Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - August 18, 2016

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Welcome to Mimosa Hall

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A u g u s t 1 8 , 2 0 1 6 | N o r t h F u l t o n . 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 3 4 , N o . 3 3

Fall Sports Preview Sponsored section ►►pages 19 – 30

Police and community

Alpharetta officials discuss police relations with black community ►►page 4

Roswell clamps down City denies building request for housing development ►►page 6

Nearing the end

See Appen publisher Ray’s progress on the Appalachian Trail ►►page 8

3 suspected in car break-ins

Part of ring that’s now broken up ►►page 12

HATCHER HURD/Herald

Sally Hansell, the sixth generation of her family to live in Mimosa Hall, offers a rare view inside the historic home that dates back to the 1840s. The home is now for sale and viewing is by appointment only, but she offers Herald readers a peek inside. See PAGES 10-11.

Isakson talks campaign Seeks third term ►►page 14

2 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Public Safety

Pedestrian struck by car dies Was stabbed prior to collision

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@northfulton.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Lawrence Cornelius Range, 35, of Marietta died July 29, two days after being stabbed and then hit by a car on Ga. 20 in Roswell. Roswell police are still looking for information about Range’s injuries and whereabouts before the collision.

At 4:52 a.m., July 27, Range was

DUIs & Drugs 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.

DUI arrests ►► John C. Mott Jr., 81, of Singletree

Trace, Alpharetta, was arrested Aug. 3 on Crabapple Road in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to yield vehicle while turning left. ►► Phillip Ryan Cook, 27, of Settingdown Road, Cumming, was arrested Aug. 3 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane and following too close. ►► Jenna Elizabeth Wallin, 28, of Ankonian Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested Aug. 2 on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and driver to use due care. ►► Linda Diane Brabson, 61, of Brown Thrasher Trace, Cumming, was arrested Aug. 4 on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Loucas Owen Kobold, 35, of Cypress Court, Alpharetta, was arrested Aug. 7 on North Point Circle in Alpharetta for DUI. ►► Thomas Carl Cowden, 26, of Roswell Road, Atlanta, was arrested Aug. 7 on

struck by a black Acura traveling eastbound on Ga. 120. According to Roswell’s Public Information Officer Lisa Holland, Range was in the roadway and not the crosswalk when the incident occurred.

Range was transported to North Fulton Hospital with life-threatening injuries, Holland said. He died just two days later.

Doctors evaluating Range discovered that he was stabbed “several times prior to the accident.”

Police are not releasing what hap-

pened to Range before he was hit as the investigation is still ongoing.

The female driver “was very cooperative” with the Roswell police officers and stayed on scene while the man was sent to a local hospital, said Holland.

No charges against the driver have been filed.

One witness saw an old, tan sedan flee form the accident scene. People who have any information about that vehicle or the victim prior to the accident are urged to contact Detective P. Reid at 770-640-4522.

Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane and speeding in a construction zone. ►► Sri Hari Annoji, 42, of Averly Glen Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested Aug. 7 on Webb Road in Milton for DUI, failure to maintain lane and expired registration. ►► Justen Kyle Gentry, 26, of Harbors Landing, Norcross, was arrested Aug. 7 on Mayfield Road in Milton for DUI, failure to maintain lane and wanted person. ►► Joshua Neal Starkey, 22, of Bucksport Court, Roswell, was arrested July 21 on King Road in Roswell for DUI. ►► Robert J. Lynn, 29, of Deerchase Drive, Woodstock, was arrested July 20 on Hardscrabble Road in Roswell for DUI and following too close. ►► David Earl Dority, 34, of Saratoga Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested July 16 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI. ►► Elizabeth Ann Harris, 25, of Pecan Lane, Buford, was arrested July 16 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI, obstruction of an officer, suspended license and possession of a schedule III/IV/V controlled substance. ►► Felicia Amber Francois, 29, of Belmont Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested July 22 on Champions Green Parkway in Roswell for possession of

marijuana and failure to maintain lane.

DRUG arrests ►► Eric Samuel Sapoznik, 30, of Forest

Pond Lane, Roswell, was arrested July 22 on Mansell Road in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana. ►► Miles Brandon Hicks, 28, of Bourbon Drive, Gainesville, was arrested July 27 on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of methamphetamines, wanted person and suspended license. ►► Tavis Terrell Lewis, 24, of Glenwood Avenue, Atlanta, was arrested July 17 on Crabapple Road in Roswell for possession of marijuana and speeding. ►► Timothy Michael Vandyke, 26, of Shawn Lane, Chatsworth, was arrested July 16 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for possession of marijuana and headlight violation. ►► Penny Diane Brannon, 46, of Hugh Stowers Road, Dawsonville, was arrested July 30 on Roanoke Road in Cumming for possession of methamphetamines and possession of drug related items.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 3

NEWS

4 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Black community relates concerns dealing with police Reconciliation meeting at St. James UMC brings out long-simmering issues

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Members of the local black community took the opportunity Aug. 10 to tell city and police officials about their fears, their dreads and their experiences with law enforcement.

About 200 people gathered Wednesday evening for the second Community, Reconciliation and Hope Service held at St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta. The service was scheduled as a measure to bring healing in the wake of recent outbreaks of police violence and violence against police across the nation.

The mostly black crowd listened as Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle and other public officials proclaimed their commitment to better understanding.

The panel also included Public Safety Director Gary George, police Detective Jakai Braithwaite, Hall County District Attorney Tauri Thomas, the

Correction The TPA Group’s new 220-square-foot loft office complex, The Edison, will be located on Edison Drive off Windward Parkway. A story in last week’s edition gave an incorrect address.

Rev. David Smith, executive director of Summit Counselling Centre, and Joshua Barbee, a youth member at Alpharetta UMC. Although the service was carefully steered in a positive trajectory, it didn’t take long for attendees to raise concerns and share experiences about how they’ve been treated by police in the past.

Most expressed unease with police relations toward the black community.

Several objected to the format of the entire service, whereby they were required to submit questions in written form to the panel for response. They said they preferred to address officials directly.

But the Rev. Michael McQueen, pastor of St. James UMC, insisted it be that way to keep tempers down.

Even so, the written questions carried the dreary ring of distrust with law enforcement.

The audience seemed most interested in how to redress their grievances when they feel they were mistreated by police.

Detective Braithwaite, who is African-American, said citizens should not try to settle disputes “on the side of the road.” When pulled over by police, he said, it is recommended you slow down and pull over to the nearest safe spot.

Motorists should also remain in their vehicle and keep their hands visible at all times, preferably on the steering wheel, he said.

Although the service was carefully steered in a positive trajectory, it didn’t take long for attendees to raise concerns and share experiences about how they’ve been treated by police in the past.

One man, who asked that his name not be given for fear of reprisal, told the audience that he was recently stopped by police officers with their guns drawn while walking through his neighborhood during the daytime. The incident did not take place in Alpharetta, he said later, but it did frighten him. And, he added, this happened in his own neighborhood as his wife and children were pulling up in the family car.

“On the sidewalk, walking in my own neighborhood,” the man said.

“I was pleasant about it and handed them my ID. Then I asked them what would’ve happened if I didn’t have my ID. He [one officer] said ‘You would’ve

See reconciliation, Page 41

GARAGE SALES See more garage sales in the classifieds

JOHNS CREEK: 7795 Cavendish Place. Friday 81/9 and Saturday 8/20, 8am-3pm. Moving sale. Sports equipment, tools and household goods JOHNS CREEK/DULUTH, entire Sugar Mill Subdivision! Abbotts Bridge/120, just East of 141. Friday, Saturday, 8/19, 8/20, 9am-2pm.

JOHNS CREEK-30005: Ashland multi-family. Ashvale Overlook. Friday 8/19, Saturday 8/20, 9am-1pm. Household; baby/womens’/mens’ clothes; jewelry; cookbooks; crystal ALPHARETTA: Hanover Place Subdivision off Union Hill Road., 1825 Lynwood Place 30004. Saturday, 8/20, 8am12pm. Furniture, appliances, home decor, clothing, kitchen items, patio furniture and more!

MILTON: Multi family yard sale, Waterside Subdivision, 505 Waterhaven Lane. Friday 8/19, Saturday 8/20, 8am-1pm.

JOHNS CREEK: Silver Ridge Subdivision, 4695 Agate Drive. Friday 8/19 and Saturday 8/20, 8am-1pm. Moving sale.

Furniture, antiques, tools and MUCH MORE! ROSWELL, Devereux Downs/ State Street Subdivisions. Multi-family yard sale. Woodstock Road at Devereux Chase 30075. Saturday 8/20, 8am-2pm. Rain/shine!

DEADLINE

To place garage sale ads: Noon Friday prior week • Call 770-442-3278 or email classifieds@appenmediagroup.com

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 5

6 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

Scores turn out for Roswell zoning request Council denies higherdensity application; removes requirement for emergency access

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – A sea of red shirts stood up and applauded the Roswell City Council Aug. 8 when it voted to deny a developer’s request to build 14 single-family homes on 5.7 acres on Eaves Circle.

The council rezoned the parcel to R-30 which requires 30,000-squarefoot lots or 5 or 6 homes depending on how it is designed.

The request – and the response it received from neighbors – was a testament to the growing campaign in the North Fulton city to grab the reigns of development.

Already this year, the City Council has passed a slew of revisions to its Unified Development Code aimed at limiting small-lot homes and multi-family housing.

The extent of citizen support to pro-

tect existing neighborhoods was made apparent at this meeting. However, the red-shirted homeowners applauded an additional council proposal to eliminate a requirement that the new development install an asphalt path connecting it to an adjoining subdivision.

That requirement was proposed as a public safety measure, according to Brad Townsend, Planning and Zoning director.

There is only one access road to the neighboring River Eaves subdivision, and there would be one access road to the new proposed subdivision, he said.

The access path would allow fire and emergency personnel a back way into each subdivision in case the entrances were blocked.

“What we’re saying is that it makes good public policy and it’s good for public safety to have a physical access available to the fire department” said Transportation Director Steve Acenbrak.

He said the access needn’t be paved, and it could include a locking pole that only emergency personnel could unlock.

“Whether [this] gets honored is entirely up to this mayor and council,” Acenbrak said. “It is just our best

The people who bought those homes in that cul-de-sac, they probably bought those homes because it was a cul-de-sac...

They didn’t want that connectivity.”

Donald Horton Councilman

recommendation for the public safety of the entire area.”

Mayor Jere Wood said the point is that there is a possibility of having a fire at a property near the entrance to the subdivision, and at the same time having someone in the rear of the development suffer a heart attack.

The entrance could be blocked by fire trucks, and an ambulance could not get to the patient.

But Councilman Donald Horton countered saying adding a back-door access betrayed existing homeowners of their original designs on their property.

“The people who bought those homes in that cul-de-sac, they probably bought those homes because it was a cul-de-sac,” he said. “They didn’t want that connectivity.”

Councilman Kent Igleheart agreed, saying the asphalt path recommendation “goes too far.”

Those speaking on behalf of the nearby residents – representing some 2,500 homeowners – said they backed a compromise proposed by Councilman Mike Palermo requiring that the developer merely establish an easement that could later be used as an access path between the two subdivisions.

The applicant for the development, TD Global, did not appear at the meeting, but close to a dozen opponents took to the mike during the public hearing.

Most of those speakers reiterated their opposition to a high-density development on the tract, favoring instead the city’s staff recommendation for estate-size lots of one acre or more.

See ZONING, Page 18

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 7

8 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

OPINION

Goodbye, summer internship; hello world When Fulton and Forsyth grade schools return for the fall, I begin packing for my return to college.

This year is different, however: my senior year at Ole Miss, a scary subKYLIE McFADDEN ject that has been Appen Intern floating in the back of my mind for years.

The insecurity of not knowing where I would go or what I would do after college has always nagged me.

I began my internship with Appen Media Group in June, and in the 10 weeks since I started, I have felt my stress about graduation slowly ease. I came into this internship with a lot of preconceptions about how the newsroom would function and how I would function in it.

Between my classes and working at my school’s student newspaper, I felt like I was already prepared.

Experiencing it firsthand proved I still had a lot to learn.

When I started, I was not expecting my role would be as hands-on as it was.

My assignments were small at first, but the amount of responsibility I was given after my first few weeks allowed me to push myself and constantly build on what I had learned the week before. I felt like a reporter, not just an intern.

Going into college, I was not sure how I would use my planned marketing communications degree. This summer has shown me what my future might look like if I decide to pursue reporting full-time. After 10 weeks writing almost every kind of newspaper story for every Appen newspaper, I have a much clearer sense of what I want to do in the future.

To the newsroom staff that supported my work and growth, I can’t say “thank you” enough. You all were so patient and treated me with such

Making the final push Appen Media Group publisher Ray Appen is still hiking the Appalachian Trail and making a final push to the end. Ray is focusing all of his efforts on reaching the end in Maine and will not respect from day one. You pushed me to do my best, answered my hundreds of questions and constantly helped me improve, and I know I’m a better writer and journalist because of your help and support.

To the high school and college students who are on the fence about whether to work an internship or not, go for it.

Whether you end up loving it or deciding it’s not for you, your internship will set you on the right path to find your passion, even if you still have a few years until you graduate college.

To my family who encouraged me as I applied for internship after internship, thank you for keeping my spirits up constantly.

To those of you who have read my stories this summer, I hope you enjoyed reading them. I know I enjoyed writing each one. I will miss not only the people I had the pleasure of working with every day, but the people I got to meet in interviews and the things I have learned just by interacting with so many people.

It’s been a great summer. The future doesn’t seem so scary anymore.

My assignments were small at first, but the amount of responsibility I was given after my first few weeks allowed me to push myself and constantly build on what I had learned the week before. I felt like a reporter, not just an intern.

have a column this week.

Below is a map with Ray’s previous checkpoints.

