New Eagle Scouts receive honors ► PAGE 6
M a r c h 1 2 , 2 0 2 6 | 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 3 0 , N o . 1 1
‘Excited for the future’
City ends contract for development of public workshop at old park building
Hamilton introduces his philosophy as new head coach of Hooch football
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Chattahoochee High School hosted a meet session March 4 for its new head football coach Austin Hamilton. An internal hire, Hamilton previously served as the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach before getting the lead job. In his presentation to parents, he said they may recognize him, but he looks forward to getting to know them more now that he has the reins to run the program. The main focuses of the presentation were “The Hooch Way” of pride, respect and integrity and working in effort, attitude and toughness. He said four aspects where coaches, players and parents will work together are innovation, communication, connection and being a dynamic program where they are energetic, driven, flexible and action-oriented. His presentation slides detailed shifting the program from a “fear-driven” to “purpose-driven.” “Right now, my goal is not to even look at wins and losses,” Hamilton said. “My goal is to jut build a foundation… and I think the wins and losses will come when that happens.” He provided the analogy of “always being green,” like a ripening banana, and he aims to position his team to not stop growing and turn yellow and brown. Hamilton said the last two weeks have been filled with strengthening the community’s buy-in. The program has planned several events this month and next to improve skills and morale. They will hold a quarterback camp later this month, bringing in a trainer who has worked with Patrick Mahomes, to boost quarterback prospects at Hooch.
See HAMILTON, Page 21
CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL/PROVIDED
University of West Georgia alum Austin Hamilton coaches from the sideline at Chattahoochee High School. Last month, the Cougars named him the new head coach of the football program.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A contractual setback has put plans for a community workshop on hold while the Johns Creek City Council considers options for the project. At their March 2 meeting, council members unanimously voted to terminate a $2 million designbuild contract with general contractor MAPP for the creation of a “makerspace” in an old building at Cauley Creek Park. The city originally approved the contract last spring. The city will pay less than $200,000 for work completed by MAPP. The completed work includes a survey, geotechnical work and a preliminary design. The workshop was planned to be located in a 13,000-square-foot former water reclamation building at the park. The council plans to revisit the item within six weeks. In light of the delay, Councilman Larry DiBiase said he would like to consider options. He said he would like to discuss the facility’s location and whether savings are a possibility by combining it with a potential indoor recreation center.
See COUNCIL, 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