Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - February 12, 2026

Mayor: Big news coming soon for North Point Mall

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta could see movement in the redevelopment of North Point Mall within the coming weeks.

Mayor Jim Gilvin announced during his State of the City address Feb. 5 the

mall’s owner New York Life Co. “has engaged a new local partner to help shape its vision of transforming North Point Mall into an arena-centric, mixeduse destination.”

Contacted Feb. 10 for an update, the mayor said he still has no other details, but added he was told an announcement clarifying the progress could be made

Rotary’s plunge raises $220,000

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Burke Lewis had one thing on his mind when he leaped into the Wills Park Pool Feb. 7.

“I just wanted to help people,” the 10-year-old Milton boy said.

As temperatures hovered in the mid-40s, Burke and scores of others braved the cold at the Rotary Club of Alpharetta’s annual Polar Bear Plunge. Launched in 2018, the plunge has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars this year.

This year’s plunge saw more than 1,635 donors contributing more than $220,000 to 235 causes.

Burke raised almost $8,500 for Champions Community Foundation, which serves young adults with physical disabilities. Other charities included the Lionheart Life Center, Meals by Grace, the Jafuta Foundation and more.

Despite the cold, spirits ran hot poolside.

Many divers donned costumes.

See PLUNGE, Page 14

within the next couple of weeks.

Once a premier commercial shopping destination, North Point Mall has suffered economic setbacks with the openings of mega mixeduse developments like Avalon and Alpharetta City Center.

See MALL, Page 14

Fundraisers jump into the Wills Park Pool during the Rotary Club of Alpharetta’s annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 7. JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Roswell council cancels contract with Seer World

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell City Council voted unanimously Feb. 9 to terminate its contract with economic development consulting firm Seer World.

During its close to two years with the city, Seer World created and outsourced the role of Roswell’s chief operational officer, providing an annual salary of $340,000. It also secured funding to lay plans for major economic initiatives.

The three-year contract with the consulting company was signed in 2024 and sparked controversy among constituents who questioned the cost and the method about which the agreement came about. The city already had an economic development director and a business development organization, Roswell Inc, which received about $277,000 a year in funding.

Canceling the Seer World contract will cost the city. One clause states the city will fulfill monthly payments through the next six months, in addition to the required 30-day notice before termination. Over the next six months, Roswell is on the hook to pay Seer World $198,000.

NEWS TIPS

770-442-3278

AppenMedia.com

319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

HANS APPEN

Publisher RAY APPEN

Publisher Emeritus CONTACT

Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance.

ADVERTISING

For information about advertising in the AlpharettaRoswell Herald or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278

CIRCULATION

To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

Body of missing person found in Mayfield Lake

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department recovered the body of 27-year-old Nathan Smith from a Milton lake shortly before noon Friday, Feb. 6.

Smith, known professionally as DJ Young Slade, is the son of rapper Lil Jon. He was reported missing Tuesday, Feb. 3 after leaving his residence on Baldwin Drive in Milton around 6 a.m.

The Milton Police Department Criminal Investigations Division will continue

POLICE BLOTTER

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

AT&T telephone poles stripped for copper

ROSWELL, Ga. — For the third time in two weeks, the Roswell Police Department received reports of AT&T telephone poles cut and stripped for copper.

The most recent incident occurred Feb. 3 on Atlanta Street. An AT&T construction supervisor said they were notified of a power outage at 9 a.m. and called 911 after arriving on the scene.

CUSTOM FRAMING

Employees with AT&T said that the amount of copper taken would have been too heavy for one person to carry. They told officers of three other instances in January where copper was stolen from AT&T telephone poles.

The damage is estimated at between $50,00 and $100,000. — Hannah Yahne

Police investigate theft of $2,500 in clothing

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police investigated a reported shoplifting of thousands of

• Canvas Stretching, Rugs, Mirrors

• Round, Oval and Float Frames

• Sports & Military Memorabilia

• Shadowboxes & Specialty Mounts

• Frame Repairs & Touch-Ups

treating the case as open and active until the official cause and manner of death is determine by the Fulton County Medical Examiner. Police do not suspect foul play.

Divers had been searching the lake at 1000 Mayfield Road since Tuesday morning. Milton Police led the investigation with assistance from Milton Fire and Rescue, K-9 units and Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services. The roped-off crime scene expanded after crews began searching the area. Residents of the neighborhood said police asked to review door camera footage after he went missing.

dollars worth of children’s clothing from a North Point Mall department store Jan. 14.

Alpharetta police officers were dispatched to the business for a shoplifting that occurred Jan. 13.

Various items of children’s clothing were reported stolen. The clothing had a value of almost $2,500.

Officers viewed security camera recordings that showed two men stealing the clothing, according to the police report. The men stuffed the clothes into black trash bags before fleeing on foot.

The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting of more than $500.

— Jon Wilcox

Roswell man arrested, charged with robbery

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 37-year-old Roswell man was arrested on a charge of robbery by intimidation Jan. 17.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to a North Main Street business about noon after a shoplifting was reported. A store manager said the man threatened store employees while stealing more than $300 of food and drink.

Officers obtained a description of the suspect and apprehended him nearby.

THE PICTURE FRAMER

the 27-year-old

“We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this time,” Milton Police said in a statement.

Employees followed the man through the store as he allegedly selected various items and concealed them in a backpack. The man threatened to kill the employees as he was stealing, police said.

Employees described the man’s tone as threatening and erratic, police said. Officers recovered the allegedly stolen items from the man’s backpack and placed him under arrest.

— Jon Wilcox

Police say female suspect used stolen keys in thefts

ROSWELL, Ga. — A woman was arrested Feb. 3 after Roswell police received reports of a burglary at a multiuse complex on Alpharetta Street.

An individual matching the description of the suspect was leaving a parking garage when police arrived on scene. It was reported that she had broken into multiple businesses after hours using the master keys that had been missing since Feb. 1.

When police stopped the subject, she was carrying a bag with two laptops and the missing keys. All items were returned to their owners.

— Hannah Yahne

Alpharetta football team welcomes Danny Carlisle as new head coach

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta High hosted a meet session Feb. 3 where members of the community were invited to hear from and speak with the program’s new football coach, Danny Carlisle.

Carlisle came from Chattahoochee High School where he was the head coach for three seasons.

The Cougars went 10-22 under Carlisle. In his second year the team achieved a 5-5 record which was the best in 10 years.

He tallied as many wins in his first two seasons as the Cougars had in the five previous years.

Carlisle wrote a column for Appen Media last fall in which he discussed his plan for the Cougars’ upcoming season along with a message to the community of “heartfelt thanks” for the support they provide.

Carlisle emphasized athlete mental health and nutrition for peak performance in the column, two aspects he says he will bring with him to his third head coaching job.

He said meditation, yoga and mindful communication help improve a player’s mindset during games.

Carlisle has two sons, ages 3 and newborn, and he said he plans for them to attend Alpharetta.

Living just a few minutes from campus, Carlisle said many families in his neighborhood do not plan to do the same. Carlisle looks to change that through building relationships from the feeder program to the varsity squad.

Principal Mike Scheifflee opened the meeting, stating that he believes Carlisle will bring stability. As the Raiders third football coach in as many years, Carlisle repeatedly emphasized that this job is long term for him.

Athletic Director Alejandro Romero then introduced Carlisle and iterated his ongoing catchphrase for the athletic department, “All in, All Raider.”

Romero said Carlisle is all in on the vision.

“He believes in developing these young men, building trust and creating a program our entire community can be proud of,” Romero said. “We are confident in what coach Carlisle is going to bring for the football program. With you all fully invested, we cannot be more thrilled about the next chapter of Alpharetta football.”

Carlisle brings a well-rounded resume of filling head, assistant, position and strength coach roles both at juggernaut programs, such as

Grayson, and brand new programs such as Discovery.

Carlisle’s first head coaching position was at his alma mater, Cooper City High in Florida. There, in his second year, the team beat nationally ranked perennial powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. Cooper City had no Division I players on the roster.

With program numbers declining, Carlisle outlined a detailed plan to retain and recruit for the youth feeder program. He has experience increasing engagement at three previous programs, with the numbers to back it up.

Forsyth Central jumped from 90 to 135 students, Cooper City increased from 80 to 125, and Chattahoochee grew from 62 to 88 players.

Carlisle addressed concerns from parents in the meeting, such as his sudden departure from Chattahoochee. He said that for many reasons, taking this job was what was best for his family, and he doesn’t see himself moving on to another program afterward.

“This area is very special to me, and I really think [this program] can be like a Milton,” he said. “Where these kids are Alpharetta Raiders from kindergarten. I told [Scheifflee and Romero], my next job is retirement on the beach.”

Fulton County files court motion to retrieve 2020 ballots

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Fulton County has filed a motion in federal court seeking the return of all documents from the 2020 election that the Federal Bureau of Investigation took while serving a search warrant on Jan. 28. The motion also seeks to unseal the search warrant.

The parties to the motion include Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts and the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections, according to an announcement from the county.

The FBI executed a search warrant at 5600 Campbellton Fairburn Road in Union City on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

A court order signed by Magistrate Judge Catherine M. Salinas authorized agents to seize all physical ballots from the 2020 election in Fulton County, all ballot images and Fulton County’s 2020 voter rolls, the Georgia Recorder reported.

Pitts previously said the county was getting ready to turn over those records as part of an ongoing lawsuit.

