The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current, December 27, 2018, Image 9

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The times., December 27, 2018, Image 9

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Newspaper Page TextLOCATSOUTHEAST The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com ★ Thursday, December 27, 2018 9A WWII homefront museum opens on Georgia coast BY RUSS BYNUM Associated Press SAVANNAH, Ga. — One exhibit contains a hinged wooden box that held a bottle of champagne before it was smashed across the bow of a newly launched cargo ship built to carry supplies to American troops overseas. Another displays the ship’s bell and a life ring from the S.S. Esso Baton Rouge, which sank off the Georgia coast in a deadly torpedo attack from a German U-boat. The artifacts recall moments of tragedy and celebration dur ing World War II in Glynn County, where sailors and airmen trained for battle overseas while civil ians — including many women — labored at the shipyard in sup port of the war effort. More than seven decades later, their stories are the subject of a museum that re-creates the war’s pervasive effect on the American homefront by focusing on a single East Coast community. The World War II Home Front Museum opened earlier this month on St. Simons Island, about 70 miles south of Savannah. Its exhibits are housed inside the island’s former Coast Guard sta tion, which was in charge of shore patrols for German submarines lurking off the Georgia coast dur ing the war. The Coastal Georgia Historical Society raised $3.7 million to build the museum as a repository for its growing collection of World War II artifacts and memorabilia donated by local residents, including more than 2,000 photographs from the period. The society collected doz ens of oral histories and had its exhibits designed by Gallagher & Associates, the same firm that helped develop the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. “We were really encouraged to think big about this project,” said Sherri Jones, the historical soci ety’s executive director. “The sto ries just resonated with everybody. It’s a story that so many people were passionate about.” The war pervasively affected Glynn County. About 16,000 workers, including 2,000 women, worked at the Brunswick ship yards building what were known as liberty ships — cargo vessels used to supply U.S. troops overseas. One exhibit at the museum allows visi tors to virtually construct a liberty ship and follow its voyage across the Atlantic. Another exhibit resembles the interior of a blimp like those that took off from the neighboring Glynco Naval Air Station to scout the coastline for enemy subma rines. There’s also a re-creation of the simulated radar room on St. Simons Island used to train naval officers in directing fighter planes in the heat of battle. The bell and life ring artifacts from the sunken S.S. Esso Baton Rouge help tell the story of an attack on April 8,1942, when Ger man U-boats torpedoed two mer chant ships off St. Simons Island. A total of 22 sailors were killed in the attack, while others were saved by Coast Guard crews from the sta tion that now houses the museum. Interactive exhibits allow visi tors to try distinguishing the sil houettes of friendly and enemy aircraft in a plane-spotting game, or to decide how best to spend ration points on staples such as meat, coffee and butter at a mock storefront. “We want people to come here and be able to relate to these sorts of things that were going on all over the United States,” said Mimi Rogers, the museum’s cura tor. “Rationing, plane spotting and other ways that ordinary citizens could support the war even if they weren’t in the military.” Before the museum opened to the public on Dec. 8, about 250 people who contributed to its cre ation — from those who donated photos and artifacts to the local landscaper — attended an invita tion-only launch celebration. Among them was 101-year-old Ida Mae Lawson, one of the ship yard workers who helped Bruns wick churn out 85 liberty ships before the war’s end in 1945. For the museum’s ceremonial launch, Lawson joined Rogers in a ritual recalling the sendoffs for the com pleted liberty ships. They broke a bottle of champagne across the flagpole outside. SC shooter’s case to test life sentence for juveniles I I* J KEN RUINARD I Associated Press Jesse Osborne waits for a ruling at the Anderson County Courthouse, Feb. 16. Osborne, a teen charged with shooting at a group of South Carolina elementary school students outside for recess, killing one of them, is set to appear in court. Prosecutors would not say why Osborne will appear at the Anderson County courthouse. BY JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina school shooting will soon become a test case for court rulings that restrict life-without- parole sentences for juveniles, after a 16-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of murder. Jesse Osborne pleaded guilty earlier this month to two charges of murder for fatally shooting his father in their home and a 6-year- old boy at the South Carolina elementary school Osborne once attended. Prosecutors said they would seek a life sentence without parole. Osborne faces a minimum of 30 years. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected mandatory life without parole for juveniles in 2012. How ever, life without parole is still allowed as an option for juveniles. Osborne and his lawyers said little at his plea hearing. But defense attorney Frank Eppes promised to fight to ensure the teen, who had turned 14 just 20 days before the September 2016 killings, leaves prison someday. WHAT WILL THE HEARING BE LIKE? The court rulings named five factors a judge must weigh before deciding if someone who was 17 or younger when they commit ted a murder should never leave prison. Judge Lawton McIntosh will have to consider Osborne’s age and maturity at the time of the crime; his family and home envi ronment; the circumstances of the crime; whether he knew his rights and could deal with police and prosecutors; and the possibil ity of rehabilitation, according to the courts. THE PROSECUTION’S CASE Based on the evidence pre sented during the Dec. 12 guilty plea hearing and a February hearing that determined Osborne would be tried as an adult, Solici tor David Wagner will emphasize the horror of Osborne’s crimes. The teen walked behind his father and shot him three times in the head before stealing his dad’s pickup and driving it to Townville Elementary School, said Wagner. Wagner also emphasized Osborne’s messages to a private Instagram group that he called a “sleeper cell of would-be school shooters.” The messages said he chose the elementary school because it had no police officer on campus and police response time would be slower. The judge will likely hear from mental health experts. Neuropsy chologist Mark Wagner testified at Osborne’s hearing to determine if he should be tried as an adult that the teen “told me he enjoys think ing about killing other people.” THE DEFENSE CASE It’s a little less clear how Osborne and his lawyers might argue for leniency. During the February hearing, they pointed out the teen loved his pets, even kissing them after he killed his father and headed to the school, because he wasn’t sure he would survive. They also have characterized Osborne’s father as an angry man who belittled and tried to pick fights with Osborne and his mother when he was drunk. Defense attorneys have also pointed out Osborne’s mother and lawyer were outside the sheriff’s office asking to see him while he was confessing to investigators the night of the shootings. Eppes and Osborne said little at his plea hearing. Outside the courtroom, Eppes said Osborne is remorseful and knew he could spend the rest of his life in prison from the day of the killings. “He is very guarded like all teenagers,” Eppes said. “He rarely talks about that day. ” PREVIOUS CASES An organization called Justice 360 opposes life sentences for juveniles. Executive Director Lindsey Vann said in most new murder cases involving juveniles since the court ruling, a hearing has been unnecessary because prosecutors and defense attor neys agreed on a sentence less than life that offers a chance of freedom. The group also tracks re-sen- tencing for juveniles already serving life sentences, which was ordered under the 2014 South Car olina Supreme Court ruling. As of this past February, seven defen dants have been resentenced, with just two of them ordered to keep serving life. SCHEDULING A date for Osborne’s hear ing has not been set. Both sides suggested it would take through at least late spring to organize experts and other witnesses. WINDER Woman arrested in fatal December hit-and-run A woman has been arrested and charged in the death of a man who was struck and killed by a hit-and- run driver earlier this month. The Athens Banner-Herald reported that the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office said 42-year-old Sandy Michelle Wilson of Winder was arrested on Christmas eve and is charged with felony vehicular homicide, cruelty to animals and other traffic violations. The sheriff’s office said 66-year- old Marvin Barnes of Statham and his dog were struck and killed Dec. 3 when someone ran off a the road. The sheriff’s office offered a reward of $2,500 last week for Wil son’s arrest. It was not known whether the reward offer played a role in her capture. ATLANTA Two people have died in fatal Christmas fire Two people have died in a Christ mas fire in the Atlanta area. News outlets reported the fire was reported around 10:30 p.m. Tues day in DeKalb County southeast of Atlanta. DeKalb County Fire Chief Ken neth McKinney said flames were coming out of the house when fire fighters arrived. Once fire crews made it inside, they found two victims. Their names have not been released. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Associated Press OBITUARIES Delores “Dodie” Bowen June 14,1944-Dec. 15,2018 Delores “Dodie” Bowen, 74, of Gaines ville, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 25,2018, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center follow ing an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 at The Refuge Wor ship Center with Rev. Hugh Hubbard, Rev. Helen Adams officiating. Interment will fol low in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Born on June 14,1944 in Atlanta, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Raleigh and Noami Bowen. She was retired from Fiel- dale, where she worked in the supply room. She was a member of The Refuge Worship Center. Mrs. Bowen had a “big circle of friends”. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bowen is preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. Mrs. Bowen is survived by her special friend, Willie Cain of Gainesville. Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 27, 2018 DEATH NOTICES Carolyn Bowen Bellamy Aug. 2,1942-Dec. 25,2018 Carolyn Bowen Bellamy, 76, of Mount Airy died Tuesday. Funeral service, 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, funeral home chapel. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. Evelyn Wilda Edge Died Dec. 23,2018 Evelyn Wilda Edge, 100, of Gainesville died Sunday. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Thurs day, Dec. 27, funeral home chapel. Strick land Funeral Home, Clermont. James Edward Ferguson Jr. Died Dec. 25,2018 James Edward “Ed” Ferguson Jr., 70, of Gainesville died Tuesday. Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, Gainesville. Debra McDowell Hubbard Died Dec. 23,2018 Debra McDowell Hubbard died Sunday. Memorial service, 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, McKendree United Methodist Church. Ham ilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford. Clara Sue Rickman Jachode Feb. 2,1942-Dec. 16,2018 Clara Sue Rickman Jachode, 76, died Sunday, Dec. 16. Habersham Crematory, Cornelia. G. A. Kitterman Died Dec. 22,2018 G. A. “Jerry” Kitterman, 74, of Flowery Branch died Saturday. Funeral service, 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, funeral home chapel. Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford. L.D. Franklin Lemley Died Dec. 22,2018 L.D. Franklin Lemley, 78, of Gainesville died Saturday. Funeral service, 1 p.m. Fri day, Dec. 28, funeral home chapel. Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville. James Roger Mills Dec. 21,1952-Dec. 25, 2018 James Roger Mills, 66, of Dawsonville died Tuesday. Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home, Dahlonega. Edward Layton Minks April 14,1950-Dec. 21,2018 Edward Layton Minks, 68, of Mount Airy died Friday. Habersham Crematory, Cornelia. Mark Anthony Miralles Died Dec. 25,2018 Mark Anthony Miralles, 61, of Cumming died Tuesday. McDonald and Son Funeral Home, Cumming. Elaine Ivey Payne April 30,1929-Dec. 24,2018 Elaine Ivey Payne, 89, of Dahlonega died Monday. Funeral service, 10:30 a.m. Satur day, Dec. 29, funeral home chapel. Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford. David Allen Quick June 19,1954-Dec. 19, 2018 David Allen Quick, 64, of Lawrenceville died Wednesday, Dec. 19. Ingram Funeral Home, Cumming. Johnnie Ann Bagley Reese May 19,1945-Dec. 24,2018 Johnnie Ann Bagley Reese, 73, of Buford died Monday. Funeral service, 3:30 p.m. Sat urday, Dec. 29, funeral home chapel. Flani gan Funeral Home, Buford. Eric Loren Saxton Died Dec. 24,2018 Eric Loren Saxton, 48, of Gainesville died Monday. Memorial service, 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, Lakewood Baptist Church. Memo rial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville. Nancy Ruth Shields Died Dec. 23,2018 Nancy Ruth Shields of Jefferson died Sun day. Young’s Funeral Home, Gainesville. Elois Florence Franklin Tench March 8,1925-Dec. 25,2018 Elois Florence Franklin Tench, 93, of Mount Airy died Tuesday. Funeral service, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, Hazel Creek Baptist Church. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. Shirley Ann McEver Sept. 12,1941-Dec. 24,2018 Shirley Ann McEver, 77, of Danielsville died Monday. Memorial service, 2 p.m Saturday, Dec. 29, Peachtree City Seventh- day Adventist Church. Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce. Marion Richard Trimmer Died Dec. 26,2018 Marion Richard “Dick” Trimmer died Wednesday. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Satur day, Dec. 29, funeral home chapel. Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville Obituary information Death notices are printed free as a public service by The Times. More information can be provided in paid obituaries. The rate is $50 per 100 words (or any part thereof). There is an additional mandatory $40 fee for online services, which includes a guest book that allows family and friends to post condolences. Deadline for publication is 5 p.m. seven days a week. Death notices and obituaries are accepted only from funeral homes. They should be emailed to obits@gainesvilletimes. com. All submissions will appear in The Times and online at gainesvilletimes.com. For more info., call 770-718-3419 or 800- 395-5005, extension 3419, between 3 and 6 p.m. weekdays. To inquire about pricing packages available to memorialize a pet in print, please contact Megan Lewis at 770-535-6371 or mlewis@gainesvilletimes.com Pets at Peace will appear in The Times the last Sunday of each month.