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Flock installer calls police on reporter ► PAGE 4

S e p t e m b e r 1 7 , 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 8

Forsyth commissioners consider AI roadmap consulting deal By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED

Chief Information Officer Mike Seymour presents Forsyth County commissioners with a proposed artificial intelligence consulting contract during a Sept. 8 work session.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County is working to get ahead of the artificial intelligence curve as more employees use the technology in their work. At a Sept. 8 Forsyth County Board of Commissioners work session, Chief Information Officer Mike Seymour asked for the consideration of a $35,000 AI consulting agreement with The Cogle Group, a Suwanee-based information technology consulting firm. Under the terms of the deal, the group would assist in the creation of a strategic roadmap and AI governance program. Commissioners gave tentative approval ahead of a later vote. Seymour said Forsyth County staffers are already using AI text chatbots, adding the contract could help develop education, guidelines and opportunities. “We know people are using AI, using ChatGPT,” Seymour said. “I’m sure everyone is using it to plan vacations, decorate your house. We want to make sure we have a strategy in place for Forsyth County.” Chairman Alfred John said he already is using the technology. “I use it daily, not for these stupid images that everybody else creates, but for data analysis, and it’s pretty powerful,” he said.

See AI, Page 12

Healthy, fast casual Maepole restaurant to open in Cumming By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Maepole, an Athens-borne fastcasual restaurant, is expanding into Cumming. Backed by Tony Townley, Zaxby’s co-founder and principal investor in the company, Maepole is planning to open a location at Bethelview and Castleberry roads in late 2026. The Cumming restaurant will be Maepole’s fourth Georgia location, joining two restaurants in Athens and one in Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood. The company is devel-

ROI

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oping additional Georgia locations as it builds a repeatable standalone model. The restaurant will be the company’s first purpose-built standalone location with a full dining room, outdoor patio. It will also mark the brand’s first drive-thru pickup lane. Maepole features a menu offering modern Southern flavors and build-your-own bowls. Customers build their own bowls from a selection of never-frozen, scratch-made bases, vegetables, proteins and sauces.

See MAEPOLE, Page 12

MAEPOLE/PROVIDED

Maepole offers a menu that includes healthy, Southern choices like spicy chicken, sweet potatoes, green beans and brown rice.

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Speeder pursued by Roswell officer arrested 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.

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — A man was arrested Sept. 1 and charged with reckless driving and felony fleeing after a vehicle pursuit that began in Cherokee County and extended into Pickens County. A Roswell officer was traveling in his patrol vehicle going north on Georgia 575 in Cherokee County when a black Audi sedan allegedly sped past him in the emergency lane going more than 120 mph. The officer reported the reckless driver to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol. The officer said the vehicle weaved through traffic and forced another vehicle off the highway and into the grass.

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.

Deputies allegedly find cocaine in man’s car during stop FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 37-yearold Lawrenceville man was arrested on a drug possession charge during an Aug. 28 traffic stop. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies stopped the man’s vehicle just after midnight on Buford Highway near Samples Road after determining its registration was suspended. Deputies smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle while speaking with

The officer activated his emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. As the pursuit approached Pickens County, the officer notified Roswell dispatchers and requested they alert the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the state patrol. The Audi sedan allegedly accelerated to 124 mph — the maximum speed of the Roswell patrol car — and continued into Pickens County, running through traffic lights and using the shoulder to pass vehicles. The officer determined he could not safely use a precision immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, to stop the car. While approaching an intersection near Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, the officer was advised to stop the pursuit and hand

it off to Pickens County and the state patrol. While at the intersection, the officer reportedly observed multiple emergency vehicles at the site of an active accident. The Audi sedan allegedly moved into the left shoulder and accelerated toward the emergency scene and its personnel. A state trooper at the intersection reentered his patrol car and took up the pursuit. When the Roswell officer saw the trooper was the only unit in pursuit, he reactivated his emergency equipment and tried to catch up, but the Audi sedan sped out of his sight. Pickens County deputies eventually blocked the Audi sedan near downtown Jasper. When the Roswell officer arrived, the driver was already in custody. The driver allegedly said he was running late to meet a woman.

the man, the Sheriff’s Office said. They also recognized the man from an arrest several years ago. A search of the vehicle allegedly found a small jewelry bag containing a baggie of suspected cocaine and loose marijuana bits under the passenger seat. The man was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and transferred to the Forsyth County Jail. – Jon Wilcox

Cumming woman who reported the incident. The woman said she was traveling in the southbound lanes near Buford Highway when a vehicle began to brakecheck and run her vehicle off the road. The woman said similar incidents have occurred between her and the vehicle before. She provided deputies with a video of the incident to review. The video showed the woman traveling in the left lane when a vehicle in front of her suddenly applied its brakes for no apparent reason. The vehicle in front of her then began driving slowly. As the woman attempted to pass, the vehicle swerved into her lane. Deputies attempted to contact the other driver but were unsuccessful. The incident was classified as a misdemeanor aggressive driving case. – Jon Wilcox

Cumming woman reports road rage incident on Ga. 400 FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies investigated an alleged road rage incident on Ga. 400 Aug. 28. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies met with a 44-year-old

