Gwinnett Daily Post — Dec. 17, 2015

RAISING THE BAR, 5A

Fed hikes interest rate for first time in a decade

CHANGE OF PLANS By not forgoing senior football season, Virgil garners attention • Sports, 1B

Gwinnett Daily Post THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

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Vol. 46, No. 54

Cagle outlines key issues for ’16 session

By Curt Yeomans

tive luncheon at the Infinite Energy Forum. He said transportation and education will receive a significant Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle used amount of attention from legislaeconomic development as a com- tors during their time under the mon denominator in a speech to Gold Dome in Atlanta. Those isGwinnett government and business sues are key to growing Georgia’s leaders on Wednesday about the economy, he said. big issues facing the state General “As lieutenant governor trying Assembly in 2016. to set the tone and the tenor of Cagle addressed the Gwinnett really what we’re going to be Chamber about the upcoming ses- focused on in the session, I think sion during the chamber’s legisla- it’s important that we talk about curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

substantive issues, issues that are really going to impact the lives of our citizens,” Cagle said.

“We want to continue to see the financial well being for the state in good standing.”

Cagle said issues such as transit and workforce training will be key discussions the state will have to focus on in future, whether its in the 2016 session, or later on.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle talks with a Gwinnett Chamber member after the group’s legislative luncheon at the Infinite Energy Forum on Wednesday. (Staff Photo: Curt Yeomans)

See CAGLE, Page 7A

The sound of giving

Gwinnett, Cobb file 911 fee suit

Red Kettle rings out for charity

By Keith Farner keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com

Alleging that 15 telephone service providers have unpaid fees related to 911 operations, Gwinnett and Cobb counties on Wednesday sued the companies for failing to bill, collect and turn over those fees.

Former Gov. Roy E. Barnes is representing the counties in the lawsuit, and he said in a Roy E. Barnes statement that the suits are necessary because of the providers’ statutory and fiduciary responsibility under Georgia law. The lawsuits are seeking more than $50 million for three years of alleged unpaid fees.

The lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the Superior Courts of Gwinnett and Fulton counties.

“We believe, based on the evidence we have received, that responsibility has not been met,” Barnes said. “These monies need to be paid for the benefit of the counties’ 911 systems. … The failure of these companies to pay their obligations could eventually result in the taxpayers of Cobb and Gwinnett counties picking up the bill. The taxpayers should not have to supplement this gap.”

See LAWSUIT, Page 7A

Arrest made in shooting near Norcross

By Joshua Sharpe Nine-year-old Joshua Adams drops a donation into the Salvation Army Red Kettle manned by Gwinnett Rotary volunteer Jeff Kinsinger in front of the Wal-Mart on Lawrenceville Highway. (Staff Photo: Katie Morris)

I

t’s a familiar part of the Christmas and holiday season, the sound of ringing bells drawing attention to the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign.

Across Gwinnett County, volunteers are ringing the bells in a Christmas

tradition that began in San Francisco in 1891. Over the years, the campaign has grown into the nonprofit’s most prominent fundraiser, taking in more than $420,000 last year to help area residents in need.

“It’s the most intense time of the year,

friends and faculty members who helped her become the best musician she could be. Thirty members of the School of Music participated in the event, and about 80 people attended.

“A typical recital comes with side effects of nervousness, stress and anxiety to do perfectly, but the atmosphere of my recital seemed different,” she said in a question-and-answer discussion with UGA officials.

“Being surrounded by so many friends was magical for me, and for everyone else.”

Snyder described his time as a

Gwinnett County police say they have charged a former Lawrenceville resident with the death of a young man who was gunned down in the street outside Norcross in September.

David Talamantes, 23, is accused of aggravated assault and felony murder in the death of 21-yearold Lilburn resident Tre David Talamantes Edwards, which happened on the night of Sept.

23 on Reddington Lane, where some 20 people were in an argument. The suspect was arrested on Saturday by authorities in DeKalb County on unrelated charges, said Cpl. Deon Washington, Gwinnett police spokesman.

“Due to the amount of people who were involved in the shooting, homicide detectives are still actively investigating the case,” Washington said in a Wednesday news release announcing the charges. It wasn’t clear when the suspect would be transported to Gwinnett.

Warrants released to the Daily Post on Wednesday accuse Talamantes of shooting the victim multiple times with a handgun.

Police began investigating after being

See GRADS, Page 7A

See ARREST, Page 7A

but it’s also a fun time for us,” Capt.

Andy Miller of the Salvation Army has said of the annual campaign.

For more information about the Salvation Army of Gwinnett County, visit www.salvationarmyatlanta.org/gwinnettcounty-financial-emergency-services.

UGA highlights two Gwinnettians at graduation

By Keith Farner

keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com

Two Gwinnett seniors are among a group of 15 scheduled to graduate on Friday from the University of Georgia that the school has highlighted to share about their college experiences.

Corinne Klemenc, a Brookwood High graduate, and Christopher Snyder, a Collins Hill High graduate, were included in the “15 for 2015” commencement feature. They are among the 1,742 undergraduates and 1,065 graduate students who have met requirements to walk in the university’s fall com-

mencement ceremonies.

The undergraduate ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in Stegeman Coliseum, and tickets are required. The graduate ceremony is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Donna W. Hyland, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, is scheduled to deliver the undergraduate commencement address.

Snyder will graduate with a bachelor of business administration marketing degree, while Klemenc’s degrees are bachelors in music education and music composition.

Klemenc plans to teach elementary music education in Georgia, while Snyder has already accepted an offer to be a district manager with Aldi.

For Klemenc’s senior recital, she redesigned the traditional format from simply a 30-minute required composition to a “Super Senior Recital” that included five of her own original pieces, which she was graded on, a 15-minute advanced piece of clarinet repertoire, a nineminute large chamber ensemble piece that she conducted and “Clapping Music,” which is a piece written for two clappers.

Her goal was to celebrate her

joshua.sharpe@gwinnettdailypost.com

gwinnettdailypost.com

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2A • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

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BOC OKs expanded plans for senior living community

By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County commissioners agreed on Tuesday to let a community group that works with elderly residents from

ethnic backgrounds expand its plans for a senior living community near Norcross.

The commission decision clears the way for the King David Community Center to add two additional residence towers to the development that is planned for 5054

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Singleton Road. The development is near Singleton Road’s intersections with Tech Drive and Indian Trail Lilburn Road.

“The (reason) for us changing the plans of the project is purely due to finances,” King David representative Sinh Bui told commissioners. “When we asked for approval last July of 2014, we were taking one financial approach …

We have chosen to pursue a different financing approach.

We redesigned, basically expanded, our area.”

The development was originally approved last year with a single 12-story tower on 1.98 acres. The group now wants to build

300402-1

three towers with 448 units on 3.45 acres. There would also be 338 parking spaces located in parking decks below the towers.

In a report on the proposal,

county planning and development staff recommended approval in part because on the fact that the center had previously been approved for the site, albeit on a different

scale. The staff also recommended approval of the center’s request to increase the height of each building from 110 feet to 165 feet with rooftop gardens included.

Several landscape plants offer colorful berries During the Christmas holidays, many decorations are composed of plant material with colorful berries.

Common landscape plants produce them, and often their beauty is underappreciated. Some plants are deciduous, and their berries are in the open while others are evergreens, and the foliage enhances the beauty of the berries. Many times these small fruits provide food for wildlife.

Several species of hollies have showy red berries. The plants are dioecious, meaning that there are male and female plants. The females produce the berries. However, a male plant needs to be in the vicinity for pollination.

Hollies come in several sizes, from shrubs to small trees.

Burford hollies are some of the most commonly planted hollies in the landscape.

They can grow as high as 20 feet, but the dwarf form is most often planted. It grows 6 to 10 feet high and is frequently used as a hedge.

Needlepoint hollies are similar to the Burford hollies in their growth habit, but their

300400-1

This illustration shows the layout for three apartment towers at the King David Community Center retirement community. The smaller version of the community was approved last year, but county commissioners voted on Tuesday to let developers expand the scope of the project. (Special Photo)

Gardening in Gwinnett

Tim Daly leaves taper to a narrower point. Several hollies can be used as trees. Savannah hollies can reach 20 to 30 feet high and have a conical to pyramidal growth form.

They do require extra fertilizer since they are heavy feeders and will turn light green to yellow and shed their leaves if the soil does not have adequate nutrients.

Foster hollies have narrow dark green leaves with a spiny tip. They can reach up to 30 feet in height and have a growth habit similar to the Savannah hollies.

Several hollies with attractive berries are deciduous.

The possumhaw, which is native to Georgia, grows up to 15 feet. It has glossy green foliage in the summer, which turns yellow in the fall. It produces scarlet to orange berries. The winterberry holly grows to 10 feet and has an oval to round shape. It has dark green foliage in the

summer with no significant fall color. Winterberries produce bright red berries that are often in pairs. Possumhaws and winterberries are frequently planted together in groups, and both tolerate wet soils.

Pyracanthas produce orange to red berries. They have long sharp thorns and are sometimes referred to as firethorns. The plants are evergreen, and two species are commonly used in the landscape: the scarlet firethorn, which has an upright open growth habit, and the Formosa firethorn, which is multistemmed and has a stiff, upright growth habit and is the one most commonly planted. They are used as shrubs in the landscape, and sometimes they can be espaliered against walls. The plants are tolerant of adverse site conditions but do not perform well in wet soils. Pyracanthas sometimes suffer from the bacterial disease fireblight, which causes the ends of the branches to turn black and die. The best treatment is to prune off the dead branches a few inches below the infected area.

Hawthorne trees produce bright red berries in the fall that last into the winter.

There are several species of the trees that grow 20 to 30 feet high. All are deciduous

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and have sharp thorns two to three inches long, and their dark green foliage turns yellow to orange in the autumn.

Once established, hawthorns can be difficult to transplant because they develop long tap roots.

Dogwoods are popular landscape plants because of their showy white flowers in the spring. The common dogwood is a native understory tree in the forest and prefers partial shade. The tree produces glossy red berries in clusters of two to three. The kousa dogwood flowers a couple of weeks after the common dogwood.

It can tolerate full sun as well as part shade and is resistant to drought. It has a raspberrylike fruit that is pink to red in color. Both dogwoods require welldrained fertile soil.

Colorful berries are ornamental features frequently overlooked when choosing tree and shrubs. They provide color and interest to the winter landscape as well as feeding wildlife. Consider planting some to enhance the quality of your home landscape.

If you would like to lean more, Gwinnett County Extension is having a class on ornamental plants for winter interest that will be held on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, in the second floor conference room of the Gwinnett County Government Annex Building at 750 South Perry St., Lawrenceville, GA 30046. To register, please contact the Extension office.

Timothy Daly is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent with Gwinnett County Cooperative Extension. He can be reached at 678-377-4010 or timothy. daly@gwinnettcounty.com.

G W I NN ETT COUNTY S ALES TAX FUN D P r oject s Co nst ru cted With S pecial S ales Tax P r oceeds Ye ar en ded December 31, 2 0 14

Project 2005 Sales Tax Libraries Parks and Recreation Public Safety Transportation Cities Share Total 2005 Sales Tax 2009 Sales Tax Libraries Parks and Recreation Public Safety Transportation Courthouse Cities Share Total 2009 Sales Tax 2014 Sales Tax Libraries Senior Services Facilities Parks and Recreation Public Safety Transportation Transportation/ City County Shared Cities Share Total 2014 Sales Tax

Estimated/ Actual Sales Tax Estimated/ Actual Collections Other Collections

Total Collections*

Tier I Original Estimated Cost**

Tier II Original Estimated Estimated/ Actual Cost*** Other Collections

$14,589,373 190,296,173 92,589,237 190,296,173 93,689,572

3,116,559 16,635,832 8,912,669 92,196,013 -

17,705,932 206,932,005 101,501,906 282,492,186 93,689,572

$12,420,000 162,000,000 78,821,640 162,000,000 88,620,400

2,169,373 28,296,173 13,767,597 28,296,173 5,069,172

$581,460,528

120,861,073

702,321,601

$503,862,040

77,598,488

$10,269,805 127,977,570 52,395,756 300,925,353 75,048,575 111,849,898

520,752 3,164,547 2,071,517 107,980,252 1,235,658 -

10,790,557 131,142,117 54,467,273 408,905,605 76,284,233 111,849,898

$10,805,294 134,650,588 55,127,780 316,616,230 78,961,765 122,598,160

(535,489) (6,673,018) (2,732,024) (15,690,877) (3,913,190) (10,748,262)

$678,466,957

114,972,726

793,439,683

$9,650,260 4,825,128 24,125,646 57,901,554 200,172,711

1,294 1,301 103,278 7,069 4,991,056

9,651,554 4,826,429 24,228,924 57,908,623 205,163,767

$9,650,260 4,825,128 24,125,646 57,901,554 200,172,711

-

1,294 1,301 103,278 7,069 4,991,056

25,000,000 95,583,000

1,378,325 -

26,378,325 95,583,000

25,000,000 95,583,000

-

1,378,325 -

$417,258,299

6,482,323

423,740,622

$417,258,299

-

$718,759,817 (40,292,860)

3,116,559 16,635,832 8,912,669 92,196,013 -

Current Estimated Cost****

Expenditures Prior years

Current year

Total

17,705,932 206,932,005 101,501,906 282,492,186 93,689,572

$12,666,464 202,976,965 96,131,727 271,462,217 93,689,572

437,915 1,912,290 4,186,384 6,223,618 -

13,104,379 204,889,255 100,318,111 277,685,835 93,689,572

120,861,073 702,321,601

$676,926,945

12,760,207

689,687,152

10,790,557 131,142,117 54,467,273 408,905,605 76,284,233 111,849,898

$541,090 37,125,869 16,227,242 219,650,055 1,437,420 99,742,490

258,421 7,669,454 7,126,808 52,775,099 10,537 5,114,410

799,511 44,795,323 23,354,050 272,425,154 1,447,957 104,856,900

114,972,726 793,439,683

$374,724,166

72,954,729

447,678,895

9,651,554 4,826,429 24,228,924 57,908,623 205,163,767

$– -

9 68,659 646,056 942,613 3,366,911

26,378,325 95,583,000

-

6,482,323 423,740,622

$–

520,752 3,164,547 2,071,517 107,980,252 1,235,658 -

In compliance with O.C.G.A. 48-8-122 Notes: * Total Collections is the sum of Estimated/Actual Sales Tax Collections and Estimated/Actual Other Collections. ** Tier I Original Estimated Cost is the amount of sales tax collections budgeted for each category at the beginning of the Program. *** Tier II Original Estimated Cost are sales tax collections budgeted after the start of the Program as a result of actual collections. **** Current Estimated Cost is the sum of Tier I Original Estimated Cost, Tier II Original Estimated Cost, and Estimated/Actual Other Collections.

On Funded Schedule

Estimated Actual Completion Completion Date Cost

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

2016 2016 2016 2016

– – – – 93,689,572

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

2016 2016 2017 2016 2017

104,856,900

9 68,659 646,056 942,613 3,366,911

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

2017 2017 2017 2017 2018

-

23,153,458

23,153,458

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

2017 2017

-

28,177,706

28,177,706

gwinnettdailypost.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015 • 3A

Johnson seeks funds to probe police misconduct Political Notebook

Curt Yeomans

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., introduced legislation on Wednesday to help the federal justice department prosecute misconduct by local police agencies.

The Police Agency Investigation Improvement Act of 2015 would appropriate an additional $25

million to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division so it can help Hank investigate Johnson allegations of Constitutional rights

violations by cops.

“The number of attorneys who work on police misconduct matters within the DOJ is so small they could barely field a baseball team,” Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson’s office said the department opened 23 investigations into alleged rights violations in the last seven

years. Those investigations have targeted agencies in New Orleans, Cleveland, Baltimore, Chicago and Ferguson, Mo. The congressman said the justice department has 18 lawyers to handle investigations of allegations that could be raised any one of 18,000 police departments across the

country. He added the appropriations outlined in the bill would help turn that tide.

“By increasing the appropriated funding to the Civil Rights Division, we guarantee that more resources are being devoted to these important investigations,” Johnson said. “My bill would also increase Community Oriented Policing Services grants by an additional 50 percent to localities under the management of consent decrees.

“We want to make sure that we are giving all necessary resources to law enforcement agencies to improve policing and continue building trust between officers and the communities they serve.”

Isakson among senators seeking info on suspected terrorists U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson is among a group of 11 senators who wrote to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security Johnny Isakson and the Department of State, to ask what the federal government did after a 2013 ABC report showed two people linked to alQaida were able to move to Kentucky.

The issue of background checks for refugees and other people coming from terrorist hot spots has been a focus point for national officials in light of recent terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif.

“Our law enforcement and intelligence communities deserve great praise for stopping these terrorists from killing more Americans,” the senators wrote in their letter. “Yet the terrorists should have never been given the chance.”

Political Notebook appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Man given 60 years in child abuse sentencing

By Joshua Sharpe

joshua.sharpe @gwinnettdailypost.com

A Lawrenceville man was sentenced to 60 years, with the first 30 in prison, for abusing his 2-year-old daughter.

Nevins McFadden was convicted in a five-day trial with Nevins McFadden evidence showing he was behind the injuries, which included a fractured skull, lacerations on the liver, probable rib fractures, and bite marks on buttocks and thighs, according to the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office.

“Physicians testified that, when admitted to the hospital, they placed the child into a coma and inserted a breathing tube,” Dan Mayfield, chief assistant district attorney, said in a late-Tuesday news release.

“The most important evidence presented in the case was testimony from a dental expert excluding the mother of the child as the biter, but finding consistencies between the bite marks of the defendant and the bite marks inflicted on the child.”

The DA’s office didn’t reveal the relationship of the child to McFadden. Police records previously said he was the father.

Judge Timothy Hamil handed down the sentence.

The case was prosecuted by Charissa Henrich.

