CrossRoadsNews, May 26, 2018 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

YOUTH

WELLNESS

Students at Greenforest Academy and Stone Mountain have signed with colleges in Alabama and Connecticut. 6

DeKalb County’s public pools will open on Memorial Day weekend for the summer season, which runs through July 27. 7

Full-ride scholarships

Put Litter in Its Place

Pools open May 26

Let’s Do Our Part to Keep DeKalb Beautiful

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

May 26, 2018

Volume 24, Number 4

www.crossroadsnews.com

Judge to rule on Olsen’s self-defense claim in two week By Rosie Manins

DeKalb Superior Court Judge J.P. Boulee is expected to rule within the next two weeks on whether former DeKalb Police officer Robert Olsen should face trial for killing Anthony Hill, an unarmed and mentally ill U.S. Air Force veteran, more than three years Robert Olsen ago. Olsen, 56, appeared before Boulee this week for a May 21 pretrial immunity hearing, in a last-ditch effort to have the charges

against him dropped. Olsen was a seven-year DeKalb Police officer when he shot and killed Hill. He claims self-defense and said he felt threatened by Hill in the seconds leading up to his death. A DeKalb grand jury indicted him on Jan. 21, 2016, on two counts each of felony murder and violation of oath by a public officer and one count each of aggravated assault and making a false statement. He resigned from the DeKalb Police Department that same day and pleaded not guilty on June 6, 2016. After Boulee denied his September 2016 request to dismiss the charges against him on

the grounds that unauthorized people were present in the grand jury room during the prosecutor’s presentation of evidence, Olsen filed a motion in the Georgia Supreme Court in October 2016 appealing his indictment. The Supreme Court justices unanimously denied Olsen’s appeal, returning the case to DeKalb for trial. Hill, 27, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder and honorably discharged from the military after serving in Afghanistan. He was roaming around his Chamblee Anthony Hill was killed in 2015 at his Chamblee apartment complex.

Please see OLSEN, page 3

Mixed results for incumbents in primaries Margins range from razor-thin to colossal wins

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker and Rosie Manins

DeKalb voters rarely unseat a sitting judge, and on May 22 they stuck to tradition and returned incumbent DeKalb Superior Court Courtney Johnson with a large majority. In unofficial results and with 100 percent of precincts reporting, Johnson easily won re-election for a third term with 64.67 percent of the votes to challenger Genet Hopewell’s 35.14 percent. Voter turnout was 22 percent with 103,669 of DeKalb’s 471,302 active voters casting ballots in the May 22 primary and nonpartisan elections. Declaring “victory” on her campaign Facebook page on May 23, Johnson thanked her family, friends, prayer warriors, and supporters “for the prayers, words of encouragement, and well wishes.” “And a special thank you to the voters of DeKalb County for your vote of confidence. You resoundingly rejected the negativity of my opponent, and instead stood with me.” Johnson said she worked hard throughout the campaign, stayed positive, and focused on the real issues. “I am grateful beyond words,” she said. “I pledge to continue to serve you with honor and integrity, guided always by my commitment to justice and fairness. Thank you, Thank You, Thank you.” Hopewell, a veteran DeKalb attorney, had hammered Johnson during the campaign for mistreating lawyers and witnesses in her courtroom including allegedly refusing a bathroom break to an attorney in a murder case, causing her to urinate on herself. Conceding the election Tuesday night, Hopewell said she ran because she believes that people should expect fair and respectful

Viola Davis

Courtney Johnson

Hank Johnson

Larry Johnson

Tunde Akinyele

Latisha Dear-Jackson

Gregory Adams

L. Cochran-Johnson

Diijon “Twin” DaCosta

Marshall Orson

Becky Evans

Michele Henson

treatment when they go to court. “I think we ran a very good campaign,” she told about 40 supporters who gathered with her at Jessie’s Restaurant & Lounge in Decatur. “I appreciate all of the support, and I think that we made a difference. I feel good about the fight that we led.” Mereda Davis-Johnson, Hopewell’s law partner and DeKalb District 5 commissioner, said the campaign was about judicial temperament and that Hopewell highlighted issues that needed to be brought out. “I wish Judge Courtney Johnson the best

