Johns Creek Herald - January 1, 2026

Mother seeks answers in daughter’s death ► PAGE 7

J a n u a r y 1 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 0 , N o . 1

A LOOK AHEAD

Johns Creek sets sights on progress

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK/PROVIDED

Voters rejected a $40 million bond in November to provide funding for a Performing Arts Center in the Town Center area.

JOHNS CREEK IN 2025 Voters reject plans for arts center

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Voters rejected ambitious plans for a performing arts center on Election Day 2025, quashing months of groundwork and planning laid by city officials.

More than 60 percent of Johns Creek voters marked no on a ballot item asking them to consider a $40 million general obligation bond to fund the project.

City Council members who supported the project said it

could serve as a permanent home for local arts and act as a cultural game changer for the community.

Construction costs were estimated at $50 million.

In the spring of 2025, council members began reviewing plans for an 800-seat performance hall and other amenities. The project would have served as an important node in the walkable Town Center area along Medlock Bridge Road.

See REVIEW, Page 22

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Councilman Larry DiBiase speaks against a resolution calling for a $40 million bond referendum at a June 26 special meeting.

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays with family and friends.

As I begin my second term as your mayor, I’m grateful for the trust Johns Creek voters have placed in me.

JOHN BRADBERRY Voters returned all incumbent council Johns Creek Mayor members to office and also spoke clearly on the Performing Arts Center referendum.

I respect these decisions and look forward to working with everyone the voters have chosen to lead our city.

Now it’s time to focus on what matters most: continuing to build the best possible community for all our residents and businesses.

Johns Creek is in a strong position. We’re recognized as one of the safest and best communities in America. We’ve maintained fiscal responsibility while investing in public safety, parks and recreation, road improvements and quality of life. We have the lowest millage rate of any city in Fulton County. These achievements reflect our shared values and priorities.

But we’re not done.

See BRADBERRY, Page 22

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2 | January 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

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Clothing reported stolen from sporting goods store

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Almost $1,400 worth of clothing was reported stolen from a sports supply store Dec. 4.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the North Point Parkway business about 6:30 p.m.

An Alpharetta woman representing the store said two women had shoplifted items at about 5:10 p.m.

The store representative reported the women selected clothing, took it to a dressing room before leaving without paying, police said.

The door alarm sounded as they left.

Officers viewed a security camera recording of the alleged theft.

The items reported stolen include children’s clothing, such as rainwear and jackets and fleece tops. The items were valued at a total of almost $1,400.

The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting of more than $500.

— Jon Wilcox

Police officers respond to burglary in progress ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police are investigating an attempted burglary Dec. 15 at the Creekside at Mansell townhomes after residents reported men in masks using a crowbar to break in.

When they arrived at the residence, officers said they found the rear sliding door had been tampered with and its handle broken off, disabling it.

Officers said they held the

PUBLIC SAFETY perimeter of the residence until the Criminal Investigations Division arrived.

One of two people renting the townhome when the robbery occurred, a 33-year -old Roswell woman, said she heard “a noise like trash cans were moving” around 6:50 a.m.

When she and her husband looked out the window, she said they saw two masked men using a crowbar to break into the townhome. The couple provided officers with a description of their attire.

At some point, the victim said she and her husband lost sight of the men and were not certain of their location.

Officers found no one matching the suspects’ descriptions in the vicinity of the townhome.

Later, officers said they found a crowbar next to an open shed door, but the building appeared to have been left unlocked. It’s not known whether anything was stolen from the residence.

The report does not identify any suspects.

— Hayden Sumlin

Police probe break-in reported at law office ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A South Main Street law office was reportedly burglarized, an attorney reported Dec. 5.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the office after receiving an email from the 62-yearold Alpharetta woman.

Police previously took a similar report of a criminal trespass Dec. 2.

In that report, police said a person entered the building through a window and spent the night on a couch in the foyer.

The attorney told police she suspected a person had again entered through a window, noting a piece was removed from it.

The woman also noted a table had

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been overturned, and a bathroom smelled of cigarettes. The office does not allow smoking.

Police said both break-ins appear to have occurred when there was rain.

The incident was classified as a felony burglary of a business.

— Jon Wilcox

Police investigate Pokémon card fraud ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police secured two warrants Dec. 8 for the arrest of a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card to purchase a Pokémon card, Misty’s Tears, for just over $1,000.

A 19-year-old Roswell man, who owns a trading card store off Holcomb Bridge Road, told officers that three men entered the shop Dec. 5 and began browsing. He said they first attempted to purchase a Pokémon card valued at roughly $5,000, but the transaction was declined.

Later, one member of the group successfully purchased the Misty’s Tears card using the same credit card.

The store owner said he was feeling uncomfortable during the transaction and took photos of two of the three men’s IDs. The Roswell officer only identified the suspect who allegedly made the purchase by name, not including his birth date or residence. He later identified the second suspect as a 34-year-old New Jersey man.

The store owner said the real owner of the stolen card called him and reported the card had been used for another purchase at a nearby pet store.

Police said the store owner reimbursed the card owner.

Later, the officer said he obtained security footage of the purchase and attached it to the report.

A judge signed two warrants, theft by deception and attempt to commit a felony, for the arrest of the man who made the fraudulent purchase.

The case remains active as of Dec. 17.

— Hayden Sumlin

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A YEAR IN REVIEW

NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 1, 2026 | 3

Justice system hamstrings Fulton County finances

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners spent the past year rolling out new services in North Fulton, funding improvements at the Rice Street jail and fighting political battles.

A new, bipartisan voting bloc emerged on the County Commission in 2025 with the board’s only two Republicans joining with Chairman Robb Pitts and District 6 Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, both Democrats.

County commissioners Marvin Arrington Jr., Dana Barrett and Mo Ivory make up the opposing bloc, which tends toward progressive policies but lacks the majority necessary to pass most of its agenda.

The County Commission is a sevenmember body with an at-large chair and six representatives elected by constituents within their district.

For the past decade, Pitts has helmed the Fulton County Commission. Barrett and Arrington Jr. have announced campaigns to challenge his seat, up for reelection next year.

North Fulton has three elected officials on the County Commission.

Bridget Thorne represents District 1, which includes most of Alpharetta and Johns Creek east of Ga. 400 and parts of Roswell and Sandy Springs Bob Ellis represents most of the western side of Ga. 400 in District 2, including Milton, Mountain Park and parts of Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs.

Barrett represents southern Sandy Springs and Buckhead in District 3.

Residents speak out During property tax hearings this summer, residents from Milton to South Fulton turned out at Assembly Hall at the Fulton County Government Center to oppose any increase to the county’s tax rate on property.

Eventually, the County Commission kept the rate flat at 8.87 mills after Ivory cast the only vote for a tax hike.

While the rate owners pay on their property has declined over the past decade, the value of the property has risen. So, the county is collecting more money from residents.

During this winter’s 2026 budget discussion, county staff projected that in 2026 property owners may face around a 5 percent rate increase.

The County Commission will begin the process of setting a millage rate this summer and finalize it in August. A budget will be approved in January.

One reason behind the financial uncertainty is the Rice Street jail, which

of Chairwoman Sherri Allen after two Republican nominees failed to failed to receive enough votes from county commissioners.

In August, a State Superior Court judge ruled the County Commission must appoint Elections Board nominees submitted by the Republican Party’s executive officer.

But, commissioners dug in their heels, delaying a vote on the GOP nominees until a state Appellate Court ruling.

Right now, there is an empty seat on the five-member Elections Board.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry lobs criticism at the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in July during the first public hearing on the county’s property tax rate. Despite early speculation of a tax increase, the County Commission kept the millage rate flat. the county is under federal mandate to upgrade. The federal consent decree includes a monitor reviewing conditions to ensure the rights of incarcerated citizens are not violated.

