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

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Newspaper Page TextTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 - 25, 2023 www.THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.com VOL. 34 • NO. 16 e CHAMPION 50^ The official legal organ of DeKalb County, Ga. "64116 UUUU1 LOCAL Breweries host events to help pets in need PAGE 2 LOCAL Daycare owner sentenced for cruelty to children and battery Proclamation, event bring attention to Domestic Violence Awareness Month BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM As fall festivals and Halloween prep becomes the focus for many in October, DeKalb County officials are taking steps to put emphasis on domestic violence awareness. Commissioners Steve Bradshaw of District 4 and Michelle Long Spears of District 2 co-sponsored a proclamation, along with the board of commissioners and CEO Michael Thurmond, recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the board of commissioners meeting held Oct. 10. "It will take all of us doing everything we can do to eradicate domestic violence and that requires (working with) leadership, survivors, community leaders, law enforcement and healthcare providers," said Bradshaw. To that end, hundreds of people are expected to gather in downtown Decatur on Oct. 19 to join the Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence (WRCDV) for its 32nd Annual Candlelight Vigil at 7 p.m. at the bandstand located behind the Decatur MARTA Station. SEE PROCLAMATION ON PAGE 6 A^/WEST^"^ The Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence (WRCDV) will soon hold a candlelight vigil in Decatur. File photo PAGE 8 BUSINESS Airport-based company seeks to lift others as it soars PAGE 13 LIFESTYLE Purpose of life is no mystery PAGE14 VISIT OS ONLINE @ THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM DeKalb County School District had two schools with perfect graduation rates, and another greater than 95 percent, but 21 schools logged graduation rates less than 90 percent. File photo High school graduation rates see small decline in 2023 BY JAY PHILLIPS JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM DeKalb County School District's (DCSD) four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2023 is 75.77 percent, according to data from the Georgia Department of Education released on Oct. 10. DCSD's overall graduation rate decreased by 0.42 percent since 2022. In comparison, the state of Georgia had a slight increase in the graduation rate, from 84.06 percent to 84.36 percent, an increase of 0.3 percent. Georgia's overall graduation rate has increased every year, expect for one, since 2011. SEE GRADUATION ON PAGE 6 LifeLine Animal Project could receive millions from next SPLOST BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM LifeLine Animal Project, the nonprofit in charge of both DeKalb and Fulton counties' animal services, may soon be getting a helping hand from DeKalb County officials and taxpayers. On Oct. 6, CEO Michael Thurmond announced a comprehensive plan to reduce the overwhelming intake numbers of pets at LifeLine's multiple facilities, leading to overcrowding and euthanasia. "Euthanizing dogs for space is not a solution our SEE SPLOST ON PAGE B LifeLine Animal Project, which has two locations in DeKalb County, could receive millions of dollars in funding to help homeless pets through the next SPLOST. File photo \jjb @DEKAIBCHAMPNEWS

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