Pamela Stephenson

Karen Bennett

as she moves forward and I hope that this campaign has been an avenue of thought for her, as to what some people felt about her judicial manner,” she said. “Hopefully we can move forward with a better judicial temperament than we’ve had in the past.” In the other contested Superior Court race, Tunde Akinyele and Latisha DearJackson were the top vote-getters in the sixperson race to succeed Judge Daniel Coursey Jr., who retires at the end of the year. Dear-Jackson was the highest vote-getter in the six-person race with 37.59 percent of

Tonya Anderson

Steve Henson

the votes. Akinyele got 22.43. The runoff will be July 24. In the four-person race to unseat Super 7 District Commissioner Gregory Adams, the incumbent commissioner and Lorraine Cochran-Johnson were the top vote-getters. Adams got 44.74 percent of the votes, and Cochran-Johnson, 41.69 percent. Voters must return to the polls on July 24 to pick a winner. In the open DeKalb School Board District Please see RESULTS, page 2

CrossRoadsNews

VOTE 2018

May 26, 2018

“I am humbled, honored and blown away,”I have never run for office before so this is very heartwarming. I look forward to the runoff.”

Outcome of seven races will be decided in runoffs on July 24 By Rosie Manins

For four DeKalb candidates – LaTisha Dear-Jackson and Tunde Akinyele, and Gregory Adams and Lorraine CochranJohnson – campaigning continues to the July 24 runoffs. Their two races are among seven that ended in runoffs on May 22. Four statewide races – Democratic primary for state School Superintendent; and Republican primary races for governor, lieutenant governor, and Secretary of State; and and the Democratic primary for the 6th Congressional District, also ended in runoffs. The four local candidates were the top vote-getters in the May 22 nonpartisan and democratic primary to succeed DeKalb Superior Court Judge Daniel Coursey, and for the DeKalb Super District 7 Commission seat.

Open Superior Court seat In the six-person nonpartisan race for the Superior Court seat, Dear-Jackson got 37.59 percent of the votes, and Akinyele 22.43 percent. Dear-Jackson, an 11-year municipal court judge and civil litigator, is a DeKalb native. She said she is happy to make the runoff and to get the most primary votes “despite being outspent two to one” by Akinyele. “I am humbled, honored and blown away,” she said May 23. “I have never run

for office before so this is very heartwarming. I look forward to the runoff.” Dear-Jackson believes her 11 years of judicial experience secured her a wide base of support that she hopes to expand for the runoff. “I will continue to talk to voters wherever they are,” she said. “The court is critical and people deserve every opportunity to meet those who would serve as judge.” Akinyele, who is the chief judge of the Lithonia Municipal Court and a former 13year DeKalb prosecutor, says he will boost his numbers before July 24. “We had a lot of support in the election,” he said May 23. “It was a hard-fought, wellrun campaign, and we expect to run an even stronger campaign for the runoff.” Akinyele, who was born in Nigeria and came to the U.S. 35 years ago at age 16 to attend colleg, said he did a very effective job of getting the word out during the May 22 election. “So we just have to focus now on making sure that people understand my qualifications, experience, and what I would bring to the bench,” he said.

media executive, said she is confident she can unseat Adams, who lwas found to have violated the county government’s sexual harassment policy and is now being sued by his former district director Ashlee Wright, who produced text messages and phone calls from him inviting himself to her hotel room and asking for photos of herself in a bikini. Cochran-Johnson said DeKalb residents want to see the county move forward progressively and without controversy. “Ethical and professional values and behaviors are a must and I am running against a candidate who only 10 months into his term was already involved in sexual harassment controversy that originated in his office,” she said May 24. Cochran-Johnson says she is happy with the support she received so far from voters and thinks Adams has “failed to demonstrate a record of success in public service and promoting living standards in the district and the county.” “People everywhere are concerned when they see blight throughout our county, potholes in our roads, a decline in property values, and a rise in crime in our community,” Commission Super District 7 she said. “They want to see change. I have In the four-man race to unseat him, Ad- found the community to be both concerned ams got 44.74 percent of the votes. Cochran- and receptive to my ideas and the change that Johnson received 41.69 percent. is necessary to move DeKalb forward.” As he heads into the runoff, Adams said There is no Republican candidate in Novoters should know that his record is clear. vember so the winner will take the seat. “When it comes for fighting for DeKalb, no one will work and fight harder,” he said. Statewide runoffs Cochran-Johnson, a Lithonia resident and Ortha E. Thornton Jr. and Sid Chapman

