Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Gwinnett police say New Year’s gunfire could now cost a deportation
Be sure to catch Financial Detox-Break Up with Bad Money Habits & Set Great Habits for 2026 on the Gwinnett County Patch calendar
Hello again Gwinnett County! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Gwinnett police say New Year’s gunfire could now cost a deportation
- How will Gwinnett’s leaner 2026 budget change services and 911?
- How a Gwinnett conviction ties into the DeKalb jail escape cases
Also on today's calendar: Detention Pond Maintenance Workshop and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Gwinnettfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Gwinnettfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Clouds breaking and warmer, with a high of 71 and low of 49 degrees.
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy and warm, temps: high: 69, low: 57.
- Friday: Clouds giving way to some sun, with a high of 70 and low of 61 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. ICE puts hold on Gwinnett man after celebratory gunshots arrest on New Year's Eve (wsbtv.com) — Gwinnett County police say a 21-year-old man is jailed without bond after allegedly firing about 20 celebratory gunshots near Tucker on New Year’s Eve and pointing a gun at a neighbor who confronted him. Officers warn they will not tolerate celebratory gunfire, and federal immigration authorities have placed a hold on the suspect that could lead to deportation. 
2. Gwinnett approves smaller budget while planning crisis center and 911 upgrades (wsbtv.com) — Gwinnett County commissioners have approved a $2.58 billion 2026 budget that trims spending by $84.6 million while still funding a new crisis stabilization unit and next-generation 911 upgrades. The plan also backs a new community resource center on Grayson Highway and major capital projects, as leaders say they used zero-based budgeting to show fiscal restraint without cutting services.
3. Where cases stand involving escaped DeKalb County inmates (11alive.com) — Gwinnett County readers may recognize one escapee from DeKalb County Jail who previously received a Georgia state conviction in Gwinnett for attacks on gay men. The piece explains where his DeKalb murder case and the other two inmates’ charges now stand, including upcoming hearings and a related federal kidnapping case in Florida.
4. Suspect arrested in killing of young woman outside DeKalb County gas station, deputies say (atlantanewsfirst.com) — Gwinnett County deputies helped arrest a Norcross man at a Gwinnett hospital in connection with a young woman’s fatal shooting outside a DeKalb County gas station in October. The 22-year-old suspect now faces murder and aggravated assault charges and will be moved from Gwinnett County Jail to DeKalb County Jail.
5. Obituary: Marilyn Edler Kelly, 84, of Loganville (monroelocal.org) — Gwinnett County readers are saying goodbye to Marilyn Kelley, a longtime Loganville resident who spent a decade serving at the Gwinnett County Health Department. The 84-year-old Michigan native was known locally as an avid walker at Meridian Park and a devoted Atlanta Braves fan. A memorial service for close friends and family will be held at a later date.
📸 Around Gwinnett County
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Gwinnett County
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Financial Detox-Break Up with Bad Money Habits & Set Great Habits for 2026
Gwinnett Public Library: Hooper-Renwick Themed Library, 56 Neal Blvd, Lawrenceville
10:00 am
Thursday January 8
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Writing | Writers Club: Mystery
Gwinnett County Public Library - Five Forks Branch , 2780 Five Forks Trickum Rd SW , Lawrenceville
5:00 pm - Gwinnett County, GA
Brookwood High School , 1255 Dogwood Rd SW , Snellville
5:45 pm - Del Rio Dacula Thursday Evening 7PM w/late entry until 9:30PM
Del Rio Mexican Grill , 1342 Auburn Rd , Dacula
7:00 pm - *TGIF NIGHT OUT* Violet Van Gogh
Painting with a Twist , 178 E Crogan St Suite 230 , Lawrenceville
7:00 pm - Atlanta, GA January 10-11, 2026 (New Hall - Use Davis Road)
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds , 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy , Lawrenceville
10:00 am - Intergalactic Bead Shows
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds , 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy , Lawrenceville
10:00 am - Healthy Wealthy & Connected
190 S Clayton St , Lawrenceville
2:00 pm - Detention Pond Maintenance Workshop
Gwinnett County Public Library - Grayson Branch , 700 Grayson Pkwy , Grayson
6:00 pm
Thursday January 8
Friday January 9
Saturday January 10
Thursday January 15
📣 Gwinnett County Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Health & Wellness | Taichi for Wellness
Gwinnett County Public Library - Grayson Branch , 700 Grayson Pkwy , Grayson
11:00 am - STEM - Engineering | Lego Challenge
Gwinnett County Public Library - Grayson Branch , 700 Grayson Pkwy , Grayson
5:00 pm - Arts | Digital Collages & Scrapbooking
Gwinnett County Public Library - Snellville Branch , 2245 Wisteria Dr SW , Snellville
5:00 pm - Shiloh Middle vs Grace Snell Middle
Shiloh High School , 4210 Shiloh Rd #6147 , Snellville
5:30 pm
Wednesday January 7
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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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 nailed it!
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