Johns Creek Herald - April 23, 2026

Johns Creek boys, girls lacrosse split at home

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek High hosted a lacrosse double header April 17 where the girls fell to Cambridge 16-11, but the boys dominated Chamblee for their senior night 16-4.

The girls played first in a ranked matchup between the Bears at consensus No. 3 and the Gladiators sitting in the top 10 but fluctuating depending on the outlet doing the rankings. The teams now have equivalent records at 13-4.

GIRLS: BEARS 16, GLADIATORS 11

BOYS: GLADIATORS 16, BULLDOGS 4

Bears head coach Maria Hansen took over this year after former coach Pam Masinko stepped down. The team is full steam ahead with their next goal of three straight titles.

“We played aggressive today,” Hansen said. “We played well together as a team.”

Cambridge led the game wire-towire. Senior Gabi Johnson played against a familiar rival for the last

time and went out with a bang. Finishing on six of eight shots and collecting four assists, nine draw controls and six loose ball controls, she led the team in all statistical categories.

Another midfielder, sophomore Linden Donner was right behind Johnson with four goals, an assist, eight draw controls and two loose ball controls. Donner has been a consistent stronghold on the circle for the Bears the past two seasons.

See LACROSSE, Page 18

County honors standout seniors

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Families celebrated the top academic students for each high school at the Fulton County Schools’ fourth annual Senior Recognition Luncheon April 14 in Sandy Springs.

School Board President Kristin McCabe invited the valedictorians, salutatorians, STAR Seniors and graduating REACH Scholars to revel in their accomplishments during the ceremony at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.

Students in the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program are nominated and must meet several criteria which includes having one of the highest GPA in their class.

HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA Annabelle Luffell, valedictorian for Cambridge High School’s Class of 2026, shakes hands with Fulton County School Board members April 14 at the Senior Recognition Luncheon.

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Sandy Springs alters resident portal to eliminate all public safety reports

By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs has taken steps to remove information about public safety from its online resident dashboard.

For years the city has used Police to Citizen, a web tool from software firm CentralSquare, to make accident and police incidents available to the public. Other agencies across Metro Atlanta use the same platform, including Roswell and Johns Creek.

The portal is designed to allow users to search and access reports online, according to the Sandy Springs Police website. The page flags the tool as its, “Most Popular Service,” for citizens.

Until this month, residents could click on incidents to read when and

where they happened, along with what crime category was involved. That option is now disabled.

Today, users see a pop-up that states, “After searching for Reports on this site, you can request a copy of an Incident or Accident Report by using the Open Records Request link on the Home page or by clicking Open Records Request.”

A Sandy Springs Police spokesperson said command staff made the decision.

“The change was made to better protect victims and prevent legally protected information from being publicly displayed,” he told Appen Media.

The newspaper has previously reported deficiencies with the portal.

Sandy Springs first removed the option to search and retrieve incident reports in 2023.

Emails between the city’s police

records clerks and CentralSquare, obtained by Appen Media, described the shift as an “upgrade.”

The portal later began showing incidents again, but the attached reports were truncated, listing only barebones information about when and where an incident took place. Following the changes earlier this month, even those sparse reports are no longer available.

Appen has also previously reported that the site does not show all incidents that take place.

Two men are in custody following a shooting death that allegedly took place at a Sandy Springs apartment complex April 14. As of April 16, that reported incident is not listed on the city’s Police2Citizen portal. If residents were relying on the public dashboard for safety information, they would not know the event took place.

Fire at Roswell apartment complex displaces residents

By DAN WHISENHUNT dan@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Fire Department responded to a large apartment fire April 9, and dozens of residents have been displaced.

The Roswell Fire Department reported responding to the Enclave apartment complex at 7:30 p.m. The apartments are located at 11251 Alpharetta Highway.

“Crews arrived in just over three minutes to find fire from the first floor to the roof with residents trapped on a secondfloor balcony,” a news release from the fire department said. “All residents were safely

rescued. Firefighters also rescued two cats and a dog from the building.”

First responders treated two residents for smoke inhalation. The fire department reported that 58 adults, four children and seven pets were displaced.

“The American Red Cross, Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA), Roswell Emergency Management, and Alpharetta Fire Corps Volunteers responded to support displaced residents,” the news release said. “Gas and electricity have been shut off to the building as a precaution. Fire investigators are on scene and the cause is under investigation.”

Commissioners approve $1.36 billion to renovate Fulton County Jail

By ATLANTA NEWS FIRST STAFF newsroom@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution April 15 to fund renovations at the troubled Fulton County Jail.

In a unanimous vote, commissioners approved the resolution, which states that funding for renovations cannot exceed $1.36 billion.

Even though he voted to approve the resolution, Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. said he was against renovating the Rice Street facility but for a special use facility getting “underway immediately.”

In 2025, commissioners approved a $1.1 billion plan to renovate the jail. Along with significant renovations to the jail, the proposed plan included a newly built special-purpose facility for medical care and to support housing needs.

Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat has opposed renovations, instead pushing for a new facility.

In 2024, commissioners scrapped plans for a new facility, which would cost $1.7 billion. Instead, the board approved $300 million to rehabilitate the current jail.

The Fulton County Jail has long been plagued by issues and controversy.

The Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation in 2023, citing jail conditions, violence, filthy living conditions and the in-custody death of a man whose body was found covered in insects.

Numerous inmate deaths have been reported at the jail over the past few years.

Appen Media partner Atlanta News First provided this story.

Autrey Mill Earth Day gala raises summer camp funds

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve is working to bridge the gap in funding after receiving a record number of summer camp scholarship requests this year.

The preserve worked to raise funds to meet a $15,000 goal during an April 18 Earth Day celebration, Executive Director Lizen Hayes said.

“With so much need, I want to give to the largest amount of people that I can,” she said.

For about 20 years, the preserve has invited kids to the grounds each summer, offering programs to teach them the importance and beauty of the natural world. The camps also serve a more pragmatic but no less important purpose, getting kids out of the house and into a fun and educational environment.