made the Democratic runoff for state School Superintendent. On May 22, Thornton got 43.86 percent of the vote in the three-man race, and Chapman, 36.48 percent. The winner will face incumbent Richard Woods, who won his two-man Republican primary with 60.13 percent of the votes. In the five-man Republican gubernatorial primary, Casey Cagle and Brian Kemp were the top vote-getters and will meet again in the runoff. Cagle got 39 percent of the votes and Kemp 25.56 percent. The winner will take on Democratic primary winner Stacey Abrams in the Nov. 6 general election. David Shaffer and Geoff Duncan are vying for the the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. Shaffer emerged from the primary with 48.92 percent of the votes and Duncan, 26.64 percent. The winner will face Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico. Brad Raffensperger and David Belle Isle are in a runoff for the Republican nomination for Secretary of State. Raffensperger got 34.97 percent of the votes on election day, Isle 28.53 percent. The winner will take on Democrat John Barrow in November.

Congressional race remains open In the 6th Congressional District, Lucy McBath and Kevin Abel who got the highest votes on election day and will vie for the Democratic nomination in the runoff. In the four-person primary race, McBath got 36.26 percent of the vote and Abel, 30.54 percent.

Abrams makes history with nomination; other women do well, too By Rosie Manins

Former state legislator and Minority Leader Stacey Abrams made history May 22 when she became the Democratic nominee to run for governor of Georgia. Abrams, an attorney Stacey Abrams and romance novelist, is the first woman to win a gubernatorial nomination in the state. She nabbed the nomination by winning 76.43 percent of the votes in the two-woman race with Stacey Evans. On Nov. 6, Abrams will face the winner of the July 24 Republican runoff, Casey Cagle or Brian Kemp. If she wins, she will be the first black governor of Georgia, the state’s first female governor, and the first black female governor of any state in U.S. history.

Janice Laws

S. Riggs Amico

Lindy Miller

Abrams, 44, says she is writing the next chapter of Georgia history, where no one is unseen, unheard or uninspired. “I know for the journey ahead, we need every voice in our party and every independent thinker in the state,” she said during her victory speech on election night. In other statewide races, Sarah Riggs Amico won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor with 55.28 percent of the vote, and will face Republican runoff winner David Shaffer or Geoff Duncan. John Barrow took the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State with 51.51 percent

Dawn Randolph

Tricia Pridemore

of the votes. He will face the winner of the Republican runoff, Brad Raffensperger or David Belle Isle. Janice Laws took the nomination for Commissioner of Insurance with 62.84 percent of the votes and will face Republican primary winner Jim Beck, who got 59.68 percent of the votes. Laws, who hails from Jamaica, W.I., is the first African-American woman to win a statewide nomination for insurance commissioner. Incumbent state School Superintendent Richard Woods held on to the Republican nomination with 60.13 percent of the votes

in his two-man primary with John Barge. In November, he will face the winner of the Democratic runoff, Ortha E. Thornton Jr. or Sid Chapman. In the three-man race for the Democratic nomination, Thornton emerged with 43.86 percent of the votes and Chapman 36.48 percent. For Commissioner of Labor, Richard Keatley took the Democratic nomination with 51.53 percent of the votes. In November, he will face incumbent Republican Mark Butler, who was unopposed in the primary. Lindy Miller took the Democratic nomination for Public Service Commission District 3 with 65.46 percent of the votes. She will run against incumbent Chuck Eaton, who was unopposed in the Republican primary. For the Public Service Commission District 5 race, Dawn Randolph won the Democratic nomination with 78.58 percent of the vote. She will face incumbent Tricia Pridemore, who won the two-man Republican primary with 53.03 percent of the vote.

Political newcomers unseat entrenched incumbents in some races RESULTS,

from page

6 race, Diijon “Twin” DaCosta, a Redan High School graduate, took the seat with 55.29 percent of the vote over Lance Hammonds. He will be the youngest School Board member when he takes the seat in January. In the District 2 School Board race, incumbent Marshall Orson beat back a challenge from attorney Candice D. McKinley with 50.65 percent of the vote. Only 153 votes separated him and McKinley. In other races, it was a mixed bag of results for incumbents. Two entrenched incumbents – state Reps. Howard Mosby and Earnest “Coach” Williams – lost their seats to challengers. Becky Evans unseated Mosby, who is chairman of the DeKalb Delegation, from the House 83 seat he has held for 15 years. Evans, a political newcomer, won 64.61 percent of the votes.

