August 5, 2020 — Gwinnett Daily Post

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, august 5, 2020 ♦ A3

WORLD

Huge explosion rocks Beirut, injuring hundreds across Lebanese capital A massive explosion ripped through central Beirut on Tuesday, injuring hundreds of people and blowing out windows in buildings across the city.

The blast near the port in the Lebanese capital sent up a huge mushroom cloud-shaped shockwave, flipping cars and damaging buildings miles away.

An “uncountable” number of people were wounded by the blast, the state-run National News Agency reported, and footage from the scene captured the injured staggering through streets in the capital. One eyewitness described the scenes as “like an apocalypse.”

There were conflicting reports on what caused the explosion, which was initially blamed on a major fire at a warehouse for firecrackers near the port, according to NNA. The director of the general security directorate later said the blast was caused by confiscated “high explosive materials,” but did not provide further details.

US sent Brazil millions of hydroxychloroquine doses; Months later, they’re still in storage The Trump administration’s donation of 2 million doses of hydroxychloroquine to Brazil — one of a handful of countries that still recommend the drug for COVID-19 — has been mostly untouched since arrival, Brazilian officials have told CNN. Vast quantities of the pills are still sitting in storage in the Brazilian megacity of São Paulo, and one former health minister believes they may eventually have to be destroyed.

The pills’ fate in Brazil is appropriate given their medical uselessness against COVID-19: Study after study has shown hydroxychloroquine does not work to treat the coronavirus, and may be harmful. Yet Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro insists that hydroxychloroquine helped him recover from a two-week infection, and Brazil’s health ministry advises that doctors prescribe the drug to treat mild cases, even for pregnant women.

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus infections in the country is skyrocketing.

BP will pour billions into green energy, slash oil production by 40% BP is planning to slash oil and gas production and pour billions of dollars into clean energy as part of a major strategic overhaul unveiled on Tuesday, alongside a huge second quarter loss and dividend cut.

The London-based company said that it plans a 10fold increase in annual low carbon investments to $5 billion by 2030 as it tries to deliver on its promise of net zero emissions by 2050 and prepares for a world that uses much less oil. BP shares rose as much as 8% in London.

“This coming decade is critical for the world in the fight against climate change, and to drive the necessary change in global energy systems will require action from everyone,” BP said in a statement.

— From wire reports

WORLD & NATION Pelosi on COVID-19 stimulus price tag she’s willing to settle for: ‘$3.4 trillion’

By Manu Raju

CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that she still wants a sweeping stimulus deal this week — but she made it clear she is not budging on the price tag put forward by House Democrats, reflecting how far apart the two sides are despite days of talks.

Asked if she has an idea on the price tag she’s willing to settle for, Pelosi told CNN bluntly: “Yeah, $3.4 trillion.”

That price tag has been rejected by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who last week put forward the Senate GOP plan that would cost roughly $1 trillion and has attacked House Democrats’ $3 trillion-plus bill that passed their chamber more than two months ago. And even some centrist House and Senate Democrats are squeamish about backing such an eye-popping price tag proposed by the speaker.

Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows have already met six times behind closed doors — and are not near an agreement on range of issues, including expiring jobless benefits and extending the expired federal eviction moratori-

special photo: drew angerer/getty images

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi addresses onlookers during her weekly news conference at the Capitol on July 31. Speaker Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are expected to speak by phone with White House officials throughout the weekend as they continue to negotiations about extending unemployment benefits amidst the coronavirus pandemic. um, according to both sides.

Pelosi, when asked if it’s really feasible to get a deal this week given how far apart the two sides are, said Tuesday: “At some point you just have to freeze the design.”

Pelosi’s comments come as anxiety is growing in the Senate GOP conference that the administration might sign onto a deal that lacks the support of many Senate Republicans. While McConnell is getting briefed regularly on the talks, he has chosen not to join the closed-door discussions, saying President Donald Trump is the

NATION

Isaias ‘racing’ up the East Coast, threatens tornadoes, storm surges, flooding Tropical Storm Isaias is charging up the East Coast, causing rapid flooding, water rescues and the threat of New York’s strongest winds since Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

At least one person was killed by the storm in North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper told ABC’s “Good Morning America” Tuesday morning.

Now the storm is headed to major cities in the Northeast, knocking out power as the country simultaneously grapples with coronavirus.

Isaias made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane late Monday night near Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, the National Hurricane Center said.

More than 30 million people were under tornado watches as of Tuesday afternoon, CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller said.

Study: Jails can spread coronavirus to nearby communities Jails can be a large source of coronavirus spread both inside the facility and in the surrounding communities, researchers reported Monday.

Inmates going in and out of Chicago’s Cook County Jail appear to have carried the infection as they went, the researchers reported in the journal Health Affairs.

Across the country, those behind bars have been hit hard by the pandemic and many prisons have been identified

by U.S. officials as coronavirus hotspots. In an effort

Jason lee/ap

No swimming flags fly over a lifeguard stand in downtown Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. to downsize their populations, some facilities have made transfers while others have released certain qualified inmates.

In Illinois, data suggests more than 4,700 coronavirus cases through April 19 were associated with 2,129 individuals going through the Cook County Jail in March, researchers from Harvard University’s Department of Anthropology and the Center National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris said.

The jail may be linked with 15.7% of all documented cases in the state and 15.9% in Chicago, they said.

Trump cites Lewis’ decision to not attend inauguration in talks about icon’s legacy President Donald Trump downplayed the legacy of the late civil rights icon John Lewis in a new interview, instead repeatedly pointing to the Georgia Democrat’s decision to not attend his 2017 inauguration.

“I don’t know. I really don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know John Lewis. He chose not to come to my inaugu-

100-year-old Girl Scout camp saved

By Elizabeth Worthington CNN

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PA — At 100 years old, Camp Archbald in Brooklyn Township is the second-oldest Girl Scout camp in the United States. For the last two and a half years, girl scouts here didn’t know if it would be their last summer spent at the camp near Kingsley.

But now, thanks to the work of a group called Sup-

only person who can sign legislation into law so the White House should take the lead.

“I always want to be able to have a senator in the room and negotiations,” Sen. James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, said when asked about McConnell not participating in the closed-door talks.