“There's a lot of people who work from home, or maybe one parent works from home, and having the kid there is not always ideal for being able to work,” Hayes said.

The preserve’s multiday camps serve kids aged from 5 to 11. Each has a unique theme. A junior chemistry camp promises “bubbly reactions, colorful experiments and magical transformations.” A more imaginative fairy camp boasts “enchanting fairy tales and captivating folklore from around the world” with activities that include learning stories, crafting wings and wands and embarking on quests.

Families across the nation are feeling the squeeze as consumer prices rise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said its consumer prices index has risen by about 30 percent since 2019. Its index for gas prices rose by 21.2 percent in March.

The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve occupies park space owned by Johns Creek but funds its events and programs through grants and fundraising.

The preserve’s Earth Day celebration drew several hundred families to the quiet, tree-filled natural space, enticing them with a number of fun, educational activities.

Kids learned about local wildlife at one booth, touching fox and beaver pelts and examining an owl’s wing. At another table, they got their hands dirty, making butter pinecone bird feeders.

A mermaid sitting under a tent captivated imaginations, teaching children about safety and natural bodies of water.

Johns Creek resident Alex Nguyen, who brought his two young daughters to the Earth Day event, said living near natural spaces was “super important” in his decision to live in Johns Creek.

Nguyen, who lives about seven minutes from the preserve, said he and his daughters Coco and Lexi regularly visit there. They also have fallen in love with the summer camp programs.

18.

More Information

To learn more about or contribute to The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and its summer camps, visit autreymill. org or call 678-366-3511.

“When I look into a subdivision to buy into, I want to know how much nature does it have. Is the tennis court under the power line, or do you have access to the river?” he said.

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Fulton Schools, Kennesaw State forge path for teaching careers

NORTH FULTON, Ga. —Fulton County Schools and Kennesaw State University have partnered to create new opportunities for high school students looking to accelerate their college education and pursue careers in teaching.

Leaders from the academic institutions signed the agreement during a ceremony April 14 at Kennesaw State University (KSU).

Through the dual enrollment initiative, Fulton County students can earn college credit while in high school, gain early classroom experience and have a streamlined admissions process into Kennesaw State’s Clarice C. and Leland H. Bagwell College of Education.

“By partnering with Fulton County Schools, Kennesaw State University is creating a direct, supportive pathway from high school to a bachelor’s degree and into the teaching profession,” said Jacqueline Quiroga, KSU’s assistant vice president for Enrollment Services. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to prepare future educators while making college more accessible and affordable for students.”

The structured academic pathway allows Fulton County high school students to take approved Kennesaw State courses through Georgia’s Career, Technical and Agricultural (CTAE) program. Students can earn 30 or more college credits before high school graduation, saving time and significantly reducing the cost of earning a degree.

Kennesaw State will provide dual enrollment courses aligned with its teacher preparation programs, along with aca-

demic advising and degree planning, to students pursuing the CTAE’s Teaching as a Profession career pathway. The partnership also enables participating Fulton County students to apply to KSU at no cost and receive priority orientation and registration.

Together, Fulton County Schools and Kennesaw State will provide coordinated advising, shared resources and ongoing support to help students succeed at every stage – from high school through college and into the workforce.

“Through our partnership with Kennesaw State University, we are not only expanding dual enrollment opportunities but intentionally building a strong pipeline of future educators empowering Fulton students to pursue teaching, return to their community, and shape the next generation right here at home,” said Gonzalo La Cava, Fulton County Schools chief Human Resources officer.

The school district will play a key role in preparing and supporting students, promoting the program across its high schools and connecting students with hands-on experiences in the classroom. Students will have access to job shadowing, field experiences, mentoring, student teaching opportunities within Fulton County Schools and professional development support.

The school district also plans to offer priority hiring consideration to program graduates who meet employment requirements, helping create a direct pipeline from high school to college to career.

— Hannah Yahne

GDOT open house invites questions on bridge closure

MILTON, Ga. — Prior to a months-long bridge closure on Freemanville Road, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will host an open house April 29 for the public to ask questions about upcoming construction.

The session will run from 5:30-7 p.m. in the council chambers at Milton City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk.

The bridge spanning Cooper Sandy Creek south of Providence Road and north of Landrum Road in Milton is expected to close May 7. GDOT estimates the new bridge could reopen in both directions this fall.

Crews have spent months working on the project that will construct a new two-lane bridge with shoulders and space for a future multi-use path on one side.

All construction efforts and corresponding detours are being overseen by GDOT.

Landrum Road will not be physically altered throughout the project, but no traffic will be allowed on the gravel road for safety reasons. Residential access to homes along Landrum Road will be maintained.

Milton said it will continue to update residents on its Facebook page and through mobile road closure alerts.

Anyone can attend the drop-in information session April 29 to view displays of the detour and get information about the Landrom Road closure from GDOT personnel.

— Hannah Yahne

Donations to families of students killed in crash surpass $130,000

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

CUMMING, Ga. — In the two weeks since three Horizon Christian Academy students died in a Florida car crash, GoFundMe donation campaigns for the families have surpassed $130,000.

Fundraisers benefitting the families of Jaylyn Fehr and Charlotte Martin have raised $93,000 combined to cover funeral costs. In the description of the Martin family’s campaign, the organizer explains they hope to use remaining funds to make a charity donation or scholarship in the students’ names.

Both girls were juniors at the private school in Cumming and played volleyball on the school’s team and with A5 Gwinnett.

Eric “Jackson” Mobley, a senior at Horizon Christian Academy, was also killed in the car crash. Jackson’s family described him as an incredible brother and dream son.

His younger sister, Jamison Mobley, is recovering from a traumatic brain injury and damage to her carotid artery. She has since come off the ventilator but is now battling an infection at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in Florida.

“Jamison’s road to recovery is going to be hard and she’s going to need all the support she can get,” reads the online fundraiser. “We know that Jamison survived for a reason and we know that

Jimmy Song (NMLS#1218336) 770-454-1871 (Duluth Branch)

Sandy Na (NMLS#983548) 770-454-1861 (Norcross Branch)

Trinh Pham (NMLS#1369150) 678-672-3926 (Norcross Branch)

God has big plans for her.”

