Lanier High School's community mourns the death of a member of their golf team; Police arrest a man in connection to a body found in Lawrenceville; And Nicole Love Hendrickson gives the "State of the County" address.

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Lanier High School's community mourns the death of a member of their golf team; Police arrest a man in connection to a body found in Lawrenceville; And Nicole Love Hendrickson gives the "State of the County" address.
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Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast

Week in Review: Lanier mourns death of student

Top Stories for January 17th 

Publish Date: January 17th 

PRE-ROLL: Kia Mall of Georgia


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

Today is Saturday, January 17th and Happy Birthday to James Earle Jones 


I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia. 
Gwinnett commission accused of deliberately skipping GOP member for vice chair
Kemp proposes money for Highway 316 projects, fighting homelessness
GCPS receives grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation 


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: EAGLE THEATRE



STORY 1: Gwinnett commission accused of deliberately skipping GOP member for vice chair 

Drama is brewing in Gwinnett County politics, and it’s all about the vice chairman seat on the county commission. Republicans are accusing the Democratic majority of intentionally skipping over the board’s lone Republican, District 4 Commissioner Matthew Holtkamp, for the ceremonial role. 

For years, the vice chair position rotated among district commissioners—until it didn’t. Holtkamp, now in his fourth year, has never been chosen. Instead, the board voted 4-1 to name Democrat Ben Ku as vice chair, sparking claims of “partisan gamesmanship.” 

Holtkamp, for his part, kept it diplomatic: “I was disappointed but respect the process.” Others? Not so much. Republicans are calling it a blatant snub. 

Democrat Kirkland Carden didn’t mince words, saying Holtkamp’s “partisan antics” cost him the role. But Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson downplayed the drama, calling the vote a routine decision. 

And so, the debate rages on. 


STORY 2: Kemp proposes money for Highway 316 projects, fighting homelessness 

Gov. Brian Kemp has big plans for Georgia this year—think highways and homelessness. At the Georgia Chamber’s Eggs and Issues Breakfast, he laid out his priorities, and for Gwinnett residents, one stands out: $200 million to keep transforming State Route 316 into a limited-access highway. 

“Growth along 316 is incredible,” Kemp said. “We need a safe, efficient expressway.” Work’s already underway at Hi Hope Road, with more interchanges and overpasses coming. 

But that’s not all. Kemp’s also pushing $1.8 billion for permanent express lanes on I-75 in Henry County to ease its infamous traffic jams. 

And homelessness? He’s proposing $50 million for grants to fund shelters, outreach, and mental health services.  

Big moves, big money—Kemp’s aiming to leave a mark. 


STORY 3: GCPS receives grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation 

Gwinnett County Public Schools just scored big—literally. Thanks to a $6.3 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (with help from Atlanta United, the Falcons, and PGA TOUR Superstore), middle and high school sports are getting a major boost. 

What’s the plan? For starters, GCPS will add field lighting at six athletic fields, meaning weekday soccer games—no more cramming everything into Saturdays. Better lighting also means safer, more flexible practices and games. 

The grant will also fund girls’ flag football at 14 middle schools by 2026 and help cover costs for boys’ and girls’ soccer programs, especially in underserved areas. 

The Blank Foundation, founded by Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank, has donated over $1.5 billion to causes that unite and uplift communities. This grant? Just another example of that mission in action. 



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: Ingles Markets

STORY 4: Fox Theatre delivers chart-topping year 

The Fox Theatre had a banner year in 2025, racking up awards and accolades that cement its place as one of the most beloved venues in the country. From ticket sales to community impact, the recognition poured in.   

The biggest win? Being crowned IEBA’s 2025 Theatre of the Year—an honor that highlights excellence in programming, operations, and artist relations. “This reflects the strength of our team, the artists who grace our stage, and the audiences who keep showing up,” said CEO Allan Vella.   

The Fox also dominated year-end charts: No. 2 Highest Grossing Venue Worldwide (Billboard), No. 1 in ticket sales for its size (VenuesNow), and No. 6 globally for ticket sales (Pollstar).   

Locally, it snagged “Best of Atlanta” honors and a Reader’s Choice Award from the Atlanta Jewish Times.   

Even the leadership shined—Vella made Atlanta Magazine’s “Atlanta 100” and Billboard’s Touring Power Players list, while team members Rachel Bomeli and Faustina Brooks earned industry awards.   

The Fox isn’t just a theatre; it’s a cultural powerhouse. 



STORY 5: Johnson-Morgan named school board chair, Simmons is vice chair 

Gwinnett County’s school board is shuffling its leadership roles for 2026, but keeping familiar faces at the helm. Tarece Johnson-Morgan, last year’s vice chair, is stepping up as chairwoman, while Adrienne Simmons, who served as chair in 2025, will now take on the vice chair role. Both votes? Unanimous. 

Not everyone was thrilled, though. Board member Steve Knudsen voiced frustration that Steve Gasper or Rachel Stone weren’t considered for vice chair—but, notably, he didn’t nominate them during the vote. 

In other business, the board kept its attorney and legal organ the same, readopted policies, and adjusted a few meeting dates for the year. 

We’ll be right back. 


Break 3: GCPL Passport 


STORY 6: Georgia Democratic lawmakers try to rein in ICE 

Georgia Senate Democrats took aim at the Trump administration Tuesday, introducing a flurry of bills targeting immigration enforcement and military deployments. They didn’t hold back, calling Trump’s administration a “rogue regime” and demanding state Republicans step up.   

One flashpoint? ICE. After an officer fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis last week, Sen. Josh McLaurin accused ICE of escalating violence. “We’ve all seen the video,” he said. “This isn’t what they’re trained to do.”   

