Toddler Medical Fund, Racial Bullying, DUI Patrols: 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 some of the top stories from the past 24 hours.

• No Charges Expected Against Homeowner Who Shot Intruder: Police
• Racial Bullying Is Reason For Paulding Parents' Press Conference
• WATCH: Armed Robbers Hit Sandy Springs Store, FBI Wants Your Help

Canton Family Asks For Help With Hospitalized 2-Year-Old

A Canton family is going through a rough time, with their 2-year-old son in the hospital for a bacterial infection and double pneumonia. Blake Jones suffered a severe brain injury at birth, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help the Jones family through this challenging time.

Intruder Shot, Killed Breaking Into Car By Owner: Gwinnett Police

Police say no charges are expected and both the homeowner-shooter and intruder have been identified in a homicide that happened early Friday morning in Lawrenceville.

Patrols Out In 'Full Force' For Super Bowl Weekend, Warns Sheriff

The Forsyth Sheriff's Office is warning residents not to drink and drive during Super Bowl weekend because patrols will be out in full force.

Groundhog Day 2018: Georgia's Gen. Beauregard Lee Makes Prediction

With all due respect to that rodent in Pennsylvania, it's General Beauregard Lee who makes the call on Groundhog Day in the South. And, this year, Georgia's own four-legged prognosticator says that, sadly, we're in for more winter.

One GA Toys R Us Store Not Closing After All

Toys R Us on Friday released a list of stores it is not closing, rolling back on the closure of 18 Toys R Us, Babies R Us and co-branded stores. One Georgia store is not closing, according to Toys R Us.

Flu Remains Widespread In Georgia, Now Blamed For 51 Deaths

Flu is still widespread across the United States, where it's blamed for thousands of hospitalizations and at least 53 pediatric deaths. Flu activity continued to intensify last week, reaching its highest level in almost a decade, according to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Georgia, 25 of the 37 deaths reported Wednesday were to people 65 years old or older and 84 percent of the deaths were of people over 50.

Killing Grandparents: Gwinnett Teens Plead Guilty

Two Gwinnett teens pled guilty Friday to beating their grandparents with a tire iron, stabbing and killing Wendy and Randall Bjorge in April of this year, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

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Also Worth A Look Today:

• Severe Weather Preparedness Week: Are You Ready?
• Rollover Accident On Sixes Road, One Injured: Fire Department
• Cumming One Of Georgia's Safest Cities
• Decatur Pedestrian Killed In Hit And Run
• Grayson, Suwanee Two Of Georgia's Safest Cities
• Canton PD Rated 4.1 Stars On Facebook: Do You Agree?
• Canton Police Seeking Publix Burglary Suspect: Do You Know Him?
• Douglas Donuts Opens In Douglasville
• Pharmacy Armed Robber Hits Again, Police Say: WATCH
• Copper Wire Thieves Sought By Paulding Sheriff: ID This Vehicle

Across America:

• Got $149M To Spend On A House?
• Flu Now Blamed For 53 Child Deaths
• 91-Year-Old Smashes Car Into Wall Of House
• 20 Hottest U.S. Real Estate Markets For January

Patch PM shares a few of the day's must-read items from our Georgia network. The Patch community platform serves four dozen towns, cities and neighborhoods in the metro Atlanta area. Thank you for reading.
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