the DeKalb FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 • VOL.

24, NO 7 • FREE

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker • A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

Touch
a truck
event
continues
to excite,
inform
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com

V
ehicles owned by Decatur
and DeKalb County were on
display for the annual Touch
A Truck even at the East Lake
MARTA station in Decatur March 23.
Decatur firefighters, police officers
and city workers look forward to the event
every year, according to city officials.
Cheryl Burnette, assistant director of
Decatur Active Living, said participation
in Touch A Truck has grown every year.
“We love doing this event. We love
seeing all the happy faces and seeing the
children have so much fun,” Burnette said.
“We started out in a high school parking
lot and now it’s been going on for [20
years].”
Burnette said the event is a great way
for parents and children to meet with local
officials in a neutral setting.  
“It’s great for the parents and kids to
meet the drivers and workers and I think
it’s great for the [Decatur] workers, too.
They love showing off their trucks,”
Burnette said.
Ram Chaturvedi, who attended the
event with his 3-year-old son, said it was
his first time attending Touch A Truck.
Chaturvedi moved to Decatur from
Washington D.C. in January and said the
event was a great way to mingle with
residents.
“We had a blast. I think this is a great,
great show,” Chaturvedi said. “We loved
it. This is beautiful. The kids loved it and
it’s a great day to be here. [Decatur] did

SEE TRUCK ON PAGE 6

Decatur hosted its 20th annual Touch A Truck event March 23 at the East Lake MARTA station in Decatur. Photos by Horace Holloman.

Visit www.TheChampionNewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 2

CHAMBLEE

Second nondiscrimination ordinance coming to county

law─Chamblee will be the third Some city council members
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
city in Georgia and the second said more than a fine should occur
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com after the first offense.
in DeKalb County to adopt such
an ordinance. Doraville adopted “I’m hoping that it’ll never
Chamblee is on its way to
a similar ordinance in November be used,” Mock said. “I like to
having the third nondiscrimination
2018. The city of Atlanta passed think that Chamblee is an open-
ordinance in Georgia, after the city
a similar nondiscrimination minded place. However, I expect
council voted unanimously to pass
ordinance 20 years ago. the ordinance will pass with flying
the ordinance’s first read March
“The people that we’re trying colors.”
19.
to protect don’t have the resources During the city council
According to the Chamblee
to file a federal lawsuit,” said meeting, a misunderstanding
City Council’s meeting agenda
Stephe Koontz, Doraville city occurred where sexual orientation
packet, the ordinance intends
council member. “That being was taken out of the ordinance to
to “protect and safeguard the
the case, they don’t really have not duplicate federal law; however,
right and opportunity of all
protections and having them at the sexual orientation is not protected
persons to be free from all forms
local level allows minor cases to by federal or state law.
of discrimination, including
get seen that otherwise would get “[Mock and I] are not
discrimination based on actual
swept under the rug.” protected by federal law,” resident
or perceived race, color, religion,
The ordinance allows residents Karen Nixon said. “If we rent a
national origin, sex, sexual
to report ordinance violations home or buy a home, we can be
orientation, gender identity, age,
to the city which would attempt discriminated against. I would
disability, marital status, familial
to resolve the issue through hope that you would include that
status or veteran status.”
conciliation. If the complaint in [the ordinance’s] final version…
The city council has been
can’t be resolved, the city’s I’m asking you on a local level to
working on the ordinance for six
hearing officer would determine protect us.”
months, according to Brian Mock,
if a violation complaint is valid. The ordinance’s second
Chamblee city council member.
A business’s first offense would read will be voted on during
If the Chamblee ordinance
result in a $500 fine, each offense Chamblee’s next city council
passes its second read─adopting
after that would result in a $1,000 meeting April 16 at 7:30 p.m.
the ordinance into city
fine.

Your DeKalb Pennies At Work!

D e K a l b Co u nt y S p e c i a l P u r p o s e L o c a l O p t i o n
S a l e s Ta x (S P LO ST ) I m p rov i n g t h e Co u nt y
One Penny at a Time!

DeKalb County SPLOST supports county-wide

improvements that promote a high quality of
life for all residents. To date, the following
projects have been funded.

• Fire Rescue: 313 new Motorola two-way radios

& 10 Rapid Response vehicles purchased

• Police Cars: 100 new cars funded

• Road Repairs: the first 100 miles of the worst
roads are being repaired and resurfaced

• SPLOST Citizen Oversight Committee formed

to enhance transparency and accountability

• Coming Soon: Parks improvements, corridor

beautification, sidewalks and more

UPCOMING SPLOST OPEN HOUSES

April 9, 6:30 – 8 p.m. April 10, 6:30 – 8 p.m. April 11, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Maloof Auditorium Central DeKalb Senior Center Lou Walker Senior Center
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
1300 Commerce Drive 1346 McConnell Drive 2538 Panola Road
Decatur, GA 30030 Decatur, GA 30033 Lithonia, GA 30058 www.dekalbsplost.com • (404) 371-7000
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 3

COUNTYWIDE
County approves funding
for library renovations
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com

Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library soon will be

renovated.
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved
a $1.2 million contract that will fund the renovation project.
The renovation contract was awarded to C.T. Darnell
Construction. DeKalb County Public Library Director
Supporters of the NAPAWF Atlanta chapter discuss reproductive issues March 5. Photo by Taylor Robins. Alison Weissinger said the branch will receive extensive
renovations.

Women’s group responds to abortion bill
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
After the Georgia Senate approved the
House Bill 481─an anti-abortion bill known
as the “heartbeat bill”─ on March 18 the
National Asian Pacific American Women’s
Forum (NAPAWF) Georgia chapter
responded to the bill's progress.
“[We] stand unequivocally opposed
to HB 481 and any other abortion bans
because they minimize our ability to make
decisions over our lives, our families and
our communities. As Asian American and
Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls,
we know firsthand the countless ways
we are already hindered by policies and
inequities that interfere with our timely
access to culturally competent health care,
including our ability to decide, if, when
SEE BILL ON PAGE 11
“We’re pretty much going to gut the interior of the library
and update all of the furnishings, [add] new bathrooms,
[install] better lighting and improve space planning in the
branch,” she said. “We’re really excited to be able to do that
because the branch is dated. It really hasn’t been worked on
in any large way since the late ‘80s or early ‘90s.”
Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library was built in the
1960s. Weissinger said renovations will begin as soon as
possible.
“We want to have a fairly quick schedule because we are
going to be closed during the renovations and we want to get
the branch back open so that [people] can use it as soon as
possible,” she said.
The renovation project is expected to be completed
within six to eight months once the project begins.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ANUNCIO IMPORTANTE