McLaurin’s bill would let citizens sue ICE for civil rights violations. Other proposals include requiring judicial warrants for enforcement at sensitive locations (like schools and hospitals), mandating badges and unmasking ICE officers, and limiting National Guard deployments without the governor’s approval.   

Sen. Kim Jackson didn’t mince words: “If Georgia State Patrol can show their faces, so can ICE. It’s cowardice.”   

But Republicans, like Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte, dismissed the effort, saying, “The state can’t regulate the federal government.”   



STORY 7: Georgia GOP senators target Raffensperger over voter registration lists 

Georgia Republicans are turning up the heat on Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, demanding he hand over the state’s unredacted voter registration list to the Trump administration. But Raffensperger? He’s not budging.   

State law, he says, protects private voter info—Social Security numbers, birthdates, driver’s licenses. Sharing that? Not happening.   

The DOJ, meanwhile, has been pushing all 50 states for voter lists, claiming it’s about accuracy. They even sued Georgia last month.   

The resolution, led by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’ allies, accuses Raffensperger of “obstruction.” But it’s mostly symbolic—no legal teeth.   

Raffensperger’s office fired back, saying they’ve already complied as far as the law allows. “He won’t risk identity theft for millions of voters,” the statement read.   

The DOJ’s lawsuit heads to federal court in Macon soon. Stay tuned. 



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 

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. 