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4 | September 17, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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Flock installer calls police on reporter filming in Milton By EMILY FEATHERSTON and BRENDAN KEEFE Atlanta News First MILTON, Ga. — Flock Safety has felt the heat this summer from coast to coast as criticism of its automated license plate readers and AI-powered security technology has increased, and a growing number of alleged misuse cases have further turned up the temperature on the debate. The company announced changes it said address the heart of the majority’s concern — privacy — but civil rights activists and many community leaders remain unconvinced. Numerous communities have canceled their contracts with Flock in recent weeks, and lawmakers at all levels of government have discussed or already implemented outright bans on ALPR technology in response to public pressure. However, there are many places where local law enforcement’s relationship with Flock and its network of roughly 120,000 license plate readers have continued or been reaffirmed, with the company telling one trade publication its growth has outpaced cancellations 10-to-1. That means new devices continue to appear as jurisdictions add to their inventory or upgrade their equipment, including one that was being installed on Aug. 19 on a suburban street outside of Atlanta, not far from the home of Atlanta News First Chief Investigator Brendan Keefe. Three police cars ended up in the national investigative reporter’s rearview mirror that Wednesday afternoon after he tried to film the technician installing an upgraded camera on a public street. The stop is one of at least two documented cases this year in which those working for Flock Safety called police on people engaging in the same category of public recording into which the company asserts its technology fits. Police stop ANF reporter in Milton After a family member spotted the Flock camera being worked on, Keefe drove to the location to document the camera being set up. Keefe parked on the public street at a distance, donned a yellow safety vest and a hat emblazoned with the logo of Atlanta News First, displayed a press placard on his dashboard and then pulled out a camera to record the installation. As Keefe began to shoot video, the installer saw him and immediately packed up his equipment and drove away, so Keefe also returned to his car and followed several cars behind, hoping to document the next stop.

press photographing Flock cameras or personnel in public. Employees and contractors working in the field are expected to prioritize their safety and may contact law enforcement when they believe they are being threatened, harassed, followed, or otherwise face a safety concern.”

BRENDAN KEEFE/ATLANTA NEWS FIRST

In mid-August, a worker updating this Flock Safety camera in suburban Atlanta — not far from the home of Atlanta News First investigative reporter Brendan Keefe — called 911 after Keefe tried to record video. The technician called 911. “I work with Flock Safety. And I called originally because I’m getting followed,” the installer can be heard telling a dispatcher in the recording of the call obtained by Atlanta News First Investigates. “I was getting harassed, pretty much. Taking videos and pictures. And now, the same vehicle that pulled over where I was working at has been following me.” He described Keefe’s car and, later, Keefe himself, down to his hat and highvisibility vest. Minutes later, after entering Milton, a police officer pulled Keefe over and was later joined by two other units. When the officer approached, Keefe explained who he was and what he was doing. “I’m a member of the press, and I was following at a distance because I’m documenting them putting up Flock cameras. I’m an investigative reporter,” Keefe can be heard saying on video from both his own dashboard camera and police body camera obtained from police. Body camera footage shows that while Keefe waited on the shoulder, the officer called a supervisor to explain the situation. “When I came up to them, he was behind him but not like right on his bumper,” the officer said as she reported the details to the supervisor. “He said that, yeah, he was following him to where he was trying to catch this person on video setting up the Flock cameras, but it was not to where you know so close as to break any laws or give the appearance he was stalking him, or anything like that. Yeah, he was following him, but he was not chasing him.” The officer told Keefe the installer was concerned about being identified.

“He said that he did see you coming out, bringing your camera out and everything,” the officer said. According to the officer, those given the job of installing Flock cameras have been “told just to not engage” in such situations. The officer said the installer was also concerned about privacy. “And his worry more than anything is that, you know, he’s just an employee. Anybody like you and me. And now he’s going to be in the news and he doesn’t know if it’s going to be targeted at him or his family,” the officer said. Keefe asked if the officer was suggesting the installer was entitled to privacy while working in public. “So just to be clear, he’s entitled to his privacy in a public place?” Keefe asked. “Isn’t that the whole argument that people are criticizing Flock for?” “I’m not saying that. I’m just letting you know what he’s concerned about,” the officer said. “I’m not telling you how to interpret that.” However, during the exchange, the officer did make a comment about press coverage. “I know, media, you know, the First Amendment and all of that,” she said. “But also, we should probably be a little more careful on who we put on TV and stuff like that.” About 17 minutes after the stop began, the responding officers returned to their vehicles and Keefe was allowed to drive away. In an emailed response to our questions about documenting installation of Flock devices and if the company has guidance or policies surrounding how employees or contractors are instructed to respond, a spokesperson said: “We do not object to members of the public or

