COMMUNITY
HOLIDAY
PEOPLE
Ridership is up and many services that had been cut in lean years are being restored – that is the message shared by CEO Keith Parker. 3
Chef Asata Reid offers recipes for Spicy Kale and other tasty sides to complement your holiday meal. 6
Morgan Steward told his parents he wants to be a police officer. On Dec. 17, Georgia Piedmont Technical College made it happen. 11
Positive signs at MARTA
Satisfying side dishes
Little law enforcer
EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER
Copyright © 2013 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
December 21, 2013
Volume 19, Number 34
www.crossroadsnews.com
Stone Mountain woman wins half of $648 million jackpot
Ira Curry of Stone Mountain selected the cash option and will take home about $120 million.
Christmas came early for Stone Mountain resident Ira Curry when her Mega Millions lottery ticket won half of the $648 million jackpot on Dec. 17. Curry purchased one of two winning tickets with numbers 8-14-17-20-39 and Mega Ball number 7. The other winning ticket was purchased in San Jose, Calif. The winner had not come forward at press time. Curry selected the cash option, which amounts to $173,819,742.50 before taxes. After a 6 percent Georgia state income tax and 25 percent federal income tax, Curry is taking home about $120 million. Curry, who told lottery officials that seven is her family’s lucky number, claimed
her prize Wednesday morning. She did not attend a Georgia Lottery press conference on Dec. 18 and has asked for privacy. Debbie Alford, Georgia Lottery CEO, said Curry hand-picked her numbers from family birthdays. She bought the ticket at Gateway Newsstand in Buckhead. Curry, 56, is an insurance company underwriter. She is married to Talmer Curry and has at least one daughter. The New York Daily News reports that she grew up in a Bronx, N.Y., public housing apartment where her two sisters, Jalunda Baker Price and Brenda Baker, still live. Her sisters said they were raised by a single mother.
Alford said Curry is in a state of disbelief. She called her good fortune “unreal.” “‘It’s like I’m still dreaming,’” she quoted her as saying. After final game sales Tuesday, the Mega Millions jackpot increased from an advertised $636 million to $648 million. It is the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. Curry was in her car on Wednesday morning when she heard a radio announcer talking about the winning numbers. When she heard the Buckhead location where she bought her ticket and number 7 Mega Ball number, she called her daughter to check Please see CURRY, page 4
Alexander remaining in DeKalb with bigger role DeKalb Police Chief Cedric Alexander, flanked by interim CEO Lee May and Commissioner Larry Johnson, will become deputy chief operating officer of Public Safety.
Police chief gets bump in pay, new position By Ken Watts
DeKalb Police Chief Cedric Alexander will remain in DeKalb for a bigger job with new authority and a bump in pay to $170,000 a year. Interim CEO Lee May announced on Dec. 17 that Alexander will be deputy chief operating officer of Public Safety, overseeing the Police Department, Fire & Rescue, the 911 emergency system, and the medical examiner’s office. Alexander, who had been aggressively recruited for several weeks by the city of Rochester, N.Y., to be its new chief, said he is happy to stay in DeKalb County. “The opportunity that’s been presented to me today is very much welcome and we’ll do everything in our power to maintain our progress and create a safe community here in DeKalb,” Alexander said at a news conference in the CEO’s office. The announcement ends a tense period in which newly elected Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren made it known that she wanted to bring back Alexander, who had impressed her and many others during his brief stint as the city’s acting chief in 2005. May said he engaged in what he called his own “aggressive conversations” with Alexander to persuade him to stay. Wit h Al ex ander ’s promotion, 23-year department veteran James Conroy moves up to the position of interim police chief at a $162,000 annual James Conroy salary. Alexander said he was swayed by the chance to build on the department’s anticrime efforts. “We all understand what the challenges
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
are,” he said. “In spite of those challenges, for the last several months we’ve seen some improvement in this community even though we have much to do related to fighting crime. Just as important, we have to show the men and women in law enforcement that they are appreciated.” Alexander was hired in April to succeed Chief William O’Brien, who retired in November 2012. He was the TSA’s security director at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport at the time. His departure from DeKalb after only eight months on the job would have added to a round of departures that plagued the county this year. Since February, the county has lost its chief operating officer of infrastructure, its director of Watershed Management, and its
public safety director and fire chief. Its CEO Burrell Ellis was indicted and removed from office in a corruption scandal. The county’s School System is on probationary accreditation, six elected School Board members have been removed from office, and its school superintendent has been replaced. Its chief operating officer, Pat Reid, and her ex-husband, Tony Pope have been convicted and sentenced to jail time, and a jail sentence is pending for former School Superintendent Crawford Lewis. To keep Alexander, May created a post similar to the county’s old public safety director position that was eliminated after reports that its former director, William “Wiz” Miller, obstructed a criminal investigation. Miller retired in February after prosecutors executed search warrants at the home and
offices of CEO Ellis. When he served on the Board of Commissioners, May called the public safety director position unnecessary and prone to political abuse. During Tuesday’s press conference, he acknowledged his earlier criticism of the position but said his concerns are offset by the benefits of keeping Alexander in DeKalb. May said Alexander will continue his community outreach efforts to get the public involved in crime prevention initiatives. He also praised Alexander’s reforms at the Police Department, which had suffered from low morale before his arrival because of pay issues and bad publicity brought by the indictment of several officers in recent years. Please see ALEXANDER, page 2
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Community
CrossRoadsNews
December 21, 2013
“He projects leadership. He develops leadership. And he’s a stabilizing voice here in DeKalb County.”
