Issuu

3 LOCATIONS! ROSWELL & EAST COBB! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

inSIDEoutPaintCenters.com

J u l y 2 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 4 4 , N o . 2 7

(770) 702-8888

Appen Media Group receives 19 awards from Georgia Press By ELLE GIRARD elizabeth@appenmedia.com

That Southern charm is not a performance. The 78-year-old former New York Yankee and baseball history-maker will tell you as much himself. “Whatever you see with me is what I am,” Blomberg said.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group earned 19 awards for achievements in newspaper journalism in the 2026 Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, including a first-place finish in the General Excellence category. The awards were announced June 12 at the 138th Georgia Press Association convention at the Jekyll Island Club. “We are honored to receive these recognitions from the Georgia Press Association, and I am thrilled to see our staff recognized for the incredible work they do day in and day out,” Publisher Hans Appen said. “News media is an increasingly competitive and complex industry, and these awards reflect the quality journalism our readers have come to expect from us. They are a testament to our team’s dedication to informing, engaging and serving our communities with excellence.” The Appen team won awards in the following categories in Division E: • General excellence, 1st place, Appen staff • Page one, 1st place, Appen staff • Page one, 3rd place, Dionna Williams, page designer • Layout and design, 1st place, Appen staff • Layout and design, 3rd place, Dionna Williams, page designer • Local news coverage, 2nd place, Appen staff

See BLOMBERG, Page 24

See AWARDS, Page 24

STANLEY LEARY/APPEN MEDIA

Ron Blomberg stands at his home in Roswell with his bat, 1977 World Series ring and framed photos of pitcher Luis Tiant and his historic first at-bat as baseball’s first designated hitter.

Roswell man stepped in to make baseball history By STANLEY LEARY newsroom@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga., June 26 — Glenn Prince has worked out alongside Ron Blomberg for three to five years at a local gym, and he has learned a few things. Mostly, he has learned to expect a crowd.

“Ron is the coolest guy — just a regular older guy,” Prince said. “Whenever he’s in the locker room, he’s carrying on multiple conversations at one time with everyone. He makes friends with everyone. You see that Southern charm he’s famous for all the time.”

Roswell has new home Nonprofit’s fundraiser for public safety staff to help disadvantaged

Fulton Schools opens slots for out-of-district students

► PAGE 4

► PAGE 10

► PAGE 7

Appen Media advertising team wins 8 Georgia Press Awards ► PAGE 11

Your Trusted Real Estate Expert

SAM DIVITO

C: 404.803.5999 | Sam@HOMEgeorgia.com | @sam.divito

319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 HANS APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus CONTACT NEWS TIPS 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.

Canton man charged with obstructing officer ROSWELL, Ga. — A Canton man was arrested June 24 on charges of trespassing and felony obstruction after allegedly kicking a Roswell officer in the groin during the arrest, according to police. The incident began when employees at a gas station on Ga. 9 reported a man drinking on the property and refusing to leave. When an officer arrived, he saw the suspect toss aside a can and walk away from the building. The officer spoke with the man who said he was leaving but not because anyone asked him to. The officer caught up with the man walking down Alpharetta Highway and asked for his identification, citing the criminal trespassing violation. A records check turned up an outstanding Fulton County warrant for failure to appear in court. Before being detained, the suspect asked to finish a cigarette while seated on the ground. The officer agreed to let him take one more draw, but the man never put it out or stood up. The officer and his partner handcuffed the man as he sat and explained the warrant, which the suspect said he hadn’t known about. During the arrest search, the suspect grew belligerent, yelling and demanding to see the warrant. When the officer ordered him into the patrol car, the suspect refused to get in. As the officer grabbed the man’s legs above the knee, the suspect kicked him in the groin. Officers secured a warrant for felony obstruction of an officer, and the man was booked into the Fulton County Jail. — Hannah Yahne

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Officers investigated a reported theft at a Juliette Avenue apartment June 10. Alpharetta police said a 36-year-old Decatur man reported the theft. Items reported stolen included 16 door handles and a shower head, police said. The items were stolen from a unit under construction, police said. The man noticed the items missing after leaving the unit June 9. The garage door was open at the time, and one door lacked a lock. There were no signs of forced entry. The man said he had no idea who may have committed the theft. The incident was classified as a felony theft by taking, greater than $1,500. — Jon Wilcox

Woman reports theft of ‘abandoned’ items ROSWELL, Ga. — A woman returned to her apartment on Holcomb’s Pond Court the evening of June 24 to find several items had been stolen, including nearly $3,000 worth of shoes. The woman told police she is in the process of moving out and had been away overnight. After she contacted the leasing office, some of the missing shoes were returned. The woman reported still missing 14 pairs of shoes, laundry detergent, a Ring light, laundry hamper and makeup products. She also said her MacBook had been stolen and that she’d tracked it to another apartment on the same street. Officers spoke with a maintenance worker at that address who said he had been at the residence with painters because of a work order. He thought the apartment was vacant, and they took what was believed to be abandoned items. Soon after, he got a call from his boss asking if they had taken anything from inside the home and was told to return it. The maintenance worker told police

he returned the shoes and MacBook back in the woman’s apartment and showed officers a photo confirming where they were, which helped officers find the laptop. The maintenance worker alleged any items still missing were taken by the painters. — Jon Wilcox

Computer reported stolen from Alpharetta office ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A laptop was reported stolen from a North Point Parkway office June 11. Alpharetta police said a 52-year-old Cumming man reported the theft. The man reported leaving the laptop on his office desk May 27. He returned May 28 and noticed the computer missing. It was valued at $2,000. The man said surveillance cameras may have recorded the theft. The incident was classified as a felony theft by taking, greater than $1,500. — Jon Wilcox

Woman reports burglary at Remington Drive home FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies investigated a reported home burglary June 8. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to a Remington Drive home about 2 p.m. A 34-year-old Cumming woman told deputies she noticed some belongings missing while moving out of the home. Deputies checked the home but found no one inside. The woman reported stolen change from a gum ball machine totaling $300, a propane grill and duffel bags. The woman said she had left the doors unlocked. Cameras at the home were found to have duct tape placed over their lenses. The incident was classified as a felony home burglary. — Jon Wilcox

THE PICTURE FRAMER HAS MOVED! CUSTOM FRAMING 13000 Deerfield Pkwy. Bldg. 200, Ste. 285 Milton, GA 30004 (770) 667-2112 T–F 11–6, Sat 11–3

Hwy. 9

• Canvas Stretching, Rugs, Mirrors • Round, Oval and Float Frames • Sports & Military Memorabilia • Shadowboxes & Specialty Mounts • Frame Repairs & Touch-Ups

Webb Rd. d Pk wy.

770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com

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.

Residential hardware stolen from unfinished apartment

erfi el

POLICE BLOTTER

PUBLIC SAFETY

2 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 3

128 Grand Crescent, Alpharetta, GA 30009 Offered for $2,374,999 | 4 Bedrroms | 3 Full Bathrooms | 1 Half Bathroom

RONY GHELERTER C: 703.899.6663 | O: 470.682.HOME (4663) Rony@HOMEgeorgia.com | @ronygsellsatlanta

HOME Luxury Real Estate | 11605 Haynes Bridge Rd, Suite 150, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | HOMEgeorgia.com Information believed accurate but not warranted. Offer subject to errors, changes, omissions, prior sales and withdrawals without notice. Broker, Betsy Franks. HOME Real Estate, LLC is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

Scan QR code & add me to your contacts.

4 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

PUBLIC SAFETY

Roswell Police, Fire now work together under one rooftop By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — City officials cut the ribbon on Roswell’s new public safety headquarters June 24, fulfilling a commitment to voters of a smarter, stronger fire and police network. More than 127,000 square feet of pre-existing office space at 1080 Holcomb Bridge Road was redesigned to provide modern administrative offices and safety upgrades for Roswell’s Police and Fire Departments. Police Chief James Conroy said the new headquarters fulfills several important needs for Roswell and the department. The largest, he said, is more space for the growing public safety teams. Since the original police headquarters was constructed in 1991, department employees have more than doubled to 220. “And now that we add our family from the Fire Department, we definitely needed more space,” Conroy said. Having both departments under one roof allows for quicker collaboration if Roswell is facing a major incident or severe weather crisis, Fire Chief Pabel Troche said. Instead of calling across town, they can now walk across the hall. “That kind of proximity changes

DRIVEWAYS & CONCRETE

Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs

$250 OFF

Mention ad for $250 Off. New Driveway. Cannot combine coupons.

BBB A+ Rating

ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC. 678-250-4546 | FREE QUOTES • Landscaping Residential & Commercial • Tree Services • Sprikler Systems • Maintenance & Installation Pine Straw & Mulch • Over 25 Years of Experience • Many Local References • Fair Prices for Professional Work • Maintenance & Installation Pine Straw & Mulch • Reliable, Punctual, Honest

HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA

Elected officials and staff stand beside Mayor Mary Robichaux, center, as she cuts the ribbon on Roswell’s new Public Safety Headquarters June 24 at 1080 Holcomb Bridge Road. outcomes,” Troche said. “It saves times, and in our line of work, time saves lives.” The two departments can also share time together outside of their normal operations now that they share a campus. Once a month, the Fire Department hosts an hour-long “coffee muster,” with police officers so they can

CONCRETE

Driveways • Patios • Walls • More McKemey concrete $250 OFF* Any job $2500 or more

Competitive Pricing Many Local References

ATTENTION - Double check ad for ALL content. Phone, web, address, coupons, etc. Assume nothing Reply back that ad is approved once ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR ACCURACY.

DRIVEWAYS

NEW or REPAIR and Patios • Slabs • Walls Sidewalks • Pool Decks McKemey concrete $250 OFF

Any job $2500 or more

Bobby Albritton

Master Licensed Electrician Bobby Albritton

Residential & Commercial Services Master Licensed Electrician

CallResidential for a FREE Estimate &

404-519-8635 Commercial Services bgalbritton@live.com

Many Local References

10% OFF

*Offer expires 10 days after publication

Any job $500 or more.

*Offer expires 10 days after publication

Ask for Dave McKemey

678-648-2010 | FREE QUOTES

678-506-0006 | FREE QUOTES

ROOF REPAIR & REPLACE

Fruit Trees NOT Producing Fruit?

STOP LEAKS

Serving North Atlanta Since 1983. Affordable Quality Roofing. Based in Roswell.

98 • Tree Removal • Tree Pruning • Stump Grinding

• Full Insured • Free Mulch • Emergency 24/7

$150 OFF

$200 Leak Repairs or 10% OFF New Roof *Offer expires 10 days after publication

770-450-8188 | FREE QUOTES

Fruit Tree Pruning Fruit Tree Planting  Soil Care



$200 leak repair. Up to 8 penetrations. (1-story house, up to 7/12 pitch). Some restrictions apply

jobs $1500 or more

770-771-5432 | FREE QUOTES

get to know one another, which Troche said changes the dynamic of how the teams operate. It was important to include a dedicated eating space on the Fire Department’s side, Troche said, because it’s traditionally the most important space in a firehouse. He wanted to

replicate that culture for people who have transitioned into administration and keep that sense of comfort. Police get an added sense of comfort as well, with new features to guarantee officer safety at the new headquarters, Conroy said. There is a sally port area so officers can securely transport individuals to and from the headquarters and ensure prisoners cannot escape. Conroy said the department’s original sally port hadn’t worked in years. The campus also contains the department’s evidence bay and crime lab. The project was brought to life using a $52 million public safety bond approved by Roswell voters in 2022. By purchasing and repurposing the former Roswell Summit property, city officials say they saved taxpayers more than $50 million in construction costs. Both department chiefs and city officials thanked the community for supporting them in their work. “For the Roswell Fire Department, this facility represents something deeply important,” Troche said. “It tells our people that this community sees their work, values their service and is willing to invest in the infrastructure to support them.”

770-284-3123 | FREE QUOTES

Specialized Fruit Tree Prunning and Care

bloom and fruit

bloomandfruit.net

info@bloomandfruit.com

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 5

Vets Since g 1 in

GA 1 • Alpharett

Po s

7 94

Ser v

950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076 770-993-4811 | www.roswellfuneralhome.com

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Locally Owned and Operated

• Pre-planning • Grief Support • Funeral Services • Veteran Services • Cremation Services

770-645-1414

info@northsidechapel.com www.northsidechapel.com

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! 12050 Crabapple Road • Roswell, GA 30075

COMMUNITY

6 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

Thanks for Voting Us Best Family Practice & Best Internal Medicine ND AL WELCOMES A 2 LOCATION YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD 3 Years in aTO Row! 2023

2023

UNITY OF CARE IN CRABAPPLE 2024

2024

2025

A COMMUNITY OF CARE

WE OFFER A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDING: Health and Wellness Care • Anxiety • Chronic Fatigue • Depression • Diabetes

Internal• Osteoporosis • Weight Gain Medicine Associates • Thyroid Disease

• Gynecology • Heart Disease • High Cholesterol • Hypertension

• Insomnia • Insulin Resistance • Metabolic Syndrome

of Crabapple

A Northside Network Provider

Dr. Samantha Benson Samantha B. Benson, MD Johns Creek: Tues., Thurs. Milton: Mon., Fri.

Kaavya Chivukula, MD Johns Creek Only

875 Mayfield Road Milton, GA 30004

Roja R. Sanikapally, MD Johns Creek Only: Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri.

P: 678-474-9633 MIMMS MUSEUM/PROVIDED

Dr. Cheryl McGowan Yianna Manolakis, FNP-C Milton Only

Heather Menees, FNP-C Johns Creek Only

Michelle Hall, DNP, FNP-C Johns Creek Only

Hannah Cummings, FNP-C Samantha Lewis, FNP-C Johns Creek: Tues., Thurs., Fri. Johns Creek: Tues., Thurs. Milton: Mon., Fri. Milton: Wed.

CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT! Internal Medicine Associates of Crabapple 875 Mayfield Road, Building A Milton, GA 30004 678.474.9633

Internal Medicine Associates of Johns Creek 3380 Paddocks Parkway Suwanee, GA 30024 Scan to be directed to the website 678.474.9633

www.imacrabapple.com

www.imajohnscreek.com

A father and son point while looking in awe at a model spaceship on display at the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art during one of the nonprofit’s summer events.

Roswell’s Mimms Museum schedules summer programs ROSWELL, Ga. — The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art welcomes visitors to participate in its summer event line-up that includes some returning favorites and new interactive experiences. All summer programming is included within the cost of membership and general admission to the museum unless noted otherwise. The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art is a nonprofit featuring one of the world's largest collections of digitalera artifacts and technology-inspired artwork. Currently, it’s displaying iNSPIRE: 50 Years of Innovation from Apple, an exhibit that explores five decades of technological innovation, design and creativity through a curated collection of more than 2,000 artifacts and interactive experiences highlighting Apple's influence. In honor of America’s 250th birthday, the Mimms Museum will be open July 4 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. giving visitors the chance to cool off and enjoy unique activities. A special museum-wide scavenger hunt will take place throughout the day, and visitors can attend the museum’s popular Punch Card Machine Demo

from 1 to 3 p.m., showcasing the history of punch card computing. Attendees will have the opportunity to create their own souvenir punch card using an original IBM 029 machine. Mimms Museum members can enjoy complimentary admission to the nearby Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5 by presenting their membership card at the admissions desk. During the same period, CNC members will also receive complimentary admission to Mimms Museum with proof of membership. Mimms Museum is also hosting speed puzzling on Thursday, Aug. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. for an evening of strategy and teamwork. Teams of up to four will compete to finish a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle for the chance to win free admission to the museum. Tickets are $15 per person and include a jigsaw puzzle for the competition along with light bites and soft music. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets for the workshop, which include a museum visit, are available at mimmsmuseum.org/events/. — Hannah Yahne

COMMUNITY

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 7

Stella Love Non-Profit schedules summer fundraiser By ELLE GIRARD elizabeth@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The Stella Love Non-Profit is seeking donations for its fifth annual back-to-school block party Saturday, July 18 from 2-5 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church. The event serves to provide free school supplies to low-income families in the area. Donations have grown over the years, and the nonprofit aims to serve even more children this summer. About 150 kids were served last year, and the team hopes to reach at least 200 this year. Stella Love, the founder, experienced firsthand the struggle of providing for her family as a single mother. She created the event out of desire to support single parents and others who cannot afford school supplies for their children. "When a child starts the school year with the supplies they need, they're able to focus on learning rather than on what they're lacking compared to their peers," said Jeong Lee, the nonprofit's legal counsel and pantry director. "Education remains one of the most powerful equalizers in breaking out of difficult socioeconomic circumstances." Bouncy houses, food trucks, live music and other activities will be on site at the fundraiser, all aimed at bringing the community together. The donation list includes backpacks, folders, notebooks, pencils, erasers, highlighters, scissors, crayons, Play-Doh and glue sticks. “We believe it takes a village to raise a child, and we want to not only nourish the children of the families in need in our community but also give people the opportunity to invest in the children around us,” Lee said. To volunteer or donate, email volunteers@ iamstellalove.com.

STELLA LOVE NON-PROFIT/PROVIDED

Around 150 students, families and volunteers gather at a back-to-school block party organized by Stella Love Non-Profit to collect supplies for the upcoming school year. This year’s event will be Saturday, July 18 from 2-5 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church.

Roswell seeks applicants for departmental posts ROSWELL, Ga. — The City of Roswell is hosting a hiring event for positions within the Transportation and Environmental/Public Works Department July 10 at Hembree Park Recreation Center. Those interested should bring their resume to 850 Hembree Road from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday, July 10.

Applicants can do interviews on-site, and there’s potential to be hired that day. Open positions include equipment operators, refuse collectors, meter technicians, crew workers and water distributor operators. — Hannah Yahne

ROSWELL 365/PROVIDED

The City of Roswell is hosting a hiring event for the Transportation and Environmental/Public Works Department at Hembree Park Recreation Center.

Just opened? Appen Media publishes New Business Spotlights to highlight local businesses as they get started. Submit yours for free at appenmedia.com/newbusiness. 8 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026

The Comfortable Chair Store to close after 34 years ROSWELL, Ga. — The Comfortable Chair Store in the Roswell historic district will be closing after its final liquidation sale. Discounts are offered on living room sets, recliners, lift chairs, swivel chairs, case goods, and rugs. The store first opened in 1992 as Rockers Unlimited, and was founded by Craig Daniels, late husband of current owner Julia Daniels, and her father, Irving Daniels. After Julia became coowner in 2004, she and Craig rebranded the business as The Comfortable Chair Store. It relocated to Roswell in 2010. After Craig passed in 2015, Julia continued to run the store until her recent decision to retire. “Closing a business is never an easy decision, especially when you have an extended family of wonderful customers, employees, and vendors,” Julia said. “I can’t express enough appreciation to everyone whose support saw the store through these last 34 years.” The store has extended its hours and will now be open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, visit thecomfortablechairsale.com — Elle Girard

IMAGE PROVIDED TO APPEN MEDIA

The Comfortable Chair Store in the Roswell historic district will be closing after its final liquidation sale after more than 30 years in business.

Enjoy Family This Independence Day!

950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076 770-993-4811 www.roswellfuneralhome.com

BUSINESSBRIEFS

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 9

Earn More Now!

3.50% / % 3.56 Interest rate

APY*

35 month variable rate CD

3651 Old Milton Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30005 770-407-6700 • www.touchmarknb.com

WELLSTAR NORTH FULTON/PROVIDED

From left, cancer survivor Elizabeth Peters, Wellstar hematologist and oncologist Dr. Nagender Mankan, and Peters’ daughter Kayla Jaconette recognize National Cancer Survivors Day at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center in Roswell.

Wellstar hosts gathering to honor cancer survivors ROSWELL, Ga. — Cancer survivors, families and care teams gathered June 6 to celebrate life beyond diagnosis and the power of community at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. The gathering was to mark National Cancer Survivors Day held the first Sunday in June to shine a light on survivorship and the importance of continued care, early detection and hope. The outing, part of Wellstar’s systemwide “Saddle Up for Survivorship” theme, honored the resilience of survivors while offering encouragement to those still in treatment. Guests gathered for a Wild West– themed celebration featuring music, themed crafts and activities, food and giveaways, creating a space where attendees shared milestones and felt support at every turn. Survivors and their loved ones connected with others who understand the journey, celebrating progress and exchanging shared experiences along the way. “At Wellstar, we are committed to supporting patients and their

families through every stage of the cancer journey — from screening and diagnosis to treatment, survivorship and beyond,” said Shannon Ross, director of oncology services at Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center. “Families can face cancer with confidence knowing they have access to a multidisciplinary care team, expert physicians and advanced treatment options close to home.” For many attendees, the event offered celebration and encouragement. “The upbeat atmosphere allowed patients to celebrate their wins and connect with other survivors to share experiences,” oncology nurse navigator Sarah Bentley said. In addition to the Roswell celebration, Wellstar hosted Cancer Survivors Day events across its network, including in Cartersville, Austell, Douglasville, Marietta, Hiram, Griffin and LaGrange. Each gathering reflected the same mission: to recognize survivors' strength and stand beside those still fighting. — Hannah Yahne

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of June 1, 2026 and is subject to change without notice. Minimum deposit of $1,000 is required to open and obtain APY. You may not make deposits into your account until maturity. Early withdrawal penalty may apply. Early withdrawl fees could reduce the earnings on the account. At maturity, the CD will automatically renew at the current 36 month CD APY. Limited time offer. The interest rate is based on Fed Funds interest rate less .25% (index)

10 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

COMMUNITY

Milton hosts World Cup watch party By STANLEY LEARY newsroom@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Soccer fans young and old gathered at Crabapple Green on Friday for “Goals on the Green,” the city’s first World Cup watch party, as the U.S. men’s national team took on Australia. The event, hosted in collaboration with Crabapple Market and Rush Union Soccer and presented by the Reid Casey Team, began at 1 p.m. with food trucks and family-friendly, soccer-themed activities before the match kicked off two hours later. Emily Salerno, the city’s community outreach manager, said Milton applied for FIFA’s permission to host the watch party in March and received approval on June 8 — just 11 days before the event. “We did this to capitalize on a great opportunity with the World Cup being here,” Salerno said. “We applied with FIFA for permission back in March and just on June 8, 2026, got permission for today, June 19, and also for a later date on July 19.” Salerno said the city evaluates these kinds of events against three criteria: whether they will draw a large crowd, whether they will have an economic impact on nearby businesses, and whether there is community buy-in. The event drew families from across the region, some of whom timed their trip to coincide with World Cup action in Atlanta. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is hosting eight tournament matches this summer, beginning June 15 and running through the semifinal on July 15. The Hein family traveled from Warner Robins for the watch party after learning about it through an email from Georgia Soccer. They were also in town for a FIFA match in Atlanta the following day. “Good to let the kids run around, get some food and attend their first FIFA World Cup watch party,” said Liz Hein. Jenny Bulot brought her children to the event to trade FIFA World Cup stickers, a popular pastime among young fans during the tournament.

STANLEY LEARY/APPEN MEDIA

Amelia Hein, of Warner Robins, kicks a ball at a Velcro target, as her sister Arabella Hein waits her turn June 19 at Crabapple Green in Milton. Nicola Hancock, who is originally from England, brought her family — visiting from England — to the watch party because they are avid soccer fans. Local businesses also used the event as an opportunity for community engagement. Haley Lenker, operations manager at the Bonnie Smith Group,

one of the event’s sponsors, said her team came out to support the cause and connect with attendees. “We are here to promote the business, trade stickers and watch the game,” Lenker said. The Bonnie Smith Group and Nothing Bundt Cakes also sponsored

the event alongside the presenting sponsor, the Reid Casey Team. A second “Goals on the Green” watch party is planned for the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, in the same 1-5 p.m. window at Crabapple Green, with the same cohosts. The finalists have yet to be determined.

Out-of-district students can make applications to four county schools FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Eligible out-of-district students can apply to attend select Fulton County Schools for the upcoming year through a tuition-based enrollment initiative to expand access to specialized academic pathways and advanced coursework. Participating schools are the Fulton Academy of Virtual Excellence,

Global Impact Academy, North Springs High School and Northview High School. To be eligible, students must be Georgia residents between ninth and 12th grade and complete an application to the school of their choice through Infinite Campus. Acceptance to a school does not

guarantee participation in a specific program at the school. Students determined to have missed 10 percent or more of enrolled school days for any reason will not be considered. Any student subject to serious disciplinary action in the past, such as long-term suspension, assignment or referral

to an alternative school, will not be accepted. The tuition rate for the 2026-27 school year is $11,000 per student each year or $5,500 per semester. To apply, go to fultonschools.org/ students-families/enrollment/onlineregistration. — Hannah Yahne

NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 11

Georgia Press Association panel honors Appen advertising team By ELLE GIRARD elizabeth@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group’s advertising team has won eight awards in the 2026 Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, with the majority dedicated to Senior Graphic Designer David Brown. Appen Media Group Publisher Hans Appen said that the company publishes free newspapers and its journalism is made possible by the support of its advertisers. “These recognitions are a testament not only to the quality of our journalism, but also to the exceptional work we produce for our advertising partners,” he said. “They reinforce that promoting your business through Appen Media publications is a smart investment, delivering professionally crafted advertising that reaches an engaged local audience.” The awards were announced June 12 at the 138th Georgia Press Association convention at the Jekyll Island Club, and are in addition to the 19 awards presented to Appen’s

reporting team. “[The awards] show the level of talent we have with our in-house designer, David Brown, who has close to 30 years of experience in the industry and has also worked for an ad agency,” said Appen Media’s Vice President of Advertising Mike Dorman. The Appen team won awards in the following categories in Division E: • Healthcare ad, 1st place, David Brown • Food ad, 1st place, David Brown • Home furnishings/appliances ad, 1st place, David Brown • Classified section/page, 1st place, Appen staff • Signature page, 1st place, David Brown • Food ad, 2nd place, David Brown • Service/institutional ad, 2nd place, David Brown • Non-traditional ad, 2nd place, David Brown “[Brown] really knows the client and the market, so being able to design something that's effective for the advertiser and also produce a graphically appealing ad is what makes him stand apart,” Dorman said.

STORE CLOSING

Everything Must Go! 60-70% OFF Entire Store!

Over 1,000 Rugs in Stock!

Inventory is Moving Fast!

Local youth helps in coin toss for Atlanta World Cup match NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Nicholas Nackley was at the center of the field June 18 as a coin toss assistant for the Czechia and South African men’s soccer match at Atlanta Stadium (Merecedes-Benz Stadium). Nackley was selected to participate in the pre-match tradition after being nominated by his adaptive physical education teacher at Riverwood High

School, Jason Russo. Russo serves as a coach with Special Olympics Georgia. Nackley is a frequent participant of Milton’s Camp Joyful Soles, a summer camp for individuals 13-22 with special needs. The camp is held in partnership with Alpharetta’s Camp Happy Hearts which serves children ages 6-12. — Hannah Yahne

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

Your satisfaction has always come before our profit. We believe everyone deserves a beautiful rug at a price they can afford, which is why we work hard to keep our prices as low as possible. We’re willing to sacrifice our margins to minimize our loss. Thousand plus rugs are available in all sizes, colors, and styles new and antiques from all over the world with unbelievable prices. All rug DEALERS are welcome as well while stocks last. No one will sell their products below cost unless they are CLOSING. Store Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am-7pm | Sun 12pm-6pm CITY OF MILTON/PROVIDED

Nicholas Nackley stands with mascots of the 2026 FIFA World Cup before stepping onto the field at Atlanta Stadium June 18 as a coin toss assistant for the Czechia and South African men’s soccer match.

