Around the Region: Treasurer Steals Church Funds, Cities Discuss SDS and ATF Speaks Out on Gang Sweep

- Cartersville Patch

Police have arrested the now former treasurer of a local charity on allegations she embezzled church and charitable funds.

Chief Tommy Culpepper said in a news release Nicole Abernathy, 35, of Emerson was arrested in connection with the theft of about $20,500 from the in Cartersville.

She was charged with 55 counts of theft by conversion and taken to the , where she is awaiting a bond hearing.

- Suwanee Patch

The lingering Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) situation between Gwinnett County and many of its cities continues, with cities in the Gwinnett Municipal Association holding a conference call Monday on the matter.

Randy Meacham, executive director of the Gwinnett Municipal Association, said Monday afternoon that cities in the GwMA held a conference call earlier in the day about the SDS issue. Gwinnett County officials were not involved in the call, Meacham said.

However, settlement talks between the GwMA and Gwinnett County have continued since a court ruling in September was issued strongly favoring the cities.

A settlement offer apparently is not on the table, as Meacham said Monday's conference call concerned what the cities might be looking for in a settlement.

The dispute dates to 2009, when the county sued the cities. At issue is whether the cities should pay the county for services it does not use, such as police.

- Lawrenceville Patch

On Monday afternoon, the and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced a successful gang sweep in the county.

During the eight month investigation, 49 gang members were arrested, 248 felony warrants issued, 16 burglary cases cleared and closed and more than 1500 grams of drugs seized.