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Dunwoody approves $1.5 million for police storage facility By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Police Department is getting a place to store its SWAT vehicles after the city council approved $1.5 million to add a storage building at its annex on North Shallowford Road. According to Council Member Jon Heneghan, the facility will house five or

six vehicles, some of which the city of Dunwoody does not own. Funding will come from various sources. Design and project management services cost $256,989, leaving just over $443,000 in the project’s original budget within Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax I funds. Total construction costs are estimated at $1.6 million. Dunwoody’s police department is reallocating $320,000 from budget line

items into the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax II fund to dedicate toward the project. Between general reserve funds and unallocated capital funds, $826,495 will come from the general capital project fund. Council Member Heneghan wanted to find other capital funds to pay for the project, rather than taking from SPLOST and the general fund. Mayor Lynn Deutsch said Dunwoody

voters previously opposed a bond to fund this project, leaving the city to find another funding source. A 2023 bond referendum would have raised $60 million for capital projects to build or improve physical assets across the city. Dunwoody used to share a fleet storage facility with the Sandy Springs Police Department.

See COUNCIL, Page 16

Dunwoody says yes to a teen author before her transplant By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

COURTESY ASHLEY BROWN

Amiaya Brown smiles outside Prelude Bookstore in Dunwoody before signing copies of her book, “The Unassuming Superhero,” Oct. 18.

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Amiaya Brown had never heard of a “Yes Day” before she was granted one in October, so she started pitching ideas to see how far it would go. “I was excited as they kept saying yes to my crazy ideas,” Amiaya said. “I immediately kicked into planning gear.” Yes Day is a Georgia nonprofit organization seeking to support and uplift children and young adults facing challenges by granting them “24 hours of yes” to go shopping, to a concert or a celebrity meeting, or to enjoy other surprises. Amiaya was diagnosed with sickle

cell disease when she was 1 week old. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become stiff and crescent-shaped, which can block blood flow and trigger severe episodes of pain known as crises. She was nominated by her school administrators and social worker for a Yes Day in early October. Since starting puberty, Amiaya’s sickle cell crises have gotten worse. For almost two years, she visited the hospital every month because of the pain. Amiaya, now 13, said that was really hard because she had to leave school so much and none of her classmates understood why.

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POLICE BLOTTER These reports are compiled from information provided by local law enforcement agencies and are matters of public record. They do not imply guilt, and those described are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Officers arrest man at ex-girlfriend’s home

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 30-year-old Forsyth County man was arrested after allegedly attempting to force his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home Oct. 4. Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the Autumn Sage Drive home about 7 p.m. A 32-year-old Alpharetta woman told 911 dispatchers her home was locked and that she and her mother were hiding in a bathroom. Officers found the man outside the home and a BeatBox alcoholic beverage next to him. The man appeared intoxicated, police said. While inspecting the outside of the home, officers allegedly found a debit card wedged into the side of a basement door. The front door had pry marks and chipped paint and wood, police said. Officers took the man to the Alpharetta Detention Center and charged him with criminal damage to property, public drunkenness and possession of tools for commission of a crime. — Jon Wilcox

a couple” of drinks. The man was driving his 13-year-old daughter. Police conducted an impaired driving investigation and determined the man was impaired. The man was taken to the Alpharetta Detention Center and charged with driving under the influence and driving under the influence, child endangerment. — Jon Wilcox

Gas station robbed of vape products, cash ROSWELL, Ga. — In the early morning hours Oct. 20, two men stole around $900 in vape products and $200 cash from a gas station on Marietta Highway. Roswell officers arrived at the gas station around 3:45 a.m. and found the business’s front left pane of glass shattered. Officers searched the inside, but found no one. The business owner arrived and showed police video of two men approaching the front of the gas station. One man threw a rock, shattering the glass. The same man entered the business with a backpack while the other stood outside. The man took all bills from the cash register and took approximately $900 in vape products before exiting through the broken window. The pair ran around the back of the business and down the alley toward Coleman Road. — Hannah Yahne

Woodstock dad arrested on DUI charge

Man arrested for hit-andrun, existing warrant

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 43-yearold Woodstock father was charged with driving under the influence and endangering a child Oct. 4. Alpharetta police said an officer stopped a vehicle leaving the parking lot of Ameris Bank Amphitheater because its lights were off. The officer observed the man, who was driving, had glassy eyes and smelled of alcohol. The man told the officer he had “just

ROSWELL, Ga. — A man was arrested for a hit-and-run incident the afternoon of Oct. 17 after he drove over the median on Alpharetta Highway and struck a car while attempting to pass another vehicle. A Roswell officer witnessed the incident and alerted another officer, who began checks near Canton Street and Atlanta Street. The searching officer was alerted to a car in the parking lot of a Canton Street

restaurant. The black Nissan Rogue was missing a muffler and had visible damage to the front and rear. The front bumper was also partially torn off. The driver exited the vehicle and was struggling with his balance. He told police he was unaware he had been involved in a collision. He also said he did not remember where he was coming from or know where he was. The driver denied consuming alcohol or drugs, but did tell the Roswell officer that he is taking Naloxone, which is used to treat opioid use disorder. The driver appeared to lose consciousness while being medically evaluated. He was taken to North Fulton Hospital for further treatment. Police discovered the driver was wanted out of Cobb County for assault charges. He was also charged with driving under the influence, two hit-and-runs, and failure to maintain lane. Officers later transported the driver to Fulton County Jail. — Hannah Yahne

Deputies investigate attempted home burglary FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies investigated a reported home burglary Oct. 12. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to the Rex Lane home and met with the 32-year-old male resident. The man said he went outside the home the previous night to investigate sounds. He found his windowsill was damaged and a man walking away from his apartment. Deputies reviewed a security camera recording showing the man walking toward the home around 7:15 p.m. from Ronald Reagan Boulevard. The recording showed the man leaving the home, but it did not capture anything else. Deputies could not determine the man’s identity. The incident was classified as a felony forced burglary of a home. Nothing was reported stolen. — Jon Wilcox

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TALK BACK TO THE CRIER

What David Abes means to Dunwoody Village Dear editor, As we celebrate the fifth anniversary of Barn and the Courtyard, I’ve been reflecting on just how much Dunwoody Village has changed and the person whose vision helped make it happen. When I first met David Abes and he shared his vision for Dunwoody Village, I knew I had just met someone special. David grew up in and around Dunwoody and came back to make his community better. And what a difference he has made. At the time, the City Council had recently adopted the Dunwoody Village Master Plan, laying out a vision for the future of this important commercial district. We knew Dunwoody Village had tremendous potential, but realizing that potential would take someone with vision, creativity and a willingness to invest in our community. David was that person. As the founder of DASH Hospitality and a true visionary, David saw something in the aging 1970s shopping center that others might have overlooked. He saw an opportunity to create something our community desperately needed: a gathering place, a center we could call our own. For years, we admired the gathering places other communities had built. We

