Forsyth Herald - March 21, 2024

County approves plans for fire training complex

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Forsyth taps Young for superintendent

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Kemp praises local fight against human trafficking

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Forsyth names Teacher of the Year at annual Celebration of Excellence

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Hundreds of community members and Forsyth County Schools staff celebrated Dawn James as the district’s 2024 Teacher of the Year at the Forsyth Conference Center March 14. The school system’s selection committee chose James out of five finalists. School-level teachers of the year apply to be considered for the district-

wide title. The pool is then narrowed down to a group of semi-finalists, who submit teaching videos. The five finalists are interviewed, and the combined score from each stage determines the Teacher of the Year.

James teaches eighth grade at Lakeside Middle School and has worked in the district since 2010.

“Teaching is not a solitary endeavor,” James said. “It thrives on collaboration, shared knowledge and

camaraderie, and I am truly fortunate to be surrounded by such an incredible community of educators who continually challenge and inspire me to be my best personally and professionally.”

To be eligible for Teacher of the Year, candidates must have three or more years of experience, teach full-time and spend at least 50 percent of their contract time teaching in the classroom.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden and School Board Chairwoman Darla Light name Dawn James the district’s 2024 Teacher of the Year at an event March 14. James teaches eighth grade at Lakeside Middle School.

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Deputies arrest trio for alleged loitering

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested two Dawsonville men and a Canton man March 5 for allegedly loitering on vacant property on Matt Highway.

Deputies reported spotting a vehicle parked behind the house that was known to be empty and that people are often seen looking inside the home and surrounding buildings without permission.

Two suspects were reportedly seen through the basement window, and deputies asked them to show their hands. One suspect complied, but the other walked further inside and out of sight.

Deputies reported one of the suspects, a 31-year-old from Dawsonville, had a handgun in his waistband. The armed suspect climbed out through the window when asked and was arrested.

The second Dawsonville suspect, 39, was found inside the house, and the Canton suspect, 51, was found crouching near a window.

The three suspects reportedly said they were on the property because they were considering purchasing it, but deputies reported there were no “for sale” signs.

The suspects were charged with misdemeanor loitering and prowling.

Cumming man charged for alleged title forgery

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a 26-year-old Cumming man March 6 who allegedly stole $17,000 by presenting a forged vehicle title in 2022.

The vehicle dealership reported the suspect traded in the title for a Jeep Wrangler for a GMC Sierra in August 2022. The dealership reportedly provided the suspect with a $17,270 check for the difference between

the two vehicles.

The business later learned the Jeep title was forged after the new owner reported it, the report states.

Employees reported the incident May 25, 2023, and said both vehicles had since been resold.

The suspect was later located and charged with two felony counts of theft by taking and one count of forgery in the first degree.

Gainesville man arrested for allegedly firing from vehicle

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a 20-year-old Gainesville man March 6 who allegedly fired shots while driving on Jot Em Down Road.

Deputies reported receiving complaints about a suspect shooting a firearm from a moving vehicle near Jot Em Down Road and Forest Path Drive Feb. 9. The suspect reportedly fired between eight and 10 shots. Deputies found a .223 shell casing on Jot Em Down south of Bevins Lane, the report states.

A second caller then reported shots were being fired into the air from the same vehicle on Westbrook Road.

Deputies reported spotting the vehicle near Wallace Woods and Jot Em Down roads, but it accelerated and fled.

The suspect reportedly turned himself in at the Forsyth County Jail. He was charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct.

$800 appliance swiped from unoccupied house

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A project manager for a homebuilding company reported March 7 someone swiped an $800 dishwasher and $400 in door handles from a completed home on Briscoe Way.

The project manager reported the homes are locked at the end of each day but can be opened with a master key. Because the front door was not forced, he said he thinks the suspect may have entered with a key.

He told officers the items were last seen around 4 p.m. March 5, and the door handles were found missing around 8:30 a.m. March 6. The stolen dishwasher was later discovered around 11 a.m. March 7.

Officers reported not seeing any signs of forced entry. The hoses that connected to the dishwasher were reportedly cut, and there were visible scrape marks on the floor leading to the front door from when the appliance was removed.

Nine handles were reportedly swiped from doors on the third floor of the home.

No suspects have been identified.

Man’s home targeted in alleged prank war

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta man reported a group of children allegedly set his front yard on fire and vandalized his garage door on Tuxford Drive March 3.

