CrossRoadsNews, December 14, 2013 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

COMMUNITY

WELLNESS

DeKalb is targeting apartment complexes in a campaign to stop residents from dumping fats, oil and grease down the drain, causing backups, spills. 5

Its new $5 million facility on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain, expands service and is more visible on the corridor. 7

Focus on grease and clogs

Oakhurst opens larger site

HOLIDAY

Toys needed for giveaway

Gift donors and recipients are needed for the Healing Stream Ministries’ annual toy giveaway on Dec. 21 in Lithonia. 9

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

December 14, 2013

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Volume 19, Number 33

Three sentenced to prison in DeKalb Schools corruption case By Ken Watts

All three defendants in the DeKalb County Schools corruption case have been sentenced to serve time in jail. On Dec. 9, DeKalb Superior Court Judge Cynthia Becker sentenced former Chief Operating Officer Patricia Reid to 15 years in prison and her ex-husband, Tony Pope, to eight years. A 12-month sentence is pending for former Superintendent Crawford Lewis after the judge rejected his earlier plea deal with the DeKalb district attorney. Reid was found guilty of funneling $1.4 million in contracts to Pope, whom she was married to while she was running the school

district’s construction program. In exchange for his Oct. 16 guilty plea to misdemeanor obstruction, Lewis turned state’s evidence and testified against Reid and Pope, but at Monday’s sentencing hearing, Becker said that Lewis deserves to be jailed. She told him that he could reconsider his plea in view of her decision to reject the prosecutors’ recommended penalty.

‘Threatening’ comments from Reid Lewis testified that when he found out what Reid, who reported to him, was doing, she told him she had not done anything illegal or immoral. Please see CORRUPTION, page 2

Former DeKalb School Superintendent Crawford Lewis, former COO Patricia Reid and ex-husband Anthony Pope got prison sentences for corruption in the district’s construction program.

Clarkston kicks off $5.7 million streetscape plan Clarkston residents Kitti Murray and Doug Guess discuss streetscape ideas cpatured on display boards from engineering and consulting firm AMEC.

Project promotes safety, mobility and development By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

By December 2018, the city of Clarkston expects to look very different. Instead of nondescript roads, city leaders say there will be successful streets that will create a sense of place and encourage business and consumer investment in the Southeast’s most diverse city. The new look will be the result of a $5.7 million streetscape initiative, which city leaders kicked off at a Dec. 10 news conference called to announce the hiring of the international engineering and consulting firm AMEC that will prepare design plans. The event was attended by current and newly elected officials, residents and other stakeholders. The initiative, which has been eight years in the making, will create gateway monuments, ADA-compliant pedestrian systems, bike lanes, railroad crossing enhancements for pedestrians and motorists, decorative pavers, public art, creative signage, street lighting, modified onstreet parking, and new granite curbs. City Manager Keith Barker said the improvements that will be funded by a $3.6 million state and federal grant and $2.1 million low-interest loan from the State Road Keith Barker and Tollway Authority will be a catalyst for economic development. “This will be a win-win for everyone,” Barker said. The 1.6-mile project has been on the drawing board since 2005, when the Georgia Department of Transportation first earmarked its portion of the funds. Barker said Clarkston did not have the

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

$2.5 million local match but was not loanready when it first turned to the State Road and Tollway Authority for a loan from its revolving Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank program. “When we first had some underwriting done, we didn’t do too well,” he said. “We were not credit-worthy, but we did not give up. We worked hard and we got our financial house together. We adopted financial and budget policies and procurement policy.” The streetscape project will stretch from East Ponce de Leon Avenue between I-285 and Market Street; encompass portions of North Indian Creek, Church Street and Norman Road; and terminate at the entrance of the city’s Milam Park. Barker said it will transform nondescript roads into successful streets and leave a last-

ing legacy for future generations. Outgoing Mayor Emanuel Ransom said he was at the table when the project was first proposed and the city stuck with it. He said he is happy to live to see it come to pass. “I know the new mayor and council will stick with the plan and see it through until 2018 when we all will be able to walk across the tracks at Market Street, Church, and Ponce on a sidewalk,” he said. “Is that marvelous.” Robert Brown, who represents DeKalb County on GDOT’s board, said the department is happy to partner with Clarkston to see the process move along. He said the project will enhance safety and mobility and promote economic development. “It will bring in businesses, tax dollars

and all those things that help you to continue to thrive,” Brown said. “It’s obvious you are on the right path for the prosperity this community deserves.” Chris Tomlinson, SRTA’s executive director, Robert Brown said that when Clarkston was approved for its loan in February, it was the first city to leverage the infrastructure loan bank funds that until then had only been used by community improvement districts. Since then, Tomlinson said more than 30 cities and municipalities have come to the Please see CLARKSTON, page 2

Community

CrossRoadsNews

December 14, 2013

“I like the freedom motifs, the public art and the city center ideas. I hope they will draw folks together.”

Lewis seeks to withdraw guilty plea after judge rejects deal CORRUPTION,

from page

“And even if she did, there were not people smart enough to figure out what she had done,” Lewis testified on Nov. 7. When Reid found out he wanted to fire her, Lewis said she asked for a meeting in a parking lot. “Mrs. Pope said to me that DeKalb Schools was certainly not the first place that she has worked and where she had worked in other places she always carried with her a little black box … she said to me I was in her black box as were other members of the Board of Education,” he testified. After that conversation, Lewis said he felt compelled to talk to his wife. “Honestly, I felt that Mrs. Pope’s comments were threatening in nature,” he testified. “I needed to tell my wife that I had been

involved in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.” Judge Becker said she would impose a final sentence after Lewis has had a chance to confer with his lawyers. Sheriff ’s deputies took Lewis into custody and led him out of court in handcuffs. On Dec. 10, Lewis filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, and on Dec. 11, he filed a motion to be released from jail on bond. He is scheduled to return to court for a final hearing on Dec. 17. District Attorney Robert James said professional rules prevent him from commenting on the judge’s rejection of the Lewis plea deal, but he said it is unclear whether Lewis will be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea. “I think it would be inappropriate based on the model rules for conduct of lawyers, especially prosecutors, for me to comment

based on what may be a pending case,” he a contract to renovate Columbia High. Dursaid. ing the trial, prosecutors allege that Reid funneled work to her husband by presenting new Reid, Pope in shackles work at Columbia as an extension of what he A DeKalb jury found Reid and Pope was already contracted to do and then Pope guilty of racketeering on Nov. 20 in the high- allegedly overcharged the district. profile corruption trial that transfixed the Prosecutors also contended that Pope county for three weeks. helped a contractor and another architect, Both were taken into custody from the both unindicted co-conspirators, adjust their courtroom in handcuffs and were brought to proposals for the McNair renovations to win the Dec. 9 sentencing hearing in shackles. the contract. Pope later was the architect, Reid also was found guilty of theft by working in the background, on renovations taking for having school district workers at the McNair Elementary School Cluster. repair her county-issued Ford Explorer just James said he is pleased with the senbefore she bought it for one-third its value. tencing. The SUV was eventually returned after an “I believe the jury spoke very clearly and investigation of the purchase began. the judge sent a strong message that this type When Reid was hired as the school dis- of behavior by public officials and people trict’s COO in 2005, her then-husband’s who are entrusted with public funds will not company, A. Vincent Pope Construction, had be tolerated,” he said.

