Dunwoody Crier - February 12, 2026

Dunwoody rallies behind rescue dog in pet competition

By TYRA DOUYON newsroom@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — When Dunwoody natives Amy Horstman and Eli Abamonte entered their dog into a national pet competition their goal was to have fun while supporting an animal welfare organization. They never expected that what they’d receive was an outpouring of support from the community. Their dog, Cleo, a 2-yearold female husky and Finnish fox mix, is competing in America’s Favorite Pet, a national contest presented by Colossal that raises funds for the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). The winner will be featured on the cover of Modern Dog Magazine and receive a $10,000 prize, with public voting open once per day through March 12.

Founded in 1967, PAWS advocates for animal welfare, providing care for sick and neglected animals while helping them find permanent homes. Locally, PAWS Atlanta is the city’s oldest no-kill shelter.

After initially asking close friends and family to vote, Cleo’s entry quickly gained traction. Neighbors and fellow Dunwoody pet lovers began voting daily and sharing her page across social media, turning the effort into a community-wide show of support.

“We have people who have never even met her voting for her on a daily basis,” Horstman said. “It’s been really meaningful in that way to see how people will show up for dogs. Animals really can bring people together. And Cleo’s definitely done that.”

Beyond her adorable looks, Cleo’s story has resonated with fans. Before finding her forever home, she spent the first year of her life homeless and was placed on a euthanasia list at DeKalb County Animal Services.

After being fostered through LifeLine Animal Project, Horstman and Abamonte adopted her from her foster mom — a decision that changed Cleo’s life forever.

See CLEO, Page 17

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Lemonade Days Festival will return for its 26th year April 22-26 at Brook Run Park, complete with carnival rides, vendors and a petting zoo.

This year’s attractions will feature The Fireball, a high-speed looping roller coaster making its first appearance. For those seeking something tamer, the Jumping Jumbo flying elephant ride will offer enjoyment for all ages.

The Lemonade Days 5K – a Peachtree Road Race qualifier – will take be at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 25. Each participant will go home with a custom cup filled with lemonade and T-shirt. Awards will be given to the overall winners and age-group winners. Adults and children can sign up for the 5K online.

The festival began in 1999 as a relief effort for families affected by the 1998 tornado that swept through Dunwoody neighborhoods. The event has historically attracted more than 70,000 people.

The Lemonade Days Festival is the largest fundraiser of the Dunwoody Preservation Trust. Profits support the continued rehabilitation and maintenance of the historic 1870 Donaldson-Bannister Farm, as well as numerous community events, educational programs for children and adults and Dunwoody’s only history camp for kids.

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Body of missing person found in Mayfield Lake

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

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

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

The Milton Police Department Criminal Investigations Division will continue treating the case as open and active until the official cause and manner of death is determine by the Fulton County Medical Examiner. Police do not suspect foul play.

Divers had been searching the lake at 1000 Mayfield Road since Tuesday morning. Milton Police led the investigation with assistance from Milton Fire and Rescue, K-9 units and

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services.

The roped-off crime scene expanded after crews began searching the area. Residents of the neighborhood

said police asked to review door camera footage after he went missing.

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

Former Heards Ferry student detained in playground attack

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A former student at Heards Ferry Elementary School in Sandy Springs attacked students and a staff member on the playground Wednesday, Feb. 4 around 10 a.m., a spokesperson with Fulton County Schools confirmed.

The middle school-aged boy gained access to the playground without their parent and assaulted several fourthgrade students and a staff member with a stick, authorities said. Students were medically evaluated, and there were no

major injuries reported.

A spokesperson with the school district said the boy was apprehended quickly and detained until his parents arrived. An investigation is underway, and it is not known if charges will be filed.

"We can confirm that a middleschool-aged former Heards Ferry Elementary School student entered the school campus playground and assaulted several students and a staff member," the district said in a statement. "The child was apprehended quickly by Fulton County Schools police, and was detained as the parent was brought in.

Students sustained minor injuries and were medically evaluated. A full investigation is in progress. We do not have any information yet about possible charges."

In a letter to parents, Principal Karen Cooke said the older child assaulted several students from a fourth grade class on the playground. She said school police responded immediately.

“We are reviewing the situation thoroughly and will continue working closely with district safety personnel to ensure all safety protocols are reinforced, Cooke wrote.

This story will be updated if more information is received.

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Front row seat to 3 revolutions and the dawn of AI

Every generation experiences moments when the world shifts beneath its feet. A new technology arrives, industries are disrupted, jobs change, and entire ways of living are transformed. People feel excitement, but also uncertainty. We are living through such a moment today with artificial intelligence.

AI is already reshaping how work is done, how information is created, how medicine is practiced, how businesses operate, and how society will function in the decades ahead. Many people ask whether it will replace us, disrupt everything, or take away jobs. Those are fair questions.

But history gives us a clear answer: Innovation has always brought disruption, but it has also brought progress, renewal and more opportunities, including new kinds of work and new jobs that did not exist before. The real question is not whether innovation will come. The real question is whether we will learn how to use it.

I write this not as a distant observer but as someone who has had a front row seat in three of the great technological transitions of the past 60 years.

In the 1960s, computers were still new to the world of business. That is when I joined IBM. At IBM, we did not simply step into the workforce and begin selling machines. The first year was essentially school. We studied how computers functioned and how

TALK BACK TO THE CRIER:

The Crier is committed to its role as Perimeter’s community thread. As readers have reminded the paper, part of that role means budgeting premium space for letters from residents. Talk Back to the Crier by Sunday night and your note will be on page 3 that week. Email letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

The Crier won’t publish it without explicitly getting your approval.

applications could solve real business problems. Selling meant education. For manufacturers, we introduced justin-time inventory and bill of material processing. For banks, we helped modernize finance through demand deposit accounting. That was the beginning of the computer revolution.

Years later, the next great transition arrived. Computers were no longer confined to corporations. I became part of that transformation by founding Timex Computer. At Timex, we introduced the first computer ever sold for under $100. That price point mattered because it democratized computing. For the first time, families could afford a computer, students could learn programming, and ordinary people could begin to explore the digital world.

Then came the internet. In the late 1990s, the world was still figuring out what the internet was for. People were visiting content sites, not merchant sites. That is when I invented what became known as syndicated commerce, allowing merchants to sell products and services directly on content sites where visitors already were.

Across all three transitions, one lesson stands above the rest: The first step in any new technology is learning how to use it. And it is true with AI today.

Artificial intelligence will change jobs, industries, and how we live. But history suggests something else as well: It will also create entirely new forms of work, new industries and new opportunities that we cannot yet fully imagine. AI will accelerate breakthroughs in medicine, diagnostics, and personalized care, and it will improve productivity across nearly every sector. The question is not whether AI will reshape the economy. It will. The question is whether we will shape it wisely.

We are entering an era in which more people can truly work from anywhere. But that future depends on infrastructure. If we want opportunity to spread beyond major cities, we must invest in broadband and Wi-Fi in rural America and underserved communities. The brainpower in small towns no longer has to leave home to find a future. We are moving into what might be called an “anywhere, any-what workplace.” The world is our oyster.

These changes will also force us to rethink the buildings and spaces of yesterday’s economy. Office parks and corporate campuses were built for an era of centralized work. In the next chapter, many of these spaces will be reborn as innovation centers and new engines of growth.

AI is not only a software revolution. It is also an energy revolution. The computing power required by AI is enormous, and that is why even space is entering the equation. Early steps are already being taken to extend AI-enabled systems into space-based networks.

In the earliest days of computing, some believed the world might only need a handful of computers. The first major application was simply counting the census. The first computers took their instructions through punched cards. Today, the human voice is input. Early machines relied on vacuum tubes and filled entire rooms. Today, their descendants live inside silicon chips fashioned from ordinary sand. Every revolution begins small. The future always starts as something we barely recognize. And that is exactly where we are again. This is not the time to be scared. This is the time to be excited.

Get busy. The future is always now and as our tagline said at Timex: “The Power is Within Your Reach.”

City should aid all taxpayers with upkeep to infrastructure

Thanks to Danny Ross (Talk Back to the Crier Jan. 8, 2026) we are having a useful discussion of the problems related to stormwater drains and ponds which lie on private property. I can add the name of my own subdivision to the list – Lakeview Oaks. We have a couple of storm drains, one with a hole in it!

One of the drains, the drain with the hole, handles water collected on city streets and in other subdivisions. It does not handle a single drop from our own subdivision. The city has been contacted. Persons come look at it and commiserate with us. They tell us that the best solution to our failed sewer problem would cost more than the total annual income of the HOA. Then they go away, leaving us with the problem.

This is not the only challenge

facing our area, which is legally a “private” subdivision. We are also responsible for all of our roads. These are concrete, are crumbling and would cost many times our annual income to handle properly.

The bill from the contractor is not the only cost that homeowners need to pay. For our most recent infrastructure repair, upgrade of a bridge, we first needed to invest over 10 percent of total cost in engineering consultants, required by law! Then, the city required us to pay 10 percent of costs for a permit to carry out the work!

What could the city do to help?

First, they might want to make an inventory of all the infrastructures that the city would normally maintain but which are on private land and therefore not a city responsibility.

That would give us a true measure of the extent of this problem. Then, they could provide the HOAs and other owners, with full engineering assistance with any project that is needed. This to include identification of contractors and covering the cost of any consultants. The city has staff members very skilled in handling problems with civic infrastructure. They handle these projects on city property. They could well assist with handling similar situations involving infrastructure that is located on private property. And, the city should stop charging fees for infrastructure repair projects. Finally, of course it would be nice if the city were to shoulder the cost of repair and renovation. Or is that too far to go in a first step? I would note that we are paying for infrastructure

maintenance through our taxes. So why not cover all projects in the city and not just those on city-owned land.

To conclude, we might all look at the property tax bill that we received last year. At the bottom of the item list is an expense for “Stormwater Fee.” Since the city does not handle the stormwater in my subdivision, then maybe the fee should be refunded to those who live here?

We have found a cheap fix to our “hole” in the sewer that will work for a few years. If the city were to send us the stormwater fee paid by our homeowners, this would cover half the cost of the quick fix! How about helping us fix our hole?

Edward W. Thomas Dunwoody

WHAT THEY ARE KNOWN FOR

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

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

3. Dress. Coffee order.

Alfred the Great, e.g.

4. Family girl. City on the Ruhr.

John Paul II, e.g.

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

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

2/12/26 Sudoku PuzzleJunction.com

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

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

To

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fulton County files court motion to retrieve 2020 ballots

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

FULTON COUNTY/PROVIDED

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Georgia Senate Republicans have introduced a resolution calling for Raffensperger to turn over the voter registration list to the Justice Department. Raffensperger’s Office previously provided a redacted version of the voter list that excluded sensitive information. The Justice Department is now suing Raffensperger for failing to provide an unredacted list, according to WSB Radio.

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

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

DeKalb County will study condition of county jail facility

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

GREATER DECATUR, Ga. — The DeKalb County Commission, at its Jan. 27 meeting, approved a contract with Comprehensive Program Services to conduct a facility condition assessment of the county jail.

The assessment will help the county identify security risks, potential threats to public safety and plan for renovations. The assessment will prioritize the needed repairs. The contract amount with Comprehensive Program Services is about $600,000.

“I see the end result of this assessment being a multi-year funding strategy to go about addressing the issues that come up,” Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams said.

The Finance, Audit and Budget Committee recommended approval of the contract at its meeting on Jan. 26.

The assessment follows the escape of three inmates on Dec. 21. They allegedly kidnapped and terrorized a Lyft driver before they were arrested in Florida on Dec. 23. An officer discovered the inmates had escaped when he performed a cell check during mealtime. The officer noticed that a portion of the

cell had been “compromised.”

Sheriff Melody Maddox previously said the aging facility is “deteriorating right before our eyes” and stressed the need for improvements.

“This was a breach. We’re not going to sit here and go back and forth and point blame. We’re going to focus on what we can do to stop it from happening in the future,” Maddox said.

“We're going to look at improvements that are needed here. You know that

it's going to cost money. We know what it costs, but we either pay now or it's going to be a pain later.”

Williams said the jail continues to age, and the county will need to continue investing funds in maintenance and repairs. He added that the escape highlighted the need for a security assessment to address any blind spots.

Commissioners previously allocated $4.5 million for jail repairs but have

not allocated any capital funds to the facility. The funding went to repair the roof and elevators, and replace jail locks, toilets and light fixtures.

Williams said the county has not yet allocated capital funds from its Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax money.

“Once this report is completed and we see how much is necessary to get another 20 years, or so, out of the jail … we will probably make a determination that we will need to do something more than allocating the $5-6 million a year,” he said.

He said $1 million was set aside in SPLOST for evaluating the jail's condition.

The proposed contract would be a one-time assessment that provides a multi-year renovation plan.

“It's going to lay out to all of us here is the … however many millions of dollars that need to be spent over a given time period, and this is how we would agree that it needs to be prioritized,” Williams said.

About $400,000 would remain in SPLOST related to evaluating the condition of the jail. It could be used to assess the facility's utilization and determine if there are additional uses for spaces at the jail.

Sandy Springs pizzeria wins praise from ‘One Bite’ review

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

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

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

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

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

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

A true family-run business, Yenara works the cash register

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

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

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

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

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

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18 8:00 am to 9:30 am

County again defers action on data centers ordinance

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

DECATUR, Ga. — The DeKalb County Commission, at its Jan. 27 meeting, again deferred an ordinance regulating data centers. Another public hearing will be held on May 12.

The original motion was to defer until Feb. 26. Commissioner Nicole Massiah recommended a 45-day deferral to March 10. She said more time is needed to look at oversight and redress.

“We have to have something in place that protects the people,” Massiah said. “We have to have a guideline.”

Massiah would like to see what may happen at the state level. The General Assembly is considering several bills, ranging from moratoriums to repealing a state tax credit to making sure Georgia Power doesn’t pass costs to customers to requiring impact assessments.

The legislative session ends April 2, so Commissioner Robert Patrick suggested deferring the ordinance until the end of April or May. Massiah further deferred the ordinance until May 12.

Commissioner Ted Terry was OK with the deferral but doubted that the Legislature would pass a data center bill this year.

The County Commission has been discussing regulations on data centers since September. DeKalb has received inquiries from developers and is also considering a special land-use permit for a facility in Ellenwood. The SLUP is a separate agenda item and was recently deferred until July.

Stephanie Ford lives one mile away from the proposed data center on Loveless Place.

“As an Ellenwood resident and neighbor of DeKalb County, I worry about the environmental impacts of this data center, as well as the economic impacts of the rising utility costs,” Ford said. “I urge those in power not to rush through the decisionmaking process and participate in true community engagement and listening.”

The goal of the ordinance is to establish land-use regulations for data centers. It includes requirements about permitted locations, plans to be submitted with an application, architecture, noise and maintenance. The draft consists of a use table listing four permitted classifications for industrial areas.

With any data center application, developers will have to provide a

noise impact assessment, water consumption and sustainability plan, energy consumption and sustainability plan, stormwater management plan, lighting plan, transmission line impact assessment, tree preservation and reforestation plan and a sewer update plan.

Terry is urging the commission to remove the data center campus definition, add 100 percent renewable energy incentives, and require all applications to acquire a special landuse permit.

Many residents spoke in support of Terry's amendment, and some said the ordinance should go further with its restrictions. They encouraged the county to complete a health impact study regarding data centers.

Resident Gina Mangham asked the commission to explain why they “continue to push a text amendment that will allow hyperscale data campuses in our communities when the overwhelming majority of your constituents are against it.”

She added that development plans are being made for areas in South DeKalb that are projects other areas can only dream of. Mangham has been pushing for economic development in southern portions of the county.

“Instead of this type of quality development, we’re being forced to accept toxic industrial fortresses that threaten our health, environment, property values, and overall quality of life,” Mangham said.

She supported Terry’s amendment and said it’s prudent to complete a health and environmental impact study.

Jan Dunaway, a DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor, supports the ordinance but has said it needs work, particularly around understanding how water will be used and where it would be sourced from.

“The data text amendment is very important to the citizens of DeKalb,” Dunaway said. “Even though the amendment is better than the first, it has so many holes in it and we have got to get this addressed before it’s approved.”

She reiterated that residents do not want to see large data centers in their communities.

“The citizens do not want data center campuses,” Dunaway said. “Please listen to us. Before approving a data center text amendment, tell us where all this chemically treated water will go.”

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Protecting your skin in February

Brought to you by - Dr. Lola Sode, Epiphany Dermatology

February is the season of love, but it also brings some of the toughest challenges for your skin. It may feel as though winter is over once the holidays pass, but the season continues well into March! The cooler and drier weather causes skin dryness and is one of the most common complaints I see in my patients. Without the right care, this can progress beyond tightness and flaking to painful cracking, itching, and irritation.

For individuals with chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, winter often means more frequent flare-ups. Cold, dry air and indoor heating can strip the skin barrier, making it harder to control symptoms and leaving skin inflamed or uncomfortable. In addition, texture concerns such as keratosis pilaris—those small, rough bumps on the arms or thighs—tend to be more noticeable this time of year.

The good news is that with the right approach, you can manage and even prevent many of these issues. Partnering with a boardcertified dermatologist is the best way to develop a customized plan that addresses your skin’s unique needs in winter. This may include targeted prescription treatments, barrier-repairing moisturizers, or specialized therapies to calm flare-ups and smooth texture.

February is also an excellent time to prioritize professional treatments that support overall skin health. Options like gentle exfoliating procedures, light therapy, or customized skincare routines can make a noticeable difference in how your skin looks and feels.

Don’t let winter take a toll on your skin. With expert guidance, you can keep it comfortable, healthy, and radiant all season long.

8 heart health facts moms-to-be should know

Brought to you by – Wellstar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Blood clots are more common during pregnancy.

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

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

5. A racing heartbeat may be abnormal.

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

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

6. Postpartum recovery still puts stress on the heart. Keep all postpartum checkups,

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

7. Your hospital choice matters

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

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

• Wellstar Avalon Health Park: Cardio obstetrics at the Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care office

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

8. Mental health and stress impact heart health . Anxiety and stress can affect your heart. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone. Your mental health is as important as your physical health.

If you are pregnant and have questions about your heart health, talk to your obstetrician about a referral to our cardio obstetrics team. Wellstar provides specialized cardio obstetrics care in Alpharetta and Roswell. Find an obstetrician at wellstar.org/womenshealth.

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

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

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

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

Supporting senior heart health with in-home care

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

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

It’s important to know your numbers. High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease, and while almost half of all US adults have high blood pressure, only 1 in 4 have it under control. Scheduling regular screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol is a key first step. Use February as a time for lifestyle review, whether it’s adjusting home routines to establish a consistent sleep schedule or following recommended changes like the Mediterranean Diet to replace recipes heavy in salt.

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

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

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

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

ADA compliance in Georgia

What are your rights?

Brought to you by - Mobility Plus Alpharetta

When discussing a home ramp project with a potential customer, we are often told “My HOA won’t allow a ramp in front of my house.” Many homeowners are unaware of their rights to home access and the limits of HOA scope. Knowing your rights will empower you to make decisions should diminished mobility or illness impact you or your family member.

Ramps – The Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 was implemented as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act. This federal legislation prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability. States defer to this federal protection, and it includes installation of modular ramp systems, and constructed ramps. Americans have the right to safe entrance and exit from their home for the duration of their time living in the home.

Renting vs. Purchasing – Fair Housing Act protection extends to rental ramps as well as purchased ramps or constructed ramps. Protection is not limited to those with physical disabilities, but also covers people living with blindness, hearing impairment,

HIV, cognitive disabilities or impairment, addiction-related conditions, chronic fatigue, head injuries or mental illness.

