🌱 Student Awarded 4-Year Scholarship + $330K Drug Bust Case Dismissed

Hi all. It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A morning t-storm; breezy. High: 77 Low: 43.
• Sunday: Partly sunny. High: 71 Low: 46.

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Here are the top three stories today in Gainesville:

1. Hassan Khan, a senior at Gainesville High School, has been awarded a four-year college scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, making him one of only five students in Georgia and one of 60 graduating seniors in the United States to receive the Cooke College Scholarship. The scholarship, worth up to $55,000 annually, is awarded to high-achieving students with financial needs. The selection of scholars is based on academic ability, persistence, leadership, and financial need, and the recipients receive ongoing academic coaching and advising, as well as access to a network of other Cooke Scholars. (Subscription: The Times)
2. A judge has thrown out a drug case that involved a reported $330,000 heroin and meth bust involving two men, one from Gainesville, more than two years ago. The ruling stated that the search and seizure of the narcotics were a result of unlawful detention during an illegal traffic stop. The decision was made after the judge ruled that the Drug Enforcement Administration did not have probable cause to stop and search the vehicle. (Subscription: The Times)
3. The City of Gainesville is excited to participate in Georgia Cities Week 2023 from Apr. 23-29! The city has several events planned for the week, and they invite the public to participate. The Pet Food Drive runs from Apr. 3-28, the deadline to turn in submissions for contests is Apr. 12, and all events are open to the public. You can learn more about Georgia Cities Week here. (City of Gainesville, Georgia via Facebook)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in and around Gainesville:

Saturday, April 1

• Live Music With Sarah Mootz At Cork It Gainesville (7:00 PM)

Sunday, April 2

• Live Music: Rockin' Rick Dalton At Fish Tales Lakeside Grille, Flowery Branch (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Gainesville area at the link! (Gainesville Patch)
• Judge Kelley Martin Robertson was formally celebrated at the Hall County State Court on Thursday for her new position. Robertson was previously the chief assistant district attorney in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit since 2005, and several court judges and county officials spoke to the character of Robertson during the robing ceremony. (Access WDUN)
• The City of Gainesville congratulated five students from Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy for winning the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire's 2022 Fire Safety Tips Calendar Poster Contest. The students' artwork, which emphasizes the importance of having a home escape plan during emergencies, will be featured in an upcoming Fire Safety Calendar distributed to all third-grade teachers across Georgia. (Gainesville Fire Department via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you back in your inbox soon with your next 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.