Diverse city called ‘trailblazer’ for leveraging infrastructure bank funds CLARKSTON,

from page

realization that this program is out there. “Clarkston really became a trailblazer,” he said. “This project exemplifies exactly what we talk about in terms of mobility and economic viability. I applaud the city of Clarkston for having the vision and leadership to seek us out and give us the opportunity to partner with the city.” Tomlinson said the loan will be repayable over 15 years at 2.4 percent interest rate and that repayment does not start until the project is completed. Ron Huffman, AMEC’s project manager, said the display boards at the news conference represent the first “flush of ideas” from their research into the city. “We have presented these ideas to get you excited,” he said. Huffman said the best designers are good listeners and there will be extensive public Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews input from businesses, residents and other Outgoing Clarkston Mayor Emanuel Ransom addresses stakeholders at a Dec. 10 news stakeholders. conference to announce the hiring of international engineering and consulting firm AMEC.

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“We haven’t had the chance to listen to you yet,” he said. “This is not the plan. The plans will move forward as we hear from you.” The initiative’s first phase of public input and right of way and environChris Tomlinson mental assessments will take 18 months. The first public meetings will likely be held in late 2014. “It will be a few more years before you see dirt move and street lights go in,” Huffman said. “Just keep patient.” Barker said the public involvement phase will include translation for the city’s residents, who speak 59 different languages. Doug Guess, who relocated to the city from midtown Atlanta a year ago, said the process is very exciting. “I like the freedom motifs, the public art and the city center ideas,” he said. “I hope they will draw folks together.”

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“This is an event that we haven’t been exposed to … before. It was in the interest of being open, so I’m encouraged by it.”

Two fire chief finalists vie for DeKalb’s top job By Ken Watts

The finalists for DeKalb fire chief took tough questions from the public and came out on the other side still looking good. Gary, Ind., Fire Chief Teresa Everett and Fulton County Deputy Chief Darnell Fullum faced off at a Dec. 10 forum on departmental promotion policies, diversity, community relations, and emergency medical services. Both won admirers from the audience of 70, including off-duty firefighters at Maloof Auditorium. Zepora Roberts of Decatur said the forum was really good and very informative. “We have some good candidates and I don’t think things would go wrong with either one of them,” said Roberts, a former District 7 School Board member. Others felt the forum helped advance the cause of transparency. Antonio Burden, a DeKalb fire marshal, said it was something new to hear from a fire chief job candidate. “This is an event that we haven’t been exposed to in our department before,” he said. “It was in the interest of being open about the process, so I’m encouraged by it.”

Forum carried live on cable The 40-minute program carried live on the county’s DCTV cable station and streamed online (www.ustream.tv/channel /dctv-channel-23) gave the public its first chance to see and evaluate the candidates. The county has been without a fire chief since Nov. 1 when former Chief Eddie O’Brien retired. Many of the questions dealt with politically hot personnel issues. Interim CEO Lee May said he will make a decision on who gets the job in January. Questions from firefighters and the pub-

Fire chief finalists Teresa Everett and Darnell Fullum greet interim CEO Lee May before taking questions at the forum.

Chazrel Burton, has been in jail since July 3. He is accused of shooting a two-year in the abdomen.

Bond hearing set for Kroger

shooting suspect

Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews

lic were emailed to DeKalb and read by moderator Paula Gwynne Grant. Asked if they believe they should be the last outside person to be hired as DeKalb fire chief, Everett said picking a leader from within is possible. “I’d like to think that if you have the proper resources and promotional opportunities in place, there would be no need to go outside the department,” she said. If she lands the job, Everett would be the first woman, and first African-American, to lead the department. Fullum said the chief should make succession a priority. “What I believe is that I could prepare the individuals on the staff who are coming behind me so that when an opportunity arises to select a new chief, the choice can be made from inside,” he said. To a question about the chief ’s role in educating the public about Fire Rescue and 911 operations, Fullum said residents’ first contact should not be when a fire truck pulls up to their house with lights and sirens.

“We’ll make effective use of community meetings and our Web site so that they understand exactly what they’re getting when they call us and they’re not wondering why they’re getting a fire truck when they thought they were getting an ambulance,” he said. Everett said she would use DCTV to run monthly features on fire rescue services. “That would let them know more about what we do on a daily basis. I would have fire station open house events. I really believe the citizens enjoy coming in and interacting with the people who serve their areas. I would also work with the Police Department to provide three-digit phone numbers that people could use for matters that are urgent but not 911type emergencies.” May said the search will continue to be deliberate, thoughtful and transparent. “We will ultimately make a decision based on the totality of the facts gleaned from this selection process and not rely solely on past media accounts or opinions from one side or the other,” he said in an emailed statement.

Chazrel Burton, who allegedly shot a 2-year-old boy in the abdomen in June outside a Stone Mountain Kroger, was set to appear at a Dec. 13 bond hearing in DeKalb Superior Court. Burton, 21, has been in jail since turning himself on July 3 after police released his DMV photo and surveillance images of a suspect at the shooting scene. A grand jury indicted him in September on 12 counts, including three counts of attempted murder and three counts of aggravated assault. Police said the June 26 shooting followed an attempted robbery outside a bank near the Kroger at North Hairston Road and Memorial Drive. Jermaine Harrison, a good Samaritan, intervened in the incident and was later confronted by Burton outside the grocery store. Investigators said 10 to 15 shots rang out around Harrison’s car, wounding his son, Evan, who was in the car. Evan survived and is doing well after two surgeries. The Harrisons were planning to attend the bond hearing.

CrossRoadsNews

Community

December 14, 2013

“I often remind seniors and their loved ones to be mindful at all times that people target them for crimes and scams.”

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

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Graphic Design Curtis Parker Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Copy Editor Brenda Yarbrough Editorial Intern Vince Bailey Jr. Advertising Sales Kathy E. Warner Billing Clerk Charmyne Montfort Circulation Manager Jami Ffrench-Parker 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.

Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews

DeKalb Police and Georgia Bureau of Investigation officers reunite parents with Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy students at the Walmart on Gresham Road after the Aug. 20 shooting incident that terrorized the school. No one was psychically hurt during the incident that made national news.