Content creators questioned after filming at distribution center The Milton stop was not the first time this summer someone working for Flock Safety summoned police over a camera. On June 5, police in Smyrna responded to a 911 call from a Flock employee after a group of YouTube creators began filming outside the company’s distribution center located in the Atlanta suburb. In the recording of the 911 call, the caller identifies himself as a Flock Safety employee, going on to note the company’s relationship with law enforcement. “What’s the name of the business?” the dispatcher asked. “It’s Flock Safety. We do the license plate reading cameras that solve 20% of crime across America,” the caller replied. “Fantastic. Of course, of course,” said the dispatcher. “And we appreciate y’all.” “No, thank you,” the caller said in return, laughing. “We need a favor.” The caller claimed the group filming had “been driving around the perimeter, basically harassing everyone” working at the facility. “Three young white males, probably mid-20s, I’m not sure if they’re armed. And they’re carrying filming equipment as well,” the caller said. Three times during the call he raised the possibility the people filming might be armed; although, when asked, he told the dispatcher he had not seen any weapons. When police arrived, body camera footage shows the employee was inside the building, but over the phone identified himself as James Boyce, the distribution site’s quality manager. Boyce, holding a cellphone, said he was recording. “Everybody’s recording,” the officer replied. During the encounter, one of the YouTube creators confronted Boyce on how calling the police about being filmed seemed hypocritical. “That’s what you guys do to us, without our consent,” he said. “And I think it’s interesting, when you guys have this happen, you call the police and make us get stopped. But then you do it and it’s okay?” In their emailed statement, a Flock spokesperson claimed the trio’s encounter occurred shortly after another incident at the company’s headquarters where the spokesperson alleged individuals had claimed to have an

See FLOCK, Page 12

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Listen up: Music Milton to debut second season in October By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Music Milton will open its second season on Saturday, Oct. 10 with “Mozart in Milton,” an evening of chamber music featuring The Vega Quartet, pianist William Ransom and clarinetist Laura Ardan. The concert will highlight three of Mozart’s most expressive works: the G Minor Piano Quartet, the Duo for Violin & Viola, and the Clarinet Quintet. The performance marks a meaningful homecoming for Ardan, the retired principal clarinet of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra of 39 years. During her time with the group, she held the endowed Robert Shaw Chair and was awarded the Mabel Dorn Reeder Honorary Chair. Ardan will return to Georgia after three and a half years for this special appearance, sharing her artistry with Milton’s music lovers. “Opening season two with Mozart feels exactly right,” Music Milton’s Artistic Director William Ransom said. “Season one showed us how deeply Milton embraces world‑class music, and I’m thrilled to return with a new season that expands our reach across

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genres. From Mozart’s brilliance to jazz, bluegrass and holiday traditions, season two reflects our commitment to bringing exceptional musicians and meaningful musical experiences close to home.” The full season two schedule is as follows: • Saturday, Oct. 10 – Mozart in Milton: The Vega Quartet, Laura Ardan, clarinet, and William Ransom, piano, playing a collection of Mozart’s chamber pieces. • Sunday, Nov. 1 – Just Jazzin’ Around: Gary Motley, pianist with The Gary Motley Trio, will perform jazz standards and improvisation in a lively, fun and interactive event for the whole family. This is a free family concert. • Friday, Dec. 11 – An Appalachian Christmas: A festive holiday program blending classical, folk and bluegrass traditions performed by multi-Grammy Award-winning artists: violinist, fiddler, composer Mark O’Connor and Grammy-winning violinist and vocalist Maggie O’Connor. • Saturday, Jan. 30, 2027 – Jazz Meets Classics: The spontaneity

and energy of jazz performed by internationally acclaimed pianist Matt Herskowitz will be joined by the elegance of classical masterworks with acclaimed violinist Stella Chen and cellist James Kim. • Saturday, April 10, 2027 – Zuill Bailey and Friends: Experience the works of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms as performed by Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey, pianist William Ransom, acclaimed violist Yinzi Kong, and internationally recognized violinist Helen Kim. All concerts take place in Miltonarea venues. General tickets range from $40 to $50 per concert, except for the Nov. 1 free family concert. Tickets are $10 for students, and ticket purchases include free parking. Music Milton launched in May 2025 with a mission to build communities around world-class musical performances and education. Music Milton aims to welcome audiences from Milton’s surrounding communities of Alpharetta, Cumming, Johns Creek, Roswell and beyond. For more information, to purchase tickets, sign up to be a volunteer or donate, visit www.musicmilton.org.

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Former pastry chef opens Paris Baguette in Alpharetta By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Franchise owner Layne Alkaasamani opened Paris Baguette in Alpharetta on Wednesday, Sept. 16, bringing an assortment of artisanal pastries, cakes, breads and handcrafted beverages to 4119 Lake Street, Suite 105. After beginning her career as a pastry chef, Alkaasamani brought her passion for baking to Paris Baguette. A native of Brazil who attended culinary school in Switzerland, she opened her first bakery café in Kennesaw. She hopes to grow her portfolio to two or three additional cafés across Georgia. “What really drew me to Paris Baguette was the culture and that neighborhood bakery feel,” Alkaasamani said. “I’m looking forward to bringing that to Alpharetta and giving people a place to come

in, enjoy fresh pastries, breads and coffee, and spend time together. I want this café to feel like part of the community and be a place our guests enjoy coming back to.” The Alpharetta location is the 10th Paris Baguette bakery café in Georgia. Paris Baguette is expanding through meaningful partnerships with local entrepreneurs who genuinely want to bring people together over fresh-baked goods and artisanal coffee beverages, officials said. “We’re on a mission to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café as the heart of the community across the U.S., and we’re excited to see Layne bring this to life in her local trade area,” Darren Tipton, CEO of Paris Baguette, said. “In our cafés, we like to say, ‘Happy to see you. Happier to serve you.’ And we know Layne will wholeheartedly embrace this approach in her neighborhood.”

A map shows Paris Baguette locations across metro Atlanta.

