🌱 Local Schools Head Back Today + Immersive Experiences In Atlanta

Good morning, Loganville-Grayson. I'm back in your inbox to share some local news with you this morning. In this issue, you'll find:

• Atlanta has a number of unique, immersive experiences to enjoy while the weather is a bit cold, and some to plan for when it starts warming up!
• Celebrating the Walton County Teacher of the Year, Celest Tobler, as the kiddos head back to school today!
• It's time to submit applications for Gwinnett's 2023-2024 Youth Commission.

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But first, today's weather:

Happy day! We should enjoy sunny skies all day today! It's cooling off a little with a high of 62 and a low of 36, but the rain is finally gone for now, so we can enjoy the warm, sunny skies.

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Here are the top stories today in Loganville-Grayson:

1. Georgia's Inspector General, Scott McAfee, has recently reported the results of an internal investigation into the Georgia Department of Labor. The audit revealed that almost 300 state employees collected unemployment benefits during the pandemic even though they were employed with the state. The payments totaled over $6.7 million and averaged over $23,000 per employee. Some employees have already been terminated, but others have not yet been disciplined. Many Georgians have complained to that they have not received benefits that were due to them, while state employees were fraudulently paying themselves. The investigation moved forward quickly once the Federal Department of Labor stepped in to obtain relevant information, after the Georgia DOL pushed back on provided the requested documents to the Inspector General. In an effort to prosecute the individuals who have fraudulently stolen funds, the Inspector General is asking the General Assembly to extend the statute of limitations on pandemic fraud. (WSBTV)
2. Congratulations to Walton County's Teacher of the Year, Celest Tobler. Tobler, a graduate of UGA, is an instructional coach at Bay Creek Elementary School in Loganville. After 25 years in teaching, she has taught math, upper elementary grades, and gifted classes. For the past four years, she has been dedicated to helping fellow teachers better their skills in the classroom and improve their engagement with students, and she works with new teachers to learn how to better manage their classrooms. Tobler is very proud to be named Teacher of the Year, and insists, "This encompasses every staff member I work with every day." (Walton Tribune)
3. Ready to start the new year off with unique "Experiences" that have come to the Atlanta area? Here's a list of family-friendly ideas to help you plan ahead:
   1. Stranger Things: The Experience is located at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, and will be an indoor, hour long, immersive experience for everyone age 13 and older. (Stranger Things)
   2. The Smurfs Great Escape is coming to Atlanta in February but will be right down the road in Athens in April. The Great Escape is a unique escape room type of experience, like an outdoor scavenger hunt, where teams will search for clues and solve puzzles throughout the street of a city. Kids under 16 are free! (CluedUpp)
   3. Monet: The Immersive Experience is an indoor 360-degree immersive light and sound display of some of Monet's most famous art. Located at Atlanta Art Center, it's just a short drive away. (Monet Expo)
   4. Harry Potter The Exhibition is a unique look at some behind-the-scenes moments, iconic props and costumes, immersive technology, and interactive storytelling for the wizarding world to enjoy. (Harry Potter Exhibition)
   5. Illuminarium Atlanta is an African safari by day and a nightlife venue for the adults by night. So, take the kids to immerse yourself into a safari, or enjoy a date night sipping cocktails in a totally different environment. (Get Your Guide)

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Today in Loganville-Grayson:

• Reminder: Gwinnett County and Walton County schools resume classes today. (7:00 am)
• The Grayson Branch of the Gwinnett Library is hosting a fun kid's activity, Edible DNA, to help kids learn about DNA utilizing... candy! (5:00 pm-6:00 pm)
• Only a few nights left for a quick drive to the State Botanical Gardens at UGA in Athens for Winter WonderLights. (5:30 pm-9:00 pm)

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From my notebook:

• The Walton County TRIAD meeting for senior citizens will be held this Friday, Jan. 6 at The Retreat in Loganville. Breakfast will be served as the guest speaker, Kevin Barrelle, talks about his life before roofing. He has written a book about his experiences, and he'll have copies available for just $15. The TRIAD group meets on the first Friday of every month to give law enforcement an opportunity to talk with senior citizens about safety concerns and things that are happening throughout the community. (Monroe Local)
• Applications are being accepted for this year's Gwinnett County Youth Commission. The commission will be comprised of 30 Gwinnett County high school students who want to affect change in their community by learning about local government and civic affairs. The yearlong program begins in May, and during the summer, students will meet once a week on Wednesdays. The program continues to meet once a month from August to the following May. Applications are due April 7. (Newsbreak)

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You're all caught up this morning. Enjoy the sunshine, and I hope you have a beautiful day! I'll be here tomorrow for another glimpse at our local news.