December 15, 2017 — Gwinnett Daily Post

ONLINE SHAKEUP FCC votes to roll back rules for internet known as net neutrality • Nation, 6A

FORCE OF NATURE, 6C

Star Wars franchise back with ‘Last Jedi’

Gwinnett Daily Post FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

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Winner’s circle

Vol. 48, No. 40

Cops: Uber driver raped 16-year-old passenger

BY ISABEL HUGHES isabel.hughes@gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County police are looking for any additional victims who may have been assaulted by a College Park Uber driver who is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl.

On Thursday, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 58-yearold Abdoulie Jagne, who Gwinnett County Police Department detectives say raped his Uber passenger Abdoulie in the early morning hours Jagne Monday.

Cobb County court records obtained by the Daily Post show the College Park resident previously pleaded guilty for battery and simple assault-family violence, as well as cruelty to children.

According to Cpl. Michele Pihera, spokeswoman for the Gwinnett police department, officers assigned to the west precinct were

See RAPE, Page 7A

Above, former Duluth High School coach Cecil Morris, left, shares a laugh with George Rogers at the ribbon-cutting for George Rogers Avenue on Thursday. Rogers played football under Morris in the 1970s before going on to play at South Carolina, where he won the Heisman Trophy, and in the NFL. At top, a car drives on George Rogers Avenue in Duluth shortly after it opened Thursday morning. (Staff Photos: Curt Yeomans)

Duluth celebrates Heisman recipient with new road

BY CURT YEOMANS

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Even if Duluth officials were unsure about asking George Rogers if he’d like to be the first person to drive on a new road bearing his name Thursday morning, there was no hesitation on his part.

Mayor Nancy Harris broached the idea with the former Duluth High School football standout, who also won the Heisman Trophy at the University of South Carolina and was a Super Bowl champion with the Washington Redskins. He was quick with his answer.

“I’d love to be the first person to drive on this road,” he said.

Rogers, who now lives in Columbia, S.C., joined Duluth officials Thursday for the ribbon-cutting of George Rogers Avenue. The road had been in the planning stages for years, and its opening connects Duluth High School with the roundabout at West Lawrenceville

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GGC reaches milestone at graduation More than 5,000 people have degrees from school

BY TREVOR MCNABOE trevor.mcnaboe@gwinnettdailypost.com

who attended the event. Duluth Principal Eric Davidson, some of Duluth’s current football players and a few of its cheerleaders also attended the ceremony.

For Rogers, it was a sentimental moment to come home and have a road named in his honor.

“Duluth will always be in George Rogers cuts the ribbon to officially open George my heart,” he said. “This is Rogers Avenue in Duluth on Thursday. The road leads to Du- where I started. You’ve got luth High School, where Rogers played football in the 1970s. to remember, if it wasn’t for Coach Morris, it never would Street and McClure Bridge do something for George’ have happened.” and Irvindale Roads.

— so then we thought, ‘How While Rogers and his Several Duluth High appropriate is it for this road wife, Brenda, were the School graduates attended that goes right into Duluth guests of honor at the certhe ribbon-cutting. As the High School (to be named emony, he said there were first person to drive down for him)?’” Harris said. other members of Duluth’s the road, the fellow alumni Some of the attendees football teams from the cheered for Rogers as if the went to high school with 1970s who deserved credit as former running back was try- Rogers, so it was a chance well for the success that the ing to outmaneuver defendfor them to reconnect with team had back then. ers on the football field. each other. It was also a “I wish they would add “A lot of citizens had been chance for Rogers to reconall the rest of the guys that I asking for that — ‘Let’s do nect with his old Duluth See ROGERS, Page 7A something for George. Let’s football coach, Cecil Morris,

Students, parents and faculty piled into Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth on Thursday morning to see Georgia Gwinnett College award 475 bachelor’s degrees during its fall commencement ceremony. To the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance,” hundreds of students wearing the traditional black graduation garb marched in, excited for the future and the chance to reflect on their accomplishments.

See GGC, Page 7A

Georgia Gwinnett College held its commencement ceremony Thursday at the Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth. (Photo: David Tulis/GGC Special)

North’s wait is over for shot at state football championship

BY TREVOR MCNABOE trevor.mcnaboe @gwinnettdailypost.com

Fifty-seven years of waiting and a change in venue have led to North Gwinnett hosting the first football state championship game in program history.

Preparations for North Gwinnett’s potential coronation as top dog in Class AAAAAAA football were delayed a week, with inclement weather blowing in and postponing the game.

North Gwinnett has been getting prepared to host the Instead of playing in the Class AAAAAAA championship tonight. (Special Photo)

CLASS AAAAAAA FOOTBALL FINAL Who: North Gwinnett vs. Colquitt County When: 7:30 p.m. today Where: North Gwinnett High School, 20 Level Creek Road, Suwanee

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See the sports section for more game preview coverage .......1B

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to host this.”

With the extra week of brand new Mercedez-Benz make history on their own waiting, school spirit hasn’t dissipated, but rather built up Stadium last Saturday, the field. even more.

Georgia High School As“We are beyond proud “It’s been crazy,” said sociation moved games back and excited to play in the senior cheerleader Anna Buta week, giving the host site state final,” said North to the team with the higher Gwinnett High School Prin- ler. “We’ve had the drumline seed. With North Gwinnett cipal Nathan Ballantine. The and cheerleaders come out being the No. 1 seed in its excitement level was through to all three lunches to build up school spirit for the big region and Colquitt finishthe roof last week for not ing third, the Bulldogs were just the students, but also the See NORTH, Page 7A given the opportunity to teachers and community. It’s

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2A • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

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Business owners sentenced for defrauding CDC 2012 construction project at the federal facility.

Additionally, they will serve three years of suTwo Florida men who pervised release upon owned and operated a drycompletion of their prison wall labor supply company sentences. in Norcross were recently “Federal contractors and sentenced to eight years each subcontractors are not imin prison after being convict- mune from rules and laws ed in federal court of using that apply to any company their business to defraud the with employees,” said U.S. Centers for Disease Control Attorney Bjay Pak. “The and Prevention. jury’s verdict and the Cesar Arbelaez Tabares, court’s sentence in this case 37, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., reinforce that if you want to and Juan Carlos Bazantes, compete and obtain a federal 45, of Miami, owners of contract work, you must IWES Contractors Inc., abide by the law and truthare also required to pay a fully report your payroll and $75,000 fine for submitting employment tax withholdfalse payroll forms to the ings.”

CDC in connection with a A jury convicted the two

BY ISABEL HUGHES

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

men on six counts of submitting false forms to the CDC and one count of conspiracy following a one-week trial in late August and early September.

They were acquitted of related tax charges.

According to evidence presented in the trial, beginning in 2012, IWES supplied drywall laborers for a construction project commissioned by the CDC. Under the direction of Tabares and Bazantes, the company maintained a double payroll system for its employees, internally classifying the workers as either “W2.REAL” or “W2.F.2CHK.” Workers who were classi-

fied as W2.REAL received one paycheck each pay period with employment taxes withheld, received an Internal Revenue Service W-2 Form at the end of the calendar year and were reported on quarterly employment taxes filed by IWES with the IRS. Workers who were classified as W2.F.2CHK received two paychecks simultaneously each pay period, the first of which totaled the worker’s net pay — gross wages minus employment taxes withheld — while the second totaled the employment taxes withheld from the first paycheck so that the worker, in actuality, was receiving his or her gross

wages with no tax withholdings.

Though W2.F.2CHK workers performed many of the same job duties as those who were classified as W2.REAL, they did not receive a W-2 Form at the end of the year and were not reported on quarterly employment taxes that IWES filed with the IRS. James E. Dorsey, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS’ Criminal Investigation, said the conviction was a win for the justice department.

“Cesar Arbelaez Tabares and Juan Carlos Bazantes, as owners and operators of IWES Contractors Inc., had a known legal duty to

withhold employment taxes from their employee wages,” he said . “Tabares and Bazantes’ willful failure to withhold employment taxes was a deliberate attempt to undermine the tax system.

IRS Criminal Investigation will remain committed to investigating and prosecuting employment tax fraud.”

This case was investigated by the IRS’ Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Grimberg and Ryan Huschka prosecuted the case.

Company to create 335 jobs in Duluth Neighbor dispute

BY CURT YEOMANS

surant’s work is designed to protect customers when they make major purchases, such as homes, cars, A global risk manageappliances, mobile devices ment solutions company and funerals by working will bring more than 300 with companies that sell new jobs to Duluth with those items and services. the opening of a $2.2 “Georgia’s top-ranked million technical support economic environment and center, Gov. Nathan Deal skilled workforce continue announced Wednesday. to attract industry leaders The governor joined like Assurant,” Deal said company officials from in a statement. “Assurant Assurant, Gwinnett County recognizes the benefits of and the Georgia Departoperating in the No. 1 state ment of Economic Develfor business and will build opment to announce the upon Georgia’s strategic center in a statement. Asresources to grow in all curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

areas of technological innovation.

“With this investment, Assurant will create jobs for Georgia citizens, while further solidifying Georgia’s reputation as a premier destination for job creators. I appreciate Assurant’s investment in Duluth and look forward to the company’s success here in Georgia.”

Assurant will offer selfservice diagnostic tools, troubleshooting tips and protection services for smartphone and other connected devices and system,

Brighten a

Soldier’s Holiday Send soldiers a stocking and a smile this holiday season.

We’ll supply the stockings, you donate the stuffers!

Stop by one of our locations or download a list of ideas, then drop off anytime thru December 22.

At Wages & Sons, we are endlessly grateful for our nation’s courageous military members. That’s why we’re participating in Stockings for Soldiers again this year. Help us spread some holiday cheer to the soldiers serving in Afghanistan and other parts of the globe.

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such as smart home technology. The positions that will be created by the center are expected to include operations, management and technical training jobs.

“Our expansion is a great example of how Assurant continues to invest in providing consumers with the resources they need to take full advantage of emerging technologies in the connected world,” said Manny Becerra, president of Assurant’s Connected Living business, in a statement.

“We are excited to continue to grow our presence in Duluth and the greater Atlanta area. The workforce talent in this region positions us well to continue to lead in delivering high-quality experiences for our customers.”

The Georgia Department of Economic Development worked with a team of partners on a deal to get Duluth picked to house the center. Other groups working with the state included the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Partnership Gwinnett and Georgia Power.

State and local officials were enthusiastic about Assurant’s decision.

“The creation of 335 new jobs in Gwinnett County is a testament to our highly-skilled workforce as well as our status as a leader in the global marketplace — which has helped us to maintain our No. 1 state for business honor,” Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said in a statement.

Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said: “We are proud to support Assurant’s continued success and expansion in our community. Gwinnett’s talented workforce and pro-business climate allow Assurant to continue to provide best-in-class support to their customers while fulfilling their mission to help people protect what matters most to them.”

leads to shooting, SWAT response

BY ISABEL HUGHES

for the Gwinnett County Police Department.

There, they found the victim with non-life What began as a verbal threatening injuries, who dispute between neightold officials he and his bors in neighbor, 23-year-old a LawLawrenceville resident renceville Mario Taylor, had argued, which resulted in gunfire. neighWhen police attempted borhood to make contact with Tayturned lor, however, he refused into one man being to come out of his residence, resulting in SWAT shot and Mario being called to negotiate another Taylor his surrender, Pihera said. being “(Taylor) was later taken into custody after a detained and was charged Gwinnett County SWAT team responded Wednes- with aggravated assault,” Pihera said, “though day evening. more charges could come Around 7:30 p.m., later.”

Gwinnett police were Taylor was booked into dispatched to Oak Green the Gwinnett County Jail Drive, which is located where he remains without off Lawrenceville Highbond. way, in reference to a It was not immediately person shot call, acknown what the dispute cording to Cpl. Michele was about.

Pihera, spokeswoman

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

Suspect arrested in connection to body found in Norcross

BY ISABEL HUGHES

Wednesday, according to Norcross police Sgt. Eric Butynski.

Officials previously A man whose body was called the death “suspifound early Wednesday cious” and said they found morning at a Norcross mall Yvas during a routine has been identified, and patrol of the mall. a suspect is in custody in The case, which was connection with the death. turned over to the Georgia Nooruddin Merchant, Bureau of Investigation 55, of unincorporated Wednesday morning, reSnellville was arrested mains under investigation.

Wednesday afternoon in Nelly Miles, spokesconnection with the death woman for the GBI, told of 62-year-old Kanakkuthe Daily Post as of 4:45 mar Yvas, of unincorporat- p.m. that detectives were ed Lilburn. Yvas was found “working on a couple of things” and that the agency dead in the parking lot of was not ready to release Global Mall Flea Market, which is located on Jimmy any further information, due to it possibly “comproCarter Boulevard in Normising the investigation.” cross, shortly after 1 a.m.

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 • 3A

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Chamber announces winners of Healthcare Awards

BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

The Gwinnett Chamber announced 13 doctors, clinics and medical groups as the winners of its annual Healthcare Awards this week.

The winners, among nearly 75 finalists, were recognized during a ceremony at the Infinite Energy Forum Tuesday. The awards are a way for the chamber to highlight medical professionals and organizations who are making an impact on health care in the area.

“Access to high-caliber health care is imperative to the success of a community,” Gwinnett Chamber President and CEO Dan Kaufman said in a state-

ment. “We are fortunate to have readily available advanced options for our residents that also enhance our economic development efforts to make the area attractive for investment.”

The winners include: • Allied Health: TC Parker, CST, BS, FAST, Gwinnett Technical College; • Altruistic Contributor: Pamela Kramer, Eastside Medical Center; • Community Wellness: Dr. Marcus Sims, FACC, FSCAI, Eastside Heart and Vascular; • Corporate Innovation: Gwinnett Medical Center’s Sports Medicine and Concussion Care-a-Van; • Distinguished Leader: Mike Levengood, Gwinnett Medical Center; • Emerging Executive:

Derek Singleton, View Point Health; • Healthcare Agency: View Point Health; • Healthcare Professional: Dr. Matthew Goldstein, FACEP, Eastside Medical Center; • Lasting Legacy: Dr. Laurence Lesser; • Physician of the Year — Dentist: Dr. Scott Carter, Carter Family Dentistry; • Physician of the Year — Primary Care: Dr. John West, FAAFP, Eastside Family Medicine; • Physician of the Year — Specialist: Dr. Michael Kissel, New London Anesthesia and Pain Consultants at Eastside Medical Center; and • Volunteer Service: Jay The Gwinnett Chamber recognized the winners of its annual Healthcare Awards TuesDennard, Gwinnett Medical day at the Infinite Energy Forum in Duluth. Thirteen category winners were named at the ceremony. (Special Photo) Center.

Gwinnett Chamber Police seek help finding package thief names Andersens Citizens of the Year

BY ISABEL HUGHES

postal inspection service officials have offered tips to protect mail and homes this time of year: A man who GwinMailing items nett police say has stolen • Avoid sending cash by board member and a Georgia packages from at least mail. Checks and money

BY CURT YEOMANS Gwinnett College Foundafour Lilburn and Snellville orders are safer than cash curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com tion board member. homes has been captured and may be canceled or reMeanwhile, Ethel Anon camera, and officers are issued in the event of theft.

Thirty years after they co- derson received the Anna asking for help in identify• Change the package’s founded Andersen, Tate and Shackleford Legacy Award ing him. address while it’s in transit.

Carr P.C. together, the husfrom the Gwinnett Chapter On Wednesday, the Customers who know they band and wife team of Tom of the Metro Atlanta United Gwinnett County Police won’t be home when their and Ethel Way in 2012 for her commu- Department released sevpackage is delivered can try Andersen nity service work. eral photos of a man who USPS Package Intercept. will recogShe is a past board they believe stole packages Prior to delivery, most donized as the president for the Community that were dropped off on mestic package shipments Gwinnett Foundation of Northeast the front porches of four can be redirected back to Chamber’s Georgia, a Gwinnett Medical homes — three in Lilburn the sender, to a new address Citizens of Center Foundation board and one in Snellville — or to the Post Office to be the Year. member, a Gwinnett Clean between 3:30 and 5 p.m. held for pickup.

The and Beautiful executive com- Dec. 7.

Tom • Plan ahead and ship Andersen chamber mittee member, a Hudgens Video captured by one of using “Hold for Pickup.” announced Center for the Arts trustee, the victims’ home surveil- When shipping packages, Wednesday a Leadership Gwinnett lance cameras shows the customers can choose the that it will graduate and a member of man, who is seen wearing Hold for Pickup option and honor the its alumni council’s execua hooded sweatshirt and the recipients can collect Andersens tive committee, a Gwinnett black pants with white the packages at their local with the Coalition of Health and Hu- stripes down the side, getpost office. top award man Services board member, ting into the passenger seat At home in February a founding member of the of a blue Honda Accord or • Don’t leave delivered Ethel at its 70th Gwinnett and North Fulton similar vehicle after stealmail and packages unatAndersen Annual Junior League, a founding ing the packages from the tended. Just as wallets and Dinner. The couple founded board member and past home. A description of the purses shouldn’t be left on the real estate and developpresident for the Gwinnett driver is unknown. the front seat of an unment law firm that carries Council for the Arts and Anyone with informalocked car overnight, mail their name in 1988, and a member of Duluth First tion regarding the Gwinand packages shouldn’t be have also been involved with United Methodist Church. nett crimes is asked to left uncollected in mailseveral community groups The chamber said the contact GCPD detectives at boxes or on front porches over the years. following awards will also be 770-513-5300. To remain for any length of time.

The Best Lawyers in handed out during its Annual anonymous, tipsters should • Customize the delivAmerica named Tom AnDinner: contact Crime Stoppers at ery. If the package doesn’t dersen the 2016 Real Estate Public Service 404-577-TIPS (8477) or fit in the mailbox and the Law “Lawyer of the Year.”

• Carla Carraway, Precivisit www.crimestopperscustomer won’t be home to He has also been ranked as a sion Planning Inc.; atlanta.org. Crime Stoppers receive it, the customer can top lawyer several times over • Ellen Gerstein, Gwinnett tipsters can receive up to provide delivery instructhe years.

Coalition for Health & Hu$2,000 for information tions online and authorize He received the Gwinnett man Services; leading to an arrest and in- the carrier to leave it in a Medical Center Foundation’s • Roger S. Green, Green dictment in this case. Case specified location. Visit Distinguished Service Award Financial Resources, LLC; numbers are 17-114060, usps.com, enter the trackin 2012, the chamber’s Pub• Stan L. Hall, Gwinnett 17-114071, 17-114104 and ing number and select lic Service Award in 2005, a Sports Commission / Mit17-114414.

Delivery Instructions.

Partnership Gwinnett Award subishi Electric Classic; In an effort to deter • If going out of town, for Influence in 2013, a • Anthony Rodriguez, package thieves such as hold mail at the local post Northeast Georgia Council of Aurora Theatre; this suspect, United States office. Instead of risking the Boy Scouts of America’s D. Scott Hudgens Distinguished Citizen Award Humanitarian in 2009 and the Sam Walton • The Primerica FoundaBY ISABEL HUGHES shooting death of 47-yearBusiness Leader Award. tion; isabel.hughes He is a past Gwinnett old disabled Marine veteran R. Wayne Shackelford @gwinnettdailypost.com Chamber board chairman Phillip Lamar Davis at his Legacy and a current board member, Stone Mountain home may • Nancy S. Chandler; DeKalb County police a past president and board have been hired as a hit • Jim Dorough; say a Snellville man they member for the Council for man.

• Jonathan B. Richards; recently charged with murQuality Growth, a Gwinnett and According to a warrant der in connection with the Medical Center Foundation the Gwinnett Daily Post • Marion Allison Webb. recently obtained, Jose Luis Marquez-Colon, 32, was booked into the DeKalb Friday, December 15 County Jail after a tipster 6 to 8 PM identified him to police, who had obtained surveillance video from Davis’ home in the days following picture taken ur yo the Sept. 1 crime. t ge e m Co mera. ca The warrant said the ur yo ith w for free informant, who gave the tip cookies anonymously, “said that the Santa’s favorite . ed rv se victim was fronted drugs be ill w s and candy cane and was not paying so a hit was put out on him and that (Marquez-Colon) took the hit job.” at The home invasion shook the neighborhood, FOX 5 KANG’S K. TAEKWONDO isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

leaving a package unattended for an extended period of time, customers planning on being away from home for a few days are encouraged to take advantage of the Request Hold Mail service. Letters and packages will be held securely at the local post office until the customers return.

At the mall • Plan to finish all shopping prior to loading the trunk with packages. Loading your trunk and then returning to the store for additional purchases can be an invitation for criminals to steal your packages • Keep your vehicle locked at all times, and store any electronics or items of value such as purses, backpacks, gym bags, GPS units, MP3 players, etc. in the trunk or out of plain view • Take advantage of instore pickup. While some stores offer free homedelivery for out-of-stock items, around the holidays, it can be more prudent to take advantage of in-store pickup, to avoid the hassle of worrying about package delivery • Inquire with local stores about pickup options.

Package delivery services • UPS has a free service (which can be upgraded to premium for $40 per year) to track and direct package delivery.

• The UPS My Choice free membership includes options to reschedule or reroute a delivery to a UPS store or access point location, request a confirmed two-hour delivery window, provide specific delivery

instructions for the UPS driver and set delivery alerts via text message or email.

• The premium service gives customers even more control over their packages, according to the UPS website.

• FedEx gives recipients similar options.

• Online services, such as the website doorman. com, can help deter thieves.

• If no one is home to pick up a package, consider an alternate shipping address. Customers can arrange to have packages delivered to neighbors who are home during the day or get packages delivered at work, if permitted. Packages left unattended by the front door are inviting to criminals.

• Secure the shipment using USPS Signature Services. Signature Services help ensure the package ends up in the right hands by requiring a signature at the time of delivery.

• Choose the most secure form of delivery. For the most valuable packages, customers can opt for Registered Mail service.

Registered Mail receives special handling from the time it’s mailed until it’s delivered, documenting the chain of custody.

• Customers concerned about the security of their mail can consider renting a post office box at their local post office. The mail remains secure within the post office, accessible only when using the right key or combination. Many post office lobbies are open 24/7, allowing customers to retrieve mail on their schedule.

Warrant: Murder of disabled veteran was a hit

SANTA APPEARANCE

STUDIO

Surveillance video then shows Davis and his wife retreating into their home, where they locked the door and called 911, police said. “(Marquez-Colon) then took off his mask and is clearly visible in the video looking for something and kicking in the door to the house,” the warrant adds.

“Facebook shows (Marquez-Colon) also wearing the same jacket and watch as seen on the surveillance video at the location. (Marquez-Colon’s) cellphone also pinged near the location at the incident time.”

Marquez-Colon remains at the DeKalb County jail without bond. It was not immediately known whether the other suspects have been identified or arrested.

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reported at the time.

“Early in the morning (of Sept.

1,) three males in Jose Luis black miliMarqueztary garb Colon and masks are seen exiting a car at (Davis’ home) and going to the side of the house, waiting,” the warrant says. “One male has an AR-15. When (Davis) and his wife open the garage door at 6 a.m., males appear and (Davis) starts fighting with one of the suspects. Other suspect in Adidas shoes shoots (Davis, who) is holding onto the suspect. (Marquez-Colon) then turns and shoots (Davis) in the gut (with a 9 mm handgun).”

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4A • Friday, December 15, 2017 To Your Good Health

Keith Roach

Diabetes results can be seen with lifestyle changes DEAR DR. ROACH: My mom is a poster child for diabetes prevention. She was born in 1921. Her dad supposedly developed Type 1 diabetes about 20 years earlier. He had to use diet and exercise to survive, since insulin was not yet developed.

(I suspect that it might not have been Type 1, because I don’t think he could survive that long without insulin.)

Anyway, her dad had diabetes of some type, even though he was thin and active. Her mom developed Type 2, as did all five of her siblings. My mom grew up on a very strict diet (low carbs, desserts very infrequently, etc.).

As an adult, she continued with this spartan diet. Even with her grim genetic makeup, she did not become prediabetic until she was 83, and then only when she was hospitalized and could not exercise. At 96, she is still in that borderline range, controlling her blood sugars with diet and as much exercise as she can manage.

Please share this with people who need evidence that a careful diet and daily exercise make a difference, even in a person with a significant genetic predisposition for diabetes.

— L.S. ANSWER: I thank L.S. for writing. I also have seen people whose siblings and parents were diabetic keep diabetes away by a very careful (but not unenjoyable) diet and regular exercise. As physicians, I think we sometimes rush to medications when more education and motivation might get people to control (or prevent) diabetes through lifestyle.

I do know that, prior to isolation of insulin, careful diet and exercise regimens did allow some people with Type 1 diabetes to live long enough to be successfully treated with insulin once it became available. However, Type 1 diabetes was indeed a death sentence for the vast majority of people before Banting, Best and Macleod in Toronto isolated insulin in 1922.

Although some people with Type 2 diabetes can do everything right and still require medication, most people can greatly reduce or eliminate the need for medication.

READERS: The booklet on the prostate gland discusses enlargement and cancer, as well as other men’s health issues. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Roach Book No. 1001 628 Virginia Dr. Orlando, FL 32803 Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

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GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Getting along with your peers will take ingenuity and the Dear Amy: My fiance there is room for improve- taking at face value all of Ask Amy and I have been together ment in your own behavior your assertions about your willingness to be a team for 10 years.

— you should figure out uncle. If he contacts you to player. Do your own I have always had a how to behave in a way threaten a visit, you should fact-finding and offer an rough relationship with that is both neutral and tell him, quite plainly, “I honest appraisal of a my future in-laws, but this respectful. In short, you don’t want to have any situation. came to a head when my should demonstrate the contact with you. You are CANCER (June 21fiance’s mother took him sort of behavior you would not welcome in my home July 22) — Put some to lunch in order to tell him like to see from his family or on my property. I want muscle behind your that she thought he was members. you to know that if you ideas if you want to acbetter off without me.

It will (obviously) be choose to show up, I will complish more than you Amy Dickinson She said I was controlnecessary for him to ask call the police. It’s that expected. A partnership ling, told him how much for/demand/expect his simple. Do you underlooks promising and can his sister dislikes me and this. family members to treat stand? Good.” be just what you need how she feels I am taking — In-Law Trouble you with respect when they If it would ease your to help achieve your him from his family. When Dear Trouble: I are with you, and not trash mind to enact a “no-conmy fiance told me what his realize that you have in-law you when they are not with tact order,” visit your local goal.

LEO (July 23-Aug. mother said, I was hearttrouble, but you don’t seem you. courthouse and ask the 22) — Make plans to broken. to realize that you also You may think that clerk to walk you through I don’t understand why have fiance trouble. because you have been the steps. This bully should get out and enjoy the they think I am controlling, His mother thinks he festivities going on in together for a decade, not get the best of you. but I don’t know how to would be better off without you don’t need premarital Dear Readers: your community. Offer to change their perception of you. She mentioned that relationship counseling, but My own life is probably a lend a helping hand, but me. His family should not you are not liked by variyou do — desperately. lot like yours. I’ve experi- don’t take on responsibe involved in our decious members of his family.

