🌱 Gov. Kemp's 2023 State Address + Preview Black History Month Events

Hello, Loganville-Grayson! I'm back in your inbox this morning to get you caught up on the important things you need to know about what's going on around town. In today's issue, you'll find...

• WGHS Yearbook staff receives national honor for their 2022 yearbook edition!
• Gov. Brian Kemp puts focus on teacher compensation, rebates for Georgians, economic growth, and more during 2023 State Address.
• A new bill, introduced to protect health care workers makes assault against them in a clinical setting a felony in Georgia.

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But first, today's weather:

We'll have a cooler day with a high of only 48 and a low of 28 with mostly cloudy skies and a touch of sunshine during the afternoon.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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Here are the top stories in Loganville-Grayson today:

1. In Gov. Brian Kemp's 2023 State Address for the General Assembly, he focused on moving Georgia "on a path to greatness." One specific area of focus this year includes teacher pay raises of $2,000 to every state and university employee and public-school teachers. With the proposed teacher pay raise, Georgia will have given teachers a $7,000 raise in a five-year period making it the Southeast state with highest annual teacher salary. Additional areas of focus, for the governor, include returning 100 percent tuition coverage to the HOPE scholarship, giving back over $2 billion to Georgians in the form of income and property tax rebates, making Georgia "the center of electrified transportation," and creating safe, affordable housing for working Georgians. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
2. The area of Highway 29 from James Road to Paces Landing Drive and Sunnyside Drive to Bethesda School Road will soon receive a facelift. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved $1 million for sidewalks to connect residential neighborhoods to commercial areas off of local Highway 29/Lawrenceville Highway. Construction 57, a Lawrenceville company was awarded the contract. (Newsbreak)
3. As the COVID-19 pandemic grew, health care workers have increasingly become targets of frustration, and assault on workers grew rapidly. Just as police are protected from assault, State Rep. Michelle Au believes health care workers should too. She has introduced a bill to make it a felony to assault a health care worker in a clinical setting. The idea is that not only will the bill provide additional needed protection to health care workers, but the hope is to prevent burnout in an environment where health care is already understaffed. (11alive)

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Today in Loganville-Grayson:

• The O'Kelly Memorial Library in Loganville hosts a Chess Club every Thursday evening. (5:00 pm-7:00 pm)
• Bundle up and take the kids out for an evening of ice skating a quick drive away at The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill. (5:00 pm-9:00 pm)
• It's acoustic night at Johnny's Pizza in Grayson with 'Nick & The Knacks.' (6:30 pm)

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From my notebook:

• Congratulations the Walnut Grove High School Yearbook staff for their recent recognition of their 2022 yearbook, "What You Came For." The yearbook was awarded a First Class rating and the National Scholastic Press Association gave it the 'Mark of Distinction in Photography.' The yearbook has been chosen to be featured in the Walsworth's Cover Art Gallery. Yearbook Advisor, Nathan Ulrey and his students should be very proud of this national recognition. (Facebook)
• If you are a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and you're looking for some additional hours, Walton County Schools needs you! The Walton County School District is looking for nurses to substitute during the week. For $100/day, you would help care for students and staff and be finished when school lets out. To apply, visit the website at https://wcsd.info/subnurse. (Facebook)
• Gwinnett Parks and Recreation will be celebrating Black History Month, and they have multiple events planned. Vendors are welcome for $25 per space on Feb. 11 at 'Black Heritage Night!' as people "celebrate and experience African American culture" at Shorty Howell Park in Duluth. On Feb. 19, for just $5 per person, you can participate in an interactive experience at Lucky Shoals Park in Norcross at the 'Guess Who: Black Heritage' event. And on Feb. 26, a bus tour will be leaving Lawrenceville Female Seminary to tour Gwinnett's African American landmarks. (Explore Gwinnett)

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Now you're in the local loop and ready to make this Thursday a great day! I'll be back tomorrow with a look at some of this weekend's events.