The Sharper Ball, a fundraiser and gala benefiting The Healthy Youth USA Foundation, will take place Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. The ball has historically drawn strong support from local and state elected officials, professional athletes, and members of the Sandy Springs community. The gala will feature a live band […]
Author Archives: Adrianne Murchison
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Sandy Springs closes year with menorah lighting and farewells
Tuesday was a poignant day for Sandy Springs. The city held its final city council meeting of the year, which also marked the last meeting for three departing council members, including one being honored with a park in his name. Officials also gathered with the community for a menorah lighting to honor the third night […]
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Matching donation assists Atlanta food bank’s goal to distribute 10M meals
The Atlanta Community Food Bank is working to meet its goal of distributing 10 million meals across its service area by Dec. 31. To help push the nonprofit over the finish line, a donor has pledged a $100,000 matching donation, meaning every financial gift made through the end of the year will be matched dollar-for-dollar, […]
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College Park police chief’s resignation comes as deputy’s lawsuit looms
College Park’s latest shakeup in leadership — the resignation of Police Chief Connie Rogers — comes while the city is facing a legal action from her second-in-command. Deputy Police Chief Sharis McCrary, a 22-year veteran of the department, filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against College Park that alleges she was unfairly passed over for the […]
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Holiday toy drive gala spurs community-wide support for children and charities
A holiday tradition that gathers Christmas toys for children and raises money for Atlanta-area charities returns Thursday, supported by a wide circle of community partners, including a restaurant, car dealer, nonprofit leaders, and two young entrepreneurs preparing to open a new eatery. The Mark Carroll and Friends Annual Toy Drive Party will be held from […]
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Bryon Allen to Atlanta entrepreneurs: You are the commodity
Entrepreneurs received master-class advice from some of the most successful people in business during this year’s Hope Global Forums conference. Media mogul Byron Allen was among the headline speakers at the three-day event held at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta. The billionaire urged the crowd of more than 1,000 attendees to know their value. “You […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Three metro cities elect new mayors as Sandy Springs incumbent wins fourth term
East Point, South Fulton and Roswell elected new mayors Tuesday night, while Sandy Springs voters chose to keep their longtime incumbent in office. In Sandy Springs, Mayor Rusty Paul secured a fourth term with 69 percent of the vote, defeating challenger Dontaye Carter. Paul was first elected in 2013. In the race for the open […]
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Roswell readies for a mayoral showdown in Tuesday runoff
A mayoral showdown is unfolding in Roswell this week, as residents decide whether to keep Mayor Kurt Wilson in office for another four years or elect challenger Mary Robichaux. The two are facing off in a runoff on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Robichaux said that if elected she would ensure residents have greater input in city […]
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Residents allege doxxing and harassment over comments on community Facebook page
Two College Park residents say they have experienced harassment and intimidation after raising questions on a community Facebook page that has become increasingly contentious amid ongoing tensions between the mayor and members of city council. Residents M.L. Howard and Tracy Morrison say they have been threatened as a result of back-and-forth commenting on the Everything […]
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A College Park community gets creative serving neighbors and challenging city hall
Days before Thanksgiving, College Park residents gathered on Rugby Avenue for a day of true giving in a way that an organizer said reflects a larger movement taking shape in the city. Last Saturday, resident James Walker, along with neighbors across College Park, hosted “Neighbors Table,” a pop-up Thanksgiving event. Held outside Walker’s home, the […]
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Behind Arden’s Garden is a mom’s lifelong passion for healthy drink ‘concoctions’
Arden’s Garden, the Atlanta-born brand known for its juices and plant-based snacks, is marking its 30th year. The milestone is rooted in the vision of its late founder, Arden Zinn. Her fascination with healthy ingredients took shape in the late 1960s, when she experimented each morning in the kitchen, mixing up what Arden called “concoctions” […]
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Atlanta Community Food Bank aims to distribute 10M meals over the holidays
Across metro Atlanta, food pantries and volunteers are working to ensure families have what they need for the holidays. Among them are two organizations: Dreamz Always Come True, a Sandy Springs–based nonprofit, and separately, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which is expanding its reach in high-need communities. The Atlanta Community Food Bank hosted a media […]
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College Park developer refutes claims by fired city manager
A new wave of controversies has emerged in College Park following the firing of City Manager Lindell Miller. The developer renovating the former Chelsea Gardens apartments is refuting her allegations. Miller issued a written statement and has spoken to media outlets about her firing, which occurred during Monday’s city council meeting. A resident shared her […]
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College Park fires another city manager during meeting of twists and turns
College Park fired City Manager Lindell Miller near the end of Monday’s City Council meeting. Similar to her predecessor Emmanuel Adediran, who was also terminated without explanation last May, Miller gathered her belongings and left the chambers after the surprise vote. Councilman Joe Carn, who called for the motion, voted in approval of the firing […]
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Atlanta Women’s Foundation luncheon featuring Hoda Kotb raises $1.2M
The Atlanta Women’s Foundation raised $1.2 million at its annual “Numbers Too Big to Ignore” luncheon last month, continuing a nearly 30-year tradition of supporting nonprofits that serve women and girls across metro Atlanta. This year’s event at the Georgia World Congress Center drew 1,600 guests and featured broadcast journalist Hoda Kotb. The former cohost […]
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Runoff candidate forums set to tackle voter concerns
Local elections that take place without federal or state contests on the ballot rarely attract large numbers of voters, a political science professor at Emory University said. But next week, residents will have opportunities to hear directly from runoff candidates in races spanning Atlanta, South Fulton and Sandy Springs, as contenders participate in candidate forums […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Roswell looks to create a luxury town center while grappling with affordability
Roswell officials are envisioning the redevelopment of an aged shopping center that sits on 47 acres on Holcomb Bridge Road. The goal is to transform the property owned by Malon D. Mimms Co. into a high-end mixed-use town center that could serve as a cultural hub. The property is already named Roswell Town Center. During […]
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Philanthropist continues multimillion-dollar gifts to HBCUs
During this divisive period in the U.S., Historically Black Colleges and Universities are receiving significant philanthropic funding that leaders say will strengthen academic programs, support capital projects and help students excel. In recent weeks, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated millions to Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University and Howard University — adding to the substantial gifts […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Mayoral races in north and south Fulton cities headed to a runoff
Voters in several north and south Fulton cities are sending mayoral candidates to a runoff election on Dec. 2. Sandy Springs The day after Sandy Springs marks its 20th anniversary as an incorporated city, residents will return to the polls to decide their next mayor in the Dec. 2 runoff election. Mayor Rusty Paul, who […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gifts Clark Atlanta University $53M
Clark Atlanta University announced Monday that it has received a $53 million philanthropic gift from MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire philanthropist and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. University President George T. French Jr. said the total includes a previous $15 million contribution made by Scott in 2020, along with a new gift of $38 […]