May proposes more cops, pay raises, no tax hike in 2014 budget By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
More police officers, prettier neighborhoods, pay raises for county employees, jobs and economic development are all included in DeKalb interim CEO Lee May’s proposed budget, and all without a tax increase. In his proposed $562 million budget sent to the Board of Commissioners on Dec. 13, May said the county’s total millage rate will remain at 21.21 mills. He said the budget Lee May represents a substantial investment in the county’s strategic priority areas. “With your approval, this proposed budget will help transform county government services and guide us in the direction that our citizens have requested by using our resources purposefully and emphasizing our collective goal for a high quality of life without a property tax increase,” he wrote to his former Board of Commissioners colleagues. “We will live within our means and improve the services that our citizens expect from their county government, and invest in our work force by providing the tools and
training for better customer service.” May’s recommended budget is up $1.9 Top changes proposed million from the current budget of $560.1 in 2014 budget million. Top 10 proposed cuts In 2012, the county’s budget was $556.7 Non-departmental $3.9* million. Facilities Management $2.4* May said public safety remains a top Sheriff $1.7* priority for the county. He plans to hire 160 Information Systems $1.5* police officers and 100 firefighters while Police $1.1* reducing allocations for the Police DepartFire & Rescue $1.0* ment by $1.1 million and Fire & Rescue by Board of Commissioners $501,531 $1.02 million. Economic Development $411,297 May said the police force loses officers Public Defender $82,335 faster than it can hire and the county has to Juvenile Court $298,345 get a handle on attrition rates. “Over the past four years, we hired 277 Top 10 proposed increases sworn officers but lost 400,” he said. “We have Registrar $1.9* gone from 1,046 sworn officers in 2010 to an CEO Office $447,459 estimated 892 to date. In Fire, we have funded Human Services $422,062 positions that are unfilled.” Cooperative Extension $308,472 May also recommends a promotional Clerk of Superior Court $241,292 pay increase of up to 5 percent – retroacLibrary $224,633 tive for one year – for sworn police officers District Attorney $192,060 and firefighters; tuition reimbursement of Medical Examiner $140,354 up to $5,000 with a commitment of one Planning & Development $132,495 year of service for each year that tuition is Ethics Board $107,500 reimbursed by the county; and the purchase * Millions of 100 new vehicles a year for the next three years for take-home vehicles for front-line police officers. For his Operation Fresh Start 2.0 pro- gram, announced Nov. 21, May is proposing a total of $800,000 to clean and beautify streets and public rights of way; create gateways at seven interchanges on I-20, I-285, I-85 and U.S. 78; hire seven code enforcement officers; and implement a private property maintenance program. mental in getting Alexander to stay. The countywide beautification effort “I am pleased with his vision and commitment and believe in time that efforts he includes mowing six state routes once per is spearheading will have a positive impact month; quadrupling the mowing frequency on the citizens that we respectively serve,” for 36 key county roads from three to 12 times a year; using contracted street sweephe said. Alexander began his law enforcement ers along major roadways; cleaning the curbs career in Miami-Dade County in 1977, where along key roadways; and increasing litter he spent 15 years as a police officer. Prior to patrol teams. May also proposes deploying a “Sign heading the Rochester Police Department as interim chief, he was deputy commis- Posse” to collect illegal signs from intersecsioner of the N.Y. State Division of Criminal tions and key interchanges on a daily basis Justice Services. He is also a licensed clinical and a Potholes/Patching program to extend psychologist with a doctorate from Wright the life of the county’s roadways. He also is recommending a 3 percent State University. In 2010, he was third runner-up to increase, effective July 1, for county employGeorge Turner for chief of the Atlanta Police ees who have not had a merit increase in five years and have suffered pay reductions Department.
New post oversees Public Safety ALEXANDER,
from page
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May said he has been very satisfied with Alexander’s work. “He projects leadership,” May said. “He develops leadership. And he’s a stabilizing voice here in DeKalb County.” District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson said constituents asked him to work to get Alexander to stay, and he is pleased that he will. “His innovative ideas have contributed to a greater sense of cohesiveness,” Johnson said. “The community’s desire for him to remain is a testament of his impact on the community during the time he has been here.” Super District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson said collaborative efforts were instru-
through furloughs, unpaid holidays, and increased pension and health insurance costs. In addition, May said the county is undertaking a 12- to 18-month comprehensive pay and class study to begin moving employees to a fair and competitive salary structure. On the savings side, May said the county expects to save $8 million with its Veolia Water program in the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management, which is helping to identify cost savings and improve customer service in water and wastewater operations. Next year, the county will seek to reduce garbage collection to one day a week from twice per week with a pilot program and establish an Office of Accountability, an Office of Youth Services, and an office of constituent services. It plans to set aside $118,000 for the Ethics Board to pay for outside legal services, training for board members, and other operating expenses and earmark $100,000 for Animal Services’ Kensington location. In addition to Police and Fire & Rescue, May is proposing cuts of up to $3.9 million to non-departmental, Facilities Management, sheriff, information systems, the Board of Commissioners, Economic Development, Public Defender and Juvenile Court. Proposed departmental increases are smaller with Registrar getting the biggest increase of $1.9 million because 2014 is a big election year with races for governor, an open seat in the U.S. Senate, and various local races. Burke Brennan, the county’s press secretary, said that a proposed $447,459 increase for the CEO’s office is needed to pay salaries of $116,749 each to two CEOs – one for the interim CEO and one for indicted CEO Burrell Ellis, who is still receiving his salary pending his trial on corruption charges. Brennan said that May also is streamlining department funding so that employees are being paid out of the department they work for, instead of their salaries coming out of one department while they work in another. “A lot of that was going on and he is making payments reflect accurately,” he said. The Board of Commissioners must approve a balanced budget by Feb. 28. Budget hearings will start in January.
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CrossRoadsNews
December 21, 2013
Community
“We’re taking the savings that we were able to realize and invest it back in our customers.”
