Health & Wellness Sponsored section ►►PAGE 20
Flash floods cause havoc
Stormwater system can’t handle rain near new courthouse ►►PAGE 5
School renovations
North, South Forsyth High Schools to get new look ►►PAGE 10
Farm-fresh Forsyth
Farmers Market open for the season ►►PAGE 15
June 10, 2015 | forsythherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 24
Construction on jail continues Problems with newly opened courthouse surface By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com
PHOTO BY KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
Scott Madsen said they keep kitty litter on the trucks in case cars from accidents leak fluids.
Hoses, ladders and kitty litter Firefighters give behind-the-scenes tour By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — While firefighters are known for doing what they’re named for, the Forsyth County Fire Department often goes above and beyond their initial call of duty. Firefighter Scott Madsen led a public tour through Fire Station No. 3 on June 1. He said they have to be prepared for any situation imaginable, so they have learned to adapt throughout the years.
“We try to be as prepared as we can for just about anything we might get called out for,” Madsen said. “It’s impossible to have everything, but we try to carry at least the equipment that allows us to get started on helping.” Every day, firefighters inspect the equipment on their truck to be sure it’s ready to use in a moment’s notice, Madsen said. Roughly 80 percent of calls the fire department gets are medical-based, Madsen said. The department contracts
with an ambulance company because they don’t have their own ambulatory services. But all area firefighters are required to also be an emergency medical technician. “We do have some paramedics, but we don’t staff our own ambulances,” Madsen said. “Maybe one of these days, maybe in the next few years, we may do it ourselves. We do carry all the same equipment with very few minor pieces they carry only on the ambulance.” There are 12 operating fire stations in the county, but only seven of those have
See HOSES, Page 11
CUMMING, Ga. — As construction on Forsyth County’s new courthouse and jail project in downtown Cumming heads into the final stretch, the county is already having to fix problems. The SPLOST VII Jail/ Courthouse Project team met June 2, where they discussed updates to the project’s budget and building schedule, as well as problems that need to be addressed. The only projects left to finish in the ongoing construction include the material completion of the jail, the
annex and fourth floor of the courthouse. The new Forsyth County Courthouse is already in use. However, Chief Judge Jeffrey Bagley said the jury deliberation rooms, attorney/client meeting rooms and judicial chambers in the new building lack soundproofing. Officials believe the doors that were installed in those rooms are causing the problem, and the county is working to fix them. Bagley also said one of the courtrooms has a water chiller above it in the ceiling, which is causing noise issues inside the courtroom.
KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
Construction continues at the new Forsyth County Jail, set to open mid-August to early September.
WE BUY
GOLD, SILVER, DIAMONDS & ROLEX WWW.IROFF.COM
Top Dollar Paid T
See JAIL, Page 4
Alpharetta • 3960 Old Milton Pkwy #300 (1.5 miles East of 400) • 770-751-7222