Firm tests waters for air mobility hub at Alpharetta site
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — It may sound like science fiction, but a developer told the Alpharetta City Council May 19 that his company’s vision for a next-generation air mobility hub is real.
At their regular meeting, council members discussed a proposal for a vertiport based at the mixed-use development Northwinds Summit, now under construction.
A vertiport is a landing site for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which are predicted to become a reality in the next few years. The aircraft could serve as a more affordable and much quieter alternative to helicopters, said Kerry Armstrong, managing director and development partner for Pope and Land.
“This is real,” Armstrong said. “We argue this will become a viable piece of our transportation network.”
The council took no vote but decided to reconsider the item at a later date.
Armstrong appeared before council members to ask them to consider a master plan amendment and conditional use to allow a vertiport on the top level of a parking deck at Northwinds Summit, 1000 Summit Place.
See TEST, Page 17
Roswell seeks stronger short-term rental rules
► PAGE 3
Hornets win state title in boys lacrosse
► PAGE 5
Roswell, Milton police ennoble fallen officers
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — The morning of May 15 was somber as Roswell city officials, police officers, firefighters, friends and family gathered to remember the lives of those who gave their life in the line of duty over the past year.
Members from the Roswell and Milton police departments stood at Roswell Area Park Pond to honor the sacrifice of seven fallen Georgia officers over the past year, including Jeremy Labonte whose watch ended Feb. 7. Labonte, 24, joined the Roswell Police Department in 2021. Officer Labonte was shot and killed while responding to a suspicious person report off Holcomb Bridge Road.
The city also honored Officer Leslie Warden who was killed in the line of duty June 14, 1986, while assisting at a car accident scene on I-285 near Northside Drive.
As a long-standing tradition, Milton joined Roswell to offer their condolences and stand in support of their sister city.
Police pass torch for Special Olympics ► PAGE 8 See ENNOBLE, Page 17
PHOTOS BY: DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA
Roswell Police Chief James Conroy presents memorial badges to the family of Officer Jeremy Labonte, who died in the line of duty Feb. 7. The ceremony was part of the annual Fallen Officer Memorial at Roswell Area Park, May 15.
Police officers bow their heads in respect during Roswell Police Department’s annual Fallen Officer Memorial at Roswell Area Park May 15.
Officer Jeremy Labonte’s grandmother, Tracy Wheeler, holds the memorial badge Roswell Police Department presented to family members during the department’s annual Fallen Officer Memorial at Roswell Area Park May 15.
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Vehicle reported stolen from home’s driveway
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An SUV was reported stolen from an Alpharetta home May 7.
Alpharetta police said a 51-year-old man living at a Wade Creek Road home told officers he discovered his vehicle missing from the driveway where he had parked it before midnight May 6.
The vehicle was valued at $42,000.
Officers tracked the vehicle on Flock Security cameras to westbound I-75 about 5 a.m. where it was last seen.
Police spoke with a neighbor, whose home had security cameras, but they failed to record the alleged theft.
Another neighbor provided security camera footage showing a suspect entering the vehicle and driving away about 4:30 a.m.
The incident was classified as a felony theft of a motor vehicle.
— Jon Wilcox
Apartment complex fire leaves two hospitalized
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Fire Department reported two people were hospitalized the evening of May 17 after a structure fire at the Aspen Pointe apartment complex.
The department said the victims were transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the names of the victims have not been released. Their condition is also unknown.
Roswell firefighters responded to the multi-unit fire just after 7:30 p.m. at the complex off Old Holcomb Bridge Road near Big Creek and Ga. 400, according
to a social media statement from the Fire Department.
Fire officials reported that crews arrived within five minutes after initial calls indicated people may have been trapped by the flames.
Firefighters found thick black smoke and active flames at the scene, eventually rescuing two people from a third-story window, the post says.
“Smoke alarms save lives. Make sure you have working smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level of your home,” the Roswell Fire Department stated on Facebook. “Test them monthly and never disable them. If your smoke alarm is over 10 years old, it should be replaced.”
Some comments on the post came from Aspen Pointe residents who thanked firefighters for preventing the flames from spreading.
— Hayden Sumlin
Police respond to report of attempted payroll theft
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police investigated an alleged attempted embezzlement of thousands of dollars May 5.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to a WIndward Parkway restaurant about noon after a fraud was reported.
A 34-year-old Forsyth County woman representing the restaurant said a bank notified her a person had attempted to access the business’s account about 11 a.m. The woman asked the bank to freeze any transactions.
The bank told her a Florida resident was trying to log into the account.
As the woman was speaking with the bank, she received a notification from the restaurant’s payroll company. The notification said the salaries of eight employees and their bank account information had been changed.
She said the person was attempting to steal a total of $12,560.87 from the restaurant.
In response, the woman changed the
passwords and implemented a two-step verification process.
The woman asked police to document the incident to facilitate an investigation by the bank.
She said only she should have access to the payroll and bank accounts.
The incident was classified as an embezzlement or theft of business property.
— Hayden Sumlin
Officers find suspect in grand theft auto
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested a 30-year-old Milton Man May 18 after he allegedly stole a 2023 Volkswagen GTI from the Jackson Acura dealership off Alpharetta Highway (Ga. 9).
Officers said the theft occurred around 2-2:30 p.m. May 17 when a male customer jumped into a vehicle after a test drive and sped off.
The dealership valued the vehicle at more than $30,000.
The salesman who reported the incident told officers that he left the vehicle running with the driver’s side door open. The salesman also said he was in possession of the car key and the suspect’s belongings, including his wallet.
Officers said they identified the suspect using his debit and insurance cards, as well as security footage from the dealership. After a background search, officers said the man had a suspended license and a long history with law enforcement, including drug activity and warrant arrests.
The dealership tracked the vehicle to a hotel at Windy Hill Road and I-75. Roswell officers said Cobb County officers arrested the suspect and towed the vehicle to a shop in Marietta.
Roswell officers said Cobb County also had existing warrants for the man’s arrest.
The report says Roswell officers transported the Milton man from his detention in Cobb County to the Fulton County Jail May 18.
— Hayden Sumlin
THE PICTURE FRAMER
Roswell Committees panel proffers tougher legislation aimed at short-term rentals
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Attempting to improve the safety of tourism in the City of Roswell, the Committees of Council will begin to introduce a legislation that will require short term vacation rentals to undergo inspections, after its May 13 meeting.
Homes participating in firms such as Airbnb and VRBO must go through the same occupational safety inspection that buildings with commercial operations undergo.
“We want to be able to have people stay here, we just want them to be able to stay here safely,” Council woman Sarah Beeson said.
The legislation will require all shortterm rental operators to register with the Business Registration office within the finance department, so that the Fire Marshal can conduct the inspections annually.
The registration will also require that public safety and emergency officers have 24/7 contact for each short-term rental home for any complaints or emergencies. The costs for administering registration will be offset by the hotel/ motel tax from the rental agencies that the city already collects, staff say.
