Best of North Atlanta to honor community’s picks
Psychologist says pandemic raises mental health issues
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J u l y 3 0 , 2 0 2 0 | T h e C r i e r. n e t | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6
Prep sports governing body Park becomes happy refuge adopts full football season for quarantined dog owners Other fall sports to begin as originally scheduled By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com
said. “I think this shows that we have all moved together as a group. Everyone in the room understood how important athletics is for these kids’ mental well-being, and it provides a daily routine. And there are a lot of different things that keeps kids excited about school, and athletics is a part of that. It was good to see that come out today and see how willing everyone was to be able to provide that.” A vote to have all sports return as originally scheduled was voted down, 8-4. Craft was one of the board members to vote against the measure. Craft said he cast his nay vote because the football delay will allow school systems to get open and comfortable in in their processes before allowing games. Some might struggle if the season started as originally scheduled, he said, adding the delay gives athletes more time to recondition their bodies after months in quarantine. The board did not approve the delay for other fall sports because football requires far more equipment be worn in the outdoor heat, so it presents a safety issue if players aren’t properly acclimated physically, Craft said. At least one North Fulton football team has earned a berth in a state championship game in each of the last four years. If that streak continues, a team could be lifting the state title trophy post-Christmas. Originally, the state championships were to be held Dec. 10-12. A two-week season delay would put the finals during the week of Christmas. Craft said the board is still working out how it will approach that week. Everything
GEORGIA — The Georgia High School Association, the state’s governing body for high school sports, voted July 20 to push back the start of prep football two weeks. The order allows for a full, 10-game regular season. All other fall sports, including crosscountry, volleyball and softball, will begin in early August as originally scheduled. The move comes as some the state’s largest school districts — including Fulton, Gwinnett and Dekalb counties — have opted to continue virtual learning to start the 2020-21 academic year. The GHSA Board of Trustees voted unanimously, 12-0, to delay the football season while keeping other fall sports on track to start on time. “It’s a huge decision,” said Steven Craft, Fulton County athletic director and a member of the Board of Trust“We want to provide this oppor6 66 66 6ees. 66 6 tunity to our student athletes, and we owe it to them. But we want to make sure it is done in a safe and great environment, and this gives everyone the opportunity to do that.” The GHSA’s decision comes the same day the California Interscholastic Federation, which oversees California prep sports, elected to delay all fall sports @ @ @ @ until December or January. “I know other states have moved @ @ 1 13/4/19 Page11 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 3/4/1911:16 11:16 AM AM Page @ @ their @ 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout seasons completely, but I think 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 11:16 1 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 3/4/19 AM Page 1 @ everyone is in a different place,” Craft See FOOTBALL, Page 8 @ @ @ @
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By JEFFREY ALBERTSON newsroom@appenmediagroup.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — For months, eerie quiet filled the high pine and sweetgumlined paths along Brook Run Dog Park. That changed June 1 when Dunwoody city leaders opened the gates to the popular grounds. Today, sporadic barks and occasional scolding accompany the bird songs and rustling of squirrels in the brush. “When the dog park closed it was like you cut off people’s arms,” said Laine Sweezey, president of the Brook Run JEFFREY ALBERTSON/HERALD Dog Park Association. Mellow, a Rhodesian ridgeback, Until now, she said people have been allowed to go to the bowling alley or get a stops by for a drink at the water fountain at Brook Run Dog Park. tattoo, but the dog park was off limits. While the coronavirus pandemic has left few untouched, dog owners have community here than other dog parks.” dealt with their own anxieties. Owners She said a vet warned about unknown and their pups have spent an increasrisks, but she said she felt safe keeping distance from other people. ing amount of time together with fewer Lavar Edwards and his Rhodesian places to go. ridgeback, Mellow, visit the park two As the initial wave of the coronavirus times a week and have grown closer began in March, public facilities began during the pandemic. He said Mellow shuttering. On March 19, the City of whines when he leaves to go to the store, Dunwoody announced the temporary but seems happy the park is back open. closing of playgrounds and restrooms at Elizabeth Lamback and her terrier, Brook Run Park. The next round of closWesley, visited the dog park recently for ings included the dog park. That order the first time. She has “loved being at remained until the first of June, a day home,” but she is not sure how Wesley Sweeney celebrated. will adjust when she returns to work. He “Heavens yes!,” she said. was nearby investigating the new terriThe Brook Run Dog Park is a 2-acre > > fenced area, with separate space tory, but he stopped for a photo. Lam> for > > > > back large and small dogs. A large dog exsaid she felt safe being outside, but > > > > she had a mask in case the park was ceeds 25 pounds. > > > > golden > >crowded. Ann Podber and> her > > > doodle, > > Ellie May, visit the park as part of their > > > > > > > See PARK, Page 4 daily routine because there is “more > >
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