Community Corner

Around the Region: Teenage Boating Accident Victim's Body Recovered, Southeast's Largest July 4 Celebration, and Shoplifting Suspect Leaves Behind His Own Wallet

A look at top Patch stories from around Georgia.

-- Loganville Patch

The rescue efforts on Lake Lanier apparently have found the body of Griffin Prince, the Buford teen who had been missing since the recent boating collision on Lake Lanier.

In a press release, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources gave the details of the recovery on Wednesday evening. Officials said divers had recovered the body of Griffin Prince, 13, in about 113 feet of water in the Shoal Creek area on southern Lanier at approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Find out what's happening in Oconeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The search had lasted nine days and involved more than 10 agencies and
organizations officials said. The incident began at about 10:30 p.m. on June 18 when a pontoon boat carrying the teen and 12 other people was hit by another
boat in Shoal Creek on Lake Lanier.. Griffin’s 9-year-old brother, Jake Prince of Buford, was also killed. 

The operator of the other boat - Paul J. Bennett, 44, of Cumming - was arrested by Wildlife Resources Division conservation rangers and charged with Boating Under the Influence.

 

Find out what's happening in Oconeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

– Buckhead Patch

Cities across the U.S. will be hosting July 4th fireworks extravaganzas, but Buckhead's own  is home to the Southeast’s largest celebration, which attracts more than 200,000 people annually, according to the Lenox Square website.

Lenox Square's annual event will not only feature more than 4,000 fireworks shots in approximately 20 minutes (with a patriotic soundtrack, no less), but have live musical entertainment on the mall’s outdoor main stage leading up to the big event as well. 

Read more on . 

 

-- Barrow Patch

A suspected shoplifter recently ran from employees at the Winder  and, in his haste to get away, dropped his wallet with his ID inside, according to an incident report. 

A deputy with the  was dispatched to the supermarket off Monroe Highway about 11 a.m. June 16. The deputy had been advised the suspect had left the store running southbound on Ga. Highway 11 and was being pursued by employees. While the deputy was unable to locate anyone in the area who matched the suspect's description, the man had dropped his wallet, ID inside, and a backpack.  

When the deputy returned to the store and showed the loss prevention officer the ID inside the wallet, the employee confirmed it was the suspect.


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