Also read “Things I enced poverty, prosperity, bilities that will add to sion-making for our lives, What, pray tell, was his Wish I’d Known Before marriage, divorce, remaryour stress. just as my family should motivation in repeating this We Got Married” by riage, step-parenting, VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. not be. to you? marriage counselor Gary caretaking, loss and grief.

22) — Not everyone will His sister continues to What is achieved by you Chapman (2010, Northfield If you’ve ever been curiagree with you when it ostracize me from the fam- knowing this? Other than Publishing). ous about the life behind ily, and since she is close to running home and telling Dear Amy: Years ago the advice column, I hope comes to matters conhis mother, I feel as if she you about this trashing, my uncle sexually assault- you’ll consider picking up cerning home and family. Look for alternative is influencing the family’s how did he react toward his ed his three girls. He got my memoir, “Strangers and reasonable ways to perceptions about me. She mother in the moment? Is away with it by leaving the Tend to Tell Me Things: appease others without has been very rude to me. he using her low estimation country while on bail.

A Memoir of Love, Loss, I dread seeing these of you as a way to commuSeveral years ago, he re- and Coming Home” (2017, overspending.

LIBRA (Sept. 23people because I know I nicate his own feelings or turned, and now thinks we Hachette).

Oct. 23) — You can am going to be scrutinized concerns about you? should all “get over it.”

You can contact Amy and judged.

These are questions you He is insisting on a visit Dickinson via email: make some alterations Our wedding is in a few should ask him. with me to “catch up.” He’s askamy@amydickinson. at home that will bring months. He wants us both Many people replay a always been a clever bully, com. Readers may send back fond memories. to try, but they have never version of birth family and won’t take NO for an postal mail to Amy DickUse your imagination tried to get to know me. dynamics in their own mar- answer, despite me putting inson, c/o Tribune Content and share your take on I don’t want to deal with riages. Understand that un- him off for years.

Agency, 16650 Westgrove the past year with the their negativity for the rest less your fiance establishes I’m worried he will just Drive, Suite 175, Addison, people you love. of my life, and I don’t have his own autonomy, this show up here. What should Texas, 75001. You can also SCORPIO (Oct. 24faith that they will try to dynamic won’t change.

I do? follow her on Twitter @ Nov. 22) — Focusing bridge the gap. I am unsure You should do some — Worried askingamy or “like” her on on personal growth and of how to move on from soul-searching and — if Dear Worried: I’m Facebook. exploring new possibilities will lead to positive change. Share your Sign up to get Gwinnett Daily Post thoughts with someone affected by your decibreaking news alerts and daily newsletters at sions. Strive to maintain moderation and simplicwww.gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletters. ity in all that you do.

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Page 5 A • Friday, December 15, 2017

Americanism has a larger following than Trump’s GOP

WASHINGTON — Who’s afraid of TrumpismBannonism? The noxious stew of nativism, xenophobia, misogyny, manufactured grievance and barely disguised white supremacy that put Donald Trump in the White House now appears less an allconquering juggernaut than a paper tiger — one that Alabamians, bless their hearts, balled up and threw in the trash.

Incredibly, Trump managed to lose twice in a deep-red state he won by 28 points just a year ago. He supported Roy Moore’s opponent, Luther Strange, in the Republican primary, only to suffer Eugene a humiliating defeat.

And then — prodRobinson ded by his political “wizard,” Steve Bannon — Trump reversed himself and went all-in for Moore in the days leading up to Tuesday’s generalelection vote. As you might have heard, Moore lost to Democrat and now Senator-elect Doug Jones.

“I was right,” Trump pathetically tweeted, having been utterly wrong. Sad! It is possible to read too much into Jones’ victory.

He won by fewer than 21,000 votes out of more than 1.3 million cast, which is not exactly a landslide. And Moore was thought of as a dangerous clown by many Alabama voters even before The Washington Post revealed he was credibly accused of being a child molester.

But let’s not read too little into Tuesday’s vote, either. Alabama is such a solidly Republican state that in 2014, the last time this Senate seat came open, Democrats didn’t even bother to field an opponent against incumbent Jeff Sessions, whose resignation to become attorney general triggered Tuesday’s special election.

Moore was, in many ways, the perfect TrumpistBannonist candidate: a populist renegade who perfectly fit the description “all hat and no cattle.”

He was once removed and once suspended as the elected chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court for insisting that his religious beliefs outweighed the Constitution. He expressed disdain for the constitutional amendments that abolished slavery and allowed African-Americans and women to vote. He initially issued non-denial denials against allegations that he pursued sexual relationships with teenage girls when he was in his 30s. And he had a keen instinct for theatrics, adopting the habit of showing up to vote on Election Day on horseback, as if he were planning to lead a cattle drive later that afternoon.

Responding to multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, Moore took a page from Trump’s playbook, finally settling on the story that the women — none of whom had anything to gain from coming forward — were all lying. Like Trump, he painted himself as the victim of a dastardly plot by nefarious elites.

Bannon supported him early, cowed the state party establishment into going along, and reportedly convinced Trump to climb aboard the bandwagon, too, because Moore would surely win. “The people of Alabama will do the right thing,” the president tweeted on the morning of the vote.

Unfortunately for Trump and Bannon, Alabamians did just that.

It is the sweetest of ironies that Jones, when he was U.S. attorney for the northern district of Alabama, successfully prosecuted two aging Ku Klux Klan members for their roles in one of the worst atrocities of the civil rights era — the 1963 bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church, in which four young African-American girls, attending Sunday school, were killed. How wonderful it is that a man who struck such an important blow for racial justice defeated a charlatan who has actually expressed nostalgia for the olden days before the Civil War. What should worry Trumpists, Bannonites and the quisling Republicans who go with the flow of this aberrant presidency is that Alabama cannot be seen in a vacuum. A trend is brewing.

Last month in Virginia, a purple state, Democrat Ralph Northam won the governor’s race by the biggest margin for a Democrat since 1985. His Republican opponent, Ed Gillespie, had run an ugly campaign with television ads appealing to white racial animus against immigrants and minorities.

Democrats not only sent Gillespie packing but also virtually erased the GOP’s once-unassailable majority in the lower house of the state legislature.

In both Virginia and Alabama, Democratic voter turnout was huge, while Republican turnout was middling. The enthusiasm gap between the parties was more of a chasm. A year ago, Democrats spoke of the 2018 midterm election as an opportunity to make gains in the House and, if possible, keep from losing seats in the Senate. Now, after Alabama, even cautious analysts have to consider the possibility of a wave election that gives Democrats control of one or both chambers.

Don’t get me wrong, Trumpism-Bannonism does have a following. It’s just that Americanism has a bigger one.

Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com.

The pitter patter of Christmas I never tire of the patter of little feet, especially at Christmastime. Makes you excited that the season is right around the corner.

Little feet bring warmth to the heart, a lift to the spirits, joy to the soul — a constant reminder that we should always try to make little feet happy feet.

The first memory was when the children came along and then it was the grandchildren. I’m a long way from great-grandchildren but I’ll welcome that scene when it comes along.

Happy little feet confirm that the holiday season is all about kids. When you wake up early in the morning, start a fire and enjoy that first cup of coffee, you give thanks for the good that there is in this world.

With soft Christmas music in the background and a penetrating fire to decorate the atmosphere, you forget the troubles reflected in the morning headlines.

Then you hear those steps.

Little feet on the floor racing to greet you as your heart races, too, overwhelmed with humility as you welcome the little one who is about to liven up the household. Little feet always have

fall of the stock market, or war in the Middle East.

Little feet belong to those who believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. Little feet belong to those who speak memorable words which remain indelible in memory Loran banks (“I wuv you”).

Smith Little feet remind you that,as their feet grow, so a bounce to their step. The shall their awareness of a bumping along of little feet cynical world out there to on the floor reminds you that confront them — and not when it comes to enjoying always with open arms. life, nothing is more imporThere will be rejection, tant than being in the comjealousy and envy in all too pany of happy little ones. many cases as they emerge Little feet mean that there from innocence to reality. is energy, love, and laughter Will it be a cruel world for about. them? Unfortunately, that is Little feet bring about the way it is for too many heightened feel-good emokids. tions.

At this time of the year, Little feet cause joyful we should remind ourselves noises. “Look, Gammie, I of the benevolent activities in have a present for you. Do our community and the good you have one for me?” Later, people doing good things.

“Will you play wit me?”

Those who do for others, inLittle feet race to the tree cluding those with little feet. to see what Santa has left.

The Salvation Army. The Little feet are the graphic Food Bank. Churches. Those expression of innocence. who have kind words. Those Those connected to little who share. Reality reminds feet don’t know the world us that there are little feet beis going to hell in a hand longing to children who are basket. Those with little feet abused and in need of tender thankfully don’t worry about loving care. the prime rate, the rise and Most depressing are the

little feet of children who are hungry. Can you imagine a hungry child at Christmas?

Regrettably, that is the case in many communities across the world.

As you enjoy the forthcoming holidays, think about making some little feet happy feet with a generous gift to a local charity which works to make kids happy.

As we get ready for the big holiday, I like to quote a lady named Lillian Katz who said: “Each of us must come to care about everyone else’s children. We must recognize that the welfare of our children and grandchildren is intimately linked to the welfare of all other people’s children. After all, when one of our children needs lifesaving surgery, someone else’s child will perform it. If one of our children is threatened or harmed by violence, someone else’s child will be responsible for the violent act. The good life for our own children can be secured only if a good life is also secured for all other people’s children.”

Loran Smith is co-host of “The Tailgate Show” and is also a freelance writer and columnist.

Women’s rage unleashed on those who lie That special place in hell everyone keeps talking about is getting mighty crowded.

The ball got rolling in 2016 when former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright quipped that there was a “special place in hell for women who don’t help each other.” At the time, she was introducing Hillary Clinton at a New Hampshire campaign event.

More recently, Ivanka Trump said the special place was reserved for “people who prey on children.” She was referring to allegations against then-Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore that he had pursued and/or made sexual advances toward teenage girls when he was in his early 30s.

Next came Steve Bannon, former Trump adviserturned-freelance-provocateur who seemed to be mocking the first daughter when he said during a pro-Moore rally that hell’s special spot was reserved for Republicans “who should know better” but weren’t supporting the former judge in the special election.

Whew. Is it just me, or is it getting humid down here?

Bannon referred specifically to native Alabaman Condoleezza Rice, another former secretary of state, who had written of the election: “These critical times require us to come together to reject bigotry, sexism and intolerance.” Without naming anyone, she urged

would have exchanged sexual services for cash. It was, as we say, a cultural moment.

The tweet heard ’round a world already agog about events in Alabama launched yet another cultural moment at least along the WashingKathleen ton-New York corridor. On Parker MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” a female guest said the tweet voters to seek leaders who made her “blood boil,” while “are dignified, decent and co-anchor Mika Brzezinrespectful of the values we ski wagged her finger at hold dear.” the screen and launched a This would seem to have soliloquy of scold at Ivanka disqualified a raft of current Trump and other White and aspiring officeholders House women. but was clearly aimed at It was her own version Moore, who has said that the of a special place in hell for country was better off before women, even a daughter, the last 17 constitutional who persist in supporting amendments, which, among Donald Trump. other things, gave women It wasn’t always thus, and African-Americans the Mr. Irony interrupts. For right to vote. months during the camWhile Bannon railed paign, Bzrezinski and her and Alabamans voted, the now-fiance, Joe Scarborpresident tweeted. This time, ough, gave Trump free rein Trump even outdid himself on their show. “Morning by insulting a female U.S. Trump,” some dubbed it. In senator with sexual innurecent months, perhaps in endo. Apparently miffed penance for helping Trump that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, get elected with free airtime, D-N.Y., had called for his the couple has become his resignation because of the morning nightmare. multiple charges of sexual Perhaps, too, Trump’s misconduct leveled against personal insults of Brzezhim, Trump tweeted that inski have turned her into a Gillibrand “would do anyfeminist avenger. On Tuesthing” when she previously day, she peered piercingly had come to him “begging” into the camera, singeing the for campaign contributions. cameraman with her gaze, One doesn’t need a and schooled press secretary translator or a dirty mind Sarah Huckabee Sanders. to understand that he was “Today is your day” (to suggesting that Gillibrand stop supporting the presi-

dent), she told Sanders, who wasn’t present or anywhere listening, as far as anyone knew. “This has got to stop.

Do the right thing.” Whereupon, Trump chortled with the glee of a schoolyard bully who delights in making the girls cry.

Brzezinski’s moment wasn’t quite Walter Cronkite’s “mired in stalemate” declaration of U.S. failure in Vietnam, but she clearly decided to part with journalistic tradition and make Trump’s takedown her personal mission. As her message intensified, her male guests remained stoic while Scarborough had the look of a boy trying not to do anything that would attract Momma’s attention.

If Trump in his strange way had hoped for such a reaction, Alabamans likely enjoyed the distraction after months under the microscope. Media attention has been so intense not only because of the tawdriness of the campaign but because the stakes were so high.

Would Alabama go backward or forward?

This shouldn’t have been a tough choice, but Team Bannon, Trump and Moore have effectively convinced voters that what is true is false and what is false is true. There is surely a special place in hell for such as these.

Kathleen Parker’s email address is kathleenparker@ washpost.com.

6A • Friday, December 15, 2017

World U.S. intercepts Russian jets over Syria, fire flares Two U.S. F-22 stealth fighters intercepted two Russian aircraft Wednesday after the Russian jets crossed the Euphrates River in Syria, flying east of the “deconfliction line” that is supposed to separate Russian and U.S.-led coalition aircraft operating over Syria, two U.S. defense officials told CNN. The U.S. jets fired warning flares during the intercept of the two Russian Su-25 close air support jets, according to the officials, after they crossed the deconfliction line multiple times.

One of the officials said a Russian Su-35 fighter jet was also involved and that the aerial encounter lasted “several minutes.”

The official said that coalition officers called their Russian counterparts about the incident via the preestablished de-confliction hotline.

U.S. Air Forces Central Command told CNN last week that Russian aircraft had crossed the deconfliction line near the Euphrates River six to eight times a day in late November, something that U.S. officials said prompted concerns of a clash between coalition and Russian aircraft.

Mourners gather for Grenfell fire memorial six months later Family, friends and survivors on Thursday joined others remembering the victims of the Grenfell fire at a memorial service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Seventy-one people were killed when a blaze engulfed a residential tower block in North Kensington, west London, on June 14.

The ceremony, six months on from the fire, was attended by Prime Minister Theresa May, the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. It lasted just over an hour.

U.K.’s May heads to EU summit after Brexit vote U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May headed to Brussels on Thursday for a major summit of EU leaders, just hours after her government suffered an embarrassing defeat in Parliament in a vote on key Brexit legislation.

Lawmakers backed an amendment to the Brexit bill that means the U.K. Parliament must be given a vote on the final deal with the European Union before withdrawal begins.

The narrow defeat — by 309 to 305 votes — was May’s first as Prime Minister and leaves her in a weakened position at home as she travels to an EU Council meeting in the Belgian capital, during which the bloc’s other 27 leaders are set to confirm that Brexit negotiations can move on to to the next stage.

— From wire reports

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world&nation Black voters boosted Jones to win

By Juana Summers CNN

In the closing days of Alabama’s rancorous special U.S. Senate election between Doug Jones and Roy Moore, a procession of black politicians and celebrities descended on the state.

Jones, a Democrat, stood shoulder to shoulder with Democratic former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama at a historic church in Selma where more than 50 years ago Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began his famous march to Montgomery. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey rallied voters for Jones at Alabama State University, a historically black institution in Montgomery, and Sen. Kamala Harris, a California Democrat, hit the Birmingham radio airwaves.

There were appearances by the basketball star Charles Barkley and “Orange is the New Black” actor Uzo Aduba. Former President Barack Obama weighed in with a robocall.

“This one’s serious,” Obama said in the call, intended to specifically reach black voters. “You can’t sit it out.”

The message was apparently received.

Black voters played a pivotal role in Jones’ upset win over Moore on Tuesday.

According to CNN’s exit polling, 29 percent of the

Nation Net neutrality repeal: Netflix, Facebook and Amazon react

The vote to roll back net neutrality rules on Thursday was slammed by tech giants like Amazon, Facebook and Netflix. But the move was applauded by internet service providers.

The Republican-led Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to repeal regulations aimed at protecting net neutrality — rules that ensure internet providers can’t deliberately speed up or slow down traffic from specific websites or apps. Nor can they put their own content at an advantage over rivals. The rules were first put in place under President Obama in 2015.

Nothing is set in stone yet. The repeal isn’t set to take effect until next year.

The issue may ultimately end up being decided in court, and Congress may step in with a legislative solution.

A recent poll by the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy found net neutrality rules have broad support among consumers — 83 percent to be exact.

Gusty winds, low humidity tax tired Calif. firefighters Firefighters battling the massive Thomas Fire in Southern California have contained 30%of the blaze, but the weary crews have their work cut out for them in the days to come.

People John McCain described as increasingly frail

Sources in the Senate tell CNN they have been worried about Sen. John McCain recently, following a week when the Arizona Republican was kept from the Senate to address side effects from his brain cancer treatment.

The sources described McCain as looking increasingly frail and said he has not spoken up in recent GOP meetings the way he had before, in addition to Alabama Senator-elect, Doug Jones, speaks Dec. 13 after his win over Roy Moore. his absence this week for treatment at Walter Reed (Photo: CNN) Medical Center.

One source said that Alabama electorate was success of African-American of that effort, according to McCain always used to made up of black voters, political influence has been DeJuana Thompson, who speak up in these meetand 96 percent of those and continues to be the work founded the Alabama-fovoters backed Jones. Black and fidelity to the cause cused Woke Vote, is starting ings, and that he hasn’t at all recently. The source voters turned out for the by black women,” Rep. early and staying engaged. special election at a higher Emanuel Cleaver, a MisThompson said she began was not commenting on level than their share of the souri Democrat and member to have conversations about McCain’s mental acuity, electorate when Obama was of the Congressional Black getting out the black vote in but on his energy level, and pointing out that his lack on the ballot in 2008 and Caucus, told CNN. “The June or July.

2012. What’s more, a nearly numbers from Alabama “I started thinking about it of participation was not unanimous 98 percent of opened the door, and now the moment when (Jeff Ses- normal. One well-known side effect of cancer treatblack women backed Jones the world can see what has sions) became the attorney over Moore. empowered the progress that general,” she told TV One’s ments is fatigue.

And black Democrats say African-Americans have Roland Martin, which left they’ve hit on a playbook made since 1965.” the Senate seat vacant. “That ‘Super Size Me’ for 2018: Empower — and Operatives and activwas the time that we started filmmaker admits trust — local leaders, enists who worked to mobiorganizing resources. We to misconduct gage voters early and often, lize black voters ahead of knew we could not wait on and provide resources to Tuesday’s election say their the Democratic Party. We The filmmaker behind activists, particularly black success came from a patch- knew we could not wait on “Super Size Me” has women, who keep the effort work effort that included the campaign itself, so we going far beyond Election resources from the national started talking to the donors admitted to sexual misDay. Democratic Party and super about putting money into an conduct in a confession titled “I am part of the “The secret is out. It’s per- PACs, with leadership by independent black political problem.” haps been a secret too long, local politicians and comstructure that could move The confession, which and that is that the secret munity stakeholders. Part bodies.”

Morgan Spurlock published to his social media congressional leadership accounts, details episodes that he will not support the that started in college but latest version of the GOP extend into his profestax bill if the legislation sional career. doesn’t make the child tax “I’ve come to undercredit more generous. stand after months of “I’ve been pretty consis- these revelations, that I tent in my communications am not some innocent bystander, I am also a part on this issue and that is I of the problem,” he wrote, want us to see the refundreferencing the recent able portion of the child wave of sexual miscontax credit increased from its current number,” Rubio duct allegations against prominent men. told reporters on Capitol “If I’m going (to) Hill on Thursday. “If it Smoke is seen forming from wildfires in southern Cali- stays at $1,100, I’m a ‘no.’ truly represent myself as someone who has built a fornia on the horizon early in the morning. (Photo: CNN) Let’s hope it doesn’t.” career on finding the truth, Wind gusts and low hu- sign within “the coming Trump’s antitrust then it’s time for me to be truthful as well,” he said. midity are giving life to the weeks” amid accusations Spurlock’s publicist he groped women, Sen. Al team to work ravaging blaze — a beheconfirmed the authenticity moth larger than New York Franken is still reporting overtime on of the post to CNN. for duty to Capitol Hill City — that is destroying Disney-Fox deal and damaging property and with no departure date set.

A month after it sued to Gov. Mark Dayton, a prompting mandatory and Omarosa denies Minnesota Democrat, said block AT&T’s purchase voluntary evacuations. there was a Wednesday that Minnesota of Time Warner, President The inferno threatens Trump’s Justice DepartSanta Barbara, Carpinteria, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith was confrontation at ment has another big media the White House appointed to a one-year Summerland, Montecito deal to scrutinize: Disney’s term in the Senate, which and surrounding areas, Omarosa Manigault planned acquisition of most according to the California will conclude in January Newman, the White House of 21st Century Fox. 2019. Smith, thought to Department of Forestry In some respects, experts aide whose resignation was and Fire Protection, known be a leading contender to announced on Wednesday, replace Franken, accepted say the Disney-Fox deal as Cal Fire. denied reports that she could face more antitrust Relief from the parched the appointment.

But since his resignation scrutiny than a combination left the White House after and blustery weather won’t of AT&T and Time Warner, a dramatic confrontation be in sight for several days. last Thursday, the Minwith White House chief of CNN’s parent company. nesota senator has cast “The dry spell looks to staff John Kelly.

The Disney-Fox merger five Senate votes, attended sustain itself for at least Speaking with ABC on would pair the largest movthe next week,” said CNN at least one committee ie studio by box office sales Thursday morning, the hearing as of Thursday meteorologist Michael former reality television Guy. “But some long-range and gave a floor speech on (Disney) with the thirdlargest (Fox), as tracked by star claimed that she renet neutrality Wednesday models project some rain signed after a conversation comScore. It would bring relief coming by Christmas afternoon. together Disney’s Marvel’s with Kelly in the Situation And while his replacewhich would be a welcome Room and did not consuperhero movies with gift for the firefighters and ment has been set, the front him during a White Fox’s X-Men. senator’s office has said residents of the region.

House Christmas Party or The deal would also This is still a long way out, he does not yet have a detry to get into the White so we will keep monitoring parture date — and is still combine Disney’s cable House residence to ask channels ESPN, Freeform finalizing his plans. it for any changes.”

President Donald Trump and the Disney Channel about her dismissal. with Fox’s FX, National Franken keeps Rubio says he’s Manigault Newman Geographic and Star India. working while a ‘no’ on tax bill (Fox News, Fox Sports and repeatedly denied reports departure date unless he gets Fox’s broadcast network are of a dramatic confrontanot part of the deal and will tion between with Kelly, remains unclear child tax credit calling them “100 percent be spun off into another Even though he anSen. Marco Rubio, a Re- company.) false.” nounced he would republican from Florida, told — From wire reports — From wire reports

A battle of giants has ensued between Amazon and Google

By David Goldman CNN

Amazon and Google are fighting an increasingly ugly battle that could drag their customers and their future business plans down with them.

A brief history: For years, Amazon has refused to let Google Chromecast users access Amazon’s Prime Video service. Amazon customers can’t buy Chromecast streaming

Must read devices or Google Home gadgets on its online marketplace.

Why? Because the Google devices compete with FireTV and Echo, both Amazon products.

Google, in turn, pulled programming from its YouTube out of Amazon’s Echo Show in September. Amazon responded by yanking the newest Google

Nest gadgets, like smart thermostats, off its site last month.

So Google announced last week that it is taking YouTube off Amazon FireTVs. A spokeswoman for Google cited a “lack of reciprocity” for pulling YouTube, but the company was hopeful it could ultimately reach an agreement with Amazon.

The wheels appear to be in motion: An Amazon spokeswoman said Thursday that the

company would begin selling Chromecast. Google did not immediately respond to CNNMoney’s request for comment.

Amazon and Apple were involved in a similar spat, but the companies hugged it out earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Amazon and Google customers are caught in the middle.

These spats are a growing problem in corporate America: The big guys are getting bigger,

as antitrust regulators have allowed countless megamergers for decades. Disruptive technology is rapidly upending industries, particularly media and technology. And companies are in a fight for their lives as they navigate the new landscape.

The government is also going to have to come to terms with these issues. It’s not clear what the government could do to get Amazon and Google to kiss and make up.

Friday, December 15, 2017 • 7A

gwinnettdailypost.com

Local dance studio holding toy drive

GGC

•From Page 1A For the students, it was an important milestone in not only their lives, but also their academic career. GGC also reached an important milestone during the event, surpassing 5,000 graduates in the institution’s 12-year history.

Referring to this milestone, GGC President Stanley C. “Stas” Preczewski took time during the ceremony to encourage the graduates, pointing out that just as GGC has persevered despite seemingly insurmountable challenges, they too can overcome their obstacles and succeed.

“Students, faculty and staff within the GGC community are all Grizzlies — determined, committed and caring,” Preczewski said.

Like many GGC students, Mark Guevara is among the first in his family to graduate from college.

On Thursday, he acknowledged the significance the moment had to his family as he joined the ranks of GGC alumni.

“At this college, I am not just a number or a statistic, but part of a growing family,” the information technology major said.

Guevara, the commencement student speaker, encouraged his classmates to find the catalyst that sparks their pursuit of happiness and urged them to dream of better things to come.

By Isabel Hughes

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

A local dance studio will spread Christmas cheer by hosting a holiday extravaganza and toy drive Sunday.

The event, which will run from 3 to 5 p.m., will be held at The Spot Dance Arts and Events Center, which is located at 2730

•From Page 1A

Rogers

school, he said.

“The Wildcats are still USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley presents a diploma to a GGC graduate Thursday at the played with,” he said.

“Put alive,” Rogers said. “Those Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth. (Special Photo) their names on it too. I kids, they represent Duluth never thought individually. High School now, and I’m “My drive to succeed and shared the story of Camilo one day.” pursue higher education Hernandez, a student who Wrigley also highlighted I never thought like that. It sure a lot of them are going to play in the all-star was coach and the rest of was founded upon a dream started at GGC in learning the effect that GGC’s the team that put me in the games, so we’ve still got my parents had so many support classes and who hands-on approach has on talent here in Duluth, and position where I was.” years ago — to see their graduated with honors students by meeting them Rogers said he was glad I’m forever thankful for the children’s future brighter Thursday. where they are and helping to see some of the Duluth’s all of the things that Duthan their own. Today marks As part of his remarks, them reach their highest luth High School brought current athletes at the possibly one of the most Wrigley shared comments potential. me and all of the accolades important moment in my Hernandez made to him “You will find meaning in ceremony as well. They represent a new generation I got, Duluth High School family’s history,” he said. during a conversation prior life by being part of someof community pride in the is the reason why.”