“I always do,” Lankford said when asked if he thinks it would be better if McConnell should sit down with Democrats. “We have a House, a Senate and White House — we have three institutions.

MUST READ porters of Camp Archbald, staff and campers can look forward to coming back next summer, and every year after that.

“Oh, gosh, it’s been so overwhelming. It just came out last week, and I can’t even keep up with the amount of response that we’ve gotten,” said supporter Emily Loder.

Back in 2018, there was talk of the camp property going up for sale, and the

future of the camp has been in question ever since.

“We had girls that were absolutely devastated that this would be taken away from them, you know? If they had gone there a couple years when they were younger, it’s a really big deal when you’re at camp.

Girls learn how to swim for the first time, or they learn how to use a knife to cut an apple, and through those opportunities, those are the ones who end up

ration,” Trump said during an interview with Axios that aired Monday when asked how he thought history would remember Lewis, adding that he probably never met the the late congressman.

“I can’t say one way or the other” Trump said when asked if he thought Lewis was impressive.

“I find a lot of people impressive. I find many people not impressive,” he continued.

“He didn’t come — he didn’t come to my inauguration.

He didn’t come to my state of the union speeches. And that’s OK. That’s his right.”

“He should’ve come. I think he made a big mistake,” he said.

Educators face new cases and shifting guidance as they try to reopen schools safely As COVID-19 case counts continue to climb, schools starting up the new academic year are faced with the task of creating a safe environment for students and teachers — even as students test positive and safety guidance shifts.

“I believe strongly that if we brought the kids all in,

If we have got just a White House and a House negotiating, we are leaving out the Senate ... and I think we have something to say.”

And GOP senators, particularly ones facing reelection, are uneasy about returning home to voters and begin next week’s August recess if no deal is reached by then.

“Yes,” GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is facing reelection in South Carolina, said when asked if the August recess starting next should be canceled if there isn’t a deal done. “I agree with that.” it would endanger not only the teachers but also their family and, of course, the students themselves,” Jeff Gregorich, superintendent of Hayden Winkelman Unified School District in Arizona, told CNN on Monday.

Concerns over students’ educational, psychological and nutritional needs have pushed many school districts to make plans that include in-person learning. But cases have resurged across the country, and new research is starting to challenge the idea behind guidance by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that children are less likely to spread the virus, sending administrators to strategize over how to keep students safe on campuses.

Most schools can and should reopen, though safety and health must always be the “primary consideration,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on Monday.

Trump signs conservation funding law that will aid national parks President Donald Trump signed a measure Tuesday that will fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund — a program his administration’s budget proposals had repeatedly tried to cut.

The legislation signing marks an important political win for Republican Sens.

Cory Gardner of Colorado and Steve Daines of Montana, who both hail from conservation-minded states and face tough reelection races this November.

— From wire reports

PEOPLE

Val Kilmer after tracheotomy: ‘I feel a lot better than I sound’ Val Kilmer likens acting after throat cancer changed his voice to learning a new language.

“It’s just like any other language or dialect,” he said during an interview Monday on “Good Morning America.”

“You have to figure out a way to communicate that’s no different than any other acting challenge but it’s just a very unique set of circumstances.”

The venerable actor underwent a tracheotomy which has completely altered his voice and can sometimes make communicating difficult.

But Kilmer’s not letting it stop him.

“I’m doing great, I feel a lot better than I sound,” he said during the interview.

Ta-Nehisi Coates is guest editing the September issue of Vanity Fair Award-winning author and writer Ta-Nehisi Coates will guest edit the September issue of Vanity Fair, the magazine’s editor-in-chief Radhika Jones told CNN Business in an exclusive interview.

The issue will focus on art, activism and power in 21st century America. Jones said she and Coates had been talking about the opportunity for a while. Vanity Fair profiled Coates for last year’s September issue.

“I’ve been a great admirer of Ta-Nehisi’s work for many years,” Jones told CNN Business. “When he writes, he really sets an agenda for national conversation. We had been wanting to work with him for some time now and this project unfolded out of this dialogue, out of what we’ve all been seeing happening in our country for the last few months. It was a natural fit for me.”

Coates gained notoriety for his critique of American culture and racial commentary.

Harry Shearer talks ‘Simpsons’ decision on White actors voicing non-White characters Harry Shearer voices multiple characters on “The Simpsons” — including a Black doctor — and has some thoughts about White actors voicing non-White characters on the long-running animated series.

“I have a very simple belief about acting,” Shearer said during an interview Monday with Matt Chorley on Times Radio. “The job of the actor is to play someone who they’re not.”

It was announced in June that the beloved series would no longer use White actors to play non-White characters. The decision followed one of its stars, Hank Azaria, saying he would be willing to stop voicing the South Asian character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

Like Azaria, Shearer also plays several characters on “The Simpsons” including African American doctor Julius Hibbert.

When asked if he thought the show’s decision was a mistake, he said he wasn’t “opining publicly on that matter” and joked “We don’t get paid by the voice.”

— From wire reports

special photo: wnep

After two years of uncertainty, a century-old Girl Scout camp can officially stay open. becoming Olympic swim- ences,” Loder said. not sell the property, and it mers or world-class chefs Last week, the Girl Scout will help the camp develop because of those experi- Council announced it would a long-term business plan.

A4 ♦ Wednesday, august 5, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.com COLUMNIST I KEITH ROACH

WEATHER WATCH

Most people with A1C of 7% do have diabetes

D

EAR DR. ROACH: My recent fasting blood test showed my glucose number as 99, but the A1C said 7%. My doctor immediately wanted to put me on metformin, but I refused for two reasons: 1. I am a senior, 69 years Roach old, and I heard this medicine’s side effects could be dangerous; 2. I am not convinced I have Type 2 diabetes, because I don’t exhibit any of the symptoms.

I am 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weigh 130 pounds, and I am full of energy. I eat healthy and get adequate exercise.

However, I am under a lot of stress because I take care of my mom, who has dementia. It’s been nine years. Can stress cause a rise in blood sugar? I have taken Lipitor since 2008, and that’s when the trouble started. Do I really need treatment?

— M.B. ANSWER: The A1C level measures the amount of sugar molecules attached to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. In people with normal hemoglobin, the A1C is an accurate representation of the person’s average blood sugar over the past couple of months. A repeated A1C of over 6.5% makes the diagnosis of diabetes.

