Fulton County Commissioner Mo Ivory
Fulton County board keeps tax levy stable
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 to keep the property tax rate flat at 8.87 mills Aug. 6 after hours of strong debate.
Residents — both homeowners and renters — sent thousands of emails to commissioners and spent hours explaining their opposition during public comment this summer at Fulton County Assembly Hall.
County officials estimate the adopted rate will yield general fund revenue totaling $930 million in 2025. That’s up from an estimate of $915 million at the end of January.
The actual revenue taken in during 2024 is around $879 million. There was no discussion of adopting a rate lower than last year.
The funding conversation bled into a discussion about Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat, the federal government’s consent decree and how county staff handles the budget process.
During public comments Aug. 6, no one spoke in favor of a proposed tax hike. During hundreds of public comments in July, one former county official advocated for a small increase of around half a mill.
See FULTON, Page 16
American Legion honors Purple Heart recipients
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Members of the American Legion Post 201 gathered on National Purple Heart Day, Aug. 7, to remember and honor those who have been awarded the medal.
Purple Heart Day recognizes one of the oldest military awards, first being given to soldiers in 1782. The Purple Heart Medal is presented to those who have been wounded or killed while serving. More than 1.8 million medals have been presented to service members.
“In my mind, the veterans are honored on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and other than that, not so much,” Auxiliary President Ellen Terrell-Youngblood. “And I thought my focus as auxiliary president is community outreach and education.”
Terrell-Youngblood contacted Purple Heart recipient Charles Turner to round up veterans who were given the award.
See MEDAL, Page 14
SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
From left, Purple Heart Medal recipients Walter Swenson, Peter Manfre, Charles Pesta, Charles Turner and John Tolan gather at the American Legion Post 201 ceremony Aug. 7.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
advocates for a 12.5 percent increase to property taxes during the Aug. 6 meeting and final adoption of the 2025 millage rate. With looming costs like upgrades at the Rice Street jail and a new hospital south of Atlanta, Ivory said she will continue to push for a rate increase.
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Couple discovers flowerpot engulfed in flames on patio
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A couple called police July 29 after noticing flames on their home patio on Stamp Mill Court.
The husband told police that they were about to go to bed around 9:30 p.m. July 27, when they noticed flames on the patio. The couple observed a flowerpot approximately 10-feet from the residence, containing soil and flowers, 20 percent engulfed in flames.
The couple extinguished the fire with water and woke up the next morning to find the flowerpot burned and disintegrated.
They stated that they did not notice anything suspicious but were worried the fire may have been a ploy to make them exit the residence. The couple told police that this could have been the case due to other property crime incidents in the neighborhood.
Police took photos of the burned flowerpot and uploaded it into the evidence database.
— Sarah Coyne
Man reports belongings stolen from gym locker
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek resident reported his items stolen from a locker at Life Time Fitness on Johns Creek Parkway Aug. 2.
The man told police that he placed his items into the locker at 7:15 p.m. and didn’t return until 9 p.m. He said that his locker, along with three others had been opened while locked. Employees searched all of the surrounding lockers but were unable to find his items.
The man stated that his wallet containing $10 in cash, driver’s license,
insurance card, four credit cards, shoes and clothing were stolen.
Staff reported they observed other lockers had been tampered with, but all locks were in the locked position.
The investigation is ongoing.
— Sarah Coyne
Woman loses 2 iPhones while grocery shopping
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 56-year-old Alpharetta woman reported two phones were stolen while she shopped at a grocery store on Old Milton Parkway July 25.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the business about 5:30 p.m.
The woman said she noticed her phones were missing after leaving them on a produce stand while looking at some fruit.
Officers spoke with the store manager, who provided security camera footage of the produce section. The video showed a woman wearing a black dress with a small tattoo on her forearm picking up the phones.
The suspect left the store about 10 minutes after the theft, police said.
Both phones are black Apple iPhone 16 Maxes. The Alpharetta woman said one is her personal phone and the other is a work phone.
The phones are valued at $2,000 each.
The store manager said no cameras are located in the parking lot, preventing officers from obtaining information about the suspect’s vehicle.
The incident was classified as a felony theft by taking greater than $1,500.
— Jon Wilcox
Police cite female driver for felony drug possession
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested a 26-year-old Lawrenceville woman July 27 after a traffic stop allegedly turned up more than 4 ounces of marijuana and just under $1,000 in cash.
Officers eventually charged the woman with open container, erratic lane change and felony possession of a Schedule
I controlled substance with intent to distribute.
An officer said he spotted the suspect’s vehicle, a black Infiniti Q50, crossing over marked lines in an eastbound lane at Holcomb Bridge and Barnwell roads. After the officer performed a traffic stop, he smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle.
According to the report, the driver eventually admitted to smoking in the vehicle earlier that day and told them “whatever is in the car is on me.”
During a search of the car, officers said they found 135 grams of marijuana in individual packages, 23 THC oil cartridges, vape pens, $940 in cash and a small weight scale.
The passenger of the Infiniti, a 23-yearold Norcross man, said he was unaware of anything illegal inside his friend’s vehicle.
The driver was then transported to the Fulton County Jail. She was released on a $1,500 bond July 27.
— Hayden Sumlin
Women flee from store after attempted theft
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An attempted shoplifting of almost $1,200 of perfume was reported at a North Point Mall department store July 25.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the store to investigate the reported theft.
A 28-year-old loss prevention detective working for the store told officers three women concealed perfume gift boxes in different areas of the store, police said. About 2 p.m., two of the women were spotted picking up the sets, then bringing them to the third woman who concealed them inside a large white bag, police said.
The loss prevention detective and another employee confronted the women, who dropped the merchandise and fled, police said.
