Volunteer fair planned for Aug. 19 ► PAGE 4 A u g u s t 1 3 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 0 , N o . 3 3
Cumming razes former police 2026 High HQ for event parking lot, park School
Football Preview ► STARTS ON PAGE 15
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
CUMMING, Ga. — The city of Cumming is preparing for a new event parking lot and pocket park after demolishing a former government building. The Castleberry Road building most recently housed the Cumming Police Department. The department relocated to the Cumming City Center, 481 Merchant Way, in April. The city demolished the building in early July and is repurposing the site as a parking lot to serve large events, such as the Cumming Country Fair and Festival, July 4th festivities and the Christmas parade. An adjacent green space will be made into a small park with a picnic and restroom pavilion and a walking trail. The building was once Cumming City Hall. Built in 1974, the building served that purpose until the current city hall at 100 Main St. was opened in 2002.
CITY OF CUMMING/PROVIDED
The city of Cumming demolished a municipal building on Castleberry Street in early July to create an event parking lot.
Forsyth County passes rollback millage rate for 2027 By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recently approved a rollback millage rate of 7.832 mills, which officials in part credited to careful bond management. The rate is 0.064 mills below the rate of 7.896 mills approved for 2025 and 2026. Approved at an Aug. 6 meeting, the
2027 levy includes 4.727 mills for maintenance and operations, 2.805 mills for the fire district and 0.300 mills for bonds. County school taxes are proposed at a rate of 16.626 mills, the same as approved in 2025 and 2026. One mill brings in $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, which by state law is 40% of a property’s real — or fair market — value. A home worth $100,000 on the market would have a
taxable value of $40,000, and a levy of 1 mill would cost the property owner $40 in taxes. In his millage rate presentation, Chief Financial Officer Brian Clark pointed to the rise of the county’s tax digest in recent years. The county’s taxable property has increased from $15.8 billion in 2022 to $22.4 billion in 2026.
See MILLAGE, Page 28
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2 | August 13, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
POLICE BLOTTER 770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 HANS APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus CONTACT NEWS TIPS Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com. LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance. ADVERTISING For information about advertising in the Forsyth Herald or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278. CIRCULATION To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
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.
Woman arrested on DUI, drug charge during Georgia 400 stop FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 32-yearold College Park woman was charged with driving under the influence and cocaine possession during a July 17 traffic stop. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies stopped the woman’s vehicle at about 1:15 p.m. in a construction zone on northbound Georgia 400 near McGinnis Ferry Road. The woman was allegedly traveling at 71 mph in a 55-mph zone. Deputies conducted a sobriety evaluation after smelling alcohol on her breath, the sheriff’s office said. The woman was arrested on a driving under the influence of alcohol charge. A search of the woman’s vehicle found a purse with a baggie of cocaine inside, deputies said. Deputies also sent for testing a baggie containing a blue crystalline substance that the woman said was candy. The woman was subsequently charged with felony possession of cocaine.
Man charged with felony after deputies allegedly find vape FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 22-yearold Alpharetta man was arrested on a felony drug charge after deputies allegedly found cannabis products in his vehicle July 20. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies stopped the man’s
PUBLIC SAFETY vehicle on Bethelview Road near Castleberry Road just before midnight. Deputies allegedly observed a video playing on a phone mounted on the dashboard. Deputies smelled marijuana while speaking to the man, who was driving, the sheriff’s office said. The man allegedly admitted there was marijuana, a vape and pipe in the vehicle. A search found pipes, grinders, a joint and vape. Possession of a THC concentrate in a vape cartridge can be prosecuted as a felony in Georgia. The man was charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, a felony.
Man allegedly found with methamphetamine in Alpharetta jail ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police allegedly discovered methamphetamine in the sock of an inmate who was being held at the Alpharetta Detention Center July 18. Alpharetta police said a sergeant searched the socks of a 40-year -old Whitnell, Tenn., man while moving him to another unit because of his erratic behavior. The sergeant became suspicious of the socks after noticing they were black. The detention center does not issue black socks to inmates. A search found a clear plastic baggie containing a crystal substance. The man had been at the jail for longer than 24 hours. A field test confirmed the substance contained methamphetamine. Police were unable to determine when the drug entered the jail. The man, who was admitted into the jail on a disorderly conduct charge, was charged with going inside the guard line with drugs and possession of a Schedule II substance. — Jon Wilcox
Alpharetta man threatens to kill Roswell cops during arrest ROSWELL, Ga. — An Alpharetta man allegedly threatened to kill Roswell officers and kicked one in the head multiple times at a bus stop on Holcomb Bridge Road while under arrest for public indecency. The man called police himself before 11:30 p.m. July 29 to report he had fallen. While officers were en route to the site, dispatchers said they observed the individual through a camera at the traffic intersection and reported they saw him exposing himself to drivers while urinating at the bus stop. Responding officers viewed the footage themselves while the man was undergoing a medical evaluation. The man was placed under arrest for public indecency. He allegedly had slurred speech and lacked balance, which prompted the officer to ask the man how many drinks he had consumed. The incident reports said the man began yelling and became unruly while threatening to fight the officers. Officers said they had to physically control the man while he allegedly shouted expletives at them and threatened to kill them. After officers said the man refused verbal demands to get in the patrol car, they went to grab the man to force him into the backseat. According to the responding officers, the man kicked an officer in the head multiple times, causing them to restrain his legs. Officers dragged him into the vehicle and said the man continued kicking the car door. During transport and while at the hospital, the man continued threatening to kill the officers, they said. He was transported to the Fulton County Jail and charged with public indecency, public drunkenness, making terroristic threats and acts, and felony obstruction of officers. — Hannah Yahne
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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | August 13, 2026 | 3
STORE CLOSING Total Liquidation!
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SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30 am - 7 pm | Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm 11266 State Bridge Rd, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 678-404-7555 * All sizes are approximate. | License #15200
COMMUNITY
4 | August 13, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
Volunteer fair planned for Aug. 19 in Forsyth County By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Senior Services will soon host an event to help residents get more involved with their community. Set for 1-3 p.m. Aug. 19, the fourth annual Forsyth County Community Volunteer Fair will be held at Sexton Hall Enrichment Center, 2115 Chloe Road. The free fair is an opportunity for adults of any age to connect with local organizations and learn about ways to boost their community involvement. The event will include more than 15 nonprofit organizations, government offices and service groups that offer a variety of volunteer opportunities in pet care, youth and older adult advocacy, meal assistance and more. Senior Services Director Sharolyn Flemons said the community thrives on volunteers who give their time and energy to support others. “We encourage anyone who has the availability and the willingness to serve to stop by the fair and connect with the organizations that are making a positive impact on the lives of older adults and strengthening the Forsyth County community,” she said. Visit forsythco.com/events/communityvolunteer-fair or call Senior Services at 770781-2178 to learn more.
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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | August 13, 2026 | 5
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Just opened? Appen Media publishes New Business Spotlights to highlight local businesses as they get started. Submit yours for free at appenmedia.com/newbusiness. 6 | Forsyth Herald | August 13, 2026
Famous Dave’s barbecue chain to open Johns Creek location By JOSHUA WILSON joshua@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek will be the site of a new location for a Minnesota-based barbecue chain. Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que will open at 10710 State Bridge Road, Suite 150 — an Alpharetta address within the Johns Creek city limits — in the fall. It is operated by a group called The Georgia Partnership, which includes Dr. Derek S. Scott, operations developer Vetra A. Stephens and growth strategist Lord Bryan DeGraffenreid. The new location will be the “flagship location for long-term growth across Georgia,” according to a press release from the group. Famous Dave’s was founded in 1994 in Hayward, Wisconsin, and now has 111 locations in 30 states as well as a Winnipeg, Canada, branch and three locations in the
United Arab Emirates. The menu offers “the kind of barbecue that tastes as though it has been carefully tended for hours, allowing seasoning, smoke, and time to create unmistakable flavor,” according to the release. Entrees range from St. Louis-style ribs to Texas beef brisket, Georgia chopped pork and country-roasted chicken. Made-from-scratch sides include coleslaw, the restaurant’s own take on beans and fries, and cornbread muffins. The quick-service eatery is also known for its signature barbecue sauces, with flavors ranging from sweet and zesty to bold and spicy. The menu items and flavors, operators said, turn “an ordinary meal into an experience worth remembering.” Visit famousdaves.com for more information.
PHOTO COURTESY FAMOUSDAVES.COM
Famous Dave’s will soon bring its signature barbecue spread to Johns Creek. The Minnesota-based chain is opening a location on State Bridge Road this fall.
