🌱 Suspicious Fire And A Missing Man + Armored Truck Driver Attacked

Good morning, everybody. I'm back this morning with all the most important things happening in town these days. Today's issue includes updates on...

• It's almost Prom season, and Walnut Grove High School has their tickets on sale now!
• Belgian waffles, herbs for tea, acrylic painting classes, and more...check out today's events.
• Fatalities caused by speeding has become a major problem for Gwinnett County.

But first, today's weather:

Today will cloudy and cool with a high of 66 and a low of 47.

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Here are the top stories today in Loganville-Grayson:

1. The Newton County Sheriff's Office Deputies are still looking for a missing Covington man. Melvin Cooksey, who is partially paralyzed on his left side, went missing shortly after officials received a call about a fire at his residence. Once deputies responded to the fire, they realized that Cooksey was not at the residence. Now, police are asking for the public's help to locate the car that is possibly involved in Cooksey's Feb. 23 disappearance. A white Ford Fusion hatchback was seen leaving the area about 30 minutes before the suspicious fire. The car's tag, a handicap Kansas C0255 tag, was stolen in February. It is believed that a man was driving while a woman was seated in the passenger seat as they left the area. Please contact the investigator on the case at 618-625-1429 if you have any information. (11Alive.com WXIA)
2. Two men attacked the driver of a Loomis armored truck in Snellville. According to Gwinnett police, the driver was attempting to fill the ATM at Wells Fargo on Centerville Highway on Monday. The driver was not injured, and it is not known if the men got away with any money. (WSB Atlanta)
3. Speeding drivers causing fatalities have surpassed DUI-related deaths in Gwinnett crashes. Data shows that while there were greater DUI fatalities in 2017, that those numbers decreased, however, speeding fatalities were responsible for more deaths by 2021. Jaylynn Jones, 28, is facing first-degree vehicular homicide charges for killing beloved father and Atlanta playwright, Ian Fuller. Jones was driving 93 mph in a 45 mph zone. Friends and family who have lost loved one to speeding are hoping that Gwinnett drivers will slow down. (WSB Atlanta)

Today in Loganville-Grayson:

• Try your hand at acrylics at the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts and their weekly Wednesday Acrylic Painting Class.(11:30 am - 2:30 pm)
• Celebrate International Francophonie Day with Belgian Waffles at the Grayson branch of the Gwinnett County library! (4:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
• Visit Vines Garden in Loganville for their Spring Plant. Eat. Repeat. workshop with a focus on growing herbs for teas. (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm)
• Play Dirty South Trivia night at 6S Brewing Company in Duluth. (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm)

From my notebook:

• A concerned tenant, who lives at the Grayson Ridge Independent Living apartments in Grayson, says residents living at the complex have concerns about the frequency of rent increases. One renter contacted Channel 2, and said that she had received four different notices indicating that her rent will increase at the end of her lease, however, she says that the amounts were all different. Grayson Ridge participates in a low-income housing tax credit program. The numbers fluctuate based on median income and not the individual's income. Management did respond by saying that they will wait to determine the increases after the HUD numbers are released in May, and they will be conducting several Town Hall meetings to answer questions. (Newsbreak)
• Attention to all Walnut Grove High School Juniors and Seniors! "WGHS Prom tickets are on sale now" and they will be sold until Sunday, April 16th. The tickets are $50 for a single, and $100 for a couple. The Walnut Grove High School "Prom will be held on Saturday, April 22nd, at the Factory at Walton Mills, in Monroe, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m." This year's theme is "Enchantment Under the Sea," and we hope to see you there. (Facebook)
• The Gwinnett Youth Commission is a year-long program that includes an eight week summer session. Rising freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply for the program until April 7. The program gives students the opportunity to interact with community leaders and get an inside look at how the Gwinnett County government operates. For more information, visit www.GwinnettYouthCommission.com. (Monroe Local)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning, bright and early, with your next update.