Approvals from Board Officers to School Administrators in January’s BOE

Board of Education, News
administrators

EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – January is typically a month of changes and approvals for administrators positions in Gilmer’s BOE and 2021 is no different with two newly elected Board Members casting their first votes looking at school administrators, meeting dates, and other higher level choices preparing them for the second semester of the school year as well as the entirety of their terms on the board.

https://youtu.be/eq4Gxcz6HCI

This month saw a slight change in meetings as the board adjusted next January’s meeting dates to avoid Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Setting those dates a week later just as they were this month. With this minor change the final set meeting schedule for the Board was approved. However, that approval came with another requested change. The board has been meeting at 5:30 p.m. for over a year, but now, a request came to adjust the meetings back to 6 p.m. The BOE has met at 6 p.m. in the past, but adjusted meeting dates annually as board members needed.

This change is no different as Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs said the change was requested “to better accommodate Board Members who commute out of town for work.” Unanimous approval finalized the change and officially set the dates for the coming year.

AdministratorsWith the two newest board members, Joe Pflueger and Michael Parks, officially taking office, the board set about its annual nominations for Chairman and Vice Chairman. Ronald Watkins was nominated, and subsequently approved, as 2021’s Chairman. Doug Pritchett was then nominated and approved as Vice-Chairman.

Alongside their normal Personnel, the board approved each administrator for the district’s schools as well as administrative positions over the schools. According to Downs, approving the administration positions this month will allow those administrators to appoint and recommend staff for approval next month. Unanimous approvals came for the BOE administrations, and 4-0 votes came for the 5 principals of schools with nobody voting against. Board Member Joe Pflueger did abstain from voting on the 5 principals. He later told FYN that he simply abstained because he did not receive some requested evaluation paperwork on those principals. Because of that, he felt he did not have enough information for the vote.

administrators, Paul Standard, Coach

Gilmer Bobcats Football Coach Paul Standard

There was another new position filled prior, but presented just after the Board Meeting. Hosted by the Gilmer Touchdown Club, a small reception was held after the meeting introducing Gilmer’s new Football Coach, Paul Standard.

According to Gilmer Schools, “Coach Standard comes to the Bobcats from St. Pius X in Atlanta, where he has served as head coach for the past 20-years, compiling a 174-72 record. Coach Standard has eight region championships, an eighteen year playoff record, and twelve Top 10 state rankings.”

Coach Standard said, “The kindness, the generosity, and the graciousness of this entire community from the first time that I met with the administration in early January to now has been unbelievable. The Gilmer and Ellijay community have opened their arms up to me and my family and I couldn’t be more excited and thankful.”

Officially approved as a teacher at Gilmer High School this week, Standard is now, formally, a part of the Bobcat Community.

Diamond Store Break-in occurs in East Ellijay

News
Break-In closings, rally, lockdown

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Owners of North Georgia Diamond in Gilmer County have confirmed a break-in and theft occurred in their showroom last night, December 4, 2019.

According to a statement by North Georgia Diamond, the business is already beginning to recover and are looking to return to business this weekend.

So far, East Ellijay Police, Gilmer’s Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) have all been reported to be involved in the investigation. FYN has reached out to these agencies for comment and is awaiting a response.

Additionally, North Georgia Diamond has confirmed that with the break-in happening overnight, no injuries came from the incident. However, there was damage to the building and equipment.

With the investigation ongoing, North Georgia Diamond released a statement saying, “Nobody got hurt and we will get through this. Thanks to all of the law enforcement personnel that have been on the seen this morning. East Ellijay PD, Gilmer County Sheriffs Office, GBI, and anyone else I am leaving out. They are the best. Stay tuned for more info as to when we can get back up and running. We have a wonderful community and we will have a Merry Christmas.”

Diamond theft suspects arrested

News
Diamond Theft

EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – Reports have been confirmed at this time that two suspects have been apprehended in the investigation into Wednesday night’s, December 4, 2019, break-in and theft at North Georgia Diamond in East Ellijay, Georgia.

Tyreke Marquise McCloud

Tyreke Marquise McCloud

Kimmone Alexander Stewart

Kimmone Alexander Stewart

Kimmone Alexander Stewart, 22, of Orlando, Florida,  and Tyreke Marquise McCloud, 21, also of Orlando, Florida, were apprehended on December 5, 2019, just before 9 p.m. in Turner County in South Georgia.

According to a statement from Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, the Sheriff’s Department responded to a request from East Ellijay Police Chief Larry Callahan to assist in the investigation of the theft. However, due to the extensiveness of the crime scene and the dollar amount in merchandise stolen, the Sheriff’s Office requested additional aid from the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation).

Nicholson went on to say that through the investigation, authorities were able to recover video footage of two African-American males entered the building by breaking through the front glass. They were also able to determine the suspects were driving a Dodge Charger. With this information, Nicholson said the Sheriff’s Office put out regional requests for “like crimes in other jurisdictions.”

With more evidence still being processed and analyzed, information came in today from the Turner County Sheriff’s Office who had arrested two African American males driving a Dodge Charger and matching the description of the suspects involved in the diamond theft.

Diamond TheftNicholson recounted that Turner County Deputies had attempted a traffic stop of the Charger, but the vehicle fled police. The chase ultimately resulted in the Charger crashing and the two suspects being apprehended by deputies. However, Nicholson said the deputies also found a large amount of jewelry in the vehicle during their processing of the scene. Turner County began reaching out for information on related crimes.

Currently, Sheriff Nicholson said they are processing more evidence tying these two to the North Georgia Diamond theft and break-in, and through further cooperation with Gilmer County Detectives, looking at the evidence in Turner County, detectives were able to connect these two men to the crime. However, the Sheriff’s Office is only releasing this preceding information at this time. He said they will be charging the two with one count of burglary each and are pursuing warrants drafted to bring the suspects back to Gilmer County to stand trial for the theft after Turner County finishes with its traffic charges for the two suspects.

Nicholson went on to say, “Although there was a lot of good police work that went in to the initial investigation of this case. It always helps to have a little luck on your side when you’re investigating a burglary. I personally give a lot of credit to the Turner County Sheriff’s Office for helping us solve this crime.”

Diamond TheftBill and Alison Craig, owners of North Georgia Diamond, were unable to be reached for comment directly. However, official statements from North Georgia Diamond said,”Thank you to Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, Captain Brian Shepard and his Investigation Team, GCSO, East Ellijay Police Chief Larry Callahan, Shane Bowman, Tommy Long, The GBI, and all the other members of their departments. We also wish to thank the Turner County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. We would also like to thank the team from DC Glass for putting our showcases back together in record time. Our wonderful community reached out in so many ways with prayer and offers to help and it worked. This is amazing news and well, We are having a DOOR BUSTER SALE with half off gold and diamond jewelry til close today and another special sale tomorrow. We are beyond excited about this development.”

In a surprise turn, information of the suspects apprehension came today on the same day that North Georgia Diamond has officially reopened after the incident, December 6, 2019. With quick repairs and replacements, a statement yesterday from North Georgia Diamond said, “There are still a few cases that need new glass (that will happen Saturday) and we may be a bit stressed but we will not let this senseless break in get us down.”

In fact, as if in opposition to the diamond theft, North Georgia Diamond has already announced two sales going on this weekend, quickly returning to not only normal business, but showing resilience against both the break-in and the loss of merchandise at the time.

Nicholson stated, “It would appear, at this time, that at least a large portion of the stolen merchandise from North Georgia Diamond was recovered by the good work of the Turner County Deputies.”

Traffic stop finds a quarter of a kilogram in drugs

News, Police & Government

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer authorities are reporting today that a routine traffic stop led to much more as officers and a K-9 unit discovored almost a quarter of kilo of what they suspect to be Methamphetamine.

Officers have taken two men into custody earlier this week when officials say that officers noticed the truck, turned on their lights, and proceeded to follow the vehicle before finally getting it to stop.

The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office has released the following information:

On Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at approximately 1937 hours, Deputies from the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a green Ford Ranger for an expired tag, defective equipment, busted windshield, and tire requirements on Mountaintown Road. The green Ford Ranger failed to stop for Deputies and threw a brown plastic grocery bag out of the vehicle. Once Deputies got the vehicle stopped, Mr. Richard Drennon Sanford, age 63, and Mr. Charles Leon Hollifield, age 53, were taken into custody.

Deputies then deployed a K-9 for an open air sniff of the vehicle. The K-9 alerted on the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed the following: a clear plastic Ziploc bag containing a white crystal substance (suspected methamphetamine), a set of black digital scales with residue, hypodermic syringes, a food vacuum sealer with vacuum sealing bags that were cut.

