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Jurors from outside county where a Georgia school shooting happened will hear the father’s case

By
Associated Press
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FILE - Colin Gray, 54, the father of Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray, 14, enters the Barrow County courthouse for his first appearance, on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Winder, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

WINDER, Ga. (AP) — The father of a 14-year-old boy accused of gunning down students and teachers at Apalachee High School will not be tried by jurors from Barrow County where it happened.

Prosecutors and lawyers for the father, Colin Gray, agreed on that much during a Thursday court hearing. It was held to consider a change of venue in the rare criminal case against a parent of a child accused of a school shooting.

Gray has pleaded not guilty to 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter, in connection with the Sept. 4 killings at Apalachee High School in Winder.

Gray, 54, and his son, Colt Gray, were indicted in the shooting in which two students and two teachers were killed and several other people were injured. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Colin Gray gave his son the assault-style weapon as a Christmas gift and was aware that the child’s mental health had deteriorated in the weeks before the shooting, investigators testified at an earlier hearing. He also was aware that his son was obsessed with school shooters and even had a shrine above his home computer for the gunman in the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school massacre, prosecutors said.

During Thursday’s hearing, Colin Gray’s lawyer sought a change of venue from Barrow County out of concern that the publicity from the case might have tainted the opinions of local potential jurors. Prosecutors agreed that a jury of locals wouldn’t be appropriate because of the impact of the shooting on the county northeast of Atlanta.

Now the question becomes whether jurors from another north Georgia county will be chosen to hear the case — as prosecutors suggested — or whether it will be tried hundreds of miles away, perhaps in south Georgia.

Defense lawyer Jimmy Berry mentioned Thomas County, in south Georgia, as one possible place, saying residents there get much of their news from the Tallahassee, Florida, market. He suggested people there have been exposed to less news coverage about the shooting than local residents, though prosecutors said news of the shootings spread to all parts of Georgia and beyond.

Prosecutors raised the idea of choosing jurors from Walton County, which is near Barrow County. But Judge Nick Primm expressed concerns that jurors selected from there could know people involved in the case since that county is so close to Apalachee High.

Primm didn’t rule on the issue, saying he must consider whether to bring in jurors selected from somewhere else or move the entire trial to another county.

The shooting killed teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Another teacher and eight other students were wounded.

Colin Gray is the first adult known to be charged in a school shooting in Georgia. His indictment is the latest example of prosecutors holding parents responsible for their children’s actions in school shootings. Michigan parents Jennifer and James Crumbley, the first to be convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting, were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for not securing a firearm at home and acting indifferently to signs of their son’s deteriorating mental health before he killed four students in 2021.

West Jackson Middle School student arrested after alleged terroristic threats

By
Brian Wellmeier
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A male juvenile student at West Jackson Middle School was taken into custody by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, April 17, following an alleged incident.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the student was arrested on charges of terroristic threats and acts as well as disruption of a public school.

Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing but is believed to involve only the one student. No further details have been released at this time regarding the nature of the threats – or whether the incident took place on campus.

The sheriff’s office has not released the student’s name due to their juvenile status.

As reported by Now Habersham, in a separate incident, a juvenile was taken into custody after allegedly making school-related threats toward East Jackson Middle School in January.

U.S. Supreme Court to hear case on Trump’s birthright citizenship order

By
Jennifer Shutt
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The U.S. Supreme Court is pictured Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — The U.S. Supreme Court announced Thursday it will hear oral arguments next month over President Donald Trump’s efforts to restructure birthright citizenship, though the justices won’t decide on the merits of the case just yet.

Instead, they will choose whether to leave in place nationwide injunctions from lower courts that so far have blocked the Trump administration from implementing the executive order.

The oral arguments, scheduled for May 15, will likely provide the first indication of whether any of the nine justices are interested in revisiting the Court’s interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868 following the Civil War.

The amendment states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

The Supreme Court ruled in 1898 in United States v. Wong Kim Ark that the 14th Amendment guarantees any child born in the United States is entitled to U.S. citizenship, even if their parents are not citizens.

Trump disagrees with that ruling and signed an executive order on his first day in office seeking to change which babies born in the United States become citizens. If that order were implemented, babies whose parents were “unlawfully present in the United States” or whose parents’ presence “was lawful but temporary” would not be eligible for citizenship.

Several organizations and Democratic attorneys general filed lawsuits seeking to block the executive order, leading to nationwide injunctions against its implementation.

Last month, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the lower court’s nationwide injunctions, limiting them to the organizations and states that filed suit.

The three cases are Trump v. State of Washington, Trump v. CASA, Inc. and Trump v. State of New Jersey.

Legislation

Nationwide injunctions by lower court judges have become an issue for Republicans in Congress as well as the Trump administration.

Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley introduced a bill in Congress that would bar federal district court judges from being able to implement nationwide injunctions.

“We all have to agree to give up the universal injunction as a weapon against policies we disagree with,” Grassley said during a hearing earlier this month. “The damage it causes to the judicial system and to our democracy is too great.”

Joyce Ann Gulley

By
Now Habersham
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Joyce Ann Gulley passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

A proud graduate of South Habersham High School in 1964, Joyce went on to carve out a successful career at UNISIA, where she was known for her diligent work ethic and commitment to excellence. Outside of her professional endeavors, Joyce was a doting MiMi to her Grandsons, Hayden and Clayton Phillips, always ready to share her time and love with them.

Joyce attended Welcome Home Baptist Church, where her faith and spirit resonated with those around her. She was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, passionately supporting her team with unwavering loyalty. In her leisure time, Joyce found joy in gardening, nurturing not only plants but also the connections she held dear.

Joyce is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Tonya and Michael Phillips, as well as her precious grandsons, Hayden and Clayton. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who will remember her warmth and kindness.

Preceding Joyce in death were her parents, William Hayden Clyde Gulley and Wilma Martin Gulley; her brothers, Vernon and Clyde Gulley; and her sister, Irene Davis. Their memories will forever be cherished by those she left behind.

Funeral services are 2 pm on Monday, April 21, 2025, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire, with Rev. Kenneth McEntire officiating. Interment will follow the service in Prospect Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1 pm until the service hour on Monday, at the funeral home.

Joyce will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love, generosity, and compassion will continue to inspire all who knew her.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.

McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.

UGA student hit by bus on campus

By
Brian Wellmeier
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FILE PHOTO - A transit bus on the University of Georgia campus in Athens (Dorothy Kozlowski/University of Georgia Marketing and Communications)

A University of Georgia student was hospitalized Wednesday evening after being hit by a UGA transit bus on campus, according to multiple media outlets.

The student is said to have been struck while crossing Sanford Drive near the Tate Center at around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, according to WSB-TV.

As reported, emergency responders arrived on scene before the student was transported to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. The identity of the student has not been released.

UGA Police and university officials are investigating the incident. No further details have been made available at this time.

WSB reports the student’s injuries as non-life-threatening, citing UGA spokesperson Gregory Trevor. The outlet also reported that Georgia State Patrol is investigating the incident, stating the student was allegedly in the crosswalk and that charges are possible as the investigation continues.

After years of effort, Habersham County breaks ground on new animal shelter

By
Joshua M. Peck
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Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director Madi Nix, in pink construction hat, led county officials in breaking ground for the new animal shelter in Cornelia. The shelter, to be built in tandem with a new recreational park near South Habersham Middle School off Old Athens Highway, is expected to be completed in 2026. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

Under perfect azure skies, Habersham County took a big pawprint forward on Thursday morning, April 17, as county officials broke ground for the long-awaited county animal shelter in Cornelia. The new facility will double the current shelter’s cramped space for dogs, cats, and other domestic animals.

A hefty mixed-breed adult dog named Harvey, tail whipping the wind, is now, at five years old, the shelter’s longest-term canine resident. He has lived at the shelter for two years. Harvey was among the 40 or so happy officials, volunteers, county staff, animal lovers, dogs, cats, and birds at the groundbreaking off Old Athens Highway near South Habersham Middle School.

Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director Madi Nix, with a shelter resident named Little Puppy in her arms, calls the moment “surreal.” Standing next to them is Habersham County Commissioner Bruce Harkness. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director (HCACC) Madi Nix, a pink helmet perched atop her head, was visibly emotional, and had just two words when asked how she felt as the project, which had been debated for more than four years by the county, is finally becoming reality. “It’s surreal,” she said.

A few minutes later, Nix, along with the commissioners and other project officials, each grabbed one of the dozen shovels from the dirt and shoveled a few scoops of rich soil skyward while the crowd broke into applause.

