🌱 Youth Villages Expands Mental Health Services + Fire Chief Fired

Hello, everybody! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Douglasville Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including updates on...

• More mental health services for children
• Fire chief in Douglas County fired for ethics violation
• Douglasville native serves on the oldest commission warsip

But first, today's weather:

A p.m. t-storm in spots. High: 89 Low: 70.

Here are the top five stories today in and around Douglasville:

1. Youth Villages in Douglasville has begun a groundbreaking expansion project aimed at enhancing access to mental health services for children. The $70 million project will transform the existing residential treatment facility, Inner Harbor, into a comprehensive campus featuring 156 beds, educational facilities, wellness amenities, and administrative buildings. The initiative seeks to redefine traditional mental health services by creating a healing environment that fosters a sense of community and meets the specific needs of children in a more pedestrian-friendly setting. (GPB)
2. A Douglas County firefighter who was involved in a scandal resulting in the dismissal of the former fire chief has been fired by the county due to an ethics violation. Daymetrie Williams received a three-page termination letter from interim Fire Chief Miles Allen, stating that he provided false statements to a supervisor and intentionally provided misleading information about his criminal history on his employment application. Williams had an active warrant for his arrest in Alabama, which came to light after missing a court date. (Subscription: Douglas County Sentinel)
3. Vincent Bond, a native of Douglasville, is proudly serving as a petty officer 3rd class on the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship in the U.S. Navy fleet. After realizing college wasn't the right path for him, Bond decided to enlist in the Navy based on the recommendation of a friend. As a damage controlman, Bond plays a vital role aboard the historic vessel. (Subscription: Douglas County Sentinel)
4. Singer-songwriter Chad W. Clifton recently recorded a new song at the Retro Soul Studio in Douglasville. His new song "America Thanks You" praises the military service of those defending America, as well as the sacrifices of the families who lost loved ones in the wars. The production is a positive warm and welcoming salute to America and Americans. (Daily Music Roll)
5. The rising tide of rudeness and incivility has become a concerning issue in society, including the arrest of a Douglasville woman for hitting a ticket agent in the face at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Signs promoting respect and dignity have started appearing in unexpected places, like hospitals, as a response to this troubling trend. Studies have shown that stress, negative emotions, isolation, technology, and lack of self-awareness contribute to the increasing levels of incivility, and experts emphasize the importance of individual responsibility and self-reflection in reversing this decline in kindness and respect. (The Star Online)

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Today in Douglasville:

Thursday, July 6

• The Referral Partners At The Meritage Center (9:00 AM)
• Waring Archeology Lab Pop-up For Teens! At Douglas County Public Library (2:00 PM)
• Splash N' Play At Fowler Field Park (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Congratulations to Jordan Thackston who was promoted to sergeant in court services by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. (Douglas County Sheriff's Office (Georgia) via Facebook)
• Shawn Langley, STEM teacher at Annette Winn Elementary School, is being showcased by the Douglas County School System. Langley has been teaching for sixteen years, nine of which have been in the Douglas County School System. (Douglas County Georgia Schools via Facebook)
• Don't forget that free COVID-19 vaccines will be available today, Jul. 6, at the Woodie Fite Senior Center. You can choose from either Moderna or Pfizer. The event is from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Douglas County Happenings via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today! 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.