the DeKalb FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • VOL. 24, NO.

38• 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

Youth
music
group
seeks
help
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

S
tudents of DeKalb
County School District
(DCSD) have been
grooving around the country
as Dynamix─an Orff ensemble
that plays xylophones.
However, to continue
spreading joy through music,
the group needs community
support.
The group is an Orff
ensemble that uses the Orff
Approach─an approach
in musical education that
combines music, movement,
drama and speech into lessons
and performances.
“Cute smiles won’t cut it,”
said Chelsea Cook, Dynamix
founder and music director.
“With anything it takes money
to make it happen. Most of my
kids come from low-income
families. The students have
talent, but the parents simply
cannot afford the program.”
The group started as the
Dynamic Dolphins at Dunaire
Elementary─which only
included fourth and fifth grade
students─in 2011. In the first
year, the group performed
on the local news and at the
White House. Cook said she
DeKalb County students form the youth music group Dynamix. Photo provided by Chelsea Cook.
called the White House and told
officials about the group. After
the officials watched a YouTube
video, they called back with
an invitation to perform in the
nation’s capital.
“After that happened, so
many opportunities came for my
kids.” said Cook.
The group later changed its
name to Dynamix and features
25 third to eighth grade students
from multiple DCSD schools.
Dynamix has performed on
America’s Got Talent, as well
as other competitions and major
music conferences.
“It’s still a struggle,” said
Cook. “The kids are amazing.
People see them. I’m getting
calls left and right for them
to perform but some of the
opportunities I’ve had to turn
down because the funds are not
there.”
The group is considered a
nonprofit organization, but does
not have a board of directors.
Cook said she would like a
corporate sponsor to help with
uniforms and travel expenses.
Among other places, Cook
would like the students to take
a trip to Carnegie Hall in New
York City.
“I think music is essential
and so important,” said Cook.
“I’m a testament as to how
music can change a life. I was a
failing student at one point and
my parents put me in private
piano lessons. I went from low
grades to making straight A’s.
Seeing students that have this
natural raw talent, I just think
it’s important to invest in them
and give them an opportunity to
express their abilities that they
may not have academically.”
According to Cook, some
of the students want to be
musicians and some don’t.
However, Cook said music
teaches disciplines that can be
used in life and in any career
field the students choose.
Learning the approach makes for
a hard beginning of the season,
according to Cook. However,
being part of the groups provides
a sense of community.
“They’re magicians but
they’re still kids. So when
you get to the end product and
they’re playing music that’s way
beyond their level, being magical
on stage and they actually
love doing it. That is the most
fulfilling thing,” said Cook.
To donate to the group visit
www.dynamixxylophonists.org.

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

LOCAL
PINE LAKE
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Pine Lake debuts new city hall
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Pine Lake picked a spooky day to unveil
its new city hall to the public Oct. 31.
“We are now in the middle where the city
does business and that is really exciting,” said
Pine Lake Mayor Melanie Hammet. “This
identifies our city in a different way.”
The city purchased the building─located at
425 Allgood Road in Pine Lake─for $130,000
in December 2018. The city renovated the
building for $10,000, adding thresholds,
interior windows and panic exit devices. The
building was a psychiatrist’s office before
being purchased by the city.
“All administrative functions will be
housed under the same roof finally,” said
Hammet. “That’s a big deal.”
The building holds the offices of the
mayor, city clerk, court clerk and city
administrator. The building also has a kitchen,
bookkeeping area and a waiting room. The
mayor’s office has a space to hold small
conferences.
Hammet, who is also a musician,
performed an original song “Itty Bitty City”
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 2
dedicated to Pine Lake. She sang and played
the acoustic guitar.
“I’ve been singing, I’ve been yelling and
running around. I’m over the moon,” said
Hammet. “I’ve lost all dignity. This morning I
had a lot of dignity before I got here. I’ve lost
it all.”
Pine Lake’s previous city hall–located at
462 Clubhouse Drive–is a 1940s cottage. The
property will still house the city’s court, police
department and council meetings.
According to Hammet, the building is
“starting to tilt toward the center of the earth. Pine Lake officials cut the ribbons to its new city hall Oct. 31. Photo provided by
Squirrels are starting to take residence in the Danielle Ross of DanielleRossPhotos.
chimney. So, [the choice was a good one] just
in terms of the cost of renovating that building
versus getting a building that is significantly
newer and moving us into the center of our
business district where the city does business.
Bringing the city identity out here means
everything.”
The now vacant area will serve as an artist
market starting in December, where residents
and visitors can purchase products from artists.
The city still has to determine repairs that Pine Lake’s new city hall is now located in the city’s business district 5. Photo by
need to be made to the building. Taylor Robins.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 3

LITHONIA DUNWOODY

Jackson delivers final state of city address Attempted child

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The state of Lithonia is
“very good,” according to mayor
Deborah Jackson.
Jackson gave her final state of
the city address Nov. 24 at Lithonia
Middle School, the same place she
was sworn in as mayor eight years
ago. She highlighted the city’s
accomplishments during her tenure
and the challenges the city had to
overcome to meet its goals.
“When I review the record
of what has been accomplished
and what I outlined as my goals
starting in 2012 to now, overall, the
record shows significant progress,”
Jackson said. “While it has not
always been a straight path, at the
end of the day, the goal to achieve
was improve quality of life for the
residents of Lithonia.”
Jackson said after taking the
oath of office, her goal was to find
ways to get things done despite
having a small staff and budget.
She was able to do so by focusing
on the resources that were already
available to the city rather than
worry about what the city didn’t
have.
“My experience and walk of
faith have taught me that we have
already been given what we need
to get the job done. I believed it
and acted on it,” she said. “One
of the things that we have are
relationships.”
During her tenure, Jackson
said the city strengthened its
relationships with such agencies as
the Atlanta Regional Commission,
DeKalb County government,
Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson gave her final state of the city address before she leaves office. Photo
by Carla Parker
DeKalb Board of Health, Georgia
Municipal Association, DeKalb
Municipal Association, Arabia
Mountain National Heritage Area
Alliance, DeKalb County School
District and others.
“These relationships [have]
allowed the city to obtain technical
assistance to do things that would
generally require hiring staff,”
Jackson said.
These relationships led to the
city completing its residential
housing addition inventory, which
was awarded the Outstanding
Planning Initiative for Small
abductor sought
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
The
Dunwoody
Police
Department
announced Oct.
30 that they
are looking for
a woman who
attempted to lure Police are looking for
a child into a car a female suspect after
Oct. 24. a Dunwoody incident
At involving a child. Video
approximately provided by Dunwoody
Police Department.
5:45 p.m.,
Dunwoody
police responded to an incident
on Waterford Drive where a child
was riding his bicycle when he
was approached by a red four-door
Toyota sedan, driven by a female,
according to Dunwoody Police. The
suspect asked the child to get into the
car.
Communities from the Georgia When the child baked away from
Chapter of the American Planning the suspect, the suspect followed him
Association, according to Jackson. home, then left the neighborhood.
The city also updated its zoning The suspect is described as a
code to facilitate development, White female with pink hair, blue
created two master plans for eyes and a nose ring. The suspect’s
Lithonia Park and updated the age could be between mid-30s
comprehensive plan and work plan. to early 40s, according to the
“With our partnership with Dunwoody Police Department.
Wendover Housing Partners, Residents who have information
we redeveloped the city-owned about the recent incidents should
portion of the plaza into workforce contact Detective Robert Ehlbeck at
housing,” Jackson said. “Our (678) 382-6925.
goal has continued to be the Anonymous tips can be made on
development of new housing, the Dunwoody Police website.
businesses and community
SEE LITHONIA ON PAGE 12

