About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 2020)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | $1.00 | GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA | gainesvilletimes.com ft W Cherokee Bluff girls upset Dawson County, sports, ib Honestly Local Collins expected to try to oust Loeffler New bill, opposed by Kemp, would establish May primaries ahead of Nov. election BY JEFF AMY AND ALAN FRAM Associated Press ATLANTA — Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, an ardent ally of President Donald Trump and vocal opponent of his impeach ment, is expected to announce he will challenge fellow Republican and newly appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler for her seat this year, a Republican official said Monday. The decision by the four-term lawmaker could complicate the GOP’s chances of holding onto the seat as Republicans battle to 9 Loeffler Collins retain their Senate majority in this November’s elections. Loeffler, 49, was appointed this month to the seat by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp to replace the retired Sen. Johnny Isakson, who left office due to deteriorating health. She’s a businesswoman and a newcomer to politics. The conservative Collins, top Republican on the House Judi ciary Committee, was Trump’s pre ferred choice for the appointment. Trump supporters had criticized Loeffler as too moderate. But Kemp picked the wealthy Loeffler, who has said she will spend $20 million to retain the seat, in what was viewed as a bid to woo suburban and female voters. Since Kemp chose her, Loeffler has emphasized a pro-Trump message on issues like gun rights and build ing a wall along the border. Besides Loeffler’s consider able piggy bank, Collins will also face opposition from the National Republican Senatorial Committee. The Senate GOP’s campaign arm traditionally supports incumbent Republican senators against pri mary challenges and is supporting Loeffler. Loeffler will also be supported by the influential U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said Scott Reed, the organization’s senior political strategist. He called her “exactly the type of pro-business and pro growth candidate we support.” The GOP official who described Collins’ expected plans spoke on condition of anonymity to reveal private conversations. Collins’ move was reported Monday night by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Politico. Another complication in the race arose Monday when a Geor gia legislative panel approved a bill that could change the state’s party primary system. ■ Please see SENATE, 5A Man accused of drug deals on jail phone BY NICK WATSON nwatson@gainesvilletimes.com A Hall County Jail inmate was allegedly using the cell- block phone to arrange and facilitate drug deals, accord ing to authorities. Larry Termane Nuckles, 48, was served with arrest war rants Jan. 27 at the Hall County Jail on charges of criminal attempt to traffick metham- phetamine and use of a com munication device to facilitate a drug transaction. He was arrested along with Shan non Myria Bouchereau, 44, of Gillsville, who was charged with trafficking methamphet- amine among other things. “Mr. Nuckles arranged and facilitated these new crimi nal acts with Ms. Bouchereau while he was in jail by using an inmate cell ■ Please see MANS, 7A Bouchereau Water outage to affect some in Gainesville BY MEGAN REED mreed@gainesvilletimes.com Some Gainesville water customers will experience a service inter ruption Wednesday, Jan. 29, to allow for water main improvements. Work will begin at about 9 a.m. Wednesday and will cause a water outage that could last until 4 p.m. but may be shorter, according to Joel Altherr, a project manager Inside Water wars expected to continue, 5A I Please see WATER, 6A Exit 14 overpass delayed again Photos by SCOTT ROGERS I The Times Dust is blown off the surface of the Exit 14 bridge Tuesday, Jan. 28, before a crew can add striping on the long-awaited bridge over I-985. The overpass is now expected to open Thursday, Jan. 30. Striping done, signals started in preparation for Thursday open The surface of the Exit 14 bridge is prepared for striping Tuesday, Jan. 28. BY JEFF GILL jgill@gainesvilletimes.com The opening of Exit 14’s over pass has been delayed again. The structure over Interstate 985 in South Hall now “should open by mid-afternoon Thursday,” Jan. 30, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Striping the bridge took place Tuesday, Jan. 28. “We have also started the pro cess for the traffic signals at the ramps to start cycling,” district spokeswoman Katie Strickland said. At this time, signal activation for the interchange will take place Thursday morning.” When crews open the overpass, the interchange will be fully oper- I Inside | Longstreet Bridge now open, 5A ational, connecting Martin Road at Falcons Parkway on the east side of 1-985 to H.F. Reed at Thurmon Tanner Parkway on the west side. Since Sept. 3, motorists have only been able to use Exit 14’s entrance and exit ramps. The overpass’ progress was stalled after three of the driv ing surface’s four spans failed strength tests in early 2019. The DOT announced earlier in Janu ary that the driving surface has passed strength tests. Officials have said the problem stemmed from faulty materials as opposed to contractor error. INSIDE WEATHER 2A DEATHS 6A 0 40901 06835 Advice Business Calendar Classified Comics 5B 3B 2A 7B 6B Life 4B Lottery 2A Opinion 4A Sports 1B TV/puzzles 5B High Low 7f#52 38 Lake Lanier level: 1,071.07 feet Full pool 1,071. No change in 24 hours Sylvia Brooks, 79 Parker Burch, 1 Winona Bryan, 86 Ann Deichsel, 95 Cecil Cagle, 88 Alice Castelli, 95 Danny Evans Sr., 53 Harold Gailey, 92 Jean Gambrell, 79 Harold Gerrin, 83 Theresa Henderson, 59 Joan Jackson, 91 Cindy Johnson, 59 Lynette Knowles, 67 James Landrum, 67 Particia Martin, 66 Maria Mendez- De Zavala, 91 Wilma Poole, 79 Sharon Poole, 75 Sylvia Snyder, 84 Sidney Turner, 57 Michael Wallace, 75 Our Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program is one of only two adult programs in the country that have achieved survival outcomes significantly exceeding the expected survival rate for the last 10 years. With state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated team of experts, Northside has one of the most comprehensive BMT programs in the nation. Learn more at builttobeatcancer.com m NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL CANCER INSTITUTE HI