Read about his journey online at northfulton.com/ray-appen.

August 15

Where’s ray?

August 1

July 19

June 27

June 5 May 17 April 27

Start date: March 6

OPINION

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 9

HATCHER HURD/Herald

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle, left and Public Safety Director Gary George grimly digest what they are hearing at the for “Reconciliation and Hope” event at St. James United Methodist Church.

Seeds of racial mistrust linger in Alpharetta It was billed as an evening for “Reconciliation and Hope,” – a chance for the community to come together racially in response to the ongoing civil violence that seems to have no end.

HATCHER HURD St. James United Executive Editor Methodist Church hatcher@appenmediagroup.com in Alpharetta was hosting the event as a forum for dialogue, reconciliation and hope. The predominantly black church invited a panel of city officials and others to participate in a dialogue with residents who chose to come.

Scarcely a week goes by now that some headline does not scream out that another police shooting is under investigation. Of course the snipers who attacked police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge were shocking as well.

People have begun ask IF society is coming apart.

But a reconciliation event in Alpharetta? Is that really necessary? This is the Magic Kingdom. We have the best schools, the safest streets, excellent jobs – we have insulated ourselves from much of those social ills that fill the national news. Right?

Well, it was an eye-opener to hear that what people say is commonplace in Baltimore, Ferguson and Atlanta also happens in the Magic Kingdom we call North Fulton.

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle and Alpharetta Public Safety Director Gary George participated along with Hall County Assistant District Attorney Tauri Thomas, The Rev. David Smith from The Summit Counseling Center in Johns Creek, Alpharetta Police Detective Jakai Braithwaite and Joshua Barbee, a teenager who attends St. James.

The Rev. Michael McQueen, pastor of St. James, acted as the host and moderator for the evening.

It was his job to keep passions in check, and it became apparent from the start that he was going to have his hands full.

The first gentleman to speak was black and he launched right into an account of how he was walking in his very own neighborhood when a couple of police cars drove up and officers jumped out with guns drawn.

“I was just walking, and they come at me. My family was driving up in the car. My daughter was watching everything,” he said, growing agitated at the memory of it.

Director George’s eyes grew wide.

He said he could not believe his ears.

Well, it turned out the man lived in Forsyth County. That did not assuage the indignity of the incident but it provided George with some relief that it did not happen in his bailiwick.

After that testy scene, Pastor McQueen intervened to say questions would be submitted for reading aloud to keep emotions at a minimum. This was the cause of a lot of muted muttering. Clearly many wanted to speak their minds.

The mostly black audience was asked that all who felt they were stopped for “driving while black” – i.e. for no apparent cause other than race – to please stand up.

Around 45 percent to 50 percent of the adults got to their feet. Again, these were neighbors who sent their children to Milton High and Webb Bridge Middle School. They work at Verizon Wireless and Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

They are working to put their college-age children through Stanford, Georgia Tech and Georgia State University. Yet they have experienced

See HATCHER, Page 44

10 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Sally Hansell grew up in Roswell’s Mimosa Hall Of few Roswell mansions still in private hands, this may be loveliest jewel of them all

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Sally Hansell is the perfect southern hostess as she sits down to talk avidly about her ancestral home, Mimosa Hall. She grew up in the antebellum mansion since she was 5 years old and is the sixth generation of Hansells to live in the home.

Built in 1847, John Dunwody (later spelled Dunwoody) and his wife Jane Bulloch Dunwody first built on land adjacent to the home of her brother, Maj. James Bulloch. It had been christened Phoenix Hall because it caught fire the evening of its housewarming and was rebuilt.

But in 1867, it came into the hands of Andrew Jackson Hansell, who had come to rebuild the mills of the Roswell Manufacturing Co. that had been destroyed in the Civil War. The home was rechristened Mimosa Hall.

There was a small interruption in the early 20th Century when the home passed out of Hansell hands. Then the

famous Atlanta architect Neel Reid owned and improved it. The home was repurchased by the Hansell family and has been in their hands since 1947.

Now Hansell has decided the time has come for new owners.

“My life going forward will have new adventures and travel. That is not compatible with owning an historic home,” she said.

The home is for sale for $3.85 million that includes the nine-acre gardens, barn and pool. Another 21 acres are also for sale for another $4 million.

Hansell said she is grateful for having grown up on the property. Her grandparents had repurchased the property in 1947, and she came to live at Mimosa Hall as a child when her parents inherited it.

It was a good match. Hansell said she has always loved the trees and the gardens, the architectural details of the Hall, a neoclassical style home.

“I like things that are very old,” she said. “The gardens are wonderful.

Neel Reid made them so that each one

HATCHER HURD/Herald

Hansell stands at the entrance to the dining room dominated by an abstract painting she collected representing Baghdad. was like a different room. I go there now and look at the mature trees that wind among the gardens. They are so soulful.”

She points out the well house garden just outside the backdoor as the starting point. Neel Reid built a

reflection pool and a formal garden, but a cotton broker who bought Mimosa replaced the garden with a swimming pool.

Each has its own species of trees, plants and shrubs. The Allee is a path that transects the gardens from east to

west and provides a pleasantly shaded walk on a tour of the grounds.

“I like the way the branches dapple the light creating different shades of green along the way,” she said.

She inventories the trees as she walks along – pecans, black walnut, figs, cedar, American beech and oak.

“There is just enough difference in space to define the gardens,” she said. “The gardens are magical with a different experience at every turn. In the evening many of Mimosa’s animals come out.

“The owls are hooting and you can see the deer and fox from the back porch.”

She remembers her parents would have parties and hold a “fox watch” on the back porch to watch them come by.

Growing up in the stately mansion and gardens was just as much fun as one can imagine.

Her grandfather got her a Shetland pony she named Tony and a cart.

“My sister and I rode Tony with our cousins and friends piled up in that little cart all over Mimosa and Bulloch Hall.”

She and friends would create a summer camp in the barn for the mill workers’ children living on Sloan Street.

Hansell knows her family lived a life of privilege in Roswell.

“Slaves built this beautiful house. I’m very aware, almost on a daily basis, of people whose contributions are not recognized and who suffered on this property,” she said.

She says she would like the City of Roswell to buy Mimosa Hall. But if it doesn’t, she is ready to turn the home over to the next family.

“Each generation adds its page to the house’s history,” she said.

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 11

Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty

Large windows illuminate Mimosa Hall’s library.

Atlanta Fine Homes Sothebys International Realty

HATCHER HURD/Herald

Hansell in the entry way of Mimosa Hall

The view from the kitchen to the backyard includes the well house. The gardens that surround the house are a marvelous collection of Southern flora.

NEWS

12 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

3 suspects arrested for car break-ins Police believe ring broken up

By Julia Grochowski julia@northfulton.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Three alert Alpharetta police detectives turned their lunch hour into a Crimestoppers episode Aug. 9 when they netted three alleged thieves who were breaking into cars. Two men and one woman were arrested on multiple charges after three Alpharetta detectives who were leaving a local restaurant spotted them acting suspiciously. When the officers saw that the suspects had seen them as well, the alleged thieves tried to get away.

But all were caught in possession of stolen items taken from cars in the area. The detectives had gone out to lunch and were returning to their vehicles around noon when they noticed three people who appeared to be breaking into a parked car.

“One of the men was getting into a [black SUV] when the officer saw him.

He looked at the officer, hopped out of that car and got into a different car,” said Alpharetta Public Information Officer George Gordon.

“With a crew like this, one is usually a lookout, while the other breaks into the vehicle. They quickly grab anything of value and then they get back in their vehicle and leave.”

As the detectives approached the trio, the woman, who had been sitting nearby in an idling car, took off. She was later identified as 33-year-old Kimberly D. Cole of Cartersville.

One of the detectives followed Cole in an unmarked car, while the remaining two started talking to the two men identified as 35-year-old Anthony Raynard Malone of Smyrna and 42-yearold Sunrah Sergio Nunley of Lithonia.

The officers took several drivers’ licenses, credit cards, checkbooks and cellphones from the suspects. All turned out to be previously stolen. Po-

lice also found wigs and a large bolt cutter in their possession. Nunley and Malone had been sorting through the stolen items when the detectives saw them.

According to the detectives, it appeared COLE that the trio had been preparing to commit some sort of fraud at the bank across the street using stolen IDs and credit cards.

The detective pursuing Cole coordinated with nearby patrol officers to pull Cole over. nunley They discovered she was using a stolen license plate. When Cole got out of the car, she continued to attempt to run away on foot, but was caught by two pursuing officers.

All three suspects were arrested for theft by receiving along with malone loitering and prowling.

Cole was additionally charged with five traffic violations, fleeing an officer and possession of tools to commit a crime.

Nunley was also charged with possession of tools to commit a crime as well as giving a false name, fraud and forgery in the fourth degree. He has an extensive history with narcotics and had multiple warrants out for his arrest.

“The three have been working together to commit crimes for quite some time,” said Gordon.

Alpharetta Public Safety Director Gary George said he was pleased with the police work of his officers.

“Clearly the recovery of wigs and a large bolt cutter was indicative of the fact this crew intended to commit other crimes in our area,” said George.

“Because of the good work done by our detectives, their crime spree has come to an abrupt end in a jail cell.”

SCHOOLS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 13

Opening days bring fewer students, fewer portables across NF Enrollment expected to rise in coming weeks

BY CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com North Fulton, Ga. - The first week of the 2016-17 school year for Fulton Schools started with fewer students than expected, fewer portables on area campuses and renovations over the summer that made major impacts.

Enrollment numbers for the first week of school came in nearly 2,400 students off the target, but district leaders says the system is still tracking toward the target.

First week numbers were 94,166 students enrolled in the district’s 102 schools. The projections for the school year are 96,561 – a number the district expects to hit close to the one-month mark.

School officials have long pointed to the post-Labor Day boom, with many students coming into the school after the September holiday for various reasons.

Deputy Superintendent Rob Anderson said the district will continue to watch

enrollment numbers throughout the first four weeks, and look at emerging trends.

Two trends the district is closely watching are the growing numbers of high school students, coupled with the lower numbers of kindergarteners.

“Our high schools are getting bigger because we are doing a better job of keeping students in schools, with fewer dropouts across the district and graduation rates on the rise,” said Anderson.

On the flip side, the drop in birth rates which began around the time of the Great Recession has greatly impacted elementary numbers.

The drop in elementary numbers, coupled with dozens of new schools over the past two decades, has led to a dramatic reduction in portable classrooms on elementary and middle school campuses.

Burke noted 89 portable classrooms were removed from campuses over the summer, leaving only 20 portable structures among North Fulton’s 28 elementary schools, and 26 at the 10 middle schools. The only school to see an increase in portables was Northwestern Middle which added two structures to the two already in place.

At the high school level, Alpharetta and Cambridge are the only schools still without portables on campus, with Johns Creek (2) and Milton (4) forced to add temporary classrooms over the summer to deal with growth. In all 35 portables are now on area high school campuses, the most at Centennial (11) and Roswell (10).

The district is still trying to fill fewer than 120 teacher vacancies to staff areas such as special education and science/math. Anderson said the num-

ber of actual vacancies may be lower since some positions are “frozen” until enrollment is set.

He noted efforts to increase compensation has made Fulton Schools a “first look” for many applicants; an important factor in a competitive market.

Turning to the operations side of the district, Deputy Superintendent Patrick Burke said maintenance teams responded to more than 5,800 work requests from the end of the last school year to the first day of school.

That was in addition to the multitude of construction projects that were fast tracked while students were on break and schools were empty.

The most visible projects in North Fulton were the replacement of the turf surface at the stadiums at Milton and Roswell high schools, and renovations at every high school media center in the area.

Based on the design created by the community at Centennial High School, the new media centers are now the prototype for all high schools, with the focus on taking underutilized spaces and making them functional.

“For such a small amount of money, we’ve transformed spaces within our schools,” said Burke.

14 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

Isakson running at arm’s length from Trump Senator says November focus will be on own campaign

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – It was like homecoming when Sen. Johnny Isakson came to speak Aug. 11 to the Rotary Club of Roswell. And while he is seeking a third term in the Senate, he made it clear without mentioning Donald Trump’s name that he is only campaigning for himself.

When asked about supporting Trump’s presidential campaign, Isakson replied without mentioning the GOP presidential candidate’s name.

“There are many important races for the Republican Party that are of interest and importance in November.

But the person I am most interested in getting re-elected is me,” Isakson said.

“I have two opponents, one is a Libertarian. So I have to get 50 percent of the vote plus 1.”

Isakson said after he gets re-elected he will turn his full attention to the Republican Party.

“I do think it is important for the party to be united. If it remains fractured after the election, that won’t be good.”

Isakson said coming back to the Roswell Rotary was like coming home again. He recalled how his father, Ed Isakson, founder of Northside Realty, was a longtime member of the Roswell chapter.

“Dad would tell me the most important hour of the week was that hour spent at Roswell United Methodist Church to listen to one of [the Rev.] Malone Dodson’s sermons.

But I know the most fun hour of the week was when he came to eat fried chicken at Roswell Rotary,” he said.

It was at that point the Rotarians put down their chicken and began eating out of the senator’s hand.

But Isakson came to talk serious issues. He is the only Republican senator who chairs two committees – the Senate Ethics Committee and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. He also sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee among others.

He spoke of the war on terror and on Isil. He said there is no retreating with an enemy such as Isil.

“You cannot contain them. You have to go in and get them. Radical Islam is the enemy of all religions,” he said.

HATCHER HURD/Herald

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson addresses the Rotary Club of Roswell and reports on the latest events in Washington.

He rolled of a litany of heinous crimes perpetrated by Isil, including the beheading and burning alive of prisoners, indiscriminant terror killings of innocent civilians in the Middle East, Europe and America. He noted most of the atrocities are performed on other Muslims.

