23, 2025 |
Milton parks projects expected to pick up
By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga — Milton Parks and Recreation Director Tom McKlveen reported Oct. 16 that plans to develop three of the city’s parks are proceeding, with more coming soon.
In the Park Advisory Board’s first meeting since June, McKlveen said there has been a slight push forward on Milton City, Legacy and Deerfield parks, but progress should pick up shortly.
McKlveen said there are no “earth-shattering” updates on the progress of design plans for the Deerfield Active Park, but board members can expect more details in the coming months. The city bought the property at 300 Deerfield Parkway in 2024 and plans to develop two large athletic fields, four baseball diamonds, 16 pickleball courts and a couple of tennis courts.
Phase two in developing the passive side of the Milton City Park and Preserve Projects is underway, expanding across 130 of its 137 total acres. Phase one consists of creating trails in the North Woods and opening them to the public. McKlveen estimates the passive part of the project will be completed by the end of the year or beginning of next year.
“They’re really buttoning up [the project],” McKlveen said. “It’s probably a couple of months away … I think it’s going to be immensely more popular than it is now.”
See PARKS, Page 21
Carvin’ for Crabapple set for Milton Oct. 25
MILTON, Ga — The City of Milton invites residents to participate in Carvin’ for Crabapple Oct. 25 from 4-7 p.m. Bring your own pumpkin and carve out your creation at Broadwell Pavilion, 12615 Broadwell Road.
Carvin’ for Crabapple will provide carving and painting tools for participants to create their jack-o-lantern. Food trucks, inflatables and face painting will also be available at the pavilion.
Kids can start collecting candy early at the Milton Police Department’s trunk-or-treat event hosted at the Crabapple Government Center across the street from the Broadwell Pavilion.
HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA
From left, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Scott Mynatt, Chair Scott Stachowski, Vice Chair Stephanie Butler and Jason Alberici listening to updates on parks project during the Oct. 16 meeting.
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Sandy Springs Officer resigns amid Flock misuse probe
By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A Sandy Springs police officer has resigned after allegedly using the city's Flock camera network to help develop a surveillance product for a company where he works, according to interviews and documents obtained by Appen Media.
Public records show Francis Michael Esposito had been with the Sandy Springs Police Department since 2016. According to an internal affairs report and other materials obtained by Appen Media, he resigned in August amid a department investigation into his alleged use of cityleased software to help improve commercial data platform Signal 8.
The Sandy Springs Police Department uses products from Flock Safety, an automated license plate reader and security software company based in Atlanta. The firm’s technology identifies and logs vehicles moving through town to assist police with criminal investigations.
Flock users can perform searches of identifying information – such as license plate numbers or descriptions – to help locate vehicles they suspect are connected to criminal activity. When departments make these queries, they can search certain databases of other agencies as well, tapping into a nationwide network of sources.
The platform also allows agencies to set up lists of vehicles to monitor, getting alerts if they appear in the network.
Flock says its system “is trusted by more than 5,000 communities across the country…” That figure includes all 10 of the cities and counties Appen Media covers in north Metro Atlanta.
Esposito joined the Sandy Springs Police Department in 2016 and was promoted to sergeant in 2021, according to public records obtained by Appen Media.
While employed as a Sandy Springs officer, Esposito began working for Cantonbased Signal 8, a public safety software startup founded by former Sandy Springs
Police Detective Brandon Puhlman, according to their LinkedIn profiles and other public materials.
Signal 8 connects “multiple systems in one interface to reduce time spent on administrative tasks” and help officers deploy quickly, according to its website.
Puhlman, who served with Sandy Springs Police from 2017 to 2021, did not respond to interview requests for this story. Esposito also did not respond.
Earlier this year, Esposito used his Sandy Springs Police credentials to conduct searches in the Flock network for the purpose of informing Signal 8 algorithms, according to a police internal affairs report obtained by Appen Media.
The report alleges Esposito searched Flock for license plate numbers belonging to himself and other employees of Signal 8 along with their families.
“Additionally, there were other entries identified relative to the same dates and reasons, but the names and vehicles could not be definitively identified,” as tied to Signal 8, it noted.
The report also alleges Esposito made searches for the personal license plate number of a fellow Sandy Springs officer.
Esposito’s Flock queries were not made for law enforcement purposes, but instead “for the benefit of a private company for which he was employed,” the investigation alleges. According to the internal affairs report, data gleaned from the searches was used to inform and improve the Signal 8 platform.
Sandy Springs Police officials also sent a letter to Flock Safety, which Appen Media obtained, alerting them to the allegations. In it they write that Esposito, “was utilizing his Sandy Springs Police Department Flock login to obtain Flock Camera data for commercial purposes to validate beta data for a product for a company identified as Signal 8.”
Esposito was under investigation for the alleged actions when he resigned in August.
However, Sandy Springs officials say
THE PICTURE FRAMER
they consider his exit a termination. The reason, they told Appen Media, is because Esposito allegedly refused to answer questions during the probe.
“Frank Esposito was recently terminated after he failed to cooperate during an internal affairs investigation into possible misconduct,” Sgt. Leon Millholland told the newspaper.
In September, Sandy Springs sent Esposito a letter, obtained by Appen Media through a public records request, informing him the investigation had, “concluded with sustained findings of violations of department policies: Abuse of Position and Authority; Common Sense and Judgement; Conduct Unbecoming.” The notice also stated that Esposito’s status, “is officially classified as Terminated, effective August 20, 2025.”
Appen Media also learned Esposito was not an active-duty officer during the time he conducted the alleged Flock searches, according to state, city and other records obtained by the newspaper.
The internal affairs report alleges Esposito made the license plate inquiries from January to April.
According to his personnel file and state records, Esposito resigned from his full-time post with Sandy Springs Police and joined the department’s volunteer Reserve Unit in January.
“Reserve SSPD officers are unpaid sworn officers that volunteer 10 hours a month with the department,” Millholland said. “All Reserve SSPD officers have the same access to department resources and must adhere to the same policies and standards as full and part-time sworn officers.”
