Georgia Top News: Mask Mandate, Ahmaud Arbery, Hospital Grades

GEORGIA — Top news stories from Georgia Patches this week include a ban on the "Elf on the Shelf'" Braves lead with batting awards; former Sen. Max Cleland dies; and a kidnapped child is returned to his mother.

In other news, testimony in the trial of the three men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery focused on reports of break-ins in the neighborhood; NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal offered a reward for a suspect accused of shooting a police officer; and masks are no longer required indoors in Atlanta.

Share your local news, events and pics by clicking "+" at the top of any page.

Here are some of this week's top headlines:

• Piedmont Park Stabbed More Than 50 Times In Fatal Attack
• Ahmaud Arbery Case: Officer Said He Did Not Deputize McMichaels
• Are Your Thanksgiving Plans Affected By COVID? GA Patch Survey
• Braves Hitters Lead MLB With Silver Slugger Award Wins
• GA Judge 'Bans' Elf On The Shelf: 'My Gift To Tired Parents'
• Pilot Killed In Plane Crash In Paulding County: Sheriff
• 5 Georgia Hospitals Earn 'D' In Leapfrog’s 2021 Hospital Grade
• Max Cleland, Former U.S. Senator And GA Secretary Of State, Dies
• Mask Mandate In Atlanta To Be Dropped As City Enters 'Green Zone'
• Pick Your Favorite Educator For Hawks' 'Year of the Teacher'
• Missing Clarkston Toddler Found Safe: Police
• Ahmaud Arbery Case: Homeowner Never Asked McMichaels To Act
• Shaq Donates $5K To Reward In Hunt For Accused Police Shooter
• Ahmaud Arbery Death: McMichael's Story Changed, Police Say

Here are more headlines from this week:

• Stonecrest Mayor Charged With Fraud In Use Of COVID Relief Funds
• Norcross Football Player's Life Remembered At Special Tribute
• Suspect Detained In Connection With Death Of Gwinnett Teacher
• Veteran Killed In Hit And Run In Gwinnett County
• New Speed Cameras Activated In 4 Gwinnett School Zones: Police
• GSU Professor Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Pornography
• Minor Earthquake Reported In Gwinnett County
• Tell Someone In Georgia You’re Grateful For Them
• Teacher Charged With Sexual Assault Of A Student: Cobb Police
• Longtime Cobb County Bus Driver Dies Of COVID-19
• Man Indicted On Racketeering Charge In Identity Theft Scheme: AG
• Best Nursing Homes In Georgia: 2022 Ratings Released
• Mask Mandate Relaxed For Middle, High Schools In Douglas County
• 2021 Election Results Certified By Cobb County
• Woman On The Run For 5 Months Captured: Douglasville Police
• 5 Georgia Hospitals Earn 'D' In Leapfrog’s 2021 Hospital Grade
• SWAT Standoff With Accused Police Shooter Ends In Death: Police
• 1 Dead In DeKalb County Apartment Complex Shooting: Police
• Armed Robbery 3 Times At DeKalb County Restaurant: Video
• 16 Displaced, 1 Hospitalized After MUST Ministries Apartment Fire
• Appeal Filed Against Rejected Cobb Schools COVID Protocol Lawsuit
• Demolition Begins On Fire-Damaged Cheshire Bridge Road Bridge

Don't miss local news from Georgia. Sign up for free Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Thanks for reading Patch!