A family filed a missing person report on Oct. 4 hoping to locate Deztani Cheryce Williams.
The 30-year-old woman was reportedly last seen at a QuickTrip on 6140 Jimmy Carter Blvd. in the city of Norcross.
At the time of the original report, the family had not been in contact with her since Sept. 15.
Described as having black hair, brown eyes and coming in at 5 foot 8 inches tall, the missing woman was said to weigh around 130 pounds.
Gwinnett Police officially reached out for help from people in surrounding communities in locating Williams on Oct. 25.
Today, Nov. 28, the Gwinnett County Police Department officially confirmed that Williams has been located by officers working in the Bay Creek precinct on the morning of Nov. 26.
Police have made the family aware of her location. No further details have been confirmed.
One quarter of Gwinnett County Jail inmates are in need of consistent access to medical care for mental health issues, chronic illness, and other disabilities and conditions. This currently amounts to almost 600 individuals currently housed within the larger population.
According to a press release issued by the Gwinnett County Sheriff on Nov. 20, these individuals require an elevated level of “advanced care”.
A growing problem, the official statement outlined their goal “to ensure the highest standard of care is provided to the chronically ill and mental health inmate population of our facility.”
Included in this assessment are those facing significant medical needs which accompany severe alcohol and drug withdrawals.
As this subset of vulnerable inmates continues to climb in number, the jail has embarked on a mission to renovate, modernize, and specialize areas of the jail to accommodate individuals in need of reliable access to specialized care or services of the in-house hospital.
The overarching goal is to eliminate barriers to urgent care needs and provide continuity of care for at-risk county inmates.
This pivotal effort will require creating space on the first floor for inmates who need “direct access” to the hospital housed in the facility.
Unfortunately, the available space was also the current home of the popular Jail Dogs Program.
Despite an intense search for alternatives, the location was determined to be crucial for advancing inmate healthcare access.
Per the press release on behalf of Gwinnett County Chief Cleo Atwater: “Our goal is to eliminate unreasonable barriers to inmates needing specialty care. The unit currently housing the Jail Dogs Program is in close proximity to our hospital and will be reallocated to individuals whose conditions require them to be located on the first floor with direct access to our hospital. We conducted an extensive search for an alternative location that can accommodate the program, and determined there are no other suitable options that can meet its specific needs during the construction period.”
The successful and beloved Jail Dogs Program has been active since 2010 in partnership with the Society of Humane Friends. The joint effort has facilitated the adoptions of around 1,500 dogs and cats from shelters and assisted in the vocational rehabilitation of inmates.
The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office remains “proud of the success of this program and has tremendous appreciation for the countless volunteers and employees, as well as citizens who have supported this initiative for more than a decade.”
Both organizations met recently and defined an ongoing goal to continue investments in therapeutic programs.
In the meantime, they are working to find homes for the remaining dogs. Any animals who remain without homes before the program is officially closed are to be fostered in alternative loations.
In their statement, the sheriff’s office has assured that this is but a “temporary suspension of the program” and the tough decision was made in the interest of an “optimal environment for all inmates”.
Once matters have stabilized and it becomes feasible, the Jail Dogs Program will be resurrected.
If anyone is interested in stepping up and finding forever homes for the remaining jail dogs, Kaiser (pictured), Nala, Rock and Tien were still available for adoption as of Nov. 20.
For more information, visit the Society of Humane friends website at: www.sohfga.com.
On Monday at around 8:00 a.m. Gwinnett County Police, Dekalb County Police and Atlanta Police jointly executed a search warrant on Jhostin Alexander Bardales over his lead role in organizing an illegal drag racing group.
The warrant stemmed from an ongoing investigation by the APD Auto Crimes Unit following a 911 call from the Northside Drive and 17th Street intersection in Northwest Atlanta on Aug. 20.
Along with the APD, the Georgia State Patrol also responded to the original incident. A GSP Trooper reported a suspect in a black F-150 doing donuts at the intersection. The driver was arrested on site.
DCP was able to trace a social media account connected to the event and identified Bardales, a 20-year-old male of Buford, as the primary organizer.
Subsequent investigation by the APD identified nine other intersections where Bardales played a role in directing races on the same evening. Four of these locations were located in Gwinnett County, another four were in Dekalb County with an additional one occurring in Atlanta.
