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New victim of alleged pill theft at metro Atlanta senior living facility speaks out

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New victim of alleged pill theft at metro Atlanta senior living facility speaks out


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Melanie Spiller recently celebrated her mother Martha’s 101th birthday at the Oaks at Suwanee Creek, where she has been living for the past three years.

“She is still mentally with it,” Spiller said. “I know she doesn’t have forever. I realize her days are limited, but I would like them to be happier.”

Spiller said she just learned that her mother’s former nurse is accused of stealing prescription medication from her and other residents.

“Very betrayed. And they feel betrayed, the residents do,” Spiller said.

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The Suwanee Police Department launched an investigation and arrested Terri Howell, a nurse at the facility, and charged her with multiple counts of cruelty and obtaining a controlled substance by deception.

Nurse charged with stealing prescription pills from seniors

According to a police press release, Martha had 48 opioid pain pills stolen. A former employee who did not want to be identified is also speaking out.

“It’s a God calling for me. And I would still be in it, other than I could no longer tolerate things I was seeing in the industry. It broke my heart to see what was happening to our seniors,” the former Oaks at Suwanee Creek employee said.

Atlanta News First contacted the corporate office for the Oaks at Suwanee Creek, and they said upon learning of the incident, they immediately placed the nurse on administrative leave and then fired her.

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They went on to say they are deeply concerned by the allegations, and that the well-being and safety of their residents is their utmost priority.

“We have stringent protocols and training programs in place to safeguard our residents, and we will be reinforcing these measures in light of this event,” a spokesperson for Oaks at Suwanee Creek said in a statement.

“The level of betrayal for the residents for the aides, for the family, I mean we are just blown away. I never suspected that with Terri,” Spiller said.

Atlanta News First tried calling and texting the nurse for comment, to no avail. Police said the investigation rolls on.

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New Venues in Atlanta for Summer 2026 Meetings and Events

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New Venues in Atlanta for Summer 2026 Meetings and Events


Here’s a closer look at Atlanta’s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this summer. The new and renovated Atlanta-area venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.

Hotel Phoenix

One of downtown Atlanta’s most anticipated openings, Hotel Phoenix brings 292 guest rooms, 15 suites, and more than 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space to the rapidly evolving Centennial Yards district, just in time for FIFA festivities. Opening in December 2025, the 18-story property sits steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and offers floor-to-ceiling skyline views throughout. For planners, the headline is the flexible event footprint, anchored by an 8,214-square-foot ballroom that can be separated into three spaces by airwalls. The indoor flexibility is complemented by outdoor gathering spaces, which debuted this spring, including a resort-style pool deck, event lawn, and terrace lounge. With modern industrial design, built-in AV capabilities, and easy access to Atlanta’s sports and entertainment corridor, Hotel Phoenix is poised to become a go-to destination for conferences, galas, receptions, and high-energy corporate events.

JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown

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Following a complete transformation of the former W Atlanta Downtown, JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown debuted in May with 237 guest rooms and nearly 10,000 square feet of refreshed meeting and event space. The property’s redesigned venues include conference rooms, banquet spaces, prefunction areas, and JW Marriott’s signature Blank Canvas Room, a gallery-style venue featuring white walls and wood floors designed to be fully customized for any event vision. An elevated boardroom, one of the city’s largest executive lounges, wellness-focused guest accommodations, and a rooftop pool bar add extra appeal for executive retreats and multi-day conferences. For planners seeking a luxury downtown option with a fresh new identity, this one deserves a spot on the shortlist.

Cosm Atlanta

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If your attendees have already seen every ballroom in Atlanta, introduce them to Cosm. The new 70,000-square-foot venue in Centennial Yards is anchored by an 87-foot-diameter LED dome that delivers immersive “shared reality” experiences unlike anything currently available in the meetings market. The three-level venue accommodates up to 2,000 guests across three distinct event environments. The Dome seats up to 500 for screenings, presentations, and private experiences beneath the massive 12K+ LED display. The Hall offers a two-story event space with theater seating for 500, while The Deck provides outdoor reception space for up to 400 guests overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. From product launches and media events to client entertainment and branded activations, Cosm offers planners a built-in wow factor that requires very little additional dressing.

