Top Stories for October 14th Publish Date: October 14th From The BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Tuesday, October 14th and Happy Birthday to Dwight Eisenhower I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia Falcons serve up support for breast cancer fighters at Dazzle & Dine event Beckles to deliver keynote address at KSU Fintech Hackathon Pipe Dream: Retired teacher Ken Leach upcycles PVC into marine life art 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 and subscribe! Break 1: Kia MOG STORY 1: Falcons serve up support for breast cancer fighters at Dazzle & Dine event Zach Harrison stood at the hibachi grill, spatula in hand, a crowd of phones aimed at him like it was game day. “More veggies?” he asked, flipping a perfect scoop onto a plate. The crowd? Lost it. On last Tuesday night, five current and five former Falcons swapped helmets for aprons at Fumi Hibachi & Sushi in Duluth, cooking dinner for ten women who’ve battled breast cancer. “It’s a dope event,” said running back Tyler Allgeier. “Seeing their smiles—it’s awesome.” The night, part of the Falcons and Emory Healthcare’s Dazzle & Dine, wasn’t just about food. It was about celebrating resilience. Alexandra French, cancer-free for five years, said, “Tonight reminded me I’m still beautiful, still here, still me.” The women, treated to massages, makeovers, and a shopping spree earlier, walked into the restaurant on a pink carpet, greeted by applause and players ready to grill. From fire volcanoes to flying rice, the players brought their A-game. STORY 2: Beckles to deliver keynote address at KSU Fintech Hackathon State Rep. Arlene Beckles, is set to speak to over 200 students later this month at Kennesaw State University’s Fall 2025 Fintech Hackathon. The event, running Oct. 24-25 at the KSU Center, challenges students to tackle real-world fintech problems—think payment security, compliance headaches, and cybersecurity. Beckles, a member of the Georgia House’s Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee, will deliver the keynote, emphasizing the role of young innovators in Georgia’s “Transaction Alley.” The Hackathon offers cash prizes—$4,000 for first place, $3,000 for second, and $2,000 for third—judged by fintech pros and academics. STORY 3: Pipe Dream: Retired teacher Ken Leach upcycles PVC into marine life art Ken Leach didn’t plan on becoming an artist. After 35 years teaching and coaching in Gwinnett County schools, he retired in 2022, unsure of what was next. Yard work? Sitting around? Not his style. Then, while cleaning out his basement, he stumbled on a forgotten gift—a Japanese swan made from PVC pipe, given to him decades ago by a student’s dad. That swan sparked an idea. Now, Leach transforms surplus PVC into lifelike egrets, flamingos, manta rays, and more. His work isn’t cartoony—he’s all about realism, except for the bold, eye-catching colors that make his pieces pop. At Suwanee Fest, his booth won the Mayor’s Choice Award, and he nearly sold out. Leach’s art isn’t just about creativity—it’s about purpose. He’s keeping PVC out of landfills, sourcing materials from plumbers, Facebook Marketplace, and even a guy with a 50-foot trailer full of pipe. Next up? The North Georgia Apple Festival, where he’s expecting 100,000 visitors. For more on PVSea Creations, check Facebook or Instagram, or email
[email protected] . We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: CITY OF SUGAR HILL STORY 4: Housing Matters: Rainbow Village gala, golf tournament raise nearly $750,000 Skyrocketing rents and relentless demand are pushing people to the brink—some into overpriced hotels, others into homelessness. It’s a crisis, plain and simple. But in Duluth, Rainbow Village is fighting back. Their 20th annual gala and charity golf tournament raised an incredible $749,807 this year. The football-themed “Tailgate to Tackle Homelessness” event, hosted by Northside Hospital, featured mascots Freddie Falcon and Lil’ Fred, a mobile bar, and Emmy-winning sportscaster Ernie Johnson as emcee. Former resident Shakia S. shared how Rainbow Village’s support helped her become a medical assistant. And CEO Melanie Conner announced a bold expansion: 36 new apartments, doubling their capacity. Next up? A pickleball fundraiser on Nov. 15. Details at rainbowvillage.org/events. STORY 5: Solar power and data centers a focus for Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard, a solar power advocate running for Georgia’s Public S
