Newsletter, Top Stories, May 19

Good evening from around North Atlanta,

It’s been one of those warm late-spring evenings across North Fulton and South Forsyth. Temperatures are expected to remain mild tonight, with another warm day and the possibility of scattered afternoon storms arriving tomorrow.

This week’s edition moves from the financial pressures many Georgia families are feeling to new changes taking shape around Johns Creek and North Atlanta. There’s also a quieter side to this week’s stories — spring rabbits appearing in neighborhood yards, new cafés preparing to open, and even the occasional self-driving car rolling silently through suburban streets.

Here’s a look at what’s been happening around the area.

Politics, Prices & Everyday Costs

🌅 Rising costs are continuing to shape daily life across Georgia, from grocery bills to commuting expenses. Many families in suburbs around Atlanta — and beyond — are rethinking budgets, spending habits, and even political priorities as the pressure of everyday expenses grows. Our latest look at the issue explores how voters across the state are responding to the changing cost of living. Read the full story here.

⛽ Fuel prices remain part of that broader conversation. Georgia has once again paused its gas tax, offering at least some temporary relief for drivers across the metro area. For households balancing long suburban commutes, school pickups, and upcoming summer travel plans, lower prices at the pump could make a noticeable difference in the weeks ahead. More on the gas tax suspension here.

Development & Community Life

🏡 Meanwhile in Johns Creek, the long-discussed Medley development is beginning to feel increasingly tangible. New townhomes, shops, and walkable public spaces are taking shape near the city center, part of a broader push to create a more connected downtown atmosphere in one of North Atlanta’s most suburban communities. Take a closer look at the Medley project here.

🐇 Not everything changing around North Atlanta is manmade, though. This spring, more residents in places like Milton, Johns Creek, and South Forsyth are spotting rabbits tucked quietly into gardens, wooded edges, and neighborhood pondsides. Baby bunnies are especially active this time of year, often hidden surprisingly close to sidewalks, patios, and backyard landscaping. Read more about this season’s rabbit sightings here.

☀️ That quieter, wellness-oriented side of suburban life is also reflected in a new business preparing to open near Newtown Park. Toastique, a gourmet café focused on fresh toast creations, smoothies, juices, and coffee, plans to bring community events and a neighborhood-focused atmosphere to Johns Creek later this year. More on the upcoming opening here.

🚗 On the technology front, some Atlanta neighborhoods are beginning to experience a glimpse of what suburban transportation could look like in the near future. Residents have reported seeing empty Waymo self-driving vehicles repeatedly circling residential streets, raising new questions about how autonomous vehicles may eventually fit into everyday suburban life across metro Atlanta communities. Read the story here.

🏡 And finally, this week’s featured home takes us to the Thornhill community in Johns Creek, where a lakefront estate with six bedrooms, classic wood detailing, and mature wooded surroundings has recently come onto the market. In an area where large lakefront properties rarely become available, the home stands out as one of the more distinctive luxury listings currently for sale in North Fulton. See inside the Thornhill estate here.

Thank you, as always, for reading North Atlanta Star and being part of this growing local community. We’ll continue following the stories, businesses, neighborhoods, and everyday moments shaping life across North Atlanta — one story at a time.

About the Author

Tsvi Jolles

Author, Editor & Publisher

Tsvi Jolles is the author of seven books and the founder and publisher of North Atlanta Star. He has lived in Cumming for almost a decade.

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