Milton Herald - July 30, 2026

Joyful Soles pairs campers with first responders

By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — During the summer, educational visits from first responders, including local fire and police departments, are among the best parts of kids’ stays at Camp Joyful Soles in Milton.

The camp, put on by the city’s parks and recreation department, is a seven-week outing for children ages 13 to 22 with mild to moderate disabilities. It brings in 35 campers, aiming to give them active, meaningful experiences that build connections and confidence.

Camp Manager Brooke Nolan has worked with the camp for 10 years, spending the last several as its head. She said firefighters visit each Monday followed by police each Tuesday. The visits have been ongoing for as long as she can remember, offering a mix of educational opportunities and personal touchpoints with those who may help campers in a crisis.

“I think it’s good for them to have interactions with first responders outside of an emergency … [also, it gives them the] opportunity to learn a little bit more and be comfortable,” Nolan said.

See JOYFUL, Page 26

Tax digest delay puts Fulton County finances at risk

By HANNAH YAHNE &

ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE

hannah@appenmedia.com

erlandrya@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County needs a Superior Court judge’s permission to begin collecting 2026 property taxes after delays finishing this year’s tax digest. Without that approval, the county risks missing debt payments and being

unable to pay employees, while cities and the school system risk losing out on tax revenue and the ability to make their own financial decisions.

The county’s Board of Commissioners approved a petition seeking a court order July 15. If a judge agrees, the county will remain on track to bill property owners by Aug. 15 with a payment due date of Oct. 15. However, property owners would be taxed at the 2025 millage rate.

said her office was hoping to propose this year’s millage rate and begin the subsequent public hearing process, but a backlog of 292 unprocessed land packages has resulted in an unfinished tax digest. Those packages represent about 1,000 land parcels, many of which are not residential, according to Commissioner Dana Barrett.

See FULTON, Page 25

NEWS TIPS

770-442-3278

AppenMedia.com

319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

HANS APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus CONTACT

Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance.

ADVERTISING

For information about advertising in the Milton Herald or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@ appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

CIRCULATION

To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

Grandmother charged in toddler’s Roswell pool drowning

By ATLANTA NEWS FIRST

ATLANTA, Ga. — The grandmother of a 2-year-old boy who drowned at a Roswell apartment complex in June has been charged in his death, according to arrest warrants.

Emelisa Paz-Santos was booked July 15 in the Fulton County Jail on felony second-degree cruelty to children and misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of her grandson Axel Delgado.

She also has a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold, jail records show.

On the night of June 21, Roswell police responded to The Lake House at Martin’s Landing after reports of a young child drowning at the clubhouse pool.

There, first responders provided aid to the child, who died the next day at a hospital Investigators determined Paz-Santos was in charge of supervising Delgado at the pool, but she “failed to provide adequate supervision” for “an extended period of time,” according to the arrest warrants.

Appen Media partner Atlanta News First provided this story.

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.

Man charged with DUI after crash into Roswell shop

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police charged an Alpharetta man with driving under the influence after his car crashed into a bottle shop on Houze Road July 14. When given a breathalyzer test, police reported the man had a breath alcohol concentration of .277 and was unable to complete field sobriety evaluations.

Police arrived after 7 p.m. to find a Nissan Rogue embedded in the front doors and windows of the store. According to bystanders, the car reversed in the parking lot and backed into a light pole

Roswell police responded to The Lake House at Martin’s Landing June 21 after reports of a child drowning at the clubhouse pool.

before accelerating rapidly into the front of the building. The 59-year-old suspected driver was in the bathroom when police arrived.

While interacting with police, police said the man had droopy eyelids, a staggering walk and the odor of alcohol on his breath. When asked about the crash, the man admitted he “had too much to drink” and said the crash was caused by a vehicle malfunction.

The man said he drank alcohol early that morning but could not remember how much. He consented to field sobriety exams but allegedly struggled to balance and follow instructions.

Officers arrested the driver and charged him with driving under the influence and reckless driving. They transported him to a hospital to be treated for injuries sustained during the collision, drew his blood for state-administered chemical testing and booked him into Cherokee County Jail.

— Hannah Yahne

THE PICTURE FRAMER HAS

• Canvas Stretching, Rugs, Mirrors

• Round, Oval and Float Frames

• Sports & Military Memorabilia

• Shadowboxes & Specialty Mounts

• Frame Repairs & Touch-Ups

Erratic driver strikes mailbox, flees street

ROSWELL, Ga. — A driver knocked down a mailbox in a neighborhood on Old Oak Trace the evening of July 14 after residents observed a car speeding and moving erratically.

Before 10 p.m., a resident saw a sedan parked in the cul-de-sac before it accelerated suddenly, jumping the curb before briefly stopping in front of his house. The vehicle struck a mailbox as it sped away.

When a Roswell officer arrived, residents said an unknown vehicle had been driving erratically through the neighborhood and had nearly struck several parked vehicles.

None of the residents had surveillance footage that captured a clear description of the suspect’s vehicle or license plate.

— Hannah Yahne

Modern Farmhouse

Seasonal View Hawks Ridge Golf Club

1380 NEWT GREEN

CUMMING, GA 30028

5 BD | 5 BR | 2 HB 4.11 ACRES (+/-)

offered for $2,199,000

ROAD

Multi-Generational Living Option

Crabapple District

12190 CHARLOTTE

ALPHARETTA, GA 30004

DRIVE

6 BD | 4 BR | 2 HB 3.31 ACRES (+/-)

offered for $2,450,000

Milton extends data center freeze for 180 more days

By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — The Milton City Council extended a 180-day freeze on data center development July 20, following resident pushback over the potential for such facilities to be built in the city.

Data centers house technology infrastructure for powering applications, like artificial intelligence programs. Communities across the U.S. are grappling with how to regulate these projects, which require significant amounts of energy and water to operate.

The council first held a public hearing for the resolution establishing the data center moratorium. Under this freeze, according to the council, the city would not accept any applications for rezoning or permits to build a data center.

Residents Stanford Roth and Richard Desjes spoke and said they were opposed to the overall idea of data centers in Milton.

Roth advised the council to hold a special meeting concerning data centers to hear the public’s perspective. He said expenses behind data centers could go into the billions of dollars.

“Going forward on something this scale … the expenses are in the billions,” Roth said. “Not millions, billions, and you have to have certain services to be able to sustain this type of situation. You have to have infrastructure in place, which is a very expensive proposition. The only winners I see in the situation

are the people that owned the [data center] property, the people that are going to develop the property and the owners of the facility.”

Desjes shared his view on the environmental impacts of data centers and

emphasized investing in the future of the city.

“I don’t know if everybody knows this, but we’re in the next industrial revolution. AI and robots are going to change society forever,” Desjes said. “It’s not hyperbole. Everything people do daily relies on data centers. I’ve been doing this for 40 years; I’ve been through the internet. I’ve been around the regular data centers, and the data centers today are none of the data centers that were in the past. They’re not building it in a very efficient way.”

The council passed the moratorium with a unanimous vote.

Council members also heard from Pamela Rochelle, chief operating officer for the Fulton County government, who spoke about a new behavioral health and human services facility that opened in April on North Point Parkway in Alpharetta.

She said the facility offers behavioral health outpatient services for children and adults, an intellectual developmental disabilities training center for adults, wellness and caregiver programs, preventative health and screenings, and court-supervised treatment for DUI offenders.

See MILTON, Page 26

North Fulton nonprofit gives 1,300 students school supplies

By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — North Fulton Community Charities provided more than 1,300 local students with school supplies after a strong response to its annual call for donations.

Around 200 volunteers collected supplies — binders, dividers, composition notebooks, backpacks and more — July 20-22. They then sorted and filled backpacks for students who might need them. The group had strong demand from its clients, distributing supplies through July 25.

North Fulton Community Charities started the school supply drive in 1998. It partnered with Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, which helped found the nonprofit organization in 1982. Seven more churches soon joined the effort to collect and distribute school supplies.

SaraSpring Weston, the nonprofit’s community engagement manager, said the drive’s success depends on the generosity of people throughout the area.

