Flex lane, farewell
Draft, Tuesday, October 20. Built from the October 18 packet. The checks at the bottom come out before send.
Good morning, Forsyth. The fair packed up Sunday night after eleven days, which means the fairgrounds go quiet for about five days before the fire trucks roll back in for trunk-or-treat. That is the county's rhythm in October: one big thing ends, three smaller things start, and somebody is always selling a funnel cake.
In today's FoCo Scoop: the SR 400 flex lane is closing for good, the county wants your opinion on where growth goes, and Saturday has more trunk-or-treats than you can hit. Let's get to it.
[Editor name]
Weather: sunny through Wednesday, highs 69 to 74, lows in the low 40s. Lake Lanier: 1,063.6 feet, 7.4 below full pool. Today's issue is about 1,500 words, a six-minute read.
The SR 400 flex lane closes for good in December
At a glance
- What The northbound flex lane, Webb Bridge Road to Exit 11
- When December, weather permitting
- Why Express-lanes construction needs the space
- Until 2031, when the build is due to finish
The northbound shoulder lane you lean on at rush hour is going away so the express lanes can be built.
- What's closing Georgia DOT says contractors will permanently close the northbound flex lane from just south of the Webb Bridge Road overpass to Exit 11, Windward Parkway, in December, weather permitting.
- Why it matters That lane opens during peak hours to add capacity. Without it, the evening drive north will feel like it did before the lane existed, for the length of the build.
- What's next Express-lanes construction runs into 2031. GDOT also issued a lane closure advisory Friday for work this week.
- How to plan Leave earlier, or take Peachtree Parkway. We will post the nightly closures in every Tuesday issue.
By the numbers
- 110 tons of trash that 1,000-plus Shore Sweep volunteers pulled out of Lake Lanier this year. AccessWDUN
- 7.4 ft below full pool, where Lake Lanier sits this morning. USGS
- 2031 when SR 400 express-lane construction is due to wrap up. GDOT
County Hall
- Growth plan Foster Forsyth 2027 is a yearlong update of the comprehensive plan, the document that says where subdivisions, shops, and open land go. Public input opened Friday. FCN
- Meetings today Commissioners' work session at 10 a.m., 110 E. Main St.; the agenda is posted. Tonight in Cumming: Planning Board at 5 and City Council at 6, City Hall, third floor. The school board meets at 5 at 1120 Dahlonega Highway.
- Hazardous waste Registration opened Monday for the county's household hazardous waste recycling event, run with Keep Forsyth County Beautiful and the city.
- November 3 Election day. We do not cover campaigns; we will tell you where and when to vote. Voting options
Schools and sports
| Volleyball, state playoffs | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| North Forsyth (1 seed) | Colquitt County | Win |
| East Forsyth | Madison County | Win, Sweet 16 |
| Lambert | Marietta | Loss in five |
| South Forsyth | North Gwinnett | Loss, swept |
| Forsyth Central | Etowah | Loss |
Results from the Forsyth County News sports desk, which also has the Week 9 football wrap.
- Students Four Forsyth high schoolers were named to the State Superintendent's Student Advisory Council.
- Calendar The second draft of the 2028-29 school calendar shifts several dates.
- Award Cumming Elementary was named a state Title I Reward School. FCN
- Mark it Thanksgiving break is November 23 to 27.
Open and closed
- Coming soon A drive-through dirty-soda shop at Forsyth Town Center. (Forsyth County News)
| Health scores, Oct. 13 to 15 | Where | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Los Rios Mexican | Tri-County Plaza | 100A |
| Cracker Barrel | Buford Highway | 95A |
| Captain D's | Atlanta Road | 86B |
| Peace Love and Pizza | Bethelview Road | 80B |
| Slice N Spice | Atlanta Highway | 80B |
From the state's public inspection records: 90 and up is an A, 80 a B, 70 a C, and under 70 fails. Look up any restaurant
Events
The weekend's best first, then every day. Each listing links to the organizer's page, which wins on changes.
Weekend picks
- Halloween at Halcyon
The eighth year of trick-or-treating at 20-plus shops on the green, with a petting zoo, character meet-and-greets, and a DJ. Pick the 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. entry; proceeds go to Bald Ridge Lodge.
Sat. 11 a.m. · Halcyon · Registration required - Fire Department trunk-or-treat
Firefighters hand out candy from the trucks in the fairgrounds lot. Costumes on, lines move fast.
Sat. 6 p.m. · 235 Castleberry Rd. · Free - Murder of Crowes
A nine-piece Black Crowes tribute out of Chattanooga, playing the records note for note on the amphitheater stage.
Fri. 7 p.m. · Lou Sobh Amphitheater · Tickets - Addams Family Values, outdoors
Bring a blanket for a movie on the amphitheater lawn after the trunk-or-treats wind down.
Sat. 8 p.m. · Lou Sobh Amphitheater · Free - Glow in the Dark Maze
The corn maze after dark, with glowing surprises and no scares. Dusk to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Fri. and Sat. from dusk · Warbington Farms · Tickets - Howl-oween
Dogs in costume, pet-friendly trick-or-treating at the shops, and adoptable pets to meet, 4 to 8 p.m.