Appen Media asked Flock for its reaction to the allegations.
“Upon learning of the situation last month, Flock promptly addressed it directly with Signal 8,” Flock Safety Communications Officer Josh Thomas said.
Managing Editor Pat Fox, Staff Reporter Annabelle Reiter contributed reporting.
County isolates legislative goals for 2026 session
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmeida.com
ATLANTA — The Fulton County Commission batted around legislative priorities Oct. 15 in advance of the Georgia General Assembly’s session beginning in early January.
The purpose is to isolate on issues the county wants its state senators and representatives to pursue under the Gold Dome.
The proposed legislative agenda will be finalized at the commission’s Nov. 5 meeting, according to External Affairs Director Jessica Corbitt.
In developing Fulton County’s legislative priorities, Corbitt said she met with high-ranking county staff and commissioners before attending the state’s Association County Commissioners meeting early this month.
The top three priorities are to increase judicial resources for the Fulton County Superior Court, to oppose any legislation diminishing local control and to support an amendment to the Georgia Taxpayer Bill of Rights to allow online publication of millage rate advertisements.
Officials in North Fulton cities have cited their own concerns with the county’s Rice Street jail and the pace of criminal prosecutions.
In her presentation, Corbitt said no other judicial circuit in the state sees the volume and complexity of cases than the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, which includes the county’s Superior Court.
According to a state analysis, the Atlanta Judicial Circuit would need five or six additional judges for its bench to meet the current workload.
Fulton County’s priority for the judiciary is two-pronged. It is seeking creation of one or more additional Superior Court judgeships and passage of Senate Bill 10, authorizing the chief judge to appoint up to five judicial officers.
“This was in direct response to legislation actually passed by the Board of Commissioners in December 2023,” Corbitt said. “Up until now, we have not been successful in securing an additional full-time judgeship.”
New judges would help manage the county’s high case volume and complexity. The judicial officers would handle civil and non-serious felony cases, achieving a similar result.
County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. said he thinks the concept of appointed judicial officers is dangerous and additional ones would set a bad precedent.
“The judges are elected by the people, and they are responsive to the people,” Arrington said. “We got a judge now that’s trying to hold us in contempt and fine us $10,000 a day that’s not responsible to the people, that’s not subject to a vote.”
Arrington is referencing a court order from Senior Superior Court Judge David Emerson, finding the County Commission in contempt of court for failing to appoint Republican nominees to the County Elections Board.
In August, Emerson found the Board of Commissioners in civil contempt and imposed a $10,000 per day fine unless Republican nominees are seated on the County Elections Board.
The Fulton County Board of
Commissioners voted along party lines Sept. 3 to “table” a vote on the Republican Party’s nominees to the Registration and Elections Board until a state Appellate Court ruling.
The daily fines are paused until the ruling.
After the feedback, Corbitt said the county’s priority is to secure a Superior Court judgeship but there are some roadblocks, requiring the state to allocate funding.
“[Judicial officers are] another option to provide additional resources,” Corbitt said. “One of the things we’ve heard over and over again related to our challenges with the jail and our justice system is we just need greater throughput...”
Legal publications
Another legislative priority – the online publication of legal notices –comes amid local media’s shift away from print publications toward digital platforms. The Atlanta JournalConstitution is ceasing its print newspaper at year’s end.
The county’s legal organ is The South Fulton Neighbor, a weekly print newspaper owned by Times-Journal Inc.
“The Neighbor publishes once a week, and frankly, most people do not consume information in print today,” Corbitt said. “There are numerous kinds of public notices, both from Fulton County as a government as well as from individuals doing business in our courts … and so we’re seeking changes.”
Maintaining local control
Corbitt said the final priority,
which supports local control and opposes sovereign immunity waivers, stems from legislation covering service agreements between Gwinnett County and the newly created City of Mulberry.
A Georgia law passed early this year dictates the transition of services between Gwinnett County and the city. One provision removes Gwinnett’s legal protections for one year if it fails to cover costs related to infrastructure, public safety and elections.
The provision, SB 138, is seen as setting a precedent, establishing a model for similar laws or policies in other Georgia counties. Fulton County is opposing it because of the legislation’s perceived challenges to local control and increased avenues for litigation.
“That sought to waive that county’s sovereign immunity protections, which is, of course, a very serious matter as a local government,” Corbitt said.
The discussion devolved into a brief shouting match between commissioners over the potential impact on the County Commission’s ability to reject nominees to the County Election Board.
Corbitt said protection of home rule and sovereign immunity is a legislative priority because of the Association County Commissioners concern over precedent.
“We’ve also seen in the past, legislation that was really focused on Fulton County that sought to diminish either home rule powers or other powers of this duly elected body to make laws and to govern local affairs,” Corbitt said.
Christmas Gift Show
Blessed Trinity High School
Main & Aux Gym
11320 Woodstock Road Roswell, GA 30075
Saturday, Nov. 8th 9am – 5pm
Sunday, Nov. 9th
10am – 3pm
Over 110 vendors with a large variety of unique and beautiful gift items –Jewelry, Wreaths, Pottery, Fine Art, Holiday and Home Décor, Accessories, Knits, Children’s Items, Huge Bake Sale and much more!
• Tons of parking
• All booths are indoors
• Enter our Titan Tidings Raffle to win prizes
• Concessions will be available
• No Strollers Please
• $5 Admission
Early voting ends Oct. 31 for municipal elections
NORTH METRO ATLANTA. — Early voting for the 2025 elections began Tuesday, Oct. 14, and runs through Oct. 31.
City elections and the state Public Service Commission races are on the ballot this year. Election Day is Nov. 4.
In Fulton and DeKalb counties, polls are open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Oct. 18 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 19 and 26 from 12-5 p.m. In Forsyth County, polls will generally be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during early voting. Voters can cast a ballot at any early voting location in their county.
The Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page will show you your sample ballot and polling location. Visit that page at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.
