Author: On Common Ground News

Updated numbers for some of the key DeKalb County Races (192 of 192 precincts reporting): CEO: Michael Thurmond 29,516 Connie Stokes 11,088 Sheriff: Jeff Mann (Incumbent) 21,985 Geraldine Champion 7,013 District Attorney: Sherry Boston 25,564 Robert James(Incumbent) 15,440 Tax Commissioner: Irvin Johnson 15,451 Susannah Scott 14,006 Stan Watson 10,291 DeKalb County Commissioner, District 4 Sharon Barnes Sutton 3,565 S. Bradshaw 3,841 Lance Hammonds 641 DeKalb County Commissioner, District 6 Kathie Gannon, 13,911 Warren Mosby 3,258

The Walk of Heroes Veterans War Memorial will host its annual Memorial Day program on May 30, 11 a.m. to noon, at the memorial park, 3001 Black Shoals Road, Conyers. The keynote speaker will be James Blaylock, Viet Nam War combat wounded marine and past state and national commander Military Order of the Purple Heart. There will be an afternoon program that will include a patriotic concert performed by Rejoys from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. Also, certificates of honor will be presented during the afternoon program to Viet Nam war veterans who served from June 1, 1954 to May 15,…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from his alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, during the university’s 27th Commencement on May 16. Johnson graduated from then Clark College in 1976 with a degree in Political Science. He went on to Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas, for his law degree in 1979. This is his first honorary degree. “This is one of the highlights of my professional and public life,” said Johnson, a former defense attorney, judge and county commissioner. Johnson has served in Congress representing Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District since 2007. “To…

The federally-funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) will again be available to children 18 and under from low income families through several sites statewide.. . Over one million of Georgia’s school-aged children are eligible for free or reduced lunch when school is in session. The summer food program provides free meals in low-income areas during the summer months when students are out of school and may not have access to well-balanced meals. To locate a site where children can access nutritious, free meals, visit the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) at http://www.decal.ga.gov/Nutrition/Search.aspx. Use the search function (zip…

Just call Julius Lee the FitBit King. It has been three years since Lee met his goal of climbing Stone Mountain 20 times in one day, a feat that took him nearly all day and years of climbing to achieve. In April, the Conyers resident set a new record landing him first place in the Top 500 FitBit World Rankings, a monthly competition where FitBit wearers compete with one another in several categories of distance such as steps, floors and miles. The Detroit native said that he purchased a FitBit for himself and his wife as Christmas gifts after…

Marketing Director Vickie Elisa is retiring after a 30-year career with the DeKalb County Board of Health. Elisa, who has worked in health communication, social marketing and health program development, is an Emmy, Telly and Addy-award winning television producer. A celebration honoring her work and advocacy in the community will be held May 25, 1:30 p.m., at the DeKalb County Board of Health, Richardson Health Center, 445 Winn Way, Decatur (second floor). A champion for women’s health and financial education, Elisa worked on First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2011-2013 Let’s Move Campaign for DeKalb County and served as a White House Community…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is proud to announce two seniors, Michaela Finlayson of Heritage High School and Rajuan Nelson of Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, were recently named Gates Millennium Scholars. They are among 1,000 scholars chosen this year out of 53,000 applicants in the rigorous scholarship program, which fully funds outstanding students from low-income families pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees at accredited colleges or universities. Both are in the top 10 academically in their class and have also won the RCPS Superintendent’s Academic Award for the past several years. Nelson grew up in Conyers, attending…

The head of a Georgia gang has been charged with ordering a retaliation hit from prison that killed a 9-month-old boy in DeKalb County. The baby’s mother, grandmother and a family friend were all shot and wounded in their home as they tried to protect little KenDarious Edwards, Jr. The three women survived, but the child was killed. DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said Kenneth Eric Jackson, the head of the Sex Money Murder Bloods in Georgia, used a contraband mobile phone while incarcerated at Autry State Prison to order the hit. The murder was in retaliation for…

DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann hosted an annual program on  May 12,to honor some 80 volunteers who provide services to inmates of the DeKalb County Jail and their families. “Our volunteers are chaplains from all faiths, counselors and educators who give unselfishly of their time and talents to help inmates cope with being incarcerated while they await their court dates,” said Mann. “We are truly fortunate to have them as members of our team because of the special services they provide and the cost-savings their participation represents for the Sheriff’s Office.”

Spring is here, which means fresh fruits, vegetables and the Mobile Farmers Market.  DeKalb County, along with DeKalb County Extension and the DeKalb County Board of Health, announce the kick-off of the 2016 Mobile Farmers Market season. A festival-style event will kic -off the new Mobile Farmers Market season on Thursday, May 26, noon to 5 p.m., 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur.  Chefs will be on site providing food demonstrations and samples.  All produce is 50 percent off during the event. BOOM 102.9 and Praise 102.5 will be broadcasting live with DJ Nabs…