Milton Herald - August 21, 2025

Milton opens season with loss to Wolves

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

BUFORD, Ga — The Milton Eagles’ comeback fell short Aug. 14, dropping the season opener to the Buford Wolves, 20-13 in the inaugural game at Buford’s $62 million Phillip Beard Stadium.

It was Milton’s first loss in nearly two years and the first time losing to Buford since 2019. Snapping a 25game win streak required Buford to capi-

talize on several Eagle mistakes.

Buford, ranked No. 13 in the country by MaxPreps, has a loaded senior class with eight SEC commits. Quarterback Dayton Raiola is committed to Nebraska, as well.

Facing a defense that forced four turnovers, the Eagles never trailed by more than two scores, remaining neck-and-neck with Buford until the final minute of the game.

Eagles quarterback Derrick Baker was the primary target of the Wolves’ defense.

Baker said at practice the day before the matchup that Phillip Beard will be the biggest stadium he has played in. Throughout the game, Baker had to step out several times when his helmet was knocked off during play. The native of Naples, Florida, threw 6-for-15 for 1 touchdown and two interceptions and rushed for 78 yards in his first game in an Eagles jersey.

See FOOTBALL, Page 20

By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Milton officials voted unanimously Aug.11 to adopt a property tax rate of 4.193 mills, a 4.47 percent decrease from last year and lowest in the city’s history.

The city anticipates the adopted millage rate will bring in $17.7 million.

The levy, adopted after three public hearings, is expected to shave about $68 from the local tax bill of a person who owns a home valued at $900,000.

The savings are based on the lower millage rate, local homestead exemptions and whether the home has gained no significant value over the past year.

One mill generates $1 per $1,000 of an assessed property’ value, which is equal to 40 percent of its fair market value.

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POLICE BLOTTER

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

Police from 3 agencies nab assault suspect

MILTON, Ga. — A Milton police officer was working at Ameris Bank Amphitheater Aug. 9 when he was notified of a man who allegedly assaulted an employee.

A member of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a security guard and Roswell police officer assisted with the apprehension of the suspect.

The Roswell officer gave the suspect commands to lay on his stomach. The suspect refused and ran away. Both police officers gave chase. On a third attempt, the Milton officer successfully brought down the suspect using his taser.

The suspect initially resisted officers until the Milton officer began re-energizing his taser.

The man was transported to Fulton County Jail.

— Sarah Coyne

Man reports account raided for over $3,000

MILTON, Ga. — Milton police responded to a report Aug. 6 that someone had accessed a man’s online banking account.

The man told police that on July 31 someone used his bank account to purchase $3,197 worth of goods from a Duluth Kroger, Mama’s Cocina Latina and Apple Cash. The suspect then transferred $10,000 into the account and immediately withdrew it.

The man provided police with the IP address and a list of transactions.

The investigation is still ongoing. — Sarah Coyne

Break-ins at apartment mailrooms reported

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Apartment mailrooms were reported burglarized July 29.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to a Rockberry Lane apartment complex about noon after the alleged crime was reported.

Doors to three mailrooms appeared forced open.

Nothing was reported missing.

Damage to the doors was valued at $200.

The incident was classified as a felony burglary of a commercial nondwelling.

— Jon Wilcox

Peachtree Corners man reports stolen BMW

ROSWELL, Ga. — A 36-year-old Peachtree Corners man reported the theft of his green 2022 BMW M3 Aug. 4 from a retail parking lot off Holcomb Bridge Road.

An officer said he met with the man, whose family owns the store, at the Roswell Police Department to discuss the case.

The victim said his car had been parked in the same spot at the business for more than 2 weeks, and he last saw it there the evening of Aug. 2. The man also said he found no glass near the parking spot and kept the vehicle locked.

After the officer was unable to locate the $50,000 BMW using license plate readers, he listed it as stolen in a regional crime database.

The victim said he would like to press charges, and the case remains active.

— Hayden Sumlin

Man charged with assault in alleged rock attack

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 78-year-old Alpharetta man was charged with aggravated assault after allegedly throwing rocks at a salesman July 30.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to a Reece Road home about 7 p.m.

A 20-year-old Alpharetta salesman, who was following up with customers in the area, said he was approached by the 78-year-old man during a conversation with a passing driver. The salesman said he began the conversation because he was intrigued by the driver’s car.

The 20-year-old man said the elderly man began an argument with him and the driver, accusing them of being inside his home.

After the driver left, the salesman said the 78-year-old man threw rocks at him, hitting him in the chest and head, police said. The older man allegedly began yelling “stone him, stone him.”

The salesman, who showed a video of the incident to officers, removed the stones from the man’s hands and called police.

Officers said they suspected the older man of suffering from a mental health crisis. He was taken to a Fulton County hospital for evaluation.

— Jon Wilcox

North Point retailer reports clothing theft

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — More than $800 of clothing was reportedly shoplifted from a North Point Mall department store Aug. 2.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the business about 2:30 p.m.

Store employees said a man entered the women’s department about 11:40 a.m. and stole numerous Nike items.

The clothing included underwear, shorts and jackets.

Employees said the man had been seen stealing at other store locations in Atlanta.

Police suspect the man left in a white Volvo.

The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting over $500.