Dunwoody police searching for burglary suspect

get into the second floor shows the suspect Oct.
BY TAYLOR ROBINS windows of Dunwoody 29. The video, which
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com homes. The ladder was found can be viewed on www.
on one of the properties. TheChampionNewspaper.
Dunwoody Police
While the investigation is com, was captured on a Ring
Department is investigating
ongoing, residents are asked alarm system camera.
10 residential burglaries
to secure ladders left outside Residents who have
and asking residents to
homes; lock doors and information about the recent
take precautions while the
windows on all floors; report incidents should contact
investigation is ongoing.
suspicious activity to 9-1-1; Detective Robert Ehlbeck
The burglaries have
and to activate alarm systems at (678) 382-6925.
occurred over the last
and verify that non-typical Anonymous tips can
several weeks. According
entry points on all floors of a be made on the Dunwoody
to Dunwoody police, the
house are secured. Police website at https:// A burglary suspect was captured on a home surveillance system in Dunwoody. Video
burglaries have involved
Dunwoody police www.dunwoodyga.gov/. provided by Dunwoody Police Department.
a suspect using a ladder to
released a video that
OPINION
For years, some of Georgia’s
more progressive lawmakers
have floated the idea of allowing
legalized gambling in our state
in the forms of horse racing and
casinos but have never moved
forward with allowing it to be
included on a ballot to allow voters
to express their opinions.
Our state has benefited
tremendously from proceeds
derived from our limited but
apparently wildly popular lottery
sales. It is now time to consider
approving casino-style gaming
in our state to further bolster our
economy.
Georgia Lottery Commission
has operated for more than 25 years,
has cumulative sales in excess of
$80 billion and has transferred more
than $21 billion to the state’s educa-
tion account.
According to GaLottery.com.
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
Let the gaming begin
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
lottery proceeds fund specific
education programs such as tuition
grants and scholarships to under-
graduate college students attending
eligible Georgia colleges, universi-
ties or technical schools in addition
to funding the Georgia Prekinder-
garten Program for all 4-year-olds
in the state.
More than 1.8 million students
have attended colleges through
Georgia’s HOPE scholarship
program; more than 1.6 million
4-year-olds have attended Geor-
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 4
gia’s Prekindergarten Program; and
public schools have benefited from
more than $1.8 billion in facility
upgrades.
Imagine casino-style gaming
at Stone Mountain Park, Lanier
Islands or Jekyll Island or a cen-
terpiece for tourism in downtown
Macon, Savannah and Atlanta. If
Georgia’s growth in gaming would
be anything similar to what has hap-
pened in Ohio since gaming was
legalized in that state, it would be a
windfall of jobs and revenue.
Clevescene.com reports that
Ohio’s 11 commercial gambling
sites created 19,953 jobs, $804
million in wages and $594 million
in tax revenue each year.
Georgia already has a healthy
tourism industry with our
combination of beaches, mountains,
lakes and streams and an admirable
state parks network. By adding
commercial gaming, we would have
even more appeal as a destination
of choice for conventions, family
reunions and vacations.
Georgia.org reports that tourism
in Georgia is a $66.2 billion
industry. Couple the existing
revenue with what could be
expected if gambling were legalized
and our state would reap untold
benefits from the mountains of
North Georgia to the beaches of the
Golden Isles.
Take the decision of whether to
legalize casino-style gaming to the
people and allow them to voice their
opinions. It's time for officials to a
stop stalling and put the issue to a
vote sooner their than later.
With all that our state has to
offer, adding gaming to the mixture
would surely be a win-win situation
for all.
OPINION
There are good forest fires
“Only you can prevent forest
fires,” a longtime message from the
U.S. Ad Council and Smokey the
Bear.
With apologies to Smokey
the Bear and my many friends in
California—some reading this in
darkened homes with no power—
there really are good forest fires,
purposefully set, which could have,
and likely would have, saved them
this current nightmare.
 Controlled or prescribed
burnings are a key forestry and
timberland management tool,
largely begun and standardized
as an industry best practice in
the state of Georgia since the
1950s. Droughts, long hot summers,
and fast-growing and vulnerable
pine and other evergreen trees often
die, fall and litter the forest floor,
along with pine straw, broken limbs
and bark as well as other small
shrubs and vegetation, each drying
into a fuel source akin to the tinder
you would seek out to begin a
campfire.
 Imagine thousands of acres of
that tinder, piled up from decades
of non-forest management and
a nearly 20-year prohibition on
controlled burns or even the use of
the big rakes referred to previously
by President Donald Trump to cull
out dead plants, broken limbs and
dry underbrush, and you have the
makings for massive fires, aided and
abetted by the infamous Santa Anna
winds and other natural weather
phenomenon, now annually visiting
northern and southern California.
 I in no way mean to be
flippant. We have friends who
have lost everything in these fires
and last year’s fires—their homes,
places of business and entire
communities. Yes, perhaps some of
the communities were developed in
vulnerable areas and may not be re-
built despite their beauty and natural
surroundings, but when we do make
FREEPRESS
the DeKalb
Let Us Know What You Think!
THE DEKALB FREE PRESS encourages opinions from
its readers. Please write to us and express your views.
Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain the
writer’s name, address and telephone number for verifi-
cation. All letters will be considered for publication.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions
of the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. The
Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 5
After last year’s record breaking arrive, break out the rakes and the
‘One Man’s fires causing massive property loss,
power loss and deaths, California
backhoes and let’s dig some fire
breaks and plan prescribed burns
Opinion’ was at the heart of a national debate well into springtime. If the current
to expand the use of controlled non-action pattern continues, it is
Bill Crane and prescribed burns. Here we are only a matter of time before these
bill.csicrane@gmail.com a year later with a whole new set fires move further north into the
of communities evacuating and at Pacific Northwest and endanger
risk, and millions now temporarily those old growth hardwood forests,
the choice to build a community, it
without electricity due to the aging including our national parks and
also only makes sense to take the
and vulnerable electrical grid in the Great Redwoods. This time
steps necessary to protect it.
California, and its potential to spark next year may be too late to protect
 Working in middle Georgia
or spread a fire due to the ongoing them.  Only you, California, can
as a television reporter in the mid-
drought conditions. If millions prevent your own forest fires. Just
'80s, I became quite familiar with
sitting in the dark or millions of ask Smokey.
the timber industry practice of
acres and dozens of communities  
controlled burns and fires. Hundreds
literally running hoses on their Bill Crane also serves as a
of acres would be torched, in low
rooftops to save their homes isn’t political analyst and commentator
wind conditions, sometimes even
cause for an emergency legislative for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
using accelerants, along with fire
session, I’m not sure what is. AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
breaks (long ditches or natural
 People are losing their homes; FM, as well as a columnist for The
bodies of water which would
entire towns are burning, dozens of Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
break or end the fire as it ran out
thousands on both ends of the state Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
of fuel). Yes, there was smoke and
have faced forced and mandatory native and business owner, living
sometimes blinding conditions, but
evacuations and still may not in Scottdale. You can reach him
rarely did any of those fires get out
return home. When winter and or comment on a column at bill.
of control. 
the potential rainy season finally csicrane@gmail.com. 
The Georgia Forestry
Commission permits prescribed
burns as well as offering other
resources including onsite
assistance for larger burns. The state
has multiple statutes regulating the
process including Georgia Burn
Permit Law O.C.G.A. 12-6-90 and
Georgia Prescribed Burning Act
O.C.G.A. 12-6-145 to O.C.G.A. 12-
6-149
Controlled and prescribed burns
fell out of favor in the western
states a few decades ago, as these
fires do release carbon into the
atmosphere and can add to smog
and air pollution. But the difference
is typically hundreds, or a few
thousand acres, and a comparatively
brief and defined fire rather than the
current situation with millions of
acres burning or at risk, turned from
tinderbox to inferno by a lightning
strike or an errant lit cigarette butt,
aided and abetted by ill-timed but
annual high winds.
 
