Forsyth Herald - January 29, 2026

► PAGE 8

Residents raise outcry over planned event site off Keith Bridge Road

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Since early December, dozens of residents have appeared at Forsyth County Commission meetings wearing red, united in opposition to a proposed event center about 4 miles east of Coal Mountain on Keith Bridge Road.

Property owner Narasimha Rao Tambareni is proposing a special facility with a 9,000 square-foot event space, 600-square-foot outdoor stage and 155 parking spaces on a little more than 11 acres. Tambareni is seeking a variance for the agriculturally zoned land.

Tambareni did not respond to questions about the project.

But nearby residents have said the project will disrupt the area’s rural character.

Katie Peck was among about a half dozen residents who made their latest appearance during a Jan. 22 Board of Commissioners meeting, speaking during the public comment period.

See VENUE, Page 12

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Residents wear red shirts signifying their opposition to a proposed event venue near Coal Mountain on Keith Bridge Road during a Jan. 22 Forsyth County Commission meeting.

Forsyth County battles ice with salt, preparation

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County prepared for the worst ahead of a winter storm that blanketed Metro Atlanta with ice Sunday, Jan. 25. Days ahead of the weather,

county officials began preparations, issuing bulletins and advisories on their webpage and social media channels, the county said.

On Jan. 23, water and sewer plants were winterized, road and bridge crews prepared de-icing materials and

salted roadways, and the Parks and Recreation Department rescheduled outdoor events. Staff also met with emergency personnel to review plans and National Weather Service forecasts.

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Man arrested for drugs after seen with BB gun

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 33-yearold Cumming man was arrested after he and a woman allegedly brandished a BB gun at a gas station.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to an Atlanta Highway gas station Jan. 8 after a caller reported the man and woman carrying what they thought was a rifle. The caller said the couple were taking selfies in the business.

The male suspect told deputies the weapon was a BB gun. Deputies inspected the gun, noting it was a realistic replica of a tactical-style, semi-automatic rifle.

Deputies arrested him after conducting an intoxicated driving investigation, the sheriff’s office said. The man allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana.

The man was charged with driving under the influence of drugs and giving a false name to law enforcement.

A search of the vehicle found suspected Xanax and methamphetamine.

— Jon Wilcox

Printing business owner reports equipment stolen

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The owner of a commercial printing company reported about $3,000 of equipment stolen Jan. 9.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said the 61-year-old Cumming man reported the theft at his Parkway North Drive shop.

The man told deputies a former

employee stole the equipment about 1 p.m. Jan. 7, the sheriff’s office said. The stolen items were reported to include a computer and two pieces of printing equipment.

The owner said the employee was dissatisfied about his compensation.

The employee’s employment ended in May.

Deputies interviewed two witnesses, and the incident was classified as a felony theft by taking.

— Jon Wilcox

Gaming computers stolen from Jordan Court store

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Two gaming computers were reported stolen from a discount department store Jan. 4.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the Jordan Court business about 1:20 p.m. after a shoplifting was reported.

The store manager told officers a woman entered the store with a computer box and used it to steal the computers, police said. The woman allegedly removed two computers from their boxes and placed them in the box she had entered with.

The woman approached customer service representatives, asking to return the computers in the box she entered with. She was declined a return and left the store with the two stolen computers, police said.

The computers were valued at $1,100 each.

The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting of more than $500.

— Jon Wilcox

Burglars remove cash from Avalon store safe

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A store in the Avalon shopping center reported a burglary and theft of thousands of dollars Dec. 31.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the store about 5:30 a.m. after an alarm sounded there.

Officers found a front window broken and a fire extinguisher lying on the ground nearby. Police cleared the store but found no one inside.

A safe in the front counter was found opened, and a store manager reported about $2,500 missing from it. A key is required to open the safe, according to the incident report.

The manager said a similar incident occurred in April when the same window was broken and money was stolen from the safe.

The manager allegedly said she suspects the person responsible for both crimes is someone familiar with the store because they appeared to know the location of the safe’s key.

The woman told police an assistant manager and employee had been fired that year.

Avalon security camera recordings showed a suspect taking a fire extinguisher from a nearby parking garage, police said. The suspect attempted to enter the store using a keycard, failed and smashed the window to enter before fleeing on foot, police said.

