the DeKalb
24, NO 27 • FREE
Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker • A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
2019 HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL
DCSD settles free speech lawsuit, to pay $45,500
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
T
he family of a suspended Chamblee
Charter High School (CCHS) student
and DeKalb County School District
(DCSD) reached an agreement in July after
a lawsuit was filed by the family last year,
following a school suspension.
The settlement includes DCSD paying
$45,500 toward the plaintiff’s legal fees.
The lawsuit named DCSD, DCSD
Superintendent R. Stephen Green and former
CCHS Principal Rebecca Braaten as defendants
and was filed Nov. 13 in the U.S. Northern
District Court of Georgia seeking to protect the
First Amendment rights of students at the school.
Keegan Brooks─a freshman student at
CCHS at the time─received one day of in-school
suspension for making and distributing stickers
critical of school administration, specifically
Braaten. Brooks was suspended for causing a
school disturbance. Brooks’ suspension was
served Oct. 9.
The sticker─which was initially displayed on
Brooks’ cell phone case─reads “Fire Braaten”
with a picture of the principal and an American
flag in the background.
According to Brooks’ disciplinary student
statement, he printed the stickers as “a joke.”
As a result of the sticker controversy, Brooks
was to be disciplined along with two other
students, according to Russell Brooks, Keegan’s
father. The other two students were given a
warning. Keegan’s punishment originated as a
possible expulsion, to a week of out-of-school
suspension and finally one day of in-school-
suspension that will permanently be on the
Visit www.TheChampionNewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2019 • VOL.
PREVIEW
A sticker made by Chamblee Charter High School freshman
Keegan Brooks. (Photo taken from complaint filed by the
Brooks family)
student’s education record.
In the filed complaint, the Brooks family
cites the First and 14th amendments to the U.S.
Comstitution was revealed in an effort to get
the district to retract disciplinary actions taken
against Keegan and to let students wear the
stickers freely at school.
The settlement includes DCSD amending
its Code of Student Conduct to be consistent
with the material and substantial disruption test
established in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent
Community School District, training school
principals and hearing officers on the material
and substantial disruption test for student speech,
pay $45,500 toward the Brooks family’s legal
fees and expunge Keegan’s discipline and
suspension records relating to the stickers.
In April, the court ruled in the Brooks
family’s favor on a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Green signed the settlement agreement July 25.
DC
See FOOTBALL PREVIEW on Page 7
“No one has more at stake in a public school
than the students who are compelled to be there
and whose lives take on much of their shape
behind the proverbial schoolhouse gate,” said
Russell. “We couldn’t be more pleased that
the court so clearly recognized that students
respectfully speaking critically of and petitioning
for change at a public school is protected
expression.”
The First Amendment protects freedom of
speech and the 14th Amendment states, “No
state shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens
of the United States.”
“The case and the settlement that followed
are overwhelmingly favorable for students’
freedom of expression in the DeKalb County
School District and set precedent for public
school students across the U.S. speaking out to
improve their schools,” said Russell.
According to the Brooks family, part of
faculty and student frustration with Braaten
was revealed in a survey administered in May
2018 by the CCHS Charter Governing Board of
CCHS teachers, which described the school’s
environment as “toxic.” Respondents claimed
there was a lack of communication between
administration and staff and accused Braaten
of “bully” tactics. Some teachers responded
saying they would be seeking new jobs. Sixty-
four percent of respondents said they were either
unsatisfied or very unsatisfied with leadership.
Since the survey results were released,
a change.org petition to remove Braaten as
principal gathered more than 2,616 signatures
prior to Braaten’s transfer to a position as a
special administrator at the DCSD county office
in December.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 2

Student's death
caused by
heart condition
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

A DeKalb County
School District student died
June 10 after collapsing
on a school track during
dance team training. The
cause of death has recently
been attributed to a heart
condition, according
to the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution.
Elyse Purefoy, 17,
died from a heart defect
not previously diagnosed,
according to the findings
from her autopsy. Purefoy’s
death was caused by
cardiac dysrhythmia, due to
anomaly of the left coronary
artery, according to Patrick
Bailey, director of the
Medical Examiner’s Office
for DeKalb County. The
Purefoy family was not
aware of the student’s
condition.
Purefoy recently made
Arabia Mountain High
School’s dance team. As she
participated in a summer
workout with the team, she
collapsed on the school’s
track. The student was
rushed to the hospital where
she later died.

Student
injured in lab
experiment
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

During DeKalb County

School District’s (DCSD)
second day of school, a
15-year-old male student
was injured Aug. 6.
The incident occurred at
Redan High School during
a lab experiment, where the
student was burned from
a flame during a school
experiment. Emergency
personnel were called
to the scene to provide
medical services to the
student, according to DCSD
officials.

