the DeKalb FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • VOL.
23, NO 40 • FREE
Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker
Oprah makes
DeKalb campaign
stop for Abrams
Oprah Winfrey had a Q&A session with Stacey Abrams. Photos by Carla Parker
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Media mogul and philanthropist
Oprah Winfrey came to DeKalb
County Nov. 1 to campaign for
Georgia Democratic gubernatorial
candidate Stacey Abrams.
Hundreds of people, including
DeKalb elected officials and U.S.
Congressmen Hank Johnson and
John Lewis, came to the Porter
Sanford III Performing Arts & Com-
munity Center in Decatur.
Winfrey said she came to Georgia
from California because she wanted
to do something that could make
a difference in this year’s midterm
election.
“I’ve been watching what’s been
going on down here,” Winfrey said.
“You all are about to make some
history down here, [you] have been
doing some pre-voting and [are]out
there canvasing.”
Winfrey, who said she is a reg-
istered Independent, said no one
asked or told her to come to Georgia
or paid her to campaign for Abrams.
Hundreds gathered at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center in Decatur to see Oprah Winfrey and She said she called Atlanta film stars
Stacey Abrams.
Visit www.thechampionnewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.
• A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
Tyler Perry and Will Packer to ask
if they had Abrams’ number, but
neither did.
“I had to find somebody who
knew somebody, who knew some-
body, that knew somebody, that had
Stacey Abrams’ number,” Winfrey
said. “So, when I got Stacey’s phone
number, which was just three days
ago, I called her up.”
Winfrey said when she said to
Abrams, “This is Oprah Winfrey,”
Abrams replied with, “Girl, let me
pull over.”
“She pulled over and I told
her that I wanted to come here
to give my support. Is that OK?”
Winfrey asked. “She said that was
OK. And that is why I am here.”
Winfrey said she saw that despite
all the attacks Abrams is receiving,
Abrams continues to stand on the
values that matter to the residents of
Georgia.
“The reason I’m a registered
Independent is because I believe
everybody should actually vote your
values,” Winfrey said. “You should
vote your values, you should vote
your conscious regardless of what
SEE OPRAH ON PAGE 6
LOCAL
DECATUR
Young entrepreneur
wants to inspire others
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Eight-year-old Caden
Harris seems wise beyond
his years. The DeKalb
Academy of Technology
and Environment student
is the CEO of Daddy Did
You Know—an educational
program that teaches through
books, flashcards and YouTube
tutorials.
The business was founded
based on Harris’ love of
learning, he said. When Harris
learned something new, he
would ask his father, “Daddy
did you know?” The phrase is
now the name of his company.
Daddy Did You Know
teaches children about science,
engineering, technology,
learning and finances. Harris
started the company with
instructional YouTube videos
then expanded his offerings
to activity books and financial
literacy flashcards.
“[Daddy Did You Know
book] can teach you how to
save money and double your
allowance,” Harris said. “The
book has coloring pages of
other kid entrepreneurs and
other fun activities.”
Harris said he enjoys
making money. His goal is to
own a multi-family housing
unit before he is 20 years old
to be able to provide affordable
living for families in his
community.
Harris was recently a guest
speaker at DeKalb Academy of
Technology and Environment’s
career day, where he told other
students about his business.
“My friends say they like
my business and they say they
want to buy my [book],” Harris
said.
Harris said he wants to
teach his peers how to budget
and spend money responsibly.
Harris said he watched his dad
teach others about finance and
wants to fellow in his footsteps.
Harris’ book includes
chapters on creating a savings
fund, how to fill out a deposit
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 2
slip as well as mortgage dos
and don’ts.
“One of my mortgage dos
and don’ts is don’t lie on your
bank application or your nose
will grow like Pinocchio,”
Harris said, laughing.  
Harris is not the only young
business owner in his family.
According to his mother Tara
Harris, Harris’ 9-year-old
sister Kennedi Harris also has a
business.
Kennedi created a business
called K-lock after an incident
of mistaken identity at her
school. According to Tara
Harris, a representative of the
Department of Family and
Children’s Services came to
her daughters’ school to pick
up a child and accidently
took Kennedi. Kennedi was
missing for a couple of hours,
according to her mother.
Tara Harris said her
daughter was “terrified”
after the experience and was
motivated to create lockets
SEE CEO ON PAGE 7 Caden Harris, 8, with his financial help and activities book, “Daddy Did You Know.”
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 3

DUNWOODY

Congregation Beth Shalom in Dunwoody held a #showupforshabbat on Nov. 3 after the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh.

Jewish community mourns after Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
In the Jewish religion,
Shabbat is a day for religious
observance and rest from
Friday evenings at sundown
and ends at sundown on
Saturday evening. On Nov.
3, Jewish leaders encouraged
community members of
different religious backgrounds
to visit a synagogue
and #showupforshabbat as
a demonstration of strength
against hate after a deadly
synagogue attack in Pittsburgh.
The #showupforshabbat
social media movement began
with the American Jewish
Community organization,
a national Jewish advocacy
group, in response to the
killing of 11 worshipers
Oct. 27 at a synagogue in
Pittsburgh. The alleged
gunman, Robert Bowers, has
been charged with 29 criminal
counts.
The Marcus Jewish
Community Center of Atlanta,
located in Dunwoody, released
a statement on social media
regarding the killing.
“Our thoughts are with
the Jewish community and
the law enforcement officers
in Pittsburgh. As ever, our
main priority is the safety
and security of our members,
staff, and guests. We remain
steadfastly committed to your
safety,” the statement said.
In an interview with
The Champion Newspaper,
Mark Zimmerman, rabbi
of congregation of Beth
Shalom in Dunwoody, said his
congregation held a memorial
service Oct. 29, two days after
the shooting.
“At first it was a sense of
disbelief and shock. No one
knew what to think at that
moment. We just began to
process what this means in our
community and the reality of
what happened,” Zimmerman
said.
Zimmerman said there will
be a regular security presence
during services. He said the
events in Pittsburgh will not
deter the Jewish community.
“This bigot, the person who
attacked in Pittsburg, wanted
Jews to feel unwelcome and
not a part of American society.
He wanted people to shy
away from being Jewish,”
Zimmerman said. “That
is not our response. We’re
going to be proud. Events
like this mobilize our sense of
togetherness.”
According to Pittsburgh
authorities, Bowers will face
hate crime charges, 11 counts
of criminal homicide, six
counts of aggravated assault
and 13 counts of ethnic
intimidation.
“The world has seen the in an envelope. Weeks then of one racist, deranged
horror of what humanity distributed the paper hearts individual for society as a
was capable of and learned a among the congregation. whole,” Zimmerman said.
lesson in the years following “The message is, we “Most people are good, loving
the holocaust. After the should not confuse the actions people.”  
holocaust the world was on
its best behavior and I think
those lessons of the past have CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN
faded,” Zimmerman said. PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Zimmerman said his
4-year-old granddaughter The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice that a
Georgia Weeks tried to help Public Hearing will be held to receive public comment on
people through a tough time the City of Stone Mountain Proposed 2019 Fiscal Year
during service. Zimmerman Budget.
said Weeks was initially upset The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public Hearing
and sad but decided to draw on this matter on Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 at City
paper hearts and put them Hall located at 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA at
6:30 P.M. Anyone wishing to attend the public hearing
may do so and be heard relative thereto.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Housing Authority of
DeKalb County (HADC)
Tenant-Based
Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List Opening
OPENS: December 11, 2018
CLOSES: December 13, 2018
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY
www.dekalbhousing.org
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations because of
a disability, language translation, or communication in an
alternative format may call the HADC’S Waiting List Hotline at
404-270-2590 between 8am and 4pm, December 11-13, 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions and Internet Access
Sites are listed on the HADC’s website.

