Newspaper Page Text
North Georgia wine tour,
tasting launches June 27
LOCAL, 4A
Kristi Creegan discusses her
effect on student athletes
SPORTS, IB
WEDNESDAY I June 5,2019 Dawson News ► com dawsonville, GEORGIA $1.00
Deputies arrest 5 in drug bust
Anonymous tip led to apprehension of manufacturing, distribution ring at home on Lula Garrett Road
By Joshua Demarest
jdemarest@dawsonnews.com
Investigators with the
Dawson County Sheriff’s
Office Crime Suppression Unit
made five arrests last Thursday
when they busted a drug manu
facturing and distribution ring
based on an anonymous tip.
Upon arrival, investigators
immediately recognized a
strong odor of marijuana com
ing from the residence on Lula
Garrett Road. After securing
the residence and occupants,
the Sheriff’s Office applied for
and received a search warrant
for the premises.
The search netted a large
amount of illegal drugs, pills,
packaging materials, processing
equipment, ledgers, cash and a
firearm.
Officers seized 29.7 grams of
suspected methamphetamine,
94 grams of suspected psilocy
bin mushrooms, over a pound
of suspected THC gummies
and suckers, suspected LSD,
suspected THC dab, approxi
mately one-and-a-half pounds
of suspected marijuana, 11 sus
pected marijuana plants, over
200 suspected THC vape car
tridges, and various other drug-
related items.
The investigation resulted in
See Bust 15A
A splashing good time
Food, family
and fun mark
opening of
Rotary Island
By Bob Christian
bchristian@dawsonnews.com
The Rotary Club of
Dawson County officially
opened the Rotary Island
splash pad at Rock Creek
Park on June 1 with the
annual Rotary Day event
that included live entertain
ment, free food and, of
course, an absolute ton of
water-based fun.
The goal in building the
splash pad was two-fold,
according to Rotary Club
President Bob Alman. In
addition to providing a no-
cost, safe place for kids and
families to play and hang
out, Rotary Island also
served to establish a con
nection with the communi
ty.
“Rotary is the oldest ser
vice organization in the
country and Rotary Island is
a great way to introduce our
selves to people and really
build a permanent foot
print,” Alman said. “Rotary
Island is our gift to every
body, and it is always free.”
In addition to the five
interactive water sculptures
already in the park, opening
day featured a bouncy slide,
a dunk pool, a variety of
games and activities and a
free lunch provided by
Northeast Georgia Medical
Center who has sponsored
the event for all five years
according to hospital
spokeswoman Jo Brewer.
“Service above self is
See Splash 13A
Above: Madison
Cole, 3, reacts after
being doused with
water June 1 at the
Rotary Island
Splash Pad as the
park officially
opened for the
summer. Left:
Children make use
ful fun climbing up
a bouncy slide.
Photos by Bob Christian
Dawson County News
'Rotary is the oldest service organization in the country and Rotary Island is a great
way to introduce our selves to people and really build a permanent footprint. Rotary
Island is our gift to everybody, and it is always free.'
Bob Alman
Rotary Club President
Former gubernatorial
candidate pleads in
insurance fraud case
By Nick Watson
DCN Regional Staff
Former gubernatorial candidate Michael
Williams was sentenced to probation after
fraudulently claiming computers were sto
len from his office in Gainesville.
Williams took a plea deal under the First
Offender Act last week for four years of
probation in the insurance fraud case,
Northeastern Judicial Circuit District
Attorney Lee Darragh said.
Williams was given four years of proba
tion each on the insurance fraud and false
statements charges and 12 months of pro
bation on the false report of a crime charge.
Those sentences will run concurrently,
meaning Williams serves four years proba
tion.
Williams was sentenced under the First
Offender Act by Superior Court Judge
Clint Bearden, who also imposed a $5,000
fine and 120 hours of community service,
Darragh said.
Darragh did not comment any further on
the case.
If Williams fulfills the terms of the sen
tence, he will be exonerated under the First
Offender Act.
Williams, a former state senator from
Cumming, was charged by a Hall County
grand jury Dec. 18 after an investigation by
See Williams 12A
Arrest made in relation
to escaped convict
By Joshua Demarest
jdemarest@dawsonnews.com
Donny Cooper Akins of Cumming was
arrested May 30 in connection with the
recent escape of Jeremy Pruitt-Akins.
Donny, who is reported to be the uncle of
Jeremy, was charged with one count of
Aiding Escape, which is a felony under
Georgia law.
Akins was the authorized driver respon
sible for transporting Jeremy Pruitt-Akins
to his place of employment and returning
him back to custody after his shift was
over. According to warrants issued for his
arrest, Akins did not return his nephew to
police custody, instead transporting him to
Gainesville so he could leave the state.
This arrest is the latest step in the hunt
for Pruitt-Akins after he fled over
Memorial Day weekend.
Donny was released May 31 after post
ing a $5,000 bond.
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Inside
Volume 4, Number 37
© 2019, Dawson County News
Dawsonville, Georgia
Church Events
3B
Classifieds
7B
Dear Abby
6B
Deaths
2A
Legals
8B
Opinion
9A
Sports
1B
Public Works
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