🌱 Studies For MARTA Expansion + Firearm Incident At Walmart

Good morning, friends! It's me, Jessica Griffin, your host of the Roswell Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in our community on this Friday. Including the 4-1-1 about:

• Road closures will be in the downtown area on Saturday.
• Turf replacement is at East Roswell Park.
• Wear purple on International Women’s Day.

But first, today's weather:

Some rain and a thunderstorm. High: 73 Low: 47.

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Here are the top four stories today in Roswell:

1. A $1 million expense for the replacement of two turf fields in East Roswell Park was approved by the council at the February 27 meeting. In 2013 the turf on these fields were switched from grass to 100 percent crumb rubber that is made from recycled tires that are cryogenically frozen. Officials at the Recreation and Parks department say that the turf is past its warranty and needs replacement. One of the turf replacements was already included in the 2023 budget. A two-layer system and a three-layer system were presented by Recreation and Parks Director, Jeffrey Leatherman, to the council as options for replacement. He recommended the three-layer system that consists of sand and crumb rubber layers with a thin layer of “cooling technology” on top. The "cooling technology" can lower ground temperatures by approximately 25 degrees. The cost for both systems were somewhat equivalent. The council liked the three-layer option and has plans to install the new turf by early June. (appenmedia.com)
2. Roswell Hornets boys lacrosse team played against the Pope Greyhounds on Wednesday, March 1 at home in the Hornets Nest. Roswell began the first quarter by making four goals, which gave them a 4-0 lead. By the end of the first quarter Roswell held a 9-0 lead over Pope High School. The Hornets came into the match undefeated and kept that record with another win. The final score was 18-8 in Roswell's favor. Bryan Wallace, the Head Community Coach and Director of Lacrosse Operations at Roswell High School, says “Obviously with a 5A, 6A classification game, it kind of sends a note. We might see these guys later on in the playoffs.” Wednesday's win gave the Roswell boys lacrosse team some extra confidence as they prepare for Friday's game against Lambert High School. (newsbreak.com)
3. An incident involving a firearm occurred on February 18 at the Walmart on Mansell Road in Roswell. Roswell Police were called to the store after a customer reported that someone pulled a gun on them at the store, then left the scene. He told responding officers that he was parked toward the back of the store at the auto center. An individual in a white Silverado with a “tag applied for” sign and no license plate approached him and told him to move his car. He told the person that he was waiting to get an oil change. The driver of the Silverado went back to the truck, retrieved a firearm, chambered a round, then stated “I got something for you” while pointing the gun at him. The report states that the driver of the Silverado then got back into his truck and drove off. Walmart's surveillance video caught footage of the vehicle in question, a clear view of the driver, and the passenger's side of the truck. The video did not show the driver pointing the handgun at the man. The case is still under investigation. (appenmedia.com)
4. Officials with the North Fulton Community Improvement District (NFCID) have partnered with MARTA to start conducting studies regarding the expansion of BRT into Alpharetta and Roswell. The studies will also decide where stations should be placed and how they would operate along GA-400. The construction of the North Fulton BRT line is expected to cost $360 million. The cost of the study itself will be $220,000, and will be divided between NFCID and MARTA. The station area planning study will be conducted by the engineering firm Kimley-Horn. It held the first meeting in February. After the study is conducted, and if approved, the BRT expansion will be installed while the Georgia Department of Transportation is constructing the new express lane on GA-400. (atlanta.urbanize.city)

Today in Roswell:

• Mascogo Taco Food Truck - Variant Brewing Company (11:00 AM)
• Music at Gigi's Playhouse - GiGi's Playhouse Atlanta (11:00 AM)
• Open Anvil: Blacksmithing and Blades Session - The Forge at Art Center West (5:00 PM)
• Korsi Hot Flow - Korsi Yoga (5:30 PM)
• Roswell HS JVB Lacrosse vs Lambert HS - (6:00 PM)
• Blessed Trinity VB Lacrosse vs. Walton HS - (7:00 PM)
• Georgia Ensemble Theatre presents Black Pearl Sings - Cultural Arts Center (7:00 PM)
• Roswell HS VB Lacrosse vs Lambert HS - (7:45 PM)
• Performance of Women in Jeopardy - Roswell Cultural Arts Center (8:00 PM)
• Atlanta Vice Live - Rock N' Taco Roswell (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Roswell High School Football: The City of Roswell is partnering with RHS Athletics for a day to show community support. Multiple businesses in the city will be donating a portion of their proceeds to one of Roswell HS sports departments. The day of support will be on March 26. Check out Roswell High's social sites for a list of participating establishments. (Roswell High School Football via Facebook)
• Roswell, Georgia Special Events: Due to the Roswell Beer Festival tomorrow at Historic Town Square Park, there will be some road closures in the Town Square area. The roads will close at 7:30 AM, and are expected to be reopened by 8:00 PM that evening. for those who will be commuting to Highway 120, Ramsey St. will be used as a detour. (Roswell, Georgia Special Events via Instagram)
• City of Roswell, Georgia Government: Zion Missionary Baptist Church celebrated their 152nd Anniversary on Sunday, February 26. Representatives from the Roswell City Council, City Administrator Randy Knighton, and Mayor Kurt Wilson were present to join in on this esteemed anniversary. (City of Roswell, Georgia Government via Facebook)
• Roswell, Georgia Fire Department: The annual Retirees Oyster Dinner was held on this past Wednesday night. Current and previous members of the fire department were able to congregate, share a meal, and share stories and history with each other. This yearly meeting has been a continuing tradition for the department since the 1930s. (Roswell, Georgia Fire Department via Instagram)
• Roswell High School Football: Roswell HS will be hosting a camp this summer for rising football player. During the week of July 24-27, young football players can spend time with and learn from the coaches and players and players of the football team. Sign-up is required. (Roswell High School Football via Facebook)
• Roswell Bicycles: Roswell Bicycles will be doing a PIVOT Demo at Big Creek Mountain Bike Park on March 25. The event will begin at 9:00 AM. Visit their website or social media sites to learn more details and to reserve your bike for demo. (Roswell Bicycles via Twitter)
• Roswell Inc: Did you know that Roswell Inc has a monthly newsletter? Their March edition is now available. Visit their website or social media pages to sign up to be kept in the loop on business in Roswell. (Roswell Inc via Facebook)
• City of Roswell, Georgia: March 8 is International Women’s Day. The City of Roswell would like the entire town to join in on the observance by wearing purple. Purple is a signification of justice and dignity, and is the official color of International Women's Day. Any shade of purple will do. Also, take a picture of yourself in purple, tag the City of Roswell, and use the hashtags #internationalwomensday and #embraceequity. (City of Roswell, Georgia via Instagram)

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Featured events:

• Georgia Beer Day PARTY w/ BANANA SPLIFFS LIVE! (March 4)
• "Fill The Pantry" Community Drive (March 4)
• Help for Ukraine Art Exhibition and Auction (March 4)
• Milton Theatre Co presents Disaster! (the Musical) (March 9)
• Parent Summit Live (March 11)
• Book Club with Angela Medley, Realtor: Start with Why by Simon Sinek (March 20)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with 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