Atlanta News

Georgia’s State Election Board has accused the rideshare company Lyft of violating Georgia’s election law by offering discounted rides to users who were heading to the polls. At a Tuesday […]

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Roswell's cure for downtown parking woes set to move forward Josh Green Wed, 07/30/2025 - 16:44

The aspirin for downtown Roswell’s parking headaches is about to start getting real, according to city officials. 

The north Fulton County city has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 7 for a tax-funded parking deck that officials view as an investment toward strategic long-term planning and growth, support for local businesses, and as ironic as it may sound, enhanced downtown walkability.  

The deck will rise on a corner where Green Street meets Ga. Highway 9 (Alpharetta Street), about a block east of Canton Street, a regional dining and shopping destination where finding parking can be tough. The site is also just south of the multi-building Southern Post development that replaced a dated shopping center, opening last year. 

“This parking deck is more than infrastructure—it’s a strategic investment in the future of our downtown,” said Mayor Kurt Wilson in a groundbreaking announcement today. 

Finalized plans for the downtown parking garage near a Green Street entry. Courtesy of City of Roswell

Rough approximation of where the nearly 400-space deck will rise, in relation to Canton Street (left) and other downtown landmarks. Google Maps

Plans call for the brick-clad, 395-space structure to echo the historic district aesthetically. Touches will include large windows for airflow and light, plus “architectural parapets and metalwork, tower-like corner stairwells, and variation in the depth of the exterior walls to add dimension and interest to the structure,” according to a project description. 

Roswell voters in 2022 approved nearly $180 million in bond funds that included $20 million for a new deck to help alleviate parking frustrations near Canton Street. Roswell leaders picked the site in question last year after evaluating eight potential locations. 

Back in March, Roswell’s mayor and city council unanimously approved a design-build contract with Winter Construction for the $14.5 million new parking deck, noting that it will rise within a few minutes’ walk of most downtown attractions. 

The construction schedule calls for opening the deck next summer. 

Winter Construction/City of Roswell

Winter Construction, via City of Roswell

The parking structure isn’t the only significant change planned for the immediate area. 

The Green Street Activation Plan, a tactic to increase safety and connectivity, will convert that street to a one-way, southbound road, with facets that include a new brick-paved, multi-use trail and improved lighting. 

The plan also calls for converting nearby Plum Street—a one-way thoroughfare located between Green and Canton streets—into a brick-paved, pedestrians-only, multi-use trail for direct access to downtown’s shopping and restaurant strip.

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Finalized plans for the downtown parking garage near a Green Street entry. Courtesy of City of Roswell

Rough approximation of where the nearly 400-space deck will rise, in relation to Canton Street (left) and other downtown landmarks. Google Maps

Winter Construction, via City of Roswell

Winter Construction/City of Roswell

The planned 395-space parking structure's location, in relation to Canton Street and other downtown attractions. Google Maps

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Groundbreaking scheduled for nearly 400-space deck a stone's throw from food, retail hotspot Canton Street

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JULY 30   1863—President Abraham Lin­coln issues his famous “eye-for-an-eye” order. The order was basically a threat aimed at stopping the Con­federate practice of killing captured Black soldiers instead of imprisoning them. Lincoln threatened to kill one captured rebel soldier for every Black soldier killed by the Confederates. In addition, he pledged to condemn one … Continued

The post This Week In Black History July 30-August 5, 2025 appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

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The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will hold its 46th annual national conference in Atlanta in September, bringing the large gathering of Hispanic and small business leaders back to the city for the first time in roughly 25 years. The three-day event will take place September 21–23 and convene entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and policymakers for […]

The post Hispanic Chamber national conference to discuss trade, immigration and business growth appeared first on SaportaReport.

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The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation joined the push for preservation on the city’s Westside on July 28 when CEO W. Wright Mitchell presented $20,000 to the old St. Mark AME Church in his most personal conservation push yet.  It marked the inaugural Wade and Mary Lu Mitchell African American Heritage Preservation Grant, created by […]

The post Georgia Trust gives $20,000 to St. Mark AME Church preservation appeared first on SaportaReport.

