🌱 Tips For Allergy Season + Man Arrested For Impersonating Officer

Good morning! I'm back with the latest copy of the Loganville-Grayson Patch newsletter. Follow along for the most important things going on in town these days. In this issue, we'll touch on:

• More details emerge in the sex-trafficking case of 14-year-old girl in Gwinnett County.
• Lawrenceville Police need the public's help to find second suspect in a 2019 shooting.
• Georgia's Department of Revenue preparing to issue special refund to taxpayers.

But first, today's weather: We can enjoy a mostly sunny day with a high of 68 and a low of 49.

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Here are the top stories today in Loganville-Grayson:

1. The three men who were recently arrested for sex trafficking a 14-year-old victim and holding her for over two weeks, appeared in court this week. She was able to ask officers for help while at a Gwinnett County Walmart, which resulted in the arrests of Antonio Johnson-Irvin, Trey Trevillion, and Trevin Nichols. On Wednesday, the charges were dropped against Johnson-Irvin, however, additional charges were brought against a woman who was living in the house where the young woman was drugged and trafficked. The victim was able to testify about what she endured during her capture, and police are now searching for one additional man that may also be involved. (WSB Atlanta)
2. Good news for Georgians. "Gov. Brian Kemp signed HB 162 into law" on Tuesday. For Georgians who filed tax returns in 2021 and 2022, a special refund will be issued. The Department of Revenue will begin issuing the refunds within the next 6 to 8 weeks, and the refunds will range from $250 to $500, and most Georgians will have their refunds by July 1, as long as the return is filed by April 18. "Taxpayers must file their 2021 and 2022 taxes prior to receiving the refund." A special tool will also be added to the DOR website to help track your refund. (Monroe Local)
3. A local police officer noticed that something wasn't quite right as he drove by a busy Norcross intersection. A man was directing traffic, with a gun in a holster, and appeared to be a police officer on Holcomb Bridge Road, police say. The man, identified as Darryl Henderson, claimed to be working off-duty from the city of Talbotto, which is about 100 miles from Atlanta. The Gwinnett officer contacted the Talbotto Police Department and confirmed that he no longer works for them after being terminated on Feb. 8, but it is unclear why he was terminated. Henderson was arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer and later released on bond. (WSB Atlanta)

Today in Loganville-Grayson:

• Make sure to join the fun at the Cool Ray Field Carnival for rides, games, great food, live entertainment, and all for free admission. (5:00 pm - 10:00 pm)
• Head over to the Suwanee Library to hear author, George Weinstein, discuss his new novel 'Return to Hardscrabble Road, The Five Destinies of Carlos Moreno.' (7:00 pm - 8:00 pm)
• Don't miss the opening night of 'Summer: The Donna Summer Musical' tonight at the Lawrenceville Arts Center. (8:00 pm - 10:00 pm)

From my notebook:

• Piedmont Walton has released tips on how to survive allergy season. During the past couple of weeks, the pollen count has reached record highs. According to Dr. Ifunanya Akusoba, there are 5 tips that could help to decrease the severity of your symptoms. Limit your time outside by avoiding direct exposure. Ensure your indoor air is clean and use a saline solution regularly to rinse your sinuses. You can also reduce the number of plants you keep inside with you because they are also producing pollen spores. If your symptoms persist for an extended period, it is best to schedule an appointment with your doctor. (Monroe Local)
• On Tuesday, Allatoona High School announced that it has hired Brad Smith as their next Head Coach. Loganville went 9 and 2 last year with Smith at the helm and led the team to its best season since 2016. Smith will be the second Head Coach for Allatoona, replacing Gary Varner, who started the program in 2008. Varner won 4 region titles and Class 5A state championship in 2015. Smith was at Loganville, his alma mater, for three seasons, before taking the Head Coach position with Allatoona. (Newsbreak)
• Lawrenceville Police are asking for the public's help in finding a man connected to a fatal shooting that occurred on June 24, 2019. Guido Velez-Rodiguez was shot and killed while sitting in the front seat of his 2017 Ford Focus on New Hope Road. The area was "known for illegal drug and gang activity." "One person was identified and arrested in connection to the shooting," however, police are looking for a second suspect, who may be responsible for the fatal shot that killed Velez-Rodriguez. The man was described as tall, thin, Black man with dreadlocks. If anyone has any information about the shooting, please contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477). (Atlanta News First)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! See you tomorrow for another update.