— Jon Wilcox

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Woman cited for DUI after crash at police stop

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta woman was arrested on a driving under the influence charge after her SUV crashed into an Alpharetta police traffic stop Jan. 17, damaging two patrol vehicles, police said.

Alpharetta police said two officers were conducting the traffic stop on northbound Ga. 400 at the Haynes Bridge Road off-ramp about 1:41 a.m. An SUV driven by the 45-year-old woman allegedly struck an unoccupied patrol vehicle with her vehicle.

The collision pushed the patrol vehicle into a second police vehicle. That vehicle was occupied by a 39-year-old officer, a woman who was present for a ride-along and Axel, a K-9 in the rear compartment.

Another officer was standing at the front-passenger-side tire of the occupied patrol vehicle. The officers, woman and K-9 were not injured in the crash.

The occupants of another vehicle stopped earlier by police – a 21-year-old Palmetto man and 19-year-old Fairburn woman – were standing near the occupied police vehicle. The impact threw the man onto the pavement. The woman said the impact left her with arm pain.

A 28-year-old witness said he saw the SUV drive straight into the back of the rear-most patrol vehicle. That patrol vehicle sustained severe damage and was disabled. The occupied patrol vehicle sustained damage to its rear bumper and lift gate.

Officers arrested the SUV driver, taking her to a nearby hospital before transferring her to the Alpharetta Detention Center. She was not injured, police said.

Fulton County organization counts number of homeless

By AMRITHA ALLADI JOSEPH newsroom@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — On the eve of a winter storm expected to ice power lines and roads, volunteers donning coats and beanies waited outdoors, scanning parking lots, ready to serve hot meals to the unhoused. Their mission: To get an accurate count of Fulton County’s homeless population by offering them warm meals, toiletry kits and blankets.

The annual Point-In-Time survey of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness is underway in Fulton County. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires federally funded Continuums of Care (CoC) to survey people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The Fulton County CoC represents a network of service providers and government agencies committed to ending homelessness across the county. It excludes the city of Atlanta. Last year, the county identified 241 homeless individuals. More than 40 percent were unsheltered.

“The Point-In-Time count night is technically January 22, so you have to ask people if they were unhoused or unsheltered on January 22,” Fulton County Continuum of Care Board Chair Maggie Goldman said. She was addressing volunteers at the Point-in-Time Command Center at the Roswell Senior Center on Friday, Jan. 23.

With icy conditions forecast through the weekend, volunteers asked where they could direct unsheltered people. North Fulton 2026 Point-in-Time Co-Chair Kelvin Thompson cited Sandy Springs and Cumming as the nearest warming centers, both notably far for some residents.

“We’re in a desert of sorts around some of those services,” Thompson said.

Fulton County District 4 Commissioner Mo Ivory agreed.

“Unfortunately, that’s a failure,” she said.

Ivory and District 1 Commissioner Bridget Thorne participated in the volunteer welcome on Friday. They shared recent developments and challenges in funding services for homeless populations. Thorne said Fulton County’s recently passed budget allocates $4.8 million for permanent supportive housing. That total reinstates $2.1 million in the budget for additional supportive housing projects following public outcry that the county honor a previous agreement with Atlanta to fund the services.

“All of those numbers are fantastic, but it’s not enough,” Ivory said. “We had to put a lot of pressure on our commission to approve the $2.1 million for permanent supportive housing that was left out for the city of Atlanta. We do have resources that we could be pouring in.”

Efforts such as the Point-In-Time survey allow the county to get a clearer picture of the needs of people experiencing homelessness, Ivory said.

Outside of the Walmart on Mansell Road, volunteers waited with aluminum trays, ready to spoon out food to those who could use a hot meal.

Roswell resident Courtney Rozear has participated in previous brown bag efforts offering food to unhoused people, but she said the weather report for the weekend compelled her to do something more.

Alpharetta resident Kathleen Cherry said she was looking for ways to get more involved in the community.

“I feel like we have individuals in our community that are in need, and they are open to receiving resources and help,” she said. “If we approach them in the right way and are compassionate and kind, we’re going to be able to build the right connections tonight, hopefully, and then identify what resources we need in this community.”

