Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis honored 25 individuals and organizations during his fifth CEO’s Community Hero Awards on Dec. 27 at the DeKalb History Center. “Thank you for the time you take away from your other responsibilities in life to volunteer with organizations in DeKalb County,” CEO Ellis said. “Thank you for your work to improve the quality of life for our citizens. And most importantly, thank you for the gift of service that you have unselfishly given to our county.” Hosted in partnership with The Champion Newspaper, the CEO’s Community Hero Awards recognized outstanding individuals and organizations making a…

       Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, “Master Motivator Teacher and Mentor,” will hold his annual Christmas Break Leadership Chess Camp in Stone Mountain, Georgia. This week-long leadership camp will offer early drop-off and late pickup.  Hudson will use his signature chess skills and abilities to provide information, insight and advice on the importance of making every move in life count. Hudson has trained more than 50,000 students and his goal is to reach 1 million youngsters as he continues to train new teachers/motivators to spread the positive life lessons learned through the game of chess. Hudson is a believer…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan The Rockdale County Think Tank announced that the county’s very first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade and festival will be held on the national holiday, Monday, Jan. 16, in Olde Town, noon to 5 p.m. The county’s newly-elected chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Oz Nesbitt, will serve as Grand Marshal, helping to usher in what organizers hope will become a lasting tradition in Georgia’s geographically second-smallest county. The community is invited to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King during a daylong festival and parade that promises a fun, festive day with food…

 A crowd of dignitaries, family and supporters attended the Dec. 19 joint swearing-in and induction ceremonies for DeKalb County’s District Attorney Sherry Boston and Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling. The two women were sworn in at the historic Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta, where the church’s pastor, Dr. William D. Watley, welcomed those in attendance. Boston and Coleman-Stribling secured their victories during the Nov. 8 General Election after defeating their respective opponents in the May Primary. Boston previously served as the DeKalb County Solicitor-General, a position she held since 2011. During her tenure, Boston was instrumental in the development…

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) recently sent 5,000 notifications to food service establishments in DeKalb County to advise them to restrict serving water to only customers who make requests. The advisory comes in the wake of a Level 2 drought. In November, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division declared a Level 2 drought in 52 Georgia counties including DeKalb. In response to the drought, all food service establishments are instructed to serve water only to customers who request it. To conform with state regulations, this requirement is in effect immediately as part of DeKalb County’s Drought Restrictions response…

South DeKalb resident Eric Hubbard announced he is running for a seat on the new city of Stonecrest’s City Council. Hubbard, Congressman Hank Johnson’s Outreach Director for the past decade, is running for the District 3 seat. “I am offering myself for service to help build the city of Stonecrest,” said Hubbard. “I’ve been serving the South DeKalb community and beyond for many years. I know this community and the community knows me. As we come together to create a new city in south DeKalb, I’d like the opportunity to make a difference as our representative for District 3.” Hubbard…

DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis congratulated Cedar Grove High School on its AAA state championship title win by proclaiming Dec. 21 “Cedar Grove Saints Day.” “I am proud of what these players have accomplished on the field, but also proud of their scholastic achievements,” said Ellis. “Principal Benford’s motto is to ‘keep the main thing the main thing,’ and the main thing is learning. These young men are leaders at their school, and I encourage them to grow into leaders in their community.” This year, Cedar Grove has 22 seniors on its football team. All of them are attending college…

Rockdale County invites the public to the installation ceremony of 11 of its new and re-elected public officials on Thursday, Dec. 29, 6:30 p.m. in the Rockdale County Auditorium, 903 Main St., Conyers. The evening will honor four elected officials in new roles: Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Post 1 County Commissioner, Probate Court Judge and Tax Commissioner. Six re-elected officials will be honored: Superior Court Judge, State Court Judge, Magistrate Court Judge, Clerk of Courts, Sheriff and Coroner, and a newly appointed Juvenile Court Judge. Judge David Irwin, Chief Superior Court Judge, will administer the oaths of office.…

ATLANTA   Underground says farewell as host site of annual Atlanta Peach Drop   Ring in the New Year with the 2017 Peach Drop this New Year’s Eve on Saturday, Dec. 31, at Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama Street, Atlanta. Atlanta has been ringing in the New Year with the Peach Drop since its conception in 1989. This year, locals and visitors will gather at Underground Atlanta for the site’s last year hosting as thousands gather to watch the 800-pound peach descend from a 138-foot tower of lights. The 2017 Peach Drop promises family fun entertainment, food, street performers, and…

Rockdale County Commissioner Doreen Williams led a symposium on Dec. 20 to discuss ways to better deliver mental health services to Rockdale residents who need them. The issue is one that many who attended the symposium said they have witnessed firsthand as relatives or case managers and through their work in the community. “This is a critical issue, especially during this time of year when we’re celebrating the holidays. These individuals are experiencing feelings of sadness, irritability and anxiety and often don’t know where to turn,” said Williams. The symposium, which brought together a cross-section of 22 leaders including the…