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From left, Roswell wide receiver Landon Magnuson, girls lacrosse coach Brooke Magnuson and legendary football coach Nick Saban stand in front of the picturesque view from Saban’s Lake Burton dock on Aug. 25.

Roswell receiver gets advice from legendary football coach By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@apenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell High School wide receiver Landon Magnuson got a rare opportunity to sit down with former Alabama football coach Nick Saban on Aug. 25. With Hornets coach Jonathan Thompson's approval, Landon missed practice to travel to Saban's home on Lake Burton with his mother, Brooke Magnuson, who coaches Roswell's girls lacrosse team. Brooke had spoken with Saban by phone and arranged an in-person meeting. Brooke said Saban and his wife, Terry Saban, who is affectionately known as "Miss Terry," treated her and her son "like family." Landon tore his anterior cruciate ligament last season and was cleared to put the pads back on a few days after his meeting with Saban, on the morning of the Hornets' game against Newton High School. Landon said the biggest piece of advice Saban gave him was to "be where your feet are." "He said, 'Look down at where your feet are. That's where you are,'" Landon recounted. "Having that setback like I did, you have to do more than what's expected and work hard, and I've been working super hard." He told Appen Media that he was seeking advice from Saban on how to stand out as a recruit after his injury limited his opportunities to shine.

Now that he has been cleared to play, Landon said he is excited to bring energy to the wide receiver room as he earns his spot on the field. He looks forward to playing a role in the Hornets' season as they push to improve on their semifinal finish last year. "I think I'm going to bring good hands, good blocking," Landon said. "With tearing my ACL, I need to work on route running, so I'm not thinking too far ahead. I'm working on controlling my controllables right now." The Hornets will also focus on controlling their controllables after their 42-15 loss to Newton on Aug. 28. After leading 15-14 at halftime, the offense couldn't connect in the final two quarters. "When things like this happen, you got one of two options: you can either look at it or run from it, and I'm gonna look at it in the face," Thompson told the team in a postgame huddle. "Defensively, we did a hell of a job, put us in a great position all night to go take this football game. We didn't do it offensively, so I gotta take a look in the mirror and figure out what we gotta do to fix that. And I promise you, I will. But we gotta do it together now." He looked ahead to next week's game against Etowah High School and said he had faith in his staff to put together an effective plan moving forward. "It's a long season; this doesn't define you, OK?" Thompson continued. "But it can if you allow it to. I'm not going to allow it to."

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OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | September 17, 2026 | 9

A log cabin for the history books In 1928, a group of vocational agriculture students from 18 states met at the Baltimore Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, during the American Royal Livestock Show and founded the Future Farmers of America. Their goal was to provide future generations with the skills necessary to feed a growing American population. The 33 original founders knew that agriculture is BOB MEYERS more than planting and harvesting; it Columnist is a science and a business. The effort was made possible by the Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act of 1917, which provided federal funds for vocational education in agriculture, trades, industry and homemaking. The government's plan was to provide middle and high school students in rural areas with "agricultural leadership, character, thrift, scholarship, cooperation, citizenship and patriotism." The organization was later renamed the National FFA Organization. The FFA is still active today. Today in Georgia, the FFA has more than 390 local chapters in middle and high schools, more than 80,000 students and 700 agricultural teachers. Georgia is the third-largest FFA state in the nation. Nationwide, the FFA has more than 1 million members in 9,600 chapters. In 1935, the Milton High School senior class decided to build a log cabin. About 100 students from farm families who were FFA members, along with some local volunteers, built it. The students designed the cabin as they went along, since there were no original plans. The FFA had a very active chapter at Milton High School from the 1930s to 1970. Huey Ellington, president of the FFA chapter in 1958-59 during his senior year, said, "I have so many wonderful memories of the cabin. The FFA was a vibrant and active organization at Milton High for many years." Vocational agriculture teacher Pierce L. Elkins led the cabin construction and is credited with founding the Milton FFA chapter. He was one of the first Georgia educators trained under the Smith-Hughes Act. When he was appointed to the school in the 1930s, north Fulton was overwhelmingly rural, and vocational agricultural teachers were expected to be knowledgeable and able to teach about agronomy and livestock, to be builders and craftsmen and to be involved in the community. Elkins fit the role perfectly. Huey Ellington recalled Elkins as a "great man." "He was my favorite teacher and taught me so many things," he said. His son, John Ellington, said he is impressed by "how community, students and business partners worked together for almost a century to provide a special place." Historian Connie Mashburn said the cabin served the high school in several ways. "The cabin was used for various purposes by the high school," she said. "Social clubs held meetings there, community events were held in the cabin and during the Great Depression the junior/senior prom was held there." Tim Worley, now a member of the Alpharetta Historical Society Board of Directors, joined the high school's Social Science Forum in 1974. The forum adopted the log cabin, which had fallen into disrepair. Worley chaired the forum's Restoration Committee, which made extensive repairs to the cabin. The forum gave several well-attended public demonstrations on Saturdays, including log hewing,