SEE REDAN ON PAGE 16

EHC-2681 ENY Champion Ad.indd 1 7/18/19 9:46 AM
LOCAL
STONECREST
Stonecrest purchases eight parks from DeKalb
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Stonecrest City Council
at its July 22 meeting
unanimously approved
an intergovernmental
agreement (IGA) with
DeKalb County to transfer
the operation of eight park
properties in Stonecrest
from the county to the city.
According to the
agreement, the transfer of
the eight parks cost the
city $100 per acre. The
combined size of the parks
is 349.5 acres ($34,950).
The eight parks are Gregory
Moseley, Southeast Athletic
Complex, Fairington Park,
Salem Park, Browns Mill
Park, Chestnut Lakes,
Miners Creek, Everett
Property and Browns Mill
Aquatic Center.
Stonecrest took over
management of all the
STONE MOUNTAIN
ART Station undergoing
renovations
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
A three-phase renovation There also will be premium
project has begun at ART
Station in Stone Mountain.
ART Station officials
said the $1.1 million project the theater will redistribute
is being financed by a major the load of the second
capital campaign to renovate floor, which will remove
the art center and expand
the theater. In phase I of the theater which have created
project, which cost $300,00 obstructive viewing,” said
and has been completed, the David Thomas of ART
building got new windows
and doors, new electrical,
plumbing and HVAC. It
also got new restrooms,
according to ART Station
officials.
www.thechampionnewspaper.com
Stonecrest took over the operation of eight parks in the city’s borders from DeKalb
County, including Fairington Park.
parks except for Browns
Mill Aquatic Center, on
Aug. 1. The city will take
over maintenance of the
aquatic center on Oct. 1. The
agreement does not include
Arabia Mountain National
Park. Stonecrest Mayor
Jason Lary said the city
will engage in negotiations
with the county for Arabia
Mountain.
“We’re still pursuing
that. We just didn’t want
In phase II, which
began Aug. 5, seating will
be increased to bring the
theater’s capacity to 160.
seating added to the first
two rows of the theater.
“New engineering of
the current poles in the
Station.
Phase II of the project
will cost $450,000.
Phase III, which will cost
$120,000, will include
improvements to the
Visit us online at
to hold this (IGA) up any
further,” Lary said. “We’ve
come to the realization
that this is going to take
more time to negotiate that
particular entity because
it may involve one, two or
possibly three parties.”
The city announced
Aug. 1 that it had begun
managing renovations at
Browns Mill Recreation
Center and the center will
be closed until Aug. 12. The
ART Station in Stone Mountain is undergoing a $1.1 million renovation. Photos by
Carla Parker
technical systems in the
theater and expansion to the
dressing rooms. The stage
will be raised by 10 feet and
will have for a new lighting
grid and better lighting
positions for the stage,
according to ART Station.
A grand re-opening
for ART Station is
DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 3
center will receive a new
heating and air conditioning
unit and upgrades to two
existing units, plumbing and
sewer upgrades to correct
a backflow problem, roof
repairs and replacement of
insulation, upgrades to the
fire panel that controls the
fire suppressant system,
installation of fire safety
lights and repairs of two
nonworking water fountains.
The city also plans to
remove unsafe playground
equipment from Salem
and Gregory Mosley
parks. According to city
officials, playground
equipment at all the city’s
parks was inspected by
both an in-house certified
inspector as well as an
outside inspector with the
same federal credentials.
Mosley and Salem parks
contain equipment that has
outlasted its manufacturer’s
recommended lifespan.
scheduled for Oct. 12.
ART Station was founded
in 1986 by Thomas, who
gathered a group of artists,
government, corporate and
community leaders from
Stone Mountain to form the
ART Station Contemporary
Arts Center and Theatre
Company.
A GARDA truck spilled a large amount of
money that was collected by residents
July 9. Photo provided by Dunwoody
Police Department.
More cash
collected after
July cash spill
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
A month after an
armored truck spilled
money onto Interstate
285 July 9 in Dunwoody,
the Dunwoody Police
Department have only
retrieved approximately 3.6
percent of the spilled cash.
Several social media
videos show more than 15
vehicles stopped on the
right shoulder in the area
of I-285 west and Ashford
Dunwoody Road. Drivers
and passengers were
collecting an estimated
$175,000 that fell from a
GARDA armored truck.
Only $6,200 has been
returned.
According to the truck’s
crew, the side door came
open on the moving vehicle
and the money flew onto
the roadway. The crew
estimated $175,000, but the
exact amount of money lost
is unknown. The company
hasn’t explained why the
truck’s door came ajar.
The truck’s crew
collected $200 after the
incident occurred.
Shortly after the
incident, two individuals
turned in money in the
amounts of $2,100 and
$500. As of Aug 1, nine
individuals have returned
money, totaling $6,200.
According to Dunwoody
police, charges could be
brought to those who
collected money.
“Anyone who comes in
and turns in the money will
not be charged,” said the
Dunwoody police statement.
OPINION
History learned from a Southern funeral
Perhaps Southern funerals
and Northern funerals are similar
in nature, but I have never been
part of a Northern funeral, and
can only comment on those I have
experienced.
A Southern funeral and
visitation, particularly in a small,
close-knit town, will often bring out
a large portion of the community
to greet and extend condolences
to immediate family members of
the deceased. Family members are
expected to stand near the coffin of
their dearly departed for hours on
end as members of the community
pay their respects and share stories
about the person whose body is
lying just feet away.
In no way am I criticizing this
decades-old tradition, but only
commenting on the impacts these
short-lived conversations can have
on the ones left behind who hear
the stories and somehow are able
Foreclosures
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JOHN HEWITT
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
to retain the information even
though it was shared at a time when
emotions are elevated.
At a recent visitation for my
eldest brother, there were an
estimated 400-plus who gathered in
the local mortuary. The crowd was
so large that the adjacent parlor was
used as overflow space for floral
arrangements and those visiting
my brother’s wife, children and
grandchildren.
During the course of the three-
hour public visitation, a gentleman
approached one of my sisters and
my other brother and asked if they
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 4
were part of the Hewitt family. He
began telling them details of a story
that involved my father–a story
most of our family know little of, as
it happened more than 75 years ago.
As pieces of the puzzle began to
fall into place, I became enthralled
with the story and the idea that
had things gone differently, that
it is very likely that neither I, nor
my siblings, would have existed.
As I delved into researching this
story even further, more pieces
of the puzzle have turned up that
have begun to provide answers to
questions that many in our family
have pondered for years.
After conducting basic research
to determine the validity of the
claims the gentleman made, I
became convinced that he knew
details that our family did not. I
arranged for a meeting with the
gentleman and spent almost three
hours with him as we discussed our
family’s connection to the history of
my hometown.
As I learned more of my
family’s history, I also began doing
additional research on Ancestry.
com and have since found a wealth
of additional information about
ancestors on my father’s side and
have become somewhat obsessed
with gathering as much information
as I can to share with other family
members.
As is the case for many families
who have been in our country for
hundreds of years, there have been
substantial financial gains and
losses through the centuries that
have impacted future generations in
ways both good and bad.
Take the time to listen to the
stories of old; we never know what
we don’t know until those unknown
facts are revealed.
OPINION
“Every day there’s a new
headline and study detailing the
dire position our planet is in. The
time to act on sustainability was
yesterday. Elected officials at every
level will be judged in the future
by what they do today,” said Amir
Farokhi, Atlanta City Council
member, District 2.  properties could be greatly reduced
 
