*A state Senate committee Monday okayed plans for a new city in Gwinnett County near the Hall County line. The action by the Committee on Local Government and Operations brings the plan one step closer to a referendum for those living in the affected area. Mulberry, as has been reported before, would become Gwinnett’s second largest municipality with a population of about 41,000. The full senate could begin debate on the bill as early as this week.
*Scammers stole $2,880 from an elderly woman and an 18-year-old woman recently, according to Gainesville Police. In the first instance, the 82-year-old victim said she thought she had won “a prize” and purchased $1,400 in gift cards and sent the numbers to the con artist. In the second, the victim said she sent $1,480 to someone she met on a dating app.