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.
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LOCAL
Former officer sentenced to 20
years in death of unarmed man
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County
Superior Court Judge
LaTisha Dear Jackson
sentenced former DeKalb
County Police officer
Robert Olsen on Nov. 1
to 20 years after Olsen was
convicted in the shooting
death of an unarmed Air
Force veteran. According to
Jackson, Olsen will serve
12 years in custody and
will serve the remaining
eight years on probation.  Olsen is sentenced.
Olsen did not testify
or offer a statement during
his sentencing hearing.
Olsen was found guilty
on charges of aggravated
assault, two counts of
violation of oath by a
public officer and making a
false statement for actions
resulting in the death of
26-year-old Anthony Hill.  that Olsen had a collection
Olsen was indicted by a
DeKalb County grand jury
in 2016 for the shooting
death of Hill in March of
2015. Hill was unarmed at
the time. Family members
of Hill said he was
suffering from a mental
health episode. Olsen’s
defense argued Olsen
feared for his life during
the incident and shot Hill
to protect himself.  measure of justice has been
Olsen made false
statements to cover up
his intent, including
stating Hill was beating
on his chest just before
the shooting, prosecutors
stated. An internal review
board found that Olsen
used excessive force
against Hill. He resigned in
2016 after being indicted
by a DeKalb County Grand
Jury.  actions.”  nicipal and special election,
Prosecutors requested
that Olsen be sentenced
to a maximum of 30 years
with 25 years to serve in
custody.  or acknowledge any
“In listening to the
evidence of this trial and
reading all 73 pages and all
25 character witness letters,
people may not recognize
it, but Robert Olsen and
Anthony Hill have a lot
of similarities,” Jackson
said. “They both love their
Carolyn Giummo, mother of Anthony
Hill, speaks to the media after Robert
community, both loved
by their families and both
were musicians.”
Jackson also ordered
that Olsen is never to work
in law enforcement again
or own firearms. During the
trial, prosecutors testified
of approximately 12 guns.  saw a low turnout for ad-
Family and friends of
Hill, along with DeKalb
County District Attorney
Sherry Boston held a press
conference following the
sentencing. Boston said
the prosecuting team had
hoped for a longer sentence
for Olsen.  (7,424) or sent in absentee
“While we were hoping
for a lengthier sentence, a
served today for Anthony
Hill and his family,” said
Boston. “A uniform, badge,
and gun are not a license
to shoot with impunity.
Robert Olsen had nonlethal
options that he could have
employed, but he made a
different decision that day…
one that cost a man his life.
We are thankful he will be
held accountable for his
Hill’s family, including
his mother and father, said
they were disappointed
that Olsen did not speak
wrongdoing during trail.  that Georgia Secretary of
“Fight for justice for
Anthony Hill. Even though
I didn’t get the [sentence]
that I wanted. Some time
is better than no time,”
said Hill’s mother Carolyn
Giummo. “I have to accept
what was given.”
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 6
Short voting lines were seen at Avondale Estates city hall. Photos by Carla Parker
DeKalb sees low
numbers in early voting
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
D
espite several
contested races
for mayor and city
council seats in all DeKalb
County cities, the county
vance and absentee voting
for the 2019 general munic-
ipal and special election.
According to DeKalb
County Board of Registra-
tion and Elections, a total
of 7,886 registered voters
participated in early voting
ballots (462) between Oct.
14 and Nov. 1. More than
3,000 people voted at the
Dunwoody early voting
location, while the DeKalb
Board of Registration and
Elections office saw 2,260
voters.
More than 1,000 resi-
dents voted in Brookhaven
and 936 voted at the Stone-
crest location. Nov. 5 elec-
tion day turnout could see
low voter turnout as well.
In the 2015 general mu-
13.50 percent of registered
voters cast ballots.
The low early voting
turnout numbers come fol-
lowing the announcement
State’s Office begun notify-
ing approximately 330,000
“inactive voters” that they
were being removed from
voter registration rolls.
Voting rights advocates,
including the NAACP, have
opposed the state’s decision
DeKalb County saw a low turnout for advance and absentee voting for the 2019 general
municipal and special election.
to remove voters from the
rolls.
“People being removed
for simply not voting is un-
ethical and undemocratic,”
said Georgia NAACP Presi-
dent Rev. James Woodall.
“We should be investing in
ways to make voting easier,
not harder. We pledge to
utilize our resources to not
only ensure that no voter
is unlawfully purged but
also commit to challenging
the legal framework of the
practice altogether.”
On Oct. 25, voting
rights advocates sent a letter
warning DeKalb election of-
ficials to stop removing reg-
istered voters from the voter
registration rolls in violation
of the National Voter Reg-
istration Act or risk facing
legal action. The letter was
issued by the Lawyers’
Committee for Civil Rights
Under Law and the Geor-
gia ACLU on behalf of
the Georgia Coalition for
the People’s Agenda, the
Georgia State Conference
of the NAACP and the New
Georgia Project.
The letter alleges that
DeKalb election officials are
continuing to purge eligible
voters in violation of federal
law. According to the voting
rights advocates, an investi-
gation revealed that DeKalb
illegally purged voters who
lived in the city of Decatur
on the basis that the action
had been recommended
by Decatur officials, even
though municipalities can-
not challenge voters’ eligi-
bility under state law. The
groups said emails confirm
that Decatur officials did not
recommend the purge and
appeared to have been initi-
ated by a DeKalb employee
who had a property inter-
est in the address at which
some of the voters were
registered.
The Champion contact-
ed a board member of the
board of registrations and
elections about voters being
purged from the rolls but
did not receive a response
by press time.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 7

