About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 2024)
4A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com Wednesday, May 15,2024 Longtime fugitive caught in Dawson Repairs in sight for Burt Creek Road By Kelly Whitmire DCN Regional Staff Local authorities and U.S. Marshals were involved in the recent arrest of a Forsyth County suspect who had been on the run for two years. Vanus Owen Nichols, 42, of Forsyth County, was arrested at Bagwell Circle in Dawson County on Thursday, April 11, after members of the Johns Creek and Forsyth Drug FROM 1A Teachers Signing Day ceremony were Heather Burt, Elbe Bishop, Kindra Coker, Marlee Gaddis, Karley Crane, Zoey Lloyd and Maddy Hodgson. During the ceremony, Education Pathway Teacher Lori Grant encouraged the aspiring teachers to love their stu dents in their future careers, much like what has been demonstrated for them in their time in the Dawson County School System. “In your classroom, your students aren’t going to be perfect but that’s why we have erasers — you love them anyways,” Grant said. “You guys will be amazing teach ers.” All seven of the seniors will be attending the University of North Georgia to pursue their degrees, which UNG’s Dean of the College of Education Sheri Hardee said is very exciting for her and for the college. Task Force, Dawson County Sheriff's Office and the Marshals executed a felony probation warrant. “Vanus was taken into custody without injury, after first trying to avoid deputies as they pulled into his residence,” Forsyth County Sheriff's “It’s very rare that you go to a signing and every single person is coming to one college,” Hardee said during the ceremony. “I’m so very excited to have you all come to UNG.” Also during the signing ceremony, several mem bers of the Dawson County Retired Educators Association presented two of the graduating Office officials said in a news release. “He was also wanted by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.” According to an incident report, after deputies and detectives arrived on the scene, Nichols “attempted to flee outside the front door on the one side, and deputies were able to take [Nichols] into custody.” FCSO officials said Nichols was previously charged with possession with intent to sell meth- seniors, Elbe Bishop and Kindra Coker, with $500 scholarships to help them as they begin their college journey. “We realize what you’re heading into and what your future is — we all taught for 30 plus years; this is our passion and something that we value,” retired educator Reggie Stowers said. “It is one of the most honor- amphetamine and he had been on the run since April 2022. According to previous FCN coverage in 2016, FCSO deputies fired at Nichols after he reportedly attempted to run over three deputies with his vehicle during a traffic stop while investigating that same case. This article was origi nally published in the Forsyth County News, a sister publication of DCN. able professions that you can have, and it’s one that you will impact people beyond what you know you’re doing. It’s some thing that is extremely rewarding.” The ceremony conclud ed with a celebratory breakfast for the students and their families, courte sy of local Goosehead Insurance Agent Sandy Jenkins. By Julia Hansen juliahansen@dawsonnews.com Dawson County offi cials could soon have over a million dollars at their disposal to fix one frequently-traveled local roadway if everything goes according to plan. The Board of Commissioners talked about different funding sources for fixes along Burt Creek Road during their May 2 work session. Public Works Director Robert Drewry spoke to the board about the proj ects Thursday. In May 2021, the Dawson County and city of Dawsonville govern ments settled a lawsuit about allocations of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax 7 funds. As part of the settle ment agreement, the county agreed to repave Burt Creek Road within the city limits of Dawsonville. So, the county would fund the base bid of $112,733, Drewry told the board. However, that project wouldn’t stop there. The county also put out two alternative bids of $350,000 for a full depth reclamation or road replacement and $157,000 for deep patch and repaving repairs to the road. Before putting out bids, Drewry said he and city officials looked at the road, which is “in pretty bad shape.” “A simple repaving is just not going to sustain it. It’ll fall apart pretty quickly after that,” Drewry said. The city of Dawsonville supported the deep patch and resur facing bid of $157,116 and agreed to pay the county the $44,383 dif ference to cover the extra costs associated with the added upgrades to Burt Creek Road, according to a meeting memo. The county attorney drafted an intergovern mental agreement that laid out the arrangement subject to the board’s approval and awarding of the contract to improve Burt Creek Road, the memo stated. State funds Dawson County also wants to use its 2024 Local Maintenance Improvement Grant funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation for the project, Drewry said. While those 2024 LMIG allocations had already been approved for the year, the state legisla ture approved more Local Road Assistance Administration (LRA) money, with no match required by the local gov ernment. No match is required by the state, another meeting memo stated. County staff have already put out bids for a full depth reclamation