The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, September 14, 2023, Image 1

Previous Issue Next Issue

Clip Visible Area View Page Text View PDF

Newspaper Page TextTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 www.THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.com VOL. 34 • NO. 11 e CHAMPION 50^ The official legal organ of DeKalb County, Ga. "64116 UUUU1 LOCAL LifeLine Animal Project experiencing record-breaking intake numbers, adopters and fosters needed PAGE 2 LOCAL Dunwoody to celebrate Latino Hispanic culture PAGE 7 SPORTS Clarkston gets first win, Miller Grove also wins PAGE 10 LIFESTYLE Back-up plan central to travel preparedness PAGE14 VISIT US ONLINE @ THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM Detractors of Cop City project face legal troubles BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM D etractors of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, commonly known as Cop City, are facing mounting legal hurdles as many continue their efforts to have a referendum on ballots to put the controversial project to a vote in November. On Sept. 1, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, located in Atlanta, ruled to suspend (known legally as "stay") Judge Mark Cohen's July decision SEE FOREST ON PAGE 6 A sign hangs in the area where Defend the Atlanta Forest organizers were protesting. Photo courtesy of Defend the Atlanta Forest Public invited to upcoming meetings to discuss trail and greenway plan BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM DeKalb officials are asking the public to participate in multiple upcoming meetings that are expected to ultimately help shape the future of the county's trails and greenspaces. From September through October, the DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs will host four public meetings to discuss the DeKalb Trails and Greenway Masterplan at various recreation centers throughout the county. "The community is invited to attend and provide input on the results of the masterplan," stated officials. Last year, Commissioner Lorraine Cochran Johnson introduced "a resolution that stipulates that DeKalb County update the existing Master Trail Plan for the purpose of protecting the natural environment and resources incorporated in existing trails, as well as adding new trails and access points," according to a news release. The upcoming meeting dates and locations are as followed (each meeting will be held at 6 p.m.): Pictured is one of the trails and greenways in DeKalb County. Photo courtesy of DeKalb County Parks Bond Greenspace • Sept. 18 at Redan Recreation Center, 1839 Phillips Road, Lithonia. • Sept. 26 atTobie Grant Recreation Center, 593 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale. • Sept. 28 at Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. • Oct. 4 at Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur. "Trails and greenspaces are an integral part of DeKalb's future," said Cochran Police ‘begging’ community to practice gun safety BY JAY PHILLIPS JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM Officials from DeKalb County government and DeKalb County Police Department talked about gun safety at a press conference on Sept. 7, following several shootings in recent weeks that have injured or killed innocent bystanders - including children. The most recent incident in DeKalb County that is making headlines involved a father finding his son dead after a loaded handgun was allegedly left in the father's car on Labor Day. Police reported that the now deceased child and his brother were in the car at the time of the death, and the father was charged with second-degree murder. A video from a gas station surveillance camera was released that shows the father coming back to the car to find his dead son. The press conference hosts said their main goal was to encourage gun owners to practice safety in gun handling and gun storage. According to DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) Chief Mirtha Ramos, many of the guns used in crimes were stolen from legal gun owners. She added that the number of gun thefts prompted police to ask for the public's cooperation in curbing gun violence. SEE GREENWAY ON PAGE 6 SEE CHIEF ON PAGE 6 Social DEKALBCHAMPNEWS

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, September 14, 2023, Image 1