A neighbor reported she woke up to the sound of an explosion outside and saw the victim’s front yard on fire around 2 a.m., and she alerted him.

The victim was able to extinguish the flames with his garden hose before police and fire arrived, the report states.

Officers reported telling the victim that the junior and senior high school prank war was in full swing, and the victim said one of his granddaughters is a junior at a local high school.

The victim also said a vehicle in his driveway had gotten egged twice and covered in Silly String. He reported he had not checked for damage, but he thought there were some minor marks.

Officers reported observing the victim’s right garage door had the letters “SR” spraypainted on it. The victim estimated it would cost some $400 to repaint.

A large area of the front yard was also charred and black. The victim told officers he wishes to prosecute the suspects for the $700 in damages, the report states.

The victim’s neighbor reportedly provided officers with Ring doorbell footage that showed a group of suspects lighting something on fire in the man’s yard before fleeing.

No suspects have been identified.

County approves plans for fire training complex

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County has kickstarted the design process for a new Fire Department training and logistics complex off Martin Road.

At a March 12 work session, the County Commission unanimously approved a concept site master plan for project.

Fire Chief Barry Head said the new location will replace the department’s current 15,800-square-foot facility on Settingdown Road, which he says has no room for expansion.

“The whole goal of this is to give us a more modern facility to facilitate our training needs now and in the future as the demand on our services become more and more,” Head said.

The site plans call for a 10,000-square-foot logistics facility; a new fleet building; a training support center with classrooms, offices, a clean and dirty wash area, and storage; an open-air pavilion with parking; and a 6-story training tower.

Head said the “bread and butter of the project” is a modern burn building with a roof simulator and flashover chamber used for training exercises.

This concept site master plan shows the first phase, outlined in red, of the Forsyth County Fire Department’s future Training Academy and Logistics Center off Martin Road. The training academy to the south of phase one is yet unfunded.

The plans call for a concrete burn building with a lifespan of some 50 years. Head said the structure the department currently uses has six years

Forsyth Schools name Young finalist for superintendent

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Mitch Young is set to become the Forsyth County School District’s next superintendent.

At a work session March 12, the County Board of Education unanimously voted to name Young its sole finalist for the position. Current Superintendent Jeff Bearden is set to retire this November after 10 years in the role.

Under state law, the School Board must wait two weeks before approving a contract with a new superintendent. The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the contract March 27.

Young currently serves as the district's deputy superintendent. He joined the school system as a teacher in 2007 and has served as an assistant and high school principal.

“We sincerely appreciate the input provided by our stakeholders and the internal candidates who applied for this opportunity,” Board of Education Chair -

woman Darla Light said. “Our board thoroughly reviewed the feedback in alignment with our strategic plan. Mr. Young possesses the qualities, characteristics and skills we were seeking.”

School Board Member Mike Valdes said the decision to nominate an employee of the school district was deliberate, and the board weighed feedback from residents and principals.

“One, because of the fact that we have, this board and prior boards have, developed that internal leadership capacity,” Valdes said. “But, two because our system is not broken, and we are not trying to fix it. We want someone that is going to continue the good work, take it to that next level, but that is already ingrained in the culture and the style of the school system.”

See YOUNG, Page 13

County Manager David McKee said the March 12 presentation reflects a new step in the county’s capital projects and improvements process. Moving forward, he said concept plans for major projects will be presented to the Board of Commissioners for approval for public transparency.

“This is not a new project,” McKee said. “This is a project that has been in the works for some time. However, we’re at the point where we’re pulling the trigger on design, moving forward with the first phase.”

The county purchased the 34-acre site off Martin Road for $1.7 million in 2018.

Head said design and construction will take around three years combined. The complex will primarily be funded through SPLOST VIII and SPLOST IX if approved.

Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills suggested the Fire Department seek grant funding for individual components like the training tower.

In other action, commissioners voted to apply for a $1.8 million Congressionally Directed Spending Request to renovate the historic Matt Schoolhouse. The county’s match remains undecided.

remaining in its lifespan.

“Probably by about the time the new project comes to fruition, that one will be aged out,” he said.

In 2022, architecture firm Jericho Design estimated the schoolhouse needs more than $3 million in renovations.

The votes will be formalized at an upcoming Board of Commissioners meeting.

