VOLUME 25, NUMBER 33
NOVEMBER 22, 2019
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Lithonia Post Office’s first black postal clerk retires after 35 years By Mackenzie N. Morgan Staff Writer Stonecrest resident Gwendolyn Springfield has many things to be grateful for this holiday season. The 60-year-old postal worker retired on Oct. 31 as the first black mail clerk at the Lithonia Post Office after 35 years of service. Hired as a mail carrier in 1984, Springfield, then 24, delivered mail for one week before being reassigned to clerk carrier – a customer service job typically reserved for whites. “My boss held a meeting to notify and prepare white staff members that I’d be coming on board to work front desk. Even though it wasn’t that long ago, whites were still not accustomed to working with blacks,” said Springfield. “I remember going to the post office as a kid every Saturday and never seeing any black employees. One day, while
SEE RETIRE page 7
Gwen Springfield
Internal committee recommends new emergency ambulance service for DeKalb DeKalb County medical response Board of Commissioners contract. received a Set to expire in recommendation on Nov. December 2018, the 19 to enter into a five-year contract was extended contract with American through December 2019 Medical Response, an allowing the county time emergency ambulance to evaluate the responses service provider. CEO Michael Thurmond to the emergency medical After conducting response request for a national search and proposals. eight-month review, the internal In January 2019, DeKalb evaluation committee, comprised implemented the First-on-the-Scene of representatives from the DeKalb Model of Care, a dual emergency County Fire Rescue Department, response system that prioritizes the E-911, DeKalb Medical Examiner’s initiation of immediate lifesaving Office and the CEO’s office, found care. American Medical Response to be DeKalb’s fully-integrated the highest-scoring proposer. model of care is designed to “DeKalb is building an ensure that trained para-medical innovative countywide ambulance personnel and equipment are on transport service system that the scene as quickly as possible. prioritizes the lives and safety of The strategy utilizes medicallyour citizens,” said DeKalb County trained fire/rescue personnel who CEO Michael Thurmond. “The work in concert with the county’s emergency ambulance service emergency response vendor. provider recommendation is the All DeKalb County Fire Rescue product of public feedback, detailed firefighters are licensed emergency evaluation, numerous meetings and medical technicians and can discussions.” perform basic lifesaving services. After learning of complaints Additionally, 14 percent of DeKalb about slow ambulance response firefighters are licensed paramedics times, Thurmond initiated a and can perform the same advanced comprehensive review of DeKalb’s lifesaving services offered by a emergency medical response contracted ambulance service system. Following months of provider. analysis, the county concluded that In July 2019, a subcommittee the root cause of the longstanding from the State of Georgia Office of problem was ineffective Emergency Medical Services was management of the county’s poorly tasked with reviewing the county’s constructed 2013 emergency ambulance transport system. The
subcommittee acknowledged significant improvements to DeKalb’s countywide emergency services that included: • Enforcing $1.9 million in noncompliance penalties that included $590,000 in cash and in-kind services such as including increased staffing. • Executing a memorandum of understanding with the City of Dunwoody to improve countywide emergency ambulance service. The agreement included stationing four additional ambulances to serve DeKalb’s northern corridor. • Appropriating $1.3 million to purchase seven new ambulances to improve countywide response times. • Appropriating $2.2 million in special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) revenue to purchase 10 state-of-the-art rapid response vehicles, increasing the department’s ability to initiate lifesaving care and stabilize patients. Five vehicles are currently in service. • Appropriating $339,210 to fund 20 new Fire Rescue paramedic positions in the FY2019 budget. • Appropriating approximately $32 million to construct five new fire stations in the south west section of DeKalb County. • Partnering with the City of Brookhaven to build a new northern corridor ambulance substation.