“Everything is donated to

us, whether that’s through faith organizations, civic organizations, business and corporate groups … it’s the community standing up and bringing all of it,” Weston said.

The nonprofit provides other services for local families, including food, clothing and financial assistance as well as skills workshops. Current clients served by the group — families who have used its services in the past 12 months — were eligible to receive school supplies.

“We know how many people are in their household, so we know how many children, how many backpacks to have ready,” Weston added.

Debbie Halper has volunteered with the nonprofit for more than 10 years. She said her favorite part of her service is interacting with people and “seeing their faces.”

“I do the food pantry also, and we get to know people … and find out things about them,” she said.

Weston said she estimated the group gave supplies to 450 elementary schoolers, 500 middle schoolers and 400 high schoolers. Any remaining supplies were distributed to other area nonprofits and schools.

Just opened?

Brazilian steakhouse picks Dunwoody for expansion

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Adega Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse is working to open its first Georgia location in the Twelve24 mixed-use development at 1224 Hammond Drive by the end of the year.

This location will mark the brand’s first expansion outside Florida, bringing its authentic Southern Brazilian churrasco and tableside rodizio experience to metro Atlanta.

“Dunwoody is exactly the kind of community where we believe Adega Gaucha can thrive,” CEO Ricardo Oliveira said. “Guests here appreciate quality, hospitality and memorable dining experiences. We are proud to bring the warmth and tradition of Southern Brazil to Twelve24 … we believe this will be a very special restaurant for the area.”

At the heart of the experience at Adega Gaucha is its full churrasco, a continuously rotating selection of premium, fire-grilled cuts including

picanha, beef ancho, filet mignon and lamb chops carved tableside by Gaucho chefs. It aims to give guests a glimpse into the authentic tradition of Brazil’s Southern cattle ranches and a full rodizio, or all-you-can-eat, experience.

Guests are also invited to explore an expansive gourmet table featuring curated fresh salads, traditional Brazilian sides and imported delicacies.

The Dunwoody location will also offer an a la carte menu, giving guests the flexibility to enjoy select dishes, premium cuts, appetizers and lighter dining options at the bar, during lunch or for a more casual visit.

The new location will occupy the former Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant space at Twelve24, a 345,000-square-foot mixed-use development spanning 16 floors in Dunwoody’s Perimeter Center. Hannah Yahne

‘This Story Might Save Your Life’ author to speak at Roswell library

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com

It’s not often that a debut author’s freshman effort garners over 140,000 Good Reads reviews in just four months. But Tiffany Crum’s “This Story Might Save Your Life” has done exactly that.

Atlanta Authors will spotlight Crum detailing her book and whirlwind publishing journey Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. Ahead of that conversation with local author Carlie Walker, Crum answered a few questions.

Q: You were raised on a dairy farm near which maximum-security prison?

A: I grew up in Chino, Calif., just down the road from the California Institution for Men. Other than the prison, we had very few neighbors, just thousands of cows and a billion flies.

Q: When did you move to Metro Atlanta?

A: My husband and I moved here in 2021 after spending almost two decades in Los Angeles, where I had a variety of jobs over the years, including working as an executive assistant and later doing bookkeeping for my husband’s production company.

Q: When did you decide to become an author?

A: Writing wasn’t something I stumbled into overnight. It was a long process of learning the craft, writing multiple manuscripts, and figuring out what kind of stories I wanted to tell before I finally wrote the book that sold. I’ve wanted to be a novelist for a long time. I decided to seriously pursue writing when my son was born, and he’s 19 now, so this has definitely been a long journey.

Q: What proved instrumental in getting published?

A. I earned an MFA in creative writing and spent years writing literary fiction before realizing my heart was really in mystery and suspense. Like many authors, I wrote several novels before writing the one that found a publisher. The previous manuscripts will never see the light of day, but that’s OK. I’ve thanked them for making me a better writer and moved on.

Q: Was the novel penned in Atlanta?

A: Yes, I wrote “This Story Might Save Your Life” after moving to Georgia.

Q: Can you sum up the accolades and honors your book has so far amassed?

A: The response has been far beyond anything I imagined. “This Story Might Save Your Life” debuted as a New York Times bestseller and has since been named

one of the best books of the year by Amazon, Indigo and Spotify. It was also a Book of the Month Main Selection, a LibraryReads pick, and a BBC Radio 2 Book Club selection, and it’s being translated into 23 languages.

Q. Touch on yet another development, the TV adaptation.

A. We’re still very early in the TV process, and anyone who’s spent time around Hollywood knows there’s a long and unpredictable road between an option and seeing something on screen, but I’m crossing my fingers.

Q. What has most surprised you since the novel’s March release?

A. I hoped people would find the book, but I never imagined how many would have read it by this point. That’s been the biggest surprise. Hearing from readers around the world and realizing the story has reached far more people in just four months than I could’ve ever dreamed, has been incredibly surreal. I’m immensely grateful.

Q: Have you and your presentation partner, Carlie Walker, collaborated previously?

A: Carlie and I actually just met at the last event we did together, but I’m already a fan. One of my favorite parts of becoming an author has been getting to know other writers, especially here in Georgia. Writing is such a solitary job, so it’s always a treat to spend an afternoon talking books with someone who truly understands the ups and downs of this business.

Q: What are you planning for Atlanta Authors?

A: Attendees can expect a fun, relaxed conversation about writing and publishing, along with plenty of time for audience questions. I hope readers come for the mystery but stay for the friendship.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I’m currently writing my second novel, which has also been picked up by Flatiron.

There is no charge to attend Crum’s Atlanta Authors event, but registration is required at eventbrite.com/e/ atlanta-authors-presents-tiffany-crumtickets-1989374592960.

For more information, go to AtlantaAuthorsGa.com.

Roswell teacher shapes wood, music and lives

By STANLEY LEARY newsroom@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Erik Herndon describes his longtime friend and bandmate Seth Gamba, an orchestra director who teaches elementary and middle school students in Roswell, as a man without limits.

“I don’t think there’s anything Seth can’t do,” Herndon said.

“I’m not joking. He’s brilliant. I think we used to use the term like Renaissance man,” Herndon added. “I know that’s getting harder to do in today’s world because there’s so much out there to learn and do. But this guy, I’ve seen him; he made me a guitar pedal from scratch, engineered it, soldered it, did the circuitry.”

Herndon said Gamba wired up a recording studio himself, teaching himself to be a studio engineer and mastering the software along the way.

He’s watched Gamba pick up nearly any instrument and play it at a high level.

Seth Gamba is a professional bass player who specializes in string education, a background that puts him in daily contact with students learning to play their first instrument, even as he continues to perform at a high level himself.

That range shows up just as clearly in Gamba’s woodworking. Working out of his home shop, Gamba hand-turns bowls and vessels almost entirely from wood sourced within walking distance of his front door.

“I usually play up the local angle,” Gamba said of how he describes the work to customers.

The majority of the wood he uses — about 85% — comes from the street where he lives, pulled from tree services removing trees from neighbors’ yards or his own. He estimates he’s found wood from close to half the yards on his street.

What draws him to wood turning, he said, is that it’s a tree-to-finished process — he doesn’t buy pre-cut lumber from a home improvement store. He cuts the log himself and carries it through to a finished piece someone can use, enjoy, or pass down as an heirloom.

Gamba brings that same handson instinct to his own playing. He composes original music, which he posts on gambamusic.com, and recently helped form a blues band, where he plays upright bass and electric violin. The group’s first performance is set for August.

Music has connected Gamba to a tight circle of fellow teacher-musicians for two decades. Herndon, also an

Today Gamba plays in a newer project alongside Herndon and Jay Champion, who teaches chorus and music technology at Lost Mountain Middle School in Kennesaw. Champion said he’s known Gamba for more than a decade through the music educators’ community, largely through Champion’s wife, who also teaches orchestra.

“This is certainly the most I’ve gotten to know him,” Champion said of playing alongside Gamba. “It’s a real pleasure to get to make music with him and get to know him as a musician and share this experience.”

love with it — but the two feed each other.