BEN HOLLINGSWORTH/PROVIDED

Log cabin in route to its new home. It was previously located on the campus of Milton High School. spinning wheels and woodworking, among others. Worley's brothers Phil and John served as presidents of the Milton High School FFA chapter in the late 1960s. Ben Hollingsworth, historian and master quilter, remembers when the 82-year-old cabin was moved about 500 feet from Milton High School on Oct. 14, 2017. Bishop House Movers moved it to a property the city of Alpharetta purchased from Louise and Caroll Beavers, now deceased. Caroll served as principal at Milton High, and Louise taught home economics. Hollingsworth also recalled a plastic cup full of Coke that was accidentally left on a chair on the back of the moving rig that transported the cabin. "There was a slight decline in the street and on the property, yet the cup was still there and not a drop of Coke had spilled when the cabin arrived. The cup became a celebrity because it didn't fall," he said. Traffic was blocked on Milton Avenue for a full hour while the move took place. Local residents gathered to watch the big event. The nearby Masonic Lodge set up tables with snacks and drinks for the onlookers. Bob Nesbit's farm, located where North Point Mall is today, provided most of the lumber for the cabin. Some logs came from the school campus. Mashburn's book, "Alpharetta, Milton County – The Early Years," includes some comments from a June 10, 2001, article in the Neighbor Newspaper quoting student and cabin builder Edwin Chester, now deceased. "He would wake up every Saturday at 6 a.m. and drive with classmates to Bob Nesbit's farm," the article stated. "He would saw down the pine trees and load the logs onto a wagon pulled by a mule to the high school. At the school, Chester and his classmates would peel the bark off the logs by hand."

Every log cabin is unique, and each requires experts to move it. Most cabins have to be partially or completely dismantled before moving. Old, frail cabins have extensive interior wood or metal braces installed. This was a lucky cabin. It was moved in one piece, which was efficient and less costly, although some interior braces were installed before the move. The Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society organized a fundraising campaign to pay for the move and restoration. The campaign raised more than $200,000, Mashburn said. That included $50,000 from the city of Alpharetta and a $15,000 gift from the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau, plus numerous donations by individuals and businesses. Once in place, the cabin was fitted with a new roof, covered porch, small kitchen, fireplace, bathroom, a basement and some landscaping. Pat Miller, president of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society at the time, hoped the community would use the cabin for events. That has been the case, said Shack Lewis, the historical society's current president. "The Historical Society and the City of Alpharetta are working in harmony to gussy up the FFA log cabin and archives so that it will become another shining star on the list of protected historical places on the downtown Alpharetta stage," Lewis said. "I think of this place as our community's very own time machine. Climb aboard!" The historical society will host an event in the log cabin honoring the students who built the cabin and the FFA at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17. The event will include a presentation of some artifacts and a history of the FFA in the area. The cabin is located at 210 Milton Ave., across from the Innovation Academy. Lewis said the public is welcome.

10 | September 17, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

OPINION Roswell City Hall is located at 38 Hill St. JAMIE GODIN/APPEN MEDIA

Roswell’s tax increase is a sign of responsible leadership Tax increases are never popular. They shouldn’t be. Roswell residents have every right to question a proposed 2.5-mill increase, ask how the additional revenue will be spent and HANS APPEN demand that city Publisher leaders demonstrate they are making responsible financial decisions. But responsible government means making sure the services residents depend on are adequately funded — and that today’s needs aren’t simply pushed onto tomorrow’s taxpayers. That is what Roswell’s current leadership appears to be doing. Mayor Mary Robichaux and the city council are confronting a long list of basic needs: an aging vehicle fleet, outdated fire equipment, deteriorating roads and aging infrastructure. The city has 33 vehicles in poor condition, with some fire engines over 20 years old, and Roswell is responsible for maintaining 360 miles of roads. Those aren’t luxuries. They’re basic responsibilities of municipal government. The important question is how to pay for them.

Roswell could borrow more money. That’s what previous city councils did. Instead, Robichaux has said she doesn’t want to add another layer of long-term debt to the city’s books. That’s the responsible choice. Roswell already has a $179.6 million bond on the books, approved by voters in 2022, financing major projects, including a public safety headquarters, E-911 center, parking deck and park improvements. It’s worth remembering what a bond actually is: a loan. When a city issues bonds, it borrows money and agrees to repay that money over time, with interest. In Roswell’s case, the 2022 bond represents a long-term financial obligation that taxpayers will be paying off for decades. And the bill has come due. There is nothing inherently wrong with borrowing money for major capital projects. Cities routinely use bonds to finance large investments that would be difficult to pay for all at once. But borrowing should not become the answer to every financial need. A bond can pay to build a fire station. It doesn’t make sense to take out a 30-year loan every time the city needs to replace a fire engine. And that’s where previous city

councils deserve scrutiny. Roswell accumulated significant debt while routine maintenance and replacement needs were deferred. Now the current council has inherited both the debt and the consequences of those decisions. If anyone wants to point fingers over why Roswell is facing a significant financial challenge, they should look backward — not at the people who are now trying to address the problem. The answer certainly shouldn’t be to repeat the same approach. Borrowing more money might be politically easier, but it’s not responsible financial management. In fact, there is nothing responsible about keeping taxes artificially low if the result is allowing roads to deteriorate, fire engines to remain in service well beyond their expected lifespan or critical infrastructure to fail. The current council also deserves credit for prioritizing rather than simply spending. City leaders initially identified nearly $31 million in critical needs. They ultimately scaled that back, leaving about $18 million in priority projects while pushing roughly $13 million into a longer-term plan. That’s budgeting. That’s making hard choices. And that’s what taxpayers should expect from their