Share the Warmth

TheCHAMPION
Coat Drive
Please help the less fortunate stay warm!
The Champion and other community partners are
collecting new and gently used outerwear such as
coats, hats and gloves to be given on Thanksgiving
to those in our community who need it the most.
COLLECTION BOXES WILL BE PLACED AT:
The Champion Newspaper Clerk of Superior Court DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Sauers Group, Inc
114 New Street, Suite E of DeKalb County 4415 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032 1585 Roadhaven Dr.
Decatur, GA 30030 DeKalb County Courthouse (Sheriff Admin side of the Jail) Stone Mountain, GA 30083
556 N. McDonough St. Drop Off Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Decatur, GA 30030 Monday - Friday

COLLECTION EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL NOV. 22

LOCAL
LITHONIA
Family members of the late Maggie “MC” Woods and Lithonia officials celebrate the new street sign topper.
Lithonia honors late councilwoman with street sign topper
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Lithonia’s first African-
American councilwoman
was honored posthumously
Oct. 28 with a street sign
topper.
Lithonia elected officials
joined the family of the late
Maggie “MC” Woods for
the unveiling of a street
sign topper that displays
Woods’ name at the corner
of Magnolia Street and
Williams Reynolds Grant
Drive, in front of the home
where she lived.
Woods became the
first African-American
councilwoman in Lithonia
in 1972. She was a resident
of Lithonia from 1935 until
her death in 2009. She raised
her eight children in the
city, including her daughter
Marcia Glenn Hunter, who
would become Lithonia’s
first African-American
female mayor in 1995, her
son Jerome Woods, who
was appointed as police
chief in 1981, and her
daughter Barbara Lester,
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 8
who served on the city
council in the early 2000s.
Lithonia Mayor
Deborah Jackson said
it was Lester who came
to numerous city council
meetings to propose having
the street corner dedicated to
her mother.
“We’re so happy to be
able to do this unveiling,”
Jackson said. “We think it’s
important that we continue
to recognize our history and
those who have come before
us because those of us who
are currently here stand on
the shoulders of those who
laid the groundwork for us.”
City officials said the
street dedication “will
serve as a reminder of civic
awareness and sacrifice to
the residents and visitors of
Lithonia for years to come,
as well as a testament that
individuals and communities
of all ethnic and religious Maggie “MC” Woods became the first African-
Maggie “MC” Woods became the first African-American councilwoman in
backgrounds are united Lithonia in 1972. American councilwoman in Lithonia in 1972.
in the cause of service to
humanity.” the street sign topper means cared about us,” she said. wonderful, and I am really
While holding back a lot to her. “I am just thrilled to tell happy that it’s happened.”
tears, Lester, the oldest of “Mother really cared anybody that I’m from
Woods’ eight children, said about this place and she Lithonia. This is just
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES... As seen on DCTV

We would like to congratulate C. David Moody

and his dance partner Brentney J. on taking home
the winning trophy for the 2019 Dancing with the
DeKalb Stars, a fundraiser hosted by the DeKalb
County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling
benefitting two local domestic violence non-profit
organizations, all proceeds generated through DeKalb County District Attorney, Sherry Boston held her 9th Annual
ticket sales and sponsorships will benefit Women’s Domestic Violence Symposium & Community Resource Fair. She invited
Resource Center to End Domestic Violence and Partrounar Bryant-James, a domestic violence advocate to speak.
International Women’s House.

DeKalb County demolished a home on Melanie Court in order to begin construction

and repairs of sewer pipes at the area considered “Ground Zero,” meaning the site of
the most sanitary sewer spills in the county, with 22 reported since 2014.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office held their Annual Employee Health Fair. There were
flu shots, chiropractic services, massages, and more. DKSO values its employees and
continues to provide opportunities to teach them about health and wellness, mental Offering you a front row seat to all DeKalb County news & events, DCTV Director Diamond Lewis provides the timely News Update

23
health and its importance to their careers. segment. For all DCTV programs and videos, visit DCTVChannel23.TV

DCTV Channel 23 Get your front row seat to all things DeKalb County
through your EMMY Award-winning station.
@DCTVChannel23
DeKalb County Gov
Ustream.tv/channel/DCTV-Channel-23
www.DCTVChannel23.tv
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 10

Student earns perfect ACT score

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Preparation was key for
Madison Pankey, who recently
earned a composite score of 36 on
the ACT standardized test.
“I studied a lot of it,” said
Pankey. “I took a lot of practice
tests in preparation because I
wanted to get a 36. I definitely
worked for it.”
Pankey is currently a senior at
Dunwoody High School. She earned excited. We went and woke my
the highest possible score on the
ACT.
“Only around two-tenths of one After having taken so many practice
percent of students who take the
ACT earn a top score. In the U.S.
high school graduating class of
2018, only 3,741 out of more than
1.9 million graduates who took the
ACT earned a top composite score
of 36,” said ACT officials.
Pankey had taken the test twice
prior to receiving the top score,
receiving a score of 34 both times.
She took the test for a third time in
September. According to Pankey,
when she took the test the third
time, she was trying to raise the
score of her science test portion
thus raising the composite score as
well. The ACT consists of tests in
English, mathematics, reading and
science, each scored on a scale of
1–36. A student’s composite score is
the average of the four test scores,
according to ACT officials.
According to Pankey, the ACT
organization did not release the
test scores online on the original
scheduled date which left the
student “freaked out.” The next
night, while studying late, Pankey
and her father Larry looked at the
scores when they became available.
“I said ‘no way this isn’t real’
out loud,” said Pankey. “I got so
mom [Laura Horlock] up and told
her just because we were so excited.
tests and getting a 34 on both tests,
I wasn’t sure if I was actually
going to get a 36. Of course I was
still trying to get one, but I was
surprised.”
After receiving the good news,
Pankey said she didn’t tell her
friends or teachers. Her high school
spread the good news through an
announcement and posted her on its
Twitter page.
Pankey credits her use of
practice tests and preparedness for
her score. She also participated in
an ACT bootcamp in January.
“Once you learn how to take
the test, it makes it a lot easier. I’ve
taken so many practice tests that I
know how the questions are going
to work. Practice tests are definitely
the best way,” said Pankey. “After
you take so many practice tests,
taking the actual test doesn’t make
you nervous anymore, just because
you’re used to it.”
For other students taking
the practice test, Pankey said to
review the practice test after taking
it to correct questions that were
answered. Local student earns perfect score on college
“[Pankey’s] achievement on admission standardized test. Photo provided by
the ACT is significant and rare,” Madison Pankey.
ACT CEO Marten Roorda said.
“[Pankey’s] exceptional scores will
senior year, she said she wants to
provide any college or university
make more friends and have a good
with ample evidence of [her]
time.
readiness for the academic rigors
“It’s exciting,” said Pankey.
that lie ahead.”
“I’m definitely nervous because no
After high school, Pankey plans
one knows what’s going to happen
to attend college but has not made a
after high school. This year has
final decision on a school. However,
been really fun but difficult because
she is looking at colleges in the
of college applications. It’s still a lot
northeast of the country, as well
of fun because everyone in my class
as California and Georgia. Pankey
just knows we’re almost done and
plans to major in astrophysics, as
it’s our last year together. Everyone
she wants to work for NASA as an
is just trying to make the most of
astronaut.
it.”
“We’ll see where I end up,” said
Along with being a straight
Pankey.
A student who takes advanced
Prior to her astronaut
classes with approximately a 4.3
aspirations, Pankey wanted to be
GPA, Pankey is also on the varsity
a doctor or “the next Savannah
lacrosse team, the varsity dive team
Guthrie” working on the “Today
and the varsity cheerleading squad.
Show.”
She is captain of her cheerleading
As Pankey is finishing her
squad.

Counsel determines Dunwoody has no authority in DCSD construction

BY TAYLOR ROBINS Member Terry Nall at the stamp for construction
Aug. 12 Dunwoody City projects; having the
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Council meeting, after city attorney and staff
DCSD representatives gave prepare and negotiate
After Dunwoody
a school construction and an intergovernmental
City Council’s five-part
project update July 22. agreement (IGA) for use
action plan was given to
The plan was unanimously with DCSD for construction
DeKalb County School
approved by the council. and ongoing maintenance;
District (DCSD) in August,
DCSD’s July update engaging specialized
Dunwoody officials reported
proposed classroom trailers outside legal counsel for
Oct. 28 that outside counsel
for Dunwoody high and a second opinion for code
has given an opinion on the
elementary schools that enforceability limits for
plan’s enforceability.
are in place. According to the city against DCSD;
“It is my opinion that
Nall, DCSD did not apply seeking injunctive relief for
the city does not have the
for a land disturbance violations of city ordinances
authority to directly compel
permit─the first step and other codes applicable
a local school system
required in a memorandum in Georgia and Dunwoody;
to comply with its local A classroom trailer located at Dunwoody High School. Photo by Taylor Robins.
of understanding (MOU) and establishing a general
ordinances,” said William
between Dunwoody assembly legislative priority
A. White, a partner with
and DCSD, signed by The city issued a stop DCSD in August. to clarify the enforceability
Smith Welch Webb and
Dunwoody Mayor Denis work order in addition to Nall’s action plan powers of a city against
White Attorneys at Law.
Shortal and DCSD Nall’s action plan in August. includes revoking DCSD’s school district construction
The five-part action
Superintendent R. Stephen City council also agreed ability to use the city’s
plan was proposed by
Green. to dissolve the MOU with professional engineering SEE SCHOOL ON PAGE 11
Dunwoody City Council
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 11

EDUCATION BRIEFS
by Taylor Robins • Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

Eastern enrolls local students
Eastern Connecticut State University enrolled
1,200 new students for the fall 2019 semester.
The new enrollees include first-time and transfer
students who are enrolled in full-time and part-
time undergraduate and graduate programs.
Local students are Denisse Diaz-Sanchez of
Doraville─a full-time undergraduate freshman
majoring in environmental earth science; and
Gabriela Mendoza Simon of Doraville─a
full-time undergraduate sophomore majoring in
finance.
The new enrollees join a student body of
more than 5,000 students.
Bennett named to Troy University
chancellor’s list
Gwendolyn Bennett of Lithonia has been
named to the chancellor’s list at Troy University
for the first semester of the 2019-2020 academic
year.
The chancellor’s list honors full-time
undergraduate students who are registered for
12 semester hours and who have a grade point
average of 4.0.
Letourneau and orchestra nurture
young musicians at performance
Earlier this fall, the University of Iowa
Orchestra─an ensemble that includes Alexis
Letourneau of Tucker─performed a concert
exclusively for fourth grade students in the Iowa
City Community School District.
The annual event, staged in UI’s Voxman
Music Building, attracted more than 1,400
students. Teachers and staff of the Iowa City
Community School District Foundation, the
organizers of the “Symphony Goes to School”
program said the lesson of the day is bigger than
music.
“They get to feel and experience some
different types of culture they might not be able
to experience where they’re from,” said Drew
Landolt, a fourth grade teacher at Christine
Grant Elementary School. “Getting to come
down and see the university students gives them
something to maybe look forward to later on in
life.”
University of Kentucky’s freshman
class fall 2019
The University of Kentucky welcomed the
largest incoming class in its history with 5,396
freshmen who began their college career in the
fall 2019 semester.
Chassidy Brown of Stone Mountain and
Olivia Stephenson of Decatur are incoming
freshmen in UK’s college of arts and sciences.