“I teach music, and therefore the music that I get to play enhances my teaching and vice versa,” he said. Before returning to the classroom, he worked as a professional musician full-time — and, in his words, was poor and without insurance.

Beyond the music and the woodworking, Herndon points to something simpler about his friend.

“He’s got a good moral and ethical compass. I don’t know, I don’t see that in everybody. But I know that this guy shoots straight,” Herndon said.

orchestra director, met Gamba around 2005 through a shared mentor teacher.

“That lady kept telling me, ‘Oh, you should meet Seth. You guys would hit it off,’” Herndon said.

The two hit it off immediately and began making music together, eventually forming a group called The Expats that ran nearly nine years before the pandemic ended it, followed by a five-year run with a group called the Vesna Quartet.

For Champion, playing outside the classroom isn’t a side hobby — it’s part of what makes him a better teacher.

“Music teachers have to keep themselves musically centered. I can’t let middle school choral music be the only music in my life,” he said. He’s sung in choirs and played piano at his church since he was 15.

Herndon sees the same pattern in his own career. He said many musicians end up teaching to piece together a living, and many fall in

It’s that combination — a professional bassist who teaches strings, builds guitar pedals from scratch, turns bowls from his neighbors’ fallen trees, and still finds time to help launch a new band — that keeps drawing comparisons to a bygone kind of craftsman. Whether at a lathe or with an instrument in hand, Gamba’s work follows the same instinct: take something raw and carry it all the way through to something finished.

Tune-Up Projects

Kitchen Tune-Up

Paint Cabinets

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

New Backsplash

Cut Down 2-level

Island

Bathroom Tune-Up

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

Enlarge Shower

Shower Glass

Shower Safety

Full Remodel Projects

Kitchen Remodel

Total Cabinet Replacement

Large Island

Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations

Open Concept –Move Walls

Open to the Public OPEN SATURDAYS

9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat

Showroom – Design Center 10591 Old Alabama Rd. Connector Alpharetta, GA

(near Northpoint Mall)

Bathroom Remodel

New Larger Shower

Vanity Replacement –Cabs, Counter, Sink

Free Standing Tub

Floor Tile, Wall Tile

Plumbing Fixtures

Kitten college provides training to cat rescuers

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Foster families are the secret behind one of the Humane Society of Forsyth County’s most impressive statistics.

Kittens are adopted after an average stay of just three days.

That’s one of the reasons behind a grant obtained by the Humane Society to fund a two-hour Kitten College seminar for kitten fosterers and cat rescue organizations from throughout the region, said Diviya Roney, Humane Society cat programs and client services director.

“The more foster homes that we can create, the more lives we can save,” Roney said.

The class focused on care for one of rescues’ most vulnerable pets. Neonatal, or infant kittens, were historically euthanized by many shelters because they require specialized care. But Kitten College CEO and founder Marnie Russ said they can grow into easily adoptable kittens.

“That same kitten that was just euthanized in two weeks will be the first thing adopted out,” Russ said.

Russ, who is based out of Montana and Washington, D.C., visits with rescuers across the nation through her nonprofit Kitten College. Established in 2024, the organization teaches people how to take care of neonatal kittens.

On July 13, in the midst of kitten season, she gave a presentation to about 50 local rescuers at the Forsyth County Administration Building.

The course covered everything from conducting intake exams and daily weight checks to weaning to assisting kittens in passing waste.

Born deaf and blind, newborn kittens are extraordinarily dependent and especially susceptible to disease and infection, Russ said. They are unable to maintain their own body temperature and can become unresponsive without blankets and warmth.

When orphaned, they must be bottle-fed with care to avoid aspiration.

Even with the right care, the heartbreaking truth is that many will not survive, Russ said. Nevertheless, every effort to save them is worthwhile.

“That kitten was allowed to be on this earth for that amount of time, and you gave it the best life,” Russ said. “So, no matter what you did, you saved it.”

With Forsyth County’s animal shelter already at capacity, the need for fostering is more important than ever.

Jenny Belafi, director of Forsyth County Animal Services, said the county-run facility is inundated with cats. The shelter, 4065 County Way, is currently offering cats for adoption without any fee until Labor Day.

“We’re currently, I hate to say, overwhelmed,” Belafi said. “All of our cages are full. We brought in kiosks to put cats in.”

Cats give birth most frequently from spring through early fall, meaning many Forsyth County residents are bringing “litter after litter” of orphaned kittens, Belafi said. The county’s sheriff has authorized funds to spay and

neuter about 400 stray cats, most of which will be sent back into the community.

Per Georgia Department of Agriculture regulations, only government animal control agencies or their contracted partners can impound stray animals. Any stray cats and kittens must first be processed through the county shelter before licensed rescue groups like the Humane Society can take them in and find them homes.

The Humane Society relies on its army of foster families to socialize and care for kittens, especially newborns, so they can become mature and friendly enough for adoption, Roney said.

“It is built on fosters and volunteers,” she said.

Neonatal kittens especially do far better when cared for outside of shelter settings, she said.

The goal is to house cats at the Humane Society for as short as possible to avoid stress or infectious disease.

“Neonates are the most vulnerable. They do not belong in shelters. They do not belong in county shelters,” Roney said. “They literally belong in homes until they are healthy, weaned and old enough to be adopted.”

Sarah Hamilton, a Forsyth County nurse and self-described “crazy cat lady” who has fostered for years, said she is happy to help. Whether it’s socializing cats or quarantining them, the work is important, albeit sometimes demanding, she said.

“If they didn’t have enough fosters, they might just die out on the street,” Hamilton said. “They might get eaten. They might die from disease. They might starve.”

Caring for kittens comes with its own rewards, but she also takes comfort in the knowledge they will one day find loving homes.

“They’re very cute. They’re very sweet,” she said. “It’s really great to watch one go from tiny and sick to healthy.”

World Cup: MARTA logs 4.7M rail trips, no major crimes

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA, Ga. — Across 35 days of World Cup matches, fan festivals, concerts and other associated events, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority provided around 4.7 million rail passenger trips.

“Team MARTA showed up and showed out during the World Cup tournament, providing frequent service, ensuring the system was secure and riders were safe,” Jonathan Hunt, MARTA interim general manager and CEO, said.

On match days, MARTA experienced approximately 2 to 3.5 times its normal daily rail ridership, generating an average of nearly 130,000 additional rail passenger trips each day. Fan festivalonly days generated an average of 37,000 additional rail passenger trips per day, resulting in daily rail ridership approximately 1 to 2 times the normal ridership.

Hundreds of MARTA transit ambassadors worked alongside 100 multilin-

gual FIFA volunteers throughout the tournament to help visitors navigate the public transportation system and downtown Atlanta.

MARTA police officers, along with law enforcement from other local jurisdictions and Denver transit, patrolled trains, buses and their stations, in addition to staffing response teams in case of emergencies. A press release from MARTA said these efforts resulted in no major crimes reported and the apprehension of three suspects wanted for previous violent incidents.

Hunt thanked law enforcement officers, frontline staff and transit ambassadors for their dedicated work and applauded MARTA passengers for their ridership.

“Whether you were headed to a match, fan festival, watch party or one of the many celebrations, concerts and events around our region or to work, to run errands, or to a holiday get together, thank you for trusting us and for riding with us during this historic summer,” Hunt said.

Decatur watches USA's World Cup run end against Belgium

By DEAN HESSE dean@appenmedia.com

DECATUR, Ga. — Thousands of soccer fans packed Decatur Square on Monday, July 6, hoping to watch the U.S. pull off a FIFA World Cup upset during Decatur WatchFest '26.

"I'm hoping we win. I'm hoping we come back and beat them this time," said Mika Thomas of Decatur.

It didn't happen. The U.S. men's national team bowed out of the tournament as Belgium won 4-1 in the round of 16 at Lumen Field in Seattle, rebranded Seattle Stadium for the tournament. The loss stretched Belgium's unbeaten streak to 18 games.

Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere scored in the ninth minute, and U.S. midfielder Malik Tillman answered with a free kick in the 31st minute to tie the game 1-1. Belgium responded less than two minutes later and never trailed again, adding two more goals in the second half to seal the 4-1 result. Belgium advanced to face Spain in the quarterfinals Friday, July 10, in Los Angeles.

—

Forsyth soccer fans see Spain earn World Cup win

By JAMIE GODIN newsroom@appenmedia.com

CUMMING, Ga. — Local soccer fans gathered Sunday afternoon at The Collection at Forsyth for a FIFA World Cup watch party, where the championship match between Spain and Argentina was shown on a large outdoor screen in the shopping center parking lot.

In addition to watching the match, attendees took part in family-friendly activi-

ties including face painting and a soccer ball decorating station.

Music played throughout the afternoon as a DJ kept the event moving, asking fans which team they were cheering for. Spain drew the louder response from the crowd before scoring the lone goal of the match to defeat Argentina 1-0 and capture the World Cup title. As the final whistle sounded, Spain supporters erupted in cheers while Argentina fans looked on quietly.

— Photos by Jamie Godin

COMMUNITY

Sandy Springs teen assists at coin toss of FIFA World Cup

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Riverwood High student Nicholas Nackley got an experience of a lifetime. He served as a coin-toss assistant on June 18 for the South Africa versus Czechia World Cup match.

Nackley’s mom, Janey Riley, watching at home, received a flurry of messages from friends and one of her son’s teachers, who were in the stadium for the match and saw him on the Jumbotron.

Coca-Cola sponsored Special Olympics to send one athlete to be a coin-toss assistant at Atlanta Stadium, more commonly known as Mercedes-Benz. Nackley’s adaptive physical education teacher, Jason Russo, accompanied him to the game. Russo, who has been with Fulton County Schools for eight years, also teaches at Lake Forest and Heards Ferry Elementary Schools and serves as an assistant baseball coach for Riverwood.

In Russo’s class, students participate in different games and exercises to stay active. Among the most popular are bowling and track

and field. Students also play tennis, Unified Basketball and Wiffle ball.

Russo has worked with Nackley over the years both in school and as a coordinator for Special Olympics. Russo brings a team of students from Fulton County to the yearly Special Olympics Georgia games at Emory University to compete in track and field.

Nackley was selected for the cointoss ceremony because, as Russo put it, “fear is not in his vocabulary.” Even in front of tens of thousands of fans, Nackley relied on his experience acting in school plays at Riverwood to channel an inner calm.

After working together every day for the last four years, Russo and Nackley have developed a bond.

“He’s just a great kid,” Russo said. “He puts a smile on your face, always willing to give you a hug. Every day, he asks me how I’m doing and how my wife is doing; he truly cares about others.”

Russo said it’s a moment they will both remember for the rest of their lives.

Nackley is just one of many Special Olympics athletes who had an experience of a lifetime on the pitch this summer.

Kym Jordan, vice president of global corporate engagement at Special Olympics International, said their organization sent athletes to 18 2026 FIFA World Cup matches across the U.S. and Canada.

“It’s just really special to incorporate people with intellectual disabilities at this level of sport,” Jordan said. “Making sure that sport really encompasses everyone and is really leveling the playing field… that’s really our mission as well.”

Special Olympics has partnered with Coca-Cola for more than 50 years. Bringing athletes to the World

Cup is just the latest installment of a long-standing series of collaborations.

Megan Gausemel, vice president of marketing communications at Special Olympics International, spoke to the organization’s mission.

“Sport is for all, and we at Special Olympics drive that home,” Gausemel said. “We at Special Olympics say ‘Special Olympics is for everyone,’ because anyone can be a part of Special Olympics, whether it’s a volunteer, coach, referee or an athlete.”

Their staff has numerous future events in the works, including the women’s World Cup next year and future Olympic Games. At Special Olympics, the work never stops.

“Every single day throughout the year and all over the world, we offer sports for everyone and an equal playing field,” Gausemel said.

After initially being overwhelmed after arriving at the stadium and greeting a multitude of new faces, Russo said Nackley got into his comfort zone quickly and became his normal bubbly self.

T:\ADS_2025\Appen Media Group\Filler Ads\ Shop, Eat, Read Local

OPINION

PRESERVING THE PAST

Mountain Park celebrates a century of history

BOB MEYERS

Georgia is home to roughly 35–40 incorporated ultra small cities, each with about 500 or fewer residents.

Many of these towns were founded in the late 19th to mid-20th centuries to secure a post office, school district or railroad stop. Incorporation also offered local autonomy — their own government and taxing authority. Over time, some communities have faded from the map, while a handful continue to thrive.

Mountain Park, incorporated in 1927, has about 550 residents in an area of 0.5 square miles, making it the smallest city in Fulton County. Located on the North Fulton-Cherokee line between Roswell and Woodstock, it is wooded, has two lakes and mostly narrow roads. To those fortunate enough to live there, it is paradise.

Trish Hill is the city’s unofficial historian. She has lived in the community for 43 years and worked for one of the first computer distributorships during the pioneering days of the industry. Later, she and her husband, now deceased, developed a marketing agency with a specialty in international business.

She says that living in a very small town has many advantages.

“I live on a lake and enjoy the herons, turtles and ducks,” she says. “It is a city of trees and is very different from the hustle and bustle of a large city. There is a strong sense of community. We know each other. We are a diverse city with young people, old people and rich and not so rich. The Atlanta Journal used to say that going to Mountain Park was like going back 100 years and 100 miles north.”

Among the city’s founders were six businessmen operating together as the Mountain Park Improvement Club. Three of them were with Southern Railway, a major employer in the 1920s. Trish says that all the men and their wives were frequently featured in the social pages of various newspapers. The group’s attorney was Stephens Mitchell, president of the Atlanta Bar Association whose sister was Margaret Mitchell, author of “Gone with the Wind.”

In its early years before incorporation, the future lakeside city was known as a summer resort for Atlantans, many of whom drove to Mountain Park on roads of varying quality. A series of ads in the Atlanta Journal in 1925 promoted the sale of 1,000 50x150 “camp sites” at $10 each. The first lot was sold

on April 1, 1925, according to Trish’s research.

In 1929, the Atlanta Constitution reported that Mountain Park had “about a hundred cottages already built and occupied and more under construction. Many of Atlanta’s businesses and social clubs here have commodious clubhouses where their members and friends may spend weekends during the summer.”

In 1934, the Mountain Park Skeet Club opened as the newest skeet club in the area with traps installed in the community’s valley. One member was famous baseball star Nap Rucker. It is

no longer in operation.

The only store ever operated in the city was The Stand, a country store and restaurant with a dance floor adjacent to the neighborhood pool and a small jail. It was established in the late 1930s and closed in the late 1970s.

The Mountain Park Elementary School is part of the Fulton County School District and is in Roswell just outside the Mountain Park city limits.

A non-denominational Sunday school opened in 1956 which, according to Trish Hill, is the “longest standing continuous organization in Mountain Park other than the City Council.”

In 1989, Mountain Park became the first city in Georgia to require a recycling program.

The city has a volunteer Fire and Rescue Department and relies on Fulton County for police services. It also has contracts with Roswell for police and fire department services as needed.

The city is currently gearing up for next year’s centennial celebration.

Bill Kolbrener became mayor of Mountain Park 2 ½ years ago, following in the footsteps of longtime mayor Jim Still. The new mayor says, “I want to honor the past while taking the city to a new level.”

Bill has been a developer for the past 30 years, and he is using his experience to focus on some needed infrastructure and erosion control issues. He also wants to help Mountain Park become more involved with other Fulton County cities.

Bill says, “We are a great and proud city. We are also an anomaly. We have no income from businesses, so we must be wise and efficient with money. We are fortunate that we have a great local government team building on the strong foundation put in place by Jim Still.”

The history of Mountain Park invites all of us to appreciate a special place that enjoys a unique way of life.

Thanks to Jacqueline Venchi, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Crabapple/Roswell for suggesting this topic.

