June 10, 2020 — Gwinnett Daily Post

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, June 10, 2020 ♦ A3

WORLD & NATION

WORLD

France pledges $17 billion to keep Europe in the aerospace race France has pledged nearly $17 billion to support Airbus, Air France and its wider aviation industry, saying Europe cannot fall behind China and the United States in the global aerospace race as a result of the pandemic.

The package will secure 100,000 jobs over the next six months, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said Tuesday. It will also help French companies keep pace with aircraft manufacturers such as America’s Boeing and China’s COMAC. “We will not let the global aeronautical market be divided between China and the United States. France and Europe will be there too,” said Le Maire.

The $16.9 billion package includes $7.9 billion in support for Air France that the government had previously announced.

Britain’s imperialist monuments face a bitter reckoning amid BLM protests On Sunday, Black Lives Matter protesters in Bristol, UK, pulled down a statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston and rolled it through the streets before dumping it, unceremoniously, into the River Avon.

Some applauded the move, while others decried what they called “mob rule.”

With a colonial history spanning centuries — and a mania for erecting statues in the 19th century — Britain’s towns and cities are dotted with monuments to figures like Colston.

For some, the statues have melted into the background of daily life, but many people are now questioning whether they should still stand on their pedestals.

On Tuesday, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced a commission to examine the future of landmarks around the UK capital, including murals, street art, street names and statues.

Glass-bottom deck opens atop China’s ‘horizontal skyscraper’ It’s easy to see why “The Crystal” is one of the most highly anticipated new attractions in China.

Designed by Moshe Safdie, the mastermind behind Singapore’s awe-inspiring Changi Jewel, the 250-meter-tall sky bridge is the highest of its kind.

Dubbed a horizontal skyscraper, it stretches 350 meters across four of the eight skyscrapers that make up Raffles City Chongqing, a multi-use riverside complex in the southwest China megacity. Aerial walkways also connect it to two more skyscrapers.

“The Exploration Deck is the first major attraction to launch in Chongqing since the lifting of the country’s nationwide lockdown and the public’s enthusiastic response is yet another encouraging sign of recovery in consumer sentiment,” says Lucas Loh, president of the CapitaLand Group in China.

— From wire reports

Floyd remembered as ‘ordinary brother’ who changed the world

By Amir Vera, Eric Levenson and Sara Sidner CNN

George Floyd was an “ordinary brother” from Houston’s housing projects who “nobody thought much about,” which makes his central role in a generational movement that much more powerful, the Rev. Al Sharpton said at his funeral Tuesday.

“God took the rejected stone and made him the cornerstone of a movement that’s going to change the whole wide world,” Sharpton said at Floyd’s funeral on Tuesday.

“Your family is going to miss you George, but your nation is going to always remember your name. Because your neck was one that represents all of us, and how you suffered is how we all suffer,” he added.

Sharpton was one of a number of family, friends and prominent figures who gathered for Floyd’s funeral at The Fountain of Praise Church in Houston on Tuesday to celebrate his life and issue a clarion call for justice.

The service featured remarks by former Vice President Joe Biden, Rep. Al Green of Texas, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. Family

special photo: Johannes eisele/aFp/getty images

The casket with George Floyd arrives at the Fountain of Praise church in Houston, Texas. members of other black people killed by police, including Breonna Taylor, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, attended as well.

Actor Jamie Foxx was in the audience and R&B artist Ne-Yo performed a rendition of “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” by Boyz II Men. Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather is handling all the expenses for Floyd’s funeral.

Family members spoke about George Floyd as a “gentle giant,” and friends from high school and beyond fondly re-

called his athletic prowess in football and basketball.

The funeral comes two weeks after Floyd was killed while in Minneapolis police custody.

His death sparked protests in the US and around the world, which have called for changes in policing and law enforcement’s relationship with black and brown communities.

Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate, drew from his Catholic faith to offer words of empathy to Floyd’s family and implored Americans to take on the fight of

NATION

1st black service chief in US military history confirmed by Senate The Senate on Tuesday confirmed an African American man to serve as a service chief in the US military for the first time, marking a historic moment for the armed forces, which seldom see people of color among the top brass.

Vice President Mike Pence presided over the historic 98-0 vote to confirm Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. to be chief of staff of the Air Force, a vote that came against the backdrop of a nation simmering with anger and sadness over racial injustice following the death of George Floyd and other black Americans at the hands of police.

A few days before his confirmation vote, Brown, who goes by C.Q., released a moving, deeply personal video, in which he said he was “full with emotion” for “the many African Americans that have suffered the same fate as George Floyd.”

“I’m thinking about a history of racial issues and my own experiences that didn’t always sing of liberty,” he said in the video that was posted on Twitter.

He outlined being one of the only African Americans at his school and often being the only African American in his platoon, and later, in leadership.

US intends to reopen consulate in Wuhan later this month The State Department informed Congress it intends to reopen the US consulate in Wuhan later this month, according to a congressional notification obtained

by CNN.

al drago/ap

General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. was confirmed to serve as a service chief in the US military, marking a historic moment for the armed forces, which seldom see people of color among the top brass. Brown Jr. is the first African American to serve in that role.

“The Department is planning to resume operations on or around June 22, 2020, although stands ready to modify this schedule as conditions develop,” the notification from Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs Mary Elizabeth Taylor said.

“At this critical juncture in US-China relations, it is critical that our diplomatic posts in China are staffed,” the notification said.

The rhetoric between Washington and Beijing has grown increasingly heated throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and the Trump administration has sought to pin blame on China for the deadly outbreak that originated in Wuhan.

Record number of retail stores expected to permanently close this year

So far in 2020, more than 4,000 stores have said they will permanently close, according to a report released Tuesday by Coresight Research, a retail research and advisory firm. It anticipates closures will snowball and set a new annual record this year, breaking last year’s record 9,302 closures tracked by the firm.

Retailers have been slammed by the coronavirus pandemic and recession.

Pier 1 Imports, JCPenney and Tuesday Morning, which have all filed for bankruptcy, have announced intentions to close hundreds of stores.

GNC and Victoria’s Secret are closing hundreds more.

“Apparel retail and department stores look set to feature prominently in total store closures,” Coresight said in its report.

More than half of states may be undercounting coronavirus cases

racial justice.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve got to deal with the denial of the promise of this nation to so many people for so long,” Biden said in a message delivered via video.

“It’s about who we are, what we believe, and maybe most importantly, who we want to be.”

Floyd’s body will be escorted by the Houston Police Department into Pearland’s Houston Memorial Gardens, according to the city of Pearland. trend of new cases increasing in the last week.

Those states are not reporting probable cases, according to the daily case count listed on the CDC’s website. Probable cases include those that show evidence of an infection without the confirmation of a lab test and cases where coronavirus was listed as a cause or contributing cause of death but are not confirmed with a lab test.

Some of the states with the largest populations — like California, Florida, New York and Texas — are among those listed as not reporting probable cases, despite CDC guidance that they should be included in the case count.

This comes as 26 states see an increased or steady rate of new cases. Accurate rates of new cases are among the metrics that help officials track how the disease is spreading in the US and make decisions about how to reopen and loosen restrictions put in place to mitigate its impact.

Nintendo said a total of 300,000 accounts have been hacked A total of 300,000 Nintendo accounts have been breached since the beginning of April, the company revealed Tuesday, as hackers used others’ Nintendo Network IDs without permission.

The hack was first discovered in April, and at the time, Nintendo said users would no longer need to use these IDs to log into their accounts, and that passwords on accounts that may have been breached would be reset. Previously, the company said 160,000 accounts were hacked, but on June 9 it updated those numbers to a whopping 300,000.

— From wire reports

PEOPLE

Stars sign open letter calling for police reform in New York Some of the biggest names in the music industry are joining the call for reform of policing in New York.

Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, Meek Mill, the Jonas Brothers and many more signed an open letter on Monday, asking New York legislators to repeal section 50-a of New York State’s Civil Rights Law. The statute currently keeps police personnel files confidential and basically out of the public’s reach.

“We mourn the killing of George Floyd and the unnecessary loss of so many black lives before his. We must hold accountable those who violate the oath to protect and serve, and find justice for those who are victim to their violence,” the open letter reads in part. “An indispensable step is having access to disciplinary records of law enforcement officers. New York statute 50-A blocks that full transparency, shielding a history of police misconduct from public scrutiny, making it harder to seek justice and bring about reform. It must be repealed immediately.”

The letter is directed at New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ alums push to make their franchise more diverse The outcry for a black “Bachelor” has never been louder, and some former show participants are supporting it.

More than 50,000 people have signed a Change.org petition urging ABC to address a lack of diversity on the reality dating franchise, which includes “The Bachelor” and its lead spinoff, “The Bachelorette.”

The petition states that “ABC and Warner Bros. have been producing Bachelor content for 18 years. During that time they’ve cast 40 season leads, yet only one Black lead. This is unacceptable.”

Keanu Reeves on why he’s returning for ‘Matrix 4’ Keanu Reeves is already offering a sterling review of the planned new “Matrix.”

The actor is set to return as Neo in “Matrix 4,” which follows 2003’s “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions.”

Reeves decided to continue with the franchise because “Lana Wachowski wrote a beautiful script and a wonderful story that resonated with me,” Empire reports.

“That’s the only reason to do it. To work with her again is just amazing,” Reeves said.

“It’s been really special, and the story has, I think, some meaningful things to say, and that we can take some nourishment from.”

Lana and Lilly Wachowski created the original 1999 film, which is now considered iconic in the sci-fi genre.

The film is set to be released in May. — From wire reports

As many as 25,000 retail stores in the United States are expected to permanently close this year as consumer demand for discretionary items stalls and more people shift to online shopping, according to a firm that tracks the industry.

At least 28 states are not following US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on reporting new Covid-19 cases — Link_duwfaijrhalf of which saw the

gered and are under threat due to hunting, overharvesting of their eggs, loss of beach nesting sites and becoming trapped in fishing apparatus.

Raine Island is the biggest remaining turtle rookery in the world, but despite attracting a “massive aggregation” of the creatures, scientists noticed that they were not reproducing as expected due to nests flooding and inhospitable terrain.

