🐿️ White squirrel spotted!

by Hayden Sumlin

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White squirrel sighting!

Friday, July 31 — This is Hayden with my weekly Friday newsletter on Norcross. After today, we may not see 90-degree temperatures until next Thursday. The state’s severe drought conditions continue to improve, with just abnormally dry conditions now throughout the metro.

Somehow, it’s already the last day of July. That means metro Atlanta students are headed back to the classroom next week. While a bunch of districts start Monday, the state’s largest district — Gwinnett County Public Schools — begins Wednesday, Aug. 5. Fifteen-year-old me would be ecstatic about a three-day week.

Rough Draft Atlanta is relatively new to the city of Norcross and the southwest corner of Gwinnett County. Keep us in the loop on any and all school-based developments you’re seeing, from public and private schools to general trends in education.

Quick round-up of things to know:

Gwinnett has a back-to-school guide for parents and students with information on enrollment, school lunches, transportation, and more.

The Ray Howard Band takes the stage at Thrasher Park tonight at 7:30 p.m. for another iteration of the Norcross Summer Concert Series. The band specializes in Delta blues and Memphis soul, plus the concert is free!

The monthly Coffee with Council meets at 45 South Cafe tomorrow at 8 a.m. It’s a great opportunity to hear from elected officials and active community members in a relaxed setting before city business is conducted.

On Monday, Aug. 3, at 6:30 p.m., the Norcross City Council will meet for a policy work session. Officials are set to discuss next year’s millage rate, the city budget, and a moratorium on the demolition of pre-1950 buildings. The regular meeting, where council members will actually vote on items, is Monday, Aug. 10.

Now onto some stories,
Hayden

Norcross PD to receive $450k for new Real-Time Crime Center

Georgia’s U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock announced that the Norcross Police Department is receiving $450,000 for a new Real-Time Crime Center to strengthen crime prevention.

Despite concern on both sides of the aisle about privacy violations, mass surveillance, and abuse of AI-powered automated license plate readers (ALPRs), law enforcement agencies have said the technology is critical.

Norcross Police Chief Bill Grogan said his department has not yet received the federal funding but has been aware of the grant. Grogan said some elements of the Real-Time Crime Center will be implemented next month, but the majority of the project will be completed later this year.

Read more about the crime prevention center here.

Magnolia Veterinary Care Is Officially Open!
SPONSORED BY MAGNOLIA VETERINARY CARE

Magnolia Veterinary Care is a new, privately owned veterinary practice focusing on personalized care that meets you and your animals right where they are.

Our doors opened on June 15th. Welcome to our state-of-the-art facility that allows us to offer the best in-house diagnostics, the most up-to-date clinical medicine, and a team committed to fostering a reduced-stress environment.

➞ Visit our website to learn more.

City Council to vote on 2.1-mile Piedmont Pathway plan

In a couple of weeks, the Norcross City Council is set to finalize the feasibility study for a 2.1-mile segment of the Piedmont Pathway in Gwinnett County, which would create a new park and green space.

Right now, the site of the planned Piedmont Pathway is a heavily wooded area surrounding Beaver Ruin Creek, which some residents described as a “messy swamp.”

The vision is to put an Atlanta Beltline-style path and boardwalk above the creek bed, with recreational areas in open areas between residential streets.

Read about the park’s connectivity and funding mechanism here.

Norcross searches for more volunteers to serve on city boards and commissions

Norcross invites community members, new and old, to help shape the city’s future by applying to serve on one of three boards and commissions. There are five volunteer positions available across the Norcross Parks, Green Spaces & Trails Commission, Tree Preservation Board, and Historic Preservation Commission.

City officials said boards and commissions allow residents and other community stakeholders to share their knowledge, offer recommendations to leadership, and contribute directly to projects and policies throughout Norcross.

Read about the volunteer roles and requirements here.

Spotted my first white squirrel (that’s not a statue)

Late last week, I spotted a white squirrel chasing one of its friends through the trees at Heritage Park, between Lawrenceville Street and the Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center parking lot.

Norcross’ white squirrels are common eastern gray squirrels with a mutation called leucism, which causes their fur to lose pigment but not their eyes. Albino squirrels look a little stranger.

There’s got to be something else for me to look for and explore in the city. Let me know where I need to go, who I should talk to, or what stories you want to see.

Shoot me an email about anything; I’ll get back to you.