The legislation will go before the City Council June 9 for a second reading and adoption. If adopted, the ordinance will be effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Under community development, the Committees of Council unanimously
approved a retaining wall for 199 Groveway at the Roswell Housing Authority redevelopment.
The wall, ranging from 7 to 16 feet in height, will be visible from the north side of Oxbo Road. The wall was originally approved by the Design Review Board on Oct.1, 2024 and given a Land Disturbance Permit demolition permit on Jan. 30, 2025. The wall must get approval from the city council due to the wall being over 6 feet.
“I’m in full support of this and delighted that we're able to do this redevelopment and have it [displayed] in a beautiful way,” Council woman Lee Hills said.
In other business, the Committees of Council unanimously approved to move forward a task order for Kimley Horn to the May 27 regular council meeting agenda.
The task order will give Kimley Horn the duties of project management, infrastructure investment and economic and land use planning for the 2045 Comprehensive Growth Plan.
The plan is required every five years to retain a “Qualified Local Government” status and establishes a legal authority for land use decisions and infrastructure priorities.
This project differs from prior comprehensive planning efforts and plans to build on prior work to integrate an economic and land use development strategy with updates to the city’s capital improvement, infrastructure and recreational investment plans.
SCREENSHOT
Council woman Sarah Beeson speaks on her concerns of short-term vacation rentals not undergoing inspections at the May 13 Committees of Council meeting.
Roswell residents hold rally for local housing, national policy reform
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Members of a newlyformed community group gathered outside Alive in Roswell May 15 to protest the Trump administration.
Roswell Empowered called for community members to come together to peacefully protest.
While most residents of Roswell headed towards the party of Alive in Roswell, protesters held signs and waved to cars, which received some honks in response.
While the group was advocating for changes at a national level, others took the opportunity to petition their local leaders.
Courtney Rozear, joined in to highlight the need for affordable housing and address the recent Economy Hotel shutdown.
Roswell had ordered the business empty last week, citing safety concerns.
“It kind of took my breath away,” Rozear said.
Rozear said that the long-term tenants of the hotel deserved more time to move out. While she stated that the City of Roswell did great work, she said that local leaders should create a task
force to prevent this from happening again and provide transparency.
“Two years ago [Grove Way Apartments] were condemned, now we have this,” Rozear said. “I realize these are two different issues, but they do have that similarity in code enforcement.”
Jennifer Donlon, resident of Roswell for the past five years, created Roswell Empowered to give voices to those in the community and show people that they are not alone.
“It’s not just the bigger cities that aren’t happy with what’s going on,” Donlon said. “Smaller cities can have big voices too.”
Donlon said she was motivated to organize after becoming a parent and wanting the world to become a better place for her four-year-old son.
Donlon chose to organize the protest outside of Alive in Roswell because of the high foot traffic.
“The accountability starts at home,” Donlon said.
Donlon encourages residents of Roswell to join no matter their party affiliation.
“It’s just people in Roswell that want to see a change, believe in democracy and upholding the constitution,” Donlon said.
PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Roswell Empowered founder Jennifer Donlon holds a sign at a protest in Downtown Roswell May 15.
Protestor Courtney Rozear holds a sign in support of Roswell Residents at a protest in Downtown Roswell May 15.
Roswell wins first 3-peat in Georgia lacrosse history
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga — The Roswell boys lacrosse team made Georgia history with the first back-to-back-to-back championships in boys lacrosse after defeating Lassiter High 13-12 in overtime May 17.
Senior Ben Weir tallied his third goal of the night less than a minute into the overtime period, off an assist from sophomore Blake O’Neal. Weir had the Hornets’ first and last goal, starting and closing strong in his final high school game.
O’Neal notched one assist and four goals against the Trojans, including three straight in the fourth quarter that forced the overtime period. Recruitment opens Sept. 1 for the class of 2027.
Lassiter scored the first goal of the game, but with the help of junior Jack Dowdy on faceoffs, the Hornets got out to a hot start. At halftime, the score sat at 6-4.
As the second half progressed, Lassiter turned up the heat. They went on a four-goal run to close out a strong
push for their first title since 2017. Once O’Neal began his heater, the Trojans failed to score again.
All-state first team honoree defender Harrison Penn, along with
second team defenseman Dean Maddux and third team two-way midfielder Linkin Miller formed a wall Lassiter couldn’t break through. Longpole midfielder junior Rowan
Chapiro has been on a heater for the Hornets’ defense in the playoffs this year, scooping up four ground balls and scoring a goal against the Trojans.
Lassiter’s defense focused sharply on Hornets attackman Kaden Parla, who was successfully kept out of the back of the net. The Trojans couldn’t stop his offensive foresight, and Parla ended the game with three assists.
Junior Jackson Hardwick notched a hat trick and one assist along with four ground balls. His first goal came off a turnover, sending a bouncing shot at a difficult angle just out of the reach of Lassiter’s goalie attempting to return to the cage.
Roswell will lose only three seniors this season, including Weir and midfielder Will O’Loughlin, who put up a goal in the second quarter.
Head coach Bryan Wallace spoke of the high level of competition against Lassiter.
“These guys did not shy away from the moment, and they continued to play until the final whistle,” he said. “Our coaching staff does such a good job. [Weir] had one of his best games of the year by far.”
ROSWELL LACROSSE/PROVIDED
The Roswell Hornets celebrate their third straight state championship at Denmark High School May 17. No boys lacrosse team in Georgia history had won back-toback-to-back state titles.
I have always had an absolutely insane imagination, and I never grew out of it.
MORGAN HAYES, Founder, Perfection and Oddities
6 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 22, 2025
Johns Creek artist gives animals second chance
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A raccoon wearing a strawberry-print bonnet, a mouse pushing a chrome toaster into a bathtub and a possum boasting a shock of blue hair and incandescent eyes were watching Morgan Hayes.
Working at her desk in a second-floor home workshop, Hayes, their creator, was focused deeply on her work, holding a hot glue gun in one hand and a taxidermied duckling in the other. The dimly-lit workshop, a converted bedroom, is filled with her taxidermy, which share space on shelves and tables loaded with miniature furniture, antique dolls, plushies, art supplies, crystals and all kinds of art supplies.
“I have always had an absolutely insane imagination, and I never grew out of it,” Hayes said.
In 2023, Hayes, a Savannah College of Art and Design graduate, left a decadelong corporate career working in graphic design to found her Johns Creek business Perfection and Oddities.
Now, she works from home, running an online shop and fashioning whatever catches her imagination.
The online shop, where she does most of her business, offers graphic T-shirts and fine art prints and delightfully weird taxidermies, which have become her most popular items by far.
Under her website’s “oddities” section,
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Morgan Hayes works on a taxidermy duck at her home workshop in Johns Creek May 14.
customers can peruse almost 50 different options of literally-stuffed animals arranged in uncannily life-like poses often amid painstakingly detailed miniature settings.
