FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — One day after Forsyth County unveiled its new Freedom Parkway campus, County Attorney Ken Jarrard said commissioners will continue meeting in their current building despite a previous announcement the board would move to the new site.
“The county Board of Commissioners to the extent that is within my power to make it so, is going to follow the law, and it is going to do so seriously with civic minded aspect of ensuring that we are engaging our citizens appropriately, and that we are not imperiling the decision-making of
the county government,” Jarrard said during a March 19 meeting. “That’s a period, hard stop, as far as I’m concerned.”
The Forsyth County Commission unanimously approved a resolution declaring the County Administration Campus at Freedom Park, 2435 Freedom Parkway, as the county’s central administrative facility. Chairman Alfred John was absent.
The vote followed Jarrard’s recommendations and an announcement made months earlier that the Commission would hold its regular meetings at the new campus, then formalize the votes at its current building.
Metro area athletes punch their tickets to March Madness
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Atlanta has a reputation as one of the best cities for basketball in the country. It shows when you look at the hometowns of the players competing in March Madness.
No. 1 seed Duke University is the betting favorite to win a title and has one Chattahoochee alum on the roster – gradu-
ate student Cameron Sheffield. Oddsmakers have given the Blue Devils’ odds of winning a championship at +300.
Sheffield is from Alpharetta and played for Rice University for three years after winning a 6A state championship at Chattahoochee in 2020. The forward has been in Durham for the past two seasons.
Rival UNC, a six seed which dropped out of the tournament in the first round, also has an Atlanta-area player. Holy Inno-
cents alum Caleb Wilson is expected to be drafted in the first round this year.
One Milton graduate who had his jersey retired this year mader his first tournament appearance as a senior. Ohio State guard and program leading scorer for the Eagles and Buckeyes Bruce Thornton won a 7A title in 2021.
Before dropping its second-round match to Nebraska, Vanderbilt had two area players on this year’s roster that
went all the way to the SEC tournament championship. Guard Chandler Bing is a freshman and alum of Pace Academy.
Senior Devin McGlockton scored his 1,000th career point for Vanderbilt in December 2025. He attended South Forsyth High and left as the all-time leader in points and rebounds. He played two years at Boston College prior to transferring to
FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED
gather at the new Freedom Parkway administration campus March 18.
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Police uncover elder abuse at unlicensed care home
By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — After investigating a missing persons case, the Roswell Police Department arrested the operator of an unlicensed care home on Worthington Hills Drive on four charges related to elder exploitation.
Police served a search warrant March 11 and arrested 58-year-old Deborah Callaway. Ten elders were transferred from the facility.
Police said the adults shared bedrooms that were once living rooms, dining rooms and other nonbedroom areas. A backyard shed had been converted into a makeshift bedroom.
“Beyond the living conditions,
Wheelchair reported stolen in storage building break-in
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 24-year-old Dawsonville man reported the theft of his grandmother’s wheelchair from a home March 12.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to the Spot Road home about 6 p.m. The man called the sheriff’s office after discovering a storage building door open.
Deputies cleared the building, and asked the man to check whether any belongings were missing. The man said a wheelchair valued at $30 was missing, adding it had important sentimental value.
The man said he was last at the property on March 8. The property had no security cameras.
The incident was classified as a felony second-degree burglary.
— Jon Wilcox
Couple cited for drugs following traffic stop
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies seized drugs and arrested two people during a
evidence also revealed that Callaway was exploiting the resident’s financial resources for her own personal gain,” the department said in a statement.
Public Information Officer Tim Lupo said the fraud could likely be tens of thousands of dollars, but it will take time to determine the full financial loss.
An investigation into Callaway started in January after an elderly man was reported missing from the home on Worthington Hills Drive. The man was located at an Atlanta shelter, and the search led investigators to learn that Callaway was operating the property as a senior care facility without required state licensing.
POLICE BLOTTER
All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
Ga. 400 traffic stop March 15.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies stopped a vehicle on northbound lanes near Settingdown Road after noticing it failing to maintain its lane.
Deputies allegedly smelled marijuana while approaching the vehicle during the stop.
The vehicle was occupied by a passenger, a 34-year-old Cumming man, and driver, a 27-year-old Norcross woman.
A search of the vehicle found a bag of suspected marijuana and baggie of suspected methamphetamine, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies also allegedly found joints, marijuana grinder and a methamphetamine pipe.