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wanted that same sense of place in Dunwoody where we could meet friends, enjoy a meal, listen to music, celebrate milestones, and simply spend time together. At that first meeting, David presented his vision for redevelopment. One of the things that resonated with me most was his description of the Courtyard as the “heartbeat of the development and the perfect place to sit and stay awhile.” He understood something important about successful commercial districts: It’s not

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TALK BACK TO THE CRIER: Appen Media Group is committed to publishing a wide variety of viewpoints and welcomes letters to the editor. Email letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com, and please keep them to about 300 words. Submitting a letter does not guarantee it will be published. Letters will be published with the writer’s name in print and online. Please include your full name, phone number and home address. We use your phone number and address only to confirm you wrote the letter, and we don’t publish them. Letters must follow libel laws. You’re welcome to criticize public officials’ positions, policies and decisions, but we won’t publish personal attacks or insults. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

had been hoping for a very long time. You have given Dunwoody a place to gather, connect, celebrate, and make memories. That is a gift that will continue to benefit our community for years to come. Sometimes it takes one person with a vision to remind a community of what it can be. Thank you, David, for being that person.

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enough to give people a reason to come; you have to give them a reason to linger. His vision included multiple restaurants surrounding the Courtyard, live music on the stage, games on the big screen, and a welcoming space for celebrations both large and small. It was exactly what Dunwoody needed. Those of us who remember Dunwoody Village before B’arn and the Courtyard know just how much has changed. The center was quiet, tired, and largely overlooked. It wasn’t a place that drew people in or gave us much reason to stay. Today, it is quite the opposite. The Courtyard has become a place where people gather, neighbors run into one another, families celebrate, and our community comes alive. As mayor, I’ve had the privilege of watching Dunwoody grow and change. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with many people who care deeply about this community. David didn’t just talk about making Dunwoody better; he put his vision, his resources, and his heart into making it happen. David, thank you for believing in Dunwoody Village, for believing in our community, and for bringing to life something we

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6 | November 5, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

COMMUNITY

Vietnam vet Art Katz to speak at Dunwoody Veterans Day event By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — The city of Dunwoody will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Plaza at Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road. “Veterans Day gives our community the opportunity to come together in gratitude and recognize those who have served our nation with courage and sacrifice,” Mayor Lynn Deutsch said. “We are honored to continue this meaningful Dunwoody tradition and to recognize veterans like Art Katz, whose service and lifelong commitment to others inspire us all.” The featured speaker will be Arthur “Art” Katz, a Dunwoody resident and Vietnam War veteran. After graduating with honors from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1963, Katz served as commanding officer of USCGC Point Cypress, a Point-class patrol vessel, during the Vietnam War. Katz’s service earned him the Bronze Star Medal with combat designation, the Navy

Commendation Medal and multiple Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medals. In 2010, Katz was inducted into the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s Hall of Heroes. He has continued a lifelong commitment to service through veterans’ organizations, local nonprofit organization boards, food rescue efforts with Second Helpings Atlanta, interfaith outreach and volunteer service for the city. The master of ceremonies will be Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson, a retired captain in the Georgia National Guard. Dunwoody Council Member Joe Seconder, a retired major in the U.S. Army, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Rev. Eric Burton-Krieger, associate pastor of Dunwoody United Methodist Church, will give the invocation and benediction. The public ceremony is hosted by the Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Department with support from the Dunwoody/Sandy Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10822 and the Dunwoody Woman’s Club. The free event will take place rain or shine.

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Dunwoody officials and residents gathered at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Brook Run Park for the city’s 2025 Veterans Day ceremony. This year’s ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 and will feature Vietnam veteran Art Katz.

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New program helps families build financial strength at home By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Family Promise of North Fulton and DeKalb, a nonprofit organization, held an open house Oct. 22 at Crossroad Landing, 565 W. Crossville Road, inviting the community to tour the home before two families move in. Crossroad Landing will help families move from temporary housing to permanent homes. For up to one year, families pay an income-based rent while building financial stability and preparing for independent housing. “The gap that it fills is to be able to get single moms and children housed at an affordable rate, something that they can afford,” said Andrea Brantley, the organization’s executive director. “So we are really excited.” An anonymous donor gave the organization use of the home for 10 years after learning about Homebound Ranch, a free temporary shelter donated by St. David’s Episcopal Church. Crossroad Landing required no renovations. Brantley said the organization sought a more stable option because families moved between congregations.

“At that time, our rotational shelter was struggling, and that’s where our families moved every seven days to a new congregation,” Brantley said. “And the wear and tear that it puts on the families and the exhaustion of moving, we knew that we were looking for an out.” Roswell resident Susan Stark worked with Family Promise for five years during its rotational shelter program. Three times a year, the churches hosted families for a week at a time before they moved to another congregation. “I’m just amazed and gratified,” Stark said. “This is wonderful that [families] don’t have to be moving constantly.” The house has three bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms upstairs, and two bedrooms and one bathroom downstairs. Family Promise is seeking donations for a downstairs kitchenette. Family Promise receives referrals from congregations and Fulton County Schools social workers. Staff members tailor case management to each family’s needs, helping with credit, budgeting, grocery shopping and parenting skills. Brantley said the organization now

ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE/APPEN MEDIA

The Fulton County Continuum of Care works to provide stable housing to local residents and families.

pays for utilities, landscaping, pest control and property taxes that it did not incur when churches provided housing. Unlike Crossroad Landing, Homebound Ranch is a rent-free temporary shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Families follow individualized plans to work toward stability. The property required

remodeling before use. “We can pull people out of cars, hotel rooms and have them get back on their feet,” Brantley said. “Giving them some breathing room to not have to pay rent, not have to pay groceries or bills and they get like a reprieve. That’s awesome to save some money.” Family Promise is part of the Fulton County Continuum of Care, which includes other area organizations such as Homestretch, Drake House and North Fulton Community Charities. Brantley has been a nonprofit leader for 25 years, spending 10 years at the Center for Children and Young Adults before joining Family Promise. She said she realized this was exactly the kind of work she wanted to do because it allows families to stay together rather than be separated, as often happens in children’s shelters. She said her organization supports all kinds of families. “Whatever your family unit looks like, we can help you,” Brantley said. “That’s why they call it Family Promise, to keep the family together.” Families in need can contact Family Promise at 770-609-5407. Those facing a crisis are encouraged to call 211 or visit 211.org.

