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Forsyth County fire officials recognized for saving life ► PAGE 2 S e p t e m b e r 3 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 0 , N o . 3 6

‘It gives me chills. It’s community’

Cumming Farmers Market keeps Forsyth County’s roots alive

By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Holly Wall holds a loaf of sourdough bread she baked Aug. 29 at the Cumming Farmers Market.

CUMMING, Ga. — The Cumming Farmers Market continues to celebrate Forsyth County’s agricultural and artisan roots. On Aug. 26, one of the last markets of the summer, stalls sold fresh bread, potted plants, farm-grown meats, toys, hot food and other items. Now several decades old, the market pays homage to a Forsyth County that once hosted numerous farms and fields, a landscape that is now increasingly taken over by subdivisions and commercial developments. Randy Gazaway, the market’s organizer, said he is proud to see the tradition continue. “There’s still people that are still trying to farm in the county because there is so much growth,” he said. “It has pushed a lot of the farms and farmland out of the county, but thank the Lord, we’ve still got some farmers in the county.”

See MARKET, Page 17

SPLOST IX road projects soon to begin construction By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County residents could soon see the start of a series of sales-tax-funded road projects. At an Aug. 25 work session, County Manager David McKee provided an

ROI

matters.

update to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners on work to be funded by Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax IX. "We're months away from having a lot of barrels in a lot of locations," McKee said. Approved in 2024, the 1% sales tax is expected to generate more than $350

million through 2031. County officials plan to debut an online resource soon, one that will allow residents to track the projects' progress. Officials said the sales tax shifts the financial burden of major projects from county residents to visitors. McKee said a little more than a

third of collections come from nonForsyth County residents. "These are folks coming in for tourism or passing through for some reason and spending dollars in Forsyth County," he said. "We want them to do that every day they can."

See PROJECTS, Page 18

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Forsyth County fire officials recognized for saving life By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

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.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Two Forsyth County fire officials were recognized Aug. 25 for saving the life of a man suffering a heart attack.

Deputies investigate dog attack near apartment complex FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies investigated a reported dog attack near an Atlanta Highway apartment complex Aug. 17. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said a 34-year-old Cumming woman was walking her dog about 6:45 a.m. when they were attacked. The attack reportedly occurred when another woman let go of the leashes to her three dogs to pick up their feces. The three dogs ran to the Cumming woman and her dog and attacked them, the sheriff’s office said. The Cumming woman’s dog was injured and was taken to a veterinarian for treatment. The Cumming woman later obtained the other woman’s phone number and provided it to deputies. Deputies called that woman, who confirmed the incident occurred. The woman, who was not charged, said she would pay for the injured dog’s treatment. — Jon Wilcox

Two arrested on drug charges during Georgia 400 traffic stop FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 39-year-old Hoschton woman and 45-year-old Aiken, South Carolina, man were arrested on drug charges during a traffic stop Aug. 15. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies stopped a vehicle on southbound Georgia 400 about 11:30 p.m. after it failed to maintain its lane.

During a work session, the Forsyth County Commission recognized EMS Administrator Billy Bean and Capt. Colin Halligan, the county said. Commissioners commended Bean and Halligan for “their professionalism, bravery and countless hours spent train-

ing for emergencies just like this.” The men, who are EMS instructors, were representing the Fire Department at a job fair July 30 when an attendee suffered a heart attack. Without hesitation, they performed life-saving CPR and defibrillation.

POLICE BLOTTER

handcuffed him. He was taken to the Alpharetta Detention Center and charged with misdemeanor sexual battery and obstruction or resisting arrest.

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.

While speaking with the woman and man, who was driving, deputies said they smelled marijuana and as a result began an impaired driving investigation. The man, who was determined to be safe to drive, allegedly admitted marijuana was inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle found dextroamphetamine pills, glass pipes containing methamphetamine, a marijuana grinder, a dollar bill containing heroin and a marijuana cigar, the sheriff’s office said. The man and woman were arrested and taken to the Forsyth County Jail. At the jail, the woman allegedly admitted to having a methamphetamine pipe inside her pants.

— Jon Wilcox

Roswell woman charged with cocaine possession after crash

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 42-year-old Roswell woman was arrested on drug charges after a single-vehicle crash Aug. 1. Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the crash site on northbound Georgia 400 near Haynes Bridge Road about 9 p.m. The vehicle was facing the wrong direction and blocking center lanes. The woman and her 4-year-old son were riding as passengers in the wrecked vehicle. Officers investigated the driver, a 34-year-old Buchanan man, for intoxicated driving. At press time, it is unclear whether the man was charged with intoxicated — Jon Wilcox driving. Officers began to suspect the woman was intoxicated after noticing she allegedly Dallas man charged with appeared confused and had trouble staying still, police said. A clear plastic baggie with sexual battery in Alpharetta drug paraphernalia was found under the ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 33-year-old Dallas woman’s seat, a police report noted. man was arrested after allegedly striking a The woman was handcuffed after she woman’s buttocks at a Webb Bridge Road allegedly attempted to walk away from clinic Aug. 4. officers, requiring them to first secure her Alpharetta police said officers were with an armbar technique, police said. dispatched to the business about 10 a.m. A search of the woman found a plastic Officers reviewed a video recording that bag containing 5 grams of suspected allegedly showed the man slapping the cocaine in her pants pocket, police said. woman’s buttocks. The woman was taken to the Alpharetta Police spoke with the woman, who Detention Center and charged with confirmed the incident occurred. possession of cocaine and obstruction or The man allegedly resisted arrest and resisting arrest. attempted to pull away when officers — Jon Wilcox

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DIGITAL DILEMMA

NEWS

Researchers, school districts study screen time use By JIM BASS jim@appenmedia.com DECATUR, Ga. — Terms like “screenagers” and “iPad kids” have become common nicknames that define Generation Alpha and part of Generation Z. Statistics show why adults are increasingly concerned about children’s and teenagers’ screen time. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study conducted between July 2021 and December 2023, 50.4% of teenagers ages 12 to 17 had four hours or more of daily screen time. The study found anxiety and depression symptoms more than doubled in teens who surpassed four hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics previously recommended that kids be limited to two hours a day; however, that recommendation has been removed, and there is no set limit in place anymore. Instead, the academy recommends “the five Cs” for parents to evaluate screen time limits — child, content, calm, crowding out and communication. Due to the rise in screen time and easy access to social media among children and teenagers, local institutions, including school districts and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, are exploring different ways to catch up and keep kids safe and healthy. Preventative tool to save teens Outside of the classroom, students’ social media use has already been under investigation in courtrooms. According to a Los Angeles Times report, Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, was ordered to pay $942 million in total in a two-part New Mexico case, which also required the company to make its platform safer for young people. According to a Time report, it’s one of thousands of lawsuits filed alleging that social media apps owned by Meta, TikTok, Google and Snap are deliberately addictive to young users. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that more than 3,000 of those lawsuits can move forward. A Pew Research Center survey in 2025 found that 92% of teens ages 13 to 17 used YouTube daily, and over 60% used TikTok or Instagram. Of those teens, around 20% of them said they use YouTube or TikTok “almost constantly.” Locally, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology, is beginning to conduct a study to develop a tool that detects when a child’s social media use is becoming “toxic” for the user. The study comes after an increased interest on children’s mental health following the COVID-19 pandemic, and