The woman was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession
“What began as a routine missing person call evolved into a major protective operation, fundamentally improving the lives of ten vulnerable adults because our officers refused to ignore the red flags they saw on scene,” Police Chief James Conroy said. “This case is a powerful reminder that public safety is a team effort.”
Callaway faces seven charges total related to elder exploitation, financial theft and forgery.
Anyone with additional information should contact RPD at 770-640-4100. Members of the public can provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS(8477) or online at www.StopCrimeATL.org.
of marijuana, possession of drug related objects and failure to maintain lane. The man was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug related objects.
— Jon Wilcox
Woman has license seized in possible identity mix-up
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 33-year-old Alpharetta woman reported her driver’s license had been wrongfully seized because of an error stemming from an alleged identity theft.
Alpharetta police said the woman called police to report the incident Feb. 20. The woman said a police officer seized her driver’s license Feb. 19, saying records showed it had been canceled.
The woman then visited the Department of Motor Vehicles, where she was told her driver’s license was canceled because a person with the same name and birthdate obtained a license in Florida.
The woman told officers her credit had been locked since November because of fraud.
— Jon Wilcox
Sandy Springs amends policy to allow motorcycle chases
By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs Police Department has amended its rules for vehicle pursuits, now allowing officers to chase motorcyclists.
The move expands a policy that was already more aggressive than surrounding jurisdictions, according to a 2025 analysis by Appen Media.
The reporting indicated that the previous year Sandy Springs officers had engaged in more than twice the number of chases than police in Alpharetta, Dunwoody and Roswell combined, based on interviews and an analysis of public records.
According to a department report recently obtained by Appen Media, the agency updated its policy in October to allow officers to pursue motorcycles.
A police spokesperson said there wasn’t a specific incident that spurred the change.
“No reason in particular other than a policy review and update,” the spokesperson told the newspaper. Law enforcement officials agree that the decision to pursue fleeing motorists is a balancing act; departments must weigh the risk for officers, suspects and bystanders against the danger of not apprehending the suspect at that time.
How Sandy Springs police make that calculation is what sets them apart from neighboring cities.
Alpharetta, Roswell and Dunwoody policies prohibit officers from pursuing vehicles based on traffic charges alone. Following the Department of Justice’s guidance, Alpharetta and Roswell also say pursuits should be avoided if it’s evident the suspect could be apprehended at a later time.
Sandy Springs relies on a more situational approach, allowing pursuits based on the “totality of circumstances.”
In 2024, Alpharetta reported five police pursuits, Roswell documented 10 and Dunwoody logged two.
Sandy Springs officers engaged in at least 41 car chases in 2024, according to an Appen Media analysis. They logged another 39 in 2025, the department said in its annual report.
Those figures are up from 2023, when Sandy Springs reported 17 pursuits.
Department officials attributed the rise to a “major policy change” in 2024.
The amended policy allowed for more discretion or freedom for officers, allowing them to pursue a fleeing vehicle if they have reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed or is about to occur.
The October change further expanded that allowance.
The city does not shy away from its practice of pursuing vehicles and using Precision Immobilization Techniques, or PIT maneuvers.
The Sandy Springs Police Department has published footage of some its chases, ending in box-ins or PIT maneuvers, on social media.
“When running from the police, do not enter Sandy Springs,” they said in a January Instagram post showing an SSPD officer PIT-ting a chevy on Peachtree Dunwoody Road.
The officers won’t be totally unaccustomed to chasing suspects on two wheels, however.
In one incident from February 2025, Sandy Springs police tried to pull a bicyclist over for riding without a bike light. When the suspect allegedly failed to stop, two police cars got on either side of him. Eventually, a spokesperson told Appen Media, “he gave up.”
SANDY SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT/FACEBOOK
The aftermath of pursuit along Ga. 400 and I-285 in 2024 shows a Sandy Springs Police Department patrol car pinning a suspect’s Volkswagen against the median barrier. The city has expanded its chase policy to allow pursuing motorcyclists.
Alpharetta boys lacrosse earns third win of season
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta boys lacrosse secured their third victory of the season in a non-region matchup, winning 11-5 over East Forsyth, now 6-6, March 20.
After starting the season with seven losses, the Raiders have gone 3-1 since to secure an even 1-1 record in region.
Senior attackman Davis Baumblatt scored six of his team’s 11 goals, also posting two assists and four ground balls. He attributed his success to his team’s offensive execution improving since the beginning of the season.