“To my fellow graduates, I to graduation about the stu- thing larger than yourself challenge you to continue dent’s concerns in regard to — by making the needs of dreaming big. Fill yourself the beginning of his college family, friends and society with ambition and maintain career. a higher priority than your •From Page 1A “The case was immediyour resilience. Be that Wrigley said Hernandez own, by doing something ately assigned to a Special spark that will set your told him: “I didn’t know I that advances the wellbedispatched to an apartment Victims Unit detective,” destiny in motion.” was worth it. (The faculty) ing of others,” he said. “If complex off Old Norcross Pihera said. “The detective Serving as the event’s took their time and invested you find yourself unhappy, contacted Uber and with Tucker Road in unincorkeynote speaker, University in me, and that means a lot. look outward for the fix.

System of Georgia Chancel- They decided to take a kid Look for how you can make porated Tucker in the early the information learned morning hours on Monday, from (the company), it is lor Steve Wrigley reinforced who came from nothing something better or somelikely that the rape ocwhere they encountered the theme of perseverance and build him into someone one happier. That will cure curred somewhere along a 16-year-old girl who throughout his address. He who will build something what ails you.” “appeared to be extremely South Norcross Tucker Road in between Jimmy intoxicated.”

The girl reportedly told Carter Boulevard and Old Norcross Tucker Road in the officers that she was “The last time we made unincorporated Norcross.” the state championship I was previously at a local bar Additional charges could in seventh grade, and it was drinking with friends and be forthcoming, Pihera that one of her friends a heartbreaker,” Jassmann said. In the meantime, the requested an Uber to get said. “We’re all so proud of North Gwinnett detective is looking for her home. our boys and their accomjunior running anyone else who may have “The Uber driver evenplishments.” back Tyler Goodbeen assaulted. Victims are tually arrived and then Senior cheerleader Kylee son’s poster has asked to call 770-513-5338 later dropped her off in Skolnik said making the been hanging in to report the crime. state championship is one of the apartment complex,” the halls of North Jagne was booked into Pihera said. “After she got the best memories in high Gwinnett High out, she began banging on the Gwinnett County Jail School this week. school.

(Special Photo) “I’ve grown up here in this doors asking for help. One shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday. district, and it’s just amazing of residents called 911.

Uber spokeswoman When officers met with to see this,” Skolnik said. her, she told them that she Tracey Breeden responded “This school loves football, to the Daily Post’s request was sexually assaulted and even if we don’t win, for comment, saying the I’m going to be proud of our by the Uber driver. Her company was taking the pants were down around (must have handicap tag); • North Gwinnett Church: team.” matter seriously.

• Lanier High School: 4963 W. Price Road, SuNorth Gwinnett is the lone her ankles when she was “What’s reported here found.”

918 Buford Highway NE, wanee.

Gwinnett County team to is horrifying beyond The victim was transBuford; shuttle service availNorth Gwinnett will be make the state finals. It will words,” Breeden said. “Our ported to a local hospital able; providing shuttle transporta- be the first time since 2008 thoughts are with the rider • LDS (Church of Jesus tion to and from the game that the state title game will for evaluation and treatand her family during this ment.

Christ of Latter-Day Saints): to those who park at nearby not be played at a neutral time. This driver has been Gwinnett police later 4833 Suwanee Dam Road, Lanier High School. Twelve site. permanently removed from made contact with the Suwanee; shuttles will pick up and “For us to keep playing the app.” friend who had called the • Glory City Church: drop off fans in the bus lane and show that spirit just She did not immediately Uber and were able to ob4963 W. Price Road, Suat Lanier High School start- shows that the excitement answer the Daily Post’s tain identifying informawanee; ing at 5:30 p.m. isn’t contained in the halls inquiry as to how Uber • Level Creek MethodFor students like junior of NGHS, but it’s all around tion for the driver, along drivers are screened for with the vehicle informaist Church: 4844 Suwanee Chaney Jassmann, this has Gwinnett County,” Ballanemployment. tion.

Dam Road, Suwanee; and been a great experience. tine said.

Rape

North

•From Page 1A game.”

North Gwinnett is making its third state championship appearance in almost six decades of having a varsity football program. However, that final win has eluded the Bulldogs.

With the uniqueness of North Gwinnett hosting the game, Ballantine encourages people to arrive early and be patient for the game that kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

North Gwinnett has been working with the Suwanee Police Department to help with the influx in traffic from both members in the Suwanee community and visitors from Colquitt County.

Some options for parking include: • NGHS softball parking lot: Located off of Level Creek Road, across from the school; • NGHS Matrix Lot: Handicap parking only; located off of West Price Road, across from the baseball field

obituaries Snellville, GA

Jefferson, Georgia

Frederick George “Fred” Ablan, Sr.

Mrs. Gwendolyn Glenn (Davis)

age 84, of Snellville, GA passed away on Dec. 10, 2017. Wages and Sons Gwinnett Chapel.

Mrs. Gwendolyn Davis Glenn, age 69, Jefferson, Georgia. Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, Georgia.

Winder, GA

Duluth

Marie Bowman

Edwin Johnson

Died on 12/11/17. Smith Funeral Home, Winder.

age 86 of Duluth, died Dec 7, 2017. Bill Head Funeral Home Duluth Chapel.

Suwanee

Robert Dixon age 99 of Suwanee, died December 9, 2017. Bill Head Funeral Home Duluth Chapel.

15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices

$

CALL 770.963.9205

Winder, GA

Joyce Jones Joyce Jones age 90 died Monday December 11, 2017. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, has arrangements.

Ext. 1161 or Ext. 1162

Duluth, GA

Helen Kamps age 91 of Duluth, died Dec 13, 2017. Bill Head Funeral Home Duluth Chapel.

Suwanee

Keith Mangrum age 58 of Suwanee, died December 11, 2017. Bill Head Funeral Home Duluth Chapel.

Loganville

Evelyn C. Duffey Massey Evelyn C. Duffey Massey, 90, passed away on December 11, 2017.

Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel Buford, GA

Maria Arlene Mison Maria Arlene Mison, age 55, of Buford passed away December 12, 2017.

Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, GA. Daucla, GA

Pet Crematory

Private Pet Cremations Start at $115 521357-1

Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

No. 201 in Duluth, and will offer food, games, raffles and fun.

Attendees who bring a toy will receive a free photo with Santa.

The event is sponsored by the Miss Little So Chic Pageant. Child tickets cost $25. Adults receive free admission with their children.

For more information, visit misslittlesochic.com.

ptreepc.com

770-817-1030

TOM M. WAGES FUNERAL SERVICE, LLC

Abe Nash Abe Nash, age 62 of Dacula passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, December 16, 2017 in the Lawrenceville Chapel of Tim Stewart

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

Funeral Home. Rev. Chris Gaddis will officiate. Interment will follow at Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Abe is preceded in death by his parents, Ruby Dean & Sylvania Jackson Nash, Sr. & brother, Sylvania Jackson Nash, Jr. He is survived by his sister & brother-in-law, Denise & Warren Banks, Dacula; brother & sister-in-law, Bruce & Dottie Nash, Cumming; brother, Terry Nash, Monroe; brother & sister-in-law, Shannon & Amanda Nash, Dacula; sister-in-law, Betty Nash Hayes, Buford; & several nieces, nephews, & cousins. The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM on Friday, December 15, 2017 at Tim Stewart Funeral Home: 300 Simonton Rd. SW Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

770-962-3100. Please leave online condolences at www.stewartfh.com

Bogart, GA

Beckie Mulkey Saxon age 60, of Bogart, GA passed away on Dec. 13.

Wages and Sons Gwinnett Chapel.

Grayson, GA

Josh Sinko age 39, of Grayson passed away on Friday, December 8, 2017.

Gainesville, GA

Beverly Elliott Uzzo age 72, of Gainesville, GA passed away Dec. 11.

Wages and Sons Gwinnett Chapel. 770-277-4550 DUBLIN, GA

Gordon Wood, Jr. Gordon Elbert Wood, Jr., 62 of Dublin, passed away December 11, 2017 at his home in Dublin, after an extended illness. Mr. Wood was born October 15, 1955 in Gwinnett Co, to the late Gordon Elbert Wood, Sr. and Mary Frances Mote Wood Roberts. He was self employed doing Dry Wall.

Mr. Wood enjoyed painting and sketching. He had lived in the Dublin area for six months, prior to that, he lived in Athens for two years.

Mr. Wood was a member of New Rock Springs Bap-

tist Church in Dacula, GA. Memorial services will be held at a later date by his family.

Mr. Wood is survived by one son, Gordon Elbert Wood, III of Commerce, GA; one daughter, Dusti Sybil Cain of Winder, GA; one brother, Bobby Joe Allen (Barbara) of Dacula, GA; two sisters, Miriam (Phillip) Blackstock, and Marie Graham both of Auburn, numerous nieces and nephews.

Please visit our website at www.brantleyfunerals. com to sign the memorial register for Gordon Elbert Wood, Jr. Brantley Funeral Home has charge of arrangements for Gordon Elbert Wood, Jr. $15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices

Call for details

770.963.9205

Ext.1161 or Ext.1162

8A • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Officials remind to not drive drunk Police report details which is .08 in every state.

In the same time period, Georgia recorded 368 • Tow to Go — a free towing and transportation service provided by AAA and Budweiser where you and your alcohol-impaired fatalities car can be taken home, up to a 10-mile radius It’s something every — 10 more than 2015 — • Uber or Lyft — ride-sharing services that offer free driver has heard at least for a total of 24 percent of rides for new users. Surge pricing may occur on New once in his or her lifetime: all traffic fatalities.

Year’s Eve or Christmas don’t drink and drive.

As of Thursday, 1,453 • Drive Sober, Georgia — Governor’s Office of HighEach year, however, people had been killed way Safety app that offers a list of free and safe rides hundreds of thousands on Georgia roads this home across the country are year. While the majority • Cab services arrested for operating a of those have not come motor vehicle under the from impaired drivers, targeting aggressive drivinfluence. a time of tragedy,” said Blackwood stressed the This holiday season, as ers and cracking down on GOHS Director Harris importance of keeping it in past years, the Georgia drunk drivers as part of the Blackwood. “Not only do that way.

Governor’s Office of High- state’s Drive Sober Or Get we want people to get a “Unfortunately, alcohol way Safety is teaming up Pulled Over campaign. designated driver to begin at many holiday events with the National Highway While driving under the with, but we want them to contributes to the number Traffic Safety Administra- influence is never allowed, know that if they fail to do of impaired drivers on our tion and law enforcement officials say the holiday so, they will go to jail. No roads,” Blackwood said. officers to remind motorseason is especially crucial warnings, no excuses.”

“When you are planning ists that drinking and driv- because of the increased According to NHTSA, what you are going to ing will not only get them number of travelers on the in 2016, 37,461 people wear, what time you are on Santa’s naughty list, but roads, many of whom are were killed in traffic going to arrive and what it will send them to jail. on their way to see family crashes nationwide, with you are going to bring, Between today and Jan. and friends.

28 percent of those fatali- also plan ahead for your 2, law enforcement of“The holidays should ties involving a driver with sober ride home with a ficers across the state are be a time for celebrations a blood alcohol concentra- designated driver, ride increasing their patrols, and making memories, not tion above the legal limit, service or a friend.”

BY ISABEL HUGHES

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

WAYS TO GET HOME SAFELY

alleged indecency by teacher outside store

officer spoke to the woman.

According A Brookwood High to the poSchool teacher is alleged lice report, to have been masturbating the officer in his truck while asking drove the Allen Reeves victim past a woman for directions, Blankenship according to a Gwinnett BlankenCounty police incident ship and she said she was report released Thursday.

“100 percent positive” Allen Reeves Blankenhe was the man who had ship, 24, was arrested Dec. 5 masturbated in front of her.

In the victim’s statement, the and charged with public inonly difference she noticed decency. Blankenship, who has been a special-education was during the incident Blankenship wearing a red teacher at the school since sleeveless shirt.

2015, is also an assistant Officers tried to question varsity football coach. the Ross employee but said According to the police they were unable to do so report, Blankenship was driving a black pickup truck after threats from the employee’s manager. Accordin a Hobby Lobby parking lot in Lawrenceville when he ing to the police report, the stopped and asked a woman manager threatened to fire the employee if she left her for directions to Walmart. shift to help. Officers also The woman reported to police that she told Blanken- reported they were unable

BY CURT YEOMANS gin, with no favoring of one about what would come to retrieve the employee’s ship he should check his handed framework, the curt.yeomans source over another or any from the FCC’s decision to FCC is returning to the witness statement because it phone for directions, but he @gwinnettdailypost.com type of blocking or filterwas torn up. said his phone was broken. revert back to rules in place traditional light-touch ing,” Johnson said. “Open- before 2015.

According to the report, In the report, the woman said framework that was in The Federal Communiness is what drives growth she noticed that Blankenship officers arrested Blanken“These Obama-era regu- place until 2015,” the cations Commission’s vote and competition. Blocking lations have empowered agency said in a statement had his genitals exposed and ship, who did not argue or to roll back rules on net content stifles innovation question why he was being unelected bureaucrats to released after the decision. was masturbating. neutrality Thursday drew and creativity. Openness placed under arrest for The woman then went micromanage the ways in “Moreover, the FCC today mixed reactions from two embraces our core value into a nearby Ross store and public indecency. During the which private companies also adopted robust transof Gwinnett’s three conas Americans: equality of asked an employee for help. search, officers asked Blandirect their networks, hurt- parency requirements that kenship if he was wearing a gressmen. opportunity. Openness is The supplemental police ing innovation and stifling will empower consumers, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnred sleeveless shirt underwho we are and what we report said the victim and infrastructure investment in as well as facilitate effecson, D-Ga., was among the are about.” employee watched the truck neath his jacket, to which he rural, underserved areas,” tive government oversight list of people, businesses One argument opponents he said. circle around the parking lot replied “yes.” of broadband providers’ and groups who spoke Blankenship was released of the rollback have made is a few times before leaving.

Hice’s comments echo conduct.” against the decision after from jail early Dec. 6 and is that it could lead to interthose from the FCC, which Both congressmen want The employee wrote down it was made by arguing it scheduled to have a hearing net users having to pay for painted the decision as a to see Congress take up is- the registration number of closed off some access to at 8:30 a.m. Monday. traditionally free services move to “restore internet sues involving the internet the truck. the internet and limiting According to Gwinnett such as email. Others have freedom” by repealing During police questioning, in light of the FCC’s deciinnovation. U.S. Rep. Jody expressed fears that internet what it deemed a “heavyBlankenship said he stopped County Public Schools sion.

Hice, R-Ga., praised the providers could be freed to handed” regulation that the the woman to ask her where Director of Community Gwinnett’s other condecision while arguing that choose what types of conRelations Bernard Watson, he could purchase a fidget federal agency put in place gressman, Rep. Rob the FCC’s action would the school was aware of tent users can access. spinner. He said he left the two years ago. The agency Woodall, R-Ga., and actually help innovation.

Hice, in countering that said that regulation put a Georgia’s U.S. senators did parking lot after the woman Blankenship’s arrest but “An open internet means argument, said opponents could not comment on the suggested he try Walmart. utility-style system in place not immediately release access to all content and ap- had spread “many myths matter due to it being a huOne officer stayed with for broadband internet. statements after news broke plications regardless of ori- and mischaracterizations” man resources matter.

Blankenship while another “In place of that heavyabout the decision.

BY TREVOR MCNABOE trevor.mcnaboe @gwinnettdailypost.com

Johnson, Hice split on net neutrality move

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SECTION B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

Third try’s a charm?

North hopes to finally lift trophy

By Taylor Denman

taylor.denman @gwinnettdailypost.com

The North Gwinnett High School football team has been close to glory twice before, and twice the Bulldogs fell short.

Today’s Class AAAAAAA state championship game against Colquitt County is the third state championship berth for the Bulldogs in the program’s more than 50 years of existence. Bill Stewart is the second head coach to help the Bulldogs become one of the final two teams standing, and he’s doing this in his first season at the helm.

Previously, Bob Sphire led the Bulldogs to their first state title game in 2007 against Lowndes, then to an all-Gwinnett title game in 2013 against Norcross.

This season was Sphire’s first away from North in more than 10 years, as head coach of Camden County.

There’s no player on the roster who would have played in either of those games, but some of those former players have stayed loyal to North Gwinnett football. Eric Wright is a cornerbacks coach and was a sophomore during the 2007 state championship run. Fullbacks coach Drew Dasher was on staff coaching defensive linemen in 2013. This week, North hopes to exorcise the state title ghosts of its past in a return to Suwanee.

The rain game If he had a second chance, Sphire said he would have likely made North Gwinnett’s trip to Valdosta two days.

The Class AAAAA state championship game against Lowndes was the final game played on a non-neutral stadium site. North had topped McEachern one week early in the Georgia Dome, which hosted the semifinals, but next season would be the first finals hosted in the former home venue of the Atlanta Falcons.

The Bulldogs stepped off the bus at Lowndes nearly four hours after they left Suwanee and were greeted by a torrential downpour. The rain soaked Lowndes’ natural grass field and turned it into a mud puddle. The combination of rain and wind were going to make it nearly impossible to pass that night, and that hurt the Bulldogs more than the Vikings. Sphire is vocally proud of the spread offense he installed at North Gwinnett, and it was now functioning highly in his second season. Quarterback Mikey Tamburo had passed for more than 2,000 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. He was also the team’s second leading rusher with 828 yards and nine rushing TDs. His favorite target was future Georgia Tech Aback Tyler Jarry. His caSee TROPHY, Page 4B

‘IMPACT PLAYER’

North Gwinnett’s Jayden Mcdonald (8) reacts with teammates after scoring a touchdown against McEachern during Friday’s game at North Gwinnett. (Photo: Dale Zanine)

North’s McDonald enjoys breakout season

By Taylor Denman

us by surprise.”

There is the natural disappointment the final game of the high school football North Gwinnett senior season won’t be played in Jayden McDonald can’t Atlanta’s Star Destroyerremember the last time it like Mercedes-Benz snowed so heavily in one Stadium, but there’s some day in Georgia, as it did consolation that comes early morning on Dec. 8, with hosting the game in the eve of North’s state Tom Robinson Memorial title game with Colquitt Stadium on North GwinCounty. nett’s campus.

He certainly can’t McDonald has proven remember it affecting a himself on that field all football game, let alone the season, and now he’s out state title game. to help the Bulldogs prove “We were not expecting themselves against a perenthis at all,” McDonald said. nial power with three state “It never really snows in titles to its credit.

Georgia, so it kind of took McDonald, North’s taylor.denman @gwinnettdailypost.com

COLQUITT COUNTY AT N. GWINNETT North Gwinnett Bulldogs (Region 6-AAAAAAA) Record: 13-1 Head coach: Bill Stewart Last game: Beat McEachern 38-17 on Dec. 1 Coquitt County Packers (Region 1-AAAAAAA) Record: 11-3 Head coach: Rush Propst Last game: Beat Brookwood 31-14 on Dec. 1 Last meeting: Colquitt won 45-14 in 2015 Location: North Gwinnett High School

middle linebacker, is the Bulldogs’ leading tackler this season. He has 76 total tackles and 13 tackles for loss (second on the team to defensive end Payne Walker). North Gwinnett has cause trouble for

opposing running games this year, and McDonald is one of the crucial cogs to the Bulldogs’ mechanical defensive unit under head coach and defensive coordinator Bill Stewart.

“He showed spurts in

spring, now he’s really comfortable with what he’s doing and he’s an impact player,” Stewart said.

Linebackers naturally rack up lots of tackles, particularly middle linebackers. If an opposing offense runs between the tackles, chances are the middle linebacker is there to be the stopper for the defensive linemen. Stewart said McDonald does possess some intangible explosiveness that is sometimes rare to find in players at the high school level.

Stewart sometimes asks

See IMPACT, Page 4B

Quavo surprises Berkmar with custom shoes

By Will Hammock

will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

The Berkmar varsity boys basketball team’s Tuesday pregame shootaround was like any other, at least until one of the high school’s most well-known former students showed up.

Popular rapper Quavo, well known from the music group Migos and now as a solo artist, hung out with the players for 10 or 15 minutes before telling them, “Guys, come to the locker room. I’ve got something for you.”

Waiting at each player’s locker was a pair of custom Nike Lebron 15s, designed specially for Quavo by Mache Customs. Berkmar school officials worked with Finish Line,

Berkmar Brons” in an Instagram post. The Lawrenceville native has 5.8 million Instagram followers and another 1.16 million followers on Twitter. “(The players) went crazy,” said Berkmar boys basketball coach Greg Phillips, also the Patriots’ athletic and activities director. “They were super excited. A couple of them actually had tears. It was a really neat experience for them.”

Phillips said he began talking with Finish Line about the shoes Popular rapper Quavo, who attended Berkmar as a teenager, surprised the high two months ago, but school’s basketball players Tuesday with custom pairs of Nike LeBron 15s shoes. he didn’t know Quavo (Special photo) planned to deliver the shoes personally. His which notified the school base price on LeBron though special versions arrival — in a McLaren that Quavo wanted to 15s, NBA star LeBron are more expensive.

650S that sells from purchase shoes for his James’ latest shoe line, Quavo called the high school’s team. The is around $185 a pair, custom shoes “Huncho See BERKMAR, Page 4B

Mountain View hosts Gwinnett all-star game

By Will Hammock

will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

North Gwinnett football players and coaches aren’t the only ones practicing in the cold temperatures this week.

The annual Rivalries of Gwinnett All-Star Game is Saturday at Mountain View — kickoff is 1 p.m. — and the seniors competing in the

RIVALRIES OF GWINNETT ALL-STAR GAME • What: Rivalries of Gwinnett All-Star Football Game • When: 1 p.m., Saturday • Where: Mountain View High School

county’s all-star showcase began their practices Tuesday in typically frigid conditions.

“It gets cold (on all-star week) every year,” said Central Gwinnett head

coach Todd Wofford.

Wofford is the head coach of one team in the allstar matchup, and Mountain View’s Nick Bach is head coach for the other. It’s the second time Wofford has

been a head coach in the event.

“It’s a cool deal,” Wofford said of the all-star game and week of practices. “You get to interact and hang out with other

head coaches from the county. One of the things that makes Gwinnett unique is you get to hang out, not be so intense. You get to see the other guys. You have a chance to be around some kids you normally coach against and see how they prepare.

“It’s low-key. It’s lowkey on game day until the

See ALL-STAR, Page 4B

2B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

ondeck Prep Schedule

BASKETBALL

Today

• Shiloh boys in Memphis Tournament • Shiloh girls in She Got Game Classic 6 p.m. — Archer at Grayson 6 p.m. — Berkmar at Meadowcreek 6 p.m. — Collins Hill at Duluth 6 p.m. — Flowery Branch at Buford 6 p.m. — Mountain View at Discovery 6 p.m. — Parkview at Lakeside-Dekalb 6 p.m. — Peachtree Ridge at Mill Creek 6 p.m. — South at Dacula 6 p.m. — Tallulah Falls at Hebron 6 p.m. — Wesleyan boys at St. Francis 7 p.m. — GAC at East Hall 7 p.m. — Lanier at Winder-Barrow 7 p.m. — Providence at Prince Ave.

SWIMMING & DIVING

5 p.m. — Dunwoody at Wesleyan 6:30 p.m. — Archer and Lanier at Collins Hill 6:30 p.m. — Collins Hill and Parkview at Mountain Park 6:30 p.m. — Norcross and Peachtree Ridge at West Gwinnett

WRESTLING

• Archer, Buford in Kansas City Stampede Saturday

BASKETBALL

• Berkmar boys and Mount Bethel at Pope • Collins Hill boys in Holy Angels Classic • Collins Hill girls in Queens of the Hardwood Classic at Whitewater • Greenbrier boys and North at Lanier • Wesleyan girls and Fayette Co. at Whitewater 10:30 a.m. — Etowah girls, Mountain View at Archer Noon — Discovery girls, Berkmar at Lanier Noon — Mill Creek girls, Newton at Archer 1:30 p.m. — Newton boys, Mountain View at Archer 1:30 p.m. — Wesleyan girls and North at Lanier 2 p.m. — Providence girls at Mount Pisgah 3 p.m. — Etowah boys and Peachtree Ridge at Archer 3 p.m. — EGreenbrier boys and North at Lanier 3:30 p.m. — South boys and Discovery at Grayson 4 p.m. — Landmark Christian boys at GAC 4:30 p.m. — Gainesville girls and Central at Lanier 4:30 p.m. — Parkview boys at Archer 5 p.m. — Buford girls at Grayson 6 p.m. — Brookwood girls at Lanier 6 p.m. — Parkview girls at Archer 6:30 p.m. — Duluth boys and Pope at McEachern 6:30 p.m. — Mill Creek boys and Central at Grayson 7:30 p.m. — Brookwood boys at Lanier 8 p.m. — Dacula boys and Pope in SEBA Challenge Gainesville boys at Grayson

SWIMMING & DIVING

7:15 a.m. — Berkmar and Shiloh at Collins Hill 7:15 a.m. — North, Meadowcreek at West Gwinnett 7:15 a.m. — Central, Dacula and Discovery at Mountain Park 9 a.m. — Wesleyan in Madeleine J. Brown Dive Meet at Emory University Noon — Gwinnett 11 Dive Invitational at Mountain Park 6:30 p.m. — Mill Creek, Mountain View and Grayson at Collins Hill 6:30 p.m. — Duluth and Collins Hill at West Gwinnett

WRESTLING

9 a.m. — Archer, Buford in Kansas City Stampede 9 a.m. — Black Knight Duals at Central 9 a.m. — Gorillat Warfare Invitational at Berkmar 9 a.m. — Lanier, Wesleyan in Red Rumble Duals at Gainesville 9 a.m. — Meadowcreek in Patriot Duals at Heritage

The Home Teams

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING at Tampa Bay Mon, 8:30 p.m.

ESPN/92.9-FM

at New Orleans Dec. 24, 1 p.m.

Fox/92.9-FM

at Memphis Miami 8 p.m.

Mon, 7:30 p.m.

FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM

Indiana Wed, 7:30 p.m.

FSSE/92.9-FM

vs. Oklahoma* Jan. 1, 5 p.m.

ESPN/750-AM

TBD

UGA football

Off

Georgia St.

Off

West. Kentucky# Sat, 2:30 p.m.

CBSSN/88.5-FM

at Kalamazoo 7 p.m.

at Toledo Sat, 7:15 p.m.