elected officials. Of course, residents should scrutinize the proposed increase. They should attend the public hearings. They should question spending and make sure the additional revenue is used as promised. But the conversation should be bigger than whether anyone likes paying another $500 or $600 in property taxes. The real question is whether Roswell is governing with a long-term view. A responsible city doesn’t rely on debt every time an expensive problem appears. It plans for the replacement of equipment. It invests in infrastructure before failure becomes an emergency. And it doesn’t pass today’s routine expenses on to tomorrow’s taxpayers simply because borrowing is politically easier. Robichaux has said she doesn’t want to “put another debt on my grandchildren.” That’s the right philosophy. Roswell cannot unspend money that has already been borrowed. But it can decide what kind of financial decisions it makes going forward. Residents don’t have to like the tax increase. But they should recognize responsible governing when they see it.

Puzzles

rier 9/17/26 Connect-It

PuzzleJunction.com

Connect-It

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, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

Forsyth Herald .............................September 17, 2026 | 11

UP IN A TREE

Dunwoody Crier 9/17/26 Crossword

Across

PuzzleJunction.com

1. Smell bad. “Norwegian Wood” instrument. Keeps the tree grounded. 2. One-dish meal. Cautious. Trees drop them in Fall. 3. Moonfish. A tree’s “clothing”. Fancy spa. 4. It grows on trees. Clan emblem. Seasonal visitor. 5. Lift. Baby’s bed. It’s like an arm on a tree. 6. Upper part of a tree. Martial artist. Slightly open. 7. Up in the air. The body of a tree. Gumbo pod. PuzzleJunction.com

12 13 14 15 16 1 Manila bean 4 Forehead 19 17 18 8 Cool drinks 21 22 20 12 Small brook 3 14 French Sudan, 24 25 26 27 23 today 15 Sugar portions 28 29 30 31 32 33 4 17 Everything’s 36 37 34 35 okay 19 Foxy-faced 5 39 40 41 42 38 primate 20 Flycatcher 44 45 43 21 Baseball players 6 47 48 49 50 46 at the July classic 23 Before, 51 52 53 54 55 poetically /17/26 Sudoku7 24 Alias 60 61 56 57 58 59 Up a Tree 9/17/26 Kakuro PuzzleJunction.com 27 Fizzles out How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle Dunwoody above has Crier three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is 63 64 65 62 28 Helpless 1. first Smell instrument. the giving you the correct number of letters for each the letterbad. of the“Norwegian second answer,Wood” and so on. The connectingThey letter keep is outlined, statement tree grounded. 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 66 Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number 31 Buck dispenser for 3 answers on thepuzzle, line. Buteach here’srow, the catch! Theand clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually To the solve the Sudoku column above thedrop diagonal line inina black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum 2. One-dish meal. Cautious. Trees them Fall. 34 Diminutive 69 70 71 be the second or the thirdnumbers answer in1that line. Good inluck! boxformust contain to of 9. the Got whiteit? squares the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence. suffix 3. Moonfish. A tree’s “clothing.” Fancy spa. Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com 36 Uncle (Sp.) 37 Balm ingredient 66 Sleep disorder 8 Good to go 35 Poi source 4. It grows on trees. Clan emblem. Seasonal visitor. 38 Stadium sounds 67 Hints 9 Pairs 37 In awe 5. Lift. Baby’s bed. It’s like an arm on a tree. 39 Forest god 68 Game equipment 10 Mrs. Peel of The 40 Cravings 42 Dour 69 Small whirlpool Avengers 41 Casting need 6. Upper part of a tree. Martial artist. Slightly open. 43 Ticks off 11 Cowboy boot 70 Slangy assent 47 No restrictions 44 Driver’s aid attachment 71 Waking ___ on a ticket 7. Up in the air. The body of a tree. Gumbo pod. 45 Beetle Bailey Devine (1998 13 Fabrication 48 DiCaprio, to fans pooch film) 16 12th graders 49 Madness 46 ___’easter (Abbr.) 50 Ho-hum 47 Really nervous 18 Close, as an 51 Exposed Down 51 Danish cheese envelope 54 Odyssey 52 Camera type, 22 Fleur-de-___ 1 Vineyard fruit sorceress briefly 25 Young foxes 55 Extra 2 Gulf ship 53 Color TV 26 China setting 3 Type of outdoor 56 Triumphant cry pioneer 29 More or ___ gear 57 Easy gait 56 Over a period 4 Upscale wheels 30 Numbers game 58 Touch down of time 31 Type of bicycle 59 Paste 5 Actress ___ Dawn 60 Bitter Chong 32 Tipster 61 Atlantic food fish 62 Squirrel away 33 Exec’s note 6 Cantina cooker 64 Grassland Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a 63 Conductor’s cry 7 Command answer 34 Hibernia 65 Cigar residue 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 3

1 7

6 5 4 2 2 3 9 2 8 5 9 5 7 4

2 4

8 9

See puzzle solutions on Page 14

Solution

Solution 4 7 5 1 3 9 6 8 2

2 3 1 7 8 6 9 4 5

6 8 9 4 5 2 1 7 3

8 5 6 9 4 3 2 1 7

9 1 7 6 2 8 3 5 4

3 4 2 5 7 1 8 9 6

5 2 3 8 9 7 4 6 1

1 9 4 3 6 5 7 2 8

7 6 8 2 1 4 5 3 9

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12 | September 17, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