4A • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015 To Your Good Health

Keith Roach

Body can’t distinguish between immunity DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an advocate of flu shots (and other immunizations) to protect both myself and others around me, and I have just had mine for this season. I have a friend, though, who refuses to get flu shots under the assumption that if she allows her body to confront the viruses and deal with them on its own, her immunity will be strengthened naturally.

I actually have encountered this philosophy from several different people over the years, and would appreciate it if you could provide a short explanation as to why this is or is not correct. It’d clear up what seems — to me, anyway — to be a fairly common area of confusion.

— KW ANSWER: There is some truth to this theory, in that there are many conditions where if your body successfully fights off the infection, you get long-lasting immunity. However, the situation is more complex than it first appears.

The most important argument against it is that sometimes the body is unable to fight off the infection.

There are some conditions where the infection is so overwhelming that people die from it. Tetanus and rabies are examples where the infection is often or usually fatal. Some infections, like polio, may cause serious complications.

There also are infections where the virus constantly changes, so the immunity you got from successfully fighting it off last time doesn’t help. Influenza is the best example of this.

Approximately 2,500 Americans die of influenza yearly.

There are other conditions where even if you successfully fight off the infection, your immune system is left weakened for years, making you more susceptible to other infections. Measles is the most important example of this, and it wasn’t understood why for years. Influenza infection also leaves a person vulnerable to bacterial pneumonia.

Immunizations are a way to strengthen the body’s immune system without the full-blown infection and its risks of death, complications and a weakened immune system. Modern vaccines use either weakened live germs or highly purified components of bacteria and viruses to “prime” the immune system — in effect, allowing the body to rapidly defend itself should it ever encounter the fully infectious and virulent organism. The body doesn’t make a distinction between “natural” immunity from surviving an infection and “artificial” immunity from a vaccine.

Finally, as you suggested, by taking a vaccine instead of getting the infection, you don’t expose others. There are many people now with immune system disease, from HIV, autoimmune disease or treatment for cancer and other conditions who could become seriously ill or die from exposure to vaccinepreventable diseases.

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GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Don’t feel that you DEAR AMY: Several Wife” sure sounded famil- have to accommodate evup, and of course if ‘ManAsk Amy eryone. Do what you can, years ago, “Steve,” a coliar. Her husband’s longdy’ needs anything at all, lege acquaintance of my but don’t let your emotionlost brother had suddenly we hope she’ll call. We’ve husband’s, made contact reappeared after several really enjoyed getting to al or physical wellness sufwith us after many years, decades after their mothknow her.” fer. Bring about changes asking if his daughter er’s death. She described DEAR AMY: This is that will improve your life, “Mandy” could stay with him as “slippery,” in that in response to “Awkward not someone else’s. us on her way to her new he would never say where in MO,” who had experiCANCER (June 21-July college, which is near he was staying. mented with lesbianism 22) — You’ll come up with where we live. We gladly That couple had better and decided it wasn’t for some cost-effective ideas opened our home to her on her, but her boyfriend took keep good track of all of that will improve your surAmy Dickinson a couple of occasions and their accounts. When my it pretty badly when he roundings and family ties. enjoyed her company. slippery long-lost brother found out.

Planning a trip that will Then the dad started wanted.”

She should tell him that blew into town, he mantake you down memory inviting himself to stay the aged to steal one of our Well, we truly don’t. it is his manliness that inlane will lift your spirits. night as he drove through Steve’s wife and daughter spires her devotion to him. checkbooks; by the time LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) to visit his hometown or to are so nice, but we have That, no doubt, is true, and he left, he had stolen — You’ve got what it takes see her. had enough of him. The straight men need to be as- his late mother’s Social to get things done. Don’t After several visits we only option we see is to sured in their masculinity. Security number and set stop or wait for others to realized he was using our up accounts in her name. ignore her card and hope It should be a point of house as his own personal they get the message. Any pride for him that he capYou can imagine what a catch up. Set your sights hotel. He has never grown advice? tured the heart of a woman heartache this was — as on your destination and up and continues to drink — No Room at the Inn who could have gone either well as being a nightmare don’t stop until you reach like a partying college that took us several years DEAR NO ROOM: way. She should tell him your goal. student. to resolve.

“Steve” is the person your that he set her “straight.”

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

He is loud, self-enI think when someone husband knew in college.

— Love The Men in 22) — You’ll be pulled in grossed and overbearThis family’s presence Colorado has stayed away and out different directions. Don’t ing. On one occasion, he of touch for decades and in your life is due to the DEAR LOVE THE give in to peer pressure or brought a friend with him relationship (such as it is) MEN: I would have made then suddenly returns with get involved with people who was so rude I almost no logical explanation, it between the two men. The all of your suggestions to who have bad habits. threw them both out of the family’s absence from your “Awkward in MO,” except should cause everyone to Avoid indulgence, and that they seem to have house. be extremely cautious. I life is due to his behavior recognize when someone been retrieved from an Once when my husband — not theirs. wish we had been. episode of “Unbreakable was going to be out-of— Wary is being deceptive.

And yet even now you LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. Kimmy Schmidt.” town at the same time he DEAR WARY: Yes, are trying to protect this 23) — You can chase your “Lesbianism” isn’t a was passing through I rec- man from the consequencyour situation sounds like thing. Same-sex attraction a nightmare. I’m glad you dream if you put on your ommended a hotel nearby es of his behavior. is not a political party or running shoes and stop but he scoffed at that and finally woke up.

I’m not suggesting you belief system. Experiacted offended.

You can contact Amy offer up chapter and verse waiting for things to come encing is different from I didn’t let him stay Dickinson via email: to this family about why to you. Line up interviews experimenting. and we didn’t hear from askamy@tribpub.com. he is no longer welcome for the new year or update I also don’t believe that him for some time. We You can also follow her to spend the night with your resume. straight men need propping on Twitter @askingamy or have since lied about beyou — nor should you lie SCORPIO (Oct. 24ing home or ignored his about not being home. But up from women in order to “like” her on Facebook.

Nov. 22) — You’ll shine feel masculine. Relationrequests to stop over.

Amy Dickinson’s memoir, at any event or meeting you should say, “We’re ships should not be seen as “The Mighty Queens of We received a Christsorry not to see you, but it you take part in, and will mas card this year written just didn’t work out having contests of gender, identity Freeville: A Mother, a impress someone who by his wife (who by the ‘Steve’ spend the night dur- or sexual attraction, but as Daughter and the Town has more to offer than you way is lovely, but enables that Raised Them” (Hying his trips. Let us know if a series of choices. realize.

Celebrate with the DEAR AMY: A recent him) that said they hoped perion), is available in you’re passing through and one you love. letter from “Concerned to connect with us “if we bookstores. it would be great to catch

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world&nation WORLD Pair of suspects in Paris attack arrested in Austria VIENNA — Two people have been arrested at a refugee center in the Austrian city of Salzburg on suspicion of being connected to last month’s Paris attacks, the Salzburg prosecutors’ office said Wednesday.

The two are men who are thought to have provided help to members of the group that carried out the Nov. 13 attacks in which 130 people were killed, two Austrian newspapers reported.

“Two people who arrived from the Middle East were arrested at the weekend in accommodation for refugees on suspicion of belonging to a terrorist organization,” said Robert Holzleitner, a spokesman for the Salzburg prosecutor’s office. “As part of the preliminary investigation, evidence suggesting a connection with the Paris attacks is being verified.”

The men came into contact with the Paris attackers in Austria, local newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten reported, adding that they were found based on information provided by a foreign intelligence service.

Iran won’t accept restrictions on missile program DUBAI — Iran will not accept any restrictions on its missile program, state media quoted the defense minister as saying Wednesday, after sanctions monitors said Tehran had violated a U.N. Security Council resolution by testfiring a missile.

The Security Council’s Panel of Experts on Iran said in a confidential report that the medium-range Emad rocket, tested in October, met its requirements for considering that a missile could deliver a nuclear weapon.

“We tested Emad to show the world that the Islamic Republic will only act based on its national interests and no country or power can impose its will on us,” Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan was quoted as saying by the state news agency, IRNA.

Further recovery spurs Fed to raise rates

By Howard Schneider Reuters

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve hiked interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade Wednesday, signaling faith that the U.S. economy had largely overcome the wounds of the 2007-09 financial crisis.

The U.S. central bank’s policy-setting committee raised the range of its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to between 0.25 percent and 0.50 percent, ending a lengthy debate about whether the economy was strong enough to withstand higher borrowing costs.

“With the economy performing well and expected to continue to do so, the committee judges that a modest increase in the federal funds rate is appropriate,” Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen said in a press conference after the rate decision was announced. “The economic recovery has clearly come a long way.”

The Fed’s policy statement noted the “considerable improvement” in the U.S. labor market, where the unemployment rate has fallen to 5 percent, and said policymakers are “reasonably confident” inflation will rise over the medium term to the Fed’s 2 percent objective.

The central bank made

Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen answers a reporter’s question during a news conference in Washington on Wednesday. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)

clear the rate hike was a tentative beginning to a “gradual” tightening cycle, and that in deciding its next move it would put a premium on monitoring inflation, which remains mired below target.

“The process is likely to proceed gradually,” Yellen said, a hint that further hikes will be slow in coming.

She added that policymakers were hoping for a slow rise in rates but one that will keep the Fed ahead of the curve as the economic recovery continues. “To keep the economy moving along the growth path it is on … we would like to avoid a situation where we have left so much

(monetary) accommodation in place for so long we have to tighten abruptly.”

New economic projections from Fed policymakers were largely unchanged from September, with unemployment anticipated to fall to 4.7 percent next year and economic growth hitting 2.4 percent.

The Fed statement and its promise of a gradual path represented a compromise between policymakers who have been ready to raise rates for months and those who feel the economy is still at risk from weak inflation and slow global growth.

“The Fed is going out of its way to assure markets

NATION FBI: No evidence shooters were part of terror cell NEW YORK — FBI Director James Comey said on Wednesday that there remains no evidence the couple who massacred 14 people in San Bernardino, Calif., on Dec. 2 were part of an organized cell or had any contact with overseas militant groups.

Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 29, expressed support for “jihad and martyrdom” in private communications but never did so on social media, Comey said at a press conference in New York City.

FBI Director James B. Comey, left, speaks about terrorism during a news conference alongside New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton after speaking at the NYPD Shield Conference in the Manhattan borough of New York Wednesday. (Reuters/Darren Ornitz)

es to the system allows Homeland Security to post a bulletin that does not depend on a specific, credible threat.

The alert issued on Wednesday under the new system, which expires on U.S. issues first June 16, reads: “We are in bulletins under a new phase in the global 2 Palestinians new alert system threat environment, which killed during has implications on the WASHINGTON — U.S. homeland.”

Israeli arrest raid security officials issued the RAMALLAH, West first bulletin on Wednesday U.S. on verge Bank — Israeli security under a revamped national of lifting 40-year forces shot dead two Palalert system to warn the estinians who tried to ram public about terrorism oil export ban them with their cars in the risks and inform AmeriWASHINGTON — The West Bank Wednesday, Is- cans about threats from raeli forces and Palestinian Islamic State and other United States appears on medical sources said. the brink of ending a fourmilitant groups.

Soldiers shot and killed decade ban on most exports Homeland Security the driver of a car who of crude oil, which would Secretary Jeh Johnson tried to run them over in end a years-long fight announced the changes to one attack during an Israeli the alert system, which are brought about by a boom in arrest raid in the Qalandia aimed at providing a more domestic shale output that refugee camp, the army contributed to a supply glut flexible way of alerting said. Three soldiers were and depressed prices. citizens about threats. injured.

The measure is part of a The addition of bulletins Violent incidents have as a third form of advisory sprawling deal wrapped up erupted almost daily in to the system in place since by congressional leaders the West Bank, Israel and 2011 had been in the works late on Tuesday to keep Jerusalem in the past 11 the U.S. government open for months and was not weeks, partly fueled by prompted by the attacks in through September. The stepped-up Jewish visits to Paris and San Bernardino, $1.15 trillion spending bill, East Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa negotiated in secret talks Calif., the department has mosque compound. over the last two weeks, said.

— From wire reports Johnson said the chang- would be difficult for Presi-

dent Barack Obama to veto despite his opposition to ending the oil export ban.

In a partial victory to Obama and other Democrats, the spending bill also includes granting tax incentives to boost wind and solar development, according to lawmakers involved in the talks. Shares of solar companies rose sharply.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers will meet separately on Wednesday to discuss the bill and hope to vote on it as soon as Friday.

Allowing oil exports would be a win for the U.S. oil industry and Republicans, who had argued the ban was a relic of the 1970s Arab oil embargo.

Syrian refugee measure likely to die in Congress WASHINGTON — Republican-backed legislation that would slow the entry of Syrian refugees into the United States will not be included in a must-pass spending bill and is likely to die in Congress, lawmakers and aides said on Tuesday, as they rushed to finalize the

PEOPLE Tarantino angered

by Disney tactics over film booking LOS ANGELES — Despite much hype and excitement around “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opening this Friday, there’s at least one person who isn’t too happy with Disney — Quentin Tarantino.

The Oscar-winning director claims Disney is “going out of their way to f— me,” among other choice words he used on the Howard Stern SiriusXM radio show Wednesday.

He says Disney is strong-arming Arclight Cinemas, pushing his 70MM “The Hateful Eight” out of the L.A. theater’s renowned Cinerama Dome for J.J. Abrams’ “The Force Awakens.”

Tarantino explains that ArcLight Cinemas told Disney they would play “The Hateful Eight” in the Cinerama Dome starting on Christmas, but Disney threatened to pull “Star Wars” from all locations if the film couldn’t stay in that one theater.

“It’s vindictive, it’s mean and it’s extortion,” Tarantino added.

that, by embarking on a ‘gradual’ path, this will not be your traditional interest rate cycle,” said Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic advisor at Allianz.

Fed officials said they were confident the situation was ripe for them to make a historic turn in policy without much disruption to financial markets, which had expected the hike this week.

U.S. stocks rallied on the news, in part because the Fed made clear it would Gervais to return proceed slowly with furas Globes host ther tightening. Yields on LOS ANGELES — U.S. Treasuries rose, while When it came to finding the dollar was largely unchanged against a basket a new host for the Golden Globes, the Hollywood of currencies.

Foreign Press Association went back to the future. funding measure.

After three successful Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 years with Tina Fey and Democrat in the House of Amy Poehler as emcees, Representatives, said mem- the 2016 ceremony will bers of his party would mark a return engageback measures to tighten a ment for their predecessor, U.S. visa waiver program Ricky Gervais. if they were included in the “Once we knew Tina bill but would balk at the and Amy weren’t coming refugee provision. back, you look over the “The Syrian refugee landscape and think about, bill I don’t expect to be in ‘Who is going to give the there. If it were in there, show the kind of boost that would be a different that both Ricky and Tina issue,” Hoyer said. and Amy did for six years The $1.15 trillion spend- in a row?’ ” said Barry Adelman, exec VP of Dick ing bill must pass within days to keep the U.S. gov- Clark Productions.

“Neither left because ernment funded and avoid they were disgruntled, a shutdown. they left because they Executions down thought three years was enough,” Adelman adds. after botched “We thought, ‘Why not ask lethal injections Ricky again?’ We kind of suspected he had an itch to WASHINGTON — A come back. He loves it, he legal fight over drugs used loves stirring the pot.” in a series of botched lethal injections contributed to CNN Republican a continued decline in the debate draws number of executions in the United States in 2015. 18 million viewers The nonprofit Death LOS ANGELES — Up Penalty Information Center said in a report on Wednes- against stiff competition day that the 28 executions from two of television’s most popular series, the so far in 2015, with no biggest drama of the fall — more scheduled, was the lowest number since 1991. “The Republican Primary Debate” — drew more In 2014, there were 35 monster ratings Tuesday executions, the lowest night. number since 1994 when Nielsen estimates that the there were 31. The number fifth and final Republican has dropped most years debate of the year averaged since a high of 98 execu18.04 million viewers on tions in 1999.

CNN. The debates faced Only six states carried out executions in 2015, with stiff competition, including Texas, Missouri and Georgia the season finale of “The the only ones to execute five Voice” on NBC. This makes it the third or more people.

Part of the reason for the most-watched presidential primary debate ever, bedecline has been litigahind only the two summer tion over drugs used to GOP debates that kicked carry out lethal injections off the 2016 election following several botched cycle. executions.

— From wire reports — From wire reports

Super PACs spend a lot; candidates see little benefit

By Grant Smith and Emily Flitter Reuters

NEW YORK — Super PACs, political groups that can raise unlimited funds to advocate for candidates as long as they do not coordinate with them, have spent record amounts on advertising this campaign season but are not getting much bang for their buck.

Super PACs associated with

MUST READ 2016 Republican U.S. presidential hopefuls Jeb Bush and Chris Christie have led the way in spending thus far, but the TV, radio and Internet ads they have purchased have failed to lift either candidate in opinion polls.

“You may have a rich Super PAC, but that’s not going to save you at the end of the day, at least

at this point,” said Travis Ridout, a Washington State University professor and the co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project, which tracks political advertising.

So far this year, Super PACs have shelled out $76 million on ads for candidates, compared with just about $5 million over the same period in the last U.S. presidential election cycle.

The record spending reflects a sharp rise in advertising in this

presidential race but is also indicative of the hefty prices Super PACs are being forced to pay for television and radio spots. In some instances, they are paying 10 times more than the candidates’ campaigns pay.

Right to Rise, which supports former Florida governor Bush, has spent $42 million on advertising, but a slumping Bush remains far behind the leaders in the race for the Republican nom-

ination in the November 2016 election. Bush had the support of just 9 percent of Republican voters in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, essentially unchanged since the beginning of November.

The Super PAC supporting Christie’s bid, America Leads, has spent about $9 million on advertising, but the New Jersey governor was under 4 percent, exactly where he was in early November.

perspectives

gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline, Editor

todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

PAGE 6 A • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

Attacking the truth Among the many sad signs of our time are the current political and media attacks on Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, for speaking the plain truth on a subject where lies have been the norm for years.

The case before the High Court is whether the use of race as a basis for admitting students to the University of Texas at Austin is a violation of the 14th Amendment’s requirement for government institutions to provide “equal protection of the laws” to all.

Affirmative action is supposed to be a benefit to black and other minority students admitted with lower academic qualifications than some white students who are rejected.

But Justice Scalia questioned whether being admitted to an institution geared to students with higher-powered Thomas academic records Sowell was a real benefit.

Despite much media spin, the issue is not whether blacks in general should be admitted to higher-ranked or lower-ranked institutions. The issue is whether a given black student, with given academic qualifications, should be admitted to a college or university where he would not be admitted if he were white.

Much empirical research over the years has confirmed Justice Scalia’s concern that admitting black students to institutions for which their academic preparation is not sufficient can be making them worse off instead of better off.

I became painfully aware of this problem more than 40 years ago, when I was teaching at Cornell University, and discovered that half the black students there were on some form of academic probation.

These students were not stupid or uneducable. On the contrary, the average black student at Cornell at that time scored at the 75th percentile on scholastic tests. Their academic qualifications were better than those of threequarters of all American students who took those tests.

Why were they in trouble at Cornell, then?

Because the average Cornell student in the liberal arts college at that time scored at the 99th percentile. The classes taught there — including mine — moved at a speed geared to the verbal and mathematical level of the top percent of American students.

The average white student would have been wiped out at Cornell. But the average white student was unlikely to be admitted to Cornell, in the first place. Nor was a white student who scored at the 75th percentile.

That was a “favor” reserved for black students. This “favor” turned black students who would have been successful at most American colleges and universities into failures at Cornell.

None of this was peculiar to Cornell. Black students who scored at the 90th percentile in math had serious academic problems trying to keep up at M.I.T., where other students scored somewhere within the top 99th percentile.

Nearly one-fourth of these black students with stellar qualifications in math failed to graduate from M.I.T., and those who did graduate were concentrated in the bottom 10th of the class.

There were other fine engineering schools around the country where those same students could have learned more, when taught at a normal pace, rather than at a breakneck speed geared to students with extremely rare abilities in math.

Justice Scalia was not talking about sending black students to substandard colleges and universities to get an inferior education. You may in fact get a much better education at an institution that teaches at a pace that you can handle and master. In later life, no one is going to care how fast you learned something, so long as you know it.

Mismatching students with educational institutions is a formula for needless failures.

The book “Mismatch” by Sander and Taylor is a first-rate study of the hard facts. It shows, for example, that the academic performances of black and Hispanic students rose substantially after affirmative action admissions policies were banned in the University of California system.

Instead of failing at Berkeley or UCLA, these minority students were now graduating from other campuses in the University of California system. They were graduating at a higher rate, with higher grades, and now more often in challenging fields like math, science and technology.

Do the facts not matter to those who are denouncing Justice Scalia? Does the actual fate of minority students not matter to the left, as much as their symbolic presence on a campus?

Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. His website is www.tsowell. com.

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Donald antics trump Clinton news WASHINGTON — Gee, wonder what Hillary Clinton has been up to?

If you haven’t heard much about her lately, it’s because Clinton news has been as scarce as winter weather on the Eastern seaboard. Did somebody say emails? What ever happened to Benghazi?

Is she still even running for president?

You’d almost not know for sure with None Other hogging most of the headlines every day. (I’m trying in vain to use his name as little as possible.) The preponderance of Donald Trump’s attentiongrabbing antics and asininities has led some to wonder whether he’s in cahoots with the Clintons.

More attention for this means less for Hillary Clinton, who doesn’t need it. News coverage isn’t a zero-sum game, of course, but some stories are more interesting than others. If you’re a news editor, you follow the action. You weigh the options: Hillary or Donald?

Ted or Donald? Sorry, but John Kasich isn’t trending anywhere. Which means he’s probably pretty smart.

Could the leading Republican contender be shaking the bushes so the raptors will follow him and protect the fair damsel from attack?

Almost certainly not, but it’s entertaining to speculate.

What could possibly be in it for Trump — fun? Maybe he’s crafting his next real-

on all Muslims entering the U.S., what else was happening that day? Clinton did have an op-ed in The New York Times about how she’d rein in Wall Street.

But what’s more compelling to the madding crowd and television producers Kathleen — a strengthened Volcker Parker Rule? Or a ban on Muslims? ity show, an extreme candid The night of the first camera in which a political Democratic debate on Oct. Borat organizes elaborate 13 in Las Vegas, Trump again pranks to dupe the gullible. drew attention away from the Or perhaps he’s acting in candidates by live-tweeting. the service of future returns? Just in case Clinton crashed But what, really, could and burned? Sure.

Clinton offer that he doesn’t Most likely, Trump is already have? Another com- merely incapable of sharmand wedding appearance? ing the stage. He’s the star Let’s see, it has been 10 of his own movie, produced years since his last one. OK, and directed by himself for maybe. himself. Besides, narcissists The conspiracy scearen’t known to put themnario has become a popular selves out for others. This is distraction from our otherthe need-to-know revelation wise horrific news menu, about narcissists: Whatever an appetizer served, in fact, they do, it’s never about you.

by Bush on Twitter. Further It’s not about Muslims, or feeding the theory is Trump’s Mexicans, or the disabled or near-instantaneous appearwhatever. It’s always about, ance whenever the spotlight in this case, The Donald. appears close to Clinton.

His pathological attracWhen the third batch of tion to the limelight has somewhat pathetically forced her emails was released on Nov. 30, for instance, Trump others to infect themselves.

To be relevant — or even nowas hogging headlines with two, back-to-back events — ticed — Trump’s opponents, both Democrat and Repuban “amazing meeting” with lican, have to glom onto his black pastors at the Trump neon-flashing sideshow.

Tower, followed later that The night before that first evening by a packed-coliseum rally in Macon, Georgia. Democratic debate, Clinton On Dec. 7, when Trump joined a pro-union rally outinfamously called for a ban side Trump’s Las Vegas hotel

as if to say, Hel-loooohhhh.

Oh, yoo-hoo, over heeeeere. I’m chugging shots! I’m laughing in Trey Gowdy’s face!

So much for conspiracy.

The real truth is that Trump has an instinctive understanding of the zeitgeist and is a master of media manipulation. He identifies what the base feels and thinks, and then gives it expression.

He’s the human audio to the cartoon bubble floating above Discretion’s bobblehead.

The crowds’ cheers are the hissing, burbling, foaming pressure-cooker valve of populist anger — just before it explodes.

It is customary at this point to blame the media, but they (we) are caught in a double bind. We can’t ignore the Republican presidential front-runner, even knowing that our coverage will lead to yet more coverage. Just as the rich get richer, Trump gets Trumpier, which gets him more headlines, bigger crowds, dot-dot-dot.

Like most in the media, I’d rather not write another column about Trump, but I know I will for as long as he’s in the game and, by the way, winning. The only way to stop Trump from dominating the news is for him to stop dominating the race — and that, my friends, is up to you.

Kathleen Parker’s email address is kathleenparker@ washpost.com.

Success takes more than a cheery act CHICAGO — Don’t you just love the name of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)? Let’s see how long before its feel-good, affirmative promise falls from grace and becomes as virulently despised as the outgoing No Child Left Behind Act. NCLB, as it’s called in education circles, was once heralded as a positive development that stressed accountability. A federal mandate, it promised to ensure that school districts with low achievement scores and high dropout rates would either improve or provide students with additional resources or the opportunity to move into higher-performing school districts.

But that didn’t happen.

Instead, NCLB was blamed for the proliferation of highstakes tests that crowded out art, music and gym classes in favor of more and more test prep.

Now Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, has called ESSA “a new day in public education” and declared that its passage amounted to parents, students and educators coming together with one message: “Enough with the testing fixation. Let’s bring back the joy of learning.”

Republicans, too, love it because it restores control to local school districts — yes,

child as a teen, with adequate prenatal care, to whether a child spent his or her formative years in a stable household with family members who understood the importance of routines and literacy.

We live in a society where highly educated parents speak, Esther read and sing to their babies Cepeda when they are still in the womb while poor ones have to be taught to carry on conversathe same school districts that were unable to provide a high- tions with their kids or must quality educational experience be prodded by a pediatrician’s prescription to read books to for their students before, durthem. ing and after NCLB. And the lesser resources that This is an excellent example parents of lower income levels of the old saw that when it are able to provide hinder chilcomes to national education dren throughout their lives. standards, Republicans hate A friend of mine who the “national” part and the teaches in a school that hands Democrats hate the “stanout laptops to all students, dards.” regardless of ability to pay From the civil rights perequipment fees, recently told spective, it’s worrisome that students in the lowest-income, me that one of his pupils comlowest-performing schools will plained that she was unable continue to suffer from poorer to complete her assignment schooling than their more afbecause her home does not fluent counterparts. But there’s have Internet access. no act, policy or law that will The teacher suggested she fix the fundamental issue at go to the library in order to acplay when it comes to lowcess the Wi-Fi network there, performing schools: underbut the student was baffled. resourced parents.

“I don’t even know where the The fact of the matter is library is,” she said. that the No. 1 determinant of There is a certain kind of how well a student is going parent for whom it would be to perform in school is the inconceivable to never have child’s parents and home life. taken their child to the local This encompasses everything library. For other parents, howfrom whether a mom had her ever, it isn’t a matter of malice

or neglect — the public library, like so many other institutions, is simply an unknown or inaccessible resource to them as well.

These are the kinds of inequalities — like the famous 30 million-word gap between what low-income and more affluent kids have heard before kindergarten — that can’t be remedied with a policy that charges schools with getting students “college- and careerready” but offers few incentives or consequences.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights reacted to ESSA with a call to action: “This law requires and expects that all communities and families being served by schools are at the table as plans are devised and executed to improve educational outcomes for students. For far too long, decision-makers have paid lip service to students who are low-income, of color, have a disability, or are learning English as a second language.”

Yet these same underresourced parents are often ill-equipped to advocate for themselves and their children.

If low-income children are ever to do better in school, we may first need to figure out a way to help their parents do better in life.

Esther Cepeda’s email address is estherjcepeda@ washpost.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015 • 7A

gwinnettdailypost.com

GWINNETT GAB Probate court judges council offering contest Are you looking for some extra cash for college? The Council of Probate Court Judges has announced a scholarship contest for any Georgia high school seniors and current college undergraduates.

The Constitutional Officer’s Association of Georgia (COAG) annuallly offers

•From Page 1A alerted of the shooting late on Sept. 23. They heard gunfire on the way and arrived to find Edwards bleeding in the road.

Three other victims, including a man police found at the end of a blood trail in a shed, were taken to the hospital. Covered in blood, the man first tried to hide in a home near the scene, but residents pushed him away, the report said.

One officer wrote in the report that a black car soon was fleeing the scene, its lights cut off. The driver, a black man with dreadlocks, had been shot and had a handgun on the passenger’s seat.

•From Page 1A

Georgia students the opportunity to win scholarships.

This year, COAG is offerring four scholarships of $1,500, $1,000, $600 and $500.

Students who are eligible for these scholarships must be residents of Georgia, graduating high school by spring 2016 and/or be enrolled at an accredited Georgia college or university.

In addition, students must also intend to pursue a degree related to government/

law enforcement, political science, accounting/finance, business or pre-law.

Perspective applicants must write a 1,000-word typed essay which answers the question: How do the actions of the legislature affect your local elected constitutional officers?

Applications must also include an acceptance letter from a higher-level education institution, a copy of a college application with verification

Arrest

50 yards, and homes on both sides of the street took fire.

“Fortunately, no one was struck by a stray bullet,” Washington, the police spokesman, said at the time.

Lawsuit

significantly under-billing customers. The under colNo taxpayer dollars will lection of 911 fees for each be spent on the litigation, line allegedly translates to Barnes’ statement said. If a $9 million annual loss in the lawsuits fail, neither Cobb and an $8 million ancounty will owe legal fees. nual loss in Gwinnett.

A Verizon spokeswoman The counties contend responded to an email but these funds are necessary didn’t have a reaction to the and should have been availsuits, while ATT represen- able for improvements to tatives didn’t respond to the 911 systems. emails.

The individual lawsuits The lawsuits allege that are against major telethe providers are misrepre- communications carriers senting the types and num- operating in each county ber of phone lines where include BellSouth Tele911 fees are applied and are communications, LLC

Simon Kidgits hosts Winterfest The Simon Kidgits Club

(ATT); Verizon Enterprise Solutions, LLC; Bandwidth.com CLEC, LLC; Broadriver Communication Corporation; Broadvox, LLC; CBeyond Communications, LLC; Charter Fiberlink – Georgia, LLC; Earthlink, LLC; Inteliquent, Inc.; Level 3 Communications, LLC; Network Telephone, LLC; Peerless Network of Georgia, LLC; Windstream Communications, Inc; XO Communications Services, LLC; and YMax Communications Corp.

nett commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said.

Transit in particular has “We know we have congesbeen a major topic of discus- tion issues in the Atlanta sion in Gwinnett this year, area, Gwinnett included, and between the Chamber’s certainly we’re attuned to survey on whether residents that. As you know, we’re gowould support MARTA ing over our Comprehensive coming into the county, the Transportation Plan, so it’s Gr8 Exchange on Transa really good time to take an portation and work on the in-depth look at the transcounty’s Comprehensive portation possibilities.”

Transportation Plan.

After his speech, Cagle Cagle said transportasaid talk about where transit tion is an issue that affects a goes and what role it plays business’s decision on where in transportation planning to locate itself, pointing is a “serious conversation” to Statewide’s decision to for regional and state leaders locate its headquarters near need to have. a MARTA station in Fulton He said that includes a County as an example. talk about what the state “He’s echoing the same should do with MARTA, or kinds of things that we hear what role it would play in and say ourselves,” Gwina statewide transit network,

manager at the Ramsey Student Center as an impactful learning experience, and it led to him being selected to represent 600 recreational sport employees on the student advisory board.

Snyder said interacting with people is the one common thread throughout his favorite college experiences.

“I knew that whatever industry I ended up in, I wanted to work and help develop people. I discovered this passion during my time at Ramsey,” Snyder said in a question-and-answer discussion with UGA officials.

“My main takeaway was that there is not a cookiecutter answer when it comes to working with individuals; I had to figure out how each person was and what motivated them in a work setting.”

Klemenc credited two professors for having a positive influence on her career in music — D. Ray McClellan and Adrian Childs.

McClellan was her clarinet professor for six years, including her last two years of high school and all through college leading up to this past spring.

“He was the main driver of my musicianship,” Klemenc said. “If it wasn’t for him, I would not be able to understand, create and per-

but he added that it was unlikely to take place in 2016. That does not necessarily mean turning it into a statewide transit authority, though, he added.

“We really need to look at, in my opinion, a new structural model for MARTA with a different brand and somewhat of a different mission,” Cagle said. “We really do need a commuter rail option with in our state and I think MARTA, with the existing infrastructure that’s there, may be able to be retooled and looked at to create a value added for the citizens …

“The existing model needs to be changed. A lot of people don’t see value in stopping every five minutes.

You show value by people being able to guarantee people delivery times and being a transit option where there’s limited stops. That kind of infrastructure is very, very needed.”

The lieutenant governor’s comments on transportation also came in a year that saw the General Assembly approve sweeping changes to the way transportation projects are funded, but he added that issue will still linger in the 2016 session.

Although the reforms approved in the 2015 session created new revenue streams for transportation projects, state leaders still have to sort out how those options can be used, Cagle said.

“Now, it’s about where

obituaries BRASELTON

Elsie Imogene Boyd age 78 of Braselton, GA passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2015. She is survived by her loving daughters, Louise and Johnny Roberts and Alice Maness and Juan Solis both of Braselton; grandchildren, Edward Roberts, Tina Roberts, Casey Maness Balic; greatgrandchildren, Rebecka Roberts, Hailey Roberts, Lacie Roberts, and Madina Balic; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Watson and Mattie Lou Bruce Miller; husband, Julian “Red” Boyd; son, Julian Charles Richard Boyd; and brothers, Harold Miller, Jay Miller, and Raymond Miller.

Elsie was born and raised in Lawrenceville and was a homemaker. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, GNanny, and friend.

A

$5 for nonmembers. The $5 admission into the event also includes an entire year of activities.

Sugarloaf Mills is located at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville. For more information, visit simon. com/sugarloaf-mills.

Gwinnett Gab appears on Thursdays and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post. To submit an item to Gwinnett Gab, email gab@ gwinnettdailypost.com.

At top, Corinne Klemenc, a Brookwood High graduate, will graduate with a bachelors in music education and music composition and she plans to teach elementary music education in Georgia. Above, Christopher Snyder, a Collins Hill High graduate, will graduate with a bachelor of business administration marketing degree and has accepted an offer to be a district manager with Aldi.

(Special Photos)

form at the level I can now.”

Snyder said three faculty members, Laura Richardson, Jen Osborn and Kevin Ellis, had a “tremendous impact” on his college career. Snyder said Ellis helped him channel his in-

ner salesperson from sales courses in the Terry College of Business.

Ellis encouraged Snyder and another student to represent UGA in a sales competition in Kansas City, Mo.

that money is going to be spent — the strategic plan focusing on where those dollars are utilized, and to bring us better outcomes,” he said. “That’s the important part. Money doesn’t solve all of your problems if it’s not deployed in the most efficient and effective way, so that strategic plan will be a big topic next year.”

He also said after his speech that educationLujene reform recommendations w that Gov. Nathan Deal’s office released on Monday will play a key role in the upcoming session.

The recommendations that came from Deal’s education reform review committee focus on several areas, including changes to

education funding, teacher recruitment and retention, school choice, student promotion, transitioning to a competency-based education system and creating a job ready pathway.

