🌱 Woman Escapes Falling Tree In Sandy Springs + Fatal MARTA Bus Crash

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Sandy Springs Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in the community.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 87 Low: 71.
• Friday: Humid with a t-storm in spots. High: 89 Low: 70.

Here are the top three stories in Sandy Springs today:

1. A woman providing shuttle service at a dinner event in Sandy Springs narrowly avoided being hit by a large tree brought down by powerful thunderstorms on Monday, Aug. 7. The tree fell onto her SUV and another nearby vehicle, causing significant damage. While another tree partially struck a house, no injuries were reported. (WSB-TV)
2. A fatal crash occurred in Fulton County on Tuesday involving a head-on collision between a Ford F-150 truck and a MARTA bus. The Ford truck, traveling north, struck a black sedan that was attempting a left turn, before colliding head-on with the MARTA bus traveling south. Three individuals in the truck were pronounced dead, and others sustained serious injuries, with the MARTA bus driver also being seriously injured. Authorities are investigating the incident, noting that evidence suggests the Ford truck disregarded a traffic control device, and the driver of the black sedan fled the scene. (11 Alive)
3. There is a push to remove Fulton County government employee Jonathan Harris after reports of multiple arrests. An investigation revealed Harris misused county vehicles for personal purposes during non-business hours, leading commissioners to impose a 30-day moratorium on county vehicle use by all commissioners and their employees. The inquiry followed an earlier Channel 2 Action News investigation into Harris' criminal history, which included state prison time and subsequent efforts at rehabilitation. (WSB-TV)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Sandy Springs:

Thursday, August 10

• Thursday Night Live At The Forum Peachtree Corners, Peachtree Corners (6:00 PM)

Friday, August 11

• BeREGGAE Music And Arts Festival At Piedmont Park, Atlanta (1:00 PM)
• Mixed Group Documentary Night: East Lake Meadows At Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation (6:45 PM)

From my notebook:

• Celebrate the inaugural Sandy Springs Wine Festival! Tickets with limited availability will be on sale until Aug. 13. Don't miss out on this event taking place on Oct. 1 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Heritage Lawn. (Visit Sandy Springs via Facebook)
• REMINDER: There are only a few days left until the Trail Blazers walk on Aug. 12 at 8:30 a.m. at Island Ford Park, guided by outdoor enthusiast Alex Popp. Island Ford Park, situated in Sandy Springs, offers beginner-friendly and kid-friendly hiking trails along the Chattahoochee River. The guided hour-long walk, limited to 25 participants, will explore the park's natural beauty, and registration is required. (Sandy Springs Conservancy)
• The deadline to apply to be a vendor at this year's Blue Stone Music and Arts Festival is Aug. 11! The festival will take place Sep. 29-30 at City Springs. (City Springs via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Join the SSC Guided Walk at Island Ford! (August 12)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: 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.