Rough Draft Atlanta

12/11/2025

Routine stop nets multiple drug, stolen car charges in Brookhaven

(File photo) A routine traffic stop by Brookhaven police on Dec. 8 resulted in multiple drug and stolen vehicle arrests. According to a release by the BPD, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a tinted tag cover that had a dealer plate affixed to the rear of the car. "A check of the VIN revealed the vehicle was reported stolen with the Atlanta Police Department," the release said. "An inventory of the vehicle revealed both occupants were in possession of suspected illegal drugs." The female driver, Amani Dirton, 25, of Simpsonville, SC was charged with felony theft by receiving a stolen vehicle, possession of ma*****na w/intent to distribute, and misdemeanor traffic charges....

Brookhaven police conduct a traffic stop, leading to felony arrests for stolen vehicle and drug possession.

12/11/2025

Sandy Springs created its downtown with City Springs

City Springs (File photo) The Sandy Springs City Council created a downtown using an empty parking lotbeside Roswell Road with the adoption of a master plan in 2012. It would be six more years before the first phase of City Springs was completed with the opening of the new city hall and Performing Arts Center in May 2018. Theretail and restaurant spaces took longer to open, and City Springs was considered fully opened in September 2018. The vision set by the council was to promote community interaction by creating…...

Discover how the City Springs development transformed a former parking lot into a vibrant community hub in Sandy Springs.

12/11/2025

Current council members reminisce on 20 years of cityhood

Sandy Springs: Past, present and the future John Paulson - District 1 Here is a fun fact: If you turn 21 this year, you were only one year old when we became a city. How we have changed in these 20 years. The first years of Sandy Springs' existence were spent “taking care of business.” This included setting up a city of 88,000, fixing and repairing basic utilities that had been neglected for years, standing up a top-notch police and fire department, and deciding who and what we wanted to be when we grew up....

Council members talk about the transformation of Sandy Springs over the past 20 years, from its formation to present day.

12/11/2025

As Sandy Springs celebrates its 20th anniversary, 🎉 Rough Draft Atlanta has compiled a series of stories celebrating its journey and looking toward the future. Today, we reflect on the development of City Springs, which has become the city's vibrant downtown hub, and explore the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. 🌇

12/11/2025

Scenes from the Colony Square Christmas Tree Lighting.

12/11/2025

😭 JavaVino closing

JavaVino's closure + holiday bar design magic Dec. 11 — For today's Side Dish, we offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put on annual holiday pop-ups at five Atlanta restaurants. Plus, we have a story on the opening of Lewis Barbecue at Ansley Mall, and more on the closure of JavaVino in Poncey-Highland – including what the future holds for the space. ➕ In other Atlanta dining news, get details on three big restaurant closures, the reopening of Mellow Mushroom in Decatur, and the upcoming opening of a new Irish bar and pub in South Downtown....

Get the latest updates on restaurant openings, closures, and holiday pop-ups in Atlanta. Find out about JavaVino's closure and more.

12/11/2025

DeKalb County Schools review ICE raid protocols after community outcry about middle school

The DeKalb County Board of Education approved a multi-million dollar modernization of Druid Hills High School, which will address its aging infrastructure, improve safety, upgrade learning facilities, and ensure compliance with current educational, accessibility, and building standards....

Concerns raised about a lack of information regarding ICE raids affecting Latinx families at Sequoyah Middle School in DeKalb County.

12/11/2025

Fulton County commissioner proposal for women’s health funding fails

Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett's proposals to fund a women's health grant program, repeal Georgia's six-week abortion ban, and establish a women's commission were all denied in tight votes....

Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett's $1 million women’s health grant funding proposal was denied during a Dec. 3 meeting.

12/11/2025

Mayor appoints new city attorney, constituent services director

Marquetta J. Bryan (Courtesy City of Atlanta) Mayor Andre Dickens has appointed Marquetta J. Bryan as the City of Atlanta’s new city attorney. Bryan will succeed Patrise Perkins-Hooker, who will depart the city ahead of the start of Dickens’ next term. Bryan brings more than two decades of legal experience across public and private practice, according to a statement from the city. “Marquetta Bryan is a respected attorney with a reputation for sound judgment, strategic thinking and integrity,” Dickens said in the statement. “Her depth of experience, coupled with her heart for public service, makes her the right choice to serve Atlanta in this critical role.”...

Marquetta J. Bryan appointed as City Attorney of Atlanta, bringing two decades of legal experience, by Mayor Dickens

12/11/2025

Atlanta restaurants offering dine-in and takeout service on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Atlanta-area restaurants are offering special holiday menus for dine-in service and takeout on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, ranging from traditional Christmas dinners to Southern-inspired buffets....

Atlanta-area restaurants are offering special holiday menus for dine-in service and takeout on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, ranging from traditional Christmas dinners to Southern-inspired buffets.

12/11/2025

This week at the Farmers Market

Rough Draft Atlanta is partnering with Community Farmers Markets to let you know what’s in season at your local market. Each week, we’ll share a list of ingredients that are farm fresh, along with a couple of recipes that include those products. Here’s what you’ll find in the way of produce at the farmers market this week: Bok choy/pak choi, carrots, radishes, turnips, apples, winter squashes, kale, sweet potatoes, mandarins/satsuma oranges, beets, sunchokes, arugula, eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, khlorabi, lettuce/mixed greens, potatoes, microgreens, peppers, gourmet mushrooms (oyster, lion's mane, shiitake), herbs (parsley, chives, green onions, rosemary), and tomatoes....

Rough Draft Atlanta is partnering with Community Farmers Markets to let you know what’s in season at your local market.

12/11/2025

Today's newsletter recap: Thurs. Dec. 11

⚡️Police removed demonstrators from a Georgia PSC meeting after protests over a surprise agreement tied to Georgia Power’s proposed energy capacity boost

🚓DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson appointed Gregory Padrick as the county’s new police chief

📉The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the third time this year

❄️🏡Virginia-Highland’s Winterfest & Tour of Homes returns this weekend

And in this week’s Quick Bites: three restaurant closures and a Mellow Mushroom reopening 🍕

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