Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR—They applauded him more than 25 times, often erupting into laughter and chorusing “Amen” at his candor. It was DeKalb County’s CEO Michael Thurmond’s first State of the County address and with encouragement from the audience, he ditched his prepared “political speech” and instead spoke from his heart. Thurmond’s address on April 4 came on the 49th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and he paid homage to the civil rights leader and other foot soldiers, thanking them for tearing down the walls of discrimination. In his address, Thurmond, 64, discussed growing up in the rural…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction by jury trial of two members of the Hate Committee gang who were charged in connection with a deadly crime spree spanning two days. Jurors returned guilty verdicts April 6 against Joseph Broxton, 22, and Daniel Pena, 24, on multiple counts of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery and violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, in connection with the shooting deaths of three people and gunshot injuries to three others following a series of attacks during the summer of 2015. Defendants Broxton (a.k.a.…

A DeKalb County Grand Jury has indicted a former Roswell City Councilman in connection with sex crimes involving a teen girl. Jurors returned a 16-count indictment on April 4 against Kent Igleheart, 54, on charges of sexual exploitation of children and furnishing alcohol to a minor. The charges against Igleheart date back to February 2014, when the Defendant allegedly obtained sexually explicit images and videos of the victim, who was 14 years old at the time. According to the investigation, the defendant met the victim online while allegedly posing as a teen. Authorities say he revealed his true identity and…

Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church has set a record in collecting bibles in an effort to meet a deficiency in Christian literature overseas. For weeks, dozens of volunteers at the church worked together to collect thousands of bibles to send to poor nations around the globe. Pastor James C. Ward said this year will mark the fourth year that the Lithonia church has participated in the “Bible Jamboree,” collecting some 2,809 bibles from the church’s congregants, outpacing last year’s donations of 1,706 bibles. “The word of God is very important and we want to spread the gospel to the entire world.…

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will host the 4th Annual Easter ham giveaway on Sunday, April 9, 3 p.m., at the Olivia Haydel Senior Center, 1240 Dogwood Drive S.W., Conyers. The “Lend-A-Ham” initiative offers one free ham to seniors in need. Last year, more than 300 hams were given away. Nesbitt says he hopes to help as many seniors as possible this year and he is encouraging people to drop off their donations up to the day of the event. “We have one freezer that is full but we still have another freezer to fill. We really want to…

A small fire broke out at Rockdale County’s Hightower Trail Elementary School over the Spring Break, but fire officials said students will not be impacted. Classes will resume on Monday as scheduled. Fire Chief Dan Morgan said firefighters quickly extinguished the fire after an alarm went off. Morgan said a piece of equipment that was plugged into an electrical outlet malfunctioned. No one was in the building at the time of the April 5 incident because students were on Spring break. A statement released by the Rockdale Public School System said in part: “…We are thankful no one was injured…

ATLANTA Children’s Museum brings Easter to life for little ones The Children’s Museum of Atlanta will offer a special Easter program on Saturday, April 15, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 75 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, Atlanta. Attendees will learn about the resurrection of Jesus and how Easter came to be. The event will include fun activities such as a bunny hop relay race, spoon and egg race, story time, art, music and dance. For the full schedule of events or more information, visit www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org. DEKALB Voices of Faith to host Good Friday play Voices of Faith’s Living Faith Drama…

Watchdogs for Justice (WFJ), a nonprofit organization established for the specific purpose of “Keeping Kids out of Prison,” will conduct a free seminar on April 22, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. Watchdogs for Justice is a group of attorneys and juvenile advocates who joined forces to offer tips to youths, their parents, and concerned citizens on how to stay out of the system. The seminar will consist of interactive skits that are based on actual court cases. Most of the kids can relate to the stories based on their…

Partnership for Community Action, Inc. is accepting applications from low-income families who need help with their energy bills. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides those who meet federal income guidelines $310 or $350 toward gas or electric bills for the once-a-year assistance. Rockdale and Newton County residents may apply at 1261 Commercial Dr. Suite A, Conyers. Copies of these documents are needed to complete the application: Proof of income for all household members 18 and older for the last 30 days, 90 days, if irregular income. If no income, a Zero Income Form will be provided at…

The second annual East Metro Atlanta Home and Garden Expo will be held on Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers. The expo, which is pet friendly, offers activities for the entire family including presentations by home improvement and landscaping experts, exhibits, a plant section, and children’s crafts provided by Home Depot and Habitat for Humanity and face painting and inflatables. More than 4,000 people attended last year’s event and crowds are expected to return this year, organizers say. One of the biggest attractions is Georgia gardener Walter Reeves, who will…