Homeowner’s Association

Limitations - Your HOA does have the right to request a drawing of a proposed ramp system, vertical platform lift design, or exterior stair lift. They may also require that once a homeowner or tenant is fully recovered, that the ramp, vertical platform lift, or exterior stair lift be removed. Lastly, they might suggest that temporary landscaping or camouflaging foliage be installed to improve aesthetics of an installation, but they cannot deny installation of a ramp, vertical platform lift or exterior stair lift if a licensed medical professional deems it necessary for home access. Read more about state ADA housing legislation here: Georgia Fair Housing Law

Resources – The Southeast ADA Center provides the most comprehensive resources for those living with disabilities in Georgia and beyond. Need to rent or purchase a modular wheelchair ramp system, stair lift or vertical platform lift?

Visit Mobility Plus Alpharetta Monday-Friday 10am-5pm or Saturdays 9am-1pm or call us at (470) 545-1827. We look forward to helping you “go where you want to go!”

Exploring ways to help your marriage

Brought to

you by

–Jason Howard, MA, LPC

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

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

Think about hiring for an important role at work.

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

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

Who would you hire?

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

How do you start showing up that way?

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

1. Self-Soothing: Stay Calm Under Pressure

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

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

Action Steps:

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

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

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

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

2. Create Small, Meaningful Bids for Connection

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

connection

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

Action Steps:

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

• Make a habit of putting down the phone and turning towards her when she speaks, showing you’re fully present.

• Offer a light touch on the shoulder, a smile and summarize what you’re hearing.

These micro-moments rebuild trust and intimacy in ways grand gestures cannot.

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

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

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

Action Steps:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Start small. Stay calm under pressure, create meaningful moments of connection, and stand firm in who you are. These small shifts can make a big impact over time.

And remember: You’re not alone in this. Every effort you make matters.

Former superintendent accused of assault called 911 after argument

By DAN WHISENHUNT dan@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb

County police arrested former DeKalb County Schools superintendent Devon Horton on Jan. 17 after he allegedly choked his wife during an argument.

He was released from jail on Jan. 19 after a judge set a $25,000 bond that included a requirement that Horton not have any in-person contact with his wife.

DeKalb County released a 911 call from the incident, placed by Horton, following an argument with his wife over sending their children to Chuck E. Cheese. During a bond hearing that day, his wife pleaded with the judge for no bond conditions and that Horton be allowed to return home. During that same hearing, the DeKalb County district attorney said Horton choked his wife for approximately 10 seconds.

"Whenever you're talking about allegations of putting your hands around someone's neck, that offers a lot of concern," Judge S. Derek Johnson-Gage said at the bond hearing. "It does not take much pressure before something worse can

The assault, which is a felony, follows Horton’s federal indictment in Illinois, which forced him to resign as superintendent of the DeKalb County School District. He is accused of participating in a kickback scheme while serving as the superintendent of the Evanston-Skokie School District 65.

Horton pleaded not guilty to 17 felony counts of wire fraud, tax evasion and embezzlement in connection with the alleged kickback scheme. Horton and three others were charged.

During the 911 call placed around 11:30 a.m. Jan. 17, children can be heard in the background. Two children, ages 3 and 5, were at Horton's Stone Mountain home. His mother-in-law was also present during the incident.

The 5-year-old boy told police he saw Horton put his hand around his wife's neck and push her toward a wall, according to the arrest warrant.

The 911 call captured the aftermath of that argument, which began after Horton returned from a walk and was on the phone with his sister. They were discussing her sending him money so the children could go to Chuck

jumping from a 5 foot vertical standing still, caring for Nessie, her Loch Ness monster toy, and snuggling with her parents.

E. Cheese. His daughter's mother was also expected to chip in for the outing so their daughter could attend.

He told officers that his wife confronted him during this phone call. According to Horton, his wife was upset that the mother of his daughter was sending him money and accused him of lying about the situation. An argument ensued and Horton accused his wife of slapping him in the face.