8 | November 5, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

COMMUNITY

CompassionCon draws big crowd to Legacy Park for fifth year By DEAN HESSE dean@appenmedia.com DECATUR, Ga. — CompassionCon returned to Legacy Park in Decatur on Sept. 25 for its fifth year, bringing together about 100 vendors, including businesses, nonprofits and artists, for a celebration of neighbors supporting one another. “Today is all about compassion,” said Leanne Rubenstein, coexecutive director of Compassionate Atlanta. “How do we look at our neighbors and see friends and work together for the good?” The event featured organizations focused on shopping local, the Kay, 5, hugs Daniel Tiger from the PBS Kids show “Daniel Tiger’s environment and community Neighborhood” at the GPB photo op during CompassionCon at support, Rubenstein said. Vendors Legacy Park in Decatur on Oct. 25. hosted activities at their tables to show how compassion appears in different parts of the neighborhood. About 2,000 people attended last year. Rubenstein said she believed this year’s crowd was larger, but a count was not yet available. Rubenstein said she was amazed by the turnout and was “smiling ear to ear.” “The best part about it is once we did this for a couple of years, it now kind of runs on its own,” she said. “People know about us. 12-28-2016_HindsonMelton_01-19-11_HindsonMelton.qxp 12/15/16 11:22Page AM 1Page 1 12-28-2016_HindsonMelton_01-19-11_HindsonMelton.qxp 12/15/16 11:22 AM They come out here. They set up their tents, and everybody just has a good time. That’s what totally amazes me — the goodness of everybody that comes.” Find out more about Compassionate Atlanta at: Oscar Anderson, 3, waves his butterfly wings in front of a “Be compassionateatl.org.

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AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 5, 2026 | 9

DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry’s community outreach team at CompassionCon at Legacy Park in Decatur on Sunday, Oct. 25. From left are administrative coordinator Tamar Harrison and community outreach fellows Jill Corey and Nadine Ali.

Jamir Cheatham, 4, plays an electronic game during CompassionCon at Legacy Park in Decatur on Oct. 25.

Meadow, 2, high-fives Sonia Tyler, a Compassionate Atlanta board member and CompassionCon co-host, after Tyler led a dance party during CompassionCon at Legacy Park in Decatur on Oct. 25.

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NEWS

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DeKalb County Commissioner Nicole Massiah discusses an ordinance to ban urban camping as commissioners Michelle Long Spears and Ted Terry listen on Oct. 27.

DeKalb Commission passes contentious ‘urban camping’ ban By JIM BASS jim@appenmedia.com DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 27 approved, in a 5-2 vote, to approve an ordinance banning “urban camping” after the item had been deferred several times. The newly-approved ordinance first brought by commissioner Nicole Massiah in March defines the term camping as “to reside in or use a location for private living accommodations in a manner that obstructs public access for an extended period.” The item makes it unlawful for anyone to “camp” in a way that interferes with the entry or exit of all public property. The item has drawn plenty of community pushback, with several public commenters opposing the ordinance and arguing it will harm vulnerable residents. “When I think about the urban camping bill, regardless how it looks on the surface, there would be collateral damage, and the damage would be done to our most vulnerable citizens. This is a bill that would criminalize homelessness and inevitably sweep up innocent people, including those with disabilities,” speaker Tonna Harris-Bosselmann said.

Massiah motioned for the item’s approval and rejected those arguments, saying that it is not meant to target homeless people, but instead individuals who “aggressively panhandle.” “I think that it has been really disgusting how this has been presented by some people as an attack on the unhoused … Not everyone that's unhoused is performing that particular type of behavior. It is the public safety issue component of this that must be addressed,” Massiah said. Under the proposed legislation, if someone is found to be violating the ordinance and does not move after first receiving an oral or written warning and a verbal offer of services, they can be arrested. Commissioners Michelle Long Spears and Ted Terry opposed the ordinance and both said similar ordinances are already in place. Both wondered how it would be enforced and questioned whether a standard operating procedure exists for the new law. Spears later said she was also “adamantly opposed” to the language used, with “drifting” being used to describe individuals, a sentiment echoed by many during public comments. Massiah said the law department changed the term and that vagrancy was initially used. Commissioner Robert Patrick sup-

ported the bill and said that homeless residents in DeKalb will still be treated with respect. Patrick cited the commission’s statement in opposition to a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which said local governments can enforce public camping and sleeping bans on homeless individuals. “The Supreme Court said it was okay to arrest people for being homeless, and I, with my colleagues, came up with a joint statement that said that is not DeKalb County's preference,” Patrick said. “That is not how DeKalb County is going to handle the homelessness issue. We're going to treat people with dignity and respect at the end of the day.” Following the 5-2 vote, Terry spoke with Decaturish and said he expected the outcome, but was disappointed. He said he didn’t receive a single email from community members supporting it, and also said that it showed decisions are being made behind closed doors. “I think what you heard up there really showcases where we are at among the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. Decisions are made behind closed doors. They didn't explain why they were supporting it. Two commissioners barely said anything, and yet

they're voting for something that's going to have implications,” Terry said. He also said that DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox was against the proposed ordinance due to current overcrowding at the county jail. He said that based on Claratel Behavioral Health data from 2025, more than 700 individuals were in jail for criminal trespass on private property who have a diagnosis of a substance abuse issue, a mental health condition, or both. “They need help. They need treatment. They need compassion and care. They don't need a jail cell,” Terry said. Gregory White, a former recreation director at city of Decatur and executive director of nonprofit organization A Home for Everyone in DeKalb, which advocates for homeless residents, attended the commission meeting. He wished commissioners would focus more on creating solutions to help people without housing. “People are constantly being arrested. People are constantly being awakened at night at 3:30 in the morning with no options,” White said to Decaturish. To debate back and forth and not think about solutions, to me, we need to see solutions.” “At the end of the day, poor people are still being impacted. Poor people don't have a voice in this,” White said.