‘Better for everyone’

Nix said that in addition to adding to the overall space for the county’s many stray, lost, and unwanted dogs and cats, the new space will also allow shelter staff to separate and isolate sick or dangerous animals from the general animal population. “It’s going to be better for everyone,” Nix said. “It will be safer for staff, the volunteers, and of course, for the animals…We needed this so badly.”

A rendering of the new $5.7 million shelter being built with county SPLOST dollars. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

The groundbreaking came after some citizen groups at county commission meetings and online repeatedly and strenuously objected to the $10 million price tag for the shelter, though that figure also is expected to cover infrastructure for a planned recreation center near the new shelter property. The shelter itself is expected to cost about $5.7 million by the time it is completed in the spring of 2026. The cost is being funded by SPLOST—Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax—funds generated from a countywide sales tax, according to Commission Vice Chairman Bruce Harkness.

At some 2024 Commission meetings, Nix spoke, backed by strong volunteers and other supporters, who described harsh and cruel conditions in the existing, undersized facility in Clarkesville; they described having to house too many dogs and cats in a damaged, leaky, and crowded space never intended for so many animals. The Cornelia shelter will have some 45 kennels for dogs and 80 for cats, said Jerry Baggett, capital projects manager for the county.

Building for the future

County officials at the groundbreaking, left to right: Commissioners Dustin Mealor and Ty Akins; Interim County Manager Tim Sims; Commissioners Bruce Harkness and Kelly Woodall. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

Four of the five county commissioners attended, except for Commissioner Jimmy Tench, who was reportedly not well.

Said Dustin Mealor, the only one of the current commissioners who was serving when shelter discussions first got underway: “I am confident that we are building a facility for the county that could last for many years to come; that’s what’s important for us to do.” He also credited former Commissioner Bruce Palmer, who attended, for his instrumental role in moving the project forward.

Harkness acted as master of ceremonies and noted that “most of these people are volunteers, and we have such great people working for the county; we’re blessed to have them.”

Baggett chatted with his outside team on the shelter project, led by Kip Stokes, chief operating officer of contractor Croft & Associates of Lawrenceville. Said Stokes: “This has been a long time in coming; we are happy to be part of taking the progress along.” He said he had attended several of the commission meetings about the shelter. Sunbelt Builders of Covington, Georgia is a second partner with the county on the project.

Hoping Harvey, and the others, find forever homes

 

The longest-term resident of the current Habersham County Animal Shelter, Harvey, attends the groundbreaking ceremony on April 17, 2025. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

Huddled around the shelter’s van, volunteers Laura Cantor, Donna Yarbrough, and Brittany Brown each hugged a weeks-old Pitbull-mix puppy from the same litter of nine, who were all dropped off at the shelter soon after they were born. They were the offspring of a dog whose owner promised to have her neutered but never showed up at the shelter to do so.
Brown said they could not decide whether to name the pups after the planets or ice cream flavors, so they are temporarily nameless—and ownerless.

When Nix took to the microphone and thanked her supporters, she did not leave out Harvey, who watched her eagerly and is her part-time pet (she takes him home on weekends). “Harvey still needs a home,” Nix said. “We hope we won’t still have him when we move to the new place.”

 

Demorest lifts boil water advisory

By
Jerry Neace
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The city of Demorest has lifted the boil water advisory it issued on April 15 for customers in the downtown residential district.

The advisory was issued as a precaution after crews repaired a leaky water valve at the intersection of Holly and Cedar Avenue.

City water customers in the following areas may now resume normal water usage: Holly Street, Cedar Avenue, Blue Ridge Avenue, Indiana Blvd, Porter Street, and Tennessee Street.

Florida deputy’s son arrested in fatal FSU campus shooting

By
Florida Phoenix Staff
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(Florida Phoenix) — Police have made an arrest in a shooting incident at Florida State University, according to a newspaper report that cited a Tallahassee Police Department spokesperson.

The Tallahassee Democrat reported “multiple injuries” — as confirmed later by a spokesperson for Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

“TMH can confirm that we have received six patients — one in critical condition and the rest in serious condition,” the representative said in a written statement at 1:44 p.m.

Earlier, the hospital issued a statement “to assure the community that our teams are fully mobilized and prepared to provide the highest level of care and support to all those affected.

