News Nearby: Explosion Rocks Power Plant; Sex Offender Missing

Updated: 4 Minor Injuries in Explosion at Plant Bowen in Cartersville - Cartersville Patch

An explosion caused by a malfunctioning turnbine late Thursday rocked Georgia Power's Plant Bowen in Bartow County near Cartersville, the second-largest coal-fueled plant in Georgia. Four people suffered minor injuries.

Residents and locals from miles around felt and heard the blast described as sounding like a "sonic boom" or an earthquake. They say it shook buildings and even knocked items off a table. Visit Cartersville Patch for more on the story and continuing updates.

 - Loganville-Grayson Patch

A man with the same address as a Loganville house that was set on fire in January has been charged with arson and other crimes, according to Gwinnett County Jail records.

Gwinnett County police arrested Jonathan Clint Smith on Thursday, charging him with theft by taking, false report of a crime, cruelty to animals, two counts of theft by deception and first-degree arson. He remains in the Gwinnett County jail with no bond. Loganville-Grayson Patch has more on the story.

Sex Offender Wanted by Forsyth Sheriff's Office - Cumming Patch

A man who failed to register as sex offender and violated his probation is wanted by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office .

Curtis Joe Motes, 27, is required to register annually as a convicted sex offender, but failed to do so last month, according to Deputy Courtney Beal Spriggs, public information officer of the FCSO.

Motes, whose last known address is 5774 Adrian Lane in Gainesville (northeast Forsyth County ), was convicted of child molestation in 2006 in Hall County.

If you have information on Motes' whereabouts, call 770-781-3087 or the CrimeStoppers anonymous tip line at 770-888-7308. Cumming Patch has more on this story.

Grocery Store Employee Spots Shoplifter Stuffing Meat into Pants - Oconee Patch

An employee of Bell's Food Store on Hog Mountain Road told Oconee County Sheriff's deputies this week that he witnessed a man stuffing ribs from the meat counter into his pants.

Deputies were called to the store just before 9 p.m. on April 3 but the suspect had already left and fled in a white Ford Ranger.   The case is listed as active. Oconee Patch has more on this story.

Photo Gallery of Indicted Cascade Area Teachers and Administrators - Cascade Patch

Patch has the photos that once revered educators and administrators never thought they would take. Thirty-five individuals in total have been charged, fingerprinted, and released on bond, for their alleged roles in the historic APS Cheating Scandal.

The defendants in this case will see a judge today for arraignments, WSB-TV reports. Find all the details and continuing updates on Cascade Patch.