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Gwinnett Daily Post THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
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Vol. 47, No. 6
Cops seek ‘armed, dangerous’ home invaders FROM STAFF REPORTS Gwinnett police released photos of two “armed and dangerous” suspects Wednesday who were reportedly involved in a home invasion that left a third suspect dead last week. Police need help identifying the two suspects caught on video in the home they
tried to rob in unincorporated Gwinnett County near the DeKalb County border shortly after 4 a.m. this past Friday. Detectives said a woman staying at the house near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard fatally shot Antonio Leeks, 28, of Atlanta after he kicked in the front door and was followed by two
other men. The woman, a local business owner, reportedly grabbed a handgun when she and a man staying at the house were awoken by the noise at 3575 Spring Drive off Winters Chapel Road. She struck Leeks in the torso, and at least one of See SUSPECTS, Page 7A
‘NOTHING LIKE
FOOD AT THE FAIR’ Tasty staples a perrenial draw for visitors BY CHRIS STEPHENS Staff Correspondent
LAWRENCEVILLE — Fried Oreos, turkey legs, roasted corn, funnel cakes and corn dogs are just some of the menu items that might leave your mouth salivating and your diet plan in the dust. But even if it means an extra workout or some extra calories for the week, those staples and others are what draw many folks to the Gwinnett County Fair. “It’s MORE ONLINE what Visit gwinnettdailypost. people com for more photos come to the fair for, right?” Lawrenceville resident Jeff Masters said while sampling the menus. “I like to come twice a year to the fair, and the food is one of my favorite parts.” While walking the Gwinnett Fairgrounds the rides light up the night sky but the many food stands are equally enticing with their bright lights and sometimes unique offerings. While some dishes can get somewhat exotic, for Masters, there’s one item he can’t do See FAIR, Page 7A
IF YOU GO What: Gwinnett County Fair When: Runs through Sunday Where: Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Prkwy., Lawrenceville More info: www.gwinnettcountyfair.com
Gwinnett police need help identifying two suspects who they say were involved in a home invasion that left another suspect dead in unincorporated Gwinnett, near the DeKalb County border Friday. (Special Photos)
Above, Elianah Stoica, 4, enjoys an ear of grilled corn at the 2016 Gwinnett County Fair on Monday in Lawrenceville. At top are funnel cake with fruit topping, a fair staple, and turkey legs on the grill (Photos: Chris Roughgarden)
Archer High principal responds Student’s racially insensitive comments set campus on edge BY KEITH FARNER keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com
Administrators at Archer High School this week are trying to tamp down emotions following racially insensitive comments made by a student on social media. Principal Ken Johnson wrote a letter to the community saying school officials are working to address the issue with the student and his family. Johnson wrote that administrators learned about the comments on Tuesday. The student wrote racial slurs about the number of black people at the school. “As you can imagine, these comments were concerning to individuals at our school and in our community and hurtful to others. … Concerns have been raised that other students may act out in retaliation or protest,” Johnson wrote. “We continue to talk to students and remain vigilant to ensure our school remains a safe, secure and orderly place for all of our students.” Gwinnett County Public Schools spokesman Bernard Watson said administrators at the school are talking with students and trying to, “Let everybody vent and continue to make sure things are fine and safe at the school.” On social media, students have warned each other that if they wear black on Friday they will receive a referral or suspension, and others have made reference to “black lives matter.” But Watson said school leaders are encouraging students to wear red to support the school. Johnson also wrote that it’s important to talk about the issue, and that while words can be hurtful, the Archer community cannot let the words of one person disrupt the school. “I know that the posted comments do not represent our community,” he wrote. “I see the strong relationships between our students every day. Our community is a strong, vibrant section of our county. It is a community that cares about its children and about providing them a bright future. We are a community that works through tough times … we are a community that sticks together. We are home to more than 2,600 students who all come to us with their own story, history, and background. They laugh and learn together. And now we must lead together … realizing that we are different and that this is a strength of our community.”
Wilbanks talks ballot measure, teacher salaries at Chamber event Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce at the Infinite Energy Forum in an annual lunDULUTH — J. Alvin cheon speech that updated Wilbanks steered clear on the business community on Wednesday of taking an public education in Gwinopinion in the simmering de- nett and issues that affect the bate across the state of how state and country. to improve underperforming Wilbanks addressed the schools. district’s upcoming acThe Gwinnett County creditation review, upcoming Public Schools CEO/Suchanges in how teachers’ perintendent addressed the pay is determined, and new BY KEITH FARNER
keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com
federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act, that replaced the No Child Left Behind law. Near the end of his speech, Wilbanks covered Amendment 1, which will be on the November ballot. At issue is how to improve failing schools and whether leadership for those turnaround See WILBANKS, Page 7A
Gwinnett County Public Schools CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks, middle, talks with Gwinnett Chamber President Dan Kaufman, left, and former Gwinnett County Commissioner and real estate developer Wayne Mason after a Chamber luncheon where Wilbanks gave an update on the school district. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner)
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