Johns Creek Herald - February 19, 2026

Johns Creek passes measure allowing e-bikes on pathways

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — On a split vote Feb. 9, the Johns Creek City Council ruled to allow use of electric bicycles on the same pathways as traditional bikes.

The vote was 4-3.

The ordinance change allows electric bikes on sidewalks, except at city parks. Electric bikes that can exceed 28 mph will be restricted to roadways only.

Traditional bicycles are allowed on sidewalks, paths and city parks.

The vote follows months of discussions prompted by the rise in popularity of electric-powered bicycles and safety concerns.

Mayor John Bradberry and council members Dilip Tunki, Stacy Skinner and Erin Elwood voted for the ordinance.

Council members Bob Erramilli, Chris Coughlin and Larry DiBiase dissented, saying they preferred to give electric bike riders access to park paths.

See E-BIKES, Page 21

Students get say in menu offerings served at schools

By GALYN CHATMAN newsroom@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga — More than 160 students from schools across Fulton County took part in Fulton County Schools’ eighth annual Student Choice Food Challenge Feb. 13.

The event asked elementary, middle and high school students from across the district to sample and score an array of recipes ranging from comfort foods like buffalo chicken pasta and cheesy enchilada bake, to more bold options like Moroccan chicken.

Each delegation of students used iPads at each food station to evaluate recipes based on taste, texture, and overall appeal, providing valuable feedback that will influence meals featured in school cafeterias next year.

See FOOD, Page 21

MEDIA Students from Liberty Point Elementary School taste test and rate the Buffalo Chicken Pasta at the eighth annual Student Choice Food Challenge Feb. 13.

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AT&T telephone poles stripped for copper

ROSWELL, Ga. — For the third time in two weeks, the Roswell Police Department received reports of AT&T telephone poles cut and stripped for copper.

The most recent incident occurred Feb. 3 on Atlanta Street. An AT&T construction supervisor said they were notified of a power outage at 9 a.m. and called 911 after arriving on the scene.

Employees with AT&T said that the amount of copper taken would have been too heavy for one person to carry. They told officers of three other instances in January where copper was stolen from AT&T telephone poles.

The damage is estimated at between $50,00 and $100,000.

— Hannah Yahne

Roswell man arrested, charged with robbery

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 37-year-old Roswell man was arrested on a charge of robbery by intimidation Jan. 17.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to a North Main Street business about noon after a shoplifting was reported. A store manager said the man threatened store employees while stealing more than $300 of food and drink.

Officers obtained a description of the suspect and apprehended him nearby.

Employees followed the man through the store as he allegedly selected various items and concealed them in a backpack. The man threatened to kill the employees as he was stealing, police said.

Employees described the man’s tone

as threatening and erratic, police said. Officers recovered the allegedly stolen items from the man’s backpack and placed him under arrest.

— Jon Wilcox

Police investigate theft of $2,500 in clothing

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police investigated a reported shoplifting of thousands of dollars worth of children’s clothing from a North Point Mall department store Jan. 14.

Alpharetta police officers were dispatched to the business for a shoplifting that occurred Jan. 13.

Various items of children’s clothing were reported stolen. The clothing had a value of almost $2,500.

Officers viewed security camera recordings that showed two men stealing the clothing, according to the police report. The men stuffed the clothes into black trash bags before fleeing on foot.

The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting of more than $500.

— Jon Wilcox

Alabama man found unconscious at wheel

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 43-yearold Mobile, Ala., man was arrested on drug and intoxicated driving charges Jan. 20 after deputies reported finding him passed out in his vehicle on Shady Grove Road near Lake Lanier.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched about 3:30 a.m. to the report of a crash at a roundabout on Shady Grove Road just south of Cagle Drive.

Deputies reported finding the man asleep at the wheel with white foam coming from his nose. Law enforcement officers conducted a driving under the influence investigation and found the man to be intoxicated, the sheriff’s report said.

In the man’s pocket, deputies found a Seroquel pill, an antipsychotic medication that can produce sedation, the sheriff’s report said.

The man was charged with misdemeanor sale, distribution or possession of dangerous drugs, driving under the influence of drugs and prescription not in original container.

— Jon Wilcox

Police say female suspect used stolen keys in thefts

ROSWELL, Ga. — A woman was arrested Feb. 3 after Roswell police received reports of a burglary at a multiuse complex on Alpharetta Street.

An individual matching the description of the suspect was leaving a parking garage when police arrived on scene. It was reported that she had broken into multiple businesses after hours using the master keys that had been missing since Feb. 1.

When police stopped the subject, she was carrying a bag with two laptops and the missing keys. All items were returned to their owners.

— Hannah Yahne

Man says online contact led to sexual extortion

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of online sexual extortion Jan. 23.

A man reported that he had made contact with a girl on Tinder and continued communicating with her on Instagram and Whatsapp at her request.

The man said he sent a video of himself undressed. Soon after, he received a phone call from an unidentified person who threatened to publish the video unless he paid $1,000.

Deputies advised the man the extorters would likely demand additional money if he paid.

The incident was classified as a misdemeanor sexual extortion.

— Jon Wilcox

FBI investigates Fulton County handling of 2020 ballots

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — The search warrant related to the FBI raid of a Fulton County elections hub shows the investigation is tied to the 2020 election results and possible “defects” in the Fulton County results.

The FBI executed a search warrant at 5600 Campbellton Fairburn Road in Union City Jan. 28.

During a press conference on Jan. 29, Fulton Elections Board Chair Sherri Allen said 700 boxes of documents were taken. She added that agents also looked at other documents “that we did not believe had anything to do with 2020.”