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And The Creations That They Bring from Mind to Paper Everywhere -
Saturday, December 1
Courtyard by Marriott in Duluth
11:00am to 6:00pm.
Meet some new and old authors.
Talk with them and get autographs right on the spot. Champion Free Press – ~15,000 print and online edition (DeKalb County)
Space is available for authors to present. Quarter page - 6.125” x 5.3125” - $330 | Space reservation Nov 1 / Publication Date Nov 8
For additional information contact bookdegree4.0@gmail.com
OPINION
A society on the brink of collapse
Pipe bombs have been mailed
to prominent Democrats, including
President Barak Obama, vice-president
Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. The same
devices were also sent to the offices of
perceived liberal news outlet CNN.
Some Whites are making
unfounded accusations against Blacks
and Hispanics and often call the police
to report what is actually routine,
nonviolent behavior such as entering
the building where he or she lives.
In a Florida middle school, two
students were found hiding in a
bathroom with large knives and goblets,
allegedly planning to kill younger
students, dismember them and drink
their blood.
With disturbing events such as the
above-mentioned occurring almost
daily throughout the United States,
and in many other parts of the world,
it seems that the peaceful civilization
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#ItsInTheChampion
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
we have known for decades may soon
cease to exist.
Not since the violence inflicted
against Blacks and supporters during
the Civil Rights Movement has there
been this much hatred of those
perceived as different or threatening.
Perhaps some of this violence and
negativity can be attributed to the
prevalence of extremist social media
platforms and websites that will stop
at nothing to garner readership,
followers and likes, which increases the
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 4
ability to sell advertising. Followers of
these websites and pages, in turn, are
often quick to share the derogatory
and misleading memes and factually
inaccurate news pieces, which then
can lead to rebuttals and in some cases
violence by those who oppose.
Online political discussions often
morph into disrespectful name-calling
as opposing thinkers accuse, insinuate
and make assumptions about those
with whom they disagree. As is the case
in most aspects of social structures,
there is a perception of power in groups
of like-minded individuals.
It is not difficult for those who are
looking for like-minded groups and
individuals to find websites and social
media pages that support their beliefs.
These sources can become somewhat of
a validation for those who already may
have negative thoughts and tendencies
and can fuel the threats of violence
as supporters realize there are other
people who share their beliefs and
misconceptions.
Pages such as “STOP THE LIBERAL
MADNESS The Patriots Formerly
Known As DOGS AGAINST OBAMA,”
“tRump HATERS CONNECT,” “Anti-
Leftist Liberals Democrat Haters,”
“Conservative News Daily,” “Liberalism
is a Mental Disorder” and so many
similarly named groups routinely
disseminate grotesquely misleading
content that is intentionally packaged to
appear as legitimate news. Sites similar
to these often have tens of thousands of
supporters and followers.
It is imperative that individuals and
organizations lessen the destructive
and hate-based rhetoric and respect
differing opinions and ideologies.
We are a civilization on the brink of
collapse.
OPINION
The real Amazon Prime
“Memo to the genius leaking info
about Crystal City, VA as the #1 HQ2
selection. You’re not doing Crystal City
any favors. And stop treating the NDA
(non-disclosure agreement), you signed
like a used napkin.” Tweet by Mike
Grella, Amazon director of economic
development/public policy on Nov. 3,
2018.
 
In real estate, and the quasi-science
of economic development, there are
only a handful of key imperatives. The
most significant of those–from many
angles and levels–are simply location,
location and location. After that,
dependent largely on the particulars
of the project being sited, comes CEO
preference and the incentive packages.  rail line access onsite. The Assembly is
Amazon’s current headquarters
is in Seattle, Wash., and the winning
region for HQ2 is expected to receive
50,000 new jobs, with an average
compensation of $100,000. The
company plans to invest more than $5
billion, either in building out a new
campus or occupying millions of square
feet of existing office space.  $5 billion.
 Just which of the top 20 finalist
cities are still in the running has
remained a well-guarded secret, until
word of advanced site negotiations with
Crystal City, Arlington County and
the Commonwealth of Virginia were
recently leaked to The Washington Post.
It is also worth noting that Amazon
CEO Jeff Bezos owns the Post, and if
he wanted to keep a lid on the story, for
negotiating leverage among many other
reasons, the story likely would not have
run at this point in time.
 This Amazon project would be
the equivalent of dropping a city
or economic engine the size of the
University of Georgia campus on the
winning city, county or state.
Our state capital, Atlanta, has
remained in the running with two sites,
each with its own strengths—the long
under developed railroad gulch south
of Five Points in downtown Atlanta—
currently a 40-acre mish-mash of
railroad tracks, parking lots and
underutilized older buildings. Another
developer is currently eyeing the
gulch, and an incentive package of
property tax abatements and public
infrastructure investment may result
in another $1 billion to 2 billion
development, as well as closing the deal
FREEPRESS
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 5
of our Capitol and the Washington company is also on its own shopping
‘One Man’s Monument.  spree with the real Amazon Prime
Opinion’ Bezos is a decided and vocal
Democrat, and although his employees
about to take root, at a cost of much
more than $99 per year. 
might not vote in lock-step, they
Bill Crane would likely bring a large Blue block Happy shopping.
bill.csicrane@gmail.com of voters to north Virginia politics and
presidential elections.  Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst
The earlier stated timeline on and commentator for Channel 2’s Action
on the relocation of the headquarters the decision by Amazon calls for News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750 and
of Norfolk-Southern Railroad from selection by the end of 2018, and an now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist for
Virginia to Atlanta (850 jobs).  announcement at some point in the first The Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
The other site, which I think might quarter of 2019. So as Black Friday and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb native
be a stronger match for Amazon’s site Monday approach at month’s end, and and business owner, living in Scottdale.
criteria, is The Assembly, the former Amazon’s busiest day of the shopping You can reach him or comment on a
GM Doraville plant site—closer to year gets underway; remember that the column at bill.csicrane@gmail.com.
130 plus acres, adjacent to downtown
Doraville—with an existing MARTA
station, and both passenger and freight
coming out of the ground quickly, but
as yet has no dominant or signature
tenant.
 Bezos is reportedly not directly
involved in the decision or short
list. That said, it is hard to believe that
even the world’s richest man would not
express his preferences before spending
 
