DCTV Channel 23

09/22/2025

DCTV celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

09/19/2025

This video produced by DCTV Channel 23 pays tribute to DeKalb County Fire Rescue Master Firefighter Preston Fant.

Officials, first responders and members of the public gathered Thursday, Sept. 18, at Truist Park to honor Fant, 53, who died in the line of duty on Sept. 8 while battling a commercial fire. A 21-year veteran of the department, Fant was remembered for his dedicated service and heroic sacrifice.

Full Service: https://youtu.be/94M_RgYKDQg?si=siRd9iX9VfrlD0m1

09/18/2025

Firefighter Preston Fant was more than a colleague, he was family. His courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the job and this community will never be forgotten. His absence leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. We invite the public to join us in honoring his life and service. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed. Please click the link below. https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/dctv/dctv-live-broadcast

🕊️ Funeral Services for Firefighter Preston Fant
📅 Thursday, September 18, 2025
🕒 2 p.m.
📍 Truist Park - 755 Battery Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30339

09/17/2025

Master Firefighter Preston Fant's life will be honored at a service on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Truist Park. He will lie in state at Truist Park from 1pm until 2pm prior to the service.

For Parking: The 1st Base Gate and the 3rd Base Gate will open approximately at 12pm on Thursday. Seating will be from Lower-Level Sections 116 - 136. For parking, there will be signage and police directing traffic.

For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed.

Click https://conta.cc/48jBSlH for additional Know Before You Go details

09/11/2025

On the 24th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, DeKalb County Government joined community members for the annual 9/11 Memorial Remembrance Ceremony.

Held at 8:46 a.m.—the exact time the first plane struck the World Trade Center in 2001—the ceremony honors the lives lost and the heroic efforts of first responders. 🇺🇸

The solemn event included:
🔹 Laying of the wreath
🔹 Lowering of the flags
🔹 A moment of silence

📺 Watch the full ceremony soon on our YouTube channel:
👉 YouTube.com/DeKalbCountyGov

09/10/2025

Produced by DCTV Channel 23 (DeKalb County Television), this video salutes DeKalb County Master Firefighter Preston Fant. On September 8, 2025, Fant, a 21-year veteran of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, died in the line of duty.

Additional Information:

The commercial structure fire occurred at 2569 South Stone Mountain Lithonia Road. During the incident, Firefighter Fant became trapped while attempting to rescue a fellow firefighter. He was removed from the structure and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

DeKalb County Fire Chief Darnell Fullum described Firefighter Fant as an extraordinary public servant, admired by his colleagues and beloved in the community. Chief Fullum emphasized that Fant was a highly respected and elite firefighter who brought specialized training in swift water rescue, high-rise operations, and trench rescues. He was stationed at Fire Station 24 in Stone Mountain and consistently demonstrated courage, skill, and dedication throughout his more than two decades of service. Chief Fullum reflected on Fant’s character, noting that he was not only an exceptional firefighter but also a family man whose kindness and humility touched everyone who knew him.

CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson expressed the county’s deep sorrow, offering condolences to the Fant family and pledging the full support of the DeKalb County government during this time of loss. She affirmed that the county stands alongside the family and Fire Rescue Department, committing to walk with them through their grief. In Firefighter Fant’s honor, flags across DeKalb County will be lowered to half-staff. Counseling and support services have also been made available to Fire Rescue personnel as they process the profound loss of their colleague.

Firefighter Fant is the first DeKalb County firefighter to die in the line of duty while battling a fire. He leaves behind his wife and five children.

Details regarding funeral and memorial services will be announced as they are finalized. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

For more DeKalb County news, visit: DCTVChannel23.tv

09/09/2025

Earlier today, DeKalb County officials held a press conference honoring fallen Master Firefighter Preston Fant.

Watch: https://youtu.be/1ucrYVOs19s?si=y8WG7t7jX-rHv0Cj

County leaders and Fire Chief Darnell Fullum praised Firefighter Fant, a 21-year veteran who tragically died in the line of duty September 8, 2025, while battling a commercial fire.

