🌱 Douglas Co. Real Estate + Media Day For Local High School Football

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Douglasville Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days. Including updates on:

• Douglas County real estate updates
• Douglas County holds media day for high school football teams
• Former Douglas County correction officer indicted by grand jury

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 94 Low: 69.

Here are the top five stories in Douglasville today:

1. The real estate market in Douglas County and metro Atlanta experienced a surge in buyers following the pandemic but has since readjusted. Year-to-year activity is currently down as the market corrects itself from the previous upswing, with sales volume and units sold showing a decrease in June compared to the previous year. However, the median sales price remains steady, and there are higher numbers of active listings. Despite the slowdown, the market remains relatively steady in Douglas County. (Subscription: Douglas County Sentinel)
2. Douglas County held its media day for high school football teams, featuring all five teams from the district: Alexander Cougars, Chapel Hill Panthers, Lithia Springs Lions, New Manchester Jaguars, and Douglas County Tiers. Coaches and players spoke about their preparations for the upcoming 2023 Georgia High School Association season, with an emphasis on player commitment, competition, and cultural changes that have led to success for the teams. The season will kick off in August with exciting matchups for each team. (Audacy)
3. A former Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) correctional officer, 32-year-old Leigh Lewis of Rockmart, has been indicted by a grand jury for engaging in sexual contact with a male inmate at the county jail. The indictment was part of 49 criminal cases brought before the grand jury on Jul. 12. The charges highlight the seriousness of the alleged misconduct involving the inmate. (Subscription: Douglas County Sentinel)
4. The 27th annual Chili Cookoff in Douglasville invites attendees to Downtown Douglasville on Oct. 21 at 6:00 p.m. to experience local businesses, organizations, and political figures competing for the title of Best & Spiciest Chili. Families can enjoy the event's family-friendly atmosphere by exploring various booths and participating in the costume contest, including one for pets. For more details, visit here. (Douglasville Patch)
5. The American Red Cross is urging type O blood donors to give now and provide lifesaving blood for those in need. The next blood drive will take place on Aug. 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Douglasville Police Department Community Room. Donors who give between Jul. 12 and Aug. 12 will have a chance to win a private shark dive at Long Island Aquarium in New York. To schedule an appointment, donors can visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: CDPD. (Douglasville Police Department via Facebook)

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Today in Douglasville:

Wednesday, July 26

• Mandela Market Days At Douglasville Conference Center (9:00 AM)
• Douglasville Convention And Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Meeting At Ike Owings Community Center (11:30 AM)
• Wine Down Wednesdays At Allure Lounge (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Join the girls' volleyball league for ages 10-15! Practice begins on Aug. 26, and the season starts on Sep. 16. You can find registration here. Additionally, the program is eligible for the Dare 2 Play Scholarship Program. (City of Douglasville - Government)
• Douglas County Fire/EMS is proud of its L. Wayne Arrington Fire/EMS training facility, named after the county's first Fire Chief. The facility provides training support to firefighters from different parts of the world and neighboring communities, even in hot weather conditions. Recently, the facility welcomed firefighters from the City of South Fulton for a week-long certification class to potentially become technical rescue team members. (Douglas County Fire/EMS Department via Facebook)
• A free yoga class will be held today (Jul. 26), at the Douglasville Police Department. The class is offered twice a month on scheduled Wednesday evenings and lasts about an hour. No prior sign-up is required; participants can simply bring their mats and join the session. (Douglasville Police Department via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Wednesday Wind Down In the Point (July 26)
• Ben Hill 12th Annual Back to School JAM (July 29)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another 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.