CrossRoadsNews, December 17, 2016

COMMUNITY

WELLNESS

Help the ‘Kings of Halftime’

Preparing for winter

MLK Jr. High School’s marching band is $25,000 shy of its fundraising goal to perform in the 2017 Rose Bowl Parade. 2

Georgia Emergency Management has released a completely updated version of its Ready Georgia mobile app. 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

Copyright © 2016 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

December 17, 2016

Volume 22, Number 34

www.crossroadsnews.com

$120M transit-oriented development at Avondale station A $120 million transit-oriented development soon will be rising from the ground at the Avondale station in Decatur.

MARTA, Columbia Residential and Cortland Partners broke ground Nov. 28 on the 7.7-acre project that is going up on an underutilized parking lot on the south side of the station on East Ponce de Leon Avenue.

The pedestrian-friendly TOD joins projects underway at the Chamblee, Brookhaven/ Oglethorpe, and Edgewood/Candler Park stations.

MARTA’s TOD initiative seeks to increase ridership, generate revenue, and support both local community development and regional economic development.

The Avondale project – to be called E. Co for East College Avenue – will be built in phases and will create about 200 construction jobs and 25 permanent positions. Its first phase is scheduled for completion in 2018.

The Decatur Downtown Development Authority selected Columbia Ventures as the development partner for the Avondale station TOD in 2014.

Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett said the station redevelopment plans began 13 years ago and became a much better project than they envisioned in 2003.

It is the second transit-oriented develop-

Local government and transit officials and developers break ground for the $120 million transit-oriented development on 7.7 acres at MARTA’s Avondale station in Decatur.

Please see AVONDALE, page 2

Columbia Ventures/MARTA

Burrell Ellis back as DeKalb CEO for 18 days Focus on budget, smoothing way for Thurmond

By Ken Watts

Burrell Ellis, who had been on suspension for three-and-a-half years, returned to work on Dec. 14 to serve the final 18 days of his four-year term as DeKalb CEO. Ellis remains under indictment on corruption charges, but none of that was in play Wednesday as a crowd of nearly 60 close friends, supporters and news media greeted him and his wife, Philippa, at the Maloof Building in downtown Decatur.

Ellis’ smile was as wide as the ocean.

“I’m savoring the moment, enjoying the day and feeling quite blessed,” he said. “I’m looking forward not only to being back in that office but also being out among constituents. It’s what I enjoy doing.”

Ellis said he feels vindicated by the Nov. 30 ruling from the Georgia Supreme Court that overturned his 2015 conviction on attempted extortion and perjury because of mistakes by DeKalb Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson, who tried his case.

The court said that while there is sufficient evidence to convict Ellis, it had to vacate the conviction because of the mistakes. It said it is now up to the district attorney to retry Ellis on the charges, but District Attorney Robert James lost his seat and incoming DA Sherry Boston says she won’t comment until she takes office.

Ellis, who was tried twice on the charges, was sentenced to five years to serve 18 months. He was released from Coastal State Prison near Savannah in March after serving eight months. His first trial in 2014 ended in a hung jury.

During his absence, the CEO’s office was relocated from the Callaway Building on East Ponce de Leon Avenue back to the sixth floor of the Maloof Building, and after his 8:30 a.m. news conference, he invited the crowd

DeKalb County Photo

Burrell Ellis with his wife Philippa on Dec. 14 as he returned to work as DeKalb CEO for the remainder of his term which ends on Dec. 31.

to a reception in the office. Most of them took him up on it, filling his office, the hallway and a couple of other rooms. Among well-wishers were Ellis’ pastor, the Rev. William Watley of Saint Philip AME; 4th District U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson; state Rep. Earnest “Coach” Williams; former DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones; and his lawyer Dwight Thomas.

In his brief time back in office, Ellis said he will be focused on the 2017 budget and making the transition for incoming CEO Michael Thurmond as smooth as possible.

“I’m gonna do my best to make sure that Michael knows what’s waiting for him on his desk,” Ellis said. “We know he’s prepared, but I want to make sure he has all the information he reasonably needs.”

Ellis also is planning an event to thank his supporters and recognize constituents and has tapped Bettye Davis, who ran his One DeKalb Office, to come back to the CEO’s office to plan the event. Davis said she will return to the Lou Walker Senior Center, where she is director, at the end of the year.

After prayers from Watley, Ellis sat down behind the CEO’s desk for the first time since July 2013 and pronounced himself ready to work hard.

“We have a short period of time, two weeks-plus, and we’re gonna be busy starting today,” he said.

