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Veterans group awards five scholarships ► PAGE 3

J u n e 1 2 , 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 9 , N o . 2 4

County Commission approves rezoning for 224-acre, low-density subdivision By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Amid concerns raised about rampant growth, county commissioners greenlit a 224acre residential community in south Forsyth County June 5. Commissioners said it is the kind of development the county can handle. At its June 5 meeting, officials unanimously approved a rezoning for

the 242-lot neighborhood at Westminster Lane and Old Atlanta Road in south Forsyth County. Planned for 1.08 units per acre, the proposed St. Marlo subdivision is the lowest density community that developer Toll Brothers has ever undertaken in the county, Vice President Adam Guercio said. The land, which was purchased from a quarry, will include substantial efforts to preserve green space and include numerous residential amenities.

The rezoning comes three weeks after commissioners continued a prohibition of residential zoning applications. Toll Brothers’ application was submitted before the pause. The county also prohibits the development of new standalone apartments. In May, commissioners cited residents’ growing concerns about unchecked growth and its impact on roadways, schools and services.

South Forsyth County resident Brenda Diaz was among several residents who spoke to commissioners at the May 15 meeting. “There are hundreds and hundreds of people who have been here for a long time, longer than me, and they all are saying, ‘Please, please do something about this. This is crazy. This is just too fast,’” Diaz said.

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GDOT, Peach State Partners advance Ga. 400 express lanes By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

METRO ATLANTA — A year from now, commuters in North Fulton may begin seeing familiar orange barrels lining Ga. 400 regularly. Just as the major I-285/Ga. 400 interchange project is wrapping up in Sandy Springs, Georgia DOT is poised to begin work on a 16-mile express lanes project along Ga. 400 from North Springs MARTA station north to southern Forsyth County next summer, just as Atlanta prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 15-July 15. The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce estimates some 300,000 people will visit the city for eight games. Already, GDOT contractors are scheduling several overnight lane closures this summer to perform roadwork activities on sections of the Ga. 400 the express lanes project.

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A rendering of a bus rapid transit interchange at Holcomb Bridge Road shows a piece of the planned Ga. 400 Express Lanes project. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, its chosen privatesector develop — SR 400 Peach State Partners — is expected to begin construction next summer.

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A map shows plans for the Ga. 400 Express Lanes project, running some 16 miles from North Springs MARTA station in Sandy Springs to just north of MacFarland Parkway in southern Forsyth County.

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Teen suffers leg injury attempting citizen’s arrest

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies investigated a reported assault of an 18-year-old Roswell man who attempted a citizen's arrest in a McDonald’s parking lot June 1. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said the teen told them he set up a drug deal with his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend to apprehend him. He said the ex had harassed his girlfriend. When a person other than the ex arrived at the Bethelview Road fast food restaurant, the teen and his cousin used their vehicles to block him in. They ordered the driver to exit. The driver declined and drove away from the parking spot, striking the Roswell teen. Deputies interviewed three witnesses at the scene. They informed the teen he had no authority to make the citizen's arrest. The teen complained of leg pain but refused an ambulance. The incident was classified as a felony aggravated assault with other weapon. — Jon Wilcox

Gravity bong, various drugs allegedly found inside vehicle FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 29-yearold Gainesville man was arrested on drug charges June 1. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said a Canton Highway gas station employee told a deputy who was at the store that a man was acting suspi-

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PUBLIC SAFETY ciously at a gas pump. The employee said the man had been sitting in his vehicle for about an hour. The deputy followed the man after he drove off and stopped him on Tribble Road for rolling past a stop sign. During the traffic stop, the Gainesville man immediately exited his vehicle to approach the deputy. The man appeared nervous, the sheriff’s report said. His hands were shaking, and he had trouble forming complete sentences. The deputy searched the vehicle after smelling marijuana. The driver said he had a homemade gravity bong, a kind of marijuana smoking apparatus in the vehicle. A search revealed a plastic baggie of suspected methamphetamine and less than 1 ounce of marijuana. The Gainesville man was arrested on misdemeanor possession of a drugrelated object and failure to obey a stop sign and felony possession of methamphetamine. — Jon Wilcox

Owner reports SUV stolen while parked in driveway FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — An SUV was reported stolen from a Cumming home May 29. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said a 54-year-old resident reported the theft after discovering the vehicle was missing. The Honda Pilot was valued at $10,000. The incident was classified as a felony theft of an automobile. The man said his daughter parked the vehicle in the driveway about 11 p.m. May 28. He said he had observed no suspicious activity overnight. A pair of headphones valued at $250 were inside the SUV. Deputies checked for the vehicle on Flock Security cameras and caught sight of it on Covington Highway at