The United States Justice Department’s civil rights division sued Fulton County Court Clerk Che

FULTON COUNTY/PROVIDED

Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts gives an update on Feb. 4 on the Federal Bureau of Investigation search of a Fulton County elections facility. The county has filed a motion in federal court to retrieve the 2020 ballots and related documents.

Alexander in December 2025.

The lawsuit claims that Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to the Fulton County Elections Board in October 2025 demanding records responsive to a State Election Board resolution. A subpoena requested “all used and void ballots, stubs of

February

6:30am – 8:00am: Ashes To-Go 5:00pm: Free Pancake Dinner

6:30pm: Ash Wednesday Worship Service

all ballots, signature envelopes and corresponding envelope digital files from the 2020 general election in Fulton County.”

A hearing was scheduled for Feb. 9 regarding the transfer of the 2020 election documents to the state.

During a press conference on Feb.

4, Pitts said he thinks the confiscation of the county’s ballots is about more than the 2020 election and is tied to sowing distrust in the 2026 and 2028 elections.

“When Tulsi Gabbard showed up, that was a signal to me that this is bigger than just the confiscation of our records,” Pitts said.

According to The Guardian, Gabbard, who is the Director of National Intelligence, is also reviewing the 2020 election, with Trump’s approval, and working independently of the Justice Department investigation. She did join the FBI raid at the Fulton elections facility on Jan. 28.

Pitts is concerned about the midterm elections this year, as Georgia’s senators are up for reelection.

“It’s going to be important, and anything that can be done to influence that, I think, is going to be done,” Pitts said. “I think this is probably the first step in whatever they’re going to do in order to depress voter participation, voter registration, making whatever changes they think are necessary to help their case in 2026, but more importantly in 2028,” Pitts said.

See MOTION, Page 12

Tune-Up Projects

Kitchen Tune-Up

Paint Cabinets

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

New Backsplash

Cut Down 2-level Island

Bathroom Tune-Up

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

Enlarge Shower

Shower Glass

Shower Safety

Full Remodel Projects

Kitchen Remodel

Total Cabinet Replacement

Large Island

Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations

Open Concept –Move Walls

9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat

Showroom – Design Center 10591 Old Alabama Rd. Connector Alpharetta, GA

Bathroom Remodel

New Larger Shower

Vanity Replacement –Cabs, Counter, Sink

Free Standing Tub

Floor Tile, Wall Tile

Plumbing Fixtures

Just opened?

Appen Media publishes New Business Spotlights to highlight local businesses as they get started. Submit yours for free at appenmedia.com/newbusiness

Pizzeria wins praise from ‘One Bite’ review

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. —Pizza by Yandys in Sandy Springs received recognition from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy in one of his recent “One Bite” pizza reviews.

Everybody knows the rules: Portnoy takes one bite (often two) before rating the pizza on a scale from 1-10. He’s ranked hundreds of pizza restaurants since launching the series over a decade ago.

Portnoy ranked a slice of cheese pizza from Pizza by Yandys at a 7.7, higher than the other two pizza locations he tried while in Atlanta.

“What a little hidden gem,” Portnoy said in a video posted on his social media accounts. “This is, for Atlanta, very good pizza.”

Pizza by Yandy’s opened in December 2024 inside Carniceria Los Pinos, a Mexican grocery store at 6342 Roswell Road N.E.

A true family-run business, Yenara Najera works the cash register as her husband, Diego, slides pizzas into the oven. His specialties include a buffalo chicken pizza, and one of their most popular pies, the hot honey char pepperoni pizza topped with swirls of ricotta cheese. The pizza alla vodka offers a different take on the classic margherita and they have a Hawaiian pizza topped with pineapple and ham.

Pizza by Yandy’s offers takeout and there’s seating inside the grocery store for visitors to enjoy their fresh pizza pies.

Their son works on the weekends, and Yenara described the owner of the grocery store they occupy as a brother.

Before moving to Atlanta in 2020, Diego had dreamed of opening a pizza restaurant where they lived in New York City. Now, his dream is a reality that has gained the attention of multiple influencers in the past year helping grow the community that Pizza by Yandy’s serves.

“I’m very happy and I’m glad that my husband got his dream,” Yenara said.

Our

Student-led print shop teaches business skills while

By HANNAH YAHNE Hannah@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — For 30 minutes each day, the 10-member team of Alpharetta High School Print Shop is in full swing, writing invoices and designing banners to drape the school’s walls.

Since its launch in 2023, the Alpharetta Print Shop has turned into a lucrative business and popular extracurricular among students. This past year, only four spots were open to 33 applicants.

“You’re dealing with real money, and you have real clients that have real requirements,” said Swarup Kesarkar, the co-CEO of Alpharetta Print Shop.

The enterprise serves more than 100 clients.

Clients can request designs and pick from various paper types, like vinyl, glossy or matte. The print shop offers high-quality materials at an affordable price with each paper material costing less than $20 a foot.

Most current clients are programs at Alpharetta High, Kesarkar said. Last September, the print shop designed and printed banners for each of the school’s student organizations in time for Raider Fest, a community celebration featuring a parade, food and information about all 86 clubs.

The Alpharetta Print Shop started as a fundraising effort for the school’s chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Now, it serves as a stepping stone for students aspiring to become FBLA officers.

“The print shop was kind of necessary for FBLA’s success, because FBLA is so big that we need some pillars to sustain it,” Kesarkar said.

The student organization is a business, Kesarkar said, and it helps create responsible and forwardthinking leaders at a young age.

“Everyone has to learn how to communicate with each other and kind of grow together to understand how to operate this business the most efficient way possible,” he said.

It has evolved into being an irreplaceable Career and Technical Student Organization, Kesarkar said.

Fulton County Schools is taking notice, and the small business is pitching that the district start a print shop at each high school to give students a real path to business operations.

Not only is it a learning opportunity for students, but the Alpharetta Print Shop has saved the school thousands of dollars by having in-house printing access.

“It’s a direct call to action, and the

growth in the students we’re seeing is incredible,” Kesarkar said. “It’s beyond what any classroom can provide.”

To place an order with the Alpharetta Print Shop, visit the Alpharetta High School website or email alpharettaprintshop@gmail.com.

King’s Ridge dedicates John Smoltz Complex

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — King’s Ridge Christian School hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 9 for its new baseball and softball complex and dedicated the name to school founder and Braves legend John Smoltz.

The ceremony was well-attended by students, parents, board members and other members of the King’s Ridge community. After the ribbon cutting, a memorial bench was dedicated to honor victims of a tragedy that hit close to home, the death of the Van Epps family.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Smoltz said that he previously stated he would never allow anything to be named after him at KRCS, but outside of the school he’s no stranger. 2.1 miles of Old Milton Parkway were named the John Smoltz Highway in Aug. 2017.

Smoltz was previously attributed to saying that he’d prefer the complex to be named after a teacher at the school, but the administration planned the name as a surprise.

Smoltz turned down a big paycheck from the Yankees to stay with the Braves in 2001 to keep his children in school at KRCS and has remained in North Fulton after retirement from the MLB. Smoltz played 20 seasons for the Braves and recorded over 3,000 strikeouts.

The school broke ground on the complex in April 2024 and there are further plans to add press boxes, concessions, locker rooms and indoor hitting facilities on-site.

The athletic department also has plans on the books to build tennis courts on campus.

Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison made an appearance to support the school his three children attend and to memorialize two high school classmates.

“[King’s Ridge] has come a very long way over 25 years,” he said. “It’s just amazing what the school has done over 25 years and where it’s going. It’s growing not only in academics, but also school sports.”

King’s Ridge Athletic Director Mike Power, who came to KRCS after 17 years as the AD at Roswell High, also serves as the Tigers head baseball coach and has been with the school for six years.

“[The new facility] is a blessing,” he said. “You can see the excitement and the enthusiasm, and we’ve got a lot of people here that want the best for their kids.”

The 90-plus acre campus has plans for a connecting road from the Smoltz complex to the student center, according to Power.

Van Epps family friend and KRCS parent Matt Capps spoke at the

left, King’s Ridge community members Jim Coyle and Matt

unveil a memorial bench in honor of late students James Ryan (J.R.) and Harrison Van Epps. The boys attended King’s Ridge and were killed in a plane crash in July 2024 alongside their parents and grandfather.

dedication of the memorial bench and shared memories of enjoying time with Ryan, Laura, James Ryan (J.R.) and Harrison.

Capps coached J.R. in football and baseball and remembered the work ethic and athletic drive of both brothers.

J.R. hit a grand slam and posted a strong performance pitching in the tournament he and his family were on the way home from when tragedy struck.

“It’s just, the impact that J.R. and Harrison had not just on me, but the community, our kids, the school,” Capps said. “The way they went about everything they did was just special. Not just the Van Epps family, but the King’s Ridge family, has been through a lot… there’s a hole.”

Before KRCS, the Van Epps brothers played football for the Milton feeder program, which has also made efforts to honor and memorialize the Van Epps family.

Ryan and Laura, who were both lacrosse players at Roswell High School, were remembered for their contributions to the KRCS community.

A bench in the John Smoltz Baseball & Softball Complex will provide an opportunity to celebrate life and remember the devotion of two loving parents and two devoted athletes.

KRCS Head of School Tony Fajardo said he was “deeply grateful to those who helped make the memorial possible.”

