Commercial and Residential Locksmiths in Acworth

Global lifestyle brand Jaipur Living partnered with Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles to celebrate its new showroom with a grand opening party January 31 in Acworth, Ga., just North of Atlanta. More than 100 guests were in attendance, including interior designers, community officials, company staff, and friends.

Attendees were able to take part in tufting demonstrations, create their own rug designs, and were treated to a host of delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Guests were also delighted by the opportunity to view the behind-the-scenes operations of the 375,000-square-foot headquarters, scan a swatch wall for the brand’s full range of rug offerings, see accessories up close and personal, and shop vintage and one-of-a kind rugs in an afternoon of decor-filled revelry.

"N.K. Chaudhary, my father and the founder of Jaipur Living, strongly believes in not only weaving beautiful rugs, but also creating strong bonds of human connection. The Jaipur Living Studio was created as a gathering place to foster meaningful relationships between our design partners and customers and to connect them to the beautiful works of art designed by our artisans,” said Archana Chaudhary, Jaipur Living's chief operating officer.

The brand’s latest winter releases were on display with approximately 700 full-size rugs in addition to swatch samples for the company’s entire line of over 1,200 rugs. Jaipur Living also produces pillows, poufs, and throws, all of which are also now on view in the new space.

“Our Studio is more than just a product showroom. We've designed it to be a space for collaboration, creativity, inspiration, and to build these connections. We’re excited for this next chapter at Jaipur Living,” continued Chaudhary.

The Jaipur Living studio is now taking appointments. To book a showroom appointment, click here or email studio@jaipurliving.com.

About Jaipur Living Jaipur Living is a global lifestyle brand with a passion for people, product, and design. Known for its luxury rugs, poufs, pillows, and throws, Jaipur Living operates with a mission to create beautiful lives for its employees, customers, and artisans—all while preserving the age-old craftsmanship of handmade rugs. Through social initiatives and the Jaipur Rugs Foundation, the company supports more than 40,000 artisans in 700 villages by providing them with a livable wage, access to health care, leadership education, and opportunities for personal growth and development. Combining time-honored techniques and of-the-moment trends, every Jaipur Living product is as meaningful as they are beautiful.

ACWORTH, Ga. - A confessed child molester in Cherokee County was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Alexander David Eppsteiner, 27, of Acworth, entered a non-negotiated guilty plea to two counts of aggravated child molestation and two counts of child molestation.

He also will spend life on probation and must register as a sex offender.

Eppsteiner was accused of sexual abuse of a young boy, from when he was 7 to when he was 10 years old. Allegations came to light in April 2021, prompting an investigation.

Prosecutors learned Eppsteiner had been grooming the young boy, showing the child pornography, which lead to specific acts including inappropriate touching and oral and anal sodomy.

"It is common for those who prey on children sexually to place fear in their victims not to come forward, and in this case, Eppsteiner threatened the victim ‘not to be a snitch.’ This child’s courageous disclosure led to the discovery of other victims of child sexual abuse. In the face of overwhelming evidence, the defendant decided to enter a guilty plea, which in turn removed a serial offender from our community," said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Hines, of the Special Victims Unit, District Attorney’s Office.

During his sentencing hearing, prosecutors outlined a history of sexually predatory behavior towards young children, including secretly taking a photo of an 8-year-old boy while using a public restroom and having conversations and exchanging obscene photos online with a 14-year-old boy who lived in New York.

Investigators say they found several sexually explicit images of boys on his phone, including his victim.

"Through collaborative efforts of several agencies, including the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, the Anna Crawford Children’s Center, and the District Attorney’s Office, this sex offender has received a just punishment for his despicable crimes," said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. "We are proud of the brave boy who had the courage to tell his parents about the abuse, ensuring that this defendant is unable to hurt another child."

Eppsteiner was also ordered to stay away from his victims

What is grooming?

Prosecutors in this case warn parents about grooming. It allows predators to mask or hide their sexual abuse. The manipulation that goes along with grooming can include gaining the child and caregiver’s trust, filling a need, using flattery and gifts, isolating the child, sexualizing the relationship, and maintaining control.

Children who have been groomed for abuse typically feel conflicted about reporting the incidents. The victims are more likely to help conceal the abuse.

Anyone who suspects a child is being abused or groomed should contact Child Protective Services as 1-855-GA CHILD (1-855-422-4453).

MIAMI — Clarke Schmidt is one of the few pitchers who is excited to face the best lineup in baseball.

The Braves are a nightmare for opposing pitching staffs, but enemy territory will be home for the Yankees starter.

For the first time in his four-year career, Schmidt will pitch against the team he grew up rooting for — and for the first time pitch at Truist Park, about a 15-minute ride from his offseason house.

Schmidt, a native of Acworth, Ga., on the outskirts of Atlanta, will be staying at his own home and is expecting around 50 friends and family to watch him face off against Max Fried on Monday for the opener of a colossal series.

“I might be playing for free this week,” Schmidt said with a smile, referring to the tickets he has claimed. “It’ll be great to see everyone and catch up, and it’s very exciting.”

Less exciting is the opponent that awaits him.

The Braves, fresh off a statement series against the Mets, lead the majors in runs, home runs (by a wide margin), batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and many more percentages.

The Yankees are coming off a heartbreaking game and series defeat against the Marlins, who scored five runs in the ninth Sunday to pull off an 8-7 comeback to push the Yankees five games back of a wild-card spot.

