CrossRoadsNews, August 6, 2016 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

BACK TO SCHOOL

SCENE

Drivers beware

Legacy of activism

Motorists are urged to brush up on the law regarding passing a bus as students in metro Atlanta return to school. 4

Deborah Strahorn, storytellerin-residence at the APEX Museum, will discuss Adrienne Herndon, wife of Atlanta’s first African-American millionaire. 7

Put Litter in Its Place Let’s Do Our Part to Keep DeKalb Beautiful

EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER

August 6, 2016

Volume 22, Number 15

www.crossroadsnews.com

County demolishes abandoned house, targets others By Ken Watts

the property, which caught on fire in 2012, torn down. “It was on a corner lot and really affected the look of the whole neighborhood,” said Starr, a retired federal worker who has lived on the street for 27 years. “Now that the house is gone, the county will clear the lot and level it so the area should look better.” May said he wanted to dramatize the county’s commitment to remove abandoned properties throughout the county, but the legal process can be time-consuming. “This property is owned by someone who was cited many times since 2012, was as-

Interim CEO Lee May donned a hard hat and took the controls of an excavator on Aug. 4 to help rid a Stone Mountain neighborhood of a dangerous abandoned property overgrown with weeds at 1541 Walnut Ridge Court near South Hairston Road. May swung the arm of the demolition equipment and delivered the first few strikes on the fire-damaged house before a county sanitation worker took over and reduced it to a pile of rubble within minutes. Corlis Starr and other neighbors had been complaining to the county about the eyesore since 2009 and were delighted to see Please see BLIGHT, page 2

DeKalb County demolished this abandoned house at 1541 Walnut Ridge in Stone Mountain. Neighbors has been trying since 2009 to have the house removed.

Andrew Cauthen / DeKalb CEO’s Office

Police, community put unity back in celebration Hundreds join in for ‘National Night Out Against Crime’

DeKalb Police Sgt. C. Dillard shares a light moment with a resident during a line dance at the National Night Out block party on Aug. 2 in the parking lot of the Gallery at South DeKalb in Decatur. There were 25 other events across DeKalb County.

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker and Ken Watts

Discord among community and police may be making news nationally, but not in DeKalb on Aug. 2. In the parking lot of the Gallery at South DeKalb, police officers and members of other law enforcement agencies such as the GBI, the DeKalb Sheriff ’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office mingled with residents in a relaxed atmosphere. Dozens of HOAs and civic groups, including Toney Valley, CCAD, Greater Towers, Creekwood Hills, and Kings Ridge homeowners associations, were represented. The Southwest DeKalb High Marching Panthers were among the performers. Hugs, handshakes and laughs were exchanged liberally. Over in one corner of the parking lot, Officer Steve Rapier carefully hoisted kids in and out of one of the DeKalb Police SWAT Bear Cat armored vehicles. And when the deejay started spinning popular line dance tunes, there was Sgt. C. Dillard in the crowd doing the Nae Nae. Joscelyn O’Neil, Neighborhood Watch coordinator for Greater Towers Community Association, said she loved seeing officers and residents interacting on a personal level. “It’s good that people could walk up to them and talk to them,” she said. “It’s important that we can communicate person to person.” O’Neil took her grandchildren, Tess, 6, and Eddie, 4, to the event. “It’s good that children know that police officers don’t just arrest and shoot you,” she said. “We watch the news together and they see the reports of what is going on. They got to see them other than what they see on the news.” The happy officer-community scenes were repeated across the county in 25 other

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

neighborhoods as county officials joined residents and law officers to celebrate the 32nd annual National Night Out, a communitypolice awareness-raising program, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch in the United States and Canada. Nationally more than 16,5000 communities hosted cookouts, block parties and promote to promote healthy police-community relations. In the wake of recent police shootings of unharmed black men in Baton Rouge and Minneapolis, and the sniper who killed five police officers in Houston, the national group said that 500 new communities signed up this year for National Night Out, which was first celebrated in 1984. The annual event is intended to increase awareness about police programs like drug prevention, Neighborhood Watch, and other

anti-crime efforts. From the Candler Road celebration, interim CEO Lee May and members of the Board of Commissioners visited several of the gatherings across the county. In Lithonia, residents in the Millers Crossing Subdivision off Thompson Mill celebrated National Night Out in laid-back fashion, relaxing in lawn chairs with chips, dip and conversation with law officers who stopped by. Gwen Key, a 25-year resident of the community, called National Night Out “a great idea.” She said residents in the subdivision of 30 homes know each other. “We look out for each other,” Key said, adding that in 2013 they were able to end a problem with vandalism by being watchful and reporting suspicious activity.