DeKalb County 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan for HUD Condado de DeKalb 2019-2023 Plan Consolidado para
Programs to include the 2019 Annual Action Plan Programas de HUD para incluir en el Plan de Acción Anual
del 2019
GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS FOR
The United States Department of Housing and Urban PROCESO DE SOLICITUD DE SUBVENCION PARA FONDOS
Development (HUD) 2019 FUNDS DE El Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los
Estados Unidos (HUD) 2019
On April 1, 2019 the DeKalb County Community Development El 1 de abril de 2019, el Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario del
Department will begin accepting applications from faith-based Condado de DeKalb comienza a recibir solicitudes provenientes de
organizations, community organizations, municipalities, non-profit organizaciones religiosas, organizaciones comunitarias, municipios,
agencies and other entities interested in applying for Community entidades sin ánimo de lucro u otras entidades interesadas en aplicar
Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), para recibir fondos de los programas Community Development Block
and HOME funds for the Year 2019. All applications or requests are Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), y HOME para el año
subject to future HUD funding for these programs. CDBG and ESG 2019. Todas las solicitudes o peticiones están sujetas a los fondos
applications and general information may be obtained beginning April que HUD tendrá disponibles para estos programas.
1, 2019 at the DeKalb County website; https://www.dekalbcountyga. Las aplicaciones para CDBG y ESG e información general pueden ser
gov/community-development/sub-recipient-grant-application. For more obtenidas a partir 1 de abril en el sitio web del Condado de DeKalb,
information, please join us at the meetings or call (404) 371-2727. https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/community-development/sub-recipient-
grant-application. Para obtener más información, le invitamos a asistir a
Application/Information/Technical Assistance Workshop nuestras reuniones o a llamar al (404)371-2727.
Date/Time Location Aplicación/Información/Taller de Asistencia Técnica
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Wesley Chapel Library Fecha/Hora Lugar
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 2861 Wesley Chapel Road Miércoles, 3 de abril, 2019 Wesley Chapel Library
Decatur, Georgia 30034 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 2861 Wesley Chapel Road
Decatur, Georgia 30034
Audiencias Públicas
Public Hearings El Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario del Condado de DeKalb
The DeKalb County Community Development Department is llevará a cabo dos audiencias públicas.
conducting two Public Hearings. Fecha/Hora Fecha/Hora
Date/Time Date/Time Jueves, 11 de abril, 2019 Jueves, 30 de mayo, 2019
Thurs., April 11th at 6:30 PM Thurs., May 30th at 6:30 PM a las 6:30 PM a las 6:30 PM
Community Needs Proposed Budget/Annual Necesidades de la Comunidad Propuestas de Presupuesto y
Maloof Auditorium Action Plan Maloof Auditorium Plan de Acción Annual
1300 Commerce Drive Maloof Auditorium 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA Maloof Auditorium
Decatur, GA 1300 Commerce Drive El propósito de esta audiencia pública es 1300 Commerce Drive
The purpose of this public hearing is to Decatur, GA obtener la opinión del público sobre las Decatur, GA
solicit input from the public regarding We will present the proposed 2019-2023 necesidades y prioridades de la comunidad. El propósito de esta audiencia es
community needs and priorities. We Consolidated Plan including the 2019 Annual Vamos a discutir información general presentar el Plan Consolidado propuesto
will discuss general information con- Action Plan, proposed budget and solicit public acerca de el Plan Consolidado 2019-2023 para el 2019-2023 incluyendo el Plan
cerning the 2019-2023 Consolidated questions and/or comments. incluyendo el Plan de Acción Anual para de Acción Anual, la propuesta de
Plan including the 2019 Annual Action el 2019, el proceso de aplicación para presupuesto, y además solicitaremos
Plan, application submission process, solicitudes, y últimas noticias sobre los preguntas y comentarios del público.
and program updates. programas.
OPINION
Humans need tune-ups too!
Those of us in our senior years are
well aware of the almost unlimited
health-related issues that seem to
unexpectedly crop up on a regular
basis, and much like maintaining and
servicing an aging automobile; each
issue that arises must be addressed if we
expect to continue to operate efficiently.
As I aged from teenager into my
20s and 30s, I was damaging my body
with activities that could potentially
have long-term implications but I was
clueless about how these activities
could impact my later years. Those
were the years when I scoffed at
warnings offered by older acquaintances
thinking those problems would never
happen to someone as fit and active as I
was at the time.
The first publisher I worked for once
told me that I needed to stop burning
the candle at both ends, had I known
then what I know now, I would have
better heeded his warning and advice.
My late 20s and early 30s were
full of international travel as my bride
and I jetted off to destinations such as
Acapulco, Cancun, Japan and Montreal.
Foreclosures
Tax Sales/Ads for Bids
Trade Name Registrations
Public Notices/Public meetings
Sheriff Sales/Local Legislation
Notices of Incorporation
To subscribe, visit DeKalbLegalNotices.com
or call 404-373-7779, X 0
#ItsInTheChampion
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
With no children and good-paying jobs,
the world was our oyster and we were
searching for pearls.
In my 40s, I began to experience
what seemed at the time to be relatively
minor inconveniences such as old dental
fillings that needed to be replaced, a
receding hairline, hernia repair and
deteriorating vision. As I relayed my
health issues to my physician, he told
me that once we reach middle age we
normally require, at minimum, a 10-
year checkup and tune up.
I didn’t understand exactly what the
physician was referring to at the time,
but after what I consider to be more
than my fair share of health-related
issues in the last 20-plus years, I now
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 4
realize just how correct he was.
Those dental fillings that had to
be replaced and the annual increased
magnifications of my eyeglasses of
my 40s truly were the beginnings of a
steady stream of health maintenance
concerns.
In addition to colonoscopies, restless
legs, weight gains, thinning hair,
cataract removal and lens implants,
elevated cholesterol levels and surgery
to repair a damaged rotator cuff, my 50s
also brought a renewed concern for my
health. I began eating healthy, working
out regularly and got back to within
10 pounds of my high school weight;
that didn’t last very long though. My
fondness of not-so-healthy food choices
and a lessened desire to burn calories
kicked in and the weight not only came
back but apparently multiplied two-
fold.
Just two years into my 60s, I’ve
experienced cracked crowns that
required root canals, melanoma issues
that now require three-month checkups
by the dermatologist, precancerous
polyps that now require colonoscopies
every three years, vein therapy for
restless legs, laser eye surgery to tweak
the lens implants from my 50s, a