— Jon Wilcox

THE PICTURE FRAMER

Mr. College Football previews fall season at Dunwoody Village

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — If someone watches Southeastern Conference schools compete in the fall, they call 30year Dunwoody resident Tony Barnhart “Mr. College Football.”

The legendary sportswriter stopped by his hometown Aug. 11 to chat with the Village Mill ROMEOs, a group of “retired old men eating out” once a month on Monday mornings at J. Christophers.

Dunwoody resident David Gordon, a South African immigrant, said it’s mindboggling to follow a sport where players cycle through every couple of years, but he’s working on it.

For most of the audience, listening to Barnhart talk college football is a sign the heat and humidity are waning.

After half a century covering college football, Mr. College Football said his 50th season covering the sport for newspapers, radio, television and the internet will be his last.

Barnhart has worked for the flagships of sports media: CBS Sports, ESPN’s SEC Network and College Gameday, as well as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is currently a columnist for TMG College Sports and a contributor to a weekly SEC radio show.

In a letter shared with the ROMEOs, Barnhart said his 92-year-old mother told him that 50 is a nice round number.

“I will work through the CFP National Championship game in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19. Then I will retire,” he wrote. “I never thought I would write those words.”

Mr. College Football’s season preview at the Village went through the state of the sport and its relationship with the NCAA, his predictions for each round of the 12-team playoff and some insider information on recruiting classes and new players.

“The irony with all the problems that we’re having in college football …,” Barnhart said. “While there’s financial issues going on, the game on the field is better than it’s ever been.”

He said Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals and a wide-open transfer portal is a big challenge for the sport that will require legislation or collective bargaining to resolve. Barnhart said no one knows the solution.

Tony “Mr. College Football” Barnhart and his wife Maria, a four-time president of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club, enjoy a trip to Gainesville, Florida July 26 for a reception honoring the legendary sportswriter and the couple’s friends Jerri and Steve Spurrier. After his 50th season covering the sport, Barnhart will retire to family, writing and charitable work.

If the playoffs are going to expand from 12 to 16 teams across the country in a couple of years, he said the two most prolific conferences — the SEC and the Big Ten — are going to need to agree on a format.

His top four teams at the end of this upcoming season with a first-round bye in the playoffs are the Texas Longhorns, the Penn State Nittany Lions, the Clemson Tigers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Texas quarterback Arch Manning was impressive during the 2025 SEC Football Media Days in July, he said.

“The four first-round games are played on campus at the home of the higher seed,” Barnhart said. “And basically, they said give us more on-campus games.”

He said he predicts the University of Georgia to match up with the University of Miami in Athens, setting up former Bulldog quarterback Carson Beck to face his replacement, Gunner Stockton.

“I’m just imagining that he will receive a warm reception as he drives onto Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium,” Barnhardt said. “This would be perfect,

[Beck] drives on the field in his Lamborghini and Gunner Stockton drives on with his ’79 Ford pick-up.”

A few hours later, college football fans got the first top 25 poll of the 2025-26 season from the Associated Press. Reporters from around the country agreed with Mr. College Football, ranking the Manning-led Longhorns as the nation’s preseason top team for the first time in history.

After the 2026 National Championship Jan. 19 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, Barnhart is planning to retire, write some more books, work with his wife Maria on charitable endeavors and spend time with their two grandchildren.

He said the first book after his retirement will be a collection of essays from each stop on his “Thank You” tour of some of his favorite spots across schools in the Southeastern Conference.

Mr. College Football is a 1976 graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism. He got his first full-time job in the newspaper business as a one-person sports department for the Union City Times in South Carolina.

Of his six published books, the most recent, “The 19 of Greene: Football, Friendship, and Change in the Fall of 1970,” recounts his experience with racial integration in small-town Georgia as a member of the county’s first integrated football team.

Tony and his wife Maria moved to Dunwoody in 1994. Today, there are four generations of Barnharts living in Dunwoody with no plans of leaving anytime soon.

Maria has served as president of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club, a local branch of the international service organization, four times. Tony and Maria are involved in several charities, including the annual Honduras Outreach International Golf Tournament in May and the Big Game Ball Aug. 27 to benefit the National Down Syndrome Congress.

Maria said she is passionate about the work of the NDSC and programs for individuals with Down syndrome because of her younger brother who was diagnosed.

As for her husband’s retirement announcement and her relationship with Steve Spurrier, Maria said the reception honoring both college football legends was as exceptional as their legacies.

County officials preview water, sewer rate increase

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Fulton County Public Works Department held a virtual public hearing Aug. 7 to discuss a proposed 5 percent increase to the water and sewer rate structure over the next two years.

When the Board of Commissioners approved the North Fulton Water Distribution Master Plan in March, Public Works Director David Clarke said a new rate increase package was in the works.

During the public hearing, Clarke said the rate increase is needed to complete the revised 2025-27 Capital Improvement Program and upgrades to the Camp Creek Water Reclamation Facility in South Fulton.

“From that master plan, a number of projects were identified that will be entered into our CIP to have increased water pressure and volume to many areas of North Fulton that sometimes have issues,” he said. “This rate study also included those costs, in addition to some of the South Fulton wastewater needs.”

Deputy Director Terry Peters discussed the department’s unique funding, which operates like a business without dollars from the county general fund or property taxes.

