On December 29, 2017, Investigators with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office arrested Richard Eugene Waits, 44, of Buford, during the course of an investigation.
On December 3, 2017, Waits sexually molested a minor male child.
The victim in this case and Waits are known to one another.
Investigators with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant for Waits arrest on December 29, 2017.
Waits was arrested without incident on the same date at a location in the 4600 block of Whispering Pines Drive, Buford, Hall County, Ga.
He was booked in at the Hall County Jail.
No bond has been set in this case.
Waits has a committal hearing scheduled for January 22, 2018.
This case remains under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Press release courtesy Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
The 2017 GFL 8th Grade Football Team representing the Southeast at the FBU National Championships in Naples, FL. Photo Courtesy Craig M Clinkscales
Over the course of the regular recreational league football season, comments were made about the depth of talent that the 8th graders possess. This depth of talent was able to take many of our local players all the way to Naples, FL and the FBU (Football University) Championship Tournament.
The Gwinnett Football League held two open tryouts for the 2017 GFL 8th Grade Football team. Star players from all over Gwinnett as well as a few players from Rabun County made up the team. The team had 40 players with 34 making the trip to Naples. The coaches were selected based off of their reputations within the league.
The team started their season off on December 2nd and ended with the tournament in Naples from December 17, 2017 to December 21, 2017. When asked what helped the boys win, Coach Ken Burge of Buford said, “These boys bought into the team concept. They cared more about the team concept versus focusing on their individual stats.”
Of the 40 players selected, Buford has a whopping 10 players on this elite team and North Gwinnett contributes two players to the team. The Buford players are Dylan Lesko, Jackson Gaspard, Jackson Favors, Sho Mitchell, Griffin Scroggs, River Wilson, Malik Spencer, Eli Parks, Victor Venn, and Aubrey Smith. Zach Johansen and Daniel Martin from North Gwinnett were also selected for the team.
In Naples, the team’s first opponent was from Dallas, TX. GFL won 40 – 32. In the semi final game, GFL outscored Maryland 19-9 sending them to the Championship game against Dade County, FL. In the Championship game, Dade County lost to GFL with GFL scoring 37 and Dade only 6. This talented group of young gentlemen brought the FBU 8th grade Championship trophy back to Gwinnett. The MVP of the Championship game was #16 Alexander Diggs from Brookwood. Peachtree Ridge QB Chad Mascoe (#1) was recognized as the 2017 National Middle School Player of the Year.
With the off the field training and hard work combined with natural talent, great coaching, and a positive team oriented mentality, one will see these kids take front and center under those Friday night lights. The class of 2022 looks very promising indeed.
The N.Y. loft vibes lends to a comfortable yet stylish space in the first floor Co-Work Space. Photo Courtesy Alicia Couch Payne
Where most towns would have torn down a run down city building, the City of Sugar Hill decided to save their old City Hall building by giving it a new purpose. The two story brick building located at 4988 W Broad St in Sugar Hill was built in 1939 and is the only historic building in the city. The city decided that tearing it down was simply not an option thus they began to brainstorm ideas of what to do with the building.
In a city where more than 80% of the business licenses issued are for home based businesses, the city decided that giving these home based businesses a way to grow would become the new purpose of the old city hall. Having a work space outside of the home as well as the chance to be around other business minded people would allow for a more successful individual as well as a city.
The Suite Spot was born. It offers three different membership levels. The building has secure, 24 hour access and provides free WiFi as well as snacks. All members have access to the first floor Co-Work space. A decent sized conference room is available to members to reserve for their use. Available to members and non members is business coaching. Once a week, one can receive help with business and marketing plans.
The Co – Work Space has a Basic Membership ($60/Mo.) and a Premium Membership ($120/Mo.) plan. These plans can cancel their membership at any time. The Co-Work Space is located on the first floor and has a modern New York City loft vibe to it. There’s a variety of work space options. You can work at a table, lounge in over sized chairs, or sit at a high top bar with funky pendant lights. The Basic Membership allows access to this Co-Work Space as well as the ability to reserve the conference room. With the Premium Membership, members get all the perks of the Basic but get a dedicated cubicle style desk on the 2nd floor as well as a mailbox located within the Suite Spot too.
On the second floor, there are nine office suites available for local businesses to rent out. These suites are super affordable with the smallest suite starting around $165/Mo. They are always 100% occupied but there is a waiting list for those interested in any openings. The rent goes up each year because the city wants to encourage the businesses to “graduate” from the Suite Spot and open offices in the city. The office suites have a lounge/waiting area available for the tenants and any clients or guests they may have. These suites also have dedicated mailboxes and a side building entrance.
LaTosha Lowe, an It Works Consultant is a 3 ½ year member of the Suite Spot and has leased an office during this time. “The advantages of the Suite Spot are the accessibility, no home distractions, the variety of workstations, the affordability, the secure location, the ability to reserve the conference room, and the city is continuously improving the facility.” said Lowe. She says that the other members are very courteous to each other and that even the co work areas are quiet and conducive to work.
If you are interested in more information on the Suite Spot or to schedule a tour of the facility, go to www.suitespot.space.
The first floor Co-Work area. Photo Courtesy Alicia Couch Payne
