John Ruch, Author at Reporter Newspapers

Sandy Springs wins state Supreme Court case against strip club

Posted by John Ruch | Jun 18, 2018

The city of Sandy Springs won a Georgia Supreme Court decision against a local strip club on June 18. Along with a recent U.S. Supreme Court denial of review of the city’s adult business laws, the decision paves the way for the city to shut down three local strip clubs. The state case involved a club at 5275 Roswell Road that has gone through various name changes during the decade-long battle and is current known as the Doll House and Coronet Club. The club’s owners had challenged city zoning restrictions and a ban on alcohol sales in such clubs....

Transform 285/400 traffic changes through June 23

Posted by John Ruch | Jun 15, 2018

The Georgia Department of Transportation has announced the latest round of lane and ramp closures and other traffic changes for Transform 285/400, its massive project to reconstruct the I-285/Ga. 400 interchange. Schedules may change based on the work and the weather. Abernathy Road lane closures June 19-22: Westbound at Glenlake Parkway, one right turn lane, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ga. 400 ramp closure June 20-22: Northbound ramp to I-285 westbound closed, detour onto Abernathy Road, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Ga. 400 lane closures June 15-16: Northbound and southbound between Glenridge Drive and Pitts Road, one left lane,...

Fulton Schools may keep students home on Election Day for security

Posted by John Ruch | Jun 13, 2018

Fulton County Schools may keep students home on Election Day this November due to security concerns at school buildings used as polling places. Board of Education Vice President Linda McCain raised the issue at the board’s June 12 meeting, noting a similar discussion in Cobb County. There, officials reportedly are considering removing polling places from schools altogether, with concerns about voters having trouble getting through school security and students being vulnerable due to the public access. The concerns come in the wake of recent mass shootings at schools around the country. At the Fulton school board meeting, held at...

Fulton Schools proposes new, smaller North Springs High

Posted by John Ruch | Jun 12, 2018

Rebuilding, not just renovating, North Springs Charter High School is now the official recommendation from Fulton County Schools Superintendent Jeff Rose, a major victory for community advocates. But details remain slim and new battles are being drawn over the timeline and Rose’s concept of a smaller building. For nearly a year, a group called Citizens for a New North Springs has pressed for Fulton Schools to give up a renovation plan and rebuild the 55-year-old school at 7447 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. The city, which wants to spur redevelopment of northern Roswell Road, officially supports the cause as...

New North Springs High may be on school board’s agenda after all

Posted by John Ruch | Jun 11, 2018

Advocates of a new North Springs Charter High School building appear poised to get their wish in a budget proposal set to be vetted by the Fulton County Board of Education June 12. The meeting agenda indicates that the budget for controversial renovations and additions at the Sandy Springs high school will be scaled back to “focus only on high-priority and safety requirements.” And the rest of the project’s budget will be held “in anticipation that the next capital program will include a small, comprehensive replacement North Springs High School.” Fulton County Schools spokesperson Susan Hale did not confirm...