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Sandy Springs mayor to speak on ‘State of the City’ By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Mayor Rusty Paul will deliver this year’s State of the City address on Tuesday, Sept. 15, offering residents, business leaders and community stakeholders a firsthand look at what’s taking place in Sandy Springs and the vision guiding its future. The annual State of the City — presented by the Greater Perimeter Chamber in partnership with the city — brings the

community together to hear from Paul about the issues, opportunities and challenges ahead as Sandy Springs continues to grow. “The State of the City is an opportunity to look at how far Sandy Springs has come, but more importantly, to talk about where we are going together,” Paul said. “Each year, I look forward to celebrating our achievements, updating the community on key issues and outlining our plans to address them.”

See STATE, Page 20

COURTESY/NEILATL, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison in Butts County is where Georgia carries out executions and where the state’s next execution is scheduled for Sept. 16.

Appen Media sues Georgia over media access to executions

By JOSHUA WILSON joshua@appenmedia.com

JOSHUA SOWEMIMO/PROVIDED

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul delivers the 2025 State of the City address. This year’s event will be held Tuesday, Sept. 15.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group, which publishes seven newspapers and operates numerous digital news properties in metro Atlanta, has sued the state of Georgia, arguing that rules set by corrections officials governing media access to executions violate the First Amendment. The family-owned media group is asking a federal court to intervene before the state’s next scheduled execution Sept. 16. The lawsuit, filed Sept. 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, names Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver, Georgia Diagnostic and

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Classification Prison Warden Jason Beasley and state Attorney General Chris Carr as defendants. Each defendant was sued in their official capacity. The media group is represented by the ACLU Foundation of Georgia and Atlanta attorney Gerald Weber. Alongside the complaint, the media group filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and expedited preliminary injunction, asking the court to bar the state from carrying out its Sept. 16 execution of Stacey Ian Humphreys under the current media access rules unless officials first expand what media representatives are allowed to see and hear.

See LAWSUIT, Page 14

45+ YEARS IN ATLANTA

2 | September 10, 2026 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

PUBLIC SAFETY

Teen arrested for murder in Sandy Springs apartment By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Christopher Castillo was arrested by Cobb County police officers Aug. 29 — one day after the 17-year-old was named a suspect in the murder of a man found dead in a Sandy Springs apartment complex. Sandy Springs Police arrived at

319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 HANS APPEN Publisher

POLICE BLOTTER

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 Sandy Springs Crier 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.

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Man hid meth in sock at Alpharetta jail, police say ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 35-year -old Norcross man was charged after jail staff allegedly found drugs concealed in his sock Aug. 14. Alpharetta police said officers stopped a vehicle on Georgia 120 after it made numerous traffic infractions. Officers said they noticed the vehicle had been parked behind an Old Milton Parkway hotel where drug transactions are common. Officers suspected the Norcross man, who was driving, was intoxicated after speaking with him during the traffic stop. The man and a 38-year -old passenger from Atlanta had bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, tremors and skin sores, police said. Officers also allegedly noticed crumpled aluminum foil with burn marks on the passenger floorboard. A search of the vehicle found a glass water pipe, blowtorch-style lighter, digital scale and two plastic baggies containing substances. One of the substances was white and crystalline. The other was purple and

The Celebration at Sandy Springs on Roswell Road after family members requested a welfare check on 25-yearold Williams Lopez Rodriguez. Officers found Rodriguez dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head inside his apartment. Detectives with the Sandy Springs Police Department identified Castillo as a suspect during the investigation.

It was determined he fled the scene before officers arrived. On Aug. 29, Cobb County police conducted a traffic stop near Ernest W. Barrett Parkway and Mall Boulevard N.W. in Town Center and took Castillo into custody. He has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

powdery. Officers arrested the Atlanta man on a possession of methamphetamine charge and the Norcross man on an active warrant charging him with loitering and prowling. At the Alpharetta Detention Center, officers found foil and two baggies of methamphetamine concealed in the Norcross man’s sock, police said. He was charged with possession of methamphetamine, crossing a guard line with prohibited items and improper lane change.

THC vaporizer, a baggie of suspected cocaine and small plastic spoon. The man’s shoulder was dislocated in the incident, and he was taken to a nearby hospital. He was arrested on simple battery of a law enforcement officer, criminal trespass and possession of a controlled substance. — Jon Wilcox

— Jon Wilcox

Oxford man arrested after altercation at Alpharetta bar ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 30-year-old Oxford, Georgia, man was arrested on a battery of a law enforcement officer charge after he was ordered to leave a Milton Avenue bar Aug. 16. Alpharetta police said bar security personnel asked the man to leave after determining he was too intoxicated. An off-duty officer working at the bar escorted the man outside. The officer took the man’s hand and led him away after he attempted to reenter the bar, police said. The officer attempted to arrest the man after he slapped the officer’s arm. The man allegedly resisted arrest by refusing commands and pulling away. A search after his arrest found a

Residents report hearing gunshots near Martin Lake ROSWELL, Ga. — Two residents living on Quail Run near Martin Lake told Roswell Police they heard a total of six gunshots in the early morning of Friday, Aug. 28. The caller said he heard one initial gunshot around 4:45 a.m from his residence on Quail Run, a neighborhood street. Around 30 seconds later, he heard five more gunshots. Another witness from a few doors down corroborated the original story. Officers checked the premises of the surrounding apartments, condos and around Martin Lake but did not find physical evidence of gunshots in the area. Officers checked on a residence across the lake on Six Branches Drive that had been frequently calling Roswell Police, but there was no evidence that shots were fired.

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— Hannah Yahne

AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | September 10, 2026 | 3

STORE CLOSING Hurry While Stocks Last!

Going Out Of Business

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A few examples of our Going Out of Business prices: 13x20 hand-knotted rug 100% wool – $9,850 now $1,250 10x14 hand-knotted rug 100% wool – $5,500 now $980 8.5x11.5 antique heriz – $11,500 now $2,500 8x10 power loom – $1,720 now $290 6x9 woven 100% wool – $950 now $175 3x5 antique – $1,200 now $175

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 | September 10, 2026 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

New CEO appointed to lead Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com ATLANTA, Ga. — Dr. Patrick Frias has taken over as chief executive officer of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. "Dr. Patrick Frias is an exceptional leader who understands where healthcare is headed and what children and families need right now," Paul Brown, chair of Children's board of trustees, said. "Under Patrick's leadership, Children's is well-positioned to continue accelerating what's possible for pediatric healthcare in Georgia and beyond." Frias previously served as Children's chief operating officer and chief physician officer, and as a cardiologist. He will lead the healthcare system's More Than Possible initiative, which aims to eliminate healthcare deserts in metro Atlanta by opening a pediatric clinic within 30 minutes of every family in the area. "We want to make sure there are no boundaries for our kids, and Children's has always

challenged itself to think bigger when it comes to our children and families across Georgia," Frias said. "Even though a million kids come through our doors every year — nearly 3,000 a day — we know we can do more." Children's is adding pediatricians and expanding its expertise in rural Georgia through a partnership with Mercer University School of Medicine and the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center. The partnership includes a program that provides medical school scholarships to students who commit to practicing pediatrics in rural areas. Thirty-four students have made that commitment. Children's is also buying land to support future growth across metro Atlanta, including a recent purchase in Sandy Springs. Children's said it will announce more about that site later, along with plans to expand existing locations and add new ones to meet community needs. To find a location or schedule an appointment at Children's, visit choa.org.

