Community Corner

Regional Roundup: Angry Cyclists, Sex Trafficking Conviction and the Georgia State Fair

A look at top Patch stories from around Georgia.

Cyclists Angry About How Fatality Handled – Decatur Patch

Cycling safety became Dave Mathews' passion after a bad bike wreck 18 months ago, and he grew more serious on the subject after a pickup struck and killed cyclist Paul Taylor.

Mathews became downright angry after authorities announced last week nobody will be prosecuted because they don't have evidence to make a case.

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"We're human beings too," said Mathews, who started a Facebook page about bike safety in Atlanta. "We're not disposable creatures."

Read more on Decatur Patch.

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

 

Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Operating Sex Trafficking Ring – Stone Mountain Patch

Soloman Manasseh Mustafa was sentenced to life in prison today for operating a sex trafficking ring.

Kalandra Annette Wallace of Jonesboro, Mustafa's co-defendant, pleaded guilty on last October and was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

Authorities say Mustafa, 38, used violence against women to keep them from escaping, including binding them with duct tape and taking their identification. Mustafa is from an unspecified area in Stone Mountain.

“This defendant brutally assaulted young women and forced them into acts of prostitution in three states," said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, in a statement on the sentencing. "Many of the victims were beaten, raped, handcuffed and forced to snort cocaine by the defendant and his co-conspirator.  Today’s sentence demonstrates that sex traffickers will pay a heavy price for victimizing young women.”

Visit Stone Mountain Patch for more on this story.

 

 

State Fair Takes Place This Weekend – Cumming Patch

The 8th annual North Georgia State Fair will begin Thursday and run through Sunday at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta.

Attracting nearly 300,000 people in years past, the fair is the largest in metro Atlanta and the second largest in Georgia. With midway rides, shows, concerts, pageants, entertainment and food, there is something for everyone.
The Georgia Lottery Concert Series for the fair begins at 8 p.m. under the covered area. Concerts are included with paid fair admission. 

Cumming Patch has more on this story.


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