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Top Stories for&nbsp;January&nbsp;17th&nbsp;
Publish Date:&nbsp;January&nbsp;17th&nbsp;
PRE-ROLL: <a href="https://www.kiamallofga.com/">Kia Mall of Georgia</a>
 From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.&nbsp;
Today is Saturday, January 17th and Happy Birthday to James Earle Jones&nbsp;
 I&rsquo;m&nbsp;Peyton Spurlock&nbsp;and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia.&nbsp;
<ol>
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<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;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Kemp proposes money for Highway 316 projects, fighting homelessness</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;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">GCPS receives grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
 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;&nbsp;
 Break 1: <a href="https://www.eagleatsugarhill.com/events-tickets/">EAGLE THEATRE</a> 
STORY 1:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnett-commission-accused-of-deliberately-skipping-gop-member-for-vice-chair/article_751a1d73-61b6-40cf-8de7-f87aabb508ba.html">Gwinnett commission accused of deliberately skipping GOP member for vice chair</a>&nbsp;
Drama is brewing in Gwinnett County politics, and it&rsquo;s all about the vice chairman seat on the county commission. Republicans are accusing the Democratic majority of intentionally skipping over the board&rsquo;s lone Republican, District 4 Commissioner Matthew Holtkamp, for the ceremonial role.&nbsp;
For years, the vice chair position rotated among district commissioners&mdash;until it&nbsp;didn&rsquo;t. Holtkamp, now in his fourth year, has never been chosen. Instead, the board voted 4-1 to name Democrat Ben Ku as vice chair, sparking claims of &ldquo;partisan gamesmanship.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Holtkamp, for his part, kept it diplomatic: &ldquo;I was disappointed but respect the process.&rdquo; Others? Not so much. Republicans are calling it a blatant snub.&nbsp;
Democrat Kirkland Carden&nbsp;didn&rsquo;t&nbsp;mince words, saying Holtkamp&rsquo;s &ldquo;partisan antics&rdquo; cost him the role. But Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson downplayed the drama, calling the vote a routine decision.&nbsp;
And so, the debate rages on.&nbsp;
 STORY 2:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/kemp-proposes-money-for-highway-316-projects-fighting-homelessness/article_6aa9f879-eafa-4103-bb66-13bbc68451ea.html">Kemp proposes money for Highway 316 projects, fighting homelessness</a>&nbsp;
Gov. Brian Kemp has big plans for Georgia this year&mdash;think highways and homelessness. At the Georgia Chamber&rsquo;s Eggs and Issues Breakfast, he laid out his priorities, and for Gwinnett residents, one stands out: $200 million to keep transforming State Route 316 into a limited-access highway.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Growth along 316 is incredible,&rdquo; Kemp said. &ldquo;We need a safe, efficient expressway.&rdquo;&nbsp;Work&rsquo;s&nbsp;already underway at Hi Hope Road, with more interchanges and overpasses coming.&nbsp;
But&nbsp;that&rsquo;s&nbsp;not all. Kemp&rsquo;s also pushing&nbsp;$1.8 billion&nbsp;for permanent express lanes on I-75 in Henry County to ease its infamous traffic jams.&nbsp;
And homelessness?&nbsp;He&rsquo;s&nbsp;proposing $50&nbsp;million for&nbsp;grants to fund shelters, outreach, and mental health services.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Big moves, big money&mdash;Kemp&rsquo;s&nbsp;aiming to leave a mark.&nbsp;
 STORY 3:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gcps-receives-grant-from-the-arthur-m-blank-family-foundation/article_328f6e75-f956-40da-9dc5-4631b0826fad.html">GCPS receives grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation</a>&nbsp;
Gwinnett County Public Schools just scored big&mdash;literally. Thanks to a $6.3 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (with help from Atlanta United, the Falcons, and PGA TOUR Superstore), middle and high school sports are getting a major boost.&nbsp;
What&rsquo;s&nbsp;the plan? For starters, GCPS will add field lighting at six athletic fields, meaning weekday soccer games&mdash;no more cramming everything into Saturdays. Better lighting also means safer, more flexible practices and games.&nbsp;
The grant will also fund girls&rsquo; flag football at 14 middle schools by 2026 and help cover costs for boys&rsquo; and girls&rsquo; soccer programs, especially in underserved areas.&nbsp;
The Blank Foundation, founded by Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank, has donated over $1.5 billion to causes that unite and uplift communities. This grant? Just another example of that mission in action.&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.ingles-markets.com/">Ingles Markets</a> STORY 4:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/entertainment/fox-theatre-delivers-chart-topping-year/article_32f1b120-913d-4318-ab86-471aa233bd6d.html">Fox Theatre delivers chart-topping year</a>&nbsp;
The Fox Theatre had a banner year in 2025, racking up awards and accolades that cement its place as one of the most beloved venues in the country. From ticket sales to community impact, the recognition poured in.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The biggest win? Being crowned IEBA&rsquo;s 2025 Theatre of the Year&mdash;an honor that highlights excellence in programming, operations, and artist relations. &ldquo;This reflects the strength of our team, the artists who grace our stage, and the audiences who keep showing up,&rdquo; said CEO Allan Vella.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Fox also dominated year-end charts: No. 2 Highest Grossing Venue Worldwide (Billboard), No. 1 in ticket sales for its size (VenuesNow), and No. 6 globally for ticket sales (Pollstar).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Locally, it snagged &ldquo;Best of Atlanta&rdquo; honors and a Reader&rsquo;s Choice Award from the Atlanta Jewish Times.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Even the leadership shined&mdash;Vella made Atlanta Magazine&rsquo;s &ldquo;Atlanta 100&rdquo; and Billboard&rsquo;s Touring Power Players list, while team members Rachel Bomeli and Faustina Brooks earned industry awards.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Fox isn&rsquo;t just a theatre; it&rsquo;s a cultural powerhouse.&nbsp; 
STORY 5:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/johnson-morgan-named-school-board-chair-simmons-is-vice-chair/article_435705c4-1447-44ec-9bad-b20bcff65e85.html">Johnson-Morgan named school board chair, Simmons is vice chair</a>&nbsp;
Gwinnett County&rsquo;s school board is shuffling its leadership roles for 2026, but keeping familiar faces at the helm. Tarece Johnson-Morgan, last year&rsquo;s vice chair, is stepping up as chairwoman, while Adrienne Simmons, who served as chair in 2025, will now take on the vice chair role. Both votes? Unanimous.&nbsp;
Not everyone was thrilled, though. Board member Steve Knudsen voiced frustration that Steve Gasper or Rachel Stone&nbsp;weren&rsquo;t&nbsp;considered for&nbsp;vice chair&mdash;but, notably, he&nbsp;didn&rsquo;t&nbsp;nominate them during the vote.&nbsp;
In other business, the board kept its attorney and legal organ the same, readopted policies, and adjusted a few meeting dates for the year.&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll&nbsp;be right back.&nbsp;
 Break 3: <a href="https://www.gwinnettpl.org/passportservices/">GCPL Passport</a>&nbsp;
 STORY 6: <a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/georgia-democratic-lawmakers-try-to-rein-in-ice/article_dc577ec8-85cd-4282-9172-255a4935430c.html">Georgia Democratic lawmakers try to rein in ICE</a>&nbsp;
Georgia Senate Democrats took aim at the Trump administration Tuesday, introducing a flurry of bills targeting immigration enforcement and military deployments. They didn&rsquo;t hold back, calling Trump&rsquo;s administration a &ldquo;rogue regime&rdquo; and demanding state Republicans step up.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
One flashpoint? ICE. After an officer fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis last week, Sen. Josh McLaurin accused ICE of escalating violence. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve all seen the video,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t what they&rsquo;re trained to do.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
McLaurin&rsquo;s bill would let citizens sue ICE for civil rights violations. Other proposals include requiring judicial warrants for enforcement at sensitive locations (like schools and hospitals), mandating badges and unmasking ICE officers, and limiting National Guard deployments without the governor&rsquo;s approval.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Sen. Kim Jackson&nbsp;didn&rsquo;t&nbsp;mince words: &ldquo;If Georgia State Patrol can show their faces, so can ICE.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s&nbsp;cowardice.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
But Republicans, like Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte, dismissed the effort, saying, &ldquo;The state can&rsquo;t regulate the federal government.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
STORY 7:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/georgia-gop-senators-target-raffensperger-over-voter-registration-lists/article_4d6c3ab7-962f-4d63-9f6b-bc37968d81f3.html">Georgia GOP senators target Raffensperger over voter registration lists</a>&nbsp;
Georgia Republicans are turning up the heat on Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, demanding he hand over the state&rsquo;s unredacted voter registration list to the Trump administration. But Raffensperger? He&rsquo;s not budging.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
State law, he says, protects private voter info&mdash;Social Security numbers, birthdates, driver&rsquo;s licenses. Sharing that? Not happening.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The DOJ, meanwhile, has been pushing all 50 states for voter lists, claiming it&rsquo;s about accuracy. They even sued Georgia last month.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The resolution, led by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones&rsquo; allies, accuses Raffensperger of &ldquo;obstruction.&rdquo; But&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;mostly symbolic&mdash;no legal teeth.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Raffensperger&rsquo;s office fired back, saying they&rsquo;ve already complied as far as the law allows. &ldquo;He won&rsquo;t risk identity theft for millions of voters,&rdquo; the statement read.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The DOJ&rsquo;s lawsuit heads to federal court in Macon soon. Stay tuned.&nbsp; 
We&rsquo;ll have closing comments after this&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Break 4: <a href="https://downtownsugarhill.com/ice-rink/">Sugar Hill Ice Skating Rink</a>&nbsp;
 Signoff &ndash;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today&rsquo;s&nbsp;Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other&nbsp;offerings, like&nbsp;the&nbsp;Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast, the&nbsp;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&nbsp;www.gwinnettdailypost.com&nbsp;
Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling&nbsp;great stories&nbsp;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&nbsp;your Google&nbsp;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;&nbsp;
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Gwinnett Commission Accused of Deliberately Skipping GOP Member for Vice Chair | Kemp Proposes Money for Highway 316 Projects, Fighting Homelessness | GCPS Receives Grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

Top Stories for January 15th 

Publish Date: January 15th 
 

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

Today is Thursday, January 15th and Happy birthday to Martin Luther King Jr. 


