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Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30

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Region Digest: Soda fountain gas caused death at Georgia McDonald’s

POOLER, Ga.

Soda fountain gas caused death

Carbon dioxide from a soda fountain leaked in a McDonald’s restaurant in Georgia and sickened 10 people, including a woman who later died after being found unconscious in a restroom, police said Wednesday.

Investigators determined a leaky gas line between walls caused the gas to build up to the point where people inside were unable to breathe.

“It caused what is normally a harmless gas to be pumped into the wall cavity and leak into the women’s restroom,” Pooler, Ga., police Chief Mark Revenew said. “At a high level of concentration, it displaces oxygen.”

Firefighters were called Sept. 7 to the restaurant in Pooler, about 10 miles west of Savannah, and two women were found unconscious in a restroom. They later were admitted to a Savannah hospital, where eight others from the restaurant were treated and released. Anne Felton, 80, of Ponte Vedra, Fla., died the next day.

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WINDER, Ga.

Drivers say child dangled from bus

Authorities say a school bus driver is on administrative leave after a kindergartner’s backpack became caught in the door of the bus.

WXIA-TV reports the child was left dangling from the bus before it stopped 41 feet down the road.

Officials say the accident happened Friday afternoon after 5-year-old Alexis Luvell finished classes at Auburn Elementary School.

Alexis’ grandmother, Brenda McCormick, said she saw the ordeal. McCormick said she was screaming “Stop! Stop!” and the bus driver stopped the bus after people honked at her.

School system officials say they’re investigating the incident.

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.

Women charged in Arby’s art theft

Two Erwin, Tenn., women have been charged with stealing art from the lobby of a Johnson City Arby’s restaurant.

Johnson City Police arrested 45-year-old Connie Sumlin and 58-year-old Gail Johnson on Tuesday, according to a news release. The theft occurred Sept. 3.

Both women are charged with theft of property over $500. They were released on $1,000 bond each and are set to appear Oct. 13 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

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ROSSVILLE

Youth performer to speak tonight

Local youth performer Kyle Veazey will speak and sing today at 6:30 p.m. at the Rossville Public Library.

He will talk about the obstacles he has overcome and perform original music.

The library is at 504 McFarland Ave.

For more information, call 706-866-1368 or go to www.chrl.org.