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Patriot Day Sept. 11 ceremony draws crowd to Newtown Park ► PAGE 3

S e p t e m b e r 1 7 , 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 . 3 8

Atlanta accepts Fulton County’s $68M jail purchase offer By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

PHOTOS BY ROB MADDEN

Coaching staff and members of the 2010 state champion Chattahoochee football team stand in the current team’s locker room ahead of the Cougars’ matchup with Forsyth Central Sept. 4. Like the 2010 titleholders, the Week 2 game against Forsyth Central ended with the Cougars on top.

Chattahoochee hosts Legacy Night alongside double overtime thriller By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Chattahoochee High was bustling Sept. 4 while hosting Legacy Night to honor the 2010 state championship team, and the Cougars delivered on excitement with a double overtime 29-26 win over Forsyth Central. Legacy Night joined three generations of Cougar football — the 2010 state champions, the current team and the feeder program. The current team discussed what

it means to leave a legacy at practice ahead of their Week 2 matchup, and head coach Austin Hamilton closed the pregame huddle by telling them to put on a show and light the place up. The 2010 head coach Terry Crowder and quarterback Timmy Byerly both shared wisdom with the team before Hamilton spoke. Crowder recalled that in their championship season, their second game also came against Forsyth Central.

See HOOCH, Page 17

Former Chattahoochee and Georgia Tech quarterback Timmy Byerly delivers a message to the Cougars before their game. The team took it to heart, outlasting Forsyth Central 29-26 in a double overtime thriller.

ATLANTA — Fulton County’s offer to purchase the Atlanta City Detention Center for $68 million was accepted Sept. 8, according to a letter sent to the board of commissioners from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. The 17-story building will give the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office an additional 1,150 beds for inmates, with the remaining 150 beds in the facility reserved for city of Atlanta detainees being held on municipal charges. It’s a step toward solving the county’s overcrowded facilities, which were cited in a consent decree against Fulton County and Fulton County Sheriff’s Office issued by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2025. “We were extremely pleased to receive the letter from Mayor Andre Dickens accepting Fulton County’s offer to purchase the Atlanta City Detention Center for $68 million,” Chairman Robb Pitts said. “This is a great day for Fulton County and Atlanta taxpayers. We have worked toward this day for many years, and I am grateful to Mayor Dickens for his leadership and partnership.”

See JAIL, Page 18

2 | September 17, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Flock installer calls police on reporter filming in Milton

770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

By EMILY FEATHERSTON and BRENDAN KEEFE Atlanta News First

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MILTON, Ga. — Flock Safety has felt the heat this summer from coast to coast as criticism of its automated license plate readers and AI-powered security technology has increased, and a growing number of alleged misuse cases have further turned up the temperature on the debate. The company announced changes it said address the heart of the majority’s concern — privacy — but civil rights activists and many community leaders remain unconvinced. Numerous communities have canceled their contracts with Flock in recent weeks, and lawmakers at all levels of government have discussed or already implemented outright bans on ALPR technology in response to public pressure. However, there are many places where local law enforcement’s relationship with Flock and its network of roughly 120,000 license plate readers have continued or been reaffirmed, with the company telling one trade publication its growth has outpaced cancellations 10-to-1. That means new devices continue to appear as jurisdictions add to their inventory or upgrade their equipment, including one that was being installed on Aug. 19 on a suburban street outside of Atlanta, not far from the home of Atlanta News First Chief Investigator Brendan Keefe. Three police cars ended up in the national investigative reporter’s rearview mirror that Wednesday afternoon after he tried to film the technician installing an upgraded camera on a public street. The stop is one of at least two documented cases this year in which those working for Flock Safety called police on people engaging in the same category of public recording into which the company asserts its technology fits.

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In mid-August, a worker updating this Flock Safety camera in suburban Atlanta — not far from the home of Atlanta News First investigative reporter Brendan Keefe — called 911 after Keefe tried to record video. Police stop ANF reporter in Milton After a family member spotted the Flock camera being worked on, Keefe drove to the location to document the camera being set up. Keefe parked on the public street at a distance, donned a yellow safety vest and a hat emblazoned with the logo of Atlanta News First, displayed a press placard on his dashboard and then pulled out a camera to record the installation. As Keefe began to shoot video, the installer saw him and immediately packed up his equipment and drove away, so Keefe also returned to his car and followed several cars behind, hoping to document the next stop. The technician called 911. “I work with Flock Safety. And I called originally because I’m getting followed,” the installer can be heard telling a dispatcher in the recording of the call obtained by Atlanta News First Investigates. “I was getting harassed, pretty much. Taking videos and pictures. And now, the same vehicle that

pulled over where I was working at has been following me.” He described Keefe’s car and, later, Keefe himself, down to his hat and highvisibility vest. Minutes later, after entering Milton, a police officer pulled Keefe over and was later joined by two other units. When the officer approached, Keefe explained who he was and what he was doing. “I’m a member of the press, and I was following at a distance because I’m documenting them putting up Flock cameras. I’m an investigative reporter,” Keefe can be heard saying on video from both his own dashboard camera and police body camera obtained from police. Body camera footage shows that while Keefe waited on the shoulder, the officer called a supervisor to explain the situation. “When I came up to them, he was behind him but not like right on his bumper,”

See FLOCK, Page 6

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | September 17, 2026 | 3

Patriot Day Sept. 11 ceremony draws crowd to Newtown Park By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek will never forget those who sacrificed on 9/11, officials said at a ceremony remembering the 2001 terrorist attacks. Community members honored the memory of the now 25-year-old tragedy during a commemoration held at Newtown Park Sept. 11. The Patriot Day ceremony drew several hundred people. “Once again we come together on this solemn day with conflicting emotions. On the one hand, there is a hope for a new world where life is sacred,” said Michael McCullar, a Johns Creek public safety department chaplain. “Yet we cannot forget the past and what 9/11 left in its wake.” On a central stage, a screen displayed a scrolling list of those who lost their lives in the attacks. A color guard presented the national flag, and a firefighter performed a ceremonial end-of-watch bell ringing. Choir students of Northview High School ended the event by singing “America the Beautiful.” The event also featured solemn words by local officials, veterans and first responders. Retired U.S. Army Capt. Tommy Clack, a Vietnam War veteran, spoke of

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the collective horror of Americans upon learning about the attacks. “I remember the TV turning on, and we saw the second plane hit right at about 9:02, and everybody stopped work,” he said, adding, “Probably had 100 people sitting there, and we watched what was happening that day.” He also recalled the good that arose from the attacks, which claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people. “That's what we Americans do when we come together. We help each other to find control,” he said. “We make sure that people are honored, and on days like this, we ensure that it's not forgotten.” Americans should remember every day, but particularly on Sept. 11, the service of those who risk their lives to ensure the safety of others, he said. “What they do for our society, we so often take for granted,” he said. “So when we leave here today, … it's a day to remember the sacrifices.” Taking the stage to address the crowd after Clack, Police Chief Mark J. Mitchell echoed that gratitude, thanking community members. “We don’t take that for granted … thank you for this opportunity and god bless the greatest country in the world,” Mitchell said.