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AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | September 10, 2026 | 5

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September 10, 2026 | Sandy Springs Crier | 8

Personalized Home Care – Going Above & Beyond 2021-2026 WINNER

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Thriving while aging Brought to you by – Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs

At Home Helpers, our focus every day is matching the right caregiver with each of our clients. We guarantee a good match. Finding the right caregiver is much more than just seeking a professional with great skills. It’s about finding a caregiver with the heart and spirit to make a difference in someone’s life.

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Every September we celebrate Healthy Aging Month, marking ways to thrive while we age. It’s a time to recognize that learning is a lifelong process, with engagement and wellness habits that we can adopt to enhance our quality of life. Far from denying aging or health challenges that come our way, thriving emphasizes resilience, adaptability and a positive mindset to meet them and find joy and value in life. The daily choices we make over the years impact how we age, and actively managing or changing our daily habits in key areas can make a critical difference. Physical activity and vitality are partners. There are many options like brisk walking, dancing, gardening, yoga or online work out videos that provide an appropriate exercise level that helps move your body daily. Strength and resistance training helps maintain muscle mass and bone density. Your doctor can help advise a course of regular moderate exercise that reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, lowers stress levels and decreases your fall risk. Prioritize supporting your nutritional needs and you’ll find that the saying “you are what you eat” was right. Choose whole foods over ultra-processed options and follow a nutrient rich diet with vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Hydration is also important because our sense of thirst diminishes as we age. Following a water consumption schedule can help prevent dizziness, confusion and UTI’s. Avoiding smoking and moderating alcohol

use helps round out your healthy path. Cognitive engagement keeps our minds in shape by learning new skills, taking classes, playing music, singing, doing puzzles or brain games - even spending time in nature to boost our brain power. Curiosity has no age limit, and keeping your brain active can help mental sharpness. Social connections are one of the most powerful keys to a longer, healthier and happier life. Studies show that loneliness and isolation increase illness and depression. The Harvard Study of Adult Development followed participants for over 80 years and found that the strongest predictor of longevity was the quality of relationships. A positive mindset is also linked to a significantly longer lifespan. Embracing aging and focusing on practices like keeping a gratitude journal, maintaining a sense of purpose, and facing changes with a “can do” attitude improves our well-being and our ability to face change. A heart-centered and skilled Home Helpers caregiver can help your loved one with these ways to thrive and focus on their safety, wellness and independence in the warmth and comfort of home. We can assist with all personal care needs, support recovery from surgery, a stroke or return home from a rehabilitation stay. Along with specialized Alzheimer’s, Dementia or Parkinson’s care, we now have Nursing Services as an added support for families. From four hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 care we’re here to help. For a free consultation call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 681-0323.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | September 10, 2026 | 9

Skin Care Awareness Month Understanding your skin’s unique needs

Brought to you by – Dr. Kehinde R. Olumesi, Epiphany Dermatology September is Skin Care Awareness Month, a wonderful reminder that healthy skin begins with understanding your skin’s unique needs. While a consistent skincare routine is important for everyone, no two people have the same skin, which is why individualized care is so valuable. As a dermatologist, I believe that awareness is the first step toward healthier skin. That means protecting your skin from the sun every day, becoming familiar with new or changing spots, and seeking care for concerns such as acne, eczema, hair loss, or persistent rashes before they become more difficult to manage. Preventive care and early intervention can make a meaningful difference in both your skin’s health and your confidence. For patients with skin of color, there are often additional considerations. Conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis may present differently than they do in lighter skin tones, and inflammation can sometimes lead to lingering dark spots, known as post-inflammatory

hyperpigmentation. Some patients may also be more prone to concerns such as melasma or keloid scarring. These differences don’t mean skin of color is more difficult to treat—they simply reinforce the importance of receiving care from a dermatologist who understands how skin conditions can present across all skin tones and can tailor treatment accordingly. Partnering with a board-certified dermatologist allows you to receive a personalized plan designed specifically for your skin, hair, and nails. Whether your goals include managing a chronic skin condition, preventing skin cancer, improving pigmentation, or exploring cosmetic treatments such as laser procedures or injectables, expert guidance helps ensure your care is both safe and effective. This Skin Care Awareness Month, take the opportunity to invest in your skin’s long-term health. Healthy skin isn’t about having perfect skin—it’s about understanding your unique needs and working with a trusted dermatologist to help your skin look and feel its very best.

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10 | September 10, 2026 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

COMMUNITY

Sandy Springs festival pours wine for a good cause SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Wine enthusiasts will unite Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Sandy Springs Wine Festival for an afternoon of wine tastings, small bites from local restaurants and live entertainment. For the first time, the festival will be held underneath a tent on the City Green at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, 1 Galambos Way. The reserve tasting for select ticket holders will begin at 2 p.m., with the general tasting open from 3 until 5 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the wine festival will benefit Solidarity Sandy Springs, a nonprofit organization supporting local families experiencing food insecurity. The reserve tasting offers sommelier -curated wines from local cellars and distributor donations — valued at $70 and above — and not commonly found in the marketplace. Tastings will feature wines from Donnachadh, Viberti, The Hilt Estate, Faust and Jonata. Reserve guests will enjoy early entry into a dedicated tasting area and receive a special gift bag. The general tasting will feature more than 175 carefully curated wines provided by Georgiabased distributors and distinguished wineries from across the globe. Wines will cover every palette, and many will be available for purchase through participating distributors at special discounted pricing. All

attendees will receive a commemorative Sandy Springs Wine Festival Riedel wine glass. Tickets for the general tasting cost $75; tickets for the reserve tasting are $135. Pricing covers taxes and fees, with group discounts available for 10 or more people. Attendees must be 21 or older and present valid ID at entry. Strollers are not allowed. In addition to the extensive wine selection, guests can also enjoy beverages from Renegade Lemonade and Stateside/Surfside. Hayden Rider with Rare Affair will provide live entertainment throughout the afternoon. The festival’s culinary experience will feature small bites from local restaurants, including Fogo de Chao, The Hampton Social, il Giallo, Bishoku, Tre Vele, Bistro at River Ridge, Buckhead Club, Chef Rob’s Caribbean, Southern Bistro, Culinary Dropout, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Sugar Daddy. The event, now in its fourth year, is produced through a partnership between the Greater Perimeter Chamber, CellarFiller and the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. Visit sandyspringswinefestival.com for tickets and event information. For sponsorship information, or additional details, contact Adam Forrand at adam@greaterperimeterchamber.com. — Hannah Yahne