“We sort of became aware

that although there’s these massive aggregations, the actual reproduction isn’t working so well,” Dr. Andrew Dunstan, from the DES, told CNN Tuesday, explaining that his team noticed turtles were falling off cliffs, becoming trapped in the heat and suffering flooding in their nests.

After implementing a sespecial photo: christian miller ries of interventions to help Green turtles are endangered because of hunting, harvesting the struggling turtles, scientists then sought to track of their eggs, loss of nesting habitat and becoming trapped in fishing equipment. the population.

Spectacular drone footage captures thousands of turtles nesting

By Amy Woodyatt CNN

Researchers have captured beautiful aerial footage of thousands of green turtles congregating on the edge of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef during the nesting season.

Scientists from Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science captured the footage using a drone at the world’s largest green turtle rookery at

MUST READ Raine Island, a vegetated coral cay approximately 385 miles northwest of Cairns.

Green turtles, named after the color of their cartilage and fat, are found mostly in tropical and subtropical waters, and migrate long distances between feeding grounds and the beaches where they emerged as hatchlings, some 35 years after they were born.

The creatures are endan-

A4 ♦ Wednesday, June 10, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.com COLUMNIST I KEITH ROACH

WEATHER WATCH

Sedation for colonoscopy is a personal decision

TODAY

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EAR DR. ROACH: I have seen two of your columns in which I thought I read an implication that the decision to be sedated or not during colonoscopy was a fairly straightforward choice. I need to point out that for many of us, an unsedated colonoscopy would be agony. It does not Roach feel like much of a choice.

We are terribly ashamed and stressed when people indicate that it’s not that big of a deal.

I was sexually abused as a child, and I am one of the many for whom colonoscopies are traumatic even while sedated.

My gastroenterologist told me that she sees this all the time in patients who have a history of abuse. The tricky thing, she said, is that she needs to sedate us enough to not be in acute discomfort and stress, but not so much that the disinhibition increases our agitation.

On top of that, many of us with PTSD have pain and inflammatory syndromes like fibromyalgia. It is hard for me to even convey how much more acutely sensitive my body is, how low my pain threshold is, after having grown up with my body always on high alert. I wish this were different, but after 63 years in this body I have learned to respect it and the underpinnings of it. I want to reiterate that according to my doctor, I am far from the only patient who experiences this.

My father had colonoscopies in the days before routine sedation. He told me that these were some of the most agonizing procedures he had ever endured. This from a man who survived the Spanish flu and rheumatic fever, faced starvation during the Depression, and fought in the Pacific in World War II. — Anon.

ANSWER: I appreciate your writing to share your experience. Colonoscopy without sedation is not for everyone. The range of experiences with unsedated colonoscopy is dramatic: Some report no discomfort at all save some “gas pains.” I am publishing your letter to validate that there are people who have very different experiences and have much greater sensitivity to pain, especially visceral pain (from your internal organs), which is processed very differently by your brain.

I am not ashamed at all to say that when I have a colonoscopy, I am sedated, and have been very happy with the experience.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a female who has used Rogaine for 24 years. For the past two, I have been using 5%, per my dermatologist. I have had three Mohs surgeries on my scalp in the past two years to remove basil cell carcinomas. I also use a semi-permanent color on my hair.

Could the Rogaine be causing the cancer? From what I can find out it doesn’t.

— L.J. ANSWER: Basal cell cancer is the most common skin cancer. The major risk factor is sunlight, and scalp cancers are usually due to sun exposure, especially in people with fair skin or hair or who have thinning hair. I could find no association with either minoxidil or hair dyes. Staying out of the sun or using head protection (a hat) will help reduce risk.

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.

THURSDAY

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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 5:45-7:45 a.m. ............6:09-8:09 p.m.

MINOR 12:31-1:31 a.m. ...... 11:02-12:02 p.m.

POLLEN COUNTS trees: low Weeds: low grass: low

LOTTERY

81 63

80 61

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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) .... 840.36 Blackshear ......... (237.0) .... 236.97 Blue Ridge........(1690.0) ... 1687.07 Burton..............(1865.0) .. 1865.00 carters.............(1072.0) ... 1074.21 chatuge ........... (1927.0) .. 1925.90 Harding .............. (521.0) .....519.82 Hartwell .............(660.0) .....660.14 Jackson..............(530.0) .... 528.58

Lake Full Yesterday lanier............... (1071.0) ...1071.43 nottely..............(1779.0) ...1777.04 oconee ..............(435.0) .... 434.72 seminole...............(77.5) .......77.34 sinclair ...............(339.8) .... 338.85 thurmond ..........(330.0) .... 330.43 tugalo ................ (891.5) .... 889.24 Walter F. george.(188.0) .....189.12 West point..........(635.0) .... 635.49

TODAY IN HISTORY

Tuesday cash 3 midday: 8-7-9 cash 4 midday: 2-6-6-6 ga. 5 midday: 4-3-8-4-4

TODAY’S HISTORY: in 1935, dr.

Robert smith and Bill Wilson founded alcoholics anonymous in akron, ohio. in 1964, the u.s. senate voted to end a filibuster staged in opposition to the civil Rights act of 1964, clearing the way for the bill’s eventual approval. in 1967, israel and syria agreed to a cease-fire, ending the six-day War. in 2003, nasa launched the mars exploration rover spirit from cape canaveral, Florida.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Hattie mcdaniel (1895-1952), actress; prince philip (1921- ), husband of Queen elizabeth ii; Judy garland (1922-1969), actress/singer; nat Hentoff (19252017), historian/author; maurice sendak (1928-2012), author/illustrator; Jeanne tripplehorn (1963- ), actress; elizabeth

Monday cash 3 midday: 0-6-4 cash 3 evening: 7-7-5 cash 3 night: 0-1-9 cash 4 midday: 2-3-3-5 cash 4 evening: 9-3-7-5 cash 4 night: 1-0-0-1 ga. 5 midday: 4-8-5-7-4 ga. 5 evening: 7-5-3-4-4 Fantasy 5: 18-19-20-29-38

Hurley (1965- ), model/actress; Bill Burr (1968- ), actor/comedian; tara lipinski (1982- ), figure skater; andy schleck (1985- ), cyclist; Kate upton (1992- ), model/actress.

TODAY’S FACT: nasa’s original mission plan for the spirit called for the rover to last 90 sols (solar days on mars) and to drive a total of 0.4 miles. spirit actually operated for approximately 2,208 sols and covered 4.8 miles before getting stuck in soft soil.

TODAY’S SPORTS: in 1978, affirmed won the Belmont stakes, becoming the 11th horse to win horse racing’s triple crown.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “it is through fantasy that children achieve catharsis. it is the best means they have for taming Wild things.” -- maurice sendak

READER’S GUIDE

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Honored as a newspaper of General Excellence

2018

COLUMNIST|AMY DICKINSON

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Back tattoo spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E

EAR AMY: Four months ago, I started dating a guy. We clicked really well.

We live three hours apart, so our relationship was mostly played out through texting and emails. We had so much fun getting to know each other, but I started to see little red flags: He’d get very angry if I didn’t text him frequently, he seemed possessive, and he was pressuring me to push the relationship along faster than I wanted.

Because of this, I broke up with him. At first, he did not take it well and said a few hurtful things. After a few weeks he asked if we could be friends and keep in touch via text.

Since I did enjoy the texting banter, I agreed but made it clear that we are just friends.

He has asked several times if I would forgive him and move to an intimate relationship with him. Again, I told him that I was not interested in that but hoped that we could stay friends.

Amy, he just sent me a picture of his new tattoo.

The tattoo is my name (with hearts) on his back!

I vacillate between being furious and just shrugging it off.

I have two questions for you. Can you offer any insight on what would make

a man do such a ridiculous thing? After breaking up with someone, it is even possible to remain friends, Dickinson or must I just always make a clean break?

— Don’t Ink My Name DEAR DON’T INK: I find myself hoping that this is a photoshop prank of some kind. Regardless, a man would only do this sort of ridiculous thing in order to manipulate and control you.

In my opinion, you should be furious — and also “shrug it off.” What I mean is that you should not convey any particular strong emotion in response, but back away definitively from this person — disengaging from him via all channels — phone, email and social media.

No, you cannot be friends with this man. You should not have any contact with him at all, and if he continues to leap over boundaries in order to be in touch with you (showing up in person at your house or workplace), you should gather all the evidence and consider getting a restraining order.

I believe it is possible in some cases to transition into friendship when a romance doesn’t click, but it

is only possible with rational, reasonable, emotionally healthy people. In short: NOT this guy.

DEAR AMY: During the current pandemic, my wife and I have been hosting a family member in our home.

This person, “Pam,” is a cousin in her late 20s. She is pretty easy to live with, and we don’t mind having her with us (two of our children, also in their 20s, are currently with us too).

Pam pitches in and has learned to cook, sharing many household duties with the rest of the us.

One thing bothers me.

My wife and I are not pushy Christians, but we are church-goers. We and our kids have been saying “grace” together every night for the entirety of their lives. We say a very simple blessing that is easy to learn and say.

Every night, we say the blessing together and Pam just sits there. It is as if she is refusing to do this one thing that the rest of us feel is an important ritual.

Am I asking too much to ask or expect her to say this blessing along with the rest of us?

— Blessed Dad DEAR BLESSED: Yes, asking or expecting “Pam” to say grace along with you is asking too much. She seems to be sitting quietly

and respectfully while the rest of the family speaks the prayer aloud. Do not impose your faith practice onto her.

DEAR AMY: “About to Explode!” was sick of being interrupted by their friend and housemate.

As a former interrupter, we don’t always realize we are doing this.

I, for one, used to get too excited about a subject and would inappropriately cut off someone so I could add to the conversation.

My friends asked if there was something they could do to help me correct this communication error. We decided to use visual cues.

When I would interrupt, my friends would hold up a hand like a “stop” sign, but in a nice way (not an annoyed way). After using this method for a bit, I curbed my jump-start on conversations.

