Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - June 18, 2026

People of all ages participate in Roswell’s second annual Pride Walk June 13 that started in Town Square Park.

Roswell Pride celebration touts community, inclusivity

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Around 500 people participated in Roswell’s second annual Pride Walk June 13, parading up and down Mimosa Boulevard in vibrant colors and highlighting what an inclusive community looks like.

As music played, festivalgoers browsed booths featuring local businesses, tried their hand at

shaping clay or got Free Mom Hugs from volunteers.

People gathered to hear remarks from Jennifer Donlon – founder of Roswell Empowered and the event’s organizer – who recognized the hard work of the more than 20 volunteers present during the event and collaboration between different organizations.

See PRIDE, Page 20

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American Legion party lauds service members with evening of dance

By STANLEY LEARY newsroom@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Veterans, first responders and their partners traded stress for two-step lessons June 11 at the American Legion Post in Alpharetta. The free dance lessons, led by volunteer instructor Elizabeth Williams, run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the first three Thursdays of June, July and August. The classes are open to veterans, first responders and their partners, regardless of experience level. For Williams, who has volunteered as the American Legion’s dance director for 20 years, the weekly gatherings are about more than learning steps.

See DANCE, Page 21

STANLEY LEARY/APPEN MEDIA Bob Byrd and Genecy Cassady dance together during a free dance lesson for veterans, first responders and their partners at American Legion Club 201 in Alpharetta June 11.

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Roswell Fire performs water rescue in creek

ROSWELL, Ga. — A family’s hiking trip on the National Park Service side of Vickery Creek ended in a water rescue June 4 after a child became stranded on a steep embankment.

Emergency dispatch received a call before 12:30 p.m. reporting a 6-yearold girl had fallen into the water and could no longer be seen. Another adult had gone to help locate her.

When units arrived, the caller was able to point out the two on the opposite side of the stream.

Personnel swam across the river to reach them on a steep embankment near the dam. Supporting units used an inflatable rescue boat to take the

POLICE BLOTTER

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

Driver cited with fleeing after leaving ID behind

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 20-year-old Atlanta man, who left his driver’s license behind during a traffic stop, was charged after he eluded officers June 4.

CUSTOM FRAMING

Police said an Alpharetta officer was monitoring Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office radio chatter when he heard that a black Mercedes Benz had fled from a traffic stop. During the pursuit with deputies, the car allegedly collided with and disabled a deputy’s vehicle.

The officer began watching for the car on southbound lanes of Ga. 400 near Old Milton Parkway.

The officer began pursuing the Mercedes when it passed him. The car allegedly sped to more than 100 mph, weaving in and out of traffic.

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child back across the river where she was evaluated by medics and found without injury.

The adult asked to be reunited with her other child and dog waiting by the river. Using ropes and webbing, crews helped the family back up to the established trail system.

All operations were completed without incident.

The Roswell Fire Department posted about the incident on Facebook, reminding trail users to stay on the designated trails and wear life jackets if in or around the water.

— Hannah Yahne

The car allegedly evaded stop sticks by driving on the shoulder, reaching speeds in excess of 120 mph.

Alpharetta officers discontinued the pursuit but charged the man using his driver’s license, which was left with Forsyth County deputies.

Alpharetta officers charged him with fleeing a police officer and reckless driving.

— Jon Wilcox

Retailer reports theft of gaming consoles

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Six video game consoles were reported stolen from an Alpharetta department store June 1.

Alpharetta officers were dispatched to the North Point Parkway business about 2:30 p.m.

A loss prevention employee told police a man grabbed six of the gaming devices and left without paying. Employees said the man left in a black SUV.

Loss prevention staff later determined the suspect was a 45-year-old Atlanta man.

The devices were valued at a total of $1,800.

ROSWELL FIRE DEPARTMENT/PROVIDED Personnel with the Roswell Fire Department paddle an inflatable rescue boat across Vickery Creek after performing a swift water rescue operation June 4 to remove a 6-yearold girl from a steep embankment.

The incident was classified as a felony shoplifting.

— Jon Wilcox

Deputies seek suspect in residential burglary

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Thousands in cash and jewelry were reported stolen in a home burglary June 6.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to a Shiloh Drive home after a 35-year-old Cumming woman noticed the door smashed in. The woman had been dogsitting for the home’s owners.

Two piggy banks were smashed, and $3,800 was missing.

In the master bedroom, a nightstand’s drawers had been opened. Jewelry valued at a total of $4,000 and additional money were taken.

The woman said she had seen a suspicious man in a reflective vest driving by and knocking on the door. The incident was classified as a felony forced burglary of a home.

— Jon Wilcox

North Fulton SWAT force merges 4 cities into 1 team

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

NORTH FULTON, Ga. — When students leave school for the summer, the North Fulton SWAT team moves in.

Police officers from across four cities gathered at Chattahoochee High School June 9 to run through a range of scenarios – including active shooter response – in what Zachary Frommer, commander of North Fulton SWAT and a captain of the Roswell Police Department, called a routine training.

The North Fulton SWAT team was formed in 2012 and consists of 65 officers who respond to high-stakes situations, such as barricaded subjects or hostage negotiations.

In addition to training together twice a month, officers from Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek and Milton routinely respond to critical incidents together, because “crime knows no borders or jurisdictions,” Frommer said.

“We’re generally going to go back up the other teams anyway,” he said. “So, it makes sense to train together and combine resources.”

Learning the layout

One of the primary objectives of joint

training is to remove unknowns before officers respond to a crisis. For instance, when walking into Chattahoochee High School, officers recognized the layout as similar to other area high schools – knowledge that can be critical under pressure.

“Immediately, that takes away a lot of unknowns,” Capt. Rick Fiorenza of Fulton County Schools Police said. “The more familiarity we can bring in to that, it eliminates a lot of these unknowns and makes it a lot more comfortable, a lot more effective to respond … should something happen.”

Fulton County Schools has its own police force that responds with South Fulton SWAT to supplement personnel in that area.

Inter-city collaboration allows departments to pool resources, share equipment and specialized skill sets that individual agencies may lack on their own. Cities can even purchase equipment together, such as armored vehicles or robots, and divide costs based on populations.

“When you combine these efforts, … you have it all right there as one team,” Commander Frommer said.

Emerging technology

That shared investment extends to emerging technology, which Frommer

said is used in nearly every SWAT operation. Remotely operated robots and drones allow officers to gather intelligence without putting personnel in harm’s way.

“Any time you can put a robot or a drone in instead of a person, you’re better off,” Frommer said.

One robot can navigate stairs while transmitting live video. Drones serve different tactical functions depending on the situation, like opening doors or accessing attics to give officers an idea of the scene.

“The technology is always changing,” Frommer said. “But luckily, the cities up here, we all support each other enough. We can keep up with it.”

The collaborative spirit between cities carries into how their police departments prepare for critical scenarios.

Johns Creek Public Information Officer Todd Hood said the training opportunities are a great collaborative effort that, at times, extends beyond the four cities to include the Fulton County Schools Police Department.

“Just in case the day you have to [respond] comes, we’ve all worked together, we’re all on the same page and we know what the expectation is,” Hood said.

Roswell Police officers, staff and cadets from the department’s Police Academy gather outside of a local Dunkin’ Donuts June 5 to fundraise for the Special Olympics Georgia. In four hours, the department raised $1,300.

Special Olympics Georgia draws some sweet support

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Local police departments across the state spent time at their local Dunkin’ Donuts June 5 to raise money and awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics Georgia.

Cops at Donut Shops is held annually in National Donut Day, and more than 30 cities participated in fundraising, including police departments in Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Roswell and Milton.

