Around the Region: Vandals Use Bow and Arrows, Kidnapper Sentenced to Life in Prison and Child Almost Loses Leg in Accident

– Canton-Sixes Patch

Cherokee County Sheriff candidate David Waters said his campaign signs have been vandalized several times.

“We have had our signs ripped down, we have had them cut, we have had holes punched through them, and including arrows shot from a bow where they still remain,” Waters said. 

Officials with the  confirmed the signs on Highway 140 had been vandalized with a bow and arrow.

Waters has asked that the public help him patrol locations where signs are and forward any information that will help stop the vandalism and theft of signs.

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– Douglasville Patch

Thad Ashley, 38, was sentenced to life in prison plus thirty-one years after being found guilty, on June 18, of kidnapping, attempted kidnapping and criminal trespass, according to the  Facebook page.

In September 2011, Ashley grabbed a 7-year-old girl by the arm and pulled her out of her family vehicle, which was parked at her home in the Douglas Estates Mobile Home Community. She was able to free herself and run away but Ashley then reached into the van again and attempted to grab a 2-year-old girl.

Ashley admitted to pulling one child out of the van and reaching for the second child, but stated he was confused because he had been mixing methadone and Xanax.

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– Cumming Patch

A young boy almost lost his leg while tubing on Lake Lanier over the weekend. According to authorities, a propeller cut the right leg of an 11-year-old while on the lake on Saturday around 2:45 p.m.

"We responded to the area of Little River Park in Hall County on Lake Lanier where we made contact with the victim and his family," said Sgt. Mike Burgamy, supervisor of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at Lake Lanier. "He was tubing, fell off the tube, was attempting to get back into the boat when he slipped off the ladder and his leg made contact with the prop."

The operator of the boat mistakenly thought the boat was in neutral. Authorities said no charges will be filed, however, and no alcohol was involved.

See for additional details.