Dink responsibly
Friday, Aug. 7 — National Pickleball Day is Saturday, Aug. 8. For those who celebrate, Sandy Springs offers several places to play, including the Sandy Springs Racquet Center and Hammond Park. The city’s website has a more complete list.
🫠 At the risk of sounding like a broken record, temperatures will be in the upper 80s this weekend with a chance of storms on Friday and Saturday.
🦝 Fox5 reported a Sandy Springs resident was bitten by a racoon that tested positive for rabies.
👨🏻🚒 Sandy Springs Fire Department is conducting a survey of people who live and work in the area. You can learn more and participate here.
📍 Mayor Andre Dickens criticized the Fulton County Board of Commissioners for denying the extension of six tax allocation districts while investing $1.3 billion in a jail overhaul. Hayden Sumlin has the full report.
💊 Wender & Roberts Pharmacy, a longtime mainstay in the West Paces Ferry Shopping Center just south of Sandy Springs, is relocating. But as Hayden reports, it’s not going far.
Thanks for reading!
The Rough Draft team
⚡ Southern Company, Official Energy Company of the PGA TOUR, is building stronger communities through golf. Since 1998, the TOUR Championship has raised more than $71 million for Atlanta nonprofits, fueling education, youth development, and neighborhood revitalization. That’s what it means to drive good energy, on and off the course. Learn more. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Fulton County gives approval for TSPLOST referendum
🚗 The Fulton County Commission met with representatives from each of its 15 cities on Aug. 3 to discuss this fall’s five-year, $653 million transportation sales tax referendum (TSPLOST). If approved, Sandy Springs would receive an estimated $129 million, or 17.2% of all revenue, for infrastructure improvements within the city through the early 2030s.
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said the most complaints he gets from residents are about congestion and traffic.
“Sandy Springs has particular transportation challenges because the roads are an old farm network that follows the topography,” Paul said, mentioning Mount Vernon Highway’s route along a ridgeline. “These funds have allowed us to really address some of the major bottlenecks in the city. Another thing that people want are sidewalks … so that’s where we put the money.”
🖇️ Read Hayden’s full report on what the TSPLOST referendum could mean for Sandy Springs.
Meet the People at the Heart of Perimeter’s Community
SPONSORED BY PERIMETER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
🤝 Community doesn’t just happen. It takes people who create reasons to connect.
Meet Rosemary Watts of Create Dunwoody and Nikki Washington of Perimeter Connects, two leaders helping transform Perimeter into a place where people want to gather, explore, and belong.
📹 Watch their stories in the Heart of Perimeter video series and discover what’s bringing people together.
Sandy Springs acquires access for Roswell Road sidewalk and transit access
🌳 Sandy Springs council members celebrated the acquisition of right-of-way along Roswell Road, necessary for the corridor’s ongoing streetscape project and 850 feet of new sidewalk, during their Aug. 4 meeting.
City staff and the owner of the ReNew Chastain apartments in south Sandy Springs agreed to a price of $465,000 for construction easements and ROW, 12% above the city’s appraised value. Sandy Springs officials called the sidewalk extension and transit access project important.
Public Works Director Marty Martin said the streetscape project will “significantly improve a very deficient sidewalk system” in that section of Roswell Road, which many pedestrians use. A car flew off the road nearby and split a utility pole in half less than a year ago.
🚒 Read more about the upcoming improvements to Roswell Road, and keep scrolling to read the latest news on Sandy Springs’ new state-of-the-art fire station.
High School football preview
🏈 High school football kicks off next week with the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. Rough Draft partnered with Score Atlanta, one of the state’s largest producers of television and digital broadcasts of Georgia high school sports, for its annual High School Football Preview.
Here’s what’s in store for Sandy Springs’ schools.
Holy Innocents’ took another step forward in 2025, improving from a 5-6 finish in 2024 to an 8-4 record. During 2024, then first-year head coach Nick Perrotta was tasked with replacing 19 starters, and he turned to a group of talented underclassmen to step into major roles and help modernize the offense. Read more.
Mount Vernon is heading into a big season in year three under head coach Terrence Edwards. The first two seasons have seen immense growth in both play and talent, and the 2026 season should continue that upward trajectory. Read more.
North Springs is coming off a 1-9 season in which the Spartans’ only win came against region opponent Clarkston, 28-6. While there were some disappointing performances last season, the Spartans showed grit at the end of the season. Read more.
Riverwood’s new Head coach Josh Coffey will begin his career at the school following the departure of Shawn Cahill. The Raiders are looking to right the ship under Coffey’s leadership. Read more.
✅ Check out Rough Draft’s complete high school football preview.
⚡ Southern Company, Official Energy Company of the PGA TOUR, is building stronger communities through golf. Since 1998, the TOUR Championship has raised more than $71 million for Atlanta nonprofits, fueling education, youth development, and neighborhood revitalization. That’s what it means to drive good energy, on and off the course. Learn more. SPONSOR MESSAGE
What’s doin’ around Sandy Springs
🌝 Aug. 7:Movies by Moonlight: The Lizzie McGuire Movie at Heritage Amphitheatre
🌳 Aug. 8: Tree Tour at Abernathy Greenway
👩🏼🎨 Aug. 8: Diva Sip & Paint at Painting with a Twist
☕️ Aug. 11: Business Brews networking at The Designery Atlanta
🧩 Aug. 12:What Matter Holds reception at The Gallery at City Springs
The Sports Section
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCORE ATLANTA
🏈 The return of high school football means the return of our weekly Sandy Springs sports section in partnership with Score Atlanta. Following are some matchups we have on our radar. Our regular listing of school records and upcoming games will return soon!
- Holy Innocents’ Golden Bears: Aug. 21 @ Pace Academy
- Mt. Vernon Mustangs: Aug. 21 vs. McNair
- North Springs Spartans: Aug. 21 vs. Riverwood
- Riverwood Raiders: Aug. 21 @ North Springs
🏈 The Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic is primed for the ultimate 35-year anniversary party to kick off the 2026 GHSA football season, commemorating the event’s storied history throughout a thrilling 11-game lineup. The event will begin at Mercedes-Benz Stadium from Aug. 12-13 and returns the following week at Kell High School on Aug. 19 and Blessed Trinity High School on Aug. 20. The finale takes place Aug. 21 at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.
All games will broadcast live on Atlanta News First and the Peachtree Sports Network, and will stream digitally on the ANF website/app as well as the NFHS Network. Click here for the complete schedule and tickets to all games!
