Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - March 5, 2026

3

3

3

Officials consider added criteria for Slow Down in Roswell funds

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Discussion around a city traffic-calming program dominated the Feb. 24 Roswell Committees of Council meeting as elected officials debated how to determine which neighborhoods need the service most.

Slow Down in Roswell is part of the city’s Safe Streets and Roads for All developed under former Mayor Kurt Wilson. It identified 11 roads in the city, most within neighborhoods, deemed in need of improvement. They were assessed through a neighborhood calming matrix that factored in traffic volume, sidewalk accessibility, speeding,

Alpharettan to mark her 102nd birthday

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Coming up on March 15, Alpharetta resident Rita Simmons will turn 102 years old, keeping her title as the oldest resident at The Addison of Alpharetta.

Born in 1924, Simmons lived most of her life in Massachusetts and moved to Georgia in 2013 to be closer to one of her two daughters.

Her family has expanded to include six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

There’s a pattern of family living into their 90s and beyond. Six of Simmons’

siblings lived into their 90s, and the oldest turns 104 the day after she does.

“I try to take care of myself,” Simmons said. “I try to eat right. I don’t exercise, but I move a lot.”

Simmons learned about life by living it, she said. She didn’t graduate from high school but participated in vocational school while taking care of her four younger siblings.

One of the most memorable moments of Simmons’ life was when she came home from school at age 10 and her seventh sibling was born.

See SIMMONS, Page 25

poverty rates and area amenities, like shopping centers or schools. This year’s budget allocates $400,000 to fund the pilot program that includes the 11 neighborhoods. The budget also included $102,000 to create and fund a traffic analyst position.

See TRAFFIC, Page 25

Rita Simmons, center, with her daughters, Jean Barrow, right, and Joan Loube, left, at The Addison of Alpharetta Feb. 23. Simmons will celebrate her 102nd birthday on March 15.

HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA

Alpharetta unveils list of top projects for TSPLOST III

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The City of Alpharetta is looking toward 2027’s county-wide transportation sales tax with an eye for pedestrian infrastructure.

At its March 2 meeting, the Alpharetta City Council reviewed potential projects to be funded if voters renew the tax this November. Cities must submit a project list to Fulton County by May 31. The tax is three-quarters of a cent added to the county’s sales tax and is dedicated to transportation projects. The sales tax would go into effect in April 2027. City staff anticipate the city could receive about $71.6 million. Council members may propose additional projects for consideration before the May 31 deadline.

A preliminary project list proposes numerous pedestrian improvements throughout the city, including upgrades for two of its most popular trail networks, the Alpha Loop and Big Creek Greenway.

The Alpha Loop in the Brookside area could receive $5 million for a fitness park, 15-foot retaining wall, planting strip and sidewalk.

About $2.5 million would benefit the Alpha Loop in the Northwinds area with a sidewalk, lane reduction and planting strip.

NEWS TIPS

770-442-3278

AppenMedia.com

319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

HANS APPEN

Publisher RAY APPEN

Publisher Emeritus CONTACT

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

LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

ADVERTISING

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

CIRCULATION

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

DEA seizes 37 pounds of meth

By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) operation in Sandy Springs yielded one arrest and 16 kilos of suspected methamphetamine Feb. 13, according to agency officials and documents obtained by Appen Media.

The DEA executed a search warrant on an apartment on Northwood Drive in Sandy Springs. Inside the home agents located 37 pounds of, “a crystal-like substance,” which allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine, according to court documents.

The federal officers found one woman and two juveniles in the apartment. They released the children to a guardian and

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.

Police investigate rash of fires at church

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Officers investigated a report of arson at a church Feb. 10.

Alpharetta police said a North Main Street church official phoned the department about 9 a.m. to report an overnight fire.

CUSTOM FRAMING

Police said the church has reported numerous fires set on the property in recent months. Police are unsure whether the fires were set by the same person or people.

Officers visited the church and viewed security camera footage showing a man walking onto church property, kneeling by some bushes near the main sanctuary building and walking away, the department said.

A police report made no mention of any damage sustained by the fire.

• Canvas Stretching, Rugs, Mirrors

• Round, Oval and Float Frames

• Sports & Military Memorabilia

• Shadowboxes & Specialty Mounts

• Frame Repairs & Touch-Ups

arrested the adult, charging her with felony trafficking in illegal drugs. The agency also seized an undisclosed amount of money.

DEA agents conducted the investigation and apartment search, asking Sandy Springs Police detectives to assist with “perimeter security” and have a department vehicle on site. Once the arrest was complete, federal officers turned the suspect over to city police for transportation.

DEA officials told Appen Media the city will now prosecute the case.

Sandy Springs detectives took the woman to the Fulton County jail. A judge awarded her a $100,000 bond, though she now also has an immigration hold. This status, known as a detainer, is a request for jails to hold suspects, “for up to 48

The incident was classified as a felony first-degree arson.

— Jon Wilcox

Police investigate report involving online extortion

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police were dispatched to North Fulton Hospital Feb. 22 in reference to a harassment call an employee received while working.

Days earlier, the employee said he had met the suspect online and sent them explicit images under the impression he was speaking with a female. The man was then threatened and told the photos would be shown to the Human Resources Department at North Fulton Hospital if he did not pay $1,000.

The victim refused to pay despite multiple demands.

He continued receiving text messages and calls from the suspect, despite blocking the number. At times, the suspect called the hospital asking to speak with the man.

The evening of Feb. 21, the man said the suspect attempted to contact him in-person at work. No cameras captured footage of the attempted interaction, and

THE PICTURE FRAMER

hours beyond the time they would ordinarily release them so [the Department of Homeland Security] has time to assume custody,” according to the federal agency.

Conditions surrounding the woman’s immigration status are not clear. The DEA referred further questions to the city, considering they will now pick up the drug case. Sandy Springs Police spokespeople declined to provide details of the arrest or suspect.

The incident and arrest are absent from the city’s Police to Citizen website, an online portal presented as a way for the public to see law enforcement activity.

City officials also declined to comment on why the events are missing from the dashboard.

no description of the suspect or vehicle was provided to police.

— Hannah Yahne

Family expresses suspicion over missing person claim

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — About $1,600 in copper wire was reported stolen from a vacant North Point Parkway business Feb. 11.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched about 9 p.m. to the location after a locksmith hired by the building’s owner reported a suspicious person.

Officers dispatched a K-9 after arriving but failed to locate anyone. No open doors or windows were found, but officers suspected a person had recently entered after finding human waste in a bathroom.

The locksmith told officers a door appeared unlocked. Officers observed an instrument jammed into the lock.

The locksmith showed photographs he had taken of a man allegedly stealing four spools of copper wire.

The incident was classified as a felony burglary of a business.

— Jon Wilcox

Roswell Woman’s Club offers funding for education

ROSWELL, Ga. — Fulton County high school seniors and educators north of the Chattahoochee River have until March 6 to apply for funding through the Roswell Women’s Club, a nonprofit supporting education.

The club will award students with a one-time $2,000 scholarship in recognition of their academic strength, leadership qualities and community focus. Scholarship eligibility requirements can be found online at roswellwomansclub.org.

Recipients will be announced in late spring and awarded before graduations in May.

Educators in the same area of the county are invited to apply for grants designed to support creative classroom projects and educational initiatives that enhance student learning experiences. The grants provide money for innovative programs across various subjects and grade levels that might not otherwise receive support through traditional channels.

All applications are due online by 5 p.m. on March 6.

Since 1997, the Roswell Woman’s Club has awarded more than $2.9 million to scholarship and grant recipients. Last year, 38 teachers received grant funding, and 21 graduating high school seniors received a scholarship.

— Hannah Yahne

Spring to Life

SuNday, March 15 | 12-4PM

Science and Nature Collide! Flighted raptor program and STEAM-themed activities. Included with general admission and free to CNC members.

Saturday, March 21

MeMberS: March 26 | 4-7PM Public: March 27-28, apriL 3-4 9aM-5PM

Saturday, March 28

Area fire departments aid in battling Roswell blaze

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Fire Department, with assistance from the Milton Fire-Rescue Department and the Alpharetta Fire Corps, responded to a structure fire around 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Bellini Osteria Toscana on West Crossville Road.

Crews arrived on scene within four minutes of being dispatched and saw heavy smoke coming from the building’s roofline. Restaurant owners said close to 70 people were evacuated safely.

After investigating, firefighters determined the fire spread through the walls and into the building’s attic space.

Fire personnel remained on scene through the latenight hours to monitor the site.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

— Hannah Yahne

ROSWELL FIRE DEPARTMENT/PROVIDED

Members of the Roswell Fire Department respond to a commercial structure fire on West Crossville Road Feb. 28 with help from the Milton Fire-Rescue Department and Alpharetta Fire Corps.

Construction in Roswell will affect key roadways

ROSWELL, Ga. — Starting March 2, drivers began facing multiple road closures near downtown Roswell as development and stormwater projects are underway.

Through March 20, a portion of Fraser Street between Ga. 9/ Alpharetta Street and Forrest Walk will be closed at all hours to throughtraffic, except for local access to homes and businesses.

The closure is for sewer line installation related to the construction of The Chambray hotel at Ga. 9 and Fraser Street. The sidewalk in front of the hotel’s construction site on Ga. 9 is closed through summer 2027.

Canton Street will be reduced to one lane going southbound between Vinings Gallery and Loyal Tavern from

Our chapel mausoleum offers timeless options of both cremation and traditional burial. Contact us for further information on the Chapel of Reflections and our many other offerings.