The items include various Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo and Coach perfumes.
The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting more than $500.
— Jon Wilcox
County officials preview water, sewer rate increase
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Fulton County Public Works Department held a virtual public hearing Aug. 7 to discuss a proposed 5 percent increase to the water and sewer rate structure over the next two years.
When the Board of Commissioners approved the North Fulton Water Distribution Master Plan in March, Public Works Director David Clarke said a new rate increase package was in the works.
During the public hearing, Clarke said the rate increase is needed to complete the revised 2025-27 Capital Improvement Program and upgrades to the Camp Creek Water Reclamation Facility in South Fulton.
“From that master plan, a number of projects were identified that will be entered into our CIP to
have increased water pressure and volume to many areas of North Fulton that sometimes have issues,” he said. “This rate study also included those costs, in addition to some of the South Fulton wastewater needs.”
Deputy Director Terry Peters discussed the department’s unique funding, which operates like a business without dollars from the county general fund or property taxes.
The results of the 2024-34 study showed operating expenses growing at an average annual rate of 3.9 percent. Options for the County Board of Commissioners to consider include no rate increase, a 6.5 percent rate increase or the recommended 5 percent increase over two years.
Public Works officials say commissioners will likely make their recommendation Aug. 20, which will change the department’s operations in some ways.
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“One of the major takeaways is capping the CIP program at somewhere near $40 million a year when the proposed rate increases will kick in,” Peters said. “Being able just to maintain expenses close to the 3.94 percent … can be extremely important.”
County officials estimate the proposal for a 5 percent increase over a two-year term would increase the average customer’s bill by about 50 cents each month. If approved, the new rates will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
UPS to sell Sandy Springs office, shift some workers to Alpharetta
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — United Parcel Service is shifting employees to Alpharetta and closing a Sandy Springs office amid company-wide changes and building closures.
Jim Mayer, a UPS spokesman, said the shipping giant is executing the largest “network reconfiguration” in its history.
A Sandy Springs corporate campus, 35 Glenlake Parkway, will be sold, and 500 employees will be reassigned to the Sandy Springs headquarters, 55 Glenlake Parkway, or an Alpharetta facility at 12380 Morris Road.
Most of the employees will be moving to Alpharetta, Mayer said.
Alpharetta Economic Development Director Charlie Jewell said UPS is one
of the city’s top 10 employers with more than 1,000 workers.
He praised the move as a boon for Alpharetta.
“The fact that they’ve chosen to expand that presence as part of this consolidation is very positive for our city,” Jewell said.
The shift could infuse new money into the Alpharetta economy, supporting surrounding businesses.
“While consolidations can sometimes result in downsizing elsewhere, in this case, Alpharetta is gaining jobs,” Jewell said. “It signals UPS’ continued commitment to Alpharetta as a strategic location for their operations.”
Jon Wilcox
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER COMMUNITY MEETING
The City of Johns Creek will hold a series of community meetings related to the General Obligation Bond Referendum for the purpose of a Performing Arts Center (PAC):
Thursday, August 21st 6pm Johns Creek City Hall
Wednesday, September 3rd 6pm Park Place at Newtown Park
Thursday, September 18th 6pm Johns Creek City Hall
Wednesday, October 1st 6pm Park Place at Newtown Park
Thursday, October 16th 6pm Johns Creek City Hall
All meetings at City Hall will be held in the Council Chambers located at 11360 Lakefield Drive. Meetings at Newtown Park will be held in Park Place located at 3125 Old Alabama Road. Please contact the City Clerk’s office at 678-512-3212 should you have any questions.
Allison Tarpley, City Clerk
SCREENSHOT
UPS is selling its building at 35 Glenlake Parkway in Sandy Springs and moving about 500 employees to another location in the city and Alpharetta.
Qualifying is Aug. 18-22 for municipal elections
By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — The window for residents wishing to seek public office to file paperwork and pay a fee to officially enter the race opens Aug. 18.
While the state prescribes a general date window for qualification, cities determine days times, costs and eligibility standards.
The requirements differ slightly from city to city. Generally, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, have lived in the commission or council district for at least one year before qualifying, and be a qualified elector. For seats that represent specific districts, candidates must live in the district they seek to represent.
Here are the seats up for election in cities we cover and their qualifying details:
• Johns Creek mayor, City Council Posts 1, 2 and 3
- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- The qualifying fee is $750 for mayor, and is $450 for council seats.
- For more information, visit johnscreekga.gov/departments/city-clerk/ municipal-elections/
• Milton mayor and three Post 1 seats on the City Council.
- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 22, from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- The qualifying fee is $894 for mayor, and is $594 for council seats.
- For more information, visit www. miltonga.gov/government/elections/ qualifying-period/
• Alpharetta City Council Posts 1, 2 and 3
- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The qualifying fee is $450.
- For more information, visit www.alpharetta.ga.us/361/Running-for-Office
ELECTIONS
• Cumming mayor, City Council Posts 1 and 2, which are both at-large
- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- The qualifying fee is $360 for mayor, and is $180 for council members.
- For more information, visit www. cityofcumming.net/election-information
• Dunwoody City Council Post 1 (District 1), Post 2 (District 2) and Post 3 (District 3).
- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- The qualifying fee is $360.
- For more information, visit www. dunwoodyga.gov/government/voter-information/general-election-information
• Roswell mayor, City Council Posts 4, 5 and 6
- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 22, from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- The qualifying fee is $1,200 for mayor and $540 for council seats.
- The residency requirement is for a year prior to Election Day.
- Candidates must be 21 years old prior to Election Day.
- For more information, visit https:// www.roswellgov.com/government/elections/qualifications
• Sandy Springs mayor and all six City Council seats.
- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 21, from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; as well as Aug. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to Noon.
- The qualifying fee is $1,260 for mayor, and is $780 for council seats.
- Those seeking office must have lived in the city for a year prior to Election Day and six months in the district they are seeking to represent.
- For more information, visit www. sandyspringsga.gov/2025-municipalelection-qualifying-information
Appen Media will closely follow the November elections and aims to help readers make educated votes. What’s on your mind as you head to the ballot box? Send questions and ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.
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Metro Atlanta golf courses make magazine’s ‘Best’ list
ATLANTA — GOLF magazine released its annual state-by-state course rankings in December, with Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta topping the list of Georgia's best golf courses for 2024-25.
Some courses that made the list are in North Metro Atlanta.
The rankings, compiled by more than 100 panelists, evaluated 609 courses nationwide using an 11-tier scoring system, according to GOLF. Electors ranked courses from top three in the U.S. down to those deserving removal from consideration.
Atlanta Athletic Club had two Metro
Atlanta courses named to the list, with Riverside placing 7th and Highlands at the 9 spot.
Johns Creek’s Rivermont Golf Club came in at no. 13.
Augusta National, home of the Masters Tournament and designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, earned recognition as the state’s best course and one of the magazine's Top 100 Courses in the U.S.
Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta ranked 2nd, followed by Ohoopee Match Club in Cobbtown. Six of the top 20 courses offer public access.
— Carl Appen
GOLF magazine’s top 20 golf courses in Georgia
APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO
Alpha Loop murals complement walk in the park
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Two new murals along Alpharetta’s Alpha Loop have a way of sparking reflection.
At the Aug. 4 unveiling ceremony, City Councilman Donald Mitchell said the artworks reminds him of his late parents.
“When I saw them, immediately I just fell in love,” said Mitchell, who selected the designs and donated money for their creation.
Located about 300 feet east of the Alpharetta Branch Library, the murals lie on two Alpha Loop bridges.
One mural depicts a school of tangerine-colored koi fish. The aquatic creatures touched Mitchell because his father served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years.
Another features a flock of birds flying amid a backdrop of fluffy lavender clouds. The scene reminded the council member of a time shortly after his mother’s death when he pulled his car over to contemplate the loss.
“It was just a beautiful sky that day, and that mural reminds me of my mom’s passing,” he said.
Mitchell funded the project with more than $20,000 of his council stipend saved over several years. The money was to be used for lunches and other costs associated with his post. He also helped coordinate donations from others to support the work.
“When I would take people out, I would just pay for it with my own money,” he said.
Artist Alice Stone-Collins, who teaches at Georgia Gwinnett College, created the murals with about 15 cans of paint, calling on experiences on the Alpha Loop for inspiration.
Stone-Collins said that for years she and her family have enjoyed the trail, which runs through the city, connecting numerous points of interest. Her kids take a special delight in pointing out the animals, which include deer, birds, fish and many squirrels.
Those experiences on the path have proved an invaluable resource for her own mental well-being and children’s upbringing, she said.
“It gets my children off their screens and has them connect to something larger,” she said. “It’s amazing how fast the time goes.”
Stone-Collins said she hopes the art will enrich the lives and imaginations of trail users for years to come.
“I want people to maybe think, ‘Hey, let’s go the way that the murals are,’” she said. “Or it could almost be like a meeting spot...’”
Mitchell said he has already witnessed walkers taking notice, with some contributing chalk art of their own nearby and others remarking at
their creativity.
He said he also hopes residents will be inspired to become patrons of art elsewhere in the city. Residents can connect with the Alpha Loop Foundation or the city’s Cultural Arts Commission to fund murals, sculptures and other contributions throughout Alpharetta.
“We’re constantly trying to increase the amount of art in the city, so as we add new trails around the city, it’s important that we add art,” he said.
Visitors stroll past a mural of birds in flight gracing a bridge along Alpharetta’s Alpha Loop.
A koi fish mural adorns a bridge on the Alpha Loop.
I have visited several Chambers and have found my home at the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce The group is committed, involved, and I have made many good friends.
-Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel
Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist
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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.
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.
How being a bad golfer can be hazardous to your health
I recently had a conversation with a patient about tick-borne illnesses, and our discussion reminded me of an interesting study that I Iearned about in medical school – a tale that ended with the warning “don’t go into the rough.” If you haven’t heard of it, ehrlichiosisis is one of numerous diseases that ticks carry and that humans can catch when ticks bite them, but this disease was not always so well known.
The year is 1993, and four men who lived in a golf-oriented retirement community in Tennessee were hospitalized with fever, headache, vomiting and abdominal pain. Blood tests revealed abnormally low white blood cell counts, low platelets, as well as inflammation of the liver. Two of these men ended up in the intensive care unit. An astute physician ordered a test for ehrlichiosis, and all four men tested positive for this illness.
As the results came in, a picture began to emerge. Most of the patients were golfers. There was a trend towards higher rates of infection in people who golfed more often. But, compellingly, it was only the bad golfers – those who averaged high scores –who seemed to be getting infected.
What could be causing the bad golfers to be infected while the good golfers remained healthy? Were their immune systems, like their golf swings, simply superior to those of the bad golfers? Is charisma a factor?
Accepting new patients.
This outbreak prompted the physician to assign several residents and medical students (aka “underlings”) to tramp through the woods and go door to door in this golf community gathering information about other people who might be infected. People were asked for blood samples and patients admitted to the local hospital with fever of unknown origin also had their blood tested. An “environmental survey” was conducted of local animals to identify ticks and the diseases that they carried.
