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.
King Crossword
ACROSS
44
Sole
17
"Peter Pan"
1 Annoyed state
45
Litter container
author
6 Suitable
47
Without a
19
Swiss money
9 TV schedule
sound
21
Hosp. hookups
abbr.
49
Aromas
22
Corp. boss
12 Road reversal
52
Ornate vase
24
Summer cool
13 Cornfield noise 53
Bit of physics
er
14 the
54
Illuminated
26
Spinach-eating
Walrus"
55
"A spider!"
sailor
15 Idaho's capital
56
Summer on
28
German sau
16 Minor com
the Seine
sage
plaint
57
Very small
30
Granola grain
18 Vehicle's
32
Man of La
capacity
DOWN
Mancha
20 Intends
1
Tavern
33
Web address
21 German pro
2
Jurist Lance
34
Fair hirer, in
noun
3
Savory brunch
ads
23 "... - quit!"
pies
36
Boosler of
24 Unravels
4
Celestial bear
comedy
25 Second in
5
January, to
38
Chef's hat
command
Juana
39
Accustom
27 Fighting
6
Find not guilty
40
Lose a staring
29 "Already?"
7
Painter
contest
31 Unparalleled
Cezanne
42
Letter-shaped
35 Track horse
8
Prefix with
hardware
37 Continental
night or light
45
Coagulate
currency
9
Leg bone
46
"Garfield" dog
38 Nepal's neigh
10
Pleasantly
48
Cravat
bor
warm
50
Ske-daddle
41 D-Day vessel
11
Make — of
51
CIA operative
43 —de-France
(bungle)
1
2
3
4
5
1
6
7
8
1
9
10
11
12
13
,4
15
16
17
18
19
■
20
21
22
■
23
■
24
25
26
■
27
28
29
30
■
3,
32
33
34
35
36
■
1
38
39
40
■
4,
42
■
43
44
■
45
46
47
48
1
49
50
51
52
1
53
54
55
56
67
© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
o
a
A
N
3
3
i
1
3
1
3
1
3
3
d
n
1
1
1
N
0
'
N
a
n
s
d
0
a
0
A
1
1
3
1
n
0
X
0
a
i
V
0
■
A
1
N
0
3
1
'
■
i
s
1
■
1
a
i
i
n
a a o v a
3
n
0
i
N
n
■
N
0
0
s
0
s
a
V
M
i
V
■
3
3
3
A
S
A
V
a
3
■
i
a
o
■
H
0
1
s
IAI
i
V
■
n
d
a
V
0
3
1
a
a
1
n
D
1
3
s
1
0
a
l/\l
V
'
i
M
V
o
N
a
n
1
n
V
a
i
i
d
3
n
D
1
a
^DawsonCountyNews
A Metro Market Media Publication
Established in 2015 by the merger of Dawson Community News and Dawson News and Advertiser
PUBLISHER | Stephanie Woody
EDITOR | Erica Jones
MULTIMEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE |
Meghan Hernandez
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER |
Jessica Shirley
Updates online at DaWSOnNeWS / / A j
30 Shoal Creek Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
PHONE (706) 265-3384
FAX (706) 265-3276
USPS 018-876
Display advertising
For Wednesday: Retail
and Classified deadlines
are 3 p.m. Friday
Classified liners
(help wanted, for sale, etc.)
For Wednesday: Deadline
is noon Monday
Advertising rates available upon
request.
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.
