Dunwoody Crier - October 15, 2026 by Appen Media Group

Real Estate Reinvented

School board approves Seacrest Stadium preconstruction ► PAGE 10

770.605.7545 | Together, Opening Doors

October 15, 2026 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976

Budget projects costs rising faster than revenue By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — The city of Dunwoody has proposed a $64.4 million budget for fiscal year 2027, a 26.3% decrease from its 2026 amended financial plan. The proposed budget estimates the general fund,

HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Peter Topping, Jack Harris and Gary Barnett are among the Dunwoody Club Forest West residents involved in a neighborhood elder support network.

Neighbors in Dunwoody Club Forest West help elders age in place By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Neighbors in the Dunwoody Club Forest West community have formed an elder support network to provide older residents with resources and support. “As you age, that presents its own challenges,” Jack Harris, a resident of the neighborhood for 44 years, said. “This organization is

all about helping people age in place.” The subdivision has nearly 150 households, and the support network estimates about 60 people living in the area are older adults. Fortyfive volunteers staff the network, which fulfills requests ranging from moving furniture to rides to doctors’ offices and more. For help, neighbors simply fill out an online form.

the city’s principal operating fund, will see revenue growth of nearly 1% over the 2026 budget. Recurring spending, the city’s ongoing yearly costs, is expected to grow 8.4%. Because spending outpaces revenue, the city plans to use more than $2.8 million of its reserve funds. Officials project the

city will end 2027 with a reserve of unrestricted savings large enough to cover six months of operating costs — two months more than Dunwoody’s charter requires. The city will host state-required public hearings on the budget at 6 p.m. Nov. 16 and Nov. 30.

See BUDGET, Page 23

Dunwoody local Judi Carlson named ‘Neighbor of the Year’ By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Judi Carlson, who served for 10 years as director of the Malachi’s Storehouse ministry, was recently named “Neighbor of the Year” by Neighbors Bank after winning a national contest. The online mortgage lender hosted the contest as part of National Good Neighbor Day, which was Sept. 28. Carlson is the first winner of the title. Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch nominated Carlson and surprised her with the award at the start of Carlson’s volunteer shift at Malachi’s Sept. 29. In addition to the title, Carlson won a prize of $20,000. Carlson said the cash will be poured back into Malachi’s mission.

See CARLSON, Page 23

MALACHI’S STOREHOUSE/PROVIDED

Judi Carlson, former director of Malachi’s Storehouse in Dunwoody, is “Neighbor of the Year.” She won the title through a national contest from Neighbors Bank.

See NEIGHBORS, Page 23

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Sandy Springs police arrest 4 in human trafficking sting By JOSHUA WILSON and HANNAH YAHNE joshua@appenmedia.com hannah@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs police arrested four people during an Oct. 7-8 human trafficking operation at Morgan Falls Overlook Park and along Hammond Drive, the department announced Oct. 9. Police said the operation targeted people involved in sexual exploitation and related crimes. It ended with an adult trafficking victim rescued and three children placed in protective custody, according to a news release posted to the department’s social media. Eric Dejuan Lightfoot was charged with trafficking a person for sexual servitude. James Brandon Bell was charged with pimping. Na’kaya Delzora Jones was charged with prostitution, making false statements and three

counts of second-degree cruelty to children. Tamera La’Shay Brasby was charged with solicitation for an illicit sexual act. Records said Lightfoot, who has a Memphis address, was booked into the Fulton County Jail on Rice Street Oct. 8. Bell, who has an Atlanta address, and Jones, who has an Austell address, were booked into the Rice Street jail Oct. 9. The county’s online inmate search tool did not show ages for any of those defendants. According to the county, Bell was released on a $2,500 surety bond Oct. 11. Jones was released Oct. 11 without posting a cash bond. Brasby, according to the police department, was taken to the Fulton County Jail’s North Annex in Alpharetta. Jail records for her were not available as of Oct. 11. The department’s release did not say how the three children were connected

to the case or which agency now has custody of them. “The charges resulting from this operation highlight the serious nature of human trafficking and crimes involving children,” the release said. The department said it “remains committed to thoroughly investigating these offenses, protecting vulnerable individuals, and ensuring those responsible are held accountable through the criminal justice system.” The department confirmed Oct. 10 the operation was the active investigation that Sandy Springs resident Marrón Bridges walked onto Oct. 7 at Morgan Falls Overlook Park. Bridges, who posted videos of the encounter to Instagram, says officers racially profiled her. She has filed a complaint with the department, which says it is reviewing the encounter. Police have not accused Bridges of any wrongdoing.

