Dunwoody’s defense, in blue, pressures South Paulding in the first quarter of the Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic Aug. 15.
Wildcats notch opening win
By HANNAH FRAZER hannah@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA, Ga. —
Dunwoody High School topped South Paulding, 24-7, in the Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic at West Forsyth High School stadium Aug. 15.
The bleachers were a sea of red and blue, as the crowd packed in to show their support for Dunwoody High School. As the game began, the air was filled with the clanging of cowbells and playful banter from the fans.
A loud cheer of “Go Dunwoody!” erupted, signaling the start of the game.
As the first half showcased exciting football, the fans’ support intensified, with
We got the [players] to calm down and do what they do. When they started doing that, they played like they were capable.”
the crowd cheering for their players and shouting frustrations with the referees.
With just eight seconds remaining before the half, Dunwoody led South Paulding High School 14-7. The Wildcats attempted a 40-yard field goal to extend their lead before the break, but the kick fell short.
Undeterred, Dunwoody maintained
their momentum into the second half.
Dunwoody Head Coach Mike Nash said he didn’t make any tactical adjustments at halftime but instead focused on keeping the players calm.
“We got the [players] to calm down and do what they do,” Nash said. “When they
See WILDCATS, Page 12
Dunwoody Police celebrate high-tech command center
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — If you scour the internet, there are countless stories about real-time crime centers playing a crucial role in apprehending people suspected of wrongdoing.
Now, the Dunwoody Police Department has one in its headquarters at City Hall.
The city unveiled its new Real-Time Crime Center Aug. 15 to a packed room of Metro Atlanta media and representatives from Flock Safety.
Dunwoody Police moved into the new command center early this month. The Real-Time Crime Center is in the old roll call room at Dunwoody Police Headquarters off Ashford Dunwoody Road.
The city used $360,000 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funding for the conversion.
The main screen, displaying more than 20 live cameras across the city, takes up half the front wall.
In the middle of the screen, a map of cameras and incidents allows crime analysts and four Public Safety ambassadors to isolate on specific incidents and areas.
The command center display combines Flock’s license plate
See CENTER, Page 13
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Officers arrest suspect in theft at Von Maur
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 54-year-old Atlanta woman July 26 after she fled from officers during an alleged larceny at Perimeter Mall’s Von Maur.
Dispatch told officers that a customer had assaulted an employee at the store.
Officers said the suspect took off running when she noticed police arrive, and she was ordered to stop. After a warning was issued, an officer said he deployed his taser and brought the woman to the ground. She was charged with misdemeanor assault, larceny and obstruction of law enforcement.
The item that she allegedly stole is a $1,013 handbag.
American Medical Response arrived at the scene, treated the suspect and transported her to Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center.
She was later transferred to the DeKalb County Jail.
Suspect in hit-and-run arrested by Duluth police
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Duluth Police arrested a 38-year-old Duluth woman Aug. 8 after she allegedly fled the scene of an accident on I-285 near North Peachtree Road.
Dunwoody officers said the wreck occurred around 5:30 p.m. and involved two drivers in the far-right lane of the interstate.
A 44-year-old Peachtree Corners woman said she was eastbound and noticed a vehicle following too closely as traffic began to slow. She told police a green Honda Pilot then rearended her vehicle.
The driver said her vehicle sustained minor dents and scratches to the rear bumper, and the suspect’s vehicle had more significant damage to the front.
The victim said the suspect’s vehicle pulled behind her on the shoulder then quickly sped away.
After an investigation, officers said they contacted the owner of the Honda Pilot who told them that her friend had been borrowing the vehicle.
With the name of the person operating the vehicle, Duluth Police contacted the suspect at her residence in its jurisdiction.
The suspect said she left the scene of wreck because she thought the damage was minor.
Officers arrested her and transported her to DeKalb County Jail.
The suspect’s citations include following too close and duty to stop at accident and make immediate report.
Police track DeKalb couple linked to merchandise theft
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested two suspects for larceny and obstruction Aug. 5 after a shoplifting incident at Best Buy off Hammond Drive.
