Author: On Common Ground News

Lithonia Democratic Congressman Hank Johnson overwhelmingly defeated Republican opponent Victor Armendariz on election night, winning a sixth-term as the representative of the Fourth District. Johnson received 75.69 percent of the vote (the second-highest among peers who had opponents), while Armendariz received 24.31 percent. Only Atlanta Democratic Congressman John Lewis, who represents the Fifth District, earned a higher percentage of the vote among Congressional candidates who had no opposition. Lewis, who was first elected in 1986 and is the lonest-serving member of the Georgia delegation, won a 16th term with 84.41 percent of the vote. Johnson’s victory was bittersweet. “While I’m…

Democratic candidates Gregory Adams and Randal Mangham are headed for a run-off on Dec. 6 in the special election to fill the vacant DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Super District 7 seat. Adams received 26.01 percent of the vote, while Mangham received 16.27 percent, according to unofficial election results. Since neither received more than 50 percent of the vote, the runoff will be held. The winner will represent 350,000 residents in the eastern half of DeKalb. The Super District covers Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Pine Lake, Tucker, Doraville and incorporated areas. The seat became open after Commissioner Stan Watson resigned in…

  ATLANTA Macy’s Lenox Square celebrates 69th annual Great Tree Lighting Ceremony Get ready to ring in the holiday season at Macy’s 69th annual Great Tree Lighting ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m., 3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. Join soul star Aloe Blacc, country artist Craig Campbell, and the multi-talented Michelle Williams with hosts Jovita Moore and Zach Klein and the Macy’s All-Star Choir as they light the Great Tree in style. Macy’s Great Tree Lighting Show includes live music at 6:30 p.m., the rooftop tree lighting at 7 p.m., a visit from Santa, and a fireworks show. The…

ATLANTA—Georgia set an all-time record in votes cast in the Nov. 8 elections with a 76 percent turnout. With more than 4 million votes cast, Georgia surpassed its 2008 record of 3.9 million votes. In DeKalb County, 71.94 percent (302,036) of its 419,871 registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s general election. The turnout in Rockdale County, where there are 50,003 registered voters, was 76.32 percent or 38,161 ballots cast, unofficial results show. Secretary of State Brian Kemp said the momentum in Georgia has building since the Presidential Preference Primary was held on March 1 and 2,055,617 ballots were counted statewide.…

An amendment to Georgia’s constitution that would have empowered the state to take over so-called “failing” schools was rejected by a wide margin on election night. Unofficial results show that 60 percent of voters statewide voted down the measure with 64 percent saying no in DeKalb County. DeKalb, one of the state’s largest districts, was cited as having 28 failing schools on the governor’s list—more than any school system in Georgia. Failing schools were defined by the governor as those that have scored below 60 on the state’s College and Career Performance Index for three consecutive years. CCRPI scores are…

A three- mile stretch of the South River Trail soon will be named the Michelle Obama Walking Trail, an effort led by DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson. The Board of Commissioners recently passed a resolution to rename the stretch from Constitution Road to the Georgia State University–Perimeter College. Johnson says he is excited to spotlight the walking trail that connects the new Barack Obama Magnet School of Technology to the walking trail in Gresham Park. “I am thrilled to acknowledge First Lady Michelle Obama’s work with childhood obesity, healthy eating, and making exercise a part of everyone’s daily life,” said…

By Robert James | DeKalb County District Attorney Unemployment and underemployment are significant contributors to crime in DeKalb County. Helping people of working age find adequate employment goes a long way toward preventing crime. Having a criminal record, however, makes finding a job more difficult. But if you’re able to clear that blemish from your record, your chances of finding work – or perhaps finding a better job – are greatly improved. This is why I am creating an opportunity for qualifying individuals with DeKalb County felony arrest records to have their records cleared. On Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, from…

Michael Thurmond, Democratic nominee for DeKalb CEO, will have a watch night for the elections starting at 7 this evening at the Courtyard Downtown Courtyard Decatur Hotel, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur. Congressman Hank Johnson will be at the Decatur Marriott between 7 and 8 p.m.; the Hyatt Regency between 9 and 10 p.m.; and the Decatur Courthouse for a prayer vigil at 11 p.m. Supporters for the City of Stonecrest will gather around 7 p.m. at Arizona’s restaurant, located near the Mall at Stonecrest, Lithonia. In Rockdale: Supporters for write-in candidate Courtney Dillard will gather tonight at the Marriott Courtyard…

Attendees at the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce’s (GLCC) 23rd Anniversary and Scholarship Gala got a peek into Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s (GPTC) future. GPTC President Jabari Simama, who was the keynote speaker at the Chamber’s gala, unveiled an architectural rendering for a $25 million state-of-the-art transportation training facility that will be built in Lithonia. Simama told those attending the gala, which was held on Nov. 3 at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia, that they were seeing the rendering first. “This is going to be one of my primary legacies and I don’t intend to leave the college…

The city of Lithonia’s name is now etched on the National Register of Historic Places, officials have announced. Lithonia was placed on the nation’s list of places worthy of preservation and recognition on Sept. 19, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said in a recent news release. Officials say the new designation means the Southeast DeKalb County city is now eligible for economic incentives like those utilized in the development of Atlanta’s Ponce City Market. “We are looking forward to seeing new ventures attracted to the city via the tax incentives that are available to support historic preservation projects in…