11 | Dunwoody Crier | November 5, 2026

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12 | November 5, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

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“We thought we were going to downsize.” Brought to you by – Bath and Kitchen Galleria For years, local empty nesters shared a common retirement playbook: wait for the kids to move out, sell the sprawling suburban family home, and downsize into a smaller, low-maintenance condo or townhouse. But in today’s economic climate, that traditional transition has hit a major roadblock. A perfect storm of financial hurdles is forcing North Atlanta homeowners to rethink their longterm plans. High interest rates mean giving up an incredibly low, locked-in mortgage for a new, costlier loan. When you factor in skyrocketing moving costs, the surprisingly elevated price tags on smaller new builds, and steep capital gains tax implications, downsizing simply doesn’t make financial sense anymore. Instead of moving out, local

homeowners are choosing to stay put and adapt. “We are seeing a massive shift in how people view their long-term investments,” says John Hogan, president of Bath & Kitchen Galleria. “Homeowners look at the math and realize that reinvesting into their current property is much smarter than absorbing the massive friction costs of selling and buying in this market. They are choosing to transform the space they already love.” The most common adaptations focus on the two highest-traffic zones in the home: the kitchen and the primary bathroom. For empty nesters, the goal is no longer about maintaining a showroom; it is about lifestyle, connection, and long-term viability. In the kitchen, the focus is on hosting the next generation. Homeowners are actively tearing

down walls to open spaces, allowing the kitchen to flow naturally into family areas to accommodate growing families and holiday gatherings. Renovation plans are also tackling long-standing storage limitations and creating smarter, more ergonomic work areas that blend daily living with entertaining. “The kitchen remains the heart of the home, but its role changes when the kids move out,” explains Bobbie Kohm, VP of design at Bath & Kitchen Galleria. “It becomes a hub for extended family visits. We are designing open-concept spaces with intelligent zoning and custom storage solutions, so the home functions perfectly whether it’s just two people on a Tuesday or twenty people on Thanksgiving.” Meanwhile, bathroom renovations are heavily prioritizing “aging in place.” Homeowners are planning to ensure they can live independently

and safely for decades to come. Modern, upscale renovations are seamlessly blending luxury with safety. Remodels routinely incorporate curb less, zero-entry walk-in showers, non-slip flooring surfaces, and beautifully integrated, sturdy grab bars that look more like high-end fixtures than medical equipment. Additionally, these projects are solving chronic ventilation issues, eliminating persistent mold and mildew problems to ensure a healthier indoor environment. By upgrading their existing properties, North Atlanta residents are successfully bypassing a stressful real estate market while drastically improving their daily quality of life. The home that raised the family is successfully adapting to host the grandchildren. To learn more, contact Bath & Kitchen Galleria in Alpharetta at 770.661.0073.

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14 | November 5, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

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Georgia’s transfer on death deed looks simple and quick. So what’s the flip side? Brought to you by – Holly Geerdes, Estate Planning Attorney, GK Law Group We practice in more than 25 states, including many that have had TOD deeds for years. Georgia passed its TOD deed law in 2024. HOLLY GEERDES When a legal Estate Law Center USA Top 5% Super Lawyer in Georgia document looks simple and quick, it's worth asking what the catch is. A TOD deed works like a beneficiary designation for your house. When you pass away, the property goes to the person named on the deed. The upside is that it may let that property skip probate. Here's what most people don't hear: It isn't automatic. Your beneficiary has to sign and record an acceptance affidavit with the county after your death. Until they do, the property stays tied to your estate. No one has to tell them the deed exists while you're alive, so they may not know to look for it. If your beneficiary dies first, the plan fails. If your only beneficiary dies before you, or before they finish accepting, the gift can lapse. The house falls back into your estate, and often into probate, which is exactly what you were trying to avoid. You can't keep it in the bloodline.

Your child gets the house outright. When your child dies, it passes under their will. If they have no will, it passes under Georgia's intestacy law, and a surviving spouse with no children inherits everything. Your house could end up with your son-in-law, and then with his next spouse. Divorce and lawsuits. Once your child owns the house, it is exposed to their creditors and lawsuits. Inherited property usually starts out as separate property in a Georgia divorce. But if your child adds their spouse to the deed or puts marital money into the house, it can become divisible. No estate tax planning. A TOD deed doesn't reduce estate taxes. The house counts in your taxable estate, and once your child owns it outright, it counts in theirs too. That makes it a poor fit for larger estates. You can't customize it. There's no way to hold the property for a minor, protect a child with special needs, mental illness, financial problrems, stagger distributions overtime, or name someone to break a tie between siblings who disagree. It does nothing if you become incapacitated. It only works at death, and your agent under a power of attorney can't sign one for you. It covers one property. It isn't a plan. A TOD deed can be the right tool in the right situation. For most families, though, it's a band-aid, not a strategy. Come visit our workshops to learn more.

Puzzles

ier 1/15/26 Connect-It

PuzzleJunction.com

Connect-It

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

Dunwoody Crier...............................November 5, 2026 | 15

EITHER OR 1. Sweeper or Scots heather. Twosome. Pulse. 2. Roomy vehicle. Whacks or slimy critters. Half moon tide. 3. Fake or pillow covering. Honeyed drink. Loathsome. 4. Ice house. Sled dog or robust. Moonfish. 5. Verdant or a drunk. King of the road. Imp. 6. Suite place. Cruddy. Rubella symptom or impetuous. 7. Breakfast offering. Aircraft or carpenter’s tool. Chubby. PuzzleJunction.com

2 3 4 5 6

/8/26 Sudoku 7

How to Solve: Each line in the Either/Or 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 1. Sweeper or Scots heather. Twosome. Pulse. 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 3 answers on thepuzzle, line. Buteach here’s the catch! Theand clues aremoon not in order To the solve thevehicle. Sudoku column 2. Roomy Whacks or row, slimy critters. Half tide.- so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be the second or the thirdnumbers answer in1that line. Got it? Good luck! boxformust contain to 9. 3. Fake or pillow covering. Honeyed drink. Loathsome.

4. Ice house. Sled dog or robust. Moonfish.

75. Verdant 2 or a drunk.9King of the road. Imp. 6. Suite place. Cruddy. Rubella symptom or impetuous. 1 4 6 7. Breakfast offering. Aircraft or carpenter’s tool. Chubby. 5 3 6 1 7 3 1 5 3 4 7 9 4 9 5 3 2 How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. 5 2 The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com

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

Solution 7 3 8 5 4 1 6 9 2

2 9 6 8 3 7 1 5 4

5 1 4 2 9 6 8 7 3

3 4 1 9 7 5 2 8 6

9 7 2 6 8 3 5 4 1

6 8 5 4 1 2 9 3 7

8 5 3 1 2 4 7 6 9

4 2 9 7 6 8 3 1 5

1 6 7 3 5 9 4 2 8

black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.