A loss prevention employee told officers that security footage showed a man and woman enter the store and exit with merchandise totaling $1,800.
The employee said the male took a $1,300 Roomba, and the female walked out with $500 in additional items.
An officer said he spotted a woman matching the suspect’s description running across Hammond Drive toward a red SUV on Ashford Dunwoody Road. The officer then initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. He said the vehicle’s three occupants, the two shoplifting suspects and an elderly driver, ignored commands to turn off the vehicle and attempted to put it in gear.
When the suspect’s vehicle began to pull away, the officer said he deployed his taser twice, hitting the male suspect once, before the vehicle drove off.
The officer said he did not pursue the vehicle, which was later located on an I-285 exit ramp.
In his report, the officer said the two suspects were eventually located at Murphy Candler Park in Brookhaven.
They were identified as a 42-year-old Stone Mountain woman and a 40-year-old Lithonia man.
Police were not able to locate the elderly man who had been driving the SUV.
Officers charged both suspects with larceny, obstruction of law enforcement and fleeing and eluding.
Officers catch Camaro doing 103 mph on I-285
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 22-year-old Acworth man after clocking him driving a Chevrolet Camaro at 103 mph in a 65-mph zone on I-285 around 12:45 a.m. Aug. 4.
An officer said he spotted a blue Camaro on I-285 at North Peachtree Road, checked its speed and activated his lights and siren.
The officer said the vehicle then turned off its lights and fled westbound on I-285.
After notifying Sandy Springs Police, the Dunwoody officer said his colleagues stopped a blue Camaro at Perimeter Center West and Ashford Dunwoody Road.
The officer said he confirmed it was the same vehicle that had fled.
The suspect initially told the officer that he did not flee before admitting to speeding and not stopping.
At the suspect’s request, officers turned over the vehicle to his girlfriend.
Officers transported the suspect to DeKalb County Jail for speeding, reckless driving, headlights required, attempting to elude and failure to use turn signal.
Alpharetta resident sends $15K to alleged scammer
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta resident reported she was deceived into sending $15,000 to an online scammer on Aug. 5.
The resident said she received a Microsoft warning telling her computer was corrupted, according to an Alpharetta police report. After following the online prompts to visit a website and call a phone number, she was convinced to make withdrawals from her bank, according to the report.
The resident withdrew the money from a local bank and converted it into the digital currency Bitcoin at a local kiosk. She then deposited the money into the alleged scammer’s account.
The resident reported the alleged scam to police on Aug. 6 and froze her bank accounts. The investigation is ongoing.
Dunwoody native makes it alongside Hollywood stars
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody may seem like an unlikely starting point for a Hollywood success story, but for native son Jason Priluck it was the launchpad for a remarkable career in the entertainment industry. After graduating from Woodward Academy in 1993, Jason set his sights on the bright lights of Hollywood. Fueled by a passion for the arts and armed with a dual degree from Syracuse University, Priluck moved to Los Angeles in1997 to pursue a career in celebrity representation.
Joining the United Talent Agency (UTA) Priluck, quickly rose through the ranks by showcasing an eye for talent and ability to negotiate deals. By 2002 he had earned a promotion to Talent Agent at Writers and Artists where he represented a diverse roster of clients and earned a reputation as a skilled advocate for their careers. In 2011 Priluck took the next step on his journey by launching his own talent management firm, The Priluck Company.
Priluck’s client list includes Aldis Hodge, ‘Black Adam’, Edwin Hodge, ‘FBI Most Wanted’, Tetona Jackson, ‘Boomerang’, and Danny Woodburn, ‘Seinfeld’. Among Jason‘s most notable clients is the legendary Garrett Morris, whom he has represented since 2004. Starting as Morris’s agent before
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transitioning to his Manager, Jason played a pivotal role in guiding Morris’s career and then ensured that his talents received the recognition they deserved. The culmination of Morris’s illustrious career came on February 1, 2024 when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Jason remains grounded in his roots, proudly calling Los Angeles home with his wife, Audrey Levi, and sons, Justin and Garrett. Despite his Hollywood success, Jason’s connection to his hometown, Dunwoody, serves as a reminder of the values and principles that have guided him on his journey. His story stands as an inspiring testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of one’s dream - from Dunwoody to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Jason is the son of Dr. Jeffrey and Penny Priluck of Dunwoody.
