About The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2024)
lAjb* Mb Social ^ (cDDEKALBCHAMPNEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2024 www.THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.com VOL. 34 • NO. 31 e CHAMPION 50£ The official legal organ of DeKalb County, Ga. 64116 0DUU1 LOCAL DeKalb to host second Medicaid re enrollment event PAGE 3 LOCAL Security camera helps Chamblee police nab road rage suspect Officials with City Schools of Decatur said the school district’s lunch debts have been paid. Photo by Christine Fonville Funds returned after City Schools of Decatur declines lunch debt donations BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM Although an online campaign raised more than $85,000 in less than 48 hours to wipe out lunch debts for City Schools of Decatur, the organizer of the GoFundMe said refunds will be issued after the school district declined the donation. The update came on Jan. 25, less than two days after Jasmine Crowe- Houston, parent with a child who attends a City Schools of Decatur (CSD) school, launched the fundraiser. "Thanks to the incredible outpouring of love and support, I achieved my fundraising goal," said Crowe-Houston. "However, I was informed (on SEE DECATUR ON PAGE 6 Food programs, distribution dates announced SPORTS Legendary DeKalb coaches to reunite in All- American game PAGE 11 LIFESTYLE New museum opens door on enslavement in South Carolina BY JAY PHILLIPS JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM DeKalb County officials announced on Jan. 24 that the county's summer food program and Soldier Angel's food distribution for veterans will return in 2024. The next DeKalb County-sponsored food distribution for veterans will take place on Feb. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Atlanta VA Arcadia Clinic (250 North Arcadia Avenue, Decatur). A news release states that each recipient will receive approximately 75 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and non-perishable food items packed by volunteers and loaded into cars, pushcarts, or backpacks to 200 preregistered veteran and military-connected families. Veterans and service SEE FOOD ON PAGE 6 DeKalb partnerships will provide food to veterans in February and for county youths during the summer. File photo Commissioner Larry Johnson seeks public feedback on proposed art project PAGE 15 Commissioner Larry Johnson, left, introduces a panel of experts who discuss the potential benefits of public art on Candler Road. BY KATHY MITCHELL FREELANCE REPORTER When District 3 DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson was president of the National Association of Counties (NACo), he had the opportunity to visit municipalities across the nation. Among the ideas that captured his imagination during his recently completed term with NACo was public art. On Jan. 22, Johnson hosted Public Art on Candler: A Community Conversation at South DeKalb Senior Center on Candler Road to engage public input on the concept. "I saw public art being applied in interesting ways in such places as Dade County, Florida, and Portland, Oregon. I started to think about the possibilities here in south DeKalb SEE FEEDBACK ON PAGE 6