The fundraiser for the Mobley and Bryant families has reached its goal of $35,000.

Horizon Christian Academy posted on social media describing the four students as “amazing, kind, smart, and loved.”

The students were driving to their spring break destination April 6 when their car ran off the road and struck a tree in Franklin County, Florida.

Students at Horizon Christian Academy returned to the classroom April 14 with access to additional counselors and pastors on campus for support.

Alpharetta-Milton alliance could enhance Windward

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta officials say a mixed-use project near Ga. 400 is an early example demonstrating the success of collaborations with the City of Milton that could shape development in the Windward and Deerfield communities.

At an April 13 meeting, the Alpharetta City Council approved what officials hope is the first of many redevelopment projects since the Windward Livable Centers Initiative study, a joint effort between Alpharetta, Milton and True North 400 Community Improvement District.

“Basically, we acknowledge that development doesn’t stop at the jurisdictional boundary down two cities,” said Michael Woodman, Alpharetta Planning and Development Services manager. “And a lot of times it overlaps.”

Developer McKinley Homes is proposing a mixed-use center to include 110 for-sale condos, 207,000 square feet of office and 5,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space at the corner of Morris and Old Morris roads. The site lies on the edge of the MiltonAlpharetta boundary adjacent to Ga. 400.

Council members unanimously approved a comprehensive land use plan amendment, rezoning and variance for the project.

To be built at a 15-acre site, the project will bring much-needed homes to the area, which already includes considerable retail spaces and restaurants, Woodman said.

Adopted in 2024, the Livable Centers Initiative study proposes community

A map shows the site of a proposed mixed-use project in Alpharetta

the

is proposing a mixed-use center to include 110 for-sale condos, 207,000 square feet of office and

and restaurant space at the corner of Morris and Old Morris roads.

hubs and better pedestrian connectivity in the Windward area.

In Milton’s Deerfield area in the southeastern corner of the city, plans are underway for major transformation within the next 10 years. Adopted in 2025, the Deerfield Urban Design Manual reimagines 560,000-square-feet of office space.

Updates to the Unified Development Code specifically address the area.

Kenneth Wood, CEO of Planners and Engineers Collaborative and speaking on behalf of McKinley Homes, said their decision to build at the Windward site was considerably influenced by redevelopment plans in Milton.

An active park on over 24 acres that was purchased by the city in 2024 is planned along Deerfield Parkway, and the area is expected to add town homes and restaurants, making it more attractive

and bolstering property values.

Additionally, Milton is collaborating with the Georgia Department of Transportation to reconstruct 3.3 miles of nearby Ga. 9.

The result is an area that people are more likely to want to live in, he said.

“That is what drives higher rents … as people want to live there, then that’s going to bring where you can afford the construction cost,” Wood said.

Community Assistance Center reports record-breaking impact

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — About 11 years ago, Sue Koeneman noticed her teenage children throwing away school supplies –pencils, notebooks – when finished with them. But seated next to them at school were children with no pencils or notebooks.

She looked for a way to help and found out about the Community Assistance Center, a nonprofit with the mission of preventing hunger and homelessness for people in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs.

Founded in 1987 as a small, faithbased food pantry, CAC has grown into one of the larger human services organizations serving the Central Perimeter with the same “neighbors helping neighbors” mission. Its programs include food pantries, a thrift store for clothing, financial assistance, youth programs, adult education, career assistance services and free tax assistance.

“I enjoy giving back in my own community,” Koeneman said standing behind the register at the Canopy Thrift Store during a recent volunteer shift. “There is almost like a second Sandy Springs, a second Dunwoody, that exist on a different economic plane … that I didn’t know about until I came face-to-face with it … and I wanted to help people in that situation.”

The need for CAC’s services in the suburbs continues to grow.

In 2025, it assisted 4,440 households, including preventing 1,108 evictions — an 8 percent increase over the previous year, according to its annual report released last month.

Nearly 70 percent of those seeking help were first-time clients. Economic pressure is not just impacting traditionally underserved populations, but middle-class families are also struggling to deal with higher costs for healthcare and housing, CEO Francis K. Horton said in a statement.

“2025 was truly a year of growth for CAC, not for growth’s sake, but in response to rising need in our community,” Horton said. “Increasing economic pressure is impacting our lower-income families but also an increasing number of middle-income earners. The needs are creeping into more and more of our community, and we have to scale to meet them.”

Helping more

The report highlights that while the number of households served rose by 4 percent, the total financial assistance distributed increased by 13 percent, reaching $769,416. Six months after receiving aid, 92 percent of clients had secured stable housing, and 68 percent had resolved their immediate financial crisis, according to the report.

Also in 2025, the organization served 9,632 individuals across all its programs, distributed more than 1.1 million pounds of food and supported 1,738 children through youth initiatives.

Its client-choice Mini-Markets — food pantries designed to operate like grocery stores —allow families to select fresh and shelf-stable items based on their needs, helping preserve dignity during times of hardship, CAC officials said.

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Reparations panel reports on harm done to Black residents

By DORMIYA VANCE WABE

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County’s Reparations Task Force has worked since 2023 to research and account for the harms done to Black people who were enslaved there or lived during the Jim Crow era.

The group now has an official “Harm Report,” and one of their findings shows as much as around $900 billion in today’s dollars in stolen labor over a decade of slavery in Fulton.

Dr. Karchiek Sims-Alvarado, a professor of Africana Studies at Morehouse College, was appointed chair of the countybased task force after it was established in 2021.

“We knew that if we were going to be talking about dollars and cents, this research had to be based on quantitative data, and so that’s exactly what we’ve done,” she said.

What does the Harm Report focus on?

“The first year of the harm report study was actually compiling the data … and so during that time period, we were able to bring together about a team of about five individuals in order to help us with the report,” Sims-Alvarado said.