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Statement Update: Physical Dispute Involving Off-Duty APD Officer: 990 Piedmont Avenue NE

Following a thorough and methodical investigation, including interviews with all parties involved and a comprehensive review of all available evidence from the June 29, 2025, incident at the X Midtown bar, the Atlanta Police Department has developed probable cause to also charge officer Garret Rolfe with simple assault. All information and evidence gathered will be turned over to the Fulton County Solicitor General’s Office for further review. Officer Rolfe remains on administrative leave while we continue our internal investigation and await the outcome of all judicial proceedings. The Atlanta Police Department remains committed to serving its citizens and holding its employees to the highest standards on and off duty.

Incident Report:Z5 - 990 Piedmont Ave. NE - Incident Report - 251800129.pdf

Preliminary Statement: On June 29th, 2025, at approximately 1:28AM, officers responded to X Midtown located at 990 Piedmont Avenue NE in reference to a physical dispute. The preliminary investigation indicated that there was a verbal altercation at the location which escalated to a physical dispute. Two of the involved persons were identified as 32-year-old Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe, who was off-duty at the time of the incident, and 52-year-old Raefeael Penrice.

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The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will hold its 46th annual national conference in Atlanta in September, bringing the largest gathering of Hispanic and small business leaders back to the city for the first time in roughly 25 years. More than 2,000 entrepreneurs, executives, policymakers, and local leaders are expected to attend, according to a […]

The post National Hispanic Chamber to hold annual conference in Atlanta appeared first on SaportaReport.

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Neighbors hope petition, campaign will squash townhome proposal Josh Green Wed, 07/30/2025 - 13:31

Northwest of Midtown, an infill townhome proposal has rankled some Bolton neighbors who fear it will destroy nature and viable homes, raise taxes, dilute neighborhood charm, and clog streets with vehicles. They’ve recently started an online petition and yard-sign campaign to drive home concerns. 

Developers pitching the Bolton townhomes, meanwhile, contend the project will inject a growing and increasingly walkable part of Atlanta with relatively attainable housing the market needs. Despite two recent rejections from neighborhood boards, they’re working with the city and other agencies to move revised plans forward, undeterred.

Is it a case of NIMBYism run amok, or reasonable neighborly concerns in a swiftly changing area? Or something in between? 

The concept by Middle Housing Company—an Atlanta-based developer founded in 2020 that’s behind new duplexes in Howell Station, a 10-unit townhome project along Metropolitan Parkway, and cottages elsewhere in Bolton, among other projects—was first hatched in March. 

Initially, it called for 39 townhomes to replace two single-family houses at 1905 and 1911 La Dawn Lane; when combined with smaller adjacent, vacant parcels, the site would total about 2.6 acres. The properties in question are tucked just west of Marietta Boulevard, near the original Scofflaw Brewing Co. location, situated next to large single-family homes and the Clayburne Place condo complex. 

The site isn’t without unique perks. 

Imagery circulated as part of the campaign to stop townhome development in Bolton. Courtesy of Paul Swicord

Location of the four parcels totaling about 2.6 acres today. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company

The entire western border is the Whetstone Creek Trail, a leafy, two-mile PATH Foundation rails-to-trails project that will become part of the Centennial Olympic Park to Silver Comet Trail connection in coming years. The site is also about two blocks from Westside Village, a mixed-use project opened five years ago that counts a Publix, Spiller Park Coffee, and a number of other eateries and retailers. The latter is meant to serve as a commercial lynchpin for the so-called Upper Westside district.  

Derek Turner, Middle Housing Company’s founder and president, says his team met with neighbors and conducted surveys with 100 respondents earlier this year, before drawing up townhome plans and seeking rezoning that would allow for medium-density development. 

Pushback against those plans started before a Bolton Neighborhood committee meeting in June, during which a majority of participants voted against the townhomes. Ditto for an Neighborhood Planning Unit-D meeting that month; Turner estimates the vote was 60 percent against his project there. An online “Stop Rezoning” petition fighting the townhomes had collected 173 signatures, as of this writing. 

A recent yard-sign campaign urged neighbors to join the pushback against townhomes. Courtesy of Paul Swicord

The two La Dawn Lane single-family homes in question, at left, as seen in January. Google Maps

Bolton resident Paul Swicord, who lives directly across the street from the properties in question, says the current houses are in fine condition and reflect low-density charms that make the residential enclave unique. A website naysayers established states neighbors are “outraged” by the proposal, pointing to fears the new buildings and paved lots would trigger stormwater problems with nearby wetlands, among other issues.  

“I would go from looking at nature to two years of construction, before having a three-story wall to stare at,” Swicord said via email this week. Prior to future hearings on the matter, “we will make another big push for more signatures,” he said. 