“There is no treaty you can make with them. You have to just take them out,” he said.

He criticized President Barak Obama’s leadership in the war on terror and called for America to take a larger role in the Middle East. He doesn’t favor large numbers of troops there, but we could send cadres of U.S. Special Forces personnel to train and lead elements fighting Isil.

“I have had leaders telling me they are waiting for America to lead and they will follow,” Isakson said.

He called Obama Care a failure, but vowed to keep Social Security and Medicare “inviable.” But it must be put on an actuarial basis. America must take note that people are living longer.

“To keep benefits at the same level, we have to recognize our children will live to be 90. So benefits will have to kick in at a later age. It’s 66 now, but

See ISAKSON, Page 15

NEWS

Isakson: Continued from Page 14 we have to look at looking further out if we are to keep Social Security solvent,” he said.

“The system has to reflect longevity and lifestyle. We have to do something before the hill gets too steep. We have to plan for 2037 now. That means we have to recalibrate the formula.”

As chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Isakson said he would see to it that long waits in lines would disappear and to end G.I. suicides over lack of care.

“It will take time. I have confidence in Robert McDonald as secretary of Veterans Affairs. He is the former CEO of Procter and Gamble and led a corporation with 110,000 employees.

“As secretary of the VA, he oversees 350,000 employees. The only organization bigger than that is the U.S. military. It is going to take time.”

Those changes include allowing veterans to get treatment at facilities near them instead of a few centrally located VA facilities.

“The VA is including private providers so that veterans can get to care more easily. It will take a couple of years to get that in place, but we’re working on that now,” Isakson said.

Police Blotter 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.

Instagram scam costs victim $400 MILTON, Ga. — A woman reported a theft Aug. 6 after realizing she had run into a scam over Instagram that bilked her of $400 cash.

The woman had met with an old acquaintance from high school who told her about how she had made extra money through an investor. The acquaintance gave the victim an Instagram account belonging to “Robbie” to contact.

Robbie’s account listed him as an entrepreneur working in penny stocks, and he told the victim to put $400 cash in a local mailbox so he could start her first investment. After she dropped the money off, Robbie told her the money was missing.

The victim said that at that point, she realized she had been scammed and told Robbie she was reporting him. He immediately blocked her and deleted their messages, but the victim

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 15

managed to screenshot a few of their exchanges.

Computer towers missing from storage JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police responded Aug. 6 to a report of multiple storage unit burglaries on Abbots Bridge Road. A rental tenant of two locked units reported that the units had been burglarized while he was out of town. The tenant told police that the only missing items were two computer towers, valued at $200 each.

Scammers fail to con wary mark MILTON, Ga. — A man reported multiple scam attempts Aug. 8 after he was contacted by people claiming to be with the IRS and who tried to convince him to become a secret shopper for a fee.

The man told police that between July 15 and 18, he had been contacted five times by people claiming to be IRS agents who threatened him with arrest.

The callers, who did not give their names, kept asking the man to verify personal information but he refused.

A few days later, July 28, the man

received a letter from a “Bonnie Teeter” instructing him how he could become a “secret shopper” by depositing the attached check and then sending money orders to a man in Texas.

The check of course is bogus, and anyone using it to buy a money order would be liable for the costs. The man said he was familiar with this scam and did not fall for it.

Former addict helps bust drug dealer ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police arrested a man July 17 for possession and distribution of drugs, including cocaine, heroin and Xanax with the help of someone who knew firsthand the misery of addiction. Alpharetta police were contacted by a former drug addict trying to get clean who wanted to help them get a dealer off the streets.

The informant worked with police to set up a drug deal with a man known as “P-nut” that night. When officers approached “P-nut,” later identified as 30-year-old Antonio Burden, at the meeting site, Burden bolted into the bathroom of a nearby restaurant.

Police found marijuana and Xanax on Burden after catching him and recovered a baggie with cocaine and heroin that Burden allegedly tossed during the chase.

16 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Policing North Fulton in What are local police doing – or not doing to ensure safety in ethnically diverse area North Fulton has one of the most diverse communities in metro Atlanta

JCPD ‘hasn’t changed package’ but racial awareness stressed

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, vGa. – Johns Creek’s Ed Densmore has been the city’s only police chief since the city incorporated in 2006 – and has led it to be certified by the Commission on Accreditation for Law EnforceDensmore ment Agencies.

And while it has the highest per capita income in the state, Johns Creek also has one of the most ethnically diverse populations. While the city is 60-plus percent white, its largest minority is Asian-South Asian with about 10 percent black.

Densmore said there is certainly an awareness of what is happening across the country but that has not substantially changed the department’s approach to policing.

“We haven’t changed the package except to be more careful and diligent in doing our duties,” Densmore said. “We are still out there making stops on the street.

But there is a story that is not told.”

He said the community has provided a strong response to his officers that supports the job they are Ed Densmore doing.

“They find notes Johns Creek Police Chief on their cars that say ‘We’re praying for you.’ There is the connection our officers make in the community,” he said.

The department also has programs that have officers out of their patrol cars and interacting with the public: • The Bike Patrol – Officers in pairs patrol parks, shopping centers and neighborhoods and are encouraged

and the state with a white majority but a minority of races and cultures that to engage the public one-on-one.

• The Citizens Auxiliary Police – A program that invites citizens to learn about the police and then actually participate in non-policing functions. CAPS members, who are not sworn officers, assist in such tasks as community programs, directing traffic, patrolling parks, conducting residential checks, and helping with administrative work.

• STOP – A safe driving program for teenagers where officers also intervene to prevent repeat teen offenders.

• PACT – (Police And Community Together) A program that organizes neighborhood watches and promotes cooperation between police the many subdivisions.

“We have always stressed community-based law enforcement. So we haven’t had the kind of controversy you have seen elsewhere,” Densmore said.

The North Fulton chiefs have reached out to the various religious communities. Densmore has the “Coffee with a Cop” program where the public can meet from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday nights at different places of worship to build trust in the community.

“We are fortunate that we don’t have a lot of delinquency or truancy. Kids are not hanging out and getting into trouble,” Densmore said. “What you see across the country are kids responding to poverty, unemployment and drugs. There are no easy answers.”

As for violence against police, it is always in the cop’s mind.

“We have issues we need to correct. But you need to keep your head on a swivel out there.

Years ago, you never had to talk about that. Now you do,” he said.

Densmore stresses the basics to keep officers and citizens safe.

“You have to appreciate the level of responsibility out there on both sides.

We have always stressed community-based law enforcement. So we haven’t had the kind of controversy you have seen elsewhere.”

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 17

the post-Ferguson era include Asian, South Asian, black and Hispanic residents.

So there are often situations in which police find themselves dealing with cultural and language differences.

In light of the recent headlines and

attention police-community relations, The Herald Newspapers interviewed local police chiefs to see what if anything their departments are doing to raise the consciousness of their departments in matters of race.

It can have lifelong implications.”

Shortly after midnight July 8, an officer on routine patrol near Old Roswell Road and Commerce Parkway was shot at from a passing vehicle. The suspect was taken into custody. There were no reported injuries and no bullets struck the patrol car.

Also recently, just days after Grant spoke to a congregation at the predominantly black Eagle’s Nest Church in Roswell, its pastor, Lee Jenkins, notified the chief that a member of the congregation had spotted a police car parked at a residence displaying the Confederate flag.

Grant has confirmed that officer was dismissed.

Hispanics account for 16 percent of Roswell’s population of about 90,000.

Another 11 percent is African American.

Grant said he and his department tap into the minority populations in various ways.

For just over a year, Grant has hosted “Coffee with the Chief,” a monthly session where the chief and his senior staff meet with anyone from the community over coffee.

The sessions are informal and are designed to provide public access to the police, allowing residents to drop by to pose questions or make suggestions.

While he judges community relations with the department as very good, Grant said he is always looking to improve.

“Individually, I can always do better, and I would say the Police Department can always do better as well,” he said.

“I always want to improve.”

Roswell police chief Grant says community involvement vital

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup. com ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police Chief Rusty Greer concedes there has been a lot of media attention on community policing recently, but it’s nothing new to Grant him.

Grant, who has served as chief of the 200-member force since 2013, said he has long been a believer in connecting with the community and appreciates the value of good relations.

“In some communities, you have a situation where the police officers and the citizens look at each other as if it’s ‘us against them’ – and that’s true of the police as well as the other side,” Grant said. “And when you have that in the community, it’s not a good thing.”

Grant said he has been called upon to speak more frequently in the wake of recent police confrontations throughout the country that have garnered national attention.

“I think it’s important as a police department, and more importantly as individual police officers, that we connect with the community,” he said.

“We connect through businesses, we connect through civic organizations, and we connect through churches. All of those are important.”

About two weeks ago, Grant said he was contacted by a number of local churches inviting him to their Sunday service.

“So, most recently, it was at the invitation of the black clergy,” he said.

“Even before that – before Ferguson [Mo.], I’d had a relationship with them as well as other churches in Roswell.”

Grant added that he also has regular speaking engagements at churches with diverse congregations.

“In the last three weekends, I’ve been at four different churches – five including my own,” the chief said.

Roswell police are not immune to incidents that generate controversy.

Milton Police Chief assures sensitivity training among officers

By MILES GARRETT news@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. — The climate of law enforcement in the United States has reached a new high in the past few months.

With controversial cases like those in Baton Rouge, Minnesota, Dallas and Ferguson, relations between police officers and the communities they serve have reached toxic levels in some areas.

In Milton, Police Chief Steven Krokoff is hoping to ensure that will not happen under his watch. force, Krokoff

See POLICING, Page 45

SPORTS

18 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Northview, Chattahoochee among Top 500 schools in nation 2016 list from Newsweek spotlights top performers

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. - Northview High School was the highest-ranked school in Georgia named to Newsweek magazine’s 2016 list of the Top 500 public high schools.

The high-performing school was ranked at 132 on the list of 500; joining neighbor Chattahoochee High at 281 on the list of top 500. Only 10 Georgia schools rated among the nation’s top schools, with the majority in the Atlanta metro region.

“This list spotlights schools that are high achievers and that continually challenge students with advanced curriculum offerings,” said Susan Hale, a spokesperson for Fulton Schools. “[These] high schools have proven to be the most effective in turning out college-ready graduates. The latest rankings from Newsweek indicate the data can vary widely from year to year.

In 2015, Northview did not make the top 500; Chattahoochee moved up more than 200 points after barely cracking the list in the 499th spot.

Both Alpharetta and Milton high schools were on the 2015 Newsweek list, but failed to make the top 500 this year.

Newsweek looked at data from over

Zoning: Continued from Page 6 “Rezoning the property to RS-12 impermissibly changes the character of the established neighborhoods and the adjacent undeveloped 20-acre property,” said Steve Henderson, representing the Martins Landing neighborhood.

“More importantly, rezoning this property to RS-12 could possibly lead to a domino effect regarding zoning for other undeveloped properties in the area.”

Other speakers pointed to the potential environmental and drainage issues a high-density development could inflict on neighbors.

Following more than an hour of discussion, the council voted unanimously to approve a rezoning for estate-sized residential lots that included a 14-footwide easement for possible future use as an emergency access. The motion

16,000 high schools across the country to compile the rankings. The top-performing 30 percent were selected, then further evaluated to rank the top 500.

Schools were graded on a 100-point scale in six areas: college acceptance rates (25 percent), high school graduation rates (20 percent), average AP/ IB score (17.5 percent), average SAT/ ACT score (17.5 percent), counselor to student ratio (10 percent), and changes in 9th-grade to 12th-grade enrollment rates (10 percent). The results are subject to some scrutiny. In releasing the methodology, researchers caution that “rankings are dependent on self-reported data … [There] are circumstances in which the variables may not have been reported consistently.”

In addition, not all schools in the country responded to surveys sent out

by Newsweek and were therefore not considered in the rankings.

The rankings also appear to favor states which offer mandatory assessments based on the Common Core curriculum, or use the annual assessment tied to Common Core (PARCC or SBAC).

States such as New York, New Jersey and California – which grabbed a combined 157 schools on the list of top 500 – list assessments tied to Common Core on the state education website.

In contrast, states which have moved away from Common Core tests in favor of state developed testing, or have high “opt out” numbers, including Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, had a total of 21 schools among Newsweek’s top schools. also included a provision requiring a 40-foot undisturbed tree-save buffer adjacent to the neighborhood.

But, before the final vote was tallied, Councilwoman Nancy Diamond stressed that residents should consider allowing some sort of emergency access between the neighborhoods in the future.

Not long ago, she said, the council heard from frustrated residents in Nesbitt Lakes about two fires in the neighborhood where the entrance was so congested fire trucks were delayed in arriving.

Also, she said, residents returning home could not get into the neighborhood for hours.

“It is something to consider,” Diamond said. “You’re a big neighborhood with one entrance and one exit.

I’ve heard the stories, it’s not very far down from you. And the older the houses get, the more those kind of things can happen.”

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 19

Alpharetta-Roswell Herald, August 2016

Cross Country, Softball and Volleyball

High School Fall Sports 2016 Season Preview is sponsored by:

20 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 21

Northview boys cross country poised for success Girls team looks ahead without Lindsay Billings

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. -- There are two burning questions for Northview’s cross country teams in 2016: How will the girls perform without standout Lindsay Billings, and will the boys make a run for the state title after many of the powerhouses of 6A moved to Class 7A? Head coach Tony Cianciola, who has been with Northview since its opening in 2002, says he is confident in the latter question.

“The boys team is going to be really strong this year,” Cianciola said.

“We have a good group of solid seniors that have been with the program for the past four years and have stepped up this year. My top runners are seniors, and we have a couple of solid juniors and we have a good group of underclassmen that have a potential to run varsity races, too. We have a good group of boys coming in as underclassmen and a solid group of upperclassmen that I’m looking to hopefully be contenders in our [classification].”

Seniors Ryan Larcinese, Bryce

Meyer and Joe Whalley, and juniors Michael Smith and Paul Graham will be Northview’s top five runners this season. Larcinese, Whalley, Meyer and Smith all have personal bests under 17.5 minutes, with Larcinese having a personal best of 16.49.

Larcinese, Meyer and Smith all competed for Northview at the state championships last season where Northview finished 19th in team scores.

Though going from 19th to a state championship seems like wishful thinking, consider this: The top 18 teams to finish in the Class 6A state championships last season have all moved to Class 7A. Of the 32 teams to qualify for last year’s 6A state championship meet, only five still remain in Class 6A. Coach Cianciola knows this opens the door for the quick Northview team to further its chances for a possible state championship.

“It definitely will help us. It should enable both of our teams to get into the state meet not being in there with some of those powerhouses. It will definitely be to our advantage,” he said.

Cianciola added that in the short term, the goal for the boys team is to

stay healthy. Long-term, he wants the boys to qualify for the state meet and finished in the top three.

For the girls team, Cianciola said this could be a rebuilding year, but the girls are working hard and progressing well. The Titans will be without Lindsay Billings, who won three individual state titles, including in 2014 and 2015 in Class 6A, as well as leading the Titans to the 2014 team state championship.

Billings was also named the Gatorade Girls Runner of the Year for 2015 and received a scholarship to run at Duke University.

In addition to Billings, Shannon Marsh, Tiffany Yue, and Anna Barfield, who along with Billings finished third in the state in team scores last season, have all graduated, leaving large roles to be filled.

“The girls have potential, and we have some good runners,” said Cianciola. “It’s going to be a little more of a struggle with the girls team, but if we can keep everyone healthy we will see how the season progresses.”

Cianciola said junior Sarika TeemeBapat will likely be the top girls runner.

Michaela Davis returns for the Titans after finishing 75th overall in the state championship meet last season.

22 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section

Forsyth softball rivalries to continue in 2016 Forsyth Central adds to already talent-heavy region

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. -- After dominating teams from North Fulton over the past three years in Region 6-AAAAAA, Forsyth teams will now duke it out in a region almost entirely their own.

Forsyth Central and Milton will join the four former Region 6-AAAAAA 6A teams of North, South, West and Lambert in Region 7-AAAAAAA where competition should be fierce.

North, Lambert and South won the past three championships in Region 6-AAAAAA, and for two of the past three years, all four Forsyth teams finished atop the region standings.

Forsyth Central joins its Forsyth counterparts and adds to the talent within the region.

A majority of the key players for the Bulldogs 2015 team, which compiled a 13-8 overall record, return this season.

The Bulldog offense, which averaged nearly seven runs per game last season, returns Morgan Watson, Sadie Waters and Lindsay Race.

Watson compiled a .618 average with 21 hits in 42 at bats last season and was third on the team in RBIs and first in on-base percentage. Waters hit 11 extra-base hits and posted a .444 average.

Defensively, Central returns its entire pitching staff from last season.

Gina Fishler led the team with a 4-1 record and 4.09 ERA last season as a freshman. Emma Lowe, Abby Sims and Brooke Wade will also share in pitching duties this season. The trio had a combined 8-2 record last year.

South, which won its region championship last year, returns five All-Region players from 2015.

Standout pitcher Katherine Heuy, who was named the Pitcher of the Year in the region, returns for her senior season. Catcher Bianca Mora and infielders Emily Harris and Jordyn Harris also return for the War Eagles.

Lauren Baccari, who pitched in relief for Heuy much of last season returns as a sophomore.

The War Eagles will look to continue their defensive domination behind Heuy

this season. In 2015, the War Eagles gave up just 55 runs over 27 games.

Their offense, meanwhile, averaged over six runs per game, leading the War Eagles to a 22-5 overall record.

Lambert enters the 2016 season

after narrowly missing out on defending the Region 6-AAAAAA title last year against South, and now the team looks to claim the maiden Region 7-AAAAAAA championship.

Dual-threat Kassidy Krupit returns for the Longhorns as a junior and looks to impact both offense and defense.

Offensively, Krupit hit .391 with over 20 RBIs and 15 extra-base hits last season. As a pitcher, she compiled a 7-2 record with a 2.98 ERA. For at least the first half of the season, North will be without its standout and leadoff hitter, Haley Simpson, who is recovering from a torn ACL. The Raiders do return pitcher Sara King who posted an 11-5 record, leading a defense that held opponents to 2.9 runs per game. Also returning is offensive standout Bella Caracciolo.

Caracciolo hit .432 last season with 28 RBIs and 20 steals.

West, which finished fourth in the region last season, will be seeking itsr first region title this season.

The Wolverines return pitcher Hannah Guthrie, who posted seven wins as a freshman in 2015.

Also returning for West is catcher Alana Frye and middle infielders Carlie Behan and Bailley Concatto.

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 23

Titans volleyball looks to continue success in Class 4A BT won five state championships in 3A

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. -- The dynasty that is Blessed Trinity volleyball enters a new chapter in 2016 as the team enters its first season in Class 4A after dominating 3A for a decade.

The Titans won their first 3A state championship in 2006, and over the past five years have made it a habit. BT won the 3A state title in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015, and has advanced to the final four of the state playoffs five consecutive years.

BT is no stranger to playing teams in higher classifications, but head coach Paul Stevens said his team’s move to 4A puts them in a highly competitive classification.

“It’s not going to be that much harder because of the number of ‘A’s in the classification, it’s more the quality of the teams you happen to be with,” Stevens said. “I will say that 4A is arguably going to be the most competitive classification.

“I’m not implying that the best teams in the state are all in 4A but rather the teams that are in 4A are very competitive with one another and very strong. It’s going to make that playoff race very challenging. But we are excited about it. We are going to match up with some great teams and see where that takes us.

“Some of the teams we will play in 4A are teams we have played against for many years, but every year is different,” he said.

BT returns many of its standouts from last season, a team that won its second consecutive state championship. A few new faces will also join the Titans’ lineup, but Stevens said he does not believe in rebuilding, but rather reloading.

The Titans’ backcourt returns Anna MacDonald, who had a standout season for the Titans in 2015 as a freshman. MacDonald was a force in the backcourt, compiling 709 digs. She also led the team in serves, aces and successful serve receptions.

Joining MacDonald will be juniors Vanessa Aehl and Marissa Hall along with sophomore Charlotte Dempsey.

“We have a very strong back line and that is going to keep us in a lot of rallies and help us to transition from defense to offense very quickly,” Ste-

vens said.

Juniors MacKenzie Todd and Brenna Mako step up on this year’s squad as setters. Coach Stevens said, “Both are excellent setters and should be able to put our hitters in a good position to terminate rallies.”

The middle will feature Olivia Dukat, Morgan Stalcup and Kristen Glowacki. Dukat and Stalcup were second and third on the team last season in kills behind graduated seniors Sarah Parker and Remy Smith. Stalcup led the team in total blocks with 154, followed by Dukat with 91.

Alyssa Kuroski returns for the Titans on the outside and will be joined by junior Courtney Finkle and freshman Faith Daniel.

“We’re blessed that we have a lot of depth and a lot of quality players,” Stevens said.

Stevens said the returning starters should help transition the newer players thanks to their experience.

“There is no substitute for playing experience and especially state playoff and state championship experience, so that will definitely help them this year,” Stevens said. “That is something they can then share with the new players on the team in terms of what it takes to go the distance.”

Entering 2016, Stevens said he is “absolutely” confident in his team.

“We are definitely going to be in the hunt, there’s no question about that,” he said. “We have really good leadership on the team, and we have a very talented bunch of players. Our mantra is always to respect everyone but fear no one. We have a lot of respect for all the other teams in 4A, but we are not afraid of anyone. When we get out there if we can play at the top of our game we can compete with anyone in the state.”

24 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Softball schedule Alpharetta 8/16 Milton 8/18 @ Chattahoochee 8/20 Lambert 8/20 Forsyth Central 8/23 Northview 8/25 @ North Atlanta 8/30 @ Johns Creek 9/1 Cambridge 9/6 Dunwoody 9/8 Pope (Marietta, GA) 9/12 @ Centennial 9/15 Chattahoochee 9/19 @ Northview 9/20 @ North Atlanta 9/22 Johns Creek 9/27 @ Cambridge 9/29 Dunwoody

Cambridge 8/18 @ Pope 8/23 North Atlanta 8/24 Buford 8/30 Northview 9/1 @ Alpharetta 9/6 @ Johns Creek 9/13 @ Chattahoochee 9/15 Pope 9/19 @ North Atlanta 9/21 @ River Ridge 9/27 Alpharetta 9/28 Archer 9/29 Johns Creek

Centennial 8/16 @ Johns Creek 8/23 Pope 8/25 @ Chattahoochee 9/1 Discovery 9/6 North Atlanta 9/7 @ North Springs 9/12 Alpharetta 9/13 Johns Creek 9/19 @ Pope (Marietta, GA) 9/20 Chattahoochee 9/27 @ Discovery 9/28 North Springs 9/29 @ North Atlanta

Chattahoochee 8/18 Alpharetta 8/19 Blessed Trinity 8/19 South Gwinnett 8/20 Dalton 8/20 Ridgeland 8/23 @ Dunwoody 8/25 Centennial 8/30 Pope 9/1 @ Johns Creek 9/6 Northview 9/8 North Atlanta 9/9 Camden County

9/10 Westlake 9/10 Roswell 9/10 Cartersville 9/13 Cambridge 9/15 @ Alpharetta 9/19 Dunwoody 9/20 @ Centennial 9/22 @ Pope 9/27 @ Johns Creek 9/29 Northview

Forsyth Central 8/23 @ South Forsyth 8/26 @North Forsyth 8/29 @Milton 9/1 West Forsyth 9/6 South Forsyth 9/8 North Forsyth 9/13 Milton 9/15 @Lambert 9/16 @Pierce County 9/16 @Winder-Barrow 9/17 @Morgan County 9/19 @West Forsyth 9/20 @Milton 9/22 Lambert 9/29 West Forsyth 10/4 @South Forsyth 10/6 @North Forsyth

Johns Creek

8/18 @ North Atlanta 8/22 @ Blessed Trinity 8/25 @ Northview 8/30 Alpharetta 9/1 @ Chattahoochee 9/6 Cambridge 9/8 @ Dunwoody 9/12 Pope 9/13 @ Centennial 9/15 North Atlanta 9/20 Northview 9/22 @ Alpharetta 9/27 Chattahoochee 9/29 @ Cambridge

Lambert 8/17 @ Parkview 8/19 Northview 8/19 Richmond Hill 8/20 Alpharetta (Alpharetta, GA) 8/20 Richmond Hill 8/23 Milton 8/25 @ South Forsyth 8/29 @ West Forsyth 8/30 @ Forsyth Central 9/1 North Forsyth 9/6 @ Milton 9/8 South Forsyth 9/10 Etowah 9/10 Lassiter 9/13 West Forsyth 9/15 Forsyth Central 9/16 Peachtree Ridge 9/17 @ Mountain View 9/17 Mill Creek 9/19 @ North Forsyth 9/20 @ West Forsyth

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section 9/22 @ Forsyth Central 9/24 North Forsyth 10/4 Milton 10/6 @ South Forsyth

Milton

8/23 @ Lambert 8/25 @ West Forsyth 8/29 Forsyth Central 8/30 North Forsyth 9/6 Lambert 9/8 West Forsyth 9/13 @ Forsyth Central 9/15 @ North Forsyth 9/20 Forsyth Central 9/22 North Forsyth 9/27 St. Pius X Catholic 10/4 @ Lambert 10/6 @ West Forsyth

North Forsyth 8/20 Buford (Buford, GA) 8/20 Jackson County 8/23 West Forsyth 8/24 @ Collins Hill 8/25 Forsyth Central 8/29 South Forsyth 8/30 @ Milton 9/1 @ Lambert 9/6 West Forsyth 9/7 @ Madison County 9/7 Lumpkin County 9/8 @ Forsyth Central 9/13 @ South Forsyth 9/15 Milton 9/19 Lambert 9/20 South Forsyth 9/22 @ Milton 9/24 @ Lambert 10/4 West Forsyth 10/6 Forsyth Central

Northview

8/19 @ Lambert 8/20 @ Parkview 8/23 @ Alpharetta 8/25 Johns Creek 8/30 Cambridge 9/1 Pope 9/6 Chattahoochee 9/7 @ St. Pius X Catholic 9/12 North Atlanta 9/19 Alpharetta 9/20 @ Johns Creek 9/28 Pope 9/29 @ Chattahoochee

Roswell 8/18 @ Lassiter 8/27 @ Hillgrove 8/29 @ Pope 9/1 Cherokee 9/9 Cartersville 9/10 Chattahoochee 9/23 @ Dacula 9/26 @ Creekview 9/27 @ Cherokee

South Forsyth 8/20 Cherokee 8/23 Forsyth Central 8/25 Lambert 8/29 @ North Forsyth 8/30 West Forsyth 9/6 @ Forsyth Central 9/8 @ Lambert 9/13 North Forsyth 9/15 @ West Forsyth 9/17 Peachtree Ridge 9/20 @ North Forsyth 9/22 West Forsyth 10/4 Forsyth Central 10/6 Lambert

West Forsyth 8/17 @ Mill Creek 8/20 @ North Gwinnett 8/20 Peachtree Ridge 8/23 @ North Forsyth 8/24 Mill Creek 8/25 Milton 8/29 Lambert 8/30 @ South Forsyth 9/1 @ Forsyth Central 9/6 @ North Forsyth 9/8 @ Milton 9/10 Brookwood 9/10 Etowah 9/13 @ Lambert 9/15 South Forsyth 9/17 Sequoyah 9/19 Forsyth Central 9/20 Lambert 9/22 @ South Forsyth 9/29 @ Forsyth Central 10/4 @ North Forsyth 10/6 Milton