“We were able to build new data sets, new tabular data sets that actually allowed us to document the number of individuals that were enslaved in Fulton County, the value tied to their person, as well as who were the profiteers of slavery, meaning who were the slave owners.”

The 615-page Harm Report was backed by county funding totaling $250,000. It features several charts, diagrams and dollar amounts tied to slavery’s ten-year run, 1854-1864, in Fulton.

Research shows the county saw its

DORMIYA VANCE/WABE

Pearl Gibson Jackson served as a servant during Jim Crow in Fulton County. She adorns the front cover of the Fulton County Reparations Task Force's Harm Report, making a debut after over two years of research.

highest number of enslavers, 761, a year before slavery ended in 1865.

The report then transitions into accounting for harm, like racial terror and lynchings, done to Black residents during Jim Crow as early as the 1870s.

To produce the data, Sims-Alavardo created two theorems, or formulas, as the foundation of the report. Her Dual Lens Hidden Disparities Theorem quantifies inequalities, while her ExtractionAcculation Harm Theorem looks at economic harm experienced by Black residents and their descendants.

“Applying the Extraction-Acculation Harm Theorem … the cost of stolen labor and the failure to grant recompense can range up to nearly $903 billion from Fulton County alone,” Sims-Alvarado said.

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How did the task force determine what counted as harm?

“These are wrongs committed against Fulton County Residents. So you’re talking about harms where people’s civil rights or civil liberties were violated or deprived of them, or basic human rights. Also, looking at county services, these are things that county residents are supposed to be entitled to, and these are things that were deprived from them,” Sims-Alvarado said.

The report shows that Black residents struggled to access services such as healthcare, public libraries and schools. Researchers suggest these limitations have had lasting effects on modern times and institutions.

“When you begin to look at the services that fall under the purview of the county, you have voting, the jails, and the courts. You have health clinics, you have property taxes … even the arts fall under the purview of the county as well. But these are the things that affect our daily lives, and historically, for African Americans who resided in Fulton County, they paid for county services that they did not receive, or they received inferior services,” she added.

Segregation also created economic challenges for Black Fulton taxpayers.

One example in the report suggests “Black taxpayers paid into a system that denied them equal access to public services,” citing over $8 million in economic value denied to Black residents within the library system.

Sims-Alvarado says even as a kid in post-Jim Crow Alabama, she could see the long-term impacts of intentional limitations put on Black people.

“Every day, I saw how Black people were denied the same services as their white counterparts. And even as a child, you could see this. And I often ask myself, why is it that one half of the residents in a community are deprived of resources or have a certain quality of life compared to others?” she said.

What in the Harm Report was specific to Fulton County compared to other places?

“Even though Fulton County only had ten years of slavery, the value of the enslaved was extremely high compared to some of the other 150+ counties, and that is very Fulton County. The taxes collected on the value of Black people as property served as seed money for the county, which allowed for the county and the city of Atlanta to become the commercial epicenter of the American South,” SimsAlvarado said.

The task force chair says that “seed money” ranged up to nearly $4.7 billion in today’s money. The enslaved were legally considered property following the 1857 United States Supreme Court ruling in Dred Scott v. Sanford, stating they were not U.S. citizens and not protected as such.

Fast-forwarding to the Great Depression, research shows that barely 1% of Black residents owned land in Fulton, but faced twice as high tax burdens compared to their white counterparts.

“From 1867 to 1937, the property value of Blacks was assessed at almost 210% that of whites historically. So their property was over-assessed, doubling the value of whites,” she said.

What did this work cost emotionally?

“I spent two years working on this. I mean, many days and nights working on this sometimes. I was working on it for eight to twelve hours, and not just myself, but other people who were part of this team. It was so emotional.

I had a little moment even when presenting it to the Fulton County Commissioners. I kind of broke down a little bit,” Sims-Alvarado said.

The group suspended public meetings heading into the fall of 2024, which was also the same year the report was initially projected to be released.

However, officials say, the nearly 10-pound, textbook-esque report needed the group’s full attention. They updated the public in 2025 on their progress, saying the research was “mentally, emotionally, and spiritually demanding.”

The group also faced pushback from elected officials such as Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne, who, on behalf of her constituents, asked, “Why should we be responsible for a crime that we never committed?”

“But I would have to say we’re all grateful that we did this. It’s so rewarding just to be a part of this and to be able to produce this for the world,” she said. “It is a joy, it is a blessing to be able to produce it, but it took a toll on all of us.”

So, what’s next for the Fulton Reparations Task Force?

“So now it’s sharing that information with the public, letting people read it, sit with it, and digest it. Now we have to start making recommendations,” Sims-Alvarado said.

The task force was granted a two-year extension towards the end of 2025. The group will move forward to their second report, the Repair Report, which will focus on the possibility of issuing reparations to Black descendants in Fulton.

As of now, the task force will hold a public meeting to debut the Harm Report at the Auburn Avenue Research Library on April 16.

“I believe that if we’re about the business of repair, you’re going to see that reparations have a significant economic benefit to the county and to the nation,” Sims-Alvarado said.

Appen Media partner WABE provided this story.

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Icotyde and the advent of oral peptide medication

erally well tolerated, but they are large protein molecules and must be given by injection or infusion.

We are in a golden age of medicine. The last few decades have brought one breakthrough after another, and we may now be seeing another important step forward in psoriasis—a step that could hint at a broader shift in how medicines are designed.

To understand how far we’ve come, it helps to look back. Not that long ago, patients with psoriasis sometimes spent weeks in the hospital undergoing tar baths and other crude treatments just to get partial relief from this itchy and often debilitating disease. In severe cases, psoriasis could progress to erythroderma—a widespread, inflamed, scaly rash that could even be life-threatening due to problems with temperature and fluid regulation.

