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A Grovetown man accused of molesting two teen girls was charged Friday with influencing a witness.

The influencing witness charge was added to the multiple sex charges leveled in recent weeks at Landon “Dock” Norman, 40, of the 1900 block of Long Creek Falls.

Also charged on Thursday with influencing a witness was Juliana Erin Key, 29, of the 4300 block of Goshen Lake Drive South in Augusta.

Twitter @DonnieFetter

Columbia County officials continued their search Thursday for an attorney to initiate a fight against a housing development in Martinez.

Commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to hire outside legal counsel to investigate any legal recourse officials might take to “interrupt” construction of Magnolia Trace.

County Administrator Scott Johnson said several attorneys contacted thus far have declined the job, were too busy with other cases, or had a conflict of interest.

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More than $41 million in road projects are under way or will soon get started in Columbia County.

County commissioners last week approved a resolution to start accepting donations of easements to widen Washington Road to five lanes, including a center-turn lane, from Gibbs Road to William Few Parkway.

The widening project, budgeted at $26 million, also includes the construction of sidewalks and bike lanes, according to an e-mail from county Construction and Maintenance Services Director Matt Schlachter.

Twitter @DonnieFetter

Columbia County commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to hire outside legal counsel to investigate any legal avenue officials might take to “interrupt” construction of the Magnolia Trace development in Martinez.

The motion came following nearly two hours of questions, accusations, insults and jeers from dozens of nearby residents angered that the commission endorsed the “low-income” housing project on Old Ferry Road.