Police say profiling claim came amid trafficking operation By JOSHUA WILSON joshua@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs police say a resident who accused officers of racially profiling her Oct. 7 at Morgan Falls Overlook Park had walked onto the scene of a human trafficking operation that led to four arrests. Marrón Bridges, a Black woman, recorded videos at the park and posted them to her Instagram account. They show a white male police officer following her, asking her to identify

herself and then telling her to leave the park. Her account has more than 50,000 followers, and the videos have received hundreds of thousands of views. Bridges later said she filed a formal complaint with the department. In a video posted Oct. 9 to the department’s social media pages, Sgt. Giovanni Gomez, the department’s public information officer, said the department is aware of the incident and that officials are reviewing it. Gomez said Bridges had walked onto

the scene of an active investigation, but he did not specify that the encounter occurred during the trafficking investigation. On Oct. 10, police confirmed it was the Oct. 7-8 human trafficking operation in which officers arrested four people at Morgan Falls Overlook Park and along Hammond Drive. Police have not accused Bridges of any wrongdoing. Gomez referred people to the department’s social media channels for updates.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | October 15, 2026 | 3

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COMMUNITY

4 | October 15, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

PET OF THE WEEK

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Detective Landslide (ID No. 61264022): This detective stole our hearts, and we’d love to be in his custody. Meet Detective Landslide. The only investigation he plans to do involves your lap: how to sit in it and get maximum pets and cuddles. He’s 5 years old and a medium-sized 51 pounds. He’s a bit shy, but he overcame that easily and sat on a lounge chair with a volunteer and a staff member, where he enjoyed being loved on. He’s calm, gentle and sweet. He’s also easy to handle and quite handsome, with beautiful caramel-colored fur and golden eyes. Volunteers said he’s an easy dog to fall in love with, and you will too. Expand your family by four furry little feet. Meet Detective Landslide and have a loving friend forever. All adoptions include spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip. All you have to do is provide the love and security that every shelter animal deserves! If you would like more information about Detective Landslide or have

questions about adopting, fostering or volunteering, please email adoption@ dekalbanimalservices.com or call 404294-2165. We will screen all potential adopters to ensure Detective Landslide goes to a good home. Come visit Detective Landslide and hundreds of other adoptable pets at DeKalb County Animal Services today — no appointment needed! Our address is 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee, GA 30340. You can also email adoption@ dekalbanimalservices.com or call 404294-2165 for more information. We look forward to helping you find your new best friend! If you can’t adopt, please consider fostering temporarily or taking one of our pups for a fun day out through our Dog for the Day program. The 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. Your love and kindness can make all the difference.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | October 15, 2026 | 5

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6 | October 15, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

COMMUNITY

CAC gala raises $500K to keep families housed and fed By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — At its annual gala last month, the Community Assistance Center raised $500,000 to continue the nearly 40-year-old nonprofit organization’s mission of keeping families housed and with access to free, fresh food. The Sept. 19 event welcomed more than 400 attendees, including business and civic leaders, volunteers and other supporters. They celebrated the center’s impact and its holistic approach to supporting families. The center’s CEO, Francis K. Horton III, reflected on how the center has evolved from a crisis response organization to one increasingly focused on helping families move beyond immediate challenges and toward greater stability and long-term financial

independence. “The needs we see coming through our doors every day are increasingly about how we can help a family move beyond a crisis and into a stable position,” Horton said. “That starts with keeping families housed and addressing their immediate needs, but it also means helping people build skills, access resources and pursue opportunities so they can move forward.” The gala also highlighted the early impact of Thrive, the center’s workforce development program that launched in 2025. It helps locals overcome barriers to career pathways and professional goals. Its participants have an average annual income 50% higher than their salaries before the program. Zaria Jett, one Thrive participant, shared her experience and how the program has so-

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER/PROVIDED

Zaria Jett, a participant in the Community Assistance Center’s Thrive workforce program, speaks at the nonprofit organization’s annual gala Sept. 19 about how the program set her on a path toward a nursing career. lidified her path toward a career in nursing. “What I gained from this program goes far beyond certifications and career coaching,” Jett said. “I’ve gained confidence. I’ve gained stability. I’ve learned new skills that I can build on with more training and education.” She said the center’s work is a motivator in her life. “People don’t need someone to do everything for them,” Jett said. “They just need an opportunity, some support and someone willing to say, ‘I believe in you. Keep going.’” In 2025, the center served nearly 10,000 individuals, distributed 1.1 million pounds of food, provided more than $769,000 in fi-

nancial assistance and helped prevent 1,108 evictions. So far in 2026, the center’s efforts have prevented 830 evictions, officials said. During the gala, guests enjoyed a special performance by the City Springs Theatre Co., live and silent auctions, a raffle for a European vacation, dinner and stories highlighting the impact of the center. Lauren Baksh and Sue Appleyard served as gala chairs, and Mercedes-Benz USA was the gala’s presenting sponsor. “‘Bringing Community Together for Change’ was more than the theme of this year’s gala; it reflected exactly what happened in the room,” George Northrop, the center’s director of advancement, said. “Our community came together to invest in our neighbors and in programs that can create meaningful and transformational change. This support gives CAC the opportunity to respond to immediate needs while also helping people build a path forward.” The gala was part of the center’s threeyear Compassion in Action campaign, which hopes to raise $18 million to address the growing needs of individuals and families in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and portions of Doraville served by Dunwoody schools. The center was founded in 1987 and is supported by more than 500 monthly volunteers and a network of community, corporate and congregational partners. Learn more at ourcac.org.

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AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | October 15, 2026 | 7

Spalding Garden Club Proudly Presents

“A Floral Ԑɷ˶ͱ‫ۦ‬ A Floral Demonstration by John Grady Burns, Luncheon, Rafﬂe & Live Auction.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | at City Springs | 10:00AM - 2:00PM

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Diamond

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Susan Rolih City Springs Theater Company Pike Nursery

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John Zimmerman

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Bernie & Marilyn Santa Maria

Friends of Spalding

Prelude Bookstore

Proceeds to beneﬁt the Sensory Garden at the New Homecoming Park in Dunwoody.