Wesley Chapel Road. Deputies noted a previous report of unlawful entry of a vehicle at a nearby residence. — Jon Wilcox

Restaurant workers flee after customer pulls knife ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 45-yearold Roswell man was arrested after allegedly threatening Waffle House employees with a pocketknife May 21. Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the Old Milton Parkway restaurant about 1 a.m. Officers arrived to find employees fleeing the location in a vehicle. The employees returned to speak with officers, saying a man inside had threatened to kill them. Police cleared the restaurant but found no one inside. Employees said they called 911 after the man had caused a disturbance and made threats. They said the man stabbed a table and menaced them. Employees also said the man told them police would have to shoot him if they called 911. Officers reviewed security camera recordings, which showed the man brandishing a knife and trying to jump over tables to attack an employee, police said. The recordings showed the man leaving the restaurant and walking toward a nearby hotel. Officers identified the man through the recordings. Police arrived at his hotel room with weapons drawn and arrested him. A search revealed a 4-inch knife that matched the weapon captured on video. The man was charged with felony aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and misdemeanor disorderly conduct. — Jon Wilcox

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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 12, 2025 | 3

Vietnam veterans group awards five scholarships FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Cumming chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America honored winners of its 10th annual scholarship June 3. The organization honored five recent high school graduates, presenting them with $5,000 checks and certificates each remembering the name of a Georgia veteran killed in action during the Vietnam War. In the past 10 years, the chapter has helped 26 Forsyth County high school graduates. “Our membership is committed to assisting the community’s young people with the cost of their education while simultaneously honoring the memory of those Georgians who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War,” Chapter President Ed Shoemaker said. Madeline Holder, of West Forsyth High School, will study biology at the University of Georgia. She was awarded a scholarship in memory of U.S. Navy Lt. Orland Pender, of Atlanta.

Sabrina Lafferty, of South Forsyth High School, hopes to become a diplomat and will study at Duke University. Her scholarship honors U.S. Army Sgt. John Holt Parham III, of Atlanta. Andrew Garrard, of North Forsyth High School, will study finance at the University of North Georgia. His scholarship recognizes U.S. Army Warrant Officer George Thomas Condrey of Atlanta. Tristan Cohen, of Forsyth Central High School, will seek a business degree from the University of Georgia. He received a scholarship in the name of U.S. Army Pfc. Claude McCan Jr., of Alpharetta. Ella Clem, of North Forsyth High School, will study biology at Georgia Tech on her way to becoming a physician. Her scholarship honors the service and sacrifice of U.S. Army Cpl. Harry Vaughan of Alpharetta. — Jon Wilcox

CUMMING CHAPTER 1030 OF THE VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA/PROVIDED

From left, Ella Clem of North Forsyth High School; Madeline Holder of West Forsyth High School; and Andrew Garrard of North Forsyth High School hold their scholarship certificates June 3. Other winners included Sabrina Lafferty of South Forsyth High School and Tristan Cohen of Forsyth Central High School.

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Atlanta Police Foundation ordered to release ‘Cop City’ records Judge: Public records cannot be withheld because of who asks By ALESSANDRO MARAZZI SASSOON Atlanta Civic Circle ATLANTA — A Fulton County Superior Court judge has ordered the Atlanta Police Foundation to turn over records related to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center — or “Cop City” — within 30 days. Superior Court Judge Jane Barwick’s decision follows a closely watched legal battle initiated by journalists and researchers seeking greater transparency about the polarizing project’s construction on city-owned land. The plaintiffs — the Atlanta Community Press Collective (ACPC) and Lucy Parsons Labs, a Chicago-based research group — requested emails, APF board meeting agendas, and minutes. “This court concludes that APF was under a duty to provide records to ACPC and Lucy Parsons Labs pursuant to the Open Records Act,” Barwick wrote in her 12-page order, delivered two months after a two-day bench trial in April. “Under the authority explained in this order, no exemptions applied.”

Why Appen Media is sharing this story

While Appen Media rarely republishes reporting from other newsrooms, this story adds important context for readers. Appen Media has covered the public safety foundations of cities in its coverage area. Most groups, like the ones in Alpharetta, Roswell and Johns Creek, focus on fundraising to support first responders during times of crisis. Sandy Springs formed a second organization, the Sandy Springs Police Foundation, aiming to construct a training facility with an estimated price tag of $37-$45 million. Appen Media first reported these plans in April 2024. The city then stopped fulfilling public records requests related to the foundation, saying the agency is a separate entity and not subject to the Georgia Open Records Act. However, Barwick narrowly tailored her ruling, only forcing APF to hand over the records at issue. While many observers hoped the deci-