Things began to improve in 1972 with the approval of methotrexate for psoriasis. Methotrexate is reasonably effective but comes with risks like liver toxicity. Over time, light therapies and topical treatments helped, though they were often cumbersome. Starting in the early 2000s, biologic medications such as Humira, Enbrel, and later Skyrizi dramatically improved outcomes. These drugs are remarkably effective and gen-

Oral options followed. Otezla (2014) offered a safer alternative to methotrexate, though it is typically less effective than the best biologics and can cause GI and headache side effects. Another oral medicine, Sotyktu (2022), improved on some of those issues, but Sotyktu still doesn’t quite match the best biologics in efficacy.

That brings us to Icotyde, a newly approved oral medication targeting IL-23, a key driver of inflammation in psoriasis. In head-to-head trials versus Sotyktu, it has shown greater efficacy, with low rates of side effects. Early data suggest it may approach biologic-level effectiveness in a pill form—a long-sought goal in psoriasis treatment.

What makes Icotyde especially interesting is how it was designed.

The challenge with biologics is simple: they are proteins, and our digestive system is built to break proteins down. When you eat chicken, or take a collagen supplement, stomach acid and digestive enzymes reduce those proteins into amino acids and small peptides, which the body then reuses as building

Peptide:

Continued from Page 12

blocks. The same thing happens to most protein-based drugs if you try to swallow them—they are broken down before they can work.

For a long time, making an effective oral peptide drug was considered extremely difficult. Icotyde represents a different approach. It is a small peptide—just 13 amino acids—but carefully engineered to resist breakdown long enough to be absorbed.

One key feature is that it is cyclic. Most peptides are linear chains with exposed ends, which enzymes can easily attack. Icotyde is chemically “closed” into a loop, which makes it much harder for many enzymes to degrade it. It also contains structural features—such as steric bulk (imagine big lumps of atoms) and internal “bridges”—that further protect vulnerable bonds and resist digestion.

Its chemical properties are also balanced so it can function in the gut. It can dissolve in the watery environment of the digestive tract while still interacting with lipid membranes, allowing some of the drug to cross the intestinal barrier. This doesn’t mean it completely avoids digestion—some of it is still broken down—but enough survives

and is absorbed to have a therapeutic effect.

Another important point is potency. Icotyde binds very effectively to the IL-23 receptor. Because of this, even a relatively small amount reaching the bloodstream can be enough to produce meaningful clinical benefit.

Working in concert, these design elements make Icotyde succeed where other peptides couldn’t. Icotyde is not “immune” to digestion, but it is engineered to resist it, survive long enough, and be absorbed in sufficient quantities to work. That combination—molecular stability, absorption, and potency—is what allows an oral peptide drug to succeed. And the decision to push forward with designing a protein that could survive our digestive process was surprising, creative, and incorporated solutions that are truly ingenious.

Multiple companies are now working on similar strategies, trying to design peptide-based drugs that can be taken by mouth rather than injected for multiple different diseases. Icotyde accomplished proof of principle and led the way.

We may be at the beginning of a broader shift—one where some medications that once required injections can instead be taken as pills. If that trend continues, Icotyde could end up being an early example of a new class of therapies rather than a one-off breakthrough.

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Cube against Cancer rotates into Roswell

By DEAN HESSE decaturish@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Solving a Rubik’s Cube challenges most people, but a growing community of puzzlers doesn’t just solve them. They work to solve them as quickly as possible, achieving personal bests while pursuing world records.

The speedcuber community attended the Cube Against Cancer competition in Roswell on Saturday, April 11. More than 100 competitors filled the Gravity Ballroom at the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art. Competitions follow strict World Cube Association rules to ensure fairness. The WCA is the official nonprofit body that organizes speedcubing competitions, sets rules and maintains world records for solving the twisty puzzles.

The competition is supported by Southeast Cubing Inc., the official organization for speedcubing in the Southeast.

The all-ages event was held in collaboration with Ethan’s Ohana, a Missouri City, Texas-based nonprofit established in memory of Ethan Perry. Perry died from cancer in 2021 at age 12. He learned to solve a cube while hospitalized and became obsessed with the hobby. Solving the puzzle brought him comfort during treatment. At the Cube Against Cancer event, competitors were asked to bring at least one unopened cube or STEM-related toy to donate to a pediatric cancer patient.

The supportive atmosphere was easy to spot. Between rounds, young cubers practiced at tables or tucked into quiet corners, fingers flying over puzzles with the focus of seasoned professionals. Cubing is an inclusive hobby that appeals to all ages and abilities. The goal of each competition is to solve cubes as quickly as possible. The cubers with the best average solves advance to the next rounds of the competition. While most people are familiar with the traditional 3x3 Rubik’s Cube, the speedcubing community focuses on other puzzles, including the simpler 2x2 and the more complex 6x6. There are other more novel puzzles like clock, where competitors work quickly to adjust the dials on multiple clock faces.

Some cubers move so quickly that the cube’s colors become a kaleidoscopic blur in their fingers. The winner of the three-by-three event, Caleb Chen, recorded a 5.3-second solve.

Silas Skinner, 11, of Marietta, was competing for the first time.

“I’m trying to get faster times and get new records for myself,” he said.

His mother, Melissa, appreciated how well-organized the event was and was glad that Silas got to judge

Speedcubers take part in a round of competition

and Art April 11.

other competitors. Beginners are often expected to learn to judge to help the event run smoothly.

Shirley Adams was there, cheering on her grandson Levi Adams, 13, capturing every round on video.

“My biggest joy is just watching him have fun — it’s not just all about the cubing, it’s about the interaction,” she said. Adams playfully dubbed herself and her husband the “cubing chauffeurs.”

Austin Currey, 10, has been cubing for two years and said it’s really fun for him. Havish Chittanoori and Karun Rao, both 8, were all smiles between rounds, sitting with their families and a collection of cubes spread out on the table. Both said the event is a fun way to meet and make new friends.

For event organizer Rohan Raj, the appeal is simple.

“Anything cubing is just a great thing. It’s a great community, with great people, so it’s just been a great thing to happen in my life,” he said.

For more information, visit cubeagainstcancer.org.

