🌱 New Principal At Centennial HS + Roswell FD Is Hiring + Police Scam

Hi all. It's me, Jessica Griffin, your host of the Roswell Patch newsletter — here to tell you all the most important things happening in our community today. Today you'll find news about:

• Response time improves at the fire department.
• Traffic to increase on Highway 9 as portion of Wills Road scheduled to close.
• The Rotary Club's upcoming blood drive at Houck's Grille.

But first, today's weather: Humid with a heavy t-storm. High: 86 Low: 70.

Here are the top stories in Roswell today:

1. Roswell's Centennial High School has a new principal for the 2023-2024 school year. Opie Blackwell began his first week as the high school's leader on Monday, Aug. 7. Blackwell's entire 17-year career in education has been with Fulton County Schools. He began as a teacher at Alpharetta High School, and then was promoted to an assistant principal at Riverwood High School. For the past 7 years, Blackwell has been the principal at Ridgeview Charter Middle School. He recently interviewed with the Atlanta Journal Constitution to discuss his future plans and possible concerns as the new principal of the Centennial Knights. (Newsbreak)
2. In a statement made on Thursday, Aug. 10, the Roswell Fire Department announced that its emergency response time has improved. In a period from January 2023 to June 2023, the department responded to approximately 90 percent of calls "one minute and three seconds faster than in June 2022," it said. The median response time was 5 minutes and 46 seconds in June of 2021, according to Fire Chief Joe Pennino. Some of the reason for this improvement is the Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) dispatch. This system uses GPS data to quickly identify and dispatch their most apt emergency response vehicle. (Atlanta News First)
3. Residents who travel into Alpharetta via State Route 9 are being cautioned that the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will soon close Wills Road at its intersection with State Route 9. The work is a part of the transportation department's State Route 9 Improvement Project. The portion of the road is expected to be closed for the next 6 months. Detours will be put in place to lead motorist to alternate routes. In 2022, GDOT estimated that the annual average daily traffic near that intersection is 21,800 motorists. (Appen Media)

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Today in Roswell:

Friday, August 11

• In My Wildest Dreams Show — Roswell Fine Arts Alliance (10:00 AM)
• Midday Book Club — Roswell Library (11:00 AM)
• Date Night on the River — Chattahoochee Nature Center (6:00 PM)
• Music on the Hill Concert Series — Roswell City Hall (7:00 PM)
• Live Music w/ Escape Vehicle — Oak St. Bottle Shop (7:30 PM)
• Good Measure Live — Rock 'N' Taco (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• City of Roswell, Georgia Police Department: The Roswell PD would like to make the citizens of the city aware that the police impersonation scam is back in effect and is making its rounds throughout town. Calls are being made by unknown individuals who are posing as representatives from the Roswell PD; they are demanding money and/or gift cards to make payments for warrants or fines. If you receive such a call, hang up, and notify the police department to verify the call. (Roswell Police Department via Facebook)
• City of Roswell Georgia Government: The Roswell FD's Public Information Officer and Fire and Life Safety Educator Chad Miller has been named Employee of the Month. Miller is the coordinator of the Citizen’s Fire Academy, Leadership North Fulton, and is the head of the department’s role in the City of Roswell Enrichment Academy (CORE). (City of Roswell Georgia Government via Instagram)
• Roswell Rotary Club: The Rotary Club will host a blood drive at Houck's Grille on Aug. 23. Donors will receive 10 percent off of their bill at Houck's Grille and a free pint of beer on their next visit to Variant Brewery. Visit the Red Cross' website or the link in the club's Facebook post to schedule an appointment to give blood. (Roswell Rotary Club via Facebook)
• City of Roswell, Georgia Fire Department: The Roswell FD has openings for part-time firefighter positions. A physical ability test will be offered the same day as the interview. More information and applications can be found on the City of Roswell's website. (City of Roswell, Georgia Fire Department via X)

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Featured events:

• Join the SSC Guided Walk at Island Ford! (August 12)
• Electronics Recycling (August 19)
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• Masonry work (Details)
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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for your next 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