JIM BASS/APPEN MEDIA

Children’s Chief of Behavioral and Mental Health Dr. John Constantino poses for a photo at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on Aug. 17. specifically the lack of safeguards for children on social media. Children’s Chief of Behavioral and Mental Health Dr. John Constantino is leading the study at the Children’s Pediatric Technology Center at Georgia Tech. The study will evaluate teens using a Georgia Tech-designed social media surveillance tool trained to monitor and detect mental health decline. Constantino’s team is recruiting participants ages 13-17, who will opt in to take part in the study. He said that while there is the generally perceived association with the “continued erosion of mental health of children” and screen time, he said that the Georgia Tech tool is looking to find the actual causal association, a much more difficult question. “[Georgia Tech] took an approach that asked a very specific question, which is, could you identify within social media activity of youth using smartphones, signatures that would directly predict risks for either erosion in their identity or

literally suicidal thinking and behavior,” Constantino said. The tool tracks every exchange on a teenager’s social media use. Every time the user interacts, such as watching a video or liking a comment, it records this data as a positive or negative. If it detects too many negative interactions, it will alert researchers. The exchange is put into an algorithm run by artificial intelligence. The tool takes all that information and calculates the statistical likelihood that the exchange is related to an “erosion in that part of their psychological self.” “When there’s enough of those vectors that are moving in the wrong direction that have already been shown to predict suicide risk, that’s when we would use that information to act on that signature in real time to help that user of the smartphone course-correct themselves and recognize when it’s becoming toxic to them,” Constantino said. The tool was developed by Georgia

Tech School of Interactive Computing professor Munmun De Choudhury, who is trying to craft it with sensitivity, hoping to maintain the privacy of the data collected as well. Both Choudhury and Constantino are hoping it can eventually save teenagers’ lives. “We are trying to see how we can use A.I. for a good purpose,” Choudhury said. “What we are hoping is that once we can screen for risk, we will be able to connect this young person with the right type of intervention or care that they might need.” The tool works on a three-alert system. The first level occurs when the tool notices a teen’s social identity deteriorating but not to the level of an emergency, sending a message to the user encouraging the user to reframe, redirect or pause use. The second alert is triggered when the tool detects behavior requiring caregiver intervention, in which case a direct message is sent to the user’s parents. The third and highest level of alert triggers 911 because the tool has identified an imminent risk of harm to the smartphone user or others on their social network. Constantino said that the biggest immediate goal is to prevent teenagers from harming themselves. He said Children’s sees more than 3,000 emergency room visits annually due to suicidal crises. “Given the fact that it’s possible that a smartphone, if it included this surveillance function, could potentially save lives that would otherwise be lost because there’s no way to get to a child who is manifesting those kinds of risks ahead of time,” Constantino said. Participants will also donate their previously collected social media data, which is accessible to all users, to assist the tool. Of the 200 participants expected, most will be located in Georgia and around the metro Atlanta area. The study is currently in both “phase zero and phase one,” expected to last 18 months. Constantino hopes to have beta tests for a functioning prototype of a prospective surveillance agent in a smartphone within two years. “The technology moved faster than the grown-ups’ ability to make sure that the technology can be harnessed by young people in a way that’s safe, and it’s our job as adults to catch up,” Constantino said. “We’re trying to help that process.” Screen time in schools In recent years, cell phones have largely been removed from the hallways and classrooms of local public school buildings. The goal is to reduce distractions and increase social engagement.

See DILEMMA, Page 18

NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | September 3, 2026 | 5

Milton council OKs $10M settlement in fatal crash case By JOSHUA WILSON and ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE joshua@appenmedia.com erlandrya@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — The Milton City Council unanimously approved a $10 million settlement Aug. 24 with the parents of Joshua Chang, the Yale University student who died in a 2016 crash after his car struck a concrete planter off Batesville Road. Under the settlement, the city’s insurer, the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency, and its reinsurer, NLC Mutual Insurance Co., will cover $6.67 million, with the city responsible for the remaining $3.33 million. The agreement does not include an admission of fault by the city or its insurers. The case reached the Georgia Supreme Court on questions of municipal sovereign immunity before returning to the Georgia Court of Appeals, where it remained pending at the time of the settlement. Chang died Nov. 19, 2016, when his car left Batesville Road and struck a concrete planter roughly six feet off the roadway between two driveways. His parents, John Chang and Rebecca Zhu, sued the city for wrongful death,

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and a Fulton County jury found Milton liable for negligence and nuisance. The jury awarded the parents $35 million in 2023, which was later reduced to about $32.55 million. The city of Milton appealed the verdict, which was later upheld by the appeals court. The state’s highest court reversed that ruling in a 5-2 decision in March. Justices ruled in part that the state’s waiver of the city’s sovereign immunity for failing to keep streets safe for travel does not extend to roadside areas like where the planter was located, even if those areas might be used in an emergency. The case was sent back to the appeals court to decide whether other immunity waivers could still allow the negligence claim to proceed and whether immunity separately bars the nuisance claim. Those questions remained unresolved when the settlement was reached through mediation. Attorneys Jeffrey R. Harris and Jed D. Manton of Harris Lowry Manton LLP, who represent the Chang family, said in a statement to Appen Media that no settlement “can undo the loss of Joshua Chang, a young man who had an incredibly bright future.”

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A concrete planter on Batesville Road in Milton is shown in this file photo. In November 2016, Joshua Chang’s vehicle struck the planter, which was, according to city officials, installed by a private resident roughly six feet off the roadway between two driveways. Chang died in the crash.

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NEWS

MARTA riders want World Cup-level service to continue By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — Two months ago, Jackson Lee said his experience riding on Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority trains was “seamless.” MARTA trains were coming within 15 minutes of one another and he did not find himself waiting, particularly in the Five Points Station — a popular spot to transfer. MARTA reported a surge in ridership June 11 through July 15, driven largely by FIFA World Cup matches and watch parties. The system logged 4.7 million rail passengers over those 35 days and increased rail service to accommodate the crowds. On match and fan fest days, MARTA ran trains every five minutes. Manager of Communications Payson Schwin said MARTA ran four-car trains on the eastwest blue line, with a shuttle train on the green line running between Ashby and Bankhead stations. MARTA also deployed specialized shuttle trains to clear crowds from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and maintained standby bus fleets to respond to real-time ridership surges. A month later, Lee, a Midtown resident and Decatur native, said he has waited 2025 minutes for trains at the Georgia State and Decatur stations, both on the blue and green lines. That was not something that happened during the World Cup, he said. “During the World Cup, it really showed me what [MARTA] can be in this city, but it’s not funded,” Lee said. MARTA receives no operational funding from the state. The authority’s primary source of funding is sales tax revenue collected in Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties and the city of Atlanta, which is supplemented by federal grants. For the World Cup, the authority received $8 million in federal funding, distributed through the Federal Transit Administration, to handle the increased frequency. While the authority made noticeable changes for a little more than a month, dedicated riders have also seen service scale back since tourists left town. “I think that the biggest thing for me was the more frequent trains on game days,” Decatur resident Stacey Mohr said. “I understand that maybe that’s not doable regularly, but that made it … so much easier.” A sense of security remains riders’ top concern Station-specific improvements, like increased signage and volunteers offering assistance, also made the MARTA experience better, riders said. John O’Brien of Decatur said stations felt secure during the World Cup, with

given to local NPR affiliate WABE. According to WABE, MARTA plans to boost its police force to approximately 400 officers from the current number of around 270. The new railcars are expected to roll out in stages and be completely in place by 2030. Schwin said MARTA also plans to add transit ambassadors and more safety personnel during major events, including Labor Day weekend, when both Dragon Con and the Aflac Kickoff Game will take place in Atlanta.

CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED

The North Springs station — located at 7010 Peachtree Dunwoody Road in Sandy Springs — is the northern terminus for the red line of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, more commonly known as MARTA. someone always on hand to help. He worries the system will now slide back into problems that make riders feel unsafe. “A lot of them were volunteers … but still, there was a security presence,” O’Brien said. “I noticed that immediately after it was over, they vanished. There’s not a policeman in any of the stations again.” As a regular MARTA rider since it launched in 1972, O’Brien said he has a vested interest in the transportation system. He loves the convenience it provides getting to the airport and how it enables him to easily explore neighborhoods and restaurants outside of Decatur. O’Brien thinks the biggest thing MARTA needs to overcome is a perceived lack of security. He’d like to see more officers patrolling stations, a critique shared by Dunwoody resident Matt Moseley, who has been consistently riding MARTA since 2012. Moseley said he’s “always felt at peace” on MARTA but takes that for granted; his fiancee has told him she feels uneasy and “on guard” while riding. “I wish they could create a better sense of safety and security,” Moseley said. “I want people to be able to relax when taking MARTA.” Behind the scrutiny, and how MARTA is responding MARTA made national headlines over the summer after several violent incidents, including a stabbing at the Georgia State station May 24, the fatal stabbing of 66-year-old Margaret Swan on a train May 30 and a shooting on a train June 5. Before World Cup matches started in Atlanta in June, the Federal Transit Administration was directed to investigate the transit authority’s security spending, safety protocols, and risks to riders and workers. MARTA spokesperson Schwin said

crimes committed in the authority’s jurisdiction are down 24% since 2025, and incidents on train lines have dropped from 200 in 2020 to 103 last year. Mohr said she noticed and appreciated the heavier police presence after the May and June incidents. She added that she doesn’t think MARTA has more safety issues than other cities’ transit systems. Atlanta resident Liane Hunter said the atmosphere on MARTA transit modes has improved over the past 15 years, and she doesn’t think those violent crimes are entirely reflective of MARTA. “I think maybe it’s more reflective of society as a whole, unfortunately,” Hunter said. “I think that there’s violence everywhere, and my experience with MARTA, specifically, is that I feel safe.” MARTA also received a $3.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help cover additional security needs during the World Cup. MARTA Police Department officers worked 10- to 12-hour shifts six days a week, patrolling trains, stations, buses, transfer hubs and parking lots. Key department personnel also staffed the authority’s emergency operations center on all match and fan fest days starting June 11 to monitor developments and respond quickly. Schwin said riders can expect continued security improvements as MARTA rolls out its new CQ400 railcars. The authority will have a full-time police officer assigned to each train, the spokesperson noted. The new railcars also feature more than a dozen closed-circuit television cameras, microphones that can detect loud disturbances and alert MARTA personnel, and open gangways that allow officers to patrol every car in a train. The authority has been growing its police force to prepare for the increased officer presence, according to a briefing

Riders wait on delayed railcars and more access MARTA delayed the launch of the new railcars in June while the authority works through a safety certification process. Once running, Schwin said the new cars will ride more smoothly and also be more mechanically reliable than the current ones. The spokesperson, however, didn’t indicate when the first set of new railcars would launch. Swiss train manufacturer Stadler is also equipping the rail system with new technology meant to improve performance and train frequency. Long-term capital programs will eventually replace aging rails, giving another boost to reliability, MARTA personnel noted. O’Brien said riders seem “perplexed and frustrated” about the delays surrounding the new railcars. Lee said he was also confused by the holdup. “I know they have been manufactured, and they were meant to be rolled out in June,” he said. Hunter said riders also want more trains and stops near places they actually want to go, including pedestrian hubs like the Atlanta Beltline or Pullman Yards, which have minimal station access despite being close to existing lines. She added that station amenities — like public art — would help riders see MARTA’s infrastructure “as a piece of the community instead of a safety hazard or a place where people are just getting from point A to point B.” MARTA personnel didn’t respond to a request for comment from Appen Media about potentially expanding rail access. Overall, Lee said he’d like to see MARTA get more funding to make the system more efficient and give commuters a reason to leave their vehicles behind. O’Brien said MARTA, with those promised improvements, has to make the case directly to Atlantans. “They’re going to have to prove that sitting in traffic three hours of your life every day is not an advantage over maybe a 40-minute train ride,” O’Brien said.

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | September 3, 2026 | 7

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

MARTA needs visionary leadership Dear editor, Thank you for publishing Hannah Yahne's column, "MARTA Riders Want World Cup-Level Service to Continue." I have been a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority rider — to the airport and to events in Downtown Atlanta — for the past 30 years, and with the exception of occasional annoying panhandlers, I have been satisfied with the convenience of car-free transport, especially to the airport, and with not having to deal with Atlanta car traffic or the hassles of parking there. I am very sad that voters in the northern Atlanta suburbs nixed a proposal several decades ago to extend MARTA rail up Georgia 400 to Alpharetta and beyond. In my opinion, this was pure racism. Now, instead, the Georgia Department of Transportation is cutting down thousands of trees to make room for more lanes on Georgia 400, leading to more cars, more traffic and more fossil-fuel pollution. Local government lacks the vision or funding to make MARTA rail expansion a reality, and appallingly, MARTA gets no funding from the state govern-

Submit your letters: Appen Media welcomes your letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and Appen Media reserves the right to edit a letter for length and content. To submit your letter, visit: appenmedia.com/site/forms/submit_ letter_to_the_editor/letter_editor ment, in contrast to other systems such as the New York City subway and Bay Area Rapid Transit in San Francisco. It is also an insult to the regular MARTA rider that safety is "geared up" for special events such as the Olympics and the World Cup, while safety has not been a priority on "ordinary" days. Visionary Atlanta Mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson founded and expanded HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest. We need such visionaries for MARTA. Sincerely,

Salpi Adrouny, MD Johns Creek, GA

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Popular pizzeria to relocate to former Off Leash building By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A building that once housed a dog park cafe concept will soon welcome a popular pizzeria. Crust Pasta & Pizzeria, currently at 131 S. Main St., plans to move across the street to 142 S. Main St., a restaurant manager said. The restaurant’s new building was previously home to Off Leash, which closed in December 2024. Property near the pizzeria’s current location is expected to undergo expansive development with the construction of a major shopping and dining project. Alpharetta District Places is expected to come in behind the strip mall that now houses the pizzeria and a number of other businesses, but the developer has no plans currently to demolish or alter the current building, McKibbon Places President Erik Rowen said. A joint venture between Market District Development and McKibbon Places, Alpharetta District Places broke ground in June and is expected to consist of four buildings, nearly 100 surface parking spaces and 34,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Rowen said his group’s plans are to improve pedestrian

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The building at 142 S. Main St. that once hosted Off Leash will welcome popular Alpharetta pizzeria Crust.

activity and create a beneficial environment for all businesses in the area. Brad Weiner, managing broker for Alpharetta’s Realty on Main real estate firm, said the area around Crust Pasta & Pizzeria is well suited for restaurants, with easy access for pedestrians and proximity to the downtown district.

He said he thinks Alpharetta District Places could improve the value and standing of nearby businesses, including the pizzeria. “The downtown sector has exploded with a tremendous amount of high-density residential,” Weiner said. “The whole purpose of coming into the downtown area is because everything is so accessible and walkable.” Although Weiner said he thinks the busy intersection at South Main Street and Old Milton Parkway could challenge some businesses, the pizzeria’s already-developed customer base could carry it through. “That is the one biggest detriments of the corner. I have an opinion as to why Off Leash didn't succeed,” he said. “That corner is tough to navigate because there's medians, and the traffic at that light at Main and Old Milton is just horrific.” Donna Murphy, president of the 400 North Realtors Association, said she thinks the former Off Leash building is a “prime location” and one that will only improve. “It’s got so much more potential in the future,” she said. Alpharetta District Places could potentially increase the value of adjacent property, she said. “You know, in real estate, it’s location, location, location,” she said.

9 | Forsyth Herald | September 3, 2026

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The fall market is not a consolation prize Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings, CEO and Founder of Peachtree Town & Country For prepared sellers and decisive buyers, it is the most honest window of the year. Where the market stands Metro Atlanta enters September with roughly 30,000 homes on the market, up about five percent from a year ago, and an average detached sales price near $567,000, BILL RAWLINGS up just under four percent. Read those two figures together and you have the whole story: supply has rebuilt to healthy levels, and values are holding. This is not a market moving against anyone. It is a market that rewards the participants who take it seriously and waits out the ones who do not. Labor Day marks a real transition. The summer browsers step back, and what remains is the most serious buyer pool of the year, families who must be settled, relocations that cannot wait, and purchasers who have watched the market all year and know value when they see it.

Inside the perimeter Town has settled into genuine balance. Buckhead single-family inventory sits at approximately 4.4 months of supply, the same balanced figure the broader metro reports. Contract activity peaked in late April and has run at a calmer rhythm since, which is the normal seasonal curve, not a warning sign. The more interesting story is at the top: luxury demand has actually strengthened, with contracts above $3 million running at more than double last year’s pace. Demand at the high end has not gone anywhere. It has concentrated on the properties that deserve it. For sellers in Buckhead, Brookhaven, Morningside, and Druid Hills, the fall buyer is fewer in number but far more qualified. For buyers, the high-rise segment continues to offer the most workable negotiating conditions in years, particularly as new development adds fresh competition for resale units. Outside the perimeter Country remains steady and balanced. Alpharetta is holding at roughly 4.4 months of supply with a median of about 24 days to contract, which means accurately priced homes are still going under contract within the first month. Milton, Roswell, Johns Creek, Cumming, and Forsyth continue to draw relocation demand tied to the school calendar, and the buyers active this fall are the ones who missed the summer window and intend to be settled by the holidays. New construction remains a genuine competitor, so

resale sellers should continue to invest in preparation before going live rather than adjusting price after. The cost of money Rates spent most of August drifting in a narrow band, easing modestly before firming again in recent days. That kind of movement is the point: we are in a rate environment defined by small swings around a stable center, not a trend in either direction. We remain in the mid-six range, close to where we sat a year ago. Buyers waiting for a dramatically lower number should remember what we said last month: negotiate for a payment, not a headline rate. Structure is still doing the work. What we are advising clients right now For sellers: if closing before the holidays is the goal, September is the month. Homes that come to market prepared, priced to the last ninety days of closings, will meet the year’s most serious buyers. Homes that come to market hoping will still be sitting in November. For buyers: this is the season when selection and seriousness intersect. Inventory is the deepest it has been in years, and sellers are motivated by the calendar. Move decisively on the right property, and use terms, not just price, to win it. For both: the fall market has never been about volume. It is about intent. Everyone still at the table after Labor Day means it.

10 | September 3, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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ISTOCK

Escaping shackles of traditional & beige design Brought to you by – Bath and Kitchen Galleria If your home was built during the 1990s or early 2000s, you are likely to know this specific design aesthetic very well. It’s the sea of neutral beige. For more than a decade, builders and homeowners wrapped kitchens and bathrooms in a warm, monochromatic blanket of tan ceramic tiles, honey oak cabinets and beige walls. This beige palette and heavy crown molding was the gold standard of suburban design. Senior Designer at Bath and Kitchen Galleria, Bobbie Kohm, comments “While bulky corbels and the beige palette offered safety and mass appeal back then, today it often makes beautiful homes feel dark, dated, and heavy. Fortunately, updating your kitchen or

bathroom doesn’t require jumping to the other extreme of wild, fleeting trends. You can easily trade out the dated look for a fresh, updated aesthetic using timeless and conservative color strategies.” Modernize the kitchen core The quickest way to break the beige cycle in the kitchen is by addressing the honey oak cabinetry. If the cabinets are in good structural shape, painting them with more neutral warm off-whites, sophisticated creams, or muted stone grays will do the trick. To update the kitchen layout and incorporate a large island, new cabinets will be in order, which will allow a departure from the feel of heaviness and result in a simpler, cleaner look and feel. For countertops, replace speckled brown granite with quartz that features a

clean white background and subtle gray veining. This introduces movement and brightness without overwhelming the senses. Refresh the bathroom sanctuary Bathrooms from the turn of the millennium often suffer from an overload of beige and travertine tiles and matching grout. You can neutralize this heavy look by replacing the floors with large-format porcelain tiles in soft charcoal or light greige—a beautiful blend of gray and beige that bridges the gap between warm and cool tones. For the walls, swap out the muddy tan paint for a crisp, calming seafoam green, pale slate, or a refreshing mist gray. “These colors evoke a spalike atmosphere while maintaining a clean look that appeals to younger

generations.” Says Bobbie Kohm. Finish with contrast To tie your new palette together, focus on the details. Replace old shiny brass hardware with champagne bronze or polished nickel faucets and cabinet pulls. This adds a sharp, intentional contrast that instantly anchors the room into the modern era. Stepping away from traditional beige and traditional design doesn’t mean you have to embrace modern or loud aggressive colors. By shifting toward thoughtful neutrals and muted, natureinspired tones, you can give your 1990s home a sophisticated, timeless revival. To learn more about what’s discussed in this article contact Bobbie Kohm at Bath and Kitchen Galleria in 10591 Old Alabama Rd Conn, Alpharetta, GA, 678-459-2292.