A search incident to arrest of the suspects revealed that Mr. Sanford had $7,413 in U.S. currency, and Mr. Hollifield had a small amount of marijuana along with $998 in U.S. currency. The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office seized the $8,411 in U.S. currency.

Deputies conducted a search of the area and recovered the brown plastic grocery bag that was thrown from the vehicle. The bag contained six vacuumed-sealed bags containing a white crystal substance (suspected methamphetamine) that weighted approximately 223.4 grams (7.880 oz.’s).

Mr. Sanford is charged with the following: V.G.C.S.A. Trafficking (Methamphetamines), V.G.C.S.A. with Intent to Distribute (Methamphetamines), V.G.C.S.A. (Methamphetamines), Drug E Related Objects, No Seat Belt, Expired Tag, Defective Equipment, Littering, Tampering with Evidence, Open Container of Alcohol, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, Reckless Driving, and Driving on the wrong side of the road.

Mr. Hollifield is charged with the following: V.G.C.S.A. Trafficking (Methamphetamines), V.G.C.S.A. with Intent to Distribute (Methamphetamines), V.G.C.S.A. (Methamphetamines), Drug Related Objects, No Seat Belt, Littering, Tampering with Evidence, and Possession of Marijuana less than 1 oz.

Officers and Construction updates for new year in BOE

News
GMP, Coronavirus

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Entering the new year, the Gilmer County Board of Education began discussions about the plans of moving into Phase 2 of the High School Renovations this summer.

With talks going back and forth on Calendars and the possibility of state involvement in school calendars, Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs said that even starting in the first week of August as the current calendar plans are incorporating the summer construction plans. The uncertainty comes that if the State moves forward with recommendations to extend the summers with schools starting the first Monday of September, and ending around June 1.

While no indication comes on what the future may hold on this, Downs assured the Board that the plans for construction and summer renovations can be fit in with the school systems currently planned summer break.

Additionally, the Board elected its new officers for 2019 with nominations and approvals for Michael Bramlett to continue as Board Chairman and Ronald Watkins as Vice-Chair.

 

Suspect involved in shooting now missing

News

ELLIJAY, Ga. – The suspect of a home invasion last week, Willie Lee McCoy, was shot by law enforcement during the incident, but has now escaped custody at the hospital where he was being cared for.

According to Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, McCoy was incapacitated and under heavy medication as he was life-flighted to the hospital for his injuries. Nicholson states he was kept under guard by the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office for 18 hours.

During that time, Nicholson says he was assured multiple times by the hospital security that they would monitor and guard McCoy and would inform the Sheriff’s Office when he was being released. However, over the weekend, he got out of his bed and walked out the front door of the hospital. At this time, his whereabouts are unknown.

The Sheriff’s has notified those involved in last weeks incident about the escape and is currently looking for him. They are also looking for Loren Danielle Denson. Nicholson said that the Sheriff’s Office is only seeking Denson for questioning at this time as they believe she may have information about McCoy. He asserted that the office was only seeking Denson as a possible connection at this time.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking citizens to be aware of the situation and is asking anyone who spots or has information on McCoy to contact law enforcement immediately. They are asking citizens not to approach these two, but instead call 911 if you spot them.

McCoy is expected to still be affected by injuries to his hip and arm and that one of his injuries would be in need of follow up treatment.

According to the Sheriff’s BOLO McCoy is wanted for charges of aggravated assault on Peace Officer, Armed Robbery, and Home Invasion.

PHS lockdown and what’s next in the Vaping Campaign

Uncategorized

Jasper, Ga – The Pickens County Board of Education hosted a no-threat lockdown today on the campus of Pickens High School.

Parents and citizens saw the Pickens County Sheriff respond to concerns saying:

We currently have a team of deputies and K-9 units participating in a controlled sweep of the Pickens High School campus. While the school is being checked, students are being placed in a non-emergency lockdown status. Students are safe and no threat exists at the school.

When questioned about the lockdown, Pickens County Schools Superintendent Dr. Carlton Wilson said the K-9 sweep was scheduled for a few weeks ago, but had to be pushed back due to scheduling conflicts with Cherokee County who supplies the K-9 units. As the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office has retired its last K-9 unit for medical reasons, Wilson stated it is a part of the agreement with Cherokee County to utilize theirs.