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Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jane Barwick presides at a hearing in April. sion would clarify how Georgia’s Open Records Act applies to non-profits whose work is almost exclusively related to a government agency, the judge explicitly declined to set broader legal precedents. “Plainly speaking, this court is not entering an advisory opinion,” Barwick wrote. Barwick clarified that the order does not designate APF a “public entity” whose records are all declared “public and accessible.” Nor does the order make the requested records available in future open records requests, “though everyone should comply with the law.” The judge also declined to award attorney’s fees to ACPC and Lucy Parsons Labs, ruling that APF’s violation of the Open Records Act was not done “knowingly and willfully.” In doing so, Barwick also agreed that, while not valid, APF’s stated reason for denying the requests was reasonable. APF lawyers argued that releasing the records would endanger named individuals, citing the harassment and sometimes violent tactics Stop Cop City activists have employed to oppose the facility. APF also argued that ACPC was functionally an arm of the activist movement, equating their actions to “terrorism.” ACPC rejected that characterization, asserting that Georgia’s Open Records Act

does not permit withholding public documents based on the requester’s identity, an argument that Barwick endorsed in the closing sentence of her order. “Let the record also be clear that the identity of the requester does not determine whether records are characterized as public,” she wrote. Samantha Hamilton, ACPC’s staff attorney, said she was glad that Barwick “saw through” APF’s stated justification for withholding the records, and that in reality they had done so simply because they had published information critical of APF and the training center. “It’s frustrating that we had to go through the whole process of filing a lawsuit a year and a half ago to prove what we knew to be true all along: that these records related to Cop City are subject to the Georgia Open Records Act,” she said. It is unclear whether APF plans to appeal the ruling. Former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Howard Melton, the Troutman Pepper attorney who represented APF during the trial, declined to comment for this story. This article was originally published on atlantaciviccircle.org. The nonprofit newsroom covers housing, democracy and labor in Metro Atlanta.

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Atlanta Police Foundation CEO Dave Wilkinson sits in Barwick’s courtroom in April.

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Just opened? Appen Media publishes New Business Spotlights to highlight local businesses as they get started. Submit yours for free at appenmedia.com/newbusiness. 6 | Forsyth Herald | June 12, 2025

Enchanted Forest at The Village focuses on keeping customer base Tariff issue adds wrinkle to gift shop’s operations By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Elizabeth Morris and her mom, Kay Underwood, had some free time on their hands and opened a small gift shop in a small Gwinnett County city in 2005. Now in its 20th year, The Enchanted Forest is in the back right corner of the Dunwoody Hall shopping center at 5580 Chamblee Road. Morris said she opened the Village location in 2008, right around the time Dunwoody was incorporating. The Gwinnett native said opening a business in her hometown of Metro Atlanta keeps lots of friends from high school and college in her life. Most of the employees are nearby residents as well, which lets the shop follow up with customers they know by name. “Because we are a small business, we have the opportunity to really get know our customers,” Morris said. “That does make a difference.” The shop sells a variety of gifts, candles, dinnerware, bags for every season, baby gifts, books and Mahjong tiles of every size, style and color. If you’re looking for a specific brand, The Enchanted Forest probably has it. “We had two stores for a little while and then closed down the second store and just focused on our Dunwoody location,” Morris said. “Initially, I opened it as a part of a corporate gift business … and then realized we needed a little more space and opened a storefront.” The Gwinnett location shuttered around 2010 because of significant construction slowing foot traffic in the area, making it hard to access the space. Around that time, The Enchanted Forest firmly planted its roots in Dunwoody, operating the single storefront through the Great Recession and COVID-19

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THE ENCHANTED FOREST/PROVIDED

From left, Kay Underwood and Elizabeth Morris are a mother-daughter team who operate The Enchanted Forest within the Dunwoody Hall shopping center, selling home décor and uniquely themed gifts. pandemic. “We still do some corporate gifts for companies … we help them create a unique gift to send to their clients and then send it out, usually around the holidays,” Morris said. “For the most part, we’re just a regular little gift store, and we try to carry unique brands at a good price point.” Today, the shop ships some items to out-of-state customers and specializes in its face-to-face customer service with gift wrapping, holiday specials and all the top brands. Morris and Underwood, the mother-

daughter duo behind The Enchanted Forest, are teachers by trade. Before she opened the first location, Morris said she chose the name of the business because she wanted to open a children’s bookstore. “We love talking to people and visiting with people,” Morris said. “She offered to help because I needed somebody else, it takes more than one person to get things up and going.” She said her father — a financial planner and accountant — suggested expanding the store’s merchandise to draw in a larger demographic.

