🌱 Douglas Co. Sheriff's Office Pay Increase + Cold Case Arrests

Hi all. I'm back with your fresh edition of the Douglasville Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. Today's briefing includes news about:

• Douglas County Sheriff Office pay increase
• Upcoming public meeting on fence height
• Arrests made in Matilde Gonzalez cold case

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warm. High: 87 Low: 66.

Here are the top five stories today in Douglasville:

1. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners has approved a significant pay increase, boosting the starting salary for a Douglas County POST Certified Deputy Sheriff to $58,500. This salary increase ranks the Douglas County Sheriff's Office as the third-highest paid Sheriff's Office in the Metro Atlanta Area and places it in the top 10 among all law enforcement agencies in the state. Additionally, the starting salary range for a Deputy Sheriff with experience and current POST Certifications now extends from $58,500 to $69,538, with an anticipated increase in starting pay for certified jailer positions to $52,983. (Douglas County Sheriff's Office (Georgia) via Facebook)
2. On Monday, Oct. 16 the Douglas County Variance Board will hold a public meeting at 6:00 p.m. During this meeting, they will review a request for a Special Exception Variance seeking to raise the fence height in the R-LD (residential low density) zoning district from six feet to 10 feet. The property in question is situated at 8936 Dornoch Circle, Winston, 30187, within Land Lot(s) 143, District 3, Section 5, and Parcel(s) 43, with a lot size of approximately 0.70 acres. (Douglas County & West Georgia News via Facebook)
3. A Patriot Day ceremony was held in front of the Douglas County Courthouse on Monday to honor the lives lost 22 years ago on Sep. 11, 2001. Various local officials paid tribute to the resilience, service, and sacrifice of first responders, law enforcement, and the military, both past and present. The ceremony was a heartfelt and meaningful event attended by many people in the community. (Douglas County Happenings via Facebook)
4. A significant breakthrough in a cold case investigation related to the 2019 disappearance of Matilde Gonzalez occurred last week. The operation, carried out by multiple law enforcement agencies, led to the arrest of three individuals connected to her disappearance, dating back to Oct. 12, 2019. The suspects have been charged with various offenses, including malice murder, concealing a death, and cruelty to children, but Matilde Gonzalez's body has not yet been located. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the nearby Cobb County Police Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-4111. (Cobb County Police Department via Facebook)
5. Douglas County Parks & Recreation is hosting Kids’ Business Day at Boundary Waters Aquatic Center on Oct. 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration for the event will be in person at the Aquatic Center, and additional details can be found at the link. (Douglas County Parks & Recreation via Facebook)

Are you a real estate agent in Douglasville struggling to get leads in the current housing market? It's tough out there, but there is a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. Our exclusive sponsorship in the Douglasville newsletter can help you do just that. Click here to learn more and discover how you can take your business to the next level today.

Today in Douglasville:

Tuesday, September 12

• Farmers Market At 6730 Church Street (3:00 PM)
• Historic Preservation Commission At Douglasville Conference Center (6:00 PM)
• Brothers Brunch Foundation Presents: Tuesday Night Talks At Blu Rose Art Bistro (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Heads up house hunters, new homes have hit the market in Douglasville. Click the link to learn more. (Douglasville Patch)
• Beginner Urban Ballroom Dancing classes with Mike are available for all ages! These classes take place every Thursday at the Ike Owning Community Center in Douglasville from 6:30-8:00 p.m., with a cost of $10 per class. Registration details can be found here. (City of Douglasville - Government via Facebook)
• The Douglas County Fire/EMS Department is hiring part-time employees. Learn more about this opportunity here. (Douglas County Fire/EMS Department via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• How to Navigate Uncertainty in Career Progression (September 14)
• Book Signing with Dr. Deborah "Dr. DJ" Johnson-Blake (September 16)
• Add your event

That's it for today. I'll see you around!

— 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.