There are two caveats. The first is that the A1C is unreliable for people with abnormal hemoglobin or those who have medical conditions causing red blood cells to be broken up too quickly (especially hemolytic anemias) or broken up too slowly (such as iron, B12 or folic acid deficiency).

The second is that the level should be confirmed on a different day. Since you don’t have symptoms, confirming the result is particularly important. A glucose tolerance test remains the most accurate way of confirming the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.

Most people with an A1C of 7% do have diabetes. You have at least one risk factor for diabetes, and that is the atorvastatin (Lipitor) you are taking. Statins can precipitate diabetes in those predisposed to getting it. It is worth discussing with your doctor your risk for heart disease and reconsidering the need for continued statin use. Chronic stress, which can cause elevated levels of cortisone, does have a small effect on blood sugar, but seldom enough to cause overt diabetes.

Your BMI is 24, which is normal, but individual body composition has an impact on diabetes as well. People with large waist circumference for their height are more predisposed. Most people have room to improve their diet and exercise. It may be worth consulting with a diabetes educator or dietitian nutritionist, as treatment with lifestyle is preferred over medications.

Not everyone with an A1C of 7% needs medication. Many experts advise against prescribing blood sugar lowering medications for people in their 60s and older unless the A1C is higher than yours.

The exact number remains controversial, but an A1C of 7% is reasonable as long as it is not heading up. If you do require medication, metformin is the usual first-line choice, although there are other options.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible.

Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med. cornell.edu or send mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.

TODAY

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the solunar tables for lakes are based on studies that show fish and game are more active at certain times during the lunar period.

MAJOR 1:26-3:26 a.m.............1:48-3:48 p.m.

MINOR 7:27-8:27 a.m. .......... 9:01-10:01 p.m.

POLLEN COUNTS trees: low Weeds: low grass: moderate

LOTTERY LOTTERY Wednesday cash 3 midday: 0-5-4 cash 4 midday: 2-7-1-4 ga. 5 midday: 4-8-0-4-9 Tuesday cash 3 midday: 0-0-4 cash 3 evening: 4-4-2 cash 3 night: 7-5-6 cash 4 midday: 2-4-9-9 cash 4 evening: 6-0-1-7 cash 4 night: 0-3-2-6 ga. 5 midday: 9-0-8-7-3 ga. 5 evening: 1-3-5-6-1 Fantasy 5: 18-24-34-36-42

91 70

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91 71

LAKE LEVELS

SOLUNAR TABLES the gwinnett daily post (upsp 921-980, issn 1086-0096) is published Wednesday, Friday and sunday by scni, 725 old norcross Road, lawrenceville, ga 30045. periodical postage paid at lawrenceville, ga 30044. postmasteR: send address changes to gwinnett daily post, p.o. Box 603, lawrenceville, ga 30046-0603.

HOROSCOPES

Lake Full Yesterday allatoona ............(840.0) .....840.17 Blackshear ......... (237.0) .... 236.92 Blue Ridge........(1690.0) .. 1685.09 Burton..............(1865.0) .. 1865.04 carters.............(1072.0) ...1073.90 chatuge ........... (1927.0) .. 1924.55 Harding .............. (521.0) .... 520.61 Hartwell .............(660.0) .... 659.90 Jackson..............(530.0) .... 528.70

Lake Full Yesterday lanier............... (1071.0) ...1071.30 nottely..............(1779.0) ... 1774.14 oconee ..............(435.0) .... 434.65 seminole...............(77.5) .......76.94 sinclair ...............(339.8) .... 338.65 thurmond ..........(330.0) .....329.41 tugalo ................ (891.5) .... 889.43 Walter F. george.(188.0) .... 188.25 West point..........(635.0) .....635.41

TODAY IN HISTORY TODAY’S HISTORY: in 1884, the cornerstone for the statue of liberty’s pedestal was installed on Bedloe’s island in new york Harbor. in 1962, marilyn monroe was found dead in her los angeles home. in 1981, president Ronald Reagan began to fire 11,359 striking air-traffic controllers for violating his order to return to work. in 2010, a cave-in at the san Jose mine near copiapo, chile, trapped 33 miners 2,300 feet underground.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: guy de maupassant (1850-1893), author/poet; Joseph merrick aka “the elephant man” (1862-1890); John Huston (1906-1987), actor/director; neil armstrong (19302012), astronaut; Herb Brooks (19372003), hockey coach; loni anderson

(1945- ), actress; david Baldacci (1960), novelist; patrick ewing (1962- ), basketball player; adam yauch (19642012), rapper; James gunn (1970- ), filmmaker; travie mccoy (1981- ), rapper; lolo Jones (1982- ), olympic athlete.

TODAY’S FACT: norma Jeane Baker began using the name marilyn monroe in 1946, but did not legally change her name until 1956.

TODAY’S SPORTS: in 1979, pete Rose of the philadelphia phillies hit his 2,427th career single, breaking Honus Wagner’s national league record. Rose would finish his career with 3,215 singles, a majorleague record that still stands.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “patriotism is a kind of religion; it is the egg from which wars are hatched.” -- guy de maupassant, “my uncle sosthenes”

READER’S GUIDE

Gwinnett Daily Post editor – todd cline main office – 770-963-9205

monday through Friday to start your subscription.

Classified Ads: classifieds can be placed at the main office 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; phone the gwinnett daily post lines open 24 hours, seven invites your input. Here are days a week by calling 770some guidelines to help you 236-9988. email: classified@ communicate with us. gwinnettdailypost.com Subscription Rates: Legal Notices: Hours are 9 subscription rate is $99 plus a.m. to 4 p.m., mon.-Fri. the fax sales tax for one year, limited number is 770-339-8082. Reach delivery areas. call 770-339the legal resource center at 7705845 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

963-9205, ext. 1161 or 1162.

COLUMNIST|AMY DICKINSON

Who To Call

To Report a News Item: Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., mon.-sat. call 770-339-5850. editor todd cline is at 770-9639205, ext. 1300; sports editor Will Hammock is at 770-9639205, ext. 1310. to request a photo, call 770-963-9205, ext.

1327.