The Roswell Police Department has participated in fundraising since 2021, when the event was still called “Cops on Donut Shops,” a name that the department took literally and still does. By the end of the morning, officers were on the roof at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Holcomb Bridge Road.

In just a couple of hours, the department raised $1,300 to support Special Olympics athletes. Public Information Officer Tim Lupo said the organization’s goal of creating a more inclusive and supportive community for individuals with intellectual disabilities deeply aligns with the core values of the Roswell Police Department.

“We look forward to any opportunity we have to throw our support behind their mission,” Lupo said.

Lt. Andrew Noblett, public information officer for the Milton Police Department, said supporting Special Olympics Georgia is more than a partnership, it’s about building meaningful relationships and demonstrating our commitment to every member of the community.

“The athletes of Special Olympics embody courage, determination and perseverance – values that align

closely with the mission of the Milton Police Department,” Noblett said.

“We are proud to stand alongside these incredible individuals, support their achievements and help create opportunities for inclusion, respect and success both on and off the field.”

Police cadets participated alongside Milton officers to raise nearly $800 to support Special Olympics Georgia.

The Dunwoody Police Department raised more than half of its fundraising goal of $5,000 to support Special Olympics athletes during Cops at Donut Shops.

In Johns Creek, the Police Department raised around $3,000 for Special Olympics Georgia. The department thanked those who donated on Facebook writing, “Your support helped make this event a great success, and we truly appreciate our community coming together for such an important mission.”

Alpharetta approves jail housing agreements with 2 other cities

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta City Council approved agreements with two cities to offset the cost of operating its newly opened jail June 15.

Council members approved agreements with Sandy Springs and Milton, allowing both cities to house arrested people at the Alpharetta Detention Center. The agreements, which begin July 1, will charge both cities a fee of $165 per inmate per day.

The agreements come months after Alpharetta reopened the jail at 2555 Old Milton Parkway. The move followed a decision by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to shutter the facility.

The jail was initially closed in January 2025 following a consent order from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office after a federal investigation found jail conditions violated prisoners’ rights.

For months, Alpharetta officials have said they were in discussions with other cities for use of the jail, which was renamed the Alpharetta Detention Center.

The 72-bed facility includes holding areas for men and women, a kitchen, offices, sally port and other features.

Alpharetta officials anticipate taking in an average of about three Milton inmates each day and 15 from Sandy Springs. The jail currently houses an average of four Alpharetta inmates each day.

Alpharetta anticipates the additional prisoners will require no additional staff and marginally increase operating costs.

The additional inmates would provide Alpharetta about $1.1 million each year, reducing the jail’s $2.5 million cost to

about $1.4 million.

Alpharetta City Councilman John Hipes said he recognizes the significance of the jail’s operating costs, which he weighs with the benefits it provides.

City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom pointed to several benefits the facility provides the city.

First, it allows those arrested in Alpharetta to avoid Fulton County’s downtown Rice Street jail, which council members have criticized for its conditions.

Department of Justice investigators began looking into the county’s downtown Atlanta jail after the 2022 death of Lashawn Thompson.

The federal department found

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Thompson was malnourished, infested with “an enormous presence of body lice” and “neglected to death” when he was found deceased in his “filthy cell.” It also highlighted a pattern of violence that included more than 300 stabbings there in 2023 on top of homicides and sexual violence.

Second, the Alpharetta Detention Center allows municipal judges to enforce probation terms by jailing offenders when they fail to meet the court-imposed requirements.

Finally, it allows the city to avoid long transport times of prisoners to the Rice Street jail.

“There’s value beyond just dollars,” Lagerbloom said.

The city administrator said the city is open to continuing discussions with two North Fulton County cities that have elected to house inmates elsewhere.

In April, Roswell announced it was seeking a contract with the Cherokee County Jail to house inmates. In early June, Johns Creek announced it was seeking a contract with Forsyth County for use of its jail.

Initially, city staff proposed agreements with those cities that would require an upfront payment of about $600,000 each, Lagerbloom said. That figure was based on the population rather than a price per inmate per day model.

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Soccer fans pack Alpharetta for World Cup watch party

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The world’s biggest sporting tournament is too exciting to be enjoyed at home, World Cup fans say.

Crowds of soccer fans like Sugar Hill resident Amir Sisic headed to downtown Alpharetta June 12 for a watch party on the Town Green. Sisic came to the watch party with his brother-in-law and nephew, arriving well before kick-off for the first match of the day, Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina.

“This is a big event. It’s once in a lifetime,” Sisic said.

Wearing blue Bosnia & Herzegovina jerseys, they confidently predicted an easy win for their home country.

The three settled into nearby Chiringa to escape the afternoon heat. Outside were a large TV screen to show the game and a stage for live music. A Moonlight Market offered distractions with hot food and artisanal goods.

Hosted by the City of Alpharetta, the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau and Central City Tavern, the free event included a second match, U.S. vs. Paraguay, keeping the party going well into the night.

The historic World Cup, with matches hosted in Mexico, Canada and the U.S., will see eight games in Atlanta.

Recurring watch parties will be held every Saturday at Central City Tavern from June 13 to July 11. Games will be displayed on a large LED screen outside the restaurant, and activities for all ages will be held on the nearby lawn.

A finals watch party will be at 3 p.m. July 19. To view a full event schedule and additional details,

visit awesomealpharetta.com/ alpharettaglobalgame.

For Sisic, who grew up in Bosnia, the chance to watch the World Cup with friends and fans was too exciting to pass up. For much of the world, himself included, soccer is almost synonymous with recreation, a central focus for entire communities.

“I've been following soccer since I was young,” Sisic said. “Pretty much, you grow with it, which is typical for European boys. Everyone lives and breathes soccer.”

Although Sisic admits Americans are still catching up with their enthusiasm for the sport, he thinks they will eventually realize how much it has to offer.

“If we're gonna compare it to American football, it actually has more action,” he said. “Football has too many commercials.”

Sisic’s teenage nephew, Aydin Suljanovic, of Cumming, said rooting for Bosnia & Herzegovina is a way for him to connect with his heritage and family. The U.S.-born teen said he speaks Bosnian at home, eats Bosnian food and considers himself Bosnian-American.

“How I got into soccer was just hearing stories from my dad,” he said. “My dad was a very good player back in Bosnia. My uncle said every kid in Bosnia plays out on the street.”

Aydin has found a soccer community of his own. He now plays soccer himself and has many friends who do. The sport is a great way to form fast friendships, he said.

“Your teammates are like your family,” he said. “I've been playing with my teammates for four years now. They’re like my brothers.”

Roswell Cops ’N Cars strengthens community through shared interests

By STANLEY LEARY newsroom@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Classic cars brought people together, but community connection was the real focus of the annual Cops ’N Cars held Saturday, June 6, at Lebanon Baptist Church.

Hosted by the Friends of Roswell Police Foundation in partnership with the Roswell Police Department, the event attracted residents, law enforcement officers, car enthusiasts and local businesses for an afternoon of family-friendly activities and vehicle displays.

Rows of classic and custom vehicles filled the church grounds. Families explored exhibits, visited food trucks and spoke with vehicle owners. Children climbed into police vehicles, examined equipment and interacted with officers in a relaxed environment.

Roswell Police Public Information Officer Tim Lupo said the event provides valuable opportunities for officers and residents to connect outside emergency situations.

“For most people, their first interaction with the police occurs when something has gone wrong,” Lupo said. “Events like Cops ’N Cars flip that dynamic, providing a meaningful opportunity for our officers to engage with our residents in a positive, relaxed environment.”

Lupo said the event helps residents see officers as fellow community members while also supporting local outreach efforts.

