About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2018)
Riverview’s Mashburn honored as GAESP 2018 National Distinguished Principal LOCAL, 6A Dawson County High’s Grady Turner to retire SPORTS, 1B DawsonCountyNews WEDNESDAY I MAY 16, 2018 Dawson News ► com dawsonville, GEORGIA $1.00 Committee targets school safety Dawson County schools to see $47k for security upgrades, training for officials By Jessica Brown jbrown@dawsonnews.com The House Study Committee on School Security held its first meeting at the Dawson County Board of Education Professional Development Center in Dawsonville on Monday to discuss school safety measures with representa tives from several north Georgia coun ties. The study committee, chaired by state Representative Rick Jasperse, R-Jasper, was established by House Resolution 1414 during the 2018 legislative in response to the Parkland, Fla. school shooting in February. Representatives from Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gordon and Pickens counties gathered in Dawsonville to address the committee and have a frank discussion about what the state can do to address the topic of school safety. “This is not an effort by the state to interfere with local governments and control of schools,” said Speaker of the House David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge. “Rather this is simply a way to see if we can help local school districts ensure the safety of their staff and students.” Georgia Department of Education Deputy Superintendent of External Affairs, Garry McGiboney, outlined the 41 Georgia laws pertaining to school safety, as well as the newest additions including mandatory school climate rat ings and mental health awareness train ing for educators. McGiboney noted that Georgia schools have seen an increase in com puter trespass, vandalism and handguns in the past three years and that it is important that schools foster an environ ment where students feel they can reach out to adults in the school and alert them of potential safety threats. See Safety 15A A tradition continues Annual Ranger water jump brings lake communities together By Jessica Brown jbrown@dawsonnews.com It has become a local tra dition each May for specta tors to line the beach at War Hill Park to watch the 5th Ranger Training Battalion (RTB) soar over head in helicopters and parachute into the lake below. One by one on Wednesday, May 9, 140 Army Rangers suited up, ready to jump out of UH-60 Black Hawks hov ering 1,500 feet above Fake Fanier. Every year the Army Rangers at Camp Merrill in Dahlonega complete a water jump training drill to practice and strengthen their airborne proficiency. With 70 percent of the world covered in water, the water jump is an important training exercise in air borne infiltration. This is the eighth year the Rangers have organized the jump at Fake Fanier. “It’s actually a lot of fun,” said Capt. Steve Sorrells. “It’s a little bit cold with the wind blowing on your face outside of the helicopter, but the water is warm today. Great weather. It’s a fun experience.” Sorrells, who has been in the military for eight years, was excited to complete his second water jump with the RTB. “Any time I get an opportunity to jump I’m always excited especially when it’s a water jump. You know you don’t have to worry about your landing too much,” Sorrells said. See Jump 14A Jessica Brown Dawson County News For the eighth year in a row the 5th RangerTraining Battalion completed their water jump training drill at War Hill Park. 140 Rangers suited up and parachut ed out of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters hovering 1,500 feet over Lake Lanier May 9. City, county to hold public meetings for comp, plans By Allie Dean adean@dawsonnews.com The city of Dawsonville is holding a public hearing on Thursday concerning updates to its 2018 comprehensive plan. The plan must be updated every 10 years and the updates are being facilitated by the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission. According to a public notice posted by the city, the hearing is intended to inform the pub lic about the purpose of the plan and the plan ning process, to discuss the plan development schedule and provide an explanation of the public participation process to be followed by the city during the preparation of the plan. See Plan 14A Early voting ends Friday; primary election is May 22 By Allie Dean adean@dawsonnews.com With the general primary election looming on Tuesday, the Dawson County Board of Elections and Registration is gearing up to tally votes for several contested seats for state and local offices. Early voting began April 30 and 566 ballots had been cast as of Tuesday morning, with early voting closing up at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 18. There are currently 17,290 active registered voters in the county. There is only one voting location for advance voting and all in-person voters must vote at the Dawson County Board of Elections Office at 96 Academy Avenue in Dawsonville. On Election Day, May 22, residents must go to their assigned voting precinct to vote between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. See Election | 5A 0 9 0 9 9 Inside Volume 3, Number 33 © 2018, Dawson County News Dawsonville, Georgia Church Events 3B Classifieds 7B Dear Abby 5B Deaths 2A Legals 8B Opinion 9A Sports 1B 7A F uture educators recognized at signing day 2B Track teams place at state competition CANCER FIGHTING NETWORK IN GEORGIA Taking on cancer requires an elite clinical team. That's why Northside Hospital Cancer Institute has the most board-certified medical oncologists in Georgia. We diagnose and treat more new cancer cases than any other hospital in the state—providing care at 48 cancer centers. Backed by expertise and experience, we're built to beat cancer. Learn more at builttobeatcancer.com ref NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL CANCER INSTITUTE ‘BUILT to BEAT CANCER
