Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Gwinnett tap water smells odd but is still safe
Be sure to catch Silent Trivia at Truck & Tap on the Gwinnett County Patch calendar
Hi there, Gwinnett County! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Gwinnett tap water smells odd but is still safe
- Will your Gwinnett property get hit by the new blight tax?
- How new license plate rules will change Gwinnett police searches
Also on today's calendar: Mexican Independence Day and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Very hot, with a high of 96 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Sunday: Partly sunny, a t-storm; hot, temps: high: 95, low: 72.
- Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 83 and low of 67 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Water still safe to drink even though it tastes, smells strange (wsbtv.com) — If your Gwinnett County tap water tastes or smells earthy right now, county officials say it's still safe to drink and meets all state and federal standards. Seasonal changes and natural compounds called Geosmin and MIB are behind the odor, and the water system says it is monitoring and treating lake and drinking water around the clock. 
2. Gwinnett's new blight tax hits owners who sit on vacant buildings (wsbtv.com) — Gwinnett County has approved a tough new blight tax that can raise the county-operations portion of tax bills sevenfold on vacant, unsafe commercial and non-residential properties. Homes used as primary residences are exempt, but owners of neglected hotels, shopping centers, warehouses, and empty houses could face steep penalties unless they repair problems or successfully appeal.
3. Inside the Gwinnett County police audit that exposed license plate data abuse (fox5atlanta.com) — Gwinnett County police have fired and criminally charged three officers after an audit uncovered misuse of Flock license plate reader data, prompting immediate policy and oversight changes. Supervisors must now approve database searches, all officers are being retrained, and data retention has been cut in half, steps aimed at protecting residents' privacy while keeping crime-fighting tools in use.
4. Kim Zolciak's son indicted on seven sex crime charges (knewz.com subscription) — A Gwinnett County grand jury has indicted 15-year-old Kroy "KJ" Biermann Jr., son of Kim Zolciak and former Falcon Kroy Biermann, on seven felony sex-crime charges tied to an April incident involving a teenage classmate. He remains in custody while being prosecuted as an adult, and both his attorney and mother strongly deny the allegations, emphasizing that he is presumed innocent.
5. Everton Blair sworn in as Georgia's first openly gay congressman (fox5atlanta.com) — Georgia's newest congressman, Everton Blair Jr., has been sworn in to finish the late Rep. David Scott's term and becomes the state's first openly gay U.S. House member. Blair, a former Gwinnett County school board chair, says he'll focus on affordability and preserving majority-Black representation in the 13th District during his short time in Washington.
📸 Around Gwinnett County
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Gwinnett County
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Silent Trivia at Truck & Tap →
Truck & Tap Lawrenceville, 175 S Perry St., Lawrenceville
7:00 pm
Monday September 7
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Country Line Dancing →
Slow Pour Brewing Co., 407 N Clayton Street, Lawrenceville
6:00 pm - V Volleyball @ Archer HS
Dacula High School Archer High School, 2255 New Hope Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30045
6:00 pm - Karaoke at Truck & Tap →
Truck & Tap, 175 S Perry St., Lawrenceville
8:00 pm - Reader's Rally - 7:15am - Media Center
Woodward Mill Elementary School Lawrenceville, GA 30043
7:15 am - 9th/JV Volleyball vs. Collins Hill/Duluth
Dacula High School , 123 Broad St, Dacula, GA 30019, USA
5:00 pm - JV/V Softball @ Mill Creek
Dacula High School Mill Creek High School, 4400 Braselton Hwy, Hoschton, GA 30548\
4:00 pm - JV Football vs. Discovery
Dacula High School , 123 Broad St, Dacula, GA 30019, USA
6:00 pm - Mexican Independence Day →
Plaza Las Americas, 733 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lilburn
2:00 pm - Mexican Independence Day Celebration →
Plaza Las Americas, 733 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lilburn
2:00 pm - Gimme Springsteen - Tribute to The Boss Celebrates Bruce with Full Album Born in the USA! →
Eddie Owen Presents at Red Clay, 3116 Main St, Duluth
8:00 pm - ASL Game Day →
Gwinnett County Public Library - Snellville Branch, 2245 Wisteria Dr SW, Snellville
3:00 pm
Tuesday September 8
Wednesday September 9
Thursday September 10
Sunday September 13
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
📣 Gwinnett County Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Gwinnett County PatchAM possible:
- Level Up Games — (770) 497-0202
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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Ok Gwinnett County! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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