Ellis lost his $153,000-a-year salary when he was convicted in July 2015 and is entitled to 19 months of back pay, estimated

at $250,000.

Interim CEO Lee May, who was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal and led the county during Ellis’ suspension, left the office at 5 p.m. on Dec. 13. He is on paid vacation through the end of the year.

DeKalb Super District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon said she is glad to welcome back Ellis.

“It is unfortunate that this travesty took so long to be rectified,” she said in a Dec. 11 statement. “One cannot undo the damage the entire ordeal has done to the Ellis family and to the county. Hopefully this next few weeks will allow for positive closure for us all and a smooth transition to the new governing authority.”

CrossRoadsNews

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Schools

December 17, 2016

“Not going is not an option at this point. We are counting on our community to make it happen.”

DeKalb School Board approves SPLOST projects totaling $561 million DeKalb school projects totaling more than $561 million have received the go-ahead from the DeKalb School Board.

The projects, which address important capital needs, including construction of new campuses and facility and safety upgrades, will be funded through the voter-supported E-SPLOST V and state capital outlay reimbursements from 2017-2022. The board approved the list with a vote of 6-1 on Dec. 5.

Superintendent R. Stephen Green said his administration will continue dialogue with the community during the design and implementation of the program.

“This blueprint will enable DCSD to

provide our students with first-class facilities and services that they deserve,” Green said. “But our work is far from finished. We will engage the community every step of the way as these projects move forward. Our goal is to build trust, and com- Stephen Green plete quality projects, together.”

General breakdown of project funding: n Safety and security improvements – $15 million. Installation of automatic fire sprinklers and security improvements and facility

upgrades. n New facilities and additions – $291 million. The construction of three new elementary schools, additions at eight middle and high schools, and construction of a new high school. n Facility condition improvements – $100 million. High school artificial turf installation, elementary school playground replacement, restroom fixture replacement, school accessibility improvements, potential lead/ water remediation, school bus pavement upgrades, parking additions at schools, major building system replacements. n Technology – $65 million. Finance/Hu-

man Capital Management system replacement, computer refresh for all schools, phone upgrades for all schoolhouses, safety and security technology for all schools, active boards replacement, technology infrastructure enhancements. n School buses, vehicles and other equipment – $40 million. The purchase of up to 257 new school buses, service vehicle purchase, musical instruments and equipment, portable classroom purchase, replacement of select kitchen equipment at 68 schools.

Visit www.dekalbschoolsga.org, click on the E-SPLOST tab, then E-SPLOST V for a full listing of projects.

MLK band needs help raising final $25K to get to Rose Bowl

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Twelve days from their Dec. 29 departure for the 2017 Rose Bowl Parade, Martin Luther King Jr. High School’s “Kings of Halftime” marching band is $25,000 shy of its fundraising goal.

Head Band Director Travis Kimber said he is banking on the community to get them over the final hurdle to their $450,000 goal.

“Not going is not an option at this point,” he said on Dec. 13. “We are counting on our community to make it happen.”

Members of the Kings of Halftime received their Rose Parade Flag – official notification of their participation in the prestigious Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. – on Aug. 27.

The band is among 21 from across the United States, Mexico and Japan that will participate in the parade on Jan. 2.

It’s the only band from Georgia in the 2017 parade that will precede the 103rd Rose Bowl game between Penn State University and the University of Southern California.

To take the 200-member band, seven staff members, 20 chaperons and their instruments and equipment to California, the

Members of MLK Jr. High’s “Kings of Halftime” collect donations at the Lithonia Bojangles’ for their trip.

school began raising funds in September.

They held a “Jazz Under the Stars” evening featuring the MLK Jazz Band and hosted an MLK Band Extravaganza/Battle of the Bands at Hallford Stadium and “An Evening of Fine Arts” at the Morehouse Ray Charles Performing Arts Center.

On Dec. 13, Lithonia Bojangles’ owner Leighton Hull hosted 50 band members at his Panola Road store with a three-hour live

remote, which he paid for, with old school Atlanta radio station 87.7.

The radio station broadcast drove people to the store between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to make contributions.

“It was a good event,” Kimber said. “The traffic was very thick.”

When it was done, he said they raised $2,200 at the restaurant and from people who went online to donate at the band website.

Columbia opens food, clothing pantry Families and students who need help with food and clothing can get items from Columbia High’s new pantry.

Through Dec. 21, the school’s pantry – Eagle’s Nest II-Chumbani, which is Swahili for closet – will be open in the Parent Center, Room C119.

Donated items also can be dropped off during school hours.

Principal Derrica Boochee-Davis is opening the uniform closet, food and clothes pantry to those facing hardships.