7 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily for two or three weeks, the city said. Businesses in the downtown area will remain open and accessible as the city works on a stormwater improvement project.

Traffic near the intersection of Riverside Road and Azalea Drive will be impacted through March 6 by crews collecting soil and rock samples. Flaggers will be onsite to assist with

the lane impacts expected from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily.

The geotechnical investigations are part of foundation investigations for the Historic Gateway project that will improve safety and mobility along Ga. 9/South Atlanta Street between Ga. 120/Marietta Highway and the Chattahoochee River.

Kermit Roosevelt speaks to family’s divided roots

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — In one of many events scheduled by Roswell to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Kermit Roosevelt, great-great grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, spoke March 1, reflecting on his family’s Southern roots.

Kermit is a constitutional law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author. His recent book, “The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America’s Story,” was published in 2022.

More than 100 people engaged with Kermit’s retelling of Theodore’s life and legacy as the 26th president of the United States, which emphasized his parent’s influence.

Theodore’s mother, Martha “Mittie” Bulloch was born in Roswell’s Bulloch Hall in 1835 and was described by Kermit as “a classic Southern belle.” Growing up in Roswell, Mittie was a strong supporter of the Confederacy and remained “entirely un-reconstructed,” until she died, Theodore wrote in his autobiography.

The death of both parents had a powerful influence on Theodore’s life, Kermit said. His father died while Theodore was at Harvard. In 1884, Theodore’s mother and his wife both died Valentine’s Day in 1884 – two days after the birth of Theodore’s first child.

“TR is made of somewhat different stuff, and he doesn’t break,” Kermit said. “So, instead, TR goes west and he remakes himself as a cowboy in the Dakotas.”

Nature proved healing for Theodore, and he developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors and learning to live in nature. He often said, “I would not have become president if not for my time in the Dakotas.”

Kermit takes the former president at his word, saying he thinks without his time in nature, Theodore would not have been an environmentalist and creator of the National Parks System.

His time in the Dakotas, embracing danger, physical challenges, and eventually war, was Theodore’s attempt to redeem his father through his own example. Theodore Roosevelt Sr. didn’t fight in the Civil War at Mittie’s request, and that impacted their son.

“[Theodore’s] rise is really affected by this need to compensate,” Kermit said, “and to redeem what he saw as a shortcoming in his father’s life.”

National unity

Theodore Roosevelt became president in 1901 after the assassination of President William

Kermit Roosevelt signs copies of his book, “The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America’s Story,” after speaking at a Roswell America250 gathering March 1 at the Roswell River Landing.

McKinley. When Theodore ran in the election of 1904, he saw himself as a representation of the entire nation thanks to his Northern and Southern roots.

Theodore’s father was an active supporter of the Union during the Civil War as his mother committed treason supporting the Confederacy, yet his parents remained united in marriage.

“Part of me wants to say … we can learn from that like Theodore Roosevelt did, that you can have a relationship that is above politics,” Kermit said.

However, Kermit said this idea of putting politics aside and uniting as Americans around our shared values is more complicated than that.

“Historically, our moments of unity are not really aways people putting their differences aside and coming together,” Kermit said. “Sometimes there are moments where one side kind of gives up on its principles because unity is more important.”

The United States needs to make more of a choice about who we are as a nation before we can expect to unite over shared values, he said. Some believe that America dedicated itself to certain values at the founding that are stated in the Declaration of Independence and that will tell us what it means to be a true American.

“People were saying this in 1876, the centennial of the Declaration, people are saying this now 250 years after the Declaration,” Kermit said.

However, he outlines two branches of values that can stem from the Declaration of Independence. The first is a dedication to the proposition that all men are created equal, so the government should respect everyone’s rights and treat everyone equally.

Loyal opposition

There’s another meaning to the Declaration, Kermit said, which outlines a vision of independence.

“It’s saying, if a government strays from its purpose, then the people who created it can reject its authority and start over,” Kermit said.

However, this understanding doesn’t have much to say about how American society should be organized after independence. It does provide

some hints, Kermit said, that the government should not interfere with the rights of the people who created it, especially to benefit those who did not.

“There are these two different understandings of the Declaration of Independence, and they’re very different,” Kermit said. “They support different sides of the Civil War … so I don’t think it’s enough just to say we’re going to come together in the name of the Declaration or the ideals of the founding.”

Theodore once argued that when deciding the purpose of government and its authority, that rulers should listen to the people, not look back in history or to the Declaration of Independence.

“I think that’s right,” Kermit said. “I think that we the people have to decide who we are and what future we want.”

Just opened?

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

8 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | March 5, 2026

Cumming pilot forges business selling fictional robots

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Something inexplicable awoke inside David Leyva when the Forsyth County resident saw a toy robot sitting in a Tokyo shop.

Specifically, it was an RX-78 from the Japanese science fiction anime Gundam series, a franchise that has spawned numerous television shows, movies, novels, manga and plastic model kits.

For Leyva, who grew up making models of military jet aircraft, the robot was simultaneously familiar and electrifyingly new.

“It’s weird to explain, but it just really inspires you,” Leyva, 46, said. “It really opens your imagination, like, ‘Wow, imagine if this was real. How gigantic this thing would be.’”

That experience started Leyva on a path that would hijack his free time, lead him to an enormous like-minded fan community and inspire him to start a business that now outearns his job as an airline pilot. Looking back, Leyva said he could never have guessed the model robot would open so many doors. But he admits the pieces were always there inside him.

More than a decade after his fateful experience in Japan, Leyva, a husband and father of two, is the proud owner of The Gundam Place, which boasts a storefront at 580 Atlanta Road in Cumming, warehouse and almost a dozen employees.

As a kid, Leyva was fascinated by military aircraft, painstakingly assembling the plastic parts with glue. He spent many hours building the kits, which included some of his favorite aircraft like the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-14 Tomcat.

That childhood interest developed into a dream to one day fly, and as Leyva grew older he left behind the models and pursued the rigorous training to become a pilot. He now flies for a major airline in a senior role.

“I worked all my life to be where I am as a professional,” he said. “It took me 40 years to become a captain.”

Building obsession

But amid his career and life goals, Leyva found a pleasant distraction in the world of Gundam, a hobby he admits became an obsession.

After long days spent as a father

and pilot, he often would recede to his desk to build Gundams.

“Once everybody at home goes to bed, and I have a couple hours on my own, I start building,” he said. “I just forget everything. There’s nothing else at that point.”

As a pilot, Leyva said he appreciates the realistic detail of the robots. Unlike the more fantastical fictional machines like Transformers, Gundams are grounded in rational technology and engineering.

A pilot sits at the controls within an aircraft-like cockpit. The metalalloy chassis are covered in removable armored plating. Each weapon-covered limb is movable, allowing the builder to imagine they are assembling a real, futuristic piece of military hardware.

“You start putting it together, and you start seeing how it’s transformed into an arm or a leg, and everything moves like it would in real life,” he said. “Those pieces are becoming like a freaking machine, like pistons and so many details. Everything works, and it starts looking like a robot.”

Leyva, who now has built almost 50 of the models, quickly became hooked.

“It was weird. I even thought, ‘Wow, I have never been like this,” he said. “It was like holy cow, I can’t stop buying these things.”

Model opportunity

Leyva admits his wife, although supportive, shared no part of his interest, leading him to seek out others who shared his interest. After connecting with some groups on Facebook, he learned his experience was hardly unique. That realization sparked an idea inside him.

“Everybody was desperate to get the new model kits,” Leyva said. “I started thinking, ‘Well, this could be an amazing business.’”

He started buying the kits wholesale and selling them online, using Google and social media to advertise.

Customers were eager to take them off his hands, and some who lived in the Atlanta area began messaging him if they could avoid shipping costs with in-person pickups. Leyva obliged, meeting local fans in person in shopping mall parking lots.

The meetups became so frequent he decided to purchase a warehouse to store the robots, doing retail business out of a small storefront there. A promotional partnership with a popular Gundam influencer and burgeoning word-of-mouth notoriety led him to finally open a shop dedicated to in-store purchases.

Leyva never looked back, and his business has since found a level of success that still surprises even him.

“Every year, I get surprised,” he said. “It just keeps happening. We grew at least 30-40 percent every year.”

Robot shop

Tucked into an unassuming strip mall, the shop is easily overlooked, customers said. But once found, Gundam aficionados have found it represents a kind of home to them.

On a February afternoon, firsttime-visitor and Cumming resident Chris Holte said he had no idea the shop existed in his backyard. Holte, who works in sales for a traffic control safety company, said he was pleased to find such a wide selection of models

and customers and staff who share his interest.

At home, Holte said he has little opportunity to talk about the robots with his wife, who often rolls her eyes at his niche interest.

“It mostly goes in one ear and out the other,” he said, chuckling. “She likes to make fun of it.”

The shop’s walls are lined with shelves of more than a hundred model kits, providing an impressive selection, sales advisor Jason Tang said. The space also includes plenty of stimulation for the imagination. A 6-foot-tall robot costume stands at the entrance, and numerous dioramas and models, some valued in the thousands of dollars, sit behind clear display cases.

Gundam community

But The Gundam Place also offers something less tangible than kits and perhaps more important, a sense of community, Tang said.

While assisting Holte, Tang was pleased to see long-time customer Smeet Patel, who has spent almost $10,000 at the shop over several years.

Patel, who now counts as one of his friends, often stops by to visit and enjoy a bit of friendly banter about Gundams or otherwise.

Like Patel, many have found the shop to be a place to connect with others.