McNair school shooter to get day in court

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Michael Hill

Michael Brandon Hill, who police say terrorized students and faculty at Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy in August, will be arraigned on Dec. 17 in DeKalb Superior Court. Hill, 20, faces 13 criminal counts, including aggravated assault against a peace officer, terroristic threats, burglary

and carrying a weapon within certain school areas. On Aug. 20, Hill entered the Decatur school armed with an AK-47 and fired at least a half-dozen shots at DeKalb officers and Georgia state troopers. Police evacuated 800 students and 70 faculty and staff members before Antoinette Tuff, a bookkeeper in the front

office, persuaded Hill to surrender. No one was injured in the incident that make national news. His Dec. 17 arraignment takes place at 9 a.m. in Judge Mark Scott’s courtroom. Hill’s family says he has had a troubled past that included treatment for a mental disorder.

Mom charged for home invasion hoax Police probe An Ellenwood woman who told an elaborate tale of her home being invaded by five gun-toting and knife-wielding men has been charged with making a false police report. Jordan Davis told police and WSB-TV News that her husband had just left for the store on the evening of Dec. 11 when intruders threw a cinder block through her dining room window and attacked her 6-year-old autistic daughter, Jade.

She said one of the intruders kicked her daughter in the side, then “picked her up by her hair and held a gun to her right temple and told me to give them everything I have or he would kill her,” Davis said. “It was real scary for everybody.” She said the men left with her valuables, her daughter’s medicine and the family’s Christmas presents. Police investigators say the story did not add up to the evidence

at the scene and was all a tall tale designed to prey on the kindness of strangers during the holiday season. Jade, who suffered bruised ribs, was checked out at a local hospital and returned home early Thursday. Davis and her husband were detained Thursday, but Davis was released to make arrangements for her daughter with family members. She was expected to return to jail Friday.

Teen indicted in attack on elderly woman Quiante Destin Collins, accused of brutally attacking and robbing a 78-year-old Lithonia woman on Sept. 17, has been indicted by a DeKalb County grand jury. In the indictment released on Dec. 11, Collins faces five criminal counts, including robbery, aggravated assault, theft by taking, criminal attempt to commit a felony, and

abuse of an elderly person. Police say Collins, 18, demanded that the woman perform sexual acts on him, choked her, hit her repeatedly in the face, and pressed a cloth over her face to stop her from breathing. After abusing her, he took her check and fled the scene in her Chevy Lumina, police said. He was arrested on Sept. 22

when police found the stolen car abandoned on the road. District Attorney Robert James said the case underscores the need for continued outreach to seniors. “I often remind seniors and their loved ones to be mindful at all times that people target them for various violent crimes and financial scams,” he said.

man’s death in Publix lot

One man is dead and another is hospitalized after a Dec. 11 shooting in the Publix shopping center on South Hairston Road in Decatur. DeKalb Police are investigating the incident that took place about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Names of the victims were not available at press time Thursday. The dead man was run over by a red Camaro that was leaving the shopping plaza. The man taken to Grady Memorial Hospital had been shot. He was in the Walgreens where investigators say he sought refuge after the shooting outside the nearby grocery store. DeKalb Police Lt. Antonio Catlin said they did not yet know if the person who was run over also had been shot.

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December 14, 2013

Community

“Those savings will allow us to provide additional meals for hundreds of seniors who are on our waiting list.”

County tackling grease dumping near apartment complexes By Ken Watts

Apartment complexes will be the target of a new antigrease dumping campaign that DeKalb Watershed Management is launching in January. County officials say statistics show that a growing number of sewage spills caused by fats, oil and grease – FOG – occurs near apartment complexes, which points to illegal dumping of grease down kitchen sinks and sewer mains. Alicia Pennie, the department’s director of public relations, says that in an information blitz called the FOG pilot Alicia Pennie program, the county will urge tenants to be careful about what they dump down their drains. “We have shown that there’s a direct correlation between where apartment complexes are located and where we’re having sewer spills, and we know that 70 percent of our spills are grease-related,” Pennie said during a Dec. 7 presentation at Commissioner Stan Watson’s Community Cabinet at Chapel Hill Middle School. Improper grease disposal and a lack of daily maintenance have been costly for the county. In 2010, the federal Environmental Protection Agency

mandated $700 million in sewer upgrades after the county reported 871 raw sewer spills in five years. The EPA also fined the county $453,000 and required it to pay another $600,000 to clean up the South River, Snapfinger Creek and the South Fork on Peachtree Creek near Emory University. In March 2007, the county amended its sewer and sewage disposal code to add FOG regulations and fines for violations. In 2012, DeKalb awarded two contracts to clean grease from 100 miles of its 2,400-mile sewer network. The work is part of the larger $1.35 billion overhaul to its sewer and water systems, which is expected to take eight years. Pennie said that cooking oil, butter and other grease become solids in sewer lines, causing backups and spills that are expensive to clean up. The county’s goal is to convince tenants, homeowners, restaurants and other businesses that use fats, oil and grease to use metal cans or glass jars to dispose of it. “We feel that if we educate the people in these apartments, they won’t put grease down the drain and we’ll see a reduction in our number of spills,” Pennie said. The campaign will be monitored for six months. Watershed Management will decide the next steps depending on Fats, oil and grease – FOG – become solids in sewer lines, its progress. causing backups and spills. Many spills occur near apartments. Commissioner Stan Watson (second from left) with Commissioner Larry Johnson, state Rep. Dee DawkinsHaigler, DeKalb Probate Judge Jerlyn Rosh and state Rep. Howard Mosby pose with some of the canned food donated Dec. 7 at Watson’s Community Cabinet meeting.

‘State of MARTA’ offers updates MARTA board members and officials were set to update stakeholders on the progress of the transit system’s long-term plans for transformation at a “State of MARTA” breakfast on Dec. 13. The event also marked the first anniversary of the arrival of new General Manager and CEO Keith Keith Parker T. Parker. Since last year, MARTA has made significant changes to improve its business model, focusing on core issues such as financial stability and sustainability, boosting customer

service, and making the transit system an employer of choice. Parker said in a Dec. 10 statement that everything they are doing is about accountability. “Our customers, employees and taxpayers should know the transit system is being managed wisely so that their investment in MARTA will keep paying dividends,” he said. The State of MARTA meeting was to conclude with an audience Q&A with the agency’s leadership moderated by Atlanta business journalist Maria Saporta. For more information, visit www.its marta.com.