SCREENSHOT

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All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org

NHL expansion hopefuls pitch North Point plan

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An ownership group teamed with National Hockey League (NHL) veteran Anson Carter has expressed interest in bringing a league expansion team to Metro Atlanta.

Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group (ASE Group) has announced its petition to the NHL with backing from Neil Leibman, Peter Simon and Aaron Zeigler.

According to a press release the partners have reached an agreement with New York Life, an insurer that owns North Point Mall, to use the property as a site for the potential hockey team.

The announcement says a mixed-use project will include an arena designed by architect Frank Gehry.

ASE Group also cites support from the City of Alpharetta and Fulton County.

“The location of an NHL franchise, as currently proposed in Fulton County, would bring an exhilarating sport to our

community’s thriving professional sports lineup,” Fulton County Commission Chairman Rob Pitts said in the statement.

ASM Global to operate hockey arena at The Gathering at South Forsyth

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — International sports venue manager ASM Global is set to operate the prospective National Hockey League arena at The Gathering at South Forsyth.

ASM Global manages more than 90 arenas worldwide, including NHL venues such as the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada.

The company will participate in the design and planning of the proposed 700,000-square-foot, 18,500-seat venue at The Gathering.

ASM Global Executive Vice President of Strategy and Development Liam Thornton said the company is honored to be selected as the arena’s operator.

“Our goal is to set a new standard for excellence in Georgia's entertainment landscape and create memorable moments for all who visit The Gathering at South Forsyth,” Thornton said.

As planned, the $2 billion mixeduse development off Union Hill Road, Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Ga. 400 will include a new fire station, a Sheriff’s Office precinct, a 1.2-mile Big Creek Greenway connection, retail, hotels, apartments and single-family homes.

Krause Sports and Entertainment,

the developer behind The Gathering, also plans to establish a community ice center at a future location.

"ASM Global's unparalleled track record in top-tier venue management aligns perfectly with our goal of pursuing an NHL franchise for North Georgia,” Krause Sports and Entertainment CEO and President Vernon Krause said. “Metro Atlanta’s passionate sports culture, economic strength and continued population growth makes it an ideal market for a professional hockey team.”

In January, the Forsyth County Commission agreed to foot $350 million for the construction of the arena and $40 million for an arena parking deck through revenue-backed bonds if The Gathering secures an NHL tenant.

A new and binding agreement between the county and the developers is set to be considered at a called Board of Commissioners meeting at 5 p.m. March 26.

Alpharetta, Forsyth County’s neighbor to the south, is also vying for an NHL team in its North Point district.

Alpharetta Sports and Entertainment Group announced March 12 its petition to the NHL with backing from Neil Leibman, Peter Simon and Aaron Zeigler in partnership with NHL veteran Anson Carter.

APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO

A group of owners is throwing their hat in the ring for a NHL expansion team, this time in Alpharetta’s North Point district.

Northern Ridge announces quarter’s Eagle Scouts

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District (Cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, John’s Creek, Milton) is proud to announce its newest Eagle Scouts, who completed their Eagle Board of Review January 25, 2024, at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.

Completed Dec. 28, from left;

Ibrahim Hossain, of Troop 12, sponsored by Muslim American Society Youth Center, whose project was the design and construction of 4 Picnic-Benches for the Early Childhood Center branch of the School, ILM Academy.

Zain Ghazanfar, of Troop 12, sponsored by Muslim American Society Youth Center, whose project was the design and construction of a fence gate entrance, for the back grounds area for Nurul Quran, a local branch of a worldwide seminary.

Ian Hurewitz, of Troop 1818 North Metro office of the Marcus Jewish Community Center, whose project was the tear down and rebuilding of an outdoor shed, installing a paver path to the shed and also placing edging alongside the current gravel path at Congregation B'nai Torah.

Sasanka Sai Polisetti, of Troop 629, sponsored by Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of a shelving unit, a unified shelving system and a wooden folding table for the Autry Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center.

Shinhai Chen, of Troop 629, sponsored by Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of a worm compost bin, and an arbor gate for the entrance to the compost learning center and disassembling, moving, and reassembling 2 plastic tumbler composts encased in a wood stand for the Autry Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center.

Akshaj Shajeev, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church whose project was the design and construction of a large wooden swing for the North America Shirdi Sai Temple Of Atlanta.

