🌱 Former Roswell Teacher Pleads Guilty In Cherokee + MARTA BRT Plans

Hello all. It's me, Jessica Griffin, your host of the Patch newsletter. Come along to find out the most important things happening in town these days, including updates on...

• The Roswell Ramblers had a "dramatically" wonderful March luncheon.
• Roswell gets a new steakhouse.
• There’s a local recruiting seminar for football players.

But first, today's weather:

90% chance of rain and a possible thunderstorm. High: 63 Low: 37.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Roswell who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Roswell:

1. Robert Vandel, the former Roswell middle school teacher who was arrested for rape and other charges in 2021, is the subject of another abuse case in Georgia. The 65-year-old former educator has now pled guilty to two counts of child molestation that occurred during his employment at Lyndon Academy in Holly Springs. Holly Springs Police were made aware of these accusations after his arrest by Roswell PD for the assault case involving a student at Fulton Academy of Science and Technology (FAST) Charter School. Due to his plea deal, two additional charges of sexual battery against a child under the age of 16 were dropped from this current Cherokee County case. (11alive.com)
2. The Roswell Ramblers recently held a very special luncheon at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center. The "All The World's a Stage" Luncheon featured a theatrical performance from the Phoenix Players Atlanta. The theater troupe is made up of senior actors who share tales about life lessons learned and/or avoided. The Roswell Ramblers' next luncheon will be themed "Springtime in Paris," and will be held next month on April 12. You must R.S.V.P to attend, and if you do so by April 4, a late fee will not be added. (facebook.com)
3. MARTA is proceeding with plans to extend bus rapid transport (BRT) to more areas north and south of downtown. MARTA representative, Josh Green says that “MARTA officials have released a bevy of project renderings to Urbanize Atlanta that show potential plans for a BRT station at a key Ga. Highway 400 crossroads, Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell.” MARTA has planned a 13-mile BRT route that will run along GA-400 that will include a park-and-ride lot, connectivity to Holcomb Bridge Rd., bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and dedicated bus lanes. The Roswell station will probably be the southernmost stop on the BRT route according to MARTA's current plans. (planetizen.com)

Today in Roswell:

• Roswell Coffee Connect - Century 21 Roswell (8:00 AM)
• Midday Book Club - Roswell Library (11:00 AM)
• Roswell HS VG Soccer Region vs Pope HS - Roswell HS (6:00 PM)
• Jason Smith Live - Wegman's Bayou Louisiana Kitchen (6:00 PM)
• Rickey Cole Live - Lola's Burger and Tequila Bar (6:00 PM)
• Roswell HS V Baseball vs Duluth HS - Roswell HS (6:00 PM)
• Live Music w/ Keefe Klug - The Vick Koffee and Kocktails (6:30 PM)
• Creatives for Christ Artist Showcase - World Harvest Church (7:00 PM)
• Live Music w/ Dark Star Brothers - Big Oak Tavern (7:00 PM)
• Special Friends Bingo/Karaoke (Volunteers Needed) - RISE coffee & tea (7:00 PM)
• Sarah Nova Live - Gaslight Bar and Grill (7:30 PM)
• Roswell Ghost Tour: Kristin - Roswell Visitor's Center (8:00 PM)
• Live Music w/ James Patrick Morgan - Le Bistro at Roswell Provisions (8:00 PM)
• Roswell HS VB Soccer Region vs Pope HS - Roswell HS (8:00 PM)
• Abraxas, A Santana Tribute Band Live - Houck's Grille (8:00 PM)
• Jack Hamill Live - Rock N' Taco Roswell (9:30 PM)
• Kings of Karaoke on Fridays - Chaplin's Bar and Grill (10:00 PM)
• DJ SpeakerBoxx - Gaslight Bar and Grill (10:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Roswell Inc: A new restaurant has opened for a fine dining experience in Roswell. Bask Steakhouse serves prime meats that have options for both dry-and wet-aged meat, beers that are barrel-aged, prohibition-style cocktails and a specialized wine list. Bask Steakhouse is now accepting reservations. (Roswell Inc via Facebook)
• Roswell, Georgia Fire Department: The spring term for the fire department's Citizen's Fire Academy is well underway. This week the class participated in a team-building exercise that focused on communication. The exercise was used to demonstrate how firefighters have to communicate information back-and-forth with the Incident Commander/Battalion Chief to complete a mission. (Roswell, Georgia Fire Department via Instagram)
• Roswell High School Football: Roswell high School will be hosting a recruiting seminar for young football players and their families who are interested in learning how to achieve your dream to play college football. Questions about when and how to start the process will be answered. The seminar will be held on March 20 in the school's auditorium. (Roswell High School Football via Facebook)
• Roswell, Georgia gymnastics Team: A huge Congratulations goes to Roswell gymnast, Taylor Templin. She is a Level 10 gymnast on the team a high school senior. Templin has committed to continue in the sport with Greenville University in Illinois' gymnastics team. (Roswell, Georgia gymnastics Team)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Hampton Bluff: A neighbor in the Chimney Lakes neighborhood in Roswell is missing an orange tabby cat named Lexi. The cat was last seen on the morning of Wednesday, March 8 near North Smoke Ridge Ct. The owner is asking for nearby neighbors to be on the lookout, and provided contact information if the pet is spotted. (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Atlanta Academy — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Viernes Tropicales Latin Night Atlanta @ Sanctuary Night Club (March 10)
• The Piedmont Division Model Train Show (March 11)
• 3wk East Coast Swing Dance Class Atlanta Starts march 13th (March 13)
• Book Club with Angela Medley, Realtor: Start with Why by Simon Sinek (March 20)
• Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra - On Broadway! (March 25)
• Add your event

Featured gigs & services:

• Masonry work (Details)
• Add your gig or service

Featured job listings:

• Customer Service Specialist - Woodstock (Details)
• Add your job listing

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Jessica Griffin

About me: My name is Jessica Griffin and I am a native of Roswell, Georgia. I have been in the Roswell-Alpharetta community for over 30 years. As a native "Roswellian", I embody, participate, and support all things local. Community is at the core of all of us, and I aim to convey the collectiveness and unity that should be promoted and celebrated throughout our community. Being a mother, a writer, a student of history, and the arts are my passions.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roswell Patch newsletter? Contact me at Roswell@Patch.com