Latest Georgia news, sports, business and entertainment

ATLANTA AIRPORT

New Atlanta airport terminal to open

ATLANTA (AP) The new $1.4 billion international terminal at the world's busiest airport is set to open.

The sleek launching pad for millions of passengers is designed to help Atlanta grab a growing share of the lucrative market for global travelers.

The 1.2-million-square-foot terminal is opening on Wednesday after years of planning.

The building's wavy lines, expansive windows and eye-catching artwork offer a stark contrast to the boxy design of the rest of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Airport managers are already expecting an increase in international travelers over the next decade, and they hope the terminal will convince airlines to route even more of their overseas flights through the city.

SCHOOL BUS-RIFLE

Police to guard school buses after rifle threat

(Information in the following story is from: Clayton News Daily, http://www.news-daily.com)

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) Police cars will guard students on school buses after a man was seen aiming a rifle in the direction of a bus.

Police say they found the rifle and a notebook full of school bus numbers after a witness reported seeing the man aim the weapon toward a bus Monday morning.

Clayton County schools spokesman David Waller tells the Clayton News Daily that police will accompany school buses in the area through the end of the week or until the suspect is apprehended. He said recess will be moved inside.

Police reports say the man dropped the gun and ran when a witness yelled at him. Clayton County school officials say another witness chased the man but stopped when the suspect fired a second gun at him.

GEORGIA PERIMETER COLLEGE

State AG investigating Georgia Perimeter College

(Information in the following story is from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com)

ATLANTA (AP) Authorities say the Georgia Attorney General's Office is looking into how Georgia Perimeter College ended up with a nearly $16 million shortfall.

Amanda Reddick, a compliance officer at the two-year college, tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the state agency is reviewing records "to determine if fraudulent activities occurred."

College spokesman John Millsaps said the University System of Georgia asked the agency to review issues at Georgia Perimeter.

State audits and a University System analysis showed the school has been overspending its budget by millions of dollars for the past four years.

The Journal-Constitution reported that the school spent more than $7 million more than it took in from tuition, fees, grants and state and federal appropriations in fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Its deficit could hit $16 million this fiscal year.

WINDOW PUNCH-DEATH

Athens man punches window, bleeds to death

(Information in the following story is from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens.com)

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Authorities say an Athens man bled to death after punching out a window at a former girlfriend's apartment.

Police say they found 37-year-old Elmario Rayshawn Griffith bleeding profusely from his arm shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports that Griffith was still conscious, but would not tell officers what had happened. Investigators determined that at some point during a dispute with the former girlfriend, Griffith punched a window and severed an artery.

He was taken to St. Mary's Hospital, where he later died.

Athens-Clarke police Capt. Clarence Holeman said no foul play is suspected in the death.

SCHOOL DAGGER

Student accused of carrying dagger at high school

(Information in the following story is from: Gwinnett Daily Post, http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com)

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) School officials in suburban Atlanta have charged a high school student with carrying a dagger on her campus.

The Gwinnett Daily Post reports that Gwinnett County Schools police arrested the 18-year-old freshman on Friday morning. She's accused of carrying a dagger with a 2-inch blade in the waistband of her jeans at Mill Creek High School.

Gwinnett Public Schools spokesman Jorge Quintana said Lopez showed the weapon to someone else, who then reported it to administrators.

She's charged with carrying a deadly weapon at a public gathering and carrying a concealed weapon.

HISTORIC MARKER CONTROVERSY

School board OKs controversial language in marker

(Information in the following story is from: Marietta Daily Journal, http://mdjonline.com/)

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) A school board outside Atlanta has approved the language in a historical marker, drawing criticism from one member who says the description of black people is inappropriate.

The Marietta Daily Journal reports that the Marietta Board of Education on Tuesday agreed to change the wording on the marker from "African-American" to "Negro."

The marker was purchased by the city to be placed at the former all-black Lemon Street High School. The Lemon Street School Heritage Association, which includes former Lemon Street graduates, has worked on the wording for months.

The school board voted 5-1 to approve the language, with board member Stuart Fleming voting against it. Fleming said the word is no longer used to describe black people, and that the school board should not use it either.

SENIOR TAX BREAK

Ga. city eyes ending tax break for older residents

(Information in the following story is from: The Macon Telegraph, http://www.macontelegraph.com)

CENTERVILLE, Ga. (AP) A central Georgia city is considering ending a property tax exemption for older residents.

The Telegraph newspaper reports that the Centerville City Council agreed Tuesday to work toward ending the tax exemption for residents who are over the age of 70.

Councilman Edward Tucker said providing free police, fire and other services to a growing senior population, paid for by those under 70, was no longer fair or a good financial option.

Tucker said the number of residents taking the exemption has risen to 8.3 percent of the potential tax roll and is growing.

City officials say voters should decide whether to do away with the exemption. They say the council's goal is to get the matter on the ballot for November's general election.

LAKE LANIER

Army Corps of Engineers to focus on lake safety

(Information in the following story is from: WGCL-TV, http://www.cbsatlanta.com/index.html)

CUMMING, Ga. (AP) Federal authorities at Lake Lanier say they're putting renewed emphasis on safety for boaters and swimmers after three deaths at the lake.

CBS Atlanta reports that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will suspend all new applications for dock construction this summer and will focus on safety awareness for boaters and swimmers.

Nick Baggett of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says there have been a couple of drownings already this year. He said the number of drownings is alarming because they happened so early in the season.

Lake Lanier is just northeast of Atlanta.