🌱 Man Charged In Money Laundering Plan + Historic Picks In NFL Draft

Hey, everybody! Danielle Fallon-O'Leary here with your Wednesday edition of the Dacula Patch newsletter, filled with all the local information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Breezy in the morning; sunny. High: 66 Low: 43.
• Thursday: Sunny and pleasant. High: 73 Low: 49.

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Here are the top three stories in Dacula today:

1. A 41-year-old Russian man, Feliks Medvedev, has been indicted after being accused of laundering over $150 million overseas. According to a news release, Medvedev headquartered the companies in question in Dacula and Buford. The suspect lived in Gwinnett County and was officially indicted on Tuesday, Apr. 11, after appearing in front of a federal grand jury. According to officials, Medvedev has been charged with one count of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business and 39 counts of money laundering. (WSBTV)
2. Georgia's Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is officially providing Gwinnett County with funding to open 10 new glass recycling sites across the county. Early Tuesday afternoon, county commissioners voted to accept a $175,110 grant from the EPD in an effort to expand the county's glass recycling initiatives. Gwinnett County will provide a local match of $135,000; the funding comes from a Recycling, Waste Reduction, and Diversion Grant that's available through the state's Solid Waste Trust Fund Grant Program. (Gwinnett Daily Post)
3. Gwinnett County produced a historic number of recruits for this year's NFL Draft, which resulted in achieving Georgia's largest share. In total, Georgia received 23 selections and nine of those recruits came from Gwinnett County. Georgia's total now ranks third nationally, just behind Florida with 36 draft picks and Texas with 30 draft picks. (Gwinnett Daily Post)

Today in and around Dacula:

Wednesday, May 3

• National Space Day at Five Forks Branch, Gwinnett County Library (6:00 PM)

Thursday, May 4

• Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Support Group at Dacula Branch, Gwinnett County Library (6:00 PM)
• Karaoke Night at Jacks Public House in Braselton (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for a romantic evening filled with elegant jazz? On Friday, May 19, the Gwinnett County Historic Courthouse will be hosting Jazz on the Lawn where guests will be able to enjoy live music, a delicious catered meal, cocktails, and dancing under the stars. The event is for ages 21 and up, so if you're interested in attending, visit here for more information. (Gwinnett Parks and Recreation)
• On Tuesday, May 16, Gwinnett County will be hosting an event that honors Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event will be held at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center and celebrate the history, contributions, and vibrancy of all AAPI community members. If you're interested in reserving your spot for the event, visit here. (Gwinnett County Government)
• The Gwinnett County Fire Department is honored to celebrate the retirement of Lieutenant Pat Kimsey, who has been with the force since 2004. Lieutenant Kimsey was originally inspired to pursue a career in firefighting after watching his father volunteer with their local fire department as a child. He spent 19 amazing years as a firefighter with Gwinnett County and the entire team is grateful for his hard work and dedication during his time. (Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services)

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Featured events:

• Neighborhood Prayer: A Service of Light and Life (May 7)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you around.

— 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.