🌱 Alpharetta Receives Grant + Local Elections Run By Cities

Good morning, friends. It's Friday in Alpharetta-Milton and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in our community, including news on:

• Alpharetta received a grant that will improve communications
• Local elections might be run by cities instead of Fulton County
• Possible new wedding venue in Milton
• Bed bugs found in Peachtree Corners library

But first, today's weather:

Today will be mostly sunny. The high will be 46 with a low of 28.

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Here are the top stories today in Alpharetta-Milton:

1. Great news for City of Alpharetta employees; the city received a generous grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. It's called an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and is for over $10,000. The City plans to use it to "improve communication and readiness information between its more than 250 employees spread across multiple locations." Specifically, they will purchase software that allows data to be communicated real time. This will be beneficial, as the staff is located in nine places. (The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
2. Local elections in Alpharetta and Milton might soon be run by the cities instead of by Fulton County. Alpharetta and Milton are looking into partnering with Roswell, Mountain Park and Johns Creek to run elections together. The reason for this change is that Fulton County has decided to charge the cities double or triple what has been paid in the past, and the County is recommending that the cities explore all options. (The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
3. There might be a new indoor wedding venue soon in the Market District at Crabapple in downtown Milton. Sometheme Weddings & Events has applied to use a 4,000 square foot space for events with up to 150 people. They will occur on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings with music and licensed catering. (Press Release Desk)
4. Some of the libraries in our area were closed due to burst pipes during a recent cold snap. The Peachtree Corners branch was recently closed for a different reason — bed bugs. Employees found them in armchairs near the entrance. As a result, the chairs were removed and the library was sprayed. In addition, the library stopped all book transfers and checked the entire library for additional bed bugs, both visually and using dogs. (The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Today in Alpharetta-Milton:

• Total Fitness at the Wills Park Recreation Center, 11925 Wills Road in Alpharetta (9:30 AM)
• Americana Road Trip cooking class at Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4305 State Bridge Road in Alpharetta (6:30 PM)
• Bourbon and Cigars Benefitting Veterans at American Legion Post 201, 201 Wills Road in Alpharetta (7:00 PM)
• The Joe Alterman Trio at The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta (7:30 PM)
• Live Music with Rickey Cole at Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern, 10595 Old Alabama Road in Alpharetta (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Dr. Mike Looney, Superintendent of Fulton County Schools, was recently honored with a Citizen of the Year award from the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. He received this award at the Chamber's 50th Anniversary Gala. Dr. Looney has been Superintendent for the Fulton County Schools since June 2019. Not long after starting, he "became the first school leader in the state to be faced with reacting to the unknown — a confirmed, positive case of COVID-19." (Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
• Would you like to learn how to use a Cricut machine? The Alpharetta library is holding instructional sessions two Thursdays a month from 3-5:30 p.m. You will have the opportunity to design and create your own projects. Sessions are for ages 13+ and registration is required. (Friends of the Alpharetta Library via Facebook)
• Police arrested five teenagers who were committing robberies in Dunwoody. They were called early Thursday morning about car break ins at the Sterling Apartments on Peachford Circle. The suspects fled on foot, and police found them hiding behind a storage center. They had broken into 16 cars at the apartments and the parking lot of Peachford Hospital. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
• Summer will be here in a few months and Woodstock has published their outdoor concert schedule! They are free and are held at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater starting on May 13. The list of performers includes Craig Morgan, Rick Springfield, Drivin N Cryin, plus tribute bands for Bruno Mars and Van Halen.tribute band, and Drivin N Cryin. (Cherokee Tribune Ledger News)

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Events:

• No Cost Boot Camp 4 Divorcing Women Workshop (January 28)
• ALONG FOR THE RIDE — Birthday Bash at FTE! (January 28)
• Atlanta Wedding Extravaganza (January 29)
• Intuitive Painting Classes — Ignite the Healing Power of Your Creative Process (January 30)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Milton City Hall (February 1)
• “Love Is in the Air” Exhibit & Chocolate Truffle Tastings - February at the Cumming Arts Center (February 2)
• Scream Your Heart Out Ghost Hunt and Interactive Paranormal Investigation at Jasper’s Old Jail (February 3)
• Home Buyer Workshop - This is for ANY Buyer - Your First Home or Your Forever Home! (February 11)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (February 23)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around.

— Gail Lafleche

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Alpharetta-Milton Daily? Contact me at Alpharetta@Patch.com