While many department stores and corporate retailers have stopped complimentary wrapping and packaging, The Enchanted Forest wants its customers to walk out the door with a gift they can hand to someone. “Our goal is for the customers who come in to find something unique for whoever they’re gifting to,” Morris said. “We offer the giftwrap, so they don’t have to go somewhere else. It’s one less step that the customer has to take.” Morris said she thinks customers get

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Forest: Continued from Page 6 value from coming into a brick-andmortar shop, perusing merchandise and selecting something they can touch and see. Like other local retailers and small business owners, the on-again, off-again tariffs are impacting The Enchanted Forest. In the first week of June, Morris said there’s a lot of uncertainty. “A lot of our vendors have already implemented significant price increases across the board, in addition some of our vendors are charging us tariffs on top of the price increase,” she said. “It’s hard for people because money is tight, not everyone has a lot of expendable income right now.” Because the gift shop usually has its price points set by manufacturers and vendors, the family-owned business doesn’t usually have the flexibility to change prices. “It’s been a pretty big increase for a small business,” Morris said. “We try to partner with other small businesses, people who make their own products, and the tariff surcharges for them have caused some of them to go out of business or really reduce what they can produce.”

As a result, The Enchanted Forest is adjusting its purchasing to reduce order volume in some cases. Morris said she thinks small businesses are bearing the brunt of tariffs and trade uncertainty. “We have a lot of vendors who say, ‘we can no longer absorb the tariffs,’” Morris said. “At the same time, they aren’t necessarily in effect, but they’re still passing [the surcharge or price increase] onto us regardless of what comes of the tariffs.” Trying to predict where things may go, Morris said she thinks the price increases will stay but hopefully the tariff surcharges go away as trade disputes cool. “Having been in business for a long time, it tends to level out,” she said. “We try and seek out the smaller vendors who are trying to feed their families, and those are the companies that we do our best to continue to support because it does make a difference.” Morris said she thinks there are similarities between the business environment during the pandemic and the current tariff situation. “This time we’re still able to get product, during COVID we couldn’t get much product because so many things were shut down,” she said. “Companies are trying to figure out what they can do to pivot how their businesses are run to be able to adapt and adjust.”

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THE ENCHANTED FOREST/PROVIDED

Gifts celebrating Georgia, Atlanta and Dunwoody sit on display at The Enchanted Forest, a small business within the Dunwoody Hall shopping center off Chamblee Dunwoody Road. A mother-daughter duo from Gwinnett County, Elizabeth Morris and Kay Underwood, opened the shop within the Village in 2008.

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10 | June 12, 2025 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery • Medical Dermatology Vein Care • Cosmetic Services

Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist

Insist on the BEST Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care. He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables. Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 22 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.

Dr. Brent Taylor

Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care. Kathryn Filipek, PA-C

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A major step forward in understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Brought to you by – Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta While I usually focus on dermatology, every so often, a discovery from another field demands attention. A recent, elegantly designed study has produced compelling evidence that some cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be caused by bacteria in the Lachnospiraceae family. MS is a chronic disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord. MS often worsens over time, leading to disability and reduced life expectancy. Common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, balance problems, and cognitive impairment—issues that severely impact quality of life. In recent years, the importance of gut health in overall wellness has come into focus. We now frequently hear about the “gut-skin,” “gut-joint,” and “gut-brain” axes, suggesting that gut health is closely tied to the health of distant organs. We’re just beginning to understand how gut bacteria— collectively known as the gut microbiome— play a role in both health and disease. Clues to MS’s origins have come from a related condition, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). In GBS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath around peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms like hand and foot weakness and sometimes paralysis. A well-established trigger for GBS is Campylobacter jejuni. Its surface proteins mimic those found in human nerves closely enough to confuse the immune system, leading the immune system to attack both the bacteria and the body’s own tissues—a phenomenon called molecular mimicry. Since the 1982 discovery that C. jejuni can cause GBS, researchers have hunted for a similar microbial trigger for MS. Many studies proposed potential bacterial culprits, but with thousands of gut bacteria to sort through, most leads fell flat. That may have changed in February 2025. A breakthrough study involved using a mouse model that mimics MS when mice are exposed to certain gut bacteria. In sterile environments, these mice remained healthy, but once exposed to normal gut flora, they could develop a MS-like illness. They were more likely to develop this illness if the bacteria came from the gut of people with MS. The challenge was identifying which specific bacteria were responsible. The game-changing insight came from studying identical twins where one twin has MS and the other does not. Researchers

