Page 2A
The Braselton News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Communitv calendar
•LUNCHEON AND SPAGHETTI PLANNED AT CENTER POINTE CHURCH
Center Pointe Church is hosting a free seniors Luncheon on the third Thursday of each month
from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include lunch, fellowship and games. Those interested are
asked to provide their name and number of people attending by caking 706-654-4862.
• EQUALITY FEST SHOW SET FOR TUNE 28 AT BRASELTON CIVIC CENTER
Equality Test a Gainesville-based nonprofit supporting the Northeast Georgia LGBTQ+ com-
munity, wik host a fundraiser Tune 28 at 8 p.m. at the Braselton Civic Center [27 East Lake Dr.].
'The event wik feature dynamic drag performances, community engagement and raffle
giveaways—all to raise funds for the inaugural Equality Test happening this September in
Gainesville," organizers said."This Pride Month celebration is both a night of entertainment and
a chance for the Braselton community to show their support for inclusivity and local grassroots
efforts."
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased at https://www.equalityfestga.com/event-de-
tails-registration/fundraising-drag-show
•BRASELTON POLICE FOUNDATION 5K IS JULY 26
The Braselton Potice Foundation will hold its annual 5K fundraiser July 25 at 7:30 a.m. on
the lower patio of the Braselton Brothers Store Building [9924 Davis St]. Race packet pickup
beings at 6:30 a.m.
The Braselton Police Foundation raises funds to provide eguipment and financial support to
the Braselton Police Department and to officers in need. The Foundation is also working with
BPD to expand their public safety initiatives. Register for the race at https://runsignup.com/
Race/GA/Braselton/BraseltonPokceFoundationSK
•BRASELTON MOVIE NIGHTS CONTINUE
The Town of Braselton wik continue its free and pet-friendly "Movie Under the Stars" series
on the Braselton Town Green [9924 Davis St] July 12 with "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice." All movie
events run from 7-10 p.m.
'The movie wik start when it gets dark enough to see the screen," organizers said."Bring
your family, friends, pets, and lawn chairs, and make it a dinner and movie evening."
•THREE-DAY KRAV MAGA WOMEN'S
SELF-DEFENSE COURSE AHEAD JULY 25-27 AT CHATEAU ELAN
Eric and Melissa Scoggins, who own ETS Wealth Management in Hoschton, are bringing a
three-day CKM Krav Maga women's self-defense boot camp to Chateau Elan. The dates are
July 25-27. "We believe in this system so much, we're organizing the event at zero profit - it's
all about community safety and awareness," Eric Scoggins said in an announcement for the
event.
CKM Krav Maga was founded by Moni Aizik, a former Israek Defense Forces member with
jiu-jitsu and judo expertise. Ak instructors are trained by him. The event is open to those ages
Around town
Weekly snapshots from around the Braselton-Hoschton community
Photo by Savannah Jacobs/Jackson County Schools
. ■ Gyal . *
SOFTBALL SKILLS AND DRILLS
Larsen Palmer fields a grounder during a drill as part of Jackson County High School’s recent
softball camp.
12-70. Men are welcome, too, "especiaky those passionate about teaching others how to stay
safe," Scoggins said.
For more information, visit commandokravmaga.com/bootcamps/smart-safe/
•VETERANS CELEBRATION PLANNED FOR CHATEAU ELAN JULY 27
A community tribute, Saluting Our Veterans: Standing Strong Together, will take place on
Sunday, July 27, from 4-7 p.m. at the Chateau Elan Winery & Resort Pavilion.
News briefs
HALL COUNTY
HALL COUNTY
This free public event will feature personal stories tributes,"and a shared commitment to
ensuring that no veteran is forgotten," organizers said. Attendees will also enjoy live music from
Highway 211, with food and beverages available for purchase.
A highlight of the evening includes an address from Colonel Alan Sims, USAF [Retired], of the
National Character Association. Guests will also have the opportunity to engage with veteran
support organizations, such as The Headstrong Project and Doc's Healing Hives.
"We believe that honoring our veterans is not a one-day event, but a lasting commitment to
their well-being and legacy," organizers said.'Through this gathering, we aim to foster commu
nity, raise awareness, and stand in solidarity with those who have sacrificed for our freedom."
Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to reserve their spot in advance by claiming
a ticket For more information and to reserve tickets, visit cemilitarysupportfoundation.org.
•ANTIQUE FESTIVALS AHEAD IN BRASELTON
Two antigue events are coming to Braselton later in the year at 115 Harrison St downtown.
The Art-Tigues Summer market is set for Aug. 23-24 and is set to draw 150 vendors. Times
are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday [Aug. 23] and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday [Aug. 24].
Then, the Braselton Antigue and Artisan Festival is stated for Oct. 25-26, with 250 vendors
expected. Those times are also 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday [Oct. 25] and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Sunday [Oct. 26]. The festival will include food trucks and live music. Parking and admission are
free for both events. For more information, cak 706-824-7204 or visit vintagemarkets.net.
•BRASELTON BREW FEST SET FOR SEPT.20
The Town of Braselton wik holds its second-annual Braselton Brew Fest Sept. 20 from 2-5
p.m. on the Braselton Town Green.