I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. 
Dinosaur World Live returns to Gwinnett's Gas South Theater
Gwinnett service organizations look to Families First model to better help others
Ethics board dismisses complaint over Holtkamp's transit videos 

  Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on raw milk 

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: Dinosaur World Live returns to Gwinnett's Gas South Theater 

Dinosaur World Live is back—bigger, bolder, and fresh off its 2024 Olivier Award win for Best Family Entertainment. And guess what? It’s stomping into Gas South Theater on Feb. 7 for two shows. 

This isn’t your average dino show. Think jaw-dropping puppetry, life-sized dinosaurs so real you’ll swear they’re breathing, and a lineup that includes the mighty T. Rex, Triceratops, and more. 

The story? Miranda, daughter of paleontologists, grew up on a remote island surrounded by dinosaurs. Now, she’s bringing her prehistoric pals to meet you—just don’t get too close. Some of them bite. Tickets at GasSouthDistrict.com. 


STORY 2: Gwinnett service organizations look to Families First model to better help others 

LaShawna Edwards has always been a giver. It’s in her DNA. Helping others was just what her family did. So when life flipped the script and she found herself needing help? That was hard. 

“We’ve always been the ones giving,” she said. “To be on the other side of it? It’s rough.” 

Edwards, 50, had been juggling two jobs, raising her teenage sister, and caring for her mom, whose health was failing. Then came the rent hike—73%—and suddenly, they were living out of their car. 

What came next was Families First, a nonprofit that doesn’t just help—it acts. Edwards calls her caseworker, Angela Wylie, her “angel.” Wylie helped her find housing, food, and job resources.  

Edwards is still in a hotel, still searching for stability, but she’s hopeful.  


STORY 3: Ethics board dismisses complaint over Holtkamp's transit videos 

Gwinnett County Commissioner Matthew Holtkamp got some relief Tuesday when an ethics panel ruled he didn’t violate county rules by filming a video on a Ride Gwinnett bus urging voters to reject the 2024 T-SPLOST referendum. 

“I’ve been completely vindicated,” Holtkamp said. “This had no merit, and it’s unfortunate we had to waste resources on it.” 

The complaint, filed by a resident in Holtkamp’s district, claimed he improperly used county property for personal advocacy. But Holtkamp argued he paid his bus fare and had a friend—not county staff—film the video. 

The ethics board agreed, saying his actions didn’t break the rules. 

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 - GCPL Passport


STORY 4:   Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville get federal funds for water and police projects 

Gwinnett County and Lawrenceville just scored over $2 million in federal funding for water upgrades and public safety improvements. U.S. Rep. David Scott announced the approval, with $1.09 million earmarked for Snellville’s water infrastructure—upgrading a booster station’s electrical system and adding backup power—and $1.03 million heading to the Lawrenceville Police Department. 

The police funds? They’ll cover new patrol cars, trauma kits, breaching tools, and other gear to boost safety for both officers and the public. 

“This $2.12 million investment will make a real difference,” Scott said. “Better water, safer streets—I’m proud to deliver for Gwinnett.” 


STORY 5: Dacula Boys Basketball Seizes Region Lead with Victory at Central Gwinnett 

Dacula’s boys basketball team just keeps rolling. With a nail-biting 60-57 win over Central Gwinnett on Tuesday, the Falcons snagged first place in Region 8-AAAAAA and stretched their win streak to 11 games. 

Now sitting at 16-1 overall and 5-0 in the region, Dacula handed Central its first region loss, dropping them to 5-1. 

Case Presley led the charge with 21 points, eight boards, and three assists. Josh Brown notched a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds), while Kenny LaRue chipped in 10 points and some clutch playmaking. George Fajemirokun added six points and steady contributions all around. 

FALCONS: The Atlanta Falcons officially introduced Matt Ryan as their new president of football on Tuesday, and honestly, it feels like a full-circle moment. 

At the press conference in Flowery Branch, Ryan—who spent 14 seasons as the face of the franchise—spoke about his “unfinished business” with the team. “Since I was drafted, my mission’s been the same: help this organization win championships. We came close, had some success, but I believe we’ll get there,” he said. 

After retiring and working as a CBS Sports analyst, Ryan said he wasn’t looking for a new job—unless it was with the Falcons. Now, he’ll report directly to owner Arthur Blank, focusing on hiring a head coach and GM who share a unified vision. 


We’ll be right back. 