Dunwoody Crier 1/15/26 Crossword

Across

1 Giraffe cousin 6 Renown 10 Pesky insect 14 Speeder’s bane 15 Legal claim 16 NV city 17 Karate experts 19 Consequently 20 18-wheeler 21 Foolhardy 22 Western ﬁlm classic, The Magniﬁcent ___ 23 Showman Ziegfeld 25 Tin can appliance 27 Large bird of prey, the Great ___ 31 Filth 32 Cereal grain 33 Condo division 35 Knitting ___ 39 All excited 41 Type of stare or cartridge 43 Diva’s song 44 Indicate 46 Moonshine mix 48 Mornings, for short 49 Burden 51 Gainsborough painting 53 Withstand 55 Hostel 56 Explosion 57 Wilted 60 Jason’s ship 64 Final notice 65 Embarrassed to the hilt

PuzzleJunction.com

21 23

35 42

45 49

47 51

48 52

67 Exploding star 68 Above 69 The Republic writer 70 Water pitcher 71 Sets 72 Brusque Down 1 Globes 2 Curly cabbage 3 Comic Sandler 4 Appease 5 Aggravate 6 Chigger 7 Suffers 8 Modus operandi 9 Print measures

10 Healthy Chinese beverage 11 Audacity 12 Infuriate 13 Warner Bros. creation 18 Grizzly, e.g. 22 Arid 24 Singer Rawls 26 Walking papers 27 Egg on 28 The latest thing 29 Town on the Thames 30 ___ Abner 34 Scottish cap 36 Ho-hum 37 Airport pickup 38 Effortless

40 Kindergarten reward 42 Apprehend 45 Race track tipster 47 4th century barbarian 50 Computer key 52 Empower 53 Pasta shape 54 Gullible 56 Dog treat 58 Matinee ___ 59 Driving direction ﬁnders 61 Back 62 Catches on 63 Native Nebraskan 65 Dust remover 66 Pertinent

See puzzle solutions on Page 20

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16 | November 5, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

Yes:

NEWS

Continued from Page 1 “The social aspect was hard,” Amiaya said. “Having to stay in the hospital all the time was hard. It was just a lot.” Amiaya’s Yes Day came at the perfect time, her mother, Ashley Brown, said. Her bone marrow transplant kept getting delayed, and Amiaya was “feeling down,” her mom said. “So when Yes Day came in, it was at the perfect, perfect time,” Ashley said. A weekend of yes Amiaya’s Yes Day started Oct. 16 and lasted the entire weekend. On Friday, Amiaya, two of her best friends and her family started with brunch at her favorite restaurant. After, they journeyed from Amiaya’s hometown in Conyers to Sugar Shane’s to make Amiaya’s signature cookie, which was filled with milk chocolate chips and white chocolate melts and topped with sea salt. The group finished the night at the Atlanta Fish Market for dinner and with indoor skydiving at iFly. Saturday was filled with shopping at Perimeter Mall with a personal stylist. “I got shoes, dresses, shirts, pants,”

COURTESY ASHLEY BROWN

Shane Quillin, owner of Sugar Shane’s, left, and Amiaya Brown smile after making Amiaya’s signature cookie Oct. 16. The cookie is filled with milk and white chocolate and topped with sea salt. Amiaya said. “I got a full-length cheetah fur coat.” She also had to find a dress for her book signing the next day at Prelude Bookstore in Dunwoody. Amiaya’s top request was to find a way to sell her book, “The Unassuming Superhero,” that was published in 2025. She wrote it over a six-month period when she was in and out of the hospital. She has since finished the second book

in the series and is working on the third. “I thought it would be really cool to … be like a real author and sign it and everything,” Amiaya said. On Sunday, Amiaya had her hair and makeup professionally done before making her way to the bookstore in Dunwoody Village. When she arrived, more than 200 people were waiting outside cheering and holding up signs of encouragement for Amiaya that now

Council: Continued from Page 1 Last year, Sandy Springs constructed a new police headquarters, leaving Dunwoody to find a solution for where to keep its vehicles. Deutsch said she doesn’t like having to spend this amount of money on a vehicle storage facility, but “We chose not to have a separate public safety headquarters.” “Lots of decisions having been made over lots of years lead us to where we find ourselves today,” Deutsch said. Expanding entertainment districts Staffers presented a plan to expand the Perimeter Center Entertainment District and add two new ones surrounding the Georgetown development and Jett Ferry Road. The Georgetown Entertainment District will include all commercial areas of the Georgetown neighborhood. The Jett Ferry Entertainment District will surround the Williamsburg at Dunwoody shopping center and include commercial areas on both sides of Jett Ferry Road. Heneghan asked why the Embassy Suites on Crown Pointe Parkway was not included in the expansion of the Perimeter Center Entertainment District. Planning and Zoning Manager

APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO

The Dunwoody City Council approved to install a vehicle storage facility at its North Shallowford Annex to house vehicles of the Dunwoody Police Department. Paul Leonhardt said it “probably should be.” Deutsch said the idea of expanding entertainment districts was meant to help the city host festivals in commercial spaces. Now, she’s wondering if the process is becoming more complicated than it needs to be. “I struggle to see a reason for someone necessarily to carry a drink from the Georgetown shopping center,” Deutsch said. “We’re doing it for the future, I guess.” Council Member Rob Price said

he’s seen these be most effective at businesses situated around a public gathering space where parents can finish their drinks while their kids play. “…We’re not getting a lot of people walking around with drinks beyond, kind of, the immediacy of where they gotten their drink,” Price said. Other business The city council approved the meeting’s consent agenda after removing a contract for Community Development Block Grant program planning and

hang in her hospital room. She walked in on a pink carpet and got to signing 175 copies of her book for those who showed up. “People were asking me about the book,” Amiaya said. “They were so positive and nice.” Ashley said it was a very emotional day. “When you hear … a book signing is going to be curated for your child, you’re not thinking a turnout of 200-plus people,” Ashley said. The event was even more meaningful because the Browns are not part of the Dunwoody community, she said. “We don’t have any connections to Dunwoody,” Ashley said. “But, for people to be so kind and genuine … it is very heartwarming.” About a week after her Yes Day, Amiaya entered isolation at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital in preparation for a bone marrow transplant on Nov. 13. She will be getting her bone marrow from her younger brother. Amiaya said the next couple weeks will be filled with prayers and “books, books and more books.” She will also remember fondly her Yes Day and her time in Dunwoody. “[It was] like a fairy tale,” Amiaya said. “It was encouraging. I was so happy.” support to vote on separately. Consent agendas allow elected bodies to approve multiple items at once without a discussion. Removing an item from the consent agenda moves it to the regular agenda for discussion and a vote. The consent agenda included $69,923 of funding for a contract with Southern Premier Contractors to complete stormwater pipe repairs at 4772 Coldstream Drive. It also included a five-year contract with Pateco Services to provide street sweeping and debris removal services. The stormwater utility’s annual repairs and maintenance budget will cover the costs. Both items were approved. Council members then heard the CDBG planning services contract as a business item on the regular agenda after it was pulled from consent. The $65,000 contract will be paid for through general fund reserves. Assistant City Manager Jay Vinicki said cities are typically reimbursed for expenses incurred while creating their original five-year consolidated plan and firstyear annual action plan, along with the related Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and Citizen Participation Plan. Reimbursement is not guaranteed and will be limited to the amount permitted under Dunwoody’s CDBG grant. The city will return any CDBG reimbursement received to the general fund.