11266 State Bridge Rd, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA | 678-404-7555 * All sizes are approximate. | License #15200

12 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026

Sponsored Section

ISTOCK

The most dangerous place for seniors Brought to you by – Bath and Kitchen Galleria The bathroom, a place we take for granted, transforms into one of the most hazardous areas in the home for aging seniors. With slippery surfaces, high tub walls, and the need for frequent maneuvering, the risk of falls—the leading cause of injury among older adults—spikes dramatically. John Hogan, President of Bath and Kitchen Galleria and Aging in Place Expert says, “Proactive bathroom modifications are not merely an upgrade; they are an essential investment in the long-term safety, independence, and dignity of our seniors.”

To mitigate the dangers, several specific aspects of the bathroom should be modified to create a supportive and accessible environment: Shower and Bathtub: The single greatest fall risk is often stepping over a high tub wall. The ideal solution is a curbless or low-threshold walk-in shower to eliminate this barrier entirely. For added security, install a permanent shower seat or bench and a handheld showerhead to allow for comfortable, seated bathing. Shower floor should have non-slip tile surfaces. Grab Bars: Strategically placed sturdy, professional-grade grab bars are critical. They must be securely anchored into wall studs, not just

the drywall. Placement is key: near the toilet to assist with sitting and standing, and both inside and just outside the shower/tub for secure entry and exit. Modern grab bars come in a variety of stylish finishes to seamlessly blend with your décor. Toilet Area: A standard toilet can be difficult to use for those with limited mobility. Installing a comfort-height or raised toilet seat reduces the strain on joints and makes the transition from sitting to standing much easier. Pairing this with well-placed grab bars provides a significant boost in stability. Flooring and Lighting: Replace slippery tile or remove loose bathmats and throw rugs, which are tripping

hazards. Install slip-resistant flooring throughout the bathroom. Finally, good lighting is paramount. Bright, even lighting—including motion-sensor nightlights—helps seniors navigate safely, especially during middle-of-thenight trips. By implementing these thoughtful changes, the bathroom can evolve from a high-risk area into a secure, comfortable, and accessible space that supports an aging senior’s desire to age in place safely at home. For more information visit Bath and Kitchen Galleria’s showroom at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta (no appointment needed) or call them at 678-459-2292.

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 13

THE REMODELING AUTHORITY

Let’s Discuss Your Project. 678.459.2292 Tune-Up Projects

Full Remodel Projects

Bathroom Tune-Up New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

Kitchen Remodel Total Cabinet Replacement

Enlarge Shower

Large Island

Vanity Replacement – Cabs, Counter, Sink

New Backsplash

Shower Glass

Cut Down 2-level Island

Shower Safety

Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations

Free Standing Tub Floor Tile, Wall Tile

Kitchen Tune-Up Paint Cabinets New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

Open Concept – Move Walls

Bathroom Remodel New Larger Shower

Plumbing Fixtures

Great Ideas Huge Showroom Open to the Public OPEN SATURDAYS 9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat Showroom – Design Center 10591 Old Alabama Rd. Connector Alpharetta, GA 30022 (near Northpoint Mall)

BKGalleria.com

ALPHARETTA

14 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

The probate time bomb hidden in your house and your LLCs Brought to you by – Estate Law Center USA Most surviving spouses never realize they may only own 50% of their home. In Georgia, there is no automatic right of survivorship between spouses unless the deed specifically says so. Being married does not mean your spouse automatically inherits your share of the house when you die. In fact, many surviving HOLLY GEERDES Estate Law Center USA spouses find out they only own Top 5% Super Lawyer in Georgia 50% of the property when they attempt to sell the property after the first spouse dies. What usually happens? One spouse dies. The surviving spouse keeps living in the home, paying the taxes, maintaining the property, and assuming everything is fine. They never try to sell it, so they never discover there is a problem. Probate is never opened. Years later, the surviving spouse dies too. That is when the children come to our office. We pull the deed and discover there was no survivorship language. No trust. No estate plan. Legally, half of the house belonged to the first spouse's estate the entire time. That interest never automatically transferred. Now the family has a mess on their hands. Before they can sell, refinance, or properly transfer the property, we often have to open probate for the first spouse who died—sometimes 10, 15, or even 20 years

ago. After that probate is completed, we then have to open probate for the second spouse. Two separate probate cases. Two sets of court filings. Two rounds of attorney fees. Two rounds of delays. But here is what many people do not realize: Even if your deed DOES contain right of survivorship language, probate has only been delayed—not eliminated. When the first spouse dies, the property may pass automatically to the surviving spouse. But when the surviving spouse dies, the house is now owned entirely by that spouse. Unless there is a trust or other planning in place, the property will still have to go through probate at the second death before it can be transferred to the next generation.

The same problem applies to family businesses and LLCs. Many business owners assume that because their spouse is involved in the business or because they are married, ownership will automatically transfer without court involvement. In Georgia, that assumption can create serious problems. If LLC interests are not properly addressed through a trust, those ownership interests can become trapped in an estate and require probate before the next generation can take control. We regularly see families dealing with probate issues involving homes, rental properties, LLCs, and family businesses years after a loved one passed away. And if heirs have died, moved away, become estranged, or cannot be located, the situation becomes even more expensive and time-consuming. Families are often shocked to learn that a problem created decades earlier is now preventing them from selling property, transferring a business, refinancing assets, or settling an estate. The frustrating part? Most of this could have been avoided with proper estate planning. Your closing attorney's job is to get the real estate transaction closed. They are not responsible for advising you what happens to your home, your LLC, or your business when you die. That is the job of an expert estate planning attorney and not a general practioner. A survivorship deed may avoid probate at the first death. It does not avoid probate forever. Without a trust, your family could be inheriting far more than your assets—they could be inheriting years of court proceedings, legal fees, delays, and headaches.

Would you like your business included in the next Real Estate Report? Protect Your Assets, Your Home, And Your Family In 3 Steps

Reserve Your Seat For A FREE Estate Planning Workshop • Does my Will protect my “stuff”? (It does not.) • Should I upgrade my Will to a Trust? • What do I need to know about Revocable Living Trusts? • How do Irrevocable Trusts work? July Workshops: Tues., July 7, 4 pm Thurs., July 9, 12 noon Wed., July 15, 6 pm

Tues., July 21, 4 pm Thurs., July 23, 12 noon Wed., July 29, 6 pm

• Medicaid. What’s true and what’s not? • How do I protect my assets for my family and legacy? • How do I remain in control? • How do I avoid losing everything to nursing home costs? • How can my family avoid probate?

Reach affluent North Atlanta communities with a

circulation of 114,000 the first week of each month.

Attend our FREE Educational Workshops. Reserve your Spot and Get a FREE Consultation for attending the Workshop (a $500 Value) CODE: herald2023

1100 Cambridge Square | Suite B | Alpharetta, GA 30009 | 770.209.2346 | lisa@gklawgroup.com

To learn more, call 770-442-3278 or email: mike@appenmedia.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 15

Avalon: More than a destination, a lifestyle Brought to you by - HOME Luxury Real Estate, North Atlanta | 703.899.6663 | Rony@HOMEgeorgia.com | Instagram: @ronygsellsatlanta There are places that become destinations, and then there are places that become part of everyday life. Avalon has firmly established itself as both. Located in the heart of Alpharetta, Avalon has redefined the modern mixed-use experience, bringing together luxury shopping, exceptional dining, entertainment, and residential living in one thoughtfully designed community. Whether you’re spending the afternoon browsing boutiques, meeting friends for dinner, enjoying a fitness class, or attending one of the many seasonal events held throughout the year, Avalon offers an experience that extends far beyond traditional retail. Its pedestrian-friendly design encourages visitors to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere. Residents and guests alike can spend an entire day exploring the district, discovering new restaurants, enjoying outdoor gathering spaces, and taking advantage of the vibrant calendar of community events that help make Avalon one of North Atlanta’s most beloved destinations. For many, the appeal of Avalon extends beyond shopping and dining. Living in and around Avalon provides a unique level of convenience and connectivity. Residents enjoy easy access to everyday

amenities while remaining just minutes from Downtown Alpharetta, where locally owned shops, restaurants, farmers markets, and community events continue to create a strong sense of place. Together, Avalon and Downtown Alpharetta offer a lifestyle that blends modern convenience with hometown charm. An important part of that connection is the Alpha Loop, Alpharetta’s expanding network of multiuse pathways designed to link key destinations throughout the city. Whether enjoying a morning walk, an evening bike ride, or simply exploring the community, the Alpha Loop helps connect Avalon with Downtown Alpharetta, local parks, restaurants, and gathering spaces. More than just a trail system, it reflects the city’s commitment to connectivity, wellness, and creating experiences that encourage

residents to fully enjoy everything the community has to offer. At HOME Luxury Real Estate North Atlanta, we understand that finding the right home means finding the right agent. For those interested in the Avalon market, Rony Ghelerter is a trusted resource for buyers and sellers seeking expertise in this market. Having represented clients within Avalon and the surrounding communities for many years, she offers valuable insight into current opportunities, market trends, and the unique advantages of living in one of North Atlanta’s premier destinations. As Avalon continues to evolve and grow, its appeal remains rooted in something simple: connection. Connection to community, connection to experiences, and connection to the places that make everyday life enjoyable. Because at HOME Luxury Real Estate, we believe a home is about more than a property, it’s about the life you build around it. And when it comes to exceptional North Atlanta living, there truly is no place like HOME. For information about Avalon properties, current listings, or the local market, contact: Rony Ghelerter HOME Luxury Real Estate North Atlanta Rony@HOMEGeorgia.com 703.899.6663

16 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Come Live the Resort Life! Phase 5C Just Released

CANTON 55+ LIVING – UP TO $50K IN SAVINGS OR 50% OFF BASEMENTS ON CONTRACTS WRITTEN BY 7/31/26* GRAND CLUBHOUSE BAR • COFFEE SHOP • ACTIVITY ROOMS • RESORT POOL • PICKLEBALL • TENNIS • POOL BAR • WALKING TRAILS • DOG PARK • BOCCE BALL • COMMUNITY GARDEN • FIRE PIT • GATED GAURDHOUSE • COMMUNITY POST OFFICE

Luxury Resort Living from the $500s -$900s • SOLEILBP.COM • 305 Belmont Park Ct, Canton, GA • 770.635.4080 NEW Soleil Summit Chase • From the $400s - $700s • 3465 Rosebud Rd. SW, Snellville, GA • 770.635.4081 © 2026. All rights reserved. LLane & Co Real Estate is a licensed real estate brokerage. Information is believed to be accurate but not warranted and subject to change without notice. See agent for details. Equal Housing Opportunity

SALES & MARKETING BY

404.969.5263

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 17

LIVE THE LAKE LIFE!

ONLY 2 HOMES REMAIN WITH DEEDED BOAT DOCK Up to $45K in Incentives on Select Homes*

Long Hollow Landing Community Dock

Lakeside Community with Lake Lanier Access from $1 Million + Community Courtesy Docks with Swim Platforms Gathering Area with Pavilion/Gazebo and

» Long Hollow Landing Includes Deeded Covered Boatslip at the Community Dock «

Fireplace

Long Hollow Landing | 7970 Beryl Overlook Gainesville, GA 30506 | 678-232-0221 | DavidPattersonHomes.com

Move-In Ready Homes from the $700’s Minutes from Lake Lanier Single-Family European Farmhouse Homes Creekside Overlook | 8036 Wallace Wood Rd. Gainesville, GA 30506 | 770-744-4018 | DavidPattersonHomes.com

Also building Townhomes in Dawsonville, GA from the $300’s

SALES & MARKETING BY

404-969-5263

© 2026. All rights reserved. LLane & Co Real Estate is a licensed real estate brokerage. Equal Housing Opportunity. Information is believed to be accurate but not warranted and subject to change without notice. *See Agent for Details

Located in East Forsyth High School District Plans range from 30433864 sqft *On select homes, see agent for details, offer subject to change without notice.

18 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

PROVIDED

Summer is heating up at Soleil Belmont Park in Canton Brought to you by – LLANE & Co. There’s a reason more active adults are talking about life at Patrick Malloy Communities’ Soleil Belmont Park this summer — the resort lifestyle is officially in full swing. Located between downtown Canton and Milton, Soleil Belmont Park is redefining what 55+ living can look like with a vibrant social atmosphere, luxury resort amenities and an active calendar filled with events designed to bring neighbors together. Now that the community’s highly anticipated resort amenities are open, residents are diving headfirst into summer fun. The newly opened luxury pool and pool bar have quickly become

the centerpiece of activity, creating an atmosphere that feels more like a private resort getaway than a traditional neighborhood. From morning yoga classes and gardening clubs to poolside gatherings, glow-in-the-dark pickleball and evening social events, there is always something happening inside the gates of Soleil Belmont Park. “The energy at Soleil Belmont Park this summer has been incredible,” said Lori Lane, founder and CEO of LLANE & Co. “Residents are truly embracing the active lifestyle here. Whether it’s relaxing by the pool, meeting friends at the clubhouse bar or joining in one of the many social events, the community has come alive in such a special way.” Designed for today’s active adult

buyer, the community offers an impressive collection of amenities including pickleball courts, tennis, bocce ball, a coffee bistro, clubhouse bar, fire pit gathering areas, event lawn and community gardens. Lifestyle programming continues to expand as more homeowners move into the community and take advantage of the resort-inspired experience. Beyond the amenities, residents are also drawn to Soleil Belmont Park’s convenient Canton location. The community offers easy access to shopping, dining, healthcare, golf and outdoor recreation while still providing the peaceful setting and mountain views that make North Georgia living so desirable.

