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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2023 BARROW NEWS-JOURNAL PAGE1A Barrow News-Journal Barrow County News Est. 1893 • Barrow Journal Est. 2008 Merged August 2016 24 Pages, 2 Sections A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Winder, Barrow County, Georgia $1.00 Copy Wednesday, August 16, 2023 Winder woman stabbed to death by boyfriend By Morgan Ervin Just before 11p.m. Fri day, a stabbing was reported to the Winder Police De partment on Bush Chapel Drive. Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement officers discovered a male and a fe male with serious injuries sustained from a physical altercation involving anoth er male. Investigations unveiled that Ralph Butler, 58, of Winder, had journeyed to the Bush Chapel location to confront his girlfriend, Yolanda Hammond, 50, of Winder, about her stealing items from him without his permission. As the confrontation es calated, an additional male at the scene attempted to mediate, leading to a scuf fle between him and Butler, culminating in Butler strik ing the male, causing head injuries. The altercation persisted, with Butler continuing to argue with Hammond. The confrontation took a grim turn when Butler resorted to repeatedly stabbing Ham mond. Credit: WPD Ralph Junior Butler Hammond succumbed to her injuries on-site shortly after police arrived. The intervening male was transported to a nearby med ical facility for treatment. His injury was assessed as non-life-threatening. In the aftermath of the assault, Butler fled the scene. With assistance from Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, police located But ler Saturday morning just before noon at a residence on Tanners Bridge Road in Bethlehem. He was taken into custody and is facing charges of murder, aggra vated battery and aggravat ed assault. County Commissioners alex Ward and deborah Lynn make FRIENDLY WAGER ON BATTLE OF Barrow football game High fives and fist humpsfrom Winder PD Following a stressful first week of school for students at Winder Elementary (WES) and Russell Middle (RMS) schools, who were briefly under lockddown due to an intrustion incident that occured at nearby Winder-Barrow High School, deputies from the Winder Police Department greeted students as they arrived at WES with high fives and fist bumps, providing much-needed encouragement while brightening the day and lifting spirits throughout the school. Complaint filed against City of Winder’s zoning decision on Robinson property By Morgan Ervin A 146-acre property on City Pond Road lies at the center of a lawsuit filed by property owners Margaret Robinson Martin Trust and John W. Robinson III Trust against the City of Winder. The narrative began in September 2021 when the property owners en tered into a Land Purchase Contract with D.R. Horton for the sale of the property, with subsequent contract amendments made to extend the clos ing deadline in light of zoning efforts. These zoning endeavors led to an ap plication being submitted by D.R. Hor ton to Barrow County in April 2022. The application requested to rezone the property from agricultural (AG) to a designation allowing for a single-fami ly detached subdivision. After undergoing a few revisions, the rezoning application was ultimate ly approved by the Barrow County Board of Commissioners on July 26, 2022, with a set of eighteen conditions. These conditions encompassed aspects such as lot width, landscaping and the maximum number of rental homes per mitted. With the county on board, D.R. Horton initiated preparations for de velopment, including applying for a land disturbance permit. However, a wrench was thrown into development plans when a water connection from the county proved unattainable. This obstacle led D.R. Horton to re quest water from the City of Winder. Unfortunately, this request brought forward a startling revelation when the city indicated that access to water was contingent on the property’s annex ation into the city limits. According to the propery owners’ complaint, Winder city administrator Mandi Cody assured D.R. Horton that annexation was a viable solution and that the proposed development would largely be approved. With the city’s reassurance, the property owners pm- sued annexation into the city, submit ting an application in Oct. 2022. The annexation application aligned closely with the county-approved development plan, calling for a Planned Unit Devel opment (PUD) featuring the develop ment of 340 single-family homes. The proposed development exceed ed the city’s requirements in several areas including enhanced open space, varied lot landscaping, additional ame nities and traffic study reports demon strating minimal impact on existing infrastructure. Contrary to D.R. Horton’s request, city staff recommended the property be downzoned to R-1A medium-den sity single-family residential, saying that “the proposed development can be reasonably accommodated by oth er available regulations of the zoning ordinance.” In the recently filed complaint to the Superior Court of Barrow County, the property owners argue that the city’s decision regarding downzoning the property