The results of the 2024-34 study showed operating expenses growing at an average annual rate of 3.9 percent. Options for the County Board of Commissioners to consider include no rate increase,

a 6.5 percent rate increase or the recommended 5 percent increase over two years.

Public Works officials say commissioners will likely make their recommendation Aug. 20, which will change the department’s operations in some ways.

“One of the major takeaways is capping the CIP program at somewhere near $40 million a year when

the proposed rate increases will kick in,” Peters said. “Being able just to maintain expenses close to the 3.94 percent … can be extremely important.”

County officials estimate the proposal for a 5 percent increase over a two-year term would increase the average customer’s bill by about 50 cents each month. If approved, the new rates will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Roswell announces residents will park free at downtown deck

By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell city officials celebrated the groundbreaking for the downtown parking deck Aug. 7, announcing that residents will be able to enjoy free parking.

The deck, estimated to be completed May 4, is designed to solve the decadeslong parking problem in downtown.

“Today marks the start of a new chapter for downtown Roswell, a chapter defined by thoughtful infrastructure solutions and forwardthinking technology,” Mayor Kurt Wilson said.

In a statement, the city said they

hope the deck will support local businesses, reduce congestion and improve visitor experiences, as part of the Green Street Activation Plan. In addition, Green Street will be converted to a one-way, southbound road.

City officials, residents and business owners gathered for the groundbreaking.

Owners of Fellows Cafe Christina and Tony DeVictor said they are excited to see work begin.

“We've needed this for so long, and it's been a topic of conversation everywhere in Roswell and now it's finally happening,” Tony said.

The DeVictor’s have seen the parking issue firsthand, both having

grown up in the city and attending Roswell High School.

“The fact that it's coming to fruition is truly such a testament to the work of this mayor,” Christina said.

The $20 million, 395-stall parking deck will be located on the corner of Ga. 9 and Green Street, right across from the Southern Post, a 4.28-acre mixed-use development The deck will be paid for through general obligation bonds.

In November 2022, voters of Roswell approved the issuance of $179.6 million in bonds for capital improvement projects, including the parking deck.

City staff enlisted Winter Construction to design and construct

the deck to align with the city’s historic district. The design proposes a blend of historic and modern elements, including full architectural façades on all four sides, safety features, such as large, window-like openings and landscaping.

City staff said that the construction will honor the Roswell Masonic Lodge and its classic Greek revival structure. The city plans to convert the 166-yearold lodge into an open-air pavilion.

“[To] ensure that the deck doesn't just co-exist within its surroundings, but enhances them, complimenting both historic structures and new developments like Southern Post right across the street,” Wilson said.

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8 | Milton Herald | August 21, 2025

Daughter follows parents’ entrepreneurial footsteps

By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Nestled underneath her parents’ coffee shop, guests can find Macy Pettett piecing together clothing to create the perfect outfits in her store, Bungalow 1088.

The smell of coffee and pastries seep into the playful atmosphere of the boutique, where Pettett creates content and working in the store.

Pettett has been raised to be an entrepreneur, helping her parents with their coffee shop, Crazy Love Coffee House, which opened in 2017.

“I worked up there since we opened and did socials and a lot of different creative things,” Pettett said.

She continued her passion for running a business and went to Kennesaw State University to study culinary sustainability and hospitality.

“It’s just kind of helped transfer into this,” she said.

Her father introduced the idea to Macy, encouraging her to open a clothing boutique underneath the coffee shop.

“They thought, ‘why not open up a clothing boutique,’” she said.

While her parents technically own the space, Pettett runs and manages the boutique.

Like her parents coffee shop, Bungalow 1088 was founded on Christian principles. Guests can find Bible verses sprinkled throughout the store.

Pettett wants the store to be like a ministry that reaches out to the community for Jesus. She said the goal for the boutique is to make customers feel confident and feel good about what they’re wearing, while also showing Christ’s love.

Bungalow:

Continued from Page 8

“A lot of people feel very intimidated by church and different stuff,” Pettett said. “This is providing an environment to welcome people.”

Her inspiration for the store comes from places like Anthropologie and Free People. Pettett uses Pinterest to research the newest trends.

“We try to pick out a lot of clothes that would look good on everyone,” she said. “[We pick] not as much confusing styles, but more simplistic, fun colors, more solids, not as many patterns.”

When designing the store, Pettett and her mother drew inspiration from other boutiques, picking bits and pieces of their favorite colors and designs.

Although the store just opened in June, Pettett said business has been

“really good and really busy.”

“We’ve had a lot of good support from the community, but also from our church and our friends,” she said.

Pettett has two favorite parts to owning a boutique, picking out the pieces of clothing and meeting people.

“I love getting to pick out stuff for people to try on, and just help people find things,” she said.

Bungalow 1088 also offers free personal styling sessions for customers to get their new favorite outfits. Customers can come in to give Pettet a vision and favorite colors, so that she can pick out some new pieces for them.

“I just thought fashion was really fun to just express yourself,” Pettett said.

The boutique also sells devotionals, purses, shoes and even hand-made furniture.

To learn more about the boutique, visit bungalow1088.com.