gradual loss of hearing and medications
to help regulate the functions of my
bladder.
At this rate, I can’t imagine what
the next eight years may bring. I am,
however, beginning to understand why
we can begin to draw Social Security
benefits as early as age 62. It’s difficult
to keep a full-time job and still make
all the doctor appointments even with
limited health concerns.
Some may say 60 is the new 40, and
that may well be true; however, I think
three-year tune ups are the new 10-year
tune ups.
As with anything that has been
around for more than 60 years, at
some point we must consider if the
maintenance costs outweigh the value.
I honestly never imagined that I’d live
this long, but I’m hoping I’ve got at
least 10 more years of value left in
me. I just need more time for regularly
scheduled maintenance.
OPINION
Hartsfield airport takeover will not take-off
“Nothing short, in my opinion, of
an attempted theft from the people
of Atlanta, and the city of Atlanta,”
said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance
Bottoms following passage in the
Georgia State Senate of a bill to
create a state airport authority, to
oversee operations of Hartsfield-
Jackson Atlanta International
Airport and other major commercial
airports across Georgia.  Police Department and literally
It was legendary Atlanta Mayor
William B. Hartsfield who wined
and dined a former U.S. Postmaster
General into selecting Atlanta over
Birmingham for locating one of
the first major U.S. airmail depots
at the Atlanta Municipal Airport, a
formerly abandoned auto race track,
still called Candler Field into the
early 1940s.  the airport’s largest customer and
 Our capital city’s airport grew
rapidly, alongside the aviation
industry and its two largest
customers, Delta and Eastern
airlines.  structure.
Later Atlanta Mayor Maynard
H. Jackson brought about
construction of an entirely new
terminal and concourses during
the 1980s. The Midfield Terminal,
its North/South Terminals and
Concourses A, B, C, D and what
is now T, along with the first
Hartsfield-Jackson underground
train, were completed for less than a
billion dollars. Work was completed
well before the arrival of the
Democratic National Convention
in 1988 and one of Atlanta’s most
visible "dances" on the world stage,
at the time becoming one of our
nation’s largest and most modern
airports.
 Airport operations are an
interdependent tapestry of local,
state and federal government
entities and regulators interwoven
with a broad array of private sector
carriers, suppliers and enterprises
of all stripe. At Hartsfield-Jackson,
that requires the daily successful
cooperation and interplay of the
FAA, TSA, DEA, Department
of Homeland Security, Atlanta
FREEPRESS
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 5
Senate has passed a bill, largely the largest arrow in the quiver of
along party lines, to create a state those who will continue to stalk
‘One Man’s airport authority, with Hartsfield bagging the state’s largest economic
Opinion’ as its crown jewel, this proposed
legislation currently offers no
development prize. 
And as the state’s current GOP
Bill Crane financial structure or recompense to leadership rather boldly chooses to
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
the existing municipal owners.  stake out some of the more right
 It cannot also not be ignored that wing social agenda items for its
while our state is largely under GOP party’s social conservatives; it might
Department of Aviation, Atlanta control and predominantly White not make great electoral sense to
leadership, the elected leaders of simultaneously wound relationships
dozens of air carriers (foreign Atlanta and our state’s other major with the political leadership of the
and domestic) representing a municipalities are predominantly state’s capital city and other largest
total of 75,000-plus employees Democratic and more frequently MSAs. 
and contractors spread across governed by minority political I’m not a pilot, but even I can see
the airport’s several thousand power bases. what a bumpy landing that might
acres. Managing this aviation  Each Georgia General Assembly make for Georgia in 2020.
symphony requires a steady and is a two-year session, bills
knowledgeable hand for ongoing introduced in one year often live on
smooth operations. Delta Air Lines, to be amended or revived during Bill Crane also serves as a
the next. The current Senate bill is political analyst and commentator
revenue source (gate fees and unlikely to gain clearance for take- for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
passenger fees), remains strong off on the busy House Rules docket AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
and steadfast in its support of before sine die, but it will certainly FM, as well as a columnist for The
maintaining the current operating return in some form during the 2020 Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
session.  Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
 And while allegations, Atlanta’s mayor would do native and business owner, living
indictments and convictions for well to continue to hone, clean up in Scottdale. You can reach him
bribery, kickbacks and favoritism and strengthen the transparency or comment on a column at bill.
abound in the city of Atlanta of Hartsfield’s contracting and csicrane@gmail.com.
procurement process as well as vendor selection process, removing
the awarding and contracting of
airport concessionaires, that process
is managed by city hall, and not
the airport GM and Director of
Aviation. Though this checkered
and well-documented history
remains cause for pause, the
state of Georgia is no babe in the
woods when it comes to generous
contracts being awarded to insiders
and political cronies of the current
power structure.
 In the case of Hartsfield-
Jackson, and most every other
major metro area airport in, the
state of Georgia has been largely
absent in bond funding, build-out
and operations and might well
be reasonably expected to either
assume billions in bonded debt or
exchange cash or other assets of
some magnitude to take on any
airport ownership or management
role. Though the Georgia State
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
Horace Holloman PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Taylor Robins We sincerely appreciate the
Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR, Production Manager: Donna Seay The Champion was founded in 1991
expressly to provide a forum for
The DeKalb Free Press, Kemesha Wadley discourse for all community residents
P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; on all sides of an issue. We have no
Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com desire to make the news only to
FAX To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779. The DeKalb Free Press is published each Friday report news and opinions to effect
Deadline for news releases and advertising: by ACE III Communications, Inc., a more educated citizenry that will
Thursday, one week prior to publication date. 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 ultimately move our community
forward. We are happy to present
Phone (404) 373-7779. ideas for discussion; however,
www.championnewspaper.com we make every effort to avoid
printing information submitted to
us that is known to be false and/or
DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110 assumptions penned as fact.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 6