“That report is clearly going to dominate a lot of time in the General Assembly, focusing on those recommendations and building consensus,” Cagle said. “The governor has been very clear that he wants to move in an aggressive fashion on these issues, and quite honestly, as I just stated (during his speech), there is no greater importance to our state than a quality education system.

“So, yeah, we’re going to be very deeply focused on that.”

Cagle

•From Page 1A

Elsie Boyd

of Sugarloaf Mills invites the entire family to their Winterfest event from 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the Sugarloaf Mills Food Court.

Simon Kidgits invites the whole family to come out and enjoy the festive holiday event. Local family and friends can participayte in arts and crafts, music, food, special guests and more.

Admission into the event is free for Simon Kidgits Club Members, but it costs

Grads

•From Page 1A

In this file photo, Investigators walk back to their cars as one of the vehicles involved in the shooting in the 1300 Block of Reddington Lane outside Norcross on Sept. 23 is towed away. (File Photo)

A witness also reported seeing what they thought was a white pickup truck speeding away toward Veranda Drive.

The crime scene spanned

of degree field and the COAG scholarship application.

All applications are due by March 31 to Suzanne Cross, COAG, P.O. Box 1644, Decatur, GA 30031.

For more information, visit coag.info or contact Suzanne Cross at 404-3771364.

A Funeral Service Honoring the Life of Elsie will be held on Friday, December 18, 2015 at 2PM at Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville Chapel with Minister Harold Savage officiating. Interment will follow at Gwinnett Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 17, 2015 from 6pm-8pm.

Condolences may be sent to or viewed at www. wagesfuneralhome. com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service LLC, “A Family Company” 120 Scenic Hwy Lawrenceville, GA 770-963-2411. .

ALPHARETTA

Buddy Greene Larry AJ “Buddy” Greene age 87 of Alpharetta, GA, formerly of Snellville, GA, passed away Monday, December 14, 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hoyt Thomas and O’Bena (

(Moon) Greene; his loving wife of 57 years, Ruth Key Greene; and beloved son-in-law, Dr. Alan D. Clark. Buddy is survived by his daughter, Lujene G. Clark of Alpharetta; grandson, Devon Clark of Alpharetta; sisters and brothers, Euthemia Juhan (Leon) of Braselton, Jean Tanner of Grayson, Rex M. Greene of Grayson and William P. Greene of Grayson; numerous nieces and nephews as well as other beloved family members. Born in Loganville, Walton County, Georgia, Buddy was the son of Hoyt Thomas and O’Bena (Moon) Greene.

He served in the U. S. Army in Germany from 1953 to 1955. On May 18, 1956 he married Ruth Key in Snellville. He began his career as a welder and metal fabricator at Southern Cross Industries prior to his military service, and continued with that company, which was later acquired by Leggett and Platt, Inc., until his retirement. He was an avid

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

NASCAR fan, recalling his pastime as a racecar driver in his early years.

The Funeral Service to Celebrate and Honor the Life of Larry AJ “Buddy” Greene will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Tom M. Wages, Snellville Chapel. Minister Harold Savage will officiate the service. Entombment will follow at Eternal Hill Memory Gardens, Snellville, GA. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 18, 2015 from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. While in the care of Peachtree Christian Hospice, Lujene was so touched by the wonderful care and concern that she is asking that those who chose to make memorial donations in lieu of flowers to please make donations to Peachtree Christian Hospice, http:// peachtreechristianhospice. com/ or Legacy Garden Memorial Pavers @ http:// peachtreechristianhospice. com/legacy-garden-pavers/ Your custom inscrip-

tion on paver placed in their beautiful garden for $50 donation. “Legacy Garden Pavers” can be handled online or via form/envelope available at funeral home. Condolences may be viewed or sent to www.wagesfuneralhome.com Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company” Snellville Chapel, 770-979-3200, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

the Hills Community and a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church in Duluth, GA. A wake service will be held Friday, December 18, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Duluth Chapel (770)476-2535.

DULUTH

15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices $

Odessia Harris Ms. Odessia Smith Harris of Duluth, GA passed away Sunday, December 13, 2015 at the age of 89.

She was a Matriarch in t

Call for details

770.963.9205

Ext.1162 or Ext.1163

8A • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

911 call from discovery Resident finds missing of missing teen released terrier from jail program

By Joshua Sharpe

joshua.sharpe @gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County police on Wednesday released a kayaker’s 911 call made moments after finding Parkview High student Jaheem McGhee’s body.

“I think we found the missing boy who fell in the river a couple weeks ago,” said Chris Thompson, who was still in his boat calling police on the Yellow River outside Lilburn.

Thompson and a friend were kayaking near the backside of the Yellow River Game Ranch at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday when they made the discovery.

The missing 14-year-

old was last seen by friends while crossing the river on Nov. 19. Three made it to the other Jaheem side, but McGhee Jaheem was seen floating down the river, unable to make it across.

The spot was secluded.

Thompson and his friend had to shout to help police find them.

Thompson explained to the operator that he and the friend smelled something while floating in the river.

Knowing from media that Jaheem still hadn’t been found, they followed the scent to

investigate and found the body, which was on a log in the water.

A native of Flint, Mich., the teen has since been recalled as an “innocent, bright, caring, loving, smart” young man and a “sweet baby boy.”

News that Jaheem was found in the river brought an end to a weeks-long search.

The friends reported him missing the day after he was last seen, timing that has upset at least some in the family.

Police haven’t revealed to the Daily Post any theory on the reasoning for the delay. A police report indicates the children were skipping school when he fell in the water.

By Joshua Sharpe

joshua.sharpe @gwinnettdailypost.com

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office says it has captured its “most elusive fugitive.”

Rogue, a dog from the Operation Second Chance Jail Dogs program, was found by a resident after running away in February.

The resident wished to remain anonymous, according to a post on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page.

“Rogue is currently at the veterinarian’s office for a checkup, but we’re hoping to see her back in the Jail Dog unit with her friends soon!” the Tuesday post said. “To the citizen who rescued Rogue but wishes to remain anonymous, please accept our sincerest

Releasing this photo, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday a missing dog from the Operation Second Chance Jail Dogs program had been found after running away in February. (Special Photo)

appreciation. You have truly made this holiday season even more special for all of us. Thank you.”

Rogue had been last seen

at Lawrenceville’s Rhodes Jordan Park. The young terrier mix ran off during a walk with a volunteer for the Jail Dogs program, which brings dogs to the county jail to work with inmates and save the animals from being put down.

Part of the trouble finding Rogue was apparently that she resisted traps because she was being well fed by someone.

Since then, Volkodav said “exhaustive efforts” were made by sheriff’s office, Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and several volunteers to bring her home. But she was ultimately recovered by the “kind-hearted” resident who was “in the right place at the right time to enclose Rogue so that we could come and pick her up.”

Detective: Lilburn dad said son’s murder was mercy killing

By Joshua Sharpe

Lilburn Police Department said on the stand.

The LAWRENCEVILLE — father, who The boy had a hard time. said he With cerebral palsy, Hakan hadn’t slept Erdem, a Sweetwater Middle because of student, was 12 years old but the child’s couldn’t care for himself. screaming Fikri Erdem He screamed uncontrollably, for some even through the night. He 10 days before the crime, had trouble communicating. also claimed he didn’t want He wore a diaper. to live without Hakan, so he Those issues were part tried to commit suicide after of what drove his father, the killing, Dusik added.

47-year-old Fikri Erdem, to Erdem, charged with murcut the child’s throat with a der and being held without kitchen knife, killing him on bond, stared blankly at the Nov. 16, according to testidetective while Dusik demony given Wednesday in a tailed the case. The defense courtroom at the Gwinnett attorney offered no arguCounty jail. ment on the suspect’s behalf.

“He said he didn’t want In the gallery, a woman, him to live like that anybelieved to be Erdem’s wife more,” Lt. Chris Dusik of the and Hakan’s mother, wore joshua.sharpe @gwinnettdailypost.com

The husband said it was OK, that the wife should go ahead and drive the girls.

Soon, Erdem called the wife, leaving a message apologizing for what he was about to do. Dusik said Erdem told the wife to tell the girls it was an accident.

Erdem then took a knife, about 6 or 7 inches long, from the kitchen and drove Hakan in his Toyota pickup to the parking lot of First Baptist Church on Main Street in Lilburn, according to the testimony. He pulled Fikri Erdem, left, shown in a Facebook photo with son into the church, which he Hakan, is accused of killing the boy, a 12-year-old with chose at random because cerebral palsy. (Special Photo) he happened to pass it, and a purple silk headscarf from That day, the couple’s parked. the family’s native Turkey two young daughters had Erdem got out, went to and quietly dabbed tears. piano lessons scheduled. the passenger’s side and slit Dusik said the husband The wife told the husband to Hakan’s throat, Dusik said. and wife told a similar story take them so he could have a The father cut his own wrist, of Nov. 16. break from caring for Hakan. neck and abdomen.

Erdem’s cuts were deep, “bad enough that he was losing a lot of amount of blood,” the lieutenant said.

The father told the investigator later that he called 911 to let authorities know where they were, not to be saved.

If he hadn’t made the call and emergency workers had not come when they did, doctors believe Erdem probably would have died.

Instead, he had surgery and awoke to find police waiting for him.

In two interviews, one the day after the killing and one more than a week later, Erdem admitted to what he had done, Dusik said.

Chief Magistrate Judge Kristina Blum found probable cause for the state to continue with its case against Erdem in superior court.

sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION B • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

Turner back in Atlanta for inaugural Celebration Bowl Alcorn State’s first football game in Atlanta this year was ugly. It was really ugly.

The Braves played Georgia Tech in the season opener back on Sept. 3, losing 69-6 to the host Yellow Jackets.

As rough as that was, Alcorn’s players and coaches kept their eyes focused on a return trip to Atlanta for the brand-new Celebration Bowl.

“When we came back from Atlanta, our goal was

start in Atlanta and finish in Atlanta.”

Alcorn accomplished that feat by Wes Turner winning Will its secHammock ond straight Southwestern Athletic Conference going back to Atlanta,” championship and earning Gwinnett product and a spot in the inaugural CelAlcorn assistant coach Wes ebration Bowl, an ESPNTurner said. “Our goal was owned event sponsored Atlanta to Atlanta. Let’s by the Air Force Reserves

Hermes shines, lowers record From Staff Reports Teenage phenom McClain Hermes and her fellow U.S. Paralympics National Team swimmers finished off an amazing performance over the weekend at the Can-Am Open in Bismarck, N.D. The Dacula resident won seven gold medals and lowered her own 1,500-meter freestyle world record in McClain the S12 classification, one Hermes of three classes for visually impaired swimmers like Hermes, who is legally blind.

Hermes won gold in the 50 free (35.35 seconds), 100 free (1:15.22), 400 free (5:32.77), 1,500 free (22:31.51), 200 individual medley (3:11.92), 100 backstroke (1:26.09) and 100 breaststroke (1:37.16).

Her first-place time in the 1,500 free broke her own S12 class world record, which she established at 22:53.28 earlier this year. She currently holds 10 American records in S12 for short-course yards. Her 2015 season also included her first international medal, a bronze in the 400 free at the Parapan American Games with the U.S. Paralympic National Team.

Hermes, who turns 15 on Jan. 5, is a Gwinnett Online Campus student with aspirations of competing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 2016 U.S. Paralympics Team.

Though swimming keeps her busy along with school, Hermes also has worked for the past six years with the charity she founded, Shoes for the Souls, which collects recycled shoes for the Atlanta Mission.

The organization has donated more than 12,000 pairs of shoes to the mission since its inception.

PREP BASKETBALL NOTES

By Guy Curtright Staff correspondent

The Norcross girls have already made two successful trips over Christmas break to Myrtle Beach. The PREP Archer girls join the HOOPS Blue Devils this year See Page 4B for the in South Carolina and Daily Post’s weekly hope to do some winPower Rankings and ning of their own. the region standings The two Class AAAAAA Final Four basketball teams from last season are part of the usual strong field for the CresCom Bank Holiday Invitational – the top girls tournament on the East Coast.

Archer will play Spartanburg, S.C., in its opener at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, while Norcross will face Providence Day of Charlotte in the concluding first-round game at 9:30 p.m.

The quarterfinal games of the 16-team See HOOPS, Page 4B

at Georgia Southern, guys who are coaching now. It’s awesome to come home.”

Turner, 31, has aided an impressive turnaround at Alcorn, where he currently coaches nickel backs, oversees the video department and handles football operations. He came to Alcorn, located in rural Lorman, Miss., in July 2012 when Jay Hopson was hired as head coach for a struggling program that had suffered

See TURNER, Page 4B

Mountain View’s Jalen Virgil (11) attempts to break away from Parkview’s Derrion Warner (5) during a game this season. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

Bears’ Jalen Virgil glad he stuck with football Bach convinced me to play.

I started to work at more during the summer and as What: Rivalries of Gwinnett All-Star Football Game the season started I realized When: Saturday, 2 p.m.

After a frustrating junior I probably had potential Where: Mountain View High season, Mountain View to play at the next level. I School receiver Jalen Virgil had started to think about that planned on only focusing on transition from defensive more and it just gave me running track this year as a coordinator he convinced the extra drive to play even senior.

Virgil, who lined up as a de- harder.”

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound- fensive back for Bach as a The decision to stick with er finished second at state in sophomore, to play football football has proved to be the the 100-meter dash and won his senior year. right one for Virgil. After the county championship “Before the season started catching 30 passes for 452 with a personal-best time I was planning on just goyards and four touchdowns of 10.45 seconds. As head ing to college to do track,” this season, Virgil has coach Nick Bach made the Virgil said. “But Coach received seven scholarship paul.thomas@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Archer joins Norcross in Myrtle Beach

day’s showcase, the first bowl of bowl season with a noon kickoff on ABC. “The kids are thrilled,” said Turner, who has two daughters under 5 with his wife, former North golfer and softball player Stephanie Sanchez. “Winning back to back SWAC titles was an amazing accomplishment and this is an added bonus. … I’ll have both sides of my family there. I’m finding tickets for guys I played ball with, guys I played with

Closing speed

By Paul Thomas

Archer’s Tia Shorter (1) shoots over Alea Spears (24) and Jaren Stallworth (42) of Mountain View during last month’s game.

(Photo: Craig Cappy)

that spotlights HBCU (Historically Black College and University) football by matching up the SWAC and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champs.

It’s unique for an FCS school to play in a bowl, giving the Braves players a nice vacation and Turner a rare trip home for the holidays. The former North Gwinnett and Collins Hill quarterback will have plenty of family and friends in the stands at the Georgia Dome for Satur-

PREP FOOTBALL

offers to play football in college the last few weeks.

Appalachian State, Middle Tennessee State, Elon, Mercer, Samford, Western Carolina and Old Dominion have all offered full rides for football, as track generally only offers partial scholarships. Numerous ACC schools have also inquired with Bach about his star receiver since the season ended as well.

“It’s been awesome just See VIRGIL, Page 4B

Fast start has Dacula boys hoops thinking big

By David Friedlander david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

DACULA — For the past three seasons, Dacula’s boys basketball team has been remarkably good — and remarkably consistent.

Records of 19-10, 19-11 and 20-10 and three trips to the Class AAAAAA state tournament, two ending in Sweet 16 berths and another to the first round, have marked both accomplishments.

Still, the Falcons came into the 2015-16 season wanting more, and so far, they appear to be putting themselves in position to do just that.

At 7-0 heading into the holiday break, Dacula has already served notice to any and all opponents that they had better bring their A game.

“Really, what I said from the beginning (of the season), our strength lies in what our younger guys do,” said Triaga, who, like his senior trio, is in his fourth season in the Dacula program. “When our younger guys play well, we can be really good. We score a lot of points — you see Tucker scoring a lot of points and St. Hilaire scoring a lot of points. But if you sit with the coaches and watch the tape with us, that transition basket starters because somebody Dacula’s Kevon Tucker (24) makes a move around Brook- else gets a deflection or a wood’s Sean Agnant (11) during the first half of last Friday’s rebound or we force a bad shot, stuff like that. game at Dacula High School. (Photo: Kyle Hess) “So, when our young guys A trio of senior regulars per game the teams average. play well — and when I say in Kevon Tucker, Derek St. However, head coach Russ young guys, we dress 15 guys and nine of them are Hilaire and Demari Edwards, Triaga makes it clear that freshmen and sophomores.” all of whom have been in the the team’s supporting cast True, youngsters like program since their freshman — and an extremely young sophomores Juwan White season, have been the main one at that — has been just catalysts, averaging nearly as important in the Falcons’ See DACULA, Page 4B 75 percent of the 79.1 points early surge.

2B • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

ondeck Prep Schedule

BASKETBALL

Today

• Wesleyan girls in Nike Tournament of Champions

SWIMMING & DIVING

5 p.m. — Dunwoody at Wesleyan 6:30 p.m. — Duluth, Buford and Mountain View at Collins Hill 6:30 p.m. — Dacula, Grayson, Mill Creek and South at Mountain Park 6:30 p.m. — Collins Hill and Parkview at West Gwinnett

WRESTLING

• Archer, Collins Hill in Midwest Classic in Kansas City, Mo. 3 p.m. — Blessed Trinity at Wesleyan 5 p.m. — Buford, Brookwood in Bradley Central Invitational 5 p.m. — Grayson, Duluth in Eric Hill Memorial at Loganville 5 p.m. — Peachtree Ridge in McCallie (Tenn.) Invitational

BASKETBALL

Friday

• Archer, Norcross girls in Crescom Classic • Mill Creek in Carrollton Christmas Tournament • Parkview boys in Better Basektball Classic • Parkview girls in Tina Thompson Classic • Wesleyan girls in Nike Tournament of Champions 6 p.m. — Central at Peachtree Ridge 6 p.m. — Stephenson boys at Buford 7 p.m. — Hebron at Winder-Barrow 7 p.m. — Lanier at Cedar Shoals 7 p.m. — Wesleyan boys at Providence 7:30 p.m. — Harrison boys at North

SWIMMING & DIVING

7:15 a.m. — Berkmar, Discovery and Central at Collins Hill 7:15 a.m. — Peachtree Ridge, Archer and Norcross at Mountain Park 7:15 a.m. — North, Lanier and Meadowcreek at West Gwinnett 9 a.m. — Wesleyan, Brookwood in Madeleine J. Brown Diving Invitational at Emory 4 p.m. — Husdon Memorial Dive meet at Mountain Park

WRESTLING

9 a.m. — Archer, Collins Hill in Midwest Classic in Kansas City, Mo. 9 a.m. — Buford, Brookwood in Bradley Central Invitational 9 a.m. — Central Gwinnett Black Knight Duals 9 a.m. — GAC in Gorilla Duals at Berkmar 9 a.m. — Grayson, Duluth in Eric Hill Memorial at Loganville 9 a.m. — Mill Creek in Coal Mountain Classic at North Forsyth 9 a.m. — Peachtree Ridge in McCallie (Tenn.) Invitational 9 a.m. — Wesleyan in Pepperell Invitational

The Home Teams

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING

Hawks

at Kalamazoo at Kalamazoo Off Fri, 7 p.m.

