Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How $6 million will change Gwinnett middle school sports in 2026

Coming up: Scrooge! A musical on the Gwinnett County Patch calendar

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Hi there, Gwinnett County! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How $6 million will change Gwinnett middle school sports in 2026
  • What we know about the shooting at a Gwinnett hotel parking lot
  • How strict will Gwinnett schools’ new student phone rules really be?

Also on today's calendar: Scrooge! A musical and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Gwinnettfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Gwinnettfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Windy with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 52 and low of 30 degrees.
  • Saturday: Pleasant and not as cool, temps: high: 60, low: 38.
  • Sunday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 64 and low of 35 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Blank Foundation to give $6 million to sports programs in metro Atlanta schools (ajc.com) — Gwinnett County public schools are set to receive major support for middle school athletics, including new girls flag football programs at 14 schools starting in 2026 and reduced costs for boys and girls soccer. The funding will also add field lighting for safety and improve scheduling at six athletic fields, expanding access to sports for more local students.
   

2. Two hospitalized after shooting at Gwinnett County hotel (wsbradio.com) — Two people were shot Thursday morning in the parking lot of the Quality Inn on Venture Parkway in Gwinnett County and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police blocked off the hotel area, collected shell casings, and extended activity to a neighboring Sonesta hotel while they searched for suspects. The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been announced.
   

3. Gwinnett schools could be next district to change how students use phones on campus (wsbtv.com) — Gwinnett County school leaders are preparing to vote on a new phone policy that would ban student use during the school day for elementary and middle schools and during class for high schools. The proposal goes beyond a new state law by extending restrictions to older students, with details like pouches or lockers left to each school. If approved, the rules would roll out next year alongside the statewide mandate.
   

4. They fought to block homes from being built in Gwinnett. Then, the developers wanted their texts (wsbtv.com) — A Gwinnett County judge has thrown out subpoenas seeking private texts, social media posts, and phone logs from six residents who fought a large housing proposal at Heritage Golf Links. The ruling, which cited First Amendment protections, comes as the developer’s broader lawsuit against Gwinnett County over the denied rezoning continues, leaving neighbors expecting future development but hoping for a less adversarial process.
   

5. Breaking: Man shot after allegedly charging at Gwinnett police officers with a knife (monroelocal.org) — Gwinnett County Police shot a man who allegedly charged an officer with a knife during a mental health call on Lockridge Drive, but he is reported to be alive after on-scene treatment. Fire and EMS crews rendered aid immediately, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case, promising further updates for concerned residents.
   

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Ok Gwinnett County! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
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