Chris Evans, one of her neighbors, said they host neighborhood barbecues three times a year to build relationships to fight crime. “We’re a close-knit group,” said Evans, who has lived in Millers Crossing for 26 years. “We have surveillance cameras on homes and other places around the subdivision and we keep in touch with each other with emails and text messages during the workday. “See something, say something.” Chris Emerson, an investigator in the DeKalb Solicitor General’s Office who attended the party, said Millers Crossing residents know that it takes teamwork to turn back criminals. “That’s why it’s so important for us to get acquainted and for them to see law officers as partners,” he said.

Finance

CrossRoadsNews

August 6, 2016

A crisis unfolding at or near your workplace could put your staff, customers and passers-by in danger.

DeKalb hiring SBA tips for protecting workplace DeKalb plans A crisis unfolding at or near your workSBA webinar, “Creating Evacuaquicker pace to emergency 911 tionA&freeShelter-in-Place Plans,” on Aug. 10 place could put your staff, customers and offers tips for protecting your staff and place passers-by in danger. And there are many clear eyesores operators scenarios to consider as reminders of your of business. DeKalb County is accepting applications for E-911 communication officer I on Aug. 8-12 at www.dekalbcountyga.gov. To be considered eligible, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and have a high school diploma or GED. All applicants must pass a computer skills test – typing, prioritization, listening and data entry; background investigation; oral interview; and physical exam. The salary range is $33,363-$51,713, and benefits are group insurance, competitive pension plan, paid vacation and sick days, deferred compensation plan, and opportunities for career advancement.

Space is limited – register at http://agil. me/SBAevacshelter. The U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery will present a live online discussion on how to develop both shelter-in-place and evacuation plans beginning at 2 p.m. Tips also will be shared on how to conduct drills that will protect the safety of your staff, clients, and the community where you do business. Recent attacks in office buildings and other public places by assailants armed with deadly weapons have heightened the necessity for an increased focus on security as a vital aspect of business continuity, the SBA says.

vulnerability to physical threats. But with careful planning and well-orchestrated drills, your office can be prepared for emergencies by knowing where and how to take shelter inside your building or evacuate efficiently, quickly, and safely. The SBA and Agility Recovery also offer business continuity strategies at www.preparemybusiness.org, where you can access past webinars and download disaster preparedness checklists. The SBA provides disaster recovery assistance in the form of low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, private nonprofits and businesses of all sizes. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

BLIGHT,

from page

sessed fines by the courts, had liens placed against the property, and had failure to appear warrants and still didn’t repair the house,” May said. “So finally we got a court order that allowed us to do whatever was necessary to secure the property and provide some relief for neighboring residents.” May said the county set a goal of tearing down about 20 more abandoned homes throughout the county before the end of 2016. Allen Mitchell, director of DeKalb Community Development, said about 10 of the homes have already been taken down and the county hopes to pick up the pace of demolition by using sanitation crews where possible. “When we have multistory homes with lead-based paint and asbestos, we have to use general contractors,” Mitchell said. “But with a single-story house like this on Walnut Ridge, we can use our Sanitation Department to take it down.” General contractors can cost as much as $15,000 per project, about $7,000 more than the cost of using a sanitation crew. Starr thinks property values in the Walnut Ridge neighborhood will increase with the removal of the blighted house. “If I have anything to say about it, I’m gonna try to buy the lot and sell to a developer who can build a new home here,” she said.

August 6, 2016

Community

CrossRoadsNews

“He respects people. He treats people how he wants to be treated. He handles everyone with respect.”

