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Community Corner

🌱 Combat Overdoses With Kits + In-State Tuition In Another State

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Loganville-Grayson.

Jennifer Hannah, Neighbor
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Good morning, Loganville and Grayson! It's me, back with your Saturday morning Patch newsletter. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in the community today, including...

  • Tuition savings for Georgia and North Carolina students headed to select colleges in South Carolina could be available this fall
  • Parades, car shows, king cakes, and all kinds of celebrations and fun await our local community this weekend
  • Georgia's tax revenue has increased this January, compared to last year, but individual income tax was down for Georgians

But first, today's weather: We should enjoy a sunny day, but it'll be a bit chilly with a high of 55 and a low of 35.

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Here are the top stories today in Loganville-Grayson:

  1. The reports are in for Georgia's January income tax collections. January's net tax collections are up over 1 percent compared to the totals in January of 2022. Even with the net increase in revenue, individual income tax has decreased by 4 percent, and the motor fuel tax decreased by over 98 percent due to Gov. Brian Kemp's executive orders to suspend the tax through Jan. 10. The increase in corporate income tax, sales and use tax, and tag and title tax offsets the decrease in other areas of collection to create an overall increase for Georgia. (Monroe Local)
  2. Two Gwinnett health centers, the Lawrenceville Health Center and the Norcross Health Center, are offering free Narcan kits to help combat the increase in opioid overdoses. There are 5,000 kits available to anyone 18 and older, and they hold Naloxone spray, a carrying case, and information on how to identify an overdose. The centers are also offering free training for individuals and groups. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and potentially save someone's life. The FDA is expected to make a final decision, by the end of March, whether the nasal spray will be available to be sold over the counter for the public to keep on hand for emergency use. (11Alive.com WXIA)
  3. A new bill introduced by South Carolina leaders might encourage high school students in Georgia and North Carolina to consider attending college in South Carolina. After studies showed a population decline in South Carolina high school students, leaders wanted to find ways to boost enrollment in local colleges. By offering in-state tuition to Georgia and North Carolina residents, colleges, with fewer than 11,000 students enrolled, could see a stabilized enrollment. If the bill passes, tuition savings could be passed along to the additional states as early as this fall. (WCNC)

Today in Loganville-Grayson:

  • Jewelry making, collecting, and more at the Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show at the Gas South Convention Center. (10:00 am - 5:00 pm)
  • Stone Mountain Village is celebrating Mardi Gras! Come party in the village with Jase's Lemonade. (1:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
  • Rock out with 90's and modern sounds at Moonshiner's Bar & Grill in Grayson with local favorite, Urban Taboo. (9:00 pm - 1:00 am)

From my notebook:

  • Georgia's extensive list of hiking spots is a long one. Often, we pick favorites, but we may not visit as often because we feel that we've seen it already. Because of Georgia's distinctive seasons, those trails shift and change often, creating completely different scenery with each visit, so don't be so quick to write them off for a second visit. Some favorite Georgia hiking spots are Amicalola Falls, Red Top Mountain State Park, Gibbs Gardens, Pine Log Creek Trail, and Duke's Creek Falls. As the seasons begin to change, make sure to take another peak at some of your favorite places. (Newsbreak)
  • Take a look at this weekend's local fun:
    • If you're feeling creative, the Ceramic & Fired Arts Show at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds & Expo Center is the place to be on Saturday. (10:00 am - 3:00 pm)
    • Celebrate Black History Month at Norcross's Lucky Shoals Park, Saturday afternoon, with music, a parade, and food! (12:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
    • Jazz, king cakes, a 2nd line band, and more at the Beads & Beers Mardi Gras Party at StillFire Brewing in Suwanee. (3:00 pm - Until...)
    • Swim Atlanta Sugarloaf, in Lawrenceville, is offering an Adapted Swim Team training, on Sunday, specifically for swimmers, ages 5-29, with disabilities. (3:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
    • Check out some of Atlanta's hottest car at the ATB All Team Bash at Cool Ray Field and tailgate while visiting with local car clubs. (9:00 am - 3:00 pm)
  • Just a quick reminder that Walton County School District is on Winter Break, and schools will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20 and Tuesday, Feb. 21 with administrative offices closed on Monday. (Facebook) Gwinnett County Public Schools will also continue their Winter Break through Monday, Feb. 20 and will return to school on Tuesday, Feb. 21. (Facebook)
  • Popular discount retailer, Tuesday Morning, has filed for bankruptcy. The store announced that it will be closing half of its locations, including the nearby Snellville location. There is no date for the actual closing, but sales have already started to eliminate inventory. (WSBTV)

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That's your weekend update on the local news, and I hope you have a great weekend. I'll see you back here with your next update soon!

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