🌱 Local American Idol Star Performs + NAACP Protests In Villa Rica

Hello all. Sean Peek here with your fresh copy of the Douglasville Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's happening locally. Including updates on:

• NAACP protests use of Black man targets
• Man arrested for gas station card fraud
• Fire at homeless encampment

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny, hot and humid. High: 94 Low: 70.

Here are the top five stories today in Douglasville:

1. The NAACP has a meeting planned with the Villa Rica Police Chief Michael Monsour on Jul. 6 at 2:00 p.m. They plan to discuss the current use of targets at a gun range depicting a Black man armed with a gun. They are calling for the participation of community members in a peaceful protest at 1:00 p.m. before the meeting. NAACP President Dominique Conteh and Villa Ricca Mayor Gil McDougal will attend the meeting. (Fox5 Atlanta)
2. A Carrollton man named Zacharey Harness was arrested and charged with 11 counts of financial transaction card fraud for using his former employer's gas card, belonging to GFL Environmental, to buy over $400 worth of gas for personal use at Douglas County gas stations. The purchases took place between Mar. 13 and Apr. 23 of this year, following Harness's termination from the company in February. Harness's actions led to his arrest and legal consequences. (Subscription: Douglas County Sentinel)
3. Firefighters responded to a fire at a homeless encampment in Forest Park, which occurred overnight behind a Shell gas station on Old Dixie Highway. They swiftly extinguished the fire and stayed on-site to ensure no further hotspots emerged. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. (FOX5 Atlanta)
4. Looking toward the Fourth of July holiday? The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has some safety tips to share: 1) The sale and discharge of fireworks is illegal in Douglas County without a permit; 2) fighting, theft, narcotics violations, and severe public drunkenness are among the offenses most likely to result in arrests; and 3) please, do not drive if you drink! (2News)
5. Douglasville native, Megan Danielle, runner-up on the latest"American Idol" season, will perform as the opening act for Maddie Poppe, in Sioux City, Indiana. The show will be at Anthem Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Jul. 21. Danielle has released "Dreamgirl" her single from "American Idol." (Sioux City Journal)

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Today in Douglasville:

Friday, June 30

• Rug Tufting Workshop At Studio Unlimited (12:00 PM)
• Free Fridays Ladies Night At Tito's Lounge (8:00 PM)
• Paint The Muse At Blu Rose Art Bistro (7:00 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Father's Day has come and gone, but that doesn't mean we have to stop celebrating rad dads, past and present. Patch partnered with T-Mobile to shine a light on exceptional fathers in communities like Douglasville. Click here to meet 13 awesome dads and learn more about the legacies they're leaving behind.

From my notebook:

• The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is holding a hiring event! The two-day event will be on Jul. 8-9 and starts at 9:00 a.m. each day. Qualified applicants will be hired on the spot! (Douglas County Sheriff's Office (Georgia) via Facebook)
• Champ's Clock Shop and Museum is open and invites you to visit. They are a full-service clock shop with a museum. (Champs Clock)
• Looking for Fourth of July celebrations in the Douglasville area? Check out the list at the link! (Access Atlanta)

You're all caught up 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.