— No Longer Interrupting DEAR INTERRUPTING: Communication — it works! Well done.

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.

Rethink your motives. Base decisions on what works best for you and those you love. giving in to temptation or letting someone redirect you will deter success and personal satisfaction. make adjustments that are intelligent and geared toward what you want to achieve, and everything else will fall into place.

GEMINI (may 21-June 20) — take care of emotional matters. discuss your plans with someone you love and you’ll come up with a program that encourages positive change. Romance is in the stars.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — concentrate on connecting with people who have something to offer through social media. Building a core base of like-minded people will help you work toward a collective goal.

LEO (July 23-aug. 22) — a change someone makes will be a telltale sign regarding their motives. discard a plan that doesn’t benefit you directly. you’ll do better on your own than following someone else.

VIRGO (aug. 23-sept. 22) — stick to your objective and stay out of trouble. a change you’ve been considering needs to be foolproof before you proceed. use your intelligence to gain support and sufficient help.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) — you’ll learn a lot if you observe what others do and how they respond. a quiet pursuit will help you reach your destination of choice without interference.

SCORPIO (oct. 24-nov.

22) — Refuse to let your emotions stand between you and success. if revenge becomes your motive, it will rebound.

Work hard, and the success achieved will bring results that far exceed retaliation.

SAGITTARIUS (nov. 23dec. 21) — Keep an open mind, but don’t be gullible. spend time nurturing essential relationships and less time listening to an outside opinion that is trying to disrupt your life. Romance is encouraged.

CAPRICORN (dec. 22Jan. 19) — pick up information and improve skills that will help you excel. an unusual offer will intrigue you. don’t waste time thinking about the possibilities; do something to initiate positive change.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — strengthen your relationship with someone close to you. make plans to enjoy common interests and to explore a lifestyle that offers less stress. Romance will improve your personal life.

PISCES (Feb. 20-march 20) — channel your energy into something that requires you to use your intelligence, skills and experience to get ahead, and you will excel. a positive change will bring you closer to someone you love.

ARIES (march 21-april 19) — call on experience, people who owe you a favor and your gut feelings, and you will make better choices. Verify the information you receive from outsiders and administrative agents.

TAURUS (april 20-may 20) — Keep your emotions in check when dealing with situations that can influence your professional goals. don’t let uncertainty limit what you can achieve. Focus on the facts and figures and proceed.

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gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, June 10, 2020 ♦ A5

PERSPECTIVES

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Todd Cline,

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

COLUMNIST|DAVID CARROLL

What happened to your favorite store?

D

o these names mean anything kind of selection and service at your to you? Zayre. Miller Brothers. nearest department store. During this Loveman’s. Proffitt’s. Hill’s. G.C. pandemic, they’ve been forced to lay off Murphy’s. Gibson’s. Woolworth’s. workers. We want to do business For those of us who have been with them, and we want them to around a few years, those names succeed. But even in normal times, bring back fond memories of it seems like one counter is open, the department stores of our and the clothing shelves look like youth. Some were downtown, they’ve been hit by a dust storm. others were on busy thoroughThose of us who grew up in rufares, and the rest were in malls. ral areas eagerly anticipated our The names K-Mart, Sears, JC occasional visits to a big departCarroll Penney, and Macy’s appear to ment store like Zayre. The one be fading as well. Many of these nearest me (30 miles away) was stores have already closed several loca- in downtown Chattanooga. Zayre had tions, and they’re never coming back. JC everything, or so it seemed. One trip, Penney announced last week that 154 and your Christmas shopping was done. of its stores are about to close. Also this Then one day, Zayre went away. year, Pier 1 has closed 450 stores, The Many of us also looked forward to the Gap has closed 230, Macy’s announced Sears catalog, every season of the year. it will soon shut down 150 stores, and Now every website offers an unlimited Sears followed the next day, adding 50 selection, and Sears is just one of thoumore to the closing list. Adding insult sands of retailers desperately seeking to injury, Sears merged with K-Mart a our attention. Unlike online merchants, few years ago, which only seemed to Sears is burdened with big buildings to weaken both retailers. K-Mart is clos- heat and cool. Give them credit: Sears ing another 40 stores soon. was founded in 1886, and any business It’s not uncommon to see abandoned that survives 134 years has my respect. or half-empty malls where customers But the company is well past its prime. were once plentiful. Are these malls goI’ve always been a proponent of shoping the way of the dime store, the tele- ping locally. Having grown up in a graph, and the rotary phone? country store, I understand the need Considering how quickly the Inter- for hometown merchants who know net took over America, it’s a wonder we your name, and can offer your personhave as many “brick and mortar” stores alized service. It’s good to see some as we do. The current fears of terrorism small supermarkets, hardware stores and gang violence are keeping many and pharmacies thriving against bigAmericans out of public shopping ar- volume competitors. But how long can eas. People who traditionally jammed they last? At what point does a fifththe mall the day after Thanksgiving generation family business owner throw now begin their Christmas shopping in the towel, no longer able to compete online, whenever they wish. with billionaires?

Certainly, there are still plenty of You may have noticed one name I folks who enjoy the sights and sounds haven’t mentioned in this conversaof the mall. We love the Easter Bunny, tion about retailers: Walmart. They a chance to put our screaming baby on provide a lot of jobs, a huge selection, Santa’s lap, and free samples at the and some genuine bargains, but at what Food Court. It’s a great place to walk, cost? How many locally owned retailand as any bored husband will tell you, ers have struggled, and then failed, to the people-watching isn’t that bad while compete with Walmart? And what hapwaiting for the wife to finish shopping. pens if Walmart is the last store standBut Amazon and other online re- ing? When competition is diminished, tailers are making a strong argument prices go up, and the quality of service that malls are an endangered species. goes down.

You want to buy something when you Times change, and we have to adjust. can’t sleep in the wee hours? You can But I’ll bet I’m not the only one who gets do it in your pajamas with the click of a a little misty-eyed when I see a store mouse. The stores don’t keep your size from my childhood close its doors for in stock? Those odd 34-31 pants are all the last time. over the web (I know this for a fact).

What’s that? You don’t like to pay shipDavid Carroll, a Chattanooga news anchor, is the author of Volunteer ping charges? “Buy just one more item, Bama Dawg, available on his website, and we’ll ship for free!” Everywhere you ChattanoogaRadioTV.com. You may look, there’s an offer you can’t refuse.

Plus, there are no traffic jams, no long contact him at radiotv2020@yahoo.com, or 900 Whitehall Road, Chattanooga, TN lines, and every counter is open.

37405.

Try as we might, it’s hard to find that

COLUMNIST|TOM PURCELL

‘30 Days A Black Man’ offers inisights into current challenges P

olice were called about John Mahone, Sprigle’s shocking, angry and persuaa black man, having an argument with sive series was syndicated to about a dozhis wife. A cop shot and killed him en major newspapers, from New York to because he thought Mahone had a knife. Seattle. Time magazine played it up big.

Mahone had a can opener.

No white paper in the South ran it, An officer searching for illegal whiskey but 10 million blacks in the land of Jim saw another black man, Harris Crow could read Sprigle’s powerMiller, run. When Miller didn’t ful words for seven straight weeks halt, the cop shot and killed him. on the front page of the Pittsburgh Police were called to subdue R.D. Courier, then America’s largest Mance, a black man with mental black paper. health issues. A cop subdued him In 1948, few white Americans – with his gun. were aware of how unjust, unThese shootings happened in equal and humiliating daily life Atlanta in 1948. was for black Americans in the Purcell The white cops didn’t lose their segregated South. jobs. Nobody marched in the streets. The But during a three-month period leadkillings were “justified.” National media ing up to the Truman-Dewey race in 1948, – then print and network radio – never Sprigle had the whole country and nanoticed them. tional media debating the future of legal Those killings of unarmed black men segregation. were brought to the county’s attention by The conversation he initiated tempoPulitzer Prize-winning Pittsburgh jour- rarily lost its steam, however. nalist Ray Sprigle, the first white reporter It wasn’t until 1955, through the powto go undercover as a light-skinned black er of network television, that the North’s man in the Jim Crow South. conscience would be awakened for good.

Sprigle’s powerful story is beautifully told As Steigerwald writes, “news footage of in “30 Days a Black Man: The Forgotten ugly mobs taunting schoolchildren and Story that Exposed the Jim Crow South,” local governments using clubs, police by journalist Bill Steigerwald. (Disclaim- dogs and fire hoses on peaceful American er: Bill, a longtime friend, edited my col- citizens were ultimately more persuasive umn for years.) than Sprigle’s colorful words.”

Posing as black, Sprigle, 61, was escorted Still, Sprigle initiated an important nathrough the Deep South by John Wesley tional discussion in the media that would Dobbs, a black civil rights pioneer from eventually culminate in equal civil rights Atlanta, who believed change must come for all Americans. through the ballot box (his grandson would Regrettably, in 2020, with millions of become mayor of Atlanta).

Americans galvanized by their disgust at Dobbs, 66, introduced Sprigle to share- George Floyd’s treatment and death, the croppers, local black leaders and families of discussion is far from over. lynching victims. They visited ramshackAll productive discussions – all meanle black schools and slept in the homes of ingful solutions – require calm and reason. prosperous black farmers and doctors.

Here’s a good starting point: Why don’t Sprigle, a seasoned journalist, was ap- we work harder to fully understand each palled by what he saw. other’s unique experiences and difficulThere weren’t just separate water foun- ties – so we may finally solve America’s tains, bathrooms and elevators for blacks. 400-year racial dilemma.

Courtrooms used separate Bibles for blacks.

Stores wouldn’t allow black women to try Tom Purcell is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on clothes. White kids rode buses to school; humor columnist. Send comments to Tom at Tom@TomPurcell.com. black kids walked.

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.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR|YOUR OPINION

It shouldn’t have taken the death of George Floyd to bring race relations to the forefront

DEAR EDITOR:

W

hy did it take the brutal killing of George Floyd to wake up many white Americans to the realization that racism has become so imbedded in our country’s ethos?