Dennis & Susie Mackin Gibbs Gardens Janet Kalahar Karen Cannon Realtors Linda Steenerson Linda Wood Nancy Dreisbach Sanctuary Salon & Spa Sara Crews Sandra Salem Susan Frenzel Susan Griﬃn Susan Lee, Inc. The Colonial Kitchen & Bar The Select Valerie Gilmour Village Burger Your ATL Agents

8 | October 15, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

OPINION

PAST TENSE

The history of the WWII Naval Air Station Atlanta The land now known as DeKalbPeachtree Airport was the World War I encampment Camp Gordon from 1917 to 1921. DeKalb County signed an option for 300 acres VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF of former Camp Gordon land in Columnist 1935. In 1939, with the assistance of the Works Progress Administration, the county began construction of grass runways. The Navy chose this site to build a naval aviation reserve base.

(“The Best Years of Their Lives, the Naval Air Station Atlanta and Lawson General Hospital Site During WWII,” by Paul Stephen Hudson and Troy H. Campbell) The plans included 50 permanent buildings, two hangars and three runways. DeKalb County constructed the east and west hangars. During the first year and a half, the base’s mission was primary flight training. For many arriving students, it was their first flight training. “Most of them arrived in their civilian clothes and had never put foot in an airplane before.” Once primary training was complete, the men went to Pensacola, Florida, or

Corpus Christi, Texas, for intermediate training. (Tattoo: United States Naval Air Station Atlanta, April 1944) In January 1943, the base’s name changed to U.S. Naval Air Station Atlanta. Additional buildings were constructed, including an auditoriumrecreation building, officers’ quarters, more barracks, a service store, a barbershop, bowling alleys and a fully equipped gymnasium. An Army hospital, Lawson General, was next door to the air station. In 1943, the station completed its own hospital. The staff included doctors, dentists, pharmacists, Navy nurses and members of the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service. (Atlanta Journal, July 18, 1943, “Hospital is completed at Navy Air Station here”) Between 1942 and 1944, five schools were established at Naval Air Station Atlanta. They were the Instrument Flight Instructors School, the Link Instrument Training Instructors School, the Control Tower Operator School, the Naval Air Navigation Radio School in Gainesville and the Assistant Operations Officers Naval Training School. There was no shortage of entertainment at the air station. United Service Organizations performances took place in the new auditorium, including appearances by Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Hope made an appearance during a war bond drive, along with Cmdr. “Crash” Harrigan. Harrigan was the air station’s first commander. In May 1944, movie star Tyrone

Power was stationed at the base. His friend and fellow actor Don Ameche visited him while also visiting patients at Lawson General Hospital. (Atlanta Constitution, May 9, 1944, “Don Ameche hits town to visit friend Tyrone”) A variety of sports were available to those stationed at the base, including baseball, basketball, volleyball and swimming. Because there were female nurses and WAVES at the base, women’s sports were available. Trips to John and Vira Cramer’s home on Peachtree Dunwoody Road provided a place to swim. Later, a swimming pool was constructed on the base. Each April, the social event of the year was the Ship’s Ball, “attended by all hands from the Captain to the Apprentice Seamen.” The event was held in the main hangar, which was decorated by employees of the Atlanta clothing store J.P. Allen. Southern-style barbecue, entertainment and dancing made it a memorable evening. (Tattoo: United States Naval Air Station Atlanta, April 1944) Thousands of Navy and Marine aviators and ground personnel were trained at the air station and deployed from there for overseas duty. Three thousand pilots graduated from the instructor school. Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. Write her at pasttensega@gmail.com. Learn more at pasttensega.com.

UNITED STATES NAVAL AIR STATION ATLANTA, APRIL 1944

Bob Hope and Commander “Crash” Harrigan at NASA during a War Bond Drive. Harrigan was nicknamed “Crash” in the early 1930s for pioneering flights in the USS Akron, a Navy dirigible.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | October 15, 2026 | 9

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PROVIDED

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EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

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Change lives, change the world Brought to you by – Wesleyan School Wesleyan School believes faith and intellect are great partners with each other. At Wesleyan, it’s not a matter of choosing faith or intellect, but rather using both to create the best possible education for your child. Our leadership and faculty work to provide students with an atmosphere that is challenging, reinforces the value of hard work, and emphasizes character and integrity above accomplishment. Wesleyan prepares students for each stage of life and provides them with the opportunity to see all the possibilities that lie before them. Wesleyan’s school motto is JOY-Jesus, Others, Yourself, and every aspect of school life is oriented to reinforce this philosophy of putting Jesus first and others ahead of ourselves. A college preparatory environment, students have access to a wide range of academic opportunities along with athletics, arts, service and other extracurricular activities. Wesleyan’s 85-acre campus provides state-of-the-art academic facilities along with on-campus practice space for athletics and arts. Located just outside of I-285 in Peachtree Corners, Wesleyan enrolled 1,210 students in grades K-12 for the 2024-2025 school year. Wesleyan offers bus routes throughout the metro Atlanta area. Supervised care before school is included in the cost of tuition and after care is available (K-8) until 6 p.m. at an affordable rate. The Wesleyan School 5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-448-7640 https://www.wesleyanschool.org/

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EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

