Milton Herald - June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025 | AppenMedia. com

City limits fireworks near horse facilities

By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Milton will restrict the use of fireworks near equine operations after unanimous approval of a new ordinance June 16.

The ordinance comes three weeks before the Fourth of July and goes into effect July 1.

The City Council approval comes a month after Gov. Brian Kemp signed a House bill May 14 that allows local governments to adopt ordinances to prohibit the use or ignition of consumer fireworks up to 200 yards within a facility housing equine in a confined area.

State Rep. Jan Jones, along with representatives Brad Thomas and Chuck Martin sponsored the bill during the Georgia 2025 legislative session.

The Milton ordinance will amend the existing regulations in the Noise Control Ordinance in the Unified Development Code.

While commercial firework shows within the city will not be impacted, consumer fireworks will be.

City Councilwoman Juliette Johnson recognized Tim Enloe, a concerned resident who has fought to introduce Liberty’s Law for more than 10 years.

Enloe and his mother’s law proposal included the enforcement of no fireworks within the city limits.

SCREENSHOT

A detailed map shows equestrian farms within the city limits of Milton. The blue shading around the farms shows where fireworks are not allowed.

“We heard from Tim Enloe today about how he knows firsthand how devastating it can be to mix [fireworks and horses] together and he's put in a lot of passion and hard work,” Johnson said. “[I] just wanted to say how important this is.”

Milton is home to more than 200 equine facilities.

See FIREWORKS, Page 21

Milton community event hails Independence Day

MILTON, Ga. — The City of Milton invites the community to celebrate Red, White and YOU! this Fourth of July.

Residents are invited to join the celebration at Broadwell Pavilion from 9 a.m. to noon to celebrate Independence Day.

The event will feature a parade at 9:45 a.m. and a foam party at 10:15 a.m.

The city encourages families and friends to dress up and decorate wagons, scooters, bikes and event pets in festive red, white and blue gear. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Dressed Fam-

ily, Best Dressed Kid, Flashiest Wheels (non-motorized vehicles only) and Most Creative.

To learn more, visit miltonga.gov/residents/annual-city-events/independenceday-walking-parade.

— Sarah Coyne

Fulton jail staff faces civil rights indictments

By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat

ATLANTA — Fulton County Jail employee has been indicted in federal court for allegedly using excessive force against prisoners.

The 47-year-old sergeant is accused of repeatedly using tasers on compliant, non-resisting pre-trial detainees on three occasions last January and writing false reports about each of the incidents.

“The (Justice Department’s) Civil Rights Division has zero tolerance for law enforcement officers who abuse public trust through excessive force and concealing their misconduct,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “We will vigorously safeguard the constitutional rights of all individuals, including those in custody.”

“Abuses of power of this kind are unconstitutional, erode our community’s trust, and will be prosecuted,” added Theodore S. Hertzberg, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

Solomon faces up to 10 years in prison for each federal civil rights violation and 20 years behind bars for each false report.

The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case based on a referral from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.

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

RACHEL PROVOW

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Milton family reports residential burglary

MILTON, Ga. — Police responded to a burglary at a residence on Crown Cove June 13.

At approximately 3:40 p.m., officers removed the family so they could clear the residence.

Police found no suspects inside. Officers noted that the only damage found was the first-floor lock on the door that leads to the basement was destroyed and on the ground.

Nothing else seemed out of place.

The Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and took over the case.

— Sarah Coyne

Man reports altercation with suspected fraudster

MILTON, Ga. — Police responded to Home Depot Windward Parkway after reports of a physical altercation June 13.

Police arrived at approximately 11:30 p.m. and spoke to the reporting party.

The man told police that when he arrived at Home Depot, he recognized a man who was allegedly scamming people by selling speakers and home theatre supplies. He stated that he knew this because he got scammed by the same man around a year ago but did not make a police report.

The man stated that he started filming and confronted the man. He said that the man started to hit his phone and threatened to kill him.

Police observed redness on the man’s arm.

The man noted that he did not make any physical contact with the suspect but did not want to let him go before the police arrived.

Police observed the videos and noticed the businessman knock the man’s phone out of his hand. Police tried to call the suspect but were unsuccessful.

In security footage, police found the incident obscured by trees, but they noticed a white Toyota 4Runner flee the scene.

Police were able to meet two witnesses who claimed the observed the suspect take a swing at the other man’s face. The witnesses also stated that the man selling the speakers said he was going to shoot him.

Police advised the man to call police if he sees him again.

— Sarah Coyne

Business contacts police over alleged check fraud

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Officers investigated a reported check fraud of $4,400 from a business account May 14.

Alpharetta police said the company reported discovering a check had been cashed by an employee.

The check was dated May 11 and made out to a 43-year-old Atlanta woman for $1,200.

After reporting the check to the bank, which conducted its own investigation, several more fraudulent checks turned up. The checks appeared to be altered versions of a legitimate check made out to the woman.

Officers spoke to the woman, who said her bank account was compromised by scammers. The woman said she had been scammed after attempting to upgrade her account with a money transfer service for a Facebook Marketplace sale.

The incident was classified as a third-degree forgery.

— Jon Wilcox

Thief steals credit cards from three gym patrons

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police are investigating the theft of credit

and debit cards, cash and personal belongings from gym patrons June 10 at the LA Fitness off Holcomb Bridge Road.

An officer said he spoke with one of the victims, a 23-year-old Tuscaloosa man, at the gym parking lot off Ga. 140 around 7:30 p.m.

The Alabama man said he started working out around 6 p.m. and noticed his debit and credit card were missing from his wallet when he finished.

While he initially did not report fraudulent transactions, the victim later told officers that his credit card had been used three times for the same amount, around $257, at the Kroger near East Roswell Park.

The officer said another gym patron approached him about his missing credit card.

The second victim, a 38-year-old Sandy Springs man, said his card was charged the exact same amount as the first victim, but at a different Kroger off Ga. 120 near the Cobb County line.

The report did not indicate what the purchases were for.

The officer then spoke with a third victim, a 37-year-old Roswell man, who reported multiple stolen cards and the loss of $200 in cash.

The third victim said he had two credit cards, each charged the same amount as the other victims, at a nearby Kroger.

The officer said he was not able to determine the specific Kroger location. He also said the third victim received another $125 charge at a nearby La Parilla restaurant.

After speaking with LA Fitness employees, the officer said they set up a time to review security footage of the incident.

In total, the victims’ financial transaction cards were charged more than $1,650.

The Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The case remains active.

— Hayden Sumlin

THE PICTURE FRAMER

NEW FIREWORKS RES TRICTION

After a Cit y Council vote, it ’s illegal in Milton to set off f ireworks within 200 yards of a proper t y that houses equines such as horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. Loud consumer f ireworks have been prohibited cit ywide on all but a few holidays annually, but this new restriction applies to ever y day of the year.

Why? Loud, sudden noises can star tle horses, leading to injuries and proper t y damage. Sparks f rom f ireworks also increases the likelihood of f ires in barns with flammable material such as wood and straw.

How do you know i f you're near a horse proper ty? Chances are high it will be apparent that horses are nearby. Soon, proper t y owners can make it even more obvious by posting f ree yard signs f rom the Cit y that indicates a horse lives on the proper t y.

