About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2020)
Dawson County Transportation Complex unveiled INSIDE, 6A WEDNESDAY I MARCH 11,2020 DaWSOflNeWS ’COITI DAWSONVULE, GEORGIA $1.00 9 arrested in Dawson County vice operation By Alexander Popp apopp@dawsonnews.com Dawson County authorities say that nine individuals, including a local middle school teacher, were arrested by undercover officers over the past week, during a vice opera tion aimed at targeting narcot ics and sex crimes in the local community. According to Dawson County Sheriff Jeff Johnson, between March 2 and 4, inves tigators utilized multiple web- based platforms to identify and arrest nine individuals on Allums Barton charges of pandering, possession of marijua na, possession of a con trolled substance and criminal attempt - distri bution of marijuana. Arrest reports allege that suspects intended to either sell narcotics to Cowan Goss Grimes Hamalainen Hickman Sweatman Tanner undercover officers or intended to trade drugs like methamphetamine, marijuana or amyl nitrite “poppers” in exchange for sex. Those arrested during the operation include: Matthew Ray Allums, 25, of Dawsonville has been charged with one count of misdemeanor pandering. Antoine Jerrell Grimes, 32, of Atlanta has been charged with criminal trespass, criminal attempt - distribution of a Controlled Substance and use of a communication facility in committing a crime. Chris Robin Goss, 33, of Gainesville has been charged with obstruction of an officer, criminal trespass, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, criminal attempt - distribution of a See Vice13A Three candidates, five questions From left, candidate Jeff Perry, Dawson County Sheriff Jeff Johnson and candidate Marcus Sewell Q and As from this weeks Dawson County sheriff candidate forum By Alexander Popp apopp@dawsonnews.com On Monday night, three candidates running for election as the next Dawson County Sheriff met at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and spoke to a large crowd of local resi dents about why they deserved Dawson County’s vote in the upcoming elec tion. During the event, incumbent Jeff Johnson, and candidates Jeff Perry and Marcus Sewell took turns answering a variety of different questions concern ing the field of law enforcement and the office of sheriff, stressing their dif ferent backgrounds and levels of expe rience, and views on local issues as an appeal to potential voters. Here are the five questions asked of the candidates and how they responded: Question 1: What is the key issue facing the sheriff’s office and how do you plan to address it? Jeff Perry: Opening the forum, Perry said that growth and how the county handles it will be one of the biggest challenges in the coming years. “How are we going to put more offi cers on the street at less cost to you,” he said. “The one thing I want to do is have an auxiliary police force, made up of volunteers in the community ... We send you to training, you work just side to side a police officer, a deputy and you wear the same uniform ... That puts more people on the street at no cost to the taxpayers.” Marcus Sewell: Coming from the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Sewell said he sees the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office as having a much big ger budget, with more expenses and expenditures than are truly needed. If elected, he said the budget would be one of his main priorities. “What I would do with that is make sure you come through positions that the county already has,” he continued. “They already do (human resources), already do purchasing. So, if you go back to the county and work with the county. I can have more deputies on the street.” Jeff Johnson: Calling on one of his deputies to stand and be recognized, Johnson said that retention of qualified Photos by Alexander Popp Dawson County News officers and remaining competitive with surrounding counties would be his priori ty, if elected to a second term in office. “You asked me what my priorities are, the men and women serving our county and serving our people are my priority,” Johnson said. “And the reason they are my priority is because I know that if I, as your elected sheriff, take care of our men and women, our men and women are going to take care of you.” Question 2: It’s very important that government entities work very closely with the sheriff’s office. What’s your plan to accomplish that? Marcus Sewell: Sewell said that he sees an opportunity to lower incarcera tion rates in the county and get people the help they need, by communicating within the system for programs like drug court. “One of the plans I want to work with to make sure that we can hopeful ly lower people coming into the jail, is making sure we are working with the superior court judge to make sure that people get into drug court that need to be in drug court,” he said. “I’m not See Forum 14A Who made the cut for Dawson 2020 races From staff reports Dawson County is in for a busy election season this year, and over the last week, candidates at the local, state and national level took the next steps down the road heading towards election day. Qualifying began on Monday, March 2 and ended on Friday March 6, at noon for both nonpartisan and political party candidates. Candidates qualified for the general primary, which will be held on Tuesday, May 19 after three weeks of advance vot ing. The general primary will consist of non-partisan races and selecting party candidates for the Nov. 3 general See Qualifying 13A UNG grad hired as DCN reporter From staff reports The Dawson County News this week hired a lifelong Forsyth County resident and recent University of North Georgia graduate, Erica Schmidt, as a reporter covering educa tion, life and general news topics. On Friday, DCN Editor Alexander Popp said that Schmidt is a welcome addition to the newspaper’s staff, and will provide a fresh, enthusias tic perspective on local topics and issues affecting Dawson County residents on a daily basis. “We are excited to see the stories and coverage that Erica is going to bring to the table at DCN,” Popp said. “It’s safe to say that her enthusiasm, curiosity and passion for storytelling will be a worthy addition to the newspaper’s long history of quality, compelling journalism.” See Schmidt |3A Schmidt 0 9 0 9 9 Inside Volume 4, Number 84 © 2020, Dawson County News Dawsonville, Georgia Church Events 3B Classifieds 7B Dear Abby 6B Deaths 2A Legals 8B Opinion 9A Sports 1B 8A Learn how to protect envi ronment at upcoming celebration 3A Len Foote Hike Inn one of 13 ‘Water Heros to be honored NORTHSIDE FAMILY MEDICINE & URGENT CARE DAWSON 81 Northside Dawson Drive, Suite 100 Dawsonville, GA 30534 Monday - Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Call 706-216-6000 for an appointment NorthsideUrgentCare.com Welcoming New Patients! Northside Family Medicine & Urgent Care is here for the needs of your entire family. You'll find a commitment to personalized care, with a focus on communication. For your busy lifestyle, we offer extended office hours and weekend appointments to help you find time for the routine medical care you and your family need. We accept most insurance plans, and offer a convenient location for the Dawsonville community on the Northside/Dawson Medical Campus. Services • Routine medical care • Blood sugar checks and diabetes management • Hypertension screening and management • Allergy treatment • Physical exams (by appointment only) • Sports/School physicals
