SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- The Fulton County School System has planned a reception to celebrate the successful approval of its charter system petition.
Last week's approval means that Fulton County Schools is the largest charter system in the state.
The reception will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 17 at Dunwoody Springs Elementary Schools in Sandy Springs.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- When Holy Innocents' Episcopal School began its search for a new head wrestling coach, it didn't have to look very far—only one seat over from the existing head coach.
Head Coach Jeff Walrich announced he was leaving to become an athletic director in Ohio after the...more 2011-2012 school year, and the Golden Bears were quick in hiring Assistant Coach Stacey Davis, Walrich’s right-hand man the last four years.
“We’re very pleased he accepted the position,” Athletic Director Ruth Donahoo said. “I am confident he will continue to build and strengthen the program as we strive to win more state championships. Given his extensive background, our program couldn't’t be in better hands.”
Davis’s resume backs up Donahoo’s comments. As for knowing the rules, Davis has been recently named by the International Federation of Wrestling Styles to be one of the officials in the 2012 London Olympics. He has already officiated in Istanbul, Turkey, last September, as well as

ATLANTA -- The last day of school is right around the corner for Fulton County students.
Public schools will dismiss for the summer on Friday, May 18.
The last days of school in other metro Atlanta districts are staggered throughout the second half of May. They include:
Wednesday,...more May 16
Clarke County
Thursday, May 17
Hall County
Friday, May 18
Bartow County
Clayton County
Tuesday, May 22
Atlanta Public Schools
Barrow County
Wednesday, May 23
Carroll County
Gwinnett County
Newton County
Thursday, May 24
Cobb County
Decatur City Schools
DeKalb County
Rockdale County
Friday, May 25
Buford City Schools
Cherokee County
Coweta County
Douglas County
Fayette County
Floyd County
Forsyth County
Henry County
Marietta City Schools
Paulding County
Thursday, May 31
Griffin-Spalding County Schools

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- An accident has shut down Roberts Drive in Sandy Springs Monday morning.

Sandy Springs Police spokesman Steve Rose said the injury accident shut down the road near Roswell Road.

Crews estimate Roberts Drive will reopen at around 8:45 a.m.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- Police in Sandy Springs are investigating what they call an "interference of custody" at a daycare center.

Police spokesman Steve Rose said a child was taken from the Child's Life Academy daycare center on Hilderbrand Drive by a noncustodial parent Thursday...more afternoon.

Police have not yet released any details about the child or the parent. The incident is still under investigation.

UHY Advisors Inc. today announced the appointment of Beth Bissell as Marketing Manager for the Southeast practice. Bissell will be based in the Atlanta office, serving clients nationwide. She brings expertise in proposal writing, as well as design, process improvement and project management...more and will report to UHY Advisors’ Managing Director in the southeast, Frank Fenello.
“Beth Bissell’s extensive experience in proposal design and process will take us to a new level,” said Frank Fenello. “It’s vital that we provide our clients with materials that embody not just information but also the transformative power of what UHY Advisors offers companies.”
Nationally, UHY Advisors is one of the top 25 professional services firms specializing in business consulting and tax services to public and private companies in the Fortune 1000 and middle market.
Bissell’s professional skills include:Writing proposals and redesigning the proposal process for improved consistency and

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- Several Holy Innocents' freshman and sophomore world language students have captured national recognition for excellent performance on the 2012 National Spanish Examinations, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portugese.
HIES Level 2...more Spanish students were awarded 14 gold, six silver, and six bronze medals—along with 11 honorable mentions. Fifty-eight students took the exams this year, said Spanish teacher Patrick Allegra. "Seventy percent of Holy Innocents' students scored in the top 50th percentile, and 19 students scored in the 90th," Allegra explained. "In fact, 14 students were in the top 150 students overall in the state. That's great!"
The exams are the largest of their kind in the United States, and attracted 143,641 student participants in 2012. "Attaining a medal or honorable mention for any student on the National Spanish Examinations is very prestigious," said Kevin Cessna-Buscemi, national exam

ATLANTA -- Vice President Joe Biden says sanctions against Iran that go into effect this summer will devastate the Middle Eastern nation's economy.

The U.S. and European Union passed financial sanctions and oil embargoes against Iran.

Biden spoke to the international...more Rabbinical Assembly Convention on Tuesday in Atlanta. He said that the White House's support for Israel is "not a matter of debate" and said he's frustrated by critics who have accused the Obama administration of not being fully committed to helping the Jewish state.

The association, the international body for rabbis in Conservative Judaism, has more than 1,600 members world-wide.

