Latest Georgia News, Sports, Business And Entertainment

SAILOR DIES-GEORGIA

Navy sailor from Ga. dies during Dubai port visit

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) A Navy sailor from Columbus has died in Dubai.

The Department of Defense says Petty Officer First Class Paris S. Pough died Friday during a port visit to Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates. Officials did not release the cause of death.

The 40-year-old Pough was assigned to the USS Carl Vinson, which is based in San Diego. According to the ship's Facebook page, Pough, a hull technician, died as a result of a noncombat-related incident in the port city.

He is described as a "hard-working, trustworthy shipmate."

The Defense Department lists Pough as being from Columbus, but he has an address listed in Kingsland in South Georgia.

A woman who answered the phone at that number said he has four children, ages 12 to 1. She declined comment.

GLOCK THEFT CHARGES

Ex-Glock attorney accused of stealing millions

ATLANTA (AP) The former general counsel of Glock Inc. is facing trial on theft and racketeering charges that he stole millions of dollars from the firearms manufacturing giant.

Prosecutors say Paul Jannuzzo worked with former Glock vice president Peter Manown for years to skim funds from Glock holdings. Jannuzzo was initially scheduled to face trial in October 2009 but he fled the country.

He was extradited to Georgia in May after federal agents tracked him to Amsterdam.

Jannuzzo's attorneys declined to comment, but they have argued in court documents that several of the charges should be dismissed.

Manown pleaded guilty to three theft charges and agreed to cooperate in exchange for 10 years of probation. He is expected to be prosecutors' star witness.

GINGRICH

Gingrich aide: Former speaker has 'staying power'

WASHINGTON (AP) Newt Gingrich's deputy campaign manager says the former House speaker has "tremendous staying power" in the Republican presidential sweepstakes.

Vince Haley also says Gingrich has "bold solutions" for the country's problems.

Haley says, for instance, the energy issue is a strong one for the former congressman, saying Americans "see the failure of government every day when they go to the gas stations."

He wouldn't speculate in a CNN interview on whether any of the GOP hopefuls can secure enough delegates to clinch the party's nod in advance of its convention in August.

Asked what would happen if there's a wide-open convention, Haley said, "I don't think it would be a bad thing."

He did acknowledge that Gingrich's candidacy would be "weakened" significantly if he doesn't win Georgia on Super Tuesday.

GOOGLE-GEORGIA

Google offers free websites for Ga. Businesses

ATLANTA (AP) Gov. Nathan Deal says Georgia says the state has formed a partnership with Google to bring free websites to small businesses.

Deal announced the new program Monday. He said the initiative is aimed at helping small businesses grow and find new customers.

Participating businesses can go to www.georgiagetonline.com and develop a free website, as well as free tools, training and other resources.

Google's director of small business engagement, Scott Levitan, said the program helps dispel the perception that creating a website is complex, costly and time-consuming. He said that stigma has prevented many small businesses from using the Internet to expand their customer base.

Georgia joins a host of other states and 23 countries working with Google's Get Your Business Online program.

WASTEWATER PLANT KILLING

Trial begins in killing of Ga. plant worker

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) The trial of a man accused of killing an employee at a Georgia wastewater treatment plant has begun.

The Augusta Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/xXm3xI r) that jury selection began Monday in the trial of 43-year-old Thomas Eugene Bradford. Bradford is charged with murder in the March 2011 fatal shooting of 37-year-old Raymond V. Lee at the Columbia County plant where he worked.

Police said Bradford, a truck driver who hauled sludge from the plant to facilities in other counties, got into an argument with Lee before trying to run over him with his truck and then shooting him.

Police say Bradford called 911 to report the shooting and waited for police to arrive to arrest him.

Lee had three children.

BRAVES-HANSON ACCIDENT

Braves' Hanson wrecks on way to spring training

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson is being checked for a possible concussion after blowing a tire on his way to the first workout of spring training.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez says he got a call from Hanson shortly after 7 a.m. Monday. The right-hander wrecked near the team's Disney World training complex and apparently bumped his head on the steering wheel or windshield.

Hanson had his vehicle towed to a repair shop and showed up in the clubhouse before the start of the workout, with no visible injuries. But the team's medical staff decided to send to a doctor to make sure he didn't sustain a concussion.

If everything checks out OK, Hanson should be back on the field in the next day or two.

CARDINALS-LINEBRINK CONNECTION

Ex-Brave Linebrink recalls last season's collapse

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) Arriving for the first time at the St. Louis Cardinals' spring training clubhouse, Scott Linebrink plopped down an Atlanta Braves equipment bag in front of his locker stall.

It was a vivid reminder of the front row seat the relief pitcher had during the collapse that helped the Cardinals make their improbable World Series title drive last fall. The Braves were 9-18 in September, and the 35-year-old right-hander took the loss in a 13-inning setback to the Phillies on the final day that gave St. Louis the NL wild card.

Linebrink's description of the downward spiral: A three-week car wreck that slid past in slow motion.

The Cardinals signed Linebrink to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.