Prices range from $75 to more than $300, and the pieces include a beretwearing artistically-inclined duckling painting a canvas, two mice in a book nook with noses buried between pages and a gentlemanly bespectacled bunny rabbit complete with a purple bow and pocket
watch.
“It’s basically all the things that come straight out of my mind,” she said.
Hayes did not start out making art from animals.
She said the first graphic designs she sold soon after founding Perfection and Oddities meant little to her. Afraid of scaring off business, she instead made prints and T-shirts she thought would cater to the average customer.
“I didn’t believe people would like what I liked,” she said.
But lukewarm sales got Hayes wondering what would happen if she fully embraced her personal tastes, no matter how weird they might be.
“It made me realize I had nothing to lose and made me want to jump into my imagination,” she said.
She was pleasantly surprised with the results.
Customers loved the irreverent and bizarre T-shirt designs she had previously kept locked inside her mind, and sales suddenly took off.
In 2024, Hayes took that philosophy to another level with taxidermy, which she said she has always held a fascination for.
She was shocked to find customers of all kinds were fascinated by her work. She even has been approached by professionals like doctors and dentists eager to commission custom pieces.
Hayes taught herself taxidermy with help from online message boards and YouTube videos. She admits getting over the revulsion of working with dead things took some work, but now she is unfazed.
“At first, it was really icky,” she said.
She sources the animals from a variety of places. Mice are purchased frozen and of the “feeder” variety, meaning they are meant to serve as meals for pets like snakes.
She also uses roadkill.
See TAXIDERMY, Page 7
They have defended our liberty and have helped to keep us free. Remember the hundreds of service men and women that served in past wars this Memorial Day.
Taxidermy:
Continued from Page 6
“I am probably one of the only moms whose kid calls and says a squirrel got hit — but not too hard,” she said.
A bag of about 100 mice sits out in a garage freezer, nestled between bags of frozen dumplings, fileted fish and chicken thighs.
After dethawing the animal, she removes the skin with an Exacto knife. She stuffs the skin with a framework of wire filled with soft clay and cotton. Pins hold the skin in place until it is set in just the right pose.
From the start, Hayes said it was important to her to never kill an animal for a creation. In fact, she said she is an animal lover who has volunteered at numerous rescues and fostered more than 50 strays. At her home, she cares for four dogs and two cats, all rescues.
Her three-legged Parsley has become the business’s mascot and logo. Most days, Parsely sits in her workshop, watching her work.
Hayes said she sees the taxidermy as a way of honoring deceased animals, which can live a second life as an art piece. She draws the line at cats and dogs, but jokes she wouldn’t mind being taxidermied when her time comes.
“When you are looking at these things,
A taxidermy raccoon wears a strawberry print hat as Morgan Hayes works on another creation in her workshop in Johns Creek May 14.
you don’t see death anymore,” she said.
“You just see the beauty.”
Hayes admits her work sometimes gets a negative reaction. At markets and festivals where she sells, she is sometimes approached by animal lovers who find her pieces grotesque. But she stands by what she does.
Visit perfectionandoddities.com to purchase one of Morgan Hayes’ creations.
“It’s more of a respect for the circle of life,” she said. “It is a way to honor the animal.”
Wife Lizen Hayes said she thinks Perfection and Oddities has become more than just a means of making money for Morgan.
The couple met in Washington when Morgan was working in an art gallery and doing painting on the side.
Although Lizen was a little surprised by her wife’s interest in taxidermy, she has since embraced the art.
“I wasn’t super thrilled to have a bunch of dead animals in my house, but honestly I think it’s cool now,” she said.
Lizen remembers how Morgan seemed unhappy while working in the corporate world. She is pleased to see the business and its taxidermy giving Morgan a much-
needed outlet.
“She absolutely needs that,” Lizen said. “For her to be happy, she needs to be creative.”
Art, especially the weird kind, has always been an interest of Morgans’, Lizen said.
“She has been doing these creations forever, and I think she is really discovering herself making these,” Lizen said.
As a teenager, Morgan spent hours in her family’s basement making puppets and other strange art. At the time, she was hardly popular and still finding herself.
But the success of Perfection and Oddities decades later has made Morgan realize the world is filled with people who share her eclectic tastes. That success offers her a comfort she thinks would shock her teenage self.
Milton, Roswell police pass torch for Special Olympics
MILTON, Ga. — Teams of Police Officers from the cities of Milton and Roswell laced up their running shoes and hit the streets to support the Special Olympics during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run on May 14.
The Milton team, composed of members of the Police Department, FireRescue and City Hall staff, started off with a mile-plus loop around Downtown Crabapple before passing the torch to the Roswell team who carried it to Roswell City Hall.
“It’s an honor to be a part of something much larger than just the city of Milton and to do something to give back to such a worthy cause as the
Special Olympics is fantastic,” Milton Chief of Police Jason Griffin said.
Maureen Wales, who coordinates Special Olympics for Fulton County Schools said, “this event is so important because it culminates a year of training for these athletes and to be able to participate with their peers across the state is just so special. I think this is amazing because it just goes to show that everybody in the community is behind our Special Olympics.”
The Torch Run is one of the events occurring in Milton and Roswell during National Police Week which takes place each May.
— Photos by Dean Hesse
The Roswell team heads out Crabapple Road with the torch on the way to Roswell City Hall during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics May 14
THE PHOTOS: Photographer Dean Hesse grew up in Decatur and lives in Stone
began his career as a stringer covering events for the DeKalb News/Sun in the 1990s and attended the Southeastern Center for the Arts Professional Photography Program. He worked in a photo lab as a custom black & white printer for wedding and portrait photographers. His work has appeared in local and national consumer and trade publications. Dean can be reached at dean@ appenmedia.com. See more of his photos on appenmedia.com.
BEHIND
Mountain. He
Milton and Roswell emergency service athletes gather for a group photo May 14 during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics.
Members of the Roswell Police Department arrive at Milton City Hall May 14 to take possession of the torch from the Milton team and deliver it to Roswell City Hall for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics.
The Roswell team escorts the torch from Milton to Roswell City Hall May 14 during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics.
From left, Milton Police Chief Jason Griffin passes the torch to Roswell Police Chief James Conroy at the Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics May 14.
Alpharetta Lions Club
Lions Heart School
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — After a casino night fundraiser, the Alpharetta Lions Club was able to present a check of $2,000 to the Lions Heart School May 1. All proceeds were raised from the annual Luck O’ the Irish Casino Night fundraiser on March 15.
Chris
Burt, Dave and
Alice Dunham and Mark and Valerie Pamperin presented the check to the school. The Lions Heart School is a nonprofit independent school for children ages 5 to 21 with challenges of relating and communicating.
— Sarah Coyne
Members of the Alpharetta Lions Club present a check for $2,000 to the Lions Heart School May 1.
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Meals on Wheels presents TASTE 2025 festival
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ATLANTA — Meals on Wheels Atlanta invites the community to celebrate the mission to end senior hunger May 20 at 1705WEST.
TASTE 2025 will feature more than 15 food pop-ups, including restaurants, chefs, food trucks, signature cocktails, immersive bran activations, exclusive auction items and DJ sets.
The evening aims to combine the city’s food and culture to support Atlanta’s seniors.
“This year’s TASTE is more than a celebration of Atlanta’s vibrant culinary community—it’s a vital fundraiser that supports our mission to serve the city’s most vulnerable seniors,” CEO of Meals On Wheels Atlanta Charlene CrusoeIngram said. “With an unprecedented number of seniors on our waitlist, every ticket sold brings us one step closer to ensuring that no senior in Atlanta goes hungry.”
All proceeds will directly support Meals on Wheels Atlanta’s meal services program.
12 Atlanta Tastemakers will serve as event ambassadors and be honored for leading the way in food, fashion, media, business and tech.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. at 1705 Commerce Drive NW Atlanta, Ga.
To purchase tickets, visit www. mowatl.org/events.
— Sarah Coyne
THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH FARMERS GOV. KEMP
Governor Kemp has taken a bold stand for Georgia’s farmers and rural communities by signing SB 144 into law—legislation that protects their access to vital crop protection tools, ensuring they can continue to feed America without unnecessary burdens.
We applaud Sen. Sam Watson and Rep. Steven Meeks, the dedicated sponsors of this legislation, as well as Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Chairmen Sen. Russ Goodman and Rep. Robert Dickey for their leadership.
A special thank-you to Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Governor Burt Jones for championing Georgia agriculture and securing the future of one of our state’s most important industries.
Thank you for standing up for Georgia’s farmers and families!
Modern Ag Alliance Supporting Those Who Feed America
Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist
Insist on the
BEST
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.
He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 22 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
Can a foot injury cause skin cancer? The curious case of Acral Melanoma
Of all the types of melanomas, acral melanoma is perhaps the most intriguing. This rare form of skin cancer sometimes arises from pressurerelated injuries, especially on the soles of the feet. Melanoma develops from melanocytes—the pigment-producing skin cells responsible for tanning. Acral melanoma occurs on the palms, soles, or beneath fingernails and toenails. While rare in countries with predominantly light-skinned European populations—where most melanomas stem from sun exposure—acral melanoma is the most common form of melanoma in many darker-skinned populations across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
What makes acral melanoma especially fascinating is that, unlike most cancers, it is not usually caused by sun damage or other typical carcinogens. If asked to name things that cause cancer, most people would list tobacco, alcohol, sun exposure, radiation, or viruses like HPV. But few would think to include stubbing a toe or stepping on a rock.
Yet, injuries to the feet may contribute significantly to acral melanoma. A study in China found higher melanoma rates in the south compared to the north and hypothesized that this was due to the greater prevalence of barefoot walking in the south. These individuals experienced more foot trauma— contusions and punctures—compared to their northern counterparts, who more often wore shoes. In nonEuropean populations, melanomas on the soles are reported to be four to eight times more common than those on the palms, further supporting the idea that physical injury may be the key factor that originates most acral melanomas.
But how does trauma or pressure damage DNA to the point of causing cancer?
The answer may lie in the differences between the types of mutations seen in acral melanomas versus other forms of melanoma.
Sunlight typically causes smallscale mutations—so-called “point mutations.” A photon of UV light acts like a microscopic laser, striking DNA and altering a single molecule within a gene. These UV-induced cancers display a characteristic “UV signature” in their genetic code – small and hyper focused mutations.
By contrast, the mutations in acral melanoma are large-scale. Entire sections of DNA can be broken, duplicated, or mis joined—suggesting massive structural damage. Rather than resembling the precision of a laser, these mutations look as if the entire DNA strand has been snapped in multiple places and clumsily reassembled. One researcher compared the pattern of damage to the chaos of a typhoon.
As a student of biology, I found this puzzling. How could something like stepping on a rock cause such profound genetic disruption? I had always imagined DNA as strands of spaghetti floating gently in a watery nucleus, well cushioned from most physical forces.
However, recent findings suggest that DNA may be more structurally constrained than previously thought and therefore more vulnerable. DNA chromosomes are not merely suspended in nucleoplasm—a watery fluid inside the nucleus. Instead, DNA appears to be anchored to a framework – the nucleokinetic or nuclear matrix. This scaffold, made of firm proteins, is attached to the DNA and actively interacts with it. If a mechanical shock is transmitted to this scaffold, it could create enough force to fracture or distort large sections of DNA— explaining the large-scale damage seen in acral melanomas.
Acral melanoma remains one of the most understudied forms of melanoma, and the precise mechanisms behind its mutations are still unclear. Yet the hypothesis that mechanical stress, rather than chemical or radiative exposure, might be a major driver offers a compelling and mysterious contrast to other skin cancers. It is this mystery—and the possibility of a physically induced origin—that makes acral melanoma so captivating.
Dr. Brent Taylor
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
Brought to you by – Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta
The right Medicare path for you
Brought to you by – SeniorSource Medicare Solutions
Now having 16 years in the Medicare insurance business, I’ve been able to see over the long term how each path “plays out”. When choosing a Medicare insurance plan, you’ll either go with 1) Original Medicare, paired with a Medicare Supplement and a Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan or 2) the Medicare Advantage path. What I have discovered over time, first hand, is that neither path is bad. The only thing you need to decide is, which path fits your individual needs better? The Medicare Supplement Path OR The Medicare Advantage Path…no bad option, but which is right for you?! You’ve paid into the Medicare System by virtue of paying federal taxes for so long that either path should be the best health coverage of your life, and it really is.
With either of these Medicare Insurance pathways, you still have to do your homework. Don’t choose a plan just because your best friend or family member selected that plan. There are several ways to end up unhappy with your plan choice. Here are a few common parts of the plan that must be understood before joining:
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Jay Looft Owner/Agent
Roswell girls fall in Elite Eight
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga — The Roswell girls lacrosse team ended the season May 6 after a 11-10 loss to Pope High School in the class 2A state quarterfinals.
The Hornets got off to a hot 3-0 start before the Greyhounds closed the gap slowly but surely. Roswell held their lead until the middle of the third quarter but kept the match close. The Hornets did not allow more than one Pope goal in a row after they had tied the score, until the final tiebreaker with less than 30 seconds left in the game.
Even playing through injury this season, senior attacker Ella Bea Croteau led the Hornets in assists on the season and against the Greyhounds, with three in addition to her four goals. The Jacksonville University commit set up the Hornets’ offense quarterback-style and led the team in scoring.
Sophomore Emory Rodman and freshman Hazel Shively notched two goals apiece. Rodman tallied one assist and Shively poured in two.
The second half was a hard-nosed battle
between two teams unwilling to let their seasons end abruptly. The teams had played earlier this season, culminating in a 1211 Greyhound win. However, the Hornets have strengthened their play since then, beating several teams that bested Pope this season. Roswell had too many fouls in the quarterfinal that saw several 8-meter opportunities for the Greyhounds getting to the back of the net.
Hornets head coach Brooke Magnuson said the team was struggling to stomach their sixth one-goal loss of the season.