violated their equal protection rights, substantive due process rights and is unlawful taking. As the legal proceedings unfold, the property owners are seeking a reso lution that aligns with their original development plans and the favorable conditions provided by the county’s rezoning approval. More specifically, the property own ers are seeking for the court to declare the city’s zoning of the property un lawful and either require the city to zone the property PUD by the existing County commissioners Alex Ward and Deborah Lynn have made a friendly wager for the annual Battle of Barrow football game this Friday as a show of support for their respective teams. On one side is Ward, who represents the county’s 4th district, which includes Apalachee High School. On the oth er side is Lynn, who represents the county’s 6th dis trict, which includes Winder-Barrow High School. Lynn also has a grandson that plays quarterback for Winder- Barrow. The commissioner whose team wins will get the honor of throwing a pie in the face of the other commissioner at the winning team’s next practice. A video of the pieing will be shared on social media. Both Ward and Lynn want to encour age everyone to come out and support their favor ite team. Both commissioners recognize that great communities need great schools and the reciprocal importance of the community showing support for their schools. The Battle of Barrow football game will be played at Apalachee High School’s football stadium Friday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Apalachee High School is located at 940 Haymon Morris Rd. in Winder. Scooter’s Coffee opens first location in Winder, grand Scooter’s Coffee, best known for its speedy drive-thru, specialty cof fee and baked-from-scratch pas tries, added a new location at 141 E. May St. in Winder. To celebrate, the drive-thru location will be hosting a grand opening on Friday, Aug. 25, where customers can buy one drink to get one free when they pay with the Scooter’s Coffee mobile app. With the app, customers earn three “Smiles” for every dollar spent to collect toward free drinks for their loyalty. To scoot through faster, cus tomers can also link a credit card to the app and select “Pay/Eam Smiles” from the home screen. Then, if they choose to tip, customers can select a custom amount or percentage prior to opening event i scanning their app. To scoot through even faster, Mo bile Order Ahead is also available. Ordering ahead allows customers to order their favorite drinks and food, pay ahead, and pick up quickly at the drive-thru window. The Scooter’s Coffee app is available for download on the App Store or Google Play. The drive-thru location is owned and operated by Jeffrey Bryce Can non, John Roberts Sr, John Theusand Reynolds McLean. “We are so thank ful and excited to open up a Scooter’s in Winder. Not only is it just miles from our home but it combines two of my life long passions... coffee and teamwork. Scooters has amazing drinks but if we are going to have the for Aug. 25 Scooters is celebrating its newlocation in Winder by hosting a grand opening event on Aug. 25. fastest drive-through in town, it’s go ing to take some amazing teamwork,” said Theus. John Theus was a 4-year starter on the University of Georgia Football and went on to play several years in the NFL. He and his wife and two children now live in Barrow County. MAILING LABEL Roger Wilhelm bids farewell to Winder after 17 years of distinguished service “I cannot imagine a better municipality to serve, or a better group of colleagues,” said Winder’s Assistant City Administrator Roger Wilhelm, who announced a few weeks ago that he will be leaving his post effective Aug. 25. Over the past 17 years, Wilhelm has provid ed outstanding service to the City of Winder, dedicating himself to his role with distinction. As he embarks on a new career phase, offer ing support to local governments in the private sector, he leaves behind a legacy of dedication to the city. While the news of his departure is tinged with sadness, city leaders express their well-wishes for his future endeavors. “I’ve had a front row seat to Roger’s devel opment and his incredible leadership capacity. “Winder has a very bright future. ” -Roger Wilhelm No doubt this is sad for us, but Roger will al ways be a part of our family and we are excit ed to see what he accomplishes in the future,” said Mayor David Maynard. Throughout his tenure at the City of Wind er, Wilhelm played a pivotal role in various capacities across the city, spearheading initia tives and projects within the Utilities Depart ment and the Development Services Depart ment. Wilhelm’s journey with Winder began in 2006 as the programs coordinator in the Utili ties Department, where he oversaw regulatory compliance programs and projects. Just over two years later, he transitioned into the role of Roger Wilhelm, Winder’s assistant city adminis trator, announces departure from city, effective Aug. 25. utilities director. “Leaving now is bittersweet; however, the time is right as I am so very proud of how city is running, and I am eager to see how the hard work by our mayor, council and staff will take See Wilhelm, page 2A o