Tuesday talk
Dec. 9 — Crescent Communities announced Monday that it will build a 303-unit apartment building and retail marketplace on the site of the now-demolished North DeKalb Mall, which is being transformed into the mixed-use Lulah Hills development.
🌤️ Mostly sunny and 48° today.
⚖️ A man has taken a plea deal in the 2022 murder of Eleanor (Ellen) Bowles inside her gated Buckhead townhome community.
🗳️ A Fulton County poll worker caught scanning ballots in runoff elections for family members prompted a recount in Fulton County.
💼 Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger sued to challenge Georgia’s campaign finance law, arguing it restricted his gubernatorial campaign while letting Lt. Gov. Burt Jones raise unlimited funds.
🔎 A DeKalb police officer was issued violations for his interactions with a transgender woman at a Tucker library.
🚇 MARTA has officially renamed GWCC/CNN Center Station to the Sports, Entertainment, and Convention District Station, or SEC District Station.
🏠 Brookhaven City Council has amended its rules on short-term rentals in the city, including requiring a permit and keeping records.
🍰 Hear from author Annette Joseph in conversation about her new cookbook, “Sweet Life at La Fortezza,” tonight at the Margaret Mitchell House at 7 p.m.
ELSEWHERE
🎬 Paramount launched a $30-per-share, hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, going directly to shareholders as it tries to woo the company away from Netflix’s $27.75-per-share offer.
➡ The U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to side with President Donald Trump on the firing of a member of the FTC without cause.
🍿 The film “One Battle After Another” and the HBO series “The White Lotus” led yesterday’s Golden Globes nominations.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Above the Waterline
• Sandy Springs anniversary
• Playfully Perimeter’s Ice Rink Takeover
• Around the State: GPB
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
🌟 Your future in nursing starts here. Herzing University–Atlanta has no wait lists and offers flexible learning, hands-on clinicals, and accelerated pathways. Train where you live and join Georgia’s next generation of nurses making an impact today.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Fees double at state parks, despite budget surplus
ABOVE THE WATERLINE | SALLY BETHEA
🏞️ Georgians love parks. Whether located in cities or remote areas, they are places where people can go for physical and mental well-being: a way to manage stress in an increasingly stressful world.
Public green spaces are also essential to democracy. They function as social “infrastructure,” providing shared, accessible places in nature that can foster a sense of community.
Today, most of us are living with high levels of uncertainty in our personal lives and in our country. Affordability is a serious concern. A recent poll found that a majority of Americans say they’re spending more on groceries and utility bills than a year ago. At such a time – with a budget and reserve surplus of more than $14 billion – why did the state of Georgia decide to double the cost for its citizens to find exercise and some respite in a public park?
💸 Sally Bethea explores this question in the most recent edition of Above the Waterline. Check it out here.
Don’t miss this weekend’s holiday Hot Chocolate Crawl
SPONSORED BY LIVABLE BUCKHEAD
☕ Join Buckhead’s sweetest holiday stroll! This Sat., Dec. 13, Miracle on Peachtree continues with a festive Hot Chocolate Crawl along Peachtree Road.
This free, family-friendly event invites you to explore participating locations near Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, each offering a unique hot chocolate. Local musicians will play holiday classics. Admission is free, and a $5 donation to Livable Buckhead gets you a commemorative mug. An after-party with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta caps the night!
2. Sandy Springs @ 20
SPONSORED BY MWT WINDOWS
⛲ As Sandy Springs celebrates its 20th anniversary, Rough Draft Atlanta has compiled a series of stories celebrating its journey and looking towards the future.
Today, we are featuring a column by longtime (and newly reelected) Mayor Rusty Paul and a story about the city’s decades-long journey to cityhood.
👓 Check out the special Sandy Springs 20th anniversary section in the December issue of our print paper.
Online coverage of Sandy Springs @ 20 is sponsored by MWT Windows. Get a free consultation today!
3. An ice rink takeover you won’t want to miss
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PERIMETER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
❄️Playfully Perimeter, the Perimeter CIDs’ community pop-up series, is taking over High Street Atlanta’s ice rink this Thurs, Dec. 11, from 12-5 p.m. Lace up and enjoy complimentary skating, free hot cocoa, and festive giveaways while supplies last.
⛸️ Whether you’re sneaking in a joyful midday reset or turning it into an office outing, we’d love to see you on the ice.
✨Save your spot today and join us this Thurs, Dec. 11!
4. Fire insurance company sues BioLab for millions after 2024 fire
🚒 An insurance company is suing BioLab and its parent company for $20 million, alleging the chemical manufacturer’s negligence caused the 2024 warehouse fire in Conyers, which sent a toxic plume of smoke over Rockdale County and disrupted daily life across Metro Atlanta.
Verlan Fire Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Hanover Insurance, filed the suit in federal court seeking to recover what it paid to cover losses for Diversitech, an HVAC supplier located near the burned-down BioLab warehouse.
The insurer argues that BioLab, along with parent companies KIK International and KIK Custom Products, should be held responsible for those costs and any future payouts tied to the fire.
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
☕ Indulge your sweet tooth at Livable Buckhead’s Hot Chocolate Crawl this Sat., Dec. 13! Enjoy hot chocolate and specialty cocktails while strolling through Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and Peachtree Road. Local musicians and visits from Santa add to the festive fun. Admission is free! SPONSOR MESSAGE
5. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🥫 New Life Community Alliance is looking for car ambassadors for their food pantry on Thursday morning in Decatur. Get ready to help distribute food plus carry and load boxes.
🔧 Free Bikes 4 Kidz Atlanta needs volunteers on Friday morning to set up a holiday space for kids to select a bicycle to take home. Duties include moving equipment, supplies, tools, and shelving.
🪵 Lifecycle Building Center of Greater Atlanta (pictured) is looking for volunteers on Saturday morning in Atlanta to refresh and restore material donations. Expect to help with organization, processing, and sorting items.
🎸 The Bloom Effect presents Holidaze! Smith’s Olde Bar is the place to be on this festive night of rock ‘n’ roll on Fri., Dec. 12, spotlighting artists Five Eight and The Ladies Of… featuring James Hall. Doors open at 7; show starts at 8 p.m. 18+ only. SPONSOR MESSAGE
🔤 Don’t miss News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
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