Community helping ‘darn good’ police officer SWD’s beloved By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Officer Darrel Price was a fitness buff. He rode his bicycle every chance he got, worked out in the gym, ran regularly, never drank alcohol and never smoked. So in April when he was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin lymphoma, everyone was surprised, including him. Price, a 14-year DeKalb Police officer, has spent the past nine years at the South Precinct in Decatur and is a key member of the precinct’s 10-member community policing arm – Neighborhood Enforcement Team, NET. Price, who has been on leave from the department since his diagnosis, found out he had Stage II Hodgkin’s when a painful lump showed up on his right leg. By the time he got to the doctor, it had begun to spread to other lymph nodes. He has completed one round of radiation at Northside Hospital and has 21 more to go. Officer K.D. Tyson, who works alongside him in the NET, calls Price “a darn good officer.” “He respects people,” Tyson said. “He treats people how he wants to be treated. He handles everyone with respect.” That respect came back to him on July 29 when a host of fellow officers and South DeKalb residents, including many who did not even know him, showed up at the Wesley Chapel Road Dunkin’ Donuts to chip in for a “Coffee for a Cop” fundraiser to help him cover some of his bills now that he can’t work extra jobs to make ends meet. They also signed get-well cards to Price, wishing him a speedy recovery and thanking him for his service. Tyson said that insurance doesn’t cover

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Officer Darrel Price, who has Stage II Hodgkin lymphoma, gets a hug from a well-wisher.

all of Price’s medical expenses, and his sick leave pay doesn’t cover his living expenses. “It was taking a toll on him and he reached out to us,” he said. During the 7:30-to-10:30 a.m. fundraiser organized by District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson, the Dunkin’ Donuts donated 10 percent of its sales, and with donations from well-wishers, they raised $2,000 for Price. Johnson said he held the fundraiser when he heard about Price’s plight “because it’s an opportunity to give back to a community family member.” “He sacrificed for us so it’s the least we can do,” Johnson said. Price celebrated his 50th birthday on July 5. Over his career, he has worked undercover fighting drugs. As a NET member, he reads to kids in schools and he often speaks to seniors about how to keep themselves safe from crime. Price, who was raising his 5-year-old son,

Aaron, on his own, got engaged in February before his diagnosis and got married on June 4. His wife, Carla, said they moved up the date for the wedding from September because doctors said that the longer he is on radiation, the more tired and fatigued he will become. DeKalb Police Chief James Conroy, who stopped by the fundraiser, said that like the rest of the community, police ranks have been impacted by cancer. “A number of police officers have been recently diagnosed with cancer,” he said. Conroy was pleased at the number of residents who turned out to support Price, adding that DeKalb’s police and community have been working together to keep neighborhoods safe. “I am not experiencing all those negatives that other places across the country have had,” he said. “That’s not reflective of what’s going on here. We have a tough job, but we have great relationships with almost all of our communities.” Conroy said when officers are undergoing chemotherapy, they can’t do extra jobs. “A lot of officers depend on extra jobs to make ends meet,” he said. “We will do everything we can to find work [Price] can do.” Carolyn Fields, who has been the South Precinct’s secretary for 13 years, stopped by with her son to donate and sign the get-well card for Price. “He is an all-around great officer,” she said. “He does community work making sure our streets are safe.” DeKalb NAACP President Teresa Hardy Agee attended the event to help out. “He is one of our officers,” she said. “When one is hurting, we are all hurting.” To help Officer Price, donate at gofundme.com/2d6yzgk.

Coach Tanks dies at age 48

Michael Tanks, beloved head football coach at Southwest DeKalb High in Decatur, died on Aug. 3 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta 10 days after suffering a massive stroke at his home. He was 48. Tanks had been listed in critical condition and passed away a day before his birthday. Tanks, a 1985 graduate of SWD, was preparing the SWD Panthers for their Aug. 20 season opener against the ReMichael Tanks dan Raiders. SWD Athletic Director Kathy Walton said the school is “devastated” by Tanks’ death. “He was extremely well-loved by everyone here,” Walton said on Aug. 4. “He was so easy to get along with and he really cared about the kids and the parents. It’s very devastating because it was so unexpected. And he may have had his best team this season.” Tanks played defensive line and tight end at SWD, helping the team to an undefeated season in 1984. He went on to an outstanding career at Florida State University, where he was an All-American and a finalist for the 1989 Outland Trophy given to college football’s top interior lineman. Walton said funeral arrangements are incomplete. Former Seminole Jesse Solomon, through his Athletes Care Association Inc., has set up a page to help raise donations for the Tanks family at http://www.acas.us/.

