Tuesday, April 2, 2013
A bench and other objects are in memory of the Lake Lanier accident victims.
As spring 2013 dawns, a memorial has been placed near two Gwinnett schools in honor of a couple of Lake Lanier accident victims. A bench has been situated near White Oak Elementary and Lanier Middle schools in memory of Griffin and Jake Prince, according to a Facebook post. The posting read: The memorial bench, white oak tree and plaque that have been placed on the walkway between White Oak Elementary and Lanier Middle School in memory of Jake Prince and Griffin Prince. We are so grateful to the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the faculty and staff of the schools, and all those who donated their time and resources to this wonderful project. Love, the Prince family. The brothers were killed in June 2012 in a boating accident on Lake Lanier. …
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The House passes the boater-safety bill named for children killed on Lake Lanier in 2012. The governor's signature is expected.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, March 21
A bill that would lower the state's Boating Under the Influence legal limit and institute boating safety regulations now has cleared both houses of the Georgia General Assembly. On Thursday (March 20), the House passed Senate Bill 136 by a 146-17 vote. The Gainesville Times reported that the "nay" votes are believed to be related to hunter-safety provisions of the bill. The Senate unanimously passed the bill earlier in March. Gov. Nathan Deal is expected to sign the bill, which carries the names of Griffin and Jake Prince of Buford, and Kile Glover of Atlanta. They were all killed in water-safety related incidents last year on Lake Lanier. -- Does this legislation make you feel safer on Lake Lanier? What other changes are needed? Share …
Thursday, March 14, 2013
The Lake Lanier-inspired bill, which has passed the Senate and is in the House, also would mandate other boating safety changes.
A Georgia bill drafted in response to recent boating fatalities on Lake Lanier would lower the state's BUI limit to that of the limit for motorists. Other boating safety changes also would become law. Senate Bill 136, which was co-sponsored by a Gwinnett legislator, specifically has some acts titled the "Jake and Griffin Prince BUI Law" and the "Kile Glover Boat Education Law." The bill passed the state Senate on March 1 by a 50-0 vote and now is in the House. The 2013 legislative session ends March 22. The bill would lower the legal blood-alcohol limit for boat operators to 0.08 grams, the same as that for motorists. Gov. Nathan Deal called for such a move last June. Also, it would require that Georgia boaters meet training requirements …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Paul Bennett of Cumming is reportedly scheduled for trial May 20, 2013. He was indicted in connection with the deaths of Griffin and Jake Prince of Buford.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Friday, December 14, 2012
The man who has been indicted in Hall County in connection with the boating deaths of two Gwinnett youths at Lake Lanier has a trial date, according to a media report. The Gainesville Times has reported that Paul Bennett, a Cumming resident, will face trial May 20, 2013. Also, the next motions hearing reportedly is set for January 31. Bennett was indicted for homicide and boating under the influence in connection with the boating collision on June 18, 2012, that killed Griffin and Jake Prince of Buford. Authorities say Bennett's boat collided with a pontoon boat driven by the youths' father. Griffin Prince's body was recovered more than a week after the accident. A Hall County grand jury in August indicted Bennett for eight counts of …
Monday, June 25, 2012
Additional high-tech help is available in the search for Griffin Prince.
- PUBLIC SAFETY
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Monday, June 25, 2012
More high-tech help was expected as divers prepared Monday to resume the search for missing Griffin Prince at Lake Lanier. WSB-TV.com reported that the FBI will bring in new equipment Monday that will allow divers to stay under water for more than six minutes at a time in an effort to complete their search. Did you swim or boat at Lake Lanier over the weekend? Tell us in the comments below. Previously, an underwater remote device was shipped in from California to aid in the search. Prince, 13, of Buford has been missing since last week's boating collision, which also took the life of his brother Jake, 9. Paul J. Bennett has been charged with boating under the influence in connection with the crash. Bennett was piloting a boat that collided…
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Advice is sought on wristband purchases for sons Jake and Griffin, victims of the fatal crash on Lake Lanier.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Prince family of Buford, whose sons were victims of this week's fatal boating collision on Lake Lanier, have issued a public plea for help and advice in a memorial event. In a Facebook posting, the family is seeking advice on purchasing wristbands for Jake and Griffin before their funeral. Arrangements for that event have not been made. What are your thoughts on this tragedy? Tell us in the comments below. The posting read: "Some friends have volunteered to purchase memorial wristbands for Griffin and Jake. We spent an hour on hold last night trying to find out if we can get them quickly for the funeral...although we don't know when that will be. Does anyone have any connection that can help us get these made? We will be trying to …
A remote device arrives from California to aid in the search for Griffin Prince.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Saturday, June 23, 2012
When divers resume their search on Lake Lanier for missing Griffin Prince, they'll have a new technical device to work with. An underwater remote operating device has arrived from California to help with the search for one of the victims of Monday's fatal boating accident, according to WSB-TV.com. Robert Estrada, someone involved with the search effort, said he called a friend in San Diego to have him ship an underwater robotic camera here to help with the search. The equipment will be able to stay underwater for hours, WSB reported. Do you feel boating should be suspended on Lanier until Griffin Prince's body is found? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Many of the divers can only stay in the water for about five minutes after …
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Several recent accidents at the resort area have resulted in death and injury. Share your thoughts.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Thursday, June 21, 2012
Updated July 8 Unfortunately, it hasn't been hard lately to find bad news involving Lake Lanier, Atlanta's aquatic playground. On June 18, a two-boat collision late at night left a Buford youth, 9, dead and his brother, 13, missing. A Cumming man has been charged with boating under the influence in connection with the case. (The missing youth was recovered by divers, and the youths' funeral was held July 3 in Suwanee.) Do you feel safe on Lake Lanier now? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And not long before that, a youth almost lost his leg while tubing on Lanier, apparently due to a mistake by a boat operator. On July 6, a man piloting a jet-ski collided with two youths in inner tubes who were being pulled by a boat. Reports say…
Prince Sr., the victims' grandfather, relates details of the incident.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Thursday, June 21, 2012
A memorial Facebook page has been set up for Jake and Griffin Prince, the Buford youths who were victims of this week's boating crash on Lake Lanier. Jake, 9, was killed in Monday's collision, and Griffin, 13, still is missing. Diving teams have been searching for his body since the collision occurred late Monday. The Facebook page already has accumulated more than 850 likes, and many comments and photo uploads. What are your thoughts on this incident? Tell us in the comments below. Michael Prince Sr., the boys' grandfather, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that a party led by his son, Michael Prince Jr., was aboard a pontoon boat on Lake Lanier when the collision occurred. "They were on their way home," Prince said. The force of …
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Prince Sr., principal owner of The Grass Shack, makes the disclosure in a media report. Donations are being accepted for the victim.
- PUBLIC SAFETY
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The boat that was involved in this week's fatal collision on Lake Lanier was purchased from the business owned by the victims' family, according to a media report. Michael Prince Sr., principal owner of The Grass Shack near Lake Lanier, told 11alive.com that he sold Paul J. Bennett the boat involved in Monday night's crash that took the life of Jake Prince, 9. Prince said Bennett was a regular customer, according to the report. Did you know the Prince family? Share your thoughts on this incident in the comments below. Griffin Prince, 13, Jake's brother, still is missing from the crash. Divers resumed their search Wednesday. Bennett, a Cumming resident who owns a hair salon in Johns Creek, faces boating under the influence charges from the …
Elaine
2:28 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Yes, the lake should be closed to everyone except those involved in searching for Griffin. I know how this feels. A few years ago, my 25 year brother drowned in Lake Lanier. When we got the news, his body was still missing. Mother collapsed. He was found several hours later on top of a reservoir in 120 feet of water. Another young man died that same week. He has never been found. more ›