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Listen up: Music Milton to debut second season in October By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Music Milton will open its second season on Saturday, Oct. 10 with “Mozart in Milton,” an evening of chamber music featuring The Vega Quartet, pianist William Ransom and clarinetist Laura Ardan. The concert will highlight three of Mozart’s most expressive works: the G Minor Piano Quartet, the Duo for Violin & Viola, and the Clarinet Quintet. The performance marks a meaningful homecoming for Ardan, the retired principal clarinet of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra of 39 years. During her time with the group, she held the endowed Robert Shaw Chair and was awarded the Mabel Dorn Reeder Honorary Chair. Ardan will return to Georgia after three and a half years for this special appearance, sharing her artistry with Milton’s music lovers. “Opening season two with Mozart feels exactly right,” Music Milton’s Artistic Director William Ransom said. “Season one showed us how deeply Milton embraces world‑class

music, and I’m thrilled to return with a new season that expands our reach across genres. From Mozart’s brilliance to jazz, bluegrass and holiday traditions, season two reflects our commitment to bringing exceptional musicians and meaningful musical experiences close to home.” The full season two schedule is as follows: Saturday, Oct. 10 – Mozart in Milton: The Vega Quartet, Laura Ardan, clarinet, and William Ransom, piano, playing a collection of Mozart’s chamber pieces. Sunday, Nov. 1 – Just Jazzin’ Around: Gary Motley, pianist with The Gary Motley Trio, will perform jazz standards and improvisation in a lively, fun and interactive event for the whole family. This is a free family concert. Friday, Dec. 11 – An Appalachian Christmas: A festive holiday program blending classical, folk and bluegrass traditions performed by multi-Grammy Award-winning artists: violinist, fiddler, composer Mark O’Connor and Grammy-winning violinist and vocalist Maggie O’Connor. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2027 – Jazz Meets Classics: The spontaneity and

energy of jazz performed by internationally acclaimed pianist Matt Herskowitz will be joined by the elegance of classical masterworks with acclaimed violinist Stella Chen and cellist James Kim. Saturday, April 10, 2027 – Zuill Bailey and Friends: Experience the works of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms as performed by Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey, pianist William Ransom, acclaimed violist Yinzi Kong, and internationally recognized violinist Helen Kim. All concerts take place in Miltonarea venues. General tickets range from $40 to $50 per concert, except for the Nov. 1 free family concert. Tickets are $10 for students, and ticket purchases include free parking. Music Milton launched in May 2025 with a mission to build communities around world-class musical performances and education. Music Milton aims to welcome audiences from Milton’s surrounding communities of Alpharetta, Cumming, Johns Creek, Roswell and beyond. For more information, to purchase tickets, sign up to be a volunteer or donate, visit www.musicmilton.org.

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The Vega Quartet will open Music Milton’s second season Oct. 10 as part of “Mozart in Milton,” a collection of three of Mozart’s most expressive works performed with pianist William Ransom and clarinetist Laura Ardan.

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | September 17, 2026 | 5

6 | September 17, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Flock: Continued from Page 2 the officer said as she reported the details to the supervisor. “He said that, yeah, he was following him to where he was trying to catch this person on video setting up the Flock cameras, but it was not to where you know so close as to break any laws or give the appearance he was stalking him, or anything like that. Yeah, he was following him, but he was not chasing him.” The officer told Keefe the installer was concerned about being identified. “He said that he did see you coming out, bringing your camera out and everything,” the officer said. According to the officer, those given the job of installing Flock cameras have been “told just to not engage” in such situations. The officer said the installer was also concerned about privacy. “And his worry more than anything is that, you know, he’s just an employee. Anybody like you and me. And now he’s going to be in the news and he doesn’t know if it’s going to be targeted at him or his family,” the officer said. Keefe asked if the officer was suggesting the installer was entitled to privacy while working in public. “So just to be clear, he’s entitled to his privacy in a public place?” Keefe asked. “Isn’t that the whole argument that people are criticizing Flock for?” “I’m not saying that. I’m just letting you know what he’s concerned about,” the officer said. “I’m not telling you how to interpret that.” However, during the exchange, the officer did make a comment about press coverage. “I know, media, you know, the First Amendment and all of that,” she said. “But also, we should probably be a little more careful on who we put on TV and stuff like that.” About 17 minutes after the stop began, the responding officers returned to their vehicles and Keefe was allowed to drive away. In an emailed response to our questions about documenting installation of Flock devices and if the company has guidance or policies surrounding how employees or contractors are instructed to respond, a spokesperson said: “We do not object to members of the public or press photographing Flock cameras or personnel in public. Employees and contractors working in the field are expected to prioritize their safety and may contact law enforcement when they believe they are being threatened, harassed, followed, or otherwise face a safety concern.” Content creators questioned after filming at distribution center The Milton stop was not the first time this summer someone working for Flock Safety summoned police over a camera. On June 5, police in Smyrna responded to a 911 call from a Flock employee after a group of YouTube creators began filming outside the company’s distribution center located in the Atlanta suburb. In the recording of the 911 call, the caller identifies himself as a Flock Safety employee, going on to note the company’s relationship with law enforcement. “What’s the name of the business?” the dispatcher asked. “It’s Flock Safety. We do the license plate reading cameras that solve 20% of crime across America,” the caller replied. “Fantastic. Of course, of course,” said the dispatcher. “And we appreciate y’all.” “No, thank you,” the caller said in return, laughing. “We need a favor.”

That’s what you guys do to us, without our consent. And I think it’s interesting, when you guys have this happen, you call the police and make us get stopped. But then you do it and it’s okay?” — YouTube creator ordered to leave Flock Safety distribution center premises after filming The caller claimed the group filming had “been driving around the perimeter, basically harassing everyone” working at the facility. “Three young white males, probably mid-20s, I’m not sure if they’re armed. And they’re carrying filming equipment as well,” the caller said. Three times during the call he raised the possibility the people filming might be armed; although, when asked, he told the dispatcher he had not seen any weapons. When police arrived, body camera footage shows the employee was inside the building, but over the phone identified himself as James Boyce, the distribution site’s quality manager. Boyce, holding a cellphone, said he was recording. “Everybody’s recording,” the officer replied. During the encounter, one of the YouTube creators confronted Boyce on how calling the police about being filmed seemed hypocritical. “That’s what you guys do to us, without our consent,” he said. “And I think it’s interesting, when you guys have this happen, you call the police and make us get stopped. But then you do it and it’s okay?” In their emailed statement, a Flock spokesperson claimed the trio’s encounter occurred shortly after another incident at the company’s headquarters where the spokesperson alleged individuals had claimed to have an interview with CEO Garrett Langley and attempted to gain access to the building. “That understandably raised legitimate security concerns for our employees and our facilities. Those concerns also exist in a broader environment in which Flock employees and contractors have received threats or been subjected to violent rhetoric,” the spokesperson said, referencing social media threads and the arrest of a California man who is accused of threatening a Flock camera installer with a knife and vandalizing the installer’s vehicle. “We fully support people expressing criticism, asking tough questions, and making their voices heard. Threats of violence, or rhetoric that encourages or celebrates violence against employees, should never be part of that discourse,” the spokesperson said. No one was charged in the YouTuber group, though the individuals were ordered to leave the premises under an official trespass warning. Researcher cites ‘absurd’ situation Benn Jordan was among those outside the warehouse and identified himself to officers as a security researcher working with the YouTube creators. Jordan, an online content creator himself, has been digging into a variety of privacy and security concerns across the technology spectrum for the last few years.