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Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson to host ‘Lock-in for Life’ to support male youths DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine CochranJohnson is partnering with the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (FDHA) to host the 2019 Lock-in Lorraine Cochranfor Life, a program Johnson designed to promote healthy relationships among middle and high school teen males. The six-hour event will be held Friday, Dec. 6, 6 p.m. to midnight, at Berean Christian Church, 2201 Young Road, Stone Mountain. The program was designed after taking a critical look at the needs of male students within DeKalb schools and the unique challenges they face. The program seeks to fill the gap that a modern education may not be equipped to bridge. “The Lock-in for Life has a core focus of youth empowerment, a process in which children and young people are encouraged to take charge of their lives,” Commissioner Cochran-Johnson said. “Youth can do this by addressing their situation, taking action to improve their access to resources, and transforming their consciousness through their beliefs, values, and attitudes.” In addition to promoting the mentorship of DeKalb’s male youths, the event also will address bonding, social preparedness, soft skills, critical life skills and conflict resolution. Featuring an all-star cast of some of DeKalb’s most distinguished male professionals, civic leaders, attorneys and community members, attendees will participate in candid discussions on topics critical to their development as young men. “Modern education can no longer address the needs of our male students,” said Ennis Harvey, principal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. High School. “Increasingly, our teen males need wrap-around services, mentors and a support system to cope with peer pressure and their environments.” Topics of discussion include “Ignorance Is No Defense,” “Understanding the Consequences of Decisions,” and “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” During each panel discussion program participants will hear from distinguished panel members including nationally acclaimed poet and civic activist Hank Stewart; attorney Mawuli Mel Davis; DeKalb Board of Education member Diijon DaCosta; criminal attorney Dwight Thomas; retired DeKalb County Police Major K.D. Johnson; author Omar Howard; Judge Anthony Scott; Pastor Kerwin Lee; and attorney Derrick Bo“The
SEE LOCK IN page 7
PAGE 2 • NOVEMBER 22, 2019 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Rockdale County Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart-Washington (fifth from left) performs the ceremonial ribbon cutting at the Nov. 21 kiosk grand opening in Conyers. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News
Rockdale vehicle tag registration kiosk opens in Kroger The Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Tag Kiosk continues to expand its roster of participating counties and Kroger store locations. The grand opening of the newest kiosk was held Nov. 21 at the Conyers Square Kroger grocery store, 1745 GA-138 S.E. Georgia has widely embraced providing more convenient technology for Georgia citizens to perform motor vehicle services. During the past three years, over 827107 vehicle registrations have been performed on Georgia Tag Kiosks. By placing the self-service kiosks in convenient Kroger locations that are open extended hours, Georgia vehicle owners can renew vehicle registrations while shopping for groceries. “I am excited we were able to bring a kiosk back to Rockdale County. We have been working diligently to expand options residents have when it comes to engaging with our office, and this kiosk helps us do just that,” said Rockdale County Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart-Washington. “Before today, residents could use any one of the other kiosks across the state, but now they don’t have to leave our community to renew after hours, on the weekends or over the holidays.” The kiosks are easy to use: scan your Georgia driver’s license, pay with a credit card, and print your Georgia registration card and license plate tag. Kiosks accept payment by credit and debit cards with instructions available in English or Spanish. The Georgia Tag Kiosks are located at select Kroger stores and county tag offices. Residents of Rockdale county can use any kiosk, even those in located in other counties. For a complete listing of all participating Georgia counties along with kiosk locations visit dor.georgia.gov/mvd-self-servicecenters/.
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NOVEMBER 22, 2019 • PAGE 3
It’s official: Grimes, Marcus in runoff for Stonecrest District 5 seat Early voting gets underway
PUBLISHER Glenn L. Morgan
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On Common Ground News is published weekly by On Common Ground, Inc. The newspaper serves DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Henry counties. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or the newspaper’s advertisers. No portion of this newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. We reserve the right to reject material and advertisements we deem inappropriate.
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Tammy Grimes and Dave Marcus will face one another in the Stonecrest City Council District 5 special election runoff on Dec. 3, elections officials have confirmed. Officials certified the Nov. 5 early results on Nov. 15, making it official that Grimes and Marcus will challenge one another for the seat. The special election is being held to fill the unexpired term of Diane Adoma, who came in behind Charles Hill in the three-way race with incumbent Jason Lary, who won another term as the city’s mayor. Grimes’ bid will mark her second challenge for the District 5 council seat. In 2017, Grimes received 45.6 percent of the votes in a runoff with Adoma, who received 54.4 percent of the vote.