COMMUNITY
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | August 13, 2026 | 7
Free prostate screenings offered at Men’s Health Tailgate
RESS NP
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Experience an afternoon of timeless music as talented performers celebrate the unforgettable sounds of the British Invasion! Sing along to classic hits from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and other iconic British artists—all while supporting a great cause. Tickets: $15 (ages 12 & under are free) Concessions will be available for purchase. Pizza is $5 (2 slices) and can be pre-purchased along with your tickets. All proceeds benefit the Music and Mission Ministries at Midway UMC. Bring your friends, enjoy an incredible concert, and help make a difference through music!
For more information and to register scan the QR code.
UB CL
APPE
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Fulton County Commissioner Bob Ellis is asking North Fulton men to prioritize their health by seeking preventative care at a Men’s Health Tailgate on Thursday, Aug. 27. From 9 a.m until 3 p.m. at Fulton County Health & Human Services — North in Alpharetta, men can receive free blood test prostate cancer screenings from the Emory Winship Cancer Institute, connect with doctors, talk to a registered dietitian and learn about mental health services. “Lots of guys won’t see a doctor unless we absolutely must,” Ellis said. “Thanks to our partnership with the Winship Cancer Institute, our Men’s Health Tailgate event will make it free, easy and convenient for men to get a prostate cancer screening. A few minutes can save a life.” Ellis was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and credits early detection with giving him access to doctors and a treatment plan that worked for him. A man in the U.S. learns he has prostate cancer every 90 seconds. In Georgia, an estimated 6,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year, with more than 700 deaths. Screenings and early diagnosis improve a patient’s quality of life and their chances for survival, medical professionals say. Preregistration for the Men’s Health Tailgate is encouraged but not required. To learn more about this free men’s health event or to register, go to MensHealthTailgate.eventbrite.com. The Fulton County Health & Human Services — North facility is located at 4700 North Point Parkway in Alpharetta. — Hannah Yahne
5025 Atlanta Hwy. | Alpharetta, GA 30004 | 770.475.5230 | www.MidwayUMC.org
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NEWS
8 | August 13, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
! T F E L S DAY
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Roaring Social selling $10K martini with diamond necklace of Roaring Social. “This collaboration celebrates the art of indulgence, pairing our signature hospitality with the ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Roaring Social in timeless elegance of Solomon Brothers Alpharetta and Decatur has partnered Jewelers. Whether marking a milestone, with Solomon Brothers Jewelers to create raising a glass for a special occasion, a $10,000 martini experience that pairs or simply embracing an unforgettable a crafted martini topped with a spoonful moment, this is an experience unlike of beluga caviar and a 5-carat diamond anything else in Atlanta.” necklace. The Roaring Jewel Martini is available Guests can now order the Roaring at both the Alpharetta and Decatur Jewel Martini accompanied by the Roaring Social locations. Upon purchase, Roaring Social bottle experience featuring guests receive a certificate of purchase, a custom marquee sign and sparkler a cubic zirconia replica necklace and presentation. The signature martini is pickup instructions. The necklace can made with Beluga Gold Line vodka, a be redeemed at any of Solomon Brothers’ dry vermouth rinse, a float of Billecartthree locations in Sharpsburg, Buckhead Salmon Champagne Le Réserve. or Alpharetta. It’s topped with a spoonfull of “We’re excited to introduce this onepremium beluga caviar. The drink is of-a-kind luxury experience in the city accompanied by a full bottle of Billecart- we proudly call home,” Solmon Brothers Salmon Champagne Le Réserve and a Jewelers President Jaron Solomon said. 5-carat natural diamond tennis necklace “Partnering with Roaring Social felt like in 14K white gold from Solomon Brothers a natural fit, not only because we’re both Jewelers. The necklace is valued at rooted in Atlanta, but because we share $11,700. a passion for creating unforgettable “Roaring Social is built around experiences.” creating extraordinary experiences, and Roaring Social is also launching we wanted to bring our guests something its specialty martini list alongside the truly exceptional,” said Brian Harper, Roaring Jewel Martini, introducing six chief operating officer of Competitive new martinis that put a twist on the Social Ventures, the parent company classic martini or limoncello. By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
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NO REASONABLE OFFERS REFUSED! EVEN SOME UNREASONABLE OFFERS MAY BE TAKEN! Management reserves the right to determine all reasonable offers
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SOLOMON BROTHERS JEWELERS AND ROARING SOCIAL/PROVIDED
The Roaring Jewel Martini, now offered at Roaring Social in Alpharetta and Decatur, is a $10K crafted martini topped with a spoonful of beluga caviar with paired with a 5-carat diamond necklace valued at more than $11,0000 that guests can redeem at a Solomon Brothers location.
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | August 13, 2026 | 9
Vote For Your Favorites for Best of North Atlanta! (Voting Period: July 15 – August 15)
FOOD & BEVERAGE: Best All Around Restaurant Best Asian Food Best Bakery Best BBQ Best Beer (LOCAL) Best Breakfast/Brunch Best Brewery/Brewpub Best Burger Best Cajun/Creole Food Best Coffee Shop (LOCAL) Best Dessert Best Family Dining Best Fine Dining Best German Food Best Happy Hour Best Indian Food Best Italian Food Best Local Flair Restaurant Best Lunch Spot Best Mexican Food Best Patio Dining Best Pizza Best Salad Best Smoothie/Juicery Best Takeout Food MEDICAL: Best ABA Therapist Best Adult Day Care Best Audiologist Best Chiropractor Best Cosmetic Surgery Best Counseling Services Best Dentist Best Dermatologist Best ENT
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Sponsored Section 10 | Forsyth Herald | August 13, 2026
PROVIDED
Stay active with a healthy Achilles Brought to you by – Roshmi Bhattacharya, MD, Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon, Wellstar Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Many of us enjoy staying active through sports such as pickleball, tennis, basketball, soccer, running or weekend workouts. These activities are great for our health, but sudden starts, jumps and changes of direction can place tremendous stress on the Achilles tendon. The Achilles is the strongest tendon in the human body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel. It helps lift the heel and propel the body forward when walking, running or jumping. The Achilles tendon has a high load capacity, sustaining peak forces up to 8-10 times body weight during impact activities. However, the load that the tendon is able to withstand declines with age. When the load consistently exceeds the tendon’s capacity for recovery, recurrent micro-tears occur leading to degeneration of the tendon. This can lead to persistent pain called Achilles tendinitis. In other situations, a sudden push-off or landing can result in feeling a “pop” or a sensation of being kicked in the back of the ankle, typical of a complete Achilles rupture. For both severe tendinitis and rupture, pain and swelling may
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Who is at risk? Anyone can rupture an Achilles, but risk may increase when someone returns too quickly to high-impact activity after a period of reduced exercise. Other risk factors include male DR. BHATTACHARYA gender, age 30-40 years, high-impact activity, previous Achilles pain, diabetes, obesity, inflammatory diseases, and smoking Certain medications also can affect tendon health. These include corticosteroids and fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin. If new tendon pain or swelling develops while taking one of these antibiotics, stop exercising and contact the prescribing clinician immediately.
• Warm up before activity. • Maintain calf flexibility and strength. • Wear supportive, activity-appropriate shoes. • Include recovery days rather than performing highimpact exercise every day. • Avoid smoking and address persistent Achilles pain before returning to explosive activity. Treatment does not automatically mean surgery. Both surgical and nonsurgical care can be effective. The best approach depends on the type of tear and the patient’s health and activity goals. Treatment typically includes early protection in a splint followed by structured rehabilitation. With or without surgery, recovery can take several months, and returning too quickly can place the healing tendon at risk. The key message is to listen to warning signs. Gradual training, appropriate conditioning and early evaluation of Achilles pain can help keep you safely active.
Can an Achilles rupture be prevented? Not every rupture is preventable, but several habits may reduce your risk: • Increase running, jumping and court sports gradually, especially after time away.
Roshmi Bhattacharya, MD is an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon with Wellstar Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. She has offices in Marietta and Alpharetta. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call (470)-95-ORTHO (956-7846) or go to www.wellstar.org/ortho.
