🌱 Counterfeit Percocet Arrests + Gwinnett Place Mall's Future Decided

Hello, everybody. I'm here right on time with your Friday edition of the Dacula Patch newsletter, filled with all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Some rain and a thunderstorm. High: 73 Low: 47.

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Here are the top 3 stories in and around Dacula today:

1. A 16-year-old boy was found dead on Wednesday by Gwinnett County police working a missing persons investigation near Paden Mill Trail over in nearby Lawrenceville. Police have not clarified if the boy was the person they were searching for, but said the boy had been shot. Investigators are working to determine if the boy was shot where he had been found or if the body had been dumped at the location. Neighbors, however, said they heard gunshots the night before. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
2. Gwinnett County police have arrested two people alleged to have sold counterfeit Percocet laced with fentanyl to a 16-year-old girl. The girl later died from an overdose, police said. The Gwinnett County Police Department continues to work with the District Attorney’s office to prosecute and charge people with felony murder and other charges for overdose deaths caused by drug trafficking and distribution. (WSB-TV)
3. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has finally decided on the future revitalization of the Gwinnett Place Mall complex over in Duluth. The concept for Global Villages has been approved after years of discussion about what to do with the mall. Global Villages is expected to include seven different villages that surround a central park. The project's action plan is expected to take place over the next 20 years. (Atlanta First News)

Today and tomorrow in Dacula:

Friday, March 3

• Storytime LIVE! Via Google Classroom Hosted By Gwinnett County Public Library (10:00 AM)

Saturday, March 4

• DIY Kites And Airplanes At Dacula Park Activity Building - 2735 Old Auburn Ave. (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Southern Ballet Theatre will be visiting the Lawrenceville branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library on Saturday to perform excerpts from "Frozen II." The show starts at 10:30 a.m. so you'll want to wake up early or you may miss out. (Gwinnett County Public Library via Instagram)
• Parents of 5th-graders who will soon be graduating are invited to Dacula Middle School's Rising 6th-Grader Parent Night next Tuesday. There is important information to be learned at this event to make sure your child's transition to 6th grade is as smooth as possible. (Dacula Middle School)
• Third-grade parents are being reminded that there are two weeks left to pay for the upcoming field trip to Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary. There is also a call for chaperones to help during the trip. (Alcova Elementary School via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! See you all tomorrow for your next update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.