A commitment to excellence! Brought to you by – Dunwoody UMC Preschool Dunwoody UMC Preschool and Kindergarten earned the prestigious “Accredited with Merit” status from Cognia, a global school improvement organization. This top-tier designation recognizes early childhood education programs that exceed standard requirements by demonstrating highly effective leadership, consistent teaching practices, and strong learning cultures. Serving local families for over 60 years, the school continues its tradition of providing trusted early childhood education in the Dunwoody community. During the rigorous evaluation, Cognia reviewers observed classrooms, gathered feedback from families, and evaluated the learning environment. Evaluators highlighted the school’s joyful atmosphere, strong community relationships, and commitment to age-appropriate instruction. The program serves children from toddlers through kindergarten. Its curriculum prioritizes academic readiness alongside social, emotional, and spiritual growth. Key components of the experience include:

• Low student-teacher ratios: Classrooms are intentionally structured to ensure individual attention and tailored early instruction. • Play-based & academic curriculum: To foster a love of learning, the multi-sensory curriculum blends structured academics with creative play to build language, math, and motor skills. • Comprehensive kindergarten preparation: The specialized, half-day program ensures smooth transitions to local public or private elementary schools. • Flexible extended day programs: Families can utilize early drop-off and afternoon extensions to accommodate busy schedules. “This honor reflects the dedication of our teachers and the meaningful partnership between our families and church,” said Director Amy Rohan. “It affirms that our school is a safe, enriching environment and a true benchmark of educational quality for our preschool and kindergarten students.” For registration inquiries, visit www.dumcp.org or contact the administration team at preschool@ dunwoodyumc.org or (770) 394-2555.

EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | October 15, 2026 | 19

High Meadows School Baccalaureate (IB) World School offerInspiring future ing its renowned Primary Years Program students in preschool through fifth global citizens and for grade. High Meadows School’s accominnovative leaders plished and experienced faculty lead Brought to you by – High Meadows School & Camp There is no place like High Meadows School & Camp. Since 1973, High Meadows students in Pre-K through 8th grade have learned through experiential, immersive educational opportunities offered both in the school’s spacious, light-filled classrooms and across 42 acres of grassy fields and scenic woodlands. High Meadows School’s progressive curriculum is focused on developing future global citizens and innovative leaders who embrace challenge and think for themselves. High Meadows lower years classrooms offer low student-teacher ratios in which instruction emphasizes academic excellence, love of learning, critical thinking, and environmental and social responsibility. As a nationally recognized and award-winning leader in progressive education, High Meadows is an accredited International

each student on this journey. Through interactive, inquiry-based instruction, supported by of-the-moment technology and our nature-based campus, High Meadows teachers are unequaled in their intellect, passion, and compassion for these kids. Every day they inspire authentic learning opportunities that are engaging and sticky (literally and figuratively!). When children graduate from High Meadows, they are empowered with a deep respect for international perspectives, an intuitive understanding of life’s interconnectedness, and an exceedingly strong sense of self. Education is an expedition that starts from the moment we are born. When we teach children to be curious and inquiring at an early age, we create within them a love of learning that lasts an entire lifetime. What is more important than that? Please visit our website at highmeadows.org or call 770-993-2940 to learn more about High Meadows School.

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20 | October 15, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

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Milton Campus will serve grades 4–12. From Elementary through High School, Saint Francis meets students where they are and challenges them to grow. Students benefit from strong academics and individualized support, plus opportunities in AP, Dual Enrollment, Honors, athletics, fine arts, STEM, robotics, clubs, and more. Across both campuses, students are known for who they are and how they learn. They become confident in their abilities and leave Saint Francis prepared for what comes next. ONE SCHOOL. TWO CAMPUSES. LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES. Discover the Saint Francis Advantage. SaintFrancisSchools.com.

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DISCOVER DAYS Early Childhood - Oct. 29 Kindergarten - Nov. 5 Lower School - Nov. 12 Middle School - Dec. 2

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EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

Education solutions for every mind, every age Brought to you by – Eaton Academy Eaton Academy is a small private school, offering multiple programs, both in person and online. ACCESS, Eaton’s newest program, serves students with limited verbal communication skills – including those with apraxia. Teachers provide individualized instruction and responsive guidance. Students may use AAC devices and experience time in a sensory room. Other Academic Programs The full-day K-12 school with its 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio allows instructors to address the individual learning styles of both neuro-typical and neuro-diverse students. Through the use of STEAM-related activities and multisensory instruction, students of all abilities achieve academic and personal success. The college-prep curriculum is delivered in a safe, nurturing environment. For students with more significant needs, the Pace Program customizes the curriculum to, not only meet their specific academic needs but also develop life skills and independent living strategies. This approach is perfect for students on the spectrum, those with developmental delays, and individuals with other scholastic chal-

lenges. Pace students follow the traditional school day and work to develop greater selfsufficiency and independence, on their way to earning a high school diploma. The Independent Study Program (ISP), tailored to students’ schedules and academic needs, permits individuals to work at their own pace. The tutorial setting enables students who need a more flexible approach, such as aspiring athletes and performers, to work toward graduation while following their dreams. Some students enroll in ISP to accelerate their scholastic

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work; others seek academic remediation. ISP arranges the one-to-one sessions on a schedule that accommodates the students’ needs for flexibility in time or delivery. Sessions can be in person or online. Post-Graduate Programs LEAP is designed to help individuals strengthen their life skills in order to achieve greater independence. Participants benefit from job readiness training at local businesses and life skill development in our model apartment. The LIFE program works with young adults living in their own apartments. Participants meet with a LIFE coach several times each week for support in areas such as meal-prep, budgeting, hygiene, roommate relations, and housekeeping. Supported Employment prepares

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NEWS

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The largest driver of the recurring spending increase is police, up $1.7 million.