AI: Continued from Page 1 Government employees around the country are using AI programs to assist them in their work. A June 2025 survey from Mission Square — an organization that conducts research into state and local government workforce issues — polled 2,000 public employees and found many are already using tools like ChatGPT. About 46% of those employees said they currently use such tools in their job, and about 17% do so daily. More than half said AI tools improved their work and productivity. About 60% said they received little or no training on the tools. That lack of training can present

challenges, according to the Center for Economic Development Research at Georgia Tech. Officials there said AI programs can automate routine tasks and provide data insights, but implementing the technology requires robust governance plans to ensure compliance with regulations and standards. Local governments should consider ethical issues, including bias, and security, center officials added. For example, in 2023, a North Carolina information technology professional sued Workday Inc., alleging the company’s AI-driven hiring tools discriminated against him and others based on race, disability and age. County Manager David McKee said the creation of an AI roadmap could allow the county to better consider staff recommendations and create guardrails for using the technology.

Flock: Continued from Page 4 interview with CEO Garrett Langley and attempted to gain access to the building. “That understandably raised legitimate security concerns for our employees and our facilities. Those concerns also exist in a broader environment in which Flock employees and contractors have received threats or been subjected to violent rhetoric,” the spokesperson said, referencing social media threads and the arrest of a California man who is accused of threatening a Flock camera installer with a knife and vandalizing the installer’s vehicle. “We fully support people expressing criticism, asking tough questions, and making their voices heard. Threats of violence, or rhetoric that encourages or celebrates violence against employees, should never be part of that discourse,” the spokesperson said. No one was charged in the YouTuber group, though the individuals were ordered to leave the premises under an official trespass warning.

County staffers are currently working on an AI use policy, Seymour said. “What comes out of this would help us finalize that policy,” he said. Commissioners said they were interested in exploring the technology while ensuring it is used responsibly. Commissioner Kerry Hill said county employees should understand the risk of AI hallucinations, or AIgenerated information outputs that contain misleading information but are presented with complete confidence. “You’re always responsible for what you put out there,” she said. Data security presents another concern, Seymour said. “We have to make sure the guardrails are there,” he said. “We don’t want Forsyth data getting out in the public. We don’t want to pull in public data that has no relevance to what we are trying to do.”

Maepole: Continued from Page 1 That approach creates a menu that is accessible to a wide range of dietary preferences. The restaurants offer gluten-free, vegan and ketofriendly choices, and hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, while operating a 100 percent peanut- and treenut-free kitchen. Ingredients include spicy chicken, sweet potato, black bean salad, sriracha honey sauce and more. Chef Peter Dale, Maepole founder and culinary director, said the menu caters to growing families, those living active lifestyles and people who want better, more convenient food. “We want to be just as useful on a busy Tuesday night as we are for lunch on Saturday. Sometimes that means sitting down with your family, and sometimes it means picking up a great meal on your way home,” Dale said. For menu information and updates on the Cumming opening, visit Maepole.com.

Researcher cites ‘absurd’ situation scrubbing data as a company that literally Benn Jordan was among those outcollects data every single time you pass a side the warehouse and identified himself camera and sends it to law enforcement,” to officers as a security researcher workhe said. ing with the YouTube creators. Jordan, an online content creator Flock blocks press from law himself, has been digging into a variety of enforcement conference privacy and security concerns across the The heat of growing public backlash — technology spectrum for the last few years. and above-average Georgia summer temMonths before the incident in Smyrperatures — didn’t deter Flock from rolling na, Jordan spoke with Atlanta News out the red carpet at the company’s annual First about his previous video report that law enforcement conference. identified encryption vulnerabilities that Held Aug. 18-20 in Atlanta, Flock would allow anyone to access dozens of Forward 2026 was billed as a chance for Flock camera feeds. public safety and security professionals to Flock said it determined the vulnergather for “three days of real cases, practiability was present in just 60 to 70 of its cal playbooks, and peer-led conversations.” AI-powered video cameras and blamed an Jordan tried to attend the conference internet service provider for sending the but was ultimately turned away, as was wrong SIM cards. Atlanta News First. Even after the encryption vulnerabilIn a video he released following the ity was fixed, use of that type of camera event, Jordan detailed how his registration in certain sensitive public venues conand hotel booking were canceled four days tinued to draw scrutiny. prior to the event. Jordan said during the interview that Drone video and photos taken by ANF growing negative attention has led some from an elevated public walkway that within the company to take extreme provided a view into a rooftop reception measures to hide their personal informa- at the event showed law enforcement tion. officers, including some wearing their “That’s the most absurd part of it badges, socializing and perusing Flock ... their response to T:\Obits this controversy is items on display. Death Notices\2026 Death Notices

DEATH NOTICES Holly Christian, age 60, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 1, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Jacqueline Dohm, age 86, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 2, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Marynelle Criswell, age 87, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 5, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

James Exparza, age 91, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 7, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Joy Strachan, age 77, of Roswell, GA passed away on September 2, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