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com between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Wednesday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and noon sunday. if your paper delivery is missed, we no longer redeliver on each delivery day. We only redeliver on sunday. all other delivery days that are missed, we will have this paper delivered with the next day paper delivery at the request of the customer.

Honored as a newspaper of General Excellence

2018

Future husband sings a ‘me’ tune

D

EAR AMY: I want a woman’s perspective.

My soon-to-be wife is now hesitant to marry me because I want to live elsewhere during the winter.

I’m a 30-year-old business owner and my company doesn’t really do work from Christmas to March. My fiancee and I have talked about how I will go on a three-week mountain trip in Belize, followed by a four-week hiatus trip to Costa Rica during the frigid months.

We have decided not to have children, so we can travel and live a fun and stressfree life. I have discussed buying a house in Belize this winter, for my future winter hideaway.

Last night, her tone changed. She says I’m not allowed to go away longer than one month all winter.

She has her own cleaning company so she can’t leave her clients for more than a week.

So here I am, 30 years old, on the cusp of marriage, with ambitions to retire before 40, letting her live rent- and expense-free in my house that I paid for.

And now she says I can’t enjoy my winter months in a sun-filled oasis?

I would have arranged to pay for all expenses/mortgage/plowing/wood stacked in basement/etc. — but she’s still mad.

So now I have to put my

life on hold and ride the couch at home all winter, or should I go and live my life?

—SouthDickinson Bound D E A R SOUTH-BOUND: Here are my thoughts: You are approaching marriage singing the “Me” song: “Me, me, me, me, me...”

Your thoughts of the future are all about you. You and your plans, your possessions, your property, and your sun- and fun-filled winters.

(But at least you’ll pay to have wood stacked in the basement, so she can return home from her cleaning business and make herself a toasty fire.)

Your future wife does not get to tell you what you are “allowed” to do.

But marriage is all about compromise — and you don’t seem capable of that.

DEAR AMY: Our son and his girlfriend of five years broke up a couple of months ago.

For the last 18 months our son has had a job in New York City, while the girlfriend stayed in his condo in Los Angeles.

She traveled to NYC every two or three months, and they talked to each other every morning and evening, with, “I love you,” starting

and ending their talk time.

Sometime after January, she broke off the relationship.

She refused to see our son as he arrived in LA hoping to discuss the relationship, with the hopes of rekindling it.

Neither my wife nor I know why she has rejected him in this way.

We looked upon the girlfriend as a daughter and future daughter-in-law.

She told us not to see, call or continue the relationship, although she did say that we were like second parents to her.

Are we supposed to simply forget her, or after some time should/could we contact her?

Our son never discusses her, as he attempts to recover from the end of their relationship.

— Torn and Troubled in LA DEAR TORN AND TROUBLED: Breaking up is hard enough — but for your son and his ex, the challenge of losing an important relationship is made even harder by the fact that you parents are so dialed in, bewildered, and upset. Instead of offering reassurance, you seem to be making this very tough time at least partially about you and your loss.

For parents, it is definitely tough — and occasionally heartbreaking — to lose an important in-law relationship abruptly and without

explanation, and yet, that’s how breakups often work.

When an unmarried couple breaks up, they frequently also break off their ties to one another’s families.

In short, you are going to have to tolerate this loss.

You do not need to forget this woman who held such an important place in your family, but you do need to move on. You could contact her around the holiday season, but because she is asking you not to be in touch, you should respect her wishes.

You dwelling on this loss does not make things easier for your son. You should respect his wishes, and — if prompted — encourage him to look ahead with some optimism.

DEAR AMY: “Confused in Kansas” was a political liberal who expressed concern about flying the American flag outside her home.

Thank you for urging her to take back the flag.

— Also Liberal DEAR ALSO: If you don’t surrender the flag in the first place, you’ll never have to worry about taking it back.

You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: ASKAMY@amydickinson. com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or “like” her on Facebook.

Restrictions can build strength of character and make you realize what’s truly important to you. put your health and personal pleasures first. you may not like the changes that take place this year, but you will discover you can save money, find peace of mind and have a chance to live a simpler lifestyle.

LEO (July 23-aug. 22) — information you receive will help you make a progressive move. put your energy into using your skills diversely and achieving your goals. personal improvement will pay off.

VIRGO (aug. 23-sept. 22) — self-assessment will help you gain insight into what you need to do to reach your objective. Research rules and regulations that you’ll need to abide by to proceed.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) — Find a way to keep others occupied and out of your way. anger and frustration will stand between you and what you plan to accomplish. self-improvement will motivate you.

SCORPIO (oct. 24-nov.

22) — don’t let others influence how you go about your business. a positive change at home will bring you peace of mind and encourage you to hone a skill that will help you get ahead.

SAGITTARIUS (nov. 23dec. 21) — Handle your investments, documents and contracts yourself. someone will take advantage of you if given a chance. Honesty will be vital to maintaining good connections.

CAPRICORN (dec. 22Jan. 19) — look at what you are up against, make adjustments and rethink your strategy before moving forward. a change at home won’t please everyone.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — make fitness, proper diet, health and emotional well-being your priorities. Honesty will play a role when dealing with relationship issues. physical activity will motivate you to make changes.

PISCES (Feb. 20-march 20) — Reach out to an organization you believe in, and do your part to make a difference. someone from your past will have an impact on the changes you make.

ARIES (march 21-april 19) — don’t stop until you have taken care of your responsibilities. let your actions speak for you, and you will gain respect and the assistance you need to reach your target.

TAURUS (april 20-may 20) — size up what you will have to do, and formulate a strategy that will ensure your success. your actions will have the most significant impact. stubbornness will work against you.

GEMINI (may 21-June 20) — don’t let distancing shove you out of the loop. stay in touch with your associates and on top of what’s going on within the industry you work.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — anger won’t help you get your way, but channeling your energy into doing the best job possible will bring good results. choose your battles and associates wisely.

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gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, august 5, 2020 ♦ A5

PERSPECTIVES

Gwinnett Daily Post www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline,

Editor and SCNI Vice President of Content todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

COLUMNIST|DAVID CARROLL

Where’s the campaign mute button?