As a long-serving member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden gained a reputation as an unyielding supporter of Israel and won the respect of many in the Jewish community.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- After a Midtown fundraiser Monday night, Vice President Joe Biden will address a group of Jewish leaders in Sandy Springs.

Atlanta is home to the second fastest growing Jewish community in the United States. It's a voting block the Obama administration is...more wooing.

The Rabbinical Assembly invited Vice President Joe Biden to speak because he's "been a stalwart supporter of Israel for four decades." They're an international body of 1,600 conservative rabbis serving 1.5 million Jews worldwide. The relationship between president Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been described as "tense". Despite that, a recent survey from the Public Religion Research institute found most Jews plan to vote democrat in the upcoming presidential election. Sixty-two percent prefer Obama. About a third would vote Republican.

Vice President Biden is expected to focus on the U.S. relationship with Israel, but expect his to branch out. Only 4

First Montessori School of Atlanta successfully partnered with Keep Sandy Springs Beautiful and the City of Sandy Springs on an Electronics Recycling Event. Local residents dropped off computers, radios, monitors and other electronic equipment.FMSA students who participated in the recycling...more effort included Erin Lemmon, daughter of Tim and Lori Lemmon of Roswell; Emma Bulthuis, daughter of John and Christine Bulthuis of Marietta; and Nic Stacholy, son of Jan and Lisa Stacholy of Dunwoody.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- Beginning in May, Ray’s on the River will host an intimate, three-part jazz concert series to benefit local charities. The concerts will be held at Ray’s on the River’s manicured Event Lawn that overlooks the Chattahoochee River.
“We’re really excited to host such...more renowned jazz musicians and to be able to partner with such worthy causes,” said Mike Ross, director of operations for Ray’s Restaurants. “As an Atlanta restaurant group, we feel we have a great responsibility to give back to our local community. The Chattahoochee River is the perfect setting to enjoy an afternoon of live music and great food with friends and family.”
 The concert series kicks off with a performance by Ken Ford and members of the multigenerational Ken Ford Symphony at “Strings on the River” on Saturday, May 19 from 12 – 4 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person, with a $55 VIP ticket option that includes admission, an autographed CD and a VIP meet and greet following the show.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- Twenty-six students at First Montessori School of Atlanta recently participated in a BioBlitz. Assisted by Eric King, owner of King Landscaping, and Jillian Elleby, an FMSA science teacher, the students worked in two-person teams using a camera and log book to find and...more identify as many species of plants, animals, microbes, fungi and other organisms as possible in a natural area on the school campus.
FMSA's seven-acre campus is located in a residential area in Sandy Springs and includes open as well as wooded property.
"The BioBlitz was a fun and exciting way for our students to learn about biological diversity and how best to protect an ecosystem," said Upper Elementary School Teacher Livia Osorio.
Also known as a biological inventory or a biological census, the primary goal of a BioBlitz is to get an overall count of the plants, animals, fungi and other organisms that live in a place.
"Stewardship of the environment is a core value at First

The building known informally around the Holy Innocents' campus as "the Stone House" was officially opened as Alumni Hall Monday evening, April 30, with a ribbon-cutting and Open House.

The Rev. Michael Sullivan offered a blessing, and Trustee Dr. Melisa Rathburn-Stewart had the honor...more of snipping a large, crimson ribbon draped across the front door. Guests then stepped inside Alumni Hall to admire the grand atrium in the entryway, as well as new business and development offices, conference rooms, a large kitchen, new elevator, and carriage house.

The atrium at the front of the building has been decorated with classic, neutral-colored furnishings, and paintings by Holy Innocents' own art teacher and professional artist Judie Jacobs. The stately stone building also includes space for—among other things—receptions, parent volunteer meetings, the Bear WearHouse (for gently used uniforms), and some Campus Shop inventory.

Holy Innocents' purchased property

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- Michael Parson, the husband of shooting victim Adina Parson, has been arrested near Tyler, Texas, according to Sandy Springs Police.

Michael Parson was wanted in connection with his wife's shooting on Apr. 20 at the Residences of Morgan Falls apartment complex....more He was taken into custody after a traffic stop just before midnight Saturday. He was driving the green Honda Civic that Sandy Springs Police suspected he used to leave Georgia.

Adina Parson was found outside her apartment with eight gunshot wounds, three to her head. On Friday, police issued multiple arrest warrants for her husband. Charges now include aggravated assault, aggravated battery, firearm possession and giving false statements.

Michael Parson is being held in the Van Zandt County Jail in Canton, Texas while awaiting an extradition hearing for his return to Georgia.