Viola Davis, a longtime community activist and co-founder of the Unhappy Taxpayer Voter organization, unseated Williams, who has been in office for 15 years, from the House 87 seat, She won 56 percent of the votes. Incumbents holding onto their seats include District 4 Congressman Hank Johnson, who easily beat back a challenge from Juan Parks with 79.79 percent of the votes. In the Nov. 6 general election, Johnson will face Republican John Profit, who was unopposed in his primary. DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson also won easily, defeating Felton Wright with 80.3 percent of the votes. Johnson credited his win to his deep connections to the community and to residents embracing his vision for District 3. “They believe that we’re moving in the right direction in terms of improving our infrastructure, working with our youth, doing stuff for our seniors and growing economic development throughout these tough times,” he said.

“The plan now is to continue and just build on what the county is doing.” Johnson said SPLOST will bring $100 million dollars to the district to pave roads, upgrade parks, cut taxes, and add more police vehicles and fire vehicles. “I didn’t try to leave anybody out,” he told supporters at his election watch/ birthday party. “I tried to make sure that we addressed as many issues as we can. In our community, it’s about results that we can see. It’s about linking, leveraging and empowering. We want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to be blessed in our district.” In the House District 86 race, state Rep. Michele Henson won 71.07 percent of the votes to beat back a second challenge from retired school librarian and community activist Joscelyn O’Neill. In House 90, Pamela Stephenson won easily over challenger Gregory Shealey with 73.73 percent of the vote.

Ditto for Karen Bennett in House 94, who won over L. Dean Heard with 79.30 percent of the vote. In Senate District 43, Tonya Anderson triumphed over challenger Joel Thibodeaux with 84.44 percent of the votes, and in Senate 44, Gail Davenport beat back challengers Sandra Daniels and Keith Horton, winning 68.28 percent of the vote. In Senate 41, longtime incumbent Steve Henson beat back a spirited challenge from Sabrina McKenzie with a win of 50.42 percent of the votes. He got 113 votes more than McKenzie, a preacher and community activist. In the 6th Congressional District, Democrats Lucy McBath and Kevin Abel were the top vote-getters in the four-person race to take on Republican Karen Handel, who was unopposed. McBath received 36.26 of the votes and Abel, 30.54 percent. – Bryce Ethridge contributed to this report.

CrossRoadsNews

May 26, 2018

Community

“We remain committed to maintaining clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing communities throughout DeKalb.”

Residents unload 264 tons of garbage during trash amnesty Motorists line up to be weighed again after unloading their trash as they exit the Seminole Landfill during Amnesty Day on May 19.

Sharif Williams / CrossRoadsNews

When DeKalb County offered trash amnesty, residents responded by dumping 264 tons of garbage, old furniture and appliances at the Seminole Landfill in Ellenwood. The May 19 Landfill Amnesty Day, sponsored by the DeKalb Sanitation Division, was the county’s second. It kicked off the county’s Operation Spring Clean Sweep 2018 – a multidepartmental initiative focusing on litter collection, illegal dumping, and removing debris, trash and grass from streets, neighborhoods, sidewalks, roadway drains and county rights of way.

For six hours, more than 850 residents with identification verifying their DeKalb County address unloaded garbage and bulky items without fees. They saved $9,224 in disposal fees. Among the items dropped off and proSharif Williams / CrossRoadsNews cessed were 194 tons of garbage and bulky More than 850 DeKalb County residents unloaded garbage and bulky items during the six-hour items, 40 tons of yard trimmings, 30 tons event, saving $9,224 in disposal fees. of construction and demolition materials, The event was staffed by 70 county emDeKalb residents with an opportunity to and 512 tires. ployees. Tracy Hutchinson, DeKalb Sanitation dispose of unwanted items. For more information, visit www.deka“We remain committed to maintaining Division director, said that along with Code Enforcement and Police Services, the clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing com- lbsanitation.com, or contact sanitation@ dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-294-2900. Sanitation Division was delighted to provide munities throughout DeKalb,” she said.

Witnesses say naked Air Force veteran posed no threat to officer OLSEN,

from page

apartment complex naked when Olsen arrived on the scene on March 9, 2015, in response to 911 calls to get help for the veteran,

who had no history of violence. In court, Olsen’s defense team argued that his decision to shoot Hill twice in the chest within minutes of arriving on scene was reasonable in the circumstances.