Back

2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker General Manager Curtis Parker Assistant Editor Brenda Yarbrough Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Multimedia Editor Sharif Williams CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisements, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

CrossRoadsNews

School

August 6, 2016

“Patient, informed, and law-abiding drivers ensure that our children can arrive safely at school ready to learn.”

Superintendent to visit seven schools on first day DeKalb Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green will visit seven schools on Aug. 8, the first day of the new 2016-2017 school year. Green will hold a news conference at 10:30 a.m. at Sagamore Hills Elementa- Stephen Green ry, the fifth stop on his tour. The others are Flat Shoals and Rainbow elementary schools, Freedom and

Sequoyah middle schools, and Druid Hills and Clarkston high schools. Sagamore Hills recently became the only school in Georgia to receive dual accreditation for the STEM – science, technology, engineering, math – program from the state of Georgia and AdvancED. The district is the state leader in STEM certification with 12 certified schools. STEM is an interdisciplinary, collaborative learning approach based on problem-solving. There are 98 district schools that

have STEM programs in their curriculum. Sagamore Hills, located at 1865 Alderbrook Road in Atlanta, also has an outstanding arts program and parent engagement. Green arrived in the district on July 1, 2015, succeeding Michael Thurmond, the Democratic nominee for DeKalb CEO. Thurmond is credited with stabilizing the district amid a crisis of leadership and potential loss of accreditation. Full accreditation was restored earlier this year.

The DeKalb School District is Georgia’s third-largest school system with a projected enrollment of 102,924 students in 137 schools and centers and nearly 15,000 employees, including 6,600 teachers. The district’s students and parents speak more than 140 languages and represent over 180 nations. School choice options are available in nearly 50 schools to include theme, magnet, IB, charter, and Montessori. For more information, visit www.dekalb.k12.ga.us.

Eight schools getting new principals, two reassigned Eight new principals have been selected for the DeKalb School District’s 2016-2017 school year, which begins Aug. 8. Two principals have been reassigned. The district has instituted a new principal selection process that includes a leadership attributes survey by school stakeholders, a panel interview, a focus group with school stakeholders, and an interview with the superintendent. The schools and their new principals are:

n Martin Luther King Jr. High – Ennis Harvey of Technology – Angela Thomas-Bethea Reassigned principals and their schools: n Columbia High – Dr. Derrica BoocheeDavis n Allgood Elementary – William Carter n Lakeside High – Damian Bounds n Kingsley Elementary – Melanie Pearch The school buildings honoring President n Fernbank Elementary – Joan Ray Obama and U.S. Rep. John Lewis are under n Chamblee Middle – John Martin n Woodward Elementary – Dr. Demetria Had- construction at a cost of $23 million and $30

million, respectively. The 900-student facilities dock n John R. Lewis Elementary – Dr. Julie Brown will be similar to the new Fernbank and Peachn Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School crest elementary schools.

Motorists urged to use caution as school resumes Motorists are urged to exercise caution when approaching a school bus and to brush up on the law regarding passing a bus as students in DeKalb County and across the state return to school. The DeKalb School District has 898 bus drivers transporting nearly 65,000 students this year. The State Board of Education, State School Superintendent Richard Woods, and the Georgia Department of Transportation are asking drivers to put safety first – especially in and around school zones, buses and children. Vehicles traveling in both directions must stop when a school bus activates its stop-arm on a two-lane road or a multi-lane road with no median or barrier. Vehicles traveling in the same direction as a school bus must always stop, but motorists traveling in the opposite direction can proceed – with caution – when there is an unpaved median or concrete barrier separating the opposing lanes. Woods said he is urging the public “to pay close attention to school buses and Richard Woods get familiar with the law regarding passing stopped buses.” “Following this law may very well mean saving a child’s life,” Woods said in a July 28 statement. “The safety of our students as they travel to and from school is of

