Forsyth County to adopt new open records software

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County commissioners approved purchase of a new software that might give residents an easier path to filing for and receiving information about their government.

The Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to acquire JustFOIA Open Records Request Management Software for $14,056 at an April 11 work session.

Constituent Services Liaison Toni Boyd said the Sheriff's Office and 911 Center use management software to handle requests, but the new contract with JustFOIA would allow the Sheriff’s Office more services for half the cost.

Boyd said general services in the county do not use management software, but requests are handled internally within departments.

“Our open records essentially boil down to three buckets,” County Manager David McKee said. “The Sheriff’s Office, 911 and then general government is what I’ll say.”

McKee said the JustFOIA system will streamline and centralize the process, and requesters can file a request and choose the appropriate bucket. He said the acquisition will have a cost saving of roughly $20,000 in year two.

See RECORDS, Page 11

Fire Department schedules Junior Fire Academy

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Fire Department announced it will host a Junior Fire Academy summer camp program for students to learn about firefighting June 19-23.

Students will learn about the education and experience of firefighting, search-andrescue, EMS and other topics. The program is free and is open to students entering the seventh and eighth grade this upcoming school year.

Space for the camp is limited, and those interested in attending must submit an application no later than May 5. at the Fire Department Headquarters at the Forsyth County Public Safety Complex. There will be a 4 p.m. deadline to pick up campers.

County Fire Chief Barry Head said the academy is always a highlight of the Fire Department’s year.

“Beyond getting to experience what a week in the life of a firefighter is like, students will have the opportunity to learn lessons about teamwork, responsibility, leadership and general best safety practices,” Head said.

The camp will run from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Applications can be completed at www. forsythco.com/Departments-Offices/FireDepartment/Community-Risk-Reduction.

For more information, call the Fire Department Public Education Division at 770205-4688 or email Fire Prevention Training Officer Erin Long at enlong@forsythco.com.

— Shelby Israel

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Police Blotter

Deputies find firearms following traffic stop

tag lights not working, and a traffic stop was conducted in the shopping center at Browns Bridge and Little Mill roads.

Deputies arrest driver for drug possession

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a Dawsonville man April 7 for alleged possession of illegal drugs that he reportedly had hidden in his boxers.

Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop on Smith Drive after the driver Craig Wooke, 39, had failed to maintain lane and made an improper turn off Ga. 400.

Wooke told deputies he was on his way home from Woodstock. The report states he lit a cigarette, began speaking faster and had watery eyes.

Deputies reported asking Wooke whether he had used illegal drugs in the past, and he said no. The deputies then asked him if he had ever been arrested, and Wooke said he had been for DUI drugs associated with marijuana.

A field sobriety test indicated no physical clues of intoxication, the report states, but deputies observed clinical manifestations of use, including constricted pupils, body tremors and a lack of convergence in both eyes.

Deputies searched Wooke’s vehicle with his consent. Inside, they reported finding capped syringes, Naloxone and a purple cotton ball on the bottom of a cola can that tested positive for fentanyl.

Wooke reportedly told deputies he had crack and fentanyl in his boxers. He removed the drugs, and they were placed in an evidence bag.

Wooke was charged with felony possession of a Schedule One controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor improper turn.

He is being held at the Forsyth County Jail on a $35,210 bond.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a Cumming man April 8 for alleged illegal possession of firearms after he fled the scene during a traffic stop.

Deputies reported stopping a Toyota Tacoma for an expired tag and a dark window tint in the Leon’s parking lot April 4. When they informed the driver Dakota Grant, 33, his tag had expired, deputies said he appeared shocked. While returning to the patrol car to verify Grant’s license, deputies reported observing two ammunition cans and a rifle case in the truck bed.

Deputies reported learning Grant had had “an extensive history with drugs and was a gang member.”

The report states Grant had left the scene while the deputy occasionally looked away to run Grant’s information.

Two rifles, a pistol, magazines and ammunition were reportedly located in Grant’s vehicle. Deputies also reported finding an ashtray with drug residue and a cotton ball, as well as a dollar bill that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Deputies reported Grant had been convicted of felony possession of methamphetamine in Dawson County in 2016.

Grant was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine; weapon receipt, possession or transfer by a convicted felon; and misdemeanor charges of obstruction of law enforcement and expired or no license plate or decal.

Winder man arrested for possession of meth

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a Winder man April 5 after reportedly finding methamphetamine in his vehicle following a traffic stop for a tag light violation.

Deputies reported observing a Chevy Silverado driving on Parks Road with its

The driver, Shawn Harbin, 51, presented deputies with an identification card because he said he was awaiting a replacement.

Deputies found that Harbin’s vehicle had no valid insurance and his license had been revoked for multiple no insurance convictions.

Harbin said he did not consent to have his vehicle searched when deputies explained it would be inventoried for the impound, the report states. Deputies read Harbin his Miranda rights and asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, but they reported Harbin said he did not want to talk.

Deputies reported finding multiple bottles of liquor, one of them open. They also reported finding a crystal-like substance that appeared to be methamphetamine.

Harbin was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor charges of possession of an open alcohol container, driving without a valid license, failure to maintain insurance and tag light required.

He is being held at the Forsyth County Jail. Bond is set at $13,395.

Woman says imposter signed for her delivery

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek woman reported larceny to police April 4, after ordering a cell phone she never received.

The victim said she ordered a $1,886 Apple iPhone 13 from Comcast in March, and it was supposed to have been delivered to her business, MCGold Skincare on Jones Bridge Road.

She received notification saying the package was delivered a few days later and signed for by another woman, although the victim said she is the sole owner and operator of the business.

When the victim contacted Comcast about the incident, they requested she obtain a police report.