The Sports Pig

Gwinnett Technical College held a record-breaking graduation ceremony, awarding over 600 degrees, diplomas, and certificates to its Class of 2023. Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial hardships and familial responsibilities, the graduates demonstrated resilience and perseverance. Keynote Speaker Bob Mackey, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Georgia, encouraged graduates to take the necessary steps to achieve their personalized success, regardless of the size of each step. While some graduates will immediately enter the workforce, Gwinnett Tech also highlighted its transfer agreements with other higher learning institutions across Georgia, allowing students to pursue further education. Gwinnett Tech offers 21 programs with industry-specific accreditations and boasts accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Henssler Financial www.hensslerkennesaw.comEngineered Solutions of Georgia www.esogrepair.com

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GDP Script/ Top Stories for Friday May 12th

Publish Date: May 11th Thursday

From the Henssler Financial Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast

Today is Friday May 12th , and happy 86th birthday to the late, great comic George Carlin

***George****

I’m Bruce Jenkins and here are your top stories presented by Peggy Slappey Properties

We’ll have all this and more on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast.

 Commercial  Peggy

Story 1. Shooting

On Wednesday afternoon, a shooting occurred at a shopping center in Norcross, resulting in the death of one man and the arrest of the suspected shooter. Norcross police were called to the scene and found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect was apprehended nearby, but details about the suspect and victim have not been released due to the ongoing investigation. Officer Jonathan Reyes stated that the police are still determining what led up to the argument that resulted in the shooting.

STORY 2:  Margaritaville

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, a popular resort on Lake Lanier, has announced that visitors will no longer be allowed to swim in its portion of the lake, except for a "controlled environment." The move is aimed at maintaining a safe environment for all guests and will allow the park to focus on other parts of the water park to offer a better overall experience for visitors. The beach area will remain open for lounging and relaxing. However, a fence has been installed along the shoreline to prevent visitors from trying to swim in the lake. Margaritaville officials have also highlighted some of the park's new offerings for this summer, including the Aquatic Adventure and the opening of the new Parrot Mountain summer tubing slide.

Story 3: Crime

Lawrenceville officials released their 2022 crime stats, revealing that crimes against persons, including homicides, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults, decreased by nearly 29.2% from 2019, the year before the pandemic began. The number of crimes against persons was 68 in 2022, staying level with 2021's stats. Crimes against property, including burglary, arson, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, also decreased in 2022 with 693 incidents, compared to 759 in 2019. Lawrenceville Police Chief John Mullin attributed the decrease to the dedication of the city's officers and pledged to maintain a safe community. Lawrenceville Mayor David Still celebrated the overall reduction in crime…..we’ll have more community news after this.

Commercial  M.O.G. CDJ

Commercial  Tom Wages - then Obits

Time for the Gwinnett Sports report, presented by Tom Wages Funeral home. Here’s Community Reporter Brian Giffin with Daily Post Sportswriter Will Hammock:

****Report*****

(I’ll send to break at end of zoom visit)

Commercial: Lawrenceville -Ingles 3

STORY 4:Annandale

Annandale Village's 3rd Annual Golf Tournament raised almost $200,000 for the non-profit organisation that provides progressive life assistance for adults with developmental disabilities or acquired brain injuries. The event was held on May 1 at The Country Club of the South in Johns Creek, and honored Cheryl DeLuca-Johnson, who is a family member of Annandale and has devoted her career and philanthropy to giving back to the community. The funds raised will help the organisation provide high-standard care and support to the individuals and their families. The next event scheduled by Annandale Village is the Extra Mile 5K Walk/Run on Aug. 26 at Suwanee Town Center Park.

Story 5: Fairview

Fairview Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceville is gearing up to celebrate its 200th anniversary in August. As part of its celebrations, the church will partner with the Lawrenceville Co-Op Ministry on May 20 to host a food drive for the needy in the area. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the church will provide a free lunch for participants who bring canned goods or toiletries to fill the co-op's truck. Founded in 1995, the Lawrenceville Co-Op Ministry provides emergency groceries for families and individuals in need throughout Lawrenceville and Dacula. The church has collaborated with the co-op many times through the years…..back in a moment

Commercial: GCPS Connect

Story 6: Multicultural

Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth is hosting a multicultural festival on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will showcase the cultural diversity of the county and will include traditional performances, face painting, bounce houses, obstacle courses, and car seat checks. Additionally, the festival will serve as a county government open house where guests can meet county employees and learn about available services and programs. A naturalization ceremony will also take place to welcome the county's newest citizens. For more information, visit GwinnettCounty.com/MulticulturalFestival.