MARTA restores services, cuts wait time as rideship increase By Ken Watts
For the first time in six years, ridership on MARTA is up, and 13 of the system’s 76 public restrooms are open again. This was some of the good news that MARTA CEO Keith Parker shared with 70 stakeholders on Dec. 13, which was also the first anniversary of his arrival at the transit system. Parker said that the slight uptick came in the first quarter of the 2014 fiscal year, which started July 1. “We want to build on that so we want to give people who’ve abandoned Keith Parker us a reason to come back and we want to give our existing customers a more pleasant ride,” he said. Parker was delivering his first State of MARTA speech in the transit agency’s headquarters in Buckhead. He said savings from budget cuts have yielded a $9 million surplus, which allows the system to begin restoring some of the services it cut in 2010 to save money on cleaning staff and security patrols during the height of the economic recession. On Dec. 14, MARTA workers reopened public restrooms at the Avondale, Kensington, Peachtree Center and West End rail stations, which were closed in September 2010 to help balance the fiscal 2011 operating budget of $389.64 million. With nine other restrooms – Bankhead, College Park, Doraville, Edgewood/Candler Park, Five Points, Hamilton E. Holmes, Indian Creek, Lindbergh and North Springs – that never closed, there are now 13 restrooms open. Civil rights leaders say that is not enough for a system that has 38 rail stations and carries about 227,000 train passengers daily. Nathan Knight, president of the DeKalb chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, has been pressing MARTA to reopen all its restrooms for the convenience of its patrons. He said Thursday that they won’t rest until all restrooms are open at all stations that have them. “They’re violating the federal persons with disabilities act of 1990 that says public transportation facilities have to provide proper restroom facilities along with ramps for the disabled,” Knight said. The SCLC, which had picketed MARTA over the restroom closures, called off demonstrations outside MARTA headquarters
MARTA CEO Keith Parker says more people are riding the transit system’s trains and buses, and services that had been cut to reduce expenses are being restored.
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
and transit stations over the summer while leaders negotiated with MARTA. “They told us they’d issue a plan to open all of them and that we would be part of the process,” Knight said. “That didn’t happen.” He said they were planning to resume demonstrations on Dec. 19. Despite the dispute with the SCLC, Parker said there are plenty of reasons for MARTA to be optimistic. “We’re taking the savings that we were able to realize and invest it back in our customers,” he said. “We’re not restoring all the service at once, but we are going to be selectively targeting several areas for improvements.” After cutting $132.8 million from its FY 2011 budget, MARTA cut 40 bus lines, including 11 routes in DeKalb, causing wait times to go up and ridership to go down. But Parker told stakeholders on Dec. 13 that those services also will be restored. A study is under way to determine which lines will be brought back and when. In the meantime, to win customers back after years of service cuts and higher fares, Parker is hoping to lower wait times on all rail lines and at least a dozen bus lines over
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the next several months. For example, on the 107 Glenwood bus route in DeKalb County, Saturday and Sunday service frequency will operate every 25 minutes instead of the current 30 minutes. MARTA also made changes on the 116 Redan Road/Stonecrest bus route. Because of low ridership, some morning weekday trips leaving Indian Creek station and some evening trips leaving the Mall at Stonecrest will be reduced to improve route performance. Midday service will operate every 25 minutes instead of the current 30 minutes. MARTA will add more trains between 7 and 9 p.m. weeknights to cut down on wait times. For a complete list of MARTA bus and rail changes, visit http://itsmarta.com /december-14th-markup.aspx. Parker said MARTA also is hoping to win back customers with its Ride With Respect campaign, which kicked off in November. He calls it a crackdown on any “knucklehead behavior” that disturbs other riders. During the first month of the campaign, MARTA issued 212 citations, mostly for fare evasion – slipping into the train stations without paying. Other offenses included playing loud music on the trains, and a few
smokers were suspended from buses or trains for a minimum of one week. “Almost everybody has accepted their suspension without protest,” Parker said. Early reviews from riders give it a thumbs up. Abby Hampton, who was catching the train at the Decatur station on Dec. 13, said panhandling is down. “No one’s asked me for spare change in a while,” he said with a laugh. A few steps away, Alfred Abrams acknowledged that he also has seen improvement in passenger behavior. “It’s been awhile since someone’s brought loud music,” Abrams said. “Lately, if they have it, they keep it turned down low.” Parker’s State of MARTA speech wasn’t just a progress report. He said he is hoping MARTA’s image makeover will win over business leaders in the audience who could invest in its plan to expand rail service east to the Mall at Stonecrest and north to Alpharetta. “We’re ready to go,” he said. “We’ve got three major projects along major corridors – I-20 East, Clifton Road and of course Georgia 400. And with the proper investment, we can get those projects going.”
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Forum 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. 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.
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“We could prevent even more illness by increasing use of flu vaccines among people of all ages.”
After apartheid and Jim Crow: Still not equal By the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.
As Nelson Mandela’s body is laid to rest, the leaders from across the world who came to pay tribute to him leave with shared perspectives. They see the fruits of the remarkable triumphs of Mandela and the African National Congress Nelson Mandela – the defeat of apartheid, the transition of power from the oppressive minority to the newly empowered majority, the creation of a great democracy. And they see the continued inequality that scars South Africa, the gulf between the wealthy and the impoverished, still largely reflecting a color line. We see the same in this c o u n t r y. We ce l e b r a t e , a s we should, the remarkable triumphs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Martin L. King Jr. civil rights movement: the end of apartheid in the South, the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the legal prohibition of racial discrimination in employment and education.
“So as we celebrate the remarkable triumphs of Nelson Mandela and his movement in South Africa, and of Dr. King and his movement in the U.S., we realize that much more remains to be done.” The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.
