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Community Corner

🌱 Community Meeting In Gwinnett + BBQ Festival For Home Of Hope

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

Happy Friday! I'm back in your inbox this morning with the latest news from around town. Today you'll learn about...

  • An arrest has been made in the shooting death of a Gwinnett County teen
  • The Southern Ballet Theatre and the Gwinnett County Library have a special Saturday planned for 'Frozen' fans
  • Two people will be held accountable for the fentanyl overdose of a Gwinnett County teen

But first, today's weather: Daytime temperatures will remain warm with a high of 74 and a low of 48. Keep your umbrellas close because the rain is here to stay with thunderstorms probable this afternoon.


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Here are the top stories in Loganville-Grayson today:

  1. A 21-year-old man, Drolvin Calix-Rodriguez of Lawrenceville, and 19-year old Elizabeth Elliot of Norcross, have been charged with multiple felonies related to the overdose death of a 16-year-old girl. The Gwinnett County teen took a counterfeit Percocet that was laced with fentanyl. It is unclear when she died, and police have not released her identity. The Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office will continue to prosecute people for felony murder if someone dies from an overdose death caused by drug trafficking and distribution. (WSB Atlanta)
  2. In a follow up report to the death of 16-year old Jose Daniel Martinez, the Gwinnett County teen who was shot to death in the backyard of a Lawrenceville home, an arrest has been made Thursday. Dennis Calzadilla, a 20-year-old man, has been arrested and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. A motive for the shooting was not disclosed. (11alive)
  3. The Gwinnett Police Department will be holding a community meeting on Thursday, March 9, to address the recent tragic events, including teen homicides and overdoses. Residents are encouraged to attend and ask questions, so that they can get responses directly from the police department. The panel will consist of Chief J.D. McClure, and staff from the West Precinct and Criminal Investigations. The recent teenage deaths have directly affected the Hispanic community. The meeting will be held at the Universal Church in Norcross. (11alive)

Today in Loganville-Grayson:

  • The Big Bounce America is still at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville! Go enjoy some bounce time with the family! (9:00 am)
  • Check out the 'Grease' parody and modern comedy, 'Vape the Musical,' at the Lawrenceville Arts Center. (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm)
  • Start your weekend off with the PitBoss cover band and some 80's rock at Moonshiner's Bar & Grill in Grayson. (9:00 pm)

From my notebook:

  • Even though the weekend will be warm, lots of cool will be happening at the the Lawrenceville branch of the Gwinnett County Library. Dancers from the Southern Ballet Theatre will be visiting with fans at the branch and performing excerpts of the Disney favorite, "Frozen II - The Tale of the Enchanted Forest." The show starts Saturday morning at 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., and kids will have a chance to join the dancers in between acts to enjoy movement and music exercises. (Instagram)
  • The 8th Annual Sip & Swine BBQ Festival will be held this weekend at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. Amateur and professional BBQ experts will compete at the show this weekend, where admission and parking are free. The Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event is playing host to competitors from 12 states and live performances by local musicians, food vendors, and fun activities for the whole family. The event will give 100 percent of all proceeds to Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children's Shelter. Home of Hope is a local charity that provides support to homeless children, young mothers, and teens who are aging out of the foster care system. If you can't make it to the BBQ, you can still donate at www.homeofhopegcs.org. The BBQ festivities will begin today at 3 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. and then start right back up Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Explore Gwinnett)
  • Some good news in the case of missing 12-year-old Zaliyah from Dekalb County, after she mysteriously vanished from her home, near S. Hairston Road, on Monday. She was located by Tuesday morning, and she is safe now. (Atlanta News First)


You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update and a highlight of weekend fun just for you.

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