When ANF inquired about attending in a journalistic capacity — a common practice and one that other national law enforcement events offer — a spokesperson said: “Flock Forward is a customer event and not open to the media.” During an interview in April, Keefe actually asked Flock Safety’s Chief Communications Officer Josh Thomas whether the company considers law enforcement agencies to be its customers or citizens. “So ultimately, I would argue that the whole community is our customer,” Thomas said at the time. But while Flock as a private company had the ability to limit documentation of its multiday event — where promotional materials said public safety entities would be able to discuss with the company “how to prepare for city council conversations” and leave with “practical takeaways” such as “ideas for investigations, deployment, connected response, and measurable impact” — frustration continues to grow in many communities where it’s largely impossible to opt out of Flock’s technology documenting everyday movements. “Why can’t I opt out? Why can’t the spouse or ex-spouse of a police officer opt out of this kind of data collection on their movements?” Keefe asked Thomas during the April interview. “Why can’t the person opt out? It’s because if your car gets stolen, if something were to happen, moreover, the government requires you to have a license plate. It’s the law. And it’s plain-view information,” Thomas said. “Your license plate is part of the plain view. And so why can’t you opt out. You can, if you want to opt out of society.” This article was republished as part of a content sharing agreement with Atlanta News First. The station first published this story on their website, atlantanewsfirst.com, Sept. 8.

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | September 17, 2026 | 13

Full-time Veeam Software Corporation in Alpharetta, GA seeks Principal Engineer, Salesforce. Lead custom dvlpmnt & ongoing enhancement of the Salesforce platform to ensure alignment with Veeam’s business goals, technical, & security standards. Must hold Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I certification. Some telecommuting permitted (hybrid). $152,131 to $186,586.85/yr. To apply, send resume to Veeam.HR.NA.Paperwork@ veeam.com specifying job code 92132. EOE. Lead System Engineering needed by AT&T Services, Inc. in Alpharetta, Georgia to define designs and provide technical enablement for application components and subsystems for applications. Apply at http://att.jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-120051.

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Veeam Software Corporation in Alpharetta, GA seeks Senior Business Partner, Partner Experience. Build & maintain strong relationships w/ key business stakeholders, serving as primary point of contact & trusted advisor btw Channel & Alliance business units & Corporate Technology team. Some telecommuting permitted (hybrid). $130,000 to $241,500/yr. To apply, send resume to Veeam. HR.NA.Paperwork@veeam.com specifying job code 92758. EOE.

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A D E S B R O W G O A L U M P S M A L I R I L L L E M U R A L L I S W E L L A L L S T A R S P E W E E D I E S A K A E R E A T M A L L I S L O S T A L O E T I O E T T E G L U M S A T Y R R A H S O T T O T E E I R E S G E N E inDa crossword L O solved A L puzzle, N O R number style grid. The rules a Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging below the dia A R it.CA number S toLtheRright of E Usquares L white above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum Bof the can only be used onc andRa digit I D G digits 1 toA9, C N the of the white squares in the sequence below A LonlyOuse L may A it.L You PuzzleJu Dunwoody Crier 9/17/26 Connect-It A L L A B O A R D H O A R D D I C E C U E S A P N E A N E D Y E A H E D D Y Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com

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2 L E A V E S T E W A R Y 3 O P A H O T T U B A R K 4 T O T E M O S S A N T A

MEMBER 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 Marcus Ashworth 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

14 | September 17, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

5 C R I B R A N C H E F T

Tom Driscoll Michael Dudgeon Jeanette Dummer DutchCrafters Amish Furniture 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

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6 C R O W N I N J A J A R

Solution

7 O K R A L O F T R U N K

4 7 5 1 3 9 6 8 2

7 6 8 2 1 4 5 3 9

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MEMBER (CONT.) J. Craig Inman Sandra Jacobs Sue Jacques Lynn Johnson 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 Freda Manning-Rumph Hilbert Margol 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 Jay O’ Meara Celia Mendez 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 Richard Nichols Cindy Nolan North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. Carol & Carl Obenland Tricia Novarro Bob O’Brien Martha O’Brien Jay O’Meara Diana O’Sullivan Anne Pappas Lynn Pennington Jonathan Peters

THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS

Kurt & Leslie Phillips Mary & Jan Phillips James Potts Debra Powell Seth Price Joyce Provissiero Chuck Pugh Douglas Quat Patricia Rackliffe 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 Rory Robichaux 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.

Carolina Santos Kelly Sarmiento Fran Schefer Derek Scheidt Dorothy Scherr 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 Judith Stewart

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 codeto join the Appen Press Club

16 | September 17, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

STORE CLOSING Final Weeks!

Going Out Of Business

60-75% OFF Entire Store!

Over 1,000 Rugs in Stock! All Sizes and Colors!

A few examples of our Going Out of Business prices: 13x20 hand-knotted rug 100% wool – $9,850 now $1,250 10x14 hand-knotted rug 100% wool – $5,500 now $980 8.5x11.5 antique heriz – $11,500 now $2,500 8x10 power loom – $1,720 now $290 6x9 woven 100% wool – $950 now $175 3x5 antique – $1,200 now $175

Store Closing Means Unbeatable Savings.

Thousand plus rugs are available in all sizes, colors, and styles new and antiques from all over the world with unbelievable prices. This is your opportunity to purchase premium rugs at some of the lowest prices we’ve ever offered. These savings are only available while inventory lasts, so don’t wait to find the perfect rug for your home.

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