SANDY SPRINGS WINE FESTIVAL/PROVIDED

Attendees at last year’s Sandy Springs Wine Festival chat over glasses of wine included in the tasting experience. This year’s festival will be held Oct. 11 on the City Green at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.

MJCCA book festival marks 35 years with star lineup

MARCUS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF ATLANTA/PROVIDED

Former First Lady Jill Biden, author of “View from the East Wing,” is one of the featured authors at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’s 35th book festival, which runs Nov. 1-22 in Dunwoody and features author talks, book signings and culinary programs.

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta has announced the lineup for its 35th book festival, which includes former First Lady Jill Biden, singer and pianist Harry Connick Jr. and multiple James Beard Award winners. Starting Nov. 1, attendees can enjoy author talks, question-and-answer sessions, book signings, and culinary and experiential programs. Event organizers called this year’s festival a “milestone edition,” with one of the most dynamic and diverse lineups yet. “The legacy of our beloved book festival of the MJCCA is one filled with pride for literature, learning and community,” festival co-chair Debbie Kurzweil said. “Through stories and ideas, our community comes together to celebrate a love of books. We are beyond proud of how these events invite the broader community to join us to hear the best and brightest current authors.” The MJCCA will host prologue events on Thursday, Sept. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 25. The September event will feature New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben, who will discuss his memoir, “Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft.” The book gives an inside look into the mystery writer’s creative process. The October event will feature Billy Planer, a native Atlantan and national leader of conversations about civil discourse. He will discuss his new book, “Conversations That Matter: How Americans Can Talk

About Tough Issues And Remain United” with Atlanta Journal-Constitution political journalist Greg Bluestein. The festival will begin Sunday, Nov. 1, with local author Dena Schusterman and her memoir, “Stories Carry,” which revolves around faith, belonging and the stories that shaped her. Dozens of authors will be featured throughout the month, including Biden, author of the “View from the East Wing,” on Saturday, Nov. 7, and Connick, author of “Babe: Elaboratio,” on Saturday, Nov. 14. The closing conversation will be Sunday, Nov. 22, with Dara Horn as she confronts the myths and lies that have spread antisemitism and discusses a vision for the future as outlined in her book, “The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living.” “The festival offers something we all need — a place to gather, learn, share ideas and be reminded that we are part of a vibrant, resilient community,” festival co-chair Staci Libowsky said. “That sense of connection and hope is one of the festival’s greatest gifts, and it feels especially meaningful in our 35th year.” All events will occur at the MJCCA’s headquarters at 5342 Tilly Mill Road in Dunwoody. Tickets are on sale to the general public at atlantajcc.org/bookfestival, where a full schedule and series pass options are also available. — Hannah Yahne

Puzzles

7/17/25 Connect-it

PuzzleJunction.com

Connect-It

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 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

Sandy Springs Crier.....................September 10, 2026 | 11

Dunwoody Crier 7/17/25 Crossword

GROUPS OF THINGS 1. Royal flush card. Burglar. Group of birds. 2. Group of cattle. Passe. Dining room cabinet. 3. Texas shrine. Work group. Wax-covered cheese. 4. Sporting group. Kick out. Evening wear. 5. Stringed instrument. Education group. Football play. 6. Musical group. Big cat. Break in friendly relations. 7. Gung-ho. Western group. Envelope part. PuzzleJunction.com

2 3 4 5 6

/10/25 Sudoku7

Groups 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, andGroup so on. The letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each 1. Royal flush card. Burglar. of connecting birds. 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 on thepuzzle, line. Buteach here’s the catch! Thecabinet. clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually 2. Group cattle. Passe. Dining room To the solve theofSudoku row, column and be the second or the thirdnumbers answer in1that line. Got it? Good luck! boxformust contain to 9.

3. Texas shrine. Work group. Wax-covered cheese. 4. Sporting group. Kick out. Evening wear.

2 9 6. Musical group. Big cat. Break in friendly relations. 2 5 8 7. Gung-ho. Western group. Envelope part. 3 8 2 1 4 5 4 9 1 6 5 3 4 8 9 8 3 How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. 2 4 7 The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a 5. Stringed instrument. Education group. Football play.

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

Solution 7 1 5 3 6 4 2 8 9

4 3 6 8 2 9 5 7 1

8 2 9 7 1 5 3 6 4

2 5 4 6 8 3 1 9 7

9 6 3 5 7 1 4 2 8

1 8 7 9 4 2 6 5 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

1 CEO’s degree 4 Maid’s cloth 7 Figured out 10 Menu phrase 13 In poor health 14 Honest one 15 Hail, to Caesar 16 Bagel topper 17 Small bag 19 Crêpe 21 “Scram!” 22 Cigar residue 24 Haven 25 URL ender 27 Smells 30 Whip 32 Exposed 33 Harbor posting 36 Companion of Artemis 37 Decrees 39 Dated 41 Roll of bills 42 Grimm character 44 Decompose 45 Female rabbit 46 Car nut 47 Kind of spray 49 Lock horns 51 Easy chair site 53 Exceedingly 54 Marsh growth 55 Quartz variety 57 ___ judicata 58 Hiker’s path 61 Sweet drink 63 Present mo. 67 Unfortunate 70 Hotel offering 72 Helm heading 73 Sgt.’s address 74 Nonexistent

PuzzleJunction.com 2

13 17

29 33

47 52 55

6 4 1 2 9 7 8 3 5

5 7 8 1 3 6 9 4 2

61 68

62 70

75 See 30 Down 76 Combine 77 Mother’s Day month 78 Money dispenser 79 Lamb’s mother Down 1 Overlook 2 Lackluster 3 Kind of sax 4 “Go, team!” 5 Crosswise, on deck 6 Salon supply 7 Breach 8 Egg cells 9 Pavarotti, e.g. 10 Woeful word

