Gwinnett Daily Post PodcastGwinnett Couple Handcuffed at Home after Fake Hostage Call | Why Warming Up Your Car on Cold Mornings Might Actually Be Hurting It | Judge Again Pauses Georgia Execution amid Parole Board Conflict Questions
Top Stories for January 3rd
Publish Date: January 3rd
From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Saturday, January 3rd and Happy Birthday to John Paul Jones
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia.
- Gwinnett couple handcuffed at home after fake hostage call
- Why warming up your car on cold mornings might actually be hurting it
- Judge again pauses Georgia execution amid parole board conflict questions
All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe!
Break 1: Kia Mall of Georgia
STORY 1: Gwinnett couple handcuffed at home after fake hostage call
Christmas Eve turned into a nightmare for Fredis Mejia and his wife. One minute, they were watching a movie. The next? Police with guns and shields were storming their home on Sugar Mill Drive.
Through his security cameras, he saw officers surrounding the house. Moments later, he was on the ground, handcuffed. His wife, terrified it was immigration officers, refused to open the door until neighbors convinced her.
The reason? A fake 911 call claiming a woman was being held at gunpoint. The caller gave an address that doesn’t even exist—4051 Sugar Hill Court.
Gwinnett police say they acted quickly, fearing someone’s life was in danger. But Mejia says they treated him and his wife like criminals. “No apology, nothing. They just left,” he said.
Police now believe it was a “swatting” incident, where false reports trigger a heavy police response. It’s illegal, and those responsible could face serious charges.
STORY 2: Why warming up your car on cold mornings might actually be hurting it
We’ve all done it. It’s freezing outside, so you grab your coffee, throw on a coat, start the car, and let it idle while you finish getting ready. Feels like the right move, right? A warm car, defrosted windshield—what’s not to love?
Well, here’s the thing: that old habit might actually be doing more harm than good.
Back in the day, when cars had carburetors, warming up your engine was necessary. But modern engines? They don’t need it.
In fact, idling too long can damage your engine. Fuel doesn’t fully evaporate in cold weather, which means it can wash away the oil that lubricates critical parts like pistons and cylinders. Less oil equals more wear and tear—and a shorter engine life.
So, what’s the better move? Start your car, wait 30 seconds, and drive off gently. The motion warms the engine faster than idling ever could. And if your windshield’s iced over? Grab a scraper. Don’t just sit there waiting for the defroster to do all the work.
Oh, and if you’re driving an EV, preheat it while it’s plugged in to save battery range.
STORY 3: Judge again pauses Georgia execution amid parole board conflict questions
A Georgia judge hit the brakes on Stacey Humphreys’ execution—again. Originally set for Dec. 17, the lethal injection was paused last-minute, and now Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney says there’s more to sort out.
The issue? Possible conflicts of interest on the state parole board, which decides clemency. Humphreys’ lawyers argue two board members shouldn’t even be involved. One, Kimberly McCoy, was a victim advocate during his trial. The other, Wayne Bennett, was the sheriff overseeing security when the trial moved to Glynn County.
“Pressing pause is the right move,” McBurney wrote, calling the concerns “non-frivolous.”
Humphreys, 52, was convicted of killing two women in a Cobb County real estate office back in 2003. His defense team says he deserves a clemency hearing without potential bias.
Both sides have until Jan. 19 to file more arguments. For now, the clock stops.
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We’ll be right back
Break 2: Ingles Markets
STORY 4: Virginia-Highland staple Murphy’s sold to father-son chef duo
After 45 years, Murphy’s Restaurant, a Virginia-Highland institution, is changing hands—but not entirely leaving the family, in a way.
Tom Murphy, who opened the beloved spot in 1980 as a Georgia State class project, has sold it to father-son chef duo Gregg and Matt McCarthy. They’ll officially take over on Jan. 5, 2026.
The McCarthys are no strangers to Murphy’s. Gregg was executive chef from 2005 to 2009, and Matt joined as executive chef in 2023. “Murphy’s is more than a restaurant—it’s a cornerstone of this community,” they said.
For decades, Murphy’s has been the go-to for brunch, wine tastings, and cozy dinners. And now, it’s ready for its next chapter.
STORY 5: Historic Campbellton Park expands as development in South Fulton County continues
Tucked along the Chattahoochee River, about 30 miles from Atlanta, lies the quiet, nature-filled city of Chattahoochee Hills. Mayor-elect Camille Lowe has big plans to make this hidden gem more accessible—without losing its charm.
One of those big ideas? Expanding Campbellton Park from 18 acres to 95, thanks to a $2.5 million public-private effort led by the Trust for Public Land. Christine Hassell, who oversees capital projects for the Chattahoochee program, says the park is part of a larger vision: connecting one million people across 50 miles, from Atlanta to Alabama, through trails and river access.
With new trails, birdwatching spots, and a rich history woven into the land, the park is already drawing visitors. And with MARTA’s bus rapid transit and local business revitalization underway, the area is poised for thoughtful growth.
Break 3: GCPL Passport
STORY 6: Teen accused of stealing thousands in East Cobb Venmo scam
A 17-year-old is accused of pulling off a bold scam at a busy East Cobb intersection, tricking drivers into handing over thousands of dollars under the guise of collecting donations for a basketball team.
Police say Antrez Jenkins stood at Johnson Ferry and Lower Roswell roads, asking for $1 donations. But when drivers opened payment apps like Venmo, he allegedly grabbed their phones and transferred much larger amounts before handing them back.
One victim, Brenda Laskey, said it happened to her on Christmas Day. “He was messing with my phone, and I grabbed his and said, ‘Give me my phone back now!’” she recalled. When she got home, she discovered $2,000 had been drained from her account.
Laskey immediately changed her passwords and called 911. Police arrested Jenkins at the same intersection, charging him with robbery and theft by deception.
STORY 7: 25-year-old Georgia police officer battles stage 5 kidney failure
At just 25, Officer Quas’Jon “Q” Flowers is facing a battle no one sees coming in their twenties: stage five kidney failure.
A two-year veteran of the Albany Police Department, Flowers has been fighting a hereditary kidney condition since his teens. His health took a sharp turn in recent years—his kidney function plummeting from near-normal in 2021 to just 5–9% now.
Doctors have placed a dialysis catheter, and he’s preparing for at-home treatments while awaiting final approval to join the kidney transplant list. A living donor could change everything, offering better outcomes and a shorter wait.
The Albany Police Department is rallying behind him. “We lift him up in strength and support,” they said.
Nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant. If you’d like to help, visit www.donatelifegeorgia.org to learn about organ donation.
We’ll have closing comments after this
Break 4: Sugar Hill Ice Skating Rink
Signoff –
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com
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