Developer tapped for pro hockey plan at North Point Mall

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Jamestown, the developer responsible for Ponce City Market, has been selected to redevelop North Point Mall into a sports-anchored, mixed-use entertainment center.

In partnership with property owner New York Life, Jamestown plans to position the 100-acre property for a potential National Hockey League franchise, Jamestown said in a Feb. 26 announcement.

The specific details of the site plan will be determined as part of a rezoning process, but Jamestown said it will include multi-family homes, retail, office, hotels, public transit and a state-of-theart arena.

Jamestown, which in 2024 acquired the Atlanta affiliate of North American Properties known for Avalon, has begun conducting feasibility studies for the site’s potential and is preparing preliminary plans. Jamestown also will oversee property management effective March 1.

The announcement comes as Forsyth County pursues a similar plan to attract

Gundam:

Continued from Page 8

The models are available for purchase from internet vendors, but many local Gundam fans prefer to stop by in person, Leyva said.

An after-hours monthly model building meetup routinely attracts anywhere from a 20 to 40 or more. Tables fill the floorspace during those nights, allowing customers to spend long hours chatting and forging friendships.

An annual gathering night attracts hundreds, requiring the shop to

a hockey franchise to The Gathering at South Forsyth, a $2 billion mixed-use arena development project off Ga. 400 at Union Hill Road.

Forsyth County Commission Chairman Alfred John reasserted the county’s commitment to the project Feb. 17.

“What remains unchanged is the exceptional strength of The Gathering

sometimes rent out additional space next door.

“Those are on another level,” Leyva said.

Leyva said he never could have imagined a chance encounter with a model robot could enrich so many aspects of his life.

He is deeply thankful for the business opportunities the hobby has created for him, and he still finds time to revel in the world of Gundam.

But perhaps most of all, he is glad to be a part of a warm community that forges real relationships through an imaginary world.

“It makes me think it was worth all the effort,” he said.

at South Forsyth’s location, the comprehensive infrastructure planning already in place and the steadfast commitment of both Forsyth County and the development team to executing this opportunity with the highest standards of diligence and responsibility,” John said.

Jamestown CIO Tim Perry said the Alpharetta site represents a strong

contender in attracting a team, citing a Tax Allocation District established by the City of Alpharetta in late 2025.

“As an established commercial retail corridor with the transportation infrastructure in place to support a dense mix of uses, the site is well positioned for redevelopment and to accommodate event and game day traffic associated with an NHL hockey arena,” Perry said.

Machete Group, a real estate advisory and development firm, will work alongside Jamestown in the project. The group specializes in developing sports arenas, stadiums and surrounding mixed-use districts.

David Carlock, managing partner of Machete Group, said the most successful arena districts are built for long-term use and community benefit. He said the project already boasts strong ownership, planning and market conditions.

“We’re looking forward to helping guide a vision that integrates a worldclass NHL arena into a broader mixeduse environment designed to be active, connected, and sustainable for decades to come,” Carlock said.

Indie bookstore turns page after fire impedes business

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A few local indie booksellers drive most of the author appearances Appen features monthly. And, when it comes to Roswell listings, one of the most active is Bookmiser.

Working alongside two Friends of the Roswell Library programs – Roswell Reads and Atlanta Authors – Bookmiser has helped facilitate some of the city’s most notable author celebrations since 2018. From blockbuster writers like Fredrik Backman, Delia Owens and Ann Patchett to regional authors like Karen White, Mary Kay Andrews and Rick Bragg, Bookmiser co-owner Annell Gerson has helped coordinate them all from a strip-mall storefront 10 minutes from Roswell’s historic downtown at 3822 Roswell Road in Marietta.

That brick-and-mortar location,

Saturday, March 7, the 22nd annual Dahlonega Literary Festival, featuring numerous nationally known fiction and nonfiction authors including headliner Joshilyn Jackson. Free or $35 for Jackson’s session, which includes a signed hardback copy of her latest novel, “Missing Sister.” 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Holly Theater, 69 W. Main St., Dahlonega. literaryfestival.org.

Tuesday, March 10, Liz Moore, 13th annual Forsyth Reads Together headliner. The No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of “The God of the Woods” will speak and sign books at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. Sponsored by Forsyth County Public Library, FCPL Friends and Advocates and the Forsyth County Arts Alliance at the Forsyth County Community Foundation, with books sold by Read It Again Books. 7 p.m. Free. Registration required. An Eventbrite waitlist and a standby line is planned. eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-liz-moore-tickets1981356153592?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tuesday, March 10, Isla Jewell with her new romantasy, “Books & Bewitchment.” Jewell, who also publishes as Delilah S. Dawson, will answer audience questions. 7 p.m. Free. Johns Creek Books, 6000 Medlock Bridge Road. 770-696-9999. johnscreekbooks.com.

Thursday, March 12, and Saturday, March 14, Robert Gwaltney detailing “Sing Down the Moon.” March 12 in conversation with Emily Carpenter. 5:30 p.m. Either $27 with book or $5 admission only. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore.com.

On March 14, Atlanta Authors presents Gwaltney with author Lo Patrick. 2 p.m. Free. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. eventbrite. com/e/atlanta-authors-presents-robert-gwaltneytickets-1979739706756?aff=oddtdtcreator

Monday, March 19, Laura Elizabeth Murder

however, suffered a major setback in September, when a fire at a nearby computer repair store triggered a fivemonth shutdown, gutting and total remodel.

With no in-store holiday sales and facing ever-growing e-commerce competition, Bookmiser maintained offsite support for a host of organizations and events, including two author appearances for Roswell Reads and Atlanta Authors.

Then, despite a tsunami of challenges, Bookmiser reopened the last weekend in February with an in-store author function.

“Now more than ever,” Gerson said, “we appreciate the community’s support in spreading the word that we are open and dedicated as ever to putting the right book in the right hands at the right time, our quest for 27 years.

Here are details, along with other March happenings.

Mystery Dinner featuring her book “All is Now Lost.” 6 p.m. $60. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore.com

Thursday, March 24, Kim Costa launching “Live in Your Wheelhouse.” 5:30 p.m. Either $27 with book or $5 admission only. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore.com

Tuesday, March 24, A Novel Idea spotlights authors Ron Hsu, Robert Gwaltney and Katherine Nichols with “Down South + East," "Sing Down the Moon," and "Imperfect Alignment," respectively. 7 p.m. Free. Roswell Junction, 340 S. Atlanta St., Roswell. anovelidea.us.

Friday, Saturday and Monday, March 27, 28 and 30, Friends of the Roswell Library Book Sale. See website for hours and details. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. 404-612-9700. forl.net.

Saturday, March 28, The Atlanta Writers Club’s Self-Publishing Conference giving indie writers tips and skills to build their audience and sell more books. Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, 800 Spring St NW, Atlanta. 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Pricing and details at atlantaselfpublishingconference. com/

Saturday, March 28, Vanessa Riley celebrating “Fire Sword & Sea,” hosted by Bookmiser and Friends of the Sandy Springs Library. 2 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs. bookmiser.net/events.html

Tuesday March 31, Emily Carpenter launching “A Spell for Saints and Sinners,” in conversation with author Kimberly Belle. 5:30 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore.com

To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@ gmail.com by the 15th.

Dyana Bagby joins staff as Appen Media reporter

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group announced Dyana Bagby has joined the staff as a reporter. Bagby will cover local government and business in the cities of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs. She will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and be based in Alpharetta.

Bagby has covered local government, commercial real estate and LGBTQ+ issues in metro Atlanta. Her work has been featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, WABEFM, Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and The Atlanta Voice.

Projects:

Continued from Page 1

Another $6.5 million would go to the Big Creek Greenway for a 12-foot raised boardwalk from the Mansell connection to the cul-de-sac of Beaver Creek Road.

Karen Richard, vice president of the Alpha Loop Foundation, said transportation sales tax funds have historically played an important part in building out the trail.

“The proof of concept is very much alive and well in Alpharetta,” she said.

She pointed to a $15 million Alpha Loop segment from Old Milton Parkway to Northwinds Parkway as one example.

Richard said foundation members are meeting regularly with Director of Public Works Pete Sewczwicz to offer recommendations about how funds could be spent. She also said she looks forward to outreach with the public for additional input.

“Engaging and educating our community on the value of TSPLOST III will be critical to ensuring the referendum’s success in November,” she said.

City officials also are looking at a number of other projects from sidewalks to road widenings to about $35 million for citywide maintenance.

A $12 million project would widen Kimball Bridge Road from Northwinds to Westside Parkway, adding a 10-foot sidewalk, planting strips and lanes. An $8 million project would add sidewalks to Canton Street.

“Local journalism is important in providing transparency, holding local officials accountable and creating a sense of community,” Bagby said. “I am excited to join Appen Media and look forward to connecting to readers in my coverage areas.”

Appen announced Bagby’s coverage will focus on Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, leaning on her experience in the region. “Dyana has been a staple in Metro Atlanta journalism over the years,” he said. “We are thrilled to add more experience covering the Perimeter and help be a vessel for Dyana’s critical reporting.”

For story ideas and questions, readers can reach Bagby at dyana@ appenmedia.com.