11 Norse god of discord 12 Lumberjacks’ tools 18 Winter warmer 20 Detective’s assignment 23 Pueblo dweller 26 Utah town 28 ___ beloved 29 Savvy about 30 Deception 31 Pigeon’s perch 32 Printer type 34 Sidestep 35 Vocally 36 Mouse catcher 38 Rubberneck 40 Irish Sea feeder

43 Kind of lamp 48 Atlas stat 50 Pine product 52 Hammer’s target 56 Twinkle 57 Invoice word 58 Not us 59 Indian princess 60 Mountaintop 62 Comedian Carvey 64 Riviera city 65 Pack away 66 Daly of Judging Amy 68 Jacuzzi 69 ___ sauce 71 Freddy Krueger’s street

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3 9 2 4 5 8 7 1 6

10 16

19 22

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12 | September 10, 2026 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

COMMUNITY

Dunwoody man remembers his 9/11 escape 25 years later By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — When Anthony Yorio recounts his experience in the south tower of the World Trade Center complex in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, he knows he is lucky to be alive. When the north tower was struck at 8:46 a.m., Yorio — who was then an employee at the Guy Carpenter risk and reinsurance firm — was on the phone while seated at his desk on the 54th floor of the south tower. He saw papers flying through the outside air and looked up to see the north tower burning from its 93rd floor. He thought “maybe a small plane or something” had crashed into the tower. Only a few people ran when they heard the “hollow boom” from the plane crash. They didn’t yet know that American Airlines Flight 11 — a Boeing 767200ER with 92 occupants, including five hijackers — had been deliberately flown into the skyscraper. Yorio stayed behind, answering phone calls from people asking if he and his colleagues were OK. Thinking the crash would prompt a building closure and he wouldn’t be back for days, he started making copies of his work. While walking back from the copier,

Yorio said he felt the south tower shake. He was tossed through the air, his ears filled with what he described as the “horrible grinding noise” of metal on metal. Pieces of the 110-story building, covered in flames, fell to the ground. “I’m like, ‘Oh, my God,’” Yorio said. “I waited. I shouldn’t have stayed.” The time was 9:03 a.m., and United Airlines Flight 175 — a Boeing 767200 with 65 occupants, including five hijackers — had just been flown into the building’s facade between floors 77 and 85. Yorio ran to the stairwell along with others from his floor. Despite the chaos, their evacuation, he said, was orderly and silent. “We just kept moving,” Yorio said. “I remember saying to myself, ‘Okay, we’re not going to start counting [down] until the 40th floor.’” It took about 30 minutes for him to escape the tower. He walked about five blocks to a church, where he called his family, and was huddled in the church’s kitchen with his fellow survivors, sipping soup and water, when the first tower fell. “All of a sudden, [I heard] this absolute roar,” Yorio said.

See ESCAPE, Page 14

HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA

Anthony Yorio survived the collapse of the World Trade Center’s south tower on Sept. 11, 2001. He holds a trifold brochure listing the names of more than 300 Guy Carpenter colleagues who died that day.

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AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | September 10, 2026 | 13

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Eaton Academy program helps students transition out of high school By DAN WHISENHUNT dan@appenmedia.com When Ally Arant, 19, finished high school, she wasn’t sure what she would do next. Arant has Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects her ability to regulate hunger. She joined Eaton Academy’s College Foundations Program, a bridge program designed to give graduating high school students real-world experience before they move on to the next stage of their lives. The program meets four days a week and combines academics, career exploration and other handson learning. It helps students build confidence as they grow, and it teaches

job skills by placing them with for-profit and nonprofit organizations. While in the program, Arant volunteered at a food bank and a library and worked at a Burlington store. She dreams of becoming a teacher or a teacher’s aide. “With my syndrome that I was born with, it’s pretty hard to go out into the world to get my own job, and the bridge program, I loved,” Arant said. “I got to experience the work world and how real life is.” Her mother, Debbie Arant, said the family enjoyed the experience so much that Ally plans to return next summer to work directly with teachers and take college courses. Brian Uitvlugt, cofounder of Eaton Academy, said last year was the trial run of the College

Foundations Program, which was limited to four or five students. He expects that number to rise. “We want to have students in this program who have the ability at some level to go to college, but they need some more seasoning,” he said. The program’s focus is independent living. Every Thursday, students prepare simple, affordable meals while learning about food safety — skills they can take to college. Moneek Brown, program director, said the idea for College Foundations came from parents. “It stemmed from a need,” she said. “These students graduated from high school and were not quite ready for college, so what can we do while we’re

figuring that out?” Brown said the program is designed for students taking a gap year between high school and college. “We focus on independent living skills, budget skills, shopping — some things we should know as adults that need to be taught,” she said. Uitvlugt said the program isn’t just about preparing students for college. It’s about preparing them for life. “We want every student to leave our program believing they can navigate their future with confidence and independence,” he said. To learn more about the College Foundations Program, visit eatonacademy.org/post-secondary/ college-foundations-program.

14 | September 10, 2026 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

Lawsuit: Continued from Page 1 The media group has covered the convicted double-murderer’s case since November 2003, when he shot and killed two female real estate agents at a Powder Springs business. Humphreys was convicted of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and kidnapping with bodily injury in 2007. A jury unanimously recommended the death penalty, and he was sentenced to death that same year. The U.S. Supreme Court denied his final appeal in October 2025, and a stay of execution was lifted in March. The 53-year-old is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection Sept. 16. A hearing date on the temporary restraining order motion has not yet been set. The lawsuit challenges the state’s lethal injection procedures, which govern how executions are carried out at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Butts County. Under those procedures, the state Department of Corrections allows only five media representatives — one from the Associated Press, two from the Georgia Association of Broadcasters and two from the Georgia Press Association — to observe any part of an execution. The AP is a cooperative news agency with an Atlanta hub, while the broadcasters association is a membership organization for Georgiabased radio and TV news outlets. The press association is the same but for the state’s newspapers.

