Dunwoody Crier - June 4, 2026

Dunwoody Woman’s Club awards two scholarships

► PAGE 6

June 4, 2026 | AppenMedia.com

Dunwoody advances extensive path project on N. Peachtree Road

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council has approved an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation to accept federal grant money for a new pedestrian and cycling path on North Peachtree Road.

The council approved the agreement May 26, moving the multimillion-dollar project into the design and right-of-way acquisition phase set to take place between 2027 and 2029. The project calls for a 0.75-mile shared walking and biking path, between 10 and 12 feet wide, on the west side of North Peachtree Road from just north of I-285 to Barclay

Golf tournament generates funds for scholarships

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta raised

$640,000 for scholarships at the 18th annual MJCCA Fifth Third Harry Maziar Classic Golf Tournament May 4. The total surpasses previous fundraising totals and sets a new high for the event, according to organizers.

The tournament, held at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, expanded this year to include its first Mah Jongg open play luncheon and drew 302 participants — 252 golfers and 50 Mah Jongg players — making it the largest gathering in the tournament’s history.

See TOURNAMENT, Page 15

Drive at Brook Run Park. It also includes drainage improvements, lighting and landscaping.

Dunwoody received a $2.56 million federal grant last year for design and right-of-way acquisition. The federal funds are managed by GDOT, and the council’s approval was required to receive the money. The city must provide a local match of $639,223,

MJCCA/PROVIDED

Participating in the May 4 Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’s 18th annual Fifth Third Harry Maziar Classic Golf Tournament are, from left, Harry Maziar, Sammy Grant and MJCCA CEO Jared Powers.

which will be covered by excess funding in the Chamblee-Dunwoody Bridge enhancement project, Deputy Public Works Director Michelle Hirose said. Construction is a separate funding phase, and no timeline has been determined.

See PROJECT, Page 11

Dunwoody student spells his own way onto national stage

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Sarv Dharavane, a sixth grader at Peachtree Charter Middle School in Dunwoody, finished third in the Scripps National Spelling Bee May 28. Sarv, 12, missed the word “disa” during the 17th round. He spelled it “daisa.” Disa is a showy tropical African terrestrial orchid with tuberous rootstocks and dark green leaves.

This was Sarv’s third trip to the national competition. He finished first place in three Georgia Association of Educators State Spelling Bee meets, including the latest in March, to advance to the national competition.

He won his first state spelling bee in 2024 and finished 22nd at Scripps National Spelling Bee. Last year, he finished third.

See DHARAVANE, Page 11

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Ga. 400 express lanes worker killed in Sandy Springs

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A Ga. 400 express lanes construction worker installing warning signs on the highway near Abernathy Road died May 21 after being struck by a motorist.

Sandy Springs Police have charged the driver of the Toyota Tacoma that allegedly struck the worker with Mover Over Law violations, second-degree vehicular homicide and speeding. The driver's name has not been released. An investigation is ongoing, police said.

Police were called shortly after 1 a.m. about a crash on Ga. 400 southbound near Abernathy Road and Exit 4.

About 250 yards south of the scene of the fatal collision, officers found a heavily damaged Toyota Tacoma against the right-side wall of the highway.

The name of the construction worker has not been released. Georgia Department of Transportation officials said he was a subcontractor performing sign installation on the inside median barrier wall as part of the massive

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 cite homeowner over graduation party

ROSWELL, Ga. — A party involving some 50-70 high school students at a house on Kingridge Court in Roswell ended after police arrived and cited the homeowner for a loud residential gathering.

Police heard loud music as they

Ga. 400 Express Lanes project now underway.

“The worker was with a mobile traffic control operation with all appropriate safety protocols in place,” Kyle Collins, spokesperson for the project, said in an email to Appen Media. “There were two buffer vehicles and a law enforcement (blue light) support during the operation.”

GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry cited the crash and fatality at the May 21 State Transportation Board meeting. The fatality is the first of the Ga. 400 express lanes project, he said. He told the board that the worker was installing construction warning signs. Two buffer trucks and a police car flashing its blue lights were at the scene with the worker before the crash. Somehow the driver “ran through all of that and struck the employee, killing him,” he said.

McMurry noted that GDOT officials were wearing orange ties and ribbons when the ground was officially broken on the project in April. Orange is the color of National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 20-24. The week is an annual campaign held at the start of

arrived on scene May 18 and entered the backyard to see the partygoers surrounded by containers of alcoholic beverages discarded on the ground. A variety of liquors and other beverages were observed on a folding table.

A juvenile told police that no one was 21 or older, and all individuals were detained on the property.

An officer found the homeowner among the crowd of underage drinkers, who told police it was his daughter’s high school graduation party. The homeowner had slowed speech and appeared intoxicated, according to the police report, and said he had just arrived home drinking on Canton Street.

Police questioned the homeowner’s

construction season to promote safe driving and protect highway workers.

The $4.6 billion project will construct new express lanes in both directions along an approximately 16-mile section of Ga. 400 from the MARTA North Springs station at Exit 5C in Sandy Springs in Fulton County to approximately 1 mile north of McFarland Parkway at Exit 12 in Forsyth County.

Early construction preparations are underway near Exit 5 on Ga. 400, with activity along the southbound shoulder between the Spalding Drive bridge and Abernathy Road ramps to support future traffic shifts, according to GDOT.

Grubbing — the clearing out of stumps, roots, and buried logs after trees along the highway that were clear-cut — is currently ongoing to prepare for upcoming construction, including concrete barrier placement, lane striping, and new signage installation, according to GDOT. Earthwork operations and construction of retaining walls are scheduled to begin in these locations later this summer.

daughter, who said she told partygoers they were not allowed to have alcohol but that it got out of control when more people arrived. All individuals were checked for their age and if they had been drinking any alcohol. Those who were drinking were transported from the home by a sober driver.

Police said there were too many people to cite or arrest for underage drinking.

Police found it unreasonable that the homeowner had no knowledge of the crime taking place and cited him for a loud and unruly gathering in a residential neighborhood.

— Hannah Yahne

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TALK BACK TO THE CRIER

When stormwater issue meets a wall of silence

For residents around Kingsley Lake, a stormwater dispute is more than a technical question about drainage. It affects homes, property values, neighborhood quality of life and confidence in the institutions meant to serve the public. The immediate issue may be local, but the principle at stake reaches far beyond one lake or one neighborhood: when citizens raise concerns about a public problem, will their government engage in an open conversation about it? That question matters to every Dunwoody resident.

Recently, Kingsley Lake residents have been seeking answers regarding a stormwater issue that has affected our neighborhood. We believe the city should be involved in the solution. Others may disagree. Reasonable people can look at the same facts and reach different conclusions. That is not the issue. The issue is that there has been no meaningful dialogue.

When Dunwoody voted overwhelmingly to become a city in 2008, one of the promises of cityhood was simple: Government would be closer to the people. We would no longer have to navigate a distant bureaucracy to get answers. We would know our elected officials. We would be able to raise concerns, ask questions and participate in the decisions affecting our community. At least, that was the promise.

We first approached the city’s Public Works director. He listened attentively and referred the matter to the city attorney because he said he could not make the decision.

We then approached the city manager. He informed us that the matter would have to await the return of the city attorney, who was out of the country. When the city attorney returned, the answer we received was two words: “Gratuity Clause.”

We approached the mayor. Her response was that she was not going to discuss the matter. Council members who might otherwise have represented our district were recused because of alleged conflicts of interest. At every turn, the conversation ended before it began.

Let me be clear. We are not asking the city to agree with us. We are asking the city to talk with us. There is a difference.

