Regional Roundup: Gwinnett Police Searching for Bank Robber, Gen. Beau (Video!) Predicts An Early Spring, and Discount Grocer Opens in Athens

– Duluth Patch

Gwinnett Police need the public’s help identifying a female suspect (see photos) who robbed the SunTrust Bank at 2171 Pleasant Hill Road in unincorporated Duluth about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31.

The suspect presented a threatening note demanding money to a teller, according to a media release from Cpl. Jake Smith, and was given about $3,000 in cash. She walked out of the bank and was seen leaving in a light-colored passenger car. 

Anyone who recognizes this suspect should call Gwinnett Police detectives at 770-513-5300 or contact Atlanta Crime Stoppers at 404-557-TIPS.

-- Lilburn-Mountain Park Patch

As quickly as he darted out of his plantation-style house at the Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn, you'd like to think General Beauregard Lee (Georgia's famed groundhog) didn't have enough time to tell whether or not there was a shadow.

But apparently, "Georgia's Official Weather Prognosticator" did not see his shadow during his annual Groundhog Day appearance Thursday morning.

"It's 7:35 [a.m.] and 40 degrees. No shadow means an early spring," was announced as at least a couple hundred spectators — many chanting and making noise to entice the groundhog out of the house — looked on.

-- Athens Patch 

Angela Irvin spent about 20 minutes on a bus, heading out the Atlanta Highway to . She then waited in a line of customers--she was at the head--for almost half an hour before the place opened.

"I'm really excited about it being in Athens," she said. "I mainly shop at Wal Mart, and this gives me another option."

Officials are hoping the 18,000-square-foot store does give consumers another option, said public relations manager Fernando Soto. He was one of several ALDI officials on hand Thursday for the grand opening.