Yet we also see the gulf between rich and poor, a gulf still often tracing a color line in many of our cities and regions. These parallels are not random or accidental. The reality was one people enslaved on three continents – North America, Europe and Africa. Racism is a tool that was used to justify the brutality. Racism exploits the other economically. It creates the illusion of one group’s superiority and another’s inferiority. The attitude and the practice get rooted into institutions across the society. In South Africa, Mandela and the ANC ended apartheid laws and won the right to vote. In the U.S., King and the civil rights movement did the same. But there is also ingrained economic separation: clubs, businesses and meetings that remain closed informally, even if they were no longer legally separated. There is the discrimination of legacy: the
young inheriting less, having less access to elite schools, for their parents had been locked out. There is the discrimination of property and neighborhood: people of color left out of better neighborhoods, even after they could no longer be legally excluded. There is the discrimination in education: Poor urban schools can’t keep the best teachers nor offer the best equipment and supplies. There is discrimination in the access to capital: Minority businesses still find it more difficult to raise capital, and rapacious mortgage bankers still prey on minority homeowners. Over time, a few from across the color line excel and break into the closed clubs, but the majority still faces long odds. But the problem in South Africa, where blacks are the majority, or the U.S., where people of color are becoming the majority, is that the whole economy suffers from the vestiges of entrenched
Only 40% in U.S. got flu vaccine Despite the benefits of flu vaccination, through the end of November only 40 percent of Americans 6 months and older had reported getting a flu vaccine this season. In its Dec. 12 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said flu vaccination prevented an estimated 6.6 million flu-associated illnesses, 3.2 million medically attended illnesses, and 79,000 hospitalizations during the 2012-2013 flu season. CDC Director Tom Frieden said the number of last season’s hospitalizations reinforces what is already known about flu. “It is highly variable and can be very serious,” he said. The CDC recommends that children ages 6 months through 4 years and people 65 and older, who are among those most vulnerable to influenza, get vaccinated. Frieden said most of last season’s estimated hospitalizations were for people 65 and older. “This shows how hard a severe H3N2 sea-
son can hit this vulnerable group,” he said. While older adults were hardest hit during last flu season, Frieden said there were also 169 deaths among children reported to CDC, the highest number in a non-pandemic season since reporting began in 2004. So far this season, three flu deaths among children have been reported to CDC. “We could prevent even more illness by increasing use of flu vaccines among people of all ages,” Frieden said. Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC’s Center for Global Health, said the CDC is happy that annual flu vaccination is becoming a habit for many people, adding that there is still much room for improvement. “If you have not gotten your flu vaccine yet this season, you should get one now,” Schuchat said. Flu vaccination activity drops quickly after November. Peak weeks of flu activity have occurred in January through March in more than 90 percent of seasons in the past 20 years, with circulation as late as May.
discrimination. In South Africa, an impoverished majority limits the ability of the country to build a prosperous economy and stable society. In the U.S., the government does less than in other industrial nations to lift the poor, a legacy of the belief that these “takers” are “those people.” Even now the right attacks the Affordable Care Act, “Obamacare,” for allegedly raising costs on the middle class in order to provide health care for “those people.” In reality, most poor people in the U.S. work every day that they can. They take the early bus. They serve and prepare our food in fastfood restaurants. They staff the Walmarts where we buy our goods. And at the end of the week, they are paid so little that they are forced to use food stamps to be able to feed themselves. More poor people are white than black. They are disproportionately young and female. So as we celebrate the remarkable triumphs of Nelson Mandela and his movement in South Africa, and of King and his movement in the U.S., we realize that much more remains to be done. They freed their peoples but could not win them equality. That remains the next chapter. The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Sales benefit HOPE, pre-k programs CURRY,
from page
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her ticket. “‘I was calm because it was unbelievable,’” she told Alford. Curry told lottery officials that she hasn’t had a chance to think about future plans. Other Georgia Lottery players also won more than $2.2 million in Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing. Two $1 million tickets were sold in Columbus and Winder, and three $20,000 tickets were sold in Cave Spring, Decatur and Marietta. There were also 26 winners of $5,000 prizes. Eighteen tickets won $2,000, and there were more than 929,000 winners at other prize levels. Georgia students were also big winners in Tuesday’s drawing. The Mega Millions rollovers, which began Oct. 4, yielded about $17.3 million for the Georgia Lottery-funded HOPE scholarship and pre-k programs – about 6,075 HOPE awards and 1,651 pre-k spots.
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CrossRoadsNews
December 21, 2013
Community
The end of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits will impact 39,559 workers in Georgia.
Lewis appealing jail sentence in school scandal McNair shooting Former DeKalb School Superintendent Crawford Lewis will appeal his 12-month jail sentence for obstruction before deciding whether he will withdraw his guilty plea to a misdemeanor. Michael Brown, Lewis’ attorney, made the remark on Dec. 18 as Lewis appeared before DeKalb Superior Court Judge Cynthia Becker in a special hearing. Becker, who sentenced Lewis to 12 months in jail on Dec. 9, said she will not change the sentence she gave him when she rejected his plea deal with the DeKalb District Attorney’s Office. Lewis was led out of court in handcuffs after the corruption trial ended, but he was released four days later on a $5,000 bond. Lewis had expected to be sentenced to 12 months probation in exchange for his testimony against former school district Chief Operating Officer Pat Reid and her exhusband, architect Tony Pope, who were both convicted of racketeering and given 15- and eight-year prison sentences, respectively. Lewis was initially charged with racketeering for allegedly helping Reid and Pope manipulate construction contracts to benefit Pope’s A. Vincent Pope & Associates. He was facing up to 65 years in prison when he
suspect waives court appearance
Former Superintendent Crawford Lewis is free on bond after the corruption trial ended on Dec. 9.
struck the deal just days before the case went to trial. Becker said she had the discretion to change the sentence if she felt that Lewis did not hold up his end of the deal by testifying “truthfully.”
Lewis will ask the Georgia Court of Appeals to review Becker’s decision and then decide whether he wants to withdraw his plea and risk going on trial for the original felony charges.
Federal extended jobless benefits will end on Dec. 28 More than 39,000 long-term jobless workers in Georgia will see their federal extended unemployment benefits end on Dec. 28. The state Department of Labor said on Dec. 18 that the end of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits will impact 39,559 workers in Georgia. EUC is a federally funded benefit for long-term unemployed workers who have exhausted regular state unemployment insurance benefits. The maximum weekly benefit is $330, while the most recent
average weekly benefit is $253. Extension programs are enacted by Congress. If legislation is passed to extend the EUC program, the state Labor Department will inform affected workers by an announcement on www.employ georgia.com and its Interactive Voice Response system. GDOL resources are available to help them with their job search. Job seekers may visit any of the department’s career centers throughout the state or the Spotlight section at www.employgeorgia.com.
