Local News
Man cleared of charges on DNA evidence
A man once thought to have raped and impregnated an 11-year-old girl was cleared of the charges by the lack of DNA evidence linking him to the rape, authorities said, but he has been picked up from the Whitfield County jail by Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officials.
Jesus Ernesto Grijalva, 36, of Cuauhtemoc in the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, was charged in June by the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office with statutory rape, aggravated child molestation and rape. He was extradited from Uvalde, Texas.
Grijalva was staying with a Dalton family in May but disappeared. Later, the girl was found to be pregnant and authorities believed a sexual assault led to his sudden departure.
“We dismissed our case against him,” said District Attorney Kermit McManus.
Public defender Anna Johnson defended Grijalva, and said if not for the lack of DNA evidence the case “could have gone the other way.”
“It didn’t come back as his (DNA),” she said. “But he is an illegal, and was actually arrested coming back across the border into the U.S. He may have been deported.”
A county jail spokesman said Grijalva was picked up by ICE officials in mid-September after being placed on an “ICE hold” following his arrest.
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Deadly blast ruled accidental
An explosion and fire that killed two people in a Dalton apartment complex in August has been ruled accidental by the Dalton Fire Department.
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Spring arrives
Starts today at 1:32 p.m.
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Woodlawn archery team takes first
Woodlawn Elementary School just hit the bull’s-eye with a first place win among 21 schools competing in Georgia’s National Archery in Schools state tournament.
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Planting seeds all over the world
Asked how many countries he has traveled to, Richard Edwards thinks for a second.
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Grant applications accepted
The Dalton-Whitfield Community Foundation is accepting fall grant request applications through March 31, 2010, according to board chairwoman Linda Blackman.
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Area arrests for March 20
Recent arrests from the Whitfield and Murray County jail reports.
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Man charged with sodomy
A Chatsworth man has been charged with a sex offense against a minor in Whitfield County.
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Ecumenical Earth Day is April 25
The 14th Ecumenical Earth Day in Dalton will be on April 25 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 623 S. Thornton Ave. in Dalton. The event will run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and feature live music, recycled crafts, petting zoo, a free hot dog lunch and exhibits from local agencies and groups promoting recycling, conservation, and more.
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Church news
Upcoming church-related events
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Whitfield County Board of Commissioners meeting agenda
Board will meet Monday at 6 p.m.
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