He said the veterans on the team have been working hard to be welcoming to the new players and freshmen.
“From the start, we knew everybody needs to buy in here to our standards,” he said. “It helped a lot with accountability and just being a team together.”
Baumblatt’s parents cooked a pulled pork dinner for the team earlier this month, and coaches said the camaraderie building has been pivotal for the recent win streak.
Head coach Jon Paul said Baumblatt lets the game come to him and he is proud of how the captains are providing guidance to the underclassmen.
“This team has the potential to be something great, and not just this year, but for the next three or four years,” he said. “We’ve talked a lot about legacy with the seniors. I think that’s unselfishness of it’s not about this year, it’s about the future.”
Energy was high in the locker room after the game, with Baumblatt reporting “the boys are juiced.”
Another senior captain, Ian Fueling scooped up eight ground balls and caused five turnovers.
With a freshman in the crease in Axel Aldama-Soto, he performed well up against a veteran goalie for East. Aldama-Soto grabbed eight saves and failed just two of the 13 clears.
East Forsyth grabbed their only lead of the game when sophomore Chase Delp rung the bell from long-range. After the Raiders tied the game 2-2, the Broncos never again knotted the score or led.
Senior goalie J.B. Glude grabbed his 200 career save earlier this season in February.
Payne Gambill led the team, scoring two goals against a tough Alpharetta defense that caused 13 turnovers.
Ryland Haddeman, Delp and Dominic Primato each put up one goal in the loss.
East will next face off against Walker on March 27. Alpharetta matches up with Riverwood March 26.
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA East Forsyth and Alpharetta boys lacrosse teams get set for the first faceoff of the game at Alpharetta High School March 20. Alpharetta came out victorious, 11-5.
West Forsyth girls lacrosse beats Milton for first time
CUMMING, Ga. — West Forsyth girls lacrosse beat Milton 12-9 for the first time in program history March 18.
Both teams came in undefeated. It was a meeting of two reigning champions from Divisions 2A and 3A.
It was Milton’s third loss to a program in Georgia in 10 years, but the second in the last two seasons after losing to Cambridge 8-7 last March.
Milton takes their first loss since April 4, 2025, after never leading in the 48 minutes of regulation against West.
The Wolverines got out to a 5-0 lead before the Eagles got on the board, and the smallest deficit after the first quarter was two goals in the final frame and lasted just over 30 seconds.
The Eagles were able to go on a four-goal run in the second half, building momentum from an earlier two-goal streak in the second quarter. West fired back with two straight from sophomores Bryce Birkholz and Luca Diehl.
Milton attacker/draw taker Lillian Katula then scored the last goal of the game to complete her hat trick. The Penn commit and her younger sister Caroline – who posted two goals – were the only Eagles to score more than once.
West head coach John Kiefer has been with the Wolverines for nearly a decade and reflected on the program’s first time besting a national powerhouse like Milton.
“I think one of the biggest things is over the nine years that I’ve been doing this, we have finally reached the pinnacle of where we can compete with the best teams in the nation, just because we have some of the best players,” he said. “I knew [Milton] wasn’t going to quit no matter how many goals we got up on them. I knew they were gonna make a run, and when they did, I think it came down to the adjustments we made.”
Senior Bryn Birkholz posted four goals and went 13-for-24 in the circle. The midfielder was named a USA Lacrosse All-American last season. Two Eagles – attacker Kylie Waters and defender Ava Thompson – received the same honor.
When asked what contributed to her success against Milton, the University of South Florida commit pointed to how her team played as a whole and how she had faith in goalie Anna Bastow to show up in the biggest moments.
Jimmy Song (NMLS#1218336) 770-454-1871 (Duluth Branch)
Sandy Na (NMLS#983548) 770-454-1861 (Norcross Branch)
“I just knew in a competitive game, she’s going to pull it out for us,” Birkholz said. “I think we’re just so excited [about making program history] and we’re going to take this into practice tomorrow and we’re reaching even higher.”
Bryn’s younger sister Bryce, a sophomore, contributed two goals and four draw controls. Maryland commit Avery Jones put up one goal and two assists.
Introduced earlier this month, a new recruiting website called Prep Girls Lacrosse has West sophomore Luca Diehl ranked as the No. 2 player in the country of her class. Diehl posted a hat trick even when at times double teamed by the Eagles.
“When we see the name Milton and see that they’re ranked higher than us, it just brings out the fire in us that we can really come out there and get it done,” she said. “We’ve worked really hard, day after day, we come home tired from practice and today we proved to them who we are and what we can do.”
Diehl said it’s always a compliment to be face guarded and looks forward to making a run for the school’s second state championship.
KENNY GRIMES PHOTOGRAPHY/PROVIDED Milton senior Kylie Waters drives to the crease at West Forsyth High School March 18. The Clemson commit is considered a top-five dodger in the country.
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6 | Forsyth Herald | March 26, 2026
Disabled adults find kinship at Champions Place
By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — For Alison Schwab, living at Champions Place in Roswell alongside 13 other physically disabled young adults is the college experience she never had.
“This has been adulthood with training wheels, and it’s been really nice to have this safety net and knowing that all of these people have my back,” Schwab said.
Schwab has grown up alongside most of the residents since she was 11 and started playing wheelchair sports with them through the Titan Program, another arm of the Champions Community Foundation.
The Champions Community Foundation was founded in 2009 by Rick Thompson to fight the isolation and depression that young adults with conditions, such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida, can face after aging out of high school.
Two of Thompson’s three kids were born with a rare form of muscular dys-
From left, residents Alison Schwab, Sarah Grace, Matt Thompson and Josh Cusick smile after participating in a group rowing workout session at Champions Place March 17.
trophy – his daughter passed away when she was 3. Matthew, his second son, was once expected not to live past 10, but is now in his 30s.
When Matthew was nearing the end of high school, Thompson found his life’s calling starting the Titan Program which has grown to offer wheelchair sports and
social events to more than 130 individuals. That turned into a dream of offering people in this community a safe and accessible independent living environment.
The importance of this is amplified during March, National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. In 2024, nearly 500,000 Georgians ages 15
and older were living with a disability that impacts their independent living abilities, according to the Center for Research on Disability. Nationally, that number raises to 16.2 million individuals with independent living disabilities.
Thompson said people have come from across the country to see what Champions Place offers and walked away crying once they see that independence is possible for their loved one.
The Champions Place Foundation has a partnership with Georgia Tech and Google through which they’ve donated assistive technology that helps residents control their fans, televisions, lights and make hands-free calls.
Thompson recognized that the ability to live independently is something they had to share with others who aren’t living at Champions Place. So, they launched Champions Place @ Home and have equipped 54 homes with physically challenged young adults with the same technology.
See CHAMPIONS, Page 12
HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA
A return to oral medications?
Brought to you by – Premier
Dermatology
From spray sunscreens to creams, ointments, lotions, and foams, dermatologists love the fact that we can often recommend products and treatments that don’t require systemic exposure. When a patient must take a pill or receive an injection, the entire body is exposed, which increases the risk of side effects compared with most topical treatments.
Sometimes, however, a pill is exactly the breakthrough treatment we’ve been waiting for. Many people are unaware of the creative and innovative oral treatments now available to treat skin conditions.
What follows is a brief overview of some of dermatology’s oral medication trends and highlights. Some of these medicines are “off-label” or are supplements. Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of any of these options with a dermatologist before starting treatment.
We start off with “melasma,” a condition in which an individual’s face develops stubborn dark patches. Traditional topical medications like hydroquinone and azelaic acid are often only partially effective. Increasingly, dermatologists are turning to oral tranexamic acid as an option that can be used alongside or instead of topical medications. Tranexamic acid is a medication originally used to decrease bleeding but was later discovered to also reduce pigmentation in the skin. Because of its anti-bleeding properties, it cannot be taken by patients prone to blood clots or those with an increased risk of clotting. For many people suffering from melasma, however, tranexamic acid can be a game changer.
For those experiencing hair loss, topical minoxidil (Rogaine®) can be frustrating to use. Once- or twice-daily application of a foam or liquid on the scalp can leave hair greasy and create styling challenges. Oral minoxidil is increasingly used as an alternative and is often very effective. In addition, Nutrafol® supplements are commonly used as an adjunct, particularly for patients seeking a more holistic or natural approach to hair loss treatment.
Oral therapies are also gaining attention for preventing skin cancer and reducing sun damage. A form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide has been shown to reduce rates of certain skin cancers in many patients. Another supplement, polypodium leucotomos (PLE), is an
extract from a tropical fern that reduces sunburns and may help decrease skin cancer development. Its protective effect is modest—likely comparable to an SPF 4 sunscreen for a few hours after ingestion. Therefore, polypodium is intriguing as an addition to traditional sun protection such as sunscreen and protective clothing. Because polypodium acts as an antioxidant and mild sunscreen, it may also help patients with sun-sensitivity disorders as well as those with melasma and other disorders of pigmentation.
