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LOCAL
THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, MARCH 7 - 13, 2024 • PAGE 9
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Stonecrest city officials will host a public briefing every
month in 2024. File photo
Stonecrest schedules
monthly briefings
BY JAY PHILLIPS
JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM
Stonecrest city officials invited community
members to a series of monthly briefings
beginning March 8 that will "provide stakeholders
with crucial updates on city hall activities and
developments throughout the city," according to a
news release.
The briefings are scheduled for March 8, April
12, May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct.
14, Nov. 8, and Dec. 10 at Stonecrest City Hall,
states the release.
Mayor Jazzmin Cobble, City Manager Gia
Scruggs, and Major Y. C. Baron from the DeKalb
County Police Department—East Precinct, located
in Stonecrest, are expected to attend the meeting
to provide updates and answer questions.
"We are committed to having open dialogue
with our residents," said Cobble. "These monthly
briefings provide an excellent opportunity for us
to engage with the community, answer questions,
and keep everyone informed about the important
work being done in City Hall and throughout our
city."
Community members attending the meetings
may arrive at city hall—located at 3120 Stonecrest
Blvd.—at 11:30 a.m. for the briefings, which are
slated to begin at noon.
The briefings will also be livestreamed on city
of Stonecrest's YouTube channel.
(Left) Ariel Hibbert, Jasmine Stamper, and Aubrey Allen were
joined by their families and Congressman Hank Johnson
to celebrate winning the Congressional App Challenge for
Georgia’s 4th District. Photo provided
Arabia Mountain students
awarded for epilepsy app
BY JAY PHILLIPS
JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM
Three students from Arabia Mountain High
School won the Annual App Challenge Competition
hosted by Congressman Hank Johnson, the U.S.
Representative for Georgia's 4th Congressional
District.
Aubrey Allen, Jasmine Stamper, and Ariel
Hibbert won for creating their app Telepsy, which
they designed to simplify and enhance epilepsy
management.
The students stated that the app allows users
to log and track seizure information and gives
them easy access to emergency phone numbers,
hospital locations, and information regarding
epilepsy and what causes seizures.
The students said they were inspired by an
instructor at Arabia Mountain High School who has
epilepsy.
"Today, we're not only celebrating future app
developers, computer scientists, and engineers
but also honoring Black history in this month
of February," said Johnson. "The App Challenge
aims to foster coding and computer science
engagement, and I'm honored to celebrate all the
students who participated this year, especially
given the exponential growth projected in STEM
occupations."
Johnson also recognized two of the three
judges: Laron Walker for his accomplishments in
emerging technologies such as Internet of Things,
artificial intelligence, robotics, and hydroponics,
and Daniel Moore for his contributions to Black
history as the CEO and founder of the Apex
Museum on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta.
Johnson added that more than 70 students
participated in this year's challenge, the highest
number since the app challenge was created.
He awarded all the students with participation
certificates. The winners received Black Americans
in Congress books, Congressional pens, copies
of the Constitution, gift cards, and were invited
to attend the House of Code science event in
Washington, D.C.
Family arranging
memorial for Tucker
sports icon
BY JAY PHILLIPS
JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM
A Tucker High
School athletics icon
was reported missing
on Feb. 25, and family
members said he was
then found dead on
March 2.
Jimmy King, also
known as Coach
Bud, was last seen
at Applebee's on
Lawrenceville Highway
in Tucker on Feb. 24.
King was known for
his support of Tucker's
sports teams and was
regularly seen on the
sidelines at athletic
events - including Tucker's playoff and region
basketball games that occurred in the days leading
up to his disappearance.
Several search efforts were conducted by
community members to help find King in the days
after he went missing.
King's family is planning a memorial and had
raised nearly $10,000 from 148 donations at press
time, after setting a goal of $2,500. The family
reported that a body found near Memorial Drive
Jimmy King, known as Coach
Bud throughout Tucker, was
in attendance for most Tucker
High School athletic events.
Photo provided
was King, but they added that they were waiting
on more information at press time.
A GoFundMe made by King's family states that
they are "waiting for the DeKalb County medical
examiner's office to complete the autopsy on
our brother," and that the family "will provide an
update once we have more information."
Updates, information about the memorial—
once it is planned—and information on donating
may be found at: gofundme.com/f/James-Bud-
King-memorial.
New ambulance dedicated
to the city of Dunwoody
BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE
CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM
The city of Dunwoody is now home to a
dedicated ambulance "to meet the emergency
transport needs of the community," according to
officials.
In December, DeKalb County and city of
Dunwoody officials joined the American Medical
Response (AMR) Georgia team for a ribbon
cutting ceremony to recognize the deployment
of a dedicated Advance Life Support ambulance
specifically for Dunwoody.
According to the American Red Cross' website,
advance life support differs from basic life support
in that it "uses more sophisticated interventions
and procedures with the goal being to stabilize
critical patients who may have suffered a life-
threatening event like cardiac arrest, acute
coronary syndrome, or stroke."
"AMR is incredibly proud to bring the great city
of Dunwoody a dedicated ambulance and crew,"
said Chris Valentin, regional director for AMR
Southeast - Georgia. "Continuing to offer the best
possible service to this community remains our
priority and the launch of this vehicle showcases
our commitment."
Among those in attendance at the ribbon
cutting ceremony were Chief Darnell Fullum
with DeKalb County Fire and Rescue, Chief Billy
Grogan with the Dunwoody Police Department,
and Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch, who each
discussed the importance of the advance life
support ambulance for the community.
"The city of Dunwoody recognizes the
importance of swift response times and the need
to bolster our emergency response capabilities,"
said Grogan. "A decision to invest in an extra
ambulance is a testament to the city council's
commitment to the health and safety of every
resident."
The ambulance will be stationed at DeKalb
County Fire Rescue Station 21 in Dunwoody, where
it will be staffed with a dedicated crew from 9
a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week throughout the
year, stated officials. DeKalb County also provides
ambulance services for Dunwoody.
"When someone calls 911, they have the
expectation that help is coming quickly, and we
want to make sure that happens," said Deutsch.
"We elected to do this pilot project to reduce
wait times and improve emergency services in
Dunwoody."
The new ambulance began running on Dec.
15 in a soft opening, stated officials. Dunwoody
officials said the city is using American Rescue Plan
funding for the pilot project.
For more information, visit dunwoodyga.gov.
