Rough Draft in print - March 2026

THE EVOLUTION AND IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL NEWS in print

The March issue of Rough Draft in Print (née Reporter Newspapers) marks a milestone for our company. At a time when much of the news about the media industry is discouraging, it feels like a good moment to step back, recognize a few bright spots in local journalism, and give readers a peek behind the curtain.

Across the country, local newspapers continue to disappear. The latest “State of Local News” report from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism found that more than 200 counties in the United States now qualify as “news deserts,” communities with little or no access to local news. In another 1,500 counties, only a single news source remains, leaving roughly 50 million Americans with limited access to local

journalism.

The industry continues to contract, according to the Medill study. One hundred thirty-six newspapers closed in the past year, and newsroom employment has fallen by more than 75 percent since 2005.

Americans also have a complicated relationship with the news itself. A recent Pew Research Center study found that about half of Americans say they feel worn out by the amount of information they encounter, and many admit they have reduced how often they follow the news.

That tension between recognizing the importance of being informed and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information is one of the defining challenges facing modern journalism.

Continued on page 6

KEITH PEPPER

M A Y 9 , 2 0 2 6 A T T H E S T A V E R O O M

Insider’s guide to The Masters Tournament at Lake Oconee

Conveniently located halfway between Atlanta and Augusta, Lake Oconee offers an unforgettable experience during Masters week. From luxurious lodging to savoring a delectable meal, there are plenty of ways to indulge during your stay. For golf lovers, the area’s six stunning courses provide the perfect opportunity to test your skills while soaking in the beauty of Greene County. Lake Oconee is the ideal.destination to make the most of Masters week.

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

Celebrate one of the biggest sporting events in the world by letting The Ritz-Carlton be your premier destination. Culinary experiences, championship golf courses, and a newly transformed spa welcome you back after a visit to Augusta National.

Linger Longer Steakhouse

A stylish Lake Oconee restaurant featuring a delightful menu. Guests can enjoy generous cuts of meat, seafood, and family sides, all with the perfect wine pairing.

Oconee Cove

Hidden behind a wall of tales is Lake Oconee’s only speakeasy. Oconee Cove beckons you to indulge in an unparalleled collection of rare spirits and small plates.

Amore Del Lago

Indulge in the ultimate Italian experience. Savor homemade pizza and pasta inspired by authentic recipes. Enjoy fine wine and al fresco dining.

Gaby’s by the Lake

You can watch The Masters at the bar while enjoying Master inspired cocktails and beer. They also offer the perfect golf snacks like BBQ pork nachos.

The Spa

Immerse in the opulence of the spa, boasting redesigned spaces and innovative treatments. Choose from body treatments, specialized massages, custom-tailored facials, and four signature wellness treatments.

Golfing in Greensboro

There’s no better time to explore golfing in Greensboro to elevate your experience! The courses at Lake Oconee are a must-add to your Masters checklist. Designed by legendary architects, these courses offer an unforgettable blend of challenge and beauty.

Harbor Club

Named one of the top three places to play in the state of Georgia by Golfweek, Harbor Club is the only public course in Greene County and a must do on your golf checklist!

Reynolds Lake Oconee

If you’re staying at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, or one of the cottages or condos through Reynolds Lake Oconee Vacation Rentals, you’ll have access to the incredible Reynolds’ courses: Great Waters, Landing, Preserve, National, and Oconee.

The Kingdom at

Reynolds Lake Oconee

Offering an integration of superior equipment technology with golf instruction, The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee is one of only two such facilities in the country, providing guests with an exclusive retreat for full-game improvement.

Dining in Greensboro

No visit to Greensboro is complete without savoring the flavors of our unique local cuisine, with a variety of charming restaurants and hidden gems, there’s something to delight every palate.

The Yesterday Cafe

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Greensboro, The Yesterday Café is a beloved

Southern eatery known for its warm hospitality, charming atmosphere, and signature Buttermilk Pie—a dessert so famous it has been featured in Southern Living.

Café 44

Grab a breakfast sammie and a cup of coffee on your way out to Augusta. This cute café serves breakfast, lunch, and pastries Monday thru Saturday.

Table at the Lake

Table at the Lake is an upscale restaurant located in Greensboro. They focus on thoughtfully sourced ingredients and seasonal menus. Open for dinner or Sunday brunch. The Spanish octopus is a must try!

Silver Moon

After soaking up all the action at the Masters Tournament, treat yourself to a memorable dinner at The Silver Moon — a beloved local favorite. Insider tip: when you arrive there is no hostess, just write your name on the chalkboard by the door.

Transportation to and from the Tournament

If you’re planning to make Lake Oconee your base while attending the Masters Tournament - you’ll want reliable transportation for the roughly hour and a half drive to Augusta. While renting a car is one option, two local professional services stand out for comfort, convenience, and a stress-free travel experience.

RTSO

For visitors who want a professional, comfortable ride without the hassles of driving, RTSO offers premium ground transportation services tailored to events like the Masters. Their fleet includes luxury sedans, SUVs, and larger vehicles.

Lake Oconee Limo

If you’re looking for a more upscale or group-friendly option, Lake Oconee Limo provides luxury transportation to Augusta, nearby airports, and surrounding cities. With a fleet that includes premium sedans, SUVs, and limo sprinter vans.

Find your reason to stay a little longer

The collusion of past, present, and future

EDITOR'S NOTE

When I was in my teens, 20s, and 30s, everyone older than me who started a sentence with, “Back in my day. . . ” triggered an immediate visceral reaction, something like, “Well, it’s not your day anymore, and you should get with today’s program.”

What a difference a few decades have made regarding my response to that phrase. In fact, I’m ashamed to find myself repeating those same words, or ones similar to that. I’m not shocked to see the same reaction from the recipients of my “words of wisdom,” and who can blame them?

I realize that now that I have more of my life behind me than before, I’ve

PUBLISHER’S

Continued from cover

Atlanta, while not a news desert, is not immune to the pressures facing the industry. The Atlanta JournalConstitution laid off roughly 15 percent of its staff earlier this year, and CNN faces an uncertain future as its parent company prepares for a potential merger with Paramount. Many newsroom jobs have already left the city.

It’s a reminder that the media business is changing for organizations of every size. What’s with the new name?

While the flag on the cover of this publication may be different, the mission behind it remains the same.

Inside these pages you’ll find the same style of neighborhood journalism readers have come to expect over the past two decades, now with a bit more coverage as we’ve added the City of Norcross to our reporting footprint.

Norcross, the historic railroad town in Gwinnett County, is home to a charming 19th-century downtown and one of metro Atlanta’s most diverse communities. We’re excited to begin telling more of its stories. This change isn’t a shift in mission so much as a strategic adaptation designed to help ensure these papers continue to thrive. For several years, the Brookhaven, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Tucker Reporter newspapers have shared the same editorial content while maintaining separately branded covers.

Beginning with this issue, the papers will be consolidated into a single monthly print publication. This approach allows us

become my elders, and it’s holding me back.

The stubborn need to hang onto antiquated habits includes my refusal to abandon my beloved paper calendar, my reluctance to depend on AI for advice, and my boycott of smart watches that tell me how I slept or whether I moved enough during the last hour. This obstinance, in its own way, impedes my ability to adapt to the inevitable and swift waters of change – sometimes, I roll my own eyes at my inability to get with today’s program.

Bridging the gap gracefully

The point – which I will reach eventually – is that there is a sweet spot between honoring the past and incorporating it into the present, as well as using both while planning for the future.

This theme is definitely illustrated in our “double-cover” issue, as Rough Draft Publisher Keith Pepper outlines a map to sustainability by consolidating our print

NOTE

to streamline production while continuing to serve all six communities with the highquality local journalism that has defined these publications for two decades. Digital-first, but true to print

When I acquired what was Springs Publishing in 2020, some people told me I was crazy. At a time when many newspapers are owned by large national chains or investment firms, locally owned media organizations like ours are becoming increasingly rare.

Over the past five years, we’ve evolved how we deliver news, but not why we cover it. Our reporting still focuses on the news people need, such as education, local government, and public safety, alongside the stories people crave, including arts, restaurants, and real estate.

Today, all of our stories appear first on our website and in daily newsletters. But our monthly print paper fills a unique role in this era of infinite choices, information overload, and partisan division.

We are investing in using technology and every digital distribution platform we can because that helps us build a sustainable business, which in turn allows for more investment in people who can cover local news and events.

Meaningful, not massive

The grim reality of digital publishing is that digital-only sites that want to scale have to chase clicks. Our focus is different, and we pass on programmatic advertising online and foster relationships with local and regional businesses who value a

editions into a single publication, while growing our online presence to ensure both are viable resources for our readers.

In the same way, the “inside” cover story, the 100th year of the Atlanta History Center, is doing the same – telling the story of its past in new and fresh ways, as the center rolls out new exhibitions, programs, and experiences.