Story 7: Aviation unit

Gwinnett County police’s Aviation Unit discovered a man trying to break into a U-Haul storage facility near Sugar Hill and Buford while on routine patrol. Video footage from the AIR 1 helicopter shows the suspect, Deyonte Joseph, attempting to gain access to the facility before climbing over the fence and opening the driver's door of a parked U-Haul truck. The helicopter crew radioed officers on the ground, who pursued and tased Joseph after a brief foot chase. He was then arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, obstruction, loitering and prowling, and two counts of Schedule 1 drug possession.

We’ll be back in a minute.

Henssler 60

Thanks again for listening to today’s Gwinnett Daily Post podcast. Giving you important news about your community and telling great stories are what we do. Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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Ingles Markets www.ingles-markets.com

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Snellville residents will soon have access to new transportation options as part of a major expansion of Gwinnett County's transit system, Ride Gwinnett. A new local route, Route 70, will connect downtown Snellville with the Indian Creek MARTA station in DeKalb County and will cost $2.50 per trip. In addition, a new microtransit zone will begin service in August, allowing residents to use a shared-ride, on-demand transit service for $3 per ride. The microtransit zone was tested in Snellville in 2019 and proved successful, leading to its expansion as a permanent service. The expansion of transit service will also include more locations in southwest Gwinnett and an additional microtransit zone in the Lawrenceville area.
Presented by Engineered Solutions of Georgia www.esogrepair.com andHenssler Financial www.hensslerkennesaw.com

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GDP Script/ Top Stories for Tuesday May 10th

Publish Date: May 9 Tuesday

From the Henssler Financial Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast

Today is Tuesday My 9th , and happy 68th birthday to espn’s Chris Berman

***Back Back Back GONE****

I’m Bruce Jenkins and here are your top stories presented by Mall of Georgia Chrysler Dodge Jeep

We’ll have all this and more on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast.

 Commercial  M.O.G.

Story 1. Gun

Four Gwinnett County lawmakers, all Democrats, are urging Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to call a special session of the Georgia General Assembly to address gun violence. The call for a special session comes after recent mass shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, and Moultrie, Georgia, and a mall in Texas. The lawmakers wrote in a letter that gun violence has become a public safety crisis and that it is time for the General Assembly to address the issue. They requested the governor immediately call the session to discuss firearm-related public safety. The Georgia House Democratic Caucus announced legislators will hold a press conference on Wednesday morning to reiterate the call for a special session. 

STORY 2:  Arrest

A juvenile has been arrested by Snellville police in connection with a shooting that occurred near South Gwinnett High School last week. The suspect has been charged with aggravated assault, but their name has not been released because they are a minor. The shooting took place during an alleged drug deal, and an 18-year-old was shot in the leg. As a result, nearby schools, including South Gwinnett High School, went on a soft lockdown for a few hours. Law enforcement has not provided any additional information about the case due to the ongoing prosecution. 

Story 3: GGC

Dr. Jann Joseph, the President of Georgia Gwinnett College, recently discussed the state of the college in an interview with the Gwinnett Daily Post. She spoke about the importance of the upcoming Convocation Center, the school's relationship with Lawrenceville, and the possibility of adding more sports teams. Dr. Joseph emphasized the need to establish the college within the community and to communicate its success to the public. She also discussed the strong bond between the college and the city of Lawrenceville and the significance of the recently named Grizzly Parkway, which connects GGC to the city. Please check out Gwinnettdailypost.com for more.

Commercial  Peggy Slappey

Commercial  Tom Wages - then Obits

STORY 4:Wallet

Gwinnett County police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying a suspect accused of stealing a wallet with two bank cards from a car parked at a QuikTrip store near Buford. The man allegedly used the victim's credit cards to purchase a sandwich and other items from an American Deli, as well as at a gas station and Walmart. Surveillance footage from the American Deli showed the suspect to be a slim-built Black male wearing a white hoody and black or blue gym shorts. Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact detectives or Atlanta Crime Stoppers, where tipsters can remain anonymous and may receive a cash reward.