Hill was running towards Olsen’s patrol car with his hands outstretched when he was shot. Olsen twice yelled at Hill to stop as he exited his patrol car. He fired the two fatal

shots when Hill was within a few feet of him. The vet died at the scene. Prosecutors say Olsen could instead have used the Taser, pepper spray or police baton he was carrying.

CrossRoadsNews

Forum

May 26, 2018

In 2015, Starbucks tried to convene a “Race Together” dialogue through its stores. America was not ready then.

Can Starbucks bridge racial divide with diversity training? A Starbucks store in Philadelphia created a firestorm of controversy when police were called and arrested Rashon Nelson (left) and Donte Robinson because they did not place an order on April 12.

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

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Staff Writer Jennifer Ffrench Parker Editorial Interns Rosie Manins Bryce Etheridge Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Multimedia Editor Sharif Williams By Phillip Jackson

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.

If Howard Shultz wasn’t the founder of Starbucks, he would have been one of the protesters boycotting with us. He said he was “embarrassed” and “ashamed” by the April 12 arrest of two black men in a Starbucks in Philadelphia. Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson were taken away by police and subsequently held for nine hours in a Philadelphia jail for the Howard Shultz crime of sitting in a Starbucks and not ordering coffee. Starbucks is widely known as a good operator and an overall good guy in American business circles with its clean stores, open meeting spaces, free wi-fi; strong community relations, and its successful business model consisting of good jobs with fair benefits. But Starbucks’ decision to fix this public relations problem with “diversity training” is not the Howard Schultz or even the Starbucks way. Rather than work with the black community toward a solution to this potentially international issue, Starbucks turned to itself and created a program for diversity training that includes closing its stores for one day and hiring the highest-priced diversity trainers money can buy. The black community wants to know, “How will we, the black community – aggrieved by this incident and aggrieved every day – be better because of your ‘diversity training’?” The only answer Starbucks could give was, after the training, “You will be better because we will be better.” Sorry! Not good enough! Numerous studies by Harvard University, MIT, Tel Aviv University and others show that diversity training doesn’t work and can produce the opposite of intended outcomes. These studies conclude that decades of cultural, racial and environmental bias and prejudice cannot be eradicated with one or 50 or 100 “diversity trainings.” In fact, such “trainings” can cause those hard-wired feelings to become more deeply entrenched thus resulting in the opposite of the sought-after effect.

“Starbucks decision to fix this public relations problem with “diversity training” is not the Howard Schultz or even the Starbucks way. Rather than work with the Black community towards a solution to this potentially international issue, Starbucks turned to itself and created a program for diversity training that includes closing its stores for one day and hiring the highest-priced diversity trainers money can buy.” Phillip Jackson, The Black Star Project

arrested. No windows were broken. No stores were firebombed. Instead, there was plenty of dialogue. Dialogue is the Starbucks way. There were reports of Starbucks’ employees offering the boycotters free coffee and standing with the protesters. Protesters held doors open for elderly customers who did not honor the boycott. One protester even offered to buy a Starbucks coffee for the sick father of a man who expressed guilt about violating the boycott, but explained that his dad could only drink one kind of coffee — only available at Starbucks. It seemed as though boycotters and boycottees had reached a human accord – The Starbucks Way. The Chicago boycott organizers are now planning community forums at more than 300 black-owned or managed coffee houses, as well as at faith-based and community-based organizations across the U.S., especially near the 12 Starbucks stores previously boycotted. These community forums will serve as “Black Economic Empowerment Forums,” where attendees will develop plans to improve the economic vitality of their communities. We wanted Starbucks to be part of this initiative. So far, they have said no. Starbucks is really one of the “good guys” in corporate America but working with the community will only make them better. It’s important to understand that even with more than 9,000 stores throughout America, Starbucks shops are really only guests in these communities.

apart racially, socially and religiously. America is now ready for Howard Schultz’s ideas. But this effort cannot be owned by Starbucks alone. Other corporations, government agencies at all levels, foundations, faith-based and civic organizations along with social institutions and others must partner with Starbucks to make America and the world better. Mr. Schultz’ leadership style has been described as transformational. He does not think like a businessperson. He thinks like a person wanting to make the world a better place. But even he -- super-rich, powerful, and wellintentioned -- needs the help of the world to achieve this transformational vision and reality. Starbucks, well established in business history, now has a chance to establish itself in human history. In the words of Mr. Schultz: “…if we think about the country today – and I’m not talking about politics – I think the country needs to become more compassionate, more empathic. And we can’t speak about the promise of America and the American Dream and leave millions of people behind. And it’s my view that – leave Washington aside and all the politics aside – businesses and business leaders need to do a lot more for the people we employ, the communities we serve, and we can make a significant difference.”

