Justin Harris, Coach Banned, Gingerbread Houses: News Nearby

There was plenty of news across Georgia on Friday. If you missed any of it on your local Patch, here's a roundup of the top stories from the past 24 hours.

• Forsyth Boy Turns Mashburn Elementary Into Gingerbread House
• Suspect In Gwinnett Hijacking, Kidnapping Arrested: Police

Justin Harris Hearing For New Trial In Hot Car Death Scheduled

Justin Ross Harris was convicted of murder after leaving his son in the backseat of his hot car. His hearing for a new trial begins Monday.

GA Coronavirus: 5 Atlanta-Area Sheriffs-Elect Now Have COVID-19

A professional training event at Callaway Gardens became a spreader event, infecting five incoming metro Atlanta sheriffs with COVID-19.

Lawmakers, Not Voters, Should Choose GA Elections Head: Ralston

GOP House Speaker David Ralston proposed Thursday that Georgia's next secretary of state be appointed by lawmakers, not elected by voters.

Savannah Youth Football Coach Banned After Striking Player

The coach, who worked for the Chatham County Sheriff's Office, was fired after a video surfaced, but he is not being criminally charged.

Dream homes:

• WOW House: $1.35M Marietta Home Includes Elevator, Home Theater
• WOW House: Over $1M For Smyrna Home Near Atlanta Perimeter
• WOW House: Enjoy A Lighted Granite Bar In This Decatur Home
• WOW House: Atlanta Home Offers Master Suite Coffee Bar
• WOW House: Historic Nicolson House For Sale In Midtown Atlanta
• WOW House: Newly Constructed Home In The Heart Of Brookhaven
• Look Inside: Johns Creek Home Has Outdoor Kitchen, Screened Porch
• Look Inside: Roswell Home Includes Green Egg Grill, Bidet, Pool
• Look Inside: $2.3M Sandy Springs Home Offers Lake Front Views
• Look Inside: Newly Built Woodstock Home Sits On 2-Acre Corner Lot

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Also Worth A Look Today:

• Land Purchase For New Cherokee High School Approved
• Sugar Hill Instructor Named Gwinnett Teacher Of The Year
• Early Voting Locations For Runoff Election Set By Douglas County
• Alpharetta Teen Spreads Holiday Cheer With Gingerbread House
• Jewish Federation Of Greater Atlanta Launches Virtual Competition

Across America

• 'No One Asked For This': Pandemic Unemployment Highest In Months
• Live Events Industry Lost $30 Billion In 2020
• Congress Stuck As GOP Torpedoes Emerging Stimulus Deal
• Stay Cozy And Connected This Holiday Season With AT&T TV
• Food Safety And Nutrition Questions Answered By Experts At Consumer Reports