Escape: Continued from Page 12 “Some of the people inside [started] screaming. And then outside you could just see this brownish, gray dust just take over the whole road.” He thought the north tower, the first of the Twin Towers struck, had fallen — but it was the south tower, his workplace, that had collapsed. “Little did I know that if I had stayed there another 20 minutes, I’d be dead,” Yorio said. The south tower had burned for 56 minutes before falling. The north tower collapsed about 30 minutes later. Three other buildings fell, too, and other structures, streets and infrastructure were in disarray. The attacks, carried out by the terror group al-Qaida, resulted in 2,606 deaths at the World Trade Center complex and surrounding sites. Overall, 2,996 people — representing more than 90 countries — died during

NEWS

During the execution process, the AP journalist and the four journalists from the two associations are required to relay what they witness to other news outlets waiting in a separate media staging area. According to the complaint, the state gives media no visual or auditory access at all to several steps that happen in the two hours before an execution, including delivery of the lethal injection drugs, equipment checks and preparation of the syringes. A single “media monitor” — who, the complaint says, is often someone with no prior experience witnessing an execution — is allowed to watch, without audio, as the condemned prisoner is secured to a gurney and connected to an IV line. The complaint calls that step “often the most fraught segment of an execution by lethal injection,” citing recent botched IV insertions during executions in Tennessee, Arizona, Idaho and Alabama. The complaint also mentions cases in Georgia where, during a 2001 and 2007 execution, officials struggled to establish IV access. The lawsuit also says media witnesses are given no audio or visual access to the chemical room, where the lethal drugs are injected through tubing that runs through a wall into the execution chamber, and that a microphone in the execution chamber itself is turned on only for the prisoner’s final statement and the state’s official pronouncement of death. Appen Media Group argues the state has offered no justification for those restrictions, and they appear to exist to shield its own conduct from scrutiny. The group also says that the the attacks, which also included a plane striking the Pentagon and another hijacked plane, nearly recaptured by its passengers, crashing into a rural Pennsylvania field. The attacks would, in many ways, alter the course of world history, with the U.S. and its allies starting a global “war on terror,” which would eventually encompass military action in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Libya. In 2011, U.S. military special operations forces killed the leader of al-Qaida and organizer of 9/11, Osama bin Laden. They would also change the trajectory of Yorio’s life. In the weeks and months after, he grieved. On the 25th anniversary of the event, he still does. The weeks after Yorio returned to work just a few days after the attacks, working from a space in the Rockefeller Center complex. As a reinsurer, he was busier than ever while handling claims related to

Transparency is not a favor the government grants the press — it is an essential safeguard of public accountability. HANS APPEN Publisher and CEO of Appen Media Group Georgia Department of Corrections has “unbridled discretion” to decide who can watch an execution and what they are allowed to see without any statute or written standard governing those decisions. The complaint seeks a court order declaring the state’s current media access scheme unconstitutional and requiring officials to give all five media representatives visual and auditory access to the preparatory steps, the IV insertion and the chemical room, including by remote camera or microphone if necessary. The media group, founded in 1990, publishes the Alpharetta RoswellHerald, Dunwoody Crier, Sandy Springs Crier, Johns Creek Herald, Forsyth Herald, Milton Herald and Decaturish INK. It also operates the digital outlets appenmedia.com, decaturish.com and georgiapress.com. The company is a member of the Georgia Press Association. “The public shouldn’t have to 9/11. “That’s all we were dealing with,” Yorio said. “And then, of course, you’d … be getting notices every day of someone’s remains being found and a service. We were constantly grieving.” He spoke to a psychiatrist to confront a haunting memory from that day. He saw two people fall to their deaths from the north tower before he evacuated from the south tower. At the sight of the first fall, he turned away to avoid seeing someone die. The second time, he watched the person fall. Yorio couldn’t understand why he watched such a terrible sight. The psychiatrist’s answer to this still makes him emotional a quarter-century later. “She said, ‘Well, as human beings, we don’t want people to die alone,’” Yorio recalled, tears filling his eyes. Still with him The events of the day are “always there,” Yorio said. Talking openly about them is still difficult. His company merged with another firm in 2009, and he moved to

take the government’s word for what happens behind prison walls during an execution,” said Hans Appen, publisher and CEO of Appen Media Group. “Furthermore, transparency is not a favor the government grants the press — it is an essential safeguard of public accountability. The case is about whether Georgians can trust that the government’s most consequential actions are being conducted openly and lawfully.” Cory Isaacson, legal director for ACLU of Georgia, said in a press release that the state “currently holds absolute power to hide key components of executions from the press and the public, and the Constitution doesn’t allow that.” “If the state can limit access whenever and however it wants, it can too easily hide mistakes or misconduct,” Isaacson continued. The execution lawsuit is the latest instance of the Alpharetta-based media group pressing Georgia governments in court over public access to information. The company has been engaged in a separate, long-running Georgia Open Records Act lawsuit against the city of Sandy Springs since May 2023. After city officials declined to release full narrative reports from police officers on open investigations, the company sued the city. A Fulton County judge initially ruled for Sandy Springs, but the Georgia Court of Appeals reversed that decision in March 2025. The case is now back before the Fulton County Superior Court. In January, a superior court judge ordered Sandy Springs to produce documents it previously withheld from the media group. Dunwoody. He said his chest still tightens in a crowded stairwell. Yorio has a pamphlet from the memorial service that he attended for colleagues 17 days after the attacks. He also has a brochure, made on 9/11’s first anniversary, containing the names of more than 300 colleagues lost on that day. He said it’s still hard to comprehend what happened and why it happened. He does, however, remember what helped him stay alive, even as burning building components fell around him. “We survived that day by being united,” Yorio said, remembering his colleagues who helped him escape the doomed building and the strangers that helped him get home. “We were united, and I think that was important.” He said that, on the 25th anniversary, he’ll be thinking about the victims. “I think about the poor people that just had no chance,” Yorio said. “And I think I’m just very fortunate to be here. And, you know, you just do the best you can.”

PRESERVING THE PAST

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | September 10, 2026 | 15

North Point Mall’s hidden artwork – and the story it tells When North Point Mall opened in 1993, a large store was named in honor of Rich's, a beloved Atlanta department store chain founded in 1867 as a dry goods store by Hungarian-born BOB MEYERS immigrant Morris Columnist Rich (1847-1928). His flagship store had closed two years earlier, in 1991. The iconic Rich's store occupied two blocks in Downtown Atlanta and operated from 1924 until its shutdown. The Alpharetta store at North Point Mall was named Rich's by its owner, Federated Department Stores, which had acquired the Rich's chain in 1976. In 1994 Federated acquired Macy's, one of the country's oldest department stores, founded in 1858 by Rowland Hussey Macy (18221877). Thus, Rich's and Macy's became sister companies under one owner, although they continued to operate independently. Today's column tells the stories of Rich's and Macy's at North Point and the unique feature that sets both stores apart from other stores. Rich's was the first business to open in North Point Mall, drawing huge crowds on July 12, 1993, three months before the formal mall opening on Oct. 20, and it was always a highlight. Atlantans were still upset at the demise of their beloved Downtown Atlanta Rich's, and Federated was determined to create a special shopping experience. Russell Stravitz, chairman and chief executive officer of Rich's, told The Atlanta Journal, "The demographics of the population of this region indicate that the consumer is interested in upscale merchandise and wants a wide selection." For Federated, the Rich's acquisition was a major entry point into the South, because at that time Rich's consisted of 11 major department stores, three boutiques and 11 Richway discount stores in Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina. Details in the interior and exterior of the Alpharetta Rich's were beautifully elaborate, an homage to the memory of the original store. Of special note to shoppers and historians, even today, is a series of eight commemorative plaques, or relief panels, on the exterior of Macy's that tell the Rich's story. In 2003, Federated announced that Rich's and several other regional chains would be merged into a single