The probe into the county’s Rice Street facility and three annexes – including one in Alpharetta that has been transferred to city ownership – began in 2023 after an unindicted inmate who had been in custody for eight months was murdered.

Justice Systems Programs Director Steve Nawrocki tracked compliance with the federal consent decree throughout the year.

Fulton County’s justice system includes agencies that operate independently, including the District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Superior and State courts and the Solicitor General.

The Fulton County Commission is projecting it must spend at least $32 million, possibly $60 million, to comply with the federal consent decree on its jail system.

In an August report, the monitoring team reported it was focused on staffing and supervision, repairing damaged appliances and alarm systems, inmate classification and mental health at the Rice Street jail in west Atlanta.

Property taxes account for most of the revenue in Fulton County’s operations – or general fund. The fund pays for constituent services, including senior and behavioral health, the Grady Health System, the Sheriff’s Office and all jail facilities, election management, libraries and animal services.

Added services in North Fulton In just a few months, North Fulton residents will have a new county facility off Ga. 400 in Alpharetta, expanding access to health and human services.

In November, local leaders gathered at 4770 North Point Parkway for a hard-hat tour of the nearly completed Fulton County Health and Human Services North facility.

The center will centralize and expand

existing services while making room for new ones, like specialized services for independent seniors and an adult day care for those in assisted living or with caregivers.

Elections Board drama Commissioners voted along party lines when making appointments to the Registration and Elections Board.

North Fulton commissioners Ellis and Thorne voted against the reappointment

MARTA transition The County Commission also received regular updates from interim MARTA CEO Jonathan Hunt at bimonthly meetings after Collie Greenwood stepped down in August amid issues with his immigration status.

While Metro Atlanta is preparing for next summer’s FIFA World Cup, Hunt said the transit agency is focusing on increasing ridership and ensuring safety and reliability.

While it’s not a project managed by the county, the Georgia Department of Transportation and Peach State Partners’ 400 Express Lanes project is expected to begin heavy construction next year.

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A LOOK AHEAD

OPINION

Sheriff says jail workforce will continue dedication I have always led with a simple philosophy: “We do not have problems, we have opportunities.”

2025 made this belief unmistakably clear. In a year marked by a failing PATRICK ‘PAT’ LABAT facility, little Fulton County Sheriff support from certain members of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners (BOC), and the stark reminder that jails have become de facto mental health institutions around the country, our team continued to show up with purpose.

For that I am deeply grateful.

Perhaps the most notable opportunity before us this year was the enactment of the federal consent decree. It has become our roadmap to our future, and it forced us, the BOC, and county administration to confront hard truths we need to work collaboratively to solve. While many may view this action as a negative, I chose to embrace it to assess what is wrong and reimagine what is possible!

Looking back As I reflect on 2025, much was said about my leadership and the state of the Fulton County Jail, often without a full grounding in the facts that guide my decisions. In dealing with the facts, you will find the real progress.

• The fact is that our agency was recognized as the 2025 Technology Champion of the Year by the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, an affirmation of my conviction that technology is best leveraged to make people’s lives better.

• The fact is that our technological prowess was made tangible through our Drone Interdiction pilot program, which resulted in one of the largest contraband interdictions in the history of the Fulton County Jail.

• The fact is that the Fulton County Jail earned reaccreditation for Quality Healthcare Services from the National

Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), reflecting my desire to see the humanity in every resident in our custody.

• The fact is that we also successfully secured another fouryear accreditation cycle from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), reinforcing my belief that we must set standards worthy of the citizens of this county.

• The fact is that all sworn personnel support jail operations since jail security belongs to the entire agency, demonstrating a balanced approach to meeting our constitutional responsibilities even in the face of limited resources.

Leading ahead 2025 brought meaningful accomplishments and placed important opportunities before us.

One such moment came when the BOC approved a $1.2 billion plan to renovate the Rice Street Jail and build a special-purpose mental health facility. I have compared this to knowing a house is on fire but having to wait years to build the fire station.

While the timeline is long, the decision provides a point of reference. As we move into 2026, I look forward to the following priorities: • I look forward to working with the BOC to ensure these plans remain centered on the urgent realities we face today, not just the promise of tomorrow.

• I look forward to strengthening recruitment and retention efforts so we can stabilize staffing levels and better serve the people of Fulton County.

• I look forward to expanding innovative public private partnerships that allow us to scale our drone program and advance the technological platforms that keep our facilities safer.

• I look forward to continuing to put people over politics to deepen my connection with the citizens I am so fortunate to serve.

2025 clarified our opportunities.

2026 demands we seize them together.

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OPINION

A LOOK AHEAD

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 1, 2026 | 5

Housing is not a side issue; It’s community infrastructure

By KATHY SWAHN, NANCY DIAMOND, JACK MURPHY North Fulton Improvement Network Executive Team In North Fulton, housing is often framed as a debate about density or neighborhood character. That framing misses the point. Housing isn’t a niche issue or a political talking point — it’s the infrastructure that determines whether our communities can function.

Jobs, schools, traffic, aging in place and economic competitiveness all run through housing. When working families, teachers, nurses and young professionals can’t afford to live near where they work, the consequences ripple outward. Commutes get longer. Schools lose enrollment and stability. Employers struggle to hire. Seniors are forced to move away from the communities they helped build.

That’s why the North Fulton Improvement Network exists. Not to push ideology or specific projects, but to connect dots that are too often discussed in isolation. Financial stability in a community doesn’t happen by accident. It requires shared information, coordinated leadership and the willingness to plan ahead rather than react in crisis.

This past year marked a turning point. Housing conversations in North Fulton have moved from awareness to influence. The language, data and framing around workforce housing are now showing up in public meetings, planning documents and even local elections. That shift matters. It signals that housing is no longer being discussed fearfully or abstractly, but thoughtfully and pragmatically.

One reason is timing. Long-term decisions about housing are shaped upstream, in comprehensive plans, long before individual rezoning requests ever reach city councils.

RECREATION & PARKS

Affordable housing continues to be a serious issue across North Metro Atlanta. Groups like the North Fulton Improvement Network are trying to help, and Appen Media is dedicated to covering the process.

Send ideas, questions and feedback to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

When housing choices are considered early — alongside schools, transportation, and economic development — communities gain real options. That’s how “missing middle” housing moves from a buzzword to a tool.

Another reason is education. Housing debates often fail because people don’t understand the tradeoffs. When residents can see how accessory dwelling units, duplexes or cottage courts actually look — and how they fit into existing neighborhoods — fear subsides. Clarity lowers the temperature. Visuals and shared data help people evaluate solutions on their merits rather than assumptions.

The data is sending clear signals. School enrollment is declining across parts of North Fulton, not because families don’t value education, but because many can no longer afford to stay. Teachers commute long distances. Employers report hiring delays. These aren’t abstract warnings; they’re indicators of a system under strain.

Progress also depends on convening the full system.

Real housing solutions require more than good intentions — they require capital, policy alignment and implementation capacity. When lenders, employers, school systems, nonprofits and local governments are in the same room, the conversation shifts from “why this is hard” to “what can work now.” Incremental solutions won’t solve everything, but they can move the needle.

JANUARY

Kathy Swahn, Nancy Diamond and Jack Murphy are members of North Fulton Improvement Network. Learn more at www.improvenorthfulton.org.

City Calendar & Events! 2026

January 1 New Year’s Day City offices closed

January 21 Recreation and Parks Advisory Meeting City Hall - 6 p.m.

January 12 City Council Work Session City Hall - 5 p.m.

January 30 - February 1 City Council Retreat

City Council Meeting City Hall - 7 p.m.

Scan the QR Code to learn more or to contact the City of Johns Creek!

January 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day City offices closed

Just as important are lived experiences. Housing policy isn’t theoretical to families choosing between rent and childcare, or to seniors trying to remain in their homes.