The list of oral medications continues to grow. For patients with chronic hives (urticaria) the new pill remibrutinib inhibits an enzyme called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase, which plays an important role in the release of histamine from mast cells and basophils. Meanwhile, for conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and alopecia areata, oral medications that inhibit enzymes known as Janus kinases (so-called “JAK inhibitors”) have proven extremely effective.
Although it is not a new medication, isotretinoin—better known as Accutane®—deserves mention in any discussion of state-of-the-art dermatologic treatments. Isotretinoin has been used for decades to treat severe acne, but concerns about potential links to suicidality and other possible side effects have caused some patients and physicians to hesitate before considering it. In 2023, however, a publication that combined the data of twenty-four prior studies for a grand total of 1,625,891 isotretinoin patients found no increased risk of psychiatric disorders. In fact, the study showed that people who had taken isotretinoin were less likely than the general population to attempt suicide two to four years after treatment. Other concerns such as the importance of not becoming pregnant while taking isotretinoin must be discussed before taking this medication. Still, isotretinoin remains an outstanding and often lifechanging option for people suffering from acne. For isotretinoin, the pill may not be new, but we continue to receive new and repetitively reassuring safety data. If you or a loved one is dealing with a dermatologic condition—or simply wants to explore treatments to look and feel your best—consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C, are honored to care for patients and families throughout our community.
Insist on the
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 23 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.
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
A beginner’s guide to home access ramps
Brought to you by – Mobility Plus Alpharetta
Ramps can be a vital part of your agingin-place plan. We can help determine the solution that’s right for you!
Aluminum or wooden? Though wood is often considered the traditional material when it comes to mobility ramps, their aluminum counterparts offer many advantages. Unlike wooden ramps, aluminum ramps are weatherproof and will not warp, splinter, or rot. Wooden ramps are also permanent fixtures and require surveying and permitting, while aluminum ramps do not require permits. Lastly, aluminum ramp systems are tangible assets that can be re-sold when no longer needed.
Modular ramp systems: Modular ramp systems are great for allowing access to commonly used entry points like a front or side door where higher elevations or uneven terrain command a longer permanent system. Modular systems can include platforms to create a smooth transition from ramp to ramp. Handrails along the length of the system provide safety for all users.
EZ Access Ramps, (made in the USA!) have unique connection points on the handrails that create a seamless, continuous line. Weight capacity for modular systems ranges from 850 lbs. to 1000 lbs. to accommodate both you, your mobility device and a
caregiver.
Ramp length: ADA regulations require a 1:12 ratio. This means that for every inch of rise you need a foot of ramp. For example, if you measure from the ground to the highest point (top of landing, door threshold, etc.) and your measurement is 24,” then you need 24’ of ramp! Residential use allows for some latitude with ADA guidelines, but you should always consult an expert for your ramp project! If your ramp is too short, it could pose a significant safety risk to you or your loved one.
Portable ramp options: Portable ramps are lightweight and easy to carry or load into a car, making them perfect solutions for travel, one-time access, or even in place of a permanent ramp in some instances. Some portable ramps fold in half or thirds while others can be rolled up and stored. Suitcase ramps are hinged in the middle (hence the name) and have a padded carrying handle attached for ease of transport. Threshold ramps are smaller, removable ramp plates or rubberized or metal adjustable wedges that provide a solution for door thresholds. The American-made Roll-A-Ramp is the third and most unique variety of portable ramp as it rolls up like a sleeping bag! It unrolls at your convenience for relocation or storage.
Call Mobility Plus Alpharetta for your free ramp evaluation today! 470-545-1827.
Moving soon? Don’t get caught in the “Transition Gap”
not the new one.
When you move outside of your plan’s service area (county, group of counties, or possibly the entire state), you will need to check your Medicare Advantage or stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan. Both types of plans might require you to change depending on how far away you move.
Plan ahead with Medicare Advantage plans!
You want to have coverage for healthcare in your current location and as you transition into the new location. Some plans, like HMO plans, only cover you in or around your current location for routine care, and will cover emergencies/urgent care outside of the service area. If you move, and the new plan doesn’t begin until the first of the next month, are you okay having only emergency/urgent care coverage with your current plan until the new plan begins?
Medicare Advantage plans right now offer great networks of doctors, and a lot of extra benefits; but when moving, make sure you don’t fall into this transition gap of having a doctor network in your current location, but
A few tips to setup a smooth plan change when moving:
1. When possible, move near or at the end of the month in order to close the plan transition gap. New plans will typically begin on the first day of the next month, unless you specify otherwise.
2. Set up appointments with doctors in the new location only once you know the effective date of the new plan.
3. Have an ample supply of medication during the plan transition. It can take a week or longer for an application to process into the new plan’s computer system. Don’t get caught needing a prescription refill during this processing time, plan ahead!
We are licensed in most states across the Southeast and many others throughout the United States. We can help with your Medicare Plan change when you move. Give us a call today at (770) 315-8145 or send us a message online at SeniorSourceMedicare.com/contact-seniorsource.
Players:
Continued from Page 1
Vanderbilt. He averaged 18 points a game his junior and senior years at South and also played tight end for the War Eagles.
His sister Hannah is the varsity volleyball coach at Denmark High School and is an alum of Georgia Southern. Their uncle Chester McGlockton played 12 seasons in the NFL with the Raiders, Chiefs, Broncos and Jets.
Another SEC player with ties to this area is Tennessee forward Cade Phillips. Phillips grew up in Alabama, but nearly transferred to Wheeler High during school. From seventh to twelfth grade, he competed with a club basketball program in this area called The Skill Factory.
The Skill Factory’s 2023 team boasted nine players who went on to get Division I scholarships – including Naismith National Player of the Year Isaiah Collier and SEC football players LT Overton and Bryce Thornton, Bruce’s younger brother.
Texas Tech sophomore guard Christian Anderson Jr. is from Atlanta and attended Lovett before transferring to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. Anderson’s father Christian Sr. was a professional basketball player in Germany.
Anderson has competed internationally with team Germany since 2022. He has taken home several honors this season in-
cluding Player of the Week and was recently named a third-team AP All-American.
Clemson freshman Zac Foster also had an offer from another ACC school, Virginia Tech, during his senior year at Woodward Academy. The 2024-2025 War Eagles made it to the state championship, falling to region rival Tri-Cities.
Furman freshman Owen Ritger grew up in Atlanta and attended Marist School. He was ranked by Prep Hoops and Sandy’s Spiel as the No. 4 Power Forward in Georgia for his class.
North Dakota State freshman Riley Saunders is from Sandy Springs and went to Landmark Christian Academy. The guard averaged 15 points a game in his senior year.
Lehigh freshman Caleb Thomas hails from Atlanta and attended Pebblebrook High School before transferring to Combine Academy in North Carolina. He maintained a 4.0 GPA in high school.
On the women’s side, No. 1 seed South Carolina boasts two alumni of Westlake High School in Atlanta, seniors Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson. The pair spent three years together before Latson finished her high school career at Miami Heritage High School where she won Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida.
While in Atlanta, Latson trained under Bernard Pitts. Latson was ranked the top shooting guard in the class of 2022.
Latson transferred to South Carolina this year after three honorable mentions to
the All-American list at Florida State. She is already signed to the new three-on-three league in Miami called Unrivaled, founded by UConn alumni Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
Johnson drew attention after being waived off defensively by Caitlin Clark in the 2023 Final Four. She fired back the next season with a defensive intensity that couldn’t be ignored. As a senior in high school, Johnson was the first ever woman to play in the men’s McDonald’s All-American game after winning Atlanta Tipoff Club and the AJC’s Player of the Year award two straight years. Westlake won four state championships while she was there. She posted a 116:35 assist-to-turnover ratio her senior year according to the AJC.
Johnson was the No. 2 recruit in the class of 2022 and the top point guard. She won a silver medal with Team USA in the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.
The University of Southern California has had a down year with their star guard Juju Watkins out with an ACL injury. Last season, they had a No. 1 seed going into the tournament before Watkins injured her knee in the second round. This year, they drew a nine seed and dropped their secondround match against South Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.
The Trojans have one area player on their roster, senior Kara Dunn, who played basketball and volleyball for Mount Paran Christian and grew up in Dallas, Georgia. She transferred to USC this season after
three years at Georgia Tech, where she made the All-ACC first team last year. Dunn averaged 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists a game this season.
Her mother Stephanie played for UGA, and Kara grew up with her father as her basketball coach. She won two Region Player of the Year awards and was Atlanta Tipoff Club Metro, Sandy’s Spiel and Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s Player of the Year in 2022. She was the No. 2 recruit in Georgia her senior year.