Each week Appen Media asks a staff reporter to profile a business, nonprofit or commerce group they find interesting. The selection can be from anywhere in the Metro Atlanta area. The decision is up to the reporter and is made entirely independent of the sales department. Find other pieces at appenmedia.com/business.

Alpha Loop murals complement walk in the park

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Two new murals along Alpharetta’s Alpha Loop have a way of sparking reflection.

At the Aug. 4 unveiling ceremony, City Councilman Donald Mitchell said the artworks reminds him of his late parents.

“When I saw them, immediately I just fell in love,” said Mitchell, who selected the designs and donated money for their creation.

Located about 300 feet east of the Alpharetta Branch Library, the murals lie on two Alpha Loop bridges.

One mural depicts a school of tangerine-colored koi fish. The aquatic creatures touched Mitchell because his father served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years.

Another features a flock of birds flying amid a backdrop of fluffy lavender clouds. The scene reminded the council member of a time shortly after his mother’s death when he pulled his car over to contemplate the loss.

“It was just a beautiful sky that day, and that mural reminds me of my mom’s passing,” he said.

Mitchell funded the project with more than $20,000 of his council stipend saved over several years. The money was to be used for lunches and other costs associated with his post. He also helped coordinate donations from others to support the work.

“When I would take people out, I would just pay for it with my own money,” he said.

Artist Alice Stone-Collins, who teaches at Georgia Gwinnett College, created the murals with about 15 cans of paint, calling on experiences on the Alpha Loop for inspiration.

Stone-Collins said that for years she and her family have enjoyed the trail, which runs through the city, connecting numerous points of interest. Her kids take a special delight in pointing out the animals, which include deer, birds, fish and many squirrels.

Those experiences on the path have proved an invaluable resource for her own mental well-being and children’s upbringing, she said.

“It gets my children off their screens and has them connect to something larger,” she said. “It’s amazing how fast the time goes.”

Stone-Collins said she hopes the art will enrich the lives and imaginations of trail users for years to come.

“I want people to maybe think, ‘Hey, let’s go the way that the murals are,’” she said. “Or it could almost be like a meeting spot...’”

Mitchell said he has already witnessed walkers taking notice, with some contributing chalk art of their own nearby and others remarking at

It gets my children off their screens and has them connect to something larger. It’s amazing how fast the time goes.”

ALICE STONE-COLLINS artist

their creativity.

He said he also hopes residents will be inspired to become patrons of art elsewhere in the city. Residents can connect with the Alpha Loop Foundation or the city’s Cultural Arts Commission to fund murals, sculptures and other contributions throughout Alpharetta.

“We’re constantly trying to increase the amount of art in the city, so as we add new trails around the city, it’s important that we add art,” he said.

UPS is selling its building at 35 Glenlake Parkway in Sandy Springs and moving about 500 employees to another location in the city and Alpharetta.

UPS to sell Sandy Springs office, shift some workers to Alpharetta

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — United Parcel Service is shifting employees to Alpharetta and closing a Sandy Springs office amid company-wide changes and building closures.

Jim Mayer, a UPS spokesman, said the shipping giant is executing the largest “network reconfiguration” in its history.

A Sandy Springs corporate campus, 35 Glenlake Parkway, will be sold, and 500 employees will be reassigned to the Sandy Springs headquarters, 55 Glenlake Parkway, or an Alpharetta facility at 12380 Morris Road.

Most of the employees will be moving to Alpharetta, Mayer said.

Alpharetta Economic Development Director Charlie Jewell said UPS is one of the city’s top 10 employers with more than 1,000 workers.

He praised the move as a boon for Alpharetta.

“The fact that they’ve chosen to expand that presence as part of this consolidation is very positive for our city,” Jewell said.

The shift could infuse new money into the Alpharetta economy, supporting surrounding businesses.

“While consolidations can sometimes result in downsizing elsewhere, in this case, Alpharetta is gaining jobs,” Jewell said. “It signals UPS’ continued commitment to Alpharetta as a strategic location for their operations.”

Jon Wilcox

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Don’t be fooled again: the

Let’s turn back the clock to July 30, 2023. In Metro Atlanta, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was hovering just below 7%. Industry forecasts were awash with optimism. We were told rates would be falling soon — perhaps below 6% by year-end, with some even speculating that a 5.5% mortgage was within reach. And with that drop came the promise of increased affordability.

Two years later, reality tells a different story.

It’s now July 30, 2025. Mortgage rates remain stubbornly high, still hovering just under 7%, with only fleeting moments below 6.5%. Despite numerous economic headlines and policy pivots, the needle

has barely moved on financing costs. In that same window, Metro Atlanta home prices haven’t waited. They’ve appreciated approximately 5% across most segments of the market — some even more in desirable in-town neighborhoods and strong suburban school districts.

Let’s quantify that. A $500,000 home in July 2023 is now selling for closer to $525,000. Assuming a 5% down payment and a 6.75% fixed rate in both years, the monthly principal and interest payment today is over $150 higher than it would have been in 2023. So much for the “wait and it will be more affordable” strategy. And yet, we’re hearing the same narrative again in 2025: rates will fall, affordability will return, and home prices will stabilize. While there’s reasonable expectation that rates may soften into the high-5% range over the next 12 months, this does not necessarily equate to a better buying opportunity. Quite the opposite.