C

ongratulations, Tennessee, you’re much for my budding political empire. getting national attention. Out of What kind of campaign would I have all the states holding elections run? Would I have been so power-hunthis year, you are holding “The Nasti- gry that I would have shed my decency est Primary in the Country,” accord- to win at any cost? My wife would not ing to Politico. have allowed that to happen. She is I work in the television business, honest to a fault, sometimes painfully which runs on advertising dolso. If I had promised to clean lars. Yet people tell me that they up crime, she would have stood mute their TV when they see ads up and yelled, “Then why won’t for Bill Hagerty or Manny Sethi, you pick up your dirty socks, both of whom are running for Mr. Clean?” the United States Senate.

I asked someone close to a The race has turned into a daily candidate about this year’s nasty battle of one-upsmanship, with ads, and he told me, “It’s out of each calling out the other for a his hands. These campaigns are Carroll seemingly endless list of sins. largely funded and run by out-ofThe photos of their opponents state political groups. They know are doctored to make them appear evil these ads work, and they run them all and menacing. over the nation. But I promise you, once “My opponent once made eye con- he wins, he can be himself.” tact with Barack Obama!” Countered I responded, “So let’s say he wins. by, “You think that’s bad, my oppo- Six years from now, if he runs for renent was in the same room with Mitt election and it’s a tight race, will he Romney!” “Oh yeah, well my opponent employ these same despicable tactics?” starts his day with a cup of coffee. Just I didn’t hear back, but I think we all like Nancy Pelosi.” “Aw, that’s nothing! know the answer.

My opponent once had 11 items in his I grew up in Alabama, where four-term buggy in the “10 items or less” lane. Is Governor George Wallace was the king that the kind of man you want repre- of nasty campaign tactics. In 1958, he senting us?” lost his first bid for governor and soon Or something like that. I have started realized he had been beaten in the game muting them, too. I feel like I need a of gutter politics. Using a then-common shower after watching their ads. racist epithet, he famously vowed that he I can say this because I have never would never allow that to happen again. run for office. Even though I idolized Sure enough, four years later, he took the politicians who visited my family’s the low road. He never again lost a statestore when I was a kid, I’ve never taken wide election. the plunge. I guess there’s never been (Ironically, in 1982, still suffering that “groundswell” that candidates often from a 1972 assassination attempt, he cite when announcing their intentions. won his fourth and final term after exYou know what I’m talking about. pressing sincere remorse about his preIt’s in every newspaper story about a vious tactics. He apologized to those he potential candidate. “People are com- offended and won enough of their votes ing out of the woodwork asking me to to prevail.) run, but for now, I’m just exploring the Even the few positive ads we see topossibility of a race.” Translation: “I day appear to be factory-made. Do all wish some people would ask me to run, of these candidates wear plaid/checked and better yet, send me some money.” shirts, carry guns, inherit their deep reFor a brief time, I considered dip- ligious convictions from saintly parents, ping my toe in the political puddle. A and amass their million-dollar fortunes high-ranking local officeholder asked by “starting from scratch?” Sure, some me to come by for a quick chat. We of this may be real. But you have to wonhad a good relationship, but I couldn’t der, don’t you? imagine what this was about. He told Oh, and I’m not just picking on Tenme, “I’m up for re-election in a couple nessee here. My friends in Georgia and of years, but I’m ready to retire. You Alabama, your Senate races are heatwould be the ideal person to succeed ing up and likely headed for the mud me. My employees do all the work, and pit as well. Go ahead and find that I know you would keep things running mute button. smoothly.”

I was flattered, and I told him I would David Carroll, a Chattanooga news anchor, is the author of “Volunteer think about it. Before I could render Bama Dawg,” available on his website, a decision, he decided to run for reChattanoogaRadioTV.com. You may election anyway. My ego was further deflated when I learned he had made contact him at radiotv2020@yahoo.com, the same pitch to several others who or 900 Whitehall Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405. would have been “the ideal person.” So

COLUMNIST|TOM PURCELL

A

America means freedom to them

friend of mine can’t for the life of him Alexandria, about a fellow who made it to understand why some Americans America from Vietnam. Speaking no Engare clamoring to replace capitalism lish, he worked as a janitor for a fellow imwith socialism. migrant who’d managed to purchase and Born in Vietnam, he was a young boy run a handful of fast food restaurants. when he and his family barely escaped that The fellow learned English. He became communist nation amid gunfire. a cook and server, then an assistant manAmerica welcomed his family among thou- ager, then the head manager. He saved. sands of Vietnamese refugees. His Last I heard, he owned three Taco father, now in his 90s, sees his chilBells and was living in a nice home dren living his vision of the Ameriin suburban Alexandria.

Two of my favorite people in Alcan dream: they’re educated, with exandria ran Pat’s Market, a small good jobs and flourishing families. convenience store – brothers born My friend said all that he and his family ever wanted was the freedom and raised in India. The older brother to rise or fall on their own merits – had been a professor at a technical the freedom he was denied in his college, but when he and his wife Purcell native country. married, they wanted better opporI met a number of people like my tunities for their children. So he emiVietnamese friend while living in the Wash- grated to America. ington, D.C., region for nearly 10 years.

Unable to secure teaching work in AlMy landlord there and his family barely exandria, he become a cook, busboy and survived civil war in Lebanon. We became janitor. He saved and brought his wife over. friends and he told me his story.

They saved more and brought his four sibHis father had two successful business- lings over, as well as his mother and father. es in Beirut until civil war broke out. The Eventually, they saved enough to purchase family lost everything and was stuck in a the market, as well as a motel. When I last bombed-out apartment building for more spoke with them, both brothers beamed than four years. as they told me they had children in mediIn 1977, I was a carefree teen in a Pitts- cal school. burgh suburb. He was dragging dead bodies There’s one thing all these wonderful into the street and setting them on fire – the immigrants have in common: They love only way to get rid of the horrible stench. America, because they love the freedom Eventually, his father scraped enough that allowed them to pursue happiness. money together to get the family to Cyprus.

I wish native-born Americans eager to A few years later, they arrived in America hand their freedom over to a socialist form and settled in Alexandria, Va. He and his of government could spend some time siblings – who only a few years before were with them. destined to become lawyers and doctors Millions of immigrants know how pre– took jobs as busboys, dishwashers and cious and volatile freedom can be – and hotel cleaners. why we Americans should be vigilant safeThey saved until they had enough money guarding it. to open a bakery, which is flourishing still, affording them the means to live their verTom Purcell is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review humor columnist. Send comments to Tom at sion of the American dream.