Ram Chaturvedi attended the annual Touch a Truck event for the first time with his 3-year-old son.

Multiple city- and county-owned trucks were on display March 23.

TRUCK Continued From Page 1

a lot of work to get this organized, so all thanks go to the city. They did a
great job to get the kids engaged.”
The event wasn’t just about touching trucks, event organizers said.
Decatur Active Living and Decatur firefighters also collected canned
items during the event to help feed the hungry during National Nutrition
Month. Decatur police held a bike registration event and Decatur school
officials taught school bus safety lessons.
“The kids really like it. They are enjoying it a lot. One of the things I
like is that they get to see the drivers and who’s operating the trucks. They
are able to get a sense of how things work,” said Marta Jimenez.

Decatur police held a bike registration drive during the Touch a Truck event in Decatur.

DORAVILLE

Pittman, Patrick offer condolences

after New Zealand shootings
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
After 50 people were killed
and at least 50 were wounded
REDUCE
REUSE
said she and Doraville police
department officials have spoken
with the local mosque.
“[I’m] very heartbroken by
what happened and we appreciate

RECYCLE
during a March 15 attack at our chief of police going out and
two mosques in New Zealand’s speaking to them and reassuring
Christchurch, Doraville officials them [that they’re safe],” Pittman
gave their condolences during the said. “We appreciate the support
March 18 city council meeting. that our police department
“I just want to acknowledge has offered and [our mosque
the tragedy from New Zealand,” members] do as well. Our hearts
said Robert Patrick, Doraville do go out. It’s a sad time that we
city council member. “Doraville live in that it comes to the horrible
does have a mosque and it’s things that happened.”
a valuable component to our The shooter in the attacks
community. We want everyone of has been identified as 28-year-
all religious backgrounds or faiths old Australian citizen Brenton
to be safe… we are concerned Harrison Tarrant. An
about everyone being safe here.” investigation is ongoing.
Patrick reiterated to attendees According to CNN, New
that Doraville is a welcoming city, Zealand announced March 21 a
as the city adopted the One Region national ban on all military-style
Welcoming Plan August 2018 with semiautomatic weapons and
the intention of being inclusive to all high-capacity ammunition
immigrants and existing residents. magazines.
Mayor Donna Pittman
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 7

COUNTYWIDE

The Decatur Family YMCA after-school program received a donation of more than 60 pairs of athletic shoes March 20 during a special presentation from Shoes That Fit.

IF THE SHOE FITS Children receive shoes thanks to nonprofit, Hawks

NBA and team programs that encourage children Hawks for the event. The Hawks donated
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com and families to live healthy and active lifestyles, approximately $3,000 to provide shoes for the
according to event organizers. children. Hawks players Dewayne Dedmon,
More than 60 children in the Decatur Family Jan Lauten, executive director for Decatur DeAndre Bembry and Jaylen Adams helped
YMCA after-school program received new pairs Family YMCA, said the shoes are a benefit to the the organization distribute shoes during the
of athletic shoes March 20 during a special children in the YMCA program. event.
presentation. “Many of the children we serve have shoes “The simple gift of new athletic shoes can
Shoes That Fit, a nonprofit which provided that have been passed down from their sisters be a new lease on life for a child, allowing them
approximately 131,000 pairs of shoes to children or brothers. Thanks to the Atlanta Hawks, after- to attend school, interact more positively with
in need in 2018, presented the athletic shoes school students will have a brand-new pair of their teachers and peers and participate in sports
during the National Basketball Association FIT athletic shoes,” Lauten said.   and other physical activities. We’re so happy to
week. Fit week was created to showcase the Shoes that Fit partnered
B:10.25”
with the Atlanta be able to help more kids learn, play and thrive,”
T:10.25”
SEE SHOES ON PAGE 16
S:10.25”

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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 8
Stone Mountain Park’s “MEGABUGS! Adventure Encounters” features giant butterflies, ladybugs, grasshoppers and other bugs. Photos by Carla Parker
Stone Mountain Mayor Patricia Wheeler, center, and Stone Mountain Park officials cut the ribbon to officially open the
“MEGABUGS! Adventure Encounters” attraction.
Giant bugs invade
Stone Mountain Park
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Stone Mountain Park is celebrating the
return of spring with big bugs.
The park unveiled its newest attraction,
“MEGABUGS! Adventure Encounters,”
with a ribbon cutting ceremony March 21.
The attraction features more than 70 new
exhibits of large insects. Park officials
describe it as an “immersive and interactive
area for ‘bugologists’ of any age to
explore.”
Creepy-crawlers featured in the exhibit
are spiders, bees, ants, beetles and more.
There is also a 15-foot emperor dragonfly,
a 20-foot hissing cockroach and a 50-foot
madagascan fire millipede. Several of the
giant bugs move as well.
Stone Mountain Park unveiled its newest attraction, “MEGABUGS! Adventure “Usually when you have bugs in a
Encounters.” Photos by Carla Parker
place where you live work and play it’s
not a good thing, but we’re very excited to
have bugs here at Stone Mountain Park,”
said Sone Mountain Park General Manager
Michael Dombrowski. “I feel very blessed
to work with an amazing team that helped
put this all together.”
Stone Mountain Mayor Patricia
Wheeler said she enjoys visiting the park’s
attractions.
“I tell people all the time that this is
really my happy place,” Wheeler said. “I
grew up in Atlanta and have been coming
to Stone Mountain for a very long time. It’s
great to have [the park] as neighbors.”
“MEGABUGS! Adventure Encounters”
opens to the public March 30 for the start of
the park’s “Spring MEGA FUN Break” and
is included with all-attraction passes and
mountain memberships.
See more pictures on page 9.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

During Brookhaven’s March 30-31 Cherry Blossom Festival, an artist walk will feature
locally made items available for purchase. Photo provided by Brookhaven Cherry
Blossom Festival Twitter.

Stone Mountain Park’s “MEGABUGS! Adventure Encounters” features giant flies, spiders and more.

From left, Maddie Tapp, Juan Martinez, Cade Lautenbacher and Erica Smith, placed
fifth in the recent Georgia Economics Challenge. The Dunwoody High School group
also tied for the top score in International Economics. Photo provided by Priscilla
Cole Twitter.
A blindfolded child sticks his hand in a box during a game. Photos by Carla Parker

Have you created programming you’d like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb County’s Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.

(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com

EDUCATION
COUNTYWIDE
Church pays outstanding
school lunch debt
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Elementary students
of DeKalb County School
District (DCSD) who have
negative balances on their
school lunch accounts have
been given a new start due to
a recent church donation.
Transforming Faith
Church, located in Decatur,
raised $7,000 to reset all
negative school lunch
balances in 14 DCSD
schools. Lee May, a
former DeKalb County
commissioner, is the pastor
of the church.
“We really wanted
to be a blessing for our
educators,” May said. “It’s
not something that we did a
whole lot of promoting for in
terms of what we did.”
The recent donation
was a part of the church’s
generosity campaign. In
November, boxed meals
and whole turkeys were
given to 50 families. During
the Christmas season 100
bicycles and 200 toys were
given to families in need.
The church also gave school
supply boxes to 62 DeKalb
County teachers in January.
“We show our love
of God through how we
show our love toward one
another,” Lee said. “We
were looking for specific
ways that we could show,
as a church, our love for our
community.”
Transforming Faith
Church was founded a year
EDUCATION BRIEFS
by Taylor Robins • Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Seven students selected as Critical
Language Scholarship semifinalists
In January, seven University of North
Georgia students were selected as
semifinalists for the Critical Language
Scholarship Program. CLS is a fully
funded overseas language and cultural
immersion program for American
undergraduate and graduate students.
Rachel Wilson of Stone Mountain,
who is pursuing a degree in finance
with a minor in Chinese, is one of the
recipients.
DCSD officials celebrate with members of Transforming Faith Church when the church gave its first donation to DCSD in 2018.
Lee May, former DeKalb County
commissioner, is the pastor of
lunch still.
Transforming Faith Church. Photos
provided by Lee May.
According to Walker, the
donation reset 817 student
accounts.
and a half ago and currently
DCSD board members
has 74 members.
voted to approve the
“We’re not a mega
donation at the March 4
church but we’re trying
board meeting. Donations
to have mega impact
totaling more than $5,000
on people’s lives in the
have to be approved by
community,” Lee said.
DCSD officials. The vote
Most of the $7,000 in
wasn’t a surprise to Lee who
donations came from church said that the church also
members. Delta Sigma Theta raised money last year to
sorority members in DeKalb help families out of negative
also raised $1,000 of the
school lunch balances.
total donation and Walmart
The church has donated
contributed $500.
approximately $20,000 to
“I think it’s a very
DCSD for lunch balances,
positive initiative because
according to Lee.
technically they’re
“Last year several
supporting families in need,” families were elated to know
Connie Walker, DCSD
that their balances were
executive director for school cleared,” Walker said.
nutrition services said.
Schools were selected to
“Within the district we have
receive the donations based
a 52 percent free and reduced on their proximity to the
rate and oftentimes we
church. According to Walker,
support families that are $50 elementary schools that
to $100 off from receiving
received donations include
school lunch benefits and
Browns Mill, Murphey
often those kids do not have
Chandler, Wynbrooke,
the resources to pay for
Princeton, Rockbridge and
Local students named to President’s
and Dean’s List at Clemson
University
Students have been named to the fall
2018 President’s List and Dean’s List at
Clemson University.
Local students included on the
President’s List are Luke William
Hale of Brookhaven, Haley Elizabeth
McKee of Brookhaven, Nicholas P.
Muenchen of Brookhaven, Austin
Richard Schlueter of Brookhaven,
Josephine Marie Wirtz of Brookhaven
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 10
Rock Chapel.
The idea of helping local
families with resetting lunch
account balances came from
another church that Lee is
familiar with. However, the
cause hit home for Lee who
has three daughters in the
DCSD system; his family
too has had negative school
lunch balances.
“Our account had gone
to the negative,” Lee said.
“For us, we were able to
just pay the balance off but
there are so many families
throughout the country
that don’t qualify for free
or reduced lunch but yet
financially, it’s still a struggle
[to pay].”
According to Lee, the
school lunch system is
“pay as you go.” If a family
doesn’t qualify for free or
reduced lunch, a family
has to pay out of pocket.
“Students will eat through
the money on their lunch
account and it’ll go negative
because the schools will
let the kids eat even if they
don’t have anything on the
and Parker Justin Raymond of
Decatur.
Local students included on the
Dean’s List are Hannah Logan
Braswell of Chamblee, Matthew
A. Beach of Decatur and Emily B.
Sciarrone of Decatur.
To be named to the President’s List,
a student must achieve a 4.0 grade-
point average. To be named to the
Dean’s List, a student achieved a grade-
point average between 3.50 and 3.99 on
a 4.0 scale.
account. But at some point
their lunch will be a different
type of meal than everyone
else’s, like a grilled cheese
sandwich or a peanut butter
and jelly sandwich.”
According to Walker,
DCSD gives a courtesy meal
of a grilled cheese sandwich,
fruit and milk to elementary
students whose accounts are
in the negative.
Transforming Faith
Church has a goal to
eliminate all DCSD negative
school lunch accounts for
all elementary aged kids in
DeKalb County.
During the March 4
Board of Education meeting,
board members spoke highly
of the church’s efforts.
School principals have also
contacted Lee to thank the
church.
“They’re just so thankful
because they have a heart
for the kids that go to their
schools,” Lee said. “It
made me feel good to be
honest that they took time to
acknowledge the work that
the church is doing.”
UA announces for fall 2018 graduates
The University of Alabama awarded
some 2,065 degrees during its fall
commencement Dec. 15.
Local students are Kristin Harris of
Stone Mountain, Amelia Kisling of
Stone Mountain, Nathan Pulliam of
Decatur and Vernon Solomon of Stone
Mountain.
LOCAL
Student wins cruise in essay writing competition and how to grow our families. HB 481 would make things
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Mom and daughter duo
Lyla Biggs and Jennifer
Biggs will soon travel to the
Netherlands and Belgium
as winners of an AAA essay
competition.
Lyla, an eighth grade
student who attends
Peachtree Charter Middle
School, submitted three
essays and a photograph of
herself to the company as
part of its “Discovery Crew”
European River Cruise
contest last summer.
Lyla’s grandparents told
her of the competition.
According to Jennifer, her
daughter is a beautiful writer.
She said they would not have
known about the competition
otherwise.
“I did not submit thinking
that I was going to win,”
Lyla said. “I thought there
was a low chance that I was
going to win. It was like a
month before they got back
to us. My mom texted me
on the school bus to tell me
to check my email. And I
looked and there was this
email that said I won and
I didn’t believe it. I didn’t
expect it.”
By answering “what roles
do rivers play in society?”,
“why do you want to go
on the trip?” and “what
do you hope to learn from
other people on the trip?”
for her essay questions,
Lyla will experience an all-
expenses-paid, eight-day
AmaWaterways European
river cruise with 55 other
winners from 11 other states.
Lyla and her family have
been to Spain and Lyla said
she loves to travel.
“We were amazed by
the passionate responses
from the many students
who expressed their interest
in going on this trip,”
said Deborah Haas, vice
president of AAA travel
products and services.
“The winners chosen are
different in many ways,
but each shares a similar
enthusiasm for travel. Soon,
these students will immerse
themselves in different
cultures and see what it’s like
to be an eighth grader in two
different countries. This truly
BILL Continued From Page 3A
Jennifer Biggs, left, and her daughter Lyla Biggs, right, will be going on an all-
expenses paid trip after Lyla won an essay writing competition. Photo provided by
Jennifer Biggs.
has the potential to be a life-
changing experience.”
“Travel is so important
to opening up understanding
and acceptance of diverse
cultures and people, and
it should start at a young
age,” said Rudi Schreiner,
president and co-owner of
AmaWaterways. “We’re
thrilled to partner with
AAA to offer these eighth
graders a very personal
and immersive river cruise
[during] which they’ll
create memories that last a
lifetime.”
Lyla Biggs will be taking
Jennifer as a chaperone.
From March 27-April 4, the
pair will fly to Amsterdam,
and then sail on an
AmaWaterways river cruise
through Belgium and the
Netherlands.
“I want her to get a sense
of what people are like in
other places,” Jennifer said.
“I think we live relatively
isolated. I think it’ll be great
to see how other people
her age are in Europe and
from this country that we’ll
be traveling with. It’ll be
fascinating to hear their
stories.”
While on the cruise,
students are taught about
local history, art and science
while sampling local
cuisine and visiting historic
landmarks such as the Anne
Frank House.
“I just read [Anne Frank’s
The Diary of a Young Girl],”
Lyla said. “So I’m excited
to see where all this took
place.”
Students will visit a
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 11
much worse,” said the NAPAWF Georgia chapter in a
March 18 statement sent to The Champion Newspaper.
If made into law, the bill would ban abortions after
six weeks of pregnancy or when a doctor can detect a
heartbeat in the womb. According to the women’s group,
the timeframe comes before many women know of their
pregnancy. Currently, Georgia allows abortions to be
performed within 20 weeks of a pregnancy.
“Essentially it is an all-out abortion ban,” the statement
also said.
If the bill passes, Georgia will have one of the strictest
abortion laws in the country.
The bill would allow abortions after the six week
timeframe in the case of rape with a filed police report,
incest and health reasons. The bill would also allow for
parents to claim an embryo as a dependent for taxes and
expectant mothers would be able to collect money from the
biological fathers for birth and pregnancy costs.
The bill needs House approval before it can go to Gov.
Brian Kemp’s desk to become law.
flower garden and participate
in hiking and biking tours
near the world-famous
Holland windmills. Students
also will visit middle
schools in Belgium and the
Netherlands to see what life
is like as an eighth grader in
another country.
“When I was young I
never got to travel like this,”
Jennifer said. “So I can’t
believe how fortunate we
are that she’s going to get a
chance to travel this young.
I hope it becomes a habit
for her. I hope she has other
opportunities in the future to
continue to do so.”
According to Lyla, she
is looking forward to the
entire trip but especially one
destination. “We’re going to
go to a science museum and
I really love science. So I’m
excited to see all of the stuff
that they have in there.”
Lyla is still deciding on a
career path but is interested
in being a writer or an
astrophysicist. She said she
believes this trip will help
her learn about possible
career choices.
“This will definitely help
me learn about lots of people
everywhere and about people
that I could potentially work
with,” Lyla said.
The Biggs’ family
includes her father and
younger sister. However,
Lyla and Jennifer are
using this trip as a way to
bond─just the two of them.
“It’s going to be
fabulous,” Jennifer said,
“We’re going to have to
apply for this again.”
 AROUNDDeKalb
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 12