According to Swicord, the neighborhood has been supportive of high-density development in the past, including the BRYKS Upper Westside project with its nearly 600 apartments. The difference, he says, is that those dense nodes have better access to main thoroughfares. 

“This will add 100 cars onto our limited-capacity neighborhood street” where afterschool and rush-hour traffic commonly back up now, said Swicord. “This [also] has the potential of escalating our home values and increasing taxes. We have elderly and fixed-income neighbors that may be forced to leave what was to be their forever home.”  

The Bolton townhome project was scheduled to come before Atlanta’s Zoning Review Board in early August, but Turner’s team has hit pause and headed back to the drawing board, to an extent. Middle Housing Company has yet to close on the La Dawn Drive properties, pending the outcome of the rezoning push. 

Revised site plan for the 38-home La Dawn Lane site. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company; B+C Studio

A rendering showing revised plans for an entrance to the planned Bolton community. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company

Within the next week, Turner plans to submit a revised site plan to the Office of Zoning. Officials there requested he resubmit the project for a classification called Planned Development—Housing, or PD-H, that sets different standards, limits the amount of buildable square footage, and helps ensure developers stick to promised plans, said Turner.   

In response to earlier community feedback, and following meetings with PATH Foundation and Department of Watershed Management officials, Turner said the original site plan has been revised to include “key improvements” without losing “attainable” housing. (Tentative plans call for the townhomes to start at roughly 1,800 square feet, with prices from the high $500,000s, per Turner.) 

Changes include the addition of a small public park, a PATH spur-trail connection through the site to Westside Village, stormwater fixes, and enhancements along the existing trail, both aesthetic and for pedestrian safety. Turner plans to take the revised, 38-home plans back to both the neighborhood association and NPU soon, though developers are only required to revisit the NPU, he said. 

“We’re doing it in good faith,” said Turner, “and I think it’s the right thing to do.”

Turner said his company’s goal, should all go well with zoning, would be to break ground on the 38-home project in the second quarter of 2026. For the time being, he’s actually renting and living in one of the La Dawn Drive homes in question, hoping to ride out the storm. 

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Location of the four parcels totaling about 2.6 acres today. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company

The two La Dawn Lane single-family homes in question, at left, as seen in January. Google Maps

A recent yard-sign campaign urged neighbors to join the pushback against townhomes. Courtesy of Paul Swicord

Imagery circulated as part of the campaign to stop townhome development in Bolton. Courtesy of Paul Swicord

A rendering showing revised plans for an entrance to the planned Bolton community. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company

Revised site plan for the 38-home La Dawn Lane site. Courtesy of Middle Housing Company; B+C Studio

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Photo: Isaiah Martin for Congress A Democratic congressional candidate was arrested and dragged out of a Texas House hearing after criticizing GOP-led redistricting efforts, per PEOPLE. On Thursday (July 24), Isaiah Martin, 27, a candidate for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, was speaking at a public hearing held by the Texas House Congressional Redistricting Committee when … Continued

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The Trump administration is pushing an initiative for millions of Americans to upload personal health data and medical records on new apps and systems run by private tech companies, promising that will […]

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Back-to-school shopping means hitting the stores for notebooks, pencils, backpacks, binders, rulers, calculators, and more. And for cash-strapped shoppers, the prices can add up quickly, putting a dent in parents’ pockets. Adding to the financial pressures many face are concerns over rising inflation and President Donald Trump’s tariff plans. In an Intuit Credit Karma survey […]

The post Free Back-to-School Supplies: Where To Get Everything From Binders To Backpacks appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.

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A heat wave has swept across metro Atlanta this week, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees. Climate scientists warn that extreme heat events like this are becoming more frequent due to […]

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Photo: Change.org A 3-year-old toddler in Alabama who died after being left inside a hot car for five hours was “forgotten” by a state contractor, police said. According to PEOPLE, Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr., who was in foster care, was being transported to a visit with his father by a Department of Human Resources contractor when … Continued

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At the Atlanta African Dance & Drum Festival, the steady beat of the drums and the grounded movements of the dancers speak a language older than words, one that restores our connection to home and honors who we are. Hosted by the Afrikan Djeli Cultural Institute, the annual celebration has become one of the most...