If lower rates do materialize, Atlanta — like many competitive metros — will likely see an uptick in demand. Homes that have been sitting for 60+ days could see offers in a matter of weeks. Days on the market will compress. And prices? They may not just hold — they could rise again.

This is the “double-edged sword” Atlanta buyers must contend with: lower rates reduce borrowing costs, but increased competition can drive up prices, neutralizing or even reversing the benefit. It’s a moment that reinforces a timeless principle in housing economics: “Marry the house, date the rate.”

Had a buyer followed this advice two years ago in Atlanta, not only would they have secured a lower monthly payment, but they’d also be sitting on $25,000+ in equity growth. And with a possible refinance opportunity on the horizon, monthly savings could increase further.

The bigger takeaway: Don’t be fooled

again. Atlanta’s housing market today offers something we haven’t seen in years — negotiation power. Sellers are offering closing cost incentives. Inventory is sitting longer. And while prices haven’t dropped dramatically, the lack of bidding wars has restored balance in favor of the buyer.

If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines for “the right time,” consider this: the best time to buy isn’t always when rates are at their lowest — it’s when competition is manageable, prices are still negotiable, and you have room to make the right long-term move.

That time could very well be now.

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.

PAST TENSE

Remembering Chamblee Mayor Johnson Wavery (Dub) Brown

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

Johnson Wavery Brown, known as Dub, was born in 1925 in Atlanta, near where the Lindbergh MARTA Station is now located. His family decided to move to north DeKalb County and start a dairy farm. They bought a 100-acre farm in Chamblee along Buford Highway. (DeKalb History Center archives, Dub Brown oral history, 1987)

Brown described their journey: “When I was two years old, they rounded the cows up, and they had the other dairy barn built, and we drove the cows from that location, through little trails and small roads to the new site…”

Brown had two brothers and two sisters. Everyone worked on the farm. Dub drove the farm truck when he was around 10 years old, while his brothers threw hay on the bed of the truck. The dairy trucks were driven into the middle of a creek when they needed to be washed.

The Brown children attended Chamblee Grammar and Chamblee High School. In Dub’s last year of high school, the main building of Chamblee High School burned down. Some recall the fire happening on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941. The Atlanta Constitution newspaper reported that the tragic fire began on December 8, 1941.

Around this same time, dairy cooperatives started to form in DeKalb County, putting the Brown dairy and others out of business. Eventually, the only dairies left in Chamblee were Irvindale, W. O. Pierce and Tuggle’s. His family moved closer to the town of Chamblee, across the street from where City Hall was later built.

Brown and his brother delivered the Atlanta Constitution to Naval Air Station Atlanta, Lawson General Hospital and other parts of Chamblee.

Brown served two years and nine months in the Navy during World War II.

“I was in the amphibious force, and we carried the 1st Division in on D-Day at Normandy.” Before he left to serve, he married the woman who became his wife of 72 years, Doris.

On June 6, 1944, his LCI (L) 487 landing craft landed in the Easy Red Sector of Omaha Beach on the coast of Normandy, France. There were 36 soldiers on board from Company M and 167 from Company K, 18th

Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. The landing craft was struck with mortar as the soldiers were exiting. Wounded were being pulled aboard, and the captain ordered the crew to abandon ship. The craft was at risk of flooding. Brown stayed on board working to patch holes below the deck with mattresses and anything else he could find. (AJC, April 17, 2012, “Decades after D-Day, vet finally honored” by Patrick Fox)

He received the Legion of Honor medal from France after the war. In 2012, he received eight additional medals and honors for his service and heroism. Dub and Doris Brown’s daughter, Melanie Curtis, sought the recognition he deserved for eight years.

Brown, who seldom spoke of that day, said, “We had 200 fully armed servicemen, and we got hit on both ramps. We pulled the wounded back on-board ship, but we were stuck on the beach.” Twelve hours later, the tide rose enough for the ship to return to water.

When he came home, Brown decided to work as a mechanic for Delta Airlines. He entered a training program but soon returned to Chamblee to work alongside his brother. Dub Brown bought a half interest in his brother’s service station along the railroad, which they operated together for 13 years. Brown continued in the auto service business for a total of 62 years.

He bought 7 acres on Hart’s Mill

Brown said he first went into politics because his house was on a dusty dirt road, and they did not have running water.

“I couldn’t get anybody to listen to me about paving the roads or running water out there…”

He started a petition and got enough signatures to get the City of Chamblee to annex the area. Soon they had paved roads and city water.

Dub Brown became mayor of Chamblee in 1980 following the death of Mayor Woody Malone. Malone served from 1948 until 1980, in a system that left many decisions to the mayor. That system continued with Mayor Brown until a new City Council charter went into effect in 1993. He was mayor of Chamblee until 1998. (Chamblee, GA A Centennial Portrait, 1908-2008)

Dub Brown died in 2015 and is buried at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga.

Road, which was called Sexton Road at the time. He and his wife built their family home on that property.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

MID-SUMMER SALE

LABOR DAY SALE

PRESERVING THE PAST

The story of a wheel and a special lady

A friend asked me if I knew anything about a wagon wheel embedded in a tree on Mayfield Road near downtown Crabapple. I did not, but I decided to investigate. It turns out that the tree is on the property where Fannie Etris Holcombe lives. She is a lovely woman soon to celebrate her 106th birthday. I profiled Fannie and her family in a column in March 2024. The wagon wheel embedded in the tree provided an opportunity to catch up with her and to uncover a bit of intriguing local history at the same time.