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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | August 13, 2026 | 11
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12 | August 13, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
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Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology Medical science can sometimes help us step back in time and understand the past as though centuries no longer separate us. Homer's The Odyssey has received renewed attention through Christopher Nolan's recent film adaptation, providing an opportunity to revisit medicine in Homer's world. By understanding the effects of two plants— nightshade and snowdrops—modern pharmacology sheds light on one of the epic's most perplexing episodes: the transformation of Odysseus's men into swine. Christopher Nolan's adaptation includes the startling scene in which the sorceress Circe turns Odysseus's men into pigs. In Homer's original epic, Circe poisons the soldiers' drink. The god Hermes gives Odysseus an antidote in the form of a plant called Moly, described as having a black root and a white flower. Odysseus consumes the herb, drinks Circe's poisoned brew without harm, then confronts Circe and rescues his men. To modern audiences, Circe's potion seems fantastical. But to ancient listeners familiar with local plants and traditional healing, it may have suggested something far more recognizable. One influential interpretation proposes that Circe's potion was inspired by poisonous plants of the nightshade family, which profoundly affect the nervous system. Normally, the body shifts between "rest and digest" and "fight or flight" through the action of acetylcholine. Nightshade blocks acetylcholine, pushing the nervous system toward "fight or flight." In larger doses, the consequences become severe. Poisoning by nightshade produces the classic symptoms: "blind as a bat, mad as a hatter, red as a beet, hot as a hare, dry as a bone." Victims may suffer blurred vision, impaired sweating, confusion, hallucinations, and delusions. Nightshade is among history's most famous poisons, appearing in Homer, Shakespeare, and countless ancient texts. Homer's audience would likely have recognized its effects. Nightshade could leave Odysseus's men as helpless as pigs—or even convince them they were pigs. Medical historians have suggested that Moly may have been the snowdrop (Galanthus), which has a white flower, dark roots when freshly dug up, and which contains galantamine, a compound that increases acetylcholine activity and largely counteracts the effects
PROVIDED
of nightshade. But snowdrops are not harmless. In excessive doses, they can slow the heart, weaken breathing, lower blood pressure, and become poisonous themselves. Only a master herbalist or a hero with Hermes as his guide could have chosen the proper balance. For ancient audiences, the story likely gained another layer of suspense now largely lost on us. They may have recognized that Moly itself was dangerous. Once Odysseus swallowed it, the clock began ticking. Odysseus had to drink Circe’s nightshade before the snowdrop killed him. The antidote became the poison, and the poison became the antidote. When Odysseus consumed Moly, ancient listeners may have experienced the same suspense we feel watching heroes race to obtain an antidote in modern films. When Odysseus swallowed one poison in preparation for another, ancient listeners, too, were likely on the edge of their seats. Almost any substance can be a medicine at one dose and a poison at another. That paradox—and the knowledge that Hermes' "gift" was both antidote and toxin—deepens our understanding of the peril Odysseus faced. Between Circe and Hermes, nightshade and snowdrops, he navigates a medicinal Scylla and Charybdis in which each plant is both poison and cure. A knowledge of ancient herbal medicine and modern pharmacology makes sense of a scene of soldiers turned into pigs and helps us appreciate a moment of tremendous danger and suspense for our great ancient hero Odysseus.
HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | August 13, 2026 | 13
Personalized Home Care – Going Above & Beyond
PROVIDED
Empowering independence through in-home senior care Brought to you by – Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs This is National Wellness Month, a time to encourage all of us to focus on important aspects of wellbeing - from stress management and the creation of wholesome habits to self-care. For older adults, wellness is the framework to maintain independence, dignity and their best quality of life. While aging presents natural physical and cognitive changes, professional inhome care acts as a powerful catalyst for senior wellness within the comfort of home. By focusing on preventive health, regular physical movement, mental stimulation and emotional fulfillment, wellness can become not just a theme but an everyday reality. This is also the perfect opportunity to reassess the care needs of aging loved ones. The beauty of professional in-home care lies in its adaptive nature. As personal care needs advance, it’s built to evolve. From basic, occasional assistance to comprehensive support, it matches the aging journey of your loved one while avoiding the “transfer trauma” and anxiety and confusion often caused by having to leave the home they love. Here are just some of the ways a Home Helpers heart-centered, skilled caregiver can help. Proper nutrition and hydration are the foundation of healthy aging, but due to fatigue, mobility issues, or cognitive decline it’s often a struggle. Caregivers can assist with healthy meal preparation and watch fluid intake to prevent dehydration. This is a leading cause of UTI’s (urinary tract infections) and confusion. Regular movement preserves flexibility,
muscle mass and bone density but fear of falling often keeps an older loved one sedentary. A caregiver can provide support with neighborhood walks, following prescribed stretching routines or encourage physical therapy exercises critical to maintain mobility and vitality. As physical limitations increase, help with Activities of Daily Living such as bathing, dressing, grooming and fall prevention are important to reduce injury risks. Medication reminders can help ensure that they’re taken at the right intervals as prescribed. Light housekeeping and assistance with daily chores help keep a clean and clutterfree home. Social isolation and loneliness are major contributors to depression and rapid physical decline. A well-matched caregiver offers genuine companionship, aids family communication, and provides a link to their community and friends or help with transportation to events or appointments. Your personalized Home Helpers care plan can adapt to health shifts and safely speed up recovery from surgery, assist after a return home from a rehabilitation stay or a stroke. We can also provide the specialized care needed for a loved one with the advanced care needs of Alzheimer’s, Dementia or Parkinson’s. As an added support system for families, we have now added Nursing services. From four hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 care, we’re here to help. We can also provide live-in care alternatives that may be a more economical choice. For a free consultation please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta at (770) 681-0323.
2021-2026 WINNER
2017-2025 WINNER
Best Of Perimeter
Best Of North Atlanta
Dunwoody • Sandy Springs Brookhaven
Presented By
Presented By
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.
Serving Communities North of Atlanta www.HomeHelpersHomeCare.com/Alpharetta
For a free consultation, please call 770-681-0323
Greg and Hilary Eldridge,
Owners – Home Helpers of Alpharetta Certified Senior Advisors(CSA)® Each office is independently owned and operated.
14 | August 13, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section
Overwhelmed with the care for a senior pet? Katie is here to help Brought to you by – Wilson Legal At Wilson Legal, we like to connect our clients with other professionals who can help them. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Katie Wagner, an End-of-Life Doula for Pets. Katie is a certified death doula for those who own senior pets. What is a death doula for pets? Katie is the person who can help when owning a senior pet can feel like it’s “too much” - going potty in the house, medication management, and sleep issues by finding ways to make life work. Often senior pets are dropped off at shelters by overwhelmed owners who do not get enough support from their busy veterinarians. Katie wants to be the bridge between the vet and the owner and dig into the real day-to-day problems and helping owners hash out a plan that works and avoids aging in a shelter or being euthanized prematurely. Find Katie at her website ourlastchapter.com. Tell her Michelle Wilson sent you. And if you haven’t put your plans for your pets into your will or trust and you want to include a plan for your pets, call us at (770) 205-7861.
ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOPS WITH ATTORNEY MICHELLE WILSON
Evening Events at UNG Cumming AUG 20
Advance Healthcare Directive Agent Essentials – The Doctor Is Asking. ARE YOU READY?
SEPT 10
Power Of Attorney Agent Essentials – You Have The Authority. NOW WHAT?
OCT 15
Estate Planning Essenetials – Control Isn’t Something You Give Up With An Estate Plan. IT’S WHAT YOU GET.
NOV 19
Trustee Essentials 101 – Uninformed Trustees Don’t Just Struggle. THEY GET SUED.
Registration: wilson-legal.com/events Register: wilson-legal.com/events I (770) 205-7861
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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | August 13, 2026 | 15
August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication
2026 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
16 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
2026
FO OT B AL L S C H ED UL ES
High school football around the region kicks off in earnest this month, renewing a fall tradition that has bred heart-stopping action and long-standing rivalries. Enjoy this special section from North Atlanta Now powered by Appen Media, bringing you a list of games to watch this season. Support the work of your local community newsroom today at appenmedia.com/join.
On the cover
► EAST FORSYTH 8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Cherokee Bluff
8/28
7:30 PM
@Dawson County
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Pope
9/11
7:30 PM
@Pickens
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Lumpkin County
10/2
7:30 PM
@Madison County
10/9
7:30 PM
@Jefferson
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. North Oconee
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Flowery Branch
11/6
7:30 PM
@Winder-Barrow
► DENMARK 8/21
7:30 PM
vs Sequoyah
The photos featured in the cover collage are credited to:
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Alpharetta
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Campbell
• ANNABELLE REITER • WMSPORTOGRAPHY • JSM PRODUCTIONS • KEN LANGLEY
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Cambridge
9/18
7:30 PM
@ Peachtree Ridge
9/24
7:30 PM
vs. Forsyth Central
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. South Forsyth
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Lambert
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. North Forsyth
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. West Forsyth
► LAMBERT 8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Peachtree Ridge
8/28
7:30 PM
@Sequoyah
9/4
7:30 PM
@Tift County
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Blessed Trinity
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Lanier
9/24
7:30 PM
vs. South Forsyth
10/9
7:30 PM
@West Forsyth
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Denmark
10/30
7:30 PM
@Forsyth Central
11/6
7:30 PM
@ North Forsyth
► JOHNS CREEK
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
8/21
7:30 PM
@ Northview
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Centennial
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Mountain View
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Chattahoochee
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Milton
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Gainesville
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Roswell
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Lanier
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Alpharetta
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Riverwood
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
AppenMedia.com | August 13, 2026 | 17
FAMOUS FOOTBALL QUOTES “WINNING ISN’T EVERYTHING. IT’S THE ONLY THING, THAT AND EATING A DELICIOUS CHOPPED PORK SANDWICH AND FRIES AT ‘CUE” VINCE LOMBARDI “A CHAMPION IS SIMPLY SOMEONE WHO DID NOT GIVE UP WHEN THEY WANTED TO… LIKE WHEN YOU GET A FULL RACK FROM ‘CUE, YOU GOTTA FINISH THE WHOLE THING” TOM LANDRY “SUCCESS IS NOT FOREVER, AND FAILURE ISN’T FATAL… UNLESS YOU FORGOT TO EAT, AND ‘CUE HAS YOU COVERED THERE SO GO TO ‘CUE RIGHT NOW!” JOE NAMATH
…OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT! WE MAY NOT GET THE QUOTES EXACTLY RIGHT BUT WE DO PRETTY GOOD WITH THE ‘CUE!