Grounding policy discussions in real stories keeps solutions tethered to reality and values.

Encouragingly, voters are beginning to ask better questions. In local elections, housing is increasingly connected to quality of life rather than framed as a threat. Success isn’t about who wins an election; it’s about raising expectations for informed leadership and honest planning.

The next year will be telling. Real progress looks like housing options clearly reflected in comprehensive plans, continued alignment across agencies and sectors, and public conversations that are informed rather than reactive.

Residents have a role to play. Look at the local housing market through the lens of area median income. How many move-in-ready homes are realistically available? What kinds of rentals exist for families? Then show up — to planning meetings, workshops and public discussions. Read your city’s comprehensive plan and ask questions.

There is no quick fix. That’s what makes this work hard — and necessary. The path forward starts with listening, learning and sharing information. North Fulton doesn’t need to agree on everything. But we do need to move past reflexive “no” and toward solutions we can agree will keep our communities strong.

Housing isn’t a side issue. It’s the foundation beneath everything else.

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COMMUNITY

6 | January 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

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Newspaper Delivery Route Openings with Appen Media Group We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas.

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partnership with Roswell Cultural Arts and Bookmiser, is doubling up on author events Jan. 10.

The “One City, One Read” program will host Paula McLain, the New York Times bestselling author of “The Paris Wife” and eight other titles, for two literary offerings on the same day.

The author of six novels, two poetry collections and a memoir, McLain’s work has been published in more than 35 countries and featured in the New York Times, The Guardian, Town & Country and elsewhere. Her latest novel, “Skylark,” will be released just four days earlier.

To celebrate, Roswell Reads has lined up a pair of presentations on Jan. 10, both at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell.

During a Writer to Writer event at 9:30 a.m., the Ohio-based author will explore her historical research process and the decision to structure “Skylark” using a dual timeline.

At 2 p.m., McLain will discuss “Skylark,” a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below, where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s.

Ticket options and details are below, along with other January events.

Thursday-Friday, Jan. 8-9, George Weinstein, Atlanta Writers Club executive director, selling and personalizing books at Kroger, 12460 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. both days. georgeweinstein. com Saturday, Jan. 10, Paula McLain spotlighting “Skylark” during two Roswell Reads activities at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. Tickets for the 9:30 a.m. Writer to Writer event are $15.

The main presentation will follow at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include an autographed and/or personalized hardback copy of “Skylark,” priority seating and a photo with McLain.

General admission tickets are $15. roswellcac.showare.com/ eventperformances.asp?evt=225 Saturday, Jan. 10, Vanessa Riley debuting her novel, “Fire Sword and Sea,” with copies sold by Johns Creek Books. 3 p.m. Free. Gwinnett County Snellville Library, 2245 Wisteria Drive SW, Snellville.

Thursday, Jan. 22, Dreams Workshop with author Michelle

LIESA COLE/PROVIDED

New York Times bestselling author Paula McLain will be featured at two presentations Jan. 10 at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.

Wilson. Focused on crafting a goaloriented vision board, the workshop is based on Wilson’s book, “So I Can Love You Longer.” 4 p.m. Free. Forsyth County Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming. forsythpl.org/ event/15025014 Tuesday, Jan. 27, Lynn Cullen launching her latest historical fiction novel, “When We Were Brilliant,” based on Marilyn Monroe’s friendship with the documentary photographer Eve Arnold.

6 p.m. Free. Presented by Bookmiser with and at the Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Milton. bookmiser.net/ events.html Friday, Saturday and Monday, Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 2, Friends of the Roswell Library Book Sale. See website for hours and details. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. 404612-9700. forl.net.

Saturday, Jan. 31, meet Piper Huguley, author of “American Daughters” and “By Her Own Design.”

Bookmiser and Friends of the Sandy Springs Library will host Huguley at 2 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs. bookmiser.net/events.html

NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 1, 2026 | 7

Johns Creek mother seeks answers in daughter’s death

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Tiffany Sims wants justice for her daughter.

More than six years ago, 17-year-old Mercedes Chico-Sims was found dead at a Roswell pool near her Johns Creek home.

On Nov. 25, Elijah Foster pleaded guilty in Fulton County Superior Court to concealing the death of another and making a false statement. He was sentenced to six years in prison and four years of probation.

“The events of May 29, 2019, shattered our world in a way that words can barely describe,” Sims said at Foster’s plea hearing. “We live with a constant, almost unbearable need for the truth.”

She said she finds it unthinkable that no one was ever charged with homicide in Mercedes’ death.

“Mercedes was a victim, and now my family is a victim of the system,” Sims said.

Motivated by a lack of clear answers in Mercedes’ death, a Johns Creek podcast producer has begun work to reexamine the evidence and release a report.

Jaime Albright, a Johns Creek podcast producer who works for Tenderfoot TV is teaming with Laurah Norton, creator of the true-crime podcast “The Fall Line,” to produce a program on Mercedes’ death in the spring.

Tenderfoot TV is the studio behind “Up and Vanished” and “Atlanta Monster.”

A life cut short Mercedes was born Sept. 10, 2001, the day before the world erupted in turmoil. Despite the 16-year-old mother’s worries, she found solace in her first child’s peaceful disposition.

“Here I am having a baby, and the world around me is falling apart, but there was just so much joy,” Sims said before the Nov. 25 plea hearing. “She was perfect. She was just calm, sweet, and she hardly cried. All she did was smile.”

Loving her daughter came easy, but life was anything but. The teenage mother worked two jobs, McDonald’s in the morning and Subway at night.

Making ends meet was a constant struggle. Sims found a roommate to split bills and got help from friends, who watched her daughter.

“That sounds brutal, and yeah, it was very brutal, but it was the only way I could pay my bills and survive,” Sims said.

After her shifts, Sims would run home to spend what precious time she had left with Mercedes.

TIFFANY SIMS/PROVIDED

Mercedes Chico-Sims, 17, was found dead May 29, 2019 at The Atlantic Newtown apartment complex, 9230 Nesbit Ferry Road.

“If it was late at night, and a lot of times it was, I would literally get her out of her crib and put her in bed with me,” Sims said.

As the years passed, Mercedes’ personality emerged.

Outgoing and imaginative, she got along with her younger sister Savannah and made friends easily. She also loved the spotlight, sometimes pretending to be a newscaster, other times a vampire to elicit a playful scare from her mother.

In her teenage years, she was popular with peers and got involved heavily with a church youth group. She also did well in school, making it onto the honor roll.

“I don’t think she met anybody that didn’t become her friend,” Sims said, recalling an instance in which her daughter made friends with a girl she had a disagreement with. “She was just one of those people.”

‘My heart sank’ Mercedes spent May 28 with family, but she seemed bored and asked to attend a graduation party that evening.

Sims was hesitant but gave in with the proviso that Mercedes return home quickly. Eager to continue having fun after the party, the teen asked her mother if her boyfriend could stay over.

Sims put her foot down, forbidding the visit, a decision that has haunted her.

“I was just like, I don’t want to deal with that tonight,” Sims said. “Looking back now, I feel like if I would just let

him come over, she would still be here.”

That night, Sims said goodnight to her daughter, who was on her phone on the couch, and felt nothing apart from an inkling of mother’s intuition. But looking back, Sims said she should have known her daughter might sneak out.

“I felt like she was giving me that look like I’m up to something,” Sims said. “She just smiled at me and said, ‘I love you, mom. Goodnight.’”

When Sims stopped by her daughter’s bedroom the next morning, she instantly knew something was wrong. The bed, which was made up to look like the teen was asleep in it, was empty. Mercedes was missing.

“She’s not there, and my heart sank down into my stomach, and I’m walking up sitting and I’m like, ‘Savannah, where’s your sister? Where’s your sister?’” Sims said. “I’m like, freaking out, hyperventilating.”

