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Archive for September 2011

Clarkston gets new tennis courts and starts 10 and under program

Children 10 and under use the newly installed tennis courts at Clarkston's Milam Park. Photo by Daniel Beauregard
Several years ago, big holes and cracked clay could be seen through the fence surrounding the tennis courts at Clarkston’s Milam Park. The courts were usually kept padlocked unless a resident went to city hall and requested they be unlocked. On Sep...

Transfers help round out successful football programs

It’s no secret that Stephenson has become one of the top high school football programs in the state with a reputation for earning its student-athletes scholarships. The Jaguars, under coach Ron Gartrell, have advanced to the state playoffs 11 strai...

Travelers returning to travel agents

Agents say benefits of their services are many The travel industry has had its share of ups and downs in recent years, thanks to high unemployment, economic uncertainty, political turmoil abroad and the public’s embrace of technology and the Intern...

I-85 express toll lanes open Oct. 1

Signs on I-85 will update drivers on the fees for using the express toll lanes in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
Reducing traffic congestion on I-85 is the goal behind the first interstate toll lanes running through DeKalb County, which will officially open on Oct. 1. “We’re trying to use carpools as much as we can,” said Gena Evans, executive director of...

Environmentalists say county needs to address grease in pipes

Since 2006, there have been approximately than 1,000 sewer spills in DeKalb County. So far this year there have been more than 150 spills.
The environmental group monitoring DeKalb County’s watershed problems does not believe the county is doing enough to address the problem of grease in sewage pipes. “They do a little bit of public outreach in schools and at community association m...

It takes a parish: More than 500 volunteers help Atlanta Greek Festival thrive

Augustine Skouros, left and Kathy Galloway, top photo, take a break from rolling out hundreds of pastries in preparation for the Atlanta Greek Festival. Frances Katapodis, left, and Irene Constantinides, middle photo, help make thousands of pastries a day leading up to the festival. Photo by Robert Naddra
The sweet aroma of Greek pastries emanates from a kitchen on the grounds of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation on a weekday afternoon a full month before this year’s Atlanta Greek Festival. Preparation for one of the largest such fest...

Students start fundraiser to help pay friend’s medical bills

From left to right; friends Melanie McCall, Isis Hamilton, Ashley Perry and Courtney Scott are getting ready for the 2nd Annual A Heart for Ashley 5K. Photo Daniel Beauregard
Sometimes Ashley Perry gets a strange feeling when she holds a basketball, almost as if there are two people inside of her. Also, she likes spicy foods when she didn’t before. Perry, a 16-year-old senior at Tucker High School, attributes some of th...

Hidden Hills community seeks rebirth through $5 million grant, zoning

Situated in south DeKalb, Hidden Hills was once a thriving golf course community. The 18-hole private golf course that opened in 1974 has been closed since 2006 and the 1,600-home community is suffering from the effects of the country’s economic sl...

McCrary passes Cedar Grove to 34-0 win over Columbia

Cedar Grove's 34-0 win over Columbia on Sept. 23 at Avondale Stadium was a lesson in efficiency. The Saints needed only seven plays and a total of 2:32 to score their first three touchdowns on the way to a 26-0 halftime lead. Quarterback Jonatha...

Dunwoody daycare suspect to use insanity plea

Hemy Neuman, accused of the November 2010 killing of a man outside of a Dunwoody daycare, is changing his plea. Attorneys for the 49-year-old man filed a notice in court on Sept. 16 of Neuman’s intention to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. O...