No, it turned out that the single factor that was most strongly associated with ehrlichiosis infection was retrieving a golf ball that was hit off the golf course instead of using a new ball. And bad golfers hit the golf ball in the rough or in the woods more often than the good golfers. In fact, golfers who retrieved their balls from the woods were 270% more likely to be infected than those who simply used a new ball. The case was cracked, and the lesson was clear – don’t go into the rough. Or, if you do, use a lot of insect repellant.
This tick season, remember to protect yourself. If you know a golfer, warn him or her about ehrlichiosis. And if you or a loved one has a spot worrisome for skin cancer or any other dermatologic complaint, please consider Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C of Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta for your skin care needs.
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How to choose the right dentist
Choosing a dentist is an important decision that can have a lasting impact on your health, comfort, and confidence. Whether you’re looking for a provider for routine cleanings, cosmetic enhancements, or longterm restorative work, the right dental relationship can make all the difference—not just in your smile, but in your overall experience of care. Here are a few things to consider:
1. Clinical Quality and Attention to Detail
Good dentistry is both a science and an art. Beyond just fixing teeth, great dentists focus on creating natural-looking, durable results that stand the test of time. Ask your dentist about their approach to materials, techniques, and how they ensure lasting outcomes. Look for signs of meticulous work, do their restorations blend in naturally? Do they spend time getting things “just right,” not just “good enough”? Longevity and quality should be a priority, not a luxury.
2. A Relationship-Driven Approach
Many dental offices feel transactional—you’re just another patient in the schedule. But meaningful, long-term care is built on relationships. A dentist who listens, remembers your preferences, understands your history, and takes the time to answer questions is a provider who is invested in your well-being. Look for a practice that values trust, comfort, and communication over volume and speed. When you find a team that
treats you like a person, not a procedure, it makes all the difference.
3.
Level of Service
Dentistry isn’t just about what happens in your mouth, it’s about how you feel from the moment you walk through the door. A higher level of service means a clean, welcoming environment, timely communication, clear financial discussions, and a team that respects your time. It also means being able to accommodate individual needs, whether it’s easing anxiety, planning complex treatments, or helping with insurance. True service goes beyond the chair.
4. Comprehensive and Customized
Care
The best dentists take a personalized approach to treatment planning—whether it’s preventive care,
cosmetic improvements, or full-mouth treatment. Find out if the practice offers a broad range of services, takes time to explain your options, and helps you make informed decisions. A dentist who treats the whole person—your goals, preferences, and lifestyle—is one who is committed to your long-term success.
5. Community Reputation and Consistency
Finally, consider the dentist’s standing in the community. Are they trusted by other families? Do they have a consistent track record of satisfied patients? Online reviews and word-of-mouth referrals can give insight into the experience others have had.
Choosing a dentist is about more than finding someone close to home or who takes your insurance. It’s about finding someone you can trust to care for you and your smile for years to come. Look for quality, connection, and a commitment to excellence—and you’ll be in good hands.
“Preventive Dentistry can add 10 years to human life.” -Dr. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic
Dr. Bradley Hepler and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide the most modern advances in dentistry. Experience immediate results with procedures to greatly enhance your smile and your health. If you would like a complimentary consultation to discover the best options for you, please call us at 770-992-2236.
THANKS FOR VOTING US BEST OF NORTH ATLANTA
Tips for defiant behavior
If your child is struggling with defiant, aggressive, impulsive, irritable behaviors and can be especially difficult with obeying rules and respecting authority these may be signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms. Raising kids can be challenging but it can be even more of a challenge when setting structure for your child and they refuse to follow it. Listed below are suggestions to help parents if the behaviors listed above are present or if parents have received a diagnosis of ODD.
1. Try to separate their behavior from their identity. They are likely not engaging in the behavior intentionally, but it may be a response to some internal struggles they are experiencing.
2. Try not to compare your struggles to theirs. Adults have a stronger threshold because they have lived longer. In this case, do not compete against what they may be going through with what you have experienced or may be experiencing now. Listen and understand the challenges they may face so you can hear how things look and feel from their perspective. It is not about anyone being right or wrong. Healthy relationships require us to understand others’ struggles and viewpoints to support them in those areas. For example, if the child thinks no one listens to them, it would be helpful to carve out intentional time to let them speak without offering any comments but just letting them talk. This does not mean they were right or that anyone was wrong, but this is an identified area where we can provide support.
3. Remember the positives and try to speak about them as much as possible. You may say things like “You are so amazing at articulating how you feel, and it helps me when you do that.” Avoid saying aggressive or negative things. You can still be assertive by saying “No” but avoid name-calling. Sometimes they may not want to get in trouble even though they know the behavior can lead to trouble.
Impulsivity for negative behaviors is common for a variety of reasons, including control or attention.
4. Pick your battles. It could be helpful to create a discipline system that prevents you from having to engage in arguments. If they did not do the dishes and the consequence is there is no screen time for the night, you can avoid having to argue or go back and forth even if the child tries to disagree. Decide the rules (write them down) and be consistent with them. Try not to add or change anything. You can create a daily routine or checklist to earn rewards when items are completed.
5. Unfortunately, their struggles may be triggered by aggressive or negative talk and negative attention. Responding in these ways will only feed and continue the cycle. The idea is to break the cycle and create a healthier one.
These things are time-consuming. However, these steps are designed to help parents maintain peace and create balance in the household. Rules are healthy for every child. Our goal is to learn how to implement them so the child can grasp and understand. Parents starting individual therapy can be helpful to have a safe space to practice self-care and confront personal emotions that could be arising.
Back to school care
Checking in on your child’s health
Brought to you by – Wellstar
As your family begins the new school year, help your child start off strong. Make sure their health is up to date by scheduling a checkup.
