About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2024)
2A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com Wednesday, May 29,2024 Family and friends of Amy Alexandria Gibson laid flowers at Dawson County Fire Station No. 7 on July 29, 2020, com memorating one year since the 44-year- old was shot and killed. DCN file photo FROM 1A Gibson for taking the death penal ty off the table and having a bench trial instead. Bearden reaffirmed in a scheduling order that Gibson’s trial will be set for Sept. 9, 2024, starting at 10 a.m. in the Dawson County Government Center. If necessary, the trial will be continued into the week of Sept. 16. This decision saves Dawson County a massive amount of money and planning that would have been required for taking a death penalty case to trial. Dawson County hasn’t had a capital case go to trial since the early 1990s. DCN contacted the Northeastern Judicial Circuit Court Administrator Jason Stephenson, who manages daily operations of the court system, for an estimate of cost savings with the bench trial. Dawson and Hall counties belong to the Northeastern Judicial Circuit. “A jury trial in a death penalty case would likely result in $75,000 - $125,000 in associated costs to Dawson County, depending upon a number of factors...primarily the length of the jury selection process, and whether juror sequestration is required,” Stephenson wrote in a May 23 email to DCN. Earlier this year, the prosecution and judge did not seem keen on the idea of jury sequestration, or isolating jurors to avoid outside influence. That process would have meant money and time spent on everything from feeding and transporting jurors to reserving rooms at a local hotel, of which there are few in Dawson County. As for logistics, numer ous sheriff’s deputies and bailiffs would have need ed to be present at the courthouse for a jury trial. Court officials also would have had to plan for any disruptions to other work ers in the building, which also serves as a work location for most of the Dawson County govern ment’s employees. Charges Gibson, 49, is charged with allegedly shooting his wife, Amy Alexandria Gibson, multiple times in front of their two children in the Fire Station No. 7 parking lot on July 29, 2019, according to a Dawson County indict ment. The children, who were in her car during the inci dent, were uninjured. Firefighters and their fam ily members were at the fire station when the shooting occurred. After the fatal 2019 incident, Gibson was sub sequently arrested and later indicted on malice murder, two counts of fel ony murder, aggravated battery, eight counts of aggravated assault, two counts of cruelty to chil dren in the first degree, terroristic acts, robbery by force and possession of a firearm or knife during commission of a crime. As part of the bench trial agreement, Gibson is waiving his right to con front witnesses under the age of 18, so the children won’t be required to phys ically attend court and tes tify. A pre-trial hearing has also been set for Gibson on Aug. 9, 2024. If neces sary, a second date of Aug. 26 has been put forth in case any other pretrial matters arise, according to the scheduling order. Gibson has been detained at the Dawson County Detention Center since his arrest and is the inmate who has been at the jail the longest. Dawson rents Listings in Dawson Events are free and available to nonprofit organizations sponsoring free or low-cost events for the public. Groups may submit notices by fax at (706) 265-3276 or via email at editor@dawsonnews.com. The Dawson County Woman's Club, a nonprofit service organization, meets on the first Monday of each month except July and August (no meetings) and September (second Monday). Monthly membership meetings feature guest speakers, discussions and planning for upcoming events and activities. Annual events include a picnic in June, a Christmas banquet, and our fundraiser fashion show, luncheon and silent auction. For dates, times and locations of our meet ings and events, please visit www.daw- soncountywomansclub.org Dawson County Chapter No. 970 of Vietnam Veterans of America meets at noon the second Monday of each month at the Dawson County Board of Education Professional Development Center. Members and guests meet for "Breakfast" each Friday at Papa's Place between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. For more information call Chapter President Bill Martin at 706-809- 2573. The Dawson County Republican Party meets on the third Monday of each month at the Dawson County Board of Education Professional Development Center at 28 Main Street, with a social at 6 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Food and refreshments are provided, and a donation is encouraged. Contact Lisa Lillemon at 770-500-6871 for more information. Dawsonville Fellowship AA meetings are heldTuesday,Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m. (Open) at Grace