Barrett
The City of Municipal Court has launched a Citation Amnesty Program. The Court is offering this first-time program to address the need to close pending cases with outstanding failure to appear (FTA) warrants.
The program invites those with FTA warrants to contact the Court to pay outstanding fines or schedule a court appearance before a judge to dispose of their case. No late fees would be imposed in these cases and payment plans will be available for cases that are heard in court.
Chief Judge Charles L. Barrett, III comments: “People have begun to take advantage of the program and we anticipate a positive response during the program’s duration.”
If you have an outstanding failure to appear warrant, license suspension or late fee from the City of Duluth, you are encouraged to take advantage of the amnesty program. This program runs now through April 30, 2023.
Citizen questions about the Amnesty Program can be directed to the Duluth Municipal Court at amnesty@duluthga.net or by calling 880-623-2771.
Hudgens Center, Holtkamp renew free admission agreement
The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning announced a renewal of a five-year strategic partnership with Holtkamp Heating and Air of Suwanee. In addition to sponsoring free admission to the galleries for the next five years, the Holtkamp team also serviced all of the facility’s HVAC systems and maintained 18 smart thermostats at no charge to maximize energy efficiency.
Through a combination of donated services, significant energy savings, private gifts and free admission, the Holtkamp’s support represents close to $250,000 in the first five years of partnership.
According to Hudgens Center Executive Director Laura Ballance, “Holtkamp Heating and Air has been a great friend and supporter of the Hudgens for the past five years. Thanks to their partnership, admission is free to visitors of the Hudgens’ five galleries, our Sculpture Garden and the interactive Children’s Art Zone, allowing us to serve as an inspiring, enriching resource, accessible to all in our community. With approximately 8,500 gallery visitors annually, we have seen a tremendously positive impact on the growth and reach of the arts in our community thanks to their generosity.”
Commissioners approve funding for three projects
Gwinnett’s Board of Commissioners gave the greenlight to several county initiatives. And it’s all funded by SPLOST. Here are some highlights:
- ADA bleachers at Shorty Howell Park: To remain inclusive and diverse, the county will install new bleachers with elevated and accessible seating and ramps at the Shorty Howell Park multi-purpose field. The old bleachers will be demolished. The cost of the project is $235,000 and is funded by the 2014 SPLOST program.
- Bay Creek Park to get new playground: It’s been nearly 20 years since the playground at Bay Creek Park was built, now faithful parkgoers will soon see major upgrades. The play area will include an obstacle course and circular ramp system to name a few improvements. The equipment will cost $979,443 and is funded by the 2017 SPLOST.
- Mobility upgrades funded by SPLOST: To encourage pedestrian safety, James Road at U.S. Highway 29 will get new sidewalks. The upgrade also includes curb, gutter and drainage improvements. Various SPLOST programs will foot the bill at a cost of $1,047,467.
Peters named top student doctor at PCOM
Peters
Sahara Peters was recently named the PCOM Georgia “student doctor of osteopathic medicine of the Year” by a committee made up of students and faculty members. Her name will be submitted for national honors. She is from Panama City, Fla.
A third year student doctor, Peters has exhibited this commitment since she first stepped onto the campus of PCOM Georgia in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Peters is well known on the campus for her contributions to the osteopathic medicine program, its students and the profession. During her second year, she served as the DO Council secretary and coordinated the TOUCH system, which tracks student volunteer hours. To orient new DO students to campus, she helped establish a mentorship system between first and second year students, and coordinated multiple student encouragement events that took place on-campus, off-campus and virtually.
She also hosted a Google Meets virtual study hall, where students were able to log onto the study link, while keeping their mics on mute so they could “study together.” More than 40 classmates logged on regularly to the study link. Fittingly, when superlative awards were given, Peters and her classmate Rachel Rabaioli-Brosius were recognized as “Class Parents.”
During her time at Davidson College, Peters was named the 2013 Davidson College Outstanding Community Service Award recipient.
EMC Foundation awards $33,000 to Gwinnett nonprofits
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $82,500 in grants for organizations during its December meeting, including $33,000 to organizations serving Gwinnett County.
- $15,000 to Salvation Army—Gwinnett, for its Financial Emergency Services Program, which provides rent and mortgage assistance to Gwinnett County residents in need to prevent homelessness and stabilize families in crises.
- $10,000 to Eyes of Love Lighthouse Mission, Inc., a Buford-based grassroots ministry that collects and distributes clothes, food and furniture to needy families in Barrow, Gwinnett and Hall counties, to help with rent on the building housing the mission’s inventory.
- $8,000 to South Enotah Child Advocacy Center, Inc., for its trauma-focused therapy for child abuse victims in Banks, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Lumpkin counties.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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