Break 3: EAGLE THEATRE


And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on raw milk 
 

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 15th&nbsp;
Publish Date:&nbsp;January&nbsp;15th&nbsp; &nbsp;
From the&nbsp;BG&nbsp;AD Group&nbsp;Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.&nbsp;
Today is&nbsp;Thursday,&nbsp;January&nbsp;15th&nbsp;and Happy birthday to&nbsp;Martin Luther King Jr.&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">Dinosaur World Live returns to Gwinnett's Gas South Theater</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">Gwinnett service organizations look to Families First model to better help others</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">Ethics board dismisses complaint over Holtkamp's transit videos&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;&nbsp;Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on&nbsp;raw milk&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>&nbsp;
 STORY 1: <a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/entertainment/dinosaur-world-live-returns-to-gwinnetts-gas-south-theater/article_31e263e9-caf9-488c-a0bf-f02eb0100437.html">Dinosaur World Live returns to Gwinnett's Gas South Theater</a>&nbsp;
Dinosaur World Live is back&mdash;bigger, bolder, and fresh off its 2024 Olivier Award win for Best Family Entertainment. And guess what? It&rsquo;s stomping into Gas South Theater on Feb. 7 for two shows.&nbsp;
This&nbsp;isn&rsquo;t&nbsp;your average dino show.&nbsp;Think&nbsp;jaw-dropping puppetry, life-sized dinosaurs so real&nbsp;you&rsquo;ll&nbsp;swear&nbsp;they&rsquo;re&nbsp;breathing, and a lineup that includes the mighty T. Rex, Triceratops, and more.&nbsp;
The story? Miranda, daughter of paleontologists, grew up on a remote island surrounded by dinosaurs. Now,&nbsp;she&rsquo;s&nbsp;bringing her prehistoric&nbsp;pals&nbsp;to meet you&mdash;just&nbsp;don&rsquo;t&nbsp;get too close. Some of them bite. Tickets at GasSouthDistrict.com.&nbsp;
 STORY 2:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnett-service-organizations-look-to-families-first-model-to-better-help-others/article_09e3f62c-1cc4-485a-946d-184fd7684e94.html">Gwinnett service organizations look to Families First model to better help others</a>&nbsp;
LaShawna Edwards has always been a giver. It&rsquo;s in her DNA. Helping others was just what her family did. So when life flipped the script and she found herself needing help? That was hard.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve always been the ones giving,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;To be on the other side of it?&nbsp;It&rsquo;s&nbsp;rough.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Edwards, 50, had been juggling two jobs, raising her teenage sister, and caring for her mom, whose health was failing. Then came the rent hike&mdash;73%&mdash;and suddenly, they were living out of their car.&nbsp;
What came next was Families First, a nonprofit that&nbsp;doesn&rsquo;t&nbsp;just help&mdash;it acts. Edwards calls her caseworker, Angela Wylie, her &ldquo;angel.&rdquo; Wylie helped her find housing, food, and job resources.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Edwards is still in a hotel, still searching for stability, but&nbsp;she&rsquo;s&nbsp;hopeful.&nbsp;&nbsp;
 STORY 3:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/ethics-board-dismisses-complaint-over-holtkamps-transit-videos/article_a530a1a2-80d5-4879-b14a-02874812fd12.html">Ethics board dismisses complaint over Holtkamp's transit videos</a>&nbsp;
Gwinnett County Commissioner Matthew Holtkamp got some relief Tuesday when an ethics panel ruled he didn&rsquo;t violate county rules by filming a video on a Ride Gwinnett bus urging voters to reject the 2024 T-SPLOST referendum.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been completely vindicated,&rdquo; Holtkamp said. &ldquo;This had no merit, and it&rsquo;s unfortunate we had to waste resources on it.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The complaint, filed by a resident in Holtkamp&rsquo;s district, claimed he improperly used county property for personal advocacy. But Holtkamp argued he paid his bus fare and had a friend&mdash;not county staff&mdash;film the video.&nbsp;
The ethics board agreed, saying his actions&nbsp;didn&rsquo;t&nbsp;break the rules.&nbsp;
We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info.&nbsp;
 We&rsquo;ll&nbsp;be right back&nbsp;
 Break 2: <a href="https://www.kiamallofga.com/">Kia Mall of Georgia</a> - <a href="https://www.gwinnettpl.org/passportservices/">GCPL Passport</a>
 STORY&nbsp;4:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnet-county-lawrenceville-get-federal-funds-for-water-and-police-projects/article_cae3abc1-c873-4555-a353-33543a6b7ad5.html">Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville get federal funds for water and police projects</a>&nbsp;
Gwinnett County and Lawrenceville just scored over $2 million in federal funding for water upgrades and public safety improvements. U.S. Rep. David Scott announced the approval, with $1.09 million earmarked for Snellville&rsquo;s water infrastructure&mdash;upgrading a booster station&rsquo;s electrical system and adding backup power&mdash;and $1.03 million heading to the Lawrenceville Police Department.&nbsp;
The police&nbsp;funds?&nbsp;They&rsquo;ll&nbsp;cover new patrol cars, trauma kits, breaching tools, and other gear to boost safety for both officers and the public.&nbsp;
&ldquo;This $2.12 million investment will make a real difference,&rdquo; Scott said. &ldquo;Better water, safer streets&mdash;I&rsquo;m proud to deliver for Gwinnett.&rdquo;&nbsp;
 STORY&nbsp;5:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/prep/dacula-boys-basketball-seizes-region-lead-with-victory-at-central-gwinnett/article_9c6b617c-2d45-4253-8c12-e45951ffaf9b.html">Dacula Boys Basketball Seizes Region Lead with Victory at Central Gwinnett</a>&nbsp;
Dacula&rsquo;s&nbsp;boys&nbsp;basketball team just keeps rolling. With a nail-biting 60-57 win over Central Gwinnett on Tuesday, the Falcons snagged first place in&nbsp;Region&nbsp;8-AAAAAA and stretched their win streak to 11 games.&nbsp;
Now sitting at 16-1 overall and 5-0 in the region, Dacula handed&nbsp;Central&nbsp;its first region loss, dropping them to 5-1.&nbsp;
Case Presley led the charge with 21 points, eight boards, and three assists. Josh Brown notched a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds), while Kenny LaRue chipped in 10 points and some clutch playmaking. George&nbsp;Fajemirokun&nbsp;added six points and steady contributions all around.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/matt-ryan-has-unfinished-business-his-new-role-falcons-president-football/EYDCERH4LVCD3FCVJB426UI7II/">FALCONS:</a>&nbsp;The Atlanta Falcons officially introduced Matt Ryan as their new president of football on Tuesday, and honestly, it feels like a full-circle moment.&nbsp;
At the press conference in Flowery Branch, Ryan&mdash;who spent 14 seasons as the face of the franchise&mdash;spoke about his &ldquo;unfinished business&rdquo; with the team. &ldquo;Since I was drafted, my mission&rsquo;s been the same: help this organization win championships. We came close, had some success, but&nbsp;I believe we&rsquo;ll&nbsp;get there,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
After retiring and working as a CBS Sports analyst, Ryan said he&nbsp;wasn&rsquo;t&nbsp;looking for a new job&mdash;unless it was with the Falcons. Now,&nbsp;he&rsquo;ll&nbsp;report directly to owner Arthur Blank, focusing on hiring a head coach and GM who share a unified vision.&nbsp;
 We&rsquo;ll&nbsp;be right back.&nbsp;
 Break&nbsp;3: <a href="https://www.eagleatsugarhill.com/events-tickets/">EAGLE THEATRE</a>
 And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on raw milk&nbsp; &nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll&nbsp;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&nbsp;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&nbsp;great stories&nbsp;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&nbsp;your Google&nbsp;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;
Show Sponsors:&nbsp;
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News Podcast, Current Events, Top Headlines, Breaking News, Podcast News, Trending, Local News, Daily, News, Podcast, Interviews&nbsp;