The last trusted pieces in the Yankees’ rotation are Gerrit Cole (who pitched Sunday) and Schmidt, which puts additional weight on Monday’s matchup.

As does Atlanta’s recent play, Schmidt watching from afar as the Braves hung 21 runs in a single game in Queens this weekend.

“Regardless of what happens, it’s a good challenge I think when you face lineups like that,” said Schmidt, who has held his own against powerful lineups including the Rangers’ and Orioles’ this season. “It makes you better, whether you do good or you do bad. I’ve faced a lot of really good lineups this year. …

“Every time I came out the other side of it, I learned things that I didn’t have when I went into it.”

Schmidt knows imposing Braves lineups, growing up with Chipper Jones as his favorite player while idolizing Tim Hudson, a “command guy who kept guys off-balance,” said Schmidt, who is a command guy who tries to keep guys off-balance.

Going through the Yankees’ system, Schmidt sometimes heard the comparison and was flattered.

Now 27 and establishing himself as the second-best starter in a thin Yankees rotation, Schmidt is having a career year that he hopes will continue against Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and some of the best bats in the game.

Normally Schmidt can block out the literal noise during a start and focus on the catcher’s glove.

But if anyone can pierce through and reach him, it’s his mother, Renee.

What do you think? Post a comment.

“If I’m starting to struggle or I’m throwing balls, my mom is going to be the loudest,” Schmidt said. “She’s the one who’s going to try to get me back locked in. I’m normally able to pick up her voice.”

ACWORTH, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The side of a highway doesn’t seem to be the best spot to have a school bus stop.

“Right here,” Katina de Leon said, pointing to a corner near the Fairway Villas neighborhood. “In the corner right here.”

It’s the spot where parents like de Leon, mother of four, are supposed to drop their kids off.

“This was horrible,” she said. “We had traffic from here all the way to Third Army Road.”

Cell video given to Atlanta News First confirms de Leon’s statements. Video from a recent morning pickup shows traffic backed up on Cobb Parkway due to the bus stop. The speed limit in this area is 55 miles per hour.

“I’d rather drive my kids to school than pick up and drop off here,” James Tippens said.

Tippens says 55 is more of a suggestion. On cue, an 18-wheeler goes flying by.

“Basically like that,” he said. “Truck going down the road with a broken tire.”

De Leon’s concern isn’t just the traffic. Another problem is that the stop is far away from any homes.

“Someone can come and just pick up one of our kids,” she said. That’s my biggest fear.”

Both de Leon and Tippens say the bus used to make multiple stops inside Fairway Villas, but that was changed when road conditions in the neighborhood deteriorated.

“Because the roads are breaking apart, they made the front of the entrance as the bus stop,” Tippens said.

But lately, residents say property management has been putting caution tape and personal vehicles around that location, making it so the bus can’t get in.

“I’m concerned, irritated, and frustrated,” Tippens said.

Nobody could explain why this was happening.

In a statement to parents, the Cobb County School District said it’s tried to contact neighborhood management to solve the problem, but haven’t had their calls returned.

In the meantime, it has parents rethinking logistics.

“No, I didn’t send [my kids to school] today,” de Leon said.

“I’m actually planning on moving because I don’t want to deal with this at all,” Tippens added.

And hoping that property management can work with residents and the school district… to find a proper solution.

Parents are also concerned about what happens when fall and winter arrive, and pickup takes place in the dark.

“This is not a safe place,” de Leon said.

Copyright 2023 WANF. All rights reserved.

Novare Group, BCDC (Batson-Cook Development Co.) and PointOne Holdings have broken ground on a new luxury apartment community in Acworth, Ga.

The project, encompassing over 20 acres, will feature a total of 330 residences, including 20 carriage homes with private garages. With state-of-the art amenities and ample outdoor greenspace, including a centralized green, it will provide active and passive recreational opportunities for its residents.

Located at 5950 Highway 92, the community’s easy access to I-75 and I-575 offers residents a convenient commute to major employers in metro Atlanta. The project marks the 38th joint-venture between Novare Group and BCDC.

“The collaboration between Novare Group, BCDC and PointOne Holdings has been tremendously successful, and we are proud to embark on this exciting venture together,” said Novare Group President and CEO Jim Borders. “We are committed to creating a development that aligns with the unique vision of the area and exceeds the expectations of our residents.”

“We are delighted to once again join forces with Jim Borders and the team at Novare Group as well as PointOne Holdings for this exceptional project,” said BCDC President and CEO Litt Glover. “This luxury apartment community in Acworth represents a significant opportunity to contribute to the city’s growth while providing residents with a sophisticated and modern living experience.”

“We are excited to break ground on our 20^th multifamily development project, this time in the growing North Atlanta suburbs” said David Lewin, PointOne Holdings’ managing partner. “We are honored to partner once again with Novare and BCDC on this unique residential development project and want to thank our investors, partners, as well as our team for their support and drive to get this project off the ground.”

The I-75 north corridor has experienced remarkable population and job growth in recent years, while the supply of new apartments has struggled to keep pace.

Recognizing the need to meet the increasing demand for housing, Novare Group, BCDC and PointOne Holdings are committed to developing a luxury apartment community that caters to the evolving needs of residents in the area.

City National Bank is providing debt financing. Dynamik Design is the architect, bringing their innovative and creative touch to the project. Stratus Construction has been selected as the general contractor, assuring top-tier craftsmanship and timely execution.

The development’s first units are scheduled for delivery in October 2024.