Other stories in this issue reflect this “old-new” theme

Sammie Purcell, in her movie review of “Wuthering Heights,” compares its message to 2004’s “The Notebook” in its ability to capture the romance of young, obsessive love. Candy Hom’s story on Gula Indonesian Desserts on Buford Highway tells of its new owners’ dreams to keep their parents’ legacy alive while introducing Indonesian cuisine to the next generation.

Our story on the death of groundbreaking running icon Jeff Galloway has

a QR code link on the page that links to an online story about what he meant to a generation of runners who adapted to his “run/walk/walk” method.

BTW, that’s a new feature that we are inserting into our monthly publications that allows us to highlight a greater number of stories in print, while offering readers an opportunity to take a deeper dive via our digital product.

Finally, my story on a Brookhaven breakfast to honor the late Martin Luther King Jr., which involved a fascinating conversation between new DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and 93-year-old former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, revealed both how far the civil rights movement has come and how much further it needs to go.

And personally, instead of starting a conversation about new initiatives with “Back in my day…,” I’m trying to say, “Tell me about it . . .”

A recent Pew Research Center study found that about half of Americans say they feel worn out by the amount of information they encounter, and many admit they have reduced how often they follow the news.

healthy local media ecosystem.

Our print distribution targets the area’s most engaged neighborhoods, and our talented team brings decades of knowledge and experience to every issue. That expertise, combined with collaborations with other local media organizations, helps create a stronger product for readers and a clearer path toward sustainability.

And, for those of you who really don’t care about the news, we are (finally!) introducing puzzles in the paper (page 23). How you can help

One other finding from recent research

I’m still keeping my paper calendar. stood out to me: only about 8 percent of Americans believe people have a responsibility to pay for news.

Local journalism, however, has always depended on community support from readers and advertisers.

If you value having reliable reporting about the places where you live, work, and raise your family, here are three ways you can help ensure Rough Draft thrives.

■ Support our advertisers. When you find your dream home or discover a new restaurant, jeweler, event, or exhibit, let them know you saw their ad in Rough Draft.

■ Subscribe to our newsletters. Our morning Rough Draft newsletter offers a clever, curated, and concise look at what you need to know each day. Text DRAFT to 66866 to subscribe.

■ Become a member. If you value what we do, consider supporting our journalism and pick up some cool swag at roughdraftatlanta. com/membership or scan the QR code below.

Even in a time of information overload, local journalism still matters.

Please let me know what you think by emailing me at keith@roughdraft.news.

CATHY COBBS

Atlanta History Center turns 100

By Rachel Spooner

The Atlanta History Center is anticipating an eventful year in honor of its centennial. From the center’s largest exhibition to date to a sports-themed overhaul of the Goizueta Children’s Experience in partnership with five of the city’s professional teams, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience Atlanta’s past, present, and future throughout 2026.

Founded in 1926, the Atlanta Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the city’s history. That history was made more accessible to the public in 1990 with the establishment of the 33-acre Atlanta History Center campus in Buckhead, which includes curated gardens, historic homes like the Swan House, the Cyclorama of the Battle of Atlanta, and the museum itself, featuring permanent and rotating exhibits.

“There's truly something for everyone here,” said Pola Changnon, chief content officer for the AHC. With six curated exhibitions and experiences spanning from March into the fall, museum-goers can explore something new all year.

Two of the AHC’s centennial exhibitions will highlight the Civil War, including the center’s largest-ever exhibition, “More Perfect Union: The American Civil War Era,” opening in July.

“Atlanta is this significant metro area, a thriving area in the country, let alone in the southeast, with probably the most active piece of the Civil War under our feet,” Changnon said.

The Atlanta Campaign of 1864 marked the turning point of the Civil War, making the city a relevant spot to examine the conflict. The exhibition will include never-before-seen artifacts and immersive narratives.

force behind the large exhibition. Through “More Perfect Union,” Jones is revisiting and improving an exhibition he curated that was deinstalled from the center 30 years ago.

“We have new artifacts, new scholarship, and new technologies to be able to communicate this story in a more fulsome way,” Changnon said. “I think the quote that our historian always uses is, ‘this is not your grandfather's Civil War.’”

Coincidentally, the AHC will celebrate its 100th anniversary in the same year America will enter its 250th. The first exhibition of the centennial, showing from March 17 to April 12, will bring the Freedom Plane to Atlanta, connecting the two anniversaries by displaying a selection of America’s founding documents from the National Archives. Atlanta will be one of eight locations across the country to welcome the Freedom Plane documents. Admission to the AHC will be free for the duration of the exhibition.

“A lot of the goal is for us to make this, especially for audiences that might not be as familiar with these stories, feel human,” Chagnon said. “It's not only about the battlefields and about the steady progress of the Union Army, or what it meant, specifically in Atlanta, to literally live in the turning point of the Civil War. It's about how it impacted people, whether it was for the enslaved population, the self-emancipated population, women, or people living on farms.”

The AHC’s senior military historian and curator, Gordan Jones, is a major

The final exhibition of the centennial, opening in the fall, is titled “Exile from Georgia: The Cherokee and Muscogee Trail of Tears.” The museum worked with representatives from the two native tribes to ensure that their history was presented respectfully and to “challenge visitors, so they walk away with a clearer understanding of this complex history,” according to the center’s website.

The land Atlanta sits on has a long history, which the AHC additionally tells through its gardens. With native plants, flowering displays, and even heirloom animals at the Smith Farm Gardens, the gardens “tell the history of the land,” Changnon said. “It's a different expression of history. The gardens are interpreted through these different lenses that can fill in more about the natural world in terms of history.”

The AHC’s centennial will not only celebrate the past, but also the present.

Visitors take in an exhibition at the Atlanta History Center. (Courtesy AHC)

The Texas locomotive used in the Civil War is on display. (Courtesy AHC)

The museum is collaborating with the Braves, Hawks, Falcons, Atlanta United, and Atlanta Dream to retrofit the Goizueta Children’s Experience to teach younger visitors about sports in the city. There will be games, activities, and storytelling that emphasize teamwork, perseverance, and hometown pride. Admission to the experience is included with the purchase of a museum ticket.

If going to the museum isn’t enough, visitors can bring home a piece of Atlanta’s history during the center’s centennial. Opening in April, the “Atlanta in 100 Objects: A Century of Stories” exhibit will be accompanied by a coffee table book available for purchase featuring the selected objects that tell Atlanta’s tale. Some of the objects include Spelman

College bulletins, a Civil War battle flag, and the Auburn Avenue Rib Shack sign. The artifacts will be spaced throughout the campus, sending visitors on a self-guided treasure hunt through time.

“Our story is Atlanta’s story, but it’s also America’s,” said Sheffield Hale, president and CEO of Atlanta History Center, in a statement. “As we enter our next century, we remain committed to honoring the full, complex history of this city and spotlighting the people, places, and moments that shape both Atlanta and the nation in a clear, even-handed way grounded in evidence. Through its contradictions, courage, creativity, and culture, Atlanta offers a powerful lens for understanding what it means to be American.”

The Cyclorama offers a panoramic view of The Battle of Atlanta. (Courtesy AHC)

Where Buckhead’s Business Community Comes Together Where Buckhead’s Business Community Comes Together

Connecting leaders, strengthening commerce, & shaping the future of Buckhead leaders, commerce, & shaping the future of Buckhead

For more than 70 years, the Buckhead Business Association (BBA) has served as the voice and connector of Buckhead’s business community.

We bring together executives, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers to:

Build meaningful professional relationships

Stay informed on policy, development, and economic trends

Engage directly with civic leaders and influencers

Strengthen Buckhead as a place to do business

you’re growing a

MARTA Reach to begin March 7 BUCKHEAD

By Collin Kelley

MARTA will officially launch MARTA Reach, an on-demand transit service in 12 zones across Atlanta, beginning March 7.

Part of MARTA’s NextGen Bus Network, MARTA Reach will bring transit service directly to the rider’s location for transport to rail and bus stations.

Residents can request a ride through the MARTA Reach app or reservation line, which provides a pickup window of 30 minutes or less. The service will operate 18 hours a day, seven days a week.

MARTA Reach is launching in 12 zones: West Atlanta, Kirkwood/Candler Park, County Line, Lakewood, Oakley Industrial, Fulton Industrial, East Point, Hillandale, Candler-McAfee/Belvedere Park, Cedar Grove, Gresham Park, and North Fulton.

Despite a nationwide manufacturer recall affecting the permanent Dodge Ram ProMaster fleet, MARTA said in a press release that it will use a fleet of leased Ford Starcraft vans for the Reach program starting on March 7.

While these vehicles are fully ADAaccessible and equipped with two

wheelchair slots, customers should note that the temporary vehicles utilize a wheelchair lift rather than a ramp and, unlike the permanent fleet, will not be equipped with bike racks. Bicycles will be permitted on MARTA Reach once the permanent vehicles are cleared for service.

MARTA Reach is free to ride from March 7 until March 28, then it will have a $2.50 fare. This fare includes four free transfers for customers using the Breeze system, which will soon support contactless tap-to-pay options via bank cards and mobile wallets.