Dinosaur World Live Returns to Gwinnett's Gas South Theater | Gwinnett Service Organizations Look to Families First Model to Better Help Others | Ethics Board Dismisses Complaint over Holtkamp's Transit Videos

GDP Script/ Top Stories for January 13th 

Publish Date: January 13th 
 

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

Today is Tuesday, January 13th and Happy Birthday to Julia Louis Dreyfus 

I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. 
Former Buford star Zach Smith conquers final peak to complete Seven Summits
Man found shot to death at Snellville area home
Children’s Museum of Atlanta to debut 'AIM HIGH: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen' 


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 - Sugar Hill Ice Skating Rink 

 

STORY 1: Former Buford star Zach Smith conquers final peak to complete Seven Summits 

In early December, Zach Smith—former Buford football standout turned mountaineer—wrapped up something most of us can only dream about: climbing the last of the Seven Summits. On Dec. 1, he stood atop Mount Vinson in Antarctica, completing a journey fewer than 500 people have ever achieved. 

And this wasn’t just any year for Smith. In 2025 alone, he also summited Carstensz Pyramid in February and Mount Everest in July. Three summits. One year.  

Getting to Antarctica was no small feat. After a whirlwind of flights, freezing temps and carrying double provisions, Smith and his team lucked out with good weather, summiting in a week. Others weren’t so lucky, stuck on the mountain for days. 

Why three summits in one year? “It was about timing,” Smith said. “I was already in peak shape, and my wife and I decided it made sense to go for it.” But now? He’s ready for a slower pace. 


STORY 2: Man found shot to death at Snellville area home 

Gwinnett police are digging into a homicide after a man was found dead early Sunday in unincorporated Snellville. 

It was around 3:10 a.m. when officers got a call about someone down on Saddle Ridge Drive. When they arrived, they found a man—already gone—apparently from a gunshot wound. 

Detectives are on it, interviewing witnesses, while the Crime Scene Unit combs through the area for evidence. Police say it looks like an isolated incident, so there’s no threat to the public. 

The victim’s name hasn’t been released yet. 

Got info? Call detectives at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS. 


STORY 3: Children’s Museum of Atlanta to debut 'AIM HIGH: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen' 

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is kicking off 2026 with something special: “AIM HIGH: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen.” Opening Jan. 17, this hands-on exhibit dives into the history and legacy of the first Black military aviators, blending their groundbreaking story with the science and wonder of flight. 

Timed perfectly with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the exhibit celebrates resilience, courage, and the belief that opportunity shouldn’t be limited by race.  

From climbing into a life-size cockpit to designing their own wings, kids can explore aviation through play. There’s even a Smithsonian companion exhibit, “Black Wings,” spotlighting African Americans’ contributions to flight—from early pioneers to modern astronauts. 

Running through May 10, AIM HIGH invites kids to dream big, imagine themselves as pilots, engineers, and innovators—and maybe even take flight someday. 

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: Ingles Markets


STORY 4: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office employee arrested on child molestation charges 

A former probationary employee of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested after an investigation into crimes against children, police said.   

It started Jan. 5, when a parent reported finding explicit messages sent to her underage daughter. Detectives with the Special Victims Unit identified 21-year-old Rylee Willis of Stone Mountain as the suspect. At the time, Willis was employed by the Sheriff’s Office but still in his probationary period.   

Willis now faces two counts each of child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes. He’s being held without bond.   


STORY 5: Gwinnett County hosting 911 Communications Hiring Event on Jan. 31 

Ever wondered what it’s like to be the calm voice on the other end of a 911 call? Gwinnett County’s E911 Communications Division is hosting a hiring event and open house on Jan. 31, giving you a rare, behind-the-scenes look at this critical public safety role.   

Held at the Police Annex (800 Hi Hope Rd, Lawrenceville), the event includes tours of the 911 Center, live call observations, and the chance to meet seasoned dispatchers. You’ll even complete Phase I of the hiring process—think skills assessments, interviews, and more.   