The search warrant was for all physical ballots from the 2020 general election in Fulton County, all tabulator tapes from the voting machines, all ballot images produced during the ballot count on Nov. 3, 2020, and all voter rolls from the 2020 general election.

The U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division sued Fulton County Court Clerk Che Alexander in December 2025.

The lawsuit claims that Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to the Fulton County Elections Board in October 2025

demanding records responsive to a State Election Board resolution.

A subpoena requested “all used and void ballots, stubs of all ballots, signature envelopes and corresponding envelope

digital files from the 2020 general election in Fulton County.”

A hearing was scheduled for Feb. 9, 2026, regarding the transfer of the 2020 election documents to the state.

An FBI special agent with the Atlanta Field Office’s Public Corruption Squad requested the search warrant.

“Following the Nov. 3, 2020, presidential election, there were many allegations of electoral impropriety relating to the voting process and ballot counting in Fulton County, Georgia,” the affidavit says. “Some of those allegations have been disproven, while some of those allegations have been substantiated, including through admissions by Fulton County.”

The search warrant was part of an FBI criminal investigation into whether any improprieties were intentional acts. The investigation was initiated by a referral from Kurt Olsen, the director of election security and integrity, who was appointed by President Donald Trump. Olsen also served as Trump’s 2020 campaign lawyer and now serves as an administration official overseeing the attempt to investigate Trump’s loss, according to the Associated Press.

Trump lost the 2020 election after serving his first term in office. He lost the national vote by about 7 million votes to Joe Biden and lost Georgia by 11,779 votes. Trump has maintained that he won the 2020 election.

See BALLOTS, Page 21

Seer World remains on Roswell payroll for contracted work

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell City Council voted Feb. 9 to terminate a single scope of work agreement with Seer World that created the role of chief operational officer, the city remains attached to the consulting firm.

Scope of work No. 2 outsourced the position to Seer employee Don Stephens at an annual rate of $340,000. His role assessed economic opportunities presented to the city.

The council approved the award in June 2024. Councilwoman Sarah Beeson was the lone dissenting vote, with an abstention from Councilman David Johnson, who questioned whether the contract was ethical.

Allen Sells and Christine Hall, who still sit on the City Council, along with former council member Lee Hills, voted in favor at the time.

Sells and Hall joined the unanimous vote Feb. 9 to end that contract.

Canceling the scope of work will cost Roswell a $170,000 breakage fee that is equivalent to six months payment.

The overall master services agreement with Seer World that was approved

in April 2024 remains in place, and it included 25 scopes of work total.

The five-year contract with Seer World tasked the company and CEO Peter Sorckoff with helping the city produce development plans with a maximum annual payment of $2 million.

When the 2024 master services agreement was approved, constituents raised concerns about the cost and method about which the agreement came about.

Sorckoff had been paid more than $43,000 by Roswell for “development planning and project support” from March-June 2023. His company was awarded a $250,000 agreement in August 2023 without going through the city’s bidding process before his company was contracted by the city.

The day before an August 2023 committee meeting, where a budget amendment for $250,000 in professional services was initially proposed, Purchasing Manager Greg Anderson resigned. Within the same week, Finance Director Ryan Luckett resigned, according to records obtained by Appen Media.

To this date, Roswell has paid Seer World an estimated $2.4 million.

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Knights of Columbus preps for All Saints fish fry

By JILLIAN DIMARCO newsroom@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Knights of Columbus at All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody is prepping to kick off its annual Lenten Fish Fry at the church gymnasium Feb. 20.

Organizers say the event, running every Friday from 5-8 p.m. through March 27, has grown in size and impact.

“We’re proud that this has become a community-wide event,” said Bob Mitchell, a team captain for the fish fry and a Knight since 1997. “It’s open to the public, everyone is welcome, and we’re proud to be one of the largest fish fries anywhere east of the Mississippi.”

Founded in 1979, All Saints Catholic Church has been a fixture in the community for decades. In the mid-1990s, members of the Knights of Columbus launched the fish fry as a way to support charitable giving, one of the organization’s central missions.

Last year, the Knights served a record 8,500 meals. At peak times, nearly 1,500 meals have been served during a single night.

Guests may dine in or take meals to go. Entrée options include fried cod or shrimp, as well as broiled cod or salmon. Side dishes include New England clam chowder, french fries, macaroni and cheese, roasted red potatoes, cole slaw, green beans and hush puppies. Kids meals are also available. Pricing varies by entrée, with discounted options available for children.

Desserts, beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water are offered for cash-only purchase, while iced tea and water are complimentary.

“The camaraderie of the guests and the staff is what makes this event happen,” Mitchell said. “We couldn’t do this without them.”

Learn more at https://allsaintsdunwoody.org/ programs-events/events/fish-fry/.

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SWARUP KESARKAR, Co-CEO of Alpharetta Print Shop

8 | Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2026

Student print shop teaches business skills while turning profit

By HANNAH YAHNE Hannah@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — For 30 minutes each day, the 10-member team of Alpharetta High School Print Shop is in full swing, writing invoices and designing banners to drape the school’s walls.

Since its launch in 2023, the Alpharetta Print Shop has turned into a lucrative business and popular extracurricular among students. This past year, only four spots were open to 33 applicants.

“You’re dealing with real money, and you have real clients that have real requirements,” said Swarup Kesarkar, the co-CEO of Alpharetta Print Shop.

The enterprise serves more than 100 clients.

