Top Stories for January 1st 

Publish Date: January 1st 


From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. 

Today is Thursday, January 1st and Happy birthday to Verne Troyer 


I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. 
Meet Aloka, the peace dog winning hearts nationwide during Walk for Peace
Gwinnettians urged to 'treecycle' their live Christmas trees
$100K in Pokémon cards stolen from Carrollton shop 

  Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on breads 

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: Sugar Hill Ice Skating Rink 


STORY 1: Meet Aloka, the peace dog winning hearts nationwide during Walk for Peace 

If you’ve ever seen a serene dog strolling alongside Buddhist monks—sometimes dressed better than the humans—you’ve probably met Aloka, the Peace Dog. 

Aloka isn’t flashy. He doesn’t bark for attention or demand the spotlight. But somehow, he’s become the quiet soul of the Walk for Peace, embodying everything it stands for. He walks when he can, rides when he’s tired, and never strays from the monks’ side. 

Once a stray in India, Aloka chose this life. Literally. He started following the monks during a peace walk years ago and never stopped. Now, he’s trekking across the U.S., his calm presence lifting spirits and drawing fans online. 

Despite the growing attention, Aloka stays grounded. He’s shy with fans, content to rest his paws in the grass or wait patiently for the next step. 

He doesn’t need words or signs to make his point. Aloka just shows up, step after step, proving that quiet compassion can be the loudest message of all. 


STORY 2: Gwinnettians urged to 'treecycle' their live Christmas trees 

Christmas 2025 is officially in the rearview mirror, and if you went with a live tree this year, you’re probably staring at it now, wondering, “What the heck do I do with this thing?” 

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful has your answer: “Treecycle” it. Yep, their annual Bring One for the Chipper program is back, and they’re asking families to drop off their used live trees at participating fire stations by Jan. 21, 2026. The trees will be chipped into mulch for parks and public spaces—because why let a perfectly good tree go to waste? 

The big chipping event happens Jan. 24 at Bethesda Park in Lawrenceville, and volunteers are needed. Want to help? You’ve got to be at least 14, and you can sign up through Volunteer Gwinnett. 

Oh, and a quick heads-up: no lights, tinsel, ornaments, or stands—just the tree, bare and ready for its second act. Questions? Call 770-822-5187 or email gwinnettcb@gwinnettcb.org. 


STORY 3: $100K in Pokémon cards stolen from Carrollton shop 

Christmas Eve took a sour turn for Tag Collects, a local trading card shop, when a thief smashed their way in and made off with over $100,000 in rare Pokémon cards and sealed merchandise. 

Co-owner Tommy Brown got the alert early that morning—someone had hurled a tow hitch ball through the front door.  

In under two minutes, the thief grabbed rare gems like the coveted Umbreon “Moonbreon” card (worth $3,000) and Gold Star Rayquazas, valued at $14,000 combined. Sealed boxes, some worth up to $12,000 each, were also taken. 

The store has launched a GoFundMe to cover repairs and payroll, while Carrollton police are asking anyone with tips to come forward. 

We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. 


We’ll be right back 


Break 2: Kia Mall of Georgia


STORY 4:   Is New Year's Day a federal holiday? Here's what's open and closed 

The first day of 2026 is here, and while it’s a holiday for many, it might throw a wrench in your plans if you’re trying to run errands or grab last-minute essentials.  

Here’s the deal: Walmart? Open. Target? Open. Costco? Nope, closed. Same for Aldi and Trader Joe’s. Whole Foods? Modified hours. CVS and Walgreens? Open, but check for reduced pharmacy hours. 

Mail? Forget it—USPS, UPS, and FedEx are all taking the day off. Banks and government offices? Closed too. 

Moral of the story? Plan ahead. 


STORY 5: Wesleyan Grad Eva Garabadian Earns Auburn Basketball Spot in Open Tryout 

Eva Garabadian thought basketball was behind her. Done. She’d moved on. 

