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Appen Media Group has announced that two new staff members will join the team — Managing Editor Joshua Wilson and reporter Erlandrya "Landi" Rutledge. "We are excited to welcome Joshua and Landi to our newsroom," Appen Media Executive Editor Dan Whisenhunt said. "Both are great additions to our team. Readers can expect to see both bylines in all of our publications.

Forsyth County is a special place with a unique history and some special people as today’s column will illustrate. Forsyth County was occupied by the Cherokee Indians for hundreds of years before white settlers began to arrive in 1829 after gold was discovered. The Georgia Legislature divided Cherokee lands into 10 counties in 1832, including Forsyth County which they named after John Forsyth, a noted politician at the time. The following year elections were held to select county officials.

The markets were having a rare moment of peace. Then geopolitics wandered back into the room like an uninvited relative who immediately starts arguing at Thanksgiving. Just days ago, the economic calendar was unusually quiet. With few market-moving reports on the horizon, investors appeared content to drift sideways, enjoying a brief vacation from volatility. That calm proved to be remarkably temporary.

Todd Olesiuk, development director for the Greater Perimeter Chamber. SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Greater Perimeter Chamber has named Dunwoody resident Todd Olesiuk as its new development director. In the role, Olesiuk will collaborate with team members and community partners to strengthen relationships, expand strategic partnerships and support membership growth. He will also help businesses in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs thrive while expanding their community impact.

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! The Georgia Legislature returned to the Gold Dome for a rare special session, and Rep. Scott Hilton joins the show to break down what happened and why it matters. We take an inside look at the issues that brought lawmakers back to Atlanta, the debates that shaped the session, and the legislation that emerged from it.

Mosquitoes are as much a part of Georgia summers as fresh peaches and Braves baseball. There is a saying that Georgia mosquitoes are so big they must check luggage at the airport. In addition to being a terrible nuisance and causing painful bites, they can spread diseases such as West Nile virus, equine encephalitis and Zika virus. In the spirit of "know thy enemy," some basic facts about mosquitoes are important.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Roberts Drive is closed to through traffic between 9755 Roberts Drive and Roswell Road because of a water main break. Crews are working to repair the water main and restore the road. Drivers should follow the detour and use alternate routes where possible. The city of Sandy Springs posted on Facebook about the road closure and detour around noon on Tuesday. The water main broke around 8 a.m. This story will be updated when more information is available.

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council unanimously approved a $6.3 million construction contract Monday for the long-planned Mount Vernon Road improvement project, moving the infrastructure overhaul one step closer to construction while clearing up a funding shortfall that city officials had previously identified. The council voted 6-0 to award the contract to Wilson Construction Management for improvements along Mount Vernon Road between Mount Vernon Place and Jett Ferry Road.

FORSYTH COUNTY — Though they lived just a stone’s throw from the Forsyth County northern border, many considered a 1,500-pound steer, Chuck, and his donkey companion, Nacho, the unofficial mascots of the area. With their fenced pasture sitting right by a busy stretch of road, Chuck and Nacho were often the last thing Forsyth County residents would see before entering Dawsonville. People tended to want a closer look.

Dear readers, Welcome to the first edition of North Atlanta Now, courtesy of Appen Media. My name is Dan Whisenhunt, and I am executive editor at Appen. Our talented team, with help from our readers, is writing a new chapter in the story of local news here in metro Atlanta. North Atlanta Now is a new way to connect you with the diligent, comprehensive reporting from our newsroom.