In any healthy democracy, disagreement is expected. Debate is healthy. Citizens and government officials will not always see issues the same way. But democracy depends on communication. It depends on elected leaders being willing to explain their reasoning, answer questions and engage with the people they represent, even when the answers may be difficult or unpopular.

One final thought: Does the city attorney not trust the mayor and City Council’s ability to hear the facts, consider the legal advice and engage in a discussion with residents?

TALK BACK TO THE CRIER: You talk, we listen.

The Crier is parking the Talk Back section at the front of the paper for the foreseeable future. Send your letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com by Sunday night and they’ll end up here that week. Park locations, tree-lined medians and backyard chickens welcome. Typically we restrict letters to 300 words. To limit fury from the copy desk, try and stay below that line. We normally do not publish letters written in response to other letters. We are going to waive that policy for the time being. We won’t publish your letter or name without explicitly getting your approval.

Elected officials are entrusted with making difficult decisions every day. If they are capable of governing the city, surely they are capable of participating in a conversation about an issue affecting their constituents. Government officials have every right to reach conclusions. They have every right to seek legal advice. They have every right to disagree with citizens. What they should not do is stop communicating.

A city attorney serves an important role. He advises the city on legal risks and legal constraints. But attorneys are advisers, not elected representatives. Their role is to advise. The role of elected officials is to listen, deliberate, explain and make decisions on behalf of the public.

When every question is routed to an attorney and every answer becomes a legal conclusion, government risks losing something essential: its connection to the people it serves. The irony is not lost on me.

Many of us supported cityhood because we felt DeKalb County had stopped listening to Dunwoody. We believed a local government would be more responsive, more accessible and more accountable. Today, residents are asking a simple question: What happens when the people we elected no longer engage in the conversation?

Perhaps the city is correct in its legal position. Perhaps it is not. But that is not the point. The point is that citizens deserve more than a conclusion. They deserve an explanation. They deserve the opportunity to ask questions. They deserve a chance to understand how decisions are being made. Most importantly, they deserve dialogue.

In our case, we have not filed a lawsuit. We have not hired an attorney. We have not demanded a check. What we have done is ask questions. And after months of seeking answers, our request remains unchanged: All we are asking for is dialogue. Because in a representative government, silence should never be the answer.

Danny Ross

Founding member, Dunwoody

City Council

PAST TENSE

Early organized soccer in Atlanta in the ’60s and ’70s

With World Cup games taking place soon in Atlanta, soccer is a popular topic. Although a few Atlanta schools and businesses formed soccer teams in the early 20th century, soccer took off in Atlanta in the late 1960s. The Atlanta Chiefs, the first professional soccer team in Atlanta, started in 1967.

In May 1966, the Atlanta Braves announced they would sponsor the Chiefs soccer team, both playing at Atlanta Stadium, later called Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The Atlanta Falcons played their first season in the fall of 1966 at Atlanta Stadium, and the Chiefs began September 1967.

Atlanta Braves business manager Dick Cecil said, “The people haven’t been exposed to soccer before. But it’s a great game, fast with a lot of contact. Knowing that Atlanta is a tremendous sports town helped us to decide to try it.” (Atlanta Journal, May 11, 1966, “Cecil predicts no conflict as soccer invades Atlanta”)

Phil Woosnam coached the Atlanta Chiefs. In addition to players from England, Wales and Jamica, Woosnam recruited players from Africa, something other U.S. coaches had not done. The Chiefs won their league championship in 1968, and in 1969 they won the North American Soccer League’s first championship series, beating the San Diego Toros.

Peachtree High School soccer team in 1974.

(AJC, June 11, 1967, “Spartans must beware the Chiefs’ Nairobi trio,” ussoccer.com)

The soccer teams that followed in the Atlanta area were the Apollos, Generals, Silverbacks, Atlanta Beat and Atlanta United. A National Women’s Soccer League team is coming to Atlanta in 2028.

The first time you played or watched a soccer game depends on when you were born and where you grew up. Henderson High School in DeKalb County, where I graduated in 1975, had boys soccer but no girls team. My friend from Virginia recalls her high school had soccer teams for boys and girls in the early 1970s.

students. His early soccer memory was from refereeing a youth game while in college. “I was so winded running up and down the field that I kept calling penalties just to catch my breath. Never repeated that mistake.”

12/15/16 11:22 AM Page 1

Appen Media Managing Editor Patrick Fox attended Andale High School in Kansas during the ’70s, where soccer was not offered to

Soccer for boys began in 1968 in DeKalb County and quickly became popular. “Now more boys play the sport in DeKalb high schools than play American football.” Recreation soccer leagues were organized including teams within the YMCA Gra-Y program. (Atlanta Daily World, Feb. 22, 1968, “Atlanta soccer interest phenomenal in past year”)

Parents started the DeKalb Federation of Girls Soccer Clubs to convince the county that soccer should be offered for girls. Teams in the league represented nine of

DeKalb’s high schools, including Dunwoody, Chamblee and Briarcliff. Their enthusiasm along with pressure to comply with Title IX led to the beginning of girls soccer in DeKalb County by spring of 1981. (Atlanta Journal, Feb 2, 1978, “Soccer for girls urged”)

Sandy Springs resident Chris Curth participated in soccer at Dykes High School in Fulton County from 1967 to 1969. Curth also played on a City of Atlanta team and played on the Atlanta Chiefs All Star team as the city’s high scorer.

Jeff Glaze of Dunwoody never played soccer but remembers several friends who did. He recalls that Peachtree High School “…did quite well in soccer in the mid-1970s.” One standout player was Lee Herron, whose jersey was retired.

If you don’t get a ticket to attend a World Cup game in Atlanta, there are plenty of places to view with other fans. Watch parties are planned at The Lawn at Ashford Lane in Dunwoody, Watchfest ’26 on the Decatur Square, Centennial Olympic Park, Sandy Springs’ Mutation Brewing and Piedmont Park, to name a few.

For more Atlanta soccer history, try the Atlanta United podcast series, “The History of Atlanta Soccer.”

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.

Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 6, 4 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!

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

1. Seaweed for sea urchins. Game on horseback. Large brown bear.

2. Saint topper. Racket sport. Supreme god of ancient Greece.

3. Horseshoes game. Neat. Highlander.

4. Spring purchase. Young pigeon. Lawn game.

5. Italian bowling game. Boredom. Measles symptom.

6. Greek sandwich. Water sport. Milky white gem.

7. Football game. White Cliffs place. Locate.

1 Seaweed for sea urchins. Game on horseback. Large brown bear

2. Saint topper. Racket sport. Supreme god of ancient Greece.

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. Horseshoes game. Neat. Highlander.

4. Spring purchase. Young pigeon. Lawn game.

5. Italian bowling game. Boredom. Measles symptom

Greek sandwich. Water sport. Milky white gem

Football game. White Cliffs place. Locate

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

sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.

Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21

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Dunwoody Woman’s Club awards two scholarships

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Woman’s Club has announced the winners of the club’s two scholarship awards for 2026.

Mary Jane Hollander, chairman of the Scholarship Committee presented the awards at the May 21 luncheon meeting held at The Capital Grille in Dunwoody. She recognized the members of the committee for their hard work and dedication in reviewing the applications.

Jo Ann Kostkan, president of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club, joined in the presentations.

JOIN US

Together, we’ll create opportunities, drive innovation, and build a brighter tomorrow YOUR VOICE. YOUR BUSINESS. YOUR SUCCESS. YOU ARE WHAT MAKES US GREATER.

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The scholarships are presented to students who, in the opinion of the Scholarship Committee, demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, school and community involvement, and an exceptional desire for higher education. The club recognized the students want to make the world a better place.

This year’s scholarships are for $2,500 each.