For more information on f ireworks in Milton, visit www.miltonga.gov/Fireworks.

Public service commission race headed to July runoff election

By ALESSANDRO MARAZZI SASSOON Atlanta Civic Circle

ATLANTA — Incumbent Public Service

Commissioner Tim Echols secured a decisive victory in Tuesday’s Republican primary for District 2. Democrats Keisha Waites and Peter Hubbard will advance to a July 15 runoff election in District 3.

Registered voters can vote in the runoff if they selected a non-partisan or Democratic ballot or did not vote at all in the June 17 primary election.

District 2 results

Echols defeated challenger Lee Muns by a large margin in the Republican primary, which drew far fewer voters than the Democratic primary. He will face Democrat Alicia Johnson — who ran unopposed in her primary — in the general election in November. Johnson secured 125,154 votes by late June 17.

Muns campaigned as a Republican alternative to incumbent commissioners — like Echols — who are viewed by some voters as being too cozy with the utility interests they regulate, like Georgia Power. He forswore taking campaign donations from regulated

utilities and their business interests, and told Atlanta Civic Circle that he crisscrossed the state to connect with voters and make up for his financial disadvantage against Echols. But it wasn’t enough to pull off what would have been a long-shot upset.

By late election night, Echols had 47,811 votes, or 75.8% to Muns’ 15,263 votes, or 24.2%.

Neither Muns nor Echols provided comment by press time.

District 3 results

The disqualification of Democrat Daniel Blackman may have opened the race for three remaining Democratic contenders: Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones and Keisha Waites.

Waites held an early lead in the vote total, but as votes were counted, that lead dwindled. Ultimately, she fell short of the 50% plus one vote threshold to avoid a runoff.

By late election night, Waites secured 57,771 votes, or 46.1%; Hubbard secured 41,794 votes, or 33.3% while Jones secured 25,856 votes, or 20.6%.

The winner of the July 15 runoff will face incumbent Republican Fitz Johnson, who secured 54,420 votes statewide.

Waites, who served as a state representative from 2012-2017 and later as an Atlanta City Council member from 2022-2024 pitched herself to voters as an experienced politician and capable dealmaker they could trust, despite a self-avowed lack of expertise in the technical aspects of energy policy. Voters “want a fighter on the PSC,” she said in a statement to Atlanta Civic Circle.

“I look forward to continuing to work for all the people of Georgia making the case that I am the best choice to serve them on the PSC,” Waites said.” We will continue to watch the race tonight to make sure all votes are counted and continue with the campaign tomorrow,” she added.

Hubbard, an energy policy expert and clean energy advocate, in a statement said “I am grateful to be in the runoff election for Public Service Commission to fight for a Georgia powered by clean, low-cost renewable energy.”

“I have a detailed plan to create that future and to lower power bills,” he said, asking voters to support his campaign.

Hubbard also thanked Jones and Blackman “for their public service, dedication, and work to improve the lives of all Georgians.”

“Mr. Blackman’s record of service with the EPA and Mr. Jones’s regulatory service in California speak to their character. It was an honor to speak alongside them on the campaign trail.”

Jones in a statement congratulated his opponents and thanked his team. A first time candidate, he said “the opportunity to meet and engage with so many informed voters on the important issues of getting electricity bills under control, transitioning to clean energy, and delivering full transparency with ethical fund raising, has personally been truly rewarding and enriching.”

“As this election now shifts to November it is my intent to offer my full support to the eventual Democratic nominee for this critically important state office.”

The June 17 primary election results reported are unofficial until counties certify the results by June 23. Early voting for the July 15 primary runoff is set to begin no later than July 7.

This article was originally published on atlantaciviccircle.org. The nonprofit newsroom covers housing, democracy and labor in Metro Atlanta.

ed , White andYOU !

Friday, July 4 9am-12pm

Walking Parade • 9:45am Foam Party • 10am

Broadwell Pavilion 12615 Broadwell Road

Join us this Independence Day at the Broadwell Pavilion for a celebration where YOU are the star of the show!

Dress yourself, your kids, your wagons, scooters, bikes, and even your leashed pets in the most festive red, white, and blue gear you can find, and parade with pride! We're giving out awesome prizes for the best patriotic outfits and decorations.

(Please note: golf carts are not permitted in the parade.)

But that's not all! After the parade, cool off at our FOAM PARTY from 10 AM to 12 PM!

Bring a towel and a bathing suit. Let’s make America’s birthday bash the most unforgettable one yet! Mark your calendars and bring your festive spirit –we can’t wait to see you there!

Housing , economic experts chart market trends

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

METRO ATLANTA — MarketNsight, one of the Southeast’s leading consultants for housing data and trends, projected a return to rate-driven market during its June 12 update to industry personnel.

John Hunt, chief analyst and principal of MarketNsight, said his team’s December 2024 forecast was spot on. Despite tariff and trade turmoil, the housing market remains on par with last year.

The Federal Reserve kept rates at 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent in mid-June amid concerns about higher inflation and slower growth ahead. Because of its dual mandate, the Fed considers how to achieve maximum employment and price stability when making monetary policy decisions.

Hunt said the rest of 2025 will look like 2024 unless there is a drop in rates.

Because of a drop-off in economic activity amid an uncertain election cycle, pending home sales increased with mortgage rates in the third quarter last year.

Hunt called this the “opposite world,” because home sales should decrease as mortgage rates increase, which was the case in 2022-23.

Professor Rajeev Dhawan, holder of the Zwerner Chair of Economic Forecasting and director at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at GSU, also predicted in December that President Donald Trump’s tariffs would spike mortgage rates but not inflation.

Because rates ticked up with trade and debt uncertainty, more existing homeowners quit waiting, listed their homes and downsized. It helped raise Metro Atlanta’s housing supply, which is still below the targeted six months supply.

In March 2025, purchases of previously owned homes saw the largest monthly increase in more than two years along with a decline in mortgage rates.

Since April, pending home sales have dropped as mortgage rates have risen, signaling a return to a rate-driven market.

Inventory on the rise

For those outside the industry, the biannual “MarketWatch” calls shed some light on housing trends and why home prices are up more than 40 percent since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Atlanta now has higher resale inventory today than we did at the peak of 2019,” Hunt said. “We’ve seen inventory drop steadily since the pandemic housing boom, even during the interest rate increases in 2022-23, so there are several cities that are back to more inventory than prior to the pandemic, but we still have it under supply.”

Hunt said he thinks it’s good that resale inventory continues to rise because it

MARKETNSIGHT/PROVIDED

A table from regional housing experts at MarketNsight shows the relationship between average home prices and square footage in Metro Atlanta over the past five years. Home prices have increased 42 percent, and data shows an affordable $350,000 home would need to be less than 1,600 square feet.

MARKETNSIGHT/PROVIDED

A graph from MarketNsight shows United States residential building permits issued from 1980-2024. MarketNsight Chief Analyst & Principal John Hunt said residential building permits are yet to recover from the Great Recession in late 2007, causing “a housing shortage of epic proportions.”

chips away at the affordable housing crisis in Metro Atlanta.

Hunt also said the data shows the housing market’s lock-in effect is going away as longtime homeowners with too much square footage find options to downsize.