LSU is looking for their second title in four years, earning a two seed for this year’s bracket. Star guard Flau’Jae Johnson – the No. 1 recruit in Georgia in 2022 – attended Sprayberry High School after growing up in Savannah. The Tigers are eager to get a second championship for Flau’Jae’s final year with the team.
Flau’Jae was also trained by Bernard Pitts. She is projected to be drafted in the first round in this year’s WNBA draft alongside Latson and Raven Johnson. She is averaging 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game this season and is shooting a career-best 40.2 percent from deep.
Syracuse freshman Justus Fitzgerald graduated from Norcross High School, transferring there after two years at Roswell High. Her brother Michael Fitzgerald III was an all-state wide receiver for the Hornets and spent time at UMass, Central Missouri University and the University of Wyoming.
See PLAYERS, Page 11
Players:
Continued from Page 10
Ole Miss sophomore Tianna Thompson is from Atlanta and went to the Galloway School where she was the first girls basketball 2,000 point scorer in program history. She transferred to Ole Miss this year from Georgia Tech, where she shot 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Her father Rich was a three-time AllAmerican at Georgia Tech and made the Olympic trials for long jump and triple jump, earning him a spot in the GT Hall of Fame. Tianna was a two-sport athlete in high school, competing in the long jump.
Two St. Francis graduates are competing in March Madness. Several of their former teammates are on Division I teams at St. Mary’s and Georgia Tech but are missing the tournament.
Clemson senior Mia Moore is from Alpharetta and recorded St. Francis’s first ever quadruple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, 10 steals and 10 rebounds. She also holds the school record for steals with 500. She started her college career at Mississippi State for two years and then moved on to UAB. There, she recorded 13 doubledoubles and scored 20 or more points in 26 games.
She averaged the fifth-most rebounds in the conference, earning her an offer from Clemson where she is in her second year
with the program. Last season, she led the Tigers in 3-point shooting with a 41.6 percent clip.
Southern University junior Anaja Hall from Alpharetta was a two-sport athlete at St. Francis in volleyball. She spent one year at Alabama State before transferring to Southern.
At Alabama State, she was ninth in the conference averaging nearly 2 blocks per game. She averaged 2.5 a game as a senior in high school.
Princeton junior Olivia Hutcherson is from Johns Creek and attended Holy Innocents. She was a multi-sport athlete earning varsity letters all four years of high school in basketball and soccer and is a College Board AP Scholar.
Hutcherson is averaging 11 points and 5.7 rebounds per game and has brought home Player of the Week honors for her conference.
Her younger brother Devin just reopened his recruitment after previously committing to Belmont University. Their father played basketball for Samford and the University of Alabama.
Oklahoma State graduate student Wilnie Joseph is from Atlanta, attending both Roswell and Johns Creek high schools before graduating from Whiteland High in Indiana.
Joseph played for Labette Community College for two years, then the University of Louisiana for one year, and transferred to OSU this year from McNeese.
Champions:
Continued from Page 6
“For the first time, the parents in this community are going places and seeing things because they can,” Thompson said. “Because of the infrastructure and support, they’re not worried about it.”
Since opening in 2020, Champions Place offers a social hub to those involved in the Champions Community Foundation. Volunteers host monthly events, such as trivia and movie nights, and they throw holiday parties and fundraisers on-site.
For those unable to make in-person events, the nonprofit created Champions Community Connect, an online option for people to participate in Bible studies and bingo nights. They offer an “Around
Campus:
Continued from Page 1
“Let’s talk about regular meetings of the commissioners. They will occur here,” Jarrard said. “Let’s talk about work session of the Board of Commissioners. They will occur here. Let’s talk about special sessions of the Board of Commissioners. Wait for it. They will occur here.”
the World” series that teaches about different cultures by “traveling” to various countries – next month is the Galapagos Islands.
“So, if you are a physically challenging adult and you’re in the Metro Atlanta area, you instantly have a community where you can … just be together,” Thompson said.
The building contains four residential “quads,” each with four bedrooms and bathrooms, a kitchenette, laundry machines and television. Common spaces are spread throughout the house, such as fire pits, dining area, family room and kitchen.
Volunteers host events in the family room, like group workouts or karaoke, or invite residents out to play adaptive golf and other sports.