COME SEE US BEFORE THE GAMES!!
Homemade everything y’all! WINNER 2014
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2015
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2016
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
MILTON
WINNER 2017
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2018
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2019
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2020
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
CUMMING cuebarbecue.com
WINNER 2021
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2022
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2023
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2024
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2025
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
PEACHTREE CORNERS
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
18 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
► CENTENNIAL
Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery • Medical Dermatology Vein Care • Cosmetic Services
A team above all. Above all, a team.
8/20
4:30 PM
vs. Dunwoody
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Johns Creek
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Alpharetta
9/11
7:30 PM
@ South Forsyth
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Cambridge
10/2
7:30 PM
@ Blessed Trinity
10/9
7:30 PM
@ St. Pius X
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. Sprayberry
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Marist
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Chattahoochee
► ALPHARETTA
Insist on the BEST Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care. He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
Dr. Brent Taylor
2019
WINNER
Presented By
2021
Presented By
Presented By
vs. Denmark
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Centennial
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Duluth
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Gainesville
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Riverwood
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Roswell
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Milton
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Johns Creek
11/06
7:30 PM
vs. Lanier
8/21
8:00 PM
vs. Houston County
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Norcross
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Lanier
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Cartersville
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Parkview
9/24
7:30 PM
@ North Forysth
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Lambert
10/15
7:30 PM
vs. Forsyth Central
10/30
7:30 PM
@ South Forsyth
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Denmark
WINNER
► PINECREST
2023
Presented By
Presented By
@ Kennesaw Mountain
7:30 PM
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
2025 Best Of WINNER Best Of WINNER Best Of WINNER Best OfWINNER Best Of North 2018 North 2020 North 2022 North 2024 North Atlanta Best Of Atlanta Best Of Atlanta Best Of AtlantaBest OfAtlanta North North North North Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta 2017
7:30 PM
8/28
► WEST FORSYTH
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 23 years experience as a Dermatology PA. We are excited to welcome her, as she brings with her experience in general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology. Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
8/21
Presented By
Presented By
Presented By
Presented By
Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare. Schedule your appointment with Premier Dermatology today. 3180 North Point Parkway, Suite 420 • Alpharetta, GA 30005 PremierDermatologyAtlanta.com • 678-345-1899
8/14
7:30 PM
@ Cherokee Christian
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Central Christian
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Harvester Christian
9/11
7:30 PM
@ St. Francis
9/18
7:30 PM
@ Msgr. Donovan Catholic
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Covenant Christian
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Unity Christian
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Horizon Christian Academy
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Johnson Ferry
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
AppenMedia.com | August 13, 2026 | 19
Don’t let an injury put you on the sideline. Our UrgentORTHO clinics allow you to avoid the E.R. and get seen by a specialist on the same day, in the evening, or even on Saturdays. The field is waiting – it’s time to
Get Better.
2023
2024
2025
833-3URGENT peachtreeorthopedics.com 404-355-0743
20 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Metro Atlanta high schools preview 2026 football season By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
UGA over the summer ahead of his senior year. He is ranked No. 33 in Georgia’s senior class by On3 and No. 50 by 247 Sports. Coach Thompson flagged junior tight end Sean Smith as one on breakout watch.
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Teams in the north Atlanta metro are historically known to play high-level football, but don’t think current coaches or players are resting on the laurels of their reputations. They’re hungry and looking for success this season. The Fulton County School System hosted a media day for their football teams at the College Football Hall of Fame on July 24. Sixteen public schools gave a briefing on their teams and their gridiron hopes and dreams. Director of Athletics Lamarr Glenn, school board Vice President Kristin McCabe, and Superintendent Mike Looney spoke, followed by a keynote speech by Fulton County Schools graduate and former NFL defensive tackle Andre Fluellen. Each team’s head coach then had the opportunity to take the podium to provide an update on how their offseason has progressed and what to expect from them this year. Alpharetta Alpharetta’s Danny Carlisle was the first program lead to take the stage. Carlisle has faced a rocky first few months with the Raiders. Alpharetta High has been undergoing construction all summer, forcing the team to complete all their workouts while exposed to the elements. The coach said it takes the team an hour and a half to set up equipment and take it down after practice, but the players have accepted the challenge as an opportunity for the development they wished for. Nick DePietro, the 2024 Region 7-5A second-team running back, rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore at Johns Creek before transferring to Alpharetta last year and playing on the junior varsity squad to comply with GHSA transfer guidelines. Carlisle told media day attendees he expects DePietro to be the team’s “workhorse.” “I’m excited to see us come together,” DiPietro said. “We’re all confident in our coaching staff and to see how far we can go.” Carlisle also brought junior lineman Calvin Landy Jr. to media day. He has been pulling in numerous Power 4 offers this year. Landy told Appen Media his top schools are Georgia, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech and North Carolina. He said he wants scouts to know he is “very coachable and very versatile” and able to play “all five” spots on the line.
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Roswell Centennial Head Coach Adam Miller is the first coach of the last six to make it to their fourth season with the school. The school launched its own feeder football program for kindergarten and up this season. “We’re excited to get rolling,” Miller said. Players said they are most excited for the matchup with Cambridge this year. Miller said the Sept. 18 contest will be one that speaks volumes about his team’s capabilities. Senior Atticus Cordes, who also plays lacrosse, said the team is more bought in than ever before. The shuffling of regions this year has brought Marist, St. Pius X, Sprayberry and Chattahoochee into Centennial’s group that retained Blessed Trinity and Cambridge but parted from Westminster and Kell. Coach Jonathan Thompson at Roswell High is beginning his second year at the helm. After forging Lee County into a record-breaking offense as the coordinator until 2024, the Hornets put up over 43 points per game last season during their semifinal playoff run. Had they won in the Final Four, they
would have faced a familiar foe, Gainesville, in the title game, whom they had beaten 37-35 earlier in the season. The Hornets will face off against Walton in Week 1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s 30-28 Roswell win. The Hornets will scrimmage against Cambridge Aug. 6 to prepare for the Corky Kell. Thompson played golf with his running backs coach and Bears program head, Tyler Jones, and his offensive coordinator ahead of the match several weeks ago. Roswell’s biggest wins last season came in close games, and one of the questions facing the team is whether they can widen the gap this year. New additions that may hold promise for accomplishing that include former Alpharetta quarterback Matthew Schletty to replace current Furman freshman Trey Smith, another former Raider; three-star edge Jaxon Holly; and Peachtree Ridge transfer Elijah Thompson. The Hornets have several returning players on both sides of the ball ready to step up into new roles. Senior Dre Cousey recorded over 1,100 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns last season. Offensive lineman Miller Westerfield committed to
Milton Milton Head Coach Ben Reaves used his opening moments at the podium to give flowers to the entire county. His Eagles may have made up two of the last four, but it takes going back 12 more years to find another four champions like the ones from Fulton in the last four seasons. Milton kicks off the season with a scrimmage against Grayson before the opener against North Cobb. The Eagles will go on another outof-state trip Sept. 11 to face off against Battle Ground Academy of Franklin, Tennessee. Reaves brought four seniors to media day, biting at the chance to leave a legacy. Aside from quarterback Derrick Baker, who transferred from Florida last season, the other three players have championship-level experience from the Eagles’ back-to-back state titles. They all have committed to SEC, ACC and Big 10 programs and are ranked in 247 Sports’ Top 200 players in Georgia’s senior class. Baker sat out for nearly the entire season last year after injuring his wrist in the season opener against Buford. The Tennessee commit told Appen Media he is ready to get back on the field with his brothers. He said the team had a workout several weeks ago put on by an Army representative. Baker said team bonding exercises like that have strengthened the team on and off the field. Milton’s QB1 concluded his OT7 career earlier this year. He etched his name in the California seven-on-seven league’s records book with 105 passing touchdowns and bested the passing yards record. Baker participated with Cam Newton’s team and said Newton has become an irreplaceable mentor. Reaves described the Eagles’ 8-4 season and second-round finish last year as “a good cleanse” and said it was exactly what the team needed to catapult them back to state championship heights, even if it didn’t measure up to the program’s standards. One big difference from last year will be the usage rate of four-star tight end Grant Haviland. The Vanderbilt commit took on a different role last year, but with some new additions to the offensive line, Haviland will have more opportunity to score this season, according to Reaves and Baker.
