Sandy Springs notches records lawsuit loss
► PAGE 5
Mitch
welcomes
Forsyth County School Board taps into principals for insight
By LUKE MACY newsroom@appenmedia.com
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — County school administrators and principals got a chance to touch base with the Board of Education at a recent two-day retreat at Atlanta Tech Park in Peachtree Corners.
The meetings, held Jan. 29 and 30, allowed board members to talk with principals – from elementary to high school – about their challenges and explore opportunities to improve the education system at the ground level.
With three second-year board members — Trisha Hoyes, Dorian Usherwood and Chris Grimes — Super -
intendent Mitch Young said the purpose of the retreat was to forge relationships between the board and administrators.
“You don’t know anybody until you get to know their backstory,” Young told the educators.
Principals and board members shared their backstories in group sessions. Stories often had overlapping themes, such as religious healing, familial struggles, immigrant backgrounds, and poor childhoods. Some brought their own props to add a visual element. The backstories ended the same way, with attendees saying why they decided to step into their roles.
See BOARD, Page 4
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A partnership between Forsyth and Cherokee counties has been arranged to strengthen youth football and cheerleading league opportunities.
The Forsyth County Youth Football and Cheerleading leagues will join in 2026 to expand program opportunities with their neighboring county, Forsyth County said Jan. 27.
The move reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the programs while creating a positive, community-focused experience for athletes, families, coaches and volunteers.
Kirk Franz, Forsyth County Parks and Recreation director, said the alignment is an opportunity to enhance local youth sports.
“By working together, we can provide a stronger league structure and continue to foster an environment that emphasizes sportsmanship, development and fun for our young athletes,” he said.
League officials from both counties will spend the coming months finalizing organizational structure, operations and season details. Additional information, including scheduling and program updates, will be shared as they are completed. Registration for the Forsyth County Football and Cheerleading League opened Feb. 1.
— Jon Wilcox
FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED Cherokee and Forsyth counties are combining youth football and cheerleading programs for 2026.
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Superintendent
Young
Forsyth County Board of Education members and principals to a retreat on Jan. 30. Young planned for the retreat to strengthen relationships between board members and school staff.
POLICE BLOTTER
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Driver arrested on cocaine possession charge
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 38-yearold Greenville, S.C., driver was arrested after deputies allegedly found cocaine in his vehicle Jan. 20.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies stopped the car on northbound Ga. 400 near Shiloh Road about 1:15 a.m. The vehicle’s tag lights were allegedly off.
A deputy smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle while speaking with the driver and three other occupants, the sheriff’s office said.
A search of the vehicle revealed a baggie of white powder inside a pack of cigarettes in the center console, the sheriff’s office said. A field test allegedly confirmed the substance was cocaine.
The driver allegedly claimed ownership of the cocaine.
The man was arrested on felony possession of cocaine.
— Jon Wilcox
Deputies arrest woman following alleged assault
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 49-yearold Cumming woman was arrested on an aggravated assault charge after a dispute with workers trimming a tree Jan. 21.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to a Pemberton Way home about 9 a.m.
The workers told deputies the woman demanded they stay off her property and approached them with two knives, the sheriff’s office said.
The woman also allegedly attempted to puncture the tires of their chipper trailer.
A worker allegedly said the woman returned with a handsaw and attempted to swing it at a worker, who took it away from her.
Deputies viewed video of the incident and arrested the woman.
— Jon Wilcox
Footage shows couple taking items from store
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police investigated a reported theft of more than a thousand dollars in makeup and other items at a South Main Street convenience store.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the business about 11:40 a.m.
A 59-year-old manager allegedly told officers the theft occurred Jan. 4.
The manager said store security cameras recorded a man and woman stealing products throughout the store, police said. Most of the stolen items were from the makeup aisle.
The man and woman departed in a gray four-door sedan.
The stolen items were valued at about $1,893.
The incident was classified as a felony shoplifting of more than $500.