UGA hoops

Off

at Massachusetts Georgia Tech Sat, 3 p.m.

Tue, 9 p.m.

NBCSP/750-AM ESPN2/750-AM

Tech hoops

Off

Florida A&M at Georgia Sun, 4 p.m.

Tue, 9 p.m.

ESPNU/93.7-FM ESPN2/93.7-FM

Falcons

Hawks

Off

at Brampton Sun, 2 p.m.

Gladiators

FSSE = FOX Sports Southeast, FSSO = FOX Sports South; *Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.; #AutoNation Cure Bowl, Orlando

On TV

Today

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

8 p.m. — Maryland-Eastern Shore at Creighton. FS1

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

8 p.m. — NCAA FCS Championship -- Sam Houston State at North Dakota State. ESPN2

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

7:30 p.m. — GHSA Class AAAAAAA Championship: North Gwinnett vs. Colquitt County. PBS

NBA

7 p.m. — Oklahoma City at Philadelphia. ESPN 8 p.m. — Atlanta at Memphis. FSSE 9:30 p.m. — San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets.

ESPN

NHL

7 p.m. — Carolina at Buffalo. FSSO Saturday

gwinnettdailypost.com

Getting to Know ... Joel Lecoeuvre With the exception of a handful of years during and after college, Joel Lecoeuvre has been a fixture on Gwinnett’s high school basketball scene as a player and coach for the better part of the last 20 years. However, the 38-year-old Suwanee native and 1998 North Gwinnett grad, now in his third season as the head coach of Archer’s boys team, also has a lot of experience playing and coaching football. Lecoeuvre recently spoke with staff writer David Friedlander about a number of subjects, including how he eventually gravitated toward basketball, how much football affected his career in athletics and other influences on his coaching DF: So you went to North Gwinnett and played under …

JL: Ralph Nunn.

North Gwinnett grad Joel Lecoeuvre is the head boys basketball coach, as well an assistant football coach, at Archer. (Photo: David Friedlander)

had (Georgia quarterback Brice) Ramsey and DF: That name takes (Georgia Tech A-back) me a back a while. And J.J. Green and all them. you also played football They were in our region. over there, right? What That was back when all the position did you play?

Savannah schools were in JL: Cornerback and with Camden. We had 900 receiver, but we ran a kids and they had 2,500 wing-T (on offense), so I kids. was more fond of defense.

Me and Tim had always I still coach football here at stayed in contact, and he Archer. called me about coming up here and being his assistant DF: A lot of people until he retired. He never may not realize that. But really put a number on taking us back, what when he was going to remade you realize that tire, but I was like, ‘Coach, basketball was going to I’m down in Savannah, be your main sport? where you don’t get paid a JL: I had a lot of conlot and it’s a pretty rough cussions. I couldn’t play school system. So I’ll be my senior year because I your assistant as long as had too many concussions, you need me to. I’m not and I was being recruited interested in going anyfor basketball. And like where.”

I said, I was a wing-T flanker. So …

DF: So you talked a lot about pulling double DF: OK, let me stop duty in coaching … you right there. I can tell JL: Nine years. This you’re a little old school is my first year I haven’t like me because almost done football (full-time). nobody uses the term ‘flanker’ anymore.

DF: In a program JL: Exactly (laughs). like Archer, which has quickly become used to DF: When you first making the postseason, I stopped playing football, imagine that had to have did you miss it? made the transition from JL: I did, and this is football to basketball actually the first year I pretty hectic for you. Is didn’t really coach football that a reason you decided full-time. I still helped not to coach football fullout in the box with (detime this year? fensive coordinator Joel) JL: Well, my wife had Bridges. But when I was a baby. I have a 1-year-old at Parkview from 2003 to daughter and a 5-year-old 2005, … that’s where me daughter. And my wife and (former Archer boys (coaches) volleyball at basketball coach and curBuford Middle School. rent athletics director Tim) With football and volleyWatkins met up. ball being the same (fall) I was the JV coach and season, it’s just unfair I was doing ninth-grade to the kids. And it (also) football with (current affected the basketball proBuford wrestling) Coach gram. It really did. Just not (Tom) Beuglas and doing workouts, not doing (George) Carden and all conditioning as much as those guys at Parkview, you should be, being on and I went down to Armthe football field every day strong (Atlantic), where after school. So I think I played (basketball) at that’s definitely helped under Jeff Burkhamer, to (basketball) this year, bebe a graduate assistant. I ing able to actually have a thought I was trying to get preseason program. into college coaching, but then I realized that unless DF: So going back to you’re at a mid- to highyour playing days again, major Division I school as you were near the top an assistant coach, you’re of the county’s record not going to make much book for all-time 3-point money. shooting for a long time.

After my two years were How much of that style of up at Armstrong, I went play influenced how you to Windsor Forest High coach? Or did it at all?

School in Savannah. I was JL: To be honest with the head (basketball) coach you, I coach mainly and (football) defensive defense first and kind of coordinator there for five — my philosophy, and this years. So I was doing probably isn’t a very good double duty. We ran the philosophy, is … once football program and went you’re 10th-, 11th- or 12thto the state playoffs four grader, you either know out of the five years I was how to shoot the ball or there. you can’t. It’s almost too We were actually leadlate to fix it. Now we’ll do ing Camden (County) a lot of drills and stuff, but at halftime when they the ironic part of it is, I’m

not really a good shooting coach. I don’t have the patience for it.

DF: So I guess it’s kind of like the old saying, ‘Those who can, do.

Those who can’t, teach?’

JL: (Laughs) Right.

And when I do shooting drills, I’m just teaching, like, footwork. I’m big into jump shots and not set shots. But all the stuff where the guys get the thumb involved and all that, I just let it go because you can try to fix it, but realistically, seven, eight, nine days later, they get in a game and they go back to the way the old way they’ve shot it when they’re 15, 16, 17 years old. So I probably need to do a better job as a shooting coach, but I concentrate more on not turning (the ball) over and playing good defense because that travels.

same old Gwinnett.

DF: Now I have to ask, while a lot of people know you from way back when and you’ve been back long enough for newcomers to get to know you, do you still get a lot of questions about how to pronounce your last name?

JL: Yes. Sometimes. LeCOO-vee-ay au Français.

Le-CURVE in English.

Yeah, I still get that a lot for the people who don’t know me.

DF: So you were probably around Parkview around the same time as another famous figure in the school’s athletic history with a last name of French origin, no?

JL: No, I just missed (Jeff) Francoeur. I was with Caleb King and all those guys. But I knew Jeff. That was actually the year he took the foul ball to the face and was out, like, 80 games DF: Like most games, when he was in A ball. He basketball tends to was around the field house change over time. Can a lot that year, so I got to you pinpoint in ways it’s know him a good bit. He changed from when you thought it was funny, two played?

Frenchmen in the same JL: I think the speed of building like that. But my the game is faster. The kids parents are originally from are bigger and stronger.

Boston, so I get the IroAnd (Gwinnett) County quois and French solider has evolved so much. from my heritage.

When I was playing, there was no Mill Creek, Collins DF: But your accent is Hill was brand new, there all Georgia. was no Peachtree Ridge, JL: Yes. I’ve been down not Discovery, no Archer, here a while. When I was no Mountain View. There 2, we moved to Cary, N.C., was none of that. I think in just outside Raleigh. When general, the specialization I was 10, we moved to of the game has enhanced North Gwinnett. the game. The kids are better because that’s all they DF: Now at 37, you’re do now. still one of the younger coaches in Gwinnett these DF: And with all the days. changes and growth in JL: Yes, 37. Or 38. You the county in that time, know you’re getting old is it easier for you to tell when you can’t remember the kids that have been how old you are (laughs). around Gwinnett for a But I was just thinking while? about this other day. You’ve JL: Yes, you can tell the got Geoffrey (Pierce) over difference. The boys who at Grayson is the same have played GBL since age. Matt Garner at North they were 11 years old, Gwinnett is a couple years there’s a big difference. younger. B.J. Roy (at Mountain View), we’re all DF: In what way? kind of the same age. Then JL: They’re just betyou’ve got the older guys ter. They’re just seasoned. — the Eddie Martins (BuThey know how to play, ford). I’d even throw (Berkas opposed to a kid who mar’s) Greg Phillips in that moves in from (other group. Keith Arrington (at states). They think they’re Peachtree Ridge). good, but they’re really not compared to this level. But DF: Have you noticed they probably were good at a difference in the way their old school. each group coaches?

JL: A little bit, but at DF: After spending the end of the day, it’s still some time in Savannah, basketball. Even (Duluth) what changed most about coach (Cabral) Huff, he’s the county when you an older guy who’s been moved back here a few around the block and very years ago? seasoned. But the competiJL: A lot more people, tion level in Gwinnett, it’s but basically, it’s still the fun.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Noon — Butler vs Purdue. FOX Noon — Louisville vs Memphis. ESPN2 Noon — UNC-Greensboro at North Carolina State. FSSO 12:30 p.m. — Syracuse at Georgetown. CBS 2 p.m. — Virginia Tech at Kentucky. ESPN2 2 p.m. — Northwestern at DePaul. FS1 2 p.m. — East Tennessee State at Xavier. FSSO 2:30 p.m. — Indiana vs Notre Dame. FOX 3 p.m. — Georgia at Massachusetts. NBCSP 3:30 p.m. — Cincinnati at UCLA. CBS 8 p.m. — Kansas at Nebraska. FS1

Gwinnett Daily Post

LIVE SCORING FRIDAY FOOTBALL Follow gdpfootball on twitter.com. You’ll get Gwinnett football scoring updates and key game stats Friday night as well as breaking news during the week.

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 • 3B

GWINNETT GRADS

Norcross grads shining in college volleyball

By Will Hammock will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

North Gwinnett’s Kayla Kocon plays defense against Discovery this season. (Photo: Nicole Seitz)

New look for Daily Post’s Metro Atlanta Challenge

By David Friedlander david.friedlander @gwinnettdailypost.com

LAWRENCEVILLE — The Gwinnett Daily Post Metro Atlanta Challenge high school basketball showcase will have a significantly different look as it enters its third season this weekend.

The event will still feature more than a dozen exciting boys and girls basketball action at three different Gwinnett locations — Archer, Grayson and Lanier High Schools — throughout the day Saturday.

However, as is reflected in its new expanded new name, the focus of the showcase extends beyond the county borders.

“We’re changing it in that it’s not just Gwinnett on Gwinnett anymore,” said Archer boys coach Joel Lecoeuvre, who is the co-event coordinator this year along with Lanier boys coach Branden Mayweather.

“We’re hoping to grow it, and we have some really good teams from outside the county for our Gwinnett teams to take on.”

Indeed, while there are some strong intra-county matches — including boys and girls doubleheaders featuring Archer against Parkview and Lanier against Brookwood, plus girls matchups between GAC and Mountain View, Discovery and Berkmar and Grayson and Buford — there are some intriguing games pitting Gwinnett against outof-county opponents.

Among those matchups include Mountain View’s

GWINNETT DAILY POST METRO ATLANTA CHALLENGE What: 2017 Gwinnett Daily Post Metro Atlanta Challenge When: Saturday Where: Archer, Grayson and Lanier High Schools Schedule: at Archer 10:30 a.m. — GAC vs. Mountain View (girls) Noon — Mill Creek vs. Newton (girls) 1:30 p.m. — Mountain View vs. Newton (boys) 3 p.m. — Peachtree Ridge vs. Etowah (boys) 4:30 p.m. — Archer vs. Parkview (boys) 6 p.m. — Archer vs. Parkview (girls) at Lanier Noon — Discovery vs. Berkmar (girls) 1:30 p.m. — North Gwinnett vs. Milton (girls) 3 p.m. — North Gwinnett vs. Greenbrier (boys) 4:30 p.m. — Central Gwinnett vs. Gainesville (girls) 6 p.m. — Lanier vs. Brookwood (girls) 7:30 p.m. — Lanier vs. Brookwood (boys) at Grayson 3:30 p.m. — South Gwinnett vs. Discovery (boys) 5 p.m. — Grayson vs. Buford (girls) 6:30 p.m. — Central Gwinnett vs. Mill Creek (boys) 8 p.m. — Grayson vs. Gainesville (boys)

boys taking on Newton, and Grayson’s boys hosting Gainesville.

The specific pairings have been quite fluid over the past few months, with changes being necessitated even up to the last week before play begins, with Milton’s girls being hastily added to play North Gwinnett’s girls after Clarke Central was forced to pull out to make up a region game postponed by last weekend’s snowstorm.

And that was hardly the only change that organizers like Lecoeuvre and Mayweather have had to make on the fly.

“We’ve been scrambling the entire time,” Lecoeuvre said. “But we’ve got a good field. We’re excited about our field.”

Even the schedule of games will be a bit differ-

ent this year, with Archer’s venue beginning the day with the GAC-Mountain View girls game at 10:30 a.m., Lanier’s action gets underway at noon with the Discovery-Berkmar girls game and Grayson’s action being tipped off by a boys matchup between South Gwinnett and Discovery.

That irregular schedule was by design to accommodate not only fans who may want to see games at multiple venues, but also college coaches and scouts who may want to take in the action.

“We’re trying to stagger (the schedule) a bit this year,” Lecoeuvre said. “With finals being this week for the college, a lot of them aren’t playing this weekend.

So they may be able to get to games at the different venues.”

FANS CHOICE WINTER ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Who: TaylorAnn Cushenberry School: Brookwood Sport: Basketball Class: Senior Highlights: Had a game-high 24 points in a 90-26 victory over Berkmar Coach Carolyn Whitney’s take: “I am very pleased with Taylor’s effort day in and day out. As a senior, she knows it’s now or never, so she has really stepped up into that leadership role, knowing we have an extremely young team. She continues to hustle and

Wesleyan’s Tremble commits to Notre Dame Wesleyan senior Tommy Tremble announced his commitment to the Notre Dame football program Thursday.

The tight end chose the Fighting Irish over his other finalists — Georgia, Michigan and UCLA. Tremble missed most of this season, his first at Wesleyan, with an injury.

He previously played at Johns Creek and is the son of former UGA defensive back Greg Tremble.

AFU boys team earns second in Super Y nationals Gwinnett-based Atlanta Fire United’s under-13 boys team earned its best showing in a national

bring the intensity day in and day out. The best part about TaylorAnn is how selfless she is. She doesn’t care about who scores, she cares about who has the hot hand that night and she finds them. That is what TaylorAnn makes teams great, when you Cushenberry have an entire team not caring about who scores, but each person wants the team to be successful and Taylor really embodies that.”

Jeff Cerneka can’t help but brag about his former high school players now in college, especially since they gave him plenty to talk about this season.

Four of the Norcross volleyball coach’s past standouts — two seniors and two freshmen — were particularly impressive this season. Sydney Marshall and Kolby Meeks closed their college careers well, while newcomers Tia Jimerson and MaKenzie White made an immediate impact at the next level.

“I’m incredibly proud of all the girls and what they’ve been able to accomplish in college,” Cerneka said. “It’s really nice to see Syd, Kolby, Kenzie and Tia represent themselves, their families and the Norcross family so well. Honestly, though, I’m not surprised at all by their success. All of them share some traits that translate well at the next level.

They all have a ridiculous drive to better themselves, their work ethic is outstanding and they all have a deep love for the sport of volleyball.

Most important though, they’re better people than they are athletes.”

Marshall’s team had the best run of the Norcross foursome.

Florida Southern reached the NCAA Division II finals last weekend on a 24-match winning streak, finishing as national runner-up after a loss to defending champion and powerhouse Concordia-St. Paul. FSC finished with a 30-7 record and the best showing in program history in the NCAA tourney.

Marshall played a big part along the way, totaling 13 kills in the NCAA South Region title match. She had three kills, two digs, three blocks and an ace in the NCAA championship match.

The 6-foot-1 senior finished the year with 304 kills (2.36 per set, .334 hitting percentage), 131 digs (1.02 per set), 80 block assists and 35 aces.

Meeks’ Southern Illinois team didn’t fare as well, but the 5-11 senior still put together a solid season. The South Alabama transfer had 193 kills (1.87 per set) and 76 block assists.

Cerneka’s two college

Norcross grad MaKenzie White sends a ball over the net this season. (Photo: Western Carolina University Public Relations)

freshmen were recognized with postseason awards this season.

Jimerson was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year, in addition to earning first-team AllMAC honors. The 6-3 middle blocker had 409 kills (3.35 per set, .358 hitting percentage), 119 digs, 25 solo blocks and 80 block assists.

Jimerson’s former teammate MaKenzie White also fared well in her first college season at Western Carolina, making the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team. The 5-11 middle blocker had 227 kills (2.1 per set), 37 digs and 59 block assists. She had a season best of 19 kills vs.

Samford.

FOOTBALL Soumahoro repeats as All-American Berkmar grad Mamadou Soumahoro, a senior at Berry College, finished his college career with his second straight American Football Coaches Association All-American first-team selection for NCAA Division III. The defensive lineman had 57 tackles (15 for losses), 14 sacks, two forced fumbles, four batted passes and two blocked kicks as a senior. He also was named Southern Athletic Association defensive player of the year for a second

straight season.

Soumahoro holds Berry career records with 37 sacks and 48 1/2 tackles for losses.

Coker named an All-American Greater Atlanta Christian’s D.J. Coker, a junior at Rhodes College, was named this week to the American Football Coaches Association AllAmerican second team for NCAA Division III. The left tackle, who anchors the Rhodes offensive line, also was a first-team All-SAA selection this season.

BASKETBALL McGriff honored

by Peach Belt Georgia College senior Alyah McGriff, a Duluth grad, was named the Peach Belt Conference player of the week Monday. She also was selected as her school’s Bobcat Athlete of the Week, which goes to the top performer in all sports for that time period.

McGriff had doubledoubles in two victories last week, averaging 14.5 points and 10.5 rebounds.

Gwinnett Grads is a column that runs on Fridays spotlighting achievements of past Gwinnett standouts.

Coaches and parents are urged to send suggestions via email to will. hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com.

IN BRIEF tournament last weekend, finishing as national runner-up in the Super Y League North American Final at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. AFU had five teams qualify for the event, which featured more than 120 boys and girls youth teams from around the country.

The under-13 team, led

by Brookwood boys head coach Stephen George, went 3-0 in pool play with wins over the Westchester, N.Y., Flames (1-0), the Michigan Nationals 1 (3-1) and Tampa FC Premier (2-0) from Florida. It then defeated Arlington Soccer (Va.) 2-1 in the Final Four on two goals from Damola Salami off assists from Ryan Williams and Eduardo Castillo.

AFU fell behind 2-0 in the final to the defending

champion Chicago Inferno, but got a free kick goal from Connor Pettus to close the margin. It threatened to tie from there, but couldn’t find an equalizer.

Other members of the AFU team are Quent Cothren, Andrew Cruz, Alessandro Polania-Blanco, Alex Winwood, Jake Hall, Christian Ortega, Max Holz, Aaron Lee, Kyle Black, Andrew Lucisano, Raul Sanchez, Yohan Terrazas, Alex Forrand and Lucas Stevenson.

Tenn.

The sophomore’s time of 14 minutes, 52.85 seconds was the third-fastest time for a 16-year-old in the history of USA Swimming.

He won in a close finish with fellow 16-year-old Ross Dant, who was just behind in 14:53.07.

Magahey also was ninth in the 500 free (4:20.83) after winning the B Final.

SwimAtlanta’s Bradley Dunham, a senior at Dacula, was eighth in the A Final in 4:26.00. Dunham, who swam the 500 prelims in 4:19.07, also was fourth Magahey leads in the 100 backstroke SwimAtlanta at (47.95), sixth in the 1,650 Junior Nationals (15:16.37), 15th in the 200 back (1:49.29) and 16th in Mill Creek’s Jake the 200 free (1:40.46).

Magahey, competing for SwimAtlanta’s other SwimAtlanta, won the 1,650-yard freestyle with a top performers included historic effort at last week- Shwan Ahn (12th, 1,650 end’s Speedo Winter Junior free, 15:32.99), Dylan Scott (14th, 1,650 free, Nationals in Knoxville,

15:34.07) and Emma Alexander (12th, 200 free, 1:48.49).

The Gwinnett-based club took fifth at Junior Nationals in the men’s and combined divisions. It was 17th in the women’s standings. The meet featured 250 teams and more than 1,100 swimmers.

Grayson’s White commits to South Carolina

South Carolina’s softball program has earned a commitment from Grayson sophomore Aaliyah White, a two-year starter at shortstop for the Rams.

White hit .485 as a sophomore with 47 hits, 43 runs, a school-record 55 stolen bases, 19 RBIs, two home runs and a .528 on-base percentage. She was a first-team all-county

selection by the Daily Post and the Gwinnett Dugout Club, as well as a secondteam all-state selection.

White, also a first-team all-county pick as a freshman, hit .458 last year with 44 hits, 33 runs, 29 stolen bases and a .475 on-base percentage.

Parkview’s Payton chooses Coastal Carolina

Parkview quarterback Fred Payton announced his college commitment Wednesday night, choosing the Coastal Carolina football program.

The senior led the Panthers to the Class AAAAAAA state quarterfinals this season. He also was named the Touchdown Club of Gwinnett’s quarterback of the year earlier this week.

4B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Trophy

•From Page 1B

“But there were really terrible conditions we were reer reception total (137) playing in.” was a county record when North Gwinnett pinned he graduated. His versaLowndes back on the tility was crucial to the kickoff, but on one of the Bulldogs’ success in the first snaps of the game, passing game. Jarry could Lowndes’ Greg Reid ran a run and was the Bulldogs’ sweep all the way back for primary running back in a touchdown. Reid swept single back sets, but he left toward the Lowndes was also a knowledgesideline, changed course able route runner who was and cut all the way back keen at finding the holes to the North sideline. Reid in opposing zones. rushed for 191 yards and “He and Mikey were on two touchdowns on 16 the same page with each carries, had an intercepother,” Sphire said. “They tion on defense, blocked had played together for an extra point and ran for years. They had an una two-point conversion on canny knack for knowing special teams. what each other expected.”

On defense, Lowndes If you ask Wright about was successful in pressurkey contributors on the ing Tamburo by rushing 2007 North Gwinnett four players and dropdefense, he practically ping the rest in coverage. names the entire starting North’s best chance at 11. Six-foot-1, 245-pound being balanced on ofdefensive lineman Eric fense was to try to gash Eberhart was a tone-setter, Lowndes with screens. and mike linebacker Tom The weather not only Martinez added to North’s made it hard to throw, strong defense, standing but linemen also couldn’t at 5-foot-10, 210 pounds. effectively get to their asJim Moreland was a signments on the slippery, hard-hitting free safety, muddy field. and Marquese Quiles was Lowndes pulled out a “lockdown” corner for the 34-6 victory, the last the Bulldogs. All of those time the perennial Viplayers were seniors. kings advanced to the Wright was tasked with state championship game. imitating Lowndes as the Lowndes is 87-29 since scout team quarterback. that game with four quarThe Vikings operated with terfinals berths and missed a wing-T offense and used play playoffs in the 2014 pre-snap motions and play season. fakes to disrupt the flow The rematch of opposing defense. And North Gwinnett spent they were committed to several weeks at the top of those play fakes, Wright the Class AAAAA ranksaid. ings in the 2013 season, “What I remember starting at a 7-0 pace. about Lowndes is they The Bulldogs crushed a played hard and practiced highly-touted Norcross hard,” Wright said. “I resquad 36-17 in an away member watching film … game on Sept. 13, but (The quarterback) faked North suffered a late loss it to two dudes and ran 40 to Collins Hill that forced yards downfield — you’d a three-way tie for first in think he’d have the ball on Region 7-AAAAA. The film — then all of the sud- coin flip didn’t go North den you realize he didn’t Gwinnett’s way, and the have the ball.” consensus top-10 Bulldogs Sphire was publicly were slotted as the No. 3 cautious when talking seed. The Bulldogs won about the game in the days four road games before before. finally making it to the “I don’t know if anyGeorgia Dome for its first body can really look state finals berth in six forward to this matchup. years.

They’re really, really “Our motto in the playgood,” he said in the Valoffs was ‘White jersey, dosta Daily Times. black heart,’” Dasher said.

Still, Sphire thought if “You could definitely say any team could knock off it’s not the way we wanted Lowndes — which hadn’t it, but at the end of the lost since a 9-0 defeat to day, we didn’t take care Harrison in Week 1 — it of business on the field. was North with its spread It ended up kind of being offensive look. Of course, our rallying cry.” that was squandered by Once again, the Bullthe tropical depression. dogs were loaded at wide “We would have had receiver, including future to play a perfect game to Vanderbilt Commodore beat them,” Sphire said.

Caleb Scott, who racked

up 1,057 yards receiving (72 catches) that season. His teammate Nate Brown, who went on to play wide receiver at Missouri, was close to rivaling Scott’s total with his 1,041 yards on 61 catches.

Sphire’s son, Hayden, had a hot hand with 2,639 yards passing that season, and had a deep understanding of how to run his father’s offense. The Murray State commit also had full license to audible out of play calls on the field. but North Gwinnett was also innovating high school offenses with the run-pass option by utilizing running back CJ Leggett who first chose Georgia Tech before transferring to Mercer.

“A lot of our best teams, we could always run the football well,” Sphire said.

“In 2007 with Tyler Jarry, and Mikey Tamburo was a run threat. … (In 2013) we had that mix and you had to defend the whole field.”

North Gwinnett’s rematch with Norcross got off to a satisfactory start.

The Bulldogs took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter but watched it dissolve on a kick return from Norcross’ Mile Autry and back-toback connections between Clinton Lynch and quarterback A.J. Bush for a touchdown and two-point conversion.

“You could see some shocked faces like we knew we weren’t going to run away with this one,” Dasher said. “But I don’t think anybody panicked.”

North couldn’t get anything going on offense for the remainder of the game and lost possession four times to interceptions.

The Blue Devils may have lost the original meeting, but they got the last laugh and the trophy.

It was the second consecutive state championship for the program, which graduated a handful of seniors on both sides of the ball, including current UGA linebacker Lorenzo Carter, running back and Appalachian State commit Josh Boyd and leading tackler Kevin Mouhon, who went on to Cincinnati.

“They turned the ball over some in that game (during the regular season),” Sphire said. “We caught them in that game and had some explosive plays because of our system. But Norcross was loaded. I don’t know if anyone in the nation beats us but Norcross that year.”

he stripped a completed pass and returned it for a a lot of his senior middle 20-yard touchdown. linebacker. McDonald is “Guys that can do evan extra rusher on blitzes, erything are tough to find,” he drops into coverage (he Stewart said. has four interceptions on McDonald gives credit the season), and he’s also to Stewart, who is also the one of the signal callers. position coach for linebackMcDonald is a proven play- ers, for setting him up to be maker, scoring a touchdown in the best position to make in the Bulldogs’ semifinal plays. McDonald said his win over McEachern when coach has invested in him

this season, making sure he pays close attention to the details, correcting mistakes, and McDonald is happy to listen, knowing it’s the best way to help North win.

