Skip to main content

Forsyth Herald - July 30, 2026

Page 1


‘Timid’ black bears pose little risk to humans but can still be a neighborhood nuisance ►

PAGE 4

Forsyth County cleanup teaches environmental stewardship lessons

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Taking her kids to a county cleanup came with a silver lining for Cumming mom Caroline Richardson.

Manipulating a trash grabber and donning a neon vest were certainly fun for Penny, 9, and Rhett, 7. And the bag full of plastic bottles, weathered political campaign signs and other roadside garbage was a testament that the family was bettering the environment.

But perhaps most importantly, Richardson said the opportunity gave her children the chance to learn the importance of community service.

“We’re out here being part of the community, and we’re taking pride in cleaning up part of the community that they’re part of,” she said.

Richardson added that she was pleased the lesson seemed to be sticking.

See CLEANUP, Page 11

Forsyth OKs e-bikes on Greenway, bans fastest class

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County is working to balance safety concerns while expanding access for electric bicycles as the battery-powered twowheelers become increasingly popular.

At a July 23 meeting, the Forsyth

County Board of Commissioners approved changes to parks and recreation ordinances, including updates that regulate e-bike use. While trail signs already permitted ebikes, the ordinance did not expressly address them. The update adds language explicitly allowing the use of two e-bike classes while forbidding the fastest kind. The amended ordinance provides for

the use of Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on Big Creek Greenway paths inside Forsyth County. Class 3 e-bikes were excluded. State law divides e-bikes into three classes. Class 1 e-bikes provide motor assistance when a rider pedals and stop assistance at 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes use a throttle and also cease power at 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up

to 28 mph and must have a speedometer. First opened in 2009, the Big Creek Greenway connects to a regional network of trails that link into Fulton County. The pathway stretches 16 miles into Forsyth County and is lined with pristine natural space.

See E-BIKES, Page 11

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Rhett Richardson holds up garbage he collected with a grabber on Namon Wallace Road in July.

NEWS TIPS

770-442-3278

AppenMedia.com

319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

HANS APPEN Publisher

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus CONTACT

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

LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

ADVERTISING

For information about advertising in the 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.

Grandmother charged in toddler’s Roswell pool drowning

ATLANTA, Ga. — The grandmother of a 2-year-old boy who drowned at a Roswell apartment complex in June has been charged in his death, according to arrest warrants.

Emelisa Paz-Santos was booked July 15 in the Fulton County Jail on felony second-degree cruelty to children and misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of her grandson Axel Delgado. She also has a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold, jail records show.

On the night of June 21, Roswell police responded to The Lake House at Martin’s Landing after reports of a young child drowning at the clubhouse pool.

There, first responders provided aid to the child, who died the next day at a hospital

Investigators determined Paz-Santos was in charge of supervising Delgado at the pool, but she “failed to provide adequate supervision” for “an extended period of time,” according to the arrest warrants.

Appen Media partner Atlanta News First provided this story.

POLICE BLOTTER

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Man charged with DUI after crash into Roswell shop

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police charged an Alpharetta man with driving under the influence after his car crashed into a bottle shop on Houze Road July 14. When given a breathalyzer test, police reported the man had a breath alcohol concentration of .277 and was unable to complete field sobriety evaluations.

Police arrived after 7 p.m. to find a Nissan Rogue embedded in the front doors and windows of the store. According to bystanders, the car reversed in the parking lot and backed into a light pole

ATLANTA NEWS FIRST/PROVIDED

Roswell police responded to The Lake House at Martin’s Landing June 21 after reports of a child drowning at the clubhouse pool.

before accelerating rapidly into the front of the building. The 59-year-old suspected driver was in the bathroom when police arrived.

While interacting with police, police said the man had droopy eyelids, a staggering walk and the odor of alcohol on his breath. When asked about the crash, the man admitted he “had too much to drink” and said the crash was caused by a vehicle malfunction.

The man said he drank alcohol early that morning but could not remember how much. He consented to field sobriety exams but allegedly struggled to balance and follow instructions.

Officers arrested the driver and charged him with driving under the influence and reckless driving. They transported him to a hospital to be treated for injuries sustained during the collision, drew his blood for state-administered chemical testing and booked him into Cherokee County Jail.

Erratic driver strikes mailbox, flees street

ROSWELL, Ga. — A driver knocked down a mailbox in a neighborhood on Old Oak Trace the evening of July 14 after residents observed a car speeding and moving erratically.

