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Saturday, January 12 |
ATLANTA -- A mid-afternoon raid on a midtown jewelry store netted several millions in gems and metals when a gang of armored assailants blasted their way into the building and made their getaway via jet packs. Several of the Atlanta Knights responded immediately to the alarm, but the interference of supercriminals Breeze and Fiero evidentally stalled them long enough for the gang to complete their mission.
Atlanta Police were responding to an alarm from the Regal Brothers Jewelers store, adjacent to Piedmont Park, when another report indicated that Granite and the Southern Knights were already at the scene.
According to eyewitness reports, a group of approximately nine heavily armed and amored robbers blasted a hole in the side of the building, and rushed inside. When Granite tried to apprehend the group, he was stopped by Breeze and Fiero, who were possibly leading the group. Breeze, an air elemental also known as Margaret Jensen, and Fiero, a flame-powered millennial whose true identity is unknown, are both wanted in connection with previous crimes, and are currently assumed to be in an alliance.
The two supervillains attacked Granite, who was quickly joined by other members of the Southern Knights, as well as two new entities. Witnesses described a slender, watery-looking woman and an intensely dark powerhouse, both of whom seemed to be fighting on the side of the Knights. With the extra assist, the Knights were able to fend off the attack by Breeze and Fiero, but in doing so, were unable to prevent the robbery taking place just across the street.
APD officials speculate that the gang involved in the robbery may be connected to several previous incidents at a First Union Bank, a Wachovia Bank, and the Waumbaugh & Sons Jewelry Company. They report that they are following several leads, crediting intelligence gathered by the Southern Knights, but that they have not yet prepared any warrants.
ATLANTA -- Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has two weeks to wipe out a potential $90 million deficit and present a balanced budget to Atlanta City Council.
Thursday, during her first meeting with the council, the mayor told members the city faces 2002 with potential income of about $390 million, while expenses are projected as high as $480 million.
Franklin didn't sugarcoat the budget difficulties facing the city.
"I believe if the departments would have known how to close this gap, they would have done it," Franklin said during the 90-minute work session. "There is a budget gap. It is not going to magically disappear."
The meeting included a presentation from Franklin's financial team which said the gap could run from $70 million to $90 million, depending on a number of factors. They said the gap was caused by revenue shortfalls and expense overruns totaling $33 million in the 2001 budget, anticipated revenue reductions of $9 million in the 2002 budget proposal and $28 million in expenses added into the 2001 budget that must be covered again in 2002.
A schedule for considering the budget calls for meetings next week with department heads on potential cuts and tax increases. Franklin plans to submit her budget Jan. 25.
Franklin called the meeting "very productive."
"This was a first step," the mayor said. "I wanted to make it clear to the council I respect their role in the process. We are all in this together."
ATLANTA -- One of the Southern Knights was responsible for saving a stuntman trapped on a movie set in Covington.
One of the so-called Southern Squires, Ares, was watching the filming of a movie set in a small Southern town. Frank Howard, a cameraman, was on a scaffold when he suddenly felt the scaffold tilt. As he tried to scramble down, the 50-foot-tall scaffold began to tilt more. Unable to move for fear of collapsing the scaffold, the cameraman held on tightly as the scaffold shook and threatened to fall apart.
Acting quickly, Ares levitated up to the cameraman and brought him safely to the ground. As the pair touched down, the scaffold began to collapse on top of the pair. Crouching over the cameraman, Ares shielded him with his body. The collapsing scaffold did not injure either Ares or the cameraman. Afterwards, Ares, whose is movie stuntman Jack Morgan, only commented "I did what needed to be done."
ATLANTA -- The hero who has been called a "Living Mountain" once again saved lives with his quick actions and incredible strength.
Tuesday morning, a school bus carrying children was passing over a bridge on I-285 when a dump truck that apparently was attempting to reach an exit ramp struck it. The bus was struck by a dump truck on the front driver's side. The impact sent the bus spinning out of control. It smashed through the railing of the bridge and dangled precariously, barely on the bridge.
Fearful that any movement would send the bus tumbling onto the road below, the driver and children could only sit and wait. Wrecker crews who responded were concerned that even attaching a hook to the bus would cause it to fall.
Only the strength of Granite was able to save the bus. Responding to a call, Granite braced himself and grabbed the rear of the bus in his enormous hands. As feared, the bus started to tip forward off the bridge. Granite strained and shifted his feet and kept the bus from falling over. He lifted the bus completely off the road and, staggering backwards, he set it down on firm ground. The children were able to get out safely. The audience who had been watching the children's plight in horror broke into applause. Grateful parents tried to touch the hero as he moved away. "It was nothing," he said. "All in a day's work."
ATLANTA -- The centerpiece of an auction to be held Friday night the art deco piece, the Ruby Yacht.
Originally made in 1925, the Ruby Yacht has passed from one wealthy family to another, much like a present that no one really wants. The yacht, considered by most to be incredibly gaudy and whose name is an obvious reference to the "Rubiyat" of Omar Khayyam, is gem-encrusted boat about one foot in length. It is completely covered with diamonds and rubies and has been estimated as being worth over $300,000.
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Copyright © 2002 -- All stories and descriptions on this page, except where credited elsewhere, are the property and copyright of the Champions of Atlanta Gaming Group, consisting variously of Barry Biddlecomb, Mike Christodoulou, Dirk Loedding, Christopher Mason, Bill Selwa, Adam Stein, and Johnathan Steppe. For specific copyright information, contact the Champions of Atlanta Webmaster.