SCHOOL Continued From Page 10

projects.
“The school district’s update to Dunwoody City
Council on July 22 made it clear to me the DCSD did not
follow Dunwoody’s process with respect to the new trailer
classrooms,” said Nall. “In my book accountability matters
and the school district was not faithful to its obligations
to Dunwoody or to the students that they serve, so
consequences are needed.”
As part of the action plan, White was hired by
Dunwoody to determine school board sovereignty.
“Local boards of education have nearly limitless
powers to manage the affairs of their school districts
without interference from other branches of government,”
said White. “This is the case even in the realm of the
construction, maintenance and repair of local school
facilities.”
White’s analysis finds less authority for the city to
enforce ordinances than a prior analysis from the city
attorney.
Trailers have been used as portable classrooms to
remedy overcrowding in Dunwoody for more than a
decade.
During a March 2019 On the Scene with Dr. Green
event, attendees expressed concerns about overcrowding
and the use of classroom trailers. According to one
attendee, Dunwoody High School was 536 students over
capacity at the time.
Dunwoody High School is scheduled to receive a
41-classroom addition and an expansion to core spaces
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such as the cafeteria, kitchen and parking lot, according to
DCSD officials.
DCSD is in the preliminary design stages of Dunwoody
High School additions with plans to complete the building
in November 2022. The proposed budget is $27 million, up
from an original budget of $18 million.
White’s full five-page analysis can be found on the
THIS PAPER
Dunwoody website at https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/.

VISIT US ONLINE @ WWW.THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 12

COUNTYWIDE

Officials working to resurrect land bank

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN one up,” Gannon said. of Community Development
Horace@dekalbchamp.com “There are various options Allen Mitchell said the
that have pros and cons for county plans to partner with
each one and various costs Clarkston and Lithonia to
County officials are with each option. That’s reestablish the land bank. 
still in the process of what we’ve been plowing “We have met with
reestablishing the DeKalb through for the last few a number of cities and
Regional Land Bank—a months.” Clarkston and Lithonia have
government entity that In 2018, DeKalb agreed to join us,” Mitchell
focuses on converting approved a resolution on said. “We plan to meet with
vacant, abandoned and tax- blight that recommends Brookhaven and we have
delinquent properties to reactivating the Land Bank sent inquires to each mayor
productive use. Authority for the purpose of in DeKalb to see if they are
 DeKalb County converting abandoned and interested in joining the land
established the DeKalb tax delinquent properties. bank.”
Regional Land Bank in Since 2017, approximately Cochran-Johnson said
August 2011 with Decatur 300 properties have been DeKalb was hit hard by
as an initial partner but the abated or demolished. the recession and still has
regional land bank has been Approximately 260 abandoned properties that
inactive since 2017 due to abandoned residential or are negatively affecting the
staffing issues and funding, commercial properties are county. DeKalb County
according to county officials.  currently in county.  was second in the state
DeKalb County The revamped land for foreclosures in 2008,
Commissioner Kathie bank will be funded during the peak of the
Gannon said county with $350,000 from the recession. From 2001 to
officials are currently county’s general fund and 2008, DeKalb and Fulton DeKalb County officials are in the process of reestablishing the DeKalb Regional
deciding the best way an additional $200,000 counties combined for more Land Bank which will convert vacant, abandoned and tax-delinquent properties to
productive use.
to move forward with allocated from DeKalb than 55,950 foreclosures,
reestablishing the land bank. County Commissioner according to a report expeditiously as humanly Johnson said. “I’m a huge
“We have different Lorraine Cochran- from the Neighborhood possible trying to establish proponent of this land bank
options for land banks. It’s Johnson.  Stabilization Program.  [DeKalb County Regional and I look forward to seeing
not just going and setting DeKalb County Director “I think we moved as Land Bank],” Cochran- this complete.”

Two dead after plane crashes into apartment complex

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
A small plane crashed into
Clairmont Hills Townhouses on
Peachwood Circle in Chamblee
Oct. 30.
A Piper PA-28–a two-or
four-seat aircraft–crashed
into an apartment complex
located in the area of I-85
and Clairmont Road shortly
after departure from DeKalb-
Peachtree Airport around 10:30
a.m., according to the Federal
Aviation Association.
The crash resulted in two
A small plane crashed into Clairmont Hills Townhouses on Peachwood passenger deaths, according to
Circle, causing two deaths Oct. 30. Photo by Taylor Robins. DeKalb County officials. The
passengers were 59-year-old
Leslie Csanyi Jr. and 60-year-
old Scott Robert Lowrie; both
men were from North Carolina,
according to the DeKalb
County Medical Examiner’s
Office. Lowrie and Csanyi were
the only two people on the
plane at the time of the crash.
No one was inside the
townhome when the incident
occurred, according to DeKalb
Fire Department Spokesman
Capt. Dion Bentley.
DeKalb County Fire
Marshall Joe Cox and county
building inspectors declared
six units of Clairmont Hills
Townhomes unsafe until further
notice due to structural damage
and fuel vapor. Access is
prohibited until further notice,
according to DeKalb County
officials.
The cause of the crash has
not been determined; however,
Oct 30 weather was rainy.
After the incident, DeKalb
County Fire Rescue, DeKalb
County Police and DeKalb
Emergency Management
Agency responded to the scene,
according to DeKalb County
officials.
One lane of I-85 Frontage
Road was temporarily closed
after the incident.