I sat down with Fannie, her son Steve Holcombe and his wife Myra in Fannie’s living room. Before he retired, Steve owned a construction company and Myra worked for the Cherokee County Schools. Steve loves history and knows a lot about the area.

Fannie is spirited and vibrant. She makes her own breakfast every morning and enjoys talking about her family history. Her four children take turns visiting with her every afternoon.

Fannie was raised on Etris Road in Roswell. The road is named for her father William Samuel Etris (18751963) who was born in Milton. He came from a family of 11 children. He and his wife also raised 11 children on their Etris Road farm. Fannie, born in 1919, was the youngest child.

William Etris was a gold miner and lived in Cleveland, Georgia, as a young man. That is about 18 miles from Dahlonega, where gold had been discovered in 1828, 20 years before the Gold Rush to California.

After he married, he moved to Etris Road in Roswell where he grew cotton and corn on a 40-acre farm.

Growing up on Etris Road Fannie attended Mount Oliver Baptist Church on Hardscrabble Road next to today’s Roswell High School. The church was established in 1907 on land donated by Tommy and Alec Oliver and was dedicated in May 1909. Original membership was 5 males and 7 females.

In those days, according to Steve Holcombe, a circuit preacher held a service at the church once a month. Many country churches in the South could not afford to pay preachers for weekly sermons, and even then, many churches paid their preachers with chickens or eggs. They received cash

only during revival meetings.

For many years, Fannie went to church in the family wagon pulled by a mule and was jammed full with a dozen family members. Sometimes she walked to church which was about 2 miles away, she says.

In 1939 Fannie married Otis Holcombe (1916-2006), a trained machinist and mechanic. They lived initially on Cox Road and later on King Road in Milton. In 1961, the couple and their children moved to Crabapple to a house on a 3-acre parcel which had been part of the farm owned by John Gilford Green (1879-1963). James Cash bought the parcel and house from Green and owned it until he sold it to the Holcombe family. The house was built circa 1955.

James Cash constructed a building next to the house which was subsequently converted into a machine shop by Otis Holcombe. Steve Holcombe painted the large sign, which says Holcombe’s Machine Shop on the side of the building. The sign has faded over the years, but that adds to its charm and historic character. It is also a local landmark.

Fannie’s mother was partial to roses. She had a rose garden in front of the house next to a small pine tree. An abandoned wheel from a hay rake rested against the tree behind the flowers. Hay rakes were important to farmers who needed to gather and store dry hay for their animals.

Hay rakes date back to the early 19th century and were used primarily for gathering hay and grain. They were also used to clear fields and lawns and

for spreading soil. Early rakes were pulled by horses or mules. Later, tractors pulled them.

The rake wheel rested against the tree behind the rose garden for years. The tree gradually grew around the wheel, creating a kind of unique sculpture. The wheel adds to the character of the tree which has adapted to the metal. It looks very cool.

Thanks to Myra Holcombe for her

help with the column and to Christy McWhorter for asking the original question.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

WHO’S ON FIRST?

1. Muse of poetry. Clothing. Actor McQueen or Zahn

2. Actress Blanchett or Cohen. Nervous. Dig up.

3. Seabird. Parsley unit.

Actress Hamilton or Hunt

4. Actor Quaid or Hopper. Court panel. Three feet.

5. Light on one’s feet. Actor Brolin or Spader. Hayseed.

6. Austrian peaks. Actress Ryder or Keegan. Goulash.

7. Japanese robe. Aleutian island.

Actor Gooding Jr. or singer Gooding Sr.

1 Muse of poetry. Clothing. Actor McQueen or Zahn.

2. Actress Blanchett or Cohen. Nervous. Dig up

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. Seabird. Parsley unit. Actress Hamilton or Hunt

4. Actor Quaid or Hopper. Court panel. Three feet

5. Light on one’s feet. Actor Brolin or Spader. Hayseed

6. Austrian peaks. Actress Ryder or Keegan. Goulash.

7. Japanese robe. Aleutian island. Actor Gooding, Jr. or singer Gooding, Sr.

OPINION

Shade perennials add color, texture to wooded yard

ASHLEY JONES

When my family first moved into our home, our backyard was filled with tons of trees, invasive English ivy and not much else. I loved the privacy and shade that the trees provided but really felt the yard was lacking visual interest. I’m drawn to abundant, dense landscapes and find a lot of inspiration in naturalized-looking English gardens. I had the opportunity to work with a landscape designer on my yard a few years ago and was introduced to several plants that helped achieve that exact vibe in my North Fulton yard. Now that the yard is firmly established, here are the plants I would definitely use again:

1. Autumn fern

There are a few other ferns in my backyard, but these are my favorite. They are low maintenance and offer a unique leaf shape, which stays in the garden year-round. And what is better suited for the woods than a fern?! These plants are used as a border and tucked into a rock garden in my yard.