Slavery existed for at least two and one half centuries in America. Why? Systemic and de facto segregation of African Americans was tolerated in this

country well into the 1960’s. Why? In February 1968, the President’s National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders known as the Kerner Commission issued a report, which in part, declared that “our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white — separate and unequal.”

The report, condemning racism as the primary cause of a surge of urban riots in the 1960’s, recognized that unless dramatic steps were immediately undertaken, there

would be a “continuing polarization of the American community and, ultimately, the destruction of basic democratic values.”

Yet, our country again developed amnesia and failed to seriously address racism and its odious effects on blacks. Why? The answer may be that countless white Americans continue to lack the willingness to acknowledge systemic racism and white privilege in this country. This must change and it must change now.

George Bernard Shaw once said “some men see things as they are and say why: I dream things that never were and say why not.” My dream is for all Americans to acknowledge that there is only one race; that is the human race and that we are all brothers and sisters joined by this common bond.

Torin Togut Lawrenceville

A6 ♦ Wednesday, June 10, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.com CLOSE TO HOME

John McPherson

FAMILY CIRCUS

Bill Keane

Today’s Solution

BEETLE BAILEY Mort & Greg Walker

BLONDIE Dean Young & John Marshall

DILBERT®

Scott Adams

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE Chris Browne

Zits Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

PEANUTS

GARFIELD Jim Davis

POOCH CAFE Paul Gilligan

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: Devotion

A8 ♦ Wednesday, June 10, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.com

Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia exceeds $1M goal for Coronavirus Relief Fund

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia has hit its goal of raising $1 million for the Coronavirus Relief Fund and is now working its way past that goal.

The foundation announced this week that it had surpassed its goal, which was set when the fund was established in March to address local needs created by the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic.

“We are so thankful for this amazing support of our Coronavirus Relief Fund,” Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia CEO and president Randy Redner said.

“In some ways it is not surprising because our heart to help those during a crisis is who we are as Americans. Every generation faces a pivotal challenge, and, when we look back a year from now, our response to COVID-19 will show the very best of who we are today.”

Since mid-March the foundation has used the support to fund more than 50 grants that it has distributed to to local nonprofits. The total distributed so far amounts to more than $630,000.

The groups that the money has been given to are organizations that work to make sure people in the community have access to food, health care, housing and other assistance during the pandemic.

Nonprofits that have received grants supported by the fund include: the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry; Good Samaritan Health

Center of Gwinnett; Corners Outreach; North Gwinnett Co-op; Home of Hope at the Gwinnett Children’s Shelter; Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries; Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry; Partnership Against Domestic Violence; and North Fulton Community Charities.

One of the nonprofits highlighted by the foundation for receiving a grant is Impact 46.

It is a Lawrenceville-based organization that created the Lawrenceville Response Center, an emergency intake center designed to address housing needs, in response to the pandemic.

“Without the Community Foundation granting us funds, we would not have been able to make the match [from the City of Lawrenceville/Mayor David Still] to actually launch the Lawrenceville Response Center and help over 60 families,” Impact 46 Executive Director Jen Young said. “The Community Foundation was instrumental in really helping us and doing it so quickly. Usually it takes weeks to receive grant money but they provided it in a couple of days.

That allowed us the freedom to quickly assess people’s needs and provide housing.

“All of those funds are going to people — not a program. The dollars are going to moms, to dads, to children.

It’s an investment in our city because our city is only as strong as our people.”

The community foundation is still accepting donations to support the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Anyone interested in making a donation can do so at cfneg.org.

special photo

clockwise from top left: Lawrenceville Co-operative Ministry officials show off some of the food in their pantry. The co-op is one of the organizations that has received funding from the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia’s Coronavirus Relief Fund; Good Samaritan Clinic of Gwinnett County officials hold a sign thanking the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia for support it provided the clinic through its Coronavirus Relief Fund; Home of Hope Gwinnett Children’s Shelter officials hold a sign thanking the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia for support it provided the clinic through its Coronavirus Relief Fund. A North Fulton Community Charities official holds a sign thanking the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia for support it provided the clinic through its Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Third Rail Distillery has OK from Lawrenceville to proceed with plans

By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

A distillery planning to open in the Lawrenceville train depot has the green light from city leaders to do so.

The city council recently approved a special use permit to let Third Rail Distillery build its craft distillery and tasting room on a lot across the train tracks from the depot.

Third Rail plans to build on the a 0.23-acre site at 625 N. Clayton St. to make room for its distillery. special photo “The proposed use is a craft distillery, This rendering shows the planned look of the proposed Third Rail Distillery, which would be which is of course consistent with the located adjacent to the Lawrenceville Train Depot and 550 Trackside on North Clayton Street. rehabilitation of the area, the creation

ELECTION From A1 located at St. Mary’s of Egypt Orthodox Church — opened late, and therefore had to stay open past 7 p.m., per a judge’s order. The church’s precinct had been moved to Beaver Ruin Baptist Church, a move announced before elections day, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Rep. Donna McLeod provided the Daily Post with a list she said she received from Gwinnett elections officials detailing 28 precincts that reportedly experienced equipment issues Tuesday morning. That list was later shared by the ACLU of Georgia as well.

“The Georgia elections held (Tuesday) were a massive failure,” ACLU of Georgia Executive Director Andrea Young said.

“Countless Georgians were deprived of their sacred right to vote. Whether it is incompetence or intentional voter suppression — the result is the same — Georgians denied their rights as citizens in this democracy.”

A list released by the county, however, listed only 16 sites in the county that opened Tuesday morning without having all of their voting equipment.

“However, every voter who showed up to vote at those polling places was able to cast an emergency ballot,” according to the county’s statement. “Gwinnett County Voter Registrations and Elections assures those voters that their ballots will be counted just like any other ballot that is cast today or was cast by mail or in Advance in person voting.”

Gwinnett has 156 precincts so that would equate to somewhere between 10.2% and 17.9% of precincts experiencing some de-

gree of issues when the polls opened, depending on whose list you look at.

“This is unacceptable,” McLeod said early Tuesday morning as she reported issues at Mountain Park United Methodist Church to the Daily Post.

The state legislator later called it “incompetence,” adding that she has expressed concerns to county elections officials several times this year.

“I knew we were heading for disaster,” she said.

County Commissioner Ben Ku said he heard there had been no paper for printers at the Calvary Baptist Church precinct in Lilburn. Other reports came in to the Daily Post of all but one of the machines at the Collins Hill library branch in Lawrenceville being down, and of there being no printers at the Gwinnett School of Math, Science and Technology precinct early Tuesday.

Eric Rovie said voters were not being directed to use voting machines at the Gwinnett Community Church precinct at Five Forks Trickum and Arnold Roads when he went to cast his ballot late Tuesday morning.

“There were at least three polling machines in the (facility) but none were in use while I was in the building,” Rovie said.

“All voters were given a paper ballot. When we finished bubbling our paper ballot, we folded them and placed them in something that looked like a suitcase.”

Meanwhile, Dionne Shy said she is concerned the ballot she cast at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula may not be counted.

There was no scanner to feed ballots into, and she said she and other voters were being told to put their ballots in a bag marked “Provisional Ballots” instead.

People who cast provisional ballots have to go to the county’s elections headquar-

ters in Lawrenceville within a few days after the election to verify they were eligible to cast the ballot. If they don’t do so, their ballot won’t be counted.

“When I asked the poll worker why the bag was labeled ‘provisional ballots,’ she explained that the scanner that was supposed to be delivered (Monday) night at 7 p.m. was not delivered,” Shy said. “She said the scanner was also not delivered this morning so she was told to have all voters drop their ballots in the bag labeled ‘provisional ballots.’

“She says all the ballots will be scanned in elsewhere later and that the cloth bag in which the provisional ballots are being held is zip tied/locked shut. This irregularity gives the impression to all voters who come to this location that their ballots might not be counted.”

Sorenson said those ballots at Hebron Baptist Church should be treated as emergency ballots.

“It’s an emergency ballot because they don’t have to do (anything else),” he said.

But, not every voting location had issues.

In other polling places across Gwinnett County, voters experienced 10-15 minute wait times, but described their experience with the new voting machines as quick and efficient.

“It was very efficient and safety conscious to me it seemed,” Candace Rutherford, who voted at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, said. “We were encouraged to social distance, you know, the six feet apart when we entered. It was quick…. They had everything necessary.”

Another voter, Del Salter, who voted the Dacula Park Activity Building, said the whole process “was very easy.”

“The people are very nice,” he said.

of destination businesses that helps rehabilitate and beautify that area,” Jody Campbell, who represented the distillery, told the city council at its May 20 meeting.

The distillery will join two breweries that have, or will, open on North Clayton Street by the depot. Slow Pour Brewing Company already operates in that area, and Ironshield Brewing is moving toward opening in that area as well.

Plans call for an extra 1,520 square feet of floor area in addition to an existing 3,240 square foot building. There would be an exterior patio wrapped around the main entrance on the front of the building.

“With the new machines, it was very efficient — no problems at all. It was like a zero wait time for me.”

Sorenson said the issues were resolved by mid-morning. That stance was reiterated by the county’s statement Tuesday night that said equipment had been delivered by 9:15 a.m.

“As far as I’ve been able to ascertain, at this point, everything is running relatively normal now,” Sorenson said shortly after 10:30 a.m. “The majority of the 156 precincts opened without issues with equipment, but there were some that definitely had problems this morning.”

Gwinnett was one of several counties where issues were reported Tuesday, however. The reports of issues in the state, particularly in metro Atlanta, prompted Speaker of the House David Ralston to direct the Georgia House Governmental Affairs Committee to launch an investigation.

“We are hearing anecdotes from around the state ... this morning of unacceptable deficiencies: poll workers not being properly trained, voting equipment not working and absentee ballots not being received among other issues,” Ralston said. “Our poll workers give of their time to serve Georgians, and they do not deserve to be blamed for systemic problems beyond their control.

“The legislative branch of government has an obligation to go beyond the mutual finger-pointing and get to the truth and the real reasons underlying these frustrations and concerns. I have directed Chairman Blackmon and our House Governmental Affairs Committee to investigate today’s primary elections process and recommend changes – legislative or administrative – to correct these issues and prevent future problems.”

