Construction junction
Feb. 6 ā This newsletter is chock-full o’ ways city and state officials are improving traffic in Sandy Springs ā hang in there with the headaches some construction may cause along the way.
šØ The Sandy Springs Police Department arrested eight metro Atlanta men Jan. 29 and 30 for soliciting prostitution within city limits as part of its efforts to curb human trafficking.
š“š¼ Sandy Springs officials expect around $27 million in active construction projects along Mount Vernon Highway and the corridorās intersection with Johnson Ferry and Roswell roads to wrap up before the end of May. When complete, there will be a sidewalk or multi-use path on both sides of the Mount Vernon Highway corridor for pedestrians and cyclists from City Springs to the Sandy Springs MARTA station. Read more about the project.
š MARTA officials will hold two open houses at the North Springs Station on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 7 ā 11 a.m. and 3 ā 6 p.m. to educate riders on the upcoming launch of the NextGen Bus Network as part of its āKnow Before You Goā campaign. The interactive sessions will provide riders and the community the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the MARTA team to learn how to use the new network.
š·š¼āāļø On Tuesday, Feb. 10, the City of Sandy Springs will hold a public information open house on the Roswell Road North End Boulevard project. Attendees will learn more about the project, ask questions, and provide feedback.
šš¼ Congratulations to Mayor Rusty Paul on being named to Atlanta magazine’s2026 Atlanta 500: Most Powerful Leaders list in the Government & Infrastructure category.
SANDY SPRINGS SNAPSHOT: Sandy Springs got a shout-out on @ATLHawks social media as Corey Kispert made a long three-point shot from beyond ‘downtown,’ helping the Atlanta Hawks eke out a win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, 121-119.
š° The latest issue of our print paper is fresh off the press. You can check it out here.
Thanks for reading!
Hayden and the Rough Draft team
š«¶ TheĀ Crohnās & Colitis FoundationĀ has fueled every major IBD breakthrough. Think of someone you love living with Crohnās disease or ulcerative colitis. Honor them byĀ giving today and supporting our Torch GalaĀ on Sat., Feb. 7.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
Sandy Springs City Council reviews trucking regulations
š Without a formally adopted trucking route or enforceable ordinance, the Sandy Springs City Council is looking at regional freight trends and potential updates to local regulations.
Mayor Rusty Paul said he wanted elected officials to discuss the cityās existing laws at the Feb. 3 work session after receiving several complaints about a large number of tractor-trailers, or semi-trucks, on neighborhood streets.
āConstruction is going to be going on, on I-285 and SR 400, at least through 2036,ā Paul said, referencing scheduled express lanes projects in metro Atlanta. āItās a combination of lack of clarity in the existing ordinance, plus complaints by the community, and the fact that a lot of our residential streets are not designed to handle the weight of an [80,000]-pound ā¦ 16-wheel vehicle.ā
š Read more about the city’s plans for a truck ordinance.
ARTBEAT…Where kids sing, dance, create, and imagine!
SPONSORED BY SANDY SPRINGS ARTS FOUNDATION
šØ ARTBEAT, presented by the Sandy Springs Arts Foundation, is an amazing event you won’t want to miss! Local Sandy Springs public school students will showcase their talents in the performing and visual arts, in an afternoon shared with the community.
On Sat., Feb. 7 at the Byers Theatre at 2:30 p.m. This event is free, no registration required. Donations of boxes of crayons or colored pencils are appreciated.
š¶ Come catch the beat!
Student arrested for assault at Heards Ferry Elementary
š Fulton County Schools police arrested a Sandy Springs middle schooler, who was a former Heards Ferry Elementary student, the morning of Feb. 4, after he allegedly attacked several children and a staff member on the schoolās playground.
Fulton County Schools officials confirmed the incident took place and said a full investigation is underway.
