🌱 Animal Services' Staffing Issues + Fentanyl Overdose Convictions

Hi all. It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Daily. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town...

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 83 Low: 62.

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Here are the top three stories in Dacula today:

1. Gwinnett County is currently hiring for animal control positions. The hiring search highlights an animal services staffing shortage plaguing the metro Atlanta area. According to residents in Clayton County, a pack of pit bulls is roaming the metro area and staffing issues are delaying their seizure. The staffing issue is a nationwide problem, according to local animal nonprofits. (WSBTV)
2. The Gwinnett County Public Health Department has started offering bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. The new bivalent boosters are meant to provide residents with protection against various strains of the virus - including Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 strains. The department locations are offering both Pfizer and Moderna versions. Click to find a department location for a booster shot. (11 Alive)
3. Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson is addressing the rise in fentanyl overdose deaths by going after dealers. The office succeeded in convicting drug dealer Dustin Bazzle on Monday for felony murder. He has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for selling fentanyl-laced heroin that led to a fatal overdose in 2018. (WSBTV)

Today in Dacula:

• Intro To 3D Printing At The Hamilton Mill Public Library Branch (4:00 PM)
• Trivia Night At StillFire Brewing (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Explore Gwinnett is giving away four family packs of tickets to JapanFest Atlanta on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18. Click to enter the contest! (Explore Gwinnett via Instagram)
• The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office held several Taser Recertification training sessions for its deputies last week. Click to watch the video. (Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Gwinnett County Public Schools is currently searching for paraprofessionals. The district will be hosting two Information Sessions for potential applicants. Click to register for a session. (Gwinnett County Public Schools via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Hispanic Heritage Month Latin Night Atlanta @ Tony's John's Creek (September 17)
• ALDI’s National Hiring Week (September 18)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.