🌱 Fatal Crash On I-20 + JROTC Receives $20K + New Art Exhibit

Hey, everybody. It's Friday in Douglasville and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including news about...

• Fatal crash on I-20 in Douglasville
• Alexander High School JROTC receives $20,000
• "Beauty of Georgia" exhibit now at the Douglas County Courthouse

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and very hot. High: 96 Low: 72.

Here are the top three stories in Douglasville today:

1. A fatal crash led to the closure of lanes on I-20 in Douglasville by the Georgia State Patrol, with an overturned tractor-trailer and another vehicle involved near the Lee Road exit in the westbound lanes. The incident resulted in at least one fatality, and the victim's identity remains undisclosed. The crash occurred around 4:00 a.m., shutting down the interstate for hours with only one left lane open at 7:00 a.m., and the investigation is ongoing. (Subscription: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
2. On Monday, the Alexander High School Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) received a $20,000 donation. The Douglas County Community Services Board along with other nonprofit agencies awarded the JROTC for being involved in the community. Specifically, Chief Operating Officer Raye Lightford showed his admiration for the JROTC program and its commitment to community service. (Subscription: Douglas County Sentinel)
3. This week, the Virginia Highland Au Plein Air Painters group held a discussion about their exhibit titled "Beauty of Georgia" at the courthouse, showcasing their outdoor paintings. You can watch a video that introduces the artists and offers insights into their creative process. The exhibit is on display at the Douglas County Courthouse Gallery until Sep. 15. (Douglas County Happenings via Facebook)
4. Mark your calendars for the 2023 Douglasville Police Fall Festival and Safety Expo, taking place on Oct. 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Douglasville Police Department. The event features a range of activities including vendors, touch-a-truck, K-9 demonstrations, costume contests, and kids' activities. Rain or shine, the festival welcomes vendors and invites churches to participate in the Faith & Blue aspect of the event. For more information and applications, contact Sgt. Shannon Dean at (678) 293-1621 or deans@douglasvillega.gov. (Douglasville Police Department via Facebook)
5. Douglasville's inaugural Pop Up at the Park event in collaboration with LadiQuin Enterprise will be on Sunday, Aug. 27, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Hunter Park. The event aims to provide families with recreational and community reading resources, featuring interactive demonstrations, local author appearances, refreshments, and scavenger hunts. Admission is free; however, an RSVP is required to attend. (City of Douglasville - Government via Facebook)

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Today in and around Douglasville:

Friday, August 25

• Goodbye Summer Beach Trivia And Bingo Night At O'Neal Plaza (6:30 PM)
• Alone But Together At Painting With A Twist (7:00 PM)
• Russell Peters At City Winery, Atlanta (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Douglas County Fire/EMS Department participated in the Farmers Market Voucher Program on Wednesday alongside Douglas County Senior Services, engaging with older adults to help carry bags and engage in safety discussions. You can view photos from the event at the link! (Douglas County Fire/EMS Department via Facebook)
• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Douglasville area at the link! (Douglasville Patch)
• On Saturday, Aug. 26 at 9:00 a.m., a community hike will be held to help pick up litter. The group will meet at Clinton Nature Preserve and you can sign up using the QR code at the link. (Douglas County Happenings via Facebook)

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That's it for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning 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.