collected bacterial samples from the ileum and colon—both stool and wall-adherent bacteria—from these twins. The twins’ DNA might be identical, but their gut microbiomes were not! Researchers transferred these bacterial communities into the MS-prone mice. The result: mice receiving microbiota from MS-affected twins developed illness, and a bloom of bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family was observed. Two species in particular—Eisenbergiella tayi and Lachnoclostridium—were linked to disease development. While this study is a landmark in neurology, its implications extend to autoimmune diseases across the body, including those of the skin. For example, patients with inflammatory bowel disease are nearly three times more likely to have severe psoriasis, a chronic skin condition. Molecular mimicry involving the gut microbiome could be a unifying cause in many autoimmune disorders. Why the ileum and not some other part of our gut such as the stomach? The stomach is extremely acidic. In contrast, the pH of the ileum is around 7.4 – similar to the rest of our body. The bacteria that thrive in the ileum could also easily thrive in the rest of our body, so bacteria in the ileum pose more of a threat of invading and causing disease. To defend our bodies from the bacteria that live in the ileum, the immune system has to be hypervigilant – sometimes too vigilant. The ileum has specialized lymphoid structures to train aggressive immune system cells. But highly trained immune cells can sometimes become overzealous attacking not just harmful invaders, but our own tissues as well. Sometimes, autoimmunity is a consequence of having a part of our gut be the same pH as the rest of our body and of having to fight off the bacteria that grow there. The discovery of Lachnospiraceae in the ileum likely causing some cases of MS is exciting because it offers a roadmap for uncovering microbial causes of autoimmune diseases more broadly. If a suitable animal model exists for a disease, and if human twin pairs can be identified where only one of the two twins is affected, this approach could be replicated across various conditions—perhaps in psoriasis, certain types of eczema or in hidradenitis. We are entering an era when the microbiome may hold the key to some of medicine’s most enduring mysteries. As our understanding of these bacterial-human interactions deepens, causes of disease will be identified, and new treatments will follow.

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MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

How to properly regulate your emotions Brought to you by - Jason Howard, M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor and Site Lead at Summit Counseling Center Milton

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can act effectively out of the data the emotion is giving you. In the work I do with men, we process what our main emotions are trying to communicate and determine effective responses. Anger, sadness, and fear are very useful indicators we need to respond to our world. But how? The key is knowing when to act on the emotion and when to do something different. For example, if an important goal gets blocked at work and you are angry, behaviors like yelling, becoming passive aggressive, or shutting down may not be effective. Learning to observe anger when it starts in your body, checking the facts, and then engaging in something more effective is tough and doable. Finally, another important strategy for regulating emotions is developing healthy coping mechanisms. Mental and physical health are forever connected. It is amazing the benefits I see in my office from straightforward actions, such as addressing sleep issues, drinking water and eating a more balanced

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As a male therapist, I’m constantly surprised by my own hesitancy to ask for help. I know personally the benefits from checking my thoughts, regulating my emotions, and opening HOWARD up to someone I trust about my inner struggles. As a man, however, I also know the unique challenges we face when it comes to seeking mental health treatment. Many men have grown up feeling the pressure to suppress emotions, conform to societal norms and maintain a stoic and tough exterior. Be vulnerable? Not today! Unfortunately, this leads many men to suppress valid thoughts and emotions. When we suppress thoughts and emotions, we miss out on the relief and freedom from not carrying them around and experience greater satisfaction in our work, relationships, and life. When it comes to regulating emotions, here are several strategies both myself, and the men I work with have found helpful: First, men need to develop an awareness of their emotions. We have them, and every emotion serves a purpose. This means becoming attuned to bodily sensations that go with certain feelings that arise in response to different situations. When you feel nervous, hurt, sad, or happy, how do you know? How does that emotion show up in your body? Are your shoulders tense, legs shaky, and stomach in knots? Do you notice a complete lack of energy? Your body is there to alert you to changes in the environment and taking 20 seconds to step back and acknowledge the change is the first step in gaining control and regulating difficult emotions. Additionally, learn to identify the prompts that set off your main emotions (i.e., sad, mad, glad, and scared). For example, stress at work, financial problems, or a heated argument with someone can (and should) prompt strong emotions. Your body is naturally wired to respond and let you know something is up. Next, once you are aware of your emotions, your body response, and the common prompts, you can develop strategies to regulate each emotion so you

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diet, and getting exercise once or twice a week. In fact, regular exercise has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood in men. Seeking mental health treatment is an important step for men because it is shown to reduce tension, improve gains at work, and build healthier relationships. I know it takes courage to seek help, and the benefits of improved mental health and wellbeing are well worth it. At the Summit, we have an easy-to-use online tool to determine if scheduling an appointment with a therapist is right for you. Visit https://app.aiberry.io/screening/homepage/ the_summit_counseling_center to get your results and a recommendation for a counselor that can help. You can also learn more and schedule an appointment by calling the front office at 678-893-5300, or visiting us at www.summitcounseling.org.

