Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon said she plans on Tuesday (Feb. 14) to honor Elizabeth Wilson, the first African-American Mayor of Decatur in celebration of Black History Month. This year, in celebration of Black History Month, each district commissioner will recognize everyday history makers who have dedicated their lives to public service to improve their communities in their respective districts. “We thank her for her pioneering efforts in social justice and public service during a time where equality for many, was only a dream,” Gannon said in her newsletter. Newly-elected Commissioner Steve Bradshaw said he plans to present a proclamation to…

Pictured: 2017 Rockdale County Spelling Bee 1st place winner Aeneas Moore, a 5th grader at Barksdale Elementary, and 2nd place runner-up Allanah Stanton, a 6th grader at Memorial Middle. Congratulations to the 2017 Rockdale County Spelling Bee first place winner Aeneas Moore, a Barksdale Elementary fifth grader, and second place winner Allanah Stanton, a Memorial Middle School sixth grader. Contestants went head to head on Feb. 10 at Edwards Middle School for the right to advance to the regional bee competition and possibly the state competition. This year’s participants and their alternates were: Dasani Harper #1 (alternate Nisa Washington) -…

DeKalb County Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling is partnering with Cinderella’s Gowns, The Men’s Wearhouse and Day League (formerly DeKalb Rape Crisis Center) to sponsor the 2017 Stop Teen Dating Violence PSA Contest. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and DeKalb County high school seniors and juniors are invited to create a 1-minute video promoting healthy teen dating practices that prevent dating violence. The video should highlight positive characteristics such as honesty, compromise, good communication, individuality, understanding and problem solving. The student producing the winning PSA will receive a Prom Prize Package including dinner for two, limo service for the…

State Representatives Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus) and Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for “Pink Boots on the Ground” Day at the State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 20. “It is always an honor to welcome and join my sorority sisters and other like-minded people at the State Capitol each year for Alpha Kappa Alpha Day,” said Rep. Bennett.  “I am especially looking forward to hosting this year’s event to bring together these women and discuss the issues that are most important to our families and our communities.” “Pink Boots on the Ground”…

State Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain), along with Pastor Sabrina McKenzie and the Celebrities Against Domestic Violence Partnership will host a panel discussion on Georgia Domestic Violence Awareness Day on Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Georgia Capitol. The schedule for the event is as follows: Registration begins at 8 a.m. in room 606 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building; Panel discussion begins at 9 a.m. in room 606 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building; Press conference begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Georgia State Capitol; Rally for Domestic Violence Awareness Day begins at 1 p.m. at Liberty…

Rockdale Medical Center is renovating its inpatient radiology department. The $750,000 project will focus on upgrading one of three CT-computed tomography- scanner, as well as an interior renovation. All CT services will remain open during this project, which is estimated to be completed in March. “This is truly an exciting time for Rockdale Medical Center, the community and the entire region we serve. The upgrade to state-of-the-art equipment and renovation of our inpatient radiology department demonstrates our commitment to investing in the hospital to enhance services and meet the needs of our community,” said Cliff Wilson, Rockdale Medical Center assistant…

Now there are more chances to win playing the Georgia Lottery’s Cash 3 and Cash 4 draw games. The games added a third drawing to its daily schedule beginning on Sunday, Feb. 12. Cash 3 has added a nightly drawing. Cash 4 added an evening drawing. Cash 3 and Cash 4 drawings are held daily at 12:29 p.m., 6:59 p.m. and 11:34 p.m. Tickets for the new drawing times can be purchased at Georgia Lottery retailer locations statewide. For more information about Cash 3 and Cash 4, please visit www.galottery.com.

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Applause and cheers filled the DeKalb County Board of Elections chambers as the board unanimously decided that Mary-Pat Heactor is qualified to run for office in the city of Stonecrest. The 19-year-old Spelman College sophomore will be one of four candidates on the ballot seeking the District 4 seat on the new Stonecrest City Council, which will be comprised of five members and a mayor. Election Day is March 21. Opponent George Turner, Jr. had challenged Hector’s age to serve. The board had to determine if Hector needed to be 21 since the city’s charter…

There will be no retrial in the Burrell Ellis case. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced at a Feb. 6 press conference that she had signed the order to dismiss the case against the former DeKalb CEO. She said she reviewed the case and there was no need for a retrial. Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson granted Boston’s request to dismiss the case. Attorney Dwight Thomas, part of Ellis’ legal team, said that Boston “did the right thing. She did the honorable thing. It’s finally over.” The decision is one that Ellis had been waiting for since the…

Flat Rock Methodist Episcopal Church which was built in the 1860s, remodeled in 1919 and torn down in 1971. Photo courtesy of Flat Rock Archives.   DeKalb History Center to host 9th Annual Black History Month Celebration The DeKalb History Center invites the community to attend its 9th Annual Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 23, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur (second floor). The center will present a program with a dynamic, multi-layered mix of scholars, long-time residents of Flat Rock and Shermantown, and theatrical entertainment to bring the…