With the lockdown and sweep completed, Wilson informed FYN that no drugs were located during the sweep today. Though he noted it was not directly related to the rising use of vape devices, Wilson did respond to questions about the trend saying that it is a concern in the school system.

Sweeps like this is a part of the school’s enforcement of its code of conduct as well as state and federal law. Though Wilson said there is more going on behind the scenes in the system’s response to the rising vape concerns and to school security in general, he declined to release details saying, “There is a number of things that we are doing and things that we are working with the Sheriff’s Office, some of that we just can’t publicize at the moment.”

More information on these steps like the K-9 sweeps and other programs the school already has in place over its years in operation can be found at the upcoming Monday, September 24, day of events involving the Office of the Sheriff, the District Attorney, and Pickens School district as they hold a meeting for parents for information and the ‘Chat with the Superintendent’ at Pickens High School at 6 p.m.

Wilson went on to note that the school system is being forced to change the way it views vaping devices. While he notes that it is against the law for underage kids to possess cigarettes and vaping devices and they have enforced the law, he did state that the school system may have, at times, not utilized the most extreme forms of discipline available in every situation involving the use of nicotine. He went on to say, “Now that this added ability of being able to vape just about anything, that brings it to a whole different level.”

As part of the school’s efforts to inform parents and students about the dangers that vapes present with not knowing what is in them, the board is working with the District Attorney and the Sheriff’s Office. Wilson said, “We may have looked at vaping in the past as more of a replacement for a cigarette, and not as a delivery device for drugs… Going forward, we probably would.”

He added later, “We’re going to have to really start disciplining to the fullest extent that we can, given to us by our Code of Conduct or either by the Law to keep our children safe.”

UPDATE: Drusilla Patrick autopsy confirms homicide

News

ELLIJAY, Ga. – A new update has come from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) in the case of the murder of Drusilla Patrick.

Completing the autopsy, GBI has confirmed a gunshot wound leading to homicide. Though believed to be Drusilla Patrick, the release states they are still awaiting a formal forensic identification of the body. Though officials are continuing the investigation into her death, another new development came with news of Charles Michael Patrick’s death in custody at the Gilmer County Detention Center.

As reported in the original press release, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, the GBI and Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) executed a search warrant at the Patrick home on Ridgemont Drive in Ellijay, Georgia, which extended into Thursday. On Thursday, human remains believed to be those of Drusilla Patrick were located on the property.

The official release for the completion of the autopsy states:

The autopsy for Drusilla Patrick was completed at the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday, April 27, 2018. The cause of death was determined to be gunshot wound and the manner of death was determined to be homicide. A formal forensic identification of Drusilla Patrick is pending.

Murder Arrest in Gilmer

News

ELLIJAY, Ga. – A joint operation between the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI), and United States Probation Officers culminated in an arrest yesterday of Charles Michael Patrick, 72, of Ridgemont subdivision in Ellijay, GA.

Federal Probation officers were supervising Patrick, according to a GBI press release, when they became concerned about the whereabouts of his wife, Drusilla Patrick. During the ensuing investigation by the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, a request was made for assistance from GBI.

Charles Michael Patrick, 72, was arrested Thursday, April 26, on murder charges for his wife, Drusilla Patrick.

Charles Michael Patrick, 72, was arrested Thursday, April 26, on murder charges for his wife, Drusilla Patrick.

Their press release states, “When the probation officer received information that Charles Patrick re-married unexpectedly, he questioned Patrick about Drusilla Patrick and received conflicting statements.”

The Gilmer Sheriff’s Office states that in addition to Federal Probation, Patrick was being monitored as a registered sex offender by GCSO.

A cooperative investigation by the GBI and GCSO revealed: “Drusilla Patrick was last seen alive between December 2016 and January 2017.” GBI also reports that Patrick had told different people different reasons for Drusilla’s absence and that they were not actually married, having been legally divorced in 1970.

Additionally, Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson noted it was excellent “head’s up police work” by federal probation officers and Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registry Compliance Officer is what led to the solving of a murder and missing person that had never been reported.

According to the GBI:

“On Wednesday, April 25, 2018, the GBI and GCSO executed a search warrant at the Patrick home on Ridgemont Drive in Ellijay, Georgia which extended into Thursday. On Thursday, human remains believed to be those of Drusilla Patrick were located on the property. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday, April 27th at the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Decatur, Georgia.”