Drivers are asked to pay special attention to children, be focused and exercise caution in the vicinity of school bus stops.

primary importance, and I ask for the participation of all Georgians in making sure our students can travel safely.” A warning that a bus stop is about to take place will always be given with the flashing amber lights on the front and rear of the school bus. Upon seeing these flashing amber lights, vehicles approaching the school bus from both the front and rear should immediately slow down and prepare to stop. All drivers must pay special attention to children, be focused, and exercise caution when in the vicinity of a school bus stop, as student riders can be unpredictable. Once the bus is fully stopped, the flashing red lights will activate and the stop-arm will deploy. Vehicles must stop and should remain stopped until all loading students are aboard in the morning or all unloading passengers have cleared 12 feet off the roadway in the afternoon. Motorists should proceed

with caution only after passengers have cleared the roadway, the stoparm is canceled, and the flashing red lights are deactivated. “As our school buses begin to roll again, I urge drivers to be alert and exercise patience and caution, especially around children waiting at school bus stops or loading and unloading school buses,” Woods said. “Patient, informed, and lawabiding drivers ensure that our children can arrive safely at school each day ready to learn.”

More traffic, congestion GDOT says students heading back to school means more traffic, increased congestion, and the need for extra safety precautions. From school buses loading and unloading, to kids walking and biking, to parents dropping off and picking up - dangers abound. Drivers should pay attention to school zone flashing beacons and obey school zone speed limits.

They also should watch for students gathering near bus stops and for kids arriving late, who may dart into the street, ignore hazards and take risks. The National Safety Council says most children killed in school bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, walking, and they are hit by the bus or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. Patrick Allen, assistant Metro District engineer, says slow down. “It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially in the peak traffic hours before and after school,” Allen said in an Aug. 2 statement. “If you are driving behind a school bus, increase your following distance to allow more time to stop once the lights start to flash. The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children – stop far enough back to give them space to safely enter and exit the bus.” Whenever you drive – be alert and expect the unexpected, GDOT says. By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can coexist safely in and around school zones. DriveAlert ArriveAlive calls attention to an increase in roadway fatalities across Georgia, many resulting from preventable crashes and distracted driving. It urges motorists to buckle up, stay off the phone and no texting, and drive alert. Visit www.dot.ga.gov/DS/ SafetyOperation/DAAA.

Free parenting workshops offer strategies for managing children Circulation Audited By

Parents of kids 2 to 19 years old can get free parenting help this month at the DeKalb Police South Precinct. The nonprofit recipe4parenting.org is partnering with the precinct to present four workshops with proven parenting strategies. P.J. Lemuel, founder of recipe4parenting.org, said parents are not issued a license before they have children, children are not born with instructional manuals,

and her program will help anyone caring for minor children. She said she will use a video-based discussion and role-playing to help parents improve their parenting style and learn how to modify their children’s poor behavior. “We will show them how to redirect unacceptable behavior from their children without cursing and hitting,” she said. Lemuel, who has been teaching par-

enting skills for 25 years, said the sessions will help parents resolve problems and promote their children’s success. “We will teach them how to communicate confidence and acceptance to their children instead of shame and ridicule,” she said. The workshops will be held Wednesdays Aug. 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, call the South P.J. Lemuel Precinct at 770-981-7226.

August 6, 2016

CrossRoadsNews

Wellness

August 6, 2016

“These results confirm … a significant need for education and improvement in lipid management in African-Americans.”

Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are found in DeKalb DeKalb County residents are being asked to guard against mosquito bites after mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been found in Decatur, Clarkston, Stone Mountain, Tucker and other metro neighborhoods. As of Aug. 1, there were 13 positive mosquito collections and nine positive mosquito trap locations. Twenty-eight mosquito trap locations were sampled in DeKalb. There were no cases of West Nile virus in a DeKalb resident.

Most people infected with the virus have mild flu-like symptoms or none at all, but the virus can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness. The chance of becoming ill from a single mosquito bite is low. The risk is highest for people over 50 and people with weakened immune systems, but people of all ages can become ill. Symptoms of severe illness include severe headache, high fever, mental confusion, stiff neck, muscle weakness, coma, tremors (shaking), and paralysis.