Story 5: Lights

Gwinnett County and the Sugarloaf Community Improvement District will partner to upgrade the lighting system under the Interstate 85 bridge at Sugarloaf Parkway. The current incandescent lighting system, installed in 1997, will be replaced with energy-efficient LED lighting. The project is expected to cost $195,000, with the county contributing $165,000 from 2017 special purpose local option sales tax funds and the Sugarloaf CID contributing the remaining $30,000. The upgrade is aimed at improving lighting and energy efficiency for drivers passing under the bridge.

Commercial: Lawrenceville -Ingles 2

“Here’s Leah McGrath with Ingles Markets joining me to talk meat allergies:”

Leah piece

“Back with more in a moment”

Commercial:  GCPS connect

Story 6: Bones

The Gwinnett Medical Examiner's Office and DNA testing laboratory Othram Inc. are working together to solve a 25-year-old mystery surrounding two sets of bones, believed to belong to a teenager and an infant, found in Norcross. The bones were found in boxes at the intersection of Buford Highway and Weaver Way in 1998. Officials hope genealogical testing will provide answers to the identity of the children and how they died. The bones were exhumed legally from south Georgia, but it is not known where they were being transported. The tools found with the remains indicate the children likely died between 1900 and 1940.

Story 7: Wrestling

Jim Gassman has been approved as the new varsity wrestling coach at Jackson County High School in Georgia, USA. He will replace current coach Jason Powers who will be stepping away from the program. Gassman is currently the head wrestling coach at Mountain View High School and has coached 45 wrestlers who have become state placers and six who have won state championships. He started the Mountain View program in 2009 and helped lead the Bears to 275 dual victories, 53 regional dual wins, 11 region championships, three Gwinnett County Tournament championships, and eight state championship trophies.

We’ll be back in a minute.

Henssler 60

Thanks again for listening to today’s Gwinnett Daily Post podcast. Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks to Henssler Financial www.hensslerkennesaw.com

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Peggy Slappey Properties www.psponline.com

Tom Wages Funeral Home www.wagesfuneralhome.com

City of Lawrenceville www.lawrencevillega.org 

Gwinnett County Public Schools www.gcpsk12.org 

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GDP Script/ Top Stories for Tuesday May 9th
Publish Date: May 8 Monday
From the Henssler Financial Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast
Today is Tuesday My 9th , and happy 73rd birthday to the Piano Man, Billy Joel
***Audio Piano Man
I’m Bruce Jenkins and here are your top stories presented by Peggy Slappey Properties
1. Mistrial declared for man accused of killing teen and leaving body at Yellow River Park
2. Gwinnett police arrest second suspect in November 2022 murder in unincorporated
Norcross
3. And a Braselton man charged with murdering parents
We’ll have all this and more on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast.
 Commercial Slappey Properties
Story 1. Mistrial
The Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office is weighing its options after a mistrial was declared for most of the
charges against Austin Ford, a man accused of killing 18-year-old Tori Lang and leaving her body in Yellow River Park in
2019. While Ford was found guilty on three of the eight felony charges against him, including concealing the death of
another and two counts of theft by taking, the jury could not reach a verdict on the remaining five charges, including
felony murder. Prosecutors will consult with Lang's family before deciding whether to seek a new trial.
STORY 2: Second arrest
A second suspect, Brian Sanchez Duarte, 30, was arrested on May 5 in connection with the November 2021 murder of
Alinton Joel Riveria-Zuniga, 22, who was shot on Estates Court in unincorporated Norcross and later died from his
injuries. Another suspect, Lawrenceville resident Jose Caraballo, 29, was arrested in January in connection with the
murder. Duarte is facing felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm charges, while Caraballo is
facing felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm charges. Anyone with
information is asked to call detectives at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.
Story 3: Murder
A man from Braselton has been charged with two counts of murder for allegedly killing his parents. The Hall
County Sheriff's Office said Daniel Edward Rawlins, 39, is accused of killing his parents, Leanette Rawlins, 66, and
William Rawlins, 67, at their home. When deputies arrived at the home, they found the husband and wife
unresponsive. The cause of death for the couple has not yet been released. Deputies used Flock cameras to find
Rawlins' car and ultimately tracked him to a hotel where he was arrested without incident. The motive for the
killings is still unknown.
Commercial MOG
Commercial Tom Wages - then Obits
STORY 4:Judge
Tuwanda Rush Williams, the deputy county attorney in Gwinnett County, Georgia, has announced her candidacy
for an open Superior Court judge's seat in 2024. Williams will run for the seat currently held by Gwinnett Superior
Court Judge Karen Beyers, who will not seek re-election. Williams, who joined the county's law department in
2005, will step down from her position on May 17 to run for the office. She has been praised for her work as an
attorney and community leader. Her campaign is centered on temperance, transparency, and trust, aiming to
ensure Gwinnett County remains the best place in Georgia to live, work, and raise families.