Following the leftward lead
of the San Francisco International
Airport Authority, and the college
town of Berkely, Calif., Atlanta’s
city council is considering a local
ordinance to ban all single use
plastics in or on city of Atlanta
property, which would include the
world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-
Jackson Atlanta International
Airport. A study by the city found
that since 2012 only about 5 percent
of waste generated at the airport
was being recycled, though nearly
85 percent of the waste stream
is recyclable or compostable if
properly separated.   The United Nations issued an
Through this long hot summer,
with heat waves in places such as
Chicago, New York and London;
floods dominating much of the
Midwest’s summer; great ice sheet
melts in Alaska, Greenland and
points north; it is clear, at least
to me, that our planet may be
warming. Though I wasn’t here
during the last great floods and
warming period, which ended with
most of North America covered in
ice following what was once a grand
scale real-life edition of Jurassic
Park, I’m reasonably certain that
those dinosaurs who subsequently
became the oil and carbon deposits
we are burning now did not bring
on that warming trend with dinosaur
flatulence and egregious burning of
some kind of prior fossil fuels.  incentives. It does not take a lot
However, the city of Atlanta,
and Hartsfield Airport in particular,
are not known for being cautious
or conservative in terms of energy
use or consumption. While reducing
waste streams is an admirable
FREEPRESS
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 5
Climate chains environment was made during the all carbon emissions. Everything
‘One Man’s administration of Atlanta Mayor
Shirley Franklin, vastly increasing
from irrigation in modern farming
to flatulent cows were identified
Opinion’ municipal sewer treatment capacity as carbon-creating culprits. The
and reducing raw sewerage spills U.N. is recommending that all U.S.
Bill Crane into the Chattahoochee River. Now citizens move to a more plant-based,
bill.csicrane@gmail.com electricity consumption at the fruit and vegetable diet; reducing
airport and all city government meat consumption to one roughly
4 oz. serving (one quarter-pound
goal, I would first prefer seeing
with LED lighting, motion sensors hamburger) per week. Thankfully,
our capital city simply pick up and
and day/night timers on street lights the U.N. is only empowered to
dispose of its existing trash. Almost
and all exterior lighting.  make recommendations, unlike
any trip to the airport, Atlanta
And before we ban plastic our Atlanta City Council, and they
parks or city government buildings
forks, spoons, straws and cups at can’t pass laws. Because only four
routinely includes overflowing trash
the airport, consider the millions burgers a month might just be the
cans.   
of passengers annually passing last straw or at least the last plastic
At Hartsfield, and most of the
through who will have no warning straw.
nation’s airports since 9/11, all
of these changes before their arrival,  
restaurants have moved to plastic,
as well as the many seniors citizens Bill Crane also serves as a
single-use cutlery. Banning plastic
and children with food consumption political analyst and commentator
bags, straws and plastic/Styrofoam
challenges requiring the use of for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
cups typically moves retailers and
straws, and just how meals not AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
businesses to paper bags, straws
intended to be held in one’s hands FM, as well as a columnist for The
and cups coated in paraffin which
can actually be consumed without Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
are also non-recyclable and most
utensils, or bringing back the metal Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
typically end up in landfills. 
ones, including knives. native and business owner, living
I will note Starbuck’s massive
in Scottdale. You can reach him
environment saving gesture of
environmental study this month or comment on a column at bill.
moving from plastic straws in paper
that identifies our current global csicrane@gmail.com. 
wrappers to paper straws in plastic
food supply and production system
wrapping. Hartsfield has dozens of
as causing roughly 25 percent of
recycling bins and trash compacters
(which usually don’t work)
scattered along its concourses. Yet
trash is picked up so infrequently
that these recycling bins are often
filled with other waste and refuse.   
Kroger is phasing out single-use
plastic bags, returning to paper and
placing greater emphasis on boxes
and reuseable bags; while allowing
its’s customer base several years
to make this transition. Discount
grocer Aldi’s provides no bags
and even incentives customers
to return shopping carts to one
central bin, with a quarter, and
lower prices being their customer
to gain the attention of consumers
as well as bring on more positive
behavior. Remember bottle
deposits? 
A major step benefitting our
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
Horace Holloman PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Taylor Robins We sincerely appreciate the
Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
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expressly to provide a forum for
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Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com desire to make the news only to
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LOCAL
Dunwoody officer victim
of aggravated assault
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
A routine traffic stop for
violating the Georgia hands-
free law recently resulted in
injury for Dunwoody Police
Officer Nathan Daley.
“I will bounce back 10
times stronger,” said Daley.
“I love you guys. Thank you
so much for your support
and I accept donations in
the form of sweets, cookies,
chocolate chip cookies,
cupcakes with sprinkles,
vanilla or red velvet.”
During the morning of
Aug 1, Daley and another
Dunwoody police officer
stopped 35-year-old Derric
Alexander Simpson of
Decatur near Ashford
Dunwoody Road and
Interstate 285 West for a
hands-free law violation.
Video footage of the
stop sent from Dunwoody
Police Department, shows
Simpson puting the car
into gear. Daley reacted
by reaching into the car
to stop Simpson from
fleeing. However, Simpson
accelerated with Daley
partially inside the car and
sped onto the interstate.
Simpson then struck a white
Ford van, knocking Daley
to the ground.
While partially inside
the car, Daley had told
Simpson multiple times to
stop the car, according to
Daley and the Dunwoody
Police Department.
After being pursued by
another Dunwoody officer,
Simpson was involved in
a multi-vehicle crash near
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Dunwoody Police Officer Nathan Daley
was injured after a routine traffic stop.
Photo provided by the Dunwoody Police
Department.
Roswell Road. Simpson
then fled on foot but was
taken into custody moments
later.
Daley was taken to a
local hospital, treated and
released. He is recovering at
home.
Simpson has been
charged with aggravated
assault on a police officer,
aggravated battery, fleeing
or attempting to elude a
police officer, trafficking
ecstasy, possession of
marijuana with the intent
to distribute, hit and run,
possession of a firearm by a
convicted felon, interference
with government property,
violation of the Georgia
hands-free law and
possession of a controlled
substance with the intent to
distribute.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 6
Man who killed girlfriend,
shot officer, captured
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
A man accused of
killing his girlfriend and
assaulting three DeKalb
County police officers was
apprehended after nearly
a week of evading law
enforcement. 
Otis Walker Jr., 27,
is accused of shooting and
killing his
girlfriend Aleka
Simmons on
Aug. 1 in his
Lithonia home. 
Police said
DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Commander Jefferey Leslie updates
Simmons’ death media during a press conference Aug. 9.
was the result
of a domestic
violence dispute
between her
Otis Walker Jr.
and Walker.
According to
police reports,
Walker shot Simmons
inside the home then fired
shots at police officers when
they arrived on the scene.
Officer Derek Nunn was
shot during the incident.
According to officers,
Nunn was released from the
hospital and is home on bed DeKalb County police officials held a press conference Aug. 9 at the DeKalb County
rest.  Police headquarters in Tucker to announce the manhunt for Otis Walker Jr.
Walker has been
charged with felony murder arrested at a gas station speak up if they believe a
in the death of Simmons following a tip from an loved one is in an abusive
and three counts of anonymous source. relationship, Erwin said.
aggravated assault against Walker is currently “In the past, for family
an officer. Walker was being held in the DeKalb violence, everyone views it
arrested in 2018 for battery County Jail without bond.  as a family issue and no one
and family violence. He was Simmons’ shooting wants to tell. At that point,
released on bond July 13, death is the eighth domestic you have to acknowledge
according to court records. violence related homicide the reality and that it’s
On Aug. 9, multiple in DeKalb County this year. serious and it is happening,”
DeKalb County police As of Aug. 9, DeKalb has Erwin said. 
agencies held a press 67 homicides on record for She added that some
