🌱 Flex Lanes On GA 400 To Close Forever + Local Rep & HB 161 + Art

Good morning, everybody! I'm back with your new edition of the Johns Creek Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Let's get this Friday started off right with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Couple of thunderstorms. High: 61 Low: 36.

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Here are the top three stories in Johns Creek today:

1. Starting at 9:00 p.m. today, Mar. 17, "flex lanes" on the Georgia 400 will close permanently. For the past ten years, the shoulders of the northbound and southbound GA-400, between the Pitts Road overpass and Holcomb Bridge Road, have been used as "flex lanes" during rush hour traffic. But the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) said the flex lanes were never meant to be permanent and safety crews need the shoulders for construction staging. GDOT will replace three bridges on the GA-400 and is aiming for a mid-2025 completion date. Due to the construction, the speed limit has also been reduced to 55 miles per hour along this stretch of highway. (Atlanta News First)
2. On Mar. 16, House Bill 161 sponsored by Rep. Michelle Au, D-Johns Creek, was presented to a Georgia House subcommittee. The bill would set safe gun storage guidelines to help prevent children from accessing guns. For example, putting the gun in a locked box and/or unloading it. When met with potential concerns about gun owners' Second Amendment rights, Rep. Au compared the gun storage laws with car seat regulations for children. The enforcement of car seat laws creates a "culture of safety... ingrained in parents," but does not involve invasive or strict surveillance. (11Alive.com WXIA)
3. The City of Johns Creek and Mayor John Bradberry invite all elementary, middle, and high school students to participate in the Mayor's Community Art Competition! Students are encouraged to let their creative side shine and share what "All the World in Johns Creek," the diversity, and community, means to them. Click here for details and to submit your art by Apr. 10. (City of Johns Creek via Twitter)

Today in Johns Creek:

• Feeding Fridays At Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center (8:00 AM)
• St. Patrick's Day At Alessio's Restaurant and Pizzeria (11:00 AM)
• Free Outdoor Concert At Perimeter Church (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are your kids enrolled in after-school art enrichment? Check out the Johns Creek Arts Center's art enrichment programs here. (Johns Creek Arts Center via Facebook)
• Johns Creek PD gave some car theft prevention tips. Lock the car doors, take all items out of the vehicle, and hide the items that are unable to be removed. (JCPD via Instagram)
• A very young female Border Collie puppy named Trisha Yearwood is looking for her forever family! See Trisha and more adoptable pets in the Johns Creek area. (Johns Creek Patch)

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Featured events:

• Irish Song and Dance (March 17)
• 3hr Salsa Boot Camp at HDC Studio + Evening Latin Night Tonys Johns Creek (March 18)
• Saint Patrick's Weekend Latin Night @ Tonys Johns Creek Sat Mar 18th (March 18)
• Social Security Seminar on March 22nd and 23rd at Gwinnett Technical College (March 22)
• 3hr Bachata Boot camp Atlanta @ HDC Dance & Fitness Sat March 25, 2023 (March 25)
• John Stango Solo Artist Show (March 25)
• Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra - On Broadway! (March 25)
• Easter Family Fun Festival (April 9)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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!