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14 | September 3, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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Last chance for new construction at Laurel Canyon — Now $999,950 $200,000 price reduction creates an exceptional opportunity for the final new home in this award-winning Canton community Brought to you by – Patrick Malloy Communities For homebuyers who have been waiting for the right opportunity at Laurel Canyon, this is it. The last new construction home available in this highly desirable master-planned community has recently been reduced by $200,000 and is now priced at $999,950. With approximately 1,350 homes, Laurel Canyon has become one of Canton’s most recognized communities, known for its beautiful North Georgia setting, established neighborhoods and spectacular mountain views. Residents enjoy a pool, clubhouse, tennis, pickleball, golf, and walking trails. Now, buyers have one final opportunity to own a brand-new home and enjoy everything this exceptional community has to offer.

Set against the scenic backdrop of the North Georgia mountains, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with a large study is set on more than one acre and features a rare, flat backyard, impressive living spaces and amazing mountain views within a well-established community. Designed with both everyday living and entertaining in mind, the home features spacious gathering areas that make it easy to host family and friends, celebrate special occasions or simply relax and enjoy the surroundings. Thoughtful design, beautiful finishes and generous living spaces create a home that feels equally suited for an intimate evening at home or a house full of guests. But one of its most memorable features may be just outside the windows. Beautiful mountain views provide a dramatic backdrop and a sense of retreat that is difficult to find this close to the conveniences of Canton. For buyers who love the idea of a new home but don’t want to wait years for a new neighborhood to take shape, this opportunity offers the best of both worlds: brand-new construction within an established 1,350home master-planned community.

Built by Patrick Malloy Communities, the recent price improvement makes the opportunity even more compelling. Originally priced $200,000 higher, the home is now offered at $999,950 as the neighborhood prepares to close out new home sales. There will not be another new construction release at Laurel Canyon. Once this home is sold, the opportunity to purchase a brand-new residence here is gone. One home. One incredible new price. One last chance. If Laurel Canyon has been on your wish list, now is the time to make your move. Tour the final new construction home today and experience the mountain views, spacious design and lifestyle that have made Laurel Canyon such a sought-after Canton address. Priced to Sell — Hurry Before It’s Gone! Horizon at Laurel Canyon 236 Laurel Vista Drive Canton, GA PMCommunities.com 770-301-1889

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OPINION

GARDEN BUZZ

Please plant native for picky eaters Increasingly, scientists and backyard gardeners are recognizing the importance of native plants to the survival of native insect populations. What is a native plant? Native plants are Guest Columnist species that have grown naturally in a specific region for thousands of years. Most were here before European settlement, and they have thrived and contributed to the health of our ecosystem. Some native insects depend DANA HALLBERG on one or a handful of Guest Columnist specific native plants for survival. One urgent example is the eastern monarch butterfly, which has declined over the past several decades.

About the authors This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnists are Carole MacMullan and Dana Hallberg, both master gardeners and Milton residents. Carole is a former biology teacher who enjoys using her teaching skills to create a variety of presentations on gardening topics for the North Fulton Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau. Her favorite hobbies are gardening, hiking, biking, and reading. Dana is a retired, pharmaceutical research chemist turned scientific and healthcare staffing executive. Dana has lived and gardened in New Jersey and Southern California before moving to Georgia.

CAROLE MACMULLAN

What do butterflies and moths need? Two types of native plants are essential to many butterflies and moths: nectar-rich plants, which sustain adults so they can reproduce and lay eggs, and host plants, which nourish the caterpillars that emerge from the eggs. Be a friend to butterflies and other pollinators by planting nectar-rich natives such as bee balm, coneflower, beardtongue, columbine, salvia, Joe-Pye weed, butterfly weed, milkweed, blazing star, goldenrod and asters. Butterfly bush (Buddleia), confusingly, is neither a native nor a host plant. It earned the moniker by attracting butterflies as a nectar source. Monarchs require milkweed as a host plant The key to the monarch’s long-term survival is a single plant: milkweed. Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed in the Asclepias genus. They are picky eaters. The leaves feed the caterpillars and, because of chemical toxins called cardenolides, make both caterpillars and adult monarchs poisonous to predators. Monarchs’ generational migration Eastern U.S. monarchs, like all butterflies and moths, have a four-part life cycle: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa and adult. Adults are known for their long, round-trip migration in the spring from their winter roosts in the mountains of Mexico to the northeastern United States and back to Mexico in the fall. But the story is more complicated than

PAT MILLIKEN/PROVIDED

Upper Left: Monarch butterfly enjoying nectar from a pink-flowering swamp milkweed Upper Right: Monarch feeding on orange-flowering butterfly milkweed Lower left: A single white, monarch butterfly egg on a milkweed leaf Lower middle: Two monarch butterfly caterpillars on a milkweed plant Lower right: A monarch pupa after emerging that, because no single butterfly makes the whole trip. On the journey north, monarchs stop at four locations with one objective: to reproduce. Four generations are born over the course of a year before the last of them returns to Mexico. First generation The sexually immature adults overwinter in Mexico. As the weather warms in the spring, they mature, travel north and make their first stop to reproduce in a Southeastern state. Second generation These offspring travel to a midAtlantic location to find a mate and lay their eggs on the leaves of the essential milkweed, so the picky caterpillars can grow into adults. Egg laying is a laborious process. The female lays one egg per milkweed leaf until her supply is depleted. When the eggs hatch, after a three- to eight-day incubation period, each caterpillar has an instant source of food. Both the second and third generations die within two weeks of reproducing. Third generation A desire to travel is built into a monarch’s DNA. The third generation flies to a northern location to reproduce, and its descendants fly farther north to reproduce for the last time.

Fourth generation The fourth generation is supercharged. These monarchs do not reproduce, and they can live six to nine months. The best chance to see monarchs in Georgia comes in late summer and early fall, as they travel south and stop here to fuel up on nectar-rich plants. That energy carries them on a 1,500-mile journey to their winter home in the mountains of Michoacán state, west of Mexico City. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, shelters them in an oyamel fir forest for four or five months, until the spring odyssey begins again. Georgia gardeners have three suggested native milkweeds: swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), which has pink flowers; butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), which has orange flowers; and whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata), which has white flowers. These plants are often difficult to find locally, so growing them from seed is an excellent alternative. Growing milkweed from seed Buy organic seed that has not been treated with systemic pesticides. Place the seeds on a paper towel or coffee filter, seal them in a plastic bag and refrigerate them in the crisper drawer for 30 to 45 days to simulate the winter cold they need to

germinate. Once the chilling period is complete, it is time to plant. Use a well-draining seedstarting mix in deep containers, because milkweed develops a long taproot. Press the seeds into the soil, cover them with a quarter-inch of soil and set the containers in a sunny window or under a grow light until they sprout. Keep the soil consistently moist. Gardeners should avoid tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) and hairy balls milkweed (Gomphocarpus physocarpus), which are sold at some big-box stores and large nurseries. These nonnative species do not die back in the winter in temperate areas such as ours, and as a result they interfere with monarch migration and reproduction. Cultivating native plants is a direct investment in the survival of the monarch butterfly. By choosing native milkweed and nectar plants, backyard gardeners can support the essential migration pathways needed to keep these magnificent monarchs flying for generations to come. Happy gardening! North Fulton Master Gardeners Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public about horticulture and ecology to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener volunteers are trained and certified by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are at appenmedia.com/opinion/ columnists/garden_buzz. Come visit us at the Alpharetta Farmers Market and the Sandy Springs Farmers Market. We will also have a booth at the Crabapple Festival in Milton on Oct. 3.