“Laura and Ryan chose Christian education because they believed in raising their boys in faith, character and strong relationships,” he said. “They loved this school, they loved the people, they loved the mission. They weren’t just a part of King’s Ridge, they invested in it, walked alongside it and helped shape it.”

SPORTS

Alpharetta signing day includes three students

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta High School hosted a signing day Feb. 4 to celebrate another round of seniors moving on to compete in college.

The signing day was held in the media center and was well-attended by students, faculty and family.

Cross country and track runner Lidia Faro signed to the University of Chicago to continue her athletic and academic career.

Faro is a multi-sport athlete at Alpharetta while also taking part in the IB program. She joined the cross country team as a sophomore.

Faro holds two school records – the 5K and track 1500m. Faro recorded the top two times in the 5K, a record that hadn’t been broken in 10 years.

Cross country head coach Holly Baron said she carried silly string in her meet bag for two years, knowing she would eventually need it when Faro broke the 5K record.

“She just keeps showing up and spreading support to the whole team, and even competitors in the area,” she said. “Her discipline and having to trust the process of day to day, putting in 8 to 10 miles swimming or running.”

Quinn Nobles committed to the University of Indianapolis to play lacrosse. Despite multiple previous offers to play lacrosse in college, Nobles only decided to continue his athletic career last week upon finding out that Indianapolis offered his preferred major, mechanical engineering.

Nobles said his career aspirations are outweighing potential lacrosse opportunities at this point, but he is excited to play in the same conference as his older brother Lucas, who attends the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

Alpharetta boys lacrosse head coach Jon Paul said Nobles is the “single best overall lacrosse player [he’s] ever seen,” after a coaching history at multiple colleges.

“There’s not a position on the field that he’s not the best at,” Paul said. “He holds himself to a really high standard, which helps him hold everybody else around him to a really high standard.”

During his speech at the signing day ceremony, Paul highlighted Nobles’ involvement in multiple school organizations and described

WILLIAM GALLAGHER/PROVIDED

Alpharetta seniors Lidia Faro, left, and Quinn Nobles, right, sign to continue their athletic and academic careers in college. Faro committed to run cross country for the University of Chicago and Nobles will play lacrosse for the University of Indianapolis.

the senior as “the definition of a Renaissance man,” who can do anything on the field.

Duke Condie will suit up for Murray State University next season.

“Every football player’s childhood dream was to make it to the NFL, and this is just one step closer to it,” he said. “So just being able to play on a [Division] 1 field, that’s just almost like a dream come true.”

Alpharetta strength coach Ron Jankovich spoke in Condie’s absence. Jankovich said Condie is a “Hall of Famer… right now.”

Jankovich said the hard work Condie put into being successful speaks for itself, as does his natural athletic abilities at 6’1” and 265 pounds.

“I can’t speak highly enough,” Jankovich said. “There’s no words to express how much I love Duke, how great a kid he is, and the passion he has for Alpharetta. He could have easily gone anywhere in the state and dominated, but he stayed here because he loves this place and he loves all of you.”

Condie said transferring never crossed his mind. He said the brotherhood of the team that especially developed this year has been meaningful to him.

Condie said he and his friends sometimes joke that he might reclass to spend another year with his brothers.

He said head coach Brian Landis’s slogan of “choose hard” resonated with him and three close friends. Seeing each other grow, bleeding together and facing adversity.

Newspaper Delivery –

Earn $400+ per Month

Looking for a flexible way to earn extra income?

Deliver newspapers in the North Fulton area for Appen Media.

• Work approximately 7–8 hours per week

• Set your own delivery hours

• Ideal for retired couples or anyone looking to supplement income

• A great way to support local journalism — it takes a village

Route Details

• Delivery in subdivisions only

• Typical route: about 1,200 newspapers

• Pick up papers from our Alpharetta office on Tuesday or Wednesday morning

• Bag papers, then complete delivery by Friday

Requirements

• Reliable vehicle

• Clean driving record (required; we check)

• Responsible, dependable individuals with strong work ethic, honesty, and integrity

Please note: The first few weeks require more time, but routes become much easier and less time-consuming by weeks 3–4.

How to Apply

To request paperwork (takes about 5 minutes), email Heidi@AppenMedia.com with:

• Name

• Address

• Phone number

• Email address

• Detailed availability

• Whether you will have help bagging papers

Please include “Newspaper Route” in the subject line. We will respond within 24 hours. Please do not call.

Roswell High athletes sign commits to college

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell High School hosted a signing day Feb. 4 to celebrate 11 athletes from the football and boys lacrosse teams moving on to play at the next level.

Three Hornets will suit up for Kentucky Wesleyan College – safety Kaiden Perry, defensive back Tre Harris and wide receiver Chase Shaffer.

Defensive swiss army knife Elijah Istanboulian is off to Missouri Western State University.

Athletic Director Ben Sutter said the four football signees are the unsung heroes of the team that made the 5A semi-final.

He said it’s special to celebrate the team’s accomplishments and to focus on individual achievements.

“You already know how successful the teams were,” he said. “Those are already out there, but getting to hear about the individual kids and seeing them get celebrated, that’s special for me. The guys that did the dirty work, that were down in the trenches.”

Seven players from the boys lacrosse team, who won three back-toback championships in the last three years, committed to play lacrosse in college.

Head coach Bryan Wallace says there will be more players from the class of 2026 signing to play lacrosse at April’s signing day.

The Hornets’ starting goalie, faceoff, entire attack line and one defender all signed Feb. 4 to continue their athletic careers in college.

Goalie Will Culves committed to Young Harris College. Faceoff Jack Dowdy is off to Anderson University.

Attacker Kaden Parla will suit up

Continued from Page 6

President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election after serving his first term in office. He lost the national vote by about 7 million votes to Joe Biden and lost Georgia by 11,779 votes. Trump has maintained that he won the 2020 election.

The results have been reviewed, audited, and hand-counted, and the results remain the same.

“Last week, I committed to the voters of Fulton County, and the world for that matter, that we will use every resource at our disposal to fight for their vote, and that we will fight using all resources against those who seek

for Jacksonville University next year.

The senior has 119 career goals and 71 assists. He scored 64 of the goals and 48 of the assists last season alone.

Attackman Jackson Hardwick signed to Embry Riddle University in Florida, where he will study to become a pilot. The third starter on Roswell’s attack line, Wyatt Luce, committed to Wingate University.

Starting defenseman Declan Laverty will play for Lander University in South Carolina.

Attackman/midfielder Carson Jazdzyk, who transferred this year from Cherokee High School, also committed to Lander and will be on the second line of midfielders this season.

to take over our elections,” Pitts said.

Pitts said Fulton County wants to retrieve the ballots because it is unaware of what is happening with them. The county would like to inventory the documents. He added that the officials were not given notice of the raid or copies of what was taken.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said, during an interview with WSB, that he doesn’t understand why federal officials are reliving the 2020 election. He is not aware of what the FBI is looking for or why.

“We probably know as much as you do because the search warrant that was issued is sealed, so no details were provided to us or to the press or to Fulton County,” Raffensperger said.

Democratic lawmakers held a press conference on Feb. 4 and condemned the FBI raid.

“This is a blatant attempt by our federal government not to just interfere with Georgia’s elections but to take them over,” Rep. Saira Draper (D - Atlanta) said. “When President Trump is talking about nationalizing elections, he is talking about Georgia.”

She added that it is not normal for the federal government to get involved in state elections.

“The worst thing that we can do as a society, as a state, and as leaders under this Gold Dome is to underestimate the threat,” Draper said.

Georgia Senate Republicans have introduced a resolution calling for Raffensperger to turn over the

voter registration list to the Justice Department. Raffensperger’s Office previously provided a redacted version of the voter list that excluded sensitive information. The Justice Department is now suing Raffensperger for failing to provide an unredacted list, according to WSB Radio.

Rep. Eric Gisler (D - Watkinsville) said the secretary of state is required to safeguard personal information, like birth dates, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers, and is prohibited from releasing that information under state law. He introduced a resolution reaffirming the existing law.

“This resolution should not be partisan,” he said. “It should not even be necessary. It is a statement of what the law already requires.”

What is the Education Answer Book?

For more than 35 years, Appen Media Group has published The Answer Book – a comprehensive local community guide. The Education Answer Book provides a packaged guide containing the most important information needed by current and new residents who make decisions about higher education, day care, pre-schools, private schools, tutoring, coaching and child development.

What makes us different?

• Highest circulation community guide in the market

• 20,000 copies printed – high quality magazine format!

• 95% home delivered in gated, estate, and high end communities

• All original content - local news and information from Appen Media Group

• Since 1990, Appen has published the most successful & most popular community guides

Content

• School Maps, Test Scores, SAT rankings

• Private Schools Overview

• Local colleges

• Scholarship information

• Undergrad/Graduate programs

Deadline: 2/23/26

Distribution

• 95% Home Delivered to gated, estate, country club, and other high end communities

• Content Posted all year long on highest hit website in region: AppenMedia.com

• Promoted all year long in the highest circulation newspapers in North Atlanta

• Highest circulation of all regional community guides

Plunge:

Continued from Page 1

One lederhosen wearing group wore Bavarian themed dress. Others opted for capes and superhero costumes.

A penguin-masked, tuxedo-wearing Tom Diaz elicited cheers atop the diving board after a lifeguard asked him to remove his dress shoes for safety reasons.

Few lingered in the chilling water, swimming as fast as they could for the pool ladders, where they emerged with steam rising from their bodies.