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, June 10, 2020 ♦ A9

Gwinnett police launch Text to 911 capability

By Chamian Cruz chamian.cruz@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The Gwinnett County Police Department is making reaching 911 for emergencies easier.

On Wednesday, it announced it now has Text to 911 capability, meaning residents can call or text 911.

“The best, fastest, most reliable method to contact 911 in an emergency is to call and speak to a dispatcher, but we recognize that there are times or situations that can make calling 911 difficult,” Sgt. Jennifer Richter, a spokesperson with the police department, said.

“Our citizens will be able to send a text to 911 if they are unable to call.”

Text to 911 is intended primarily for use in three emergency scenarios: ♦ For an individual who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, or has a speech disability. ♦ For someone who is in a situation where it is not safe to place a voice call to 911. ♦ A medical emergency that renders the person incapable of speech.

Users must subscribe to a wireless carrier’s text or data plan to make or receive text messages. Unlike voice calls to 911, however, users cannot send a text message to 911 without a service plan.

“Also,” Richter said, “our citizens need to be aware that text messaging apps that only support texting with other app users or texting via social media are not required to support text to 911.”

Roswell, Smyrna, Marietta, Kennesaw and Cobb County police departments began launching Text to 911 capability earlier this year.

Taco Mac hiring for new location in Lawrenceville

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@ gwinnettdailypost.com

A new Taco Mac that is coming to Lawrenceville is now hiring.

The sports bar chain announced anyone who is interested in applying for a position at the restaurant that will be located at 835 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, near Duluth Highway, (in the former Olde Towne Tavern and Grill location), can fill out an application at tacomac. com/careers.

“Taco Mac offers an award-winning training experience with a fun workplace and opportunities for personal and professional growth,” Taco Mac officials said in an announcement.

“A variety of team member positions—from servers and hosts/hostesses to cooks and dishwashers— are available.”

This will be the first new Taco Mac to open since 2017.

The restaurant is expected to open in July.

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Gwinnett distributing $20M in COVID-19 relief loans, grants to local businesses

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County businesses can apply for funding to help them recover from COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic, county officials said.

The county has $20 million in federal CARES Act loans and grants that it can distribute to businesses.

That includes $10 million in funding for loans and $10 million for grants that are available through the Gwinnett Small Business Assistance Program.

Business owners have until June 30 to apply for funding.

“The economic slowdown from

the pandemic has taken a major toll on many of our small businesses, some of which were just getting on their feet when this hit,” Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash said. “The Gwinnett Small Business Assistance Program will provide vital financial resources that can help eligible companies survive until better times.”

Two vendors have been chosen to administer the loans and grants.

The grants program will be administered by W. Frank Newton Inc. and businesses can get up to $75,000 for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, utilities, inventory, equipment and other steps taken

to respond to the pandemic.

“The grants would target small businesses that cannot access capital due to the businesses’ inability to meet minimum underwriting standards,” county officials said.

“To be eligible for a grant, the applicant would need to be a Gwinnett-based business in operation for more than one year, with up to 200 employees, and have active Secretary of State filings and organizational documents in good standing.”

Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Inc. will administer the loan program. The loans will range from $50,000 to $200,000 with prin-

cipal and interest waived for the first nine months.

“The loans would help businesses reopen their doors with such needs as deep cleaning facilities, modifying facilities to accommodate ongoing social distancing, restocking inventory, marketing to their clients, and/or paying staff in advance of reopening and achieving revenue,” county officials said.

“Applicants for the loans would need to be businesses with more than two years in operation with up to 500 employees, active Secretary of State filings and organizational documents in good standing.”

OBITUARIES LILBURN , GA

Charles Tapley, Jr

BUFORD

LAWRENCEVILLE

GRAYSON

Mr. Roy Lee Wells

Peter Bottchen

Roy Lee Wells age 101 of Lawrenceville, GA passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Burl and Effie Wells, son Glendon, brother Sam, sisters Floy, Flora, Parilee, and Mary. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Louise Vanderford Wells; sons Gene Wells, Kenneth (Kathy) Wells, Keith (Karen) Wells and Steve Wells; daughter Delores (Rolf) Quammen; grandchildren, Brandon (Scotty) Wells, Kevin (Jennifer ) Wells, Kelley Wells, Jennifer (Josh) McGuire, Erik Quammen, Michael Quammen, Kasey (Katherine) Wells, Katie Wells, Kary (Kevin) Kennedy, Klair (Stephen) Hartle, Klay (Jennifer) Wells, Kristen (Eric) Payne , Josh Wells; 19 great grandchildren; sister Daisy Cagle; sister-in-law, Helen Wells and brotherin-law, Skip Gollus..

Several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Peter Michael Bottchen, age 58, of Grayson passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 4, 2020. Mike was born on May 14, 1962 in Decatur. He enjoyed the outdoors and landscaping for his neighbors. He also loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and his cat.

He is proceeded in death by his sister, Linda Dalton. He is survived by his mother and father, JoAnn and Nick Bottchen; son and daughter-in-law, Geoffery and Hannah Bottchen; daughter and son in law, Patricia and Joshua Harris; brother and sister-in-law, John and Andrea Bottchen; and sister, Liz Bottchen.

He was also survived by three grandchildren whom he loved dearly: Aidan, Camryn, and Emilia Harris.

There will be an intimate service for family only that will be held at West Minster Presbyterian Church on Wednesday at 11am. Due to pandemic concerns, there is a limited amount of attendance allowed. The family asks that anyone who would like to offer condolences or to share fond memories of Mike do so by sending them to PO Box 661 Zebulon, Ga 30295. Please express condolences by visiting www. eternalhillsfuneralhome. com

Patricia (Moore) Runkle

Charles Robert Tapley, Jr., 74, of Lilburn, GA, Patricia Moore Runkle, passed away on June age 76, of Buford, GA 5, 2020. Charles was passed away on Sunday, born on June 25, 1945 to June 7, 2020. She was Charles Robert Tapley, Sr. preceded in death by and Marjorie Caccamisi her husband of fortyin Baltimore, Maryland. three years, Frederick After graduating from S. Runkle; sister, Carol Messick High School in Chokey; and parents, Memphis, Tennessee, he Charles F. Moore and went on to study at the Clara Moore Stanets.

University of Memphis She is survived by her (known then as Memphis children, Stephen Runkle, State University). He later Buford, GA, Susan and enjoyed a lengthy career Scott Ward, Jefferson, in retail, highlighted by GA; grandchildren, his 25 years with Kmart.

Connie Robinson, With Kmart, he left Gainesville, GA, James Memphis for Birmingham Ward, Jefferson, GA, and then Montgomery, Stephanie Runkle, Alabama, before settling Buford, GA, Christopher in Lilburn, GA, where he Runkle, Buford, GA; lived for most of his life. great grandchildren, He left Kmart in 1990 to Justus Robinson, Jaxton embark upon a successful Trammell, Landon Ward, 20-year career in real Michael Crowl, Ashlyn estate. In 1965, he met Runkle; sister, Sandy Betty Jo Schiller, and they Roy was a lifelong Truitt, Clayton, NC; and wed in 1970, going on resident of Gwinnett several nieces, nephews to have two (2) children, County. After working and cousins. Mrs. Runkle Christopher Todd (Chris) for 30 years at General was born in Elkhart, IN and Michael Joseph Motors, he retired in 1978. on August 6, 1943. She (Joey). After retiring in He was a WW II Army was a graduate of Elkhart 2009, Charles spent his veteran and a member High School in Elkhart, time with his beloved of the Lawrenceville IN. She was retired from family, always finding a Masonic Lodge 131. He Hopewell Christain special satisfaction when was the oldest living Academy in Norcross, his young granddaughters member of New Hope GA as a librarian. She were by his side. He loved Methodist Church. He had also worked for watching and discussing will be greatly missed by the Buford City School UGA football, usually his family and friends.

System before she retired. in the company of his A Graveside service She was of the Baptist chihuahua Jasper. He was held on Saturday, faith and a member of enjoyed getting away to June 6, 2020 at 2 PM at the American Red Cross the beach with family Shadowlawn Cemetery Disaster Active Team. members whenever with Rev. Kevin Kennedy She was also a member of possible. Charles was officiating. Those the Southeastern V.H.S. predeceased by his desiring may make Society, the Lanierland parents, Charles Robert memorial donations in Amateur Radio Relay Tapley, Sr. and Marjorie the memory of Roy to Club and an amateur Caccamisi, as well as your favorite charity. radio operator, license his step mother Rose call number KC4D00.

Tapley, and brothers Condolences may be Funeral services will be Danny Caccamisi and sent or viewed at www. held on Thursday, June Gino Caccamisi. He is wagesfuneralhome.com.

11, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in survived by his loving Tom M. Wages Funeral the Chapel of Flanigan wife Betty Tapley, and Service, A Family Funeral Home with Rev. two sons Chris and Joey, Company, 120 Scenic Arthur Southerland as well as siblings Mike Hwy Lawrenceville GA officiating. Interment Tapley, Jimmy Tapley, 30046 (770-963-2411) will follow at Broadlawn Robert Tapley, Kent has been entrusted with Memorial Gardens in Tapley, Beau Fuller and the arrangements.

Buford, GA. The family Rosemary Abshire. He will receive friends on is also survived by his Wednesday, June 10, 2020 grandchildren Beckett, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 Kayla and Vanna and p.m. at the funeral home. several nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

A celebration of life ceremony in Charles’ honor is being planned for later this year in Memphis, “Challenges are what make TN. In lieu of flowers, Like a bird singing in the life interesting and overcommemorial donations ing them is what makes life rain, let grateful memories in his honor may be survive in time of sorrow. meaningful.” made to the American — Robert Louis Stevenson — Joshua J. Marine Diabetes Association at https://www.diabetes. $ org. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www. wagesfuneralhome.com.

Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, A Family Company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-979-3200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.