A joint investigation into Bardales followed and he was apprehended and booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on multiple counts of Promotion or Organization of Exhibition of Illegal Drag Racing. Other charges may be pending from multiple jurisdictions.
In a press release issued by the Gwinnett County Police on Nov. 21 they thanked the Dekalb County Police and the Atlanta Police Department for their help in what was described as “a great collaboration between all three jurisdictions”.
Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services personnel were searching lake waters surrounding a Buford park this morning, Sunday, Oct. 22, attempting to locate a missing male jet skier.
According to Andy Lane, public information officer for the department, the male and his girlfriend were at East Bank Park at 1250 Buford Dam Road on Saturday evening when the male jumped off a jet ski and tried to swim to shore. The female then lost sight of the male.
Gwinnett crews were joined by Hall County Fire Rescue and searched the lake waters until dark when the search was called off. The search resumed this morning.
Halaina Gobran has a goal for giving back — the 11-year-old Buford resident wants to fill 1,000 gallon-size plastic bags with hygiene products for people in need.
To donate to Halaina Gobran’s giving project, scan this QR code using your smartphone photo app to access an Amazon wishlist that includes hygiene items she will use to fill bags for those in need.
From those experiencing homelessness to individuals who may find themselves displaced due to domestic violence or other circumstances, Halaina wants to provide them with a bag filled with basic necessities such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, deodorant, combs and other items.
“I don’t like seeing people in bad situations,” Halaina said, “and I feel like if they have hygiene products, they can get clean.”
The Buford Middle School sixth grader and her mom, Lisa Gobran, are collecting donations to help Halaina reach her goal.
“People always give food,” Lisa said, “but we thought with COVID happening, hygiene is a big thing. We thought we could provide the basics — a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, body wipes.”
So far, Halaina has finished filling 200 bags — 100 bags with products for women and girls and 100 bags with items for men and boys. She has received enough donations of toothbrushes, travel-size tissues, nail clippers, mints and hand wipes to fill 1,000 bags.
“I think it’s kind of them,” Halaina said of those who have donated. “It’s some people that we don’t even know, too.”
Halaina and Lisa are still seeking donations of men’s and women’s socks, travel-size soap and deodorant, Band-Aids, lip balm, combs, tampons and toothpaste. Lisa has created an Amazon wishlist for those who wish to donate to Halaina’s giving project.
Lisa Gobran has set up an assembly line using her dining room table for Halaina to add items to bags. Photo courtesy of Lisa Gobran.
To fill the bags, Halaina and Lisa have created an assembly line — boxes containing different items are lined up on the family’s dining room table and Halaina goes from box to box ensuring one of each item goes into a bag.
“She’s learning about quality control check,” Lisa laughed.
Once Halaina reaches her goal of filling 1,000 bags, she and Lisa plan to deliver the items to homeless shelters, women’s shelters and ministries that assist those in need to help missions that reach a wider network in the community.
“I feel like some people really need help and they don’t have the help they probably need,” Halaina said. “Giving back to other people would cheer people up and get them happy. I don’t like seeing people sad.”
“We do it because it’s going to help people and it feels good,” Lisa said. “If more people gave just one thing to help someone else, there would be a lot of people not going without, and that’s what I’m trying to teach Halaina.”
FEATURED PHOTO: Halaina Gobran, 11, with the help of her mother, Lisa Gobran, is collecting donations of hygiene items for those in need. Photo courtesy of Lisa Gobran.
Do you know a local resident or group doing great things for the community?The North Gwinnett Voice wants to hear about it! Email editor@ngvoice2024.wpenginepowered.com.
Amy Ragazino has built her high school career on versatility, discipline and leadership. A four-year multisport athlete, she has competed in softball, golf and flag football, consistently demonstrating the work ethic and competitive drive that define elite student-athletes.
When the school launched its inaugural flag football program, Ragazino stepped into unfamiliar territory. With no prior experience in the sport, she embraced the challenge, approaching it the same way she has every new opportunity — with focus, humility and determination. As the season unfolded, she quickly became one of the team’s steadying forces.
Throughout the first year of the program, Ragazino exhibited remarkable poise. Teammates looked to her not only for her athletic ability but for her composure. Whether facing a tight game situation or navigating the natural growing pains of a first-year team, she remained calm and confident. Her leadership was not loud — it was consistent, dependable and rooted in preparation.