Best

Best

Best

Best

Best

Best

Best

Urgent Care Best Urology Best Vein Specialist

Veterinarian

RECREATION: Best Art Lessons/Studio

Community Event

Dance Lessons/Studio

Best Of North Atlanta 2026

Presented By

Best Date Night Hotspot

Best Day Spa / Massage

Best Farmers Market Best Golf Course

Best Group/Corporate Activity Best Gym / Fitness Facility Best Music Lessons

OPINION

Going home again, back to the water

You might not know this, but there was once a time when I didn’t fish for trout. Sure, I fished for other things — for bream, mostly, and usually with a glob of worms. Red wigglers were good. Super-jumpers were better. But catalpa worms, those colorful caterpillars from the trees down by the pond, were always best of all. It’s a fact, Dad would say, that you just can’t find a better bait for bream, even as he reminded one and all that the proper way to say it was “catawba.”

From the time I was about 12 years old, Dad always had a pond. The house he built for us back in the mid-60s had one, a nice little farm pond of about an acre. Near the upper end, where a tiny creek flowed in, we built a boat dock sized just right for the Sears aluminum john boat which was such an essential part of my childhood.

It was a nice pond. One bank was open and sunny; the other was shaded and dark and mysterious, especially right before rain on a summer afternoon.

What was it about an impending storm that always seemed to make the fishing better? The air got thick and heavy. The sky morphed from blue to gray, the same gray as a sheet of stainless steel. The wind slowed and then stopped completely. The earth held its breath. Premonition?

And then the bream went wild. You just knew you were going to catch a mess of fish. And we did too — big bream, lots of them, each bending the rod in a battle of epic proportions. We’d catch a mess of them and then clean them and carry them up to the kitchen, where Mom had hush puppies (made from cornbread mix and sweet onions and other stuff, but never from a recipe)

all mixed up ready to go. In the massive pot sitting on the stove, the grease was hot and ready for frying. Hush puppies went in first. Then, while those drained on paper towels folded over a big cookie sheet, she’d bread and salt and pepper the fish and set them in the hot grease, too, where they bubbled merrily until she deemed them just right.

By the time the fish were done, the hush puppies were cool enough to eat without burning your tongue. And then — then! — we’d sit at the round table, that platter of fried bream on the lazy Susan, and we would bask in heavenly bliss right here on earth until the platter was bare and the real world drifted back into view.

Oh, those bream … is it any wonder that I didn’t think about other fish? Is it any wonder, through those shimmering years between childhood and adolescent awakenings, that bream were the center of my universe?

Yeah, bream. But no trout.

The trout came a little later, and my spirit guide to their world was a buddy, Randy. Randy and I shared lots of interests — music, ham radio and fishing — but when it came to things piscatorial, Randy was sophisticated in a way that I was not.

Randy, you see, had gone beyond bream. Randy knew the ways of trout.

One day, somewhere during the high school years, he called me. I paraphrase shamelessly, but the conversation went something like this:

“Want to go trout fishing?” he asked.

Trout fishing! It was the holy grail. I’d read of it, but I’d never dabbled. Now, though, there was a way forward.

“Sure,” I said.

A couple of days later, early on a Saturday morning, he picked me up (in his pumpkin-orange Karmann Ghia) and off we went.

We were bound for Boggs Creek, the namesake stream of the U.S. Forest Service’s Boggs Creek Recreation Area up in Lumpkin County about 15 miles north of Dahlonega off U.S. 19/129. It’s easy to find — just go up 19/129 for about 15 miles, and watch for the brown-and-white sign announcing that you’ve arrived. The sign is about an eighth of a mile before you get to the access road, which turns right off the main highway.

Besides fishing, what will you find in the Boggs Creek Recreation Area today? Vehicle access is limited by a closed gate, but there’s picnicking before you reach it. Beyond the gate, foot travel opens up places that relatively few take the time to see, including waterfalls on Little Ridge Creek, a tributary to Boggs Creek proper.

But for us, that day, the trout were the thing. That’s why we were there.

We had with us two ultralight rods and a small container of bait. Wait. Bait? Not my hallowed latter-day flies? No sir, but I was younger then and can be forgiven. Or maybe forgiveness is not required. Maybe in my neophytic enthusiasm I’d just stumbled onto a great bit of trout-catching wisdom. I’ll let you decide.

Anyway, bait (specifically, mealworms) was what we had, and so mealworms were what we would use. They are the larval form of some sort of beetle and were, as I recall, kind of cream colored and each about an inch long. Randy told me they were the thing for trout, even better than catalpa worms were for bream.

I had high hopes.

We rode a while, and pretty soon we were there. Randy parked the Karmann Ghia, and we hiked a little bit to his secret spot (some things never change) and then hunkered down by the creek to talk it through.

“That’s where they are,” Randy said, pointing to a deep run that

flowed close by a big rock.

Randy, the expert, selected a mealworm and slipped it onto my hook.

“Cast it over there and let it drift through the deep water,” he said, and I did.

Right away I had a bite. I lifted the rod and hooked the fish and brought it in, a small rainbow trout about 6 inches long. It was the first of about a half dozen we caught over the next hour or so — and (I have to be truthful here) we kept them all and cleaned them right there and sprinkled on salt and pepper and cooked them over a tiny fire right beside the sparkling water. They were delicious.

That was a long time ago. So why, just the other day, did I decide to go see Boggs Creek again? I hadn’t been there even once since that fateful day in 1970-something, so why go now, a half a century later? Was I trying to rediscover the heady thrill of a first? Was I maybe trying to atone for trout caught on wormy things and cooked? I don’t know. But I went.

I wish I could now share with you an inspiring return-of-the-native narrative, an uplifting story of many trout now caught on tiny flies, a tale of justification or affirmation or some other such multi-syllabic arc of lofty prose.

But I can’t. I can only tell you the truth, and the truth is I didn’t catch a single fish. Not a one.

But that’s okay. Sometimes that happens. It’s the experience that matters, after all.

You know, there are things you always remember — things like the first time you kiss the love of your life … or the first time you catch a trout. They’re way different, those two things are, but they’re kind of the same too.

And you know what? That next kiss is even sweeter than the one before. Always.

Steve Hudson is an award-winning outdoor writer and fly fisherman.

Meet Ammi Williams, 1860 DeKalb landholder

In September 2025, I wrote about an 1860 DeKalb County map that combines land lot numbers, landholder names and 1986 road names. Some of the names in north DeKalb are familiar today, such as Powers, Ball, Tilly, Dunwody, McElroy and Chesnut. However, other names are individuals who bought land as an investment, never living on the property.

Ammi Williams was one of those people. In 1860, he owned Land Lots 349, 350 and 363 in the area between Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Ashford Dunwoody Road in today’s Dunwoody.

He also owned Land Lot 199 on Peachtree Road in Brookhaven, or Cross Keys as it was known then, next to early settler Solomon Goodwin.

In downtown Atlanta, he owned Land Lot 78 along with Judge Reuben Cone. Williams Street in Atlanta is named after Ammi Williams and Cone Street for Judge Cone.

He was born in Columbia, Connecticut, in 1780. He first saw Decatur, the town he would later make his home, on his way to Carroll County, Georgia. Williams brought enslaved people with him to work in the gold mines.

An 1840 survey of land lots in downtown Atlanta shows four lots. They include LL 52 owned by Lemuel P. Grant, 47 owned by Samuel Mitchell, 51 owned by the Hardy Ivy estate and 78 owned by Williams and Cone.

The first owner on record of Land Lot 78 was Jane Doss, a widow from Jackson County. Property consisting of 202.5 acres became available to purchase by lottery after Native Americans were forcibly removed. Widows who had lived in Georgia three years were given one lottery draw and widows of war veterans were allowed two draws.

The family home of Ammi Williams in Decatur was on Atlanta Avenue. He sold it to Benjamin Swanton in 1852. Swanton moved from Maine to Georgia in the 1830s to sell machinery to gold miners. The circa 1825 Benjamin Swanton home was moved in the mid-1960s to Adair Park on West Trinity Place in Decatur.