The Sheriff’s office reports that Patrick was taken into custody at a local motel without incident on Thursday, April 26, by Sheriff Nicholson, Gilmer County Deputy Sheriffs, GBI Agents, and a Federal Probation Officer.

Nicholson stated, “I can not begin to give adequate praise to Corporal Jason Reed and the federal probation officers.”

Patrick is currently housed in the Gilmer County Detention Center charged with Murder and held without bond at this time. With the investigation continuing and the GBI claiming additional charges could still be forthcoming, officials are not revealing anything further at this time.

Sheriff Nicholson did make one final comment to commend the work of his Detectives and the GBI Region 8 agents for their excellent investigation into a crime that could have very easily never been discovered, much less solved.

Read the official press releases from the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for further information.

Shooting at Dalton High School

News

DALTON, Ga. – The Dalton Police Department is on scene at Dalton High School where shots have been fired.

Dalton Police report that no student was injured by the shooting and all students are out of harm’s way. They also report the subject, a teacher, has been taken into custody.

The subject had barricaded themselves into a classroom earlier today before firing a weapon. Local police and Georgia State Patrol responded to the initial call. Concerning those reports that have come about a student injured during the evacuation, the Dalton Police were adamant that no student was injured by the shooting.

Police are also asking parents to NOT go to Dalton High School as they say, “The area inside the school has been evacuated and there are no students believed to be in the school at this time.”

The evacuated students have been taken to the Northwest Georgia Trade Center where police report parents should go for their children.

 

Yukon bus wreck report released

News

EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Georgia State Patrol has released its official report for the Yukon Road bus incident last Monday, Jan. 22.

According to the report, officials say the bus driver, 71-year-old Harold Moody, says he drifted onto the shoulder as he was reaching for his microphone and looking into his mirror at the students on his bus.

The report states Moody was “distracted” while he was driving by using the microphone and causing him to drift off the east side of Yukon Road before striking a culvert and veering back across both lanes before overturning and coming to rest blocking the road. Moody was not injured in the accident.

Vehicle 1 was traveling north attempting to negotiate a curve on Yukon Road. Vehicle 1 drifted and traveled off the east side of Yukon Road causing the driver to lose control.
Vehicle 1 traveled north on the east shoulder into a ditch. The undercarriage of vehicle 1 struck the ditch culvert. Vehicle 1 veered left and travel west across both lanes of the
roadway. Vehicle 1 overturned and came to an uncontrolled rest facing west on its right side across both lanes of Yukon Road.

Driver 1 stated that he reached up to grab the microphone and looked at the rearview mirror to address the student passengers. He stated that the student passengers were being loud and using profanity. Driver 1 became distracted by using the microphone and looking at the rearview mirror while attempting to negotiate a downhill curve.

School officials have already confirmed the use of a substitute driver after having placed Moody on administrative leave. Read more about the accident with “Bus wreck on Yukon injures students,” “Responding to Gilmer’s bus wreck on Yukon Road,” and “Ralston speaks on Yukon bus crash.”

 

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Board of Education begins 2018 by looking to next school year

News

ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Gilmer County Board of Education (BOE) began 2018 already considering changes coming for the 2018-19 school year.

The board is moving ahead with Administrative Renewals for the coming school year as they are already facing nine retirements and two resignations approved in January alone. Gilmer County Charter School System Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes stated the board wanted to approve the administrative renewals now so they could move forward with their own recommendations for teachers to fill the empty spots.

The approved staff recommendations for January show those changes for January, but more are sure to come as the teacher hiring season begins with schools everywhere looking to fill positions for next year.

Even board personnel adjusted positions as new officers were elected. The position of BOE chairman came with a nomination for Michael Bramlett and appointed by acclamation. Vice chairman, however, saw more action with two nominations, one for Jim Parmer and one for Ronald Watkins.

The vote for Parmer came down to two for and three against (2-3). Nick Weaver, Tom Ocobock, and Ronald Watkins were the dissenting votes.

Watkins saw three for, none against, and two abstentions (3-0-2). Parmer and Watkins abstained on their votes.

