Author, exonerated of murder conviction shares her life story ► PAGE 4
A p r i l 3 , 2 0 2 5 | 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 2 9 , N o . 1 4
Legislation to ban personal devices for K-8 students awaits signature By MEIMEI XU WABE
SCREENSHOT
Johns Creek City Council members vote to approve contracts for the construction of intersections, parking, greenspace and a trail along Johns Creek Parkway. The roadway sits between Creekside Park and the Medley development.
Officials approve upgrades to activity corridor By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek is infusing nearly $4 million in transportation improvements in the heart of the city to attract visitors to Creekside Park and the planned 43-acre Medley mixeduse community. At its March 24 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved almost $3.8 million in contracts for construction of a roundabout, trail and parking. About 40 percent of the project’s $5.5-million cost will be paid by Medley’s developer. The city’s portion will be covered by Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax II funds.
The improvements aim to ease traffic and promote pedestrian use at a corridor that sits between Creekside Park and Medley. The project includes the construction of a roundabout at Johns Creek Parkway and Lakefield Drive and signalized intersection at Johns Creek Parkway and East Johns Crossing. Plans also call for on-street parking along the existing southbound lanes between the intersections. Greenspace and a trail will border northbound lanes. The traffic and pedestrian construction complements city goals to promote recreational, community and mixed-use spaces.
See CORRIDOR, Page 21
Atlanta’s PREMIER LUXURY Real Estate Firm
E. Joh
ns Xin
g
all
yH
Cit
Lakefield Dr.
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK/PROVIDED
A signalized intersection and roundabout are planned for Johns Creek Parkway with a trail and on-street parking along the roadway in between.
NOW SERVING Atlanta North Atlanta Sea Island Lake Oconee
ATLANTA — A Georgia bill headed to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk for final approval would ban personal devices during the day for kindergarten, elementary and middle school students. The Georgia Senate passed House Bill 340 by a vote of 54-2 on Tuesday. It would require public schools and school systems to establish protocols for restricting access to and storing devices like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, e-readers, Bluetooth headphones and more. Schools would also create their own policies for device usage during extracurricular and off-campus activities. Schools would need to adopt policies by Jan. 1, 2026, and implement the ban by July 1, 2026. The bill does not apply to schoolissued devices. HB 340 also has carveouts for students who need to access personal devices for official medical or educational reasons. Schools in Georgia and metro Atlanta have already implemented some form of a personal device ban to reduce distractions in the classroom. State Rep. Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners, the lead sponsor of the Distraction-Free Schools Act, praised its passage in the Senate.
See DEVICES, Page 23
ALLISON KLOSTER 404.784.5287 Allison@HOMEgeorgia.com