Before heading back to the classroom, prioritize your child’s physical and emotional well-being with a visit to your family’s Wellstar pediatrician. Our compassionate pediatricians share your goal of keeping children healthy as they grow.
“I believe in treating the whole child. What I mean by that is their physical health is very important, but I also feel that their emotional health is imperative,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Brandi Lewis. “My goal is for all my patients to be resilient, happy and healthy. My role is to work with families to help accomplish that goal.”
Preventative check-ups and screenings help children stay ahead of health issues. Our pediatricians will ensure your child is up to date on their vaccines and discuss which immunizations are needed to prevent disease. Your family’s pediatrician can also help you navigate health requirements at your child’s school.
Heading back to school healthy
Teach your child healthy habits so they can feel their best throughout the school year.
• Practice good hygiene. Show children how to wash their hands properly and remind them to do it frequently. Do not send your children to school if they are sick.
• Get moving. Children should have about 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity every day. Staying active can be as simple as a fun family bike ride around the block, a game of tag in the yard or going for a walk in the park.
• Eat healthy. Teach children about good nutrition by encouraging them to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and by limiting sugary drinks.
• Get plenty of sleep. Children ages 3 to 5 should get about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. Children 6 to 12 years old should get nine to 12 hours, and teenagers need about 8 to 10 hours.
While the end of summer is often a busy time, planning ahead now will help ensure the entire family has a healthy, successful year.
Find a Wellstar pediatrician near you at wellstar.org/kidcare.
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Navigating senior living
to residents.
The need for senior care often presents families with a daunting decision: should their older loved one stay at home with supportive care, or would an assisted living community better serve their needs? The basic activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, fall prevention, nurturing social ties and ensuring good nutrition are critical considerations. It’s also important to look ahead to when these needs become more intensive and difficult, called high acuity.
Home Helpers offers one-on-one dedicated care for your loved ones needs, allowing them to age in place in the comfort and safety of home even as acuity needs progress.
Assisted Living Communities (ALCs) offer a balance of independence and assistance, with social opportunities and scheduled activities, positioned between independent living and nursing homes. They do not provide one-on-one care, with an average assisted living tenure of 22 months. Here are questions to help plan for high acuity needs and what comes next.
How quickly will a call for assistance be answered and how often each day? When your loved one pushes an ALC button and now needs help with incontinence or transferring from a bed to a chair, an hour wait versus a prompt response makes a major difference in their sense of dignity, personal cleanliness and well-being. Georgia requires a minimum of one awake direct-care daytime staff member for every 15 residents and one per 20 residents overnight. Quality communities keep response times under 10 minutes. Ask how much total time a caregiver will spend daily with a resident and the ratio of direct care staff
A dedicated Home Helpers caregiver provides the immediate response only one-on-one care can offer.
If your fall risk increases, what happens? Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults. At an ALC you may have to advance to a different level of care there, leave for another facility, or have the added cost of hiring your own private caregiver to supplement care. A daytime fall risk could mean 12 hours of added private care, or 24 hours if night time fall care is also needed. There is no set level of care you have to fit in with Home Helpers, only the care plan that’s right for your safety. We can adjust your care level if you’re recuperating from surgery, need more support at night, or include other providers such as in-home nursing support if necessary. How do you recruit and what kind of training does the care staff receive? Some ALCs no longer do their own recruiting and now use an outside staffing agency, depending on an outside resource to vet their caregivers.
We know the importance of carefully recruiting heart centered caregivers with strong skills, who are key to our earning the Best Home Care for Seniors in North Atlanta Award 8 years running.
How stable is the ownership and management? A change of ALC ownership could mean changes in levels of continued high acuity care. Take a close look at the history and financial health of the facility.
A proud member of our community for 13 years, we know how important it is for the promise of care to be one that is delivered. We’re here to help, from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 care. For a free consultation call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta at (770) 681-0323.
Brought to You by – Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs
Back to school, back to the dentist
As families in Roswell, Georgia prepare for another school year, there’s one important item that should be on every back-to-school checklist: a dental checkup. At Roswell Dental Care, we help students head back to class with clean, healthy smiles and the confidence that comes with them.
August is the ideal time to schedule routine care before calendars get crowded—and it’s also a smart way to catch small problems before they become big distractions during the school year.
Why preventive dental visits matter for kids
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children aged 6 to 19, affecting nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children. Left untreated, cavities can cause pain, infections, difficulty eating, and missed school days.
Regular cleanings and exams help prevent these problems and ensure your child is set up for a healthy year. At Roswell Dental Care, we check for:
• Cavities and early signs of decay
• Tooth development and eruption
• Gum health
• Enamel wear from grinding or acid exposure
• Proper oral hygiene habits
We also provide fluoride treatments and sealants—proven to reduce the risk of cavities in molars by up to 80%, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).
Make dental health a learning habit
Routine dental visits teach kids that oral health is part of their overall
wellness. We help make those lessons stick by showing kids how to brush and floss effectively, make smart snack choices, and understand the importance of daily care.
Need a little help with motivation? We make checkups fun and rewarding, and we’re happy to explain treatment in kid-friendly language.
What to pack (and what to avoid)
Back-to-school season is also a great time to rethink lunchbox habits. We recommend packing:
✔ Fruits and veggies
✔ Cheese and yogurt ✔ Water instead of juice or soda
Avoid sticky candies, gummy vitamins, and sports drinks that bathe teeth in sugar and acid. These can increase cavity risk, especially if children sip on them throughout the day.