“Their homes are worth 60 to 70 percent more than they were in 2019, they’re sitting in a boat load of equity. That's not the problem,” Hunt said. “They didn't want

can’t be one answer. We’re seeing, bit by bit, cities come to realize that and radically change their zoning to allow for smaller product, smaller lots [and] higher density.”

Shift to smaller homes

Because builders face several challenges, including high land costs, rising material prices and labor shortages, there is a shift is toward less expensive homes.

Citing a chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders, Hunt said the future growth of market is tied to its ability to add product for entry-level homebuyers at around $350,000.

According to MarketNsight’s data, a $350,000 home in Metro Atlanta would need to average 1,566 square feet. In some Metro Atlanta cities, like Roswell, it’s illegal to build a single-family home that is less than 2,000 square feet.

“You ask these cities why, and they can't tell you,” Hunt said. “That's what we're seeing crumble right now across multiple cities, that's the sea change that we're seeing and it's starting to slowly trickle in here to Atlanta.”

Successful examples include Nebraska, New York and Austin, which have adjusted zoning and seen their housing crisis alleviate, Hunt said. It has also been a topic farther south in Fulton County.

The Sandy Springs City Council discussed redevelopment and multifamily housing at its June 17 meeting. Some elected officials advocated for owner-occupied homes and some expressed concerns about the pace of multifamily development.

Hunt said he thinks the city should focus on support of missing middle housing that is owner-occupied and matches the existing character of the specific area.

“I think that makes a better citizen and creates ownership opportunity for people,” Hunt said, as he began to discuss the unique challenges facing younger Americans. “My parents got on that ladder 60 years ago, and they were able to invest that throughout their lives and parlay that into a big investment. I was able to do that, you know, 25 years ago.”

Missing middle housing can look like existing single-family neighborhoods with two-story buildings containing a few units.

to pay 6.5 to 6.8 percent … now we're seeing inventory on the resale side rise, which is not a bad thing. It's a good thing actually. We need the inventory.”

Hunt said he thinks most municipalities and city councils tend to be opposed to density, but a solution to the housing crisis does not need to involve apartment towers.

“Housing attainability domestically is the biggest issue of our time,” Hunt said. “We have to come together to fix it … it

An affordable $350,000 home does not exist in the core of Metro Atlanta. Because of restrictive zoning, Hunt said the problem persists.

“We pulled the ladder up and said, ‘no, we’re all happy, but you can't get on it,” Hunt said. “But again, I think we're changing. And when you see success, it breeds success.”

In a recent column, mortgage industry veteran D.C. Aiken offered his advice to potential first-time homebuyers and drew attention to lack of housing options in North Fulton.

Just opened?

New North Point restaurant adds quality, authenticity

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — There’s sushi, and then there’s the kind of sushi that makes diners realize they have never actually had it.

That reaction is one Minami Powell often hears at Edo Japanese Cuisine, which opened in Alpharetta in May.

“They say I’ve never had sushi like this before,” Powell said. “I didn’t even know what sushi was.”

With a focus on authenticity, Edo already has made waves in the city’s dining scene, attracting both purists seeking traditional Japanese fare and newcomers curious to taste a cuisine with 5,000 years of history.

Powell’s family owns about 80 restaurants in Brazil, China and Japan. Edo, 2500 North Point Court, marks their first in the United States

The Alpharetta restaurant prides itself in serving sushi made from imported Japanese fish and certified A5 wagyu beef from Japanese Black cattle, also from Japan. It aims to deliver a painstakingly authentic cuisine with an almost religious emphasis on the sourcing of ingredients.

The result is an experience that is exceptional, said Powell, who has worked at her family’s restaurants for more than 40 years.

“I am very high on quality. I want to make sure that the quality is amazing, not good. It needs to be amazing,” she said. “The expectation of being here versus what they know is completely different. It is mind blowing.”

That experience begins at the parking lot when visitors are greeted by the restaurant’s striking facade. The building’s sloped roofs and extended eaves pay homage to Japan’s Edo period, which began in 1600 and is considered one of the culture’s golden eras.

Inside, the restaurant opens to a two-story atrium girded by tables recessed into walls with a long sushi bar at its center. Warm-toned stained wood abounds, and accent lighting lends the space an inviting but exciting vibe.

Tucked into corners are historical relics like samurai armor and real Edo-period coinage.

Powell said she aimed to create a dining area that directly spoke to the period and evoked a feeling of mystery while radiating ambience.

“It took a lot of money and a lot of time, but here we are,” she said, smiling.

The architecture may turn heads, but the restaurant’s real focus is the food.

Japanese cuisine embodies a duality that balances flavors while celebrating the uniqueness of each ingredient, said Powell, who grew up with the food during a youth that began in Tokyo and extended to Rio De Janeiro.

PHOTOS BY: JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Minami Powell, whose family owns Edo and about 80 others around the globe, sits at the sushi bar at her restaurant June 18.

Edo:

Unlike Westernized rolls, which mix flavors and often feature nontraditional ingredients like mayonnaise or cream cheese, Edo’s sushi seeks to celebrate the uniqueness of every fish.

Powell said Edo’s chef, a man who has worked for her family for decades since he was a teenager, is another big part of ensuring the quality of those dishes.

“The essence of Japanese food is that we try to enhance the flavor of each ingredient,” she said. “It’s very important in Japanese households to eat like 18 to 19 different types of ingredients in every single meal … Every little thing counts.”

Whether it be bluefin tuna, sea bream, sea urchin, yellowtail, salmon or scallop, each has its own delicious identity.

And each shares one thing in common. They are exquisitely fresh, harvested from the cold waters off Japan before being shipped to Alpharetta.

To ensure their flavor is at its maximum, Edo’s sushi is never prepared or cut in advance. Instead, the sushi chefs slice each fish as orders are received. That is because a fish’s flavors are released as soon as a knife touches it.

“It’s an explosion of flavors,” Powell said.

Edo pays an equal amount of attention to its beef, aiming to source the best and prepare in a way to highlight its special character.

Certificates prove the meat’s pedigree, listing each cow’s birthplace in Japan, birth date, breed, packing date, sex, butchering location and identification number.

BUSINESSPOSTS

which was selectively bred for centuries to create highly dense marbling and an extremely savory flavor.

The cows are massaged by caretakers and fed beer to make their meat especially tender.

It is sliced thin and prepared with seasonal vegetables for sukiyaki and shabushabu and seared for tataki. It also is featured as a sushi.

“Oh my gosh, it just melts in your mouth,” Powell said.

Edo offers a host of other traditional menu items from noodles like soba, udon and ramen to yakitori to a variety of tempuras that include fried and battered abalone, lobster tail and soft shell crab.

“What really makes a difference in Japanese food is that you learn from a really young age that every food has a function,” she said.

The restaurant also boasts a full bar with cocktails like a popular lychee martini or top-shelf spirits such as a $200 sake.

In the month since its opening, Edo has attracted a following of diners craving authentic and purposefully made sushi, wagyu and other Japanese dishes. To that crowd, Powell said the restaurant has prided itself in delivering the real deal.