Continued from Page 1

spending. Other major expenses include $5.1 million for parks and recreation, $3.9 million for information technology and $3.7 million for public works, with $12.3 million going to other city functions. Expenditures are expected to drop

about $5 million from 2026 mostly because of a decrease in one-time costs. Those costs fall from $8.5 million in 2026 to $370,000 in 2027. This year’s budget included about $8 million in onetime transfers for parks, police, public works and facilities capital projects.

Other funds The general fund makes up nearly 64% of the proposed budget. The rest is spread across funds set aside for specific uses. The largest is the city’s specialpurpose local option sales tax fund. Collections from the second SPLOST are expected to reach $9.5 million in 2027. The first SPLOST ended in 2024, and staffers expect to spend its remaining interest earnings by the end of this year. The hotel-motel tax fund is next at $6.1 million, up 3% from this year. Part of that money will go to the general fund. The rest will stay in the hotel-motel fund for tourism and economic development capital projects. Smaller funds are paid for with stormwater and E911 fees, while the rest cover debt payments, capital projects, grants and opioid settlement spending. The city’s COVID-19 relief funds are expected to close in 2027. About $586,000 remains from the American Rescue Plan Act, and staffers expect to spend it this year. Any money left over from the current budget will carry forward, and the 2027 budget will be amended to reflect it.

in Chattahoochee Hills. Last year, he presented the idea to the subdivision’s board and got a “great response.” “It’s good to know that there is a network of people in the neighborhood that you can trust to call and help you if you’re in a bind,” said Eric Henningson, who has made his home in Dunwoody Club Forest West for 30 years. Topping said the support network aims to fill gaps. He said some neighbors might have help from healthcare agencies, but those providers may occasionally be away. The same goes for children, especially those who might live in other states.

“Those are the kinds of gaps that exist where we can help each other out,” Topping said. Gary Barnett, a resident for 40 years, described the system as “networking with a purpose.” Neighbors refer each other to doctors and have even helped younger residents weigh the options associated with caring for their aging parents. Other advice given surrounds tutors for the area’s children, the Medicaid application process and retirement. Residents help each other at “every stage of life,” Henningson said.

“[At] every stage … life has its own topics that become important to you,” he said. Topping hopes other neighborhoods take notice of the support network and offer their own resources and support to aging residents, especially as Dunwoody’s population gets older. “We want to encourage other neighborhoods not necessarily to duplicate [our efforts] but to find their own remedy, their own way of providing support,” he said. “It has so many benefits.” To learn more about the support network, visit dcfw.net/elder.

said. “I still can’t believe that this is happening. It’s really, really exciting for Malachi’s because … these funds will go a really long way to help us with repairs and purchasing equipment.” Carlson has worked with the ministry for 14 years. Even after stepping down as its director, she continues to volunteer with Malachi’s on a weekly basis. “It’s too close to my heart,” Carlson said. “I can’t step away.”

Last year, Carlson led a team of more than 100 volunteers in distributing 713,000 pounds of food and serving approximately 70,000 people. She said Malachi’s has distributed, over the first nine months of 2026, an estimated 500,000 pounds of food, serving more than 300 families each week. Carlson credits the ministry’s efforts to its volunteers.

“It means a lot for me to be recognized, but really I want our whole volunteer team to be recognized because it really is a team, and it’s not about any one person,” she said. The ministry, located at 4755 North Peachtree Road, is open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays and accepts donations from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Learn more about Malachi’s at malachis.org.

April deadline. Horton pleaded guilty Oct. 5 to three counts of wire fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion connected to a kickback scheme from his time leading EvanstonSkokie District 65. The district hasn’t mentioned the audit since its May

meeting, and this month’s board agenda didn’t either, so it’s unclear whether the audit is complete, canceled or delayed, or whether it has produced any findings. District officials have repeatedly told Appen Media there’s no new information since the audit committee met in May.

However, board policy BBC-R(1) says the committee “will conduct meetings at least quarterly,” and it hasn’t held or scheduled a meeting since then. The district’s legal services office didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Both hearings will be at Dunwoody City Hall at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road. General fund revenues General fund revenues are projected at $38.3 million. These revenues have felt the effects of slowing growth in Dunwoody’s tax digest since 2022. The digest is the total taxable value of property in the city, and it grew just 0.1% from last year. However, at a special meeting Sept. 30, city staff members forecast a 2% increase in Dunwoody’s property tax revenues in 2027, which would bring estimated collections to $11.7 million. Property taxes make up around a third of the 2027 budget’s general fund revenues. Other revenue sources include franchise fees, business and insurance premium taxes, and licenses and permits. General fund expenses General fund expenditures are projected at $41.2 million. Police account for the largest share at $16.2 million, nearly 40% of general fund

Neighbors: Continued from Page 1 “Some [volunteers] have very young children, some are empty nesters but they’re still working … and they’re glad to help a neighbor in need, which I think is a fabulous statement,” said Peter Topping, who has lived in the neighborhood for 27 years. Topping said he was inspired to create the support network after a friend moved to Serenbe, a wellness community

Carlson: Continued from Page 1 The storehouse is a program of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Dunwoody. It collects and distributes food, clothing and baby supplies to those in need in metro Atlanta. “I was so blown away,” Carlson

Seacrest: Continued from Page 10 The audit was due in early July after being pushed back from its original

APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO

Dunwoody City Hall, the seat of municipal government, is located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road.