Before 10 p.m., a resident saw a sedan parked in the cul-de-sac before it accelerated suddenly, jumping the curb before briefly stopping in front of his house. The vehicle struck a mailbox as it sped away.

When a Roswell officer arrived, residents said an unknown vehicle had been driving erratically through the neighborhood and had nearly struck several parked vehicles.

None of the residents had surveillance footage that captured a clear description of the suspect’s vehicle or license plate.

Tune-Up Projects

Kitchen Tune-Up

Paint Cabinets

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

New Backsplash

Cut Down 2-level

Island

Bathroom Tune-Up

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

Enlarge Shower Shower Glass Shower Safety

Full Remodel Projects

Kitchen Remodel

Total Cabinet Replacement

Large Island

Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations

Open Concept –Move Walls

Open to the Public OPEN SATURDAYS

9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat

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

Bathroom Remodel

New Larger Shower

Vanity Replacement –Cabs, Counter, Sink

Free Standing Tub

Floor Tile, Wall Tile

Plumbing Fixtures

Black bear necessities: What to know as sightings rise

ATLANTA — A black bear might be a scary sight, but officials say the animal would rather avoid you than confront you.

Recent local news reports have noted bear sightings in Sandy Springs and Smyrna neighborhoods, a natural occurrence in the summer months for bears wanting to establish habitats, find food or even locate a mate. The animals, according to the North American Bear Center, are timid and will often run away when they encounter humans. A fact sheet from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources notes there are no recorded bear attacks on humans in the state’s history and only two documented fatal attacks in the Southeast.

Black bears were once common in the Peach State, according to the fact sheet, but have been reduced in population by habitat loss, unrestricted hunting and overall degradation of habitat due to human development. There are now about 5,100 black bears throughout the state.

The animals can still be a nuisance, officials note, and game management offices receive numerous calls about them every year. Instead of immediately capturing and relocating bears, staffers evaluate “why the bear is causing problems,” according to the fact sheet.

“Most problems can be resolved through simple actions such as taking down bird feeders, taking in pet food, or storing garbage in an area unavailable to bears like a garage,” the fact sheet notes. “Removing

DRIVEWAYS & CONCRETE

MICHAEL ANFANG/UNSPLASH

A black bear rests in a wooded area in an undated photo. Sightings of the animals have increased recently in metro Atlanta.

or making attractants unavailable to bears is a critical step in resolving bear/human conflicts. It is equally important for people to be patient. It may take several days for the bear to learn that it is no longer going to be provided with a free meal.”Campers and those enjoying Georgia’s ample outdoor offerings are also urged to avoid providing easy food offerings for black bears.

“When camping or hiking, store food items in a vehicle or hoist food packs into the air away from the trunks or trees,” the fact sheet advises.

After losing their meal ticket, bears will “simply move on” to “a more traditional range,” officials say, but it might be necessary to install an electrical fence if beehives or gardens are involved.

Game management staffers consider capture and relocation a last resort, only warranted if a bear persists in being a nuisance and warrants a safety threat. Disturbing bears could disorient them, experts warn, ultimately causing them to wander onto roadways and be killed by passing traffic.

So, what should you do if you see a black bear in the wild? Biologist Lynn Rogers, who founded the North American Bear Center, says to “enjoy it” and observe the bear from a safe distance. It will move on, she writes in a blog post. However, if it lingers past your comfort, you can make the bear run away by waving and announcing your presence. The animals tend to “run first and ask questions later,” she adds.

“Most attacks by black bears are defensive reactions to a person who is too close, which is an easy situation to avoid,” Rogers notes.

The biologist says a small can of pepper spray is “a good way to feel self-confident around black bears.” The spray will not hurt the bear but will prompt it to leave the area. Throwing stones at the bear can also scare it away, she mentions.

“Black bears have killed 61 people across North America since 1900,” she says in the post. “This no longer worries me. My chances of being killed by a domestic dog, bees, or lightning are vastly greater.”

Just opened?

6 | Forsyth Herald | July 30, 2026

Brazilian steakhouse picks Dunwoody for expansion

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Adega Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse is working to open its first Georgia location in the Twelve24 mixed-use development at 1224 Hammond Drive by the end of the year.

This location will mark the brand’s first expansion outside Florida, bringing its authentic Southern Brazilian churrasco and tableside rodizio experience to metro Atlanta.