“Connecting over a shared interest like cars reinforces that we are members of this community right alongside those we serve,” he said. “Equally important, the success of this event allows us to directly reinvest in our city by supporting initiatives like OPERATION: Holiday Heroes, our annual holiday shopping event for local children.”

The Friends of Roswell Police Foundation, established in 2021, serves as the official Qualified Law Enforcement Foundation supporting the Roswell Police Department. Funds raised through events such as Cops ’N Cars help support community programs and departmental initiatives.

Lupo was pleased with this year’s event.

“This year's event was a resounding success by every metric,” he said. “We packed out the parking lot with an outstanding variety of show cars and auto enthusiasts, and saw great attendance from the public.”

While the vehicles attracted attention, the strongest moments involved people — neighbors meeting neighbors, families spending time together and officers spending time with the community they serve.

Roswell Flag Day notes values behind emblem

By STANLEY LEARY newsroom@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Barrington Hall hosted "The Stars and Stripes," a June 14 Flag Day celebration to educate the community about the history, traditions and proper care of the American flag.

The program was presented by Roswell's Historic House Museums and the City of Roswell. The ceremony was held in partnership with the Martha Stewart Bulloch Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Martha Stewart Bulloch Society of the Children of the American Revolution, and the Mt. Vernon and Piedmont chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution as part of the nationwide America250 commemoration.

The afternoon program began with “Reveille” and "To the Colors" performed by Gregory McClure of Bugles Across America. The Mt. Vernon and Piedmont SAR chapters, under the command of Shep Hammack, presented the colors. Olivia Carrato led the Pledge of Allegiance, and students of mezzo-soprano Maria McDaniel performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "You're a Grand Old Flag."

Julie Burroughs, America250 chair for the Martha Stewart Bulloch DAR chapter, said the event was intended to help the public better understand the nation's most recognized symbol.

"The DAR wanted to share information

about the American Flag," Burroughs said. "This event is the biggest event for the DAR for America250 this year."

A highlight was a living-portrait skit depicting Betsy Ross sewing the American flag. Colonial-era interpreters represented Betsy Ross, George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross, accompanied by children dressed in period attire.

Dustin Klein of the City of Roswell shared the history of the American flag and its evolution through the years.

Following the formal program, visitors explored festival-style activity tents featuring historical American flag displays and interpretation by the SAR, demonstrations on properly folding the flag by the Johns Creek Veterans Association, children's crafts, opportunities to sign reproductions of founding documents with feather quills, and cards and stars created for deployed soldiers and veterans.

McClure said that bugles played only a limited role during the Revolutionary War, when Continental forces primarily relied on fifes and drums for battlefield communication. He recounted how a British bugle call intended to mock retreating American troops instead fueled their determination and helped inspire a successful counterattack under Gen. George Washington.

The event concluded with “Retreat,” the retiring of the colors and the sounding of “Taps.”

North Point redevelopment plan has residents divided

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Some Alpharetta residents have concerns about a proposed North Point entertainment district that could host a National Hockey League franchise and arena.

The residents spoke during a June 10 town hall meeting at City Hall where developers and city officials answered questions and presented information about the project. Property owner New York Life has partnered with developer Jamestown to redesign North Point Mall into a massive, nextgeneration entertainment and sports district.

It would be anchored by a 20,000seat hockey arena and feature ample shopping, dining, residential and office space. Specifics include a 2,000-seat community hockey rink, 4,000-seat music hall, a 500-seat movie theater, 45,000-square-foot hotel conference center, 400-room full-service hotel, 300-room hybrid hotel, 750,000 square feet of office and 1,385 for-rent multifamily homes.

In its application, Jamestown said the project would transform the mall, which has recently suffered considerable property value decline, into an attractive, economicallyresilient year-round destination.

Some residents at the packed town hall expressed concerns about the ambitious vision.

Paul Hunter asked about the project’s nearby rival The Gathering at South Forsyth and what would happen to plans for the Alpharetta arena if the National Hockey League locates a franchise in Forsyth County.

David Carlock, managing partner for Machete Group, which is advising Jamestown in its arena plans, said ultimately only one location will be selected. He hinted that if a hockey franchise is selected for another site, the district could still be put to good use.

“But there are other wonderful things that can happen here that might not include a new NHL arena,” Carlock said. “I think one way or the other, you can see something good happen.”

New York Life is required to submit

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Residents examine North Point Mall redevelopment plans in the foyer at Alpharetta City Hall June 10.

a project plan to be eligible for the selection.

“We've been in touch with the [NHL] office all the way through,” Carlock said, adding, “We are continuing to keep them posted as we move forward.”

Frances Bohn, Jamestown director of development and construction, said her company’s work is focused on plans for an arena-centered entertainment district. A district with a different purpose would likely be very different, but she added the work currently being completed could be relevant if a different direction is pursued.

Francene Taylor asked whether hockey is likely to be successful in Alpharetta, given that the sport has been tried twice in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Flames played at the Omni Coliseum from 1972 to

1980, drawing modest crowds. The Thrashers were based in Atlanta from 1999 to 2010 before being relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“What I'd like to note is hockey has been tried twice in the city and it’s failed both times,” Taylor said. “What has changed that makes you think this will be successful?”

Carlock said a few factors lead planners to suspect that a team in Alpharetta would be successful.

First, hockey has changed since the time of the Thrashers and Flames with some teams in the South now enjoying success. He pointed to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes as examples.

“That's changed radically,” Carlock said. “There have been many examples of very successful franchises that are performing strongly in southern markets.”

Second, Carlock said he thinks the larger development surrounding the arena will provide economic benefits to Alpharetta, which is uniquely located in a part of Atlanta that is experiencing exciting economic trends.

“It's been on a path to growth for quite some time,” he said. “We looked pretty carefully at those growth trends and what that looks like for the project and for the team, and that gives us a lot of confidence.”

One resident asked whether the shopping and dining offerings at the district might hurt business at other sites. He wondered whether Alpharetta’s other premier shopping sites like Avalon and the downtown would lose customers.

Bohn said she thinks the businesses in the district will offer customers a unique experience that is not otherwise provided in the city. She said she thinks the district’s “tenant mix” will complement rather than cannibalize businesses elsewhere in the city.

“There is a gap in the particular kind of retail sectors that doesn't exist right now … and so really, what we see here is a very curated mix of districts and uses that work together,” she said.

Not all residents at the meeting were wary of the plan.

Olivia Mah Vollmar said she was excited for the plans.

Mah Vollmar came to the meeting with a photo of herself as a child riding on the carousel at North Point Mall in 1993. She said she is a “huge fan” of Jamestown’s other projects, which include Ponce City Market, One Times Square and Chelsea Market in New York and Industry City in Brooklyn.

“I worked in Ponce City Market. I lived across from there, and I loved just the experience that you have created,” she said.

Bohn said Jamestown plans to keep the carousel as part of its vision for the North Point Mall redevelopment.

“One thing we do really well is place making, but also place making in a way that we're honoring the past and taking those characteristics and also bringing them forward for this next more relevant chapter,” Bohn said.

Roswell schedules June 18 meeting to discuss Ga. 92 upgrades

ROSWELL, Ga. — Residents who live near Bowen Road and Ga. 92/ Woodstock Road are invited to a neighborhood meeting Thursday, June 18 to learn about traffic improvements related to a future redevelopment.

The property is owned by SJC Ventures and will be turned into a new retail development and include Fire Station No. 23 which will be relocated from its current site on Jones Road.

The meeting will focus on

transportation-related concerns, including entrances and exits proposed for the site.

Traffic engineers with SJC Ventures will present the proposed transportation improvements and traffic analysis.

Roswell Transportation staff will also be there to answer questions.

The redevelopment project will be on the June 22 City Council meeting agenda.