Sat, 7 p.m.

97.7-FM 97.7-FM

at Jacksonville Carolina Off Sun, 1 p.m.

Dec. 27, 1 p.m.

FOX/92.9FM FOX/92.9 FM

at Boston at Orlando Off Fri, 7:30 p.m.

Sun, 6 p.m.

FSSE/92.9 FM FSSE/92.9 FM End of season

Georgia

vs. Penn State# Off Jan. 2, noon ESPN/750-AM

Georgia St.

San Jose State* Off Sat, 7 p.m.

CBSSP/680-AM

End of season

Gladiators

Falcons

FSSE = FOX Sports Southeast, FSS = FOX Sports South #Tax Slayer Bowl, Jacksonville, Fla.; *AutoNation Cure Bowl, Orlando

On TV BOWLING

Today

7 p.m. — PBA Bowling World Championship. From Reno, Nev. ESPN

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

7 p.m. — Women’s NCAA Tournament Semifinal: Texas vs. Minnesota ESPN2 9:30 p.m. — Women’s NCAA Tournament Semifinal: Kansas vs. Nebraska ESPN2

NBA

8 p.m. — Oklahoma City at Cleveland TNT 10:30 p.m. — Houston at Los Angeles Lakers TNT

Sports Calendar

ALL SPORTS

Dec. 21-23: Jack City Sports Center in Dacula will host a Kids Winterfest Camp with fun and games for children. For more information, go to www. jackcitysportscenter.com and click on the events tab.

BASEBALL

Dec. 21-22: South East Baseball will host a Christmas pitcher/catcher camp on Dec. 21 at its Norcross facility (4295 International Blvd., Suite F) and on Dec. 22 at its Athens facility (8352 Jefferson Road).

The camp, open to all ages, will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include basics, advanced drills and proper mechanics instruction among other workouts. The camp will

be run by former pro players Adam Brandenburg, Jon Huber, Brett Teschner and James Woods. For more information, go to southeastbaseball.net/ camps-workouts.

Ongoing through Dec. 31: Whitner Hitting Clinics are being held at Jack City Sports Center. The clinics are ongoing and cost $75 for five weeks. To sign up, email jackcitybaseball@ aol.com or call 770-6330948.

BASKETBALL

Jan. 10: Complete Skills Academy will field girls travel teams for grades 4 through 8 in the upcoming spring seasons. Tryouts will be Jan. 10. Registration and season information is online at completeskillsacademy.com.

Feedback • Will Hammock, Sports Editor: will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com • Christine Troyke, Staff Writer: christine.troyke@gwinnettdailypost.com • David Friedlander, Staff Writer: david.friedlander@gwinnettdailypost.com • Paul Thomas, Staff Writer: paul.thomas@gwinnettdailypost.com • Scott Smith, Senior Correspondent: scott.smith@gwinnettdailypost.com • To report scores, call 770-339-5850

gwinnettdailypost.com

Snitker returning as G-Braves manager

By Guy Curtright

served as third base coach in Atlanta from 20072013.

The rebuilding of the The Atlanta organizaAtlanta Braves means that tion has several manageGwinnett manager Brian rial chances for 2016.

Snitker and his coaching Luis Salazar moves up staff should have plenty to replace Aaron Holbert at Mississippi and veteran of young talent to work Rocket Wheeler takes with in 2016. over for him with Class A Snitker’s return for Advanced Carolina. a third season with the At the rookie level, G-Braves was officially Robinson Cancel will announced Wednesday. manage Danville and Pitching coach Marty Reed and hitting coach The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that Brian Nestor Perez will lead the John Moses will also be Snitker would return as Gwinnett manager in 2016. (Pho- Gulf Coast Braves.

The minor league back. to: Chris Roughgarden) season for Class AAA Reed’s job next season should be an especially Jenkins should also be 2015 was the best Gwin- through Class A begins on April 7. The G-Braves interesting one, with back with the G-Braves nett since a 78-65 mark will begin play at Norfolk trades by Atlanta bringing next season and Brookunder manager Dave that night, then have their in young starters like left- wood graduate Lucas Brundage in 2011. home opener on April 14 hander Sean Newcomb Sims, Atlanta’s No. 10 The only newcomer against the same Tides. and right-hander Aaron prospect, could also be on the G-Braves staff Part of the G-Braves Blair. part of the Gwinnett rota- for 2016 is trainer Rick lineup could be Cuban Newcomb, acquired tion at some point.

Alcantara, who was from the Los Angeles The G-Braves finished promoted from Class AA outfielder Dian Toscano, who was signed by AtAngels in the Andrelton just a game behind firstMississippi. He replaces Simmons deal, is ranked place Norfolk in the Inter- Mike Graus, who came to lanta last year but never cleared to play. He was as Atlanta’s No. 2 prosnational League’s South Gwinnett with the team outrighted to Gwinnett pect by MLB.com. Blair, Division last season but from Richmond. on Wednesday when the part of the Shelby Miller haven’t made the postseaSnitker, a Snellville Braves’ signing of catcher deal with Arizona, is son since their first season resident, will be enterranked No. 4. in 2009. ing his 40th season in the Tyler Flowers as a free No. 7 prospect Tyrell The record of 77-67 in Braves’ organization. He agent was made official.

Staff Correspondent

Bucs-Rams features a pair of rookie of the year candidates in Winston, Gurley The Sports Xchange TAMPA, Fla. — The Buccaneers-Rams showdown at the Edward Jones Dome on Thursday night shapes up as a possible battle for Rookie of the Year between Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston and St. Louis running back Todd Gurley.

Both are having outstanding seasons. Gurley is the NFL’s fourthleading rusher and is on the verge of becoming the first Rams first rookie to rush for 1,000 yards since Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis.

Winston has led his team back to relevance, and at 6-7, the Bucs remain in the hunt for a playoff spot. Winston already has passed for 3,059 yards with 18 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions while rushing for five scores.

A year ago, the Bucs’ only primetime game resulted in a 56-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on a Thursday night.

“I just want to show the world how good this team really is,” Winston said.

carries and then he really came on in Week 4 at Arizona. We’re trying to get the ball to him as often as we can, being mindful of we don’t want to wear him out. He’s in great shape right now. I can’t wait until he has a full offseason where he can put the offseason between the injury and playing.

He’s just special; he’s got special skills. And he’s a better person than he is St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) stiff arms player.”

Winston says he is not Detroit Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (92) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome last Sunday. be focused on winning Rookie of the Year.

(Photo: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports) “No, it would be awe“This is our chance, and a lot of attention to. That some to achieve that we have to take advantage size-speed combination is goal, but that wasn’t on my goal list at the beginof it.” rare and ability to make ning of the year,” WinStopping Gurley will people miss and then he be the Bucs’ focus. The can run over you as well, ston said. “My goal was to have more wins than former Georgia star is so he has all the ingrelast year. We did that, so coming off a 140-yard, dients to be a very good that’s an important goal two-touchdown perforback in our league for a for us, not only just for mance in a win over the while.”

Detroit Lions.

Gurley recovered from me but this organization.

Definitely our team is “It’s just a combination a torn ACL to become way more important than of the size, the speed, the dominant this season. my individual success quickness that he has — “We drafted him to be with goals. I don’t focus 16 carries for 140 yards the running back of our on that type of stuff, but against a pretty good future,” Rams coach Jeff Todd (Gurley) is havdefense,” Bucs defensive Fisher said. “We took ing an amazing year and coordinator Leslie Frazier him, we were patient said. “He’s a guy who with him, we waited until deserves all the credit he is getting.” you obviously have to pay Week 3, got him a few

Georgia Tech adds JUCO defensive end Spartans’ Cook should be healthy for CFP Michigan State quarATLANTA — Georterback Connor Cook is gia Tech football coach slightly limited by a nagging Paul Johnson announced shoudler injury.

Wednesday the addition Cook said Wednesday he of transfer Desmond will be fully healthy for the Branch, who has signed a College Football Playoff National Letter of Intent semifinals against Alabama. and will enroll for the “I’ve been pretty limited upcoming semester. in practice, and I’m pretty Branch is a 6-foot-3, much doing everything in 270-pound defensive end practice now,” Cook said. that redshirted at the Uni- “I’m pretty confident.” versity of New Mexico in Cook sprained his right 2014 before transferring shoulder a month ago, Nov. to Trinity Valley Com14 against Maryland and munity College outside was not available the followof Dallas to play this ing week. Michigan State past season. At TVCC, beat Ohio State to reach the Branch logged 32 tackles, Big Ten championship game 10 tackles for loss and a in which Cook was able to team-leading seven sacks. play.

A native of Rio RanAt 34-4, Cook owns the cho, New Mexico, Michigan State record for Branch was a first-team wins at quarterback and All-State and All-District needs 148 yards to overtake defensive end his final Kirk Cousins as the all-time two seasons at Cleveland leader in passing yards.

High School. Branch has In an interview with 120 three brothers, and his Sports on Wednesday, Cook older brother Alan is a said the Spartans are focused starting defensive lineon controlling ball in the man for the New England Cotton Bowl against the Patriots.

Crimson Tide.

Branch, believed to be “They’re a heavy runthe first Yellow Jacket oriented team, and I think in the modern era to hail what we need to do is we from New Mexico, is im- need control the football, mediately eligible to play we need to try to beat them and has three years of at their own game, hold on eligibility remaining. to the football, use our time

From Staff and Wire Reports

wisely and make very few mistakes,” Cook said.

FCS QB Prukop to transfer to Oregon Montana State quarterback Dakota Prukop committed to Oregon on Tuesday, and he will be eligible to play for the Ducks next fall as a graduate transfer.

Prukop chose Oregon over Alabama, making the announcement in an interview with Fox Sports. He graduated from Montana State last week and made official visits to Eugene and Tuscaloosa in recent days.

“I was blown away how welcoming everyone at Oregon was — the players and the coaches,” Prukop told Fox Sports. “It reminded me of the connections I have with a lot of my teammates at Montana State. They’re so confident in themselves, they’re just relaxed. Being around them, you can tell they’re special athletes. It made me feel like they’re just one piece away from completing the puzzle.

“I felt like I just fit in with them. The guys on that team, they get it. They have outstanding cast of really competitive guys and even better dudes. I developed a great rapport with (Oregon) coach (Mark) Helfrich and (Ducks passing game) coach (Matt) Lubick, and they put

their trust in me. They didn’t put any pressure on me. I felt like they understand what makes me tick.”

Prukop finished with 3,025 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season for Montana State. He also rushed for 797 yards and 11 touchdowns in the team’s 5-6 season.

He comes from the same Football Championship Subdivision conference, the Big Sky, that produced Oregon’s incumbent quarterback, senior Vernon Adams Jr., who transferred from Eastern Washington.

Next season, Prukop figures to compete with Jeff Lockie, Taylor Alie, Morgan Mahalak and Travis Jonsen for the Oregon quarterback job. Alie, currently a sophomore, and Lockie, currently a junior, both saw action this year when Adams was injured.

Ducks junior receiver Bralon Addison told the Oregonian regarding Prukop, “He’s another great football player. I don’t think it has to do with just the FCS. They have a lot of great players.

Our coaches do a great job of finding players to come in and compete no matter where they are — D-III, D-I, FCS, anywhere. ... He’s just one of those guys.”

gwinnettdailypost.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015 • 3B

Gwinnett Grads

College bowl season heavy with Gwinnett talent

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

As always, Gwinnett County players abound on the rosters of college football bowl teams and at least one will be a part of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

All four teams in the CFB Playoff semifinals, slated for Dec. 31, have at least one Gwinnett player on the roster. Clemson leads the way with four locals, followed by Alabama with two. Oklahoma and Michigan State each have one Gwinnettian.

They are part of a group of 127 Gwinnett products whose teams play in bowl games over the next month.

Counting the CFB semifinals and finals, Gwinnett is represented in 33 of college football’s 42 bowl games.

Here’s a look at what to expect from Gwinnett players in those bowls:

• USC vs. Wisconsin • 10:30 p.m./ESPN Of note: USC’s roster includes senior cornerback Ryan Dillard of Buford and tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe, who is sitting out a transfer season after leaving Florida.

DEC. 31

College Football Playoff Semifinal at Capital One Orange Bowl • Miami Gardens, Fla. • Oklahoma vs. Clemson • 4 p.m./ESPN Of note: Peachtree Ridge grad Orlando Brown, a redshirt freshman, starts at left tackle for Oklahoma.

Wayne Gallman is Clemson’s leading rusher (1,332 yards, 10 TDs), Peachtree Ridge graduate Orlando Brown (78) fights off the rush of West Virginia’s Eric while fellow Grayson grad Kinsey (45) during this season’s game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Nick Schuessler serves as in Norman. (Photo: Karl L. Moore) backup quarterback to Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun has 15 tackles.

• Western Kentucky vs.

Watson. A third Grayson Russell Athletic Bowl South Florida grad, Ryan Carter, is a reDEC. 26 • Orlando • 2:30 p.m./ESPN serve defensive back. North • North Carolina vs.

Baylor Of note: South Gwinnett’s Gwinnett’s Mitch Hyatt, a Hyundai Sun Bowl • 5:30 p.m./ESPN Dennis Edwards has started true freshman, starts at left • El Paso, Texas Of note: Two locals start all but one game on the • Miami (Fla.) vs. Washing- for UNC, Buford’s Mikey Bart tackle for the Tigers.

Western Kentucky offensive ton State at defensive end and North line, which also includes reCollege Football Playoff • 2 p.m./CBS Gwinnett’s Donnie Miles at serve linemen Miles Pate of Semifinal at Goodyear Of note: Norcross’ Christo- strong safety. Bart, a junior, Peachtree Ridge and Hunter SATURDAY Cotton Bowl Classic pher Herndon is a contribuhas 27 tackles and a teamHolland of Buford.

• Arlington, Texas tor at tight end for Miami with high 6 1/2 sacks and Miles, Gildan New Mexico Bowl • Alabama vs. Michigan 17 catches for 219 yards and a sophomore, is second on TUESDAY • Albuquerque, N.M. State a score as a sophomore. the team with 106 tackles.

• Arizona vs. New Mexico • 8 p.m./ESPN Teammate Tyler Murphy is North’s Jaye Stackhouse is Famous Idaho • 2 p.m./ESPN Of note: Buford grad Dillon a freshman defensive back a freshman defensive back Potato Bowl Of note: Grayson grad Lee is an Alabama contribufrom Peachtree Ridge who is and Buford’s Nick Polino is a • Boise, Idaho Jack Banda is a reserve detor at linebacker, making 18 taking a redshirt this season. freshman offensive lineman • Akron vs. Utah State fensive end for Arizona. The times in 13 games. Fellow for the Tar Heels.

• 3:30 p.m./ESPN sophomore is a pass-rush linebacker Adonis Thomas of Zaxby’s Heart of Of note: Buford’s Tyler specialist — of his seven Central Gwinnett is a freshDallas Bowl NOVA Home Loans Shipman is a freshman detackles, four are for losses man who is redshirting.

• Dallas Arizona Bowl fensive tackle for Akron. and three are sacks.

Brookwood’s Nick Tomp• Southern Miss vs. Wash• Tucson, Ariz. kins is a junior running back ington • Nevada vs. Colorado WEDNESDAY Raycom Media at Michigan State. He played • 2:20 p.m./ESPN State Camellia Bowl running back in 2013 as a Of note: Peachtree Ridge’s • 7:30 p.m./American GoDaddy Bowl • Montgomery, Ala. redshirt freshman, played Walden Davis is a reserve Sports Network, Campus • Mobile, Ala. • Ohio vs. Appalachian cornerback last year and defensive back for Southern Insiders • Georgia Southern vs.

State switched back to offense this Miss.

Of note: Colorado State Bowling Green • 5:30 p.m./ESPN season. offensive guard Fred Zerblis, • 8 p.m./ESPN Of note: Parkview’s Jordan New Era Pinstripe Bowl a Grayson grad, earned Of note: Georgia SouthReid has emerged as a goJAN. 1 second-team All-Mountain • Bronx, N.Y. ern’s first bowl team features to Ohio receiver late in the West Conference honors • Duke vs. Indiana season, finishing the regular two Gwinnett starters on Outback Bowl • 3:30 p.m./ABC this season as a junior the offensive line, Andy season with 45 catches for • Tampa, Fla. Of note: Of the five Gwinfor new head coach Mike Kwon of North Gwinnett at 616 yards and five touch• Tennessee vs. NorthwestBobo. The CSU roster also center and Ryan Northrup of nett grads on Duke’s roster, downs. Teammate Tony ern features Peachtree Ridge’s four play in the secondary.