Blessed Trinity 8/19 Chattahoochee 8/19 Ridgeland 8/20 Christian Heritage 8/20 Gordon Lee 8/22 Johns Creek 8/25 @ Marist 8/27 @ Holy Innocents Episcopal 8/27 Westminster 8/29 Woodward Academy 8/31 St. Pius X Catholic 9/6 Chestatee 9/8 @ Chestatee 9/13 White County 9/15 @ White County 9/17 Arabia Mountain 9/19 Walton 9/20 West Hall 9/22 @ West Hall 9/26 Wesleyan 9/27 Marist 9/29 @ Pope

Fellowship Christian

8/23 King’s Ridge 8/24 Whitefield Academy 8/27 North Cobb Chrisitan 8/29 @Walker

8/30 Mt. Pisgah 9/1 @Mt. Paran 9/6 @King’s Ridge 9/7 Galloway 9/8 @Whitefield Academy 9/12 Walker 9/13 @Mt. Pisgah 9/15 Mt. Paran 9/20 King’s Ridge 9/22 Whitefield Academy 9/26 @ Walker 9/27 Mt. Pisgah

King’s Ridge 8/18 @Mt. Paran 8/22 North Cobb Christian 8/23 @FCS 8/25 @Walker 8/26 @Galloway 8/29 @Mt. Paran 8/30 Whitefield Academy 9/1 Mt. Pisgah 9/6 FCS 9/8 Walker 9/9 Galloway 9/12 Mt. Paran 9/13 @Whitefield Academy 9/15 @Mt. Pisgah 9/19 @North Cobb Christian 9/20 @FCS 9/22 @Walker 9/27 Whitefield Academy 9/29 Mt. Pisgah

Mt. Pisgah 8/17 Walker 8/24 Mt. Paran 8/30 FCS 8/31 Whitefield Academy 9/1 King’s Ridge 9/6 Walker 9/7 Mt. Vernon 9/8 Mt. Paran 9/10 Darlington 9/19 Whitefield Academy 9/22 Mt. Paran 9/26 Whitefield Academy 9/27 FCS 9/28 Holy Innocents’ 9/29 King’s Ridge 10/3 Providence Christian 10/4 Holy Innocents’

St. Francis 8/24 @Paideia 9/6 @Drew Charter 9/21 Drew Charter 9/28 Galloway 9/29 @Weber

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 25

Photo provided by Donna Allen

New competition in Region 7-AAAAAA softball Cambridge looks to continue success in Class 6A

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. -- The 2016 softball season is underway, and the public schools of North Fulton will see a host of new competition. Cambridge, winners of the Region 7-AAAAA championship in 2015, joins fellow North Fulton teams Johns Creek, Chattahoochee, Centennial, Northview and Alpharetta in Region 7 of Class 6A. Also in the region will be new additions Pope, North Atlanta and Dunwoody. Exiting the region this year are the Forsyth County teams.

The loss of the Forsyth County teams, which dominated the standings in the region the past few years, should shake up the region standings.

Of the added region opponents, both Dunwoody and Pope will enter with successful seasons in recent years.

The Greyhounds won the 5A state championship in 2012, were the 6A state runners-up in 2014 and have made the state playoffs for the past six seasons.

Dunwoody won its sub-region title last year and has had three straight winning seasons, including a 23-6 record last year when the team was upset in the

first round of the state playoffs.

North Atlanta, meanwhile, has not had a winning season since 2010.

Cambridge enters its new region and new classification after an outstanding 2015 season that ended bitterly in the playoffs.

In 2015, the Bears had one of the best defenses in the state, giving up just 18 runs in 25 games. Their offense also averaged four runs per game, leading the Bears to a 20-2 record entering the second round of the state playoffs.

The Bears were then upset by Jones County, losing games 1 and 3 of the series, 1-0 and 2-0, ending their season.

Cambridge looks to bounce back from the disappointing end to 2015 with a major core of last year’s team still intact, and it already shows. The Bears are currently 3-0 with wins over Centennial, Dunwoody and Collins Hill, outscoring the three opponents 23-0.

Johns Creek went 9-9 in region play last season, but many starters return now with another year of play under their belt.

Though top pitcher Rachel Fletcher graduated, Maddie Horn and Ashley Shore return. As a freshman last year, Horn was 2-1 in decisions. Shore, a senior, compiled a 4.67 ERA with 16 strikeouts. The duo is 1-1 to start the season.

Carly Peterson, Abigail Quidley and Brittany Roberts also return for the Gladiators.

Alpharetta has started its season with a 1-1 record.

The Raiders were young in 2014 and 2015 but enter this season with more upperclassmen and added experience that could likely see them improve from their recent woes.

Northview enters its fourth season in Class 6A and will look to improve its disappointing 7-11 region record last season. That improvement must start defensively after Northview gave up an average of 7.1 runs per game last year. The Titans began their season with a 20-11 win over North Atlanta last Thursday.

The Cougars finished fifth in the region standings last year behind the four now-departed Forsyth teams, and have begun their season with a blowout win over North Atlanta.

The Cougars return pitchers Kamryn Taylor and Jordan Campagnolo, who had a combined ERA of 2.8 last season.

Returning seniors Krystyn Fisher and Emma Kenfield, Hooch’s captains, also return.

Fisher led the team with a .548 batting average and was second on the team in RBIs with just 14 appearances. Kenfield compiled a .397 batting average and stole eight bases.

For the Centennial Knights, the only direction is up. Centennial went 1-21 last season and was 0-18 in region play.

26 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section

Cambridge volleyball enters 2016 season more experienced Most of youthful 2015 team returns

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga.- In 2015 Cambridge’s volleyball team was filled with underclassmen, yet the team still compiled a 31-12 overall record. Those underclassmen enter 2016 with an added year of experience under their belt as the team looks to its first season in Class 7A. The Bears will play their inaugural season this year with fellow North Fulton teams in Class 7-AAAAAA. The Bears won their sub-region title last year with a 7-0 record on their way to a state playoff appearance where they earned a No. 2 seed of the eight Class 5A teams.

In the semifinals, Cambridge was handed a heartbreaker, denying them a state championship appearance.

The Bears were tied with Sequoyah at two sets each after four sets, setting up a decisive fifth set with a state championship appearance on the line.

In the fifth set, Sequoyah was able to slip by the Bears, 16-14.

The Bears return their top performers in blocking, serving, assists, digs and kills this season.

Two juniors, Sterling Hines and Ellah Klinnert, and seniors Lauren Swift and Regan Swift return to lead the Bears’ attack. The four players combined for nearly 800 kills last season.

Hines led the team with 326 followed by Klinnert with 261. The junior duo will lead what should be a tough front line for the Bears.

The Swift duo led the Bears in blocks last season. Lauren compiled 188 while Regan earned 125.

Hines was also crucial for the Bears in digs, leading the team with 461 digs Junior Anna Youngs returns for the Bears’ after leading the team in total serves and aces last season. Along with Youngs, fellow junior Shelby Luxton also returns. Luxton compiled 429 serves last season with 55 aces and a 97 percent serving percentage.

Top setter Olivia Hansen returns for her senior campaign after leading the team in assists last season, followed by Luxton.

The Bears have opened the season with wins over Lovett and 7A’s Forsyth Central.

Cross Country schedule* * Some schools did not have a finalized schedule at time of press.

Alpharetta 8/20 Atlanta Classic Meet 8/27 Bob Blastow Meet 9/10 Covered Bridge Meet 9/17 Fulton County Championships Meet 9/24 Wingfoot XC Classic Meet 10/4 Cass Invitational 10/8-10 Disney Cross Country Classic 10/15 Coach Wood Meet 10/29 Region Championship Meet 11/5 GHSA State Championship Meet

Centennial 8/11 Wesleyan Invitational 9/10 Covered Bridge Meet 9/17 Fulton County Meet 9/24 Wingfoot XC Classic Meet 10/4 Cass Invitational 10/8-10 Disney Invitational

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 27 TBD Sharptop Invitational 10/29 Region 7 AAAAAA Meet

10/7-8 Furman/Gene Invitational 10/15 Coach Wood Invitational 10/22 Area Meet

9/17 9/24 10/15 10/22

8/27 Bob Blastow Invitational 9/10 Covered Bridge Invitational 9/24 Wingfoot Classic 10/1 Bronco Classic 10/8 Asics Alexander Invitational 10/22 Area Meet

North Forsyth

Blessed Trinity

8/20 Pickens Preview 8/30 War Eagle Invitational 9/3 Berry College Clara Bowl 9/10 Covered Bridge Invitational 9/13 West Hall Invitational 9/17 Warpath Invitational 10/8 Asics Alexander Invitational 10/15 Sharptop Invitational 10/22 Region Meet

8/20 Our Lady of Mercy Invitational 9/3 Berry College 9/17 Milton High 9/24 Sam Smith Park 10/1 Blessed Trinity 10/8 Fox Hall Farms 10/15 Gainesville College 10/26 Unicoi State Park

South Forsyth

8/20 Our Lady of Mercy Invitational 8/27 Bob Blastow Invitational 9/10 Covered Bridge Invitational 9/14 Dual-meet (North Cobb Christian) 9/17 Warpath Invitational 9/22 Tri-team meet (St. Francis) 9/24 Wingfoot Classic 10/1 Darlington Festival 10/5 Wesleyan Invitational 10/22 Last Chance Invitational 10/27 Region Meet

Forsyth Central

Johns Creek 8/20 Pickens Preview 8/27 Bob Blastow Invitational 9/10 Covered Bridge Invitational 9/17 Fulton County Championships 10/8 Disney Cross Country Classic 10/15 Sharptop Invitational 10/26 Region Meet

Milton 8/20 ATL Classic 8/27 Bob Blastow Invitational 9/10 Double Dip Invitational 9/17 Fulton County Championships 9/24 Wingfoot Invitational

8/20 8/27 9/10 9/17 9/24 10/1 10/6 10/15 10/22

Picken Preview Bob Blastow Invitational Marist Double Dip Warpath Invitational Wingfoot Invitational Wendy’s Invitational Mountain Invitational Coach Wood Meet Area Meet

West Forsyth 8/20 Pickens Preview 8/26-28 Providence Invite 9/10 Marist Double Dip

Warpath Invitational ATC Wingfoot Coach Wood Invite Region Meet

Fellowship Christian

King’s Ridge 8/22 Mercy Invitational 9/19 Fulton County Championships 9/24 Tri-team meet (St. Francis) 9/26 Darlington XC Festival 10/10 Asics Alexander Invitational 10/29 Region Meet

Mount Pisgah 8/27 Saucony Battle of Atlanta 9/17 Warpath Invitational 9/24 Aubrae Gunderson Invitational 10/1 Darlington Invitational 10/15 Sharptop Invitational 10/26 Area Meet

St. Francis 8/19 Battle of the Fairways 8/25 Weber Race 8/30 War Eagle Classic 9/13 West Hall Invitational 9/17 Fulton County Championships 10/1 Darlington Invitational 10/13 Area Preview 10/15 Dyslexia Dash 10/22 Last Chance Meet 10/27 Region Meet

28 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Volleyball schedule Alpharetta 8/30 Greater Atlanta Christian 8/30 Chattahoochee 9/1 @Norcross 9/7 Our Lady of Mercy 9/13 Dunwoody 9/22 River Ridge 9/27 @Centennial 9/27 Chattahoochee 9/29 Milton

Cambridge 8/23 East Coweta (At Norcross) 8/23 @Norcross 8/25 @Milton 8/25 @Walton (At Milton) 8/30 @Dunwoody 9/1 @North Gwinnett (At North Forsyth) 9/1 @North Forsyth 9/6 @North Atlanta (At Alpharetta) 9/6 @Alpharetta 9/8 @South Forsyth 9/8 @Brookwood (At South Forsyth) 9/13 @Centennial (At Johns Creek) 9/13 @Johns Creek 9/15 Johns Creek 9/15 Roswell 9/20 Chattahoochee 9/20 Northview 9/22 Harrison 9/22 North Forsyth 9/29 Lassiter

Centennial 8/16 @South Forsyth 8/18 @Norcross 8/18 @Greater Atlanta Christian 8/23 @Galloway 8/23 @Langston Hughes 8/25 @Fellowship Christian 8/25 @West Forsyth 8/30 North Springs 9/1 Lambert 9/1 Galloway 9/6 Pope 9/6 Northview 9/8 @Parkview 9/8 @Mill Creek 9/13 @Johns Creek 9/13 @Cambridge 9/15 @Hillgrove 9/15 @River Ridge 9/17 @Chattahoochee 9/20 @Dunwoody 9/20 @North Atlanta 9/22 @Lambert

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section

9/22 @Northview 9/27 Alpharetta 9/27 Chattahoochee 9/29 @Lanier 9/29 @Norcross

Chattahoochee 8/18 Woodstock 8/18 West Forsyth 8/23 Lambert 8/23 Chamblee 8/24 @St. Pius X 8/30 @Alpharetta 8/30 @Greater Atlanta Christian (At Alpharetta) 9/1 @Roswell 9/1 @Milton (At Roswell) 9/6 Johns Creek 9/6 Dunwoody 9/8 @Blessed Trinity 9/13 @Pope 9/13 @North Atlanta (At Pope) 9/17 @Roswell 9/20 @Cambridge 9/20 @Northview (At Cambridge) 9/22 Milton 9/22 Marist 9/27 @Alpharetta 9/27 @Centennial (At Alpharetta) 9/30 @Blessed Trinity