— Carl Appen

Proposed TSPLOST III project list

Tier I

• Citywide maintenance: $35 million

• Brookside corridor: $6 million

• Canton Street sidewalk: $8 million

• Hembree Road corridor: $7million (Costs could be split with Roswell 50-50 with True North 400 CID contribution)

• Northwinds Alpha Loop: $2.5 million

• Westside Alpha Loop: $5 million

Tier II

• Haynes Bridge at Mansell upgrades: $2 million

• Mayfield from AES to Canton Street improvements: $3.5 million

• Milton Avenue sidewalk: $2 million

• Windward sidewalk: $3 million

Tier III

• Charlotte mini-roundabout: $500,000

• Kimball Bridge sidewalk: $7 million

• Mansell improvements: $2.5 million

• Debt payment: $500,000

Other projects

• Big Creek Greenway boardwalk: $6.5 million

• Academy Street improvements: $5 million

• Kimball Bridge Road widening: $12 million

• Traffic calming: $5 million

BEARS 58, TIGERS 56

Cambridge beats Tucker to advance to program’s first Elite Eight

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Cambridge boys basketball outlasted Tucker’s comeback attempt 58-56 in the Sweet Sixteen matchup Feb. 28 to advance to the program’s first Elite Eight appearance.

Bears forward Carter Higdon broke the school’s single season scoring record that night with a game-high 26 points. It was previously held by Matthew Cleveland, who scored 610 points in a season for Cambridge and is now in the NBA G-League and averaging over 18 points a game.

Cleveland said after last year’s Sweet Sixteen loss to Jonesboro, the team was down in the dumps about losing five seniors who got significant minutes and “didn’t have this in mind” in reference to making the Elite Eight this year.

“Guys like Avery [Joe], Chandler [BowenJackson], Bryson [O’Kelley], my brother Jordan, stepped up huge in their roles,” he said. “At McDonalds after the game, we were talking about how we trust each other guarding and we’re in help side every time.”

Head coach David Akin got a shower from players’ water bottles in the locker room, but his wife wasn’t deterred by the water to give him a postgame hug.

“All the praise and glory goes to God and

just providing us the strength and endurance to withstand Tucker,” he said. “We talk about how offense tells us how much we’re gonna win by, but defense wins the games.”

Cambridge led for the first half and into the second until Tucker cut the deficit to one possession in the third quarter. They finally took the lead in the final frame after a foul on a shot from beyond the arc.

Tucker showed toughness in critical moments, forcing turnovers and 10-second violations, but couldn’t finish the job at the end of the game. Four scorers in double figures just wasn’t enough.

Tucker senior Adarian Johnson blocked a Cambridge shot with 10 seconds left in the game and attempted the Tigers’ final shot of the season that hit the back of the rim. Higdon was contesting and grabbed the rebound to secure the win for the Bears.

The loss put a period on the sentence of head coach James Hartry’s career. He announced in January that he would be retiring after this season.

Freshman Vance Wilder Jr. was Tucker’s leading scorer and led the fourth-quarter comeback with 21 points. His free throws took the lead for the Tigers for the first time and he followed it up with a contested 3-pointer to cement his statement performance.

Appen Media Group publishes 7 award winning publications, home-delivered, with a combined circulation of 114,000 every week* and is the #1 source for hyper-local news in the areas we serve.

Are you a business owner/manager looking to increase sales & gain new customers/clients?

Learn how to reach this attentive and affluent audience with a customized marketing plan just for you!

Call 770-442-3278 or email: advertising@appenmedia.com to get started!

*Decaturish Ink currently publishes on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of every month. All other publications publish every Thursday.

Sponsored Section

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.

Tune-Up Projects

Kitchen Tune-Up

Paint Cabinets

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

New Backsplash

Cut Down 2-level

Island

Bathroom Tune-Up

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

Enlarge Shower

Shower Glass

Shower Safety

Full Remodel Projects

Kitchen Remodel

Total Cabinet Replacement

Large Island

Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations

Open Concept –Move Walls

9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat

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

Bathroom Remodel

New Larger Shower

Vanity Replacement –Cabs, Counter, Sink

Free Standing Tub

Floor Tile, Wall Tile

Plumbing Fixtures

Spring in Alpharetta & Roswell: When less

Brought to you by – The Dolan Group

Spring has always marked the beginning of real estate’s busiest season in Alpharetta and Roswell. Lawns return to life, new listings quietly emerge, and buyers re-enter the market with renewed focus. But beyond the seasonal momentum, spring often brings something more personal — perspective.

Many longtime homeowners in Alpharetta and Roswell purchased with space in mind: room to grow, entertain, and build a full life. For years, those generous floor plans and established neighborhoods served exactly that purpose.

But life evolves.

Children become more independent. Travel becomes easier. Weekends feel more valuable. The conversation begins to shift — from how much space you must how much you truly need.

In today’s market, demand remains strong for well-maintained homes in established communities. Inventory is measured, and thoughtfully positioned properties continue to command meaningful attention. For many homeowners, the equity built over the past several years now represents flexibility — the ability to transition into a lower-maintenance home, closer to Avalon, Downtown Alpharetta, or Canton Street, without compromising quality.

Downsizing isn’t about sacrificing lifestyle. It’s about refining it.

If this season has you considering whether “less” might offer more freedom, it may be time to explore what that could look like in real terms.

The Homestead at Milton

Only five opportunities remain for a once-in-a-lifetime address

Brought to you by - The Homestead at Milton

In a market where true estate-style living has become increasingly rare, one of North Fulton’s most extraordinary opportunities is quietly approaching its final chapter. The Homestead at Milton — an exclusive gated enclave of expansive homesites and custom luxury estates — now offers only five remaining opportunities to own within this remarkable community.

Set amid the rolling countryside of Milton, yet just minutes from the area’s premier schools, equestrian estates, golf clubs, and upscale dining, The Homestead at Milton was thoughtfully envisioned for those seeking privacy, prestige, and permanence. Each homesite spans approximately 3 to 10 acres, offering a level of

space and serenity seldom found in today’s luxury market.

This is not a typical neighborhood. It is a curated collection of estate properties designed for discerning buyers who value legacy living and architectural distinction. Here, homeowners collaborate with renowned custom builders to design and construct fully personalized residences — from timeless European manors and modern farmhouses to sophisticated contemporary estates — all tailored to individual lifestyles and tastes.

Homesites are offered from approximately $1.1 million to $2.4 million, with custom homes ranging from $4.5 million to over $20 million+, reflecting the caliber and craftsmanship expected within this exceptional setting. Behind the gates, residents enjoy a rare combination of privacy and proximity: a tranquil retreat surrounded by nature, yet convenient to Alpharetta, Crabapple, and the greater Atlanta business corridor.

As luxury buyers continue to seek larger homesites,

multigenerational flexibility, and space for resort-style outdoor living, The Homestead at Milton has emerged as one of the most coveted estate communities in North Atlanta. With only five homesites remaining, the opportunity to secure a legacy property here is becoming increasingly limited.

For those who have been waiting for the right setting to build a forever home — one that reflects both personal vision and enduring value — this is the moment.

The Homestead at Milton.

Only five opportunities remain to create a once-in-alifetime estate.

For more information visit

www.TheHomesteadAtMilton.com

Or call Luxury & Custom Home Specialist, Julie Gentry 770-855-6964

Sales by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ga Properties - New Homes Division. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Why my clients in Milton and Alpharetta benefit from my partnership with HOME Luxury Real Estate

Brought to you By – Ashley Venegas | REALTOR, Founding Member | HOME Luxury Real Estate, North Atlanta | 219.789.4793 | AshleyVenegas@ HOMEgeorgia.com

In the luxury real estate markets of Milton and Alpharetta, who you work with matters just as much as how you work. One of the most intentional decisions I made in my business was aligning myself with HOME Luxury Real Estate, a brokerage that allows me to deliver a higher level of service, strategy, and discretion to my clients across North Fulton County.

HOME Luxury Real Estate is built around the belief that real estate is deeply personal. Rather than operating under a rigid corporate model, HOME

supports experienced advisors who prioritize relationships, local expertise, and long term value. For my clients buying or selling homes in Milton and Alpharetta, this translates into a more thoughtful, customized experience from start to finish.

One of the greatest advantages of working with HOME is the collaborative environment it fosters. I am supported by seasoned leadership and fellow advisors who are deeply rooted in the Milton and Alpharetta real estate markets. This shared knowledge allows me to provide clients with accurate pricing strategies,

nuanced market insight, and confident negotiation guidance. Whether advising a seller on how to position a luxury property in Milton or helping a relocating buyer secure a home in Alpharetta, every recommendation is informed by real time local experience.

HOME also gives me the flexibility to operate with precision. I am not confined to generic marketing templates or one size fits all systems. Instead, I can create custom marketing strategies tailored to each property and client. For sellers in Milton and Alpharetta, this means their home is marketed intentionally to attract the right buyer, not just the largest audience. For buyers, it means I can act quickly, creatively, and strategically in competitive situations.

My personal approach has always

been white glove, hands on, and proactive. HOME Luxury Real Estate supports this by providing strong infrastructure behind the scenes while allowing my personal brand and market expertise to remain front and center. Clients work directly with me and benefit from my deep understanding of Milton neighborhoods, Alpharetta communities, new construction trends, and relocation dynamics.

At its core, HOME Luxury Real Estate aligns perfectly with how I believe real estate should be practiced. It allows me to advocate fully for my clients while operating within a brokerage that values integrity, excellence, and long term relationships. For those buying or selling in Milton and Alpharetta, that alignment creates clarity, confidence, and results.

Passing the torch takes more than good intentions

Brought to you by –Estates Law Center USA

If you own a business in Georgia, succession planning is one of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of your estate plan.

Whether you plan to:

• Pass your business to family

• Transition ownership to key employees

• Prepare for a future sale

…a clear succession plan helps protect what you’ve built and prevents confusion, conflict, 2 years of probate, lawsuits wiping out assets and many other costly mistakes down the road.