15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices

Call for details

770.963.9205

Ext.1161 or Ext.1162

DULUTH

Betty J. (Page) McPherson Betty J. McPherson, 81, of Duluth, GA died June 8, 2020. She is survived by her husband, Carlton McPherson of Duluth, GA; daughter, Pam McPherson of Lawrenceville, GA; sons and daughter-inlaw, Ronny and Teresa McPherson of Cumming, GA, Terry McPherson of Duluth, GA; brother, Robert (Bobby) Page of Dahlonega, GA; sisters, Marann Dunahoo, Patty Tumlin both of Winder, GA; grandchildren, Tiffany (Joe) Tosto, Jennifer (William) LaLama, Asheley McPherson all of Cumming, GA; great grandchildren, Jacob Stevens, Sophia Tosto, Brandon Tosto, Jackson LaLama.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www. billheadfuneralhome.com.

Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Duluth Chapel (770)476-2535.

Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.

— Author Unknown

DACULA, GA

Marie (Landrum) Harrison Marie Landrum Harrison, age 99, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2020. Marie was born in rural Brooksville, FL, on November 10, 1920, to Evan Price Landrum and Mary Tennessee Dingus Landrum. She graduated from Citrus High School in Inverness, FL. She attended the University of Florida and graduated from Tampa University with a degree in education. She began her teaching career at age 20 in a small school in Hernando County, FL, that consisted of eight grades with only one teacher. She taught various levels of students in Florida public schools for 43 years! In addition to teaching many children in public schools, she taught children in Sunday School for years. She also taught adult ladies in Sunday School classes and worked in her church daycare and nursery until she was 94! Marie enjoyed helping others gain knowledge and skills that would help them in life, regardless of age!

She just loved teaching!

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 50 years, Edwin Watts Harrison, and her sons Edwin Watts Harrison, JR, and Russell Wade Harrison - also her brother and four sisters. She is survived by her twin sister Mary Landrum Harrison of Floral City, FL, and her sister Juanita Thomason of Baker City, OR. Because of failing health in 2015, she left her home of fifty years in the Tampa, FL, area and moved to the Atlanta, GA, area to live with her loving niece and her husband, Lynn and Rudy Hagen. Marie was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Brandon, FL. She was a dedicated Christian who served the Lord in various ways for many years. She now abides with her Savior forever!

A memorial service honoring Marie will take place at a later date.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www. flaniganfuneralhome.com.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.

Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.

— Flavia Weedn

sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

PAGE A10 ♦ WEdnEsdAy, JunE 10, 2020

COREy COLLIns

ALEK BOyCHuK

y d A E R T F A dR Catching prospects headline Gwinnett’s 2020 hopefuls

CARsOn TAyLOR

By Will Hammock

MORE INSIDE

will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com

Not surprisingly, Gwinnett County is poised to have its smallest Major League Baseball Draft class in more than 20 years.

The state of pro baseball in the wake of the coronavirus has pared the usual 40-round draft down to five rounds, meaning only 160 players will be selected over two days this week. The first round is Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. on ESPN, followed by the second through fifth rounds Thursday at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.

An abbreviated draft, not lack of talent, will prevent Gwinnett from reaching its numbers of the past two MLB Drafts (16 players taken in 2019 and 17 players taken in 2018). The county’s best draft showing came in 2015, when

Gwinnett players in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft..................11A

18 players were selected.

If a Gwinnett player is selected this week, it likely will be a catcher — the highest-ranked prospects are 2020 high school grads Corey Collins of North Gwinnett and Alek Boychuk of Mill Creek, and Virginia Tech sophomore Carson Taylor, a Greater Atlanta Christian alum.

Collins, the centerpiece of the Georgia Bulldogs’ recruiting class, enters with the highest chance of being drafted. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is a left-handed batter who is ranked as the No. 65 prospect in the latest MLB.com draft rankings.

He was a first-team all-county selection by the Daily Post, the Gwinnett Dugout Club Player of the Year and an all-state selection as a junior after hitting .474 with a Gwinnett-best 16 home runs, 48 RBIs, 40 runs scored, 13 doubles, 30 walks and a .563 on-base percentage.

He holds North records for home runs in a season and career RBIs. “Part of the North Gwinnett High program that also produced (current MLB All-Star) Charlie Blackmon, Collins has one the highest offensive ceilings among this year’s high school catchers,” MLB. com wrote in its draft review of Collins. “He didn’t get much of a chance

to show what he can do on the high school showcase circuit last summer because he injured his throwing elbow at the Prospect Development Pipeline League in June. Following nerve transposition surgery, he returned behind the plate this spring but spent most of his time at first base before the high school season ended.

“The strength and leverage in his 6-foot-3 frame give Collins plus raw power from the left side of the plate.

While he doesn’t have to swing for the fences to hit home runs, he does get overly aggressive and pull-happy at times, so he’ll have to adjust his approach against better pitching. He moves surprisingly well for a big-bodied catcher, flashing fringy speed from home to first base.

Though North Gwinnett was easing See DRAFT, A11

On-campus training starts for Gwinnett football teams

By Colin Hubbard Staff Correspondent

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

That has been a recurring thought running through the mind of second-year Mill Creek head football coach Josh Lovelady as he prepared to reunite with his team early Monday morning.

Monday marked the first day football teams in Gwinnett County were allowed to return to their respective football fields and weight rooms since the coronavirus pandemic shut down all athletics in March.

Practices were limited to groups of no more than 20 players, including coaches, throughout the day and the extent of their roughly one-

hour stay on campus was limited to lifting weights and conditioning.

At Mill Creek, the first of eight groups arrived at school aat 6:20 a.m. and Lovelady and his 14-coach staff were ready to go. “it’s just like Christmas,” Lovelady said. “I couldn’t wait. I couldn’t sleep last night making sure that everything was taken care of.

Seeing the turnout, our kids found a way to get there. We had workouts from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the participation was great.”

While the overall work the teams put in towards preparing for the upcoming football season was minimal on their first day back, the excitement was through the roof.

“It was awesome to get back and see the kids,” Dacula head coach Clint Jenkins said. “I think that was the best thing about the day to see the kids and to see how excited both them and the coaches were to get back to what we kind of took for granted as normal for a long time.”

At Norcross, the first group of players checked in at 7 a.m. and practiced for one hour before head coach Keith Maloof and his staff sanitized their facilities prior to the arrival of the second group.

Overall, Maloof said their plan to get a total of four groups of players in and out in a safe manner worked to perfection Monday.

“We made sure we tested

Photo: Philip Jones

The Brookwood football team runs on the track Monday morning in their return to practice See FOOTBALL, A11 following the coronavirus pandemic.

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, June 10, 2020 ♦ A11

GWINNETT IN THE MLB DRAFT

gwinnett players in the major league Baseball First-yearplayer draft (by year with school, round and organization) 2019 Name School Round Organization nasim nunez collins Hill 2 miami marlins graeme stinson norcross (duke) 4 tampa Bay Rays will Holland collins Hill (auburn) 5 minnesota twins will ethridge parkview (ole miss) 5 colorado Rockies andrew schultz gac(tennessee) 6 philadelphia phillies gavincollyer mountain View 12 texas Rangers cam coursey lanier (ggc) 13 arizona d-backs cam shepherd p’tree Ridge (uga) 20 tampa Bay Rays cole Zabowski collins Hill (ole miss) 22 detroit tigers matthew swain georgia gwinnett 23 minnesota twins Riley King collins Hill (uga) 26 atlanta Braves Jonathan French parkview 30 cleveland indians Bradley Blalock grayson 32 Boston Red sox Kevin coulter Buford (mercer) 33 cleveland indians Ramsey david Buford 35 arizona d-backs marc davis south gwinnett 38 chicago cubs 2018 Name School Round Organization Joey Bart Buford (ga. tech) 1 san Francisco giants parker meadows grayson 2 detroit tigers will Banfield Brookwood comp. Bal. B miami marlins cabera weaver south gwinnett 7 chicago white sox a.J. moore mtn. View (Kennesaw st.) 10 cincinnati Reds nick gatewood p’tree Ridge (georgia st.) 11 san diego padres Jake Higginbotham Buford (clemson) 11 atlanta Braves Justin lewis gac (Kentucky) 12 arizona d-backs chase chaney mtn. View 16 los angeles angels christian Vann parkview (mercer) 25 washington nationals Brandt stallings (Buford native, ga. tech/gcsu) 28cincinnati Reds drew wharton p’tree Ridge (clemson) 30 chicago cubs Beau Brundage mill creek (portland) 33 tampa Bay Rays davis sharpe mill creek 34 pittsburgh pirates lavoisier Fisher north gwinnett 37 pittsburgh pirates matthew Klug Brookwood 38 chicago white sox cole uvila ga. gwinnett 40 texas Rangers 2017 Name School Round Organization Justin lewis gac (Kentucky) 11 tampa Bay Rays trevor craport norcross (ga,tech) 11 Baltimore orioles tucker Baca n. gwinnett (st. Katherine) 12 Baltimore orioles austin upshaw Buford (Kennesaw st.) 13 chicago cubs oscar serratos grayson 14 cleveland indians garrett whitlock providence (uaB) 18 new york yankees Brandon Benson grayson (gcsu) 20 st. louis cardinals Ryan askew collins Hill (mercer) 29 tampa Bay Rays colin Hall wesleyan 39 colorado Rockies ian Jenkins collins Hill 40 cincinnati Reds Baron Radcliff norcross 40 atlanta Braves 2016 Name School Round Organization Kyle lewis shiloh (mercer) 1 seattle mariners Brandon marsh Buford 2 los angeles angels Josh merrigan ga. gwinnett 10 texas Rangers Justin glover Buford 26 tampa Bay Rays cam shepherd peachtree Ridge 29 Boston Red sox will ethridge parkview 35 seattle mariners will solomon ga. gwinnett 38 san diego padres 2015 Name School Round Organization christin stewart providence (tennessee) 1 detroit tigers nick neidert peachtree Ridge 2 seattle mariners Jahmai Jones wesleyan 2 los angeles angels Zack erwin duluth (clemson) 4 chicago white sox mac marshall parkview (chipola cc) 4 san Francisco giants chad smith south 5 texas Rangers curtis terry archer 13 texas Rangers cedric mullins Brookwood (campbell)13 Baltimore orioles Jordan Hillyer Hebron (Kennesaw st.) 14 miami marlins Ryne inman parkview 15 seattle mariners isiah gilliam parkview (chipola cc)20 new york yankees

DRAFT From A10 Collins back into catching duty, his solid arm strength has bounced back since his surgery. He has the strong hands and agility to become at least an average receiver, and he has enough athleticism to handle left field if a club wants to maximize his offensive production. The top prospect in Georgia’s recruiting class, he may be difficult to sign.”

