About The Braselton news. (Jefferson, Ga) 2006-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 2023)
o o Serving Braselton, Hoschton, Chateau Elan, Traditions, Reunion, Deaton Creek and West Jackson $1.00 copy Wednesday, January 4, 2023 Vol. 16 No. 4 A publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. www.BraseltonNewsTODAY.com 12 pages Fighting through adversity Jackson County basketball player Ana Holman has persevered through a series of unfortunate events PAGE 7A Milestone birthday A Brasetlton-area woman, Martha Wood, celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday PAGE 3A Special election Gov. Kemp signs order to fill Danny Rampey’s seat in Jan. 31 Special Election Governor Bri an Kemp signed an executive order Dec. 31 to have Georgia House of Representatives member-elect Dan ny Rampey’s Dis trict 119 seat filled following his arrest Dec. 16 by the Bar- row County Sheriff’s Office. Rampey was charged with possession of a controlled sub stance, burglary and exploitation and intimida tion of disabled adults, elderly persons and res idents following an investigation at Magnolia Estates of Winder, an as sisted living facility he manages, where he was shown burglarizing an unoccupied residential unit. See Election, page 2A RAMPEY Jackson County polling precinct moved for House 119 special election A special election will be rest on burglary charges in held Jan. 31 to fill the House Barrow County. District 119 seat following Jackson County residents the resignation of Represen- in State House District 119 tative-Elect Danny Rampey. who plan to cast their vote on Rampey resigned from the post following his recent ar- See Precinct, page 8A Hoschton City Council meetings moved to city hall The Hoschton City Council has moved its Jan. 12 (5:30 p.m.) work session and Jan. 16 (5:30 p.m.) reg ular voting meeting from the city de pot to city hall. City Hall is located at 79 City Square. The council relocated the meet ings because the city recently leased out the Hoschton depot to a local ownership group planning to open a cocktail lounge. The city council will continue to meet at city hall until Hoschton's new city hall building is complete. Interim City Manager Jennifer Kidd-Harrison recently said the facility should be finished by April with staff moving in likely during the summer. INDEX News 1-3A Opinion 4A Public safety 5A Social/School 6A Sports 7A State round-up 8A Classifieds 9A Obituaries 10A-11A Elachee Nature Sci ence Center announc es January schedule of events PAGE 6A MAILING LABEL Hospitals NGHS again requiring masks for staff, volunteers Due to the recent rise in COVID-19, flu and RSV cases, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) will require all employees, medical staff members and volunteers to wear masks at all NGHS facilities in areas where they may encounter patients or visitors. Additionally, masks will be recommended and en couraged for patients and visitors — but not required. Visitation guidelines are not changing at this time. “Safety is our top priori ty,” said Deepak Aggarwal, MD. chief of NGHS’ Med ical Staff. “While none of Photo courtesy of NGHS Northeast Georgia Health System as reinstated a mark re quirement for all staff and volunteers. us are likely excited to wear of our employees, patients, masks each day, this change visitors and community. It’s in guidelines is being made also in line with guidelines to help protect the health provided by other large health systems across the state.” Across all NGHS hos pitals, urgent care centers and physician offices, the positivity rate of all COVID tests is around 26%, flu test positivity rates are ap proaching 9% and RSV test positivity rates are ap proaching 2%. The CDC lists Hall County’s COVID Community Transmission as “high” - which means the virus is starting to spread faster. Currently, NGHS is treating more than 80 people in its hospitals who See Masks, page 8A Photo courtesy of Northeast Georgia Medical Center-Braseiton Haisley Robin Garcia is pictured with her mother, Danelle Garcia, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center-Braseiton on Jan. 1. Haisley was the first baby born at the hospital and in Hall County in 2023. New Year’s Day arrival Braselton woman gives birth to first baby of 2023 at NGMC-Braselton By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews. com Danelle Garcia’s hus band had tickets for Geor gia and Ohio State’s play off game on New Year’s Eve, But Garcia informed him of a slight change of plans as he left work. “I’m like, ‘Nope, we’re going to the hospital,”’ she said. She was going into labor — with the area’s first baby of 2023. Garcia gave birth to a daughter, Haisley Rob in Garcia, on Jan. 1 at 3:03 a.m. at Northeast Georgia Medical Cen ter-Braseiton. over two weeks before her due date. Haisley (7 pounds, eight ounces and 20 inches long) was the first baby of the year bom at the hospital and in Hall County. “It was really unexpect ed,” Garcia said. “Our due day was not until the 16th.” Garcia — a new Bra selton resident who lives minutes away from the hospital — said Haisley"s distinction “was really ex citing.” “They made it really special and a big deal,” she said, adding that the family received a large gift basket and gift card. “... It meant a lot. It was a really good experience.” Haisley joins a 4-year- old brother, Hendrix. Gar cia has already observed one personality trait in her daughter. “She’s daddy’s girl, so far,” she said. Garcia labored active ly for approximately five See Baby, page 8A South Hall Two suspects arrested in $22 million drug seizure Two men remain in the Hall County Jail following their arrests on drug trafficking charges on Friday, Dec. 30. Candido Rangel Garcia, 45, and Ad olfo Solorio Garcia, 31, were both arrested when authorities with the Hall County Sher iff’s Office (HCSO) Patrol Division con ducted a traffic stop on Mountain View Road in Oakwood shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, according to a press release from the HCSO. With assistance from drug investi gators with the Hall County Sheriff’s Of fice Special Investiga tions Unit (SIU), ap proximately 305 kilos of liquid methamphet- amine were seized. The illegal drugs were being transport ed in multiple gas can-like containers. The estimated street value of the meth is $22 million. Both suspects have been charged with trafficking metham- phetamine. Both suspects are being held without bond. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office does not anticipate further arrests in this case, according to the press release.