“I always tell the girls, lacrosse is a game of runs,” she said. “The team that will win is the team that stays composed, through the ups, and most importantly, through the downs. And [the girls] did, we did, we stayed locked in, it just didn’t go our way.”
Major senior contributors in Croteau, two-way midfielder Keira Mainella and defender Briley Greenway played their last game for the Hornets, but the team’s future remains bright. Roswell had an alumna on the Tewaaraton watch list this season prior to an ACL injury and shows no signs of slowing down their level of competition in the coming years.
North Metro SWAT trains at Brookhaven home set for demolition
By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com
BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — Officers on the North Metro SWAT Team conducted a training exercise May 14 at a setfor-demolition Club Drive home, according to agency representatives.
In the Wednesday afternoon event, police practiced moving through buildings while engaging both threating and non-threatening targets.
The SWAT team, made up of officers from the Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Chamblee police departments, regularly conducts exercises to reinforce their training.
A few times each year, homeowners demolishing their houses offer the specialized unit the opportunity to use the building in those exercises. Such was the case with the Club Drive home on Wednesday, Dunwoody Police Sergeant Michael Cheek told Appen Media.
Cheek said the roughly 20 officers were using paint markers, not live ammunition, during the training.
The North Metro SWAT Team previously included officers from
Ask Appen
This story began with an Appen Media reader asking the newsroom about an apparent SWAT exercise taking place at a residential property. Send your questions, observations and story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.
the Sandy Springs and Johns Creek police departments. Sandy Springs broke off from the group in December, Appen Media reported, choosing to form their own in-house tactical unit.
Shortly after, Johns Creek moved to the North Fulton SWAT Team, joining Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton. Department officials cited the Sandy Springs departure as one reason for the shift, along with the proximity to its North Fulton sister cities.
Sandy Springs is now in the process of developing a police training facility on Morgan Falls Road, with an April 2024 estimated price tag of $37-$45 million.
Appen Media first reported those plans and will continue to follow the project.
Officers on the North Metro SWAT Team conducted a training exercise May 14 at a set-for-demolition Club Drive home, according to agency representatives.
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Senior attacker Keppy Ewing weighs her passing options from the X at Roswell High School May 6.
SPECIAL TO APPEN MEDIA
and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
FOREIGN AND CLASSIC CARS
1. Style. They made the Spider automobile. Sheik’s bevy.
2. Auto maker famous for the Rambler. 37th US president. Navajo lodge.
3. Lightning unit. Swedish auto. Way out.
4. Proboscis. Hopping mad. Ford flop.
5. AMC’s 4-wheel drive. Hawaiian feast. Kick out.
6. Western gunfighter’s word. Fine fabric. Early Jeep.
7. L-29 Phaeton luxury auto brand. Room at the top. Redhead’s dye.
1 Style. They made the Spider automobile. Sheik’s bevy.
2. Auto maker famous for the Rambler. 37th US president Navajo lodge.
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. Lightning unit. Swedish auto. Way out
4. Proboscis. Hopping mad. Ford flop.
5. AMC’s 4-wheel drive. Hawaiian feast. Kick out
6. Western gunfighter’s word. Fine fabric. Early Jeep
7. L-29 Phaeton luxury auto brand Room at the top. Redhead’s dye.
See puzzle solutions on Page 23
AMERICAN LEGION POST 201 EVENTS
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
BINGO – 2 p.m. Sunday, May 25 Future Games: 2nd & 4th Sunday Each Month
MEMORIAL DAY OPEN HOUSE Monday, May 26 - 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“Truths and Myths about The Vietnam War” Screenings at 1:30 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Clubroom/Bar Open to Public Complimentary Hot Dogs & Hamburgers Bounce House & Other Games for Children Visit www.legion201.org for more information Dances & Dance Instruction For all the details visit: www.club201dance.com
Catholic academy holds mock papal conclave
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Days before the Vatican elected Pope Leo XIV, students at Pinecrest Academy had selected their own supreme pontiff.
One day before the actual Papal Conclave in Rome, Pinecrest students held their own hands-on educational activity, selecting second grader David Levergood as the new mock leader of the church.
“As the white smoke appeared, (the Rev.) Matthew Kaderabek declared, ‘Habemus papam! We have a pope,’” said Vivian Heard, the school’s director of communications and public relations.
Held May 6, the educational opportunity taught students how a new pope is selected, showing first hand how cardinals are entrusted with deciding the next leader of the Catholic church. Pinecrest Academy is a pre-K through 12th grade Catholic school in Cumming.
To prepare for the activity, students watched videos, engaged in lessons about the papacy and learned about the centuries-old conclave process. Ahead of the mock conclave, students brainstormed about the needs they see in the school and qualities a leader should have.
During the mock conclave, student participants joined in prayer, asking that the cardinals would be inspired by the Holy Spirit to make the right choice.
Kaderabek said he was deeply proud with the respect students showed for the process, noting how they abstained from joking and complaining.
“I was thrilled with how seriously the entire class took this process of electing the next Pope,” Kaderabek said. “They all came quietly into the chapel, and while the girls prayed the Rosary and prayed for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide the electors, the boys prayerfully considered their important choice before casting their secret vote.”
After the faux Pope David was vested, he made a first appearance and blessed his flock. Bodyguards then led him to his “popemobile,” and he was driven by the head of the school to visit all three floors of the academy, blessing everyone.
To celebrate his election, students received candies dubbed “lolli-Popes.”
David also made a quick visit to the oratory to pray privately while being closely guarded by his pretend bodyguards.
He finished his papal duties for the day with an interview and by holding audiences with visitors.
“Pope David stepped humbly right into his role without missing a beat and went to be with his people with a gentle smile upon his face, blessing the crowds as he went,” Kaderabek said. “I couldn't be more proud of him and his classmates."
Not long after, cardinals in the Sistine Chapel voted to elect Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new leader of the Catholic Church. He has taken the name Leo XIV.
Annual Memorial Day Ceremony set for May 26
ROSWELL, Ga. — The 26th Roswell Remembers Memorial Day Ceremony is set to take place May 26 at City Hall.
At 11 a.m., the award-winning event will begin featuring a military ceremony, presentation of colors, the national anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, a prisoner of war and those missing in action tribute and the laying of the wreath.
Sponsored by the City of Roswell and Roswell Rotary Club, the grounds will open an hour early with displays and music.
Retired Col. Carl Hamilton (Skip)
Bell, from Marietta, will be this year’s guest speaker. In 2023, Bell was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame for his acts of bravery during his two tours in the Vietnam War. Bell served for 31 years and is the recipient of five Bronze stars,
two for Valor and fifteen Air Medals, one of which for Valor.
Following the program, a lunch featuring chicken and pork will be served, with tickets available on-site the day of the ceremony.
— Sarah Coyne
PHOTOS BY: PINECREST ACADEMY/PROVIDED
Pope David Levergood is flanked by bodyguards as he makes appearances after his election in a mock conclave May 6 at Pinecrest Academy.