To begin using the service, customers are encouraged to download the MARTA Reach app in the Apple Store or the Google Play Store. Customers may also call the reservation line at (404) 848-6622 beginning March 7. The reservation line will be available seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In some MARTA Reach Zones, customers will be able to connect to and from points outside of the zone to allow them to access rail or high-frequency bus service. Those out-of-zone connection points include Lakewood, Oakley Industrial, Hilandale, Candler-McAfee, Cedar Grove, and Gresham Park.

Phoenix Flies celebrates Atlanta’s historic preservation

By Katie Burkholder

Phoenix Flies, an annual celebration of the preservation of Atlanta’s history, returns this March.

Created by the Atlanta Preservation Center in 2003 to honor the rescue of the Fox Theatre, Phoenix Flies has showcased Atlanta’s historic and cultural landmarks

through tours, talks, and events for 24 years.

From March 3 to 29, over 100 partners will offer over 150 free events throughout the city.

The program includes tours of landmarks like the May Patterson Goodrum House, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, the Candler Hotel, Hammond House Museum, Hotel Clermont, and the Atlanta History Center; historic walking tours of neighborhoods in Druid Hills, Decatur, Hapeville, South Downtown, Midtown, Little 5 Points, Inman Park, and Downtown Kennesaw; and talks covering the cultural gentrification of Atlanta, the national register process, preservation philosophy, the role of cell phones in historic preservation, and more.

Phoenix Flies 2026 Event Highlights

■ Museums, Archives, and Rare Books at KSU - March 6 and 27, 3 p.m.

■ Westview Cemetery Bus TourMarch 9 and 10, 2 p.m.

■ An Iconic Church, Cemetery, and 300-year-old TreeMarch 14 and 28, 10 a.m.

IN OUR PREHISTORIC

■ Centennial Summer: Georgia Tech’s Olympic Legacy - March 24 and 26, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

■ Soccer Gets Started in AtlantaMarch 25, 6 p.m.

■ First Church of Christ, Scientist Organ Concert - March 17, noon

■ Decatur Cemetery Literary Tour -March 19, 5 p.m.

May Patterson Goodrum House

Civil rights discussed at MLK breakfast

By Cathy Cobbs

More than 200 people were treated to a frank conversation between DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and former U.S. Ambassador and civil rights activist Andrew Young at the city’s 42nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration held at the Brookhaven City Centre on Feb. 27. The event also recognized two recipients of the Nathaniel Mosby Humanitarian Award – Former Georgia Supreme Court Justic Leah Ward Sears, a former Supreme Court judge and interim president of Emory University, and social

justice advocate Rabbi Zev-Hayyim Feyer, who has been advocating for civil rights for 70 years.

The honorees

In a full-circle moment, Sears recalled during her remarks that she was appointed to the City Court of Atlanta by thenMayor Young at the age of 30. Just three years later, she made history as the first African American woman to serve as a superior court judge in Georgia.

Feyer told the audience that he believes every generation learns to do better in the fight for equal rights, a sentiment echoed

March 28 - 29

March 21- Brookhaven Cherry Blossom 5K

by a youngster, Alaric Jason Watkins, who came to the stage to recite a portion of King’s landmark “I Have a Dream” speech.

“I want to say to Rabbi Zev, ‘I heard what you said about the next generation, and don’t worry, we got this,’” Watkins said, after which loud and sustained applause ensued.

Young and Cochran-Johnson exchange stories

The highlight of the morning celebration was the conversation between Cochran-Johnson and the soon-to-be 94-year-old Young, who spoke with reverence about his friendship with King during the battle for racial equality that the American Civil Rights Movement spearheaded in the 1950s and continues today.

He recounted that one of his most memorable marches with King occurred in 1964 during a night march from Lincolnville, FL to the Plaza de la Constitucion, which was met with violent opposition.

“We learned that the Klu Klux Klan had been hired by the sheriff to beat us up,” Young said. “But Dr. King was worried, not because we would be hurt, but that the KKK would be hurt.”

Young said he attempted to “talk some sense” into the KKK members, and “I was making some pretty good progress until someone came up behind me, hit me on the head, and put me on the ground.”

Young said he suffered “a good 15-minute ass-kicking,” but said he was amazed that he felt no pain during the entire event or after.

“I have headaches every day, and I’m very nervous most of the time, but I felt no pain or nervousness that whole weekend,” he said.

He said the mob’s angry words inspired him rather than disgusted him.

“I heard one of the Klu Klux Klan members say, ‘these [racist term for Blacks] sure have a lot of nerve,’ to which one of the women on the march told me, ‘It’s not nerve, it’s faith.’”

Faith was a theme

Faith was a theme that surrounded many of Young’s comments during his conversation with Cochran-Johnson, even though he claimed not to be well-versed in the Bible.

“Whenever I get weary and think my work is in vain, here comes the holy spirit to heal my soul,” Young said. “It always goes back to the Bible and the spiritual… as bad as we are, most of the time we make a ‘way out’ of ‘no way.’”

The ceremony paused to reflect the death of Jesse Jackson on Feb. 17, who spent many years alongside King, Young and others as they marched throughout the country demanding equal treatment for all.

International jazz vocalist Lori Williams sang “We’ve Come This Far by Faith,” a hymn written by Albert A. Goodson, which affirms God’s saving power in the past, as well as providing hope for the future.

At the end of the program, CochranJohnson presented Young with a lifetime achievement award for his decades of tenacious pursuit of civil rights and equality.

“Your life has been an answer to many questions for individuals struggling with society and where we move forward,” she said. “This is a lifetime achievement, not just in our community and our country, but in the world. We truly pray that one day we have the impact that you have had.”

Former UN Ambassador Andrew Young and DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson engage in conversation at an MLK breakfast on Feb. 27. (Photo by Cathy Cobbs)

Accusations fly at DeKalb school closing info session

By Cathy Cobbs

Emotions ran high on Feb. 26 at Cross Keys High School in Brookhaven as hundreds of people attended a feedback session regarding the DeKalb County School’s proposal to close or repurpose 27 schools throughout the county.

In mid-February, the school revealed a list of schools that could be closed or repurposed based on a recommendation in the Student Assignment Project (SAP) as part of an effort to address the district’s ongoing declining enrollment. The list targeted low-population schools, as well as those with smaller capacity.

The Cross Keys meeting was one of several throughout the county that gave interested parties a chance to ask questions about the first phase of the project that identified buildings that have been targeted for closure or repurposing.

Despite the efforts of moderators to steer the narrative to that topic, the tone of many of the attendees’ questions was more accusatory than inquisitive.

Administrators continued to reiterate that the first version of the plan would be different than the final one, based on feedback from the public.

“When you go through this process, it’s going to be messy,” said Tracy Richter, vice president of planning services for HPM, the consulting firm hired to spearhead the SAP. “This process should not be an ‘event,’ but something that should be discussed all the time.”

Among the schools under consideration for closure are Brookhaven’s Ashford Park Elementary, Vanderlyn and Kingsley elementary schools in Dunwoody, and Brockett Elementary in Tucker.

People wearing Ashford Park

Elementary shirts were well-represented at the meeting, which, despite heavy rains that night, had hundreds in attendance.

After watching a 23-minute message regarding the different scenarios that could result as the district consolidates, repurposes, or closes schools, questions submitted via a QR code displayed at the meeting were answered by various representatives, including Richter, DCSD COO Erick Hofstetter, and other administrators.

Accusations fly

The forum then opened to in-person questions, and that’s when the vitriol started flying, in particular regarding the proposed closing of Ashford Park Elementary, an over-capacity school that has more than 750 students, and is highly ranked in the county and the state for its testing scores and achievements.

“What happens when you take these high-achieving kids and put them in lower performing schools?” One attendee wearing an Ashford Park shirt asked.

Other questions revolved around potential layoffs and the possibility of eliminating programs when schools are closed and students are scattered throughout other facilities.

Parents from Kingsley, Oak Grove, and Vanderlyn also expressed displeasure at the concept of their schools being dismantled.

discussed in May.

District 1 Representative Andrew Ziffer, who represents the zone that encompasses Kingsley and Vanderlyn, both schools with passionate stakeholders, said in a recent email to Rough Draft Atlanta that he was surprised by the inclusion of Vanderlyn and Kingsley in the potential closure list.

“What did come as a surprise to many was that two elementary schools — Vanderlyn Elementary and Kingsley Elementary — appeared on the potential closure list, and that Chesnut Elementary was proposed for expansion,” he said.

The school system currently has about 90,000 students, which is a decline of about 20,000 students since its peak enrollment. Birth rates, affordable housing, and school choice, such as private and homeschooling, have had an impact on the declining school enrollment. Maintaining buildings and stretching staff and resources across those buildings has become burdensome for the district, administrators

and maintain buildings,” Dr. Norman C. Sauce, DeKalb County’s interim superintendent, said in an earlier statement. “We owe it to our community to be transparent about the challenges we face and to listen carefully before charting a path forward. This phase is about hearing directly from our stakeholders.”

District 1 DCDS member Andrew Ziffer wrote an editorial about the SAP process and specifically his thoughts on Vanderlyn, Kingsley and Chesnut elementaries. Read his remarks by scanning the QR code.