Grants fund Meals on Wheels truck The nonprofit Senior Connections has received more than $30,000 in grants to buy and retrofit a compressed natural gas delivery vehicle for its Meals on Wheels program. The $25,000 grant from the Rich Foundation Inc. and $5,300 grant from the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia Debra Furtado will fund the purchase of a CNG vehicle to deliver meals in metro Atlanta and Middle Georgia. Debra Furtado, the nonprofit’s CEO, said

the new vehicle will be more cost-effective. “With a new fuel-efficient and ecofriendly truck, we will be able to lower our fuel and maintenance costs as well as increase the program’s overall efficiency,” she said. “In return, those savings will allow us to provide additional meals for hundreds of seniors who are on our waiting list.” The U.S. Department of Energy says that compressed natural gas, primarily methane stored at high pressure, is one of the cleanestburning alternative fuels and is less expensive than gasoline. For more information, visit www.senior connectionsatl.org.

Drive collects lots of canned food More than 1,500 cans of food were donated Dec. 7 to DeKalb Commissioner Stan Watson’s “Take a Bite Out of Hunger” food drive. The canned vegetables and meat came from high school students, residents, and service and civic associations. All came to Watson’s monthly Community Cabinet meeting at Chapel Hill Middle School with bags of cans. Watson expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed.

“I am so proud of my Super District 7 ROTC/JROTC cadets who meet my challenge each year to collect cans,” he said. “I am also overwhelmed by the immensity of community kindness and thank each person that partnered with me because they believed that no matter what, every can counts.” The drive benefited the Greater Travelers Rest House of Hope’s food pantry, which serves church members and the community.

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Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

December 14, 2013

“The training we will provide through the use of this equipment will be on par with many of the top research institutions.”

Thousands succeed in signing up at Healthcare.gov Nearly 365,000 Americans have selected health insurance plans from the state and federal Marketplaces in October and November despite glitches plaguing HealthCare.gov. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Dec. 11 that in November alone, more than a quarter million enrollees signed up, more than four times Kathleen Sebelius greater than October’s reported federal enrollment number. Since Oct. 1, more than 1.9 million have made it through the eligibility process. They applied and received an eligibility determination but have not yet selected a plan.

An additional 803,077 were determined or assessed eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program – CHIP. Sebelius said evidence of the technical improvements to HealthCare.gov can be seen in the enrollment numbers. “More and more Americans are finding that quality, affordable coverage is within reach and that they’ll no longer need to worry about barriers they may have faced in the past – like being denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. “Now is the time to visit HealthCare.gov to ensure you and your family have signed up in a private plan of your choice by Dec. 23 for coverage starting Jan. 1. It’s important to remember that this open enrollment period is six months long and continues to March

Two Atlanta flu deaths confirmed The Georgia Department of Public Health has lab confirmation of two flurelated deaths in the state, both adults from two metro Atlanta counties. These are the first confirmed flu-related deaths in Georgia this flu season. DPH spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said on Dec. 12 that both victims had an underlying medical condition. While the flu level is still considered minimal in Georgia, DPH is reporting increases in flu activity statewide, including hospitalizations. Symptoms include cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever. One of the most pronounced flu symptoms is an overall feeling of achiness and malaise that comes on quickly. Dr. J. Patrick O’Neal, state director of health protection, said the single most effective way to prevent the flu is the flu vaccine.

“Every healthy individual over the age of 6 months should get a flu vaccine unless there are underlying medical conditions,” he said. “In those cases, patients should consult their physician,” O’Neal said holiday gatherings bring family and friends together and increase the likelihood of spreading the flu. “Now is the time to get vaccinated,” he said. Peak flu season is usually the end of January and the season runs through late February or early March. Frequent and thorough hand washing also will help guard against the flu, DPH says. Alcohol-based gels are the next best thing if there is no access to soap and water. For more information, visit dph .ga.gov.

31, 2014.” According to the report, 6,859 individuals have selected a Marketplace plan in Georgia, where the federal government is operating the program because the state refused to participate. It shows a total of 61,443 completed applications and 122,543 individuals applying for coverage. The total number of individuals determined eligible to enroll in a Marketplace plan was 87,367, and the number eligible to enroll with financial assistance was 29,366. The number determined or assessed eligible for Medicaid/CHIP by a Marketplace was 10,925. View the report at http://aspe.hhs.gov /health/reports/2013/MarketPlaceEnroll ment/Dec2013/ib_2013dec_enrollment .pdf.

Sign up help at library Help signing up for the Health Insurance Marketplace will be available Dec. 16 at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library. UGA Health Navigator Stephen Bailey will offer enrollment assistance and information about the Affordable Care Act from 2 to 4:15 p.m. The meeting is free to attend and no registration is required for the information session. For enrollment assistance, call 404-286-6980. The Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library is at 2861 Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur.

CDC donates equipment to GPTC said the hands-on experiGeorg ia Piedmont ence using the researchTechnical College is now grade lab equipment will home to some state-of-themake GPTC students more art lab equipment from the marketable as they graduCDC to expand its science ate and pursue STEM and math programs. careers. The equipment valued “By actively seeking at $250,000 was donated in partnerships such as this late November to the colone, the college is demonlege’s General Studies Divistrating to our students, sion under the Stevensonfunding agencies and the Wydler Technology and communities in which we Innovation Act of 1980, serve that we are commitwhich promotes “technoted to providing highly logical innovation for the skilled employees for the achievement of national GPTC’s Dr. Virginetta Cannon STEM-related industries,” economic, environmental, explains the importance of CDC and social goals and for gift to the college’s STEM program. he said in a Dec. 10 statement. other purposes.” Dr. Aisha Cobbs, a biology instructor at The items include expensive, high-tech equipment such as incubators, a subzero GPTC, said the college is grateful that the freezer, a centrifuge, and a high-performance transfer program exists. “The training we will provide through liquid chromatography machine. The equipment will be used by students and faculty for the use of this equipment will be on par with laboratory experiments in biology, chemistry many of the top research institutions such as and physics. The donation will help acceler- Georgia Tech and MIT,” she said. Georgia Piedmont has more than 4,000 ate plans to offer microbiology classes. It also will help the college further develop its students enrolled in diploma or degree procoursework in the Natural Sciences Depart- grams and more than 7,000 in adult educament and enhance its STEM – science, tech- tion classes. It has nine centers in DeKalb, nology, engineering and math – programs. Newton, Rockdale and Morgan counties. For Dr. Jabari Simama, GPTC’s president, more information, visit www.GPTC.edu.

December 14, 2013

Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

“It gives us the opportunity to extend our specialty services. We are ready to serve people.”

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Yolanda Ongoma and her son, Jaylon, visit the new Oakhurst Medical Centers facility on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain on Dec. 10. The new center doubles the size of the old site and will help serve 16,000 patients by end of 2016.

Oakhurst moves into new $5 million Stone Mountain facility By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Sixteen months after it broke ground on a new administration and medical center building, Oakhurst Medical Centers Inc. has moved in. Last weekend, the federally qualified nonprofit center relocated to its new $5 million building at 5582 Memorial Drive and began seeing patients on Dec. 9. Jeff Taylor, the center’s director, said the anticipation was great and the new location is more visible than its old Village Square location. The new one-story facility doubles the size of the old location to 27,000 square feet. It has room for 34 medical exam rooms, up from 18.

Taylor said it’s larger, more efficient and very visible on the corridor that is undergoing revitalization. “It gives us the opportunity to extend our specialty services,” he said. “We are ready to serve people.” Taylor said it now has space and the plans to offer dental and radiology. Yolanda Ongoma, whose family has been going to Oakhurst Medical for two years, visited the new facility on Dec. 10 and loved it. “It’s very warm and welcoming,” she said while waiting for a doctor to see her son Jaylon, who had suddenly developed a rash on his face, arms and chest. Ongoma said the new location is closer to her Stone Mountain home.

Support groups aid diabetes care More than 700,000 Georgians – nearly 10 percent of the state’s population – live with diabetes, and public health officials say that support groups can play a significant role in their care and well-being. While research hasn’t definitively determined the exact impact of support groups on patients’ diabetes outcomes, groups like the American Diabetes Association say people can benefit by learning from others who have the same condition and get tips from diabetes experts. In states like Georgia, where there are rural areas with scarce health care and resources

for diabetics, officials say support groups can be especially important for self-management of the disease. DeKalb Medical offers quarterly meetings for diabetics at its North Decatur Road campus. There is no fee for the sessions, and family members and caregivers also can attend. For more information, contact Alyssa Youngblood at Alyssa.youngblood@dekalb medical.org or call 404-501-1790. For more information, visit http://dph. georgia.gov/diabetes-prevention-and-control-program-0.

“We walked here. It’s really close.” Ongoma said she loves the larger space and beige and green color scene. “It’s bigger and beautifully decorated,” she said. “It seems like they can now run a little more efficiently. We didn’t have to wait very long. It used to be quite chaotic at the old place.” In 2012, Oakhurst served 12,000 patients. With the expansion, Taylor said it will be serving 12,000 to 16,000 patients in two years, including people in the Healthcare Marketplace. It also plans to increase the number of doctors to 20, up from the current 15. The new medical complex redevelops an under-used site that once was home to the Ambiance Club and Restaurant. That

building was demolished to make way for the new. The Oakhurst facility is one of two new construction projects completed on the corridor this year. In June, Walmart opened a new supercenter on a former car dealership site, up the street at the intersection with South Hairston Road. Oakhurst Medical offers family medicine, pediatrics and ob/gyn services to underinsured and uninsured families. In addition to the new Stone Mountain center, it operates medical centers on Candler Road in Decatur, on Memorial Drive near Covington Highway in Decatur, and in Conyers in Rockdale County. Taylor said a grand opening of the new facility will take place in early 2014.

CrossRoadsNews

Youth

December 14, 2013

“I’ve been trying to get us into the Nike competition ever since I started here in 2002.”

SACS visits DeKalb to see progress to regain full accreditation By Ken Watts

A week from DeKalb Schools’ first anniversary on accreditation probation, a team from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools returned for a much-anticipated follow-up inspection of the district. The two-day visit began on Dec. 9, eight days from the anniversary of the Dec. 17, 2012, date that SACS placed the district on probation for governance, financial and student performance issues. During the year, six of the School Board’s

nine members were replaced by appointees, the board found a budget surplus, and former state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond became school superintendent. For this week’s visit, school spokesman Quinn Hudson said the five- Michael Thurmond member SACS team interviewed board members, Thurmond, central office staff, principals, parents and business leaders

and received a status update on progress toward correcting deficiencies identified last December. School leaders are hoping the inspection will lead to the district regaining full accreditation. SACS threatened to strip accreditation if the district failed to address 11 “required actions” by this month. AdvancEd, the parent company of SACS, said in a July 5 report that the district was making “noteworthy” and “significant” changes, but to regain full accreditation, it needed to demonstrate that it could “sustain

The Lady Panthers of Southwest DeKalb still need $4,000 more for their Dec. 19-21 trip to the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix. They raised $10,000.

Simon mall scholarships up for grabs High school seniors in the class of 2014 have until Jan. 11 to apply for Simon Youth Scholarships. For the 14th straight year, Simon Youth Foundation will award a college scholarship to one student from every community that is home to a Simon-operated mall. The community scholarships are awarded in partnership with malls like Northlake Mall in Tucker, Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, the Mall of Georgia, Town Center at Cobb, and Sugarloaf Mills. Graduating seniors who live within 50 miles of a Simon mall are eligible to apply for a one-time $1,500 scholarship to an accredited college, university, or vocational or technical school. Applications are available at www.syf.org /our-initiatives/scholarships/community -application or at the Simon Guest Services Center at the malls. Top candidates will be eligible for 10 regional “Awards of Excellence,” a $2,500 scholarship that is renewable for up to three

years. In 2013, the program awarded $1.1 million to 389 students nationwide. J. Michael Durnil, foundation president and CEO, said they want to ignite hope for a brighter future in students. “Our foundation is proud to partner with Atlanta area Simon J. Michael Durnil malls to award scholarships that will remove some of the financial obstacles that would otherwise prevent a student from achieving the dream of a college education,” he said. Students will be judged on financial need, academic performance, leadership skills, and participation in school and community activities. Students who are the first in their family to pursue a postsecondary education also will be given close consideration.

Furthering your education takes courage. Be Fearless.

the improvements.” Thurmond said Tuesday that the SACS visit went well and that he is confident that the district has solved many of the problems that were of concern to the agency. “We welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate the significant progress that has been made over the past 10 months,” Thurmond said. “The district eagerly awaits a final decision on our accreditation status.” SACS is expected to release a progress report and an accreditation decision by the end of January.

