About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 2020)
6A Midweek Edition-December 2-3, 2020 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com LOCAL JEFF GILL I The Times A Dunkin’ doughnut shop is coming to this site in Flowery Branch next to the McDonald’s restaurant off Spout Springs Road. Dunkin’ coming to Flowery Branch BY JEFF GILL jgill@gainesvilletimes.com A Dunkin’ doughnut shop is coming to Flowery Branch next to the McDon ald’s restaurant off Spout Springs Road. Grading has begun at the site at 5915 Spout Springs Road, which is between Interstate 985’s Exit 12 and Hog Moun tain Road. Other details about the project weren’t immediately available on Mon day, Nov. 30. Rich Atkinson, Flowery Branch plan ning director, said Dunkin’ plans are being reviewed by Donald Bowers, the city’s building inspector. “I recall that it did have some mini mal seating on the inside,” Atkinson said. A sign on the property depicting a site development permit shows Donuts Holdings LLC as the owner. Com pany officials couldn’t be reached for comment. The Dunkin’ and McDonald’s will be on a site once occupied by Rite Aid pharmacy. The Rite Aid building was torn down as construction began in early 2020 on the McDonald’s. $5K in medical devices, other items taken in burglary BY NICK WATSON nwatson@gainesvilletimes.com Authorities say roughly $5,000 in defibrillators and other items were taken during a burglary reported Fri day, Nov. 27, at a Gainesville business. Hall County Sheriff’s Office spokes man Derreck Booth said an employee of Delta Ambulance, on Centennial Drive, discovered the burglary when arriving to work around 8:30 a.m. Friday. Booth said items taken included automated external defibrillators, fuel cards, a computer, vehicle keys and other items. Operations manager Sherrie Cavarretta told the Times on Tues day, Dec. 1 that “the offices were destroyed,” with papers and boxes strewn everywhere. “Honestly, we have no clue,” she said, adding she was unsure how some one might resell some of these stolen items. “We have no idea. We haven’t let go of anybody in close to two years. ” The Sheriff’s Office has no known suspects as investigators continue working the case. Anyone with information on the case can call the investigator at 770-533-7729. South Hall smoothie shop gets initial approval Nov. 30 A proposed South Hall smoothie shop was rec ommended for approval Monday, Nov. 30, by the Braselton Planning Commission. The development now goes before the Braselton Town Council for a public hearing at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Braselton Police & Municipal Court at 5040 Highway 53. Braselton documents say the developer is “targeting a national smoothie chain” as part of a 5,000-square- foot building at 1217 Friend ship Road, next to BGW Dental Group and at the corner of Friendship Road/ Ga. 347 and Old Winder Highway/Ga. 211. The name of the chain still isn’t known, planning director Kevin Keller said Tuesday, Dec. 1. Riverstone Braselton LLC is seeking a conditional use permit from Braselton to allow for a drive-thru at the building on the .72-acre site. John Stell, a lawyer asso ciated with the project, has said that if the permit is approved, construction of the building could start soon afterward. Jeff Gill hit by car dies A Gainesville woman died days after being hit by a car Friday, Nov. 28, on Thompson Bridge Road, police said. Sherri Anderson, 59, allegedly stepped into the path of a GMC Yukon after 7 p.m. Friday near Etta Vista Circle, Gaines ville Police Lt. Kevin Hol brook said. “It’s believed that she was attempting to cross the road to go to the Chev ron store there,” Hol brook said. Holbrook said Ander son was transported to Northeast Georgia Medi cal Center, where she suc cumbed to her injuries. The lieutenant said the driver stopped and cooperated with the investigators. “At this time, no charges are expected to be filed,” Holbrook said. Nick Watson Riverside Academy receives $1 million for scholarships BY DANIELA CARRASCO dcarrasco@gainesvilletimes.com Riverside Military Academy is getting an early Christ mas present this year with a $1 million donation from alumnus John Phelps. Phelps is the second person to donate $1 million to Riv erside in the past 18 months. “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of this gift as well as the timing,” Col. Stas Preczewski, presi dent of Riverside, said in a press release. Phelps donated the money to create The John F. and Ann L. Phelps Endowment to fund student scholarships. He decided to give the money earlier because of the “financial hardships” brought on to many because of the pandemic. Phelps entered Riverside his junior year after the death of his father. He graduated in 1956, just 18 months after joining and went on to run an office supply and printing store in Pensacola, Florida. “John Phelps’ story is an excellent example of what RMA does for young men,” Ellen DeFoor, Riverside’s vice president for advancement, said in the release. Crash involving Gainesville city truck sends 5 to hospital Five people, including two boys, were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center after a three-vehicle wreck Saturday, Nov. 28, authorities said. Georgia State Patrol Cpl. Major Patterson said Tara McDowell, 31, of Dawsonville, was heading southbound around 1:33 p.m. Saturday on Thompson Bridge Road in the center turn lane. Jesus Medrano, 51, of Gainesville, was driving a Kia Cadenza northbound in the right lane, and John Staton, 50, of Gainesville, was stopped at a stop sign on Oak Tree Drive in a Ford F250 owned by the city of Gainesville. Patterson said McDowell turned into the path of Medra no’s car and struck the car head-on. Medrano’s car then struck Staton’s truck in the front with Medrano’s passenger side, authorities said. Both drivers and their passengers were taken to North east Georgia Medical Center with non-life-threatening inju ries. Staton was uninjured. Patterson said McDowell was cited for failure to yield while turning left. Nick Watson Email us a picture of your handwritten Letters to Santa Now through December 18 Please only one letter per person, all letters will be published in our December 23 edition. Email the letters to contest@gainesvilletimes.com Our apologies, but we will not be accepting letters by drop off this year. £he (Times gainesvilletimes.com Honestly local.
