Top Stories for October 28th
Publish Date: October 28th
From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Tuesday, October 28th and Happy Birthday to Julia Roberts
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 daily and subscribe!
Break 1: KIA Mall Of Georgia
STORY 1: SPARC, Motel to Home help homeless single-parent families get back into housing
Life hit Faith Busano like a freight train.
“The day we moved into our last apartment, I lost my job,” she said.
Originally from California, Faith, 32, had bounced from Michigan to Georgia, trying to find stability for herself and her two daughters, 3-year-old Love and 13-year-old Harmoni. But things kept falling apart. Family couldn’t help. The apartment didn’t work out. And when the job disappeared, so did their home.
They ended up in an extended-stay motel—what was supposed to be a temporary fix. But weeks turned into months, and the motel became a trap.
Her toddler’s energy was endless, her teen was struggling with mental health, and Faith herself was barely holding on. She worked customer service, drove for DoorDash, styled hair—anything to scrape by. But the grind was relentless.
Then, one day, a flier changed everything.
The motel was handing out groceries, and someone slipped her information about SPARC’s Motel to Home program. It felt like a lifeline.
SPARC, led by Joy Monroe, helps families like Faith’s escape the cycle of extended-stay living. The program covers deposits, first month’s rent, and helps families transition into stable housing. But it’s not easy—there are requirements, and families have to actively work toward qualifying.
Faith did the work. She found an apartment within her budget, got approved, and finally moved in.
Monroe, who started SPARC to support single moms like herself, knows the struggle all too well.
Faith is still rebuilding—working toward her medical assistant certification, dreaming of opening her own business someday. But for now, she’s just grateful to have a place to call home.
STORY 2: E-SPLOST headlines countywide ballot — but faces challenges
This fall, Gwinnett voters have plenty to decide, but nothing’s stirring the pot quite like the E-SPLOST referendum.
Here’s the deal: Gwinnett County Public Schools and Buford City Schools want to extend the 1% sales tax for another six years, aiming to rake in $1.47 billion—most of it ($1.44 billion) for GCPS. The money would go toward maintaining aging schools (average age: 24 years), fixing roofs, replacing HVAC systems, and even funding a new career and technical education center. Safety upgrades and Chromebooks? Also on the list.
Supporters say it’s essential. Opponents? They’re calling out wasteful spending—like a $7 million church purchase with no clear plan.
Turnout’s been dismal so far—just 1.7% of voters have shown up. Maybe it’s the confusion of needing multiple ballots in some areas. Or maybe people just aren’t paying attention. Either way, the stakes are high.
STORY 3: Gwinnett police chief pushes back in Peachtree Corners debate
Nancy McGregor doesn’t see the point.
The Peachtree Corners resident has been a supporter of the Gwinnett County Police Department for years, and after attending a community meeting with Police Chief J.D. McClure, she’s even more convinced: the city doesn’t need its own police force.
“When you’ve got an elite department like Gwinnett’s—with their training, resources, and expertise—why would we try to replicate that?” McGregor said.
The meeting, held at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church, was the first time residents heard directly from county police about the city’s proposal to break away and form its own department. McClure didn’t hold back.
Crime in Peachtree Corners? Down across the board. Robberies dropped 40% this year, assaults 41%, and commercial burglaries a staggering 66%.
But it’s not just about crime stats. McClure laid out what the city would lose: specialized units like SWAT, K9, and Behavioral Health, plus the county’s ability to surge officers during emergencies.
Residents like Paul La Motte left the meeting impressed. “I’ve always been against the idea of a city police department, but now? I’m even more confident Gwinnett’s got this.”
McGregor agreed. “Hearing their side just confirmed it for me. They’re doing a great job.”
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We’ll be right back
Break 2: Ingles Markets
STORY 4: Rotary joint manufacturer maierAMERICA marks 25 years in Gwinnett
Back in 2000, Germany’s Christian Maier GmbH & Co. KG decided to plant roots in the U.S., and they picked Gwinnett County as their home base. Fast forward 25 years, and their subsidiary, maierAMERICA, is still here—thriving, growing, and making waves in the Norcross area.
This week, the company celebrated two big milestones: 25 years in Gwinnett and 100 years since its parent company’s founding.
The company’s growth has been impressive. Just last year, they tripled their space to 20,500 square feet.
Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson marked the occasion with a proclamation, calling maierAMERICA’s success a testament to the county’s role as a hub for international business.
German Consul General Melanie Moltmann and other officials echoed the sentiment, celebrating the deep ties between Germany and the U.S.
STORY 5: Georgia Supreme Court upholds conviction from fatal DUI in Gwinnett
Victor Allen Smith’s conviction is sticking. The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously upheld the 2023 verdict that found Smith, 59, guilty of killing 22-year-old Hugo Natanael Martinez while fleeing a state trooper in Gwinnett County.
Smith, who was sentenced to life in prison, had argued that evidence about his 18-year license suspension unfairly swayed the jury. But the court didn’t buy it, ruling the evidence against him was overwhelming.
Back in March 2022, Smith was clocked speeding over 80 mph on I-85—then hit 120 mph trying to outrun the trooper. Martinez, standing by his truck on the shoulder, sadly never stood a chance. Smith struck him, sending him over a retaining wall.
STORY 6: ART BEAT: Nocross Gallery's 'Shapes' fundraiser features artists in a friendly bidding war
The bidding’s still going strong at Norcross Gallery and Studios! Their annual fundraiser, “Norcross Shapes,” runs through Nov. 2 at 2 p.m., and it’s a must-see (and bid) event.
This month-long auction, which kicked off Oct. 5, supports everything from artist programs and community outreach to high school exhibitions and ongoing classes. The best part? You can either outbid the competition or pay the “full price” to snag your favorite piece on the spot.
The artwork is as diverse as it gets—paintings, pottery, jewelry, even gift baskets. And the stories behind the pieces? Just as colorful.
This year’s auction has no size limits, so expect everything from tiny treasures to statement pieces. Swing by the gallery at 116 Carlyle Street in downtown Norcross, open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don’t miss it!
STORY 7: Gladiators Legend: ECHL Hall of Famer Cam Brown Dies at 56
When the Gwinnett Gladiators needed a leader back in 2003, they found one in Cam Brown. Fresh out of retirement, the Canadian left winger joined the brand-new Duluth-based team, bringing grit, heart, and a lifetime of hockey experience. Over three seasons, he became the face of the franchise, leading them to a Kelly Cup Final and scoring the first goal in team history.
On Sunday, fans and friends were devastated to learn Brown had passed away at just 56, reportedly in a motorcycle accident.
Brown’s No. 44 jersey hangs in the rafters, a permanent reminder of his impact. He’s the only Gladiator in the ECHL Hall of Fame, a league he helped shape with 789 games, 206 goals, and 2,425 penalty minutes. Old school? Absolutely. But that’s what made him special.
Brown leaves behind his wife, two children, and a legacy that stretches far beyond the rink.
We’ll have closing comments after this
Break 4: Ingles Markets
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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