We work with business owners across Georgia to create thoughtful, legally sound succession and asset protection strategies that align with both personal and business goals.

Join our upcoming Business Succession Strategies workshops and webinars

Designed specifically for Georgia entrepreneurs who want to protect their legacy and plan ahead with confidence.

ATTENTION LEADERS

Delivers to 28,000 households every Thursday

Zip Codes: 30005, 30009, 30022, 30075, 30076.

Alpharetta & Roswell’s primary news source. Alpharetta and Roswell’s paper of record. Est. 1983

Delivers to 20,000 households every Thursday

Zip Codes: 30022, 30097. Johns Creek’s primary news source. Est. 1997. Johns Creek’s paper of record.

DECATUR*

Decaturish Ink delivers to 9,000 households in Decatur and surrounding areas every 2nd & 4th Thursday

Zip Codes: 30002, 30030, 30033

Delivers to 17,000 households every Thursday.

Zip Codes: 30040, 30041. Forsyth County’s largest circulation newspaper. Est. 1998

Delivers to 10,000 households every Thursday

Zip Code: 30004. Community news for and about the City of Milton. Est. 2006. Milton’s paper of record.

Delivers to 18,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30338, 30350, 30360, 30346, 30319. Community news for and about the City of Dunwoody and surrounding areas. City of Dunwoody paper of record. Est. 1976.

Delivers to 12,000 households every Thursday. Zip Codes: 30327, 30328, 30342, 30350

Ad/Article Due 03/05/26 02/25/26 03/12/26* 03/04/26* 03/19/26 03/11/26

03/26/26* 03/18/26*

*Decaturish Ink only available on these dates.

Centennial coach brings ‘family’ into program

Basketball alum recount Barksdale’s life lessons

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Centennial alum Matt Barksdale returned to Roswell in 2018 to coach basketball and made an impact from day one.

A four-time Region/District Coach of the Year and father to a 9-year-old daughter, he’s a self-described lifelong learner and relationship builder. But he does more than coach his players.

He didn’t foresee going into coaching after graduating Centennial in 2005. He changed his major from journalism to pursue teaching.

Barksdale said a mission trip to Belize his junior year transformed him. He then knew his purpose was working with kids teaching sports. First coaching a middle school basketball team in Tennessee, he was soon promoted to the varsity job where he stayed for five years.

That was nearly 13 years ago, and Barksdale now boasts almost 250 career wins between his two posts.

This year, Barksdale spent his birthday at Centennial’s alumni game over Christmas break. The current team played against former players who returned to break a sweat.

Some of the alumni are still pursuing basketball, some pursuing other sports. Some work are working or in school, but all felt pulled to return to a place – and coach – that shaped them.

Barksdale and his wife Jessica Lundy Barksdale host team dinners at their home in Alpharetta, spreading an infectious energy of camaraderie. Matt’s parents, Suzanne and Scott, who live near Centennial join other players’ families in hosting team meals.

Player dinners and other efforts by coaching staff have created a team culture and chemistry that manifested clearly with the class of 2025.

Eight seniors from last year’s team played together since sixth grade, binding in an era where transfers are common. Five earned athletic scholarships, three in basketball. All eight remain brothers.

After losing keys starters through graduation, this year’s Centennial team defied the notion of a “rebuild” year. After sitting in fourth place in region for most of the season, the Knights shocked Kell twice to take the region third seed for the state tournament. The Knights fell to Union Grove, 62-57 in the first round Feb. 25.

Background and beginnings

Matt’s first varsity job was at LEAD Academy in Nashville. He had been

in the early 2000s and has built his own powerhouse program. Whitehart confirmed the “fiery” assertion. His was the call Matt received to alert him to the Centennial job opening.

Though the coaches have never met head-to-head, Whitehart said Matt offered his gymnasium for Eagles practice before the 2026 region tournament at Chattahoochee High to adjust to the dome.

Matt won the Excalibur Award his senior year, an honor voted on by the team.

Centennial now

In June, former Centennial assistant coach Jake Birdsong became boys head basketball coach at Chattahoochee High. Birdsong’s Cougars met the Knights twice this season and split the series.

Birdsong said it felt odd coaching on the opposite bench as Matt. Coaching against players he bonded with was another challenge.

Birdsong carries on the team dinner tradition with his wife and infant son. He said Matt prepared him for head coaching by handing him offensive reins last season.

“He taught me a lot about what it means to be a coach off the court,” Birdsong said. “On the court, all those players trust him, listen to him and respect him, even when he’s hard on them at times, he’s not overbearing.”

Birdsong spoke to the intangibles he picked up from Centennial.

“It means more than basketball to him,” Birdsong said. “He wants his players to develop into well-rounded individuals, and it’s really easy to say that, but he’s actually walked the walk.”

leading a new program to success, producing four District Players of the Year and 14 all-district players.

Lundy Barksdale was a teacher and cheerleading coach, already involved with LEAD basketball when Matt took charge. She kept score for every game of his career.

Now, she’s the curriculum assistant principal at Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy and has courtside season tickets to watch Matt’s leadership.

“With former players, whether their relationship continued or whether he just left an imprint, each one is very personalized,” she said. “Most people don’t see the late nights where we sit up and he’s asking questions, like ‘how can I get this kid more motivated?’”

Matt told Appen Media when he was hired that he had his eye out for the opening.

Now eight years in, he said some of the teachers he learned from are his colleagues.

“A lot of the similarities and same

things I loved about high school are what I love about Centennial now,” he said. “It’s an amazing melting pot of kids, and that’s the thing I love most about working, teaching, coaching here.”

Matt’s parents, Suzanne and Scott, said the second of their three sons was a fiery player during his four years on the varsity squad.

There was the time in 2005 when a teammate felt uneasy about shooting free-throws and switched with Matt inbounding. Matt received the inbounds pass, then drilled two shots from the charity stripe, sealing the win over North Springs.

Suzanne reflected on watching Matt’s playing career and now seeing his impact as a coach.

“He’s just always been very competitive,” she said. “It’s important you have the right coach, that you have one of character who can be a mentor. He knows education’s the key to going forward.”

Milton High basketball coach Allen Whitehart was Matt’s assistant coach

Another former Knights coach, Chad Hixon, was there for three years and is now an assistant coach at Emory, his alma mater.

Hixon said Lundy Barksdale makes an excellent “team mom,” keeping stats, snacks and at times tutoring players when necessary. She will officiate Hixon’s wedding later this year.

“It’s really special, the biggest thing about my time at Centennial was the family aspect,” he said. “Every guy on the team, whether they’re the leading scorer or a guy who maybe doesn’t play a whole lot, he’s doing any and everything he can to help them get to the next chapter of their lives, above and beyond is an understatement.”

Two months into his first year at Centennial, Matt got the call all coaches fear. It was a former player’s parent, saying someone had shot and killed his son, 2018 LEAD graduate Brandon Adams.

Barksdale:

Continued from Page 22

Suzanne said Adams once told Matt that he saved his life.

Matt traveled to Nashville to give a eulogy. Later in the season, Adams’ father visited Atlanta and shared Brandon’s story with the Knights at their first home game.

It wasn’t the first time Matt had an intimate experience with mortality, and it wouldn’t be the last time he coached students through one.

“A father figure”

Brian Baylor transferred to Centennial a week into freshman year after his mother decided she needed to remove him from the environment in Atlanta’s West End neighborhood to save his life.

Baylor’s older brother Lalan was shot and killed in spring 2018 when Brian was in eighth grade. A week into school at Mays High, a fight broke out, and his mother enrolled him at Centennial.

Up before 5 a.m., two trains and two buses later, he would arrive in Roswell. It was a harsh transition that drained him. He sometimes fell asleep in class, and Matt noticed.

Having lost his older brother to suicide in 2013, Matt was aware of Baylor’s situation.

“At the time, he was a 14-year-old kid,” Matt said. “I was a grown man when I lost my brother, so I can’t imagine losing a brother at 14.”

Baylor was accustomed to a tough neighborhood he described as having a “do it yourself” attitude.

“Where I come from, if you have alligator skin you should be able to move through life, maneuver and get your way,” Baylor said. “When I finally came to Centennial, I start seeing everybody just interact with their brothers, getting picked up by their brothers or just being in the same vicinity, it really started hitting me.”

Still facing intense grief, Baylor didn’t tell anyone about his circumstances. Up to his junior year, if anyone asked, he told them he lived down the street from school.

“Freshman year was probably my worst year of high school,” he said. “I really wasn’t there mentally, just thinking about everything else. My brother Ian was still in middle school at the time, so I had to step into the big brother role for the first time, I wasn’t ready for it in way because I didn’t really know how to do it.”

Baylor played for the junior varsity team his freshman year and grabbed Matt’s attention with game IQ. However, academics got in the way of his freshman and sophomore years, and he had to sit the second halves of the season.

He said Matt saw his potential to contribute to the varsity squad and helped him with his grades to stay eligible for his last two seasons.

Baylor was the second leading scorer off the bench his junior year. That team made the seconddeepest playoff run in Centennial history. The Elite Eight win over Evans High produced memories that have stayed with players and coaches.

The Final Four loss to powerhouse Wheeler was a one-possession game at halftime, and the final deficit reached 10 points.

From the days of crashing at Matt’s house for a month or two to now meeting up for their children to play together, Baylor reflected on his time with a community that let him lower his guard.