— Jon Wilcox
Hacked email leads to $29,000 in fraud
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police say a contractor’s hacked email address led to a woman sending two wire transfers totaling $29,000 to a fake account.
An officer spoke with the victim over the phone Jan. 19 and learned that the first wire transfer of $18,000 was sent Dec. 22 to what she believed to be the account of the contractor working on her home. Nine days later, the fraudulent email address
requested a second payment of $11,000.
When officers met the victim in person, they were provided bank documents that indicated she was not notified before the transactions were made.
Sometime between Dec. 8 and Dec. 18, the contractor’s email domain changed from “comcast.net” to “gmail. com,” but it went unnoticed since the correspondence continued in the same email thread.
According to the police report, the victim alerted the contractor of the problem, and he said his email had been hacked in December, but he had not informed any of his clients.
— Hannah Yahne
Man reports account opened under his name
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police received a call Jan. 13 in reference to a past fraud incident that has since been forwarded to the Criminal Investigation’s Division for further review.
A man was notified by Truist Bank in November that $30,000 had been deposited into an account that was opened using his personal information. The man received a Truist Bank debit card in the mail Dec. 4, and a loan notification dated Dec. 6.
The officer suggested that the suspect would have needed access to the victim’s personal identifying information, including his Social Security number. However, no fraudulent activity had been detected on the victim’s existing PNC Bank accounts.
After speaking with a fraud investigator Jan. 6 at Truist Bank, the man was told he would need to submit a police report before the bank could proceed with an internal investigation.
Hannah Yahne
At Peachtree Town & Country, real estate is never just a transaction, it’s a personal experience. One defined by care, discretion, and the way you’re made to feel every step of the journey. We believe what lasts long after closing isn’t paperwork or process, but the confidence, trust, and comfort you felt along the way. By listening closely and guiding thoughtfully, we create extraordinary experiences that build lasting relationships — and a legacy of service you can feel.
Forsyth County braces for express lane project
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County is preparing for construction of a Ga. 400 express lanes project and looking forward to its completion in 2031.
Construction is expected to begin this spring and will be rolled out primarily in three phases, project planners said during a presentation at a Jan. 27 Forsyth County Commission work session.
The first phase will include building temporary widenings, followed by shifting traffic to temporary areas and opening of the median for work. Finally, traffic will shift back to Ga. 400 as permanent pavement is laid on the outside lanes.
The project will bring express lanes along 16 miles from the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority North Springs Station to 1 mile north of McFarland Parkway in south Forsyth County.
Within the county’s borders, express lane interchanges are planned at McGinnis Ferry and Union Hill roads.
At the same time, Forsyth County plans to widen McGinnis Ferry Road from Ronald Reagan Boulevard to east of the new Ga. 400 interchange.
Over the next few months, the project focus will be on completing designs, environmental reviews and securing permits.
Project financing was secured in August with tree clearing beginning in September. The project is funded primarily by private activity bonds, developer SR
Board:
Continued from Page 1
“We’re the best school system in the world because of these stories,” said Wes McCall, vice chairman of the board.
Principals shared concerns and areas of improvement for the Forsyth County School System.
A few principals said they had difficulty adjusting to how staff members are allotted to each school. Mike Sloop, principal at Silver City Elementary, said that a support staff member could help with his allotment issues. Some principals also asked for autonomy when making decisions, saying that board decisions sometimes can’t account
A timeline shows the rollout for the Ga. 400 express lane project along its 16-mile route from Sandy Springs into south Forsyth County. Completion is slated for 2031.
400 Peach State Partners and a U.S. Department of Transportation loan.
The express lanes are required to maintain an average travel speed of 55 mph or higher. Toll prices could change as quickly as every five minutes and be
for all the differences between schools.
“I’m really thankful for the vulnerability and transparency you guys give us,” board member Hoyes told the group. “This is such an intimate opportunity.”