Michael Brandon Hill, who is accused of terrorizing staff and students at Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy with a semiautomatic gun on Aug. 20, opted not to show up for his Dec. 17 arraignment in a DeKalb Superior Court. Instead, Public Defender Claudia Saari said his court-appointMichael B. Hill ed lawyers filed a motion waiving his right to a formal arraignment. The motion said 20-year-old Hill is not competent to stand trial “due to extremely low cognitive function and mental illness.” He was scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Mark Anthony Scott to answer 13 criminal counts, including aggravated assault against a peace officer, terroristic threats, burglary and carrying a weapon within certain school areas stemming from his attack on the school. He entered the Decatur school and fired at least a half-dozen shots from an AK-47 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. There were no injuries. No new court date had been scheduled for Hill at press time Thursday. His family says Hill has been battling mental illness for years and was off his medications at the time of the incident.
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CrossRoadsNews
Holiday
December 21, 2013
You don’t have to tell the family that these new dishes are good for them too!
Tasty side dishes can perk up the traditional holiday meal
This holiday season, add variety to the traditional lineup with these vegetable-based recipes. You don’t have to tell the family that these new dishes are good for them too!
Cranberry Pomegranate Ginger Sauce 1 10-ounce package fresh cranberries 1 5-ounce package pomegranate areoles 1 cup ginger marmalade ½ cup orange juice 1 cinnamon stick
Combine ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes. Sauce will thicken as it cools.
Moroccan Carrots 1/2 pound carrots, cut diagonally into 1/4-inch-thick slices 1 small garlic clove, minced 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon sugar Pinch of cayenne 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice or to taste In a steamer set over boiling water steam the carrots, covered, for 8 minutes, or until they are just tender. In a skillet cook the garlic in the oil over moderately low heat, stirring, for 1 minute, or until it is fragrant. Add the cumin, the cinnamon, the sugar, the cayenne, and the carrots, and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute, or until the carrots are well-coated with the mixture. Stir in the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste, transfer the carrots to a bowl, and let them cool to room temperature.
Spicy Kale
Lemon-Garlic Cauliflower
2 pounds kale greens, washed, stemmed and chopped 1 quart vegetable or chicken stock 1 onion, small diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon cumin 1 tablespoon smoked paprika Pinch cayenne pepper Salt and pepper to taste
1 head cauliflower cut into florets 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste
Combine stock, spices, garlic and onions and bring to a simmer. Stir in the greens, cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until the greens are bright green and tender.
Heat oil and garlic slowly in a large pan over medium heat. Add the cauliflower and raise heat to medium-high. Saute, stirring occasionally until tender. Season with salt and pepper, and add the lemon zest. Garnish with chopped parsley.
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December 21, 2013
Wellness
“Medicaid expansion is not only the right thing to do for health care … but also the right thing to do for Georgia’s economy.”
Many eligible for Caucus urges Deal to expand Medicaid now Marketplace aid African-American state lawmakers and come and would cover 650,000 people in Sen. Gail Davenport (D-Jonesboro). Six out of 10 uninsured African-Americans may be eligible for Medicaid, CHIP or tax credits in the Health Insurance Marketplace and 95 percent might qualify for lower costs on coverage if all states expanded Medicaid, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says. A new report released Dec. 9 by HHS says that 4.2 million, or six out of 10, uninsured African-Americans who may be eligible for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace might qualify for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program or tax credits to help with the cost of premiums. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said if all states took advantage of new opportunities to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, 95 percent of uninsured African-Americans might qualify for Medicaid, CHIP or tax credits. “The health care law is working to address longstanding disparities in health care coverage and improve the health of the African-American community,” she said. The report also details uninsurance rates by state and provides several examples of what premiums might look like for black people living in major metropolitan areas. One-fifth of uninsured black citizens and permanent residents live the greater Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Detroit metropolitan areas. A 27-year-old in Atlanta with an income of $25,000 can pay as little as $105 a month for a bronze plan after applying the tax credit, while a family of four with an income of $50,000 could pay $148 a month for a bronze plan after applying the tax credit. Nationwide, about 2 million uninsured African-Americans may be eligible for coverage through Medicaid or the CHIP. States have new opportunities to expand Medicaid coverage to include Americans with family incomes at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level (generally $31,322 for a family of four in 2013). This expansion includes adults without dependent children living at home, who have not previously been eligible in most states. An additional 2.2 million eligible uninsured black adults with family incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level live in states that are not expanding Medicaid. The number of uninsured African-Americans who may be eligible for access to health coverage at a lower cost would increase from 60 percent to 95 percent if all states adopted the Medicaid expansion.
political and civic groups are urging Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to expand Medicaid so that 650,000 people who lack coverage can be insured. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and representatives from the NAACP, the Coalition of 100 Black Women, sororities, the Federation of Democratic Women, and the Rockdale County Democrats held a news conference on Dec. 18 to push for Medicaid expansion. State Sen. Vincent Fort of Atlanta, Democratic whip and a 17-year GLBC member, urged Deal to act immediately. “On behalf of Rep. Dee DawkinsHaigler [D-Lithonia], chairman of the GLBC, we implore the governor to expand Medicaid coverage as soon as possible,” Fort said. “The time for Medicaid expansion has
The Georgia Department of Public Health has a $839,700 grant to bolster its injury prevention efforts from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The funding, awarded on Oct. 1, will be used to offer technical assistance and resources to partner agencies statewide, develop community support for motor vehicle safety programs, support data linkages, and help evaluate program efforts. Public Health Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald said the funding will help prevent injuries and deaths throughout the state of Georgia. “By working together and supporting each other, we have Brenda Fitzgerald made a difference and can continue to save lives and prevent injuries,” she said in a Dec. 13 statement. Dr. J. Patrick O’Neal, director of the Division of Health Protection, said the grants are key resources for the department’s public health prevention strategies that improve highway safety throughout the state. The funding will be distributed as follows: n $399,900 to the Child Occupant Safety Project that promotes safe transportation of children throughout Georgia. The
CANDLER PHARMACY • • • • • •
Under Medicaid expansion, the federal government will cover 100 percent of the costs of expansion for the first three years, the caucus said. In 2017, the federal government will cover 95 percent of the costs for this expanded population and will phase down to 90 percent in 2020. These percentages are written into the Affordable Care Act and cannot be changed without an act of Congress. Medicaid expansion will bring in $14 billion over the course of the first five years that would go to providers, nurses and hospitals. The state would spend $714 million over the first six years, an increase of 2 percent over what it normally spends on Medicaid. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus is the largest state black caucus in the nation. For more information, visit www.galbc.org.
