Axios Atlanta: Sweetwater Fest, Gullah Geechee land eyed for golf course — again | and more

Plus: 🚨 High-speed chase reforms | Thursday, April 17, 2025

View in browser   Presented By Lowe's   Axios Atlanta By Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley · Apr 17, 2025 Yay, it's Thursday Atlanta! ☀️ Today's weather: Sunny skies. High around 77. Today's newsletter is 880 words — a 3-minute read.     1 big thing: Gullah Geechee land eyed for golf course — again By Kristal Dixon   An aerial of St. Helena Island. Photo: Courtesy of David Mitchell   Nearly two years after Beaufort County, South Carolina, officials rejected a controversial plan to build a golf course and gated community on St. Helena Island, the property owner is taking another shot at getting his project approved. Why it matters: The island, which is near Georgia's border, is home to significant Gullah Geechee and civil rights history. It is home to the Penn Center, which in the 1860s became the first school in the South established for formerly enslaved Black people. During the 1960s, the campus served as a planning center for Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and other members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Driving the news: Developer Elvio Tropeano of Pine Island Property Holdings LLC submitted an application to planning officials to build 49 homes and an 18-hole golf course this month. Tropeano wants the county to remove the cultural protection overlay from the island that prohibits certain new developments, like golf courses and gated communities. What they're saying: Tropeano did not respond to Axios' requests for comment, but in the application he notes the proposal will have a "higher ratio of open space compared to any development in the county." The other side: David Mitchell, Atlanta Preservation Center executive director and board chair of the Penn Center, told Axios the new project would still be prohibited under the cultural protection overlay. Threat level: Over the last few decades, developers have encroached onto Gullah Geechee land, constructing large vacation homes and other projects that attract wealthier people to the coast. On Georgia's Sapelo Island, residents in the Hogg Hummock community are fighting a rezoning proposal that would allow larger houses to be built on the island. What's next: The application has to be considered by the Beaufort County Planning Commission, which would recommend it for approval or denial. Share this story     2. Advocates want high-speed police pursuit reform By Thomas Wheatley   Kate Weaver, a friend of the Schoenke family, said Cooper Schoenke was a "kind and loving son, brother, and friend" with a wry sense of humor and love of music. Photo: Thomas Wheatley/Axios   Advocates for safer streets and police reform are demanding Gov. Brian Kemp change rules about high-speed pursuits after officials say a fleeing suspect struck and killed an innocent person in Little Five Points. Driving the news: On Wednesday, city and state lawmakers called on Kemp to take immediate executive action, instead of waiting until the next legislative session in January, to prevent another pursuit and crash like the one that killed 19-year-old Cooper Schoenke. Catch up quick: On Monday night, according to the Georgia State Patrol, Faduma Mohamed of Stone Mountain was seen speeding and changing lanes erratically on Interstate 20. The agency said she then hopped off at the Moreland Avenue exit and headed north to outrun a state trooper. Mohamed struck Schoenke's vehicle at the McLendon Avenue intersection, GSP said. Schoenke died at the scene. Zoom in: In the short term, advocates want troopers to only pursue suspects accused of committing violent felonies, get a supervisor's approval to initiate a chase, and ban high-speed pursuits and precision immobilization technique maneuvers in dense and residential areas during busy times of day. In the long term, advocates want to end high-speed pursuits altogether. What they're saying: "GSP's pursuit policy isn't about public safety — it's about projecting power, no matter the cost to human life," said Devin Barrington-Ward of the National Police Accountability Project. The other side: In a statement to Atlanta News First, Kemp spokesperson Garrison Douglas said it was "heartbreaking to see such a young life taken at the hands of a criminal seeking to evade justice." Share this story     3. Weekend events: SweetWater Fest, ThriftCon By Kristal Dixon   A view of the concert stage at SweetWater 420 Fest. Photo: SweetWater Brewing Co.   It's going to be another busy weekend around Atlanta. Hit the town with these events: 🎭 Start your weekend early with Puppets and Pints, featuring "Felt Street" performed by Dad's Garage. (Thurs.) 🍻 SweetWater 420 Fest returns to Pullman Yards this weekend, bringing three days of music, food, drinks and fun to the east side of the city. (Fri.-Sun.) 🖼️ Check out Little 5 Points' signature street art with a guided tour. (Sat.) 🥍 For the lacrosse lovers, venture to Gas South Arena to see the Georgia Swarm take on the Buffalo Bandits. (Sat.) ⚾ The Braves host the Twins in a three-game homestand at Truist Park. (Fri-Sun.) 👖 Attention vintage lovers: ThriftCon returns to Atlanta, featuring more than a 100 vendors selling everything from clothing, home goods, furniture and collectibles. (Sat.) Share with a friend     A message from Lowe's  Refresh your space this spring with Lowe's     Atlanta, it's patio season. Make the most of your outdoor space this year with a spring refresh. How it's done: Whether you're a garden guru or backyard BBQ master, you can find great deals on spring essentials at Lowe's. Shop now and save.     4. How much federal money Georgia gets By Alex Fitzpatrick   Data: Pew Charitable Trusts; Map: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios Federal funding makes up more than one-third of Georgia's overall revenue, per the latest available data. Why it matters: The Trump administration and congressional Republicans are looking for ways to cut federal spending, and some states may be more vulnerable than others to major decreases. By the numbers: As of 2022, federal funding accounts for 36.1% of Georgia's state revenues, according to a Pew Charitable Trusts analysis of the latest available census data. Go deeper   Advertise with Axios Local Get your brand in front of 1.5 million smart professionals. Learn more.   Sponsored event listings Don't miss out   🏙️ Check out what's happening around Atlanta: Mother's Day Weekend Tea Party at Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa – Country Club on May 10: From an elegant Mother's Day Tea Party featuring fine teas and delicious treats to an indulgent overnight package complete with breakfast, sparkling wine and luxurious accommodations, every detail has been thoughtfully designed to provide a meaningful and enriching experience. Let them help you make this Mother's Day one to remember with a weekend filled with love, laughter, and relaxation. Interested in featuring an event? Email local-events@axios.com.     5. Five-ish Points: State rep pleads guilty in traffic case   Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios   🗳️ Former Gwinnett County school board member Everton Blair is challenging longtime U.S. Rep. David Scott for the District 13 seat. (AJC) 📚 The Georgia Department of Education will remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs from public schools to avoid losing federal funding. (WABE) ⚖️ State Rep. Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta) pleaded guilty to two traffic offenses — and had the DUI charge dropped — stemming from an incident where the vehicle he was driving veered into the bike lane and hit a cyclist. (WSB) 😢 Former 11 Alive news reporter Jon Shirek, who recently retired, died following a battle with brain cancer. (11 Alive)     A message from Lowe's  ATL homeowners, here's how to spring smarter     First spring on your own turf? No stress — Lowe's has you covered with the great deals, products and advice for all of this season's projects. What you need to know: Take advantage of spring deals at Lowe's and save big on seasonal essentials. Start shopping.   🎂 Kristal is wishing her big sister — and fellow houseplant and dog lover — a happy birthday! ⛱️ Thomas is off! This newsletter was edited by Crystal Hill. 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