coming to Rome air show
ROME, Ga. - The Black Diamond Jet Demonstration Team, one of the world's only non-military jet demonstration teams, will headline the 2013 Wings Over North Georgia air show, according to a news release.
Government funding cuts have grounded the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds squads. The Black Diamond team's inaugural season was in 2011.
The four-ship L-39 aerobatic jet team, based in Lakeland, Fla., consists of experienced air show pilots and former members of military jet teams. Jerry "Jive" Kirby is the flight leader, and Dale "Snort" Snodgrass is the lead solo pilot.
The Wings Over North Georgia air show will be Oct. 12-13 at Rome's Richard B. Russell Regional Airport.
Chief, public works appeals put off
FORT OGLETHORPE - Appeal hearings scheduled Monday by former Fort Oglethorpe Police Chief David Eubanks and Public Works Director Jeff Long were postponed because their attorney had a scheduling conflict, a city news release stated.
The two men were fired abruptly on March 22 after a majority of City Council members forced the retirement of former City Manager Ron Goulart. The two men appealed their firings, and the council was going to hear their arguments at separate hearings Monday.
A new hearing date hadn't been set as of late Thursday.