on Burt Creek Road from the city limits to the Dawson- Lumpkin County line. A single bid has been received for $1.1 million, and the bid award is pending, the memo stat ed. Dawson County is eli gible for $595,405 in LMIG funds, and Drewry said he would like to see the full amount go toward the Burt Creek Road proj ect. Applications for those state funds are due by June 15. District 2 Commissioner Chris Gaines asked Drewry about reaching out to Lumpkin County, seeing as Burt Creek Road “gets worse closer to the coun ty line” before it turns into John Perry Road near Highway 9. The board talked about moving the LMIG appli cation request to their May 16 consent agenda. A consent agenda is a way to streamline votes on agreed-upon items and speed up public meetings. Nearby, a proposed one-percent transporta tion sales tax would help pay for intersection improvements at Burt Creek and Shoal Creek roads. The proposed Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, which voters have the chance to decide on through May 21, would allot $396,000 toward fixes at the Burt Creek-Shoal Creek inter section. Drewry discussed for mally presenting the bids for the county side of Burt Creek Road at the board’s next work ses sion. DCN will continue to follow these proposed road projects. Photos by Erica Jones Dawson County News Graduating DCHS seniors sign certificates of intent to pursue degrees in education during the school’s annu al Future Educators Signing Day on May 7. The seven future teachers received special stoles to wear at graduation during the DCHS annual Future Educators Signing Day on May 7. Nichols FROM 1A Corridor the Georgia Department of Transportation for the Ga. 53 intersection and use it to hire an engineer. “I like having control over the design,” Drewry said. In turn, the engineering consulting firm would provide design services for a final concept plan, a set of construction docu ments and right of way acquisition documents, according to a meeting memo. Lor that intersection project, Drewry added that right of way would also be up to the county, while the state would do the construction work. Previously, a developer committed to giving $400,000 to the county for fixes at that intersec tion. This intersection also made the list of projects for the county’s proposed one-percent transportation sales tax (TSPLOST). This crossway and the Grizzle-Industrial Park Road intersection are each a part of $15.9 million in total for improvement projects along Lumpkin Campground Road, should voters approve the road sales tax on May 21. Grizzle-Industrial Park Road intersection The 2019 study called for more conceptual work before improvements could be designed for the Grizzle-Industrial Park Road intersection. Road recommendations includ ed putting in a one-lane roundabout and being mindful of existing utili ties and different topo graphic constraints. “Those utilities can be moved again, and if it goes as far as purchasing more right of way to be able to do that correctly, is that an option?” District 3 Commissioner Alexa Bruce said. Drewry shared this past Thursday that he does favor roundabouts but fix ing the Grizzle-Industrial Park Road intersection could “come down to cost more than anything.” Upon being hired, the engineering consultant would conduct an engi neering and feasibility study and develop alterna tive concepts for the pro posed improvements at the Grizzle-Industrial Park Road intersection, a meeting memo stated. The conceptual study and its results would be shared with the board, Drewry added. “I think it’s important to look at both intersections at the same time, because if you fix one, the other one’s going to be a bottle- neck,” District 4 Commissioner Emory Dooley said. “I completely agree, and that’s why I want to have one engineer doing both of them,” Drewry said about the two proj ects. The matter is set to come before the board again during their May 18 voting session. 706-265-9160 Dawson County Humane Society a no kill shelter Doggie Spotlight South (9 months, 70 lbs.) is a very big baby who needs a family to love. She can be a bit shy at first but a little time and compassion and South is attached to the hip. South is a curious little pup who loves to explore the world around her. She is very smart and learns tricks quickly, so she can easily be trained to do all sorts of wonderful things. South loves to run around and play, but she is also a big fan of a good cuddle session. She is a wonderful companion who would make a great addition to your family. She is a baby, so she will need lots of love, care, and attention to help her grow into a happy and healthy dog. She is a delight to be around and will surely fill your life with joy. If you’re looking for a sweet and loving dog, South is the perfect companion for you. Schedule a meet and greet today by calling (706) 265-9160 or emailing info@dawsoncountyhumanesociety.org! By Appointment Only South For more information contact the 706-265-9160 | 633 Martin Rd, Dawsonville Dawson County Humane Society Adjacent to the Rock creek sports complex Visit our RESALE SHOP & BOUTIQUE Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | 54 S. Lumpkin Campground Rd. Bradley M. Maple CPA, PC 706-216-2362 2390 Thompson Rd • Ste 100 Dawsonville Dawsonville Veterinary Hospital 706-265-8381 All proceeds benefits the Humane Society ANH Collision Specialists 706-216-0992 103 Industrial Park Road, Dawsonville