If you live in a city, be sure to check your sample ballot to see who you will be voting for. If you live in an unincorporated area, there is still a race on your ballot for the state Public Service Commission.
The Fulton County polling locations include:
• Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, GA 30009
• East Roswell Library, 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, GA 30076
• Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce De Leon, 980 Ponce De Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
• Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Milton, GA 30009
• North Fulton Service Center, 7741 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30350
• Robert F. Fulton Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA 30005
• Roswell Library, 115 Norcross Street, Roswell, GA 30075
• Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
For the full list of early voting locations in Fulton County, click visit https://www. fultoncountyga.gov/inside-fulton-county/ fulton-county-departments/registrationand-elections/early-voting-locations.
Absentee Voting
The deadline to request an absentee
MORE
Read candidate questionnaires and find more election coverage at appenmedia.com
ballot is Oct. 24. Absentee ballots must be returned by Election Day, Nov. 4. For more information about absentee ballot applications, visit https://georgia.gov/voteabsentee-ballot.
Forsyth County has a dropbox available during early voting at the voter registration and elections office lobby, 1201 Sawnee Drive in Cumming.
In Fulton County, absentee dropboxes are available at the Alpharetta Library, Buckhead Library, C.T. Martin Recreation Center, East Point Library, Robert F. Fulton Ocee Library, Sandy Springs Library, and Wolf Creek Library.
Absentee ballot drop boxes are available at the Berean Christian Church, Belulah Missionary Baptist Church, Dunwoody Library, Salem-Panola Library and TuckerReid H. Cofer Library. During early voting, absentee ballots can be turned into any drop box.
There is no absentee dropbox at the DeKalb VRE Office this year, but ballots can be hand-delivered to the office during the early voting period.
After early voting ends, absentee ballots can be returned to the DeKalb VRE Office during its business hours on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4. Absentee ballots can also be mailed to the Board of Registrars, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032.
Election Day
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. On Election Day, polls are typically open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but sometimes open later if there are technical problems. Usually, anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast their vote. Also, on Election Day, you must vote at the precinct listed on your voter registration.
Wire & Wood festival fills downtown Alpharetta
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The sound of music filled downtown Alpharetta Oct. 10 and 11 as thousands filled several city blocks for the annual Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival.
The festival offered more than 30 performances on six stages at local businesses, City Hall and even an intersection where police blocked traffic to allow fans to gather.
Wang Chung took the stage Oct. 10, performing a set that included chart-topping hits like “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” “Dance Hall Days” and the title track of “To Live and Die in L.A.”
Gaelic Storm, a Celtic band that blends Irish and Scottish influences
with rock, country and folk, followed the following evening.
This year’s festival also included a Listening Room concert, which showcased an intimate performance by Randall Bramblett & Friends, who have performed with icons like Steve Winwood and Gregg Allman.
Ahead of their performance, original Wang Chung members Jack Hues and Nick Feldman discussed what they love about making music, why they keep performing and other topics.
Q: It’s been almost 50 years since Wang Chung formed, and still you are performing at events like Wire & Wood. What keeps you going?
Jack: The demand is there. It’s kind of fun to dip out of real life into this life for a while, and I think there’s a level of enthu-
siasm for what we do that exceeds how it was back in the ’80s. But in a sense, it’s more comfortable than it was back in the ‘80s. People have bought their tickets, and they know what they’re getting, and they get it, and so it’s a fair exchange.
Q: The aesthetic of 1980s pop is more popular than ever with artists like the Weeknd and Dua Lipa leaning into that sound. Why do you think the music continues to be so popular?
Jack: It was a kind of golden age in a sense of pop music. In a sense that enough had gone before for us all to be modeling good songwriting around people who’ve gone before. I think the recording studios were at their apex, in a sense, technically, and there were great engineers, so the records still sound good. And I think it was an age of optimism. I think at the time, there was a sort of idealism, and the music sort of reflects that idealism. There was a sense, still a sense, that music changed the world.
Nick: Things like MTV had a huge impact that imprinted (on fans), because it was new then. It really embedded itself in people’s psyche. That’s very powerful.
Q: The name Wang Chung is stylized from the Chinese phrase “yellow bell.” How did that name come about, and what does it mean to you today?
Jack: What it’s about is vibrations and certain frequencies. The idea is the Wang Chung, the yellow bell, vibrates, produces millions of frequencies, and our reality is one of them. The job of music is to harmonize with that vibration. I think that’s quite a cool idea, and I’m into multi-
dimensional universes and stuff, but trying to harmonize with this one is difficult enough.
Nick: It’s like a sound effect, and the fact that it sort of doesn’t mean anything really is what’s worked. Like in, “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” (the lyric is) “Everybody Wang Chung tonight.” No one really knows what that means, but I think it’s that mystery that helped the song become a massive hit.
Q: You mentioned you still feel a little jet lagged from your flight with your performance just hours away. How do you feel when you get on stage and perform for fans?
Jack: It’s a great rush. When we play, especially, “Dance Hall Days” and “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” it does produce a sort of great crowd reaction, and it’s hard not to keep doing that and enjoy it. You don’t get tired of it. There’s nothing quite like that feedback, and I think a lot of people would give a great deal to have their work recognized in that way.
Nick: It’s incredible because music is about communication, expression. When you go on tour, and you see people respond, and then you talk to them afterwards, they testify what the songs mean to them in their lives. It really touches you, certainly keeps you going. It hasn’t all been for nothing.
Wang Chung is preparing for the release of a new retrospective album, “Clear Light, Dark Matter,” and gearing up for the 40th anniversary of “To Live and Die in L.A.” with a special concert in Los Angeles Dec. 3.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
From left, Nick Feldman and Jack Hues of Wang Chung perform downtown at Alpharetta’s Wire & Wood Oct. 10.
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Packed DeKalb County town hall focuses on impact of data centers
By JAMIE GODIN newsroom@appenmedia.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Most seats were filled at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center Oct. 15, where DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson hosted a town hall on the growing interest in data centers and their impact on the community.