Samantha Stetter is a 2026 graduate of Dunwoody High School. She will be attending Georgia Tech where she plans to major in industrial and systems engineering.

Andrew Halligan is also a 2026 graduate of Dunwoody High School. He will be attending Georgia Tech and plans to major in business administration with a concentration in finance.

Both students are residents of Dunwoody. They each excelled academically and received top recommendations for their school and community activities.

Funds for the scholarships are made possible from the proceeds of the Dunwoody Annual Home Tour. The club expressed appreciation for the support of the community in the fundraiser.

This year’s home tour will be Wednesday, Oct. 2.

For more information about the Dunwoody Woman’s Club visit www. dunwoodywomansclub.com

Early voting begins June 6 for state, county runoffs

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Early voting in the primary runoff elections begins June 6 and ends June 12. Election Day is June 16. Races on the ballot include Republican candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and Public Service Commission District 5.

June 5 is the deadline to request an absentee ballot, and it must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day. If voters mail

in an absentee ballot, it must be received by Election Day, not postmarked June 16. Absentee ballots can be hand-delivered to your county elections office during operational hours or at a drop box at an early voting location.

To request an absentee ballot, visit securemyabsenteeballot.sos.ga.gov.

In DeKalb County, runoffs are being held for County Commission District 3, School Board District 4, House District 94 and Senate District 10, which represent portions of DeKalb County. Polls will be

open June 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 7 from noon to 5 p.m. and June 8-12 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Here are the DeKalb County early voting locations:

The bold locations will have an absentee ballot drop box.

• North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Dr. in Chamblee.

• DeKalb Voter Registration & Elections Office. 4380 Memorial Dr, Suite 500, in Greater Decatur.

• Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee

Dunwoody Road in Dunwoody.

• Emory University,1599 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta.

• Tucker Library, 5234 Lavista Road in Tucker.

For more information, visit dekalbvotes. com.

Absentee ballots can be mailed, handdelivered or returned to the drop box at the Voter Registration and Elections Office.

For more information, visit forsythco. com/Departments-Offices/Voter-Registrations-Elections/Current-Election.

Times bestselling writer Lisa See to speak on new novel

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Roswell Reads, in partnership with the City of Roswell and Bookmiser, will feature Lisa See, the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women,” “The Island of Sea Women,” “The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane” and 10 other titles, June 20 in Dunwoody. See will be discussing and signing her new novel, “Daughters of the Sun and Moon.” Named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year by Today.com, the

book will be released just 11 days before her Roswell Reads appearance.

The event will be at 5 p.m. at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 1978 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody. Two ticket prices (including fees) are offered:

$23.50 for the presentation only, or $49.25 for premium single tickets that include general admission seating and an autographed and/or personalized

hardback copy of the book, "Daughters of the Sun and Moon."

After working as a freelance journalist as well as 13 years as Publishers Weekly’s West Coast correspondent, See penned her first book in 1995, “On Gold Mountain,” which tells the story of her Chinese American family’s settlement in Los Angeles.

That is also when her research began for the historical event around which her latest novel revolves – the L.A. Chinese massacre of 1871. Set amid the vibrancy and turmoil of that

forgotten piece of American history, “Daughters of the Sun and Moon” tells the story of three women, based on real Chinese women living in L.A. at the time, who managed to survive and eventually thrive, despite all odds.

To order tickets, go to roswellcac. showare.com/eventperformances. asp?evt=246, call 770-594-6232, or go to Roswell Cultural Arts Center box office.

For more information, go to RoswellReads.com, Facebook at Roswell Reads or Instagram at RoswellGaReads.

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What happens to inheritance when passed to children without proper trust protections

70% of children use or lose their parents' inheritance within their own lifetime. And the number one reason right now is divorce. Here's what most people don't realize: if your assets pass to your children outside of a trust, those assets are not considered premarital property. That means if your child goes through a divorce after you pass, that inheritance could walk right out of your family.

The same applies if they get sued. Or if they die before their spouse.