But Powell also said she loves serving customers who are uninitiated. She hopes those diners come in hungry and ready to receive an education in what makes Japanese food great.

Often during dinner service, she walks table to table, getting great joy from teaching diners about her culinary heritage.

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The restaurant serves A5-grade beef harvested from Japanese Black cattle,

“Some people don’t want to talk, and I’m OK with that,” she said. “But if somebody is like, ‘So, tell me why this is this or that,’ and they just keep on asking me questions, I love that. I love that because I can teach them a little bit of a culture that is so old and ancient.” Continued from Page 8

A sashimi platter offers a half dozen kinds of fish sourced from the cold waters off Japan and cut to order.

PHOTOS BY: JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Minami Powell looks at photos of her and her family at Edo Japanese Cuisine June 18.

ICE picks up Hispanic reporter arrested at DeKalb County protest

By CHAMIAN CRUZ WABE

ATLANTA — A Spanish-language journalist who livestreamed his own arrest at a weekend protest outside Atlanta was transferred from the DeKalb County Jail to Immigration and Customs Enforcement just before 3:30 a.m. June 18 and now faces possible deportation to El Salvador, according to his attorneys.

As previously reported by WABE, Mario Guevara was booked into the DeKalb County Jail on Saturday, June 14, after his attorneys say he was approached on the sidewalk by three police officers in riot gear while covering one of the many protests that day against President Donald Trump’s administration and its immigration policies.

Who is Mario Guevara?

Guevara, who fled El Salvador with his family two decades ago and built a following as an independent journalist covering immigration raids, was charged with obstructing police, unlawful assembly and improperly entering a roadway. A judge granted Guevara bond June 16, but he was kept in jail after ICE placed an extra 48-hour hold on him.

At a press conference after the arrest, Diaz said he expected the hold to expire the afternoon of June 18, and that DeKalb County would be required to release him. If not, a legal team would begin the process of filing a habeas corpus petition in federal court.

“His record is impeccable in this country, so this arrest is concerning,” Diaz said. “Although there’s been a surge since the Black Lives Matter movement with detaining journalists, it’s still a relatively rare occurrence here in the United States.”

According to Diaz, Guevara has an application pending for a green card and is the primary caretaker of his adult son, who is a U.S. citizen and recently underwent surgery for a brain tumor. It’s not clear to which ICE facility Guevara was transferred.

“He’s in ICE custody and we’re working on preparing his bond motion,” Diaz told WABE.

An estimated 5,000 people rally against the policies of the Donald Trump administration during the

hosted by Pocketbook Brigade June 14.

What’s next?

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office did not provide any more information about Guevara’s release from the county jail or how many other people were picked up by ICE overnight when reached out for comment.

But during the June 17 press conference, Guevara’s attorneys said they were confident they could help get him released.

“Mario’s case is one that has a high probability of success,” Diaz said. “Unfortunately, under this

administration, we’ve seen some very interesting tactics being implemented during litigation… but we’re still getting the bonds, we’re still getting these cases granted, and we feel confident that if Mario does end in the hands of immigration, that we’ll be successful.”

Diaz said that if Guevara was taken into ICE custody, he would likely spend some time at the agency’s downtown field office before being transferred to either the Stewart Detention Center or the Folkston ICE Processing Center, which he described

as being “overwhelmed.”

“People are sleeping on the floor,” Diaz said. “Some detention centers don’t have enough food. … My job is to try to get people out of those hell holes. So, it’s not fun. If anybody I know can handle it and be in good spirits, it’s Mario … I think somebody like him, who’s faith-driven and mission-driven, is somebody who’s prepared to handle whatever those conditions may be.”

This story was provided by Appen Media media partner WABE.

DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA

“No Kings” protest in Tucker

Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist

Insist on the

BEST

Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.

He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.

Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 22 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.

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.

A major step forward in understanding Multiple Sclerosis

to you by –

While I usually focus on dermatology, every so often, a discovery from another field demands attention. A recent, elegantly designed study has produced compelling evidence that some cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be caused by bacteria in the Lachnospiraceae family.

MS is a chronic disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord. MS often worsens over time, leading to disability and reduced life expectancy. Common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, balance problems, and cognitive impairment—issues that severely impact quality of life.

In recent years, the importance of gut health in overall wellness has come into focus. We now frequently hear about the “gut-skin,” “gut-joint,” and “gut-brain” axes, suggesting that gut health is closely tied to the health of distant organs. We’re just beginning to understand how gut bacteria— collectively known as the gut microbiome— play a role in both health and disease.

Clues to MS’s origins have come from a related condition, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). In GBS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath around peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms like hand and foot weakness and sometimes paralysis. A well-established trigger for GBS is Campylobacter jejuni. Its surface proteins mimic those found in human nerves closely enough to confuse the immune system, leading the immune system to attack both the bacteria and the body’s own tissues—a phenomenon called molecular mimicry.

Since the 1982 discovery that C. jejuni can cause GBS, researchers have hunted for a similar microbial trigger for MS. Many studies proposed potential bacterial culprits, but with thousands of gut bacteria to sort through, most leads fell flat.

collected bacterial samples from the ileum and colon—both stool and wall-adherent bacteria—from these twins. The twins’ DNA might be identical, but their gut microbiomes were not! Researchers transferred these bacterial communities into the MS-prone mice. The result: mice receiving microbiota from MS-affected twins developed illness, and a bloom of bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family was observed. Two species in particular—Eisenbergiella tayi and Lachnoclostridium—were linked to disease development.

While this study is a landmark in neurology, its implications extend to autoimmune diseases across the body, including those of the skin. For example, patients with inflammatory bowel disease are nearly three times more likely to have severe psoriasis, a chronic skin condition. Molecular mimicry involving the gut microbiome could be a unifying cause in many autoimmune disorders.

Why the ileum and not some other part of our gut such as the stomach? The stomach is extremely acidic. In contrast, the pH of the ileum is around 7.4 – similar to the rest of our body. The bacteria that thrive in the ileum could also easily thrive in the rest of our body, so bacteria in the ileum pose more of a threat of invading and causing disease. To defend our bodies from the bacteria that live in the ileum, the immune system has to be hypervigilant – sometimes too vigilant. The ileum has specialized lymphoid structures to train aggressive immune system cells. But highly trained immune cells can sometimes become overzealous attacking not just harmful invaders, but our own tissues as well. Sometimes, autoimmunity is a consequence of having a part of our gut be the same pH as the rest of our body and of having to fight off the bacteria that grow there.

Accepting new patients.

That may have changed in February 2025. A breakthrough study involved using a mouse model that mimics MS when mice are exposed to certain gut bacteria. In sterile environments, these mice remained healthy, but once exposed to normal gut flora, they could develop a MS-like illness. They were more likely to develop this illness if the bacteria came from the gut of people with MS. The challenge was identifying which specific bacteria were responsible.

The game-changing insight came from studying identical twins where one twin has MS and the other does not. Researchers

The discovery of Lachnospiraceae in the ileum likely causing some cases of MS is exciting because it offers a roadmap for uncovering microbial causes of autoimmune diseases more broadly. If a suitable animal model exists for a disease, and if human twin pairs can be identified where only one of the two twins is affected, this approach could be replicated across various conditions—perhaps in psoriasis, certain types of eczema or in hidradenitis.

We are entering an era when the microbiome may hold the key to some of medicine’s most enduring mysteries. As our understanding of these bacterial-human interactions deepens, causes of disease will be identified, and new treatments will follow.

Dr. Brent Taylor

Kathryn Filipek, PA-C

Brought

Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

Chamber economic group announces new director

NORTH FULTON, Ga. — The Greater North Fulton Chamber announced June 18 that Rich Johnson will take on the role as Executive Director of The North Fulton Economic Alliance.

The North Fulton Economic Alliance serves a new public-initiative of the Greater North Fulton Chamber.

Johnson, a lifelong resident of the region, most recently served as the Chair-Elect of the Greater North Fulton Chamber.

“Rich has served as an active board member at both of the Chambers I have had the pleasure to lead, and I have trusted him as a dependable leader for the 15 years I haveknown him,” said Greater North Fulton Chamber CEO Kali Boatright.

Johnson will serve as the founding leader and execute the five-year strategic plan and goals recognized by public and private leaders across North Fulton. He will focus on three key areas which include the branding and marketing of the North Fulton region, the expansion of the talent pipeline to strengthen regional competitiveness and the elevation of regional economic development.

“This region has so much to offer and such an amazing story to tell,” Johnson said. “I look forward to working with our community and corporate leaders to create that narrative and truly develop The Alliance.”

The Greater North Fulton Chamber stated that Johnson is known for driv -

ing measurable impact and will drive economic development initiatives.

Johnson recently served as the Assistant Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs with AT&T, since 2013. In the role, her coordinated the company’s economic development efforts and was responsible for building and enhancing relations with key stakeholders.

He will begin his new role July 7. To learn more about the alliance and chamber, visit gnfcc.com/business-development/NFEA.

— Sarah Coyne

OPINION

A star athlete became a star in life - meet Hamp Phillips

In high school he was a star athlete despite his diminutive size. Baseball, football and track--he excelled in all. After a career at General Motors he followed in his fatherin-law’s footsteps and became a successful businessman. In the process he developed a devoted following and when he passed away in 2015 at age 78, newspapers were overwhelmed with tributes and memories. His name was Hampton Allred Phillips, but everyone called him “Hamp.” This is his story.

Hamp Phillips (1937-2015) was born and raised in Milton. Hamp was a natural athlete, and when he went to Milton High School, he played third base in baseball, linebacker in football and took part in track. He was frequently mentioned in Atlanta newspapers. He was short of stature and the Atlanta papers were determined to give him nicknames. I like to think that was the sports writers’ way of paying tribute to a short man who accomplished big things.

Here are some examples of newspaper comments. “This hard-hitting 135-pounder is called ‘Mr. Chitlins’ up Alpharetta way.“ (Atlanta Constitution October 27, 1953), “Hamp Phillips, a tidbit toughie who ran the ball for more yardage than anyone on the field, sparked a Milton comeback.” (Atlanta Constitution September 4, 1954), “Wee Hamp Phillips opened the game with a home run.” (Atlanta Constitution April 5, 1955), “Hamp Phillips, a little man with big aspirations led Milton’s 12-run assault….“ (Atlanta Journal May 25, 1955), “Milton Coach Gus Letchas has a remarkable “little man” in 140-pound Hamp Phillips… the lad who supplied much bat power for Milton’s state Class B baseball championship.” (Atlanta Constitution August 25,1955).

Hamp and his wife Theresa Cobb Phillips (1937-2008) were members of Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church. They and their two children Hamp Pierce Phillips, often called Little Hamp, and Pippa attended church together. Pastor Randal Cagle recalls that his father Pastor Raymond “Edward” Cagle married Hamp and his wife and preached at Hamp’s funeral.

Theresa’s family owned a cabin – cabin 38 -- at the Holbrook Campground where uncles, aunts and cousins spent time together at annual camp meetings. Theresa’s family still uses the cabin.

Hamp’s father-in-law Wilburn Pierce Cobb (1910-1985) started a tack shop, which is an equestrian supplyr store. When Wilburn died Hamp took over the shop and continued to work for General

PROVIDED

Yearbook caption reads: Hampton Phillips 5’9” “Chitlens” was a powerhouse at his fullback position. As a linebacker he was one of our best. He won the title as one of the State’s “Little Giants.” He has two more years.

Motors in their Doraville plant. Hamp worked for GM for 30 years and for several years worked part-time in the saddle and tack shop which became known as Hamp’s Saddle and Tack. He operated the shop for more than 30 years.

Jerome Hunter worked at GM with

at a drive-in movie theater in downtown Alpharetta. My brother and I had the best childhood ever, like living in Mayberry” Pippa recalls.

Hamp was passionate about his business and after losing his wife to Alzheimer’s it was his salvation.

In December 2014, six years after Theresa’s death, an electrical fire completely destroyed the shop. Hamp was devastated and according to Pippa talked about retiring from the business that had brought him so much joy. Pippa says, “The next day I posted something on Facebook. The post went viral. The community rallied around him, raising some $25,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to help him rebuild. The day after the grand opening of the new building Dad was diagnosed with cancer.

“Because of the outpouring of love from the community Dad learned how much people adored him. There were hundreds of comments on Facebook which I would read to him every day. Theirs was a love story for the ages” says Pippa.

Former Alpharetta mayor Jimmy Phillips, mayor from 1979 to 1997, knew Hamp and says “he was one of the good guys. He was hard-working and had a great personality. He drew people to him because of the way he treated them.”

Hamp. “I was about 27 or 28 and a young first-time supervisor in 1977 and 1978. Hamp was about ten years older than me. He was a trim repairman whose job was to repair the interior of new vehicles as they came down the assembly line. He made sure dashboards, seats, doorhandles etcetera were in perfect condition. He was a mentor to me, my go-to person.”

Hamp’s son, Hamp Pierce Phillips or Little Hamp, a probation officer in Dawson County, recalls working in the tack shop when his grandfather Wilburn owned it. Little Hamp was in the Army stationed in Korea for five and a half years where he met his wife when his grandfather died in 1985. “My father bought the business. After Dad passed away, I bought my sister’s half of the business and ran it for a couple of years until covid hit. Then I sold all the merchandise and closed shop. I was blessed to have a such a wonderful role model in my dad.” Little Hamp says his father was always conscious of his height. “When I was in the Army, he told me ‘If you are in a fight, always pick the biggest man in the group. If you lose, it won’t look so bad.’ “

Pippa Sheehan, Hamp and Theresa’s daughter, says that her parents’ life together is a true love story. “Mom was a city girl from Atlanta and dad was a country boy from Alpharetta. They met

Phoebe Lawson, owner of the Phoebe Lawson Stables in Alpharetta, says Hamp’s business was made up of his barn and some big trailers. “He would go to auctions and stores going out of business in his pickup and buy everything they had. He sold a lot of western items and he would mend people’s horse blankets and anything in leather. Negotiating with him was fun. He enjoyed haggling, Everybody went there and to Atlanta Saddlery.”