Taylor is ranked 194th on the MLB.com list and is draft eligible because he turned 21 (typically second-year

players at four-year colleges aren’t eligible). The 6-2, 205-pound switch-hitter figured to be selected high in a 40-round version of the draft, but he is more on the cusp of five-round edition.

“It’s a little disappointing,” Taylor told Roanoke. com. “It stinks that it’s five rounds only. But … whether I go this year or not, it’s out of my control.”

Taylor led the Hokies in almost every offensive category in the 16-game season and finished ranked in the NCAA in 13 categories.

During the season, he had a team-best seven multi-hit games, including two with four, added a team-high four

FOOTBALL From A10 all of them and made sure we had all of the waivers signed for them,” Maloof said. “Just to get around them and see them again was very exciting for me as their coach. The trainers did a good job along with the coaches and the parents getting all of the information that we needed so we can let these kids do what they need to do to get going again.”

Jenkins and his coaching staff had a similar approach to the day.

The Dacula staff screened five different groups of players starting at 6:30 a.m. with the last group finishing up early in the afternoon.

“The kids checked into the gym and they had to get their temperature taken and had to answer a questionnaire,” Jenkins said.

“Then we were in the weight room to lift. After that, we pushed them

Joey Bart Buford 27 tampa Bay Rays Jake Higginbotham Buford 27 new york mets christian turnipseedga. gwinnett 28 Baltimore orioles connor Bennett Buford 34 cincinnati Reds carter Hall wesleyan 34 atlanta Braves Beau Brundage mill creek 38 philadelphia phillies Jared walsh p’tree Ridge (georgia)39 los angeles angels 2014 Name School Round Organization sam clay Buford (ga. tech) 4 minnesota twins greg Brody mill creek (Belmont) 11san Francisco giants montrell marshall south gwinnett 12 cincinnati Reds Jamie Ritchie Buford (Belmont) 13 Houston astros Josh Heddinger Buford (ga. tech) 14 detroit tigers matt grimes mill creek (ga. tech) 18 Baltimore orioles Justin lewis gac 19 san diego padres mac marshall parkview 21 Houston astros isiah gilliam parkview 23 chicago cubs John Fidanza ga. gwinnett 23 arizona d-backs Zeke mcgranahan ga. gwinnett 23 Baltimore orioles tyler carpenter ga. gwinnett 25 los angeles angels tucker Baca north gwinnett 32 atlanta Braves eric alonzo mill creek (ga. southern) 40 los angeles angels 2013 Name School Round Organization austin meadows grayson 1 pittsburgh pirates Josh Hart parkview comp. a Baltimore orioles nick Blount s. gwinnett (southern poly. st.) 9 chicago white sox nick Jones north gwinnett (chatt. Valley cc) 14san Francisco giants Bryan Hudson mill creek 15 Boston Red sox Jarrett Freeland parkview 15 cincinnati Reds chris erwin grayson 28 minnesota twins matt grimes mill creek (ga. tech) 31 philadelphia phillies 2012 Name School Round Organization lucas sims Brookwood 1 atlanta Braves James Ramsey wesleyan (Florida st.) 1 st. louis cardinals matt olson parkview comp. a oakland a’s mason Felt Hebron 5 cincinnati Reds Ronnie Freeman Brookwood (Kennesaw st.) 5 arizona d-backs drew steckenrider gac (tennessee) 8 miami marlins Brian Holmes mill creek (wake Forest) 13 Houston astros Brookwood (western carolina) 17 atlanta Braves Ross Heffley Jordan Hillyer Hebron 20 miami marlins Josh carr shiloh (Kennesaw st.) 28 detroit tigers 2011 Name School Round Organization Zach cone parkview (georgia) comp. a texas Rangers grayson garvin wesleyan (Vanderbilt) comp. atampa Bay Rays Jake Burnette Buford 7 pittsburgh pirates danny lockhart Hebron 10 chicago cubs trey martin Brookwood 13 chicago cubs troy snitker Brookwood (n. georgia) 19 atlanta Braves James Ramsey wesleyan (Florida st.) 22 minnesota twins Justice French collins Hill (mercer) 25 cincinnati Reds nick moore Brookwood 30 Boston Red sox Brock Bennett gac (alabama) 33san Francisco giants tyler maloof norcross (georgia) 34 cleveland indians Richard pirkle norcross (gcsu) 35 colorado Rockies Kent Rollins south gwinnett 48 san diego padres 2010 Name School Round Organization chris Hawkins north gwinnett 3 toronto Blue Jays matthew grimes mill creek 4 chicago white sox Jeff shields central gwinnett (chattahoochee Valley) 7 arizona d-backs tony plagman wesleyan (ga. tech) 9 detroit tigers chase Burnette Buford (ga. tech) 18 cleveland indians Justin earls collins Hill (georgia) 31 texas Rangers matt Hill grayson (chattahoochee Valley) 33 texas Rangers James Buckelew collins Hill 45 minnesota twins

multi-RBI games, including a career-high five, and led the team with five multirun scoring games, scoring a career-high tying four times once.

He ended the season on a career-best six-game hitting streak, as he raised his batting average from .364 to .431. In the final nine games of the season, he raised his average 123 points from .308, and also reached base in the last 12 games.

Taylor led the team with the .431 batting average, as well as 25 hits, seven doubles and one triple (T-1st).

He hit two home runs (second) for a team-best 40 total bases and a .690 slugging

out of the door for conditioning.

Coaches that weren’t involved in the group cleaned and sanitized the weight room.”

At Mill Creek, Lovelady and his staff prepared a 45-minute workout in the weight room for each group as well as a 30-minute period of conditioning.

In order to coordinate everything for Monday’s start, around 50 hours of computer work was put in by Lovelady and his coaching staff.

“It’s taken a lot of logistical stuff to get it right,” Lovelady said. “Our staff did an outstanding job today. Our 14 coaches had to make sure every kid had waivers signed, physicals, water bottles, masks and hand sanitizer.”

Running eight different groups made for a more than 12-hour day for Lovelady, but he said it was more than worth it to be back out coaching his team.

“It was worth every minute of it,” Lovelady said. “We’ve all hoped

percentage. He added teamhighs with 19 runs scored, 20 RBIs and 12 walks. He was hit by three pitches (T-1st) for a team-best .541 on-base percentage, hit one sacrifice fly and was 2-for-2 in stolen base attempts.

“Taylor got considerable playing time as a freshman at Virginia Tech in 2019, splitting time between catching and first base,” MLB.com wrote in its draft breakdown of Taylor. “He became the Hokies’ primary catcher as a draft-eligible sophomore and was added to the 2020 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award watch list. He was off to a very hot start be-

and wished that we could get back going, but to finally get back in the weight room and get back on the field and use some equipment, it was awesome.”

Work was relatively light for Maloof and his Norcross team Monday.

The veteran head coach said that will change as the weeks progress and the restrictions lesson.

“We will pick up the pace as the weeks go along,” Maloof said. “We wanted to start slow for the safety of the kids. We don’t know what they’ve been doing on their own and we didn’t want to throw too much at them. We’ll gradually bring them along these next three weeks.”

Overall for Jenkins and his Dacula staff, Day 1 under the new normal was a smashing success.

“I thought it went about as smoothly as it could have gone for the first day,” Jenkins said. “Our trainers did an unbelievable job, as well as our coaching staff. Our numbers were good, so I’m really pleased with that.”

2009 Name School Round Organization shannon wilkerson dacula (augusta st.) 8 Boston Red sox Brandon Jacobs parkview 10 Boston Red sox daniel sarisky duluth (oglethorpe)40 Houston astros Forrest garrett norcross 41 texas Rangers tony plagman wesleyan (ga. tech) 46 new york yankees Justin earls collins Hill (georgia) 47 pittsburgh pirates 2008 Name School Round Organization charlie Blackmon n. gwinnett (ga. tech) 2 colorado Rockies Zach cone parkview 3 los angeles angels Jeremie tice dacula (college of charleston) 6 cleveland indians collin mcHugh providence (Berry) 18 new york mets Rob Flanigan s. gwinnett (n. georgia) 29 san Francisco giants Bronson gagner parkview 43 cincinnati Reds grayson garvin wesleyan 45 Houston astros 2007 Name School Round Organization stephen dodson wesleyan (georgia) 18 Kansas city Royals mitch Rider north gwinnett 47 Florida marlins stephen mccray parkview (young Harris) 50 st. louis cardinals 2006 Name School Round Organization Blake wood n. gwinnett (ga. tech) 3 Kansas city Royals Joey side s. gwinnett (georgia) 6 arizona d-backs tim gustafson parkview (ga. tech) 9 atlanta Braves K.d. Kang parkview 15tampa Bay devil Rays Justin curry Buford 33 cincinnati Reds stephen mccray parkview 34tampa Bay devil Rays 2005 Name School Round Organization stephen Brock n. gwinnett (chipola cc) 14los angeles angels charlie Blackmon n. gwinnett (young Harris) 20 Boston Red sox Kevin Bulger Brookwood (north georgia)25Kansas city Royals anthony carter parkview (georgia perimeter) 26 chicago white sox drew morgan norcross 35 san diego padres 2004 Name School Round Organization Brad mccann duluth (clemson) 6 Florida marlins clint sammons parkview (georgia) 6 atlanta Braves chris covington Brookwood 9 pittsburgh pirates charlie Blackmon north gwinnett 28 Florida marlins shaun spearman st. pius 38 chicago white sox 2003 Name School Round Organization Berkmar (ga. southern) 11 detroit tigers Brian Rogers adam Brandenburg s. gwinnett (Kennesaw state) 21 cleveland indians

Jason Fellows

Berkmar (ga. perimeter) 36 chicago cubs 2002 Name School Round Organization Jeff Francoeur parkview 1 atlanta Braves Brian mccann duluth 2 atlanta Braves Brian Bulger Brookwood (georgia college & state) 25tampa Bay devil Rays Brian Rogers Berkmar 30 oakland athletics matt Handley gac 50 atlanta Braves 2001 Name School Round Organization Jason Bulger Brookwood (Valdosta state) 1 arizona d-backs Jeff Keppinger parkview (georgia) 4 pittsburgh pirates Jason Fellows Berkmar 9 pittsburgh pirates Brad Bouras parkview (columbus state) 21 chicago cubs sean pittman central gwinnett (north georgia) 34new york mets Barry Richardson dacula (lake city cc) 35 Kansas city Royals clint sammons parkview 43 los angles dodgers Kevin Bulger Brookwood 43san Francisco giants Brian Bulger Brookwood (south georgia college) 49san Francisco giants 2000 Name School Round Organization lee Rodney dacula 10 detroit tigers Billy Keppinger parkview (lake city cc) 14 Kansas city Royals Jordan griswold shiloh 18 montreal expos Jonathan craig shiloh (young Harris) 24 new york mets adam Brandenburg south gwinnett 34 atlanta Braves

fore the season was ended, raising his profile especially among teams who value college performers.

