🌱 Man Arrested For Kidnapping & Assault + Street Racing Growing Issue

Hello, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in Dallas-Hiram. Today you'll find news about...

• A Carrollton man was arrested for kidnapping and assaulting a woman.
• The Georgia Senate fell one vote short of passing a medical cannabis bill.
• Street racing is becoming a growing issue across the state.

But first, the weekend weather: On Saturday morning, we can expect some thunderstorms, but it should clear up later in the day and get sunny. Highs around 78 with some gusty winds from the west. Saturday night will be clear with lows around 43 and winds from the northwest. Sunday looks like partly cloudy skies with highs around 72 and light winds from the north. Sunday night could see some clouds rolling in, with lows around 52 and light and variable winds.

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Here are the top stories in Dallas-Hiram today:

1. Street racing has become an increasingly common problem for law enforcement officials in Georgia, as reported by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. There has been a rise in public complaints about street racing, with nearly 90 complaints in 2021 alone, making it a growing issue across the state. In response, police agencies in Atlanta and Gwinnett County have conducted undercover stings to arrest dozens of people involved in street racing. (Atlanta News First)
2. A Carrollton man has been charged with kidnapping and assaulting a woman for several hours before she managed to escape. The victim, who had injuries on her face and neck, reported that she was beaten and strangled over the course of six hours inside an apartment on Lovvorn Road. The suspect, Nathaniel Bernhardt, 27, was arrested and charged with several crimes, including kidnapping, aggravated battery, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. (WSB-TV)
3. The University System of Georgia (USG) has spoken out against the $66 million in budget cuts approved by state lawmakers on Wednesday. The cuts will affect each of the system's 26 public colleges and universities differently, ranging from nearly $12 million for the University of Georgia to $200,000 for Atlanta Metropolitan State College. University System Chancellor Sonny Perdue called the cuts disappointing and argued that the system's reserves couldn't be relied on to mitigate the cuts, with 82 percent of those reserves held by the system's six largest institutions. It is not yet clear how the cuts will impact individual institutions, programs, and staff members. (GPB)
4. The Georgia Senate failed to approve a medical cannabis bill that aimed to increase transparency and allow up to 20 production licenses. The bill also sought to transfer control of the medical marijuana program from a commission to Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. The Senate fell one vote short of the majority required to approve the bill after it was significantly amended in the House, which included a provision for resolving several lawsuits filed by nine companies unable to obtain a license. The state has faced criticism for slow license issuance. (Benzinga)

This Weekend in Dallas-Hiram:

Saturday

• Easter Egg Hunt — Sara Babb Park (10:00 AM)
• Pickett's Settlement Skills and Crafts Day — Pickett's Mill Battlefield (10:00 AM)
• Karaoke with DJ Dice — La Bamba (7:00 PM)
• Karaoke with DJ James Reverse — 278 South Bar & Grill (8:00 PM)

Sunday

• NA Meeting — Hiram FUMC (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Paulding County School District: Spring break is a time for PCSD students and families to take a break from their academic responsibilities and recharge for the remainder of the school year. It provides an opportunity for students to engage in fun and educational activities, spend time with family and friends, and relax. PCSD encourages everyone to make the most of this time off, stay safe and return to school ready to learn. (Paulding County School District via Facebook)
• Paulding County School District: The PCSD has some exciting events this weekend that are perfect for families. Attend 'Peter and the Starcatcher Musical' at East Paulding HS Theater, or Dobbins Middle School Drama Club's 'Disney's Moana Jr. Musical' at Dobbins Middle School. Finally, don't miss 'Guys and Dolls Musical' at NPHS Wolfpack. All events have reasonable ticket prices, and details on how to purchase can be found in the links provided. (Paulding County School District via Facebook)
• City of Hiram: The City of Hiram is excited to provide a new and improved website for its citizens, after much-needed updates. However, it is not uncommon for issues to arise during the transition. If you come across any problems, reach out to Customer Service line and ask for Isabella Orr. (City of Hiram via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Twelve Oaks: West Georgia Landscaping and Tree Service. Licensed and fully insured. 404-394-7191. (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, The Park at Cedarcrest: Flooring, painting, cabinets, tile, countertops, and much more. Call for an estimate. 678-549-6533 Rodolfo Primo. (Nextdoor)

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Featured events:

• Majesty Dance Group Spring Dance Intensive Camp (April 3)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— 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