Runoff elections
Nov. 7 — Welcome to Rough Draft’s weekly newsletter on Sandy Springs. We’re glad to see you!
🚨 A Sandy Springs resident was one of three men arrested after a lengthy investigation into a criminal drug trafficking organization that law enforcement officials said had ties to a Mexican cartel.
💝 Atlanta News First reported that Sandy Springs-based UPS lowered the American flag to half-staff to honor the victims of the Louisville plane crash.
📌 SaportaReport’s Adrianne Murchison shared the story of Shirley Peters Pruitt, who believes she may be the oldest Black resident living in Sandy Springs.
🛍️ The 14th annual Elegant Elf Marketplace takes place on Nov. 8 and 9 at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.
🇺🇸 A North Springs High graduate, who flew as an F-18 pilot for scenes in “Top Gun: Maverick,” will speak at Sandy Springs’ 16th Annual Veterans Day Tribute on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
👇🏽 Check out more events happening in Sandy Springs below.
SANDY SPRINGS SNAPSHOT: The Sandy Springs Fire Department has kicked off its annual toy drive! From now until Dec. 12, drop off new, unwrapped toys at any fire station throughout Sandy Springs or in the collection bin in the City Hall lobby.
🎉 Help Rough Draft celebrate Sandy Springs’ 20th anniversary by purchasing a commemorative “brick” for our special anniversary print and email issues.
🤔 We would love to hear your thoughts on what you would like us to include in future newsletters.
The Rough Draft Team
Runoff elections
🗳️ Sandy Springs voters will return to the polls on Tuesday, Dec. 2 for runoff elections after Tuesday’s light turnout left Sandy Springs Mayor and City Council District 4 without a majority winner.
SANDY SPRINGS MAYOR
Incumbent Rusty Paul led with 9,260 votes (43%) but fell short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff. He’ll face Dontaye Carter, who received 4,703 votes (21%). Read the full details on the Sandy Springs mayoral race.
SANDY SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4
With Incumbent Jody Reichel running for mayor, her District 4 Council seat is open. Michelle Sullivan led with 1,296 votes (46%) and will face second-place finisher Frank Roberts, who received 840 votes (30%). Read the full results on the City Council races.
WATCH THIS SPACE
✅ Rough Draft will host online runoff candidate forums for Sandy Springs Mayor and City Council District 4 on Thursday, Nov. 4 from 3 – 4 p.m.
Hilltop Bottle Shop Satisfies Sandy Springs Community
SPONSORED BY HILLTOP BOTTLE SHOP
🍾 Located at 7277 Roswell Road, Hilltop Bottle Shop offers an unmatched selection of curated wines, rare whiskeys, and a wide range of beers—from everyday sips to local favorites.
🛒 Guests can shop in-store or online with delivery available. Hilltop also hosts tastings led by knowledgeable beverage partners alongside the Hilltop Staff and features a growing party goods section. Keeping it local, Owner Brian Hicks and partner David Abes of DASH Hospitality Group grew up and live in the Sandy Springs/Dunwoody community.
🤝 The team provides quality customer service and options for the entire community.
Fulton approves funds to help with loss of SNAP benefits
💝 Fulton County Commissioners authorized $700,000 for nonprofit organizations and senior nutrition programs as a response to the loss of SNAP benefits for county residents.
The county’s funding is intended to help fill the gap for the more than 145,000 residents whose benefits were in jeopardy. During the Nov. 5 meeting, Commission Chair Robb Pitts said the funding amount was calculated based on input from staff.
👉🏼 Read more about the organizations that will receive the funding.
Fulton County Schools honors Sandy Springs Education Force
👏🏼 Fulton County Schools named the Sandy Springs Education Force (SSEF) as its 2025 Legacy of Excellence Partner of the Year on Oct. 30.
The award was made at a celebration for approximately 1,000 Fulton County Schools (FCS) teachers, professionals, partners, and guests at the Georgia International Convention Center. According to a press release, the award celebrates outstanding community partnerships that make a lasting difference for students and educators.
“This year’s Legacy of Excellence Partner of the Year exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and heart,” said Franchesca Warren, vice president of the FCS Board of Education, according to the release. “From collaboration to innovation, this organization is a driving force for students and teachers across Learning Zone 4.”
Accepting the award was SSEF board members and staff pictured from left to right: Emily Hewitt, Julia Bernath, Miriam Salpeter, Irene Schweiger, Carolyn Axt, Judy Roseman, Beppie Lever, Katie Gregory and Alexandra Bates.
What’s doin’ around Sandy Springs
🧑🏼🍳 Nov. 8:Families in the Kitchen at Young Chefs Academy
🎨 Nov. 8:Paint like Bob Ross at Hammond Park
😍 Nov. 9: Love Quest 21+ singles mixer at Battle & Brew
💛 Nov. 9: November Social at Rivercliff Lutheran Church
🍷 Nov. 12: WINE’d Up Wednesdays at Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House (every Wednesday)
COMING SOON
⛸️ Nov. 14: Visitors to the City Green in Sandy Springs can head out onto the ice with the return of Skate City Springs.
🧺 Nov. 22:Celebrate 20 Years of Sandy Springs: Picnic in the Park at the City Green.
🛷 Nov. 22: Broadway star Jessica Vosk performs her holiday-themed show “Sleigh” at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.
🗓️ Add your event to our free, online event calendar.
The Sports Section
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCORE ATLANTA
🏈 FOOTBALL
- Holy Innocents’ (7-3): Nov. 14 vs. Mt. Paran Christian (5-5) / (First Round)
- Lovett (6-4): Nov. 14 vs. Trinity Christian (4-6) / (First Round)
- Mt. Vernon (5-5): Nov. 14 vs. Savannah Country Day (4-6) / (First Round)
- North Springs (1-9): Season Completed
- Pace Academy (3-7): Season Completed
- Riverwood (1-9): Season Completed
- Westminster (2-8): Season Completed
🥎 SOFTBALL
- Holy Innocents’ (10-13): Season Completed
- Lovett (6-14): Season Completed
- Mt. Vernon (23-8): Season Completed
- North Springs (9-16): Season Completed
- Pace Academy (14-12): Season Completed
- Riverwood (13-12): Season Completed
- Westminster (14-15): Season Completed
🏐 VOLLEYBALL
- Holy Innocents’ (19-18): Season Completed
- Lovett (42-3): Season Completed (Class A-3A Private State Champs)
- Mt. Vernon (24-20): Season Completed
- North Springs (4-22): Season Completed
- Pace Academy (35-8): Season Completed (Class 4A Runner-Up)
- Riverwood (19-16): Season Completed
- Westminster (37-11): Season Completed
🏈 This Friday, the Score Atlanta crew will be broadcasting the Drive for the GHSA State Title Bracket Show, a three-hour special that will air live from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. on Atlanta News First (Channel 46) and the Peachtree Sports Network (cable and YouTube TV).
The show will focus on the first-round matchups of the GHSA football playoffs, with coaches, athletic directors, and sports personalities interviewed throughout the broadcast. The entire show will also be streamed digitally on the Atlanta News First (ANF) website/app and the NFHS Network.
Vote for your fave
☑️ Election Day may be over, but you can still vote your favorite new Sandy Springs restaurant for Rough Draft’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