Tom@TomPurcell.com.

I learned of another immigrant story in

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: EmAil: letters@gwinnettdailypost.com mAil: 725 Old Norcross Road Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30046 the gwinnett daily post encourages letters to the editor on topics of general interest, but reserves the right to edit them for content and length. letters should be no longer than 400 words and must include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number for verification purposes.

COLUMNIST|LORAN SMITH

A new book — conjuring small town memories — from the great Terry Kay

T

erry Kay has more stories to tell than he could ever get around to typing. His autobiography, alone, if he were to embark on that definitive journey, would be difficult to bring to a conclusion. One sketch, one profile or gripping scene from the past would lead to countless others.

He is a ’50s guy whose saltof-the-earth family life gave him perspective and ambition but without avarice and greed. His was a time when austerity embraced much of society and constantly reminded him by its rural existence that in doing well there was a responsibility to do right.

There was motivation to get off the farm, which spawned him, but to never lose the grasp of its influence and teachings. Life is a collection of short stories, but to enjoy fulfillment in the end, there is a moral code to respect. He can pen a compelling novel without a single word of pro-

fanity, which few authors can do although it is a simple matter of choice. Four letter words in their own right are graphic, but does that make the narrative better? More illuminating? More engrossing or insightful?

Terry’s latest book, his 18th, is a love story with a story line with which you are likely familiar. Lovers in high school go their separate ways following graduation but reconnect in their doting years — forever wondering what might have been.

Published by the Mercer University Press, with which Kay has often been allied in his publishing career, “The Forever Wish of Middy Sweet,” has a “small town” narrative that has enraptured so many of us. There are Friday Night Lights, a barbershop, a funeral home, an independent motel and a high school made up of nondescript athletes with more ambition than talent.

As is often the case, they,

nonetheless, had their insights, discerning signature moments. words and flowing Luke, the leading vignettes that make male character in Teryou pontificate your ry’s novel is a learned own past with your teacher who gained fullong ago friends. “That fillment from hanging could have been my out at the library and teammate. That could Smith advancing the cause of have been my teacher. a place where kids toThat could have been day would only flock if there my best friend’s girl friend.” were pot smoking and loud There are sidebars, which music instead of “Quiet Please” illuminate the narrative of a signs and water coolers. seasoned writer who never Middy, Luke’s girlfriend, expected to be what he is qualified for homecoming — a fine-tuned story teller queen, Miss Congeniality who has enjoyed an accomand the most likely to suc- plished career from an occeed. She married well but cupation he never expected to a rich and abusive hus- to pursue. band. After his death she The farm Terry grew up couldn’t wait to return home on was near Royston. He to try to find romance and was the 11th of 12 children. happiness.

Somehow, they all escaped Everything about this book, dysfunction. There was not its place and characters are a single black sheep, no bad cloaked in a modesty, befit- apples. He has two brothting small-town living. You ers who earned doctorates are uplifted with the author’s — one at NYU and one at ability to weave a suspense- Vanderbilt — which allows ful story with penetrating a glimpse into what farm

chores, brotherhood, good parenting and focused ambition can bring about.

Playing high school football, Terry was a quarterback, who learned what it was like to run the show.

The name of the signature play, designed to fool the opposition in his book and brought Luke enduring local fame, was “Hoo Doo Voo.” It didn’t work as well against Lavonia in real life as it did in his book.

“When I got started with the book,” Terry says, “I wasn’t sure where it would go, but the possibilities did intrigue me. Oddly, I enjoyed writing about the place as much as the characters involved.”

A former sports writer with the Atlanta Journal, Terry’s writing career was influenced by Furman Bisher, one of the great sportswriters of our time, and Jim Minter, who is a far better writer that those who give out awards and serenade

local writers are aware. A member of the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame, Terry has been named Georgia Author of the Year four times. His book, “To Dance with the White Dog,” has sold over two million copies, worldwide. In Japan, the book was turned into a movie.

Terry says this could be his last book, but that would be a loss, for those who know and appreciate him — greater than the Hoo Doo Voo play that failed to go 80 yards against Lavonia once upon a time.

It is fitting that book success and honor has come Terry Kay’s way. He deserves it.

Furman Bisher is not here to add an exclamation point, so I’ll do it for him. Selah!

Loran Smith is co-host of “The Tailgate Show” and sideline announcer for University of Georgia football. He is also a freelance writer and columnist.

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John McPherson

FAMILY CIRCUS

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Today’s Solution

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DILBERT®

Scott Adams

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Charles M. Schulz

PICKLES Brian Crane

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same numSolution to today's Sudoku ber only once.

WHATZIT SOLUTION:

Today’s Answer: Convertible

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2020 SOFTBALL SUPER SIX FAITH BARTH School: archer Class: senior Position: shortstop/second base College choice: georgia Noteworthy: Faith Barth ♦ Hit .448 as a junior with 31 RBis, 30 runs scored and an .805 slugging percentage ♦ First-team all-county by the daily post and gwinnett diamond club, as well as gaca all-state Best softball player in Gwinnett not on my team: mill creek’s dallis goodnight Summer travel team: georgia power Berkhiser in summer, and ec Bullets schnute in fall Twitter handle: @19faithbarth19 Song that gets me ready for a game: “we paid” by lil’ Baby Favorite field to play softball: archer because there is nothing better than playing on your home turf and being supported by your community Favorite class: math Favorite teacher: catherine yates Favorite restaurant: longhorn’s steakhouse Coach Emily Wilson’s take: “Faith has been an impact in the archer lineup and program as soon as she stepped onto the field. she is great student and a great softball player. she has been a starter since her freshmen year and has made her mark both defensively and offensively. we are excited to see what Faith has in store for her final year here at archer.”