See FOOTBALL, Page 26
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
AppenMedia.com | August 13, 2026 | 21
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
22 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
► NORTH ATLANTA
► MILTON 8/21
7:30 PM
vs. North Cobb
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Blessed Trinity
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Cambridge
9/11
7:00 PM
@ Battle Ground Academy
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Johns Creek
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Lanier
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Alpharetta
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Gainesville
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Riverwood
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Roswell
► CAMBRIDGE
8/13 8/21 8/27 9/4 9/11 9/18 10/2 10/9 10/23 10/30 11/6
7:00 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM
vs. Westlake @ Langston Hughes @ Midtown @ Jackson vs. Norcross @ McEachern vs. Harrison @ Kennesaw Mountain @ Hillgrove vs. Campbell vs. Pebblebrook
► MARIST
8/13
5:30 PM
vs. Brookwood
8/21
7:30 PM
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Woodstock
8/28
7:00 PM
vs. Druid Hills
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Milton
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Brookwood
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Denmark
9/18
7:30 PM
@ Campbell
9/18
7:30 PM
@ Centennial
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Blessed Trinity
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Sprayberry
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Cambridge
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Marist
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Sprayberry
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Chattahoocheel
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Chattahoochee
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. St. Pius X
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Centennial
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Blessed Trinity
11/6
7:30 PM
@ St. Pius X
@ Woodward Academy
► BLESSED TRINITY
► ST. FRANCIS 8/14
7:30 PM
vs. Covenant Christian
8/21
7:30 PM
@ N. Ga Homeschool Tribe
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Fideles
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Pinecrest Academy
9/18
7:30 PM
@ New Creations
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Lafayette Christian
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Johnson Ferry
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. Unity Christian
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Horizon Christian
► JOHNSON FERRY CHRISTIAN 8/21
7:30 PM
@Skipstone Academy
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Georgia Force Christian
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Msgr. Donovan Catholic
9/18
7:30 PM
@Lanier Christian Academy
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. N. Ga Homeschool Tribe
8/20
7:30 PM
vs. Decatur
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Milton
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Hebron Christian
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Lambert
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Marist
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Centennial
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Sprayberry
10/16
7:30 PM
@ St. Pius X
10/31
7:30 PM
vs. Chattahoochee
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Cambridge
► MT. BETHEL 8/15 8/29 9/4 9/11 9/18 10/2 10/10 10/16 10/23 10/31 11/6
7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 4:15 PM 4:15 PM 4:15 PM 2:00 PM 7:00 PM 3:45 PM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM
@ Varsity Opponent @ Copper Basin @ UAA vs. Towers @ Mount Vernon vs. Walker vs. SFA @ Mount Paran Christian vs. Mount Pisgah Christian vs. King’s Ridge @ Fellowship Christian
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
► WESLEYAN
► KING’S RIDGE 8/14 8/21 8/28 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/23 10/31 11/6
7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 1:00 PM 3:00 PM
AppenMedia.com | August 13, 2026 | 23
vs. Haralson County @ Westover vs. Westminster vs. Lakeview Academy @ Northview vs. Mount Vernon vs. Mount Paran Christian @ Mount Pisgah Christian @ Fellowship Christian @ MBCA vs. Walker
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Whitefield Academy
8/28
7:30 PM
@Elbert County
9/11
7:30 PM
@North Cobb Christian
9/18
7:30 PM
@Lovett
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Gilmer
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Haralson County
10/9
4:00 PM
@Holy Innocents
10/23
7:30 PM
@Therrell
10/31
4:00 PM
@KIPP Atlanta Collegiate
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Temple
► FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN
► ST. PIUS X
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Trinity Christian
8/21
7:30 AM
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Lovett
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. McNair
7:30 PM
@ Calvary Day
vs. Dacula
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Savannah Christian
9/4
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Prince Avenue Christian
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Winder-Barrow
7:30 PM
@ Chattahoochee
10/2
3:45 PM
@ Mount Vernon
10/2
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Mount Paran Christian
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Centennial
7:30 PM
vs. Blessed Trinity
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Mount Pisgah Christian
10/16
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. King’s Ridge
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Cambridge
7:30 PM
@ Sprayberry
7:30 PM
vs. Marist
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Walker
10/30
11/6
7:000 PM
vs. MBCA
11/6
► HOLY INNOCENTS
► NORTH SPRINGS
8/21
7:30 PM
@ Pace Academy
8/21
7:30 PM
@ Riverwood
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Athens Academy
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Creekview
9/4
4:30 PM
vs. Mount Vernon
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Woodland
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Haralson County
9/11
7:00 PM
vs. Kennesaw Mountain
9/18
8:00 PM
@ Therrell
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Westminster
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Temple
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Pace Academy
10/2
6:30 PM
vs. Lovett
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Salem
10/9
4:00 PM
vs. Wesleyan
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Greater Atlanta Christian
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. KIPP Atlanta Collegiate
10/30
7:00 PM
@ Stephenson
11/6
7:30 PM
@ North Cobb Christian
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Douglass
► WOODWARD ACADEMY
► NORTH FORSYTH 8/21
7:30 PM
@Jackson County
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Marist
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Archer
8/28
7:30 PM
@Chapel Hill
7:30 PM
@Tri-Cities
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Dacula
9/11
9/11
7:30 PM
@Campbell
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. McIntosh
7:30 PM
@Northside
9/18
7:30 PM
@Norcross
9/25
9/24
7:30 PM
vs. West Forsyth
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Newnan
7:30 PM
@Langston Hughes
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Forsyth Central
10/16
10/16
7:30 PM
@South Forsyth
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. Morrow
7:30 PM
vs. Lovejoy
7:30 PM
@Creekside
10/30
7:30 PM
@Denmark
10/30
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Lambert
11/6
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
24 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
► FORSYTH CENTRAL
► RIVERWOOD
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Creekview
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. North Springs
8/28
7:30 PM
@Pope
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Dunwoody
9/4
7:30 PM
@Chattahoochee
9/10
7:30 PM
vs. Pebblebrook
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Veterans
9/18
7:30 PM
@ Westminster
9/18
7:30 PM
@Cherokee Bluff
10/2
7:30 PM
@ Alpharetta
9/24
7:30 PM
vs. Denmark
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Lanier
10/9
7:30 PM
@North Forsyth
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Gainesville
10/15
7:30 PM
@West Forsyth
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Roswell
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Lambert
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Milton
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. South Forsyth
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Johns Creek
► SOUTH FORSYTH
► CHATTAHOOCHEE
8/21
7:00 PM
@Duluth
8/21
7:30 PM
@ West Hall
8/28
7:30 PM
@Cherokee
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Forsyth Central
9/4
7:30 PM
@Allatoona
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Johns Creek
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Centennial
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Sprayberry
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Starr’s Mill
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. St. Pius X
9/24
7:30 PM
@Lambert
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Northview
10/9
7:30 PM
@Denmark
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Cambridge
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. North Forsyth
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. Marist
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. West Forsyth
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Blessed Trinity
11/6
7:30 PM
@Forsyth Central
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Centennial
► ROSWELL
► DULUTH
8/13
8:00 PM
vs. Walton
8/21
7:00 PM
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Newton
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Lanier
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Etowah
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Alpharetta
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Archer
9/18
7:00 PM
@ Brookwood
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Lanier
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Parkview
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Gainesville
10/2
7:00 PM
vs. North Gwinnett
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Alpharetta
10/9
7:00 PM
@ Hebron Christian
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Johns Creek
10/23
7:00 PM
vs. Berkmar
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. Riverwood
10/30
7:00 PM
@ Peachtree Ridge
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Milton
11/6
7:00 PM
vs. Norcross
vs. South Forsyth
► DRUID HILLS
► NORTHVIEW 8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Johns Creek
8/20
6:00 PM
vs. Clarkston
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Drew
8/28
7:00 PM
@ Marist
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Berkmar
9/4
7:00 PM
@ Landmark Christian
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. King’s Ridge
9/10
6:00 PM
@ Redan
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Trion
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Tucker
10/1
6:30 PM
@ Towers
10/2
7:00 PM
vs. Southwest DeKalb
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Chattahoochee
10/9
7:00 PM
vs. Lithonia
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Clarkston
10/15
6:00 PM
vs. Banneker
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Johnson
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Mays
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Banks County
11/6
5:30 PM
@ Jackson
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
► HORIZON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 8/21
5:00 PM
8/28
TBA
vs. Lanier Christian Academy @ Holy Spirit Prep
9/4
TBA
@ Unity Christian
9/18
TBA
@ CCA
9/25
5:00 PM
vs. Fideles Christian
10/9
5:00 PM
vs. Hearts Academy
10/16 TBA
@ Pinecrest Adacemy
10/30 5:00 PM
vs. St. Francis
► FIDELES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 8/14
7:30 PM
vs. HCA
8/28
TBA
@ St. Francis
9/3
TBA
vs. North Georgia Home School
9/11
TBA
@ Hearts Academy
9/18
TBA
vs. Unity Christian
9/25
5:00 PM
@ Horizon Christian
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Lanier Christian
10/16 7:30 PM
@ Young Americans Christian
10/23 TBA
vs. CCA
10/30 TBA
@ Pinecrest
► MOUNT VERNON 8/21
4:30 PM
vs. McNair
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Whitefield Academy
9/4
4:30 PM
@ Holy Innocents Episcopal
9/11
7:30 PM
@ St. Anne-Pacelli
9/18
4:15 PM
vs. MBCA
9/25
7:30 PM
@ King’s Ridge
10/2
3:45 PM
vs. Fellowship Christian
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Walker
10/30
3:45 PM
vs. Mount Paran Christian
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Mount Pisgah Christian
► MOUNT PISGAH 8/21
7:30 PM
@ Lake Oconee Academy
8/28
7:30 PM
@ CCA
9/11
7:30 PM
@ PCA
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Mount Paran Christian
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Walker
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. King’s Ridge
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Fellowship Christian
10/23
3:45 PM
@ MBCA
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Towers
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Mount Vernon
AppenMedia.com | August 13, 2026 | 25
PREVIEWS FROM OTHER METRO AREAS Forsyth County West Forsyth High will represent Forsyth Co. in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. The Wolverines will face off against Houston County in the last game of the tournament’s final day, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. With the new shuffling of regions, all of the Forsyth teams, except East, are grouped together in Region 6-7A. East Forsyth is not slated to play any area teams in the regular season this year. The six teams in Region 6-7A will all play one another, so there’s no need to publish rankings. The region standings will speak for themselves. The toughest non-conference schedules belong to West and Lambert.
