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MARCH 16 - 22, 2023 www.THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.com VOL 32 • NO. 38 e CHAMPION The official legal organ of DeKalb County, EA. Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Uthonia, Pine Lake, Tucker, Stonecrest and Stone Mountain. 504 LOCAL New program will focus on voting and other'adult’ tasks at Chamblee High PAGE 2 BUSINESS Jointly owned power plant in final steps before going into operation PAGE 11 SPORTS Silver Streaks finish as runner-up in AAASP championship PAGE 13 VISIT US ONLINE @ THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM 64116 00001 APD officials stated the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has charged 23 people with domestic terrorism. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Police Department More than 20 people charged with domestic terrorism after festival arrests BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM Officials with the Atlanta Police Department (APD) stated the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has charged 23 people with domestic terrorism after construction equipment was destroyed during a musical festival in the South River forest on March 5. SEE ARRESTS ON PAGE 6 Public safety training protests reach DeKalb jail BY JAY PHILLIPS JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM A nother protest occurred at DeKalb County Jail on March 8 regarding arrests made stemming from protests and alleged violence and destruction occurring at the proposed site of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. Sheriff's office officials said they have recently managed five "other similar incidents... and we have done so without damage to any county facilities, or injury to any officer, citizen or person in custody." On March 6, 23 people were arrested at the site of the proposed training facility on Atlanta-owned property in DeKalb. Officials from DeKalb Sheriff's Office said those arrested are being held at DeKalb jail on domestic terrorism charges and that the protestors at DeKalb jail on March 8 indicated they were there on behalf of those arrested on March 6. DeKalb Sheriff Melody Maddox added that the 23 arrests were made by "other law enforcement agencies" even though those arrested are being held at DeKalb County Jail. Five ethics board members resign, officials ask for replacement nominations BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM DeKalb County officials are looking for the next members of the DeKalb County Board of Ethics after the resignation of five members. The DeKalb County Legislative Delegation Chairs, State Senator Kim Jackson (D, Stone Mountain) and State Representative Karla Drenner (D, Avondale Estates), joined with DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry and DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson "to issue a call for nominations to the DeKalb Board of Ethics in light of the recent resignations from the board," stated a news release. Last month, DeKalb County Board of Ethics Chair Alex Joseph resigned citing "serious concerns about the culture of the board." "I made the difficult decision to resign from the DeKalb County Board of Ethics (the board)," said Joseph. "Specifically, I am concerned that the board seems determined to conduct business in closed door meetings. In my opinion, all discussions should take place on the record. The board should be a model of transparent, accessible government." More resignations soon followed. The DeKalb County Board of Ethics website now only lists two members and two alternates on a board that should have seven members. "As representatives of the appointing authorities for the DeKalb Ethics Board, we were disappointed to read recent press coverage about events leading to the resignation of five members of the board," stated Jackson and Drenner. "Because the board is an independent agency, our only role DeKalb County officials are looking for the next members of the DeKalb County Board of Ethics after the resignation of five members. Photo courtesy of DeKalb County SEE PUBLIC SAFETY UN PAGE 6 SEE ETHICS ON PAGE 6 \JJpJ Mb Social/ DEKALBCHAMPNEWS