Gwinnett Daily Post | News for Thursday, March 4, 2010

Thomas Albert Goodman, Sr.

THOMAS Thomas Albert Goodman, Sr., age 92, of Suwanee, GA passed away on March 4, 2010 after a brief illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Martha ...

James Butler

“HOPPY” Mr. James Clifford “Hoppy” Butler, age 66, of Winder, GA, died February 24, 2010. Arrangements by Eberhart & Sons Mortuary 770-867-9200

Christine Mooney

Mrs. Christine Mooney, 79 of Griffin, GA died on February 20, 2010. Arrangements by A.E. Carter Funeral Home, Inc. Madison, 706-752-1790

James Johnson

Mr. James Johnson, age 41 of Suwanee, GA died March 4, 2010. Arrangements by Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, Inc., North Gwinnett Chapel, 770-945-9999 www.levettfuneralhome.com

Ruth Barnish

Ruth Castleberry Barnish, age 87 of Hoschton, GA, passed away March 3, 2010. Arrangements by Smith Funeral Home, Memory Chapel 770-867-4553

Annette Trent

Annette M. Trent, age 64, of Loganville, GA, died March 3, 2010. Arrangements by Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Loganville Chapel 770-466-1544 www.stewartfh.com

George Samples

Mr. George Thomas “Tommy” Samples, age 74 of Jefferson, GA, who passed away on March 3, 2010. Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson, 706-367-5467. www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com

Donald Beck

Mr. Donald Beck, age 58 of Jefferson, GA, who passed away on March 3, 2010. Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson, 706-367-5467. www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com

Ben Babcock

Ben Babcock, age 48 of Winder, GA passed away March 3, 2010. Arrangements by Carter Funeral Home of Winder 770-867-1361

Robert Mouzayck

Robert (Bob) Mouzayck, of Lilburn, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2010. The son of the late Basil and Doris Forget Mouzayck, Mr. Mouzayck was a car and motorcycle enthusiast who ...

Lovie Holder

Mrs. Lovie Mae Holder, age 87 of Braselton, GA, who passed away on March 3, 2010. Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson, 706-367-5467. www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com

Inel Hill

Inel M. Hill, age 70, of Snellville, GA passed away March 3, 2010. Arrangements are pending with Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., Lilburn/Tucker Chapel (770) 564-2726.

Ramona Barber

Mrs. Ramona Dobbs Barber, age 54 of Pendergrass, GA, who passed away on March 3, 2010. Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson, 706-367-5467. www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com

Freida Williams

Freida L. Williams, age 82 of Sandy Springs, GA passed away Thursday, March 4, 2010. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Cumming, GA, 678-455-5815. www.byarsfuneralhome.com

Alfred Huntsinger

Mr. Alfred “Al” Huntsinger, age 69, of Buford, GA passed away on Wednesday, March 3, 2010. He is survived by daughter: Michelle Huntsinger, Asheville, NC; step daughter, Heather ...

An El Salvadorian street gang long considered the most ruthless to prowl Gwinnett streets is all but kaput in metro Atlanta, officials announced Thursday. Known for bloodlust more than profiteering, the gang Mara Salvatrucha -- or MS-13 -- has roots in southwestern Gwinnett that date back to 1998, when it was split into cliques such as the "Norcross Locotes." Seven years later, authorities noticed a drastic spike in violent crime tied to the gang, including an eventual seven murders in Gwinnett and DeKalb, mostly in the Norcross area.

Return engagement: Women's SEC tournament back at Arena

When the Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Tournament first came to the Arena at Gwinnett Center in 2007, it wasn't a sure thing that it would ever be back.

Magazine calls city affordable

Bloomberg's BusinessWeek Magazine named Duluth as one of its Best Affordable Suburbs in America for 2010. The town took the top prize in Georgia. "Affordability is among the most important factors when selecting a place to raise a family, but it is far from the only consideration. In too many regions, low prices also translate to substandard services, poor schools and high crime rates," the magazine stated.

Braselton girl finalist for Regis and Kelly's Beautiful Baby contest

Little Maggie Sue Romeo was an "extra blessing," for parents Frank and Dana Romeo when she arrived in January 2007. Already parents to daughters Madison and Megan, the Romeos knew they had something special in little Maggie Sue.

Osborne girls fend off Trickum for Gwinnett crown

SNELLVILLE -- Mill Creek's girls basketball team is in the state playoffs for the fifth straight year, and it doesn't look the talent will by drying up anytime soon.Osborne Middle School, which feeds into Mill Creek, won the Gwinnett County middle school championship on Thursday at South Gwinnett High School.

Prep roundup: Fields strikes out 11 to lead Central past GAC 5-4

LAWRENCEVILLE -- Taylor Fields struck out 11 batters, allowed no earned runs in 61/3 innings to help Central beat Greater Atlanta Christian 5-4 on Thursday.

