🌱 Georgia Educators Overworked + Local 'Driving Miss Daisy' Auditions

Hello, Loganville-Grayson! I'm back with your morning edition of the Loganville-Grayson Daily. Here are some of the most important things to know about what's happening locally. Today we have these stories and more:

• Georgia schools are understaffed, and teachers are overworked, according to a recent survey.
• The local playhouse, On Stage in Monroe, is holding auditions for "Driving Miss Daisy."
• The GBI is leading the investigation of the shooting at the Snellville Speedway.

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But first, today's weather:

Be careful during your morning commute. We will be having a foggy morning with showers during the afternoon and into the evening. The high will is 65 and the low is 59.

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Business owners and marketers in Loganville-Grayson: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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Here are the top stories today in Loganville-Grayson:

1. After last week's storms, President Joe Biden has approved the federal major disaster declaration in several Georgia counties including Butts, Jasper, Spalding, Troup, Meriwether, Newton and Henry counties. The federal funding is also available to state and local governments and nonprofits for emergency work in these counties. Residents can apply for federal aid for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to replace uninsured property. There are other programs that are also available to help recover business losses from storm damage. (wgxa.tv)
2. Update: The man shot yesterday at a Snellville Speedway has been identified by the GBI as Raymond Johnson, 28, of Loganville. Johnson was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated, and he was later transported to the Gwinnett County Jail. The GBI update says that an officer recognized the car Johnson was driving from a BOLO that was put on the car from a previous incident. The officer attempted to contact Johnson; however, he was not in the car. When Johnson left the Speedway, he spoke to the officer, pulled out a gun and aimed it at the officer, which resulted in the officer shooting the suspect. The GBI clarified that the officer was not injured in the incident as initially reported. (Monroe Local)
3. Each year, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators surveys principals, teachers, and other school support staff. In 2022, the survey found that almost 70 percent of social workers, psychologists, and counselors, and over 50 percent of teachers, said that schools don't have enough counselors to meet the needs of their students. The survey also found that only about 30 percent of teachers feel that their workload is manageable, and 25 percent say that their workload is never manageable. Also, almost 40 percent of teachers and almost 70 percent of teacher's aides have difficulty meeting their monthly expenses, while 20 percent of them have other jobs. (WABE)

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Today in Loganville-Grayson:

• Feeling artistic? Join Snellville United Methodist Church for 'Created to be Creative' and enjoy fellowship, devotion, and leave with your own creation on canvas. (10:00 am-11:00 am)
• Our neighbors at the Monroe Zaxby's are hosting a Winter Kidz Night with snowflake crafts, and Zax Kidz Meals are just $.99 with an adult meal. (5:00 pm-8:00 pm)
• Amy LaVere will be showcasing her Americana and indie-folk sounds at the Red Clay Foundry in Duluth. (8:00 pm)

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From my notebook:

• The Grayson Girls' Basketball team took down the No. 1 ranked Class 4A, Griffin Girls' basketball team at the MLK Showcase. Jayla Bennet was named the MVP. Grayson is now 11-6 on the season. (Gwinnett Prep Sports)
• On Stage Walton Playhouse is holding auditions for their upcoming production of 'Driving Miss Daisy' this week. The auditions be on Jan. 18 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and again on Jan. 21 from noon to 2 p.m. and they will last 20-30 minutes. Actors will be doing cold reads from a script, and all ages are welcome to audition. COVID-19 protocols are in place, so masks and proof of vaccine are required. Please read the full policy on the On Stage website and more information in the link provided. (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along, and make sure to invite a friend to follow too. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update and a glimpse and our local news stories! Make it a great day!