A former three-sport star at Wesleyan—basketball, lacrosse, softball—she started her college hoops career at Georgia College and State University, a Division II school. One season, 16 games off the bench. Then she transferred to Auburn, not for sports, but for life.  

Basketball? That chapter was closed. She played pickup games, joined Auburn’s club lacrosse team, and settled into her new normal. Until October. A random Instagram post about walk-on tryouts flipped everything. 

Two weeks later, she was at Neville Arena, trying out. No nerves, just drills she’d done a hundred times. Worst case? She’d go back to her regular life. Best case? A dream she thought was over might come back. 

And it did. A text from Auburn’s new head coach, Larry Vickers, sealed it: she made the team. Now, she’s an SEC basketball player.  

From Division II to SEC, from thinking it was over to living the dream again—Eva’s story is proof that sometimes, life gives you a second chance when you least expect it. 

FALCONS: The Falcons’ season, a rollercoaster of confusion and chaos, somehow got even weirder Monday night. Already eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, Atlanta (7-9) pulled off a dramatic 27-24 win over the Rams, their third straight victory in a season that’s been equal parts frustrating and baffling. 

Zane Gonzalez nailed a 51-yard field goal with 21 seconds left, capping a game where Atlanta blew a 21-point lead but still managed to hang on. It’s been that kind of year—beating Super Bowl contenders like Buffalo and L.A., but losing to teams like the Jets and Panthers. Go figure. 

Bijan Robinson was unstoppable, racking up 195 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and a highlight-reel 93-yard run that left jaws on the floor.  

Rookie safety Xavier Watts continued his breakout season with two interceptions, tying Deion Sanders’ rookie record for Atlanta.  

But let’s not sugarcoat it—this season’s been a mess. Special teams? A disaster, with yet another blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. The Cousins signing? A head-scratcher. And yet, somehow, the Falcons are ending the year on a high note, showing flashes of the potential fans expected back in August. 

For now, though, they’ll be watching the playoffs from the couch—again. 


Break 3: GCPL Passport 


And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on breads 

 

We’ll have closing comments after this  


Break 5: Ingles Markets

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 

Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 

Produced by the BG Podcast Network 

  

Show Sponsors: 
www.ingles-markets.com   
www.kiamallofga.com 
Ice Rink – Downtown Sugar Hill 
Team GCPS 

 

News Podcast, Current Events, Top Headlines, Breaking News, Podcast News, Trending, Local News, Daily, News, Podcast, Interviews 