Mercedes often had friends over at her house, but Foster, now 25, was one her mother was unfamiliar with.

In a panic, Sims went through her daughter’s Snapchat account, which led her to Foster’s home.

Foster answered the door but denied knowing where Mercedes was, Sims said. The mother left, contacted the police and continued searching, retracing Mercedes’ steps.

Police found the teen near a pool at The Atlantic Newtown apartment complex, 9230 Nesbit Ferry Road.

“I could see the yellow tape, and I just ran over there,” Sims said.

Found guilty At Foster’s plea hearing, prosecutors said police conducted an “extensive” investigation into Mercedes’ death.

Dion Peeples, senior assistant district attorney, said Mercedes had returned to the pool that evening to meet with Foster after attending a party earlier in the day.

Peeples also said Mercedes, who was found with injuries to her head, died of drowning.

“What ends up happening, your honor, is that some sort of horseplay in the pool ensues,” he said. “Law enforcement were unable to determine who was doing what in the pool … It was determined later that Mr. Foster had moved her body and concealed it until it was discovered by workers the next day.”

The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office did not respond to questions about the case.

During the hearing, Peeples acknowledged Sims’ dissatisfaction with Foster’s prosecution but said he believed the charge was appropriate.

“There’s a hole in her family that can never be filled,” Peeples said. “However, judge, speaking with the detective and

looking through the case file extensively myself, the charges that were applied to Mr. Foster are appropriate.”

At the hearing, Foster, who has a criminal history that includes burglary, credit card theft and statutory rape, apologized for concealing Mercedes’ body but made no comment about whether he was involved in her death.

“I did try and save Mercedes, and I am guilty of concealing her body,” he said. “I was shocked. I didn’t know what to do.”

Questions remain Sims rejects the idea that her daughter’s death was an accident.

She thinks it unlikely that Mercedes could have suffered a fatal accident at the pool.

“She’s been swimming since she was 3 years old,” Sims said.

Blood toxicology tests showed no sign of alcohol in Mercedes’ system, a medical examiner’s report said.

The report also found evidence of injuries to her head.

Sims also points to the numerous Snapchat messages she found as evidence that someone was trying to lure her there.

Although Sims said she still doesn’t know what happened that night, she knows she still has questions. The mother said she has doubts about how the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office handled her daughter’s case, adding that the office communicated poorly with her and often failed to properly update her.

Over the past six years, Sims said Mercedes’ case was handed off to several different prosecutors, making her wonder whether it was a priority.

“How could they do an extensive investigation if the file keeps switching from person to person to person?” Sims said. “Like every prosecutor that I spoke to said ‘Oh, I’m going to have to look into this. I just got the case.’”

Sims admits after a “long” six years she is tired, but she said she will continue to fight for the truth. Her biggest fears are that her daughter will be forgotten and that those who know something will never come forward.

“I feel like her story has kind of fallen away because people just assumed that everything’s been taken care of because of how long it’s been,” Sims said. “But it’s still very active for us.”

Close to home Albright said she was compelled to investigate the case in part because of how little attention it has received. But she said she was moved to look further because of how it hit close to home.

See SIMS, Page 22

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Delta Community announces fourth Fulton County branch ROSWELL, Ga. — Delta Community Credit Union announced plans to open a new branch in Roswell by summer 2026, marking its fourth location in North Fulton County.

The branch will become the 32nd metro Atlanta location for Georgia’s largest credit union, providing convenience for members living in Roswell and surrounding communities.

Delta Community Credit Union is a not-for -profit financial cooperative founded in 1940 that has since become Georgia’s largest credit union.

The branch will occupy a 3,700-square-foot space in the Stonebridge Square shopping center located at 660 W. Crossville Road, Suite 110.

“Our future Roswell branch will enhance service to approximately 4,000 existing members who live within a 5-mile radius of the location,” CEO Hank Halter said.

“With existing branches in Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs, we are excited to expand our presence in North Fulton and provide more local residents access to the superior care and value that we offer on essential banking services.”

Delta Community’s Roswell branch will be staffed by a 10-person team.

The location will feature parking for members and two ATM machines that also function as ITMs. — Hannah Yahne

The exterior of the Delta Community Credit Union’s location in Vinings.

Chapel of Reflections Our chapel mausoleum offers timeless options of both cremation and traditional burial.

Contact us for further information on the Chapel of Reflections and our many other offerings.

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Laura Numeroff, author of the beloved children’s classic, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” chats with elementary students Nov. 5 at The Cottage School in south Roswell.

Beloved children’s author visits The Cottage School ROSWELL, Ga. — The Cottage School welcomed Laura Numeroff, the awardwinning author of the children’s classic, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” for a special chat Nov. 5 with elementary students.

During her visit, Numeroff, shared insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her whimsical stories and the joy she finds in storytelling.

The exclusive opportunity gave elementary students the chance to engage with the celebrated author whose books highlight imagination, kindness and curiosity.

Margaret Olsen, marketing manager at The Cottage School, said the Cougars were delighted to have Numeroff visit the campus off Holcomb Bridge Road.

“At The Cottage School, experiences like this directly support our mission to nurture confident, independent learners,” Olsen said. “By connecting students with inspiring authors, we create opportunities that encourage self-advocacy and spark creativity.”

The Cottage School says the author’s talk is an example of its continued mission to foster a lifelong love of reading and learning in its students.

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Elementary schoolers at The Cottage School laugh and smile during a chat with children’s author Laura Numeroff Nov. 5.

Her book, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” has been read by generations of Americans since it was first published in 1985.

Founded in 1985, the K-12 school provides a specialized educational environment for students with learning differences.

Coincidentally, both The Cottage School and “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” celebrated 40th anniversaries in 2025.

For more information, visit www.cottageschool.org.

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NEWS

Rising costs for insurance could spur legislation

By TY TAGAMI Capitol Beat ATLANTA — Like just about everything, the cost of insurance has been rising, fueling frustration that state leaders say they want to address.

Policy holders complain of expensive insurance that does not pay out as promised. At the same time, insurers see an unattractive market in Georgia.

Georgia ranked 50th in profitability for insurance companies last year among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, said Robert Hoyt of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

Hoyt, speaking at the final hearing last week of a committee of lawmakers concerned about insurance costs, said low profits can drive insurers from the market, reducing competition.

Profits were down 8.7% in the state versus 7.8% average gains nationally, he said. That kind of imbalance encourages companies to take their business elsewhere.

“Less availability can lead to higher prices,” he said.

The House of Representatives’ BlueRibbon Study Committee on Insurance Rates met for a final time in Gwinnett County on Thursday after holding

hearings in Atlanta, Savannah and Macon.

Despite the discouraging statistics from last year, the lawmakers heard some positive news.

Three companies recently announced reductions in their auto policy premiums, according to state Insurance Commissioner John King.

Safeco Insurance Company of Illinois is cutting rates 5.1%, Safeco Insurance Company of Indiana is reducing them 4.9% and Liberty Mutual Personal Insurance Company is lowering rates by 5.7%.

King attributed the reductions to the state’s anti-fraud efforts and to the “lawsuit abuse reforms” lawmakers adopted earlier this year, a reference to tort law changes that were a priority for Gov. Brian Kemp during the last legislative session.

The legislation passed largely along party lines, with Democrats arguing it shielded insurers from liability and denied claimants adequate legal redress.

Lawmakers on the House committee heard complaints about insurers who refused to pay claims because, the critics said, state laws did not hold them to account.

“Insurance companies expect

policyholders to pay their bills on time, every time,” said a woman who sued her insurer after months of battling over repair costs from a fallen tree. “When it’s their turn to pay, there are often no real consequences for delay or denial.”

Auto repair companies talked of insurers who refused to pay the full cost to repair cars to manufacturers’ standards.