Space is tight, so appointments (8 a.m. or noon) are first-come, first-served. Apply online, submit your background booklet, and secure your spot.   

Perks? A $4,800 hiring bonus, educational incentives, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities. Must be 18+, a U.S. citizen, and have a high school diploma or GED.   

Details: Gwinnett911Careers.com or contact Investigator Raemie Fransen at 770.513.5565. 


We’ll be right back. 


Break 3: EAGLE THEATRE


STORY 6: Jason Lane retiring after more than a decade as principal at Mill Creek High School 

For the last 13 years, Jason Lane has been the principal at Mill Creek High School, a role he never really saw coming. “I didn’t think I’d be a principal,” he said. “But as an assistant principal, I loved helping kids and teachers. Then some mentors saw something in me I didn’t see in myself.”   

Now, after 28 years in education—24 of them in Gwinnett County—Lane is retiring at the end of the 2025-26 school year.   

During his tenure, Mill Creek has thrived: academic achievements, 20+ state championships, and a focus on student leadership that Lane is especially proud of. “Our kids are incredible,” he said. “They mentor younger students, run a leadership summit for grades 1-8, and just show up every day ready to lead. I’ll miss them the most.”   

Lane and his wife, Lisa, have two sons—both Mill Creek grads. Dylan teaches special education in Pennsylvania, and Brady is a freshman football player at Grove City College.  

As for what’s next? Lane isn’t sure yet. “I don’t know what the next chapter holds,” he said. “But I know how lucky I’ve been—especially here at Mill Creek. This place is special.” 


STORY 7: Gwinnett senator running for Georgia insurance commissioner 

The race for Georgia insurance commissioner just got a shakeup—and a Gwinnett County connection.   

State Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes announced last week she’s running for the statewide office instead of seeking re-election. First elected in 2022, Parkes is stepping into the race with a clear focus: lowering insurance costs.   

Parkes has called for an investigation into industry practices, accusing incumbent John King of protecting companies over consumers. “You deserve someone who fights for you,” she said. 


We’ll have closing comments after this  


Break 4: GCPL Passport


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 

 

