Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA–Today, DeKalb County Public Library (DCPL) announced the start of the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge, “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” The Summer Reading Challenge begins on June 1 and runs through July 31. DCPL’s 23 branches will host more than 500 free programs this summer to encourage everyone to read and explore the library’s many offerings. Children, teens and adults can pre-register now using Beanstack, the library’s online reading challenge tracking platform and mobile app, at dekalblibrary.beanstack.org. Adults also have the option of using a paper bingo card to track their progress. The cards will be available for pickup at…

All offices closed May 27 in observance of Memorial Day DECATUR, GA– As many residents are preparing to travel and kick off summer, DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson is reminding vehicle owners to check their registration before the Memorial Day holiday. “Ensuring your vehicle registration is current should be on your travel checklist before any road trip, whether it’s local or long distance,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson. “Driving with an expired car tag, or without a tag, can hamper travel plans and be costly in the long run.” To avoid delays, taxpayers can go online to…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–As results trickled in during the early evening on Tuesday(May 21), dozens of supporters attended election watch parties hosted by Lorraine Cochran Johnson and Larry Johnson, the top candidates in the 3-way  DeKalb County CEO race. The mood was enthusiastic and festive featured a live band and a D.J. at Cochran Johnson’s rooftop watch party, which started at 8 p.m. at Hotel Spice & Sky Atlanta Perimeter, 4401 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road. Supporters were personally greeted by the candidate and enjoyed appetizers, as election results were announced periodically. The mood also was upbeat as a DJ played dance music at…

 District 4 Commissioner’s race: Shakira Johnson, Lance Hammonds facing runoff    DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Lorraine Cochran Johnson was leading in the three-way DeKalb County CEO race with 46.28%—36,469 votes and appears headed in a runoff with Larry Johnson, unofficial  results show. Larry Johnson was second in the race with 34.36%—27,075 votes. Steve Bradshaw finished third with 19.37%—15,264 votes. DeKalb’s overall turnout was low. According to the election summary report, only 36,418 (7.23%) of DeKalb’s  503,384 registered voters participated in the May 21 election. Cochran-Johnson said on May 22, the day after the primary elections, that she and her campaign team…

DECATUR, G A— The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections will meet for the purpose of conducting its normal monthly business and certification of election results  on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at noon.The meeting will be conducted at the board’s office at 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. The public may attend the meeting. Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one printed page or less at a minimum font of 12 to electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov which must be received between 35 and 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting. The body of the email must include…

Updated: May 22, 2024 DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported an inmate died while in custody on Monday, May 20, 2024. According to preliminary reports, Charles Robert Smith, 31, experienced a medical emergency in his jail cell at approximately 10:06 a.m. The Sheriff’s Office’s on-site medical team responded and rendered emergency services. EMS arrived on-scene where Mr. Smith was laterpronounced deceased. The College Park resident had been in custody since Dec. 9, 2023, on charges of VGCSA – Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon or First Offender, both felonies. A cause…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt appears headed to a runoff with c in his bid for re-election, unofficial results show. Since no candidate in the five-way race earned 50% plus one votes in the May 2 general primary elections, Nesbitt and VanNess as the two top finishers running for Chairman are expected to be in the runoff on June 18.     Pictured L-R: Oz Nesbitt (I), JaNice VanNess The Rockdale County Board of Elections and Voter Registration,1115 West Ave. S.W., Conyers, will certify the election results on Friday, May 24,…

ATLANTA –MARTA Airport Station reopened today, May 20, after a six-week closure to renovate the concourse and platform levels. The following work was completed during a temporary station closure from April 8 through May 19. ·       Installation of new terrazzo flooring in concourse ·       Installation of new platform pavers ·       Repair, sealing, and painting of track and concourse walls ·       Preparation for installation of the new canopy  “This was an incredibly successful project and I want to thank our customers for bearing with us while we completed this necessary work,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. “Temporarily closing the station significantly reduced…

ATLANTA—As a 14-year-old kid growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson found himself teetering on the edge of a dangerous path. He was surrounded by the lure of gang life and the temptation of making quick, bad, decisions. Until he met a white teacher who helped him change the trajectory of his life. James Edge, an English teacher with a passion for chess, saw potential in Hudson. One day, he approached Hudson and invited him to play a game of chess. Skeptical at first, Hudson reluctantly agreed. But as the pieces moved across the board, Hudson discovered not just…