12 | June 12, 2025 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

OPINION

The chill of summer and a frosty Braves season Ok, we’re being told by the folks in charge of local schools that summer has commenced. It seems that those tasked with teaching lessons and in charge of the school calendar could benefit from a little classroom MIKE TASOS time themselves. Columnist I feel for the kids, chomping at the bit to have a fun summer. With the recent weather, forget spending time at the pool. Investing in a good slicker or parka might be a better choice of wardrobe. And who could blame the kids from feeling robbed? Summer vacation will be officially over on August 5. That’s the first day of the 2025-2026 school year. With all those smart people running the school system, you’d think someone could read a calendar. I can’t imagine the teachers are happy

Lanes: Continued from Page 1 Substantial completion of the estimated $4.6 billion express lanes project is expected in 2031. The major mobility improvement project has a minimum five-year construction timeline. The State Transportation Board selected SR 400 Peach State Partners as the project’s private-sector partner last August setting up an expected financial closure within 12 months. In November, GDOT and the State Road and Toll Authority signed agreements and reached commercial close with Peach State Partners, signifying a key milestone in projects with publicprivate partnerships. The project’s timeline is subject to change as the developer advances final design concepts, obtains the necessary financing and begins permitting. In the last

County: Continued from Page 1 School officials have echoed those concerns, approving an April 15 resolution that asked for a reduction in high density residential development. Since 2015, school enrollment has increased by at least 30 percent, rising to about 55,000 students in 2025. County Commission Chairman Alfred John said despite the community’s size,

about the calendar either. They report back to school on July 24. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids. I imagine it will be sweltering. A fresh change of clothes might be warranted. But before we get to the end of summer fun for the kids, we have lots to look forward to. Providing Stacy Abrams doesn’t blow up the MLB All-Star Game this time around, we’ll have the opportunity to showcase The Battery and Truist Park. And MLB will do things right, making a long weekend with a game showcasing future MLB stars (Chipper Jones and Marquis Grissom will manage the two teams), there will be an All-Star Village for those looking for autographs and interactive games, a celebrity softball game, the wildly popular Home Run Derby, finally being capped off by the All Star game on Tuesday, July 15. Anyone seeking a baseball buffet should have their appetites sated. It’ll be like a five-day Golden Corral binge. Applying some Windex to my crystal

ball, I fear the mid-summer classic will be one of the few Atlanta baseball bright spots this summer. Now, I don’t want to get crossways with that reader who wants me banished to Philadelphia, but it’s painfully obvious that this year’s Braves are a puzzling lot. It seems like the word “mediocre” has been applied to the Braves, a term that hasn’t been akin to the team’s makeup for as long as I can remember. As a loyal Braves fan, it sure appears that there is a lack of effective leadership, both in the dugout and on the field. Chipper was a leader. Ditto Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson. All were players who took ownership of being leaders. In the dugout, I have become soured on manager Brian Snitker. With the team mired in another losing streak, Snitker’s “We just have to get it done,” didn’t seem like a comment that indicated any passion or fire. Maybe I am just longing for Bobby Cox, who holds the MLB record for managerial ejections. There was never any doubt

that Bobby had his players’ backs. They appreciated his willingness to get tossed and take an early shower. I never heard of a player who didn’t want to play for the now ailing former manager. Of course, as has happened for a few seasons, my giving up on the team will coincide with a gigantic winning streak and another trip to the playoffs. Please don’t suggest banishment to Philadelphia, although a cheesesteak from Pat’s or Geno’s sounds pretty darned good. Being realistic, I don’t see this team being talented enough, lucky enough or motivated enough, to be elite. Then again, what do I know? I’m just a disgruntled partial season-ticket holder who watches the team every night.

few months, GDOT says it has continued to purchase necessary right of way. SR 400 Peach State Partners is a union of local, national and international experts with expertise in transportation design, construction and operations. The team includes Acciona, ACS Infrastructure and Dragados from Madrid; Meridiam from Paris; and Virginia-based Parsons. According to Peach State Partners, Parsons has more than 50 active contracts with GDOT with more than 200 employees in Metro Atlanta. The Ga. 400 project will add new express lanes in both directions from the North Springs MARTA station Park & Ride (Exit 5C) in Sandy Springs to about 1 mile north of McFarland Parkway (Exit 12) in Forsyth County. There will be two express lanes in each direction between the North Springs station and McGinnis Ferry Road in Alpharetta, switching to a single lane north to the project limits in south Forsyth County.

According to GDOT’s May 2025 fact sheet, the express lanes will operate like others in Georgia with dynamic congestion pricing based on traffic conditions. The corridor will be widened as part of the project with the express lanes running along the median of the state highway, like those along I-75 south of Atlanta. The state is also investing $100 million for parts of the planned MARTA bus rapid transit (BRT) line, which will ride for free in the express lanes. The BRT line is designed to run north from the North Springs station to a planned MARTA Park & Ride and transit-oriented development at Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. GDOT says SR 400 Peach State Partners is providing MARTA with $26 million to build the bus rapid transit lanes. Peach State Partners is also set to build two BRT stations at Holcomb Bridge Road and near North Point Mall with additional access to the North Springs station and Windward Parkway.

