Kerstin writes in…

Small, tan and white dog found on Mimosa Drive in the Winnona Park neighborhood wearing a gray Thundervest. Recently groomed and very approachable. Approximately 12 pounds. Call Wally & Trudy at if this is your dog or you might know who he belongs to.

Michele writes in…

The Winnona Park Neighborhood Association would like to invite the public to the Winnona Park Community-wide Yard Sale on this coming Saturday, April 21, 8:30 am until 3:00 pm.

Over 25 families are participating, so there will be lots of great finds.

We will have maps available while they last, directing you to the sales we know about.View our online map here with all the sale sites:
http://g.co/maps/z6x2s

Contact [email protected] with questions.

Winnona Park is located near Agnes Scott College and the Columbia Seminary in Decatur, GA. The primary bordering streets of our community are S. Columbia Drive, E. College Ave., S. Candler Street, and Midway Road. (East/North/West/South). Look for signs on these roads directing you to the sites.

On the morning of New Year’s Day I was out on a run with my own fur-covered ball of canine energy when I spotted these two dogs sitting near the bridge between Poplar Circle and Shadowmoor. They were leashless and collarless, but I thought that since they were so well behaved their owner must be nearby. I began to wonder, however, when I ran by again a half-hour later, and the dogs were still there. So I took my dog home and went back to investigate later.

It turned out that several neighbors had noticed them. Someone contacted DeKalb Animal Control, who came by and picked them up. But Winnona Park resident Erin Johnson and a few others were already on the case, contacting rescue organizations and trying to find a foster home for these sweet, slightly shy but very polite pups, a male (the black one) and a female.

It took some doing, but in less than a week the dogs have found salvation . . . temporarily. They have been taken out of Animal Control. The white one is going to Friends of DeKalb Animals and the son of Winnona Park resident Wardell Castles has agreed to foster the black one. The dogs still need permanent homes.

To sweeten the pot, neighborhood residents have pledged generously toward their care — funds to help with vet bills, spaying and neutering, etc. All of this was coordinated straight out of the grassroots, over the Winnona Park listserv.

Animal rescuers are angels on earth.

Can you open your home and heart to one or a couple of sweethearts? Or could you contribute to their care fund?

To inquire about adopting the white female dog, please contact Friends of DeKalb Animals ([email protected] ).  PLEASE NOTE: it has been reported that the white female has some aggression issues, so any home accepting her should be equipped and prepared to support a dog that will need some extra love and training.

To inquire about adopting the black male dog, please contact Wardell Castles at [email protected] .

And please remember to support our wonderful local rescue organizations, such as Ruffus Rescue, PAWS, the Lifeline Animal Project, Friends of DeKalb Animals, Animal Action Rescue, and others. There is a great list of worthy, hardworking groups here!

In hopes of appeasing any remaining fears surrounding the reported sexual assault in Winnona Park on Halloween night, here’s a note that Decatur City Commissioner Patti Garrett posted on the Winnona Park list-serv a couple of days ago…

Again, due to the nature of the incident and the fact that a juvenile is involved, this post is closed to comments.

There has been much understandable concern about the recent reported incident in the WP playground area behind WP school so I thought it might be helpful to post the following information:

Staff of the City of Decatur Police Department continue to investigate a reported incident that occurred on the evening of October 31, 2011. Due to the nature of the allegations, the age of the persons involved and the on-going investigation, names and other details are not being released. The Police Department has indicated that based on information gained during the preliminary stage of the investigation, there is no reason to suspect that the incident involved a sexual predator or that the surrounding or adjacent neighborhood is at additional risk due to the reported incident.

Regards,

Patti Garrett

District 2 City Commissioner

UPDATE:  Here’s the AJC’s blurb on the incident.  No real new info.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the sensitive nature of this ongoing case and the fact that it involves a juvenile, the comments section is closed.

Decatur Deputy Chief Keith Lee sends along this press release…

The Decatur Police Department is investigating the sexual assault of a juvenile reported on October 31, 2011. The victim was transported to an area hospital by her parents, where she was treated and released. Investigators of the Decatur Police Department are pursuing several leads in the incident. Due to the age of the victim and the nature of the assault, the name of the victim is not being released.

As detailed in an earlier post, the alleged assault occurred around Winnona Park Elementary’s playground last night around 9pm and Decatur Police have had the area closed off since around 10:30pm, looking for evidence.

I spoke with Deputy Chief Lee just moments ago and he reiterated that this “terrible situation” was “an isolated incident”, and that the Police Department has some very strong leads in the case and hope to have it resolved quickly.

Additionally, I just received a report that WAGA just arrived on the scene, so expect this story to jump outside the city’s borders in the next few hours.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the sensitive nature of this ongoing case and the fact that it involves a juvenile, the comments section is closed.

UPDATE:   See this post for further details on this investigation.

Eyewitness reports started coming in last night from Winnona Park residents about a police presence around the neighborhood school’s field starting at around 11pm last night.  One report from this morning stated…

They have crime scene tape around the play structures next to the woods and are combing the area for evidence. All they will say is that they are looking for evidence for a crime committed earlier in the evening

Decatur Police confirmed to Patch that they are investigating a reported sexual assault that occurred in the area.  I’ve been told that DPD will release a statement on this incident soon.  I will post it as soon as it’s received.

Joanne writes in…

For the month of May, Lucas Brotherton a Winnona Park second grader has set a goal for himself to raise $500 which he will donate to PKU research. One way he will be raising money is by hosting a lemonade stand which will be located on the corner of South McDonough and Oakview Road on Saturday, May 7th. He will be selling lemonade, fresh baked cookies and other treats. Please stop by and show your support.

Lucas’ Lemonade Stand
Date: Saturday, May 7th
Located: On the corner of South McDonough and Oakview Road (just across from Oakhurst community garden)
“Shop” Hours: 11:30pm -3:30pm

May is PKU awareness month. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder. Individuals with PKU cannot process an amino acid called phenylalanine which is present in most foods. Without treatment, phenylalanine builds up in the bloodstream and causes severe neurological complications. Standard treatment consists of a strict low-protein diet and daily consumption of a special formula containing life-sustaining nutrition. Continued research is needed to ease the difficulty of the diet and to help improve the quantity of life for all individuals living with PKU.

All money that is collected will be donated to Georgia PKU Connect which is a 501c3 non-profit.
http://georgiapku.org/AboutUs.html