Norcross at guard. Duluth’s Porter, a Peachtree Ridge • Noon/ESPN2 Willie Udofia, a senior defenHeading up that group is grad, is a key contributor on Myles Campbell also starts Of note: The Tennessee ofsive back whose career was starting safety Deondre at receiver. the defensive line. fense leans heavily Norcross cut short by injury.

Udofia Singleton, an Archer grad The Eagles’ roster also Dacula’s Marcus Cox is grad Alvin Kamara and his played in 22 career games who has 67 tackles (six for includes Peachtree Ridge’s one of the most prolific versatility. The speedy back after transferring from East losses), two forced fumbles rushers in Appalachian State R.J. Murray (DB), Meadowhas 645 rushing yards and Los Angeles College. creek’s Rayquan Sam (DB), and two fumble recoveries. history. He rushed for 1,261 six TDs, 31 catches for 272 He is joined in the secWesleyan’s Zander Yost yards and eight TDs this yards and three more scores AdvoCare V100 ondary by Shiloh’s Jeremy (DB), Mill Creek’s Cody Reseason. Central Gwinnett’s and a punt return TD. Texas Bowl McDuffie (17 tackles, one diger (TE), Parkview’s PatMalachi Jones also factors Freshman defensive back • Houston interception), Grayson’s into the offense, ranking sec- rick Flowe (LB), Parkview’s Micah Abernathy of GAC and • LSU vs.

Texas Tech Jordan Hayes and Buford’s Jakob Cooper (OL), Shiloh’s ond on the team in catches freshman linebacker Austin • 9 p.m./ESPN Grant Hall.

Collins Hill’s John Freeman (OL), Brook(23), receiving yards (433) Smith of Buford have played Of note: A trio of Buford Christian Harris is a reserve wood’s Andre Sims (WR), and receiving TDs (three). in every game but one in regrads play for LSU, including offensive lineman for the South Gwinnett’s Colby Peachtree Ridge’s Alex Gray serve roles for the Volunteers, All-SEC offensive lineman Blue Devils.

Ransom (WR), Mill Creek’s is one of the Mountaineers’ who are without the services Vadal Alexander, a senior Eric Ritland (WR), Norcross’ top defensive backs with of big junior wideout Jason and top NFL prospect.

Camping World J.B. Kouassi (DE), North 52 tackles and two interCroom of Norcross. Croom Brothers Reid Ferguson and Independence Bowl Gwinnett’s Jeff Ward (TE) ceptions. The ASU roster hasn’t played after offseason Blake Ferguson are both • Shreveport, La. and Collins Hill’s Jake Banta also includes running back knee surgery. snappers for the Tigers.

• Tulsa vs.

Virginia Tech (LS).

Josh Boyd (Norcross) and Tennessee also has Two Gwinnett grads play • 5:45 p.m./ESPN defensive back Austin Exford Grayson’s Jayson Sparks, defensive line for Texas Tech Of note: Norcross grad DEC. 24 (Shiloh).

Wesleyan’s Jaye Rochell and — senior Demetrius Alston D’Andre Plantin is a freshof Norcross and sophomore Buford’s Quay Picou (No. 55) Popeyes Bahamas Bowl man offensive lineman for Cure Bowl on the roster.

Zach Barnes of Grayson.

Virginia Tech.

• Nassau, Bahamas • Orlando Buford grad Steven Reese Alston, a part-time starter, • Middle Tennessee vs.

• Georgia State vs. San is a freshman defensive back has 23 tackles (3 1/2 for Foster Farms Bowl Western Michigan Jose State losses) and two sacks, while for Northwestern.

• Santa Clara, Calif.

• Noon/ESPN • 7 p.m./CBS Sports Barnes has seven tackles • UCLA vs. Nebraska Of note: Peachtree Ridge Network Buffalo Wild Wings and half a sack in six games.

• 9:15 p.m./ESPN grad Daniel Stephens starts Of note: Georgia State’s Citrus Bowl Of note: Norcross grad at center for Middle Tennesroster is loaded with Gwin• Orlando DEC. 30 A.J. Bush (QB) and Grayson see, and his 898 snaps are nett players, including • Michigan vs. Florida grad Mohamed Barry (LB) second-most on the team. linebacker Michael Shaw, • 1 p.m./ABC Birmingham Bowl are Nebraska freshmen.

Duluth grad Xavier Walker a Lanier grad who has 33 Of note: Archer grad An• Birmingham, Ala. tackles (six for losses) and 2 starts at strong safety and tonio Riles was an offensive • Auburn vs.

Memphis DEC. 28 has 30 career starts in the 1/2 sacks. North Gwinnett’s line starter for Florida early • Noon/ESPN secondary.

Alex Stoehr and Brookin the season, but switched Of note: Auburn’s roster Military Bowl presented Collins Hill grad Jordan wood’s Jah-Mai Davidson back to his former position on features Parkview’s Kenny by Northrop Grumman Parker is a senior running start at right guard and right the defensive line recently to Flowers at linebacker, Brook• Annapolis, Md. back who leads the team tackle, respectively, while help with depth. wood’s Keenan Sweeney at • Navy vs.

Pittsburgh with 467 yards.

He also star freshman wideout Penfullback and Duluth resident • 2:30 p.m./ESPN ranks in the school’s all-time ny Hart is a Buford resident BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl Nick Ruffin (a St. Pius grad) Of note: Navy’s roster featop 10 with 2,609 career who went to King’s Ridge.

• Glendale, Ariz. at defensive back, as well as tures freshman cornerback rushing yards.

The Panthers’ roster also • Notre Dame vs. Ohio two true freshman who are John Gillis of Archer, sophoBuford grad Matt Bonadies, includes Giovanni Lugo (QB, State redshirting, Mill Creek’s KaDacula), Brett Sheehan (QB, a freshman starter at MTSU, more slotback Josh Brown • 1 p.m./ESPN of Brookwood and freshman leb Kim on the offensive line averages 40.6 yards per Collins Hill), Aaron WinOf note: Buford grad and GAC’s Darius Slayton at offensive tackle Tony Taylor punt. chester (QB, Lawrenceville Montgomery VanGorder is a wide receiver. of Wesleyan.

The other locals for Middle resident/Mt. Pisgah), B.J. reserve quarterback at Notre Tennessee are North GwinClay (DB, Dacula), Chase Dame, where his father Brian Belk Bowl DEC. 29 Middleton (LB, Brookwood), nett’s John Urzua (QB), is defensive coordinator.

• Charlotte Duluth’s Anfornee Stewart Andrew Everett (LB, Collins • N.C. State vs.

Mississippi Lockheed Martin (LB), Norcross’ Jahmal Hill), Daniel Ziegler (LS, Allstate Sugar Bowl State Armed Forces Bowl Jones (DE) and Mill Creek’s South Gwinnett), Justin • New Orleans • 3:30 p.m./ESPN • Fort Worth, Texas Josh Fannin (OL).

Otiwu (LB, Mill Creek) and • Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma Of note: Norcross’ Nathan • Air Force vs. California Garrett Corringe (C, GrayState Swanson is a freshman • 2 p.m./ESPN Hawai’i Bowl son).

• 8:30 p.m./ESPN snapper for Mississippi Of note: Mill Creek grad • Honolulu Of note: The two Gwinnett State.

A.J. Ruechel starts at right • San Diego State vs.

R+L Carriers products on Ole Miss may guard for Air Force, while Cincinnati New Orleans Bowl not impact the Sugar Bowl Franklin Americ Mortfellow senior Dexter Walker • 8 p.m./ESPN • New Orleans much.

Grayson’s Denzel Nkegage Music City Bowl is one of the team’s most exOf note: Norcross grads • Arkansas State vs. Louisimdiche, a senior linebacker, • Nashville, Tenn. perienced linebackers.

The and brothers Silverberry ana Tech hasn’t played since a Novem• Texas A&M vs.

Louisville roster also includes freshMouhon, a senior, and Kevin • 9 p.m./ESPN ber ICU trip.

The bowl status • 7 p.m./ESPN man Shaq Vereen, a defenMouhon, a freshman, are Of note: South Gwinnett of his brother, senior defenOf note: Parkview’s G.G. sive back from Parkview. teammates at Cincinnati. grad Kevin Gary is a senior sive lineman and top NFL Collins Hill’s Chris Palmer, Robinson is a freshman Silverberry starts at defenwide receiver for Louisiana prospect Robert Nkemdiche, defensive lineman for Louwho began his career at the sive end, where he has 38 Tech. is questionable after being isville.

Naval Academy Preparatackles (seven for losses) MONDAY charged last Saturday with tory School, is a redshirt and 4 1/2 sacks. Kevin has marijuana possession in an Holiday Bowl freshman defensive tackle played in nine games with Miami Beach Bowl incident where he fell through • San Diego for Cal. two starts at linebacker.

He • Miami, Fla.

a Buckhead hotel window.

Oklahoma State running back Chris Carson, a Parkview grad by way of Butler Community College (Kans.), is his team’s leading rusher with 504 yards and four TDs on 121 carries. The onetime Georgia commitment also has 13 catches for 111 yards.

JAN. 2 TaxSlayer Bowl • Jacksonville, Fla. • Georgia vs. Penn State • Noon/ESPN Of note: Starting offensive tackle Kolton Houston of Buford leads the contingent of local Georgia Bulldogs. The only other contributor of the bunch is Norcross’ Lorenzo Carter, who has 18 tackles in 12 games.

The other locals on the UGA roster are Brookwood’s Shaun McGee at linebacker, Grayson’s Devin Gillespie at defensive back, Brookwood’s Matt Price at wide receiver, Grayson’s Shattle Fenteng at defensive back, GAC’s Jared Chapple at tight end, Brookwood’s Nick Moore at fullback, Brookwood’s Cameron Faulkner at fullback, South Gwinnett’s Reggie Carter at linebacker and Grayson’s Justin Young at defensive end.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl • Memphis • Kansas State vs. Arkansas • 3:20 p.m./ESPN Of note: Buford grad Ryan Mack has played in 11 games as a Kansas State reserve defensive back, while teammate Tyler White is a freshman linebacker who played at Central Gwinnett.

Valero Alamo Bowl • San Antonio, Texas • Oregon vs. TCU • 6:45 p.m./ESPN Of note: Norcross’ Ridwan Issahaku, a redshirt freshman, has 39 tackles and four pass breakups as a starting safety for TCU. Motel 6 Cactus Bowl • Phoenix • Arizona State vs. West Virginia • 10:15 p.m./ESPN Of note: South Gwinnett’s Edward Muldrow, a transfer from Copiah-Lincoln (Miss.)

Junior College, is a West Virginia linebacker. He has 24 tackles (21 solos, three for losses) and a forced fumble this season.

JAN. 11 College Football Playoff National Championship • Glendale, Ariz.

• Oklahoma-Clemson winner vs. Alabama-Michigan State winner • 8:30 p.m./ESPN SOCCER

Alabi, Stanford win NCAA championship Brookwood grad Adrian Alabi finished a memorable junior season at Stanford last week with the first men’s soccer championship in the 100-plus year history of the Cardinal’s program.

Stanford won the NCAA College Cup with a 4-0 victory over Clemson at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. Alabi appeared in 15 games as a reserve forward for the Cardinal (18-2-3).

Alabi — Brookwood’s 2012 salutatorian in a class of 788 — was a first-team Pac-12 All-Academic selection this season. He has a 3.72 GPA as an electrical engineering major.

Muntean gets honor Mill Creek’s Nick Muntean, a senior at Oglethorpe, was named to the Scholar All-South Region Team for NCAA Division III, NAIA and NCCAA this week by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Muntean, who had 11 goals and 23 points this season, has a 3.67 GPA. Gwinnett Grads is a column that runs on Thursdays spotlighting achievements of past Gwinnett standouts.

Coaches and parents are urged to send suggestions via email to will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com.

4B • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015 •From Page 1B event are Saturday, then the semifinals on Monday after a day off. The championship and place games are Tuesday.

In addition to the CresCom Bank tournament, three top women’s college games will be played at the Myrtle Beach Civic Center as part of the Carolinas Challenge.

“The business community in Myrtle Beach does an incredible job,” Norcross coach Angie Hembree said.

“It’s a great thing for the kids to make the trip. It’s a lot of fun.”

Of course, winning makes everything even more enjoyable and Norcross won the championship game in 2011 behind standout Diamond DeShields after finishing third the previous year.

“That was a great game,” Hembree said of the 54-53 victory over South Carolina power Spring Valley.

“They were loaded.”

Archer, which went to Florida last year and Tennessee the previous year, doesn’t have any past experience in South Carolina,

•From Page 1B and Shayne Buckingham have been an integral part of Dacula’s fast start.

And some of the credit for that can be laid at the feet of the Falcons’ seniors, who have known from the beginning of the season that they would be looked to provide extra leadership both on and off the court, and have provided it by helping foster a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere for their younger teammates.

It’s a feeling Tucker, a 6-foot-4 wing, remembers from his own experience when he burst upon the scene as a freshman starter in the 2012-13 season.

“My freshman year, the most important thing I got from it was that the people who led me like (thenseniors) Jaylen (Williams) and Brandon (Goodson), even when I had bad games, they were still by my side,” said Tucker, who currently leads the Falcons in scoring (27.0 ppg) and rebounds (8.3 rpg) and is second on the team in steals (2.1 spy). They told me to keep playing and keep shooting, and they never doubted me. So, I try to do that with the younger kids.”

•From Page 1B knowing that all this hard work is finally beginning to pay off,” Virgil said. “I’ve been waiting forever to get these offers.

I didn’t have a lot of film junior year and I knew whenever I got some film coaches would probably recognize what I have.

It’s been pretty cool.”

Virgil averaged 15 yards per catch and scored on two of the four reverses the Bears (3-7) ran for him this season.

Bach said that perhaps what has colleges most excited about Virgil is not just his top-end speed, but his willingness to be a physical wide out as well.

He also has a 3.1 gradepoint average.

“Obviously the speed is the No. 1 thing that’s got all these colleges interested in him. Because it’s exceptionally fast. He’s another level of fast you really don’t find very often,” Bach said. “When you combine it with his aggressiveness and his size, he’s a big strong kid. If you watch his highlight tape he saved all the blocking stuff for the end of the tape, but he’s got some

gwinnettdailypost.com

Hoops POWER RANKINGS

REGION STANDINGS

The Gwinnett Daily Post’s weekly power rankings of the county’s high school basketball teams.

Boys Top 10 Rank School Region Record 1.

Shiloh 8-AAAAAA 6-2 2.

Norcross 7-AAAAAA 7-1 3.

Dacula 8-AAAAAA 7-0 4.

Collins Hill 7-AAAAAA 6-1 5.

Brookwood 8-AAAAAA 5-3 6.

Berkmar 8-AAAAAA 6-3 7.

Grayson 8-AAAAAA 7-1 8.

GAC 6-AA 6-3 9.

Duluth 7-AAAAAA 6-4 10.

P’tree Ridge 7-AAAAAA 5-4 Girls Top 10 Rank School Region Record 1.

Wesleyan 6-AA 8-0 2.

Archer 8-AAAAAA 8-0 3.

Collins Hill 7-AAAAAA 7-0 4.

Norcross 7-AAAAAA 7-3 5.

Parkview 8-AAAAAA 6-2 6.

Buford 8-AAAA 4-2 7.

Duluth 7-AAAAAA 7-3 8.

Brookwood 8-AAAAAA 6-2 9.

GAC 6-AA 6-3 10.

Grayson 8-AAAAAA 6-3

7-AAAAAA 8-AAAAAA BOYS BOYS

Region Overall Region Overall Norcross 4-0 7-1 Shiloh 3-0 6-2 Duluth 4-0 6-4 Dacula 3-0 7-0 Collins Hill 2-1 6-1 Berkmar 4-1 6-3 Mountain View 2-1 7-3 Grayson 3-1 7-1 Peachtree Ridge 2-2 5-4 Brookwood 3-2 5-3 Mill Creek 1-3 4-5 Central 1-3 3-4 Meadowcreek 0-4 4-7 Archer 1-4 4-6 North 0-4 1-7 South 1-4 3-5 Parkview 0-4 4-5 GIRLS GIRLS

Region Overall Region Overall Duluth 4-0 7-3 Archer 5-0 8-0 Collins Hill 3-0 7-0 Parkview 4-0 6-2 Norcross 3-1 7-3 Brookwood 3-2 6-2 Mountain View 2-1 3-6 South 3-2 6-3 Mill Creek 2-2 3-6

Dacula 1-2 4-3 Peachtree Ridge 1-3 3-6 Shiloh 1-2 2-4 North 0-4 3-7 Grayson 1-3 6-3 Meadowcreek 0-4 3-7 Berkmar 1-4 2-7 Central 0-4 2-6

Newby that carried Archer as usual. Marchese and 16 points and 15 rebounds, The Tigers (8-0) hadn’t while Newby had 13 points really been challenged and 10 rebounds. this season until a 46-45 A win for Archer in its victory Monday over 2015 opener would likely mean Class AAAA state runner- a game against New York up Carrollton.

City power Christ the King Sophomore Asia McCoy in Saturday’s quarterfinals. scored the clinching basket Norcross, state runnerwith eight seconds left, but up last season, could have it was junior standouts Lin- a quarterfinal game against sey Marchese and Autumn St. Mary’s of Canada. The

Blue Devils are 7-3, with all of the losses coming in overtime.

Unbeaten St. Francis is the third team making the trip to Myrtle Beach from Georgia. The Knights, defending Class A Private state champions, play Millbrook of Raleigh, N.C., in their first-round game.

Dacula’s Johnson reaches milestone Dacula senior Jon-

nae Johnson reached the 1,000-point milestone for her career last weekend in a victory over Central Gwinnett. She is the second player on her team to accomplish that feat this season, joining teammate and LSU signee Faustine Aifuwa.

Johnson leads Dacula in scoring (19.9) and is second to Aifuwa in rebounding (6) this season.

clean. Guys like (freshman) Mekhail (Bethea) and (sophomore) Byron (Wilson) and (junior) Justin (Goodson) and them, they’ve just come in and helped us any way they can.”