Pope David Levergood blesses students who gathered after his election May 6 at Pinecrest Academy.
A “popemobile” drives Pope David Levergood May 6 at Pinecrest Academy.
Firefighters raise a large U.S. flag between two ladder trucks during Roswell Police Department’s annual Fallen Officer Memorial at Roswell Area Park May 15.
Test:
Continued from Page 1
Located along Ga. 400, the site is uniquely positioned to serve electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which could take advantage of the state highway’s designation as an aerial right of way.
Pope and Land has no construction plans yet for the aerial transportation hub, but the developer is speaking with the council to ensure the project may become a reality if market and technology conditions become suitable.
“Our site seems to be the perfect location, so that’s why we’re pushing it,” Armstrong said.
The Northwinds Summit Master Plan calls for a 140unit for-rent building and a two-story, 32,520-squarefoot office building. A 32-unit condominium building is under construction, and a new 140-room hotel building is to begin construction this year.
An additional 1,197,480 square feet of office development is also approved within the master plan.
Archer Aviation, a premier developer of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, is expected to produce their flagship aircraft, the Midnight, at plants in Covington. Designed to fly rapid flights of 20-50 miles, the piloted, four-passenger Midnight would power 12 rotors with electricity.
The aircraft completed its first test flight in 2024 and is undergoing testing and certification.
The Federal Aviation Administration already has completed updating its regulations to allow aircraft like the Midnight to operate in the U.S.
Diana Dagher, an Alpharetta resident who lives about a mile from the proposed vertiport, was the only resident to speak at the meeting. She asked council members to carefully consider the proposal in light of
Ennoble:
Continued from Page 1
“We all support one another, and obviously, with what they’ve been through this year, we wouldn’t miss it,” Milton Police Chief Jason Griffin said.
Immediate family members of Labonte, also known as police survivors, were presented with memorial badges by Roswell Police Chief James Conroy. The badges serve as a symbol of Officer Labonte’s courage, dedication and life he gave in service to others.
“The sacrifice made by Jeremy and every fallen officer will never be forgotten,” Conroy said.
Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson spoke about the officers’ sacrifice.
“Their names are more than just memories,” Wilson said. “They are reminders, reminders of courage, of service, of sacrifice and behind every name is a family who grieves, a department that mourns and a community forever changed.”
Each year, cities across the nation join on May 15 to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. It began in 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.
“I hope that in honoring them today we offer [loved ones] a measure of comfort and the assurance that their sacrifice is neither forgotten nor in vain,” Conroy said.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION/PROVIDED
Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft are predicted to become a reality in coming years.
the newness of the technology.
She said she was particularly worried about how noisy the aircraft might be.
Kerry said small rotor blades make electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft exceptionally quiet. He said their noise has been compared to that of a household vacuum.
Armstrong said nearby residents were more likely to hear roadway traffic than the vehicle’s propellers.
Although council members expressed wonder at the idea of flying taxis, they said they recognized the
technology may soon become a reality.
Councilman Donald Mitchell said the technology has advanced at a rapid rate, and he expects residents to be able to take the aircraft to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport within the next five to 10 years.
Councilman Douglas DeRito said he was amazed a technology that he saw as a child watching the “Jetsons” could soon become a reality.
“I want to make sure Alpharetta is on the forefront of these futuristic opportunities,” he said.
DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA
A historic house comes out of the woods
For many years motorists traveling east on Mayfield Road in Alpharetta would pass a small densely wooded lot as they crossed Canton Street en route to Highway 9. Diagonally across the street is the Alpharetta Arts Center. Along Canton Street are many houses, some old, some new.
Not very long ago the woods were stripped from the land and a boarded-up house was revealed. It is a house with a story worth telling. A two-headed calf is part of the story.
The house was most likely originally built between 1910 and 1920. Early owners were Homer and Clara Weatherford. Homer was a farmer and the family had a barn on the property. They were well known locally and attracted considerable attention in the early 20th century because they had a two-headed calf that they kept in the barn. For $1.00 they would allow a person to enter the barn to see the calf.
Two-headed calves, a condition called polycephaly, occur when an embryo attempts to split into two separate embryos, but the split is incomplete. The condition is very rare, estimated to be 1 in 400 million, and calves are usually stillborn or die within a few days. The longest recorded polycephaly calf lived for 40 days, so Homer and Clara’s business venture did not last very long.
The Weatherford House was built in the Folk Victorian style which was popular in the United States and Europe between 1870 and 1910. Folk Victorian is less elaborate than true Victorian and some other subsets of Victorian such as Queen Anne style.
Shack Lewis, local historian and realtor, grew up across the road on Canton Street and has some memories of the house and the people who lived there. As a child, Shack called the residence the Wills House because he knew Belle Wills (18981987), the wife of William H. Wills (1879-1964), the owner at the time. Shack and his brother Clay would stop at the house on their way home from school and swing on Miss Wills’ porch swing and visit with her. “She was a nice lady and always had cookies,” says Shack. William Wills sold the house in 1983 to David J. Woodward.
Lifelong Alpharetta resident
After many years of neglect the home will be preserved and restored as a designated historic structure by the City of Alpharetta. It is located at 193 Canton Street and will be part of the new development of Jackson Park.
Elsie Knight remembers the dairy owned by John C. Weatherford (1870-1937) and Annie Weatherford (1871-1931) that occupied much of the original property. John was Elsie’s grandmother’s brother. The dairy probably had 20 or 25 cows according to Elsie, given the size of the property. She and her husband Howard (1930-2010) kept horses on the farm because Howard was a member of the Reactivated Confederate Calvary and rode in
patriotic parades. John’s niece Gladys Wood and her husband Andy lived on the edge of the property on today’s Highway 9. Andy fought in World War 1 and was gassed and never fully recovered. Elsie recalls that Clark Weatherford lived in a house at one time on the other side of the pasture on Hopewell Road.
Valerie Mote rented the house from 1993 to 1999 from then owner David J. Woodard, She attended Milton High School in the late 1970s where she
played in the band with Shack Lewis. She remembers the swing on the front porch that her father hung for her. The house boasted beautiful heart pine floors, tongue and groove walls in its bedrooms, a front sitting/living room and fireplaces in every room. Valerie did not use the fireplaces because of their age. A well sat on the small back porch. A small rental house was in back of the main house. The original windows with wavy glass were a highlight for Valerie. She and the roommate with whom she shared the house parked their cars under a large oak tree next to the front porch.
The historic Weatherford House will be part of a new development to be called Jackson Park. Built by Canton Mayfield Development, it will fully occupy the 2.9-acre parcel. It will consist of 16 new singlefamily homes and the restored and rehabilitated Weatherford House. The house has been vacant for about 25 years.
The Jackson family of developers has deep roots in Alpharetta. George Jackson lV was raised in Alpharetta. He is a partner on the project and is in charge of sales of the residences. His father, George Jackson lll is a principal. Chris Davis is the third partner. The partners have developed Teasley Place, Alpharetta Lofts and Fourteen Park Place in downtown Alpharetta. George lV says “My family is committed to the success of downtown Alpharetta.”
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.
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
The historic Weatherford House as it appears today. Built in Folk Victorian style in the early 1900s, the house will be restored and rehabilitated as part of a new community to be built in Alpharetta. The house is valuable piece of the city’s architectural heritage.
FIND A GRAVE/PROVIDED
Tombstone of John and Annie Weatherford in Midway United Methodist Church Cemetery in Forsyth County.
PHOTO EXCERPTED FROM DAYS GONE BY IN ALPHARETTA AND ROSWELL GA BY CAROLYNE DILLMAN John and Annie Weatherford operated a dairy farm when they owned the historic Weatherford House.
OPINION
North Fulton should look to Arkansas housing law
By KATHY SWAHN, NANCY DIAMOND, JACK MURPHY North Fulton Improvement Network Executive Team
In a rare moment of bipartisan alignment, Arkansas recently passed a groundbreaking law that removes barriers to building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) statewide. Sometimes called in-law suites, garage apartments, or backyard cottages, ADUs offer a modest, practical way to expand housing options—without changing the character of a neighborhood.
While cities like Portland and Minneapolis have led the way on ADU reform, Arkansas is the first state in the country to adopt such a sweeping approach. The law permits homeowners to build one ADU on any residential lot, regardless of local zoning restrictions. It’s a simple but powerful step toward tackling the state’s growing housing shortage and affordability crisis.
THE INK PENN
Could North Fulton ever see something similar? Probably not on a broad scale, certainly not anytime soon—but we should pay attention. The idea of “gentle density” is gaining ground across the country as communities grapple with the need for more housing that doesn’t come with the scale or controversy of major developments. ADUs are a perfect example. They allow aging parents to stay close to family, young adults to live independently but affordably, and homeowners to create rental income or simply make better use of their property.
In North Fulton, many of our neighborhoods were built with families in mind. But today’s families are changing—more multigenerational households, more retirees on fixed incomes, and more essential workers priced out of the communities they serve. ADUs won’t solve everything, but they offer a flexible, low-impact option
Affordable housing continues to be a serious issue across North Metro Atlanta. Groups like the North Fulton Improvement Network are trying to help, and Appen Media is dedicated to covering the process. Send ideas, questions and feedback to newsroom@appenmedia.com.
For more information on ADU’s, check out improvenorthfulton.org
worth exploring.
One place to start might be neighborhoods without HOAs, which tend to have fewer deed restrictions and more potential for homeownerdriven change. Pilot programs or local ordinances could make it easier for residents to add a small home for a relative, caregiver or tenant. North Fulton cities could also streamline
permitting, waive certain fees, or offer pre-approved design plans to encourage high-quality, context-sensitive construction.
Woodstock is just one of our neighboring cities embracing the ADU. Builders can even include ADU’s as part of new home communities.
Arkansas’ bold move shows what’s possible when policymakers recognize that housing abundance and neighborhood character don’t have to be at odds. We don’t need to replicate their model — but we can be inspired by it. If we care about creating communities where people of all ages and incomes can live and thrive, then we need to start talking seriously about smart, small-scale solutions. ADUs deserve a place in that conversation.
Kathy Swahn, Nancy Diamond and Jack Murphy are members of North Fulton Improvement Network. Learn more at www.improvenorthfulton.org.
Vacation pre-reading for Cornwall journey
KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist
When I’m looking forward to a vacation trip, I search for books set in the place I’ll be visiting.
This year, it’s Cornwall in June, a trip the hubby won’t be taking with me, as he doesn’t want to fold his 6’2” frame into a van to travel a different locale each day. C’est la vie.
So far, I’ve read two books set in two different spots in Cornwall, both mysteries, my preferred genre.
“The Cornish Coast Murder” by
John Bude
Written in 1935, this mystery was reissued in 2014 as part of the British Library Crime Classics collection. Set in Boscawen, a fictional town as far as I can tell, the mystery introduces us to the Reverend Dodd and his friend, the local doctor. They’re enjoying their weekly Monday evening get together, during which the bachelors enjoy dinner, cigars and a discussion of mystery books. Each week, a box of
their selections is delivered from the lending library.
When they’re confronted with a “real” murder mystery in a home near the vicarage, mystery lover that he is, the vicar can’t help trying to puzzle out whodunit, though there is a competent local detective on the scene.
What follows is a mix of red herrings and clues that will keep you guessing until the end. If you’re partial to wellplotted British mysteries from bygone eras, this one is worth a read.
“The Shell House Detectives” by Emylia
Hall
This contemporary mystery, written in 2023, is set in a fictional Cornwall town. Porthpella is on the coast, and its beach setting is so vividly described, I could imagine myself walking my dog and finding sea glass as the widowed amateur sleuth does. In her beach cottage, Ally Bright mourns her husband who was a local constable, and wonders what to do with her life. Should she stay or should she go? Should she move to Australia as her daughter wants her to do or continue her somewhat solitary life in a place she
loves.
That difficult decision takes a back seat when the body of young man is found on the beach. If that’s not enough, on the same day, her neighbor goes missing.
Joined by a traumatized former constable who has recently moved to the area, she is soon seeking answers to questions she thinks the local constabulary should be asking. To Ally and her sleuthing partner, Jayden, the authorities seem more interested in speedily closing both cases rather than finding the truth.
This tale is exactly what cozy mystery fans want from a cozy series — engaging characters you want to get to know, a setting you can see in
your mind’s eye, and a murder mystery that will keep you in suspense. The good news is that there are several more books, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the relationships develop as the series move forward.
All in all, these two mysteries, set years apart, kept me entertained for several evenings. Stay tuned for a few more Cornish novels. I have a long list. Happy reading.
Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her Dickens & Christie cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest. Contact her at inkpenn119@ gmail.com and visit her website www. facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/.
CITY OF ALPHARETTA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The City Council will consider the following item during the Alpharetta City Council Meeting and Public Hearing on Monday, May 19, 2025 and Monday, June 2, 2025, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Alpharetta City Hall, located at 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. All Alpharetta residents and any interested persons are invited and encouraged to attend for public review and comment.
a. The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia Text Amendments – Chapter 28, Occupational Licenses, Taxes and Regulations, Chapter 42, Article II, Insurer License Fees, and Chapter 42, Article III, Occupation Tax
Consideration of an ordinance proposing modifications to increase the annual license fee levied upon each insurer doing business within the City; to increase the occupation tax levied on certain businesses and practitioners of professions and occupations; to amend business registration requirements; to provide for enforcement; to provide penalties for violations; to repeal conflicting ordinances; and for other purposes.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS COUNTY OF YORK SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Stella Duvall
CASE NO: 2025-CP-46Plaintiff(s) vs.
John Wayne Cable; Venus Group, Inc.,
TO
THE
SUMMONS (JURY TRIAL DEMANDED) Defendant(s).
ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT(S):
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED AND REQUIRED TO ANSWER the Summons and Complaint in this action, herewith of which a copy is served upon you, and to serve a copy of your answer to said Summons and Complaint on the subscriber at his office at 212 East Black Street, Rock Hill, SC, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; if you fail to answer the Summons and Complaint within the time aforesaid, the Plaintiff(s) in this action will apply to the Court for judgment by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint
By: s/Garrett B. Johnson
Garrett B. Johnson, SC Bar #81105 Elrod Pope Law Firm
212 E Black Street
P.O. Box 11091 (29731) Rock Hill, SC 29730 Phone: (803) 324-7574
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF(S)
February 24, 2025
Rock Hill, South Carolina
CITY OF ALPHARETTA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The following items will be considered by the City Council on Monday, June 23, 2025 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
a. V-25-08 Brown/190 Canton Street
Consideration of a variance to allow a carriage house with garage doors facing the street to be constructed before the primary residence. A variance is requested from Unified Development Code (UDC) Appendix A: Alpharetta Downtown Code Subsection 2.4.6(C) to allow garage doors facing the street without the required 20’ recess behind the front façade of a single-family detached home. The property is located at 190 Canton Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1252, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
b.
V-25-11 12725/12735 Providence Road
Consideration of a variance to allow a T-turn around in lieu of a cul-de-sac for a new local street serving a seven (7) lot single-family detached subdivision. A variance is requested from Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 3.5.2(e) to allow a T-turn around in lieu of a cul-de-sac. The property is located at 12725 & 12735 Providence Road and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1106, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
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Vice President of Client Programs
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Vice President of Client Programs position. The Vice President of Client Programs (VPCP) is a senior leader responsible for creating and implementing the Client Services department strategy for NFCC. This includes creating programs and services, monitoring their effectiveness and ensuring funds are distributed appropriately. The VPCP also leads a team of 13 client services staff who handle client intake, case management, impact and outcomes data, education (GED/English classes) and workforce development programs.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Community Engagement Manager
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Community Engagement Manager position. The Community Engagement Manager oversees all aspects of NFCC’s community events from planning through execution, including creating timelines, managing vendors and securing sponsorships. Events range from the annual golf tournament and fundraising gala to donor recognition and community engagement gatherings. The ideal candidate must be highly organized, creative, and motivated to successfully lead event planning and community engagement initiatives.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Computer Systems Analyst. Enhance & modify comp. sys. to improve efficiency & workflow for telecom. service provider in Alpharetta, GA. May telecommute from any location in the U.S. B.S. in CS, EE, or rltd. r’qd. Wage $81,000-$82,000/yr. Resume to: M. Bonds (CS1211), SIP.US LLC, 12725 Morris Rd, Suite 420, Alpharetta, GA 30004.
IT Professionals:
Ent. Lvl to Sen. Lvl (multiple positions), Sftwr Engnrs, DBAs & Cloud Admin’s are needed for our Alpharetta, GA Office. May req travel. Pls send resume, Cvr Ltr., & Sal. Req. to Ecovue Solutions LLC at 6110 McFarland Station Dr, Ste 203, Alpharetta, GA 30004.
Sr Software Testing & SDET Automation Eng, Multiple Positions: Alpharetta, GA, & var. unanticip client sites thru U.S. Implement testing auto in mult frameworks. Develop & config automtn suites. Develop API test frameworks. Take ownership of QA lifecycle, incl dsgng, dvlping, exec, and doc entire QA process, test plans, cases, procedures, & scripts. Contrib to API develop & Devops Process. Gather & anlyze bsness reqs & collab w/stakeholders. Work independ, prep proj status reports & present as required. Reqs min BS or equiv in CS, CIS, IT-rel Eng, or rel, w/5 yrs exp in psition offered or rel. Extend travel &/or reloc thru U.S. Resumes: CloudIngest Inc., Job SST_SDET, 310 Maxwell Rd., Ste 600, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
Jr Data Scientist – Machine Learning, Mult Positions: Alpharetta, GA, & various unanticip client sites thru U.S. Resp for design & implement data pipelines for extract, transform, & load data using AWS & Azure Data Factory; dvlop & deploy ML models, ensuring data quality thru process, clean, and verific; bldg regression models, tuning ML algorithms for large datasets, & deploy models in user-friendly interfaces; support automtn data workflows, improve perform of ML mods, & collab w/cross-functional teams. Work under guidance of Sr. Data Scientist. Reqs min 2 yrs exp in data anlys & trnsfrmtion. Extend travel &/or reloc thru U.S. Resumes: CloudIngest Inc., Job JDSML, 310 Maxwell Rd., Ste 600, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
Export Logistics Coordinator, Poseidon Forwarding Co, Roswell: Dvlp, implmnt supply chain strategies for customers. Provide route & trailer optimizatn, routing dsgns & models. Source carriers & conduct bids. Monitor industry trends. Foster client relationships. Improve processes. Analyze client transportn data for savings. Analyze shipping, customer, pricing & cost data to build reports & dashboards. Work w/carriers for pricing & solutions. Maintn a carrier dvlpmt progm w/natl, regional, local carriers. Reqd: Bach or frgn equiv in Bus Admin or Logistics + 1 yr exp in job offrd or as Bus Assoc &/or Consultg Assoc. Reqs exp analyzg data & implementg bus sys for cost savings purposes. Email resume to hslain@poseidonforwarding.com
To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm
Business Development Specialist FULTON COUNTY (Johns Creek)
Conduct market research to identify opportunities over competitors. Identify new areas for growth. Implement promotional campaigns. Approach potential clients. Analyze sales and adjust plans accordingly. Identify opportunities for product innovation.
Prepare reports for management. Requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration or marketing and at least one year of experience working in marketing promoting products or services. Send resume to oliver.merino@sourcetobottle.com.
Source to Bottle, LLC.
IT/Engg Professionals (multiple)
Software Developers: Modify complex apps, maintain programs using various techs. Computer Programmers: Write comp. programs using various techs. Job locs Cumming, GA & various unanticipated client sites in US req trvl & reloc to these sites. Specify Jobtitle & Mail resume: Srsoft Inc., 600 Peach Tree Pkwy,#106,Cumming, GA 30041.AttHR
Sawnee EMC is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Marketing Representative. Requires: a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communication, or a related field, and a minimum of two (2) years related experience in a marketing, business, or electric utility environment. Responsible for developing and implementing programs, creating print and digital publications, assisting members with energy usage, natural gas, rebates, incentives, and promoting the Cooperative in the community. Seeking individual with excellent organizational, written and creative skills.
Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, May 23, 2025. 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. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Drug Free Workplace.
Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk 1L (Building and Grounds/Custodial/ Maintenance) (parttime position) to perform facility maintenance and grounds keeping duties. Requires some heavy lifting, high school diploma or equivalency and a valid GA driver’s license. Related experience with outdoor maintenance equipment and a valid CDL are preferred. Hours: Availability for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours.
Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, May 30, 2025. 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.
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