Story 5: Glass recycling
 
Gwinnett County officials have accepted a $175,110 grant from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to
open 10 new glass recycling sites across the county. The grant will expand the county’s glass recycling program and
help to achieve the Board of Commissioners’ Strategic Priority of Sustainability and Stewardship. The county will
provide $135,000 as a local match for the grant. The 10 new sites are expected to raise the amount of glass
collected for recycling to at least 70 tons. County officials plan to open one new drop-off site every other month
through the end of 2024, and educational campaigns will reach 60,000 contacts by the same time. We’ll be right
back
Commercial: ESOG – Ingles 1
Story 6: Patagonia
Gwinnett County police are asking for the public's help in identifying two women who allegedly stole an unknown
number of Patagonia T-shirts valued at $3,500 from Palmetto Moon at the Mall of Georgia. The pair was caught on
surveillance camera concealing the merchandise and leaving the store late last week. The suspects are described
as Black females, possibly in their early 20s. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police or Atlanta
Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment, and
tipsters can remain anonymous.
Story 7: Parks and Rec
Gwinnett County's parks department is one of four finalists for the American Academy for Park and Recreation
Administration and National Recreation and Park Association's Gold Medal in the Class I category, which includes
parks departments that serve more than 400,000 residents. The Gold Medal is the highest award a parks
department can receive. Gwinnett has been a Gold Medal finalist five times and won the award once. In addition,
the City of Douglasville Parks and Recreation is a Gold Medal finalist in Class IV, which includes departments that
serve 30,001 to 75,000 residents. The winners will be announced at the National Recreation and Park Association
conference in October.
Story 8: Collins
Diana Collins led the Brookwood Broncos to their first-ever state championship in girls' basketball with a 31-3
record. She was named The Daily Post's Girls Basketball Player of the Year, and her career total of 2,140 points set
a school record, breaking the previous mark of 1,735 held since 1985. Collins had set her sights on taking the team
to another level when she first joined, and she accomplished that goal over the past four seasons. Coach Courtney
Mincy praised her work ethic, tenacity, and competitive drive, and Collins will be studying biomedical engineering
at Ohio State while also playing for Sweden's basketball team.
We’re back in a moment
Henssler 60
Thanks again for listening to today’s Gwinnett Daily Post podcast. Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to
podcasts weekly? Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media
with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like,
follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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Peggy Slappey Properties www.psponline.com  

Mall of Georgia Chrysler Dodge Jeep www.mallofgeorgiachryslerdodgejeep.com

Engineered Solutions of Georgia www.esogrepair.com 

Ingles Markets www.ingles-markets.com 

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Gwinnett Daily Post News Minute is presented by Engineered Solutions of Georgia. Thans to our sponsors, www.esogrepair.com and Henssler Financial www.hensslerkennesaw.com 

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We’ll have all this and more on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast.

 Commercial  M.O.G.

Story 1. GGC

Georgia Gwinnett College held its Inaugural African American Male Initiative Summit to increase retention and graduation rates among African American males, who have historically faced challenges. The summit, sponsored by GGC’s AAMI-Elite Scholars program, provided a forum for the students to share experiences and discuss positive solutions. Workshops and breakout sessions focused on various topics, including wellness and emotional intelligence, aligned with AAMI's mission to provide an integrated program model of academic, leadership, and life skills. AAMI has impacted GGC students as 91% of participants who started the program in fall 2021 returned in fall 2022.

STORY 2: Stroke

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and it's important to understand the signs and risk factors for stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, with more than 795,000 people in the U.S. having a stroke each year. A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, causing brain cells to die. The acronym FAST can help recognize the signs of stroke: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911. Risk factors for stroke include age, race or ethnicity, and sex, with people over 55, African Americans, Hispanics, and men having a higher risk.