COUNT Y CORNER

“At Oak Grove, why are you trying to shut down a model that isn’t broken?” one person asked.

Representatives reiterated in response to the barrage of questions that the plan has not been finalized and feedback from meetings and through its online portal will be addressed before the next steps – boundaries and programs – will be

A packed crowd at Cross Keys High School hears school assignment plans. (Supplied)

Join Commissioner Michelle Long Spears and the District 2 Team for an inspiring celebration of the SODA initiative’s transformative impact across DeKalb Count y!

Council hears Kingsley Lake pleas

By Cathy Cobbs

The Dunwoody City Council’s Feb. 23 meeting may be remembered for what didn’t happen, rather than what did, as several projects and initiatives were delayed or withdrawn.

Nonetheless, the meeting was a colorful one, literally and figuratively, as disgruntled Kingsley subdivision residents, dressed in orange vests, pleaded with the city to help fix its crumbling spillway, which is causing erosion to properties that back up to the lake.

After 30 minutes of public comment

dominated by the Kingsley residents, Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton read a statement that said the property in question is a private entity and that the city is not responsible for repairing the spillway.

In addition, the council had a lively exchange with representatives from Flock Safety about possible security breaches in its surveillance system and its contract with the city. The council deferred a request to extend the annual contract for 30 days. It’s the second time the council has asked the contract to be delayed.

Finally, there was a “quiet quit”

involving a request for a Special Land Use Permit for 84 Perimeter Center East, a property that has been in flux for more than 10 years, as the applicant, JSJ Perimeter LLC, withdrew the request. The mixed-use development plan included a drive-thru Portillo’s restaurant, which has caused concerns about its impact on an already congested roadway.

Kingsley Lake residents plead their case

Members of the Kingsley Swim & Racquet Club and Kingsley Neighborhood Alliance, during public comment, said the city should be responsible for repairs to its failing spillway.

“For years, the city has directed stormwater into the Kingsley Lake through city infrastructure,” founding city council member Danny Ross told council. “The flow crosses the lake, exits over the spill, and continues into the city’s downstream system. When the city uses a private lake and spillwater as part of the stormwater conveyance path, the city has a duty to manage that path competently and address the damages that result.”

The city, Ross contended, should acknowledge publicly that Kingsley Lake is a functional part of the city’s stormwater conveyance system, direct the staff to meet with the lake association in an open forum, commission an independent assessment of the flow impacts and damage to the spillway, and commit to a timeline to repair the damage.

“Until a solution is implemented, stop treating this like a private inconvenience,” Ross said.

Other residents, like Whitney Delaney, president of Kingsley Racquet & Swim Club, claimed that the city has made a series of stormwater improvements that

direct more water into the lake.

“In 2015, the culverts on North Peachtree and Delverton [Drive] were enlarged and raised to accommodate higher stormwater flows,” Delaney said. “In 2023, pipe repairs were completed on Brendan Drive, Redcliffe Way, and Sandell Drive, improving conveyance and allowing storm water to move more efficiently into Kingsley Lake. In 2024, additional repairs were made on private property on Delverton, directing even more water into the lake.”

Each of these improvements, Delaney said, directs more water into the lake, and when the lake fills, forces the excess over a single emergency spillway located on the Kingsley property.

The city response: No

After the public comment concluded, Linton read a statement that said the area in question “is private property that the general public does not have access to, and the City of Dunwoody is not responsible for repairing this private property.”

“The City of Dunwoody does not control the lake, the dam, or the flume that is damaged. The City has not negligently constructed or maintained its drainage system in a way that damages the lake, the dam, or the flume,” the statement said. “Historical photographs show that the flume has not been maintained, and as far back as 2010, photos show damage to the flume in the same area as the current damage.”

For more council meeting news, scan the QR code.

About 75 Kingsley subdivision residents came to the Feb. 23 Dunwoody City Council to discuss issues with its lake spillway. (Photo by Cathy Cobbs)

Police chief: Crime dropped 25% in 2025

By Hayden Sumlin

The Norcross Police Department reported a more than 25 percent reduction in overall crime in 2025, with nearly all major categories now well below 10- and 15-year averages.

In 2025, the NPD earned its first Excellence in Policing Certification, one of four departments in Georgia to receive the award. The department also completed 6,039 total training hours, averaging 92 hours per employee, with internal and external reviews showing strong compliance and responsible oversight.

Last year, Norcross activated its real-time camera integration platform, Axon Fusus, which provides a network of license-plate readers and centralizes data for command staff.

Beyond crime reduction, officials reported that traffic safety improved substantially. The department handled 931 vehicle accidents, the lowest number of traffic accidents within city limits in 15 years.

Comments from leadership

Looking ahead to 2026, the department plans to expand K-9 units and complete the new public safety building, which will house police and municipal court operations.

In the city’s announcement, Mayor Craig Newton said results don’t happen by chance.

“They are the direct result of a highly professional police department, strong leadership, and meaningful partnerships with our community,” Newton said. “I am incredibly proud of the Norcross Police Department for its continued commitment to safety, accountability, and service.”

The Norcross Police Department is staffed by 53 sworn officers, 20 civilian personnel, and two contracted mental health professionals. Its focus is on proactive policing strategies designed to deter crime while maintaining transparency and trust within one of the most diverse communities in the nation.

“These achievements reflect a department that is not only reducing crime, but doing so the right way, through training, transparency, and adherence to the highest professional standards,” Newton said.

Out Loud

Reading & Book Signing

Police Chief Bill Grogan, speaking at a community forum, said his responsibility falls within the six square miles of Norcross, which has a population of less than 20,000. On weekdays, the population quadruples with heavy traffic coming in and out of Atlanta.

“Twenty-eight percent was our overall reduction from [2024], and it was a 22 percent reduction the year before that. These are major decreases in crime,” Grogan said. “We’re seeing this around the nation.”

People Drinking Coffee, a community group meeting weekly at 45 South Cafe in downtown Norcross, brings in a speaker every Wednesday at 8 a.m. Grogan spoke to a crowded room in late January about crime, new initiatives, and the department’s role in immigration enforcement.

Grogan, a former U.S. Navy intelligence specialist and police captain, is celebrating a decade as chief of police this June. He said throughout all neighborhoods and commercial areas, four or five of the city’s 14 hotels have been an ongoing challenge for police officers.

“This is not going to change,” Grogan said, without divulging specific hotel names. “Some work very well with us, and then there are others that we have to deal with. We have a dedicated crime suppression team that focuses primarily on them.”

Grogan said he receives questions about high-frequency sites for officer responses.

“If you compare one neighborhood of single-family detached with large lots to, for example, an apartment complex here in the city, it’s going to be the same service delivery,” Grogan said. “They’re not going to be any different.”

Policy on immigration

“The City of Norcross Police

Department, this is the key part here, has nothing to do with immigration,” Grogan said. “I do not care; no one on my staff cares where anyone is from. We have a duty to protect and serve, and that’s it. It doesn’t say who. If you’re not obeying the laws, you deal with us.”

Grogan said that House Bill 1105, signed into law in May 2024, requires local police departments to honor immigration detainers. It also prevents local governments from adopting sanctuary policies, with reporting mechanisms to ensure compliance.

“We also have to ask the question or request them to answer the question, ‘What is your legal status?’” Grogan said. “If you don’t have any identification at all, we have no way of figuring out who you are, and we ask, ‘Are you here legally?’”

That’s about as far as the Norcross Police Department dips into any activity related to immigration. Grogan said the department records the type of license each individual presents to officers and stores it in a database, in accordance with HB 1105.

“In almost two years, I have never been asked for that information,” Grogan said. “That law just basically stops right there, and nothing else happens from it. So you all are confused as I am by it.”

Grogan said if the department encounters someone with a valid arrest warrant from another jurisdiction, including federal immigration detainers, state law requires their arrest. Jails, if requested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, must hold individuals for up to 48 hours.

“That is the only thing that we would potentially do when dealing with immigration,” Grogan said. “I can’t find anybody in my department who has had it happen.”

Norcross residents at the Jan. 28 People Drinking Coffee community meeting hear from the city’s chief of police. (Photo by Hayden Sumlin)

Norcross approves off-year comprehensive

By Hayden Sumlin

The Norcross City Council approved an amendment to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan on March 2 by a 3-2 vote. City officials discussed final changes in February, wrapping up a process that began last spring.

During a Feb. 16 policy work session, elected officials discussed the amendments amid opposition from a group of senior residents. The theme continued at the March 2 city council meeting with a chorus of criticism lobbed at elected officials.

Guiding city development

Assistant City Manager Tracy Rye, the city’s former planning director, said amendments are intended to fine-tune the plan so that it more accurately reflects the city’s vision and framework without overhauling the entire document.

“The most common concerns we’ve heard relate to increased traffic, particularly along major corridors like Buford Highway and Holcomb Bridge Road,” Rye said. “We have also heard a strong desire to ensure that any future development is wellplanned and maintains the small-town character and historic charm that make our community unique and led residents to call Norcross home in the first place.”

