Newspaper Page Text
Serving Braselton, Hoschton, Chateau Elan, Traditions, Reunion, Deaton Creek and West Jackson 500 copy
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Vol. 10 No. 26 A publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. www.BraseltonNewsTODAY.com 16 pages, 2 sections
Two killed in motorcycle accidents
By Alex Pace
Two people were killed this week follow
ing separate motorcycle accidents in the
Braselton area.
ROAD ATLANTA ACCIDENT
In the first crash, a long time volunteer at
Road Atlanta was killed during a race on
Saturday afternoon while trying to get to
an injured driver.
Hazel Harrell, 60, who was working as a
comer judge at the WERA Cycle Jam, was
struck and killed by a motorcycle.
Harrell was crossing the track trying to
get to a driver who went down and was
injured in the turn, according to the Hall
County Sheriff’s Office, The track was
under a yellow flag advisory and moving
to a red flag advisory.
“A witness said that it appeared that the
victim either stumbled and fell or possibly
twisted an ankle while crossing the track,”
HCSO's Stephen Wilbanks wrote. “One
motorcycle was able to swerve and avoid
her, but the rider immediately behind that
one was unable to see her until the first bike
took evasive action. There wasn’t enough
time for that rider to react, and that bike is
the one that shuck the victim.”
No charges are expected.
Harrell stopped breathing after paramed
ics arrived. She was transported to North
east Georgia Medical Center Braselton.
Kelsi Nilsson, manager of PR and mar
keting at Road Atlanta, described it as a
“terrible tragedy.”
“We at Road Atlanta are devastated to
confirm the passing of one of our own.
Hazel Harrell, this weekend,” the racing
venue released in a statement. “A member
of the Road Atlanta family for nearly two
decades, we will miss her sorely. Our deep
est condolences go out to her family and
friends and the entire racing community
that knew and loved her.”
Harrell was a familiar face at Turn 7 at
Road Atlanta, where she was a long time
volunteer.
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing repre
sentatives described Harrell as “one of the
good people in the sport of roadracing,
both cars and bikes.”
“Our racing family lost a truly wonderful
person this weekend.” WERA representa
tives wrote on social media. “Hazel was
working her comer at Road Atlanta (T7)
when she lost her life. We’re all absolutely
gutted and in shock. Our thoughts and
prayers are with all her many friends and
family.”
Condolences have poured in on Har
rell’s Facebook page as friends, racers
and coworkers reflect on Harrell’s years at
Road Atlanta where she was known as the
“Turn 7 Girl.”
“Turn 7 will never be the same,” one
person wrote.
A GoFundMe account has been creat
ed to help with funeral expenses, raising
over $26,000 in less than 24 hours. For
more information, visit gofundme.com/
hazel-harrell.
A memorial event is reportedly planned
for Harrell at Road Atlanta on June 24.
HWY. 347 ACCIDENT
In the second crash, a 70-year-old Duluth
man was killed in a motorcycle wreck in
South Hall. Charges have since been filed
against the other driver.
William Frey was driving on Hwy. 347
Sunday evening when a 2002 Ford Ranger
driven by Michael Jesperson, 63, of Law-
renceville, failed to yield when turning left
into a private driveway.
Frey’s motorcycle struck Jesperson’s
Ranger and he was ejected. Frey died in
the accident.
Jesperson was booked into the Hall
County Jail around 11:20 p.m. on Sun
day. He’s charged with driving under the
influence, failure to yield and vehicular
homicide.
Hoschton plans summer
concert for June 17
The City of Hoschton will host a free summer concert
on Saturday, June 17, from 7-10 p.m. in downtown.
Moonshine Serenade and Wild Hares will be perform
ing in this “Jimmy Buffett style” concert.
Other highlights include a bouncy house, food vendors
and beer and wine vendors.
Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Brevet ride coming up
Jackson County Brevet plans its eighth annual Charity
Bike Ride on Saturday, June 17, in Braselton. The ride
begins at 7:30 a.m.
Registration is $55 through June 11 and $65 from June
12-17. Same day registration (if not sold out by June 17)
and pre-registration check-in is open from 6-7 a.m.
Various rest stops with food and drink will be set up
along the ride (every 18 miles on average) with SAG
vehicles on all routes.
The event will benefit Aplastic Anemia research in the
United States.
Aplastic Anemia is a rare, deadly condition in which the
bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells: red blood
cells, white blood cells and platelets. The disease can
strike people of any age, race and gender, although more
common among children and teenagers. Between 300 and
600 people are diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia each year
in the United States.
“We are committed to affecting a change in treatment
for those fighting as well as those yet to be diagnosed,”
said Chris Ouimet, ride director of the Jackson County
Brevet. “We will continue to raise funds to donate to
research being conducted locally where an unprecedented
.90 of every dollar goes directly into research.”
Following the event, participants are invited to a compli
mentary after-ride meal provided by Buffalo Wild Wings.
A 2017 Cannondale CAAD 12 Ultegra Disc road bike
will be awarded to the raffle ticket winner. Other raffle
items will be available.
For more information, to register or to donate, visit
www.JacksonBrevet.com.
Movie Under the Stars
nears in Braselton
Movie Under the Stars on the Green will be held Satur
day, June 17. The animated movie, “Lego Batman” will
be screening.
The movie begins at dusk and will be shown on the
Braselton Town Green.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Bra-
seltonTownGreen.
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Farmers market opens
Braselton family at farmers market
Collier Williams, 10, Catherine Rowland, 6, and Rhodes Williams, 4, are shown with their babysitter,
Arielle Sabina, at the opening day of Braselton’s summer farmers market. Here, they pick out all natu
ral vegetarian dog treats at Best Friends Biscuits by Lee Carmon. Their mother is Stephanie Williams.
They are members of the Braselton family. Photos by Wesleigh Sagon
Organic seasonings sold
Jerry and Donette Hatcher of Mill Creek Spice Co. sold herbs, spice blends, and rubs during the open
ing day of Braselton’s summer farmers market Friday. He plans on selling his homemade seasonings
full time after retirement. See more on page 3A.
Budget hearings set this week
Budget hearings will be held this
week for the Town of Braselton.
Details include:
•the mayor and council will take
public comment on its general fund
budget on Thursday. June 8, at 4
p.m. Proposed expenses total $4
million with revenues expected to
total $5.4 million. Proposed public
works expenses total $5.7 million
with revenues expected to total $6.4
million.
•the Downtown Development
Authority plans its public hearing on
its $66,250 budget Thursday, June 8,
at 11 a.m.
•the Braselton Visitors Bureau
Authority plans a public hearing
Friday. June 9, at 10 a.m., for its
$405,500 budget.
•the Braselton Urban Redevelop
ment Agency will have its public
hearing Thursday, June 8, at 9:30
a.m. for its $175,000 budget.
See more details in next week’s
issue of The Braselton News.
All meetings will be held in the
courtroom of the Braselton Police
and Municipal Court building at
5040 Hwy. 53.