Team seeks help getting to tournament By Ken Watts

Southwest DeKalb High’s Lady Panthers are scrambling to raise $4,000 to pay for a Dec. 19-21 trip to the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix. The Class AAAAA state girls basketball champions have been fundraising since their April invitation to the tournament but fell short of their $14,000 mark. Coach Kathleen Richey-Walton said the team raised $10,000 to cover airfare to Phoenix but needs $4,000 to pay for hotel rooms for the 20 players and coaching staff who will make the trip. She said making the trip would be a nice reward for the four-time state champions who have worked hard. Richey-Walton said the tournament invitation is an important signal that the Lady Panthers are rising to national prominence and a tremendous compliment to the Southwest DeKalb girls basketball program. “We’re ranked 23rd out of all high school teams in the U.S. and we’ll be playing other nationally ranked teams at the tournament,” she said Friday. “I’ve been trying to get us into the Nike competition ever since I started

here in 2002.” The Lady Panthers have gone to the Georgia state high school finals five of the past six years and won four championships. The team is one of three from metro Atlanta invited to the Nike Tournament. The others are Columbia High in Decatur and Collins Hill High in Suwanee. Richey-Walton said the Lady Panthers raised most of the funds by hosting a Southwest DeKalb fall league from Sept. 8 to Oct 26. “Ten teams paid fees to participate.” The rest of the funds came from an Oct. 12 Breakfast of Champions benefit and homecoming game and donations at their Nov. 14 preseason game against Columbia. Richey-Walton, who coached for 20 years at the college level, moved to Southwest DeKalb in 2002. Since her arrival, the Lady Panthers have posted a 224-70 record.

Want to help? To donate or sponsor the team, contact Greg White at gregwhite@comcast.net or 404-702-4117. The team has a self-imposed fundraising deadline of Dec. 15 to allow time to make final arrangements.

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ACADEMY

A SECOND CHANCE

12/2/13 2:31 PM

Finance

CrossRoadsNews

December 14, 2013

The webinar will teach participants how to form joint ventures, survive HUBZone status protests to contracts, and compete for contracts.

Mail holiday gifts, greetings now to ensure timely delivery The D-Day of holiday mailings is fast approaching. Mail-by dates The U.S. Postal Service says 15 billion pieces of mail will To ensure that holiday mail and packages arrive on time, be delivered this holiday season, and Dec. 16 is expected to mail by these deadlines: be the busiest mailing day of the year. n Dec. 14 – Standard Post/Priority Mail Express As Christmas Day nears, it is urging residents to mail International those holiday gifts and greetings now. n Dec. 16 – Global Express Guaranteed In a Dec. 11 news release, the Postal Service says it ann Dec. 17 – Priority Mail Express Military Service ticipates processing 545 million pieces of mail every day n Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail throughout the season. n Dec. 21 – Priority Mail More than 600 million pieces will be processed on Monn Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express day, when 6 million customers are projected to visit post For more information, visit usps.com/holidaynews. offices nationwide. For stress-free holiday mailings, the Postal Service offers these tips: numbers and directional information for streets. Include n Confirm addresses Print addresses clearly and in all CAPS and be sure to both “to” and “from” information on packages on the front include all address elements – apartment numbers, suite of the letters and packages, and never guess a ZIP code. Visit

SBA Webinar on HUBZone Chamber presents Small-business owners looking for an edge in accessing government contracts can attend the SBA’s two-part webinar series “How Small Businesses Can Gain Competitive Advantage Through HUBZone Certification” kicking off Dec. 17. The 2 p.m. webinar will focus on how Historically Underutilized Business Zone-affiliated businesses are treated, joint ventures and HUBZone contracting requirements. Registration is free at http://ems.intellor.com /?p=204851&do=register&t=71. Mariana Pardo The 45-minute webinar will teach participants how to form joint ventures, survive HUBZone status protests to contracts, and compete for HUBZone contracts. They will learn how affiliated businesses are evaluated and how to obtain the HUBZone contracting requirements. Presenter Mariana Pardo, director of the HUBZone program, also will take questions.

networking event Business people can network with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 17 at Atlanta Technical College in Atlanta. The 5:30-to-8 p.m. networking reception takes place in partnership with the Clayton and South Fulton chambers of commerce. It is free to attend and includes food, live music and door prizes. Vendor tables are available for $100. The college is at 1560 Metropolitan Parkway S.W. in Atlanta. For more information, visit http://dekalbchamber.org or contact Katerina Taylor at ktaylor@dekalb chamber.org or 404-378-8000.

usps.com to find all ZIP codes. n Choose the right box

Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents. Leave space for cushioning inside. Do not reuse mailing boxes – they weaken in the shipping process. Customers can purchase ReadyPost boxes at a local post office or at usps.com. Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express boxes, envelopes and tubes are free. n Pack delicately Cushion contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Plain air-popped popcorn also is good for cushioning – it’s inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Pack contents tightly to avoid shifting during transit. Use pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced craft paper tape or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape for shipping. Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, duct tape or cellophane tape.

Recycle old electronics Residents and businesses can properly dispose of unwanted computers and other electronic devices at a Dec. 14 recycling event in Decatur. The 10 a.m.-to-2 p.m. event in the parking lot of the LA Fitness on Covington Highway is presented by the Lithonia Chamber of Commerce in partnership with IMS Electronics. Most home electronics, including computers, televisions, monitors, printers, fax machines, small household appliances, and cell phones, will be accepted free of charge. There will be a charge for CRT monitors, televisions and projection or wooden console and plasma TVs. Excluded items include stoves, freezers, refrigerators, washers and dryers; incandescent or fluorescent bulbs and fixtures; biohazards and hazardous waste; freon or liquids of any type; smoke detectors; radioactive materials; and batteries. Visit www.imselectronics.com/electronics-recycling/accepted -materials for a list of acceptable items.

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Holiday

December 14, 2013

Healing Stream needs sponsors for families as well as donations of basketballs, footballs, baseball gloves, and electronic educational toys for toddlers.

Green up with eco-friendly choices

Handbell choirs from five churches will perform at holiday concerts on Dec. 18 and 22.

Bells will ring at holiday concerts The handbell choirs of Antioch AME and Ebenezer, Friendship and Greater Travelers Rest Baptist churches will ring in Christmas cheer at two handbell concerts on Dec. 18 and Dec. 22 in Atlanta. “Go Tell It on the Mountain” takes place at 4 p.m. on Dec. 18 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave. N.E. On Dec. 22, the bell ringers of Fellowship Group Baptist will join the four handbell choirs for “Ring the Good News” at 4 p.m. at

Friendship Baptist, 437 Mitchell St. S.W. The annual event, which is in its 11th year, was created by former school music teachers Rosalyn Lewis, a member of Friendship; Sharon Phillips of Greater Travelers Rest; Cynthia Terry of Ebenezer; and Sarah West of Antioch. The four had played together in a marching handbell choir. For more information, call 404-6887263 or 404-688-0206.

Toys needed for struggling families One hundred local families will receive toys and gifts on Dec. 21 from Healing Stream Ministries in Lithonia, and the church is seeking donors and sponsors to help with the cause. The giveaway begins at noon and ends at 4 p.m. Members of the community can contact the church to place a disadvantaged family with children from infants to 14 years of age on the list for a voucher. The list opens on Dec. 16 and closes on Dec. 19. Vouchers are limited to one per family.