“We remain in close coordination with emergency responders and public safety officials. Out of respect for patient privacy and to ensure accurate information, we will provide updates as soon as they are available. We ask for your patience and compassion during this difficult time.”

The newspaper reported that students and faculty sheltered in place behind barricaded doors while waiting for authorities.

Capitol Police officers stood at the entrance of the Florida Capitol with guns drawn minutes after reported gunfire on the campus of Florida State University. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

In the Florida Capitol, just blocks away from campus, police locked the building down at approximately 1 p.m. but reopened it after some 20 minutes.

Capitol police stood at the building’s entrances, long guns in hand. A group of students from Wakulla County lined up against the wall with teachers explaining that they should follow the same shooter protocol they’d learned in in school.

Leon High School, located less than two miles from the FSU student union, sent an email to parents at 12:25 p.m. saying the school was in “LOCKOUT” meaning students weren’t being allowed to leave the classrooms. Principal Michael W. Bryan sent a second email about an hour later telling parents the school was still on LOCKOUT but that dismissal would occur on time. “Leon students and staff are safe and secure and well supervised. Thank you for your patience. Please stay safe!” Bryan wrote in the email.

E.W. Scripps television reporter Forest Saunders posted footage of abandoned personal belongings on a campus lawn. “FSU students evacuated so fast from parts of campus they left food, laptops, and shoes behind on the lawn,” he wrote.

“Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding,” Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on X.

“My office is responding to the active shooter situation on FSU’s campus, and we will provide updates as they become available,” state Attorney General James Uthmeier wrote in his own post. U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, the former AG, wrote that she, too, was in contact with campus officials and was “praying for the safety of the students, faculty and all first responders involved.”

“What we are watching unfold at FSU is terrifying and every parent’s worst nightmare,” House Speaker Daniel Perez wrote. “We are continuing to monitor the news here in Tallahassee and urge everyone to pray for the students, families, faculty, first responders and all involved.”

“From our vantage point here in the Senate, we can see and hear many first responder vehicles rushing to FSU. Grateful for their courage. Praying for the entire FSU community,” Senate President Ben Albritton wrote at 12:37 p.m.

By mid afternoon, FSU announced law enforcement had “neutralized the threat.”

That alert followed several issued earlier in the day warning about an active shooter on Florida State University’s campus in Tallahassee, with officials advising the community to shelter in place.

“An active shooter has been reported in the area of Student Union. Police are on scene or on the way. Continue to seek shelter and await further instructions. Lock and stay away from all doors and windows and be prepared to take additional protective measures,” a message delivered over the FSUAlert system reported shortly after noon.

A follow-up message advised: “Persons in need of immediate emergency assistance should call 9-1-1 or FSUPD at 850-644-1234. Obtain additional information and updates from https://alerts.fsu.edu/.

Sirens could be heard blocks away in downtown Tallahassee.

This is a developing story and will be updated

Local housing efforts addressed during White County Chamber event

By
Dean Dyer
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Consultant Rope Roberts addresses housing in White County during a recent Chamber of Commerce gathering in Cleveland. (Dean Dyer/WRWH.com)

CLEVELAND (WRWH)—The White County Chamber of Commerce hosted real estate professionals, financial experts, and developers this week for its Georgia Mountains Vision Series, an update on White County housing.

Ward Properties in Cleveland sponsored the event. Highlights included a presentation by Rope Roberts of Rope Roberts Consulting, who revisited the White County Housing Study completed last July.

“This is not just a housing issue—it’s a workforce issue, a quality-of-life issue, and ultimately, an economic development issue,” said Roberts. “White County is showing leadership in recognizing that housing is not one-size-fits-all. The more options a community can offer, the more resilient and successful it becomes,” commented Roberts.

The event also included a presentation by Tom O’Bryant, Economic Development Director for the city of Cleveland. O’Bryant shared updates on housing developments that have been completed or are currently underway in the city.

Cleveland Economic Development Director Tom O’Bryant shares information about housing during the Georgia Mountains Vision Series. (Dean Dyer/WRWH.com)

According to O’Bryant, each offering expanded housing choices for residents. These projects are designed to support a growing and diverse workforce.