SPECIAL TO APPEN MEDIA
From left, Jason Priluck and Garrett Morris celebrate Morris’ Hollywood Walk of Fame star Feb. 1.
That simple DIY project— not really so simple
1942 blackout in area was deemed success
came to a stop. All clear signals were given at 9:30 pm.
Three days later, the results of the blackout test were shared in the Atlanta Journal where it was announced, “Defense officials here praise successful black-out test.” Captain E. J. Swann, signal officer of the First Interceptor Command, came from Charleston, S.C. to supervise the test.
Elaine Rivers was living in Brookhaven during WWII. Her father worked at the Variety Store before he left to serve during WW II and the Brookhaven Supply Store when he returned. Elaine and her siblings were at her grandmother’s College Park home during the blackout. Her grandmother gathered the children in the central hall of the home, where they sat on a quilt while her grandmother told them
The Brooks family moved to 198 Peachtree Road in Brookhaven in 1941. Their home was a two-story yellow brick home with a basement. Nancy Brazell Brooks recalled in her AHC oral history how her mother prepared meals for soldiers at nearby NASA and Lawson General Hospital. The family had a victory garden on their property and shared food with visiting soldiers. They also rented rooms to families visiting
The basement was designated as an air raid shelter in the area, which thankfully was not needed. The basement was also a storage area for preserved food and Nancy’s mother sewed blackout curtains there.
the blackout warning sounded at 9:10 p.m. Air raid wardens, fire fighters, first aid crews and other members of the civil defense organization were on patrol throughout the city. Police officers and members of the state guard were on duty.
Hotel guests were instructed to stay in their darkened rooms or wait in the lobby. All vehicles other than trains
The Brooks home was along the trolley line, close to Oglethorpe University. In later years, Hastings Nursery was built on their property.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
A graphic displays the areas of Jett Ferry Road, Mount Vernon Road and Dunwoody Club Drive that may be subject to new streetscape requirements, should the area be redeveloped in the future.
Streetscape code changes reviewed for Jett Ferry, Mount Vernon area
By JAKE DRUKMAN newsroom@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council is considering changes to the city’s streetscape design standards for the area where Jett Ferry Road, Mount Vernon Road and Dunwoody Club Drive meet.
The proposal, which was discussed during the City Council’s Aug. 12 work session, calls for 12-foot paved paths with 5-foot landscape buffers in the area, except in spaces along Mount Vernon that are adjacent to residents’ homes. In those areas, only a 6-foot sidewalk would be required along with the landscape strip. The changes are intended to make the district more accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists. If approved, the code changes would not mean immediate renovation. Instead, the new design standards would be triggered only if developments in the area meet certain requirements, such as increasing building floor area by more than 10 percent or increasing traffic generation potential by more than 20 percent.
The area directly abuts the city limits of Sandy Springs, which begin on the north side of Dunwoody Club Drive. The new proposed streetscape requirements are similar to those that Sandy Springs imposes, according to a Dunwoody city staff report on the proposal.
Members of the City Council and staff said the code changes would reflect the city “covering its bases” for the future. Allegra DeNooyer, a planner in the city’s community development department, noted that the area is “ripe for redevelopment,” although no plans are currently in place.
Two Dunwoody residents spoke in favor of the code changes during a public hearing on the item, citing improved safety and comfort for nondrivers. One resident spoke against the changes, stating that car traffic already gets congested in the area, and the additional requirements likely wouldn’t help.
Police, public safety
Although there were no items regarding police and public safety on the agenda for Monday’s meeting, discussions of several police initiatives did occur. City Manager Eric Linton noted that the city’s Real Time Crime Center is now in full operation, and that the city has hired its first two public safety ambassadors, the first of whom started on the day of the meeting.
Public safety ambassadors are personnel who assist police in their duties, but are not sworn officers. According to a job posting on the city’s website, ambassadors respond to low-risk service calls and deal
See CODE, Page 13
OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED
County Commissioner Bradshaw to pay fine in ethics case settlement
By DAN WHISENHUNT dan@appenmedia.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — District 4
Commissioner Steve Bradshaw has settled an ethics complaint against him regarding his actions in a zoning case four years ago and agreed to pay a $1,000 fine.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution first reported the news. The reprimand was handed down on Aug. 15 and the ethics board gave Appen Media a copy of the public reprimand and sanction.
Bradshaw’s attorney, Jake Evans, said his client “met all his ethical obligations, including disclosing any potential interests to the right people.”
“Wanting to move forward and not waste the time and resources of the County, Commissioner Bradshaw agreed to resolve the dispute without a hearing,” Evans said. “Commissioner Bradshaw has always been a man of integrity and ethics — that was true when he first ran, and it remains true now.”
The case stems from actions that occurred in 2020 and 2021. Michael Cooper — prior Vice Chair, Community Council District 4 — filed the complaint in April, a month before the May primary election, which Bradshaw lost to Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Larry Johnson, the latter of whom lost to Cochran-Johnson in a subsequent runoff election. The AJC notes that Bradshaw appointed Cooper to the Community Council and was on the board when Bradshaw took the actions that led to the complaint.
Bradshaw and his wife own property abutting another property that was slated for a development. The county commission was considering a rezoning application for that development.
“Commissioner Bradshaw in his
Behind the story
official capacity did not disclose that his property abutted the properties that were being voted upon by the Board of Commissioners,” the public reprimand says. “The Commissioner then proceeded to make a statement regarding the property, did not disclose his interest, failed to recuse himself, and voted on the properties after receiving the written opinion of the then Ethics Officer and the then Deputy Ethics Officer.”
Bradshaw told ethics officials that the property was in his neighborhood, but did not say it abutted his property. He also did not disclose that his wife had written a letter expressing concerns about the property
The reprimand said Bradshaw misled the county’s ethics officer by his “failure to disclose to either the Ethics Officer or Deputy Ethics Officer that the Commissioner’s property abutted the property, and not just that his property was in the neighborhood.”
“The misleading information provided by Commissioner Bradshaw led the Ethics Officer to draft an opinion that lacked the necessary information to make an informed opinion or decision in this matter,” the reprimand says. “In addition, Commissioner Bradshaw should have recused himself, instead, he abstained from voting at the zoning meeting, which included the full Board of Commissioners, and at the full Board of Commissioners’ meeting he made a motion, a speech, failed to recuse, and voted.”
The complaint is now closed.
“The Board of Ethics and Commissioner Bradshaw have agreed to settle this matter without a public hearing, thereby bringing this matter to a final resolution with Commissioner Bradshaw waiving any right to appeal,” the reprimand says.
Decaturish.com founder Dan Whisenhunt and his team have been covering DeKalb County for over a decade. Appen Media acquired Decaturish July 1, hiring its staff and ensuring their work can continue into the future. The aim is to have a larger, more experienced and more supported joint newsroom that can offer important reporting on the topics that matter most. This story about Kingsley Elementary is an example. Watch for more from Decaturish, the Crier and the rest of the Appen Media team.
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Georgia committee hears testimony about possibilities, pitfalls of AI
By JAKE DRUKMAN newsroom@appenmedia.com
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — While computergenerated actors and self-driving cars aren’t common in Georgia yet, a state Senate committee is at work to evaluate the benefits and risks such technologies may pose.
The Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence, headed by Roswell Sen. John Albers, met at Trilith film studios in Fayetteville on Aug. 14. Committee members discussed the possible applications of AI with stakeholders in Georgia’s film industry and public infrastructure.