Kile Lewis, Burke’s father and founder of the event, said he never imagined it would become so popular.

“I actually got a lot of pushback,” he said. “People thought I was nuts the first year.”

Then a new arrival from Ohio, he thought Alpharetta residents might just be crazy — and charitable — enough for it to work. His goal now is for it to reach a cumulative million dollars in raised funds.

“Look how many people are out here this morning,” he said. “It’s amazing.”

Council:

Continued from Page 1

Council members Christine Hall and Allen Sells, who were on the council when the contract was approved, supported the termination.

“This was outside of transparency and outside of a typical process,” Hall said, echoing Sells’ remarks that the contract was created untraditionally.

Applause broke out within the council chambers after the vote.

Dredging assistance

The Nesbit Lakes and Chickering Lake subdivisions have been competing for city funding to support necessary dredging activities.

For the first time, Roswell set aside $250,000 in its 2026 budget for its dredging assistance program. Through the city’s program, neighborhoods can request up to a 50 percent reimbursement for no more than $500,000.

Both reimbursement requests total close to $629,000. Staff said that due to other budget priorities, they were unable to allocate more towards the program.

In a Committees of Council meeting Jan. 27, staff

Mall:

Continued from Page 1

The mall and its surrounding area has been the focus of a renewed push for reinvestment by city officials with the creation of a new tax allocation district and a plan that reimagines the area as a more green, walkable and mixed-use community.

New York Life previously said it plans to create a mixed-use project around an

recommended approving a 20 percent reimbursement for each subdivision, which would total $251,775 with additional funding coming from the general fund contingency.

If Roswell reimbursed both projects at 50 percent, it would create a debt of roughly $375,000. Council member Sells supported this, saying that the purpose of the program is to incentivize homeowner’s associations to do work that will benefit the city.

NHL franchise.

A project at the proposed mega mixeduse development The Gathering at South Forsyth also is seeking a hockey franchise.

Gilvin said redevelopment of the mall by New York Life and a partner could benefit the tax district and the city’s efforts to improve the area. The mall and a potential redevelopment plan of it is a central feature of the tax district, Gilvin said.

“It’s part of the whole reason we are trying to redevelop the whole corridor,”

Gilvin said.

Both subdivisions pleaded their case, and the City Council discussed different ways to find funding to support both projects at the 50 percent reimbursement level. However, staff raised concerns about tapping into contingency funds just five months into the year.

After discussion, the City Council voted to reimburse Nesbit Lakes up to 50 percent for its dredging efforts, which is more than $304,000. Council member Eren Brumley opposed the motion and council member Hall recused herself from the vote because she lives in one of the subdivisions that applied.

Chickering Lake’s application was deferred in a 3-2 vote to be heard within 90 days so staff can work to find $325,000 in additional revenue that will allow for a 50 percent reimbursement. Sells and Councilwoman Jennifer Phillippi opposed the measure. Hall recused herself from the vote.

Chickering Lake residents stressed the urgency of this project, saying that their lake is the landing place for water and sediment that no other subdivision is collecting. The lake’s depth has decreased by more than 2 feet, and if the subdivision is not granted a 50 percent reimbursement, it may have to reduce the scope of the project.

“We’ve been working on this for a long time on a hope and a prayer and an expectation that a precedent set by the City of Roswell was something that we could count on,” resident Lindsey Dean said.

A study commissioned by the Alpharetta City Council showed the taxable real estate value of nine mall parcels has fallen by about 47 percent since 2019.

Estimated 2024 city, county and school district property taxes on mall real estate and commercial personal property fell by nearly 53.5 percent compared to five years ago.

“It’s critical to the corridor moving into a redevelopment mode,” Gilvin said.

“We can’t kick it off until there is some clarity on the North Point Mall redevelopment because it is the biggest part of the whole project.”

Gilvin said he’s eager to learn what direction New York Life may take the mall and remains optimistic.

“Everybody in the City of Alpharetta organization would have liked to make more progress, but that’s not reality,” the mayor said. “We don’t own the mall. We don’t own all the surrounding properties … We have to be patient.”

OPINION

My values have always included a deep respect for education, a strong belief in parental responsibility and a firm commitment to freedom of thought. That’s why I’m alarmed to see legislators once again advancing a bill that would threaten institutions that have served our communities for generations: our public and school libraries.

Senate Bill 74 would remove longstanding legal protections for librarians and expose them to criminal prosecution if they lend a book later deemed “harmful to minors” under a vague state definition. You might think this sounds like hyperbole, but the truth is dark: it would be a criminal misdemeanor – punishable with possible jail time – for simply doing the work librarians have done for decades.

That’s not conservative principles. That’s not common sense. That’s legislative overreach that would undermine the very foundations of learning.

For decades, Georgia law has protected librarians from prosecution for circulating materials that some people might interpret as harmful to minors. That protection wasn’t given accidentally. Legislators recognized that libraries are centers of learning and community support, not places where adults should fear incarceration for exercising professional judgment.

Now, that protection is at risk. Lawmakers today argue this simply holds librarians to the same standards as other citizens. But government already has laws against distributing truly obscene material to minors, and even those laws require clear definitions and careful interpretation. Removing safeguards for trained professionals who select and categorize books based on established policies invites chaos.

Georgia isn’t alone. Across the coun-

try, a wave of state legislators have sought to impose criminal penalties or heavy restrictions on librarians and educators over book content. At least seven states have passed similar laws in recent years, with many others debating them – and a number of legal challenges have already occurred.

In Arkansas, a law that would have allowed prison sentences for librarians who distributed “harmful” books was struck down as unconstitutional just last year.

These efforts don’t emerge in isolation. They accompany a surge in bookchallenging and censorship campaigns nationwide, often focused on books featuring LGBTQ+ characters or discussions of race and identity – works that millions of Americans consider vital to a complete education and reflective of real lives.

The fear of legal action will inevitably make librarians overly cautious, eroding vibrant collections and stifling intellectual curiosity.

Worse, this kind of policy shifts re-

sponsibility for reading decisions from parents and guardians, who know their children best, to unelected bureaucrats and prosecutors, and it could chill the professional judgment of trained librarians.

If there are real concerns about age-appropriate materials, they are best addressed through dialogue and policy, not criminal penalties. Georgia libraries already have reconsideration policies and community review processes to address book complaints. These frameworks respect both parental concerns and First Amendment rights.

We can protect children without weaponizing our legal system against educators. We can support parents without stripping teachers and librarians of their professional judgment. And we can uphold freedom of speech and expression – a right that doesn’t end at the library door.

Let’s not turn librarians into defendants. Let’s keep our libraries what they’ve always been: safe, welcoming and free.

Me versus my cell phone, a battle worth the effort

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

The morning keeps getting older. I have texted one of my sisters, a couple friends and talked to Christina but other than that, I have not caved and looked at the news or any social media on my phone. Well, I have almost eliminated social media anyway, but sometimes I regress, but not this morning. The longer I go without being sucked in by that phone, the stronger the reward feels. The morning is still mine. I am exercising some restraint – control over my time. I am maintaining my peace and staying focused – focused on me and the moment instead of torturing myself in cyber space. Why do I do that?

It dawns on me: I need to turn off “notifications” on my phone – one less distraction, one less unwelcomed and unneeded Pavlovian stimuli. Damn them. Stupid me to have turned “notifications” on in the first

place. If I counted, I bet I get at least three notifications an hour, sometimes more, between texts and news updates. Why would I want that?

It is funny. It reminds me of all those attempts to stop smoking cigarettes and fighting the urges, the cravings. And going just a moment at a time, one step then another. Same thing. How startling it is to realize – to internalize – that this small metal plastic-encased battery with cameras made by a fruit company called Apple has such control over me. Let’s see how much longer I can go and not pick it up this morning. Instead, I am reading, and after I read for a while, I’m going to sit down at my keyboard and work on my music, then paint. I’ll do work in my blues book, work on some chord progressions, and then painstakingly continue work reading music – from my complete Beatles anthology. I thought “Hey Jude” would not be that hard to learn to play; it sounds easy, but, at least for an old guy who is still trying to relearn/reeducate his brain, eyes and hands to coordinate, that song is not so easy – at least as easy as it sounds.

I found another Ann Patchett book on one of the bookshelves, “Truth & Beauty.” What joy. I just finished her “The Story of a Happy Marriage,” which I loved. After I finished it, I started looking for a new book to read. I picked up and read maybe 20 pages in four different books before giving up on each one – Michael Cunningham’s “A Home at the End of the World,” Frazen’s “Freedon,” Doerr’s “Cloud Cuckoo Land” and “Year of Wonders” – Geraldine Brooks. Frustrating.

I’m afraid I think Ann Patchett has spoiled me. She had me before I even finished reading page 1 of her “Truth & Beauty.” It reminded me of how instantly I was hooked into Richard Powers’ “The Overstory.” Same deal.

I am not sure why I am so comfortable reading Ann. It may be her honesty – her candor – and how she so unflinchingly shares so much with her readers so fearlessly. I can’t imagine being so free. She makes it look so easy, so effortless, so natural. It may be the amount of trust she has for herself and, again, in her audience.

“After the dishes were washed and put away, Lucy put a tape in the little stereo box, and we danced in the kitchen. No matter how dismal things seemed, ungraded papers, brutal weather; we could find the energy to spin around the table under the bright fluorescent lights of our apartment…. Kitchen dancing was the only hope for girls like me who needed to find their way in privacy. On Governor Street we would dance for hours. We laughed so hard, and the music was so loud… We danced until our hair was damp and our feet ached from the linoleum floor.”

