Regional agency opens career transition hub ► PAGE 3 D e c e m b e r 1 1 , 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 . 5 0
County OKs contract totaling $45 million for inmate healthcare By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — The Fulton County Commission approved a $45.1 million contract renewal for inmate healthcare next year, a routine step to comply with a federal consent decree. Fulton County has the option to renew the contract with NaphCare LLC for a ninth and final year in 2027. The Dec. 3 vote was unanimous. Purchasing Director Felicia Strong-Whitaker said her team will begin developing a request for new proposals next year for a revamped inmate medical services contract at the start of 2028. “We do need some assistance,” Strong-Whitaker said, referencing a consultant to help with the rebid process. “I know there’s some things in the consent decree around medical healthcare, and our [contract] has not really been updated or revised since I started at the county in 2004.” Strong-Whitaker said the county must ensure its contract for inmate medical services meets the requirements of the federal consent decree. There are long-standing problems at the Rice Street jail requiring a lengthy and costly process with a federal consent decree monitor reviewing conditions to ensure the rights of incarcerated citizens are not violated.
DAVID PETERSON/PROVIDED
A hummingbird hovers for a sip of nectar at a feeder in David Peterson’s yard.
Feed store takes flight Patrons flock to Johns Creek Outdoor Bird Supply store ► SEE STORY ON PAGE 4
See COUNTY, Page 21
2025 DR. JOHN REYES
DR. INGRID REYES
DR. NATU MMBAGA
DR. SHELLEY ZIPPAY
DR. ZIN ALONSO
404.446.2496 | WWW.REYESOBGYN.COM
EMILY DIXON, CNM
DR. WHITNEY COOK
9TH YEAR IN A ROW!
THANK YOU!
LYNDSEY PULLIAM, CNM
SKYLER JACOBS, CNM
JULIET PULLIAM, CNM
KATIE VAUGHN, CNM
KRISTINE RAYNARD, CNM
ALPHARETTA | JOHNS CREEK | CUMMING
Best OB/GYN DR. TINA LU
DR. MIRANDA LONG
KRISTI PRESLEY, WHNP
JOANNE LEE, FNP
AMBER BECKER, WHNP
HEMALI PATEL, WHNP
“We focus on personal, compassionate care”
EMILY CHUNG, FNP
PAIGE MAROLF, WHNP
LANA WERTZ, CNM
ERICA RICHMOND, CNM
ANNA HEPBURN, PA