Linda Carsten to run for Cox's seat

Six years after she faced off against Clay Cox in a race for the state House, Linda Carsten will campaign to succeed Cox. Carsten, the wife of former Sheriff Jim Carsten, announced a campaign for House District 102 Wednesday evening, after Cox said he would run for Congress.

Composer visits Aurora's 'A Catered Affair'

Thursday night marked the Aurora Theatre's biggest occasion since the opening of its current home in a renovated church building in Lawrenceville. The musical theater production "A Catered Affair" has come straight from Broadway to the Lawrenceville stage.

2 arrested in massage parlor bust

An undercover vice operation has uncovered yet another local massage parlor operating unscrupulously, police said. Gwinnett County police investigators, who routinely perform compliance checks on massage parlors to ensure they are only providing services allowed by law, arrested two people Monday and cited a third at the Lucky Good Hands Massage inside the Mall of Georgia.

GGC head reassures proposed cuts are 'worst case scenario'

Georgia Gwinnett College President Daniel Kaufman told faculty and staff members Thursday the proposed budget cuts released earlier this week are part of a "worst case scenario" plan asked for by the state's legislative budget committee.

State a finalist for 'Race to the Top' grant

Georgia has been selected as a finalist by the U.S. Department of Education for the first round of federal Race to the Top grants, Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Thursday. The state stands to receive up to $462 million over four years to implement its plan if selected, according to a news release.

Black keeps Rebels' hopes alive

DULUTH -- As the final buzzer sounded, Santell Black was hoisted high in celebration at midcourt by much larger Ole Miss teammate Nikki Byrd.Stretching out like she had seconds before, 5-foot-4 Black thrust her right arm toward the ceiling of the Arena at Gwinnett Center and pointed her index finger high as she looked over at her private cheering section behind the Rebels bench.

Suspect under more scrutiny

SAN DIEGO -- A convicted sex offender charged with murdering Chelsea King in Southern California is under investigation in last year's disappearance of a 14-year-old girl and the attempted kidnapping of another teenager, authorities said.

NATION IN BRIEF: Coast Guard crew survives crash in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY -- Two crew members remained in critical condition Thursday after a Coast Guard helicopter crashed in the Utah mountains.

Trickum boys hold on to win county

SNELLVILLE -- Trickum Middle School's Mac Marshall wasn't able to find a rhythm behind the 3-point arc, but he did at the free throw line on Thursday.Marshall sank four three throws in the final 30 seconds at South Gwinnett High School to help Trickum hold off Pickneyville 37-34 in the Gwinnett County middle school championship game.

WORLD IN BRIEF: Iraq voting shattered by deadly blast

BAGHDAD -- A string of deadly blasts shattered an early round of voting in Iraq Thursday, killing 17 people and highlighting the fragile nature of the country's security gains ahead of crucial parliamentary elections this Sunday.

PEOPLE IN BRIEF: $5M judgment against author reversed

LOS ANGELES -- A California appeals court has overturned a $5 million judgment against author Clive Cussler in a long-running lawsuit over the film ''Sahara.''

Infomercial king holds auditions for the next big thing

LOS ANGELES -- There wasn't a bottle of Oxiclean or a ShamWow anywhere. But there was Dawn Stephens' nifty new, all-in-one toilet-bowl-cleaning brush.''We don't have to look for the cleaning liquid and the brush. The cleaning liquid is right inside the brush!'' the chirpy, singsongy Stephens shouted in delight as she pitched her invention Wednesday to a panel of judges that included infomercial king AJ Khubani.

Parkview leads region honors

The Region 8-AAAAA basketball coaches voted Parkview's Lauren Coleman as player of the year and the Panthers' Mike McCoy as coach of the year.

Patience pays for Parkview's Davis

Throughout the college football recruiting process, Parkview coach Cecil Flowe told standout receiver Jay Davis to stay patient.The record-setting receiver drew interest from several schools, but never any scholarship offers. Nearly a month after National Signing Day, Davis' patience paid off in a big way.

Buford hoops rolling

The Buford girls haven't quite achieved what last year's basketball team did. Not yet at least.But just by advancing as deep as they have -- they play today in the Class AA quarterfinals in Dalton -- they have been a surprise. Most assumed head coach Gene Durden would have a major rebuilding effort after losing eight valuable seniors off last season's state championship team.

Lanier adds two more coaches

Chad Longe and Nick Brenner have helped elevate North Gwinnett athletic programs the last few years. Now the duo will try to bring their success to first-year Lanier High School. Longe has been hired as the program's baseball and softball coach, while Brenner will head the wrestling team.