Tammy Grimes
Dave Marcus
Barbara Hall, who placed third in the recent six-way race with Grimes and Marcus, said she was satisfied with the certified results and thanked those who supported her. Grimes, an Instructional Support Specialist for DeKalb County Schools, received one additional vote after the results were certified: 699 votes (45.42
percent). Marcus, a retired strategic planner and financial analyst, earned 256 votes (16.63 percent), and Hall, an elder at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and former law enforcement officer, received 250 votes (16.24 percent). DeKalb elections officials are not expecting a big turnout for the run-off, pointing to the 2017 runoff,
which generated an 18.3 percent voter turnout. Of the district’s 6,665 registered active voters, only 1,219 voters cast ballots for that election. Early voting will be held Nov. 21-27. District 5 voters may cast ballots at the DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections Office, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, or the Stonecrest Library, 2123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. Both locations will be open on Nov. 21, noon to 4:30 p.m., and Nov. 22-27, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be no voting on Saturday, Nov. 23 or Sunday, Nov. 24. Voters must go to their assigned polling precinct on Election Day, Dec. 3.
The Kelly Clarkson Show to spotlight Rockdale County Get ready to tune in and watch Rockdale County on national television. The Kelly Clarkson Show is doing a special highlighting the county, which is scheduled to be televised on Nov. 26, 10 a.m., on Atlanta’s ABC Affiliate,
WSB TV, Channel 2. Rockdale County spokesman Jorge Diez said officials were embargoed by the show’s producers from discussing any details about the spotlight before it is televised. But Diez is strongly encouraging
DeKalb to participate in Census Pledge Week DeKalb County Government is participating in Census Pledge Week, Dec. 1-8 to encourage DeKalb residents to pledge to count everyone in their households. If every resident is counted on the 2020 Census, DeKalb County could receive $1.8 billion in federal funds per year for the next 10 years. “By participating in the 2020 Census, residents can help DeKalb County Government make a positive and lasting impact on our communities,” said DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson Larry Johnson, who chairs DeKalb County’s Complete Count Committee. “An accurate count will help to secure funding for critical projects such as new libraries, community centers and parks for DeKalb.” The goal of the committee is to ensure accurate Census data is collected, which in turn will provide information critical for government programs, policies and decision making, Johnson said. During Census Pledge Week, residents can register to volunteer and complete pledge forms at DeKalb’s senior centers, parks and recreation centers, libraries, and government facilities. Volunteers can sign up by clicking the Volunteer Pledge Week icon at www.dekalbcounts2020.org. For more information, email 2020Census@ dekalbcountyga.gov.
PUBLIC NOTICE FY 2020 BUDGET A Public Hearing of the proposed Fiscal Year 2020 City of Stonecrest Annual Budget will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 2019. The Fiscal Year 2020 City of Stonecrest Annual Budget will be considered for final adoption at the City Council Meeting on December 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Meetings will be held at Stonecrest City Hall, 3120 Stonecrest Blvd. Stonecrest, Georgia. A copy of the proposed budget will be available for review in City Hall, City Manager’s Office and on the City’s webpage. www.stonecrestga.gov
the public to tune in or set recording devices to watch
the segment later. The Kelly Clarkson Show, hosted by the American Idol winner and judge on The Voice, combine interviews with both ordinary and famous people, plus live performances.
PAGE 4 • NOVEMBER 22, 2019 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Commissioner Larry Johnson presents annual toy drive, tree lighting
DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson is rolling out the red carpet this holiday season with an exciting calendar of holiday events to attend and opportunities to serve. Help children in need this Christmas by adopting a child’s name from the “Tree of Love.” The annual event assists children living in foster care or low-income households who might not otherwise receive a gift for Christmas. The Tree of Love kick offs on Saturday, Nov. 23, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Gallery at South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur. “Share the Love Day” will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Walmart Supercenter, 3580 Memorial Drive, Decatur. The community is invited to drop off gifts on Friday, Dec. 13, 12 to 2 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. Children will receive gifts at the closing ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 21, 12 to 3 p.m. at the Gallery at South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur. For more information, call 404-371-2425 or email larryjohnson@ dekalbcountyga.gov.
Twelfth annual Christmas Tree Lighting Spectacular The 12th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Spectacular will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 6:30 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Enjoy holiday entertainment, free eats and treats and a special guest appearance by Santa Claus. The event will also feature a Christmas cookie decorating station, ugliest sweater contest and more.