“We’ve changed their lives and their parents’ lives,” Thompson said. “And
State law requires official county decision making be conducted in the county seat, but the new campus lies outside the City of Cumming.
“I’m not going to let the body have a decision making process that is inconsistent with my understanding of state law,” Jarrard said.
County officials attended a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at the Freedom Parkway facility March 18. The 42-acre site will serve as a new home for 17 departments and about 330 county staff.
It includes a 135,000-square-foot administration building on the campus that will provide a “one-stop” concept for visitors to conduct business. It also includes modernized meeting rooms with improved audio-visual capabilities.
Opened in 1996, the current Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St. in Cumming, has served as the primary home for government operations during a time of enormous growth.
Since 1996, the county has grown from about 65,000 residents to about 285,000.
County Manager David McKee said he still believes the Freedom Parkway site may one day serve as a meeting place for commissioners. He said the county is exploring “multiple paths” to make that happen.
In November 2024, the Cumming City
DEATH NOTICES
Johanna Holm, age 87, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 10, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
there’s over 500 volunteers a year that have changed perceptions and all that, but it doesn’t stop there.”
Most of the residents at Champions Place are employed, mainly at retail or customer service jobs. Thomspon said the residents have learned that they can have purpose through jobs, through volunteering and community.
“It’s words like self-reliance, self-esteem and purpose,” Thompson said. “They are fiercely independent – they almost brag about it.”
The independent living community has plans to expand resident capacity by 40 percent by late 2027. Plans for a new twostory building will offer four more resident rooms and two in-house staff apartments. Thompson plans to have two occupational therapy students from Georgia State on call overnight in exchange for apartment housing at Champions Place.
With this addition, Thomspon said they’re going to welcome six new families.
The Champions Place Foundation is fundraising $4 million to construct the new living space, and Thompson said they’re at about 75 percent of that goal in nine months.
“Sometimes I think we’re in the hope business,” Thompson said. “We give people hope. They’re in despair and we give them hope.”
It’s all laughter and chit chat when residents gather in the family room. They joke with one another and greet volunteers as they come and go from the building. Despite residents’ ages spanning from 26 to 42, they’ve bonded through their shared experiences.
“I’m not related to them by blood, obviously,” resident Josh Cusick said, “but I do think of them as my chosen family.”
Council signed a resolution saying they “strongly opposed” a change to the law.
McKee said the county is still open to discussions with the city.
“We'll ramp that back up when the timing is right,” McKee said. “It's not right, right now.”
McKee said it is important for residents to understand the Freedom Parkway campus’s primary function is as an administrative center.
“We're leaving this building because the administrative services outgrew it,” he said,
Candace Robertson, age 75, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 9, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Rose Martin, age 83, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 13, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Gregory Saari, age 72, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 12, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
adding, “If I put a directive that all employees had to be in the office to work, we would be significantly short of chairs and desks for people to sit in — significantly short.”
Commissioner Laura Semanson agreed, praising the new campus and saying it fulfills a much-needed function in the county even if commission meetings will remain in the current building.
“It was never the desire of the board to do anything less than legal,” Semanson said.
Jacqueline Stiffler, age 65, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 13, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Mary Wogsland, age 99, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 14, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED
Visitors tour a room at the Freedom Parkway administration campus March 18.
Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 6 and 4 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!
FAMOUS FAUNA
1. Indian bread. Nick & Nora’s pup. South American river.
2. Collie of TV & Movies. Lockup. Limerick language.
3. Social insect. Native American lodge. One of the Simpsons.
4. Disney dog. Large African antelope. Massage target.
5. Kick out. “Born Free” lioness. Like a gymnast.
6. Ploy. Bridge option. Lone Ranger’s mount.
7. Tied up. Bedrock pet. Biting
1 Indian bread. Nick & Nora’s pup. S. A. river
2. Collie of TV & Movies. Lock-up. Limerick language
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Social insect. Indian lodge. One of the Simpsons
4. Disney dog. Large African antelope. Massage target.
5. Kick out. “Born Free” lioness. Like a gymnast.
6. Ploy. Bridge option. Lone Ranger’s mount.
7. Tied up. Bedrock pet. Biting.
How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
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.
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Principal Software Architect – positions offered by IsoMetrix USA, Inc. (Alpharetta, GA). Collaborate w/ stakeholders & subject matter experts on Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) as well as Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) to determine business goals & market placement. Please submit resume to recruitment-usa@ isometrix.com. Reference Job ID: 10284188.
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