News

Appen Media Group announced July 17 that Jon Wilcox will join its staff as a reporter. Wilcox will cover local government and business in Alpharetta and Forsyth County. He will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and he will be based in Alpharetta. 

Appen Media Group, publishers of the Herald and Crier newspapers, announced July 1 it has purchased the digital news company Decaturish from longtime owner and founder Dan Whisenhunt.

The Alpharetta-based company will keep on Whisenhunt and assistant editor Zoe Seiler to continue their coverage of DeKalb County along with the Decaturish core of freelance writers and photographers. Debbie Inglis will stay in her advertising and marketing role with the company.

The Georgia Press Association honored winners of the 2024 Freedom of Information Award and Better Newspaper Contest June 7 for outstanding achievements in journalism. 

The association also recognized winners of the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest during its 137th annual convention at Jekyll Island Club.

Competing in Division F, Appen Media received first place in the General Excellence category, coming out ahead of Big Canoe’s Smoke Signals and the Augusta Press. 

Appen Media Group’s penultimate Listening Tour stop June 20 at July Moon Bakery and Café drew about a dozen attendees equipped with story ideas and questions for newsroom staff.

The series, with monthly stops in each of the company’s seven coverage areas, allows the public to provide tips and suggestions on how to strengthen reporting. So far, staff have made rounds in Dunwoody, Roswell, Johns Creek, Forsyth County and Milton to gain valuable insight from residents. 

The newsroom at Appen Media Group stopped at Six Bridges Brewing in Milton May 16 to listen to residents about how to improve local coverage.

This was the fifth stop in the company’s “Listening Tour,” a seven-month series touching base in each of Appen Media’s coverage areas. So far, staff have made rounds in Dunwoody, Roswell, Johns Creek and Forsyth County in an effort to gain valuable insight from residents on how to strengthen reporting.

The newsroom at Appen Media set up shop at Cherry Street Brewing in Vickery Village April 18 to learn more about what’s on the minds of Forsyth County residents.

The event at the buzzing microbrewery and restaurant was the fourth stop on the newsroom’s “Listening Tour,” a seven-month series visiting each hub in Appen Media’s coverage areas.

About two dozen people attended Appen Press Club’s second stop on its 2024 “Listening Tour” Feb. 15 at From the Earth Brewery Company.

Members of Appen Media’s newsroom made themselves available to the public to listen to feedback from readers and talk about what they would like to see more of in their local newspaper.

Hundreds of award-winners filled the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College Oct. 26 for their turn to walk down the red carpet and receive their honors at Appen Media Group’s 2023 Best of North Atlanta Awards Gala.

The black-tie gala celebrates the honorees of the Best of North Atlanta contest, chosen by the public.

Appen Media Group announced Sept. 18 that Hayden Sumlin will join its staff as a reporter. Sumlin will cover local governments and businesses in Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Roswell. He will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and he will be based in Alpharetta.

Appen Media staff won multiple division titles in the Georgia Press Association’s 2023 Better Newspaper Contest at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel June 9.

The 136th annual competition recognizes state journalists for outstanding achievement in newspaper reporting. Appen Media staff won second place in general excellence and page one, lifestyle and local news coverage in the F Division for weekly papers with a circulation of 15,000 or greater.

Around 50 people attended a “Meet the Press” event hosted by Appen Media at July Moon Bakery Feb. 22. Residents, communication professionals and newsmakers gathered to hear from Appen staff for their first public event of 2023.

With a keen eye for the absurd, columnist Mike Tasos comes aboard Appen Media with more than a decade of experience getting personal with readers.

Appen Media Group announced Jan. 12 that North Georgia journalist Alexander Popp has been selected to spearhead coverage of the Perimeter area for the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs Crier newspapers.

Appen Media Group announced Jan. 11 that Shelby Israel will join its staff as a reporter. Israel will cover local government and public safety in Forsyth County and the City of Alpharetta. She will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and be based in Alpharetta.

Appen Media Group announced Nov. 15 that Delaney Tarr will join its staff as a reporter. Tarr will cover Roswell government and local news. She will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and be based in Alpharetta.

“It’s a great day when we can add someone like Delaney to our team,” Appen said. “She has multi-media chops and a fair, inquisitive approach to reporting. I’m excited to see the impact she’ll have, and drive, in our community.”

Originally from South Florida, Tarr recently graduated from the University of Georgia’s journalism program. In her time at UGA, Tarr worked for the local newspaper, the Red & Black, as well as student-run news station Grady Newsource. Tarr covered politics, culture and food across outlets and platforms.

Lots of applause, or what gala host Cadillac Jack called “hootin’ and hollerin,’” reverberated through the Forsyth Conference Center Oct. 27, where more than 300 award-winners walked down the red carpet to claim “Best of North Atlanta,” chosen by the public and recognized by Appen Media.

The gala touts Appen Media’s annual contest, which spans five categories in Food & Beverage, Medical, People and Community, Recreation and Services. The North Atlanta community had a one-month window for nominations and another month for voting. Eligible businesses were those located in Alpharetta, Forsyth County, Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell — all Appen Media news coverage areas. 

Appen Media Group (AMG) is adding a new publication to its portfolio of weekly community newspapers.

On Oct. 6, it began publishing the Sandy Springs Crier, a community newspaper delivered to 12,000 homes in the city of Sandy Springs. Its readers can expect extensive coverage of local government, education, business and public safety news unique and targeted to the residents of Sandy Springs.

The launch of Sandy Springs Crier is made possible in part by the Appen Press Club, a division of AMG focused on sustainable journalism in Georgia. Members of the Press Club contribute monthly or annually to the effort which provides funding to expand and strengthen journalism in Georgia. More information on the Appen Press Club can be found at appenmedia.com/join.

Appen Media Group announced July 29 that Amber Perry will join its staff as a reporter. Perry will work with the news team to cover city government and community happenings. She will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and will be based in Alpharetta.

“We’re all excited to have Amber join us,” Appen said. “Last summer we set out to assemble a newsroom fit for growth and strong community journalism. Amber’s experience with longer-form reporting and cultural affection make her the conclusive piece to that puzzle.”

Perry is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia’s journalism master’s program. During her time at UGA, she freelanced in-depth stories on topics like health and education and continued doing so after metaphorically turning her tassel.

Appen Media Group announced July 7 that North Georgia journalist Alexander Popp will join its staff as a reporter. Popp will cover local government and public safety in Forsyth County and the City of Alpharetta. Popp will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and will be based in Alpharetta.

“Having Alex jump on board is pretty energizing for us all,” Appen said. “He’s a seasoned reporter who already knows the area. It’s exciting to have that skill and context added to our newsroom.”

Appen Media leaders hope that Popp will bring a seasoned, community-based journalism perspective to its coverage in the North Georgia area.

Appen Media, parent company for weekly newspapers like the Dunwoody Crier and Alpharetta-Roswell Herald, won 18 awards, including first place for investigative journalism, in the Georgia Press Association’s 2022 Better Newspaper Contest.

Recipients include four members of the newsroom, senior designer David Brown and columnists Valerie Biggerstaff and Steve Hudson. Best Investigative Reporting, an award that must be given to an organization instead of an individual, was awarded to Staff for reporter Chamian Cruz’s coverage of the Oxbo Road realignment project.

The company also won General Excellence for its division, which includes statewide newspapers with a circulation greater than 15,000.