🌱 Shots Fired At A Local Church + New Courtyard By Marriott

Good morning. I'm back with your new copy of the Gainesville Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm. High: 47 Low: 42.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy and warmer. High: 62 Low: 42.

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Here are the top three stories in Gainesville today:

1. Shots were fired at a church in Gainesville. No people were reportedly struck by the bullet. The extent of the damage was the church's glass door being shattered. Deputies in Hall County are investigating the incident. (WGAU)
2. The two men who died early Monday morning from electrocution were discovered to have been dismantling metal parts. Investigators said Shane Law and Christopher Wood had brought tools and equipment to Liquid Nation Brewery to dismantle parts. The two men were later engulfed in flames while tampering at the power substation. (WSBTV)
3. The new Courtyard by Marriott in Gainesville has a set opening date. The hotel, located at 124 E.E. Butler Parkway, will open on Jun. 27 and marks the first property to be up and running as part of The National multi-use development complex. (Yahoo)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Gainesville:

Saturday, April 8

• Hall County Master Gardeners At Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center (8:00 AM)

Sunday, April 9

• Open Mic Night At Downtown Drafts (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• A local Gainesville Fire Department member was recognized on Thursday. Samuel Skeleton earned his helmet shield following a successful extinguishing of a fire – congratulations! (Gainesville Fire Department via Facebook)
• The Philip Wright Award, which goes out to someone who has a strong commitment to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities, was handed out this week to Stacy Milazzo of the Hall County School District. She is a special education teacher at West Hall Middle School. (Hall County School District via Facebook)
• The first annual Art Walk is coming up on Apr. 20! Experience the vast creative culture in Gainesville while you discover local galleries, local artists, and pop-up displays across the downtown business district. (Downtown Gainesville via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Stress, Depression, and Anxiety Recovery Program (April 16)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox soon with another update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.