Georgia People

Georgia police department mourns loss of 45-year-old officer

The Darien Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its officers. The police department confirmed yesterday that Officer David Horton had died. Horton was 45-years-old. According to his obituary, Horton died at Memorial Health on Saturday. He was an Effingham County native who was previously employed by the Long County Sheriff's Dept. Horton leaves behind a son and a daughter. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14 at Thomas C. Strickland and Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15 at Compassion Christian Church Effingham Campus, 810 Fort Howard Road,…

Georgia author pens romance novel, Southern Steel

Southern Steel, a new book by Sherrie H. Coombs, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. Determined to live out her late father’s dreams, Sydney James has achieved the ultimate success in education and in the world of engine design. Independent, laser-focused, and determined, she lives a lonely life, believing that the key to her success is self-sufficiency. How else is she supposed to survive in the male-dominated industry of her chosen profession? One day, after her car breaks down, Sydney meets Doug, the greasy mechanic at the nearest automobile supply store, and he makes quite an impression. Not…

Meet Gwinnett County’s new police chief

Gwinnett County's new police chief will be J.D. McClure. McClure currently serves as Deputy Chief and will become the county's first African American police chief. McClure will replace Police Chief Brett West, who will retire after 30 years of service to the county. McClure began his career as a police officer with Gwinnett County in 1996 and currently serves as deputy chief over the department’s Operations Bureau. McClure will assume his new role Aug. 21. “I’m honored to have this opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Chief West and previous Gwinnett County police chiefs who have led with integrity and compassion,”…

Meet the new president of the Georgia Police Chiefs’ Association

The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police announced Peachtree City Police Chief Janet Moon was sworn in as the the organization's President on Tuesday, July 20. Chief Janet Moon is a 36-year police veteran. Originally from Cedartown, she began her career in the Army, serving as a Military Police Officer in 1985. In 1989 she went to work at the Rome Police Department where she rose to the rank of Lieutenant serving in many divisions of the department. Moon joined the Suwanee Police Department in 2001 as a Captain over the Field Operations and Communication divisions. In 2006, she was…

Funeral arrangements set for Alpharetta police officer who died from COVID-19

ALPHARETTA -- Funeral arrangements for Alpharetta Police Officer Clinton Martin have been announced by the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 15 at North Point Community Church and the funeral service will be held Friday, July 16 at 2 p.m. A burieal service will be held Wednesday, July 21 at 11:30 a.m. at Georgia National Cemetery. Martin died after a long battle with COVID-19. He was initially released from the hospital around Father's Day, but was rushed back to the hospital in late June. He died the morning of July 3. Alpharetta Police Chief John…

Meet Johns Creek’s new police chief

JOHNS CREEK -- The city of Johns Creek has a new police chief, nearly a year after the previous chief came under fire for comments he made about Black Lives Matter protests. Mark J. Mitchell was sworn in last month as the new police chief. A 28-year law enforcement veteran, Mitchell most recently served as the chief of staff for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice and prior to that was the Chief of Police for the City of Canton. Mitchell becomes the third police chief in the city's 14-year history and will oversee a staff of 79 sworn police…

Georgia firefighter dies in boating accident

The Gainesville Fire Department confirmed yesterday that firefighter Chandler Patterson died over the weekend in a boating accident. Chandler died after a boating accident on Lake Tugaloo Saturday evening, while spending time off with his family and friends. Chandler had been with the Gainesville Fire Department since June 2019. He was 27-years old. "Chandler was a super friendly person with an incredible personality! He brought smiles to everyone around him with his laid back and caring demeanor. He will be missed dearly," the department posted on its Facebook page. Flags at all fire stations in Gainesville will be lowered in…

Meet the new principal at Mulberry Creek Elementary School

CATAULA -- The Harris County School District’s Board of Education has approved Amy Allen as the new principal for Mulberry Creek Elementary School in Cataula. As the 2021-2022 school year marks her 26th year as an educator, Allen will be re-joining the Mulberry Creek family after serving as the assistant principal at Creekside Intermediate School since 2018. About the appointment, Allen shared, “Having previously been a teacher at Mulberry Creek Elementary for 14 years, I am excited about the opportunity to work with students, faculty, staff and community members as I begin to serve in my first principalship. In this…