Care for parents, too
While the kids are getting ready for school, don’t forget your own smile! We offer convenient appointments Monday through Thursday and select Fridays for:
• Routine cleanings and exams
• Teeth whitening and cosmetic touch-ups
• Botox® and filler treatments for facial rejuvenation and TMJ relief
Get your family’s dental care back on track now—before fall schedules fill up!
Healthy smiles start here—for students, parents, and everyone in between. Call Roswell Dental Care today to book your back-to-school appointments at 770-998-6736 or visit us at www.roswelldentalcare.com.
Brought to you by – Roswell Dental Care Dr. Destinee Hood
PROVIDED
Montana report: tan-and-yellow hoppers…and no redbugs!
Last time, you’ll recall, the topic was redbugs. Also known as chiggers, they are those nefarious little creatures that live in the grass and like to eat things like you and me. The sneaky little devils creep up on you and then enjoy dinner, leaving you with red bite spots and an itch of Biblical proportions.
When I get to Heaven, I would like to ask why redbugs were part of the plan. Might we have been just as well off without them? Inquiring minds want to know.
But I digress. The burning (itching) question that I left you with was this: Would I find redbugs in Montana, too?
I asked our host and guide, Craig DeMark of On DeMark Lodge (an incredible place, if I may say so) if redbugs were a thing in Montana. He said no. That was good to hear, because I wanted to spend the last hour of daylight fishing from the bank. I’d be walking through the tall grass along the river’s edge. At home, it would be Redbug City.
And so, once we finished another extraordinary dinner prepared by Craig’s wife Becky, I set off down the gravel road to the water to look for trout.
“Take your time,” my wife said, and so off I went.
My plan was to cast a grasshopper imitation into the current close to the bank in hopes that a big brown or rainbow trout might be lurking there waiting for a nice, juicy hopper to come floating by. I’d be casting the same hopper imitation I’d used earlier in the day, and it had brought me several nice fish already. That fly had the power, it seemed! The thick grass along the river was perfect hopper habitat (now there’s a phrase that rolls smoothly off the tongue), and I hoped that the evening breeze might blow enough of the real bugs into the river to make the fish interested in my optimistic imitation.
But tall grass, I thought to myself…
Medal:
Continued from Page 1
The event honored five recipients, which included Army veteran Turner, Marine Corps veteran Peter Manfre, Air Force veteran Walter Swenson, Marine Corps veteran John Tolan and Army veteran Charles Pesta.
“The Purple Heart is something people didn’t go out trying to get,” Turner
Craig had said redbugs were not an issue. And so, relieved and reassured, I set off down the hill.
We had floated through this section of the river earlier in the day, and I tried to remember what I’d seen from the perspective of the boat. There was deep water there, and a good edge where fish might hold there, and we had seen fish working there. There was plenty of water to explore, and I could reach a lot of it from the bank without even getting my feet wet.
I worked my way down to within a few feet of the water’s edge. At that moment, there was a gust of wind. But it eased up quickly, allowing me to cast in the relative calm.
I did, and the cast was not a bad one. The fly line rolled out and settled to the
said. “We got it by mistake.”
The medal is also known as the “award that nobody wants.” The members also remembered medal recipients who have passed away.
Pesta, a Woodstock resident, served in the Special Forces as a Green Beret in Vietnam. He said it was nice to be appreciated.
“Coming back from Vietnam we weren’t,” Pesta said. “It is what it is.”
Terrell-Youngblood hopes the ceremony becomes an annual tradition to honor those who have made sacrifices for the country.
mine. But you can keep it. It’s a lucky one. Anyway, grasshopper gone, I switched to a minnow imitation called a “Sparkle Minnow.” It’s a spectacularly flashy fly, sure to grab the attention of any nearby fish. That’s my kind of fly!
I cast the streamer out-and-across, let it sink a few seconds, and then began to retrieve it in regular foot-long strips. Strip… strip…strip…
The strike was strong, hard, and definite. I lifted the rod and felt the pull as the rod bent into the fish. Wow! Upriver it ran, then it turned and headed out toward the middle and then dashed downstream. I lifted the rod to keep the line away from snags. Through the line, I felt the unseen fish shake its head and then felt another surging run as it once more took off across the flow.
But the fish was tiring. I could tell. Time to think about landing it. Redbugs forgotten, I moved up the bank into a better position to bring it to the net. “Please hold, knot!” I said half out loud. Admonition? Prayer? Both?
Maybe my knot was good, or maybe the same God that made redbugs heard my plea and smiled on my line. For everything stayed together, and four minutes later a beautiful Montana brown trout of about 19 inches was resting in my net.
river’s surface. I lifted the rod and pulled in line to keep things tight, and then – as I reached to retrieve a little more line – there came what I’ve come to call a “Missouri River strike” and a monster of a fish nailed the fly, and I tried to set the hook. Adrenaline surged! But adrenaline does bad things to one’s cast, especially if one is not used to such things, and I yanked the fly right out of the fish’s mouth and sent it zooming at supersonic speed into some of that same tall, tall grass that I had been worried about.
Of course, the grass was in a place where I could not retrieve the fly. I fiddled with it from a distance, for a bit, but finally gave up and broke it off.
If you happen to find a tan and yellow grasshopper fly stuck in the grass on the Missouri River near Cascade, Montana, it’s
I admired the fish, measuring it against my rod so I’d know for sure, and then eased it gently back into the water. What a wonderful way to end a Montana day. And there was not a single redbug bite. God really does work in mysterious ways.
Later, I told her about the fish. I told her about the cast, and the lost hopper, and the switch to the streamer, and the other cast and the strike and the battle.
“And,” I told her, “there were no redbugs!”
She looked at me in that way that she does.
Later, I dreamt of big rivers and big trout and the goodness of it all. Everything comes together, doesn’t it?
