🌱 Commissioner Terry Asks Park Be Reopened + Tuesday I-85 Crash

Hi all. It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Johns Creek Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and breezy. High: 67 Low: 42.

This great local business sponsors the Johns Creek Patch newsletter. We love what they do, and we think you will, too:

"Spring" into action this month with a new home! If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Johns Creek, Terri & Michael Hecht of Coldwell Banker have lived in our area for the past 17 years and have watched our market evolve and grow. Don't leave your biggest investment to "Luck" — if you are planning to buy or sell, contact "The Hecht Group" here today.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Here are the top three stories in Johns Creek today:

1. DeKalb County District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry is introducing a resolution calling for Intrenchment Creek Park to be reopened. The park has been part of the site where construction has been ongoing on the controversial new public safety center – and where police evictions of protestors, and the death of protestor Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, have occurred. Terry has been critical of the public safety training center and is one of the court appellants challenging its land-clearing permit. In addition to calling for the park to reopen, the resolution also requests that the County fund and hire "a South River Forest Park Naturalist to assist in restoration and education importance." (SaportaReport)
2. Traffic was severely disrupted Tuesday afternoon along Interstate 85 in Gwinnett County by an overturned semi-truck which blocked three southbound lanes. The Georgia Department of Transportation issued an alert around 4:30 p.m. stating, "major crash involving an overturned tractor-trailer" occurred. The Department of Transportation does not know how long it will take to clear the damage, and motorists are advised to use detours in the area until further notice. (11 Alive)
3. Emory University Creative Writing Fellow Sanjena Sathian recently received the Townsend Prize for Fiction for her novel "Gold Diggers." The Atlanta Metro-area institution also fielded another finalist for the prize: Tiphanie Yanique, author of "Monster in the Middle." The Townsend Prize was named in memory of Jim Townsend, the founding editor of Atlanta magazine, in 1981; it is awarded every two years by the Atlanta Writers Club to honor the premier literary fiction author in Georgia. (Emory News Center)

Today in and around Johns Creek:

• Homeschool Adventures At The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve And Heritage Center (10:00 AM)
• Free Outdoor Fitness - Barre At The Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater At Newtown Park (10:15 AM)
• Energy Yoga At Ocee Library (11:30 AM)
• Free Outdoor Fitness - Zumba At The Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater At Newtown Park (6:00 PM)
• TRIVIA NIGHT At StillFire Brewing (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Johns Creek Police Department has found Miles Barsness, who was reported missing and last seen in the area of St. Ives Country Club. (Johns Creek Police Department via Facebook)
• The City of Johns Creek is proud to report roughly 17,000 people attended the Johns Creek International Festival this past Saturday. (City of Johns Creek, Georgia - Government via Facebook)
• The Johns Creek Arts Center has extended its deadlines for submissions to its upcoming Local Color: Works By Area Artists show - the new deadline is May 10. Submissions may be made, and more information can be found, at the link. (Johns Creek Arts Center via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Seven Sisters Kitchen — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Estate Planning Seminar at Milton City Hall - Community Place (May 4)
• CARS for CAUSES presented by Rotary Club of Johns Creek-North Fulton (May 6)
• 3hr Salsa Boot Camp Atlanta @ Ballroom Impact Sat May 6, 2023 (May 6)
• Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra - With One Accord (May 6)
• Live Music Cinco De Mayo Latin Night Atlanta Sat May 6, 2023 (May 6)
• Secret Gardens of the Johns Creek Community Tour with Artists and Musicians! (May 6)
• Estate Planning Seminar at Milton City Hall - Community Place (May 9)
• Live Interview With Debra Stipe, Actress to benefit Saprea (May 9)
• Here Comes the Sun: Music of the Beatles (May 12)
• Add your event

That's it for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!