SARAH CURRIE School: mountain View Class: senior Position: pitcher College choice: uncommitted with multiple offers Noteworthy: Sarah ♦ went 18-4, Currie including 8-0 in the postseason, with a 1.57 eRa for the state champions as a junior

♦ also hit .359 with 18 RBis ♦ First-team all-county by the daily post and gwinnett diamond club, as well as gaca all-state Best softball player in Gwinnett not on my team: mill creek’s madison dobbins Summer travel team: atlanta premier gold locke Twitter handle: don’t have one Favorite field to play softball: Home games at mountain View Favorite class: math Favorite teacher: lauren Horton Favorite restaurant: Buffalo’s cafe Coach Mike Cason’s take: “sarah is the consummate teammate. she leads by example, has an incredible work ethic, loves and supports her teammates and is incredibly humble. she is also quietly, yet fiercely, competitive. while most of her accolades come from her pitching, she is also an accomplished hitter. she has been a fixture in the middle of our lineup for three years and will be again as a senior.”

DALLIS GOODNIGHT School: mill creek Class: senior Position: center field College choice: alabama Noteworthy: Dallis ♦ Hit .528 as a Goodnight junior with 15 RBis, 30 runs scored, 39 stolen bases and seven triples — also hit .607 with runners in scoring position ♦ First-team all-county by the daily post and gwinnett diamond club, as well as gaca all-state Best softball player in Gwinnett not on my team: archer’s Faith Barth Summer travel team: georgia impact lewis Twitter handle: @dallissss_ Song that gets me ready for a game: “Rise” by Katy perry Favorite field to play softball: mill creek Favorite class: math Favorite teacher: amy carmichael

Favorite restaurant: chipotle Coach Paul Pierce’s take: she’s a perfectionist, which is great because everything she does, she wants to be perfect at it, whether it’s the first time she’s ever done it or whether she’s been doing it a long time. that can get you in trouble some because she does not accept not doing well. it’s a game of failure. she does not just take it easy and go on. she holds a grudge and she expects to do well. i think that kind of rubs off on everybody else, that it isn’t just another day, bring your a game every day. i think she expects a lot of her teammates. i think she expects a lot of me as a coach. she holds me accountable, which is good. … she likes to win. she hates to lose. she may hate to lose more than she likes to win.

Favorite teacher: meg Rainwater Favorite restaurant: Fumi Hibachi and sushi Restaurant Coach Josh Joiner’s take: “Kennedy is a fantastic athlete and a wonderful young lady. she possesses all five tools on the softball field, and i am blessed to have her in my program. she comes from a great family and is a true leader on and off the field. as a staff, we appreciate Kennedy for her talents, but she also makes us better by being a coach on the field and a positive example for her teammates at all times. Kennedy Harp is a fantastic representation for the peachtree Ridge softball program and what it means to be a lion.”

KAILYN JONES School: grayson Class: senior Position: outfield College choice: KENNEDY HARP Virginia School: Noteworthy: peachtree Ridge Class: sophomore ♦ Hit .495 as Position: center a junior with four Kailyn field home runs, 37 RBis, Jones College choices: a school-record 17 lsu, Florida state, doubles, two triples, georgia, clemson, 40 runs scored and 43 stolen bases Kennedy georgia tech, ♦ First-team all-county by the daily Harp alabama, duke, post and gwinnett diamond club, as Florida well as gaca all-state Noteworthy: Best softball player in Gwinnett ♦ Hit .427 as a junior with 13 not on my team: north gwinnett’s home runs, 29 RBis and a 1.427 ops marisa miller — had three home runs and eight Summer travel team: atlanta RBis in four state playoff games in premier gold locke columbus Twitter handle: @KailynJones2021 ♦ First-team all-county by the daily Song that gets me ready for a post and gwinnett diamond club, as game: “Finer things” by polo g well as gaca all-state Favorite field to play softball: Best softball player in Gwinnett south commons softball complex, not on my team: mountain View’s columbus ahmari Braden Favorite class: chemistry Summer travel team: georgia Favorite teacher: Jessica King impact lunsford Favorite restaurant: Bahama Twitter handle: @KennedyHarp Breeze Song that gets me ready for a Coach Bill Batchelor’s take: game: “dey Know” by shawty low “K.J. has grown into the player i always get me hype or “new level” by thought she would be. Her junior year asap Ferg was one of the best in grayson history Favorite field to play softball: both offensively and defensively. she there’s nothing like playing on your has all of the tools. at the plate, she home field, peachtree Ridge High is such a threat and you can’t defend school all she can do. speed, power, slap or Favorite class: RVn/audio Video bunt. defensively, she has a highlight technology reel on twitter. she makes tough plays

look so easy and has a great arm. she continues to work extremely hard on and off the field to get better every day. she is a great student and is focused on challenging herself in the classroom. the best thing about K.J. is that she is so humble and just wants to help her team in any way she can.”

KYLIE MACY School: grayson Class: senior Position: pitcher College choice: georgia Noteworthy: ♦ went 22-4 as a junior with a Kylie 0.64 eRa and 263 Macy strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings ♦ First-team all-county by the daily post and gwinnett diamond club, as well as gaca all-state Best softball player in Gwinnett not on my team: north gwinnett’s amber Reed Summer travel team: atlanta Vipers Holbrook Twitter handle: @kyliemacy2021 Song that gets me ready for a game: “we paid” Favorite field to play softball: grayson High school Favorite class: psychology Favorite teacher: Bryan tolbert Favorite restaurant: saké gura Japanese Restaurant Coach Bill Batchelor’s take: “Kylie macy is just chill. no emotions. you could not tell if she was throwing a no-hitter or had just given up a run. she has that pitcher mentality. don’t let that face fool you, though. she is as competitive as any player i have coached. she has worked extremely hard the past four years to become the pitcher she is. she puts in the time and is always working on her pitches and trying to improve. she has a great knowledge on how to attack batters. i respect that and i rely on what she is thinking and seeing when calling a game. she is athletic and can field her position. the best thing about mac is that it is never about her. you will never hear her say anything about what she has done. she always credits her teammates.”

Parents’ medical issues prompt Hancock to skip senior season

By Will Hammock

will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com

Jordan Hancock

Jordan Hancock, one of the nation’s top cornerbacks, announced Monday he plans to sit out his senior high school football season at North Gwinnett because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ohio State recruit cited his parents’ health conditions — his mother’s recent breast cancer fight and his fa-

ther’s heart problems — as the reasons for his difficult decision.

