Author: On Common Ground News

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…

Suzanne Shank, chairwoman, CEO and co-founder of Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., L.L.C., one of the nation’s top municipal bond underwriting firms, will be the 2016 spring commencement speaker at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. The ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m., will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Boulevard, NW, Atlanta. . The ceremony will be conducted in the Georgia Ballroom. Shank is the first African-American female to lead a publicly-traded financial institution, and is in high demand as a financial expert who is well-respected on Wall Street.  As a founding partner…

The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) has named Rockdale County Chairman Richard Oden the recipient of the 2016 Emory Greene Leadership Award. Each year, ACCG presents leadership awards to recognize outstanding public service and leadership in county government. The Emory Greene Leadership Award is the highest honor a commissioner can receive from the ACCG’s awards program. Oden accepted the award this month at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center during the 2016 ACCG Annual Conference. “ACCG is proud to present Chairman Oden with this year’s Emory Greene Leadership Award,” said ACCG Executive Director Ross King. “It…

By Valerie J. Morgan DeKalb County won’t be operating its summer program this year at the Redan Recreation Center, 1839 Phillips Road, Lithonia. Instead, the Boys & Girls Club will run the summer program for children. County officials held an emergency meeting on May 16 to discuss the program with community residents after DeKalb Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson said she received several questions from constituents. Johnson said she held the meeting so residents could get clarity. DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May, who spoke at the meeting at Johnson’s request, told the crowd of residents who attended that the…

By Valerie J. Morgan DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson has filed a lawsuit asking the court to stop the May 24 special election to fill the unexpired term of the tax commissioner’s seat, On Common Ground News has learned. Johnson alleges in the suit, filed on Thursday in the Superior Court of DeKalb, that the ballot unconstitutionally strips him of his title as the “incumbent” in the race. Currently, Johnson, a Democrat, is identified on the ballot by his name, the same as his two Democratic challengers: Susannah Scott and Stan Watson. Johnson, who was serving…

Atlanta’s Benjamin E. Mays High School won the Prom Safety contest sponsored by Fulton County Youth Commissioners, V103, Capitol Records Music Group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and A-Tow. The youth commissioners decided that Mays had the best prom safety video compared to six other competing schools. The winning video was broadcast at Mays to encourage safety during prom season. Students enjoyed a celebrity performance by “Silento,” A V-103 DJ and High Definition Sound System and a live radio broadcast by V-103 at their May 6 prom with Celebrity Host “Greg Street” along with free transportation to and from…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced the nominations of 23 Fourth District students to the United States Military Service Academies for the class of 2020, including the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the U.S.  Military Academy in West Point, NY, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. In advance of this round of nominations, staff from Johnson’s office held more than 24 information sessions at schools throughout the district, which includes parts of DeKalb, Newton and Gwinnett counties and all of Rockdale County. “Putting forward nominations of Fourth…

Catch a flick on the biggest screen in town, Fernbank’s IMAX® Theatre, on Fridays,  767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta. Fernbank’s Martinis & IMAX® is one of the most unique “culture and cocktail” opportunities in Atlanta. Guests enjoy special cocktail menus, small plates, live entertainment, dancing and a chance to see a film on the biggest screen in town, Fernbank’s IMAX® Theatre. This popular event, the first of its kind in Atlanta, is held every Friday (excluding holiday weekends) from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Live entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online at www.fernbankmuseum.org or by calling 404-929-6400. Please…