Springfield Baptist Church presents “Soulful Noel: The Bethlehem Star Search”
Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive S.E., Conyers, will present its Soulful Noel Christmas Production on Dec. 6-8. Soulful Noel, the NewRock Christmas Spectacular, is in its fifth season and has become a highly anticipated event during the Christmas season. The production tells the story of Jesus Christ’s birth from an Afro-centric perspective by employing the use of dance, drama and gospel music. The auditioned cast all come from the Rockdale and Newton County community. As part of the opening night on Friday, Dec. 6, there will be a Red Carpet Gala Reception featuring a silent auction to help raise funds for the church’s 2020 Educational Scholarship Fund. This year, SBC distributed over $20,000 in scholarships to students in the Rockdale & Newton County communities. The gala will also feature live music, great food & giveaways. Tickets are $25 for the Red Carpet Gala and can be purchased on the SBC website at www.sbcgrowth.church. All show performances are free to the public. The performance schedule is: Friday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m. For more information about “Soulful Noel,” call the church office at 770-929-1111 or visit www.sbcgrowth.church.
Rockdale BOC sets community holiday drop-in Dec. 10 The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) will host its annual holiday drop-in for the community on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the J.P. Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers. The community is invited to celebrate the holiday season with refreshments, music and a photo booth. Meet and greet elected officials, county leaders and staff at the free event.
City of Lithonia to host tree lighting Dec. 1 The city of Lithonia will host its annual Christmas tree lighting on Sunday, Dec. 1, 5 to 6:30 p.m., at Kelly Park, located off of Main Street. The community is invited to greet Santa and enjoy Christmas carols and performance by the Lithonia Middle School band and choir. The event is free.
Davis Bozeman law firm to host free turkey giveaway
The Davis Bozeman Law Firm has partnered with Atlanta›s Streetz 94.5 to live broadcast as it distributes free turkeys to families in need while supplies lasts. The giveaway will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 4 to 6 p.m. at the Stonecrest Walmart, 8424 Mall Parkway, Stonecrest.
Santa on the Decatur Square set Nov. 30 Enjoy holiday festivities with Santa on the Square on Saturday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the City of Decatur Plaza, 101 E. Court Square. Santa arrives on a fire truck that morning. Enjoy a fresh baked cookie and your choice of milk or hot cocoa. Have your wish list ready to share with Santa and get your digital picture taken. The event is free, but reservations are requested to ensure adequate supply of treats: freshtix.com.
Olde Town Conyers sets Christmas party, holiday parade The official kick-off to Conyers’ holiday season takes place the weekend of Dec. 6-7 in Olde Town. Sponsored by the city of Conyers, the Olde Town Christmas Party will be held on Dec. 6, 5 to 8 p.m. Families are encouraged to enjoy visits with Santa in the Conyers Depot/Welcome Center at 901 Railroad Street. The evening also includes hayrides, train rides, marshmallow roasting and a wide variety of complimentary holiday craft stations and activities sponsored by downtown merchants and local businesses. The C.J. Hicks Elementary School Falcons, under the direction of Thomas Russell, will perform at 6 p.m. on the Depot stage. Restaurants and shops will be open and ice skaters will take to the ice for the 20th season at the ice rink sponsored by Ice Days at the Olde Town Pavilion, 949 S. Main Street. On Dec. 7, the Conyers Christmas Parade will wind its way through Olde Town at a new start time of 2 p.m. For more information on these and other holiday events including Rockdale Emergency Relief’s 22nd Annual Christmas Tour of Homes during the Conyers Christmas weekend on Dec. 7-8, contact the Conyers Welcome Center at 770-602-2606 or visit www.conyersga.com.
Hillcrest Church of Christ
1939 Snapfinger Rd, Decatur, Ga 30035 | hillcrestcoc.net WORSHIP SERVICE TIMES: Sunday Mornings 10am to 12pm Sunday Evenings 5pm to 6pm
BIBLE CLASSES: Sunday Mornings 9am to 9:45am Wednesday Nights 7pm to 8pm Thursday mornings 10 am to 11am
“Pre-Thanksgiving Singing Concert. The Church of Christ United Worship Chorale will be supporting The Bahamas Hurricane Dorian Relief Effort on Saturday November 23rd from 4 to 6pm. Donations will be collected at the Concert.”