 The D.C. market is no longer a
regional backwater combination of
“northern hospitality and southern
efficiency” as coined by J.F.K. 
Metropolitan Washington extends well
into northern Virginia and suburban
Maryland. And, among these two
border states, Virginia has the better
tax and regulatory climates, two major
airports (Dulles and Reagan National);
and the Metro Rail System, though
troubled currently, remains among our
nation’s most expansive and built out
transit systems.   
Though the region is healthy and
job wealthy, federal government
employment is dominant as are
buildings owned or leased by the
airport authority, Arlington National
Cemetery, the Pentagon or federal
government. The bulk of those
properties and assets generate little to
no property taxes and though their
purchasing power is vast; state, federal
and regional government agencies also
do not pay sales or hotel/motel taxes. 
Both Maryland and Virginia
would strongly benefit from greater
private sector employment, as well as
denser developments as the District of
Columbia heavily regulates building
heights to not spoil site lines or views
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
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LOCAL
A group of seniors from Clarkston High School and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., pose for a picture after the seniors voted for the first time Nov. 2.
Students vote for first time
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
There’s a first time for everything
and a group of seniors from Clarkston
High School can cross voting off their
“never done” list.
“It is important for us to vote
because if we want to make a change
in world then we should take a stand
and vote and show that we have a voice
in the world,” said Destiny Moultrie,
Clarkston High School senior.
On Nov. 2, a group of 40 seniors,
who are eligible and registered to vote,
took advantage of early voting for the
Nov. 6 midterm election.
“I felt like an adult,” student senior
Amare Graham said.
Senior Ariel Sinkford spoke about
her research of the two gubernatorial
candidates, Stacey Abrams and
Brian Kemp. Sinkford said she felt
that Abrams would back the Hope
Scholarship more than Kemp, which is
important to Sinkford.
“She’s for the people,” Sinkford
said about Abrams.
Of the 40 students, 12 were from the
school’s special education department.
Volunteers and members of the
Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., were at the
DeKalb County Voter Registration
OPRAH Continued From Page 1
the party says. Your own spirit tells you
what is right and what is wrong; and
you know all of these attack methods—
all of this fear-based propaganda—is
set up just to confuse and confound
[voters].
“You know when you see someone
who was raised right,” Winfrey said to
the audience. “[Abrams] has come to
serve the underserved.”
Abrams told the crowd that when
Winfrey called and asked how she
Clarkston High School seniors walk into DeKalb County Voter Registration Office to cast their ballots.
Photos by Taylor Robins
Office in support of the students,
cheering them on.
“I think they feel good,” said
Lorena Williams, Clarkston High
School part-time teacher and Delta
Sigma Theta member. “I’m excited
too.”
Williams spoke about the reason
the high school urged students to vote
as part of the school, instead of with
parents.
could help, she told Winfrey that a
Tweet or Facebook post would do.
“And, her response was, ‘No, I want
to knock on doors.’ And I was like,
‘Really?’ And she said she wanted to do
a town hall. And I’m like, ‘But you’re
Oprah,’” Abrams said. “My point is …
each of you [is] thinking that I can do
this small thing. What she has done
today is not about me; she’s here for
you all. She’s here because she believes.
I need you all to go beyond a Tweet
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 6
“We feel that they could vote on
their own but at Clarkston high school
we are in the position of having some
students who are semi-low-income and
do not have transportation to polling
places,” Williams said. “So we felt that
we would provide the transportation
and give them that first time experience
and be cheerleaders for them.”
The sorority also helped register
the students to vote on National
and Facebook. I need you to knock
on doors. I need you to make phone
calls. We need people calling into those
communities that are often left out of
our politics.”
Winfrey said she came to Georgia
because Abrams cares about the issues
that matter to her and to the people of
Georgia who care about other people.
“I’m here because she plans to
strengthen environmental protection so
that our children can have clean [and]
Registration Day, Sept. 25. They
traveled to the school to help 68
students register to vote. Among the
group, 28 students will not be able to
vote because they are not yet 18 years
old.
To prepare the students for voting,
teachers at Clarkston high School
educated the students on the ballot
and ran a mock election for the young
voters Nov. 1.
“I was pretty scared,” Markell
Ward, Clarkston High School student,
said. “You have such power and you’re
making a decision for the whole state.
It was a bit intense. But at the end I was
really excited to be able to contribute.”
Along with Williams, students
credited Clarkston High School teacher
Kristen Bibb for helping them to vote.
“Ms. Bibb, my economics teacher,
told us how important it is for us to
vote,” senior student Devontay Jones
said. “Every vote counts and everyone
doesn’t vote. If everyone did, a lot
could change.”
The seniors said that voting went
smoothly for them; however, they got
confused when it came to voting for the
expanded Sunday sales of alcohol bill.
They confused spirits with Sprite.
The group of students all said that
their families were proud of them for
voting. They all also plan to continue to
vote in the future.
safe water,” Winfrey said. “I’m here be-
cause she plans to create at least 45,000
high-wage jobs in alternative energy.
I’m here because she’s for keeping fami-
lies together and she supports a path-
way to citizenship for undocumented
human beings.”
Winfrey also mentioned Abrams’
plan to expand Medicaid in Georgia.
“She’s ready, she’s ready,” Winfrey
said.
LOCAL
BROOKHAVEN
A rabbi lights a candle outside of the Tree of Life synagogue after the Oct. 26 mass shooting in Pittsburgh. Photo taken by Steph Chambers of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mayor and city council speak about
Pittsburgh synagogue shooting
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Brookhaven mayor John Ernst and
city councilmembers released a statement
Oct. 30 after 11 people were killed and
six others were injured in the Oct. 26
Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.
“[Oct. 26’s] events in Pittsburgh
represent the largest anti-Semitic act of
violence in the history of our nation,” the
statement read. “Although the tragedy
took place in Pittsburgh, our own Jewish
community is deeply shaken and affected
CEO Continued From Page 2A
children can wear that show their
name, parents’ names and phone
numbers.
Tara Harris said she enjoys having
two young business owners.
by these events. The city of Brookhaven
stands in unity and in sorrow with the
Pittsburgh community in the aftermath of
this heinous act. All acts of violence and
hate are condemned and will be dealt with
all possible effort [as they would be] if a
similar situation were to ever occur in the
city of Brookhaven.”
Robert Bowers, a 46-year-old man
who has posted anti-Semitic threats
online, surrendered and was taken into
custody after exchanging gunfire with
Pittsburgh police at the Tree of Life
Synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill
neighborhood.
Victims of the mass shooting include
“It’s exciting because you never
know what the day will bring,” Tara
Harris said. “People always say they
want to give their kids what they never
had; but we wanted to teach them what
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 7
69-year-old Irving Younger, 88-year-old
Melvin Wax, 97-year-old Rose Mallinger,
66-year-old Jerry Rabinowitz, 75-year-
old Joyce Fienberg, 65-year-old Richard
Gottfried and 71-year-old Daniel Stein.
Brothers David Rosenthal, 54, and Cecil
Rosenthal, 59, were also killed during the
shooting.
Married couple Sylvan Simon, 86, and
Bernice Simon, 84, were also victims of
the shooting. They were wed at the Tree of
Life Synagogue in 1956, according to CBS.
Bowers faces murder and hate crime
charges. Prosecutors plan to seek the death
penalty, according to CBS.
we wish we had known at an early age.
By the time they’re 18, they’re already
prepared. We make it a point to teach
them things early, but still let them be
kids and have fun.”
DORAVILLE
Alcohol sales
approved for
special events
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
During the Oct. 15
Doraville city council meeting,
the council voted 4-2 to allow
alcohol sales for special events.
Prior to the second reading
and passing vote for the
proposal to an ordinance to
allow the sale of alcohol during
authorized special events,
the proposed amendment
was meet with criticism from
council member M.D. Naser at
the Oct. 1 city council meeting.
The amendment will allow
for alcohol sales with licensed
pourers at specials events such
as concerts or festivals.
Naser expressed concern
for family safety in regards to
events that allow alcohol.
“I want my family to be
safe,” Naser said at the Oct. 1
city council meeting. “I don’t
want anyone to get drunk and
jump on my children or my
family. It can happen. When
people get drunk, you don’t
know what people could do.”
Council members Joseph
Geierman, Shannon Hillard,
Stephe Koontz and Robert
Patrick voted to pass the
amendment.
Naser and Pam Fleming
voted no on the amendment.
The city continues to
expand alcohol sells in an
effort to attract events and
visitors to its municipality.
In August, Doraville voted
6-0 to allow for the licensing
of brewpubs, microbreweries,
micro-wineries and micro-
distilleries.
Caden Harris said his books can be
purchased online at daddydidyouknow.
com. He said he plans to create science
and engineering books in the future.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 8