Alpharetta Fire Department graduates 7 new members

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta Fire Department welcomed seven new firefighters during a June 5 graduation ceremony.

The recruits join the department as probationary firefighters.

The firefighters underwent 37 weeks of training, learning numerous skills, said Ian Cassuto, department spokesman. Training topics included emergency medical care, operations, extinguishing, search and rescue, self-rescue, vehicle extrication, fire behavior and hazardous materials emergencies.

The recruits belong to Recruit Class 25-03, which marks the department’s third academy class and the first to include only Alpharetta trainees.

Previous classes partnered with the Johns Creek Fire Department.

— Jon Wilcox

Graduating members of Recruit Class 25-03

• Austin Banks, firefighter AEMT

• Will Brigance, firefighter AEMT

• Alexander DiFranco, firefighter AEMT

• Davis Dobbs, firefighter AEMT

• Stephen Domaleski, firefighter AEMT

• Colby Eskew, firefighter AEMT

• Nicholas Price, firefighter AEMT

Roswell Fire chaplain appointed to women’s public safety board

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Rev. Dorie L. Griggs, chaplain for the Roswell Fire Department, is the newest board member for the Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety following her appointment this month.

The Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety (GAWPS) is a nonprofit dedicated to the professional growth, mentorship and training of women in public safety. The Board of Directors is composed of 12 members from the law enforcement, fire and 911 communications fields.

Griggs brings her 45 years of experience in nonprofit marketing, public relations and development experience to the organization’s

leadership team. She has been an active member of the association for several years.

“I am excited to welcome Chaplain Dorie Griggs to the Board of Directors for GAWPS,” President Amanda Blair said. “She brings a unique skillset to the Association through her experience with fundraising for nonprofits and her extensive knowledge in provider care that will be an asset to the association as well as a resource to our members.”

A 2002 graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary, Grigg’s received the school’s 2014 Pioneer in Ministry award for her work in supporting journalists who cover traumatic events and her work in

supporting parents of cadets at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina.

For over 10 years she built an online community via Facebook groups for the parents. The Facebook, now Meta, corporate office recognized the effectiveness of the parent groups by inviting Griggs to the 2017 Facebook Community Summit in Chicago.

“I look forward to working with the GAWPS Board and membership to increase the visibility and importance of equipping women in public safety professions with top notch education and training and camaraderie,” Griggs said.

— Hannah Yahne

Service member, veteran to receive a free wedding

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Weddings to Warriors is accepting applications through July 4 to grant a fully funded wedding to local military service members and veterans.

One military couple will be awarded a wedding valued at more than $35,000, with contributions from local businesses that could include catering, florals, photography and other donated services.

"As America celebrates 250 years of freedom, I couldn't think of a better way to give back than by honoring those who have served and sacrificed to protect it," said Brandy Yungel with Southern Weddings and Florals. "This is more than a wedding. It's an opportunity for

an entire community to say thank you."

This is the first year that Southern Weddings and Florals is offering weddings to warriors. Yungel said when she shared the vision, wedding professionals from across the state wanted to lend a hand.

At least one partner in the applying couple must be on active duty or be a veteran, National Guard member or Reserve member. The winning couple will be announced on July 13 at the Pardue Family Foundation Center, where the wedding will be held.

To apply for the contest, visit weddingstowarriors.carrd.co

— Elizabeth Girard

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Kitchen Tune-Up

Paint Cabinets

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

New Backsplash

Cut Down 2-level Island

Bathroom Tune-Up

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

Enlarge Shower

Shower Glass

Shower Safety

Full Remodel Projects

Kitchen Remodel

Total Cabinet Replacement

Large Island

Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations

Open Concept –Move Walls

9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat

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

Bathroom Remodel

New Larger Shower

Vanity Replacement –Cabs, Counter, Sink

Free Standing Tub

Floor Tile, Wall Tile

Plumbing Fixtures

Milton High rising senior wins 3D modeling contest

MILTON, Ga. — Shiven Sharma, a rising senior at Milton High School, won in 3D modeling at the Georgia Student Technology Competition in March as a member of the Eagle Labs engineering club.

In the category, competitors create original digital 3D models using specialized software. The projects involve designing objects, environments, prototypes or other creative and functional models without requiring physical construction. Competitors are expected to present their work digitally and explain the intended purpose of their model, along with the design process and the tools and techniques used.

For the competition, Shiven created a 3D model of a go-kart, which he built based on his full design.

“I’m thankful for the support from my teachers and school for

providing me with the foundation and opportunities to do what I’m passionate about,” Shiven said.

Shiven started the school’s first engineering club, Eagle Labs, last year. It provides more than 20 students the opportunity to collaborate during hands-on computing tasks.

Extending his impact on the Milton community, Shiven regularly volunteers at the Milton First Responders Foundation – a nonprofit that supports Milton police and firefighters. He also interns at Reimagine Robotics, where he enjoys teaching VEX Robotics and introducing young students to engineering concepts.

This summer, Shiven will be attending the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. — Hannah Yahne

People aren’t renting stuff because they’re interested. They’re renting stuff based on need.

SKYLER VENTURA, E-Closet CFO

Milton graduate’s app surpasses 10,000 users

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — When Skyler Ventura saw the chaos of a group chat of college women trying to rent out date night dresses, he thought: Why is there not an app for that?

The Milton resident, a Milton High School graduate, spent the last part of his senior year at the University of Georgia coding Rotation, an app that allows women to rent clothing from one another for weddings, nights out or beach vacations.

“People aren’t renting stuff because they’re interested,” Ventura said, “they’re renting stuff based on need.”

Ventura’s momentum has been building since he won an entrepreneurship competition at UGA his senior year. With the $2,500 prize, he started to grow the app and gained around 800 users at the university before being approached by Brandon Spencer, the founder of E-Closet, a competing app.

The March merger

E-Closet had been operating in the college market for more than a year when Spencer approached Ventura about a merger. Since the apps combined in March, more than 3,000 orders have been placed nationwide on college campuses the team has never set foot on.

“We have girls signing up at like, certain universities that I’ve never even been to,” Ventura said.

Accounts have grown organically at Coastal Carolina, Louisiana State University and Florida Atlantic University. This fall, E-Closet is planning a tour of colleges in the Southeastern Conference and wants to launch an ambassador program for students.

As E-Closet users relocate to different cities, they’re hoping to expand their market to include high school students and young professionals.

“We already can prove it works in college,” Ventura said.

E-Closet’s four co-founders now want to continue hitting the flywheel and allow their financial statements to tell the story.

Since merging, E-Closet has surpassed 10,000 users and generated more than $60,000 in revenue.

for formal occasions.

Despite the early success, Ventura –the company's chief financial officer and one of four co-founders all under 27 – is eager for more. He is targeting $100,000 in sales by August.

“We’ve done over $60,000 dollars now, we’re moving quicker every day,” Ventura said.

Selectivity sells

Sellers keep 85 percent of the listing price with rentals averaging $90 to $100 each.

“The closets that do well are like

really expensive things that people can’t get,” Ventura said.

That selectivity is a key differentiator, the co-founders said, and investors have taken notice. The team has secured more than $100,000 in funding with more on the horizon.

The investments come as E-Closet expands its in-app experience. A new discover page lets users browse outfits by occasion or filter for items available for purchase. A “closet talk” feature lets users post what they’re searching for, and others can comment inspiration or

options from their own closets.

“There’s so much changing, and we don’t want that to change in an overwhelming way,” Ventura said.

Soon, boutiques will be able to list items for users to rent or buy as the app looks to expand beyond college campuses to cities across the Southeast and further.