Her writing seems like a living room conversation among old friends or a sleep-over back in the day. It reminds me of a night at the theater or an intense debate over “The Great Gatsby” in a small university classroom setting among a dozen grad students or maybe freshmen.

Or maybe she is just easy to read because she doesn’t ask so much from her audience. No, I don’t think that is it, but maybe.

GROUP

REAL ESTATE EXPERTS

MICHELE COLLINS NORTH

Top Producing Teams

with Exceptional Results for Their Clients in 2025

Top Producing Individuals

8 heart health facts moms-to-be should know

Brought to you by –

Wellstar

Pregnancy is a time of excitement and change, but it also puts added strain on the heart. Here’s what every expectant mom should know about heart health during pregnancy.

1. High blood pressure can be silent— and dangerous.

Some women develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. High blood pressure can lead to preeclampsia, a condition that can cause organ damage and, in severe cases, seizures.

If you have a history of high blood pressure, heart disease or a family history of cardiovascular conditions, tell your care team. Your physician may recommend that you monitor your blood pressure at home.

2. Heart failure can happen—even in healthy moms.

A rare but serious condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy weakens the heart, usually in the last month of pregnancy or the months following delivery.

Talk to your clinician immediately if everyday activities leave you exhausted or struggling to breathe. Other concerning symptoms include persistent coughing, swelling in your legs or feet and dizziness.

3. Pre-existing heart conditions and hypertensive disorders require extra care.

If you’ve ever had heart disease, a heart defect or high blood pressure—including hypertension or hypertensive disorders—pregnancy can increase your risks. Even women without symptoms before pregnancy may need extra monitoring.

Talk with your clinician early about a care plan. High-risk pregnancies may require specialist support, like a maternalfetal medicine physician or cardiologist.

4. Blood clots are more common during pregnancy.

Pregnancy increases the risk of thromboembolism, a serious condition where blood clots can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. The risk is even higher for women with a history of clotting disorders, obesity or limited mobility.

To reduce your risk of blood clots, stay active, stay hydrated and watch for warning signs like leg swelling, redness or pain. If you notice these, call your care team right away.

5. A racing heartbeat may be abnormal.

You can expect some changes in heart rhythm during pregnancy, but arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) can be a sign of something more serious. Hormone changes, increased blood volume and underlying conditions like thyroid disorders can all contribute to an irregular heartbeat.

If your heart races often, feels like it’s skipping beats or you feel dizzy or faint, let your clinician know immediately. Keep track of when these symptoms happen.

6. Postpartum recovery still puts stress on the heart.

Keep all postpartum checkups, even if you feel fine. Watch for new symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or extreme fatigue. If you had high blood pressure during pregnancy, continue monitoring it after delivery.

7. Your hospital choice matters

For women at high risk, delivering in a hospital with access to specialized prenatal tests, genetic testing like amniocentesis, fetal evaluations and emergency cardiac care can make all the difference.

Wellstar provides specialized care for mothers and babies in our community, including:

• Wellstar Avalon Health Park: Car -

dio obstetrics at the Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care office

• Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center: Cardio obstetrics at Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care, 4500 Hospital Blvd.

8. Mental health and stress impact heart health . Anxiety and stress can affect your heart. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. If you are pregnant and have questions about your heart health, talk to your obstetrician about a referral to our cardio obstetrics team. Wellstar provides specialized cardio obstetrics care in Alpharetta and Roswell. Find an obstetrician at wellstar.org/ womenshealth.

A team of advanced heart care specialists means more expertise for you.

At Wellstar, you’ll find more than 100 cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons across our cardiovascular services team who are ready to care for you. Whether you need preventive screenings or treatment for complex heart conditions, your heart is in good hands with our skilled team— highly rated by patients like you.

We are leading the way in Georgia and beyond with innovative technology and experienced clinicians to ensure you have the expertise you need close by. Learn how Wellstar can help keep your heart going strong at wellstar.org/northfultonheart.

Why did my dentist refer me?

• Spa-Like Relaxing Atmosphere

• Free Nitrous Oxide and Oral Conscious Sedation

• Cone Beam 3D Radiography Digital Scanner – No More Gooey Impressions

• Botox and Dermal Filler Master Injector

• Platinum Invisalign Provider

If you’ve ever been told, “I’m going to refer you to a specialist,” it’s normal to feel curious or even a little concerned. A dental referral doesn’t mean something is wrong with your care. It simply means your general dentist wants you to get the best possible treatment from a professional who focuses on a specific area of dentistry.

Here’s a quick, clear look at the most common dental specialties and what they do.

General Dentistry

Your general dentist is your primary dental care provider. They handle routine exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, preventive care, and basic restorative treatments. When a procedure requires advanced training, specialized equipment, or complex planning, that’s when a referral comes in.

Endodontics (Root Canal Specialists)

Endodontists specialize in treating the inside of the tooth, specifically the pulp and root canals. If you need a root canal, have severe tooth pain, or an infection deep in the tooth, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist. They have advanced tools and training to manage complex or painful cases comfortably.

Periodontics (Gum Specialists)

Periodontists focus on the health of the gums and supporting bone. Referrals are common for advanced gum disease (periodontitis), gum recession, bone loss, or dental implant placement. They also perform procedures like deep cleanings, gum grafts, and bone regeneration.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral surgeons handle surgical procedures involving the mouth, jaw, and face. This includes wisdom tooth removal, tooth extractions, dental implants, jaw surgery, and treatment of facial injuries or pathology. If a procedure requires surgery or IV sedation, an oral surgeon is often the right choice.

Orthodontics (Braces and Aligners)

Orthodontists specialize in correcting bite issues and aligning teeth. Referrals typically involve braces, clear aligners, crowding, spacing, or jaw alignment problems. Orthodontic treatment improves both function and appearance over time.

Prosthodontics (Tooth Replacement and Complex Restorations)

Prosthodontists focus on restoring and replacing missing or damaged teeth.

This includes dentures, bridges, crowns, veneers, and full-mouth rehabilitation. They are often involved in complex cases where aesthetics, bite, and long-term function are critical.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentists specialize in caring for children’s teeth, from infancy through adolescence. They are trained to manage child-specific dental needs, behavior guidance, and growth-related issues in a kid-friendly environment.

Why Referrals Are a Good Thing

A referral means your dentist is prioritizing precision, safety, and long-term success. Specialists work closely with general dentists to ensure your treatment is coordinated and tailored to your needs. Dr. Hood has advanced training in residency to handle most dental procedures in-office, and she has built a tremendous team of skilled specialist colleagues for more complex cases. As your general dentist, Dr. Hood and team give your comfort and trust top priority. We assure you feel confident in any dental solution before beginning treatment. For enhanced comfort, we offer FREE conscious sedation, including nitrous oxide. Rest assured that your experience will be positive, relaxing, and rewarding. Take the first step in feeling great about your smile. Schedule your comprehensive dental exam by calling 770-9986736 or scanning the QR code below.

Is Lidocaine a secret weapon against cancer?

Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

We always worry about the negative side-effects that a medicine might have. At the end of a pharmaceutical company’s commercials, an auctioneer very quickly states the twenty terrible things that might happen if you take the advertised medicine. Side effects range from your ear falling off when you sneeze to the belief that you are Elvis. Side-effects make almost any medicine sound scary. But occasionally, a positive side effect emerges. Sometimes, we discover something wonderful about a medicine that is wholly unexpected.

Examples of positive side-effects are not hard to find. The medicine finasteride was first being used to help decrease the size of the prostate in men who were having difficulty urinating. An unexpected positive side-effect was discovered when it was noticed that many of the men were re-growing their scalp hair. With finasteride, male pattern baldness was often partially reversed or stopped in its tracks.

One of the most recent medications discovered to have a possible positive side effect is lidocaine, which has been around since 1943. Lidocaine is an injectable anesthetic. We use lidocaine for skin biopsies, excisions, Mohs surgeries and countless other procedures every day in the dermatology office. Amazingly, lidocaine may be more than an anesthetic. It may also have anti-cancer effects.

A team of surgeons in India operating on breast cancer divided patients into two groups. One group had standard breast cancer surgery. The other group received a lidocaine injection around the tumor 7-10 minutes prior to surgery. During the 5 years after surgery, the group that received the lidocaine injection had an 8.5% rate of the cancer recurring (popping up again) at a distant site versus an 11.6% rate of distant recurrence in the surgery-only (no lidocaine) group. The study has some limitations including not being a double-blind trial and being a single-center study, but it is intriguing enough to warrant further investigation. The authors reported that injecting lidocaine around breast cancer before removing it increased survival in their study. What made the surgeons perform this study in the first place? Why lidocaine? Over the last few years, researchers have discovered that

electrical gradients maintained across the membranes of cancer cells are important to their ability to metastasize or spread. Our cells have pumps in them called “ion channels.” They allow certain ions to pass across the cell membrane. The resulting ion concentration gradient creates an electrical charge across a cell. This gradient affects the way other proteins in the cell function. Importantly, some of the proteins affected by the charge across a cell membrane are important for healthy cells’ growth and development as well as for cancers’ ability to grow and spread.

Lidocaine works by blocking sodium channels in cell membranes. Disrupting the electric charge across a cancer cell membrane was suspected to have the potential to weaken the cancer itself. Pre-clinical studies supported this hypothesis, and the breast cancer surgeons took the next step of performing a trial with breast cancer patients and peritumoral lidocaine injections.

