What North Atlanta Should Know Today. Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
North Atlanta braces for extended dangerous heat as Alpharetta pushes forward with plans to redevelop North Point Mall. Key updates include a proposed arena, school tax increase discussions, and Milton’s Deerfield district development considerations.
Get major local stories and development updates.
Dangerous heat remains the most immediate concern, but the week ahead also brings major decisions involving North Point Mall, school taxes, housing and Milton’s Deerfield district. Here are the 10 stories with the clearest local impact today.
1. Heat advisory extended through Monday evening
North Atlanta is entering another day of dangerous heat, with the National Weather Service warning that heat-index values could reach 109 degrees in parts of the region. The Heat Advisory remains in effect through 8 p.m. Monday, a material extension from Saturday’s forecast.
Actual highs are expected in the mid-to-upper 90s, with Alpharetta-area conditions feeling closer to 105 to 108 degrees. Isolated thunderstorms may provide limited relief, but some could produce gusty winds, lightning and heavy rain. Residents should limit strenuous afternoon activity, check on older neighbors and never leave children or pets in parked vehicles. National Weather Service outlook and active advisory
2. North Point arena plan clears a key vote
Alpharetta’s Planning Commission has voted 4-3 to recommend the proposed transformation of North Point Mall into a large mixed-use district centered on an approximately 20,000-seat arena designed to attract NHL hockey and major concerts.
The broader plan also calls for a 4,000-seat music hall, a community ice rink, hotels, housing, retail and public gathering space. The project is not finally approved: Alpharetta City Council is scheduled to consider it Aug. 24. The NHL also has not awarded the region a franchise or announced a formal expansion timetable. Official Alpharetta case page and Atlanta News First report
3. Alpharetta Ponzi-scheme founder receives 20 years
Todd Burkhalter, founder of Alpharetta-based Drive Planning, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud in a roughly $380 million Ponzi scheme.
Federal prosecutors said more than 2,000 investors were victimized. Two other Drive Planning executives also received prison sentences, and a court-appointed receiver continues trying to recover assets—although authorities have warned that victims are unlikely to recover everything they lost. U.S. Attorney’s Office and AJC report
4. Fulton Schools may seek a one-mill tax increase
Fulton County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney plans to recommend a tentative property-tax rate of 18.08 mills at Thursday’s school board meeting—one mill above the current rate.
District officials cite higher health-care and retirement costs, inflation and declining revenue tied to senior property-tax exemptions. The additional money could eliminate a proposed employee furlough day and reduce reliance on reserves. If the board advances the rate, three public hearings would be required before final adoption. Fulton County Schools board bulletin
5. Milton considers activating a Deerfield development authority
Milton City Council meets Monday at 6 p.m. with a consequential Deerfield-area item on the agenda: whether to begin activating a city development authority focused on the district.
Approval would not immediately launch a project. Council would still need to appoint the authority’s board. But activation could give Milton another vehicle for coordinating investment, infrastructure and redevelopment as the city completes its South Deerfield Parkway Urban Design Master Plan. Council will also receive updates on the comprehensive plan and impact-fee program. City of Milton meeting preview and full agenda
6. A 202-townhome proposal returns in Alpharetta
Alpharetta City Council is scheduled to hear a proposal Monday for 202 for-sale townhomes on approximately 29 acres at 3842 Old Milton Parkway.
The Empire Old Milton Parkway/Camden Pond request would change the property’s comprehensive-plan designation from professional office to high-density residential and rezone it for residential development. Because the case has been deferred before, Monday’s hearing represents an important checkpoint rather than a guaranteed final decision. Official public-hearing notice
7. Gwinnett warrant sweep produces 17 arrests
The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office says deputies arrested 17 people and served 31 felony and misdemeanor warrants during a two-day operation conducted Aug. 5 and 6.
The warrants involved allegations ranging from family violence and probation violations to robbery-related offenses, burglary, identity fraud, methamphetamine and firearms charges, serious injury by vehicle and street racing. Arrests and charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted. WSB-TV report
8. State transportation panel will hear from Forsyth residents
A Georgia House study committee examining transportation infrastructure, road-building costs, utility coordination and vehicle regulation will hold a public meeting Friday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. at the Forsyth County Arts and Learning Center in Cumming.
The location gives South Forsyth and Cumming residents a direct opportunity to raise concerns about construction costs, congestion and the pace of road improvements in one of Georgia’s fastest-growing counties. Georgia General Assembly schedule and Forsyth County News overview
9. Sandy Springs closes massage business after arrest
Sandy Springs police shut down Massage and Medspa Solutions on Roswell Road after a customer accused an employee of inappropriate sexual contact during a massage.
Police arrested Michael Decker and reported finding additional licensing and permitting violations at the business. Investigators are asking anyone with a similar experience to call 770-551-6923. The accusation remains pending in the legal system. WSB-TV report
10. Gwinnett students outperform peers on most Milestones tests
Gwinnett County Public Schools reports that its students outperformed both statewide and Metro RESA results on 11 of 13 Georgia Milestones assessments in math, science and social studies during the 2025-26 school year.
The results provide an early academic measure for families in Duluth, Suwanee, Sugar Hill and Peachtree Corners as the new school year begins. English-language arts results are being reported separately because Georgia introduced a new assessment. Gwinnett County Public Schools
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