Top Stories for January 1st&nbsp;
Publish Date:&nbsp;January 1st&nbsp;
 From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.&nbsp;
Today is&nbsp;Thursday,&nbsp;January 1st&nbsp;and Happy birthday to&nbsp;Verne Troyer&nbsp;
 I&rsquo;m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Meet Aloka, the peace dog winning hearts nationwide during Walk for Peace</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Gwinnettians urged to 'treecycle' their live Christmas trees</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">$100K in Pok&eacute;mon cards stolen from Carrollton shop&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;&nbsp;Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on&nbsp;breads&nbsp;
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!&nbsp;
Break 1: <a href="https://downtownsugarhill.com/ice-rink/">Sugar Hill Ice Skating Rink</a><a href="https://downtownsugarhill.com/ice-rink/">&nbsp;</a>
 STORY 1: <a href="https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/meet-aloka-peace-dog-winning-hearts-nationwide-during-walk-peace">Meet Aloka, the peace dog winning hearts nationwide during Walk for Peace</a>&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;ve ever seen a serene dog strolling alongside Buddhist monks&mdash;sometimes dressed better than the humans&mdash;you&rsquo;ve probably met Aloka, the Peace Dog.&nbsp;
Aloka isn&rsquo;t flashy. He doesn&rsquo;t bark for attention or demand the spotlight. But somehow, he&rsquo;s become the quiet soul of the Walk for Peace, embodying everything it stands for. He walks when he can, rides when he&rsquo;s tired, and never strays from the monks&rsquo; side.&nbsp;
Once a stray in India, Aloka chose this life. Literally. He started following the monks during a peace walk years ago and never stopped. Now, he&rsquo;s trekking across the U.S., his calm presence lifting spirits and drawing fans online.&nbsp;
Despite the growing attention, Aloka stays grounded. He&rsquo;s shy with fans, content to rest his paws in the grass or wait patiently for the next step.&nbsp;
He doesn&rsquo;t need words or signs to make his point. Aloka just shows up, step after step, proving that quiet compassion can be the loudest message of all.&nbsp;
 STORY 2:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnettians-urged-to-treecycle-their-live-christmas-trees/article_d95cb764-4b62-4d5f-9fdd-f6fbd6836348.html">Gwinnettians urged to 'treecycle' their live Christmas trees</a>&nbsp;
Christmas 2025 is officially in the rearview mirror, and if you went with a live tree this year, you&rsquo;re probably staring at it now, wondering, &ldquo;What the heck do I do with this thing?&rdquo;&nbsp;
Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful has your answer: &ldquo;Treecycle&rdquo; it. Yep, their annual&nbsp;Bring One for the Chipper&nbsp;program is back, and they&rsquo;re asking families to drop off their used live trees at&nbsp;participating fire stations by Jan. 21, 2026. The trees will be chipped into mulch for parks and public spaces&mdash;because why let a perfectly good tree go to waste?&nbsp;
The big chipping event happens Jan. 24 at Bethesda Park in Lawrenceville, and volunteers are needed. Want to help? You&rsquo;ve got to be at least 14, and you can sign up through Volunteer Gwinnett.&nbsp;
Oh, and a quick heads-up: no lights, tinsel, ornaments, or stands&mdash;just the tree, bare and ready for its second act. Questions? Call 770-822-5187 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gwinnettcb@gwinnettcb.org">gwinnettcb@gwinnettcb.org</a>.&nbsp;
 STORY 3:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/100k-pokemon-cards-stolen-from-carrollton-shop">$100K in Pok&eacute;mon cards stolen from Carrollton shop</a>&nbsp;
Christmas Eve took a sour turn for Tag Collects, a local trading card shop, when a thief smashed their way in and made off with over $100,000 in rare Pok&eacute;mon cards and sealed merchandise.&nbsp;
Co-owner Tommy Brown got the alert early&nbsp;that&nbsp;morning&mdash;someone had hurled a tow hitch ball through the front door.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In under two minutes, the thief grabbed rare gems like the coveted Umbreon &ldquo;Moonbreon&rdquo; card (worth $3,000) and Gold Star Rayquazas, valued at $14,000 combined. Sealed boxes, some worth up to $12,000 each, were also taken.&nbsp;
The store has launched a GoFundMe to cover repairs and payroll, while Carrollton police are asking anyone with tips to come forward.&nbsp;
We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info.&nbsp;
 We&rsquo;ll be right back&nbsp;
 Break 2: <a href="https://www.kiamallofga.com/">Kia Mall of Georgia</a>
 STORY&nbsp;4:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.11alive.com/article/news/nation-world/is-new-years-day-a-federal-holiday/507-9f4ac43d-2f60-42a7-ab14-d953661eaf09">Is New Year's Day a federal holiday? Here's what's open and closed</a>&nbsp;