Community volunteer Rhonda Mangum, who donates more than 20 hours a week at the school, operates the pantry.

She will be joined by students who will help out in the pantry to meet community service requirements.

The school is at 2106 Columbia Drive in Decatur.

For more information, email shiva_alexandria@dekalbschoolsga.org or call 770-572-1176 or email rrmangum13@ gmail.com or call 404-790-8511.

DeKalb’s new virtual academy seeks students Student registration is now open for the DeKalb School District’s new virtual FLEX Academy.

The flexible learning school, called more than a “credit recovery factory,” offers teacher-led and non-teacher-led online courses and units during the school day and after hours. It will enable high school students to

expand their learning day and gain credits that lead to graduation as well as college and career readiness.

To register for any course offered by FLEX Academy, students must receive approval from their school counselor.

For more information, visit www.dekalbschoolsga.org/flex-academy.

“Come on and be a part of the vision” First Afrikan Church is an Afrocentric Christian Ministry that empowers women, men, youth and children to move from membership to leadership in the church, community and the world.

Praise & Devotion Worship Service Sundays at 10 a.m.

Join us for Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

5197 Salem Road Lithonia, GA 30038

770-981-2601 “We are building far beyond our years.”

Rev. Dr. Mark A. Lomax

Kimber said they are grateful for Hull’s support of the band. He said Hull is the lone businessman to help the band so far.

“A couple parents went in to talk to him and he jumped right on it,” he said.

With other businesses, he said it’s been hard getting support.

“Everybody has a deadline that we just missed, or they are supporting something else and can’t help us,” Kimber said.

The Kings of Halftime will be in Pasadena until Jan. 3.

Kimber, who has taught band at the school since 2001, characterizes the band’s selection to play in the Rose Bowl Parade as “a dream come true” and the equivalent of a national championship for it.

He is hoping residents will include the band on their Christmas list by making a donation, large or small, to help members get to the Rose Bowl.

He said he is not entertaining the possibility that the community won’t come through for them.

“I am pretty sure they will,” he said. “We have to go. We don’t have a choice.”

To help the band make it to the Rose Bowl, donate at www.mlk-koh.com.

The E. Co transit-oriented development at MARTA’s Avondale station will have office space, dining, entertainment, retail options, and mixed-use housing units.

E. Co a catalyst for growth, ridership AVONDALE,

from page

1

ment for which MARTA broke ground this year. In August, it held a ground-breaking ceremony for its Edgewood/Candler Park station.

The Avondale station’s E. Co development will be located at the highly visible gateway to the city of Decatur and is expected to be a catalyst for future growth and development in the district. Atlanta voters overwhelmingly approved two tax increases for transportation – including a sales tax to fund MARTA expansion – on Nov. 8.

The E. Co project is one stop from downtown Decatur and seven stops from downtown Atlanta. Six bus routes also serve this station, and MARTA’s East Decatur Station, a mixed-use complex that features office space, dining, exercise, entertainment, art and retail options, is directly to its east.

E. Co will have office space, dining, entertainment and retail options with ample sidewalks and green space alongside a collection of mixed-use housing units. There will be 378 market-rate apartments, 92 affordable senior living units, a new plaza with 21,000

square feet of commercial space for shopping and dining, and other community amenities.

An extension of the East Decatur Greenway PATH also will go through the site.

About 20 percent of its residential units will be reserved for households with incomes up to 80 percent of the area median income.

Upon full build-out, the transit authority says it will generate $800,000 annually in new property tax revenues to the city of Decatur and DeKalb County.

Keith T. Parker, MARTA general manager/CEO, said the development is a good fit for the area.

“E. Co will be a welcome addition to the already vibrant downtown Decatur and will mesh well into the fabric of the Keith Parker community,” he said in a Dec. 2 statement.

“Almost 40 years ago, this area had a renaissance with the addition of the Avondale station. We’re excited to add to the convenience of this intown neighborhood with our newest TOD.”

December 17, 2016

Community

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The new city’s first elections take place March 21.

Qualifying is set for Jan. 9-11.

Father and son eyeing run for 5 named to Stonecrest commission Stonecrest mayor, city council Dr. Charles S. Hill and his son, Charles S. Hill II, are considering running for Stonecrest mayor and city council, respectively.

The elder Hill is a longtime South DeKalb eye doctor who lives in Stonecrest’s District 5. His son was a candidate for Charles S. Hill House District 91 in the May Democratic primary. In a joint Dec. 14 press release, the Hills said they have launched a joint exploratory committee for both offices.

