🌱 FoCo BOC Approves Several Building Projects + SEC Charges Local Man

Hello, friends! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Cumming Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now. Today's issue includes updates on...

• New building projects approved by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners.
• A reinstated lawsuit against a Cumming-based hotel management company for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Cumming resident charged by SEC after earning $1 million in illicit trading profits.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Heart & Hammer Realty

Can you guess what real estate market the National Association of Realtors named as its hottest for 2023? (Hint: You’re living in it.)

A lot of ink has been spilled over the slowing of the national real estate market: Interest rates are up, prices are down. Buyers are on the sidelines....

But we all know the Atlanta area is different — ok, let’s just admit it: better — than everywhere else. And when it comes to real estate, it's no different. People are moving here. Young families want larger homes and yards. Investors are still buying. And demand is outstripping supply.

That's why the National Association of Realtors just named Atlanta no. 1 on its list of U.S. markets with the most potential for growth this year.

So how do you take advantage?

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Want to explore how you might take advantage of the resilient Atlanta market? Call or text Amanda today at 770.572.0722 or email her at amandashelton@kw.com.

Now, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 56 Low: 34.

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Here are the top stories in Cumming today:

1. Multiple new Cumming development projects are in the works after the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved them at their most recent meeting on Thursday. Approvals included the building of a 9,300 square-foot amphitheater, a 2,500 square-foot pavilion, a soccer field, and a boy’s home by The Vine Community Church, 14 new residential lots on Castleberry Road, and a new 15,000 square-foot church building on Settingdown Road for Canvas Christian Church, among other projects. A recording of the Feb. 16 Board of Commissioners meeting can be viewed on forsythco.com/meetings. (NewsBreak Original)
2. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, has reinstated a lawsuit filed against Cumming-based Noranda Hotels by Deborah Laufer, a self-professed “tester” who has filed hundreds of similar lawsuits throughout the country under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Laufer had filed suit against a Noranda-owned hotel in Baltimore, alleging that it violated the ADA’s hotel reservation regulation on six websites. The court ruled that “Laufer’s allegation of an information injury accords her Article III standing to sue Naranda —whether or not she ever had a definite and credible plan to travel to the Baltimore area.” (Business Insurance)
3. On Thursday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Milan Vinod Patel of Cumming for generating over $1 million in illicit trading profits by spreading false rumors about public companies. According to the SEC, Patel received more than 100 rumors from other individuals and disseminated them through financial news services, chat rooms, and message boards. The circulation of these rumors caused the stock prices of the subject companies to rise temporarily, which enabled Patel to sell his holdings and earn illicit profits. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and charged Patel with violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b), Rule 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (SEC.gov)
4. If you're traveling on Brannon Road today, you may run into some delays. Forsyth County announced possible intermittent lane closures between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. so crews can complete planned utility work, weather permitting. (Forsyth County Georgia Government via Facebook)
5. If your Valentine's Day chocolates are long gone, stop by one of this month's chocolate truffle-tasting events at the Cumming Arts Center! Truffle makers from around the world will be in town to give a special presentation on their confections, along with a tasting session for $25 per person. The first event is happening tonight, Feb. 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., followed by three more on Tuesdays, Feb. 21 and 28 (1:00 to 3:00 p.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 25 (6:00 to 8:00 p.m.) Reservations are required and can be made at sawneeart.org or by calling (678) 634-9240. (Patch)

Today in Cumming:

• Cumming Farmers Market At Cumming City Center (8:00 AM)
• Hooked On Books - A Book Club For Adults At Hampton Park Library (10:30 AM)
• Saturday Family Storytime At Post Road Library (11:00 AM)
• Chocolate Truffle Tasting At Cumming Arts Center (6:00 PM)
• Live Music - Ben Wade Band At Cinco-Vickery (6:00 PM)
• Celebrating The Music Of Billy Joel At Rosati's Pizza Sports Pub (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• What else is happening in and around Cumming this weekend? Check out NewsBreak's full list of happenings, including live music performances, a comedy show, and more. (NewsBreak Original)
• The Mashburn Elementary K-Kids Club invites families to join them for a community service night on Tuesday, Mar. 7, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Participants will be making fleece tie blankets, which will be donated to Project Linus and distributed to children receiving treatment in local hospitals. Registration closes at 3:00 p.m. on Mar. 3. (Mashburn Elementary via Facebook)
• Forsyth Central High School was recently recognized for its stellar AP programs and was named an AP Humanities Achievement School, AP STEM Achievement School, and AP School of Distinction, among several other honors. Congratulations to the students and staff of FCHS! (Forsyth Central High School via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Rae and the Ragdolls (February 18)
• Pretty in Pink Noche Caliente Latin Night Atlanta @ Tonys Johns Creek Sat Feb 18, 2023 (February 18)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (February 21)
• BJ's Wholesale Club Pre-opening Limited-time Offer (February 23)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.