What North Atlanta Should Know Today. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

Fulton Schools propose a property-tax increase while thunderstorms bring flooding risks across North Atlanta. GA 400 drivers face lane closures and new ramps. Local communities offer trail talks, cultural events, and more this week.

Tsvi Jolles

Published August 27, 2026

1. Fulton Schools advances a one-mill property-tax increase

The Fulton County Board of Education has tentatively approved an 18.08-mill property-tax rate, up from the current 17.08 mills.

Superintendent Mike Looney recommended the increase after the district identified approximately $50 million in savings through its GLIDE efficiency initiative. District projections indicate that lower rates would produce recurring deficits and eventually pull reserves below the board’s minimum requirement.

Fulton still lacks a certified tax digest because of the county’s delayed property-assessment process, adding uncertainty to the calculation. Three public meetings must be held before the board takes final action. The district has also posted an online calculator allowing homeowners to estimate the potential change in their school taxes. Fulton Schools’ millage-rate explanation and calculator.

2. Heavy thunderstorms could produce isolated flooding today

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected across North Atlanta today, with heavy rain capable of producing isolated flash flooding.

The greatest problems are likely where storms repeatedly cross the same area. Low-lying roads, creeks and poorly drained intersections could become hazardous even when neighboring communities receive less rain.

Storms remain in the forecast Friday through the weekend. The National Weather Service says some North Georgia storms may also produce strong or damaging winds Friday. Current North Georgia hazardous-weather outlook.

3. GA 400 drivers face two separate traffic changes

Double-lane closures remain scheduled on southbound GA 400 between Kimball Bridge and Mansell roads during the current Aug. 24–28 construction window. Work is scheduled from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., potentially slowing late-night traffic through Alpharetta. Alpharetta’s current construction notice.

A more permanent change arrives Saturday near North Springs. Georgia DOT plans to close the existing southbound Exit 5 and open two temporary ramps: Exit 5B for North Springs MARTA and Exit 5A for Abernathy Road.

Drivers traveling south from Roswell and North Fulton will need to watch for the new signs and choose the appropriate ramp. Both changes are weather-dependent. Georgia DOT’s SR 400 Express Lanes project update.

4. Self-defense hearing could determine whether a Forsyth murder case proceeds

A two-day September hearing will determine whether Eric Antonio Sumner is immune from prosecution in the killing of off-duty Gwinnett County Deputy Tamara Tuitt-Bartlett.

Sumner is charged with murder in the September 2025 shooting at a Forsyth County home. Tuitt-Bartlett’s teenage son was also wounded. Sumner’s attorneys contend that he acted in self-defense during a domestic dispute.

The judge’s ruling could determine whether the murder prosecution moves forward. The court has not yet ruled on the merits of Sumner’s claim. Forsyth County News’ report on the upcoming hearing and earlier case background from FOX 5 Atlanta.

5. Milton opens its trail-planning discussion to residents tonight

Milton’s Trails Advisory Committee will hold the first in a planned series of public listening sessions today at 4:45 p.m. in City Hall.

Trails have become a prominent local planning question, particularly where proposed pedestrian connections meet the city’s goal of preserving rural roads and viewsheds. City officials say tonight’s session is intended to gather perspectives rather than settle the broader trail plan.

Additional public discussions are expected, giving the city time to consider competing views about safety, connectivity, property impacts and rural character. Milton’s announcement about the listening session.

6. Fulton Schools begins examining underused North Fulton buildings

Fulton County Schools is evaluating possible future uses for underutilized buildings in Planning Region C, which covers district territory north of the Chattahoochee River.

Looney told the School Board that he expects to seek permission to begin community discussions about possible uses and partnerships. The district has not identified specific North Fulton buildings or proposed closing any school.

Enrollment patterns, operating costs and the condition of individual facilities will be important as the review develops. For now, the announcement signals an early planning process rather than an approved consolidation plan. Fulton Schools’ Aug. 20 board bulletin.

7. Roswell approves trail lighting and advances arts improvements

Roswell City Council has approved two contracts totaling just under $343,000 for new lighting along the Smith Plantation Trail.

The project includes approximately $171,871 for installation and $171,030 for poles and fixtures. Plans call for replacing failing electrical infrastructure and installing 52 LED lamp posts while retaining selected historic fixtures.

Council also authorized an application for as much as $45,000 toward an Art Center West ceramics-studio expansion and accepted a $48,000 Roswell Arts Festival donation for improvements at Liberty Square Park, East Roswell Dog Park and the Crabapple Center Performing Arts Studio. The state ceramics grant remains an application, not a guaranteed award. Roswell’s Aug. 24 council recap.

8. A used sporting-goods store prepares to open in Cumming

Play It Again Sports will hold the grand-opening celebration for its new Cumming location from Thursday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 6.

The store at 580 Atlanta Road will sell new and used sporting goods and fitness equipment while allowing customers to sell or trade eligible gear. That resale model may be particularly useful for families managing the recurring cost of youth sports equipment.

The store is already stocking inventory ahead of the opening celebration. Cumming store and grand-opening information.

9. Duluth’s Multicultural Week moves into its largest events

Duluth continues its Multicultural Week tonight with art and activities in Parsons Alley from 6 to 9 p.m.

The main Multicultural Night follows Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Downtown programming includes African jazz, Bollywood dance, Laotian and Mexican performances, Chinese lion dancing, Caribbean dance, live music and international food vendors.

A K-pop competition follows Saturday at the Duluth Festival Center, with cultural creativity workshops scheduled Sunday. Duluth’s complete Multicultural Week schedule and Friday night’s performance lineup.

10. Peachtree Corners closes August with a Whitney Houston tribute

Peachtree Corners’ summer concert series continues Saturday with “Passing the Torch,” a Whitney Houston tribute featuring “The X Factor USA” winner Melanie Amaro.

Live music begins at 7 p.m. at the Town Green, with the main tribute performance expected around 8:15 to 8:30. Admission is free, and the program is open to all ages.

Because thunderstorms remain possible this weekend, attendees should check the city’s event page before traveling. Peachtree Corners concert details and weather-update information.

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