PAST TENSE

Early Longview subdivision became part of Huntley Hills

Post World War II development included the construction of the Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac Assembly Plant in Doraville, later known as the General Motors Assembly Plant. The first automobiles were produced and shipped in 1947. This led to a need for better roads in the area and more housing for employees. There was already a housing shortage in the Atlanta area as soldiers returned home following the war.

Soon there were more industries in Chamblee including U.S. Envelope, Boyle Midway, General Electric, Eastman-Kodak and Westinghouse. The population of Chamblee tripled between 1940 and 1960.

In 1949, development in the surrounding area included the extension and paving of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and plans for Longview subdivision. The initial subdivision plan included over 2,000 homes on both sides of North Peachtree Road, extending into what is now Dunwoody. Ten years went by before construction of homes in Longview began. (“A History of the Longview Development,1958-1962,” by Ellen Rankin)

Longview plats were first filed in 1955 by the Long Corporation, Inc. Early plats included plans for an elementary school and construction of Chamblee Plaza. Revisions to the subdivision plats were made in 1957, 1958 and 1960. The first construction permits were for four houses, issued by the city of Chamblee in 1958.

Prior to Longview, the Long Corporation was known for building Darlington Apartments and the Howell House in Atlanta. The company began in 1914. Earle E. Long was vice president and manager of Long Contracting Company. He built his own home at 3659 Greenhill Drive, living there until 1963. Then, he moved to 3769 Longview Drive before leaving the area permanently when the company no longer planned to complete the development.

Home construction began in 1958 with 35 floorplans and 70 exterior finishes. The first homes of Longview were described as 1,150 square feet, six rooms with a lot size of 100’ by 150’. Prices ranged between $17,000 and $19,975. Long Corporation offered a “no down payment plan” to buyers. (Atlanta Journal, June 30, 1959,

Longview ad)

According to “A History of the Longview Development, “The Longview developer and architect customized plans with specific features, including outdoor living and sunlit areas, adaptions for hilly terrain, sloping lots, corner lots and triangular lots.” The one-level ranch home kept home prices lower yet also showed off the newest appliances and features available. It appealed to young families.

Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, today’s Peachtree Boulevard, was completed in 1958. Another change to the area was the closing of Naval Air Station Atlanta and opening of DeKalbPeachtree Airport. Chamblee Plaza opened in November 1960.

When the construction of the Atlanta Circumferential Highway

(Perimeter I-285) began in 1959, the section of Longview that would be in Dunwoody was separated by the highway. That part of the project was abandoned and sold off.

Edwards Engineering Corporation purchased the remaining property in 1962. They began developing the remaining lots in 1963 and renamed the subdivision Huntley Hills. The entrance was located where Longview Drive meets Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. The sales office was located on Longview across from Chamblee Plaza. (Atlanta Journal, Subdivision Developing as “Total Community,” July 22, 1962)

Huntley Hills was advertised as a “total community,” with a recreation area including a large pool. The 1962 plan included a future school and

church. Homes featured in Huntley Hills were split-levels and modified colonial homes in addition to the ranch style home.

The neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 2017, as LongviewHuntley Hills Historic District. The areas of significance are identified as community planning and development architecture.

Thank you to Ellen Rankin for sharing her research on the history of Longview subdivision.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

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

PLAYING AROUND

1. Play participant. Domestic. River feature.

2. Glue. Play venue. Lock name.

3. Smooth-talking. Play items. Large flying machine.

4. Garbage hauler. Jezebel’s idol. Play brighteners.

5. Lioness of film. Eagle’s residence. Play’s line to the audience.

6. Play genre. Biting. Shakespeare’s stream.

7. Chess piece. Stumble. Play necessity.

1 Play participant. Domestic. River feature

2. Glue. Play venue. Lock name

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

3. Smooth-talking. Play items. Large flying machine

4. Garbage hauler. Jezebel’s idol. Play brighteners.

5. Lioness of film. Eagle’s residence. Play’s line to the audience

6. Play genre. Biting. Shakespeare’s stream

7. Chess piece. Stumble. Play necessity

How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.

Homebuyers still waiting for lower rates Washington promised

D.C. AIKEN Guest Columnist

If you’ve been waiting for mortgage rates to fall because those on Capitol Hill and the Federal Reserve have signaled potential rate cuts, you’re not alone. You’re also encountering one of the most persistent misunderstandings in modern economics.

The logic seems straightforward: the Fed lowers interest rates, borrowing becomes cheaper, and mortgage rates follow. In reality, mortgage rates are influenced by a different part of the financial system altogether.

The Fed directly controls short-term interest rates, specifically the federal funds rate — the rate banks charge each other for overnight loans. Mortgage rates, by contrast, are long-term instruments and are more closely tied to the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. That yield is not set by the Fed, but by finan-

Lacrosse:

Continued from Page 1

Gabi’s younger sister Abby, a defender, has been another major contributor, typically taking the most difficult defensive assignment. She was guarding Johns Creek standout Sydnee Cane for the second straight year.

Abby has played on the same club lacrosse team as Cane for numerous years.

Gabi said team chemistry is at an all-time high after playing together for so many years. Hansen said Gabi is one of her most dependable players.

“Abby’s always going to come out and takes pride in the fact of not getting beat. If she gets beat, she’s not going to get beat the same way again,” Gabi said. “The chemistry, especially the senior group that was mentioned, I know what I’m getting out of them, and out of my sister, so that chemistry just sets us apart.”

Johns Creek kept the deficit at three goals or less for most of the first half until the Bears went on a fourgoal spree going into the break.

When Gladiators junior Hayden Huston fired back early in the third to spring her team to life, Gabi connected on her second set of back-to-back free position goals to extend the Bears’ lead.

The Gladiators then responded with a 4-1 streak in the fourth but couldn’t

cial markets attempting to forecast the future path of inflation, economic growth and risk. At the moment, those forecasts remain uncertain.

Although inflation has eased from its peak, it has not fully returned to levels that inspire confidence among investors. When markets buy long-term bonds, they are effectively locking in returns over a decade or more. If inflation turns out to be higher than expected, those returns are eroded. To compensate for that risk, investors demand higher yields — and mortgage rates rise alongside them.

