In Brief

STATE

Adairsville Marine dies in Afghan action

A Georgia Marine was killed last week in Afghanistan, where he had arrived just six weeks ago, family members said.

Lance Cpl. Seth Sharp, 20, was killed during Operation Strike of the Sword against the Taliban, The Rome News-Tribune reported. He was in Company E of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines.

Sharp’s uncle, Shane Rogers, said Sharp, of Adairsville, had previously served in Iraq and signed up for the military at 17 years old, according to the News-Tribune. Sharp was a student at Adairsville High School and played football, but left early to join the Marines, Rogers said. KATIE LESLIE

ATHENS

UGA pays frats to make way for buildings

The University of Georgia has paid two fraternities nearly $2.4 million to move to houses off-campus.

UGA officials moved five fraternities from along South Lumpkin Street and plan to build new homes for the UGA School of Family and Consumer Sciences, the Terry College of Business and other academic buildings.

Contracts released by UGA last week show that the university paid Chi Phi fraternity $1.75 million to move from its house and Kappa Alpha got $600,000 to move out of a nearby residence.

Three other fraternities opted to move into a new Greek Park on East Campus instead of taking money from the school. The school released contracts to the Athens Banner-Herald under an open records request.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

BUCKHEAD

Stretch of Habersham closed this week

Habersham Road between Argonne Drive and Cherokee Road will be closed to traffic between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. starting today through Friday, Atlanta officials said.

City crews are repairing sewer lines under Habersham, requiring a detour.

The street will be open to traffic in the evenings. ERIC STIRGUS

METRO ATLANTA

Motorists catch a break on gasoline prices

Atlanta area gas prices continued to tick down Sunday from recent peaks. The average price of regular unleaded was $2.479, down about a penny from Saturday and about a nickel from a week ago, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

The U.S. average on Sunday was $2.618, down from $2.621 on Saturday and $2.643 a week ago. STAFF REPORT

ATLANTA

Visit a park in July, city urges residents

Atlanta will mark National Parks and Recreation Month by encouraging all residents to attend an outdoor event with family, visit a park or participate in an activity at a recreational facility in July.

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs will receive a proclamation from the Atlanta City Council at a 1 p.m. ceremony today in council chambers. ERNIE SUGGS

OBITUARIES

A poster child for metro Atlanta’s growth

When Michigan’s economy slowed, Charles J. Kramb moved to Marietta in 1983 and built a new business. He died last week at 77. B6

VENT OF THE DAY

I am still waiting for the traffic break that was supposed to happen when school let out. My commute is worse!