The event brought together local and regional experts to discuss how the rapidly expanding industry affects energy use, infrastructure and economic growth. Atlanta trails only Northern Virginia in proposed new data centers, a boom fueled in part by the rise of artificial intelligence.
Cochran-Johnson said DeKalb County currently has three applications under review and recently issued a moratorium on new construction that runs through Dec. 16 to allow time to study environmental effects and develop clearer guidelines.
“During that time, we can review environmental issues and determine the proper path forward if those applications move forward,” CochranJohnson said. She added that while neighboring counties have seen most activity, no major contracts have been finalized in unincorporated DeKalb County.
“Depending on the size, a single large data center can generate from $1 million to $46 million annually [in revenue],” she said. “Long-term fiscal impacts depend on the valuation, the depreciation schedule of the asset as well as any incentive agreements.”
Representatives from counties with established data centers also spoke.
Newton County Commissioner Desmond Mason discussed the development of Stanton Springs Business Park and the recent construction of Meta’s Stanton Springs Data Center in his county.
Shane Short, executive director of the Walton County Development
Authority, which supplies power to the facility, noted that the future is here.
“Whether we like it or not, we’re living in the digital age,” he said.
The New York Times recently reported the Meta facility accounts for about 10 percent of Newton County’s total daily water usage.
Panelists discussed environmental concerns. Céline Benoît, principal planner for water efficiency at the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, said early planning is vital.
“It’s important for the developers to be at the table with water providers early,” she said.
She highlighted closed-loop cooling as an efficient alternative to traditional water-intensive methods. Closed-loop cooling is required in DeKalb County.
Ahmed Saeed, assistant professor in the School of Computer Science at Georgia Tech, emphasized the role of AI.
“AI hardware specifically requires an exceptional amount of electricity
and cooling,” Saeed said, noting that demand for new data centers is largely driven by advances in AI technology.
Cochran-Johnson illustrated the ubiquity of data centers by asking the audience about everyday technology use.
“Servers have been around since the 1940s ...We all use data centers — we just don’t see them,” she said.
State reps. Viola Davis and Mary Margaret Oliver attended the town hall, which highlighted House Bill 528, sponsored by Oliver, that would require high-resource-use facilities to disclose water and energy usage before receiving tax incentives or permits.
While panelists underscored the economic and technological benefits of the industry, they acknowledged some public skepticism — often fueled by concerns over water usage, environmental impacts and noise levels — may be unavoidable as the county navigates the rapidly evolving issue.
JAMIE GODIN/APPEN MEDIA
Shane Short, executive director of the Walton County Development Authority, discusses data centers during a town hall at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in Decatur Oct. 15. From left are Short, Newton County Commissioner Desmond Mason and Ahmed Saeed, assistant professor in the School of Computer Science at Georgia Tech.
Join us Saturday, November 8 9 a.m. Council Chambers in City Hall 2006 Heritage Walk
to celebrate
VETERANS DAY
The City of Milton would like to invite Milton veterans and their families to enjoy a complimentary breakfast and enjoy a featured speakers at this community event for our local heroes.
Cambridge puts the clamps on Centennial
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — The Cambridge Bears moved to 7-1 on the season after a 35-7 win over Centennial, now 5-2, at Cambridge High School Oct. 10.
The Knights got off to a hot start, scoring on a long first drive. Mason Klein completed an 80-yard drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown.
The Bears responded with five straight scores. Senior wide receiver Craig Dandridge got the motor running steadily with Cambridge’s first three touchdowns, making good on each of the Bears’ first three possessions.
On the Bears’ first drive, Dandridge went to work against the one-onone coverage to score on a 74-yard touchdown. He scored another 15-yard touchdown reception in the redzone , then again on a 29-yard pass to close the first half.
Dandridge racked up 154 yards on six catches but said he wasn’t impressed by tying his season-high of three scores.
“That’s an alright performance, I hold myself to a high standard, knowing the work I put in and what our team can do,” he said. “Our [offensive] line fought incredibly hard, no matter what the call was, and my other dynamic receivers helped open up space on the field. Making sure the little things are in line in these games is what helps you prepare for the big games later on.”
Quarterback Connor Langford, a senior in his first year with the Bears, has strengthened his connection with Dandridge as the season has progressed. Dandridge’s other threetouchdown game was against Calhoun Sept. 12.
Langford went 17-24 for 267 yards and no interceptions. His seasonhigh numbers came against Calhoun, where he passed for 374 yards, six touchdowns and no picks.
Junior running back Brooks Malone made it to the end zone in the third quarter, up the middle with the help of a block by tight end Drew Hardwick. Malone pulled in 124 all-purpose yards with 89 rushing.
Another junior, Jon Orefice, rushed for the last Bears touchdown in the fourth quarter to close the game out strong.
Cambridge’s defense held strong after the Knights’ first drive, shutting out Centennial in the last three periods. Senior linebacker Grayson Joel made a tough tackle that dislodged the ball, and middle linebacker Callum Phillips
turnover.
Cambridge wide out Craig Dandridge crosses the end zone for a 15-yard receiving touchdown at Cambridge High School Oct. 10. Dandridge pulled in three touchdowns against the Knights, checking in on both sides of the ball to guard Centennial’s standout receiver Jake Hickox.
tackles each.
Bears head coach Tyler Jones said he was proud of the defensive
adjustments made to prevent the Knights from scoring after their initial drive.
“Really proud of the effort on defense,” he said. “In the first half, we clicked really well. We have some places to improve, but overall, when you get a region win it’s something to be proud of.”
Although the Knights ran a successful fake punt play for a first down, after their initial drive they never reached the redzone again.
The Bears doubled Centennial’s total yards of offense, with the majority of the Knights’ yards coming from the ground. Defensive backs Isaac Duverson and Kannon Smith broke up several passes each and provided key tackles. Defensive ends Jackson Tanagho and Jhonansen Valcin also made major impacts.