$839,700 grant to boost injury prevention efforts
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the state of Georgia who would otherwise be uninsured. A Harvard medical study conducted this year tells us that for every 1 million people who go without health care, 1,000 will die. That translates to 600 to 700 people dying next year if Governor Deal does not take action,” he said. “Further, the Georgia Public Policy Institute says every $1 of Medicaid expansion funds generated equals to $15 for the economy. Medicaid expansion is not only the right thing to do for health care reasons but is also the right thing to do for Georgia’s economy. This is not a partisan issue – it’s a Georgian issue.” Other legislators in attendance included Rep. Earnest “Coach” Williams (D-Avondale Estates), Rep. Dexter Sharper (D-Valdosta), Rep. Kimberly Alexander (D-Hiram), Rep. Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), and
Free Prescription Pick Up
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project provides child safety seats, training specific for health care professionals, law enforcement, emergency medical services, schools and pupil transportation staff, child care as well as local caregivers through the car seat mini grant program active in 154 counties. n $181,000 to OASIS, a Web-based query system that gives public access to statistics on deaths, hospital discharges, ER visits and motor vehicle crashes (analysis and maps) based on DPH’s departmental data warehouse. n $96,900 to the Older Driver Safety Program that works to maintain and/or enhance the mobility of older adults by developing comprehensive strategies that balance the
needs of older adults with the safety of other road users and pedestrians. n $91,100 to the Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System, a project that brings together multiple agencies to identify opportunities for crash prevention by linking and analyzing crash, vehicle and behavioral characteristics to medical and financial data. n $70,800 for support of GEMSIS, the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Information System. The GEMSIS database is the only statewide source for pre-hospital care information. The GEMSIS Upgrades grant will support the work being done to increase the completeness and accuracy of the patient care information.
8
CrossRoadsNews
Youth
December 21, 2013
“We will be a more efficient school system as a result of this achievement and students will have access to more information.”
August Wilson contest seeks high school participants All DeKalb In New York, they will vie with High school students with a finalists from Boston, Chicago, Los passion for the arts can explore the Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, Portmonologues of a famous American land and Seattle. playwright in the 8th Annual August All finalists get a hardbound anWilson Monologue Competition thology of all 10 Wilson plays. sponsored by Kenny Leon’s True ColA performance background is ors Theater and Jujamcyn Theaters. not required for participation, and The competition, which is open to there is no GPA requirement or cost students in grades 9-12, focuses on the to apply. plays of Wilson’s Century Cycle – 10 The deadline to apply is Jan. 6. plays written for each decade in the Wilson’s work, which reflects the 1900s. Each play is set in a different Contestants in the monologue competition get to work with social backdrop of American history, decade of the 20th century, and the professional acting coaches as they hone their technique. is an important part of American literature. soaring, lyrical monologues place the Competitors attend free workshops to help them to prepare song, laughter, pain and rich content of African-American life in the for the preliminary auditions. mouths of a varied ensemble of characters. Those advancing in the competition get to perform onstage Students select and perform a two- to three-minute monologue at the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta. from one of Wilson’s Century Cycle plays. To apply, visit http://tinyurl.com/AWMC2014app, www They vie for scholarships of $1,500, $750 and $500 and a free trip to the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway to participate in a .augustwilsonmonologue.com, and http://tinyurl.com/AWMC weekend devoted to Wilson, exploring Broadway and New York City, -StartOfDreams; email education@truecolorstheatre.org; or call 404-532-1901, Ext. 214. and to compete in the final round.
‘Polar Express’ at Clarkston, Salem-Panola libraries A boy embarks on a journey of self-discovery on Christmas Eve in “The Polar Express” featuring the voices of Tom Hanks, Nona Gaye and Peter Scolari.
“The Polar Express” will be screened on Dec. 21 at the Clarkston Library and on Dec. 23 at the Salem-Panola branch. The screening of the animated family adventure is part of the Heritage Festival. In the 2004 film, a boy full of doubts boards a magical train headed to the North Pole and Santa’s home on Christmas Eve. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. The film features the voices of Tom Hanks, Nona Gaye and Peter Scolari. It is rated G and runs 100 minutes. Show time is 2 p.m. on Dec. 21 at 951 N. Indian Creek Drive in Clarkston. Call 404-508-7175 for more information. On Dec. 23, show time is 1 p.m. at the Salem-Panola Library, 5137 Salem Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770-987-6900.
Furthering your education takes courage.
Tween and teen cooks can register to enter the Holiday Iron Chef Competition at the Stonecrest Library in Lithonia through Dec. 29. The competition, sponsored by the Friends of the Stonecrest Library, is for young people ages 10 to 17. It takes place Dec. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Noah Jackson
Age 18 GPC Student Gateway to College Academy
Unhappy in high school? Trying to catch up? Considering dropping out? Earn your high school diploma and college credit at the same time! For information, call 678-891-3223 or visit gpc.edu/gateway. Students must be age 16-20, in grades 10-12 and eligible to attend a DeKalb County school.
