🌱 Lawsuit Filed Against The City + Free Event For #KidstoParksDay

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Sandy Springs Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m.. High: 78 Low: 63.
• Sunday: Nice with clouds and sun. High: 81 Low: 61.

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Here are the top three stories in Sandy Springs today:

1. Appen Media Group filed a lawsuit against the City of Sandy Springs over access to police report information. The official complaint was filed on Friday, May 12 with the Superior Court of Fulton County, and alleges that Appen Media Group has repeatedly been denied access to initial police officer narratives filed during investigations — including cases of aggravated assault, street racing, and reckless driving, indecent exposure, and weapons law violations. (Appen Media)
2. Work will soon begin to turn metro Atlanta's North DeKalb Mall into "Lulah Hills," a mixed-use development with housing, shopping, dining, and lodging. Real estate developer Edens plans for mall demolition to begin later this year, with the first phases of the new development set to come in 2025. (Urbanize LA)
3. This Saturday, May 20 is #KidstoParksDay. Sandy Springs is celebrating with a free event in Hammond Park featuring inflatables, water slides, popcorn, a balloon artist, temporary tattoos, music, prizes, and more. The event aims to encourage children to explore area parks and adopt active lifestyles. (Sandy Springs, Georgia: City News via Facebook)

Today and tomorrow in and around Sandy Springs:

Saturday, May 20

• Free Isha Meditation For Beginners At Sharon Fork Public Library, Cumming (3:30 PM)

Sunday, May 21

• "CATS" At Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center (2:00 PM)
• Hank Williams Jr. At Ameris Bank Amphitheater, Alpharetta (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Thirty Riverwood International Charter School seniors worked with Sandy Springs Education Force SAIL Mentors to navigate post-graduation plans this year, and the students recently shared that all of them have been accepted to post-secondary institutions. At their recent Doughnuts and Coffee Celebration, many of the students thanked their SAIL mentors for their encouragement and guidance during the application process. (Sandy Springs Education Force via Facebook)
• Gov. Brian Kemp announced the allocation of $225 million in grants to areas impacted by COVID-19 across the state of Georgia. Nearby communities such as the City of Atlanta, the City of Decatur, and Avondale Estates were awarded funding for projects that improve neighborhood assets like parks, recreation facilities, sidewalks, and healthy food access. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Nominations are still open for the 2023 Hemisphere Awards, and Sandy Springs is encouraging citizens to nominate their city for the following categories: Best American City, Best Up-and-Coming City, Best City for the Arts, and Best American Food City. Learn more and vote for Sandy Springs here. (Sandy Springs, Georgia: City News via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Maya Eventov Artist Show : Textures of Nature (May 20)
• Noche Caliente Latin Night Atlanta @ Tonys Johns Creek May 20, 2023 (May 20)
• 3hr Salsa Boot Camp Atlanta - Beginner / Beyond Basic level Sat May 20, 2023 (May 20)
• Microchip & Vaccination Clinic for Dogs & Cats - Low Cost (May 21)
• Learn TaiChi This Summer - Relaxation And Focus (May 24)
• GO Kickball Summer Social, Coed, Adult Leagues - Registration Deadline June 8th (June 8)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. See you all soon for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek