O c t o b e r 2 9 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 1 , N o . 4 4
Milton city manager sought to recall ‘absurd narrative’ email By JOSHUA WILSON and ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE joshua@appenmedia.com erlandrya@appenmedia.com
Milton Montessori sees record turnout at fall festival day ► PAGE 13
City council approves 4.502 mills tax rate By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — The Milton City Council voted during its Oct. 19 meeting to approve a 2026 property tax rate of 4.502 mills for fiscal year 2027. The 4.502-mill rate includes 4.193 mills for maintenance and operations, the city’s operating budget, and 0.309 mills for debt service. At this rate, the owner of a $500,000 home would pay about $900.40 in annual city property taxes before exemptions. The 2025 total rate was 4.503 mills. The maintenance and operations rate is unchanged (a 0% increase), and the debt service rate drops 0.001 mills.
See RATE, Page 25
MILTON, Ga. — Milton City Manager Steven Krokoff called a resident’s request for a development moratorium “largely an effort to get ahead of an absurd fabricated narrative” in an Aug. 10 email meant for the city attorney that also went to the resident. A week later, Krokoff wrote to that resident, Sarah Moen, in a far different tone. “Please know that nothing in this response is meant to minimize your concerns or those of others regarding potential uses of the property,” he told her in an Aug. 17 email. Krokoff tried five times to recall the Aug. 10 message after it reached her inbox, Moen said during public comment at the Milton City Council’s Oct. 19 meeting. Moen provided the emails to Appen Media. In response to an open records request, the city provided Moen’s Aug. 9 email and Krokoff’s Aug. 17 reply but not Krokoff’s Aug. 10 email to City Attorney Ken Jarrard. Krokoff pointed to a provision of the Georgia Open Records Act that exempts communications protected by attorney-client privilege. Moen has led neighborhood opposition to Restoration Church’s plans for a 29.06-acre property near Arnold Mill and New Providence roads, which the church bought in December 2025.
APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO
Milton resident Sarah Moen, shown speaking at a May 6, 2024, Milton City Council meeting, received an Aug. 10 email in which City Manager Steven Krokoff called her moratorium request “largely an effort to get ahead of an absurd fabricated narrative.” The property is zoned AG-1, Milton’s agricultural district, which is intended primarily for large-lot homes, farming and equestrian uses. The site — 14 acres at 12965 Arnold Mill Road and 15.06 acres KROKOFF at 12950 New Providence Road — is about 1.8 miles from the church’s current campus on Rucker Road.
An online petition opposing the church’s plans for the property says church leaders described plans for a new campus at a congregational meeting Aug. 30. According to the petition, Pastor Chuck Ramsey told the congregation the plans were 70% to 75% complete. The petition says the plans call for a building of more than 100,000 square feet with a 1,250-seat auditorium, a prayer chapel with more than
See EMAIL, Page 24
PUBLIC SAFETY
319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 HANS APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus CONTACT NEWS TIPS Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com. LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance. ADVERTISING For information about advertising in the Milton Herald or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@ appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278. CIRCULATION To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
Canton teens charged in parking lot beating ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Two Canton teens were charged with aggravated battery after allegedly beating another teen at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the venue about 4:45 a.m. Oct. 3 for a reported assault that occurred about six hours prior. An 18-year-old Clemson, South Carolina, man told officers he and friends were visiting for a Treaty Oak Revival concert at the amphitheater. He said they were in their truck and preparing to leave when the Canton teens exited their own nearby truck and approached them. The Clemson teen said he could not remember anything after the Canton teens pushed him out of his truck. A video recorded by one of the victim’s friends showed one man pinning his wrist with a cowboy boot and punching his face with a closed fist six times. The video showed the other Canton teen walking over and punching the victim’s nose before both left in their truck. Officers identified the suspected assailants as two 17-year-olds from Canton by calling one’s father after running the truck’s registration. The Clemson teen was taken to a nearby hospital where physicians found he suffered broken bones in his face and nose as well as dental injuries. Officers said he was covered in blood. — Jon Wilcox
Stop leads to drug charges for Dunwoody man ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 42-year-old Dunwoody man was arrested on drug charges after officers allegedly found ecstasy, psilocy-
Laundry detergent thefts lead to arrest ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police said they arrested a man Oct. 6 after he allegedly stole laundry detergent from two stores. Officers responded to a shoplifting call at a Publix grocery store on Market Boulevard after 9 p.m., but the man had already left the scene. The store manager showed police video footage of the man. Police said the video showed the man walking past a checkout area with two backpacks. The manager said the man had different types of liquid laundry detergent, along with containers of laundry pods, in those backpacks. While leaving the scene, the man dropped one backpack outside of the store, employees said. The value of the merchandise in that backpack was $166, officers said. Police said they recognized the man from prior shoplifting incidents. Publix employees
Pine straw workers raise price after job, woman says ROSWELL, Ga. — A woman told Roswell police Oct. 2 that she paid $1,500 for pine straw work at her home on Tyson Court after the workers charged more than the price they had first given her, according to a police report. According to the report, three men came to her home and one of them quoted her $5 per bale. When the work was done, the men said they had laid 468 bales and asked for $2,300. They did not show her any proof of how many bales they used. The woman and her daughter talked the men down to $1,500 and paid them because the men would not leave without being paid, the report said. The officer found similar complaints about the same men in nearby jurisdictions. In June, the Roswell Police Department posted on Facebook warning residents about scams by unsolicited workers, especially pine straw sellers. Solicitors in Roswell must have a permit and must show it when asked. Police recommend that residents hire only reputable workers and avoid unsolicited offers unless a final price is agreed on ahead of time. — Hannah Yahne
THE PICTURE FRAMER HAS MOVED! CUSTOM FRAMING 13000 Deerfield Pkwy. Bldg. 200, Ste. 285 Milton, GA 30004 (770) 667-2112 T–F 11–6, Sat 11–3
Hwy. 9
• Canvas Stretching, Rugs, Mirrors • Round, Oval and Float Frames • Sports & Military Memorabilia • Shadowboxes & Specialty Mounts • Frame Repairs & Touch-Ups
Webb Rd. d Pk wy.
770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com
These reports are compiled from information provided by local law enforcement agencies and are matters of public record. They do not imply guilt, and those described are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
said they also recognized the man, saying he had shoplifted on previous occasions. Two hours later, officers were dispatched to a Walmart Supercenter on Mansell Road in response to another shoplifting call. After reviewing that store’s video, officers said the male was the same one who had allegedly shoplifted from the Publix store earlier that evening. Officers said the man tried to steal additional liquid laundry detergent and laundry pods. They said the video showed the man walking past a checkout area with two backpacks and a container of laundry pods. Walmart store employees said they confronted the man, who dropped one of the backpacks and the laundry pods. That backpack, according to police, contained two containers of laundry pods worth a total of $120. Officers later arrested the man after seeing him walking along Mansell Road. Officers said they returned stolen goods in his possession to the Walmart store. — Hannah Yahne
erfi el
POLICE BLOTTER
bin mushrooms and THC gummies during an Oct. 4 traffic stop. Alpharetta police said an officer stopped a vehicle at Old Milton and Westside parkways about 2 p.m. for speeding and improper lane change. While speaking to the man, who was driving, officers noticed signs of impairment and began an intoxicated driving investigation. The officer allegedly observed the man had droopy eyelids, slurred speech, watery eyes and an odor of alcohol coming from his face. The man allegedly told the officer he was “bashing drinks” at an upscale Alpharetta restaurant. A roadside breath test showed his BAC at 0.143 grams, police said. After the man was arrested on an intoxicated driving charge, police conducted a search. The search found 4 grams of MDMA, 3 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, two packages of THC gummies, marijuana, rolling papers and a marijuana grinder with residue, police said. The man was charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, possession of drug-related objects, driving under the influence, speeding and failure to maintain a lane. — Jon Wilcox
De
2 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 3
Final Weeks!
STORE CLOSING
Free Design Consultation! Free Delivery Within 20 Mile Radius!
Going Out Of Business
60-75% OFF Entire Store!
Over 1,000 Rugs in Stock! All Sizes and Colors!
A few examples of our Going Out of Business prices: 13x20 hand-knotted rug 100% wool – $9,850 now $1,250 11x16 hand-knotted rug 100% wool – $7,500 now $1,050 8.5x11.5 antique heriz – $11,500 now $2,500 – 5 available 5x8 woven – $1,000 now $175 – 30 available 3x5 old 100% wool – $1,200 now $175 – 20 available Runners in all different sizes, colors, and qualities – 150 available Big selection of 10x14, 12x15, 12x18 and larger.
Store Closing Means Unbeatable Savings.
Thousand plus rugs are available in all sizes, colors, and styles new and antiques from all over the world with unbelievable prices. This is your opportunity to purchase premium rugs at some of the lowest prices we’ve ever offered. These savings are only available while inventory lasts, so don’t wait to find the perfect rug for your home.
SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30 am - 7 pm | Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm 11266 State Bridge Rd, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 678-404-7555 * All sizes are approximate. | License #15200
NEWS
4 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
First-day early voting surges in Fulton, Forsyth counties By JOSHUA WILSON joshua@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — More than 28,000 voters in Fulton and Forsyth counties cast ballots in person Oct. 13, the first day of early voting for the Nov. 3 general and special election, outpacing first-day turnout in both counties during the 2022 midterm election. In Fulton County, 23,839 voters cast ballots, up 26% from 18,923 on the first day four years ago. In Forsyth County, 4,192 voters went to the polls, nearly triple the 1,460 who voted on the first day of early voting in 2022. Statewide, 190,406 Georgians voted on the first day, breaking the state’s record for the first day of early voting in a midterm election, according to the secretary of state’s office. Voter rolls in both counties have also grown since 2022, according to the state’s Election Data Hub. Fulton County has 872,630 registered voters, a 16% increase. Of those, 765,985 are active and 106,645 are inactive. Forsyth County has 185,679 registered voters, a 4.6% increase. Of those, 174,058 are active and 11,621 are inactive. Active voters are those who are registered and have had contact with the election system within the past five years. How to vote early Early voting continues through Oct. 30 at locations across Fulton and Forsyth counties. Registered voters can cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county. For more information, visit mvp.sos.ga.gov. Hannah Yahne and Jon Wilcox contributed to this report.
DRIVEWAYS & CONCRETE
Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs
$250 OFF
*
Mention ad for $250 Off. New Driveway. Cannot combine coupons.
BBB A+ Rating
ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC. 678-250-4546 | FREE QUOTES • Landscaping Residential & Commercial • Tree Services • Sprikler Systems • Maintenance & Installation Pine Straw & Mulch • Over 25 Years of Experience • Many Local References • Fair Prices for Professional Work • Maintenance & Installation Pine Straw & Mulch • Reliable, Punctual, Honest
ATTENTION - Double check ad for ALL content. Phone, web, address, coupons, etc. Assume nothing Reply back that ad is approved once ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR ACCURACY.
DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA
CONCRETE
Driveways • Patios • Walls • More McKemey concrete $250 OFF* Any job $2500 or more
Competitive Pricing Many Local References
NEW or REPAIR and Patios • Slabs • Walls Sidewalks • Pool Decks McKemey concrete $250 OFF
*
Any job $2500 or more
Bobby Albritton
Master Licensed Electrician Bobby Albritton
Residential & Commercial Services Master Licensed Electrician
CallResidential for a FREE Estimate &
404-519-8635 Commercial Services bgalbritton@live.com
Many Local References
10% OFF
*Offer expires 10 days after publication
Any job $500 or more.
*Offer expires 10 days after publication
Ask for Dave McKemey
678-648-2010 | FREE QUOTES
678-648-2010 | FREE QUOTES
678-506-0006 | FREE QUOTES
ROOF REPAIR & REPLACE
Fruit Trees NOT Producing Fruit?
WE
STOP LEAKS
Serving North Atlanta Since 1983. Affordable Quality Roofing. Based in Roswell.
98 • Tree Removal • Tree Pruning • Stump Grinding
• Full Insured • Free Mulch • Emergency 24/7
$150 OFF
99
$200 Leak Repairs or 10% OFF New Roof *Offer expires 10 days after publication
770-450-8188 | FREE QUOTES
Fruit Tree Pruning Fruit Tree Planting Soil Care
$200 leak repair. Up to 8 penetrations. (1-story house, up to 7/12 pitch). Some restrictions apply
jobs $1500 or more
770-771-5432 | FREE QUOTES
DRIVEWAYS
770-284-3123 | FREE QUOTES
Specialized Fruit Tree Prunning and Care
bloom and fruit
bloomandfruit.net
info@bloomandfruit.com
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 5
MAGA JACK MILLER STANDS WITH DONALD TRUMP.
x x x
DEFUND OUR SCHOOLS.
JACK BACKS PRIVATE-SCHOOL VOUCHERS THAT DRAIN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND RAISE YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.
BAN ALL ABORTION.
JACK WILL BAN ABORTION WITH NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE, INCEST, OR EVEN TO SAVE A WOMAN’S LIFE.
BOUGHT AND PAID FOR.
JACK IS FUNDED BY INSURANCE LOBBYISTS, DATA CENTERS, GAMBLING COMPANIES, AND INSIDER POLITICIANS.
LINDSAY DEFRANCO STANDS WITH US. VOTE FOR INTEGRITY BY TUESDAY, NOV 3 EARLY VOTING ENDS OCT 30TH.
donald trump I.O.U. i owe you
I.O.U. i owe you
Insurance lobby
00.U+. $100,0I.O d, ur frien Poliyojati er milll ckca I.O.U. Insiders Real estate $60,000+ and your friend, i owe you
your friend, jack miller
I.O.U.
Big tech an data center d s i owe you
$100,000+
your friend jack mille, r
PAID FOR BY LINDSAY FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 47
i owe you
developers
$20,000+
I.O.U.
jack miller
stry u d n I g n i Gambl 00+ $200,0 your frmieilndl,er i owe you
iend, r your frm jack ille
jack
6 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
COMMUNITY
Lawhon to headline literary fair By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com
COURTESY ALPHARETTA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Alpharetta Presbyterian Church on Academy Street will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a homecoming dinner Nov. 1.
Alpharetta church celebrates 40 years with homecoming BBQ By JOSHUA WILSON joshua@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta Presbyterian Church will celebrate 40 years Nov. 1 with a homecoming barbecue dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in its fellowship hall at 180 Academy St. Friends of the church are invited. The date falls one day short of the anniversary of the church’s first service on Nov. 2, 1986, in the Milton High School cafeteria. The congregation now has a campus near Alpharetta City Center with a prayer
chapel, walking labyrinth, memorial garden, outdoor classroom, half-day school, playgrounds and a new children’s soccer field called the “Field of Dreams.” The original sanctuary is now a theater, and some of the children who grew up in the church nursery now serve as elders. “We give thanks for 40 years of faithful, creative, impactful and joyful ministry,” said the Rev. Ollie Wagner, senior pastor for the past 18 years. For more information, call 770-7510033 or visit alpharettapres.com.
“The Frozen River,” beloved by book clubs and historical fiction fans alike, has sold nearly 2 million copies since its 2023 release. Now author Ariel Lawhon is back with a new tale about an old legend, which she will detail Nov. 14 at the Johns Creek Literary Fair. The fifth-annual event, the New York Times bestseller’s only Georgia appearance, will be from 3-7 p.m. at a new location, Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road. Lawhon will be discussing her latest release, “The Pirate Queen,” a sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everything to defend her people on the high seas. In addition to “The Frozen River,” Lawhon’s other titles include “Code Name Hélené,” “I was Anastasia” and “The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress.” Her novels have been translated into more than 30 languages and have been Good Morning America Book Club, Library Reads, Costco, Amazon Spotlight and Book of the Month Club selections. Lawhon will be in conversation with Patti Callahan Henry, the NY Times, Globe and Mail, and USA Today bestselling author of 17 novels, including her newest, “The Story She Left Behind.” Henry is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online “Friends & Fiction” live web show and podcast. This year’s event, presented by the nonprofit Arts On The Creek, in partnership with the City of Johns Creek, returns with some familiar features – including a panel of renowned regional authors – as well as some first-time offerings, such as an exclusive reception with the authors. The suspense panel, “Secrets, Lies & Alibis,” will feature Tiffany Crum, author of “This Story Might Save Your Life,” Emily Carpenter, whose latest thriller is “A Spell for Saints and Sinners,” and Matthew C. Smith with his new release, “The Ones in the Corner.” The moderator will be Valerie (V.M.) Burns, an adjunct professor in the
This year’s Johns Creek Literary Fair will feature a juried selection of 30 metroarea adult and children’s authors selling and discussing their books throughout the event. They include: • KRISTINE ANDERSON • KATHRYN ANTOINETTE • ANNE ARMISTEAD • TONI BELLON • CHUN BLEAU • STACY BYOUS • KAREN E. B. ELLIOTT • SHERRY ELLIS • ANJALI ENJETI • JANNA HERRON • PARUL KAPUR • WILLIAM KELY MCCLUNG • MICHELLE MCCRAW • ELIZABETH MICHAUD • BOBBY NASH • RENA OLSEN
• MAUREEN PATTEN • ELISE PIOTROWICZ • DAVID AND JACOB RAPHAEL • JOLENE REEVES • CARRIGAN RICHARDS • G.A. SALLEE • LISA SCHOOLCRAFT • MIKE SHAW • N.J. SIMAT • KIAH SMITH • BRENDA STANLEY • JOHN TURNER • LYDIA ABARCA MITCHELL • TAYLOR WOOLLEY
Writing Popular Fiction MFA Program at Seton Hill University. Crum’s debut novel had over 140,000 Good Reads reviews in just four months. Carpenter’s 10th title has been optioned for TV, Smith does double duty as a practicing attorney and novelist, and Burns has authored five cozy mystery series. Additionally, a juried selection of 30 metro-area adult and children’s authors will be selling and discussing their books throughout the event. Two tickets levels are available: Free and $45 VIP, the latter of which offers a host of perks including a signed/personalized copy of “The Pirate Queen,” priority seating and a reception with the authors featuring light refreshments, a photo and swag bags. The schedule for the day is: • 3 p.m., doors open with 30 local adult and children’s authors promoting their work • 3:30 p.m., “Secrets, Lies & Alibis” panel • 4:30 p.m., VIP reception with Ariel Lawhon and Patti Callahan Henry • 5:30-7 p.m., Ariel Lawhon and Patti Callahan in conversation, followed by book signing For more information and to reserve tickets, go to ArtsOnTheCreek.org.
$17
Fast Emissions Testing!
Oil Change Special FREE Courtesy Loaner Cars Available!
2875 Bethany Bend, Milton GA 30004 (In Bethany Village next to Publix & Starbucks)
678-389-6462
ExtraMileTireandService.com Mon-Fri: 7am – 5pm
Full Synthetic Valvoline up to 5 qts.
$42.97
WE FEATURE
*Cannot be combined. Must present coupon at check-in. Most cars/light trucks. Includes up to 5 qts. (Euro 8 qts.) (15 qts. Diesel) of oil and a new oil filter. Some vehicles extra. Tax and disposal fee extra. Limited time only.
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 7
Exceptional Gated Estate
1745 DINSMORE ROAD offered for $3,000,000 | Milton Fantastic Private 2.66 +/- Acre Lot Detached Toy Barn | Walk Out Pool listed by
MICHAEL STEVENS ANSLEYRE.COM | 770.284.9900 31 CHURCH STREET, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009 All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. Ansley upholds Equal Housing Opportunity & Federal Fair Housing policies. If you have an existing relationship with another brokerage, this is not intended as a solicitation.
c. 770.905.7053 o. 770.284.9900 MICHAELSTEVENS@ANSLEYRE.COM STEVENSRESIDENTIAL.COM
Just opened? Appen Media publishes New Business Spotlights to highlight local businesses as they get started. Submit yours for free at appenmedia.com/newbusiness. 8 | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026
Giulia Italian Bakery opens in Alpharetta City Center By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Giulia Italian Bakery is now open in Alpharetta City Center, offering a daily selection of authentic Italian baked goods, all made from scratch with premium ingredients sourced from Italy. Long before customers arrive, the team at Giulia Italian Bakery is at work. Starting at 4 a.m., bakers make everything from croissants and bomboloni to baguettes, sourdough and seasonal pastries by hand. The menu also includes sandwiches, cakes and focaccia, all made from scratch with Italian cheeses, cured meats and other imported ingredients. “We believe there’s no shortcut to authentic Italian baking,” co-founder Seth Gjuka said. “We can’t wait for Giulia to become a fixture in downtown Alpharetta’s daily routine.” Gjuka founded the bakery with his brother, Ben, in 2020. In addition to the Alpharetta location at 24 S. Main St., the bakery also has storefronts in Peachtree Corners and Marietta. The bakery is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, visit giuliabakery.com.
Giulia Italian Bakery is now open at 24 S. Main St. in Alpharetta.
COURTESY GIULIA ITALIAN BAKERY
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 9
10 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
COMMUNITY
Hundreds march in Roswell church’s Souls to the Polls event By DEAN HESSE dean@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Hundreds of Eagles Nest Church members and community residents marched to an early voting site on Sunday, Oct. 18, in a Souls to the Polls event held to educate voters and increase turnout in the Nov. 3 general election. Pastor Lee Jenkins led the march, which began at 1:30 p.m., following the church’s 11:30 a.m. service. Participants walked from the church to Holcomb Bridge Road. From there, about 150 Fulton County voters continued to the nearby East Roswell Library to cast early ballots. Jenkins said the effort reflects his concern about the real effects of voter suppression and his belief that informed, prepared voters are the strongest answer. “Faith calls us to care for our neighbors and the future we share. One way we live out that responsibility is by becoming informed and making our voices heard,” Jenkins said. “This is not about telling anyone who to vote for. It is about making sure every eligible voter is prepared to vote and understands the choices on the ballot.” He urged voters to look beyond the highest-profile races and review their entire ballot, including local contests and ballot measures, noting that too many eligible voters have stayed home in recent midterms. “In 2022, 6 out of 10 eligible Black men did not vote in the midterm elections. And it’s not just them. Many young people and college students who were eligible also stayed home,” Jenkins said. “Those are voices that went unheard.” “The church cannot stand on the sidelines while decisions that affect our neighbors and our future are being made,” he added. At a rally before the march, Jenkins welcomed several community groups, including the North Fulton Section of the National Council of Negro Women, the North Fulton NAACP, the North Fulton Ques Delta Mu Mu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Fulton County Voter Education and Engagement Group. Tying the event to the church’s footballthemed “Eagle Nation” sermon series, Jenkins told the crowd that Christianity is “not a spectator sport” and that members are called to take their faith “from the sanctuary to the streets.” Drawing on Deuteronomy 8, in which Moses warns the Israelites not to forget where they came from once they prosper, he cautioned that successful metro Atlanta residents can lose sight of the sacrifices that made their lives possible. He then recounted Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965, when state troopers and sheriff’s deputies beat about 600 marchers — many of them young people and college students — at Selma’s Edmund Pettus
PHOTOS BY: DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA
Chanting “Pray, March, Vote,” hundreds of Eagles Nest Church and community members march during the church’s Souls to the Polls event in Roswell Oct. 18 aimed at educating voters and increasing turnout in the Nov. 3 general election.
Eagles Nest Church Pastor Lee Jenkins speaks during the church’s Souls to the Polls rally and march in Roswell on Oct. 18. Bridge. A 25-year-old John Lewis suffered a fractured skull. Marchers set out again two weeks later and reached Montgomery, and Congress signed the Voting Rights Act that August. Jenkins also cited the 1963 killing of Medgar Evers in his Jackson, Mississippi, driveway for helping Black residents register to vote, and told the crowd the Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Voting Rights Act this past April.
The fierce resistance to Black voting, from beatings and bombings to poll taxes and literacy tests, shows how powerful the ballot is, Jenkins said. “Nobody fights hard to keep you from something that is worthless,” he said. He noted that in 1965 in Selma’s county, roughly half the population was Black but only about 2% of Black residents were registered, and that newly enfranchised
voters later ousted Sheriff Jim Clark, who had sent his posse to the bridge. Stressing that the issue is not about party, he said not voting dishonors those who came before. Cassandra Littlejohn, regional chair for the North Fulton Democrats, also spoke at the rally, telling marchers their votes would help decide who represents them in the Georgia House and Senate and who wins Georgia’s U.S. Senate and congressional races. “All of these decisions that you make today will impact your everyday lives,” Littlejohn said. Jenkins closed by urging young people to march alongside the adults and watch them vote, saying he wished he had attended a rally like this as a child. He then led the crowd in a call-and-response of “Pray. March. Vote.” About 500 worshippers and community members chanted the phrase as they left the church and marched to Holcomb Bridge Road. About 150 Fulton County residents then set down their signs and crossed the road to vote at the library. “Your vote is your voice,” said Alisa Livan, who had already voted. “We sometimes don’t have the ability to be in the room when the decisions are being made, but we can put the decision-makers into those rooms and spaces.”
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 11
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
12 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
Appen Media Group publishes 7 award winning publications, home-delivered, with a combined circulation of 114,000 every week* and is the #1 source for hyper-local news in the areas we serve. Are you a business owner/manager looking to increase sales & gain new customers/clients? Learn how to reach this attentive and affluent audience with a customized marketing plan just for you! Call 770-442-3278 or email: advertising@appenmedia.com to get started! JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Cellist and Americana singer Sarah Clanton performs Oct. 9 during the 13th Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival in Alpharetta.
Songwriters, fans pack Alpharetta for storm-shortened music festival By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ink
Decaturish
*Decaturish Ink currently publishes on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of every month. All other publications publish every Thursday.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — With Hurricane Isaias barreling in from the Gulf, music fans were savoring the first and last day of the 2026 Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival. Organizers of the annual twoday event canceled Saturday performances due to concerns about inclement weather. The Friday, Oct. 9, performances continued, and visitors to the 13th annual festival enjoyed all they could before its premature end. The evening featured more than a dozen performances. Police closed downtown streets to allow safe pedestrian access, and restaurants and bars were filled with excitement. In addition to seven stages, the festival offered a night market and food vendors. For Roswell dad James Taylor, the festival was a chance to enjoy one of his favorite artists with his young son.
“This is Simon … he’s 10 months old,” Taylor said. “I think he’s enjoying it.” Standing near the front row of a performance by Georgia native and country music artist Kristina Murray, Taylor was holding Simon in a harness around his chest. Despite the late hour, the infant had a big grin and bright eyes. “He listens to her CD on repeat in the car and falls asleep to it,” Taylor said. “We love Kristina’s music.” Michael Tolcher, who performed that evening, said festivals like Wire & Wood fill an important artistic role within communities. The Georgia-born singersongwriter’s music, featuring a blend of pop and R&B, has been included on the soundtracks of several TV shows. Singer-songwriters, he said, offer a unique brand of music that invites audiences to explore meaning. “You’re in front of a songwriter that’s writing from their experience and their soul,” he said.
COMMUNITY
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 13
Milton Montessori sees record turnout at fall festival day By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com
MILTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL/PROVIDED
Students enjoy festivities at the Milton Montessori School’s 10th annual Fall Festival Oct. 16.
MILTON, Ga. — On Oct. 16, the Milton Montessori School celebrated its 10th annual Fall Festival, where more than 700 people attended the largest turnout in the event’s history. This particular event was especially meaningful, officials said; for the first time, both campuses celebrated together at one location, creating a milestone for the school community. That Friday was a festival day rather than a regular class day, with staff and parent volunteers helping run the event. Head of School Nora Arrieta said the festival began as a simple desire to unite school communities. “As Milton Montessori has grown, this tradition has grown with us,” Arrieta said. “Celebrating this milestone with families from both campuses makes it especially meaningful. It’s a chance to make memories, and celebrate the sense of belonging that makes our school so special. We are grateful to our PTA and every family and staff member who helps bring it to life.” The festival, run by the school’s
PTA, brought together families from the Bethany Bend and Kelly Mill campuses for a tradition that continues to grow each year, giving students, parents and staff an opportunity to meet new families and strengthen connections across schools. The Montessori School serves children from 2 months to 15 years old in north Fulton and south Forsyth, with nearly 300 students across both campuses. With parents, siblings, extended family, friends and staff, attendance exceeded 700 people. Trackless train rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, obstacle courses and a fall maze filled the morning with activity. Face painting, balloon twisting, a DJ, a photo booth, food trucks and seasonal activities helped round out the celebration. Food trucks included Tacos & Tequilas and & Cheese To-Go. Mums and pumpkins were on sale, and a silent auction featured gift cards from community businesses, including golf, spa and restaurants. The festival is primarily funded through annual PTA contributions families make at the beginning of the school year.
14 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
NEWS
Alpharetta asks Fulton County to support North Point hockey project ALPHARETTA, Ga — Fulton County’s participation in a North Point tax allocation district marks a critical step in attracting a national hockey team, Alpharetta city officials said. At an Oct. 21 Fulton Board of Commissioners meeting, the city was scheduled to present an agreement that could bring Fulton County on board to redevelop the area. Fulton County is forecast to contribute $192.42 million in additional county tax funds generated by the tax district, compared with $109.12 million from the city. The agreement is contingent on securing a hockey team. Without one, no county money can be used. In a unanimous vote at an Oct. 19 meeting, council members approved the agreement and sent it to county commissioners. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom said the county’s contribution and its potential to help attract a hockey franchise are “critical.” “Reinvestment is important because I don’t think the project would happen otherwise,” Lagerbloom said. North Point Mall owner New York Life
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
The Alpharetta City Council discusses an agreement that would allow Fulton County to contribute tax increment funds to a proposed North Point sports entertainment district at a Oct. 19 meeting. has partnered with developer Jamestown to reinvent the aging mall site as a major sports entertainment center anchored by a 20,000-seat hockey arena. The proposal also includes amenities such as a 2,000-seat community hockey rink, a 4,000-seat music hall, a 500-seat movie theater, a 45,000-square-foot conference center, a 400-room full-service hotel, a 300-room hybrid hotel, 750,000 square feet of office space and 1,385 for-rent multifamily homes.
The North Point project is competing with The Gathering at South Forsyth, which also intends to land a national hockey team. In 2024, Forsyth County voters approved a referendum allowing the creation of their own tax allocation for the project. In 2025, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, the County Development Authority and the Forsyth County Board of Education signed off on agreements
Since 1990 we have believed local news should be free to read and accessible by all. If you agree, consider making a pledge today.
RESS P N
A
UB CL
Free to read, not to produce.
that call for servicing debt on a $225 million project bond tied to securing a team. The agreement between Alpharetta and Fulton County could fund improvements for the North Point project. Without it, the project’s scale would likely be insurmountable by private funding alone, city staff said. “A site that is entitled and financeable when the league is ready to act is better positioned to capture that opportunity,” the city said. Lagerbloom said city officials are now working to bring Fulton County Schools on board. School district taxes in the tax district could provide an additional $185.26 million. Council members said they believe it is in everyone’s best interest to invest in the area. The area surrounding the mall has seen significant declines in property value in recent years. Estimated 2024 city, county and school district property taxes on mall real estate and commercial personal property fell by nearly 53.5% compared with five years ago. “This isn’t just good for Alpharetta. It’s good for the county. It’s going to be good for the school district,” Mayor Jim Gilvin said after the vote. “Whether they participate is up to them.”
APPE
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
Go to appenmedia.com/join or mail a check to 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009
T:\ADS_2026\Best of North Atlanta\NewsAppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 15 paper Thank You Ad
Thank You
Best Of North Atlanta 2026
to all the Advertisers and Sponsors for making Best of North Atlanta possible!
SPONSORS: Hors d’ oeuvres Provided By:
Red Carpet/Step & Repeat Sponsored By:
Desserts Provided By:
Bronze Sponsor:
Wine Provided By:
Entertainment Sponsored By:
Beer Provided By:
Presented by
16 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
2026 THANKSGIVING FAMILY MENU
Entire meal serves 4 to 6 people for $180 Entire meal includes salad, turkey, your choice of 3 side dishes and rolls or cornbread. Prices do not include local sales tax.
Whole Turkey (12-14 pounds) With Gravy Select either Brined and Roasted or Smoked on our Primo Ceramic Grills ** Please allow 2 hours before serving for reheating/finishing time **
Salad (please choose 1) Holiday Green Salad
Granny Smith Apples, Sun-Dried Cranberries, Caramelized Pecans, Blue Cheese, with a Pomegranate-Balsamic Vinaigrette
Strawberry, Spinach & Arugula Salad
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Crumbled Goat Cheese, Roasted Red onions, with a White Balsamic-Local Honey Vinaigrette
Fall Salad
Chopped Romaine, Shredded Red Cabbage, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Apples, Carrotswith Cider Vinaigrette
Caesar Salad
Shredded Parmesan Cheese, Focaccia Croutons, with House Made Caesar Dressing
Side Dishes (please choose 3) Cranberry Sauce
fresh cranberries, cinnamon, orange and lime
Corn Bread and Sour Dough Stuffing celery and onions
Creamy Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes Roasted Seasonal Vegetables Creamy Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash with balsamic glaze
Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole
roasted walnut, cinnamon and panko crust
Creamy White Cheddar & Bacon Macaroni & Cheese made with penne pasta
Jumbo Brownies
$18 per half dozen (Gluten-Free Available)
Jumbo Cookies
Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Double Chocolate Chip or Sugar $18 per dozen (Gluten-Free Available)
Green Bean Almondine
Julienne onion and roasted slivered almonds
Maple Roasted Squash Medley with cranberry, sage and thyme
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole Oregano and Lemon Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
ENTREES TO ADD-ON
Cedar Plank Smoked Canadian Salmon (2 lbs.) Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Smoked on our Primo Ceramic Grills (Serves 4-6) - $75
Sliced Boneless Ham
Honey Mustard Glaze (Serves 4-6) - $85
Herb & Butter Crusted Prime Rib Roast
With Au Jus and Creamy Horseradish Sauce ** Please allow 2 hours for reheating/finishing time ** (Serves 4-6) - $180
House Smoked Pork loin with a Citrus-Pomegranate Glaze Cabernet Brown sauce (Serves 4-6) - $65
House Made Lasagna
Select either Beef or Spinach Ricotta Cheese, House Made Marinara Sauce, Garlic, Fresh Basil ½ pan (Serves 8-10) - $60
THE FINAL TOUCH House Made Pies
Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Apple Pie or Chocolate Cream Pie $25 each
House Made Cakes
10” Pumpkin Cheesecake with Graham cracker crust 10” Brownie Crusted Caramel Cheesecake 10” Red Velvet Crusted Red Velvet Swirl Cheesecake 9” Chocolate Bundt Cake with Chocolate Icing $35 each
A&S Culinary Concepts
How do I order my meal?
THANKSGIVING
• Online: orders@asculinaryconcepts.com. Please send in your order via e-mail and one of our culinary liaisons will send you a confirmation. • Please call us at the culinary studio, 678-336-9196, and we will be happy to take your order over the phone. We will send you a confirmation via e-mail. • We ask that all orders be placed by Thursday, November 19th. We do realize that things happen at the last minute and we will do everything in our power to accommodate you.
When can I pick my order up?
• All orders will be available to be picked up from A&S Culinary Concepts Kitchen. – Wednesday, November 25th – Between Noon and 4:00 PM – Please specify your preferred pickup time when placing your order.
How is the order presented?
• All orders are delivered in oven-ready containers or disposable platters and bowls, with heating instructions.
• 9945 Jones Bridge Road
•
John
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 17
Let Us Help with Your Thanksgiving With Our Oven Ready Meals
2026 THANKSGIVING MENU Turkey
22-24 pounds (Serves 12-15) - $180 each 16-18 pounds (Serves 8-12) - $150 each Select either Brined and Roasted or Smoked on our Primo Ceramic Grills ** Please allow 2 hours before serving for reheating/finishing time **
Cedar Plank Smoked Canadian Salmon (2 lbs.)
Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Smoked on our Primo Ceramic Grills (Serves 4-6) - $75
Herb & Butter Crusted Prime Rib Roast With Au Jus and Creamy Horseradish Sauce ** Please allow 2 hours for reheating/finishing time ** (Serves 4-6) - $180
• We can usually help with any type of specialty meal or diet. There may be an added charge, depending on what is needed. That charge will be discussed at the time of the order. • Delivery is available at $75 per order (within a 5-mile radius of the kitchen) • There may be an additional charge for orders outside our usual delivery area.
House Made Lasagna
Chopped Romaine, Shredded Red Cabbage, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Apples, Carrots with Cider Vinaigrette
Side Dishes
Roasted Mushrooms, Roasted Peppers, Fresh Mozzarella, Grape Tomatoes, Red Onions and Kalamata Olives, with Pesto Vinaigrette
Select either Beef or Spinach Ricotta Cheese, House Made Marinara Sauce, Garlic, Fresh Basil ½ pan (Serves 8-10) - $60
• NOT for pick up. • $200 minimum order for delivery, plus delivery fee.
What about payment?
• Your final invoice will be sent out Tuesday, November 24th
What is your cancellation policy?
• All cancellations/changes by Wednesday, November 18th, for a 75% refund. • Any cancellations after November 19th are subject to a 50% surcharge of the total invoice.
ns Creek, GA
•
Fall Salad
Spinach Antipasto
Serves 4-6 people - $18 each
Caesar Salad
Cranberry Sauce
fresh cranberries, cinnamon, orange and lime
Shredded Parmesan Cheese, Focaccia Croutons, with House Made Caesar Dressing
Corn Bread and Sour Dough Stuffing
Gravies and Sauces
Creamy Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes Roasted Seasonal Vegetables Creamy Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash
Cornbread Muffins and Dinner Rolls
celery and onions
Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole roasted walnut, Cinnamon & Panko Crust
Creamy White Cheddar & Bacon Macaroni & Cheese made with penne pasta
Is there a minimum order?
Strawberry, Spinach & Arugula
Cabernet Brown sauce (Serves 4-6) - $65
with balsamic glaze
What about delivery?
Holiday Green Salad
Granny Smith Apples, Sun-Dried Cranberries, Caramelized Pecans, Blue Cheese, with a Pomegranate-Balsamic Vinaigrette
House Smoked Pork Loin with a Citrus-Pomegranate Glaze
Sliced Boneless Ham
Can you provide specialty meals or diets?
Culinary Concepts Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Crumbled Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Onions, with a White Balsamic-Local Honey Vinaigrette
Honey Mustard Glaze (Serves 4-6) - $85
G MENU FAQs
A&S
Green Bean Almondine
Julienne onion and roasted slivered almonds
$15 per Quart Turkey Giblet Gravy Marinara Sauce (For Lasagna) $18 Per Dozen Classic Cornbread Muffins House Made Dinner Rolls
THE FINAL TOUCH House Made Pies
Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Apple Pie or Chocolate Cream Pie $25 each
House Made Cakes
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole Oregano and Lemon Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
10” Pumpkin Cheesecake with Graham Cracker Crust 10” Brownie Crusted Caramel Cheesecake 10” Red Velvet Crusted Red Velvet Swirl Cheesecake 9” Chocolate Bundt Cake with Chocolate Icing $35 each
Fresh Salads
$18 per half dozen (Gluten-Free Available)
Maple Roasted Squash Medley with cranberry, sage and thyme
Serves 6-10 people - $25 a bowl Serves 12-20 people - $40 a bowl (Dressing served on the side.)
678-336-9196 •
Jumbo Brownies Jumbo Cookies
Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Double Chocolate Chip or Sugar $18 per dozen (Gluten-Free Available)
asculinaryconcepts.com
18 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
COMMUNITY
Volunteers plant hope, one daffodil at a time By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — It won’t be until months later that the more than 20,000 daffodil bulbs planted at Cauley Creek Park Oct. 17 finally show some color. But that’s the moment that several hundred volunteers, like Samuel Santos, are counting on. “You just got to appreciate beauty in the world, and if I can assist in adding some beauty to this world, and it gives people hope, that means you’re doing your due diligence here on Earth,” Santos said. The volunteers spent a Saturday morning and afternoon at a planting organized by the community organization Johns Creek Beautification. Liliana Brenner, organization co-president, said the group sought to enhance one of the city’s most-used parks. They also hope the flowers lend a little hope to those who need it. “It started with giving hope to cancer survivors, but now it has changed,” Brenner said. “We have changed it to hope for anyone who is going through a difficult time.” In total, the event planted about 22,000 daffodils in the park with the help of about 200 volunteers. Since 2018, the annual planting has put more than 72,000 bulbs in the ground. After being postponed from the previous Saturday because of inclement weather, volunteers enjoyed a pristine fall day. Residents happily chatted in the warm sunshine and cool air. “We’re bringing the community together, but with a purpose,” Brenner said. Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne said the event served an important purpose in connecting residents from different walks of life and uniting them under one purpose. “If you look, it’s all ages, demographics, all different groups,” she said. “They’ll come back in the spring, and they’ll get to see the fruits of their labor.” Thorne said she also was inspired by the volunteers’ dedication to their community. “It makes me want to serve them better, makes me want to take time, even when I have a busy Saturday, to be getting in the dirt with them,” she said.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
A Johns Creek family plants daffodil bulbs Oct. 17 at Cauley Creek Park during an event hosted by Johns Creek Beautification.
A line of daffodil bulbs wait to be buried in dirt Oct. 17 at Cauley Creek Park.
NEWS
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 19
DeKalb County commissioner denounces Shadowbox reps By DYANA BAGBY newsroom@appenmedia.com DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County Commissioner LaDena Bolton denounced officials at Shadowbox Studios after they showed up at an Oct. 13 DeKalb County Board of Commissioners meeting to support her proposal to define and classify data centers by size, energy usage, water use, noise and backup power. Bolton’s proposal to define data centers would lay the foundation for future county legislation to study and regulate the massive facilities, she said. It is the latest development in a saga over data center development in DeKalb County that has stretched on for more than a year. Commissioners face increasing pressure from developers to build the massive facilities. A temporary pause on data center development has been extended through the end of March 2027 as county officials work to determine how to regulate the facilities that house thousands of computer servers needed to meet the rising demand for artificial intelligence. Peter Rumbold, CEO of Shadowbox Studios, and Jeff Weber, the company’s chief real estate development officer, attended the meeting. Shadowbox Studios wants to build an approximately 1.1 million-square-foot data center on 155 acres of its property in south DeKalb, once eyed for a film studio expansion. The company and its real estate affiliate, Henrico 183, recently sued DeKalb County over its moratorium on new data center development. “We are supportive of Dr. Bolton’s idea of correcting the process, and have been attempting for months to engage in constructive dialogue with the county,” Rumbold said during public comment at the start of the meeting. “All of this because we are deeply concerned that the tenor of the proposed regulatory framework around data centers will lead to a de facto ban on them across the county.” Rumbold said Bolton’s suggestions are “largely practical” but questioned the proposal to ban data centers larger than 1 million square feet. “That is the equivalent of having the definition of multifamily use state that an owner can never develop more than 250 apartment units on their site, regardless of whether that site is 20 acres or 2,000 acres,” Rumbold said as many in the audience turned their backs on him to show their opposition. Rumbold went on to say his company’s proposed data center would generate over $130 million in property tax revenue each year — roughly $56 million to DeKalb County, $14 million to the Metro South Community Improvement
DYANA BAGBY/APPEN MEDIA
Jeff Weber, chief development officer for Shadowbox Studios, is jeered at the Oct. 13 DeKalb County Board of Commission meeting after speaking in support of data centers. The company is suing the county trying to overturn its temporary pause on data center development so it can build a massive facility in south DeKalb. District and $63 million to the DeKalb County School District. Several people in the audience audibly jeered his numbers. Weber followed Rumbold and told commissioners residents were sharing “significant inaccuracies” about data centers. For example, he said, the average daily usage for cooling Shadowbox’s proposed data center would be “less than 3,000 gallons [of water] per day, roughly the amount of water used by just a single fast food restaurant.” “And not the millions and millions of gallons often cited,” Weber said. “In fact, on Dr. Bolton’s proposed definitions, our facility would be considered a low-water facility, only marginally higher than the lowest proposed water use designation.” Several people also jeered Weber. Hours later, when Bolton’s item finally came up for consideration on the lengthy agenda, she took a few minutes to address Rumbold’s and Weber’s comments. She denied any connection to them or to Blackhall Studios, the company once owned by Ryan Millsap and now known as Shadowbox Studios. “Y’all, this morning, my name was called, and I want to make it very clear — I’m about to nip this in the bud — I don’t know nobody from Blackhall. I don’t know nobody from Henrico. I don’t
know nobody from Shadowbox,” Bolton said, her voice quivering. “I don’t want nobody associating me or this document with anybody who called my name this morning,” she added. “For a year and a half, we’ve been talking about these doggone data centers, and ain’t nobody from your organization been up here. And I find it peculiar that when there’s a lawsuit in place, you come up in here calling my name. We’re not going to do that. We’re going to cut that off right now.” Bolton originally proposed an ordinance to define and classify data centers, but said Oct. 13 that she now wants the legislation to be considered a resolution. An ordinance is a written, legally binding law, while a resolution is a formal expression of the board’s opinion or policy. Commissioner Michelle Long Spears asked Bolton about limiting data centers to no more than 1 million square feet. “Just making sure I’m crystal clear on this, you’re suggesting nothing larger than a million square feet,” Spears asked. “I am, and I do want to reiterate that I’ve always said I don’t believe in campus-sized data centers,” Bolton said. “You can put a line item that implies that something larger is excluded. But
yes, I don’t think it’s worth studying because the community doesn’t want that.” Spears asked how the proposal could be changed. Bolton told her she did not want to be the only sponsor of the resolution and wanted all commissioners to have a hand in writing it. “Because this was intended to be heard in committee, I don’t want to override the committee process,” Bolton said. “I do want us to work on it together. I would prefer if all of us were sponsors on this and we come together and define what data centers are.” Bolton said DeKalb County must define what a data center is before it can consider any zoning regulations or even an environmental impact study. “We need to make sure everybody is on the same playing field, not just the [county] departments, but any third parties,” she said. “Everybody needs to be looking at the same thing, so we’re not comparing apples and oranges. We need to make sure we’re all looking at the same defined structure of a data center.” The debate over data centers in DeKalb County is heated. Dozens of residents and activists have attended board meetings regularly for more than a year, telling commissioners that the massive facilities will strain the county’s water system, drain electricity from nearby residents and create noise pollution. Several people at the Oct. 13 meeting spurned Bolton’s proposal during public comment. “Data centers are not effective tools for economic development,” said Jonathan Holly, a Kirkwood resident. “They require massive capital investment and yield very few permanent local jobs,” he said. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: They steal our land, drink our water, drain our power and they are an essential piece of an anti-human project. There is no responsible way to build an industrial parasite. Don’t set definitions; just ban them.” Gina Mangham of the DeKalb Citizens Coalition, a group of activists formed to fight data center development in the county, blasted Bolton for not seeking community input before introducing her proposal. “You’re pushing definitions with no basis, even without a past committee review,” Mangham said. “Why? What is the rush and what is the purpose? Your resolution is premature, but you put us on the defense. So let me be clear: We do not need definitions.” Commissioners finally agreed to hold off another month before taking up the resolution. The resolution will go before the Planning, Economic Development and Community Services Committee Oct. 27 and is slated to go before the full board Nov. 10.
20 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
PRESERVING THE PAST
OPINION
‘It’s all about the donkeys’ in North Fulton, their history and purpose Donkeys are amazing animals and are not well understood. Often used as pets or to guard farm animals, donkeys have certain requirements to lead productive and happy lives. In this column, BOB MEYERS I will explain donkeys Columnist and their history. Donkeys originated in the distant past, most recently in arid parts of Africa. Spanish explorers introduced them to the Americas in the 1500s as working pack animals. Some writers emphasize biblical implications because donkeys played a significant role in the Bible and because most donkeys have a cross between their shoulders and along their spines, known as the Jerusalem Cross. The marking is attributed to a tradition holding that the shadow of the cross fell across a donkey’s back during Jesus’ crucifixion. Donkeys belong to the horse family and are descended from the African wild ass, an endangered species in certain arid areas of Africa. Fewer than 600 are thought to exist today. Humans domesticated the species in Africa about 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. Historically, donkeys were used for human transportation, for carrying heavy loads and as food. Over the centuries, several sizes of donkeys emerged — mini, standard and mammoth — each with its own characteristics. Minis stand up to 36 inches at the shoulder. They are affectionate, make great pets and are low maintenance. Standard donkeys measure up to 54 inches and are most often pets and companions in this country. Mammoth donkeys measure more than 54 inches for females and more than 56 inches for males and are known for their strength and gentle manner. Regardless of size, all donkeys require plenty of social interaction, regular hoof and dental care, and adequate room to wander. By nature, they are herd animals, so they do much better if paired with a partner of the same sex. So, if you are thinking of owning a donkey, plan to own at least two, though not necessarily the same size. The bad news is that donkeys need to be rescued from their environments far more often than horses or other animals because, globally, they are among the most neglected, abandoned and abused equine animals. In some parts of the world, they are overworked or abused until they collapse and wind up in kill pens. Even in the U.S., many end up at live auctions, where they are purchased and shipped to slaughter.
BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
Most donkeys have a Jerusalem Cross between their shoulders and along their backs. Tradition says it originated when the shadow of the cross fell across a donkey’s back during Jesus’ crucifixion.
castrated. A young donkey is a foal. The word “donkey” is used as slang for someone who is stupid or stubborn, which is unfair to donkeys. Mule: A hybrid between a male donkey and a female horse. Burro: The term for a donkey in the American Southwest, where thousands of burros roam arid, hot desert rangelands. Wild burros and mustangs are protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. LESLIE WATSON/PROVIDED
Jackie Mannaert holds Ty and Sam, two of the 30 adoptable donkeys at Jack of Trades Donkey Rescue, a 501 (c ) (3) charity which she founded in 2020. To date the charity has found homes for more than 200 donkeys. We are fortunate in north Fulton to have a nonprofit organization dedicated to training and finding safe homes for abandoned or abused donkeys: Jack of Trades Donkey Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Alpharetta that “rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes” every suffering donkey it can. Jackie Mannaert, a longtime horse owner, founded the organization in 2020 after an impulse visit to a kill pen, where she surprised herself by buying nine donkeys. The experience defined her life’s work, and to date she has rescued and rehomed more than 200 donkeys. Her motto is “It’s all about the donkeys.” The organization currently houses about 30 donkeys that are looking for loving homes. They vary in size, age, color and personality. “We are a sanctuary that also finds homes for our donkeys after adequate training and daily handling,” Mannaert said.
I first met Mannaert at the annual Shindig, a popular fundraiser for the Milton Historical Society hosted by Byron and Laura Foster on their farm in Milton. She was accompanied by Jake, a delightfully friendly donkey the children in attendance loved to pet. Mannaert and her staff have a precise method of training the donkeys. The training is adjusted for each donkey’s personality and needs. Jack of Trades will hold its first Donkey Hay Day Fall Festival on Nov. 7 for adults and children. Attendees can meet retired Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis, spend time with the donkeys, and enjoy a food truck, cotton candy, and many games and raffles. For information and tickets, visit jackoftradesdonkeyrescue.org. Some useful terms Donkey: A male is a jack, and a female is a jenny. Jacks need to be
Some interesting donkey traits: High intelligence: They can solve complex problems. Exceptional sense of smell: They can detect odors several miles away, a skill that allows these hardy animals to survive in barren terrain. Sensitive hearing: They can hear the call of another donkey from miles away, thanks in part to their large ears. Impressive memories: They can remember other animals, places and people for years, an ability that allows them to navigate hostile environments. Close bonds: They form close friendships with one another that last a lifetime. Separating them can cause acute stress. Speed: They can run up to 15 mph. “Donkeys often come to our sanctuary following neglect that may have lasted for years,” Mannaert said. “These gentle creatures deserve a second chance. Our job is to give it to them through kindness, medical care and a safe place. The rewards to them and to the people who care for them are enormous and forever.”
OPINION
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 21
PAST TENSE
The different voting locations of the 1930s and ’40s People who lived in Dunwoody in the 1930s and 1940s voted at Nash’s Store. The store was on the west side of Nandina Lane from the beginning of the 20th century until the VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF 1920s, when it moved to the corner of Columnist Chamblee Dunwoody and Mount Vernon roads. The store was also the location of Shallowford District Court meetings. (“History of DeKalb County, GA 1822-1900,” by Vivian Price) Polling locations for DeKalb and Fulton counties were regularly listed in the Atlanta newspapers by militia districts, which were first established in 1784. Within the Cross Keys District, Brookhaven citizens voted at Harkey’s Pharmacy, located in the business district on Peachtree Road and next door to Brookhaven Hardware. City Hall was the location for voters in Chamblee, also part of the Cross Keys District. In Doraville, voting took place at the family-owned Munday’s Store. The Oak Grove District of Fulton County, today’s Sandy Springs, voted in the “vacant store next door to Sandy Springs Pharmacy.” (Atlanta Journal, Nov. 1, 1936, “Location of Ballot Boxes, Fulton, DeKalb County”) Farther down Roswell Road in Grogan’s District, voters went to D.H.
APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO
Brantley’s store and service station, also known as The Pines. Those living in Roswell were told to vote at Cecil Coleman’s Filling Station. Over the years, some voting locations stayed the same, and others changed. At Grogan’s, the location changed to Morgan Falls School, and those living in Oak Grove voted at Sandy Springs School. The American Legion Hall, located close to the fire station, became Brookhaven’s voting place. The Dunwoody Grammar School served as a voting location for the Shallow Ford District, and Chamblee voted at Hughes
Drug Store. (Atlanta Journal, June 6, 1950) If a town had a courthouse, it usually served as the polling location. Alpharetta listed the Old Courthouse, and the people of Decatur voted at their courthouse. The city of Atlanta began researching the feasibility of voting machines in 1941. After Roy LeCraw defeated Mayor William B. Hartsfield by a little over 100 votes in the 1940 election, the city aimed for accuracy and faster results. When LeCraw returned to military service in 1942, Hartsfield became Atlanta’s
mayor again following a special election. (Atlanta Journal Magazine, Oct. 14, 1945, “Voting Machines for Atlanta?”) By 1950, all Fulton County precincts had voting machines, and voters were encouraged to review the proposed constitutional amendments before going to the polls. A sample voting machine was placed in the Fulton County Courthouse so voters could become familiar with the new voting method. (Atlanta Journal, Nov. 5, 1950, “Voter’s Aid Asked to Speed Balloting”) It is important to note that the people voting in these locations and throughout Georgia were overwhelmingly white voters. Although the 15th Amendment gave Black men the right to vote, that right was not enforced, and there were efforts for decades to prevent them from voting. The 1965 Voting Rights Act finally brought about change. “The law outlawed literacy tests, poll taxes, and other obstacles to voting. It gave the federal government the authority to take over voter registration wherever voting rights were threatened.” (Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, “150 Years and Counting”) Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. Write her at pasttensega@gmail.com. Learn more at pasttensega.com.
AIKENOMICS
Mortgage rates didn’t kill housing market, but wrong conversation might Buyers are sitting on the sidelines. Maybe it’s time we changed the conversation. Thirty-year mortgage rates recently crossed the 7.50% threshold, grabbing headlines across the D.C. AIKEN Guest Columnist country and once dcaiken.com again dominating the housing conversation. Unfortunately, something very predictable happened: Buyers hit the brakes. Some paused their home searches. Others decided they would simply “wait until rates come back down.” And many who were already sitting on the sidelines found another reason to stay there. I understand it. What bothers me, however, is that many buyers are mak-
ing that decision because they don’t know what we know. They see 7.50% and assume the conversation is over. I think that’s exactly where the conversation should begin. Stop selling the rate. Start solving the payment. For decades, real estate has revolved around one primary question: “What’s the sales price?” Maybe we’re asking the wrong question. In this market, the better question may be: “What monthly payment gets this buyer comfortable enough to buy the home?” Because once we start there, the entire negotiation can change. Consider a seller whose home has been sitting for 60 or 90 days. They’re considering a $10,000, $15,000 or even $20,000 price reduction because that’s what sellers have traditionally done when a house doesn’t sell. Cut the price. But does a $15,000 price reduction
really change the buyer’s monthly payment enough to get them off the sidelines? Maybe, but probably not. What if some of those same dollars were instead strategically used toward a temporary interest rate buydown, closing costs or another financing structure designed to attack the buyer’s real problem: the monthly payment? Suddenly, we’re no longer just negotiating a sales price. We’re engineering affordability. This is where team matters. Higher rates don’t have to be just a buyer problem. When buyers stop buying, they quickly become a seller problem, too. That’s exactly why today’s market requires the listing agent, buyer’s agent and mortgage professional to work together. The seller wants to sell. The buyer wants to buy. Our job is to figure out
how to bridge the gap between the two. Waiting for mortgage rates to magically return to 5% isn’t a strategy. Creating a payment that works today is. There are still buyers who need homes. There are still sellers who need to sell. And there are still plenty of transactions waiting to happen. We just have to put the pieces together differently. Because a 7.50% mortgage rate doesn’t necessarily mean “No.” Sometimes it simply means: “Let’s find a better way to get to Yes.” DC Aiken is senior vice president of lending for CrossCountry Mortgage, NMLS#658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com. The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of CrossCountry Mortgage LLC or its affiliates.
22 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
GARDEN BUZZ
OPINION
Good gardening starts with good information Every few weeks, a Master Gardener sits down to answer a question someone in metro Atlanta is asking in their own backyard. Why are these old hollies so hard to keep up? What is boring tiny holes in my trees? Is there anything I can actually do about mosquitoes? On Jan. 19, 2023, I wrote the LEE TANENBAUM first Garden Buzz column, inGuest Columnist troducing Appen Media readers to the new series and to the North Fulton Master Gardeners. Since then, the series has grown to 118 columns of practical, research-based gardening advice, delivered in print and with an additional 2 million views in online newsletters. Appen Media is the reason those answers reach you. North Fulton Master Gardeners is a group 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." We work alongside the University of Georgia Extension Fulton County, and every one of us is trained and certified by the UGA Cooperative Extension. The key word is "educate." We are not selling a product or chasing a trend. We pass along what UGA's research shows actually works in Georgia clay and Georgia summers, and we give it away. Much of that happens in person: at Garden Faire, community classes, garden tours and our project gardens. But a class reaches a room. A column reaches a region. Look at what Garden Buzz readers have learned: how to replace tired foundation plantings; why ambrosia beetles, tiny as they are, can attack more than 100 species of trees and shrubs; how a rain barrel saves money and water; why the luna moth, with its pale green wings, is worth protecting; how phenology, the study of seasonal change in living things, can tell you when to plant; and how to fill a garden with fragrance in every season of the year. Each column is a small piece of practical knowledge, written by a UGA-certified volunteer or Extension expert, and handed to readers at no cost. But "no cost" to you does not mean no cost to produce. Appen Media provides the editors who shape the drafts, the photos and layout that make them readable, and a trusted platform readers return to week after week. It gives local voices like these a place to be heard. Without that partnership, the North Fulton Master Gardeners could not reach as many neighbors as they do. Appen Media has been essential to that mission. Without a local newsroom, information like this does not disappear. It just gets harder to find. It gets buried under ads, algorithms and gardening advice written for someone three climate zones away who has never fought fire ants or a July drought. Gardeners understand investment better than most. Nothing grows on its own. You amend the soil before you plant. You water through the dry spells. You do not expect a harvest from ground you never tended. Local journalism works the same way. Right now, Appen Media is in the middle of its fall fundraiser, with a goal of $30,000. That money
Pansies are a fall favorite. goes directly to the newsroom—the people who cover your city council, your schools, your local businesses, and, yes, your garden. So here is my ask. If a Garden Buzz column ever helped you choose the right plant, save a struggling shrub, identify a visitor in your yard, or simply look at your garden with new eyes, please consider making a gift to Appen Media this fall. Any amount helps. A contribution the size of a flat of annuals or a bag of good compost makes a real difference when enough readers give. North Fulton Master Gardeners will keep showing up with answers to your questions. Let's make sure there's still a place to print them. Think of it as tending the soil, so that next season, and the one after that, something good keeps growing here. Learn more at appenmedia.com/join. Happy Gardening!
KAREN BURPO/PROVIDED
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://www.appenmedia.com/opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the North Fulton Master Gardeners Inc. University of Georgia Extension Fulton County does not endorse specific businesses, organizations, products, services, fundraising efforts or charitable giving opportunities. Come visit us at the Alpharetta Farmers Market and the Sandy Springs Farmers Market.
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 23
GET RESULTS! Let us help you accomplish your business goals with advertising that reaches the area’s most desirable demographics with news and information that no other publication can deliver — and all at an affordable price. Contact one of our account executives today for more information and ideas on how to take your business to the next level.
Charity golf tournament honors beloved founder
THE PAINT PROS AND HOMEOWNERS HAVE TRUSTED FOR GENERATIONS.
Public Service Commission race headed to runoff election
► PAGE 3
FREE PAINT FRIDAY! 2 free paint samples every Friday. MUST PRESENT COUPON - LIMIT 2 PER HOUSEHOLD. VALID THRU 5/31/2025. 7/31/2025.
3 LOCATIONS! ROSWELL & EAST COBB! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
► PAGE 3
inSIDEoutPaintCenters.com
(770) 702-8888
J u l y 1 0 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 4 3 , N o . 2 8
Wills Park brims with area visitors on Fourth of July By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
A girl waves an American flag as she dances to music by Davis and the Love at Roswell Area Park July 4.
PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Kendall, from left, John, Brooks and Reid Hill sit on a picnic blanket at Roswell Area Park to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Roswell crowd celebrates America’s 249th birthday By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Food trucks, live music and fireworks were on the menu for America’s birthday in Roswell. A crowd of over 1,000 piled into Roswell Area Park July 4 to celebrate America’s 249th birthday.
Kendall and John Hill travelled from East Cobb to bring their two little ones to the show. “The kids love it,” John Hill said. Baseball fields and multi-use fields were filled with families and friends awaiting the firework show at dusk.
See FOURTH, Page 23
OPINION
See FIREWORKS, Page 24
Two-year-old Cameron holds a beach ball at the City of Roswell Fourth of July celebration at Roswell Area Park.
Business owner crafts calm in the chaos
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
From left, Traci Foreman, Chris Foreman and John Hanley watch fireworks in Wills Park July 4.
► PAGE 8
► PAGE 5
DR. INGRID REYES
DR. NATU MMBAGA
DR. ANNIE KIM
DR. ZIN ALONSO
404.446.2496 | WWW.REYESOBGYN.COM
DR. NADA MEGALLY
EMILY DIXON, CNM
DR. MIRANDA LONG
8TH YEAR IN A ROW!
THANK YOU!
KEIANNA HALEY, CNM
SKYLER JACOBS, CNM
MIMI SONG, CNM
KATIE VAUGHN, CNM
KRISTINE RAYNARD, CNM
ALPHARETTA | JOHNS CREEK | CUMMING
Best OB/GYN DR. NATALIE CLERICUZIO
DR. SHELLEY ZIPPAY
KRISTI PRESLEY, WHNP
JOANNE LEE, FNP
AMBER BECKER, WHNP
HEMALI PATEL, WHNP
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The heart of the holiday was shining through the music, food and fun of Creek’s Juneteenth celebration. As the sun set on a warm Saturday evening, Midway grandmother Matilda Riles sat in a lawnchair, watching her grandchildren play on the park lawn amid the sound of booming live music and mouthwatering aroma of food trucks. Before the fun started, Riles, who attended with three generations of family, educated the kids about the reason for Juneteenth. “It's a point in time when enslaved people no longer had to be enslaved, and certain places did not relay the message at the time that it should have been relayed,” Riles said. “And, therefore this is a celebration as to when the final group of people were told you no longer had to be enslaved.” Several thousand visitors descended on the city’s annual celebration at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, doubling last year’s attendance. The celebration resembled a giant block party with live music performances, chatting neighbors, plenty of food and rows of arts and craft vendors.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The perfect biscuit is like a warm hug, said Brandy White, owner of Sawnee Mountain Biscuit Company. “It kind of warms your soul,” White said. “It feels like home to me.” Since 2001, the Sawnee Mountain Biscuit has operated out of a renovated mobile home at 104 13th St., serving perfect pillowy biscuits wrapped around eggs, cheese, bacon and other breakfast staples. With dozens of items on the menu, the restaurant features other tasty offerings from French toast to a house-made pimento cheese. Tucked into a sleepy neighborhood on the edge of Cumming, Sawnee Mountain Biscuit might easily be taken as another house, but locals say the squat, blue-clapboard building is one of the town’s best breakfast spots. Over the decades, the restaurant has earned a cult following in Cumming and the north Atlanta area, serving as many as 400 orders some mornings.
“We focus on personal, compassionate care”
EMILY CHUNG, FNP
PAIGE MAROLF, WHNP
LANA WERTZ, CNM
ERICA RICHMOND, CNM
LAURA WIESE, CNM
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is working to complete converting an old elementary school into a law enforcement training center. Since October, the training center has hosted a public safety academy as part of a partnership between the sheriff’s office and University of North Georgia. The academy, funded by the
ROI
matters.
S e p t e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 0 , N o . 3 9
County restores original funding to cultural arts
Children play in the lawn at Newtown Park during a Juneteenth celebration in Johns Creek June 21. JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Brandy White holds her 1-year-old daughter, Lennon, at the entrance to her Sawnee Mountain Biscuit Company on 13th Street just outside Cumming.
sheriff’s office, provides training for law enforcement officers in Forsyth County and surrounding jurisdictions, Capt. Rob Heagerty said. At an April 22 work session, the County Board of Commissioners discussed a proposal to allocate $47,993 for design services with ar chitectural firm Wiley Wilson to create plans, conduct inspections and
make changes to water heaters. The sheriff’s office wants to install showers and locker rooms at the building at 4805 Atlanta Highway, Heagerty said. The improvements are important because exercise and physical conditioning are essential in maintaining capable deputies, he said. The building already houses classrooms, meeting rooms, a cafeteria,
Targeted local marketing in the most trusted local media works. Alpharetta | Roswell | Milton | Johns Creek Forsyth | Dunwoody | Sandy Springs Local community newspapers – Heralds & Criers – that matter.
gym, simulator room and an empty wing where deputies can conduct building-clearing and other training exercises. The work is part of a second phase to transform former Midway Elementary School into a law enforcement training center.
See SHERIFF, Page 12
ATLANTA — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to restore funding for a program within the Arts & Culture Department to $3 million a year Sept. 17. While the unanimous vote reflects unity and bipartisanship, some commissioners criticized colleagues for the delay. The item, sponsored by Democratic commissioners Khadijah AbdurRahman and Marvin Arrington Jr. and Republican commissioners Bob Ellis and Bridget Thorne, includes an increase of $1.7 million for a previously requested program and its full $3 million in funding set aside in the 2026 budget.
See JUNETEENTH, Page 10
See FULTON, Page 20
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, nonresisting pre-trial detainees on three occa-
sions 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
Partner with Appen Local Media:
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.
Doggie-paddle Pets enjoy cool, pool party at Last Splash Puppy Bash
► PAGE 5
Life Time Perimeter revives health club site
Spring Plant Sale!
► PAGE 4
Summer Veggies Annuals Pollinator Plants and So Much More! Friday April 11- Sunday April 13
CALL JAN HART FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE CALL JAN HART FORNEEDS ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS
JAN HART | REALTOR® JAN HART | REALTOR®® JAN HART | REALTOR c: 678.596.3684 c: 678.596.3684 c: 678.596.3684 o: 404.480.HOME o: 404.480.HOME o: 404.480.HOME JAN@ANSLEYRE.COM JAN@ANSLEYRE.COM JAN@ANSLEYRE.COM
9am-4pm (Fri & Sat) 11am-3pm (Sun) Greenhouse complex- Across from the Skate Park in Brookrun Park, Dunwoody
April 10, 2025 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976
Dunwoody opens doors to refine future land-use By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Front center, Ann Hanlon, executive director of the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, holds the ribbon for phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path April 3 while City Councilman Tom Lambert, front right, gets ready to cut it. The Perimeter CIDs and Dunwoody split the project’s $1.5 million construction cost.
Commercial partners and city celebrate new path By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
A look down the completed phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path April 3 shows the two-way cycle track parallel to the revamped sidewalk.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody elected officials, city staff and Perimeter Community Improvement Districts Executive Director Ann Hanlon cut the ribbon April 3 on phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path. “We’re super proud to partner with the city of Dunwoody on building this trail project,” Hanlon
said. “And we’ll look forward to many more phases to come.” A little over two years ago, the group gathered at the same spot near the corner of Ashford Dunwoody Road and Hammond Drive for phase one’s groundbreaking. Phase one of the corridor’s path includes a two-way raised cycle track separated from traffic by a wide landscape buffer
See PATH, Page 17
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The City of Dunwoody is streamlining development rules and updating its vision for the city’s future as part of a state-mandated overhaul. City officials and representatives from consulting firm TSW Design, which was tasked with creating a plan, gave a two-hour presentation about the changes April 1 during a special meeting at Vintage Pizzeria on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Residents received and discussed the creation of a unified development ordinance and changes to the city’s comprehensive plan. Dunwoody is updating its comprehensive plan as part of a state mandate that requires an overhaul every five years, said Allison Stewart-Harris, an associate principal and planner at TSW. Stewart-Harris presented the changes to about 30 residents who attended the meeting.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs announced that the Billboard Music Award-winning band Lit is headlining Friday night Sept. 26 at the third annual Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival. The festival will take place in the heart of Sandy Springs Friday, Sept. 26, from 4-10 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Lit is an American rock band from Orange County,
Your Trusted Real Estate Expert C: 703.899.6663 | Rony@HOMEgeorgia.com | @ronygsellsatlanta
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Motorists line up at the Boylston Drive signal to turn left onto Hammond Drive Aug. 14. Sandy Springs will begin work in September to realign Boylston to the east and eliminate a nearby traffic light.
Realignment construction begins on Hammond-Boylston intersection
CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED
Sandy Springs said Billboard Music Award-winning band, Lit, is headlining this year’s festival Sept. 26-27 at City Springs.
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs contractors are set to begin work in September on realigning the intersection of Boylston and Hammond drives and removing a redundant traffic light. The city says work will last around 15 months, and the intersection will remain open during construction, but there will be occasional lane closures so crews can get the work done safely. Initially, city officials expected the project
to begin in mid-August. No explanation was given. Currently, there are two separate sets of traffic lights less than 100 feet away from one another, one at the Hammond Glen Retirement Community’s driveway and another at the office building next door. The new configuration will shift Boylston Drive to the east, aligning it with the Hammond Glen driveway and eliminating the traffic light at the driveway to the office building at 325 Hammond Drive.
Indicted superintendent resigns
Residents trying to pump brakes on I-285 express lane
404-403-6561 C | 770-394-2131 O RobinBlass.com
Early voting ends Oct. 31 for municipal elections ► PAGE 4
See story on Page 22
Wild Nest Bird Rehab finds roost at Legacy Park
► PAGE 24
See BOYLSTON, Page 8
Atlanta Perimeter Office | 4848 Ashford Dunwoody Road | Atlanta, GA 30338
Hundreds attend Intown Ace Hardware’s annual Ladies Night ► PAGE 14
DeKalb School Board faces tough questions as district finds itself at crossroads
DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA
#1 SMALL TEAM COMPANYWIDE 2024 JANHARTGROUP.COM
INSIDE
Education ANSWER BOOK 2025
An Appen Media Group Publication
► PAGE 12
California, formed in 1988. They are best known for their platinum-selling 1999 power-pop punk album “A Place in the Sun” and its massive hit single “My Own Worst Enemy.” The band is set to headline the main stage Friday night at 8 p.m. In addition to Lit, the family-friendly festival features music all day long across multiple stages, an artist market with more than 80 vendors and a Kids Zone.
See LIT, Page 9
October 23, 2025 | Decaturish.com | Locally Sourced News | An Appen Media Group Publication | Volume 1, No. 13
solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. Equal housing opportunity. If you have an existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted.
ROBIN BLASS
GEORGIA RAE HART | REALTOR® c: 678.266.8241 o: 404.480.HOME
ANSLEYRE.COM | 404.480.HOME | 3035 PEACHTREE ROAD, SUITE 202, ATLANTA, GA 30305 Equal housing opportunity. If you have an existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted.
ANSLEYRE.COM | 404.480.HOME 3035 PEACHTREE| ROAD, SUITE 202, ATLANTA, GA 30305 ANSLEYRE.COM 404.480.HOME 3035 PEACHTREE| ROAD, SUITE 202, ATLANTA, GA 30305 ANSLEYRE.COM Equal housing opportunity. If you404.480.HOME have an existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a 3035housing PEACHTREE SUITE 202,relationship, ATLANTA, GA 30305 solicitation. All opportunity. data believed to ROAD, be accurate but not warranted. Equal If you have an existing brokerage this is not intended as a
Billboard Music Award winner to headline Sandy Springs fest By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
Put Our Experience To Work For You JAN HART | REALTOR® c: 678.596.3684 o: 404.480.HOME
A u g u s t 2 1 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 4 , N o . 3 4
See REFINE, Page 17
About 30 residents fill a dining room at Vintage Pizzeria on Chamblee Dunwoody Road April 1 to hear a presentation by TSW Design planner Allison Stewart-Harris, who spoke on the city’s future land-use strategy.
Decaturish
22 Decades Decades of of Experience Experience 2Circle Decades of Experience of Excellence Excellence Circle of of Circle Excellence Recipient Recipient Recipient CALL JAN HART FOR ALL
Scan QR to Learn More or to Book!
678-831-4949
MAKING DECATUR FEEL GREATER
WE CAN HELP YOU: REGAIN MOBILITY PREVENT INJURY IMPROVE SPORTS PERFORMANCE ELIMINATE PAIN & STIFFNESS
50% OFF FIRST STRETCH Locals Only
770-442-3278 | advertising@appenmedia.com
SEE THE WINNERS INSIDE
RONY GHELERTER
RACHEL PROVOW
1
Ross: City should have residents pick fiscal fate
2025
Miniature goldendoodle Lexi cools off at the Milton city pool on Sept. 13. Canine companions gathered there to celebrate summer’s end. See the story and more photos from Sarah Donehoo on page 18.
Your Trusted Real Estate Expert
Local: Print | Websites | Email Newsletters | Podcasts Use the power of trusted local to grow your business. APPEN Marketing: 770-442-3278 Advertising@AppenMedia.com
ink
DR. TINA LU
By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com
See BISCUIT, Page 6
2024 DR. JOHN REYES
Residents celebrate, remember meaning behind Juneteenth
County considers funding for sheriff’s training facility
County delays closing Alpharetta jail site
Pitts: Raising millage rate would be mistake
► PAGE 4
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Thousands filled Wills Park to celebrate July 4 with a bang. Hours before darkness fell, friends and families filled the park’s lawns, Equestrian Center, trails and athletic fields. Everywhere, children played, cartwheeling, running, tossing balls and waving glow sticks. Alpharettan Lindsey Landis, her husband, two children and two dogs were part the crowd, passing the golden hour on a blanket laid out on the grass.
J u n e 2 6 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 9 , N o . 2 6
M ay 1 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 9 , N o . 1 8
Biscuit eatery rises to meet high demand
Soaring high Atlanta International School set to open new campus, marks 40th anniversary Pages 20-22
24 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
Email: Continued from Page 1 200 seats, a gymnasium, a commercial kitchen and classrooms for about 800 people. The building would support Sunday services, a school and weekday activities, along with at least 800 parking spaces along New Providence Road. Restoration Church has declined Appen Media’s requests to discuss its plans. In response to an interview request in August, a church representative wrote, “We have much going on and once we have our planning and zoning approval we would be happy to talk to you. But for now no comment.” With no proposal yet before the city, the exchange among Moen, Krokoff and Jarrard offers a detailed look at how city leaders view residents’ opposition to the church and at the legal limits the city attorney says Milton faces in responding. Krokoff told Appen Media on Oct. 23 that his “absurd fabricated narrative” comment was aimed at a claim that the council had already signaled approval of the church’s development, not at Moen. On Aug. 9, Moen emailed Mayor Peyton Jamison, council members, Krokoff and the city attorney. She asked the council to “immediately institute a temporary moratorium on all large-scale developments, Special Use Permits (SUPs), and Conditional Use Permits (CUPs)” on land zoned AG-1 for projects not already legally vested. Moen asked that the request go on the council’s Aug. 17 agenda, citing a city policy that requires agenda requests at least eight days before a meeting. Her email quoted Jarrard, who called a moratorium “a very valuable land use tool” at the council’s June 15 meeting while discussing data centers. “I believe it applies to all large-scale development that threatens our AG-1 land,” Moen wrote. Krokoff responded the next morning. His email was addressed to Jarrard, but Moen was on the recipient list along with Jamison, the council and three other city staff members. The subject line was marked “AC COMMUNICATION,” a label commonly used for attorney-client communications. “Ken, would you mind responding to this one?” Krokoff wrote. “My sense is that this request is largely an effort to get ahead of an absurd fabricated narrative that Council has somehow given a ‘head nod’ to the development that has been the subject of the recent emails and petition.” He said he would normally respond himself. “But I suspect anything I say will simply be challenged and generate another round of responses,” he wrote. “I would rather provide one clear, legally grounded response if we can.” Krokoff also questioned what a
COURTESY SARAH MOEN
In an Aug. 10 email to City Attorney Ken Jarrard, Milton City Manager Steven Krokoff wrote that resident Sarah Moen’s request for a development moratorium was “largely an effort to get ahead of an absurd fabricated narrative.” Moen was among the recipients. Appen Media redacted her email address. moratorium would accomplish. “These types of uses are already not permitted by right on AG-1 property and would require a discretionary use permit approved by Council,” he wrote. “That process itself provides the opportunity to evaluate the proposed use, impacts, compatibility, and applicable criteria before anything can be approved.” He said he was “certainly open to considering” a moratorium if Jarrard saw a legitimate legal or practical benefit. “I just do not want us creating a new regulatory measure simply to address speculation about a development that has not even entered the formal process,” he wrote.
In his Oct. 23 reply to Appen Media, Krokoff said his wording in the Aug. 10 message was meant to describe the claim about the council, not Moen herself. “The email describes the constituent’s request as an effort to ‘get ahead of’ that narrative, which reflects my assumption that she was reacting to something she had heard,” he wrote. “It does not accuse her of creating it or suggest that she belonged to a group.” Attorney advises against moratorium Jarrard’s response, addressed to the council, came the morning of Aug. 17, the day of the meeting at which Moen had asked for the agenda item. Krokoff
forwarded it to Moen and said it “reflects the city’s stance.” Jarrard wrote that the city did not know about the church’s purchase until residents brought it to the city’s attention and that it learned the information from publicly available sources. “The City has not engaged the Church regarding intended/future uses,” he wrote. “The City is monitoring the situation but not proactively engaging. Unsolicited government engagement of a property owner that has simply purchased land is neither warranted nor appropriate.” He cited the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, known as RLUIPA. The law requires cities to treat religious land uses the same as comparable secular uses and bars them from imposing substantial burdens on religious exercise. “I am concerned that imposing a moratorium before the Church submits even an informal proposal will be viewed as unduly provocative and, worst case, overtly hostile,” Jarrard wrote. “Acting prematurely could be portrayed as a departure from the City’s normal process or cited as evidence that the City’s actions were motivated by religious considerations.” Jarrard acknowledged the city’s recent moratorium on data centers. He said that pause was warranted because Milton’s code had allowed data centers “as of right,” meaning they could be built without council approval if they met the code’s standards. “Religious land uses/assemblies are different,” he wrote. “They are protected by federal law, and there is no RLUIPA-equivalent governing data centers.” He recommended the city wait for any proposal and evaluate it under Milton’s ordinary land use standards, as it would a secular assembly. “Such equal treatment will protect the community’s long-term vision, preserve the City’s ability to manage land use responsibly, and keep Milton squarely on the right side of the law,” he wrote. Jarrard closed by noting the memo was written with public release in mind. “I am mindful the information may be shared with the public,” he wrote. “This communication has been drafted to accommodate such release.” Opposition continues Residents opposed to the church’s plans have spoken at several council meetings, citing traffic on New Providence Road, the project’s size and the area’s rural character. At the Oct. 19 meeting, resident Alison Eidex did so again, asking the council to deny any zoning, rezoning, variance or proposed high-intensity use at New Providence and Arnold Mill roads.
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 25
Rate: Continued from Page 1 Fulton County mailed temporary 2026 property tax bills Aug. 15. They were based on last year’s millage rates because the county’s tax digest wasn’t complete. Payment was due Oct. 15, and interest accrues on unpaid balances starting the following day. The adoption of the 4.193 mills for maintenance and operations means a 0.3% decrease in projected property tax revenue compared with the prior year, the city says. The 0.309 mill rate covers the ninth year of debt service on the city’s greenspace bond. This year’s debt service will cost $1.7 million. That cost is separate from maintenance and operations revenue. Tax savings opportunities for property owners include basic homestead, floating homestead, senior and disability exemptions. Some residents may even qualify for the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA). Residents can learn more about the city property tax breaks available to them by visiting miltonga.gov/ government/finance/property-taxes/ senior-homestead-exemption. Mayor Peyton Jamison said it’s an unusual year with the rollback rate above the current millage rate. “I would like to commend staff on getting the budget closer to where we adopt our millage rate; it’s great,” Jamison said. “Because we used to do it much differently. It’s transparency for the citizens, where they see where their tax dollars are going.” The council heard three public comments before the vote. Resident Christy Hayes opposed the millage rate and asked council to adopt the lowest alternate rate possible. “I credit council for holding the rate below the 4.205 rollback but a flat rate is not a flat bill,” Hayes said. “… Residents deserve a budget that reflects what we actually want. If the city adopts a lower millage rate and collects fewer taxpayer dollars, it should look for ways to cut the budget, instead of always looking to squeeze residents.…in other words, let’s live within our means.” Resident Kevin Muldowney said he prepared a statement assuming the
city would not use a rollback rate, but was pleased to see the millage rate is below the rollback. “One great idea would be if we could use zero-based budgeting,” Muldowney said. “Every year you look at line items, you look at the whole budget… you say, where do we [need] to be, kinda like private enterprise does.” Resident Laura Bentley said the proposed millage rate will generate an additional $367,000 in operating budget revenue, a 2% increase due to growth and the tax digest. She asked members of council to explain the surplus, how it will be spent and what tangible benefits taxpayers should expect. “Fiscal responsibility and efficient use of tax dollars are important principles to guide your decisions,” Bentley said. “…I also urge council to consider a long overdue deliverable to Milton residents.” Bentley referred to 2016, when 82.86% of voters approved a $25 million green space bond, and asked council not only to preserve the green space, but to make it accessible to residents. She urged council to identify the costs to open the space, announce an opening date and determine whether the additional operating revenue can fund the necessary work to get the property open for citizens. “The greenspace bond was issued to preserve our natural resources and provide opportunities for public enjoyment,” she said. “Nearly 10 years later, significant portions of that land remain inaccessible to us. The 100-acre parcel at Providence Road and Bethany, purchased for $6.9 million, the most expensive of all properties, remains offlimits to citizens.”
Flock concerns, church relocation opposition In December 2025, Restoration Church purchased a 30-acre property on New Providence Road as a future site for their congregation. The property is located about 1.8 miles from their current campus on Rucker Road. Resident Alison Eidex asked council to deny any zoning, rezoning, variance, or a proposed high-intensity use at New Providence and Arnold Mill Road. “Time and again, residents have delivered the same message: preserve rural Milton, protect our green space, maintain lower density development and ensure that future growth is consistent with the plans our city has thoughtfully adopted,” Eidex said. “This location lacks the infrastructure necessary to support a use of this intensity.” Another public comment criticized Council Member Carol Cookerly's conduct at the Sept. 9 meeting. Resident Laurie Stone said she was “shocked” by Cookerly's actions at the meeting. After Lindsay DeFranco, a candidate for state House District 47, asked about Flock cameras in Milton, Cookerly said it was “absolutely irresponsible” for anyone running for office to play into that “panic. She thinks the cameras do a “phenomenal job” at helping law enforcement. “There’s a certain level of decorum expected of our civil servants and this is clearly not being adhered to,” Stone said about Cookerly’s comments. “Calling someone names and making unfounded accusations is beneath the dignity of the position and should’ve been stopped or reprimanded. Sometimes that’s what a leader has to do. Mrs. Defranco’s claims stand up to scrutiny; in fact, she barely
Locally Owned and Operated
• Pre-planning • Grief Support • Funeral Services • Veteran Services • Cremation Services
770-645-1414
info@northsidechapel.com www.northsidechapel.com
North Fulton’s Only On-Site Crematory 12050 Crabapple Road • Roswell, GA 30075
DEATH NOTICES Martha Dorman, age 82, of Roswell, GA passed away on October 15, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Howard Smith, age 86, of Milton, GA passed away on October 13, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Jimmy Trobaugh, age 90, of Roswell, GA passed away on October 15, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
scratched the surface.” Resident Mark Peterson, U.S. Navy Veteran, said he spent his career defending the Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees. “I did not spend those years serving my country only to watch those principles we defended quietly erode here at home,” Peterson said. “…The revelation about Milton’s Flock program [is] deeply concerning to me. The reports that residents' vehicle movements are being stored for an entire year or longer are raising serious concerns about who authorized that decision, who can access that information and who’s accountable when it is misused.” Although he said he supports police officers who serve and use Flock cameras honorably, he said he does not support government secrecy. DeFranco spoke to the council again about her opposition to Flock Safety cameras in Milton. “I’ve always supported our police and the insinuation that I have not is patently untrue,” DeFranco said. “My initial concerns about Flock were never about law enforcement; they were about government transparency, accountability, and the rights of Milton’s residents. I was asking questions of government officials who were elected to protect our rights. But instead of receiving answers, I was publicly ridiculed by Councilmember Cookerly.”
26 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
Request for Proposals Building Division Support Services RFP NUMBER 27-CD01 Proposal Due Date: November 17, 2026, by 2:00PM Local Time Electronic submission via: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bidsrfps 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 building plan review and inspection services for both residential and commercial construction permits within the City limits. 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 27-CD01, Building Division Support Services will be posted on the following websites the week of October 22, 2026: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-rfps and https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/
City of Milton Notice of Meetings and Public Hearings for a Use Permit Case #U26-02 Location: 12457 Broadwell Road, Suite 103 Current Zoning : T4 – Crabapple Form Based Code Applicant: The Wilds Early Learning Academy Request: A Use Permit to operate a pre-school (Day Care Facility Sec. 8.5.4 of the UDC) within a 750 square feet tenant space, in an existing two-story 12,064 square foot commercial building, to accommodate a maximum of 20 students for each half-day session. The above item will be considered at the following meetings/public hearings: Mayor and City Council Public Hearing Monday, December 7, 2026, at 6:00 pm Location: Milton City Hall – Council Chambers 2006 Heritage Walk Milton, GA 30004 678-242-2540
Invitation to Bid Building Demolition at One, Two, and Three Verizon Place ITB NUMBER 27-PW01 Proposal Due Date: November 12, 2026, 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 to bid. The City is requesting bids from qualified contractors to provide demolition services for multiple structures at One, Two, and Three Verizon Place. A pre-bid/ jobsite meeting will be held on November 4, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Prospective bidders are encouraged to attend but not required. The 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. 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 bids for ITB 27-PW01, Building Demolition at One, Two, and Three Verizon Place will be posted on the following websites the week of October 15, 2026: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-rfps and https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/
Would you like your business included in the next Real Estate Report? Reach affluent North Atlanta communities with
a circulation of 114,000 the first week of each month.
To learn more, call 770-442-3278 or email: mike@appenmedia.com
Puzzles
4/3/25 Connect-it
PuzzleJunction.com
Connect-It
Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com
Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 4 and 6 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!
Milton Herald ..................................October 29, 2026 | 27
1
Dunwoody Crier 5/22/25 Crossword
COMPUTERS 1. Oration station. It hosts other computers. Stick together. 2. Arm or leg. It gets you around the monitor. Art supporter. 3. Command to Fido. Stand-offish. They hold data. 4. It’s a computer bane. Like a tortoise. Fishing spot. 5. Boredom. They are clickable. Citrus fruit. 6. In-box contents. It’s active in Sicily. Pigeon’s perch. 7. Wine label designation. One of it’s jobs is data storage. Chowder morsel. PuzzleJunction.com
2 3 4 5 6
/15/25 Sudoku7
Computers 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 1. Oration station. It hosts other computers. Stick together. 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 3 answers onIt the line. Butaround here’srow, thethe catch! Theand clues not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually To the solve theleg. Sudoku puzzle, each column 2. Arm or gets you monitor. Artare supporter. be the second or the thirdnumbers answer in1that line. Got it? Good luck! boxformust contain to 9. 3. Command to Fido. Stand-offish. They hold data.
4. It’s a computer bane. Like a tortoise. Fishing spot.
8 6 6. In-box contents. It’s active in Sicily. Pigeon’s perch. 2 7 5 7. Wine label designation. One of its jobs is data storage. Chowder morsel. 1 2 3 8 7 1 4 6 3 7 5 8 5 4 2 How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. 7 9 6 The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a 5. Boredom. They are clickable. Citrus fruit.
Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com
How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
2 3 9 8 4 6 5 1 7
5 8 1 3 7 9 6 4 2
1 7 2 6 8 3 4 5 9
8 5 4 2 9 7 3 6 1
3 9 6 4 5 1 7 2 8
1
1 Twinge 5 Soda fountain treats 10 Curly cabbage 14 Brainchild 15 Alaskan native 16 Pelvic bones 17 Computer virus isolation 19 At hand 20 Final (Abbr.) 21 Sign before Virgo 22 Thin ice, e.g. 24 Spirit of a people 26 Ticked off 27 City near LA 30 Russian favorite 34 Emcee 37 Dot follower 38 Pavement 39 Tokyo, once 40 Samurai, e.g. 42 Jeans brand 43 Deodorant type 45 Commotion 46 Secluded valley 47 Clean-up tool 48 Paradise 50 Discontinue 52 Polled 56 Rio ___ 58 Prescription checker (Abbr.) 60 Gardner of film 61 Joint problem 62 Stargazer 65 Ashtabula’s lake 66 Piece of cave art 67 Out of shape 68 Give temporarily 69 Gumption 70 Adherents (Suffix)
2
3
4
5
17
18
20
21
24
7
8
9
10
35
22
28
31
32
33
54
55
23
29
30
37
38 41
42
45
44
46
48
47 50 56
13
19
40
43
12
26
36
39
11
16
25 27
34
6
15
14
49
51
52
57
58
53
59
60
61
62
65
66
67
68
69
70
Down 1 Provoke 2 Grownup 3 Poet’s “below” 4 Needlefish 5 Lion’s pride 6 Singing voice 7 Muumuu accessory 8 Siberian feature 9 Hearty entree 10 Realm 11 Downwind 12 Make-up artist? 13 Corn serving 18 Likewise 23 At no time
63
25 Select 26 Thankless wretch 28 Gripe 29 Hockey great Bobby 31 Wooded hollow 32 Patella’s place 33 Egypt. solar deity 34 Basil, e.g. 35 Bouquet 36 Alone 38 Henhouse 40 Restroom sign 41 Chapel vow 44 Found 46 Fed. watchdogs (Abbr.)
64
48 Exhausts 49 Nobelist Pavlov 51 Monroe’s successor 53 Domesticates 54 Boxing card's main ___ 55 Pub game 56 Horror film staple 57 Destroy 58 Kukla, ___ and Ollie 59 Handout 61 Hair goop 63 Prefix with angle 64 Japanese sash
See puzzle solutions on Page 28
Is Your Company Hiring? Solution on next page
Solution 4 6 7 5 1 2 8 9 3
black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.
Across
PuzzleJunction.com
7 2 3 1 6 5 9 8 4
6 1 8 9 3 4 2 7 5
9 4 5 7 2 8 1 3 6
Submit your opening at appenmedia.com/hire
6 8 2 5 7 Solution SOLUTIONS 3 1 2
28 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
8 1 4 6 8 5
K A L E M A L T S P A N G I L I A A L E U T I D E A N E A R Q U A R A N T I N E D A N G E R L E O U L T I R K E D E T H O S V O D K A P O M O N A C E M E N T O R G H O S T L E E W A R R I O R E D O G L E N A D O R O L L O N U T O P I A B R O O M V O T E D C E A S E A V A F D A G R A N D E A S T R O N O M E R G O U T B E N T M U R A L E R I E I S T S S P I N E L E N D
DC Aiken Big Sky Franchise Team David & Michelle Bertany MaryAnne Browne Amour & Duane Carthy Scott Childress
2
Connect-It Solution
9
Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com
I S E R V E R 1 W E L D A PuzzleJunction.com
Copyright ©2025
2 M O U S E A S E L I M B 3 A L O O F I L E S T A Y 4 V I R U S L O W H A R F
Join today for $16/month
CHARTER MEMBER
5
3 7
4
7
7
Support Local News Join Appen Press Club Adam Corder Patrick Cressaty Lindsay DeFranco Robert Flint Robin Fricton Zachary Hahn
6
Solution
7 C L A M E M O R Y E A R
4 6 7 5 1 2 8 9 3
2 3 9 8 4 6 5 1 7
5 8 1 3 7 9 6 4 2
1 7 2 6 8 3 4 5 9
8 5 4 2 9 7 3 6 1
3 9 6 4 5 1 7 2 8
7 2 3 1 6 5 9 8 4
6 1 8 9 3 4 2 7 5
9 4 5 7 2 8 1 3 6
Bruce Paulk Ross & Lori Ramsey Sarah Reiter Mark Rundle Matthew Sayle Lynn Thomas
Kim Truett Roger Wise Jr. Colt Whittall
Robert Popp Dave Rhinehart Sergey Savin Heather Sawyer Kate Seng Karen Shih Christina Singleton
Bob Stevens Kimberly Verska Carol Williams
Ann Donie Rebecca Donlan James Dorsey Tom Driscoll Michael Dudgeon Jeanette Dummer DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Thomas Edmonds William Edmundson Denise Eicher Mim Eisenberg Danny Elkins Su Ellis Grady Evans Leslie Ann Everett Stephen Fabian Carol Fain Martha Fasse Nell & Doug Fernandez Renai Fitzpatrick Daniel Fleck Lee Fleck Laura Floyd Andrew Flynn Cathy Flynn Paul Folger Adrienne Fontaine Mary Ford Nanci Foster Amy Frederick Kelly Frommer Carol Fry
Tim Fulton Andrew Garner Tracey Ganesh Steve Garrett Daniel Gay Matthew Geller John Gibbs John Gilberto Leslie Gilliam Bailey & Ryan Gladysz Michelle Glotzbach Harvey Goldberg Christopher Goodrich Jim Gray Ralph Griffin Rihard Griffiths Elaine Gwynn Carolyn Hall Marilee Hamilton Susan Hanna Marion Hannah Chris Harrell Roxanne Hazen Penn Hodge Maxwell Holder Dianne & Steffan Holmquist Joan Hostetter Julie Hostetter Krista Howland Austin Hughes Jason Hunyar Jacqueline Hursh
MEMBER+ Barbara Anderson Kerry Arias Scott Baynton Joseph Bell Rita Brown Mark Casas David Conti
Theodore Davis III Maureen Drumm Charlcie Forehand Aileen Horton Deborah Jackson David Johnson Ali Mahbod
Richard Matherly Evan McElroy Vickie McElroy Anne Peer Helen Perry Mary Phelps Jennifer Phillippi
MEMBER
5 L I M E N N U I C O N S 6 E M A I L E D G E T N A
Allison January Michael Kenig Roderick Liptrot Bob Meyers Claude Nardy Cliff Oxford
Carl Abernathy Bruce Ackley Salpi Adrouny Alpharetta Lions Club Omar Altalib Dave Altman Ron Altman Joel Alvis American Legion Post 201 Ken Amos Alice & Dr. Richard Appen Stewart Applbaum Gaye Armstrong Richard Arnoldussen Mary Asbury Marcus Ashworth Amy Auffant Bonnie Avera Carolyn Axt Bangkok Boxing LLC Sandra Balmer Shannon Banna Beth Barnes Michael Baron Janet Bass Caitlin Bates Jannet Bauer Barbara Bauschka Miriam Beattie Kathy Beck Laura Bentley William Bentley
Steve Berman Leslie Berry Tom Billings Caroline Blackmon Tochie Blan Ron Boddicker Jodi Bogen JoAnn Bogner Sherri Bolles-Rogers Katherine Bolt Helen Borland Debra Bowen Joe Bowen Kenneth Bowman David Boy Ryan Brainard Mark Brandus Mel Brannen Amy Bratten Carol Bright Linda Brill Dorothy Brouhard Mary Anne Brown Erendira Brumley Zack Buchanan Lee Buechele Bernhard Burgener Alvin Burrell Mike & Theresa Buscher Mary Busman Clea Calloway Jean Campbell
Kirk Canaday James Carr Bridgette Carter William Carter William Cartwright Linda & Frank Catroppa Virginia Christman Adam Cleveland Ann Coaloa Kim Coggins Michael Cohen Kathleen Cohen Evelyn Collazo Jeffery Conn Michael Mackenzie Communications Joan Compton Kathleen Cook Carol Cookerly Terri Coons Sarah Cox Cynthia Crawford Rhonda Cude Connie Cunningham Christopher Cupit Bart Dean David Dean Duane DeBruler Marilyn DeCusati Kathleen DeMartino Nancy Diamond Sarah Donehoo
To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
Scan QR code to join the Appen Press Club
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 29
Support Local News Join Appen Press Club
Join today for $16/month
MEMBER (CONT.) Barbara Hurt-Simmons Susan Huss Paul Huth Jeffrey Hyde J. Craig Inman Sandra Jacobs Susan Jacques Lynn Johnson Tyler Jones Zach Jones Patricia Kachur Amy Kanderis Arthur Kebanli Laura Keck Mark Kelly Randall Kent Carol Kerr Sally Klaskala Allison Kloster Dyna Kohler Brett Koutnik Larry Krueger Jess & Chris Kysar Malinda Lackey Sarah Lamm Daniel Lashinsky Richard Lapin Christine Law Brandon Leach Dennis Lee Ken Leffingwell Carol Lehan
Melissa Libby Bonnie Lind Francia Lindon Karen Lippert Harlan Little Jarrett Long Ross Long Kyser Lough Rita Loventhal Jerry Lucas Brenda Lundy Harry Lutz Rita Loventhal Karen Magill Freda Manning-Rumph Hilbert Margol Julie Martin Linda & Todd Martinez Carla Masecar Valerie Matthews Theresea Mattioli William Maxwell Nicole Mayer Rachel McCord Austin McCully Diane McDonald Evan McElroy Karen McEnerny Jack McGinnis Lynn McIntyre Mike McLoughlin Margaret McManus
Jay O’ Meara Celia Mendez Jennifer Mendoza Dan Merkel Al Merrill Chris Miller Christine Miller Patricia Miller Milton Animal Hospital George Mobley Joe Modica Fred Moeller Sarah Moen Catherine Moore Ralph Moore Carol Morgan Kathy Morgan Stu Moring Karen Mowery Leslie Mullis Donna Murphy Jack Murphy Aileen Nakamura George Nathan Caroline Naughton Richard Nichols Cindy Nolan North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. Carol & Carl Obenland Tricia Novarro Bob O’Brien Martha O’Brien
THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS
Jay O’Meara Diana O’Sullivan Anne Pappas Lynn Pennington Jonathan Peters Kurt & Leslie Phillips Mary & Jan Phillips James Potts Debra Powell Seth Price Joyce Provissiero Chuck Pugh Douglas Quat Patricia Rackliffe Robert Radloff Raj Rajagopalan Pankaj Rajankar Ashwin Ramaswami Cheryl Rand Manu Rao James Rasmussen Paula Rattray Lori Rausch Jean Rearick Joseph Reed Scarlett Reynolds Righteous PR Angie Rigney Sean Riley Neil Robertson Rory Robichaux Kimberly Robinson
Continued innovation in digital media has changed the ways in which people buy, sell and interact with products and services. It has caused businesses to reassess the ways in which it communicates with potential customers and advertises its products. It has been well documented that these changes have had a destructive impact on local newspapers, which continues to be a primary source for local news, but is no longer a primary source for local advertising dollars – historically the lifeblood for reporters and their coverage. At Appen Media Group we want to address this conflict head on, and build new and innovative approaches to monetizing local news and creating a sustainable future for local journalism in metro Atlanta.
Matt Rohs Kim Romaner Rita Rosenthal Claudia Ross Courtney Rozear Fran Russell Janet Sandberg Carolina Santos Kelly Sarmiento Fran Schefer Derek Scheidt Dorothy Scherr Stephanie Schniederjan The Schoenblum Family Robert Scholz Robert Schreiner Stephanie Schuette Susan Searles Frances Segars Tracy Shealy Tina Shelton Lisa Shippel Steve Short Tom Simon Cindy Simpson Robert Singleton Faye Sklar Mitchel Skyer Judith Slaughter Andy Smith Lee Smith Tia Solh
Morris Soriano Heidi Sowder Gena Spears Donald Spencer Melissa Spencer Jordan Spivack Jan Stephens Judith Stewart Wesley Stewart Cathryn Stovall Celeste Strohl Diana Sullivan Andy Sumlin Kathy Swahn Carol Tall Mike Tasos Candice Teichert The Small Business Advisor Suzanne & Bob Thomas William Tietjen Lisa Tilt Michael Townes Trunnion LLC Matthew Tyser Edward Votta Linda Wabler Ollie Wagner Lewis Walker Elizabeth Waller Valerie Walters-Gold Ann Marie Warning Terry Warnke
Jonathan Washburn Michael Watson Janie Webb Deborah Weiss Michael Weiss Herbert Wells Benjamin Wemberly Suzanne Westby Beverly Whisenant Sally White Thom White Umpika White Mae Whiteside Ashley Whitt Jennifer Wieland Christine Williams Jamie Wimberly Jonathan Winkie Nancy & Dave Wistrand Kalle Wood Theresa Woolridge Laura Wysong Jonathan Young
THE APPEN PRESS CLUB
One solution is the creation of a membership driven organization called the Appen Press Club that is dedicated to recruiting people and companies to join as members. Members pay recurring monthly or annual dues that are 100% dedicated to sustainable journalism. By providing predictable revenue, Appen Press Club members and partners help fund the salaries and expenses of local reporters who will no longer be subject to the whims of marketing budgets and an ever changing advertising world. In turn, those reporters will provide the readers they serve with highly researched and qualified journalism focused on subjects that directly affect their quality of life.
To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278. Scan QR codeto join the Appen Press Club
30 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
Did this ad catch your eye? Then imagine the number of other readers that noticed it too! Advertise your products and services in our newspapers and get noticed by our 285,000 readers every week in North Atlanta.* CONTACT YOUR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE TODAY! 770-442-3278
319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | AppenMedia.com *Based on total circulation of 114,000 homes delivered x 2.5 readers per home (newspaper industry standard).
AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | October 29, 2026 | 31
SERVICE DIRECTORY
Full-time Senior Civil Engineer (Lawrenceville, GA) to study project plans specs; prep project feasibility plans; analyze scope of work; establish reference points, grades & elevations; analyze & recommend pollution & erosion control measures; analyze traffic control reports; research emerging civil engg technologies, materials, & methodologies to enhance project outcomes; mentor & provide techn’l guidance to jr engineers & engg staff. Req.: Master’s deg (or foreign equiv) in Civil Engg, Construction Mgmt, or a rltd field of study; 1 yr of job-rltd exp (any title); Exp to incl working w/ Microsoft Excel, AutoCAD, PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu & Microsoft Word. Resume: Ohmshiv Construction, LLC, 805 Progress Court, Ste A, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. Job ID: OCPB26.
Home Cleaning/Organizing Move in, move outs, one time or monthly cleanings, clean out a room, need some organizing? CALL Tracey Wood @ 470-779-9981
Electricians
Belco Electric
“Family Owned Since 1972” Fast Dependable Service by Professional Uniformed Electricians
770-455-4556
Check out our new website: BelcoInc.com and follow us on:
WATER • SOIL • STRUCTURE THE REESE GROUP INT LLC
WATER PROBLEMS? FOUNDATION ISSUES?
Waterproofing • French Drains Foundation Repair • Crawlspace Repair Sagging Floors • Soil Stabilization Grading Retaining Walls • Creek / Rip-Rap VETERAN & FAMILY-OWNED
678-481-2081 www.thereesegroupintl.com
Your North Atlanta News & Podcast Source AppenMedia.com
To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com. Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm
NATIONAL ADVERTISING Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398
Health & Fitness
Home Services
No more cleaning gutters. Guaranteed! LeafFilter backed by no-clog guarantee & lifetime warranty. Call 1-833-610-1936 to schedule FREE inspection/ estimate. Get 15% off your entire order. Military & Seniors get additional 10% off. Limited time. Restrictions apply, see rep for details.
Aging roof? New homeowner? Storm damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. 877-461-0698 Have Bath & shower updates in as zip code ready when calling! little as 1 day! Affordable prices Water damage cleanup & - No payments for 18 months! restoration: A small amount of Lifetime warranty & professional water can lead to major damage installs. Senior & military discounts in your home. Our trusted available. 1-877-543-9189 professionals do repairs to protect your family & home value! 877318-6832. Have zip code ready!
Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060 Prepare for power outages www.dental50plus.com/ads today with a Generac Home #6258 Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
Miscellaneous
DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405 Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as 1-day. Limited time, waving all installation costs! Additional terms apply. Subject to change & vary by dealer. Ends soon. 844-501-3208
Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, home, Wesley Financial Group, assets now for as little as 70¢/ LLC timeshare cancellation day! 877-907-0316 experts over $50 million timeshare debt/fees cancelled Need cash quickly? We buy in 2019. Free info package. houses in any condition. Get a Free consultations. Over 450 fair cash offer within 24 hours! positive reviews. 833-308-1971 Call today. Liz Buys Houses: 833-359-4707
MobileHelp America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call 1-888-489-3936 Consumer Cellular - same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees free activation. All plans feature unlimited talk & text, starting at just $20/mo. Call 1-877-751-0866 Inflation is at 40 year highs. Interest rates are way up. Credit cards. Medical bills. Car loans. Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call National Debt Relief and find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! Free quote: Call 1-844-955-4930 Reach millions of homes nationwide with one easy, affordable buy in the ADS Network! For more information www.communitypublishers.com/ category/all-products
Pest control: Protect your home from pests safely. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders & more. Locally owned &affordable. For service or inspection today! 877-916-2103 Have zip code ready!
End your tax worries today. Let us make your tax problem our priority. Scared, stuck with high tax amounts? Our A+ tax professionals can help. Free consultation. Priority Tax 855-959-2267
Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Free quote. Ask about first application special! 877-484-8583 Peace of mind & early detection-Now more than ever, it’s important to get screened for Stroke & Cardiovascular Disease risk. Life LineScreening is simple & painless. 833-970-4172 SunSetter. America’s Number One Awning! Instant shade at the touch of a button. Transform your deck or patio into an outdoor oasis. Up to10year limited warranty. Save $350 today! 855-914-1148
RESS NP
A
UB CL
APPE
Autos Wanted
appenmedia.com/join
32 | October 29, 2026 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton
New Beginnings. Elevated Always. THE CUENY TEAM direct 404.695.7040 office 770.415.MONT a n d r e a @ a r m o n t r e. c o m t h e c u e n y t e a m . c o m I G @ t h e c u e n y t e a m A R M O N T R E . C O M 1 1 1 7 5 Cic ero Drive, B l d g 200, Su it e 1 0 0 A l p h are t t a, GA 3 0 0 2 2 If you have an existing relationship with another brokerage, this is not intended as a solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. Armont upholds Equal Housing Opportunity & Federal Fair Housing policies.