They’ve had good role models to learn from.

Tucker, who has signed to play college basketball at Wofford, has improved incrementally throughout his career, while Edwards (9.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 bpg) has provided stead production across the board.

And St. Hilaire has made perhaps the biggest jump, bringing his numbers (21.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.9 spg) to career Dacula’s Derek St. Hilaire (10) drives past Brookwood’s Trae Higginbotham (0) during levels, including posting the first half of last Friday’s game at Dacula High School. (Photo: Kyle Hess) career highs in two of That only bodes well for thing you can’t have is played significant minutes Dacula’s two biggest wins the future, even after the two bad classes in a row. in all seven of the team’s to date. terrific trio of Tucker, St. That’s kind of what breaks games to date.

He scored 27 in the Hilaire and Edwards leave a program up when kids And the veterans have Falcons’ season-opening after this season. graduate. Well, we’ve got noticed just how much 91-80 win over Sequoyah “I’m as happy as I’ve really good players all the growth those younger — the Chiefs’ only loss to ever been coaching,” way through the seventh players have shown in a date — and then broke that Triaga said. “I’m as congrade.” very short time. mark with a 29-point effort tent as I’ve ever been a It’s an approach that has “It’s amazing,” St. to help Dacula outduel head coach, and I’ve been also paid dividends this Hilaire said. “Juwan is a Douglas County and North a head coach in Georgia season, as well. sophomore. I’ve known Carolina signee Brandon 14 or 15 years. I’m really Though the senior trio him since I’ve been at Robinson 78-71 on Nov. happy with the kind of of Tucker, St. Hilaire and Dacula, and I’ve just been 28. kids that we have, their Edwards has dominated watching him grow up.

Those two victories, as willingness to work and the stat sheet in terms of Basketball-wise, he just well as an overtime win just the fact that when you points, no fewer than nine become so mature and his over a vastly-improved build a program, the one different Falcons have game is so much more Brookwood team, are wins

the 5-10 senior believes could prove to be a springboard for the Falcons jump back into Region 8-AAAAAA against rugged foes like Shiloh, Berkmar and Grayson after the holiday break.

“Playing good teams like that, it just boosts our confidence and makes us want to work harder,” St. Hilaire said. “We realize that if we can beat good teams like that, we can pretty much beat anybody.

We just played well as a team.”

Of course, there are some very big challenges even before the new year.

After taking on another strong Class AAAAAA team in McEachern at the SEBA Atlanta Hoops Festival this weekend in Marietta, the Falcons will hit the road for the one of the Southeast’s most prestigious tournaments, the Kingdom of the Sun Tournament in Ocala, Fla., from Dec. 28-31.

But Tucker says he and his teammate are confident they will be ready for such a strenuous challenge.

“I’m really excited,” Tucker said. “It’s good for us as a team as far as team chemistry and bonding and and just to prove ourselves against (very good) teams.”

but the unbeaten Tigers hope to use the event as a springboard to a state title breakthrough.

Archer was edged by eventual champion McEachern in the Class AAAAAA semifinals last year after falling to the Indians in the title game the previous year.

Dacula

Virgil

•From Page 1B

Mountain View wide receiver Jalen Virgil (11) hauls in a pass over Norcross’ Kendrick Grady (6) during the regular season at Norcross. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

clips on there where he’s just lighting guys up. He likes to block, he likes to see his teammates score.

I think with him being as big and strong as he is, a lot of colleges want guys that are going to be physical in the run game too and that will try to get that running back all the way to the house, and he’s a guy that’s going to do that. He’s really turning in to the whole package. He’s just a super hard-working kid that

the Lord gave him some really good tools to work with and he’s worked with them extremely hard to become a complete player. He’s a good one.”

Virgil will finish his high school football career on Saturday as a member of Team Fleetwood in the Gwinnett County All-Star game at Mountain View.

After that he’ll turn his attention back to track as he hopes to run a 10.2 100-meter dash this sea-

son and win the state title.

It’s safe to say he’s glad he trusted Coach Bach when he told him this summer that he would find more ways to get the ball in his hands.

“I had a hell of a time this year,” Virgil said.

“I’m glad I ended it this way. We didn’t have the season we wanted, but I really enjoyed it. Playing with my boys and playing with Coach Bach. It was a good year for me. I enjoyed it.”

Turner

be over.”

Georgia Southern gave through a revolving door Turner a role as a student of head coaches. Hopson assistant, leading to his GA position at Memphis had been the defensive coordinator at Memphis, and ultimately his stable job with a successful where Turner was a Alcorn program. He has graduate assistant from coached linebackers 2010-12. and nickel backs for the The Braves went 4-7 Braves, but he has stayed in Hopson’s first season, equally busy with other working on short notice after being hired late, but off-field duties in video, football operations and have gone 9-3, 10-3 and recruiting, where his 9-3 the past three years. territory is southern “They were hungry Louisiana. when we walked in the The plan is to develop door for wins,” Turner a diverse skill set, boostsaid of the Alcorn playing his resumé for future ers. football openings. That Turner was eager, too. is down the road, though.

It was his first full-time For now, Turner wants coaching position, the to enjoy what he and his first step on what he hopes is a long journey in fellow coaches are building at Alcorn. the profession. He knew “Alcorn’s on the rise coaching was his path and it continues to be during his sophomore season at Georgia South- on the rise,” he said.

“We’re going to become ern when he sat out with more and more known. an injury.

More people are going “I knew one day the to know about us and game was going to be over,” Turner said. “One not just as the school that (former NFL quarthing the game teaches you is camaraderie with terback) Steve McNair came from.” your teammates and the Will Hammock can be adversity you go through reached via email at will. with them. I knew I’d miss that. (Football) kept hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com. His column pulling me to it and I appears on Thursdays. didn’t want the game to

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015 • 5B

gwinnettdailypost.com

Buford’s Simpson commits to Army The Big Apple

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The Army football program landed its third Gwinnett senior recruit on Tuesday night, when Buford offensive lineman Cooper Simpson made a commitment over a family dinner with Black Knights head coach Jeff Monken and offensive coordinator Brent Davis.

Simpson, the son of Buford head football coach Jess Simpson, chose Army over Air Force, his other finalist. He visited both schools but has been to West Point twice this year, once on spring break and again for the Rutgers game. His official visit is Jan. 15.

“I’m a big fan of the school and what it means to be a graduate from there,” Simpson said. “It’s just a very prestigious degree and the football program’s arrow is pointing up. Their record wasn’t what they thought it would be this year but they had a chance in nine games this year. They have good players coming in.

“I felt good with the coaches the whole recruiting process. … I had a really good connection with Coach Davis the whole

Buford’s Cooper Simpson rushes towards Woodward Academy’s Ryan Glover during the first half of the Wolves’ playoff victory this season. (Photo: Photo: David McGregor)

time he was recruiting me.

I prayed about it and I felt like it was time to commit.”

Davis and Monken are both familiar with Georgia from their tenures at Georgia Southern, and Davis, a Duluth grad, is particularly knowledgeable about

Gwinnett. Those coaches have commitments from Simpson, Mill Creek defensive end Tyler Vernon and South Gwinnett defensive back Chris Skyers for the Class of 2016.

The current coaching staff just completed its second season at Army

with a 2-10 record, but seven of the losses were by a touchdown or less, including a 21-17 loss to nationally ranked Navy in the season finale.

“Coach Monken and Coach Davis have proven (they’re winners) before at Georgia Southern, competing for national championships and beating Florida,” Simpson said. “The last two recruiting classes at Army are probably the best in the last 15 years. … I just feel like they’re a couple of missing pieces away from being a really good football team.”

Simpson, a 6-foot-1, 260-pounder, was recruited by Army as a center. He was on three state championship teams at Buford, as well as a state runner-up team this past season.

The team captain also has a 4.0 GPA, which made him a recruiting target for Army, Air Force and Navy.

“I’m very thankful for the Air Force coaches and the amount of time they put in recruiting me,” Simpson said. “I really love the school (at Air Force). It came down to a faith decision. I just felt (Army) was where God was leading me. It was choosing between two great schools, so I couldn’t go wrong.”

Lanier senior Derrick Brown took a recent tour of New York City as one of six finalists for the U.S. Army AllAmerican Bowl Player of the Year Award. The heavily recruited lineman is the only defensive player among the six finalists. The player of the year winner will be recognized during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Awards Show on Jan. 8. Brown plans to play in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl. (Special Photo)

Gwinnett represented well in final poll

By David Friedlander david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Though no Gwinnett teams were crowned as state champions following this season, several county teams held prominent spots in the Georgia Sports Writers Association’s final high school football rankings for 2015.

Not surprisingly, as Gwinnett’s lone representative in the state finals, Buford held the highest ranking among the locals, with the Wolves’ state runner-up finish garnering them a No. 2 final ranking in Class AAAA. Meanwhile, Gwinnett had four representatives in Class AAAAAA’s final top 10, including three in the top five.

The county’s two state semifinalists, Grayson and Mill Creek, finished at No. 3 and 4 respectively, while Archer, the preseason No. 1 team, was close behind at No. 5.

Collins Hill rounded out Gwinnett’s contingent in Class AAAAAA by being ranked 10th after joining Archer in the state quarterfinals.

Three other Gwinnett teams also finished ranked in their respective classifications, with Lanier finishing tied with Drew and Mays at No. 8 in the Class AAAAA voting, while two local teams finished in the Class AA top 10, with semifinalist Greater Atlanta Christian at No. 3 and Wesleyan and No. 10.

GSWA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL Georgia Sports Writers Association High School Football Poll (First place votes in parentheses) Class AAAAAA School Points 1. Colquitt County (10) 100 2. Roswell 89 3. Grayson 76 4. Mill Creek 73 5. Archer 57 6. McEachern 39 7. Westlak 33 8. South Forsyth 31 9. Camden County 16 10. Collins Hill 13

Last Week 1 3 2 5 4 6 NR NR 7 NR

Others receiving votes: Peachtree Ridge 12, Newton 4, Walton 3, Tucker 2.

Dropped out: Peachtree Ridge, Etowah, Walton.

Class AAAAA School Points 1. Allatoona (10) 100 2. Glynn Academy 90 3. Ware County 73 4. Stockbridge 66 5. Houston County 59 6. Northgate 57 7. Kell 24 t8. Drew 20 t8. Lanier 20 t8. Mays 20

Last Week 9 10 NR 1 3 NR NR NR 2 7

Others receiving votes: Coffee 12, NorthsideWarner Robins 2, Starr’s Mill 2, Rome 1.

Dropped out: Northside-Warner Robins, Stephenson, Jones County, Coffee.

Class AAAA School Points Last Week 1. Cartersville (10) 100 2 2. Buford 90 3 3. Woodward Academy 80 1 4. Bainbridge 69 5 5. St. Pius X 52 8 6. Marist 40 10 7. Jonesboro 38 6 8. Thomson 37 7 9. Sandy Creek 17 9 10. Mary Persons 16 4 Others receiving votes: Carrollton 2, Liberty County 2, Spalding 2.

Dropped out: None.

Class AAA School Points 1. Westminster (10) 100

Last Week NR

2. Blessed Trinity 3. Calhoun 4. Cedar Grove 5. Elbert County 6. Adairsville 7. Westside-Macon 8. Jefferson 9. Dawson County 10. Peach County

90 77 73 49 48 35 28 17 9

2 1 3 NR 8 NR 5 NR NR

Others receiving votes: Callaway 7, Dodge County 6, Oconee County 6, Jackson 5.

Dropped out: Dodge County, Callaway, CentralCarroll, Oconee County, Jackson.

Class AA School Points 1. Pace Academy (10) 100 2. Fitzgerald 90 3. GAC 77 4. Jefferson County 67 5. Benedictine 61 6. Macon County 40 7. Rabun County 39 8. Brooks County 33 9. Lovett 18 10. Wesleyan 17

Last Week 8 5 2 NR 1 NR 4 6 NR 10

Others receiving votes: Screven County 4, Darlington 2, Heard County 1, Vidalia 1.

Dropped out: Darlington, Model, Screven County.

Class A School Points 1. Eagle’s Landing (10) 100 2. Clinch County 85 3. Aquinas 80 4. Prince Avenue 68 5. Irwin County 65 6. Stratford Academy 42 7. Emanuel County Inst 37 8. Commerce 32 9. Mt. Paran Christian 17 10. Christian Heritage 13

Last Week 5 9 2 1 NR NR 10 NR 4 NR

Others receiving votes: Pinecrest Academy 8, Marion County 3, Mt. Zion-Carroll 1, Savannah Christian 1.

Dropped out: Marion County, Pinecrest Academy, Calvary Day, Lincoln County.

Publications participating: Athens BannerHerald; Brunswick News; Columbus LedgerEnquirer; Gwinnett Daily Post, Lawrenceville; Henry Herald, McDonough; Macon Telegraph; Marietta Daily Journal; Savannah Morning News; ScoreAtlanta; Walker Co. Messenger, LaFayette.

Gwinnett Braves second baseman Jose Peraza (1) follows through his swing after making contact on a pitch against the Durham Bulls at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

Former G-Brave Peraza traded to Cincinnati Reds

By Guy Curtright

nati along outfielder Scott Schebler and infielder Brandon Dixon.

Second baseman Jose The Reds, like the Braves, are rebuilding and Peraza went into last season with the Gwinnett the acquisition of Peraza could mean that second Braves ranked as Atlanta’s top prospect. Now baseman Brandon Phillips is the next player to go. the 21-year-old native Peraza made his major of Venezuela has been league debut with the traded twice in less than Dodgers late last year but five months. had just four hits in 22 Peraza, dealt to Los at-bats. He hit a combined Angeles along with .293 with 33 stolen bases left-handed starter Alex Wood last July for Hector last season for Gwinnett and Oklahoma City, the Olivera, was part of the Dodgers’ Class AAA three-team deal by the team.

Dodgers with Cincinnati A total of 13 playand the Chicago White ers were involved in Sox on Wednesday. last July’s controversial The big name in the Braves-Dodgers trade, trade was National League all-star third base- which also involved a third team. Olivera didn’t man Todd Frazier, who make a good first impreswent from the Reds to sion and is being moved Chicago. from third base to left The Dodgers received field by Atlanta. three prospects from the Peraza was ranked White Sox — outfielder Trayce Thompson, second as the Dodgers’ No. 4 prospect and had earlier baseman Micah Johnson and pitcher Frankie Mon- been rumored to be part of a trade for Reds closer tas — and dealt three to Aroldis Chapman that fell the Reds.

Peraza went to Cincin- through.

Staff Correspondent

SPORTS AT A GLANCE Basketball National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

W L Pct GB Toronto............... 16..10.... .615...... — Boston............... 14.. 11.....560..... 1.5 New York............ 11..14.....440.....4.5 Brooklyn...............7..17.....292........8 Philadelphia.........1..25.....038......15 Southeast Division

W L Pct GB Charlotte............ 14..10.....583.....2.5 Miami................. 14....9.....609...... — Orlando.............. 14.. 11.....560........3 Atlanta............... 14..12.....538..... 1.5 Washington........ 10..13.....435........4 Central Division

W L Pct GB Cleveland........... 16....7.....696...... — Chicago............. 14....8.....636..... 1.5 Indiana............... 15....9.....625..... 1.5 Detroit................ 14..12.....538.....3.5 Milwaukee.......... 10..16.....385..... 7.5 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division

W L Pct GB San Antonio.......21....5.....808...... — Dallas................. 14..12.....538...10.5 Memphis............ 14..12.....538........7 Houston............. 12..14.....462........9 New Orleans........6..18.....250......14

Northwest Division

W L Pct GB Oklahoma City... 16....8.....667...... — Denver............... 11..14.....440.....5.5 Utah................... 10..13.....435.....5.5 Portland............. 11..15.....423........6 Minnesota............9..15.....375........7 Pacific Division

W L Pct GB Golden State......24....1.....960...... — L.A. Clippers...... 15..10.....600........9 Phoenix.............. 11..15.....423...13.5 Sacramento....... 10..15.....400......14 L.A. Lakers...........4..21.... .160......20 Tuesday’s Games Cleveland 89, Boston 77 Denver 112, Minnesota 100 Sacramento 107, Houston 97 L.A. Lakers 113, Milwaukee 95 Wednesday’s Games Dallas 81, Indiana, 107 Charlotte 98, Orlando 113 Miami at Brooklyn, late Boston at Detroit, late Minnesota at New York, late Philadelphia at Atlanta, late Memphis at Chicago, late Portland at Oklahoma City, late Washington at San Antonio, late New Orleans at Utah, late Phoenix at Golden State, late Milwaukee at L.A. Clippers, late Today’s Games Toronto at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 8 p.m.

Houston at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games Brooklyn at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Portland at Orlando, 7 p.m.

New York at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Atlanta at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Toronto at Miami, 8 p.m.

Detroit at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Sacramento at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, 8 p.m.

Memphis at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Denver at Utah, 9 p.m.

New Orleans at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday’s College Scores EAST Duquesne 83, South Carolina State 68 Iona 83, Texas Southern 73 Richmond 77, Old Dominion 61 Vermont 75, UC Santa Barbara 68 New Orleans at Massachusetts SOUTH Campbell 87, Johnson & Wales (NC) 53 East Carolina 78, NC-Wilmington 73 Elon University 91, Alabama St. 74 Furman 94, Bluefield College 46 Louisiana State 78, Gardner-Webb 57 N.C. State 76, High Point 73 North Carolina 96, Tulane 72 North Florida 80, Austin Peay 70 South Florida 88, Jacksonville 75 Stetson 95, Albany State (GA) 69 Tennessee 81, Florida Atlantic 62 Texas-San Antonio 75, East Central 61 The Citadel at Bethune-Cookman, late South Dakota State at Texas Tech, late Texas State at Prairie View A&M, late South Carolina Upstate at UAB, late

North Carolina Central at Houston, late Hardin-Simmons at Baylor, late Nicholls State at Southern Methodist, late LSU-Alexandria at McNeese St., late Mississippi St. at Florida St., late Winthrop at Alabama, late MIDWEST Indiana St. 75, Illinois-Springfield 60 Louisville 94, Kennesaw St. 57 Ohio St. 67, Northern Illinois 54 Tenn-Martin at Saint Louis, late Arkansas-Little Rock at Central Arkansas, late Chicago St. at Minnesota, late Simpson College at Nebraska Omaha, late Montana St. at North Dakota State, late Cleveland St. at Loyola-Chicago, late Oral Roberts at Missouri St., late Illinois St. at Illinois-Chicago, late Alabama A&M at Western Kentucky, late WEST Savannah State at Utah, late Denver at Northern Colorado, late New Mexico St. at New Mexico, late Arizona State at UNLV, late Northern Arizona at Arizona, late Cal. State - Bakersfield at Fresno St., late Southern Utah at St. Mary’s, late

Football National Football League

AMERICAN CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF PA New England.11... 2... 0...846...402...253 N.Y. Jets.......... 8... 5... 0.. .615...325...256

Buffalo............. 6... 7... 0...462...316...301 Miami.............. 5... 8... 0...385...264...331 South

W L T Pct PF PA Houston.......... 6... 7... 0...462...259...291 Indianapolis.... 6... 7... 0...462...275...356 Jacksonville.... 5... 8... 0...385...326...357 Tennessee...... 3.10... 0...231...253...326 North

W L T Pct PF PA Cincinnati...... 10... 3... 0.. .769...354...229 Pittsburgh........ 8... 5... 0.. .615...344...260 Baltimore........ 4... 9... 0...308...278...326 Cleveland........ 3.10... 0...231...240...357 West

W L T Pct PF PA Denver.......... 10... 3... 0.. .769...281...225 Kansas City.... 8... 5... 0.. .615...331...243 Oakland.......... 6... 7... 0...462...299...326 San Diego....... 3.10... 0...231...250...334 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF PA N.Y. Giants...... 6... 7... 0...462...338...320 Philadelphia.... 6... 7... 0...462... 301...322 Washington..... 6... 7... 0...462...281...307 Dallas.............. 4... 9... 0...308...230...305 South

W L T Pct PF PA Carolina........ 13... 0... 0.1.000... 411...243 Atlanta............ 6... 7... 0...462...279...295 Tampa Bay...... 6... 7... 0...462...288...322 New Orleans... 5... 8... 0...385...323...397 North

W L T Pct PF PA Green Bay...... 9... 4... 0...692...317...245

Minnesota....... 8... 5... 0.. .615...258...255 Chicago.......... 5... 8... 0...385...272...314 Detroit............. 4... 9... 0...308...267...336 West

W L T Pct PF PA Arizona......... 11... 2... 0...846...405...252 Seattle............ 8... 5... 0.. .615...340...235 St. Louis.......... 5... 8... 0...385...210...271 San Francisco.4... 9... 0...308...188...315 Thursday, Dec. 17 Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 8:25 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19 N.Y. Jets at Dallas, 8:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 20 Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Atlanta at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Houston at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Carolina at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Tennessee at New England, 1 p.m.

Buffalo at Washington, 1 p.m.

Kansas City at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.

Green Bay at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

Denver at Pittsburgh, 4:25 p.m.

Miami at San Diego, 4:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

Arizona at Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 21 Detroit at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m.

Project3_Classifieds 12/16/2015 3:51 PM Page B7

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015 • B7

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Week 2 Hours 3:30 pm – 11:30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday.

Times may need to be flexible depending on City needs. Hiring range: $12.63 w/ medical benefits only.

For additional: www. suwanee.com. EOE Drug Free Workplace.

•Dialysis Tech in 3 mo.

•PCT •Pharmacy Tech •Medical Assistant *Payment plans available Snellville CALL TODAY 770-912-3306

If your old stuff is collecting dust, it could be collecting cash!

classifieds 770-962-SELL

HOUSES FOR SALE ROCKDALE, CONYERS 4BR/2BA on 1.25 Acre. Large LR & DR. Corner of 2200 Irwin Bridge, close to Hospital. $70,000.

404-825-0504

sjones@sterling-health. com

OR CALL: 770-967-2070

SOUTH CAROLINA, LAKE KEOWEE Waterfront Cottages Gated, Luxury Amenities! Lodge, Pool, Fitness Center, Boat Slips & more.

Other New & Resale Cottages From $130’s to $299’s!

1-888-663-1133 www.backwaterlanding. com Office Hours: Fri 8:30-4:00 Sat & Sun By Appointment Only

LAWRENCEVILLE RECORDING STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE Office/Warehouses 1200 up to 18000 sf Mike 404-375-5438.

Newton, Covington

For Sale or Rent Commercial Property (1324 Sq.Ft.,1.39AC) 10977 Old Atlanta Highway, Covington, GA. 30014. Highest Zoning. Remodeled Building Off I-20 (Best Visibility).

Call 805-689-2233.

No soliciting.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT CONYERS, GA 30094 BACK ON MARKET! COMMERCIAL LISTING! REDUCED! 2302 S.E. EBENEZER RD Great Commercial Property In High Traffic Area Of Rockdale County At The Corner Of Ga Hwy 138 & Ebenezer Rd With Double Road Frontage $1,100,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

COMMERCIAL RENTALS

APTS/DUP/CONDOS/ T’HOMES FOR RENT

APPLIANCES GWINNETT DUPLEXES

DRYER/WASHER $125 ea.; Super Capacity $175 ea.

Front Loader Set $450 & up; Regular Refrig. & Ranges $175 & up; SXS Refrig. $300 & up.

Dishwasher $100 & up. Different colors.

Del/1 yr warr.

Tim 404-205-2222

2 Communities!

One on Singleton Rd. & One on Law’villeSuwanee Rd.! 2BR & 3BR, 2BA, Fireplace, vaulted ceilings, off street parking.

Starting @ $900/mo.

B.C. PROPERTIES 770-446-1550 770-995-8828

Applicants must have a four-year college degree, preferably in journalism or mass communications. Experience is preferred, even at the college level, but this is a perfect position for a graduate eager to set the journalism world on fire. A knowledge of local government and basic politics will put a candidate over the rest.

Candidates who live locally in the Southern Crescent are also preferred. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

CLEANING

HARDWOOD FLOORS

FREE REMOVAL

The Doctor Is In

HANDYMAN SOLUTIONS

BY HERNANDO

BY M.D. NANNI

SERVICE We pick up any of the following items: All scrap metal such as all appliances, air conditioners, lawn mowers, metal windows & doors, garage doors, motorcycles, house & barn tin, gutters & awnings, metal signs, junk cars, old batteries, etc.

• Oak • Maple • Cherry • Walnut New Homes Repairs Refinishing Renovations

SPECIALTY WORK

• Borders • Stairways • Medallions Free Estimates Insured/Certified Michael Nanni

*No TVs or computer monitors.

770-867-9670

sdlovern@yahoo.com

Call 770-601-8495 404-545-3299

FOREST REMODELING, INC. •Finished Basements •Bathroom Remodeling •Kitchen Remodeling •Custom Cabinets •Room Additions •Garages/Carports •Screened Porches •Custom Decks •Siding All Types Call John

770-962-2071 If your old stuff is collecting dust, it could be collecting cash!

Leave message if no answer.

All Home Remodeling Projects & General Repairs Including: HVAC troubleshooting & more!

Over 25 years of exp. in all home repairs & improvements. *Licensed & Insured*

678-482-1702

hcorrales17@gmail.com

Call for a Free Estimate

COUNTRY BOY TREE REMOVAL Expert Take Downs √ 20Years Experience √ Insured √ Free Estimates √ Stump Grinding

All Major Credit Cards Accepted 300018-1

404-670-3087

PETS/LIVESTOCK

DOGS CHIHUAHUA Beautiful Chihuahua Puppies for sale. Born 09/12/2015. 2 boys and 3 girls. Also I have a brother and sister Chihuahua puppies.

Born 05/27/2015.

404-285-2602 please leave a message.

BMW Z3 ROADSTER, 2000. 99K MILES • $6450. M SPORTS OPTIONS. Best you’ll find. Fabulous & priced way under the market.

Auto trans, silver w/ black convert top and leather. Super CarFax & beautiful. Comparable cars are selling for over $9000. Owned

by California collector and babied. Drive daily, very collectable and should appreciate in price while you’re having fun. 770-882-4605.

MIKE’S TREE SERVICE

SERENITY LAWN CARE

PRESSURE WASHING

• Any Lawn Work!

If it’s in your yard, we do it!

Landscape Design using any material Trimming & debris Clean Up • Pressure Washing

HOUSES STARTING AT $89 • Roof Cleaning • Black streaks removed from roof • Mold & Mildew removed from homes • Drives-WalkwaysPatios-Decks cleaned/sealed • Gutters cleaned

All Phases of Tree Work

-

Tree Removal Prunning Stump Grinding Wood Chipper

References Available

Free Estimate!

770-905-2072

770-714-8250 770-271-7127

Call 706-525-1881 or 904-874-1809

For a FREE Estimate

Made in USA

CALL OR TEXT

404.886.3587 Established 1989

770-932-1751 Cell 770-313-5751

classifieds

Delivered & Dumped

JEEP LIBERTY, 2002 SPORT 4X4. Super nice, beautiful blue body with black trim, 3.7 V6. Great CarFax. Looks and drives great.

Priced way under the market at only $4500.

Call 770-899-5856

POWER WASHING

LICENSED

1/2 Cord - $100 1 Cord - $190

JAGUAR XJS CONVERTIBLE, 1994.

WOW, WOW, WOW 4 Passenger. Royal blue w/new blue convertible top. Like new cream leather int., new Michelins, great CarFax babied & beautiful.

Super collectors car/ daily driver. Avg. in autotrader is over $9,800.

One of the rarest Jaguars ever built...only 1,700 were custom built over 20 months. This car is one of the best in the USA. This exceptional Jag is only $6500. Drive it while it goes up in price.

Call 770-873-2627

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

***CALL TODAY!*** For a Free Estimate www.mandgtreeservice.com

VEHICLES

HONDA CIVIC SEDAN, 2014 Taffeta White, Stk#8407A $14,500 877-698-5030

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

Experienced Tree Work 20+ Years

•Licensed & Insured •All Tree Service Needs •Landscaping •Fencing •Land Clearing

PIT/BOXER FEMALE Spade, fawn/white, 8 mos. $180.

CHIHUAHUA Black/tan, F, 8 mos. $250. Crate $50. 404-205-3460

GMC SUBURBAN, 1997, 4-WHD, leather, 3rd seat, clean, almost new tires, 270,386 road mileage, very clean, great orig paint, tow pkg, very comfortable ride, 3rd seat incl, 17 mpg hwy. 2 owners.

Low mileage on 4 Michelins. $3500 CASH. 770-736-2643

OLDSMOBILE 88, 1999. Anniversary edition, 68,592 mi., good condition. $2800 Firm, cash only.

Call 770-633-9067

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

We offer 24 hour Emergency Service

PAPILLON PUP - Female. CKC reg. Parents on site. Hand raised in home. 1st shots & dewormed. Does not have Papillon white blaze markings, but very cute. $350, cash only please.

706-677-5229 or 770-262-9957

If your old stuff is collecting dust, it could be collecting cash!

Oak

770-962-SELL

UTILITY TRAILER 5X8 $150 OBO 770-464-2574

FORD TAURUS SE, 1999. Elderly owner, leather bucket seats, auto. roof. Perfect, extra clean! $1995 Firm.

770-616-7399

Bucket Truck Summer Seasoned

classifieds

LAWN & GARDEN

FORD FOCUS SE, 2005. 169k mi. VERY WELL KEPT. Exc. mechanical condition.

Clean inside/out, zero accidents. Everything works. $2950.

678-200-0812

FORD EXPEDITION, 1998. Red, 257k mi., does not run, needs repair. Call for details. Call Stacy 678-768-8420

Send cover letters and resumes to Editor Kathy Jefcoats at kjefcoats@news-daily.com.

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

FIREWOOD Select, Seasoned Hickory & Oak, $180/Cord or $120/Half Cord.

Delivered. MORE FOR YOUR MONEY! Gary, 404-772-1268

GOLDENDOODLES CKC, Beautiful Colors, Vet Checked, 1st Shots, $800/Each.

229-395-1729

The Clayton News is an award-winning community newspaper that produces quality print reporting every Wednesday and Saturday, and digital reporting every day through our website and social media. Check out our website at www.news-daily.com. Come join our staff in putting out the best local news south of Atlanta.

HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

Seasoned Oak & Hickory. Free delivery.

Call for prices.

CADILLAC DEVILLE, 2004. Purchased new.

Black with black leather interior, high mileage but well maintained.

New transmission 4 years ago. No dents or scratches. Seals recently replaced but without a warranty. New starter installed in Nov. $3300 404-906-8938

WANTED TO RENT Single Male, 68, clean, quiet, seeking a large room, rooms, or efficiency apartment with full bathroom that only I will be using and cleaning. Unrestricted kitchen privileges and laundry machine privileges are required. No drugs, drama, drunks. Call 470-248-5275 and listen carefully to my message. Gwinnett/South Hall or Jackson area.

The reporter will be responsible for covering Clayton County Board of Commission and the county’s municipalities. Other duties include features in Clayton and Henry counties and photography. The position requires night hours and occasionally weekend events.

HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

FIREWOOD

WANTED FOR RENT

CLAYTON NEWS HAS AN OPENING FOR A GOVERNMENT REPORTER EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

FLOORING

VEHICLES

ALL OAK FIREWOOD FOR SALE $120 “Heaping Truckload”, Stacked, Gwinnett Area.

404-805-1783

770-962-8744 678-557-8536

REPORTER

SERVICES

FIREWOOD

770-962-SELL

Project3_Classifieds 12/16/2015 3:51 PM Page B8

B8 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015 VEHICLES

gwinnettdailypost.com

VEHICLES

VEHICLES

MERCEDES-BENZ 450SL, 1977. Driven 2,500 miles/year. Wow, Fabulous. $7000 just spent on preventive maintenance, new red custom paint and Michelin tires. Tan leather.

Two tops. Owned & cherished by university pres. Extensive records. Looks super, drives great. NADA & Hagerty value $17,00036,000. Appreciating, spectacular, super bargain at only $10,700.

Call 770-895-7161

LINCOLN TOWN CAR, 2004 This one-owner, Lincoln Town Car Signature Series has been pampered and garaged most of its life. Less than 55,000 original miles on the car! Almost new Michelin tires.

It’s packed with loads of features including: wood-grain dash, leather, alloy wheels, dual power front seats, dual automatic climate control, steering wheel audio and ac control, remote key-less entry, automatic headlights, automatic loadleveling, ABS brakes, adjustable foot pedals and more. Drives and rides like a dream. $8750 404-663-1299 after 6pm.

Christmas 2015 Deadlines Publication Date: Thursday, 12/24 Ad Placement Deadline: Wednesday, 12/23 @ 1:00 pm

MERCEDES-BENZ 450SL, 1980.

Fabulous Christmas present that should appreciate rapidly in price.

Driven 4,500 miles per year. (120K MILES) Owned and cherished the last 15 years by an oil company president. All preventive maintenance completed. We just road tested it at over 100 miles/ hour.

It is fabulous. Near perfect blue with dark blue interior. Chrome wheels look like new.

Two tops this car can win trophies. This car just appraised at over $20,000 to $37,000 from Hagerty old car value guide. Take it to shows, drive it daily or use it as an investment as these cars are appreciating rapidly.

Only $10,900.

Call 770-895-7161

If your old stuff is collecting dust, it could be collecting cash!

MERCURY SABLE, 2005. Great tires, good body, cold air, runs good. Needs transmission. Sold for parts. $800 OBO. 770-866-5509

Gwinnett Daily Post

Publication Date: Friday, 12/25 Ad Placement Deadline: Wednesday, 12/23 @ 1:00 pm Publication Date: Sunday, 12/27 Ad Placement Deadline: Wednesday, 12/23 @ 2:00 pm Our Offices will be closed on Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th in observance of Christmas.

To Insure that your ad gets in please call our Classified Advertising Department early at 770-962-7355.

classifieds 770-962-SELL

300201-1

Your Dealership Should Be Easy To Find!

Duluth Hwy 12 0

400

Boggs Rd

S

B llite ate

N'S W O BR E G BRID

Exit 105 or 1 I-85N, I-85S, Exit 107.

Follow the signs to Boggs Road.

lvd

Boggs Rd

Hwy 316

COMMERCE

53

3 Hwy

.

ALPHARETTA

BUFORD

PEA CHT RE IND BLV E D

GWINNETT PLACE MALL

1

A RU VER IN RD

HEWATT RD

SNELLVILLE

LOGANVILLE

L

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M

LAWRENCEVILLE

LILBURN

N'LAKE MALL

DECATUR

WINDER

2

BE

TUCKER

MALL OF GA

BUFORD 2 Dr. Buford

DULUTH 4

400

MALL OF GA

r.

Buford D

NORTHPOINT MALL

ROSWELL

PERIMETER MALL

Buf

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9

75

60

Hwy

CUMMING

ATLANTA

GAINESVILLE

20

CONYERS

20

This map is not to scale and is for illustration purposes only.

719 Pike St, Lawrenceville 770-963-5251 www.hayeschrysler.com

2

NASH CHEVROLET 630 Scenic Hwy., Lawrenceville 770-963-9266 www.nashchevy.com

RICK HENDRICK

3 CHEVROLET OF BUFORD 4490 South Lee St., Buford, GA 30518 888-804-2957 www.hendrickbuford.com

RICK HENDRICK

4 CHEVROLET OF DULUTH 3277 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096 888-475-8808 www.hendrickatlanta.com

280565-1

HAYES LAWRENCEVILLE

1 CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP