The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office said it is sending its condolences to the family of Tyre Nichols and will recognize the right of Gwinnettians who chose to peacefully protest — but it insists the events that led to Nichols death in Memphis, Tenn., do not represent all law enforcement.
The sheriff’s office issued a statement on Friday night after Memphis police released body cam videos showing police officers kicking, beating and pepper spraying Nichols during a traffic stop on January 7. Nichols later died from his injuries and five Memphis police officers were fired for their roles in the incident, and then charged with second-degree murder this past week.
“The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office is saddened by the tragedy that resulted in the death of Mr. Tyre Nichols,” Gwinnett Sheriff’s Office officials said in a statement. “We send our heartfelt prayers and sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and close associates of Mr. Nichols.
“The actions that occurred on January 7 are unacceptable and do not reflect law enforcement standards and procedures. Although this incident took place in another state, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office acknowledges the hurt, anger, and distress it has caused.” The release of the videos Friday night had law enforcement across the nation preparing to face protests over the Memphis police officer’s treatment of Nichols, but also concerned that the protests could turn violent. Nichols family has urged people upset over his death to only protest peacefully.
Half of the Gas South District — including its ballroom — was closed in 2022 because of a major renovation. But the convention facility still managed to have its best year financially in its three-decade history, according to officials at the center.
The Gwinnett County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors received an update on the Gas South District’s 2022 financial situation as well as event attendance this past Wednesday. What they heard from Jennifer Silas, who is the center’s executive director of finances, is that net revenues hit an all-time high last year.
Even if grant funding that the Gas South District had received during the pandemic was taken out of the equation, the center’s revenues last year would still be one of its best years financially in its history.
The Gas South District, which is set to open the newly renovated portion of its building on Wednesday, had net revenues of nearly $5.1 million last year.
The Gas South District brought in $8.3 million from event revenues and nearly $6.8 million in other operating revenues, for a total of nearly $15.1 million in gross income. When the center’s officials were budgeting for 2022, by comparison, they only planned to bring in $9.6 million last year.
On the expense side, the Gas South District had $10 million in expenses last year.
And, that was with only half of the Gas South District being open to the public while the other half, including the ballroom, was stripped down to its skeleton and rebuilt. The renovated portion of the center is set to reopen to the public with a grand opening celebration this week. The first events in the renovated ballroom are set to take place on Thursday and Friday.
Meadowcreek junior Champ Thompson committed Saturday to the Clemson University football program.
The 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive lineman is a four-star recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings, which have him as the Number 34 player in Georgia and the No. 241 player nationally. He was a second-team all-county and first-team all-region selection last season for Meadowcreek’s state playoff team. He had 38 tackles (seven for losses) and three sacks.
He is the son of former Atlanta Falcons lineman Michael Thompson. He joins a Tigers program that has several sons of NFL players, including former Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson’s son, Jamal Anderson Junior, who will be a freshman linebacker this season at Clemson after a stellar career at Mill Creek.
State Senator Nikki Merritt of Grayson, will lead the Gwinnett County Senate Delegation for the next two years while two freshmen state senators will join her on the delegation’s executive board.
The county’s Senate delegation elected its executive board on Wednesday. Merritt will serve as the chairwoman while state Senator Nabilah Islam from Lawrenceville, and Shawn Still, from Norcross, will serve as the vice-chairwoman and secretary respectively. In addition to Merritt, Islam and Still, the other members of Gwinnett’s Senate delegation include Senators Kim Jackson, from Stone Mountain; Clint Dixon from Buford; Gloria Butler, also of Stone Mountain; Bill Cowsert, from Athens; and Sheikh Rahman, from Lawrenceville.
Mountain View’s wrestling team won the North Metro Invitational at Brookwood on Saturday.
The Bears finished with a 131 points to finish ahead of runner-up Lassiter’s 123.5 and third-place Marietta’s 114.5. They also won the junior varsity division.
Ryan Rodgers and C.J. Beckford-Duffus were Mountain View’s weight class champions, while Dylan Martin, Anderson Kesinger and Lex Hennebaul had second-place finishes. Gilbert Balbuena of Brookwood was the 120 champion, Dacula’s Ethan Ross took first at 126 and Parkview’s Antoine Glasgow won at 138.
A couple known for their philanthropy will be recognized by the Gwinnett County Public Library System in March for their efforts to support libraries and the broader community.
Clyde and Sandra Strickland have been named Public Library Champions as part of the 2022 Georgia Public Library Awards. The Gwinnett library system said it will hold a celebration at 11 a.m. on March 21 at the Duluth library branch to honor the couple.
"The Stricklands are huge advocates for the library system," Gwinnett County Public Library Director of Development and Community Partnerships Jason DiFranco said. "Their focus is advancing education and literacy, so it has always been a perfect marriage for us.
Clyde Strickland founded Metro Waterproofing, which serves the construction industry in the southeast, and the couple has, among other things, been big supporters of Northside Hospital Gwinnett, where the heart center is named in their honor.
Library system officials said the couple has:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