conference to announce the 2019.  victims feel stuck in some
Aug. 8 capture of Walker.  Sergeant G.L. relationships and won’t
“I want to be clear Erwin, a member of the leave until it’s too late. 
on something. This type DeKalb County Police “It could be family
of crime is reprehensible Department special victims issues, kids or money. There
and will not be tolerated unit domestic violence are a mountain of issues as
in DeKalb County,” said division, said there are to why someone won’t leave
DeKalb County Sheriff’s several resources available [an abusive relationship,”
Office Major Jefferey to victims of domestic Erwin said. “The Women’s
Leslie. “The shooting of violence. Erwin said the Resource Center to End
a victim is wrong and the Women’s Resource Center Domestic Violence has
shooting of a police officer to End Domestic Violence everything from legal aid,
is wrong and will not be is one of the most visible family services, counseling,
tolerated. We will waste no resource centers for women safe houses. There’s a host
resources bringing you in.” in DeKalb.  of things they can do to
Leslie said Walker was Family members should help.”
SPORTS
2019 HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL
GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN
Female football player to play for Druid Hills Middle
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
A
nother young lady will be on
the gridiron this year in DeKalb
County.
Seventh grader Katie Retzlaff will
suit up for Druid Hills Middle School as
wide receiver. Retzlaff, 12, said this is
the first time she has ever played tackle
football. She played flag football when
she was 7 years old.
“I just like football,” Retzlaff said.
“It’s interesting and I just like to play.
Tackle football is more fun.”
Druid Hills Middle football coach
Tyrone Beverly said this isn’t the first
time he has coached a girl. He had a girl
play for him when he was the head coach
at Champion Middle School. She then
went on to play at Arabia Mountain High
School.
“When Katie first asked me to play, I
was apprehensive,” Beverly said. “It made
me think back when I had a girl to play
for me. She was very intense, and I said I
will give her a chance. Maybe [Retzlaff]
will be like the same girl.”
Retzlaff said she wanted to try out for
safety, but when coaches saw her pass
catching skills, they made her a wide
receiver. Beverly said she is impressive in
her route running as well.
“She runs her pass routes so
precisely,” he said. “The boys are
struggling on their routes. She’s always in
the right place at the right time.
“When we played 7-on-7 football
during the summer, other teams were
shocked,” Beverly said. “They were so
shocked that they had two [defensive
players] trying to cover her. She’s going
to make a lot of noise this year.”
DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 7
DC
PREVIEW
Katie Retzlaff is tackled after catching a pass during practice. Photos by
Carla Parker
Retzlaff said after she joined the team,
some of her teammates made fun of her,
but others treated her as if she’s one of
the guys. Beverly said he does not treat
Retzlaff any differently than the way he
treats boys.
“I’m harder on her because her
mother said that she can take it,” he
said. “I’m harder on her because I
want her to be better. I don’t want
her to take herself for granted.”
Retzlaff said she hopes more
girls will gain an interest in playing
football after seeing her play, but
right now, her goal is to win.
“I want to score a lot of
touchdowns [and] help win games,”
she said.
“I think she will be great this
season,” Beverly said.
DeKalb County middle
school football kicks off
Aug. 24. Druid Hills will face
Henderson Middle School at
Adams Stadium at 10 a.m.
Katie Retzlaff will play wide receiver for Druid
Hills Middle School this football season.
SPORTS
Arabia Mountain Rams
Head coach: Stanley Pritchett
(7th season)
Region: 5-AAAAA
2018 record: 6-4 (Playoffs)
Outlook: Last season, the
young Rams’ team produced
another winning season
and playoff appearance for
Arabia Mountain. With an
experienced defense and
solid playmakers on the
offense returning this season,
the Rams could challenge
Southwest DeKalb for the
region title. Returning players
include wide receiver Jordan
Barrow, linebacker Chandler
Martin, defensive backs Justin
Jordan and Sean Ware.
Cedar Grove Saints
Head coach: Miguel Patrick
(1st season)
Region: 5-AAA
2018 record: 9-1 (Playoffs;
State Champions)
Outlook: The Saints are
entering a new season with
a new coach but with the
same expectations. Former
defensive coordinator Miguel
Patrick is now leading the
team as it defends its Class
AAA state title. The Saints’
first four games of the
season—Hapeville Charter,
Central Phenix of Alabama,
at Valor Christian in Colorado
and at McEachern—will
2019 HIGH SCHOOL
team PREVIEWS
challenge them before they
enter their region schedule.
Cedar Grove has playmakers
returning from last season
who could help them repeat
as state champions, including
leading tackler Isaiah Ratcliff,
quarterback Austin Smith and
athlete Rashad Dubinion.
Chamblee Bulldogs
Head coach: Scott Schwarzer
(1st season)
Region: 5-AAAAA
2018 record: 0-10
Outlook: After a season full
of adversity, including its first
winless season since 1957,
the Chamblee Bulldogs are
turning the page under new
head coach Scott Schwarzer.
Schwarzer said he is excited
to lead the program, but they
have a long way to go to get
Chamblee back to its glory
days of winning. The Bulldogs’
roster includes more than
20 freshmen. The team will
lean on its veterans, including
quarterback Finn Allers,
defensive end Chris Rodgers,
wide receiver Jeremiah Brown
and running back Brayson
Seaborn.
Clarkston Angoras
Head coach: Terrence Hughey
(6th season)
Region: 5-AAAAA
2018 record: 0-10
Outlook: Clarkston has yet to
win more than one game in
coach Terrence Hughey’s six-
year tenure. The Angoras have
not had a winning season
since going 5-5 in 2012. With
several four-year starters on
the team, Clarkston hopes
to be competitive this year
in a tough region. Returning
players include wide receiver
and free safety Keith Woods
and strong safety and running
back Ekoue Kangni.
Columbia Eagles
Head coach: Brian
Montgomery (3rd season)
Region: 5-AAAAA
2018 record: 2-8
Outlook: After making
the playoffs in Brian
Montgomery’s first season
as head coach in 2017, the
Eagles took a big step back
last season, only winning
two games. Columbia will
have a challenging first half
of the season with four of
the first five games against
Stephenson, Rockledge (Fla.),
defending state champions
Chester County (S.C.) and
Stockbridge. The Eagles will
have a couple of talented
players to help them be
competitive this season,
including defensive tackle
Naizer Stackhouse (Georgia
commit), returning starting
quarterback Octavious
Griffin, who led the county
last season in passing
yards,linebacker Chris
Christie, wide receiver and
defensive back Anthony
Dennis and wide receiver
Kentavious Ivey.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 8
Cross Keys Indians
Head coach: John Bowen (1st
season back*)
Region: 5-AAAAA
2018 record: 0-10
Outlook: Cross Keys went
winless in its first year back
to a 10-game schedule last
season. Coach John Bowen,
who is back with the program
after coaching for one season
in 2015, is hoping to position
the Indians for their first
win since 2016 with a new
offense. Returning players
include quarterback Narvy
Bibiano, wide receiver and
defensive back Victor Corona,
offensive lineman Angel
Gutierrez and linebacker
Isideo Santillano.
Decatur Bulldogs
Head coach: Cody Cory (3rd
season)
Region: 6-AAAAA
2018 record: 4-6
Outlook: The Decatur Bulldogs
had another 4-6 season under
coach Cody Cory last season.
Decatur graduated several
playmakers from last season
but has other players who
are expected to step up this
season, including quarterback
James Swank, running back
Marshall Toole, wide receiver
Isaac Dimmock and linebacker
Kristopher Williams.
DC
Druid Hills Red Devils
Head coach: Rosaria Rice (2nd
season)
Region: 4-AAAA
2018 record: 2-8
Outlook: The Red Devils had a
tough season under first-year
head coach Rosaria Rice. Rice
hired seven new assistant
coaches to help this year’s
young Druid Hills team get
on the winning track to the
playoffs. Returning players
include wide receiver Graham
Connell, and offensive
lineman Nigus Ejigu and Miles
Norris-Nobles.
Dunwoody Wildcats
Head coach: Michael Nash
(5th season)
Region: 7-AAAAAA
2018 record: 2-8
Outlook: Dunwoody is
still searching for its first
winning season under fifth-
year coach Michael Nash.
The Wildcats were young
offensively last season, which
means the offense should
perform better with more
experienced players in the
upcoming season. Junior
quarterback Davis Ledoyen
will lead the offense again
this season. Other returning
starters include leading team
rusher Robby Hardin, leading
receiver Jack Hogan and
linebacker Isaac Anderson.
SPORTS
Lakeside Vikings
Head coach: Morris Starr (1st
season)
Region: 7-AAAAAAA
2018 record: 1-9
Outlook: It has been 15 years
since Lakeside has had a
winning season, and new head
coach Morris Starr hopes to
break that record this season.
Starr said he is excited to
coach the players he has and
hopes to add more to fill out
the roster. Returning players
include linebacker Thomas
Steele, wide receiver and
kicker Matthew Franklin,
offensive lineman Jake Moore
and defensive back Micha
Carrier.
Lithonia Bulldogs
Head coach: Marcus Jelks (1st
season back*)
Region: 5-AAAAA
2018 record: 6-4 (Playoffs)
Outlook: Marcus Jelks is back