Luxury ranch-style homes with designer finishes and open floorplans are currently available, including move-in ready opportunities for buyers looking to enjoy the lifestyle immediately. As metro Atlanta continues to see growing demand for upscale active adult communities, Soleil Belmont Park is standing out for its unique blend of hospitality-inspired amenities, luxury homes and strong sense of connection among neighbors. For many residents, summer at Soleil Belmont Park feels less like staying home — and more like living at a private resort every day. For more information, visit SoleilBelmontPark.com or call 770-6354080.

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 19

ISTOCK

Summer of intention & presentation Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings, CEO & Founder of Peachtree Town & Country

project. Brookhaven, Morningside, and Druid Hills tell a similar story, where condition and character continue to command a premium when they are presented with care.

Buyers this summer are not searching for more homes. They are searching for the right one, and they recognize it the moment they walk in. A Note on the Season The spring market has given way to summer, and with it a clearer picture of where Atlanta stands. After a first half defined by buyers who are deliberate and well-informed, the headline is steadiness. Metro Atlanta’s median sale price has held essentially flat over the past year, near $435,000, while homes are taking modestly longer to sell, roughly fifty to fifty-five days, and inventory has continued its patient climb to just over two months of supply. This is not a market in retreat. It is a market that has found its footing, and it rewards the prepared. Inside the Perimeter Inside the perimeter continues to trade on scarcity and character. In Buckhead, the established estate corridors remain supply-constrained in a way the broader market is not. You can build a new subdivision in Forsyth, but you cannot create more Tuxedo Park. Wellpositioned homes are still moving briskly, with the median now near $1.175 million, yet the upper end asks for patience and

BILL RAWLINGS

precision. Sale-to-list ratios in Buckhead have settled into the mid-nineties, a reminder that even here, buyers expect pricing to be honest from the first day. The clearest signal of the year is this: the great majority of top sales have been homes that were newly built or beautifully renovated. At this level, buyers are paying for the finished vision, not the

Outside the Perimeter Outside the perimeter is moving at its own confident rhythm. Alpharetta, Milton, and Roswell continue to draw relocation and move-up demand, with Alpharetta’s median asking price holding near $780,000 and well-prepared homes trading inside two months. Milton’s estate and equestrian properties remain a distinct world of their own, rewarding sellers who present privacy and craftsmanship with intention. Further north, Forsyth and Cherokee continue to benefit from value migration as buyers extend their search for space and new construction. New homes compete aggressively with resale here, which means a resale listing more than a decade old earns its premium only through thoughtful preparation. Where Presentation Decides the Outcome Across both sides of the perimeter, a single theme now connects every price point. The market is not slow. It is selective. More than half of the homes that sold in May had taken a price reduction along the way, and the homes that did not are, almost without exception, the

ones that arrived prepared, priced, and presented with care. Buyers in 2026 are patient, informed, and unwilling to overpay for potential. They reward the home that is ready. This is the natural next chapter to the conversations we have shared this spring. In April we spoke of full exposure, in May of disciplined pricing, and now, of presentation as the deciding variable. The three are inseparable. A home that is fully exposed, honestly priced, and beautifully prepared does not sit in this market. It sells. What We Are Advising Clients Right Now For sellers, invest in preparation before the home is ever seen. Professional photography, thoughtful staging, and genuine attention to condition are no longer enhancements. They are the baseline a discerning buyer expects, and they are what separate a home that commands its price from one that chases the market downward. Price to the market as it is today, not as it was eighteen months ago, and the first two weeks will reward you. For buyers, this is a season of real opportunity. Inventory is the most generous it has been in years, and the most thoughtful, best-structured offer still earns the finest homes. Move with intention, and let your preparation meet the seller’s.

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

20 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

ASK APPEN

A Better Real Estate Experience Begins Here RUSTY PAUL/PROVIDED

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, left, visits Heards Ferry Elementary School each Earth Day in his beekeeper suit to teach students about honeybees, beekeeping and the insects’ role in the ecosystem.

Sandy Springs Mayor Paul enjoys sweetest of pastimes By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

ANSLEYRE.COM 31 CHURCH STREET, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009 | 770.284.9900 All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. Ansley upholds Equal Housing Opportunity & Federal Fair Housing policies. If you have an existing relationship with another brokerage, this is not intended as a solicitation.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul has been keeping bees since he was a teenager and currently maintains hives in Georgia and Alabama. The four-term mayor started beekeeping when he was 15 — after his dad brought home five hives and told him they were his responsibility — and he “learned by doing” as he kept the hives through college. “About 25 years ago, I decided to take up beekeeping again and started doing it as a hobby and to provide the family with honey,” he said. Paul currently has one hive at his Sandy Springs home and 15 at his farm in North Alabama. Memorial Day weekend is his traditional honey harvest — and now he gets help from his grandchildren. “The farm has been in our family since my great-grandfather bought it in 1880. My grandsons, who help me harvest honey and blueberries, are the sixth generation to ‘farm’ on this land,” he said. Honeybees play an important role in the ecosystem, pollinating more than 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables and nuts grown in the United States and contributing about $18 billion annually to crop production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

ASK APPEN: At Appen, we want to answer your questions. Here is a recent question a reader had for us. Send new ones to appenmedia.com/ask. But rising colony losses due to diseases and parasites continue to threaten bee populations. “Without honeybees and similar bees, we would not have many fruits and vegetables, even clothing since they pollinate cotton, too,” Paul said. “Bees are threatened by parasites that were not a problem when I started.” Bees typically forage up to 3 or 4 miles from their home, but not every flower is suitable for honeybee forage, Paul explained. Clover, basswood trees, tulip poplar trees, maples, redbuds and similar trees are ideal for Sandy Springs. Azaleas, rhododendron and other members of the azalea family are actually poisonous for honeybees, he said. “In the fall, goldenrod is vital to generating enough honey to survive the winter, but that honey tastes terrible to humans but bees like it,” Paul said. For local residents wanting to plant pollinator-friendly gardens, Paul suggested planting bee-friendly flowers such as purple coneflower or blackeyed Susan.

See ASK, Page 24

Puzzles

er 7/2/26 Connect-It

PuzzleJunction.com

Connect-It

MISSING PARTS 1. War and __. Metal fastener. Slow-moving arboreal mammal. 2. Bricklayer. Porgy and ___. Involuntary twitch. 3. Disney elephant. Cowboy’s rope. ___and Out. 4. William and ___ (College). Unfeeling. Chaos. 5. Front and ___. Big cat. Fishing rod attachment. 6. Sea birds. Traffic sign. Right and ___. 7. Like a bucket devoid of stuff. Chip and ___. Doctrine. PuzzleJunction.com

Across

1 Goat hair garments 5 Foolhardy 9 Cot 12 Corker 3 13 Cowboy exhibition 14 Bundle 4 15 Jack of Rio Lobo 16 Healing plants 17 Pac 10 team 5 18 Weather consideration for travel 20 Put away for a 6 rainy day 22 Golfer Ernie 23 Shade tree /25/26 Sudoku7 24 Poet Teasdale Dunwoody Crier 7/2/26 Kakuro PuzzleJunction.com Missing Parts 26 Something to 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 avoid while on 1. first War and Metal fastener. Slow-moving the letter of ___. the second answer, and so on. The connectingarboreal letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each the road mammal 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 Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number 32 1004, Roman above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum for 3 answers on thepuzzle, line. Buteach here’srow, the catch! Theand clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually To the solve the Sudoku column 33 Mitch Miller’s 2. for Bricklayer. and in ___. Involuntary twitch. the Got whiteit? squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence. be the second orPorgy thirdnumbers answer line. Good luck! box must contain the 1that to of 9. instrument 34 Wine valley 3. Disney elephant. Cowboy’s rope. ___ and out. 35 Tableland 36 Beef on the hoof 4. William and ___ (College). Unfeeling. Chaos. 37 Garbage barge 5. Front and ___. Big cat. Fishing rod attachment. 38 Toiletry item 39 Minus 6. Sea birds. Traffic sign. Right and ___. 40 Secreted 41 Phone 7. Like a bucket devoid of stuff. Chip and ___. Doctrine. destinations 43 Pigeon’s home 44 Wrecker’s job 45 Sidekick 46 Relaxes on a trip 50 Travel accomplishment 54 Poi source 55 Chicago airport

9 4 2 3

1 6

2 4

1 7 3 5 1 2 8

6 1 5

How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

How to Solve:Copyright Kakuro,©2026 also PuzzleJunction.com known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.

Solution

Solution 7 3 6 5 9 4 2 1 8

4 5 9 8 6 1 7 2 3

6 1 3 7 4 2 5 8 9

2 8 7 3 5 9 1 4 6

5 7 4 2 8 6 3 9 1

1 9 2 4 7 3 8 6 5

3 6 8 9 1 5 4 7 2

Precious Metals & More 943-279-0789 By appointments Johns Creek 30005 FREE ESTIMATES jewelry repairs and watch services

18 22 25

44 47

17 20

9 14

57 Plunge 58 Prayer’s end 59 Toils 60 Soon, to a bard 61 Biddy 62 Brings home 63 Longings Down 1 A Baldwin 2 Cattle member 3 Jai ___ 4 Good time for a long trip 5 Film part 6 Brouhaha 7 Gets the picture

8 Hotel manager 9 Ger. composer 10 Model Macpherson 11 At peace 13 Vermin 14 Working while off work 19 ___ mode 21 HS math class (Abbr.) 24 Blot 25 Grocery section 26 Carried 27 Weighty 28 Fertile soil 29 Implied 30 Lyric poem

31 Adage 35 Subway inits. 36 Travel cautiously by auto 42 Hoodwink 43 Elevator part 45 Lincoln or Ford, e.g. (Abbr.) 46 Bryce Canyon locale 47 Appellation 48 Small songbird 49 Loafer, e.g. 50 Clumsy boats 51 Kudzu, for one 52 Bard’s river 53 Camera part 56 Paintings

See puzzle solutions on Page 29

AMERICAN LEGION POST 201 EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

BINGO – 2 p.m. Sunday, July 12 & 26 Jackpot - $1,000 Future Games: 2nd & 4th Sunday Each Month Saturday, July 4 – 12 noon to 12 midnight Clubroom/Bar Open to the Public; Food for Sale Bounce Houses for Children; Picnic on the Grounds Band Concert on the Lawn – 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. View Fireworks from the Post; Parking - $15 per Car Dances & Dance Instruction Free Lessons for Vets, 1st Responders & Partners 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., July 2, 9 & 16 Dance Nights Open to All 18 Years & Older For All Dance Information Visit www.club201dance.com

Vets Since 1 ing

8 2 1 6 3 7 9 5 4

BUYING: COINS & BULLION, FINE JEWELRY, STERLING FLATWARE.

Po s

9 4 5 1 2 8 6 3 7

Highest prices paid.

7 94

SELL GOLD ALL TIME HIGH

PuzzleJunction.com

Dunwoody Crier 7/2/26 Crossword

1 • Alpharett

Alpharetta-Roswell Herald..........................July 2, 2026 | 21

Ser v

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, 4 and 5 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!

201 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 770-475-9023 www.legion201.org

22 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

OPINION

The dental visit that saved me an $80 ticket School zone cameras leave little to smile about. On one hand, they affirm that some motorists drive too fast where children congregate – more than 10 mph over the school zone speed limit. That’s bad. On the other hand, they are a form of profit-based law enforcement. That’s bad, too. PAT FOX Fortune magazine reports that Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com since Georgia made the cameras legal in 2018, local governments have raked in at least $112 million in fines. Sandy Springs just extended its contract with RedSpeed, one of the nation’s leading operators of school zone camera systems. Police Maj. Michael Lindstrom told the City Council June 16 that the devices work. Since the camera program launched in 2021, he reported, RedSpeed has logged a 94 percent decline in the number of daily speed violators in Sandy Springs school zones. Records also show that 90 percent of those cited are not residents. Still, RedSpeed reports there remain instances of motorists driving from 60-62 mph through active school speed zones. Most striking is that only 1.6 percent of drivers contest the citations. Sounds good: safer schools, more money, and almost no one disputes their guilt. Pushback from legislators Yet, growing numbers of Georgians are fighting use of these devices as they currently operate. State Rep. Clay Pirkle, (R-Ashburn) has called the cameras a “gravy train of revenue…disguised in school safety language.” State Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), a champion for

PROVIDED

Almost caught in the act, northbound on North Point Parkway.

law enforcement, has supported legislation to prohibit camera companies from receiving a share of the fines, and instead receive a flat fee for the service. He has also suggested that all devices be uniform throughout the state, with flashing lights and signs clearly warning drivers when speed enforcement cameras are operating. State Rep. Dale Washburn (R-Macon) sponsored legislation last year to eliminate the cameras altogether. He provided a stack of emails from angry Georgians ticketed who reported lights were not flashing, they didn’t even know they were in a school zone or the cameras were otherwise unfair. I received notice in March that my car was snapped driving 42 mph in a 25 mph school zone on North Point Parkway Jan. 27. The time stamp said 3:58 p.m., well within the frame of enforcement. Yes, I was on North Point Parkway Jan. 27 around that time. Why argue? There was the picture. Guilty. Then, I changed my mind. It was impossible for me to have been speeding through that school zone, and I could prove it.