Rye said the Buford Highway Master Plan will be updated after the comprehensive plan amendments are adopted. After approving some Unified Development Ordinance changes to support the updates in prior months, elected officials are expected to make additional refinements later this year.

Residents said they have mixed feelings and concerns about growth in Norcross. The city’s population more than doubled between 2010 and 2020, driven by an annexation in 2012 and ongoing development.

The amendment focuses on the boundaries and descriptions of some character areas and minor adjustments to the recommended land uses.

One of the only things everyone at Norcross City Hall could agree about on March 2 was the need to mitigate commuter traffic and alleviate congestion for residents.

City protects historic downtown

One major amendment to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan separates character area 7 into two distinct districts, Downtown Historic Norcross and Buford Highway.

Staff from Doraville in DeKalb County also reviewed the amendments, approving of the expansion of housing development recommendations to most character areas.

“After reading through all the

comments, the only comment I have is it seems (to me) overly complicated to split Character Area 7 into two, if the main difference is that larger-scale developments should go on or near Buford Highway, not near the historic town,” Doraville planners said.

Council Member Bruce Gaynor said he had ethical concerns about the 2024 update, mentioning the threat of lawsuits after zoning changes. Gaynor voted to approve the amendment along with council members Marshall Cheek and Matt Myers.

“We made the comp plan in a way, but didn’t understand that we were changing density, also didn’t understand that the UDO refers to the comp plan in sort of a circular way,” Gaynor said. “In effect, we were changing zoning without knowing it. That specific issue was what drove me to say we need to reopen the comp plan.”

Gaynor said a required special-use permit (SUP) for multifamily and mixeduse developments is “a backstop” that requires a majority of elected officials to approve a project. He said requiring a permit for high-density should’ve already been in the plan.

City staff clarified that the SUP is required in the Community Mixed-Use (CX) and Buford Highway (BH) zoning districts. A SUP also requires developers to conduct their own community engagement before the council considers the application.

Council members talk density

“The comp plan does not say apartments,” Gaynor said before the amendment’s approval. “The comp plan says, as proposed, that in two areas, it’s possible to have higher density housing, which would include senior housing and condos.”

At the February policy work session, Council Member Josh Bare said he thinks Norcross residents have been clear about their opposition to increased density. Bare and Council Member Andrew Hixson voted against the amendments.

“I’ve heard the people who have reached out to me,” Bare said. “I’m not okay with the comp plan moving forward, and I recognize that I’m in the minority on this.”

Bare said he appreciates the special-use permit requirement in the UDO but wants to prioritize home ownership and “protect property set aside for jobs.”

“Based on my experience on council, I find that it’s better for us to be very clear at the very beginning of the relationship with the developer,” Bare said. “In my time on council, which is 13 years, I have never seen so much community input ... that was so strong one way.”

Council walks back, passes truck ordinance

By Cathy Cobbs

After hearing concerns about a proposed truck route ordinance from constituents, council members, and staff, the Sandy Springs City Council on Feb. 17 unanimously passed a stripped-down version that defines only federal- and statemaintained roadways in the city.

The ordinance also eliminated proposed time restrictions that were discussed in a Feb. 3 work session.

Proposed new segments discussed at the work session included Johnson Ferry Road from Cobb County to Abernathy Road, Northridge Road between State Route 400 and Roswell Road/SR 9, Abernathy Road from Johnson Ferry Road to Mount Vernon Highway, Mount Vernon Highway from Abernathy Road to the City of Dunwoody/DeKalb County, and Dunwoody Place from Northridge Road to SR 9.

Sandy Springs City Manager Eden Freeman said in a memo that concerns regarding the first iteration of the ordinance that might make it unenforceable included “the lack of an accompanying list and map of approved truck routes, requirement that truck route lists, and maps must be readopted biannually, and burdensome time restrictions.”

The memo suggested eliminating those restrictions and reducing the truck route map to include only those routes that are managed by the state and federal authorities.

The national and state network includes the I-285 corridor, SR 400, and Roswell Road (SR 9). State law prohibits trucks with more than six wheels from using I-20, I-75, I-85, and SR 400 inside the I-285 Perimeter, with exceptions for local destinations.

The Atlanta Regional Commission has also adopted guidance for local governments to establish local laws on trucking and freight routes.

During public comment before the meeting, a half-dozen speakers decried the original proposed ordinance, calling it a “recipe for disaster” and a “Pandora’s box that we don’t need to open.” Specifically, speakers were concerned about traffic congestion, increased pollution, and pedestrian safety throughout the city.

Mayor Rusty Paul, before the council discussed the ordinance, took a moment of “personal privilege to defend the staff.”

“They only did what they were supposed to do, and what we asked them to do” in drafting the ordinance, he said.

Council members agreed that the original ordinance would be difficult to enforce and agreed that the stripped-down version was vastly improved.

polystyrene foam materials,” a staff memo regarding the measure said.

The city is only required to provide a local match of $1,175 to administer the grant, the memo said. The initial request of $150,000 was based on cost estimates available at the time of project planning, but the grant was increased after “updated pricing and finalized vendor estimates indicated costs that were higher than anticipated to fully implement the project.”

A fourth change order for road improvements

The council also approved a fourth change order for $55,000 to an existing contract with Vertical Earth, Inc. relating to the Mount Vernon/Johnson Ferry Corridor Improvement Project. The change order will allow for additional fiber directional boring for traffic signals and the city’s fiber network.

A staff memo detailed the change orders made during the $16 million project, which included the first change order for $189,000 on January 7, 2025, for “elliptical pipe, hydrovac, night work, signal material, design, and field condition

quantity changes.”

The second change order for $242,000 was approved on May 20, 2025, which included drainage system design changes, city fiber network relocations, and revised illuminated street signs. Of the total change order amount, $202,000 was funded from TSPLOST Project TS191 and $39,840 was funded from TSPLOST Project TS192, the memo said.

The third change order of $177,000, was approved on December 10, 2025, and included a water line for the fire system, waterline capping, and revised boring sizes at Roswell Road at Mt Vernon/Johnson Ferry.

Council Member Frank Roberts said he was concerned about the number of change orders for the project. But Public Works Director William Martin said the total change orders only add about two percent to the total project cost, and the changes addressed “unforeseen conditions” that the contract did not contemplate in the bid.

The council retired to executive session to discuss possible litigation matters. No action was taken after reconvening.

“This ordinance makes it more clear, and gives us a map that we can enforce,” said Council Member Melissa Mular.

Other action

In other action, the council voted to accept a $178,000 federal grant that will allow the city to include foam as part of its recycling program.

“The purpose of this project is to provide a permanent solution to a critical need at the [Morgan Falls] Recycling Center to recycle

Pitts says Fulton County financial position is strong

By Hayden Sumlin

With some challenges and uncertainties ahead, Fulton County Chair Robb Pitts said the county is stronger than ever while delivering the State of the County address at The Eastern on Feb. 24.

“As I visit communities across our county, I hear concerns about the future, about public safety, about affordability, and about election integrity,” Pitts said. “All of which I understand, but my response is simple: Fulton County is strong. In fact, we’re much stronger now than ever before.”

After thanking attendees, Pitts held a moment of silence for civil rights activist and politician Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died Feb. 17.

The chair led his address with the county’s financial stability, its AAA bond rating, steady property tax rate of 8.87 mills, a gross domestic product of more than $201 billion, and an unemployment rate below the national average.

Pitts said among more than 3,000 counties nationwide, Fulton County ranks in the top five for attracting new investment.

“We have proven that we can keep our

spending in check and at the same time provide the services our residents demand and deserve without raising taxes,” he said.

The Council for Quality Growth, a nonprofit trade organization promoting economic growth and development in metro Atlanta, hosted the annual event. The nonprofit said this year’s event set a record with 450 attendees.

“The council values our strong partnership with Fulton County and its municipalities as we continue advancing policies that support growth and economic opportunity,” President and CEO Michael Paris said. “Fulton County remains a key driver of regional prosperity, and we look forward to continue working alongside them.”

Addressing health care

Health care was a central focus of the address. Following hospital closures in 2022, the county launched Project Care, identifying a health-care desert in south Fulton.

“We’re in active discussion with Grady [Memorial Hospital] on initial ways to expand access to health care and lay the foundation for healthier Fulton, which includes a free-standing medical facility

and, Lord knows, a brand new hospital in south Fulton County,” Pitts said.

Another speaker, Fulton-DeKalb Hospital CEO Jevon Gibson, stressed his organization’s partnerships with local governments to address lifespan disparities, calling it a “moral imperative.”

The county is making a $19 million investment to support Grady’s first standalone emergency department in the county, set to open in Union City. There is also an upcoming health and human services campus set to open south of Atlanta, including a senior center and mental health clinic.

Pitts said the county is directing $23 million toward mental health services this year. Since opening in October 2024, the Fulton County Behavioral Health Crisis Center has served more than 1,400 individuals.

Election drama

Pitts said elections in Fulton County are fair and transparent, just a day after the chair of the State Election Board dismissed calls for a takeover of the county’s elections.