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GDP Script/&nbsp;Top Stories for&nbsp;January&nbsp;13th&nbsp;
Publish Date:&nbsp;January&nbsp;13th&nbsp; &nbsp;
From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.&nbsp;
Today is&nbsp;Tuesday,&nbsp;January&nbsp;13th&nbsp;and Happy Birthday to&nbsp;Julia Louis Dreyfus&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m&nbsp;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="5" 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;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Former Buford star Zach Smith conquers final peak to complete Seven Summits</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="5" 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;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Man found shot to death at Snellville area home</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="5" 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;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Children&rsquo;s Museum of Atlanta to debut 'AIM HIGH: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen'&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
 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://www.kiamallofga.com/">Kia Mall of Georgia</a> - <a href="https://downtownsugarhill.com/ice-rink/">Sugar Hill Ice Skating Rink</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 1:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/entertainment/former-buford-star-zach-smith-conquers-final-peak-to-complete-seven-summits/article_20d74a6b-f036-4d66-835f-962bddc424b2.html">Former Buford star Zach Smith conquers final peak to complete Seven Summits</a>&nbsp;
In early December, Zach Smith&mdash;former Buford football standout turned mountaineer&mdash;wrapped up something most of us can only dream about: climbing the last of the Seven Summits. On Dec. 1, he stood atop Mount Vinson in Antarctica, completing a journey fewer than 500 people have ever achieved.&nbsp;
And this&nbsp;wasn&rsquo;t&nbsp;just any year for Smith. In 2025 alone, he also summited Carstensz Pyramid in February and Mount Everest in July. Three summits. One year.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Getting to Antarctica was no&nbsp;small&nbsp;feat. After a whirlwind of flights, freezing&nbsp;temps&nbsp;and carrying double provisions,&nbsp;Smith and his team lucked out with&nbsp;good weather, summiting in a week. Others&nbsp;weren&rsquo;t&nbsp;so lucky, stuck on the mountain for days.&nbsp;
Why three summits in one year? &ldquo;It&nbsp;was about&nbsp;timing,&rdquo; Smith said. &ldquo;I was already in peak shape, and my wife and I decided it made sense to go for it.&rdquo; But now?&nbsp;He&rsquo;s&nbsp;ready for a slower pace.&nbsp;
 STORY 2:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/man-found-shot-to-death-at-snellville-area-home/article_63188351-cbbb-4876-968a-e7f0d1ad2e37.html">Man found shot to death at Snellville area home</a>&nbsp;
Gwinnett police are digging into a homicide after a man was found dead early Sunday in unincorporated Snellville.&nbsp;
It was around 3:10 a.m. when officers got a call about someone down on Saddle Ridge Drive. When they arrived, they found a man&mdash;already gone&mdash;apparently from&nbsp;a gunshot wound.&nbsp;
Detectives are on it, interviewing witnesses, while the Crime Scene Unit combs through the area for evidence. Police say it looks like an isolated incident, so&nbsp;there&rsquo;s&nbsp;no threat to the public.&nbsp;
The victim&rsquo;s name&nbsp;hasn&rsquo;t&nbsp;been released yet.&nbsp;
Got info? Call detectives at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS.&nbsp;
 STORY 3:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/entertainment/children-s-museum-of-atlanta-to-debut-aim-high-soaring-with-the-tuskegee-airmen/article_fb399cf9-9777-4a0f-bf57-07dd7c1692af.html">Children&rsquo;s Museum of Atlanta to debut 'AIM HIGH: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen'</a>&nbsp;
The Children&rsquo;s Museum of Atlanta is kicking off 2026 with something special: &ldquo;AIM HIGH: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen.&rdquo; Opening Jan. 17, this hands-on exhibit dives into the history and legacy of the first Black military aviators, blending their groundbreaking story with the science and wonder of flight.&nbsp;
Timed perfectly with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the exhibit celebrates resilience, courage, and the belief that opportunity&nbsp;shouldn&rsquo;t&nbsp;be limited by race.&nbsp;&nbsp;
From climbing into a life-size cockpit to designing their own wings, kids can explore aviation through play.&nbsp;There&rsquo;s&nbsp;even a Smithsonian companion exhibit, &ldquo;Black Wings,&rdquo; spotlighting African Americans&rsquo; contributions to flight&mdash;from early pioneers to modern astronauts.&nbsp;
Running through May 10, AIM HIGH invites kids to dream big, imagine themselves as pilots, engineers, and innovators&mdash;and&nbsp;maybe even&nbsp;take&nbsp;flight&nbsp;someday.&nbsp;
We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info.&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll&nbsp;be right back&nbsp;
 Break 2: <a href="https://www.ingles-markets.com/">Ingles Markets</a>
 STORY 4: <a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnett-county-sheriffs-office-employee-arrested-on-child-molestation-charges/article_daaa920a-3c06-4df7-adda-df3d94873fd0.html">Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office employee arrested on child molestation charges</a>&nbsp;
A former probationary employee of the Gwinnett County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office has been arrested after an investigation into crimes against children, police said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
It started Jan. 5, when a parent reported finding explicit messages sent to her underage daughter. Detectives with the Special Victims Unit identified 21-year-old Rylee Willis of Stone Mountain as the suspect. At the time, Willis was employed by the Sheriff&rsquo;s Office but still in his probationary period.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Willis now faces two counts each of child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes. He&rsquo;s being held without bond.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 STORY 5: <a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnett-county-hosting-911-communications-hiring-event-on-jan-31/article_89c19cc2-7b03-4a94-b94b-901dedcc9f9b.html">Gwinnett County hosting 911 Communications Hiring Event on Jan. 31</a>&nbsp;
Ever wondered what it&rsquo;s like to be the calm voice on the other end of a 911 call? Gwinnett County&rsquo;s E911 Communications Division is hosting a hiring event and open house on Jan. 31, giving you a rare, behind-the-scenes look at this critical public safety role.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Held at the Police Annex (800 Hi Hope Rd, Lawrenceville), the event includes tours of the 911 Center, live call observations, and the chance to meet seasoned dispatchers. You&rsquo;ll even complete Phase I of the hiring process&mdash;think skills assessments, interviews, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Space is tight, so appointments (8 a.m. or noon) are first-come, first-served. Apply online, submit your background booklet, and secure your spot.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Perks? A $4,800 hiring bonus, educational incentives, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities. Must be 18+, a U.S. citizen, and have a high school diploma or GED.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Details: Gwinnett911Careers.com or contact Investigator Raemie Fransen at 770.513.5565.&nbsp;
 We&rsquo;ll be right back.&nbsp;
 Break 3: <a href="https://www.eagleatsugarhill.com/events-tickets/">EAGLE THEATRE</a>
 STORY 6:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/jason-lane-retiring-after-more-than-a-decade-as-principal-at-mill-creek-high-school/article_e3df5410-a3d3-4678-810d-cb714555347a.html">Jason Lane retiring after more than a decade as principal at Mill Creek High School</a>&nbsp;
For the last 13 years,&nbsp;Jason&nbsp;Lane has been the principal at Mill Creek High School, a role he never really saw coming. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;d be a principal,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But as an assistant principal, I loved helping kids and teachers. Then some mentors saw something in me I&nbsp;didn&rsquo;t&nbsp;see in myself.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Now, after 28 years in education&mdash;24 of them in Gwinnett County&mdash;Lane is retiring at the end of the 2025-26 school year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
During his tenure, Mill Creek has thrived: academic achievements, 20+ state championships, and a focus on student leadership that Lane is especially proud of. &ldquo;Our kids are incredible,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They mentor younger students, run a leadership summit for grades 1-8, and just show up every day ready to lead. I&rsquo;ll miss them the most.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Lane and his wife, Lisa, have two sons&mdash;both Mill Creek grads. Dylan teaches special education in Pennsylvania, and Brady is a freshman football player at Grove City College.&nbsp;&nbsp;
As for what&rsquo;s next? Lane isn&rsquo;t sure yet. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what the next chapter holds,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But I know how lucky I&rsquo;ve been&mdash;especially here at Mill Creek. This place is special.&rdquo;&nbsp;
 STORY 7: <a href="https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnett-senator-running-for-georgia-insurance-commissioner/article_4dbd4495-197e-4fa2-ba47-5d5b7058ec08.html">Gwinnett senator running for Georgia insurance commissioner</a>&nbsp;
The race for Georgia insurance commissioner just got a shakeup&mdash;and a Gwinnett County connection.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
State Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes announced last week she&rsquo;s running for the statewide office instead of seeking re-election. First elected in 2022, Parkes is stepping into the race with a clear focus: lowering insurance costs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Parkes has called for an investigation into industry practices, accusing incumbent John King of protecting companies over consumers. &ldquo;You deserve someone who fights for you,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;
 We&rsquo;ll have closing comments after this&nbsp;&nbsp;
 Break 4: <a href="https://www.gwinnettpl.org/passportservices/">GCPL Passport</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;
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Former Buford Star Zach Smith Conquers Final Peak to Complete Seven Summits | Man Found Shot to Death at Snellville Area Home | Children’s Museum of Atlanta to Debut 'Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen'

Week in Review: Lanier mourns death of student

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