Twelve teams battle it out in Double Trouble tourney
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga — St. Francis High School hosted the Double Trouble Invitational Tournament with six games to kick off the basketball season Nov. 8.
Johns Creek boys faced off against Westminster for the third match of the day, suffering a 74-66 loss to open their season.
Senior Thomas Landeck got the Gladiators off to a hot start with 3-3 shooting from beyond the arc while Johns Creek defense was holding Westminster well in the first quarter.
The Wildcats pulled ahead but weren’t able to run away with the game until the fourth quarter thanks, in part, to Johns Creek’s Tatum Holmes efforts.
Sandy’s Spiel ranked Holmes as the No. 4 small forward in Georgia’s class of 2026. He led his team in scoring last season and against Westminster with 26 points, two steals and a chase-down block.
See BASKETBALL, Page 20
Incumbents win; Bond fails as Johns Creek tallies vote
By JON WILCOX Jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga — Mayor John Bradberry declared victory to a crowd of supporters Nov. 4 as election night results showed him with a considerable lead over challenger Kelly Stewart.
"I'm looking forward to us getting right back to work, to getting
right back to trying to do everything we can to improve quality of life, to add value for our residents and continue to make Johns Creek the best place that it can be," Bradberry said from a stage at Yifan Restaurant & Event Center.
Bradberry won with nearly 62 percent of the vote to Stewart's 38 percent.
Voters also rejected a general
obligation bond to fund a performing arts center project with more than 61 percent of voters voting no.
Stewart, who watched the results with supporters at Rivermont Golf Club, said she respected the voters' decision and wished Bradberry and the city the best.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA Mayor John Bradberry takes the stage to speak at his election watch party at Yifan Restaurant & Event Center Nov. 3. Bradberry defeated challenger Kelly Stewart by a nearly 2-1 margin.
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GBI arrests 3 with alleged cartel ties
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of three men Oct. 31 allegedly trafficking firearms and narcotics in Metro Atlanta for the Cartel Jalisco New Generation in central Mexico.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the arrests were the result of a lengthy investigation into the criminal drug trafficking organization.
The GBI says its Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, the Atlanta Police Department Narcotics Unit, the Sandy Springs Police Department and the Homeland Security Investigations Violent Gang Task Force contributed to the investigation.
Law enforcement arrested and charged Jubenal Farfan Arellano, 52, of Mexico; Omar Flores Mena, 33, of Mexico; and Jose Radilla Maldonado, 29, of Sandy Springs, with racketeering and attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
Flores is also charged with Possession of Cocaine and Methamphetamine.
On Wednesday, Oct. 29 and Thursday, Oct. 30, agents and officers executed five search warrants in Woodstock, Sandy Springs and Atlanta.
Law enforcement seized more than 500 pounds of marijuana packaged for distribution. Nine firearms were also seized.
The investigation alleges that associates of Cartel Jalisco New Generation were working with Metro Atlanta contacts to traffic firearms, marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine.
All three arrestees were booked into the Cherokee County Jail. More
charges are expected. Warrants are pending for additional suspects.
Sandy Springs spokesperson Sgt. Leon Millholland gave Appen Media information about the department’s involvement in the arrests.
“The agencies executing the search warrants were allowed to conduct their briefing the morning of the operation at our headquarters,” Millholland said.
“During the execution of the search warrants at the residences within Sandy Springs, Sandy Springs Police
officers were present to support the executing agencies if needed.”
If someone has information related to drug activity, they are encouraged to call the GBI’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office at (706) 3487410.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597TIPS(8477), online at gbi.georgia.gov/ submit-tips-online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION/PROVIDED
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced arrests and the seizure of over 500 pounds of marijuana Oct. 31. One subject is a Sandy Springs resident.
County projects $66-$96 million shortfall, floats tax increase
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — Fulton County projects its 2026 operational budget to have a $66.7 million to $96.7 million deficit, mostly due to costs for repairs and improvements to its jail system, required by a federal consent decree.
The agreement between the county and federal government requires the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and County Commission to improve the physical Rice Street jail and mandates improved safety and staffing to address “unconstitutional conditions.”
After reports of violence and inadequate supervision in summer 2023, the County
Commission funded a $13 million “jail blitz” repair program where incarcerated people are moved to different parts of the jail so contractors can address structural issues.
This August, commissioners approved a long-term plan to build a new 1,813bed jail facility for around $1.1 billion, specifically for people with medical, mental health and special needs. That spending also includes repairs at Rice Street.
In October, County Manager Dick Williams said his team remains concerned about the jail population, which is more than 3,000 again, and the average length of stay, which exceeds 200 days.
“The blitz is nearing completion … that’s been a focus of ours,” Williams
said. “That will bring on around another 400 beds. That’s very good news. I don’t think we will do a ‘Blitz 2.0,’ we will try to enhance maintenance.”
At the Nov. 5 meeting, Fulton County Chief Financial Officer Sharon Whitmore said one of the major questions facing the Commission is whether a flat property tax rate of 8.87 mills will be sufficient to support forecasted expenditures.
“Between 2026 and 2033, the estimated incremental costs related to the consent order … do present a challenge within the existing millage rate,” Whitmore said. “[That] may require an increase [to the millage rate] or other actions to align expense growth to revenue growth.”
The Nov. 5 presentation was one of the first public steps in the budget process, concluding with its final approval in January. High-level county staff began reviewing base budget details this summer, and submission of the proposed budget will be on or before Nov. 15.
Fulton County sets its millage rate in August each year, which means conversations about the 2026 rate will begin next summer.
In the next 10 years, the county is planning an estimated $2.6 billion in debt service for jail construction, a hospital in South Fulton with Grady Memorial and office consolidation and modernization.
See FULTON, Page 20
Police chief responds to swirling budget questions
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek Police Chief
Mark Mitchell was front and center at a Nov. 3 City Council work session to sort through a flurry of questions about whether his department is receiving sufficient funding.
The issue arose as a political football in the recent municipal election.
Councilwoman Stacy Skinner requested the police chief appear.
“They're hearing … public safety is fully funded,” Skinner said. “In my opinion, that's not the case.”