On the night of July 19, 1864, as the Federal Army came through Decatur, Brigadier Gen. Thomas W. Sweeney used the Swanton home for his headquarters.

In the 1840s Atlanta city officials became concerned that the city needed a new cemetery. Williams and Cone agreed to donate one acre of land and sell four adjoining acres to establish Oakland Cemetery in 1850. The four additional acres were sold for $100 per acre. Ammi Williams and his wife Laura Loomis are both buried at Oakland, as is Reuben Cone and his wife Lucinda. Oakland Cemetery includes 48 acres of land today.

Sources for this article include 1966 and 1975 articles in The Atlanta Constitution and dekalbhistory.org.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. Write her at pasttensega@ gmail.com. Learn more at pasttensega.com.

Fulton:

Continued from Page 1

Commissioner Bridget Thorne said the delay is happening because only one employee has been using Esri, the county’s geographic information system. That system integrates maps and records to analyze data for tax purposes. Chief Information Officer Keven Kerrigan said they are working to add more users to the platform.

Whitmore said staff members are actively working to resolve the issue that caused the delay, and they are also looking at how to ensure it does not happen again.

The backlog has prompted a number of issues. Without a court order allowing the county to move forward with interim collection, Fulton could risk being unable to pay its debts and employees. Government functions would be at risk of stopping, and the county’s credit rating would also be uncertain.

The ripple effects are also strong. The county’s school system and municipalities, which depend on the tax digest to set their own millage rates, have yet to be able to do so.

Downstream effects

Days after the Fulton commission voted to ask a judge to authorize interim collection, the city of Milton passed a resolution to join the petition.

City Manager Steven Krokoff said a prolonged interruption of property tax collections could put at risk city operations, employee paychecks and the payment of financial obligations. He said the matter is procedural and not a change in tax policy or a sign Milton is experiencing financial difficulties.

“The purpose of the resolution is to prevent a disruption before one occurs,” Krokoff added.

Ken Jerrard, city attorney for both Milton and Alpharetta, said the Alpharetta City Council is considering a similar resolution.

Johns Creek could also join in, with Assistant City Manager Kay Love saying its council will vote on the matter July 27.

Matt Holmes, director of communications and engagement for the

city of Roswell, said the situation does not halt his city’s process. Sandy Springs city officials said that, without figures, it is too early to release a statement on the matter.

Without the 2026 tax digest, the county school system’s short-term cash flow is also at risk. Local tax revenue projections total more than 60% of the system’s budget. Combined with a new homestead exemption that decreases the educational tax obligations owed by senior citizens, the district could see a drop in incoming funds.

Brian Noyes, chief communications officer for Fulton Schools, said a prolonged delay in the tax digest could affect the timing of incoming revenue and require the system to consider short-term financing options to meet its financial obligations while continuing to provide for students.

Commissioner Thorne was sympathetic to the school system’s troubles and said the court order could also help Fulton Schools.

“They’re blindly having to set budgets,” Thorne said. “And they have all these implications with new tax breaks for seniors. They don’t know how their tax digest has been affected by that.”

The county has yet to provide an estimate on the delivery date of the tax digest. County Commissioner Bob Ellis described the situation as unacceptable.

“You had one job and it didn’t get done,” Ellis said. “That’s a failure that impacts us and all of our jurisdictions.”

Processes and next steps

The process for assembling the tax digest begins with the Fulton County Board of Assessors appraising and assessing property. They provide those values to the county tax commissioner, who reviews the digest and certifies it. That official then sends the certified digest to the state revenue commissioner, historically around Aug. 1. The county can only bill and collect property taxes after the revenue

commissioner reviews and approves the digest.

Fulton County, however, is stuck in the appraisal and assessment stage. If a judge allows the county to move forward with collection without the new tax digest, interim tax bills will go out ahead of a final millage rate. Those bills would be calculated using 2026 assessed values, where available, but the 2025 millage rate. Commissioners are unable to set the 2026 millage rate without first having a state-mandated public hearing process.

If the judge approves that step, property owners will get the interim bill and later another property tax notice. That notice could come with an additional amount owed to the county or news of a refund from the county, Whitmore said.

A hearing on the matter has been set for 4 p.m. Aug. 4 in the Superior Court of Fulton County.

Notice of Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing shall be held at the City of Milton City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, Georgia 30004, on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. before the Milton City Council to consider a resolution transmitting the draft 2026 Capital Improvements Element (CIE) Annual Update report to the Atlanta Regional Commission for regional and State review per the requirements of the State’s Development Impact Fee Compliance Requirements adopted pursuant to the Georgia Planning Act of 1989. Said public hearing will be held in accordance with Section (9)(a) of Chapter 110-12-2-.04 of the State’s Development Impact Fee Compliance Requirements. Any persons wishing to be heard on the draft 2026 Capital Improvements Element (CIE) Annual Update report are invited to attend.

Milton:

Continued from Page 4

While the facility offers services during traditional business hours and some after-hours and during weekends, Rochelle said she wanted to clear up any future confusion about the operation.

“What this facility is not is a homeless shelter or housing facility,” Rochelle said. “This is not an acute care emergency receiving facility, and it is not a crisis center or a diversion center for public law enforcement or any sort of inpatient facility.”

The state has also approved funding for another such facility, she said.

In other business, the council

• Recognized Nan Buckner for service on the city equestrian committee.

Councilmember Phil Cranmer said, “What makes Nan’s service especially remarkable is not simply the impressive list of accomplishments, but the passion behind each one. Nan’s legacy is one of education, preservation, public safety and an unwavering commitment to protecting the equestrian heritage that defines the city.

• Discussed the fiscal year 2027 budget. Deputy City Manager Bernadette Harvill said, “Over the past three years, council has provided prioriti-

During these turbulent times,

zation timelines and feedback on topics, including sustainability, public art, land use, transportation and mobility, and parks and recreation, as well as existing major pilot projects. This feedback has been incorporated into our budget forecast work, and tonight, we are holding meeting No. 2 to ensure staff are in full alignment with council feedback and to provide council with an opportunity to see the budget in preparation for the process that will take place in our upcoming meetings.”

• Approved a task order with LJA Engineering Inc. for construction engineering and inspection services at the Morris Road widening project. The task order has a not-to-exceed amount of $220,460.10.

• Confirmed a $4,500 professional services agreement with Hatley Plans LLC for the 2026 capital improvements element annual update of the city’s development impact fee program.

• Authorized an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Alpharetta regarding land acquisition for the State Road 140/Arnold Mill Road at Green Road intersection improvement project.

An agenda item to consider issuing an alcoholic beverage license to Culinary Management of America, doing business as Gracious Gatherings at 12900 Arnold Mill Road, was removed by city staff prior to the meeting due to an application issue.

Locally Owned and Operated

Joyful:

Continued from Page 1

Firefighter Josh Boone said a typical visit includes setting up the fire engine’s ladder, letting campers see the inside of the vehicle and helping attendees put on firefighting gear.

Boone said he hopes that, beyond offering a fun experience, their visits teach the campers something.

“Hopefully, they know what we actually do and to be safe, that way they don’t need us, [and also to] know that we are friends here to help,” Boone said.

Nolan said the way campers engage with the fire engine varies.

“We’ll have some kids who are a bit more independent and will do it themselves, and then the other ones, the firemen will help them pull the hose,” she said. “Some kids will ask questions while other kids observe.”

Rhea Gupta, lead camp counselor, said watching the kids interact with the fire truck is the most exciting part of the visits.

“I really like when they do the water hose, it’s really fun — and they’ve recently started letting them sit in the

truck and be behind the wheel,” Gupta said.

Exposure to local police officers is equally important, camp staff said. Camp leaders said they enjoy watching campers build a rapport with law enforcement.

“They’ll come in and say it’s Monday, it’s fire department day, or it’s Tuesday, the police will be here, and of course, emergencies happen and there has been a time when they can’t make it,” Nolan said. “We like to tell them they’re off fighting crime or putting out fires.”

Camp Happy Hearts, a sister camp in Alpharetta, is where campers start their summer journeys. They can attend at age 6 and continue through age 12. The next summer, they move up to Camp Joyful Soles.