OPINION

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We all know my friend Joe Lunch Pale. Joe wants to spend the next three weekends looking at houses. Maybe write a low offer here and there just to see what happens. And D.C. AIKEN according to Joe, Guest Columnist dcaiken.com financing won’t be a problem. According to Joe, he has a 950 credit score, makes great money, has almost no debt, and has more cash in the bank than Scrooge McDuck. Don’t worry about Joe… Joe is ready to go.Or is he? There is one basic rule every real estate agent should live by: No butts in car seats until you see a pre-approval. No ifs. No ands. And definitely no butts in seats. Because when it comes to mortgages, I have another rule: Show me. Don’t tell me. That fictional 950 credit score? Turns out it’s 620. Joe also forgot to mention that he generously co-signed on a couple of car loans for his nieces and nephews. Unfortunately, the mortgage underwriter doesn’t care who is actually making those payments unless we can properly document it. And that shiny new truck Joe just bought? The new payment changed his debt-to-income ratio, while all those credit inquiries and the new account didn’t exactly help his credit profile… hence why Joe’s score is now 620. Then we discover Joe recently left his salaried job and went hourly. “But I’m making more money!” Maybe. The problem isn’t necessarily Joe’s hourly rate. It’s establishing how many hours he can reasonably be expected to work. Is it consistently 40 hours? Or 36? Or 32? And what about overtime? We may need a documented history before we can use it as qualifying income. Welcome to Hourly Jail, Joe. Then Joe tells me not to worry about the down payment because he has $100,000 in his 401(k). Great! Except having $100,000 in a

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retirement account doesn’t necessarily mean Joe has $100,000 available for a home purchase. His plan may restrict loans or withdrawals, and we need to know exactly how much he can access. Suddenly, Joe’s “slam-dunk” mortgage isn’t quite the slam dunk everyone thought it was. And that’s the real problem. Maybe Joe qualifies for $650,000. Maybe he qualifies for $400,000. Maybe Joe doesn’t qualify for anything right now. But wouldn’t you rather know that before spending four weekends driving him around Atlanta? Worse yet, imagine showing Joe $650,000 homes for a month only to discover that his actual purchasing power is $400,000. Good luck getting Joe excited about the $400,000 house after he’s fallen in love with the $650,000 one. That’s why getting pre-approved isn’t simply about the mortgage. It’s about setting expectations before emotions get involved. It protects the buyer. It protects the agent’s time. It establishes a realistic price range. And when the right house comes along, everyone is prepared to move. No butts in seats until you have a pre-approval in your hand. No ifs. No ands. And absolutely, no butts. 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.

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | October 15, 2026 | 25

GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!

The joy of planning After years of consideration, I've reached an important conclusion about a matter that affects us all. To wit: Planning is overrated. Wait. What did I say? Haven't we been STEVE HUDSON told since childhood Columnist that you've got to plan things out? You know, as in "plan your work and work your plan"? Well, yeah, I suppose we have. I admit it can be a good thing too, sometimes. My wife is a planner, and I admit that I am the beneficiary of it. Take our camping trips, for example. She checks and rechecks the lists of the critical things (you know, stuff like warm blankets and coffee for the coffeepot), and as a result our campsites are places of peace, tranquility, comfort and abundant coffee, with creamer, which is also on one of the lists. Yes, good planning leaves nothing to chance. Remember that for a few minutes. Just saying ... But what about spontaneity? I must confess that I may, just possibly, be less a child of the "plan-it-out" school of thought and more a "let's-go-right-nowand-see-what-happens" kind of guy. Maybe it's some vestige of leftover hippie in me, or maybe it's just that I'd rather be walking in the woods than planning where to do the walking. Could be both, I suppose. In practice, she and I meet in the middle, and it's a wonderful match. When an adventure is afoot, we plan it together. That means I go off on wild flights of fancy about doing this and seeing that, while she reins me in and anchors me to reality and, in the process, probably keeps me alive. Of course, for this to work, she's got to be physically there. The other weekend, she was enjoying her annual weekend visit with her girlfriends. She's been friends with them since about first grade, and they get together once a year. That's a neat thing. This year they got together over in Alabama at one of her friends' homes. And as she was heading out, just as she backed onto the street and pointed the car west, it occurred to me that — and why not? — I should just load up the car and go camping!

See HUDSON, Page 27

A Walk for Parkinson’s

A T M O V I N G D A Y, A W A L K F O R P A R K I N S O N ’ S , we honor loved ones, raise funds, fight Parkinson’s disease and celebrate the power of movement – shown to help manage symptoms. Join us as a team member, sponsor or volunteer, and be part of hundreds coming together to make a difference in your community and push closer to a cure.