In the last two years, White County and its municipalities have taken marked steps to improve access to housing. The city of Cleveland has updated its code of ordinances to allow for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), mixed-use developments, and Planned Unit Developments (PUDs), all of which support greater housing flexibility and density while helping reduce the cost of construction.

The city has also prioritized infill development to preserve the natural landscape and ensure growth occurs in a managed, community-focused way. “The city’s efforts to date have been purposeful to foster the right environment for growth,” notes O’Bryant. “City leaders recognized the need for appropriate housing choices and partnered with the Chamber and other local governments to study the issue.

“The Chamber and our partners in Helen and Cleveland remain focused on balancing commercial investment with housing solutions that strengthen our local economy,” said Beth Truelove, President of the White County Chamber of Commerce. “This event affirmed how far we’ve come—and how well organized collaboration is driving real results.”

Man arrested with multiple weapons after allegedly making threats on UNG campus

By
Brian Wellmeier
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(Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

A 26-year-old man was arrested after allegedly bringing multiple weapons onto the University of North Georgia’s (UNG) Dahlonega Campus and making a threatening statement inside the university library earlier this month.

Nobody was injured during the incident.

UNG spokesperson Clark Leonard released a statement to Now Habersham Thursday, April 17, confirming that the incident began around 11 a.m. on April 8 when UNG Public Safety received a report from a third-party witness who saw an individual near the Military Leadership Center (MLC) carrying what appeared to be a rifle case. Officers responded within minutes and began searching the area.

While the initial search did not locate the individual near the MLC, further witness accounts indicated the suspect had placed the rifle case inside a vehicle parked near the university’s library and technology center.

As the investigation continued, at 11:13 a.m., library staff contacted public safety officials to report a man inside the building allegedly made a threatening statement to front desk personnel. College officials say officers responded immediately and detained the individual by 11:15 a.m. without incident. No injuries were reported.

During the arrest, police allegedly recovered a concealed handgun from the suspect’s waistband, and a subsequent search of the vehicle identified by witnesses revealed an AR-15-style rifle, according to officials.

The suspect, identified as Gabriel Jose Hernandez, was taken into custody and faces multiple charges, including criminal trespass, terroristic threats and acts, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone and parking in a handicap zone.

“The university remains committed to campus safety and is grateful for the swift actions of our students, staff and community members who reported what they observed, and especially the professionalism of our public safety officers,” a statement by Leonard said.

Structure fire contained in Commerce; no injuries reported

By
Staff Report
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(Banks County Fire and Emergency Services)

On Wednesday evening April 16, emergency crews from Banks County Fire & Emergency Services responded to a structure fire at 567 Mt. Bethel Road in Commerce. They were dispatched at 8:21 p.m.

Upon arrival, crews found smoke and flames visible from a single-family residence. No one was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters were able to quickly contain the blaze. The residence did sustain moderate damage.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Banks County Fire Department.
The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance to the displaced family, and On-Site Restorations responded to support the family on scene.

Jackson County Correctional Institute (CI) also assisted in fire operations. The scene was declared clear at 10:15 p.m.

White County Fire Services hosts regional rescue training

By
Brian Wellmeier
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Armando Torrejon, Randy Galvan, Andrew McAllister, Trey Jarvis and Steven Martin participate in rope training (Bryce Barrett/White County)

Firefighters from across North Georgia gathered in White County last week for an intensive rope rescue training course hosted by White County Fire Services.

Officials say the 90-hour Ropes I certification program combined rigorous classroom instruction with hands-on technical rescue exercises designed to prepare first responders for high-risk emergency situations.

Trace Swoszowski (Bryce Barrett/White County)

Nine firefighters from White County participated in the course alongside personnel from DeKalb County Fire Rescue, Gainesville Fire Department, Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, and Habersham County Emergency Services. All participants successfully earned their Rope I National Professional Qualification (NPQ) certification.

Lt Bradley Martin, Armando Torrejon, Capt Robby Burke conduct rope training (Bryce Barrett/White County)

The training focused on technical rescue operations involving high-angle environments, trench collapses, confined space scenarios and swiftwater incidents. Firefighters trained extensively in rope systems, knot tying, patient packaging, and other complex rescue techniques.

Officials say the course is part of White County Fire Services’ ongoing commitment to professional development and continued education, ensuring its personnel and mutual aid partners are prepared to respond safely and effectively to high-risk incidents.

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