“Dunwoody is exactly the kind of community where we believe Adega Gaucha can thrive,” CEO Ricardo Oliveira said. “Guests here appreciate quality, hospitality and memorable dining experiences. We are proud to bring the warmth and tradition of Southern Brazil to Twelve24 … we believe this will be a very special restaurant for the area.”

At the heart of the experience at Adega Gaucha is its full churrasco, a continuously rotating selection of premium, fire-grilled cuts including

picanha, beef ancho, filet mignon and lamb chops carved tableside by Gaucho chefs. It aims to give guests a glimpse into the authentic tradition of Brazil’s Southern cattle ranches and a full rodizio, or all-you-can-eat, experience.

Guests are also invited to explore an expansive gourmet table featuring curated fresh salads, traditional Brazilian sides and imported delicacies.

The Dunwoody location will also offer an a la carte menu, giving guests the flexibility to enjoy select dishes, premium cuts, appetizers and lighter dining options at the bar, during lunch or for a more casual visit.

The new location will occupy the former Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant space at Twelve24, a 345,000-square-foot mixed-use development spanning 16 floors in Dunwoody’s Perimeter Center.

ADEGA GAUCHA/PROVIDED
Adega Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse is opening its first Georgia location in the Twelve24 mixed-use development at 1224 Hammond Drive.

World Cup: MARTA logs 4.7M rail trips, no major crimes

ATLANTA, Ga. — Across 35 days of World Cup matches, fan festivals, concerts and other associated events, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority provided around 4.7 million rail passenger trips.

“Team MARTA showed up and showed out during the World Cup tournament, providing frequent service, ensuring the system was secure and riders were safe,” Jonathan Hunt, MARTA interim general manager and CEO, said.

On match days, MARTA experienced approximately 2 to 3.5 times its normal daily rail ridership, generating an average of nearly 130,000 additional rail passenger trips each day. Fan festivalonly days generated an average of 37,000 additional rail passenger trips per day, resulting in daily rail ridership approximately 1 to 2 times the normal ridership.

Hundreds of MARTA transit ambassadors worked alongside 100 multilin-

gual FIFA volunteers throughout the tournament to help visitors navigate the public transportation system and downtown Atlanta.

MARTA police officers, along with law enforcement from other local jurisdictions and Denver transit, patrolled trains, buses and their stations, in addition to staffing response teams in case of emergencies. A press release from MARTA said these efforts resulted in no major crimes reported and the apprehension of three suspects wanted for previous violent incidents.

Hunt thanked law enforcement officers, frontline staff and transit ambassadors for their dedicated work and applauded MARTA passengers for their ridership.

“Whether you were headed to a match, fan festival, watch party or one of the many celebrations, concerts and events around our region or to work, to run errands, or to a holiday get together, thank you for trusting us and for riding with us during this historic summer,” Hunt said.

MARTA/PROVIDED Riders scan to exit MARTA and walk to the FIFA Fan Festival and Mercedes-Benz (Atlanta) Stadium. From June 11 through July 15, MARTA provided around 4.7 million rail passenger trips.

Each

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 4, 5 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!

SPORTING IMPLEMENTS

1. Uniform material. Hockey necessity. Like Krypton.

2. Latin dance. Bawl out. Pub game piece.

3. Archery item. On one’s guard. Give up.

4. Moonfish. Soccer necessity. Brouhaha.

5. Curling playthings. Speaker’s platform. Auction shout.

6. Soup scoop. Winter warmer. Fencing item.

7. Golf item. Repair. Like hen’s teeth.

1 Uniform material. Hockey necessity. Like krypton

2. Latin dance. Bawl out. Pub game piece

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

3. Archery item. On one’s guard. Give up

4. Moonfish. Soccer necessity. Brouhaha

5. Curling playthings. Speaker’s platform. Auction shout.

6.

Best

Best

Best

Best

Best

Best

Best

Best

Best

Treatment

Urgent Care

Urology Best Vein Specialist

Veterinarian

RECREATION: Best Art Lessons/Studio

Community Event

Dance Lessons/Studio

Best Of North Atlanta 2026

Presented By

Best Date Night Hotspot Best Day Spa / Massage Best Farmers Market

Golf Course Best Group/Corporate Activity Best Gym / Fitness Facility Best

Mountain Park celebrates a century of history

Georgia is home to roughly 35–40 incorporated ultra small cities, each with about 500 or fewer residents. Many of these towns were founded in the late 19th to mid-20th centuries to secure a post office, school district or railroad stop. Incorporation also offered local autonomy — their own government and taxing authority. Over time, some communities have faded from the map, while a handful continue to thrive.

