About Barrow journal. (Winder, Ga.) 2008-2016 | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2016)
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Barrow Journal www.barrowjournal.com Rarrnw’c I anal Oman Mawcnanar Barrow’s Legal Organ Newspaper VOL. 8 NO. 25 24 PACES 2 SECTIONS, PLUS INSERTS A PUBLICATION OF MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. WINDER, BARROW COUNTY GEORGIA S0680 50« COPY Absentee voting begins for May 24 primary Barrow has several contested races for 2016 By Cliris B ridg'es Journal Editor The May 24 primary election is just around the corner and the Barrow County Elections Office began mail ing absentee ballots last week. In-person early voting will begin Monday, May 2, and continue through Friday, May 20, Elections Supervisor Monica Franklin said. Early voting will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each weekday. There will be in-person early vot ing held on Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The deadline to register to vote in order to take part in the May 24 primary is April 26. There will be several contested races in the upcoming primary, all on the Republican side of the bal lot. Incumbent sheriff Jud Smith faces primary opposition from Tim Walker. County chairman Pat Graham will face challenger Billy Parks, a former member of the board of commis sioners who resigned his seat to run for chairman. This is the first time Graham will face opposition for county chairman as she was unop posed four years ago. Another race which has garnered attention has been for state represen tative. Terry England is facing chal lenger Lucretia Hughes of Winder in a race which has turned rather ugly with the challenger being tied to Joe Newton, a Norcross resident who is distributing flyers concerning England’s supposed stance on vari ous issues. The flyers include England’s home address printed on them and encour ages citizens to go to England’s pri vate residence and voice their opin ions directly to him. The state patrol has had to step in concerning the issue although Newton claims that move is just political intimidation. See Primary on Page 2A Barrow GOP schedules candidate forum May 2 By Chris Bridges Journal Editor Barrow County vot ers will have a chance to hear from the candi dates during an upcom ing forum organized by the Barrow County Republican Party. A candidate forum will be held on Monday, May 2, at the Colleen Williams Theater at the Winder Cultural Arts Center. The forum will be for 18 candidates in nine con tested GOP races for the May 24 primary, Barrow County Republican Party chairman Ken Young said. Each candidate will have three or four min utes to speak. Supporters of candi dates will also be able to obtain signs and other campaign materials at the forum. Barrow Briefs City of Statham plans annual Spring Fest The City of Statham will host its third annual Spring Fest on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For those interested in being a vendor at the event, applications can be picked up at City Hall. Food vendor spaces are $55 or $65 with electrici ty. Craft vendor spaces are available for $30 or $40 with electricity. For more information on reserving vendor space or about this year’s City of Statham Spring Fest, contact Randy Gordon at randygordon@cityof- statham.com. Inside: Index: Church News 10A Classifieds 8-9 A Legals 5-10B Obituaries 11A Opinion 4A Op-Ed 5A Pets of the Week 10A Public Safety 6-7A School News 11 B Sports 1-4B.12B Contact Info: Phone: 770-867-6397 Mail: 77 E. May Street, Winder, Ga. 30680 Fax: 706-621-4115 ‘Like us’ on Facebook www.barrowjournal.com Shm to Skwl in Mm Saturday outing The 7th annual Sheep to Shawl drew a crowd of vistors to Robert Bridges Park in Statham Saturday. (Top, left) Mark Davis, Blacksmith, made crosses for children while (top, right) Lucy Ramirez, 5,held a week old La Mancha goat. (Bottom, left) Abel Hernandez, 2, was all smiles on a rocking horse. Various items (bottom center, right) were also available for pur chase. See page 2A for more coverage. Photos by Wesleigh Sagon JI Mailing Label Below Former Auburn policeman charged with extortion after sting operation Winder woman’s body found in Lake Lanier Former Auburn Police Department Cpl. Charles Hubbard was arrested last week by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Hubbard, 51, who resides in Loganville, is facing charges of conspir acy to commit extortion. He was arrest ed earlier April 4 during a sting opera tion in DeKalb County. Hubbard alled- gely pulled over a confidential source posing as a drug dealer in a bogus traffic stop and then took $40,000. Hubbard is accused of seizing drugs and cash for an Atlanta-based drug traf ficking and robbery operation. Investigators said Hubbard illegally took $40,000 from a confidential infor mant who was posing as a drug dealer. Agents from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force Group 2 out of the DEA’s Atlanta Field Division arrested Hubbard April 4 at a shopping complex off Chamblee Tucker Road. "We are disappointed and, frankly, heartbroken to learn that someone who had sworn to serve and protect our com munity — and who had gained our trust and appreciation — now stands accused of being involved in this alleged crime. We will cooperate fully with the fed eral investigation,’’ said Auburn mayor Linda Blechinger in a released state ment. The Auburn mayor said she could not offer additional comment. Hubbard has been with the APD for six years and was terminated soon after his arrest. "I want to assure our citizens that the City of Auburn and the Auburn Police Department are committed to serving our community with integrity, honesty, fairness and compassion,’’ the mayor said. "We ask our community to continue to stand with us during this trying time,” A Winder woman’s body was found in Lake Lanier on April 3. The Hall County Sheriff's Office announced Friday that the body recovered from the lake was missing 18-year-old Estelle Kouassi, from Winder. Kouassi was an Apalachee High School student, but trans ferred out of the Barrow County School System in October. She had been missing since March 3. Investigators say the description of Kouassi matched the recovered body and later confirmed her identity through medical and dental records. No trauma was found on the body. The medical examiner has not determined the cause of death. Investigators say foul play is not suspected. Barrow’s Basketball Best... 2015-2016 All-Area boys basketball team is featured on page 4B
