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FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | ForsythNews.com
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Same-sex marriage applications begin to trickle in
By Kayla Robins
krobins@forsythnews.com
As of Tuesday morning, at
least two same-sex marriage
applications had been filled out
at Forsyth County Probate
Court, an official said. .
The applications and ensuing
marriage licenses come in the
wake of a U.S. Supreme Court
ruling that immediately legal
ized same-sex marriage any
City, county ISO
ratings improve
From staff reports
Both local governments have been
recognized for measures to keep resi
dents safe, which could mean insurance
savings for homeowners and businesses.
The city of Cumming and Forsyth
County recently received an improved
rating from the Insurance Services
Offices, an advisory organization for
insurance companies. The study took
into account three areas of public safety:
fire protection and emergency-911 and
water services.
After the study, the county’s ISO rat
ing went from a 5 to a 3 — with a lower
number representing a better level of
Reports of stabbing not
validated, authorities say
Forsyth County Sheriff’s detectives
are continuing to investigate an unusual
incident that unfolded overnight
Saturday.
What began as a report of shots being
fired evolved into a possible stabbing,
though local authorities later realized
the wounds were not as serious.
The original report described a sus
pect who appeared out of the wood-line
FROM 1A
“Pay attention to the new laws, but we
want people to know they are allowed,”
Regan said.
Many people who get on the road will
be heading for Lanier or another body
of water this weekend.
“People on the water should educate
themselves about boating laws, the same
as they would in a vehicle,” Regan said.
“Make sure everyone is wearing their
life jackets.”
He said the sheriff’s office wants peo
ple to enjoy the holiday while still
stressing “that alcohol and boating can
be a deadly mix and to always maintain
safe practices on the water.”
Even those who don’t get on a boat
should exercise caution. Swimmers can
stay safe by remaining in a designated
NPERTD
_ B Debra Rickles
L "SI Atforney at Law
é 770-622-6887
where in the nation.
However, more Forsyth cou
ples may have tied the knot, as
they could have driven to
neighboring Fulton or Gwinnett
counties, where people lined up
as soon as the ruling was
announced Friday.
Five of the nine Supreme
Court judges made the majority
ruling in the case of Obergefell
v. Hodges, immediately enact
ing legal marriage of any two
protection — for those living within five
road miles of a fire station. The rating
may not affect those living more than
five road miles away
Fire hydrant volume and pressure
availability, call handling and efficiency
for the E-911 Center and fire response
and equipment were factors in the new
rating.
The new rating could potentially save
the county money on insurance, as com
panies will begin recognizing the new
rating today.
The study took place for both local
governments between late 2014 and
early 2015. This is the county’s first ISO
rating since 2008.
near Sawnee Mountain Pieserve and
attacked a man in his yard.
The alleged victim reportedly fired
two shots in self-defense at the suspect
who ran away, but there was no evi
dence that either bullet hit its mark,
according to the sheriff’s office.
Woutids to the man were “extremely
superficial.”
‘People on the water
should educate them
selves about boating
laws, the same as they
would in a vehicle.
Robin Regan
Spokesman, Forsyth County
Sheriff’s Office
swimming area with a life jacket.
“If they venture too far out into the
lake,” Regan said, “there’s a bigger
change of a boater striking them
because people are harder to see when
they’re swimming.”
2
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people in any state, with those
previously performed in anoth
er state being recognized every
where else.
Georgia Attorney General
Sam Olens released a memo
randum to all state agencies
and departments by noon
Friday to restate the ruling in
simpler terms.
He reiterated the new nation
wide law that marriages
between any two people must
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Erin 0. Smith FCN regional staff
Leandro Lazarin uses a nail gun to secure boards while creating a form
to pour concrete at the Hobby Lobby site at North Lake Square on
Dawsonville Highway in Gainesville.
Hobby Lobby, Chipotle
coming to Hwy. 53 center
By Frank Reddy
FCN regional staff
GAINESVILLE — Plans are mov
ing forward for a large development
on Dawsonville Highway, where
Hobby Lobby, Chipotle and Academy
Sports + Outdoors are all slated to
open this fall or winter.
The developer for North Lake
Square — a planned 200,000-square
foot shopping center near Ahaluna
Drive — said there will be other
stores coming as well.
“We are currently working with
additional national retailers at this
time, and 1 hope to have some
announcements about those later this
summer,” said Tim Knight, president
of Knight Commercial Real Estate.
Chipotle spokeswoman Danielle
Winslow confirmed that a Gainesville
location was in fact opening in the
fourth quarter of 2015, but didn’t give
a specific date.
Site plans call for Chipotle to occu
py a 2,450-square-foot building.
Three additional shops, each 1,400
square feet, will adjoin the restaurant.
Hobby Lobby made its own
announcement earlier this week. The
release stated that the store is expect
ed to bring between 35 and 50 jobs,
paying $15.24 per hour for full-time
employees and $10.16 per hour for
part-time associates.
Hobby Lobby spokesman Zack
Higbee said the pay levels are a way
of showing workers that the chain val
ues them.
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be accepted and that state
employers must include any
marriage in benefits and other
practices, including retroactive
ly.
On Friday, Forsyth County
Probate Court Judge Lynwood
D. Jordan Jr. said paperwork
was ready at the local office,
with couples being able to use
forms that say “Applicant 17
and “Applicant 2” as opposed
to bride and groom.
‘Our empioyees are the
backbone of our company,
and we believe that giving
them the opportunity to
share in our success Is
the right thirig to do.’
Zack Higbee
Spokesman, Hobby Lobby
“Our employees are the backbone
of our company, and we believe that
giving them the opportunity to share
in our success is the right thing to
do,” Higbee said.
The new location will be the 35th in
Georgia for Hobby Lobby, a privately
held national retail chain of craft and
home decor stores. The North Lake
Square store will be 55,000 square
feet.
Site plans state the $4 billion sports
retailer Academy Sports + Outdoors
will occupy a 62,000-square-foot
space. : :
Knight said he chose the site in
Gainesville because “you’ve got sta
ble employment here, and it’s a grow
ing area of Hall County. It’s a good,
healthy market.” >
Knight added, “We’re excited to be
underway and excited about the
announcements we’ll have for the
public later this summer.”
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Scott Muse
Aftermarket Auto Repair
678-947-4040
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'WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015
The ruling impacts residents’
ability to marry and receive
spousal benefits, such as health
insurance and end-of-life deci
sions, but does not impact pri
vate business or statewide equal
employment laws or any reli
gious freedom laws.
According to the local pro
bate court, 1,168 marriage
applications were submitted
last year,