musiclover

Atlanta’s 55-story Bank of America Plaza, the tallest tower in the Southeast, is set to be sold at an open outcry auction on the steps of the Fulton County Courthouse Tuesday after landlord BentleyForbes missed mortgage payments. It bought the skyscraper in 2006 for $436 million from Bank of America Corp. and Cousins Properties Inc. in the city’s biggest property deal. More >

The event last Sunday was presided over by Ralph Messer, a self-described rabbi and bible teacher who was the visiting speaker. Messer presented Jewish scrolls that he said were more than 300 years ago, unfurling them around Long, to thunderous applause from the congregation.

“He’s now been given the constitution of God as a king,” Messer said, presenting the scroll to Long. “He is now [raised] up from a commoner to a kingship.” At that point, Long, seated in a chair, was raised by four man who walked around the pulpit area of the mega-church.

If we’re going to build a regional transit system in metro Atlanta — and I’m increasingly doubtful that we will — we’re going to need somebody to run the thing. More >

Traffic was backed up for over a mile leading up to the church. Over the driveway, a 30 foot US flag was flowing in the wind, suspended by the extended ladders of two fire trucks. And lining that driveway were the vehicles of every neighboring county & city police force. They were there to put one of their own to rest. 46 year old Gail Thomas was a Senior Patrol Officer and had been with the Atlanta Police Department since 1997. Major Christopher Leighty was her Zone 5 precinct commander.
“SPO Gail Thomas was the very best of what a person should be. She was the epitome of integrity. She always did what was right. Her professionalism will live on with those whom she has trained. I have no doubt those officers will pass the lessons learned on to those who they will train. We have lost one of our finest and she will be missed.”

Two years into his term, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is fulfilling his promises, he told a crowd of hundreds during his State of the City address. More >

Hustler Magazine argued Wednesday in a federal appeals court that its decision to publish nude photos of a model months after she was killed by her wrestler husband was protected by the First Amendment because she was a newsworthy figure.

The family of Nancy Toffolini Benoit has waged a legal battle against the pornographic magazine since it published the photos after she and her son were killed in 2007 by wrestler Chris Benoit. Her family said she never gave the magazine permission to print the photos.

A former investigator with the city of Los Angeles claims Atlanta police rejected his job application solely because he has HIV, a decision he said breaks the law and perpetuates stereotypes about people with the virus. More >

Fulton County’s chief medical examiner said Tuesday his office is trying to track down fingerprints and dental records of Stacey Nicole English to compare them with those of a dead woman found Monday in southeast Atlanta.

“The decedent is an adult black female, consistent in age with reported missing person Stacey English,” said chief medical examiner Randy Hanzlick, though it remains unclear whether the body is that of the missing Buckhead woman.