City organizer Jason Lary has announced that he will run for mayor, and businesswoman Diane Adoma and community activist George Turner have said they are considering a run for city council.

Dr. Hill, owner of Hill’s Eye Clinic on Snapfinger Road for more than 30 years, said he is considering running because he is tired

of corruption, graft, and incompetence in DeKalb government and of people running for office only to enrich and aggrandize themselves. His platform will focus on developing Stonecrest into the Charles S. Hill II “Crown Jewel of Metro Atlanta” with healthy economic development and roadway beautification.

Hill II, vice president of Rooms Around Campus LLC, is a graduate student at Yale University.

“The city of Stonecrest needs innovative thought leaders that are going to be fiscally responsible, morally upright, and working to resolve the issues facing our new city,” he said. “If elected, I will fight hard to revitalize this corridor of South DeKalb.”

Stonecrest’s first election set for March 21

By Ken Watts

Residents of the newly formed city of Stonecrest will choose their first mayor and five city council members on March 21.

The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections voted unanimously on Dec. 12 on the date of the city’s first elections.

Qualifying begins Jan. 9 at 9 a.m. and will end Jan. 11 at 4:30 p.m. The last day to register to vote in the election is Feb. 21.

The qualifying fee for mayor is $600. City

council candidates will pay $450.

The city’s first elected officials will serve staggered terms ending in 2017 and 2019. Terms for council members in posts 1, 3 and 5 will end in 2017. Terms for the mayor and council members for posts 2 and 4 end in 2019.

Candidates can file notice of candidacy and affidavits at the county’s Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, in Decatur.

The new city will have 18 precincts open on election day.

Four men and a woman will serve on the Governor’s Commission on City of Stonecrest until voters pick their first mayor and city council members in March.

The members of Gov. Nathan Deal’s commission, announced Dec. 13, are Joel Thibodeaux, chair, and Shawn Jones, Michelle Emanuel, Jim Burgess and Markus Butts.

Three – Thibodeaux, Jones and Emanuel – are residents of the new city and members of the board of the Stonecrest Joel Thibodeaux Yes Committee.

Burgess and Butts do not live within the new city.

The law that created the referendum for the city provided for the governor to appoint a five-member commission to oversee establishment of the new city.

Commission members cannot run for office while serving.

The DeKalb Delegation to the Georgia General Assembly nominated five members.

Thibodeaux and Jones are the only nominees to make Deal’s list.

Thibodeaux is director of audits and compliance with the DeKalb County School System.

He was previously a program analyst with the Senate Budget and Evaluation Office and a financial planning and analysis manager with Premiere Global Services.

Emanuel, treasurer of the Stonecrest Yes Committee, is an account manager for Oracle Corp. She is secretary and social committee chair for her homeowners association.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Walden University. Emanuel

has three children and a grandchild.

Jones is a member of the Stonecrest City Alliance board and a past president of Fairington Farms.

He is a programmer with Northrop Grumman, which contracts with the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

He is a volunteer mentor with the Atlanta 5th Ward Boys Association and Malachi Ministries.

Burgess, who is a retired executive director of the Georgia Municipal Association, is a former mayor of Social Circle, where he still lives.

He is the president of Public Research and Management Inc. and is also a legislative liaison for the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and the city of Savannah.

Butts, who lives in Stone Mountain, serves on the DeKalb Planning Commission and is manager of land acquisition and real estate for the city of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management.

He is a member of the International City/County Management Association, the Project Management Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers and is a past co-chair of the DeKalb County SPLOST Citizen Review Committee.

The commission will “facilitate the provision of municipal services and facilities, the collection of taxes and fees, and the negotiation of intergovernmental agreements in preparation of the establishment of the new municipality,” but the commission will not have the ability to enter into any binding agreements, expend public funds, or to incur any liabilities.

The commission will serve until the elected officials are sworn into office after the March 21 election.

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CrossRoadsNews

Holiday

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.

December 17, 2016

“These working families often face temporary, but recurring, setbacks and shortfalls.”

Healing Stream Ministries has gifts for 100 families One hundred families with children 2 to 12 years old will receive toys and gifts from the Healing Stream Ministries’ fifth annual toy drive on Dec. 24.

To obtain toys at the 9 a.m.-to-noon Christmas Eve event, families must request a voucher number by calling 770-728-5372 and speaking with a church representative – voice mails and emails will not be accepted.

The vouchers are limited to one per family.

The church is at 2470 Bruce St. in Lithonia.

Healing Stream Ministries’ fifth annual toy drive giveaway takes place 9 a.m. to noon Christmas Eve at the Lithonia church.

Households must have a voucher number.