Forsyth Central 8/18 @Mill Creek 8/23 @Collins Hill (At Duluth) 8/23 @Duluth 8/25 @Pinecrest 8/27 @Pace Academy 8/30 South Forsyth 8/30 North Forsyth 9/6 @Mountain View (At Peachtree Ridge) 9/6 @Peachtree Ridge 9/13 @Blessed Trinity (At West Forsyth) 9/13 @West Forsyth 9/15 @West Hall 9/20 @Lambert (At Milton) 9/20 @Milton 9/27 East Coweta

Johns Creek 8/18 @Sequoyah 8/18 @River Ridge (At Sequoyah) 8/23 @Starrs Mill 8/23 @Columbus (At Starrs Mill) 8/25 Blessed Trinity 8/25 Buford 8/30 Chamblee 8/30 FCS 8/30 North Oconee 9/1 @St. Pius X 9/1 @Decatur (At St. Pius X) 9/6 @Chattahoochee 9/6 @Dunwoody

(At Chattahoochee) 9/8 @Norcross 9/8 @Milton (At Norcross) 9/13 Centennial 9/13 Cambridge 9/15 @Roswell (At Cambridge) 9/15 @Cambridge 9/20 @Alpharetta (At Pope) 9/20 @Pope 9/22 @South Forsyth 9/27 @Northview (At North Atlanta) 9/27 @North Atlanta 9/29 Lambert

Lambert 8/18 Alpharetta 8/18 Cambridge 8/23 @Chattahoochee 8/23 @Chamblee (At Chattahoochee) 8/25 Norcross 8/25 Mill Creek 8/30 West Forsyth 8/30 Milton 9/1 @Centennial 9/1 @Galloway (At Centennial) 9/8 Lassiter 9/13 @North Forsyth 9/15 @Alpharetta 9/20 @Forsyth Central (At Milton) 9/20 @South Forsyth (At Milton) 9/22 Centennial 9/22 Northview 9/29 @Johns Creek

Milton 8/18 @Pope 8/18 @North Cobb (At Pope) 8/25 Cambridge 8/25 Walton 8/30 @West Forsyth ( At Lambert) 8/30 @Lambert 9/1 @Roswell 9/1 @Northview (At Roswell) 9/8 @Johns Creek (At Norcross) 9/8 @Norcross 9/13 @South Forsyth 9/15 @St. Francis 9/20 North Forsyth 9/20 Forsyth Central 9/22 @Chattahoochee 9/22 @Marist (At Chattahoochee) 9/27 @Creekview 9/29 @Alpharetta 9/29 @Galloway (At Alpharetta)

North Forsyth 8/20 @Pinecrest (At West Forsyth) 8/20 @Forsyth Central (At West Forsyth) 8/20 @Stratford Academy (At West Forsyth)

8/23 @Pinecrest 8/23 @Clarke Central (At Pinecrest) 8/25 @King’s Ridge 8/25 @Fideles Christian (At Kings’ Ridge) 8/30 @South Forsyth (At Forsyth Central) 8/30 @Forsyth Central 9/6 West Hall 9/6 Dawson County 9/8 @Northview 9/8 @Peachtree Ridge (At Northview) 9/13 Lambert 9/15 North Hall 9/15 Pinecrest 9/20 @Milton 9/20 @West Forsyth (At Milton) 9/22 @Harrison (At Cambridge) 9/22 @Cambridge

Roswell 8/23 Etowah 8/25 @Alpharetta 8/25 @Woodstock (At Alpharetta) 8/30 @Woodstock 9/1 Chattahoochee 9/1 Northview 9/1 Milton 9/7 Lassiter 9/8 @Riverwood (At River Ridge) 9/8 @River Ridge 9/10 @North Cobb 9/13 Walton 9/15 @Johns Creek (At Cambridge) 9/15 @Cambridge 9/20 @Wheeler 9/22 Alpharetta 9/22 River Ridge 9/27 @Cherokee 9/29 @Harrison

South Forsyth 8/23 @Alpharetta 8/25 @Cambridge 8/30 @Forsyth Central 8/30 @North Forsyth (At Forsyth Central) 9/1 Mill Creek 9/8 Cambridge 9/8 Brookwood 9/13 Milton 9/15 Alpharetta 9/20 @West Forsyth (At Milton) 9/20 @Lambert (At Milton) 9/22 Johns Creek 9/29 @Buford 9/29 @Athens Academy (At Buford)

West Forsyth 8/18 @Roswell (At Chattahoochee)

8/18 @Chattahoochee 8/23 North Cobb 8/25 FCS 8/25 Centennial 8/30 @Lambert 9/6 @North Hall 9/8 Hillgrove 9/13 Blessed Trinity 9/13 Forsyth Central 9/15 @Dunwoody 9/20 @North Forsyth 9/22 Harris County 9/29 @Lovett

Blessed Trinity * Denotes games played at Oak Ridge High School (TN) ** Denotes games played at Huntsville High School (AL) 8/16 Cambridge 8/16 St. Pius X 8/19 Clinton (TN)* 8/19 Maryville (TN)* 8/19 Stone Memorial (TN)* 8/25 @Johns Creek High School 8/25 Buford High School (At Johns Creek) 8/27 South Forsyth 8/30 Decatur High School (At Westminster) 8/30 @Westminster 9/2 Guntersville (AL)** 9/2 Hoover High School (AL)** 9/2 Hazel Green High School (AL)*** 9/8 Chattahoochee 9/8 North Springs 9/13 @West Forsyth 9/13 @Forsyth Central (At West Forsyth) 9/15 @Lovett School 9/15 @Creekview (At Lovett School) 9/20 Marist 9/20 Chestatee 9/22 Baylor High School (TN) 9/22 Woodward Academy 9/27 @West Hall 9/27 @White County (At West Hall)

Fellowship Christian

8/18 @River Ridge 8/18 @Sequoyah (At River Ridge) 8/20 TBD 8/25 @West Forsyth 8/25 @Centennial (At West Forsyth) 9/6 King’s Ridge 9/6 Mt. Pisgah 9/8 Cherokee 9/8 Mt. Pisgah 9/9 TBD (River City Rumble, Chattanooga, TN) 9/13 @Mt. Vernon 9/13 Holy Innocents’ (At Mt. Vernon)

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 29

9/15 @Milton (At St. Francis) 9/15 @St. Francis 9/20 @Pinecrest (At Whitefield) 9/20 @Whitefield 9/22 Lovett School 9/22 South Paulding 9/27 King’s Ridge 9/27 Walker 9/29 @Greater Atlanta Christian

King’s Ridge 8/23 @Weber 8/25 North Forsyth 8/25 Fideles 8/30 Walker 8/30 St. Francis 9/1 Pace 9/1 Chestatee 9/6 @FCS 9/6 @Mt. Pisgah (At FCS) 9/10 @Loganville Christian (At Providence) 9/10 @Killian Hill (At Providence) 9/10 @Pinecrest (At Providence) 9/10 @Providence 9/13 @Pinecrest 9/13 @St. Francis (At Pinecrest) 9/15 @Etowah (At Kennesaw Mountain) 9/15 @Kennesaw Mountain 9/20 Mt. Bethel 9/22 Weber 9/22 Chamblee 9/27 @FCS 9/27 @Walker (At FCS) 9/29 @North Gwinnett 9/29 @North Springs (At North Gwinnett)

Mount Pisgah 8/20 Darlington 8/20 Savannah Christian 8/20 St. Vincent’s 8/20 Athens Academy 8/23 Marist 8/23 Dunwoody 8/24 Holy Innocents Episcopal 8/24 Mount Vernon Presbyterian 8/30 Whitefield Academy 8/30 Pinecrest Academy 9/1 @Whitefield Academy 9/1 @The Weber School (At Whitefield) 9/6 @King’s Ridge Christian 9/6 @Fellowship Christian 9/8 @Cherokee (At FCS) 9/8 @Fellowship Christian 9/10 @Providence Christian 9/10 Walnut Grove (At Providence Christian) 9/20 Walker 9/20 St. Francis 9/22 @Holy Innocents Episcopal 9/26 Lovett

New volleyball areas, softball regions open more playoff spots Local schools have better statistical chance of playoff berths

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. — The Georgia High School Association’s new area and region assignments will give area volleyball and softball teams less competition for playoff spots after the reclassification of 48 schools into Class 7A. All local volleyball teams now compete in smaller areas. Yet, many of these areas will still be awarded the same amount of state playoff spots.

Roswell and Milton, who competed in Area 6 of Class 6A last season, competed against eight other teams for the five available playoff spots. For 2016, Roswell is now in Area 4 of Class 7A, where five playoff spots will be up for grabs in an

area of only six teams.

The teams of Area 5 in Class 7A also see their statistical chances of making the playoffs improve.

Milton, South Forsyth, West Forsyth, North Forsyth, Forsyth Central and Lambert, the teams making up Area 5, will compete for four playoff spots. Last year, Milton was one of nine teams competing for five spots, while West, North, South and Lambert were in an area of 10 teams competing for five spots.

Forsyth Central, which moves up two classifications to 7A, sees the biggest increase in its likelihood to make the playoffs. The Bulldogs competed in an Area of 13 teams last season, with just the top five being awarded playoff spots. Cambridge, which makes the transition to 7A from the same area as Forsyth Central, will also have a better chance of securing a playoff berth.

Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Northview, Chattahoochee and Centennial saw the lowest increase in statistical chances of

making the playoffs. For these teams, their area will still award five playoff spots from nine teams, down from 10 teams in 2015.

Blessed Trinity, last year’s state champion in Class 3A, moves to Area 7 of Class 4A, composed of five teams, four of which will make the playoffs.

The five local private schools, Pinecrest Academy, King’s Ridge, Mt. Pisgah, FCS and St. Francis, will go from an area of nine teams competing for four playoff spots to this year’s Area 6, which will award four playoff spots to the area’s seven teams.

In softball, each region will award four playoff spots, which plays to the advantage of those teams who were placed in 7A. Milton, Roswell and all five Forsyth County teams have been realigned to regions with fewer teams, where the four playoff spots will still be up for grabs.

For local private schools, the Power Ratings system will still determine playoff berths in softball.

30 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Fall Sports Preview • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 31

Over my time in the community I’ve seen businesses get established, grow and really take off. It’s been exciting to be part of that ride.

Jason Mock 31 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016

Mock departs Forsyth chamber Director of Small Business Services moves to Texas

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Jason Mock is ready for his next challenge.

The director of Small Businesses Services for the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce has accepted a new job. He soon will be known as president and CEO of the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce in Texas. His last day with Forsyth is Aug. 31.

“It’s a great opportunity but will be a little bit of a challenge,” he said. “I’m a bit nervous about leaving Georgia, but really I’m excited about it.”

Mock, who has been with the Forsyth Chamber since February 2010, has spent most of his life in Georgia.

His career started in politics working on various Republican campaigns throughout the state until his current job position opened.

“To be honest, we didn’t know how long I would be here,” he said. “I got into it not really knowing what the Chamber was all about.”

But over the years, he said he’s learned a lot.

“It’s been a fun ride,” Mock said.

“It’s been a good experience. I’ve been blessed to be in a great community that has helped me get to where I am today.”

Chamber President James McCoy

Jason Mock leaves the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce after nearly seven years as director of small business services.

The CummingForsyth County Chamber of Commerce

said, during Mock’s time, he “built the Small Businesses Services Committee into a meaningful and effective resource for over 3,000 small businesses in our community.

“He developed that committee into what is now known as the Business

Advancement Resource,” McCoy said.

“He helped small business owners work through the challenges of owning and growing a small business – which helped to create millions of dollars in new capital investment in our community and hundreds of new jobs.”

Mock credits the Chamber for encouraging business growth and development. He said he believes the work he and the rest of his staff were able to do for the county has played a part in the boom of Forsyth.

“The county has grown right before my eyes,” he said. “Over my time in the community I’ve seen businesses get established, grow and really take off. It’s been exciting to be part of that ride.”

His favorite parts of his job have been witnessing businesses start from the bottom and then flourish and thrive in the local community. And all his experience in Forsyth, the nation’s 11th fastest growing county, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, will help him succeed in San Marcos, another flourishing community.

“It has some similar characteristics to Forsyth County,” he said. “It’s got a lot of opportunities. There are a lot of great aspects to the community that I’m looking forward to.”

Some of those include Texas State University, the Blanco River and San Marcos River.

However even with all the positives to look forward to, Mock regrets leaving his home state.

“I will miss Georgia,” he said. “Georgia will always be part of my life. This is where I was born and raised. But I’m excited about the opportunity that lies ahead of me. I will be able to take on the challenge of running a chamber and managing the staff, working with the board and the community to help them grow and built their organization to the next level.”

32 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

BUSINESSPOSTS

North Fulton, Forsyth home values up almost 8% For a city chartered in 1870 and being relatively close to the perimeter, Norcross has not grown as much as its suburban neighbors, either in size or population.

But this charmGeoff smith ing rail-based Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com downtown has for a long time attracted outsiders. And city officials are doubling-down on that charm with a request for proposal that looks to turn almost seven key downtown acres into its new “urban center.”

Norcross’s historic downtown stretches along a rail line that also runs north through Duluth, Suwanee and Buford. The city was actually thought of as “Atlanta’s Summer Resort” back in the late 1800s, and a commuter rail ran on the line back and forth carrying visitors to and from Atlanta, according to the city’s official website. The old buildings that sit along the line today house shops and some longstanding restaurants. And here’s a fun fact: the Eastern Continental Divide runs through the center of town between the buildings and its Thrasher Park located just across the tracks.

While the city has developed a couple of very attractive parks, there has been little in the way of commercial development. This new project looks to piggy-back on the construction of a new Gwinnett County library.

The project includes a total of about 6.8 acres of land at two corners of the Lillian Webb Park. One section sits at the northwestern corner of Holcomb Bridge Road and Buford Highway. City officials are calling this the new “gateway” to the city. The project includes two new parking decks and three- and four-story multi-use buildings that would include retail, office

and residential.