Centennial was slated to go up against Kell (6-2) Oct. 17, after this paper went to press. Visit appenmedia.com for updates. The Bears have a bye next week, then will also face Kell on Oct. 24.
recovered the fumble for the Bears’ one
Safeties Brady McHale and Ford Massey, defensive end KJ Biermann and linebacker Cameron House, who
recorded the only sack, were major pillars of the second-half shutout, with multiple key
PHOTOS BY: ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Centennial sophomore Kannon Smith takes down Cambridge senior Hudson Cocchiara at Cambridge High School Oct. 10. Smith was one of the most active parts of the Knights’ defense, often guarding Bears star receiver Craig Dandridge, who is committed to UGA.
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 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.
Vampires, Werewolves and Dermatology
October 31st might bring you children dressed as superheroes, vampires or werewolves seeking sweets or creating mischief. Although trick-or-treating has been part of American tradition since the 1920s, the legends behind some of the most popular costumes are far older. Tales of vampires and werewolves appear throughout the Middle Ages and perhaps as far back as the Epic of Gilgamesh (c. 1800 BCE). What inspired these frightening figures? Surprisingly, medicine offers intriguing clues. And oddly enough, the same science that helped fuel vampire and werewolf lore is now helping dermatologists fight sun damage and skin cancer.
A group of rare diseases known as porphyrias may have shaped these legends. Porphyrias disrupt the body’s ability to make heme, the molecule that gives blood its red color and carries oxygen. Heme production is an eight-step biochemical process beginning with aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Each step requires a different enzyme. When one enzyme fails, its substrate accumulates—like chocolates piling up in the famous “I Love Lucy” assembly line scene. These buildups, called porphyrins, damage the body.
Depending on which enzyme malfunctions, porphyrins may harm the nervous system or the skin. Neurologic damage can cause pain, seizures, or psychosis. But it is porphyria’s effects on the skin, hair, and teeth that echo most loudly in folklore.
Some porphyrias cause extreme sun sensitivity: a patient’s skin may blister after just minutes in sunlight. Over time, repeated exposure can lead to scarring, thickening, and dark pigmentation. Excess hair may also develop in sun-damaged areas. Teeth can even turn reddish—a condition known as erythrodontia. And in severe cases, victims might literally cry out in pain and flee the daylight. Add paranoia or hallucinations, and you can almost hear the medieval villager whisper: “He only comes out at night… with red teeth and wild hair.”
While no single disease explains the vampire or werewolf archetype in full, the combination of symptoms across different porphyrias could easily have fueled the central features of these myths.
Other medical conditions likely played a role as well. In hypertrichosis, individuals grow hair uncontrollably across the face and body, lending a wolf-like appearance. Rabies can cause aggression and biting, resembling the transmission of vampirism through a bite. Psychiatric conditions may have added their part, too—cases of hemomania, a compulsion involving blood, have been associated with multiple mental illnesses.
Medical historians still debate the exact diseases that inspired vampire and werewolf lore, but legends often arise from a blend of real observations and poetic license including the fisherman’s tendency to exaggerate the one that got away.
Remarkably, the same biochemical pathway that gives rise to porphyria also powers one of modern dermatology’s most effective skin cancer prevention tools. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), often called blue light therapy, deliberately induces a brief, controlled version of porphyria in unhealthy cells. During PDT, a dermatologist applies aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to sundamaged skin. Abnormal cells absorb the ALA and become highly sensitive to light. When exposed to blue light, these cells are selectively damaged and destroyed—like Dracula at a beach party. By exploiting this weakness, PDT reduces precancerous growths known as actinic keratoses and lowers the risk of future skin cancers. It is one of several nonsurgical options in dermatology, alongside topical treatments like 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod, which also target precancers and some early cancers. For most patients, these therapies provide a safe and effective means of halting sun damage before it progresses.
The connection between folklore and medicine highlights how ancient fears sometimes foreshadow scientific discovery. What once seemed supernatural—avoiding daylight, growing thick hair, or exhibiting red teeth—can now be explained biochemically. And today, modern dermatology harnesses the very same pathways to save lives.
So, when a tiny vampire or werewolf comes begging for candy this October, you might smile at the candy bowl and think not only of myths, but also of medicine and of the curious ways that science and legend intertwine.
Dr. Brent Taylor
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
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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.
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Residents must pay for city’s mistakes
No Milton resident should be forced to hire an attorney to protect themselves, or their property, from city employees and elected officials who choose not to follow the laws on the books. But we were.
In early 2024, after three attempts by the current City Council to coerce our neighborhood into agreeing to conditions for an alcohol license and commercial use of a farm winery located at the rear of our subdivision, we had no other choice but to spend thousands of dollars on an attorney to help protect us, and our homes, from a potential alcohol-related, commercial operation in our neighborhood. The city
had created the tools to prevent this type of commercialization in neighborhoods with ordinance amendments and very specific requirements for special use permits. But these tools were ignored, and our neighborhood, as well as surrounding neighborhoods, sacrificed six months of our lives to research, speak up, and effectively educate the very people who should have known better, and who should have been looking out for us.
The fact that our only recourse was to tap into our personal finances to make sure we were protected should be upsetting and alarming to every taxpayer in Milton.
The city inadequately informed our neighborhood as to the true and real intent of the farm winery, which prevented community involvement. Two employees granted temporary alcohol licenses before a public hearing was advertised and without an application for a legally required special use permit. Our questions and concerns were met with six months of gaslighting to cover up the city’s “awful but lawful” mistakes.
The Rosenbergers have been awarded a $600,000 settlement. This will likely help them recoup their legal expenses, as well as compensate them for pain and suffering.
The city will recover their legal expenses
Appen Media, along with its Herald and Crier newspapers, welcome residents' opinions on local issues. Submit a letter to the editor by emailing newsroom@appenmedia.com
and rising insurance costs due to this claim payout from you and me, the taxpayers.
And us? The homeowners of Providence Plantation subdivision? We stopped an alcohol license from being issued in our neighborhood, but at a price…we were forced to pay for the city’s bureaucratic mismanagement and gross incompetence.
— Sarah Moen Milton
OPINION
Hummingbirds have a history, too
People, places and things generally come to mind when we think of history. However, animals and birds may also have interesting histories. It makes sense to take a look at hummingbirds since they have been taking part in their annual migration south from Georgia and other states triggered by declining day length.
Hummingbirds evolved from European ancestors some 40-50 million years ago. Over time, they gradually disappeared from Europe. Today they exist only in the Americas where they have diversified into some 350 species.
Fossils from Europe reveal that early hummingbirds lacked hovering flight ability and had short bills. Following some 10 million years of evolution, the birds had sharp pointed bills, hovering ability and high metabolism which allowed them to eat almost constantly. Then as now, they consume large amounts of sugar every day in the form of nectar to support their colossal energy requirements. According to Stanford University, they have the highest metabolic rate of any animal and consume roughly their weight in nectar every day.
European explorers of the new world first noted hummingbirds in the 16th century. In 1557 Jean de Léry (1536–1613), a French explorer and writer, published a book, “History of a Voyage to the Land of Brazil,” based on his experiences while living for a year with a Brazilian Indian tribe. Early European explorers like de Léry had never seen anything like the tiny birds. His description of hummingbirds helped generate a wide interest in the birds.
In colonial times, hummingbirds were appreciated for their beauty but were not well understood. Adriaen van der Donck (circa 1618-1655), a Dutch attorney in New Amsterdam (today’s New York), in his 1655 book, “Description of New Netherland,” questioned whether hummingbirds were birds or insects, calling them “West India bees” due to their humming flight and frequent visits to flowers. Naturalist John Josselyn (1638–1675) wrote in his 1672 book “New-England’s Rarities Discovered” that “they sleep all Winter, and are not to be seen till the Spring, at which time they breed in little Nests.” He confused migration and hibernation.
By the Victorian era, hummingbird specimens had become popular collector
BOB
The striking Ruby throated Hummingbird is the most common hummingbird species in Georgia and throughout the eastern U.S. The iridescent red throat of the male is known as a "gorget." These tiny birds spend most of their time resting and consuming about their body weight every day. They move from flower to flower consuming all the nectar and small bugs they can to maintain the intense pace of their flight and their rapid wing beats of up to 80 beats per second. The sugar in nectar is particularly important as the birds bulk up for their annual fall migration from Georgia to southern Mexico and Central America. Depending on their point of departure, they fly non-stop 500 miles across the Gulf of America in one day without a stop.
items with major displays at events like the famous May to October 1851 Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations at the Crystal Palace in London. Victorian audiences were fascinated by the exotic and by miniatures. They referred to hummingbird taxidermy specimens as “living gems.”
The renowned ornithologist of the time was John Gould. His book, “A Monograph of the Trochilidae or Hummingbirds,” published between 1849 and 1861 contained 418 plates of hummingbirds hand painted by teams of colorists working under Gould’s supervision. Certain galleries today sell John Gould lithographs which in most cases are hand-colored prints from his original series. These are quite valuable, much more so than modern reprints which are also available.
The famous portrait artist and naturalist Charles Willson Peale (1741–1827) kept hummingbirds in his house allowing them to fly freely, sometimes sitting on his wife’s shoulder while she fed them sugar-water according to Alexander Wilson’s book, “The Natural His-
tory of the Birds of the United States,” published in 1878. A note: a portrait by Peale of George Washington sold in 2006 for $23.1 million.
During the second half of the 19th century, wearing the feathers or entire bodies of birds on ladies’ hats became very fashionable. Hundreds of thousands of hummingbirds were harvested for the fashion industry in New York, Paris and London every year. Not until 1918 did birds receive federal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Hummingbirds played important and varying roles in Native American cultures and were part of Cherokee legends for hundreds of years. Due to their ability to hover and fly backwards they implied flexibility and strength. They brought joy and beauty. In the Cherokee Talagi language the word for hummingbird is “tsuwu,” which means “summer” or “sun,” which associates hummingbirds with flowers and light. Hummingbirds carried urgent messages from the Great Spirit to humans in times of necessity.
The only hummingbird that breeds east of the Mississippi is the beautiful ruby throated hummingbird. It is by far the most common in Georgia and along the East Coast.
Migrating hummingbirds and others fall victim to collisions with windows and buildings which account for up to one billion bird collisions a year. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Atlanta was ranked the 9th most dangerous city in the U.S. for birds during their spring migration and 4th during fall migration. Hummingbirds are the most frequent victims of collisions according to Birds Georgia.
Georgians love their hummingbirds, not only for their beauty but also for their amazing abilities. They can double their body mass prior to making their non-stop journey across the Gulf of Mexico twice a year. They are defenders of their territories which includes their favorite backyard feeders. They faithfully return every year to their preferred back yard.
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
MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
SMITH COLLEGE PROJECT/PROVIDED Jean de Léri was a French explorer, writer and Protestant minister who wrote a book History of a Voyage to the land of Brazil in 1557. His description of hummingbirds helped generate interest in the birds.
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!
RIVERS OF THE WORLD
1. Tributary of the Ohio River. Seaweed. Farm vehicle.
2. Bad to the bone. Soup scoop. Glasgow’s river.
3. Like a yenta. World’s 2nd longest river. Three-toed bird.
4. Carpenter’s tool. Andes beast. River of Tuscany.
5. Garbage. Asian river that rises in the Himalayas. Ruler.
6. Ice house. 18-wheeler.
Rio Grande tributary.
7. Yorkshire river. Bugs bugs him. Dressing type.
1 Tributary of the Ohio River. Seaweed. Farm vehicle.
2. Bad to the bone. Soup scoop. Glasgow’s river
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. Like a yenta. World’s 2nd longest river. Three-toed bird.
4. Carpenter’s tool. Andes beast. River of Tuscany
5. Garbage Asian river that rises in the Himalayas. Ruler.
6. Ice house. 18-wheeler. Rio Grande tributary
7. Yorkshire river. Bugs bugs him. Dressing type
AMERICAN LEGION POST 201 EVENTS
GARDEN BUZZ
Setting boundaries with small-leaf privet
Plants in the genus, Ligustrum, commonly called privet, are well-known ornamental plants in the southern garden. The “Sunshine” cultivar has been bred for its goldenyellow foliage and tolerance to a variety of soil conditions and sunlight. “Swift Creek” is known for its variegated, green-and-cream leaves. However, the original privet species that was used to breed these cultivars did not evolve alongside our native plant and animal communities. Native to Europe and Asia, Ligustrum sinense, also known as small-leaf privet or Chinese privet, was brought to the United States in the 1850s as an ornamental plant.
Since then, small-leaf privet has spread rapidly through yards and gardens and into natural areas across the southeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S. Now listed as a Category I invasive species, small-leaf privet has become a major threat to our locally evolved plants and animals.
Small-leaf privet is a shrub that grows rapidly into dense thickets. For the last
KARAN A. RAWLINS/UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, BUGWOOD.ORG Birds readily eat the berries of smallleaf privet and disperse them throughout the landscape.
century and a half, this feature has been attractive to ornamental gardeners who were looking for privacy shrubs and hedgerows that would fill in quickly. But small-leaf privet has boundary issues and a way of escaping. Their small, abundant fruits entice birds and other wildlife, who eat the berries and disperse the seeds in their droppings. The roots of small-leaf privet also sprout new plants and grow outwards, creating thick monocultures of this intrusive shrub.
Small-leaf privet is an adaptable species and can tolerate a wide range of soil types, climates and amounts of
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During these turbulent times, we would like to highlight the continued courage and commitment of everyone who works in the health care, law enforcement, childcare, food service and utility sectors. We are extremely grateful.
12050 Crabapple Road • Roswell, GA 30075
DEATH NOTICES
Kristina Getch, 89, of Alpharetta, passed away on October 11, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Norman Halden, 77, of Alpharetta, passed away on October 10, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Marian Jones, 96, of Roswell, passed away on October 8, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Willard Miller, 69, of Johns Creek, passed away on October 12, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
sunlight. It’s even resistant to a notorious plant adversary: deer. As small-leaf privet spreads throughout our natural areas, it shades out native plants, uses up resources and prevents new trees from establishing. Because of its pioneering nature, smallleaf privet is a common sight in open and disturbed areas, such as roadsides, fence rows and forest edges. With a tolerance for shade, it thrives in forest interiors, too.
Small-leaf privet can grow up to 20 feet tall, with multiple trunks and long branches. Leaves grow in an opposite (parallel) pattern along stems, with smooth margins and a little fuzz on the underside. Being a semi-evergreen plant, it keeps its leaves throughout the winter but will drop some before spring. Clusters of small, white flowers emerge in late spring and summer, which develop into waxy, deep purple berries that hang around through the winter. Because Ligustrum have been bred as ornamental plants for centuries, multiple species and cultivars exist and are still planted widely. Identifying small-leaf privet may be difficult and should be done with diligence.
So, what can be done? Prevention is the first step: avoid planting Ligustrum sinense cultivars in your landscape! There are plenty of locally adapted alternatives, such as inkberry (Ilex glabra), blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium), and Carolina cherry laurel (Prunus carolinana). Check out resources from UGA Extension or the Georgia Native Plant Society for more native plant options for your landscape.
Removal by mowing, cutting or pulling by hand is possible when plants are small and tender. An attentive gardener may be able to spot new stems and control the spread this way. Remove as much of the root system as possible when hand pulling, as new plants can sprout from even small pieces of roots that remain in the soil.
The most effective option for larger plants and thickets is to use herbicides. The “Georgia Pest Management Handbook: Home and Garden Edition” has the most up-to-date herbicide recommendations for
James Smith, 95, of Alpharetta, passed away on October 9, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Georgia growers. When applying herbicides to woody plants, cut stump and basal bark treatments pose the lowest risks to non-target plants and animals. A cut stump treatment means that herbicide is painted onto the cut surface of a stump immediately after the plant is cut down. When applied correctly, the herbicide kills the stump and prevents new growth from resprouting. In a basal bark treatment, herbicide is applied only to the base of the tree or shrub.
When using any pesticide, always apply according to label directions and rates, and be sure to wear personal protective equipment as listed on the label.
As plant-inclined people, we can garden thoughtfully to protect and preserve our forests and green spaces. Being aware of introduced species and the impacts they have on our local ecosystems is the first step. From there, we can make informed and impactful gardening choices.
If you have questions about small-leaf privet or other introduced species, contact your local county Extension office.
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. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://www. appenmedia.com/opinion/columnists/ garden_buzz/.
About the author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Gabrielle LaTora, Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for UGA Extension Fulton County. An entomologist by training, Gabrielle is interested in insects on farms and in gardens and is passionate about closing the gap between people and their food. In addition to helping coordinate Fulton’s Master Gardener Extension Volunteer program, Gabrielle oversees the North Fulton Community Garden, answers clients’ questions about gardening and natural resources, works with urban farmers, and delivers educational programs for Fulton County residents. Gabrielle presented “Insect Allies: Predators and Parasitoids in the Garden” in the spring 2023 Gardening Lecture Series presented by the North Fulton Master Gardeners, https:// youtu.be/NZ3um6QXXKc.
GABRIELLE LATORA Guest Columnist
Parks:
Continued from Page 1
Design plans for the active side of the project are expected to be completed by early next year, McKlveen said. The Parks Department plans to delay construction until late in 2026 so not to interfere with warm-weather recreation activities.
Updates to Legacy Park are also in the design phase, which is expected to wrap-up by February. Construction on the new parking lot is anticipated to start at the end of spring, McKlveen said, with the intent to minimize disruptions to the fall sports season.
The restrooms at Legacy Park have also been renovated and are now open, featuring new floors, two water fountains with an automatic bottle filler and access to hot water.
Request for Proposals Managed IT and Security
RFP NUMBER
26-IT01
Proposal Due Date:
November 6, 2025, by 2:00PM Local Time
Electronic submission via: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-
Names for submissions received 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 proposals. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the highest scoring Offeror whose proposal meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the request for proposals.
The City of Milton is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide Managed IT Services and Managed IT Security Services (SECaaS). The selected vendor will be expected to partner with City IT staff to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure IT services that enhance operational efficiency while maintaining a strong security posture.
All qualified proposals will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin. The request for electronic proposals for RFP 26-IT01, Managed IT and Security will be posted on the following websites the week of October 16, 2025: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-rfps and https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/
Request for Proposals Planning and Architectural Services
Proposal Due Date: November 6, 2025, by 2:00PM Local Time Electronic submission via: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-
Names for submissions received 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 proposals. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the highest scoring Offeror whose proposal meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the request for proposals.
The City of Milton is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to provide professional support in the review of development proposals, with particular emphasis on building architecture, site layout, and overall design quality. The selected consultant will work closely with Community Development staff and coordinate with the Design Review Board to ensure consistency with adopted design guidelines and the community's character. Responsibilities include assisting staff, applicants, stakeholders, boards, and committees by evaluating architectural elements, recommending design improvements, and promoting best practices in site planning, placemaking, and project integration within the surrounding context.
All qualified proposals will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion,
or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin. The request for electronic proposals for RFP 26-CD01, Planning and Architectural Services will be posted on the following websites the week of October 16, 2025: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-rfps and https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/
Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor
The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.
The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Sr. Quality Engineer to Investigat’g, plng & impl medical prdt improv & Eval critical qlty mnftr procs directly affect patient safety & prdt qlty. Must succ reduce defects of cl’nts devices and must aid in Prod. a better qlty prdt more effly. Writing, execut’g physical, chem test meth’d protocols. Use qlty policies like EU MDR, 21CFR820 set forth by FDA, reply to cust cmpnts., perf. audits, dvlp test methods, validat’n etc. Sr. Validation Engineer to create, review, execut’n, approval of validat’n protocols, reports, review, assess vendr protocols with Docmntn. Prepare doc like change cntrl, user reqmts spec (URS), dsgn qualif(DQ), installat’n qualif(IQ), ops qualif (OQ), perf qualif(PQ), clean’g validat’n, process validat’n(PPQ & CPV) in support of eqmt, Utlts, facilities, prdt & procs. Travel in the cntxt of reloc may be required at least 1-2 times/yr based on clients’ needs. Apply with 2 copies of resume to HR, Fusion Life Sciences Technologies, LLC. 6110 McFarland Station Dr, Suite 502, Alpharetta, GA 30004
Product Tester, Software sought by Ingenico Inc. in Alpharetta, GA to develop and execute software testing to test and evaluate software tools imbedded in payment hardware. Prepare Software Detailed Product Requirement Specifications, including functionalities, User Interface, and API for Firmware and Software Development Kits to support testing, quality assurance, and performance improvement. Serve as technical interface with customers’ developers to test and troubleshoot integration of our product into their solution. Respond to customer inquiries, triage issues, identify scope, and gather information to ensure cases are properly documented. Remote work possible from home office located within commuting distance of Alpharetta, GA HQ. Must work in office 2 days per week. Quarterly travel to client sites and training centers in Europe and Asia as needed. Interested candidates should email resumes to Laura McCartney at laura. mccartney@ingenico.com. Reference code PTS46 in response.
ESL Contractor Instructor (Evening)
Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor
NFCC is seeking an Evening ESL Contractor Instructor to teach English classes through our Adult Education program, serving students throughout North Fulton and surrounding counties. Our ESL Program runs three sessions annually, with comprehensive lessons covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, along with regular assessments to track student progress.
The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.
We’re looking for an instructor who is available to teach evening classes. The ideal candidate will be committed to maintaining strong enrollment of at least ten students per class and who can create an engaging learning environment that supports adult learners in achieving their English language goals.
Truck Driver
Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor
NFCC is seeking a Truck Driver (Donor Operations Services Associate II) to join our Facilities team. Our Truck Driver collects scheduled donations from businesses, residential locations, and special events while serving as a key point of contact for donors to coordinate pickup appointments. As the face of NFCC during donor interactions, this role requires maintaining a professional and a welcoming presence that reflects the organization’s values. Additionally, this position contributes to facility maintenance operations as needed.
The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.
The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!
The Truck Driver works Monday through Friday 9am – 2pm and periodically on Saturdays or Sundays for special events.
If you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in TESL, TESOL, English with a TESL certificate, linguistics or applied linguistics with a TESL certificate, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Looking for a creative hairstylist for an established salon in Johns Creek. Bilingual preferred. Flexible hours. Call/ Text 201-320-7901
If you have 1-2 years of Box Truck delivery experience, maintain a valid Ga Driver’s License free of any traffic violations for the past 3 years and enjoy providing excellent customer service, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!
To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Home Improvement
ROT-DOC
Rot Repair Technician
Don’t waste good paint on rotten wood. Minor repairs make a major difference! Interior/Exterior Painting, Pressure Washing, Rotten Wood, Deck Repair Free Estimates. 770.899.1354 | www.rot-doc.com
SERVICE DIRECTORY
Concrete/Asphalt
Father and Sons Concrete Driveways, Walkways, Patios, Brick, and Block Masonry. No job too small. 404-771-2202
Gutters
AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS Repaired and Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www.aarons-gutters.com. Senior citizen discount! 678-508-2432
Garage Sale
915 Hopewell Pl Dr, Alpharetta Oct 24-25 8am-3pm
Furniture, Quilts, Antiques, Carpet Cleaner, Linens, Kitchen, 1x Clothing, Shoes, Jewelry, New Stuff!
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Inflation
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Jacuzzi Bath Remodel