“There’s no world in my mind where it doesn’t work out,” Ventura said. “I just kind of feel like everything that’s happened keeps happening for a reason.”

Touchmark National Bank would like to introduce to the local community, Beth Dombroski

Beth joined Touchmark National Bank in 2017 as a Customer Service Representative and now is the Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager. She grew up in the Roswell area and is a graduate of Crestwood High School. She has been a member of the community since 1977 and has seen the transformation that the community has gone through over the years. With over 15 years of banking experience, Beth is dedicated of taking care of customer’s financial banking needs. She has shown exceptional commitment to Touchmark National Bank’s values and mission. Beth and her branch team continue to drive success and contribute positively to the community.

Touchmark National Bank was

established in 2007 and is located in Alpharetta. We offer a variety of banking products that fit our client’s needs.

Touchmark National Bank is known for their competitive Certificate of Deposit and Money Market rates. We are committed to offering personalized assistance to our clients. We strive to continue to grow our relationship in the community and surrounding counties. Please reach out to us for further information about our products and services by calling 770-407-6700 or visit our website at www.touchmarknb.com.

Most surviving spouses never realize they may only own 50% of their home

Brought to you by – Estates Law Center USA

In Georgia, there is no automatic right of survivorship between spouses unless the deed specifically says so. When one spouse dies, many families never open probate because the surviving spouse continues living in the home and sees no reason to sell.

Years later, after the second spouse dies, the children discover there was no survivorship language, no trust, and no estate plan.

Now they have a problem.

We often have to open probate for the first spouse who died years ago and then probate for the second spouse.

Two probate cases.

Two sets of fees.

Two rounds of delays.

But even if your deed contains survi-

vorship language, probate has only been postponed—not avoided. The property may pass automatically to the surviving spouse at the first death, but when that spouse dies, the home still becomes part of their estate and often requires probate.

The same issue applies to LLCs and family businesses. Without proper planning, ownership interests can end up in probate and create unnecessary delays and expenses for your family.

A survivorship deed may avoid probate at the first death. It does not avoid probate forever.

Your closing attorney's job is to close the transaction. Their job is not to create your estate plan.

If you want to protect your family from court proceedings, delays, and unnecessary expenses, talk to an estate planning attorney before it's too late.

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BINGO – 2 p.m. Sunday, June 28, July 12 & 26

Jackpot - $1,000

Future Games: 2nd & 4th Sunday Each Month

Dances & Dance Instruction

Free Lessons for Vets, 1st Responders & Partners

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., June 18; July 2, 9 & 16

Dance Nights Open to All 18 Years & Older

Dances: Friday, Saturday & Sunday Evenings

Line Dance: Monday & Friday AM; Wednesday PM Visit www.club201dance.com for all the Details

Connect-It

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

SPORTS PERSONALITIES

1. Dark black. Slightly obese. San Diego sportsman.

2. Thighbone. Baltimore sportsman. Bread unit.

3. Farm structure. Cincinnati sportsman. Arm, for one.

4. Tennessee sportsman. Turnpike sign. Wanderer.

5. Pricy gem. Edmonton sportsman. King or queen, e.g.

6. Miami sportsman. Marianas island. Urban haze.

7. Pipe problem. Military clique. Los Angeles sportsman.

Personalities

1 Dark black. Slightly obese. San Diego sportsman

2. Thighbone. Baltimore sportsman. Bread unit

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

3. Farm structure. Cincinnati sportsman. Arm, for one.

4. Tennessee sportsman. Turnpike sign. Wanderer

5. Pricy gem. Edmonton sportsman. King or queen, e.g.

6. Miami sportsman. Marianas island Urban haze.

7. Pipe problem. Military clique. Los Angeles sportsman

Pride:

Continued from Page 1

“This is our second annual Pride Walk and our first-ever festival,” Donlon said, “but what makes today special is not the event, it’s the people … it’s every LGBTQ+ person who chose to show up today exactly as they are.”

Roswell Empowered received a proclamation issued by Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett for promoting inclusion, civic engagement and community connection, and declaring this June 13 as Roswell

LGBTQ Pride Day.

“A proclamation like that is definitely more than words,” Donlon said. “That’s more than just a piece of paper with fancy matting around it. Words like that are important.”

Before the crowd paraded down Mimosa Boulevard with their signs and flags, Donlon encouraged the crowd to walk proudly, gratefully and with joy.

“Walk for the people that have paved the way … the people beside you, walk for those that we’ve lost,” Donlon said. “But most importantly, walk for the people who still need to see that a place like this exists. Because today, in Roswell, it does.”

Dance:

Continued from Page 1

“Dance is great as a stress reliever,” Williams said.

The program, she said, was created as a way to give back to those who serve others, especially first responders, nurses and veterans looking for opportunities to connect and have fun after the isolation many experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The June 11 class focused on the two-step and swing dancing. Williams first demonstrated the steps with volunteers before participants practiced on their own. After introducing each sequence, Williams turned on the music and encouraged everyone onto the dance floor. She moved from couple to couple, offering individual coaching and

encouragement.

Participants said the classes provide fellowship and a reason to get out of the house.

“This beats sitting at home, and it is a good community,” said Pat Sarnie, a retired first responder and nurse.

Jerry Veltri praised the instructor’s patience and enthusiasm.

“We love Elizabeth Williams,” Veltri said. “She is the miracle worker of dance instructors.”

Don Askea, a retired Army veteran from Mableton, said the drive is worth it. He enjoys coming to the lessons because they provide an opportunity to socialize, stay active and try something new.

Remaining sessions are scheduled for June 18, July 2, 9 and 16, and Aug. 6, 13 and 20. Organizers describe the evenings as an opportunity to enjoy “fun, friendship and community” through dance.

Emory’s business school sees increase in military veterans

By LYDIA MAGALLANES decaturish@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — In 2026, Emory University’s Goizueta Business School significantly increased its veteran graduates across its Master in Business for Veterans, full-time MBA and working professional programs.

The number of veteran graduates increased by roughly 47 percent, from about 55 to more than 80.

The shift is part of Emory’s continued investment in the veteran community. Goizueta began offering an alternative 12-month program, the Master in Business for Veterans (MBV), in 2024. The specialized track is designed for “active-duty military, veterans, National Guard, and Reserve personnel to leverage their military leadership expertise and pair it with business knowledge for a successful career in the business world.”

The 2026 school year also marks the first time Emory has named an executive director of veterans initiatives for the entire campus. Retired Maj. Gen. Matt Smith is the first to fill the position, building on the legacy of retired Lt. Gen. Ken Keen, who is now an associate professor emeritus. Smith said the year-to-year increase in veteran enrollment at Goizueta was “a little bit of a halo effect” of promoting the MBV program.

The only other MBV available in the country is at the University of Southern California. Retired Air Force Combat Systems Officer Grant Kimmel, a 2026 MBV graduate, said he came to Emory to translate decades of military leadership to the private sector.

“When you were in the military, you were either in a position of authority or you had a rank that equals some level of authority,” explains Kimmel. “But then when you go into the private sector, you know that that doesn’t necessarily exist, and so now you have to figure out ways to earn trust, or, how do you influence people without having direct authority over someone else?”

Kimmel, originally from North Carolina, is living with his family in Smyrna. The Goizueta MBV helped him translate his experience in Air Force Special Operations to a remote government position at Viasat, a California-based satellite communications company.

Smith said veterans are highly sought after by companies because of their tested leadership skills.

“I think senior business leaders in Atlanta and the Southeast understand the non-tangible benefits that veterans bring to a team,” Smith

said. “The discipline, the valuesbased decision making, the ability to operate in ambiguous, friction-filled environments.”

Smith adds that Emory offers something that “can’t be replicated.”