“Taylor has considerable bat speed from both sides of the plate. He’s shown a good feel for the strike zone and has walked more than he’s struck out in his college career. While there’s a lot of raw power to tap into, Taylor gets pull-happy and out front on his swing too often to get to it consistently.

He can make hard contact, but pitches on the outer third of the plate gave him trouble. While he does have an average arm behind the plate, his overall receiving skills are below average,

leading to some concerns about his ability to stick there. But there could be teams interested in seeing if that will work and buying the bat, perhaps looking at a move to first base or left field, or at least splitting time among positions in the future.”

Boychuk, a 6-foot, 205-pound catcher, is a South Carolina signee who sits outside the top 250 prospects in most rankings lists, but could find his way into the five-round draft. He hit .438 as a senior with a .509 on-base percentage, 14 RBIs and seven doubles before the coronavirus canceled the season.

Brookwood High School has sign posted with questions pertaining to COVID-19. ♦

photo: philip Jones

A12 ♦ Wednesday, June 10, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.com

SPORTS

GGC softball’s Willhite earns All-American honor From staff reports

For the second consecutive spring, Georgia Gwinnett College senior softball player Sydney Willhite has been an Academic All-American selection by the College Sports Information Director of America.

Willhite, an Archer grad, was a second NAIA Academic All-America team choice after earning first-team honors in 2019.

Besides academic credentials, the Academic All-America award was based upon a player’s career statistics, after the 2020 season was cut short across all NCAA and NAIA levels by the COVID-19 public health pandemic.

An exercise science major from Monroe, Ga., Willhite

Senior Sydney Willhite, an Archer grad, hits during a game last season. ♦ photo: ggc athletics

has program records with 21 home runs and 45 doubles.

She had a career .341 batting average and 144 runs in 192 games in earning AllAssociation of Independent Institutions honors during all four of her GGC seasons.

She also was named to the conference’s Champions of Character team in 2020.

Willhite connected on eight home runs during the 2019 and 2017 seasons. She posted a .341 batting average in 20 games in the abbreviated 2020 season. The Grizzlies posted a 12-9 record and were ranked No. 10 in the NAIA. Georgia Gwinnett College’s Office of Athletics has had 16 CoSIDA Academic AllAmericans since the 2017 spring season.

NASCAR|FOLDS OF HONOR QUIKTRIP 500

special photo: ggc athletics

Georgia Gwinnett’s Hunter Dollander pitches during a game last season.

GGC’s Dollander garners Academic All-American Award From staff reports

Georgia Gwinnett College senior baseball player Hunter Dollander has become the program’s first Academic AllAmerican after selection by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Besides academic credentials, the award was based upon a player’s career statistics, after the 2020 season was cut short across all NCAA and NAIA levels by the COVID-19 public health pandemic.

The pitcher earned 2020 second NAIA Academic AllAmerica team accolades. He was one of four pitchers recognized nationally across the first or second teams.

Dollander, an exercise science major, posted a 16-1 record after starting 25 games for the nationally ranked Grizzlies. The right-hander had 142 strikeouts in 154 career innings. He was a first Association of Independent Institutions team selection for the 2019 and 2018 seasons, helping GGC reach the Avista NAIA World Series semifinal round on both occasions.

The Evans, Ga., native opened his career in Lawrenceville with an 8-1 record and a 2.97 earned

run average in 2018. He had a 5-0 record in 2019 before winning all three decisions in the abbreviated 2020 season.

Dollander saved some of his best performances for postseason play, tossing the only complete game of his career in a 2018 NAIA Opening Round contest against Keiser University (Fla.). That came after being named to the A.I.I. alltournament team in helping lead GGC to the championship round.

The Grizzlies posted a 23-2 record and were ranked No. 3 in the NAIA when the 2020 season ended due to the pandemic. The team won its last 22 games of the season for the second longest winning streak in program history.

The Academic All-America program recognizes studentathletes who are in at least their second year at their current institution and have a 3.3 or higher cumulative grade point average. Sports information directors from throughout the nation voted for the first- and second-team selections.

Georgia Gwinnett College’s Office of Athletics has recorded 16 CoSIDA Academic AllAmericans since the 2017 spring seasons.

Former Falcons defensive end John Zook dies at 72 Field Level Media Former NFL defensive end John Zook has died after a battle with cancer. He was 72.

Zook died Saturday in Wichita, Kan. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Sunday that Zook exchanged good-byes with some of his former Atlanta Falcons teammates on Friday via Zoom.

Zook played the first seven of his 11 NFL seasons (196979) with the Falcons. The Los Angeles Rams drafted him in the fourth round in 1969 but traded him to Philadelphia, who then traded Zook to Atlanta — before Zook

ever played a game.

He was traded to the thenSt. Louis Cardinals following the 1975 campaign.

Zook was a Pro Bowl selection in 1973 during an era when Atlanta had one of the top set of defensive ends in Zook and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey.

“The most fun I had the whole time I played football was the time John and I had that season when we were both selected to the Pro Bowl,” Humphrey told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We figured out we were better together than we were individually.”

Brynn anderson/pool photo via usa today network

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) celebrates winning the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Sunday.

‘Pretty special’

Harvick prevails to continue dominance at AMS Field Level Media Kevin Harvick added to a sizable list of good memories at Atlanta Motor Speedway when he won Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at the 1.5-mile oval in Hampton, Ga. The victory was the third for the Stewart-Haas driver at Atlanta — the site of his very first NASCAR Cup Series win way back in 2001.

That first win came just two races after he took over the ride of the legendary Dale Earnhardt, who died at the Daytona 500.

“Obviously,” Harvick said, “the first win came for me here at Atlanta and this is just a race track that I’ve taken a liking to, and you always come back and have those memories and now you want to celebrate everything that Dale Earnhardt did for this sport. To come here and be able to do that with wins and go to victory lane is pretty special.”

Harvick celebrated Sunday by taking a reverse victory lap while holding up three fingers in honor of Earnhardt.

“There’s so many thoughts going through my mind that day and everybody was confused, and to be able to celebrate how much Dale Earnhardt has meant to this sport at a race track where I got my first win because he wasn’t in the car is pretty awesome.”

Harvick also won two years ago at AMS. Harvick, who started the race with a series-best — by far — 1,197 laps led at the track, collected his second victory of the season. His first came at Darlington on May 17.

The 2014 Cup champion took the lead for the final time on Lap 219

of the 325-lapper and from there was never seriously challenged.

Finishing second was Kyle Busch of Joe Gibbs Racing. Busch, the defending series champion, is still looking for his first victory of the season. He finished 3.527 seconds behind Harvick.

“We ended up second,” Busch said.

“We ended up not too far behind (Harvick) who’s the best here. It’s hard to beat him when you come to his home turf, if you will, at Atlanta, they are really fast.

“We were able to keep it up front all day. We had good pit stops all day. I didn’t screw up and speed on pit road today.”

Third was Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr., the 2017 Cup champion who was looking for his first victory in 22 starts at Atlanta. Truex won the first two stages Sunday, Fourth was Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney. Denny Hamlin of the Gibbs team — who was the winner of this year’s Daytona 500 — finished fifth.

Following the race, TV crews caught driver Bubba Wallace, who finished 21st, appearing to get lightheaded while talking to members of his crew before collapsing in their arms. FOX then interviewed Wallace on live air as the driver sat on the wall along pit road, but during the interview he appeared to again get lightheaded, bowing his head down and closing his eyes.

As a member of his crew grabbed him, a voice could be heard saying, “where’s medical?”

“He is not OK,” FOX pit road interviewer Jamie Little said before cameras cut away.

FOX later showed Wallace sitting

on the wall, alert and surrounded by crew members, with FOX NASCAR announcer Mike Joy saying, “Bubba Wallace is OK, being tended to by medical personnel.”

Sunday’s race was the 10th of the season and sixth since racing resumed after a two-plus-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because of the pandemic, the race was run without fans in the grandstands.

Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports started the race from the pole and held the lead until pitting for a competition caution on Lap 25. Those were the first laps that the Georgia native and the sport’s most popular driver led in his five starts at his home track.

Elliott, whose hometown is Dawsonville, would not lead again after losing the lead in the pits and would finish eighth.

The series will be back on the track on Wednesday evening at Martinsville Speedway’s short track.

Prior to the green flag to start the race, the field was brought to a stop during the final warmup lap.

As the cars sat on the front stretch, NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell addressed the teams and the television audience on the radio.

His message was that the sport and the country “must do better” when it comes to racial injustice.

His message was followed by a moment of silence.

The words were related to the recent death of George Floyd, a black man who died on May 25 in Minneapolis when white officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes.

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