🌱 Youth Gun Violence Rates In Georgia + Fire Chief Terminated

Hello, neighbors. I'm here with your fresh copy of the Douglasville Patch newsletter, filled with all the local news you need to know right now. In this newsletter we'll talk about:

• High rates of youth gun violence in Georgia
• Douglas County fire chief terminated
• Forty percent of the Douglas County Commission indicted and suspended for alleged bid rigging

But first, today's weather:

A shower and t-storm; cooler. High: 64 Low: 58.

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Here are the top five stories in Douglasville today:

1. More than 20 children and teens have been killed around Georgia since the beginning of 2023. The Sweet 16 shooting is amongst the various other stories of shootings around the state. Some incidents were home invasions or robberies, others at parties or after a dispute. The youngest victim in the shootings was 2 years old. Many families and friends have now been left to grapple with the loss of their children and friends. The rising gun violence among young people has been on the rise, and now more than ever, many parents are pleading for gun violence to stop. (WSB Radio)
2. Douglas County Fire Chief Roderick Jolivette has been fired by the county. Acting Douglas County Spokesman Bill Crane confirmed Jolivette's termination saying, "The decision to fire Jolivette was made by Acting County Administrator David Corbin on Mar. 31." The termination will be effective on May 1 with no mention of the reasons for Jolivette's termination. (Subscription: Douglas County Sentinel)
3. Nearly 49 years ago, Georgia was hit by the worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history, which produced nearly 150 tornadoes in Georgia and other states, resulting in 335 fatalities and over 6,000 injuries. The storm first hit West Georgia near Yorkville, and the damage path covered 2,500 miles with an estimated $600 million in damage. Channel 2 Action News reported alongside then-Gov. Jimmy Carter, who promised mobile homes, apartments, or homes to those affected. (WSB Atlanta)
4. Following the indictment and suspension of 40 percent of the Douglas County Commission, the remaining members have pledged to continue the county's business, despite the ongoing scandal. Two commissioners who are facing allegations of bid rigging have been suspended and Gov. Brian Kemp will decide who will replace them, with a local Republican group recommending former football star Ricky Dobbs as a potential candidate. The scandal has divided the community further, with Democrats concerned about a potential shift in power, while Republicans urge for someone they can trust to take over. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
5. The Douglasville Police Department delivered several goodie bags with Sgt. Shannon Dean to the group of Douglasville 911 operators on Wednesday. The police department wanted to recognize the operators on National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The gift bags were given to them in appreciation for the hard work they do each and every day helping public safety departments to better serve and protect the community. (Douglasville Police Department via Facebook)

Today in and around Douglasville:

• Exploring Possibilities: Creating Exceptional Customer And Client Experiences At Douglas County Chamber (11:00 AM)
• FoamWorks Auto Spa Ribbon Cutting At 369 Westfork Court, Lithia Springs (12:00 PM)
• Monthly Matinee! At Douglas County Public Library (4:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Douglas County Family Treatment Court provided Easter baskets to children whose parents are in the program. The baskets were donated and put together by the case managers and handed out by the judges. This Easter basket donation program has been going on since 2008. (Douglas County Happenings via Facebook)
• In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month, the City of Douglasville will hold a Jazz Appreciation Concert Series event! The first concert will be held on Friday, Apr. 14, at 7 p.m., with another concert on Apr. 28. (Douglasville, Georgia)
• The Douglasville Police Department will be holding a Spring Community Yard Sale on Apr. 15. If you are looking for old items to repurpose or hope to find treasures, this sale might be the place for you! (Happening Next)
• The Douglas County Library will be screening "One Survivor Remembers," an Oscar-winning documentary about Gerda Weissman Klein surviving the holocaust. The screening is free and will start at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 18. (Douglas County Public Library via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you soon.

— 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.