In addition to the administrative and personnel approvals, the board set their meetings dates officially for 2018 as well as January 2019. The meetings will continue being held at 6 p.m. on these meeting dates:

Feb. 12 and 15
March 19 and 22
April 23 and 26
May 21 and 24
June 18 and 21
July 16 and 19
Aug. 20 and 23
Sept. 17 and 20
Oct. 15 and 18
Nov. 12 and 15
Dec. 10 and 13
Jan. 14 and 17, 2019

Drug Investigation Continues With 13 Arrests

News
Arrest Made in Gilmer Drug Bust

ELLIJAY, GA – According to the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, an ongoing investigation into a local “drug network” has brought 13 new arrests.

Gilmer deputies worked alongside agents of the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force and other entities to perform the arrests warrants yesterday, September 6. The charges currently stand as Conspiracy to Violate the Ga Controlled Substances Act and Use of a communication device to facilitate a drug transaction. Those arrested include Eddie Adame, Brittany Alexander, Charles Bentjen, Ethan Bradburn, Dakota Burgess, David Cates, April Defoor, Tonya Garrett, Joseph Mann, Daniel Rittenberry, Brandon Sanford, Todd Stewart, and Bryson Timms.

When questioned about the arrests, Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson stated it was an “extremely good job by the drug task force with the investigation they have done.” These arrest come on the heels of 5 other recent arrests by the task force. Nicholson also told FYN the continued arrests are prime examples of the teamwork between the local counties and the task force.

FYN further questioned Sheriff Nicholson on his deputy’s role in the investigation’s success, to which he replied, “I attribute a lot of the success of this investigation to three things; hard work by the drug task force, the additional man power assigned to the task force by the Pickens,Gilmer, and Fannin Sheriff’s Offices, and last, but not least, the free flow of drug information that has come about in the last couple of months, not in light of, but after some untimely deaths in which drug use was involved.”

Be sure to read the full press release below:

September 7, 2017

The investigation of a methamphetamine distribution “network” continues.

Agents of the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force, along with deputies from Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin County Sheriffs’ Offices, officers from Ellijay and Jasper Police Dept, Probation Officers and DA’s Investigators conducted a “round-up” operation on Wednesday, Sept. 6th, serving arrest warrants on individuals involved in the ongoing methamphetamine investigation. Thirteen (13) individuals were taken into custody. These individuals have been charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Ga Controlled Substances Act and Use of a communication device to facilitate a drug transaction.

Those charged are: Eddie Adame, Brittany Alexander, Charles Bentjen, Ethan Bradburn, Dakota Burgess, David Cates, April Defoor, Tonya Garrett, Joseph Mann, Daniel Rittenberry, Brandon Sanford, Todd Stewart (Pickens) and Bryson Timms.

At the time of this release, no bond has been set and they remain in jail.

 

[cincopa A4NAIHOUYsdG]

‘Donut Boy’ Sweetens Fourth of July Weekend in Ellijay

News

ELLIJAY, GA – A special visitor made his way to Ellijay today as he continues a cross country trip to thank Police Officers for their service.

This time, 9-year-old Tyler Carach, the ‘Donut Boy’ as Police Departments and people across America have begun calling him, began traveling from Florida on June 26, and will continue all the way to New Hampshire before continuing his return trip home. Tyler began his project one day, according to his mother Sheena Carach, in Douglasville when they were in a gas station. Tyler noticed four deputies and decided to buy them mini doughnuts.

Tyler receives a patch for the "Donut Police" after visiting Ellijay.

Tyler receives a patch for the “Donut Police” after visiting Ellijay.

Sheena tells FYN that he couldn’t understand why the officers were making such a big deal out of the snacks. After explaining the atmosphere involving police in the nation today and telling him you cannot judge everyone by a few, Tyler promptly announced that he was going to buy every officer in America doughnuts to say thank you.

“I’ve always taught them that if you believe it, you can achieve it. You are the only person in this life that can limit yourself,” said Sheena who helped Tyler by traveling to “local” departments in Florida, some three hours away. However, she very soon began receiving calls from all over the country including Oregon requesting Tyler to stop by. Tyler isn’t just receiving support from community and citizens in his quest, Sheena also praised her husband who travels for work, putting in long hours to support the family as well as Tyler’s dream.

Tyler Carach, the 'Donut Boy' stopped into Ellijay just in time for July 4th to thank Ellijay's Police Officers for their service and commitment.

Tyler Carach, the ‘Donut Boy’ stopped into Ellijay just in time for July 4th to thank Ellijay’s Police Officers for their service and commitment.