Trilith Studios CEO Frank Patterson was the first speaker to address the committee. The studio has produced some of the highest-grossing films of all time, such as “Avengers: Endgame” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
Patterson discussed ways that artificial intelligence could potentially revolutionize the way films are created, replacing human involvement to a large degree. He noted that current technology is still far from being able to create viable movies without human input.
“We are nowhere close to being able to create characters that have any kind of humanity,” Patterson said. “I can’t do it, and believe me, I’ve tried… When you’re talking about fictional stories that resonate across humanity, we haven’t figured out how to create a human interaction.”
He said studios will be able to use AI in smaller ways in the near term, such as translating films into other languages for distribution to foreign markets. This is done by having voice actors manually record translated lines and replacing a film’s native dialogue with the translated version. Patterson suggested, however, that AI could both perform the transla-
tions and make them sound like the original actor’s voice.
Some acting organizations have railed against such uses of AI in the past, arguing that using technology to replace human labor threatens people’s livelihoods in the film industry.
Patterson and Julie Feagin, CEO of Atlanta-based FilmBook Media, cautioned that AI technology could threaten actors’ — and the public’s — rights to their own names, images and likenesses. Many AI programs can generate realistic images and videos of people without their knowledge or consent.
“AI-generated content is not real, but it has very real consequences,” Feagin
said. “It can cause emotional and financial harm.”
Feagin noted AI has been used to create artificial sexual imagery of real people, known as “deepfakes,” which can damage a person’s reputation and cause major emotional distress. Deepfakes have been the subject of numerous legal disputes in the U.S. over the past several years.
Feagin and Patterson suggested the state take action to protect people’s rights to their images regarding AI recreations.
AI in transportation
Alan Davis, a traffic engineer with the Georgia Department of Transportation,
was another speaker at Wednesday’s meeting. He suggested AI may one day play a larger role in aiding the state’s transit planning and traffic management. Currently, it plays “little to none” due to such technologies being cost-prohibitive and unreliable.
“Current [AI] models, at least ones that I think would benefit transportation, are not good at outliers,” Davis said. “And if there’s anything that’s full of outliers, it’s transportation and traffic.”
Davis said the state uses several technologies to perform functions such as detecting crashes on traffic cameras and deploying emergency assistance. Still, as of now, these functions are powered by algorithms rather than machine intelligence.
He said fully autonomous vehicles may soon be coming to Georgia. Waymo, a ride-hailing company that offers driverless taxi rides, is “mapping out operations” in Atlanta. Currently, Waymo offers rides in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix.
The state’s Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence is scheduled to hold five more meetings through December. Albers said the committee will draft a final report and recommendations for the General Assembly.
Citizens who wish to share comments with the committee can request to speak at a committee meeting or submit testimony online through the committee’s website.
SCREENSHOT
Frank Patterson, CEO of Fayetteville-based Trilith Studios, speaks to the state Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence on Aug. 14.
Importance of skin checks for mature skin
Brought to you by - Dr. Kehinde Olumesi of Epiphany Dermatology
- Brookhaven
As skin matures, it undergoes various changes that necessitate regular skin checks to ensure overall skin health. Differentiating between age spots, healthy moles and potential skin cancers is crucial. Age spots, often appearing as flat, brown, or black spots on sun-exposed areas, are generally harmless but can be mistaken for more serious conditions. Early detection of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, routine skin examinations are essential for mature skin to maintain health and catch any issues early.
Addressing Skin Conditions and Rejuvenation Procedures
Dermatologists can assist with a
variety of skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures for mature skin. Common issues such as dryness, age-related pigmentation and conditions like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, which can persist or develop with age, are also addressed with specialized care plans.
In addition to treating conditions, dermatologists offer rejuvenating procedures to enhance the appearance and health of mature skin. Treatments such as chemical peels, laser rejuvenation and injectable treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin texture and promote collagen production. These procedures not only rejuvenate the skin but also boost confidence and overall well-being. Establishing a relationship with a dermatologist ensures that your skin receives comprehensive care tailored to its evolving needs, promoting longterm skin health and vitality.
