Foundation raises over $5,000 following K9 shooting death ► PAGE 3
Graduation rates improve
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Physical therapist expands PAGE 5 O c t o b e r 2 0 , 2 0 2 2 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 1 , N o . 3
Lifetime of love
Couple celebrates 75th wedding anniversary By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com
BANISTER FAMILY/PROVIDED
Harold and Louise Banister are celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary on Nov. 28
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — It’s been more than 75 years since Harold Banister sent his future wife a note asking her out on a date, but he says they are more in love than ever. Harold, 94, and Louise Young Banister, 91, live in Sandy Springs. However, their story began on July 6, 1947, in Williamston, South Carolina. World War II had ended two years prior. At the time, Harold said sugar was the last commodity to be removed from rationing, gasoline was 13 cents a gallon and the average annual income was $2,854. He added that an average new car cost about $1,290, while an average new house cost $6,550. The South was covered by family farms, and gospel songs were all the hype. On the Sunday afternoon the couple met, Harold said he talked a friend into hitch-hiking 8 miles north from his hometown in Belton to Williamston, South Carolina, to attend a gospel singing at the local high school. Louise and her friend arrived late, and as they looked around the school’s gymnasium for a seat, Harold said he convinced his friend to give his up and entertain the other girl. Harold wasted no time asking Louise for a date. But, to get rid of him, she told him that See BANISTERS, Page 8
Blaze damages Roswell residence ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Fire Department responded to a call on Powell Drive at around 12:55 p.m. on Oct. 13, where they found heavy smoke coming from the roof of a two-story house. While no injuries were reported, the inside of the home sustained significant damage.
Roswell Fire Department spokesman Chad Miller said a resident called 911 to report smoke coming from inside his house after his smoke alarm activated. The extent of the damage was not immediately available. — Chamian Cruz
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ROSWELL FIRE DEPARTMENT/PROVIDED
Roswell firefighters battle a blaze on Powell Drive on Oct. 13.
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FILE PHOTO
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul speaks at a town hall event Sept. 21.
Cities, county in stalemate over sales tax By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Negotiations over distribution of the countywide local option sales tax appear to have reached an impasse. Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts indicated that the county isn’t prepared to budge on its drive for a greater share of the pie following a second round of negotiations with cities Oct. 7 in Atlanta. Representatives the 15 cities met with county officials at the Georgia Municipal Association offices for the second time to haggle over how an estimated $3 billion in sales tax revenue will be distributed over the next 10 years. Every decade, the county and its cities renegotiate how money collected
See IMPASSE, Page 7