Completed Jan. 25, from left;

Reed Hunter McMichael, of Troop 7153, sponsored by St. Brigid Catholic Church, whose project was the repairing of a trailer for Meals by Grace and then leading a food drive in which he collected over 600 food items.

Tye Miyazaki Wade, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church whose project was the design and construction of a two large storage cabinets, creating a better support system for the two current cabinets and reorganizing the current band material for Chattahoochee High School Bands.

Viraj Sumit Karanjawala, of Troop

10, sponsored by St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, whose project was the design and construction of 2 benches and repairing the current Gazebo located at Webb Bridge Middle School.

Completed Feb. 29, 2024, with Atlanta Area Council District Executive Chandler White in middle;

Aidan Pfeiffer, of Troop 10, sponsored by St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, whose project was the design, construction and installation of 2 wooden benches and 30 birdhouses for Old Rucker Farm Park.

Garrett Jackson Zaher, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of an ADA compliant ramp that would allow people to access the Patient Paws Dog Service

Ronit Sankhe, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church whose project was the removal of old plants and replacing them with Azelia Bushes and a red maple tree in the parking lot as well as cleaning up the area, mulching it and replacing the stones at the outdoor chapel stairs for Johns Creek Presbyterian Church.

Nikhil Adlakha, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church whose project was the installation of concrete brick borders in two locations adjacent to the Shiv Mandir Temple, as well as recultivating and planting new flora in five distinct areas along the adjacent road.

PROVIDED

Top: December 2023 Eagle Scouts, Middle: January 2024 Eagle Scouts, Bottom: February 2024 Eagle Scouts

Holy Week Schedule:

Palm Sunday – March 24

8:30am: Traditional in the Historic Chapel 9:45-10:45am: Sunday school 11:00am: Modern in the Sanctuary

Week of March 24-29

Self-Guided Stations of the Cross (throughout Midway’s campus) Follow Jesus’ passion with self-guided meditations that can be accessed on Midway’s campus at any time during the week.

Good Friday – March 29

7:00pm: The Life and Passion of Christ in the Sanctuary.

A moving service following the life, ministry, and passion of Jesus Christ.

Easter Sunday – March 31

7:00am: Sunrise Service

8:30am: Worship in the Historic Chapel

9:45am: Lite-Bites Brunch. Gathering Area (Entrance nearest the bell tower)

11:00am: Worship in the Sanctuary

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Where to snag vegan food

By ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com

METRO ATLANTA — Whether it’s a personal lifestyle choice or a New Year’s health kick, a vegan diet does the body good. For those nights you aren’t up for cooking at home or safely ordering a salad at your friend’s favorite barbeque place, it’s important to have tasty options that align with your culinary preferences. While there are several health benefits to eating allnatural and organic foods, it can be exhausting to find a delicious vegan restaurant that fits your needs for a night out. Here are nine vegan food and dining options to keep on your radar throughout metro-Atlanta.

Alpharetta

1. Mayuri Indian Grill

• Authentic Indian eatery serving vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian dishes

• Open Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Friday/ Saturday 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.; closed Mondays

• Located on McGinnis Ferry Road

2. Madras Chettinaad

• Authentic South Indian food

• Serves vegetarian and vegan dishes and alternatives

• Open every day 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

• Located on State Bridge Road

Roswell

3. Veganize It

• Vegan

• Open Tuesday-Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Closed Mondays

• Serves plant-based sides and desserts with entrees available on Saturdays

• Located on Old Roswell Road

Johns Creek

4. Ethiopiques Cafe And Restaurant

• Ethiopian restaurant with vegan dishes

• Open Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/ Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. and FridaySaturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed

Mondays

• Serves vegan offerings and platters of varying sizes

• Located on State Bridge Road

5. Rakkan Ramen

• Offers vegetarian and vegan dishes

• Japanese ramen bar and restaurant

• Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

• Located on Medlock Bridge Road

Peachtree Corners

6. Loving Hut Vegan Cuisine

• 100% vegan

• Offers variety of American, Hispanic, Asian, and Italian entrées, sides, and desserts

• Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.

• Located on Spalding Drive

Atlanta

7. Asian Vegan Kitchen

• Traditional Asian dishes with a vegan twist

• Strictly offer deliver and pick-up

• Open Monday-Tuesday/Thursday-Sunday 5:30 p.m. – 12:45 a.m.; closed

You can find an assortment of vegan food options around Metro Atlanta.