If there’s any effort to take over county elections, Pitts said officials “will fight fire with fire,” echoing recent comments from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“Our elections are safe, and they’re strong, in spite of what you might hear, in spite of what you might read,” Pitts said. “I say with conviction as I stand

before you this morning, Fulton County elections are safe. Fulton County elections are fair. Fulton County elections are lawful. Fulton County elections are transparent, and every legal vote that is cast is counted.”

After touching on new senior programming, upgrades to the Fulton County “Charlie Brown Field” Executive Airport, and new grants for arts and culture, Pitts attributed the county’s success to its residents.

“I am incredibly proud of my home, Fulton County, Georgia,” Pitts said. “Proud of what we’ve accomplished, proud of how we tackle challenges head-on, proud that we never stopped striving to be better. Proud to be the largest county in the state of Georgia, and proud to be a top county in these United States of America.”

Commissioners working together

Commissioner Bob Ellis, a Republican representing constituents in northwest Fulton County, introduced Pitts. Ellis said the state’s most populous county “is stronger than ever,” echoing the chair’s remarks.

“In a time where we hear so much about political polarization and division, Chairman Pitts has been a bridge builder and one who is consistently focused on the needs of Fulton County citizens and their taxpayers,” Ellis said. “Chairman Pitts and I have worked together across party lines, and I’ve seen him do that with numerous votes over the years to strengthen our county in tough times and in good times. Like many of the people in this room, I’m glad to call them a friend and a colleague.”

Vice Chair Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, who replaced Ellis in January, was unable to attend due to travel, Pitts said.

Attendees included the remaining Fulton County commissioners, elected officials representing the county’s 15 incorporated cities, members of the Council for Quality Growth, and local business leaders. Representatives from Amazon, Develop Fulton (DAFC), and the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority also spoke at the breakfast.

Chair Robb Pitts delivers the 2026 State of Fulton County address Feb. 24 at The Eastern. (Photo by Hayden Sumlin)

Whataburger location discussed

By Stephanie Toone

Made to Order Holdings and its architect, Warner Summers, provided updates to residents about its plans to build a Whataburger in Tucker at a Feb. 24 public participation meeting.

MTOH, the local franchisee for the popular burger chain, is interested in re-purposing a vacant Wendy’s restaurant at 4453 Hugh Howell Road to make way for the quick-serve restaurant with indoor seating and a drive-thru.

The business would require a request

from residential areas. About 75 percent of Whataburger’s business is drive-thru service, Deaton said.

Andy Wood attended the Feb. 24 meeting and left feeling hopeful about the design and overall plan for the restaurant.

“I thought that the design fit the existing building perfectly and they would make a good neighbor,” Wood told Rough Draft Atlanta. “I was really impressed when they made the decision to remove some of the rear parking spaces to increase the nature buffer to decrease

MARCH HAPPENINGS

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at Tucker City Hall, 1975 Lakeside Pkwy, Ste 350B, Tucker, GA 30084

MARCH 2, 4:30 P.M.

Downtown Development Authority Meeting

MARCH 3, 7 P.M. Zoning Board of Appeals

MARCH 7, 2-4 P.M. Free Rubber Ducky Scavenger Hunt Kelley Cofer Park

MARCH 9, 7 P.M. City Council Meeting

MARCH 14, 3:14 P.M.

PI-Day Pie-K Fun Run Tucker Recreation Center

MARCH 15, 12 P.M. Sunday Local Concert Tucker Town Green

MARCH 19, 7 P.M. Planning Commission

MARCH 28, 9:30 A.M. Spring Fling Fitzgerald Park

MARCH 28, 1 P.M.

Tucker Chili Cookoff Main Street

MARCH 23, 7 P.M. City Council Work Session

for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) as the restaurant is requesting a drive-thru. The community meeting is a requirement before considering the SLUP application.

Stephanie Deaton presented on behalf of architect Warner Summers at the public participation meeting at TuckerReid H. Cofer Library. Seven attendees posed questions about the building size, landscaping buffer, and safety concerns. The restaurant expects to hire between 80 and 100 at the restaurant if plans are approved. Scholarships would also be available for students employed by Whataburger.

“It’s a great opportunity for Whataburger to be a part of the community and bring life back to a vacant building,” Deaton said.

Mixed reactions to project

Residents within 500 feet of the project received letters regarding the meeting, which included the original site plans. The size of the building has been updated to 2,300 square feet, Deaton said.

Other improvements to the site plan include a reduction in the paved surface, a monument sign instead of a pole sign, and the restaurant’s drive-thru order board and speaker will be placed away

sound between the business and the homes behind it.”

Before the meeting, some residents expressed concerns about the 24-7 opening schedule in Tucker Facebook groups.

“I believe their 24-hour operation also includes the dining room which can be interesting late at night,” one resident wrote in a Facebook comment.

Those concerns were also expressed at the meeting. MTOH has plans to hire an off-duty police officer overnight to deter crime if needed, Deaton said.

District 3 Council Member Alexis Weaver said the next step is MTOH proceeding with its application to the city and city staff. Staff will make a recommendation about whether to approve the franchise owner’s application. If the recommendation is to approve, the plans will come to the council for two readings and a public hearing.

Weaver said she looks forward to reviewing the final plans for the project, but she does not have a formal opinion about approving the restaurant just yet.

“I am excited that we have businesses both local and national looking at how to invest in Tucker, particularly in adapting or re-developing vacant spaces,” Weaver said.

Snapshot of the original site plan for Whataburger. (Provided by MTOH)

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

‘Wuthering Heights’ captures what it’s like to fall in love with romance

By Sammie Purcell

In an early scene in “Wuthering Heights,” Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif) listens as his ward, Isabella (Alison Oliver) explains, in thorough detail, the plot of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” over tea in the garden. Isabella, who has just read the play for the first time, is completely entranced by the fate of the doomed lovers. Edgar, the unwitting victim of her obsession, is less so. He tries to come across as a devoted listener, but his attempts are unconvincing, to say the least. Isabella, so wrapped up in her new discovery, barely notices.

This is one of the most telling moments in Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights,” a loose adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 gothic novel about the passionate love affair between Catherine (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi). In the press leading up to the release of “Wuthering Heights,” Fennell has spoken at length about her own obsession with this particular novel, and how in adapting Brontë’s work, she wanted to make the type of movie that played in her head while reading the book for the first time as a teenager. In this respect, Fennell feels not unlike Isabella – a young woman

captivated by her first brush with allconsuming, madness-inducing passion. Some of the critical responses to the movie so far, on the other hand, feel a bit like Edgar – uninterested in this more antiintellectual approach.

There are certainly aspects of Fennell’s decision to make the movie she envisioned as a teenager that don’t quite work. If you’ve read “Wuthering Heights,” you know that while it’s about two people in love, it’s also about two people determined to make each other as miserable as possible. It’s about generational trauma, and revenge, and class conflict, and race (Fennell’s response to questions about why she decided not to cast an actor of color in the role of Heathcliff felt particularly lacking). That’s the thing about “Wuthering Heights” – it’s magnificently complex, the kind of thing it’s a little difficult to believe is almost 200 years old.

But, if you’ve read “Wuthering Heights” (especially if you read it as a teenager) you also know that it has the power to warp young minds in the way that not many stories do. Fennell’s film is not so much an adaptation of the novel as it is a visual representation of what it feels like to read “Wuthering Heights” – or, in Isabella’s case, “Romeo and Juliet” – and

feel scandalized, shocked, and entranced for the first time. Is there a deep exploration of the thematic complexity of Brontë’s novel? Not really. But, Fennell is clearly more interested in the emotional rather than the intellectual – and in that respect, she wholeheartedly achieves something great.

We open with a hanging where (in typical Fennell fashion), the revelers are aroused to a frenzy by the twitching body suspended in front of them. There, we meet young Catherine (Charlotte Mellington) and her companion, Nelly (Vy Nguyen, and then Hong Chau as an adult), both just as excited as the rest of the crowd. Later at home, Cathy’s drunkard father (Martin Clunes) brings home an orphan who Cathy names Heathcliff (played as a child by Owen Cooper), after a brother who passed away.

Heathcliff and Catherine slowly fall in love, but are separated by a tragic misunderstanding, one that pushes Catherine to marry her neighbor, Edgar, who promises more wealth than Catherine has ever known. Years later, Heathcliff returns with vengeance on his mind.

To read Sammie’s full review of “Wuthering Heights,” scan the QR code.

Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in “Wuthering Heights” (Courtesy Warner Bros.)

Play more games onl ine at RoughDraftAtlanta.com/games

Find the answers on page 28

Gula Indonesian Desserts expands family’s restaurant legacy

By Candy Hom

Gula Indonesian Desserts opened just a few months ago, but has already become a go-to for desserts and snacks on Buford Highway.

Located in the former Mango Mango space at Pinetree Plaza, Gula Indonesian is run by Chef Gloria Ariesandi and Angie Ariesandi, the daughters of Daniel Ariesandi and Ninik Sulistjani, the owners behind Indoeats Foodmart at the complex and Java Indonesian Foodmart.