Story 3: Movers and Shakers

Partnership Gwinnett hosted the 12th annual Movers and Makers Awards on Thursday to recognize the most innovative and impactful advanced manufacturing and supply chain management companies in Gwinnett County. The event featured John J. Bolla, President of UPS Healthcare, as keynote speaker. The advanced manufacturing and supply chain management industries represent nearly 11% of all industry in Gwinnett County. The awards were given to companies based on their impact, service, community involvement, educational partnerships, workforce development, customer service, economic impact, and innovative products or services. The companies awarded were Garrard Group, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US, Skipper Logistics, Eclipse Gaming Systems, ePac Atlanta, AdEdge, and Price Industries……we’re back in a moment

Commercial  Peggy Slappey

Commercial  Tom Wages - Obits

STORY 4:Art

The Norcross Gallery and Studios in Georgia is currently hosting an exhibition titled “Georgia Spring,” featuring the works of five artists. One artist, Anne Emerson Hall, has a trilogy of large portraits that depict a young woman in the spring of her life. The model for the paintings, Kristin Costa, is a talented artist herself who created the bird mask, bird wings and corsets that are featured in the paintings. Other artworks on display include Jean Baldwin’s “Bellingrath Gardens,” William Grewe Mullins’ “Change in the Cushions,” Kathy Collins’ “Gallery Garden” and Lucy Brady’s “Cumberland Island.” Additionally, Norcross Gallery is offering various art classes, open studio sessions and workshops, including one with award-winning landscape painter Bill Davidson.

Story 5: Boys Lacrosse

In the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state boys lacrosse playoffs, Wesleyan staged a stunning comeback against Fellowship Christian with a 13-12 victory. The Wolves trailed 12-8 with four minutes remaining before scoring four decisive goals in the waning moments of regulation. Broder Conley scored the game-winning goal in overtime, capping off an "insanely epic game," according to Wesleyan head coach Connor Breslin. The victory sends Wesleyan to the Final Four, where they will host Westminster

. Conley scored four goals, while Jameson Meyer, Nick Schaller, Lawson Jones and Carter Fears also scored during the comeback. Wesleyan improves to 17-1 on the season.

Commercial:  Ingles – City of Lawrenceville

Story 6: Girls Lacrosse

The Brookwood girls lacrosse team was eliminated from the state playoffs after an 18-7 loss to Walton in the Elite Eight. Despite the loss, Brookwood won the Area 1-AAAAAAA title this season, and retiring head coach Dawn Thomas praised her players. Triniti Cassidy scored four goals, while Alexis Scoggins and Zoe Calendine also contributed in the attack, along with Hannah-Sophia Suarez. Senior Leah Brown had 118 goals, 37 assists, and 155 points in the past four seasons. Goalie Jaxynn Cogwell had a season-high 14 saves against Walton, supported by the defense of Ashley Stidham, Neema Desamu-Thorpe, Taylor Jones, Damilola Kasumu, and Janiyah Hanna.

We’ll be right back

 Henssler 60

Thanks again for listening to today’s Gwinnett Daily Post podcast. Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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Partnership Gwinnett held its 12th annual Movers and Makers Awards on Thursday, which recognizes innovative and impactful advanced manufacturing and supply chain management companies in Gwinnett County. The event featured UPS Healthcare President John J. Bolla as keynote speaker, and the awards recognized companies in various categories such as Most Valuable Provider, Corporate Citizen, Supply Chain Pioneer, and Manufacturer of the Year. The winners included Garrard Group, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US, Skipper Logistics, Eclipse Gaming Systems, ePac Atlanta, AdEdge, and Price Industries. Gwinnett County has nearly 11% of all industry in advanced manufacturing and supply chain management, with over 4,700 companies and 80,000 employees.

Thanks to our sponsors, Henssler Financial www.hensslerkennesaw.com and Engineered Solutions of Georgia www.esogrepair.com  

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Lawrenceville resident awarded 'Into the Fields' internship

Lea Dulcio, a Mercer University senior from Lawrenceville, has been awarded the “Into the Fields” summer internship from Student Action with Farmworkers. The 10-week internship program offers 25 college students the opportunity to work directly with farmworkers in the Carolinas. Dulcio, a global health studies and Spanish double-major, will work at a rural health clinic, where her responsibilities will include translating and interpreting between English and Spanish, conducting surveys and research studies with farmworkers and providing health education. The internship comes with a $4,250 stipend, rent-free housing, room and board, and mentorship. The organization reaches more than 5,000 farmworkers and their families each summer.