Months before the incident in Smyrna, Jordan spoke with Atlanta News First about his previous video report that identified encryption vulnerabilities that would allow anyone to access dozens of Flock camera feeds. Flock said it determined the vulnerability was present in just 60 to 70 of its AI-powered video cameras and blamed an internet service provider for sending the wrong SIM cards. Even after the encryption vulnerability was fixed, use of that type of camera in certain sensitive public venues continued to draw scrutiny. Jordan said during the interview that growing negative attention has led some within the company to take extreme measures to hide their personal information. “That’s the most absurd part of it ... their response to this controversy is scrubbing data as a company that literally collects data every single time you pass a camera and sends it to law enforcement,” he said. Flock blocks press from law enforcement conference The heat of growing public backlash — and above-average Georgia summer temperatures — didn’t deter Flock from rolling out the red carpet at the company’s annual law enforcement conference. Held Aug. 18-20 in Atlanta, Flock Forward 2026 was billed as a chance for public safety and security professionals to gather for “three days of real cases, practical playbooks, and peer-led conversations.” Jordan tried to attend the conference but was ultimately turned away, as was Atlanta News First. In a video he released following the event, Jordan detailed how his registration and hotel booking were canceled four days prior to the event. Drone video and photos taken by ANF from an elevated public walkway that provided a view into a rooftop reception at the event showed law enforcement officers, including some wearing their badges, socializing and perusing Flock items on display. When ANF inquired about attending in a journalistic capacity — a common practice and one that other national law enforcement events offer — a spokesperson said: “Flock Forward is a customer event and not open to the media.” During an interview in April, Keefe actually asked Flock Safety’s Chief Communications Officer Josh Thomas whether the company considers law enforcement agencies to be its customers or citizens. “So ultimately, I would argue that the whole community is our customer,” Thomas said at the time. But while Flock as a private company had the ability to limit documentation of its multiday event — where promotional materials said public safety entities would be able to discuss with the company “how to prepare for city council conversations” and leave with “practical takeaways” such as “ideas for investigations, deployment, connected response, and measurable impact” — frustration continues to grow in many communities where it’s largely impossible to opt out of Flock’s technology documenting everyday movements. “Why can’t I opt out? Why can’t the spouse or exspouse of a police officer opt out of this kind of data collection on their movements?” Keefe asked Thomas during the April interview. “Why can’t the person opt out? It’s because if your car gets stolen, if something were to happen, moreover, the government requires you to have a license plate. It’s the law. And it’s plain-view information,” Thomas said. “Your license plate is part of the plain view. And so why can’t you opt out. You can, if you want to opt out of society.” This article was republished as part of a content sharing agreement with Atlanta News First. The station first published this story on their website, atlantanewsfirst.com, Sept. 8.

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Former pastry chef opens Paris Baguette in Alpharetta By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Franchise owner Layne Alkaasamani opened Paris Baguette in Alpharetta on Wednesday, Sept. 16, bringing an assortment of artisanal pastries, cakes, breads and handcrafted beverages to 4119 Lake Street, Suite 105. After beginning her career as a pastry chef, Alkaasamani brought her passion for baking to Paris Baguette. A native of Brazil who attended culinary school in Switzerland, she opened her first bakery café in Kennesaw. She hopes to grow her portfolio to two or three additional cafés across Georgia. “What really drew me to Paris Baguette was the culture and that neighborhood bakery feel,” Alkaasamani said. “I’m looking forward to bringing that to Alpharetta and giving people a place to come

in, enjoy fresh pastries, breads and coffee, and spend time together. I want this café to feel like part of the community and be a place our guests enjoy coming back to.” The Alpharetta location is the 10th Paris Baguette bakery café in Georgia. Paris Baguette is expanding through meaningful partnerships with local entrepreneurs who genuinely want to bring people together over fresh-baked goods and artisanal coffee beverages, officials said. “We’re on a mission to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café as the heart of the community across the U.S., and we’re excited to see Layne bring this to life in her local trade area,” Darren Tipton, CEO of Paris Baguette, said. “In our cafés, we like to say, ‘Happy to see you. Happier to serve you.’ And we know Layne will wholeheartedly embrace this approach in her neighborhood.”

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | September 17, 2026 | 9

Roswell receiver gets advice from legendary football coach By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@apenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell High School wide receiver Landon Magnuson got a rare opportunity to sit down with former Alabama football coach Nick Saban on Aug. 25. With Hornets coach Jonathan Thompson's approval, Landon missed practice to travel to Saban's home on Lake Burton with his mother, Brooke Magnuson, who coaches Roswell's girls lacrosse team. Brooke had spoken with Saban by phone and arranged an in-person meeting. Brooke said Saban and his wife, Terry Saban, who is affectionately known as "Miss Terry," treated her and her son "like family." Landon tore his anterior cruciate ligament last season and was cleared to put the pads back on a few days after his meeting with Saban, on the morning of the Hornets' game against Newton High School. Landon said the biggest piece of advice Saban gave him was to "be where your feet are." "He said, 'Look down at where your feet are. That's where you are,'" Landon recounted. "Having that setback like I did, you have to do more than what's expected and work hard, and I've been working super hard." He told Appen Media that he was seeking advice from Saban on how to stand out as a recruit after his injury limited his opportunities to shine. Now that he has been cleared to

play, Landon said he is excited to bring energy to the wide receiver room as he earns his spot on the field. He looks forward to playing a role in the Hornets' season as they push to improve on their semifinal finish last year. "I think I'm going to bring good hands, good blocking," Landon said. "With tearing my ACL, I need to work on route running, so I'm not thinking too far ahead. I'm working on controlling my controllables right now." The Hornets will also focus on controlling their controllables after their 42-15 loss to Newton on Aug. 28. After leading 15-14 at halftime, the offense couldn't connect in the final two quarters. "When things like this happen, you got one of two options: you can either look at it or run from it, and I'm gonna look at it in the face," Thompson told the team in a postgame huddle. "Defensively, we did a hell of a job, put us in a great position all night to go take this football game. We didn't do it offensively, so I gotta take a look in the mirror and figure out what we gotta do to fix that. And I promise you, I will. But we gotta do it together now." He looked ahead to next week's game against Etowah High School and said he had faith in his staff to put together an effective plan moving forward. "It's a long season; this doesn't define you, OK?" Thompson continued. "But it can if you allow it to. I'm not going to allow it to."