“It comes to a point in time in everyone’s life where we have to make a tough decision, but what is his plan is my plan,” Hancock wrote in a social media post. “After long nights of talking with my family, my supporters and my heavenly father himself, I’ve decided to sit out my senior year of football due to my mother’s breast cancer fight and

my father’s current heart conditions.

I love North Gwinnett and will never forget the precious memories I made with the community, the coaches and my brothers I call teammates. Memories that will resonate with me for a lifetime but as you know we only have one lifetime and my family’s lifetime matters the absolute most to me.

“I love the game of football but this is not a time for me to be selfish and

think about myself.”

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Hancock is a four-star prospect in the 247Sports. com composite rankings, which have him as the No. 76 player nationally and the No. 5 cornerback in the nation. He’s the No. 9 player in Georgia in the rankings.

Hancock was a first-team all-county selection as a junior by the Daily Post and the Touchdown Club of Gwinnett.

IN BRIEF Hawkins commits to Ole Miss, becomes Discovery’s first Power Five recruit J.J. Hawkins committed to Ole Miss on Friday, and made history for his high school football program in the process.

Hawkins became the first Discovery athlete to commit to a Power Five school when he chose the Rebels.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior is a prospect at defensive end and outside linebacker who also has played running back for the Titans. He had 58 tackles and eight sacks last season, averaged nearly 10 yards per carry and was a first-team All-Region 6-AAAAAAA selection.

He also plays basketball for Discovery.

Houston lands commitment from Garner The Houston Cougars football program landed a commitment Sunday night from Norcross linebacker Jalen Garner.

The 6-foot-1, 217-pounder was a first-team all-county and firstteam All-Region 7-AAAAAAA selection last season. He also was an all-state selection by the Geor-

GOODNIGHT From A10 the elite level is going to help her and the program she’s going to.”

Goodnight’s summer softball with the Georgia Impact was dis-

gia Athletic Coaches Association. County champion and a state Garner made 200 tackles (32 runner-up in wrestling. for losses) in 2019.

Army already has landed three recruits from Gwinnett County for the Class of 2021. Buford’s Young chooses Young Brandon Castro and Jacob Smith Harris previously committed to the Black Brookwood senior Grace Young Knights. committed Friday to the Young Gwinnett players lead Harris College softball program.

Young is a prospect at pitcher.

Vipers to title

Johnson to play for Garden City

Wesleyan lineman Tanner Bivins, a rising senior, announced his commitment to the Army Black Knights football program on Friday.

The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder’s play on the line helped the Wolves to a Class A Private state runnerup finish last season. He was an all-state selection at offensive line by the Georgia Sports Writers Association.

Bivins also was the Gwinnett

Five Gwinnett softball players led Atlanta Vipers Gold Tamborra to the championship at Triple Crown Summer Nationals over the weekend in Myrtle Beach, Fla. Three North Gwinnett players — Jaylyn Benson, Bella Faw and Amber Reed — played for the Vipers, as did Brookwood’s Thalia Martin and Grayson’s Nia McKnight. Wesleyan’s Macey Cintron also plays for the team but missed the tournament because of COVID-19 and family precautions.

Other members of the championship team are Alexis Woods (Cass), Francesca Lumpp (Northgate), Maci Strickland (Allatoona), Grace Derstine (Coral Springs Charter, Fla.), Malayna Tamborra (Mount Paran), Ryleigh Garrett (North Paulding), Savanna Bedell (Northside-Columbus) and Zoe Calvez (West Orange, Fla.).

rupted by COVID-19 — her team had to juggle tournaments around cancellations and missed a big one because of a teammate’s positive coronavirus test — but she still feels positive heading into her final high school season. With the school year starting online only in Gwinnett, the hopes are for the

softball season and all fall sports to play their seasons without major problems.

“I think it’s going to happen,” Goodnight said of the fall high school season. “I think it’s going to just be the locker rooms are going to be different, the dugouts are going to be different. I’m kind of

Justice Johnson, a 2020 Buford grad, committed Sunday to the Garden City Community College football program.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder helped the Wolves to the state championship last season.

Bivins to play for Army

Wilkins signs with German team Former Greater Atlanta Christian standout Isaiah Wilkins has signed a professional basketball contract with Ratiopharm, a German club, for the 2020-21 season.

Wilkins, 24, played the 2019-20 season with Polpharma in the Polish EBL League. He averaged 10 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1 block.

The 6-foot-8 forward was a fouryear college player at Virginia, where he was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2018. He spent the 2018-19 season with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League after doing undrafted by NBA teams.

He averaged 4.4 points, 4 rebounds and 1.8 assists with the Swarm.

Jerry Bruns.

James opts out of NFL season

Dacula resident Jackson Buchanan helped Georgia to a 9-7 victory Saturday in the 45th annual GeorgiaSouth Carolina Junior Challenge Match in Rocky Face.

Buchanan, who plays golf at Buford, picked up the maximum points for his team in the event. He defeated Luke Walmet of South Carolina 4-and-3 on Friday, and won 3-and1 Saturday over South Carolina’s

Denver Broncos starting lineman Ja’Wuan James, a North Gwinnett grad, announced Monday afternoon he will opt out of the 2020 NFL season over coronavirus concerns.

James was the Broncos’ starter at right offensive tackle after returning from an injury-plagued 2019 season.

Denver signed him to a four-year, $51 million contract in 2019 that made him the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL at the time.

“It is tough, but the right decision,” James posted about opting out. “There’s just too much unknown about this virus and about plans handling it going forward. My wife and I were blessed with our newborn son May 22 and he’s now my top priority. Although I worked all offseason and invested in my body to bounce back and have a great year on the field, it’s just not worth risking the health of my loved ones. I’ve seen this virus already hospitalize one of my family members and hope to not have that happen again.”

James, 28, previously played five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, who made him a first-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2014. He was scheduled to make $10 million this season.

scared for state because of everyone on the same bus and hotels.

But I think they’re going to find a way to make it happen.”

And if it does happen, she thinks Mill Creek’s team has great potential despite some key graduation losses.

“I wasn’t sure because we did

lose a few starters and I wasn’t sure how pitching was going to be this year,” Goodnight said. “I still don’t know, but two of the girls (who pitch) have been working hard and we even have a freshman that has been working. I saw our defense and we have a good defense. We can pull our way through to state.”

Buchanan leads Team Georgia win

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