Top Stories for August 12th
Publish Date: August 12th
From The BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Tuesday, August 12th and Happy Birthday to Pete Sampras
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia
All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!
Break 1: Kia MOG (07.14.22 KIA MOG)
STORY 1: Does GCPS make the grade?
“Get a good education.”
We’ve all heard it a million times, right? But what does that even mean anymore? And how’s Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) holding up under the weight of that promise? Well, it’s complicated—like, really complicated.
COVID flipped everything upside down. Kids learning on screens, parents suddenly hyper-aware of what’s being taught, teachers scrambling to adapt. It wasn’t pretty. And now? GCPS is still untangling the mess: learning loss, absenteeism, behavior issues.
But they’re trying. Social workers, behavioral coaches, literacy plans—it’s all part of their “Blueprint for the Future.” Progress? Sure. Perfection? Not even close.
Education’s messy. Always has been. Always will be.
STORY 2: Central Gwinnett grad to compete in international Deaflympics games in Tokyo
Tawnecia Rush has been wearing hearing aids since she was 9. Conversations? She’s got them down—sharp focus, expert lip reading, and the occasional “Pardon?” when she needs something repeated. But on the basketball court? It’s like a whole different language—fluid, instinctive, no barriers.
Growing up in Lawrenceville, she honed her skills playing with her dad and brothers at the Boys & Girls Club, eventually suiting up for Central Gwinnett High. Now, two decades later, she’s earned a spot on the USA Deaf Women’s Basketball team, heading to Tokyo for the Deaflympics this November.
“This is huge,” Rush said. “A chance to compete against the best, no limits, no excuses.”
Her drive didn’t stop on the court. After two years at Gallaudet University, immersed in deaf culture and basketball, she transferred to Kennesaw State to finish her marketing degree.
STORY 3: Lanier Education Foundation awards $20K to Cluster schools, funds two scholarships
The Lanier Education Foundation just handed out $20,000 to the schools in the Lanier Cluster—split evenly, of course—and also funded the Lanier Leadership Conference and the Cluster’s multilingual programs.
Oh, and two Lanier High grads, Kori Joseph (now at Georgia College & State) and Gabryelle Walker (Kennesaw State), each snagged a $1,000 “Make A Difference” Scholarship. It’s a little financial boost for students heading to college, trade school, or wherever their next chapter takes them.
The Lanier Cluster includes Lanier High, Lanier Middle, and three elementary schools: Sugar Hill, Sycamore, and White Oak.
Want to help? Visit laniereducationfoundation.org.
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We’ll be right back
Break 2: Ingles Markets 5
STORY 4: Man dead after shooting at Snellville area home
Gwinnett County Police are digging into a deadly shooting that went down Friday night in unincorporated Snellville, leaving one man dead.
It happened around 7 p.m. on the 3900 block of Lee Road. A call came in about a dispute—then gunfire. When officers arrived, they found a man with gunshot wounds and tried to help. He was rushed to the hospital but didn’t make it.
One person was detained at the scene and is being questioned. Police say it’s a homicide investigation, but the motive? Still unclear.
The victim’s name hasn’t been released yet—next of kin need to be notified first.
If you know anything, call Gwinnett detectives at 770-513-5300. Prefer to stay anonymous? Hit up Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS or stopcrimeATL.com. There’s even a cash reward for tips that lead to an arrest.
STORY 5: Lawrenceville mourning death of former City Manager Bob Baroni
Lawrenceville is mourning the loss of Bob Baroni, the city’s first-ever manager and a man who dedicated more than four decades to shaping the town he loved. Baroni, 80, passed away Tuesday.
Baroni wore many hats—parks and rec director, city clerk, and finally city manager. He oversaw projects like the construction of City Hall and was known for his steady leadership and fiscal smarts.
Even after retiring in 2015, he stayed on as a consultant to help the city transition. “We’ve built a family here,” Baroni said at the time.
His funeral was held Saturday at Tim Stewart Funeral Home in Loganville. He was laid to rest at Oconee Memorial Park in Watkinsville.
Break:
STORY 6: Gwinnett Sheriff's Office looking at expanding county jail
The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office is eyeing a big change—expanding the jail with a new tower. Why? Well, the current setup is showing its age, and the inmate population has jumped 35% since 2021. That’s a lot of strain on a facility that’s been around since 1991.
Chief Deputy Cleo Atwater told the county’s budget review committee on Wednesday that it’s time to secure funding for this project.
The newer Wimbley Tower, built in 2006, has seen updates—control boards, cameras, even door indicator lights—but the older building? It’s stuck in the past. Reinforced doors with security flaps? Not possible.
And with 2,400 inmates now (up from 1,800), plus the need for better mental health and medical care spaces, the pressure’s on. Atwater says they’re committed to making this happen by 2026.
STORY 7: 'Great bargains' —Kidsignments is back this week at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
The Kidsignments sale is back at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds this week, running through Saturday—and if you’ve got kids, you need to check it out.
Organizer Jeri Lynn gets it: “Times are tough, and we’re thrilled to help parents stretch their dollars. Over 1,000 families are participating, so the selection is going to be amazing—everything from baby gear to teen clothes, toys, bikes, you name it.”
It’s all gently used, high-quality stuff—perfect for sustainable parenting without breaking the bank.
Seriously, don’t miss it. For details, head to kidsignments.com. Your wallet will thank you.
We’ll have closing comments after this.
Break 4: Ingles Markets 6
Signoff –
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com
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