Gateway "Be Fearless" Ad.indd 1
ACADEMY
DeKalb Schools and classrooms are now 100 percent wireless. School Superintendent Michael Thurmond said on Dec. 18 that the installment of wireless technology began in early 2013 and was completed within budget for $4.5 million. He said that achieving this major milestone brings the district into the 21st century of technology and provides unprecedented access to information for students. “No longer must students take turns in a computer lab or rely solely on hard-wired technology,” Thurmond said. “With this achievement, technology-based learning becomes part of the everyday classroom experience, broadening communication and learning across classrooms and schools for all of our students, teachers and administrators.” Thurmond said that wireless access also will enhance productivity among teachers and administrators, providing flexible access to grade books, student data, and digital content and learning management systems. Administrators will be able to use mobile devices to perform classroom observations, monitor student discipline and attendance, and make opportunities for student assessment easier and more efficient. The district also has 15,000 new desktop computers and more than 2,600 active boards. District 6 board member Dr. Melvin Johnson, who chairs the Board of Education, said districtwide wireless access allows them to maximize investment in computers and smart boards. “We will be a more efficient school system as a result of this achievement, and our students will have access to more information and even greater opportunities to learn,” he said.
Young cooks can vie for Iron Chef
Be Fearless.
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schools now 100% wireless
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A SECOND CHANCE
12/2/13 2:31 PM
Young chefs can work with a team or on their own to create a snack from the pantry. Registration is required for all chefs, judges and chairman. Call or visit the branch to register. The library is at 3123 Klondike Road. For more information or to register, call 770-482-3828.
9
CrossRoadsNews
December 21, 2013
Finance
“The number of new jobs is the best October-to-November growth since 2007.”
Unemployment rate falls to 5-year low Georgia’s jobless rate dropped to 7.7 percent in November, the lowest rate in five years. The rate is down four-tenths of a percentage point from 8.1 percent in October and a full percentage point from 8.7 percent in November a year ago, the Georgia Department of Labor reported on Dec. 19. The seasonally adjusted rate in November 2013 is its lowest point since November 2008, when it was 7.6 percent. State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler attributed the decline to strong job growth and a drop in new claims for Mark Butler unemployment insurance benefits. “The number of new jobs is the best October-to-November growth since 2007 and the number of new claims is the lowest for any month since September 2007,” he said. “Both of these numbers predate the recession.” Metro Atlanta gained 59,200 jobs, up 2.5 percent, for 2,447,600 jobs in November 2013 from 2,388,400 jobs in November 2012. Statewide, the number of jobs increased by 19,500 or 0.5
percent, from 4,076,000 in October to 4,095,500 in November, the most jobs in Georgia since September 2008. Growth came mostly in trade, transportation and warehousing with 14,700 new jobs. Government added 2,000; financial services, 1,700; construction and education and health care, 1,500 each; manufacturing, 1,000; and information services, 900, along with 100 in other services. Over-the-year, Georgia gained 91,200 jobs, or 2.3 percent, since November 2012 when there were 4,004,300 jobs. The gains came in professional and business services, 27,400; leisure and hospitality, 20,500; education and health services, 18,600; trade, transportation and warehousing, 16,500; construction, 13,100; and financial services, 5,900. Government has lost 6,900 jobs in the past year. The number of new layoffs, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits, decreased to 33,781, down by 6,351, or 15.8 percent, from 40,132 in October. There were 47,351 claims in November 2012. The overall number of jobless Georgians decreased to 363,055, down by 20,322 from October, the fewest since October 2008 when there were 346,852. In November 2012, there were 420,382 unemployed residents.
Legal Notices 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
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.
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
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
12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28
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
Mobile career center to make library stops
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
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
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION
12/14, 12/21, 12/28, 01/4/14
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Minor in the Superior Court
In the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action # ++13CV10016-10++ Cleveland Alford Plaintiff
DeKalb job seekers can get a jump on finding employment in the new year with a visit to the Jobs Bus at three library sites in the coming weeks. The DeKalb Workforce Development Mobile Career and Resource Center will stop at the Covington branch on Dec. 23, the Clarkston Library on Dec. 26, and the Stonecrest Library on Dec. 30. The bus will be at all locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The mobile center includes 13 computer stations and high-speed satellite Internet connection. It provides residents with essential services, including job search assistance, resume writing, and interviewing tips. The Covington Library is at 3500 Covington Highway in Decatur. For more information, call 404-508-7180. The Clarkston Library is at 951 N. Indian Creek Drive in Clarkston. Call 404-508-7175. The Stonecrest Library is at 3123 Klondike Road in Lithonia. Call 770-482-3828. For more information, visit www.dekalblibrary.org.
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.
DeKalb County Sheriff
4415 Memorial Drive • Decatur, GA 30032
Sex Offender
Vincent L. Burkhalter 6319 Phillips Creek Drive Lithonia, GA 30058 Charge of Sexual Assault on a Minor. Convicted on 4-30-2004
Sex Offender
Deron R. Edwards 3600 Clubhouse Circle SW Decatur, GA 30032 Charge of Pimping Person Under 18 YOA. Convicted on 7-14-2012.
Sex Offender
Dwight Jordan 2996 Corral Drive Atlanta, GA 30316 Charge of Lewd Lascivious Molestation Conduct. Convicted on 10-21-1993.
Sex Offender
Mhalik A. Nelson 2050 Peachtree Industrial Court, Room 230 Chamblee, GA 30341 Charge of Child Molestation. Convicted on 3-08-2010
Sex Offender
Undra Sager 3485 Cobbs Ferry Drive Decatur, GA 30032. Charge of Sexual Battery. Convicted on 4-12-2012.
Sex Offender
Robert Singleton 5183 Scarbrough Trail West Stone Mountain, GA 30088 Charge of Sexual Assault. Convicted on 4-30-1987
Sex Offender
William Walsh 2050 Peachtree Industrial Court, Room 147 Chamblee, GA 30341 Charge of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor 2 cts. Convicted on 2-1-2013.
Sex Offender
Anthony Q. Byars 3110 Sanjun Drive Decatur, GA 30032 Charge of Rape Convicted on 5-25-1982.
Sex Offender
Keith L. Gaines 540 Old Front St., Apt 30 Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Charge of Sexual Exploitation of a Child. Convicted on 4-2-2009.