ALTAI, a company who sells Police Department approved boots, has offered a 2% donation of their profits to support Tyler as well as doughnut stores across America who donate and discount their products for Tyler and local officers. Ellijay’s Dunkin Donuts on 515 helped Tyler today by donating two dozen and discounting a third.

Having already begun the paperwork, Sheena tells FYN that she hopes to turn the whole thing into a 501c3 (non-profit) organization so that companies like ALTAI and anyone else can continue to support Tyler and his movement for Police everywhere.

Police Chief Edward Lacey stops for a comical moment during the 'Donut Boy's' visit.

Police Chief Edward Lacey stops for a comical moment during the ‘Donut Boy’s’ visit.

The “I DONUT Need a Reason to Thank a Cop” campaign, and Tyler specifically, has been highlighted and noted numerous times across America, and was even invited to speak at National Police Week, the Georgia Chief of Police Conference, and even the Steve Harvey Show.

The family decided to add Ellijay to their trip because a friend visited and spoke so highly of the town. Being in town since Friday, Sheena says she and Tyler have fallen in love with it as they have yet to meet anyone who wasn’t “just as friendly as can be.” Unfortunately, Tyler may not be in town much longer as “duty calls.” He will continue on to Augusta and  then to Pigeon Forge in the next few days.

Though leaving to continue his journey, Tyler has left a lasting impression on America and Ellijay as Police Chief Edward Lacey commented about the visit saying, “He’s a great kid, I love him.”

A donated picture from Tyler's Family of him trying on police gear.

A donated picture from Tyler’s Family of him trying on police gear.

 

It’s not just a trip for Tyler, though. He wants to follow through to become a Police Officer one day. Although originally wanting to join SWAT, Tyler got a chance to try on the gear once and told his mother the gear was too heavy. Since then, he has switched to wanting to become a K-9 Officer instead.

His visits exchange far more than doughnuts, however, Sheena tells FYN that Tyler has amassed a noteworthy collection of Police Department patches, hats, coins, and other various items from the Departments he visits. He also secretly leaves something more than doughnuts at the Departments, hiding painted rocks as a part of the connections to Pensacola Rocks, Ellijay Rocks, and numerous other communities he visits.

 

Make sure to follow more with Tyler’s trip through his Facebook Page.

Gilmer Sheriff’s Searching for Suspect

News

17425099_1498854183460680_8058766803600615943_nThe Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office is asking Citizens for help by being on the lookout for Richard Edmond Fields, 51.

He is currently wanted by the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office,

RICHARD EDMOND FIELDS, age 51, is currently wanted by the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office for his involvement in a domestic-related incident that occurred at a residence on Willard Mountain Road in the Doublehead Gap area last night at approximately 8:30 pm. Fields is facing charges of Home 17361745_1498854186794013_5983650376119056847_nInvasion, False Imprisonment, Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats, Battery, Burglary, Pointing a Gun/Pistol at Another, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime.

The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by city units, GSP Aviation, and Cherokee County K9 searched for Fields Sunday night into the early morning hours.

Fields was known to the victims, therefore, it was not a random act. At this point, although we do not know, we do not believe he is still in the area. However, if anyone knows his whereabouts or has any information, please call 911 or Gilmer County CID at 706-635-4646.

Stay with FYN as the Gilmer Sheriff’s continue their search and update the public on their progress.

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Bust

News

According to an incident report filed with the East Ellijay Police Department, an arrest was made on Demarcus Antonio Hobson, 22, and Zachariah Nicely, 18, at 1:40am on November 1 after a traffic stop led to discovery of drugs in the vehicle.

Lieutenant Shane Bowman has reported that both suspects could face similar charges including Possession of Firearms During a Crime, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Marijuana over an Ounce.

Within the Incident Report, Officer Tommy Long stated he “observed a vehicle traveling North on Highway 515 in the area of First Avenue failing to maintain its lane of travel.”

As he proceeded to stop the vehicle, he noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicles and both men inside the vehicle acting nervously which led to him calling an additional officer, Tony Heath, for backup.

Between the two officers, the report has indicated several drugs located in and around the vehicle including Marijuana, Crack Cocaine, Powder Cocaine, and Xanax Bars.

Though both denied knowledge of the drugs, they were taken into custody without incident.

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