McDonald didn’t play varsity football at North Gwinnett before this season. He was forced to sit out and play junior varsity after transferring, perhaps even more surprising he

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TEAM ROSTERS

fourth quarter when everybody gets real.”

Wofford is hopeful of a better showing from his team, too. His debut as head coach in the Gwinnett game was a 27-20 loss in 2015 to a team led by then-Peachtree Ridge coach Mark Fleetwood. Team Wofford had five turnovers that afternoon.

Though it’s early in the week, Bach has found the head coaching role is different, even for an all-star game.

“There’s a lot more to worry about as far as logistics, getting the right guys in the right place in a short amount of time,” Bach said.

“The practices are a little more difficult than being an assistant. The assistant coaches get to hang out, have fun and coach your position.”

This year’s showcase will be a little different for several reasons, the most notable involving North Gwinnett.

Since weather delayed the state championship games a week, North players won’t be able to compete Saturday with a state final the night before.

Another factor is the new early signing day for college football programs. That happens Wednesday, so both teams had to fill in a few vacated roster spots that were opened up when seniors had to go on recruiting visits the last weekend before signing day.

Despite a few absences, the talent level is still very high. Bach said he was very impressed with Meadowcreek running back Chauncey Williams after one practice, while Wofford praised standouts like Fred Payton and Tommy Rogers of Parkview, Nick Prince and D.J. Horne of Brookwood, Jalil El-Amin of Duluth and Stephon Jones of Grayson.

“We’re loaded with players all over the place,” Bach said.

The practices leading up to the game, despite the low temperatures, are usually fun and filled with camaraderie. Players get to know players who are typically their opponents and coaches get closer with their fellow coaches.

When Saturday rolls around, it’s an enjoyable day. And a competitive one, too.

“I sure hope (the players want to win),” Bach said.

“The coaches definitely do.

We want to win, no question about it. We’re working hard to make sure that happens.”

was able to make the jump to that level so effectively.

While McDonald was slightly frustrated he was unable to prove himself as a varsity player (he played in eight varsity football games as a sophomore at Peachtree Ridge), he took the time to get better and stronger as a junior.

The hard work came to fruition when he committed

•From Page 1B

The staff makes its predictions for this week’s prep football final

Last week (overall)

•From Page 1B

Rosters for Saturday’s Rivalries of Gwinnett All-Star Football Game, scheduled for 1 p.m. at Mountain View: TEAM BACH No. Name Position School 10 Adrian Jackson TE Mill Creek 11 Jack Oesterle DB Discovery 14 Matt Edwards QB Mountain View 15 Jaylen Johnson WR Peachtree Ridge 16 Cole Hanna K Norcross 17 Afiz Bhadmos DB Discovery 18 Marquel Broughton DB Mountain View 20 Alex Ferry DB Peachtree Ridge 21 Khiree Seabrook RB Discovery 22 Chauncey Williams RB Meadowcreek 23 Chandler Lewis RB Hebron 24 Malik Mays DB Norcross 25 Taiwon Cole DB Norcross 28 Terrion Dangerfield LB Norcross 40 Shaka Heyward LB Mill Creek 41 Blake Carroll LB Mountain View 42 Erick Turner LB Lanier 43 Matt Campbell K Mill Creek 48 Kenneth Lowery LB Collins Hill 50 Lamech Wilder DL Norcross 51 Qu’Vella Calhoun DL Meadowcreek 52 A.J. Johnson OL Norcross 53 Jahmel Flowers DL Discovery 55 Shomari Bell DL Collins Hill 60 Rodney DeLao OL Meadowcreek 61 Peyton Bergman DL Lanier 62 Tyrese Rivers DL Peachtree Ridge 64 Collin Foster OL Lanier 65 Robert Scott OL Hebron 70 Anthony Accetta OL Collins Hill 71 Bradley Kopdlowski OL Mountain View 72 Mark Haynes OL Meadowcreek 73 Nazir Sy DL Norcross 80 Jason Mitchell WR Discovery Head coach: Nick Bach Team administrators: Keith Maloof, Norcross; Shannon Jarvis, Mill Creek Assistant coaches: Lenny Gregory, Collins Hill; Jason Carrera, Meadowcreek; Reggie Stancil, Peachtree Ridge; Korey Mobbs, Lanier; Efrem Hill, Discovery Managers: Assariah Moore; Rachel Ogbuagu, Kayla Poole, Delancy Goins TEAM WOFFORD No. Name Position School 10 Jalil El-Amin QB Duluth 11 Tommy Rogers RB Parkview 12 Fred Payton QB Parkview 14 Keegan Strickland RB Archer 15 Nick Prince WR Brookwood 16 Travion Hampton WR Duluth 17 Caleb Riley DB Brookwood 18 Alpha Fofana DB South Gwinnett 20 Siraye Tchatcha DB South Gwinnett 22 Patrick Gassant DB Archer 28 Sean Henderson K/P GAC 40 Demetrius West LB Parkview 41 Landen Berlin LB Dacula 42 Chris Cotter LB Brookwood 44 Chabarri Thomas LB South Gwinnett 50 Ford Roberts OL GAC 51 Colin Taliaferro OL Parkview 52 Hunter Friend OL South Gwinnett 53 Tyrell Earl OL Central Gwinnett 55 Sinan Virani OL Parkview 60 Blake Bridges OL Brookwood 61 Stephon Jones OL Grayson 62 D.J. Horne DL Brookwood 63 Evan Fleming DL Wesleyan 64 Braelen Marshall DL Parkview 65 Jadden Knott DL Archer 70 Jonathan Adams DL Parkview 72 Justin Scola DL Brookwood 80 Khmari Thompson WR Central Gwinnett 81 Jallah Zeze WR Central Gwinnett 82 Amin Hall WR South Gwinnett 83 Matthew Williams WR Shiloh Head coach: Todd Wofford, Central Gwinnett Team administrator: Andy Dyer, Archer Assistant coaches: Kenan Dever, Berkmar; Philip Jones, Brookwood; Tommy Jones, Dacula; Christian Hunnicutt, Grayson; Tim Hardy, GAC; Steve Davenport, South Gwinnett; Franklin Pridgen, Wesleyan; Eric Godfree, Parkview; Ryan Andrews, Shiloh; Bob Swank, Duluth Managers: Melissa Son; Treasure Earl; Esther Darko; Jazlyn Jackson

Impact

•From Page 1B

Colquitt Co. vs.

North Gwinnett

All-star

about $350,000 — was a major surprise for the students at Berkmar, where Quavo was a student less than 10 years ago.

“He came in and completely surprised everyone there,” Phillips said. “I didn’t find out until earlier in the day. … Finish Line had contacted us through our principal and let us know about something they were doing and (Quavo) wanted to purchase them.

We just gave him our basic

to Rutgers in June.

“From the time they told me I couldn’t play, I knew I had to have a good senior year,” he said.

McDonald said North Gwinnett’s defensive success against Colquitt County in Friday’s state title game is to pressure quarterback Steven Krajewski the same way North has pressured quarterbacks

throughout the season. With an extra week to prepare, North Gwinnett’s defense has had an extra week to watch film and study the Colquitt offensive line’s tendencies.

McDonald said North has spent the last two weeks practicing the best way to exploit Colquitt’s weaknesses, and the wait is almost over.

Berkmar school colors, red, white and blue, they said they were sending it off to (Dan Gamache) the famous shoe designer and it kind of went from there. They sent me a couple of ideas and mockups, but I never saw the finished product until he delivered them.”

Quavo, 26, was well known around Berkmar for a sport other than basketball. He was the starting quarterback on the Patriots’ football team, known back then by his given name, Quavious Marshall.

“He could throw the ball,” Phillips said. “He was really athletic, really moved well in the pocket. He could scramble and throw the ball really well. He was a very mobile quarterback.”

Phillips said his players enjoyed the pregame interaction with Quavo, though they assumed he left the school after presenting the shoes. Instead, Quavo and some friends stuck around for Berkmar’s basketball game Tuesday evening.

“It was really special for the guys,” Phillips said.

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 • 5B

GSU returns to Cure Bowl after two-year roller coaster

By David Friedlander

have brought a fresh new attitude to the program, which, combined with the experience several of the It can be honestly said Panthers have with the that the 2017 AutoNaCure Bowl after playing in tion Cure Bowl will be a it just two years ago, gives case of things coming full them plenty of confidence. circle for Georgia State’s “It’s a different envifootball program. ronment,” said MiddleAfter all, when the Panton, who is currently the thers (6-5) kick off against Panthers’ second-leading Western Kentucky (6-6) tackler this season with 59 at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at combined stops, including Camping World Stadium two tackles for loss and a in Orlando, it will be their half-sack. “I feel like we second trip to that bowl — like the intensity (Elliott) and second bowl appearbrings. … He really gets ance overall — in the last all the players going, and three years. that’s the way we want to But as much as the path go.

GSU has taken between “It’s kind of more like those two postseason trips a (chance for) redempto Florida has been in a tion feeling (heading into circular direction, it has Saturday). All the guys also seen a lot of ups and who’ve been here a couple downs. of years and played in the From the major high of (2015) game, … it’s good their first Cure Bowl apfor our team and program pearance in 2015 — which Georgia State’s Taz Bateman (8) finds an opening up the sidelines for a touchdown during a game earlier this season altogether.” came on the heels of a True, the Panthers will agains the Tennessee State Tigers at Georgia State University Stadium in Atlanta. (Photo: Karl L. Moore) four-game winning streak, be looking for a different capped by a season-ending thers have tried to mainsecure only the second All-American in 2015. with the injury last year) result Saturday from their rout of in-state rival Geor- tain a positive attitude and winning season since the The 5-foot-8, 180-pound was the best for thing for last Cure Bowl appeargia Southern — to the low not let the wild emotional program began with a 6-5 redshirt sophomore, whose me, actually. Just being ance, a 27-16 loss to San of last year’s disappointswings deter them from mark in 2010. family resides in Buford, able to sit back, knowing I Jose State in 2015. ing 3-9 campaign that led their goals.

However, the Panthers has bounced back in a had to be a better person, Veterans like Middleto the dismissal of head “I feel like going have remained frustrating- big way this fall, earning be a better leader, be a bet- ton and Hart, as well as coach Trent Miles and the through all the adverly close to that milestone first-team All-SBC honors ter player. other All-SBC selections hiring of current coach sity, all you can do is since improving to 6-3 once again by posting a “You just continue to like quarterback ConShawn Elliott, the last two stay positive,” said junior with a 33-30 win at Texas conference-best 73 recep- fight every day and not ner Manning, linebacker seasons have been quite linebacker and Brookwood State all the way back on tions for 1,094 yards and take this game for granted. and Lanier grad Michael the bumpy ride. grad Chase Middleton.

Nov. 11, then dropping eight touchdowns.

Just continue to do my job Shaw and cornerback Even through this fall, “There’s always a plan for their final two regular seaAnd he’s hoping the rest as a leader on this team, and Winder-Barrow grad there have been plenty of everything. I feel like I’m son games to Appalachian of the Panthers will follow (be) a friend to all my Chandon Sullivan, in parups and downs. always pushing through it. State, which brought their his lead Saturday against teammates and as a player ticular, should have plenty GSU christened a new “Adversity is just (extra) final home record in their Western Kentucky. to the coaches. … We’re of motivation to finish this home in Georgia State motivation. So I feel like inaugural season at GSU “Of course being on the just ready to go play this season on another high University Stadium, sufjust knowing that things Stadium to 1-4. field is better than being game Saturday and have a note. fered a disappointing loss are going so well (now).

If anyone can underoff the field, and making a good time.”

“With the tough loss to to FCS opponent TennesUs being in a bowl game stand that kind of frustrabig difference,” said Hart, Even with the emotional Idaho, and also (Appalasee State in the first game and (having a chance to) tion, it’s Penny Hart, who who currently ranks third roller coaster ride that the chian) State, we still have there, then won six of its get the first (bowl) win in was forced to take a medi- on GSU’s career lists for 2017 season has been, the that chip on our shoulder,” next seven games before school history is good for cal redshirt after being receptions (152) and rePanthers head into SaturHart said. “We’ve still dropping their final two us.” limited to just two halves ceiving yards (2,258) and day’s game with plenty of got to get some steam off games at home to end any Indeed, a victory Satof play last year following second, in TD receptions positive feelings. and have the opportunity chance at its first Sun Belt urday would give GSU a freshman season that saw (17). But it’s just a matter Middleton attributes to still make history. So Conference championship. a single-season school him named SBC Freshman of learning from all these that in part to Elliott and there’s still a lot to play Through it all, the Pan- record seventh win and of the Year and Freshman experiences, and (dealing his coaching staff, who for.” david.friedlander @gwinnettdailypost.com

WKU aims to continue December bowl success vs. GSU The Sports Xchange

in 2015, also at the Cure Bowl. They lost 27-16 to Western Kentucky has San Jose State that year. become accustomed to They’re looking to make playing — and winning — amends this year. in December.

“Anytime you become The Hilltoppers are bowl-eligible and get headed to a bowl for their invited, that’s a big deal, fourth straight season. especially for a program They’ve won their last this young,” Georgia State three bowl games. first-year coach Shawn Georgia State doesn’t Elliott told reporters this quite have the same postweek. “Our guys are exseason pedigree as WKU, tremely proud to be going but is excited to make a down there representing run at the young program’s Georgia State and hoping first-ever bowl victory, to set a standard and get when the Panthers from their bowl victory ever.” the Sun Belt Conference Western Kentucky (6-6) take on the Hilltoppers got off to a strong start from Conference USA on to this season and looked Saturday in the AutoNalike a contender in Confertion Cure Bowl in Orence USA heading into lando, Fla. final week of October. But A win for the Panthers the Hilltoppers struggled also would set a school re- down the stretch, loscord for wins with seven. ing four of their last five Georgia State launched games, including a 41-17 its football program in blowout loss at Florida In2010. The Panthers joined ternational in the regularthe Football Bowl Subdivi- season finale. sion in 2013. Their only The Hilltoppers’ bowl other bowl berth came streak looked to be in

WESTERN KENTUCKY VS. GEORGIA STATE • What: AutoNation Cure Bowls • When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday • Where: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

jeopardy after the disappointing finish, but Cure Bowl officials delivered an invite, and Western Kentucky is looking to make the most it.

“We’re going into this game looking at it as a postseason opportunity,” Western Kentucky firstyear coach Mike Sanford told reporters. “(It’s) a true one-game season. It’s the postseason.”

The Hilltoppers are led by quarterback Mike White. The 6-4, 225-pound senior threw for 3,826 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He has a variety of weapons in receivers Nacarius Fant and Lucky Jackson and

tight end Deon Yelder.

White, an NFL prospect, has had to carry the offensive load. The Hilltoppers have not been able run the football and struggled in pass protection.

Western Kentucky is last in the nation in rushing offense, averaging just 66.1 yards on the ground per game. The Hilltoppers also have allowed 42 sacks this season, the second-most of any bowl team. Only Washington State (44) has surrendered more sacks out of teams that reached bowls.

Georgia State hasn’t had much of a pass rush this season, though. The Panthers have only 18 sacks.

Georgia State (6-5),

like Western Kentucky, struggled down the stretch, dropping its final two games of the regular season to Appalachian State and Idaho by a combined score of 55-20.

The Panthers are led by the quarterback-receiver tandem of Conner Manning and Penny Hart.

Manning passed for 2,870 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Hart leads the Panthers with 73 receptions, a school-record 1,094 receiving yards and eight touchdown receptions.

Hart is eighth in the nation in receiving yards (99.5) per game and sees opportunities in Western Kentucky’s defense.

“They like to run a little bit of man (coverage), and definitely, with our offense, we like to capitalize that.” Hart told reporters earlier in the week.

The Hilltoppers have been stout against the pass, though, allowing just

201.8 yards passing per game and picking off 10 passes this season.

Sanford took over at Western Kentucky this season, after former Hilltoppers coach Jeff Brohm moved on to Purdue.

Sanford spent the last two seasons as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

He believes his squad is battle-tested heading into the bowl game.

“We fully anticipate a roster that’s a little rested after a tough run,” Samford said. “We play in a conference that has 10 bowl-eligible teams, nine of which were selected.

That shows the depth of our league, not just the parity that exists within league week-to-week, but also, if you’re in a Group of Five-level conference that has 10 bowl-eligible teams, that means they actually had success outside of the conference, as well.”

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Former UCF coach Scott Frost wins Coach of the Year The Sports Xchange

Lane Kiffin, Army’s Jeff Monken, Oklahoma’s LinOutgoing Central Florida coln Riley, Georgia’s Kirby coach Scott Frost was named Smart, Clemson’s Dabo winner of the Eddie RobinSwinney and Fresno State’s son Coach of the Year Award Jeff Tedford. on Thursday.

Grier back for senior Frost, who will be Neseason at WVU braska’s coach next season, West Virginia quarterback is the first winner of the Will Grier announced that award from a non-power he will return for his senior conference school since season and bypass the 2018 Utah’s Urban Meyer in 2004. NFL draft.

Utah was a member of the Grier has passed for 3,490 Mountain West at that time. yards and 34 touchdowns Frost guided the Knights against 12 interceptions for to a 12-0 record. He plans to the Mountaineers this season. coach UCF against Auburn “There is still a great deal in the Peach Bowl before that I want this team to acfully exiting for Nebraska. complish and I look forward Frost also won the Home De- to helping lead us to success pot Coach of the Year award in 2018,” Grier said in a earlier this month. statement. “I am completely The other finalists were focused and looking forward Alabama-Birmingham’s to building off the success Bill Clark, Florida Atlantic’s we had this year and want to

do even greater things next year.”

Grier missed the regularseason finale against Oklahoma due to a hand injury.

He hasn’t yet been medically cleared for the Heart of Dallas Bowl contest against Utah on Dec. 26.

OU’s Anderson avoids rape charge Oklahoma leading rusher Rodney Anderson has avoided criminal charges after being accused of rape earlier in the month of December, the Cleveland County District Attorney announced.

Anderson, a sophomore running back, was accused of rape by a female university employee earlier this month, who filed a protection order against him. The woman alleged the incident occurred in the early hours of Nov. 16.

Anderson denied the charges and Anderson’s lawyer said the allegations were “patently false.” Anderson also passed a lie detector test.

This season, Anderson has rushed for 960 yards and 11 touchdowns and has caught 16 passes for 283 yards and five touchdowns for the Sooners.

DiNucci to transfer from Pitt Pittsburgh quarterback Ben DiNucci announced he is leaving the program and will transfer to another school.

DiNucci, who just completed his sophomore season, has two years of eligibility remaining. He announced his decision on Twitter.

DiNucci passed for 1,091 yards and five touchdowns against five interceptions

this season. He was replaced as starter late in the season by redshirt freshman Kenny Pickett, who guided the Panthers to their stunning upset of No. 2 Miami in the regular-season finale.

FAU, Akron battle in Boca They play the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. But in Boca Raton, Fla., they are playing the “Son” Bowl.

The official name for Tuesday’s postseason matchup may be the Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl, but the lineage of the two coaches offers the much easier-off-the-tongue subtitle.

Akron’s Terry Bowden is the son of Bobby Bowden, the man who made Florida State a two-time national champion. Florida Atlantic’s Lane Kiffin is the son of

Monte Kiffin, recognized as one of football’s most creative defensive minds in the game and the father of the “Tampa Cover 2” defense.

“I’m old enough to put in Tampa-2 and had teams that began to use the defenses that he made legendary,” the younger Bowden said of the older Kiffin. “The impact he has made on college football, the NFL and college football, still is prominent today.”

In fact, Bowden will be up against Kiffin’s defense when his Zips (7-6) take on the Owls (10-3) at FAU Stadium. Monte Kiffin serves as the defensive coordinator for his son, who took over a team that was 3-9 in 2016 and hadn’t played in a bowl since 2008 and won a Conference USA championship in his first try.

B66B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 201715, • FRIDAY, DECEMBER

2017

gwinnettdailypost.com gwinnettdailypost.com

R A S S

A referee talks to Charlotte head coach Mark Price during a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Halton Arena. (Photo: Jim Dedmon-USA Today Sports)

Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at Philips Arena. (Photo: Brett Davis-USA Today Sports)

Detroit routs Atlanta, Charlotte fires head basketball coach Price snaps 7-game losing skid The Sports Xchange

The Sports Xchange

the 49ers.

Assistant coach HousCharlotte fired fourton Fancher will guide time NBA All-Star Mark the 49ers (3-6) on an Price after two-plus interim basis, the school seasons, the school anannounced. nounced Thursday.

“We appreciate all that Price, who signed coach Price has done for a five-year deal worth our program,” athletic $500,000 per season in director Judy Rose said in 2015, posted a 30-42 a statement. “His backoverall mark and a 16-20 ground and knowledge record in Conference were assets to our young USA during his time with players and we appreciate

him sharing his talents with our team. This was a difficult decision, especially as we make plans to open conference play, but we do feel it is in the best interest of our basketball program.”

Price, 53, previously had been an assistant coach for the Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic.

Rodgers set to return for Packers against Panthers R

A S S

The Sports Xchange

New Orleans Saints for first place in the NFL South.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rodgers is cleared to The team in a first-place return from a seven-game tie almost seems like an absence caused by a broken afterthought this week. right collarbone.

That’s because the Green “In his mind, he’s ready Bay Packers, who are on to go,” Packers coach Mike the verge of falling out of McCarthy said. “It’s a playoff contention, will process.” regain the services of quarThe Packers clearly are terback Aaron Rodgers on willing to turn to Rodgers, Sunday when they visit the who has been one of the Carolina Panthers. league’s most productive Rodgers’ return overquarterbacks in recent shadows anything the seasons. Brett Hundley was Panthers (9-4) have to offer the fill-in, and he directed this week even though the team to a 27-21 overCarolina is tied with the time victory at Cleveland

last week.

Green Bay went 3-5 with Hundley starting.

The Panthers insist they are not caught off guard by the likely return of Rodgers.

“He has probably been throwing for four or five weeks,” Carolina coach Ron Rivera said.

Rivera said the Panthers cannot concentrate entirely on Rodgers, though the coach does seem to appreciate some of the attention that might be at least temporarily diverted from his team.

ATLANTA — The Detroit Pistons used a near triple-double by Andre Drummond and some improved 3-point shooting to snap their seven-game losing streak Thursday night.

Drummond had 19 rebounds to go with 12 points and nine assists, and the Pistons made 13 of 30 shots from behind the arc in a 10591 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Tobias Harris had 19 points for the Pistons (1513), Avery Bradley scored 18 and Langston Galloway contributed 17 off the bench, making 5 of 8 3-point attempts.

Ersan Ilyasova led the Hawks (6-22) with 23 points, 12 of them coming in the first quarter. He made 10

of 14 shots.

The Hawks missed just three of their first 12 shots, going 4 of 5 from behind the 3-point arc, and led 23-15 seven minutes into the game before the Pistons got going.

Detroit pulled within 3130 at the first break and then outscored the Hawks 29-15 in the second quarter to go up 59-46 at halftime.

The Pistons were 9 of 14 from behind the arc in the first half and closed on a 12-1 run.

Bradley scored nine of his 11 first-half points in the second quarter, and Drummond had 13 rebounds and six assists by intermission.

Detroit scored the first even points of the second half to go up 66-46 and led 85-64 entering the final quarter.

Rookie John Collins had

15 points and seven rebounds for the Hawks, and Dennis Schroder handed out 10 assists.

NOTES: F/C Collins, who played 20 minutes and made 7 of 10 shots, missed the previous five games with a left shoulder sprain. … C Dewayne Dedmon (stress reaction) and F/C Mike Muscala (ankle) remain out for the Hawks. … Pistons F Anthony Toliver wore a protective mask after having his nose broken by an errant elbow in the first half of Tuesday’s home loss to Denver. Toliver made two 3-pointers for six points in 15 minutes. … Pistons F Jon Leuer (ankle) remains sidelined. … The Pistons finish their two-game road swing at Indiana today …

The Hawks play at Memphis today.

PREP ROUNDUP

Norcross sweeps Central From Staff Reports NORCROSS — The Norcross girls basketball team won its ninth straight game against Central Gwinnett (4-6, 2-2)Thursday night, 73-40.

The Blue Devils (9-1, 3-0) were led by Myra

Strickland’s 19 points, Devyn Wilson’s 16 points and eight rebounds and Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu’s 17 points and four steals.

BOYS BASKETBALL BOYS BASKETBALL

Norcross 84, Central Gwinnett 66 NORCROSS — The Norcross

boys made Thursday’s doubleheader against Central a sweep with a decisive 84-66 win.

Kyle Sturdivent led the way with a 36-point game, Dalvin White added 11 points and Brandon Boston posted 10 points for Norcross (8-1, 3-0).

For Central (3-5, 2-2), Skylar Adams had a team-high 19 points and Shareef Sample added 13 points.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 JUVENILE COURT

JUVENILE COURT

IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF HALL COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA IN THE INTEREST OF: R.L. B. CASE NUMBER: 1701318 YOB: 2015 AGE: 2 YEARS OLD SEX: FEMALE A CHILD SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF THE FILING OF A PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS TO: EILISHA BACON, RESPONDENT AND ALL INTERESTED PARTIES IT APPEARING that a Petition for Termination of Parental Rights seeking an order terminating your parental rights has been presented to this Court and filing of the petition is found to be in the best interest of the child and the public, let the same be filed. A copy of the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights can be obtained at the clerk’s office of the Juvenile Court of Hall County, located at 225 Green Street SE, Gainesville, Georgia 30501.

Under the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 15-11-284, the effect of an order terminating the parental rights of a parent under this article is without limit as to duration and terminates all the rights with respect to the child and all rights of the child to the parent arising from the parental relationship. The parent is not thereafter entitled to notice of the proceedings for the adoption of the child by another, nor does the parent have any right to object to the adoption or otherwise to participate in the proceedings.

NOTICE OF EFFECT OF TERMINATION JUDGMENT: Georgia law provides that you can permanently lose your rights as a parent. A petition to terminate parental rights has been filed requesting the court to terminate your parental rights to your child. A court hearing of your case has been scheduled for the 19th day of January, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. at the Juvenile Court of Hall County. If you fail to appear, the court can terminate your rights in your absence. If the court at the trial finds that the facts set out in the petition to terminate parental rights are

true and that termination of your rights will serve the best interests of your child, the court can enter a judgment ending your rights to your child. If the judgment terminates your parental rights, you will no longer have any rights to your child. This means that you will not have the right to visit, contact, or have custody of your child or make any decisions affecting your child or your child’s earnings or property. Your child will be legally freed to be adopted by someone else. Even if your parental rights are terminated: (1) You will still be responsible for providing financial support (child support payments) for your child’s care unless and until your child is adopted; and (2) Your child can still inherit from you unless and until your child is adopted.

This is a very serious matter.

You should contact an attorney immediately so that you can be prepared for the court hearing. You have the right to hire an attorney and to have him or her represent you. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney if the court finds that you are an indigent person. Whether or not you decide to hire an attorney, you have the right to attend the hearing of your case, to call witnesses on your behalf, and to question those witnesses brought against you.

If you have any questions concerning this notice, you may call the telephone number of the clerk’s office which is (770) 531-6927 or visit the Juvenile Court Clerk’s Office on the 3rd floor of the Hall County Courthouse located at 225 Green Street SE Gainesville, GA 30501. You may apply for an attorney by calling the Indigent Defense Office at (770) 531-7086 or visiting their office on the 2nd floor of the Hall County Courthouse.

Pursuant to the provisions of O.C.G.A. §§ 15-11-281 and 282, a copy of the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights and this Summons and Order shall be served upon you, the Respondent, at least thirty (30) days before the time set for a hearing.

The Court will conduct a pretrial hearing on the 11th day of December, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. at the Juvenile Court of Hall County

JUVENILE COURT located on the 3rd floor of the Hall County Courthouse in Gainesville, Georgia, to discuss any possible stipulations, documentary evidence, number of witnesses and other information to promote Judicial economy and the presentation of this matter before the Court.

NOW, therefore, you, the parent of the above-named child, are hereby commanded to be and appear on the 19th day of January, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. before the Juvenile Court of Hall County located on the 3rd floor of the Hall County Courthouse in Gainesville, Georgia to answer the allegations of the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights and to show cause as to why an order terminating your parental rights should not be granted. This hearing is to consider the termination of your parental rights to the above-named child.

Under O.C.G.A. § 15-11262, you, as Respondent, are entitled to representation by legal counsel. In the event that you are unable to hire an attorney to represent you, and if you are indigent, as that term is defined in O.C.G.A. § 15-11-2(38), then you must IMMEDIATELY contact the Office for Indigent Defense at (770) 531-7086 and the Clerk of the Juvenile Court in Hall County at (770) 531-6927 and request the appointment of counsel to represent you at these proceedings. The Indigent Defense Office is located on the 2nd floor of the Hall County Courthouse. The Juvenile Court Clerk’s Office is located on the 3rd floor of the Hall County Courthouse.

SO ORDERED, this 6th day of November, 2017.

Honorable Lindsay H. Burton Judge, Juvenile Court Hall County, Georgia Northeastern Judicial Circuit 9 1 3 - 5 2 0 2 6 3 , 11/24,12/1,8,15

Please Recycle This Newspaper

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

ANNOUNCEMENT: New Life Academy of Excellence Board Meeting December 16, 2017 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

4725 River Green Parkway Duluth, GA 30097 928-524045, 12/15

NOTICE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR SPECTRUM CHANNEL LINEUP Communities Served: County of Gwinnett; Towns of Dacula, Lawrenceville, Rest Haven, Rosewell, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, GA Effective on or after January 23, 2018, WATL – Bounce TV on Basic channel 188 will no longer be available For a current channel lineup, visit spectrum.com/ channels. To view this notice online, visit spectrum.net/ programmingnotices 928-521880, 12/15

disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law.

presently located at 770-3811140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The trailer is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law.

NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE The following motor vehicle, advertised pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section 4011-2, is being stored at: 40 Rockbridge Rd #100 Lilburn, GA 30047 2002 BMW 745Li VIN# WBAGN63412DRO55910 Is deemed abandoned and will be disposed of if not claimed by the owner by 1228-17 928-523023, 12/8,15 NOTICE THERE WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC OUT CRY FOR KAM TOWING SERVICE INC. 4371 STONE MTN HWY, LILBURN, GA 30047 DECEMBER 24, 2017 AT 10:00 AM. THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DECLARED ABANDONED AND FORECLOSED VEHICLES PURSUANT TO OFFICIAL CODE OF GEORGIA ANNOTATED SECTION 40-11-5 AS FOLLOWS: 2005 MAZDA 6 1YVHP80CX55M35085 2000 FORD CUTAWAY VAN 1FDWE35L5YHA65905 928-523676, 12/15,22 MCCULLOUGH TOWING 4431 BUFORD HWY NORCROSS, GA 30071 770-263-8483 12/11/17 NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE The following vehicle, advertised to O.C.G.A.Code Section 40-11-12, is being stored at 4431 Buford Hwy, Norcross, Ga. 30071. 770263-8483.

This vehicle is being deemed abandoned and will be auctioned or disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner and or lien holder.

The Vehicle was impounded from 2283 Plaster Rd. Atlanta, Ga. On 11/1/17, at the request of the property owner or manager.

Lotus Scooter VIN# LHJTLB2J4ABL01897 TAG# No Tag 928-523969, 12/15,22

STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE INC. 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE NORCROSS, GA 30071 PHONE: 770-381-1140 FAX: 770-935-9651 ABANDONED VEHICLES: RE: 1974 Sunbeam Convertible VIN SAL375393 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR GREEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above vehicle was initially removed from 1837 Donna Court in Lawrenceville, GA. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The vehicle is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed. This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: Wabash Trailer VIN NO VIN LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR WHITE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above trailer was initially removed from Nordic Logistics & Warehousing located at 4300 Pleasantdale Road in Atlanta, GA. It is presently located at 770-3811140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The trailer is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be

RE: 2014 TaoTao Scooter VIN L9NTEACB0E1168144 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR GREEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above scooter was initially removed from Clifton Glen Apartment Homes located at 600 Hambrick Road in Stone Mountain, GA. It is presently located at 770-3811140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The scooter is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. 928-521547, 12/1,8,15 STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE INC. 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE NORCROSS, GA 30071 PHONE: 770-381-1140 FAX: 770-935-9651 ABANDONED VEHICLES: RE: 2003 Yamaha PW80 MiniBike VIN JYA3RV0373A033680 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLUE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above dirtbike was initially removed from Holly Ridge Road and Lawrenceville Highway located in Lilburn, Ga. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The dirtbike is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: Hooper 20’ Flatbed Trailer VIN NO VIN LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLACK TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above trailer was initially removed from 1954 Sugar Springs Drive located in Lawrenceville, Ga. It is

RE: 2015 TaoTao 50cc Scooter VIN L9NTEACB6F1001319 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLACK TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above scooter was initially removed from Stone Mountain Highway and Parker Court located in Stone Mountain, GA. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The scooter is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: 1988 Suzuki LT230 ATV VIN JSAAJ46A2J2103400 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLUE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above all-terrain vehicle was initially removed from 3747 Rosebud Park Drive located in Snellville, GA. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The all-terrain vehicle is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law.

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: The following self-storage Cube contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by CubeSmart 3766 Holcomb Bridge Rd Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 to satisfy a lien on January 11th, 2018 at approx. 2:00 pm at www. storagetreasures.com] Name Unit # General Description of Property Robert H. Citronberg 370 Household Items Rosalyn Gayton 129 Household Items Robert Dure 211 Household Items Kenneth Nelson 264 Household Items Larry Hall 4 9 8 Household Items 929-523965, 12/15,22

Te4resita Rios, Unit D410: Chair, Table, Bags, Boxes, Totes. Bratreka Troutman, Unit D437: Sofa, Microwave, Washer, Chair, Bags. Janine Lewis, Unit E532: Luggage, Bags, Totes. Danny Eli, Unit E544: 2 Old Cars. Chasity Evalisto, Unit E591: Bags, Chair, Pots, Boxes. Adalid Ramirez, Unit E600out: Bicycle, Kids Motirized Car, TV, Chair, Speakers. Ruendy Acevedo, Unit G702: Car Seats, Front ends of Cars, Plastic Totes, Tool box, lawn Mower. Yazmine Mejias, K510: Dresser, Stove, Refrigerator, Mattress Set, Mirrors.

Walter Licona, Unit I231: Tile board, Subfloor, Pressure Treated Wood, Caulk, Nails.

Esmeralda Gomez, Unit J405: Bags, Plastic Totes, Aquarium, Couches, Refrigerator. Janice Bentz, Unit I213: Boxes, Chairs, Washing Machine, Bed, Desk. Sondra Jasper, Unit I339: Clothes, Bags, Suitcase, Mirror. Angela Ausburn, Unit I249: Bed Frame, Air Compressor, Binoculars, Bags, Box. Javier Hernandez, Unit H113: Lawnmower, Roll around toolbox, Ladders, Leaf Blower, Misc Hand Tools. Adrian Barringer, Unit H152: TV’s, Electronic Equipment, Boxes, Chairs, Speakers, Computer Monitors. Tylia Hunter, Unit M766: Washer, Dryer, TV, Couch, Headboard. Jennifer Jones, Unit M745: Stroller, Bags, Toys, Plastic Totes, Suitcase. Suprena Rigaud, Unit C328: Boxes, Bags, Shoprac, Clothes, Mattress.

929-523967, 12/15,22

NOTICE There will be sold at public auction on Saturday 23 of December, 2017 at 11:00 am the following vehicle at LILBURN AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES, 4445 BUSINESS PARK CT. STE-B, LILBURN, GA. 30047,2010 FORD F150, VIN: 1FTFW1EV9AFD90405; and AGN AUTO SALES LLC; 1586 ATKINSON RD. STE-206, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA. 30043, 2008 MERCURY MILAN VIN: 3MEHM08Z68R626205; declared abandoned and foreclosed vehicles pursuant to Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 40-11-5 929-522906, 12/8,15 NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Pursuant to the Georgia Self-Service Storage Facility Act, SecurCare Self Storage will conduct an ONLINE auction to the highest bidder at www.lockerfox.com for the following spaces located at 1 Western Hills Court Norcross, Ga 30071. The auction will conclude on January 4th, 2017 at 11:00 AM. To register and bid please visit www.lockerfox.com.

Patrick Gilley, Unit B203: Sofa, Clothes, Lamp, Christmas tree. Lucy Richards, Unit B208: Mattress, Headboard, Stove, Refrigerator, Boxes, Table. Dorothy Fowler, Unit D401: Mattress, Boxspring, Table, Dresser, Dishes. Teresita Yerre, Unit D403: Boxes, Totes, Table, Luggage.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE There will be sold at public outcry at South East Transportation 4138 ARCADIA INDUSTRIAL CIR LILBURN DEC. 28, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. the following vehicle, declared abandoned and foreclosed vehicles pursuant to OCGA Section 40-11-5, as follows: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA 5NPEC4AC6BH265895 2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1GCHG35U5S1175793 2014 TOYOTA COROLLA 5YFBURHE8EP126170 2001 FORD RANGER 1FTYR14U01TA50750 929-524037, 12/15,22

1215_GDP_FRI_CLASS_Classifieds 12/14/2017 4:20 PM Page B7

gwinnettdailypost.com PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

NOTICE THESE VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD FOR PUBLIC OUTCRY FOR CASH AT STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCATED AT 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA AT 10:00 A.M. ON DECEMBER 16, 2017. THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES ARE DECLARED ABANDONED AND FORECLOSED VEHICLES PURSUANT TO OCGA 40-11-5.

ESTOS VEHICULOS SERAN VENDIDOS AL PUBLICO POR DINERO EN EFECTIVO EN STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCALIZADO EN 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA A LAS 10:00 A.M. EN 16 DECIEMBRE 2017 . LOS SIGUIENTES VEHICULOS AN SIDO DECLARADOS ABANDONADOS Y CERRADOS DE ACUERDO A OCGA 40-11-5 NUEVA LOCALIZACION 770-381-1140 www.swsatlanta.com Cargo Craft Trailer 4D6FR12242A012209 Dual Axle Trailer NO VIN Ford Focus NO VIN 1994 Kawasaki KX250 Dirtbike JKAKXMK13RA002666 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe 1GNFK13047R335247 2001 GMC Yukon XL 3GKFK16T51G165443 2013 Volkswagen Jetta 3VWDP7AJ6DM252655 1999 Ford E-150 1FTRE1420XHA01249 2004 Ford Explorer 1FMDU63K84UC06215 2007 Hyundai Tiburon KMHHN65F17U247692 1999 Mercury Mountaineer 4M2ZU55PXXUJ02563 2002 Mitsubishi Galant 4A3AA46G22E022677 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 WDBRF52H06E020636 2007 Hyundai Accent KMHCN46C67U095623 2001 Dodge Durango 1B4HS28N31F525901 1996 Mercury Sable 1MELM50U3TA669409 1998 Volvo S70 YV1LS5673W1550332 2002 Boat Trailer 40ZBP15112P091270 2008 HomeMade 12ft Boat NO HIN 1997 Chevrolet C1500 1GCEC14W7VZ225701 1997 Honda Civic 1HGEJ8244VL074692 1997 Honda Accord 1HGCD556XVA090644 1999 Subaru Impreza JF1GC4354XH503052 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1GCEK19T7XZ195717 2004 Volkswagen Passat WVWVD63B04E012409 2001 Chrysler Town and Country 2C4GP44351R372687 2004 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WF52E449274756 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe KM8SB12B74U619423 2003 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WF52E939345206 1998 Ford Ranger 1FTYR10C9WUA44217 1996 Ford Ranger 1FTCR10U6TTA12829 2007 Mazda Mazda6 1YVHP80C175M62341 1996 Ford E-250 1FTFE24H4THA87222 2002 Buick Rendezvous 3G5DA03E62S525072 1999 Jeep Cherokee 1J4FT28SXXL621378 1990 Xtreme Scooter 2012XB700LI100032 2010 Ford Fusion 3FAHP0HAXAR427043 1999 BMW 323i WBAAM3334XFP52630 1994 Toyota Corolla 1NXAE09B5RZ207544 1997 Ford Expedition 1FMEU1769VLB44111 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix 1G2WK52JX1F131155 2003 Acura 3.2 TL 19UUA56633A015258 1993 Ford Expedition 1FMRU17L1XLB09900 2001 Toyota 4Runner JT3GN86R410191836 2005 Ford Explorer 1FMZU73KX5UB57421 1996 Jeep Cherokee 1J4FT68S5TL272955 2006 Volkswagen Touareg WVGZG77L56D038655 2005 Scion xB JTLKT324450209707 929-521551, 12/1,8,15

LIFE STORAGE STORE 413 875 MARATHON PARKWAY LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30046 AUCTION DATE: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 @ 10:30 AM In accordance with the provisions of State law, there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy an owner and/or manages’s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Life Storage location (s) listed below.

And, due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the below stated location(s) to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27th 2017 @ 10:30AM 875 Marathon Pkwy Lawrenceville, GA 30046 678242-1441 Space No. C u s t o m e r Name Inventory 3023 Pamela Simpkins Household Goods/Furniture.

1036 Natasha Lowery Household Goods/Furniture.

1118 Impress for Less Household Goods/Furniture.

1130 Cislyn Brown Household Goods/Furniture; TV/Stereo Equip.

2051 Danh C Tran Household Goods/Furniture.

2134 La Keitha Watson Household Goods/Furniture ; TV/Stereo Equip.; Tools/Appliance.

929-521803, 12/8,15 NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OCGA 40-11-2 CNC AUTO SERVICE LLC, WILL HOLD AN AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE(S): 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT ,1D7HA18NX3S147236 WILL BE AUCTIONED ON DECEMBER 28, 2017 AT 10 AM. AT 551 PLEASANT HILL RD STE A-I LILBURN, GA 30047 *7811 929-523022, 12/8,15 NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE In accordance with Georgia Law Chapter 40-11-5 the following vehicles have been deemed abandoned and will be sold at a public sale on 1229-17 @ 1:00 Said Vehicles are located at: 1052 Timber Glen Ct. Lilburn, GA 30047 VIN# HL-S30-292066 1976 DATSUN 280Z VIN# 1FTHX25G5VEC22768 97 FORD F250 Sale will be held at 2:30 on 12-29-17 Location:1386 Indian Trail-Lilburn Rd. #100 Norcross, GA 30093 VIN# JFIGD29603G507634 03 SUBARU WRX Sale will be held at 3:30 on 12-29-17 Location: 5395 HWY 29 Lilburn, GA 30047 929-523024, 12/8,15 THESE VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD FOR PUBLIC OUTCRY FOR CASH AT STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCATED AT 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA AT 10:00 A.M. ON DECEMBER 30, 2017. THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES ARE DECLARED ABANDONED AND FORECLOSED VEHICLES PURSUANT TO OCGA 40-11-5.

ESTOS VEHICULOS SERAN VENDIDOS AL PUBLICO POR DINERO EN EFECTIVO EN STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCALIZADO EN 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA A LAS 10:00 A.M. EN 30 DECIEMBRE 2017 . LOS SIGUIENTES VEHICULOS AN SIDO DECLARADOS ABANDONADOS Y CERRADOS DE ACUERDO A OCGA 40-11-5 NUEVA LOCALIZACION www.

770-381-1140 swsatlanta.com Honda Motorcycle NO VIN 2008 Bashan 147cc Scooter LHJLC79F68B003358

THE GWINNETT DAILY POST NEWSPAPER AD PUBLISH DATE: 12/08/17 AND 12/15/17 LIFE STORAGE #029 2655 LANGFORD ROAD NORCROSS, GA 30071 770-242-0468 AUCTION DATE: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017@ 10:00 AM Note: Below you will find the Space Number(s), and Customer’s Name for the next auction at Life Storage (029). This printed list is provided in addition to the signed Form F-026, and is intended to clarify the spelling of all names submitted for the requested ad.

Space No. C u s t o m e r Name Inventory 052 Stephanie Flounoy Houshold Goods/Furniture/TV/Stereo Equipment 070 Wheel Repair Solutions Vehicle/Boat/ Trailer 161 Calvin Williams Tools/Appliances 439 Borishia Dozier Household GoodsFurniture/TV/Stereo Equipment 505 Andreas Amerson Household Goods Furniture/TV/Stereo Equipment 535 Barbara Dixon Household Goods/Furniture /TV Stereo Equipment/Tools Appliances/Office Furniture/Machines/Equipment/Boxes 546 Lydia Sanchez Boxes 929-522909, 12/8,15 PUBLIC SALE In accordance with the provisions of State Law, there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy an owner and/or manager’s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at Life Storage located at: 420 Grayson Hwy Lawrenceville, GA 30046 (770)682-7717; And, due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the below stated location(s) to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on Wednesday, DECEMBER 27, 2017, @ 10:45 AM. SPACE NO.; CUSTOMER NAME; INVENTORY 1282 Melissa Best Household Goods/Furniture.

929-521802, 12/8,15

Headlights & Suspension NO VIN Trek 1600s Bicycle NO VIN 2014 Jonway Gator YY50QT-6 Scooter L8YTCAPF9EY300280 Pace American Work Sports Enclosed Trailer NO VIN 2001 Honda 400 4-Wheeler 418TE2S0514115234

EX

2012 Dodge Avenger 1C3CDZCB5CN219745 2005 Infiniti QX56 5N3AA08A25N803615 2006 Chrysler Pacifica 2A4GM68446R853247 2006 Nissan Pathfinder 5N1AR18U16C682977 2008 Dodge Charger 2B3KA43R08H229763 1995 Ford Ranger 1FTCR10A0SUA28992 2003 Ford Expedition 1FMRU15W03LA80218 2008 Honda Accord 1HGCP26838A054708 2004 Ford F-150 1FTPX12524FA32542 2001 Lexus GS 300 JT8BD69S510144115 1998 Mercury Villager 4M2ZV1112WDJ25552 1994 Jeep Cherokee 1J4FJ28P2RL210755 2001 Ford Expedition 1FMRU15W31LA12122 1985 Chevrolet C10 1GCDC14H7FS115335 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300D WDBEB28E0PB879766 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe 1GNEC13T31R100316 1995 Honda Accord JHMCD5637SC023534 2006 Cadillac CTS 1G6DM57T660190112 2007 Chrysler Town and Country 2A4GP44R17R354002 1999 Honda Accord 1HGCG225XXA003779 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan 2D4GP44L85R154445 1996 Chevrolet Camaro RS

2G1FP22K2T2115145 2006 Nissan Altima 1N4AL11D16N363895 2002 Hyundai Elantra KMHDN45D32U393960 2004 Ford Taurus 1FAFP53244A156211 1994 Jeep Cherokee 1J4FT27S9RL242683 2007 Ford Five Hundred 1FAHP24147G103426 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer JA32U2FU1AU017076 2006 Ford Taurus 1FAFP53U36A192959 1998 Lexus ES 300 JT8BF28G1W5020854 1993 Acura Legend JH4KA7665PC013134 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1GCEC14W8XZ132656 1999 Acura 3.5 RL JH4KA9652XC004555 2000 Jaguar S-Type SAJDA01D5YGL67948 2003 Nissan Altima 1N4BL11D33C146117 2000 Acura 3.2 TL 19UUA566XYA065274 2004 Toyota Sienna 5TDZA23C54S197014 929-523994, 12/15,22,29

ZONINGS THE CITY OF NORCROSS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING A Public Hearing will be held before the Norcross Planning & Zoning Board on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the City Council Chambers for the Purpose of due process of the following: 1- Public Hearing for Zoning Map revisions 2- Public Hearing for the Revision of Section 115-76 Location and Boundaries of Zoning Districts of the City of Norcross Zoning Ordinance 3- Public Hearing for the Revision of Sec. 115-93 RAOD, Redevelopment Area Overlay District of the City of Norcross Zoning Ordinance 4- Public Hearing for the Amendment to Sec. 115-89 DCD, Design Concept Development District of the City of Norcross Zoning Ordinance 5- Public Hearing for Revision of the Design Concept Development Zoning District The case(s) will be presented before the Mayor & Council at the policy work session on Tuesday January 16th, 2018 at 6:30 pm in City Council chambers.

A following public hearing will be held by Mayor & Council on Monday February 5th, 2018 at 6:30 pm in City Council Chambers.

For further information please call the Community Development Department at 678-421-2067.

934-523963, 12/15 GWINNETT COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018 AT 7:00 P.M. GWINNETT COUNTY JUSTICE AND ADMINISTRATION CENTER AUDITORIUM 75 LANGLEY DRIVE LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA 30046 THE FOLLOWING REZONING, CHANGE-INCONDITIONS, SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS, LOCATED WITHIN UNINCORPORATED GWINNETT COUNTY, ARE SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AS STATED ABOVE. SITE PLANS, LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS, AND OTHER INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE OF THE PLANNING DIVISION, 446 WEST CROGAN STREET, LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA. OFFICE HOURS ARE 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. RZC2017-00025 — APPLICANT: COPART, INC.; OWNERS: LYNN & PATRICIA MOON; REZONING OF R-100 M-2; AUTOMOBILE TO STORAGE LOT; DISTRICT 4 LAND LOT 272 PARCEL 001; 6200 BLOCK OF CENTERVILLE ROSEBUD ROAD; 43.3 ACRES. DISTRICT 3/ HUNTER RZR2017-00011 — APPLICANT: HOME SOUTH COMMUNITIES, LLC, C/O MAHAFFEY PICKENS TUCKER, LLP; OWNER: JOHN T. LAMB; REZONING OF RA200 TO OSC; SINGLE FAMILY SUBDIVISION; DISTRICT 7 LAND LOT 136 PARCEL 001; 2400 BLOCK OF SUNNY HILL ROAD; 2500 BLOCK OF MORGAN ROAD; 86.15 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/HEARD RZR2017-00022 — APPLICANT: CKK DEVELOPMENT; OWNERS: NOORUDDIN PANJWANI & SHEREZA TAJUDDIN; REZONING OF R-100 TO R-60; SINGLESUBDIVISION; FAMILY DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 021 PARCELS 006C & 072; 500 BLOCK OF ARNOLD ROAD; 2400-2500 BLOCKS OF FIVE FORKS TRICKUM ROAD; 10.42 ACRES. DISTRICT 2/ HOWARD RZR2017-00026 — APPLICANT: SMITHTON HOMES LLC; OWNERS: DEWEY J. BENTLEY ETAL, JERRY W. BENTLEY, JEFFREY D. COOPER, & KAREN ATHA COOPER; REZONING OF R-100 TO OSC; SINGLEFAMILY SUBDIVISION; DISTRICT 4 LAND LOT 301 PARCEL 001; 2800 BLOCK OF CENTERVILLE ROSEBUD ROAD; 25.78 ACRES. DISTRICT 3/HUNTER RZR2017-00027 — APPLICANT: SMITHTON HOMES LLC; OWNER: MORGAN CLINE; REZONING OF RA-200 TO OSC; SINGLE-FAMILY SUBDIVISION (BUFFER REDUCTION); DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 200 PARCELS 003 & 012; 800 BLOCK OF GRAYSON NEW HOPE ROAD; 54.28 ACRES. DISTRICT 3/HUNTER RZR2017-00028 — APPLICANT: SMITHTON HOMES LLC; OWNER: STEVEN HARRISON ET AL.; REZONING OF R-100 TO R-SR; SENIOR ORIENTED SUBDIVISION; DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 124 PARCELS 020 & 061; DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 133 PARCELS 004 & 033; 500-600 BLOCKS OF COOPER ROAD; 2800 BLOCK OF LANGLEY ROAD; 41.8 ACRES. DISTRICT 3/HUNTER RZR2017-00029 — APPLICANT: ARROWHEAD INVESTORS, LLC; OWNER: ROBBIE PRUETT; REZONING OF RA-200 TO OSC; SINGLEFAMILY SUBDIVISION; DISTRICT 7 LAND LOT 060 PARCEL 001; 2300 BLOCK OF OLD PEACHTREE ROAD; 31.65 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/ HEARD RZR2017-00030 — APPLICANT: JLCS ENTERPRISES, INC C/O MAHAFFEY PICKENS TUCKER, LLP; O

ZONINGS

ZONINGS

OWNERS: ELLEN C. BEAVERS, RICHARD SORRELL, & LANSKY PARTNERSHIP, LLLP; REZONING OF RA-200 TO R-60; SINGLE-FAMILY SUBDIVISION; DISTRICT 7 LAND LOT 102 PARCELS 017, 025, & 027; 2100-2200 BLOCKS OF SUNNY HILL ROAD; 20.55 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/HEARD CIC2017-00021 – APPLICANT: TAYLOR MORRISON OF GEORGIA LLC C/O MITCH PEEVY; OWNER: TAYLOR MORRISON OF GEORGIA LLC C/O MITCH PEEVY; CHANGE IN CONDITIONS OF ZONING FOR PROPERTY ZONED TND; DISTRICT 6 LAND LOT 261 PARCEL 012; 2800-2900 BLOCKS OF PLEASANT HILL ROAD; 3600 BLOCK OF SUNSET STREET; 3000 BLOCK OF REGAL PARK COURT; 3800 BLOCK OF VILLAGE PARK DRIVE; 2.14 ACRES. DISTRICT 1/ BROOKS SUP2017-00053 — APPLICANT: CAMELIA C. GRECU; OWNER: CAMELIA C. GRECU; APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN A RA-200 ZONING DISTRICT FOR A PERSONAL CARE HOME (FAMILY); DISTRICT 1 LAND LOT 001 PARCEL 442; 3000 BLOCK OF HAMILTON MILL ROAD; 2.28 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/HEARD P&D PC TBL 1-3 934-523961, 12/15

DISTRICT FOR FIREWORKS SALES (RENEWAL); DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 079 PARCEL 114; 1500 BLOCK OF LAWRENCEVILLE HIGHWAY; 4100 BLOCK OF SUGARLOAF PARKWAY; 1.52 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/HEARD SUP2018-00002 — APPLICANT: JOHN DRUMMOND; OWNER: 1002 DULUTH HWY LLC; APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN A C-2 ZONING DISTRICT FOR A TATTOO AND BODY PEIRCING PARLOR (RENEWAL); DISTRICT 7 LAND LOT 033 PARCEL 290; 1000 BLOCK OF DULUTH HIGHWAY; 0.66 ACRE. DISTRICT 1/BROOKS P&D PC/BOC 1-3 & 1-23 934-523950, 12/15

GWINNETT COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018 AT 7:00 P.M. GWINNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 AT 7:00 P.M. GWINNETT COUNTY JUSTICE AND ADMINISTRATION CENTER AUDITORIUM 75 LANGLEY DRIVE LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA 30046 THE FOLLOWING REZONING, CHANGE-INCONDITION, SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS, LOCATED WITHIN UNINCORPORATED GWINNETT COUNTY, ARE SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AS STATED ABOVE. SITE PLANS, LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS, AND OTHER INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE OF THE PLANNING DIVISION, 446 WEST CROGAN STREET, LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA. OFFICE HOURS ARE 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. RZC2018-00001 — APPLICANT: ASC ACQUISITIONS, LLC; OWNERS: JLC HOLDINGS, LLLP, VINNIE LUCILE CLARK, RICHARD L. & JOYCE HARRISON; REZONING OF R-100 TO O-I; RETIREMENT COMMUNITY (INDEPENDENT LIVING AND CONTINUING CARE)(BUFFER REDUCTION); DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 106 PARCELS 003, 067 & 278; DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 087 PARCEL 120; 1100-1200 BLOCKS OF WEBB GIN HOUSE ROAD; 56.12 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/ HEARD SUP2018-00003 — APPLICANT: ASC ACQUISITIONS, LLC; OWNERS: JLC HOLDINGS, LLLP, VINNIE LUCILE CLARK, RICHARD L. & JOYCE HARRISON; APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN AN O-I (PROPOSED) ZONING DISTRICT FOR A RETIREMENT COM(INDEPENDENT MUNITY LIVING AND CONTINUING REDUCCARE)(BUFFER TION); DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 106 PARCELS 003, 067 & 278; DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 087 PARCEL 120; 11001200 BLOCKS OF WEBB GIN HOUSE ROAD; 56.12 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/HEARD SUP2018-00004 — APPLICANT: ASC ACQUISITIONS, LLC; OWNERS: JLC HOLDINGS, LLLP, VINNIE LUCILE CLARK, RICHARD L. & JOYCE HARRISON; APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN AN O-I (PROPOSED) ZONING DISTRICT FOR A BUILDING HEIGHT INCREASE (BUFFER REDUCTION); DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 106 PARCELS 003, 067 & 278; DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 087 PARCEL 120; 11001200 BLOCKS OF WEBB GIN HOUSE ROAD; 56.12 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/HEARD RZC2018-00002 — APPLICANT: PAR 5 DEVELOPMENT, LLC C/O MITCH PEEVY; OWNER: STEVEN REZONING CRABTREE; OF R-75 TO C-2; KENNEL WITH OUTDOOR DOG RUN; DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 107 PARCEL 006; 2500 BLOCK OF SUGARLOAF PARKWAY; 4.67 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/ HEARD SUP2018-00005 — APPLICANT: PAR 5 DEVELOPMENT, LLC C/O MITCH PEEVY; OWNER: STEVEN CRABTREE; APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN A C-2 (PROPOSED) ZONING DISTRICT FOR AN OUTDOOR DOG RUN; DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 107 PARCEL 006; 2500 BLOCK OF SUGARLOAF PARKWAY; 4.67 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/HEARD RZM2018-00001 — APPLICANT: SPARTAN INVESTORS 1, LLC C/O MAHAFFEY PICKENS TUCKER, LLP; OWNER: WAYNE H. MASON; REZONING OF O-I TO R-TH; TOWNHOUSES (BUFFER REDUCTION); DISTRICT 6 LAND LOT 050 PARCEL 234; 2500 BLOCK OF HIGHPOINT ROAD; 6.17 ACRES. DISTRICT 3/HUNTER RZR2018-00001 — APPLICANT: PULTE GROUP, INC.; OWNERS: CAREY A. CASH, LOUISE S. CASH, WILLIAM DAN TANNER, PACTRICIA C. TANNER, JACK ERIC CAIN, & MELANIE TANNER CAIN; REZONING OF RA-200 TO OSC; SINGLE-FAMILY SUBDIVISION; DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 344 PARCELS 001, 005, 023 & 064; 2500 BLOCK OF BERRY HALL ROAD; 72.16 ACRES. DISTRICT 3/ HUNTER RZR2018-00002 — APPLICANT: CHARLES ALFORD; OWNER: JAMES A. ALFORD; REZONING OF R-100 TO R-60; SINGLE-FAMILY SUBDIVISION; DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 016 PARCELS 010 & 189; 500 BLOCK OF BETHESDA SCHOOL ROAD; 2800 BLOCK OF SADDLETOP WAY; 10.20 ACRES. DISTRICT 4/HEARD CIC2018-00001 – APPLICANT: FORESTAR (USA) REAL ESTATE GROUP, INC. C/O MAHAFFEY PICKENS TUCKER, LLP; OWNER: FORESTAR (USA) REAL ESTATE GROUP; CHANGE IN CONDITIONS OF ZONING FOR PROPERTY ZONED TND; DISTRICT 5 LAND LOT 156 PARCELS 003 & 271 THROUGH 306; 2800-2900 BLOCKS OF LOGANVILLE HIGHWAY; 0-100 BLOCKS OF OZORA ROAD; 171.41 ACRES. DISTRICT 3/HUNTER SUP2018-00001 — APPLICANT: INGRAM INVESTMENTS, INC. C/O MAHAFFEY PICKENS TUCKER, LLP; OWNER: INGRAM INVESTMENTS, INC.; APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN A C-2 ZONING

FULL TIME Computer: Multiple Positions Norcross, GA Multiple positions/openings.

Travel not required, but candidates must be willing to relocate to unanticipated locations across the country per contract demand. Fax resume referencing job code# to HR, Softpath System, LLC at 404315-1558. Sr. Software Developers code #SSL10092017SSD: Responsible for full systems lifecycle from requirements gathering, solution to architect design, implementation & testing of data management solutions.

Software Engineers code #SSL10102017SE: Involve in complete SDLC as gathering Requirements, Design, Development, System Testing, Production Activities to implement data migration, data cleansing, application development projects, report development & support using Siebel CRM, Informatica Power Center. Sr. Software Developers code# SSL11162017SSD: Responsible for Data Analysis, System Analysis, HLD, LLD, Development, Testing implementation of complex software programs, DWH & MDM applications directly impacting clients’ businesses.

Enterprise Architects code #SSL11162017EA: Responsible for architecture & delivery of custom applications, DI & DWH solutions.

Software Engineers code#SSL11162017SE: Responsible for full systems lifecycle development from requirements gathering, solution & architect, design, implementation & testing of MDM & DWH solutions. Sr. Software Developers code #SSL11172017SSD2: Work on Full Lifecycle Web Application & Windows application Development in .Net Technology, C# & jQuery languages & MVC & Entity framework, WCF Service by doing Software analysis, Software Review, identification of code metrics, System Risk Analysis & Software Reliability Analysis.

Software Developers code #SSL10182017SD: Assist in developing & delivering custom applications & data warehousing solutions on OBIEE, ETL Power Center/ODI platforms. Sr. Software Developers code #SSL10102017SSD2: Responsible for SDLC of the product development from requirements gathering, functional & technical design, development, user acceptance testing & release procedures for building data marts of Drug Distributors using Informatica.

MOBILE HOMES & LOTS FOR RENT BARROW-AUBURN 1-2-3 BEDROOMS IN MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY. Rent Starting at $100/ week. Large Lots.

770-513-3151

PETS/LIVESTOCK

ADOPT A PET

CAMPERS/RVS

VEHICLES

MAINE COON MIX CAT: Young adult female, beautiful, spayed, vaccines, sweet personality. 770-365-7998

CHATEAU CITATION, 32’ FT., 2007, 1 slide out, sleeps 6, fridge, stove, pantry, lots of storage. $59,000.

770-788-9556 Cell 770-601-7194

JEEP WRANGLER, SPORT 4.0, 1998 Red With Black Top, Lift Kit, New Tires, Many Extras. Looks & Drives Great! $7450.

770-519-3438

APPLIANCES

APPLIANCES DRYER/WASHER $125 ea.; Super Capacity $175 ea.

Front Loader Set $450 & up; Regular Refrig. & Ranges $175 & up; SXS Refrig. $300 & up.

Dishwasher $100 & up. Different colors.

Del/1 yr warr.

Tim 404-205-2222 FIREWOOD

ALL OAK FIREWOOD FOR SALE $120 “Heaping Truckload”, Stacked, Gwinnett Area.

404-805-1783

SERVICES

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

POWER WASHING

FIREWOOD Seasoned Oak & Hickory.

Delivery or Pick Up. Call For Prices.

HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

770-962-8744 SEASONED OAK FIREWOOD 4x8 Rack $125.

Delivered & Stacked.

Lawrenceville/Buford area. 678-997-5675.

Proceeds for funding Helping Hands Missionary Trips.

FITNESS/HEALTH/ SPORTING GOODS

SOFA, LEATHER Very good condition.

Double recliner leather sofa. Brown. $150.

CALL 678-779-4016 FURNITURE/ HOUSEHOLD GOODS Furniture Furniture Family Estate Sale Snellville ,Ga. Area 3 pcs, Kingsize Bedroom suite.like new.4 chair dining room suite and corner china cabinet, solid wood TV cabinet and additional house hold furniture.

For more information please call 770-314-2149 MISC. FOR SALE EXCERCISE EQUIPMENT & BABY ITEMs Nordic Trac Exercycle, Gold’s Gym Elyptical, & other equipment. Baby Stroller, Infant Car Seat & Base, (2) Regular Car Seats, and Cradle.

Please call 770-9958933. Lawrenceville.

FOREST REMODELING, INC. •Finished Basements •Bathroom Remodeling •Kitchen Remodeling •Custom Cabinets •Room Additions •Garages/Carports •Screened Porches •Custom Decks •Siding All Types Call John

770-962-2071 Credit Cards Accepted LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

BRIAN’S TREE & HANDYMAN SERVICES • Total Tree Removal • Plant Trees • Plant Shrubs • Shrub Removal • Bobcat Work • Dump Truck Work • Grass Planting • Gutters • Storm Drains • Pressure Washing • Painting • Roofing Repairs • Wood Repairs • Driveway Repairs

COUNTRY BOY TREE REMOVAL Expert Take Downs √ 20Years Experience √ Insured √ Free Estimates √ Stump Grinding

PRESSURE WASHING HOUSES STARTING AT $89 • Roof Cleaning • Black streaks removed from roof • Mold & Mildew removed from homes • Drives-WalkwaysPatios-Decks cleaned/sealed • Gutters cleaned For a FREE Estimate

CALL OR TEXT

404.886.3587 Established 1989

Bucket Truck Summer Seasoned

Oak 1/2 Cord - $100 1 Cord - $190

Delivered & Dumped LICENSED

770-932-1751 Cell 770-313-5751

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

CV CARTAGE, LLC

STORAGE TRAILERS AVAILABLE • $200 per Month • 53 Foot Dry & Clean • Free Pick Up & Delivery • Local Shuttles Available

CALL 404-630-5880

7 DAYS A WEEK Senior Citizen Discount - Insured 20 years Experience

678-654-8329

GWINNETT CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING DEADLINES

LINERS

DUMP TRUCK DRIVER NEEDED. Must have good driving record, able to pull equipment trailer.

Must have own transportation to office in Sugar Hill.

Call 770-945-7884.

CEMETERY LOTS FOR SALE

PUBLICATION DAY

DEADLINE

Wednesday Friday Sunday

Monday 3 pm Thursday 3 pm Friday 11:30 am

DULUTH, GA

BURIAL LOTS FOR SALE At White Chapel Memorial Gardens

DISPLAY ADS

• SPACES 1, 2 • GARDEN APOSTLES • LOT 48B • 1 UNLINED VAULT $2,495.00 678-749-9036 REAL ESTATE FOR RENT APTS/DUP/CONDOS/ T’HOMES FOR RENT

GWINNETT DUPLEXES

2 Communities!

One on Singleton Road & One on Law’ville-Suwanee Road! 2BR & 3BR, 2BA, Fireplace, Vaulted Ceilings, Off Street Parking.

Starting @ $950/mo.

B.C. PROPERTIES 770-446-1550 770-995-8828

GWINNETT SUGAR HILL ONE MONTH FREE Limited AvailabilitySelect Units Only Brand New Luxury Townhomes with Attached Garages and Professionally Managed. Please call 770.729.4289 or visit us at www.SugarHill TownHomes.com

PUBLICATION DAY

DEADLINE

Wednesday Friday Sunday

Friday 3 pm Tuesday 3 pm Wednesday 3 pm

To place a Classified ad please call 520513-1

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 • B7

770-236-9988

to speak with a Sales Rep. or you can place an ad online at www.gwinnettdailypost.com

we Gwinnett Daily Post

‘Star Wars’ sequel now playing in theaters Page 6C

weekend entertainment FRIDAY DECEMBER 15, 2017

THE FORCE

REAWAKENS

inside

the dish

Duluth’s Fincher to continue ‘Dream Keepers’ series............3C

page 2C

Suzy Bogguss to perform in Duluth ...........4C ‘Wonder Wheel’ review ...........5C ‘Ferdinand’ review ...

5C

a look ahead Dec. 22 Banks and Shane Christmas concert — The duo of Banks Burgess and Paul Shane will play a pair of Christmas shows at Eddie Owens Presents in Duluth, performing at 5 and 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20. For more information, go to www.eddieowenspresents.com.

Dec. 23-24 Sugar Hill ice rink — Looking to get in the proper mood for Christmas? Per-

517642-3

Hometown Holiday Shopping

haps ice skating at The Rink at Sugar Hill will do the trick. For times and prices go to ww.haveanicedayrinks. com.

Dec. 23-24 Magical Nights of Lights — The attraction at Lake Lanier Islands is a great way to get in the Christmas spirit.

Cost is $45 at the gate and $35 if ordered online. For more info, go to www. lakelanierislands.com

suwanee

SUWANEE.COM

Everyone loves a pathe rade, they say, but which one do they love the most? According to USA Today, which based this list on nominations from its 10Best editors and voting by its readers, it’s the Mummers Parade, held each New Year’s Day in Philadelphia. It is believed to be the oldest folk festival in the country.

Here are the top 10 holiday parades, as voted by USA Today readers:

10 spot

1. Mummers Parade, Philadelphia 2. America’s Thanksgiving Parade, Detroit 3. Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade, Boston 4. Eastport Yact Club Lights Parade, Annanoplis, Md. 5. Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade, Charlotte, N.C. 6. Reston Holiday Parade, Reston, Va. 7. Christmas Ship Parade, Portland, Ore. 8. Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, Alexandria, Va. 9. Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 10. McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago

2C • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

dining

dish the

Good Word Brewing and Public House 3085 Main St., Suite 520, Duluth www.goodwordbrewing.com 404-973-2077

Evelyn’s Empanada is one of Good Word Brewing’s showcase dishes.

The empanada is a fried pastry stuffed with pork and served with a red chile adobo sauce, crème, arugula and pickled red onion. (Photo: Jay Jones)

BY JAY JONES

ON THE MENU

Staff Correspondent

Open Since: November.

Owners: Todd DiMatteo, Andrew Case, Ryan Skinner, Mike Gallagher, Tom Moore and Dave Ballard Brewmaster: Kyle Jeppesen Location: Good Word Brewing is located in Parsons Alley in downtown Duluth off of Main Street. Parking access is around the curve on Duluth Highway and adjacent to Dreamland BBQ. Hours: Dinner only with plans to expand for lunch soon. 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Atmosphere: Good Word Brewing and Public House in Duluth’s Parsons Alley seems like it’s been there for 100 years as a warehouse with interior brick walls, crafted leather booths and walnut tables and chairs. The dining area’s flooring is made of planks repurposed from railroad cars.

The owners of Good Word Brewing and Public House chose the name of their microbrewery carefully. They started Brick House Pub in Decatur 20 years ago and wanted to bring that same intimacy and fellowship the new location. Conversation is encouraged.

“We wanted that same kind of feel as far as no televisions, no neon, no live music, none of that kind of stuff,” said general manager Todd DiMatteo.

“Good Word is kind of the backdrop or atmosphere we try to create. Also, the good word is guests speaking to each other. They are enjoying a conversation together and connecting with each other.”

DiMatteo, who worked

Evelyn’s Empanada: Braised pork shoulder, New Mexico red chile adobo, crème, arugula and pickled red onion, $9.

Izzy’s Puerto Rican Fried Chicken: Three pieces of chicken leg and thigh prepared sous de vie then lightly fried, $12.

Wrigley’s Salad: Chopped lettuce blend, heirloom tomato, avocado, Georgia blue cheese, queso fresco, roasted pumpkin seeds and pulled roasted chicken, $13.

at Brick House Pub for 12 years, said he and the owners hope that Good Word Brewing becomes a place where people can gather, talk and connect over beers and good food in a world that is ever so connected.

An old typewriter is on display at the bar and is the logo for the microbrewery as a symbol of the spirit of the place.

“Typewriters kind of spoke to a time when people weren’t so connected to devices like cellphones and computers, yet somehow they were more connected,” he said. “They spoke more to each other.”

The food is a mix of Puerto Rican and Southern cuisine inspired by DiMatteo’s grandmother who moved here from Puerto Rico 50 years ago. DiMatteo explained his grandmother was still learning to cook at the time from her mother-in-law, DiMatteo’s great-grandmother, and a mash-up of recipes occurred.

“She lived on a farm most of her life and taught my grandmother how to cook,” he said. “I grew up with a grandmother who sort of knew something

Good Word Brewing and Public House has opened in Duluth’s Parsons Alley entertainment and dining district. The brew pub is owned by the people behind Brick Store Pub in Decatur. (File Photo)

Good Word Brewing has a distributor to deliver its beer to other restaurants nearby, such as Lawrenceville’s Local Republic. “It’s like running three businesses at the same time,” said General Manager Todd DiMatteo. (Photo: Jay Jones)

Kyle Jeppesen is Good Word Brewing brewmaster and comes to Duluth from Nova Scotia, Canada. Jeppesen oversees beer production that includes an American IPA, saison, American blonde, English ale and sour beers.

(Photo: Jay Jones)

about Latin cuisine, for sure, but definitely cooked in a Southern way. I grew up eating that kind of comfort food.”

NOW OPEN

Prices range from $7 for Shishito peppers to $14 for the Americano Hamburgersa. The Pernil ($14) is the best example of the Puerto

Rican-Southern cooking offered by Good Word. A braised pork shoulder sits on a bed of Carolina gold rice and Sea Island red peas.

Evelyn’s Empanada ($9) is a showcase dish of a fried pastry stuffed with pork and served with a red chile adobo sauce, creme, arugula and pickled red onion.

Good Word offers six beers made on premises and in styles ranging from the Saison Donna-Maria to the Never Sleep IPA. They also have an American blonde and British ales on tap, along with two sour

beers including a lemony, tart Berliner Weisse called Colonel Sprouse.

Their brewmaster is Kyle Jeppesen from Nova Scotia in Canada. “We sit around and homebrew beer, drink beer, talk about beer and create recipes, while Kyle is the man who keeps us in line,” DiMatteo said.

Something you may not know: In a nod toward family cooking, the owners named several dishes after family members. Evelyn’s Empanada is named for Andrew Case’s infant daughter. Finley Key Lime Pie is named for Mike Gallagher’s daughter.

Live Entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights!

All December - One Free Egg Roll

ALL YOUR HOLIDAY FUN TIMES START HERE! Come for the FOOD....Stay for the FUN!

Sunday Social Brunch

Same shopping center with Belk and Kohl’s

SUNDAYS 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Full Service Catering Available!

Sun - Sat 10 a.m. -10 p.m.

678-647-8888

6331 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Doraville, GA 30360 Phone. 770-648-8677 | Fax. 770-645-2797 www.coaxumsseafoodspot.com

XNSP5152

Opening Hours: 519590-1

519855-1

2059 SCENIC HIGHWAY - Suite #117 - SNELLVILLE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 • 3C

gwinnettdailypost.com

Duluth artist to continue ‘Dream Keepers’ journey Art Beat

Arrtist Kathy Fincher poses with her work “Nice Gift, Great Box!” This week, Fincher and Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris will distribute “Dream Keeper” ornaments to Duluth’s firefighters and police. (Special Photo)

Holley Calmes

has reserved the date and will be a keynote speaker. The Millennium Gate Museum of Atlanta will display the original ‘Dream Keepers’ painting for Black History Week in the Alveda King Family exhibit in February and are asking to keep the original for display on 9/11.”

Also on Fincher’s calendar for 2018: “I have been asked to sculpt, with Martin Dawe of Cherrylion Studio, a monument for the Peace Pantheon in Rodney Cook Sr. Park which honors the Civil Rights Movement. This Pantheon will house the Nobel Peace Prize winners from Georgia.”

For more information, visit www.KathyFincher. com.

Holley Calmes is a freelance writer and public relations consultant specializing in the arts.

Email her at hcalmes@ mindspring.com.

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Your Local Place of Worship Welcomes You IGNITE YOUR LIFE, YOUR WORSHIP, AND YOUR WORLD!

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. (Special Photo)

Friendship Baptist Church

A Purpose Driven Church

3375 Church Lane, Duluth, GA Church Office: 770-497-8227 • Fax: 770-497-9775 Rev. Ronald L. Bowens, Pastor Warmer through through Fellowship Warmer Fellowship Deeper through through Discipleship Deeper Discipleship Larger through through Evangelism Larger Evangelism Sharing through Ministries Sharing through Ministries AND Stronger throughWorship Worshipand andthe theWord WordofofGod God AND Stronger through

Duluth to provide cookies with Santa

Celebrating 5 years Rev. Ronald L. Bowens

A contemporary Wesleyan Church meeting at Peachtree Ridge High School 1555 Old Peachtree Rd., Suwanee

BY STAFF REPORTS

will be available as well as cookies while supSanta Claus will make plies last. Hot cocoa will his final stop in Duluth be available for a small for Cookies & Cocoa with fee. Letters to Santa are Santa from 10 a.m. to welcome. Professional noon Saturday at Red Clay pictures will be taken on Music Foundry, located at site and later posted on the 3116 Main St. city of Duluth’s Face“This is a favorite book page for download. among our residents.

The pictures are free of Families get a free picture, cost. Main Street merthe kids have a great time chants will be open for chatting with Santa and the holiday season with creating ornaments for festive items available for their Christmas tree,” said purchase. Participants are Duluth event coordinator asked to arrive early as Madison Chucci.

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popular trevor.mcnaboe sports @gwinnettdailypost.com documentary series The Gwinnett County on NetPublic Library and the flix, and Atlanta Writers Club a nonhave teamed up to bring fiction Drew journalist Drew Jubera in book on Jubera for a writing workshop on Valdosta Saturday.

High School titled “Must Jubera is a five-time Win: A Season of SurPulizter-nominated jourvival for a Town and Its nalist with an extensive Team.” work background that The free event will take includes The New York place at 1:30 p.m. at the Times, ESPN the MagaLilburn library branch, lozine and Esquire. cated at 4817 Church St. Some of Jubera’s recent Guests can RSVP for projects include “Last the event at events@ Chance U,” a widely gwinnettpl.org.

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City of Duluth and the Duluth Fine Arts League, the “Dream Keepers 9/11 Memorial” was unveiled on April 27.

Unknown to anyone in Duluth, on the date of the unveiling, something significant was happening at Ground Zero in New York City. The New York Port Authority was raising a flag to honor the monument in Duluth.

New York Representative Moses Gomez had visited Gwinnett and learned of “The Dream Keepers.” He directed a flag to be raised over Ground Zero at the exact time of the memorial’s dedication. Gomez later presented this flag to Gwinnett’s First Responders in a ceremony hosted by the city of Duluth.

Looking to 2018, the journey of the “Dream Keepers” will continue.

Gomez cited that of all the memorials to 9/11, “The Dream Keepers” is the only one dedicated to children who lost parents or siblings in that tragedy.

So Fincher, Mayor Harris and the city of Duluth are developing an event honoring these children.

“We are well on our way in planning this event,” Fincher said.

“Representative Gomez

522672-2

To call Kathy Fincher a Duluth artist is accurate, but it fails to capture the mark she has made.

Fincher, called “the female Norman Rockwell” for her beautifully rendered and emotionally evocative depictions of children, has become nationally recognized and is the most licensed painter of children in this country.

When the tragedy of 9/11 struck, Fincher found hope through depicting children in a painting that touched a nation’s heart and acted as a source of healing after 9/11.

Looking back on the creation of her powerful painting, “The Dream Keepers,” Fincher said: “I painted a message of hope for families that spotlighted two pillars of America’s strength: Faith and freedom. The painting portrays seven children dipping their hands in red, white and blue paint and putting the American flag back together again.”

A light shining from a side window casts the shadow of a cross on the flag.

The painting became a lithograph and was enthusiastically sold across the country. The original was presented in the Oval Office to President George W. Bush.

In 2017, Fincher furthered her dream when her artistic message of faith and hope was transformed into a threedimensional, life-sized statue of bronze, brick and glass. In collaboration with Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris and the

Mary London 770.963.9205 x1211

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music Suzy Bogguss returns to Red Clay Music Foundry

BY JON GALLO

Staff Correspondent

Grammy Award winner Suzy Bogguss said she doesn’t know when she’ll stop performing, but as long as she does, she’ll always look forward to taking the stage at the Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth.

“There’s not a bad seat in the place and it’s like you are playing for all of your old friends,” Bogguss said. “It’s like they want to come and sing with you.”