Fant was an elite firefighter, respected colleague, and devoted family man. CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson expressed condolences to the Fant family, pledging county support and announcing flags will be lowered to half-staff in his honor.

Firefighter Fant is the first DeKalb firefighter to lose his life in the line of duty while fighting a fire, leaving behind his wife and five children.

For more DeKalb County news, visit http://www.dctvchannel23.tv.

09/09/2025

09/05/2025

Yesterday, the Office of DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and the Decide DeKalb Development Authority hosted the 2025 Small Business Summit at the Emory Conference Center Hotel.

💼 The event brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community partners for a full day of workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities focused on helping small businesses grow and succeed.

🎤 Jay Bailey, President & CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, delivered the keynote address.

🎥 DCTV served as the media sponsor and full coverage will be available soon on YouTube.com/DeKalbCountyGov

09/03/2025

In case you missed them, here are some of the stories and events DCTV covered in August.

🕊️ DKPD Officer David Rose Honored
Local, state and federal officials joined residents Friday, Aug. 22, to honor the memory and sacrifice of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose. Rose, 33, was killed in the line of duty Aug. 8 while responding to a reported gunman near Clifton Road and CDC Parkway. The memorial ceremony included a proclamation from DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, a flag presentation to Rose’s daughter, and final honors featuring a 21-gun salute, Taps, an aerial flyover and the Last Call.

🚒 Celebrating DCFR Class 1024
DeKalb County Fire Rescue held a graduation ceremony for its Fire Academy Class 1024. A total of 14 new firefighters took the oath of office, which was administered by DCFR Chief Darnell Fullum.

🛝 Welcome to Alice White Bussey Legacy Park
DeKalb County officials and residents gathered for the renaming ceremony of Ellenwood Park, now known as Alice White Bussey Legacy Park. The ceremony included remarks from the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, state representatives and community leaders. Hosted by District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah, the event also featured the presentation of the Dr. Alice White Bussey Legacy Service Award to former District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson.

🔬 DeKalb Youth R.I.S.E. UP
Students and parents gathered at Morehouse College for the closing ceremony of this year’s R.I.S.E. Up Program, a mentorship and leadership initiative focused on young men of color in DeKalb County. The event featured a robotics competition, an awards ceremony, and remarks from community leaders, including District 4 Commissioner Chakira Johnson.

🏈 Georgia Football Classic: MVSU vs. FAMU
Georgia Football Classic LLC, 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, and Discover DeKalb came together to announce the 2025 Georgia Football Classic! The showdown will be held Saturday, Oct. 4 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, featuring Mississippi Valley State vs. Florida A&M. Kickoff will be at 4 PM.

For more information, visit GeorgiaFootballClassic.com.

🚔 Celebrating DKPD Class 140
DeKalb County Police Department recently held a graduation ceremony for its 140th Police Academy. DeKalb County Chief of Staff to the CEO G. Leah Davis, Ph.D, Public Safety Director Joseph "Jack" Lumpkin and interim Police Chief Gregory Padrick each offered congratulatory remarks to the three new officers. Magistrate Court Judge Matthew McCoyd administered the oath of office.

Coverage of these events, and more, is available on YouTube.com/DeKalbCountyGov

09/01/2025

Happy Labor Day from DCTV! ❤️🤍💙 Today, we honor the dedicated work that keeps our community moving forward.

08/29/2025

Earlier today, DeKalb County Police Department held a graduation ceremony for its 140th Police Academy. 🚔🎓

DeKalb County Chief of Staff G. Leah Davis, Ph.D, Public Safety Director Joseph “Jack” Lumpkin and interim Police Chief Gregory Padrick each offered congratulatory remarks to the three new officers. Magistrate Court Judge Matthew McCoyd administered the oath of office.

The ceremony will soon be available for viewing at YouTube.com/DeKalbCountyGov.