Disputing the charge I appeared in Alpharetta Municipal Court in April and pleaded not guilty. I told the judge that I was a reporter and had covered Alpharetta’s adoption of the school zone camera program. With extensive knowledge of the program, I knew it would be suicide to speed through any Alpharetta school zone when lights were flashing, akin to stomping the accelerator when you see a cop on the side of the road with a radar gun aimed at your grill, I told the judge. The lights could not have been flashing. The picture did not include an image of the yellow light apparatus – just my car and the time stamp. I brought copies of the articles I’d written as evidence. I also brought evidence that on Jan. 27, I was returning home from a 3 p.m. dental appointment at the Swan Building on Old Milton Parkway, one of the busiest arteries in the city. The appointment included a cleaning, then an examination from the periodontist. I had my dental appointment card and receipt for the services rendered. Finally, I told the judge that to trust the traffic camera, he’d have to believe that in 58 minutes I had: • Undergone a dental cleaning. • Waited for the periodontist to check my gums. • Walked down a flight of stairs, out to my car and exited the lot. • Driven 2.5 miles at rush hour through six traffic signals on a street that carries some 50,000 vehicles a day. Indeed, the judge couldn’t believe it, so he dismissed the case. Here’s the worst part. There was no person – no accuser – I could confront in court. There was only a photograph with a time stamp. I’m with Sen. Albers on this one.

How to get what you want, made simple "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss is a book that should probably be required reading for everyone. I am sure of this. However, I am not sure if it should be read in elementary RAY APPEN school, middle school Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com or high school. Or maybe it should be required in every corporation at every level. It's not a new book. I read it almost 10 years ago and am rereading it now. I reread books that I think are important or magical — such as "One Hundred Years of Solitude" or "The Overstory." In "Never Split the Difference," Voss shares the methods he used as one of the FBI's top hostage negotiators. That was his job: talking people who had kidnapped others and held them for

ransom — under threat of death — into releasing their hostages alive. There may be no bigger ask than that. Failure is not an option. The book is engaging, highly readable and filled with accounts of actual hostage negotiations from around the world — rebel armies, prison revolts and hijackings. But its lessons are not limited to dangerous or traumatic situations. At its core, hostage negotiation is really nothing more than advocating for your wants and needs to others. In that light, consider negotiating a major software contract with a Fortune 500 company, convincing your boss to promote you with a raise or persuading your child not to quit piano lessons or drop off the travel team. At the end of the day, life is driven by wants and needs. This book is about how to recognize them and respond appropriately, efficiently and successfully. What this book is not, however,

is one of those formulaic bestsellers promising to teach you how to sell anything to anybody. It is not that. Alongside "Never Split the Difference," another book has recently resurfaced in my memory — one I have read at least three times over the years: "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman. Both books are about how people make decisions, how they think, and how they process information. Think Malcolm Gladwell — "The Tipping Point," "Blink," "Outliers" and all his other books. To be clear, though, Gladwell rode to fame on the shoulders of Kahneman — as did Voss. Voss's message is simple, profound and accessible. Getting your way with another person involves basic, teachable skills — listening better, practicing empathy, building trust and seeing the world through the other person's eyes. Step by practical step, Voss shares techniques for achieving these things, and most of what he suggests is little

more than common sense. The problem is that most of us have forgotten how to connect effectively with others because we are too busy, too distracted or not focused on what matters most to the other person. We are too self-centered. He brings the core pieces together and shows how each connects to the others — teaching both context and execution. It is not rocket science. It requires practice, focus and a genuine desire to achieve goals that depend on another person or organization. Usually something happens that reminds me that wisdom from a past book needs to be revisited. Sometimes I am the one who needs the refresher course. Sometimes it is people in my orbit. In this case, it's the "other people" who sparked the memory and the motivation to reread it. They are dealing with life curveballs at the moment, and reading and internalizing the book will help them navigate forward more successfully.

GARDEN BUZZ

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 23

Top mosquito-repelling plants, strategies for bite-free backyard Mosquitoes are as much a part of Georgia summers as fresh peaches and Braves baseball. There is a saying that Georgia mosquitoes are so big they must check luggage at the airport. In ANNE WISKIND addition to being a Guest Columnist terrible nuisance and causing painful bites, they can spread diseases such as West Nile virus, equine encephalitis and Zika virus. In the spirit of "know thy enemy," some basic facts about mosquitoes are important. Female mosquitoes require a blood meal — biting a person or pet — prior to laying eggs. Water is required for the larval and pupal stages of development, so eggs are usually laid on standing water. The amount needed is tiny; an empty bottle cap will do. The larval and pupal stages last around seven days, and the lifespan of an adult mosquito is two to four weeks. Controlling adult mosquitoes can be challenging. Electrical and ultrasonic repelling devices have not proven effective. Due to the short lifespan of mosquitoes, insecticidal sprays and fogging provide only temporary control, and they can be lethal to pollinators and toxic to people and pets. An integrated mosquito management plan utilizes multiple strategies to ensure a healthy, balanced ecosystem to keep mosquito populations in check. Since mosquitoes require water to develop, eliminating water sources for larval and pupal development is an effective option. Remove all standing water, such as from trays under potted plants, gutters, downspouts, tarps and tires. Change the water in pet bowls and bird baths at least once a week to interrupt larval development. Buckets filled with water can also be scattered around the yard as an attractive place for females to lay their eggs, and a biologically based larvicide (“mosquito dunks”) placed in the bucket prevents larval development. Mosquitoes are a food source for birds and beneficial insects, so a layered landscape with trees, shrubs, ground covers and pollinator plants will establish habitats for birds, dragonflies and other insect-eating animals. Bats can eat thousands of insects per night, so adding a bat house may also help control the adult mosquito population. Aromatic cedar mulch may also help keep mosquitoes away from your yard, and a mosquito is no match for a wellplaced porch or patio fan. Mosquitoes target their victims by

ANNE WISKIND/PROVIDED

A collection of potted herbs, marigolds, lemon thyme, oregano, English lavender and lavender cotton. I took this photo in Budapest and confirmed the plants by smell, touch or my plant app. I was familiar with all except lavender cotton. These highly aromatic varieties help mask human odors to deter biting pests in outdoor seating areas. tracking body heat and the carbon dioxide we exhale. They can be repelled by strong herbal and citrus scents that mask human odor. Plants with strong fragrances can be planted in flower beds or containers around seating areas, doors and windows to repel mosquitoes. Here is a list of common mosquitorepelling plants: • Perennial herbs: Lavender, lemon thyme, lemon balm, rosemary, sage and mint. The leaves of these plants must be crushed to release the plant oils and scent. After testing for skin sensitivities, the crushed leaves can be rubbed on arms, legs and the neck to spread the scent. Sprigs of sage, rosemary and lemon thyme can also be burned on a grill or added to a fire pit to disperse the scent. • Basil: An annual herb that repels flies and mosquitoes without its leaves being crushed. As a bonus, the leaves are great for making pesto. • Flowering perennials: Catnip and monarda, or bee balm, have fragrances that tend to repel mosquitoes while attracting beneficial pollinators. Allium is a flowering perennial bulb with a garlic or onion scent.

About the Author This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Anne Wiskind, a Master Gardner since 2024. She is a life-long gardener with an active interest in protecting pollinators and encouraging biologic diversity. Anne does most of her gardening at her lake house in Blairsville, Georgia. She is appreciative of her mentors in the North Fulton County Master Gardeners.

• Annuals: Marigolds act as a natural mosquito repellent because they contain pyrethrum, a compound used in commercial pesticides. Both the flowers and the crushed leaves are fragrant. Scented geraniums are a fragrant annual for beds but can be toxic to skin. The citronella plant on its own has little effect, although the oil from its leaves may act as a repellent. Nasturtium leaves and flowers have a peppery scent. All these plants should be regularly maintained and trimmed, as new growth is more aromatic than old. Ultimate control relies on staying one step ahead of the mosquito breeding

cycle. A few strategic adjustments to your landscape drainage and plant choices will ensure your backyard remains a sanctuary for your family rather than a haven for pests. Happy Gardening! North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/ opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/. Visit us the second and fourth Saturdays at the Alpharetta Farmers Market and the third Saturday at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market. We will also have a booth at the Crabapple Festival in Milton on October 3, 2026. Learn more at nfmg.net.

24 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

Blomberg: Continued from Page 1 “No, no, no, no — I was always like this.” A kid From Druid Hills Ronald Mark Blomberg grew up on the south side of Atlanta, the son of Sol and Goldie Blomberg, who ran a small jewelry store on Alabama Street near what is now Georgia State University. It was a different Atlanta — smaller, harder and, for a Jewish family, complicated. “The KKK and the John Birch Society were here,” Blomberg said. “And I remember growing up, walking Peachtree Street, there was always, like, once a month — marches with the Klan. People with hoods, always somebody giving out pamphlets. My father would always say, ‘Throw it away, throw it away.’ But once in a while, I would look at it, and it was like — really?” A Grand Wizard for the Klan lived just a couple of doors from the Blomberg home. “People don’t realize the Jews were in the back of the bus, too,” Blomberg said. “I grew up knowing that. A lot of people I grew up with, their grandparents were part of the KKK — it filtered from grandparent to parent to them. That’s how it grew.” Yet in that same environment, Blomberg spent his afternoons and weekends playing ball in the South Atlantic league

NEWS

games, where roughly 85 percent of his teammates and friends were Black. Four of the players he grew up competing with in American Legion ball were eventually firstround draft picks. “We became very close — like family,” Blomberg said. “I didn’t see any type of prejudice. I didn’t see that.” The ripple effect By the time Blomberg reached Druid Hills High School, college and professional scouts were a constant presence at every field where he played. He earned All-American honors in baseball, basketball and football simultaneously — the only high school athlete in history to do so across all three sports. Many parents in his community — Black and white alike — came to see Blomberg almost as a ticket. Wherever he played, opportunity followed. “They looked at me as a savior for the good athletes around me,” Blomberg said. “Because wherever I was, there were scouts — college scouts, professional scouts. I was a ripple effect. Wherever I was, I would get covered, and when I got covered, they got covered.” He was drafted first overall by the New York Yankees in 1967 and signed for $75,000. “Being a kid who idolized the Yankees and Mickey Mantle, being a Jew coming up from the South, going to New York City where there are a million Jews — I had an opportunity to fulfill my dream,” he said. April 6, 1973 The moment that made Blomberg a permanent footnote in the game came on a cold Boston morning at Fenway Park. The Yankees’ lineup had been submitted with a new designation under the American League’s experimental rule: Designated

Awards: Continued from Page 1 • Local news coverage, 3rd place, Appen staff • Business writing, 2nd place, Appen staff, Dan Whisenhunt, Dean Hesse, Jim Bass • Education writing, 1st place, Jim Bass • Education writing, 2nd place, Jim Bass

Ask: Continued from Page 20 Certain trees are better than small gardens, however. Planting nectarproviding trees that bloom, such as basswood and buttonbush, is the best thing people can do to save bees, according to the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association. For those with no room for trees, shrubs, such as

Hitter. Blomberg batted first. With the bases loaded in the first inning, Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant walked him on five pitches. The bat he used that day is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. “We lost 15 to 5,” Blomberg said with a laugh. “And I told everybody — that’s the day I screwed up the game of baseball. But you know the funny part? That changed the game. It became a whole new era.” He pauses. “I remember Will Clark came up to me years later, a guy I’d never met. He said, ‘I just want to thank you — you made me millions of dollars.’ I said, ‘Just give me your money.’” Blomberg compiled a .293 career batting average over eight seasons, hitting .329 in 1973 with runners in scoring position at .351. Injuries stole what many analysts believe would have been one of the great careers of his era. The man in the locker room Steve Gordon, who works out at the same gym as Blomberg and is Jewish himself — originally from South Florida — said he never encountered antisemitism until he moved to Atlanta. He found something he didn’t expect when he met Blomberg. “My kids love Ron,” Gordon said. “He even wrote a recommendation letter for one of my kids for a job.” That is, in a small way, Ron Blomberg in full — a man who still speaks publicly about Jewish identity and perseverance, still shows up at Old Timers Day in the Bronx every August, and still can’t seem to get through a locker room without starting six conversations. “I’ve been around the wealthiest people to the poorest people, and I treated them all the same,” Blomberg said. “That’s how my parents always told me. When you treat people nice, it comes back to you.”

What he tells people now Since Oct. 7, 2023, Blomberg has watched the surge in antisemitic incidents on college campuses and in cities across the country with deep concern. “I never saw anything like that before in my whole life,” he said. “I never thought New York, of all places, would become something like this — anti this and anti this and anti this.” When he speaks to audiences — at Jewish organizations, corporate events and community gatherings — the message comes from the sandlots of South Atlanta as much as Yankee Stadium. “You have to be very strong,” Blomberg said. “I always heard things in the stands. I would hear things in the minor leagues in Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. But my parents always told me — let it run off your back. Because you know what? If you play in New York, that means you can play.” He leans forward when he says the next part, the way a man does when he means it. “I looked at life differently. I didn’t look at the negativity like a lot of my peers did. I pushed it out of my mind — not because I didn’t understand the hatred, but because I didn’t want to become it.” Blomberg still lives in Roswell with his wife, Beth, and their daughter Chesley. He still works out. And he still makes friends with everybody in the locker room. “Thank God,” he said, grinning. “I got a great family, great wife, great kids, great grandkids, and great friends. And that’s what you do.” Ron Blomberg’s books “Designated Hebrew” and “The Captain and Me” are available at major retailers. Information about speaking engagements and Cruises is available at ronblombergyankees.com.

and Zoe Seiler • Feature photograph, 2nd place, Dean Hesse • Serious column, 1st place, Carl Appen • Serious column, 2nd place, King Williams • Serious column, 3rd place, Pat Fox • Humorous column, 2nd place, Pat Fox • Feature column, 3rd place, Steve Hudson • Feature writing, 2nd place, Dan Whisenhunt

• Feature writing, 3rd place, Jim Bass • Newspaper website, 3rd place, Decaturish.com “It’s wonderful to be recognized by our peers in the newspaper industry,” executive editor Dan Whisenhunt said. “Our team works hard every day to deliver informative and impactful news to our community. These awards reflect our continuing commitment to serving our readers.”

summersweet and shrubby St. John’s wort, are good choices. Paul said bees teach a lot about community cooperation and division of labor. “Each bee has a specific job based on their stage in life. They start as nurse bees after hatching, then guard bees protecting the colony and finally foragers,” he said. Paul said his wife uses most of the honey produced by his hives, but since he’s grown his colonies, he is hoping to

sell some next year. And, yes, his honey tastes better than store-bought honey. “[Because] my honey is unfiltered and local,” he said. “Some honey in stores coming from China, for example, are mixed with other sweeteners and may not be pure honey. Most American-produced honey is the real thing but may be filtered to remove some of the pollen,” he said. “That’s not necessarily bad, but it isn’t necessarily raw honey.”

