Buckhead News - Reporter Newspapers

Buckhead kidnapping-robbery suspect may have committed Sandy Springs crime; police release sketch

by John Ruch | Oct 21, 2020 | Buckhead Reporter, Public Safety, Sandy Springs Reporter, Top Stories | 0

The Atlanta Police Department has issued a sketch of a suspect in two Buckhead kidnappings and robberies who may also be responsible for a similar incident in Sandy Springs. Two women were kidnapped and robbed in Buckhead last month in separate crimes that may have been committed by the same suspect — a man who entered their vehicles, forced them to withdraw cash from a bank, and threatened their lives if they called police. The Sandy Springs Police Department is “investigating a kidnapping with a very similar m.o.,” said SSPD spokesperson Sgt. Salvador Ortega. “Our detectives are working with...

Atlanta City Council to consider short-term rental registration; passes ‘party house’ ban

by John Ruch | Oct 21, 2020 | Buckhead Reporter, Politics, Public Safety, Top Stories | 0

The Atlanta City Council will consider establishing a system to register and tax short-term home rentals via legislation filed Oct. 19, the same day the council approved a ban on “party house” operations in residential areas. The flurry of short-term rental legislation after years of stalled proposals follows yet another idea still in council committee consideration. Last month, City Councilmember Howard Shook of Buckhead’s District 7 filed legislation seeking to ban short-term rentals in all single-family neighborhoods, a proposal that seems unlikely to pass but has sparked discussions. Shook — who is a neighbor of one of Buckhead’s currently...

Oct. 20 Atlanta/Sandy Springs COVID-19 report: 295 more diagnoses; 14-day trend rises

by John Ruch | Oct 20, 2020 | Buckhead Reporter, Coronavirus, Public Safety, Sandy Springs Reporter, Top Stories | 0

The cities of Atlanta and Sandy Springs together saw 295 new COVID-19 diagnoses between Oct. 16 and Oct. 20 update reports from the Fulton County Board of Health. The number of cases increased in all of the main local ZIP codes. The 14-day trend increased in both cities and in all but one of the ZIP codes. As of Oct. 20, the part of Atlanta within Fulton County had 13,215 COVID-19 diagnoses, up from 12,955 on Oct. 16. Sandy Springs had 2,730 diagnoses, up from 2,695. Atlanta remained the number one city in the county for COVID-19 diagnoses at...

Fundraising for Buckhead’s highway-capping HUB404 park will resume

by John Ruch | Oct 19, 2020 | Buckhead Reporter, Perimeter Business, Top Stories | 0

A fundraising campaign for “HUB404 Atlanta GA,” a proposed park capping Ga. 400 in central Buckhead, will resume after the recent pandemic-related pause, according to the treasurer of the group planning it. “COVID put everything on the back burner,” said Jim Durrett, treasurer of the HUB404 Conservancy, at an Oct. 19 meeting of the Rotary Club of Buckhead. But, he said, the Conservancy board met last week “and decided now is the time for us to come out of hibernation and yawn and stretch.” He did not give a new timeline for the fundraising. Durrett said the pandemic shutdowns...

Police seek suspect in Buckhead kidnappings-robberies

by John Ruch | Oct 19, 2020 | Buckhead Reporter, Public Safety, Top Stories | 0

Two women were kidnapped and robbed in Buckhead last month in separate crimes that may have been committed by the same suspect — a man who entered their cars, forced them to withdraw cash from a bank, and threatened their lives if they called police. The Atlanta Police Department is seeking the suspect, who is described as a Black man with an Afro and shown in surveillance video as wearing a T-shirt, pants and ball cap, all dark in color. He gave his name as “Robert” to one victim. Both crimes happened within several hundred feet of each other...

Photos: Exploring ‘tiny parks’ on Buckhead’s PATH400

by John Ruch | Oct 18, 2020 | Arts & Entertainment, Buckhead Reporter, Slideshow | 0

Buckhead’s PATH400 multiuse trail hosted dollhouse-style “tiny parks” in an art installation show and contest Oct. 16-18. The more than 40 installations in the “Big PATH, Tiny Parks” displays were made by residents, local organizations and sponsors of the host groups, Livable Buckhead and Tiny Doors ATL. Among the works were a miniature farm and a tiny treehouse. “The goal is to demonstrate the value of increased green space in our community by showcasing how impactful community art is and the value of parks — no matter how small,” says Livable Buckhead’s website. The installations were 14-by-18 inches and...