Clients can request designs and pick from various paper types, like vinyl, glossy or matte. The print shop offers high-quality materials at an affordable price with each paper material costing less than $20 a foot.

Most current clients are programs at Alpharetta High, Kesarkar said. Last September, the print shop designed and printed banners for each of the school’s student organizations in time for Raider Fest, a community celebration featuring a parade, food and information about all 86 clubs.

The Alpharetta Print Shop started as a fundraising effort for the school’s chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Now, it serves as a stepping stone for students aspiring to become FBLA officers.

“The print shop was kind of necessary for FBLA’s success, because FBLA is so big that we need some pillars to sustain it,” Kesarkar said.

The student organization is a business, Kesarkar said, and it helps create responsible and forward-thinking leaders at a young age.

Members of Alpharetta High School’s student-run print shop gather Feb. 5 after a 30-minute session that included confirming orders and matching invoices to order forms.

Print:

Continued from Page 8

“Everyone has to learn how to communicate with each other and kind of grow together to understand how to operate this business the most efficient way possible,” he said.

It has evolved into being an irreplaceable Career and Technical Student Organization, Kesarkar said.

Fulton County Schools is taking notice, and the small business is pitching that the district start a

print shop at each high school to give students a real path to business operations.

Not only is it a learning opportunity for students, but the Alpharetta Print Shop has saved the school thousands of dollars by having in-house printing access.

“It’s a direct call to action, and the growth in the students we’re seeing is incredible,” Kesarkar said. “It’s beyond what any classroom can provide.”

To place an order with the Alpharetta Print Shop, visit the Alpharetta High School website or email alpharettaprintshop@gmail.com.

Chapel of Reflections

Two members of Alpharetta Print Shop complete invoices and track orders Feb. 5.

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I have visited several Chambers and have found my home at the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce. The group is committed, involved, and I have made many good friends.

-Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel

Rotary plunge raises $220,00 for charities

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Burke Lewis had one thing on his mind when he leaped into the Wills Park Pool Feb. 7. “I just wanted to help people,” the 10-year-old Milton boy said.

As temperatures hovered in the mid-40s, Burke and scores of others braved the cold at the Rotary Club of Alpharetta’s annual Polar Bear Plunge. Launched in 2018, the plunge has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars this year.

This year’s plunge saw more than 1,635 donors contributing more than $220,000 to 235 causes.

Burke raised almost $8,500 for Champions Community Foundation, which serves young adults with physical disabilities. Other charities included the Lionheart Life Center, Meals by Grace, the Jafuta Foundation and more.

Despite the cold, spirits ran hot poolside.

Many divers donned costumes.

One lederhosen wearing group wore Bavarian themed dress. Others opted for capes and superhero costumes.

A penguin-masked, tuxedo-wearing Tom Diaz elicited cheers atop the diving board after a lifeguard asked him to remove his dress shoes for safety reasons.

Few lingered in the chilling water, swimming as fast as they could for the pool ladders, where they emerged with steam rising from their bodies.

Kile Lewis, Burke’s father and founder of the event, said he never imagined it would become so popular.

“I actually got a lot of pushback,” he said. “People thought I was nuts the first year.”

Then a new arrival from Ohio, he thought Alpharetta residents might just be crazy — and charitable — enough for it to work. His goal now is for it to reach a cumulative million dollars in raised funds.

“Look how many people are out here this morning,” he said. “It’s amazing.”

Alpharetta signing day includes three students

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta High School hosted a signing day Feb. 4 to celebrate another round of seniors moving on to compete in college.

The signing day was held in the media center and was well-attended by students, faculty and family.

Cross country and track runner Lidia Faro signed to the University of Chicago to continue her athletic and academic career.

Faro is a multi-sport athlete at Alpharetta while also taking part in the IB program. She joined the cross country team as a sophomore.

Faro holds two school records – the 5K and track 1500m. Faro recorded the top two times in the 5K, a record that hadn’t been broken in 10 years.

Cross country head coach Holly Baron said she carried silly string in her meet bag for two years, knowing she would eventually need it when Faro broke the 5K record.

“She just keeps showing up and spreading support to the whole team, and even competitors in the area,” she said. “Her discipline and having to trust the process of day to day, putting in 8 to 10 miles swimming or running.”

Quinn Nobles committed to the University of Indianapolis to play lacrosse. Despite multiple previous offers to play lacrosse in college, Nobles only decided to continue his athletic career last week upon finding out that Indianapolis offered his preferred major, mechanical engineering.

Nobles said his career aspirations are outweighing potential lacrosse opportunities at this point, but he is excited to play in the same conference as his older brother Lucas, who attends the University of AlabamaHuntsville.

Alpharetta boys lacrosse head coach Jon Paul said Nobles is the “single best overall lacrosse player [he’s] ever seen,” after a coaching history at multiple colleges.

“There’s not a position on the field that he’s not the best at,” Paul said. “He holds himself to a really high standard, which helps him hold everybody else around him to a really high standard.”

During his speech at the signing day ceremony, Paul highlighted Nobles’ involvement in multiple school organizations and described the senior as “the definition of a Renaissance man,” who can do anything on the field.

left, Alpharetta

Quinn

sport T-shirts to celebrate continuing their athletic and academic careers in college. Faro committed to run cross country for the University of Chicago. Nobles will play lacrosse for the University of Indianapolis.

Duke Condie will suit up for Murray State University next season.

“Every football player’s childhood dream was to make it to the NFL, and this is just one step closer to it,” he said. “So just being able to play on a [Division] 1 field, that’s just almost like a dream come true.”

Alpharetta strength coach Ron Jankovich spoke in Condie’s absence. Jankovich said Condie is a “Hall of Famer… right now.”

Jankovich said the hard work Condie put into being successful speaks for itself, as does his natural athletic abilities at 6’1” and 265 pounds.

“I can’t speak highly enough,” Jankovich said. “There’s no words to express how much I love Duke, how great a kid he is, and the passion he has for Alpharetta. He could have easily gone anywhere in the state and dominated, but he stayed here because he loves this place and he loves all of you.”

Condie said transferring never crossed his mind. He said the brotherhood of the team that especially developed this year has been meaningful to him.

Condie said he and his friends sometimes joke that he might reclass to spend another year with his brothers.

He said head coach Brian Landis’s slogan of “choose hard” resonated with him and three close friends. Seeing each other grow, bleeding together and facing adversity.

Roswell High athletes sign commits to college

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell High School hosted a signing day Feb. 4 to celebrate 11 athletes from the football and boys lacrosse teams moving on to play at the next level.

Three Hornets will suit up for Kentucky Wesleyan College – safety Kaiden Perry, defensive back Tre Harris and wide receiver Chase Shaffer.

Defensive swiss army knife Elijah Istanboulian is off to Missouri Western State University.

Athletic Director Ben Sutter said the four football signees are the unsung heroes of the team that made the 5A semi-final.

He said it’s special to celebrate the team’s accomplishments and to focus on individual achievements.

“You already know how successful the teams were,” he said. “Those are already out there, but getting to hear about the individual kids and seeing them get celebrated, that’s special for me. The guys that did the dirty work, that were down in the trenches.”

Seven players from the boys lacrosse team, who won three back-toback championships in the last three

years, committed to play lacrosse in college.

Head coach Bryan Wallace says there will be more players from the class of 2026 signing to play lacrosse at April’s signing day.

The Hornets’ starting goalie, faceoff, entire attack line and one defender all signed Feb. 4 to continue their athletic careers in college.

Goalie Will Culves committed to Young Harris College. Faceoff Jack Dowdy is off to Anderson University.

Attacker Kaden Parla will suit up for Jacksonville University next year. The senior has 119 career goals and 71 assists. He scored 64 of the goals and 48 of the assists last season alone.

Attackman Jackson Hardwick signed to Embry Riddle University in Florida, where he will study to become a pilot. The third starter on Roswell’s attack line, Wyatt Luce, committed to Wingate University.

Starting defenseman Declan Laverty will play for Lander University in South Carolina.

Attackman/midfielder Carson Jazdzyk, who transferred this year from Cherokee High School, also committed to Lander and will be on the second line of midfielders this season.

Alpharetta football team welcomes Danny Carlisle as new head coach

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta High

hosted a meet session Feb. 3 where members of the community were invited to hear from and speak with the program’s new football coach, Danny Carlisle.

Carlisle came from Chattahoochee High School where he was the head coach for three seasons.

The Cougars went 10-22 under Carlisle. In his second year the team achieved a 5-5 record which was the best in 10 years.

He tallied as many wins in his first two seasons as the Cougars had in the five previous years.

Carlisle wrote a column for Appen Media last fall in which he discussed his plan for the Cougars’ upcoming season along with a message to the community of “heartfelt thanks” for the support they provide.

Carlisle emphasized athlete mental health and nutrition for peak performance in the column, two aspects he says he will bring with him to his third head coaching job.

He said meditation, yoga and mindful communication help improve a player’s mindset during games.

Carlisle has two sons, ages 3 and newborn, and he said he plans for them to attend Alpharetta.

Living just a few minutes from campus, Carlisle said many families in his neighborhood do not plan to do the same. Carlisle looks to change that through building relationships from the feeder program to the varsity squad.

Principal Mike Scheifflee opened the meeting, stating that he believes Carlisle will bring stability. As the Raiders third football coach in as many years, Carlisle repeatedly emphasized that this job is long term for him.

Athletic Director Alejandro Romero then introduced Carlisle and iterated his ongoing catchphrase for the athletic department, “All in, All Raider.”

Romero said Carlisle is all in on the vision.

“He believes in developing these young men, building trust and creating a program our entire community can be proud of,” Romero said. “We are confident in what coach Carlisle is going to bring for the football program. With you all fully invested, we cannot be more thrilled about the next chapter of Alpharetta football.”

Carlisle brings a well-rounded resume of filling head, assistant, position and strength coach roles both at juggernaut programs, such as

WILLIAM GALLAGHER/PROVIDED

Danny Carlisle comes to Johns Creek from Chattahoochee High School, where he spent three seasons as head coach.

Grayson, and brand new programs such as Discovery.

Carlisle’s first head coaching position was at his alma mater, Cooper City High in Florida. There, in his second year, the team beat nationally ranked perennial powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. Cooper City had no Division I players on the roster.

With program numbers declining, Carlisle outlined a detailed plan to retain and recruit for the youth feeder program. He has experience increasing engagement at three previous programs, with the numbers to back it up.

Forsyth Central jumped from 90 to 135 students, Cooper City increased from 80 to 125, and Chattahoochee grew from 62 to 88 players.

Carlisle addressed concerns from parents in the meeting, such as his sudden departure from Chattahoochee. He said that for many reasons, taking this job was what was best for his family, and he doesn’t see himself moving on to another program afterward.

“This area is very special to me, and I really think [this program] can be like a Milton,” he said. “Where these kids are Alpharetta Raiders from kindergarten. I told [Scheifflee and Romero], my next job is retirement on the beach.”

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Bobby Krimmel, Touchmark President and CEO and Lynn Barron, Touchmark EVP / CFO, present a donation check to SaraSpring Weston and Sylvia Cardona, Vice President of Community Engagement of North Fulton Community Charities. North Fulton Community Charities is a nonprofit that Lynn has worked with for many years in the Roswell/ Alpharetta area.

Pride in our local community

Touchmark National Bank is proud to support our local community and lift up those facing financial hardship. We call North Fulton our home and are impressed with the work that North Fulton Community Charities provides to those in need including hunger and homelessness prevention, workforce development, and financial literacy. We look forward to partnering with North Fulton Community Charities to further their mission to ease hardship and foster financial stability in our community.

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$100,000: Till for legal costs in records suit

CARL APPEN Director of Content and Development carl@appenmedia.com

Dear reader, With so much happening in the news and in our day-to-day lives, you might not have seen this update:

A Fulton County judge recently ordered Sandy Springs to turn over previously withheld documents to Appen Media in an ongoing public records lawsuit.

We've now been in court for almost three years, pushing for public access to police incident reports the department is trying to withhold.

During that time, we've written a few stories and columns about the case. Plus, our newsroom has been able to produce some hard-hitting articles based on limited records we've been able to obtain thus far.

But to date, I haven't mentioned one critical piece of information:

Our small, locally owned newspaper group has now spent nearly $100,000 fighting for these records.

Why?

Because it matters.

Transparency begets transparency. The inverse is also true.

These are reports that police departments across the state regularly release to the public. And yet, we have been unable to access them from Sandy Springs without going to court.

We do not have endless resources –far from it.

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HANS APPEN Publisher

My values have always included a deep respect for education, a strong belief in parental responsibility and a firm commitment to freedom of thought. That’s why I’m alarmed to see legislators once again advancing a bill that would threaten institutions that have served our communities for generations: our public and school libraries.

Senate Bill 74 would remove longstanding legal protections for librarians and expose them to criminal prosecution if they lend a book later deemed “harmful to minors” under a vague state definition. You might think this sounds like hyperbole, but the truth is dark: it would be a criminal misdemeanor – punishable with possible jail time – for simply doing the work librarians have done for decades.

That’s not conservative principles. That’s not common sense. That’s legislative overreach that would undermine the very foundations of learning.

For decades, Georgia law has protected librarians from prosecution for circulating materials that some people might interpret as harmful to minors. That protection wasn’t given accidentally. Legislators recognized that libraries are centers of learning and community support, not places where adults should fear incarceration for exercising professional judgment.

Now, that protection is at risk. Lawmakers today argue this simply holds librarians to the same standards as other citizens. But government already has laws against distributing truly obscene material to minors, and even those laws require clear definitions and careful interpretation. Removing safeguards for trained professionals who select and categorize books based on established policies invites chaos.

Georgia isn’t alone. Across the coun-

havens, not courtrooms

try, a wave of state legislators have sought to impose criminal penalties or heavy restrictions on librarians and educators over book content. At least seven states have passed similar laws in recent years, with many others debating them – and a number of legal challenges have already occurred.

In Arkansas, a law that would have allowed prison sentences for librarians who distributed “harmful” books was struck down as unconstitutional just last year.

These efforts don’t emerge in isolation. They accompany a surge in bookchallenging and censorship campaigns nationwide, often focused on books featuring LGBTQ+ characters or discussions of race and identity – works that millions of Americans consider vital to a complete education and reflective of real lives.

The fear of legal action will inevitably make librarians overly cautious, eroding vibrant collections and stifling intellectual curiosity.

Worse, this kind of policy shifts re-

sponsibility for reading decisions from parents and guardians, who know their children best, to unelected bureaucrats and prosecutors, and it could chill the professional judgment of trained librarians.

If there are real concerns about age-appropriate materials, they are best addressed through dialogue and policy, not criminal penalties. Georgia libraries already have reconsideration policies and community review processes to address book complaints. These frameworks respect both parental concerns and First Amendment rights.

We can protect children without weaponizing our legal system against educators. We can support parents without stripping teachers and librarians of their professional judgment. And we can uphold freedom of speech and expression – a right that doesn’t end at the library door.

Let’s not turn librarians into defendants. Let’s keep our libraries what they’ve always been: safe, welcoming and free.

Me versus my cell phone, a battle worth the effort

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

The morning keeps getting older. I have texted one of my sisters, a couple friends and talked to Christina but other than that, I have not caved and looked at the news or any social media on my phone. Well, I have almost eliminated social media anyway, but sometimes I regress, but not this morning. The longer I go without being sucked in by that phone, the stronger the reward feels. The morning is still mine. I am exercising some restraint – control over my time. I am maintaining my peace and staying focused – focused on me and the moment instead of torturing myself in cyber space. Why do I do that?

It dawns on me: I need to turn off “notifications” on my phone – one less distraction, one less unwelcomed and unneeded Pavlovian stimuli. Damn them. Stupid me to have turned “notifications” on in the first

place. If I counted, I bet I get at least three notifications an hour, sometimes more, between texts and news updates. Why would I want that?

It is funny. It reminds me of all those attempts to stop smoking cigarettes and fighting the urges, the cravings. And going just a moment at a time, one step then another. Same thing. How startling it is to realize – to internalize – that this small metal plastic-encased battery with cameras made by a fruit company called Apple has such control over me. Let’s see how much longer I can go and not pick it up this morning. Instead, I am reading, and after I read for a while, I’m going to sit down at my keyboard and work on my music, then paint. I’ll do work in my blues book, work on some chord progressions, and then painstakingly continue work reading music – from my complete Beatles anthology. I thought “Hey Jude” would not be that hard to learn to play; it sounds easy, but, at least for an old guy who is still trying to relearn/reeducate his brain, eyes and hands to coordinate, that song is not so easy – at least as easy as it sounds.

I found another Ann Patchett book on one of the bookshelves, “Truth & Beauty.” What joy. I just finished her “The Story of a Happy Marriage,” which I loved. After I finished it, I started looking for a new book to read. I picked up and read maybe 20 pages in four different books before giving up on each one – Michael Cunningham’s “A Home at the End of the World,” Frazen’s “Freedon,” Doerr’s “Cloud Cuckoo Land” and “Year of Wonders” – Geraldine Brooks. Frustrating.

I’m afraid I think Ann Patchett has spoiled me. She had me before I even finished reading page 1 of her “Truth & Beauty.” It reminded me of how instantly I was hooked into Richard Powers’ “The Overstory.” Same deal.

I am not sure why I am so comfortable reading Ann. It may be her honesty – her candor – and how she so unflinchingly shares so much with her readers so fearlessly. I can’t imagine being so free. She makes it look so easy, so effortless, so natural. It may be the amount of trust she has for herself and, again, in her audience.

“After the dishes were washed and put away, Lucy put a tape in the little stereo box, and we danced in the kitchen. No matter how dismal things seemed, ungraded papers, brutal weather; we could find the energy to spin around the table under the bright fluorescent lights of our apartment…. Kitchen dancing was the only hope for girls like me who needed to find their way in privacy. On Governor Street we would dance for hours. We laughed so hard, and the music was so loud… We danced until our hair was damp and our feet ached from the linoleum floor.”

Her writing seems like a living room conversation among old friends or a sleep-over back in the day. It reminds me of a night at the theater or an intense debate over “The Great Gatsby” in a small university classroom setting among a dozen grad students or maybe freshmen. Or maybe she is just easy to read because she doesn’t ask so much from her audience. No, I don’t think that is it, but maybe.

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!

GROUPS

1. Rock bottom. Fashionable. Group of witches.

2. Toss. Group of criminals. Cold weather warmer.

3. Syrup type. Fixed costs. Group of bees.

4. Theater group. Door sign. Mountain pool.

5. Juicy fruit. Group of cattle. Burger condiment.

6. Sporting group. Office note. Heavy drinking vessel for Beowulf.

7. Musical group. Pub game. Cookbook suggestion.

1 Rock bottom. Fashionable. Group of witches

2. Toss. Group of criminals. Cold weather warmer

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. Syrup type. Fixed costs. Group of bees

4. Theater group. Door sign. Mountain pool

5. Juicy fruit. Group of cattle. Burger condiment

6. Sporting group. Office

7.

AAPPEN PRESSCLU B

Phenology and you as a citizen scientist

Phenology (fi-NOLuh-jee) is the study of seasonal changes in living things.

Phenology looks at when events happen in nature, such as when plants leaf out, flowers bloom, birds migrate, or insects appear, and how those timings change over time.

These events are closely connected to temperature, daylight and weather patterns. Because climate conditions are changing, phenology has become especially important for scientists who want to understand how ecosystems are responding.

However, scientists can’t be everywhere at once, and that’s where citizen (or community) scientists come in.

Citizen science

Citizen science means that people, who aren’t professional scientists, help collect data for research projects. You don’t need special equipment or advanced training, just curiosity, careful observation and consistency.

About the author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Chris Adams, a Master Gardener for almost 20 years and Sandy Springs resident. She loves to teach gardening classes, especially to children. She can be found once a month, April-October, at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market, helping the children with a fun, nature-based activity.

Phenology is perfect for community science because:

• Observations are simple but powerful.

• Data can be collected over many years.

• Scientists need information from many locations.

When thousands of people record the same kinds of observations, patterns begin to emerge that no single researcher could see alone. By engaging community members, researchers can collect a larger amount of data, and often span more geographic regions, in a shorter amount of time.

Two popular websites for collecting and reporting data are Nature’s Notebook, usanpn.org, from the USA National Phenology Network, and BudBurst, budburst.org, from the Chicago Botanic Garden Regenstein School. Each of these sites will guide you in how to make observations and how to report your data.

Of course, there are many things to observe, so it might be a good start to choose one plant. Nature’s Notebook has a Redbud Phenology Project that may be a good starting point here in the South. You can certainly select any project that interests you, but let’s use the redbud project as an example.

Why redbud trees matter Redbud trees (genus Cercis) are

especially useful for phenology projects because:

• They bloom early in spring, making them sensitive indicators of warming trends.

• Their bright pink or purple flowers are easy to recognize.

• They grow in many regions, including neighborhoods, parks, and school grounds.

• They are native and abundant in our area.

Key phenology events on redbuds

When helping with a phenology project, you’re usually asked to observe specific stages, often called phenophases. Common ones include:

• Dormant – No visible growth; buds are closed

• Bud burst – Buds begin to open

• First flowers – One or more open flowers appear

• Full flowering – Many flowers are open across the tree

• Leaf-out – Leaves begin to emerge

• Fruit development – Seed pods form later in the season

Recording when these events occur — and sometimes how many buds, flowers or leaves you see — creates valuable data.

How you can help

Here’s the steps to get started as a citizen scientist on a redbud phenology project:

1. Choose a tree. Pick one redbud tree that you can visit regularly. It should be easy to access and unlikely to be cut down or heavily pruned.

2. Observe consistently. Visit your tree on a regular schedule (often once or twice a week during spring). Consistency matters more than perfection.

3. Record what you see. Use a notebook, datasheet or a project-approved app or website. Record the date and the phenophases you observe—only what you actually see.

4. Be careful and honest. If you’re not sure whether a stage has started, it’s okay to record “not sure” or wait until your next visit. Accuracy is more important than guessing.

5. Submit your data. Upload or share your observations according to the project instructions. Your data becomes part of a much larger scientific dataset.

Why your observations matter

Data from phenology projects can help scientists:

• Track how spring is arriving earlier or later

• Understand regional differences in climate impacts

• Study relationships between plants, pollinators and weather

• Inform conservation and landmanagement decisions

Even a single tree, observed carefully over time, can contribute to meaningful research.

Science starts where you are

Phenology reminds us that science doesn’t only happen in labs; it happens in backyards, schoolyards and parks. By paying attention to seasonal changes, you’re helping scientists better understand our changing world. All it takes is observation, patience and the willingness to look closely at nature — one bud, one bloom and one season at a time.

I was privileged to participate as a citizen scientist in a phenology research project by a University of Georgia master’s student. This activity allowed me to learn new ways to observe and appreciate nature. I am inspired to encourage others to find ways to participate in a project and hopefully also gain a new appreciation for nature and its seasonal changes. Slow down and observe; you will not regret it.

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/.

Save the date: 25th annual Garden Faire April 11, 2026, at Wills Park in Alpharetta.

Fulton County elementary students stand in line Feb. 13 to evaluate the Caesaroni Wraps and Hashbrown Scramble.

Food:

Continued from Page 1

The challenge is part of a broader effort by Fulton County Schools to engage students in decisions regarding their health and well-being. By involving them in the selection process, the district aims to ensure that school meals not only meet nutritional standards but reflect the preferences of the community they serve. It’s an approach organizers hope empowers students.

Reggie Sloan, Fulton County Schools district chef, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative.

“I get a lot of inspiration getting feedback from the kids,” Sloan said. “Food’s not like it was when I was growing up. We can use fresher ingredients straight from the farm.”

His comments highlight the shift toward incorporating fresher, locally sourced ingredients into school meals, a move that enhances the nutritional value of the food while supporting local agriculture.

Sloan said more focus on student satisfaction is crucial, because it can impact their willingness to eat school lunches, which are often a primary source of nutrition for many students.

“I don’t really eat school lunch as much.” Ava Arnold, a fourth grader from Liberty Point Elementary School said while

E-bikes:

Continued from Page 1

DiBiase said he saw allowing e-bikes at city parks as a question of common sense, especially considering their rise in popularity.

Between 2018 and 2022, sales of e-bikes rose from around 250,000 per year to more than a million, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

DiBiase said he thinks it’s impractical to ask a rider to park their electric bicycle at the entrance of a park after riding there.

“I don’t think it’s realistic that some-

sampling the hashbrown scramble bowl, one of three breakfast recipes on the evaluation menu. “I hope that getting to test better food, I’ll start eating lunch more.”

Her sentiment resonates with Alyssia Wright, director of Fulton County’s school nutrition program, who says it’s important to address students’ perceived lack of variety or quality in their school meals.

“We want the student to dine with us,” Wright said, emphasizing the importance of student engagement. “We want them to feel and be empowered through choice because they matter, and the food being offered to them matters.”

The purpose of the initiative is to create a positive dining experience for students, one that encourages them to make healthier food choices through diverse options.

The Student Choice Food Challenge is a testament to Fulton County’s awardwinning school nutrition program, which continues to evolve by incorporating student input into the selection of meals. This annual event elevates the quality of school meals and ensures that students have access to wholesome, nutritious options they can enjoy.

District officials say Fulton County schools are setting a precedent for other districts to follow, demonstrating the power of student involvement in the future of school nutrition.

To learn more about the food choice challenge, featured recipes, school menus and more, visit fcsnutrition.com.

one is going to take an e-bike, go from their house, go to Newtown Park and park it outside,” DiBiase said.

Bradberry countered that point.

“But, by that logic, if someone was on a motorbike or a moped, we should let them come in and ride that, as well,” the mayor said.

Council members debated concerns over pedestrians when adding e-bikes on pathways. Some members questioned whether e-bikes’ electric motors might result in dangerous speeds.

Brian O’Connor, Public Works director, said Parks and Recreation staff recommended restricting e-bikes from parks to promote safety with pedestrians because of their speed.

Ballots:

Continued from Page 3

In Georgia, the 2020 election was overseen by Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and certified by Gov. Brian Kemp, also a Republican.

The affidavit claims that Fulton County does not have the scanned images of the 528,777 ballots initially counted or the 527,925 ballots that were recounted. The county had said some ballots were scanned multiple times during the recount.

Other alleged deficiencies included inaccurate batch tallies from a risk-limiting audit, counting absentee ballots that had never been creased or folded, and reporting 17,434 ballots fewer than originally counted.

The affidavit states that Fulton County reported 511,343 ballots on election day but 527,925 the next day.

“If these deficiencies were the result of intentional action, it would be a violation of federal law regardless of whether the failure to retain records or the deprivation of a fair tabulation of a vote was outcome-determinative for any particular election or race,” the affidavit says.

The election records were needed to determine if records were destroyed and if the vote tabulation included false votes, according to the affidavit. The warrant sites possible violations of election records preservation and retention laws, and a law that says it’s a crime to “knowingly and willfully” deprive residents of a “fair and impartially conducted election process,” The AP reported.

Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts has maintained that after every review, no issues were found in the 2020 general election results in the county.

“Fulton County’s 2020 elections have been examined, they’ve been reexamined, they’ve been audited, there have been headcounts… in every instance we come up clean,” Pitts said during a Feb. 10 press conference.

He said the county will fight the lawsuit and allegations with every resource available.

As part of an agreement between the State Election Board and Fulton County, an independent monitor was hired in 2020 to observe the general election. The monitor found “sloppy processes” and “systemic

disorganization” but no evidence of fraud or other illegal actions, the AP reported.

The Secretary of State’s Office investigation and State Election Board performance review also had similar conclusions.

The review board stated, “we do not see any evidence of fraud, intentional misconduct, or large systematic issues that would have affected the result of the November 2020 election,” according to the affidavit.

Pitts filed a lawsuit asking for the search warrant to be unsealed and demanding that the documents taken be returned.

Pitts previously said Fulton County wants to retrieve the ballots because it is unaware of what is happening with them. The county would like to inventory the documents. He added that the officials were not given notice of the raid or copies of what was taken.

In an interview with WSB-TV, Secretary of State Raffensperger said he doesn’t understand why federal officials are reliving the 2020 election. He is not aware of what the FBI is looking for or why.

“We probably know as much as you do because the search warrant that was issued is sealed, so no details were provided to us or to the press or to Fulton County,” Raffensperger said.

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE PURPOSE

An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on January 29, 2026 for Consumption on Premises of Malt Beverage, Wine and Distilled Spirits

BUSINESS NAME

Crispy Connections JC, LLC Dba

Three Dollar Cafe

11585 Jones Bridge Rd Ste 100 Johns Creek, GA 30022

OWNER/OFFICERS

Crispy Connections JC, LLC

Dba

Three Dollar Cafe

11585 Jones Bridge Rd Ste 100 Johns Creek, GA 30022

Owners

Jeffrey Jang and David Jang

Sawnee EMC is seeking an Accounts Receivable Clerk to reconcile consumer accounts and process members’ transactions (i.e., Cash, Check, Credit Card, or Money Order). Will supply information to customers and resolve customer inquiries through face-to-face communication. Requires: high school diploma or equivalency, proficiency in mathematics, monetary, and general office skills. A minimum of two years of related experience preferred. Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings and weekends.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, February 20, 2026. Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a Mapping Technician to update, maintain and operate Geographic Information System (GIS), related mapping systems and peripheral equipment to create integrated circuit designs for an electrical distribution system. Provide technical assistance in database maintenance and map production for the GIS. Requires an Associate degree or technical school certificate in GIS or related mapping or associated field, with a minimum of two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have advanced computer skills with MS Office products, ESRI GIS mapping and Auto CAD. Must be available for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours, including evenings and weekends as necessitated by circumstances and on-call functions.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, February 27, 2026. Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk III –Customer Service to assist in a high-volume call center. Requires high school diploma or equivalency, computer, communication, and general office skills. Requires one (1) year experience in a customer service call center or service-type organization, utility, finance, banking, or equivalent industry. Bilingual is preferred, fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal).

Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5PM, February 27, 2026. Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363, extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a Bookkeeper to verify, allocate, and post details of business transactions; summarize and transfer data to general ledgers; compile financial reports; review, reconcile, and balance accounts. Requires: a bachelor’s degree in accounting, or a related field, and a minimum of one (1) year related experience in an accounting/ bookkeeping environment or equivalent combination of education and experience solely determined by the Corporation.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, February 27, 2026. Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Software Developer: Analyze, Design and develop, implement software applications using SQL, Python, DBT, JAVA, Oracle, ETL, BI, AWS Redshift. Req: Bachelors o Forgn Equi in CS/Engg (ANY)/IT and 6 mon exp. Loc: Alpharetta GA. Resumes to HR Consello Technologies Inc, 4015 Nine, Mcfarland Dr, Suite 250, Alpharetta GA 30004. EOE.

Software Developer with Master’s Degree or foreign equivalent in CS or CIS or Engg along with 6 months of related work experience. Job Location: CLOUDINGEST INC - 310 MAXWELL RD, STE 600, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009. Job duties: Assist in the full life cycle of development including developing design artifacts; develop and test application components based on design specifications; implement application components and provide technical analysis support to the team. Comply with data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA). Develop backend services using Node.js, Java, or Python for processing large-scale enterprise data. Devise and Develop AI-driven data insights, automation, and compliance monitoring features. Scripting and configuration of CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, GitHub Actions for automated builds and deployments. SALARY: $109,283.00 per Annum/Yearly. Send your response to: CLOUDINGEST INC - 310 MAXWELL RD, STE 600, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009.

Business System Analyst with Master’s Degree or foreign equivalent in Project Management or CIS or Engg along with 6 months of related work experience. Job Location: CLOUDINGEST INC - 310 MAXWELL RD, STE 600, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009. Job duties: Requirements Gathering and Analysis: Engaging with business stakeholders to capture and document requirements for various projects. Business Process Analysis. Analyze and document existing business processes, identifying opportunities for improvement. Data Extraction and Model Creation with Palantir Foundry and work on data extraction from the Palantir Cloud Application Foundry and building data models. Write SQL queries for efficient data retrieval from various databases. Develop Python scripts to automate the data extraction process, clean the data, and integrate it into actionable insights. Technical Solution Design and Implementation. Collaborate with software engineers and architects to design and implement technology solutions. SALARY: $92,539.00 per Annum/Yearly. Send your response to: CLOUDINGEST INC - 310 MAXWELL RD, STE 600, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009.

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