Wednesdays

• Located on Forrest Street Northwest

8. Bakaris Plant Based Pizza

• 100% vegan

• Serve plant-based pizza, burger, and wraps

• Open Monday-Thursday 2 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Friday-Saturday 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.; Sundays 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.

• Located on Lee Street Southwest

9. Calaveritas Taqueria Vegana

• 100% vegan

• Serve plant-based tacos, nachos, and burritos

• Open Tuesday-Thursday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; closed Mondays

• Located on Presidential Parkway

MAP BY JACOB TOMBERLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Kemp praises local fight against human trafficking

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp stopped by Roswell Area Park March 14 for a Rotary Club meeting to advocate for ending human trafficking statewide.

More than 250 people, including Rotarians and public officials, packed the gym in the Bill Johnson Community Building to discuss commitments to veteran families and the fight against trafficking.

The same day, the Georgia House of Representatives approved final passage of the ninth anti-human trafficking bill, SB 370, under Gov. Kemp.

The bill, if signed by the governor, would require certain establishments to post human trafficking hotline information.

The bill also secures awareness training and inspections for massage practices, with requirements for the display of licenses.

Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson touted the local push to update ordinances on massage practices, implement more regulations and enhance enforcement.

“The City Council and I made it our top priority to eradicate illicit activities in massage parlors and put an end to human trafficking in the City of Roswell,” Wilson said. “The safety and protection of our residents, especially those who cannot defend themselves, is

a solemn duty and responsibility.”

He also spoke about the Sept. 20 joint operation led by Roswell Police, in which several spas around Metro Atlanta saw criminal charges, and the subsequent ordinance changes the City Council made March 11 regarding massage establishments.

Some updates included clarifying the role of a registered agent and the requirement for massages to be performed by a Georgia licensed therapist.

“While we may not be able to eradicate illegal massage parlors and human trafficking on a global scale,” Wilson said. “We are going to eradicate illegal massage parlors and human trafficking in the City of Roswell.”

He said he hopes the local effort inspires other jurisdictions across the state and country to follow suit.

Dave McCleary, vice chair of Rotarians Against Slavery, presented first lady Marty Kemp with an award for her efforts to combat human trafficking in Georgia and across the United States.

“Thank you for your outstanding contributions and leadership that exemplifies service above self,” McCleary said.

McCleary said that Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott attributed her state’s trafficking task force to inspiration from Marty Kemp’s work in Georgia.

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HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

At left, Dave McCleary, vice chair of Rotarians Against Slavery, presents Georgia first lady Marty Kemp, right, with an award for her work combating human trafficking. McCleary thanked Kemp for her dedication to “service above self.”

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Unfortunately, not all special needs children are able to assume these responsibilities, making it imperative for you to consider alternatives such as legal guardianship or power of attorney, which are both legal structures that give you or a trusted individual the right to make decisions for your child.

In the event something happens to you, make sure your child is protected and that your assets do not end up in jeopardy. Consult attorneys and financial advisors to start strategizing a plan that will protect your child’s future and happiness.

Who you gonna believe? ‘The marketplace of ideas’

PAT FOX Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com

The Pew Research Center asked me recently to participate in a survey on current affairs. I consented to offer my opinions on religion, politics, immigration and other assorted issues because it is important to help paint an accurate picture of American sentiment.

I’ve always found Pew, a division of the Pew Charitable Trust, to be a reliable source of valuable information.

Thanks to the galaxy of internet and broadcast outlets, we now have an exhaustive supply of “expert” policy statements on social and political stances. I find few of them trustworthy, and yet the shelves overflow in the marketplace of ideas.

That term, “marketplace of ideas,” is attributed to Supreme Court giant Oliver Wendell Holmes in his dissent on a 1919 case relating to the Espionage Act. Two defendants were convicted of distributing leaflets, signed “revolutionists,” calling for an end to U.S. efforts to intervene in Russia’s civil war.

Holmes argued, unsuccessfully, that the leaflets presented no “clear and present danger” to the country and that, “The best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market.”

Holmes’ marketplace of ideas is now an industry, fueled by special interests with deep pockets or pecked on the keyboards of provocateurs in their parents’ basement.

On a grander scale, there are “think tanks,” teams of data jugglers paid to manufacture viewpoints to suit any social or political persuasion. Most of these policy statements begin with some basis in fact, but their route to a

conclusion is often skewed with partisan detours before landing on any “truth.” The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard reports more than 1,200 think tanks operate in the United States.