Show Your PRIDE, South DeKalb!

ShowYour YourPRIDE, PRIDE, South DeKalb! Show South DeKalb! Show Your PRIDE, h Don’t Litter South DeKalb! Meet Howard Schultz Howard Schultz, founder and executive chairman of the Starbucks Board of Directors, does understand Starbucks culture and he understands America. He knows that Starbucks’ success is tied to communities’ success. He is unafraid to try new ideas even though those ideas might fail. However, this seems not to be the Starbucks way today. In 2015, Starbucks tried to convene a “Race Together” dialogue through its stores. America was not ready then. In 2018, America is coming

Where to go from here? Schultz says that he knows the Starbucks chain “won’t bridge the racial divide on its own” and that a coffee company “can only do so much.” However, he hopes to keep pushing forward and pursue initiatives that matter to him with the “same vigor he pursues corporate profits.” The Montgomery Bus Boycott that changed America forever lasted 381 days. The Starbucks Boycott is only 33 days old. Only 348 days to go. Phillip Jackson is the founder and chairman of the Board of Directors of The Black Star Project, based in Chicago, Ill. For more information, email blackstar1000@ameritech.net

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The Chicago Boycott – Case Study In the wake of the Philadelphia Starbucks arrests, the Black Star Project organized a 12store boycott of Starbucks in Chicago. During the boycott, no anger was displayed. No one was

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May 26, 2018

CrossRoadsNews

Youth

May 26, 2018

“Being able to provide the help to two students that are college-bound from DeKalb County, I think is very important.”

McNair seniors are PALS scholars High school basketball players Kennedi Shambly and Hannah Hosley received $1,000 scholarships from DeKalb County Police Athletic League Plus during halftime at a May 15 charity basketball game at McNair High.

Bryce Etheridge / CrossRoadsNews

By Bryce Ethridge

McNair High School seniors Kennedi Shambly and Hannah Hosley are recipients of the first $1,000 scholarships from DeKalb County Police Athletic League Plus (PALS). Both students, who have grade point averages of 3.0 and above, received their checks during halftime at the May 15 charity basketball game between the police department’s DeKalb Knights and the McNair Mustangs. Kennedi will attend Tennessee State University to major in chemistry. Hannah is graduating with an associate’s degree in business management. She

will attend Albany State University to major in computer science. Khary Ricketts, a DeKalb detective and PALS member, said both scholarship recipients are excellent students. “From an academic standpoint you couldn’t pick two better,” he said. The scholarships – sponsored by Big Bear Supermarket, A.J. Flagg, and Farm Bureau Insurance – can be used for tuition, books or supplies. Ricketts said PALS is about giving back to the community, and bridging the gap between the youth and law enforcement. “Being able to provide the help to two students that are college-bound from DeKalb County, I think is very important,” he said.

sign scholarships for full rides By Bryce Ethridge

Greenforest Academy’s Cameron Chavers and Stone Mountain’s Ariel Jones and Jazmine Mitchell have signed full-ride scholarships to colleges in Connecticut and Alabama. Cameron, an Eagles standout guard who signed to play for Post University in Waterbury, Conn., ends his high school career averaging 6.8 points per game, 162 total points and 82 percent three-point field goals. B.J. Thomas, Greenforest Christian Academy coach, said Cameron is reaping the benefits of his efforts. “We know the hard work Cam put in,” Thomas said. “To be able to see him see his work come to fruition is kind of gratifying for us as a coaching staff.” Cameron plans to study sports medicine and play basketball overseas after college. “I’ve always loved the game; always wanted to go to the next level,” he said after the May 15 signing ceremony at the school. Stone Mountain High small forwards Ariel and Jazmine are headed to two-year Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalucia, Ala., to play for the Saints. Ariel, who has played basketball since middle school, is ending her high school career with Stone Mountain with a total of 106 points, 84 rebounds and 12 blocks. She plans to study sound and audio engineering.