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Marilyn Monroe, photographer bond shapes Cullen’s new historical fiction

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com

Marilyn Monroe admirers and historical fiction fans alike will find much to fancy in Atlanta author Lynn Cullen’s latest release.

In “When We Were Brilliant,” launched Jan. 20, Cullen doubles down on the fictional biography genre by delving into the unlikely relationship between Monroe and acclaimed documentary photographer Eve Arnold. In Cullen’s tale, the iconic sex symbol literally comes into fresh focus through the lens of her most trusted photographer.

Cullen, the internationally bestselling author of 11 titles, has long blended bygone

Tuesday, Feb. 4, Ashley Jordan discussing “Once Upon a Time in Dollywood,” a Reese’s Book Club Pick. 7 p.m. Book purchase required. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. read-it-again.com.

Thursday, Feb. 5, Finding Your Writing Community, led by author J.M. Tompkins, founder of Speakeasy Authors Community and Creativity Untamed. 6:30 p.m. Free. Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming. forsythpl.org/ event/15245841

Saturday, Feb. 7, Share the Love of Reading family event spotlighting local children’s author Danny Schnitzlein and his book, “Gnu and Shrew,” with free copies for the first 100 families. Presented by Roswell Reads, in partnership with the Roswell Library, Friends of the Roswell Library and Bookmiser, in memory of Roswell Reads volunteer Darla McKenzie and her husband, Michael McKenzie. 10:30 a.m. Free. Roswell Public Library, 115 Norcross St. roswellreads.com

facts with lyrical fiction. But a book about a blond bombshell is a first for the awardwinning author of “Mrs. Poe,” about Edgar Allen Poe’s wife, and “The Woman with the Cure,” concerning the woman who helped eradicate polio.

“The experience of writing this book was like no other for me,” Cullen said. “It felt like Marilyn Monroe and Eve Arnold were whispering in my ear and it was all I could do to keep up with them.

“These two brilliant women were talking and I was listening, which was an exhausting but exhilarating experience,” Cullen said, noting the end result was similarly satisfying.

“I feel like this is my best book yet, and I'm so eager to share it with readers.”

She will be doing exactly that during a number of engagements, including two listed below with other February author events.

sion only. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore.com

Saturday, Feb. 14, Sheila Ray Montgomery, “The Feral Butterfly.” Noon. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. read-it-again.com Tuesday, Feb 17, A Novel Idea with authors Josh Wikoff, Catherine Mathis, Shay Rodricks with “Contested Land, Uncontested Truth: The Essential Guide to Israel’s Legitimacy," "Ines: The Queens of Portugal Trilogy" and "The Nightshade" respectively. 7 p.m. Free. Roswell Junction, 340 S. Atlanta St., Roswell. anovelidea.us.

Saturday, Feb. 21, Romance Panel with five local authors. Noon. $25, including bingo, appetizers and drinks. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. poeandcompanybookstore. com/all-events

Jimmy Song (NMLS#1218336)

Sandy Na (NMLS#983548)

Trinh Pham (NMLS#1369150)

Saturday, Feb. 7, Andre Benjamin, “Ashman Chronicles Volume 2: The Upside of Odd.” 10:30 a.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore. com.

Saturday, Feb. 7, Lynn Cullen, “When We Were Brilliant,” Galantine’s Day celebration with Mary Kay Andrews. 2 p.m. $24, includes chocolate tasting and light refreshments. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Also, Thursday, Feb. 12, in conversation with Colleen Oakley at Gwinnett County Public Library-Duluth Branch, with books sold by Johns Creek Books. 6:30 p.m. Free. 3180 Main St., Duluth. lynncullen.com/events/ Thursday, Feb. 12, “Grieve Like a Mother, Survive Like a Warrior” conversation. 6 p.m. Either $27 with book, or $5 admis-

Monday, Feb. 23, Terah Shelton Harris, “Where the Wildflowers Grow,” presented by Atlanta Authors in partnership with Roswell Roots and Bookmiser. 6 p.m. $21, which includes the book, or $5 general admission. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. bookmiser.net/events.html Tuesday, Feb. 24, DL Mitchell releasing “Marina Mews: A Coral Shores Veterinary Mystery.” 5:30 p.m. $24.95 with book, or $5 admission only. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. poeandcompanybookstore.com/ all-events

Saturday, Feb. 28, Carolyn Newton Curry exploring “Trudy’s Awakening,” hosted by Bookmiser and Friends of the Sandy Springs Library. 2 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs. bookmiser.net/events.html

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

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Blessed Trinity’s Spak covers sports spectrum

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — With a busy fall semester over, Blessed Trinity senior and four-sport athlete Addie Spak had some time recently to reflect on her young career.

