Copperhead Targets Metal Thefts

1. No one will blame you if you think you’re living through Groundhog Day and repeating Wednesday today. According to the National Weather Service, it again will be steamy with a 40 percent chance of more torrential storms after 2 p.m. and with a Code Orange air-quality alert. The high will be about 93; the overnight low will be around 72.

2. To fight the surge in thefts of copper from air conditioners and other metal thefts, 27 law enforcement agencies in the North Metro area have formed the Copperhead Strike Force. The strike force will hold a news conference at 2 p.m.(been postponed) today at the . Look for coverage later in the day at Marietta Patch.

3. Family-owned jewelry chain James Avery celebrates the grand opening of its third Georgia store, at , from 5 to 7 p.m. today. The event will include a check presentation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta.

4. The at 2440 Sandy Plains Rd. in Northeast Cobb will hold a fundraiser from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today for Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen. If you go, please bring unopened cans or bags of pet food. Cash donations also are welcome. Everything will go to help homeless pets and animals victimized by natural disasters. Make a donation and you’ll get an ice cream sundae. For more information, contact Patricia Lane at 770-973-6369 or catclinicofcobb@aol.com.

5. The space shuttle program came to an end this morning when landed safely at Cape Canaveral at 5:57. The end came 30 years after the program first flew into orbit and 42 years and a day after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. Where does NASA go from here?