Gula is a family affair. Ariesandi and Sulistjani’s granddaughter, Emma Ariesandi, oversees front-of-house operations at Gula. For Gloria and Angie Ariesandi, it also expands upon their parent’s restaurant legacy on Buford Highway, including the types of Indonesian foods found in Atlanta.

“The dream is to keep our parents’ legacy alive and continue to keep introducing Indonesian cuisine and pass it down to our kids just like how our parents passed down to us their values and knowledge,” Angie Ariesandi said. “Our dad passed away two years ago, so he could not see this, but hopefully, we make him proud.”

Gula is known for its shaved ice (es) desserts. While the lengthy list of desserts and combinations at Gula may seem

overwhelming, staff help guide first-time customers unfamiliar with Indonesian desserts in choosing what to order. It’s why Gula has many repeat customers now, like John Kemper, a regular since the grand opening in October of 2025.

“The owners and staff are passionate about their craft and provide great service. Anytime I ask them questions, they are excited to share about each dish,” said Kemper.

For Atlantans of Indonesian descent, Gula provides them with a taste of home. Desserts are sweetened with gula (“sugar’” in Indonesian), which “is richer, deeper, and more earthy than regular sugar with caramel tones,” Emma Ariesandi said. Various toppings such as pandan rice jelly, pandan custard, sticky sweet rice, and palm sugar coconut milk sauce are all made on site.

Sri Metaeo, a salon owner from Kennesaw, likes that Gula carries variations on the most beloved dessert in Indonesia: es campur, or “mixed ice.” With 38 distinct provinces in Indonesia, each region has a particular take on es campur. Gula’s version reminds Metaeo of the one she grew up eating.

Metaeo said that the icy dessert contains “many flavors in one bowl, to mix together, to taste together.” Indonesian people, she said, like dishes where flavors

– from savory to sweet – are often mixed together. Metaeo points to nasi lemak as an example, a savory rice dish consisting of different ingredients wrapped in a banana leaf. Flavors intermingle as everything cooks together.

While contrasting textures and flavors may not be as popular in some cultures, the term “nano nano,” meaning “so many tastes,” is what makes the desserts at Gula special, Metaeo said.

Another Gula customer, Sulistia Doss, prefers her es campur simpler, with green grass jelly, shaved fresh coconut, and rose syrup flavored shaved ice.

“Typically, it has five to six components, including shaved ice. But I leave out a couple ingredients because this is the way I had it growing up,” Doss said, who appreciates that Gula allows for dessert customizations.

Kemper’s favorite es (ice) dessert is es teler. “It’s this wild, colorful avalanche of jackfruit, coconut strips, avocado, grass jelly, and sweet condensed milk over shaved ice. The texture combo is insane,” he said.

While Asian iced desserts sometimes include similar ingredients, like sweetened red beans and chewy and glutinous toppings, flavors and regional and native ingredients vary from culture to culture.

Pandan and coconut are both prominent ingredients in Indonesian iced desserts, while Filipino halo-halo typically features a scoop of ube ice cream and leche flan. The textures of Korean bingsu, Japanese kakigōri, and Taiwanese baobing tend to be fluffier, with milk or flavors incorporated into snowy ribbons.

The iced dessert textures from these countries are in stark contrast to the crunchier water ice flavored with syrup in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Kepal milo is another popular es dessert at Gula, made from a chocolate-malted drink called Milo found across Asia. It’s topped with chocolate crisps, sprinkles, and Milo sauce.

Gula also offers more substantial desserts beyond shaved ice. Burbur campur features a glutinous black sticky rice base topped

with chewy sweet potato and taro balls and gelatinous tapioca jelly. For many of Gula’s Asian customers, this dessert offers the QQ texture they tend to favor. (The term “QQ” refers to the bouncy, chewy consistency of certain foods, such as rice cakes, fish balls, or boba.) Bubur campur comes served at Gula with a slightly floral pandan custard and a side of coconut milk for drizzling. Think of it as a sweet version of rice porridge.

During the colder months, Gula leans into seasonal hot desserts. Wedang ronde, a spicy and sweet ginger soup swimming with peanut-filled glutinous rice balls, goes hard on QQ. The chewiness of the rice balls brings texture to the nourishing ginger soup, making it feel a bit less medicinal.

While mainly known for desserts, Gula serves smoothies and tea, along with a special brunch menu on weekends. And the Ariesandi family plan to continue expanding the menu at Gula.

They recently launched an Indonesian afternoon tea for $47.50 per person. People can choose from 19 Indonesian loose leaf teas to pair with a four-tier tower of sweet and savory snacks, like talam ubi (tapioca steamed cake), scones, pastel (deep-fried puff pastry snack), and lemper ayam (steamed sticky rice with chicken).

Gula Indonesian Desserts, 5177-A Buford Hwy, Doraville. Open daily. Call 470-3594899 to make reservations for the afternoon tea.

Pandan French toast (Photo by Candy Hom)

Es campur (Photo by Candy Hom)

Perimeter Mall to move food court to Macy’s wing

By Cathy Cobbs

At its Feb. 9 Dunwoody City Council meeting, city manager Eric Linton revealed that the owners of Perimeter Mall have submitted plans to relocate its food court to a new location in the corridor outside of Macy’s department store.

The existing food court, located in the center of the mall, will be converted into a concourse and retail space, Linton told the council.

Perimeter Mall, built in 1971, is a 1.56 million square-foot shopping mall in Dunwoody, near the interchange of I-285 and Georgia SR 400. It is the secondlargest shopping mall in Georgia, behind the Mall of Georgia in Buford. The mall features anchor tenants Macy’s, Dillard’s, Von Maur, and Nordstrom.

Officials say drawings outlining the major change were submitted about a week before the Feb. 9 meeting, and are in the early stages of staff review.

The food court, located on the ground floor of the mall, appears to be fully leased, with more than a dozen quick-serve restaurants, including Chick-fil-A, Farmer’s Basket, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Great American Cookie Company, Chipotle, Cinnabon, Starbucks Coffee, American Deli, and Sbarro Pizza.

Sit-down restaurants like 26 Thai, Chubby Cattle BBQ, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Cheesecake Factory, and P.F Changs are located on the second floor of the mall near the food court. Diners have access to them from the exterior of the mall.

Several vendors, according to the proposed plan, will remain in their original spaces, including Starbucks and Auntie Anne’s.

The preliminary plans, submitted by Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates on behalf of the mall’s owner, General Growth Properties, show a small outdoor space in the proposed plan. It appears that the relocation will be installed in two phases.

Perimeter Mall’s food court is moving to Macy’s wing. (Photo by Cathy Cobbs)

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AROUND ATLANTA

Jeff Galloway, transformative running icon, dies at 80

By Rough Draft

Jeff Galloway, the Atlantabased running coach whose “run-walk-run” method helped millions of recreational runners complete their first marathons, died on Feb. 25 from complications from a stroke and brain bleeding. He was 80.

Runner’s World, which first reported his death, described him as “probably the most influential single contributor to the evolving running movement in America.”

Galloway’s ties to Atlanta were lasting. A graduate of The Westminster Schools, he won the inaugural Peachtree Road Race in 1970, a race he helped create, and later opened Phidippides, one of America’s first specialty running stores, in the city.

A 1972 Olympian in the 10,000 meters, Galloway is best remembered outside elite circles for democratizing long-distance

Answers for puzzles on page 23.

running. His run/walk method, sometimes called “Jeffing,” encouraged runners to take timed walking breaks during training and races. The approach allowed countless people to finish marathons who otherwise never would have started one.

His 1984 book, “Galloway’s Book on Running,” became one of the best-selling running guides ever published, and he eventually wrote more than 20 books on the sport.

His father, Elliott Galloway, who founded The Galloway School, died in 2008 after competing in his 35th Peachtree Road Race.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their two sons, Brennan and Westin.

Rough Draft asked readers to submit their memories of Galloway. Scan the QR code to read about his lasting impact on the running community.

Alpharetta wants to redevelop North Point to attract an NHL team

By WSB-TV

This story comes to Rough Draft through a content partnership with Channel 2 Action News.

The developer known for Ponce City Market has been selected to mastermind the transformation of Alpharetta’s North Point Mall into an NHL arena-centric mixed-use entertainment district.

The City of Alpharetta wants to redevelop the site to attract an NHL team.

New York Life, the mall’s owner, has chosen Jamestown to bring that idea to life, the company said in a news release Feb. 26.

“We think this is a great location for an NHL team and, hopefully, our efforts will attract an owner who wants to acquire an expansion team and bring hockey back to Atlanta,” said Tim Perry, chief investment officer at Jamestown.

expected to include multi-family, retail, office, hotels, public transit, and the arena site itself at the North Point Mall site. North Point Mall was one of the largest indoor malls in the country when it opened in 1993. But it has struggled in recent years, and several of its stores have closed.

The city council created a Tax Allocation District “in anticipation of mixed-use development in a 646-acre district covering North Point Mall and other surrounding commercial properties.”

