Bear Roams Buckhead, Joins Twitter | Patch PM

A Woodstock family says their son should not be charged with manslaughter in the death of a fellow Penn State University fraternity member. Plus, a bear roaming in Buckhead has its own Twitter account, and the state is slated to perform its first execution of 2017 Tuesday night. Here are the top local news stories worth reading and talking and knowing about on Tuesday, May 16, as pulled from our Georgia Patch sites.

Bear Roaming Buckhead Captured, Released In North Georgia

A bear that had been reported in Buckhead around the Belvedere Drive area was recently captured and returned to the wild, according to state wildlife officials. A string of sightings were reported in recent days, with images posted on social media showing a young bear meandering in people's backyards The bear even spurred a hilarious Twitter account, adding to the attention.

Manslaughter Charges 'Inappropriate,' Woodstock Family Of Accused Penn State Student Says

The family of a Penn State University student from Woodstock charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a fellow fraternity brother in February has issued a public statement saying the charges are "inappropriate." The family of Michael Bonatucci, 19, of Woodstock, Ga. issued the statement Monday, hours after Timothy Piazza's parents said the fraternity brothers who failed to call for help, allowing his son to suffer for 12 hours, are responsible for his death.

Talk To Your Kids About Suicide: Bartow County Sheriff's Office

The Bartow County Sheriff's Office released information today about youth suicide, pointing to warning signs and what parents and friends can do to help. They said that according to the Centers for Disease Control, one person in Georgia dies from suicide every seven hours.

Canton Police Officer Prevents Suicide

A Canton police officer stopped a man from committing suicide Sunday night in the parking lot of the Canton Market Place shopping center. Canton police had been notified that night of the man and his suicidal thoughts.

Georgia's First Execution of 2017 Set For Tuesday

An inmate convicted in the 1992 murder of a north Georgia doctor is scheduled to be executed Tuesday evening. J.W. Ledford, Jr., is set to be executed by lethal injection at 7 p.m. at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson. He would become the first inmate executed in Georgia this year and 70th since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976.

More Georgia headlines:

• Nurse Arrested For Sexual Assault: Police
• UPDATE: Woodstock Goodwill Armed Robbery: Police Ask For Help
• 6th District Race: Brookhaven Gets Early Voting Site
• Marietta Restaurant Inspections: Raw Shrimp, Chicken Kept Above Acceptable Temperature
• Here Are 'Georgia’s 10 Most Beautiful Public Libraries'
• Bomb Threat Reported At Athens-Clarke Courthouse: Police
• Covington Native Wins for Student of the Year Honors At KSU
• Father Indicted For Punching Toddler To Death In Marietta

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