Not all think tanks are evil. Some provide valuable research devoid of bias.

Whether they admit it or not, the seminal purpose of most think tanks is to spread information, often to sway public opinion in a pre-determined direction. Many identify themselves as “non-partisan,” but most really aren’t.

All receive funding from someone – people, organizations, and in some cases, grants. No one has ever given money to anyone without a reason.

Many think tanks are alchemists of thought, often turning raw propaganda into gold. It’s their job to tell you what to think, not how to think.

Cable news – and I use that term loosely – supports a cast of characters spewing arguments culled from think tanks.

Cable news is today’s ESPN, politics as sport – moderators as coaches; guests, either Stepford cheerleaders or hapless quarterbacks in a collapsing pocket.

Is it any wonder that people today cite facts that are, in fact, not facts at all?

Only recently, the Miami Chronicle reported online that the U.S. is softening its stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The information was attributed to an unnamed State Department official via a leaked recording. The Chronicle also carried other news out of South Florida, information that had already been aired or published by local outlets.

For the record, there is no Miami Chronicle. It is a fiction.

Across

1 Monocle part

5 Family girl

10 Airy

14 Elliptical

15 African antelope

16 Detective Wolfe

17 Let down

19 Streetcar

20 Cheer up

21 Hare race foe

23 Pasture

26 Corn serving

27 Chatters

31 Emulate Demosthenes

36 Actor McClure

37 Ariz. neighbor

38 Beg off

39 Abbey area

40 Oak fruit

43 Shredded

44 Flip over

46 Colorful carp

47 Hightails it

48 Butter up?

49 Atomic devices

51 Glimpse

53 French sea

54 Mexican entree

59 Host

64 Food thickener

65 Tremors

68 Gr. letter

69 British ___

70 Moxie

71 Ooze

72 Farm animals

73 Marquis de ___

Down

1 Mother ___

2 Demonic

3 Discovery group inits.

4 Bed board

5 Forty winks

6 Altar vow

7 Blue-pencil

8 Dugouts

9 Bonus

10 Savvy about

11 Persian spirit

12 Time periods

13 Alaska city

18 Hide

22 Stepped

24 Bunsen burner

25 Actor Guinness

27 Father

28 Tricks

29 Broker

30 Call forth

32 Rocket type

33 French romance

34 Reverses

35 Sea eagles

36 Slap on

41 Gad about

42 Riviera city

45 He loved Lucy

49 Hot dog condiment

See solution Page 15

50 Waste allowance

52 “The King”

54 Checks

55 Curved molding

56 Appraise

57 Golf hazard

58 Competent

60 Russian fliers

61 Mrs. Dithers in Blondie

62 Idylls of the King lady

63 Punta del ___, Uruguay

66 Sandpiper

67 Viper

Solution on next page

A hand built stone house is something special

There is something unique and special about stone houses. A person can even build one by himself with the help of a few friends as farmers sometimes did years ago. Basic raw materials, field stones and sand from a creek, are free for the taking. Tools are relatively inexpensive: shovels, wagons, hammers. Then of course there are expenses for a roof, windows, doors, plumbing and electrical connections.

Alan Rucker and his wife Shelia live in a stone house on Arnold Mill Road in Alpharetta. Alan’s grandparents L.G. (Lawrence) Rucker, a cotton farmer, and his wife Byrd Broadwell Rucker built and lived in an oak and pine frame “shotgun house,” a narrow rectangular home, usually no more than about 12 feet wide, with three to five rooms arranged one behind the other and doors at each end of the house with one hallway running the entire length of the house. It was a very popular style in the South from the end of the Civil War through the 1920s.

Unfortunately, the house burned down in 1939. The entire Crabapple community came to the rescue and built the stone house that exists today. Granite from Stone Mountain was used in the construction. Sand from Little River about 3 miles north of the house was brought in by mule drawn wagon and mixed with Portland cement and crushed stone to make concrete. Timber was cut on the property. Rocks were shaped by hammer on site. To assure straight walls, a frame was built and covered with 1 x 6 or 1 x 8 inch rough cut lumber with the stones set outside the frame much in the fashion of modern bricklaying. Plumb bobs assured vertical walls. Only the exterior walls are stone. Inside construction is tongue and groove pine. The floors are heart pine. Two fireplaces provided the only heat. Alan’s grandparents added propane tanks to the fireplaces a few years later. Like many farmhouses of the time, the house had no bathroom. Alan’s grandparents installed one in 1950. Water came from a 35 foot deep hand dug well on the back porch until the 1980s when the county required conversion to county water.

Down the street a few hundred yards where Cagle Road and Arnold Mill Road intersect is one of the most recognized stone houses in the area,

A very special stone house in Milton is currently undergoing major renovation and restoration while preserving its historic character. When the transformation is completed this spring, I will write a column that will interest those who love local history. Stay tuned.

confirming the origin of the building, based on the date of a well cover on the property, the house was built around 1913. Both the exterior and interior walls are stone. It had been vacant for several years until Rob bought it. It has been undergoing major renovations to bring it up to code and to create a welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant will feature family friendly casual dining and a full bar with 24 taps of draft beers. It will accommodate 50 patrons inside and 80 outside.

Unfortunately, some historic stone houses have been demolished in recent years, victims of urban development. Selina Kent, great granddaughter of William David (Dave) Rucker, knows of a stone house built in the early 1900s that used to be where Charlotte Road joins Rucker Road in Milton. She recalls that Anita Murdock Wright, granddaughter of Dave Rucker passed ownership of the property to her daughter Dorcas Wright Berthod who sold it to developers about 20 years ago. The house was made entirely of field stone, not granite. It had pine board interior walls because Dave Rucker was building his rock house across the street and gave the lumber he had planned to use in his house to his neighbors whose house burned down. Dave Rucker’s house had one bedroom upstairs, two bedrooms downstairs as well as a kitchen, dining and sittings rooms, big back porch with a well and a front porch with a swing and willow chairs.

built in the 1970s in the shape of a castle. The house has a moat that serves as a swimming pool. The castle was reportedly made of marble from the quarries in Tate, Georgia, and granite from Stone Mountain and Elberton. It has round rooms and interior stone walls, according to Sheila Rucker Chapman who lives near the house and remembers watching it being built.

Sheila’s great uncle Irving Barnett built a stone house on Rucker Road in the 1950s. It still stands and is noteworthy for the large flower design on the front of the one story home.

A stone house, currently being brought back to life by restauranteur Rob Forrest, will soon be the Stone House Tap restaurant, situated on the highest point in downtown Crabapple. Although there are no records

Selina also recalls the rock house across the street from the Milton Library owned at one time by Claude Holcombe. The house was on a large corner lot and was vacant and for sale for several years. The land was sold about two years ago and is now a Northside Hospital facility. The stone house was demolished.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

BOB MEYERS

Columnist

PHOTOS BY BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

This beautiful stone house owned by Alan and Shelia Rucker was built by Alan’s grandfather L.G. (Lawrence) Rucker in 1939 using granite from Stone Mountain. The original house was heated by two fireplaces. A 35 foot deep hand dug well on the back porch provided water until the county required conversion to county water in the 1980s.

The Cagle Castle is one of the most recognizable stone homes in the area. It is a private residence located at the intersection of Cagle Road and Arnold Mill Road in Alpharetta. It features a moat, drawbridges and turrets. It is sometimes referred to as the Dwarf Castle because of the gnomes that decorate the property. This castle is not open to the public.

Teacher:

Continued from Page 1

Pre-K through 12th grade, music, art, and physical and special education teachers are eligible. The Teacher of the Year program is also open to ROTC and media specialists in the district.

Forsyth School Board Chairwoman Darla Light read an excerpt from James’ application essay at the ceremony.

“Thirty-five years ago, the last place I wanted to be was in a classroom for a career after years of being the student who was bullied by classmates, who was talked about by teachers, and who was left to negotiate the widening cracks in an educational system that did not help me when I could not or did not know how to help myself,” James said in the essay. “I was exhausted, humiliated and homeless. I've lived a big story, and that is why I'm bringing to the classroom as a teacher, my story and my ability to be the change I wished for all those years ago.”

James worked as an attorney and served in the Army National Guard before becoming a teacher in 2007. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of North Georgia and a juris doctorate from Mercer Law School.

James credited her former teacher who had encouraged her to join her school’s JROTC program with guiding her on toward a path to success.

“Teachers who care can transform our perspective of ourselves and of others, and they champion students through the trials of learning and growing, letting them know you matter,” she said. “And when a student feels valued and heard, they are ready to value and hear in return.”

As the district-wide Teacher of the Year, James received a car lease from Andean Chevrolet.

The four other Teacher of the Year finalists included Brandywine Elementary dual language immersion kindergarten teacher Jennifer Smith, Johns Creek Elementary kindergarten teacher Dawn Chandler, South Forsyth High science teacher Kelsey Fusco and Poole’s Mill Elementary music teacher Christina Hart.

The 42 teachers of the year for individual schools across the district were also recognized at the celebration. All winners received gifts from local businesses and sponsors.

Young:

Continued from Page 3

Young previously taught social studies and coached varsity basketball for Gwinnett County Public Schools. For mens collegiate basketball, he served as a graduate assistant at Florida

State University, director of basketball operations at DePaul University and as an assistant coach at Saint Francis University.

He holds a bachelor's degree from Florida State and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia, where he is also pursuing a doctoral degree.

Young has also served on the board

of directors for Leadership Forsyth and United Way of Forsyth. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Forsyth County since 2014.

He and his wife Nashlee have two children who graduated from Forsyth County Schools.

“I am deeply humbled and honored that the Board of Education has placed its trust in me to lead Forsyth

County Schools as superintendent,” Young said. “I appreciate the support and guidance of Dr. Bearden throughout his tenure in the district. He has been an invaluable leader, mentor and friend.”

Young said he is committed to working with schools staff to achieve the goals outlined in the district’s strategic plan.

PHOTOS BY SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden and 2023 Teacher of the Year Morgan O’Leary recognize 2024 finalist

Dawn Chandler, center, at a Celebration of Excellence March 14. Chandler, a kindergarten teacher at Johns Creek Elementary, was one of five finalists.

Forsyth County Schools teachers of the year wait to be recognized onstage at a Celebration of Excellence March 14. The district-wide winner received a car lease from sponsor Andean Chevrolet.

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Kemp:

Continued from Page 9

Gov. Kemp then took the podium to discuss his commitment to public safety and the economic impact of the North Fulton cities.

“There’s some great work going on here,” Kemp said. “I appreciate what Roswell Rotary is doing, not only for our community but also for our state.”

The governor thanked Detective Natalie Fields and the first lady for their work combatting human trafficking and commended Roswell

Police and the city on their efforts.

“We appreciate this club for being in the fight,” Kemp said. “People like Dave McCleary and a lot of people in the room were in the trenches long before we got involved in the fight.”

Fields, a special investigations detective at the Roswell Police Department, received an award for her work combating human trafficking in North Fulton from the Roswell Rotary Club, the Roswell Action Group Against Slavery and End Human Trafficking Now.

Detective Fields said McCleary invited her to the Governor’s Mansion for a meeting with the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion and Education Commission.

Police Chief James Conroy, credited with leading the September operation

Fox:

Continued from Page 11

It presents a stream of legitimate local news, then adds baseless propaganda disguised as articles.

A team from the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University traced the invention of the Miami Chronical to a pro-Kremlin website, according to the New York Times (if you trust the Old

with other North Fulton cities, said it’s an honor to have the governor and the first lady recognize the department’s work in Roswell.

“Detective Fields has done a tremendous job,” Conroy said. “We started looking at one thing, which is the sex violations, and uncovered organized crime and human trafficking.”

He said the investigation into organized crime has become much larger than he originally anticipated.

In 2024, Roswell Police have shut down six illegal massage practices. Conroy said there is more to come.

“[The City Council] just passed a stronger ordinance this week,” Conroy said. “You can expect more, now that we’ve got some more tools in our toolbox.”

Gray Lady).

If it’s not evident already, the greatest threat to this democracy is that we’ve forgotten how to establish facts first, then disagree. And it’s gone on so long that an entire generation now knows of no time when truth existed.

With apologies to the brilliant Justice Holmes, the best test of truth comes not from the marketplace of ideas. It emerges from facts stripped down to the marrow.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks about the statewide effort to combat human trafficking March 14 during a Roswell Rotary Club meeting . Kemp thanked Roswell Police Detective Natalie Fields for her work investigating a human trafficking network operating in massage parlors throughout Metro Atlanta, including one in Sandy Springs.

GrillFest

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atlantamagazine.com/grillfest