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NOVEMBER 22, 2019 • PAGE 5
Congressman Johnson, Woodall introduce bipartisan “Gold Star Father’s Day” to honor veteran families
C
ongressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Congressman Rob Woodall (GA-07) have introduced the bipartisan H. Res. 706, which designates Nov. 9 as “Gold Star Father’s Day” nationally. “I believe it is important to extend the same recognition to Gold Star Fathers as it currently exists for Gold Star Mothers and families,” said Johnson. “On Gold Star Father’s Day, we will honor fathers who have lost children in service to the United States of America and recognize their unimaginable loss. The debt we owe our veterans and their families is immeasurable. The sacrifices of those we have lost, and those of their families on the home front, are the foundation of the freedoms we hold dear.” Said Woodall: “For a Gold Star family, every day is their own personal Memorial Day. Gold Star family members are strong and resilient and want to do nothing more than carry on their loved one’s legacy. We will remember them as
Congressman Hank Johnson
mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, and remember them as the ones we loved, and most importantly we will remember them as heroes. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation. Gold Star Father’s Day will ensure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice will be remembered for generations well beyond our years.” The bipartisan effort stems from the work done in 2018 on Georgia’s state level, where State Rep. Rhonda Burnough (D-77 Riverdale) introduced the unanimously passed H.R. 655, which designated Nov. 9 as Gold Star Father’s Day in Georgia.
Congressman Rob Woodall
Johnson and Woodall were joined by seven other members of the Georgia delegation in support of this important legislation. The resolution is supported by Gold Star Awareness Inc., Freedom Voice Inc. and the Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (TAPS). Other Congressional cosponsors include: Austin Scott, David Scott, Bishop, Loudermilk, Lewis, Allen, McBath, Costa, E.B. Johnson, Wilson, Norton, Lee, Moore, Clarke, D. Davis, Rush, Lewis, Watson Coleman, Fudge, Beatty, Radewagen, Cox, Cisneros.
Greater Lithonia Chamber sets December legislative breakfast Join the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce for its legislative breakfast on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at This Is It!, 2853 Panola Road, Lithonia. State Rep. Billy Mitchell will discuss upcoming legislation and its impact on the business State Rep. Billy Mitchell community. Members attend the breakfast for free with advanced registration. The cost is $10 for members who do not register in advance and want to pay at the door. Guests are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. To register, visit www. greaterlithoniachamber.com/
Rockdale BOC Chairman Oz Nesbitt to host “Coffee with the Chairman”
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will host “Coffee with the Chairman” on Friday, Dec. 6, 8 to 10 a.m., at Awake Coffee Co., 909 Commercial St. N.E., Conyers. Chairman Nesbitt invites residents to meet with him and share concerns, ideas and receive BOC Chairman updates on issues and relevant Oz Nesbitt topics. The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Serial rapist Samuel McCullum convicted in decades-old DeKalb County “cold” cases Serial rapist Samuel McCullum, 57, was sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole and a consecutive life term for felony murder and rape. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said the serial rapist was convicted in connection with two cold cases in DeKalb in which one woman was killed and another survived. Authorities used a criminal database for DNA to connect McCullum to rapes in DeKalb and Fulton counties. McCullum’s criminal history for sexual assault crimes in Kentucky, New Jersey and North Carolina date back to 1983. Here is a summary of the rape cases involving McCullum: Aug. 6, 1998- Porter Road, DeKalb County A passerby finds a woman clinging to life on the side of the road in the 1000 block of Porter Road in DeKalb County. The
Samuel McCullum
victim, later identified as Monica Blackwell, 38, was partially clothed and had suffered blunt force trauma to her head and sustained cuts and bruises to her face. She died shortly after her arrival to the hospital. A rape kit revealed the victim had also been sexually assaulted, but an assailant was not identified— causing the case to turn cold. May 9, 1999Lawrenceville Highway,
DeKalb County A 21-year-old woman walking along the 3000 block of Lawrenceville Highway in DeKalb County is approached by a driver offering her a ride. After she enters the vehicle, the man then drives the woman to a nearby auto shop where he works and rapes her three times. The victim then convinces the attacker to drive her to her apartment a short distance away. She immediately discloses the attack to her roommates who convince her to call police. A rape kit is performed, but the case is closed after the victim disappears and later relocates out of fear. May 19, 2002Louisville, Kentucky McCullum, who had moved from Atlanta to Louisville, Kentucky, lures a 17-year-old female waiting on her school bus into his car. He drives the teen to his auto shop, binds her with duct tape, chains her to a pole and repeatedly
Third suspect arrested in Stonecrest shooting The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit and the U.S. Marshals have arrested the third suspect involved in the fatal shooting that occurred in the parking lot at The Mall at Stonecrest on Sept. 29. Trayvon Ramon Williams, 25, of Decatur, was arrested on Monday (Nov. 18) at an apartment complex located off Covington Highway in DeKalb. Williams was taken into custody without incident and transported to the DeKalb County Jail. Williams is charged with felony murder in the shooting death of Kevin T. Mcleod-Downer. According to authorities, Williams was one Trayvon Ramon Williams of several subjects suspected of being involved in the fatal late night shooting outside of the Round One bowling and arcade center. Authorities have not determined what caused the altercation or motive for the shooting. Jermel Campbell, 26, and Taron Williams, 19, both turned themselves in separately last month and were charged with felony murder. Authorities responding to the scene on the night of the shooting found Mcleod-Downer in the parking lot. He had been shot in the back. He was taken to Grady Hospital, where he later died.