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On this day in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation into law that launched Medicaid, creating a U.S. health care safety net for millions of low-income Americans in what would become […]

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The Atlanta Chamber Players, the elder statesman of the city’s prodigious chamber music scene, will commence its 50th season this fall. It’s a momentous show cycle that will see performances of classics from Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn alongside premieres of works by Che Buford and Andrea Casarrubios. But for the organization’s members, it feels more like...

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Chicago News Anchor Samantha Chatman just released her interview with Common, and it’s the talk of the town! No topic was off limits – including Common’s career and childhood, the state of the Chicago music scene, his love life, Jennifer Hudson, resolving his beef with Ice Cube and SO much more. Straight from a true … Continued

The post When two South Side natives link up, you know the conversation is DIFFERENT. appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

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Chicago News Anchor Samantha Chatman just released her interview with Common, and it’s the talk of the town! No topic was off limits – including Common’s career and childhood, the state of the Chicago music scene, his love life, Jennifer Hudson, resolving his beef with Ice Cube and SO much more. Straight from a true … Continued

The post When two South Side natives link up, you know the conversation is DIFFERENT. appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

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Chicago News Anchor Samantha Chatman just released her interview with Common, and it’s the talk of the town! No topic was off limits – including Common’s career and childhood, the state of the Chicago music scene, his love life, Jennifer Hudson, resolving his beef with Ice Cube and SO much more. Straight from a true … Continued

The post When two South Side natives link up, you know the conversation is DIFFERENT. appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

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Chicago News Anchor Samantha Chatman just released her interview with Common, and it’s the talk of the town! No topic was off limits – including Common’s career and childhood, the state of the Chicago music scene, his love life, Jennifer Hudson, resolving his beef with Ice Cube and SO much more. Straight from a true … Continued

The post When two South Side natives link up, you know the conversation is DIFFERENT. appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

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Chicago News Anchor Samantha Chatman just released her interview with Common, and it’s the talk of the town! No topic was off limits – including Common’s career and childhood, the state of the Chicago music scene, his love life, Jennifer Hudson, resolving his beef with Ice Cube and SO much more. Straight from a true … Continued

The post When two South Side natives link up, you know the conversation is DIFFERENT. appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

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Chicago News Anchor Samantha Chatman just released her interview with Common, and it’s the talk of the town! No topic was off limits – including Common’s career and childhood, the state of the Chicago music scene, his love life, Jennifer Hudson, resolving his beef with Ice Cube and SO much more. Straight from a true … Continued

The post When two South Side natives link up, you know the conversation is DIFFERENT. appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

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By Staff Report Fifty cities from 33 countries have been named global finalists in the ongoing Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, with each municipality receiving $50,000 to prototype bold, resident-centered ideas aimed at tackling critical urban challenges. In January 2026, 25 of the finalist cities will be selected to receive $1 million each and additional support … Continued

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Crime Stoppers Update: Death Investigation: I-75/85 Southbound & Andrew Young International Blvd.

Investigators with the Atlanta Police Department’s Homicide Unit are seeking information in the fatal highway incident that occurred on I-75/85 SB near Andrew Young International Blvd (Exit 248 C) on July 27, 2025, sometime between 9:00 p.m. and 9:41 p.m.

If you were involved in this incident, we urge you to do the right thing and contact law enforcement or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Barry Walker's family deserves answers, and your cooperation is critical.

What We’re Asking the Public:Death Investigation - Connector & Andrew Young - Crime Stoppers - 252081727

Preliminary Information: The Atlanta Police Department is actively investigating a fatal incident that occurred on the evening of July 27, 2025, on I-75/85 Southbound near Exit 248C (Andrew Young International Blvd). Preliminary investigation indicates that during a physical altercation between Barry Walker (victim) and another unidentified individual on the right shoulder of the highway, Mr. Walker fell into the roadway and was struck by a white or light-colored sedan. The driver briefly pulled over after the impact but then left the scene without speaking to law enforcement.

Barry Walker was later found deceased on the right side of the expressway. At this time, neither the individual involved in the altercation with Mr. Walker nor the driver of the striking vehicle remained at the scene. Investigators are seeking to identify and speak with both individuals.

Investigators are asking for anyone with information on this case to contact homicide detective C. Flower at(470) 985-8013or to submit a tip to Crime Stoppers.

Tips can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tipline at 404-577-8477, online atwww.StopCrimeAtl.org, or by texting CSGA to 738477.

Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

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Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene became the first congressional Republican to use the word “genocide” to refer to Israel’s actions in Gaza on Monday, and a Democratic member of […]

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