Councilman Chris Coughlin said he thinks politics have played a role in the discourse surrounding the department’s funding. He said his agency has followed the city’s standard budgeting procedure, resulting in sufficient resources to ensure residents are safe.
“It's just unfortunate that council was looking at more political posturing rather than doing what's best for the public safety of the city,” Coughlin said, adding, “We go through a very comprehensive vetting of all the priorities, and the top requested priorities are funded.”
During her 2025 mayoral campaign, candidate Kelly Stewart questioned whether the department has received sufficient funding. Incumbent Mayor John Bradberry secured a second term with about 61 percent of the vote.
At the Nov. 3 meeting, Chief Mitchell discussed long-term needs such as a 3.3 percent pay increase, specialized assignment pay, a drone program and a command vehicle.
Mitchell also said he thinks the city has met the department’s 2025-2026 budget needs, including supporting an appropriate level of staffing.
“We have got all the vehicles requested. We have got all the equipment accruals,” Mitchell said. “Obviously as chief of police, I would love for everything to be approved, absolutely, but I understand that is not reality … We are a piece of the pie of all city departments.”
Salaries for certified Johns Creek police officers run from about $60,000 to $78,000, which is
slightly less than Alpharetta and Roswell, higher than Milton and lower than Sandy Springs.
The department staffs 10 officers per shift.
Some crimes such as vehicle burglaries and other thefts have increased recently, while others such as building burglaries and violent crimes are less common, Mitchell said.
Response times also are sufficient when compared to the national average, he said.
Skinner said council members may discuss allocating about $5 million originally meant for a performing arts center project. The project will not be pursued after voters shot down a general obligation bond to fund it.
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK/PROVIDED Police Chief Mark Mitchell discusses the department’s budget, crime rate and response times during a Nov. 3 City Council work session.
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It’s the American Dream. I wanted to do it my way.
JOHN WILL, owner, Ferguson’s Meat Market
Coal Mountain meat market endures amid changing times
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — John Will built his business out of meat, sweat and dreams.
When he was 29, Will began stockpiling meat processing equipment in his garage. Working as a butcher for Winn Dixie at the time, an unstoppable drive was compelling him to create a business of his own.
“I was obsessed with it,” he said. “It was going to happen. I was going to make it happen.”
In 1992, he opened Ferguson’s Meat Market at the corner of Ga. 9 and Ga. 369 in a general store at the center of the Coal Mountain community.
After 33 years, Ferguson’s has continued doing business despite Forsyth County’s transformation from a sleepy rural community to a bustling suburban center. A little older and wiser, Will now runs the shop out of a new location down the street at 3360 Ga. 369, but he said he has no intention of giving up his mission of supplying quality meat.
“It’s the American Dream,” he said. “I wanted to do it my way.”
American dream
When he was a child, Will’s family recognized the boy had a natural sense for business. At the age of 10, he saved enough money by washing cars, cutting grass and other odd jobs to buy a TV for his room.
“When I was little, I was known as the little miser,” he said. “I always had money.”
His first job working with meat was at the age of 17 under Buddy Maughon, owner of Bare Bones Steakhouse and Northeast Meat Market. Will said the man taught him firsthand how to work with meat and instilled in him a drive to be successful.
“He was just such an influence, and he always made money,” Will said.
Years later, that dream for success found an opportunity when he learned Doc Holcomb’s building was up for sale. He suspected the location might present a good business opportunity in part because of the large amount of traffic passing by daily.
“I just had to dream. I didn't have a ton of college, I didn't have a bunch of marketing. I didn't do a demographic study,” he said. “We sat on a picnic table and watched cars go by one cold winter day.”
Will admits as a young man new to business he felt hesitant at first about whether to buy the build-
ing. But he discovered one day that his family knew something he did not. They knew he had it inside of him to make the business a success and gave him a little “push” in the right direction.
“They said, ‘We kind of got something to tell you. We paid Miss Holcomb the first month’s rent until you make up your mind,’” he said.
That gesture of faith was all Will needed.
“I never looked back,” he said.
Drive to succeed
These days, Will still works at the shop five days a week. He manages the day-to-day operations but still finds time for smaller tasks, like cutting meat in a back
refrigerated room when he wants to ensure a display looks just right.
Expertly cut Angus steaks, in-house-ground beef, chicken and pork sit in a long glass case at the rear of the store past rows of shelves of grocery and household staples. The modestly-sized building also houses a food prep area where staff make hot foods like meatloaf, twice-baked potatoes and roast chicken.
Will offers catering, taking a towed charcoal grill to serve steaks at functions along with the other offerings. Behind the meat market, he keeps a smoker, which he will soon use for orders for holiday turkeys.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Owner John Will holds a hand-cut steak as he stands behind the display case at Ferguson’s Meat Market Oct. 29.
Meat:
He particularly loves visiting with customers and is quick to remember a face. It’s a joy that is sadly less and less frequent as the community grows and customers gravitate toward meat departments run by larger, corporate supermarkets.
“We've been here for 33 years. A lot of the people that were here have moved or sold out,” Will said. “Their kids are grown. It's like two or three generations of kids have grown up.”
Will said he remembers a time when Coal Mountain was more rural. Men once stopped by for lunch to buy “hoop cheese, crackers and a Coca-Cola.”
“I would sit on a bucket or a cane chair and would just sit and talk to them,” he said. “They would be in overalls and boots, and some in polyester slacks and cowboy hats. I miss those days.”
Martha McConnell, Historical Society of Forsyth County and Cumming copresident, said although she recognizes progress is inevitable, she feels nostalgic about the Coal Mountain from decades past.
Back then the tight-knit community used the shop as a landmark and meeting place.
ing the store, purchasing meat from Will.
Family business
Will said he views his business very much as a family affair. Over the years, members of his family have supported him by pitching in with the work and offering constant encouragement. He also considers his employees, some of whom have worked for him for decades, as family.
Luz Maria McConnell said Will has done more for her than most bosses and sometimes gone far out of his way to ensure she is well. Once, when she battled an unexpected illness, he loaned her money to visit a doctor.
“He has taken care of me very well,” she said.
She considers her fellow staff members as friends and enjoys visiting with them while accomplishing the day’s work.
She said she once frequented the general store run by Doc Holcomb where Will would one day set up shop.