"Brewmasters transform the Braselton Town Green into a hoppin' beer garden for the
annual Braselton Brew Fest" organizers said.'Ticket holders can partake in unlimited samples
of craft beer from Georgia breweries. Enjoy food trucks, live music, lawn games, giveaways and
Lawhon named interim
attorney for Hall County
Justin Lawhon, who currently serves as the Senior Assis-
Hall County launches new
webpage to explain homestead
exemption changes
more."
General admission is $50 per person and $60 the day of the event. VIP tickets are available
for $75. The event opens at 1p.m. for VIP ticket holders. Proceeds benefit Braselton's Downtown
Development Authority, which organizes the event All ticket holders must be 21 years of age or
older on the day of the event.
tant County Attorney for Hall County, has been named to
serve as the interim County Attorney following the resigna
tion of County Attorney Bill Linkous, according to a press
release from the county.
“We appreciate Bill’s leadership and legal expertise
throughout his time with Hall County,” County Administrator
Zach Propes said. “He has provided invaluable counsel to the
Board of Commissioners and staff, and we wish him all the
best in his future endeavors.”
Linkous has served the Hall County Attorney’s Office since
October 2021 and has held the role of County Attorney since
January 2023. His last day with Hall County will be July 18.
Lawhon has more than a decade of legal experience in local
government and has served in the Hall County Attorney’s Of
fice since 2022. In his role as Senior Assistant County Attor
ney, he has provided legal support on a wide range of issues
including contracts, ordinances and litigation.
Lawhon will serve as the
Hall County has launched a dedicated webpage to help resi
dents better understand the recently enacted homestead exemp
tions.
“Hall County is in a unique position because we are impacted
by both the statewide exemption, House Bill 581, and local ex
emptions, HB 1268 and HB 1270,” Hall County Chief Appraiser
Steve Watson said. “Our goal is to make the process as transpar
ent and accessible as possible so residents can understand their
potential savings and how these changes to homestead exemp
tions affect them directly.”
The webpage includes:
•A breakdown of each bill’s impact
•Explanation of when and how the exemptions are applied
•A chart showing how municipal residents are impacted
•Frequently Asked Questions
Residents can access the page by visiting www.hallcounty.org
and navigating to the Tax Assessors’ page.
Braselton
interim County Attorney
beginning July 21 until a
permanent replacement is
named.
Golf tournament raises $300K to expand
emergency care at NGMC Braselton
People living in and around
Braselton will have expand
ed access to emergency care
starting in 2026, thanks in
part to funds raised through
the Northeast Georgia Health
System (NGHS) Foundation’s
annual Cheryl Shippey Me
morial golf tournament. The
tournament held last month
at Legends at Chateau Elan
raised more than $300,000,
with funds going to support
the expansion of the emer
gency department at North
east Georgia Medical Center
(NGMC) Braselton.
The tournament is named in
honor and memory of Cheryl
Shippey, an NGHS Founda
tion employee who died un
expectedly in March 2023.
She was well-known in the
Braselton community for her
work and was instrumental in
the creation of the tournament.
“We are proud to honor
Cheryl in this way,” said Chris
Bray, NGHS Foundation pres
ident and chief philanthropy
officer. “Her passion for the
health of her community lives
on through this tournament.”
wt:
fe^
Photo courtesy of Northeast Georgia Health System
The winning team for the fourth year in a row was
Mall of Georgia Ford.
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NGMC Braselton opened
in 2015 with an emergency
department designed to han
dle 25,000 visits a year, but
annual visits have more than
doubled in less than a decade
as the population around the
hospital continues to boom.
Construction is already under
way to double the size of the
emergency department, taking
it from 23 treatment rooms to
46. The expansion is expected
to be complete in 2026.
The tournament was pre
sented in partnership with
Jackson EMC and drew 120
golfers. The winning team for
the fourth year in a row was
from Mall of Georgia Ford.
“It’s amazing to see so many
people come together for our
community,” said Chauntelle
Steines, chairwoman of the
golf committee. “Knowing
that our neighbors and friends
will get even better emergency
care because of this support is
tremendous.”
To donate or learn more
about the NGHS Foundation,
its events and other ways to
support, visitnghs.com/foun-
dation.
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Echols wins District 2 PSC GOP primary
Jackson County had a low
turnout for the two PSC seats
in the June 17 election with
just 817 votes (1.3%) of reg
istered voters casting a ballot.
Jackson Countian and PSC
incumbent Tim Echols, who
lives in Hoschton, handily
won the District 2 Republican
primary with 85% of the vote
in the county and 77% of the
vote statewide. He will face
Democrat Alicia Johnson later
this year.
In District 3, Democrat
Keisha Sean Waites had 39%
of the county’s vote to Peter
Hubbard’s 37% and Robert
Jones’ 24%. Waites and Hub
bard are headed for a state
wide runoff on July 15.
The winner of the runoff
will face Republican Fitz
Johnson.
We’re local.
We’re Experts.
We’re Here for YOU.
-Call 770-945-5261_
Y 115 Towne Center Pkwy, Suite 108,
Hoschton, GA 30548