A rezoning for these uses was approved with conditions last fall. The property is owned

by Norcross’s downtown development authority and sits within a tax allocation district that was created in April of last year. The district collects taxes from businesses within that district with the extra funds being used to “improve economic and social conditions within” that area. The deadline for the RFP is Sept. 2, whereby the city will begin the process of choosing a developer for the site.

Just up the rail line from Norcross, Duluth and Suwanee underwent significant changes to their downtowns over the last 20 years. Suwanee actually built a downtown district on about 20 acres that at the time were woods. That successful project added multi-story buildings surrounding a huge park. I actually met with then Mayor Nick Masino, who I think was in his early 30s. He pointed out to me the woods and told me of their grand plans. Suwanee really didn’t have a downtown at the time. There was an old rail car, and that was about it. It seemed a bit far-fetched at the time.

Masino and the city got the project built. It is successful, and he is now senior vice president of economic development and partnership at the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce. It appears they knew what they were doing.

Duluth took advantage of a huge park and enticed developers to build multi-story around it. It, too, has been a successful project for the city.

While Norcross’s plan is not as large in scale as either of those two, it will be just as transformative for the small city of about 16,000 people.

Suburban cities all around Atlanta are competing to create walkable, downtown centers to meet the needs of existing and potential residents. The City of Roswell’s downtown development authority recently purchased the old Southern Skillet shopping center along Ga 9 in its city center. They are preparing a request for proposal for a project that could include multiple five-story buildings and turn the old Frazier Street into another Canton Street-like corridor.

Geoff Smith, gsmith@lendtheway.com 770-674-1433, Personal: NMLS#104587 Business: NMLS#70876 *The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Assurance Financial Group

Using email to market your small business Are you using Email marketing to keep in touch with your current customers? Do you use Email marketing as a means to attract new customers? If not, you may not be on an even playdick jones ing field with your Founder & President Jones Simply Sales competitors who are.

Today, 94% of Internet users between the ages of 18-64 send or read Email. It is also far more cost effective than direct mail, which costs 20 times as much as sending an Email.

There are a lot of options to set up an Email marketing system for your business. Determining how many emails you will send, when you send them, and the type of information you include is a good starting point. You also need to make sure you are meeting your audience’s expectations by providing relevant content on topics they are interested in.

The Can-Spam Act of 2003 established the first national standard requiring any electronic mail message, whose primary purpose is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a product or service, to be compliant with the law.

This means Emails can only be sent to those who have “opted in,” or given you permission.

There are many Email marketing systems available with very affordable prices for small businesses. They have easy to use templates to communicate your marketing message, include pictures of your products, and create links to your web site and social media pages.

In today’s digital marketplace, having an Email marketing capability is a proven approach to helping a small business grow sales.

BUSINESSBRIEFS

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Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects wins national award ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects, based in Alpharetta, has been awarded a national design award for their work on the Cobb County Health Services Center. The project was awarded a Bronze Metal Award in the healthcare category of the national 2016 Brick in Architecture Awards from the Brick Industry Association.

Over 100 of the country’s most visionary projects incorporating fired-clay brick were judged in the competition.

“These winners demonstrate the

best of brick’s aesthetic flexibility, and as a material made from abundant natural resources, it’s a perfect strategy in sustainable design,” said Ray Leonhard, BIA’s president and CEO. Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects provided full architectural and interior design services for the new two–story, 43,042-SF Cobb County Behavioral Health Center. The facility will provide stabilization and walk-in services for adults experience behavioral healthcare issues.

The safety-net facility will house

Keller Williams welcomes new member FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — David Evans has joined as the newest member of Keller Williams Community Partners in Cumming.

Evans is an avid real estate investor from New Jersey and Pennsylvania with significant corporate and international entrepreneurial experience. He finally settled in Georgia with his family in early Evans 2015, and said he is looking to build on his personal past success with real estate by helping others sell their home.

He comes to the firm from Keller Williams First Atlanta in Sandy Springs to consolidate his real estate network in the northern Atlanta suburbs and continually improve how he serves the community he lives in.

Evans said he strongly believes in building relationships based on trust and credibility over time and letting the business develop naturally from there. This belief was the inspiration for his motto, “Getting results with integrity”.

White receives national award from Northwestern Mutual MILWAUKEE, Wis. — John White Jr., a Northwestern Mutual District Director based in Alpharetta, Ga., recently received the company’s “Top Producer 2016” award based on an outstanding year of helping clients achieve financial security.

“While Americans’ financial anxieties are trending up, finanWhite cial experts like John are helping people to live life differently,” said Northwestern Mutual President Greg Oberland. “Through a personalized plan that addresses clients’ complete financial pictures, our financial advisors help people build and protect wealth, enabling them to live with confidence.”

Northwestern Mutual’s “2016 Planning and Progress Study” revealed that 85 percent of Americans feel financial anxiety today, and 36 percent said their anxiety has gone up in the last three years, versus only 14 percent who say it’s gone down. More than a quarter of Americans worry

three programs under one roof: a 24-bed stabilization unit with four additional transition beds, a 23-hour observation level program and a 24/7 clinically staffed walk-in center.

The new program is a testament to Georgia’s commitment to expanding essential community based services in local communities. Funded by the Department of Behavioral Healthcare and Development Disabilities, the new center will serve thousands of citizens in need of immediate mental health, or addiction treatment services.

about their finances every day.

Northwestern Mutual recognized White Jr. at its 136th Annual Meeting event in July, held in Milwaukee, Wis. White Jr. joined an exclusive group of financial professionals across the country who has achieved this recognition.

13 area physicians receive medical awards ATLANTA — Thirteen local physicians from Resurgens Orthopaedics, Georgia’s largest orthopaedic practice, were honored July 7 with awards for their medical performance both locally and nationally.

Dr. Douglas Lundy, Resurgens Orthopaedics’ Co-President, said the practice is honored to have so Holliger many of its physicians recognized this year. “It’s extremely gratifying to be recognized by our medical peers as a practice that provides its patients with an exceptional level of care,” Lundy said. “Our physicians — both those honored as Top Doctors and those who are not — consistently demonstrate their commitment to excellence through their outstanding individualized patient care. We value Satterwhite our role in the Atlanta community and take great pride in our ability to empower our patients to return to the lives they had before they visited us.”

The 2016 list of top doctors in Atlanta magazine’s July issue named doctors Erroll Bailey, Tapan Daftari, Evander Fogle, Edward Holliger IV, Robert Kelly, Scott Kelly, Douglas Lundy, Milan Patel, Byron Rosenstein, Yvonne Satterwhite and Steven Wertheim. Doctors Roderica Cottrell and Robert Greenfield were also included in the prestigious physician listing by Castle Connolly healthcare research company.

Holliger practices at Resurgens’ Cumming and Roswell offices. His areas of expertise include surgery of the hand and upper extremity. He has been honored as a top doctor by Atlanta magazine for five consecutive years.

Satterwhite practices at Resurgens’ Johns Creek office. Her areas of expertise include general orthopaedics, sports medicine, surgery of

Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects is recognized nationally its their project design of the Cobb County Health Services Center.

the shoulder, knee and elbow, and arthroscopic surgery. She has been honored as a top doctor by Atlanta magazine for six consecutive years.

For information on Resurgens Orthopaedics, visit resurgens.com.

O’Dwyer Homes welcomes two new home specialists ROSWELL, Ga. — O’Dwyer Homes is excited to welcome a new home specialist to their team.

Gloria Merrill has joined and is working at Chantrell in Roswell and The Bluffs at Jamerson in East Cobb. Merrill has held her real estate license for thirty years and has enjoyed success in the field, where she has sold out many new home communities in the East Cobb area. She has won numerous awards over the years. Some of these honors include the Atlanta Board of Realtor’s 5 million dollar club, Prudential Real Estate “President’s Circle,” Communities Magazine Top 100 New Home Agents in Atlanta and Atlanta Home Builders Sales and Marketing “Gold Circle Award for 7 Million in Sales.”

Gloria has sold new homes exclusively and got her start in condos. She has represented major home builders in the metro Atlanta area and has marketed numerous new home communities that have won “Obies” over the years.

For more information on O’Dwyer Homes, visit odwyerhomes.com.

Mars Petcare supports hundreds of homeless pets FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — On Aug. 2, Mars Petcare U.S. donated $12,000 worth of dog and cat food to the 400 animals in shelters supported by the Humane Society of Forsyth County.

This donation comes as part of the company’s commercial team’s annual “Commercial Capability Week” meetings and events.

Mars Petcare’s passion for pets is rooted in its deep history as part of Mars, Inc., a private, family-owned business. In the last year alone, Mars Petcare and its Associates’ giving efforts in the U.S. resulted in: • Donating nearly 13,000 hours of time, • Helping more than 38,000 pets, • Donating more than 11 million pounds of petfood, • Giving of in-kind and actual donations worth nearly $5 million.

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CALENDAR

CALENDAR

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SPORTS

Cambridge hosts preseason scrimmages North Fulton vs. South Fulton teams square off to open season

By MILES GARRETT news@northfulton.com MILTON, Ga. — High school football in Fulton County has officially kicked off!

Cambridge High School hosted the Fulton County Gridiron Challenge preseason scrimmage Saturday Aug. 13 that included eight different teams.

Cambridge, Milton High School and Northview High School were among those that played in the scrimmages.

South Fulton came out victorious, winning three of the four matchups with Northview being the sole North Fulton winner against Banneker High School. This is the first year the event has taken place for teams within Fulton County.

“I think everyone has been really excited about it,” said Steven Craft, ath-

letic director for Fulton County Schools.

“It’s a great opportunity for all of our Fulton schools to compete against each other. It really showcased our district as a whole, and I think that’s the greatest thing about it.”

The scrimmage hosted a plethora of college scouts who surveyed individual players in the event, adding a platform for some of the athletes to showcase their skills before the regular season starts.

Next year, the scrimmages will take place at a South Fulton school.

“It wasn’t so much a north-south challenge for us but it was all Fulton,” Craft said. “We wanted to make this a true Fulton event.”

As for the teams playing in the preseason matchups, Cambridge and Milton received good measuring points for where they stand with games against Creekside High School and Westlake High School.

Creekside comes into the season regarded as one of the top-10 teams in Georgia, whereas Westlake has many highly-touted recruits on both sides of the ball.

Cambridge vs Creekside in the 7:30 p.m. game.

Both Milton coach Howie DeCristofaro and Cambridge coach Craig Bennett described the games as providing their teams with areas to focus on before the regular season starts and see where pros and cons lie.

“I think the defense played great,” DeCristofaro said. “In a game like this, you just want to see where you’re at.

I think we’ll get better and we have a chance to be pretty good this year.”

Bennett added that while he was impressed with his team’s performance, there are plenty of areas to improve upon.

“We have a lot to correct and a lot to work on,” he said. “This group is young and we have to get them to believe that they can play with some teams, and I

MILES GARRETT/HERALD

think this game showed them that. We got a step closer to that tonight.”

The event also brought forth hundreds in the community as the stadium was filled nearly to capacity the entire day.

Parents, alumni and students packed the stands to watch the teams play to conclude Fulton County’s first official week of school.

Playing host to the event, Cambridge students had a themed “jersey night” where most students came to the scrimmage wearing jerseys as they cheered on the Bears.

“It’s cool to see the team come out so that we can support them before the regular season starts,” said senior Max Fleming. “It’s a good preview for what’s

MILES GARRETT/HERALD

SPORTS

Milton vs Westlake in the 5:00 p.m. game. going to happen this season, and we get to have all of our friends out here so it’s always a great time.”

Some students came from other schools that were not even participating in the scrimmage. Kings Ridge senior Sean Lake voiced his admiration of high school football through North Fulton’s platform, “I love seeing the Friday night

MILES GARRETT/HERALD

lights and seeing the players come back out here in a packed stadium,” he said.

“It was a lot of fun.”

Milton will officially start its regular season this Friday, Aug. 19 at Alpharetta High School. Cambridge will host Creekview High School Aug. 26.

Milton and Cambridge will meet for the first time Sept. 2 at Milton.

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COMMUNITY

Roswell Sculpture Tour showcases Avian Milton artist explains process behind public art

Michael Dillon and public art

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@northfulton.com

Avian is not Michael Dillon’s first foray into public art. He began making public art sculptures in 2009 with his work for Firehouse 39 in Charlotte, N.C. Named Fire Bird, the permanent sculpture has two vertical and one horizontal wind-activated movements.

ROSWELL, Ga. — Residents curious about all the new public artworks popping up in Roswell’s parks got a peak behind the scenes Aug. 12 when artist Michael Dillon talked about his sculpture Avian.

Part of the city’s first sculpture tour initiative, Avian is one of 10 sculptures in the city’s seven parks. It is a 12-foot tall bronze and iron wing currently overlooking the lake at Roswell Area Park. Like many of Dillon’s works, Avian is a kinetic sculpture.

The wing rotates and moves with the wind and as visitors interact with the piece.

“I think it’s important to have that movement in my work,” Dillon said. “It just gives the work a personality that you don’t get in a piece that stays in one place. If I’m able to entice someone to move the work or interact with the work, it’s a better form of communication between the sculpture and the viewer.”

Each of the feathers that make up the giant wing was crafted and pressed individually before it was attached. This process of developing an idea for a work like Avian and molding the material is the most exciting part for him, Dillon said.

Before creating a large, 12-foot sculpture, Dillon first creates a smaller model with the same materials. The models, typically only a couple of feet tall, act as a kind of Avian, a moveable sculpture sketch for the created by Michael Dillon, will final piece. They stand in Roswell Area Park until also help him December. identify and iron

He’s since built pieces throughout the American Southeast, including Tennessee and Georgia.