LITHONIA Continued From Page 3

facilities so that the citizens of Lithonia can reap
the benefits and not be pushed aside.”
Jackson said her proudest moment when
working with the community was facilitating
partnerships to help Stoneview Elementary
School, which is outside the city’s boundaries.
“The owners of Integrated Service Solutions
donated over $60,000 worth of lighting for
all classrooms,” Jackson said. “Even though
the schools are not a direct part of the city’s
responsibility, as a community we have a
responsibility to support our children.”
Jackson said she believes in the T.E.A.M.
approach—together everyone achieves more.
“As I get ready to pass the torch to new
leadership for the city, it my hope that the
‘T.E.A.M.’ approach will continue and be
strengthened and improved,” she said.
BUSINESS
STONE MOUNTAIN
Jamaican family says everything’s authentic at their island restaurant chain
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
After 13 years in
business, the Golden Krust
Caribbean Bakery & Grill in
Stone Mountain closed for
remodeling. When the work
took longer than anticipated,
President and Owner
Jacqueline Robinson
became concerned that
customers would forget
the South Hairston Road
restaurant. She apparently
had no reason to worry.
When the eatery reopened
on Nov. 1 its dining
room was packed with
customers—many of whom business reopened after being closed for nine months.
were its long-time regulars.
“They’re all back and
happy that we’re open,”
Robinson said. “People have
been telling me all day that
they have been driving by
every day, hoping to find
us open. Our customers
are like family. We love
them and they love us.
The friendliness here is
an extension of the island
friendliness we grew up
with, except we step it up to have 125 locations in North bread like his father and
another level.”
The reopened restaurant
features its own version of
the bright orange and yellow “It’s on a main road and
décor familiar to Golden
Krust customers across the
country. “We want people
to feel like they’re in the
islands with everything
from the food to the
atmosphere. At this location island
we even included tropical
plants in the landscaping
so people would really feel
like they’re in Jamaica,”
Robinson said.
Golden Krust was
founded 30 years ago by
siblings whose father had
owned a bakery in Jamaica.
Using family recipes,
they opened the first U.S.
restaurant in New York in
1989. Robinson, one of the
siblings in the founding
Hawthorne family, said
the original restaurant in
the Bronx was so popular
they soon opened a second
location. “It was the same
thing there,” Robinson
recalled. “We were
swamped with customers.
People kept suggesting
places where we should
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 13
of the business; however,
she noted, the eatery is also
known for its patties—
savory turnover pies stuffed
with fillings that include
vegetables, meats and
seafood. “We have 10
different ones,” she said.
In addition to patties
and baked goods, Golden
Krust offers such Jamaican
standards as jerk chicken,
braised oxtails, curried goat
and brown stew chicken.
“Macaroni and cheese is a
specialty of ours, but it’s
not like the macaroni and
cheese most Americans
The refurbished restaurant has
Jacqueline Robinson, president and owner of the Golden Krust restaurant on South are used to. It has onions,
landscaping the includes tropical plants
Hairston Road, says she is delighted that regular customers are returning since the special seasonings and
to remind customers of Jamaica.
lots of cheese—two kinds
open new Golden Krust estimates that 60 percent of of cheese,” Robinson
lived.”
restaurants.” Golden Krust’s customers said. Golden Krust also
Robinson said she’s not
The South Hairston have an island heritage. offers a variety of natural
surprised by Golden Krust’s
Road location is among She added that many juices such as fruit punch,
popularity. “It’s the best
the first to open in Georgia Jamaicans in the area pineapple ginger and sorrel.
Jamaican food you will find
and is one of the few still come for the bread, Robinson, who like
anywhere outside Jamaica.
owned by the family. Most which is sold retail at the her father is a minister in
The recipes are authentic;
Golden Krust locations are restaurant. Her brother, addition to being a business
we cook the way we
now franchises. “We opened Raymond Hawthorne, owner, said, “God has
learned at home—nothing
our first franchise in 1996 who is in charge of the blessed us. I never want to
is rushed—and we use real
and less than 10 years later bakery said he is proud to leave him out when I talk
Jamaican spices.”
we had 100 stores. We now produce authentic Jamaican about the success of our
Customers can walk business.”
through a line and choose
America,” Robinson said. grandfather made. “I make
food cafeteria style, but also
“This is an especially sure it’s the best. Whatever Masonry work
can place special orders.
good location,” she said. I do, I give it 100 percent,” Stone
Robinson said she
he said. Brick
and her family members
it’s near lots of other stores Robinson’s daughter, Block
created the concept for the
where our customers often Shanika, who is a manager Concrete repairs
restaurant, but only chose
shop. Also, there are several at the Stonecrest location,
the name after lengthy Martinez
Caribbean communities said being part of a family
discussions. Part of the Masonry
nearby. People who are business has allowed her
reason for the choice was 404.408.4170
from Jamaica and other to learn entrepreneurship
the large bakery component MartinezMasonry281@yahoo.com
nations like to eat from the ground up. “Also,
here. These are people who I love that the business
know what Jamaican food grew out of my culture, so
is supposed to taste like, it gives me the opportunity
so the fact that they choose to learn more about how City of Chamblee
us means we’re doing it my grandparents and their State of Georgia
right,” said Robinson, who parents cooked, ate and
The Mayor and Council will have a Called Meeting
on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 9 am to
NOTICE OF MEETING OF DEKALB COUNTY approximately noon, in the conference room, at City
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY Hall, 5468 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341. The
agenda will include a review of budget priorities and other
To the public: Please take notice that the DeKalb
County Hospital Authority’s October 2019 meeting miscellaneous city manager items (time permitting).
has been rescheduled for the date, time, and
location listed below. This meeting is open to the CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN
public. PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
• A rescheduled meeting of the DeKalb County
Hospital Authority will take place on November 19, The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice
2019 at 12:00 pm. This meeting will be held in the that a Public Hearing will be held to receive public
Thrasher Conference Room in the administration comment on the City of Stone Mountain Proposed
suite at Emory Decatur Hospital, 2701 North 2020 Fiscal Year Budget.
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public
Decatur Road, Decatur, Georgia 30033. Hearing on this matter on Tuesday, November 19th,
2019 at City Hall located at 875 Main Street, Stone
Please note that the Thrasher Conference Room Mountain, GA at 6:30 P.M. Anyone wishing to attend
will be open to the public attendees for purposes of the public hearing may do so and be heard relative
this meeting. thereto.
 AROUND DeKalb
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 14

CHAMBLEE Tucker is seeking volunteers to help support

Chamblee hosts ribbon cutting for park
Chamblee officials invite the community
to the International Village Park Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony at 5 p.m. at 3375 Chamblee
Dunwoody Road in Chamblee Nov. 8.
The park features a multi-use field,
community garden, large playground with seat
wall, entertainment plaza, pavilion, renovated
parking lot, lighting, fencing, park amenities and
reforestation around the entire property.
COUNTYWIDE
GIS welcomes residents to explore the
organization
DeKalb County GIS will be hosting GIS Day
that is open to the public. Residents who want
to learn more about GIS and the role it plays in
the community are invited to attend. The event
will be held Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Manuel J.
Maloof Auditorium─1300 Commerce Drive in
Decatur.
The DeKalb County GIS Department’s
website describes itself as a service agency
created to direct the development of the county’s
Enterprise GIS system bringing efficiency and
effectiveness to county mapping functions and
databases.
LITHONIA
Library to host painting class
Lithonia-Davidson Library will host
“Paint and Chill” Nov. 13 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Participants can learn paint with instructor
Jonessa Sheffield. No experience is necessary.
The library is located at 6821Church Street. For
more information, call (770) 482-3820.
STONECREST
Kickball leagues hosting 5K race
Four women kickball leagues are hosting
“Kickin’ Out Cancer” 5K race Nov. 16.
Participants can run, walk, or ride to fight against
all types of cancer. Registration fee is $35, and
participants can register at www.runsignup.
com/race/kickinoutcancerrunwalkride/page/
sweetladykickers. The race starting line is at
Dairy Queen parking lot, located at 2885 Evans
Mill Road. For more information, call (678) 732-
5688.
TUCKER
Hospice seeks volunteers
Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care in
its Gift of a Day program, which brings to life
a hospice patient’s personal vision of what a
perfect day might be.
In addition to helping with a Gift of a Day,
volunteers are welcome to share their favorite
activities such as reading, music, or arts and
crafts.
For additional information or to
sign up as a volunteer, contact Candyce
Patterson at (770) 270-9898 or Candyce.
Patterson@crossroadshospice.com, or
volunteerATL@crossroadshospice.com or visit
CrossroadsHospice.com/Volunteering.
Volunteer participants must complete an
application, TB skin test, and training session led
by members of the Crossroads team. Potential
volunteers must wait a minimum of one year
after the death of an immediate family member
or loved one before applying.
Library to host book sale
Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library will hold its
bi-annual book sale Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. Books, CDs, DVDs and all genres will
be on sale for $.50 to $2. All proceeds benefit
the library for programs and events that will be
made free to the public. The library is located
at 5234 Lavista Road. For more information,
email Friends of Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library at
friends.of.library.tucker@gmail.com.