“It’s the customers, the employees and the drive to succeed,” he said. Continued from Page 6
In fact, Holcomb once called the highway intersection of Coal Mountain the “center of the universe,” Will said. McConnell remembers Holcomb, who was not a doctor but went by the nickname “Doc,” as a friendly man who was eager to say hello and help customers. After his death, she continued visit-
McConnell said she wants shops like Will’s to stick around as the business landscape becomes more corporate. Local owners like him provide a degree of personalized customer care and genuine interaction the big box stores seem to lack, she said.
“There’s a lot of these stores you get used to using, and then you miss them when they are gone,” she said.
“This is like my family,” she said. Will said that is just the kind of work environment he prefers. He’s still the boss and sometimes makes tough decisions, but a business ought to be more than just a place to make money, he said.
Will plans on keeping that friendly, family-like atmosphere at Ferguson’s as times continue to change. And although he said sometimes times are tough with rising prices and changing customers, a few things keep him going.
Employee Luz Maria McConnell makes food behind at Ferguson’s Meat Market Oct. 29.
A message to college students, part three
We cover politics clinically, not ideologically. So it's not our job or mission to offer policy or political advice.
• But thousands of you asked for thoughts on how college kids — or anyone, really — can truly think differently, or more calmly, about politics in charged moments.
So here are eight clinical, nonideological changes you could make today:
1. Vote. Ya don't get to whine if ya don't get in line — and vote. The presidency, Congress, and many state and local races come down to thousands of votes. So, yes, your vote often matters. Yet outside of presidential elections, most don't even try. The good news: Presidential turnout was roughly 65% of eligible voters in 2024. Not too shabby. But less than half of adults vote in congressional races. Average turnout in state and local races? 15%-30%. A big uprising by like-minded people can literally shape politics at federal, state and local levels.
2. Serve. Less than 1% of Americans
go into the military. Our best and brightest aren't choosing government instead. They're going into the private sector, while holding an increasingly sour view of government competence. I can tell you this as someone who started and runs companies: You're only as good as your talent. So unless a lot more talented, well-intentioned people choose service, the country suffers. Somehow, we need to make this prestigious and valiant again. It might take mandatory service programs, but that's not happening anytime soon. So, volunteer.
3. Get informed. I'm horrified by how many people argue about policies or politics without knowing the facts, history or context. Don't Be That Person. Take the time to understand governance based on what you know, not how you feel. Read trustworthy news more regularly, dig a little deeper if you don't understand. Find sources — media, podcasts, friends or family — who routinely demonstrate clinical, fact-based understanding of big issues.
4. Pop your bubble. Take time to understand views or people you oppose — or even loathe. To our liberal readers, watch or listen to hard-core Trumpers like Steve Bannon or Charlie Kirk, and conservatives with more mixed views of
Trump like Ben Shapiro or Bari Weiss. To our conservative readers, read or listen to New York Times columnist Ezra Klein, mainstream Democrats like the Pod Save America guys, or proud progressives like Rachel Maddow.
5. Share knowledge, not noise. One massive, easy change all of you can make: Stop sharing stuff you didn't read or authenticate. It's wild how many people share things on social media based on a headline or even one word that juiced their dopamine and rage. Stop! And then start sharing fact-based, useful information that might actually help others better understand the inherent complexities of issues. When in doubt, share nothing.
6. Give yourself a reality check. Take to heart our message that politicians and your social media feed are designed to make things feel more hateful and hopeless than they actually are. Then, realize a lot of social media accounts are bots controlled by foreign countries and other scumbags playing to your worst impulses. Social media is not reality. Put down your phone. Clean up your feed (who and what you follow). Stay alert and clear-eyed when scrolling.
7. Fix your politics diet. We cofounded Politico and Axios, where the vast majority of our traffic and money
comes from people reading political and policy coverage. So my advice might shock you (or rattle our bean counters!): Stop reading so much politics. This stuff used to be boring and consumed in small quantities. Our brains (and mental health) aren't built to marinate in politics all day, every day. Everything in moderation, especially politics.
8. Widen your eyes. Everyone is hopped up about political change. But there are three or four tectonic shifts unfolding that might be bigger and more lasting than today's politics: AI, media, China and birth rates. Take time to read up and think about how AI might be more impactful than the internet ... how media is being shattered into scores of ecosystems, shaping realities based on people's age, profession and politics ... how China represents the biggest threat to America's dominance in a century-plus ... and the consequences of people having fewer babies — not just here, but in most advanced nations.
The big picture: There are clear alternatives to disengaging or doom-sharing. You simply need to choose them.
Jim VandeHei is the CEO of Axios. Let him know what you think by emailing jim@axios.com.
JIM VANDEHEI Guest Columnist
Look your best for the holidays
The holiday season is a great time to take steps to look and feel your best. Now is the time to improve your beautiful smile and your oral health. Surveys show that your smile and your teeth are one of the first things that people notice about you. A smile with balanced proportions makes you look young and healthy and feel confident meeting new people and talking and laughing with friends and family.
Modern dentistry offers many options to improve your smile that are conservative, non-invasive, and affordable.
Tooth Whitening – Years of stain and discoloration can be reversed with our inoffice and take-home prescription whitening procedures.
Cosmetic Recontouring - A simple
process of re-shaping the teeth to eliminate chips and broken teeth can make them look healthier and much straighter.
Teeth Straightening - Creating straighter teeth and a healthier bite. With the latest advances in clear aligner therapy, Invisalign gives you an attractive smile in a very short amount of time, without having unsightly metal braces and wires on your teeth. The latest materials allow the teeth
to be gently and comfortably repositioned in just a matter of months.
Cosmetic Bonding - With the use of tooth-colored materials, we can repair chips and cracks and make your teeth appear normal, natural and vibrant again.
Porcelain Veneers - A minimally invasive procedure which allows us to use thin shells of porcelain. These act like new enamel for your teeth. Porcelain veneers allow you to change the color, size, shape, and position of your teeth. They are your teeth, only better. Porcelain veneers are bonded to the front of your teeth to change your smile and give you the smile of your dreams.
Botox and Juvéderm - These are safe and proven materials for therapeutic and cosmetic improvements to your lips and face. They can rejuvenate your smile in a matter of days.