But I still don’t know why we have redbugs.
PHOTOS BY STEVE HUDSON/APPEN MEDIA
The Missouri River near Cascade, Montana, features fine fishing, but no redbugs.
STEVE HUDSON Columnist
SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Charles Turner wears his Military Order Purple Heart chapter cap at the ceremony held by the American Legion Post 201 Aug. 7.
Personal choice may help keep AI genie in the bottle
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
I have written about this more than a few times. Technological growth continues to outpace our ability to process what that technology provides – personally and as a society. We keep trying to play catch-up, but the gap keeps growing. And AI is only the next big leap in tech, one of many more to come.
“Information” is the foundation. It feels like that amount of information available to us is growing exponentially while our ability to deal with it is growing arithmetically. Thus, information is creating brave new worlds; it is also destroying worlds. It is a paradox that I keep thinking about but one that is way outside my ability to really understand.
The central paradox to me is the idea that scarcity is the foundation – or part of the core basis – of “value.” Something that is very abundant – like for example, sand – is worth much less than something that is acutely scarce – like diamonds or a cure for cancer.
While AI doesn’t actually create or substantially increase the amount of information in existence, it does increase
our access to greater amounts of information – something that feels like close to the same thing. And greater abundance means less value. And since our lives are so information-centric, a greater abundance of information must suggest that our lives have less value – or that the quality of our lives is decreasing.
Bear with me.
Herbert Simon, 1978 Nobel Prize winner in economics, described my paradox succinctly. He said that “In an information-rich world, the wealth of information means a dearth of something else: a scarcity of whatever it is that information consumes. What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence, a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention and a need to allocate that attention efficiently among the overabundance of information resources that might consume it.”
That is, this technology-driven, ever-increasing amount of information that we are trying to process is taking our “pie” – the amount of time and attention that we have at our disposal – compressing it and slicing it into smaller and smaller pieces which, in turn, is making our lives less connected, less meaningful, less engaged and less happy. A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.
So collectively, I don’t believe that
we can go home again. We cannot undo technological advancement; it is already too hard-wired into society – all aspects of it. However, is it possible that we can –individually – roll back the clock, at least a little? Perhaps that is the $64 question. Can we? What do you think?
It is hard for me not to think about the Amish and their way of life. Isn’t that what they have done – choose to avoid at least some of this modern high-tech world and remain more or less “analogue” – and still function relatively successfully?
What the Amish have done involves making choices, and isn’t it fair to believe that our ability to make choices remains relatively in place despite the avalanche of technology that threatens to swallow “life as we know it” whole? Is it realistic to consider this possibility? I want to think that it may be – within a measured expectation.
Yes, there is more information permeating life as we know it than ever before in the history of the world. Yes, we cannot sweep it out the back door or sequester it somewhere underground like radioactive fuel rods. But can’t we make small, personal, manageable and wise incremental choices that walk back some of the weight of all that information on our lives – and replace it with choices that do enhance and nurture who we are and how we live? Can we not be intentional about this? Surely, we have ability to see what is happening.
The noise of AI is deafening. Technology never sleeps. It is our world today, but surely, we do have the ability to protect some of what we know to be missioncritical for our kind – to muddle forward in a “more/most” sustainable way. Isn’t that choice still out there?
Fulton:
Continued from Page 1
Before the final public hearing and vote, county staff presented a mid-year budget review projecting $15 million more in revenue and $54 million less in expenses than anticipated in the fiscal year 2025 budget.
Commission Chairman Robb Pitts, who remained silent throughout most of the discussion, said he’s pleased the county can provide first-class services without having to raise taxes.
“Along with our AAA bond rating, today’s vote is a testament to the strong financial leadership of our county manager and finance team,” Pitts said after the meeting. “After four commissioners voted in June to advertise an increase … I worked to convince them to reconsider their support for the tax hike.”
Fulton County announced its HIV Elimination Department received more than $37 million in federal grants July 31, representing a year-over-year increase and alleviating concerns about potential cuts.
Earlier this year, Pitts confirmed with staff that it would take a 1-mill increase to cover all federal money flowing to the county, of which a majority is related to HIV elimination and the Ryan White program.
Commissioners responded differently to the nearly $70 million windfall.
Couty Commissioner Bob Ellis, a Republican representing the western half of North Fulton, told Appen Media in late July that he was “vehemently opposed” to a tax increase because additional revenue is not needed this year.
“This county is not in a state of crisis. We’ve gone through situations where just like any other government, business … you’re going to have pressures, they’re different each year,” Ellis said. “The attempt to sort of gaslight it into a tax increase is disingenuous and irresponsible … we didn’t need to have this discussion.”
Ellis said commissioners did not need to see the mid-year budget review to know that the county’s general fund is projected to fall well within its budget.
“We will probably have this come back
Fulton County commissioners discuss a proposed property tax increase Aug. 6 before voting 6-1 to keep the millage rate flat for the fourth year in a row. Chairman Robb Pitts, center, said he’s pleased to provide first-class services without having to raise taxes.
up later on … people have talked about this crisis at our jail and the need for more money and so forth,” Ellis said. “We have something like 100 open positions [in the Sheriff’s Office], and we have a sheriff making an ask for overtime expenditures … over two months later, we can’t even get that basic [payroll] information.”
The Board of Commissioners approved the $6.4 million for employee retention and overtime pay in May, in addition to $151.5 million coming from the county’s general fund.
Sheriff Pat Labat sued the Board of Commissioners in June, alleging an overstep into his control of the office’s budget as a duly elected official and constitutional officer.
District 4 County Commissioner Mo Ivory, representing Midtown and downtown Atlanta, cast the lone vote for raising the rate by 12.5 percent. She said she received emails in support of a tax increase.
