News

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.

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. 

For the first time in its more than 30-year history, the Alpharetta-Roswell Herald, part of Appen Media Group, has been chosen to serve as the legal organ of the City of Roswell.

The legal organ publishes all public notice advertisements for the city as required by state law.

In July, the City of Roswell issued a request for quotes to establish an annual contract with a local newspaper, and in September, interim City Administrator Michael Fischer signed the contract with Appen Media, formally making the Herald the legal organ of Roswell.

Appen Media Group, publishers of the Herald newspapers and the Dunwoody Crier, has named Carson Cook as editor for the Crier. 

Cook joined Appen, publishers of the Alpharetta-Roswell Herald, Johns Creek Herald, Forsyth Herald, Milton Herald and Northside Woman, in 2018 as a staff writer. This May, she was promoted to editor of the Johns Creek Herald and the quarterly Answer Book guides. 

Cook will report on Dunwoody City Council and community news, while continuing to cover Johns Creek and Fulton County government for Appen’s other publications. 

Carl, 23, spent much of his time in school remotely uploading the papers every week, a job that allowed him to familiarize himself with every published article and advertisement.

“I am coming aboard a ship that has been around longer than I have been alive,” he said. “It is surreal to now have a desk at the office where I used to drag around a plastic, music-blaring, toy horse. Joining the family business is something that I have been excited about for a few years now.”

Appen Media Group, publishers of the Herald newspapers and the Dunwoody Crier, has named Patrick Fox managing editor. For the past several years, he has focused on government and business in Alpharetta and Roswell.

Fox came to the paper in 2014 after 25 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution where he served as a designer, copy editor and reporter. 

“Our goal at the Appen Podcast Network is to provide our listeners with a wide variety of entertaining content so that you are sure to find your new favorite show in our rapidly growing library,” said Director of Media Production Daniel Milana.

Appen Media Group recently took home 16 awards from the Georgia Press Association’s annual contest. 

More than 80 newspapers were competing for awards in 46 categories, including ads, editorial content, special sections, photography and self-promotion.  

Appen Media again took home a slew of awards including 6 first place, 6 second place and 4 third place. Appen received third place for general excellence in its category, weekly papers with a circulation of more than 15,000.

Nina Palmieri and Conner Evans have joined Appen Media Group as summer interns. 

Palmieri and Evans will assist the news team with coverage for Appen’s five newspapers and production of the daily podcast “Herald Daily Update.” 

Appen Media Group has announced the promotion of staff writer Carson Cook to editor of the Johns Creek Herald and the paper’s quarterly Answer Book. 

“I am honored and eager to further my role with Appen Media,” Cook said. “Covering Johns Creek and the North Fulton community has been incredibly rewarding. I look forward to continue reporting on the local issues that matter to our readers.”

Cook will oversee the Johns Creek Herald and continue to cover Fulton County government and community news for all of Appen Media’s publications. She will also oversee the quarterly Answer Books and facilitate the company’s internship program.

Appen Media Group recently took home 30 awards from the Association of Free Community Newspapers annual contest. 

Over 1,400 individual entries were judged in 90 categories, including ads, editorial content, social media, special sections, media kit and self-promotion.  

Appen Media again took home a slew of awards including 10 first place, nine second place, six third place and five honorable mentions.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group is growing and has recently announced several new promotions and additions to the staff.

“We see a lot of opportunity to continue to grow our business in order to better serve our readers, listeners and clients with these new hires and promotions,” General Manager Hans Appen said. “I am excited for what the future holds for our industry, and we’ve got the right team in place to get there.” 

Appen Media Group has announced staff changes for its Alpharetta-based news operation.

Appen announced on May 23 the promotion of staff writer Joe Parker to editor of the Milton Herald. Parker has previously worked as a freelancer for Appen Media and joined the company full time last January.

Additionally, Carson Cook has joined the staff as a full-time reporter concentrating on Johns Creek. Cook is a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she was recognized by the communication department as the Outstanding Senior of 2018.

Appen Media Group welcomes a new summer intern to the newsroom.

Conner Evans has joined the editorial staff at Appen Media for the next few months.

Evans, a Roswell native and graduate of Centennial High School, is a rising sophomore at the University of Richmond. He plans to double major in English and journalism.

Appen Media Group recently took home an array of awards from competitions over the past few months. 

Most recently, Appen won 19 awards from the Georgia Press Association. The group was honored earlier this month at the annual conference at Jekyll Island Club for their part in the Georgia Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.  

Appen Media Group welcomes a new summer intern to the newsroom.

Isabela Cardona, or Isa for short, has joined the editorial staff at Appen Media for the summer.

Cardona is a rising senior at Pinecrest Academy in Cumming, where she is the co-president/ Founder of the Pinecrest Substance Abuse Awareness Club and is a trombone player and a sergeant in the Pinecrest Academy Wind Symphony. She said she hopes to bring her perspective and passion for writing to Appen Media this summer.

Appen Media Group Editor Kathleen Sturgeon was named as part of the 2018 class of Thriving Under 30 by the University of West Georgia.

Sturgeon is a 2014 graduate of the Mass Communications Department at the university where she focused on convergence journalism and minored in sociology.

Thriving Under 30 is an annual recognition program sponsored by the University of West Georgia Alumni Association.