Dr. Bradley Hepler and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide all the modern advances that contemporary aesthetic dentistry offers. You will realize immediate results with non-invasive and often inexpensive procedures to enhance your smile. If you would like a complementary consultation to discover your smile enhancing options, please call the Atlanta Center for Dental Health at 770-992-2236. Dr. Bradley Hepler has spent many hours dedicated to perfecting and updating the latest and best techniques in dentistry. It is with this breadth of knowledge that they provide each patient with the perfect solution to their situation, their life, and their goals. It is our great pleasure to serve this community and help as many people as possible live their best life.
At Home Helpers, our focus every day is matching the right caregiver with each of our clients. We guarantee a good match. Finding the right caregiver is much more than just seeking a professional with great skills. It’s about finding a caregiver with the heart and spirit to make a difference in someone’s life.
Recognizing the need for in-home care over the holidays
The approaching holiday season is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and joy. It can also bring unique challenges for older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those recovering from medical procedures.
Over the holidays we all experience increased social demands, but the hustle and bustle of holiday activities can be overwhelming for those with limited mobility or health concerns. Winter weather and shorter daylight hours may increase fall risks or make transportation difficult for seniors. Disruptions to regular schedules can affect medication management, nutrition, and emotional health. Feelings of loneliness or isolation can intensify as holiday stressors mount, especially for those living alone or far from family.
Here are some signs that can help you understand when support with the activities of daily living is needed to ensure the safety, well-being and happiness of your older loved one.
• Difficulty Managing Daily Tasks: Trouble with cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, or getting dressed may signal the need for assistance.
• Health and Medication Issues: Missed doses, confusion about prescriptions, or noticeable decline in health could mean support is necessary.
• Mobility Challenges: Difficulty moving around the house, using stairs, or increased risk of falls.
• Changes in Behavior: Withdrawal from social activities, mood changes, or increased anxiety and depression.
• Neglected Home Environment: Unkempt living spaces, spoiled food, or piles of unopened mail might indicate that help is needed.
Discussing the need for in-home care can be sensitive. Approach the topic with empathy, focusing on the benefits rather than limitations. Use holiday plans as an opportunity to observe your loved one's needs and gently suggest extra help to make celebrations more enjoyable for everyone.
At Home Helpers we know that inhome care is not just about meeting immediate needs, it’s about creating peace of mind. Aging in the warmth and comfort of home is the preference of most seniors, and care that makes a difference is based on a wonderful match of a skilled, heart centered caregiver and the hands-on attention of a dedicated team with depth and skill. Your caregiver can assist with all personal care, help around the house, accompany you on doctor’s visits and provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.
When home is in an assisted living community, in-home care provides a bridge with immediate response to your care needs if you experience an increased fall risk, changing health condition or need to recuperate from a procedure. Your caregiver can help you remain in the setting and with the friends and lifestyle you want.
We’re here to help, from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 care. For a free consultation, please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 681-0323.
Brought
The Brilliance of Poison Ivy
If you are one of the 85% of the population allergic to poison ivy, you might feel some resentment, indignation or even dare I say animosity toward this plant. However, the scientist in you might take a moment to marvel at just how effectively it has managed to discourage us from touching it – let alone eating it.
Urushiol is the reason you won’t find poison ivy for sale at the local grocery store or in your Caesar salad. Urushiol is an oil found within poison ivy, and it makes one’s immune system go haywire.
Many plants attack us with thorns, stinging appendages, a hail of coconuts or verbal insults. Not poison ivy. Poison ivy uses our own immune systems against us to pack a delayed but far more powerful punch. The oil of poison ivy is a relatively simple and small ringshaped molecule that can easily penetrate our skin. The oil is so small that it can slip in easily and undetected. Once in our skin, urushiol chemically reacts with and attaches to our own cell’s proteins. In so doing, the oil stealthily plants a flag on our cells that tells our immune system that our own cells are enemies.
Our bodies have a type of white blood cell called a T cell whose job is to circulate and look for viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders. T cells have proteins on their surface that detect whether what they contact is “self” or “non-self.” In general, T cells assume that “non-self” needs to be attacked. The T-cell doesn’t recognize your own healthy cells as “self” when those cells have reacted with urushiol. Your own T cells start attacking your otherwise healthy skin. Itching, blisters and misery result.
The brilliance of poison ivy’s strategy is that the oil doesn’t depend on a certain protein or certain molecule
being present in our bodies. If that were the case, our bodies might have easily learned how to avoid a poison ivy reaction. Instead, poison ivy oil can theoretically react with just about any protein that your cells contain, and every one of these combinations is going to look different and dangerous to the T cell. It’s a strategy that has defied effective solutions. Once the oil has had time to be absorbed into your skin, your goose is cooked.
When a small molecule can attach to a larger molecule and result in a combination that elicits an immune response, the small molecule is called a “hapten.” So poison ivy oil is a “hapten.” Most examples of haptens are accidental haptens. For example, penicillin is made by certain mold species to help them fight off bacteria. When we use penicillin as an antibiotic, a small number of people will develop an allergy. Rarely, when penicillin breaks down, it reacts with some of our proteins and creates a hapten-self protein combination similar to that of urushiol and a self-protein. But this is not penicillin’s purpose.
In contrast, poison ivy oil is a hapten by design. The plant developed a chemical that flags our own cells for destruction and turns our immune system against us.
Scientists are working on a vaccine to poison ivy. A compound similar to urushiol is being studied by researchers at the University of Mississippi and by a company called “Hapten Sciences.” Perhaps one day people can frolic through poison ivy without the next day regret.
Until a vaccine comes to fruition, avoidance is your best bet. Learn to identify poison ivy and poison oak. Wash with soap and water immediately and change your clothes if you think you have accidentally had contact with these plants. And if you do develop a rash, your dermatologist is at the ready with effective treatments.
Insist
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.
He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 23 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology
A Second Opinion Can Change Everything
to you by – Emory Heart & Vascular
Learning that you have a heart or vascular condition can create more questions than answers. What treatment is available? Is there more than one option? What will happen if I forgo treatment?