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With summer coming to an end, this can be an emotional time for parents of college bound children. Instead of worrying about what life will be like without children at home, I encourage couples to view this time to rekindle their marriage. Though it’s normal to feel bittersweet, here are some benefits of being an empty nester.
1. Date Nights. No more kidfriendly environment needed. You and your spouse can go to any restaurant, venue, or event and not have to worry about if it’s appropriate for the kids, will they like the food, or will they have fun. You and your spouse only need to worry about each other.
2. Travel. Now you and your spouse can take the vacation you have been waiting for without working around the kid’s school schedule. The possibilities are endless.
3. Volunteer “Now, what am I going to do with all my spare time?” Find an organization, community or corporation
you’re passionate about and give back. Spend a day at church or at a homeless shelter. Help stock the local food pantry. Giving back is rewarding for both you, your spouse, and the community you are helping.
4. Reconnect with Spouse. No more excuses. Take this time to focus on your spouse and rekindle your relationship. Start flirting again, making time for one another and planning things together. Go on a spontaneous walk through your neighborhood. Go out to dinner or see a movie.
5. Establish New Hobbies. No more having to drive the kids around, attend sport events, and revolve your schedule around theirs. It is all about you and your spouse again. Take a cooking class or a yoga class together. Establish what things you both like to do together and on your own.
6. Regain Independence. No more excuses about not having time for yourself or your spouse. Start taking care of yourself, doing things for yourself and focusing on what you want in life.
Tort reform likely front-burner issue for 2025 General Assembly
By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat
ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp has made tort reform the main theme of his annual August address to Georgia political and business leaders two years running.
But his Aug. 7 speech at this year’s Georgia Chamber of Commercesponsored Congressional Luncheon had a different ring to it than the 2023 version.
Kemp followed up last year’s pledge to make tort reform a top priority by essentially pulling out the rug on the issue when he addressed the chamber again at the beginning of this year’s General Assembly session. He said significant tort reform would require more than one year.
Toward that end, lawmakers passed a Kemp-backed bill this year directing the state insurance department to gather data on legal trends affecting premiums and prepare a report by Nov. 1.
“The governor very smartly decided to take a step back and look at the data,” said Nancy Palmer, vice president of government affairs for the Georgia Chamber. “Lawsuit reform is a
huge wide-ranging topic. We’re talking about the entirety of the civil justice system.”
Tort reform has been a goal of Georgia Republicans and their allies in the business community for decades. But the most significant reform legislation to make it through the General Assembly came way back in 2005, a bill that imposed a $350,000 cap on non-economic damage awards in medical malpractice and product liability lawsuits.
The cap immediately came under fire in the form of lawsuits challenging its constitutionality. The Georgia Supreme Court sided with the plaintiffs and threw out the cap in 2010.
Calls for tort reform have come like clockwork virtually every year since, with Republican lawmakers and conservative policy groups warning that huge jury verdicts from frivolous lawsuits are hurting job creation by forcing companies to close their doors.
“I hear stories every week from business owners who can’t get insurance or can’t afford it,” said Kyle Wingfield, president and CEO of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, a think tank that advocates free-market approaches to public-policy issues.
“There’s got to be more balance.”
Palmer said improving access to insurance is just as important to businesses as the premiums they have to pay for coverage.
“We have insurers who are leaving the marketplace,” she said. “What we want is for businesses not only to pay lower rates but to have more choices. … There should be more competition in this marketplace.”
Opposition to tort reform has come from trial lawyers and legislative Democrats, who have argued that Georgians injured by medical malpractice or faulty products deserve access to a legal remedy.
“Constitutionally, people have a right to their day in court, and appellate courts in Georgia have been protective of that,” said state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, a member of the House Judiciary Committee.
Oliver suggested that Republicans have been unsuccessful thus far in passing major tort reforms because many past governors and legislative leaders – including Republicans – have been lawyers who understand the complexities of the issue.
“What’s unique about this time is (neither) the governor, lieutenant
governor, nor (House) speaker are lawyers,” she said. “It makes it easier for them to say they’re for tort reform.”