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

One of eight historic relief panels at Macy’s Department Store at North Point Mall that were installed during the construction of North Point Mall. The panels were installed in Rich’s which opened in 1993 as one of the original anchor stores in the mall. In 2005 the Rich’s name was retired and the store became Macy’s. Each panel illustrates an activity important to Rich’s history and each is represented by a specific year and theme, in this case 1900 and fashion. Macy's division because Macy's had become Federated's dominant flagship identity. The names of all Rich's stores were changed to Rich's-Macy's for a transitional period. In 2005, all remaining Rich's stores were renamed Macy's, and the Rich's name was fully retired after 138 years. The change was part of Federated's national strategy to dispense with regional names. Separate advertising, merchandising systems and marketing campaigns for each regional name were expensive and inefficient. Federated decided to keep the panels in place. While there has been some debate about the origin of the exterior panels on the Macy's store in Alpharetta, the consensus is that they were created new for the opening of Rich's North Point store. Rich's used precast

concrete panels. Salvaging panels from another building would have required redesigning portions of the building's facade, and there is no evidence that Rich's did that. When the Alpharetta store began its conversion to Macy's in 2003 as part of Federated's companywide consolidation, Macy's inherited the building and its panels. The panels were most likely cast off-site and installed with cranes. Off-site casting allows for more intricate bas-relief patterns than onsite casting, which produces more pronounced forms. Each panel has a shopping bag with the year written on it, identifying an important period in Rich's history. Here is a summary of each panel: — 1867. Retail era: Post-Civil War. Theme: Early specialty retail, shoes

and dry good. Description: Four figures in mid-19th century attire, including a woman in bridal attire. One young girl holds a shopping bag labeled M. Rich and Bros 1867, the year Rich’s was founded. — 1900. Theme: Fashion. Description: Two women beside a mirror, one adjusting the other’s floor length dress. A shopping bag with the year labeled M. Rich and Bros Co rests on a seat. — 1927. Era: Roaring Twenties. Theme: Retail service, shoe fitting, modern merchandising. Description: A seated women tries on shoes while a clerk kneels to assist. A standing woman holds the same dated Rich’s shopping bag. — 1944. Retail era: World War 11. Theme Toys, holiday retail. Description: Four children play with dolls, teddy bears and toy soldiers. A newly designed bag reads RICHS 1944. — 1954. Retail era: Mid-century. Theme: Personal service, fashion, hats. Description: A woman tries on a hat before a mirror. A clerk stands behind a counter and a young girl holds a hat, presumably for her mother. The bag still says Rich’s but it has a new design. — 1965. Retail era: Mid-century. Theme: Cosmetics, personal service, modern retail counters. Description: A seated woman with a mirror interacts with a clerk at the counter displaying cosmetics. The bag has a new design. — 1970. Tailoring men’s fashion. Retail era: Post war. Description: A tailor adjusts a suit on a customer standing on a platform. Theme: Men’s apparel, tailoring. Interpretation: The growth of men’s fashion, custom tailoring and the growth of department store men’s apparel sections. —1993. Retail era: North Point Mall opening. Theme: housewares, domestic goods. Description: a clerk shows a young couple a sample of dishes. The bag still says Rich’s since the name did not change to Macy’s until 2005. The fate of the panels remains unknown as discussions continue about the mall's future. Let us hope that regardless of the mall's future, the unique and very historic panels will be preserved for the benefit of this and future generations. They are part of Alpharetta's 1990s suburban identity. Thanks to reader Dianna Smeal for suggesting the topic. You can email Bob at bobmey@ bellsouth.net. To learn more about the Milton Historical Society, go to miltonhistoricalsociety-georgia.org.

16 | September 10, 2026 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

GARDEN BUZZ

OPINION

Joro Spiders: Here, there and hanging across your walkway These days, you probably don’t have to look much farther than your backyard, mailbox or favorite walking trail to spot a Joro spider. Joro spiders (Trichonephila clavata) have GABRIELLE LATORA become one of the Guest Columnist most abundant and conspicuous spider species in north Georgia landscapes in the last several years. First detected in the United States in Georgia in 2014, Joros are native to East Asia. University of Georgia researchers think Joros were introduced to Georgia on imported plants, crates or pallets as early as 2010. Since their introduction, they have also made themselves at home in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee and continue to claim new territory. Scientists have already detected small populations in Florida, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and California. Joros are orb-weaving spiders, similar to our native garden spiders, forming large, irregular webs in trees and across walkways and clearings. They have one generation per year and are most visible in September and October, when the large females’ abdomens carry developing eggs. Despite taking hold in Georgia more than a decade ago, Joro spiders didn’t become especially numerous in the Atlanta area until 2022 or so. Since then, the number of reports on iNaturalist and EDDMapS has skyrocketed in our area year after year. How to spot a Joro spider The adult females are the easiest to spot thanks to their impressive size, reaching up to a whopping 1¼ inches long before you even count their legs. They have yellow abdomens with broad blue-green bands on the back and yellow-red markings on the belly. Their legs are long and black, often with yellow bands and tufts of short hair. The adult males are much smaller—about a quarter-inch long— and brown. Their abdomen is an elongated oval with two long yellowish stripes on each side and a dark brown stripe in the middle. Joros first captured the internet’s attention when headlines started warning about giant “flying” spiders parachuting into neighborhoods. As

About the author This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Gabrielle LaTora, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for UGA Extension Fulton County. An entomologist by training, Gabrielle is interested in insects on farms and in gardens and is passionate about closing the gap between people and their food. In addition to helping coordinate Fulton’s Master Gardener Extension Volunteer program, Gabrielle oversees the North Fulton Community Garden, answers clients’ questions about gardening and natural resources, works with urban farmers, and delivers educational programs for Fulton County residents.