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 25

Coming Soon!

Voting for Best of North Atlanta (Voting Period: July 15 – August 15)

FOOD & BEVERAGE: Best All Around Restaurant Best Asian Food Best Bakery Best BBQ Best Beer (LOCAL) Best Breakfast/Brunch Best Brewery/Brewpub Best Burger Best Cajun/Creole Food Best Coffee Shop (LOCAL) Best Dessert Best Family Dining Best Fine Dining Best German Food Best Happy Hour Best Indian Food Best Italian Food Best Local Flair Restaurant Best Lunch Spot Best Mexican Food Best Patio Dining Best Pizza Best Salad Best Smoothie/Juicery Best Takeout Food MEDICAL: Best ABA Therapist Best Adult Day Care Best Audiologist Best Chiropractor Best Cosmetic Surgery Best Counseling Services Best Dentist Best Dermatologist Best ENT

Best Family Practice Best Gastroenterologist Best Hair Restoration Best Holistic/Alternative Medicine Best Home Care for Seniors Best Hospice & Palliative Care Best Internal Medicine Best Med Spa Best Medical Weight Loss Best Memory Care Best Mobility Store/Services Best Music Therapy Best Nutritionist Best OBGYN Best Occupational Therapist Best Oncology Best Ophthalmology Best Optometry Best Oral Surgery Best Orthodontist Best Pediatric Dentist Best Pediatrician Best Physical Therapy Best Podiatry Best Senior Activity Center Best Senior Living Community Best Speech Therapy Best Substance Abuse/Addiction Treatment Best Urgent Care Best Urology Best Vein Specialist Best Veterinarian RECREATION: Best Art Lessons/Studio Best Community Event Best Dance Lessons/Studio

2026

Best Of North Atlanta Presented By

Not a complete list. Categories are subject to change.

Best Date Night Hotspot Best Day Spa / Massage Best Farmers Market Best Golf Course Best Group/Corporate Activity Best Gym / Fitness Facility Best Music Lessons Best Performing Arts / Theatre Best Place for Kids to Have Fun Best Sports Program Best Summer Camp Best Wedding Venue RETAIL: Best Antiques Store Best Apparel Boutique (LOCAL) Best Art Gallery / Retailer Best Beverage / Wine Store (LOCAL) Best Boutique Shop (LOCAL) Best Bridal Shop Best CBD Retailer Best Consignment Store Best Florist Best Furniture / Home Décor Best Jeweler Best Pharmacy (LOCAL) Best Shopping/Entertainment Plaza SERVICES: Best Auto Service Repair Best Bank / Credit Union Best Barber Shop Best Car Wash Best Commercial Real Estate Company Best CPA Best Dry Cleaner Best Electrician Best Esthetician

Best Family Law Attorney Best Financial Planner Best Funeral Home Best Graphics & Printing Shop Best Hair Salon / Stylist Best Heating & Air Services Best Home Builder / Developer Best Information Services Best Insurance Agency Best Interior Design Services Best IT/ Business Services Best Landscaping Services Best Law Firm Best Maid Service Best Merchant Services Best Mortgage Lender Best Networking Group Best Painter Best Personal Injury Attorney Best Pet Daycare / Lodger Best Pet Grooming Best Pet Supply / Boutique Best Photographer Best Plumber Best Pool Services Best Pre-School / Day Care Best Private K-12 School Best Promotional Products Best Real Estate Brokerage Firm Best Realtor (Individual) Best Realtor Team Best Renovation/Home Improvement Services Best Senior Information Service Best Shredder Services Best Travel Agency / Service Best Tree Service

BestOfNorthAtlanta.com

26 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DIVISION OF ST. THOMAS & ST. JOHN ORIENTAL BANK, Plaintiff, V. SHAWN J. DOWE, HADY DOWE, AND MAHOGANY RUN HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Defendants.

To: Hady Dowe Covington, Georgia Order of Publication

To: Shawn J. Dowe Covington, Georgia Order of Publication

CASE NO. ST-24-CV-97

Within 30 days after completion of the publication period specified in the Order of Publication dated March 9, 2026, you are hereby required to appear before this Court and answer to a Cross- Claim filed against you in this action for, inter alia, a money judgment, judgment confirming the amount, validity, and priority of MRHA's lien against Shawn J. Dowe and Hady Dowe's real property located on St. Thomas, judgment foreclosing MRHA's lien, and an award of costs and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment by default will be taken against you as demanded in the Cross- Claim for Debt, Foreclosure, and Quiet Title. Witness my hand and the seal of this Court this 10TH day of JUNE 2026. Court Clerk II of said court.

By/Solicitors for Mahogany Run Homeowners Association Shari N. D'Andrade KROBLIN D'ANDRADE P.C. 9716 Estate Thomas, Suite 203 St. Thomas, VI 00802

TO BE RUN: 07/02, 07/09, 07/16 and 07/23/2026.

DEATH NOTICES David Graham Gilmore, age 69, of Sandy Springs, GA passed away on June 16, 2026.

Rose Mazur, age 89, of Milton, GA passed away on June 20, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Antoine Rhodes, age 85, of Milton, GA passed away on June 20, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

GET RESULTS!

Did this ad catch your eye?

Let us help you accomplish your business goals with advertising that reaches the area’s most desirable demographics with news and information that no other publication can deliver — and all at an affordable price.

Then imagine the number of other readers that noticed it too! Advertise your products and services in our newspapers and get noticed by our 232,500 readers every week in North Atlanta.*

Contact one of our account executives today for more information and ideas on how to take your business to the next level. 1

Ross: City should have residents pick fiscal fate

Public Service Commission race headed to runoff election

► PAGE 3

2 free paint samples every Friday. MUST PRESENT COUPON - LIMIT 2 PER HOUSEHOLD. VALID THRU 5/31/2025. 7/31/2025.

3 LOCATIONS! ROSWELL & EAST COBB! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

► PAGE 5

► PAGE 3

(770) 702-8888

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

A girl waves an American flag as she dances to music by Davis and the Love at Roswell Area Park July 4.

PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA

Kendall, from left, John, Brooks and Reid Hill sit on a picnic blanket at Roswell Area Park to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Roswell crowd celebrates America’s 249th birthday By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Food trucks, live music and fireworks were on the menu for America’s birthday in Roswell. A crowd of over 1,000 piled into Roswell Area Park July 4 to celebrate America’s 249th birthday.

Kendall and John Hill travelled from East Cobb to bring their two little ones to the show. “The kids love it,” John Hill said. Baseball fields and multi-use fields were filled with families and friends awaiting the firework show at dusk.

See FOURTH, Page 23

OPINION

See FIREWORKS, Page 24

DR. INGRID REYES

DR. NATU MMBAGA

DR. ANNIE KIM

Two-year-old Cameron holds a beach ball at the City of Roswell Fourth of July celebration at Roswell Area Park.

Business owner crafts calm in the chaos

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Traci Foreman, Chris Foreman and John Hanley watch fireworks in Wills Park July 4.

► PAGE 8

► PAGE 5

DR. ZIN ALONSO

404.446.2496 | WWW.REYESOBGYN.COM

DR. NADA MEGALLY

EMILY DIXON, CNM

DR. MIRANDA LONG

8TH YEAR IN A ROW!

THANK YOU!

KEIANNA HALEY, CNM

SKYLER JACOBS, CNM

MIMI SONG, CNM

KATIE VAUGHN, CNM

KRISTINE RAYNARD, CNM

ALPHARETTA | JOHNS CREEK | CUMMING

Best OB/GYN DR. TINA LU

DR. NATALIE CLERICUZIO

DR. SHELLEY ZIPPAY

KRISTI PRESLEY, WHNP

JOANNE LEE, FNP

AMBER BECKER, WHNP

HEMALI PATEL, WHNP

By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The heart of the holiday was shining through the music, food and fun of Creek’s Juneteenth celebration. As the sun set on a warm Saturday evening, Midway grandmother Matilda Riles sat in a lawnchair, watching her grandchildren play on the park lawn amid the sound of booming live music and mouthwatering aroma of food trucks. Before the fun started, Riles, who attended with three generations of family, educated the kids about the reason for Juneteenth. “It's a point in time when enslaved people no longer had to be enslaved, and certain places did not relay the message at the time that it should have been relayed,” Riles said. “And, therefore this is a celebration as to when the final group of people were told you no longer had to be enslaved.” Several thousand visitors descended on the city’s annual celebration at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, doubling last year’s attendance. The celebration resembled a giant block party with live music performances, chatting neighbors, plenty of food and rows of arts and craft vendors.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The perfect biscuit is like a warm hug, said Brandy White, owner of Sawnee Mountain Biscuit Company. “It kind of warms your soul,” White said. “It feels like home to me.” Since 2001, the Sawnee Mountain Biscuit has operated out of a renovated mobile home at 104 13th St., serving perfect pillowy biscuits wrapped around eggs, cheese, bacon and other breakfast staples. With dozens of items on the menu, the restaurant features other tasty offerings from French toast to a house-made pimento cheese. Tucked into a sleepy neighborhood on the edge of Cumming, Sawnee Mountain Biscuit might easily be taken as another house, but locals say the squat, blue-clapboard building is one of the town’s best breakfast spots. Over the decades, the restaurant has earned a cult following in Cumming and the north Atlanta area, serving as many as 400 orders some mornings.

See BISCUIT, Page 6

2024 DR. JOHN REYES

Residents celebrate, remember meaning behind Juneteenth

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Brandy White holds her 1-year-old daughter, Lennon, at the entrance to her Sawnee Mountain Biscuit Company on 13th Street just outside Cumming.

“We focus on personal, compassionate care”

EMILY CHUNG, FNP

PAIGE MAROLF, WHNP

LANA WERTZ, CNM

ERICA RICHMOND, CNM

LAURA WIESE, CNM

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is working to complete converting an old elementary school into a law enforcement training center. Since October, the training center has hosted a public safety academy as part of a partnership between the sheriff’s office and University of North Georgia. The academy, funded by the

ROI

matters.

sheriff’s office, provides training for law enforcement officers in Forsyth County and surrounding jurisdictions, Capt. Rob Heagerty said. At an April 22 work session, the County Board of Commissioners discussed a proposal to allocate $47,993 for design services with ar chitectural firm Wiley Wilson to create plans, conduct inspections and

make changes to water heaters. The sheriff’s office wants to install showers and locker rooms at the building at 4805 Atlanta Highway, Heagerty said. The improvements are important because exercise and physical conditioning are essential in maintaining capable deputies, he said. The building already houses classrooms, meeting rooms, a cafeteria,

gym, simulator room and an empty wing where deputies can conduct building-clearing and other training exercises. The work is part of a second phase to transform former Midway Elementary School into a law enforcement training center.

See SHERIFF, Page 12

Partner with Appen Local Media: Local: Print | Websites | Email Newsletters | Podcasts Use the power of trusted local to grow your business. APPEN Marketing: 770-442-3278 Advertising@AppenMedia.com

County restores original funding to cultural arts

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

See JUNETEENTH, Page 10

By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat

sions last January and writing false reports about each of the incidents. “The (Justice Department’s) Civil Rights Division has zero tolerance for law enforcement officers who abuse public trust through excessive force and concealing their misconduct,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “We will vigorously safeguard the constitutional

April 10, 2025 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976

Dunwoody opens doors to refine future land-use By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to restore funding for a program within the Arts & Culture Department to $3 million a year Sept. 17. While the unanimous vote reflects unity and bipartisanship, some commissioners criticized colleagues for the delay. The item, sponsored by Democratic commissioners Khadijah AbdurRahman and Marvin Arrington Jr. and Republican commissioners Bob Ellis and Bridget Thorne, includes an increase of $1.7 million for a previously requested program and its full $3 million in funding set aside in the 2026 budget.

PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Front center, Ann Hanlon, executive director of the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, holds the ribbon for phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path April 3 while City Councilman Tom Lambert, front right, gets ready to cut it. The Perimeter CIDs and Dunwoody split the project’s $1.5 million construction cost.

Commercial partners and city celebrate new path By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

See FULTON, Page 20

Fulton jail staff faces civil rights indictments ATLANTA — Fulton County Jail employee has been indicted in federal court for allegedly using excessive force against prisoners. The 47-year-old sergeant is accused of repeatedly using tasers on compliant, nonresisting pre-trial detainees on three occa-

rights of all individuals, including those in custody.” “Abuses of power of this kind are unconstitutional, erode our community’s trust, and will be prosecuted,” added Theodore S. Hertzberg, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Solomon faces up to 10 years in prison for each federal civil rights violation and 20

Life Time Perimeter revives health club site ► PAGE 4

Summer Veggies Annuals Pollinator Plants and So Much More! Friday April 11- Sunday April 13

Greenhouse complex- Across from the Skate Park in Brookrun Park, Dunwoody

S e p t e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 0 , N o . 3 9

Children play in the lawn at Newtown Park during a Juneteenth celebration in Johns Creek June 21.