āThe child was apprehended quickly by Fulton County Schools police, and was detained as the parent was brought in,ā the district said in a statement. āStudents sustained minor injuries and were medically evaluated. We do not have any information yet about possible charges.ā
š Read more about the incident.
Dean Crowe and Rally Foundation mark 20 years fighting childhood cancer
š Since Dean Crowe founded the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research twenty years ago, the Sandy Springs-based nonprofitās investments have netted researchers $1 billion in additional support.
Crowe is a Sandy Springs native and Riverwood High School graduate, turning her personal connection to a child with brain cancer into a nationally recognized nonprofit. Its mission focuses on finding better treatments with fewer long-term side effects, and ultimately, a cure.
āWe really do see ourselves as philanthropic seed investors ā¦ we like finding things that are outside the box, but we also want to know that itās good science,ā Crowe said. āThat billion dollars is from the government, other nonprofits, and other organizations that come in and fund those projects, too. Itās an incredible ripple effect that weāre having.ā
šš¼ Read more about the work of the Rally Foundation.
Note: This article originated from a readerās tip. Please let us know if you have a story you think we should report.
Sandy Springs’ pampering for men onlyĀ
š¤²š¼ CEO Nikiya āCaliā West found the idea for her entrepreneurial endeavor, For Men Only Fine Grooming, while working on her business degree in Los Angeles more than a decade ago.
āWhat happens when a man walks through a regular mom-and-pop nail salon?ā West said. āThe first thing the women do is get quiet ā¦ trying to figure out, like, āWhat is he doing here?ā Men come in and get the same treatment we get. Why canāt they come and enjoy it?ā
Stereotypes and taboos often keep most men away from salons. Going in for a manicure, with two dozen sets of eyes glued to a male customer and a symphony of whispers, rarely encourages return visits either.
FMO Sandy Springs offers pedicures and manicures, barbering of all styles, massages, straight-razor shaves, facials, and a complimentary drink. Clients are encouraged to book appointments, but walk-ins are accepted. Monthly memberships start at $100.
šš½āāļø Read more about the grooming haven for men.
š«¶ TheĀ Crohnās & Colitis FoundationĀ has fueled every major IBD breakthrough. Think of someone you love living with Crohnās disease or ulcerative colitis. Honor them byĀ giving today and supporting our Torch GalaĀ on Sat., Feb. 7. SPONSOR MESSAGE
What’s doin’Ā around Sandy Springs
š¤ Feb. 7:LGBTQ+ BFF Meet Up at Just Love Coffee CafĆ©
š· Feb. 8:Joe Altermanās Toast & Jam Jazz Brunch at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center
ā¦ļø Feb. 10:Nexus Nights: Riftbound + PokĆØmon at Battle & Brew
š¶ Feb. 11:Piaf! The Show at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center
šļø Add your event to our free, online event calendar.
The Sports Section
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCORE ATLANTA
š BOYS BASKETBALL
- Holy Innocentsā (19-2): Saturday @ North Oconee (21-2)
- Lovett (14-10): Friday vs. KIPP Atlanta (19-4)
- Mt. Vernon (20-2): Friday @ Galloway (1-22); Saturday @ Pace Academy (15-7)
- North Springs (9-14): TBD
- Pace Academy (15-7): Friday @ Drew (6-15); Saturday vs. Mt. Vernon (20-2)
- Riverwood (11-12): Friday vs. Pope (15-7)
- Westminster (17-3): Friday @ Blessed Trinity (7-16)
š GIRLS BASKETBALL
- Holy Innocentsā (18-5): Friday @ Hoover, Ala. (28-1)
- Lovett (12-9): Friday vs. KIPP Atlanta (13-10)
- Mt. Vernon (1-16): Friday @ Galloway (18-5)
- North Springs (4-17): TBD
- Pace Academy (9-9): Friday @ Drew (13-9)
- Riverwood (5-17): Friday vs. Pope (10-13)
- Westminster (17-4): Friday @ Blessed Trinity (11-10)