2. Azaleas

Yes, azaleas seem like a boring, played-out option… everyone has an azalea bush, right? That’s what I thought, mostly because I was used to seeing them planted in a row as a hedge alternative in front yards. Tucking this shrub in among dense trees gives it a chance to pop like a specimen plant, and because the plant grows tall, the flowers get to make a big show. I also like growing azaleas away from the house so they can grow with little to no pruning. Left on their own, the growth habit seems much airier and more natural. Azaleas come in a variety of colors to choose from; the plants in my yard are George L. Tabor.

3. Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’

Most of my plants had dark-colored foliage, and this lime-green mounding grass is a beautiful contrast. It doesn’t die back in winter, and because the leaves grow long and droop a bit, it makes quite a statement along the borders. I have this planted in my much sunnier front yard, and it does just as well as in the shade. Acorus was outcompeted by the lawn it was planted near, but the rock garden and borders in the shade garden have proved to be a perfect placement. Some trim the leaves in the fall/winter, but I leave it alone year-round.

4. Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’

Ajuga reptans is hands down my favorite plant in the yard. This variety has deep purple/emerald, evergreen leaves that form an extremely dense mat. The flowers pop up bright purple and last for months. I think it just looks so unique. I’m actually in the process of adding more of this to my yard; that’s how obsessed I am. This is planted as ground cover around my walkways and rock garden. It dies back a little in winter, but I have no bare spots, which I like. Ajuga comes in several varieties with different leaf and flower colors. The foliage is very tolerant of being walked on, the flowers not so much. Pollinators also love these flowers.

5. Hosta Halcyon

There are many hostas to choose from, but Halcyon stands out to me because of its leaf color and size. Growing up to five feet in diameter, these plants cover a large

amount of space, and the blue-green color of the leaves makes for an interesting addition to the landscape. Hostas do have a couple of caveats. They die back to the crown in the winter, so you will need to mulch over the area during the cold months to avoid bare dirt.

Hostas are also a favorite food for deer. Unless you have a fenced yard, you will need to protect them by continually spraying with repellant or cover with a layer of bird

About the author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Ashley Jones Brodkin, who has been a Master Gardener since 2024. Her passion is recreating naturalized landscapes for entertaining and has recently been devoted to learning more about herbalism, permaculture and edible landscapes.

netting. The bird netting is barely visible from a distance and is a great deterrent.

6. Aucuba japonica Variegata (Gold Dust)

This shrub has dense, evergreen foliage and is great as a backdrop or a screen. I love the dark green foliage with golden flecks, and it thrives in full shade. In fact, I have one plant that sits in mid-day sun, and it really struggles. My full-shade plants are doing much better.

This list of shade perennials has transformed my wooded yard into a vibrant and textured oasis. With careful planning and consideration of each plant's needs, you too can create a lush and inviting outdoor space even in the shadiest of areas.

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/.

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Football:

Continued from Page 1

“[Milton] is a great place with great coaches,” he said. “I’ve felt the best here than I have in any other place.”

His 55-yard touchdown to E.B. Bailey, a transfer from Chattahoochee High School, gave the Eagles their only lead of the game in the first quarter.

Milton junior Jordan Carrasquillo led the team in receptions with three for 44 yards and one touchdown. The score came when Baker was sitting due to helmet trouble, when 14-year-old freshman Trey Hasan kicked off his Milton career with a 28-yard touchdown to Carrasquillo in Hasan’s fifth down and second pass attempt as an Eagle.

Milton coach Ben Reaves remarked that after two years of great success, the team is ready to be back in its former “underdog” role.

“We’re hungry to prove ourselves,” he said. “With youth, with inexperience, it’s tough to make all the plays, but by the time we get into the playoffs, we have a 10-game season ahead of us. The way that we played, the way that we work, we will be ready to make all those plays.”

Returning to being underdogs has included what Reaves describes as “reloading, not rebuilding.” He explained some of his stars would be playing on both sides of the ball this year, which was not required until the state championship game last season.

The Eagles will get back on the horse Aug. 22, traveling to Orlando, Florida, for a game against The First Academy for the Royals’ season opener.

Tax:

Continued from Page 1

“I think we provide exceptional service, and I think our tax dollars go further here than anywhere else,” Mayor Peyton Jamison said.

The taxes go toward services such as public safety, public work, parks and recreation and community development.

City officials also adopted a separate calculated millage rate of .310 for the greenspace bond. This will cover the principal and interest associated with the voter-approved $25 million bond for preservation of properties as greenspace.

Revenue from the 2025 levy will fund the 2026 budget. As of Aug. 11, at the budget workshop session, proposed general fund expenditures for fiscal year 2026 stand at $49.4 million.

State law required the city to advertise the proposed tax rate for the year as an increase, because it exceeded the rollback rate of 3.823 mills, which would generate the same revenue as last year. Looking ahead, the City Council will hold two public hearings for the fiscal year 2026 budget. The hearings will

AAPPEN PRESSCLU B

DEATH NOTICES

Christine Beldowicz, 54, of Roswell, passed away on July 31, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Donna Dutkiewicz, 61, of Roswell, passed away on July 24, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Dora Freeman, 93, of Roswell, passed away on July 27, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Samuel Harrington, 90, of Roswell, passed away on July 24, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Robert McGarry, 84, of Alpharetta, passed away on July 26, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

James Puckett, 72, of Roswell, passed away on July 28, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

at the City Council meeting Sept. 3 and 15 at 6 p.m. City officials plan to adopt the budget at the Sept. 15 meeting.