leading the Lithonia Bulldogs
after a two-year absence. Jelks
was Lithonia’s head coach
from 2010 to 2016 with a 34-
38 record. He will be coaching
a young team this season
but expects them to play
well. The Bulldogs will have
key playmakers returning in
linebacker Asmar Hassan, who
led the team in tackles last
season, and offensive linemen
Broderick Jones (Georgia-
commit and No. player in the
state) and Kelvin Usher.
Marist War Eagles
Head coach: Alan Chadwick
(35th season)
Region: 7-AAAA
2018 record: 8-2 (Playoffs)
Outlook: Marist had a good
run last season with a trip
to the Class AAAA semifinals
and could make another
playoff run this season. What
could hold them back is
inexperience at offensive and
defensive lines. Coach Alan
Chadwick said if the young
linemen step up and play well
together, Marist could have a
successful season. Returning
players include starting
quarterback Connor Cigelske,
running back Brett Zoeller,
defensive lineman Anthony
Branch and cornerbacks and
wide receivers Mitch Owen
and Matthew Houghton.
M.L. King Lions
Head coach: Deante Lamar
(3rd season)
Region: 4-AAAAAA
2018 record: 1-9
Outlook: The Lions had their
fifth consecutive losing season
last year in coach Deante
Lamar’s second year. With
several three-year starters
on this year’s team, Lamar
hopes this is the season things
turn around for M.L. King.
Returning players include
starting quarterback Jacobi
Haynes, defensive back and
wide receiver Jeremy Cain and
defensive lineman Keion Cush.
McNair Mustangs
Head coach: Johnny Burdette
(1st season)
Region: 6-AA
2018 record: 3-7
Outlook: McNair hired Johnny
Burdette mid-July. The new
coach got a late start with his
new team but has put in extra
time to get to know his players
before the season kicks off.
Burdette is an alum of McNair
and said the team will try
to bring the old “Mustang
pride” back. Returning players
include defensive back and
wide receiver William Harris,
offensive and defensive
lineman Zacon Boxley,
offensive lineman Javin
Brown and wide receiver
and defensive back Kayvonta
Harris.
Miller Grove Wolverines
Head coach: Lee Hannah (2nd
season)
Region: 5-AAAAA
2018 record: 3-7 (Playoffs)
Outlook: The Wolverines had
their third consecutive playoff
appearance in program history
last season, despite a losing
record. Miller Grove is still
searching for its first playoff
victory. Returning starters
include cornerback Keyshawn
Streeter, offensive lineman
John Marsh, wide receiver and
safety Joshua Sheppard and
defensive end Jean Cherelus.
Redan Raiders
Head coach: Rahman Sparks
(1st season)
Region: 5-AAA
2018 record: 1-9
Outlook: Redan is entering the
2018 season with its second
coach in two years. Rahman
Sparks said he is excited to
take over the program and
hopes to lead the Raiders
to its first winning season
since 2010. Returning players
include running back Jaquez
Williams and wide receiver
and cornerback Jacques
Williams.
St. Pius Golden Lions
Head coach: Paul Standard
(19th season)
Region: 8-AAAA
Outlook: Last season, St.
Pius won its region title and
clinched another trip to the
Class AAAA playoffs. Coach
Paul Standard said the
team’s expectations have not
changed this season. “We
always want to try to win the
region championship and then
move on into the playoffs
and make a run for a state
championship for St. Pius,”
he said. The Golden Lions will
lean on their senior leaders—
including quarterback Nick
Joiner, offensive tackle Joseph
Miller, defensive end Lawson
Schiltz and tackle Marc
Weick—to achieve their goals.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 9
Southwest DeKalb Panthers
Head coach: Damien Wimes
(3rd season)
Region: 5-AAAAA
2018 record: 10-0 (Playoffs)
Outlook: Southwest DeKalb
had its first undefeated
season since 1999 but had
a disappointing loss in the
first round of playoffs. Coach
Damien Wimes put part of the
blame on the lack of discipline
in the playoff game and said
his team focused on finishing
the drill this offseason. “I
think we have a pretty good
team coming back.” Returning
starters include quarterback
Rion White, wide receiver
and cornerback Tommy
Wright, defensive end John
Grant and wide receiver Aquil
Muhammad.
Stephenson Jaguars
Head coach: Ron Gartrell
(24th season)
Region: 4-AAAAAA
2018 record: 9-1 (Playoffs)
Outlook: With a young
team, the Jaguars had a
surprisingly good season last
year—winning the region
championship and their
23rd consecutive winning
season. Coach Ron Gartrell
said they’re going for another
region championship and
believes they can do so with
the players they have this
season. The players include
running backs Deondre
Jackson (Texas A&M commit),
Ryan Ingram and Andre
Sanchez, defensive end Janirr
Wade and linebacker Viczaril
Aloewede.
Stone Mountain Pirates
Head coach: James Lal (1st
season)
Region: 5-AAA
2018 record: 2-8
Outlook: The Pirates are
starting over with their fourth
head coach in six seasons.
Stone Mountain will have a
young but experienced team.
New head coach James Lal
said experience will turn the
program around this season.
Returning starters include
quarterback Shaheim Bailey,
wide receivers Nah’shawn
Hezekiah and Trevis Cain and
safety Tavion Mitchel.
Towers Titans
Head coach: Vonnell Carter
(2nd season)
Region: 5-AAA
2018 record: 0-10
Outlook: With his first full
offseason with Towers under
his belt, coach Vonnell
Carter said he could see
a transformation in his
Titans program and hopes
it translates to the field this
season. The Titans hope
to earn a “W” this season
after going winless in 2018.
Returning players include
offensive and defensive
lineman David Roberts,
running back Khalil White and
wide receiver and free safety
Jevon Freeman.
Tucker Tigers
Head coach: Bryan Lamar (8th
season)
Region: 4-AAAAAA
2018 record: 7-3 (Playoffs)
Outlook: Tucker didn’t live up
to expectations last season—
losing its first two games to
powerhouses Buford and
Grayson with a combined
score of 88-21, losing the
region title to Stephenson
and a first-round playoff
exit. The Tigers graduated a
large senior class last May
and will have a junior heavy
team this season. They will
have senior playmakers
returning in wide receiver
Isaiah Dunson (Florida State
commit), defensive tackle
Scottie Johnson, defensive
back Kahleje Tillman and
linebacker Aaron Key.
SPORTS
COACHES PREVIEW
Eight teams to start
season with new coach
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
A few fresh faces and some
returning faces will coach their first about the school, the community
games with new football programs
when the season officially kicks off
Aug. 23.
Eight DeKalb County high
school football teams have new head two seasons, including a playoff
coaches for the 2019 season. John
Bowen and Marcus Jelks returned
to Cross Keys and Lithonia,
respectively, after a few years away was hard to deal with.
from those programs. Defending
Class AAA state champions Cedar
Grove hired former defensive
coordinator Miguel Patrick to
lead its program, Chamblee hired
Scott Schwarzer out of Gwinnett
County, Lakeside hired former
Henry County High School coach
Morris Starr, McNair hired alum
Johnny Burdette, Redan hired
former Redan Middle School
coach Rahman Sparks and Stone
Mountain hired James Lal, former
head coach of Georgia Doom, a
professional indoor football team.
Bowen is back at Cross Keys
after coaching the last three
seasons at Montgomery County,
where he compiled a 18-15 record.
Montgomery County was 0-10
the season prior to Bowen taking
over. He coached Cross Keys for
one season in 2015 when the team
went 0-5. Cross Keys went 0-10
last season after going back to a
10-game schedule and hopes the
23-year coaching veteran can turn
the program around as he has with
similar programs.
Jelks, athletics director at
Lithonia, is back leading the football anywhere.
program after a two-year absence.
Jelks coached from 2010 to 2016
and compiled a 34-38 record. He
said it’s awesome to be back.
“Feels like I’ve never should’ve that while I’m here, I’m going to
been out the seat, but it feels great do everything I can to do things the
[to be back],” he said.
Jelks didn’t give much insight
on why he was removed as coach
after the 2016 season. He said the
school’s current administration has
been supportive of him and what
he’s trying to do with the program.
“It seems now that we have a
new principal [where] athletics are
close to first,” Jelks said. “He cares
and he asked me to come back and
do some good things for us.”
David Edwards replaced
Jelks in 2017 and went 9-11 in
appearance last season. Jelks said
losing his job and watching the team
from the stands the last two seasons
“It was tough, but I got a chance
to sit back and watch and learn more
than I knew before,” he said. “It’s
going to be fun this year.”
Schwarzer was hired by
Chamblee after spending the last
four seasons as an assistant coach
at Duluth High School in Gwinnett
County. He has coached for 22 years
with stops in North Carolina and
South Georgia.
“Chamblee is a great school,”
Schwarzer said. “Academically,
it’s phenomenal, and we have great
kids. It’s exciting to me because of
where they ended last year there is
no where to go but up. Obviously,
we have a long way to go but it’s
been fun so far with this group of
guys that we got.”
Last season, Chamblee had its
first winless season since 1957 and
former coach Curtis Mattair was
placed on paid administrative leave
for four days early in the season
following controversy surrounding a
team T-shirt.
To build trust with his new
team, Schwarzer said he had to
convince players that he’s not going
“I told them that I can’t promise
them that this is going to be a