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | September 3, 2026 | 17

Fire companies replacing customer service with AI I needed to make a reservation for nine at the restaurant. It was going to be my tab, and I guessed I would be spending hundreds of dollars. I called the restaurant. RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus The phone rang ray@appenmedia.com and rang. I hung up. Then I called again. It rang many times again, but finally my call was answered — by an automated voice. By then I had wasted a lot of my time and energy trying to spend a lot of money locally with this restaurant. I hung up again. It happens that I live close to that restaurant in Crabapple — close enough to walk there in about five minutes. So, still very unhappy, I got in my truck and drove there to make my reservation. It was 11:30 a.m., and the restaurant was supposed to have opened at 11 a.m. The door was open, but no one seemed to be at work yet, so I waited for maybe 10 or 15 minutes until an employee finally came around the corner and took my reservation. I complained to her about the automated voice. She shook her head — in agreement with me — and replied that she also hated having to deal with machines instead of humans. I decided to find a different restaurant for my party of nine. I drive a Toyota Tundra and always

Market: Continued from Page 1 Held in the parking lot of the Cumming City Center on Saturdays, the market is open from 8 to 11 a.m. in the spring and summer. It is free to attend and only $6 to sell. That price allows vendors such as Malcomb Newell, a retiree turned plant aficionado, to sell there. His table boasted pots of young blackberry, elderberry, beautyberry, blueberry and other plants. He raises them at his Forsyth County home, which features thousands of plants. Although Newell only makes a few hundred dollars each week selling the plants, the real profit is in the connections he makes, he said. “Do I have a lot of fun? Yes. I get to talk to a lot of people,” he said. That feeling is important because part of the market’s allure

get it serviced at a dealership — the one where I bought the truck new some years ago. One of the reasons for going to the dealership was its stellar — like impeccable — service. I loved going there, even though I generally paid a bit more than I could have paid elsewhere, because I enjoyed watching a business that was run so well, so spot-on amazingly. Then, one day recently, I called the dealership to ask a simple question about my truck. I needed to speak to someone in the service department. Instead of a human answering my call, I got an automated voice. The voice informed me that I needed to state which department I needed to reach and to leave a message describing my issue, and someone from that department would return my call. I hung up. I called back again and, again, was answered by a machine. I requested to speak with a human. The machine refused to transfer me to a human; it just repeated the “leave a message” response. I hung up again. By this time, I had wasted maybe 15 or more minutes. I tried a third time, but this time I figured that if I told the machine I needed to speak with someone in sales “regarding purchasing a new truck,” maybe a human would come on the line. Bingo. Someone — a human — from the sales department picked up the phone. Imagine that. I thanked him for picking up and explained that I was really trying to reach someone in the service

is connecting with the community, said Hannah Hill, who stopped by with her husband, children, three young golden retrievers and another couple. “It’s fun, family friendly and entertaining,” Hill said. Standing near a booth that was selling potstickers, a friendly seller stopped by asking to give Kona, one of the pups, a treat. The golden happily gobbled up the snack. William Shi and his wife said they make those potstickers by the hundreds the day before the market. The savory, sumptuous dumplings are then finished in a pan on site, filling the air with the aroma of seasoned meats and green onion. It’s their No. 1 item for good reason, said Forsyth County resident R Carter, who makes a point of stopping by once a month to buy a batch. A self-described fan of potstickers, Carter said these are among her favorites because of how they balance flavors. She prefers to walk to

The public will increasingly push back against much of AI-based communication and the companies that embrace it instead of valuing their clients — and especially their clients’ time.” department to ask a simple question, and was there any way he could walk over and ask it for me. He did. After putting me on hold for at least another 10 minutes, he came back with the answer I needed. So the dealership will call me back if I leave a message — on its schedule, not mine. If I had wanted the answer to my question later, I would have called later. The dealership had no problem wasting my time, and not compensating me for my lost time, in order to avoid paying a receptionist to deal with a customer — to save a few minimum-wage dollars. The result is twofold: I no longer get my truck serviced every 5,000 miles at

the dealership, and hell will freeze over before I buy another vehicle from that dealer. I previously bought a new truck and a new SUV there. So I ask you: Has artificial intelligence saved that dealer or that restaurant money? What do you think? And, just saying, I am not picking on the dealership or the restaurant. I routinely stop doing business with those who disrespect my time — who place zero value on my time and my business — by using AI instead of going to the expense of retaining a human to answer the phone and treat me with some respect and consideration. The reverse is true as well. I go out of my way to do business with folks who do not use AI and instead make the investment in remaining a humancentric concern. Publix, for example, is running a national advertising campaign that emphasizes its continued focus on human-to-human personal service instead of AI. I will be a loyal Publix shopper forever. Publix gets it and puts its money where its values are. Smart Publix. The public will increasingly push back against much of AI-based communication and the companies that embrace it instead of valuing their clients — and especially their clients’ time. At Appen Media, our goal is always to personally answer the phone before the second ring. It is just who we are, and one of our values — to respect people’s time and humanity.

the market from her nearby house. “I like those potstickers because they have so much depth of flavor for a little bitty bite. They’re tender but not chewy,” she said. “I even took a sample the first time, and then I ended up buying some and taking them to my friend for my lunch.” For other vendors like Holly Wall of Cumming, the market presents an opportunity to share something she loves while making some money on the side. “We’re small businesses,” she said. “We do it for love.” Wall, a retired teacher, said she began breaking bread as a way of sharing a passion with friends. She now sells more than a hundred loaves of freshly baked sourdough, olive bread and other varieties. She said she has made many friends at the market and has JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA come to love the sense of family it The Cumming Farmers Market offers something for everyone — provides. even pups. Just ask Kona, a young golden retriever, who visited “It gives me chills. It’s commuthe market with family Aug. 29 and was gifted a potsticker. nity,” she said.

18 | September 3, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Dilemma: Continued from Page 4 However, district-issued laptops and devices that had become integral to virtual learning following the COVID-19 pandemic may also be limited in classrooms in favor of more pen-and-paper activities due to screen time concerns. Both Atlanta Public Schools and the City Schools of Decatur have begun looking into ways to limit screen time, with APS hosting a town hall meeting and considering a drafted policy that would implement screen time limits of one hour for Pre-K to 2nd grade, two hours for 3rd to 5th grade and less than half of 6th through 12th grade classes being on a screen. Decatur Schools discussed a partnership with EdTech Balance, a local parent group that is helping the district craft, implement and train teachers with screen time guidelines. CSD Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Burton emphasized in an Aug. 11 meeting that this technology should be mainly supplemental. “We know a fundamental truth in education, which is that direct instruction from a teacher is critical,” Burton said. “Technology should be used strictly as a supplement and enhancement, and not a replacement for a teacher.” Burton said that the district wants to reduce “mirroring” when students view a PowerPoint on their screen that is also displayed on the board. The district seeks to reduce the volume of shared Google Docs