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SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Cedar Grove High School defensive end Alvin Williams celebrates with his team after receiving the “State Player of the Week” award from Georgia High School Football Daily. Photos by Carla Parker
Cedar Grove’s Alvin
Williams receives award
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
Cedar Grove High
School defensive end
Alvin Williams had the
best performance in week
nine of the football season,
according to Georgia High
School Football Daily
(GHSFD).
GHSFD honored
Williams Oct. 30 with its
“State Player of the Week”
award for his performance
in the 40-10 win over Pace
Academy Oct. 25. Williams
had a career-high five sacks,
along with eight tackles
against Pace.
GHSFD Marketing
Director Ted Langford
and a representative from
AstroTurf and Sports
Turf, which sponsors the
award, presented Williams
with a plaque in front of
teammates, coaches and
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teachers at Cedar Grove.
Williams said it was an
honor to receive the award.
“I want to thank my
teammates and my coaches
for helping me do it,” he
said. “It really takes a team
effort to do it. No [one]
man can run a show. To get
five sacks is amazing, but
I also want to recognize
my defensive line and
my [defensive backs] for
giving me time to get to the
quarterback.”
Langford said each week
this football season, GHSFD
editors looked at all the
performances of high school
players and determined who
had the best performance
that week in the state.
“We look at game film,
we talk to opposing coaches
and we talk to head coaches
about the players,” Langford
said. “This past week was
really tough.”
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 15
Langford said seven of
the nine “State Player of the
Week” awards have gone to
offensive players. He said
Williams’ performance was
too hard to ignore this week.
“We’ve been watching
Alvin all season long and
he’s had a heck of a season,”
Langford said. “He’s a
monster on defense.”
Williams had 67 total
tackles, 19 tackles for a
loss, 10 sacks, two forced
fumbles and two fumble
recoveries. Going into the
Pace game, Williams said he
knew Pace’s offense would
avoid running plays toward
Cedar Grove High School defensive end Alvin Williams was awarded the “State Player
him. of the Week” award from Georgia High School Football Daily.
“So, I put my
[teammate] Christen Miller adjustments and I went to “I feel like as we take
on the strong side [of the the weak side and went one- steps as a team, we’re going
defensive line] and let them on-one with [Pace’s] tackle to be great,” Williams said.
take on him,” Williams said. and tight end.” Cedar Grove had a bye
“But [Pace’s offensive line] Although Williams week Nov. 1 and will close
started double-teaming me, is having an outstanding out the regular season Nov.
so coach [Miguel Patrick] season statistically, he said 9 against Stone Mountain at
and I started making he believes he can do better. Godfrey Stadium.
@DEKALBCHAMPNEWS
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 • Page 16
CROSS COUNTRY
Three cross country
teams win state titles
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
Decatur boys’ cross
country team made history
Nov. 1 after winning its first
state title in program history.
Decatur took home the
Class AAAAA state title with
a total time of 1:27:04.79,
beating defending champion
Starr’s Mill (1:28:43.55).
St. Pius X girls won its fourth cross country state title in program history. Photos from GHSA.com St. Pius X boys and girls
swept the Class AAAA state
meet with the boys winning
the title with a total time
of 1:25:42.00, and the girls
won with a total time of
1:38:07.24.
Sophomore Christian
Gonzalez led the way for the
Decatur Bulldogs, finishing
third overall with a time of
16:24.37, giving Decatur
its only top 10 finisher.
Freshman Jake Westing
(17:28.02), junior Eoin
McNally (17:31.75) and
junior Ethan Yankovich
(17:37.92) finished 12th, 13th
and 14th, respectively, to
round out the top 20 finishers
for Decatur.
St. Pius X boys won its second consecutive Class AAAA state championship. St. Pius boys won its
second consecutive state
championship, eighth since
2010 and 11th overall with
a total time of 1:25:42.00,
beating runner-up Denmark
(1:27:13.59). Senior Chad
DeWitt led the Golden Lions
with a third-place finish at
16:49.23, and junior Patrick
McDonald (17:10.61)
finished ninth overall.
Sophomore Ryan Boyle
(17:11.96) finished 11th
overall, senior Andrew Ryan
(17:12.14) place 12th, junior
Logan Wiley (17:18.06)
finished 14th overall and
sophomore Eamonn Kenah
(17:23.99) placed 17th
overall to round out the top
Decatur boys’ cross country team won its first state title, winning the Class AAAAA state championship. 20 finishers for St. Pius.
St. Pius X (1:3807.24)
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Call 404.373.7779 Ext 110 for more information.
girls won their fourth state
title in program history,
defeating runner-up Blessed
Trinity (1:39:16.01) and
defending champions Marist
(1:38:29.62). St. Pius had
three runners to finish in
the top 10—senior Morgan
Vaden (19:06.59) finished
fourth, junior Catherine
Breault (19:15.16) finished
fifth and junior Mary Brady
(19:15.90) finished seventh
overall.
Druid Hills boys and
girls finished in the top 10
of the Class AAAA team
standings. The boys finished
seventh overall with a time
of 1:29:56.06 and the girls
finished in eighth place with
a time of 1:53:15.58. Marist
boys finished in eighth place
with a time of 1:29:37.09.
Chamblee boys finished
ninth overall in the Class
AAAAA team standings
with a time a total time
of 1:31:30.59. Clarkston
(1:34:49.28) finished 18th
and Southwest DeKalb
(1:45:51) finished 31st
overall in the Class AAAAA
boys’ team standings.
Decatur girls (1:50:35.78)
finished seventh overall,
Chamblee girls (1:55:27.17)
finished 14th overall and
Clarkton girls (2:07:55.08)
finished 24th overall.
In Class AAAAAA,
M.L. King girls finished
24th overall with a time of
2:02:04.62 and the boys
finished 28th overall with a
time of 1:40:21.60.
In Class AAAAAAA,
Lakeside girls (1:46:10.43)
finished 11th overall and
Lakeside boys (1:32:20.13)
finished 20th overall. Paideia
boys (1:29:46.48) finished
third overall in the Class
A-Private boys standings and
the girls (1:49:44.92) finished
sixth.