🌱 Georgia Medicaid Coverage Loss + Drug House Shutdown + Free Produce

Hello, fellow Dallas-Hiram residents! It's great to be in your inbox today to share all the latest updates on what's happening in and around our wonderful town. This issue is packed with exciting news, including...

• Over 20 percent of Georgia's Medicaid recipients are expected to lose their coverage.
• Paulding and Haralson work together to shut down a "drug-house."
• Georgia House passes bill imposing harsher penalties for gang recruitment.

But first, today's weather: Today will be partly cloudy with a high of 61 and winds from the east-southeast at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight, there will be partly cloudy skies in the evening which will gradually become cloudy overnight, with a low of 43 and light and variable winds.

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Here are the top stories today in and around Dallas-Hiram:

1. The former executive vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention North American Mission Board, who is facing allegations of sexual abuse, preached an hour-long sermon at New Season Church in Hiram two days after filing a defamation lawsuit against the SBC and Guidepost Solutions. Johnny Hunt received a standing ovation from the congregation, many of whom have stood by him despite the allegations. Only a small number of pastors have defied the official SBC line that Hunt should not be allowed to preach again. (Baptist News)
2. Officials from Haralson and Paulding counties recently made a significant drug trafficking arrest that led to the shutdown of a "drug house." After months of investigation, James "Jim" Todd Fincham was found to be in possession of several drugs, including methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, fentanyl, marijuana, and cocaine, along with a firearm. Fincham was arrested and charged with several offenses related to drug possession and firearm use. (Fox5 Atlanta)
3. A bill imposing stricter penalties on individuals convicted of recruiting minors into gangs has been passed by the Georgia House with the backing of Gov. Brian Kemp. Under the proposed legislation, such offenders would be subject to a minimum of 10 years in prison, and prosecutors would have the right to appeal lenient sentences. However, critics have argued that harsher prison sentences do not necessarily deter criminals and could be applied to juveniles or older teenagers who recruit younger siblings or friends into gangs. The bill has been amended in the House and must return to the Senate for further debate. (USNews)
4. Gas prices in Georgia and South Carolina have slightly decreased in the past week, with Georgia's average price at $3.22 per gallon and South Carolina's at $3.12. Currently Georgia's gas price is 22 cents below the national average. A study by HiRoad found that Georgia is the tenth most affordable state to buy gas, with residents spending 16.7 percent of their average hourly salary on a single gallon of gas. (WRDW and HiRoad)
5. Over 20 percent of Georgia's current Medicaid recipients are expected to lose their coverage from April 1 as the temporary federal policy that has kept over 2 million people on Medicaid since the beginning of the pandemic is set to expire. Georgia lawmakers held an informal hearing last week to discuss how to manage the end of this policy, also known as "Medicaid unwinding." While some individuals may still be eligible for Medicaid, others will be transferred to other insurance programs or lose coverage entirely, which has raised concerns among lawmakers and advocates about the logistics of the upcoming redetermination process. (GPB)

Today in Dallas-Hiram:

• Art Class — Paulding Senior Center (9:30 AM)
• Storytime — Maude P Ragsdale Hiram Library (11:30 AM)
• Young Adult at Heart Book Club — Dallas Public Library (5:30 PM)
• Chicago Stepping Class — Hiram Rosenwald School Museum (6:00 PM)
• Tuesday Night Trivia — BB's Sports Bar & Grill (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• City of Dallas Police: Dallas Police share some basic bicycle safety tips, including wearing a proper helmet while riding, staying on the road and obeying traffic laws, signals, and signs. Bicyclists should act like they are a vehicle and stay in their lane, signal before changing lanes, and avoid sudden moves to be predictable. By following these tips, bicyclists can help protect themselves and others on the road. (City of Dallas Police via Facebook)
• Helping Hands of Paulding County: Free Produce Day - March 21, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Please bring your patience, a book, and your own bags. First come, first served. (Helping Hands of Paulding County via Facebook)
• New Georgia Public Library: Ms. Kim is seeking help from the public to name her three new pet snails at the library. She has requested that people either vote for their preferred name from a provided list or suggest their own name. (New Georgia Public Library via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Rosedale/Greenfield: "For Notary Services call Peach Magnolia Notary at 470-220-1903." (Nextdoor)

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• Decade Days: Spring Break Camp (April 3)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for your next 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