PRESERVING THE PAST

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 5, 2026 | 17

Donkeys in North Fulton, their history and purpose Donkeys are amazing animals and are not well understood. Often used as pets or to guard farm animals, donkeys have certain requirements to lead productive and happy lives. In this column, BOB MEYERS I will explain donkeys Columnist and their history. Donkeys originated in the distant past, most recently in arid parts of Africa. Spanish explorers introduced them to the Americas in the 1500s as working pack animals. Some writers emphasize biblical implications because donkeys played a significant role in the Bible and because most donkeys have a cross between their shoulders and along their spines, known as the Jerusalem Cross. The marking is attributed to a tradition holding that the shadow of the cross fell across a donkey’s back during Jesus’ crucifixion. Donkeys belong to the horse family and are descended from the African wild ass, an endangered species in certain arid areas of Africa. Fewer than 600 are thought to exist today. Humans domesticated the species in Africa about 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. Historically, donkeys were used for human transportation, for carrying heavy loads and as food. Over the centuries, several sizes of donkeys emerged — mini, standard and mammoth — each with its own characteristics. Minis stand up to 36 inches at the shoulder. They are affectionate, make great pets and are low maintenance. Standard donkeys measure up to 54 inches and are most often pets and companions in this country. Mammoth donkeys measure more than 54 inches for females and more than 56 inches for males and are known for their strength and gentle manner. Regardless of size, all donkeys require plenty of social interaction, regular hoof and dental care, and adequate room to wander. By nature, they are herd animals, so they do much better if paired with a partner of the same sex. So, if you are thinking of owning a donkey, plan to own at least two, though not necessarily the same size. The bad news is that donkeys need to be rescued from their environments far more often than horses or other animals because, globally, they are among the most neglected, abandoned and abused equine animals. In some parts of the world, they are overworked or abused until they collapse and wind up in kill pens. Even in the U.S., many end up at live auctions, where they are purchased and shipped to slaughter.

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

Most donkeys have a Jerusalem Cross between their shoulders and along their backs. Tradition says it originated when the shadow of the cross fell across a donkey’s back during Jesus’ crucifixion.

castrated. A young donkey is a foal. The word “donkey” is used as slang for someone who is stupid or stubborn, which is unfair to donkeys. Mule: A hybrid between a male donkey and a female horse. Burro: The term for a donkey in the American Southwest, where thousands of burros roam arid, hot desert rangelands. Wild burros and mustangs are protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. LESLIE WATSON/PROVIDED

Jackie Mannaert holds Ty and Sam, two of the 30 adoptable donkeys at Jack of Trades Donkey Rescue, a 501 (c ) (3) charity which she founded in 2020. To date the charity has found homes for more than 200 donkeys. We are fortunate in north Fulton to have a nonprofit organization dedicated to training and finding safe homes for abandoned or abused donkeys: Jack of Trades Donkey Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Alpharetta that “rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes” every suffering donkey it can. Jackie Mannaert, a longtime horse owner, founded the organization in 2020 after an impulse visit to a kill pen, where she surprised herself by buying nine donkeys. The experience defined her life’s work, and to date she has rescued and rehomed more than 200 donkeys. Her motto is “It’s all about the donkeys.” The organization currently houses about 30 donkeys that are looking for loving homes. They vary in size, age, color and personality. “We are a sanctuary that also finds homes for our donkeys after adequate training and daily handling,” Mannaert said.

I first met Mannaert at the annual Shindig, a popular fundraiser for the Milton Historical Society hosted by Byron and Laura Foster on their farm in Milton. She was accompanied by Jake, a delightfully friendly donkey the children in attendance loved to pet. Mannaert and her staff have a precise method of training the donkeys. The training is adjusted for each donkey’s personality and needs. Jack of Trades will hold its first Donkey Hay Day Fall Festival on Nov. 7 for adults and children. Attendees can meet retired Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis, spend time with the donkeys, and enjoy a food truck, cotton candy, and many games and raffles. For information and tickets, visit jackoftradesdonkeyrescue.org. Some useful terms Donkey: A male is a jack, and a female is a jenny. Jacks need to be

Some interesting donkey traits: High intelligence: They can solve complex problems. Exceptional sense of smell: They can detect odors several miles away, a skill that allows these hardy animals to survive in barren terrain. Sensitive hearing: They can hear the call of another donkey from miles away, thanks in part to their large ears. Impressive memories: They can remember other animals, places and people for years, an ability that allows them to navigate hostile environments. Close bonds: They form close friendships with one another that last a lifetime. Separating them can cause acute stress. Speed: They can run up to 15 mph. “Donkeys often come to our sanctuary following neglect that may have lasted for years,” Mannaert said. “These gentle creatures deserve a second chance. Our job is to give it to them through kindness, medical care and a safe place. The rewards to them and to the people who care for them are enormous and forever.”

18 | November 5, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

NOTICE OF LOCATION AND DESIGN APPROVAL P. I. 0019791 DEKALB & GWINNETT COUNTIES Notice is hereby given in compliance with Georgia Code 22-2-109 and 32-3-5 that the Georgia Department of Transportation has approved the Location and Design of this project. The date of location and design approval is: October 15, 2026 The proposed local let project will construct a 12-ft wide shared use path along the west side of Winters Chapel Road between Peeler Road and Charmant Place; the shared use path will have reduced sections of 10-ft wide per plan locations. The project is located in the cities of Dunwoody and Peachtree Corners in land lots 280 and 307. The project will also install 6-ft sidewalk and curb and gutter on the east side of Winters Chapel Road from the Jones Mill Road intersection to approximately 1350-ft north and will tie to existing sidewalk. This project will connect to Phase I of the path to the north, which has already been constructed, and to a shared-use path to the south on Peeler Road, which is currently in the design phase with construction funded. The project has a total approximate project length of 0.7 miles. The City of Dunwoody would be responsible for acquiring property rights for this project. Drawings or maps or plats of the proposed project, as approved, are on file and are available for public inspection at: Tiffany Siegel, PE, Capital Projects Manager City of Dunwoody tiffany.siegel@dunwoodyga.gov 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 (678) 382-6869 Any interested party may obtain a copy of the drawings or maps or plats or portions thereof by paying a nominal fee and requesting in writing to: Kimberly Nesbitt Office of Program Delivery Attn: Felecia Basolo Fbasolo@dot.ga.gov 600 West Peachtree St NW Atlanta, GA 30308 (770) 263-5945 Any written request or communication in reference to this project or notice SHOULD include the Project and P. I. Numbers as noted at the top of this notice.