Sex Offender
Bounnorm Khermmachalo 2082 Wedgewood Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30088 Charge of Child Molestation. Convicted on 1-3-2007
Sex Offender
Tiyone E. Rodgers 1858 Sahara Drive Atlanta, GA 30316 Charge of False Imprisonment Minor. Convicted on 6-24-2009.
Sex Offender
Antoine Scott 1005 Alford Crossing Lithonia, GA 30058 Charge of Statutory Rape. Convicted on 10-20-2000
Sex Offender
Matthew A. Smith 2979 Monterey Drive Decatur, GA 30032 Charge of Attempted Sodomy 1st Degree; Attempted Rape 1st Degree. Convicted on 3-22-1994
10
CrossRoadsNews
Scene
December 21, 2013
“This year I am happy to provide a donation of toys to the Salvation Army Atlanta Peachcrest Corps.”
Watson’s holiday party supports kids Saxophonist Antonio Bennett & Neo4 and R&B/pop/soul singer Syreeta ShaNee’ will perform at DeKalb Commissioner Stan Watson’s annual Touch of Red & White Christmas Celebration on Dec. 22. The 7 p.m.-to-midnight affair takes place at the Community Achievement Center, 4522 Flat Shoals Parkway in Decatur. The event raises toys for disadvantaged children. Watson says it honors community engagement and a spirit of giving. “This year I am happy to provide a donation of toys to the Salvation Army Atlanta Peachcrest Corps,” he said. “It is my hope to have the community join me in support of the Salvation Army-Decatur and the many children that they serve in our beloved DeKalb County.” Admission is $20 and an unwrapped toy. R.S.V.P. to goteamwatson@gmail.com. Call 404-371-3681 for more information.
White House china is on display through March 2 at the Carter Center.
Presidential china exhibit Plates used for state dinners at the White House and presentation pieces given to U.S. presidents are on display at the Carter Center in Atlanta through March 2. “Diplomatic Patterns: A Sampling of White House China” shows settings that were used for some of the country’s most important events. The exhibit is based on the private collections of Mr. and Mrs. Set Momjian and former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. There are also pieces from the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and the Rutherford Hayes Presidential Center. Presidents and first ladies have used White House social events to convey national honor and extend diplomatic relationships. The Carter Center is at 441 Freedom Parkway. Visit www.jimmy carterlibrary.gov or call 404-865-7101 for more information.
MARTA employees delivering holiday cheer to 6,000 kids Families with more than 6,000 children among them will pick out holiday gifts on Dec. 20 and 21 at MARTA’s annual Holiday Shop at its Atlanta headquarters. The shop is operated by MARTA’s Charity Club with donations from the transit system’s employees. The holiday gifts include bicycles and toys. Recipients were pre-selected by United Way for the event that opens at 8 a.m. on Fri-
A sea of bikes awaits children at MARTA’s Charity Club gift giveaway on Dec. 20 1nd 21. Families were preselected fro the gifts that also includes toys.
day in the atrium of MARTA headquarters, 2424 Piedmont Road N.E. MARTA board members, General Manager/CEO Keith T. Parker, and representatives of the Amalgamated Transit Union will welcome the families. MARTA’s Charity Club has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations such as the March of Dimes and other charities across the Atlanta region.
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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.
11
CrossRoadsNews
December 21, 2013
People
Along with the official oath of office, Morgan swore to “remember to obey my mom and keep my grades up.”
5-year-old ‘officer’ gets honorary Law Enforcement degree from GPTC Five-year-old Morgan Steward’s dream of being a police officer came true this week when he was awarded an honorary degree from Georgia Piedmont Technical College and sworn in as a member of the Covington Police Department. Morgan, who has the genetic disorder spinal muscular atrophy Type II, uses a wheelchair, but he has always told his parents he wants to be a police officer. He was given a police uniform and sworn in as an honorary officer on Dec. 16. Along with the official oath of office, he swore to “remember to obey my mom and keep my grades up.” On Dec. 17, Morgan, who lives in Covington, picked up his GPTC Police Academy Graduation Certificate from Maj. Harry McCann, GPTC’s Law Enforcement Academy director, while cradled in the arms of his father, Barron.
Morgan Steward gets his honorary degree on Dec. 17 from Maj. Harry McCann, GPTC Law Enforcement Academy director, with the help of his father, Barron Steward.
He was one of 11 graduates of the Law Enforcement Academy Class of 2013. The Covington Police Department also declared Tuesday “Officer Morgan Day.” On Dec. 7, Morgan led the Covington Police in the city’s Christmas Parade. He first met Covington police officers in October at an event for the Miracle League, which gives people with mental or physical disabilities an opportunity to play baseball. A few weeks later, one of the officers came across a photo of Morgan on Facebook with a sign that read “My name is Morgan Steward. I am SMA Type 2. My wish is to be a police officer.” They decided to make his dream a reality. At the graduation, GPTC also created a video of Morgan’s photos that was presented to his family.
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CrossRoadsNews
December 21, 2013
the laSt
one
daysale before christMas
extra shopping hours!
shop 7aM saturday, dec. 21 to 2aM sunday! also shop today, dec. 20 froM 7aM to 2aM saturday hourS may vary by Store. viSit macyS.com & clicK on STORES For local inFormation.
one day sale
deals of the day
specially selected iteMs priced so low you don’t need a savings pass!
6 hours only! 7aM-1pM, fri & sat
doorbusters get here early, while they last
friDAY ’til 1pm or sAturDAY ’til 1pm; cannot be used on dooRbusteRs oR deaLs oF tHe daY ALSO excLudeS: everyday Values (edV), specials, super buys, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings, rugs, electrics/electronics, cosmetics/fragrances, athletic shoes for him, All sAlE & ClEArANCE AppArEl AND sElECt HomE itEms 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 Your purCHAsE of $25 or morE. item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that vaLid 12/20 ’tiL 1pm oR 12/21/13 ’tiL 1pm. item. This coupon has no cash value and may Limit one peR customeR. 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.
wow! $1o off
1o off!
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One day Sale priceS in effecT 12/20 & 12/21/2013. 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. N3110638F.indd 1
12/9/13 2:15 PM