🌱 Patch AM: How a Lilburn family escaped a devastating overnight house fire

Good morning to you Gwinnett County! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

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In today's newsletter:

• How a Lilburn family escaped a devastating overnight house fire
• How detectives traced tech clues to solve a Gwinnett Uber killing
• Why a tablecloth-wearing suspect had Gwinnett neighbors dialing 911

Also on today's calendar: Detention Pond Maintenance Workshop.

Today's riddle: What did the hair spray say to the hair when it got back from vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 66 and low of 53 degrees.
• Wednesday: Cloudy and warm, temps: high: 70, low: 47.
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and warm, with a high of 69 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fire destroys home in Gwinnett County on Sunday (accesswdun.com) — Gwinnett County firefighters battled an overnight blaze on Bruce Way in Lilburn that destroyed a family’s home but left everyone, including their dog, unharmed. Thanks to working smoke alarms, the residents escaped safely, and the Red Cross is now helping them recover after the early Sunday fire.
   

2. Teen Charged in New Year's Death of Georgia Uber Driver (ntd.com) — Gwinnett County authorities have charged 15-year-old Christian Simmons as an adult in the New Year’s Day shooting death of Uber driver Cesar Tejada, who picked up a fare in Lilburn before being killed nearby. Investigators used Uber trip data, Flock license-plate cameras, and other technology to trace the route and locate both the victim and vehicle.
   

3. Georgia man dressed only in a tablecloth arrested after trying to steal car, police say (cbsnews.com) — Gwinnett County police arrested a man they say went on a bizarre crime spree, allegedly stealing vehicles and entering a home while wearing only a tablecloth. Officers first linked him to a stolen work truck, then tracked him down after multiple 911 calls and a reported Mercedes theft, and he now faces several felony and misdemeanor charges.
   

4. Tensions between U.S. and Venezuela ripple into Georgia, impact local community (wjbf.com) — Venezuelan families and business owners in Gwinnett County are watching U.S.–Venezuela tensions closely, worried about both relatives back home and their own immigration status. With many residents here on Temporary Protected Status and concentrated along corridors like Jimmy Carter Boulevard, local livelihoods could be affected by changing U.S. policy, deportation actions, and even shifts in global oil markets.
   

5. Obituary: Marilyn Edler Kelly, 84, of Loganville (monroelocal.org) — Longtime Loganville resident Marilyn Edler Kelley, who spent a decade serving patients through the Gwinnett County Health Department, has died at 84. Remembered as an avid walker at Meridian Park and a devoted Braves fan, she leaves behind extended family in Michigan and many local friends. A memorial service for close friends and family will be held later.
   

📸 Around Gwinnett County

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Gwinnett County

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday January 15

• Detention Pond Maintenance Workshop
  Gwinnett County Public Library - Grayson Branch , 700 Grayson Pkwy , Grayson
  6:00 pm

📣 Gwinnett County Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday January 6

• Municipal Court: Arraignment
  City Hall , 11360 Lakefield Drive , Johns Creek
  8:30 am
• Tales for Twos
  Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library -
  9:30 am
• Sensory Story Bins
  Redan-Trotti Library - Meeting Room
  11:00 am
• Preschool Yoga
  Northlake-Barbara Loar Library -
  11:30 am
• Municipal Court
  Municipal Court , 11445 Johns Creek Parkway , Johns Creek
  2:00 pm
• STEAM Tuesdays
  Northlake-Barbara Loar Library -
  4:00 pm
• Cheeseburger Bobby's Spirit Night
  Cheeseburger Bobby's Buford, GA 30519
  4:00 pm
• Family Game Night
  Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library -
  4:00 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Musical Mother Goose
  Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library -
  9:30 am
• Toddler Storytime
  Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library -
  10:30 am
• Preschool Storytime
  Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library -
  11:15 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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 mist you!
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