I don’t know if breast cancer surgeons in the United States consider these results valid, are awaiting confirmatory studies or are already injecting lidocaine. However, in dermatology, these results are exciting because, for now, we do not need to change anything that we are already doing. Every day that I perform Mohs surgery, we inject the area around a tumor with lidocaine prior to surgically removing the cancer. If lidocaine is more than an anesthetic, then our patients are likely already benefiting from any anti-cancer properties that lidocaine has.

Mohs surgery is the gold standard for treating most skin cancers and has a cure rate that is usually at or above 99%. Perhaps lidocaine is one of the secrets to this success.

Insist

Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.

He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.

Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 23 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.

Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.

At Home Helpers, our focus every day is matching the right caregiver with each of our clients. We guarantee a good match. Finding the right caregiver is much more than just seeking a professional with great skills. It’s about finding a caregiver with the heart and spirit to make a difference in someone’s life.

Supporting senior heart health with in-home care

February is American Heart Month, a time to take stock of your heart health and understand risks of heart disease and how to manage related heart conditions. This is especially important as we age. The CDC says most adults over 60 live with at least one factor for heart disease, and it remains the leading cause of death for seniors. For older adults, heart health takes a daily commitment that goes beyond an occasional visit to the doctor’s office.

There are four areas that make a major difference and are critical to improving your heart health: monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol, regular exercise, following a heartfriendly diet and consistently taking prescribed medications.

It’s important to know your numbers. High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease, and while almost half of all US adults have high blood pressure, only 1 in 4 have it under control.

Scheduling regular screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol is a key first step. Use February as a time for lifestyle review, whether it’s adjusting home routines to establish a consistent sleep schedule or following recommended changes like the Mediterranean Diet to replace recipes heavy in salt.

In-Home care plays a critical role supporting the heart health of your older loved one and identifying concerns early. Subtle changes like fatigue, shortness of breath, decreasing social

interactions, less interest in eating, weight loss or swelling, unsteady gait, forgotten medications or appointments can all signal the need to examine new symptoms.

A skilled and well-matched caregiver provides daily support for heart healthy routines to prevent or manage chronic conditions like congestive heart failure or hypertension. This includes maintaining physician approved physical exercise to improve circulation and reduce fall risks. Your caregiver can provide reliable reminders to take medications and monitor vital signs like blood pressure. Support for nutritional needs include heart-healthy food preparation, watching sodium levels and encouraging hydration. Following a consistent sleep schedule and addressing social isolation, which can contribute to loneliness and chronic stress, are important measures for wellbeing. Your caregiver can also help with visits to the doctor and coordinating communication with family members.

At Home Helpers we know that aging in the warmth and comfort of home is the preference of most seniors. Our team has the depth and skill to assist with all personal care, help around the house, provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, and help with recuperative care after surgery or a changing health condition. We’re here to help, from four hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 care. For a free consultation, please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 681-0323.

Exploring ways to help your marriage

Brought to you by –

Jason

Howard, MA, LPC

If your marriage feels like it’s slipping or slipping away, your instinct might be to try harder —buy flowers, do more around the house, say “yes” to everything she asks. But the hard truth? Overcompensating with niceness can actually push her further away.

It’s not that kindness is bad—it’s that acting “nice” out of fear, guilt, or anxiety isn’t attractive.

Think about hiring for an important role at work.

The first candidate agrees with everything you say, even when they’re wrong. Eager to please, but for some reason you don’t fully trust them.

The second candidate listens well and stands firm in their values. They’re steady, confident, empathetic, and bring clarity in tough situations.

Who would you hire?

Your wife wants candidate #2 — a man who’s self-assured, present, and strong. She doesn’t want someone who either bends to keep the peace or reacts with anger and frustration; she wants someone she can count on.

How do you start showing up that way?

The Gottman Method, a world-renowned, research-backed approach to relationships, offers three key strategies to help.

1. Self-Soothing: Stay Calm Under Pressure

One of the biggest mistakes men make in struggling marriages is reacting to their wife’s moods versus responding. If she’s distant, guys panic. If she’s frustrated, we either get defensive or overcompensate with niceness.

Instead, practice self-soothing—a Gottman technique to stay calm and present.

Action Steps:

• The next time you feel anxious or frustrated, take a deep breath, lean back, and count backwards from five to one before responding.

• As your heart rate slows down, remind yourself that her emotions aren’t a reflection of your worth.

• Then, instead of reacting out of fear, focus on providing clarity from your perspective or seeking clarity from her perspective.

A man who can handle conflict without losing control is far more attractive than one who scrambles to “fix” things or blows up in frustration.

2. Create Small, Meaningful Bids for Connection

Many men try to fix their marriage with big gestures, but what really matters are small, consistent moments of connection

Dr. John Gottman calls these “bids for connection”—the little ways we reach out for attention and intimacy. The problem? In struggling marriages, these moments seem to disappear.

Action Steps:

• Instead of asking, “How was your day?” ask, “What were some favorite parts of your day?”

• Make a habit of putting down the phone and turning towards her when she

speaks, showing you’re fully present.

• Offer a light touch on the shoulder, a smile and summarize what you’re hearing. These micro-moments rebuild trust and intimacy in ways grand gestures cannot.

3. Stand Firm in Your Values (Without Being Defensive)

If your wife is upset, do you apologize constantly or change your stance just to avoid conflict? While it might seem like the “nice” thing to do, it often comes across as weak or insincere.

Instead, practice owning your actions while standing firm in your values.

Action Steps:

• If you made a mistake, acknowledge it—but don’t grovel. A simple, “You’re right, I could have handled that better,” is enough.

• If she criticizes you unfairly, don’t get defensive. Instead, say, “I hear what you’re saying, and I want to understand more.” or “I’ve apologized for what happened, help me understand what I’m missing.”

• Be clear about your own needs and boundaries—you can be both loving and signal you want respect without coming across as out of touch or demanding.

A man who respects himself is far more attractive than one who shrinks himself to keep the peace.

The Key to Winning Her Back: Show Up as Your Best Self

Fixing your marriage doesn’t mean trying harder to please her. It means becoming the man she fell in love with again confident, steady, and engaged.

Start small. Stay calm under pressure, create meaningful moments of connection, and stand firm in who you are. These small shifts can make a big impact over time. And remember: You’re not alone in this. Every effort you make matters.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month, so now is a great time to talk about how to prevent cancer. To be honest, we aren’t doing a very good job of this in our society. The lifetime risk of developing cancer has been steadily rising, to the point that roughly 40% of the population will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Why are we seeing so much cancer today?

You might wonder if cancer is simply due to genetic causes, but that is actually a very small cause of cancer today (about 5-10% based on most estimates). Rather, cancer is mostly due to poor lifestyle choices.

If you want to significantly reduce

your odds of developing cancer, be sure to eat a plant-focused diet full of fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains. Organic is best. Avoid processed, sugary food. Drink plenty of clean, filtered water. Exercise regularly. Don’t smoke. Enjoy alcohol in moderation. Get plenty of sleep. Seek to minimize stress. Embrace a strong support system of family and friends.

Oh, and be sure to see your doctor for regular check-ups, including the recommended cancer screening tests. Hopefully you won’t get cancer, but if you do, early detection is key.

Navigating anxiety for the best dentist experience

Many people get nervous going to the dentist. So many people have had bad experiences in the past or just don’t like it. Fear of the dentist is common and affects people of all ages. Whether it’s the sound of the drill or fear of potential pain, dental anxiety can prevent people from seeking the oral care that they need. Sedation Dentistry allows patients to relax while undergoing dental procedures.

There is an alternative. You can have comfortable, anxiety-free visits to the dentist with Sedation Dentistry. Dental offices like the Atlanta Center for Dental Health offer comfort amenities including bottled water, snacks, courtesy Wi-Fi, a warm inviting environment, relaxing music, noise-cancelling headphones, Netflix movies, lavender eye pillows and warm neck pillows, cozy blankets, and warm face towels to make your visit as comfortable as possible. In addition to all those amazing benefits, you can also choose from a range of sedation options.

Sedation Dentistry uses medications to help patients relax during their dental procedures. The goal is to create a calm, anxiety-free environment, making it easier for individuals to receive necessary dental care. This benefits not only anxious patients, but also patients with extensive needs that may require a longer visit, patients with a low pain threshold, or time efficiency allowing more to be done in a single visit.

Sedation Dentistry focuses on keeping the patient comfortable and relaxed while receiving much needed dental care. Some patients choose to have their mouth numb so they don’t feel anything and then just relax with their eyes closed while listening to music.

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, inhalation sedation is a popular option that relaxes you while your procedures are completed. At the end of your visit, you simply breathe pure oxygen and then can drive yourself home.

Many people choose Oral Sedation that allows you to sleep through the dental visit, have all your work completed in one visit, be easily awakened, and not remember the experience of your visit. With Oral Sedation, you simply swallow some pills prescribed for you, lay back and fall asleep, and wake up at the end with your procedures complete and your new smile. All dental procedures can be completed with Sedation Dentistry from routine preventive care to a complete Smile Makeover.