Meet Gwinnett County’s first African American parks chief

When a young Chris Minor played football at Cemetery Field, he did not know he would one day oversee the organization that operates that very park. Minor is the first African-American director of the Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Division. “I’m honored to be able to hold this position. The historical context of it is not lost on me, but it’s not something I dwell on,” said Minor. “I want to be a good parks and recreation director, regardless of the color of my skin. I am here to serve all people.” He said his new role and life have…

Find out what former U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson is doing now

Former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson launched a nonprofit organization Wednesday to raise awareness and funding for neurocognitive diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and related dementia. Isakson, R-Ga., announced his diagnosis with Parkinson’s in 2015 and retired from Congress at the end of 2019, midway through his third term in the Senate. “Upon my retirement, I have rededicated my life to serving the people of Georgia and the United States by doing everything within my power to help those who are working toward a cure for Parkinson’s and other related neurocognitive issues,” Isakson said in a prepared statement. “If our great nation…

Remembering an Atlanta Legend: Who was C.T. Martin?

Former Atlanta City Council member C.T. Martin died this morning surrounded by his family at his home in Southwest Atlanta. He was 84 years old. Martin was known as the “Dean” of the City Council because he was one of the longest serving Council members at one time. In December 2017, the City of Atlanta renamed the $27 Million Dollar Adamsville Recreation Center to the C.T. Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center as a tribute to his many decades of service. Martin leaves a legacy of service and leadership to the Atlanta community and the residents of his beloved District 10…

Meet Savannah State University’s new president

Savannah State University Interim President Kimberly Ballard-Washington is about to take on the job on a permanent basis. Ballard-Washington has been selected sole finalist for the post, system Chancellor Steve Wrigley and Sachin Shailendra, chairman of the Board of Regents, announced Thursday. Ballard-Washington has served as the university’s interim president since former President Cheryl Dozier retired nearly two years ago. Before that, Ballard-Washington practiced law for 20 years, serving as an advisor to the state’s public colleges and universities. “Savannah State’s 130-year history could not be better served than with a candidate of Ms. Ballard-Washington’s leadership and determination to honor…

These are the finalists for Georgia Teacher of the Year

State School Superintendent Richard Woods today announced the 10 finalists for 2022 Georgia Teacher of the Year. The finalists were chosen from a pool of applicants all previously selected as their school district’s Teacher of the Year. The applications were read by a panel of judges that included teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year winners, administrators, community leaders and others. The finalists were chosen based on the strength of their essay responses. “I am incredibly proud to announce the finalists for 2022 Georgia Teacher of the Year,” Superintendent Woods said. “This is a group of creative, hardworking, talented teachers…

Meet Atlanta’s new police chief

ATLANTA -- Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appointed interim Atlanta Police Department Chief Rodney Bryant as the permanent Chief to lead the department. Since his appointment, Bryant has focused on reducing violent crimes, taking guns off the streets and bridging the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve—believing the police department must be a community-focused law enforcement agency which protects and serves with respect for all people, while ensuring the public safety of all Atlantans. He also believes that the Atlanta Police Department must proactively meet the complex demands of a diverse, progressive urban city through implementation of continual training. “Chief Bryant has a deep and abiding love for our…

Georgia remembers former lawmaker Hank Huckaby

Former University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby died Wednesday at age 79 after suffering a stroke last week. Huckaby served a brief stint in the state House of Representatives representing a Watkinsville-based district and before that spent years as an administrator at the University of Georgia. He was named chancellor of the university system in 2011 and served in that role until retiring in early 2017. “He was a true gentleman and a pillar of the Athens and Oconee County community,” Gov. Brian Kemp said. “Hank left Georgia better than he found it, and for that, we are forever…