Flat Shoals Road murder suspect arrested The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit announced the arrest of De’monte Lamar Anderson, a 24-year-old Decatur resident who was wanted on a felony murder charge in connection with the death of Dwayne Bernard Roberts. Anderson is accused of shooting Roberts twice with a handgun during the Oct. 20 incident on Flat Shoals Road in Decatur, causing his death, authorities said. DeKalb sheriff’s investigators located Anderson at a Decatur apartment complex, where he was taken into custody without incident and transported to the DeKalb County Jail. murder.
De’monte Lamar Anderson
rapes her for seven hours, according to police reports. When the attacker is out of sight, the victim is able to maneuver her cell phone with her foot and call 9-11. While on the line, the attacker, later identified as Samuel McCullum, unaware of the live call, assaults the teen again while police are en route. Authorities arrive at the home and hear the victim’s screams for help. McCullum is arrested on scene and is later convicted on charges of sodomy and unlawful imprisonment. When his DNA is entered into a criminal database, it is a positive match for the two DeKalb County cold cases and one in Fulton County. At the expiration of his prison term in Kentucky, the DeKalb District Attorney’s Office is notified and prepares its cases against McCullum for indictment in 2017. In addition to the Kentucky case, McCullum’s criminal history includes
convictions for sexual assault crimes in New Jersey and North Carolina dating back to 1983 and 1995 respectively. Charges are pending against McCullum in Fulton County in connection with a 1998 cold case murder and rape. McCullum was sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole, plus a consecutive life in prison term by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Clarence Seeliger, who presided over the trial. The case was prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Major Case Unit, with Senior Assistant District Attorney Shannon Hodder serving as lead prosecutor with assistance from Unit Director, Lance Cross, and DA Investigators Christopher Franklin and Bill Presnell, who has worked the case with the DeKalb County Police Department since its inception.
Two men arrested in home invasion of elderly Rockdale man Two men wanted for the Nov. 9 home invasion and armed robbery of a 72-year-old Rockdale County man have been arrested. Investigators solved the case three days after the elderly man was attacked. Rockdale County Sheriff’s investigators arrested and charged Christopher Tucker, 39, and Alex Chancey, 17, with the home invasion of Darrell Mote after following up on leads and conducting interviews. The home invasion occurred at a residence in North Rockdale County. The suspects were wearing masks when they assaulted the homeowner, Darrell Mote, and tied him up at gunpoint, authorities said. The suspects burglarized Mote’s home and loaded the stolen items into Mote’s vehicle, making off with his belongings. The vehicle was later involved in a hit-and-run accident near Georgia Highway 20 and Hi Roc Road. The two suspects jumped out of the vehicle and were seen running from the accident. Police arrived on the scene and searched but could not find the suspects. Investigators developed leads in the case and identified two “persons of interest” in the case. Tucker was arrested on Nov. 12 on an unrelated probation violation for Newton County by Rockdale deputies, who conducted interviews and obtained evidence linking him to the home invasion in North Rockdale. Arrest warrants were filed for Tucker on Nov. 15. Arrest warrants were filed on Chancey on Nov. 18, based on additional information and evidence obtained in the investigation. Chancey was taken into custody on Nov. 19 in Atlanta, along with his mother, who was wanted on an unrelated matter. They were taken to the Rockdale County Jail.
