Saluting our heroes
Friday, May 22 — Even though many people think of Memorial Day as the kickoff to summer and cookouts, let’s also take some time to honor and remember the brave men and women who lost their lives fighting for our country and protecting our freedoms.
☔️ The forecast shows we’ll have a rainy holiday weekend, so make sure your plans include an indoor option.
👷🏽 A construction worker was struck and killed by a vehicle while working on GA-400 at Abernathy Road on Thursday.
🚨 Sandy Springs police arrested two people this week after a report of a man in military-style gear near Morgan Falls Overlook Park. The incident took place near a polling site on Election Day, but investigators didn’t find any evidence the incident was related to voting or election activity.
🤣 Sandy Springs’ comedic ventriloquist Allison Wonders will perform her adults-only puppetry show at the Atlanta Fringe Festival May 29 – June 6. Learn more about the festival and get tickets here.
Thanks for reading and stay dry this weekend.
The Rough Draft team
The City Council approves 26 new homes across three subdivisions
🏡 Sandy Springs officials approved three new subdivisions unanimously at the May 19 city council meeting, signaling support for new housing stock in one of metro Atlanta’s wealthiest suburbs.
Despite some opposition from surrounding neighbors, the council’s unanimous approval allows the eventual construction of 26 new single-family homes across the city, where just seven used to stand.
The largest of the three approved subdivisions is at the Dunwoody-Sandy Springs border and includes five residential lots along Spalding Drive northeast of Pitts Road.
The city’s planning department cited increased demand for single-unit detached housing in Sandy Springs outpacing production.
📌 Read more about how the new homes will impact Sandy Springs.
Sip, savor, and celebrate!
SPONSORED BY FOOD THAT ROCKS
🥂 Food That Rocks 2026 returns to City Springs on June 4 as Sandy Springs’ all-inclusive tasting event, presented by Taste of Atlanta.
From 6–10 p.m. for VIP entry and starting at 7 p.m. for general admission, guests sample bites from more than 25 neighborhood restaurants alongside craft cocktails, beer, and wine tastings. The under-the-stars evening features live music from Band X, chef meet-and-greets, and interactive sponsor activations.
Celebrating Sandy Springs’ growing culinary scene, the event brings together local favorites and new spots for one high-energy night of food, drinks, and community.
Sandy Springs fire chief promoted to assistant city manager
🚒 The City of Sandy Springs announced the promotion of Fire Chief Keith Sanders on May 21 to assistant city manager for infrastructure and capital program delivery, filling a position that’s been open for just over a year.
Sanders steps into the assistant city manager role after 12 years as fire chief, while the city advances plans to overhaul three of its fire stations.
City Manager Eden Freeman said Sanders has built a distinguished record of leadership, operational excellence, and dedicated service to the Sandy Springs community.
“His experience and institutional knowledge position him to step seamlessly into this expanded role,” Freeman said. “He leaves the fire department in an exceptional position under Interim Fire Chief Jesse Bernard, whose combination of operational depth, administrative experience, and professional preparation makes him well-suited to lead the fire department through this transition.”
👏🏼 Read more about Sanders and his new role.
Cocoa Classic founder passes away
Editor’s note:This story contains discussions of suicide and mental health crises.
🫶🏼 Collin Maher, a graduate of Mount Vernon School, who started the Cocoa Classic Charity 5K as a Boy Scout project – a fundraiser to supply shoes to students at underserved elementary schools – has died at the age of 19.
Maher, an avid runner who was nationally ranked, founded the Cocoa Classic 5K during his sophomore year at MVS after seeing children at a local food bank wearing worn-out shoes. The event got its name because all runners received a cup of cocoa after finishing the event.
In an email sent to Rough Draft, his father, Chris, said Collin has “passed away from suicide.” At the time of his death, Collin, according to his obituary, had just completed his freshman year at Washington University on a track and field scholarship.
Funeral services were held on Thursday.
💝 Read more about Maher and the impact he made.
Sandy Springs to honor beloved auto shop owner
🫡 The Sandy Springs Foundation and Police Department reached their fundraising goal for the Eddie Mobley Memorial Bench, allowing the community to honor the beloved auto shop owner and Vietnam veteran this Memorial Day.
The unveiling ceremony, made possible by a grassroots effort involving all corners of the community, is on May 25 at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park.
While Mobley passed away more than a decade ago, his generosity stuck with longtime police officers, spurring them to mount a campaign to memorialize the Vietnam War veteran on the site of his former auto shop earlier this year.
👉🏼 Read more about Mobley and the impact he made.
What’s doin’ around Sandy Springs
🎼 May 22:Sister Hazel at City Green Live
♟️ May 23:Rook & Roll Chess Club at Sandy Springs Library
🍸 May 24:Brunch with the Burboun Brothers Band at Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House
🕶️ May 28:Sundown Social at City Springs (every Thursday)
