🌱 City Approves New Budget, Plans Upgrades + Marijuana Operation Bust

Good morning, neighbors! It's Saturday in Sandy Springs and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 88 Low: 63.
• Sunday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 91 Low: 70.

Here are the top three stories today in Sandy Springs:

1. Sandy Springs city leaders have approved a 2024 budget of $141 million. The budget, which raises day-to-day operations spending by $5 million, was approved unanimously at the Jun. 20 City Council meeting. It will reportedly allow for the hiring of 12 new full-time staffers, various technology and equipment upgrades for first responders, upgrades to local parks, and more. (Appen Media)
2. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office and county commissioners are reportedly at odds about how to handle overcrowding in the Fulton County Jail. Sheriff Patrick Labat says he is requesting millions of dollars in funding from commissioners to make improvements, but the commission has pushed back against the request, seeking more detailed reports on the use of existing funds. Witnesses say the debate over the issue became heated at a recent meeting, with the commission's chair verbally intervening to end the argument. (11Alive.com WXIA)
3. Two men have been arrested in connection to a marijuana-growing operation based out of a Sandy Springs home. Officers with the Sandy Springs Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration of Atlanta discovered 540 marijuana plants, 135 pounds of cultivated marijuana, and a variety of other evidence at the home on Kitty Hawk Drive. The suspects, 26-year-old Eric Benjume and 40-year-old Juan Carlos Nunez, face charges of manufacturing marijuana, trafficking marijuana, and more. (WSB Atlanta)

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Today and tomorrow in Sandy Springs:

Saturday, June 24

• Sex And Sensuality: The Burlesque Show At Dance It Off (8:00 PM)

Sunday, June 25

• Walking In My Sunday Best At Painting With A Twist (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Jun. 27, the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber and Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce will partner to host a coffee networking event. Stop by from 8:30-10:00 a.m. to enjoy coffee, a light breakfast, and local networking opportunities. (Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber via Facebook)
• Attention motorists: one lane of I-285 eastbound between SR 400 and Perimeter Center Parkway will be closed through the weekend while crews complete bridge deck work. The road is expected to reopen on Monday, Jun. 26, by 5:00 a.m. (Sandy Springs, Georgia: City News via Facebook)
• Fulton County School is hosting a hiring event for operations support positions today, Jun. 24. Stop by North Springs High School from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to apply for vacant bus driver, custodial, and safety positions, among others.

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Featured events:

• Sidewalk SALE, Bounce House, Hamburgers & Hot Dogs! (June 24)
• No Cost Boot Camp 4 Divorcing Women VIRTUAL Workshop (June 26)
• AGA Aliented Grandparents Anonymous (June 27)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek