Johns Creek Herald - August 6, 2026

Book pairs father, son’s reflections on autism journey

► PAGE 6

TUNNEL VISION

Passage to serve as Town Center gateway, event space

By JON WILCOX

jon@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A new, cavernous pedestrian tunnel is more than simply a safe access point to Johns Creek’s The Boardwalk, city officials said.

The 124-foot-long, 42-foot-wide passage does indeed link to one of the city’s most important community gathering and recreation spaces, but the tunnel could also be used as a venue for events, said Brian O’Connor, public works director.

The tunnel runs under Medlock Bridge

Road near Johns Creek Parkway, linking homes and businesses on the west side to The Boardwalk, which opened in May.  City officials plan a ribbon cutting for the tunnel at 9 a.m. Aug. 12. Workers are putting finishing touches on the tunnel, which is complete and open to the public.

See TUNNEL, Page 20

Famous Dave’s barbecue chain to open Johns Creek location

By JOSHUA WILSON joshua@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek will be the site of a new location for a Minnesota-based barbecue chain.

Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que will open at 10710 State Bridge Road, Suite 150 — an Alpharetta address within the Johns Creek city limits — in the fall. It is operated by a group called The Georgia Partnership, which includes Dr. Derek S. Scott, operations developer Vetra A. Stephens and growth strategist Lord Bryan DeGraffenreid.

The new location will be the “flagship location for long-term growth across Georgia,” according to a press release from the group. Famous Dave’s was founded in 1994 in Hayward, Wisconsin, and now has 111 locations in 30 states as well as a Winnipeg, Canada, branch and three locations in the United Arab Emirates.

Famous Dave’s will soon bring its signature barbecue spread to Johns Creek.

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Man charged after gun fires, wounds two on MARTA bus

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A man is facing federal charges after authorities say his firearm accidentally discharged on a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority bus, hitting a woman and also wounding himself while traveling in Sandy Springs on July 22.

Guillermo Cruz Velazquez appeared in federal court July 28 on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien illegally or unlawfully present in the U.S., the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Georgia said in a press release. He will remain in the

POLICE BLOTTER

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

Roswell man reports sports cards missing

ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell man recently reported that nine packages containing sports cards valued at $5,805 were stolen from his P.O. box on Holcomb Bridge Road.

He reported the theft to the Roswell Police Department July 21 after tracking information showed the packages had been delivered the previous day.

The man resells sports cards purchased in high volumes from various sellers through the online retail site Fanatics. He told police that his P.O. box is not always big enough to hold all his packages. When that happens, UPS Store staff typically put the overflow packages in a bag kept behind the service counter for pickup.

The man told police there are

custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further proceedings.

The incident happened near the intersection of Roswell Road and Glenridge Drive. A firearm in Velazquez’s bag discharged one round that struck a female passenger in the leg and Velazquez in the forearm.

Velazquez fled on foot, and Sandy Springs police found him wounded in a parking lot and possessing a bag with a hole in it, the release said. Officers found a .45 caliber pistol with a used cartridge case stuck in the ejection port in nearby bushes.

Chief of the MARTA Police Department M. Scott Kreher said the

multiple sports cards posted on eBay that he believes are from the missing packages. He said photos of the cards feature his Fanatics username, indicating they are the ones he bought.

He was told to audit all of his transactions with Fanatics to see if other packages had been previously stolen. The man is asking police to pursue charges against whoever stole the packages.

— Hannah Yahne

Roswell police intervene in attempted bank fraud

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police recently confronted a woman allegedly posing as an employee of Bank of America’s fraud department.

Police were alerted to the scam by a Roswell man who had withdrawn $21,500 in cash at the woman’s direction.

When police arrived at the scene on Alpharetta Highway July 20, the man was standing in front of a silver Honda Accord he alleged was involved in the crime. The man told police he had been directed over the phone to withdraw $10,000 at one Bank of America location and an additional $11,500 from a

safety of passengers and employees remains a top priority.

“We are working closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners as the investigation continues,” Kreher said. “Reckless actions that place the public at risk have no place on our transit system, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe environment for everyone who relies on MARTA.”

The case is being investigated by the MARTA and Sandy Springs police departments, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

separate location to cover charges on his American Express card.

He was told to call back when the money had been obtained. With police present, the man called the alleged bank employee, who instructed him to place the money in a plastic bag to pass off to someone in a silver Honda Accord. An assisting officer detained the driver of the car while another spoke on the phone to the alleged bank employee.

The woman told police the driver was not part of the attempted crime. When asked why she was instructing the man to give cash to a courier, the woman began scolding the officer for stopping a crime in progress before hanging up.

Police determined the driver of the silver Honda Accord worked for Uber, was unaware of the attempted scam and was only responding to a call. He provided his account details for further investigation and was released.

The Roswell man and his wife thought the call was legitimate because the alleged bank employee provided a correct cellphone number, driver’s license information and Social Security number.

Police told them that information can be found in public records.

Program connects backyard gardeners with in-need residents

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — For backyard gardeners, half the fun is sharing their harvest.

“Gardeners are giving people,” said Jessica Jackson, an Alpharetta mom who cultivates vegetables and herbs. “We love to grow, and we love to give. We’re always trying to pawn our produce off on our neighbors, and nobody wants it, to be honest.”

Jackson is one of more than 20 local gardeners who will contribute homegrown produce to families experiencing food insecurity. Organized by the nonprofit North Fulton Community Charities and Alpharetta’s Community Agriculture Program, the Homegrown Harvest program launched July 1 in response to growing demand at the nonprofit’s food pantry.

Amanda Musilli, community agriculture and sustainability services manager for the city of Alpharetta, said Homegrown Harvest is a win-win, connecting locals who love gardening with residents who have a real need for fresh vegetables.

“Homegrown Harvest gives backyard gardeners an opportunity to turn that passion into meaningful community service,” Musilli said. “Every tomato, pepper, bean or bunch of herbs grown through this program helps put fresh, healthy food on the table for a local family.”

Tucked behind Jackson’s home

are numerous raised beds where she already grows tomatoes, beans, beets, kale, chard, muscadines, basil and other herbs.

“I’m out there every single day,” she said. “I don’t need to be, but that’s my

favorite place to be.”

Tending her garden is hardly work for Jackson, who finds immense relaxation in its care. She loves spending time walking among the plots, “talking to bugs” and ensuring the plants are thriving, she said.

“It’s just peaceful,” she said.

Jackson has agreed to dedicate several plots in her garden to the program and plans to deliver her first batch of crops in a few months.

Kara Mucklow, a Milton gardener who is also participating in the program, said she is excited to help out.

She plans to dedicate one of her newly established plots to Homegrown Harvest. Mucklow, who has grown tomatoes, basil, bell peppers, cucumbers and raspberries, said there’s something special about homegrown produce.

“It’s as fresh as you can get,” she said.

As Mucklow prepares to plant for the program, she said she is most looking forward to simply helping those in her community.

“It nourishes the community in a very basic way,” she said. “It shows the community that support is there for the people who need assistance.”

SUBMITTED/CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA

Portraits of patients born with cleft lip by artist Katie Manning are on display at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Scottish Rite Hospital. The portraits, which include depictions of two brothers from Milton, are designed to highlight the beauty and uniqueness of each patient, the artist noted.

Art tour spotlights Milton brothers born with cleft lip

By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA, Ga. — Artist Katie Manning believes babies born with cleft lip — a common birth difference where the upper lip does not close all the way during pregnancy — are uniquely themselves and worth celebrating.

She is providing Atlanta with 100 reasons why through her 100 Cleft Portraits tour, a traveling art and education exhibition featuring drawn and painted portraits of people born with cleft from around the world.

The portraits are currently featured at two Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals, Arthur M. Blank on North Druid Hills Road and Scottish Rite on Johnson Ferry Road.

Portraits of two Milton brothers are included in the series, and they will be formally presented to the brothers and their family members by Manning on Aug. 8 at Cherokee Town & Country Club in Atlanta, 155 W. Paces Ferry Road NW, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Guests interested in seeing those portraits and hearing from Manning about her work should register in advance at acpacares.org/100-cleft-portraits-tour.

The portraits and accompanying tour are part of National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month. The month serves as a time to advocate on behalf of patients with cleft lip — and also to celebrate them and their health journeys. The American Cleft Palate Association and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are among the tour’s sponsors.

The Milton brothers have been under the care of Dr. Joseph K. Williams, a pediatric plastic surgeon and director of Children’s Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders, since birth.

Williams said Manning’s work creates visibility for patients with cleft lip while also highlighting the artist’s own journey with the birth difference. Manning’s son was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate.

“This is a mom who … needed to understand how to deal with that internally, the emotions and guilt that a lot of these families have,” Williams said. “She went back to what was in her core, which is to be an artist.”

A surgeon for 30 years, Williams said a common misconception about patients born with cleft lip is that it is a life-altering condition. He acknowledged, however, that treating the birth difference is a lengthy process and one that can be challenging for families.

“I think when that happens twice, in a situation like this [with the brothers from Milton], the burden of care becomes formidable,” Williams said. “It is undoubtedly an enormous stress on the family and the family dynamics.”

He said cleft repair involves an 18-year treatment plan with an average of five to seven surgeries.

Surgeries start in a patient’s first year of life and are followed by speech and dental development evaluations. Other procedures could later be necessary, including reconstruction of the gums, revisions of the lip and nose, and jaw surgery.

Patients meet a number of health care specialists — surgeons, dentists, speechlanguage pathologists, nutritionists and even psychologists — during their journey, Williams added.

The surgeon said a prenatal, or before birth, diagnosis can be helpful both to medical teams and families. With that information, parents can prepare for the process and be provided with sufficient information to make decisions and adapt to potential challenges.

“We can ease their mind and make sure they understand that this is a well-worn path and there are a lot of people that are there to take care of it,” Williams said.

He said medical advancements are helping shorten recovery times. One bright spot, he noted, is that lab-created materials, instead of bone taken from a patient’s hip, can now be used to repair a bone gap.

Book pairs father, son’s reflections on autism journey

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — When David Raphael wrote his first essay, “Jacob’s Story: A Miracle of the Heart,” nearly 30 years ago, he never predicted it would turn into a published book that explores the “amazingly emotional” experience he said results from raising a child with autism.

“Every autistic kid’s story is unique,” David said. “Among the things that makes Jacob’s path unique is … he started in a really serious place.”

His son Jacob was diagnosed with autism at 2 years and 7 months old, and doctors could not guarantee how far he would progress due to significant cognitive delays. In the essay published in 1997, David wrote that the weeks following his son’s diagnosis were among the most painful he had ever experienced.

“I would lie awake at night, unable to sleep,” David wrote. “I had no appetite.”

I could think of nothing but the son that would be lost to me forever.”

This severe anxiety continued until the Raphaels were introduced to the DIR model, a scientific framework used to promote healthy development in children with autism. DIR — an initialism for the developmental, individual differences, relationshipbased model — was developed in the 1980s and 1990s by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and expanded upon by Dr. Serena Weider.

“The first time we saw Dr. Greenspan … Jacob and I were in his office and it was as if somebody had opened a door

ANTHONY BOYD GRAPHICS/PROVIDED

David Raphael, left, embraces his 13-year-old son Jacob in the cover photo for “A Miracle of the Heart: A Father and Son’s Autism Journey,” which was published earlier this year.

to the future,” David said. “When we started doing the Floortime method, we saw changes right away.”

Floortime, according to the DIR website, is the DIR model put into practice. Activities focus on building a child’s underlying developmental capacities — emotional regulation, engagement, two-way communication and problem-solving — through play that follows the child’s interests.

With Floortime treatment, David said

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Jacob Raphael speaks at a July conference for child development professionals and parents in Virginia.

progress came “immediately,” making the three-hour commute to Greenspan’s office — and the thousands of dollars spent on provider costs — worth it. He said it was gratifying and exhilarating to see his son’s growth.

“As Jacob was healing, I was healing, too,” David said.

David read his “Jacob’s Story” essay at the 1996 Zero to Three child development conference, sharing how important early intervention and DIR was to their lives. He said it was hard work, frustrating at times, and he noted Jacob’s progress was rapid and remarkable. Jacob, by age 5, had said his first word — “meow” — and wanted to learn everything.

“Jacob’s Story” was published in the April/May 1997 edition of the Zero to Three Journal, which publishes the latest research on early childhood development and related insights from experts. Three years later, he was again invited to speak at the group’s conference. His second essay, “Jacob’s Story Part II: Each Day is Another Adventure,” was published in 2000.

David said parents of children diagnosed with autism are desperate for hope. The diagnosis is becoming more prevalent, with the Centers for Disease Control reporting that, in 2022, 1 in 31 8-year-old children in the U.S. were identified with autism

spectrum disorder. In 2002, 1 in 150 were noted.

“We’ve been telling Jacob for years that he has an important message to share, that he has an important story to share with others,” David said.

Last year, David collected his essays and spoke with Jacob about each chapter. The dad transcribed his conversations with his son. Jacob contributed his own chapter, “A Boy and His Autism,” which details the confusion and difficulties he experienced while growing up with autism. The prose also recounts the first time he read “Jacob’s Story.”

Jacob, usually hesitant to discuss the development disorder, wrote that reading the essay caused a wave of emotions to burst through a dam he had long been building.

“The emotion that broke the camel’s back, in this case, wasn’t anger but empathy … empathy and a radical shifting of a memory that happens years after the fact,” Jacob recorded.

Chapters pairing dad-and-son reflections weave readers through the shared experience and what those times meant to both individuals. The essays and reflections were published in the book “A Miracle of the Heart: A Father and Son’s Autism Journey,” which was released this summer through the publisher they founded, The Narrow Bridge Press.

Jacob, now 35 with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Georgia College and State University, is working on his own novel and applying for a graduate-level social work program. With his father, he served as a keynote speaker at the Creating Connections to Shining Stars child development conference in Virginia July 14-16.

“It’s taken me three decades to become more comfortable in my own skin and with my own unique qualities,” Jacob said. “I still have a ways to go. That said, I’d like to think that I’ve learned a thing or two along the way.”

Jacob told the conference crowd, a group of special educators and parents, that it is essential to help neurodivergent people connect with others around them. He said finding people who accept others as they are — autism and all — is even more important.

“When thinking about his long journey, the latest chapter of his is embracing his autism identity,” David said. “He really embraced who he is and it’s incredibly … empowering for him and affirming.”

To learn more, read the dad-andson pair’s blog or purchase a book, visit narrowbridge.us.

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Forsyth County cleanup teaches environmental stewardship lessons

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

See CLEANUP, Page 19

Drive for the Cure offers free prostate cancer screenings

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — When Ed Hoppe learned about Drive for the Cure from friends more than 20 years ago, he thought the annual golf tournament, which raises funds for prostate cancer research, was a worthy cause and that he should get involved.

“One in eight men will, presumably, be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, so it’s a good thing,” Hoppe said. “It’s a worthy cause for us men.”

Drive for the Cure was started in 1999 by a group of men at the Country Club of Roswell. As the tournament heads into its 28th year, the nonprofit organization has raised around $1.5 million for the Emory Winship Cancer Institute.

Last year’s tournament offered an exciting addition, volunteer Dan Gordon said. Golfers could receive free screenings at the course through a blood test at

Emory’s Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Bus.

About 20% of men screened last year were recommended for further testing after their results flagged concerns. This year, community members not participating in the tournament are also able to take advantage of the free screenings.

“Early detection for men is key to making sure that there’s no long-term issues,” Gordon said. “That bus screening has been fantastic.

Community members are invited to receive a free mobile screening at the Country Club of Roswell, 2500 Club Springs Drive, from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. the day of the fundraiser, Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Participation in the golf fundraiser is filled. Anyone interested in donating to the cause or participating in the silent auction to bid on vacations, golf packages and memorabilia can visit birdease.com/ DrivefortheCure.

The most dangerous place for seniors

Brought to you by – Bath and Kitchen Galleria

The bathroom, a place we take for granted, transforms into one of the most hazardous areas in the home for aging seniors. With slippery surfaces, high tub walls, and the need for frequent maneuvering, the risk of falls—the leading cause of injury among older adults—spikes dramatically. John Hogan, President of Bath and Kitchen Galleria and Aging in Place Expert says, “Proactive bathroom modifications are not merely an upgrade; they are an essential investment in the long-term safety, independence, and dignity of our seniors.”

To mitigate the dangers, several specific aspects of the bathroom should be modified to create a supportive and accessible environment:

Shower and Bathtub: The single greatest fall risk is often stepping over a high tub wall. The ideal solution is a curbless or low-threshold walk-in shower to eliminate this barrier entirely. For added security, install a permanent shower seat or bench and a handheld showerhead to allow for comfortable, seated bathing. Shower floor should have non-slip tile surfaces.

Grab Bars: Strategically placed sturdy, professional-grade grab bars are critical. They must be securely anchored into wall studs, not just

the drywall. Placement is key: near the toilet to assist with sitting and standing, and both inside and just outside the shower/tub for secure entry and exit. Modern grab bars come in a variety of stylish finishes to seamlessly blend with your décor.

Toilet Area: A standard toilet can be difficult to use for those with limited mobility. Installing a comfort-height or raised toilet seat reduces the strain on joints and makes the transition from sitting to standing much easier. Pairing this with well-placed grab bars provides a significant boost in stability.

Flooring and Lighting: Replace slippery tile or remove loose bathmats and throw rugs, which are tripping

hazards. Install slip-resistant flooring throughout the bathroom. Finally, good lighting is paramount. Bright, even lighting—including motion-sensor nightlights—helps seniors navigate safely, especially during middle-of-thenight trips.

By implementing these thoughtful changes, the bathroom can evolve from a high-risk area into a secure, comfortable, and accessible space that supports an aging senior’s desire to age in place safely at home. For more information visit Bath and Kitchen Galleria’s showroom at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta (no appointment needed) or call them at 678-459-2292.

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Find your new home – and your North Georgia lifestyle – with David Patterson Homes

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From peaceful acreage and Lake Lanier living to a walkable downtown address, David Patterson Homes is creating exceptional new-home opportunities across Gainesville, Cumming and Dawsonville. The award-winning homebuilder is known for creating thoughtfully designed, European urban farm style homes with spacious floorplans, quality craftsmanship and desirable locations close to excellent school districts, shopping, recreation and everyday conveniences.

Creekside Overlook in Gainesville , an enclave of just 33 homes, is located just minutes from Lake Lanier. Set within a peaceful, wooded neighborhood, Creekside Overlook features spacious half acre plus homesites and beautifully designed single-family homes that offer the room, privacy

and modern features today’s buyers want.

The available homes showcase open concept living spaces, gourmet kitchens, inviting primary suites and flexible rooms that can serve as home offices, guest accommodations or additional entertainment areas. Outdoor living spaces and generous yards provide even more opportunities to enjoy the natural North Georgia setting.

With five homes ready for a faster move, Creekside Overlook is an excellent choice for buyers who want the advantages of a new home without waiting through the full construction process. It’s convenient Gainesville location also places residents near Lake Lanier’s boating, fishing and recreation, along with area dining, shopping and medical services.

For buyers dreaming of a home directly connected to the lake lifestyle, Long Hollow Landing in Gainesville

offers a rare opportunity. Recognized as Best New Homes Community by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Long Hollow Landing has only two lakeside homes remaining. Priced from $1.2 million, each home includes a deeded boat slip at the community dock, making it easy for residents to enjoy days on Lake Lanier.

In Cumming, Reece Run offers an intimate setting with only four homesites. Each homesite is more than one acre, providing privacy and space while remaining convenient to Forsyth County destinations. Homes are priced from the mid $700s, and a Move-In Ready home is currently available with $45,000 in incentives, creating an exceptional opportunity for buyers ready to make their move.

David Patterson Homes is also introducing Enclave on Wallace Tatum , its newest Cumming-area community. This limited collection will feature

only six homesites of more than one acre, with homes priced from the high $700s. The intimate size and large homesites are expected to make this a highly sought-after address.

In the city of Dawsonville, Downtown Fausett offers a different style of living. New townhomes are currently under construction and priced from $329,900. Residents can enjoy a walkable location near Downtown Dawsonville, the local farmers market, restaurants, community events and other city attractions.

From move-in ready homes near Lake Lanier to lakeside residences, spacious estate homesites and walkable townhome living, David Patterson Homes offers opportunities for a variety of lifestyles and price points throughout North Georgia. Call David Patterson Homes at 678-578-6824 or visit DavidPattersonHomes.com to begin your new home search.

Why a will alone no longer fits the way families plan

Brought to you by – Holly Geerdes Estates Law Center USA

For decades, a will was the default estate planning tool — simple, familiar, and seemingly sufficient. That's changing, and the numbers back it up.

This is not a small shift. It is a sign that more families are starting to understand the real difference between the two documents — and that difference matters more than most people realize until they're the ones dealing with a loved one's estate.

A will tells the court what you want. A trust lets your family avoid the court altogether.

A will is, at its core, a set of instructions for a judge. It doesn't transfer anything on its own — it has to be validated, interpreted, and executed through the probate process before your wishes carry any legal weight. A properly funded trust sidesteps that step entirely. Assets titled in the name of the trust pass directly to beneficiaries according to the trust's terms, with no court involvement required.

A will becomes public record. A trust stays private.

Once a will is filed for probate, it becomes part of the public court record. Anyone — a nosy neighbor, a dis-

gruntled relative, a scam artist targeting new heirs — can request a copy and see exactly what you owned and who inherited it. A trust is a private contract. Its terms, its assets, and its beneficiaries are not filed with any court and are not part of the public record.

A will still has to go through probate. A properly funded trust does not.

Probate is not free, and it is not fast. Depending on the state and the size of the estate, it can take anywhere from several months to well over a year, and it typically comes with court fees, executor fees, and attorney fees that reduce what's left for the family. A properly funded revocable living trust — meaning one where the person's assets have actually been retitled into the trust's name — bypasses probate for those assets altogether. The family gets access to what they need, often within weeks, not months.

Why "properly funded" is the phrase that matters most

Here is where most DIY trust plans fail: a trust document is only as good as the funding behind it. If a house, brokerage account, or business interest is never retitled into the trust's name, that asset still goes through probate — regardless of what the trust document says. This is the single most common mistake in self-prepared estate plans, and it's exactly the kind of detail an experienced estate planning attorney is trained to catch. Proper funding requires coordinating deeds, account retitling, beneficiary designations, and sometimes business entity documents — work that goes well beyond filling out a template. The biggest growth in probate is the DIY Trust that didn't get property expert advice in setting up properly beyond just signing the trust.

Why this shift is happening now

More families are choosing structure over paperwork, and that's a good thing. It reflects a growing awareness that estate planning isn't just about stating your wishes — it's about building a system that actually carries those wishes out without unnecessary cost, delay, or public exposure for the people left behind. But building that system correctly, with all the pieces properly funded and coordinated, is not a do-it-yourself project. It takes an attorney who understands both the legal requirements and the practical funding steps that make a trust work the way it's supposed to.

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All the many benefits of water therapy

Oh, how I do love the sound of flowing water – but not when it’s coming from the potty.

Yeah, that’s right. The other day, something happened and the outflow from the washing machine had nowhere else to go. You really can’t blame the water; it was just doing what water does.

The first clue that something was amiss was a burbling commode. Toilets are not supposed to burble. But this one was.

Hearing it, I walked into the bathroom to check things out. The potty was full of soap-sudsy bubbles, and the first thing I thought was, “Well, at least it looks clean.”

The burbling stopped. I went back to the other room. But then the burbling resumed, even more burbly than before. It sounded…cheerful, like a burbling creek…happy even…

I went to look again. This time the carpet squished.

Uh-oh.

Long story short: That musical hydrology was just a devious little teaser of what was really going on, which was that water was flowing across the basement floor on the other side of the wall. Said water flowed around baseboards and into the carpet, soaking the padding, sheetrock, and whatever boxes or other items were within its reach. It didn’t take long for it all to happen, and by the time we got the water cut off we had (as my grandma used to say when talking about politics) “a mell of a hess.”

Fast forward a few days, during which the disaster folks came and did their thing. That basically involved tearing up the kitchen, bedroom, closet, vanity area and bathroom, too. That latter, which was especially disruptive to (forgive me) the normal flow of things, involved removing the toilet (the very same one which had alerted me in the first place) and setting it unceremoniously in the tub (no, not so it could be used but just to get it out of the way). I actually felt kind of sorry for the toilet, ensconced as it was in that noble but now totally non-functional state. The bathroom sink, for its part, ended up in the living room, while the kitchen sink ended up outside. Oh boy.

One has not fully experienced this modern world until one has lived in

it accompanied by a non-functioning toilet sitting in one’s bathtub – and without a kitchen, too. If we’d had at least a functioning kitchen, we might have used it to prepare some sort of comfort food, ideally one involving chocolate or perhaps some sort of fortified spirits.

We stayed for a little while, albeit without kitchen or sinks and or toilet or tub (remember, it now held the

out (but this time with conveniences) at an Airbnb up in the foothills north of home.

This evening, barely two days into telling ourselves that lemonade-outof-lemons is really a thing, we decided that we needed respite. This water catastrophe had messed with our home, with our nest – and by her own admission, my wife is a nest builder. She was stressed, for you do not lightly mess with a nest-builder’s nest.

Water therapy. That’s what we needed. It would be oddly appropriate, wouldn’t it? So we got in the car and drove to the local lake. As its watery expanse came into view, thoughts of that other H2O and all it had wrought began to fade from view. Life on Earth began to look a little better.

I knew we were on the right track when she asked me, “Do you think there will be fish?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “But I will go find out.”

“Some fish would be good right about now,” she mused, her voice a little softer maybe. “Maybe they’re there. I’ll sit here and crochet while you check it out.”

So that’s what she did, and that’s what I did, too. I tied a bright yellow foam fly to the end of the line, made my way down to the water, and immediately caught a decent bluegill. Three casts later, I caught another.   Then I stopped fishing and turned to walk back up the hill, ready to deliver the happy news.

“It’s good,” I told her.

Together, we walked back down the hill to the water’s edge. She cast, using the rod I had built for her not long after we married, and she promptly caught a bluegill of her own. It was a good one.

I caught one, too, and she took my picture.

toilet), while the restoration folks worked. It was, my wife observed, kind of like camping but without the woods.

That is not nearly as much fun as you might imagine.

Soon, they told us we needed to go somewhere else while things dried out (mold) and then, a few days later, they told us we needed to go somewhere else again while repairs were made.

That’s where we are now, camping

I walked on down the shoreline, fishing as I went. Then I heard her call my name and turned and saw her rod bent more than I’d ever seen it bent before. She had a big one – an enormous one, a brag-worthy one, a bluegill of epic proportions. I watched as she brought it in, and I went to her to take a picture.

It was the biggest bluegill she’d ever caught.

“With fishing like this, we could have had some for supper,” she said. “We would have eaten well.”

But she slipped it back into the water, and for the first time that day I saw a smile flicker across her face.

Water therapy? Uh huh. Sometimes that’s all you need.

Puzzles

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!

OUTSIDE THE BIRDCAGE

1. Radar image. Gung-ho. Small olive-colored flycatcher.

2. Big party. Long-legged webfooted shore bird. Urban haze.

3. Clan emblem. Elevator, in England. European blackbird.

4. Three-toed bird. Downhill racer. Newbie golfer.

5. Winter wear. Diving duck. Figure skater’s jump.

6. Big brass. Room at the top. Short-billed Old World rail.

7. Tyrant flycatcher. Pricing word. Trade.

1 Radar image. Gung-ho. Small olive-colored flycatcher.

2. Big party. Long-legged web-footed shore bird. Urban haze

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. Clan emblem. Elevator, in England. European blackbird.

4. Three-toed bird. Downhill racer. Newbie golfer

5. Winter wear. Diving duck. Figure skater’s jump

6. Big brass. Room at the top. Short billed Old World rail.

7. Tyrant flycatcher. Pricing word. Trade

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

A

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.

Southeast Pollinator Census is this month

ANNE WISKIND Guest Columnist

Do you look forward to delicious fresh peaches, golden zucchini and luscious tomatoes every summer?

Then thank the bees and other insect pollinators! They pollinate over 85% of wild flowering plants, more than 75% of agricultural crops and are essential to maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

Why is pollination so important?

Pollination allows plants to develop seeds, which then produce flowers, fruits or vegetables. It requires the transfer of pollen from the male flower part (the stamen) to the female flower part (the ovule), which then forms the seed. The problem is that some flowers may have only male or female parts, so they require pollinators to move pollen.  Research shows that a single flower requires eight separate pollinator visits to develop properly shaped fruit. Talk about busy bees!

Flowers produce both nectar and pollen. Nectar is a sugar-rich fluid packed with energy to attract pollinators.  Pollen is a protein-rich powder that contains the plant’s male genetic material. Bees are considered the most efficient pollinators because they collect and transport both pollen and nectar.  They are also “fuzzy,” and pollen collects on their hair or on special collection structures on their legs. Wasps, flies, butterflies, beetles and ladybugs are more accidental pollinators. They are primarily after the nectar and may transport pollen collected on their legs, but their true benefit is as predators that eat harmful insects such as aphids, mites, thrips, leafhoppers and insect larvae. Most insects are not aggressive and are just interested in the nectar or pollen, but it is best not to touch them.  Using the magnifying feature on your phone may help with insect identification.

Insect populations have been declining since the 1930s. This trend is widespread, not only in developing areas of the world but also in remote locations. Scientists believe this insect decline is due to habitat loss, light pollution, microplastics, pesticide use, disease and climate change. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently lists more than 50 species of pollinators as threatened or endangered. The loss of insect communities may have a disastrous effect on food webs.

The University of Georgia Extension developed and launched the Great Georgia Pollinator Census in 2017 to track insect pollinator populations in Georgia to measure the effects of pollinator habitat restoration. The initiative has since expanded throughout the Southeast to include South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and, for the first time this year, Mississippi. Now known as the Great Southeast Pollinator Census (gsepc.org), it is the nation’s largest pollinator counting effort. The project also features an educational component designed to augment STEM curriculum in elementary schools.

Anyone can participate in the GSEPC on either Friday, Aug. 21, or Saturday, Aug. 22, and all ages are welcome! Participants simply pick a pollinator plant and count the number of insect visits to that single plant in a 15-minute window. Participants can complete multiple counts using a separate tally sheet.

The census tracks insects across eight different categories: bumble bees, carpenter bees, honeybees, small bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths and others, such

as beetles, ladybugs, dragonflies and lacewings.

The tallies are then loaded onto the GSEPC website for analysis. A pollinator plant is any blooming native or nonnative plant that shows insect activity. The GSEPC tally sheets feature pictures of the different insects to assist with identification, and an identification guide on the website helps participants understand differences between the pollinator groups.

This year, the Fulton County Extension Office is hosting census events at four locations on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026:

• Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, Summerour House Garden, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Chastain Park Native Plant Garden, 4001 Powers Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, 9 a.m. to noon.

• GROWL Garden at Camp Truitt, 4300 Herschel Road, College Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Little Diggers Booth at Sandy Springs Farmers Market, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Fulton County Master Gardeners will be at these locations and will host free, family-friendly educational activities to help everyone learn about the importance of pollinators in nature.  You will find everything you

need to participate in the census, including tally sheets and insect ID guides.

You can also participate in your own yard or local park, any place with flowers! You will find all the necessary information and forms at gsepc.org. Consider joining their Facebook page: Southeast Pollinator Census or follow on Instagram @SoutheastPollinators.

So Bee on the lookout for pollinators!

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 in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order 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 featured at https://appenmedia.com/opinion/ columnists/garden_buzz/.

Come visit us at the Alpharetta Farmer’s Market on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays through October or the Sandy Springs Farmer’s Market the 3rd Saturday of the month through October.

What’s behind Atlanta’s housing slowdown?

If you ask almost any real estate agent why homes are taking longer to sell, you'll likely hear the same answer: mortgage rates.

It's an understandable response.

Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates began 2022 near 3.25%, climbed rapidly, and averaged 5.34% that year. Since 2023, they've averaged roughly 6.67%, and today they're hovering around 6.75%.

That sounds expensive—until you zoom out. Since Freddie Mac began tracking mortgage rates in 1971, the long-term average has been approximately 7.70%. By historical standards, today's rates are not unusually high. They simply feel high because we've become anchored to the once-ina-generation rates of 2020 and 2021.

Cleanup:

Continued from Page 8

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

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

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

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

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

On a recent vacation to the Caribbean, she was shocked to find floating patches of trash in the pristine aquamarine water. Some of that trash very well could have come from Forsyth County, she said.

Trash, particularly plastic waste, can wash out into waterways before finding

So, if mortgage rates aren't the primary villain, what is?

The answer may be hiding in plain sight: home prices.

In Metro Atlanta, the average homeowner has seen approximately $200,000 in appreciation since 2020. That's wonderful news for current homeowners. For buyers, however, it's an entirely different story.

A $200,000 increase in purchase price translates into roughly $1,500 more per month on a typical mortgage payment. Compare that with today's higher interest rates, which add another $300 to $400 per month relative to the ultra-low-rate era.

The math is revealing.

Interest rates certainly matter, but they account for only a fraction of today's affordability challenge. The overwhelming driver is the dramatic increase in home values. When a family's monthly payment rises by nearly $1,900, about four-fifths of that increase stems from the higher purchase price. Not the

higher interest rate.

Here's the irony. Many homeowners who purchased in 2020 invested perhaps $20,000 to $30,000 as a down payment. Five or six years later, many have accumulated more than $200,000 in equity, largely by making their mortgage payments and maintaining their property. Warren Buffett often reminds investors that time is the friend of a good asset. Metro Atlanta homeowners have received a remarkably vivid demonstration of that principle.

The next question is obvious: Are home prices due for a correction?

Perhaps, but context matters. We're already seeing subtle adjustments. Sellers are offering larger concessions. Price reductions have become more common. Homes are staying on the market longer than they did during the 2021 frenzy.

That doesn't necessarily signal another 2008. Today's homeowners generally have significant equity, lending standards remain far stronger

than they were before the financial crisis, and inventory is still well below historical norms.

The market is adjusting, not collapsing.

Mortgage rates make convenient headlines because they're easy to measure and easy to blame. But if we're looking for the principal force behind today's slower housing market, we should spend less time staring at interest rates and more time looking at price tags.

Sometimes the biggest obstacle isn't the cost of borrowing money. It's the cost of the house itself.

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.

An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on July 28, 2026 for Consumption on Premises of Malt Beverage, Wine and Distilled Spirits

its way to the ocean, where it can contribute microplastics to marine organisms like fish.

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

“Aluminum cans take about 450 years to decompose, and glass really doesn’t de-

compose,” Bonogofsky said. “It takes about a million years for glass to decompose.”

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

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

Tunnel:

Continued from Page 1

At a July 27 meeting, the Johns Creek City Council reviewed an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for inspections of the tunnel. The agreement provides for the state transportation department to perform structural integrity inspections.

The city will be responsible for routine maintenance, including cleaning, lighting, drainage, landscaping, graffiti removal and other tasks to keep the crossing safe and accessible.

Funded by Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax dollars, the $6.5 million project broke ground in 2024. It is intended to serve as a safe crossing, increasing pedestrian and cycling connectivity in the area. The project totaled $7 million with right-of-way and engineering costs.

O’Connor said the tunnel features artificial turf inside to facilitate events and festivals. The turf would make it easier to raise tents at such events.

City officials said the tunnel is an important piece of transportation infrastructure in creating a vibrant, walkable Town Center. Town Center includes The Boardwalk and the Medley mixed-use development. It is envisioned as a shopping, recreation and event district.

Councilman Dilip Tunki said the tunnel promotes a central aspect of the Town Center. Walking and cycling are essential to the city’s vision for the area because they allow the district to function as one destination.

Tunki said it’s easy to imagine visitors enjoying an event or simply a lakeside

stroll at The Boardwalk before moving to the nearby Medley or other shops and restaurants.

Set to open before the end of 2026, Medley is a 42-acre, $560 million project headed by Avalon developer Mark Toro.

“If people come to events here, they could park on the other side of Medlock Bridge Road, enjoy those restaurants and the businesses, and walk,” he said. “Those

Barbecue:

Continued from Page 1

menu offers “the kind of barbecue that tastes as though it has been carefully tended for hours, allowing seasoning, smoke, and time to create unmistakable flavor,” according to the release. Entrees range from St. Louis-style ribs to Texas beef brisket, Georgia chopped pork and country-roasted chicken.

things definitely takes us a long way.”  Walking, whether it be at The Boardwalk, Medley or nearby paths like the Greenway, is an important part of many residents’ lives, Tunki said.

The tunnel also allows for easier access to events with large draws. An America 250 Independence Day celebration recently drew more than 15,000 visitors to The Boardwalk.

Made-from-scratch sides include coleslaw, the restaurant’s own take on beans and fries, and cornbread muffins.

The quick-service eatery is also known for its signature barbecue sauces, with flavors ranging from sweet and zesty to bold and spicy. The menu items and flavors, operators said, turn “an ordinary meal into an experience worth remembering.”

Visit famousdaves.com for more information.

Breaux & Associates Architects, Jr. Project Architect, Alpharetta, GA: Assist w/ archtrl dsgn & tech tasks. Prep/coord. archtrl drawings, conduct zoning/ building code research, coordinate consultants, review submittals/RFIs, maintain project records, prep. cnstrctn docs. Resp for: Schematic Dsgn (drafting, site analysis, zoning/code research, dsgn materials); Dsgn Dvlpmnt (refine dsgn, coord. w/ eng’g consultants, assist w/ material/system/ finish selections); Cnstrctn Documentation (prep permit/bid docs); Procurement/Bidding (maintain bid docs, contractor clarification); Cnstrctn Admin (review submittals, RFIs, ensure compliance w/ approved drawings/specs). Reqs: Bach degree (or higher), or foreign equiv. in Architecture + license as an Architect in GA + 3 yrs exp. in job offered or as an Architectural Dsgner in an archtrl firm. Reqs project exp in hospitality, mixed-use, multifamily residential, commercial office, retail, educational, concrete masonry unit cnstrctn, & large-scale urban master planning projects + exp w/AutoCAD, Revit, V-Ray, Enscape, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), Adobe Premiere to create presentation videos, & MS Office. Reqs exp. devlp’g archtrl drawings, renderings, physical & 3D virtual models for conceptual/schematic dsgn; researching zoning/code ordinances, building codes, by-laws, materials, & building systms data; prep’g drawings for bidding/cnstrctn; analyzing space/ site reqmnts; coord’g consultants; & reviewing tech docs. Portfolio of professional dsgn work required. Email resume to: careers@BXArch.com

Food Pantry Manager

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

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

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

Please send resumes to jobs@nfcchelp.org

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

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DC Aiken

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Tricia Novarro

Bob O’Brien

Diana O’Sullivan

Anne Pappas

Lynn Pennington

Jonathan Peters

Kurt & Leslie Phillips

Mary & Jan Phillips

James Potts

Debra Powell

Seth Price

Joyce Provissiero

Chuck Pugh

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.

Janet Sandberg

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

Wesley Stewart

Cathryn Stovall

Celeste Strohl

Diana Sullivan

Andy Sumlin

Kathy Swahn

Carol Tall

Mike Tasos

Candice Teichert

The Small Business Advisor

Suzanne & Bob Thomas

William Tietjen

Lisa Tilt

Michael Townes

Trunnion LLC

Matthew Tyser

Edward Votta

Linda Wabler

Ollie Wagner

Lewis Walker

Elizabeth Waller

Valerie Walters-Gold

Ann Marie Warning

Terry Warnke

Jonathan Washburn

Michael Watson

Deborah Weiss

Michael Weiss

Herbert Wells

Benjamin Wemberly

Beverly Whisenant

Sally White

Thom White

Umpika White

Mae Whiteside

Ashley Whitt

Jennifer Wieland

Christine Williams

Jamie Wimberly

Jonathan Winkie

Nancy & Dave Wistrand

Kalle Wood

Theresa Woolridge

Laura Wysong

Jonathan Young

THE APPEN PRESS CLUB

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

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

Scan QR code to join the Appen Press Club