Mountain View High grad launches film career with internship on 'Creed III

'Raine Harkins developed a love for film production at a young age, but his path to the industry was not linear. After a year off to reevaluate his options, he enrolled at Georgia State University to pursue a bachelor of fine arts in film while also taking courses from the Georgia Film Academy (GFA). By 2022, he had completed an internship on the set of “Creed III” and achieved his professional Film and Television Production Certification from GFA. Harkins has since landed positions on reshoots of “Shazam II,” “Blue Beetle,” and Marvel Studios’ “Echo.” With hopes to one day write, film and direct his own productions, Harkins is focused on moving up in the electrical department.

Berkmar High School grad serves as member of U.S. Navy Medicine Force

Lt.  Sarah Stalsworth, a health care administrator from Lawrenceville, is a part of Navy Medicine, a team of 44,000 military and civilian health care professionals. She helps medical forces meet readiness, training and operational requirements across a spectrum of military operations at Naval Medical Forces Atlantic. The Navy provides medical support in the water, on land and in the air for the warfighter. Stalsworth joined the Navy seven years ago because she wanted to serve her country and see what was out there. Commissioning as an officer after six years of enlisted service has been her proudest achievement so far.

Shiloh High School teacher earns Career and Technical Education state award

Cenise Smith, a teacher at Shiloh High School, has been named as the Georgia Marketing Education Association’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. The award is nominated-based and votes are submitted by association members. Nominees are rated based on their achievement and innovations, and consideration is given to their contributions to the Career and Technical Education community. The Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education (GACTE), a state affiliate of the Association for Career and Technical Education, encourages and organizes teachers to speak in a collective voice in an effort to influence issues and policies that impact career, technical and agricultural education. Smith was praised for her devotion to her students and ability to connect, encourage and grow them.

Best-selling author of the Percy Jackson series coming to Gwinnett to discuss new book

Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro will discuss their new book collaboration, “The Sun and The Star,” at an event hosted by the Gwinnett County Public Library and Decatur’s Brave + Kind Bookshop. The event will take place on May 4th at Gas South’s Convention Exhibit Hall A. Tickets are $25 and come with a signed copy of the book. “The Sun and The Star” is about two demigods who embark on an adventure to rescue an old friend. Both characters are popular figures from Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series. Riordan is a former middle school English and history teacher and the publisher of Rick Riordan Presents. Oshiro is an award-winning young-adult novelist who resides in Atlanta.

Wesleyan defeats Mount Pisgah in girls lacrosse quarterfinals

Wesleyan defeated Mount Pisgah 20-8 in the Class 5A state girls lacrosse playoffs, advancing to the Final Four. The Wolves, with a 12-4-1 record, will host a semifinal matchup against the winner of Mount Paran and Westminster. Mount Pisgah finishes their season at 15-4.

Grayson's Gicarri Harris shines in Final Four run 

Gicarri Harris led the Grayson boys basketball team to the Class AAAAAAA Final Four with his impressive skills and leadership. Harris averaged 17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game, and earned Daily Post Player of the Year honors. Despite picking up his fourth foul in the third quarter, Harris still led his team with 15 points in their loss to the eventual state champion. With a talented returning core, Grayson will rely on Harris to take them even further next season. Harris has shown great improvement every year and his coach describes him as a player who always plays to win.

Thanks to our sponsors Henssler Financial www.hensslerkennesaw.com  Peggy Slappey Properties www.psponline.com  Mall of Georgia Chrysler Dodge Jeep www.mallofgeorgiachryslerdodgejeep.com  Tom Wages Funeral Home  www.wagesfuneralhome.com  City of Lawrenceville www.lawrencevillega.org Gwinnett County Public Schools www.gcpsk12.org 

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Gwinnett County has appointed Rebecca Shelton as the new permanent director of the Department of Water Resources, and Matthew Dickison as the new director of the Department of Planning and Development. Shelton had been serving as the acting director of the Department of Water Resources, replacing Tyler Richards who retired last year. Shelton was recognized for her achievements while acting director, including receiving the Platinum Peak Performance Award and the Platinum Distribution Excellence Award for the department, and helping the county win the title of Best Tasting Water in the State. Meanwhile, Dickison has replaced Susan Canon, who retired from the planning and development director position at the end of April. County Administrator Glenn Stephens said Shelton has performed well in her various roles, while Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson praised Shelton's expertise in water issues. Thanks to our sponsors Henssler Financial and Engineered Solutions of Georgia!

www.esogrepair.com   www.hensslerkennesaw.com 

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