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AIKENOMICS

OPINION

Wall Street is celebrating ... so why is Main Street suffering? The stock market is booming, but American families aren’t feeling particularly wealthy There is something rather fascinating happening in the American economy right now. Wall Street continues to celebrate, with the D.C. AIKEN Dow Jones Industrial Guest Columnist dcaiken.com Average recently trading above 50,000, while millions of Americans are wondering how much more expensive everyday life can possibly become. Apparently, Wall Street and Main Street are living in two very different economies ... and unfortunately, only one of them seems to be having a good time. Let’s start with the stock market. Corporate earnings have remained relatively resilient, investors continue to find reasons for optimism and the financial markets have demonstrated an extraordinary ability to look past geopolitical uncertainty. Meanwhile, the average American family is dealing with mortgage rates above 7.50%, gasoline prices that have taken a bite out of household budgets and persistent inflation that continues to make everything from groceries to homeowners insurance more expensive. So how can Wall Street be doing so well while Main Street is struggling, despite what political rhetoric you may be hearing? The answer comes down to a fundamental economic distinction: The stock market measures expectations about future corporate profitability. It does not measure the financial well-being of the average American household, and those two things don’t always move together. Consider the housing market. The 10-year Treasury yield has recently pushed above 5.30%, reaching levels not seen since 2007. That has helped drive mortgage rates to their highest levels in nearly two decades. For a family purchasing a $400,000 home with 5% down, the principal and interest payment at 7.50% is approximately $2,657 a month. At 6.50%, that same payment would be approximately $2,402. That’s an additional $255 every month, or more than $3,000 annually, simply because the cost of borrowing increased 1 percentage point, and that doesn’t include property taxes, insurance, mortgage

insurance or the rising cost of practically everything else. Now add another complication: energy prices. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Persian Gulf has created considerable volatility in oil markets. Higher energy costs don’t simply show up at the gasoline pump. They eventually work their way into transportation, manufacturing, food distribution and ultimately consumer prices. Economists call that cost-push inflation. Most Americans simply call it another expensive trip to the grocery store. Here’s where things become particularly interesting. The Federal Reserve is trying to control inflation without unnecessarily damaging economic growth. But higher oil prices, elevated Treasury yields and persistent inflation make that balancing act increasingly difficult. And while Wall Street can celebrate strong corporate profits, Main Street must contend with the higher borrowing costs and everyday expenses that accompany this economic environment. There is, however, another side to this story. The American economy remains remarkably resilient. Employment, consumer spending and corporate investment can continue supporting growth even when household budgets are under pressure, at least for now. But resilience and affordability are not the same thing. A rising stock market may make investors feel wealthier. It does very little for a young family trying to qualify for its first mortgage or a homeowner struggling to make the monthly budget work ... and perhaps that’s the real economic story of 2026. Wall Street measures wealth by what investments are worth. Main Street measures prosperity by what a paycheck can buy. Until those two measurements begin moving in the same direction, don’t be surprised if the celebration on Wall Street sounds a little hollow to everyone else. After all, you can’t pay your mortgage with the Dow Jones Industrial Average. DC Aiken is senior vice president of lending for CrossCountry Mortgage, NMLS#658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com. The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of CrossCountry Mortgage LLC or its affiliates.

DEATH NOTICES Shirley Brown, age 88, of Roswell, GA passed away on October 27, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

James Gisclair, age 82, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on October 23, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Susan Hassell, age 83, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on October 22, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

James Pollak, age 86, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on October 26, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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Wills Park brims with area visitors on Fourth of July By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

A girl waves an American flag as she dances to music by Davis and the Love at Roswell Area Park July 4.

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Kendall, from left, John, Brooks and Reid Hill sit on a picnic blanket at Roswell Area Park to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Roswell crowd celebrates America’s 249th birthday By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Food trucks, live music and fireworks were on the menu for America’s birthday in Roswell. A crowd of over 1,000 piled into Roswell Area Park July 4 to celebrate America’s 249th birthday.

Kendall and John Hill travelled from East Cobb to bring their two little ones to the show. “The kids love it,” John Hill said. Baseball fields and multi-use fields were filled with families and friends awaiting the firework show at dusk.

See FOURTH, Page 23

OPINION

See FIREWORKS, Page 24

Business owner crafts calm in the chaos

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Traci Foreman, Chris Foreman and John Hanley watch fireworks in Wills Park July 4.

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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The heart of the holiday was shining through the music, food and fun of Creek’s Juneteenth celebration. As the sun set on a warm Saturday evening, Midway grandmother Matilda Riles sat in a lawnchair, watching her grandchildren play on the park lawn amid the sound of booming live music and mouthwatering aroma of food trucks. Before the fun started, Riles, who attended with three generations of family, educated the kids about the reason for Juneteenth. “It's a point in time when enslaved people no longer had to be enslaved, and certain places did not relay the message at the time that it should have been relayed,” Riles said. “And, therefore this is a celebration as to when the final group of people were told you no longer had to be enslaved.” Several thousand visitors descended on the city’s annual celebration at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, doubling last year’s attendance. The celebration resembled a giant block party with live music performances, chatting neighbors, plenty of food and rows of arts and craft vendors.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The perfect biscuit is like a warm hug, said Brandy White, owner of Sawnee Mountain Biscuit Company. “It kind of warms your soul,” White said. “It feels like home to me.” Since 2001, the Sawnee Mountain Biscuit has operated out of a renovated mobile home at 104 13th St., serving perfect pillowy biscuits wrapped around eggs, cheese, bacon and other breakfast staples. With dozens of items on the menu, the restaurant features other tasty offerings from French toast to a house-made pimento cheese. Tucked into a sleepy neighborhood on the edge of Cumming, Sawnee Mountain Biscuit might easily be taken as another house, but locals say the squat, blue-clapboard building is one of the town’s best breakfast spots. Over the decades, the restaurant has earned a cult following in Cumming and the north Atlanta area, serving as many as 400 orders some mornings.

See BISCUIT, Page 6

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is working to complete converting an old elementary school into a law enforcement training center. Since October, the training center has hosted a public safety academy as part of a partnership between the sheriff’s office and University of North Georgia. The academy, funded by the

Brandy White holds her 1-year-old daughter, Lennon, at the entrance to her Sawnee Mountain Biscuit Company on 13th Street just outside Cumming.