26 | October 15, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

OPINION

GARDEN BUZZ

Labyrinths offer a unique feature for quiet reflection Labyrinths have always intrigued me whenever I see them in beach areas or sculpture gardens. Not to be confused with a maze, where one can get lost, a labyrinth guides you BARBARA OLSON to the center and Guest Columnist back again. I have seen them in England, Scandinavia and, most recently, in Ellsworth, Michigan, and at Castle Farms in Charlevoix, Michigan. There are more than 6,500 registered labyrinths worldwide. Chartres Cathedral in France has a 13th-century stone labyrinth inlaid into the floor of the nave, spanning the width of the building. Labyrinths have been in use for more than 4,000 years, and various patterns have been found in many ancient cultures. They were likely used for ceremonial or meditative purposes. Labyrinths can be made of many materials, such as stone, concrete or even small plants. In England and Scandinavia, I found turf labyrinths made of mounds of earth covered with grass. Labyrinths come in different sizes and can be elaborate, with many concentric circles, or small and simple. Today, labyrinths are experiencing a revival. There is even an annual World Labyrinth Day, celebrated on the first Saturday in May. Labyrinths are found in hospitals, schools, parks, churches, private gardens and many other settings. People walk them for stress relief, spiritual reflection, mindfulness and personal growth. The modern labyrinth movement, which began gaining popularity in the 1990s, emphasizes the labyrinth as a tool for healing and contemplation. The labyrinth's purpose today remains rooted in its symbolic design, which is based on the circle, the universal symbol for unity and wholeness. Many people use labyrinths as a form

Learn More ·‘Walking a Sacred Path’ by Lauren Artress ·Building a Labyrinth - https:// discoverlabyrinths.com/ how-to-build-a-labrynth · Locate a Labyrinth - www. Labyrinthlocator.org

BARBARA OLSON/NORTH FULTON MASTER GARDENERS

A labyrinth on Smith Plantation grounds in Roswell. of walking meditation that helps quiet the mind and focus inward. Ultimately, the labyrinth offers a quiet, structured space for reflection. Across time and cultures, it

remains a powerful symbol of the path we all walk, full of twists and turns, yet leading us forward. There are many ways to walk a

DEATH NOTICES Judith Erhardt, age 88, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 29, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Hampton Logan, age 83, of Milton, GA passed away on September 28, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory

Gail Gibson, age 86, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 29, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Carolyn Smith, age 82, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 28, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Bonita Tillman, age 94, of Roswell, GA passed away on October 5, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory. June Thomas, age 88, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on September 24, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

labyrinth. Before stepping inside, take a moment to reflect on your life, focusing on something as simple as family, career or an upcoming choice. Although there is nothing magical about the layout itself, the physical journey allows your consciousness to open a little deeper. For many years, I had wanted to install a labyrinth in my own yard, but the terrain was too hilly. While working on my first master gardener volunteer project on the grounds of the Archibald Smith Plantation Home and Museum in Roswell, I located an area surrounded by trees that I thought would be an ideal spot. In the fall of 2016, I received permission from the museum staff to explore the possibility of creating a labyrinth on the property. I started by raking leaves into a circular design and then raking them outward from the center to create the overall pattern. My husband then assisted me, and we placed logs we found on the property on top of the piles of leaves. This gave the design a little more permanence and kept the leaves from blowing away. The manager at Smith Plantation contracted a bricklayer to permanently lay bricks in place of the logs. In May 2017, the labyrinth at Smith Plantation opened to the public, and an informational sign was erected shortly afterward. The labyrinth at Archibald Smith Plantation is a simple one, surrounded by trees. As you walk this path, be mindful of your natural surroundings. Hear the quiet among the chirping birds, feel the breeze on your skin and slowly follow the path to the center. Use all your senses at this point and then slowly return along the same path to the entrance. This walkway connects directly with the Fernwood Forest path at Smith Plantation, where visitors can enjoy another beautiful walk. Whether you need a brief escape from a hectic schedule or a dedicated space to process a major life decision, the ancient structure of the labyrinth provides a timeless remedy. I encourage you to visit the brick labyrinth at Smith Plantation in Roswell or locate an installation near you to step off the beaten path and find your own inner peace. Happy gardening!

Hudson:

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | October 15, 2026 | 27

Continued from Page 25 Where? I dunno. How long? Oh, a day or two. What to take? I'll just grab what I need and go! Quick as thought, I cranked up my phone and found a last-minute campsite at Tugaloo State Park. It took just an instant to book it. Almost as quickly, I tossed the tent and the cot and some of this and a little of that into the car. The whole packing-up thing took me maybe 10 minutes, and as the 11th minute rolled around I too was backing out the driveway, on my way to adventure! Planning? Well ... A couple of hours later I'm at the campground. Tugaloo State Park, which sits close by Lake Hartwell, is just a little off the radar, but it's definitely on my A-list of places to camp. It offers more than 115 campsites of various descriptions, from full-hookup drive-through sites to tent-only walk-in sites. Though I'm tent camping, I pick a back-in site, and I make sure it has water (for easy coffee making) and power (so I can plug in the little heater in case it gets cool at night). My chosen site is right on the lake, too, and it turns out to be a great one. Setup goes smoothly, at least till I go to stake out the rain fly and discover that I've left it (as well as the basket of tent stakes) sitting on the shelf at home. Well, no biggie. It's not supposed to rain, and there are no tent-moving winds in the forecast. Besides, with no rain fly to obscure the view, I can see the stars through the tent's mesh roof. That will be neat, especially for a dyed-in-the-wool man of the wilderness like me. Soon, it's time to set up the cot. My solo camping cot is one of those folding affairs from the local big-box retailer. It's sturdy and comfortable and gets me off the ground. One advantage of being somewhere north of 40 is that you don't have to sleep on the dirt if you don't want to, and I don't. But the cot is heavy. Well, the fleas come with the dog. I lug the cot to the tent, set it inside and unfold it. It fits the little tent perfectly, and it's really very comfortable — especially when made up with a nice squishy pillow and a soft, warm blanket to ward off the night's chill. I reach for them to make up my camp bed. In that instant, I realize that I know exactly where the blanket (and the sheets ... and my pillow) are. That's good! What's less good is that they're back home, on the shelf, right next to that basket of tent stakes. Well, no biggie, I tell myself. It isn't supposed to get that cold. Besides, I have extra socks if I need added warmth, and I can stuff some clothes or maybe my fishing vest into my daypack and use it for a pillow. We great outdoorsmen

Tugaloo State Park, at Lake Hartwell, is a great place to camp. are flexible that way. We may suck at planning, but we sure do know how to adapt. By that point the sun is getting a little low, and I realize it's getting chilly. The forecast had said that the night would be (how did the weather guy put it?) "a little breezy, with the season's first hint of brisk fall air." So I go to look for my jacket. Uh-oh. For the jacket, along with the blanket and pillow and God only knows what other yet-to-be-discovered omissions, is sitting on that shelf back home. For those less experienced, a missing jacket could be a problem. But we seasoned outdoors types just roll with such things, barely batting an eye. That's how it is when you're one with the wilderness! Besides, I have an extra shirt, so I just slip it on instead. It helps a little. By that time it's getting dark. I call it a day and turn in, intent on a good night's sleep. Well, fast-forward a few hours. There I am, stretched out on my cot, feeling the promised breezy breeze, and it dawns on me that I'm chilly. I reach for the blanket that isn't there and think about turning up the little heater, which (yep) isn't there either. It's back home, too, there on that shelf by the blanket. Now where are those extra socks? Probably back home on the shelf too. Morning eventually comes. Yes,

there's a nip in the air, and I'm ready for coffee. I crawl from the tent, retrieve the coffee maker and plug it in. The light comes on, its comforting red glow promising something great to come. Now where did I put that coffee? Uh-oh. At that point, I just laugh out loud. Planning? Who needs planning? I'll tell you who needs planning. Me! Fortunately, the folks at the corner store did a better job of it than me. Their coffee is hot, strong and just what this chilly camper needs. In no time I'm restored and ready for what the day will bring. It turns out to be a great day. I do

STEVE HUDSON/APPEN MEDIA

some hiking. I catch some fish. I meet a photographer at Traveler's Rest, a nearby historic site, and we talk about photographing trains and trestles. I find a new-to-me barbecue place, a place with some really good Brunswick stew that I'll tell you about next time. I find a Walmart, too, and relieve them of a blanket, some tent stakes, a sweatshirt, some socks and a pillow — and some coffee. Did I forget anything on my Walmart run? Not a thing. I made a list before I went. I did a little planning. I'll tell her about all this when she returns tomorrow evening, and she will be proud.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The City of Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday, November 5, 2026 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 26-19, 4777 Vermack Rd, Dunwoody, GA, 30338: Variance from Sec. 2758 to allow a home addition to encroach into the rear setback. ZBA 26-20, 4491 Village Springs Pl, Dunwoody, GA, 30338: Variance from Sec. 27-58 to allow a porch and deck to encroach into the rear setback. 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.

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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.

PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA

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

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Biscuit eatery rises to meet high demand

Residents celebrate, remember meaning behind Juneteenth

By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com

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.

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

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

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

ROI

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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 ar chitectural 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

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.

sions last January and writing false reports about each of the incidents. “The (Justice Department’s) Civil Rights Division has zero tolerance for law enforcement officers who abuse public trust through excessive force and concealing their misconduct,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “We will 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 ATLANTA — Fulton County Jail employee has been indicted in federal court for allegedly using excessive force against prisoners. The 47-year-old sergeant is accused of repeatedly using tasers on compliant, nonresisting pre-trial detainees on three occa-

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

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

See JUNETEENTH, Page 10

By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat

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

Life Time Perimeter revives health club site ► PAGE 4

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

Greenhouse complex- Across from the Skate Park in Brookrun Park, Dunwoody

S e p t e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 0 , N o . 3 9

Children play in the lawn at Newtown Park during a Juneteenth celebration in Johns Creek June 21.

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.

► PAGE 5

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See BISCUIT, Page 6

County delays closing Alpharetta jail site

Pitts: Raising millage rate would be mistake

► PAGE 4

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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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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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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Early voting ends Oct. 31 for municipal elections ► PAGE 4

See story on Page 22

Wild Nest Bird Rehab finds roost at Legacy Park

► PAGE 24

See BOYLSTON, Page 8

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Residents trying to pump brakes on I-285 express lane

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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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Schedule your Appointment: (770) 282-8156 | iroff.com 3960 Old Milton Parkway 300 Alpharetta, GA 30005