Also at the retreat, board members approved two new principal appointments for the 2026-2027 school year. Rob Dugan, assistant principal at North Forsyth Middle School, will now serve as principal at Dave’s Creek Elementary. Rebecca Hewitt, assistant principal at East Forsyth High School, will move to Lakeside Middle School as principal.
The Forsyth County Board of Education’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be Feb. 17 at the Professional Development Center, 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming.
announced ahead of the lanes to give drivers the choice of where to travel, said Peach Partners CEO Javier Gutierrez.
“I am sorry for the pain you are going to go through during the next six years, but I am sure you will appreciate it once
we open the express lanes,” he said. SR 400 Peach State Partners will turn over ownership of the express lanes to the Georgia Department of Transportation after 56 years of operation.
County
Jan. 30.
the
LUKE MACY/APPEN MEDIA Forsyth
Board of Education member Chris Grimes leads a meeting with elementary school principals
During
session, administrators raised concerns about staffing and autonomy.
Judge orders city to surrender files
Sandy Springs notches loss in public records lawsuit
By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — A Fulton County judge has ordered Sandy Springs to produce documents it previously withheld from Appen Media Group, granting the newspaper’s motion in an ongoing public records lawsuit with the city.
In a Jan. 22 decision, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Melynee Leftridge ruled Sandy Springs must turn over “supplemental” incident and arrest reports tied to Appen’s prior open records requests, including documents connected to cases the city has considered open investigations.
The order mandates the city release those documents as part of the lawsuit’s discovery phase.
The ruling does not end the longrunning legal battle. The city has 60 days to provide the documents, which both parties will use to further adjudicate the case in court.
The lawsuit stems from Appen’s efforts to obtain public police incident
Editor’s Note: Carl Appen is a representative of Appen Media, which publishes the Sandy Springs Crier. He is also a deposed witness in the case. This article attempts to offer an unbiased update on the status of the lawsuit.
reports from the city beginning in October 2022.
State law mandates public records be open to public inspection but allows certain exceptions. Agencies may withhold certain police records that involve ongoing investigations.
However, the law requires initial incident and crime reports be released even if the case is open.
At the center of the Appen lawsuit is the question of what constitutes an “initial incident report.”
For years, Sandy Springs has made available brief reports stating when and where police are dispatched.
Unlike incident reports provided by surrounding jurisdictions, the Sandy Springs reports typically lack details on the nature of the crime, an accounting of property damage, injuries associated with a crime, whether there were any victims or any arrests were made, and whether any suspects have been identified.
Sandy Springs admits that officers
generally write more detailed reports in a second document, often written the same day. The city claims in its legal defense that this second report is not part of the initial incident report, and therefore can be withheld.
In its complaint, Appen cited examples of Sandy Springs reports in which both documents were created at the same time on the same day. When the newspaper filed open records requests for the reports associated with these incidents, the city only provided the first, one-sentence page.
After trying to mediate the situation, Appen Media brought suit against the city in May 2023 arguing its practice violated the Open Records Act.
After a Fulton County judge ruled in favor of the city in December 2023, Appen appealed the decision to the higher state court. The Court of Appeals then rejected the lower court ruling, stating, “the trial court’s grant of summary judgment was premature. Genuine issues of material fact remain based on this record and thus the trial court erred by granting summary
judgment to the City.”
That decision sent the case back to Fulton County Superior Court.
During the initial phase of the suit, Appen Media requested the city provide copies of complete incident reports so the court could compare them with the supposedly abbreviated reports the city gave the newspaper.
The city did not complete that request. Its justification largely mirrored the city’s defense for not handing them over in the first place. Sandy Springs said the underlying cases involve open investigations and therefore, it claims, are exempt from release.
Following the appellate ruling and ahead of upcoming trial proceedings, Appen filed a motion requesting the court order the city to provide those outstanding documents.
It argued the materials will help cure deficiencies identified by the appeals court.
“We cannot say as a matter of law that a narrative report is not part of the initial incident report subject to disclosure … Based upon the record before us which was simply not fully developed as to that issue,” the appellate court stated.