Settlement: Continued from Page 5 “We hope this brings his family some measure of closure,” the attorneys said. “His death, caused by a concrete planter placed dangerously close to a road, was a preventable tragedy for which a Fulton jury held Milton liable. We hope his legacy prompts cities to take roadway hazards more seriously to maintain safe travel ways for all Georgia citizens.” Before the vote during the specialcalled meeting, city officials said the alternative to the settlement was a “contingent but unknown” outcome that could exceed $40 million if the case continued through the appeals court. During public comment on the matter, Milton resident Sarah Moen told the council there were “no winners” in the settlement.

and return to using more physical textbooks. “We have to minimize this digital friction and clear away that digital noise so students can focus on what matters most, which is learning,” Burton said. Burton said any guidelines would not apply to students with Individualized Education Plans or a 504 plan that may require more technology. The district will limit email access, completely disabling access to Kindergarten through 5th grade, limiting middle school’s uses, while leaving high school’s access as-is. No official screen limiting times have been set yet, as they want to first evaluate and collect data on how technology is used in the class before applying timed restrictions. Lightspeed Classroom Management evaluated the district-issued laptop’s daily screen time by grade, finding that 6th-, 8th-, and 9thgraders spent the most time on screens during class in May 2026. Earlier in the Aug. 11 meeting, vice chair Hans Utz said that he doesn’t think it’s possible to remove screen time completely, but wants the district to look into minimizing it to mostly state requirements. “My perspective is if I could take a hammer to every screen out there, I would, but that’s actually not possible,” Utz said. “There are Georgia standards that require some amount of screens, so we’re going to have to meet those standards.” The EdTech Balance guidelines are not fully in place yet; Burton said it will take time but expects them to be implemented this school year. “$3.33 million is a much easier pill to swallow than $40-plus million,” Moen said. “That said, I do have some serious reservations about the [insurer’s] ability to assess risk on behalf of the city.” Moen said the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency passed on an earlier $1.75 million settlement offer, which was, in her opinion, “foolish and irresponsible.” “[That] decision was made not only at our expense but at the expense of every governmental body GIRMA represents,” she said. “We deserve answers for that decision — real answers. Regardless, as I stated … there are no winners here tonight. The signing of the settlement agreement will bring a finality that I pray none of us ever have to experience. By all accounts, Joshua was a good kid … his life cut far too short.” Council Member Doug Hene said he agreed “with [Moen’s] comments that

FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED

Traffic fills the intersection of Elmer and Bannister roads in Forsyth County. The area is set to receive traffic improvements from sales tax revenue.

Projects: Divided into six bundles, the transportation projects include new road alignments, sidewalks and roundabouts. Many of the projects are in the design phase but are expected to progress soon. Two road alignments are expected to improve traffic flow on Bannister Road and Holtzclaw Road. Commissioner Kerry Hill said the Bannister Road alignment will relieve congestion and enhance safety. "This intersection has been a source of frustration for residents for quite some time, and improving it has been a top priority for our district," Hill said previously. "By creating a new bypass and partnering with [the Georgia Department of Transportation] to extend the

turn lane on Matt Highway, we're taking the steps to reduce congestion, improve safety and keep traffic moving more efficiently." The sales tax money also will fund park and fire infrastructure. Mass grading and the installation of storm pipes and utilities are underway at Sharon Springs Park, with substantial completion targeted for December 2027. On the Big Creek Greenway, the county is acquiring construction easements and permits, and plans to construct a connection to Fowler Park. A new fire training complex off Martin Road is in the schematic design phase with an estimated completion in the third quarter of 2028. The project is expected to provide the fire department with numerous training features, including a simulated loading dock, a trench-rescue prop and a multistory training tower.

clearly there’s no winners and it will forever be an unfortunate circumstance we had to navigate.” “I do want to give kudos and appreciation on behalf of all the citizens of Milton to our city attorney, city manager and specifically to you, Mayor, for the effort that you undertook to make sure that you protected … taxpayers the way you did,” he continued. “It was not unnoticed … that was a herculean task to rally the troops, meaning all the other cities in the state, to ensure they understood the liability posed by such a ruling.” Mayor Peyton Jamison said the settlement marks the end of a chapter in the city’s life. “Tomorrow, we’re going to continue what we do best, which is serving our citizens … and making this the safest city in Georgia and No. 1 city to raise a family,” Jamison said. Jamison said during an Aug. 20 interview with Appen Media that the

city has “been looking” at items similar to the concrete planter, which he said was placed by a private resident, and having those items, including masonry mailboxes, “removed.” “We have forced people to remove them, and we continue to do so,” Jamison said then. Provided all parties sign the settlement agreement and submit required documentation, Chang’s parents are due to receive the $10 million payment within 14 days. The parties will jointly ask the appeals court to dismiss the pending case as moot once the settlement is paid. The settlement agreement does note the court is “under no obligation to” dismiss the case, but the terms require the plaintiffs to “execute and file any satisfaction, cancellation, dismissal or other document necessary” to confirm that the judgment, verdict and all claims from the lawsuit have been fully satisfied.

Continued from Page 1

Puzzles

Crier 8/20/26 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, 4 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

Forsyth Herald ...............................September 3, 2026 | 19

IS IT SOUP YET? 1. Coin toss result. Barber shop call. French ___ soup. 2. Soup with a lot of fiber. Acidic. Vetoes. 3. Hawaiian feast. Vegetarian soup, usually. Recipe direction. 4. Like many a cellar. Soup with spuds. Duck hangout. 5. Cream soup made from shellfish. Hurry. Big pitcher. 6. Reindeer herder. Baby buggy. Cattle rear end soup. 7. Soup from green reptiles. Visionary. Litter member. PuzzleJunction.com

Dunwoody Crier 8/20/26 Crossword

Across

1 Scarf material 5 Overdue 9 Glimpse 13 Boredom 3 14 Macaws 15 Blue shade 16 Island in the road 4 18 Swallow quickly 19 Tender 20 Tipster 5 21 Smacks 22 Summer (Fr.) 23 Terrarium plant 6 24 Big game 25 Even, in verse 26 “Shucks!” /20/26 Sudoku7 28 Young newt Is It Soup Yet? Crier 8/20/26 Kakuro 31 Ohio, for one PuzzleJunction.com How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle Dunwoody above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is 34 Sicilian erupter 1. first Coin toss Barber call. French ___ letter soup.is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each the letter of result. the second answer,shop and so on. The connecting 35 Niagara River 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 2. the Soup with aonlot fiber. Acidic. Kakuro, alsoThe known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, a crossword grid. The rules are easy: A number source for 3 answers theofpuzzle, line. Buteach here’srow, theVetoes. catch! clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line solved 1 mayin(or may not) style actually To solve the Sudoku column and above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is36 the sum Protect those be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck! box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. 3. Hawaiian feast. Vegetarian soup, usually. direction. of the white squaresRecipe in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence. within 39 Curved shape 4. Like many a cellar. Soup with spuds. Duck hangout. 40 Keats, for one 5. Cream soup made from shellfish. Hurry. Big pitcher. 41 West Pointer 42 Kitten’s cry 6. Reindeer herder. Baby buggy. Cattle give up their rear ends 43 Brass component for this soup. 44 Club ___ (resort) 7. Soup from green reptiles. Visionary. Litter member. 45 Mystery writer Ambler 47 Kimono sashes 49 Stew morsel 52 Dixie drink 54 Very, in Versailles 55 Jack-in-thepulpit 56 Cutlass maker 57 In the way place 59 Old dagger 60 Dance bit 61 Torcher’s Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a misdeed 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.