Nolan believes the age range and population they serve set the program apart from others in the area.

“We’re unique in the aspect of having kids come for the entire summer, all seven weeks of camp, and we’ve had kids that have been here as long as I’ve been here,” she said. “So, it’s nice that they can come here and stay with us for 10 years and be here every summer.”

For more information about Camp Joyful Soles, visit miltonga.gov.

DEATH NOTICES

Rose Barbarino, age 85, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 14, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Katie Brandon, age 91, of Milton, GA passed away on July 14, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Fred Casteel, age 89, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 15, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Kendall Hunnewell III, age 63, of Roswell, GA passed away on July 12, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Beverly Lindsey, age 93, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 11, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

William Orr, age 93, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 16, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Caroll Thomas, age 76, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on July 13, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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 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!

SPORTING IMPLEMENTS

1. Uniform material. Hockey necessity. Like Krypton.

2. Latin dance. Bawl out. Pub game piece.

3. Archery item. On one’s guard. Give up.

4. Moonfish. Soccer necessity. Brouhaha.

5. Curling playthings. Speaker’s platform. Auction shout.

6. Soup scoop. Winter warmer. Fencing item.

7. Golf item. Repair. Like hen’s teeth.

1 Uniform material. Hockey necessity. Like krypton

2. Latin dance. Bawl out. Pub game piece

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. Archery item. On one’s guard. Give up

4. Moonfish. Soccer necessity. Brouhaha

5. Curling playthings. Speaker’s platform. Auction shout.

6. Soup scoop. Winter warmer. Fencing item

7. Golf item. Repair. Like hen’s teeth

How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.

Join

Support Local News

CHARTER MEMBER

DC Aiken

Big Sky Franchise Team

David & Michelle Bertany

Amour & Duane Carthy

Scott Childress

Adam Corder

Barbara Anderson

Kerry Arias

Scott Baynton

Joseph Bell

Rita Brown

SM Buscher

Mark Casas

Carl Abernathy

Bruce Ackley

Salpi Adrouny

Alpharetta Lions Club

Omar Altalib

Dave Altman

Ron Altman

Joel Alvis

American Legion Post 201

Ken Amos

Alice & Dr. Richard Appen

Stewart Applbaum

Gaye Armstrong

Mary Asbury

Amy Auffant

Bonnie Avera

Carolyn Axt

Bangkok Boxing LLC

Sandra Balmer

Shannon Banna

Beth Barnes

Michael Baron

Janet Bass

Caitlin Bates

Jannet Bauer

Barbara Bauschka

Miriam Beattie

Kathy Beck

Laura Bentley

William Bentley

Steve Berman

Leslie Berry

Patrick Cressaty

Lindsay DeFranco

Robert Flint

Robin Fricton

Zachary Hahn

Allison January

David Conti

Theodore Davis III

Maureen Drumm

Charlcie Forehand

Aileen Horton

Deborah Jackson

David Johnson

Tom Billings

Caroline Blackmon

Tochie Blan

Ron Boddicker

Jodi Bogen

Sherri Bolles-Rogers

Katherine Bolt

Helen Borland

Debra Bowen

Joe Bowen

Kenneth Bowman

David Boy

Ryan Brainard

Mark Brandus

Mel Brannen

Amy Bratten

Carol Bright

Linda Brill

Dorothy Brouhard

Mary Anne Brown

Erendira Brumley

Zack Buchanan

Bernhard Burgener

Alvin Burrell

Mike & Theresa Buscher

Mary Busman

Clea Calloway

Kirk Canaday

James Carr

Bridgette Carter

William Carter

William Cartwright

Michael Kenig

Roderick Liptrot

Bob Meyers

Claude Nardy

Cliff Oxford

Bruce Paulk

MEMBER+

Ali Mahbod

Richard Matherly

Evan McElroy

Vickie McElroy

Anne Peer

Helen Perry

Jennifer Phillippi

MEMBER

Linda & Frank Catroppa Pat Check

Virginia Christman

Adam Cleveland

Ann Coaloa

Kim Coggins

Michael Cohen

Evelyn Collazo

Michael Mackenzie

Communications

Joan Compton

Kathleen Cook

Carol Cookerly

Terri Coons

Sarah Cox

Cynthia Crawford

Rhonda Cude

Connie Cunningham

Christopher Cupit

Bart Dean

David Dean

Duane DeBruler

Marilyn DeCusati

Kathleen DeMartino

Nancy Diamond

Sarah Donehoo

Rebecca Donlan

James Dorsey

Tom Driscoll

Michael Dudgeon

Jeanette Dummer

DutchCrafters Amish Furniture

Ross & Lori Ramsey

Sarah Reiter

Mark Rundle

Matthew Sayle

Lynn Thomas

Kim Truett

Robert Popp

Dave Rhinehart

Sergey Savin

Heather Sawyer

Kate Seng

Karen Shih

Bob Stevens

Thomas Edmonds

William Edmundson

Denise Eicher

Mim Eisenberg

Danny Elkins

Su Ellis

Grady Evans

Leslie Ann Everett

Steve Fabian

Carol Fain

Martha Fasse

Nell & Doug Fernandez

Renai Fitzpatrick

Daniel Fleck

Lee Fleck

Laura Floyd

Andrew Flynn

Cathy Flynn

Paul Folger

Adrienne Fontaine

Mary Ford

Nanci Foster

Amy Frederick

Kelly Frommer

Carol Fry

Tim Fulton

Andrew Garner

Tracey Ganesh

Steve Garrett

Daniel Gay

Matthew Geller

John Gibbs

Roger Wise Jr.

Colt Whittall

John Gilberto

Leslie Gilliam

Bailey & Ryan Gladysz

Michelle Glotzbach

Harvey Goldberg

Christopher Goodrich

Jim Gray

Ralph Griffin

Rihard Griffiths

Elaine Gwynn

Carolyn Hall

Marilee Hamilton

Susan Hanna

Marion Hannah

Chris Harrell

Roxanne Hazen

Joe Hirsch

Penn Hodge

Dianne & Steffan Holmquist

Joan Hostetter

Julie Hostetter

Krista Howland

Austin Hughes

Jason Hunyar

Jacqueline Hursh

Susan Huss

Paul Huth

Jeffrey Hyde

J. Craig Inman

Sandra Jacobs

Sue Jacques

Lynn Johnson

Tyler Jones

Zach Jones

Patricia Kachur

Amy Kanderis

Arthur Kebanli

Laura Keck

Mark Kelly

Nancy Kennell

Randall Kent

Carol Kerr

Sally Klaskala

Allison Kloster

Dyna Kohler

Brett Koutnik

Larry Krueger

Jess & Chris Kysar

Malinda Lackey

Sarah Lamm

Daniel Lashinsky

Richard Lapin

Christine Law

Brandon Leach

Dennis Lee

Ken Leffingwell

Carol Lehan

Melissa Libby

Bonnie Lind

Francia Lindon

Karen Lippert

Harlan Little

Jarrett Long

Ross Long

Kyser Lough

Rita Loventhal

Jerry Lucas

Brenda Lundy

Harry Lutz

Rita Loventhal

Karen Magill

Support Local News Join Appen Press Club

MEMBER (CONT.)

Freda Manning-Rumph

Kyile Marshall

Julie Martin

Linda & Todd Martinez

Carla Masecar

Valerie Matthews

Theresea Mattioli

William Maxwell

Nicole Mayer

Rachel McCord

Austin McCully

Diane McDonald

Evan McElroy

Karen McEnerny

Jack McGinnis

Lynn McIntyre

Mike McLoughlin

Margaret McManus

Jennifer Mendoza

Al Merrill

Chris Miller

Christine Miller

Patricia Miller

Milton Animal Hospital

George Mobley

Joe Modica

Fred Moeller

Sarah Moen

Catherine Moore

Ralph Moore

Carol Morgan

Kathy Morgan

Stu Moring

Leslie Mullis

Donna Murphy

Jack Murphy

Aileen Nakamura

George Nathan

Caroline Naughton

THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS

Richard Nichols

Cindy Nolan

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc.

Tricia Novarro

Bob O’Brien

Diana O’Sullivan

Anne Pappas

Lynn Pennington

Jonathan Peters

Kurt & Leslie Phillips

Mary & Jan Phillips

James Potts

Debra Powell

Seth Price

Joyce Provissiero

Chuck Pugh

Robert Radloff

Raj Rajagopalan

Pankaj Rajankar

Ashwin Ramaswami

Cheryl Rand

Manu Rao

James Rasmussen

Paula Rattray

Lori Rausch

Jean Rearick

Joseph Reed

Scarlett Reynolds

Righteous PR

Angie Rigney

Sean Riley

Neil Robertson

Kimberly Robinson

Matt Rohs

Kim Romaner

Courtney Rozear

Fran Russell

Janet Sandberg

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.

Kelly Sarmiento

Dorothy Scherr

Derek Scheidt

Stephanie Schniederjan

The Schoenblum Family

Robert Scholz

Robert Schreiner

Stephanie Schuette

Susan Searles

Frances Segars

Tracy Shealy

Tina Shelton

Lisa Shippel

Steve Short

Tom Simon

Cindy Simpson

Robert Singleton

Faye Sklar

Mitchel Skyer

Judith Slaughter

Andy Smith

Lee Smith

Tia Solh

Morris Soriano

Heidi Sowder

Gena Spears

Donald Spencer

Melissa Spencer

Jan Stephens

Wesley Stewart

Cathryn Stovall

Celeste Strohl

Diana Sullivan

Andy Sumlin

Kathy Swahn

Carol Tall

Mike Tasos

Candice Teichert

The Small Business Advisor

Suzanne & Bob Thomas

William Tietjen

Lisa Tilt

Michael Townes

Trunnion LLC

Matthew Tyser

Edward Votta

Linda Wabler

Ollie Wagner

Lewis Walker

Elizabeth Waller

Valerie Walters-Gold

Ann Marie Warning

Terry Warnke

Jonathan Washburn

Michael Watson

Deborah Weiss

Michael Weiss

Herbert Wells

Benjamin Wemberly

Beverly Whisenant

Sally White

Thom White

Umpika White

Mae Whiteside

Ashley Whitt

Jennifer Wieland

Christine Williams

Jamie Wimberly

Jonathan Winkie

Nancy & Dave Wistrand

Kalle Wood

Theresa Woolridge

Laura Wysong

Jonathan Young

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.

To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

Scan QR code to join the Appen Press Club

Sawnee EMC is seeking an Accounts Payable Clerk to process invoices, purchase orders, payments, reports, and vendor files while assisting with audits, closings, and customer inquiries. Requires: high school diploma or equivalency, proficiency in mathematics, monetary, and general office skills. A minimum of two years of related work experience, as well as a degree in a related field preferred. Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings and weekends.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, July 31, 2026. Apply online: www.sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

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

US 21 International Inc. DBA SOONI & TOMMI seeks Social Media PR Specialist to Write, edit, and distribute social media press releases and media kits to promote new cosmetic product launches and related business. Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, business, or related req’d. Send resume to job loc: 10820 Abbots Bridge RD Suite 330, Duluth, GA 30097.

Staff Full Stack Engineer sought by Airia LLC in Alpharetta (Atlanta), GA. Design & develop AI solutions. Reqs: BSc or for. equiv. in SW Eng, Comp Sci, or a rel + 10 yrs SW dev experience. P/t telecommute permitted w/n Atlanta, GA MSA. Apply at https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/airia/ jobs/5130475007 or email hr@airia.com, ref. SK202.

SOFTWARE ENGINEERS: Cumming, GA & various unanticipated locations throughout the U.S.: Dsgn & impl highly sclbl dstrbtd sw & rbst data sys that process lrg vlms of strctrd & unstrctrd data. Archt end-to-end prcsng wrkflws inclu ingstn, trnsfrmtn, vldtn, strg & srvng layers & dvlp backend srvcs & APIs. Mdl cmplx datasets u/advncd SQL & data engg tchnqs & apply sttstcl & ML mthds. Bld data-drvn feats lvrgng applied AI. Invstgt rlblty issues thru rca & impl long-term solns to trnslt ambgs rqmts into sclbl, mntnbl tech dsgns suprt biz-crtcl pltfrms. Master’s in Sci, Tech, or Engg (any) is req’d. Mail CV: HR, Jobly Solutions, LLC., itservices@joblysolutions.com.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk III –Financial Services to retrieve and deliver mail, file/ scan documents, operate office equipment, and assist internal customers. Requires: high school diploma or equivalency, valid Georgia Driver’s License, basic office/ computer skills, and 12 months’ related experience or equivalent education. Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings and weekends.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, July 31, 2026. Apply online: www.sawnee.coop/ careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

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

Midway Preschool is looking for an experienced Young 5’s/Prek teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. Contact Beth at beth@midwayumc.org.

Food Pantry Manager

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the full-time Food Pantry Manager position. Under the direction of the Food Pantry Director, the Food Pantry Manager leads back of house food pantry operations including inventory control, receiving products, client orders, managing volunteers, entering data and creating reports.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys managing people and process! Volunteer and inventory management, operations and data entry are primary responsibilities of this role.

The applicant should have a desire to join the team of a mission-driven non-profit where we work to ease hardship and build financial stability throughout our community. We offer one of the most competitive total rewards packages among Atlanta’s nonprofit organizations, making this role both meaningful and rewarding.

Please send resumes to jobs@nfcchelp.org

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

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, July 31, 2026. Apply online: www.sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

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

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

Aging roof? New homeowner? Storm damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. 877-461-0698 Have zip code ready when calling!

Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258

Water damage cleanup & restoration: A small amount of water can lead to major damage in your home. Our trusted professionals do repairs to protect your family & home value! 877318-6832. Have zip code ready! Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

No more cleaning gutters. Guaranteed! LeafFilter backed by no-clog guarantee & lifetime warranty. Call 1-833-610-1936 to schedule FREE inspection/ estimate. Get 15% off your entire order. Military & Seniors get additional 10% off. Limited time. Restrictions apply, see rep for details.

Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-543-9189

Wesley Financial Group, LLC timeshare cancellation experts over $50 million timeshare debt/fees cancelled in 2019. Free info package. Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833-308-1971

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, home, assets now for as little as 70¢/ day! 877-907-0316

Need cash quickly? We buy houses in any condition. Get a fair cash offer within 24 hours! Call today. Liz Buys Houses: 833-359-4707

MobileHelp America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call 1-888-489-3936

Inflation is at 40 year highs. Interest rates are way up. Credit cards. Medical bills. Car loans. Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call National Debt Relief and find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! Free quote: Call 1-844-955-4930

TOP DOLLAR PAID for old vintage guitars! Gibson, Fender, Martin, Grecsch, Rickenbacker, Epiphone, Etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. Call 866-433-8277

Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Free quote. Ask about first application special! 877-484-8583

Peace of mind & early detection-Now more than ever, it’s important to get screened for Stroke & Cardiovascular Disease risk. Life LineScreening is simple & painless. 833-970-4172

SunSetter. America’s Number One Awning! Instant shade at the touch of a button. Transform your deck or patio into an outdoor oasis. Up to10-year limited warranty. Save $350 today! 855-914-1148

End your tax worries today. Let us make your tax problem our priority. Scared, stuck with high tax amounts? Our A+ tax professionals can help. Free consultation. Priority Tax 855-959-2267

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as 1-day. Limited time, waving all installation costs! Additional terms apply. Subject to change & vary by dealer. Ends soon. 844-501-3208

Consumer Cellular - same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees free activation. All plans feature unlimited talk & text, starting at just $20/mo. Call 1-877-751-0866

Reach millions of homes nationwide with one easy, affordable buy in the ADS Network! For more information www.communitypublishers.com/ category/all-products

Pest control: Protect your home from pests safely. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders & more. Locally owned &affordable. For service or inspection today! 877-916-2103 Have zip code ready!