SKOL Brewing Company & Valhalla Gaming Lounge

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Already known for its Nordic-inspired brewpub atmosphere inside downtown Atlanta’s historic 200 Peachtree building, SKOL Brewing Company is leveling up with the addition of Valhalla Gaming Lounge, a 30,000-square-foot expansion designed for immersive group experiences. Combined with SKOL’s existing 5,000-square-foot footprint, the venue creates a sprawling entertainment destination packed with more than 40 interactive attractions, including simulators, bocce courts, billiards, darts, arcade games, and experiential gaming zones. Private event options are already available, making this a compelling choice for team-building programs, client entertainment, conference after-parties, and events that need a healthy dose of friendly competition.

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Thrillz Atlanta

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Forget trust falls. Thrillz Atlanta is bringing adrenaline-fueled team building to the city with a massive indoor adventure park featuring more than 20 attractions under one roof. Designed for group outings, corporate events, and large-scale celebrations, the venue combines amusement rides, virtual reality experiences, laser tag, duckpin bowling, obstacle courses, arcade gaming, and towering slide attractions reaching up to 40 feet high. Ten themed private event rooms, dedicated event coordinators, and full food-and-beverage service make planning surprisingly turnkey. For companies looking to inject some serious energy into meetings, incentive programs, or employee events, Thrillz offers an experience attendees won’t forget.

You42 Studios

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Part content campus, part entertainment complex, part event venue, You42 Studios is one of the most unconventional new event destinations to open in metro Atlanta. Located in Roswell, the 36,000-square-foot facility combines creator studios, production suites, restaurants, nightlife concepts, live entertainment, and flexible event space under one roof. For planners, versatility is the selling point. The campus includes a 3,800-square-foot event venue, 11 professional content-creation studios, podcast suites, themed production sets, and The Block Theater, featuring a 30-by-18-foot LED screen for presentations, screenings, and live performances. Add multiple food-and-beverage concepts led by celebrity chef Katsuji Tanabe, and You42 becomes a one-stop shop for conferences, content-driven events, brand launches, influencer programs, and corporate gatherings looking for something far more memorable than a hotel meeting room.

Peachtree Sporting Club & American Dive

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Downtown Atlanta’s new 207 Peachtree development is betting big on experiential events. The 45,000-square-foot entertainment, dining, and event destination opened this month with Peachtree Sporting Club, an upscale sports bar concept, and American Dive, a live music venue serving Southern barbecue in a nostalgic dive-bar setting. For planners looking to move beyond traditional ballrooms, the venue offers built-in energy, multiple environments under one roof, and the flexibility to host everything from watch parties and networking receptions to buyouts and branded activations. It’s the kind of place where attendees can swap conference badges for cocktails without ever leaving the venue.





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Atlanta Braves Manager Makes Honest Statement After Giants Game

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Atlanta Braves Manager Makes Honest Statement After Giants Game


On Sunday, the Atlanta Braves played the final game of their series with the Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco.They lost by a score of 3-2.With the loss, they dropped two out of three games in the series.Braves Manager Makes Honest StatementAfter the game, manager Walt Weiss made an honest statement.Via Mark Bowman of […] The post Atlanta Braves Manager Makes Honest Statement After Giants Game appeared first on HEAVY.



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Robbie Ray leads SF Giants over Atlanta for first winning homestand since April

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Robbie Ray leads SF Giants over Atlanta for first winning homestand since April


SAN FRANCISCO — Robbie Ray was everything the Giants could ask for on Sunday afternoon at Oracle Park.

In a performance that continued a strong recent stretch, the 34-year-old went eight innings and gave up a single unearned run, leading San Francisco to a 3-2 win.

It was an outing that will only increase potential interest in Ray at the upcoming MLB trade deadline, one where the Giants figure to be busy after ending their first winning homestand since April with a record of 35-48.

The Braves, who remain in first place in the NL East, are 49-33.

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Ray was perfect through four innings until Matt Olson broke up his run of 12 consecutive batters retired with a single to center to lead off the fifth.

His shutout bid was ruined in the eighth when Michael Harris II drove in Eli White with a sacrifice fly, but Ray buckled down and retired Ozzie Albies with a popup to center to end the inning.

The Giants got on the board when Luis Arraez scored in the sixth on an infield single by Rafael Devers, running home when Austin Riley’s throw bounced off Olson’s glove and trickled away from him down the right-field line. They scored again when Albies threw the ball past Olson on Jung Hoo Lee’s grounder to the right side, allowing Heliot Ramos to score.

Ramos made his return from a right quad strain Sunday and played in his first game with the Giants since May 15.



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