“Preventive Dentistry can add 10 years to human life." - Dr. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic

A healthy mouth is part of a healthy body. Our wish for you is that you look and feel your best! Dr. Bradley Hepler and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide the most modern advances in complete dentistry. Experience immediate results with procedures to greatly enhance your smile and your health. If you would like a complimentary consultation to discover which of these options is best for you, please call us at 770-992-2236. Dr. Hepler is highly trained to provide you with the latest and best techniques to allow you to achieve your cosmetic and restorative goals.

BINGO – 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 Jackpot - $1,000 Future Games: 2nd & 4th Sunday Each Month

2ND ANNUAL GOLDEN HEART GALA

Friday, Feb. 13, 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m

A Special Celebration for the Golden People of the Community Host & Premier Sponsor - Rotary Club of Alpharetta Tickets are Free – Email renatolsen@icloud.com for Details

Dances & Dance

Connect-It

Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

WHAT THEY ARE KNOWN FOR

1. Wander. Hooded snake. Clint Eastwood, e.g.

2. Aldous Huxley, e.g. Tie. Hurry. 3. Dress. Coffee order. Alfred the Great, e.g. 4. Family girl. City on the Ruhr. John Paul II, e.g.

5. Small change. Rodney Dangerfield, e.g. Ape.

6. Rob Bean, e.g. Hayseed. Catch sight of.

Sudoku PuzzleJunction.com

What They Are Known For

1 Wander. Hooded snake. Clint Eastwood, e.g.

2. Aldous Huxley, e.g. Tie. Hurry

Line

7. Geronimo, e.g. Bunsen burner. Grotto.

How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

3. Dress. Coffee order. Alfred the Great, e.g.

4. Family girl. City on the Ruhr. John Paul II, e.g

5. Small change. Rodney Dangerfield, e.g. Ap

6. Rob Bean, e.g. Hayseed. Catch sight of 7. Geronimo, e.g. Bunsen burner. Grotto.

DC Aiken

Big Sky Franchise Team

David & Michelle Bertany

Amour & Duane Carthy

Barbara Anderson

Kerry Arias

Scott Baynton

Joseph Bell

Rita Brown

Carl Abernathy

Bruce Ackley

Salpi Adrouny

Alpharetta Lions Club

Omar Altalib

Dave Altman

Ron Altman

Joel Alvis

American Legion Post 201

Alice & Dr. Richard Appen

Stewart Applbaum

Gaye Armstrong

Mary Asbury

Carolyn Axt

Bangkok Boxing LLC

Sandra Balmer

Shannon Banna

Beth Barnes

Michael Baron

Janet Bass

Caitlin Bates

Jannet Bauer

Barbara Bauschka

Miriam Beattie

Kathy Beck

Laura Bentley

William Bentley

Leslie Berry

Tom Billings

Caroline Blackmon

Tochie Blan

Ron Boddicker

Jodi Bogen

Sherri Bolles-Rogers

Helen Borland

Debra Bowen

Joe Bowen

Kenneth Bowman

Ryan Brainard

Mark Brandus

Mel Brannen

Amy Bratten

Carol Bright

Linda Brill

Dorothy Brouhard

Erendira Brumley

Zack Buchanan

Bernhard Burgener

Alvin Burrell

Mike & Theresa Buscher

Mary Busman

Clea Calloway

Join

Adam Corder

Patrick Cressaty

Robert Flint

Robin Fricton

Mark Casas

David Conti

Theodore Davis III

Maureen Drumm

Charlcie Forehand

Kirk Canaday

James Carr

Bridgette Carter

William Carter

William Cartwright

Linda & Frank Catroppa

Pat Check

Virginia Christman

Ann Coaloa

Kim Coggins

Evelyn Collazo

Michael Mackenzie

Communications

Joan Compton

Kathleen Cook

Carol Cookerly

Terri Coons

Sarah Cox

Rhonda Cude

Connie Cunningham

Christopher Cupit

Bart Dean

Duane DeBruler

Marilyn DeCusati

Nancy Diamond

Rebecca Donlan

James Dorsey

Tom Driscoll

Michael Dudgeon

Jeanette Dummer

DutchCrafters Amish Furniture

Thomas Edmonds

William Edmundson

Denise Eicher

Mim Eisenberg

Danny Elkins

Su Ellis

Grady Evans

Steve Fabian

Carol Fain

Martha Fasse

Nell & Doug Fernandez

Renai Fitzpatrick

Daniel Fleck

Lee Fleck

Laura Floyd

Andrew Flynn

Cathy Flynn

Paul Folger

Adrienne Fontaine

Mary Ford

Nanci Foster

Support Local News Join Appen Press Club

CHARTER MEMBER

Zachary Hahn

Allison January

Michael Kenig

Roderick Liptrot

MEMBER+

Aileen Horton

Deborah Jackson

David Johnson

Ali Mahbod

Richard Matherly

MEMBER

Bob Meyers

Claude Nardy

Cliff Oxford Bruce Paulk

Evan McElroy

Vickie McElroy

Patricia Miller

Anne Peer

Jennifer Phillippi

Amy Frederick

Kelly Frommer

Carol Fry

Tim Fulton

Andrew Garner

Tracey Ganesh

Steve Garrett

Daniel Gay

Matthew Geller

John Gibbs

John Gilberto

Leslie Gilliam

Bailey & Ryan Gladysz

Michelle Glotzbach

Harvey Goldberg

Christopher Goodrich

Jim Gray

Ralph Griffin

Elaine Gwynn

Carolyn Hall

Marilee Hamilton

Susan Hanna

Marion Hannah

Roxanne Hazen

Joe Hirsch

Penn Hodge

Dianne & Steffan Holmquist

Joan Hostetter

Julie Hostetter

Krista Howland

Austin Hughes

Jacqueline Hursh

Paul Huth

Sue Jacques

Lynn Johnson

Tyler Jones

Zach Jones

Arthur Kebanli

Laura Keck

Mark Kelly

Nancy Kennell

Randall Kent

Carol Kerr

Allison Kloster

Dyna Kohler

Brett Koutnik

Larry Krueger

Jess & Chris Kysar

Malinda Lackey

Brandon Leach

Dennis Lee

Ken Leffingwell

Ross & Lori Ramsey

Sarah Reiter Mark Rundle Matthew Sayle

Robert Popp

Dave Rhinehart

Sergey Savin

Heather Sawyer Kate Seng

Carol Lehan

Melissa Libby

Bonnie Lind

Francia Lindon

Karen Lippert

Harlan Little

Ross Long

Kyser Lough

Rita Loventhal

Jerry Lucas

Brenda Lundy

Harry Lutz

Rita Loventhal

Karen Magill

Freda Manning-Rumph

Kyile Marshall

Julie Martin

Carla Masecar

Valerie Matthews

Theresea Mattioli

William Maxwell

Nicole Mayer

Rachel McCord

Austin McCully

Diane McDonald

Karen McEnerny

Jack McGinnis

Lynn McIntyre

Mike McLoughlin

Margaret McManus

Jennifer Mendoza

Al Merrill

Chris Miller

Christine Miller

Patricia Miller

Joe Modica

Fred Moeller

Sarah Moen

Catherine Moore

Ralph Moore

Carol Morgan

Kathy Morgan

Stu Moring

Leslie Mullis

Donna Murphy

Jack Murphy

Aileen Nakamura

Caroline Naughton

Richard Nichols

Cindy Nolan

North

Fulton Master Gardners, Inc.

Tricia Novarro

To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

Bob O’Brien

Diana O’Sullivan

Anne Pappas

Lynn Pennington

Jonathan Peters

Kurt & Leslie Phillips

Mary & Jan Phillips

James Potts

Debra Powell

Seth Price

Joyce Provissiero

Chuck Pugh

Robert Radloff

Raj Rajagopalan

Ashwin Ramaswami

Cheryl Rand

Manu Rao

Lori Rausch

Jean Rearick

Joseph Reed

Scarlett Reynolds

Righteous PR

Angie Rigney

Sean Riley

Neil Robertson

Kimberly Robinson

Matt Rohs

Kim Romaner

Courtney Rozear

Janet Sandberg

Kelly Sarmiento

Derek Scheidt

Stephanie Schniederjan

The Schoenblum Family

Robert Scholz

Stephanie Schuette

Susan Searles

Frances Segars

Tracy Shealy

Tina Shelton

Lisa Shippel

Steve Short

Tom Simon

Cindy Simpson

Robert Singleton Faye Sklar

Mitchel Skyer

Judith Slaughter Andy Smith

Smith Tia Solh

Morris Soriano

Lynn Thomas

Truett

Roger Wise Jr. Colt Whittall

Karen Shih

Bob Stevens

Kimberly Verska

Carol Williams

Heidi Sowder Gena Spears

Donald Spencer

Melissa Spencer

Jan Stephens

Wesley Stewart

Cathryn Stovall

Celeste Strohl

Diana Sullivan

Andy Sumlin

Carol Tall

Mike Tasos

Candice Teichert The Small Business Advisor

Suzanne & Bob Thomas

William Tietjen

Lisa Tilt

Michael Townes

Trunnion LLC

Matthew Tyser

Edward Votta

Linda Wabler

Ollie Wagner

Lewis Walker

Elizabeth Waller

Valerie Walters-Gold

Ann Marie Warning Terry Warnke

Jonathan Washburn

Michael Watson

Michael Weiss

Herbert Wells

Benjamin Wemberly

Beverly Whisenant

Sally White

Thom White

Umpika White

Mae Whiteside

Ashley Whitt

Jennifer Wieland

Christine Williams

Jamie Wimberly

Jonathan Winkie

Nancy & Dave Wistrand

Theresa Woolridge

Laura Wysong

Jonathan Young

CITY OF ALPHARETTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following item will be considered by the City Council on Monday, March 2, 2026 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. Z-25-14/V-25-31 10235 Waters Road

Consideration of a rezoning and variance to allow for the subdivision of a 0.841-acre property into 2 ‘ForSale’ single-family detached lots. A rezoning is requested from CUP (Community Unit Plan) to R-15 (Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’, Residential) and variances are requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.2.5(D) to reduce the front and rear setbacks. The property is located at 10235 Waters Road and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 58, 1st District, 1st Section, Fulton County, Georgia. Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

info@northsidechapel.com www.northsidechapel.com

During these turbulent times, we would like to highlight the continued courage and commitment of everyone who works in the health care, law enforcement, childcare, food service and utility sectors. We are extremely grateful.

12050 Crabapple Road • Roswell, GA 30075

CITY OF ALPHARETTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following items will be considered by the Design Review Board on Friday, March 20, 2026 with a workshop commencing at 8:30 a.m. and regular meeting commencing at 9:00 a.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

1. DRB260003 One Day in Paris 35 Milton Ave

Consideration of exterior changes. The property is located at 42 Milton Ave suite B and is legally described as being in Land Lot 1269, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

2. DRB260002 MR Jon Scott Jon Scott/Devore

Consideration of exterior materials and elevations. The property is located at SE Corner of Jon Scott and Devore Rd and is legally described as being in Land Lots 696 and 747, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

3. DRB250039 Portman Residential 3625 Brookside Pkwy

Consideration of signage. The property is located at 3625 Brookside Pkwy and is legally described as being in Land Lots 0002, 0003 & 0044, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, March 5, 2026 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday, March 23, 2026 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Z-25-10/V-25-22 Levitan/75 & 91 Roswell Street

Consideration of a rezoning and variance to allow for the construction of 9 ‘For-Sale’ single-family dwelling units, including 5 detached homes and 4 semi-detached homes, on 1.12 acres in the Downtown. A rezoning is requested from C-2 (General Commercial) to DT-C (Downtown Core) and a variance is requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Appendix A: Alpharetta Downtown Code Subsection 2.3.3 to modify streetscape requirements along Roswell Street, Marietta Street and Cotton Alley. The property is located at 75 & 91 Roswell Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1269, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

MP-26-05/CLUP-26-03/Z-26-03/V-26-03 Empire Old Milton Pkwy/Camden Pond

Consideration of a master plan amendment, comprehensive land use plan amendment, rezoning, and variance in order to construct 207 ‘For-Sale’ townhomes on 29.2 acres. A master plan amendment is requested to the Camden Pond Master Plan to allow for the proposed change in development mix. A comprehensive land use plan amendment is requested from ‘Professional Business Office’ to ‘High Density Residential’ and a rezoning is requested from CUP (Community Unit Plan) to R-10M (Dwelling, ‘For-Rent or ‘For-Sale’ Residential. A variance is requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.2.9(D) to reduce the front setback from 35’ to 25’. The property is located at 3842 Old Milton Parkway and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 2, 3, 44, 45 & 49, 1st District, 1st Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

MP-26-03/CLUP-26-01/Z-26-01/V-26-02

TPG Brookside West

Consideration of a master plan amendment, comprehensive land use plan amendment, rezoning and variances to allow for the redevelopment of a 5 story, 130,828 square foot office building with 104 ‘For-Sale’ townhomes on 8.77 acres in the Brookside Master Plan. A master plan amendment is requested to the Brookside Master Plan Pod A to allow the proposed development. A comprehensive land use plan amendment is requested from ‘Corporate Office’ to ‘High Density Residential’ and a rezoning is requested from O-I (Office-Institutional) to R-10M (Dwelling, ‘For-Rent’ or ‘For-Sale’, Residential). Variances are requested from Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.2.10(d) to reduce the front setback along Brookside Parkway from 65’ to 20’ and reduce the minimum dwelling unit width from 20’ to 18’, UDC Subsection 3.2.8(B)(1) (a) to modify the 50’ undisturbed buffer to a 15’ planted buffer, and UDC Subsection 2.5.4 to reduce the minimum parking requirements for townhomes. The property is located at 3650 Brookside Parkway and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 43 & 44, 1st District, 1st Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

CLUP-25-05/Z-25-18/V-25-32

McKinley Homes/Morris Road

Consideration of a comprehensive land use plan amendment, rezoning and variances to allow for the construction of 110 ‘Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’ Attached’ condominiums on a 15-acre property, which includes 2 existing office buildings that will remain. A comprehensive land use plan amendment is requested from ‘Corporate Office’ to ‘Mixed Use’ and a rezoning is requested from O-I (Office-Institutional) to MU (Mixed Use). A variance is requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.2.20(B) to reduce the minimum lot size and reduce the minimum amount of commercial use in the MU zoning district. The property is located at 12725 & 12735 Morris Road and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1118, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

MP-26-01/CU-26-01

Spirit of God Church/Windward MP Pod 16

Consideration of a master plan amendment and conditional use to allow an existing building to be re-used for a church. A master plan amendment is requested to the Windward Master Plan Pod 16 to add ‘Church, Synagogue’ as a conditional use and a conditional use is requested to allow ‘Church, Synagogue’ for Spirit of God Church. The property is located at 145 Nobel Court and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1047, 2nd District, 1st Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

PH-26-04

Unified Development Code Text Amendments – Commercial Vehicles

Consideration of text amendments to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.5.4(B) to amend the locational parking requirements for commercial vehicles in residential zoning districts.

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

IT Professionals: Ent. Lvl to Sen. Lvl (multiple positions), QA Engnrs., Comp. Prgrmrs., & IT Project Mngrs. are needed for our Alpharetta, GA Office. May req travel. Pls send resume, Cvr Ltr., & Sal. Req. to Ecovue Solutions LLC at 6110 McFarland Station Dr, Ste 203, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Sawnee EMC is seeking an Accounts Receivable Clerk to reconcile consumer accounts and process members’ transactions (i.e., Cash, Check, Credit Card, or Money Order). Will supply information to customers and resolve customer inquiries through face-to-face communication. Requires: high school diploma or equivalency, proficiency in mathematics, monetary, and general office skills. A minimum of two years of related experience preferred. Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings and weekends.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, February 20, 2026. Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Hargrove & Associates, Inc. (dba Hargrove Engineers + Constructors) seeks a Mechanical Engineer III in Johns Creek, GA, to provide onsite assistance during startup. Apply at https:// www.jobpostingtoday.com/Ref #88233.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk III –Customer Service to assist in a high-volume call center. Requires high school diploma or equivalency, computer, communication, and general office skills. Requires one (1) year experience in a customer service call center or service-type organization, utility, finance, banking, or equivalent industry. Bilingual is preferred, fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal).

Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5PM, February 27, 2026. Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363, extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Guaranteed! LeafFilter backed by no-clog guarantee & lifetime warranty. Call 1-833-610-1936 to schedule FREE inspection/ estimate. Get 15% off your entire order. Military & Seniors get additional 10% off. Limited time. Restrictions apply, see rep for details.

Wesley Financial Group, LLC timeshare cancellation experts over $50 million timeshare debt/fees cancelled in 2019. Free info package. Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833-308-1971

Senior Systems Administration needed by AT&T Services, Inc. in Alpharetta, GA to be responsible for 24x7 operations, administration and maintenance of server infrastructure in AT&T’s NC (Network Cloud) Linux based environment. Apply at http:// att.jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-86715.

SR SOFTWARE ENGINEER: Design, dev, tst & maint complex software systems ensuring scalability, perf & security. Lead tech design discussions & code reviews. Collab w/ product, QA & ops teams. Translate biz & functional reqmts into tech specs & architecture. Write clean, maint & efficient code using modern langs & frameworks. Troubleshoot & resolve software issues. Implement & maint CI/CD pipelines. Perform perf tuning, code optimization & system refactoring. Stay current w/ emrg’ng tech & eval potential appli. to business. FT, perm position. Travel in the cntxt of reloc may be required at least 1-2 times/yr based on clients’ needs. Apply with 2 copies of resume to HR, Blue Fusion Enterprise Technologies, 11205 Alpharetta Hwy, Suite E3 Roswell GA 30076

Remote/part-time/flexible/contract work for seasoned accountants/bookkeepers. NonProfit/ For-Profit Clients. QBO and payroll expertise required. Sue@playbook-cloud.com

& Fitness

Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-543-9189

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as 1-day. Limited time, waving all installation costs! Additional terms apply. Subject to change & vary by dealer. Ends soon. 844-501-3208

Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833-399-3595

Become a published author. We want to read your book!

Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

Replace your roof w/the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234

Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢/ day! 833-890-1262

Need cash quickly? We buy houses in any condition. Get a fair cash offer within 24 hours! Call today. Liz Buys Houses: 833-359-4707

TOP DOLLAR PAID for old vintage guitars! Gibson, Fender, Martin, Grecsch, Rickenbacker, Epiphone, Etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. Call 866-433-8277

Reach millions of homes nationwide with one easy, affordable buy in the ADS Network! For more information www.communitypublishers.com/ category/all-products

Pest control: Protect your home from pests safely. Roaches,

quote. Ask about first application special! 833-860-0811

Peace of mind & early detection-Now more than ever, it’s important to get screened for Stroke & Cardiovascular Disease risk. Life LineScreening is simple & painless. 833-970-4172