Stepping up to the Plate

FRIDAY May 31, 2019 BARTOW COUNTY’S ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER 75 cents Bond set at $100,000 for Adairsville woman accused of second degree murder of infant BY JAMES SWIFT her life,” said public defender Ke- Present in the courtroom for that [email protected] arston Gill. “She is not a fl ight risk hearing was APD investigator Sgt. — prior to this, I don’t think she’s Eric Burns, who said that respond- Cherokee Judicial Circuit Judge been in any trouble, other than hav- ing offi cers could smell “the odor Suzanne H. Smith set bond at ing some juvenile issues.” of burnt marijuana” emanating $100,000 for a woman accused of Emergency personnel were dis- from her residence during process- murdering her infant son in Adairs- patched to Wheat’s residents at 210 ing of the scene. ville last fall in Bartow Superior North Main St. in Adairsville on He said the residence was lit- IN THISHIS ISSUE Court Tuesday afternoon. Sept. 28, 2018, in response to a call tered with dirty diapers and dishes, Destiney Diane Wheat was 22 that her 4-month-old son, Rylan with cockroaches and bags of trash Celebratingelebrating when Adairsville Police Department James Wheat, was not breathing. scattered throughout the home. (APD) offi cers arrested her roughly The infant was transported to Furthermore, he said evidence col- thee ClasseClassess four months ago on charges of sec- Wheat Cartersville Medical Center, where lected from the residence indicate ond degree murder, second degree he was pronounced dead shortly that Wheat was not administering off 2019! cruelty to children and possession of thereafter. oxygen to her child “as prescribed less than 1 ounce of marijuana. since Feb. 23. Judge Smith initially denied by doctors.” Wheat has been held in pretrial “Miss Wheat is a resident of bond for Wheat at a motion hear- detention at the Bartow County Jail Bartow County, she’s been here all ing March 12. SEE BOND, PAGE 5A Bartow County’s Fraker named STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE superintendent in Gordon County All White Affair BY DONNA HARRIS to generate [email protected] Bartow County’s loss is Gordon funds for soup County’s gain. Dr. Kimberly Fraker, the chief kitchen June 22 leadership and learning offi cer for the Bartow County School System, BY MARIE NESMITH was named the sole fi nalist for the [email protected] superintendent’s position in the Gordon County School District last Striving to secure funds to open a Thursday. community soup kitchen, Will2Way Fraker, 52, said she felt “very Foundation will present its second an- excited, as you can imagine” when nual All White Affair June 22. she received the call about her se- “Last year was amazing, despite lection while she and her husband, one hour before the event was to start Jim, were at their favorite local ice it started to rain — like the heavens cream shop. opened up — but only in that one spot,” “I looked at my husband and said Acworth resident Pamela Whit- mouthed to him, ‘It’s me. They fi eld, the organization’s founder and chose me,’” she said. “I didn’t even CEO. “I was so devastated. … But the fi nish my ice cream. It is one of show went on. those moments you consider in “We moved into the carriage house advance, but you try not to think and everyone was so accommodating about it in case it doesn’t happen. and understanding. And we raised Then when it does, it is pure joy. I more funds [at] that event than any felt and continue to feel truly hum- of our other events in the past fi ve bled and honored by the board’s years. The event was great and every- nomination. I appreciate their one [that] knew what our mission is confi dence in me to lead Gordon was excited to help us meet our goals. County Schools.” And we had several newcomers that The longtime educator feels we were able to explain who we are ready and prepared to be the top and what we do, and they continue to CARLOS WHITFIELD/SPECIAL leader of a school system. support us as well. Overall, I wouldn’t Will2Way Foundation supporters take part in last year’s All White Affair benefi t. “With over 24 years in educa- change a thing.” tion, I felt my knowledge, experi- Ongoing from 6 to 10 p.m., the All with the donated items from Back- forts have included providing relief homelessness. We do this by offering ence and skills would complement White Affair will take place on the pack [Buddies]. to hurricane victims and a monthly a safe haven and providing the neces- and contribute to meeting the goals grounds of the Rose Lawn Museum, “… The bags go home with students meal to those in need at the Carters- sary tools through education, mental and direction of the Gordon Coun- 224 W. Cherokee Ave. in Cartersville. on Friday afternoons to ensure that ville-Bartow County Chamber of wellness, career pathway and finan- ty School System,” she said. The rain-or-shine benefi t will feature they have resources for food on the Commerce. cial stability to thrive, grow and live. Charlie Walraven, chairman of dinner, prizes, music and vendors. At- weekend when school is out. I think According to www.will2wayfoun- Our goal is to open a long-term transi- the board of education, said the dis- tendees are encouraged to arrive in this program is phenomenal, but what dation.org, “We started as a group of tional housing facility geared towards trict is fortunate to have someone white attire. about the caregiver or younger siblings individuals that wanted to encourage encompassing everyone — some ex- of Fraker’s caliber as its new leader. Costing $50 per person, admission that are not in school. Who’s feeding each other to walk/run by any means ceptions to apply. We will not turn “Dr. Fraker’s resume and sup- will cover dinner and a pair of drink them? What do they eat? Honestly, I necessary to just fi nish. We saw the away non-traditional families or indi- porting documents were outstand- tickets. have four sons and two grandsons, and need to help our community through viduals with older male children be- ing,” he said. “Her interview was “This benefit will help us raise knowing them that food would be gone serving, mentoring and making a dif- cause of his age. We are about keeping equally impressive. We are very funds and awareness of renting or by Friday night, and that’s the hard fact ference in the world. Together we have that family whole.” happy that Dr. Fraker is the sole fi - purchasing a space this year to allow of the matter.” mentored over 23 young ladies and Further details about the benefit nalist for superintendent of Gordon our community access to three meals Formerly known as Soul Sistas served over 101,219 people worldwide. and Will2Way Foundation can be County Schools.” a day free of charge to those that are Run Inc., the organization changed Proving a few people can change the obtained by calling 404-590-3492 or Walraven said the school dis- in need,” Whitfield said. “No one its name to Will2Way Foundation in world.” visiting the organization’s website. trict’s search for a new leader was should ever go to bed hungry. Why 2017. The website states the organiza- Tickets for the All White Affair ben- conducted through Teach Georgia, this cause? Weekly, I mentor at the Along with mentoring to youth, tion’s vision is to “offer a place of efit can be purchased on eventbrite. and 22 applications were received. schools, and I see the bags piled high some of the group’s outreach ef- hope and new beginnings to eradicate com. “The entire board reviewed the applications and selected seven outstanding candidates to interview,” he said. Fraker’s nomination will remain open for 14 days as required by Free fi shing events return to Dellinger Park Lake state law then her name will be placed on the school board’s agen- BY MARIE NESMITH da for the June 10 meeting for ap- [email protected] proval, he added. To celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week, the Car- SEE FRAKER, PAGE 5A tersville Parks and Recreation Department will kick off the month of June with a pair of complimentary events. Youth Fishing Day for anglers 14 and younger and Senior Fishing Day for adults 50 and older will be presented at Dellinger Park Lake 7 a.m. to noon Monday and June 7, respectively. Becoming the director of the CPRD earlier this year, Tom Gilliam is striving to connect the community through events like this. In looking over its history, he noted the angling events continue to be well received. “The city of Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department RANDY PARKER/THE DAILY TRIBUNE NEWS, FILE has been participating in National Fishing and Boating Week Approximately 200 children and adults alike lined the perimeter of Dellinger Park Lake in Car- for 20-plus years,” Gilliam said. “In the beginning, the city tersville last year for Youth Fishing Day. The event was held by the Cartersville Parks and Recre- ation Department in recognition of National Fishing and Boating Week. SEE FISHING, PAGE 6A Fraker INSIDE TODAY Mostly VOLUME 73, NO. 22 Obituaries ............................. 2A Blotter ................................... 5A sunny U.S. & World .........................3A Weather ................................ 6A High 87 www.daily-tribune.com Stocks ................................... 3A Sports ................................... 1B Entertainment .....................

Load more