GDP Script/ Top Stories for Mar 8th
Publish Date: Mar 7th
From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Friday, March 8th, and Happy 78th Birthday to The Monkees Micky Dolenz.
***03.08.24 – BIRTHDAY – MICKY DOLENZ***
I’m Bruce Jenkins and here are your top stories presented by Tom Wages Funeral Home.
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: WAGES
STORY 1: Second Suspect Arrested For Allegedly Impersonating a Federal Agent During Home Invasion
Yenson Adrian Cedeno Acevedo, a second suspect in a Lawrenceville home invasion case, has been apprehended by the Gwinnett County Police. The incident, which took place in December, involved three individuals who posed as federal agents to gain entry into an apartment.
The culprits then restrained a father and son duo using zip ties and proceeded to rob them of their possessions. At the time of his arrest, Acevedo was already detained on separate charges.
Another suspect, Luis Soto, had been taken into custody earlier, with police discovering tactical equipment and stolen items connected to the crime in his possession. The police investigation is still underway, and they urge anyone with further information to reach out to local authorities or provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers.
STORY 2: Duluth Police Finish Expansion of Real Time Crime Center
The Duluth Police Department has announced the completion of its Real Time Crime Center's expansion. The center, founded in 2017, employs a combination of advanced technology and a dedicated team of analysts to manage immediate crises and aid in crime resolution.
The latest expansion has resulted in increased space and upgraded technology, boosting the total number of surveillance cameras to approximately 400. This expansion signifies a major step forward in Duluth's dedication to public safety, enabling the center to function as a comprehensive hub for crime response.
Analysts are now able to offer precise support to officers during ongoing criminal activities and city events, while also ensuring smooth collaboration with neighboring law enforcement agencies.
STORY 3: 7 Tips for Helping You Afford College
The average in-state tuition at public colleges has climbed to over $10,000, while private colleges are averaging a steep $42,162. However, Estephany Flores, a staunch advocate for financial aid, urges students not to be discouraged by these numbers. She highlights the importance of viewing a college education as a future investment. Flores points out that dual enrollment programs, which allow high school students to accrue college credits, are often overlooked resources that can substantially cut down tuition costs.
Dr. Reanna Berry, an Associate Professor, offers several strategies to help offset tuition expenses. These include early savings plans, pursuing two-year degrees, enrolling as transient students, taking AP/IB classes, applying for grants, and exploring work-study opportunities. Dr. Berry cautions students against depending on loans as their primary financial solution and alerts them to potential scams aimed at those seeking college funding.
Despite the financial hurdles, Gwinnett College continues to maintain its affordability, providing a wide range of options for financial assistance. Flores encourages students to contact the college's financial aid office for tailored advice and support in navigating the financial aspects of college education.
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Break 2: INGLES 1
STORY 4: LAKO: Found money: Should you use an old 401(k) to pay off a child's student loans?
Many parents harbor the desire to financially support their adult children, which is a factor that should be considered during financial planning. Some may discover dormant 401(k) accounts and consider utilizing these funds to settle their child's student loans. However, drawing from retirement accounts for this purpose can trigger penalties and taxes, thereby diminishing the sum available for debt repayment.
The decision between investing for the future or paying off debt needs careful consideration, considering aspects such as interest rates and potential returns on investments. Financial experts typically discourage depleting retirement savings, instead proposing alternative strategies such as reallocating current savings or assisting with loan payments directly from regular income.
STORY 5: Lawyer accusing Fulton DA of conflict details accusations of misconduct at Georgia Senate hearing
Ashleigh Merchant, the legal counsel for Michael Roman, appeared before a state Senate committee to testify about her discovery of an alleged romantic relationship between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Merchant initiated a motion to have Willis disqualified from the Trump election interference case because of this alleged affair.
Details of the affair were revealed by Terrence Bradley, Wade's previous law partner, who voiced concerns about Wade's behavior. In response to these allegations, the Senate committee issued a subpoena to Merchant to delve deeper into the accusations, concentrating on potential conflicts of interest and monetary rewards in the case.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Willis reiterated her commitment to continue with the felony racketeering case against Trump and his associates.
STORY 6: Vidalia onions headed to grocery shelves April 17
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, in collaboration with the Vidalia Onion Committee, has declared April 17th as the official pack date for the 2024 Vidalia onion season. Famed for their distinctive sweet taste, Vidalia onions will be accessible in supermarkets across the country from April until early September.
The determination of the pack date is influenced by factors such as soil and weather conditions, which serve to ensure the superior quality of the onions. With approximately 11,000 acres set aside for cultivation during the 2024 season, producers are optimistic about another prosperous year.
Vidalia onions, unique to 20 counties in southern Georgia due to specific environmental conditions, are protected under federal and state legislation.
STORY 7: Statham's Brian Harris Named Jackson EMC Vice President of Information Technology
Brian Harris, hailing from Statham, has been named as the new Vice President of Information Technology at Jackson EMC, taking over from Jeff Keen who is set to retire after 41 years of dedicated service. In his previous role as Director of IT Infrastructure and Data Integrity, Harris was responsible for leading the cooperative's cybersecurity program and the Incident Response Team.
In his new position, Harris will be tasked with spearheading technological advancements at Jackson EMC, focusing on infrastructure, collaboration, implementation, and support. Harris brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been a part of the cooperative since 1997 and serving in various capacities throughout the years.
Harris is an alumnus of the University of Georgia, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems, and is an active member of InfraGard. Jackson EMC, with its headquarters located in Jefferson, Georgia, provides service to over 260,000 meters across 15,000 miles of energized wire.
We’ll have final thoughts after this.
Break 4: HENRY CO SHERIFFS OFFICE
Signoff –
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