Deciding how to proceed can be stressful, and many patients feel tempted to go with whatever their doctor recommends. But at times like this, it’s essential to step back, take a deep breath and get a second opinion.
Receiving a second opinion as part of your heart and vascular care is critical because the medical world is becoming increasingly complex. A second opinion can help you understand your options before you make a momentous decision about your health and future. It can reveal new treatment possibilities. Or, if the second opinion is the same as the first, it can help you feel more confident about your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Deciding whether to seek a second opinion can be emotional for some people. They worry they will hurt their doctor’s feelings or experience information overload. The fact is that second opinions are common in
and
a second opinion when they face a complex diagnosis. They know a second opinion can make the difference between life and death – especially when your heart is involved.
A Second Opinion Can Provide New Hope
Your current doctor has your best interests at heart but may not know about the latest surgical and nonsurgical therapies for your condition. They may mistakenly tell you that you don’t have any treatment options or guide you to therapies that are unlikely to help.
Heart and vascular specialists at Emory Healthcare have a national reputation for treating both common and complicated heart conditions. Our highly specialized teams have advanced training and expertise in medical, surgical and interventional cardiology. They can enroll patients in clinical trials that provide access to novel technologies and treatments that are not widely available. As a result, Emory Heart & Vascular offers more treatment options for the full range of heart and vascular conditions than many other institutions worldwide.
The Second Opinion Process at Emory Healthcare
Obtaining a second opinion at Emory Heart & Vascular is straightforward. Before your appointment, our team will review your previous medical records. Multiple physicians will discuss possible treatment options. They will reach a consensus about what options offer the most promise. During your office visit, they will share their recommendations with you. You can ask questions and decide with your care team how to proceed.
Ready to Transform Your Heart Treatment?
If you or someone you care about needs a second opinion for a heart or vascular condition, turn to doctors at the top of their field. Emory Heart & Vascular brings together more than 150 physicians and 18 specialized programs in cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and vascular surgery.
Next-day new patient cardiology appointments are available at one of our 24 locations.
Visit emoryhealthcare.org/transform to learn more.
Brought
heart
vascular care. Doctors themselves seek
Family history of heart disease? Emory Heart & Vascular can help rewrite it.
MORE TREATMENT OPTIONS
Our expert heart & vascular team pioneers the most innovative techniques and treatments. Giving you more options and better outcomes than anywhere else. To make more “tickle monster!” moments like this possible.
The difference? Emory Women’s Center at Johns Creek uses research and innovation in health to provide exceptional care, close to home. From routine gynecology and menopause management, to high-risk pregnancies and specialty care, our team is here for your journey no matter where it takes you.
Visit emoryhealthcare.org/history to schedule an appointment.
Visit emoryhealthcare.org/women to schedule an appointment.
Acceptance and compliance
Navigating relationship differences
Brought to you by –
Will Goodwin, M.A, Summit Counseling Center
Every relationship encounters moments where one partner’s preferences, habits, or traits don’t perfectly align with the other’s. In these moments, partners often face a choice: Should I foster acceptance for this characteristic, or should I comply with their desire for change? Both paths have benefits—and drawbacks.
The Power of Acceptance Acceptance means embracing a partner’s differences without trying to change them. Research from the Gottman Institute shows that many relationship conflicts are “perpetual,” meaning they stem from core personality differences that are unlikely to change. In these cases, fostering acceptance promotes emotional safety, reduces resentment, and builds longterm respect.
Pros:
• Reduces unnecessary conflict
• Builds emotional closeness and understanding
• Encourages authenticity
Cons:
• Unmet needs may fester
• Some behaviors (e.g., poor communication, unhealthy habits) may harm the relationship if left unaddressed
The Role of Compliance or Adjustment
Compliance—adjusting your behavior to meet your partner’s preference—can be an act of love and
compromise. It’s often necessary in areas like household responsibilities, intimacy, or shared values.
Pros:
• Shows care and commitment
• Helps meet your partner’s needs
• Can resolve solvable problems
Cons:
• If done at the expense of your authentic self, it may breed resentment
• Over-compliance can create imbalance or loss of personal boundaries
• May inhibit the development of deeper understanding for your partner’s needs
Finding the Middle Ground
Healthy relationships often require both acceptance and adjustment. The key is knowing which differences are core to your partner’s identity—and worthy of acceptance— and which are flexible enough to navigate through compromise. Choosing wisely fosters connection without losing yourself along the way.
Advance directives
Why
every adult should have one
Advance directives aren’t just for the elderly or the seriously ill. They’re for anyone who values autonomy, clarity and peace of mind. These legal documents, which include a living will and a healthcare power of attorney, ensure your medical preferences are honored if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself.
Why does this matter for younger adults? Emergencies don’t discriminate by age. A car accident, sudden illness or unexpected surgery could leave anyone temporarily incapacitated. Without an advance directive, loved ones may be forced to make difficult decisions without knowing your wishes—often under immense emotional stress.
Advance directives do more than protect your voice—they protect your family. They eliminate guesswork, reduce conflict and provide a clear roadmap for care. Whether you prefer aggressive treatment or comfort-focused care, documenting your choices means they will be respected.
Anyone you trust to make decisions on your behalf can be your designated healthcare proxy. This person becomes your advocate, aware of your values and
instructions. It’s a role that requires clarity and trust, and it’s best chosen before a crisis arises.
Importantly, advance directives are flexible. You can revise them as your life, relationships and medical views evolve. They’re not just about end-of-life scenarios— they’re about any moment when your voice might be silent.
To get started, talk with your primary care clinician. They can help you understand your options, guide you through the process and ensure your choices are documented properly. It’s a simple conversation that can make a profound difference.
Having an advance directive is not just responsible—it’s empowering. Whether you’re 25 or 75, healthy or managing a condition, now is the time to start the conversation. The best time to make your wishes known is before you need them.
Visit wellstar.org/acp to learn more about advance care planning. To schedule a primary care appointment with Dr. Jignesh Dholaria, visit wellstar.org or call (470) 956-4540.
GOODWIN
Brought to you by – Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Jignesh Dholaria
DHOLARIA
An ongoing healthcare partner means more support at every age.
At Wellstar, you’ll find lifelong primary care partners committed to every aspect of your well-being, at every stage of life.
Your primary care team knows your complete health history—with ready access to our integrated system of specialists, imaging facilities, labs and hospitals. We’ll help you get the best treatment, right when you need it. From preventative care and screenings to acute and chronic illness management, the expert clinicians at Wellstar personalize your wellness plan to your unique needs, putting you at the center of your own care. wellstar.org/primarycare
9 out of 10 dentists disagree…. with insurance
Most people expect dental insurance to work like medical insurance: pay monthly premiums and be protected from large, unexpected bills. In reality, dental insurance is built very differently. It isn’t a catastrophe safety net—it’s essentially a prepaid discount plan with a small, set annual benefit. That’s why many people are surprised when significant treatment isn’t “covered.”
A cap on benefits—not on expenses
Most dental plans limit what they’ll pay each year, typically between $1,000 and $2,000. Once you reach that number, the plan stops paying regardless of what care you still need. Medical insurance usually flips that model: after you meet your outof-pocket maximum, coverage expands. With dental insurance, the ceiling is on the insurer’s payout, not on your costs.
Cost-sharing that erodes coverage
Many policies haven’t changed their reimbursement fee structure since the 1960’s and still follow an old 100/80/50 schedule—preventive care at 100%, basic care at 80%, and major care at 50%— only until the annual maximum is hit. Deductibles, waiting periods, frequency limits, “missing tooth” clauses, and downgrades (for example, paying at the rate of a silver filling instead of a toothcolored composite) further reduce the contribution.
A quick example
If you need a root canal and crown totaling $3,000, 50% coverage suggests $1,500 from insurance. In practice, after deductibles, downgrades, and earlier hygiene visits count toward your annual max, the plan often hits its $1,000–$2,000 cap quickly, leaving the rest to you. Your oral health needs don’t pause at the cap—only the plan’s payments do.
So, is it really “insurance”?
True insurance pools risk for rare, highcost events. Dental conditions are common and largely preventable, so dental plans are designed to emphasize maintenance— cleanings, exams, and X-rays—rather than absorb the full cost of complex care. Think of dental insurance as a coupon with rules, not a blank check for treatment.
Where dental insurance helps
Most plans reward prevention. Two “healthy-mouth” cleanings, exams, and routine X-rays are often covered at or near 100%. Using these benefits consistently helps catch issues early, when they’re sim-
pler and less expensive to treat.
A simpler, more predictable choice: our in-house Wellness Plan
If you prefer transparency over fine print, our Wellness Plan replaces uncertainty with clear value:
• Professional cleanings included
• All X-rays included
• Doctor exams included
• Plus 15% off any needed restorative treatment
Because it’s our plan, not a third-party policy, your care isn’t dictated by exclusions or downgrades. There are no rejected claims, no enrollment windows, no waiting periods, no racing the calendar, and no shrinking annual maximum. You and your dentist decide what’s best; the Wellness Plan makes it more affordable.
Tips to maximize value either way
• Know your numbers: annual maximum, deductible, waiting periods, frequency limits, and coverage percentages.
• Time your care: for larger cases, phasing across benefit years can stretch limited dollars.
• Use tax-advantaged funds: Use HSAs/ FSAs to lower your net cost.
• Choose quality, not just “in-network”: materials, precision, and durability matter.
Bottom line: dental “insurance” is a small yearly benefit with limits. Our Wellness Plan makes preventive care simple and takes 15% off restorative treatment so your decisions are guided by health—not caps and clauses.
At Roswell Dental Care, we offer the best of both worlds: we’re fee-for-service and will file out-of-network claims to help you maximize any insurance benefits if you choose that instead of the Wellness Plan. Dr. Hood and her team personalize care, ensure you feel confident before treatment begins, and for added comfort we offer FREE nitrous oxide. Call 770-998-6736 or visit www.roswelldentalcare.com to start your path to comfortable, confident oral health.
Destinee Hood
Brought to you by - Dr. Destinee Hood at Roswell Dental Care
Healthcare through a Medical Home
ensures that you, the patient, are
at the center of your health care journey
Primary care spans all health care needs from the annual wellness exam, sports and preop clearance, vaccinations, through the management of chronic conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, Fatty Liver, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, COPD. In the realm of men’s and women’s health, a focus on each stage of life is tailored to the individual.
The team of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical assistants, and staff focus on each detail of your care experience: from the first phone call to schedule your appointment, to checking in with familiar staff you come to know well, through the doctor’s visit and after care. Results of labs or X-rays are communicated in a timely manner and there is coordination of administrative issues, including prescription management, and prompt referrals.
Same day appointments when you are sick ensure you are cared for by your regular doctor, vs an urgent care and someone unfamiliar with you.
In short, a medical home becomes a patient’s point of care committed to helping you live healthier, longer, and better.
Alpharetta: (678) 205-9004 | 3180 North Point Pkwy | Suite 303 | Alpharetta, GA - 30005 Johns Creek: (770) 622-9002 | 3890 Johns Creek Pkwy | Suite 120 | Suwanee, GA - 30024
Continuing to Grow to Meet Your Healthcare Needs.
Welcome Shruti Patel, M.D.
Dr. Shruti Patel is a board-certified Internal Medicine Physician with a special interest in geriatric care, hypertension, and diabetes management. She is passionate about providing comprehensive, patient-centered care with a focus on chronic disease management and preventative health.
With over a decade of experience, Dr. Patel is eager to help patients achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives through evidence-based practices and compassionate guidance.
Her clinical approach emphasizes building strong patient relationships, empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and addressing the unique needs of patients.
Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring wellness practices that integrate mind and body.
Local news is vital for staying informed and connected, and through this collaboration, we’re making it easier than ever. Now, you can access timely updates and our stories about the things happening in your area, all while engaging in meaningful conversations with real neighbors.
Don’t miss out on the stories that matter most to you –join us on your favorite social media platform to stay connected with everything that’s happening. Together, let’s build stronger, more informed communities!
1 Icy coating. Low water mark. Squirrel’s favorite snack
2. Panda’s dish. Lackluster. Racetrack shape
ON THE MENU
1. Icy coating. Low water mark. Squirrel's favorite snack.
2. Panda's dish. Lackluster. Racetrack shape.
3. Spare tire. Beaver's snack. Mountain peaks.
4. Blue whale's dinner. Crayola color. Hawaiian binge.
5. Hot spot. Horse's meal. Extra-large.
6. Pillow covering. Otter's dish. Wall painting.
7. Victory's margin. Bear's feast. Hurl.
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. Spare tire. Beaver’s snack. Mountain peaks
4. Blue whale’s dinner. Crayola color. Hawaiian binge
5. Hot
Putting your garden to bed for the winter
A season’s end and a dream’s beginning
As the air grows crisp and the daylight fades, it’s time to turn our attention to a peaceful and essential gardening ritual: putting the garden to bed for the winter. It’s a moment to reflect on the past growing season, celebrate the successes, learn from the challenges and prepare for a strong start next spring. Tucking your garden in for winter isn’t just about cleanup, it’s about care, protection and planning.
Before you grab your tools, take a moment to walk through your garden with a notebook. What thrived? What underperformed? Maybe your tomatoes were heavy with fruit, but your peppers sulked. Perhaps your dahlias dazzled while your lettuce bolted early. Ask yourself why. Was it soil health, weather, watering habits, pests? This reflection is invaluable for improving your strategy next year. Make a list of plants that were stars in your garden, and those you might want to replace or move. Save this list with your seed catalogs and notes for winter dreaming.
Clear out the annuals
Annuals have lived their full life cycle. Once they’re spent and frost has taken its toll, pull them up and compost them unless they’re diseased. In that case, dispose of them in the trash to avoid spreading pathogens. Removing annuals not only tidies up your garden but also reduces hiding spots for overwintering pests and prevents the spread of fungal diseases.
Plant springs bulbs
Autumn is prime time for planting spring bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocus and hyacinths. These sleepy jewels lie beneath the soil, quietly preparing to burst into color as winter loosens its grip. Plant bulbs in well-drained soil at the proper depth (typically 2 to 3 times the bulb’s height). Cluster them in groups for a natural look, and add a little bulb fertilizer or bone meal to get them started.
Critter control
Winter doesn’t stop garden pests, many just go undercover. Rodents may chew bark, deer may browse hungrily through your shrubs and rabbits often take a winter nibble. Use hardware cloth around the base of young trees to protect against gnawing. Spray deer repellents if needed. For vulnerable perennials, consider adding
PROVIDED
Lynn
Nations’ grandchild enjoys a leaf pile.
netting or wire cages until spring. What to cut back and not cut back
Perennials often benefit from a fall trim, but not all. Here’s a quick guide:
Cut Back:
• Peonies
• Daylilies
• Iris (especially if foliage has yellowed or browned)
• Bee balm and phlox (to reduce powdery mildew risk)
Leave Standing:
• Ornamental grasses (for winter interest and bird habitat)
• Echinacea and Rudbeckia (their seed heads feed finches)
• Hellebores and ferns (cut back in early spring instead)
Always avoid cutting back woody shrubs in fall, as it can stimulate new growth that will be damaged by frost.
Watering
While it may seem counterintuitive, your garden still needs water until the ground freezes. Evergreens in particular rely on moisture to get through winter. If it’s been a dry autumn, give your trees and shrubs a deep soak before the first hard freeze.
Leaves
Fallen leaves can be both a blessing and a burden. Instead of bagging them up for trash, shred them and use them as mulch around perennials and garden beds. They insulate roots, improve soil and offer shelter to beneficial insects. Avoid letting thick layers of whole leaves smother your lawn or crown rot-prone plants. Mulch mindfully.
Freeze protection
For tender perennials or borderlinehardy plants, a little protection goes a long
way. Mulch the base with straw or shredded leaves. Wrap shrubs with burlap if exposed to harsh wind. For container plants, cluster them together in a sheltered spot or move them to a garage or shed if possible.
Dream of next year
Once the work is done, it’s time for the best part: dreaming. Thumb through seed catalogs, sketch out new bed designs, think about rotating crops or starting a pollinator patch. Winter is a time of rest, but also of vision. Maybe next year you’ll try new heirloom tomatoes, a vertical trellis garden or add a wildlife-friendly corner. Let your imagination grow even as the garden sleeps.
Final thoughts
Putting your garden to bed for the winter is more than maintenance, it’s an act of care that pays dividends come spring. By reflecting on the season, cleaning with intention, protecting what matters and nurturing your soil and spirit, you’re not just ending a season you’re planting the first seeds of the next.
So zip up your coat, sharpen your pruners, and give your garden the rest it deserves. It will thank you in crocus
blooms and tomato vines before you know it.
Happy Gardening!
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://appenmedia.com/opinion/columists/garden buzz/.
About the Author
Lynn is new to Georgia. She had to follow her grandchildren. Coming from California she had problems determining Georgia plants from weeds. That led her to become a master gardener so she could tell the difference. She is a retired pharmacist, a certified medical qigong instructor, a wife, mother and grandmother. She is a craft dabbler and a baking fool.
LYNN NATIONS Guest Columnist
Basketball:
Continued from Page 1
Landeck splashed on another pair of 3-pointers in the second half, and guard Isaiah Johnson hit his second triple of the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to just 3 points.
Westminster had two players score more than 20 points while the Gladiators had two players foul out of the game.
The Gladiators starting five of all seniors took on most of the responsibility last season and has been progressing their team culture from where they left off.
Head coach Tanner Burnett said some kinks have yet to be worked out in the beginning of the season.
“I liked our effort,” he said. “I thought we were playing hard, we just need more discipline on the defensive end. [Holmes] scored the ball well and [Landeck] got hot early, but we need more consistency.”
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
The St. Francis girls basketball team returns to the court after a timeout at the Double Trouble Invitational Tournament Nov. 8. The Knights went on to beat Norcross 50-40.
St. Francis girls then defeated Norcross 50-40 through a physical game full of hard-nosed stops.
Fulton:
Continued from Page 3
Knights head coach Aisha Kennedy said her focus on defense in practice was evident from the low-scoring first half where the Knights held the Blue Devils to 15 points.
“They’re really being able to translate
that over into the game, so it’s going to be an exciting season,” she said. “They’re a very coachable group. They want to win, they want to work hard and learn.”
The Knights picked it up in the second half, never losing the lead once they took it in the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer by sophomore Peyton Mann.
St. Francis then put on the clamps, only allowing Norcross to score 8 points in the final period. They battled for every point and earned every rebound.
The Knights had three guards score in double figures – senior Camryn Golston with 12 to go along with six assists and six steals, Mann with 12, four rebounds and two blocks, and sophomore Emon Stephens with 10 and seven rebounds.
The St. Francis boys then faced off against Osborne High for the second-tolast game of the evening. The Knights stayed ahead of the Cardinals down the stretch until Osborne took the lead in the fourth quarter off a three-point play and closed it out 66-57.
The Cardinals were able to maintain their lead for the rest of the game by out-
working the Knights at the rim both with shooting abilities and securing additional possessions through offensive rebounding.
Junior Jaylen Samuel led the Knights with 20 points. Samuel’s older sister Savannah plays for Georgia Tech and is a St. Francis graduate.
Senior Deniz Ozbek showed flashes of offensive upside on fast-break 3-pointers and several critically-timed steals. Point guard Justin Cunningham displayed major toughness and grit to lead his team’s offense in a new system after transferring from Lanier.
Head coach Daryl Armstrong said improving taking care of the ball and finishing at the rim through contact are his top priorities for practice this week.
“We’re trying to hang our hats on being tough,” he said. “We’ve gotta be able to put two halves together. We’ll get it ready before region play starts.”
St. Francis boys and girls basketball play in a large region in Division 1 of Class A Private. Both teams have several nonregion games scheduled for the beginning of the season before entering region play.
Whitmore said the roll-off or expiration of tax allocation districts and an expected decline in pension contributions in the next decade may be able to fund the capital investments.
The 2026 general fund budget is estimated total between $1.071 billion and $1.101 billion, up from $974 million in 2025.
The county expects to take in around $955 million in property tax revenue if it keeps the millage rate flat, creating a $36.7 million shortfall.
The Fulton County jail system’s consent order requires an additional $30-$60 million.
“You’re looking at $66.7 million to $96.7 million funding gap,” Whitmore said. “With those numbers and that picture in mind, we wanted to …seek direction from the Board about how we might consider closing this gap.”
The discussion separated funding plans for consent order compliance and other incremental, operational costs.
Commissioners were given a list
of options to adjust expenditures and revenues.
On the spending side, they include eliminating vacant positions, new department requests and/ or programs; removing a cost-ofliving adjustment for employees; and maintaining 2025 expenditure levels.
On the revenue side, options include assuming a higher digest growth or collection factor and increasing the millage rate.
County Commissioner Bob Ellis, representing the west side of Ga. 400, said he is looking for an option that maintains the current millage rate.
Ellis said he thinks county staff should reconsider its conservative revenue projections related to digest growth or the increasing value of properties. On the expenditure side, he said he prefers a phasing approach and wants to keep all options on the table.
County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. said he was concerned
with removing vacant positions, especially in the Sheriff’s Office.
“We’re going to have to comply with the consent order … I think we have to start there and then everything else kind of has to work around compliance,” Arrington Jr. said. “I would lean more toward trying to increase revenue.”
Arrington Jr. also said he wants to find out if there are revenue growth options related to how commercial properties are assessed.
“We have maintained that millage rate for at least four years … this is my 11th year, we have decreased or maintained it every year,” he said. “We average about $70 million in surplus, so I don’t get scared when I see a $30 million shortfall in the 2026 budget.”
Later in the meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to allocate $700,000 to nonprofits serving county residents who may not receive SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.
Elections:
Continued from Page 1
"Obviously, I wish that they were different, but the voters have spoken," she said.
Bradberry was first elected to the mayor's office in 2021 after serving on the City Council. A former U.S. Marine, he has a landscape design business as well as other business interests, mainly in real estate.
He said he looks forward to making the city the most "accountable, transparent, effective and efficient" city in the country.
During an about 10-minute speech, he thanked supporters and campaign workers. He also shared the stage with Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Dilip Tunki who also appeared headed toward victory.
Stewart, a former council member and board member for the Georgia Municipal Association, said she decided to
enter the race after receiving encouragement from community members. She also has worked as a corporate human resources executive, serving in national and global organizations.
She campaigned on a promise to prioritize public safety and "restore leadership, ethics, integrity and transparency to the mayor's office."
"Given our growing population, I want to make sure that we're staying on point, that we're not falling behind," she said.
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE PURPOSE
An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on October 23, 2025, for Consumption on Premises of Malt Beverage, Wine and Distilled Spirits
BUSINESS NAME
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING:
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2025, AT 7:00 P.M.
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING:
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025, 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 hearing:
LAND USE PETITION: RZ-25-0003
LOCATION: 12050 Findley Road
PETITIONER: Emory Johns Creek Hospital
CURRENT ZONING: O-I (Office Institutional District) Conditional
PROPOSED ZONING: O-I (Office Institutional District)
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Wellness and Recovery Center within an existing one-story, 35,361 SF medical facility
Biryani World HBG LLC Dba
Biryani World Fusion & Grill
11705 Jones Bridge Rd Ste c201
Johns Creek GA, 30005
OWNER/OFFICERS
Biryani World HBG LLC Dba
Biryani World Fusion & Grill
11705 Jones Bridge Rd Ste c201
Johns Creek GA, 30005
Owners, Goutham Reddy Goli
PHOTOS BY: JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
From left, supporter Bill Giannone shows early vote results to Kelly Stewart and Councilwoman Stacy Skinner Nov. 4 at Rivermont Golf Club.
Councilman Dilip Tunki gives a speech at Yifan Restaurant & Event Center Nov. 4.
Mayor John Bradberry speaks to a crowd of supporters at Yifan Restaurant & Event Center Nov. 4.
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Flexible schedule afternoon and evening hours, approximately 15-20 hours per week. Previous experience preferred but not necessary. Must be able to qualify for City of Alpharetta Pouring Permit.
If interested in either position please contact DiAna Casale (770) 475-9023 Mon-Thurs 10 am – 2 pm or americanlegionalpharetta@gmail.com. Detail job description for both available upon request.
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