BROOKHAVEN

Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst, center, tells demolition attendees about future plans
for the area Oct. 31.

Building disappears
on Halloween trails. The long-abandoned
A demolition truck destroys what once was a sign shop Oct. 31. Photos by Taylor Robins

Ernst and Gebbia both said

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
A deserted building in
Brookhaven was torn down on
Halloween morning.
The site of the former
building will now be part of
the Peachtree Creek Greenway.
The area will have green space,
paved walkways and multi-use
former sign shop that was
located on North Druid Hills
Road had, “fading cracked
bricks, [was] overgrown with
vines, [had] boarded windows
and a rusting roof,” according to
the city’s press release.
Brookhaven Mayor
John Ernst and District 4
Councilman Joe Gebbia helped
bring down the building with a
demolition truck.
this building down,” Gebbia Groundbreaking for
they were both excited to get in
said. Peachtree Creek Greenway is
on the action.
Prior to demolishing the scheduled to be held Dec. 12.
“It feels great,” Ernst said
building, Brookhaven’s city PCG will connect
about operating the truck.
council approved a $7.99 Brookhaven’s portion to the
“Every so often you love to be
million contract with Lewallen 12.3-mile Peachtree Creek Trail
an 8-year-old at heart.”
Construction Co., to begin project that connects Mercer
Gebbia remembered his
construction of the city’s University in unincorporated
childhood Tonka trucks on the
portion of the greenway project DeKalb to the PATH400 trail,
Oct. 31 morning.
which will total 1.27 miles and the South Fork Conservancy
“We’re going to have a little
connect North Druid Hills trails and the Atlanta Beltline.
fun with swinging this baby
Road to Briarwood Road.
(demolition truck) and bringing