Once it leaves your hands without the right trust structure in place, it can leave your bloodline entirely.

The goal of estate planning isn't just to pass on what you've built. It's to make sure it stays protected for the people you built it for.

We cover how to structure your plan to protect your children's inheritance in our free estate planning workshops.

• Does my Will protect my “stuff”? (It does not.)

• Should I upgrade my Will to a Trust?

• What do I need to know about Revocable Living Trusts?

• How do Irrevocable Trusts work?

• Medicaid. What’s true and what’s not?

• How do I protect my assets for my family and legacy?

• How do I remain in control?

• How do I avoid losing everything to nursing home costs?

• How can my family avoid probate? June Workshops:

Dharavane:

Continued from Page 1

He was the youngest finalist at the 2025 competition and the first finalist representing Georgia in 28 years.

Sarv was one of nine finalists to compete in the nationally televised finals after correctly spelling words such as Kadohadacho and quillaia. He will receive $15,000 for the second year in a row with the third-place finish.

The competition, known as “Bee Week,” began May 26 in Washington, D.C., with 247 spellers. On May 28, Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, won the competition in an exciting spelloff by spelling 32 words correctly in 90 seconds to beat Ishaan Gupta, 12, from Jersey City, N.J., who spelled 25 words correctly.

Sarv’s Bee Week bio says he likes to play outside, spend time with family and friends and, “most importantly, read!” His hobbies include swimming, playing basketball and soccer. Save plays the clarinet in his school band and piano at home. He codes in computer programming languages and builds with LEGO bricks. Math and English are his favorite subjects. Fantasy is his favorite genre for books and movies.

“It makes him feel like he has been transported to another world,” he says in the bio. He also enjoys the outdoors.

Born and raised in Georgia alongside his three siblings, Sarv also spent two years in India. His father, Shailesh Dharavane, has praised the Dunwoody community for its support of Sarv. City officials, including Mayor Lynn Deutsch, are also fans of the young speller.

Project:

Continued from Page 1

The path will connect nearby communities, parks and green spaces and provide a safer route for students traveling to Chesnut Elementary School and Peachtree Middle School, Hirose said.

The project is part of the city’s Trail

DEATH NOTICES

Janice McClean, age 65, of Roswell, GA passed away on May 21, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS/PROVIDED

Sarv Dharavane, a sixth grader at Peachtree Charter Middle School, is presented the championship trophy from Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators, after winning the state spelling bee for the third year in a row March 20.

“Sarv represented Dunwoody so well,” Mayor Lynn Deutsch said on social media. “We are so proud of him. Third place out of 247 spellers. He did great spelling and defining words that most of us have not even heard of. Yay Sarv!”

The DeKalb County School District also praised Sarv’s trip to the national competition on social media.

“Sarv once again demonstrated remarkable knowledge, preparation and composure on one of the country’s biggest academic stages,” the district posted on social media.

“His back-to-back top three national finishes place him among the elite competitors in Scripps National Spelling Bee history and continue a remarkable journey that has inspired our entire community. Way to Go, Sarv! We are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see what comes next.”

Jim Bass contributed reporting to this story.

Master Plan and will connect with the planned Top End Regional Trail system along I-285 as part of GDOT’s express lanes project.

North Peachtree Road has been identified as a High Injury Network corridor in the city’s Road Safety Action Plan. Roads designated within the network are recommended for complete streets improvements to increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists, Hirose said.

Paige Murphy, age 40, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on May 17, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

HANNAH FOSLIEN/SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE

Sarv Dharavane, a sixth grader at Peachtree Charter Middle School, competes in the semi-finals May 27 at the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. He went on to place third in the finals on May 28.

