🌱 County Alumni Athletes Give Back + Metro Area Kentucky Derby Events

Hello again, everybody. It's Monday in Dallas-Hiram, time to start a new week, and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in our community today. Today we'll cover:

• Paulding alumni athletes are giving back with the "Local Legends" Youth Football Camp.
• Hiram highly-rated offensive line prospect has put Georgia Tech in the top ten.
• The Eagles have drafted five Georgia Bulldogs' defense members in the last two drafts.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy in the afternoon. High: 64 Low: 45.

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Here are the top stories today in Dallas-Hiram:

1. Hiram native, Jameson Riggs, has rated Georgia Tech in the top ten for his offensive line recruitment, making him a valuable target for the team. Riggs, a four-star prospect according to 247 Sports, attended Junior Day at Georgia Tech on January 14 and was offered by the staff in December. The Yellow Jackets are among several other schools, including Ohio State, LSU, Clemson, Auburn, Duke, USC, Tennessee, Penn State, and Vanderbilt, in Riggs' top ten. The addition of Riggs to the team would be a fantastic move, as the offensive line has been a top priority for Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key. Additionally, the 2024 class for Georgia Tech is currently ranked 29 on 247Sports and is headlined by four-star quarterback Jakhari Williams.(Yardbarker)
2. There are several Kentucky Derby events planned in the metro area on May 6, including McKenna's Farm in Dallas, which will host a Kentucky Derby Party from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event will feature riding demonstrations, live music, a southern BBQ dinner, a silent auction, cash bar, famous wine toss, and a best hat contest. Tickets for the event cost $75 per person or $750 per table, and all proceeds will benefit McKenna Farms Therapy Services. Other events in the area include a watch party at Colony Square in Midtown Atlanta, Kentucky Derby Day at The Mill on Etowah in Canton, and the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta's Mint Julep Mingle Derby party, among others. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
3. Douglasville native Vivette Green, a member of the University of New Orleans Track and Field program, completed her first outdoor 200-meter run since finishing second at last year's Outdoor Southland Championships. Green finished in 33rd place with a time of 24.69 seconds, securing a top-12 time in the conference this season. Additionally, the Privateer men's and women's teams participated in the 4x100s, with the men finishing in fifth place and the women in seventh place. Kelvin Chiku also set a personal best in the 800 meters with a second place finish at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge. (UNOPrivateers)
4. The dominant defense of the Georgia Bulldogs in 2021 appears to have made a lasting impression on the Philadelphia Eagles, who have drafted five members of the Bulldogs' defense over the past two drafts. Kelee Ringo, a defensive back, was the latest addition to the Eagles' roster, joining several other talented Georgia defenders. The Eagles even joked on social media about needing to take a class trip to Georgia. The love for Georgia players from Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman has not gone unnoticed, as noted by The Athletic writer Zach Berman. (SI)

Today in Dallas-Hiram:

• Mommy Meet Up - Dallas Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Storytime - New Georgia Public Library (10:30 AM)
• Yoga Basics - Bee Humble Studio (6:00 PM)
• Recovery meeting: life’s hurts, habits, hang ups - North Paulding Baptist Church (6:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Patch Real Estate News: Looking for a new home in the Dallas-Hiram area? Check out these five fresh listings recently added to the market, ranging from a Dallas property with four bedrooms and three bathrooms for $520,000 to a Powder Springs property for $179,000. The listings were compiled to help potential buyers save time searching through the same old real estate listings. The properties are listed by Tracey Beard of Atlanta Communities. (Patch Real Estate News)
• City of Dallas, Georgia – Government: Last week was Georgia Cities Week, and the city of Dallas would like to give a shoutout to some of the employees who make things happen in the city. These hardworking individuals help keep the city running smoothly and improve the quality of life for its residents. The city would like to express their gratitude for all that they do. (City of Dallas, Georgia – Government via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Sprayberry Farms: Calling all Paulding neighbors. Here's an exciting opportunity for your kids - the first ever "Local Legends" Youth Football Camp, open to all Paulding youth aged 8-13. It's a non-contact camp, so no need for pads. The camp will be coached by college-level alumni from the 5 county high schools who are eager to give back to the community and share their knowledge with the next generation. This is a unique and unifying event for the county, and a great chance for your child to learn from the best. For more details, check out the link provided. (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Timberlands: Apollo is a small adult dog weighing 32 pounds who is available for adoption or rescue at Paulding County Animal Control. Despite being in a kennel, he is excitedly wagging his tail and hoping for attention. He would make a great inside dog for someone looking for a dog of his size. If interested in adopting him and already have a dog, the shelter requires a meet and greet to ensure they are a good match. Interested parties are advised to check with the shelter staff regarding his immunization history and to share this information with others. (Nextdoor)

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Featured events:

• Ride Ro Rescue Run and Dog Walk (May 6)
• May Market at Rose Lawn (May 6)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Linda Marlow

About me: Linda Marlow is an experienced writer and communications professional with a diverse background in industries such as healthcare, education, publishing, and performing arts. She is a Dallas resident who is passionate about sharing the latest news and events happening in Paulding County through her writing. Linda is currently serving as a contributing writer for the Dallas-Hiram Patch newsletter, where she continues to use her storytelling skills to inform and engage the local community.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Dallas-Hiram Patch newsletter? Contact me at Dallas-Hiram@Patch.com