JESICA BAIN/BUGWOOD.ORG

Female Joro spiders will be at their largest in late September and October. They have distinctive yellow abdomens with horizontal blue-green bands. alarming as that sounds, the story wasn’t entirely fiction. In June, newly hatched spiderlings can release a little silk and become airborne in a process called ballooning. With the right weather conditions, they can travel miles and miles this way. Joros also move into new areas on vehicles, cargo, plants and other materials. Are Joro spiders dangerous? Despite their intimidating look, Joro spiders aren’t aggressive or particularly dangerous. They are actually very timid and will probably run away from you. UGA researchers found they were unlikely to bite, even when handled roughly in experiments. A rare bite from a Joro will cause temporary discomfort but is not a cause for medical concern. Many ask if they are considered invasive. According to the Joro Watch website, “Invasive means that a species is introduced to a new ecosystem and…has the potential to cause economic harm, environmental harm or harm to human health.” Short answer: we don’t know yet if Joros will cause harm or simply be a nuisance. What we do know is that Joros are generalists who eat lots of common types of insects, such as moths, flies, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, beetles and

stinkbugs. With large webs, often several feet wide, they capture plenty of flying insects. DNA analysis of their stomach contents found that they eat more flies than other insect types. Should I kill Joros? Whether you kill Joro spiders when you find them is up to you. Yes, they are an introduced and rapidly spreading species. And yes, they can be a nuisance, especially if your idea of a good morning does not include walking face-first into a giant web. These may be good enough reasons for you to decide to control them. Diligent control in your landscape, whether by killing them or disrupting their webs, will probably reduce how many you see in that immediate area in the short-term. However, local control by residents is unlikely to have much impact on the overall spread. It’s impossible to completely eradicate them at this point. Early trials show that the most effective ways to kill them are manual (wrap their web onto a stick and step on them) and using insecticides labeled for spiders, including Black Flag Spider & Scorpion Killer (lambdacyhalothrin 0.03% and prallethrin 0.025%) and Zevo Insect Killer Spray for Ant, Roach and Spider (sodium lauryl sulfate 5.96% and essential

oils). Researchers from Clemson University found that household products, like bleach, hairspray, isopropyl alcohol and vinegar were not effective – most spiders were unharmed or fully recovered. When using insecticides, always follow all label instructions, and reach out to your county Extension agent with questions. Researchers are still learning exactly how Joros fit into Georgia’s ecosystems, and many questions remain unanswered. In the meantime, these eye-catching spiders are here to stay, spinning their enormous webs and inspiring equal parts curiosity and annoyance. If you’d like to help scientists track their spread, report any Joro sightings to Joro Watch and explore the latest maps and research updates online. One thing is certain: few newcomers have managed to make themselves at home in Georgia quite as dramatically as the Joro spider. North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/ opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/. Come visit us at the Alpharetta Farmers Market and the Sandy Springs Farmers Market. We will also have a booth at the Crabapple Festival in Milton on Oct. 3rd, 2026

GET OUTSIDE GEORGIA

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | September 10, 2026 | 17

Studying the fine art of getting lost Ever been lost? Well, I have, but only a little bit. You see, if you have my level of outdoor knowledge, you know that you’re never really lost. You’re only temporarily STEVE HUDSON spatially confused. Columnist Think about it. Say you’re out in the woods somewhere, and all of a sudden you realize that you don’t really know where you are. Are you lost? Only a layman would say “yes.” Those with my level of navigational acumen, however, don’t even bat an eye at that sort of thing. We realize that no matter where we are, if we head east, we’ll eventually reach the Atlantic Ocean. There, all we have to do is turn right, or maybe left, and make our way to Savannah. Then it’s simply a matter of moseying over to Interstate 95. From there, we can go just about anywhere we want. So ... lost? Never! Lost is for amateurs. Still, occasional temporary displacement is always a possibility. Sometimes that kind of displacement happens because I’m distracted a little by something important, perhaps a life-or -death matter involving armadillos or cows. But can you believe that some would say that’s just a polite way of saying I’m not paying attention? I recall one day in west Georgia. We’d been exploring a little country road that turned right off a much bigger highway. Our GPS map hinted at several promising creek crossings along the stretch of road ahead. Would one of them be a good fishing spot? Hope springs eternal when you’re looking for fishing places. Maybe so. But just how much can you trust GPS? It is, after all, just a device. It’s mere technology. How much does technology really know anyway? It doesn’t hold a candle to highly tuned, ninja-class cross-country navigation skills. Such skills are honed only after years of grass-roots exploration. Such abilities are polished only after countless outings in which one (me) masters the subtleties of navigating by stars, wind and the ways that hawks and buzzards turn as they drift through the sky. Yeah, that sort of thing is rare

and beautiful to behold. And when the grid collapses under the weight of civilization, when the GPS isn’t GPSing anymore, then me and my one-with-the-outside-world mind will be relevant! But I digress, and so back to our search for fishing spots. As it was turning out, success was proving elusive. The crossings were all overgrown and inaccessible — that is, all but one. Ahhh. The non-overgrown one was clearly the best of the batch. There was a wide place to pull off and park. There was a nice little foot trail leading down from the road to the water. There was also a beautiful pool and a gravelly patch of creek bank that sang that siren song no angler can ignore. It was just the place for a little fly-fishing, and we were ready. But then I spotted movement in the bushes nearby. Squinting, I made out shapes ... moving shapes ... animated bovine shapes ... and they were looking our way. Uh-oh. It was an angler’s worst nightmare. It appeared that this particular spot was guarded by cows. Putting my outdoors ninja skills in high gear, I immediately divined that these were not regular cows. Oh no. Instead, they were big, mean, killer cows, and one in particular (the biggest and meanest of them all) was giving us the eye. “Must be the supreme commander,” I muttered, for it definitely had that braggadocious barky look that only a Cow in Chief can have. If you’ve ever seen one, you know exactly what I mean. And you probably have. Would the fishing be worth the risk? Now I may not be the sharpest hook in the tackle box, but I do know that killer cows are not to be trifled with. How I know that is another story for another day, but let’s just say I decided it was time to turn around and head home. I turned back to the car, still watched by those cows. No doubt they were calculating whether to charge, much as their distant cousins the lions and tigers might do after spotting a particularly tasty-looking afternoon snack. Cows are devious that way, too, you know, and it appeared to my trained eyes that their plans were moving right along.

