🌱 Johns Creek PPP Fraudster Sentenced + Improv For Business

Get on up, Johns Creek! Let's get you started this Saturday with everything you need to know going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 87 Low: 70.

Here are the top three stories in Johns Creek today:

1. A Johns Creek man, who was said to be the "mastermind" of an $11M PPP fraud scheme was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Darrell Thomas pled guilty last summer to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of money laundering in a scheme that spanned the entire county and led to charges against 23 people. Thomas forfeited $2 million in funds and additional assets including cars and jewelry. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
2. Johns Creek police helped catch a Duluth hit and run driver with flock cameras. The Flock Safety cameras helped Duluth police locate a man who hit and killed a pedestrian in Duluth and drove through Johns Creek. The footage was able to clearly identify the vehicle, driver, and license plate number. (WSB Atlanta)
3. The Johns Creek Arts Center is teaming with the Creative Actors Lab for a new business class with a twist! "Improv for Business - Presentation Skills" will be held on May 25 at City Hall from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Interested parties can register on the Creative Actors Lab website. (Johns Creek Chamber)

Today in and around Johns Creek:

• Touch-A-Truck At Johns Creek City Hall (10:00 AM)
• Tie Dye Extravaganza At George Pierce County Park, Suwanee (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Join the Johns Creek Police Department on June 8 for the JCPD Community Expo at Newtown Park, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and meet Chief Mark Mitchell and officers. (Facebook)
• The Recreation & Parks Master Plan Update is officially underway! Thanks to all who attended the first public information meeting on Tuesday. There’s still plenty of time to provide your input and get involved in the plan update here. (Facebook)
• Wilson Creek invites you to Aurora Cineplex this summer. It is bringing back $2.00 Summer Family Flicks series — 10 classic family movies over 10 weeks of summer. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• "Natural Beauty" with artists Henry Asencio & Chad Awalt (May 21)
• Salsa ATL's Dinner & Latin Night @ Tony's John's Creek May 21st (May 21)
• $ 2.00 Summer Family Flicks-- at Aurora Cineplex-Spongebob: Sponge Out of Water (May 27)
• Alpharetta Wine Festival (June 12)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you all Monday for another update.

— Dan Casarella

About me: Dan Casarella is a writer, podcast producer, and small business development specialist who formerly worked in late-night television. He’s produced many talk segments, including with President Joe Biden, Kobe Bryant, and Chadwick Boseman. Dan studied Media Studies and Production at Temple University. He also enjoys running, painting, and the highs and lows of Philadelphia’s sports teams.