Sat. 4 p.m. · Cumming City Center · Free
Tuesday, Oct. 20
- Singles Social | 6:30 p.m. | Cumming City Center | Free
A weekly mixer for all ages; the venue rotates, so check the City Center's page for this week's spot.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
- Kids Club | 10 a.m. | Halcyon green | Free
Crafts, story time, and animal visits for preschoolers; no sign-up, through Oct. 28. - Leadership Lab | 11:30 a.m. | Chamber | Registration
Northside Hospital Forsyth's chief operating officer, Amy Fischer, on leading through growth. - Watercolor open studio | 3 p.m. | Cumming Arts Center
Beginners work on their own projects with an instructor on hand. - Cornhole league | 6:30 p.m. | Brewer's Alley, Cumming City Center
The Wednesday social league with Crooked Culture Brewing; Thursdays play at the amphitheater.
Thursday, Oct. 22
- Women Connect wine tasting | 5:30 p.m. | Cumming Arts Center | $25
A Chamber evening for women in business, 5:30 to 7. - Haunted Cruise-In | 6 p.m. | Cumming City Center | Free
The car show in costume: classic cars, candy, and families on the green. - Live music | 6 p.m. | Cherry Street Brewpub, Halcyon
Solo and duo acts every Thursday through October; it moves inside if it rains. - Understanding Alzheimer's and dementia | 6 p.m. | Oaks at Post Road
The signs to watch for and where to find help, hosted by the senior community.
Friday, Oct. 23
- Jazzercise on the lawn | 8:30 a.m. | Lou Sobh Amphitheater | Free
All levels; bring water. - Groovin' on the Green | 6 p.m. | Halcyon | Free
Acoustic sets on the Village Green, Fridays and Saturdays through October; picnic from the restaurants. - House of Four Scythes | 6 p.m. | Cumming Fairgrounds | Tickets
The fairgrounds' haunted attraction, Friday and Saturday nights. - Paint and Sip | 6:30 p.m. | Fowler Park
A Parks and Rec evening class; register through the county. - Murder of Crowes | 7 p.m. | Lou Sobh Amphitheater | Tickets
Saturday, Oct. 24
- Farmers market | 7 to 11 a.m. | Vision Parkway lot, Cumming City Center | Free
Produce, meats, eggs, honey, breads, plants, and crafts. - Community yard sale | 9 a.m. | Central Park
Parks and Rec's fall yard sale. - Boo Bash trunk-or-treat | 10 a.m. | Central Park | Free
Therapeutic Recreation's Halloween morning; the Boo Bash dance follows at 5. - Out of the Darkness Walk | 10 a.m. | Cumming City Center
The suicide-prevention walk; funds go to research and school programs. - Halloween at Halcyon | 11 a.m. | Halcyon green | Registration
- Great Pumpkin Fall Festival | 11 a.m. | The Collection at Forsyth | Free
Trick-or-treating at the shops 11:30 to 1:30, with fall activities around the center. - Trunk or Treat | 1 p.m. | Vickery Village | Free
Decorated trunks and candy on the village streets; costumes expected. - Howl-oween | 4 p.m. | Cumming City Center | Free
- Fire Department trunk-or-treat | 6 p.m. | Fairgrounds lot, 235 Castleberry Rd. | Free
- Groovin' on the Green | 6 p.m. | Halcyon | Free
- Glow in the Dark Maze | dusk | Warbington Farms | Tickets
- House of Four Scythes | 6 p.m. | Cumming Fairgrounds | Tickets
- Addams Family Values, outdoors | 8 p.m. | Lou Sobh Amphitheater | Free
Sunday, Oct. 25
- Slide Into Sundays | noon | Lou Sobh Amphitheater | $10 per child
Bounce houses and water slides; waiver and wristband required. - Fall Sunday Music | 1 to 4 p.m. | Halcyon green | Free
Brunch from a restaurant on the green and live music from Galaxy Music and Arts.
Monday, Oct. 26
- Yoga on the Green | 6 p.m. | Lou Sobh Amphitheater | Free
The season's last outdoor class; all levels, ends with a meditation. Bring a mat.
Through October 31: Spooky Street at Cherry Street Brewpub, Halcyon.
Have an event? Send it here for next week.
In other news
- Tap water The county's water director explains on the FoCo Unplugged podcast how raw water is treated during Lake Lanier's algae blooms.
- Thrive Center Parks and Rec cut the ribbon Thursday on its new Thrive Center at 595 Dahlonega Street.
- Letters from Santa The county's program runs through December 4.
Reader photo
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FoCo Scoop is free, every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 a.m. It is owned by [agency name], a Forsyth County marketing agency; agency clients are labeled wherever they appear. AI tools help draft; a person checks every item. Corrections: hello@focoscoop.com. Unsubscribe in one click.
Before send (delete this list): 1) GDOT: exact December date, confirm southbound unaffected, list this week's nightly closures, and link the actual release instead of the newsroom page. 2) Comp plan: survey link or meeting dates. 3) Work session: the one agenda item that matters. 4) Hazardous waste: event date, registration link. 5) Early voting dates and sites. 6) Volleyball: next-round dates for North and East. 7) Student council names. 8) Dirty soda brand and opening date, by phone. 9) DPH grading scale wording. 10) Ticket prices for the tribute show, the maze, and the haunted attraction; confirm which events are free. 11) County calendar items (Boo Bash, yard sale, Paint and Sip) link to the calendar home because the feed gives bit.ly links; find the real pages. 12) Picks: confirm Halcyon entry times and Howl-oween hours against the organizer pages. 13) Letters from Santa: what it is. 14) Agency name and editor name. 15) Word count line.
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