Linda Moss has owned Briarcliff Stables in Alpharetta for forty years. The business specializes in pony rides. She says “every saddle in our barn came from Hamp Phillips. Hamp loved what he did. He always gave really good deals.” Linda remembers a story about Hamp and Theresa, his future wife. He took her in his truck on a date to the Old Saddle Club in Cumming. After a while she did not want to ride any longer, so he put her in his truck and he rode the horse. “He had never ridden before and was very raw when he got home,” Linda says.

Thanks to Connie Mashburn, a former star athlete himself at Milton High School and distant cousin of Hamp, to Connie Hunter and Cynthia Lawman for their help with this column.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@ bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

BOB MEYERS

Columnist

ATLANTA CONSTITUTION

Baseball star Hamp Phillips arrives at home plate after hitting a first pitch home run against Union County.

in line 1 are 5, 5 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!

FISH FOR DINNER

1. Paradise lost. Shrimp kin. Moxie.

2. Lean flesh of any of several flatfish. Get away. Tree growth.

3. Golf course hazard. Shipshape. Bears’ favorite fish.

4. Brandy flavor. Bony food fish. Cousin of a zither.

5. Hospital area. Sandwich fish. Hate.

6. Yellowstone creature. Low water mark. Shellfish.

7. The King. Edible ocean menace, thresher __. Fuzzy brown eggshaped fruit.

1 Paradise lost. Shrimp kin. Moxie.

2. Lean flesh of any of several flatfish. Get away. Tree growth.

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. Golf course hazard. Shipshape. Bears’ favorite fish

4. Brandy flavor. Bony food fish. Cousin of a zither.

5. Hospital area. Sandwich fish. Hate

6. Yellowstone creature. Low water mark. Shellfish

7. The King. Edible ocean menace, thresher ___. Fuzzy brown egg-shaped fruit.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 201 EVENTS

INDEPENDENCE DAY – Friday, July 4

Alpharetta City Band Concert on the Lawn – 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy Wills Park Fireworks after the Concert

Entrance Fee: Concert & Fireworks - $10 per car

Highway 9 Band – Dance Night in the Ballroom

Open Dance – 8:30 p.m. Lessons – 7:30 p.m.

Admission: $12 per person cash or credit

BINGO – 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13 & 27

Future Games: 2nd & 4th Sunday Each Month

Dances & Dance Instruction

For all the details visit www.club201dance.com

A home in good neighborly hands

There’s an insurance company that purports to make you feel like you’re in good hands. With the outrageous price for being insured these days, I’m sure the company’s good hands are acting like mischievous children who took delight in pilfering money from your pocket.

Then there’s the company that says it’s “like a good neighbor,” which sounds good. If it were only true.

Once, after paying escalating premiums and having no claims, a storm tore through the neighborhood and tore shingles off my roof.

Several neighbors had similar damage and got their roofs replaced. Not me. My home was a sight of an honestto-God miracle.

At least it was akin to some sort of shrine according to the “good neighbor” appraiser. Four surrounding homes had roofs damaged in that storm.

Not me. Those shingles that were scattered on the lawn were attributed to normal wear-and-tear. I treated that company like a neighbor. I said “No, I’ll not lend you any more tools, so ‘Adios’ to you.”

Fortunately, there are truly good neighbors out there and I’m so very lucky to have a dandy.

Jeremy Poisson is a veteran, still serving our country. He and his wife Mollie, a middle-school teacher, have two children, one in grade school and the other, a rising highschool freshman. Jeremy sits on our HOA board, a seemingly thankless task, which, after having served two terms in the past, is something that screams: “Been there. Done

that. Got the t-shirt!”

On a more personal note, Jeremy came through recently when an afternoon storm felled a huge tree in a neighbor’s yard. Unfortunately, the massive tree blocked, not only the neighbor’s driveway, but ours as well. Minutes after the tree fell, Jeremy was there, chainsaw in hand, clearing my driveway while the rain still fell. Mollie got into the act, soliciting Facebook help to find a tree service that cleared the neighbor’s driveway.

To heck with the hollow promises I experienced from

the “good hands” people. There was no doubt that the Poisson’s aren’t anything close to being like a good neighbor. They are great neighbors, but even before the storm’s devastation, Jeremy is putting his money where his mouth is.

This year, as he has done every year since local fireworks became legal, Jeremy is planning his personal Independence Day gift for the neighborhood in the form of an awesome, breathtaking and patriotic display of all things that explode and elicit “oohs and aahs” from an audience of homeowners who benefit from the Poisson’s generosity.

The event has outgrown our cul-de-sac and was moved last year to the Sweetwater clubhouse. This isn’t some nickel-and-dime undertaking. The cost for all the ordinance is somewhere in the $2,000 vicinity and Jeremy does it as a gift, albeit a very expensive one, to the residents.

Hopefully, someone will pass a hat during this year’s hour-long display (complete with music) and help defray the cost of all those explosions. But Jeremy isn’t asking for money.

There’s been talk of having hot dogs available, which further adds to the patriotic theme of a personal highlight of my summer.

Fireworks, patriotic anthems, hot dogs. All we need is a baseball game and for someone to bake an apple pie.

That would be the neighborly thing to do.

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

MIKE TASOS Columnist

JEREMY POSSION/SPECIAL

Max Poisson guards a small part of the fireworks his dad Jeremy will unleash on July 4th.

OPINION

Only one thing cellphones are good for while fishing

STEVE HUDSON Columnist

Cellphones. Sometimes I hate ’em.

You’re in the concert hall, entranced by the most intense part of the most profound piece of music ever written – and somebody’s cellphone rings.

Or you’re in a moment of emotional intensity. Great things are being shared. You’re right there on the edge of profundity – and somebody’s cellphone rings.

Or maybe you’re knee-deep in a creek somewhere, savoring some peaceful fly fishing, just you and the day and the gentle sound of the stream – until, from somewhere, somebody’s cellphone rings.

Cellphones? Ugh.

I especially detest that damnably cheerful jingle that sounds each time the cellphone rings. Uh huh. That one. Maybe someday I’ll turn down its volume with that sledgehammer there in the corner of the garage. Yeah, that would do it.

But I digress.

Truth be told, I admit that I need that electronic tether. I even (gasp!) carry it with me when I’m fishing. There. I said it, and confession is good for the soul.

It used to be that, when fishing, I turned the ringer off lest it distract me at some critical moment and make me miss some critical fish.

But not anymore. These days I leave the ringer on. Why? Because a call might come to me from North Carolina. There’s a brand new baby girl up there, you see – our new granddaughter, to be precise, the first child of my youngest son and his wife.

The baby, at this point, is only a few weeks old. She doesn’t have a lot to say just yet. But still, we manage to

commiserate about things like barbecue. But mostly we commiserate about fishing, sharing piscatorial thoughts deep and profound.

The cellphone makes it easy to do.

Our commiserations usually go something like this:

The phone does its ringy thing. I answer. My son and I chat for a few moments. Then –

“It’s Granddaddy!” he will say, turning his cellphone camera toward his infant child, our new granddaughter. Her tiny angelic face will fill the screen, and (if I’m lucky and she’s not napping and there’s nothing happening in the diaper department) she might even open those angel eyes. They will lock onto mine, right through the screen, and another round of piscatorial commiseration will begin.

I’m not kidding. We exchange thoughts (yes we do) of fishing and flyrods and creeks and streams and ponds. She takes it all in. Our conversation is deep, as deep as that certain run on my favorite stream, deep and rich and full of promise.

How does that work when not a word is spoken? I don’t know. But it does. If you have grandkids, you understand.

Grandkids are grand, sure enough. But they change things. Maybe they even change them enough that you decide (horrors!) to leave the ringer “on” while you’re fishing.

Yeah. That’s what happened to me.

So here I am, enjoying a fine evening of fishing on a little creek near where we live. I’m working my way upstream, casting to the good spots like that deep run right over there. It’s a good one, and it almost always holds good fish. I am hopeful.

I approach the run, keeping low behind a fallen tree so I don’t spook the fish. I ease up within casting range and double-check the fly. I get ready to cast…

That’s when my cellphone rings. I glance at the screen. It’s a Facetime call – from North Carolina. I hook the fly back onto the rod, sit down on the very same log I was about to use as cover, and answer. My son and I chat a bit, and then he says, “Guess who’s here?” and the world on the screen swirls and shifts and settles on Baby Girl, who is in fact wide awake.

Again, we commiserate, she and I. Mostly she listens while I carry on in those goofy tones that only a granddaddy is authorized to use.

I tell her I’m fishing, right there, right then – and in that very instant inspiration dawns. So, I say, “Do you think, Little One, that you would like to catch a fish with me?”

She says yes. I know she does. Holding my phone in one hand, I cast with the other. It’s not the prettiest cast I’ve ever made, but the fly flies true and lands more or less where I aimed. It’s a little pink foam spider, and it drifts 6 inches…a foot… and then disappears in a tiny splash. I lift the rod and feel the fish on the other end of the line.

“Baby Girl!” I say. “You and Grand -

daddy caught a fish!”

I bring in the fish, a tiny one about 5 inches long. It’s small, but it’s beautiful – green and orange and gold. I hold it up to the phone’s camera.

“See, Baby Girl?” I proclaim, suddenly so excited about all of this that I find myself shaking. “See? It’s a fish! You and Granddaddy caught a fish!” I slip the fish back into the stream, and I snip off the fly and place it carefully in one corner of my fly box where it won’t get lost.

It’s special, that one is.

Then I turn back toward the car. I start to walk out of the woods.

But for some reason I stop. I turn around and look back toward the creek and the pool where we caught that fish, and a thought forms in my mind: We never know what the future holds, do we?

Maybe not. But at least I know with absolute certainty where some little part of that future began.

“And maybe,” I whisper, though the words are swallowed by the sound of water on rocks in the soft evening light, “cell phones aren’t so bad after all.”

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Sandy Springs Shopping Center had a bit of everything

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

The first shopping center in Sandy Springs opened in 1954. George Ivey and Robert Ney, who both lived in Sandy Springs, saw the potential for growth. They purchased land on the west side of Roswell Road, between what is now Sandy Springs Circle and Cromwell Road. (Sandy Springs Gazette, 2018, “Sandy Springs shopping takes center stage”)

The Big Apple grocery store opened in the shopping center in 1955. It was the first large grocery store in Sandy Springs. At the time, many stores were open half the day on Wednesdays, so the Sandy Springs Big Apple advertised being open all day on Wednesday. (Images of America: Sandy Springs, Kimberly M. Brigance and Morris V. Moore for Heritage Sandy Springs)

Big Apple marketed their Sandy Springs store as their “finest store.” S&H Green stamps were earned with each purchase. Shoppers saved S&H Green Stamps to purchase household goods. A grand opening was held on September 10, when Big Apple gave away a 1955 Ford Ranch Station Wagon.

Big Apple began from the 1924

Invitation to Bid

wholesale grocery business of Louis Alterman, who came from Russia to New York to Georgia. The name Big Apple began with an independent supermarket on Marietta Street. By 1957, there were 37 stores in Atlanta and the surrounding communities as well as throughout Georgia. (Atlanta Journal, March 3, 1957, “Big Apple founder to see chain show”)

Robert Ney’s Roswell Road Rexall Pharmacy was the first business to open in the Sandy Springs Shopping Center. He describes the early shopping center in an October 1997 oral history with Heritage Sandy Springs. “Next to me there was a Big Apple Grocery store. Next to them was a Forrest Five and Ten, which was a local chain.” Other early stores included Aldridge Hardware, Swofford Shoes, Pinkard Dry Cleaners and a children’s shop owned by Mary Maglin.

Swofford Shoes was one of the local businesses who sponsored Sandy Springs Little League baseball.

Ney also recalled that First Federal Bank was in the early shopping center at a time when there were no banks in Sandy Springs. Residents had to drive to Buckhead or other locations to manage their banking. The Sandy Springs post office was also located in Sandy Springs Shopping Center.

George Ivey had to get busy helping ensure water and sewer services were available to the new shopping center. He provided library space for ten years, up

FY25 Stormwater Projects at Various Locations

ITB NUMBER 25-PW07

Bid Due Date:

July 23, 2025, by 2:00PM Local Time

Electronic submission via: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bidsrfps

Bid submissions will be publicly announced via a virtual bid opening at approximately 2:30 PM at the City of Milton City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder whose bid meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the invitation for bids.

The City of Milton is requesting bids from qualified parties to provide construction services for the repair of stormwater infrastructure at various locations in Milton, Georgia. All qualified bids will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin. The time and terms of payment, along with the conditions, cost of plans and specifications can be found in the solicitation of bids posted on the websites below. A bid bond of 5% is required when submitting bid response. The request for electronic bids for ITB 25-PW07, FY25 Stormwater Projects at Various Locations will be posted on the following websites the week of June 19, 2025: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-rfps and https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/

until 1965, when the permanent library was dedicated and open to the public. (Atlanta Journal, Feb. 24, 1965, “Sandy Springs to dedicate new library”) Today, the shopping center is known as Cornerstone Square, owned by Regency Centers. Stores include Aldi’s, CVS, Carniceria Los Pinos and Concentra Urgent Care. Wells Fargo

Bank is located in the corner at Sandy Springs Circle and Roswell Road.

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.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF/APPEN MEDIA

Cornerstone Square on Roswell Road is the site of the first shopping center in Sandy Springs.

Fireworks:

Continued from Page 1

To learn more about the new restriction, visit the news tab on miltonga.gov.

In other action June 16, the City Council unanimously approved a budget amendment allowing use of additional occupational tax revenue. The ordinance was given unanimous approval at its first presentation June 2.

The initial budget proposed a total revenue amount of $47.3 million, with the June 16 approved amendment at $1.2 million the new revenue anticipations sits at $48.5 million for Fiscal Year 2025.

“Some of those more significant changes in revenue anticipations were related to the collections for current year real property taxes, land disturbance permits, fines and forfeitures, title eval taxes and intangible taxes, as well as the recognition of interest earnings related to invested [American Rescue Plan Act Fund] funds moving down to the expenditures,” Deputy City Manager Bernadette Harvill said.

The amendment will also increase the current expenditures of $46.9 million by $21,954. Harvill said the department’s expenditure requests will be primarily covered through the use of contingency funds, with the exception of the changes resulting from dedicated revenue sources such as insurance premiums or donations.