Her mother, Sheilia Myers, was at a loss for words after the May 17 signing ceremony at the school. “It’s just a very proud moment for me,” she said. Myers said she hopes Ariel continues to see what she has always seen inside her – that there is no limit to what she can do. “I’ve been telling her for years that she can do all things through Christ,” her mom said. Jazmine leaves Stone Mountain High with a career total of 125 points, 114 rebounds and 58 turnovers. She has loved and played the game since she was 5. “I’ve just had a passion and a love for it,” she said. Jazmine plans to study biology at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College. After that, she hopes to go to a Division I school to continue her basketball career. William Tarver, who coached Jazmine in middle school and in a youth basketball program, said though she might not have always known what she wanted to do, he knew. “I think that she had aspirations to do it all along,” Tarver said. “It was nice to actually see her fulfill that dream.” Tarver said Jazmine’s signing is a “dream come true” and that he plans to help her overcome the challenges of college should they arise. “Any other support she may need, I’ll be there for her,” he said.

Redan High community collects Fine Free Summer to encourage 1,100 pairs of shoes to go to Africa lots of reading when school’s out By Bryce Ethridge

When the Redan High School community gets motivated, it can rain shoes – 1,100 pairs, that is. Between April 30 and May 18, students, teachers and staff donated the new and lightly worn shoes to the nonprofit Soul Project, which will ship them to children in Africa. When he saw the mountain of shoes on May 18, Soul Project founder Martin Kumi could only say “Oh my God.” “They have set the record,” said Kumi, who has been collecting and shipping shoes to Africa for 10 years. “They’re the first school that I’ve collected a thousand pairs of shoes.” The donations began flowing in after

Kumi met with Redan Principal Janice Boger, student support specialist Kevin Brown and retired educator Frederick Myles on April 30 to share his story. Boger immediately said yes. Myles said the school and its community couldn’t ignore such a worthy cause. “Mr. Martin challenged us to help, so we had to put forth an effort,” he said. Kumi said the donation will help toward the 20,000 pairs of shoes he hopes to collect by the end of August. He is 17,000 shy of his goal. “I want all the schools, all the churches, anybody who would want to help us,” he said. “We need all the support because there are many people out in Africa who depend on these shoes.” To organize a shoe collection drive or for more information, visit soulprojectint.org.

By Bryce Ethridge

This summer, kids who love to read can do so to their heart’s content without fear of overdue fines. DeKalb County Library is gifting kids and youth a “Fine-Free Summer” from June 1 to Aug. 31 on all materials in its children’s and teen’s collections at all 22 branches countywide. The program will eliminate fines for all books, audiobooks, music CDs and some DVDs marked RA (read-along), J (juvenile) and YA (young adult) if they are returned late. Fees will still be assessed on lost or damaged items. Library Director Alison Weissinger said the idea for the “Fine-Free Summer” came after she read the American Library Association’s study on how overdue fees may contribute to reluctance to read. “We know children lose ground in academics over the summer break,” she said. “We want to take away any barrier to children

and teens having books to read and enjoy over the summer.” Weissinger hopes “Fine-Free Summer” will help students with their academics and will produce higher reading levels among kids and youth. “The primary purpose of the library is to get books in the hands of children,” she said. “We want to provide easy access to our materials at a time when children and teens need them the most.” During “Fine-Free Summer,” normal checkout periods still apply and fees will still be assessed on lost or damaged items. Weissinger said that renewals are encouraged if readers want to have the book for a longer time. “We just ask that items are returned to the library in a timely manner, so others may enjoy them,” she said. All other library books will receive fines if overdue, and fees still apply to all items if lost or damaged. For more information, visit dekalblibrary. org.

May 26, 2018

Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

“When they become diabetic, they tend to have more problems with their sensory nerves.”

Public pools in DeKalb open Memorial Day weekend GSU professor to study black health disparities

Six county pools – Browns Mill Aquatic Facility, Exchange Splash Pad, Gresham Park, Lithonia Park, Midway Park, and Medlock Park – will also remain open on weekends through Labor Day, Sept. 3.

By Rosie Manins

DeKalb County’s public pools will open on May 26 for the summer season, which runs through July 27. Browns Mill Aquatic Facility, at 4929 Browns Mill Road in Lithonia, will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Exchange Splash Pad, at 2771 Columbia Drive in Decatur, will be open Mondays and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sundays and Tuesdays from noon to 7 p.m. Three public pools – Gresham Park, at 3113 Gresham Road in Atlanta; Lithonia Park, at 2501 Park Drive in Lithonia; and Tobie Grant Park, at 644 Parkdale Road in Scottdale – will be closed Mondays but will be open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Three other pools – Kittredge Park, at 2535 North Druid Hills Road in Atlanta;

Midway Park, at 3181 Midway Road in Decatur; and Medlock Park, at 874 Gaylemont Circle in Decatur – will all be closed Tuesdays but will open Mondays and Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. as well as on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Six of the pools – Browns Mill Aquatic Facility, Exchange Splash Pad, Gresham Park, Lithonia Park, Midway Park, and Medlock Park – will also remain open on weekends through Labor Day, Sept. 3. The DeKalb Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs offers various programs including swim lessons and water aerobics at county pools. For more information visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks or call 770-414-2113.

flotation device. n Have a cellphone, first aid kit and flotation device handy when you or your family are using a pool, as well as scissors to cut hair, clothing or a pool cover if needed. n Learn to perform CPR. n Install a fence around pools and use selfclosing or self-latching gates. n Install a lockable safety cover on pools or spas. n Install pool and gate alarms. n Don’t run around or near pools to avoid slipping on wet ground. n For infants and toddlers, an adult who knows how to swim should be in the water and within arm’s reach. Tips on pool safety: n Keep electronic devices away from water. n Always watch children when they’re in or n Don’t dive into a pool unless it’s deep near water. enough. n Teach children basic water safety tips and n Check water depth before entering. enroll them in swimming lessons. n Be careful when using pool toys, including n Keep children away from drains, pipes, and inflatable objects.

Avoid mosquito, insect bites this summer By Rosie Manins

As summer temperatures soar, Georgia residents are encouraged to protect themselves against bites and illnesses from mosquitoes and other insects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people to follow these tips for preventing bites from mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects: n Avoid outside activity in the early morning and evening when mosquitoes are most active. n If outside, cover up with clothing and insect repellent. n Use an insect repellent that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and contains one or more of the active ingredients of DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, and 2-undecanone. n Always follow the product label instructions, reapply insect repellent as directed, do not spray repellent on skin under clothing, and if using sunscreen apply that first and repellent second. n Do not use insect repellent on babies

other pool openings to avoid entrapments.

n Fit children who can’t swim with a personal

younger than 2 months old, and do not apply repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin. Spray insect repellent onto hands then apply to a child’s face. n Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children under 3 years old. n Dress children in clothing that covers arms and legs. n Cover cribs, strollers, and baby carriers with mosquito netting. n Do not use permethrin products directly on skin. n Use screens on windows and doors, and repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes and other insects outside. n Use air conditioning when available so windows and doors are not left open. n Sleep under a mosquito net if windows or doors are open, or if sleeping outdoors. n Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers. n Check inside and outside your home, business, or workplace for mosquitoes and their eggs, which are laid near water.

Georgia State University assistant professor Brett Wong has landed a $1.5 million National Institutes of Health grant to study health disparities in the black population in the United States. Brett Wong The project, which got underway in April, is focusing on how blood vessels and sensory nerves function in non-Hispanic black and white populations. Wong, who is with the university’s College of Education and Human Development, said that from a clinical application standpoint, they know that non-Hispanic blacks have higher rates of hypertension, Type II diabetes, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. “When they become diabetic, they tend to have more problems with their sensory nerves,” Wong said. “We’re trying to see the underlying physiological mechanisms responsible for the sensory nerve and blood flow responses to the heating stimulus we’re applying.” He is collaborating with assistant professor Jeff Otis, also from the College of Education and Human Development; Matt Hayat, associate professor in the School of Public Health; and Dr. Arshed Quyyumi, a cardiologist in the Emory University School of Medicine. For more information, contact Angela Turk at aturk@gsu.edu or 404-413-8114.

CrossRoadsNews

May 26, 2018

of DeKalb County State of Georgia

VS Treveilieus S. Leslie, Sr. DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO : Treveilieus S. Leslie, Sr. 4776 White Oak Path Stone Mountain, GA 30083 By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated May 02, 2018. You are hereby notified that Apr. 27, 2018, 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 Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is Christina Leslie, 2109 Summerwood Dr., Clarkston, GA 30021. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 02, 2018. Witness the Honorable Gail C. Flake, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 7th day of May, 2018

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