Dunwoody After suffering a loss to Class 5A runners-up Gainesville in the first round last season, Dunwoody is ready to rebound. Players’ Instagram bios indicate the team is out to avenge last year’s 5-6 record. They held a spring scrimmage May 14 against North Atlanta and have a fall scrimmage slated for Aug. 13 against Wesleyan. The Wildcats will open their season Aug. 20 at the Corky Kell Classic at Blessed Trinity High School against Centennial. Dunwoody is playing in their second straight Corky Kell after losing to St. Pius X 15-12 last year at Mercedes-Benz.Head Coach Matt Schmitz said he knows Centennial is well-coached after pulling off one of the biggest playoff upsets in the state last year. “We know we’re gonna have to be ready,” Schmitz said at Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic media day. At Score Atlanta’s media day ahead of the memorial tournament, players said they have immense pride in wearing their hometown across their chest. One of Dunwoody’s most highly anticipated games is their matchup with rival Chamblee. Only a few miles apart, these schools always bring their best game against each other no matter what sport. The Wildcats hope to extend their winning streak to four games after besting the Bulldogs the last three seasons. The series has gone back and forth, with Chamblee taking three straight before the Wildcats took over. Dunwoody won six straight in the 2010s and is looking to extend the
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Dunwoody quarterback Jack Quartararo hands off to running back Cameron Irastorza at Decatur High School Sept. 26, 2025. winning streak back to that point. Quarterback Jack Quartararo is one of several major returners for the Wildcats. Offensive lineman Grant Pearch has pulled in offers from Penn, Cornell, Air Force, Georgia State and Middle Tennessee, among others.
Decatur Head Coach William Felton is preparing his Bulldogs to make their first-ever appearance in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. They will play against Blessed Trinity at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 20 to open their season. Felton took over in 2020 and is looking to improve on the Bulldogs’ 4-6 finish last year. To prepare for the Corky Kell, Decatur will scrimmage against Miller Grove on Aug. 14. He said the matchup is a major opportunity and platform for his team and players. He said it’s imperative for them to “demonstrate that they belong.” Felton brought six seniors with him to the Score Atlanta media day and they all said they were excited to get on the field with their brothers and make the most of their final year as a Bulldog. Several said they are eager to make a playoff appearance. In 2024, Decatur went 9-2, but Felton has been recently scheduling teams that will challenge his players. He said that although they may not be guaranteed to win against elite teams, he’s satisfied with what the team will get from the hours they put in. “At the end of the day, hard work and dedication don’t guarantee you a W,” Felton said. “But it does guarantee you an opportunity to compete for [it].”
26 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Football:
Hamilton is a former offensive lineman for Grayson High and West Georgia. At Fulton County media day, he brought four seniors, including a center and a guard. His team is ready to redefine what it means to be a Chattahoochee Cougar. The coaching staff said the difference from last year is “night and day,” especially in the weight room. Many of the coaches are alumni of the school. Several transfers joined the team for the first time in several years this season, and the Cougars are looking to capitalize.
Continued from Page 20 Milton is returning 15 of 22 starters from last year, including junior cornerback Keelan Wonsley, who is shaping up to potentially be the third Eagle recruited by the Volunteers’ DB staff. He has already received an offer to join Milton alumni Dylan Lewis and Ty Redmond, who are entering their sophomore years at Tennessee. Redmond has been tabbed as one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC in one of the best defensive back cores in college football. Cambridge Head Coach Tyler Jones said his team is ready to compete at a high level despite being the newest school in Fulton County. This year’s team is young, too, but the senior captains Jones brought to media day are leading by example. They said they are prepared to show up big at Mercedes-Benz in their Week 1 matchup with Brookwood at the Corky Kell Classic. Star receiver Craig Dandridge is the latest Bear wideout to go on to suit up for UGA after graduating last year, leaving running back Brooks Malone to carry the offense. Malone rushed for 15 touchdowns and over 1,150 yards in his junior season and said he is ready to leave his mark this year. Cambridge’s defensive line is anchored this year by senior Luke Huffman and the son of a former Falcon, Kroy (K.J.) Biermann Jr. Biermann made the allregion second team as a freshman last year and hopes to see his younger brother Kash return from injury for his freshman year. K.J. told Appen Media at practice his dad didn’t let him or his brothers play football until seventh grade. Before middle school, it was only wrestling, baseball and basketball. Kane Biermann began his football career this season for the junior Bears, playing offensive guard and defensive tackle, per K.J. K.J. said even with an NFL veteran dad, there’s no pressure on his shoulders. His motivation comes from a drive to “be better than” his dad. When the brothers began to display their athletic awards on the wall next to their father’s, it only intensified their desire to be the best athletes in the family. “Get ready to see a lot of sacks and great defense and a great offense this year,” K.J. said. Johns Creek Northview Head Coach Mario Drayton told Appen Media he is prepared to launch a campaign to revitalize the energy around football in Johns Creek. He said that starts with creating a rivalry between his Titans, the Chattahoochee Cougars and the Johns Creek
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Alpharetta quarterback Matthew Schletty rushes for a first down, narrowly escaping several tackles at North Forsyth High School Oct. 24, 2025. Gladiators. Drayton said he felt the game against North Springs last year had an encouraging impact on the team, showing them what they are capable of and who they are striving to be as a team. He brought his four team captains to the Hall and told Appen Media that all the work the team put in last year is propelling them into this season. “The kids have been working extremely hard,” Drayton said. “That last game, through adversity and what happened to our quarterback, we got to stretch it out and that really galvanized us and really got us to where we are right now.” Drayton said the team has grown immensely and became a family. The Titans’ first game of the season is Aug. 21 at home against Johns Creek. Drayton said he plans to schedule the Gladiators every year to maintain a new cross-town rivalry. Johns Creek Head Coach Jason Tester took over this year after the departure of Jim Rowell prior to the Gladiators’ last game of the season in 2025. “Everything is about building … getting closer as a group and these guys seeing the fruits of their labor,” Tester told Appen Media. Tester said last year’s young team
has progressed leaps and bounds this offseason. He highlighted two players in the spring game. Two-way playmaker Elijah Antoine had several tackles for loss and receiver/defensive back Ben Feigin notched a receiving touchdown. Junior Jake Blackwell is entering his third year starting at quarterback for the Gladiators. Tester said he is one of the team’s major leaders. Chattahoochee High’s recently promoted Head Coach Austin Hamilton has brought a renewed energy to the team after moving into his new role from co-offensive coordinator last year. He said his former post as the junior varsity head coach also helped him adjust to the new position. The Cougars hosted their own media day July 18, where they not only took team photos but also held a mock postgame press conference. Players received media training earlier in the week to prepare for how to approach questions. Hamilton said the team has already begun to see the fruits of their labor this offseason from padded camps, but he knows the reality of the situation as a new head coach. Much is up in the air and can only be settled on the field. “It’s all fun and games, but we got to put a good product on Friday nights,” Hamilton said.
Sandy Springs Riverwood Head Coach Josh Coffey joined the program in January, coming from Denmark High, where he served as the offensive coordinator. He held the same position at Union Grove and Lamar County and also made stops at Chattahoochee and Spalding. Coffey said the offseason has been coming along well. He brought quarterback and defensive end Jake Kaplan, along with two other seniors and one sophomore who is returning to the varsity squad after making the team as a freshman. Kaplan agreed with Coffey’s assessments of how the summer has gone. He said the community can expect a lot of fight in this team. “I think things have been coming along great,” Kaplan said. “I would say we’ve come a long way since we started working out in the winter. I’ve seen a toughness in my team that I’ve never seen among my teammates before, and we’ve done a really great job just coming out every day, waking up early and getting after it.” One of Coffey’s biggest undertakings has been establishing this team’s identity as their own and not based on years past. “Our base pillar is perseverance, that fight through, that overcome something,” Coffey said. “That’s something that these seniors have really taken and run with, and they’ve answered every call I’ve made. They’ve stepped up, they’ve fought through it, they’ve gone to the level of perseverance that they’ve had to.” County Athletic Director Lamarr Glenn said he is excited for the five new head coaches in the county and to see what they can lead their teams to. “It’s always exciting to see the next players step up,” Glenn said. “The expectation of Fulton County is here. It’s not going anywhere. The anticipation is that Fulton County is going to have somebody special each year.” Glenn’s take on Fulton teams to watch this year are Creekside, Milton, Langston Hughes and Roswell. It’s never safe to count these teams out, so fans may be in for a fifth straight state title from Fulton this year.
Puzzles
rier 8/13/26 Connect
PuzzleJunction.com
Connect-It
Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.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 5, 4 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
Forsyth Herald ...................................August 13, 2026 | 27
1
WORLD CITIES
Dunwoody Crier 8/13/26 Crossword
Across
1
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3
PuzzleJunction.com
4
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1. Australian eucalyptus eater. City on the Loire. Fine fabric. 2. Coffee order. Dallas, Texas suburb. Loser. 3. Astronaut’s insignia. Milky gem. City in W. Netherlands. 4. Seventh Heaven. City in central Poland. Beach find. 5. City in SW Missouri. Go it alone. Evening TV offering. 6. Slightly open. Difficult program. City on India’s Yamuna River 7. Young hooter. Norway’s capital city. Motif. PuzzleJunction.com
12 13 14 15 1 Nile reptiles 5 Pool exercise 16 17 18 19 9 Protrude 20 21 22 23 12 Bryce Canyon 3 locale 24 25 26 27 28 13 Jai ___ 14 Strays 32 33 34 29 30 31 4 16 Curly cabbage 35 36 37 17 Norma Rae actress 5 38 39 40 41 42 43 20 Old west’s Starr 22 Buffoon 44 45 46 23 Kind of pie 6 47 48 49 50 24 Huge 27 Suspect’s record, 53 54 51 52 at times /13/26 Sudoku7 29 Partitioned 55 56 57 58 59 60 World Cities Crier 8/13/26 Kakuro PuzzleJunction.com 32 Legal matter How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle Dunwoody above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is 61 62 63 64 65 66 34 Corn units 1. Australian eucalyptus eater. on the Loire. Fine fabric. the first letter of the second answer, andCity so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each 35 Not at home 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 67 68 69 Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A 36 number 2. the Coffee Dallas, Texas Loser. Monroe of Some for 3 answers on the line. But here’ssuburb. the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually To solve theorder. Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum Like It Hot 70 71 72 be the second or thirdnumbers answer in1that line. Got Good luck! boxfor must contain the to 9. of the City whiteit? squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence. 3. Astronaut’s insignia. Milky gem. in W. Netherlands. 38 Thickness Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com 39 Family 4. Seventh Heaven. City in central Poland. Beach find. 40 Poetic 10 Mentalist Geller 68 Roman emperor 42 Japanese sash 5. City in SW Missouri. Go it alone. Evening TV offering. contraction 11 Palpitation 69 Shredded 43 Honey maker 41 Sea gull 15 Aspersions 70 Hither’s partner 44 Grad's wear 6. Slightly open. Difficult problem. City on India’s Yamuna 44 Murphy Brown’s 18 Jabber 71 Retain 45 Psyches River. Bergen 19 Periodontist’s deg. 46 All About Eve 72 Sicilian volcano 7. Young hooter. Norway’s capital city. Motif. 46 Ice ___ 21 Boy actress Holm 47 Exploit 25 Rio ___ Down 47 Burger side order 49 Tokyo, formerly 26 Always, in verse 48 Uninhibited 50 Eagle’s nest 28 At Seventeen 1 Razor-billed bird 50 Completely 51 Lined charts singer Janis 2 Knife 51 See 18 Down 53 Opposite of 24 29 Nuke 3 Blanched 52 Blue Across 30 Wise one 4 Cheers actress 54 Fable writer 55 Ventilate 31 Dissenting vote Long 57 After river or 56 Family dog, for 33 TV show type, 5 Modern surgical piggy short shortly tool 59 Congeal 58 Vote into office 36 Hr. part 6 ___ mode 60 Sea swallow 61 Now Voyager 7 Buddy 37 Fish story 62 Furthermore actress 39 Body Heat actress 63 Neckline shape 8 Fodder holder 65 Toboggan 9 TV’s Topper Turner 64 Anger 67 Loafer, e.g. 41 Mongrel actress Anne 66 Genetic material How to Solve:Copyright Kakuro,©2026 also PuzzleJunction.com known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.
2
7 4 1 8 8 3 5 4 8 7 1 2 2 9
7 9
2 3 4 9 5 6 7 1
See puzzle solutions on Page 29
Solution
Solution 9 5 2 4 1 7 8 3 6
6 4 8 2 9 3 1 5 7
7 1 3 5 8 6 2 9 4
3 8 5 6 4 2 7 1 9
4 9 1 3 7 8 6 2 5
2 6 7 9 5 1 4 8 3
5 7 9 8 2 4 3 6 1
8 3 4 1 6 9 5 7 2
1 2 6 7 3 5 9 4 8
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OPINION
28 | August 13, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
PAST TENSE
The Roswell Railroad is worth remembering Before the Civil War, the King family of Roswell Manufacturing Company determined that a railroad to carry goods produced at their mills to Atlanta via Chamblee would benefit their business. Grading work to prepare for tracks began but was halted with the onset of the war. In the 1870s, construction VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF resumed and a narrow-gauge track Columnist was laid. Later, the track was changed to double gauge. The two engines that traveled on the Roswell Railroad were Dinky and Old Buck. Dinky was a generic term for many small steam engines. From 1881 until 1921, the railroad’s 9.8-mile path ran from the Chamblee Depot to where Chamblee Plaza is today, passing through the property of Chamblee First United Methodist Church. There was a trestle bridge over Nancy Creek near the church. The tracks went through present-day Interstate 285, Dunwoody’s Georgetown Park, and past DonaldsonBannister Farm. At the fork of Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Roberts Drive, the tracks continued to follow Chamblee Dunwoody, curving to the right at Spalding Drive then left at Roberts Drive. Roberts Drive is named after engineer Ike Roberts, who kept that job for the duration of the Roswell Railroad. The engine went forward toward Roswell and
KEN ANDERSON FAMILY COLLECTION
This drawing of Old Buck appeared along with Willanita Cook’s article in the July 3, 1969 DeKalb Neighbor newspaper. backward to Chamblee, as there was not room for a turnaround. Nandina Lane, formerly known as Spruill Street, originated as part of the railroad. There was a deep cut for the railroad on Chamblee Dunwoody Road where it meets Mount Vernon Road. This meant wagons could not cross and needed another way to get around. Nandina served that purpose. (“The Writings of Jim Perkins,” Dunwoody Crier columnist) The Roswell Railroad made four stops. From
Millage: Continued from Page 1 County Manager David McKee said the rollback rate is the result of yearslong strategic planning with the county’s bonds. “Going back to 2023, we have made very, very pointed, strategic financial decisions,” McKee said. Over the past several years, the county has worked to reduce the bond millage rate from 0.930 mills in 2023 to 0.300 mills in 2026. McKee said the success there was the result of bond restructuring and repayment.
Chamblee, the first stop was Wilson’s Mill flag stop. The next was Dunwoody Depot, located on Chamblee Dunwoody Road between where CVS Pharmacy and the Chevron gas station are today. Powers Station was in the area where Chamblee Dunwoody Road meets Spalding Drive. Next stop was the Roswell Depot, located on the south side of the Chattahoochee River in what is now Sandy Springs. A bridge over the Chattahoochee River was planned, but cost prevented its construction. A spur was built from the Powers Station to Morgan Falls in the early 1900s when the Morgan Falls Dam was under construction. Supplies were carried to the site by the spur. Carl Wallace, of Chamblee, recalled his dog Bo “running down the field at the sound of the train whistle to fetch the evening paper as it was thrown to him from the train.” (DeKalb Neighbor, “Old Buck still lingers in memory,” July 3, 1969) Wallace also told the story of the day the engine fell off the track “as Carl and his brothers watched in awe.” The group applauded when everyone worked together to get the engine back on the track and on its way. Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. Write her at pasttensega@gmail.com. Learn more at pasttensega. com.
The county maintains an AAA bond rating. “We defeased debt in that time, which allowed us to reduce the bond millage,” he said. That reduction also allowed the county to meet increasing requirements in fire spending and provide steady levels of service. County Commissioner Laura Semanson thanked staff for their work in placing the county in a strong financial position, adding she was pleased with the proposed levy. She also credited the overall work of county departments in working efficiently and with cost effectiveness in mind. “I feel good about this budget. I feel great about the work we put into it,” she said.
DEATH NOTICES Rosemary Blackington, age 93, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 21, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory. Laverne Calvert, age 84, of Milton, GA passed away on July 26, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Mildred Gergelyi, age 89, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 20, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Archella Pelletier, age 56, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 22, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Clyde “Drew” Ludwick, age 76, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 27, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Alice Pruet, age 84, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 2, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
4 7 GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA! 7 1 8 Solution Bears, water, and putting things back together 8 SOLUTIONS 9 3 Remember the sky lit up in shades of electric blue and It is not good to be fallen-on by a flood? No, not that gold. Then the tornado siren started monument. 5 one. The one at Hawailing and urgent warnings began A nearby historic marker, close cienda Hudson and popping up on the cellphone. All of a enough to be read from outside the all the sogginess that sudden it wasn’t so much fun anymore. barrier, told the monument’s story. 3 P 2 4 followed. We talked The lightning grew stronger and Known as the Oglethorpe Monument, it Crier 8/13/26 Kakuro Dunwoody about it last time. more frequent. I stepped outside to is (was?) 38 feet tall. Designed in 1930 Who would have check it out (I know, I know) and by Colonel Sam Tate of the Georgia 7 4 9 8 thought a little water found myself beneath a firmament that Marble Company, it honors Gen. James could disrupt things flashed and flickered, sparking and Edward Oglethorpe, founder of the STEVE HUDSON Columnist 5 so much? sputtering like a hyperactive street Georgia colony. 1 2 As we speak (I light, accompanied by a soundtrack of Sculptor James Watt carved it from hope), they’re putting down new carpet. deep-toned rumbles from somewhere solid Georgia marble, and at first it was 6 7 2 It’ll be nice and fresh and won’t make in the glowing darkness above. Did it located on nearby Grassy Knob. But squishing sounds when you walk on it. sound like a freight train? I listened. that location made it a prime target for Connect-It Solution Since carpet isn’t supposed to squish, Maybe it did. vandalism. Some folks even used it for 1 9 that will be a good thing. I thought fleetingly of my buddies target practice, and it was getting into
OPINION
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J U T L A P S A S P S E R R S A L A I U T A H S A L L Y F I E L D K A L E M U D O A F B E L L E P R I O R S L A R G E E A R S R E S Z O N E D M A R I L Y N A W A Y C O B T I S K I N P L Y E grid. The rules a C U B style C E in a crossword D I solved A N puzzle, Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challengingCnumber E I R E A O D E T A E F below the diag number A it. of right the to squares white the above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of M A1 toL9, Land a digit can only be used onc S digits P H A may G it.R You onlySuse the of the white squares in the sequence below E L E C T L A B A I R S L E D B E T T E D A V I S T O R N N E R O S H O E E T N A K E E P Y O N Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com
We have temporarily relocated while this work is underway. This particular “elsewhere” is north, up in the hills a ways. There are deer (tens of thousands of them) in the woods and some giant bream in the lake nearby. So it’s not too bad. Not really. But what has made it stand out most is the bear family that wanders by every few days. I think bear sightings are incredibly neat, and I’ve gotten to enjoy two of them over the last few days. Both times I got to see momma bear and her three cubs as they meandered through the woods on the steep hillside just beyond the back deck. Momma just kind of ambles along, purposefully and patiently, while the kids gambol back and forth behind her and run all over the place like kids of all species and persuasions are want to do. Sometimes one or the other of them will stop for a minute and paw at a tree stump or dig for some unseen something in the dirt. Momma puts up with it for a while but soon looks over her shoulder to remind the little ones to keep moving. Then the cubs kind of jump to attention and take off fullspeed through the trees back toward Momma, where the whole cycle repeats again. They move along that way, starting and stopping, until they eventually wander out of view. It’s neat to see, and seeing it makes me happy. I wonder where the bears go on these walkabouts? Do they have a route they follow? Do they have familiar places they like to visit and things they like to see? And (since water has been on my mind so recently) I find myself wondering what they do when it rains. That’s actually a timely question, for (let me tell you) it rained the night before last. It was a storm of Biblical proportions. From the safety of inside, it was kind of neat – sort of like watching bears at a distance. But then somebody turned the wind up to 10, and the
the bears. Without cellphones (at least I assume bears don’t have cellphones), how would they know what was going on? But about that time there was an especially bright flash from over yonder, over in the direction of the town of Jasper. Ooh, I thought, that was a big one. I went back inside then, safe behind the closed door, and I wondered again about the bears. As quickly as it started, the mayhem began to recede. The siren wound down. Wind eased up. Rain slowed and stopped. The light show faded. And soon, comfortable again in the relative safety of relative calm, I turned off the porch light and turned in. The next morning, checking the news, one story caught my eye. It was a storm story, a story about an historic monument that had been hit by lightning and partially blown to pieces in the nearby town of Jasper. “Jasper’s just down the road,” I said as she set out sausage gravy and warm biscuits for breakfast. “Let’s go see it after lunch.” “Okay,” she said, and we did. Lunch was at a place called Last Catch, a new-to-us seafood restaurant that came highly recommended by a friend. I had blackened catfish. She had clams. We shared a bowl of she-crab soup, and it was about as good as any I’d ever had. It was good to eat well in the wake of the near-miss the night before. Then we meandered on over to check out the lightninged monument. The site of the strike was easy to find. Golden-yellow police tape surrounded it, and a car with flashing blue lights was parked close by just in case the tape didn’t catch your eye. The monument, what was left of it, stood there looking kind of sad. Three serious-looking folks were checking it closely. Could I join them for a closer look? No, one said, because we don’t know if it might fall.
pretty bad shape. But then it was restored and moved to Jasper around the turn of the century, where it stood until the other night. Lightning is strange stuff. Sometimes it starts fires. But other times it just makes things blow up. Someone knowledgeable in that area once told me that the explosion occurs when the lightning bolt’s electric blast encounters some water. The water explodes violently into steam, he explained, and it’s the steam explosion that blows things to bits. Well, apparently there was water in the way when that lightning bolt hit the monument. This water thing has implications all around, doesn’t it? Anyway, the strike blasted some of the carved panels from the obelisk, leaving the area around its base littered with smashed and broken bits of history. One moment the monument was just standing there, and the next a golden blast from out of nowhere hit hard and everything was changed. Just like that. Lesson: Beware golden blasts, even if you think you’re strong as stone. So what happens next? On the monument side, I’m hearing that there’s already talk of restoration. Most things can be put back together, after all. I hope that will happen there too. And the bears? I imagine they’ll keep making their circuits through the woods, dealing with wind and water in their own bearish way. The cubs will grow into adults and start wandering their own territories, I guess. Maybe our paths will cross again. Meanwhile, I just learned that the home front water-damage restoration should be completed sometime next week. It will be good to be back in familiar territory, though I admit that I’ll miss the bears. Again, I remind myself: Even in the middle of chaos, and no matter how bizarre things may seem for a season, most everything can be put back together if that’s what you want to do. I hope so.
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2 D E C A F L O P L A N O 3 O P A L E I D E N A S A 4 B L I S S H E L L O D Z
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6 7 3 4 2 5 8 Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com 4 1 8 9 6 7 3 8 3 5 1 7 9 4 2 5 6 3 9 8 1 9 8 4 7 5 2 6 3 6 2 8 1 4 9 1 2 7 6 4 3 5 5 9 1 2 8 6 7 5 3 1 2 7 4 9Solution
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