Around the Region: Woman Accused of Stealing $1M from Employer, Park Hires Kudzu-eating Sheep and Governor Backs Transportation Tax

 — Marietta Patch

A 43-year-old Marietta woman was arrested Monday afternoon in Kennesaw on charges that she stole nearly $1 million from her East Cobb employer.

Angela Lynn Williamson of the 2200 block of Sessions Street in Marietta faces 11 felony counts of theft by taking and is being held on $900,000 bond, according to  records. She is accused of writing herself as many as 57 checks a year on the business accounts of employer InterContinental Marble.

The May 16 warrant against her indicates that the thefts began in September 2001 and continued into 2011.

 — Buckhead Patch

Trees Atlanta and the Chastain Park Conservancy have hired a flock of 100 sheep to clean the kudzu out of Chastain Park. 

Using sheep and goats to eat kudzu might be unusual, but isn't totally unheard-of. 11 Alive used a flock to clear kudzu off their studio's property and  provides a flock for residential kudzu clearing.

– Alpharetta-Milton Patch

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal made a campaign visit before several hundred North Fulton business leaders to gain support for the regional transportation sales tax (TSPLOST) going before voters on July 31.

Deal was the guest speaker at the  Eggs & Enterprise Breakfast, held Tuesday, May 22 at the  in Johns Creek.

The Governor said transportation was important to attract companies to the state. He said transportation issues were important in landing Baxter Pharmaceutical and Caterpillar. Baxter picked a site that has easy access to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, while Caterpillar needs access to a port because it plans to export 40 percent of the "smaller" products it makes. The Governor plans for that to be the Port of Savannah, and he said dredging plans to make the port accessible are moving forward.