Summer heats up in Norcross
Friday, June 12 — It’s Hayden with my weekly newsletter on Norcross.
Tonight at 9 p.m., Team USA kicks off its FIFA World Cup run against Paraguay in Group D, which also includes Australia and Turkey. I have good news: we’re slight favorites to win the group, and there are other avenues for “The Stars and Stripes” to advance to the knockout round.
🇬🇧 Here’s a World Cup guide for beginners, or “casuals” like me, from our friends across the pond at the BBC.
🍑 For local watch parties, events, and activities in metro Atlanta, check Rough Draft’s big World Cup party guide.
Now, some things to know:
🗳 Runoff election early voting ends this evening. But there’s still time to vote today, so check out the candidates in our election guide.
🐕 Rough Draft is looking for high-resolution images of readers with their furry and feathered friends for our July pets issue. Submit those photos here.
☕ Coffee with Council is tomorrow morning, Saturday, June 13, at 8 a.m. at 45 South Cafe on South Peachtree Street. Stay up to date on the city’s weekly events here.
🌇 I wrote more about Norcross PDC’s tour of South Downtown Atlanta last week with SoDo Atlanta CEO Jon Birdsong, who introduced visitors to the $140 million revitalization project.
👨🍼 Next Saturday, the city is throwing a “Father’s Day Pop-Up,” with inflatables at Betty Mauldin Park; Chopper, the Gwinnett Stripers mascot; and exclusive deals and giveaways.
👨⚖️ The Norcross City Council has a packed agenda for its June 15 policy work session. Discussion topics include next fiscal year’s budget, maintaining the property tax rate, downtown parking regulations, and funding for Latino businesses in Norcross. Find the agenda online.
Now for some stories,
🖖 Hayden
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Norcross police officer receives national recognition
⛑️ The City of Norcross and its police department announced that Police Officer Gabriel Veras Jr. is a 2026 TOP COPS Honorable Mention recipient, awarded by the National Association of Police Organizations, representing the State of Georgia.
On April 7, 2025, Veras responded to a medical emergency in the Rails Way area involving a 3-year-old child who was in cardiac arrest.
Arriving on scene before emergency medical personnel, Veras immediately assessed the child’s condition and began lifesaving measures, including chest compressions and rescue breaths.
🚓 Read more about Veras’ lifesaving efforts here.
Art worth bidding on
SPONSORED BY AHLERS & OGLETREE
🖼️ Ahlers & Ogletree’s Modern & Contemporary Art & Design Auction brings 600 lots, including fine art, sculpture, designer furnishings, ceramics, folk art, and architectural elements.
Artists include Picasso, Dalí, Chagall, Keith Haring, Benny Andrews, and Rafael Coronel, with standout design pieces from George Nakashima, Philip Moulthrop, and Ronald Schmitt.
➞ Whether you’re a seasoned collector, interior designer, or first-time buyer, there’s something here worth bidding on. Preview June 15–16 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.), with a reception Tues., June 16, 5–8 p.m. Get more information.
Ballot for West Gwinnett voters in Georgia’s 7th Senate District may be confusing
🏛️ Former state Sen. Nabilah Parkes (D-Duluth) resigned from Georgia’s 7th Senate District in March to focus on her run for lieutenant governor. Parkes faces state Sen. Josh McLaurin (D-Sandy Springs) in the Democratic primary runoff on June 16.
Georgia’s 7th Senate District seat has two races on the ballot. One is a special election to finish the remainder of Parkes’ vacated term, and the other is the Democratic Party primary to pick nominees for the full two-year term beginning in January.
🗳️ Read about the candidates in the June 16 primary runoffs here.
🚲 Explore Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven with Perimeter Pursuit! Complete missions, discover local favorites, and earn points for chances to win prizes, including Braves tickets, gift cards, dining experiences, and hotel stays. Join the challenge today! SPONSOR MESSAGE
Norcross allocates $5 million for public safety building, set to open in September
🏗️ The Norcross City Council approved the transfer of $5 million at its March 2 meeting for the construction of the new public safety building, setting up the relocation of the police department and municipal court later this year.
Construction on the $20 million facility at Buford Highway and Stephens Road began last July. In February, the city reported framing was nearly complete, exterior brickwork was underway, and windows were scheduled for installation.
The building is on the site of the former Norcross Library along State Route 13. Norcross officials announced exterior work will be complete sometime in mid-March.
👷 Read more about the public safety building here.
First Senior Center of Georgia to mark ninth anniversary
🇻🇳 This Sunday’s outdoor festival will feature carnival-style games, interactive activities, and 11 themed food stations at the First Senior Center of Georgia at 5555 Oakbrook Parkway.
FSCofGA CEO Von Tran said seeing the positive impact on the lives of thousands of Vietnamese seniors in Georgia and throughout her community makes her the most proud.
“Many of them no longer live isolated lives on the sidelines of society,” Tran said. “Instead, they have found friendship, purpose, better health, and a renewed sense of joy by becoming active members of a caring community.”
🩷 Read more about the Norcross-based nonprofit’s festival here.
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