By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com

County considers funding for sheriff’s training facility

County delays closing Alpharetta jail site

Pitts: Raising millage rate would be mistake

► PAGE 4

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Thousands filled Wills Park to celebrate July 4 with a bang. Hours before darkness fell, friends and families filled the park’s lawns, Equestrian Center, trails and athletic fields. Everywhere, children played, cartwheeling, running, tossing balls and waving glow sticks. Alpharettan Lindsey Landis, her husband, two children and two dogs were part the crowd, passing the golden hour on a blanket laid out on the grass.

J u n e 2 6 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 9 , N o . 2 6

M ay 1 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 9 , N o . 1 8

Biscuit eatery rises to meet high demand

Spring Plant Sale!

years behind bars for each false report. The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case based on a referral from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.

Your Trusted Real Estate Expert

RACHEL PROVOW

Doggie-paddle Pets enjoy cool, pool party at Last Splash Puppy Bash

2025

SEE THE WINNERS INSIDE

Miniature goldendoodle Lexi cools off at the Milton city pool on Sept. 13. Canine companions gathered there to celebrate summer’s end. See the story and more photos from Sarah Donehoo on page 18.

Your Trusted Real Estate Expert

RONY GHELERTER C: 703.899.6663 | Rony@HOMEgeorgia.com | @ronygsellsatlanta

A look down the completed phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path April 3 shows the two-way cycle track parallel to the revamped sidewalk.

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody elected officials, city staff and Perimeter Community Improvement Districts Executive Director Ann Hanlon cut the ribbon April 3 on phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path. “We’re super proud to partner with the city of Dunwoody on building this trail project,” Hanlon

said. “And we’ll look forward to many more phases to come.” A little over two years ago, the group gathered at the same spot near the corner of Ashford Dunwoody Road and Hammond Drive for phase one’s groundbreaking. Phase one of the corridor’s path includes a two-way raised cycle track separated from traffic by a wide landscape buffer

See PATH, Page 17

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The City of Dunwoody is streamlining development rules and updating its vision for the city’s future as part of a state-mandated overhaul. City officials and representatives from consulting firm TSW Design, which was tasked with creating a plan, gave a two-hour presentation about the changes April 1 during a special meeting at Vintage Pizzeria on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Residents received and discussed the creation of a unified development ordinance and changes to the city’s comprehensive plan. Dunwoody is updating its comprehensive plan as part of a state mandate that requires an overhaul every five years, said Allison Stewart-Harris, an associate principal and planner at TSW. Stewart-Harris presented the changes to about 30 residents who attended the meeting.

JAN HART | REALTOR® JAN HART | REALTOR®® JAN HART | REALTOR c: 678.596.3684 c: 678.596.3684 c: o: 678.596.3684 404.480.HOME o: 404.480.HOME o: 404.480.HOME JAN@ANSLEYRE.COM JAN@ANSLEYRE.COM JAN@ANSLEYRE.COM

A u g u s t 2 1 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 4 , N o . 3 4

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs announced that the Billboard Music Award-winning band Lit is headlining Friday night Sept. 26 at the third annual Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival. The festival will take place in the heart of Sandy Springs Friday, Sept. 26, from 4-10 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Lit is an American rock band from Orange County,

California, formed in 1988. They are best known for their platinum-selling 1999 power-pop punk album “A Place in the Sun” and its massive hit single “My Own Worst Enemy.” The band is set to headline the main stage Friday night at 8 p.m. In addition to Lit, the family-friendly festival features music all day long across multiple stages, an artist market with more than 80 vendors and a Kids Zone.

See LIT, Page 9

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

About 30 residents fill a dining room at Vintage Pizzeria on Chamblee Dunwoody Road April 1 to hear a presentation by TSW Design planner Allison Stewart-Harris, who spoke on the city’s future land-use strategy.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Motorists line up at the Boylston Drive signal to turn left onto Hammond Drive Aug. 14. Sandy Springs will begin work in September to realign Boylston to the east and eliminate a nearby traffic light.

Realignment construction begins on Hammond-Boylston intersection

CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED

Sandy Springs said Billboard Music Award-winning band, Lit, is headlining this year’s festival Sept. 26-27 at City Springs.

October 23, 2025 | Decaturish.com | Locally Sourced News | An Appen Media Group Publication | Volume 1, No. 13

solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. Equal housing opportunity. If you have an existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs contractors are set to begin work in September on realigning the intersection of Boylston and Hammond drives and removing a redundant traffic light. The city says work will last around 15 months, and the intersection will remain open during construction, but there will be occasional lane closures so crews can get the work done safely. Initially, city officials expected the project

to begin in mid-August. No explanation was given. Currently, there are two separate sets of traffic lights less than 100 feet away from one another, one at the Hammond Glen Retirement Community’s driveway and another at the office building next door. The new configuration will shift Boylston Drive to the east, aligning it with the Hammond Glen driveway and eliminating the traffic light at the driveway to the office building at 325 Hammond Drive.

Indicted superintendent resigns

404-403-6561 C | 770-394-2131 O RobinBlass.com

Early voting ends Oct. 31 for municipal elections ► PAGE 4

See story on Page 22

Education ANSWER BOOK 2025

An Appen Media Group Publication

Atlanta Perimeter Office | 4848 Ashford Dunwoody Road | Atlanta, GA 30338

Soaring high Atlanta International School set to open new campus, marks 40th anniversary Pages 20-22

CONTACT YOUR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE TODAY! 770-442-3278

Wild Nest Bird Rehab finds roost at Legacy Park

► PAGE 24

See BOYLSTON, Page 8

DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA

ROBIN BLASS JANHARTGROUP.COM

Hundreds attend Intown Ace Hardware’s annual Ladies Night ► PAGE 14

DeKalb School Board faces tough questions as district finds itself at crossroads

#1 SMALL TEAM COMPANYWIDE 2024

GEORGIA RAE HART | REALTOR® c: 678.266.8241 o: 404.480.HOME

INSIDE

Residents trying to pump brakes on I-285 express lane ► PAGE 12

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

ANSLEYRE.COM | 404.480.HOME | 3035 PEACHTREE ROAD, SUITE 202, ATLANTA, GA 30305 Equal housing opportunity. If you have an existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted.

ANSLEYRE.COM | 404.480.HOME 3035 PEACHTREE| ROAD, SUITE 202, ATLANTA, GA 30305 ANSLEYRE.COM 404.480.HOME 3035 PEACHTREE| ROAD, SUITE 202, ATLANTA, GA 30305 ANSLEYRE.COM Equal housing opportunity. If you404.480.HOME have an existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a 3035housing PEACHTREE SUITE 202,relationship, ATLANTA, GA 30305 solicitation. All opportunity. data believed to ROAD, be accurate but not warranted. Equal If you have an existing brokerage this is not intended as a

Billboard Music Award winner to headline Sandy Springs fest

See REFINE, Page 17

Put Our Experience To Work For You JAN HART | REALTOR® c: 678.596.3684 o: 404.480.HOME

Decaturish

2 Decades Decades of of Experience Experience 22Circle Decades of Experience Circle of of Excellence Excellence Circle of Excellence Recipient Recipient Recipient CALL JAN HART FOR ALL CALL JAN HART FOR ALL YOURJAN REAL ESTATE CALL HART FORNEEDS ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS

9am-4pm (Fri & Sat) 11am-3pm (Sun)

inSIDEoutPaintCenters.com

Wills Park brims with area visitors on Fourth of July

ink

Charity golf tournament honors beloved founder

THE PAINT PROS AND HOMEOWNERS HAVE TRUSTED FOR GENERATIONS.

FREE PAINT FRIDAY!

J u l y 1 0 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 4 3 , N o . 2 8

Scan QR to Learn More or to Book!

678-831-4949

MAKING DECATUR FEEL GREATER

WE CAN HELP YOU: REGAIN MOBILITY PREVENT INJURY IMPROVE SPORTS PERFORMANCE ELIMINATE PAIN & STIFFNESS

50% OFF FIRST STRETCH Locals Only

319 North Main Street | Alpharetta, GA 30009 AppenMedia.com 770-442-3278 | advertising@appenmedia.com

*Based on total circulation of 93,000 homes delivered x 2.5 readers per home (newspaper industry standard).

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 27

Locally Owned and Operated

• Pre-planning • Grief Support • Funeral Services • Veteran Services • Cremation Services

770-645-1414

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 ADVERTISEMENT FOR INVITATION TO BID CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA FOR FY 2027 MILLING & RESURFACING ITB #27-001 The City of Alpharetta is inviting bidders to bid for FY 2027 MILLING & RESURFACING. The work to be done includes, but is not limited to, maintaining traffic control measures, milling existing pavement, installing tack coat, installing asphaltic concrete surface course, installing soil cement, seal coating, crack sealing, performing cleanup, and related work. The location of the work is at various locations within the City of Alpharetta, Georgia. A bid bond in the amount of 5% of the bid pricing is required with each bid submitted. All construction shall conform to the State of Georgia Standard Specifications for the Construction of Transportation Systems, latest Edition. Only contractors that have been pre-qualified with the Georgia Department of Transportation to perform this class of work shall be allowed to submit bids. Please submit your Georgia Department of Transportation qualification specification letter with the package. The ITB will be available online Thursday, June 18, 2026, at our bid posting website, http://cityofalpharetta.bonfirehub.com/. Interested parties are required to log in to review the ITB documents. All bids must be received before closing at http://cityofalpharetta.bonfirehub.com/, webpage for this project. Responses submitted by hard copy, mail, facsimile, or e-mail will not be accepted. Responses received after the closing time will not be considered. This procurement is issued under the authority of the City of Alpharetta Procurement Policy and applicable law. The city has the authority to reject all proposals or any proposal that is non-responsive or not responsible, and to waive technicalities and informalities to award a contract that is in the best interest of the City. The bid opening will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM online using Microsoft Teams. Meeting ID: 236 180 283 606 3 Passcode: 6G9oZ3RM For information, please contact Beth Rucker at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us or at 678-297-6052.

Randy Knighton City Administrator

City of Roswell Notice of Neighborhood Meeting & Public Hearing

Mary Robichaux Mayor

The following Items will be considered at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 7:00 PM, Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, GA 30075. a. ZUSE-0326-000001 – 200 Hembree Park Drive, Unit H The applicant, Ephraim Bistritzky, is requesting a conditional use permit for used vehicle sales; land lot 594. b. PL-20252326 – 0 Old Roswell Road The applicant, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, is requesting a rezoning from CX (Commercial Mixed Use) to OR (Office Residential) for a Townhome Development; Land Lot 236. c. Text Amendment – UDC 4.5.2 Use Table d. Text Amendment – UDC 6.5.2 Use Table e. Text Amendment – UDC 9 Use Provisions f. Text Amendment – UDC Section 12.5 Stormwater Management The following Items will be considered at a public hearing held by the Mayor & City Council, Monday, July 27, 2026, 7:00 PM, at Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, GA, 30075. a. ZMCC-1225-000006 – 320 Hardscrabble Road The applicant, World Harvest Church, is requesting a modification of zoning conditions with a concurrent variance; land lot 360. b. PL-20252326 – 0 Old Roswell Road The applicant, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, is requesting a rezoning from CX (Commercial Mixed Use) to OR (Office Residential) for a Townhome Development; Land Lot 236. c. Presentation of Draft 2045 Roswell Comprehensive Growth Plan with Annual Update to the Community Work Program (CWP) and Capital Improvement Element (CIE) for transmittal to Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). The following Item will be considered at a public hearing by the Mayor & City Council, Monday, August 10, 2026, 7:00 PM, at Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, GA, 30075. a. ZUSE-0326-000001 – 200 Hembree Park Drive, Unit H The applicant, Ephraim Bistritzky, is requesting a conditional use permit for used vehicle sales; land lot 594. 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 two (2) years, file a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law is available in the office of the City Attorney. The complete file is available for public view at the Roswell Planning & Zoning Office, 38 Hill Street, Suite G-30, Roswell, GA, (770) 817-6720 or planningandzoning@roswellgov.com. Refer to www.roswellgov.com.

28 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The following item will be considered by the City Council on Monday, July 20, 2026 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia. a. PH-26-12 Royal 400 Data Center - Change of Condition Consideration of a request to change a condition of zoning related to an expansion at an existing data center on 38.8 acres in the Royal 400 Master Plan. The applicant requests to reduce a 100’ buffer to a 40’ buffer along Kimball Bridge Road in order to accommodate a power substation. The property is located at 4905 North Point Parkway and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 850, 851, 858 & 859, 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.