ART BEAT: Hudgens Center introduces schedule for spring classes

The Hudgens Center for the Arts will be kicking off its spring roster of classes March 22, and it has some wonderful new ideas and offerings for adults and children.

Down the rabbit hole: Gwinnett Ballet presents 'Alice in Wonderland'

At 6-foot-1, Maggie Ellington is considered tall for a ballet dancer. But she hasn't let her height hold her back from doing what she loves. The 16-year-old will take a turn dancing the role of the precocious Alice in Gwinnett Ballet Theatre's "Alice in Wonderland" this weekend.

MOVIE REVIEW: Johnny Depp shines as the Mad Hatter in 'Wonderland'

Even with the considerable advances in movie-making technology, there are only two directors in the world capable of delivering a satisfying 2010 version of "Alice in Wonderland" -- Terry Gilliam and Tim Burton. Since this film was produced and distributed by Disney, Burton was the only choice. Both men are eccentric visionaries, but Burton has the better box office track record and, according to almost anyone that matters, is infinitely easier to work with.

Aurora's 'Affair' one to remember

Just off its 2008 Broadway run, the musical "A Catered Affair" has made its way into regional theater right here in Gwinnett.

And the Oscar goes to ...

Even though it is the most-watched, non-sports TV broadcast of the year, the ratings for the Academy Awards show have been doing a steady slide since before the turn of the century.

MOVIE REVIEW: 'Brooklyn's Finest' falls short of its 'Training Day' goal

Recalling the heyday of Sidney Lumet and the early career of Martin Scorsese, director Antoine Fuqua's new crime drama is a watered-down, East Coast variation on his far superior, L.A.-based "Training Day."

Caray out as G-Braves TV broadcaster

Josh Caray won't be back as the play-by-play television announcer for the Gwinnett Braves' 25 games on CSS this season.

LETTERS: Abusing DNA collection poses much greater risk than fingerprinting

I find it chilling to see a government official treat concerns about privacy and potential for abuse with respect to DNA sampling with such a glib attitude ("Let the bloodletting begin," Feb. 28, Page 10A) as Stan Hall does.

DISC SPOTLIGHT: Ponyo 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo

Ponyo 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo (G)

LETTERS: 'Next Ten Years' roster didn't reflect diversity

I found it ironic that the roster of individuals you selected to interview for the special section on the future of Gwinnett County ("The Next Ten Years") was so unrepresentative of the County's current and future make-up.

Composer visits Aurora's 'A Catered Affair'

LAWRENCEVILLE — Thursday night marked the Aurora Theatre's biggest occasion since the opening of its current home in a renovated church building in Lawrenceville.

Linda Carsten to run for Cox's seat

LAWRENCEVILLE — Six years after she faced off against Clay Cox in a race for the state House, Linda Carsten will campaign to succeed Cox.

LETTERS: Linder a great servant and will be missed

Thanks to Rep. John Linder for his service over the past years. John is one of the few politicians who made it a point to listen to those that supported him. His town hall meetings and e-mail site were always an open forum.

Braselton girl finalist for Regis and Kelly's Beautiful Baby contest

BRASELTON — Little Maggie Sue Romeo was an "extra blessing," for parents Frank and Dana Romeo when she arrived in January 2007.

Gwinnett Calendar

Send items for Gwinnett Calendar to calendar@gwinnettdailypost.com or the Gwinnett Daily Post, P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. The fax number is 770-339-8081. Please include event name, time and date, location, with address, phone number and cost. Deadline is two weeks prior to the event.

PARKER: Theater of the electorate

For all our bemoaning the tortures of health care reform, the debate has been healthy for the nation.

GGC head reassures proposed cuts are 'worst case scenario'

LAWRENCEVILLE — Georgia Gwinnett College President Daniel Kaufman told faculty and staff members Thursday the proposed budget cuts released earlier this week are part of a "worst case scenario" plan asked for by the state's legislative budget committee.

Patience pays for Parkview's Davis

Throughout the college football recruiting process, Parkview coach Cecil Flowe told standout receiver Jay Davis to stay patient.

Gladiators squander two-goal lead in 3rd period

ESTERO, Fla. — The Gwinnett Gladiators squandered a 3-1 third period lead Thursday to lose to the Florida Everblades 4-3 in the first of a three-day, three-game visit to the division rival.

FILM FANS: 'Cop Out' uses worn-out movie formula

Film Fans features local residents reviewing the film of the week: "Cop Out." Want to be a Film Fan? E-mail features@gwinnettdailypost.com

Getting to Know ... Sarah Spivey

Sarah Spivey, 23, is an assistant varsity and head freshmen girls basketball coach at Parkview. A Parkview graduate, Spivey returned to the school after a short softball career at Tallahassee Community College and following her graduation from the University of Georgia.

News for Thursday, March 4, 2010

All Stories

Photos