ROI

matters.

sheriff’s office, provides training for law enforcement officers in Forsyth County and surrounding jurisdictions, Capt. Rob Heagerty said. At an April 22 work session, the County Board of Commissioners discussed a proposal to allocate $47,993 for design services with architectural firm Wiley Wilson to create plans, conduct inspections and

make changes to water heaters. The sheriff’s office wants to install showers and locker rooms at the building at 4805 Atlanta Highway, Heagerty said. The improvements are important because exercise and physical conditioning are essential in maintaining capable deputies, he said. The building already houses classrooms, meeting rooms, a cafeteria,

gym, simulator room and an empty wing where deputies can conduct building-clearing and other training exercises. The work is part of a second phase to transform former Midway Elementary School into a law enforcement training center.

See SHERIFF, Page 12

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County restores original funding to cultural arts

Children play in the lawn at Newtown Park during a Juneteenth celebration in Johns Creek June 21. JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

ATLANTA — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to restore funding for a program within the Arts & Culture Department to $3 million a year Sept. 17. While the unanimous vote reflects unity and bipartisanship, some commissioners criticized colleagues for the delay. The item, sponsored by Democratic commissioners Khadijah AbdurRahman and Marvin Arrington Jr. and Republican commissioners Bob Ellis and Bridget Thorne, includes an increase of $1.7 million for a previously requested program and its full $3 million in funding set aside in the 2026 budget.

See JUNETEENTH, Page 10

sions last January and writing false reports about each of the incidents.

“The (Justice Department’s) Civil Rights Division has zero tolerance for law ATLANTA — Fulton County Jail employee has been indicted in federal court for alleg- enforcement officers who abuse public edly using excessive force against prisoners. trust through excessive force and concealThe 47-year-old sergeant is accused of ing their misconduct,” said Assistant U.S. repeatedly using tasers on compliant, non- Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “We resisting pre-trial detainees on three occawill vigorously safeguard the constitutional

Dunwoody opens doors to refine future land-use By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Front center, Ann Hanlon, executive director of the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, holds the ribbon for phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path April 3 while City Councilman Tom Lambert, front right, gets ready to cut it. The Perimeter CIDs and Dunwoody split the project’s $1.5 million construction cost.

Commercial partners and city celebrate new path By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

See FULTON, Page 20

Fulton jail staff faces civil rights indictments By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat

April 10, 2025 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com

County considers funding for sheriff’s training facility Two-year-old Cameron holds a beach ball at the City of Roswell Fourth of July celebration at Roswell Area Park.

County delays closing Alpharetta jail site

Pitts: Raising millage rate would be mistake

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Thousands filled Wills Park to celebrate July 4 with a bang. Hours before darkness fell, friends and families filled the park’s lawns, Equestrian Center, trails and athletic fields. Everywhere, children played, cartwheeling, running, tossing balls and waving glow sticks. Alpharettan Lindsey Landis, her husband, two children and two dogs were part the crowd, passing the golden hour on a blanket laid out on the grass.

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Biscuit eatery rises to meet high demand

rights of all individuals, including those in custody.” “Abuses of power of this kind are unconstitutional, erode our community’s trust, and will be prosecuted,” added Theodore S. Hertzberg, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Solomon faces up to 10 years in prison for each federal civil rights violation and 20

► PAGE 4

Summer Veggies Annuals Pollinator Plants and So Much More! Friday April 11- Sunday April 13

years behind bars for each false report. The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case based on a referral from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.

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Miniature goldendoodle Lexi cools off at the Milton city pool on Sept. 13. Canine companions gathered there to celebrate summer’s end. See the story and more photos from Sarah Donehoo on page 18.

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A look down the completed phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path April 3 shows the two-way cycle track parallel to the revamped sidewalk.

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody elected officials, city staff and Perimeter Community Improvement Districts Executive Director Ann Hanlon cut the ribbon April 3 on phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path. “We’re super proud to partner with the city of Dunwoody on building this trail project,” Hanlon

said. “And we’ll look forward to many more phases to come.” A little over two years ago, the group gathered at the same spot near the corner of Ashford Dunwoody Road and Hammond Drive for phase one’s groundbreaking. Phase one of the corridor’s path includes a two-way raised cycle track separated from traffic by a wide landscape buffer

See PATH, Page 17

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The City of Dunwoody is streamlining development rules and updating its vision for the city’s future as part of a state-mandated overhaul. City officials and representatives from consulting firm TSW Design, which was tasked with creating a plan, gave a two-hour presentation about the changes April 1 during a special meeting at Vintage Pizzeria on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Residents received and discussed the creation of a unified development ordinance and changes to the city’s comprehensive plan. Dunwoody is updating its comprehensive plan as part of a state mandate that requires an overhaul every five years, said Allison Stewart-Harris, an associate principal and planner at TSW. Stewart-Harris presented the changes to about 30 residents who attended the meeting.

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs announced that the Billboard Music Award-winning band Lit is headlining Friday night Sept. 26 at the third annual Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival. The festival will take place in the heart of Sandy Springs Friday, Sept. 26, from 4-10 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Lit is an American rock band from Orange County,

California, formed in 1988. They are best known for their platinum-selling 1999 power-pop punk album “A Place in the Sun” and its massive hit single “My Own Worst Enemy.” The band is set to headline the main stage Friday night at 8 p.m. In addition to Lit, the family-friendly festival features music all day long across multiple stages, an artist market with more than 80 vendors and a Kids Zone.

See LIT, Page 9

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Motorists line up at the Boylston Drive signal to turn left onto Hammond Drive Aug. 14. Sandy Springs will begin work in September to realign Boylston to the east and eliminate a nearby traffic light.

Realignment construction begins on Hammond-Boylston intersection

CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED

Sandy Springs said Billboard Music Award-winning band, Lit, is headlining this year’s festival Sept. 26-27 at City Springs.

October 23, 2025 | Decaturish.com | Locally Sourced News | An Appen Media Group Publication | Volume 1, No. 13

solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. Equal housing opportunity. If you have an existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs contractors are set to begin work in September on realigning the intersection of Boylston and Hammond drives and removing a redundant traffic light. The city says work will last around 15 months, and the intersection will remain open during construction, but there will be occasional lane closures so crews can get the work done safely. Initially, city officials expected the project

to begin in mid-August. No explanation was given. Currently, there are two separate sets of traffic lights less than 100 feet away from one another, one at the Hammond Glen Retirement Community’s driveway and another at the office building next door. The new configuration will shift Boylston Drive to the east, aligning it with the Hammond Glen driveway and eliminating the traffic light at the driveway to the office building at 325 Hammond Drive.

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Wild Nest Bird Rehab finds roost at Legacy Park

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See BOYLSTON, Page 8

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By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

About 30 residents fill a dining room at Vintage Pizzeria on Chamblee Dunwoody Road April 1 to hear a presentation by TSW Design planner Allison Stewart-Harris, who spoke on the city’s future land-use strategy.

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Billboard Music Award winner to headline Sandy Springs fest

See REFINE, Page 17

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