“It will definitely come up later on, and you will pay for it later on,” Ivory said. “This is not a normal or a sound budget process. To say in January that we have zero surplus, and then to say in August we have $69 million is not sound or nor -
City of Johns Creek Board of Zoning Appeals, Public Hearing: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 7:00 P.M.
City of Johns Creek Council Chambers 11360 Lakefield Drive
Johns Creek, Georgia 30097
The following variance proposal is scheduled for Public Hearing as stated above:
Case Number: V-25-0006
Property Address: 9709 Buice Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022
Current Zoning: AG-1
Petitioner: Vidya Krishnamurthy
Variance Request: To allow construction of an accessory structure in the front yard
placement would have sent the tax rate up more than 30 percent.
The county’s property tax rate has remained flat since 2022, declining steadily from 10.5 mills in 2015. That represents a net decrease of 16 percent in a decade.
Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for Fulton County’s general fund and pay for constituent services, including senior and behavioral health services, the Grady Health System, the Sheriff’s Office and all jail facilities, election management, libraries and animal services.
In an Aug. 6 press release, the county said it will continue closely monitoring federal budgets for possible direct and indirect impacts on programs and partners.
Commissioner Dana Barrett, who switched her vote and rejected the 1-mill increase, encouraged homeowners to review the property tax relief measures for residents, including two floating homestead exemptions and some for seniors.
mal.”
Ivory criticized county staff’s projections and the results of the mid-year budget review.
“What we do need to examine is how we do our budget. We need a long-term look at our expenses and our revenues,” Ivory said, mentioning the Rice Street jail’s prior consent decree 2006-15 due to similarly inhumane conditions.
Ivory said the county’s finance team, not the Sheriff’s Office, estimates it will cost around $35 million to address the unconstitutional conditions at Rice Street. She also said county residents should vote the sheriff out of office before redirecting the conversation to budgetary pressures.
“We didn’t even get it right in 2016, which is why we are here again, people dying in the jail and not getting the medical care they need,” Ivory said. “That’s what I know I got elected for, to make hard decisions so that we all could bear the cost of making our county better. So, the south side is as good as the north side.”
Commissioner Bridget Thorne echoed Ellis’ comments about the estimated 100 unfilled positions at the Sheriff’s Office. She said the scrapped $2 billion jail re-
Commissioners Marvin Arrington Jr. and Khadijah Abdur-Rahman also voted to keep the property tax rate flat.
County Manager Dick Anderson said the budget process and finances are in good shape.
“First of all, just a reality check on the notion that we’re starving departments,” Anderson said. “We spent $867 million last year and budgeted $990 million this year, that’s a $123 million increase [or 14 percent].”
He said the county’s budget process during his decade as county manager has produced Fulton’s existing triple A bond rating, a nearly 70 percent increase in resident services and a doubling of fund balance or reserves.
Anderson also said he’s monitoring four upcoming expenses on the horizon: the renovation of Rice Street, consent decree items related to jail operations and staffing, a new Grady Memorial Healthcare hospital in South Fulton and whether to exit expiring tax allocation districts.
“Underrunning by 5 percent would generally be considered healthy,” Anderson said. “The thing I’m very much in agreement on is the necessity for long-term planning.”
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
1 Pigeon’s hangout. Watersking venue. Kick out
2. Beginner. Water deliverer. Smell
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
1. Pigeon’s hangout. Watersking venue. Kick out.
2. Beginner. Water deliverer. Smell.
3. Food. Love god. Store bought water.
4. Indian bread. Salt water. Point of lowest despair.
5. Playground item. Hold tight. Ducks found here.
6. Water holder. One-pot meal. Fireman’s need.
7. Chess piece. Where to find rapids. Hate.
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. Food. Love god. Store bought water
4. Indian bread. Salt water. Point of lowest despair
5. Playground item. Hold tight. Ducks found here
6.
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Administrative Assistant
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the full-time Administrative Assistant position. The responsibilities of this critical role are to provide a wide variety of administrative tasks primarily to the President and other department leaders as needed. Duties include board meeting preparation, report preparation, general correspondence.
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If you have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications or another relevant field, at least two years of administrative experience and enjoy project management and coordination, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Lead Cybersecurity needed by AT&T Services, Inc. in Alpharetta, GA [Hybrid position] to develop comprehensive test plans and strategies to validate the functionality, performance, and reliability of applications, systems, and networks. Apply at http://att. jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-67610.
Lead Software Engineering needed by AT&T Services, Inc in Alpharetta, GA to design, develop, test, troubleshoot, maintain, and deploy applications with a focus on automation. Apply at http://att.jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-71189.
Lead Member of Technical Staff needed by AT&T Services, Inc. in Alpharetta, GA [Hybrid position] to translate complex and specialized network domain business requirements into application architecture, design, development, and testing work for various strategic network initiatives for both wireline and wireless networks. Apply at http://att.jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-71195.
Senior Cybersecurity needed by AT&T Services, Inc. in Alpharetta, GA [Hybrid position] to Design and develop comprehensive test plans and strategies that validate the functionality, performance, and reliability of applications, systems, and networks. Apply at http://att. jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-71081.
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AMELIA ISLAND RENTAL. Amelia Island was just awarded by TRAVEL & LEISURE’S 2025, as the Second Best Island in Florida. Ocean Village is a gated community with 2 pools, tennis and pickleball courts, 3 boardwalks to the private Atlantic Beach. Charming single family home, beautifully decorated and furnished, open floor plan, 3.5 Bedrooms, 2 full baths. Six month to One year + lease offered $5,600. This includes the HOA. Call Jan 678-596-3684.
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