Sponsors are needed for families as well as donations of basketballs, footballs, baseball gloves, and electronic educational toys for toddlers. All items should be new and unwrapped. The church has many dolls, but its supply of African-American dolls is limited. Donations can be dropped off at the church, which has a tradition of holiday giving. The church is at 2470 Bruce St. For donations, sponsorships or to place a family on the list, call 770-728-5372.

unique gifts. Environmentally conscious families and indin Make your own gifts: viduals can green up this Knit, sew, bake or create holiday season to save art from reused items. energy and resources and n Make calendars using help protect the environyour own photographs or ment when shopping, make a recipe book with traveling, sending cards, your favorite recipes. decorating and giving n Give a membership or gifts. an experience – tuition The national Centers for a class or a visit to for Disease Control and museum. Prevention offers these n Give of your time – eco-friendly tips: coupons for providing a Decorate with items meal, planting a garden, that are energy-efficient cleaning, or using another and durable. talent or skill. n Buy an artificial tree that n Plant a tree in someyou can use for years to one’s yard. come or select a living tree n Be creative with gift that you can plant outside wrap: Use scarves, fabric, after the holidays. handkerchiefs, old maps, sheet music, advertisen Recycle natural trees at a ments, reusable tins, uschipping facility or return Select a living tree that you can able baking pans or other to the environment in plant outside after the holidays. home or garden items. other eco-friendly ways. Give cards that are eco-friendly and save n Use few or no lights in your holiday decorations. Decorate with more energy-efficient resources. LED – light-emitting diodes – strings. n Make your own cards. n Use a timer on your lighted decorations n Buy cards made from recycled paper (look to save electricity. for “post-consumer” content) and printed in n Use natural materials from your yard or non-toxic inks. items you already own. n Choose cards printed on white stock withn Choose durable ornaments from wood, out metallic or plastic coatings. metal or cloth rather than plastic or thin n Substitute postcards that require enveglass. lopes. Use fewer resources when you shop, give n Reuse the fronts of old holiday cards as presents and wrap gifts. gift tags. Eat sustainable food and avoid disposn Take your own bags on shopping trips. Keep them in the car so they’re ready when- able containers and extra packaging. ever you stop at a store. n Buy locally if possible. n Shop online. n Buy snacks and beverages in bulk to avoid n Use public transit when you shop. If you extra packaging. have to drive, combine several errands in one n Serve food with washable utensils, plates trip or carpool with family and friends. and glasses rather than disposable items. n Give gifts that are durable, energy-efficient, n Make homemade eggnog, hot chocolate recyclable or made of natural products. or iced tea in large quantities, and prepare n Buy from local shops and craft shows or pitchers of ice water in advance to reduce from companies that use fair-trade prac- waste from water and soda bottles or cans. For more information, visit www.cdc. tices. n Search antique and secondhand stores for gov/features/greenholidays.

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Reader Notice As a service to you – our valued readers – we offer the following information: This newspaper will never knowingly accept any advertisement that is illegal or considered fraudulent. If you have questions or doubts about any ads on these pages, we advise that before responding or sending money ahead of time, you check with the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Line and/or the Better Business Bureau. They may have records or documented complaints that will serve to caution you about doing business with those advertisers. Also be advised that some phone numbers published in these ads may require an extra charge. In all cases of questionable value, such as promises or guaranteed income from work-at-home programs, money to loan, etc., if it sounds too good to be true – it may in fact be exactly that. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for any negative consequences that occur as a result of you doing business with any advertisers. Thank you.

CrossRoadsNews

December 14, 2013

People

“I am still chief of police here in DeKalb. Nothing has been confirmed about my employment there.”

Rochester pursues Chief Alexander By Ken Watts

Kamini Patel poses with her award and from left, DCVB executive director James Tsismanakis, Bill Hardman and Brian Mock.

Red Roof Inn owner lands DCVB’s top service award Kamini Patel, owner of the Red Roof Inn in Lithonia, is the 2013 Bill Hardman Jr. Award recipient. Patel was presented with the award at the DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau’s annual meeting and holiday luncheon, held Dec. 6 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in downtown Decatur. The award is named for the DCVB’s first president. It recognizes the individual who exhibits “exceptional example of service and dedication” to the DCVB’s mission of promoting DeKalb as a destination for meetings and tourism. Patel has owned the Lithonia Red Roof Inn since 2007. She works with Red Roof Inn and with the Georgia and South Carolina Motor Coaches to bring visitors to DeKalb County. In the past year, she said she was responsible for bring about 200 visitors to the county.

Despite rumors about a job offer from his Rochester, N.Y., hometown, DeKalb Police Chief Cedric Alexander said he has a job to do in the county. “I have not accepted a job,” he said Thursday. “I need to be perfectly clear about that.” Alexander, who joined the DeKalb Police Department in April, said he wants to continue leading DeKalb’s more than 1,100 sworn officers and nearly 500 support staff, but the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper reported Dec. 12 that the city’s newly elected mayor, Lovely Warren, has interviewed Alexander for the soon-to-be open chief ’s job and that he has accepted. Alexander was acting police chief with the Rochester Police Department in 2005 and won a lot of admirers, including Warren, but was not offered the top job. Alexander said Thursday afternoon that there is nothing to confirm or deny. “What I am going to tell the people of DeKalb County is what I said the other day,” he said. “I am still chief of police here in DeKalb. Nothing has been confirmed about my employment there.” Alexander began his law enforcement career in Miami-Dade County in 1977, where he spent 15 years as a police officer. Prior to heading the Rochester Police Department, he was deputy commissioner of the N.Y. State Division of Criminal Justice Services. Alexander is also a licensed clinical psychologist with a doctorate from Wright State University. In 2010, he was third runner-up to George Turner for chief of the

DeKalb Police Chief Cedric Alexander took the job nine months ago. Now his hometown wants him back.

Atlanta Police Department. Alexander was TSA’s security director at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport before being sworn in as DeKalb chief nine months ago. Alexander earns $162,612 per year. Rochester’s outgoing chief of police makes $129,115. DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson was concerned enough about the possibility of Alexander leaving that he spoke about it at Commissioner Stan Watson’s Dec. 7 Community Cabinet meeting. Johnson urged citizens to send the chief emails asking him to stay. “I think we can send some encouraging words, ’cause Rochester ain’t playing,” Johnson said. “They love him. And when you have someone who loves you and that’s your home, they can make things happen.” NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Legal Notices 11/23, 11/27, 12/7, 12/14

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

In the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action # ++13CV8057-3++ Letitia Pope Plaintiff Vs. Douglas Pope Defendant TO: Douglas Pope By Order of the Court service for service by publication dated November 11, 2013 you are hereby notified that on July 29, 2013 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: Divorce You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiffís attorney whose name and address is Nancy Rhinehart 246 Sycamore St, Ste 120 Decatur, Ga 30030. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of, November 13, 2013. Witness the Honorable Clarence Seeliger Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 14th day of November, 2013.

Civil Action # ++13CV11714-7++ Richard McClendon Plaintiff Vs. Ilean Whitten Defendant TO: Ilean Whitten 554 Wynbrooke Pkwy Stone Mountain, Ga 30087 By Order of the Court service for service by publication dated November 20, 2013 you are hereby notified that on November 14, 2013 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: Divorce You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiffís attorney whose name and address is Richard McClendon 3294 Covington Dr. #A Decatur, Ga 30032. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of, November 20, 2013. Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 20th day of November, 2013.

12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

Notice of Petition to

Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV11929-3++ Leatrice Simpson filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on November 19, 2013 to change the name from: Leatrice SImpson to Leatrice Gates. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: November 19, 2013 Leatrice Gates Petitioner, Pro se 3691 Bouldercrest Rd #G Ellenwood, GA 30294 (404)-246-7478 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28

Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV12187-9++ Gary L. Carithers filed a petition in

the DeKalb County Superior Court on November 27, 2013 to change the name from: Gary L. Carithers to Ashley Shaelani Carithers. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: November 12, 2013 Ashley Shaelani Carithers 3703 Lake Ridge Lane Dunwoody, Ga 30338 (404)839-6543 12/14, 12/21, 12/28, 01/4/14

Notice of Petition to Change Name of Minor in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV12456-9++ Tracey Astin filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on December 9, 2013 to change the name(s) if the following minor children(s): Terri Amanda Harris to Terri Amanda Astin. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: November 26, 2013 Tracey Astin Petitioner, Pro se 3666 Stanford Cir Decatur, Ga 30034 (404)-241-2440 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28

Civil Action # ++13CV10016-10++ Cleveland Alford Plaintiff Vs. Errica Alford Defendant TO: Errica Alford 524 Borton St LaGrange, GA 30241 By Order of the Court service for service by publication dated December 5,2013 you are hereby notified that on November 21, 2013 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: Divorce You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiffís attorney whose name and address is Cleveland Alford 2117 Sugar Creek Close Atlanta, Ga 30316. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of, December 5, 2013. Witness the Honorable Tangela Barrie Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 5th day of December, 2013. 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action # ++13CV12226-10++ Carolyn Idleburg Plaintiff Vs. Donald Idleburg Defendant TO: Donald Idleburg 6395 Redan Overlook Lithonia, Ga 30058 By Order of the Court service for service by publication dated December 5,2013

you are hereby notified that on November 24, 2013 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: Divorce You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiffís attorney whose name and address is Carolyn Idleburg P.O Box 1136 Lithonia, Ga 30058.Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of, December 5, 2013. Witness the Honorable Tangela Barrie Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 5th day of December, 2013.

12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action # ++13CV10309-7++ Tamika McFarland Plaintiff Vs. Seneca McFarland Defendant TO: 4964 Central Dr. Apt B Stone Mountain, Ga 30083 By Order of the Court service for service by publication dated December 9,2013 you are hereby notified that on October 23,2013 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: Divorce You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiffís attorney whose name and address is 4900 Central Dr. Apt 154 Stone Mountain, Ga 30083.Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of, December 9, 2013. Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 9th day of December, 2013.

CrossRoadsNews

December 14, 2013

a weekend event not to be missed!

super saturday preview day today!

there are so many ways to save! 1. save 5o%-75% off storewide 2. spectacular morning specials 8am-1pm fri, dec. 13 & 7am-1pm sat, dec. 14 3. get here early and use your extra dollars off passes use the $1o oFF† paSS Fri or Sat ‘til 1pm

wow! $1o off all sale & clearance apparel and select home items fri, 12/13 ‘til 1pm or sat, 12/14 ‘til 1pm cannot be used on specials or super buys

use the $2o oFF† paSS Fri or Sat ‘til 1pm wow! $2o off

all sale & clearance apparel and select home items fri, 12/13 ‘til 1pm or sat, 12/14 ‘til 1pm cannot be used on specials or super buys

$1o off

$2o off

valid 12/13 ‘til 1pm or 12/14/13 ‘til 1pm. limit one per customer.

YOUR PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE. Also excludes: Everyday Values (EDV), Doorbusters, Deals of the Day, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings, rugs, electrics/electronics, cosmetics/fragrances, athletic shoes for him, her & kids, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., special purchases, services. Exclusions may differ at macys.com. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. Dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your account. Purchase must be $25 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.

take an extra 2o% or 15% oFF† with your macy’s card or pass

YOUR PURCHASE OF $5O OR MORE. Also excludes: Everyday Values (EDV), Doorbusters, Deals of the Day, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings, rugs, electrics/electronics, cosmetics/fragrances, athletic shoes for him, her & kids, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., special purchases, services. Exclusions may differ at macys.com. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. Dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your account. Purchase must be $50 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.

wow! all-day pass extra savings on all sale & clearance apparel (except specials & super buys)

extra

2o% off

select sale & clearance apparel for him, her & kids; plus, fine & fashion jewelry Extra 15% off all sale & clearance watches, coats, suits, dresses, intimates, impulse; men’s suit separates & sportcoats and select shoes & home items Also excludes: Everyday Values (EDV), Doorbusters, Deals of the Day, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings, rugs, electrics/electronics, cosmetics/fragrances, athletic shoes for him, her & kids, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., special purchases, services. Exclusions may differ at macys.com. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer except opening a new Macy’s account. EXTRA SAVINGS % APPLIED TO REDUCED PRICES. text “cpn” to 62297 to get coupons, sales alerts & more! Max 3 msgs/wk. Msg & data rates may apply. By texting CPN from my mobile number, I agree to receive marketing text messages generated by an automated dialer from Macy’s to this number. I understand that consent is not required to make a purchase. Text STOP to 62297 to cancel. Text HELP to 62297 for help. Terms & conditions at macys.com/mobilehelp Privacy policy at macys.com/privacypolicy

valid 12/13-12/14/13

†exclusions apply; see savings passes. hours may vary By store. visit macys.com and clicK on stores for local information.

Free online Shipping every day + extra 2o% or 15% oFF! Free Shipping With $99 purchaSe.

use promo code: super for extra savings; offer valid 12/13-12/14/2013. exclusions apply; see macys.com for details.

super saturday sale prices in effect 12/13-12/14/2013. merchandise will Be on sale at these & other sale prices throuGh 1/4/14, eXcept as noted. OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS, UP TO $100, WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, selected licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food & wine. the new account savings are limited to a total of $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible. N3110635E.indd 1

12/2/13 3:55 PM