In other matters, City Councilwoman Carol Cookerly and Councilman

DEATH NOTICES

Doug Hene appointed Patty Swan and John Murphy to the Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Murphy as the chair for District 1 Post 2 and Swan, as the chair

for District 2 Post 2 will be responsible for sharing insights, opinions and expertise on environmental and sustainability-related issues and initiatives with city staff and leaders.

SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA

Mayor Peyton Jamison, right, swears in Patty Swan and John Murphy into the Sustainability Advisory Committee at the June 16 City Council meeting in City Hall.

Ashley Durden, 39, of Milton, passed away on June 4, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Adam Reboul, 47, of Roswell, passed away on June 3, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Christopher Younge, 49, of Alpharetta, passed away on June 1, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Part-time

Vice President of Client Programs

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Vice President of Client Programs position. The Vice President of Client Programs (VPCP) is a senior leader responsible for creating and implementing the Client Services department strategy for NFCC. This includes creating programs and services, monitoring their effectiveness and ensuring funds are distributed appropriately. The VPCP also leads a team of 13 client services staff who handle client intake, case management, impact and outcomes data, education (GED/English classes) and workforce development programs.

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Workforce Development Coordinator

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Workforce Development Coordinator position. The Workforce Development Coordinator serves as a crucial link between NFCC clients, Volunteer Coaches, and local employers.

The Coordinator collaborates with community businesses to identify hiring opportunities while working closely with Volunteer Coaches who deliver career readiness services including resume writing, job application assistance, and interview preparation. Through these efforts, the Coordinator helps clients improve their employment prospects that may lead to greater financial stability.

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Infor (US), LLC has an opening for a Principal Consultant role in Alpharetta, GA. Provide expertise in software implementations or supply chain and applies knowledge in Supply Chain and Retail, Apparel or Manufacturing industries to decipher customer needs. Consult and gather customer requirements, while collaborating with various teams in building solution designs. 100% Telecommuting permitted. Domestic (U.S.) travel required up to 10%. How to apply: E-mail resume, referencing IN1062, including job history, to careers@infor.com. EOE.

Community Engagement Manager

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Community Engagement Manager position. The Community Engagement Manager oversees all aspects of NFCC’s community events from planning through execution, including creating timelines, managing vendors and securing sponsorships. Events range from the annual golf tournament and fundraising gala to donor recognition and community engagement gatherings. The ideal candidate must be highly organized, creative, and motivated to successfully lead event planning and community engagement initiatives.

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

River To Tap, 3D Design & Facility Assessment Lead, Roswell: Dvlp designs for water, wastewater facilities. Dvlp, maintain Revit 3D models, drawings & plans for improvement. Use point cloud data for 3D models, design, reports & engineering calculations. Identify project needs. Perform inspections. Use REVIT model & use Fulcrum s/ware to conduct condition assessments. Support sr. & mentor jr. staff. Req’s: Bachelors or foreign equiv in Civil Engin + 5 yrs exp in job offered or as Engineer w/water/wastewater engineering exp. Needs exp w/Revit 3D modeling, hydraulic analysis, site inspection, facilities assessment, cost estimating, Civil 3D, pump sizing, w/Fulcrum s/ware to provide critical analysis & recommendations for water/ wastewater facilities & w/process mechanical design. Email resume to george.ajy@r2tinc.com

Application Developer II (Alpharetta, GA)

Migrate current C#.NET Framework web app to our current C#.NET Core web app; Build reliable & reusable code while considering perfrmnc, scalability, & security. Reqs: U.S. Master’s deg in CS, Computer Engg or closely rltd fld & 2 yrs of exp in the job offered, S/w Engineer or closely rltd pos. Concurrent exp must incl 2 yrs of exp w/ Microsoft Azure Cloud using C# & .NET. Mail resume: Tracy Ryan, Balbec Capital, LP, 10000 Avalon Blvd., Ste. 550, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

Software Quality Assurance Analysts & Testers/ DevOps Engineer– Multiple openings - Alpharetta, GA. Intuites LLC needs professionals: Develop & maintain CI/CD processes using tools like AWS, Docker, & Jenkins. Req. – Bachelor + 2 yrs exp. Comp Sal. Relocate to unanticipated sites. No national/international travel involved. Send resume to Ref: Director, 1740 Grassland Parkway, Ste 450, Alpharetta, GA, 30004 - USA.

Ali Baba Farms, Inc. DBA Altin Grocery

Purchasing Agent (Alpharetta, GA) Purchase a range of products such as pantry items, cleaning supplies, beverages, bakery goods, & kitchen appliances. Eval & identify dependable suppliers. Consider inventory reqmts & availability to determine the optimal purchase order for each product. Promptly address any product issues. Bachelor’s deg in Bus. Admin, or Finance, M-F, 40 hrs/wk; May telecommute from anywhere in the U.S. Send Resume to Omer Atik Sarigul, President, 1879 McFarland Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Infor (US), LLC has an opening for a Consultant, Senior position in Alpharetta, GA. Design business solutions and configure ERP systems per business requirements. Build specifications for integration tools, interfaces, and extension packages. Document project deliverables, including system blueprints, development specifications, and test cases. 100% Telecommuting permitted. Domestic (U.S.) travel required up to 50%. How to apply: E-mail resume, referencing IN1061, including job history, to careers@infor.com. EOE.

Ubisoft has an opening in Alpharetta, GA for a Software Engineer [SEYY625] to write code & drive gameplay feature dev. from prototype through release. Wage range: $86,861$108,108/yr. Telecomm allowed w/in U.S. To apply, email resume & include job title & job code to fumie.nakao@ubisoft.com.

24 ON Physicians, PC seeks multiple FT Hospitalist Physicians (Alpharetta, GA). Render medical services in the medical specialty of Hospital Medicine. Must have M.D., D.O. or foreign equiv degree. Must be board certified or board eligible in Internal Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine. Must possess IL medical license or able to obtain. Subject to periodic transfers to various unanticipated locations in the US. Must have legal authority to work in US. EEOE. Resume to: C. Fann, 24 ON Physicians, PC, 13000 Deerfield Pkwy, Ste 100, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or cfann@incompasshealth.com. Ref: HospitalistNB32

Agilysys NV, LLC seeks Manager Technical Support in Alpharetta, GA to Manage customers problems & escalations. 100% Telecomm. permitted w/n the U.S. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com Ref: 25411.

To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm

Part-Time Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) Thrift Shop Associate

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the part-time Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) Thrift Shop Associate position. One of the primary responsibilities of this role is to provide a high level of customer service in the Thrift Shop. The associate is responsible for all cash register and client clothing program transactions and keeping the merchandise in the store neat, clean, and organized. The role requires a friendly and customer-focused demeanor where all shoppers are treated with dignity and compassion.

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Part-time Salesforce Business Analyst

NFCC is seeking a part-time Salesforce Business Analyst to help ensure operational efficiency by updating data, building reports and assisting organizational teams to increase their capability to meet organizational needs. The Salesforce Business Analyst will also build and generate organizational reports monthly (eg. KPI, volunteer reports), complete Salesforce data clean-up projects and analyze data sets for special projects to ensure organizational efficiency.

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

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