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NOVEMBER 22, 2019 • PAGE 7
DeKalb’s free bulky item curbside collection begins Nov. 22 The DeKalb County Sanitation Division will offer free residential bulky item curbside collection from Nov. 22 through Dec. 21. Residents within the Sanitation Division’s service area will have an opportunity to place bulky items, including furniture and large appliances, curbside for collection. Collection schedules will be based on residents’ designated sanitation service day as follows: • Residential customers whose regularly scheduled sanitation service day is Monday will be serviced on Friday, Nov. 22, or Saturday, Nov. 23. To prevent collection delays, items should be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. • Residential customers whose regularly scheduled sanitation service day is Tuesday will be serviced on Friday, Dec. 6, or Saturday, Dec. 7. To prevent collection delays, items should be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. • Residential customers whose regularly scheduled sanitation service day is Wednesday will be serviced on Friday, Dec. 13, or Saturday, Dec. 14. To prevent collection delays, items should be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. • Residential customers whose regularly scheduled sanitation service day is Thursday will be serviced on Friday, Dec. 20, or Saturday, Dec. 21. To prevent collection delays, items should be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20. Based on this collection schedule, residents with missed collections should call the Sanitation Division’s customer service team at 404-294-2900. For more information, contact the Sanitation Division’s customer service team at 404-294-2900 or sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov, visit www.dekalbsanitation.com.
DeKalb announces Thanksgiving sanitation schedule In observance of Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 28, sanitation collection service for residential customers will be based on the following revised collection schedule: Monday, Nov. 25 – Normal collection day Tuesday, Nov. 26 – Normal collection day Wednesday, Nov. 27 – Normal collection day Thursday, Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving Day observed; no collection service. Friday, Nov. 29 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Thursday, Nov. 28, will be serviced on Friday, Nov. 29. The Sanitation Division’s administrative office, North Transfer Station and Seminole Road Landfill will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, reopening on Monday, Dec. 2, during normal operating hours.
RETIRE continued from page 1 passing by, I noticed the parking lot was unusually packed and found out that they were hiring. So I filled out the application and ended up passing the test. It was another three years before I actually got hired,” said Springfield. Despite the dismantling of Jim Crow Laws and segregation two decades prior, racial tension remained a constant in small town Lithonia throughout the 1980s. Springfield said at the time she was hired, there were two other blacks working as the rural mail carriers delivering mail to the outskirts of town. Springfield said some customers, particularly white men, would throw their money on the counter, make racist remarks or refuse to be waited on by her all
together. “I had to learn how to work quickly. They would stand in line and wait until a white clerk was available because they didn’t want me to serve them. Some would eventually come to my window if they didn’t want to continue to wait.” Springfield said while it took some time for people to adjust, she drew strength from the various patrons who would encourage her when they came in the post office. “I remember some people coming in the post office smiling and saying, ‘Looks like things are looking up around here’, and offering words of encouragement.” said Springfield. “But holidays were always hard because I usually
got stuck working a split schedule so my white counterparts could be off to enjoy their families. Every year, I would be told I would get the holidays off, but that never happened. Then, one year, a white coworker who saw what was happening, kindly volunteered to swap shifts with me.” Springfield forged ahead and was eventually joined by another black clerk eight years later. With time, Springfield said conditions did eventually evolve and that she enjoyed a fruitful 35-year run with the United States Postal Service. State Rep. Doreen Carter, who lives in Lithonia, said she has seen Springfield over the years and commended her for 35 years of
service. “It’s inspiring to see someone from the community thrive and prosper in the community. I wish her well in her future endeavors and retirement. Springfield said she is looking forward to spending more time with family and doing things she enjoys such as going to the Falcons and Saints game this Thanksgiving. Springfield is a member of Antioch Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia. She has one adult daughter and devotes her time to helping her sister take care of their father and a brother who are both disabled.
LOCK IN continued from page 1 Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority is committed to supporting programs that enhance the lives of our youth,” said Beverly Burks, FDHA director of community engagement. “Building positive, healthy relations is a critical aspect of teen development for males. Half of male adolescents with depressive disorders in the United States never receive mental health treatment for their symptoms and lack of mental health treatment is
especially true for young, Black males ages 12– 29. It’s time we ensure our children have a safe space to voice their concerns, seek assistance, moral support and see productive male figures so they know they are not alone.” Additionally, Kappa Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. will be on hand as event promoters and will engage in a “Young vs. Old” basketball game during the evening. The
event will culminate with a discussion on social and emotional preparedness led by Riverwood Behavioral Health. Transportation is available for program participants and parents are encouraged to register their children by visiting www.LockInForLife. com.
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