Residents can help feed the hungry for the holidays DeKalb residents can help feed the hungry with in-store donations at Kroger and online contributions at Amazon Smile this holiday season.

Through Dec. 24, Kroger customers can participate in the chain’s CAN Hunger campaign. They can purchase $1, $3 or $5 icons at the register to help provide food for area families in need.

Online shoppers can fight hunger the next time they shop at Amazon by logging in through smile.amazon.com, selecting the Atlanta Community Food Bank from the list of partners, then shop-

ping as usual.

Amazon Foundation will donate 0.5 percent of the purchase price to the food bank. Shoppers can bookmark it in their browser so they can use it for holiday shopping and throughout the year.

The food bank supports more than 600 food pantries, and the network serves more than 750,000 people each year.

Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, says the majority of its clients are already working, most live in the suburbs, and nearly one-third earn too much income to qualify

for food stamps or other assistance programs, yet their income doesn’t cover basic needs.

“These working families often face temporary, but recurring, setbacks and shortfalls,” Waide said in a Nov. 25 op-ed article. “ W i t h o u t Kyle Waide our help, they’re forced to make trade-offs, choosing to skip food or health care or housing so they can meet their other basic needs. Those

Teen Holiday Iron Chef Competition Youth 13 to 17 can register through Dec. 27 for the DeKalb Public Library’s fourth annual Teen Holiday Iron Chef Competition.

The special event takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 29 at the Stonecrest Library in Lithonia. Teens can call 770-482-3828 or visit the branch to register.

Registration is required for all chefs,

judges and chairman.

Teens can work with a team or on their own to create a dessert snack from the pantry, and the community can watch the competition.

Funding is provided by the Friends.

The library is at 3123 Klondike Road. For more information, visit www. dekalblibrary.org.

trade-offs can lead to increased rates of diabetes and heart disease.

Their kids don’t perform as well in school. They’re forced to focus on short-term survival at the expense of long-term planning for a better future.”

The ACFB has been awarded the highest rating for strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency by Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, for six consecutive years.

For more information, to volunteer or to donate, visit www. acfb.org.

Christmas concert in Avondale The 50-voice Chancel Choir and 20-piece Chamber Orchestra will present “Christmas in Avondale: A Festival of Lessons and Carols” on Dec. 18 at Avondale First Baptist Church.

The program begins at 5 p.m.

The sacred concert of Christmas music features classical, traditional, and contemporary choral selections on the theme of the birth of Christ.

The church is at 47 Covington Highway in Avondale Estates. For more information, visit http://avondaleestates.org.

Santas helpers collecting money to help pay off layaways Holiday do-gooders are collecting donations through Dec. 22 to spread Christmas cheer to some disadvantaged area families.

A group of friends calling themselves Layaway Santa Metro Atlanta launched a GoFundMe page to pay off strangers’ layaway items at stores like Walmart and Target.

Group member Mechel McKinley said they borrowed the idea from friends in Middle Georgia.

“Layaway Santa Middle Georgia has been in existence for four years and has raised more than $5,000,” she said. “We were inspired by their Christmas spirit and wanted to spread some of it here in the

Atlanta area.”

The Atlanta group’s goal is to raise $1,000. Through Dec. 14, McKinley said they had raised $800.

The deadline to raise the other $200 is noon Dec. 22. That afternoon, the group will go to area stores and pay off as many Christmas layaway accounts as possible.

“One hundred percent of the donations will go toward helping families enjoy the season without worrying about money,” she said.

Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/layawaysanta2016metro_atlanta. Visit https:// www.facebook.com/layawaysantametroatlanta.

index to advertisers DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court......................6 DeKalb County Dept. Watershed Management.3 Fabric Joint, LLC.............................................. 7 First African Presbyterian Church.................... 2

Circulation Audited By

Johnson Hopewell Coleman LLC................... 7 Law Office of Trichelle Griggs Simmons......... 7 LFG/Lonuique Financial Group....................... 7 Macy’s............................................................. 8

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December 17, 2016

CrossRoadsNews

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Changing lives is no easy task.

Yet Habitat for Humanity does it every day.

Habitat for Humanity works with families in the U. S. and around the world who are in need of a decent and affordable place to call home.

Habitat helps build strength, stability, and self-reliance as well as shelter. They offer a hand up so families can stand on their own and build better lives for themselves and generations to come. And, in the process, they also strengthen communities.

Wells Fargo and our team members share the goals of Habitat. For �� years, we’ve been privileged to help Habitat across the country in the communities we live and work in by giving grants and volunteer hours, building and improving homes alongside low-income homeowners, seniors, and veterans.