See FILES, Page 14
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Don’t go breaking my heart: Real estate, emotions, and smarter moves
Buying or selling a home is a lot like falling in love. It starts with excitement and possibility—late-night scrolling, imagining future dinners, picturing yourself walking through the front door after a long day. There are butterflies and big emotions, and that feeling of this could be it. And just like love, if you rush it, ignore red flags, or lean on the wrong advice… don’t go breaking my heart.
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Real estate is emotional—but it can’t just be emotional.
One of the biggest mistakes I see buyers make is skipping over a truly great home simply because it doesn’t
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For sellers, heartbreak looks different. Pricing too high, skipping preparation, or resisting honest feedback can cause a home to sit on the market. And the longer a home sits, the more leverage buyers gain. I always tell my clients: the strongest position you’ll ever have is before your home hits the market. Getting the price, presentation, and timing right from the start matters far more than trying to “test” the market and adjust later.
Timing itself can be tricky. Falling in love with a home that’s just out of reach. Waiting for the “perfect” market. Wondering if “now” is the right moment or if you should hold off. A big part of what I do is help bring clarity to those
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3. Type of training. Shopping aid. Ort.
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GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!
Pennies, pee-cans and puh-kahns
STEVE HUDSON Columnist
I found myself thinking about Grandma’s house the other day. It was a big ol’ white frame house, or at least it seemed big to elementary-age eyes. But of course, most everything seemed big back then. That’s part of the magic of being a kid, I guess.
Anyway, the house was classic in that way that grandma’s houses always are. This one sat a few yards off East Ponce de Leon Avenue between Clarkston and Stone Mountain. Daddy talked about it a lot, about how he’d hunt quail and rabbits in the fields around it growing up. Sometimes he’d talk about taking the streetcar from the house into town –to Atlanta, I always assumed, though it occurs to me just now that he might have had somewhere else in mind.
road and find a path through the blackberry bushes and up to the tracks. Yeah, it was dumb. But it’s not like you never did that too…
Anyway, once at the track, I’d find that certain crosstie, the one with the crooked spike different from all the rest, the one that was easy to spot. That was the marker, and that’s where I’d put the penny. Why? Well, that should be obvious. Squashed pennies are lucky. Sometimes, it was rumored, they even turned to gold.
Anyway, penny placed, I’d return to the porch – and the wait would begin.
Dunwoody Crier 2/5/26 Sudoku
Sooner or later, a train would come along, screaming mechanical shrieks as it flew by the house oblivious to the kid watching from the porch. It would roar off down the track, fading away to nothing as the loud and belligerent often do, eventually. Then it would be gone.
Or if that squashed penny brought me a little more luck, well, then maybe Kelly Sue, angel of the third grade, would give me a kiss. They were pretty much the same, the gold and that kiss, and pretty much equally unobtainable, though I’d have been happy with either one.
But I digress.
What I started out to tell you about is the great debate, the greatest debate of all, that scion of all debates past, present and future and the one among them all that will surely shape the history of humankind:
Is it pecan, or is it pecan?
Actually, I should clarify: Is it “puhKAHN,” as in something that makes pralines and pies, or is it “PEE-cann,” as in that thing Uncle Rudolph kept under his bed?
Yeah, I thought that’d make you sit up and pay attention.
“Let us go to the Land of My Youth,” I said to her at supper the other day. “Let us go see where Grandma lived, and see where trains turned pennies to gold, and see if the pecan trees were big as Olympian gods. Let us go and see what remains, see what stirs memories, see what there is there which might be bigger than memory itself!”
(I didn’t really say it that way, though I could have. But that’s pretty much the gist of it.)
And so off we went, off to that place on the road from Clarkston to Stone Mountain.
We drove down 575 and then 75 and then around 285 and past 85 and then on to the exit for East Ponce de Leon Avenue, where we left the Interstate and headed east. Now and then, but not nearly as often as I’d have liked, I saw something that made memory flicker.