HAVE AN ENT M ANNOUNCAERE? TO SH

Run it in the newspaper! WEDDINGS ENGAGEMENTS ANNIVERSARIES BIRTHS DEATHS To submit your announcement visit appenmedia.com/submit

Join today for $16/month

Support Local News Join Appen Press Club CHARTER MEMBER

DC Aiken Big Sky Franchise Team David & Michelle Bertany Amour & Duane Carthy Scott Childress Adam Corder

Patrick Cressaty Lindsay DeFranco Robert Flint Robin Fricton Zachary Hahn Allison January

Michael Kenig Roderick Liptrot Bob Meyers Claude Nardy Cliff Oxford Bruce Paulk

Ross & Lori Ramsey Sarah Reiter Mark Rundle Matthew Sayle Lynn Thomas Kim Truett

Roger Wise Jr. Colt Whittall

Jennifer Phillippi Robert Popp Dave Rhinehart Sergey Savin Heather Sawyer Kate Seng Karen Shih

Bob Stevens Kimberly Verska Carol Williams

William Edmundson Denise Eicher Mim Eisenberg Danny Elkins Su Ellis Grady Evans Leslie Ann Everett 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 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 Rihard Griffiths Elaine Gwynn Carolyn Hall Marilee Hamilton Susan Hanna Marion Hannah Chris Harrell Roxanne Hazen Joe Hirsch Penn Hodge Dianne & Steffan Holmquist Joan Hostetter Julie Hostetter Krista Howland Austin Hughes Jason Hunyar Jacqueline Hursh Susan Huss Paul Huth Jeffrey Hyde J. Craig Inman Sandra Jacobs Sue Jacques Lynn Johnson Tyler Jones

MEMBER+ Barbara Anderson Kerry Arias Scott Baynton Joseph Bell Rita Brown SM Buscher Mark Casas

David Conti Theodore Davis III Maureen Drumm Charlcie Forehand Lisa Frantz Aileen Horton Deborah Jackson

David Johnson Ali Mahbod Richard Matherly Evan McElroy Vickie McElroy Anne Peer Helen Perry

MEMBER Carl Abernathy Bruce Ackley Salpi Adrouny Alpharetta Lions Club Omar Altalib Dave Altman Ron Altman Joel Alvis American Legion Post 201 Ken Amos Alice & Dr. Richard Appen Stewart Applbaum Gaye Armstrong Mary Asbury Amy Auffant Bonnie Avera 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 Steve Berman Leslie Berry

Tom Billings Caroline Blackmon Tochie Blan Ron Boddicker Jodi Bogen Sherri Bolles-Rogers Katherine Bolt Helen Borland Debra Bowen Joe Bowen Kenneth Bowman David Boy Ryan Brainard Mark Brandus Mel Brannen Amy Bratten Carol Bright Linda Brill Dorothy Brouhard Mary Anne Brown Erendira Brumley Zack Buchanan Bernhard Burgener Alvin Burrell Mike & Theresa Buscher Mary Busman Clea Calloway Kirk Canaday James Carr Bridgette Carter William Carter William Cartwright

Linda & Frank Catroppa Pat Check Virginia Christman Adam Cleveland Ann Coaloa Kim Coggins Michael Cohen Evelyn Collazo Michael Mackenzie Communications Joan Compton Kathleen Cook Carol Cookerly Terri Coons Sarah Cox Rhonda Cude Connie Cunningham Christopher Cupit Bart Dean David Dean Duane DeBruler Marilyn DeCusati Kathleen DeMartino Nancy Diamond Sarah Donehoo Rebecca Donlan James Dorsey Tom Driscoll Michael Dudgeon Jeanette Dummer DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Thomas Edmonds

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.

Scan QR code to join the Appen Press Club

9 4 2 3

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 29

Join today for $16/month

SOLUTIONS Support Local News 2 3 4 Join Appen Press Club 1 6 8 Freda Manning-Rumph Kyile Marshall Julie Martin Linda & Todd Martinez Carla Masecar Valerie Matthews Theresea Mattioli William Maxwell Nicole Mayer Rachel McCord Austin McCully Diane McDonald Evan McElroy Karen McEnerny Jack McGinnis Lynn McIntyre Mike McLoughlin Margaret McManus Jennifer Mendoza Al Merrill Chris Miller Christine Miller Patricia Miller Milton Animal Hospital George Mobley Joe Modica Fred Moeller Sarah Moen Catherine Moore Ralph Moore Carol Morgan Kathy Morgan Stu Moring Leslie Mullis Donna Murphy Jack Murphy Aileen Nakamura George Nathan

THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS

Caroline Naughton Richard Nichols Cindy Nolan North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. Tricia Novarro 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 Pankaj Rajankar Ashwin Ramaswami Cheryl Rand Manu Rao James Rasmussen Paula Rattray Lori Rausch Jean Rearick Joseph Reed Scarlett Reynolds Righteous PR Angie Rigney Sean Riley Neil Robertson Kimberly Robinson Matt Rohs Kim Romaner Courtney Rozear

Continued innovation in digital media has changed the ways in which people buy, sell and interact with products and services. It has caused businesses to reassess the ways in which it communicates with potential customers and advertises its products. It has been well documented that these changes have had a destructive impact on local newspapers, which continues to be a primary source for local news, but is no longer a primary source for local advertising dollars – historically the lifeblood for reporters and their coverage. At Appen Media Group we want to address this conflict head on, and build new and innovative approaches to monetizing local news and creating a sustainable future for local journalism in metro Atlanta.

B E D R A S H A B A S B A L E R O D E O L U L U U C L A A L O E S E L A M S T A S H E D C L I M A T E E L M E L S T O L L G A T E S S A R A P Dunwoody Crier 7/2/26 Kakuro N A P A O B O E M I V S C O W S T E E R M E S A Candice Teichert H I D L E S S T A L C The Small Business Advisor O T E style grid. The rules a Ca crossword S E D O C A E R A in solved puzzle, number challenging a is Sums, Cross as known also Kakuro, Suzanne & Bob Thomas L of it. A number below the dia W squares toPtheAright O white diagonal line in a black square is the sum Tof the above theTietjen William and 9, to 1 digits the use only may You it. below A Lcan only be used on sequence I Va digit the in R R A squares white S D of the N I W N U Lisa Tilt Crier 7/2/26 Connect-It Puz Dunwoody D I V E O H A R E T A R O Michael Townes A N O N W O R K S A M E N Trunnion LLC Y E N S N E T S H E N Matthew Tyser

MEMBER (CONT.) Zach Jones Patricia Kachur Amy Kanderis Arthur Kebanli Laura Keck Mark Kelly Nancy Kennell Randall Kent Carol Kerr Sally Klaskala Allison Kloster Dyna Kohler Brett Koutnik Larry Krueger Jess & Chris Kysar Malinda Lackey Sarah Lamm Daniel Lashinsky Richard Lapin Christine Law Brandon Leach Dennis Lee Ken Leffingwell Carol Lehan Melissa Libby Bonnie Lind Francia Lindon Karen Lippert Harlan Little Jarrett Long Ross Long Kyser Lough Rita Loventhal Jerry Lucas Brenda Lundy Harry Lutz Rita Loventhal Karen Magill

Solution

Fran Russell Janet Sandberg Kelly Sarmiento Derek Scheidt Stephanie Schniederjan The Schoenblum Family Robert Scholz Robert Schreiner 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 Lee Smith Tia Solh Morris Soriano Heidi Sowder Gena Spears Donald Spencer Melissa Spencer Jan Stephens Wesley Stewart Cathryn Stovall Celeste Strohl Diana Sullivan Andy Sumlin Kathy Swahn Carol Tall Mike Tasos

3 1 7 6 3 5 1 2 8Connect-It Solution1 5

Edward Votta Linda Wabler Ollie Wagner Lewis Walker Elizabeth Waller Valerie Walters-Gold Ann Marie Warning Terry Warnke Jonathan Washburn Michael Watson Deborah Weiss 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 Kalle Wood Theresa Woolridge Laura Wysong Jonathan Young

THE APPEN PRESS CLUB

One solution is the creation of a membership driven organization called the Appen Press Club that is dedicated to recruiting people and companies to join as members. Members pay recurring monthly or annual dues that are 100% dedicated to sustainable journalism. By providing predictable revenue, Appen Press Club members and partners help fund the salaries and expenses of local reporters who will no longer be subject to the whims of marketing budgets and an ever changing advertising world. In turn, those reporters will provide the readers they serve with highly researched and qualified journalism focused on subjects that directly affect their quality of life.

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.

Scan QR code to join the Appen Press Club

2 B E S S P A S M A S O N 3 D U M B O V E R I A T A 4 N U M B E D L A M A R Y

5 C E N T E R E E L I O N

6 S L O W R O N G U L L S

Solution

7 C R E E D A L E M P T Y

9 4 5 1 2 8 6 3 7

3 6 8 9 1 5 4 7 2

30 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

Full-time Risk Developer (Alpharetta, GA) Collecting, processing, & analyzing underlying portfolio data & enhancing Analytics/Risk rprting by automating manual processes & improving the accuracy of analyses. Reqs: Master’s deg in Quantitative Finance, Fin Engg, Mathematics, or closely rltd field. Graduate lvl crswk req in: OPT Mdels & Methods For FE; FE Continuous Time Mdels; & Machine Learning FE & OPR. Mail resume:Tracy Ryan, Balbec Capital, LP,10000 Avalon Blvd., Ste. 550, Alpharetta, GA 30009 Caremark LLC, a CVS Health company, is hiring for the following roles in Alpharetta, GA: Staff Data Engineer (R0942281) to Develop, build, and manage large-scale data structures, pipelines, and efficient Extract/Load/Transform (ETL) workflows to address complex problems and support business applications. Telecommuting available. Pay Range: $126443.00/yr to $236900.00/yr. Multiple Positions. Related degree &/or experience &/or skills &/or license required for all positions. The Company offers a full range of benefits. For more detailed information on available benefits, please visit https://jobs.cvshealth.com/us/en/benefits. Apply online at http://jobs.cvshealth.com/. Or send resume to istappintake@cvshealth.com. Must reference job title, location, and Req ID.

CVS Pharmacy Inc., a CVS Health company, is hiring for the following roles in Alpharetta, GA: Digital Sr. Development Engineer (R0942372) to Design and develop enterprise software applications and platforms to support digital strategies and solutions. Telecommuting available. Pay Range: $109283.00/yr to $185400.00/yr.

Midway Preschool is looking for an experienced Young 5’s/Prek teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. Contact Beth at beth@midwayumc.org.

Multiple Positions. Related degree &/or experience &/or skills &/or license required for all positions. The Company offers a full range of benefits. For more detailed information on available benefits, please visit https://jobs.cvshealth.com/us/en/benefits. Apply online at http://jobs.cvshealth.com/. Or send resume to istappintake@cvshealth.com. Must reference job title, location, and Req ID.

YOUTH DIRECTOR (Part-Time) Alpharetta Presbyterian Church — Alpharetta, GA

Assistant Project Manager. Assist commercial construction project management team with preconstruction, estimating, contract administration, subcontractor management, client communication, and scheduling. Employer: Eclipse Brand Builders, LLC. Location: Alpharetta, GA. Incidental monthly travel to construction sites in the Southeastern U.S. (no more than 5% of employee time). To apply, mail resume to T. Nuhfer, 3655 Brookside Parkway, Suite 450, Alpharetta, GA 30022.

To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com. Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm

Part-time

APC seeks a vibrant, relational leader to serve as Youth Director for middle and high school students. 20–25 hrs/week | Up to $25/hr. Ideal candidates have a passion for youth mentorship and a background in education, coaching, or youth leadership. Retired teachers and ministryminded professionals encouraged to apply. Strong volunteer team and pastoral support in place.

SERVICE DIRECTORY Electricians

Belco Electric

“Family Owned Since 1972” Fast Dependable Service by Professional Uniformed Electricians

Check out our new website:

770-455-4556 BelcoInc.com

and follow us on:

To apply: Submit a brief introduction and resume to jobs@alpharettapres.com.

SERVICE DIRECTORY Home Cleaning/Organizing Move in, move outs, one time or monthly cleanings, clean out a room, need some organizing? CALL Tracey Wood @ 470-779-9981

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Autos Wanted Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

Health & Fitness

Home Services

No more cleaning gutters. 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.

Aging roof? New homeowner? Storm damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. 877-461-0698 Have Bath & shower updates in as zip code ready when calling! little as 1 day! Affordable prices Water damage cleanup & - No payments for 18 months! restoration: A small amount of Lifetime warranty & professional water can lead to major damage installs. Senior & military discounts in your home. Our trusted available. 1-877-543-9189 professionals do repairs to protect your family & home value! 877318-6832. Have zip code ready!

Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060 Prepare for power outages www.dental50plus.com/ads today with a Generac Home #6258 Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

Miscellaneous

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

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 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

Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, home, assets now for as little as 70¢/ day! 877-907-0316 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 MobileHelp America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call 1-888-489-3936 Consumer Cellular - same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees free activation. All plans feature unlimited talk & text, starting at just $20/mo. Call 1-877-751-0866

Inflation is at 40 year highs. Interest rates are way up. Credit cards. Medical bills. Car loans. Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call National Debt Relief and find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! Free quote: Call 1-844-955-4930 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, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders & more. Locally owned &affordable. For service or inspection today! 877-916-2103 Have zip code ready!

Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Free quote. Ask about first application special! 877-484-8583 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

SunSetter. America’s Number One Awning! Instant shade at the touch of a button. Transform your deck or patio into an outdoor oasis. Up to10-year limited warranty. Save $350 today! 855-914-1148 End your tax worries today. Let us make your tax problem our priority. Scared, stuck with high tax amounts? Our A+ tax professionals can help. Free consultation. Priority Tax 855-959-2267

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | July 2, 2026 | 31

Appen Media Wins 2026 Georgia Press Association General Excellence Bringing Journalistic Excellence to North Atlanta 1st Place

Page One – Staff Layout & Design – Staff Edducation Writing – Jim Bass Serious Column – Carl Appen

2nd Place

Local News Coverage – Staff Business Writing – Staff, Dan Whisenhunt, Dean Hesse, Jim Bass Education Writing – Jim Bass and Zoe Seiler Feature Photograph – Dean Hesse Serious Column – King Williams Humorous Column – Pat Fox Feature Writing – Dan Whisenhunt

3rd Place

Page One – Dionna Williams Layout & Design – Dionna Williams Local News Coverage – Staff Serious Column – Pat Fox Feature Column – Steve Hudson Feature Writing – Jim Bass Newspaper Website – Decaturish.com

ADVERTISING 1st Place

Health Care Ad – David Brown Food Ad – David Brown Home Furnishings/Appliances Ad – David Brown Classified Section/Page – Staff Signature Page – David Brown

2nd Place

Food Ad – David Brown Service/Institutional Ad – David Brown Non-Traditional Ad – David Brown

AppenMedia.com 770.442.3278

32 | July 2, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

Summertime on the River Sunset Sips

MUSIC. NATURE. CHILL. REPEAT

Butterfly Encounter Open daily through August 30

July 9

Cody Bolden and The Roadhands

July 23

Darby Wilcox

Chattahoochee Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) nonproﬁt organization

9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA 30075 | chattnaturecenter.org | 770.992.2055