Learn more about our relationship with Habitat and other non-profits at wellsfargo.com/stories.

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Wellness

December 17, 2016

“The new features make it easier for Georgia residents to be informed about potentially threatening weather.”

Low-cost family planning service at health center DeKalb residents have access to contraceptive services, supplies and information through the Family Planning Program at the Board of Health’s Clifton Springs Health Center.

Eligible clients include females ages 15-44, unemployed women, and women who have an insurance plan that does not cover family planning services or who do not have health insurance.

The program also is available to males who have not had a vasectomy and are seeking family planning services.

The low-cost and confidential services include: physical exam, including Pap test and clinical breast exam; family planning counseling and education; birth control supplies; testing for sexually transmitted diseases; HIV counseling and testing; pregnancy testing; emergency contraception (Plan B); sterilization counseling, education and referral (tubal ligation and vasectomy); and preconceptional counseling (Planning Your Pregnancy).

The cost is based on income and family size (sliding fee scale). The program accepts Medicaid.

The health center is at 3110 Clifton Springs Road, Suite D, in Decatur. For more information, visit https://dekalbhealth.net/hs/family-planning or call 404-244-2200.

Fire Rescue seeks donations of new smoke alarms For community-minded gift-giving this holiday season, residents, organizations and businesses can drop off new smoke alarms through Dec. 23 at any DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department station to help keep their neighbors safe.

The department says smoke alarms save lives and is accepting donations for Sound the Alarm! from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at any station. DCFR says donations will help the department to protect every home in the county.

For more information, contact Micah Lemon, public education specialist, at 678-406-7748.

Residents are encouraged to prepare for winter weather by replenishing necessary supplies, making a plan, and learning about the different types of winter weather.

FILE

Ready Georgia updates app for weather alerts Winter officially arrives at 5:44 a.m. on Dec. 21, bringing with it the potential for hazardous weather conditions.

As temperatures dipped in the recent cold snap, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency released a completely updated version of its award-winning Ready Georgia mobile app for Winter Weather Preparedness Week observed Dec. 5-9.

The observance is a time when Georgians are encouraged to prepare for winter weather by replenishing necessary supplies, making a plan and learning about the different types of winter weather.

The app, available for iOS and Android devices, has a new user interface as well as features designed to help residents take steps to stay safe before, during and after

emergencies.

The redesign includes enhancements to the live traffic map, a clearer map of hurricane evacuation routes, and updated information on specific threat types. New additions are alerts in which users can receive active notifications for the Georgia county of their choice; I Am Safe, which notifies emergency contacts with a single tap on the screen; a Ready Kit Checklist that helps users keep track of emergency supplies; and a dashboard to track progress on preparedness tasks and check status of weather alerts and traffic incidents.

GEMHSA Director Homer Bryson called the mobile app an even more effective preparedness tool.

“The new features make it easier than ever for Georgia residents to be informed

about potentially threatening weather, to make an emergency plan and to keep track of the emergency supplies they have on hand,” Bryson said. “I encourage everyone with a smartphone to download and use it.”

Homer Bryson The app was originally developed in 2011 in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health. Since its launch, it has been downloaded to 82,000 smartphones. The upgrade was made possible through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To download the app, visit www.ready. ga.gov/mobileapp. It is available for free from the App Store or Google Play.

Family-friendly crash course in wilderness survival Family Survival Day isn’t about surviving the family for the holidays – it’s a familyfriendly crash course in wilderness survival that takes place Dec. 23 at Panola Mountain State Park.

The seven-hour event begins at 9 a.m.

Participants must register in advance – call 770-389-7801.

Topics will include fire starting, shelter building, map reading, survival mind-set, tips on how to get rescued, and what to pack for hiking. The day consists of two threehour sessions with an hour lunch break at noon. Participants will be both indoors and outside and should dress for the weather.

Snacks and water are recommended.

For more comprehensive lessons in wilderness survival, parents and teens can take a look at the park’s monthly Wilderness Survival Course.

The park is at 2620 Highway 155 S.W. in Stockbridge. For more information, including fees, visit http://gastateparks.org/ PanolaMountain.

State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM11985-1++ Juan Deante Robinson Plaintiff Vs. Trekina Nicole Dixon Defendant To:

Legal Notices 11/26, 12/03, 12/10, 12/17

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

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM11806-6++ Edward Williams Plaintiff Vs. Cheryl Williams Defendant To:

By ORDER of the Court for service by publication dated Nov. 07, 2016, you are hereby notified that on Nov. 07, 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 name and address is: Edward Williams, 1956 Pagett Dr., Austell, GA 30166. Answer in writing within sixty

(60) days Nov. 10, 2016.