LIZA

Liza (ID# 59260774) is an adorable little low rider with the cutest expressions. She’s a bit shy and needs to get to know you, but getting to know her is time well spent. You will love her for her sweet and easy personality. She’s calm and a pleasure to walk. She seems housetrained and takes treats so gently. She was out in the yard with another dog, and it was so cute to watch her play. Liza is 2 years old and 44 lbs. and definitely worth getting to know. Sweet, easy, adorable, Liza is just what you were looking for and ready to go home with you today!!!! Expand your family by four furry little feet; meet Liza and have a loving friend forever. All adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip. All you have to do is provide the love and security that every shelter animal deserves! If you would like more information

about Liza or if you have questions about adopting, fostering or volunteering please email adoption@ dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165; all potential adopters will be screened to ensure Liza goes to a good home.

Come visit Liza and hundreds of other adoptable pets at DeKalb County Animal Services today – no appointment needed! Our address is 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee, GA 30340.

If you can’t adopt, please consider fostering temporarily or come take one of our pups for a fun day out with our Dog for the Day program. This program is a great way to borrow a canine companion for a hike, a trip to the park, or a lazy day at home. Email foster@ dekalbanimalservices.com for more information about Dog for the Day.

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Tournament:

Continued from Page 1

Proceeds from the MJCCA Fifth Third Harry Maziar Classic will fund scholarships for MJCCA’s three preschools, MJCCA Day Camps and Camp Barney Medintz overnight camp, ensuring that families who need financial assistance can access a wide range of MJCCA programs.

The $640,000 raised this year is a significant jump over the approximately $500,000 typically raised annually.

In its inaugural year, the tournament raised $75,000.

“The $640,000 raised this year is a direct investment in ensuring that cost is never the reason a child misses out on preschool, day camp or a summer at Camp Barney Medintz,” MJCCA CEO Jared Powers said.

The tournament, he said, has become the financial engine behind that promise, and watching it grow each year is a powerful reminder of what this community stands for.

“We are deeply grateful to every sponsor, player, and volunteer who made this our best year yet,” Powers said.

This year’s tournament was held in honor of Sammy Grant, a native Atlantan whose “deep roots in the MJCCA community reflect the very spirit the tournament was created to celebrate,” the Marcus Center said in a statement.

Grant attended JCC preschool, participated in sports and day camps, and spent 10 summers at Camp Barney Medintz as a camper and a staff member. Grant is an attorney, CPA, CFP and wealth management professional currently working at HB Wealth. He has served on the MJCCA board of directors, including as board chair during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also been recognized on Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 list and received the Abe Schwartz Young Leadership Award.

The MJCCA Fifth Third Harry Maziar Classic is named after Harry Maziar, a 93-year-old native Atlantan who has been involved with the MJCCA

for 81 years. Maziar served as MJCCA president from 1981 to 1983 and co-chaired the governance board for five years, playing a central role in stabilizing the organization financially in the mid-2000s. He has been the driving force behind the tournament since its founding, with a steadfast focus on keeping it community based. This year, three generations of the Maziar family — including Jake, Neal and Todd Maziar — participated and served on the planning committee.

“This tournament has always been about community and bringing people together around a shared commitment to making sure every family in Atlanta’s Jewish community can access what the MJCCA has to offer,” Harry Maziar said in a statement.

“Seeing it grow to this level, with three generations of our family carrying it forward, is something I am incredibly proud of.”

David Levin chaired the 2026 MJCCA Fifth Third Harry Maziar Classic with Joel Libowsky and Brad Oppenheimer as co-chairs. Planning for next year’s tournament is underway.

The Wollner Group is proud to support the Dunwoody Adopt-ASpot program at the corner of Mt. Vernon Way and Mt. Vernon Road, helping keep our community beautiful and welcoming.

We’ll be planting Daylilies, Coneflowers, Knock Out Roses, Loropetalum, and Blue Fescue to brighten the space.

Next time you pass by, know it’s being cared for by people who truly care about this community, on and off the market.

W ollnerGroup.HarryNorman.com (404) 307 -9329 wollnergroup@harrynorman.com

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