5 3 8

4 6 1 7

8 1 5

6 7

PuzzleJunction.com

13 16

24 27

43 45

25 32

62 Richard Rodgers collaborator 63 Rocky peaks 64 Male turkeys Down 1 Schnoz 2 Harden 3 Crescent 4 Youngster 5 Work 6 Make a left or right and you’re there 7 Tense 8 Time zone 9 Raptor 10 Land measure (Brit.)

11 Orange feature 12 Hogs the conversation 13 Gaelic 17 Egyptian solar deity 21 Japanese coin 23 Touch 24 Doodle 25 Engrave 27 Dill seed 29 Penalty 30 Exam 31 Con game 32 Radial, e.g. 33 Machinist’s tool 34 Collar type 35 Cry of surprise 37 Colossal 38 Deck members

43 Energy 44 Soybean paste 46 Change, as a clock 48 Makes like a horn 49 Geometrical solid 50 Continental money 51 End of grace 52 One of the Brolins 53 Arm bone 54 Former Yugoslav leader 55 60’s hairdo 57 WW II craft (Abbr.) 58 Blubber

See puzzle solutions on Page 21

Solution

Solution 7 2 9 5 1 3 6 4 8

5 8 6 4 2 9 1 7 3

3 4 1 7 6 8 5 2 9

8 6 7 1 5 2 3 9 4

4 1 2 9 3 6 7 8 5

9 5 3 8 7 4 2 6 1

1 3 8 2 4 7 9 5 6

2 9 5 6 8 1 4 3 7

6 7 4 3 9 5 8 1 2

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5 4 SOLUTIONS

Support Local News 3 8 6 1 7 9 Join Appen Press Club 5 Solution

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THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS

Cindy Nolan North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. Tricia Novarro Bob O’Brien Jay O’Meara 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 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 Kimberly Robinson Matt Rohs Kim Romaner Courtney Rozear Fran Russell

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.

E S P Y L A T E S I L K A Q U A A R A S E N N U I G U L P R O U N D A B O U T S L A P S T O U T S O R E D E E R F E R N E T E E F T D A R N E E N Pu Dunwoody Crier 8/20/26 Kakuro S T A T E E R I E E T N A S N O G A W E H T E L C R I C Carol Tall C A D E T P O E T A R C H Mike Tasos style grid. The rules a challenging known as Cross Sums, is a M D Kakuro, also M inEa crossword N C solved Z I puzzle, E W number Candice Teichert below the dia of the line in a black square is the sum the diagonal above A P it.EA number O B toI theSright of C squares I white E R The Small Business Advisor be used onc only can digit a and 9, to 1 digits the use only may You it. below sequence the in squares white the of M U A R T R E S J U L E P Suzanne & Bob Thomas L I N E O F F I R E O L D S William Tietjen A R S O N S T E P S N E E Lisa Tilt T O M S T O R S H A R T Michael Townes

Janet Sandberg 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

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

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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.

8 1 5

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6 7

E X T A I L S 1 O N I O N PuzzleJunction.com

2 A C E R B E A N I X E S 3 B O I L E N T I L U A U 4 P O N D A M P O T A T O

5 B I S Q U E W E R A C E

6 O X T A I L A P P R A M

Solution

7 S E E R U N T U R T L E

7 2 9 5 1 3 6 4 8

6 7 4 3 9 5 8 1 2

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Appen Media Wins 2026 Georgia Press Association General Excellence Bringing Journalistic Excellence to North Atlanta 1st Place

Page One – Staff Layout & Design – Staff Education Writing – Jim Bass Serious Column – Carl Appen

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Local News Coverage – Staff Business Writing – Staff, Dan Whisenhunt, Dean Hesse, Jim Bass Education Writing – Jim Bass and Zoe Seiler Feature Photograph – Dean Hesse Serious Column – King Williams Humorous Column – Pat Fox Feature Writing – Dan Whisenhunt

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Page One – Dionna Williams Layout & Design – Dionna Williams Local News Coverage – Staff Serious Column – Pat Fox Feature Column – Steve Hudson Feature Writing – Jim Bass Newspaper Website – Decaturish.com

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Health Care Ad – David Brown Food Ad – David Brown Home Furnishings/Appliances Ad – David Brown Classified Section/Page – Staff Signature Page – David Brown

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Food Ad – David Brown Service/Institutional Ad – David Brown Non-Traditional Ad – David Brown

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Part-time

Full-time Computer Professionals for GA based IT Firm: “Sr. Software Developer to Design, develop, code, test & deploy advance software module components in complex computing environments using latest tools & technologies. Optimize database performance through queries, indexing & schema designs. Travel to various unanticipated worksite locations with frequency dependent on Project and/or Client requirement throughout the U.S. may be required.” Apply w/2 copies of resume to HR, Powermind Solutions, Inc. 11539 Park Woods Cir, Ste # 703, Alpharetta, GA 30005. Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk III – Customer Service to assist in a high-volume call center. Requires high school diploma or state approved High School Equivalency (HSE), computer, communication, and general office skills. Requires one (1) year experience in a customer service call center or service-type organization, utility, finance, banking, or equivalent industry. Bilingual is preferred, fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal). Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings, weekends and holidays. Applicants must complete an application prior to 5PM, September 18, 2026. Apply online: www.sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363, extension 7568. Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

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Sawnee EMC is seeking a PC Technician to review PC and network system capabilities; inspect personal computer equipment; prioritize and schedule repairs; and coordinate help desk activities. Requires an associate degree with a minimum of three years of experience in LAN/Network design, configuration, installation, and PC troubleshooting. Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours as necessary, to include evenings and weekends. Must have a thorough working knowledge of administering and maintaining the latest version of Windows Operating Systems; MS Office products; Office 365; internet configuration and technologies. Must have strong verbal documentation and customer service skills. Strong abilities performing monitoring, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and administration of WAN/LAN infrastructure, SCCM, Power Shell, iPhone, iPad, Airwatch, MDT, Intune and KMS. Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, September 11, 2026. Apply online: www.sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568. Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

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Herald Headlines:

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Sawnee EMC is seeking a Staff Accountant – Financial Services to provide financial and accounting services in compliance with RUS accounting requirements and standards, coordinate budgeting and financial planning functions, compile and analyze financial information, prepare financial statements, statistical analyses, balance sheet and financial position statements, make recommendations on reserves, collect appropriate data to prepare tax returns, and prepare related reports to management. Requires: Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in accounting with a minimum of two years progressively responsible work experience; high level of competency in MS Office, Accounting, Spreadsheet and Database Software; knowledge of RUS System of Accounts preferred.

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER WANTED Established Milton/Alpharetta exercise studio specializing in SuperSlow training, serving mature clientele. Exhibit enthusiasm for teaching and coaching. All sessions are by appointment. Friendly, professional team environment. Onboarding provided. Luis 404-545-1443.

SERVICE DIRECTORY Electricians

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, September 11, 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 and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. 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.

Belco Electric

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