Witness the Honorable J.P. Boulee, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 10th day of Nov., 2016 12/03, 12/10, 12/17, 12/24

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

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM11575-3++ Deontray Smith Plaintiff Vs. Oneida Smith Defendant To: Oneida Smith 2235 Mt. Zion Parkway Morrow, GA 30260

By ORDER of the Court for service by publication dated Nov. 17, 2016, you are hereby notified that on Nov. 02, 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 name and address is: Deontry Smith, 1577 Linksview Chase, Stone Mountain, GA 30088. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days Nov. 17, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Clarence Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 17th day of Nov., 2016 12/03, 12/10, 12/17, 12/24

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

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM10018-3++ Sheryl E. Paige Plaintiff Vs. Bobby L. Billings

Defendant To: Bobby L. Billings 473 Sherwood Circle Stone Mountain, GA 30087

By ORDER of the Court for service by publication dated Nov. 17, 2016, you are hereby notified that on Sept. 20, 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 name and address is: Sheryl E. Paige, 1189 Eastview Rd., Conyers, GA 30017. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days Nov. 17, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 17th day of Nov., 2016 12/03, 12/10, 12/17, 12/24

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County

By ORDER of the Court for service by publication dated Nov. 18, 2016, you are hereby notified that on Nov. 15, 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 name and address is: Juan Deante Robinson, 11806 Hastings Bridge Rd., P.O. Box 730, Lovejoy, GA 30230. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days Nov. 18, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Courtney L. Johnson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 22nd day of Nov., 2016 12/10, 12/17, 12/24, 01/07

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

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM12298-3++ Noelani Reynoso-Carrasco Plaintiff Vs. Nicholas Davis

Defendant To: Nicholas Davis 2821 Zane Gray Dr. Atlanta, GA 30316

By ORDER of the Court for service by publication dated Nov. 29, 2016, you are hereby notified that on Nov. 23, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Name Change. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Noelani Reynoso-Carrasco, 3539 Robins Landing Way, Apt. 8, Decatur, GA 30032. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days Nov. 18, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 30th day of Nov., 2016 12/10, 12/17, 12/24, 01/07

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

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM12378-1++ Ashley Nicole Taylor filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on Nov. 18, 2016 to change name from: Ashley Nicole Taylor to Andrezej Nicholas Taylor. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: Nov. 17, 2016

CrossRoadsNews

December 17, 2016

Finance

7

“To combat fraud, agencies are taking every action necessary to protect taxpayer dollars and confidential information.”

Tax changes coming this filing season Individuals and businesses will encounter process changes by the Georgia Department of Revenue during the upcoming income tax filing season, including longer processing time and paper checks for firsttime filers.

Due to the continued threat of tax fraud, the DOR is taking action to protect taxpayers’ sensitive identity information and tax dollars in the state. In addition to implementing Lynne Riley a state-of-the-art fraud management system, which has blocked more than $70 million in fraudulently filed refund requests from being released in 2016, DOR will implement process changes that will go into effect beginning with the 2017 income tax filing season.

DOR Commissioner Lynne Riley said it is important for taxpayers in Georgia to be

aware of the significant changes.

“To combat tax fraud, taxing agencies are taking every action necessary to protect taxpayer dollars and confidential taxpayer information,” Riley said in a Dec. 2 statement. “The department wishes to inform individuals on the upcoming procedural changes so they may plan accordingly.”

Changes for individuals DOR will begin processing 2016 individual income tax returns on Feb. 1. It may take more than 90 days from the date of receipt by DOR to process a return and issue a refund.

All first-time Georgia income tax filers, or taxpayers who have not filed in Georgia for at least five years, will receive their refund in the form of a paper check.

The DOR also is encouraging taxpayers to take these additional steps to prepare for the 2017 tax season and assist DOR in the fight against fraud:

n Adjust federal and state income tax withholdings to realize the immediate benefit of higher paychecks throughout the year. n Register with DOR’s Georgia Tax Center to check the status of a tax return.

Once a taxpayer has registered with GTC, he or she may opt in to alerts to notify them when a return has been filed with their Social Security number.

Changes for businesses Businesses must now file employee W-2 information with DOR by Jan. 31, instead of prior years’ filing due date of Feb. 28. Employers who file late may face penalties and will slow the processing of their employees’ tax returns.

The nation’s tax season will begin Jan. 23, and the filing deadline to submit 2016 returns is April 18 rather than the traditional April 15 date.

Visit http://dor.georgia.gov.