Mountain Park, incorporated in 1927, has about 550 residents in an area of 0.5 square miles, making it the smallest city in Fulton County. Located on the North Fulton-Cherokee line between Roswell and Woodstock, it is wooded, has two lakes and mostly narrow roads. To those fortunate enough to live there, it is paradise.

Trish Hill is the city’s unofficial historian. She has lived in the community for 43 years and worked for one of the first computer distributorships during the pioneering days of the industry. Later, she and her husband, now deceased, developed a marketing agency with a specialty in international business.

She says that living in a very small town has many advantages.

“I live on a lake and enjoy the herons, turtles and ducks,” she says. “It is a city of trees and is very different from the hustle and bustle of a large city. There is a strong sense of community. We know each other. We are a diverse city with young people, old people and rich and not so rich. The

Atlanta Journal used to say that going to Mountain Park was like going back 100 years and 100 miles north.”

Among the city’s founders were six businessmen operating together as the Mountain Park Improvement Club. Three of them were with Southern Railway, a major employer in the 1920s. Trish says that all the men and their wives were frequently featured in the social pages of various newspapers. The group’s attorney was Stephens Mitchell, president of the Atlanta Bar Association whose sister was

Margaret Mitchell, author of “Gone with the Wind.”

In its early years before incorporation, the future lakeside city was known as a summer resort for Atlantans, many of whom drove to Mountain Park on roads of varying quality. A series of ads in the Atlanta Journal in 1925 promoted the sale of 1,000 50x150 “camp sites” at $10 each.

The first lot was sold on April 1, 1925, according to Trish’s research.

In 1929, the Atlanta Constitution reported that Mountain Park had “about a hundred cottages already built and occupied and more under construction. Many of Atlanta’s businesses and social clubs here have commodious clubhouses where their members and friends may spend weekends during the summer.”

In 1934, the Mountain Park Skeet Club opened as the newest skeet club in the area with traps installed in the community’s valley. One member was famous baseball star Nap Rucker. It is no longer in operation.

The only store ever operated in the city was The Stand, a country store and restaurant with a dance floor adjacent to the neighborhood pool and a small jail. It was established in the late 1930s and closed in the late 1970s.

The Mountain Park Elementary School is part of the Fulton County School District and is in Roswell just outside the Mountain Park city limits.

A non-denominational Sunday school opened in 1956 which, according to Trish

Hill, is the “longest standing continuous organization in Mountain Park other than the City Council.”

In 1989, Mountain Park became the first city in Georgia to require a recycling program.

The city has a volunteer Fire and Rescue Department and relies on Fulton County for police services. It also has contracts with Roswell for police and fire department services as needed.

The city is currently gearing up for next year’s centennial celebration.

Bill Kolbrener became mayor of Mountain Park 2 ½ years ago, following in the footsteps of longtime mayor Jim Still. The new mayor says, “I want to honor the past while taking the city to a new level.”

Bill has been a developer for the past 30 years, and he is using his experience to focus on some needed infrastructure and erosion control issues. He also wants to help Mountain Park become more involved with other Fulton County cities.

Bill says, “We are a great and proud city. We are also an anomaly. We have no income from businesses, so we must be wise and efficient with money. We are fortunate that we have a great local government team building on the strong foundation put in place by Jim Still.”

The history of Mountain Park invites all of us to appreciate a special place that enjoys a unique way of life.

Thanks to Jacqueline Venchi, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Crabapple/Roswell for suggesting this topic.

BOB MEYERS Columnist
MARY G. PACKARD/PROVIDED
Mountain Park City Hall

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

E-bikes:

Continued from Page 1

The pathway is a popular route for numerous cycling enthusiasts of all skill levels. Some have raised safety concerns about e-bikes, noting their speed. A 2024 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report found that emergency room-treated injuries and deaths related to e-bikes are increasing.

County Manager David McKee said the county intends to balance concerns by some trail users for the bikes while

DEATH NOTICES

Rose Barbarino, age 85, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 14, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Katie Brandon, age 91, of Milton, GA passed away on July 14, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Cleanup:

Continued from Page 1

“It’s important to help out in the community,” Penny said while hunting for trash in the weeds. “Because we want Earth to be really healthy, and we want the animals to live a longer, happier life.”

The family was part of a handful of environmentally conscious residents who gathered on Namon Wallace Road in midJuly to take part in a cleanup hosted by the county. About once a month, Keep Forsyth County Beautiful invites residents to help out in cleaning up county roads.

For the Richardson family, the event was a good deed but also admittedly a little bit of fun. Caroline Richardson said after seeing a notice about it online, she added it to the kids’ summer bucket list, which also included laser tag and a visit to Six Flags Whitewater.

Julia Bonogofsky, community outreach coordinator for the county’s recycling and solid waste department, said the county makes a concerted effort to reach out to the community.

They also host hazardous household waste disposals and visit schools to educate students about the importance of keeping the environment healthy.

Roadside garbage is unsightly, but it also poses a more serious risk, she said.

On a recent vacation to the Caribbean, she was shocked to find floating patches of trash in the pristine aquamarine water.

Some of that trash very well could have come from Forsyth County, she said.

Trash, particularly plastic waste, can wash out into waterways before finding its way to the ocean, where it can contribute microplastics to marine organisms like fish.

One thing is for sure, she said: most of the trash doesn’t vanish on its own.

“Aluminum cans take about 450 years to decompose, and glass really doesn't decompose,” Bonogofsky said. “It takes about a million years for glass to decompose.”

Trash seems sometimes to be a neverending issue, and that’s why educating the next generation is so important, she said.

“I tell them you can make a difference,” she said.

making the Greenway usable for those who wish to ride e-bikes.

E-bikes have rapidly risen in popularity in recent years. They now represent the fastest-growing category in the bicycle industry, with about 1 in 5 who rode a bike in 2024 reporting they used an e-bike.

McKee said the county decided to address the new mobility devices after receiving numerous complaints from trail users. County officials also recognize e-bikes have become a popular mode of transportation and recreation, particularly among those who cannot ride traditional bikes.

Fred Casteel, age 89, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 15, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Kendall Hunnewell III, age 63, of Roswell, GA passed away on July 12, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Discussions led the county to forbid the fastest class of e-bikes, he said.

“Our walkers and runners and bicyclists are complaining that these individuals come flying by them, close calls,” he said. “And then let’s face the fact. The Greenway is not designed to be traveled at that speed.”

Kirk Franz, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said officials considered potential conflicts with walkers, joggers and traditional bike riders. He said the county intends to minimize chances for potential collisions.

“Those could be dangerous,” he said. “Really, it’s all about speed.”

Beverly Lindsey, age 93, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 11, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

William Orr, age 93, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 16, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Caroll Thomas, age 76, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 13, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

The Richardsons — mom Caroline, 9-year-old Penny and 7-year-old Rhett — clean up garbage along Namon Wallace Road in mid-July.