The county is working to prevent transmission of the virus, looking for mosquito breeding sites and applying larvicide. The DeKalb Board of Health says 250 calls requesting mosquito control efforts have been received and visited, 1,870 homes were visited in door-to-door educational efforts, and more than 5,300 storm drains and other breeding sites were treated with larvicide. The public is urged to take the following precautions: n Apply insect repellent. DEET, picaridin, oil

Ethnic disparities persist in cholesterol treatment Racial and ethnic disparities persist, particularly among African-Americans, in control and treatment of high cholesterol. A research study by the Association of Black Cardiologists reveals black consumer attitudes on treatment as well as consumer misperceptions reported on the effectiveness of dietary or herbal supplements versus statins. Black U.S. residents diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia who are using dietary and/or herbal supplements – with or without statin therapy – were the entry criteria. In the United States, high cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease, remains critical, the association says. A majority of respondents, 57 percent, report using dietary and/or herbal supplements instead of prescription medication.

There was no difference by gender; however, this differed by age significantly. Younger respondents (30-45) are significantly more likely to take supplements instead of statins while older respondents (46-70) are significantly more likely to take supplements in addition to statins. Respondents also believe dietary/herbal supplements are equally (21 percent) or more effective (57 percent) than prescription statins for cholesterol health, study results indicate. Dr. Karol E. Watson, UCLA professor of medicine/cardiology, said more education is needed. “These results confirm that there is a significant need for education and opportunity for improvement in lipid management in African-Americans,” Watson said in an Aug.

1 statement. Watson is also codirector of the UCLA Program in Preventive Cardiology and director of the UCLA Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Health Program. Respondents citKarol Watson ed control over one’s health (76 percent), cost of medication (62 percent), and perceived health benefits (67 percent) as the most significant contributors for taking supplements. Watson presented research results at the 114th National Medical Association’s annual convention in Los Angeles on Aug. 1. Visit www.abcardio.org.

of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective repellents. n When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks. Clothing also may be treated with permethrin. n Use care when mosquitoes are most active, particularly from dusk to dawn. n Empty containers that hold water, scrub and rinse birdbaths twice a week, and clean gutters to drain properly. For more information, visit www.dekalbhealth.net or call 404-508-7900.

Free class on coping with heart failure A registered dietitian and a clinical pharmacy specialist will present “Living Well With Heart Failure” on Aug. 10 at Kaiser Permanente Panola Medical Center in Lithonia. Nonmembers are welcome – registration is required at 404-364-7117. The free program takes place 9:30 a.m. to noon and is open to the public. Participants will learn how to live healthier with the chronic condition by managing symptoms, making lifestyle changes, eating a heart-healthy diet, and taking medicines. The medical center is at 5440 Hillandale Drive. For more information, call 404-3650966 or 1-800-611-1811.

Obamacare health insurance options remain affordable Georgia consumers will continue to have affordable health insurance options in 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says. Open Enrollment for 2017 Marketplace health insurance under the Affordable Care Act starts Nov. 1, 2016, and coverage can begin as soon as Jan. 1, 2017. HHS press secretary Jonathan Gold issued a statement on Georgia health insurance rate changes on Aug. 1. “Last year, the average monthly premium for people with HealthCare.gov coverage getting tax credits increased just $4 from $102 to $106 per month, despite headlines

suggesting double-digit increases,” Gold said. “People in Georgia understand how the Marketplace works, and they know that they can shop around and find coverage that fits their needs and budget. “In fact, last year more than 44 percent of them did exactly that by switching plans to save money. In addition, the vast majority of consumers in Georgia qualify for tax credits that reduce the cost of coverage below the sticker price.” Gold said the announcement is just the beginning of the rates process. While the filings show an average rate increase in Georgia, a report from HHS dem-

onstrates that proposed premium changes from preliminary rate filings do not capture what Marketplace consumers actually pay. About 86 percent of Marketplace consumers in Georgia receive tax credits, which are designed to help make coverage affordable. Tax credits increase if the cost of the second lowest-cost silver, or benchmark, plan goes up. For 2016 coverage, 72 percent of customers in Georgia had the option of selecting a plan with a premium of $75 or less per month after tax credits. Last year, 44 percent of returning Marketplace consumers in Georgia switched plans. They saved an average of $576 annually.