Lavone Rippeon, 86, of Roswell, passed away on July 26, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Donald Slappey, 74, of Roswell, passed away on July 25, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Nancy Veasy, 76, of Alpharetta, passed away on July 25, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Delouris West, 82, of Roswell, passed away on July 26, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Malcolm Young, 54, of Alpharetta, passed away on July 23, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Request for Proposals

Auto Body Repair Services - Citywide RFP NUMBER

25-PD01

Proposal Due Date:

September 11, 2025, by 2:00PM Local Time Electronic submission via: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bidsrfps

Names for submissions received will be publicly announced via a virtual bid opening at approximately 2:30 PM at the City of Milton City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004. The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the highest scoring Offeror whose proposal meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the request for proposals.

The City of Milton is seeking proposals from qualified parties to provide services for fleet vehicle body repairs on an as needed basis for the City of Milton. All qualified proposals will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin.

The request for electronic proposals for RFP 25-PD01, Auto Body Repair Services - Citywide will be posted on the following websites the week of August 21, 2025:

https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-rfps and https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/

Invitation to Bid

Crabapple Multi Use Trail Project ITB NUMBER

25-PW08

Bid Due Date:

September 10, 2025, by 2:00PM Local Time

Electronic submission via: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bidsrfps

Bid submissions will be publicly announced via a virtual bid opening at approximately 2:30 PM at the City of Milton City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder whose bid meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the invitation for bids.

The City of Milton is requesting bids from qualified parties to provide services for the construction of a concrete multi-use trail along Crabapple Road and Green Road in Milton, Georgia. This work includes Fulton County Water Main installation as well as new stormwater installation. All qualified bids will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin. The time and terms of payment, along with the conditions, cost of plans and specifications can be found in the solicitation of bids posted on the websites below. A bid bond of 5% is required when submitting bid response.

The request for electronic bids for ITB 25-PW08, Crabapple Multi Use Trail Project will be posted on the following websites the week of August 14, 2025: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-rfps and https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the full-time Administrative Assistant position. The responsibilities of this critical role are to provide a wide variety of administrative tasks primarily to the President and other department leaders as needed. Duties include board meeting preparation, report preparation, general correspondence.

The Administrative Assistant takes initiative, can multitask and remain very organized. They play a vital role in helping keep the NFCC leadership team organized and productive.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications or another relevant field, at least two years of administrative experience and enjoy project management and coordination, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

CHEP USA seeks Senior Director, Digital Customer Solutions in Alpharetta, GA to Develop a strategy to grow market share. Telecommuting permitted up to 3 days per week. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com/Ref# 14916.

To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com. Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm

Senior App/Prod Support needed by AT&T Services, Inc. in Alpharetta, GA [Hybrid position] to work as a liaison and escalation point for clients and other IT organizations as a subject matter expert across the business and applications towers for the business processes they represent. 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-78041.

Manager, IT Operations at Landis + Gyr Technology, Inc. (Alpharetta, GA). Support & administration of Software & Services database infrastructure. Reqts: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or related field + 5 yrs of exp in database architecture & administration. Exp must include 5 yrs each of the following: SQL level troubleshooting for Oracle, MSSQL & Postgres databases; supervising/managing team; No-SQL database platforms such as BigQuery & Mongo; SQL scripting; BCP / DR solutions for database platforms; implementing & managing database backup & recovery procedures; overseeing the design, implementation, & maintenance of database solutions; managing data security & access; creating & modifying data structures to ensure efficient data storage & retrieval; data audits & checks; conducting performance tests & evaluating metrics to optimize database performance. Exp may be gained concurrently. To apply, please send resume via email to lisa.hudson@landisgyr.com or mail to Landis + Gyr Technology, Inc., c/o Lisa Hudson, 30000 Mill Creek Ave, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Please reference job title (Manager, IT Operations).

Principal Engineer, System Security Architect at Landis + Gyr Technology, Inc. (Alpharetta, GA). Audit system architecture & high-level designs prior to execution by the Development team to ensure designs minimize or eliminate the security vulnerability of Landis+Gyr’s (“L+G”) products, solutions, & services. Reqts: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic or Software Engineering + 5 yrs of exp in the job offered or 5 yrs of exp in software architecture. Exp must include 5 yrs each of the following: product architecture for an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Head End System; architecting product to incorporate security features; & integrating third party security solutions into products. Security certification such as CISSP or CCSP. Exp may be gained concurrently. To apply, please send resume via email to lisa.hudson@landisgyr.com or mail to Landis + Gyr Technology, Inc., c/o Lisa Hudson, 30000 Mill Creek Ave, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Please reference job title (Principal Engineer, System Security Architect).

Ryder System, Inc. seeks Data Developer IV in Alpharetta, GA to design and develop database objects, queries, Stored Procedures, SSIS packages, and other tasks related to maintaining data. Telecommuting permitted. Apply @ www.jobpostingtoday.com/ Ref #25213.

Ryder System, Inc. seeks Application Development Lead in Alpharetta, GA to participate and provide input into the design, redesign and development of technology products and applications. Telecommuting permitted. Apply @ www.jobpostingtoday.com/ Ref #41405.

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