lifelong commitment because things
happen in life, but I promised them
right way,” Schwarzer said. “We
changed some of the ways that
we do things and try to make it a
more positive experience. So far, so
good.”
DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 10
John Bowen
Sparks, who has been coaching
since 2004, said he is happy to be Johnny Burdette
the new head coach at Redan High
School. The former Redan Middle
School football coach is coaching
some of the same players he
coached on the middle school level.
“It hasn’t been a huge transition
because I’m familiar with a lot of
the kids and their families at Redan
High School,” he said. “It’s been a
pretty smooth transition. I’m blessed Marcus Jelks
to be in this position.”
Redan hasn’t had a winning
season since 2010. To change the
direction of the program, Sparks
said he developed core values
for the program—preparation,
resilience, effort and passion.
“I just think with core values it’s
something that the kids can live by James Jal
because the talent is already there,”
he said. “We just have to have those
values to guide their behavior and
that’s my way of getting them back
to some stability, aim and focus.”
Starr is entering his ninth year
as a head coach. He spent the last
six seasons as head coach at Henry
County, now McDonough High
Miguel Patrick
School, where he complied a 18-44
record. He coached for two seasons
(2006-2007) at Tri-Cities High
School in Fulton County where he
has a 5-15 record.
Patrick, who has spent
12 seasons at Cedar Grove as
linebacker coach and defensive
coordinator, is now the head man
in charge for the first time in his Scott Schwarzer
career. Burdette, a 1991 graduate
of McNair High School, is also a
head coach for the first time, and at
his alma mater. He was previously
assistant head coach and offensive
coordinator at Discovery High
School in Gwinnett County.
Lal is also a high school head
coach for the first time in his career. Rahman Sparks
Prior to his one season as coach of
Georgia Doom, he was reportedly
an assistant at Morrow, Dutchtown
and Ola high schools in Clayton
and Henry counties, and an assistant
coach in Florida.
Morris Starr
SPORTS
Players to watch this season
Isaiah Dunson
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Class AAAAAA
— Stephenson senior RB Deondre
Jackson (Texas A&M commit): Jackson
played in two games last season
before he had a season-ending injury.
However, in those two games he
rushed for 377 yards (188.5 average
yards per game) on 39 attempts and
scored five touchdowns. If he remains
injury-free, he is expected to have a
big year.
— Stephenson senior DB Javier
Morton (Alabama commit): Last
season, Morton had 63 total tackles,
two interceptions, two forced fumbles
and two pass break-ups.
— Stephenson junior ATH Kamar
Wilcoxson (Florida commit):
Wilcoxson contributed on both
sides of the ball for the Jaguars last
season. He rushed for 224 yards on 26
attempts and scored two touchdowns.
On defense, the defensive back had 24
tackles and two interceptions.
— Stephenson senior DE Janirr Wade:
Wade had 58 tackles last season,
including 10 tackles for a loss. He also
Can’t-miss games of the season
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Every season, DeKalb County
football provides games that high
school football fans shouldn’t miss.
The majority of these games
are rivalry matchups, while one is
between two of the top teams in the
state. In my opinion, there are six
matchups this season that fans should
try to attend.
-Southwest DeKalb Panthers vs.
Stephenson Jaguars (Aug. 30; 8
p.m.; Hallford Stadium): The rivalry
between Southwest DeKalb and
Stephenson is one of the biggest in
the county. The series began in 1998,
which Southwest DeKalb won 29-19.
The teams have played 14 more times
and Stephenson leads the series 9-6.
The Jaguars had won seven straight
games over Southwest before the
Panthers broke the streak last season
Deondre Jackson
had seven quarterback hits, three
sacks and two pass break-ups.
— Tucker senior ATH Isaiah Dunson
(Florida State commit): Dunson led
the Tigers last season in receptions
with 19 catches for 332 yards and two
touchdowns. On defense, he had 35
tackles and one interception at the
cornerback position.
— Tucker senior LB Aaron Key: Last
season, Key had six tackles for a loss,
tied for the most on Tucker’s defense.
He also had 44 tackles, three forced
fumbles and two sacks.
Class AAAAA
— Arabia Mountain senior LB
Chandler Martin: Martin had the
second most tackles on the team last
season with 84. He also had six tackles
for a loss, three forced fumbles and
one fumble recovery.
— Lithonia senior OT Broderick Jones
(Georgia commit): Jones is the No.
2-ranked offensive tackle recruit in
the nation and top-3 overall recruit
in the state. Last season, he helped
lead Lithonia’s offense to become the
fourth best in DeKalb County with
329.0 average yards per game.
— Columbia senior QB Octavious
with a 21-14 overtime win. The battle
between the teams, and the bands, is
expected be another good one.
-Chamblee Bulldogs vs. Dunwoody
Wildcats (Sept. 6; 7:30 p.m.; North
DeKalb Stadium): The Battle of the
Golden Spike is one of the more
intense battles in DeKalb. The rivalry
between the Bulldogs and Wildcats
began in 1974, but the two schools
have only faced each other 21 times
in 44 years. Dunwoody leads the
series 12-9 and has won the last five
matchups. No matter how talented
the two teams are, this game will still
be intense and entertaining, and a
game that fans should witness.
-Cedar Grove Saints vs. McEachern
Indians (Sept. 13; 7:30 p.m.; Walter
Cantrell Stadium at McEachern):
These two teams played each other
for the first time last season and
McEachern got the best of Cedar
Grove, beating them 24-17. The
teams, which are regarded as two
DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 11
Broderick Jones
Griffin: Last season, Griffin led the
county in passing yards with 1,722. He
was 101-of-187 on pass completions
and had 10 touchdowns. He also
rushed for 229 yards and scored two
rushing touchdowns.
— Columbia senior DT Nazir
Stackhouse (Georgia commit):
Stackhouse had 27 tackles last season,
including 11 tackles for a loss. He also
had three sacks.
— Decatur junior punter Kriston
Esnard: Esnard was named to the
Class AAAAA Preseason All-State
team. Last season, his longest field
goal was 44 yards and longest punt
was 54 yards.
Class AAAA
— St. Pius X senior OL Joseph Miller:
Miller played a major role in St. Pius’
rushing attack last season, and he was
named to all-region 8-AAAA second
team.
— Druid Hills junior OL Miles Norris-
Nobles: Norris-Nobles received
all-county honors last season and
preseason all-state honors this season.
Class AAA
— Cedar Grove senior wide receiver
of the best football programs in
the state, will face each other again
this year at McEachern. Not only
will DeKalb football fans see a good
matchup, but they will also see an
old face. Former Tucker High School
football coach Franklin Stephens,
who led the program to two state
championships, is now head coach at
McEachern.
-Marist War Eagles vs. St. Pius X
Golden Lions (Sept. 20; 7:30 p.m.; St.
Pius X): The historic rivalry between
Marist and St. Pius X is one of the
oldest in the state. The two teams
have met 55 times, beginning in 1962;
Marist leads the series 34-18. The
War Eagles won four of the last five
matchups. Both teams have talent this
season, so either team has a chance
to win this game.
-Arabia Mountain Rams vs.
Southwest DeKalb Panthers (Nov.
2; 7:30 p.m. Hallford Stadium): The
matchup between the Panthers
Isaiah Ratcliff
Nae’Saan Dickerson: Dickerson,
who transferred to Cedar Grove
from Langston Hughes High School,
is expected to be one of the top
receivers in Class AAA. He had 23
receptions last season for 280 yards
and one touchdown.
— Cedar Grove senior defensive end
Alvin Williams (Colorado commit):
Williams finished last season with 67
tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, five
sacks, two forced fumbles and one
recovery.
— Cedar Grove senior linebacker
Isaiah Ratcliff: Last season, Ratcliff led
Cedar Grove’s defense in tackles with
106. He also had six tackles for a loss,
two sacks and one interception.
— Cedar Grove senior cornerback Tee
Denson (Pittsburgh commit): Denson
had 44 tackles last season, along with
3.5 tackles for a loss, one interception
and one forced fumble.
— Cedar Grove running back Langston
White: The transfer from Community
Christian High School is expected to
be a contributor to the Saints’ rushing
attack. Last season, he rushed for
1,186 yards on 161 carries and scored
12 touchdowns.
and Rams could be an exciting one
because this game could decide the
Region 5-AAAAA champion. Last
season region champions Southwest
DeKalb defeated Arabia Mountain in
a close 20-19 victory. The Rams lead
the series 3-2 and two of those wins
came in 2016 and 2017 when Arabia
Mountain won the region. If both
teams are undefeated in region play
by Nov. 2, this game could be the
region title game.
-Stephenson Jaguars vs. Tucker Tigers
(Nov. 8; 8 p.m.; Hallford Stadium):
This matchup is another that has
region title implications. The teams
have met five times since 2012 and
Tucker leads the series 3-2. The last
two matchups decided the region
champions, with Stephenson winning
the title last season with a 30-24
victory, and Tucker won the title in
2017 with a 38-0 win. If football fans
want to see a good game a week prior
to the state playoffs, they should be at
Hallford Stadium on Nov. 8.
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 12