Centennial alum and current boys basketball head coach Matt Barksdale, left, stands with members of the 2005 Centennial girls and boys basketball teams, including sportscaster Maria Taylor, right. The pair attended Centennial and UGA together after growing up in the same Roswell neighborhood.

“Coach is really like my dad,” Baylor said. “He made me realize I was more than a hooper, I could do more than just put the ball in the goal. Literally, all I knew was to get out of Atlanta.”

Baylor is a father to 2-year-old Sincere and said Matt taught him a lot about being a dad. He said he hopes to have Sincere attend Centennial if Matt is still coaching.

Fresh praise

In a tie vote last year, seniors Kam Stone and Lamari Campbell won the team Excalibur Award.

Stone, now a freshman guard for Oglethorpe University, is close enough to attend some Centennial games this season.

His memories of Matt’s impact are fresh.

“Obviously he’s a great coach,” Stone said. “He knows his X’s and O’s, but for me, you could talk to him about anything, good day, bad day, you can just go in his office and talk your mind off it, and he’ll give you the best advice.”

Stone said team dinners boosted morale. A six-game winning streak followed a dinner where players outlined their goals and performed karaoke as a Hawks game played on television.

The Knights connection still runs strong for Stone.

He described the Centennial basketball program as a family.

Stone’s father died when he was in eighth grade, and he reflected on the support Matt provided to him and his mom.

“Just him being there, I want to say he was like a father figure to me,” he said. “He meant so much to me, just being there and checking up on me, on my mom, making sure she was alright, and not just for me, I know he’s done that for many, many players.”

He credits Matt for everything from the court IQ that has carried his athletic performance to his ability to lean on others in hard times.

Stone remains close with co-Excalibur winner Campbell. Stone was Campbell’s first friend after moving from Augusta at 9.

Campbell faced several injuries his junior and senior year which interrupted his hopes for a college

career.

He is now in barber school and will graduate in July. He said after an ankle injury senior year, he considered quitting basketball until Matt convinced him it was worth staying the course.

“Barksdale taught me to always keep going,” Campbell said. “If it’s a bad day, terrible day, great day, always keep going, you never know what’s going to happen.”

He reflected on coming back for the second half of his senior season and what it meant to close the season on the court.

“When you play under Barksdale, it’s not just a team, it’s a brotherhood,” he said. “He said at graduation, ‘We’re all family still, I’m still one call away for anything.’”

Other players use the term brotherhood to describe Barksdale’s program.

Suicide prevention

Suzanne and Scott discussed the loss of their oldest son Michael to suicide in 2013.

Centennial senior Ford Felton said Coach Barksdale trusts his players on the court and asks them to return the favor by coming to him when they have something on their heart.

Felton has stepped into a coaching role this year for eighth graders and said he has carried much of Barksdale’s coaching philosophy into his own practices.

“If you’re going through something, he always does check up on you,” Felton said. “Showing compassion, being there for people at their best and at their worst, I think that’s a really big part of what I’ve learned from him.”

Other players said they felt they could speak with Matt about anything.

Matt now makes a point of sharing a social media post yearly for national suicide prevention day.

“If one kid can read that and say something to someone, it’s worth it,” Matt said. “My coaching philosophy is, I just want to love kids and do everything I can to impact them while they’re here, and then hopefully have some sort of lasting impact on them after they leave.”

BINGO – 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8 & 22

Jackpot - $1,000 Future Games: 2nd & 4th Sunday Each Month

LUCKY PAWS AND PATRIOTS CASINO NIGHT

Saturday, Mar. 14, 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Warrior Freedom Service Dogs Fundraiser

Sponsored by the Alpharetta Lions Club Visit www.alpharettalions.com for Details

Dances & Dance Instruction

Dance Nights Open to All 18 Years & Older

Dances: Friday, Saturday & Sunday Evenings

Line Dance Instruction: Monday & Friday Mornings; Wednesday Evening Visit www.club201dance.com for Details

Connect-It

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!

PARTNERS

1. Jekyll’s partner. Like some gas. Garbage.

2. Sea bird. Valuable fur. Clark’s partner.

3. Poe’s bird. Lum’s partner. Like a busybody.

4. Hardy’s partner. Small salmon. Kind of test.

5. Musical mark. Fibber McGee’s partner. Territory in NE Canada.

6. Baby buggy. Popeye’s partner. Latin American dance.

7. Bird venerated by ancient Egyptians. Delilah’s partner. Half-moon tide.

1 Jekyll’s partner. Like some gas. Garbage

2. Sea bird. Valuable fur. Clark’s partner.

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. Poe’s bird. Lum’s partner. Like a busybody

4. Hardy’s partner. Small salmon. Kind of test

5. Musical mark. Fibber McGee’s partner. Territory in NorthEastern Canada.

6. Baby buggy. Popeye’s partner. Latin American dance

7. Bird venerated by ancient Egyptians. Delilah’s partner. Halfmoon tide.

Traffic:

Continued from Page 1

Step one of Slow Down in Roswell was to identify roads for the pilot program. Steps two and three include temporary installation of traffic-calming measures and continued data collection before installing permanent features.

Roswell applied for but was not awarded a grant specific to Safe Streets for All last year.

Councilwoman Eren Brumley raised concern that the criteria through which areas are being evaluated are inconsistent with other grant opportunities.

“I would really like to rework these weights,” Brumley said.

However, Councilwoman Christine Hall said the criteria used to evaluate the traffic calming matrix is different than what would be used to apply for a federal program.

“This was specifically addressing the number one complaint from residents … that we get of speeding within our city limits,” Hall said.

Councilwoman Sarah Beeson raised concerns about equity of the project and said it appears most of the roads identified as priorities are in country club neighborhoods. She suggested those are places where residents could place additional fees within their homeowner’s associations to address speeding within their neighborhoods.

Mayor Mary Robichuax said her neighborhood’s homeowner’s association has funded multiple traffic-calming projects and installed three speed bumps. In the past, her neighborhood has faced challenges with the city when implementing their own traffic-calming solutions.

“We do have some resources, but also at some point … we are all citizens,” Robichaux said.

Council members proposed making the Slow Down in Roswell program more needs based. Beeson asked that the number of residents who walk to schools and those neighborhoods with high pedestrian traffic be added as a factor on the traffic-calming matrix.

Councilwoman Jennifer Phillippi said she would not want to spend money in neighborhoods that are not requesting it and would prefer those

Simmons:

Continued from Page 1

HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Director Steven Malone makes a presentation to the Roswell mayor and City Council during the Feb. 24 Committees of Council meeting. Malone presented a contract that would upgrade equipment and lighting at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, improving safety and increasing the efficiency of productions.

funds go toward neighborhoods for dredging assistance.

Councilman Chris Zack agreed, saying he’d rather use this money for current needs, rather than build the data then identify needs and additional funding to complete the program.

Councilman Allen Sells said the point of the pilot program was to see where the speeding was and have data to support proposed solutions.

No action items were taken on the traffic-calming initiative, but it will come back before the mayor and City Council for decisions soon, City Administrator Randy Knighton said.

TSPLOST III groundwork

The mayor and City Council have been asked to prioritize transportation projects that could be funded through renewal of the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or TSPLOST III.

Once approved, the list will be presented to Fulton County, then included as part of the ballot question in November.

The City of Roswell estimates bringing in from $85 million to $95 million through TSPLOST III if voters approve it in November.

Fulton County voters first approved implementing the .75-

She took care of the baby and became a second mom to her youngest sibling.

Simmons married her husband of 77 years, George, after he finished serving in the Navy during World War II. When he was abroad, George would hint at when he would be coming home by referencing The

feedback, a final list will be brought to the mayor and City Council for an official vote.

Other business

The City Council progressed a contract with Barbizon Lighting Co. to update the rigging and light dimmer systems at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center with a total budget authorization of $470,000.

Much of the equipment is original to the building that was built more than 30 years ago. Upgrading to LED lighting will provide lower energy and utility costs.

The center will host more than 150 performances this year and exceed last year’s attendance records. Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Director Steven Malone said modernizing the systems improve safety and efficiency, allowing Roswell to attract more sophisticated productions.

If approved at the formal City Council session, installation will begin in May and take around two months to complete.

cent sales tax in 2016, and Roswell funded nearly $80 million in transportation projects over its five-year run. TSPLOST I projects include both phases of the Big Creek Parkway extension, the Holcomb Bridge interchange and the Historic Gateway project.

Councilwoman Beeson clarified that Roswell residents can expect projects similar, just in different areas of town.

TSPLOST II was approved in 2021 with projects including pedestrian and bike improvements, as well as operation and safety improvements. Roswell expects that revenue from TSPLOST II, which ends March 2027, will have brought in more than $100 million for local transportation projects.

If approved by voters, Roswell predicts the five-year TSPLOST III will bring in from $85 million to $95 million for local projects.

All projects funded through the special sales tax must be focused on transport infrastructure, like bridges, maintenance, roadway projects, pedestrian/bike improvements or other specified categories.

Staff will draft project proposals which will be subject to public comment in April. Based on

Andrews Sisters’ song, “I’ll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time.”

“He said, ‘That song was written for us,’” Simmons said. It references a wedding in May, and the Simmons were married on May 12, 1945.

Simmons’ two-day birthday

Also at the meeting, it was announced that Roswell’s legal team is drafting an ordinance to update the city’s Code of Ethics. Changes will expand conflict of interest rules and limit the use of city property.

Upon approval of the ordinance, ethics complaints will no longer go to the mayor, or mayor pro-tem if the mayor is the subject of the complaint. Instead, the complaint will be heard by a 14-person panel to determine if it has grounds to proceed.