The nationally ranked MBA program is a pipeline to heavy-hitting companies with military hiring programs, such as Delta, UPS, and Home Depot, all just a few hours from several large military installations.

Staying in Atlanta

That localized corporate demand is part of why many of the 2026 Goizueta veterans are staying in the area. A closer look at the class of 2026 fulltime MBA veteran cohort alone (which is different from the MBV) reveals that three-quarters will be working and living in the Atlanta area, including DeKalb and Fulton counties.

Atlanta native Dan Heckman, an Army veteran and 2026 full-time MBA graduate, landed a job at an Atlanta Fortune 500 company to work in finance and technology. But attending Emory was also an opportunity to put

one of the top three management consulting firms in the world, Boston Consulting Group. Titus joked he could spot his fellow veterans right away because of the “haircuts and Garmin watches.”

But that network served as a sort of safety net for Titus. Like many of his peers, he had to readjust to civilian life. Despite using various veteran employment resources, working in production at an Atlanta concrete plant and later in the supply chain at Home Depot, Titus said he still had impostor syndrome going into business school. “I remember I barely passed corporate finance in undergrad, and (at Emory) that was the second class we ever sat in. I was like, ‘Oh man, I’m cooked.’”

For Titus, the past couple of years offered a welcome change of pace, allowing for personal growth. He’s seeing a therapist to better handle that “impostor syndrome,” and addressing his service-related anxiety and mild depression.

“Whether it was in training or on deployment, some of that stuff comes out of nowhere,” he said. “Nothing I saw was horrific, but it comes back and can put you down for a few days, or not make you feel like yourself.”

As stressful as it is to be in a high-stakes environment for years, that experience, like leading troops in combat and being solely responsible for expensive equipment, gives veterans an edge in the business world.

down roots after a decade of service. His young family is living in Roswell, where his wife is from.

Aside from location, Heckman said Emory was the right fit because of the Yellow Ribbon program, which provides government funding to cover remaining school tuition and fees for eligible veterans after the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Heckman said the university’s veteran network had the most impact on his life.

He said second-year students guided students through the recruiting process. They identified companies that value veteran resumes and offered advice during the interview process.

“Alumni in Atlanta working in finance, consulting, defense, and operations, responded quickly to outreach, often because they had received similar help,” he said.

A safety net

Fellow 2026 full-time MBA graduate Sean Titus, a former Army field artillery officer, is living in Brookhaven with his wife, who is originally from Johns Creek. He secured a job at

Tyler Fortenberry, a 2026 fulltime MBA graduate and former Army armor officer, said that precision under pressure is a superpower.

“You have tanks, you have a limited amount of ammo, you have a limited amount of miles,” Fortenberry said. “It takes millions of dollars to operate this machine for just a few days. There’s so much more depth and attention to detail.”

Fortenberry is living in Buckhead with his wife and is on track to become a Chick-fil-A franchisee.

Many 2026 Goizueta veterans plan on sharing their experiences with the next class. Kimmel is staying connected to the Goizueta MBV program.

“I just want to pay it back to the program and the people that supported me and allowed me to grow,” he said. “It helped me stay positive, stay engaged, and just overcome some of the adversity with trying to figure out what that next career looked like.”

Titus agreed.

“I hope we keep our group chats alive,” Titus said. “I love spending time with these guys … Emory gave us a whole new set of friends, and I really want to make sure we stay in touch.”

Scholar, athlete carves her path to balanced life

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — St. Francis High School graduate Camryn Golston is a double threat — triple if you include her TikTok account with nearly 40,000 followers.

The valedictorian is a true coach’s point guard, the kind her coach can rely on to ensure everyone is in the right spot for the play. Her impact on the court earned her a spot on a Division I basketball roster at South Alabama University (SAU).

Fitting rigorous athletic and academic routines into her schedule became a balancing act, but Golston never faltered from her goal of maintaining her No. 1 ranking in the class. Her parents say her ambition comes from a deep-rooted competitive attitude.

Since her elementary school days playing basketball against boys, she has loved to win. Even more, she cannot stand losing.

“It just doesn’t sit right with my spirit,” Golston said.

She and her family live in College Park, and they started making the hourlong drive up to St. Francis every weekday when she was in sixth grade.

Camryn’s mom, Wendy, who is the Athletic Director at Carver High School and the vice president of Region 5-AAA, says basketball has matured her youngest daughter, and she carries the mentality of hating to lose into everything she does.

“She’s always been very serious about basketball,” Wendy said. “She took it serious when everybody was just out there playing around.”

Wendy, who graduated from Mays High, reflected on family vacations to New York and Spain where Camryn would get her hands on any basketball available and dribble down busy sidewalks. She said Camryn’s competitive spirit has occupied her entire life.

Wendy said Camryn’s elementary school report cards said, “Camryn does not have to be perfect at everything.”

Wendy said Camryn has brought the same perfectionism, though now a positive quality, into her academic and athletic endeavors as a teenager. Wendy said it was an important part of her parenting strategy to allow her daughters to be the authors of their own stories.

Camryn has two older sisters. Wynter is a master’s student at Georgia Southern, and Jadyn is a junior at West Virginia University. All three Golston daughters play their

own sport — Wynter, a soccer player, and Jadyn, a swimmer — to avoid inter-sibling competition.

That didn’t keep Camryn from always striving to outdo her sisters. Her parents never believed in allowing their children to win unwarranted, so Camryn learned from an early age how much it stung to lose.

When she entered high school, she enjoyed a winning basketball culture in St. Francis’s powerhouse program that has sent over a dozen athletes to Division I schools in the past 10 years.

Her first three years of high school, she traveled out of state every weekend from March through

six months of each other. Two days after Camryn’s 18th birthday, her grandmother passed away, and her grandfather passed in April.

In school ball, which also started several days after Camryn’s birthday, St. Francis won their 15th consecutive region championship this year before falling in the Final Four of the state tournament. Camryn had won two back-to-back state titles in her first two years with the program, and it was tough to end her career on such a note.

She said the end-of-season banquet this year, which took place several days before graduation, was emotional, especially saying goodbye to head coach Aisha Kennedy –affectionately known as “Coach G” to players – who became more than just a mentor.

“I’ve known Coach G my whole life basically,” Camryn said. “I’ve always been around the team, just in the background at practices, at games, watching and learning.”

Wendy attributes some of the reason Camryn was able to thrive at St. Francis to the relationship the family has with coach Kennedy.

In the early ’90s, when Wendy was in college at Georgia State, her brother was in high school at Wheeler alongside Kennedy. Their prior relationship allowed more attention and care to Camryn’s development, according to Wendy.

Camryn was never willing to slow down either in basketball or academically. That led to the amount of sleep she got taking hits later down the road. Camryn was able to bounce back and figure out a more workable schedule, but it took more than a few sleepless nights to get there.

Camryn describes herself as “a big numbers person” but also a “people person,” similar to the assistant coach assigned to point guards she will be working with at SAU.

the summer to compete with an AAU team in Florida called Essence. It was a significant time commitment that added to Camryn’s balance with schoolwork and being a normal teenager.

Her senior year, she found a little more free time playing for the Georgiabased Southeast All Stars. She also was invited to try out for the Overtime Select team, and she made the final cut for an unforgettable experience playing for Overtime Select’s Dream in the league’s second year.

Camryn’s senior year brought her greatest tribulation yet when both of Wendy’s parents passed away within

She describes her basketball playing style as “very fast-paced ... and for someone of my size, I play very physical.”

“I’m very big on controlling my controllables now,” she said. “This year, that’s been a big point of emphasis. I can’t control whether I make the shot, but I can control my energy, I can control my effort.”

