Latest news with #Conyers
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Man breaks in and kills neighbor to steal his Xbox a second time, FL cops say
A man stole his neighbor's Xbox, then when his neighbor bought a new Xbox, he broke in again, killed him and stole his new Xbox, Florida authorities said. James Conyers, 45, was convicted of second-degree murder and dealing in stolen property, and now he's been sentenced to life in prison, Duval County records show. His attorney declined to comment to McClatchy News on June 3. The investigation began when Terrill Trumble, 28, didn't show up to work July 24, 2023, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He wasn't answering his door, but one of his friends noticed his back door was unlocked, police wrote in an arrest report. When he went inside, he found Trumble dead on the bathroom floor with a gunshot wound to the head, and his new Xbox had disappeared, according to police. Neighbors at the apartment complex said Trumble had ongoing issues with Conyers, adding Conyers had 'bragged' about breaking into Trumble's apartment and stealing his Xbox and a shotgun a month earlier, according to police. Trumble bought a new Xbox, but on July 23, 2023, Conyers' girlfriend reported that he had disappeared from their apartment with her gun and her vehicle, officers said. He came back later that day but refused to explain why he had taken her gun, she told officers, according to the report. The next day, Trumble was found dead, police said. Conyers denied killing Trumble, saying they were friends and had no issues, but detectives said they found out someone had sold both of Trumble's stolen Xboxes to a gaming store. Trumble's new Xbox was sold to the store hours after he was killed, investigators said. Phone records showed Conyers was in the same area of the store when the Xboxes were sold, and he had looked up the store online, police said. The bullet used to kill Trumble was fired from Conyers' girlfriend's gun, investigators said. Detectives said they learned Conyers had previously been convicted of manslaughter in South Carolina from a similar incident in which Conyers' friend was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head. He was prohibited from possessing a firearm. A jury found Conyers guilty in April, prosecutors announced.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fight during birthday party ends with gunfire at Conyers park
The Conyers police department said a birthday party ended in gunfire over the weekend, with two people having to take cover behind a car. The incident happened on Sunday at Academy Springs Park. Police said a man and the mother of his child got into an argument during the party, and it continued to escalate over the person the man brought with him to the birthday party. TRENDING STORIES: Man accused of gunning down Georgia Tech student in targeted shooting has turned himself in Mother, daughter murdered in middle GA Alabama college mourns 3 killed in crash in metro Atlanta That's when officers said an unidentified man opened fire on two of the people as they were trying to leave the party, forcing them to take cover behind a car that ended being hit twice by bullets. Anyone with information in this case is asked to call the Conyers Police Department at 678-625-5590.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
HBCU awards degree to 80 year old Vietnam veteran
Linwood Riddick didn't enroll at South Carolina State University, an Orangeburg, South Carolina, HBCU, in pursuit of a career. Instead, he came seeking clarity, a renewed sense of purpose, and a way to honor a legacy that deeply moved him. This month, the Vietnam War veteran and longtime member of the SC State Concert Choir received his bachelor's degree in music industry-just weeks before his 80th birthday in July. His journey to that diploma was far from traditional, but it was firmly grounded in personal conviction. "I was walking through campus one day and overheard some men discussing the Orangeburg Massacre," Riddick recalled, referring to the tragic 1968 police shooting that claimed the lives of three unarmed Black students at SC State. "I thought to myself, 'I need to come here, leave my mark on this institution in honor of those young men.'" Now, with his academic journey complete, Riddick hopes his story will inspire others. "People will see me and hopefully understand the purpose behind my being here," he said. A Moment of Recognition SC State President Alexander Conyers made a special pause during Friday's commencement ceremony to honor Riddick as he stepped down from the choir risers. "Mr. Riddick, at 80 years old, has been fully immersed in the student experience-singing in the choir, performing at events," Conyers said. "You inspire us all." Later in the ceremony, Conyers personally handed Riddick his diploma, and the arena erupted in applause from his fellow graduates and the audience. From Service to Song Born in New York and raised in Virginia, Riddick began his college journey at Norfolk State University before being drafted into the U.S. Navy and serving in Vietnam. After returning home, he built a successful business selling souvenirs and various goods for over 30 years. "I did my time in the military, came back, got some help from the VA, and started my own business," he said. "I ran that business until I retired at 72." Instead of settling into retirement, Riddick began commuting from his home in Summerville, South Carolina, to Orangeburg for classes. "I wanted to keep my mind and body active," he said. "The brain is like a spiritual muscle-it needs to be used. Mind, body, soul, and spirit-all must be engaged." An HBCU Voice and a Mentor At SC State, Riddick became a familiar face in the Concert Choir, performing at commencements and special occasions. But his impact extended far beyond the stage. His presence brought inspiration and wisdom to a younger generation of students. Riddick hopes to continue supporting his HBCU. He plans on working with faculty and students to build stronger intergenerational connections and spark greater student engagement. "We need to bridge the gap," he said. "Sometimes, one must teach one. With all I've been through, I want to mentor these students. Hopefully, the faculty and I can foster more connection. We need innovation." A Message of Hope Riddick's advice to others, particularly seniors, is simple but powerful: "If I can do it, you can do it. Nothing's impossible if you try." As for the future? He jokes, "The only thing left for me now is to get computerized-but I've got everything else covered." The post HBCU awards degree to 80 year old Vietnam veteran appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Washington Post
19-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Company decides not to rebuild chlorine plant with history of fires, explosions and toxic clouds
CONYERS, Ga. — The company that operated a Georgia chlorine plant with a history of explosions, chemical fires and toxic clouds that have drifted over neighborhoods outside Atlanta has decided not to rebuild the main manufacturing facility in Conyers. In a statement, BioLab Inc. said it has been unable to resume manufacturing operations in Conyers after the most recent catastrophe on Sept. 29.
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Company decides not to rebuild chlorine plant with history of fires, explosions and toxic clouds
CONYERS, Ga. (AP) — The company that operated a Georgia chlorine plant with a history of explosions, chemical fires and toxic clouds that have drifted over neighborhoods outside Atlanta has decided not to rebuild the main manufacturing facility in Conyers. In a statement, BioLab Inc. said it has been unable to resume manufacturing operations in Conyers after the most recent catastrophe on Sept. 29. 'After taking steps to meet customer needs through alternative production, and in considering our future business needs carefully, we have made the difficult decision not to restart manufacturing at the Conyers plant,' it said. Though manufacturing won't restart, the company's Conyers distribution center will remain operational and fill customer orders for products from other manufacturing facilities, BioLab said. 'We take our role in Conyers very seriously, and as we move forward, the safety and wellbeing of the Conyers community remain a top priority.' The September fire sent a huge plume of orange and black smoke into the Georgia sky, forcing nearby residents to shelter in place, leading to classes canceled for schoolchildren and the closure of a major interstate. Last month, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board released an update on its investigation. The company improperly stored hazardous chemicals, federal authorities said. BioLab was cited for six violations, including four serious ones, and more than $60,000 in proposed penalties, the U.S. Department of Labor said. BioLab makes chemicals that kill algae and bacteria in water, primarily for swimming pools and hot tubs. The company is a subsidiary of Lawrenceville, Georgia-based KIK Consumer Products. Its Conyers plant is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of downtown Atlanta.