The City Council also will consider officially recognizing Juneteenth on the 2027 holiday calendar.

“This is something that I know has been discussed in previous years, but there’s been some hesitancy,” Beeson said. “So, I’m excited to finally recognize a state holiday for our city employees.”

Out of the 10 largest cities in Georgia, seven observe the holiday. Roswell is one of the three cities that does not.

Staff anticipate the cost of adding the holiday to the calendar will be around $75,000 to account for holiday workers, mainly in public safety departments.

The next City Council meeting will be Monday, March 9 at 7 p.m. A Committees of Council meeting will be held the next day at 5 p.m.

celebration will begin on her birthday with many family members and old friends on March 15. The following day, the community at The Addison of Alpharetta will celebrate Simmon’s first full day of being 102.

The well-remembered crossroads community of Ocee

Ocee was a small unincorporated rural crossroads community in today’s North Fulton County reportedly named after a Cherokee location meaning “home.” In 2006 it became part of Johns Creek together with three other crossroads communities – Newtown, Sheltonville, or Shakerag, and Warsaw – when the city incorporated. The Ocee Community area exists today as names for a park, school, church, library and a cemetery among other places in

Johns Creek.

The Ocee community was centered around today’s intersection of Jones Bridge Road and Kimball Bridge Road, extending about 2 miles in all directions. As it gradually grew in the 1800s the community established an Ocee School, Ocee Baptist Church, a Methodist Church and other churches and a series of stores. According to local historian Connie Mashburn, cotton farming was important, and one of the largest cotton gins in the area was built in Ocee.

Ocee was first named New York. In the mid-1800s it was common to name communities after famous cities or people because settlers thought a recognizable

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC REVIEW OF A DRAFT COPY OF THE CITY OF ROSWELL’S 2025 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE & EVALUATION REPORT

VIRTUAL PUBLICATION DATE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2026

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD COMMENCE DATE: THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

PUBLIC COMMENT END DATE: MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026 – 5:00 P.M.

The City of Roswell will solicit comments on its 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report at a Public Hearing held at 1:00P.M. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at the following location: City of Roswell, 38 Hill St, Room 220, Roswell, GA 30075. This Notice will commence the City’s 15-day public comment period beginning on Thursday, March 12, 2026 and ending on Monday, March 30, 2026

The City is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to annually submit a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). This report provides an assessment of the City’s progress in carrying out its five-year strategic plan and its one-year action plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). The purpose of this notice is to make the CAPER report available to the public for comments prior to its submittal to HUD.

Draft copies of the 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report will be available for examination and comment by the public during the public hearing scheduled Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 1:00P.M. The required public review ends Monday, March 30, 2026 The City will receive written comments until 5:00 P.M. on Monday, March 30, 2026

No displacement will occur as a result of the activities described herein. Should displacement occur, the City of Roswell implements the provisions as required by CFR 570.606 (Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance). The City of Roswell does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission of, access to, or treatment of, or employment, the programs and activities described herein. An interpreter is available upon request to assist persons with limited English proficiency. Any requests for reasonable accommodation required by an individual to fully participate in any open meetings, programs, or activities of the City of Roswell at (770)641-3727.

Para revisar una copia del CAPER 2025 en español, comuníquese con la Ciudad de Roswell al (770) 641-3727.

name would create a more official image on maps and would help make it easier to obtain postal services. Additional examples of that idea in Georgia were Athens, Dublin, Warsaw, Dallas, Rome and others.

The government rejected the community’s application for postal service because the New York name was too common and likely to cause confusion in mail delivery. In 1883 the first post office in what would become Ocee opened under the name Mazeppa to comply with the U.S. Post Office requirement for unique names.

The use of dramatic literary names for communities was fashionable in the late 1800s. The name Mazeppa was sophisticated, modern and cultured. It was the name of a 17th century Ukrainian nobleman named Ivan Mazeppa in Lord Byron’s 1819 poem “Mazeppa.” Byron made the name popular in paintings, music and an 1828 Victor Hugo poem.

The Mazeppa Post Office was discontinued and the Ocee Post Office opened in May 1903.

Larry Webb Bennett grew up in Ocee and notes “There was not much traffic when I was a kid. When we played baseball, the street was part of the field. If a car did come along you could hear it a mile away.”

Larry went to the Ocee Elementary School which, circa 1950, changed its name to the Amy L. Dodd School.

“My mother, Francis Webb Bennett, was the cafeteria manager and I worked in the cafeteria. About 60 kids attended the school.” Larry recalls.

His grandfather donated property for the school. Larry’s wife Pat taught 6th and 7th grades. The two grades were combined due to the small number of students.

Larry attended the Clear Springs Baptist Church.

“The preacher would come and preach one Sunday per month, so we would go to the Methodist Church when he was away. It was a closeknit community,” says Larry, who as an adult became executive director of Fiscal Services for the Fulton County School System.

Larry’s father, John Bennett, was Alpharetta’s first police chief and the only policeman in the small city. He also read water meters. Moonshining was big business, and John would take note of cars heading north to Dawsonville. If their rear ends were jacked up, he knew they were going to pick up moonshine and take it to Atlanta. He would wait for their return with their rear end low and heavy and chase after them.

Fulton County provided building materials for community clubs in small towns. Residents provided the labor to

build them. The Ocee Community Club was used for 4-H meetings, civic gatherings and social events. Politicians would come and speak, according to Larry.

Judy Webb and her husband Lewis moved to Ocee in 1981. Judy recalls the cannery built in the mid-1920s on Jones Bridge Road where a Publix is today. In the 1990s, Janice Shirley Gunter converted the cannery into an antique and gift store. Judy remembers seeing the Tri-Weekly newspaper mimeographed in 1938-1942 by Ocee School students. Her in-law, Jim Webb, wrote a popular weekly column under the name Mentor Webb. He was born in a log cabin on Webb Bridge Road.

General Stores were important as sources of necessary items including food, clothing ammunition, animal feed, tools and informal credit accounts. They were also social gathering places.

The first general store in Ocee opened in the late1880s and operated until the 1920s-early 1930s by farmer James Wright Shirley (1868-1960) who owned the Farm Merchandise Store in downtown Alpharetta, a store in Stono as well as his store in Ocee. Stono appeared on maps in the late 1800s and early 1900s and was a “post-hamlet,” a small rural postal community, but all traces of it have disappeared today.

As the local school and churches adopted the Ocee name in the 1890s, the Shirley store became one of the first institutions to use it consistently thus helping solidify the name Ocee.

Other stores operated during and after the Shirley store era, including The H.H. Turner family store operated from circa 1931 to the mid-1940s. Hugh and Bob Barnett’s store operated from the mid1940s until the early1950s when, according to Connie Mashburn, the brothers moved to a larger store in Alpharetta. The Hunnicutt Store circa 1950s-1960s likely operated by A.J., W.T. or J.M. Hunnicutt. Joan Compton, president of the Johns Creek Historical Society, sums up the situation by noting “Johns Creek has evolved from historic crossroad communities to today’s modern city with the Robert Fulton Library, stores, restaurants and homes that reflect the diversity of this great community.”

There is much more to say about the history of fabulous Johns Creek. Maybe in a future column.

Bob is a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission, director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and member 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.

Presenting the top 5 stupid Ray things

We all have our little things that we do or don’t do in our own particular way that, we sometimes think, are uniquely “us” – that is, stuff that only we do. I suspect that rarely is the case; we’re all basically the same –just fleetingly different around the edges. Coffee. I have never actually taken out a spoon or a measuring something to put a specific amount of coffee into the coffee maker. Never. Now, I will use a spoon or something similar to extract the ground coffee from the bag or can, but not to measure the amount. I typically just load up the coffee into the maker/filter until I think it is holding the most coffee it possibly can and still have the end-result coffee drinkable. I only know a few people who like my coffee – very few – maybe no one. It’s a problem when we have guests. I try really hard to moderate the ‘darkness” of my coffee in those instances, although that usually means that the filter is only 60 percent full of the coffee instead of close to my normal 90 percent (probably 10-15 scoops). When I see brewed coffee

that I can see through, I don’t even try it. It might as well be decaf. Oh yea, “decaf” is another pet peeve but , well, that is sort of a given.

Gas pumps. It drives me absolutely crazy when I see people pulling up to the pump – usually at Costco (my go-to) and their gas is not on the side of the pump – so they are stretching the hose over the top of the car and (sometimes with great difficulty) sticking the nozzle in. No idea why this bugs me, but it does. It’s something I have never done and never will – for some reason.

Why would they just pull up on the correct side of the pump? Don’t get it.

Publix grocery carts. Probably my most non-negotiable/set in concrete stupid Ray-thing. I love Publix. Always have. I think it is because I don’t think I have ever been in a Publix – anywhere – that the employees weren’t just nice, wanting to help, good people. In the over 50 years I have shopped at Publix, I have never – as in “never-ever” – left my emptied cart out in the parking lot in one of those cart-corrals. I walk my empty cart all the way back inside the store so that the lowest-ranking Publix employee who is tasked with bringing the carts back into the store from the lot has one less cart to deal with.

It is sort of the “Ray-way” of saying

Locally Owned and Operated

• Pre-planning

• Funeral Services

• Grief Support

• 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.

GA 30075

DEATH NOTICES

Paul Adams, age 91, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on February 20, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Erin Athey, age 46, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 19, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Merwin Brewer, age 94, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 18, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Robert Brubaker, age 88, of Milton, GA passed away on February 19, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

“thank you Publix” for who you are and what you do.