"My wife, upstairs, got physical with me, pushing me, would not let me walk down the stairs," Horton told the dispatcher. "And then we got downstairs, and she pushed me in the face, so I grabbed her back."

During the call, his wife could be heard in the background yelling at him.

According to the incident report, Horton said he did not react physically and attempted to walk away. She allegedly followed him. He admitted to

officers that he "pushed Ms. Horton by the neck to get her out of his way." He said his hand was around her neck for three seconds.

His wife told officers that Horton slammed the door as he went downstairs to take the children to the restaurant. She told him not to slam it. She said he responded by pointing his finger in her face and poking her in the forehead. She told him to back up, and she said he responded by grabbing her neck for 10 seconds. She almost lost consciousness.

During the 911 call, when the dispatcher asked if Horton needed medical attention, he said no. In the background, his wife said, "He choked me out and hit my head on the refrigerator."

According to the report, his wife told officers Horton had never acted this way before.

During the bond hearing, his wife told the judge that Horton was under significant pressure due to the federal indictment.

"I was never fearful for my life," she said. "My children were never in danger. He is under a tremendous amount of stress."

Now settled into her Dunwoody home, Cleo’s personality has blossomed. She’s now known for her affectionate nature and friendly, energetic personality. Her skills include

Lemonade:

Continued from Page 1

On family night, Wednesday, April 22, wristbands for unlimited rides are available for $25 and will cost $35 from Thursday through Sunday. Single tickets cost $1.25 each and a sheet of 25 tickets costs $25.

The festival’s hours of operation are:

• Wednesday, April 22: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.

• Thursday, April 23, 4 p.m.-10 p.m.

• Friday, April 24, 4 p.m.-10 p.m.

• Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.10 p.m.

• Sunday, April 26, noon-6 p.m.

The festival will be at Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road in Dunwoody. For basic information about Lemonade Days, go to dunwoodylemonadedays.org. Weather updates will be provided on the Dunwoody Preservation Trust Facebook page and Instagram at #lemonadedaysfestival.

”It’s just been a match made in heaven ever since. She’s honestly my best friend,” Horstsman said.

If Cleo wins the competition, the recognition would mean a great deal to her family. Beyond the potential impact

for animals nationwide, Horstman and Abamonte say the most meaningful part has been watching Cleo’s story bring the Dunwoody community together around a rescue dog who beat the odds.

“Her story is powerful and has resonated with a lot of people,” Abamonte said. “It’s great that any donations she’s gained have been going

towards helping no-kill shelters across the country.”

Win or lose, Cleo’s journey already highlights the power of second chances and how local support can carry a rescue story far beyond its beginnings. To vote for Cleo, visit https:// americasfavpet.com/2026/cleo-470f . Voting is open once per day through March 12, and donations are welcome.

HANS APPEN Publisher

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

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

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

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

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

Georgia isn’t alone. Across the coun-

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

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

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

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

Worse, this kind of policy shifts re-

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

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

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

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

Me versus my cell phone, a battle worth the effort

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Her writing seems like a living room conversation among old friends or a sleep-over back in the day. It reminds me of a night at the theater or an intense debate over “The Great Gatsby” in a small university classroom setting among a dozen grad students or maybe freshmen. Or maybe she is just easy to read because she doesn’t ask so much from her audience. No, I don’t think that is it, but maybe.

What is the Education Answer Book?

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

What makes us different?

• Highest circulation community guide in the market

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

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

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

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

Content

• School Maps, Test Scores, SAT rankings

• Private Schools Overview

• Local colleges

• Scholarship information

• Undergrad/Graduate programs

Deadline: 2/23/26

Distribution

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

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

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

• Highest circulation of all regional community guides

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North Fulton Master Gardners, Inc.

Tricia Novarro

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Mitchel Skyer

Judith Slaughter

Andy Smith Lee Smith Tia Solh

Morris Soriano

Handyman

Matthew the Handyman - Carpentry, painting, drywall, plumbing. Electrical and small jobs. 404-547-2079.

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