They shared stories about owners who fought insurers for months and finally paid out of pocket, desperate to get their vehicles back.

“The insurance company will drag their feet,” said Frankie Johnson, owner of Styles Auto Care in Cartersville.

He said his customers had shared hundreds of their email threads with insurers that illustrated their predicament.

Companies want to delay the repair process, he said, “hoping that everyone will just give up.”

Johnson sized up the situation: “The current rights of the consumer are not much.”

There were similar stories about tactics in medical care.

Rachael Auyer, of the Georgia Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists, had a client who lost her leg below the knee in an automobile collision.

An avid marathoner, the 39-yearold teacher was denied a running prosthesis, Auyer said, because it was not deemed medically necessary.

Auyer said the Rome woman, a special education teacher, also had to hop to the bathroom because the insurer did not deem a shower prosthesis to be medically necessary.

“Physicians don’t determine medical necessity,” Auyer said, “insurance companies do.”

Rep. Matt Reeves, R-Duluth, chaired the study committee. He said in an interview that lawmakers will be scrutinizing prices, profits and the way claims are processed.

Reeves, who serves as vice chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said the state needs to review its fines for insurance companies that act in bad faith to ensure penalties are significant enough to deter misbehavior.

Insurance affordability will likely inspire legislation during the legislative session that starts in January, he said.

“I think it’ll be a robust session on insurance.”

This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.

Georgia ACA enrollment falls as federal changes push prices higher

By REBECCA GRAPEVINE Healthbeat ATLANTA — As federal changes drive up the cost of Affordable Care Act health insurance plans for next year, about 190,000 fewer people in Georgia had enrolled ahead of the Dec. 15 open enrollment deadline than last year, data show.

While about 1.5 million people had enrolled by the deadline in 2024, this year about 1.3 million people had, according to data from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Georgia Department of Insurance.

More than two-thirds of current enrollees were automatically enrolled into the same or similar plan for 2026, meaning they took no action to select a plan for next year, spokesperson Bryce Rawson said. Those customers could face sticker shock as higher premiums come due in January.

Some may decide not to pay and eventually be disenrolled, Rawson said, adding it will take a few months to figure out the impact of the higher rates.

Georgians had to enroll by Dec. 15 to ensure coverage started Jan. 1. Those

who missed the deadline have until Jan. 15 to enroll for coverage to start Feb. 1.

The higher ACA prices for next year are due to the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies first enacted in 2021. Congress has not renewed the subsidies, though four House Republicans have joined with Democrats to force a vote on the issue next year.

Other federal policy changes to ACA and Medicaid policies are also expected to drive up the number of uninsured Georgians in the coming years. An estimate from the Georgia Health Initiative found that those and other federal changes could result in close to a half-million people losing health insurance between 2025 and 2034.

Those would be added to 1 million Georgians under age 65 who are already uninsured.

Public health advocates say the increase in uninsured Georgians could result in greater pressure on local health departments, charity clinics, and hospitals, as uninsured people seek health care they can’t pay for. Those pressures will be made more acute by cuts in funding for safety-net hospitals and potentially dramatic public health funding reductions.

How insurance coverage changes can impact public health Local health departments often provide low-cost or free basic health services to uninsured people. They rely on revenue from insurance for services they provide to patients on Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and employer-sponsored insurance plans.

How much local public health departments bring in from insurance varies widely, however.

For example, only about 5% of DeKalb Public Health’s $46 million budget comes from fees patients pay out-of-pocket or through insurance for services. That’s nearly evenly split between out-of-pocket payments and payments from Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurers.

Of the $3.3 million the county health department received for these services, $2.6 million came from patients paying out of pocket, with the remainder coming from services provided to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance.

In rural Miller County, in southwest Georgia, 15%, or nearly $60,000, of the county’s public health budget comes from fees for services provided to patients. The vast majority of that came

from patients with insurance, whether private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare, with only about 9% of that revenue coming from patients who paid out of pocket.

“We’ve relied on Medicaid reimbursement, private insurance reimbursement, to make health departments run well and to fund their work, and some of that money is going to go away, and there’s no funds there to immediately replace it,” said Scott Thorpe, executive director of nonprofit Southern Alliance for Public Health Leadership.

“What we know is that in particular, for rural communities and underserved communities, when people lose access to care, they tend to rely more on safetynet services like those provided at their county health department,” said Leah Chan, director of health justice at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.

Thorpe said he doesn’t expect health departments to have to close their doors if funding decreases and demand for services increases. Instead, agencies will spread staffers out to provide services on an increasingly thin basis.

See INSURANCE, Page 11

Insurance: Continued from Page 10 That could detract from other important preventive programs like lead testing.

“They’re a customer-facing organization, and they want to do everything they can to continue to offer the services that they offer because they … want to do the best job they can,” Thorpe said.

Charity clinics and hospitals are also anticipating an increase in demand for their services, though with federal funding up in the air, they aren’t sure what the impact will be.

Dr. Theresa Jacobs of the Georgia Primary Care Association, which represents the state’s federally qualified health centers, said those clinics are not yet seeing an impact, but the organization will be watching what happens at the federal level in January.

Jeremy Cole, executive director of the Mosaic Clinic in Clarkston, which serves uninsured people, said there is a lot of uncertainty about how federal changes will affect his team’s work, but they are planning for a “significant increase” in uninsured patients seeking their services.

“What we are currently anticipating and planning for, unless things change,

NEWS is a domino effect in the years ahead, each one causing more people to lose their health insurance: first, the lapsing of the enhanced subsidies on Jan. 1 (again, unless Congress acts before then); second, the cutting of federal benefits for refugees and asylees who have been here less than 5 years (this is at least how we understand it, although it is all a bit confusing) starting next October; and finally, the Medicaid cuts that we understand go into effect in 2027,” Cole said.

Georgia hospitals are also concerned, said Anna Adams, senior vice president of government relations at the Georgia Hospital Association. Hospitals will continue to provide care to patients but may not be compensated for that care if people are uninsured, forcing them to “stretch already scarce resources.”

Federal funding for public health in jeopardy Meanwhile, it’s unclear exactly how public health will be funded in fiscal 2026. About half of Georgia’s public health funding comes from the government – much of it funneled through grants administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Congress has not yet decided on a budget for fiscal 2026, but President Donald Trump’s proposal would dramatically cut the agency’s funding. If adopted, that would have

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 1, 2026 | 11

downstream effects on state and local public health funding.

That’s left a question mark hanging over planning for Georgia’s budget process, which will start when the legislature opens in January.

The state public health department has presented a mostly flat budget request that assumes federal funding will continue and provides state funding at current levels. Commissioner Kathleen Toomey did not address potential federal cuts during a preliminary December budget hearing at the state Capitol.

Once the session starts on Jan. 12, the legislature will first take up the current year’s budget and make any adjustments needed, said Rep. Darlene Taylor, a Republican from Thomasville who is chairwoman of the House appropriations health subcommittee.

After that, legislators will work on the budget for next year.

Taylor said she anticipates Congress enacting the fiscal 2026 budget by the time the state legislature gets to that budget, which would resolve many questions about how much money the state will have for public health and other programs.

She is concerned about Georgians’ access to health care and the burden hospitals and health departments could face, but emphasized that there are resources for Georgians seeking care.

One area Taylor wants to ensure continues to get funded is public health education, she said, pointing to the work public health departments do in educating people about “everything from stop smoking to diabetes control.”

She said she’d work to plug holes in funding for such educational efforts if needed.

“Until I see that budget, I really can’t say, let’s plug the hole here,” Taylor said.

She cited resources for Georgians who lack insurance, including public health departments, charity clinics, and hospitals.