Organization hopes to provide foster

children opportunity to visit zoo for holidays
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County resident
Leah Lindsey said she has
been a foster parent since
2013. Lindsey said being a
foster parent is a rewarding,
worthwhile experience but this
year she wants to give back to
children in need in a different
way.
Lindsey, along with the
DeKalb Fostering Love and
Grace (FLAG) organization,
is attempting to raise funds
through November for 112
foster families to have a year-
long membership to Zoo
Atlanta.
“This year I wanted to give
something more. I wanted to
give the gift of experience,”
Lindsey said.
As a foster parent, Lindsey
said she has fostered children
who have never eaten off
a plate, never been to a
restaurant or ridden in a car.
Lindsey said in previous
years, foster children have
received toys and gifts for the
holidays but giving a child an
experience to the zoo can last a
lifetime.
“This [project] means
growth and exposure for our
kids. We want our children,
even if they’re temporarily
our children, to see there’s a
world out there beyond their
back yard,” Lindsey said. “I
want children to learn there
are so many experiences in the
world.”
According to DeKalb
FLAG, 1,200 children are in
foster care in DeKalb County.
Some foster children stay at
their foster homes for up to a
day, while others could stay
with their foster family for
years. Lindsey said one foster
family could take care of as
many as 100 children in a year.
The cost of a Zoo Atlanta
family membership is $129.
DeKalb FLAG officials said
partial donations can be made
by calling (678)-488-5874.
Donors may also donate
directly to Zoo Atlanta
by calling (404) 624-5662
with code “DeKalb FLAG.”
Donations are due by Dec. 1.   Astra at Lifeline’s DeKalb
Lindsey said she became a
foster parent after a discussion
with her wife. The two decided
being foster parents was the
best choice to start a family.
Lindsey said DeKalb is in need
of more foster parents.
“You don’t have to own a
home or be married. It’s OK
if you’re gay or no matter
the situation. They just need
people who can take in
children and love them like
they deserve to be loved,”
Lindsey said.
Lindsey said those
interested in becoming foster
parents can call 1-877-210-
kids. A foster parent must be
25 years or older.
Astra (ID# 37879550)
-This sweet happy girl loves
people! She walks great
on a leash and is happy to
hang out by your side. Did
someone say balls? She
loves chasing after and
fetching balls for you! Meet
Animal Services!
If you would like to
expand your family by 4
furry little feet; ask to meet
Astra and have a loving
friend forever. All adoptions
include your new pet's spay
or neuter, vaccinations,
microchip and more! For
more information about
Astra please call (404) 294-
2165 or email adoption@
dekalbanimalservices. ASTRA
com. All potential adopters
will be screened to ensure for two weeks or more, since
Astra goes to a good home.
our shelter is completely full
Hours: Mon-Fri; 11am-7pm / and we are out of room. We
Sat-Sun; 11am-6pm will provide everything you
Not ready to adopt, need, and you just supply the
or already have enough
love. Interested in helping?
pets? Then please consider Please contact foster@
fostering a pet. We are in
dekalbanimalservices.com.
urgent need of foster homes
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary, left, and organizers of Africa Umoja gather after Lary proclaimed Oct. 30 to be
Africa Umoja day in Stonecrest Oct. 30. Photo by Taylor Robins

REDUCE • REUSE
RECYCLE
A young girl shows off her new beaded necklace while attending the Oct. 30 opening night of Africa Umoja in
Decatur. Photo by Taylor Robins

Dunwoody senior pitcher Samantha Moss, left, and Decatur’s Lauren Smith were named most valuable
players of the 14th annual DeKalb County School District Senior All-Star Softball Classic. Photo by A supporter holds a campaign sign before the town hall meeting with Oprah Winfrey. Photo by Carla Parker
Mark Brock

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 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 10
DECATUR
Performers spell the word “Umoja” during an Oct. 30 performance. Photos by Taylor Robins
Africa Umoja dances its way into DeKalb’s heart
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County got a
lesson in togetherness when
Africa Umoja, presented by the
International Arts Foundation,
were in town Oct. 30 through
Nov. 5.
“Let the spirit of togetherness
dwell in your hearts,” said co-
creator of Africa Umoja Todd
Twala on opening night.
Twala created the production
with Thembi Nyandeni.
Umoja is the Swahili word for
unity or togetherness.
The high-energy musical
A group of performers wearing colorful costumes dance in the opening act of Africa Umoja Oct. 30. came to the area as a part of a
worldwide tour celebrating the
100th birthday of late South
African President Nelson
Mandela. The production had
its opening night on Oct. 30 and
production officials emphasized
the importance of getting
students to see the musical.
The two-hour-long
production was held at the
DeKalb County’s Porter Sanford
III Performing Arts and
Community Center.
“There are many parallels
between South Africa’s struggle
to end apartheid and the civil
rights struggle here in the United
States. School children can
benefit from the history lesson
as well as the positive messages
of justice, equality and hope,”
A male performer from the Africa Umoja musical dances during opening night Oct. 30.
said Julie Herron Carson,
media contact for the Decatur
production. “Both Nelson
Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther
King are referenced in the
play, and each man has a song
dedicated to him to reinforce
how they advanced the cause
of social justice through non-
violent means.”
At the end of opening night,
some audience members made
donations to underwrite the
price of student tickets, making
it easier for individual students
or schools to visit during field
trips.
All 32 performers from the
musical are from South Africa
and performed through song,
storytelling, dance and dramatic
presentations.
“We are glad to be back
here in Atlanta,” Ernest Kelly,
founder of International Arts
Foundation. “This production
is generated around taking
young people out of townships,
[developing] raw talent and
making them world class
performers.”
Also on opening night,
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary
proclaimed Oct. 30 to be
Africa Umoja Day in the city of
Stonecrest.
“Thank you for exposing us
and Stonecrest to an art that
makes hip hop look like it’s
standing still,” Lary said during
the proclamation.
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 11