One reform Republicans are expected to pursue in 2025 is in the area of premises liability. Business owners have long complained about being drawn into lawsuits after injuries or deaths occur on their properties that are not their fault and, in many cases, occur at night when the business is closed.
“When someone shows up and decides to commit a crime on your property without your permission, how much do you have to do to prevent that?” Wingfield said. “That ought to be a common-sense place to start.”
Two bills pertaining to the premises liability issue were before the General Assembly this year, but neither passed. Palmer said the chamber is looking to Kemp for direction on which tort reforms lawmakers should pursue in 2025. Next year begins a new two-year term in the legislature, so whatever is considered has to start from scratch.
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
To all of our sponsors and members for their amazing support which allowed us to have the biggest and best 4th of July parade ever...
If you’re not a member of the DHA, you should be! We not only organize and stage the parade, but also Light Up Dunwoody, Food Truck Thursdays and the Dunwoody Farmer’s Market, as well as advocate for our neighborhoods and community.
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started doing that, they played like they were capable.”
After halftime performances by both school bands, the players took the field.
The score remained 14-7 deep into the third quarter when Dunwoody’s Bradley Stephen ran in for a touchdown, bringing the score to 21-7 and giving fans a sense of comfort heading into the final frame.
South Paulding continued to battle, but Dunwoody’s defense held strong, blocking key passes in the endzone and preventing South Paulding from scoring.
The intensity remained high between the two teams as the game neared an end; however, the tension fell when Dunwoody secured a field goal making the score 24-7.
Following the victory, Nash honored a player he felt made a big impact on the final result.
“Trevor Thompson who is a junior linebacker…had an incredible game,” Nash said. “He had 14 tackles, four for a loss, an interception, two sacks…it was an unbelievable stat line, and every play made was in a big moment.”
Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic Scores
Douglass-ATL vs. LaGrange: Douglass wins 18-3
North Atlanta vs. Kell: Kell wins 29-15
South Paulding vs. Dunwoody: Dunwoody wins 24-7
Prince Avenue vs. West Forsyth: Prince Avenue wins 35-28
DEATH NOTICES
Barbara Baylor, age 73, of Marietta, GA passed away on August 10, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Robert Becker, age 86, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 6, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Robert Blackinton, age 96, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on August 11, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
High School
Roger Conrad, age 91, of Marietta, GA passed away on August 9, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Cecilia Ginter, age 94, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on August 10, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
David Scott Harris, age 70, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 1, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Jeanette Konicki, age 54, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 2, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Jacob McQuillen, age 21, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on August 6, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Carmela Montoto, age 96, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 11, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Mary Nitschke, age 48, of Marietta, GA passed away on August 3, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Julia Quarles, age 87, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 12, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
HANNAH FRAZER/APPEN MEDIA
Dunwoody
football fans cheer as Dunwoody scores its’ first touchdown.
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with situations such as lost or found property, disabled vehicles and evidence collection for non-violent crimes. They also handle administrative tasks often completed by officers.
During an open public comment session at the beginning of the meeting, two residents also raised concerns about the Dunwoody Police Department’s participation in a national initiative to increase the proportion of women serving as police officers. The city posted an announcement to its website April 10 that it had signed the “30x30 Pledge,” which aims to boost
PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson talks about the public safety benefits of the city’s new Real-Time Crime Center at an unveiling with city leaders and Metro Atlanta media. The command center uses camera and detection technology from Flock Safety to inform officers and police departments.
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recognition, pan-tilt-zoom cameras and police body cameras with other features like Adaptive 911, call geolocation and third-party video cameras.
Police Maj. Patrick Krieg said the unveiling is a big day for the city because it marks the integration of technology that makes a difference in solving crimes.
“Our goal with this is to ultimately use these assets to make a safer Dunwoody,” Krieg said.
Bailey Quintrell, chief strategy officer at Flock Safety, said the Atlanta-based company started out with neighborhoods as clients before adding local municipalities.