CLARKSTON Drew Charter placed on lockdown

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
On the second day of the new school year, Aug. 6,
Charles R. Drew Charter School near East Lake was
placed on lockdown.
According to school officials, the school was placed on
a “hard lock down,” which means no one can enter or exit
the building.
Drew’s Head of School Peter McKnight said, “[We]
received a communication that prompted the school to
administer its safety protocols.”
“As a result, the school was on heightened alert and
entered a soft, and later a hard lockdown. During this
process, school resource officers and local police initiated
an investigation. Following the investigation, school
operations returned to normal. All precautions were taken
to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” McKnight
said in a statement.
According to McKnight, students were not considered
to be in “imminent danger.”
School operations resumed around 3 p.m. the same
day.
An Indian Creek Elementary student receives a box of pencils from a volunteer. Photo by Taylor Robins.

EDUCATION BRIEFS
by Taylor Robins
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

Bosley awarded fellowship from Georgia State University

Georgia State University student Blaire Bosley of

Stone Mountain was awarded the Ethel Illges Woodruff
Fellowship in Southern History. Bosley is a history major in
the university’s college of arts & sciences.
The Ethel Illges Woodruff Fellowship in Southern
History is awarded to a graduate student who intends
to pursue the master’s program with a concentration in
Southern history.

Williams participates in sales competition

Jonathan Williams of Decatur was one of more than

15 students from colleges and universities in the southeast
who participated in the inaugural Parker Regional Sales
Competition (PRSC) on Georgia Southern University’s
Statesboro Campus.
The PRSC is a collegiate sales competition hosted by
the Center for Sales Excellence in the University’s Parker
A young student struggles to carry her new school supplies Aug. 7. College of Business.

Davidson inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at Wofford

Indian Creek receives

College

Helen Grace Davidson, a member of the class of

2019, was accorded Wofford College’s highest academic
honor May 7, when she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

supplies for every student

Davidson graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of
arts degree majoring in French and intercultural studies.
Davidson is from Decatur.

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Indian Creek
Elementary students
received much of what
they may need to start the
school year when The Love
of Giving Inc. delivered
school supplies for every
student Aug 7.
“The kids want
education but may not be
able to get it because they
don’t have the supplies
to meet their needs,” said
Katherine Miller, founder
of The Love of Giving Inc.
“So we try make sure that
every kid, not just a few,
gets their school supply list
filled… We don’t want kids
embarrassed because they
don’t have school supplies”
The organization set
up a spread of school
supplies on library tables
that included backpacks,
pencils, glue, scissors,
tissue, pencil boxes, paper
and crayons. Students of
the Clarkston school lined
up and picked items they
wanted for their classroom.
The donation totaled 11,000
items.
Miller collected the
items through donations
from individuals and
businesses.
The Love of Giving
Inc. specializes in feeding
and clothing the homeless;
however, when Miller
SEE SUPPLIES ON PAGE 16
Gritzmacher inducted into The Honor Society of Phi
Kappa Phi
Catherine Gritzmacher of Decatur was initiated
into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, a national all-
discipline collegiate honor society. Gritzmacher was initiated
at Kennesaw State University.
Gritzmacher is among approximately 30,000 students,
faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi
Kappa Phi each year.
Standifer-Reynolds inducted as a member of Alpha
Sigma Lambda
Shanna Standifer-Reynolds became a member of
Alpha Sigma Lambda, the oldest and largest national honor
society for nontraditional students.
Standifer-Reynolds is a health science and pre-nursing
major from Stone Mountain.
BUSINESS
Cuisine and community focus of neighborhood restaurant
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Trendy diets that avoid
gluten and carbohydrates
haven’t discouraged
the pasta lovers of the
world, observed Shane
Mixon, owner and manager
of Saba, an Italian restaurant
in Emory Village. “I love
pasta and it’s pretty clear that
a lot of other people do, too,”
Mixon said.
Although Saba’s pasta
dishes and sandwiches are
its featured offerings, the
restaurant has other entrees,
salads—and gluten-free
menu items.
Mixon opened the
restaurant 14 years ago
with an associate who
was formerly a chef at an
upscale Italian restaurant.
“We wanted to bring that
same high quality and
fresh flavors to diners at
popular prices,” he said,
adding that Saba’s sauces
and dressing are prepared
fresh at the restaurant. “We
also serve fresh-made pasta,
but because we are a small
restaurant, we don’t make it
here. We have a local vendor
who makes our pasta,”
Mixon explained.
“We’re near Emory and
many of our customers are
students or on staff at the
university. They eat out often
because they don’t have
time to go home for lunch
so they want good food at a
moderate price that can be
served quickly so they can
get back to their busy lives,”
he continued.
Mixon said although
his background in the food
service industry has been
largely in the front end
of restaurants, he has a
discerning palate for good
food. “I chose to serve
Italian food not just because
that’s our chef’s specialty,
but because I really like
it. It’s a pleasure to serve
food I enjoy eating myself,”
he said, noting that he is
especially proud of Saba’s
bacon, prosciutto, arugula
and tomato sandwich, which
he describes as an “upscale
BLT.” One online reviewer
called it “hands down the
DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 13
best sandwich in Atlanta.”
Saba is the first
restaurant ownership for
Mixon, who said he went
into the food service industry
soon after college. “I was
an art major, so I had to
figure out something I could
make a living at. I worked
in a number of restaurants
and helped friends get their
restaurants started. This is
something I really enjoy so
I’ve stayed with it.”
Although lunch
customers have long been a
mainstay for the restaurant,
Mixon said he recently has
noticed an increase in dinner
customers. Also, he said,
much of the restaurant’s
business is catering. “We
cater for events with up
to 500 guests, but more
typically, our catering Restaurant owner Shane Mixon is flanked by volunteers from CURE, a nonprofit that cares for families of children being treated for
events are for 30 to 100 cancer.
people. They include
corporate events, house area are the work of the Open Arms family support members. 
parties, weddings and other alliance. program in 2015 by Rhetta Mixon said he was
celebrations. Of course, A project that allows Ascari, CURE’s patient and impressed with the program
we’re near Emory, so we do Mixon to combine his family services manager, from the beginning.
a lot of catering for them.” passion for food and his Mixon donates meals three “CURE makes sure that
A Decatur resident, devotion to community to four times a week to families who have children
Mixon said involvement service is Open Arms, patients and their families with cancer know they are
in the community is a key a component of CURE at both the Egleston and not alone and never forgotten
component of his business. Childhood Cancer that Scottish Rite Children’s at every stage. I honestly
“The people who come supports families and Healthcare of Atlanta can’t think of a more
into Saba aren’t just our children undergoing cancer campuses. Every meal noble endeavor.”
customers; they are our treatment. Saba provides feeds at
friends and neighbors. It’s  Introduced to CURE’s least 40 patients and family
a joy to work with them
on projects that make the
area safer, cleaner and more IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
attractive for everyone.” A
member of Emory Village Public Hearing on the
Alliance for more than DeKalb County 2019-2023
six years, Mixon said the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
roundabout near Emory
University’s main entrance On August 20, 2019 the DeKalb County Community Development Department
as well as some of the will host a public hearing on the 2019-2023 Analysis of Impediments to Fair
landscaping projects in the Housing Choice in DeKalb. The draft document can be viewed beginning
August 12, 2019 at the DeKalb County Community Development website;
https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/community-development/consolidated-plans.
For more information, please join us at the meeting or call (404) 371-2727.
____________________________________________________________
Public Hearing
The DeKalb County Community Development Department
is conducting a Public Hearing to review the
Draft Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.
SAVE Date/Time
Tuesday, August 20th at 6:00 PM
YOUR HOME Maloof Auditorium
FROM 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA
FORECLOSURE We will present the Draft 2019-2023 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing
and avoid bad credit! Choice and solicit public questions and/or comments.
For free information
go to
Foreclosurepreventionsolution.com
or call
(678) -662-5096
Foreclosurepreventionsolution.com
 AROUNDDeKalb
DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 14

