Gwinnett Daily Post — December 28, 2014

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR, 1C

STEALING A WIN Generals fend off feisty North in battle of youthful squads • In Sports, 1B

Check out the most memorable images from 2014

Gwinnett Daily Post SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

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Vol. 45, No. 60

Homicide clearance rate high GCPD outpaces national averages

By Tyler Estep tyler.estep@gwinnettdailypost.com

Akash Shah, 8, screams as he and his father, Paul, ride down the tubing hill at SnowWorld at Lake Lanier Islands on Saturday in Buford. Below, Mckendie Phillips, 6, gathers snow for a snowball at SnowWorld at Lake Lanier Islands on Saturday in Buford. (Staff Photos: David Welker)

Snow-filled fun

Lake Lanier Islands’ SnowWorld drawing thousands

By Joshua Sharpe

joshua.sharpe @gwinnettdailypost.com

BUFORD — “You keep coming at me, everybody out here!” a full-grown man yelled at a girl during one of the more raucous snowball fights at Lake Lanier Islands’ SnowWorld park Saturday.

At first, Jeffery Taylor’s battle was just against his son, Josiah, 8. But before long, Taylor had far more opponents than he’d hoped. Girls and boys, all strangers, came at him, with bigger and bigger snowballs See SNOW, Page 9A MORE ONLINE Visit gwinnettdailypost.com for a photo gallery.

Thus far in 2014, the Gwinnett County Police Department has handled 27 homicide cases.

Detectives have cleared all but two.

“The detectives have worked hard, as they do every year,” Sgt. Jeffrey Richter, a supervisor HOMICIDE in GCPD’s TOTALS homicide Gwinnett County hounit, said. micide totals, 2007-14* “They come • 2014: 37** in early, stay • 2013: 27 late, and • 2012: 41 generally do • 2011: 28 • 2010: 30 whatever is • 2009: 36 required to • 2008: 38 bring resolu• 2007: 50 tion to these * Statistics compiled cases. We by the Gwinnett Counwould, of ty Medical Examiner’s course, like Office include murto solve evders, justified killings ery case.” like officer-involved This year’s shootings and some fatal crashes homicide ** As of Dec. 24 total does include three officer-involved shootings, but the clearance rate of nearly 93 percent is well above countrywide averages — statistics compiled by the FBI listed a national clearance rate of 62.5 percent in “murder and nonnegligent manslaughter” cases in 2012, the latest year for which data is available.

Richter said his department, which covers the vast majority of Gwinnett County, typically has a clearance rate around 80 or 90 percent.

There are generally just a few unsolved cases that roll over to the next year — like these two might in 2014.

— On May 20, 35-year-old Antonio Macklin was killed inside a home near Snellville. Police believe several

See HOMICIDE, Page 9A

Hundreds of stop-arm school bus violation warnings issued

By Keith Farner

district recently installed on dozens of buses. As of Dec. 19, Gwinnett County In the weeks before Public Schools printed and citations become official, mailed 856 warning letters Gwinnett motorists received to drivers, while the most some mail before schools sent out on a single day closed for winter break. was 100 on Dec. 9. District Motorists who illespokeswoman Sloan Roach gally passed stopped school said there are still 3,460 buses were mailed warndetections in various stages ings in recent weeks after of processing. violations were recorded While 71 buses had by stop-arm cameras the cameras mounted on the

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

driver’s side of the bus behind the stop arm in early November, 300 total buses will be outfitted by February as part of a fiveyear contract with Redflex Traffic Systems. Citations will begin in January for motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.

When GCPS officials have tracked stop-arm violations in recent years, the number per day is about

2,000 on average across the county.

District officials have said the success of the program will be determined if the number of violations decrease, and the ultimate goal is to not have any violations.

Under this violator-funded program, drivers cited will face a $300 fine for the first offense, $750 for the second offense and $1,000

for a third or greater offense within five years.

Buses with cameras will be placed in every cluster of the county, but areas with high traffic, or known to have a high number of incidents, will have more cameras.

According to a spreadsheet in emails shared between GCPS officials and their counterparts at Redflex obtained by the

Daily Post, the zones last school year with the highest number of violations of motorists illegally passing school buses happened in the Meadowcreek, Berkmar and Parkview clusters.

A camera mounted on the driver’s side of the bus detects any vehicle that passes the stop arm once the yellow lights turn red.

See WARNINGS, Page 9A

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INSIDE Classified........7B

Features.........1C

Lottery............ 4A

Perspective.....7A

Comics............3E

Horoscope......4A

Nation............ 6A

Sports.............1B

Crossword......8B

Local.............. 2A

Obituaries.......8A

Weather..........4A

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2A • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

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Budget vote, political meetings set

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After several weeks of little or no activity, local political parties will soon be back in full swing with numerous events scheduled in January. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will also get back to business next month with the 2015 budget among the first items to be considered in the new year. At the state level, the Georgia General Assembly will convene on Jan. 12. Several members of the Gwinnett delegation have prefiled legislation to be considered during this year’s session.

January’s schedule of political and government meetings includes: Jan. 2 • Gwinnett Young Republicans will hold a happy hour event from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2. The location is

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK

to be announced. For details, visit gwinnettrepublicans. com.

Jan. 6 • On Jan. 6, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will vote on the 2015 proposed budget. The $1.42 billion budget includes a 4 percent pay increase for county employees as well as funding for two new fire stations and the opening of Level Creek Park. The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center located at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. More information is available online at gwinnettcounty.com.

• The Gwinnett County Planning Commission will consider several cases during its Jan. 6 meeting including a rezoning request that will allow the addition of a craft beer brewery to an existing farm property in Loganville.

The planning commission reviews rezonings and special use permit requests in order to make recommendations to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center located at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

Jan. 8 • The Gwinnett County Republican Party county committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 8 at Gwinnett County GOP headquarters

located at 46 S. Clayton St. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Items on the agenda include budget approval and a discussion of the convention process.

•The next meeting of the Gwinnett Tea Party is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8. The meeting will be held at The Flying Machine Restaurant, 510 Briscoe Boulevard at Briscoe Field in Lawenceville.

Jan. 10 • Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash is scheduled to speak at the Jan. 10 Gwinnett County Republican Party monthly breakfast. The event will be held at 550 Trackside located at 550 North Clayton Street in Lawrenceville.

Doors open at 7:45 a.m. with the program set to begin at 8:30 a.m.

• The Gwinnett Democrats monthly breakfast is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 10. The event will be held at Sweet Baby Jane’s Home Cooking located at 520 Pike Street in Lawrenceville.

Jan. 12 • The Georgia General Assembly will begin the 2015 legislative session on Monday, Jan. 12. The State House of Representatives and the State Senate set the state’s annual operating budget and make state laws. The legislature has 40 working days to

conclude its business for the year.

• The Greater Gwinnett Republican Women will meet from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the O’Charley’s located at 830 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road in Lawrenceville. The speakers have not yet been announced.

Jan. 19 • The Barrow County Republican Party will hold its next monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 19. Emily Matson, the executive director of the Georgia Life Alliance, will be the guest speaker. The Barrow GOP meets at the Winder Woman’s Club, 15 W. Midland Ave., Winder, Ga. Visit barrowgop.org for additional details.

• The next meeting of the Conservative Republican Women of North Atlanta is scheduled for Jan. 19 at the Magnolia Cafe at 5175 South Old Peachtree Road in Norcross. Scheduled speakers include Sue Ella Deadwyler and D.A. King. The meeting is set to begin at 7 p.m.

Jan. 27 • The monthly business meeting of the Gwinnett Democratic Party will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

The meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., will be held at Old Lawrenceville City Hall located at 18 S. Clayton Street in Lawrenceville.

Political Notebook appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post.

ID now Happy Holidays from Ivy Springs Manor needed to look at files

By Tyler Estep

tyler.estep @gwinnettdailypost.com

Enter to win a Family Four Pack of tickets to the Atlanta Hawks vs Indiana Pacers at Philips Arena January 21st at 7:30pm

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LAWRENCEVILLE — Those wishing to peruse files at the Gwinnett County courthouse now have to present identification to do so. They can thank certain pilfering members of the public — or perhaps forgetful ones — for the privilege.

Among other things, the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center houses clerks offices for civil and criminal arms of the county’s superior, state and magistrate courts. Official records are maintained there and can be accessed by attorneys, the media and the general public.

Traditionally, accessing files has been as simple as finding the right window and asking for them. Now, however, those wishing to pull documents must present a driver’s license, state ID or bar card.

The extra step isn’t one without reason.

“In the last couple of years we have noticed that after files were checked out, particularly by pro se parties and/or private citizens, there has been an uptick in documents missing from official files,” Clerk of Courts Richard Alexander said in an email. “Generally they are retrieved, but it is becoming an issue when maintaining official records.”

One specific incident last month — when “a private citizen removed five files from the clerk’s office” — added more fuel to the fire.

“It took us about three weeks to get the files returned to our office with the assistance of the sheriff’s office,” Alexander said. “So, we implemented this new policy to better assist us in the event of missing documents and/ or files.”

Alexander said residents without photo IDs will still be permitted to view files, but will be asked to stand at a clerk’s window while doing so rather than sitting at one of the nearby desk areas.

For more information, visit gwinnettcourts.net or call 770-822-8100.

gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014 • 3A

GUIDE raises underage drinking awareness

By Katie Morris

katie.morris @gwinnettdailypost.com

The holidays are a special time of year when friends and families come together to celebrate with dinners and parties. It is also a time of year when the roads can become dangerous due to impaired drivers, which is why President Obama declared December National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.

Gwinnett United in Drug Education Inc., a substance abuse prevention agency, is also making efforts to keep the community safe by raising awareness of the dangers of underage drinking and reminding adults that providing alcohol to those under the age of 21 is dangerous and illegal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is the most commonly used and

even though it is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to consume alcohol, people ages 12 to 20 drink 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States.

With the help of youth and adult volunteers, GUIDE held its second successful Sticker Shock campaign of the year — the first campaign was held last April and coincided with Alcohol Awareness Month. This month, volunteers placed 1,996 warning stickers, 17 warning glass clings and six warning posters in nine local alcohol retail stores highlighting the penalties for providing alcohol to minors.

The following alcohol Youth volunteers participating in GUIDE’s Sticker Shock campaign, placing 1,996 warning stickers, 17 warning glass clings and six warning posters in nine local alcohol retailers participated in retail stores highlighting the penalties for providing alcohol to minors. (Special Photo) GUIDE’s December Sticker Shock campaign, helptobacco and illicit drugs. than 4,300 annual deaths abused drug among youth ing to prevent underage in the U.S., more than It is responsible for more among underage youth — drinking — 29 Package,

Best 4 Less and Everest Food Mart in Lilburn; Gulf Food Mart, Norcross Food Mart, Shell Food Mart and Supermercado Exito in Lawrenceville; Beverage Superstore and Way Crest Exxon in Grayson.

GUIDE has been serving community since 1986.

Their mission is to mobilize and equip the community with the information and strategies needed to promote positive youth development, improve community conditions and address other issues associated with substance use and abuse. In 2000, GUIDE started focusing on reducing underage drinking, partnering with the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services, a Drug Free Communities coalition, to further these efforts since 2007.

For more information, visit guideinc.org.

County receives grant funds for new treatment court

By Kristi Reed

kristi.reed @gwinnettdailypost.com

A new court aimed at preventing recidivism among veteran offenders will soon begin operations in Gwinnett County.

On Dec. 16, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners authorized the acceptance of a grant from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to aid in the implementation of the county’s

Veterans Treatment Court.

The court, according to Court Administrator Phil Boudewyns, will provide treatment and judicial oversight for veteran offenders that have committed felony crimes due to

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substance abuse or mental illness.

“One in five veterans has symptoms of a mental health disorder or cognitive impairment,” Boudewyns said during the Dec. 16 commission work session.

“One in six veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom suffer from a substance abuse issue. Research continues to draw a link between substance abuse and combatrelated mental illness. Left untreated, mental health disorders common among veterans can lead directly to involvement in the criminal justice system.”

The grant, totaling $59,706, will cover program implementation costs including contracting a case manager and will also provide treatment services, drug testing supplies, participant handbooks and computer equipment. The county will be required to contribute matching funds of $6,634 — funds which Boudewyns said are available in his department’s existing budget.

The new court, he added, is expected to begin in January 2015.

The county operates

Gwinnett County was recently awarded grant funding to aid in the implementation of a new Veterans Treatment Court. (Special Photo)

three other treatment courts. The drug court is an intervention program for non-violent drug offenders who are having difficulty remaining drug-free. DUI court is a three-phase intervention program designed to serve as an alternative to jail for participants who can func-

tion in the community with support. The county’s pretrial diversion court diverts offenders with “severe and persistent mental illness” into community-based treatment programs.

More information about Gwinnett County Courts is available online at gwinnettcourts.net.

GGC to offer more class times, formats

By Keith Farner

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

More non-traditional class times and formats are coming to Georgia Gwinnett College.

Two years after the school began offering 7 a.m. classes, which quickly filled and remain popular, the school will offer a weekend cohort for students studying education.

The new offering, called “GGC Complete,” which begins in January, is for weekday evenings and weekends where students move through the program as a group. Students studying education as paraprofessionals will be the first to take the weeknight and weekend cohort, while business, science and technology students will begin in August.

Students taking the classes will have already completed the general education core, and courses will be offered in a hybrid format.

Business students, for example, will take one class on weekday evenings, three classes on Saturdays and two classes during the summer semester. Since their general curriculum classes are already finished, GGC Complete accounts for seven semesters. A special education degree is available to be finished in five or

“

At GGC, we strive to increase the number of Georgians completing college and moving into the workforce and to do that, we must be flexible and serve students in ways that meet their needs.”

— Lois C. Richardson, provost and interim senior vice president for academic and student affairs

six semesters.

School officials said they developed this model based on the needs of their students since many work a full-time job and manage a household, which makes finishing a traditional bachelor’s degree during traditional hours difficult. The format is designed to help students advance their career without missing work.

School officials are not sure how many students would eventually enroll in the classes.

“At GGC, we strive to increase the number of Georgians completing college and moving into the workforce and to do that, we must be flexible and serve students in ways that meet their needs,” said Lois C. Richardson, provost and interim senior vice president for academic and student affairs.

4A • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014 To Your Good Health

Colonoscopy is the best screening test for cancer DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband, who is 73 and in good health otherwise, had a colonoscopy in the summer of 2012 and was told that because no polyps or any problems were found, he did not need another test for 10 years. This October, he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, which has spread to the abdomen and omentum.

He also had seven polyps removed during his latest examination.

My question is, how likely is it that such a virulent cancer could grow in such a short time? I would be resigned to the diagnosis if I didn’t feel that something was missed in the initial exam. Also, I had a colonoscopy done by the same doctor this summer and also was told that I need not come back for 10 years.

Should I be concerned?

— H.B. ANSWER: I am very sorry to hear about your husband. What happened is very unusual. All guidelines agree that in a person with a normal colonoscopy, a repeat in 10 years is recommended. A repeat in five years would have been recommended if a lowrisk polyp had been found, earlier with high-risk or multiple polyps. I haven’t personally seen a case like your husband’s, where an advanced cancer presents less than 10 years after a normal colonoscopy. This should happen in fewer than one in a thousand people.

There are several reasons why it can happen. The most important is that even a properly done colonoscopy misses polyps. Very small polyps (less than 5 mm) can be missed 26 percent of the time, but large polyps (greater than 10 mm) are missed only 2 percent of the time.

Although the colonoscopy is the best screening test we have for colon cancer, it isn’t perfect. It’s also possible that he just had a very fast-growing cancer.

While I understand your concern about getting yourself an earlier repeat colonoscopy, your risk is very small, and if you trust the doctor who did the colonoscopy, you should get your repeat in 10 years.

HOROSCOPES

WEATHER WATCH TODAY

90%

Keith Roach

gwinnettdailypost.com

64

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

20%

20%

10%

10%

80%

70%

63

58

52

52

52

58

47

50

36

30

SOLUNAR TABLES The Gwinnett Daily Post (UPSP 921-980, ISSN 10860096) is published Wednesday through Friday and Sunday by SCNI, 725 Old Norcross Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30045. Periodical postage paid at Lawrenceville, GA 30044. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gwinnett Daily Post, P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046-0603.

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

MAJOR

6:18-8:18 a.m.............6:44-8:44 p.m.

MINOR

12:06-1:06 a.m.........12:22-1:22 p.m.

POLLEN COUNTS Trees: Low Weeds: Low Grass: Low

Lake

37

41

44

LAKE LEVELS

Full Yesterday

Lake

Full Yesterday

Allatoona (840.0) ........ 826.57

Lanier

(1071.0) ....... 1067.78

Blackshear (237.0) ........ 235.98

Nottely

(1779.0) .......1759.15

Blue Ridge (1690.0) ....... 1667.03

Oconee

(435.0) ........ 434.85

Burton

(1865.0) .......1854.96

Seminole (77.50)............ 77.83

Carters

(1072.0) .......1073.34

Sinclair

Chatuge

(1927.0) ....... 1913.10

Thurmond (330.0) ........ 324.58

(339.8) .........339.74

Harding

(521.0) ........ 520.46

Tugalo

Hartwell

(660.0) ........ 654.69

Walter F. George (190)....... 187.30

(891.5) ........ 889.08

Jackson

(530.0) ........ 529.40

West Point (635.0) ........ 629.40

TODAY IN HISTORY

LOTTERY Saturday Cash 3 Midday: 3-2-7 Cash 4 Midday: 6-9-9-1 Ga. 5 Midday: 2-4-9-5-3 Friday Cash 3 Midday: 3-6-1 Cash 3 Evening: 0-5-3 Cash 4 Midday: 3-0-3-2 Cash 4 Evening: 7-1-7-4 Ga. 5 Midday: 6-3-1-8-8 Ga. 5 Evening: 4-5-2-0-3 Fantasy 5: 1-11-23-34-36 Mega Millions: 2-5-10-20-38, Mega Ball:14, Megaplier: 3X

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1832, John C. Calhoun became the first U.S. vice president to resign his office.

In 1846, Iowa was admitted as the 29th U.S. state.

In 1912, San Francisco’s first municipally owned streetcars began service.

In 1945, Congress formally recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.

In 1981, the first American “test-tube baby” was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), 28th U.S. president; Stan Lee (1922- ), comic book creator/publisher; Maggie Smith (1934- ), actress; Gayle King (1954- ), magazine editor; Denzel Washington (1954- ), actor; Chris Ware (1967- ), illustrator; Linus Torvalds (1969- ), software engineer; Seth Meyers (1973- ), comedian/actor; John Legend (1978- ), musician; Noomi Rapace (1979- ),

actress; Sienna Miller (1981- ), actress.

TODAY’S FACT: “Marvel Comics” was the first pulp fantasy comic book series published by Timely Comics, debuting in October 1939. Timely Comics editor Stan Lee reincorporated the name in 1961, publishing all of the company’s comic books under the brand name “Marvel Comics.”

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1958, the Baltimore Colts came from behind in the final seconds to force the first sudden death overtime in a championship game. The Colts went on to win “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” defeating the New York Giants 23-17 to win the NFL championship.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “No man can sit down and withhold his hands from the warfare against wrong and get peace from his acquiescence.” — Woodrow Wilson

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Wife drunk texts, then claims ‘foul’ DEAR AMY: My wife and I have been married for 35 years, and even though she is rarely interested in me, I don’t think she has ever been physically unfaithful.

But ever since the technology has become available she has been a drunk texter.

For a long time she denied it, but she finally admitted that she was sending “flirty, silly” messages to male friends of ours. Even though I told her I thought it was inappropriate and disrespectful, she insisted it was just harmless fun.

Then she received a text one night after she was asleep.

I tried to ignore it, but her phone kept beeping every five minutes. So I finally got her phone out of her purse

called me a liar. That’s when I began wondering what was in there that she was so worried I would see. She claimed there was nothing, that it was just a privacy issue. So then I called her a liar and we had an ongoing dispute for a week with both of us saying a lot of mean things.

Fortunately we have mostAmy Dickinson ly gotten past it, but I can’t stop wondering what was in and pushed the OK button to her phone that day. I contend make it stop. I didn’t read the there should not be anything message or anything. in there that her spouse could The next day when she not see. And she continues to saw she had a missed text, she insist there isn’t and that it is became unglued. She yelled just a privacy issue. What do at me, accusing me of reading you think? her texts and checking her — Hurt and Confused call log. When I explained DEAR HURT: Let’s what really happened, she rewind your question and go

Ask Amy

back to this phrase: “…even though she is rarely interested in me.” This is your wife, not a sorority sister. Her choice to “drunk text” is juvenile and disrespectful. You should not sneakily comb through your wife’s phone, but you weren’t doing that. When this became a problem between the two of you, your wife should have readily offered to show you her phone. You are wise to understand that you cannot control your wife’s actions, but it would be nice if she would.

You say you are mostly past this, but in my view, you two have some work to do.

Fighting about this and then sweeping it under the rug doesn’t seem fair to you.

Your persistence and energy will be put to the test this year. Keep your options open.

Support will come your way, but only if you ask the right people to contribute to your cause. A change in location or vocation will improve your position. Don’t limit what you can accomplish.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) — Don’t be discouraged if your plans are taking longer to fulfill than anticipated. As long as you are moving forward, you are on the right path. Stick to your dreams, hopes and wishes.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Your priority is to get ahead throughout the upcoming year. Expand your goals and follow through with your plans. Think big and make things happen. Consider starting your own business.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Concentrate on whatever job you are given.

If you become distracted or lose focus, mishaps will occur. Work on one concept at a time, rather than trying to multitask.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Consider an unexpected change to be an adventure.

Trying to fight progress is tiring and unrealistic. With your ability, any variation to your plan could work to your advantage.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Sharing time with family or friends will bring you peace and joy. Make a resolution to be more attentive and affectionate in the new year.

Romance will enhance your personal life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Your energy is lagging.

Take time for personal pleasures in order to rejuvenate.

A frantic pace will negatively influence your health. Do whatever it takes to eat properly and sleep well.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — A social or business function will bring you in contact with an interesting and influential individual. Share your thoughts, but resist the urge to embellish the truth or exaggerate your talents.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Your sense of humor and outgoing personality will make you the star of the show today. Entertain at home or attend a social function and take advantage of your ability to attract attention.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Business deals will prove more beneficial than family associations today. Spend time with colleagues or peers who can help you acquire the position you are after.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Meddling in someone else’s relationship is asking for trouble. Regardless of which side you favor, you risk alienating someone or hurting his or her feelings. It’s best to keep your opinions to yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Do your best to wrap up assignments or business responsibilities. Career matters may have taken a back seat to family events lately, but you need to get back on track and pursue your goals.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) — You should make the changes that you’ve been considering. Painting and redecorating will spruce up your surroundings, and exercise and a healthy diet will get you in tip-top shape.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014 • 5A

gwinnettdailypost.com

Man shot during armed After turbulent 2014, robbery at his apartment ’15 may be no calmer

By Joshua Sharpe

joshua.sharpe @gwinnettdailypost.com

Two young suspects were in jail Saturday morning after a Norcross man was shot in the stomach during an armed robbery outside his apartment.

The victim, 35, was standing in front of his home in building No. 6 at the Sienna Heights complex on Graves Road Ezekiel Boyd around 8:20 p.m.

Friday when a man wearing a mask approached with a rifle, Anthony said Cpl. Penick Michele Pihera, spokeswoman for Gwinnett police. The masked man demanded money, just before a second suspect approached with a handgun.

“A friend of (the victim) …who was on-scene, proceeded to grab the rifle and fight for its possession,” Pihera said in a news release.

By Peter Apps Reuters

NEW YORK — From financial crisis in Russia to cyber warfare with North Korea, 2014 has generated new flashpoints right into its final days, setting 2015 up to be just as turbulent.

Almost all of the major confrontations, such as the battle with Islamic State militants, Police say a man was shot during a robbery outside his the West’s stand-off with apartment in the Sienna Heights complex, shown in this Russia over Ukraine and July 2014 file photo, in Norcross on Friday night. (Special the fight against Ebola, Photo) will rumble on.

Others could erupt at “While this altercation was off of Graves Road onto short notice. taking place, the second “Normally after a Esquire Place and parked, male fired his handgun at year like this you might and the two men fled into (the victim).” expect things to calm the woods, according to The victim’s injury was Pihera. down,” said John Bassett, determined to be non-life former senior official After a search by ofthreatening at Gwinnett ficers on the ground, a K-9 with British signals intelMedical Center. ligence agency GCHQ and a police helicopter, The robbers — who now an associate at Penick and Boyd were arpolice say were Anthony rested. Penick was charged Oxford University. “But Penick, 20, of Lawrencev- with armed robbery. Boyd none of these problems ille and Ezekiel Justus have been resolved and was charged with armed Boyd, 17, of Buford — the drivers of them are robbery and aggravated reportedly fled in a Toyota assault. not going away.”

Corolla.

The causes are varBoth were held without An officer from the ied — a global shift of bond Saturday.

Gwinnett Police Departeconomic power from the The investigation is ment’s West Precinct heard ongoing. Pihera said she West, new technologies, a call on the radio and regional rivalries and wasn’t aware of why the quickly attempted to stop anger over rising wealth victim was chosen as the the car. The driver turned gaps. target of the robbery.

In June, a report by the Institute for Economics and Peace showed world peace declining for the seventh consecutive year since 2007, reversing a trend of improvement over decades.

The same group said in November deaths from militant attacks increased 60 percent to an all-time high, primarily in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria, this at a time when the West’s ability to respond militarily is constrained as Washington and its European allies cut defense budgets.

Russian enigma While Western policymakers hope Russia’s economic crisis will curb Vladimir Putin’s ambitions, others worry it could make him more unpredictable.

“It’s not necessarily going to make Russia any better behaved,” says Christopher Harmer, a former U.S. navy pilot now senior fellow at the Institute for Study of War. NATO officials say the alliance would treat any aggression, even covert, in NATO member Baltic states as an act of war.

China is building up its military might. It lays claim to almost all the South China Sea, believed to be rich in oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims.

In the East China Sea, a string of islets claimed by both China and Japan have strained ties severely.

Some officials and analysts say Western overstretch means a confrontation in one part of the world can encourage potential adversaries elsewhere to try their luck, a potential factor in North Korea’s increased assertiveness.

Washington has accused Pyongyang of launching a cyber attack on Sony Pictures after its film on the fictional assassination of leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea has rejected the charge.

“The recent hack on Sony has highlighted the vulnerability of the West to the growing threat posed by cyber attack,” said Alastair Newton, senior political analyst at Nomura.

Middle East maelstrom Washington’s adversar-

ies are becoming more adept at “ambiguous warfare,” using deniable tactics or proxy forces such as the “little green men” in unmarked uniforms and vehicles the West says Russia deployed in Ukraine.

Covert tactics may no longer be enough to satisfy Israel it can slow Iran’s nuclear program.

With a mid-year deadline for a deal, some analysts believe Israel’s government might launch a military strike to knock it back.

“If Iran agrees a deal, and that remains a big “if,” that could constitute a trigger for such an event,” said Nigel Inkster, former deputy chief of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and now head of transnational threats at London’s International Institute for Strategic Studies.

He said much would depend on whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wins March elections and how hardline a coalition results.

On one threat, most of the world’s powers are coalescing.

Pushing back Islamic State in Iraq and Syria is a high priority for western states, Gulf powers and Turkey, Russia and China.

Whether they can bridge differences on the fate of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, however, remains unclear.

Already some worry the anti-IS operation initially to safeguard minority refugees in northern Iraq is suffering “mission creep” as U.S. elections hove into view.

More than 1,000 members of the 82nd Airborne Division will deploy to Iraq in the New Year to help train Iraqi forces.

The first months of 2015 will also be key in tackling a very different foe: Ebola.

A major U.S. military deployment to build treatment centers in Liberia is credited with helping slow new cases there but the virus continues to spread in Sierra Leone and Guinea.

“It really is an unusually broad range of challenges,” said Kathleen Hicks, U.S. Principal Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy from 2012-13 and now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA ADOPTION OF 2015 BUDGET The public is hereby notified that the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners intends to adopt a Budget for Fiscal Year 2015 during the commission meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at 2:00pm in the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, located at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

A copy of the proposed Budget may be inspected during regular office hours (8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday through Friday) in the office of the Department of Financial Services, located on the second floor of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, located at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

The 2015 Proposed Budget may also be viewed online at www.gwinnettcounty.com.

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6A • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

WORLD Man who tried to kill Pope puts roses on his tomb VATICAN CITY — The man who tried to kill former Pope John Paul II 33 years ago showed up at the Vatican on Saturday to put white roses on his tomb and said he wanted to meet Pope Francis.

Mehmet Ali Agca, a Turk, left John Paul critically injured after firing several shots in the failed assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981.

The former pope forgave Agca, once a member of a Turkish far right group known as the Grey Wolves, and went to meet him in 1983 in the Rome prison where he had been sentenced to life imprisonment for the attack.

Agca called the Italian daily la Repubblica on Saturday to announce he had arrived in the Vatican, his first visit since the assassination attempt and exactly 31 years after John Paul met him in prison.

The visit was confirmed to Reuters by Father Ciro Benedettini, the Vatican’s deputy spokesman, who said Agca stood for a few moments in silent meditation over the tomb in St. Peter’s Basilica before leaving two bunches of white roses.

Somali Islamist with $3M U.S. bounty on head surrenders MOGADISHU — A leader of Somali Islamist group al Shabaab, who has a $3 million U.S. bounty on his head, has surrendered, a Somali government official and local media said on Saturday, although the militants said he had long left their organization.

Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi was one of seven al Shabaab leaders for whom the U.S. State Department in 2012 offered a total of $33 million in reward money for information that led to their capture.

If true, Hersi’s surrender would be the second major blow to al Shabaab’s leadership in just a few months.

In September the group’s main leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, was killed by a U.S. drone strike.

gwinnettdailypost.com

world&nation Angry police shun mayor at funeral

By Jonathan Allen and Sebastien Malo Reuters

NEW YORK — Tens of thousands of police from cities across the United States filled a New York City church and nearby streets on Saturday for the funeral of one of two policemen shot by a man who said he was avenging the killing of unarmed black men by police.

The service for Rafael Ramos was one of the largest police funerals in the city’s history, with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden among the dignitaries. But the tradition-bound ceremony was marked by an unusual protest against Mayor Bill de Blasio.

As he rose to deliver the customary mayoral eulogy, thousands of uniformed officers outside silently turned their backs on him in a pointed display of disrespect as his image filled the large screens broadcasting the service.

Angered by the mayor’s qualified sympathy for nationwide demonstrations calling for police reform, some New York police officers had similarly shunned de Blasio as he arrived a week ago at the hospital where Ramos and his police partner, Wenjian Liu, were declared dead.

“He believed in protecting others,” de Blasio said as he stood behind Ramos’ coffin, which was draped in the police department’s flag and bathed in blue light, “and those who are called to protect others are a special breed.”

Chris Pine regrets not getting ‘Jack Ryan’ right

LOS ANGELES — Chris Pine doesn’t think Paramount will be releasing a sequel to “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” any time soon.

The titular star of the rejuvenated franchise told Moviefone that the film’s low box office turnout has likely killed its future.

“No, I don’t think it made enough money for that to happen,” Pine said when asked if there have been talks of further “Jack Ryan” adventures. “That’s one of my deep regrets, that we New York City police officers stand at attention in silence outside the Christ Tabernacle didn’t totally get that right.

Church during the funeral service for slain New York Police Department officer Rafael It’s a great franchise, and if it’s not me, then I hope it Ramos in the Queens borough of New York on Saturday. (Reuters) gets a fifth life at this point.

Singled out for their borhood in which Ramos Before joining the police It’s just great. I love the spy uniforms, the slaying of lived with his wife, Maritza, department relatively late in genre. I hope it’s done again and with a great story.”

Ramos, 40, and Liu, 32, as and their two teenage sons. his career, Ramos, known The spy thriller earned they sat in their patrol car New York Gov. Andrew to his friends as Ralph, had $50.6 million in the U.S. has become a rallying point Cuomo said the department worked as a school safety — not even matching its for police and their suphad officers hailing from officer. porters around the country, more than 50 different na“He knew how to handle already-low $60 million production budget — and a beleaguered by months tions and included speakers people, and the younger worldwide take of $135.5 of street protests accusing of 64 languages. He went guys looked up to him,” million. police of racist practices. on to criticize some of the said Bill Bratton, the city’s Director Kenneth Branagh Offering a counter-narra- protesters who have held police commissioner. A had said that he’d be happy tive to the anti-police chants rallies in the city on a nearly regular face as an usher at to helm other installments at many protests, Biden daily basis.

Christ Tabernacle, Ramos since there were so many made the first of several “The NYPD protected had nearly completed a stories left to tell in the Jack speeches that touched on the right of free speech even course to become a police Ryan world. the marked increase in the though they themselves chaplain.

Pine was the latest actor racial diversity of the city’s were the targets of false and Bratton, a far more police force, which only a abusive tirades by some,” popular figure among police to take on the famous Tom few decades ago was almost he said. than the mayor, announced Clancy character, who has appeared in four other films: entirely white.

Streets outside the church that he had posthumously “The Hunt for Red October,” appointed Ramos to the “I believe that this great were filled for blocks “Patriot Games,” “Clear and position. police force of this incredwith neat, quiet crowds of Present Danger” and “The The officers’ killer, ibly diverse city can and officers in blue uniform, Sum of All Fears.” will show the nation how to including delegations from Ismaaiyl Brinsley, 28, was described by city officials bridge any divide,” Biden Boston, Atlanta, St. Louis as an emotionally troubled said during the service at and New Orleans. Biden ‘Harry Potter’ man, and fatally shot himself Christ Tabernacle Church in said some 25,000 people star David Ryall the suburban Queens neigh- were thought to have come. soon after the attack.

dies at 79

NATION George H.W. Bush to spend weekend in Texas hospital

Doctors in Houston will keep former U.S. President George H.W. Bush in the hospital through the weekend since his bout with shortness of breath, though doctors “have begun discussing dates for his discharge,” his office said Saturday.

Bush, 90, was taken by ambulance to Houston Methodist Hospital on Tuesday night and admitted for observation after experiencing breathing difficulties earlier that evening, according to his spokesman, Jim McGrath.

There has been no word Syria ready to on whether the nation’s discuss Russia 41st president is suffering from any particular ailment. peace plan talks McGrath said on Wednesday BEIRUT/CAIRO — that Bush’s prognosis was Syria said on Saturday it positive and that he was was willing to participate being kept hospitalized as a in “preliminary consultaprecaution. tions” in Moscow aimed at On Thursday, Bush restarting talks next year received a Christmas Day to end its civil war but the visit from his wife, Barbara, Western-backed opposition as well as his son Neil and dismissed the initiative. daughter-in-law Maria Bush Two rounds of peace and was described as being talks this year in Geneva in “great spirits.” failed to halt the conflict “President Bush’s condiwhich has killed 200,000 tion has improved to the people during more than point that doctors have bethree years of violence gun discussing dates for his and there was little sign discharge. He will remain of the latest move gaining at the Houston Methodist traction.

Hospital through the weekSyrian state television end for further observation,” quoted a source at the McGrath said in an updated foreign ministry saying: message on Saturday.

“Syria is ready to participate in preliminary consul- Sony works tations in Moscow in order for third day to to meet the aspirations of Syrians to find a way out restore PlayStation of crisis.”

— From wire reports BOSTON — Sony Corp

PEOPLE

Former President George H. W. Bush applauds during an event to honor the winner of the 5,000th Daily Point of Light Award at the White House in Washington in this file photo from July 15, 2013. Doctors in Houston will keep Bush in the hospital through the weekend since his bout with shortness of breath. (Reuters)

worked for a third day on Saturday to restore services to its PlayStation online gaming network after a Christmas Day cyberattack shuttered access to some customers, including holiday recipients of new game consoles.

“If you received a PlayStation console over the holidays and have been unable to log onto the network, know that this problem is temporary and is not caused by your game console,” Sony executive Catherine Jensen said in a Saturday posting on the company’s U.S. PlayStation blog.

She said the problems were the result of “high levels of traffic designed to disrupt connectivity and online game play,” a technique widely known as a distributed denial-of-service, or DDoS.

Police: Psychiatric patient killed by fellow patient A patient at a psychiatric

hospital in New York City has been charged with killing a fellow patient at the state-run facility, police said on Saturday.

Police responded late Friday to an emergency call from the Bronx Psychiatric Center, in the Bronx borough, where they found a 51-year-old man unconscious and unresponsive with abrasions to his neck, the New York City Police Department said.

Emergency medical officials pronounced the victim, identified as Leon Little, dead at the scene.

Another patient at the facility, Brett Smith, 19, was arrested on charges of second degree murder, police said.

Snowmobilers die, one rescued after plunging into lake Two men died and a third was rescued from a Montana lake when their snowmobiles plunged into the ice-covered body of water as they attempted to

cross to the other side, local officials said Saturday.

A group of five male snowmobilers were traversing a frozen patch of Seeley Lake, in western Montana, on Friday evening, but only two of them made it across, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office said.

One man was “was saved by a friend in his group that belly-crawled on ice to recover him from the water,” the sheriff’s office said.

The man, whose identity has not been released, was hypothermic and transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment, officials said.

Two bodies of two other men missing in the lake were spotted by a search helicopter several hours after the accident. “Both have been extracted and have been confirmed deceased,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media posting.

LOS ANGELES — Veteran British character actor David Ryall, who’s best known to mainstream American audiences as “Harry Potter’s” Elphias Doge, died on Christmas Day. He was 79.

“Sherlock” writer and actor Mark Gatiss tweeted the sad news on Saturday.

“The great David Ryall left us on Christmas Day. A twinkling, brilliant, wonderful actor I was privileged to call a friend. RIP.” The actor’s career spans more than five decades and covers film, TV and theater.

His movie credits include 2008’s “City of Ember,” 2004’s “Around the World in 80 Days” and 1980’s “The Elephant Man.”

Idris Elba addresses Bond speculation

LOS ANGELES — Idris Elba has responded to the rumors that he may be the next James Bond.

Speculation has been high in recent weeks followWASHINGTON — Five ing the release of a hacked people were stabbed early email sent in early January on Saturday in a restaurant

by Sony Pictures co-chair in Washington, D.C., police Amy Pascal to Elizabeth said. The incident occurred Cantillon, former exec VP around 12:30 a.m. at McFad- of production for Columbia den’s, a popular restaurant Pictures, which distributes and nightclub on Pennsylthe Bond films, that read, vania Avenue, eight blocks “Idris should be the next from the White House in the bond.” However, there’s been online chatter for years nation’s capital. now suggesting that the All five victims were British actor should be next taken to hospital with knife wounds, a police spokesman 007.

The “Luther” star adsaid Saturday. Their identidressed the topic coyly on ties have not been released.

Twitter in classic Elba form.

Police said the stabbing “Isn’t 007 supposed to happened inside the bar. handsome? Glad you think Photos posted on Twitter Saturday show a blood-splat- I’ve got a shot! Happy New year people.” tered sidewalk.

— From wire reports — From wire reports

Five people stabbed in DC restaurant

Famous Venezuelan ice-cream store closes over milk shortage

By Corina Pons Reuters

CARACAS — An ice-cream store listed in the Guinness World Records book for its 863 different flavours has become the latest victim of Venezuela’s economic crisis.

“We are closed during the

MUST READ season due to shortage of milk,” the famous Coromoto ice-cream store in the highland town of Merida announced on its Facebook page.

Locals confirmed that the shop, hugely popular among

tourists for its exotic and strange flavors ranging from beer to beans, had been closed since Christmas Eve. A sign on the door asked customers’ forgiveness “for not attending you due to the lack of milk.”

Venezuelans have been suffering acute shortages of basic

goods, from toilet paper to spare tires, all year due to an economic slowdown, the highest inflation in the Americas, and the impact of strict currency controls.

President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government says foes in Venezuela’s opposition and wealthy elite are exacerbating economic problems by hoarding and

price-gouging in what he terms an “economic war” against him.

The shortages have annoyed Venezuelans across the political spectrum and contributed to a fall in Maduro’s popularity, with one prominent local pollster putting him on 24 percent approval — less than half when he was elected last year.

perspectives

J.K. Murphy, Vice President, SCNI jk.murphy@gwinnettdailypost.com

gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline, Editor

todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

PAGE 7 A • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

Jeb Bush’s hurdles In 1968, a singularly traumatic year — assassinations, urban riots, 16,899 Americans killed in Vietnam — Vice President Hubert Humphrey, the ebullient Minnesotan, said his presidential campaign was about “the politics of joy.” This was considered infelicitous.

He was, however, right to insist that, whatever America’s vicissitudes, the nation’s premises explain its trajectory and validate cheerfulness. Similarly, after a 40-year-old Arizonan decided George to try politics as a Will candidate for the Phoenix city council in 1949, he said: “It ain’t for life and it might be fun.” Barry Goldwater was right: Politics is supposed to be fun, and done right it is.

So Jeb Bush was pitch perfect when he said he would only seek the 2016 Republican presidential nomination if he could do it “joyfully.” At this moment of some national troubles and much national hypochondria, voters need reminding that their country, with its many advantages, can get better by choosing to do so — by choosing better policies.

Bush was, however, inscrutable when he recently mused about the possibility of a presidential campaign that would “lose the primary to win the general.” This sounds like a baseball strategy that requires stealing first base. There is a reason this has not been tried: the rules of the game.

Still, it is bracing that Bush might bring to nomination politics the spirit of another son of a president, John Quincy Adams, who said America’s leaders should not be “palsied by the will of our constituents.” Bush, 61, is the taxcutting, fiscally austere, school-choice promoting, gun-rights protecting, socially conservative, Spanish-speaking former two-term governor of the most important swing state. But for some Republicans, his virtues and achievements are vitiated by his positions on immigration and the Common Core education standards.

Regarding the former, Bush’s critics should read “Immigration Wars,” the book he co-authored with Clint Bolick of the intellectually impeccably Goldwater Institute, the gold standard of conservative think tanks. Bush and Bolick favor less immigration for family reunification (an idea opposed by many Hispanic activists), more for meeting workforce needs (high-skilled and entrepreneurial immigrants, as well as seasonal workers), and a path to legalization but not citizenship for those here illegally. If these ideas, put forward by persons with Bush’s and Bolick’s conservative pedigrees, are grounds for political excommunication, Republican presidential politics is going to be a sterile process of serial tantrums by veto groups.

Bush’s support of Common Core is much less nuanced and persuasive, and there seems to be condescension in his impatience with the burden he bears of taking seriously the most important reason for rejecting Common Core. It is not about the content of the standards, which would be objectionable even if written by Aristotle and refined by Shakespeare. Rather, the point is that unless stopped now, the federal government will not stop short of finding in Common Core a pretext for becoming a national school board.

Bush says “standards are different than curriculum” and: “I would be concerned if we had a national curriculum influenced by the federal government. My God, I’d break out in a rash.” But standards will shape what is tested, and textbooks will be “aligned” with the tests. Furthermore, has he not noticed what the federal government is doing, using Title IX as a pretext?

It simply states that no person “shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Based on those 31 words, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights has stripped colleges and universities of a crucial component of self-government. Using ludicrous statistics based on flimsy social science to manufacture hysteria about a “rape epidemic” on campuses, the federal government is mandating the overthrow of due process in adjudicating accusations of sexual assault. Title IX’s 31 words beget hundreds of pages of minute stipulations and mandates.

This crusade against a chimerical “epidemic” is rapidly collapsing under the weight of its absurdities and of the frauds (hello, Rolling Stone) that moralistic frenzy begets. But if Bush does not see the pertinence of this episode to Common Core, which is the thin end of a potentially enormous federal wedge, he should not be put in charge of the executive branch. And this talented man will not get the consideration he has earned unless he can credit the intelligence and goodwill of critics who might reciprocate, joyfully.

George Will’s email address is georgewill@ washpost.com.

Resolving to go all out in 2015 A brand new year is upon us — or at least right around the corner — so I think I will do something I haven’t done in a while; I think I will publish a long list of bodacious resolutions — resolutions that I intend to keep, not just until the first threat of snow in January, but for the entire trip this rock takes around the sun.

Check with me a year from now and I will let you know how I did.

I resolve to make the Colorado State Rams my third favorite team this year — right behind Georgia and whoever is playing Georgia Tech.

Mike Bobo is a great coach, a greater guy and I wish him well. I went to school with his daddy, whom Earl Fales always referred to as “the Great George Bobo,” and I have followed Mike’s career since his high school days and have always admired and respected him. My high school team was called the Rams, so I am used to cheering for a mammal with horns. This will be the easiest of all resolutions to keep. Mike Bobo is a DGD. Selah.

I resolve that in 2015 I am not going to be a hanger-

sour cream. I will try to moderate my intake, but what I do eat will be tasty and good, so help me Hugh Hendrickson.

Yeah, yeah — I will try to exercise more regularly. I kind of got out of the habit over the last few months, but as long as I am going to be Darrell here a while longer I might as Huckaby well try and regain that svelte boyish figure that drives the backer. I am going to try and women crazy. I have a whole live my life to the fullest and wardrobe in my basement if I decide to do something, closet that I have outgrown.

I intend to do it all out. I will If I can drop a few (dozen) go hard or go home, if I may pounds it will be like having borrow a trite sports cliché all new clothes. for the sake of this column. I Did I tell you that we have have never been accused of not one but two weddings tip-toeing through life, but coming up in our family this several times in the past year summer? My son Jackson is I have found myself giving in tying the knot in June (if you to my weakening body and need an anesthesia assistant have spent too much time sit- in your practice I know a ting on the sideline watching. dandy!) and my youngest This year I am going to do daughter, Jenna, Queen of the more and watch less.

Eye-roll, is getting hitched Speaking of which, I am in August. That is correct. going to purge my pantry and My baby girl is all grown refrigerator of everything that up. I won’t have a tear left in limits the taste of the food that my system by the end of the I like. If I am going to reach summer, but I also resolve to for all the gusto I can get, I enjoy every moment of the can’t go through life eating preparation and hoopla surturkey sausage and mild rounding both sets of nuptials cheddar cheese and low-fat without whining, complaining

or considering the costs. I also resolve to thank God every day for allowing me to live to see these things that are about to come to pass.

Speaking of God — I usually resolve to read the scriptures more and start out the year trying to read through the Bible or to study a set number of passages each day. Not this year. I have read through the Bible many times, and will continue to do so, but I pretty much know what the Good Book says. This year I resolve to live the Bible more than I read it. Can I get a witness?

I resolve to do unto others as I would like for them to do unto me, and I also vow to stand up for my rights and beliefs without cow towing to political correctness and fear.

In short, I resolve to do what John Wesley suggested we all do those many centuries ago, when Georgia was in her infancy — I resolve to do a better job of walking in the path of The Master throughout the coming year and let my light shine before men — and women.

Happy New Year, y’all. I hope it is the best yet.

A scandal of disabilities in our prisons WASHINGTON — Neli Latson has a music player.

Also, he can order snacks from the canteen and leave his cell for several hours a day. This is good news, or what passes for it, in the life of Reginald Latson, a 23-year-old with autism and an IQ of 69 who goes by the nickname of Neli. It is good news because, for more than a year, he has been held in solitary confinement in a Virginia prison. Except: Latson should not be in prison at all. That’s not to say Latson should be free. He is, by the accounts of those who know him best, a sweet young man who nonetheless can become aggressive when agitated.

Winchester County jail superintendent James Whitley, who took the extraordinary step of testifying on Latson’s behalf at two sentencing hearings, described him as “like a child wanting to please us.” Latson should be — and Virginia’s mental health officials support this outcome even as its corrections system incarcerates him — in a secure residential treatment facility.

His journey through Virginia’s criminal justice system began four years ago when he assaulted and badly injured a police officer who had demanded to know why Latson was sitting outside the public library. (Answer: Waiting for it to open. Hint: He was a young black man wearing a hoodie.) That launched a self-defeating, seemingly

Latson to be transferred to a secure treatment facility in Florida — a facility that’s already agreed to take him and for which the state has secured federal funding.

Tragically, Latson’s situation is not unique. Rather, it reflects the criminal justice Ruth system’s difficulty in dealMarcus ing with people with mental illness and intellectual and perpetual cycle of imprisdevelopmental disabilities. onment, release to a group Indeed, Virginia reached home, and re-incarceration an out-of-court settlement after police were summoned with the U.S. Department of to the home to deal with an Justice after being threatened agitated Latson. Next month, with a lawsuit for failing to he is to stand trial on the most make adequate provisions to ridiculous charge of all: that keep people with intellectual Latson assaulted a correction- and developmental disabilial officer when, after being ties from being institutionaltaken off his medications ized. and threatening suicide, he The independent monitor was being transferred from a overseeing the settlement solitary confinement cell to a last month asked the Justice “crisis cell” with no mattress Department to review cases and with a hole in the floor like Latson’s, where individufor a toilet. als with disabilities have been This scuffle warrants, at incarcerated, to determine most, internal prison disciwhether the state was livpline, not additional prosing up to the changes to its promises. ecution by Stafford County “Neli is important because Commonwealth’s Attorney he exemplifies one of the Eric Olsen, who describes Latson as a cop-hating, racist systemic problems that the settlement agreement adthug pretending to be “mendresses,” said Alison Barkoff, tally retarded” rather than a a former Justice Department young man with a disability lawyer now with the Bazelon in need of treatment.

Center for Mental Health Given Olsen’s intransiLaw. “When services are gence, the best outcome — for Latson and for the resi- not readily available in the community, behavioral health dents of Virginia — would crises are often treated as a be for him to plead guilty and Gov. Terry McAuliffe to crime,” Barkoff said. “It is counterproductive, costly and swiftly grant a conditional inhumane to punish people pardon that would allow

for their disabilities instead of getting them help.”

This isn’t just a Virginia problem. Criminal justice systems across the country are finding themselves swamped with prisoners with mental illness and intellectual and developmental disabilities. These individuals need services and treatment; they have the hardest time complying with prison life. So they often wind up in solitary, punishment that serves only to exacerbate their underlying conditions.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department told Pennsylvania that its corrections system was violating civil rights law and the constitutional rights of prisoners with mental illness and intellectual disabilities by keeping hundreds in solitary for months and sometimes years. Prisoners “are routinely confined to their cells for 23 hours a day; denied adequate mental health care; and subjected to punitive behavior modification plans, forced idleness and loneliness, unsettling noise and stench, harassment by correctional officers, and the excessive use of full-body restraints,” Justice found.

I am hopeful that in 2015, Neli Latson will receive the treatment he deserves. I wish I could be more optimistic about thousands of other Neli Latsons languishing in prisons nationwide.

Ruth Marcus’ email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com.

8A • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

gwinnettdailypost.com

obituaries MONROE

Robert (Bob) Allen Robert Edwin (Bob) Allen, 88, of Monroe, formerly of Snellville, GA, peacefully went home on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mary Kate (Stooksbury) Allen of Powell, TN. He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Mark Elliott, Loganville, GA, Janie and Col. Jeff Breor (Texas National Guard, Retired), McKinney, TX; 11 grandchildren, Meredith Serrano and Tony (Conyers), Loren Roberts and Rev. Josh (Chamblee), Katey Penton and Hunter (Conyers), Rob Elliott (USMC, Camp Pendleton), Diane Heath and Stuart (Snellville), Claire Elliott (Loganville), Chris Elliott (former USMC, Jacksonville, SC), Tara Lucy Breor (McKinney, TX), Trea Elliott (former USMC, Cleveland, TN), Megan Elliott (Loganville), Allen Breor (McKinney, TX); 7 greatgrandchildren, Brayden, Chase, Madison, Henry, Riley, James and Lucy.

He was preceded in death by sister, Velma Gibson, Thomasville, GA, and brothers, Clyde Allen and Charles Allen.

Mr. Allen was born in Etowah, TN, on May 15, 1926, to Edward Earl and Ora Ethel Anderson Allen. He graduated from Thomasville High School in Thomasville, GA in June, 1944 and enlisted that same month in the United States Marine Corps. After brief training at Parris Island, SC, he was deployed to the Pacific, and saw action on Feb. 19, 1945, D-Day with the Marine Corps assault on Iwo Jima. Mr. Allen received a Purple Heart and was one of . few survivors in B Company, First Battalion, 28th Marines. After the armistice, he was part of occupation forces in Japan. Mr. Allen authored, The First Battalion of the 28th Marines on Iwo Jima, McFarland & Company (1999). He was a long-time member at Snellville UMC where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board and in 1985 was a member of the Building Committee.

Before Snellville UMC, he served at Powell First UMC, Powell, TN. In retirement, he was also a member of Pleasant Valley UMC, Monroe, and Conyers First UMC. Mr. Allen was an accountant, serving as Treasurer of Wheels and Brakes, Inc., Decatur, GA, and was in private practice as well in Snellville. Mr. Allen was a beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and devoted friend. He will be deeply missed by those who you enjoyed his humor and his dedication to his country.

A Service Honoring the Life of Mr. Allen will be held Sunday, December 28, 2014, at 4:00 P.M. at Snellville United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Philip DeMore, Rev. Walter Jones and Rev. Josh Roberts officiating.

The Hancock Sunday School Class will serve as Honorary Escort. The family will receive friends on Sunday at the church beginning at 2:00 P.M. until the hour of the service at the church. An interment committal service will be held on Monday, December 29, 2014, at 3:00 P.M. at the Highland Memorial Park, Knoxville, TN. Those desiring may make donations to The Marine Corps Foundation, 3800 Fettler Park Dr., Ste. 104, Dumfries, VA 22025 or Powell United Methodist Church, 323 W. Emory

Rd., Powell, TN 37849 in memory of Mr. Robert Edwin Allen. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome. com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company” Snellville Chapel (770-9793200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Alzheimer’s Association or Heart Association in memory of Narvin Roger Bailey.

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

Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA, 770932-1133.

BUFORD

Maricho (Marie) Arce Maricho (Marie) Arce, age 37, of Buford, GA, passed away on December 26, 2014. Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA 770-932-1133 www. flaniganfuneralhome.com

BUFORD

LOGANVILLE

Frank Benson Frank L. Benson, age 95, of Loganville, GA, passed away on December 23, 2014. Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Loganville Chapel, 770-466-1544.

SUWANEE

Darrell Brayton, Sr.

Roger Bailey Mr. Roger Bailey, age 80, of Buford, GA, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2014. He was preceded in death by his son, Dale Bailey; parents, Narvin and Maudelean Tatum Bailey; brothers, Donald Bailey and Larry Bailey; sisters-in-law, JoAnn Bailey and Shirley Williams Bailey. He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Clara Mae Cofer Bailey; children, Sherry Bailey, Buford, GA, Genie Bailey Fugett, Lawrenceville, GA, and Dwayne Bailey, Buford, GA; daughter-in-law, Sherry Daugherty Bailey, Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Matthew and Kacia Peardon, Jonathan Peardon, Andrew Peardon, Jerrica Fugett, Josh Fugett, Austin Stephens, Eric Bailey and Brandon Bailey; four great grandchildren, McKenzie Peardon, Gracie Peardon, Jordan Peardon, and RyLeigh Bailey; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gail and Earl Hedden, Buford, GA, and Deborah and Lonnie Hardy, Flowery Branch, GA; brothers and sisters-in-law, Walter and Laura Bailey, Buford, GA, and Kenneth and Debbie Bailey, Buford, GA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, JoAnn and Cleo Tatum, Buford, GA; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and special caregiver, Terina O’Dell.

Mr. Bailey was born July 25, 1934 in Buford, GA. He was retired from the General Motors plant in Lakewood, GA after twenty-two and one-half years of service and he was in the lawn care business for many years. He was a long-time member of Buford Church of God, where he served as its Sunday School Superintendent for over twentytwo years, served on the Church council for many years, served on its Board of Trustees and served as an usher for many years.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Buford Church of God, 4800 S. Lee Street, Buford, GA, with Pastor Edward Davenport, Pastor Joey Grizzle and Rev. Ray Murray officiating. The remains will lie in state at the church from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens, Buford, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, December 27, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the

Darrell Floyd Brayton, Sr., age 61, of Suwanee, GA died on Thursday, December 18, 2014. He is survived by his son, Darrell Paul Brayton, Jr., Rochester, NY; brother, Duane W. Brayton, Palm Bay, FL; and sisters, Shirley Brayton, Denise Brayton, Rosemarie Brayton and Charlene Brayton, all of Watertown, NY. Mr. Brayton was employed with Rick Hendricks Chevrolet in Duluth, GA. The remains have been cremated and there are no services planned.

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

Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA, 770-9321133.

CUMMING

Jonathan Cooper Jonathan Scott Cooper, age 42, of Cumming, GA, passed away on December 27, 2014.

Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA 770-932-1133 www. flaniganfuneralhome.com

LAWRENCEVILLE

Earl Dover Earl Carroll Dover age 87, of Lawrenceville, GA entered into rest on Thursday, December 25, 2014. He was preceded in death in 1994 by his devoted wife of 47 years, Rocelia Allen Dover. He is survived by two daughters & sons-in-law; Mr. & Mrs. Ed (Teresa Dover) Holcombe of Conyers, GA and Dr. & Mrs. Greg (Kathy Dover) Harold of Perry, GA; six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren; Chris & Rachel Holcombe and Tyler, Parker, & Griffin; Heath & Angie Holcombe and Haley & Emma all of Conyers, GA, Corey & Joanna Holcombe and Hannah ,Caleb, & Hudson all of Covington, GA; Kelli & Rob Lockerman, Hunter and Katelyn all of Chattanooga, TN, Amy & Chris Brown and Jude of Knoxville, TN, Kyle & Charley Harold of Wilmore, KY; sister-in-law, Connie Smith and her husband Gene; brother-in-law, Hoyt Caylor all of Lawrenceville, GA; brother-inlaw, Dennis Allen and his wife Joyce of Dawsonville, GA; numerous nieces and nephews.

The Service Celebrating the Life of Carroll Dover will be held Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 11AM at Tom M. Wages Law-

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

renceville Chapel with Pastor Michael Soop officiating. Interment Walnut Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday January 2, 2015 from 6 PM- 8PM. Flowers are accepted, but those desiring may make donations to the American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase PKWY., Suite 1, Marietta, GA 30067 in memory of Earl Carroll Dover.

Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, Lawrenceville, GA 770-963-2411

LAWRENCEVILLE

Sandra Ernissee Sandra Mae Ernissee age 52 of Lawrenceville passed away December 27, 2014.

She is survived by her sisters, Robin Bryan and her husband Cecil, Vicki Goddard and her husband Jerry and Deborah Snyder; best friends, Stephanie Miller and Maija Miller. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel. Pastor Dale Sillik will officiate. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Sandra’s memory to your favorite charity.

The family receive friends one hour before the service at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel 1031 Lawrenceville Highway Lawrenceville. 770-277-4550.

SUWANEE

Peggy Garner Peggy Teague Garner, age 76 of Suwanee passed away suddenly Friday, December 26, 2014. Mrs. Garner was a lifelong resident of Gwinnett County who was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend to those who knew her. She is preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Hulon C. Garner; parents, Roy L. and Lucille D. Teague and infant sister, Omigene Teague. She is survived by her daughters Nancy Lail and her husband Jody of Buford; Stephanie Humphrey and her husband Brandy of Suwanee; grandchildren, Connor, Camille, Chad and Jack; sister-in-laws, Eleanor Franks and her husband Glenn, Ellen Riggins and her husband Bill, Carole Holcombe, Evelyn Garner and Clara Garner as well as her loving cousins.

A Funeral Service to honor the life of Mrs. Garner will be held on Monday December 29th 2014 at 3:30 PM at Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville, Chapel with Dr. Paul Garner officiating. Interment will follow at Peachtree Road Baptist Church Cemetery in Suwanee. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be expressed to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home. The family will receive family and friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Krystle Blackmon and Katie Russell; three great, great nieces; one great, great nephew; and special first cousin, Franklin (Bo) Orr, Flowery Branch, GA. Carolyn was born on October 9, 1930 in Flowery Branch, Hall County, GA. She moved with her family to Buford, GA in 1942 and lived there until her death. She was a 1947 graduate of Buford High School and a 1948 graduate of Greenleaf Business School in Atlanta, GA. She worked as a secretary in the private sector until 1954 when she went to work for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers during the construction of Buford Dam. She completed her government service in 1991 when she retired from the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, GA. She later worked part-time at the First Baptist Church in Buford and ended her working career as secretary at Flanigan Funeral Home in Buford. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Buford for over seventy years where she was very active.

She served on a number of committees, taught a Junior Sunday School Class for twenty five years and was a member of the Adult Choir for over fifty seven years and most recently with the Silvertones choir. The family will receive friends at Flanigan Funeral Home in Buford on Monday, December 29, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Buford with Reverend Wayne Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Buford where she will join her beloved parents, DeWitt and Nevie Floyd Gravitt, brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Jewell Marshall Gravitt and special aunt and uncle, Bertie and Ben Bales.

Carolyn had a great love, concern and compassion for ALL ANIMALS and upon her request that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society or Animal Rescue Shelter of your choice.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www. flaniganfuneralhome. com. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA, 770-932-1133.

STATHAM

Sharon Mauldin Sharon Darlene Mauldin, age 65, of Statham passed away Thursday December 25, 2014.

WINDER

Michael Mize Michael Hodges Mize, age 60, of Winder passed away Thursday December 25, 2014.

LAWRENCEVILLE

BUFORD

Gina Muegel

Carolyn Gravitt Mary Carolyn Gravitt, age 84 of Buford, GA passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2014. She is survived by her niece, Faith Gravitt Russell, Suwanee, GA; great nieces, Mary and Travis Spencer,

Gina Marlese Craig Muegel, age 50 of Lawrenceville, passed away Friday, December 26, 2014. Gina was a loving wife, mother, daughter and friend to many who loved her. Gina bravely fought breast cancer for three years with tremendous strength and courage. She is preceded in death by her father, Clyde “Mike” Craig. Gina is survived b

by her husband of 22 years and companion of 31 years, Philip E. Muegel and their son, Brett P. Muegel, who was the light of her life; Mother, Sibyl D. Craig of Dayton Ohio; Aunt, Brenda Ledford and her husband Johnny; Uncle Michael Acuff and his wife Carol as well as many loving Muegel family members. Gina graduated from the University of Dayton with a BS, EET and received her MBA from Wright State University. A memorial service honoring the life of Gina Muegel will be held at Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, Lawrenceville Chapel, on Tuesday, December 30th at 6:00 PM in the chapel. The family will receive family and friends 2 hours before the service at the funeral home. The family requests those attending the service wear something pink to honor Gina’s life and her brave battle against breast cancer. Those desiring to make memorial contributions in Gina’s memory may do so to the American Cancer Society. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company”, Lawrenceville Chapel 770-963-2411 has been entrusted with the arrangements.

JEFFERSON

Guy Pittman Mr. Guy Owen Pittman, 97, of Jefferson, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2014.

STATHAM

Lillie “Rosie” Scott Lillie B “Rosie” Scott, age 92, of Statham, GA, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2014. Bill Head Funeral Home and Crematory, Lilburn/Tucker Chapel. 770-564-2726.

AUBURN

Glenn “Pee Wee” Waters

Glenn Patrick “Pee Wee” Waters, age 58 of Auburn, Georgia passed away on Friday December 19, 2014. Mr. Waters was born August 19, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan to Leonard Samuel Waters and Dorothy Mason Denny. Glenn passed after an extreme illness from pneumonia.

Prior to his orthopedic disability he worked at Peachtree Doors and prided himself on being a diligent hard worker. He lived hard, loved much and had a wonderful sense of humor. There are no words to properly describe how much we will miss him. He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Waters and several beloved Aunts and Uncles. Survivors include: Mother and Step Father, Dorothy and Kenneth Moore; Ex Wife, Pamela Irving; Children, Samuel Waters, Joshua Waters and Jenny Waters; Grandchildren he loved dearly; Sisters, Darlene Beachle, Theresa (Terry) Feeley, Brother, Robert Waters and their spouses and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. To carry out Glenn’s wishes there will be a private service during which his cremated remains will be sprinkled upon his fathers graveside in Tennessee to be determined at a later date.

Georgia Cremation 3116 U.S. Highway 23 Duluth, Georgia 30096. 678-5840914. please leave on line condolences at www. georgiacremation.com

Thirteen escape Lilburn house fire From Staff Reports

thinking at first that something was wrong with the Eight adults and five heating unit and went to children were able to investigate. At about the escape with no injuries same time, they discovfrom a Lilburn house fire ered smoke filling the attic that broke out early Friday and the smoke alarms bemorning. gan sounding. Additional Firefighters responded occupants, both adults and to an occupant report of children, were asleep ina house fire at the 5600 side the home at the time block of Grove Place but were all able to escape Crossing in Lilburn about with no injuries reported.

6:30 a.m. According to “The exact cause of the fire officials, crews arrived fire is currently undeto find heavy fire showtermined and is under ing from the back of a investigation by the fire two-story wood frame department,” Gwinnett house over a full basement Fire Captain Tommy on arrival. The fire was Rutledge said in a written already burning on both release. “Fire Investigators floors and in the attic as are trying to determine fire crews deployed attack exactly where and how hose lines. Firefighters the fire started. The fire immediately entered the appears to be accidental, home to battle the blaze but is still under investigaand conduct a primary tion. We are fortunate that search. They worked agthe occupants who were gressively to stop the fire awake saw the smoke; from spreading, but not and that the home was before the flames caused equipped with working heavy damage to the back smoke alarms.” of the home. The fire sent The family that lives in extensive smoke and heat the home will be disthroughout the rest of the placed due to the damage. house.

They initially denied Red Three adults were Cross assistance and were awake at the time of the instead being helped by fire and saw the smoke family and friends, Rutcoming from the vents, ledge said.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014 • 9A

gwinnettdailypost.com

Snow

•From Page 1A each time, trying to help Josiah overcome the overgrown foe.

In the end, Josiah’s grandmother, Cynthia Gore, expected that Taylor didn’t have much of a chance, even if Josiah was his only opponent.

“He’s got too much energy,” the woman said with a laugh as she looked at her grandson, while he formed another snowball and plotted his next move.

But whatever the outcome, Taylor said his family’s visit to the Buford park from Atlanta was all about fun.

That was also the case with the dozens of other families who poured into Lake Lanier Islands on Saturday to see SnowWorld, the park’s newest attraction, which many are comparing to Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park.

SnowWorld manager Alton Grose said the reaction from the community has been overwhelming.

On Friday alone, more than 2,000 people came to see the “snow” staff has made around the park, he said.

“The snow, it’s like liquid gold,” Grose said Saturday.

Naturally, though, since it’s the first year, there have still been some issues for the staff to work on — such as keeping 10 to 12 tons of snow from melting when it’s 50

LaTrisa Harris and her nephew, Jalen Baliey, 4, ride down the tubing hill at SnowWorld at Lake Lanier Islands on Saturday in Buford. (Staff Photos: David Welker) Kato Martinez, 9, runs up the snow with a large snowball during a snowball fight at SnowWorld at Lake Lanier Islands on Saturday in Buford.

or 60 degrees outside — but things are getting better.

“Next year it’ll be 10 times better,” the manager said.

“This is something we’ve never done before. It’ll be a show next year. It’ll be great.”

Of course, SnowWorld is somewhat of a show already.

It already includes enough attractions to keep visitors busy for hours: the Polar Plummet tubing ride, bonfires, the Glacier Cafe, a snow-covered playground and “Yetiselfie” stations, where visitors are encouraged to take a picture un-

•From Page 1A

Warnings

If a vehicle is detected, an overview wide angle 180-degree image shows the violation and a high definition image captures the license plate up to five lanes away.

If a violation occurs, the registered owner of the vehicle has 30 days to pay the fine or opt to contest in court. There will also be a call center to handle any questions about the process.

•From Page 1A

Sign up to get Gwinnett Daily Post breaking news alerts and daily newsletters at www.gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletter.

der small snow machines perched on light posts.

The wide variety of activities is what brought the Anderson family all the way from Conyers.

“It’s really nice,” said Candace Anderson, who made the hour-plus drive with her husband and three kids. “We decided to come here instead of Stone Mountain Park because it’s bigger. There’s more to do here.”

SnowWorld is open daily until Jan. 5 and on select days and weekends until March 1.

For more information, visit www.snowworldga.com.

According to Georgia law, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop when a school bus activates its stop arm on a two-lane road or a multilane road with no median or barrier. Vehicles traveling in the same direction as a school bus must always stop, but motorists traveling in the opposite direction can proceed with caution when there is an unpaved median or concrete barrier separating the opposing lanes.

Homicide

armed men stormed into the residence at 4407 Haynes Circle early that morning, shooting Macklin, a known drug dealer, during an altercation.

“Investigators spoke with several witnesses and learned that the victim was known to sell drugs and believed robbery was the motive for the shooting,” a GCPD spokesman said at the time. “Witnesses stated that two to three unknown males wearing dark camouflage entered the home brandishing guns.”

No suspects have been named in the case, at least publicly.

— On Sept. 27, 38-year-old Clifford Hogan was killed inside his home at the Norcrossarea Sinclair Apartments.

Police believe that two men kicked in the apartment door, shooting Hogan before forcing his pregnant fiancee into a bath tub and demanding money.

The suspects made out with cellphones, marijuana and Hogan’s fiancee’s purse. They fled in a dark colored, mid-sized sedan.

No suspects have been named.

“He had some darkness in his life,” Hogan’s sister said at the time, “but he had almost gotten his life together.”

Anyone with information regarding either case is asked to contact GCPD detectives at 770-5135300.

Countywide, statistics from the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office count 37 homicides in 2014. That marks a more than 37 percent increase from 2013’s total of 27; the county saw 41 homicides

in 2012.

The medical examiner’s total includes murders, justified killings, officer-involved shootings and certain fatal crashes.

Local law enforcement officials generally downplay spikes and declines in homicide rates. The overwhelming majority of murders in Gwinnett County are domestic-related and hard to prevent.

Prior to 2012’s spike, Gwinnett’s homicide rate had declined each year since 2007, when a record 50 killings were recorded.

Outside of GCPD jurisdiction, one other homicide remained unsolved as of Wednesday.

On Nov. 6, Ronald Blake was killed inside his home on Lawrenceville’s Saint Charles Court. Detectives from the Lawrenceville Police Department believe a light-skinned black or Hispanic male kicked the door in at the residence, demanding Blake and his girlfriend to “give me all you got.”

A sketch of the suspect — believed to be between 20 and 23 years old, about 5-foot-6 and 150 pounds — was released in December, but no arrests have been made.

A potential motive for the crime remains unclear. Anyone with information regarding the case should contact detectives at 770-339-2412.

As those cases and others grow colder, the road toward an arrest becomes a tougher one to hoe.

“Most cases are solved within the first few days,” Richter said. “If they go unsolved for more than a couple of months they become significantly more difficult to solve.”

10A • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

gwinnettdailypost.com

‘Gorillafication’ is in North Korea blames U.S. sight for baby primate for its Internet outages

By Jack Kim

By Brendan O’Brien

In this Sept.

21, file photo provided by the Oklahoma City Zoo, Kamina, a Western Lowland gorilla who was born Aug. 16 at the zoo, is pictured at the zoo in Oklahoma City. Kamina was rejected by her mother and has been moved to the Cincinnati Zoo. (AP Photo/ Oklahoma City Zoo, File)

Reuters

Zookeepers wearing gorilla suits have helped rear an endangered abandoned baby gorilla in Ohio so she can join an adult group.

The 16 human surrogates have spent three months feeding, nurturing and gently introducing the baby, Kamina, to adult female gorillas, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden said on Saturday.

Kamina, a Western lowland gorilla, came to Cincinnati for “gorillafication” after her mother, Ndjole, stopped caring for her shortly after she was born in August in Oklahoma City Zoo. And now, at 4 months old, she is ready to be moved to Columbus Zoo, where 14 surrogate gorilla infants have been successfully introduced to

adult female gorillas.

Cincinnati had tried Kamina with two of its own adult females, including one called Samantha, but with no luck.

“For whatever reason, Samantha simply did not desire to pick her up and even pushed Kamina away at times,” said Ron Evans, curator of primates at Cincinnati Zoo.

Zoo officials said they had not finalized details for her move to Columbus, where she is expected to be introduced to a gorilla group.

Western lowland gorillas living in Africa are an endangered species due to logging, mining and agricultural expansion, according to the Cincinnati Zoo.

Reuters

SEOUL — North Korea called U.S. President Barack Obama a “monkey” and blamed Washington on Saturday for Internet outages that it has experienced during a confrontation with the United States over the hacking of the film studio Sony Pictures.

The National Defence Commission, the North’s ruling body, chaired by state leader Kim Jong Un, said Obama was responsible for Sony’s belated decision to release the action comedy “The Interview,” which depicts a plot to assassinate Kim. “Obama always goes reckless in words and deeds like a monkey in a tropical forest,” an unnamed spokesman for the commission said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency, using a term seemingly designed to cause racial offence that

North Korea has resorted to before.

Sony canceled the release of the film when large cinema chains refused to screen it following threats of violence from hackers, but then put it out on limited release after Obama said Sony was caving in to North Korean pressure.

Obama promised retaliation against North Korea, but did not specify what form it would take.

North Korea’s main Internet sites suffered intermittent disruptions this week, including a complete outage of nearly nine hours, before links were largely restored on Tuesday.

But its Internet and 3G mobile networks were paralysed again on Saturday evening, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported, and the North Korean government blamed the United States for systemic instability in the country’s networks.

In its statement on Saturday, the North again rejected an accusation by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation that North Korea was behind the cyberattack on Sony Pictures, and demanded the United States produce evidence for its allegation.

The National Defence Commission also dismissed U.S. denials of involvement in North Korea’s Internet outages.

“The United States, with its large physical size and oblivious to the shame of playing hide and seek as children with runny noses would, has begun disrupting the Internet operations of the main media outlets of our republic,” it said.

In a separate commentary, the North denied any role in cyberattacks on South Korea’s nuclear power plant operator, calling the suggestion that it had done so part of a “smear campaign” by unpopular South Korean leaders.

Protests against police violence attract other causes

By Andrew Chung Reuters

NEW YORK — One of the dozens of rallies and marches in New York this week to protest police violence against minorities was organized by members of Occupy Wall Street, the driving force behind worldwide protests over economic inequality in 2011 and 2012.

In the shadow of the New York Stock Exchange in lower Manhat-

tan, leaders of the rally on Friday made passing references to the chokehold death of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man who white officers were attempting to arrest in July.

But mostly the speakers focused on Occupy’s bread-and-butter issues, denouncing Wall Street greed, low wages paid to workers and “looting” by big banks.

“For someone coming here for Eric Garner, it can look a bit tangential,”

said Brooklyn resident Kaity Lloyd-Styles, 28, who had joined about a hundred protesters under a cold, steady rain. This week’s demonstrations were in response to a grand jury’s decision not to indict the police officer.

While thousands have taken to the streets in New York and other cities over the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police officers, other social movements and even individuals

have sought to hitch their causes to the momentum.

Sumumba Sobukwe, 46, an Occupy member since 2011, said it was natural to tie all manner of social and economic inequality issues to Garner and the August shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. “The police don’t serve the people, they serve the 1 percent,” he said, referring to an Occupy rallying cry, denouncing the richest few in society.

Lloyd-Styles, a counselor for inmates at Rikers Island prison, said the Garner and Brown deaths are a “stepping stone in a long conversation about social justice in general.”

At one gathering near the spot where Garner died on Staten Island, a woman brought along her daughter who was wearing a leg cast, claiming that the police had “beat her up” and urged media to publicize the case.

Demonstrations in Manhattan have attracted

activists marching to end prejudice against Muslims, and members of a branch of a self-described communist party.

At the Occupy protest on Friday night, Chris Rieth, 29, was handing out flyers on claiming systemic racism in the conviction of a black pastor and activist in Michigan for election fraud.

“If people are worried about the criminal justice system and racial issues,” he said, “this is a perfect case.”

sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION B • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

Stealing a win

Berkmar advances to semis

Durham records double-double in Patriots victory

By Guy Curtright Staff Correspondent

left in the third quarter.

However, Diaz, who tied his career high in points and added eight rebounds and two blocked shots, took up the slack with his inspired effort off the bench.

And he wasn’t alone, as sophomore Brandon Lofton chipped in six points and three rebounds, while freshman Adam Flagler gave the Wildcats several key minutes while senior

LILBURN — When Al Durham clanked a breakaway dunk in the third quarter, it showed that the talented Berkmar sophomore still wasn’t all the way back.

“He was slamming it down with two hands before,” coach Greg Phillips said.

At least Durham is back on the court, though, and that makes a world of difference for the Patriots, who came into the Nike/ BMASP Holiday Hoops Classic at Berkmar with an uncharacteristic losing record.

The 6-foot-3 guard scored five points in an opening 11-0 run and had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds as the host Patriots rolled to a 66-53 victory over Eagle’s Landing on Saturday night.

“He missed about six weeks, so it will take a while for him to get all his explosion back,” Phillips said. “But he can create his own shot, which really helps us, and he also allows us to do some different things defensively.”

The victory advanced the defending champs to Monday’s semifinals, where the Patriots (4-7) will play Warner Robbins (8-2) at approximately 7:30 p.m. The Demons ripped North Miami 60-38 in the opening round.

The first semifinal at approximately 6 p.m. will have tournament favorite Laney (9-1) of Augusta against Alabama’s Montgomery Lanier (7-4).

Laney defeated Coral Gables of Florida 75-58, while Lanier downed Roswell 53-43.

Berkmar led 28-11 in the second quarter, but Eagle’s Landing got within 35-29 early in the third before the Patriots pulled away again thanks to a second 11-0 run.

Senior guard Jackson Lenyear, who broke his leg as a sophomore at Brookwood and didn’t play last season, had a game-high 14 points for Berkmar and added four assists.

Caleb Smith and Joshua Faulkner each had 10 points for the Patriots, while Lane Foster had eight points and four assists. Josh Culver, a 6-foot-9 senior, blocked five shots while grabbing six rebounds and scoring six points.

Eagle’s Landing (5-6) got

See DULUTH, Page 4B

See BERKMAR, Page 4B

Shiloh’s Kierra Ward (23) drives up the court during Saturday’s game against North Gwinnett at Grayson High School in Loganville. Below, Shiloh’s Davida White (22) and North Gwinnett’s Jessica Belcher (21) battle for a rebound. (Staff Photos: David Welker)

Generals fend off feisty North in battle of youthful squads

By Scott Smith

scott.smith@gwinnettdailypost.com

LOGANVILLE — Both head coaches for North Gwinnett and Shiloh girls acknowledged their respective teams are young, but both squads came away with what may prove to be valuable experience after their game on Saturday.

Facing each other in the first round of the Grayson Ram Classic, Shiloh fended off a late charge by North to come away with a 45-41 win to stay in the winners bracket of the tournament.

Racquel Cranston led Shiloh (5-6) with 22 points, including four big free throws in the final minute that helped erase a valiant comeback by North.

“We got the win, but it was an ugly win in my opinion,” Shiloh head coach Regina Tate said. “We’re still learning

and there’s a lot of things we didn’t do well today. One good thing I did see was (Cranston). She did a good job of listening and we took advantage of her size along the baseline.”

Shiloh led by as many as 10 points late in the third quarter, but North (1-8) exploded in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter with a 14-4 run to reclaim the lead.

Sydness Jackson, who finished with nine points for North, scored five of those during that stretch, but it was a play by Emily Toomer of North that looked like was going to be the difference maker.

Sara DeMaria (five points) had just brought North within one point at 3736 with 4:50 left to play with a couple See SHILOH, Page 4B

Diaz delivers in Duluth’s Deep South win Junior forward comes off bench to help Wildcats beat Foley (Ala.) cats exactly that.

The 6-foot-3 junior scored 15 of his game-high 18 points in the final 10 1/2 minutes, includSNELLVILLE — Already ing hitting 7 of 10 free throws without one post player, Duludown the stretch MORE th’s boys were hit with another to help the WildINSIDE cats hold off the blow by losing another, leading Deep South scorer A.J. Cheesman, late in scrappy visitors Classic the third quarter of its openingfrom Alabama roundup, 4B round game of the Deep South for a 79-70 win Classic against Foley (Ala.).

Saturday at Brookwood’s Gold Needing a boost from their Gymnasium. bench, Javis Diaz gave the WildDuluth (12-1) advanced to the

By David Friedlander

david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

second round, where it will take on Woodward Academy in one semifinal Monday at 4:30 p.m.

But the Wildcats will not only do so without 6-7 shotblocker Obinna Ofodile, still out with an injury suffered before the holiday break, but also without Cheesman, who was hit with two technical fouls and ejected during a shoving match with Foley’s Mack Adams III, who was assessed one technical, on an out-of-bounds play with 2:30

Falcons bolstered by Jones’ return

By Charles Odum AP Sports Writer

FLOWERY BRANCH — Julio Jones is a gamechanging wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons — even when he’s less than full speed.

That’s why it was so important for the team’s playoff hopes that Jones, recovering from a hip Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) catches injury, returned to practice the ball as New Orleans Saints defensive back Terrence Friday. The Falcons will Frederick (37) defends Dec. 21 in New Orleans. (Photo: need their top offensive USA Today Sports/Derick E. Hingle) threat when the NFC

PANTHERS AT FALCONS When: Today, 4:25 p.m.

Where: Georgia Dome TV/radio: CBS/92.9-FM

South title is on the line today against the Carolina Panthers.

Despite missing one game with the injury two weeks ago, Jones leads the NFC with 100 catches and 1,535 yards receiving. He had seven catches for 107

yards in last week’s win at New Orleans, even though he continues to battle the injury.

“I’m not there yet, I can tell you that,” Jones said Friday when asked if he was close to 100 percent.

Quarterback Matt Ryan said Jones impressed his teammates by playing through the injury last week.

“Everybody in this locker room knows how much this means to him and how competitive of a

guy he is and how tough of a player he is,” Ryan said.

“I think guys really respect him for that.”

The Falcons may be without starting running back Steven Jackson (quadriceps) against the Panthers. Jackson’s injury makes Jones’ status especially important.

“Julio is an integral part to our offense and our football team,” coach Mike Smith said Friday.

See FALCONS, Page 4B

2B • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

ondeck The Home Teams

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING Panthers 4:25 p.m.

CBS/92.9 FM

Playoffs TBD

Off

vs. Louisville^ Tue, 6:30 p.m.

ESPN/750-AM

Off

vs. Miss. State# Wed, 8 p.m.

ESPN/680-AM

Off

Wheeling Florida Mon, 7:05 p.m. Tue, 7:05 p.m.

Off

Cleveland Tue, 7:30 p.m.

SS/92.9 FM

UGA hoops

Off

at Kansas State Norfolk State Wed, 4 p.m.

Sat, 2 p.m.

ESPNU/750-AM FSN/750-AM

Tech hoops

Off

Charlotte Tue, 7 p.m.

ESPN3/680-AM

Falcons

UGA football

Tech football

Gladiators

Hawks

at Utah Fri, 9 p.m.

SS/92.9 FM

at Notre Dame Sat, 2:30 p.m.

ACCN/680-AM

PTV = Peachtree TV, SS = SportSouth, FSS = Fox Sports South; ^Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.; #Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens

On TV

Today

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Noon — St. John’s vs. Tulane, at Brooklyn, N.Y. FS1 2 p.m. — Long Beach St. at Syracuse ESPNU 2 p.m. — Morgan St. at Marquette FS1 3 p.m. — Texas Southern at Kansas St. FSN 4 p.m. — Fla. Gulf Coast at Xavier FS1 4 p.m. — Wake Forest at Richmond NBCSN 6 p.m. — Belmont at Butler FS1 6:30 p.m. — UCLA at Alabama ESPNU

NFL

1 p.m. — San Diego at Kansas City CBS 1 p.m. — Dallas at Washington Fox 4:25 p.m. — Carolina at Atlanta CBS 8:20 p.m. — Cincinnati at Pittsburgh NBC

SOCCER

6:55 a.m. — Premier League, Manchester United at Tottenham NBCSN 9 a.m. — Premier League, Chelsea at Southampton NBCSN 11:10 a.m. — Premier League, Everton at Newcastle NBCSN Monday

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

2 p.m. — Tulane at St. John’s FS1 7 p.m. — Toledo at Duke ESPN2 8 p.m. — North Texas at Texas Tech SPSO

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

2 p.m. — AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Texas A&M vs. West Virginia ESPN 5:30 p.m. — Russell Athletic Bowl, Clemson vs. Oklahoma. ESPN 9 p.m. — AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl, Arkansas vs. Texas ESPN

NHL

7 p.m. — Detroit at Boston NBCSP

SOCCER

3 p.m. — Premier League Liverpool FC vs Swansea City AFC NBCSP

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 9 p.m. — Duke at Connecticut ESPN2

Sports Calendar BASKETBALL

Jan. 2: The Suwanee Sports Academy will host the Complete Skills Basketball Clinic for girls in grades 4-7 with instruction by Wesleyan girls head coach Jan Azar.

The clinic is from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is open at ssasports.com/completeskills-holiday-clinic.

RUNNING

Dec. 31: The ninth annual Flashlight 5K will be held at The Warehouse at First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville to benefit Family Promise Gwinnett, a charity with the goal of ending homelessness for children and their families in Gwinnett. Registration is at 4 p.m. and the 5K is at 6 p.m.

Post-race refreshments are at 6:30 p.m. and awards at 6:45 p.m. The cost is $35 per runner. Registration is available at www.active.com. For more information, email to act1@mindspring.com.

Jan. 31: Georgia Fitness and the city of Suwanee will host the first Suwanee Gate-

way Half Marathon. It will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Town Center Park. Cost is $65 through Monday, then it increases to $75. Registration is available at active.com.

For more information, go to runsuwanee.com. Volunteers also are needed. Potential volunteers can email to jasongvance@gmail.com.

Feb. 14: The Buford/North Gwinnett Rotary Club’s Suwanee Sweetheart Sprint 5K will be held to benefit a club that provides service and support for a variety of community organizations. The race begins at Town Center Park. Registration for the Peachtree Road Race qualifier is $25 for individuals or $40 for two runners who sign up together. Runners will receive a long-sleeved race shirt. Festivities also include giveaways, a Valentine’sthemed costume contest, photo booth and more. For more information, go to www. suwaneesweetheartsprint. com or contact Rebecca Shelton at 678-995-6860 or bngrotary@gmail.com.

Feedback

• Will Hammock, Sports Editor: will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com • Christine Troyke, Staff Writer: christine.troyke@gwinnettdailypost.com • David Friedlander, Staff Writer: david.friedlander@gwinnettdailypost.com • Paul Thomas, Staff Writer: paul.thomas@gwinnettdailypost.com • Scott Smith, Senior Correspondent: scott.smith@gwinnettdailypost.com • To report scores, call 770-339-5850

Call 770-963-9205 or visit www.gwinnettdailyopst.com to subscribe to the

Gwinnett Daily Post.

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2014 included some thrillers the entire way, the margin never more than five points over the final 18 1/2 minutes. The Wildcats finally went ahead for good, 73-71, when James Young knocked down a 3-pointer with less than 2 minutes to go. The Shockers had a chance to win it and stay on course to be the first unbeaten national champion since Indiana in 1976. Fred VanVleet’s 3-pointer bounced off the side of the rim as the horn sounded. Kentucky 78, Wichita State 76.

By Paul Newberry AP National Writer

They kept us on the edge of our seats and brought us to our feet.

They sent us into joyful celebration or left us in anguished disbelief.

When we look back at 2014, these are some of the moments we’ll remember the most.

IRON MAN BUMGARNER: So much for pitch counts and pampered arms. Madison Bumgarner almost singlehandedly pitched the San Francisco Giants to their third World Series title in five years with three masterful performances against the upstart Kansas City Royals. He won the opener with seven innings of one-hit ball and pitched a four-hit shutout with 117 pitches in Game 5. But the drawling left-hander will be remembered most for his performance in Game 7, when he threw five innings of scoreless relief on two days rest for a decisive 3-2 victory. The last of his 68 pitches came with the potential tying run at third, resulting in a series-ending popup. “You know what?” he would say about a half-hour later.

“I’m a little tired now.”

DURANT BRINGS THE THUNDER: Memphis had a 98-93 lead in Game 2 of the NBA playoffs with just under U.S. forward T.J. Oshie reacts after scoring the winning 20 seconds remaining. But goal against Russia goaltender Sergei Bobrovski in a Oklahoma City had Kevin shootout at the Winter Olympics on Feb. 15 in Sochi, Durant, who came up with Russia. (Photo: AP/David J. Phillip) what might be the shot of the year — a towering 3-pointer from the corner BRAZIL BLOWOUT: tie the game, then drove as he was tumbling out of For a soccer-mad nation Baylor into position for bounds. Nothing but net. hosting the World Cup for Chris Callahan’s 28-yard Plus, he was fouled by the first time since 1950, field goal as time expired for a beyond-improbable Marc Gasol and knocked it was championship or 61-58 victory. “I just knew down the free throw to bust. Oh, what a bust it was. Brazil was blown out looking at guys’ faces that complete a four-point we were going to come play. The Thunder wound

by Germany 7-1 in the up sending the game to semifinals, the biggest rout back in that game,” Petty overtime, but the Grizzlies said. “Twenty-one points ever that far along in the bounced back from the tournament. The Germans isn’t a big deal for us.” shock of Durant’s amazwere unstoppable, scorCOLTS COMEBACK: ing shot to win handily, ing five goals in the first 111-105. half-hour — four of them Speaking of comebacks, the Colts pulled off a in a seven-minute span.

WINNING IN THE memorable one of their “It was very important to SHOOTOUT IN stay calm, cool and coura- own in an AFC wild-card GLOAMING: After playoff game. Kansas City golf’s first three majors SOCHI: T.J. Oshie was geous in facing Brazilian one of the last choices to passion,” said the winning led 38-10 early in the third failed to produce much drama, the PGA Chamquarter, but Indianapolis the U.S. Olympic hockey coach, Joachim Loew, pionship turned out to scored 35 second-half team, but he sure came up whose team went on to points for the second-big- be a pure theater with big in Sochi. Facing the capture the title that was gest rally in NFL postsea- an All-Star cast. Rory Russians and their scream- supposed to go to the son history. Andrew Luck McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, ing hometown crowd, home team. For Brazil, Rickie Fowler and Henrik threw for 443 yards and including President Vladi- there was nothing but mir Putin, Oshie scored heartache, a nation plung- four touchdowns, shaking Stenson all held a share off three interceptions. He of the lead on the back on four out of six chances ing into mourning at the nine. The final two hours in a shootout to give the unimaginable result. “We also scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery. The were filled with eagles Americans a thrilling 3-2 apologize to all Brazilvictory. Oshie scored in ians,” defender David Luiz teams combined for 1,049 and birdies, with tension and chaos. Finally, with yards, a playoff record. the first round and the said.

Not enough, it turned out, darkness threatening to shootout was still tied afpush the finale to the for Kansas City to end a ter three attempts by each WILD NIGHT IN next morning, McIlroy team. At that point, under WACO: In a Big 12 show- 20-year drought since its knocked in a 10-inch putt international rules, the down, neither team played last playoff win. that gave him a one-stroke same shooter can be used a lick of defense until victory over Mickelson. It SHOCKERS over and over again. The Marcus Mallet returned an was Boy Wonder’s second SHOCKED: Wichita Americans kept turning to interception 49 yards for straight major title and State had not lost since Oshie, five times in a row, a touchdown with 11 1/2 fourth overall, making before he put a forehand minutes remaining, giving the previous year’s Final him just the fourth player Four and took a 35-0 through the goalie’s legs TCU a seemingly comin the last century to win record in its third-round for his fourth goal in six fortable 58-37 lead over that many before his 26th chances. “At some point, Baylor. Turns out, no lead game against Kentucky, birthday. The other three? a team that had underyou think, ‘Does he have was safe against Bears achieved after starting the Tiger Woods, Jack Nickany more moves left?’” quarterback Bryce Petty. laus and Bobby Jones. Not year ranked No. 1. The U.S. captain Zach Parise He led three lightningsaid. quick touchdown drives to game went back and forth bad company.

In year of odd bounces, reality bites

By Fred Lief

Suarez, it turns out, has a long oral history. This was the third time in four Gothic folklore met years he bit an opponent. modern dentistry, with the At first, he denied biting whole world watching.

Chiellini, saying he lost This was the World Cup his balance and tumbled. and the Bite of Brazil — a He also said Chiellini hit mouthwatering, openhim in the eye earlier in jawed, succulent chomp the match. He also said on an unsuspecting victim Chiellini pushed his shoulthat would have done der into the Uruguayan’s proud any vampire worth mouth. He said many his cape. things.

Perhaps odder things Uruguay won the game happened in sports in 1-0 but Suarez was sus2014, but for sheer audac- pended for four months. ity, and on a global stage FIFA said “such behavior no less, the bite by Urucannot be tolerated.” His guay’s Luis Suarez takes teammates were soon the (temporary porcelain) gone, as well, after a loss crown. to Colombia in the next Uruguay was playing game.

Italy in June, each looking Suarez eventually came to reach the round of 16. clean and apologized. No Suarez, one of soccer’s less a person than Chieltop scorers, nuzzled up to lini asked FIFA to reduce Giorgio Chiellini late in the suspension. He said the game and suddenly, things happen on the field. inexplicably sunk his teeth As for Suarez, he prominto the shoulder of the ised — with his uppers Italian defender as if he and lowers — to never were a dish of veal piccata. bite anyone again.

The two fell to the Other wayward spots turf. A baffled Chielvisited by sports this year: lini — unable to ward off the vampiric attack for ANIMAL HOUSE: lack of a mirror or garlic The Portland Trail Blazers clove — displayed for an discovered a rattlesnake in entire stadium evidence of their locker room in San fang marks. He lowered Antonio. “I don’t know if his shirt sleeve and, like that’s ever happened bea Hollywood starlet from fore,” Portland coach Terry a bygone era, bared his Stotts said. “That sounds shoulder. Suarez, meanlike an ABA story.” while, held his upper teeth Golfer Luke Donald while on the ground as if was less concerned by a he were a patient in a chair charge from the rest of the and assisting a dental tech- field than he was with a nician taking X-rays. large baboon charging him

AP Sports Writer

during a tournament in the South African wilderness.

“They are big and strong and you wouldn’t want to mess with them,” he said.

Golf also proved a hazard in Malaysia for Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal, who threw down his scorecard, tossed off his shoes and jumped in a lake to escape a swarm of monstrous hornets. “I didn’t know what to do,” he said.

“My caddie told me to run, so I start running like a crazy guy.”

LOVE AND DEATH: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League became wedding planners. The team offered couples the chance to say “I do” on its field, completing perhaps the ultimate Hail Marry.

The family of a Puerto Rican boxer wanted to honor his passion. So there he was, or there the body of Christopher Rivera Amaro was, standing upright with boxing gloves in the corner of a simulated ring at his wake in a San Juan funeral home.

CHIP SHOT: Webb Simpson is a champion golfer, and an obliging sort. So when he saw a bunch of kids hanging around the clubhouse at Pinehurst — site of the men’s and women’s U.S. Open — he made it a point to sign autographs.

He noticed one girl with braces off to the side. He

asked her if there was anything he could do. “No,” said 11-year-old Lucy Li. “I’m playing in the tournament next week.”

TRASH STALKERS: They were the sanitary kings of the World Cup. And it mattered little that their team lost. After games, Japan’s fans scooped up the mess left in the stadium. Other fans get drunk and fight.

The Japanese put their blue trash bags to work, drawing on a tradition of respect and decorum. So now, as FIFA tries to clean the muck from its befouled stables, the course of action is clear: Assign the job to Japan.

FIDDLER ON THE GOOF: Forgive Olympic leaders if they don’t swoon to the strains of Vanessa-Mae’s violin.

The celebrity musician who lives in Britain and skied for Thailand at the Sochi Games is not what she’s cracked up to be.

She competed as Vanessa Vanakorn, taking the last name of her Thai father.

No problem there. But her qualifying races for Sochi were rigged, and the IOC months later banned her for four years, not that she was headed to the World Cup circuit. At Sochi, she finished 67th and last in the giant slalom, more than 50 seconds behind.

How slow was the violinist? Adagio, for sure.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014 • 3B

gwinnettdailypost.com

college football

Gamecocks beat Miami for 4th straight bowl win

By David Brandt AP Sports Writer

SHREVEPORT, La. — Dylan Thompson threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score in South Carolina’s 24-21 victory over Miami on Saturday in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl.

Pharoh Cooper was Thompson’s favorite target, catching nine passes for 170 yards, including a spectacular 25-yard grab on the decisive drive late in the fourth quarter.

Thompson completed 22 of 34 passes.

South Carolina (7-6) has won a school-record four straight bowl games.

Miami (6-7) ended the season on a four-game losing streak and hasn’t won in the postseason since 2006.

Miami’s Duke Johnson ran for 132 yards and caught five passes for 51 yards, but his costly

South Carolina linebacker Jonathan Walton (28) celebrates his interception of a Miami pass with Skai Moore, left, in the first half of the Independence Bowl on Saturday in Shreveport, La. (Photo: AP/ Rogelio V. Solis)

fumble with a little more than five minutes remaining set up South Carolina’s winning drive.

Miami’s Brad Kaaya threw for 236 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

South Carolina coach Steve

Spurrier has had one losing season in 25 seasons as a college head coach — back in 1987 with Duke.

It was an another impressive game for Johnson, the 5-foot-9, 206-pound junior who has likely

played his last game with the Hurricanes and is expected to declare for the NFL draft.

But he fumbled on Miami’s 29 with 5:24 remaining and South Carolina recovered.

Johnson also appeared to suffer a right leg injury on the play and didn’t return to the game, though he was up and walking on the sideline in the final minutes.

Two plays later, Thompson hit Cooper on a spectacular pass and catch to get down to the Miami 2. Thompson fit the ball into a tight window and Cooper helped him by leaping over the defender to make the grab.

Thompson trotted into the end zone untouched on the next play and the Gamecocks had what proved to be an insurmountable 24-14 lead with 4:13 left.

Miami was in control early, but its long drives were stuffed in the red zone. Michael Badgley made field goals from 27 and 26 yards to give the Hur-

ricanes a 6-0 lead by early in the second quarter.

South Carolina, meanwhile, struggled to get anything going until midway through the second quarter, when Thompson connected on a long throw over the middle to Cooper, who ran the rest of the way for a stunning 78yard touchdown score.

Just like that, the Gamecocks looked comfortable.

Thompson scrambled out of the pocket a few minutes later on a broken play before finding Mike Davis on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Elliott Fry made a 32-yard field goal with 1:39 left as South Carolina scored 17 straight points to take a 17-6 lead into halftime.

The Gamecocks’ defense — maligned for much of the season — didn’t give up a touchdown until late in the third quarter when Gus Edwards’ 3-yard touchdown run and the Miami’s ensuing 2-point conversion pulled the Hurricanes to 17-14.

Gurley Nittany Lions top Boston College in OT headed to NFL Boone’s third-and-10 pass was intercepted by Kweishi Brown in the end zone with 45 seconds left.

Richard, a freshman, was selected the game MVP. He scored four touchdowns for the Sun Devils (10-4) and tied a Sun Bowl record for points with 24. Richard carried seven times for 41 yards and two scores, and caught five passes for 22 yards and two more touchdowns.

The Associated Press

By Steve Reed AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Georgia running back Todd Gurley has informed coach Mark Richt that he plans to enter the NFL draft.

Richt said after practice Friday for the Belk Bowl that Gurley won’t return for his senior season. The 13th-ranked Bulldogs face No. 20 Louisville on Tuesday.

The news doesn’t come as a huge surprise.

Gurley was a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate and got off to a strong start, but a fourgame suspension and a knee injury derailed a promising season.

Richt said Gurley’s rehabilitation is going well and his spirits are high.

He predicted Gurley “will be a very high draft pick.”

“I wouldn’t be shocked to see him doing a lot of things for the scouts before the draft,” Richt said.

Gurley attended practice with his teammates Friday but was not made unavailable for interviews.

The 6-foot-1, 236-pound Gurley ran for 911 yards and nine touchdowns in six games this season, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

Gurley was suspended four games in October by the NCAA for taking $3,000 for autographed memorabilia and other items over two years.

In Gurley’s first game back against Auburn, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, ending his season.

In his first two seasons at Georgia, Gurley ran for 2,374 yards and 27 touchdowns.

The Georgia running game hasn’t missed a beat since Gurley left, with freshman Nick Chubb handling the load.

Chubb rattled off four straight games of at least 143 yards rushing with Gurley out. He has 1,057 yards and 10 touchdowns in the last seven.

BELK BOWL Who: Georgia vs. Louisville When: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Charlotte, N.C. TV: ESPN

NEW YORK — Christian Hackenberg hit Kyle Carter for a 10-yard touchdown pass in overtime and Penn State kicked the extra point that Boston College could not, lifting the Nittany Lions to a 31-30 win in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night.

The Nittany Lions (7-6) played in a bowl game for the first time since January 2012, after the NCAA lifted the most severe sanctions levied against the program in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

Penn State’s Sam Ficken used retired New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter’s locker and some of his clutch postseason play appeared to rub off on the kicker.

He sent the game into OT with a 45-yard field goal with 20 seconds left in regulation and won it with his extra point.

Tyler Murphy hit David Dudeck for a 21-yard touchdown pass on Boston College’s drive. Mike Knoll shanked the extra point for the Eagles (7-6) and that was the opening Penn State needed to complete its comeback from a 21-7 deficit late in the third quarter.

Penn State has played under the cloud of scandal and sanctions for the most of the last four years, tearing at the fabric of the community known as Happy Valley and tarnishing the legacy of Joe Paterno.

Moments after Penn State hoisted the bowl trophy on the field, first-year coach James Franklin took the microphone and thanked the seniors “who stayed with this program when we needed them most.”

He told the thousands of die-hards that packed the stadium, “You want to talk about closure? Look around! This is closure!”

The Eagles left stunned after blowing the lead and missing their eighth extra point of the season.

Knoll put the Eagles ahead 24-21 on a 20-yarder with 2:10 left in the fourth.

Ficken, who won the opener in Dublin with a 36-yard field goal as time expired, bookended the season with his biggest kick yet. Captain to captain, Ficken had the honor of using the retired Jeter’s locker Saturday. Ficken is Penn State’s special teams captain.

Hackenberg played more as he did freshman year, when he had NFL scouts raving about first-round potential rather than this season’s erratic sophomore

Boston College punt-returner Sherman Alston (6) breaks away from Penn State’s Jordan Dudas during the first half of the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday in New York. (Photo: AP/Bill Kostroun)

effort. He set Penn State records for completions and yards passing (34 of 50, 371 yards) and earned MVP honors. He went over the middle and hit DaeSean Hamilton to make it 21-all with 6:48 left in the fourth.

Hackenberg should have been eligible for a potential bowl game his senior season. But when the bowl ban was lifted this season, the Nittany Lions earned the chance to play in front of 49,012 fans at Yankee Stadium.

Murphy and Jon Hilliman had run wild for the Eagles to build a lead.

Murphy found Shakim Phillips in the corner end zone for a 19-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead early in the third. He then showed how he set the ACC’s single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,079 yards in 2014 with a 40-yard dash that put the Eagles ahead 21-7.

Hilliman, who led the team with 12 rushing TDs, broke through early with a 44-yard run that gave him more yards on one carry than three teams had in a game this season against Penn State: Central Florida (24), Massachusetts (3) yards and Maryland (25).

He averaged a whopping 19.2 yards-per-carry on just five attempts for 101 yards in the first half.

He found a huge opening late in the first quarter for a 49-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 7.

The Nittany Lions scored first on Hackenberg’s 72-yard TD pass to Chris Godwin down the right sideline with 5:22 left in the first.

The score earned a booming “We are! Penn State!” chant from the Penn State fans that helped fill Yankee Stadium.

The Nittany Lions turned the Bronx into a miniature Happy Valley, flooding the train from Philadelphia to New York on Saturday afternoon, then overtaking the subway lines.

Once they emerged at the corner of 161st Street and River Avenue, Yankee Stadium may as well have been Beaver Stadium.

Mark Holtzman, who runs non-baseball events for the New York Yankees, said tickets sold out in 36 hours, the fastest of the five Pinstripe Bowls so far.

Sun Bowl No. 15 Arizona State 36, Duke 31 EL PASO, Texas — Kalen Ballage returned a kickoff 96 yards to set up the winning score in No. 15 Arizona State’s 36-31 victory over Duke on Saturday in the Sun Bowl.

Ballage’s big return came after Duke (9-4) took a 31-30 lead on receiver Jamison Crowder’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Blakeney with 5:03 left.

On the kickoff, Ballage took the ball near the goal line and went straight up the right hash for about 15 yards before picking up a block and cutting to his right. He was pushed out of bounds at the 4.

On the next play, Demario Richard took a shovel pass from Taylor Kelly and bulled his way over the left side and into the end zone.

Kelly was stopped on the 2-point conversion try.

Duke drove to 14 on its final drive, but Anthony

Military Bowl Virginia Tech 33, Cincinnati 17 ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Eager to extend a streak that began more than two decades earlier, Virginia Tech put on a performance that took some of the sting out of an otherwise disappointing season.

The Hokies’ 33-17 victory over Cincinnati in the Military Bowl on Saturday extended to 22 the number of consecutive winning seasons Virginia Tech has enjoyed under coach Frank Beamer, who watched from a perch high above the field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Beamer worked in the upstairs coaching box to avoid the risk of infection during his recovery from throat surgery. The Hokies (7-6) were making their 22nd consecutive bowl appearance under Beamer, whose last losing season at Tech was in 1992.

“He made some suggestions like, ‘Run it’ in the second half, and he contributed a lot,” said Beamer’s son, Shane, who serves as associate head coach. “There were a few grunts and groans as well.

It was great to have someone with the experience he has up there contributing.”

J.C. Coleman ran for 157 yards and a touchdown, and the Hokies harassed and ultimately injured Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel to put the lid on an up-and-down season filled with too many injuries and defeats.

“Finishing 7-6 is so much better than 6-7,” linebacker Deon Clarke said. “We wanted to keep the winning streak intact.

There was a lot of adversity we had to overcome and this was a great way to finish the season.”

Freshman Joey Slye kicked four field goals for the Hokies, who finally got a noteworthy victory to add to their upset at Ohio State on Sept. 6.

“I have had many proud moments in my time at Virginia Tech but this is one of my proudest,” Beamer said. “When you consider the constant adversity we have had to endure this season, it is just reward-

ing that we believed in one another and continued to fight our way through it.”

With one spectacular play in the third quarter, the Hokies knocked Kiel out of the game and virtually assured themselves another winning season.

Clarke sacked Kiel and forced a fumble at the Cincinnati 43. Nigel Williams picked up the ball and fumbled at the 12, where teammate Greg Stroman scooped it up and took it into the end zone for a 2710 lead.

“I love it when they call a blitz,” Clarke said. “I had an open shot at him and when I hit him, I was able to knock the ball loose.”

Kiel remained down for several minutes and was helped off the field before being taken to the locker room. The 6-foot-4 sophomore did not return, and without him Cincinnati (9-4) had little chance to mount a comeback.

“That was a good, clean lick,” Bearcats coach Tommy Tuberville said.

“I think his head hit the ground. This turf is not made for collisions like that. He’s fine. He’s a little dizzy and not very clear.

He probably could have come back and done a few things, but further injury at that point is really not worth it.”

Kiel finished 14-for-26 for 244 yards, but his three turnovers led to the end of Bearcats’ seven-game winning streak.

The Notre Dame transfer finished the season with 3,254 yards passing, the third-highest total in school history.

Michael Brewer went 14-for-24 for 94 yards and a touchdown to guide the Hokies to their highest point total since a 34-17 win at North Carolina on Oct. 4.

The Hokies opened the second half with a 75-yard drive for a touchdown and a 20-10 lead. Coleman opened the possession with four carries for 43 yards before Brewer tossed a TD pass to tight end Ryan Malleck on third-and-goal from the 1.

Minutes later, Kiel’s fumble enabled the many Virginia Tech fans among the crowd of 34,277 to breathe easier.

“We had two objectives out there. One was to win for our seniors, the other was to win for Coach Beamer,” offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler said.

Virginia Tech led 13-10 at halftime despite a 307148 deficit in yardage.

The Hokies picked off two passes and Slye kicked field goals of 45 and 49 yards, the latter coming on the final play of the half.

4B • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

gwinnettdailypost.com

DEEP SOUTH CLASSIC

Bowles gets 100th career win as Brookwood boys roll the way with 19 points, while Bubba Parham added 14 and Micah Kinsey chipped in 11 as BrookSNELLVILLE — All wood (4-8) advanced to the 12 of Brookwood boys semifinals, where it will players got into their Deep take on Athens Christian South Classic opener on Monday at 7:30 p.m. against Johns Creek, with Ian Joseph led the visiting 11 of them breaking into Gladiators with 17 points, the scoring column, as the while Chad Campbell (12) Broncos gave coach Daniel and Miles Clay (11) also Bowles his 100th career reached double figures. coaching victory with an 83-59 win Saturday at the Woodward Acad. girls 73, Maroon Gymnasium.

Peachtree Ridge 63 Trae Higginbotham led Marissa Bowman scored

By David Friedlander

david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

•From Page 1B

of free throws.

North’s defense got the ball back, but a shot from Kathleen Wilson to take the lead was short.

Shiloh couldn’t corral the rebound, and Toomer scooped up the loose ball in the lane and found DeMaria open for an easy shot.

DeMaria was also fouled and completed the 3-point play to put North up 39-37 with 3:22 left to play.

But Cranston came up huge in the following minute with a play that literally may have stolen the game for Shiloh.

Coach Tate called a timeout after DeMaria’s 3-point play, but the ensuing possession ended with a missed shot and a clean rebound for North.

Cranston, however, gave Shiloh the ball back with a steal in the corner and was rewarded with the tying basket off a feed from Davida White (seven points, five rebounds, four assists) with 2:05 left to play.

“That was so huge for us,” Tate said of the steal.

“And she did it without fouling.”

White would also put the Generals back in front on a layup in the lane with 1:19 left to play, giving the Generals a lead they would not relinquish.

“The last two or three games have been like this for us,” North head coach

a game-high 25 points, but the junior fouled out with 2:04 to play, and the Lions fell into the consolation bracket with a 73-63 loss to the War Eagles on Saturday.

Peachtree Ridge (2-10) scored the game’s first eight points, but Woodward answered with a 13-4 run over the final 3:40 to take a 13-12 lead by the end of the first quarter, thanks to a 3-pointer from Tyler Collins with 35 seconds left.

Trailing by as much as

11 points in the second quarter, the Lions rallied to within 34-33 by halftime, thanks to a free throw and a follow-up bucket after a miss on the second free throw with seven seconds left in the half.

Peachtree Ridge then regained the lead at 37-36 following a layup from Jalea Gray off a turnover a minute into the third quarter.

But Taylor Sutton answered with a 3-pointer 45 seconds later to put Woodward back in front at

Shiloh Both teams also shot well from the free-throw line with Shiloh hitting 10 of 15 (including 6 of 9 in the fourth) and North converting 15 of 20.

Shiloh will play again on Monday at 3:45 p.m. against the BerkmarOconee County winner, while North will face the loser of that game at 9:30 a.m.

Shiloh’s Racquel Cranston (24) attempts to drive the baseline during Saturday’s high school girls basketball game against the North Gwinnett Bulldogs at Grayson High School in Loganville. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

Bryan Sellers said. “We’ve been working hard and we’re getting better, we just haven’t been able to get over that hump. It’s going to be a process for us.”

Jessica Belcher led North with 16 points and six rebounds, and was responsible for 13 of North’s 15 points in the first half.

Belcher scored the first five points of the game for an early 5-0 lead, but Shiloh ended the first quarter

with an 8-0 run.

North hung with Shiloh in the second period and trailed by four points at the half at 19-15. However, Shiloh extended that lead to 32-22 with 2:50 left in the third and led 33-25 headed into the fourth.

Shiloh also benefitted from 18 points off its bench, led by White’s seven with six from Emani Bell and five from Sharai Lay.

Grayson 42, Banneker 30 Grayson girls improved to 10-2 on the season by defeating Banneker 42-30 in the first round of the Grayson Ram Classic on Saturday morning.

The Rams vaulted to a 27-5 lead at the half but went cold in the third quarter as Banneker fought its way back by outscoring Grayson 16-0 in the period.

Grayson, led by 11 points from Shakara Burton, woke up in the fourth and outscored Banneker 15-9 the rest of the way to pull away for the win.

Jessica Ewing followed with 10 points for the Rams, while Michal West scored seven and Imani Conner finised with six points.

Erica Cross of Banneker led all players in scoring with 14 points.

The Rams play again on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. against the Cedar ShoalsNorthview winner, while Banneker will play the loser of that game at 12:45 p.m.

Left, North Gwinnett’s Sydnee Jackson (12) works against Shiloh in Saturday’s game. Right, Shiloh’s Uche Ibebunjo (20) grabs a rebound from North Gwinnett’s Kathleen Wilson (15). (Staff Photos: David Welker)

•From Page 1B 12 points each from Zane Walker and James Bonner.

Jordan Lewis scored 11.

Berkmar had plenty of balance in the victory, with eight players scoring. But Durham being 100 percent is the key for the Patriots as the defending Region 8-AAAAAA champs try

•From Page 1B

time,” Phillips said. “It takes a while before you’re 100 percent.”

Durham and the Patriots will have to be at their best against Warner Robbins, which reached the Class AAAAA state title game last season.

The Demons had just two double-figure scorers in their opening win, as Nate

Curtis had 11 points and Stephon Raybon added 10.

But Warner Robbins controlled things from the start with its hard-nosed defense.

In the consolation bracket on Monday, Roswell (57) will play Coral Gables (8-3) at 3 p.m., followed

by Eagle’s Landing against North Miami (2-13) at about 4:30 p.m.

Falcons

to give it my all.”

Jones is enjoying a “He’s very explosive. He strong finish to the regucreates explosive plays lar season. He has three and he creates mismatches straight games with at for defenses. It’s going to least 100 yards. He had 10 be very important for us catches for 189 yards and a to create some explosive touchdown in a home win plays in the game this over Arizona on Nov. 30. week.”

Jones followed that with Jones said he plans to 11 catches for a franchiseplay today, though he was record 259 yards and a designated as questiontouchdown at Green Bay able instead of probable on on Dec. 8. He missed the Friday’s injury report. loss to Pittsburgh on Dec. “It’s a mindset,” Jones 14. said. “I know I’ve got to be “Julio has had an unbeout there for my teammates lievable year,” Ryan said. and if I tell those guys up- “The production that he’s stairs and Mike Smith that showed has been impresI’m ready to go, then I’m sive. Even for a teammate ready to go and I’m going to step back and look at

it, he’s been incredibly impressive.”

Jones had 79 receptions for 1,198 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012, his second season. He was leading the NFL in catches when his 2013 season ended with a broken bone in his right foot in a Week 5 loss to the Jets. He broke the same bone during his college career at Alabama.

Jones earned his second Pro Bowl berth this year.

His play has been a rare positive in a mostly disappointing season for the Falcons (6-9).

A win today would give Atlanta a home playoff game the following week.

•From Page 1B

connected on 12 of 17 free throws in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Lambert girls 46, Brookwood 33 The Broncos fell to the Longhorns in their opening round of the tournament Saturday evening.

Lambert advances to play North Cobb on Monday at 6 p.m. in a semifinal game, while Brookwood (2-10) will meet Tucker in a consolation bracket game at 4:30 p.m.

Duluth

Joseph Gordon was on the bench in foul trouble in the second half.

“Now, they are going to get an opportunity to see what they can do,” Duluth coach Eddie Hood said of his reserves. “These tournaments are a good experience for our young guys to get them ready for region play. That’s what these Christmas tournaments are all about.”

They got a little more than Hood would’ve planned after Cheesman, who had 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, departed with Duluth seemingly in control up 42-31.

After Romello Harris hit one of the two technical free throws, Foley further took advantage of Cheesman’s absence, with Harris knocking down a 3-pointer from the left corner and Adams converting a layup to pull the Lions to within 42-37 with 1:51 left in the quarter.

Even after Duluth seemingly weathered the storm and regained a comfortable advantage at 50-37 following Gordon’s second buzzer-beating 3-pointer of the game as the period came to a close, Foley kept pressure on in the fourth quarter.

A 6-1 run, capped by Harris’ stickback with 5:56 to play, cut the Duluth lead back down to 54-47, and the Lions pulled as close as 57-51 after A.P. Prim hit a onetouch shot off an in-bound pass from Shamone Morris with 4:08 to play.

Fortunately for the Wildcats, Foley could pull no closer thanks to a horrific free-throw shooting night — hitting just 7 of 24 attempts from the stripe — as well as

some well-timed heroics from Diaz and Anthony Showell.

“Cheese (Cheesman) and I are like brothers,” Diaz said. “Once he got ejected, I was like, ‘This is my time. I’ve got to step up for my brother.”

Showell’s two free throws with 4:04 left were followed by a pair of transition baskets from Diaz — the first on a nifty pass from Gordon and the second on a drive down the lane with 2:51 remaining.

Lofton then converted a stickback on a missed shot on another fast break, and then finished another transition pass off an assist from Showell to push the Wildcats’ lead back to 67-53 with 2:12 left.

And thanks to 8 of 10 free-throw shooting in the final 55.6 seconds — including 3 of 4 each from Diaz and Gordon and two more from Showell — the lead never went below double digits again until Adams’ 3-pointer just before the final buzzer.

Joining Diaz and Cheesman in double figures for Duluth were Showell and Gordon, who each had a big game.

Showell finished with 16 points, eight assists and seven steals, while Gordon tacked on 17 points with six assists.

Jalen Hodges also contributed in the paint with four points, five rebounds and four blocked shots, while K.J. Jeffries finished with seven points, and eight rebounds.

Adams led Foley with 18 points and 12 rebonds, while D.J. Perdue added 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Harris chipped 11 points and five boards for the Lions, who will play Sequoyah in a consolation bracket game Monday at 6 p.m.

FANS CHOICE BOYS HOOPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Berkmar to get back to the state tournament.

Durham was shut down after feeling discomfort in his hip during fall conditioning, missed all of preseason practice and has been back full time for just a few games.

“There are no restrictions in his minutes now, but he was out a long

39-37, and the War Eagles outscored the Lions 20-10 over the remainder of the quarter, with Peachtree Ridge never pulling closer than six points in the fourth.

Blake Davis also reached double figures for Peachtree Ridge, which will play Lassiter on Monday at 7:30 p.m. with 15 points, while Collins led Woodward with 22 points and Sutton chipped in 19 as the War Eagles, who advanced to the semifinals to meet Franklin County,

“The thing I like about this game is the opportunity,” Jones said.

Receivers Roddy White (ankle) and Harry Douglas (foot) are listed as probable.

The bigger injury question appears to be Jackson, whose status is questionable. He left last week’s win at New Orleans with the quadriceps injury.

Jackson was on the practice field but did not have a helmet in the portion of Friday’s practice that was open to reporters. Smith said all the players on the injury report were “participating in practice at some level.”

Who: Rayshaun Hammonds School: Norcross Class: Sophomore Position: Forward Height: 6-foot-8 Highlights: Had 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots in a 64-54 win over Peachtree Ridge — he averages 15.7 points and 9.3 rebounds Rayshaun Coach Jesse McMillan’s take: “RayHammonds shaun has dedicated himself to improving each day and the results are showing on the court.

His work ethic and willingness to accept coaching have been very impressive. Rayshaun is quickly establishing himself as one of the best young forwards in Gwinnett County and we are very excited to see how far his game grows this year and beyond. He is a joy to be around and a great reflection of what we strive for a Norcross player to be.”

FANS CHOICE GIRLS HOOPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK Who: Aneysa Williams School: Mountain View Class: Senior Position: Guard Height: 5-foot-5 Highlights: Made game-winning 3-pointer in closing seconds of a 49-48 victory over Collins Hill Aneysa Coach Jackie Lindquist’s take: Williams “Aneysa is an integral part of the 201415 Lady Bears. She is a true leader who takes control when the game is on the line. She can take over a game and she hits big shots in crucial situations.”

Call 770-963-9205 or visit www.gwinnettdailyopst.com to subscribe to the

Gwinnett Daily Post.

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AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE East L T Pct PF PA Home Away 3 0 .800 459 296 7-0-0 5-3-0 7 0 .533 364 336 4-3-0 4-4-0 7 0 .533 326 280 5-3-0 3-4-0 12 0 .200 246 377 2-6-0 1-6-0 South W L T Pct PF PA Home Away 10 5 0 .667 431 359 6-2-0 4-3-0 8 7 0 .533 349 290 4-3-0 4-4-0 3 12 0 .200 232 389 3-5-0 0-7-0 2 13 0 .133 244 411 1-6-0 1-7-0 North W L T Pct PF PA Home Away 10 4 1 .700 348 317 5-2-1 5-2-0 10 5 0 .667 409 351 5-2-0 5-3-0 9 6 0 .600 389 292 5-2-0 4-4-0 7 8 0 .467 289 317 4-4-0 3-4-0 West W L T Pct PF PA Home Away 11 4 0 .733 435 340 7-0-0 4-4-0 9 6 0 .600 341 329 5-3-0 4-3-0 8 7 0 .533 334 274 5-2-0 3-5-0 3 12 0 .200 239 405 3-5-0 0-7-0

W 12 8 8 3

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014 • 5B

NFL

Dallas Philadelphia N.Y. Giants Washington

Carolina Atlanta New Orleans Tampa Bay

Detroit Green Bay Minnesota Chicago

Seattle Arizona San Francisco St. Louis

NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE East L T Pct PF PA Home Away 4 0 .733 423 335 4-4-0 7-0-0 6 0 .600 440 374 6-2-0 3-4-0 9 0 .400 354 366 3-4-0 3-5-0 11 0 .267 284 394 3-4-0 1-7-0 South W L T Pct PF PA Home Away 6 8 1 .433 305 371 4-4-0 2-4-1 6 9 0 .400 378 383 3-4-0 3-5-0 6 9 0 .400 378 404 3-5-0 3-4-0 2 13 0 .133 257 387 0-7-0 2-6-0 North W L T Pct PF PA Home Away 11 4 0 .733 301 252 7-1-0 4-3-0 11 4 0 .733 456 328 7-0-0 4-4-0 6 9 0 .400 312 334 4-3-0 2-6-0 5 10 0 .333 310 429 2-6-0 3-4-0 West W L T Pct PF PA Home Away 11 4 0 .733 374 248 6-1-0 5-3-0 11 4 0 .733 293 279 7-1-0 4-3-0 7 8 0 .467 286 323 3-4-0 4-4-0 6 9 0 .400 318 334 3-5-0 3-4-0 W 11 9 6 4

Today’s game Cleveland at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Dallas at Washington, 1 p.m. (Fox) Indianapolis at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Jacksonville at Houston, 1 p.m.

San Diego at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

(CBS) N.Y. Jets at Miami, 1 p.m.

Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Buffalo at New England, 1 p.m.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Carolina at Atlanta, 4:25 p.m. (CBS) Detroit at Green Bay, 4:25 p.m.

Oakland at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

Arizona at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

St. Louis at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

(NBC)

Rodgers plays Santa for Packers offensive line The Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. — Newly picked to the Pro Bowl, Aaron Rodgers practiced on his sore left calf Wednesday before returning to a locker room full of Christmas gifts.

Brand new 55-inch curved screen televisions sat in cardboard boxes, tokens of appreciation from the Packers’ franchise quarterback to the offensive line and backup QBs. As if the linemen needed any more motivation to protect Rodgers from the fearsome defensive front of the Detroit Lions today.

“It’s pretty amazing.

Pretty thankful that Aaron did something like that,” rookie center Corey Linsley said. “I mean, just the way he plays, and the way everybody plays around here, the level of excellence especially by him — you want to play as well as you can for him.”

Keeping Rodgers clean and upright will be especially important with tackle Ndamukong Suh leading

Sitton (toe) were limited, as usual, with lingering injuries. Linebacker Clay Matthews was limited with a biceps injury, though that has been a lingering injury as well.

Sitton and Matthews were also picked to the Pro Bowl roster Tuesday night, along with receiver Jordy Nelson and fullback John Kuhn.

Sitton has had a painful season after injuring his left big toe two months ago against New Orleans.

This will be his second Pro Bowl. In 2012, though, he made it as an alternate.

Sitton said he can cross one of his career goals off his list. What makes Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back in the pocket during the first Sitton’s season even more half of the Packers’ game against Buffalo on Dec. 14 in Orchard Park, N.Y. (Photo: AP/ impressive is that he’s Bill Wippert) playing between left tackle Detroit’s defensive charge Coach Mike McCarthy today will be most impor- David Bakhtiari, a secondinto Lambeau Field. said Rodgers took snaps tant to Green Bay, which year player, and rookie Rodgers was limited in and threw the ball around, can claim its fourth straight center Linsley. practice with a sore left including in no-huddle NFC North title and a “It doesn’t surprise calf that he strained during drills. first-round bye by beating me at all. We watch a lot last Sunday’s win over “He basically got done Detroit. of film of a lot of guys, Tampa Bay. He is also get- what he needed to get done Otherwise, the Packand I haven’t really seen ting over a lingering head today and he’s getting bet- ers were mostly healthy anybody better,” Linsley cold that has slowed him ter,” McCarthy said. at practice. Guards T.J. said. “I say it all the time, down since last week.

How Rodgers feels Lang (ankle) and Josh but something that goes

understated is how intelligent he is.”

Now they’ve got to figure out how to stop Suh, who has 8 1/2 sacks, four in his last three games.

Lang called the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Suh a complete player.

“If he’s in there, it’s a battle from whistle to whistle, from snap to the whistle,” Lang said.

The Packers’ right guard was also fighting what appeared to be a cold. He’ll likely relish Christmas Day off while trying to find a place for the new television supplied by Rodgers.

The players apparently didn’t know that reporters would be in the locker room on Christmas Eve. The TVs arrived Tuesday night, and the ever-private Rodgers likely didn’t want people outside the team to know about the gifts, Sitton said.

“He’s a hell of a dude, and we’ve had a hell of a year for each other. He just wanted to thank us,” Sitton said. “We appreciate being appreciated.”

Steelers aim to catch Bengals for AFC North title The Associated Press

overwhelmed by Cincinnati’s recent success. Besides, PITTSBURGH — The playing in the NFL’s most Pittsburgh Steelers have competitive division means spent three seasons chasing the elimination games rethe Cincinnati Bengals. ally started a month ago.

Through 2012, when an “I’m taking my chances aging roster and injuries with my team,” Steelers caught up to the longtime defensive end Cam HeyAFC North power just as ward said. “I don’t care Andy Dalton, A.J. Green who is on the other side. If and the Bengals were we do our job, we’re going establishing themselves as to win. We fully believe if annual playoff contenders. we take care of our busiThrough 2013, when a ness, it doesn’t matter what 2-6 start left Pittsburgh a anybody else does.” distant speck in CincinIt certainly looked that nati’s rearview mirror as way three weeks ago. The the Bengals won a division Bengals took a four-point title. lead into the fourth quarter And through the first at home, only to watch the 15 games of 2014, when Steelers put up 25 points the Steelers searched two in less than 10 minutes months for something on their way to a 42-21 resembling consistency victory. A costly fumble while the Bengals stayed

by Dalton on a botched largely above the fray. handoff permanently ceded Pittsburgh’s pursuit momentum to Pittsburgh. reaches a tipping point The Steelers rode a heavy today when Cincinnati dose of second-year runvisits in the regular-season ning back Le’Veon Bell finale. The winner claims and rookie wide receiver the division and a home Martavis Bryant to argugame when the playoffs ably its most impressive start next week. The loser victory of the season. must start the long march The loss could have to the Super Bowl on the shaken the Bengals. Inroad. stead, it galvanized them.

No pressure or anything. Cincinnati crushed Cleve“The intensity couldn’t land and stopped Peyton be more high,” Cincinnati Manning and the Denver cornerback Dre KirkpatBroncos cold on Monday rick said. “The stakes night. The Bengals are couldn’t be more high.” getting used to thriving this Symbolically or othertime of year. Tonight either wise. represents another imporThe Steelers (10-5) tant step in their maturarepresent the old guard, tion process or a chance albeit with more than a for the 20-somethings the fistful of fresh faces to Steelers have surrounded share some of the burden Roethlisberger with to carried by Ben Roethliscome of age. berger and James Harrison.

“It’s going to be a good, The Bengals (10-4-1) are high-quality football the former laughingstock game, a classic AFC North reborn as solid citizens, battle,” Steelers coach albeit ones with a spotty Mike Tomlin said. “How postseason record. else would you want it?”

Pittsburgh’s last Super Some things to look for Bowl appearance was only in a game that will echo four years ago, yet it’s into January and perhaps the Bengals who have the beyond. roster stuffed with players This could be a shootout who know what it takes to considering how potent get to January. Then again, Pittsburgh’s offense has the Steelers aren’t exactly been behind Roethlis-

berger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Plus, the Bengals have unveiled a dynamic running game with rookie Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard, and if A.J. Green’s right arm is OK, he can be a gamebuster. Green caught 11 passes for a career-high 224 yards in the first game against Pittsburgh.

struggles recently.

A Denver win gives it a bye in the wild-card round.

Oakland has gotten all of its wins under interim coach Tony Sparano after losing its first four under Dennis Allen.

Arizona (11-4) at San Francisco (7-8) The end of Jim Harbaugh’s highly successful stint in San Francisco?

San Diego (9-6) Quite possibly. at Kansas City (8-7) This is the first losing This is simple. And complex. Depends on who wins. record for him after taking the 49ers to the NFC title If the Chargers do, they get the final AFC wild card. game in all three previous If Kansas City prevails, the seasons as coach. There Chiefs then need Baltimore was also the Super Bowl loss to the Ravens two and Houston to lose. seasons back.

San Diego is trying to Arizona owns a playoff replicate its strong finish of 2013, when it grabbed that berth, wins the NFC West with a victory here and a wild-card slot by beating loss by Seattle, but is startthe Chiefs in the season ing rookie Logan Thomas finale. at quarterback. He’s the fourth QB to start this St. Louis (6-9) year for the injury-ravaged at Seattle (11-4) The Seahawks are look- Cardinals. ing every bit like defending Cleveland (7-8) Super Bowl champions, at Baltimore (9-6) with a defense that is imIf San Diego loses and penetrable and lots of big plays on offense by Russell Baltimore wins, the Ravens make the postseason Wilson and Marshawn for the sixth time in John Lynch.

Harbaugh’s seven years A victory earns Seas coach. But by blowing attle home-field advana lead to the Chargers on tage throughout the NFC Nov. 30 in a one-point loss, playoffs — and woe to the Ravens put themselves the rest of the conference. in this difficult spot.

But a loss could sink the Cleveland concludes yet Seahawks to a wild card. another non-playoff year The Rams beat the Seahawks in October with the with rookie Connor Shaw help of a punt return touch- going at quarterback after injuries to Brian Hoyer down and a fourth-down conversion via a fake punt. and Johnny Manziel. The Browns’ bright outlook But they also are headed dimmed as they dropped for a losing record for the eighth straight season. their past four and five of six.

Oakland (3-12) at Denver (11-4) Jacksonville (3-12) Hardly dominant like at Houston (8-7) they were in 2013, the The Texans are hanging Broncos could use a feelin the AFC race, too, just good finish to the season. one year after going 2-14.

They have won six straight Doing so with an unstable in the series and Peyton QB situation and virtually Manning has won his past no contributions from top eight meetings with Oakoverall draft pick Jadeland. But he’s had some veon Clowney pinpoints

how important defensive end J.J. Watt has been in Houston.

Houston must win and have Baltimore and San Diego lose to advance.

Blake Bortles, the third overall pick in the draft, has thrown 17 picks, but he also has passed for 2,791 yards and needs 29 to pass Byron Leftwich for the franchise rookie record.

Dallas (11-4) at Washington (4-11) The Cowboys probably are concentrating on playing next week, because they need a lot to happen to get a bye. Such as a victory and losses by Seattle and Arizona; a tie in Green Bay; or some other scenarios involving draws.

Might be a good chance to get NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray healed up from his hand injury.

The Redskins actually beat Dallas earlier this year.

nine straight and is in the running for the top overall draft pick.

New Orleans (6-9) at Tampa Bay (2-13) Tampa Bay is the other, uh, front-runner for selecting first in the draft and has lost five in a row.

The Saints somehow flopped in their last five home games, so finishing off a distressing season on the road might be a good thing.

Philadelphia (9-6) at New York Giants (6-9) After beating Dallas to take control of the NFC East on Thanksgiving Day, the Eagles lost three in a row to fall out of playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Giants have won their past three and the fervor for getting rid of Tom Coughlin as coach has pretty much subsided.

Chicago (5-10) at Minnesota (6-9) The fervor for a new Buffalo (8-7) at coach, GM and quarterNew England (12-3) back in Chicago has not It’s not Bill Belichick’s died down. The Bears have style to rest players even not beaten a team with a with nothing to gain. The AFC East champion Patri- winning record, and they go back to Jay Cutler at ots own the conference’s quarterback because Jimtop spot and will have a first-round bye for the fifth my Clausen got concussed last week in his first start consecutive year.

The Bills can only imag- for them.

Minnesota has showed ine what one playoff berth, progress, especially on let alone a bye, feels like.

They extended the league’s defense, under first-year longest current postseason coach Mike Zimmer, drought to 15 seasons, but although it’s also been a tumultuous season for the have a shot at a winning Vikings given the Adrian record for the first time since 2004.

Peterson suspension.

Indianapolis (10-5) at Tennessee (2-13) Indy is locked in as the No. 4 seed in the AFC, but comes off a 42-7 whipping at the hands of Dallas and needs to show at least something in this one. The Colts have won six straight and 11 of 12 against the Titans. A loss today would be very alarming considering Tennessee has dropped

New York Jets (3-12) at Miami (8-7) Last season, these teams met in the finale and the Jets kept the Dolphins out of the playoffs while improving to .500. Now, it could be Rex Ryan’s final game as Jets coach.

Miami coach Joe Philbin will be back; owner Stephen Ross said so last week.

6B • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

gwinnettdailypost.com

Georgia beats Panthers prevail against GAC Mercer in 3OT PREP ROUNDUP

By Blake Giles

The Associated Press

ATHENS — Charles Mann scored 22 points as Georgia held off in-state foe Mercer 86-77 in triple overtime on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (7-3) got 17 points apiece from Marcus Thornton and Nemanja Djurisic. Thornton had 11 rebounds before fouling out in the third overtime. Kenny Gaines added 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Jordan Strawberry led Mercer (6-7) with a career-high 21 points. His 3-point jumper from the corner at the end of regulation forced overtime.

Tied 72-72 after two extra periods, Georgia bolted out to a quick 78-72 lead in the third overtime, with Gaines converting a three-point play and Mann sinking a 3-point basket. Mercer managed only two field goals, both by Strawberry, after the Bulldogs were up by nine with less than 49 seconds to play.

Georgia led by as much as 12 points early in the second half after a baseline drive by Mann made it 37-25 with 17:14 to go.

But the Bears took advantage of a Georgia scoring drought to go on an 8-0 run that cut it to 37-33 after Ike Nwamu hit a jumper from the left of the circle with 11:08 to go.

Thornton stopped Georgia’s reverse with five straight points, but

he was sent to the bench with his fourth foul and Georgia leading 42-36 with 8:37 to play.

The Bulldogs would not score another field goal until Mann made a contested layup with 56 seconds left.

Mercer missed two 3-point attempts in the last minute, but got the rebound each time. Finally Strawberry hit an offbalance 3-pointer from the left corner in front of an excited Mercer bench just as the clock hit zero to force overtime.

In the first overtime, Mercer’s Jestin Lewis scored four points in one possession, hitting a free throw before sinking a 3-point, second-chance basket to put Mercer up 55-53 with 4:29 to go in the first overtime.

Strawberry hit two jumpers in the final three minutes of the first overtime, making it 62-all, but missed a third for the win with seven seconds to play to force a second extra period.

In the second overtime, Mercer got a pair of 3-pointers from Lewis and Stephon Jelks to go up 72-69 with 58 seconds left. After a free throw

by Georgia’s Djurisic, Strawberry had to take a wild hook as the shot clock ran down. Georgia got the rebound in a freefor-all, setting up a running jumper by Gaines with 3.6 seconds to play that tied it 72-72 going into the third overtime.

Kentucky fights past Louisville The Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Tyler Ulis shook off a bloody cut by his right eye to score 12 key second-half points and lead top-ranked Kentucky to a hard-fought 58-50 victory over No. 4 Louisville on Saturday.

An inadvertent elbow

by Louisville’s Chris Jones in the first half left Ulis with two thin bandages. He hit two big 3-pointers to give the Wildcats (13-0) a cushion in this showdown between unbeaten Bluegrass State rivals.

No. 8 Gonzaga 87, BYU 80 PROVO, Utah — Kyle Wiltjer scored 24 points and Kevin Pangos had 21 points and seven assists, leading No. 8 Gonzaga to a win over Brigham

Young in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams.

No. 20 UNC 89, UAB 58 CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Marcus Paige scored 16 points to lead No. 20 North Carolina past UAB. Kennedy Meeks added 14 points and Justin Jackson had 13 for the Tar Heels (9-3), who never trailed and led by as many as 36 while shooting 50 percent.

No. 21 Ohio St. 100, Wright St. 55 COLUMBUS, Ohio — D’Angelo Russell scored 24 points on a stellar shooting night and Amir Williams added a career-high 21 to lead No. 21 Ohio State past Wright State.

Russell was 7 of 8 from the field, including 6 for 6 behind the arc, and 4 of 5 on free throws.

From Staff Reports

WALNUT GROVE — Parkview’s Malik Abraham hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime and the Panthers eventually pulled away in the second overtime session for a 77-70 win over Greater Atlanta Christian at the Walnut Grove Holiday Tournament on Saturday.

Abraham finished with 26 points to lead the Panthers (4-7). Nasir Walker added 20 points while Garrett Smith and Antonio Edge each finished with 10 points for Parkview.

BOYS HOOPS BOYS BASKETBALL Shiloh 69, Washington County 52 MILLEDGEVILLE — Josh Okogie’s 19 points lifted Shiloh to a 69-52 semifinal win over Washington County at the Antebellum Holiday Classic hosted

by Georgia College & State University on Saturday.

Shiloh remains undefeated on the season (9-0).

Kareem Brewton had 14 points and six assists for the Generals.

Dejon Waters scored 12 points and pulled down six rebounds, while teammate Cedric Guillaume also scored 12 points and had seven rounds for Shiloh.

Meadowcreek 85, Upson Lee 68 LAGRANGE — A.J. Hicks poured in 36 points to lead Meadowcreek to a 85-68 win over Upson Lee on Saturday at the LaGrange Toyota Tournament.

Hicks also had 13 rebounds and seven assists in an outstanding outing. Shadiah Toppin added another 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Mustangs (2-9).

Apalachee 67, Douglass 37 WALNUT GROVE — Kamar Baldwin scored 30 points to lead Apalachee to a 67-37 win over Douglass in the first round of the Walnut Grove Holiday Tournament on Saturday.

Baldwin also pulled down nine rebounds and added four assists for the Wildcats (7-3).

Kent Knowles had 11 points and Alantae Billings chipped in 10 points for Apalachee who will face Newton County in Monday’s second round.

Collins Hill 73, Model 59 JASPER — Collins Hill defeat-

ed previously unbeaten Model 73-59 in the Pickens County Holiday Classic on Saturday.

The Eagles improved to 10-2 on the season while Model fell to 7-1.

Five Collins Hill players scored in double figures with Jalen Mitchell’s 16 points leading the way. Devin Watson and Max Clark each had 14, while Justin MaCaulay and Kai Lambert had 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Hebron Christian 64, East Paulding 54 COMMERCE — Hebron Christian defeated East Paulding 64-54 at the East Jackson Holiday Bash on Saturday.

Luke Crawford and Cory Johnson led the Lions (6-6) with 21 and 20 points, respectively.

Mill Creek 69, Forsyth Central 46 CUMMING — Sha Powell scored 15 points to lift Mill Creek to a 69-46 win over Forsyth Central at the West Forsyth Classic on Saturday.

Evan Richardson and Scotty Chadwick each scored 10 points for the Hawks (9-3).

Dacula 73, Sullivan Central (Tenn.) 33 DAYTONA, Fla. — Dacula defeated Sullivan Central 73-33 at the Sunshine Classic on Saturday.

Keshawn Gibbs led the Falcons (8-2) with 17 points.

Kevon Tucker added 13, while Arusha Hunter netted 10 for Dacula, who advanced to Monday’s semifinals.

Peachtree Ridge 66, Wade Hampton (S.C.) 56 SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Jay Estime scored 15 points to lead Peachtree Ridge to a 66-56 win over Wade Hampton at the Farm Bureau Classic on Saturday.

Aaron Augustin added 12 points while Conner Heyward pulled down eight rebounds and dished out five assists for the Lions (6-5).

Stratford Academy 63, Providence Christian 61 MONROE — Providence Christian’s last-second shot was no good and the Storm fell to Stratford Academy 63-61 at the George Walton Christmas Tournament on Saturday.

Jeremy Hardnett led Providence Christian (8-3) with 21 points, while Bobby Rodgers added 14 for the Storm.

East Jackson 61, Mountain View 57 COMMERCE — Mountain View trimmed a 16-point first half deficit to one with just under a minute to play, but the Bears

could not finish the comeback as they fell to East Jackson 6157 at the East Jackson Holiday Bash.

Spencer Rodgers and Will Hartter led Mountain View (3-8) with 12 points each. Paul James had 11 while Weston King added 10 for the Bears.

Grayson 71, Lakeside 43 LOGANVILLE — Trevian Sconiers scored 16 points to lead Grayson to a 71-43 win over Lakeside in the Ram Classic on Saturday.

Hafeez Anifowoshe added 14 points while Austin Dukes and Desmond Davis pitched in with 12 and 10 points, respectively for the Rams (8-3).

GIRLS BASKETBALL GIRLS HOOPS Central Gwinnett 62, Starr’s Mill 38 CUMMING — Alex Frazier scored 23 points to lead Central Gwinnett to a 62-38 win over Starr’s Mill at the West Forsyth Classic.

Frazier also pulled down 12 rebounds and had four steals for the Black Knights (5-4).

Briana McGee scored 11 points, while Keana Lee and Raegine Newkirk added nine and eight points, respectively for Central Gwinnett.

Maryville (Tenn.) 58, Mill Creek 50 CUMMING — Maryville (Tenn.) defeated Mill Creek 5850 at the West Forsyth Classic on Saturday.

Tatum Ragsdale led the Hawks (8-4) with 14 points.

Meredith Schulte and Madison Phillips each scored 13 for Mill Creek.

Berkmar 48, Oconee County 45 (OT) LOGANVILLE — Berkmar upended Oconee County 48-45 in overtime at the Ram Classic on Saturday. The teams were tied at 37 after regulation before the Patriots pulled away in the extra session.

Jirah Simpkins led Berkmar (8-4) with 13 points while teammate Clara Lawton added 11.

East Paulding 41, Hebron Christian 38 COMMERCE — East Paulding held on to defeat Hebron Christian 41-38 at the East Jackson Holiday Bash on Saturday.

Hannah Lentz led the Lions (5-5) with 22 points and had eight steals. Jozie Lewis pulled down eight rebounds for Hebron Christian.

Duluth 42, Forsyth Central 27 CUMMING — Endia Banks

scored 15 points to lead Duluth to a 42-27 win over Forsyth Central at the West Forsyth Classic.

Lyricka Holloman added 11 points for the Wildcats (7-5).

Buford 60, Wade Hampton (S.C.) 29 SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Buford advanced to Monday’s semifinals of the Farm Bureau Classic with a 60-29 win over Wade Hampton on Saturday.

Corey Staples led the Wolves (8-2) with 11 points while Jessica Nelson added 10 for Buford.

Dawson County 43, Collins Hill 32 JASPER — Collins Hill fell to 6-6 on the season as the Eagles lost to Dawson County 43-32 at the Pickens County Holiday Classic on Saturday.

Jazmin Smith led Collins Hill with 10 points.

Mountain View 82, Upson Lee 14 CUMMING — Mountain View defeated Upson Lee 82-14 at the West Forsyth Classic.

D’Andre Pringle led the Bears (8-2) with 16 points. Lillian Kennedy had 14 while Iceis Walker chipped in 13.

Jaron Stallworth scored 10 points and led the team with seven rebounds while Keni Haynes led Mountain View with seven steals.

WRESTLING WRESTLING Wesleyan takes second MONROE — Wesleyan finished second at the Hurricane Duals at Monroe Area High School on Saturday.

The Wolves went 4-1 in the duals as they defeated Monticello 36-24, Rabun County 41-27, Walnut Grove 39-34 and Oconee County 52-24.

The Wolves fell to St. Pius in the finals by a score of 37-34.

Undefeated wrestlers for Wesleyan were William Delk, Chase Kelly, Haydon Koch, Grant Marshall and George Bielan.

GAC places fourth SUWANEE — Greater Atlanta Christian placed fourth at the Kyle Maynard Duals, hosted

by Collins Hill High School on Saturday. The Spartans now stand 16-3 on the season as a result of its 3-2 record at the tournament.

Greater Atlanta Christian defeated Bremen (40-29), North Forsyth “B” (61-12) and Lovett (49-15). The Spartans fell to host Collins Hill (54-12) and Commerce (42-25) in the third place match. Wyatt Vaughn (132) and Aiden Jarrett (195) were undefeated on the day for the Spartans.

Brown, Gladiators hold on for win loss at home in 2014-15.

After a scoreless first GREENVILLE, S.C. — period, the Gladiators (9The Gwinnett Gladiators 16-1-0) broke through first picked up their second win at 2:11 of the second on a in the three games with a redirect goal by MacDon3-2 victory against Green- ald off of Marshall Everville on Saturday night at son’s original shot from the the Bon Secours Wellness top of the slot.

Arena.

Gwinnett maintained the Will MacDonald, James pressure throughout the Melindy and Travis Ouelperiod, challenging Greenlette scored goals for the ville goalie Jeff Malcolm Gladiators, while Adam repeatedly, but was not Brown stopped 41 of the able to add a second in the 43 shots he faced. period.

Gwinnett held on in the Instead, Greenville (19closing minutes to win its 10-0-1) was given its fifth first game in Greenville power play of the night since Nov. 11, 2013, a span at 16:42 of the second of eight games. It was also and converted on it. The the Gladiators’ third road Gladiators had killed the win of the year, and just previous four efficiently, the Road Warriors’ second but Tyler Brown got a one-

From Staff Reports

timer from the right circle through.

Entering the third with the score tied at 1, Gwinnett picked up an early power play, just its second of the night.

With about 30 seconds left in the man advantage, Joe Stejskal and J.P. Labardo crashed in on the net, pressuring Malcolm.

The puck caromed off Malcolm and onto Melindy’s stick in the low left faceoff circle.

Melindy slammed it through Malcolm to give the Gladiators the 2-1 lead.

Three minutes later, Chris McCarthy tied the score up once again.

Brown was held up in traffic to his right and McCar-

thy received the pass from Andrew Himelson in the right circle with nothing but an empty net in front of him.

End-to-end action ensued for the next 10 minutes, until the Gladiators went ahead one last time.

At 15:51, Labardo drew Malcolm and the Greenville defense to the right as he fed Ouellette to his left.

Ouellette had the open net and Gwinnett had the 3-2 lead with four minutes left in the game.

The Gladiators return home to The Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday against the Wheeling Nailers at 7:05 p.m. It will be the beginning of a seven game home stand.

Pinstripe Bowl At Bronx, N.Y. Penn State 31, Boston College 30 Holiday Bowl At San Diego Nebraska (9-3) vs. Southern Cal (8-4), late Monday, Dec. 29 Liberty Bowl At Memphis, Tenn.

West Virginia (7-5) vs. Texas A&M (7-5), 2 p.m. (ESPN) Russell Athletic Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Clemson (9-3) vs. Oklahoma (8-4), 5:30 p.m. (ESPN) Texas Bowl At Houston Texas (6-6) vs. Arkansas (6-6), 9 p.m.

(ESPN) Tuesday, Dec. 30 Music City Bowl At Nashville, Tenn.

Notre Dame (7-5) vs. LSU (8-4), 3 p.m.

(ESPN) Belk Bowl At Charlotte, N.C. Louisville (9-3) vs. Georgia (9-3), 6:30 p.m. (ESPN) Fosters Farm Bowl At Santa Clara, Calif.

Stanford (7-5) vs. Maryland (7-5), 10 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 31 Peach Bowl At Atlanta Mississippi (9-3) vs. TCU (11-1), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) Fiesta Bowl At Glendale, Ariz.

Boise State (11-2) vs. Arizona (10-3), 4 p.m. (ESPN) Orange Bowl At Miami Mississippi State (10-2) vs. Georgia Tech (10-3), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday, Jan. 1 Outback Bowl At Tampa, Fla.

Wisconsin (10-3) vs. Auburn (8-4), Noon (ESPN2) Cotton Bowl Classic At Arlington, Texas Michigan State (10-2) vs. Baylor (11-1), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) Citrus Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Minnesota (8-4) vs. Missouri (10-3), 1 p.m. (ABC) Rose Bowl At Pasadena, Calif.

Playoff semifinal: Oregon (12-1) vs.

Florida State (13-0), 5 p.m. (ESPN) Sugar Bowl At New Orleans Playoff semifinal: Alabama (12-1) vs.

Ohio State (12-1), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) Friday, Jan. 2 Armed Forces Bowl At Fort Worth, Texas Pittsburgh (6-6) vs. Houston (7-5), Noon (ESPN) TaxSlayer Bowl At Jacksonville, Fla. Iowa (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6), 3:20 p.m. (ESPN) Alamo Bowl At San Antonio UCLA (9-3) vs. Kansas State (9-3), 6:45 p.m. (ESPN) Cactus Bowl At Tempe, Ariz.

Oklahoma State (6-6) vs. Washington (8-5), 10:15 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Jan. 3 Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl Florida (6-5) vs. East Carolina (8-4), 1 p.m. (ESPN2) GoDaddy Bowl At Mobile, Ala. Toledo (8-4) vs. Arkansas State (7-5), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, Jan. 12 College Football Championship At Arlington, Texas Sugar Bowl winner vs. Rose Bowl winner, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

SPORTS AT A GLANCE Basketball National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

W L Pct GB Toronto................. 23.... 7......767....... — Brooklyn............... 13.. 15.... .464.........9 Boston................. 10.. 18.... .357....... 12 New York................ 5.. 26......161.... 18.5 Philadelphia........... 4.. 24......143....... 18 Southeast Division

W L Pct GB Atlanta................. 21.... 8.... .724....... — Washington.......... 21.... 8.... .724....... — Miami................... 14.. 16.... .467.......7.5 Orlando................ 12.. 21.... .364....... 11 Charlotte.............. 10.. 21.... .323....... 12 Central Division

W L Pct GB Chicago............... 20.... 9.... .690....... — Cleveland............. 18...11.... .621.........2 Milwaukee............ 15.. 15.... .500......5.5 Indiana................. 10.. 20.... .333.... 10.5 Detroit.................... 6.. 23.... .207....... 14 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division

W L Pct GB Houston............... 21.... 7.... .750....... — Memphis.............. 21.... 8.... .724.........5 Dallas................... 21.. 10.... .677...... 1.5 San Antonio......... 18.. 13.... .581......4.5 New Orleans........ 15.. 14......517......6.5 Northwest Division

W L Pct GB Portland............... 24.... 7......774....... — Oklahoma City..... 15.. 16.... .484.........9 Denver................. 13.. 17.... .433.... 10.5 Utah....................... 9.. 20......310....... 14 Minnesota.............. 5.. 23......179.....17.5 Pacific Division

W L Pct GB Golden State........ 23.... 5.... .821....... — L.A. Clippers........ 20...11.... .645......4.5 Phoenix................ 17.. 14.... .548.......7.5 Sacramento......... 12.. 17......414.....11.5 L.A. Lakers............. 9.. 21.... .300....... 15

Friday’s Games Brooklyn 109, Boston 107 Cleveland 98, Orlando 89 Milwaukee 107, Atlanta 77 Detroit 119, Indiana 109 Houston 117, Memphis 111, OT New Orleans 97, San Antonio 90 Oklahoma City 98, Charlotte 75 Dallas 102, L.A. Lakers 98 Denver 106, Minnesota 102 Portland 114, Philadelphia 93 Phoenix 115, Sacramento 106 Saturday’s Games Toronto 110, L.A. Clippers 98 Orlando 102, Charlotte 94 Washington 101, Boston 88 Memphis at Miami, late New Orleans at Chicago, late Indiana at Brooklyn, late Atlanta at Milwaukee, late Philadelphia at Utah, late New York at Sacramento, late Minnesota at Golden State, late Today’s Games Detroit at Cleveland, 4:30 p.m.

Houston at San Antonio, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

New York at Portland, 9 p.m.

Toronto at Denver, 9 p.m.

Phoenix at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday’s College Scores EAST Georgetown 91, Indiana 87, OT Maryland 72, Oakland 56 Seton Hall 72, Maine 43 Virginia Tech 87, Presbyterian 65 SOUTH Georgia 86, Mercer 77, 3OT Jacksonville 75, Jacksonville St. 61 North Carolina 89, UAB 58 MIDWEST Green Bay 78, Georgia St 61 Kentucky 58, Louisville 50 Minnesota 108, NC-Wilmington 82 Northwestern 76, Northern Kentucky 55 WEST Gonzaga 87, Brigham Young 80 Indiana - Purdue 55, Pepperdine 53

Ohio St. 100, Wright St. 55 San Francisco 77, Pacific 71 St. Mary’s 73, Santa Clara 60

Football National Football League AMERICAN CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF PA New England.12... 3... 0...800...459...296 Miami.............. 8... 7... 0...533...364...336 Buffalo............. 8... 7... 0...533...326...280 N.Y. Jets.......... 3.12... 0...200...246...377 South

W L T Pct PF PA Indianapolis.. 10... 5... 0...667...431...359 Houston.......... 8... 7... 0...533...349...290 Jacksonville.... 3.12... 0...200...232...389 Tennessee...... 2.13... 0.. .133...244... 411 North

W L T Pct PF PA Cincinnati...... 10... 4... 1...700...348...317 Pittsburgh...... 10... 5... 0...667...409...351 Baltimore........ 9... 6... 0...600...389...292 Cleveland........ 7... 8... 0...467...289...317 West

W L T Pct PF PA Denver.......... 11... 4... 0...733...435...340 San Diego....... 9... 6... 0...600...341...329 Kansas City.... 8... 7... 0...533...334...274 Oakland.......... 3.12... 0...200...239...405 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF PA Dallas............ 11... 4... 0...733...423...335 Philadelphia.... 9... 6... 0...600...440...374 N.Y. Giants...... 6... 9... 0...400...354...366 Washington..... 4. 11... 0...267...284...394 South

W L T Pct PF PA Carolina.......... 6... 8... 1...433...305...371 Atlanta............ 6... 9... 0...400...378...383 New Orleans... 6... 9... 0...400...378...404 Tampa Bay...... 2.13... 0.. .133...257...387 North

W L T Pct PF PA Detroit........... 11... 4... 0...733... 301...252

Green Bay.... 11... 4... 0...733...456...328 Minnesota....... 6... 9... 0...400...312...334 Chicago.......... 5.10... 0...333...310...429 West

W L T Pct PF PA Seattle.......... 11... 4... 0...733... 374...248 Arizona......... 11... 4... 0...733...293...279 San Francisco.7... 8... 0...467...286...323 St. Louis.......... 6... 9... 0...400...318...334 Sunday, Dec. 28 Cleveland at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Dallas at Washington, 1 p.m.

Indianapolis at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Jacksonville at Houston, 1 p.m.

San Diego at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at Miami, 1 p.m.

Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Buffalo at New England, 1 p.m.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Carolina at Atlanta, 4:25 p.m.

Detroit at Green Bay, 4:25 p.m.

Oakland at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

Arizona at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

St. Louis at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

NCAA Football Bowl schedule Bowl Glance Friday, Dec. 26 Heart of Dallas Bowl Louisiana Tech 35, Illinois 18 Quick Lane Bowl At Detroit Rutgers 40, North Carolina 21 St. Petersburg (Fla.) Bowl North Carolina State 34, Central Florida 27 Saturday, Dec. 27 Military Bowl At Annapolis, Md. Virginia Tech 33, Cincinnati 17 Sun Bowl At El Paso, Texas Arizona State 36, Duke 31 Independence Bowl At Shreveport, La. South Carolina 24, Miami 21

community

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION C • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

2014 Photos of

the year

I met Vanessa Gissel and her mother, Dominique, while on assignment in February 2013. Vanessa had an interesting story that I wanted to share with our readers. Vanessa suffered from sickle cell anemia and was preparing to have a bone marrow transplant. Her donor was 2-year-old Sarah, her little sister. Over the course of several months I documented Vanessa’s journey.

This photo was taken on Sept. 17, 2013, 62 days post-transplant. After being released from Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House and arriving at home, Vanessa leapt into the arms of her mother, Dominique. I was grateful to have captured this joyous moment of Vanessa’s homecoming with her friends and family.

The Gissels are a wonderful family and it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to document this time in their lives. (Brendan Sullivan/Gwinnett Daily Post)

I met Ken right after I arrived at the Highland Games at Stone Mountain in October. Dressed in full garb, Ken told me about the drum corps that were performing at the games and what his role was. I had made a full body shot of him, but decided to make something a bit different as he wore his large feathered bonnet. Ken Misch of the Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band poses for a portrait during the Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

I like this image because it reminds me of how lucky I am to do my job. I was invited to come behind the scenes of the traveling Cirque Du Soleil show at Atlantic Station. It was cool to see how hard these performers work in order to get their moves right. Cirque Du Soleil’s “Amaluna” performer Luliia Mykhailova practices her hand balancing act as her trainer, Mikhail Galkin, sits on the steps leading to the “water bowl” during a rehearsal under the Grand Chapiteau at Atlantic Station in Atlanta. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

In January and February 2014, Gwinnett County and the Atlanta area were hit with winter storms that caused unsafe road conditions and received national attention. On Feb. 12, the majority of the newsroom staff at the Gwinnett Daily Post were forced to work from home due to the weather conditions. I walked several miles in the snow and ice to photograph an icy SR-20/Buford Drive in Buford near the Mall of Georgia where people and motorists were scarce. (Brendan Sullivan/Gwinnett Daily Post)

I had no idea that Atlanta was such a hotbed for movie and television production. I really liked this image because I thought it showed what goes into how these shows are produced. It was my first time being on a sound stage for a major production, and it was an experience that I hope to do again. Ryan Wiesen, left, operates the follow-focus for a camera on the set of “Resurrection” at the sound stage operated by ABC productions at the former Eagle Rock Distributors warehouse in Stone Mountain.

The sound stage serves as the production space for the television series “Resurrection” and “Devious Maids”. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

Finding these small features away from the action is something that I love to do. I had asked Providence’s head coach if he would mind if I followed them into the locker room to hear what he had to say to the team. Since this was Providence’s first year fielding a football team, I knew I had to take advantage of this opportunity. Unknown to the team and coaches, the doors to the locker room were locked and no one was able to get into the building. That is when a tired and dejected Ben Ellison dropped into the grass.

Ellison (55) sits in the grass outside the locker room during halftime of a high school football game against the George Walton Bulldogs at Shiloh High School in Snellville.

(Staff Photo: David Welker)

For more photos, see page 2C

2C • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

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This is probably my favorite image of my four months in Gwinnett. As someone who has a deep respect for those in the military and their families, I was extremely moved to have the opportunity to photograph the private funeral procession of Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk, who was a crew member of the famed Enola Gay. Everyone who was at the loading of the casket was silent and it was an honor to see a hero before my time on his last ride to his final resting place. Lawrenceville Police Officer Michael Inot pushes the casket of Van Kirk into a hearse in Snellville. Van Kirk was the last living crew member of the Enola Gay, which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945, at the closing days of World War II. Van Kirk was the navigator on that flight. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

continued...

2014 Photos of

the year

Little kids, big helmets.

What else could be needed?

I smile each time I see this photo of Jahmel Jackson, who plays on the 8-year-old Lawrenceville football team.

He came running out like a champion, and eventually walked off a champion. Lawrenceville’s Jahmel Jackson (1) excitedly runs onto the field prior to the Gwinnett Football League 8-yearold Championship game against the Buford Wolves at Norcross High School in Norcross. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

When I first met the Isabellas, I had no idea that by the end of the day, I would have a new friend in Brooke. I love this image because I saw how much Sally works to make sure that Brooke enjoys life despite a disease that can be so debilitating. Brooke suffers from a severe form of epilepsy that often causes “absent” seizures. I remember asking Brooke a question and she just stopped and stared me in the eyes, having no idea that I had said anything. I have a large amount of respect for Sally and her husband, Chip, who have decided to pick up and move to Colorado, where Brooke might be able to get the help she needs. Brooke Isabella, right, lies on top of her mom, Sally, in the living room at their home in Lawrenceville Brooke suffers from LGS, a severe form of epilepsy that causes her to have a large number of seizures per day. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

Any time you deal with death and loss, it can be difficult to find an appropriate time to photograph. This image was important to me because I didn’t know that Gwinnett County honored homicide victims until this was assigned to me. To my surprise, the family members who mourned their lost loved ones would come for years after the initial loss. I was at a loss for words at some of the stories I heard, and I only have this image to help me try and relate to these families. Darnell Morgan and other family members of Alcenti Sweeting gather for a short prayer together after the annual homicide victims vigil hosted by the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Program at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

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WEDDINGS

Mr. and Mrs. Clint Daniel Metzler

Pieper — Metzler Stephanie Elaine Pieper and Clint Daniel Metzler were married Oct. 25 on the banks of the Frio River near Leakey, Texas. Joe Valenta officiated the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Mark and Pamela

Pieper of Suwanee.

The groom is the son of Donald and Teresa Metzler of Lindsay, Texas.

After a honeymoon in Tulum, Mexico, the ocuple resides in West Glacier, Mont.

Cogan — Penn Catherine Colleen Cogan and John Marshall Penn were married March 22 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Atlanta. The Rev. Father Ralph Olek, S.M. officiated the ceremony.

The bride-elect is the daughter of Patricia Lynn and John Anthony Cogan of Atlanta. She is a graduate of Marist High School, Agnes Scott College, where she received a bachelor’s degree and Georgia State University where she received a master’s degree in French. She is employed with Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, Tenn., as a French teacher.

The future groom is the grandson of Nancy and William Scott Penn III of Buford.

He is the graduate of Dacula High School and Georgia State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He is employed with Publix in customer service.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014 • 3C

Looking back before deciding to move forward

When the New Year arrives every year, I, like most, look forward to Mr. and Mrs. John Penn the next 12 months filled with promise, opportuniMary-Bridget Schneider of ty, and a chance to reform Atlanta served as the matron from bad habits.

I’ve already done that. of honor.

In early November, I went Bridesmaids were Erin on a serious diet instead Mace, Kelly, Meghan and of waiting until mid-JanuKerry Cogan, all of Atlanta ary. Tink was puzzled. and Sarah Penn of Buford.

“Don’t do that now.

Jason Marlowe of LoganThe holidays are comville served as the best man. ing,” he said.

Groomsmen were Aaron I knew that but my Penn of Buford, Johnathan clothes were getting tight and Jean Beicher, both so I knew that if I waitof Windern and Timothy ed, I would spend two Schneider of Atlanta. months worrying over After a honeymoon in St. what to wear that would Lucia, the couple resides in fit properly. “Besides,” I Chattanooga. said, “if I wait, I’ll probably gain more weight.” I plunged in and triumphed over temptation.

I don’t need to resolve to exercise more. I did that in good measure in 2014. I ran faithfully a few times a week — even in the humid, unrelenting summer — and six months ago, I bought a fantastic Pilates machine to which I am equally faithful.

It would be useless to vow to work harder or even smarter. My work days are routinely 12 to 14 hours, leaving Tink to say often, “You are the hardest working person I have ever seen.” I still fall short of doing all I’d like but I’m not a slacker. I can live with that.

So, instead of using this time to look forward, I’d like to look back at three people who left our lives in 2014 and pay tribute to what each taught me.

Dot Burkett was the first and, for our family, the most painful. What seemed to be simple indigestion was, in truth, malicious pancreatic cancer. We prayed, we cried then, less than a month after diagnosis, we sorrowed together under the searing July midday sun. There was no finer Southern woman. That would be impossible. She spoke sweetly — always — with a soft, Southern drawl. She placed the utmost importance on family and when it came to cooking, no one was a finer Southern cook than Miss Dot. Her devotion to the Lord, church, Sunday School, and her mission group were legendary so when we lost her, we lost both good food and a prayer warrior of unmatched proportion. Six days before she was called

Ronda Rich to her heavenly reward, I received a handwritten thank you note for several books I had sent for her to read during chemo. I keep it in the piece of orange pottery on my kitchen island to remind me — good manners should prevail until the end.

Don Light, historic in Nashville as a powerbroker and star-maker, died two weeks after sweet Dot. He had guided me and mentored me since I was 21. He did so much with his life, beginning with his time as a drummer for the Grand Ole Opry. He was a founding director of the Gospel Music Association and the man credited with discovering and launching the American icon known as Jimmy Buffett.

His memorial service paid tribute to his accomplishments and the lives he touched. Mine was one.

He called every birthday without fail. I still have his voicemail from my last birthday and will miss it in a few weeks.

A Chinese proverb says, “When an old man dies, a library burns down.” That was Don Light. He took a library of wisdom, experience, and knowledge with him. I shall miss his friendship and counsel.

Gene Palmer touched my life in a way that few might understand.

He passed softly into the night, touching the hand of the Lord as he crossed the River Jordan.

Few men have known more trouble on earth or caused more trouble than my friend, Gene, yet his lesson remains: People can change. Our cynicism screams “No!” But they can. As Gene would tell you if he were here, “Jesus can do anything. Just look at me.”

My life is better for knowing these three people. Now, it’s much sadder for the losses.

Ronda Rich is the bestselling author of There’s A Better Day A-Comin’.

Visit www.rondarich.com to sign up for her weekly newsletter.

OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

Someone to talk to Inc.

Someone to talk to Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Dacula, is in need of volunteers. They need people to help with feeding, watering and grooming of the horses. For more information, call Hellen Gooch, CEO, at 770-560-7356.

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4C • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

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your community: city by city

City by City is a weekly look at the happenings in the places you call home

AUBURN Church to host blood drive Auburn First Baptist Church will host a blood drive on Tuesday, Dec. 30, from 2 to 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Walkins are welcome.

The church is located at 1385 Sixth Ave. in Auburn. For more information, visit the church’s website at auburnfirstbaptist.com or call 770962-1807.

BARROW COUNTY Ft. Yargo hosting ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ event Ft. Yargo State Park and Keep Barrow Beautiful will host a “Bring One for the Chipper” Christmas tree recycling event on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Only real trees will be accepted at the event held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and all ornaments, lights and tinsel must be removed from trees prior to drop off.

For more information, visit gastateparks. org/fortyargo or contact Rebecca Whiddon of Keep Barrow Beautiful at 770-307-3034.

BERKELEY LAKE Lunch and Learn event to discuss digital strategies Steve Beecham, president of Home Town Mortgage in Alpharetta, and an author and speaker will speak to the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber on Jan. 14 at a “Lunch and Learn” event titled “Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age.” Beecham is known for sharing his techniques for helping companies and individuals succeed in business through networking and leveraging their social connections.

The event is scheduled to be at the Northeast Atlanta Hilton in Norcross.

BRASELTON Economic development committee meeting rescheduled A meeting of the Braselton economic development committee has been rescheduled.

The committee was originally scheduled to meet on Jan. 2. It will now meet at 9 a.m. on Friday Jan. 9. The meeting will be held at the conference room in the city’s planning and utility building, located at 4986 Ga. Highway 53, Braselton.

For more information, visit braselton.net.

MORE FROM AROUND THE COUNTY

Cody Howington of Georgia Right of Way loads a Christmas tree into a chipper at Bethesda Park in Lawrenceville during last year’s event. The recycling program organized by Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, which began in 1984, counted nearly 200 volunteers. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner)

‘Great thing to do’

Local nonprofit gearing up for tree recycling event From Staff Reports

wonderful tradition to start with their family,” An environmentally Wiggins said. “We are focused nonprofit is so thrilled that this event hoping to give Christjust seems to grow and mas trees a “second grow with each passing life” through the orgayear as the word continnization’s annual tree ues to spread.” recycling event.

The success of the The event — billed as annual tree recycling the largest “treecycling” program, Wiggins event in Georgia — is added, is due in part to an effort by Gwinnett the support of advocates Clean and Beautiful and sponsors including to keep trees out of the Gwinnett County landfills and instead use Most of the trees will be recycled for use in landscap- Fire Department, the them in landscaping and ing projects throughout Gwinnett County. (Special Gwinnett County Board Photo) other projects throughof Commissioners, the out Gwinnett County.

Gwinnett County De“One out of every five garbage company to rations, lights and the partment of TransportaChristmas trees in Geor- pick up, why not drop it stand. Most of the trees tion, Georgia Power, gia is recycled right here off at the local fire stawill be mulched for use Jackson EMC and in Gwinnett County,” tion so we can give their in local parks, roadway Republic Services. explained Connie Wigtree a second life?” beautification initiatives More information gins, executive director Area residents are and other landscaping about the tree recycling for Gwinnett Clean and invited to drop off their projects. Others will be program — including Beautiful (GCB), in live Christmas trees at used in area lakes for a list of participating a released statement. participating county fire fish habitats or convert- fire stations — and the “That’s where the help stations between Dec. ed to fuel. ongoing environmenof our residents is so 26, 2014, and Jan. 16, “Not only is it a great tal efforts of Gwinnett vital. Rather than drag- 2015. Before dropping thing to do for our Clean and Beautiful is ging their Christmas off the trees, residents community and planet available online at www. tree to the curb for the should remove all deco- at large, but it’s also a GwinnettCB.org. in Buford.

DACULA Trash, recycling pickup delayed City of Dacula offices will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Day. Due to the holiday closure, the Thursday sanitation route will be picked up on Friday, Jan. 2. The Wednesday, Dec. 31, route will not be afBUFORD fected.

Environmental For more information, center to explore its visit the city website at own building daculaga.gov or call 770The Gwinnett Envi963-7451.

Dacula City ronmental and Heritage Hall’s normal operating Center will host activities hours are Monday-Friday on Jan. 19 “to explore the green features of its from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. own building.”

During the activities, DULUTH open from 10 a.m. to 4 Chase Bryant to p.m., guests will also help ring in new year “build a model building Country music artist with recycled materials, Chase Bryant, the city of learn what architecture and ecosystems have to Duluth and radio station Kicks 101.5 are coming do with each other and look at the importance of together to celebrate the new year. green building methods Bryant is an up-andto our watershed.” coming artist who has GEHC members and been touring with Brantchildren under 2 years ley Gilbert. More inforold attend free. There mation is able at www. is a $5 program fee for chasebryant.com. ages 13 and up, and a Along with Bryant’s $3 fee for ages 3 to 12. performance, the New The Gwinnett EnviYear’s Eve event will also ronmental and Heritage include dancing, a large Center is located at 2020 Clean Water Drive snow slide and winter

PEACHTREE CORNERS ‘Robot building’ class planned at library The Peachtree Corners branch of the county public library is hosting a “robot building” class for children on Jan. 5.

During the class, set to begin at 11 a.m., kids from age 5 and up will get to try out the “Cubelets” robots that can be designed and built in many different ways. The kids won’t get to take the robots home.

The library is located at 5570 Spaulding Drive.

SNELLVILLE Senior center getting repaired Renovations recently began at the senior center in Snellville.

Scaffolding on the Oak Road facility went up last week as workers started replacing materials not up to standard on the original construction. The materials were impacted by the recent string of cold winters’ freeze and thaw cycles in the area, city officials said.

Paul Hoover, vice president of Precision Planning Inc., the firm in charge of the repairs, said the project will be complete in March.

“The contractor will provide Senior Center access to all citizens during operating hours and will be responsible for securing the work area,” he said.

The city council approved a $126,000 contract with Precision Planning Inc. earlier this year for the project.

SUGAR HILL City releases calendar of 2015 events The city of Sugar Hill has posted a schedule of 2015 events on its website.

Events for the new year will include Battle of the Bands (Feb. 28), an Easter egg hunt (March 28), Asian Fest (April 11 and 12), Rockin’ BBQ Blast (April 18), a “’90s forever concert” (May 23) and a “Boots and Beats” concert (June carnival. closure. practice SAT on Jan. 31 20). The city will also The event begins at 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in hosts its annual July 3 LILBURN p.m. at the Duluth Town the theater at Grayson fireworks and several City asking for input Green and Amphitheater.

High. Interested students other events. on Main Street project should register at www.

The event is free to the For a complete list, public and VIP tables are The Lilburn City Coun- CornerstoneAcademic. visit cityofsugarhill.com currently on sale. cil is planning a public com and click on the “events” hearing on a proposed Cornerstone Academ- tab to find the “2015 GRAYSON development for busiic’s intensive 34-hour Events @ Sugar Hill” Library to host craft nesses and residences SAT preparation courses tab. activity for teens on the southwest corner at Grayson High begin Teens in grades 6-12 of Main Street and Law- on Feb. 18 to prepare SUWANEE are invited to exercise renceville Highway. for the March exam and When and where their artistic skills over The hearing is set for April 13 to prepare for to recycle the holidays with a speJan. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the May and June exChristmas trees cial craft activity at the City Hall, located at 76 ams. Detailed schedules Area residents may Grayson branch of the Main St. are on www.Cornerdrop off their former live Gwinnett County Public The Planning ComstoneAcademic.com.

Christmas trees at Sims Library. mission has recomThe course costs Lake Park, located at On Tuesday, Dec. 30, mended approval of the $399 and flexible pay4600 Suwanee Dam at noon, teens will have project. ment plans are available Road, through January the opportunity to make “Nacoochee Corstarting at just $27.99 31. Decorations, lights, colorful marbleized book- poration’s plans show per week. and stands should be marks with food coloring businesses fronting For more information, removed from all trees, and shaving cream.

Lawrenceville Highway call 404-919-7227. which will be mulched The Grayson branch is and Main Street, and a for use in Suwanee NORCROSS located at 700 Grayson multi-story residential parks.

‘God’s Not Dead’ Parkway in Grayson. building fronting Church Last year, mulch from to be shown Street and Main Street,” more than 1,200 former LAWRENCEVILLE a statement from the The city of Norcross’ Christmas trees was City offices to be city said. “A parking deck next Movie Monday spread in Suwanee closed on Jan. 1 would be constructed in will feature “God’s Not parks.

City of Lawrenceville the center of the square Dead,” the hit film focusVolunteers will be government offices, with the same design ing on a devote Christian available to assist with including City Hall’s elements of the busistudent’s struggles in a unloading and northern drive-through bill pay nesses and homes.” secular world. red oak, redbud, and service, will be closed For more information, The event, held at the dogwood seedlings on Thursday, Jan. 1, visit www.cityoflilburn. city’s cultural arts and will be handed out in observance of New com. community center, is (while supplies last) on Year’s Day. Regular busiplanned for between Jan. 3. Volunteers are LOGANVILLE ness hours will resume 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. on needed.

SAT practice at on Friday, Jan. 2.

Jan. 12. The event is To volunteer, contact Grayson High Trash and recycling free.

Tammy Hiler at thiler@ schedules will not be Cornerstone AcaThe center is located suwanee.com or 770affected by the holiday demic will hold a free at 10 College St. 945-8996.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014 • 5C

Mulberry teacher touched by students’ generosity For one teacher at Mulberry Elementary, the school’s community shows a heart like no other.

And when her brother’s only child passed away in July after a battle against Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, the thirdgrade students of teacher Athena Roberts rallied around her in memory of John Oliver “Ollie” Tetloff. He was seven.

“They’re the most amazing group of parents and children,” an emotional Roberts said recently.

Because patients like Ollie at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta miss holidays, Roberts and the students decided to donate teddy bears, soft blankets and cards in memory of Ollie and in support of Roberts’ brother, Anthony.

They gave more than 30 cards, 30 bears and 15 blankets.

“To show love is to give love,” Roberts said, adding that Ollie cared more about others than himself, even though he battled

Good News from Schools

The schools were removed from the lists because they no longer meet the definition and they met the required achievement criteria.

They have decreased the percent not proficient by 18 percent and they have increased the graduation rate by eight percent at the school level or at the subgroup level.

Keith Farner cancer. “I am proud of their efforts to honor and give to others during this holiday season. They have learned and applied the true meaning of empathy and love for others.

Mulberry has an amazing group of students, parents and staff.”

Roberts said he was a remarkable child and is missed every day.

out of 235 schools that have exited the “priority” and “focus” schools lists.

As part of the waiver from No Child Left Behind, the GaDOE

was required to identify “priority” schools and “focus” schools, which were determined based on achievement data from all core content areas,

graduation rate data and gaps between the highest performing and lowest performing subgroups based on achievement and graduation rate data.

Brookwood’s ‘Festive Sounds’ Brookwood High’s Music Technology program has released the holiday compilation “Festive Sounds,” featuring 28 tracks composed and performed by Brookwood High students. The album is free to download at www.soundcloud.com/ brookwoodmusictech,or search for brookwoodmusictech at SoundCloud. com.The program’s last four albums have generated 20,000 plays from all over the world.

Keith Farner writes about education. Good News from Schools appears in the Sunday edition of the Daily Post.

revenue?

Pretty well. They’ve made headlines in every newspaper in the country.

They’re being lauded by medical, professional and business journals alike because their forwardthinking strategy will actually help them make more money. Industry analysts Lisa McLeod believe that CVS will quickly replace their totheir customers kick the bacco income with higher habit as a well. CVS Presi- profit smoking cessation dent and CEO Larry Merlo and clinics services. said, “In quitting tobacco, People often ask me: we announced our plans How do you balance Noble to help the 18 percent of Purpose with the need to Americans who smoke. We make a profit? know that 7 in 10 smokers My answer is, you don’t want to quit, so we’ve built balance Noble Purpose a comprehensive national against profits. Successful smoking cessation program organizations make more that will help them do so.” profits because their Noble So how is CVS fairing Purpose drives their busiafter giving up $2 billion in ness decisions.

I doubt that CVS knew they were going to launch a profitable smoking cessation campaign when their leadership team starting discussing giving up cigarettes. Instead I image the discussion likely focused on the disconnect between CVS’s purpose, “Helping people on their path to better health” and then displaying nicotine death sticks at the register.

CVS had to decide what to stop doing before they could figure out what to start doing. When a leadership team identifies where they are out of alignment with their purpose, and has the courage to walk away from potential profits, then the creative wheels begin to spin. In CVS’s case, they came up with the Let’s Quit Together

campaign.

CVS had the courage to go first. They will reap the financial benefits of making their Noble Purpose the nexus of their business. If Walgreens were to follow, they won’t get the PR or revenue boost that CVS is getting because people will see Walgreen’s as an also ran, a company that only changed when the market was already moving. All the smokers who want to quit are already shopping at CVS. When Noble Purpose guides your business, you make more money. When Noble Purpose guides your life, you become happier and more successful.

But here’s the rub, there’s a huge advantage to going first. You can always do the right thing,

but when you go first, you have more fire-power.

The organizations that challenge long-standing business models on behalf of improving life for the customers not only generate more good will, they have a strategic advantage because they create the new marketplace.

CVS was able to communicate the moral fiber of their company in a sweeping policy change that will improve the lives of their customers and ultimately, make their organization more money.

It takes guts to go first, but it pays off.

Lisa McLeod is the creator of the popular business concept Noble Purpose and author of the bestseller, “Selling with Noble Purpose.”

GIVE Center schools removed from priority school lists GIVE Center East and GIVE Center West were each removed from “priority” school lists, the Georgia Department of Education recently announced.

They were among 38

Mulberry Elementary third-grade students of teacher Athena Roberts rallied around her in memory of her brother’s son, John Oliver “Ollie” Tetloff, who passed away in July after a battle with childhood cancer. The students donated more than 30 cards, 30 bears and 15 blankets to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in his memory. Also in the picture is Tammi Stewart, Roberts’ collaboration teacher. (Special Photo)

Doing the right thing can make you money CVS kicked their cigarette habit in October 2014.

They were making $2 billion a year selling tobacco.

But they quit, cold turkey.

They gave up $2 billion a year because selling tobacco was out of alignment with their true purpose.

Their announcement read: “Ending the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy is simply the right thing to do for the good of our customers and our company. The sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose — helping people on their path to better health.”

In conjunction with the initiative, CVS renamed themselves CVS Health and launched Lets Quit Together, a comprehensive personalized smoking cessation program to help

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. charters new graduate chapter

Forget Perfect

national service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1908. It is the oldSouth Atlantic Region of est Greek-letter organizaAlpha Kappa Alpha Soror- tion established by black ity Inc. recently welcomed college-educated women. a new graduate chapter Seventy Alpha Kappa Alin Peachtree Corners, Psi pha women were received Omega Omega. and certified as charter Alpha Kappa Alpha members at a chartering Sorority Inc. is an interceremony and luncheon

GWINNETT GAB recently held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel.

During the ceremony, community activist and former Tuskegee Airman LC Johnson was presented with the Psi Omega Omega 2014 Service Achievement Award for his many contributions the community.

Johnson has participated with Gwinnett Clean &

Beautiful Advisory Board, Salvation Army Lawrenceville Advisory Board, Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Advisory Board, Gwinnett Housing Authority Board, Peachtree Corners City DDA Board, United Peachtree Corners Civic Association, the Atlanta Chapter of Tuskegee Airman and various other community organizations. Psi Omega Omega President Ora Douglass announced plans to honor Johnson’s commitment to service by awarding a scholarship to a qualified student attending high school in the Peachtree Corners community.

“It was a long process, but we’re really excited to finally become a formal chapter,” Liz Carnegie, Psi Omega Omega Communications Chair, said. “This is such a great time for us and our community, and we can’t wait to make an impact. We have a lot of work to do. We’re looking forward to partnering with Belk again, and also working with LC Johnson.”

The Psi Omega Omega Chapter will honor its commitment to service, continuing to support its many established programs within the community, including volunteering at the Robert W. Fowler YMCA and the Peachtree Corners Festival, Partnering with Belk at the Forum in Suits for Success for women seeking employment and many more. For more information, email infopsiomegaomega@gmail.com.

From left, Psi Omega Omega Vice President Beverly Barber, Mistress of Ceremony and Fox 5 News Anchor Lisa Rayam, community activist LC Johnson and Psi Omega Omega President Ora Douglass participate in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s chartering luncheon. (Special Photo)

Georgia Farm Bureau re-elects Goodman to board of directors

Bureau and has been a member of Georgia Farm Bureau for 36 years. In addition to her Farm Bureau leadership, Goodman is an active member of the Nora Goodman has been Georgia Cattlemen’s Assore-elected to a two-year ciation and the Tri-County term representing the Cattlemen’s Association and director of the Georgia Georgia Farm Bureau’s Agriculture Land Trust.

3rd District on the orgaFounded in 1937, the nization’s state board of Georgia Farm Bureau Feddirectors.

Goodman has served as eration is the state’s largest a GFB 3rd District director general farm organization since 2003, is president of with 158 county chapters.

— From staff reports the Paulding County Farm

6C • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014

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Anyone can weave anything on the Web Time was, being a published author was quite an accomplishment. But today, though I commend anyone who has the self discipline to sit down and string together tens of thousands of words, anyone with $400 to spare can get anything into print.

And I’m not just going by all those pop-up ads on my computer screen. I’ve read — or at least tried to read — some of this stuff people pay to put into print without even any proofreading, much less editing.

I get all kinds of requests to do book reviews and invariably part of the

reviews on various Web sites for everything from best sellers to friends’ first attempts, but I refuse to be a shill. That’s not always the case with other “reviewers.”

I was recently asked to hype a book which the Susan promoter proudly pointed Larson out had a five-star Amazon review. Yes, it did, pitch is that the book has a but the glowing words of five star review on Amapraise from eight reviewzon. Big deal. Anyone can ers included meaningful write a review on Amazon. messages like “Loved it!”

Your mother, your kids, or “Couldn’t put it down.” your spouse, a friend I pursued it further and you’ve promised a cut clicked on each reviewer’s from your profits. Anyone. link for “See all my I’ve written dozens of reviews.” In every single

case, this was the only review that person had ever written. Does that tell you something?

With the birth of my grandson Magnus, I wanted to continue my tradition of giving everyone in my family a book for Christmas. I spent hours researching books, mainly board books, that might be appropriate. Thankfully, for many books Amazon offers the opportunity to preview a few pages so the buyer can at least get a feel for it.

After I weeded out all the board books — intended for toddlers, mind you

— with 200 word explanations of the politics and demographics of the time on every other page and the ones with poetry so cheesy it reeked, I saved the ones I thought were at least acceptable. Books with a simple picture of one animal, one person, maximum of 10 words per page. You know what I mean.

My next step was to read the reviews — not just the good ones, but the one-stars as well. For one book, some guy opined, “This book pushes right wing family values.”

What? For another, while

79 people loved it, several noted that there was no mention of Joseph in the book. What?

As we read whatever we see on the World Wide Web, it might be wise to reflect on the words of E.B. White back in 1952.

He may have been quite prophetic when he had Charlotte the spider say while weaving words into her web, “ People are very gullible. People believe almost anything they see in print.”

Susan Larson is a writer from Lilburn. Email her at susanlarson79@gmail. com.

Last week, in the first installment of this two-part series aimed at married guys, I talked about three things any good wife wants. Here are three more: She wants your attention. As I mentioned in Part 1, your wife wants you to take her seriously when she has suggestions or ideas. That means she wants you to really listen, not just pretend to listen.

But she also wants you to stop what you’re doing occasionally and be responsive to her personally. Put down the newspaper, shut off your cellphone, close your laptop, turn off the TV, and

better about herself than knowing her husband values spending time with her.

She wants you to have a backbone. Few things are more inimical to a healthy relationship than a wishy-washy husband Rob who won’t stand up for Jenkins himself — even if the person he’s standing up to give her your undivided is, on occasion, his wife. attention for at least 10 to It’s a wise man who 15 minutes every day. puts his wife’s happiSometimes she needs ness ahead of winning an a little more. Take her argument. But there will out to eat and linger over be times, however rare, the meal. Go for a long when you’re in the right, walk. Take advantage of and your wife will not a long car ride just to be thank you in the long run together. Few things make for caving merely because a married woman feel you fear her wrath.

She also expects you to stand up for her and take her side in disputes with others, including the kids. A husband who does not have his wife’s back eventually won’t have the rest of her, either.

She wants to be your one and only. A good woman who is faithful to her husband and her vows wants, needs, and deserves a man who is just as faithful.

That means she wants to be not just the most important woman in your life but the only woman of any real importance, excluding daughters and perhaps your mom (although she wants to be

more important than her, too).

This includes, by the way, women you don’t even know, by which I’m referring to women on a screen and particularly naked women on a screen.

Nothing except actual infidelity is more destructive to a marriage, and to a woman’s self-image, than a husband addicted to pornography.

She also wants and expects to be more important than your male friends. When the traditional Christian wedding vows speak of “forsaking all others,” that is precisely what they mean: ALL others, including

your childhood best buds, your ex-girlfriends, and the women at work.

There are no truer words than the old saw, “Happy wife, happy life.”

Here’s hoping I’ve provided a blueprint in these two columns for making your married life, and thus your entire life, just a little happier.

Rob Jenkins is a local freelance writer and the author of “Family Man: The Art of Surviving Domestic Tranquility,” available at Books for Less and on Amazon.

Email Rob at rjenkinsgdp@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter @ FamilyManRob.

What your wife really wants from you, Part 2

RESTAURANT SCORES

PET OF THE WEEK

Restaurant Address Scores Fairfield Inn and Suites..................... 3570 Breckingridge Blvd., Duluth....................... 70 Taco Mac.......................................... 3543 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Duluth............. 90 Brunswick Zone Lilburn.................... 3835 U.S. Highway 29, Lawrenceville................. 96 Panera Bread.................................... 1905 Scenic Highway, Snellville.......................... 96 Cabo’s Mexican Grill......................... 3421 Ridge Road, Buford................................... 91 Gwinnett County Detention Center... 2900 Ga. Highway 316, Lawrenceville.............. 100 Sonic Drive In................................... 812 Dacula Road, Dacula................................... 91 Johnny’s NY Style Pizza................... 720 Dacula Road, Dacula................................... 87 Sperata No. 9 on Main Street........... No. 9 E. Main St., Buford..................................... 92 Taco Mac.......................................... 3250 Woodward Crossing Blvd., Buford............. 99 Doos Seafood and Deli..................... 4120 Lawrenceville Highway N.W., Lilburn......... 86 Dream Wing III.................................. 490 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn.......................... 87 Flava................................................. 3103 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road, Suwanee.100 Hooch Golf Club............................... 2705 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Duluth............. 91 Bambinelli’s...................................... 4153 Lawrenceville Highway, Lilburn.................. 96 Jen’s New York Deli........................... 875 Oak Road, Lawrenceville............................. 94 Panda............................................... 4024 Lawrenceville Highway, Lilburn.................. 82 Adam’s.............................................. 15 E. Main St., Buford......................................... 82 Lupitas Mexican Restaurant............. 2040 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross..................... 97 Verdi Restaurant............................... 6275 Spalding Drive, Norcross........................... 96 Each week the Gwinnett Daily Post will feature an animal available for adoption at the Georgia SPCA, which is located at 1175 Buford Highway, Suite 109, Suwanee, GA 30024. The hours of operation are Mondays through Fridays 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sundays 1 until 4 p.m. You can see the rest of the adoptable cats and dogs at www.georgiaspca.org.

If you could live forever, would you?

Gidget is a great young dog. She loves everyone that she meets and gives out lots of kisses. Gidget enjoys lots of exercise every day and would do best in a home with at least one other well trained and well balanced dog and older children. She is currently staying with one of our fosters. If you would like to meet Gidget, give Kathy a call at 770-639-1779. Our dog and puppy adoption fees are $250. That includes spay/neuter surgery, disease testing (dogs testing positive for heartworms are treated; however, we do not add that charge to our adoption fee), up-to-date vaccinations, deworming, up-to-date flea/tick and heartworm prevention, a 24Petwatch microchip and 30 days of 24PetWatch pet insurance.

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