Machete Group, a real estate advisory and development firm specializing in developing sports arenas, stadiums, and surrounding mixed-use districts, will work alongside Jamestown to guide the redevelopment.

While specific details of the site plan will be determined, the development is

“We believe great places are made in collaboration with the communities they serve,” said Frances Bohn, director of development & construction at Jamestown. “Our goal is to pair a state-ofthe-art NHL arena with walkable streets, activated public spaces, and a dynamic mix of multi-family, shops, offices, and hospitality in alignment with the city’s vision for the future.”

Jeff Galloway (Supplied)

North Point Mall (Courtesy WSB-TV)

Newlywed trips to Israel foster understanding of Jewish traditions and values

By Logan C. Ritchie

Honeymoon Israel (HMI), a program to promote newlyweds making new connections to the Holy Land, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Since 2015, HMI has organized trips for 180 cohorts originating from major cities, including Los Angeles, Boston, New York, and Atlanta.

Avi Rubel, an Atlanta resident, is a co-founder and CEO of HMI. Rubel said HMI has sent more than 3,000 couples to Israel, sparking deep connections to Jewish culture, traditions, and values. When they return, the cohort is encouraged to remain close, with Jewish activities like Shabbat dinners and holiday celebrations.

The trip is open to newly married or partnered couples of all cultures, races, religions, genders, and sexual identities. One member of each couple must identify as Jewish, and one person must have never been on an organized trip to Israel.

Every trip includes guided tours of the main cities including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, visits to the main Jewish and Christian sites in Jerusalem, an opportunity to meet Israeli couples, Jewish and Palestinian speakers, a visit to the Dead Sea and Masada, and a volunteer opportunity. Participants celebrate Shabbat in Jerusalem, and often add a second Shabbat in Tel Aviv.

“We’re going to give you answers about Israel. We’re not going to tell you how to think, or what to think, about Israel. This is much more of an adult trip, where you come home probably asking more questions than you had [before the trip],” Rubel said. “You’re going to be exposed to a lot of complexity and nuance and people with different narratives and different backgrounds. So this is a sophisticated trip that allows you to go beyond the headlines and away from the binaries about Israel that are so common, and really dig deep.”

Rubel said prior to the Oct. 7 war between Israel and Hamas, the average number in Atlanta was three couples applying for every one available spot. That number has dropped.

“Israel’s gone through a lot in the last few years, and our trips are completely safe and secure. We take safety seriously, and we can change our itinerary or make changes to it on the fly. We want people to know that it’s going to be safe for them,” Rubel said.

Rubel said that Oct. 7 changed Israel “in a significant way, so when we bring people to Israel, we want them to experience that.” While hostages were still being held in Gaza, HMI participants visited Hostage Square in Tel Aviv and met with the relatives of hostages.

“Oct. 7, obviously, was a huge moment in Israel, but there’s not just one story about Oct. 7. There’s the Jewish-

Israeli story of what happened, but then there’s the Palestinian story that happened in Gaza after Oct. 7,” Rubel said. “It’s something that we want to encourage conversation about.”

Rubel likened visiting Israel with bringing a partner home to meet the family. “Only when you’re really comfortable with someone, do you bring them home and you introduce them to your family. So in that same way, Israel is the home of the Jewish people,” Rubel said.

“By visiting the family’s home, you really understand why they are the way they are,” Rubel said. “We look at Israel as a project of the entire Jewish people, and we want couples who are building their lives together to feel connected to it.”

Chloe is a Black American who grew up in the South. She is nearly complete with her conversion to Judaism, working with Rabbi Natan Trief from Temple Sinai.

Sandy Springs residents Chloe and Micah Engler

Married parents of two preschoolers, Chloe Engler, 33, and Micah Engler, 39, learned about HMI from friends who spoke highly of the trip. They’d been trying to attend HMI for five years but were delayed by COVID, moving from Washington, D.C. to Atlanta, having two kids, and the Oct. 7 war.

Micah has been traveling to Israel since childhood. He has lived on a kibbutz, attended school in Israel, and staffed Birthright Israel trips. But HMI was Chloe’s first trip to Israel.

“From my perspective, my relationship to Israel before going on the trip was very different in that I didn’t grow up with an innate, baked-in love of Israel and Zionism. After meeting Micah, meeting his family, and being married to him … I could really feel the passion and love of this place through them,” Chloe said. “I grew up always being interested in the region and its complexities.”

Standing atop the Temple Mount, praying at the Western Wall, walking past the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Via Dolarosa “makes you really appreciate this special land with so many different cultures,” Chloe said. “There’s a very unique feeling to be in the center of humanity, in the center of all these histories all mixed together.”

Tashager Araro, an Ethiopian-Israeli woman who came to Israel as a baby during Operation Solomon, spoke to the group about religious and racial diversity in Israel. Chloe said Araro’s experience and comparison to that of the Black American experience was “eye-opening.”

“[Araro] was born as her mom was en route during Operation Solomon. She had this really wonderful, really moving story, and now she’s going on to do humanitarian work by bolstering the Ethiopian community in Tel Aviv.

“As a Black American, I went into [the trip] hearing from my in-laws that Israel is very diverse. From the Black American perspective, you have some skepticism toward it. How are they integrated? Are there still micro-aggressions or difficulties there?” Chloe said. “My major takeaway was that as an Ethiopian Jew, she really feels truly equal in Israeli society. And that was something that I was a little bit skeptical about coming in as a Black Southern American.”

Micah said the group met with Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and a Palestinian activist.

“It’s hard to appreciate the coexistence that’s actually happening when you see what’s going on in the news here. That’s not the perception you get in any way,” Micah said. “The program did a good job of showing us a lot of ways in which, especially Israeli Arabs, were integrated into society. But it also did a good job

of showing ways where there’s room for growth.”

The Englers said they’re looking forward to the day they can return to Israel with their children.

“Going to Israel really showed me that in order to really build this love of Israel and Zionism, you have to go to Israel. I would love for them to have that experience,” Chloe said.

More trips on the horizon

“Seventy percent of new couples were coming from word of mouth from prior participants, so the word was spreading in people’s neighborhoods, in their work, and among family members,” Rubel said. “Since [Oct. 7] we’ve resumed running trips. We’re still getting back on our feet. We’re not yet back at three couples applying for a spot, but we just finished a full cohort of 20 couples from Atlanta.”

Depending on demand, HMI is planning to run two trips from Atlanta in fall 2026 and either winter or spring 2027. “It depends on how much demand comes back post-war,” Rubel said.

HMI is lowering fees starting in November from $2,900 to $500 now that couples can book their own flights to and from Israel.

“This update reflects what couples have been telling us for years: they want flexibility. Whether that means using airline miles, extending their time abroad, or choosing their departure city, this new model removes barriers while preserving the heart of the HMI experience,” Rubel said.

Atlanta-based Honeymoon Israel trip participants in January 2026. (Photo provided by HMI)

Something Different: Unique and unusual summer camps for kids

By Rough Draft Staff

If you’re looking to add something fun, memorable, and a little different to your kids’ summer schedule, then these unique camp experiences might be just what you’re looking for.

For nature lovers and outdoor adventurers ages 4–13, Dunwoody Nature Center Summer Camps (dunwoodynature.org) offers a twist on the classic day camp. The camp blends traditional play with environmental exploration, creek days, hikes, crafts, and science-based activities. Older kids (ages 9–13) even spend time at the Island Ford campus of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, where they canoe, track wildlife, and enjoy wilderness-style challenges. Sessions run weekly throughout June and July.

The MJCCA Day Camps (mjccadaycamps.org) at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta in Dunwoody combine classic summercamp fun with some twists: think STEAM activities, culinary experiences, pickleball

and sports clinics, art, and drama.

The Summer Safari Camp at Zoo Atlanta (zooatlanta.com) lets campers ages 5–14 explore wildlife and conservation up close at the Grant Park landmark. Each weeklong session mixes behind-the-scenes tours, interactive educational activities, and scientists-in-training investigations that connect curious kids with animals and habitats from around the globe. Sessions run from May through late July.

Summer Camp at the Atlanta History Center (atlantahistorycenter.com) gives campers a creative spin on learning about the past with hands-on experiences like designing ancient cities, unraveling myths, or exploring architectural wonders from around the world. These themedriven weeks (June 1–26) build academic

Circus Camp (circuscamp.org) in Decatur invites campers ages 5–15 to step into the world of circus arts – juggling, tightrope, acrobatics, trapeze, and more – under the guidance of trained instructors. Each week-long session lets kids try

various circus skills and culminates in performances that showcase what they’ve learned.

For kids looking for a sports experience, D‑BAT Buckhead (dbatbuckhead.com) offers baseball and softball-focused camps that combine skill development with competitive fun.

Courtesy Zoo Atlanta

Courtesy Circus Camp

Abernathy Summer Art Camp 2026

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Palm Sunday, March 29 9:00am Sunday School 10:30am Worship

Maundy ursday, April 2 6:00pm Dinner 6:45pm Service

Easter Sunday, April 5 10:30am Easter Celebration 11:45am Easter Egg Hunt

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