Presbyterian Church on Hwy 9. Call 706-429-4517. Court mandated welcome. The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers support group meetings for family members of the mentally ill every second and fourthTuesday of the month. They are held at the United Way in Cumming and start at 6:45 PM. Reservations are not required. For more information, go online to NAMIFDL.ORG. The Veterans Affairs of Dawson County (VADC) sponsors an annual pan cake breakfast, the Walk of Honor at Veterans Memorial Park, and ceremonies for Veterans Day, POW/MIA Day, and Memorial Day. Membership is open to individuals who aspire to associate with the organization and be responsible for programs and events that serve the Veteran population of Dawson County. Meetings are open and occur the 3rd Wednesday in February, 1st Wednesday in May, 4th Wednesday in August, 1st Wednesday in October. For more informa tion contact Rob Wiley at VeteransAffairsDC@outlook.com. The Dawsonville Lions Charities, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) organization that supports financial contributions and referrals to Georgia Lions Lighthouse for free eye exams, glasses, hearing-aid assistance and more serious eye care.The Dawsonville Lions Club meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month (except December) at Papa's Place Restaurant. Dinner is at 6 PM.The meeting starts at 7 PM. dawsonvillelionsclub.com Trinity Church, 2685 Steve Tate Highway in Marble Hill, offers free groceries for those in need as part of its "Hope for the Hungry" ministry.Those in need can pick up free groceries on the fourth Monday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Trinity Church campus. For more informa tion, call 770-893-2682. Celebrate Recovery Dawsonville meets every Friday night at Cross Bridge Church. Come out and enjoy a free meal every Friday night at 6:15-6:45. Large group starts at 7:00.This is where we learn to overcome any hurt, habit, or hangup that you may be experiencing. Small groups start at 8:00. 751 Hwy. 53 East Dawsonville, Ga.; 678-858-2443. Court mandates wel comed. The Amicalola Regional Farmers Market will take place every Saturday beginning on April 27 and running through Oct. 19.The market will be located at the city's farmers market pavilion, will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until sold out and will feature wares from a wide variety of local vendors. For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/amicalolafarm- ersmarket/. Good Shepherd Clinic of Dawson County provides a Free medical clinic for Dawson's uninsured adults every Thursday 9:00 am to 4:30 PM. For more information or an appointment call 706-426-9914. Eligibility is required. Patient Eligibility Requirements are: • 18 years old and over • Live, work or attend school in Dawson County • Do not have health insurance • Income at or below the 200% Federal Poverty Level FROM 1A TSPLOST question in the May 21 primary. For comparison, about 56.21% of local voters decided against a proposed TSPFOST measure in 2020, and 43.79% voted for it. The TSPFOST will be a one-percent sales tax on all retail purchases, so any body buying goods or services in Dawson County, including non-county residents, will pay the tax. Unlike previ ous TSPFOST proposals, this version will see 100% of revenue raised go to transportation-related projects in Dawsonville and Dawson County. The transportation-based sales tax will be collected for up to five years starting Oct. 1, 2024 and is expected to raise $68.7 million over the time it is imposed. Forty-four counties in Georgia collect TSPFOSTs, including Dawson’s neigh bor, Fumpkin County, to the north. TSPFOST is one of several sources that can fund local road projects. Other funds include general fund-related reve nue, like property and local option sales taxes, as well as Georgia Department of Transportation Focal Maintenance Improvement Grant (FMIG) funds, SPFOST 7 and impact fees, which go toward all or part of the costs of provid ing public services to a new develop ment. TSPFOST revenue can help supple ment any funding GDOT may already have slated for a particular project along a state route. GDOT’s long-term road plan lists projects up to 10-plus years out, depending on the state’s priorities. Public officials have previously noted that Dawson County’s level of retail activity allows the county to use revenue generators like TSPFOST. 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To subscribe to the Dawson County News: ONE YEAR | $79.99 TWO YEARS | $149.99 For our digital subscription offerings, go to dawsonnews.com/subscribe Published Wednesdays by the Dawson County News Co., 30 Shoal Creek Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534. Second-class postage paid at Dawsonville, Ga., and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Dawson County News, P.O. Box 1600, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