Holding varsity letters in softball, flag football, basketball and lacrosse and being named to the all-region team in all four, Addie said October is jam-packed with basketball tryouts kicking up, more frequent games in flag football and softball playoffs.

When not on a field or court, she enjoys crosswords and other puzzles and brain games.

She maintains above a 4.0 GPA.

Addie’s parents Beth and Ryan say she developed strong time-management habits at a young age thanks to the same determination that has carried her athletic career.

Ryan said her athleticism stretches back to when she rolled over while getting weighed immediately after being born. He said her balance has always been remarkable, along with a persevering and easygoing attitude that never allowed her to feel frustrated by failure, just inspired to try again.

Beth and Ryan met as students at St. Pius X High School and graduated in 1996, Ryan a football player and Beth a threesport athlete in softball, basketball and tennis. Although Beth was a member of the inaugural UGA softball team and left as the program’s all-time leader in hits and stolen bases, Addie grew up playing baseball on a boys team until freshman year of high school.

In sixth grade, Addie picked up softball, doubling up to play softball in the fall and baseball in the spring. It was no surprise. She’s multi-tasked since she was 4 years old.

Addie also played soccer, football and basketball with boys in elementary school. Ryan said one reason she became so confident in who she is, is the support she received from her teammates at a young age.

“Sometimes, when the other team would come onto the field, they would start chirping about there being a girl on the team,” he said of Addie’s baseball experience. “But her teammates were the first ones to stand up for her and tell them that she was a starter and ‘just wait, you’re gonna change your opinion in a minute.’”

One coach Addie played baseball against reached out to Ryan to let him know about the Breakthrough Series, an invitation-only development camp put on by the MLB where players work with Olympians, former National Team members and coaches.

The coach nominated Addie for the Breakthrough Series, and she attended the camp three times on the baseball side and once on the softball side in 2025 where she was coached by Jennie Finch.

PHOTOS BY: SPAK FAMILY/PROVIDED

Blessed Trinity senior Addie Spak is the Titans’ shortstop, quarterback, point guard and lacrosse defender. She has committed to Washington University of St. Louis to play softball.

Beth said the maturity and independence Addie gained are just one part of the meaningful experience of the Breakthrough Series.

“It gave her an experience that was all her own,” she said. “Friends that we don’t really know because we didn’t get to be there to see it. It’s a really cool experience for them.”

In 2024 while still involved on the baseball side, Addie did a crossover day to softball where she impressed coaches from the MLB development program, along with her eventual college coach.

Addie chose Washington University in St. Louis after connecting with the coaching staff and the program. She was also impressed by their facilities and felt she would do better there as opposed to several Division I colleges she visited.

She won MVP this year in her last time being able to attend the camp before aging out. She wasn’t pleased with her four hits in two games but said her defensive performance may have pushed her over the edge for the award.

“I was being vocal, and I was the only third baseman,” she said humbly of the win. “During the fielding part, I was giving my all-out effort, and I made a couple of good defensive plays.”

Beth added, “the only way she knows how to play is all-out.”

A few months later, Addie and several others from the Breakthrough Series were honored at game two of the MLB World Series in Toronto.

Addie chose her older brother Brady as her chaperone for the celebration where she met several current and former MLB players.

Addie and other award winners from the Breakthrough Series were honored on

Defeating eventual 2A champions Greenbrier in their first game of the season, the Titans then traveled to Alabama to play the No. 2 team in the nation, the Central Red Devils.

Those games, along with other top opponents such as Southeast Bulloch and North Oconee, gave BT invaluable experience that made the difference to push them to a title.

The same day as the game with North Oconee, the Titans wrapped region play with a game against Milton, another topranked team in the state.

Milton and Blessed Trinity met again for the title game, and the match went into overtime. The first time the two met in midNovember, BT was unable to connect in the overtime period and suffered an 18-12 loss.

the field before the national anthem and got a VIP experience for game three.

It was a busy week for the Spak family, as Beth was inducted to the St. Pius X Hall of Fame the same day.

Family support

Ryan is a Johns Creek native and coached Addie and Brady in many sports when they were young. Both sets of grandparents still live nearby and attend many of Addie’s games.

Beth grew up in Connecticut and moved to Johns Creek right before high school. The 1995 St. Pius softball team won a state championship, and Beth went on to win another while coaching at Blessed Trinity with a high school teammate.

Addie occasionally claims the latter title as well, under “in utero” accomplishments, because her mom was pregnant with her at the time.

Beth started coaching at USF after graduate school in Massachusetts and was drawn to the strength side of coaching. She now is an assistant softball coach for Blessed Trinity and previously served as the strength coach for the Johns Creek baseball and girls lacrosse teams.

Beth also has coached Addie’s travel team in softball.

Beyond softball

After softball season ended with the Titans’ first-round loss to Ola High, Addie shifted her focus to flag football.

Both teams had improved their performance on extra points since, with the first four touchdowns in the title game followed by a successful extra point. Milton faltered while attempting a triple-option extra point on the fifth touchdown, leaving BT with the lane open to bring it home.

Addie then threw a successful pass to receiver Hannah Daley and ran the extra point in herself for the win. She said softball got her used to high-pressure moments like that extra point.

“One of the best parts of the season was us coming together,” she said. “We took so many more risks during the season with who we were playing and how it was set up. Our second game of the season was against who would be the national champions.”

With lacrosse season approaching, Addie says the team is hungrier than ever. She says there is no bigger motivator than two straight losses in the title game to the same team, Cambridge.

“We haven’t stopped talking about it since we lost that day,” she said. “We knew that they had the upper hand last year, but we have been working together preseason this year, we’re more prepared. We’re more developed, a year older, and we really just want to win.”

While some parents obstruct their children from playing their secondary sport as seniors to prevent potential injuries, Beth stresses Addie’s path is her own, and she will always encourage her daughter to do what she loves.

Ryan agreed, saying that even before elementary school Addie was insistent on playing multiple sports, and she has maintained advanced training and preparation for more than just softball.

Q & A

She was named to Score Atlanta’s preseason Miss Georgia watchlist and propelled her team through many tough games. Head coach Brandon Harwell set up the schedule to strengthen the team en route to their goal of securing a title for the first time in three years.

Q: What a year for your family in 2025! From the two MVP awards to the Hall of Fame induction and everything in between, what was your number one highlight?

2025 MLB Breakthrough Series Softball MVP Addie Spak, third from the right, stands with other honorees at the Major League World Series in Toronto Oct. 25. See SPAK, Page 13

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Some interesting facts about our local area

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

So, I have wanted to write a census column –or columns - for quite some time. I just have the idea that with enough digging, that there is some good stuff buried in all the data. So, I started looking just after the new year.

Most of the data I have been mining is from the 2020 United States Census, so it is somewhat dated but still relevant.

I looked at data for four cities –Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek and Milton – for no particular reason other than they are in our distribution footprint. I really did not have a pre-conceived agenda as to what I was looking for other than to see if I could find interesting or surprising stuff. Most of my data came from QuickFacts.census.gov and some came from Claude – Anthropic’s Ai app.

Factoid 1: One of my cities is not majority white! Any guess? The answer would be Johns Creek. According to the 2020 census data the city is composed of 49.8% white and 50.02% every other race. The other 3 cities ranged from 65% white in Roswell to mid 50s in Milton and Alpharetta. “Asian” was the largest secondary percentage in Johns Creek at 28.3% followed by 20.7% in Alpharetta and 16.5% in Milton.

Related factoid: According to the U.S. Census Bureau (in 2012), the United States overall is projected to become a minority white nation around 2043, with non-Hispanic whites making up 49.7% of the population. Other projections which take immigration, birth and death rates into consideration suggest a slightly later date – around 2046 or 2047. According to Claude, at that time, our population breakdown will be:

Non-Hispanic white – 49.7%

Hispanic – 24.6%

Black – 13.1%

Asian – 7.9%

Multiracial – 3.8%

Factoid 2: One city had the highest percentage of households where a language other than English was spoken. Again, it’s Johns Creek at 37.6%. It is closely followed –surprisingly – by Alpharetta at 31.5%.

Factoid 3: The percentage of

owner-occupied housing was highest – again – in Johns Creek at 79.7%, followed by Milton at 73.8%, Roswell at 71.2% and Alpharetta at 68%. Go figure. Obviously, if it is not “owneroccupied,” it is rented.

Factoid 4: Which city has the highest percentage of adult residents who do not have health care coverage (as of 2020 data)? The answer was Roswell at 10.2%, followed by –surprise – Alpharetta at 6%, Milton at 5.3% and Johns Creek at 4.4%. According to Claude, in 2024, an estimated 8% (27.1 million people) of all Americans had no health care coverage, and among working age Americans (age 18-64), 11.6% (27.8 million) did not have health care coverage. Of note, there is a high correlation between race and whether or not someone has health care coverage. Hispanic adults have the highest uninsured rate at 23%, followed by Black adults at 12.3%, Asian adults at 6.9%, and white nonHispanic adults at 6.8%.

Factoid 5: Which city has the highest “retail sales per capita” and why? The number one city – by a huge margin - is Alpharetta with an average retail sales per capita of $49,222, followed by Milton at $37,561, Johns Creek at $10,140 and Roswell at $8,909. Why? Johns Creek and Roswell have significantly higher average median household incomes, yet Alpharetta by far averages the highest sales per capita. The answer – I think – is that those numbers can be skewed when a city is a shopping destination for those who live outside the city; a city is a retail hub or a job engine; or the city has lots of bigticket sales (like those generated by auto dealerships). “Check” on all the above for Alpharetta, I guess.

Next census column we will look at trends in the demographics of the working age population. Is our workforce expanding or contracting? Why? Should we care? Stay tuned.

Note: Now that the AJC no longer prints a newspaper, Appen Media is just about the last reliable local print news source you have. To stay in the game, we really do need your financial support – honestly. If you care, please support us by mailing a check to Appen Media, 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 or go to our website at AppenMedia.com and click on the red bar in the upper right side of the home page to select a contribution level and payment method.

VPs (VICE PRESIDENTS)

1. Eisenhower’s VP. Wine country. Pie type.

2. Redhead’s dye. Washington’s VP. Sweater eater.

3. Clinton’s VP. Health check-up. Lure.

4. Sop up. Jefferson’s VP. Arizone city.

5. Pesky insect. “Peter Pan” Pouch. FDR’s VP.

6. Reagan’s VP. Outdoor fete. Type of sandwich.

1/29/26 Sudoku PuzzleJunction.com

7. Yellow-breasted songbird. Harrison’s VP. Send packing.

1 Bakery buys Witchcraft trials place. Bubbly drink.

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!

2. Oak dropping. Pacific Islands hard drink. Moxie 3. Honeyed beverage. West Point student. Clan emblem.

Poker ploy. Beer type. Highway sign 5. Sensuous dance. Highlands liquor. Backtalk

Potato whiskey.

Venue:

Continued from Page 1

Commissioners and Planning Commission members have yet to vote on the project.

“I am in strong opposition to the venue on Keith Bridge Road,” Peck said. “This fight is not about being anti-business, anti-wedding or anti-growth. It’s about location, zoning integrity and protecting the rural character that Forsyth County has already promised to protect.”

Peck said as a Forsyth County native who was “born and raised on a family farm,” protecting the integrity of the community is vital.

“It is imperative that we listen to the concerns of individuals like myself who have decades invested in Forsyth County,” she said. “This is not a modest, rural gathering space. This is a full-scale commercial entertainment venue.”

Residents have raised a variety of concerns including potential impacts to traffic safety, disruption of local vegetation and noise.

They ask the project be reduced to 50 parking spaces, impose limited operating hours, non-illuminated signage and restrictions on the types of events that can be held.

Dotted with rural homes on large properties, the area is host to winding roadways that snake through numerous pastures and thickets. Residents said they are concerned for the health of a nearby 150-year-old white oak and a creek that flows into Lake Lanier.

They also said the proposed venue lies near a blind hill that could create dangerous road conditions with the addition of numerous vehicles.

Noise from outdoor concerts and nighttime lighting could further disrupt the area’s peace and quiet, residents said.

County Commissioner Mendy Moore, who represents the district where the venue would be located, said she appreciates hearing from the residents.

“I love public participation,” Moore said. “This has been a good learning experience for them, and I hope they stay engaged.”

She noted the project’s application is still in its early stages and will proceed through multiple levels of county staff. She also noted every landowner has the right to petition commissioners.

Moore said she is speaking with residents and the developer, communicating concerns between the two parties. She said she is listening to residents’ concerns about protecting the area’s rural character.

“We absolutely take those things into consideration,” she said. “It’s a very holistic process and with a lot of factors to consider.”

DEATH NOTICES

Gerda Gardner, age 94, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on January 15, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Herbert “Larry” Smith, age 84, of Roswell, GA passed away on January 17, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Raymond Smith, age 81, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on January 15, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Spak:

Continued from Page 8

Addie: Probably when I got to go to the World Series in Toronto. It was cool because I got to go on the field. It was just incredible. During the national anthem, I was right next to Bebe Rexha and Alessia Cara.

Beth: The MLB, but also that state championship. To me, that was the epitome of everything. I’ve coached a championship, I’ve won one as a player, but by far watching as a parent was the most stressful.

Ryan: Definitely the top mark was

Ice:

Continued from Page 1

The county activated its Emergency Operations Center at 2 p.m. Jan. 24, the day before the Sunday storm, with some staff operating around the clock. That morning, crews laid 26 loads of salt mix on roadways with four salt trucks. Chainsaw crews were on standby to clear downed vegetation.

After ice accumulated throughout the region Jan. 25, crews plowed and salted roads, and officials continued monitoring conditions.

Nonessential county offices remained closed through Jan. 26.

PRESSCLU

winning the state, but I think also it’s fulfilling for me to see as a parent, her teammates from other sports and friends from middle school still following and supporting her.

Q: What is it like being coached by your mom?

Addie: It’s great. (Laughs) She is my hitting instructor and fielding too, so it’s just like anything for softball I can just go to her, and we don’t have to pay someone else. Because she coaches my high school and travel teams, it’s nice that we get to have that extra time together for practices and games, especially the travel part before I go off to college.

Beth: It’s just nice to have that time together. Not many people get to say they

have the time to do what they love and pass that along to their kid and their kid to love it just as much. I always wanted her to follow what she wants to do, but I love that she has fallen in love with [softball], and I do cherish every time we get to work together. We have some of our best conversations just about life when we’re hitting together and getting her reps.

Q: Who have been your biggest role models in sports?

Addie: There was a girl named J.J. that I played basketball with freshman year who is now a junior playing lacrosse at the Naval Academy [Jaclyn Johns, conference preseason DPOY]. She also won flag football MVP in the state

championship, she was our point guard and a midfield-defender in lacrosse when they won three back-to-back championships, and she’s just the kindest soul. She’s been a great role model for me, she knew what she wanted to accomplish and didn’t let anyone stray her from what she wanted to do. So I would say my mom and [JJ].

Q: Would you ever consider returning to baseball? What is your goal for sports after college?

Addie: I don’t know, I want to go to medical school after my four years at WashU. I’ll just have to see, I have several friends from the Breakthrough Series in the WPBL so that’s cool to see. I’ll see how their experience is.

Donor Operations Supervisor

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The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing other to work as a team in a professional manner within a fast paced environment. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Operations Research Analyst is needed in Johns Creek, GA at Geonamic Systems Inc. at https:// geonamic.com/careers/

Andritz, Inc. seeks Project Manager – Maintenance Performance for its office in Alpharetta, GA to support reliability engineering projects through machine troubleshooting, vibration analysis, and development of site-specific vibration monitoring strategies. 40% travel to domestic customer sites. Submit resumes to Suzanne.Fulton@andritz.com. Reference job title in subject line.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a Coordinator, General Accounting to oversee and supervise the Bookkeeping and General Accounting staff. This position will verify, allocate, and post details of business transactions, authorize, and execute cash/wire transfers for payments; assist in creating reports, analyzing ledger accounts, and maintaining subsidiary records. Requires: a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, and a minimum of seven (7) years related experience and/or training in an accounting/ bookkeeping to include a minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a supervisor or manager in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, January 30, 2026. Apply online: www.sawnee. coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

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

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