Controlling her effort in the classroom culminated in a 104.4 GPA (4.0 on weighted scale). She plans to attend medical school after undergrad.

Camryn is carrying the same highenergy attitude and toughness that captured national recruiting attention into whatever awaits her at South

Why did the turtle cross the road?

BOB MEYERS Columnist

This is the time of year when turtles are most likely to be seen crossing a road in North Fulton or Forsyth County. They cross throughout the year, but we are in the middle of nesting season for most turtles.

According to Daniel Sollenberger, a senior wildlife biologist and state herpetologist with the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, females are on the move “because they are looking for good places to lay eggs.” That means places where it is sunny to keep eggs warm and soil without too many vegetation roots that would suck moisture from the ground making it difficult to lay eggs.

“Small turtles lay small numbers of eggs, such as the bog turtle in the mountains of North Georgia which may lay only two eggs,” Sollenberger says. “Box turtles lay six or seven eggs in forests, woodland edges, even in backyards. Big turtles, like sea turtles, can lay hundreds of eggs. Most turtles lay between 10 and 20 eggs once a year.”

Georgia has 30 kinds of turtles, and about a dozen or so in North Fulton and Forsyth. They are divided into four groups:

1.) Basking turtles, which include most common freshwater turtles such as the painted turtle, slider and cooter; 2.) eastern box turtle; 3.) softshell turtle; 4.) snapping turtle.

Not categorized are the common musk turtle (also known as the stinky turtle because of its odorous secretion), eastern mud turtle and the striped neck musk turtle found only in rivers.

National Geographic estimates that there are 300 species of turtles worldwide of which 130 are endangered due to loss of habitat, poaching, pollution and the illegal pet trade. Add to that the risk of injury from boats. Other sources use different numbers, up to 360 species.

Georgia also has tortoises, but only in the southern part of the state. Tortoises evolved from aquatic turtles and adapted to dry land. Tortoises are a family of turtles that live exclusively on land.

The gopher tortoise is Georgia’s official state reptile and Florida’s state tortoise. However, any seen in this area are illegal pets that have wandered off. Their diet consists of a wide variety of plants. They are known for their digging ability. They spend up to 80 percent of their time in long burrows that are also used by other animals. The Smithson-

The eastern box turtle is a terrestrial turtle that spends most of its time on land. Males generally have red eyes. Females, like the one in this photo, have brown eyes. They do not like high temperatures, and in the summer are most active in the morning or after periods of rain. Their life expectancy is 25 – 35 years. On rare occasions, they have been known to live up to 100 years.

The eastern painted turtle with its red and yellow stripes is usually found in streams and shallow wetlands. They are common along the Big Creek Greenway in Alpharetta and Roswell

ian claims that tortoises can live up to 200 years, although most estimates are 50–100 years.

Turtle history and highlights Turtles are among the most successful vertebrates on earth, dating back some 260 million years. The earliest versions

did not look exactly like modern turtles, but they had a shell-like structure that evolved gradually over time. They survived the mass extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

They have been so successful for several reasons.

First, they can survive many months without food or water. Their burrowing ability allows them to escape heat and cold. Their hard shells are a defense against most predators, and their long lifespans allow them to delay reproduction during difficult times. Changes in habitat and road mortality are having negative impacts on turtles today.

We are now in the peak season for turtle activity in North Fulton and Forsyth Counties. The most abundant turtle in our area is the yellow-bellied slider. It basks in groups on logs and rocks in ponds, lakes and calm river stretches. They are common in retention ponds in

About this column

North Fulton, Forsyth and their surrounding areas have fascinating histories. Great stories abound about the places and people who came before us and what they accomplished to prepare the way for our generation. This column seeks to tell their stories.

Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek and Cumming. They are 8 to 12 inches long with a yellow streak behind each eye. Their life span is 50-100 years. They should not be confused with the red-eared slider which is not native to this area but is common in pet stores and local ponds. They are the descendants of released or escaped pets and are distinguished by the red stripes behind each eye.

The big boy

The common snapping turtle is the big boy in local waters, weighing 40 to 60 pounds. They like bodies of water with muddy bottoms such as Chattahoochee waters, Big Creek and Lake Lanier tributaries. June is the month when females are crossing roads, so don’t get involved with them. Especially, don’t try to pick them up from the front as they can strike with lightning speed. They are 8 to 29 inches long. They can live 40–50 years.

The eastern painted turtle with its red and yellow neck stripes likes streams and shallow wetlands. They are common along the Big Creek Greenway in Alpharetta and Roswell. They are 5 to 7 inches long and live 20-30 years.

We have one terrestrial turtle, the eastern box turtle with a domed shell in brown, black, yellow and orange patterns. Males are usually red-eyed, and females have brown eyes. They can be found in backyards, woodlands and meadows and can live 25 to 30 years, and on rare occasions up to 100 years.

Other turtles seen in our area are the eastern river cooter, common musk turtle, eastern mud turtle and the gulf coast spiny softshell.

If you see a turtle crossing the road and want to move it, move it in the direction it was traveling and do not relocate it. It may die if you relocate it. Female turtles have long memories and know where they are going.

Bob is a member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission, Director Emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and Trustee on the Board of Directors of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society. You can email him at bobmey@ bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

OPINION

GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!

Georgia Bass Slam tourney heads into final six months

STEVE HUDSON Columnist

Everybody likes a challenge.

Some, for example, travel across the world to climb high mountains. They say the challenge is extreme and the view can be pretty good too.

Others drive hundreds of miles with a kayak strapped to the car to paddle down raging rivers so rough they’ll take your breath away. A buddy of mine used to do that, at least until it dawned on him one day just how much his kayak resembled a coffin. He sold his boat the very next day and took up stamp collecting instead.

That’s all well and good. But what if you want a challenge that’s a little less risky to life and limb…or one that you can pursue a little closer to home?

Well, I may have something for you. Have you thought about going for the Georgia Bass Slam?

“Slams” seem to be a thing these days. For instance, a “trout slam” might be catching a rainbow trout, and brown trout, and a brook trout all in the same day.

Similarly, kind of, a Grand Slam breakfast might be eating a waffle, some bacon, some hashbrowns, a couple of eggs and some toast down at the Waffle House on the way to catch those trout – or at least it used to be, back in those long-ago days when I didn’t worry too much about things like calories and cholesterol.

But let me get back to the Bass Slam.

The Georgia Bass Slam award is earned by anglers who catch at least five of Georgia’s 10 black bass species within a single calendar year.

Which species qualify? The list includes largemouth, smallmouth, shoal, Suwannee, spotted, redeye, Chattahoochee, Tallapoosa, Altamaha, and Bartram’s bass. Some of those may be familiar. Others may be fish you’ve never heard of. But all are out there, somewhere in Georgia’s diverse waters. And they’re waiting for you.

Georgia’s Bass Slam challenge is a great thing on a lot of levels. Chief among them, I think, is the fact that it encourages anglers to learn more about our state’s bass and to explore

and track down some diverse fishing opportunities that otherwise might go ignored.

Recognizing knowledge, skill

It also provides recognition for what is, by any measure, an impressive angling accomplishment. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Bass Slam challenge recognizes anglers who have “the knowledge and skill to catch five different species of black bass in a variety of habitats across the state. Who doesn’t enjoy a little recognition now and then?

One thing that pursuers of Bass Slam status tell me they enjoy is the challenge of identifying the various types of black bass that call Georgia home. Different species can have remarkably similar appearances, so you’ll need to learn those nuances that let you distinguish one from the next.

To help get you going, DNR offers some great online resources through BassSlam.com. One that’s particularly helpful is an interactive map which shows the general range where each of the species might be found. That’s a huge help in figuring out where to fish, especially if you’re going after a species with which you’re less familiar.