But just how much can you trust GPS? It is, after all, just a device. It’s mere technology. How much does technology really know anyway? Fortunately, being the trained woodsman that I am, I saw right through their plotting. Realizing that our very survival was at stake and that time was certainly of the essence, I picked up the pace and was soon safely back in the car. I turned around in a convenient farm road. Then we headed on down the road, none the worse for the experience and leaving the cows, disappointed, far behind. After a little bit we came again to the main highway, where I confidently turned right. Yeah, I turned right. If you’re geographically attuned like I usually am, you’ll realize that “right” was not the way to turn to head back the way we came. Had I turned “left,” which is what I should have done, we’d have been pointed back toward home. But I was no doubt distracted by our close call. So I accidentally turned the other way. You see how that could happen, of course. Unfortunately, the error in my ways was not immediately apparent. One stretch of rural highway looks pretty much like the next stretch, at least for a little while. Soon, though, we started seeing things we had not seen on the way in. On the left there was a bright red house. On the right was a country store. Just past it was a big ol’ pasture and a herd of (you guessed it) more cows — were they looking our way? — and just beyond that there was a hand-lettered sign, done up in shaky letters and bloodred paint, proclaiming that the end was near if one wasn’t careful. We hadn’t seen any of that before. Clearly, we were headed in an

unexplored direction, going toward somewhere at 65 mph. But what would that somewhere turn out to be? My brain immediately began a careful analysis of just exactly what all of this might mean. “What do you think it means?” I asked. “I think,” my wife said, “that it means we may be lost.” Lost? “Lost?” I said. “How could we be lost? One is never lost if one knows where one is, and I know that we are here!” We rode on a little longer. “But where is here?” I added at last. “Alabama,” she said. “Alabama?” “Uh-huh. We just crossed the state line.” Alabama, huh? Well, being the trained whole-earth navigator that I am, I’m sure I would have seen that. Only I’d been distracted again by yet a third battalion of cows, those ones over there (that’s a little bit of colloquial dialect-type stuff, included here to add local color). They were definitely looking our way, I saw. It dawned on me, too, that they were Alabama cows. Alabama cows, among all the cows in all of creation, are especially not to be trifled with, and that realization probably distracted me even more. So you can understand how I missed a little thing like crossing over into a whole other state. That’s all it was. Uh-huh. But when it’s time, it’s time. So I found another country road and turned around again (the correct way this time), and eventually we did get home. You know, it’s funny how some things just become legend. That story — which I have recounted here as it happened, mostly, more or less — is one of them. It’s a tale still told at family gatherings, at campgrounds, at baby showers and birthday parties and even, once, in the Walmart checkout line. In fact, it’s told pretty much anywhere such stories are told and everywhere there’s even the faintest chance of encountering cows. It’s kind of nice to be the stuff of legends. Meanwhile, I have been learning to rely more fully on GPS. I guess it’s here to stay. How the times have changed!

18 | September 10, 2026 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

OPINION

AIKENOMICS

Realtors, are you targeting the wrong buyer? For decades, real estate agents have marketed heavily to first-time homebuyers — and for good reason. They had no home to sell and no sale contingency, and they could often make a cleaner offer than someone who needed to sell before buying. But times have changed, and agents may want to adjust their D.C. AIKEN sights. Guest Columnist dcaiken.com Today’s first-time buyer is considerably older than in years past, and a surprisingly large share of active buyers are older Americans. Buyers in their 60s and 70s make up more than 46% of all current homebuyers, an increasingly important part of the housing market. At first, that might sound surprising. But when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Many of these homeowners bought their first house in their 20s or 30s. Over the decades, they either remained in that home or moved up, carrying their accumulated equity with them. Add the significant home-price appreciation of the past decade, and many are now sitting on substantial equity. And their housing needs are changing. The kids are gone. That 4,000-square-foot house that made perfect sense 20 years ago may now feel like a lot of house — and a lot of maintenance — for two people. Many are beginning to ask a simple question: Do we really need all this anymore?

Significant equity may also give these buyers greater flexibility when negotiating their next purchase. But there could be another benefit. When longtime homeowners sell larger homes, they add much-needed inventory to the market. Some may also use a portion of their accumulated wealth to help adult children with a down payment, giving a younger generation that is struggling to save enough cash an opportunity to finally become homeowners themselves. One downsizing transaction could put several pieces of the housing puzzle into motion, especially when the buyer who is 60 or older is ready for the next chapter and not senior living. For years, the first-time homebuyer was one of the most attractive prospects in real estate. Maybe it’s time to widen the lens. The next great opportunity may not be the buyer purchasing a first home. It may be the homeowner ready to sell the last big one. Times have changed. Maybe your target market should, too.

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That creates an interesting opportunity for agents. An older homeowner considering downsizing can represent two transactions: the sale of the existing home and the purchase of a smaller one.

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.

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MARTA needs visionary leadership more than ever

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APPE

Thank you for publishing Hannah Yahne’s column, “MARTA Riders Want World Cup-Level Service to Continue.” I have been a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority rider — to the airport and to events in Downtown Atlanta — for the past 30 years, and with the exception of occasional annoying panhandlers, I have been satisfied with the convenience of car-free transport, especially to the airport, and with not having to deal

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with Atlanta car traffic or the hassles of parking there. I am very sad that voters in the northern Atlanta suburbs nixed a proposal several decades ago to extend MARTA rail up Georgia 400 to Alpharetta and beyond. In my opinion, this was pure racism. Now, instead, the Georgia Department of Transportation is cutting down thousands of trees to make room for more lanes on Georgia 400, leading

to more cars, more traffic and more fossil-fuel pollution. Local government lacks the vision or funding to make MARTA rail expansion a reality, and appallingly, MARTA gets no funding from the state government, in contrast to other systems such as the New York City subway and Bay Area Rapid Transit in San Francisco. It is also an insult to the regular MARTA rider that safety is “geared up”

for special events such as the Olympics and the World Cup, while safety has not been a priority on “ordinary” days. Visionary Atlanta Mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson founded and expanded HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest. We need such visionaries for MARTA. Salpi Adrouny, MD Johns Creek

DEATH NOTICES Linda Bagley, age 85, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 25, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Christopher Farnsworth, age 52, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 27, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Mary Dripps Johnson, age 90, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on August 20, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Bobbie Eddins, age 91, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 22, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

John Hathorn, age 82, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 26, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Lawrence O’Brien, age 92, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on August 17, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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State: Continued from Page 1 A limited number of complimentary seats are available for Sandy Springs residents who wish to attend the mayor’s address without a meal. Tickets that include lunch are also available for purchase. Advanced registration is required for both options, and complimentary seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Complimentary attendees should arrive and be seated by noon. The event will be held in the Terrace Meeting Room at 1 Galambos Way from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Registration and additional event information are available at greaterperimeterchamber. com.

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Appen Media Wins 2026 Georgia Press Association General Excellence Bringing Journalistic Excellence to North Atlanta 1st Place

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