FUN AND FOOD, 10C
Duluth fall festival has something for everyone
STUCK AT PORT Vital supplies have trouble reaching Puerto Ricans • Page 6A
Gwinnett Daily Post FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017
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75 cents ©2017 SCNI
Vol. 48, No. 7
Family: Cop paralyzed in crash staying positive BY CAILIN O’BRIEN
cailin.obrien @gwinnettdailypost.com
Cpl. Michael Duncan’s son, Chase Duncan, 12, speaks about his father’s injuries Wednesday. (Staff Photo: Cailin O’Brien)
Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Michael Duncan and his family are facing challenges one day at a time after a helicopter crash earlier this month left the 13-year Gwinnett police veteran paralyzed from the waist down.
HOOPER RENWICK
“He’s doing pretty well. He’s motivated,” said Duncan’s wife, Laura Duncan. Michael “He’s havDuncan ing some setbacks that I think are keeping him from doing all the things he’d like to be
doing already.” Duncan was speaking about her husband’s condition at a press conference Wednesday. She held hands with her 12-year-old son Chase Duncan as she spoke and sometimes exchanged glances with her sister-inlaw, Melissa Smith. She said her husband has been facing his injury with a brave outlook.
“He’s staying real positive. He’s real hopeful but realistic, I think,” Duncan said. “He’s willing to do whatever (the doctors) ask him to do. There’s still a lot of discomfort and some setbacks that are just typical of that injury.” Duncan’s husband was one of two pilots who were
See FAMILY, Page 8A
ELLA’S RUN
Building to be saved; library branch will move to site BY CURT YEOMANS curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com
Gwinnett County’s segregation-era allAfrican-American school building will live to see another day, and to have its story told. Officials from Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County and a Hooper Renwick legacy and preservation committee announced plans Thursday to restore and preserve the original 12-classroom school building. The county will also relocate its Lawrenceville library branch, which also serves as the Gwinnett County Public Libraries headquarters, to the site as an addition to be built by 2021. “We are proud to declare before God all mighty that the demolition ball once assigned to the full dismantling of our beloved Hooper Renwick has, by its own destructive forces, itself been demolished,” Hooper Renwick Preservation Committee Chairwoman Theresa Bailey said during the announcement. The plans for the Hooper Renwick site are part of a $150 million redevelopment of a 32-acre area bordered by Scenic Highway, Jackson Street, Clayton Street and the Lawrenceville Lawn. Lawrenceville is
Above, Jenny Burdette, right, of Dacula and her dogs participate in the annual Ella’s Run 5K and fun run in 2013 at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford. At left, Right to Hike was founded in memory of Meredith Emerson, and Ella’s Run is named after her black lab. (File Photos)
One more run
See SCHOOL, Page 8A
Good Taste Nonprofit to host final 5K to honor late Buford woman Atlanta to highlight local restaurants BY CAILIN O’BRIEN
IF YOU GO
cailin.obrien @gwinnettdailypost.com
BY CURT YEOMANS curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com
Gwinnett County foodies are invited to join the Daily Post next month to try dishes and drinks from local restaurants while finding out how some local chefs prepare meals at their eateries. The newspaper will present the first Good Taste Atlanta: A IF YOU GO Cooking What: Good Taste Showcase Atlanta: A Cooking from 5 to Showcase 9 p.m. Oct. When: 5 to 9 p.m. 19 in Halls Oct. 19 B and C at Where: Infinite Energy the Infinite Forum, 6400 Sugarloaf Energy FoParkway in Duluth rum, 6400 More info: www.goodSugarloaf tasteatlanta.com Parkway in Duluth. The showcase replaces a cooking school event that was held annually at the center and sponsored by the Daily Post but was discontinued by organizer Taste of Home. “It’s going to be dinner, demonstrations and drink tastings,” said Noreen Brantner, director of events at the Daily Post’s parent company, Southern See RESTAURANTS, Page 8A
For the past nine years, Gwinnett County residents and their dogs have come together on a fall day to race in honor of a Buford woman who lost her life hiking in 2008. On Oct. 21, Right to Hike Inc. will host Ella’s Run for the 10th and final time. “We all discussed the milestone of 10 years, and we decided we would like to go out on top and make this year the best event yet,” Right to Hike president Julia Karrenbauer said. “It was a very difficult decision to make, but we thought it was the best for everyone involved.” She said she hopes the community will come out to make this the biggest and best Ella’s Run on record. “Over 1,000 people would definitely be a record crowd,” Karrenbauer said. “So we’re kind of challenging everybody who’s experienced it to bring more family and bring more friends.” Right to Hike Inc. was founded to honor Karrenbauer’s friend and former roommate, Meredith Hope Emerson. Emerson was a University of Georgia alumna who loved
Runners make their way at the start of last year’s Ella’s 5K and Fun Run at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center.
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We all discussed the milestone of 10 years, and we decided we would like to go out on top and make this year the best event yet.” — Julia Karrenbauer, Right to Hike president
exploring the outdoors with her black Lab, Ella. On New Year’s Day 2008, Emerson went missing while hiking in the North Georgia mountains with Ella. She was found murdered several days later in the woods. Right to Hike Inc. formed to honor Emerson’s memory. Soon after her death, the group began planning a 5K at the
Gwnnett Environmental and Heritage Center, where Emerson used to like to walk with Ella. They decided to name the run after Emerson’s beloved dog and to invite runners and walkers to bring their own dogs out for the event. “At the time, there were a lot of 5Ks and runs in the community,” Karrenbauer said. “And we thought, ‘How can we do
What: The 10th and final Ella’s Run Where: The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center at 2020 Clean Water Drive in Buford When: 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 21 Cost: Tickets for an adult to run the 5K cost $25 and tickes to run the 1-mile cost $20. The price will increase after Oct. 1. Kids under 15 can run the 5K for $15 and the 1-mile race for $10. To register: Visit http://bit. ly/2x0hrFd To become a vendor or sponsor: Visit www.ellasrun.org/ellas-run
something different and honor Meredith?’” Over the years, the race has attracted hundreds of Gwinnettians and their dogs. Participants enjoyed the race and a festival afterward, complete with food, raffle items, vendors and a beer garden. Karrenbauer said she always pauses to remember her friend during the day’s festivities. “With all these elements coming together, (Meredith) would have enjoyed it,” Karrenbauer said. “After it was all
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See RUN, Page 8A