Compounding this dynamic is the unusually wide spread between mortgage rates and Treasury yields. Under typical conditions, mortgage rates sit only modestly above the 10-year Treasury yield. Today, that gap is significantly larger. This reflects a range of factors, including market volatility, uncertainty around borrower behavior and reduced appetite for mortgage-backed securities among investors.

In practical terms, this means that

even if Treasury yields decline, mortgage rates may not fall proportionally. The transmission from monetary policy to consumer borrowing costs is neither immediate nor precise. Instead, it is filtered through layers of expectations, risk assessments and market structure.

For prospective homebuyers, the consequences are tangible. Monthly payments remain elevated, not only because of home prices but because of the cost of financing. Even modest changes in interest rates can translate into substantial differences in affordability over the life of a loan.

Meanwhile, existing homeowners who secured historically low mortgage rates in previous years have little incentive to refinance or sell. This contributes to constrained housing supply, which in turn supports home prices despite reduced demand.

So, what would need to change for mortgage rates to decline meaningfully? Signals from the Fed alone are not sufficient. Markets require sustained evidence that inflation is firmly under

ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA

Johns Creek junior Sydnee Cane cranks out a free position shot at Johns Creek High School April 17. Cane led her team with four goals and one assist against Cambridge, who is the consensus No. 3 team in the state according to multiple outlets’ rankings.

complete the comeback.

Senior attacker Sydnee Cane again proved her utility both on the circle and on the attack line.

control and that long-term economic conditions are stable. Just as importantly, the additional risk premiums embedded in mortgage markets would need to normalize.

In other words, mortgage rates are not waiting for policy announcements — they are waiting for confidence. Until investors are convinced that inflation risks have truly subsided and that the economic outlook is predictable, borrowing costs will remain elevated.

For now, the gap between expectation and reality persists. The promise of lower rates may be on the horizon, but mortgage markets are not yet ready to believe it.

DC Aiken is Senior Vice President of Lending for CrossCountry Mortgage, NMLS # 658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com.

The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC or its affiliates.

Cane led the team with five goals against Cambridge. Junior Avery Mathewson was right behind with four. The high-scoring pair posted one assist each.

In the boys game, the Gladiators led the entire game. Johns Creek put five goals on the scoreboard before Chamblee found the back of the net.

The Gladiators later went on a two-goal, three-goal and four-goal streaks to further extend the lead.

Last year when these teams matched up, the result was similar with a 15-2 final score.

Head coach CJ Mucker said the win meant a lot to his team for senior night.

“Just seeing everybody having high emotions and [I’m] just happy for our seniors,” he said. “They’re moving on for the next stage in life. The intensity was high, just like it was last year, and that’s all we can ask.”

Senior Tyler Hampson led the team with five goals and two assists for his senior night and penultimate regular season home game.

“We just had to settle in and start playing as a team,” he said. “We found our stride and started scoring.”

Cane was Georgia Lacrosse Insider’s Player of the Week and was named to the outlet’s Offensive Player of the Year Watchlist alongside 17 other players.

Defender David Scruggs celebrated a hat trick for senior night and showed off a new skill he picked up over spring break. Scruggs provided a new boost of energy by backflipping after each of his three goals. Will it start to catch on with other players?

Impact:

Continued from Page 9

The growing need reflects broader affordability challenges affecting suburban areas, CAC officials said. Many clients are employed but still struggle due to stagnant wages and rising living costs.

Families moved to the suburbs for safety and quality schools only to find themselves unable to afford high living costs, Director of Advancement George Northrop told Appen Media.

Workforce development

To address some of these challenges,

Students:

Continued from Page 1

REACH Scholars are selected in eighth grade for the opportunity to earn $10,000 for college, given they meet certain criteria throughout their high school graduation.

“You have set the bar high, not only academically, but through your leadership, resilience and character,” McCabe said. “You represent the very best of our district, and we are all incredibly proud of all you have accomplished.”

The Westlake High School String Ensemble and Riverwood International Charter School’s ROTC opened the ceremony. Musical ensembles accompanied the lunch, courtesy of the Chattahoochee High School Jazz Band and Saxophone Quartet.

Keynote speaker Kiara Lane advised the seniors by sharing her story of majoring in biology until her junior year of college to being named on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 list.

“It is college students … that change the world to a better place,” Lane said. “Use your voice even when it shakes, even when it’s not perfect, and even when you’re still figuring it out.”

Milton High School salutatorian

the CAC opened its Empowerment Center in November 2025, a new hub for adult education and workforce development. The center consolidates career services and includes “Thrive,” a program that assists people with childcare, transportation and tuition so they can get work certifications to pursue higherpaying jobs.

“Through our integrated services and programs, we are supporting clients in upskilling and reskilling for today’s job market and pursuing pathways that foster personal and professional growth that can lead to lasting financial independence,” Director of Impact and Innovation Doris Pereira said in a statement.

Early outcomes are promising,

Anika Gupta said it was nice to see her hard work pay off academically and philanthropically through her community service with the National Honors Society. Gupta will attend Georgia Tech in the fall.

Amishi Jain, Milton’s valedictorian and STAR Senior, said her ninth grade English teacher taught her perseverance and pushed her toward goals Jain did know she had.

“I did all sorts of different stuff,” Jain said, “and it allowed me to have a more organic experience all throughout my years.”

Jain will attend Columbia University in the fall.

according to the annual report. Sixty-five percent of clients who accessed career services in 2025 secured employment. Nearly 80 percent of those who received financial assistance were working within six months, though many still needed additional support to achieve long-term financial stability, the report said. Community support continues to play a critical role in CAC operations. In 2025, more than 500 volunteers contributed 53,000 hours of service, equivalent to 25 full-time staff members. Donations surged with a 25 percent increase in donors and a 104 percent rise in individual

service and utility sectors. We are extremely grateful.

contributions, according to the report. Faith-based organizations contributed significantly through a new “Congregation of the Month” initiative and collected more than 38,000 pounds of food and raised over $10,000 to support the food programs, the report said.

The nonprofit’s South Sandy Springs branch saw significant growth after outreach to 120 apartment communities increased demand for services by 50 percent late 2025. The location distributed more than 260,000 pounds of food and served 971 families, according to the report.

In Memoriam

Daphne Iris Robertson

September 16, 1950 – February 8, 2025

Daphne Iris Robertson passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025 at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital. Born in Portsmouth, UK, she moved to the United States in 1971 to marry Herbert Francis Robertson. For 53 years their love was impenetrable, taking them to Massachusetts, Florida, Colorado, and finally Georgia, where they resided since 1997. To the lives she touched, she will always be remembered for her warmth and generosity.

Service was held with family and close friends at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia on March 28, 2025, where Daphne is interred with Herbert. Service was also held on June 2, 2025 at St Francis Church in Leigh Park, Portsmouth, UK with close family and friends.

Daphne is survived by her son, Brian, daughter-in-law Sarah, and granddaughters Lillian and Evelyn.

In Memoriam

Herbert Francis Robertson June 15, 1949 – January 2, 2025

Herbert Francis Robertson passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025 at Emory University Hospital. Born in Quincy, MA, Herbert joined the Navy in 1969 and in 1970, met his wife Daphne in Portsmouth, UK. They married in 1971; for 53 years they shared an impenetrable love that took them to Massachusetts, Florida, Colorado, and finally Georgia, where they resided since 1997. To those that knew him, he will always be remembered for Daphne, whose kindness and warmth touched everyone she met.

Service was held with family and close friends at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia on March 28, 2025, where Herbert is interred with Daphne. Service was also held on June 2, 2025 at St Francis Church in Leigh Park, Portsmouth, UK with family and close friends.

Herbert was briefly survived by Daphne, who followed him on February 8. He is also survived by his son, Brian, daughter-inlaw Sarah, and granddaughters Lillian and Evelyn.

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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

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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.

Sawnee EMC is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Marketing Representative. Requires: a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communication, or a related field, and a minimum of two (2) years related experience in a marketing, business, or electric utility environment. Responsible for developing and implementing programs, creating print and digital publications, assisting members with energy usage, natural gas, rebates, incentives, and promoting the Cooperative in the community. Seeking individual with excellent organizational, written and creative skills.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, May 1, 2026. Apply online: www.sawnee. coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-8872363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Individuals with a disability and protected veterans. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor and Drug Free Workplace.

Pre-Construction Manager (Alpharetta, GA) Oversees all preconstruction activities, incl cost estimating, bid proposals, & proj planning. 10% domestic trvl to proj locations in NC & TN. Reqs Bachelor’s Deg or frgn equiv in Construction Mgmt or rltd field plus 2 yrs exp in job or Proj Estimator, or rltd job & 2 yrs concurrent exp in forecasting construction deadlines, material costs, & labor costs. Special Skills: Utilizing software: B2W Estimate, B2W Track, & OnCenter Takeoff. Send resume to Caitlin O’Neal Heisey at Gibson Landscape Services, 11395 Old Roswell Road, Alpharetta, GA 30009

Agilysys NV, LLC seeks a Lead Software Engineer - Technical Services in Alpharetta, GA to develop code solutions to business needs. 100% telecomm. permitted w/in the US. Apply https://www.jobpostingtoday.com/ Ref #52575.

Factory Automation Director sought by an IT service & solutions co. in Duluth, GA. Reqs a min of a Bach’s deg in Comp Sci, Info Systems, Electronics Engg, or a rltd field, & 5 yrs of exp in factory automation project mgmt. Send resume to: SK AX USA Inc. @ 2055 Sugarloaf Circle, Ste 500, Duluth, GA 30097.

YOUTH DIRECTOR (Part-Time) Alpharetta Presbyterian Church — Alpharetta, GA

APC seeks a vibrant, relational leader to serve as Youth Director for middle and high school students. 20–25 hrs/week | Up to $25/hr. Ideal candidates have a passion for youth mentorship and a background in education, coaching, or youth leadership. Retired teachers and ministryminded professionals encouraged to apply. Strong volunteer team and pastoral support in place.

To apply: Submit a brief introduction and resume to jobs@alpharettapres.com.

Part-Time Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) Thrift Shop Associate

NFCC is looking for a part-time Bi-lingual (Spanish/ English) Thrift Shop Associate to join our team. In this role, you’ll deliver exceptional customer service while handling cash register transactions, managing our client clothing program, and keeping merchandise neat, clean, and organized. Above all, we’re looking for someone with a warm, welcoming presence who treats every shopper with dignity and compassion.

The schedule is Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9:30am–5:30pm, Tuesdays 4:30pm–8:30pm, and one Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm per month.

If you’re passionate about serving your community and connecting with people in both English and Spanish, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org.

HELP

WANTED American Legion Post 201

Part Time Custodian – Needed Saturdays & Sundays start time 6:30 am. General cleaning of building, pick up and discard trash on grounds. Supervise community service workers when available. Must be able to lift 50 lbs., and move around safely and efficiently without aid of mechanical support, accept and sign for deliveries. Approx. 5-7 hours a day.

Part Time Bartender – Flexible schedule afternoon and evening hours, approximately 15-20 hours per week. Previous experience preferred but not necessary. Must be able to qualify for City of Alpharetta Pouring Permit.

If interested in either position please contact DiAna Casale (770) 475-9023 Mon-Thurs 10 am – 2 pm or americanlegionalpharetta@gmail.com. Detail job description for both available upon request.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk 1L (Building and Grounds/Custodial/ Maintenance) (part-time position) to perform facility maintenance and grounds keeping duties. Requires some heavy lifting, high school diploma or equivalency and a valid GA driver’s license. Related experience with outdoor maintenance equipment and a valid CDL are preferred. Hours: Availability for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, May 1, 2026. Apply online: www.sawnee. coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-8872363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with a disability 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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