But those entities could be crunched by a change enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill signed by Trump in July to payments Georgia uses to supplement rural hospital funding. Those cuts will be phased in beginning in 2028 and, along with other changes, will reduce funding for safety-net and rural hospitals, according to a Georgia Health Initiative analysis.

“If you go to the hospital, and you don’t have insurance, they’re still going to treat you,” Taylor said. “What concerns me there is the cost and the burden for the hospital to be able to treat patients when they’re not being compensated for it.”

This story was provided by Appen Media partner Healthbeat.

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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

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NEWS

Alpharetta jail reopens, ready to accept inmates ALPHARETTA, Ga. — After months of preparation, the jail in Alpharetta is back in action.

City officials marked the reopening Dec. 15 with a ribbon cutting in what had been the Fulton County North Annex Jail. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office withdrew its operation of the facility in September, leaving Alpharetta the opportunity to take back the keys of the detention center it once ran.

Alpharetta ceded operation of the jail to the Sheriff’s Office 20 years ago.

Faced with long transport times to Fulton County’s downtown jail, the Alpharetta City Council decided in the fall to retake management of the jail, approving $1.6 million for eight months of operation.

Following the reopening ceremony, Police Chief Trent Lindgren said he was relieved to finally see the finished product that has dominated his attention since his appointment in August.

“Well, the stress level already has gone down just by having this event,”

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Alpharetta officials gather for a ribbon-cutting in the booking room of the Alpharetta Detention Center Dec. 15.

Lindgren said.

“Honestly, at the end of the day, I feel grateful, not only for the support of the mayor and the council and the city administration, but for our staff, for the people who just put so many hours into this.”

A city-run jail in Alpharetta is a benefit to the community’s overall safety, Lindgren said. Previously, many arrested on misdemeanor charges, such as driving while intoxicated or theft, were

released with tickets, he said. A cityrun jail also allows local courts to better impose probation terms, city staff said.

“When you don’t have a facility, especially for local charges or for state misdemeanors, these people are just getting released right back out into the community,” Lindgren said. “And so, there’s no consequences for bad actions.”

The Alpharetta Detention Center includes 72 beds, holding areas for men and women, a kitchen, offices, sally port

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and other features. After the sheriff’s office vacated the building, city officials repainted and refurbished the jail.

Running the jail, a task the city had not engaged in since the 1990s, also required hiring 15 staffers and developing standards for safe operation.

Those tasks presented a considerable challenge to city staff, the police chief said.

“When we decided to take this on, we knew it was going to be a big deal,” Lindgren said. “We didn’t know it was going to be 100 decisions a day for months on end, trying to figure out how to solve all these problems.”

The Police Department is now looking forward to further training jail staff, settling into daily operations and housing its first inmates.

Alpharetta officials also are seeking to formalize agreements with nearby cities, charging a fee to house their inmates.

Alpharetta City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom said the city is engaging in discussions with Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell to set up inmate detainment arrangements. He said the Alpharetta City Council could review agreements with those cities in February.

“Our council is ready to talk,” he said.

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Puzzles

er 1/1/26 Connect-It

PuzzleJunction.com

Connect-It

Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com

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 6, 4 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!

Johns Creek Herald......................................January 1, 2026 | 21

1

BY THE SEA 1. Sea between Greece and Turkey.

Casino game. Cozy spot.

2. One-pot meal. Sea between Israel and Jordan. Oz bigshot.

3. Adhesive. Follower of Mary. Sea between Alaska and Siberia.

4. Kind of button. Sea NE of Australia. Jockey’s whip.

5. Hate. Shrinking Asian sea.

Napoleon exile site.

6. Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. Exploding star. Safe place.

7. Snake speak. Witches’ assembly.

PuzzleJunction.com Sea of the Orkney Islands..

2 3 4 5 6

1/1/26 Sudoku7

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

1. between Greece and Turkey. game.letter Cozy spot. giving you the correct number of letters for each the Sea first letter of the second answer, and so on.Casino The connecting is outlined,

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 must contain the numbers to line.

9. bebox for the second or third answer in 1that it? Good luck! and 3.

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Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com

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

Solution 4 9 8 2 5 3 6 1 7

1 3 2 6 7 9 8 5 4

5 6 7 4 8 1 9 2 3

2 8 1 5 4 7 3 6 9

3 4 9 1 2 6 7 8 5

6 7 5 3 9 8 1 4 2

9 2 6 8 3 5 4 7 1

7 1 4 9 6 2 5 3 8

8 5 3 7 1 4 2 9 6

How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid.

The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.

Dunwoody Crier 1/1/26 Crossword

Across

1

1 LaBeouf of Transformers 5 Treat in a shell 8 Pavarotti solo 12 Line dance 14 Inlet 15 ___-pointe (ballet) 16 Like some buckets 17 Pizzeria fixture 18 Obliterates 19 Rendezvous 20 Car dealer’s offering 22 Erie Canal mule 23 Hero type 25 Concert finale 27 One-spots 31 Perry’s creator 33 Fender blemish 34 Coarse jute fabric 36 Smithy’s tool 38 Greek letter 40 Many and different 44 Passé 46 Moon of Neptune 47 Palmist, e.g.

49 Hide well 51 Cravings 52 Amulets 54 Nonexistent 56 Chicken order 57 Melodies 59 Atmospheres 64 Paella pot 66 Red vegetable 67 Like krypton 68 Allege as fact

2

PuzzleJunction.com

3

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Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com

69 Son of Aphrodite 70 Chain of hills 71 Etta of the comics 72 Director Howard 73 Tugboat sound Down 1 Highlander 2 Icy coating 3 Jet black 4 Many moons 5 Short story?

6 Eye layer 7 Uptight 8 Wood-shaping tool

9 Sanity 10 Bestow 11 Seating request 13 Pro’s foe 14 Amber or umber 21 Salad green 24 Train stop 26 Stew vegetable 27 Playwright Burrows 28 Recipe measurement 29 Hosp. areas 30 Pitcher’s pitch 32 Armageddon 35 Scares 37 Floor covering 39 Snout

41 Sandpiper 42 Sermon subject 43 Asner and Begley 45 Castle area 47 Put on hold 48 Young raptor 50 Corrodes 52 Flowing outer garment 53 Judicious 55 Hideout 58 Handel opera 60 Condo division 61 Make over 62 Jason’s ship 63 “Let it stand” 65 Frick collection

See puzzle solutions on Page 31

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22 | January 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Review: Continued from Page 1 A 20-year bond was expected to increase city property taxes between 14.5 and 17.5 percent depending on property values.

Cracks within the council’s support of the project began to appear as early as June when a contentious meeting ended in a split vote for a measure to add the bond referendum to November ballots.

During the meeting, tempers flared as council members voiced their

Bradberry: Continued from Page 1 There’s always room for improvement, and I’m looking forward to working with the City Council and all of you on how we can continue to move forward together. There were many important issues raised during the campaign, and many definitely deserve diving into further to see what if any changes we might need to make.

2026 is shaping up to be a

Sims: Continued from Page 7 “We have a responsibility as neighbors and community members to make sure that we don’t forget Mercedes and that her story is known, so that her family can get some type of resolution,” Albright

NEWS

disagreement.

The vote was 4-3 with Mayor John Bradberry and council members Dilip Tunki, Chris Coughlin and Erin Elwood in support. Council members Stacy Skinner, Bob Erramilli and Larry DiBiase voted in opposition.

“After careful consideration, I believe the project funding strategy is suspect,” Erramilli said before the vote. “In good conscience, I cannot ask myself to set this project to fail.”

Amid calls for order, some council members chastised their colleagues on the dais.

“I am incredulous at this moment.

There was unanimous consent at the

work session,” Coughlin said during the meeting, his voice rising with emotion. “Shame on you. Shame on all three of you. That is ridiculous.”

Proponents of the project pointed to Sandy Springs and its City Springs Performing Arts Center as an example of how such a resource could draw visitors and boost the local economy.

