🌱 Family Voices Concern Over Fulton Co. Jail + Sandy Springs Geology

Welcome back, Sandy Springs. I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A stray afternoon t-storm. High: 89 Low: 62.
• Friday: Mostly sunny. High: 86 Low: 62.

Here are the top three stories in Sandy Springs today:

1. The family of Samuel Lawrence, who died in Fulton County Jail last month, is speaking out about their concerns regarding his case and the jail's conditions. Samuel Lawrence had filed a prisoner civil rights complaint in federal court shortly before his death. Family members describe him as a "lovable" person and are determined to seek justice for him, as he had written about harsh conditions and alleged mistreatment by inmates and jail guards. The Department of Justice is conducting an ongoing investigation into inmate treatment at the facility, but the autopsy report for Lawrence's death has not been released yet. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
2. Recently, the Sandy Springs City Council approved contracts with Pickens County and Smyrna for housing inmates, resulting in a 40 percent increase in the per-inmate cost at the Smyrna Jail, partly offset by increased costs at Pickens County. The Sandy Springs Police Department annually arrests approximately 3,500 individuals on a wide range of charges, necessitating housing arrangements with external facilities due to the absence of a municipal jail. The housing location is determined by the nature of the charges, with city ordinance violations being directed to the Smyrna Jail, while felony or misdemeanor state charges lead to placement at the Fulton County Jail. (Appen Media)
3. Interested in the geological history of Sandy Springs? Explore the landscape through a 45-minute walk and lecture on Sep. 28, led by Dr. Bill Witherspoon and Dr. Pamela Gore, co-authors of "Roadside Geology of Georgia." This program will delve into the Sandy Springs landscapes, rocks, minerals, and human stories intertwined with geology. Registration is required for this free event, and you can sign up here. Plus, signed copies of "Roadside Geology of Georgia" will be available for purchase. (City of Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department via Facebook)

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Today and tomorrow in Sandy Springs:

Thursday, September 7

• Mutate At Five Festival At City Springs (5:00 PM)

Friday, September 8

• Blacklight Premiere - Neon Waterfall At Painting With A Twist (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Sandy Springs Connects Career Expo, taking place at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, is in less than a week! The expo will offer jobseekers the chance to connect with local businesses in the Sandy Springs area. For more information and registration, click here. (Sandy Springs, Georgia: City News via Facebook)
• If you missed the Sandy Springs City Council meeting earlier this week, no worries! Click the link to see what was up for discussion at the Tuesday, Sep. 5 meeting. (Sandy Springs, Georgia: City News via Facebook)
• Mark your calendar for the Blue Stone 5K9, a fun run for you and your pup! This event is part of Sandy Springs' Adaptive Recreation program. To register and find more information, including the event map, click here. (City of Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Business Credit 101: How to Build Business Credit for your EIN not linked to your SSN (September 7)
• Join a Guided Walk at Hyde Farm (September 8)
• Paint Medicine Classes (September 11)
• The Transition Network - Prospective and New Member Dinner (September 13)
• Floral Design Workshop with Le Jardin Français (September 16)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.