The first day of 2026 is here, and while it&rsquo;s a holiday for many, it might throw a wrench in your plans if you&rsquo;re trying to run errands or grab last-minute essentials.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s the deal: Walmart? Open. Target? Open. Costco? Nope, closed. Same for Aldi and Trader Joe&rsquo;s. Whole Foods? Modified hours. CVS and Walgreens? Open, but check for reduced pharmacy hours.&nbsp;
Mail? Forget it&mdash;USPS, UPS, and FedEx are all taking the day off. Banks and government offices? Closed too.&nbsp;
Moral of the story? Plan ahead.&nbsp;
 STORY&nbsp;5:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/wesleyan-grad-eva-garabadian-earns-auburn-basketball-spot-in-open-tryout/article_cc4b14ab-a88f-4e05-928d-5dcd5871f326.html">Wesleyan Grad Eva Garabadian Earns Auburn Basketball Spot in Open Tryout</a>&nbsp;
Eva Garabadian thought basketball was behind her. Done. She&rsquo;d moved on.&nbsp;
A former three-sport star at Wesleyan&mdash;basketball, lacrosse, softball&mdash;she started her college hoops career at Georgia College and State University, a Division II school. One season, 16 games off the bench. Then she transferred to Auburn, not for sports, but for life.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Basketball? That chapter was closed. She played pickup games, joined Auburn&rsquo;s club lacrosse team, and settled into her new normal. Until October. A random Instagram post about walk-on tryouts flipped everything.&nbsp;
Two weeks later, she was at Neville Arena, trying out. No nerves, just drills she&rsquo;d done a hundred times. Worst case? She&rsquo;d go back to her regular life. Best case? A dream she thought was over might come back.&nbsp;
And it did. A text from Auburn&rsquo;s new head coach, Larry Vickers, sealed it: she made the team.&nbsp;Now, she&rsquo;s an SEC basketball player.&nbsp;&nbsp;
From Division II to SEC, from thinking it was over to living the dream again&mdash;Eva&rsquo;s story is proof that sometimes, life gives you a second chance when you least expect it.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/atlanta-falcons-show-potential-again-in-up-and-down-season/article_f63e2752-3859-4fe6-a0d7-71b4d317024c.html">FALCONS:</a>&nbsp;The Falcons&rsquo; season, a rollercoaster of confusion and chaos, somehow got even weirder Monday night. Already eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, Atlanta (7-9) pulled off a dramatic 27-24 win over the Rams, their third straight victory in a season that&rsquo;s been equal parts frustrating and baffling.&nbsp;
Zane Gonzalez nailed a 51-yard field goal with 21 seconds left, capping a game where Atlanta blew a 21-point lead but still managed to hang on. It&rsquo;s been that kind of year&mdash;beating Super Bowl contenders like Buffalo and L.A., but losing to teams like the Jets and Panthers. Go figure.&nbsp;
Bijan Robinson was unstoppable, racking up 195 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and a highlight-reel 93-yard run that left jaws on the floor.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Rookie safety Xavier Watts continued his breakout season with two interceptions, tying Deion Sanders&rsquo; rookie record for Atlanta.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But let&rsquo;s not sugarcoat it&mdash;this season&rsquo;s been a mess. Special teams? A disaster, with yet another blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. The Cousins signing? A head-scratcher. And yet, somehow, the Falcons are ending the year on a high note, showing flashes of the potential fans expected back in August.&nbsp;
For now, though, they&rsquo;ll be watching the playoffs from the couch&mdash;again.&nbsp;
 Break&nbsp;3:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettpl.org/passportservices/">GCPL Passport</a><a href="https://www.gwinnettpl.org/passportservices/">&nbsp;</a>
 And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles&nbsp;Markets&nbsp;on&nbsp;breads&nbsp;
&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll have closing comments after this&nbsp;&nbsp;
 Break 5: <a href="https://www.ingles-markets.com/">Ingles Markets</a>
Signoff &ndash;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today&rsquo;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&nbsp;
Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/">Produced by the BG Podcast Network</a>&nbsp;
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Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast

Meet Aloka, the Peace Dog Winning Hearts Nationwide During Walk for Peace | Gwinnettians Urged to 'Treecycle' Their Live Christmas Trees | $100K in Pokémon Cards Stolen from Carrollton Shop

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