Dunwoody was one of the first cities to sign on in 2018, and Quintrell says he installed one of the first cameras himself.
“Police departments, like Dunwoody and others in Metro Atlanta, kept telling us this is working really well, but we have other areas with crime,” Quintrell said.
The Dunwoody Real-Time Crime Center, which centralizes all of the department’s Flock Safety technology, is named after former Chief Billy J. Grogan who attended the unveiling.
Before the Police Department had a command center, Gorgan said individual officers had access to the Flock Safety dashboard on their personal computers.
the number of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030. One of the speakers asked the City Council not to “micromanage” the police department in filling vacant officer positions. Both compared the initiative to one also undertaken by the U.S. Secret Service, which came under scrutiny last month after an assassination attempt on former
President Donald Trump. Mayor Lynn Deutsch noted that the police department undertook the initiative without direction from the City Council. Deputy Chief of Police Oliver Fladrich said the initiative was started by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and that the department’s priority is maintaining high standards in the officers it hires.
Two police officers sit at the main desk in the new Dunwoody Real-Time Crime Center. City officials, Dunwoody Police Department leadership and Flock Safety representatives spoke at the Aug. 15 unveiling.
“Officers had the data in the car,” he said. “But when they’re going around and responding to calls for service, they can’t necessarily pay attention to the dashboard the entire time.”
The former chief calls the Real-Time Crime Center an extra layer beyond what the officers are seeing on the street. For example, Grogan said the new command center may catch large groups congregating at city parks after hours.
The same morning of the dedication, maintenance crews spotted a small fire in the restroom at Brook Run Park, resulting in an investigation. While the skate park opened that afternoon, the restrooms and concessions remained closed as of Aug. 16.
During the unveiling, police leaders explained how the command center’s ability to monitor all cameras in and around Brook Run Park will help them determine who started the fire.
Police Chief Mike Carlson said analysts will initially be working 40 hours a week at the Real-Time Crime Center, which city officials hope they can staff around the clock in the future.
“We’re taking steps toward that,” Carlson said. “We’re getting them in here during the busy times if we have a critical incident … especially on I-285.”
Carlson said having access to body camera footage from officers on patrol is vital, especially in situations where an officer may be unable to speak over radio.
“It’s amazing,” he said.
In Memoriam
Elizabeth Smith Gentry (Betsy)
ELIZABETH SMITH GENTRY
(Betsy), 64 of Dunwoody, Georgia, cherished wife, mother, niece, grandmother, daughter in law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, best friend to many and enemy to none, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2024, after a 9-year battle with ovarian cancer. She is finally at peace.
Betsy was born in California on April 22, 1960, and spent her childhood in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from H. B. Plant High School in 1978 and received a communications degree from Florida State University in 1983. Upon graduation she recklessly accepted a marriage proposal from Jeff, her college sweetheart. Betsy worked her way up the corporate ladder as employee #6 at a startup technology company that eventually sold to Dunn and Bradstreet. Betsy retired from the technology world in 1992 to become a fulltime mother for her son Ryan and daughter Whitney, both of whom she loved beyond measure. She dedicated her life to raising our family in a home filled with unconditional love, fun, adventures and endless laughter.
Betsy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the Spring of 2015. She bravely fought every clash that cancer waged and there were many. Her poise, determination, love, humor, kindness and faith as she battled will remain an inspiration to many who are facing struggles of their own.
Betsy leaves behind her loving husband of 41 years, Jeff Gentry; a son Ryan and daughter Whitney; her motherin-law Arden Corum; son-inlaw Luke Fleming; daughter-in-law Meghan Flinn Gentry; grandchildren Andie Fleming and Charlotte Gentry; brother and sister-in-law Alan and Rynne Gentry; niece and nephew Sayler and Ryder Gentry: aunt and uncle Penelope Lundstrom, David and Jo Driscoll and a heap of fun cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother Norma Driscoll Smith and father Whitney Smith. In lieu of flowers and cards, please consider making donations in Betsy’s name to the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance at www.gaovariancancer.org
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