For the fourth straight year, Bogguss, a country music icon who has sold more than four million albums, will stop at the Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth, where she’ll treat fans to a mix of holiday classics and original hits at 8 p.m.

Saturday.

Bogguss’ show will focus her most recent album, “Aces Redux,” which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Suzy’s platinum-selling album “Aces” and features fresh acoustic arrangements with her unmistakable vocals. But fans can expect to hear many of Bogguss’ hits, including “Outbound Plane,” Someday Soon,” “Letting Go” and “Drive South,” but they’ll also hear “O Holy Night,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and, of course, “Mr. Santa,” which she wrote with Chet Atkins based on Atkins’ 1954 hit “Mr. Sandman.”

“I’m going to start with the hits and go from there,”

Grammy Award winner Suzy Bogguss will perform a Christmas show Saturday night at the Red Clay Music Foundry.

(Special Photo)

IF YOU GO

said Bogguss, who turns 61 in December. “I want to sing the songs I know the audience wants to hear, but I also may use the audience as guinea pigs to test out some new songs I’ve never sung before. I want it to be a special night.”

Bogguss will be on stage along with bassist Charlie Chadwick, guitarist Craig Smith and perhaps a special guest.

In 2005, Bogguss won the Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album for her work on “Beautiful Dreamer,” a compilation of 18 songs originally written by Stephen Foster in which she sang “Ah! May the Red Rose Live Away!”

Bogguss, who was signed by Capitol Records while she was singing at the amusement park that went on to be named “Dollywood,” has 10 albums, one of which, “Aces,” went platinum and three others that went gold. Her 1992 duet with Lee Greenwood, “Hopelessly Yours,” ascended to No. 12 on the country

Who: Suzy Bogguss When: 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Red Clay Music Foundry, 3116 Main St., Duluth Tickets: $30-$35 and can be purchased by visiting eddieowenpresents.com

singles chart and received a Grammy nomination for Vocal Collaboration.

She owns eight top-five hits and has performed at the White House, on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Live With Regis and Kelly” and “The View.” She’s also appeared frequently as a guest on “A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor” on National Public Radio.

Bogguss said she is having too much fun to think about calling it a career, adding she wants to perform as long as she can.

“I’m on the road 120 days a year and I’m not even looking at it like ‘How much time do a I have left,’” she said. “I don’t know when I’m going to call it a career, but I will go down swinging.

I’m not someone who thinks about counting the days until I can retire in Boca Raton.

I’m having too much fun right now.”

BY VENUE MUSIC

37 MAIN 37 E. Main St., Buford 678-288-2030 buford.37main.com • Dec. 15-16: Queen Nation (Queen Tribute) • Dec. 22: Departure (Journey Tribute) • Dec. 23: Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi Tribute)

INFINITE ENERGY ARENA 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth 770-813-7500 www.infiniteenergycenter.com • Dec. 17: A Glorius Christmas featuring Casting Crowns and For King & Country

40 WATT CLUB 285 W. Washington St., Athens 706-549-7871 www.40watt.com • Dec. 15: Wolves among Ravens • Dec. 16: Bloodkin • Dec. 21: Sleepy Brown, Kilo Ali, DJ Kelly

THE LOFT 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta 404-885-1365 www.centerstage-atlanta.com/ shows/the-loft • Dec. 15: Behzad Leito • Dec. 16: DDG • Dec. 31: The Groove Nye: R&B All Night

ATLANTA SYMPHONY HALL 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-733-4900 www.atlantasymphony.org • Dec. 15, 16: Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra — Coca-Cola Holiday Series • Dec. 21: Messiah with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus • Dec. 23: Home Free: A Country Christmas Tour 2017

THE MASQUERADE 695 North Ave. N.E., Atlanta 404-577-8178 www.masqueradeatlanta.com • Dec. 15: Palisades • Dec. 15: Torch • Dec. 16: Break Away • Dec. 16: Separations • Dec. 17: Whores. | ‘68 • Dec. 17: Lurk Franklin and Friends • Dec. 18: Rosedale • Dec. 19: The Number Twelve Looks Like You • Dec. 21: Slaytanic XMAS • Dec. 22: The Apx • Dec. 22: Ryan Buck • Dec. 23: Hundredth • Dec. 23: Ray Casper

BUCKHEAD THEATRE 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta 404-843-2825 www.thebuckheadtheatre.com • Dec. 21: Ed Roland’s Winter Wonder Bash EDDIE’S ATTIC 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur 404-377-4976 www.eddiesattic.com • Ongoing: Eddie’s Attic Songwriter’s Open Mic • Dec. 16: Robin Meade • Dec. 17: The Krickets • Dec. 17: Rebel Union • Dec. 22: Jow Gransden EVERETT’S MUSIC BARN 4055 Stonecypher Road, Suwanee 678-858-5363 everettsmusicbarn.net • Dec. 16: Joy Smith Christmasmas Show FOX THEATRE 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-881-2100 foxtheatre.org • Dec. 18: Keith and Kristyn Getty — Sing! An Irish Christmas

• Dec. 29: Widespread Panic

PHILIPS ARENA 1 Philips Drive N.W., Atlanta 404-878-3000 www.philipsarena.com • Dec. 15: Power 96.1 Jingle Ball • Dec. 16: V-103 Winterfest • Dec. 17: Janet Jackson RED CLAY MUSIC FOUNDRY 3116 Main St., Duluth 678-957-7283 www.eddieowenpresents.com • Ongoing: Songwriters Open Mic hosted by Eddie • Dec. 15: Eddie Owen Presents: Chloë Agnew with Chasing Lovely • Dec. 16: Suzy Bogguss • Dec. 22: Banks and Shane Christmas Concert • Dec. 23: Joe Gransden Big Band Christmas Show featuring Francine Reed RED LIGHT CAFE 553 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta 404-874-7828 redlightcafe.com

• Ongoing: Wednesday Jazz Jam with The Gordon Vernick Quartet • Dec. 16: Julie Gribble CD Release Party with Tim McNary, Dave Franklin • Dec. 17: Guitar Shed’s Third Annual Winter Recital • Dec. 20: Jazz Jam with the Gordon Vernick Quartet • Dec. 21: Beatles Holiday Jam with Mark Michelson & Friends • Dec. 22: The Brookses Christmas Special SYLVIA BEARD THEATRE Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Highway, Buford 770-945-6762 bufordcommunitycenter.com • Dec. 16: The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra • Dec. 17: The Barefoot Movement Christmas • Dec. 19: Annie Moses Band Christmas SMITH’S OLDE BAR 1578 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta 404-875-1522 www.smithsoldebar.com • Ongoing: DJ Sky • Dec. 15: Ben Trickey Full Band, Charles Walker, Waller Duo • Dec. 15: Doublewide • Dec. 16: The Musicianers, Mylah • Dec. 16: The Vegabonds • Dec. 16: Henry Mansfield, The Schwa, Zoo House • Dec. 17: The Presmanes Brothers • Dec. 17: Andrea Colburn, Mud Moseley, H.R. Gertner, Andrew Vickery • Dec. 19: The Dound Hounds, Willess, Jackwagon • Dec. 20: Jimi Cravity • Dec. 21: Choir of Babble, Burden Control, Peach Avenue • Dec. 21: Carly Burruss, Aspen Anonda, Krysta Nick • Dec. 22: Flannel Nation, Running With The Devil, Shake Your Money Maker, Stone Temple Pirates • Dec. 23: The Last Waltz Ensemble • Dec. 24: B.O.B. • Dec. 26: Kilo Ali THE TABERNACLE 152 Luckie St., Atlanta 404-659-9022 tabernacleatl.com • Dec. 15-16: The Revivalists • Dec. 23: Snails

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movies

Cena, Manning star as bulls against bullying Ferdinand (PG) ★★★★

bringing the 1936 book to life. He jumps right into the story by showing the torment Ferdinand endures at Casa del Toros, a bull training camp in rural Spain. One day, Ferdinand’s father — the stable’s

BY JON GALLO most ferocious bull — is chosen Staff Correspondent to take on Spain’s top matador, El Primero (Miguel Angel Silvestre) Ferdinand — the lovable bull in the ring. who prefers flowers over fightAnd he doesn’t come back. ing — remains as relevant and Ferdinand escapes and finds endearing today as he was when he a new home on farm belonging debuted in Munro Leaf and Robert to Juan (singer Juanes), whose Lawson’s book more than 80 years daughter, Nina (Lily Day), treats ago.

Ferdinand as a pet while he grows At its core, “Ferdinand” isn’t into a behemoth. For Ferdinand, about bulls; it’s about bullying. all is well — until a visit to the The 108-minute cartoon that stars city goes awry. He’s captured and WWE superstar John Cena as the shipped back to Casa del Toros. voice of the title character uses Though Ferdinand has grown to be Ferdinand to teach kids about the larger than his childhood tormentsubject that’s become a hot topic ers, he’s still bullied and refuses to throughout the educational and fight — until he has no choice. social landscape.

If you’ve read the book, which Ferdinand is massive and power- has been translated in more than ful, but his biggest muscle is his 60 languages, you know what hapheart. While his fellow bulls pick pens next. on him relentlessly before — and Ferdinand’s second stay at Casa after — his father is killed in del Toros is what elevates the film. the bullfighting ring, Ferdinand He plans his escape with the asremains very much a pacifist. He’d sistance of Lupe, a hyper-calming rather stick his nose in a flower goat (voiced by Kate McKinnon) than in anyone’s business. his friend Guapo (voiced by Super Director Carlos Saldanha, who Bowl champion quarterback was behind the 2009 animated Peyton Manning) and a trio of hit “Rio,” does a pretty good job hedgehogs named Uno, Dos and

Cuartro (Gina Rodriguez, Daveed Diggs and Gabriel Iglesias) who prefer not to talk of why Tres isn’t around.

The movie uses vivid color, much like the book that Disney turned into a seven-minute Oscar award-winning film in 1938. The story moves quickly, which parents will appreciate. But what also makes this film notable is that it doesn’t set itself up for a sequel.

Blue Sky Studios, which is owned by Fox, made a name for itself with the “Ice Age” and “Rio” franchises. “Ice Age’s” four films grossed more than $2.77 billion at the worldwide box office, with Rio’s two films collectively taking home about a billion. However, Blue Sky’s three most recent films — “Ice Age: Collision Course,” (2016) “The Peanuts Movie” (2015) and “Epic” (2013) — each failed to reached box office expectations.

But here’s “Ferdinand’s” biggest problem: it’s opening against “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” which, to be fair, is big enough to bully any film, even one about a bull who isn’t looking for a fight.

(20th Century Fox)

Lily Day voices Nina and John Cena voices Ferdinand, her pet bull, in “Ferdinand.” (Special Photo: 20th Century Fox)

‘Wonder Wheel’ another forgettable Allen non-classic Wonder Wheel (PG-13) ★★★★

BY MICHAEL CLARK Movie Critic

Woody Allen has cranked out a movie a year since the mid ’60s, and half of them should have never been made. He’s a man who confuses quality with quantity and has never thrown away an average or even bad idea. But on the other hand, he’s made almost two dozen movies that could be considered very good, and a handful most film connoisseurs would consider to be classics. “Wonder Wheel” is not one of those films; it’s not even close.

Another “bridge” entry into the Allen canon, “Wonder Wheel” falls somewhere between “Annie Hall” and “Match Point” along with the familiar Allen “May/ December” motif, but with the gender roles reversed. In all of the past movies he’s written, directed and starred in, Woody Allen has played variations of the same neurotic guy he generally is in real life. For the movies he’s made but not acted in, Allen casts a stand-in who takes on all of his trademark obsessive/compulsive quirks. But he has not done so here. This is the sole bit of original storytelling to be found in “Wonder Wheel.”

Ginny (Kate Winslet) is

Kate Winslet stars as Ginny in “Wonder Wheel.” (Photo: Jessica Miglio/Amazon Studios)

an unhappy, 40-ish woman who is married to a slightly happier ride operator (Jim Belushi as Humpty — yes, Humpty) living on Coney Island. Humpty’s the adopted father to Ginny’s son, a preteen pyromaniac and petty thief. She’s also the kind-of stepmother to his daughter, Carolina (Juno Temple), the recently divorced ex-wife of an unseen mobster in search of safe hiding and a fresh start.

Humpty initially wants nothing to do with Carolina, but slowly changes his mind after some strong prodding from Ginny. Carolina gets a job waitressing

alongside Ginny at a greasy spoon dinner where both are generally miserable.

Things start looking up for Ginny when she is flirted with by toothy, effervescent lifeguard Mickey (Justin Timberlake, who also breaks the fourth wall as the narrator) who views her as a fantasy/conquest. Ginny, however, believes their budding carnal relationship to be “the real deal” and starts to behave like a dumbstruck teenager. All of the things that once bothered Ginny regarding Humpty and her delinquent son get pushed to the back burner thanks to Mickey, his silver tongue

and considerable horizontal prowess.

The trouble begins with the start of the second act when Allen proceeds to repeat the first. Although some of it is comical and enlightening, even dedicat-

ed Allen fans can tell he’s treading water. Perhaps in an effort to mask the cracks in the narrative, Allen instructs the performers — the de facto putty here — to go broad, believing if it’s delivered loud enough, it’ll make more sense.

The final half hour marks a slight improvement, thanks mostly to Allen’s choice to stunt cast two former regulars from “The Sopranos” as — you guessed it — mobsters. The danger quotient is amped up a tad and the introduction of a possible love triangle makes things more interesting, but just barely.

New to the award season rush, Amazon Studios made sure DVDs of the film were sent to various critics groups in time for Top 10 consideration. As for the Atlanta Film Critics Circle (co-founded by Felicia Feaster and myself), “Wonder Wheel” didn’t receive a single point (out of a possible 1,320 total) in the Top 10 category, and two points for Best Cinematography.

This is mentioned because

these screeners — always well packaged — also come with glowing accolades and a For Your Consideration list of names on the back cover in every acting and technical category the studio can possibly muster.

The one name not on this list was Allen himself. Considering his participation in virtually every aspect of the making, marketing and release dates for his films, this was not an oversight. Allen — who is many things to many people — takes his work seriously and purposefully didn’t include himself as the writer and director to be considered for recognition.

At least he’s not self-delusional.

Given Allen’s usual pattern of making two forgettable movies followed by a great one, next year’s “A Rainy Day in New York” starring Timothee Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Selena Gomez and Jude Law should once again reward Allen’s patient and largely forgiving followers.

(Amazon Studios)

Celebrate the Season Decorated Trees Cultural Displays

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movies

New hopes shattered ‘Star Wars’ follow-up falls short of sky-high expectations

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (PG-13)

BY BRIAN LOWRY CNN

If expectations for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” were inordinately (and perhaps unfairly) high, thank “The Force Awakens,” which had a huge donut hole in the shape of Luke Skywalker at its center. Yet even with Luke integrated into the story, the film feels like a significant letdown, one that does far less than its predecessor to stoke enthusiasm for the next leg in the trilogy.

Running more than 2 1/2 hours, the eighth “Star Wars” movie built around the Skywalker clan is the

longest under that banner and showcases an abundance of action. But despite the enormous scope and visual spectacle, too many key components of the film — including those that have kept die-hard fans guessing and debating — prove unsatisfying.

To be fair, writer-director Rian Johnson delivers some genuine surprises, and has dotted the movie with its share of pleasurable moments, from disarming humor to the first space battle to callbacks to earlier films — practically flashing a sign to ensure openingnight audiences will have opportunities to whoop and holler.

“The Last Jedi” also adds a number of new characters, most of whom feel pretty disposable with the exception of Rose (Kelly Marie

Tran), a plucky rebel whose vulnerability seems well calibrated to connect with the fan base.

Still, the eagerly awaited arrival of Luke (Mark Hamill) — with his promised tutelage of Rey (Daisy Ridley), and past role in the dark descent of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) — doesn’t ignite as anticipated.

While “Force Awakens” did an admirable job of engineering a baton pass by establishing the new cast (the other key members being John Boyega as Finn and Oscar Isaac as Poe), “Last Jedi” bogs down in the middle and, the cooler parts notwithstanding, doesn’t rally enough at the finish to offset that.

Granted, “Star Wars” has weathered past disappointments — including the clunkier qualities of George

Above, from left to right, Rose is played by Kelly Marie Tran and Finn by John Boyega in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” (Photo: David James/Lucasfilm Ltd.) At top, from left to right, Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill star as Rey and Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” (Photo: Jonathan Olley/Lucasfilm Ltd.)

Lucas’ second trilogy — without damaging the franchise, and the emotional investment fans have in a property that’s passed from parents to their kids can’t be overstated.

Like those movies, though, which produced standout moments, “The Last Jedi” feels like less than the sum of its parts.

And where “Force Awak-

ens” director J.J. Abrams nicely set the table for this sequel, this film leaves Abrams (who will reprise that role on Episode IX) with his work cut out for him. The flaws also invite second-guessing about Lucasfilm’s pre-release vote of confidence by anointing Johnson as the force behind a separate trilogy set in that far-away galaxy.

In crass commercial terms, no clairvoyance is necessary to predict that “The Last Jedi” will be a huge hit, blunting any criticism. Yet if “The Empire Strikes Back” stands as the defining chapter in the “Star Wars” saga, as second movies go, “Last Jedi” ranks closer to the “Attack of the Clones” end of the gene pool.

Carrie Fisher’s death last year serves as a somber footnote to the movie, and beyond her warming presence, there’s a lovely dedication to her in the closing credits.

What precedes that overall, alas, represents a creative step back, not a leap forward. Optimistically, “The Last Jedi” leaves plenty of intriguing possibilities for the climactic installment.

But there’s also the kind of room for improvement that remind us when it comes to “Star Wars,” such hopes — new or otherwise — spring eternal.

(Disney)

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movies

‘The Disaster Artist’ film fans

Paul Tate, Sugar Hill

★★★★

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE

PASS/FAIL

WHO WILL LIKE THIS...

EDITOR’S NOTE: Film Fans features local residents reviewing the movie of the week: “The Disaster Artist.” To be a film fan, email features@gwinnettdailypost.com.

SEE IT NOW OR WAIT

OVERALL IMPRESSION

Pass: I won’t say too much as to not spoil the plot, but director and star James Franco has done an excellent job with the pacing and the storytelling. The relationship here between Tommy and Greg (played by Franco’s real-life brother Dave) is realistic throughout, with all the angry and passionate moments you might expect. The unfolding of the plot is easy to follow, even for those (like myself) who had not seen “The Room,” the film “The Disaster Artist” is all about.

Fail: Like most cult movies, I feel like I missed about half of the jokes, even though I did some reading online in advance of seeing the movie. It made the movie a little less than it might have been if I knew more of the backstories going in. So do some research before you go if you are not familiar with “The Room,” its stars and its creators.

The Franco brothers are to be commended here for telling a story with sincerity and heart. It never lapses into what it easily could have been — an extended “Saturday Night Live” skit. This is probably assisted by the fact that the ensemble cast, including Seth Rogen, is pretty funny across the board.

Those who are fans of “The Room” already probably saw this one on opening weekend.

I think word of mouth will keep it around a little longer.

It’s quirky humor best enjoyed in a crowded room, whether that be at the theatre or in your home. Definitely for adults, as there is plenty of adult language and situations here.

This movie is another example of James Franco and his unusual taste and choices of movie topics and roles. While not for everyone, I did find myself laughing and rooting for the main characters to succeed. If you go, stick around through the end credits for some fun bonus content. If you are looking for something different in the theaters this holiday season, check out “The Disaster Artist.” You may find yourself laughing more than you expected to.

Pass: Excellent casting; very good acting all around, especially by James Franco; a fascinating “movie about making a movie.”

Fail: The movie is a bit disjointed at first, but that’s understandable given the nature of its main character; if you stick with it, you’ll be well rewarded by the time the end credits roll.

James Franco is superb in the role of the mysterious Tommy Wiseau, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Greg Sestero (very well played by Franco’s younger brother, Dave) while both are taking acting classes in the late ’90s. Good supporting work is also provided by Seth Rogen as frustrated screenplay editor Sandy and Alison Brie as Greg’s girlfriend, Amber.

The “movie within a movie” angle will appeal to film buffs who remember a similar device being used for such flicks as 1993’s “Last Action Hero” or 2012’s “Hitchcock.” However, “The Disaster Artist” is oftentimes uncomfortable to watch, due mostly to the wildly antagonistic and cringe-worthy, wacko portrayal of the unlikable Tommy by James Franco. Be sure to stick around to the very end to see scenes from “The Disaster Artist” juxtaposed next to the same scenes from the actual film “The Room.”

As good as “The Disaster Artist” turned out to be, I’m on the fence about whether it’s worth the bucks to see it on the big screen. It’s certainly deserving enough for a matinee, but I’m guessing this film won’t be around at your local cinema for very long, so definitely catch it on Netflix or DVD later.

“The Disaster Artist” by the nature of its title is an oxymoron itself: a well-told story about the actual making of 2003’s “The Room,” probably the very worst film ever made in the history of cinema. The evolution of the relationship between Tommy and Greg, through the whirlwind casting and production for “The Room,” and the resulting train wreck that results is a spectacle to behold. It reminded me of how a similarly-bad flick, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” was so awful that it later a cult classic. At the end, you’re not sure if you just watched a product of complete idiocy or sheer brilliance.

Tim Weekley, Suwanee

★★★★

DISC SPOTLIGHT

COMING SOON TO OWN

• “Detroit” (Dec. 12): Director Kathryn Bigelow’s drama follows a security guard’s (John Boyega) experiences in the violent wake of a police raid. (R) • “Game of Thrones: The Complete Seventh Season” (Dec. 12): Jon Snow and Cersei Lannister (Kit Harington, Lena Headey) both face challenges as leaders as the hugely popular HBO series continues. (Not rated) • “Home Again” (Dec. 12): A woman’s (Reese Witherspoon) surprising new romance is threatened by the return of her estranged husband (Michael Sheen).

(PG-13) • “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” (Dec. 12): Members of an American spy organization step in to assist Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and his British colleagues against enemies. (R) • “Dunkirk” (Dec. 19): The Christopher Nolan-directed view of the World War II military operation features Harry Styles and Kenneth Branagh.

(PG-13) • “Leatherface” (Dec. 19): The roots of the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” character are explored in this horror prequel; Stephen Dorff and Lili Taylor star. (R) • “The LEGO Ninjago Movie” (Dec. 19): A martialarts master (voice of Jackie Chan) leads young warriors against an enemy — the father of one of the heroes. (PG) • “Mother!” (Dec. 19): Director Darren Aronofsky’s melodrama stars Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem as a couple who receive unexpected visitors. (R) • “Stronger” (Dec. 19): Jake Gyllenhaal plays one of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing who battles back after losing his legs. (R) • “American Made” (Jan. 2): Tom Cruise stars in the fact-based story of a pilot whose questionable, cartelrelated activities were sanctioned by the CIA. (R)

MICHAEL CLARK

Dunkirk 4K Ultra HD (PG-13) Movie: ★★★★ Disc: ★★★★ Landing near the top of virtually every yearend best-of list and nominated for three Golden Globe awards, filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s gut-wrenching audio/visual masterpiece “Dunkirk” is unlike any other war movie you’ve ever seen and the finest of its kind since “Saving Private Ryan” from 1998. Clocking in at just 107 minutes, it is Nolan’s shortest film and — among those of us not totally transfixed by his “Batman” trilogy — it is his finest effort to date. If you’re still on the fence about buying a 4K ultra TV and needed a good reason to finally do so — this is it.

Technical specs: aspect ratio: Widescreen (2.39: 1 and 1.78:1/2160p), audio: English (DTS-HD MA), subtitles: English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

Special features include: • Additional Blu-ray disc and HD copy • Five featurettes • First edition slipcover packaging (Warner Bros., $44.95)

NOW SHOWING Recently reviewed films now playing in metro area theaters. Ratings are out of 4 stars.

Coco (PG) — 4 stars Disney/Pixar brings the Land of the Dead to life with this story surrounding Miguel, an aspiring musician, and his family on Dia de los Muertos. Set in Mexico, Miguel accidentally is transported to the Land of the Dead, where he must get his family’s blessing to play music to return to the living world. Filled with beautiful animation, an authentic score and clever jokes, “Coco” will entertain all generations and hopefully start a conversation about family and heritage. — Alex Tostado Mudbound (R) — 3 1/2 stars Director Dee Rees and Netflix have provided a sobering look into

the American south during and after World War II. With an ensemble cast that includes a wonderful Mary J. Blige in her debut, Mudbound tells the story of two families, one made up of white landlords and one of black tenant farmers. Both have members fighting in and returning from Europe. The two families’ stories come together to form an honest, gritty look into 1940’s Mississippi that will likely earn Netflix an Oscar nomination. — Kyle Dawson • Justice League (PG-13) — 3 stars After four years of commercially profitable but critically panned films in its superhero stable, DC Comics’ teamup of Batman and Wonder Woman (and Superman, sort of) with newcomers Aquaman, The

Flash and Cyborg is a triumph at least as good as the average Marvel Studios flick. The story’s a little thin, but it’s a definite crowdpleaser. — Michael Buckelew and Khari J. Sampson • Last Flag Flying (R) — 3 stars Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne put on a master class of acting in this Richard Linklater-directed tale of Vietnam War vets reuniting when one of their sons perishes in Iraq. Part road trip, antiwar film and “Unforgiven” remake, it teeters between being contemplative and boring, but the performances save it. — KS • Thor: Ragnarok (PG-13) — 3 stars Marvel’s godly hero Thor (Chris Hemsworth) returns for a third solo

outing. Tons of humor — a little too much, actually — makes “Ragnarok” great fun despite a high-stakes plot where he’s stripped of his iconic hammer and cast far away from the homeland he’s sworn to defend (this time from Hela, goddess of death, played by Cate Blanchett). Co-star Tessa Thompson nearly steals the movie. — KS • LBJ (R) — 4 stars Woody Harrelson turns in a very impressive performance in this biopic of Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Set during the time of Johnson’s vice presidency to JFK and the aftermath of JFK’s assassination, Harrelson is able to have, according to director Rob Reiner, “the humanity and sensitivity to play all the parts of Johnson that were insecure, and he

has a great sense of humor, which Johnson had.” Check out this one if you are a fan of Harrelson, history, politics or biographies. — AT • Suburbicon (R) — 3 stars Director George Clooney weaves a story of 1950s racial animus and a murder mystery in this different sort of thriller starring Matt Damon and, in dual roles, Julianne Moore. — MB • The Foreigner (R) — 3 stars Jackie Chan brings a hidden past a father’s vengeance to this politicalaction thriller, also starring Pierce Brosnan. Chan loses his daughter to a terrorist bombing in London and follows Brosnan’s roots to the culprits. This movie is action-packed and garners a few laughs but mostly keeps a dark tone. Leave the kids at home for this movie outing. — AT

8C • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

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