Author: On Common Ground News

The Georgia Supreme Court today unanimously overturned the conviction of former DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis, citing technical errors that occurred during his trial. The court said in a 30-page opinion that while there was sufficient evidence to find Ellis guilty of perjury and attempt to commit theft by extortion, “we must nevertheless reverse Ellis’ convictions based on certain evidentiary errors that occurred at his trial. Accordingly, we affirm in part and reverse in part to allow for a retrial on the charges of criminal attempt to commit theft by extortion and perjury.” The Court said the trial judge made a…

Jason Lary, who led the Stonecrest cityhood movement to victory, announced today that he plans to run for mayor of the new city. Lary said that as the chief architect of the Stonecrest Yes Committee, he is ready to give birth to the vision of economic development and self governance that he and others have worked on for so long. The referendum to create the city of 50,000 residents passed on Nov. 8. “After four years of being the person who has put it together, selected the team and worked on the model for the city, I believe…

Michael Thurmond, Oz Nesbitt, Sherri Washington and Marcelo Baines are among the newly-elected local officials who are participating in a four-day orientation this week with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia in Athens. The session ends Friday. In November, Thurmond was elected as DeKalb County’s CEO; Nesbitt was elected as Rockdale County’s Chairman of the Board of Commissioners; Washington was elected as Rockdale’s Post 1 Commissioner; and Baines was elected the first African American chairman of the Newton County Board of Commissioners.

North DeKalb Senior Center opens its doors to DeKalb residents on Thursday, Dec. 1. The facility is located at 3393 Malone Drive in Chamblee. “This center will serve as a welcoming gathering place where area seniors can learn new skills and participate in exciting activities,” said DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May. “DeKalb’s Senior Services and Facilities Management departments worked together to open a top-notch building that the community can use for years to come.” North DeKalb Senior Center is the last of three senior centers recently constructed in the county. The center features computer classes, exercise classes and more. The…

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann, Esq. began his first full term as the county’s 49th Sheriff Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. after being administered the oath of office by Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams. Sheriff Mann was elected to the position in the November 2016 General Election after a landslide victory against several candidates in the May primaries.  He was first appointed sheriff in February 2014 by then Sheriff Thomas Brown, who was retiring.  In July 2014, Sheriff Mann was elected to fill the remaining two years of Brown’s unexpired term. Sheriff Mann received…

Despite losing practically everything they owned in an early morning house fire in September, Misty Glass and her family have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, including a 2014 car donated by GEICO, Caliber Collision and other local businesses. The family was presented the keys to a 2014 Chevy Malibu donated by GEICO and Caliber Collision-Conyers as part of the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides™ program. The program brings together businesses in the collision industry who team up to repair and donate cars to help individuals in need. GEICO donated the vehicle, which was refurbished by technicians…

DeKalb announces Thanksgiving residential sanitation collection schedule   In observance of Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 24, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised collection schedule.   The revised schedule is as follows: Monday, Nov. 21 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Nov. 21, will be serviced on that day. Tuesday, Nov. 22 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Nov. 22, will be serviced on that day. Wednesday, Nov. 23 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Nov. 23, will…

DeKalb County business owners, Wendell and Isis Robinson, recently got the surprise of a lifetime when executive producer Oprah Winfrey walked through the doors of their Decatur bar, Juicy’s Joint. Winfrey visited the restaurant on Nov. 10 to film an episode for season 2 of Greenleaf, the television drama series that follows the lives of the Greenleaf family and their corrupt mega church in Memphis, Tennessee. The show, which premiered June 2016, was written by Craig Wright and features a star-studded cast including Keith David, Lynn Whitfield, and Merle Dandridge. Robinson said he and his wife were thrilled to meet…

The Rockdale County Public Schools theater community has been shining in the spotlight recently with region titles and state honors in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) One Act competitions. Heritage High School (HHS) won second place in the state One Act Class AAAAAA competition on Nov. 12 for their performance of August Wilson’s “Fences.” HHS sophomore Christian Anderson was named Best Actor in the state for Class AAAAAA. Earlier this year, HHS was selected as the Region 3-AAAAAA One Act Champion and also won Best Ensemble Cast and Crew, Best Actor-Ramone Nelson, Best Actress – Cortlyn Mays, and Best…

Vernon Jones was among the newly-elected state legislators who attended orientation on Nov. 15 at the state capitol in preparation for the 2017 General Assembly. Although Jones, a Democrat, was elected on Nov. 8 over a Republican candidate to represent House District 91, which includes parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties, he is not a brand new state legislator. Before serving two terms as DeKalb’s CEO from 2001 to 2008, Jones served as a state lawmaker from 1993 to 2000. “I’m excited to be back. I have the experience and I understand how to effect change. I’m looking forward to…