Musician cuffed in Alpharetta Young Jeezy arrested after panic alarm ►►page 2
Shots fired at home Stalker arrested in Johns Creek ►►page 3
&
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way 5K Local charity hosts 5K to raise awareness on teen suicide ►►page 15
Alpharetta-Roswell
Revue News
January 30, 2014 | northfulton.com | 73,500 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 32, No. 5
Wood’s birthday party aids CDA Mayor’s 65th mixes well with early education
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By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com
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Claudia Graham and Jere Wood hold up letters of congratulations from Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp.
ROSWELL, Ga. – Mayor Jere Wood’s 65th birthday is something of a milestone not only for him but for the city, since Wood has now spent nearly a third of his life in public life. “Yes it is a milestone to reach 65, I suppose. But I’m in denial,” Wood said. “Roswell is so energizing, every day I go to work I’m energized.” So it was left to his fiancée Claudia Graham to organize a birthday bash that would be a fundraiser for the Child Development Association as well. The 45-year-old CDA provides
affordable early learning programs and childcare for preschool children of low-income working families in the metro Atlanta area. The CDA prepares economically disadvantaged children for success in education and life. Its childcare services enable hardworking parents to maintain full-time employment to support their families. CDA Director Donna Smythe said she was “thrilled” to have her organization associated with the mayor’s party. “The mayor is such a central figure in the city, and to open his home to us as part of this special occasion is incredibly generous. Claudia [Graham] planned it all. She has done a marvelous job,” Smythe said. Wood said he has always
See MAYOR, Page 21
Roswell unveils plans Cross cleared of DUI charges for new Ga. 400 bridge Connects east, west parts of city By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com ROSWELL, Ga. – For those traveling across Ga. 400 on Holcomb Bridge Road, the traffic can be a headache. The city has known for some time that something needs to be done to alleviate the congestion that makes traveling
east and west in the city difficult at certain times of day. The solution may be a new bridge crossing the highway. At a meeting Jan. 21, residents were given their first look at a proposed “Big Creek Parkway,” which would span from Warsaw Road in west
See BRIDGE, Page 24
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta Councilmember Michael Cross was found not guilty of driving under the influence Friday, Jan. 24. Fulton County Judge Patsy Porter heard arguments and, within three Cross hours, declared Cross innocent. “I am understandably happy with the result,” Cross said Friday. Cross was pulled over Feb. 23,
2013, after a witness called police, saying he was driving erratically, possibly drunk. Cross refused to take part in sobriety tests. He was subsequently arrested for DUI. His young son was in the sport utility vehicle at the time. Cross always maintained his innocence. He said he was with his wife and family the day of his arrest, shuttling children to and from sports and extracurricular activities. Because of this,
See CROSS, Page 23