The only similar instance that comes to my mind of other people being as idiosyncratic as this was when I was hiking the Appalachian Trail. The unwritten rule on the trail is to “leave no trace.” That is, pack your trash out – every single piece no matter how tiny. Like, not even a candy wrapper, or toothpick, or water bottle cap or cigarette butt. I mean nothing – zero. In the over 2,000 miles/ 6+ months on the trail, I saw exactly not one single instance of hikers not leaving no trace. Everyone, but everyone, packed their stuff out. Down to postage stamp-sized scraps of paper. Will never forget that.

Horn honkers. OK, I have written about this before. Not everyone agreed with my stance which basically is that, other than using your horn to prevent an accident or similar, horn honkers are dirtbags – miserable excuses for humans that need to crawl back under their rocks. Enough said, except, in the same category are the low-life’s that do road rage – like those one-finger salutes –when they have to pass you on the right

side because you are only going 10-15 miles an hour over the speed limit in the fast lane. I usually try to ignore all of them and write it off to people just being miserable with their lives and taking it out on anyone close by.

Turning against traffic. OK, another traffic one. This one is really stupid of me but it is what it is. I sometimes will drive an extra mile-ish to be able to turn left at a traffic light, and then basically do a U-turn which will then allow me to turn right somewhere and not block traffic to do so. When I see cars stopping traffic trying to turn against like 2 or 3 lanes of bumper-to-bumper traffic to, for example, pick up a kid at school or something – instead of driving a little past and doing a U-turn to be able to turn right, my blood pressure shoots up unless I force myself to chill.

About three years ago, I decided to never be in a hurry again – for anything – unless we’re talking about a real emergency. It has made a huge difference in how I deal with life – for the better. However, I have to realize and accept that not everyone is in that same space and therefore, I need to chill.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

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

a. PH-26-06 Resolution: Alpharetta Annual Capital Improvement Element (CIE) Update

Consideration of a resolution authorizing transmittal of the Annual CIE Update for Fiscal Year 2025 to the Atlanta Regional Commission as part of the City’s Impact Fee Program.

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.

Willis Dockery, age 75, of Milton, GA passed away on February 22, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Troy Summey, age 95, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 22, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

John Kardian, age 56, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 17, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Newspaper Delivery –

Earn $400+ per Month

Looking for a flexible way to earn extra income?

Deliver newspapers in the North Fulton area for Appen Media.

• Work approximately 7–8 hours per week

• Set your own delivery hours

• Ideal for retired couples or anyone looking to supplement income

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

Route Details

• Delivery in subdivisions only

• Typical route: about 1,200 newspapers

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

• Bag papers, then complete delivery by Friday

Requirements

• Reliable vehicle

• Clean driving record (required; we check)

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

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

How to Apply

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

• Name

• Address

• Phone number

• Email address

• Detailed availability

• Whether you will have help bagging papers

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

Recalling state’s cruel past of exploiting convict labor

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

One year after the Civil War ended, the Georgia General Assembly legalized the leasing of prisoners to individuals and businesses. Convict leasing allowed the cruelties of slavery to continue. (georgiaencylopedia.org)

Douglas

Blackmon’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, “Slavery by Another Name: The Reenslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II,” focuses on Alabama convict camps but includes Atlanta camps. Some of the oldest neighborhoods, buildings and businesses in Atlanta have ties to these camps and have benefited from convict labor.

The author describes how convict labor camps and later chain gangs were used to arrest and imprison men, especially Black men, for minor and sometimes arbitrary charges, then forcing them into labor.

Women also became part of this system. The first all-female convict labor camp was built in Atlanta in 1885. The women made bricks for the construction of an almshouse next door to the camp. There were Black and White women in the camp, with a much larger number of Black women. Women could be arrested for arguing or cursing in public.

In the Atlanta area and beyond, there were West, East, Sandy Springs, Roseland and River Camps. Later there were the Bellwood and McPherson camps.

Georgia Senator Felder introduced a bill to stop convict leasing. It would abolish the prison commission and replace it with a board of seven directors appointed by the governor. The directors would manage the state penitentiary going forward. (Atlanta Georgian, Aug. 10, 1908, “To abolish the Georgia prison commission and to put an end to lease system, Felder introduces comprehensive bill”)

Charles Murphey Candler wrote the legislation which ended the convict lease system. The bill that passed made leasing convicts to individuals and businesses illegal, but their labor could still be used for government work. This included work in rock quarries, road building and other government projects. Convict leasing was replaced with the chain gang.

The Sandy Springs camp was located at the southwest corner of Roswell Road and Hammond Drive. There was a rock quarry nearby along today’s Sandy Springs Circle. There was also a quarry at

Lake Forrest Drive and one on PeachtreeDunwoody Road. (“Images of America: Sandy Springs,” by Kimberly Brigance and Morris V. Moore)

Richard Adams shared his memory of a chain gang working on the road in front of his childhood home.

“Once each year, the county would provide manual convict labor to work the road,” he recalled. “They all had white striped suits and some of them with a ball and chains around their legs. There were a number of guards armed with high power rifles or shot guns. The convicts were given water from the family well.”

Adams’ family farm was on Old Lawrenceville Road, also known as County Line Road and included land in both DeKalb and Milton Counties. Today, that road is Dunwoody Club Drive. (Richard Adams memoir, DeKalb History Center archives)

A camp was built on Powers Ferry Road in 1916, an “experimental convict road camp” in Fulton County. Not surprisingly, the experiment found that “cleanliness, comfort and humanity in the convict camp are not inconsistent with economy and efficiency in the work of the inmates.” These convicts worked on Powers Ferry and Heards Ferry roads.

Another convict camp was located near Chastain Park, where West Wieuca Road and Roswell Road meet. There were two camps, one for Black inmates and one for White inmates. There was another rock quarry near Peachtree Dunwoody Road and I-285. Granite was used for curbs and roads and in parts of Chastain Park.

Convict leasing was used to prepare Piedmont Park for the 1887 Piedmont Exposition. Chain gangs performed much of the road and sewer work along roads we still use today. (Archive Atlanta, podcast by Victoria Lemos)

The Sandy Springs camp closed in 1933, and the prisoners were relocated to other camps. The cost of maintaining the location had become too high. There were 987 prisoners in Fulton County camps at that time. (Atlanta Constitution, Nov. 12, 1933, “County will abandon Sandy Springs camp”)

Media coverage and an investigation into the abuse and harsh conditions of chain gang camps led to their end. Gov. Ellis Arnall abolished them in 1943.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a Billing Clerk to audit the billing process by ensuring accuracy in accordance with Sawnee EMC rate schedules and fee policies. Requires: high school diploma or equivalency, two-year certificate or degree and a minimum of two years of related accounting experience demonstrating proficiency in mathematics, and general office skills. Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings and weekends.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, March 13, 2026. Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

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

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

Gutters

AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS Repaired and Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www.aarons-gutters.com. Senior citizen discount! 678-508-2432

Cemetery

ROSWELL’S GREEN LAWN CEMETERY,

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

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.

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

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

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

Have zip code! Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pest control: Protect your home from pests safely. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders & more. Locally owned & affordable. For service or inspection today! 833-860-0657

Have zip code ready!

Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Free quote. Ask about first application special! 833-860-0811

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

DC Aiken

Big Sky Franchise Team

David & Michelle Bertany

Amour & Duane Carthy

Scott Childress

Barbara Anderson

Kerry Arias

Scott Baynton

Joseph Bell

Rita Brown

SM Buscher

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

Leslie Berry

Tom Billings

Support Local News

Appen Press Club

CHARTER MEMBER

Adam Corder

Patrick Cressaty

Robert Flint

Robin Fricton

Zachary Hahn

Mark Casas

David Conti

Theodore Davis III

Maureen Drumm

Charlcie Forehand

Aileen Horton

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

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

Allison January

Michael Kenig

Roderick Liptrot

Bob Meyers

Claude Nardy

MEMBER+

Deborah Jackson

David Johnson

Ali Mahbod

Richard Matherly

Evan McElroy

Vickie McElroy

MEMBER

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

William Edmundson

Denise Eicher

Cliff Oxford

Bruce Paulk

Ross & Lori Ramsey

Sarah Reiter

Mark Rundle

Matthew Sayle

Lynn Thomas

Kim Truett

Roger Wise Jr.

Colt Whittall

Patricia Miller

Anne Peer

Helen Perry

Jennifer Phillippi

Robert Popp

Dave Rhinehart

Sergey Savin

Heather Sawyer

Kate Seng

Karen Shih

Bob Stevens

Kimberly Verska

Carol Williams

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

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

Zach Jones

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

Richard Lapin

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

Freda Manning-Rumph

Kyile Marshall

Julie Martin

Carla Masecar

Valerie Matthews

Support Local News Join Appen Press Club

MEMBER (CONT.)

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

Caroline Naughton

Richard Nichols

Cindy Nolan North Fulton Master Gardners, Inc.

Tricia Novarro

THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS

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

Fran Russell

Janet Sandberg

Kelly Sarmiento

Derek Scheidt

Stephanie Schniederjan

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.

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

Candice Teichert

The Small Business Advisor

Suzanne & Bob Thomas

William Tietjen

Lisa Tilt

Michael Townes

Trunnion LLC

Matthew Tyser

Edward Votta

Linda Wabler

Ollie Wagner

Lewis Walker

Elizabeth Waller

Valerie Walters-Gold

Ann Marie Warning

Terry Warnke

Jonathan Washburn

Michael Watson

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