The Week In Review

SUWANEE/GWINNETT NEWS WEEK: Gwinnett Sheriff Talks Guns, an 'American Idol' Contestant Auditions ...

A review of the top stories recently. Share your thoughts.

Here's a news review of some top recent stories -- click on the links below for more information. And share your thoughts. GWINNETT SHERIFF ADDS VOICE TO GUN DEBATE: Following the Connecticult school shooting and President Obama's gun-control proposals, Gwinnett Sheriff Butch Conway issued a statement in strong support of citizens' Second Amendment rights. SUWANEE ELECTS MAYOR PRO TEM: Dick Goodman has only been on the Suwanee City Council since 2010, but he how is the No. 2 elected official at City Hall. SUWANEE STUDENT ON 'AMERICAN IDOL': Alexa Gilomen of North Gwinnett High may get to Hollywood after her recent audition aired on the popular Fox TV show. ANOTHER NEW RESTAURANT IN SUWANEE: Not intimidated by recent restaurant failures, …

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Gwinnett Sheriff Encourages 'All Law Abiding' Citizens To Acquire Firearm Skills

Conway posts a statement in response to 'many' emails. Share your thoughts.

Adding to the local and national discussion on guns, Gwinnett Sheriff Butch Conway has released a statement in support of citizens' right to legally use firearms. "I encourage all law abiding citizens to acquire and maintain the skills to safely carry a firearm in order to protect themselves and others," the statement reads. Conway issued the statement under the heading 'The 2nd Amendment." The U.S Constitution's Second Amendment says, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Also, it was in response to "the many emails received," the website says. The statement comes just over a month after the December 14, 2012, shooting at Sandy …

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$11 Million in Drugs Seized in Gwinnett

Sheriff's deputies received a tip that drugs were being stored in warehouse in unincorporated Duluth and obtained a search warrant.

The Gwinnett Sheriff’s Department and Georgia State Patrol seized 120 kilograms of cocaine and 380 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $11.2 million Monday stored in a warehouse in unincorporated Duluth (Feb. 13). Lt. Sean Smith, acting public information officer for the Sheriff’s Department, reported Tuesday that the drugs were discovered while deputies were serving a search warrant. Sheriff’s deputies received information in early February that drugs were being stored at the Peachtree Crest Drive location, according to Smith. The warrant was granted following countless hours of surveillance on the warehouse and key subjects in the investigation, he reported. The cocaine reportedly has an approximate street value of $3.6 million, and the …

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UPDATE: Gwinnett Chamber VP Arrested on DUI Charge

Masino, also a former Suwanee mayor, is jailed and released on bond after his vehicle was initially observed on I-85.

Updated 11:06 a.m., Aug. 4, 2011 Nick Masino, an executive with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and a former mayor of Suwanee, was booked into the Gwinnett Detention Center on Wednesday shortly after 10 p.m. on charges that include Driving Under the Influence. Masino, of a Yosemite Court address in Suwanee, was released on bond just before midnight Wednesday, jail records show. His vehicle initially was spotted swerving on I-85 South near the Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road exit by an off-duty Suwanee Police officer, who radioed dispatch, police records show. Masino could not be reached for comment Thursday. Jim Maran, president and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber, was in a meeting Thursday and unavailable for comment, chamber officials said. The …

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Suwanee Police Blotter: July 3

The following arrest information was supplied by the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

The following Suwanee residents were booked into the Gwinnett Detention Center recently: -- Michaela Mceachern of a Ruby Forest Parkway address was arrested Sunday on charges of DUI and an expired license. -- Nicholas Robert Schofield of a Rutledge Park Lane address was arrested Saturday on charges of DUI, open container, and improper lane change. He was released on bond. Further details were not available. (For questions about this blotter, email steve.burns@patch.com.)

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Suwanee Police Blotter: July 2

The following arrest information was supplied by the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

Nicolas Quintero of a Running Fawn Drive address in Suwanee was booked into the Gwinnett Detention Center on Friday. Charges included violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act (schedule II), possession of alcohol by a minor, failure to maintain lane, and DUI. Quintero was released on bond Friday. (For information about this blotter, email steve.burns@patch.com.)

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