They also said it would provide a much-needed entertainment venue and serve as a home for groups like the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra.

Critics said they wondered how much the building would be used, voicing worries it would lie dormant most of the time. Others said they

had concerns about the impact to tax bills and whether residents could be saddled with ballooning construction and upkeep costs.

The issue also became a talking point for mayoral candidate Kelly Stewart’s campaign, who fell short of unseating incumbent John Bradberry.

As the city moves into 2026, city officials say they have no plans to pursue the performing arts center. Instead, they are beginning discussions for an indoor recreation center.

In the meantime, the proposed art center’s property remains under city ownership.

landmark year, not just for Johns Creek but for our entire nation as we approach America 250 — the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding. What better time to display our patriotism and reconnect with the founding principles that make our nation great?

I encourage every household and business to fly the American flag proudly. I encourage homeowners associations and neighborhoods to fly the American flag at entrances and common areas. Let’s make Johns Creek a shining example of American civic pride.

We’ll mark America 250 in style with our biggest-ever Independence Day celebration at the new Boardwalk Park in Town Center this summer.

Town Center comes to life Speaking of Boardwalk Park, this summer will be transformative for our Town Center. The park will open alongside Medley (October 2026) and the large pedestrian tunnel connecting the western side of 141 to Town Center. Combined with new and expanding businesses, Town Center is about to come into full bloom.

Progress across the city Town Center may be our highest-profile development, but improvements are happening citywide. The new fire station and police substation in Newtown will open. Road, intersection, sidewalk and park projects will start or continue. Simply put, we’re going to keep making Johns Creek better for everyone.

I’m honored to serve as your mayor and excited about what we’ll accomplish together in 2026.

I wish you and yours a safe, prosperous, and happy New Year!

said.

The case stayed with her because of the unanswered questions and because it unfolded less than a mile from her home. She said she wonders about the case almost daily because she drives by the pool regularly.

“Once I started working on the case, every time I drove by that pool, I just thought it’s right there in

our backyard,” she said. “How has this family been suffering in silence alone? It really bothered me.”

Albright learned of Mercedes’ death from her son, who attended Centennial High School with Mercedes.

Although Foster was convicted of concealing a body, Albright thinks new information coming to light could reopen the case.

Albright implores anyone in the community who may know something to step forward. She recalled one person producers interviewed who did not realize he had attended the graduation party before Mercedes’ death.

“There are absolutely people out there who know something, and they may not even realize that they know something,” she said.

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PAST TENSE

OPINION

Mary Briggs Court, Orleans Court and other street names In October, I shared the stories behind a few local road names submitted by local residents to Jim Perkins in 1997. Perkins had a list of street names he continued to research. The 2025 Dunwoody Crier readers answered the call and shared what they know about road names, including new ones not on VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Perkins’ list.

Developers often pick a name Columnist that has meaning to them and that is the case for Mary Briggs Court and Brandy Turk Way, located off Happy Hollow Road. Dunwoody resident Gary Barnett knew the story behind these names.

“Buster Humphrey of Buford, Georgia, developed that little subdivision back in the 1960s” he said.

Barnett recalls the names came from Humphrey’s grandchildren.

The story behind the street names Briers North Drive and Brierwood Drive were shared by Joe Bowen.

Builder Duane Brownlow first developed and built streets with these same names in Stone Mountain near the intersection of East Ponce de Leon Avenue and Hambrick Road. Brownlow told Bowen he chose the names because he liked the Uncle Remus stories told by Joel Chandler Harris.

When Brownlow developed Briers North in Dunwoody in 1986, he used Briers North Drive and Brierwood Drive again. Bowen and his wife bought the first home in Stone Mountain’s The Briers and the first home in Briers North in 1986.

Scott Nichols grew up on Orleans Court in Chateau Woods, along with his parents and brothers.

His parents bought the home in 1964 while it was still under construction. Jim Cowart developed and built homes in the neighborhood, while his cousin John Cowart worked as a real estate agent for Chateau Woods. R.W. Tillis also built homes in Chateau Woods.

Street names in Chateau Woods include Chateau Drive, Chateau Court, Orleans Drive, Orleans Court, Rochelle Drive and Rochelle Court. Nichols was told the neighborhood and street names with a French influence were chosen because someone had an affinity for Tulane University.

David Long of Dunwoody remembers that Pernoshal Court was derived from the words “Perimeter, North and Shallowford.” The street name

Chateau Woods was advertised throughout 1962, including this Oct. 14 ad in the Atlanta Journal. goes back to the early 1970s when condominiums were first constructed along the road. The developments were named Shallowford North, Pernoshal Court and Wellington Place condominiums.

A 1980 ad for Wellington Place Condominiums gives an address of Pernoshal Court in Chamblee, 30341.

Pernoshal Park was officially named in 2015 after a contest was held for the community to vote between the names Pernoshal Park, Hightower Trail Park,

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Muscogee Park, Magnolia Park and Old Buck Park.

(Dunwoody Crier, Aug. 4, 2015, “Dunwoody contest to name new park”) Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

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PRESERVING THE PAST

OPINION

Donald Mitchell, giant of historic preservation, retires When Donald Mitchell announced that he would step down from the Alpharetta City Council in 2025, shockwaves reverberated from end to end of BOB MEYERS the local historic Columnist preservation community.

“He has been the spearhead for any historic preservation projects in Alpharetta during his 14 years and two months in office” says Bonnie Steadman, chair of the Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. His influence was felt throughout North Fulton County, but council members are term limited and Don reached his limit.

Around 1835, Alpharetta was an accumulation of tents known as New Prospect Campground that served as a rural stopping point for travelers and traders going to and from markets in what would become Atlanta. Around the same time, the community of Farmhouse was being established about a mile away. Alpharetta was incorporated in 1858, the same year that Milton County was established.

Alpharetta became the county seat.

In 1932, Milton County was suffering the effects of the Great Depression and merged with Fulton County to preserve what limited services it was able to offer its residents. Alpharetta gradually prospered, growing from a country town of 3,000 in 1980 to its current population exceeding 67,000 with a per capita income greater than $92,000.

Donald Mitchell has always maintained that one of his primary goals on the City Council was to save Alpharetta’s history.

“I wanted to combine history with preservation and progress,” he says.

He focused initially on some 60 properties, mostly 19th century and early 20th century homes and stores.

There was no recorded history of Alpharetta, and Donald was aware that residents were passing away faster than the old properties could be recorded.

“People felt that we had no history and that it was high time to have a voice and someone to root for them,” he says. “They became like a family to me. Today we have more than 60 structures recorded. We are saving historic houses and most recently we saved Farmhouse, the original settlement that became Alpharetta. It

APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO

Alpharetta City Councilman Donald Mitchell was part of a team leading the dedication of a historic marker celebrating Milton High School’s 100th anniversary in 2021. will become an accessible city park.”

Donald says he wants history to accommodate the present.

“We wanted modern structures with designs consistent with the mid-1800s which it why you see a lot of brick and stone construction,” he says. “One downtown development is called 1858, the year Alpharetta was incorporated.”

Donald gives credit to the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society, to the Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission, to the many residents who volunteered to support preservation efforts and to the City Council which had to approve projects and provide financing.

“It really was a community effort.”

Donald says.

The conversion of downtown from a small rural community to a thriving urban center was championed by Donald throughout his tenure. He played major roles in numerous key projects in Alpharetta.

Connie Mashburn, Alpharetta’s official historian, spearheaded the creation of a beautiful history museum in City Hall. Connie says that Donald came up with the idea of a museum.

A small committee met with museum professionals throughout the two year-long design and construction process. The result is one of the finest museums of its kind in Georgia.

Connie recalls that when Donald was first elected, he met with a group of history enthusiasts several times

and came up with a plan. Donald said he wanted to get funding from the city to hire a videographer to interview citizens who had contributed to the city.

Connie says the city now has more than 80 videos available at the museum or online at the Historical Society website.

“Many of those interviewed have passed away, so their conversations will be testaments to their lives for generations,” Connie says.

Had it not been for Donald Mitchell, the log cabin constructed by Milton High School students during the Great Depression under a Future Farmers of America program might have been demolished or obtained by another city.

“Donald defended the cabin and said we will not let it go,” Connie notes.

Donald’s influence led the city to provide essential funding for the cabin’s repair and relocation to a city park.

Pat Miller, president of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society, first met Donald at meetings of the committee designing the history museum in City Hall.

“Donald also pushed for the city to take ownership of the log cabin,” Pat says. “The School Board was going to tear it down to build the Innovation Academy.”

Pat says it’s been a true experience getting to know Donald Mitchell.

“Donald is a fascinating person, very artistic, a designer and one of the people responsible for the look of the Alpharetta City Hall,” she says.

Donald played key roles in other major historical projects, such as Farmhouse, creation of a city historic preservation ordinance and establishment of the Historic Preservation Commission. He also focused on important public safety, arts and infrastructure issues.

After his long career of faithful commitment to the citizens of Alpharetta, Donald deserves congratulations and a fond farewell from the city he served so well. Bonnie Steadman summed it up well when she said, “I can’t begin to think of today’s Alpharetta without Donald Mitchell’s contributions.”

Bob is a member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission and Director Emeritus of the Milton Historical Society. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net.

Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 1, 2026 | 27

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PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK WORK SESSION AND COUNCIL MEETING 2026 PUBLIC MEETING CALENDAR January 12 February 09 March 02 March 30 April 20 May 11 June 01 June 15 July 13 July 27 August 10 August 24 September 14 October 05 October 26 November 16 December 07

Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday

**Work Session at 5:00 pm followed by Council Meeting at 7:00 pm at City Hall - 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097** As set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Johns Creek will assist citizens with special needs given proper notice (7 working days) to participate in any open meetings of the City of Johns Creek. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office via telephone (678-5123212) or email at allison.tarpley@ johnscreekga.gov should you need assistance.

Meetings are subject to change, please review periodically.

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK ARTS, CULTURAL, AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE 2026 PUBLIC MEETING CALENDAR February 12 April 9 June 11 August 13 October 8 December 10

Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2026 PUBLIC MEETING CALENDAR January 21 February 18 March 18 April 15 May 20 June 17 July 15 August 19 September 16 October 21 November 18 December 16

Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday

**Meetings held at 6:30 pm at City Hall - 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097**

**Meetings held at 6:30 pm at City Hall - 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097**

As set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Johns Creek will assist citizens with special needs given proper notice (7 working days) to participate in any open meetings of the City of Johns Creek. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office via telephone (678-5123212) or email at allison.tarpley@ johnscreekga.gov should you need assistance.

As set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Johns Creek will assist citizens with special needs given proper notice (7 working days) to participate in any open meetings of the City of Johns Creek. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office via telephone (678-5123212) or email at allison.tarpley@ johnscreekga.gov should you need assistance.

Meetings are subject to change, please review periodically.

Meetings are subject to change, please review periodically.

28 | January 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

OPINION

Alpharetta brightens with analog Christmas We arrived at Nordstrom Rack out near the mall – Friday rush hour. The traffic actually wasn’t as bad as I expected – especially five days before Christmas in Alpharetta. Lastminute gifts and one RAY APPEN return. Christina and Publisher Emeritus I did remarkably well ray@appenmedia.com in retrospect. She tried on coats. We looked at sunglasses and shawls. Uggs seemed like a possibility. We couldn’t find a good blanket.

I kept eyeing the line at the return desk as we continued our search. Shouldn’t we do that return first before we try to find those last minutes – while the line at the return desk was relatively short? My anxiety grew minute by minute. You can do this, Ray. My pulse quickened. The line kept growing.

In the end however, my worry was not justified; the return was easy-peasy – a walk in the proverbial park. Bueller?

One of the reasons we did well in Nordstrom’s was because we weren’t in a hurry – for a change. We needed to wait for dark anyway, because our next stop after Nordstrum’s was the third weekend of the December “Lights on the Alpha Loop” event. This last weekend was a “bring your pup with you” theme – and one might have thought a scaled-down version of the Westminster Dog Show on a linear park in the woods, only filled with holiday lights and decoration. The prior weekend was a live “holiday music showcase,” and the first weekend theme was “health & wellness.”

All three events took place over three weekends on Alpharetta’s new – still in progress – Alpha Loop, which will ultimately be an 11-mile, 12-foot-wide paved walking trail/linear park around the city, through the woods, in a tunnel, and over an amazing bridge spanning a lowlying flood plain.

Thousands visited the Alpha Loop in Alpharetta for a weekend Lights on the Loop festival Dec. 12 and 13.

We had to wait for dark because the Loop was lighted –- a showcase of holiday lights, murals, and art adorning a 1-mile stretch of the Loop. Think a holiday drive through area subdivisions in search of the best of the season’s holiday decorations on homes, but instead of in the car, touring on foot, through towering hundredyear-old-growth trees and accompanied by thousands of your best friends and neighbors over the course of the days and hours.

The free event, the lighting, the themes, the easy-peasy parking for all off Haynes Bridge behind Northwinds, the music, the modest number of food trucks and vendors, the security (in the background), the on-site Loop “ambassadors,” all courtesy of The Alpha Loop Foundation – or “a group of around a dozen community volunteers/activists who worked for the past six months on the event – folks like you and me, with an interest in creating something free, magical,

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2026, AT 7 :00 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 11360 LAKEFIELD DRIVE, JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA 30097 The following Land Use Petition is scheduled for public hearings: LAND USE PETITION: RZ-23-0001 CONCURRENT VARIANCES: VC-23-0002, VC-23-0003 PETITIONER: Willow Capital Partners, LLC LOCATION: 5805 State Bridge Road CURRENT ZONING: C-1 (Community Business District) Conditional PROPOSED ZONING: C-1 (Community Business District) PROPOSED Allow for an outparcel development to construct DEVELOPMENT: a 4,720 SF restaurant with drive-through, and two concurrent variances: 1. VC-23-0002: Reduce the required parking from 355 to 299 spaces 2. VC-23-0003: Eliminate landscape strips along interior property lines

meaningful, thoughtful, and people-centric engagement.”

And who else stepped up and put up the money, labor, and time to create the “Lights on the Loop” for you? Businesses and individuals located right in our community: • Alpharetta Business Association • Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau • Alpharetta Development Authority • Appen Media • Avalon • Betty Goss • Booster • Deposco • Eclipse di Luna • Evans General Contractors • Four State • HOME Luxury Real Estate Allison Kloster • HOME Luxury Real Estate Rony Ghelerter • Illuminating Designs • Jackson Healthcare • Leslie Kurtz • Lincoln- Angela Krause • Lincoln Property Management

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

• Meer Electric • Portman Holdings • Providence Group • TPA • Trinity Partners – Third & Urban • True North 400 • Village Tavern And its OK if you patronize these good actors or even give them a high five “thanks” when you run into them.

I’m sure they will all step up again for next December’s “Lights on the Loop 2026” so you can schedule time together now – time with your family and neighbors, not in a hurry, not on screens, outside, talking, walking, strolling, laughing, smiling, listening, watching and being social on The Alpha Loop.

See you there, for an analog Christmas time together next year.

(Of course, the Loop is open 365 as well. For more information on The Alpha Loop or how to volunteer or participate, contact info@ alphaloopfoundation.org or just go to the website Alphaloopfoundation.org)

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 1, 2026 | 29

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30 | January 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

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32 | January 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

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