Based on preliminary 2017 filings for nine states that released rates earlier this year, health care consultant Avalere found the average increase for lowest and second-lowest cost silver plans was 7 percent to 8 percent. Before the ACA, plans often charged a higher premium, or denied coverage, to consumers due to a pre-existing condition. HHS says as many as 4,324,000 people in Georgia have a pre-existing condition. In Georgia, 587,845 signed up for 2016 coverage through the Marketplace. The state’s uninsured rate fell from 22.5 percent in 2013 to 12.6 percent in 2015 for non-elderly residents. Visit www.hhs.gov.

are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Landy Leake, 1836 McLain Lane, Dec., GA 30035. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of publication, Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 15th day of Jun., 2016

Phoenix Rising MCSC Incorporated To Whom It May Concern; the Board of Directors and members of Phoenix Rising MCSC Incorporated hereby officially post this ad to inform any concerned parties of our proper name and the removal of the Phoenix Rising SC Incorporated as it is not our official name. Our organization’s proper name, as stated under the Georgia Secretary of State, is: Phoenix Rising MCSC Incorporated; our original formation date was April 19, 2010 by our Chief Executive Officer/Founder Carla J. Whitehead. The physical address still remains 1611 Snapfinger Road, Decatur, GA 30032. Phoenix Rising MCSC Incorporated is a non-profit corporation. From this date, the name Phoenix Rising SC Incorporated should not be associated with Phoenix Rising MCSC Incorporated.

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM7706-2++ Jyndiyah El-Amin Plaintiff Vs. Shaquana Casimir Defendant To: 1207 To-Lani Farm Rd. Stone Mountain, GA 30083 By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Jul. 13, 2016, you are hereby notified that on Jul. 13, 2016 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Complaint of Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Jyndiyah El-Amin, 1207 ToLani Farm Rd., Stone Mtn., GA 30083. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jul. 27, 2016, Witness the Honorable Asha F. Jackson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 1st day of Aug., 2016

07/23, 07/30, 08/06, 08/13

08/06, 08/13, 08/20, 08/27

Notice OF PUBLICATION

Legal Notices 07/16, 07/23, 07/30, 08/06

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM7136-2++ Sheila Palmer Sanders Plaintiff Vs. Craig Allen Longnecker Defendant To: Craig Allen Longnecker Pursuant to an Order of Publication signed by the Honorable Asha S. Jackson on June 29, 2016, you are hereby notified that a Complaint for Divorce has been filed in the Superior Court of DeKalb County, Georgia on June 28, 2016, Generally, the Complaint alleges that the Plaintiff Is seeking a divorce from you. You may obtain a copy of the Complaint for Divorce from the Clerk of Superior Court of DeKalb County, located at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, Georgia 30032 or by calling (404) 371-2836. After you review the Complaint, you must file your written answers and

objections to the Complaint with the Clerk of Superior Court. You must also serve a copy of your answer upon the Plaintiff, whose address is as follows: 3212 Canary Court, Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia 30032. You answer must be made within sixty (60) days of the date of the Order for Service by Publication. Witness the Honorable Asha S. Jackson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Courty. This 8th day of July, 2016 07/16, 07/23, 07/30, 08/06

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM6296-6++ Jerome Mosley Plaintiff Vs. Ruby N. Jones Mosley Defendant To: Ruby N. Jones Mosley By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Jun. 06, 2016. You are hereby notified that on Jun. 03, 2016 the above-named Plaintiff

filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Jerome Mosley, 2354 Maryland Ct., Decatur, GA 30032. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 02, 2016. Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 3rd day of Jun., 2016 07/23, 07/30, 08/06, 08/13

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++15CV7572-10++ Landy D. Leake Plaintiff Vs. James C. Leake, Jr. Defendant To: By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated May 31, 2016. You are hereby notified that on Jul. 20, 2016 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM7565-9++ Dana Michelle Lutz filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on Jul. 12, 2016 to change name from: Dana Michelle Lutz to Donald Peter Lutz. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Jul. 07, 2016 Name: Dana Michelle Lutz 5378 Oxbow Rd. Stone Mountain, GA 30087

