The North Gwinnett Voice covered a wide array of topics and events within our community. Here’s a look back on the top stories we covered during our first year.
News
Criminal Creeping into the Commission
October 18, 2017 – The North Gwinnett Voice broke the story of a City of Buford Commission candidate having a less than desirable background. Gary Ingram had a criminal history dating back to the 1990’s which along with residency woes later disqualified him from running for the Commission seat held by Chris Burge.
Kidnapping Attempt in Buford
April 18, 2018 – NGV staff came across a Facebook post about a man who tried to kidnap her son as he was walking home from his bus stop one afternoon off of Plunkett Rd near the Mall of Ga in unincorporated Buford. NGV pulled the police report and the narrative of the report matched that of the mother’s claim. This story was an online only exclusive.
School
Buford City Schools Celebrate the 114th Birthday of Dr. Seuss
March 7, 2018 – Buford Elementary and Buford Academy took part in the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day on March 2nd. This also coincided with Dr. Seuss’s 114th birthday. Seniors who have been a part of Buford schools from the beginning went to BES and read to kindergarten students.
2018 BHS Graduation Ceremony
June 6, 2018 – On Friday, May 25th, more than 300 Buford High School seniors graduated at the Buford Arena. The GHSA 2018 State Champion Quartet performed while Valedictorian Juliet Chihaya and Salutatorian Ashley Wilson addressed their fellow graduates.
Local
Take a Peek Inside the New Buford Gymnasium
November 1, 2017 – Buford’s Parks & Rec Director, Ken Burge led The Voice’s editor, Alicia Couch Payne on an exclusive tour of the new Buford Gymnasium off of Shadburn Ferry. The gymnasium was nearing completion and hosted the city’s youth recreation basketball league.
2017 Homecoming Parade and Game
October 18, 2017 – On Friday, October 13, 2017 the City closed Main Street as the annual Homecoming parade came through town. Later that evening the Homecoming Court was presented at the Homecoming Game. The North Gwinnett Voice live streamed the parade on their Facebook page and provided full coverage of the day’s events.
Sports
The Future of Football in Gwinnett
December 27, 2017 – The 2017 GFL 8th Grade Football Team coached by Ken Burge was comprised of talented 8th graders from all over Gwinnett County and a few from Rabun County. These talented kids made it all the way to Naples, FL and the FBU (Football University) Championship Tournament. The GFL 8th Grade Team took home the championship trophy.
Lady Wolves Basketball State Champions
March 21, 2018 – The Lady Wolves’ Varsity Basketball Team faced familiar foes, the Flowery Branch Lady Falcons in Macon, GA for the GHSA AAAAA State Championship Game. The game was a nail biter with Buford coming home with the trophy.
History
Four Part Series Originally Published in 1937
Lynn Bowman, Museum of Buford Curator presented a four part series of a four page article originally published in 1937 in the magazine Hide and Leather with Shoe Factory written by John Arthur Wilson. The Voice published the four page article exactly as it appeared in the magazine over four installments from February 21, 2018 – April 5, 2018.
Opinion
Growing Up Buford Column by Cindy Wiggins Tapia
The Voice began printing a column titled Growing Up Buford authored by Buford resident, Cindy Wiggins Tapia. Her raw stories about what life was like for her growing up in Buford. Her tales are intimate and vulnerable with a bit of wit and humor mixed in.