The interchanges for BRT stations are expected to have slip ramps throughout the corridor and some direct express lane connections to existing highway exits like Holcomb Bridge Road. Speaking at the May 20 Envision Perimeter gathering at the King building, GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurray said ongoing mobility investments will make Central Perimeter and the surrounding region thrive. After more than seven years of construction delays and orange cones, the I-285 and Ga. 400 interchange project is all but wrapped up. The redesigned interchange covered some 12 lane miles at an estimated cost of $800 million. “We’re going to give you a reprieve from orange barrels for a little bit,” McMurray said. “Enjoy the Transform 285/400 for now … there’s more investment coming in future mobility that will continue to make this Perimeter Center thrive economically and competitively.”

residents are amenable to its creation. In fact, residents have spoken in favor of the neighborhood, he said. “This goes back to what the communities have been asking me specifically, which is, ‘Hey, reduce the density. Because the density is killing us,’” he said. Forsyth County has added about 105,000 residents since 2010, an increase of about 166 percent. “We cannot stop development,” John said. “What we can do is shape it in a way that the community can get behind.”

Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.

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Puzzles

Dunwoody Crier 6/12/25 Connect-it

Connect-It

1 Butts into 5 Not up yet 9 Pamplona runners 14 Mystery writer Ambler 15 Exploding star 16 Curacao neighbor 17 Capitol feature 18 Hidden valley 19 Furnace button 20 Defraud 22 Make a scene? 24 Compass pt. 25 Levels 27 Lifted 29 Cup handle 32 Family members 34 Ground cover 36 Grammy Awards genre 37 Shipwreck signal 40 Lady’s escort 41 Words of wisdom 43 Six-sided state 45 Commotion 46 Word of possibility 47 Neutral shade 48 ___ oblige 52 Farm mother 53 Author Eric Arthur Blair’s pen name, George ___ 56 College bigwigs 58 Standard 59 Morning moisture 61 Sister of Apollo 65 Sambuca flavoring 67 Suspend 69 Make over 70 Stringed instruments 71 Previously

21 25

41 45

60 67

52 57

72 Actor Lugosi 73 Exhausted 74 Roll call calls 75 Dance bit Down 1 Cincinnati nine 2 Lined up 3 La Bohème heroine 4 Bloodhound’s clue 5 Fisherman 6 Ravel classic 7 First family member 8 Two Years Before the Mast writer 9 Kind of sauce

7 Dunwoody Crier 6/12/25 Sudoku

56 59

1. Wading bird. Expensive fur. Port city in the United Arab Emirates. 2. Arab kingdom on the Red Sea. Threesome. Barber shop call. 3. Nervous. Sana'a's locale. Martial arts expert. 4. Neighbor of Saudi Arabia. Traffic sign. Wild dog of Australia. 5. Kind of pie. Hot rock. Pharoah's land. 6. Andes beast. Damascus locale. Seed coat. 7. Arab kingdom in Asia on the NW coast of the Persian Gulf. Bird of prey. Rubella symptom. PuzzleJunction.com

MID-EAST PLACES

4 37

10 Bonanza find 11 Tricks 12 More than plump 13 Filled to excess 21 Claim 23 Brunch serving 26 Digressed 28 Matter of debate 29 Grade A item 30 Environs 31 We the Living author 33 Beldam 35 Backgammon piece 38 Elevator pioneer 39 Palm starch 41 Mosey

42 Indian dish 44 Chop down 47 Out of shape 49 Senior in a group 50 Spiritual session? 51 Some N.C.O.’s 53 Milky gems 54 Incurred over time, as a bill 55 Correspond 57 Novi Sad residents 60 Horse halter 62 Rendezvous 63 Not in use 64 It’s sold in bars 66 Cambodian coin 68 “___ takers?”

Mid-East Places How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is

1. fur.and Port city inconnecting the United Arab the Wading first letter bird. of the Expensive second answer, so on. The letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each Emirates. 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

solvekingdom the Sudoku row, column and Barber shop call. 2.ToArab on puzzle, the Redeach Sea. Threesome.

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 formust the second or third answer in 1that line. Got it? Good luck! box contain the numbers to 9.

3. Nervous. Sana’a’s locale. Martial arts expert.

4. Neighbor of Saudi Arabia. Traffic sign. Wild dog of Australia.

5. Kind of pie. Hot rock. Pharaoh’s land.

6 4 9 1 5 7 4 1 3 8 4 9 2 8 4 3 9 7 6 1 7 6 5 6. Andes beast. Damascus locale. Seed coat.

