🌱 Naloxone Ok'd For Over-The-Counter Sales + ATF To Fire 1,500 Guns

Good morning! I'm back with a new copy of the Loganville-Grayson Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out about what's happening in our community, including updates on:

• Gwinnett School Board votes to extend contract for current superintendent, Dr. Watts.
• Stone Mountain Park will be revamping its classic laser show for something bigger.
• Home Depot Foundation pledges to donate $200,000 in relief to tornado victims.

But first, today's weather: Get outside and enjoy lots of sunshine today. It may still be a little chilly at times, with a high of 73 and low of 49, but the winds should be light.

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Here are the top stories in Loganville-Grayson today:

1. On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finally approved selling naloxone over-the-counter without a prescription required. Although it won't be immediately known what kind of impact the approval will have, the overdose-reversing drug will be the "first opioid treatment drug to be sold over the counter." Narcan should be available over-the-counter by late summer with other forms of naloxone to follow, and while Narcan is the most known brand of naloxone, drug companies are working on other forms of the drug. The release of the drug is a huge step in trying to control the nationwide overdose crisis. (11alive)
2. On Tuesday night, at a special meeting, the Gwinnett County School Board voted to renew Gwinnett County superintendent, Dr. Calvin Watts' contract. The board voted 4-1 to approve the two-year extension with leaders citing stability even amid criticism of his ability to lead the district. Chairwoman Dr. Tarece Johnson voted "no" believing the Watts has been "unable to meet the needs of the district's most vulnerable student populations." Watts did not address parents at the meeting, however, many parents expressed concerns and disapproval for the contract renewal. Watts told reporters that the district is "taking necessary steps to make sure that our schools are the remain the safest places" for students and employees. His contract will run through June 30, 2025. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
3. The autopsy report for Walton County's Nathan Millard has been released. Millard went missing in Baton Rouge last month, and his body was discovered two weeks later. The official cause of death has been "ruled an accident, attributing it to the effects of cocaine, fentanyl, and ethanol." There was no evidence of internal or external trauma. (Atlanta News First)
4. With a backlog of guns in evidence, the Atlanta Police Department has partnered with the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) to test fire over 1,500 guns. The guns, in evidence with the APD, have all been tied to at least one crime, and often have a person's name tied to them. The hope is that they can tie them to additional crimes in the area. The ATF's National Integrated Ballistics Information Network enforcement team will be handling the test fires over a two-week period. Using technology to match the cartridge's unique fingerprint, the team will combine their results with street-level investigations to identify gunmen. Once the testing is complete, the APD and ATF hope to bring justice to hundreds of cases with some gunmen being prosecuted at the local level and others at the federal level. (WSBTV)

Today in Loganville-Grayson:

• Don't miss the OHCO Outlet Center One Day Sale in nearby Covington featuring rugs, outdoor furniture, bedding, and more! (9:00 am - 4:00 pm)
• Enjoy a Wellness Play Date at Bay Creek Park for a 30-minute Mommy and Me Yoga class where all levels of experience are welcome. (11:00 am - 12:00 pm)
• Kick off the Atlanta Braves season with friends at the Opening Day Kick-Off Party at StillFire Brewing in Suwanee and enjoy discounts and lots of fun! (1:00 pm - 10:00 pm)
• The Andrews Brothers will be entertaining with their Dueling Pianos at Cosmo's Pizza & Social in downtown Lawrenceville. (8:00 pm - 10:00 pm)

From my notebook:

• Stone Mountain Park will soon be highlighting a new show. The classic laser show will be in its final days, as they shelve it for a more exciting and bigger show. The details are being kept at bay; however, Stone Mountain officials have said that the new show will have more fireworks, flames, music, and even drones. The final showings of the classic show will begin Saturday and continue through spring break. There is no opening date yet for the new show. (WSBTV)
• The Atlanta based Home Depot Foundation has committed $200,000 to disaster relief for the tornado victims impacted on Sunday in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. The foundation has already started working with its nonprofit partners to provide relief in the form of clean up, supplies, shelter, and more. The Homer Fund, Home Depot's employee assistance program, is also providing financial support for all of its employees that have been affected by the recent storms. The Homer Fund has provided $28.6 million to support employees impacted by natural disasters. (Atlanta News First)
• After a very successful first three months on the air as the revived 99X, Axel Lowe has suddenly announced his departure. His last day will be March 31. Lowe was a part of the original 99X team and became the station's program director. Lowe cited an "amazing new opportunity" in a recent text message, but he indicated that he can't reveal it for a few months. 99X has tripled the ratings of 100.5 in a very short time. (Atlanta Journal and Constitution)

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• Noche Caliente Latin Night Atlanta @ Tonys Johns creek Saturday, April 1, 2023 (April 1)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you all tomorrow for another update.