Hometown: Clinton, Iowa
Birthday: August 24.
John Barker returns to Patch after nearly a three-year absence. He was the founder of Douglasville Patch in 2010 and will now be covering a much wider area, including Douglasville, Dallas-Hiram, Logansville-Grayson, Dacula and Cumming, among other Georgia areas.
During his absence, John spent time as a public affairs specialist for both the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
He grew up in a small town in Iowa and served as a photojournalist in the Army for eight years. John served in Germany, West Point and Korea. He earned several military photojournalism awards including the Keith L. Ware Award and the Thomas Jefferson Award for a first-place entry for stories supported by photos. While a military photojournalist, John covered thousands of stories, including the Presidents of the United States Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush. He attended several military journalism and editor programs at the Defense Information School and was accepted, through portfolio, to attend the Army Advanced Photojournalism Course, held at the University of South Carolina. After serving in the Army, he worked as a writer and photographer for major daily newspapers like the San Antonio Express-News. He's also been an editor of several weekly newspapers in Texas and Georgia, including in Paulding and Douglas Counties. Owner of River City Images Portrait Studio for many years, John has used his photojournalism skills to photograph hundreds of weddings. He is married to Marina, his German-Italian wife.
Politics: I am not registered with any political party and strive to vote for the most qualified candidate.
Local Hot-Button Issues: I believe strongly in the arts and their importance in the community.
The "No Place for Hate Video" and "Anti-Bullying Tool Kit" are just 2 resources for students during National Bullying Prevention Month.
Cyberbullying Warning Signs and Top 10 Tips for Teens are just 2 resources for Paulding students during National Bullying Prevention Month.
Students at Sweetwater will wear blue and Beulah Elementary will have a poster contest in October for National Bullying Prevention Month.
Good news stories from GA Patches include: Best wine restaurants, Home Depot volunteers help hurricane victims, fundraiser helps family..
A Mall of Georgia drink store scores 52 and scoring 62 earlier this year. The inspector found mold on the ice machine and other violations.
Paulding County restaurant inspections include IHOP and Rose Hall Event Center this week.
A Forsyth County restaurant scored 46 after an inspector found flies in the kitchen and other violations.
An inspector found flies in the kitchen and mold on the ice machine at a popular Douglas County restaurant this week.
Gwinnett Police are searching for 5 suspects who used a stolen vehicle to rob other businesses and are thought to be part of a larger ring.
“Operation Save A Life” equips Firefighters across Paulding County with smoke detectors for families and residents who can’t afford them.
A tractor trailer is blocking a Forsyth County road and the estimate to clear the truck is at least two hours.
From ruins to rapids, here are the interpretive programs offered By Sweetwater Creek Park in October.
The exhibit will include more than 70 photographs by the Sweetwater Camera Club.
A popular diner scored 73 after an inspector reported that eggs and steaks were undercooked in addition to other violations.
A Snellville Girl Scout created garden at Briscoe Park to raise awareness on veterans issues; the dedication ceremony will be Saturday
To enhance their classroom learning, Alexander High students may have an opportunity to participate in a job internship.
Upon completion of the corrections welding program, graduates will earn a certificate in Gas Metal Arc Welding from Gwinnett Tech.
Village Pediatrics at Vickery opened Sept. 17 and offers healthcare from birth to age 21.
The living history event will explore the customs of Vikings and the Scottish Highlanders, who were among Georgia’s earliest settlers.
Fire Chief Danny Bowman is retiring Oct. 16, after 50 years in fire services.