7. Arab kingdom in Asia on the NW coast of the Persian Gulf. Bird of prey. Rubella symptom.

See puzzle solutions on Page 15

Solution on next page

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

How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a 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.

PuzzleJunction.com

1 • Alpharett

Dunwoody Crier 6/12/25 Crossword

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 5, 4 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!

Ser v

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Across

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Full-time

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Vice President of Client Programs NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Vice President of Client Programs position. The Vice President of Client Programs (VPCP) is a senior leader responsible for creating and implementing the Client Services department strategy for NFCC. This includes creating programs and services, monitoring their effectiveness and ensuring funds are distributed appropriately. The VPCP also leads a team of 13 client services staff who handle client intake, case management, impact and outcomes data, education (GED/English classes) and workforce development programs. If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Workforce Development Coordinator NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Workforce Development Coordinator position. The Workforce Development Coordinator serves as a crucial link between NFCC clients, Volunteer Coaches, and local employers. The Coordinator collaborates with community businesses to identify hiring opportunities while working closely with Volunteer Coaches who deliver career readiness services including resume writing, job application assistance, and interview preparation. Through these efforts, the Coordinator helps clients improve their employment prospects that may lead to greater financial stability. If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Web Developers/Application Program Analyst – Multiple openings - Alpharetta, GA. Josh Pros LLC needs professionals: Work on Jenkin, Maven, Git, CI/CD, Python, AWS Shell script, & Terraform. Req. –Bachelors + 2 yrs. Comp. sal. Relocate to unanticipated sites. No National/ International travel. Send resume to Ref: HR Manager, 1740 Grassland Parkway, Ste 105, Alpharetta, GA, 30004.

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STAFF ACCOUNTANT: prepare tax returns and fin. recommendations. In ROSWELL GA. Mail resume: Green Insurance, 1530 Old Alabama Rd Suite 130, Roswell, GA 30076

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Part-Time Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) Thrift Shop Associate NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the part-time Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) Thrift Shop Associate position. One of the primary responsibilities of this role is to provide a high level of customer service in the Thrift Shop. The associate is responsible for all cash register and client clothing program transactions and keeping the merchandise in the store neat, clean, and organized. The role requires a friendly and customer-focused demeanor where all shoppers are treated with dignity and compassion. If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm

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

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SPE

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!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, Etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID. CALL TOLL FREE 1-866- 433-8277

CIA

Before

After

Award-Winning Roofing and Customer Service

Expires 10/31/2024 MADE IN THE U.S.A.

New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. This is an a behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). Offer terms and conditions may apply and the offer may not available in your area. If you call the number provid contacted by telephone, SMS text message, email, pre-recorded messages by Erie or its afﬁliates and service providers using automated technologies notwithsta NOT CALL list or register. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on homeservicescompliance.com. All rights reserved. License numbers available at erieh

SCHEDULE TODAY!

Installation

Call 1.833.370.1234

CALL TODAY! 1.833.370.1234

New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. This is an advertisement placedon behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). Offer terms and conditions may apply and the offer may not be available in your area. If you call ® the number provided, you consent to being contacted by telephone, SMS text message, email, pre-recorded messages by Erie or its affiliates and service providers using automated technologies notwithstanding if you are on a DO NOT CALL list or register. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on homeservicescompliance. com. All rights reserved. License numbers available at eriehome.com/erielicenses/

Solution Connect-It Solution

SOLUTIONS

ROI

matters.

2 J O R D A N E X T R I O 3 E D G Y E M E N I N J A 4 Y I E L D I N G O M A N 5 L A V A P P L E G Y P T 6 S Y R I A R I L L A M A

7 R A S H A W K U W A I T

Erie Roofing Since 1976

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Solution

1 D U B A I B I S A B L E

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With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445

Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833-399-3595

R A M S A B E D T O R O S N O V A A R U B A E R I C G L E N R E S E T D O M E A C T E S E S W I N D L E T I E R S R A I S E D B R O T H E R S E A R G R A S S R A P S O S G E N T A D A G E U T A H A D O M A Y B E I G E N O B L E S S E S O W D E A N S O R W E L L P A R D E W A R T E M I S H A N G R E D O A N I S E O N C E B E L A L U T E S A Y E S S T E P S P E N T

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By Appointment Only. Please call (770) 809-6218 or visit us at Iroff.com to schedule your appointment. 3960 Old Milton Parkway 300, Alpharetta, GA 30005 (770) 809-6218 | iroff.com Sun & Mon: CLOSED | Tues-Fri: 10am-5pm | Sat: 10am-4pm *See store for complete details.

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