News Nearby: Body Identified, Bank Closed

Authorities ID One of Three Bodies Pulled from Rubble of Ball Ground Fire

The  has confirmed that one of the bodies pulled from the rubble of last week's fire in Ball Ground is that of 46-year-old Darlene Norrell.

"Identification was made by dental records," said Lt. Jay Baker, the spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

But it will "likely take weeks" before authorities can positively identify the other two bodies, he said.

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First Cherokee State Bank Closes

 customers, who learned Friday that their bank was sold to another financial institution, will be able to write checks, use ATM cards and swipe debit cards to access their money, an official with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said.

The bank's ,  and branches will reopen during regular business hours as , which bought $193.3 million worth of First Cherokee's deposits and most of its $222.7 million in assets.

For more details, visit Marietta Patch.

Will South Cobb Get a New Charter School?

The Smyrna Academy of Excellence, a proposed charter school in South Cobb County,  is asking for the help and support of the community.  The vision for having better education options in the South Cobb area is stronger than ever, but the organization needs the support and financial backing from the community for this vision to become a reality.   

Hundreds of local parents, educators, and residents in Cobb County have anxiously been watching the progress of the proposed charter school, which has certainly had it's share of highs and lows in recent months.    Supporters of the school were greatly disappointed when the Cobb County Board of Education denied their county charter application after months of cooperation with county administration.   

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Two Paulding Candidates To Remain on Ballots

Two three-person races for legislative seats impacting Paulding will remain as is following decisions made Friday by Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

The first will keep Bill Carruth in the race for the District 31 State Senate seat. Also surviving a challenge was incumbentPaulette Rakestraw Braddock of State House District 19.

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