Milton houses one of his permanent works, Victory, in Bell Memorial Park. The 12-foot-tall statue depicts a winged figure that is the city of Milton’s first piece of public art. With no real front or back, Victory depicts different emotions from different angles, said Dillon. It can show a triumphant or introspective victory depending on the visitor’s point of view.

Dillon lives in Milton. He owns and operates his own blacksmith shop, Dillon’s Forge, in Crabapple.

Michael Dillon explains his vision for Victory, a permanent sculpture in Milton, using a model of the work. out any problems he might encounter with the shapes at a smaller scale, instead of struggling with them in the bigger piece. These models may not mirror the final piece exactly, but they provide a tangible basis for the work that other methods might not provide.

“A lot of artists these days are doing fly-through renderings or computer animations of their artwork,” Dillon said. “For me I really feel like working with the material is the best option. It helps me understand the form and understand how to build it.”

Every sculpture Dillon creates starts as a rigid and linear piece of metal, typically iron, bronze, aluminum or stainless steel. He then heats the metal in his own Crabapple-based blacksmith shop to make it more malleable.

“Bronze is actually one of my favorites to work with,” Dillon said. “It’s just a beautiful material and it forges wonderfully. It’s softer than iron when you get it hot and it melts so well.”

The heated metal can then be molded into the

To contact Dillon or learn about his work, visit dillonforge.com.

more fluid shapes that many of Dillon’s works display. A lot of these pieces, like Avian, are inspired by flight or birds.

Avian, along with the other nine sculptures in Roswell’s Sculpture Tour, are not permanent fixtures.

They will only be on display until December, unless they are bought. New ones will be on display next year.

“The Roswell Arts Fund is committed to raising funds to at least purchase one, so one will definitely stay,” said Roswell Arts Fund Executive Director Amy Gates.

This year, the group has set its sights on purchasing Smoke by Marc Moulton, which is currently located at Roswell Square. These funds will be raised through events like the Roswell Wine Festival in October or through donations.

To learn about the Sculpture Tour and to make donations, visit artaroundroswell.com.

COMMUNITY

Alpharetta Rotarians Jerry Urmanski, left, and William Perkins welcome members of the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron

Alpharetta Rotarians support local USO ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The Rotary club of Alpharetta has a long standing commitment to support the U.S. military.

As part of a quarterly effort, several members of the club went Aug. 4 to the United Services Organization (USO) in Atlant.

Each year this service project has been coordinated by Rotarian William Perkins.

During the day the Rotarians interacted with and assisted military service members that were passing through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Club members served lunch to more than 75 soldiers, which included traditional southern barbecue with all the trimmings.

While at the airport the Rotarians were part of a special surprise, welcoming home members of the 283rd Combat Communications group of The Georgia Air National Guard and their commander Lt. Col. Monica Smith.

The unit is based at Dobbins Air Force base in Marietta. It was a memorable moment as families, friends and fellow airmen were reunited. Especially touching was seeing young families brought back together, since the 283rd had been on a 4-month deployment.

“It is an honor to support the men and women of our military and, we recognize the sacrifices that they make for our Nation,” said Jason Binder, Alpharetta Rotary Club President.

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COMMUNITY

Marian Norman Bagwell dies at 101 Teacher, wife, mother, lover of music and gardening ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Marian Norman Bagwell of Alpharetta died peacefully Aug. 9, 2016 at the age of 101.

Mrs. Bagwell was born to Nancy Shell Norman and Clifford Pierce Norman Oct. 17, 1914, in the historic Norman House on Cumming Street in Alpharetta. After graduating from Milton High School in 1931, she attended LaGrange College in LaGrange, Ga., where her mother also graduated in 1902 to become the first teacher in Milton County with a college degree.

At LaGrange College she was president of her sorority, member of the glee club, president of the International Relations Club, and a member of the May Court each year. After graduation in 1935, with her B.S. in Music and Elementary Education, she began teaching music privately prior to beginning her first teaching job at Northwestern Elementary School in Crabapple.

On Dec. 27, 1939, she became the first bride to be married in the Chapel of the First United Methodist Church of Alpharetta to Hewlett Bagwell. Her

husband’s work in the cotton business took them from Alpharetta to Atlanta, Memphis, Tennessee, Gainesville, Spartanburg, South Carolina., Greenwood, Mississippi and back to Alpharetta upon his retirement in 1975.

Bagwell They had three daughters and eventually saw the birth of 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She enjoyedg many years of gardening, blue-ribbon winning flower arranging, painting, and her love of music.

But she went back to work as director of kindergarten at the First United Methodist Church of Alpharetta. She believed in using music in various ways with children and discovered the more she taught the more she liked teaching.

She retired as director of the school after 20 years in 1994 where she saw the pre-school grow from 20 students to 120. After retirement, she enjoyed her continued involvement at her church and rarely missed a senior event. She also remained active in the LaGrange College Alumni Society, serving as its president and enjoyed her friends with the Alpharetta Garden Club.

Mrs. Bagwell loved traveling visiting a wide range of countries, including Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria.

Upon her 100th birthday, she was honored by the Alpharetta Garden Club and the Alpharetta Historical Society and was presented proclamations by Mayor David Belle Isle, Gov. Nathan Deal and President Barak Obama.

Mrs. Bagwell was also presented a certificate of Lifetime Achievement from the Garden Club of Georgia. She was fond of her friends and the staff at Brickford Senior Living in her later years and appreciated their own celebration of her 100 years.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hewlett and her sisters, Elizabeth Norman and Nelle Cobb Johnson. She is survived by her three daughters, Anita Guy, Nancy Black (Glenn) and Susan Owen (Chris), 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Marian Bagwell was held on Saturday, Aug. 13 at Northside Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, 69 North Main St., Alpharetta, Ga. 30009.

COMMUNITY

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Alpharetta Business Expo to help local high school students School’s FBLA to receive aid in return for helping at Expo ALPHARETTA, GA – For the first time in its four-year history, a portion of the proceeds of this year’s Alpharetta Business Expo, hosted by the Alpharetta Business Association (ABA), will go to a local community cause, the Future Business Leaders of America chapter at Alpharetta High School. In addition to a financial contribution, students will have hands on involvement in the Expo, helping vendors as they setup that morning, helping with registration of attendees, and manning a FBLA table in the Expo.

“We are delighted to invest in our future business leaders in this way,” said John Ray, ABA board member and owner of Ray Business Advisors/ BookKeeping Express. “So many of our members recall sparks they received from early mentors which helped launch their business careers, so giving back through this partnership with Alpharetta High School is rewarding.”

Tom Hatcher, primary faculty advisor and head of AHS’s Career Tech

If you go What: Alpharetta Business Expo When: Friday, Aug. 26 Where: Alpharetta Marriott Hotel

Department agreed.

“ABA’s support of our FBLA chapter is gratifying,” he said. “While we are grateful for the financial support, we are particularly excited to give our students the opportunity to interact and learn from actual owners of businesses in our community.”

Alpharetta High’s FBLA chapter is one of the largest in the state. Continuing a long history of competitive excellence, last year this chapter took 44 competitors to the 2016 National Leadership Conference (NLC) and has won the State Sweepstakes Award for most competitive event wins for the fourth year in a row.

“This contribution continues the tradition of ABA being deeply involved

Reconciliation: Continued from Page 4 gone to jail.’”

“There is fear,” the man said following the meeting.

There were other indications of distrust expressed at the meeting.

At one point close to three dozen people, mostly black, stood up when asked whether they ever felt they were improperly pulled over by police.

More Info: The ABA’s 2016 Alpharetta Business Expo is set, at the. In just its fourth year, the Alpharetta Business Expo has become the premier North Fulton business expo focused on both small business and technology startups.

in the broader Alpharetta community,” Ray said.

He cited the Alpharetta Business Association’s operation and sponsorship of the Alpharetta Farmer’s Market, Brew Moon Fest, the Mayor’s State of the City Address, and its publication of the Alpharetta Guidebook as other examples.

Approximately 80 exhibitors are scheduled to participate, including

As the tension in the room mounted, Mayor Belle Isle told the crowd that he is aware of the widespread problems of police relations in the country. But, he added, he takes full responsibility for police relations and the fair treatment of all individuals within the city limits of Alpharetta.

Director George added that he was surprised that, based on the number of people who felt they were improperly detained by police, he hadn’t heard any complaints.

He implored the attendants to visit the city website, look up his email address, look up his cell phone

eight local food establishments that will provide food for all attendees. The Expo will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with free admission free to the public.

Celebrating Alpharetta’s status as the “Technology City of the South,” ABA will again host a Technology Startup Pitch Showcase featuring some of Alpharetta’s most interesting startups telling their stories and exhibiting their technology.

All Showcase participants will pitch publicly to a panel of coaches at 9 a.m.

After Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle cuts the ribbon at 10:30 a.m. to open the Expo doors, these same startups will be available during the Expo to demonstrate their technologies and answer questions.

Premium sponsors for this year’s Expo include the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Roswell Infiniti of North Atlanta, Morrow Family Medicine, North Fulton Business RadioX, LG Electronics USA, Jekyll Brewing, LGE Community Credit Union, Gwinnett Tech – Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus, Minuteman Press of Alpharetta, Hennessy Transportation, Family Life Publications, WebChimpy, TC Productions and Dramatic Water Solutions.

number and contact him.

“Any time a situation such as that happens, with any of our citizens, I would like to know about that,” he said. “I need to hear that. There will be, I promise you, an immediate internal affairs investigation into any allegations such as that.”

George said he takes community relations seriously.

“I know that we are one bad arrest, one bad shooting away from having 20,000 people in downtown Alpharetta marching,” he said. “Every city in the nation is there. But, I don’t want that to be Alpharetta.”

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Hatcher: Continued from Page 9 the same harassment we read about all over the country.

Now, perhaps it did not happen here. Mayor Belle Isle and Director George assured residents in no uncertain terms that such behaviors are not tolerated in Alpharetta’s Police Department. But when detective Braithwaite, an African-American, explained how to react should they be stopped by police, people listened.

He explained they may feel the officer had no just cause to stop them, but that was not the time to get into an argument.

“You’re not going to settle anything by the side of the road,” he said.

He agreed, it would be proper for a driver to slowly find a well-lit place to stop – but he said don’t drive a mile down the road looking for the right place. He suggested turning on the emergency flashers to acknowledge the stop.

The Rev. Smith, a certified mental health professional, said Congress is only just beginning to recognize the mental health crisis in America and putting it on par with other illnesses.

Assistant DA Thomas is a juvenile court prosecutor and she says she finds many young people in her court with mental health issues. There is no intervention for these young people until it becomes a police/court matter.

How many times do see on television police shootings or near-shootings of people having mental episodes?

Are they on the rise, or is it that every police shooting these days gets media scrutiny?

As I said, it was an eye-opener.

Director George said he had no idea that there was such fear of police in his community.

His pledge was that racial profiling would not be tolerated, nor would disrespect to any citizen.

“Anytime a situation like that happens, I need to know about it,” he said.

“There will be an immediate Internal Affairs investigation. I promise you that.”

And then he gave out his cell phone number.

Mayor Belle Isle stood up and gave his number out as well.

“We need to borrow that term from the Olympics and ‘Dig Deep,” he said.

Even in this community, we must look the problem squarely in the face.

“It’s up to us to identify what’s out

there and to act,” the mayor said. “If people have a grievance, they should come to us. That’s why we signed up.”

After the meeting, George reiterated his shock that so many of those in attendance stood up when asked if police had stopped them because of race.

“The message I want to get out there is if you have been wronged, step forward and we will deal with it,” he said.

Belle Isle said it is a “real issue” in the community and that night he had seen the proof of it. George said he would like to see a meeting like this at every church.

Folks kicked over a rock that evening at St. James United Methodist Church. What was seen was ugly.

George was right, though. That night was only a beginning.

We need to kick over more rocks and expose what lies under to the light.

Hatred, racism, bigotry – they don’t do well in the light of day. Of course the real fear I have is that when I kick over a rock, I’ll see a mirror.

Policing: Continued from Page 17 has seen changes in police work and in the way community relations are maintained. Krokoff has noticed slight differences from when he joined in Feb. 2015 to today in Milton.

“Things have changed here but not as a result of what you’re seeing nationally,” he said. “We make sure that we engage our community. We view them as partners in public safety as opposed to us imposing public safety upon them.”

Milton’s growing diverse population

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is a cause for notice given the racial tensions within the United States. The city is seeing a growing increase in its Asian and African-American population.

Krokoff is used to seeing diverse populations though. He served as police chief in Albany, N.Y., where, he said 25 percent of the population was below the poverty line.

Milton police undergo training that allows them to be aware and sensitive to the different cultures coming into the area.

“There’s a fairly significant diverse population here and it’s only growing,” he said. “We do conduct a lot of diversity training. With each cultural group, you have your own set of cultural norms. It’s important that officers un-

derstand what those norms are so that they can function better.”

Krokoff added, “You have to understand the different values and cultural differences to be able to effectively do your job,” he said. “Without knowledge of the cultural differences, you’re not going to be successful, and that’s the kind of training we’re focusing on.”

Regarding the climate of police relations in the country right now, Krokoff mentioned that it is a constant notice to officers as to the responsibility they carry.

“It’s a stark reminder about the dangers of doing our job,” he said.

“Officers are reminded of their training and remember how vulnerable they truly are out there wearing a uniform.

Right now I’m sure their training is in the forefront of their mind.”

Besides the turmoil taking place in the United States, the Milton community in North Fulton has worked well with the Milton police and has typically been respectful of officers.

Krokoff even mentioned that many of the people officers interact with are carrying guns legally without any dangerous situations occurring.

“We have a very supportive community area,” he said. “If you’re involved in a traffic stop or an officer approaches you, just be respectful and listen to directions. When people communicate well, it’s amazing how well things go.”

A 22-year veteran of the police

46 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 18, 2016 | 47

Classifieds

48 | August 18, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com