BROOKHAVEN COUNTYWIDE TUCKER

Cherry Blossom Festival comes to town DCSD invites applicants to job fair Henderson Park to host scavenger hunt

Brookhaven will hold its Cherry Blossom Festival at
Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, March
30-31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Smash Mouth will perform at the event March 30
with the Spin Doctors and Grammy-award winning
band The Wallflowers will appear March 31. The
Romantics will also perform during weekend festivities.
Admission to the festival is free.
CLARKSTON
DeKalb County School District will host its annual
teacher recruitment event April 27, where graduates
and recent graduates will be interviewed for teaching
positions for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year.
Applicants are asked to bring their resume, teaching
certificate, official transcripts and edTPA Scores & GACE
scores. The event will be held at Lithonia High School
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Applicants are to preregister at www.pats.dekalb.
k12.ga.us/recruit.
On April 1, there will be a self-guided Photo
Scavenger Hunt on the hiking trails of Henderson Park.
The first 30 participants who complete the scavenger
hunt and show their photos to a Parks and Recreation
employee will win a free, limited edition Henderson
Park t-shirt custom made by All-Pro Graphics. The
park is located at 2723 Henderson Road. For more
information, visit www.tuckerga.gov.
Park to host free basketball clinic

Library to host beginner crochet class
Clarkston Library will host a beginner crochet class
April 6 from 11 a.m. to noon. Attendees will be
taught to read a pattern and how to crochet several
stitches. They will also be taught to make a hat or
scarf to take home. Supplies will be provided. The
library is located at 951 North Indian Creek Drive.
For more information, call (404) 508-7175.
DECATUR
Women’s empowerment luncheon set
The metro Atlanta chapter of National Hook-
Up of Black Women will hold a luncheon with the
theme Women Empowering Women on Saturday,
March 30, noon- 3 p.m. The event will be at
Community Achievement Center, 4522 Flat Shoals
Parkway, Decatur. Ticket are $20 and are available
Peters Park will host a free basketball clinic, presented
by Halftime Sports, April 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Boys
and girls from kindergarten through seventh grade
will work with coaches on fundamentals, participate
in drills and have the chance to win prizes. Pre-
registration is available at www.tuckerga.gov/parks,
but participants can register upon arrival. The park is
located at 1832 Clark Drive.

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BUSINESS DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 13

COUNTYWIDE

Millennial marketing expert:

Businesses must keep pace with today’s consumers
pitches for products they training. “A video such
BY KATHY MITCHELL as this is more effective
have no interest in and it
FREELANCE REPORTER
allows businesses to avoid than a still photo in that
wasting advertising dollars potential customers feel
“Newsprint, radio with people who don’t they are connecting with
and television are very need or want what they’re a real human being. It is
afraid night now,” said offering.” shown only to business
Kimberly Morris Allen, She asked, “What executives who have
owner and marketing happens when you pass employee problems they are
consultant with the Stone out flyers about your trying to solve. The business
Mountain-based Morris business? Most of them owner lets them know she
Allen Agency. “Throughout go straight to the trashcan. understands their problems
their histories they have Even people who hang on and that she can help.”
depended on advertising to them because they think Allen said business
for their survival. Now, they may be interested will owners should keep their
they are trying to figure probably put the flyer on a business-related social
out how to stay relevant. desk that already has lots of media separate from the
Even television, which for paper. It just gets lost in the truly social. “You can have
more than half a century has paper.” It’s possible to reach two Facebook pages, but
had no problem attracting far more people who are don’t try to manage both.
advertising dollars, is likely to become customers Turn your business page
afraid.” through the internet, over to an agency that
Speaking at the according to Allen. knows how to manage
March 21 meeting of the Noting that the internet it properly. You have
South DeKalb Business is interactive, Allen said, enough to do running your
Association, Allen said the advertisers know based on business.”
rise of internet advertising what a computer user places A marketing
poses a major threat to in a search engine what that professional, Allen said,
traditional media. “Business user is interested in. “They can help the owner of
is all about meeting a may not know your name, “Consumers in the current generation do not look in the phonebook when they need a business, whether the
need. You want to market but they know you. Based something; they look on the internet,” says marketing expert Kimberly Morris Allen business is large or small,
to people who need what on the choices you make on determine the right media,
you offer. Consumers in the internet, they may know, the right content, the right
the current generation do for example, that you have a solution, calls the person to audience and the right
be tempted to turn that part number of exposures for the
not look in the phonebook dog or children, that you’re of your marketing over to action and makes an offer.
.when they need something;
planning to take a vacation “It’s important that this offer ad.
your college intern or even
they look on the internet.” trip or that you need a new a bright high school student, be worthwhile,” she said. FREE BREAKFAST AND
Allen, who identifies herself car.” but unless the person doing “Offer something that has LUNCH EVERY SUNDAY!
as a millennial marketing It’s not a coincidence, your internet advertising value for the person, who
expert, started her agency in she said, when a person also is proficient in may become a longtime Sunday School 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Savannah in 2013. puts bedroom furniture in client.” Sunday Service
marketing, he or she may do 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Allen said internet a search engine and for your company more harm Videos such as those Wed. Bible Study: 7-8 p.m.
advertising offers several days sees pop-up ads from than good,” she said. “You on YouTube are proving
advantages for both the furniture companies. have to have a strategy.” to be both successful and Looking for new ushers, choir
advertiser and the consumer. Speaking to an audience Effective advertising, cost-effective, said Allen, members and praise team.
“For one thing, internet that included many older Allen said, identifies the who showed a video she New Jerusalem
advertising can target those business owners, Allen recently produced for a Outreach Ministries
would-be consumer’s (770) 981-7408
who have an interest in a warned that simply knowing problem or need, provides a client who offers employee
product or service in ways how to access such outlets Sr. Pastor,
traditional adverting cannot. as Facebook and YouTube Dr. Julius Edmondson, Sr.
It allows consumers to avoid is not enough. “You may
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID
City of Stone Mountain
875 Main Street
PUBLIC NOTICE Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
Notice of Intent to Take Action to Change the Meeting Telephone (770) 498-8984 City Hall
Time of the Governing body of the City of Lithonia, Bids will be received by the City of Stone Mountain, Georgia
Georgia.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Mayor and Council, at Project Name: Ridge Ave (SPLOST) project number 20190308
their April 1, 2019 Regular Meeting, intend to consider and Bids will be received at Stone Mountain City Hall at 875 Main Street. Stone Mountain, Georgia
30083 until APRIL 29, 2019 at 2:00pm eastern daylight time any bid received after said date
to vote upon an ordinance that will provide for a time change and time of bid opening will not be considered by the city. Bids will be publicly opened and read
for the official meeting from 7:00 p.m. on the first and third aloud at the date, time and location above. All bids will be evaluated by the city and the work will
Monday of each month to 6:30 p.m. and if so approved on be awarded, if it is awarded, within thirty days of the bid opening
April 1, 2019, will become effective April 15, 2019. Copies of Information for bidders, bid proposal forms email publicworks@stonemountaincity.org for
inspection of the site. Contact Jim Tavenner Public Works Director at (770) 498-8984 ex 134
the proposed ordinance are available for examination and or email: publicworks@stonemountaincity.org.
inspection with the Lithonia Interim City Clerk. All concerned
citizens are invited to the public meeting, which will be The City will award the contract to the responsive bidder, subject with the City’s right to
located at the Lithonia City Hall, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia, reject any or all bids, to technicalities, and to make an award deemed in its best interests.
Georgia on April 1, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. The work consists of, but not limited to the following major elements: Milling,
LaThaydra Sands, City Administrator Resurfacing Inlay and Road Striping
SPORTS
SOCCER
Cross Key’s Larry Ramirez, left, and Clarkston’s Achier Soumaine chase the ball. Photo by Mark Brock
Cross Keys tops Clarkston
in regional match
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
No. 3-ranked Cross Keys Indians
bested No. 2-ranked Clarkston
Angoras 3-1 in their Region
5-AAAAA matchup at North DeKalb
Stadium March 21.
Cross Keys (9-1) scored first on a
free kick goal by Eduardo Dimas,
giving the Indians a 1-0 lead at the
28-minute mark in the first half.
Clarkston (9-1-1) responded at the
19-minute mark on a penalty kick by
Elie Tshiamala to tie the game. Cross
Keys regained the lead at the eight-
minute mark on another free kick, this
time by Cristian Nandi, giving his
team a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Cross Keys coach Derrick Burgess
said the coaching staff decided to
make changes to the game plan at
halftime to keep the momentum going
in the second half.
“In the first half, I thought
Clarkston came out really strong and
really aggressive and caused us a lot
of problems,” Burgess said. “We had
a conversation at the half, and we
executed well, and the results speak
for [themselves].”
Cross Keys pulled away from
Clarkston at the 14-minute mark in the
second half on an opened-net goal by
Anthony Maldonado, giving Cross
Keys a 3-1 lead and the win.
Burgess said he knew his team
was as good as Clarkston is and to
beat them they had to play on their
strengths.
“Clarkston is athletic and
aggressive, and we’re technical and
quick,” he said. “So, it was about
being disciplined, organized and
execution.
“We’ve played a few games earlier
in the season that were similar to this
and we made some mistakes in those
games,” Burgess added. “We learned
from those mistakes and actually
applied it to this game, and we were
able to come out on top.”
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 14
NEXT LEVEL
St. Pius X alum shines in women’s
NCAA tourney
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
St. Pius X alum Asia Durr is closing out a stellar career at
Louisville.
Durr, a two-time ACC Player of the Year, led top-seeded
Louisville to its third consecutive Sweet 16 after the team beat
Michigan 71-50 on March 24. The senior guard led the team in
scoring with 24 points. She also had five assists, three steals, two
rebounds and two blocks.
Durr is averaging 21.3 points this season. She was the No.
2-ranked recruiting prospect when she signed her letter of intent
to Louisville in November 2014. Durr won two Class AAA state
titles while at St. Pius, as well as two gold medals with the 2013
USA Women’s U16 National Team and the 2014 USA Basketball
Women’s U17 World Championship Team.
When Durr signed with Louisville, she said she wanted to
“bring some positive stuff to the team. Whatever coach needs me
to do, I’ll do. I’m just excited to be out there and play.”
Durr and Louisville will face either Oregon State or Gonzaga
in the Sweet 16 on March 29.
OTHER STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Kendall Ford, Columbus
State (baseball): The
senior infielder from
Decatur had two RBIs
and one hit in the 8-6
win over USC Aiken
March 24.
Khaalis King, West
Georgia Tech (baseball):
The sophomore
shortstop from Lakeside
was 2-of-3 in hitting in
the 4-3 win over Andrew
College March 22.
SPORTS
BASEBALL
Tucker pitcher Idris Abdur-Rahman throws a pitch to MLK’s Antione Lloyd. Photos by Carla Parker
Tucker pitcher Idris Abdur-Rahman Tucker’s Barry Manning, left, is in position to run to third base.
had a tough outing on the mound
after allowing four hits and five
runs in two and a half innings.
MLK, Tucker regional battle ends in tie
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
The two top teams in Region
4-AAAAAA played to a 10-10 tie
March 22 after umpires called the
game due to darkness at Martin
Luther King Jr. High School.
In the bottom of the sixth inning,
the M.L. King Lions (8-3-1, 4-2-
1) had the bases loaded with two
outs after tying the game at 10-10.
However, Tucker pitcher Jordan
West struck out MLK’s Jeremy
Cain, who had doubled twice off
West, to end the game.
West came in to pitch for the
Tucker Tigers (8-3-1, 7-1-1) after
starting pitcher Idris Abdur-
Rahman gave up three runs in the
third inning. Tucker took a 1-0 lead
in the top of the first inning after an
RBI (run batted in) by West.
The Lions tied the game at 1-1
in the bottom of the second inning
after Trenton Hawk hit an RBI
double. Tucker regained the lead
in the third inning on an RBI by
Donny Harris, giving the Tigers
A Tucker runner gets to home plate before the tag.
a 2-1 lead. However, the Lions
responded in the bottom of the third
with three runs scored.
With the bases loaded, Jahe
Worrell hit a triple and sent three
runners home, giving the Lions
their first lead of the game (4-2).
West then came in to relieve Abdur-
Rahman.
Worrell then stole home plate,
giving MLK a 5-2 lead, after
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 15
teammate Caleb Chisolm was
tagged out trying to steal second.
In the fourth inning, the Tigers
tied the game after loading the
bases. Kaece Supples got it started
with a double after MLK couldn’t
catch the pop up in right field. MLK
pitcher Varrick Lawrence then
walked two batters, loading the
bases for Tucker.
A wild pitch by Lawrence sent
Supples running home, cutting the
Lions’ lead to 5-3. Lawrence walked
another Tucker batter and a base
hit by West sent two runners home,
tying the game at 5-5.
MLK took a 6-5 lead in the
bottom of the fourth on an RBI by
Antione Lloyd. A failed attempt
by Tucker catcher RJ Meredith
to throw a runner out at third base
resulted in two more runs scored for
MLK, extending their lead to 8-5.
Tucker cut the score to 8-6 after
a sacrifice fly. The Tigers tied the
game again in the sixth inning after
a two-run RBI single by Marquez
Knight. Lloyd was sent to the
pitcher’s mound to finish up the
game for MLK, but a wild pitch
MLK pitcher Varrick Lawrence whines up to
throw a pitch.
by him at home plate sent another
Tucker runner home and an RBI
single by Supples gave the Tigers a
10-8 lead.
The Lions responded in the
bottom of the sixth. A base hit by
Lloyd and West walking Worrell
gave the Lions two men on base
with no outs. An RBI single by
Chisolm cut Tucker’s lead to 10-9,
but Worrell was tagged out at third
to give the Tigers one out.
MLK’s Colin White was hit
by a pitch from West, sending him
to first base and Hawk hit a single
on the following at-bat. Lamont
Barner hit a double, sending White
home and tying the game at 10-10.
A catcher’s interference loaded the
bases For the Lions before West
struck out Cain to end the game.
Cain led all hitters with three hits
and three runs scored, and Worrell
was 1-for-3 with a double and three
RBIs.
Barry Manning was 2-for-3
with three runs scored for Tucker;
Mike Robinson was 2-for-3 with an
RBI and Knight had three RBIs.
LOCAL
STONE MOUNTAIN
City swears in new council member
BY CARLA PARKER
CARLA@dekalbchamp.com
Stone Mountain City Council has a new
member.
Bernard Waller was sworn in March 19
to fill the unexpired term of Post 2 council
seat left vacant by former Councilman Steve
Wells who moved to Colorado for a new job.
Wells, who is in the Air Force, announced
Dec. 1 on his Facebook page that he and his
wife were moving to Colorado Springs after
he was selected to be director of operations
at the 302nd Logistics Readiness Squadron at
Peterson Air Force Base.
The city accepted letters of interest for
the Post 2 council seat and the council voted
unanimously March 5 to appoint Waller to fill
the vacant seat.
“The council received multiple letters
of interest and is grateful to all who showed
an interest in the position,” the city said in a
released statement.
Sunday
Dinner
It’s so much more than a meal. It’s love.
Find new dishes to gather around
at publix.com/sundaydinner.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 29, 2019 • Page 16
SHOES Continued From Page 7A
Amy Fass, CEO and executive director of
Shoes That Fit.
Nekeda Newell-Hall, vice president of
strategic partnership with Shoes That Fit,
said shoes is one of the most important items
children need to become more active.
“We know kids can’t be active unless
they have all the tools they need and that
starts with a new pair of shoes,” Newell-
Hall said. “It’s a really incredible feeling.
Once you provide a child with the tools they
need to be successful, so many things can
happen.”
Newell-Hall said teachers have told the
organization officials that a child’s self-
esteem will increase after receiving new
shoes.
“Sometimes [teachers] tell us the
students’ behavioral problems decrease
because the child feels like they fit in,” she
said. “Also, when kids are wearing shoes that
don’t properly fit them, they can be in pain.
We’re alleviating physical issues. It’s great
knowing we’re giving all kids an opportunity
to reach their full potential.”
Bernard Waller was sworn in March 19 to fill the unexpired term of Post 2
council seat. Photo provided by Kimberly Cumbie.
PUBLIX