Brookhaven News - Reporter Newspapers

Brookhaven mayor is ‘angry’ about killings that triggered protests; may hold city forums

by John Ruch | Jun 4, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Politics, Top Stories | 0

Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst is “angry” about police-involved killings of black people that have triggered nationwide protests, he said in a June 4 written statement. He said the city will soon list some transparency and equity steps it already has done and may hold some type of forum. “These senseless murders are stains on American’s soul,” Ernst wrote in part. “The anger of the people of Brookhaven and of the world is legitimate. The anger is justified —we should be angry. I am angry, too. And, like you, I believe something should be done about it.” Ernst’s comments come...

Eight local DeKalb County polling places temporarily relocate for June 9 election

by Erin Schilling | Jun 4, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Dunwoody Reporter, Politics, Top Stories | 0

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 24 polling places in DeKalb County have been temporarily relocated for the June 9 election. Eight of the location changes are in Dunwoody or Brookhaven precincts and include: Ashford Parkside, Dunwoody 2, Georgetown Square, Mt. Vernon West, Silver Lake, Skyland, Tilly Mill and Winters Chapel. The full list of changes, which include the precincts, current polling location and new location, is available here. Each location change could be anywhere from less than half a mile to a little over 3 miles away from the original location. Many of the locations have changed from churches...

Robin’s Nest: A hike down Memory Lane, and toward the pandemic’s end

by Robin Conte | Jun 4, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Commentary, Coronavirus, Dunwoody Reporter, Sandy Springs Reporter | 0

He was my high school boyfriend. I hadn’t seen him in decades (I won’t say how many), but we reconnected on Facebook because I had jumped on social media to peddle my book (“The Best of the Nest” — get your copy now!), and he contacted me last September when he and his wife happened to be in town. We had a double date for lunch, each of us with our spouses, and we talked to each other of our lives, our kids, and our plans for the future. As we chatted over our Thai food, I congratulated my...

Around Town: When safety comes down to politeness and self-policing

by Joe Earle | Jun 3, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Commentary, Coronavirus, Dunwoody Reporter, Sandy Springs Reporter | 0

On Mother’s Day, shortly after the governor of Georgia lifted his statewide shelter-at-home order for most Georgians, David Schulman spotted a group of his neighbors gathered around an ice-cream truck parked near a playground in his Sandy Springs condo community. “What really amazed me was there was nobody wearing masks, nobody standing 6 feet apart,” he said. It looked like little had changed from the days before the world stopped in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. “Unfortunately, there were too many people around,” Schulman said. “It went against the governor’s guidelines.” Schulman, who’s 57, thought this crowd...

Oglethorpe University, Latin American Association call for change amid protests

by John Ruch | Jun 3, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter | 0

Two major Brookhaven institutions have issued statements of supports for change amid nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd and other black people. Oglethorpe University’s outgoing and incoming presidents issued a statement that dialogue and change can come. And the Latin American Association called for love amid a reminder that “racism is a daily reality.” Both statements cited the deaths of Floyd in Minnesota and Ahmaud Arbery near Brunswick, Georgia. Oglethorpe’s statement cited the police killing of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky as well. The LAA declared solidarity with black communities and backed the right to peaceful protest, saying...

Commentary: Who had the best branding in the pandemic?

by John Ruch | Jun 2, 2020 | Arts & Entertainment, Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Commentary, Coronavirus, Dunwoody Reporter, Perimeter Business, Politics, Sandy Springs Reporter, Slideshow | 0

As the pandemic crisis struck local communities, leaders emerged, volunteer programs multiplied, and efforts to boost morale spread. In the terms of business and politics, many of these were partly efforts of branding and profile-raising. But which ones worked, which ones fell by the wayside, and will any have impacts after the immediate crisis is over? Down the road, will anyone still say “Brookhaven Strong” or remember that a local restaurant donated food? The Reporter asked professors of marketing, business and politics for their perspectives on some local examples. ‘Brookhaven Strong’ The city of Brookhaven promoted this phrase,...

Brookhaven pedestrian dies of injuries from May 21 hit-and-run; driver charged with homicide

by John Ruch | Jun 2, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Public Safety, Top Stories | 0

An 89-year-old pedestrian struck on a Brookhaven sidewalk May 21 by an alleged drunk driver has died, police say. The driver is now charged with first-degree homicide by vehicle. The incident occured at the Atler at Brookhaven apartments at 3833 Peachtree Road. Sima Pevzner of Brookhaven was walking on the sidewalk, according to BPD, when a vehicle drove out of the apartment complex’s parking area, left the roadway and struck her. BPD originally identified the vehicle as a Toyota but now say it was a Lexus. The driver was identified by BPD as Patricia Warrington Long, 53, of Brookhaven....

Pandemic Roundup: Bars and clubs can reopen; Atlanta mayor urges testing after protests

by Collin Kelley | Jun 1, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Coronavirus, Dunwoody Reporter, Education, Food & Drink, Public Safety, Sandy Springs Reporter, Top Stories | 0

News updates about the coronavirus pandemic: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and local health officials are concerned that the ongoing protests over the killing of George Floyd could cause a spike in COVID-19 cases. Thousands of people have converged on the city for the past four days in circumstances making social distancing impossible. “If you’re out there protesting, then you need to go get a COVID-19 test this week,” Bottoms said during a weekend press conference. “There’s still a pandemic in America killing black and brown people at a higher rate.” As of 1 p.m. on June 1, there...

Restaurants seek elbow room in the pandemic’s distanced dining

by John Ruch | Jun 1, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Coronavirus, Dunwoody Reporter, Food & Drink, Perimeter Business, Sandy Springs Reporter, Slideshow, Top Stories | 0

From picnic tables in parking lots to dining on strips of shopping center landscaping, restaurants returning after pandemic shutdowns are looking for room to spread out for social distancing. And no one knows how long that will last. Or how long it can last. Can restaurants survive with the lower capacity as they spread tables apart until the pandemic is contained or a vaccine is found? How long will neighbors and city inspectors have patience for seating snatched from parking spaces and sidewalks? Experts and local restaurateurs say the pandemic could push the industry to a trend of building...

On third night of Atlanta protests, no major incidents in Buckhead and local cities

by John Ruch | Jun 1, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Dunwoody Reporter, Public Safety, Sandy Springs Reporter, Top Stories | 0

A third night of protests and rioting in Atlanta appeared to be contained in Downtown, as police reported no significant incidents in Buckhead or the local cities of Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs. Thousands of protesters again gathered on the afternoon of May 31 as part of nationwide demonstrations sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minnesota following an arrest where a police officer is now charged with murder and manslaughter. The Atlanta Police Department said it made 64 arrests, bringing the weekend total to 292. Bolstered by Georgia National Guard troops and Georgia State Patrol officers, APD...

Atlanta curfew, Dunwoody stay-at-home advisory come as local cities brace for third night of protests

by John Ruch | May 31, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Dunwoody Reporter, Public Safety, Sandy Springs Reporter, Top Stories | 0

Atlanta will be under a curfew and Dunwoody is advising residents to stay at home as local cities braced May 31 for a third night of protests and possible riots. Police in Brookhaven and Sandy Springs said they are still considering whether to issue a stay-at-home advisory as protests related to the death of George Floyd began elsewhere. Sandy Springs saw minor looting at three locations on the night of May 29, the first night of protests and riots in Atlanta, police revealed. Further protests on May 31 were starting in downtown Atlanta, and that afternoon a march was...

Gov. Kemp authorizes 3,000 National Guard troops for possible May 31 statewide protests

by John Ruch | May 31, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Dunwoody Reporter, Public Safety, Sandy Springs Reporter, Top Stories | 0

Gov. Brian Kemp has authorized a call-up of up to 3,000 Georgia National Guard troops to police “several planned protests” May 31 anywhere in the state. Kemp made the announcement as a second night of protests and rioting continued in Atlanta following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. The protest movement spread across the metro area, with demonstrations in Sandy Springs and Gainesville. Kemp previously authorized 500 National Guard troops for the Atlanta riots and on May 30 they were stationed at a fortified Lenox Square mall in Buckhead. As of the early morning hours of May 31,...