Breaking down Georgia’s health coverage plan after Medicaid waiver is granted

by Reporter Newspapers | Oct 17, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Dunwoody Reporter, Politics, Sandy Springs Reporter, Top Stories | 0

Federal health officials gave formal approval Oct. 15 to Gov. Brian Kemp’s request for a waiver to expand health coverage options for low-income Georgians. States have to seek federal permission for changes in certain healthcare programs, and Gov. Kemp submitted two proposals for federal waivers several months ago. The plan under the newly granted Medicaid waiver is called Pathways, and it would increase eligibility for uninsured single adults with incomes up to 100% of poverty, about $12,000 annually. There are strict eligibility rules, called “qualifying activities,’’ where an individual must fulfill at least one. These include working at least...

Gunshots fired inside Buckhead’s Lenox Square mall during robbery attempt; suspects and victim arrested

by John Ruch | Oct 17, 2020 | Buckhead Reporter, Public Safety, Top Stories | 0

The victim of an alleged attempted robbery inside Buckhead’s Lenox Square mall Oct. 16 fired a gun at his attackers, then was arrested himself on a warrant and other charges, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Two robbery suspects also were arrested. According to APD, the incident happened around 4:45 p.m. within the Neiman Marcus department store in the mall at 3393 Peachtree Road. Treonta Deon Williams, 30, told officers that, as he was checking out at a cash register, four males attacked him and attempted to steal his bag. Williams drew a firearm and fired shots at the...

Oct. 16 Atlanta/Sandy Springs COVID-19 report: 202 more diagnoses; 14-day trend rises

by John Ruch | Oct 16, 2020 | Buckhead Reporter, Coronavirus, Public Safety, Sandy Springs Reporter, Top Stories | 0

The cities of Atlanta and Sandy Springs together saw 202 new COVID-19 diagnoses between Oct. 13 and Oct. 16 update reports from the Fulton County Board of Health. The number of cases increased in all of the main local ZIP codes. The 14-day trend increased in both cities and in all but one of the ZIP codes. As of Oct. 16, the part of Atlanta within Fulton County had 12,955 COVID-19 diagnoses, up from 12,795 on Oct. 13. Sandy Springs had 2,695 diagnoses, up from 2,653. Atlanta remained the number one city in the county for COVID-19 diagnoses at...

Atlanta Public Schools delays return of in-person classes until January

by John Ruch | Oct 16, 2020 | Buckhead Reporter, Coronavirus, Education, Top Stories | 0

The Atlanta Public Schools return to in-person classes has been delayed until January. The decision, announced Oct. 16 by Superintendent Lisa Herring, came after more than 3,800 concerned parents, teachers and staff members signed a letter under the name “We Demand Safety APS.” “I have decided that Atlanta Public Schools … will postpone all reopening plans for in-person learning until January 2021,” Herring said in a post on her blog that detailed the new plan. “This decision comes after our continued monitoring and tracking of COVID-19 health data that is trending unfavorably, consultation with public health officials and healthcare...

Gov. Kemp extends state COVID-19 restrictions through Halloween

by Collin Kelley | Oct 15, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Coronavirus, Dunwoody Reporter, News, Public Safety, Sandy Springs Reporter, Top Stories | 0

Gov. Brian Kemp has extended COVID-19 restrictions for the State of Georgia through Oct. 31. The extension of his executive order makes no significant changes to previous orders, which requires social distancing; bans gatherings of more than 50 people unless there is six feet between each person; specific rules for restaurants, salons and other businesses; and requires sheltering in place for those in long-term care facilities and the medically fragile. The public health emergency remains in place until Nov. 9. The governor’s executive orders are available to be...

Public concern over street racing continues as police step up enforcement

by Collin Kelley | Oct 15, 2020 | Buckhead Reporter, Public Safety, Top Stories | 0

Street racing continues to plague neighborhoods despite the Atlanta Police Department’s efforts to crack down on illegal activity. On Oct. 12, the City Council’s Public Safety/Legal Administration committee listened to nearly two hours of comments phoned in by angry and upset residents demanding that measures be taken to curb street racing. Residents complained about sleepless nights, safety fears and concerns over property values, and offered tips to the police on how to track street racers who organize events via social media. Other callers demanded more action from Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, while some said they were considering moving out...