The house had a porch. On the porch were three or four springy metal yard chairs, chalky white in the way that only old metal porch chairs can be. If you sat in one, it left a mark on your jeans. But those chairs had bounce. You could get ‘em going pretty good if you tried. But usually, you just sat and talked to Grandma or whoever else happened by, content just to be there on the porch.
That’s when maybe, if you were lucky, you got to see a train.
Ahh, the trains! Just across the road from Grandma’s was the rail line, where trains passed several times a day.
Kids love trains, and I was a cardcarrying kid. Sometimes, when I figured nobody was looking, I’d sneak across the
And then I’d wait for my chance to return to the track and that one certain rail tie. I’d look for the squashed penny until I found it, savoring the notion of the luck it would surely bring, though I was always a little disappointed that it had not turned to gold. Maybe if I’d first slapped on a little gold paint? Nah, it’d probably still just be a squashed penny. Adding fake color wouldn’t (doesn’t) make any difference at all.
But a squashed penny doesn’t need gold. It’s got great value all its own. It’s real. And because it was real, it would still bring me luck. Wouldn’t it?
Sure it would! With just a little luck, maybe I’d find a chest of gold bars. After all, there was that legend that somebody or other had buried some Confederate gold thereabouts. Somebody, someday, surely had to find it. Why not today, and why not me?
whether these reports should have been initially produced as Appen alleges in its Complaint.”
Anyway, it was all this recollecting about Grandma’s house that made me think of pecans (notice how adroitly I’ve sidestepped the whole pronunciation thing?) because, in the side yard, there had for many millennia been three enormous pecan trees. I’m told I played among them as a young child, for I did a lot of my early growing up in a little brick house next to Grandma’s. The pecan trees would have been just across her back yard, patrolled by the chickens which came to chow down on the birdseed that Grandma liked to pour out on a big, round, white metal table that might, at one time, have gone with those porch chairs.
Big trees…giant trees…were they really as big as I thought?
There was just one way to find out. I’d have to make a pilgrimage. I’d have to go see if what I remembered was what I remembered.
Continued from Page 5
Citing that ruling, Appen’s motion argued the newspaper, “is entitled to these reports to fully develop the record as to
The city petitioned the court to deny Appen’s request.
Following a Jan 6. hearing, the judge sided with Appen Media.
In her order, Judge Leftridge said the
“We’re getting closer,” I’d say, hoping – though mostly we drove through a landscape that wasn’t familiar at all, a landscape far from even my most flexible recollections.
But then there it was: the place, the track, the whole thing. It was right there. Only it wasn’t.
It wasn’t.
I pulled off the road, stopped, looked. Everything was different. Everything was gone. And the pecan trees were nowhere to be seen.
After a while, and with a long, slow sigh, I put the car in gear. We turned back onto East Ponce de Leon, turned right, turned toward home.
The ride back was quieter than usual.
“I wonder what happened to the peecann trees?” I said at last.
“‘Puh-kahn,’” she said gently.
I guess I’ll never know.
Court of Appeals decision entitled Appen Media to all incident reports related to its requests, “regardless of how they are labeled by the City,” so the record could be fully developed.
The judge concluded the city failed to fully respond to discovery requests despite Appen Media’s attempts to resolve the
dispute without court intervention. She also noted the discovery request sought, “nonprivileged and relevant information.”
As a result, the court granted the motion to compel and ordered the city to produce the previously withheld materials. Under the order, Sandy Springs must provide the documents within 60 days of receiving the ruling. Leftridge also authorized Appen Media to submit an affidavit seeking reimbursement for reasonable attorney fees and expenses incurred in pursuing the motion.
Since the Jan. 22 ruling, the city has filed two new motions. The first is a request for immediate review and the second petitions the court to reconsider its decision to compel discovery.
Appen Media has filed a response. Meanwhile, the newspaper awaits the city’s documents as the case plays out.
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