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From left, Roswell wide receiver Landon Magnuson, girls lacrosse coach Brooke Magnuson and legendary football coach Nick Saban stand in front of the picturesque view from Saban’s Lake Burton dock on Aug. 25.

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A Will Doesn't Cover This A will only takes effect after you die — and even then, it typically has to go through probate before anyone can act on it. It does nothing to help your business if you're alive but unable to run it. Without separate planning in place, your spouse, business partner, or key employee may have no legal authority to step in, even temporarily. Payroll can be missed. Vendor contracts can lapse. Clients can walk. Value you spent years building can erode in a matter of weeks. What Actually Protects a Business Real protection usually involves a few key pieces working together: • A durable power of attorney that specifically addresses business authority — not just personal finances — so someone you trust can step in immediately if you're incapacitated. However, sometimes for long term cognitive decline the Power of Attor-

ney does not work long term. You will need a trust integrated with your business through proper legal documents to deal with long term mental incapacity due to stroke, dementia, car accident, ect. • A succession or buy-sell agreement, especially if you have partners, spelling out exactly what happens to your ownership interest if you become incapacitated, retire, or pass away. • Updated entity documents — operating agreements, bylaws, or partnership agreements — that name a successor manager or grant emergency authority, rather than leaving it to default state rules that may not fit your business at all. • Asset protection structuring, so your business assets aren't unnecessarily exposed to personal liability, and vice versa. Why Owners Skip This Usually not because they don't care

— but because it feels like a "someday" problem, or they assume their attorney or accountant already handled it as part of forming the business. In practice, formation documents and incapacity/succession planning are often handled separately, and the gap between them is exactly where businesses get into trouble. The Bottom Line If you've built something valuable, it deserves more protection than a standard will provides. The right plan means your business keeps running, your team keeps getting paid, and your family isn't left untangling a mess during an already difficult time. If you're not sure your business is protected, that's worth a conversation before it becomes a crisis. Come to one of our workshops that provides complimentary consultation thereafter for attending our workshops.

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OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | September 17, 2026 | 11

Roswell City Hall is located at 38 Hill St. JAMIE GODIN/APPEN MEDIA

Roswell’s tax increase is a sign of responsible leadership Tax increases are never popular. They shouldn’t be. Roswell residents have every right to question a proposed 2.5-mill increase, ask how the additional revenue will be spent and HANS APPEN demand that city Publisher leaders demonstrate they are making responsible financial decisions. But responsible government means making sure the services residents depend on are adequately funded — and that today’s needs aren’t simply pushed onto tomorrow’s taxpayers. That is what Roswell’s current leadership appears to be doing. Mayor Mary Robichaux and the city council are confronting a long list of basic needs: an aging vehicle fleet, outdated fire equipment, deteriorating roads and aging infrastructure. The city has 33 vehicles in poor condition, with some fire engines over 20 years old, and Roswell is responsible for maintaining 360 miles of roads. Those aren’t luxuries. They’re basic responsibilities of municipal government. The important question is how to pay for them.

Roswell could borrow more money. That’s what previous city councils did. Instead, Robichaux has said she doesn’t want to add another layer of long-term debt to the city’s books. That’s the responsible choice. Roswell already has a $179.6 million bond on the books, approved by voters in 2022, financing major projects, including a public safety headquarters, E-911 center, parking deck and park improvements. It’s worth remembering what a bond actually is: a loan. When a city issues bonds, it borrows money and agrees to repay that money over time, with interest. In Roswell’s case, the 2022 bond represents a long-term financial obligation that taxpayers will be paying off for decades. And the bill has come due. There is nothing inherently wrong with borrowing money for major capital projects. Cities routinely use bonds to finance large investments that would be difficult to pay for all at once. But borrowing should not become the answer to every financial need. A bond can pay to build a fire station. It doesn’t make sense to take out a 30-year loan every time the city needs to replace a fire engine. And that’s where previous city

councils deserve scrutiny. Roswell accumulated significant debt while routine maintenance and replacement needs were deferred. Now the current council has inherited both the debt and the consequences of those decisions. If anyone wants to point fingers over why Roswell is facing a significant financial challenge, they should look backward — not at the people who are now trying to address the problem. The answer certainly shouldn’t be to repeat the same approach. Borrowing more money might be politically easier, but it’s not responsible financial management. In fact, there is nothing responsible about keeping taxes artificially low if the result is allowing roads to deteriorate, fire engines to remain in service well beyond their expected lifespan or critical infrastructure to fail. The current council also deserves credit for prioritizing rather than simply spending. City leaders initially identified nearly $31 million in critical needs. They ultimately scaled that back, leaving about $18 million in priority projects while pushing roughly $13 million into a longer-term plan. That’s budgeting. That’s making hard choices. And that’s what taxpayers should expect from their

elected officials. Of course, residents should scrutinize the proposed increase. They should attend the public hearings. They should question spending and make sure the additional revenue is used as promised. But the conversation should be bigger than whether anyone likes paying another $500 or $600 in property taxes. The real question is whether Roswell is governing with a long-term view. A responsible city doesn’t rely on debt every time an expensive problem appears. It plans for the replacement of equipment. It invests in infrastructure before failure becomes an emergency. And it doesn’t pass today’s routine expenses on to tomorrow’s taxpayers simply because borrowing is politically easier. Robichaux has said she doesn’t want to “put another debt on my grandchildren.” That’s the right philosophy. Roswell cannot unspend money that has already been borrowed. But it can decide what kind of financial decisions it makes going forward. Residents don’t have to like the tax increase. But they should recognize responsible governing when they see it.

12 | September 17, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

OPINION

AIKENOMICS

If you’re going to be a bear…be a grizzly Someone who gained $200,000 in equity in five years ... sometimes for little more than keeping the lights on and mowing the grass ... wouldn’t consider lowering the price $20,000 or offering $10,000 toward closing costs. Why should they? Their house was worth what they said it was worth. Until it wasn’t. Trees don’t grow to the sky Around 2008, I was quoted in a national newspaper expressing concern about the euphoria surrounding housing. My comment was simple: “Trees don’t grow to the sky.” Neither do home prices. National home prices ultimately declined more than 25% from the housing-market peak to the bottom in early 2012, and that’s where my concern about today begins. From 2020 through 2025, U.S. home prices increased roughly 50% to 55% — eerily similar to the extraordinary appreciation of the early 2000s. There is one huge difference: Mortgage underwriting today is substantially more responsible. We don’t have anything resembling the widespread stated-income, no-document lending environment of 2005-2007. But underwriting isn’t what has my attention.

Seller psychology is. Homes in metro Atlanta are now taking close to 60 days to sell in many areas. Just a few years ago, homes sold in days with multiple offers, often above asking price. Today we’re seeing longer marketing times, price reductions and increasing seller concessions. Sellers are adjusting. I’m just not convinced they’re adjusting quickly enough. Consider the owner of a $700,000 home who has experienced roughly 50% appreciation since 2020. They may be sitting on hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional equity, yet refuse a $20,000 price reduction or $15,000 closing-cost contribution. Here’s where history gets uncomfortable. A 25% decline on a $700,000 home takes the value to approximately $525,000. Suddenly dropping your price $30,000 today doesn’t sound so bad, does it? I’m not predicting another 2008. Today’s market has tighter lending standards, substantial homeowner equity and a very different inventory situation. But markets don’t need identical circumstances to correct. Sometimes prices simply get

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Create the market — don’t chase it If competing homes are listed at $700,000 and aren’t selling, listing yours at $699,000 probably isn’t a strategy. Maybe it’s $675,000. Maybe it’s $650,000. Maybe it’s an aggressive sellerpaid rate buydown. Give buyers a compelling financial reason to choose your house instead of the other 15 sitting on the market. I’ve watched this movie before. I hope this time the ending is different. But if you’re selling in a market beginning to favor buyers and you’re finally ready to become bearish on your asking price ... Don’t be a teddy bear. Be a grizzly bear. 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.

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too far ahead of affordability.

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Each week I write about what I see happening in the real estate and mortgage markets. Sometimes it’s rates, loan programs or strategies for buyers and sellers. Every once in a while, however, I see someD.C. AIKEN thing that concerns Guest Columnist dcaiken.com me. Today is one of those days ... and I’ll begin by saying I hope I’m wrong. Let’s go back to 2001-2005. Things were great. Home prices soared 54%, mortgage rates averaged roughly 6.2%, and getting a mortgage was ... how should I put this? ... about as difficult as fogging a mirror. I’m kidding ... but not by much. Those were the days of stated income, stated assets, 100% financing and frighteningly relaxed underwriting. Homeowners watched their equity explode and began believing home prices had nowhere to go but up. Sound familiar? The problem wasn’t simply that prices had risen dramatically. Sellers began believing those gains were permanent.

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OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | September 17, 2026 | 13

From a beloved Faulkner scholar, a truly lasting legacy

JOSHUA WILSON Managing Editor joshua@appenmedia.com

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about legacy. I guess it has to do with a number of prominent people dying — like Dolly Parton, Tim Curry or Gloria Steinem — but the thoughts really intensified when a close friend from my home state of Mississippi passed

away Sept. 5. Lorie Watkins Massey was a professor of English at my alma mater, William Carey University. She was a beloved academic and one of the foremost scholars in all things William Faulkner. Faulkner, too, was a native son of the Magnolia State, and he won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1949. His novels and short stories were set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. Lorie could not only pronounce that place’s name, but she knew all the ins and outs of Faulkner’s sometimes tedious (to me, anyway) works. Her work kept Faulkner’s legacy alive and introduced him to dozens of

JOSHUA WILSON/PROVIDED

Lorie Watkins Massey and Joshua Wilson goof around in a pair of pillories during a 2012 William Carey University field trip built around the works of William Faulkner. new students each and every school term. She was a truly lovely person. As an undergraduate student, I studied history and English at William Carey, and I was drawn to Lorie’s humor and way of explaining things. Like me, she was born and raised in the Deep South, and she had the Southern charm needed to introduce a reluctant college student to Faulkner. She could, with her slight drawl and captivating manner, break down the drollest (to me, anyway)

of subjects. After I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, I took a full-time job at the university while working on my master’s degree. Lorie needed a chaperone for a field trip she was taking with her undergrads, and I happily signed up. Of course, the subject matter was all things Faulkner, but I didn’t mind. We had a blast. I have pictures of us in a mock pillory at one stop. I don’t remember what the significance of that stop was for the trip, but it might have just been

a way for Lorie to have fun. Lorie faced years of health challenges but was always upbeat. She had time for every student, colleague and person who would stop by her office or send her a note. When I learned of her passing, I posted a message about her on my Facebook page and was quickly inundated with comments about how she had changed this person or that person’s life. That, my friends, is the textbook definition of a meaningful legacy. She was only 54, and in that time she left more of a mark than most people manage in twice as long. I’m grateful for the time I had with her. I know so many others are, too. People with such powerful legacies leave behind huge holes, and we can only hope to live up to their examples. I’ve been blessed throughout my life to be surrounded by wonderful legacy makers. They have laid out clear examples of how to live. I hope I can rise to the challenge, and I hope I can be an example of a positive legacy for others. Thank you for reading my words about my friend. I hope that you, too, will consider legacy and what you’re doing to rise up and honor the positive ones left around you.

14 | September 17, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

PRESERVING THE PAST

OPINION

A log cabin for the history books In 1928, a group of vocational agriculture students from 18 states met at the Baltimore Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, during the American Royal Livestock Show and founded the Future Farmers of America. Their goal was to provide future generations with the skills necessary to feed a growing American population. The 33 original founders knew that agriculture is BOB MEYERS more than planting and harvesting; it Columnist is a science and a business. The effort was made possible by the Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act of 1917, which provided federal funds for vocational education in agriculture, trades, industry and homemaking. The government's plan was to provide middle and high school students in rural areas with "agricultural leadership, character, thrift, scholarship, cooperation, citizenship and patriotism." The organization was later renamed the National FFA Organization. The FFA is still active today. Today in Georgia, the FFA has more than 390 local chapters in middle and high schools, more than 80,000 students and 700 agricultural teachers. Georgia is the third-largest FFA state in the nation. Nationwide, the FFA has more than 1 million members in 9,600 chapters. In 1935, the Milton High School senior class decided to build a log cabin. About 100 students from farm families who were FFA members, along with some local volunteers, built it. The students designed the cabin as they went along, since there were no original plans. The FFA had a very active chapter at Milton High School from the 1930s to 1970. Huey Ellington, president of the FFA chapter in 1958-59 during his senior year, said, "I have so many wonderful memories of the cabin. The FFA was a vibrant and active organization at Milton High for many years." Vocational agriculture teacher Pierce L. Elkins led the cabin construction and is credited with founding the Milton FFA chapter. He was one of the first Georgia educators trained under the Smith-Hughes Act. When he was appointed to the school in the 1930s, north Fulton was overwhelmingly rural, and vocational agricultural teachers were expected to be knowledgeable and able to teach about agronomy and livestock, to be builders and craftsmen and to be involved in the community. Elkins fit the role perfectly. Huey Ellington recalled Elkins as a "great man." "He was my favorite teacher and taught me so many things," he said. His son, John Ellington, said he is impressed by "how community, students and business partners worked together for almost a century to provide a special place." Historian Connie Mashburn said the cabin served the high school in several ways. "The cabin was used for various purposes by the high school," she said. "Social clubs held meetings there, community events were held in the cabin and during the Great Depression the junior/senior prom was held there." Tim Worley, now a member of the Alpharetta Historical Society Board of Directors, joined the high school's Social Science Forum in 1974. The forum adopted the log cabin, which had fallen into disrepair. Worley chaired the forum's Restoration Committee, which made extensive repairs to the cabin. The forum gave several well-attended public demonstrations on Saturdays, including log hewing,

BEN HOLLINGSWORTH/PROVIDED

Log cabin in route to its new home. It was previously located on the campus of Milton High School. spinning wheels and woodworking, among others. Worley's brothers Phil and John served as presidents of the Milton High School FFA chapter in the late 1960s. Ben Hollingsworth, historian and master quilter, remembers when the 82-year-old cabin was moved about 500 feet from Milton High School on Oct. 14, 2017. Bishop House Movers moved it to a property the city of Alpharetta purchased from Louise and Caroll Beavers, now deceased. Caroll served as principal at Milton High, and Louise taught home economics. Hollingsworth also recalled a plastic cup full of Coke that was accidentally left on a chair on the back of the moving rig that transported the cabin. "There was a slight decline in the street and on the property, yet the cup was still there and not a drop of Coke had spilled when the cabin arrived. The cup became a celebrity because it didn't fall," he said. Traffic was blocked on Milton Avenue for a full hour while the move took place. Local residents gathered to watch the big event. The nearby Masonic Lodge set up tables with snacks and drinks for the onlookers. Bob Nesbit's farm, located where North Point Mall is today, provided most of the lumber for the cabin. Some logs came from the school campus. Mashburn's book, "Alpharetta, Milton County – The Early Years," includes some comments from a June 10, 2001, article in the Neighbor Newspaper quoting student and cabin builder Edwin Chester, now deceased. "He would wake up every Saturday at 6 a.m. and drive with classmates to Bob Nesbit's farm," the article stated. "He would saw down the pine trees and load the logs onto a wagon pulled by a mule to the high school. At the school, Chester and his classmates would peel the bark off the logs by hand."

Every log cabin is unique, and each requires experts to move it. Most cabins have to be partially or completely dismantled before moving. Old, frail cabins have extensive interior wood or metal braces installed. This was a lucky cabin. It was moved in one piece, which was efficient and less costly, although some interior braces were installed before the move. The Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society organized a fundraising campaign to pay for the move and restoration. The campaign raised more than $200,000, Mashburn said. That included $50,000 from the city of Alpharetta and a $15,000 gift from the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau, plus numerous donations by individuals and businesses. Once in place, the cabin was fitted with a new roof, covered porch, small kitchen, fireplace, bathroom, a basement and some landscaping. Pat Miller, president of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society at the time, hoped the community would use the cabin for events. That has been the case, said Shack Lewis, the historical society's current president. "The Historical Society and the City of Alpharetta are working in harmony to gussy up the FFA log cabin and archives so that it will become another shining star on the list of protected historical places on the downtown Alpharetta stage," Lewis said. "I think of this place as our community's very own time machine. Climb aboard!" The historical society will host an event in the log cabin honoring the students who built the cabin and the FFA at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17. The event will include a presentation of some artifacts and a history of the FFA in the area. The cabin is located at 210 Milton Ave., across from the Innovation Academy. Lewis said the public is welcome.

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | September 17, 2026 | 15

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16 | September 17, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

GET OUTSIDE GEORGIA

OPINION

Look for me. Can you see me now? OK, I admit it. It’s too hot to go outside. Should I change the name of this thing to “Get Inside, Georgia, and Enjoy the Air Conditioning”? I’m tempted. How hot is it? I think of that STEVE HUDSON scene from “Good Columnist Morning Vietnam” — you know, that movie where Robin Williams (who plays a DJ named Adrian Cronauer) is asking a soldier named Roosevelt about the weather. It goes like this: “What’s the weather like out there?” Cronauer asks, and Roosevelt replies, “It’s hot. Dam’ hot!” Yeah. It’s like that. And I’m glad I didn’t end up in Vietnam, though I missed it by a whisker. But a buddy of mine, an Army Ranger, did make the trip. When he shipped out he was a happy soul, but he came back ... changed. I asked him once if he saw much action. “Some,” was all he said. Then he added the strangest thing, and I remember it clear as day. He added, “But I saw some purty flowers.” I wasn’t expecting that, just like I wasn’t expecting this particular memory to drift back into view just now. What is it about flowers? I’ve never been quite sure, though I think my favorites are the ones growing wild. I’m especially partial to daffodils, being as they are the universal harbingers of spring. Remember spring? When it was not so hot? I do, vaguely. Eventually it’ll come around again, I’m sure, and when it does, the daffodils will return. Spring. Thinking of it makes things cooler.

Last spring, we went to England, to the Lake District in the northern part of the country, a magic place. It’s the home of poet William Wordsworth of daffodil poem fame — you know, “I wandered lonely as a cloud ...” Wandering is fun. It’s always fun to wander about in England. Sometimes it’s fun, as here, to wander around in the world of words too. In fact, I think I’ll just wander through the memories of that trip now (it’s still too hot to do much else) and see where that might take me. So hold on. Along with clothes for all seasons (a good plan if you’re England-bound in early spring), we packed the binoculars. “They’re not heavy,” I said, “and they might come in handy in case you want to look at something important.” But you don’t need binoculars to see daffodils. “How I hope,” she had said more than once before we left, “that the daffodils might be blooming.” Have you figured out yet that she likes flowers? She is especially fond of roses, which I delight to bring her. Those come from the store. Store-bought roses are good to bring to the one you love. Oh, but they pale beside English daffodils. As it turned out, we were in luck. Daffodils were blooming everywhere, glowing with regal exuberance as only British flowers can do. They waved at us along the highway as we drove north out of Manchester. They smiled at us as we turned onto the country lane that led to our cottage (a stone cottage, of course), and they cheered as we parked and waved in welcome along the garden walkway that led to our door. But the real prize — the one that would absolutely, positively make the trip — would be to find the very field of flowers that Wordsworth immortalized in

Wandering is fun. It’s always fun to wander about in England. Sometimes it’s fun, as here, to wander around in the world of words too. the poem. That’s how we found ourselves, a day or two later, wandering the English countryside looking for a patch of yellow flowers made immortal by a 19th-century poem. We found it, too, a fantasia of golden yellow close by the shore of Ullswater Lake’s Glencoyne Bay. We walked a while on cozy footpaths, soaking it in. Then we stopped, and she turned to me and spoke the poem out loud: “I wandered lonely as a cloud ...” The earth whispered with her then, I think — a gentle rustling of leaves, a soft lapping of water on the lake’s shore — but I heard only her voice and a poem about flowers. “... And then my heart with pleasure fills,” she concluded, “and dances with the daffodils.” What does poetry mean? I’m of the opinion that meaning comes from context, and context comes from who you are and who she is and where and when and, well, all of it. Finding meaning is grand. We stood there a moment more.

Then we turned and walked back up the shore, to the car, to our cottage, to our home away from home. Another day or two later I decided to go hiking. I decided to climb Helm Crag, the local mountain. I could see it from the cottage, and it called me. So I packed my daypack with cheese and water and readied my walking stick, the one my friend gave me years ago, locking its sections into place. Two leg-stretching hours later I was at the top. There were no daffodils at the summit of Helm Crag, though now and then a warplane flew by at eye level, practicing for whatever might come next. In that moment I missed her. Then I had an idea, even as another jet roared by. Out came the cellphone. In seconds I heard her voice. “Hi!” I said. “Hi to you too,” she replied. “How’s the hike?” “Good,” I said, and I added, “Want to try something?” “Sure! What?” “Grab the binoculars and go outside and look at the top of Helm Crag.” “OK — give me just a second.” From my perch on the mountain, I squinted toward the cottage, barely visible in the distance. I didn’t see when she stepped outside and turned the binoculars my way. But I heard her voice over the phone. “What do I look for?” she asked. “Look for me,” I said. “I’m on the ridgeline waving my walking stick. Can you see me?” There was a moment of silence. Then — “Yes. Yes! I see you!” Well. How about that. Binoculars are wonderful things. They help you see. They bring you close. Yeah, they do. Just like daffodils.

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | September 17, 2026 | 17

Hooch: Continued from Page 1 Byerly recounted how the best season in school history came down to a receiver being able to make a play on a poor throw and a 51-yard field goal with three seconds on the clock. Byerly played feeder football for the Cougars, set the school record for passing yards at 3,987, and went on to play for Middle Tennessee and Georgia Tech after high school. “You hear that term all the time about families, but that’s exactly what we were,” Byerly said in the locker room. “We were backed up to the 1-yard line in the championship game, we had a freshman running back they put in the game, he broke two or three tackles and got us 20 yards up the field to get better field position. That’s what it’s gonna take, it’s not just you, it’s gonna be everybody on this team.” Crowder, whose pregame speech centered around telling the team to fight through everything and keep the “next play” mentality, helped open Denmark High School after leaving Chattahoochee and retired from Kings Ridge Christian. In his retirement, his calling to make an impact with youth still spoke to him, and he now works as a bus driver.

The former Cougars head coach told Appen Media that it had been 16 years since he had seen some of the former players at Legacy Night, but he was comforted to know he recognized everyone. “Just awesome to be here at Chattahoochee, which is a special place to us,” Crowder said. He said the team had his support along with that of the entire state championship team and that he was looking forward to seeing the Cougars find their way. Coach Hamilton said it was the “perfect ending” to a great night for three generations of Chattahoochee football. “Never once did I say it was going to be easy,” he said. “Never once did I say that there wasn’t going to be faults or hardships where we might falter a little bit. But I felt like we gave the greatest show that we could have for the fans, for the 2010 team, and even the Junior Cougars.” Quarterback Jay Slaughter led the effort, putting up 346 yards in total with 262 passing and 84 on the ground and a touchdown in each place. Senior Bryce Henry caught six passes for 107 yards to help power the offense and won player of the game. Coach Hamilton also highlighted Rayon Sexton, Philip Zametin and Dorian Powell, who played every offensive snap and didn’t show their fatigue on the other side of the ball, where they also made significant contributions.

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DEATH NOTICES Holly Christian, age 60, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 1, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Jacqueline Dohm, age 86, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 2, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Marynelle Criswell, age 87, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 5, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

James Exparza, age 91, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 7, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Joy Strachan, age 77, of Roswell, GA passed away on September 2, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

18 | September 17, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Strong local news means a strong local economy Read at appenmedia.com/business APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO

The Atlanta City Detention Center, 254 Peachtree St. SW, is seen in this file photo. The city recently accepted Fulton County’s offer to buy the facility for $68 million.

Jail: Continued from Page 1 Fulton County has been leasing beds at the city’s detention center for years, but that deal was set to expire in December. After that, per-day housing costs would have tripled to $150 per inmate for the county. While the purchase is an important part of the solution, Commissioner Dana Barrett said this will not be an “instantaneous” fix. The detention center needs an estimated $75 million in renovations, she noted. Still, she said buying the building is an important step in providing safe and humane housing to Fulton County’s inmate population. “We have been at capacity or … arguably over capacity for a long time because we outsource a lot

of inmate beds in other counties already [and] not just to the city jail,” Barrett said. “In a perfect world, Fulton County would have all of the inmates in our care housed in Fulton County-controlled facilities versus outsourcing.” Dickens’ letter said the purchase would save county taxpayers around $600 million. Barrett said she thinks the real number is probably between $150 million and $200 million. The city and county are now looking at financing options and timing. The governing bodies anticipate a finalized agreement will be presented to both the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and the Atlanta City Council in the coming weeks. “I’m glad that the city and the county were able to move this to where it is now,” Barrett said. “It’s a huge accomplishment, I think, for both entities and for the citizens.”

City of Johns Creek Board of Zoning Appeals, Public Hearing: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. City of Johns Creek Council Chambers 11360 Lakefield Drive Johns Creek, Georgia 30097 The following variance application is scheduled for Public Hearing as stated above:

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Case Number: Property Address: Current Zoning: Petitioner: Variance Request:

V-26-0015 10390 Forest Bridge Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30022 R-3 Conditional (Single-Family Dwelling District) Neil Smith Encroachment into the 75-foot stream buffer to construct the stone steps

Puzzles

rier 9/17/26 Connect-It

PuzzleJunction.com

Connect-It

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 5, 5 and 4 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!

Johns Creek Herald ......................September 17, 2026 | 19

UP IN A TREE

Dunwoody Crier 9/17/26 Crossword

Across

PuzzleJunction.com

1. Smell bad. “Norwegian Wood” instrument. Keeps the tree grounded. 2. One-dish meal. Cautious. Trees drop them in Fall. 3. Moonfish. A tree’s “clothing”. Fancy spa. 4. It grows on trees. Clan emblem. Seasonal visitor. 5. Lift. Baby’s bed. It’s like an arm on a tree. 6. Upper part of a tree. Martial artist. Slightly open. 7. Up in the air. The body of a tree. Gumbo pod. PuzzleJunction.com

12 13 14 15 16 1 Manila bean 4 Forehead 19 17 18 8 Cool drinks 21 22 20 12 Small brook 3 14 French Sudan, 24 25 26 27 23 today 15 Sugar portions 28 29 30 31 32 33 4 17 Everything’s 36 37 34 35 okay 19 Foxy-faced 5 39 40 41 42 38 primate 20 Flycatcher 44 45 43 21 Baseball players 6 47 48 49 50 46 at the July classic 23 Before, 51 52 53 54 55 poetically /17/26 Sudoku7 24 Alias 60 61 56 57 58 59 Up a Tree 9/17/26 Kakuro PuzzleJunction.com 27 Fizzles out How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle Dunwoody above has Crier three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is 63 64 65 62 28 Helpless 1. first Smell instrument. the giving you the correct number of letters for each the letterbad. of the“Norwegian second answer,Wood” and so on. The connectingThey letter keep is outlined, statement tree grounded. 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 67 68 66 Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number 31 Buck dispenser for 3 answers on thepuzzle, line. Buteach here’srow, the catch! Theand clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually To the solve the Sudoku column above thedrop diagonal line inina black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum 2. One-dish meal. Cautious. Trees them Fall. 34 Diminutive 69 70 71 be the second or the thirdnumbers answer in1that line. Good inluck! boxformust contain to of 9. the Got whiteit? squares the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence. suffix 3. Moonfish. A tree’s “clothing.” Fancy spa. Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com 36 Uncle (Sp.) 37 Balm ingredient 66 Sleep disorder 8 Good to go 35 Poi source 4. It grows on trees. Clan emblem. Seasonal visitor. 38 Stadium sounds 67 Hints 9 Pairs 37 In awe 5. Lift. Baby’s bed. It’s like an arm on a tree. 39 Forest god 68 Game equipment 10 Mrs. Peel of The 40 Cravings 42 Dour 69 Small whirlpool Avengers 41 Casting need 6. Upper part of a tree. Martial artist. Slightly open. 43 Ticks off 11 Cowboy boot 70 Slangy assent 47 No restrictions 44 Driver’s aid attachment 71 Waking ___ on a ticket 7. Up in the air. The body of a tree. Gumbo pod. 45 Beetle Bailey Devine (1998 13 Fabrication 48 DiCaprio, to fans pooch film) 16 12th graders 49 Madness 46 ___’easter (Abbr.) 50 Ho-hum 47 Really nervous 18 Close, as an 51 Exposed Down 51 Danish cheese envelope 54 Odyssey 52 Camera type, 22 Fleur-de-___ 1 Vineyard fruit sorceress briefly 25 Young foxes 55 Extra 2 Gulf ship 53 Color TV 26 China setting 3 Type of outdoor 56 Triumphant cry pioneer 29 More or ___ gear 57 Easy gait 56 Over a period 4 Upscale wheels 30 Numbers game 58 Touch down of time 31 Type of bicycle 59 Paste 5 Actress ___ Dawn 60 Bitter Chong 32 Tipster 61 Atlantic food fish 62 Squirrel away 33 Exec’s note 6 Cantina cooker 64 Grassland Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a 63 Conductor’s cry 7 Command answer 34 Hibernia 65 Cigar residue challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.

2 3

1 7

6 5 4 2 2 3 9 2 8 5 9 5 7 4

2 4

8 9

See puzzle solutions on Page 20

4 7 5 1 3 9 6 8 2

RESS NP

2 3 1 7 8 6 9 4 5

UB CL

APPE

Solution

6 8 9 4 5 2 1 7 3

8 5 6 9 4 3 2 1 7

9 1 7 6 2 8 3 5 4

3 4 2 5 7 1 8 9 6

5 2 3 8 9 7 4 6 1

1 9 4 3 6 5 7 2 8

7 6 8 2 1 4 5 3 9

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2 SOLUTIONS Solution 3 1 2 6 7 5 4 2 P Dunwoody Crier 9/17/26 Kakuro 4 2 3 Kim Truett Roger Wise Jr. Colt Whittall 8 2 9 5 9 7 4 Solution 8 9 5 Connect-It

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A D E S B R O W G O A L U M P S M A L I R I L L L E M U R A L L I S W E L L A L L S T A R S P E W E E D I E S A K A E R E A T M A L L I S L O S T A L O E T I O E T T E G L U M S A T Y R R A H S O T T O T E E I R E S G E N E inDa crossword L O solved A L puzzle, N O R number style grid. The rules a Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging below the dia A R it.CA number S toLtheRright of E Usquares L white above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum Bof the can only be used onc andRa digit I D G digits 1 toA9, C N the of the white squares in the sequence below A LonlyOuse L may A it.L You PuzzleJu Dunwoody Crier 9/17/26 Connect-It A L L A B O A R D H O A R D D I C E C U E S A P N E A N E D Y E A H E D D Y Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com

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20 | September 17, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

5 C R I B R A N C H E F T

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6 C R O W N I N J A J A R

Solution

7 O K R A L O F T R U N K

4 7 5 1 3 9 6 8 2

7 6 8 2 1 4 5 3 9

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | September 17, 2026 | 21

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THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS

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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.

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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.

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22 | September 17, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Appen Media Wins 2026 Georgia Press Association General Excellence Bringing Journalistic Excellence to North Atlanta 1st Place

Page One – Staff Layout & Design – Staff Education Writing – Jim Bass Serious Column – Carl Appen

2nd Place

Local News Coverage – Staff Business Writing – Staff, Dan Whisenhunt, Dean Hesse, Jim Bass Education Writing – Jim Bass and Zoe Seiler Feature Photograph – Dean Hesse Serious Column – King Williams Humorous Column – Pat Fox Feature Writing – Dan Whisenhunt

3rd Place

Page One – Dionna Williams Layout & Design – Dionna Williams Local News Coverage – Staff Serious Column – Pat Fox Feature Column – Steve Hudson Feature Writing – Jim Bass Newspaper Website – Decaturish.com

ADVERTISING 1st Place

Health Care Ad – David Brown Food Ad – David Brown Home Furnishings/Appliances Ad – David Brown Classified Section/Page – Staff Signature Page – David Brown

2nd Place

Food Ad – David Brown Service/Institutional Ad – David Brown Non-Traditional Ad – David Brown

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | September 17, 2026 | 23

Full-time Veeam Software Corporation in Alpharetta, GA seeks Principal Engineer, Salesforce. Lead custom dvlpmnt & ongoing enhancement of the Salesforce platform to ensure alignment with Veeam’s business goals, technical, & security standards. Must hold Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I certification. Some telecommuting permitted (hybrid). $152,131 to $186,586.85/yr. To apply, send resume to Veeam.HR.NA.Paperwork@ veeam.com specifying job code 92132. EOE. Lead System Engineering needed by AT&T Services, Inc. in Alpharetta, Georgia to define designs and provide technical enablement for application components and subsystems for applications. Apply at http://att.jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-120051.

Part-time

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24 | September 17, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

STORE CLOSING Final Weeks!

Going Out Of Business

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SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30 am - 7 pm | Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm 11266 State Bridge Rd, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 678-404-7555 * All sizes are approximate. | License #15200