🌱 Tigers Recaptured In Georgia + Carrollton Women Smuggle Cocaine

Welcome back, Dallas-Hiram neighbors. It's Monday and I'm here to bring you up to speed on the latest and greatest events happening in our community, including breaking news on:

• Tigers that escaped after possible tornado recaptured in Georgia.
• Two Carrollton women are accused of smuggling over 40 pounds of cocaine.
• State of emergency following severe storms and tornadoes that hit Georgia.

But first, today's weather:

Today in the area, we can expect scattered thunderstorms in the morning with a 60 percent chance of rain. However, by late afternoon, skies will become partly cloudy with a high of 76 and winds from the northwest at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight, temperatures will drop to a low of 48 with light and variable winds and a few clouds from time to time.

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Here are the top stories in Dallas-Hiram today:

1. Following an incident in which he crashed his motorcycle while attempting to evade officers, a suspect was shot and wounded after threatening to shoot the Gordon County Deputies and reaching for what appeared to be a weapon. Despite being injured, the suspect refused to surrender and initiated a standoff that lasted for hours. Ultimately, he was apprehended and taken to a hospital for treatment before being charged and jailed. Upon his arrest, deputies found cash and drug paraphernalia in his possession. The Georgia Department of Corrections has records of the suspect's prior convictions for violent offenses in Douglas County, and the GBI is investigating the incident. (WSB-TV)
2. Two women from Carrollton have been accused of smuggling more than 40 pounds of drugs after deputies pulled their van over on I-20 for illegally tinted windows. A K-9 unit alerted the deputies to the presence of drugs and they found 16 bricks of cocaine with a street value of about $1.3 million hidden in a compartment. Susana Cisneros, 38, and Juaquina Del Carmen Recinos, 29, were arrested and charged with violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, trafficking cocaine, and traffic offenses. (WSB)
3. Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency in response to the severe storms and tornadoes that hit the state early Sunday morning. The emergency order will allow for additional resources to be brought in to aid in recovery and cleanup efforts. The order specifies that all resources will be used to assist in preparation, response, and recovery activities throughout the affected areas, with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency activating the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan. Two tornadoes struck Troup County and Baldwin County, causing significant damage and prompting search and rescue missions. (11Alive)
4. The Georgia Assembly is currently debating whether or not to establish private school vouchers for students attending low-performing schools. Senate Bill 233 proposes the creation of "Promise Scholarship Accounts," which would give each student a $6,500 subsidy per school year for student expenses related to homeschooling and private schools. Republicans are in favor of the bill, stating that it would provide families with a choice to extend educational opportunity, while Democrats argue that the funding for the vouchers would come directly from the Georgia State Budget, taking away more money from local school districts than they already receive. (The Atlanta Voice)
5. Two tigers escaped briefly from their enclosure at Pine Mountain Safari in Southwest Georgia following a possible tornado that damaged the facility. The safari later confirmed that the tigers were tranquilized and safely returned to a secure enclosure, and no animals or employees were hurt during the incident. The suspected tornado was part of a series of severe weather events that caused significant damage and casualties in Mississippi and Alabama over the weekend, with the National Weather Service warning of more severe weather in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. (CW33 Dallas)

Today in Dallas-Hiram:

• All Level Flow Yoga - Bee Humble Studio (10:00 AM)
• Mommy Meet Up - Dallas Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Storytime - New Georgia Public Library (10:30 AM)
• Pet Photos with Easter Bunny - Arbor Place Mall (11:00 AM - 8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Patch Real Estate News: The Dallas-Hiram area has five newly listed properties, with one featuring 4 beds and 4 baths in Dallas for $410,000, and another offering 5 beds and 4 baths in Dallas for $585,000. Clicking on any address in the list will provide additional photos and details, so you can easily find your next dream home. Enjoy the hassle-free search. (Dallas-Hiram Patch Real Estate News)
• The Paulding County High School: JROTC recently concluded its drill season with commendable results at the State level. Despite facing a long day and a significant rain delay, the team managed to secure 4th place in Platoon, 3rd place in Dual Exhibition, 3rd place in Male Exhibition, and 8th place in Armed Knockout categories. (The Paulding County High School JROTC via Facebook)
• Starwalk: On March 28, five planets – Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Mars – will gather in the evening sky. You can start observing them after sunset. Jupiter and Mercury will be close to the horizon in the constellation Pisces, while Venus will shine brightly in the constellation Aries. Uranus will be visible near Venus if you use binoculars. Mars will join the alignment higher in the sky near the first quarter Moon in the constellation Gemini. This planetary alignment will be visible several days before and after March 28. (Starwalk)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Senators Ridge: Call Tyler with Roofing Done Right for roof inspections, gutters, facia boards and siding. 770-364-8984. (Nextdoor)

That's it for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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