🌱 MLB Team Drafts S. Forsyth HS Grad + Suspect In Car Chase Indicted

Good morning, Cumming. I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Here's the lowdown...

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First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 89 Low: 73.

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Here are the top five stories today in Cumming:

1. Play Ball! Landon Sims, a South Forsyth High School graduate and pitcher at Mississippi State University, was drafted 34th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft Sunday night. At South Forsyth, Sims lettered four times under head coach Russ Bayer. For the MSU Bulldogs last year, he appeared in 25 games as a reliever/closer, posted a 5-0 record with a 1.44 ERA and 13 saves in 56.1 innings. He allowed 9 runs (all earned) and 29 hits, while striking out 100 batters and allowing just 15 walks. Sims held opposing hitters to a .149 average. Drafted second overall also by the Arizona Diamondbacks was Druw Jones, son of Braves legend and five-time All-Star Andruw Jones. A graduate of the Wesleyan School in Peachtree Corners, Jones hit .570 with 13 home runs, 39 RBIs, 72 runs, 33 walks (9 strikeouts) and 32 stolen bases in 2022. With the 20th pick in the draft, the Atlanta Braves selected right-handed Pitcher Owen Murphy from Riverside-Brookfield High School in Riverside, Illinois. (11Alive.com WXIA)
2. Forsyth County Superior Court indicted an Atlanta man after allegedly leading officers on a high-speed car chase. Demetris Antwune Clay was indicted on 13 counts, including reckless driving, fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, identity fraud, two counts of possession of a firearm firing the commission of a felony, possession of drug-related objects and charges of possession of methamphetamine, amphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana, all with intent to distribute. Clay allegedly fled after a Forsyth County Sheriff's Office deputy attempted to stop him, reaching speeds over 100 mph on Ga. 400 and running a red light during the chase before deputies used stop sticks to flatten all four tires, according to the indictment. He allegedly attempted to flee on foot before being pulled off a concrete median on the highway. He was stopped after a deputy reportedly "came upon a vehicle with a strong odor of marijuana emanating from it" on Ga. 400 and found the vehicle had no valid insurance. (Forsyth County News)
3. Effective August 1, University of North Georgia has a new vice president of regional campuses. Dr. Steven Smith will serve as the chief administrator based at UNG's Gainesville Campus and also oversee UNG's regional campuses in Blue Ridge, Cumming, and Oconee County. Smith succeeds Dr. Richard Oates, who recently retired. Since 2019, Smith has served as the executive vice president for enrollment management at West Virginia University-Parkersburg and executive dean and CEO of the university's Jackson County campus. He also served as special assistant to the president for equity and inclusion. (UNG.edu)

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Today in Cumming:

• Puppetpalooza! - Cumming Library (10 a.m.)
• Don't Stop the Music - Karaoke and Dancing for grades 6-12 - Cumming Library (6:30 p.m.)
• Books & Babies - Post Road Library (10 a.m.)
• Mysteries of the Deep - Sharon Forks Library (3 p.m.)
• Paws to Read - Read and relax with certified therapy dogs while improving literacy skills - Post Road Library (3:30 p.m.)
• Halcyon Farmer's Market - Halcyon Forsyth (4 p.m.)
• Forsyth County Schools Board of Education monthly meeting (5 p.m.)
• Improv Workshop for Teens with Dad's Garage - Hampton Park Library (6 p.m.)
• Taste Around Town - Union Hill Park - July 22 and 23 (All Day)

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From my notebook:

• Midway Elementary School PTO will be hosting an Ice Cream Social Saturday July 30 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Drop by the Midway playground, 4805 Atlanta Hwy in Alpharetta, to meet other Mustang families and enjoy some ice cream on these hot summer days. (Facebook)
• Support a Special Olympics Georgia Athlete today! To help continue the role Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) plays in today's society, giving individuals with intellectual disabilities an outlet to compete in the power of sport, SOGA would like to offer you a one-time special for its annual Duck Pluck, which will be held on September 21. (Classy)
• Want to learn and play lacrosse? NorthEast Forsyth Youth Lacrosse is hosting a free clinic for 1st-8th graders Saturday, August 6 from 9 10:30 a.m. at Lanierland Park, 6115 Jot Em Down Road in Cumming. No prior lacrosse experience needed and loaner sticks will be provided. Experienced players are welcome as well. (Facebook).
• Early bird tickets are now available for the 18th Annual Bark & Boogie Ball. This is the premier fundraising event for the Humane Society of Forsyth County. The ball will be held Saturday, October 15 at 6 p.m. (Humane Society of Forsyth County, GA via Facebook).
• Summer may be winding down, but YMCA Camp High Harbour is still going strong! Make the last weeks of summer the best ever at Y overnight camp. There's still availability through July 30 for Lake Allatoona and August 6 for Lake Burton. (Forsyth County Family YMCA via Facebook).
• Cumming First United Methodist Church Preschool has a few three-day PreK openings for four year olds. Classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. School starts September 1. Call the Preschool Office at 770-889-4580 for more information.

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update!