Workplace poster scam targeting businesses Employers in Georgia are being alerted to a workplace posters enforcement scam involving purchase fees and fines.

The Georgia Department of Labor is encouraging employers to review the state’s workplace poster requirements and ensure all posters are up-to-date and displayed correctly. It also is urging all employers to be aware of unscrupulous business operators who may try to coerce them into purchasing required posters and/or pay a fine.

All workplace compliance posters re-

quired by law can be printed free of charge from GDOL’s website at dol.georgia.gov.

The workplace poster link is located under the Laws and Rules tab.

Employers do not need to purchase these posters from private vendors.

Government-issued workplace posters do not have to be laminated to satisfy an employer’s regulatory obligation. Employers should never pay for a government service that is free. GDOL has investigated reports of vendors claiming to be GDOL staff, im-

plying that employers are not in compliance with state law and urging employers to buy the posters from the vendor and/ or pay a fine. GDOL advises employers to disregard these vendors and consult with GDOL directly to determine which posters are needed.

Employers needing to get a list of required workplace posters or to report inappropriate vending of posters should call the UI Tax Administration Department at 404-232-3320.

BBB shopping tips for holiday rush Last-minute holiday shoppers should be vigilant and proactive to protect their personal information, the Metro Atlanta Better Business Bureau advises.

It offers these tips for crunch time: n Look for the lock. When shopping online or entering personal information on the web, look for the lock symbol and that the URL starts with https://. The “s” stands for secure. n Use credit cards, not cash or debit. Credit cards offer shoppers the most consumer protection as long as the user can keep credit card debt in check. n Check account statements. The sooner an unauthorized purchase is recognized, the easier it is to recover lost funds. n Ask about return policies. Stores and website policies vastly differ. n Keep receipts. Receipts should be kept in case of return/exchange needs and to check against account statements to verify that a consumer hasn’t been overcharged as well as for warranty for big-ticket items. n Check out businesses on bbb.org. If buying from an unfamiliar company or shopping from a new website, check a company’s record. n Give wisely. Ask questions about how donations will be used and verify the charity on give.org. n Know contact information. Before handing over money or personal information to a business, charity, website or individual, request formal name, phone number and physical address. n Use secure internet connections. If shopping online, checking accounts or entering personal information, a consumer is safer using a passwordprotected Wi-Fi signal or a cell signal.

To report a scam, visit www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us.

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CrossRoadsNews

8

December 17, 2016

USE YOUR MACY’S MONEY NOW: EVEN ON TOP OF COUPONS AND SALE PRICES! 12/16-12/24/16. SEE BELOW

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HOURS MAY VARY BY STORE. VISIT MACYS.COM AND CLICK ON STORES FOR LOCAL INFORMATION.

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VALID 12/16 VALID 12/16 ’TIL 2PM OR ’TIL 2PM OR 12/17/16 ’TIL 2PM 12/17/16 ’TIL 2PM Excludes ALL: cosmetics/fragrances, Deals of the Day, Doorbusters/web busters, electrics/electronics, Everyday Values (EDV), furniture/mattresses, Last Act, Macy’s Backstage, rugs, specials, Super Buys, Breville, Coach, Dyson, Fitbit, Frye, Hanky Panky, Jack Spade, Kate Spade, KitchenAid Pro Line, Le Creuset, Levi’s, Locker Room by Lids, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors Studio, Michele watches, Natori, Sam Edelman, Samsung watches, Shun, Stuart Weitzman, The North Face, Theory, Tumi, Vitamix, Wacoal, Wolford, Wüsthof, Tory Burch, UGG, littleBits, 3Doodler, Movado Bold, M

by Macy’s Marketplace, athletic clothing, shoes & accessories, designer jewelry/watches, designer sportswear, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, previous purchases, select licensed depts., services, special orders, special purchases, tech watches/jewelry/accessories, 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 $50 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.

ONE DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 12/16-12/17/2016. MERCHANDISE WILL BE ON SALE AT THESE & OTHER SALE PRICES THROUGH 1/2/2017, EXCEPT AS NOTED. YOUR MACY’S MONEY REWARD CARD may not be: redeemed for cash, used to purchase Macy’s gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your credit card account. If a purchase used to accumulate Macy’s Money is returned, your return may result in a reduction of the value of your Macy’s Money Reward Card and/or a reduction of your total refund amount. The remaining balance of your Macy’s Money Reward Card will reflect the Macy’s Money amount you qualify for after deducting the returned item(s) from your original purchase amount. For more information, go to macys.com/macysmoney N6110014E.indd 1

12/5/16 2:54 PM