Animal Rescue Friends is located at 6570 James

CHAMBLEE/DUNWOODY STONECREST B Rivers Drive.
Get rid of hazardous waste Library to host movie screening

The cities of Dunwoody and Chamblee are
partnering for a free household hazardous waste
recycling event Aug. 24 at Plaza Fiesta─4166
Buford Highway Northeast. The event will run
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Residents of Dunwoody and Chamblee can
recycle cleaning chemicals, paints and pesti-
cides.
Residents are required to pre-register. Dun-
woody residents can register using at: www.
dunwoodyga.gov/wasterecycling. Chamblee
residents can register at: https://hazardouswaste-
chamblee2019.eventbrite.com. Residents need to
bring proof of residency to the event. Disposal is
limited to residential quantities.
“Little,” starring Marsai Martin, Regina
Hall and Issa Rae, will be screened Aug. 23
from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Stonecrest Library.
Doors open 15 minutes before movie starts. The
library is located at 3123 Klondike Road. For
more information, call (770) 482-3828.
STONE MOUNTAIN
Organization to host community pet day
Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends will host a
community pet day Aug. 24 from noon to 1 p.m.
at its facility in Stone Mountain Village. The
organization will give free pet food and supplies
to Stone Mountain residents. Limited quantities
of pet food and supplies are available. This is a
free service for Stone Mountain residents only
and proof of residency will be required. Atlanta
COUNTYWIDE
Judge to host law education program
DeKalb County Chief Magistrate Judge
Berryl A. Anderson presents the second annual
People’s Law School. The free community
education program is designed to provide
DeKalb residents with a general overview of the
court system in Georgia, with a special emphasis
on DeKalb Magistrate Court. Applications
will be accepted until Sept. 6. Space is limited
and applying does not guarantee a space in the
program. Classes will take place on Monday
evenings for four consecutive weeks—Oct. 14,
Oct. 21, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4–from 6-8 p.m. For
more information and to apply for the program,
visit www.TicketLeap.com and enter “People’s
Law School 2019” in the search box, or e-mail
dekalbmagcourtpls@gmail.com.

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 LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 15

Toddlers play during July’s Parks and Recreation Month at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody. In addition to a
Clarkston Police Chief Christine Hudson, center, with Bumblebee, left, and Black Panther during National Night state-of-the-art playground, Brook Run features a two-mile loop walking trail, skate park, dog park, a
Out at Milam Park. Photo from Clarkston Police Department’s Facebook page community garden, open fields and ballfields, pavilions and a Treetop Quest adventure course.

Use these steps to follow

safe medication practices:
✓ Only use medications as directed by your
Use these steps to follow healthcare professional
safe medication ✓practices:
Never share your prescription
medications or take someone else’s
✓ Only use medications as directed by your
medication
Use these
healthcare professional steps to follow
safe✓medication
Safely securepractices:
medications and dispose of
Use these✓steps
Never share your prescription
Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry climbs a fire truck ladder during National Night Out at
to follow ✓ Onlythem when no
Milam Park. Photo from Clarkston Police Department’s Facebook page
use medications
medications or takehealthcare
someone else’s
as longer needed
directed by your
professional
safe medication practices:
medication ✓ Model safe medication practices
✓ Never share your prescription
medications or take someone else’s
✓ Only use medications as directed by your
✓ Safely secure medications and dispose of
medication
healthcare professional
them when no longer For local information, visit www.gu
needed
✓ Safely secure medications and dispose of
hese steps✓ to follow
Never share your prescription them when no longer needed
✓ Model
medications or take safe medication
someone else’s practices
✓ Brought
Model safeto you by: practices
medication practices:
medication
medication

y use medications as directedsecureby your For local information, visit www.guideinc.org

thcare professional
Brookhaven
✓ Safely
has an additionthem
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when no longer needed
to its Briarwood Park. The installation consists of three
and dispose
For local of
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treehouses in a triangular formation connected by rope ladders. Photo provided by the Brought to you by:
city of Brookhaven.
er share your prescription
✓ Model safe medication practices
Brought
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ly secure medications and dispose of Submit your show to DeKalb County’s Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
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del safe medication practices
LOCAL
REDAN
Continued From Page 2
“The health and safety
of students and staff is
among DeKalb County
School District’s top
priorities,” said DCSD in
a statement. “The district
considers this an isolated
incident, but all safety
measures will be reviewed
and reiterated moving
forward. The DeKalb
County School District will
rally around this student on
his road to recovery.”
Parents were notified
of the incident to “maintain
transparency,” according to
the school district.
REDUCE
REUSE
RECYCLE
10”x6.5” AA
DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 16, 2019 • Page 16
SUPPLIES
Continued From Page 12
learned of Indian Creek─a
Title I school─she adopted
the school. Indian Creek
is the only school the
organization donates to. The
Love of Giving has been
in existence for nine years
and has been giving to the
school for four years.
“These school supplies
allow [the students] to
be more functional in
class,” said Stephanie
Brown-Bryant, Indian
Creek Elementary School
principal. “They’re ready
to learn without having the
conflict of [being without] Indian Creek Elementary students gather to receive school supplies from The Love of Giving nonprofit group. Photo by Taylor Robins.
basic necessities.”
According to Miller, Bryant. “I know that when their parents for anything. can’t give these items to
the organization not only
donates back-to-school
items to the school, but also
[The Love of Giving] leaves
[the students’] parents don’t
have to worry about [school
So it’s a great opportunity.
It’s a blessing.”
Miller also brings water
their kids.”
“It takes a village [to
raise children] and our
donates Christmas gifts to
every student annually.
supplies]… my teachers
don’t have to worry about
it… when the students get
and snacks for the children.
Brown-Bryant said the
parents are “very grateful
village is strong,” Brown-
Bryant said.
“[The donations give]
me peace,” said Brown- home they don’t have to ask because some of them just