DC Aiken

Big Sky Franchise Team

David & Michelle Bertany

Amour & Duane Carthy

Scott Childress

Adam Corder

Barbara Anderson

Kerry Arias

Scott Baynton

Joseph Bell

Rita Brown

SM Buscher

Mark Casas

Carl Abernathy

Bruce Ackley

Salpi Adrouny

Alpharetta Lions Club

Omar Altalib

Dave Altman

Ron Altman

Joel Alvis

American Legion Post 201

Ken Amos

Alice & Dr. Richard Appen

Stewart Applbaum

Gaye Armstrong

Mary Asbury

Amy Auffant

Bonnie Avera

Carolyn Axt

Bangkok Boxing LLC

Sandra Balmer

Shannon Banna

Beth Barnes

Michael Baron

Janet Bass

Caitlin Bates

Jannet Bauer

Barbara Bauschka

Miriam Beattie

Kathy Beck

Laura Bentley

William Bentley

Steve Berman

Leslie Berry

Support Local News

Patrick Cressaty

Lindsay DeFranco

Robert Flint

Robin Fricton

Zachary Hahn

Allison January

David Conti

Theodore Davis III

Maureen Drumm

Charlcie Forehand

Aileen Horton

Deborah Jackson

David Johnson

Tom Billings

Caroline Blackmon

Tochie Blan

Ron Boddicker

Jodi Bogen

Sherri Bolles-Rogers

Katherine Bolt

Helen Borland

Debra Bowen

Joe Bowen

Kenneth Bowman

David Boy

Ryan Brainard

Mark Brandus

Mel Brannen

Amy Bratten

Carol Bright

Linda Brill

Dorothy Brouhard

Mary Anne Brown

Erendira Brumley

Zack Buchanan

Bernhard Burgener

Alvin Burrell

Mike & Theresa Buscher

Mary Busman

Clea Calloway

Kirk Canaday

James Carr

Bridgette Carter

William Carter

William Cartwright

CHARTER MEMBER

Michael Kenig

Roderick Liptrot

Bob Meyers

Claude Nardy

Cliff Oxford

Bruce Paulk

MEMBER+

Ali Mahbod

Richard Matherly

Evan McElroy

Vickie McElroy

Anne Peer

Helen Perry

Jennifer Phillippi

MEMBER

Linda & Frank Catroppa Pat Check

Virginia Christman

Adam Cleveland

Ann Coaloa

Kim Coggins

Michael Cohen

Evelyn Collazo

Michael Mackenzie

Communications

Joan Compton

Kathleen Cook

Carol Cookerly

Terri Coons

Sarah Cox

Cynthia Crawford

Rhonda Cude

Connie Cunningham

Christopher Cupit

Bart Dean

David Dean

Duane DeBruler

Marilyn DeCusati

Kathleen DeMartino

Nancy Diamond

Sarah Donehoo

Rebecca Donlan

James Dorsey

Tom Driscoll

Michael Dudgeon

Jeanette Dummer

DutchCrafters Amish Furniture

Ross & Lori Ramsey

Sarah Reiter

Mark Rundle

Matthew Sayle

Lynn Thomas

Kim Truett

Robert Popp

Dave Rhinehart

Sergey Savin

Heather Sawyer

Kate Seng

Karen Shih

Bob Stevens

Thomas Edmonds

William Edmundson

Denise Eicher

Mim Eisenberg

Danny Elkins

Su Ellis

Grady Evans

Leslie Ann Everett

Steve Fabian

Carol Fain

Martha Fasse

Nell & Doug Fernandez

Renai Fitzpatrick

Daniel Fleck

Lee Fleck

Laura Floyd

Andrew Flynn

Cathy Flynn

Paul Folger

Adrienne Fontaine

Mary Ford

Nanci Foster

Amy Frederick

Kelly Frommer

Carol Fry

Tim Fulton

Andrew Garner

Tracey Ganesh

Steve Garrett

Daniel Gay

Matthew Geller

John Gibbs

Roger Wise Jr.

Colt Whittall

John Gilberto

Leslie Gilliam

Bailey & Ryan Gladysz

Michelle Glotzbach

Harvey Goldberg

Christopher Goodrich

Jim Gray

Ralph Griffin

Rihard Griffiths

Elaine Gwynn

Carolyn Hall

Marilee Hamilton

Susan Hanna

Marion Hannah

Chris Harrell

Roxanne Hazen

Joe Hirsch

Penn Hodge

Dianne & Steffan Holmquist

Joan Hostetter

Julie Hostetter

Krista Howland

Austin Hughes

Jason Hunyar

Jacqueline Hursh

Susan Huss

Paul Huth

Jeffrey Hyde

J. Craig Inman

Sandra Jacobs

Sue Jacques

Lynn Johnson

Kimberly Verska
Carol Williams

Tyler Jones

Zach Jones

Patricia Kachur

Amy Kanderis

Arthur Kebanli

Laura Keck

Mark Kelly

Nancy Kennell

Randall Kent

Carol Kerr

Sally Klaskala

Allison Kloster

Dyna Kohler

Brett Koutnik

Larry Krueger

Jess & Chris Kysar

Malinda Lackey

Sarah Lamm

Daniel Lashinsky

Richard Lapin

Christine Law

Brandon Leach

Dennis Lee

Ken Leffingwell

Carol Lehan

Melissa Libby

Bonnie Lind

Francia Lindon

Karen Lippert

Harlan Little

Jarrett Long

Ross Long

Kyser Lough

Rita Loventhal

Jerry Lucas

Brenda Lundy

Harry Lutz

Rita Loventhal

Karen Magill

Support Local News Join Appen Press Club

MEMBER (CONT.)

Freda Manning-Rumph

Kyile Marshall

Julie Martin

Linda & Todd Martinez

Carla Masecar

Valerie Matthews

Theresea Mattioli

William Maxwell

Nicole Mayer

Rachel McCord

Austin McCully

Diane McDonald

Evan McElroy

Karen McEnerny

Jack McGinnis

Lynn McIntyre

Mike McLoughlin

Margaret McManus

Jennifer Mendoza

Al Merrill

Chris Miller

Christine Miller

Patricia Miller

Milton Animal Hospital

George Mobley

Joe Modica

Fred Moeller

Sarah Moen

Catherine Moore

Ralph Moore

Carol Morgan

Kathy Morgan

Stu Moring

Leslie Mullis

Donna Murphy

Jack Murphy

Aileen Nakamura

George Nathan

Caroline Naughton

THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS

Richard Nichols

Cindy Nolan North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc.

Tricia Novarro

Bob O’Brien

Diana O’Sullivan

Anne Pappas

Lynn Pennington

Jonathan Peters

Kurt & Leslie Phillips

Mary & Jan Phillips

James Potts

Debra Powell

Seth Price

Joyce Provissiero

Chuck Pugh

Robert Radloff

Raj Rajagopalan

Pankaj Rajankar

Ashwin Ramaswami

Cheryl Rand

Manu Rao

James Rasmussen

Paula Rattray

Lori Rausch

Jean Rearick

Joseph Reed

Scarlett Reynolds

Righteous PR

Angie Rigney

Sean Riley

Neil Robertson

Kimberly Robinson

Matt Rohs

Kim Romaner

Courtney Rozear

Fran Russell

Janet Sandberg

Continued innovation in digital media has changed the ways in which people buy, sell and interact with products and services. It has caused businesses to reassess the ways in which it communicates with potential customers and advertises its products. It has been well documented that these changes have had a destructive impact on local newspapers, which continues to be a primary source for local news, but is no longer a primary source for local advertising dollars – historically the lifeblood for reporters and their coverage. At Appen Media Group we want to address this conflict head on, and build new and innovative approaches to monetizing local news and creating a sustainable future for local journalism in metro Atlanta.

Kelly Sarmiento

Dorothy Scherr

Derek Scheidt

Stephanie Schniederjan

The Schoenblum Family

Robert Scholz

Robert Schreiner

Stephanie Schuette

Susan Searles

Frances Segars

Tracy Shealy

Tina Shelton

Lisa Shippel

Steve Short

Tom Simon

Cindy Simpson

Robert Singleton

Faye Sklar

Mitchel Skyer

Judith Slaughter

Andy Smith

Lee Smith

Tia Solh

Morris Soriano

Heidi Sowder

Gena Spears

Donald Spencer

Melissa Spencer

Jan Stephens

Wesley Stewart

Cathryn Stovall

Celeste Strohl

Diana Sullivan

Andy Sumlin

Kathy Swahn

Carol Tall

Mike Tasos

Candice Teichert

The Small Business Advisor

Suzanne & Bob Thomas

William Tietjen

Lisa Tilt

Michael Townes

Trunnion LLC

Matthew Tyser

Edward Votta

Linda Wabler

Ollie Wagner

Lewis Walker

Elizabeth Waller

Valerie Walters-Gold

Ann Marie Warning

Terry Warnke

Jonathan Washburn

Michael Watson

Deborah Weiss

Michael Weiss

Herbert Wells

Benjamin Wemberly

Beverly Whisenant

Sally White

Thom White

Umpika White

Mae Whiteside

Ashley Whitt

Jennifer Wieland

Christine Williams

Jamie Wimberly

Jonathan Winkie

Nancy & Dave Wistrand

Kalle Wood

Theresa Woolridge

Laura Wysong

Jonathan Young

THE APPEN PRESS CLUB

One solution is the creation of a membership driven organization called the Appen Press Club that is dedicated to recruiting people and companies to join as members. Members pay recurring monthly or annual dues that are 100% dedicated to sustainable journalism. By providing predictable revenue, Appen Press Club members and partners help fund the salaries and expenses of local reporters who will no longer be subject to the whims of marketing budgets and an ever changing advertising world. In turn, those reporters will provide the readers they serve with highly researched and qualified journalism focused on subjects that directly affect their quality of life.

To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

Scan QR code to join the Appen Press Club

Sawnee EMC is seeking an Accounts Payable Clerk to process invoices, purchase orders, payments, reports, and vendor files while assisting with audits, closings, and customer inquiries. Requires: high school diploma or equivalency, proficiency in mathematics, monetary, and general office skills. A minimum of two years of related work experience, as well as a degree in a related field preferred. Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings and weekends.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, July 31, 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.

US 21 International Inc. DBA SOONI & TOMMI seeks Social Media PR Specialist to Write, edit, and distribute social media press releases and media kits to promote new cosmetic product launches and related business. Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, business, or related req’d. Send resume to job loc: 10820 Abbots Bridge RD Suite 330, Duluth, GA 30097.

Staff Full Stack Engineer sought by Airia LLC in Alpharetta (Atlanta), GA. Design & develop AI solutions. Reqs: BSc or for. equiv. in SW Eng, Comp Sci, or a rel + 10 yrs SW dev experience. P/t telecommute permitted w/n Atlanta, GA MSA. Apply at https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/airia/ jobs/5130475007 or email hr@airia.com, ref. SK202.

SOFTWARE ENGINEERS: Cumming, GA & various unanticipated locations throughout the U.S.: Dsgn & impl highly sclbl dstrbtd sw & rbst data sys that process lrg vlms of strctrd & unstrctrd data. Archt end-to-end prcsng wrkflws inclu ingstn, trnsfrmtn, vldtn, strg & srvng layers & dvlp backend srvcs & APIs. Mdl cmplx datasets u/advncd SQL & data engg tchnqs & apply sttstcl & ML mthds. Bld data-drvn feats lvrgng applied AI. Invstgt rlblty issues thru rca & impl long-term solns to trnslt ambgs rqmts into sclbl, mntnbl tech dsgns suprt biz-crtcl pltfrms. Master’s in Sci, Tech, or Engg (any) is req’d. Mail CV: HR, Jobly Solutions, LLC., itservices@joblysolutions.com.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk III –Financial Services to retrieve and deliver mail, file/ scan documents, operate office equipment, and assist internal customers. Requires: high school diploma or equivalency, valid Georgia Driver’s License, basic office/ computer skills, and 12 months’ related experience or equivalent education. Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings and weekends.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, July 31, 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.

Midway Preschool is looking for an experienced Young 5’s/Prek teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. Contact Beth at beth@midwayumc.org.

Food Pantry Manager

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the full-time Food Pantry Manager position. Under the direction of the Food Pantry Director, the Food Pantry Manager leads back of house food pantry operations including inventory control, receiving products, client orders, managing volunteers, entering data and creating reports.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys managing people and process! Volunteer and inventory management, operations and data entry are primary responsibilities of this role.

The applicant should have a desire to join the team of a mission-driven non-profit where we work to ease hardship and build financial stability throughout our community. We offer one of the most competitive total rewards packages among Atlanta’s nonprofit organizations, making this role both meaningful and rewarding.

Please send resumes to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Sawnee EMC is seeking a Mapping Technician to update, maintain and operate Geographic Information System (GIS), related mapping systems and peripheral equipment to create integrated circuit designs for an electrical distribution system. Provide technical assistance in database maintenance and map production for the GIS. Requires an Associate degree or technical school certificate in GIS or related mapping or associated field, with a minimum of two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have advanced computer skills with MS Office products, ESRI GIS mapping and Auto CAD. Must be available for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours, including evenings and weekends as necessitated by circumstances and on-call functions.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, July 31, 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 accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

Aging roof? New homeowner? Storm damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. 877-461-0698 Have zip code ready when calling!

Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258

Water damage cleanup & restoration: A small amount of water can lead to major damage in your home. Our trusted professionals do repairs to protect your family & home value! 877318-6832. Have zip code ready! Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

No more cleaning gutters. Guaranteed! LeafFilter backed by no-clog guarantee & lifetime warranty. Call 1-833-610-1936 to schedule FREE inspection/ estimate. Get 15% off your entire order. Military & Seniors get additional 10% off. Limited time. Restrictions apply, see rep for details.

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

Wesley Financial Group, LLC timeshare cancellation experts over $50 million timeshare debt/fees cancelled in 2019. Free info package. Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833-308-1971

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, home, assets now for as little as 70¢/ day! 877-907-0316

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

MobileHelp America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call 1-888-489-3936

Inflation is at 40 year highs. Interest rates are way up. Credit cards. Medical bills. Car loans. Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call National Debt Relief and find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! Free quote: Call 1-844-955-4930

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

Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Free quote. Ask about first application special! 877-484-8583

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

SunSetter. America’s Number One Awning! Instant shade at the touch of a button. Transform your deck or patio into an outdoor oasis. Up to10-year limited warranty. Save $350 today! 855-914-1148

End your tax worries today. Let us make your tax problem our priority. Scared, stuck with high tax amounts? Our A+ tax professionals can help. Free consultation. Priority Tax 855-959-2267

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

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

Consumer Cellular - same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees free activation. All plans feature unlimited talk & text, starting at just $20/mo. Call 1-877-751-0866

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

Pest control: Protect your home from pests safely. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders & more. Locally owned &affordable. For service or inspection today! 877-916-2103 Have zip code ready!

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook