Dunwoody haggles with GDOT over bridge enhancement costs
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council discussed a $2.1 million contract with the Georgia Department of Transportation for enhancements added to the planned replacement of Chamblee Dunwoody Road bridge over I-285. The bridge is being replaced as part
of the state’s plans to add express lanes to I-285.
Dunwoody officials took issue with the cost of the bridge enhancements and a required 50 percent contingency, ballooning costs from less than $1.5 million to more than $2 million.
Mayor Lynn Deutsch instructed Public Works Director Michael Smith to explore ways to drive down the cost and continue discussions with the state.
“The thing is, if we were getting to what we perceive as $2 million worth of value out of this, it would be no question, but we’re barely getting $1 million worth of improvements,” Deutsch said. “So that’s where we stand … but we can continue this dialogue.”
Public Works Director Michael Smith said the 50 percent contingency, atypical for city contracts, is GDOT’s way of protecting itself from losing money.
Negotiations began a few years ago, and the city is waiting on final documentation from the state.
“[GDOT] asked us to remove the barrier along the path on the Chamblee Dunwoody Road bridge,” Smith said.
“City staff believes that it should be there, and we’re continuing to discuss that with GDOT.
See BRIDGE, Page 10
Fashioning a new future in the Village
At left, Nida Mudd, owner of Judy & Grace Boutique at the Village in Dunwoody, struck out from her empty nest home to found her own fashion boutique within the Shops of Dunwoody in the Village. Here, Mudd stands with her six employees during the shop’s grand opening earlier this year. From left, are: Angie Houghton, Sue Benedikt, Karen Oates, Susan DiChiara, Patricia Seimetz, Mary Peterka and Jennifer Morris.
See story, page 4. JANE KONG PHOTOGRAPHY/PROVIDED
NEWS TIPS
770-442-3278
AppenMedia.com
319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009
HANS APPEN Publisher DICK WILLIAMS 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 Dunwoody Crier 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.
Sandy Springs used cameras to assist ICE, data shows
By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs Police have used the city’s contracts with a data collection firm to assist the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) immigration investigations, according to public records and interviews with agency officials.
The practice of local agencies using Flock on behalf of federal partners in this fashion was first reported by 404 Media in May.
Data obtained through public records requests, “shows more than 4,000 nation and statewide lookups by local and state police done either at the behest of the federal government or as an ‘informal’ favor to federal law enforcement, or with a potential immigration focus,” the outlet reported.
Included in that group of assisting agencies was the Sandy Springs Police Department, according to a review of the data by Appen Media.
As with most neighboring cities, Sandy Springs uses products from Flock Safety, an automated license-plate reader (ALPR) and security software company based in Atlanta. Police departments use ALPRs to identify and log vehicles moving through town, framing the tools as a way to investigate criminal activity.
For example, agencies can maintain a “hotlist” of reportedly stolen vehicles and receive alerts if cameras spot them.
Law enforcement can also perform searches of identifying information – such as license plate numbers or descriptions – to help locate vehicles they suspect are connected to criminal activity. When departments make these queries, they can search certain databases of other agencies as well, tapping into a nationwide network
AAPPEN PRESSCLU B
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.
Two cars burglarized in bank parking lot
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police are investigating two car breakins July 6 at a bank parking lot off Ashford Dunwoody Road, netting
of sources.
The Flock system, “is trusted by more than 5,000 communities across the country,” according to the company. That number includes all 10 of the cities and counties Appen Media covers in north Metro Atlanta.
The surveillance technology is big business.
The City of Sandy Springs alone spent more than $400,000 with Flock in 2024, according to public records obtained by Appen Media.
According to 404 Media, DHS Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not have its own contract with Flock. If ICE wants to investigate something using the national network of data, they must get another agency that pays for the service to do it on their behalf.
Data at the source of the reporting came from a police department in Danville, Illinois.
The agency had given researchers a copy of their Flock “Network Audit,” which is a record of each time another department searched Danville’s data.
When law enforcement performs searches in Flock they must record a reason for the query.
Appen Media identified 10 searches Sandy Springs police made of Danville’s network for “ero,” or ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, in March.
When asked about the queries, Sandy Springs officials told Appen Media they were not aware of any recent assistance the department had given for ERO efforts.
Police representatives said the officer recorded as making the searches is a detective assigned to the department’s FBI task force. They added that Flock inquiries, “are conducted within policy during various criminal investigations, drug investigations and locating wanted individuals.”
more than $8,000 in damages and stolen belongings.
An officer said he was dispatched to the bank around 10 p.m. regarding two damaged vehicles, a white 2022 Ram 2500 and a blue 2019 Chevrolet Traverse
The officer said the first victim, a 54-year-old Lula man, told him he returned to his parked truck after a couple of hours and found the driver’s side window shattered.
The man said none of his personal belongings were missing and estimated the cost to repair the
As with other local departments, Sandy Springs assigns officers to standing groups that partner with federal law enforcement agencies. SSPD says they have personnel on task forces with the FBI, DHS’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Appen Media asked why it would be the FBI attachment, and not the HSI detective, assisting with removal operations considering ICE falls under Homeland Security.
Police representatives said they were unsure but suggested it could be part of a joint operation.
FBI officials told Appen Media that the Atlanta office has been working with DHS on immigration operations since the end of January, “which includes assigning a number of our special agents to work with them daily.”
“That assistance requires providing investigative and technical support to HSI with the resources that we and our partners have access to,” they said.
FBI officials said they could not speak to the specifics of the Sandy Springs officer’s use of Flock other than the general nature of collaborative work.
“We approach public safety as a collaborative effort, using all available law enforcement tools and resources to achieve the common goal of removing violent offenders from our streets,” they offered.
Following 404 Media’s reporting, Flock began to dampen the system’s data-sharing functions. The company stopped agencies from searching the camera networks of departments inside Illinois, California and Virginia.
In a June statement CEO Garret Langley wrote that the burden is on law enforcement to use the software responsibly: “The point is: it is a local decision. Not my decision, and not Flock’s decision.”
damage was around $1,500.
The second victim, a 53-year-old South Carolina man, said his $2,000 Apple MacBook and a $700 backpack had been stolen from his car.
The South Carolina man also told the officer that the damage to his rear passenger window would cost him around $4,000.
The officer said he was unable to lift any fingerprints from the vehicles but scheduled a time to review security camera footage when the bank reopened.
—
Hayden Sumlin
Sandy Springs outpaces area cities in police pursuits
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — The Sandy Springs Police Deparment has a more aggressive vehicle pursuit policy than surrounding jurisdictions, leading to more high-speed chases and risky maneuvers to stop suspects.
In 2024, Sandy Springs officers engaged in more than twice the number of car chases than police in Alpharetta, Dunwoody and Roswell combined, according to interviews and an analysis by Appen Media.
Law enforcement officials agree that the decision to pursue fleeing motorists is a balancing act; departments must weigh the risk for officers, suspects and bystanders against the danger of not apprehending the suspect at that time.
How Sandy Springs police make that calculation is what sets them apart from neighboring cities.
Guidence from the Department of Justice in 2023 recommends that pursuits should take place when two conditions are met, “(1) A violent crime has been committed and (2) the suspect poses an imminent threat to commit another violent crime.”
The DOJ report also recommends law enforcement officials set policies for their departments that detail the requirements to initiate a pursuit, how to evaluate whether it should continue and instructions on documenting incidents.
Sandy Springs’ policy says the goal of a pursuit is to reduce the danger to the public by stopping a fleeing vehicle as soon as possible. Neighboring police departments have different philosophies.
Alpharetta, Roswell and Dunwoody policies prohibit officers from pursuing vehicles based on traffic charges alone.
Following the DOJ’s direction, Alpharetta and Roswell also say pursuits should be avoided if it’s evident the suspect could be apprehended at a later time.
Sandy Springs relies on a more situational approach, allowing pursuits based on the “totality of circumstances.”
In 2024, Alpharetta reported five police pursuits, Roswell documented 10 and Dunwoody logged two.
Sandy Springs officers engaged in at least 41 car chases in 2024, according to an Appen Media analysis.
That’s up from 2023, when Sandy Springs reported 17 pursuits.
Major policy change
Department officials attributed the rise to a “major policy change” in 2024. The new, amended policy allows for more discretion or freedom for officers, allowing them to pursue a fleeing vehicle if they have reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed or is about to
Meanwhile, another officer, just off duty, had turned around on his way home to join the pursuit, at one point reaching a speed of 87 mph on Riverside Drive. He continued on the chase for another 30 seconds after the pursuit was canceled, according to the department’s analysis of the incident.
occur.
Available data on the pursuits are scant.
Of the 41 chases identified by Appen Media, the city provided Vehicle Pursuit Reports on 13.
It withheld the remaining documents, saying the underlying cases were pending investigation.
In the 13 provided reports, there were a range of suspected crimes at the pursuits’ inception, from speeding and improper license plates to outstanding warrants and armed robbery.
Officers caught and arrested suspects in about half the cases. The others got away.
Sandy Springs officers conducted PIT, box-in or other forced termination techniques in at least 12 of those pursuits.
A PIT, or precision immobilization technique, is a method used by law enforcement to make contact with a vehicle, forcing it to abruptly turn 180 degrees and stall.
Alpharetta, Roswell and Dunwoody officials told Appen Media they conducted zero forced termination maneuvers in 2024.
“I can’t remember the last time we did a PIT,” Alpharetta Police Captain J. Braithwaite said.
Appen Media asked Sandy Springs Police spokesman Sgt. Leon Millholland why the department has a more aggressive pursuit policy than surrounding cities.
“We’re not going to tolerate crime in the city. We have the support from our city officials, and the chief wants crime delt with,” Millholland said. “That’s where it comes from, its leadership. The citizens of Sandy Springs … we continually hear that’s what they want.”
Appen Media published two stories in
December 2024 and January 2025 about the Sandy Springs Police Department conducting high-speed chases on state highways and interstates and executing PIT maneuvers.
The Sandy Springs Police Department has posted footage of some its pursuits, ending in box-ins or PIT maneuvers on its Facebook page.
Most comments show support for the officers’ actions and the department’s policies.
Others bring up the danger posed to bystanders and the public.
Risks of injuries
The DOJ’s report cited, “there were two serious injuries and 10 minor injuries for every 100 pursuits,” from 2009 to 2013.
Hugh Clements, director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, said high-speed chases should not be a routine part of law enforcement work.
“The safety of fleeing suspects, their passengers, pursuing officers and uninvolved bystanders are too important to risk on a regular basis,” Clements wrote. “But there are times when the importance of apprehending the suspect in a timely manner means that pursuit is necessary despite these dangers.”
The Sandy Springs Police Department’s policy states “officers who engage in vehicle pursuits must continually balance the need to pursue against all known or apparent risks posed to the general public.”
In July 2024, two Sandy Springs officers pursued a vehicle into the City of Roswell. One officer drove off the road, disabling his vehicle, attempting to make a turn at 80 mph. A second officer negotiated the turn, but the police supervisor canceled the pursuit.
In that report, the department critiqued two additional officers who responded to the scene despite being “not within the vicinity of the pursuit.” One of those officers were clocked at 124 mph on Ga. 400. The other officer, a detective, reached a speed of 90 mph and continued with emergency equipment on for 21 seconds after the supervisor’s cancelation announcement.
The vehicle escaped.
Another pursuit in December over a broken tag light ended in two PIT maneuvers conducted in an apartment complex parking lot off Cimarron Parkway. Police Chief DeSimone ruled the officer’s actions were “unnecessary PIT attempt and not within policy.”
Pursuit training delayed
Sandy Springs schedules pursuit trainings for its officers every two years to keep up with legal updates and changes in techniques or vehicles, Police Sgt. Millholland said.
“It’s not a recertification; it’s a refamiliarization because we’re not required by law to be certified in PIT maneuvers,” Milholland told Appen Media. “The training that we do every two years is a brief familiarization [with] any legal updates, any change in techniques or that have been discovered, or any change in vehicles, you know, anything that needs to be addressed.
Because of an increase in mandated training hours from 400 to 800, Millholland said Sandy Springs is still attempting to schedule its “refamiliarization” at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in the city of Forsyth.
“Right now, our training division is reaching out, and they’ve got a couple of possibilities going right now,” Millholland said. “We will get this scheduled second half of this year to do this refamiliarization … it’s in the process of being scheduled.”
PHOTOS BY: SANDY SPRINGS POLICE/PROVIDED
Sandy Springs performed a PIT intervention technique on a Dodge Challenger on the Glenridge Connector January 2.
Sandy Springs Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone has presided over a department that engages in more vehicle pursuits than any neighboring cities in North Fulton County.
Empty nester fashions her own business
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga — Nida Mudd has slowed down enough now to talk about her new retail business.
“In May of 2024, I was very deep into trying to get everything set up … it couldn’t have been a busier time in my life,” Mudd said. “I do feel like someone above was definitely helping me get to where I am today because I couldn’t have done it without my friends and, you know, some outside force helping me.”
Judy & Grace Boutique is a new women’s fashion destination within the Shops of Dunwoody in the Village on the west side of Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
Nida Mudd and her husband Todd met as college students at Mizzou, the University of Missouri. They have lived on the Dunwoody-Sandy Springs border for more than three decades, sending their four children to Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic Church and then the Marist School.
“When my oldest child was going into his senior year, I had decided, ‘you know what, I think I’m going to stop working altogether and just pursue the mommy track,’” she said. “But what I found is that I was just busier than ever working
I don’t like to take no for an answer, and I’m willing to take on a challenge. If I don’t know something, I’m going to do what I can to try to learn about it.”
NIDA MUDD Owner, Judy & Grace Boutique
on things for the school, you know, doing various things on various boards.”
The idea for a boutique came a couple of years ago when her youngest child and only daughter, Mattie Grace, was a junior in high school.
“I was just reflecting and thinking to myself, ‘what am I going to do next?’ I’m kind of a worker person,” she said. “I’m not a sit around at home, cleaning … you know, just domestic. That just wasn’t in my blood.”
Preserving family names
Nida said the name of the boutique honors the two most important women in her life: her mother, Judy, and Mattie Grace. After giving her a little seed money for the business, Nida said she decided to put her mother’s name in the store.
“She’s in her mid-80s, and I know that
there’s going to be a day that she’s not going to be with me,” Nida said. “I wanted her name in my store name in order to for me to remember her always.”
Nida said Judy & Grace Boutique is geared toward women with a “stylish, timeless and fabulous” vibe.
Mudd approached her husband, Todd, with the idea of opening a boutique, and he suggested she first get some experience working in a store. So, she approached the owner of Nancy’s Boutique, which she frequently patronized, with an offer of working as a substitute employee without pay.
“I started subbing at Nancy’s for a little bit,” Nida said. “After working there for three or four months, I decided ‘you know what, this is something I would like to pursue.’”
Nancy’s Boutique closed its doors when the owner retired amid health concerns in January 2024, leaving Nida without someone experienced to bounce ideas off of.
but the popular chain Summit Coffee was a more attractive tenant to the shopping center’s leasing team.
The popular coffee spot has been a boon for surrounding businesses at the Shops of Dunwoody with increased foot traffic, Nida said.
Last April, she signed a lease of 1,250 square feet between Palm Beach Tan and the Dunwoody Tavern.
“I don’t like to take no for an answer, and I’m willing to take on a challenge,” Nida said. “If I don’t know something, I’m going to do what I can to try to learn about it. A lot of it is just my girlfriends just being there and saying, ‘you can do this and let’s do it.’”
After a soft opening in November 2024, the boutique had its official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony with Dunwoody officials and community leaders in late February.
When Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch asked her if she was a city resident, Nida said they had a laugh because technically her home is in Sandy Springs. However, Nida identifies as a Dunwoodian.
“What’s so funny is that Dunwoody incorporated after I moved here,” she said. “So, when I moved here, I was technically in Dunwoody … it’s just where they drew the line.”
“I don’t know how I did it, now that I’m talking to you about it, I honestly am not sure how it all happened,” she said. “I hired a couple of consultants, [and] they became my friends… and I couldn’t have done all that because I had really had no idea.”
While she didn’t have retail experience, her career background is in sales and marketing. Nida said she was extremely busy buying fixtures, hiring people and selecting inventory in the first half of 2024.
“I had inventory, but having to steam [out wrinkles in] the inventory, unbox it, count it, put it into a system, find a pointof-sale system, purchase one, print the prices and stick them on all the clothing,” she said. “I mean, if you can just think of that process, I knew none of it.”
Finding the right spot
Nida said she was eyeing a lease of Nancy’s former space for her own shop,
Monsignor Joe Corbett from Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic Church and Rabbi Brian Glusman from the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta gave blessings at the ribbon-cutting at Nida’s invitation.
She said there’s no other place she would have raised her children than Central Perimeter. Her identity is intertwined with her church community, friends throughout Dunwoody and work with a local Jewish educational nonprofit.
Judy & Grace Boutique invites Metro Atlanta women to visit and enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a “girlfriend vibe” that sets the tone for shopping.
The boutique is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment.
For more information, contact the store at 770-680-5213 or visit judyandgraceboutique.com/home.
For the latest updates, visit @ judyandgraceboutique on Instagram.
Twig (ID# 57583520) is a unique looking dog with his two tone coloring that makes him stand out from the crowd. He has a wide dark colored patch down his back which is both unusual and striking. He was picked up as a stray and is a bit on the skinny side (only 43 lbs) and could use some TLC. He knows the sit command and takes treats gently. He impressed volunteers not only for his beauty but his alertness and ability to entertain himself. He had a burst of the zoomies, ran around the yard and played with toys.
Expand your family by 4 furry little feet; meet Twig and have a loving friend forever. All adoptions include spay/ neuter, vaccinations and microchip. All you have to do is provide the love and security that every shelter animal deserves. If you would like more information about Twig or if you have questions about adopting, fostering or volunteering please email adoption@ dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165; all potential adopters will be screened to ensure Twig goes to a good home.
Come visit Twig and hundreds of other adoptable pets at DeKalb County
Animal Services today. No appointment needed. If you can’t adopt, consider fostering temporarily or take one of the pups for a fun day out with the Dog for the Day program. This program is a great way to borrow a canine companion for a hike, a trip to the park, or a lazy day at home. Email foster@ dekalbanimalservices.com for more information about Dog for the Day.
NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Name: Waxing The City (Dunwoody)
Owner: Adell Pickens, Tori Pickens
Description: Waxing the City Dunwoody is woman and Veteranowned, waxing and skincare studio, offering expert services for all genders in a friendly, inclusive space. Visit us for brows, Brazilians, and everything in
Are Your Fruit Trees NOT Producing Fruit?
Fruit Tree Pruning
Tree Planting
between!
Opened: February 13, 2025
Address: 5475 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody Village, Dunwoody Phone: 470-359-2958
Web Address: https://www. waxingthecity.com/locations/424/us/ ga/dunwoody/
Specialized Fruit Tree Prunning and Care bloomandfruit.net
Email a fruit tree specialist today! email: info@bloomandfruit.com
Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm
Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm, re-imagining how bath & kitchen remodels are done.
Complete Remodeling Design and Installation Services. We even remove walls!
Guiding you through the whole design process. Ask about our 3D Renderings.
Making bath & kitchen remodeling fun, easy and affordable.
Open to Public 9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat Showroom – Design Center 10591 Old Alabama Road Connector Alpharetta, GA 30022 (near Northpoint Mall)
Medley contractors at work on Johns Creek’s ‘third place’
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Medley is making its mark on Johns Creek, repurposing an old corporate campus to create a destination.
Medley is a $560 million mixed-use project within a 42-acre triangle within McGinnis Ferry Road, Lakefield Drive and Johns Creek Parkway. It’s set to feature 200,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment; 110,000 square feet of Class A office space; 150 owner-occupied townhomes; a 175-key boutique hotel and 750 luxury apartments.
After groundbreaking this January, a tentative grand opening is set for Oct. 29, 2026.
Medley is part of a larger 192-acre Town Center masterplan, which is set to include City Hall, public parks and pathways on both sides of Johns Creek Parkway.
Before he branched out on his own, Mark Toro led development of North American Properties’ mixed-use destination Avalon off Ga. 400 at Windward Parkway in Alpharetta.
Now, Toro Development Company is working to bring some of its strategies to create a “third place” in Johns Creek.
Sociologists refer to a third place as a social environment where people can build community bonds, which is not in their homes (first place) or at work (second place).
While the larger Avalon will remain a regional draw for Metro Atlantans, developers say Medley is about culture, community, connection, convenience and charm for the people of Johns Creek.
Johns Creek native Allie Cyr, who toured the construction site in early July with Appen Media, said having a spot close
to home for neighbors to build connections is exciting.
Brian Keaton, senior superintendent at Hoar Construction, will manage construction.
Keaton, who started his career installing door frames at the State Farm office campus on the same site in 1990, said a lot has changed in the woods between Peachtree Corners and Alpharetta.
“It is so fulfilling to return to the same site I worked on 35 years ago,” Keaton said. “There has been so much change since then — I remember standing in line in the rain for my physical paper check and testing the robotic mail cart to make sure it could fit through the doors.”
To make way for the new project, the team has demolished one of the State Farm buildings and is incorporating the other into the Medley site plan. The remaining building is being repurposed to include ground-level retail on both sides with other floors remaining office space.
“I am proud to be back at this site where it all began and play a larger role in transforming this property into a mixeduse destination that we know will serve the incredible community of Johns Creek,” Keaton said.
He knocked out one of his longstanding traditions earlier this year by tossing a coin into the first slab of concrete poured on the site for good luck.
Because of the site’s elevation changes, the main plaza is above portions of the site abutting McGinnis Ferry Road and Lakefield Drive.
While most of the construction work and infrastructure is underground, the exciting stuff is beginning to sprout.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Members of Medley’s construction, development and marketing team stroll across the mixed-use project’s main entrance July 8 during a tour of the 43-acre site.
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!
TYPES
1. Big sandwich. Cheeky. Type of puppy.
2. Type of energy. Pond organism. Fizzy drink.
3. Lackluster. Peruvian beast. Type of eagle.
4. Egress. Barbershop request. Type of enemy.
5. Hirsute. Kind of knife. Sailing vessel with two masts.
6. Kind of brush. Avian chatterbox. Weakling.
7. Attention-getter. In the know. Type of toast.
1 Big sandwich. Cheeky. Type of puppy
2. Type of energy. Pond organism. Fizzy drink.
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. Lackluster. Peruvian beast. Type of eagle
4. Egress. Barbershop request. Type of enemy.
5. Hirsute. Kind of knife. Sailing vessel with two masts
6. Kind of brush. Avian chatterbox. Weakling.
UV Safety Awareness Month with Dr. Kehinde Olumesi
Brought to you by - Epiphany Dermatology
As a board-certified dermatologist, I see firsthand the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin every day. While sunshine has its benefits— boosting our mood and helping our bodies produce vitamin D— unprotected exposure to UV rays is the leading cause of premature skin aging and skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form.
July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to recommit protecting your skin. Whether you’re outdoors for just a few minutes or enjoying hours of summer fun, your skin remembers every sunburn, tan, and unprotected exposure. Over time,
this damage accumulates and can lead to significant consequences.
The good news? Sun protection is simple and effective. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even when it’s cloudy. Reapply every two hours when outdoors. Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and a widebrimmed hat.
And don’t forget your annual skin check. Early detection of skin cancer can be life-saving, and regular visits with a dermatologist help keep your skin healthy yearround.
Protecting your skin today helps preserve your health and appearance tomorrow.
— Dr. Kehinde Olumesi
Our doors are open!
Stop by our new store for delicious food and great deals. Friendly associates are ready to help you, and we have lots of ways to make it easy to get dinner on the table. Come see for yourself. We can’t wait to meet you.
2010 Johnson Ferry Rd NE Brookhaven, GA 30319
Store:
7 a m – 10 p m daily
404 460 9991
Pharmacy: Monday – Friday: 9 a m – 9 p m
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
404 460 9992
Bridge:
Continued from Page 1
It’s still in the cost estimate that you see.”
Smith said before the final agreement is signed, which is due soon, the city and GDOT must come to a decision about the barrier.
Weighing safety vs cost
City Councilman John Heneghan said he wants to ensure safety along the bridge but is also looking to limit costs by potentially removing some of the aesthetic and pedestrian lighting.
Because the project is a few years out from construction, Dunwoody officials said they want to take time to ensure the city is getting its desired enhancements, including the barriers for pedestrian safety.
In a related matter, Smith also said the city has been coordinating enhancements to the existing Perimeter Center Parkway bridge over I-285, which the Perimeter Community Improvement District is funding. Plans for the I-285 Top End Express Lanes project do not call for replacing the bridge.
The proposed project looks to add two barrier-separated express lanes in both directions of a portion of I-285 and Ga. 400 with some sections elevated 50-60 feet.
The Top End project is different from the Ga. 400 express lanes project, which extends north from the North Springs MARTA station to south Forsyth County.
The I-285 project, extending from
A rendering of the planned replacement of the Chamblee Dunwoody Road bridge over I-285 shows the Georgia Department of Transportation’s plan for the Top End Express Lanes Project at the interchange with the city’s preferred enhancements.
A rendering shows planned enhancements to the existing Perimeter Center Parkway bridge over I-285, a part of the planned Top End Express Lanes project. The Perimeter Community Improvement District is funding enhancements to the bridge, which sits insides its commercial boundaries.
South Atlanta Road west of I-75 in Cobb County eastward to Henderson Road past I-85 in DeKalb County, is being split into two phases, each
in different directions beginning at Northside Drive in Sandy Springs. A portion of the I-285 widening includes express lanes along Ga. 400 from
Glenridge Drive to the North Springs station.
Private partner involved
In summer 2021, GDOT and the State Road and Tollway Authority announced a change in project’s delivery model to a private-public partnership, which puts a yet-tobe selected investor in charge of the project’s final design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance.
GDOT says it’s in the process of selecting a private-sector partner for the first phase of the I-285 Top End project, which will include the eastern portion of project and Dunwoody’s section of I-285.
Phase one of the I-285 East Express Lanes project stretches from Henderson Road in DeKalb County to Northside Drive in Sandy Springs, including the Chamblee Dunwoody Road bridge.
After elected officials deliberated, differing perspectives on the bridge enhancements emerged.
City Councilman Tom Lambert said he can’t justify the “enormous price tag,” given the upgrades the city is getting.
City Councilman Joe Seconder said he wants city staff to find out what Sandy Springs paid to replace bridges over Ga. 400 along Pitts Road and Roberts Drive. Seconder said there are ways to save funds on the enhancements while still getting some aesthetic improvements.
“I get the financial … fiscally conservative, you know, let’s just get it done,” Seconder said. “But this is going to be around for a long, long time, and it’s going to have impact.”
RENDERINGS BY: CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED
SOLUTIONS
Join today for $16/month
DC Aiken
Big Sky Franchise Team
David & Michelle Bertany
Amour & Duane Carthy
Adam Corder
Support Local News Join Appen Press Club
CHARTER MEMBER
Patrick Cressaty
Robert Flint
Robin Fricton
Zachary Hahn
Allison January
Michael Kenig
Roderick Liptrot
Bob Meyers
Claude Nardy
Cliff Oxford Ross & Lori Ramsey
Sarah Reiter
Mark Rundle
Matthew Sayle
Lynn Thomas Kim Truett Roger Wise Jr. Colt Whittall
MEMBER+
Barbara Anderson
Kerry Arias
Scott Baynton
James Bennett
Carl Abernathy
Salpi Adrouny
Alpharetta Lions Club
American Legion Post 201
Alice & Dr. Richard Appen
Gaye Armstrong
Bangkok Boxing LLC
Shannon Banna
Barbara Bauschka
Miriam Beattie
Laura Bentley
William Bentley
Ron Boddicker
Sherri Bolles-Rogers
Helen Borland
Ryan Brainard
Mark Brandus
Dorothy Brouhard
Erendira Brumley
Bernhard Burgener
Mike & Theresa Buscher
Mary Busman
Clea Calloway
Bridgette Carter
William Cartwright
Frank Catroppa
Mark Casas
David Conti
Theodore Davis III
Maureen Drumm
Charlcie Forehand
Aileen Horton
Virginia Christman
Christopher Cleary
Ann Coaloa
Kim Coggins
Evelyn Collazo
Michael Mackenzie
Communications
Joan Compton
Carol Cookerly
Terri Coons
Rhonda Cude
Connie Cunningham
Christopher Cupit
David Davis
Duane DeBruler
Marilyn DeCusati
Rebecca Donlan
Tom Driscoll
Michael Dudgeon
Jeanette Dummer
DutchCrafters Amish Furniture
Thomas Edmonds
William Edmundson
Denise Eicher
Mim Eisenberg
Danny Elkins
Su Ellis
Grady Evans
Carol Fain
Martha Fasse
Nell & Doug Fernandez
Daniel Fleck
Lee Fleck
Laura Floyd
Cathy Flynn
Paul Folger
Adrienne Fontaine
Mary Ford
Nanci Foster
Amy Frederick
Kelly Frommer
Carol Fry
Tracey Ganesh
Daniel Gay
John Gibbs
John Gilberto
Leslie Gilliam
Bailey & Ryan Gladysz
Michelle Glotzbach
Harvey Goldberg
Deborah Jackson
Ali Mahbod
Richard Matherly
Evan McElroy
Vickie McElroy
Patricia Miller
MEMBER
Christopher Goodrich
Phyllis Goodrich
Ralph Griffin
Marilee Hamilton
Susan Hanna
Marion Hannah
Roxanne Hazen
Joe Hirsch
Penn Hodge
Dianne & Steffan Holmquist
Joan Hostetter
Julie Hostetter
Austin Hughes
Jacqueline Hursh
Sue Jacques
Lynn Johnson
Tyler Jones
Arthur Kebanli
Laura Keck
Mark Kelly
Nancy Kennell
Randall Kent
Carol Kerr
Allison Kloster
Dyna Kohler
Larry Krueger
Jess & Chris Kysar
Malinda Lackey
Brandon Leach
Dennis Lee
Ken Leffingwell
Carol Lehan
Bonnie Lind
Francia Lindon
Harlan Little
Ross Long
Kyser Lough
Rita Loventhal
Brenda Lundy
Rita Loventhal
Karen Magill
Kyile Marshall
Julie Martin
Carla Masecar
Valerie Matthews
William Maxwell
Rachel McCord
Austin McCully
Diane McDonald
Karen McEnerny
Anne Peer
Jennifer Phillippi
Robert Popp
Dave Rhinehart
Sergey Savin
Kate Seng
Lynn McIntyre
Mike McLoughlin
Jennifer Mendoza
Al Merrill
Chris Miller
Christine Miller
Joe Modica
Fred Moeller
Sarah Moen
Catherine Moore
Carol Morgan
Kathy Morgan
Stu Moring
Leslie Mullis
Donna Murphy
Jack Murphy
Aileen Nakamura
Cindy Nolan North
Fulton Master Gardners, Inc.
Tricia Novarro
Bob O’Brien
Anne Pappas
Lynn Pennington
Jonathan Peters
Kurt & Leslie Phillips
Mary & Jan Phillips
Debra Powell
Joyce Provissiero
Chuck Pugh
Robert Radloff
Raj Rajagopalan
Ashwin Ramaswami
Cheryl Rand
Jean Rearick
Joseph Reed
Righteous PR
Angie Rigney
Neil Robertson
Kimberly Robinson
Matt Rohs
Kim Romaner
Kelly Sarmiento
Stephanie Schniederjan The Schoenblum Family
Robert Scholz
Stephanie Schuette
Susan Searles
Tina Shelton
Lisa Shippel
Joanne Simmons
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.
Kimberly Verska
Williams
Tom Simon
Cindy Simpson
Robert Singleton
Faye Sklar
Judith Slaughter
Andy Smith
Gena Spears
Donald Spencer
Melissa Spencer
Gloria Stathos
Robert Stevens
Wesley Stewart
Cathryn Stovall
Celeste Strohl
Diana Sullivan
Andy Sumlin
Mike Tasos
Candice Teichert
The Small Business Advisor
William Tietjen
Lisa Tilt
Michael Townes
Trunnion LLC
Matthew Tyser
Ollie Wagner
Lewis Walker
Jonathan Washburn
Michael Watson
Michael Weiss
Herbert Wells
Sally White
Thom White
Umpika White
Christine Williams
Jamie Wimberly
Jonathan Winkie
Nancy & Dave Wistrand
Theresa Woolridge
Carla York
Jonathan Young
Scan
Sandy Springs road named in honor
A road which runs between Boylston Drive and Roswell Road was named for Dr. Leila Daughtry Denmark in 2018. Leila Daughtry was born on a farm in Bulloch County, Georgia, in 1898. She studied at Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia, and Mercer University in Macon. She was the third woman graduate of the Medical College of Georgia, graduating in 1928.
Dr. Denmark participated in pio-
neering research on whooping cough after an epidemic hit Atlanta in 1932. She worked with Eli Lilly and researchers at Emory University to help develop a successful vaccine for the deadly illness.
According to the 1940 census, Leila and husband John Eustace Denmark lived in the city of Atlanta. They built a home in Sandy Springs a few years later. The couple first met in elementary school. John Denmark was a banker and became an officer with the Federal Reserve.
Dr. Denmark was named “Woman of the Year in Professions” in 1954, honored because of her work as a pediatrician and her contributions to the field
of medicine. She had an office in the family home at 5605 Glenridge Drive, where she could work and be close to their daughter. (Atlanta Journal, Jan. 14, 1954, “Dr. Leila Denmark Woman of the Year”)
A newspaper article written in 1986 tells of Dr. Denmark’s thriving practice that year, when she was 88 years old. In 1985, Leila and John Denmark moved to a 100-year-old Forsyth County farmhouse. She continued to practice as a pediatrician, running her office from the farmhouse. Jack Wilkinson wrote, “The parking lot beside the old white farmhouse was full. The cars came from Cobb and Gwinnett, Floyd and Fulton,
DeKalb and Cherokee counties. Some people had driven an hour to get here.” (Atlanta Constitution, April 1, 1986, “Nothing is forgotten in Dr. Denmark’s office”)
My mother never took me or my brother to Dr. Denmark, but she spoke of her often and had a copy of her book, “Every Child Should Have a Chance.” The book was published in 1971. Tucked inside my mom’s copy of the book was the April 1,1986 newspaper article about the doctor, something my mom often did with books. I love to find these hidden treasures.
See ROAD, Page 13
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
Medley:
Continued from Page 6
Building heights are capped at four stories for the office and multifamily buildings on both sides of the planned Medley Boulevard, cutting through the center of the site. It will resemble Avalon, with pedestrian friendly streetscapes, “jewel box” retailers with activated rooftops, openair shops and restaurants with outdoor patios.
In early July, Hoar Construction made progress on the first floor and foundation of the multi-family building with hundreds of construction workers on-site.
Keaton said finding labor is difficult, but it’s a nationwide problem. He said his team does a great job, glancing over to his son and smiling.
Dividing the townhomes from the retail hub, offices and main plaza are a set of
Road:
Continued from Page 12
The parents who were in the office the day Wilkinson visited spoke of their concern over what they would do once Dr. Denmark could no longer be their children’s doctor. Her personalized care and concern for every child, plus her years of experience, made her a special doctor. She also charged a lower fee than
two-story buildings, allowing patrons to use a staircase to trek between the two sections of Medley.
Empire Communities is building some 150 townhomes on the southern end of the site, while Hoar Construction has the reins of Medley’s first phase of mixed-use development.
While most trees on the site have been cleared, developers plan to replant more than a thousand and have saved a pine oak near the main boulevard and a couple of others around the site.
The two entities are not partners, but the concepts support one another.
Caroline Simmel, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Empire, said Medley’s residences represent a new category in housing — upscale homes that offer owners all the benefits of an urban lifestyle, while still living in the suburbs.
To learn more and keep up with Medley’s construction, visit medleyjohnscreek.com.
most other doctors in 1985.
When Denmark began practicing medicine in 1928, she was the eighth pediatrician in Atlanta. She continued her work until the age of 103. Dr. Denmark died in 2012 at the age of 114.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
In Memoriam
Henly Shelton
August 27, 1949 - July 9, 2025
Henly Shelton, 75, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on July 9, 2025, surrounded by family. Born Preston Henly Shelton on August 27, 1949, in Pensacola, Florida, Henly proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his bravery. After his military service, he earned his MBA from Georgia State University and went on to build a successful career in pulp and paper and later, technology sales. While in college at the University of West Florida, he met the love of his life, Barbara Crayton. The two were married for 51 years and raised their family in Atlanta. Henly loved telling stories – often with a twinkle in his eye – and never missed
a chance to share a good joke. After retiring, he followed his passion for great food by becoming a certified Kansas City BBQ judge, and he was a legendary griller in his own right. He is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara; their three children: Sterling Shelton (Amy), Lawson Shelton, and Chamberlynn Campuzano (Andrew); and five cherished grandchildren: Charleston, SJ, Baylor, Hamilton, and Lawson James. He was the son of the late Lawson Henly Shelton and Ruby Bell Lewis Shelton. Henly will be remembered for his strength, humor, generous spirit, and unwavering love for his family. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a veterans’ organization of your choice.
In Memoriam
John W. Campbell
November 17, 1963 – July 12, 2025
John Wallace Campbell, a devoted family man and accomplished attorney, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025, at the age of 61. Born on November 17, 1963, he was adopted by Wallace and Noreen Campbell and lovingly raised in Georgia, sharing a strong bond with his siblings Bill, Julia, and Donald. John earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University and went on to receive his law degree from the University of Georgia. He built a decadeslong legal career in Atlanta, first as a long-time partner at Swift Currie, then helping to establish the Atlanta office of McAngus Goudelock & Courie, where he remained until his retirement in 2022. On April 20, 1991, John married the love of his life, Diane Winkler Campbell, beginning a partnership filled with unwavering support, shared adventures, and lots of laughter. Together, they raised three children—Caroline, Annie, and Bobby—who were the center of John’s world. Being their dad was his greatest joy. John had a knack for finding enjoyment in the everyday. He was a loyal Braves fan, cheering and (more often) stressing through every game. He loved time on the golf course with friends, never
missed his 6 p.m. martini, and could light up a room with his dry wit and easy charm. In October 2021, John was diagnosed with ALS. He met the diagnosis with the same steady strength and resilience he carried through life. Even as the disease progressed, he continued to travel, enjoy good meals, laugh with friends, and live fully, right up until the time of his passing. In 2023, John reconnected with his birth mother, Phyllis, and his half-sisters, Tiffany and Olivia. Their reunion was an unexpected gift that brought deep joy and a sense of wholeness in his final years. John will be remembered for his humor, natural leadership, and the genuine way he made everyone feel cared for. “Always Love Strong” was more than the name he chose for his family’s ALS efforts—it was the motto he lived by. He was deeply loved and will be missed beyond words. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to FACT Relief in John’s honor. Donations can be made at https://factrelief.salsalabs. org/alwayslovestrong/ A celebration of life will be held on July 25, 2025, at Dunwoody United Methodist Church at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow.
Effective July 18, 2025, Elite Radiology of Georgia - Dunwoody at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Suite 140, Atlanta, GA 30338 will discontinue patient care operations. We have other nearby locations to serve you, please visit eliteradiologyofgeorgia.com/locations to find your nearest clinic. To access medical records, please visit eliteradiologyofgeorgia.com/clearpath. For other questions, please contact us at eliteradiologyofgeorgia.com/contact-us.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The City of Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council of Chambers of Dunwoody City Hall, located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338, for the purpose of due process of the following:
ZBA 25-14, 5087 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338 : Two variances: one from Sec. 27-58 to allow a home addition and garage to encroach into the rear setback and one from Sec. 27-58 to allow a garage to encroach into the side and setbacks.
Should you have any questions or comments, or would like to view the application and supporting materials, please contact the City of Dunwoody Community Development Department at 678-382-6800. Members of the public are encouraged to call or schedule a meeting with the staff in advance of the Public Hearing if they have questions or are unfamiliar with the process. The staff is available to answer questions, discuss the decision-making process, and receive comments and concerns.
Call
roofing. Based in Roswell. Serving North Atlanta since 1983. Call to schedule FREE Qoute: 770-284-3123. Christian Brothers Roofing
Handyman
Matthew the Handyman - Carpentry, painting, drywall, plumbing. Electrical and small jobs. 404-547-2079.
is
a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime
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
Workforce Development Coordinator
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Workforce Development Coordinator position. The Workforce Development Coordinator serves as a crucial link between NFCC clients, Volunteer Coaches, and local employers.
The Coordinator collaborates with community businesses to identify hiring opportunities while working closely with Volunteer Coaches who deliver career readiness services including resume writing, job application assistance, and interview preparation. Through these efforts, the Coordinator helps clients improve their employment prospects that may lead to greater financial stability.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Remote/part-time/flexible/contract work for seasoned accountants/bookkeepers. Non-Profit/ For-Profit Clients. QBO and payroll expertise required. Sue@playbook-cloud.com