That presence proved critical during the team’s first-ever flag football scrimmage against Roswell. With little experience and everything to prove, the moment tested the team’s resolve. Ragazino’s resilience and positive attitude set the tone. As the clock wound down in a tightly contested game, she rose to the occasion, delivering a game-winning touchdown pass as time expired — a defining moment for a brand-new program.
What began as an experiment in a new sport became a testament to her adaptability and competitive spirit. Ragazino’s ability to make big plays when necessary, combined with her steady leadership, helped establish a foundation for the future of the program.
For a first-year team, moments like that matter. And for Amy Ragazino, it was simply another example of doing what she has done throughout her high school career — stepping forward when it matters most.
In supporting a local church’s youth group and youth missions, a Buford government official is also making pumpkins available to children in the community.
City Commissioner Bradley Weeks visited the pumpkin patch at Buford First United Methodist Church on Tuesday with his wife, Shannon, and their 3-year-old son, Henry. The trio picked out a variety of pumpkins, large and small, some for carving and others for decorating, in what has become a tradition for the family since Henry was born.
The annual sale, which fills the front lawn of the downtown church with seasonal gourds, is hosted by Buford First UMC’s youth group, and proceeds benefit overall youth missions.
With their own pumpkins selected, Weeks made a donation to the sale that will allow children to pick out and take home a pumpkin for free.
“Hopefully they can give out a lot (of pumpkins) to some local children,” Weeks said. “I just want to do my part to make sure they can all have a good time.”
“I hope some kids will take advantage of it and come get a pumpkin,” Weeks said.
FEATURED PHOTO: Buford City Commissioner Bradley Weeks, right, poses for a photo with his wife, Shannon, and 3-year-old son, Henry, at the Buford First United Methodist Church’s pumpkin patch. Submitted photo.
The city of Sugar Hill has received feedback on its ENVISION100 initiative from local students who will range from young adults to individuals in their early 30s when the city celebrates its centennial in 2039.
City officials and staff, with input from the community, are updating Sugar Hill’s 2039 comprehensive plan for long-range growth. That input now includes feedback from about 100 students from Sugar Hill, Sycamore and White Oak elementary schools, Lanier Middle School and Lanier High School.
“A majority of the decisions that we make today will impact these students in the future,” said Sugar Hill Mayor Brandon Hembree. “It is important for us and them that we hear, as decision makers of today, how they envision our future as a community in 2039.”
The students took tours over the span of two days in September, visiting downtown Sugar Hill and participating in feedback sessions, where they discussed with government officials and planning staff what they envision for the future of Sugar Hill.
“In one of our activities we asked what they valued most, and many of the students answered by choosing words like community and the environment,” Hembree said.
“It was amazing to see students learning about the rich history of Sugar Hill while eagerly embracing the opportunity to voice their visions for future enhancements,” said Clifton Alexander, Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Lanier cluster superintendent. “The City of Sugar Hill is a special place that values the input of future generations.”
The students’ visit to downtown Sugar Hill also included a picnic in the area of The Bowl and a stop by Scoops, a local ice cream shop.
“This day of learning and leading allowed Lanier cluster students to walk away knowing they play a critical role in creating a vibrant Sugar Hill community where they can learn, live, and play,” Alexander said.
“We know, without a doubt, that when a young person feels a connection to their community there is a higher likelihood that they will come back to their hometown after they complete college,” Hembree said. “Including our school students in activities, like ENVISION100, helps them feel a sense of community and connection with Sugar Hill.”
Ride Gwinnett, which offers public transit services throughout Gwinnett County, is adding a route that will include connections in Suwanee and Buford.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 20, Route 50 will provide service from the Sugarloaf Mills Park and Ride in Lawrenceville through downtown Suwanee, with connections to the Mall of Georgia and Exchange at Gwinnett in Buford, as well as Coolray Field in Lawrenceville.
Area residents can learn more about Route 50 at one of several planned virtual meetings:
City officials and staff, with input from the community, are updating Sugar Hill’s 2039 comprehensive plan for long-range growth. That input now includes feedback from about 100 students from Sugar Hill, Sycamore and White Oak elementary schools, Lanier Middle School and Lanier High School. 
“It was amazing to see students learning about the rich history of Sugar Hill while eagerly embracing the opportunity to voice their visions for future enhancements,” said Clifton Alexander, Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Lanier cluster superintendent. “The City of Sugar Hill is a special place that values the input of future generations.” 