There’s also abundant info to help you conclusively identify the fish you catch – and that’s important, since your catches must be verified before you’re eligible for the Bass Slam award. You’ll also find insights on what sort of water or cover you should focus on as well as on what kind of bait or lure might be best. You’ll find this for each of the Bass Slam species.

Then it’s just up to you to hit the water and put some qualifying fish in your net.

What do you need to keep in mind when actually fishing for these bass? In waters where length limits are in place, eligible fish must be of legal size. For places or species with no minimum length limit, Bass Slam contenders must be at least 8 inches long.

When you land an eligible fish, document it with photos, which are an important part of your entry. Photos must include at least one shot showing you with the fish. You must also include a side view of the fish on a measuring board or next to a measuring tape or ruler. Add other photos that you think may help confirm the ID of each fish.

Mark your calendar

Since this is a calendar-year contest, your entry must be wrapped up and submitted online by midnight Dec. 31. Include your photos as well as your name, DNR customer number, the length of each fish (weight is optional), and the county and body of water where each fish was caught. Check the complete rules on BassSlam.com.

Then, once your catch is verified, you’re a Georgia Bass Slam winner!

If you achieve Bass Slam status, you’ll earn not only bragging rights but also a personalized certificate, two passes to the Go Fish Education Center in Perry and some commemorative stickers for your tackle box or cooler or car. You’ll also be recognized on the Bass Slam website and at the Go Fish Education Center in Perry.

In addition, you’ll be entered into a random drawing for the year’s special Bass Slam grand prize. Last year’s grand prize winner was William Strasburg of Marietta, one of 68 anglers to earn Georgia Bass Slam status in 2025. Strasburg has been participating in the program since 2017 and has earned six Bass Slams over the years. As grand prize for 2025, he received a cooler, camp chair, tackle box and a framed bass print.

There’s no doubt that Georgia’s Bass Slam program is growing in popularity every year. But a bigger question might be this: Why has bass fishing so captured the imagination of the fishing world?

Black bass have long been appreciated by the angling community. Back in 1881, for example, Dr. James A. Henshall wrote a book (actually, the first book ever written on bass fishing) entitled “Book of the Black Bass.”

“No doubt the Black Bass is the appointed successor of the Lordly Trout,” he wrote. He added that in his view, black bass “will eventually become the leading game fish of America.”

I’d say the good doctor nailed it. The mystique of trout notwithstanding, there’s really no doubt that bass are the most-pursued fish in America today – and Georgia, with its 10 resident black bass species, is a fine place to go after them.

Get out there and get to work on that slam!

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.

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CITY OF ALPHARETTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, July 9, 2026 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday, July 20, 2026 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. CU-26-07 St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Columbarium

Consideration of a conditional use to allow ‘Cemetery’ use at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on 48.06 acres. A conditional use is requested to allow ‘Cemetery’ for a columbarium/memorial garden. The property is located at 535 Rucker Road and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 1241, 1279 & 1280, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

b. MP-26-09/CU-26-08/V-26-13 One Life Fitness/Delta Credit Union Master Plan

Consideration of a master plan amendment, conditional use, and variance to allow for the construction of a 2 story, 55,000 square foot building to be used by One Life Fitness on 6.25 acres in the North Point Overlay. A master plan amendment is requested to the Delta Credit Union Master Plan to add ‘Athletic Facility’ as a conditional use and a conditional use is requested to allow One Life Fitness to operate an ‘Athletic Facility’ on the subject property. Variances are requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.10.3(B) to allow parking between the building and the street and to increase the maximum building setback from Haynes Bridge Road and Rock Mill Road, and UDC Subsection 2.10.6(A)(3) to allow the impervious area of surface parking stalls to exceed the impervious area of the building. The property is located at 0 North Fulton Expressway and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 753, 754, 797 & 798, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

c. MP-26-08 5905 Windward Parkway Restaurant/Windward MP Pod 14A

Consideration of a master plan amendment to allow a free-standing ‘Restaurant (no drive-thru)’ on 3.75 acres in Windward. A master plan amendment is requested to the Windward Master Plan Pod 14A to allow a free-standing ‘Restaurant (no drive-thru)’ as a principal use on the property. The property is located at 0 Windward Parkway and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1113, 2nd District, 1st Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

d. PH-26-04 Unified Development Code – Amendments Business & Recreational Vehicles

Consideration of text amendments to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 1.4 and UDC Subsection 2.5.4(B) to assign definitions and amend the locational parking requirements for business and recreational vehicles in residential zoning districts.

The following items 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.

e. V-26-11 Brookside Concourse Landscape Strip Variance

Consideration of a variance request to eliminate a landscape strip requirement in order to allow for the subdivision of 2 office properties. A variance is requested from Unified Development Code Subsection 3.2.8(D)(4) to eliminate the 5’ landscape strip requirement along property lines which do not adjoin a street. The property is located at 4300, 4400, 4325 & 4425 Alexander Drive and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 50, 82 & 83, 1st District, 1st Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

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

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Alcon Research, LLC has openings for Associate III, Manufacturing Production Process Engineering for the Johns Creek, GA office. Responsible for completing nonconformance investigation activities (including product assessments) and identifying, designing and implementing improvements to equipment and processes in support of the corrective and preventative action (CAPA) program and continuous improvement efforts at Johns Creek Manufacturing. 40 hours per week. Please send resumes to Sylvia Cruz, Alcon Research, LLC, 6201 South Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76134, Ref. No. WYA0626

Sr. Field Engineer sought by LG Electronics USA, Inc. in Alpharetta, GA to mng info flow of CAC engg for escalated service cases. Reqs: BS, or foreign equiv in Mechanical Engnrng, Comp Sci, Electrical Engnrng or rltd field & 2 yrs exp in job offd or rltd role in Commercial Air Conditioning field. Must possess exp w/ AHU, VRF, Commissioning service, Centrifugal chillers, GHP air conditioning systms, & etc.50% travel req (about 10-15 days/month) throughout Western US region to provide on-site tech support for qlty issues & on-site troubleshooting. Apply at: https://lge-careers.com/

Bolt Solutions, Inc. seeks a DevOps Site Reliability Engineer (“SRE”) Lead in Alpharetta, GA, to manage the company’s network security, connectivity, and databases. Send resumes to the People Director, NA, Melissa Vernocy mvernocy@boltinsurance.com.

Computer Professionals for GA based IT Firm :

“Sr. Software Engineer to Dsgn cloud-based solutions across IaaS & PaaS based environments within public cloud. Dvlp & configure automation solutions & build scripts for deployments. Manage infrastructure across various clusters, automate day-to-day system administration tasks. Provide authentication solutions & migrate/upgrade virtual machines on hybrid cloud. Travel to various unanticipated worksite loc’ns with frequency dependent on Project and/or Client requirement throughout the U.S. may be required.” Apply w/2 copies of resume to HR, Powermind Solutions, Inc. 11539 Park Woods Cir, Ste # 703, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Data Analyst ($93,974) - Alpharetta, GA. Anlyz & process hlthcare datasets; gnrte insights, idntfy trnds & suprt data-driven decision-making. Crte BI dashboards, data visliz & Anlytcl reprts. Trnslate biz & ops reqs into queries, metrics & reporting slutions. Suprt data vldtn, mdel testing & Anlytcl processes. Reqs: MA in Data Analytics or rltd; 1 yr exp as Data Speclst/smlr in hlthcare iduty w/ data anlyz skills. Send CV to Jiten Chhabra, CareValidate Inc., 4575 Webb Bridge Rd, Ste 4345, Alpharetta, GA 30005. Code: 0420.

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

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

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.

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

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