Notice OF PUBLICATION Intent To Incorporate

Notice is given that Articles of Incorporation which will incorporate L.B.Tribue Transport Co. has been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing in accordance with the Georgia Business Corporation Code. The initial registered office of the corporation is located at 6863 Timberhead Way, Lithonia, GA 30058 and its initial registered agent at such address is Leonard Tribue. 08/06, 08/13, 08/20, 08/27

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM8116-1++ Chantay Maria Webb filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court to change name from: Chantay Maria Webb to Chantay Maria El. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Jul., 2016 Name: Chantay Webb 6507 Fairington Ridge. Lithonia, GA 30038

CrossRoadsNews

August 6, 2016

Scene

Adrienne Herndon, who once passed as white, helped give Booker T. Washington insight on race restrictions in the South.

Scribes & Vibes Storyteller presents activism, Family Fun Day YMCA at Stonecrest legacy of Adrienne Herndon atKidsBransby can pick up free book bags and Open mic performances are part of the Scribes & Vibes Back to School Celebration on Aug. 13 at Stonecrest Library that features giveaways of school supplies. Authors Hour is 1 to 2 p.m. with short story competitions, and from 2 to 4 p.m., there will be an open mic session with poets and musicians. The event is open to the public and suitable for all ages – reservations are recommended. It is sponsored by Friends of Stonecrest Library, Angie’s House Inc., Coffeehouse & Culture, and Expressable Ink. Scribes & Vibes is a monthly celebration of the arts. Funding is provided by the Friends. The library is at 3123 Klondike Road in Lithonia. For more information, email info@ scribesandvibes.com.

Deborah Strahorn, storyteller-in-residence at the APEX Museum, presents “Adrienne Herndon: Race and a Letter to Booker T. Washington” on Aug. 13 at Stone MountainSue Kellogg Library. Deborah Strahorn The noon-to-1 p.m. program is suitable for all ages. Adrienne Herndon (1869-1910), wife of Atlanta’s first African-American millionaire, Alonzo Herndon, passed as a white woman (Anne Du Bignon) during the early 20th century. The program explores how she navigated the black community and the wider world and helped give Booker T. Washington insight into the rigid race restrictions blacks faced in the South. Adrienne Herndon was head of the drama department at Atlanta University, an aspiring dramatic artist, and primary architect of the Herndon Home, now a National Historic Landmark. The presentation is part of “Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863, and the March on Washington, 1963” series.

’Super Book Sale’ Book lovers can pick up recycled reads at the Friends of Stonecrest Library’s “Super Book Sale” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 13. Books include fiction, nonfiction, craft books and textbooks, and romance along with magazines, encyclopedias, books on tape/CD, DVDs and VHS cassettes. For more information, call 404-4823828.

school supplies at DeKalb interim CEO Lee May’s seventh annual DeKalb Family Fun Day on Aug. 14 at the Bransby Outdoor YMCA in Lithonia. The five-hour event begins at 2 p.m. There will be free food and entertainment along with the back-to-school giveaway. The Y is at 1185 Rock Chapel Road. For more information, contact Nichole Simms at jnsimms@dekalbcountyga.gov or 404371-2552.

Free food, music

at Appreciation Day

Adrienne Herndon (with husband Alonzo and son Norris) designed the Herndon Home.

Strahorn has performed around Georgia and in Florida for the Kingsley Heritage Plantation Festival, the National Association of Black Storytellers Adopt-A-Teller Program, the National Black Arts Festival, Imagine It! Children’s Museum, and Atlanta Pride Festival. She teaches storytelling to grades k-5 in the after-school program at Charles Drew Charter School. The library is at 952 Leon St.

Families and individuals get free entry into the Browns Mill Aquatic Facility on Aug. 13 for the fourth annual Community Appreciation Day. DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry is host for the special event, which takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. It includes a complimentary food ticket and music. The family-oriented event is designed to thank citizens for their ongoing support. The facility is at 4929 Browns Mill Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 404371-2251.

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CrossRoadsNews

August 6, 2016

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