AVONDALE ESTATES

KaBOOM! project transforms

Avondale Elementary playground
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Mother, volunteer and
recently-elected Avondale
Estates Elementary council
member Katrina Helz
said watching hundreds of
volunteers assemble a donated
playground from scratch was an
emotional experience.
On Nov. 3, volunteers from
Avondale Estates, Avondale
Elementary, General Motors
and nonprofit organization
KaBOOM! built a kid-designed
playground in six hours at
Avondale Elementary School.
In August, the school was
awarded a new playground
valued at approximately
$100,000 through KaBOOM!
The Avondale Elementary
School Education Foundation
raised more than $11,000 in
matching funds and funding
partner General Motors covered
the rest of the cost for the
playground.
Many Avondale Estate
officials and residents credited
Helz as the catalyst for bringing
the KaBOOM! project to
fruition.
“I can’t even tell you how
great this feels. This has been
nine months in the making. It
was kind of like a part-time job
for me,” Helz said. “It was a
very involved process and so
many steps to the process.”
Helz said after being
awarded the playground,
Avondale Elementary School
Education Foundation had to
raise $9,000 in matching funds.
In September, children
from the community came
together to draw their dream
playground. The playground is
based on their drawings, said
Helz.
“I’ve been dreaming about
this day for almost a year now,”
Helz said.
Writing the grant to receive
the playground took several
months, according to Helz.
Avondale Estates community
member Anna Bramely helped
co-write the grant and said it
was a tedious process.
“We’re very excited about
this and [the] hundreds of
community members [who]
signed a petition saying they
wanted this in their community
and that they were willing
to work to make it happen,”
Bramely said.
Volunteers and Avondale
Estates officials held a ribbon-
cutting ceremony once the
playground was complete.
Avondale Estates commissioner
Adela Yelton said she was
happy to volunteer for the
event and inspired to see the
community come together to
build the playground.
“This is an example of how
community, students, parents,
staff and the city can come
together and make something
happen in a positive way,”
Yelton said. “It’s not just one
person leading everything. Bricks are placed on a walkway during the KaBOOM! playground build Nov. 3.
This is the best example of
collaboration and teamwork.”
According to KaBOOM!
officials, the organization
attempts to ensure all children
have access to safe play areas,
regardless of socioeconomic
backgrounds.
Kayla Harris Fontaine,
KaBOOM! associate project
manager, said the playground
will provide more than 500
children in Avondale Estates
with a safe place to play.
KaBOOM! also enlisted the
help of children attending the
school who had input on the Volunteers worked for more than six hours to build a playground donated by KaBOOM!
playground’s design using
Legos.
“We wanted to make their
dreams come to life and I think
we captured all the things
that they wanted in the final
playground design,” Fontaine
said. “This community has
really banded together. It really
warms my heart to see how
everything is coming together.
They have worked so hard
to get up to this point and
seeing how excited the kids
are is a really heart-warming
experience.”
Volunteers helped build a playground from scratch Nov. 3 at Avondale Elementary
School.

Education Briefs BY TAYLOR ROBINS • taylor@dekalbchamp.com

County schools earn positive results
on college readiness index
Schools in the DeKalb County
School District made positive strides
in the newest version of Georgia’s
College and Career Ready Performance
Index (CCRPI).
The district achieved a score of 70,
according to the latest results from
the Georgia Department of Education.
The new CCRPI provides scores for
each school level and includes five
categories: content mastery, progress,
closing gaps, readiness and graduation
rate (high schools only).
State education authorities
revamped the 2018 CCRPI to reflect
school performance as outlined in the
Every Student Succeeds Act federal
law. As a result, the indicators, weights
and calculations have been revised.
Therefore, comparisons of the results of
the 2018 CCRPI results with previous
years’ results are not recommended,
according to the district.
“The CCRPI is one of many
indicators we use to measure the
success of our students, and its results
yielded a treasure trove of data we’ll
use to inform the depth of our deep
teaching and learning in DCSD,” said
DCSD Superintendent R. Stephen
Green. “The first year using these new
calculations will be informative as we
refine the instruction taking place in
DeKalb County.”
Decatur resident earns graduate
degree from James Madison
University
James Madison University
announced that Emilia Isabel Suarez
of Decatur graduated during the
August 4, 2018, graduate school
commencement exercises.
Suarez graduated with a degree in
integrated science and technology from
the graduate school at James Madison
University during the Aug. 4 graduate
school commencement exercises.
Suarez was among more than
95 students who received master’s,
educational specialist and doctoral
degrees.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
inducts Matthews
Machaela Matthews of Lithonia
was recently initiated into the Honor
Society of Phi Kappa Phi, a national
collegiate honor society for all
academic disciplines.
Matthews was initiated at
University of West Georgia.
DCSD students within one point of
national benchmark on ACT exam​
The ACT composite score for
DeKalb County School District
(DCSD) students in 2018 was 19.7, one
point less than the national average.
More than 2,400 DCSD students took
the test this year.
“Progress and national benchmarks
are areas of emphasis for DCSD when
students take college readiness exams
such as the ACT exam. This year’s
results demonstrate we are moving
in the right direction,” said DCSD
Superintendent R. Stephen Green.
“A number of our schools performed
exceptionally this year, and we were
pleased to note that many schools saw
great gains in their outcomes. We are
soaring and achieving in DCSD.”
AROUNDDEKALB
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 12

BROOKHAVEN CLARKSTON TUCKER 2723 Henderson Road. For more

Town Hall scheduled
Brookhaven is opening its
city hall doors to discuss various
topics on Nov. 15 starting at 6
p.m.
Brookhaven’s city hall is located summit Nov. 10 from 8:30 a.m.
at 4362 Peachtree Road.
CHAMBLEE
Balance Bike clinic scheduled
A clinic will be held at Keswick offer information that may be
Park on Nov. 17 at 10 a.m., for
ages 1-7. Clinics are meant to
teach attendees how to ride
on two wheels. The cost is $15
per child, plus $5 for those who
need to rent a balance bike.
Registration can be found at
http://www.chambleerec.com.
information, visit www.tuckerga.
ARC to host event for seniors gov.
City to hold health and wellness
summit
Atlanta Regional Commission LITHONIA
will present “Access to Services”
Clarkston will host a
for seniors Nov. 12 at Tucker Lucious Sanders Recreation Center
community health and wellness
Recreation Center auditorium. The hosting coat drive
free event will include light snacks
to 2:30 p.m. The free summit
provided by Sprouts. The rec DeKalb County Department of
will be held at the Georgia State
center is located at 4898 Lavista Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs is
University Clarkston Campus accepting new or gently used coats
Road. For more information, visit
in building CF. Attendees
www.tuckerga.gov. for its first coat drive until Friday,
will be taught about what us Nov. 30.
going on in their community, As the temperature starts to
Park group to host bake sale
resources that are available and drop, the Department of Recreation
The Friends of Henderson Parks & Cultural Affairs is working
important to them. The college is to provide some comfort to those
Park will host a Native Plant and in need. Citizens are encouraged
located at 3735 Memorial College
Wildlife Walk Bake Sale at the to drop off coat donations at the
Avenue. To register, visit www.tiny.
park Nov. 17 from 8 a.m. to noon. Lucious Sanders Recreation Center,
cc/ClarkstonSummitRegister.
Profits from the sale will benefit located at 2484 Bruce Street in
the volunteers who perform Lithonia from noon to 8 p.m.
at the Native Plant and Wildlife For more information, contact
Walk. The bake sale will be at the Marcus Byams, recreation center
lower soccer field parking lot near director, at (770) 482-0408.
the Henderson Road entrance,

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BUSINESS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 13

STONE MOUNTAIN

Logistics company helps keep big wheels rolling

BY KATHY MITCHELL
Freelance Reporter
Efrom Teclemaryam said
from the time he was a child he
noticed that wherever he went
one thing was all around—
trucks. This was true in his
native Eritrea, an east African
country north of Ethiopia, he
said, and was even more the
case in the United States.
“In Eritrea, trucks were
usually moving food. Here
they move everything. There
is always a need for things to
be moved from one place to
another. This is true whether
the economy is good or bad.
The trend toward consumers
ordering goods online may be
bad for the retail store industry,
but it’s been great for the
trucking industry. I decided
trucking is a good business to
Dispatcher Alfi Dade helps truck drivers make the best use of their time on the road.
A large part of the work
at Flash Trucking involves
matching drivers with loads
ready to be hauled. “Drivers
want to make the best use
The network of dispatchers
and drivers becomes like
family after they have worked
together awhile, according to
Dade. “You get to know each
driver’s style, personality and
preferences. We dispatchers
get to go home every night.
A driver has to spend a lot of
time away from his family, so
you try to make his time on the
road as pleasant as possible.
Although each dispatcher has
drivers he or she works with,
we’re always willing to help
each other out. For example,
if a driver’s scheduled load is
cancelled, we all pitch in to try
to find him another one. We
as much money as possible.
That’s tougher when we’re
negotiating through a broker
who’s working on behalf of the
shipper. The broker is trying
work as a team.”
Flash Trucking also offers
other industry-related services
such as recruiting drivers
and helping them secure
commercial driver’s licenses,
Dade said. Technology, she
added, makes it possible for
dispatchers to be available to
drivers around the clock. “The
information I have on my
computer here, I can pull up
on my computer at home. I can
talk with a driver or shipper
in another part of the country
and get him the information
he needs right then and there,”
she said.

be in,” he said.
In 2016, Teclemaryam
started Flash Trucking, a
logistics company specializing
in dispatching and brokering
within the transportation
industry. Unlike the small
food trucks that were common
in Eritrea, the trucks Flash
Trucking deals with primarily
are 53-foot tractor-trailers.
Flash Trucking started in
Charlotte, N.C., and has since
opened several more offices
throughout the country.
Its newest office opened in
October on Memorial Drive in
Stone Mountain.
Alfi Dade, a dispatcher
in the Memorial Drive office,
said she went to work for the
company in its Chicago office
five months ago and moved
when Flash Trucking came
to the Atlanta area. “Like
Chicago, Atlanta is a busy
transportation hub. It’s a hot
market,” she said, adding that
she and the other dispatchers
work with truck drivers all
over the country.
“I never knew how complex
and interesting the trucking
business is until I came to
work here. There are so many
details to be concerned with.
For example, if a load needs to
go through an area where there
are lots of mountains, we need
to be sure the truck can handle
that. Of course, the drivers are
concerned about what their
trucks are capable of; but we
are another layer to be double
sure we’re sending a truck that
can take it. Safety is a huge
concern in this business,” Dade
said.
ABL
of the time that they’re away to get the driver for the lowest
from home. As soon as one possible rate and we’re trying
load is delivered, we want to to get the best rate for the
help make sure another one driver.”
is waiting for the driver. We Dade said the Atlanta office
also want to negotiate the will soon be a licensed broker
best rate for them,” Dade said. and can negotiate directly with
“The reason they leave their shippers. “Our drivers are so
families for days and weeks at excited that that’s about to
the time is to make money, so happen,” she noted.
we want to help them make
CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice that a Public
Hearing will be held to receive public comment on a Variance
Application for the property located at 838 Beaver Run Rd,
Stone Mountain, Parcel #18 074 07 022. Variance is requested
for deviation from the Shermantown Residential (R-4) district
development regulations.
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public Hearing on this
matter on Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 at City Hall located
at 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA at 6:30 P.M. Anyone
wishing to attend the public hearing may do so and be heard
relative thereto.
CITY OF CHAMBLEE PUBLIC NOTICE
A copy of the proposed 2018 Operating Budget for the City
of Chamblee will be available for review at City Hall, 5468
Peachtree Road, on Monday, November 12, 2018.
A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held on
Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Civic Center,
3540 Broad Street.
Any persons wishing to be heard on the budget may appear
and be heard.
The City Council will adopt the budget on Tuesday, December
18, 2018.The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in
the Civic Center.
CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice that a Public
Hearing will be held to receive public comment on a Conditional
Use Zoning Application for the property located at 6308 James
B. Rivers Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, Parcel #18 126 06
002. Proposed use for the property is Single-family attached –
Townhomes.
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public Hearing on this
matter on Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 at City Hall located
at 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA at 6:30 P.M. Anyone
wishing to attend the public hearing may do so and be heard
relative thereto.
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Bethune won its first DeKalb County middle school football championship.
Bethune wins first county football championship
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The Bethune Lions brought home
their first DeKalb County middle
school football championship trophy
after a dominating 33-6 win over
Tucker.
Bethune was 0-3 in championship
games before its victory Nov. 3 at
Adams Stadium. Second-year head
coach Henry Garrett said it is a great
feeling to win the school its first
football championship.
“This is a special group of guys,”
Garrett said. “Going in I knew we
had the opportunity and potential
to be great, but these boys locked in
together and became a family and a
brotherhood. And I think that’s the
number one thing that took us over
the edge, just them being a family, a
brotherhood and fighting for each
other.”
After a scoreless first quarter,
Bethune got on the scoreboard first
late in the second quarter after a 20-
yard touchdown run by Armond
Davis. The successful extra point
kick gave the Lions a 7-0 lead at
halftime.
In the third quarter, Davis scored
two more times, one each on offense
and defense. He scored on offense
on a 17-yard run, giving Bethune a
13-0 lead. Later in the quarter, Davis
intercepted Tucker quarterback
Nathaniel Miller’s pass and returned
WEEKLY SOFTBALL SCORES
Nov. 2
Arabia Mountain (6-4) 37, Lithonia (6-4) 0
Cedar Grove (9-1) 71, Stone Mountain (2-8) 0
McNair (3-7) 18, Therrell (2-8) 13
Miller Grove (3-7) 39, Chamblee (0-10) 3
Southwest DeKalb (10-0) 13, Columbia (2-8) 6
St. Pius X (9-1) 56, Stephens County (5-5) 11
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 14
it 50 yards for a touchdown,
extending Bethune’s lead to 19-0.
In the fourth quarter, Bethune’s
other electric player—Bernard
Mack—got rolling. Mack scored on
an 85-yard run. A successful two-
point conversion gave Bethune a
27-0 lead. After a fumble recovery
for a touchdown by Tucker, Mack
responded by scoring on the
following kickoff, giving Bethune a
33-6 lead.
Garrett said Davis’ and Mack’s
speeds are unmatched.
“Those two, if they keep their
heads on straight, you’re going to see
them on Saturdays and on Sundays,”
Garrett said.
For Bethune, this championship
game was a revenge game. Tucker
defeated Bethune in last year’s
championship game 38-6. Garrett Bethune’s Letrelle Richardson received the team’s turnover chain after getting an interception.
said they prepared differently this
year.
“With the playoff run this year,
we tried not to look forward to the
championship and just took one
game at a time,” he said. “So, [we
were] watching film every chance
that we got—after school, between
study hall, at home they had certain
things to do. We’re really trying to be
a real program here at Bethune.”
Davis was named offensive MVP
of the game and Jaiden Figaro was
named outstanding player of the
game. Bethune finished the season
8-1 and Tucker finished 7-2.
Armond Davis avoids tackles as he scores on a 17-yard touchdown run.
Stephenson (9-1) 30, Tucker (7-3) 24 Nov. 3
Brookwood (8-2) 52, Lakeside (1-9) 7 Redan (0-9) vs. Towers (0-9)
Carver (5-5) 20, Decatur (4-6) 14 Morrow (3-7) 19, M.L. King (1-9) 13
Douglass (9-1) 60, Clarkston (0-10) 8
Henry County (4-6) 49, Druid Hills (2-8) 20 Open: Cross Keys (0-10), Marist (8-2)
John’s Creek (9-1) 34, Dunwoody (2-8) 12
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
The Southwest DeKalb Panthers are heading into the playoffs with an undefeated record for the first time since 1999. The Panthers are one of nine teams from DeKalb County that will be in the playoffs. Photo by Travis
Hudgons/iShootAtlanta Photography
Nine DeKalb teams to play in state football playoffs
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Nine football teams from DeKalb
County will be on the “Road to the
Benz” beginning Nov. 9.
Seven teams will host first-round
state playoff games, while two will
begin the playoffs on the road. The
No. 7-ranked undefeated Southwest
DeKalb Panthers will host Loganville
(4-6) Nov. 9 at Godfrey Stadium at 7:30
p.m. The No. 1 seed Panthers, which
won Region 5-AAAAA, had their first
undefeated season since 1999. Coach
Damien Wimes said the undefeated
record is good for the players and the
community.
“[The players] realize they can
VISIT THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM
compete with any [team],” Wimes said.
“It was a very good team effort from
the teachers to the coaching staff to
the support system with the parents
and sponsors. So, it was to see the
community [come] together.”
Southwest DeKalb will try to win
its third state title in school history and
first since 1995.
“We’re taking it one game at a time,
have a sense of urgency and just really
get [the players] to focus because we
have a couple of injuries right now,”
Wimes said. “We have to patch people
up and focus on the goal, which is to
win a state championship.”
Arabia Mountain (6-4), the second
seed of Region 5-AAAAA, will host
Clark Central (6-4) at Godfrey Stadium
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 15
Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The Rams are
making their third consecutive state
playoff appearance under coach
Stanley Pritchett. Arabia Mountain has
advanced to the Sweet 16 the past two
seasons.
No. 3-seed Lithonia (6-4) will be on
the road Nov. 9 at Cedar Shoals (7-3),
and Miller Grove (3-7) will travel to
Buford (8-2) on Nov. 9. Both games are
set to kick off at 7:30 p.m.
In Class AAAAAA, the No.
4-ranked Stephenson Jaguars (9-1) will
enter the playoffs as a No. 1 seed after
winning the Region 4-AAAAAA title.
Stephenson defeated No. 9-ranked
Tucker 30-24 Nov. 2 to claim the region
title.
Stephenson will host Coffee (7-3)
Nov. 9 at Hallford Stadium at 7:30 p.m.,
and Tucker (7-3) will host Northside-
Warner Robins (5-5) at Adams Stadium
Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
In Class AAAA, No. 4-ranked and
Region 8-AAAA champions St. Pius X
(9-1) will host Cedartown (5-5) in the
first round and No. 7-ranked Marist
(8-2) will host Heritage-Catoosa (5-5).
Both games will kickoff Nov. 9 at 7:30
p.m.
No. 2-ranked and Region 5-AAA
champions Cedar Grove (9-1) will
host Hart County (4-6) in the first
round of the Class AAA playoffs Nov.
9 at Avondale Stadium at 7:30 p.m. If
the Saints win, it will be the program’s
300th win.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • Page 16

St. Pius win its second state title in program history. Marist won its 19th girls’ cross country state title. St. Pius boys’ won its 10th cross country title and its seventh in
nine seasons.

Marist, St. Pius X win state titles in volleyball, cross country

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
It was a winning weekend for two
DeKalb County private schools.
Teams from Marist and St. Pius
X won state championships Nov. 3.
Marist’s girls’ cross country team won
the Class AAAA state title, and St. Pius
won Class AAAA state titles in boys’
cross country and volleyball.
Marist won its 19th girls’ cross
country state title with 42 points. St.
Pius came in second with 60 points.
Senior Kathleen Maley led Marist
with her first-place finish (19:22.17) in
the individual standings. Teammates
sophomore Lucy Jewell Watson
(19:54.36) and junior Nora Solomon
(20:07.55) finished eighth and ninth
respectively in the individual standings.
St. Pius boys’ won their 10th cross
country title and their seventh in
nine seasons after scoring 28 points.
Marist finished second with 69 points.
St. Pius had four runners to finish in
the top 10—junior Jack Voss (third
place; 16:37.15), senior Rowan Wiley
(fourth place; 16:53.06), senior Nicolas
Fontova (sixth place; 16:59.84) and
senior John Owens (eighth place;
17:07.81).
Marist senior Leif Anderson
finished first in the individual standings
with a time of 16:17.75.
In volleyball, St. Pius defeated
Marist 3-1 to win its second state title in
program history. St. Pius won the first
set 25-15, but Marist came back to win
the second set 25-14. St. Pius won the
next two sets 25-18 and 25-23 to claim
the Class AAAA state title.
Freshman Annemarie Rakoski had
10 kills and a hitting percentage of .565,
junior Anna Porter had 10 kills and 15
digs and freshman Emma Farrell had
11 digs.