🌱 TikTok Ban Bill Advances + Dallas Resident Sentenced In Elder Scam

Hello, hello! Sean Peek here with your fresh copy of the Dallas-Hiram Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the local news you need to know right now, including updates on...

• TikTok ban bill approved by Georgia Senate committee
• Dallas resident among several sentenced for "grandparent scam"
• Beyonce adds a third show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 67 Low: 51.

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Here are the top five stories in Dallas-Hiram today:

1. A bill sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas) was unanimously approved by a Georgia Senate committee on Monday. The bill would codify a ban on the use of TikTok on state-owned devices, and is based on concerns over the Chinese Communist Party having access to state government data through the Chinese-owned video hosting service. Exceptions would be made for law enforcement, cybersecurity research and development, and judicial and legislative proceedings. The bill will next head to the Senate floor for a vote. (Online Athens)
2. All co-conspirators involved in a nationwide "grandparent scam" — including a Dallas resident — have been sentenced to federal prison. The scam involved making fake phone calls to elderly victims, pretending to be a lawyer or authority figure, and asking them to send cash deliveries to various locations to help a relative in need. Jasaun "Biz" Pope, the leader of the scam, was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for U.S. mail fraud and money laundering offenses. The other co-conspirators — Darlens Renard of North Lauderdale, Florida, Princess Elizer of Dallas, Georgia, Jennifer Glemeau of Marietta, Georgia, and Kareem Brown of North Baldwin, New York — received 78 months, 41 months, 30 months, and 36 months in prison, respectively. The IRS identified 68 victims and calculated losses to be over $683,464 from the scam. (NewsBreak Original)
3. If you've ever wanted to see Beyonce live, now might be your chance. The pop superstar added a third Atlanta performance to her latest world tour. Beyhive presale tickets were released yesterday, with various other presale offers launching through the week and standard tickets going on sale starting Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. Beyonce's new performance will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium — around 45 minutes from Hiram — on Monday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. (Atlanta Patch)
4. The New Georgia Public Library invites teens to come out to a Tiny Art Class next Monday, Feb. 20, at 4:30 p.m. All materials will be provided, and participants can paint anything they want during this relaxing event. As a bonus, any art completed that afternoon will be displayed in the library for a few weeks. (New Georgia Public Library via Facebook)
5. Looking for a new career opportunity? Several companies in and around the Dallas-Hiram area are hiring full-time and part-time employees; in-person, remote, and hybrid work settings are available. Visit the link for the full roundup of job listings and application information. (Dallas-Hiram Patch)

Today in and around Dallas-Hiram:

• Board Of Commissioners Board Meeting At 240 Constitution Blvd. (2:00 PM)
• Love At First Bite At Nibbles Kitchen And Bar, Powder Springs (6:00 PM)
• Galentine's Paint Party At Dry County Brewing, Kennesaw (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Congratulations to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office's two newest certified D.A.R.E. Instructors, Deputy Diamond Wynn and Corporal Craig Cross! (Paulding County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook)
• Paulding County School District families: Paulding Virtual Academy enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year is officially open, now through Mar. 3.(Paulding County School District via Facebook)
• If you missed this week's service at Pine Valley Baptist Church, you can check out the recorded livestream at the link. (Pine Valley Baptist Church via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.