Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA—Caden Harris, the 14-year-old entrepreneur who teaches financial literacy to kids from a renovated school bus, learned over the weekend that someone had stolen the generator that powers his classroom on wheels. “While I was in Washington, DC speaking at the Treasury Department sharing about financial literacy making a global impact, when unfortunately, my dad received a phone call that while I was on stage speaking, my bus had been broken into and my generator which powers the interior workings of the bus was stolen!!!” Caden said in an Instagram post. Pictured L-R: Caden Harris and Stonecrest City Councilman…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Police Department invites the community to attend the DeKalb County Fallen Officers Memorial Service on Wednesday, May 8, 10 – 11 a.m., at the DeKalb History Center (Old Courthouse Courtyard),101 East Court Square, Decatur. Each May has been recognized as a time for law enforcement agencies throughout the county to pay tribute to fallen officers and their families. The Memorial Service brings surviving family members, police officers, elected officials, community groups and friends together to commemorate the lives of our fallen heroes. Also, fallen officers will be recognized from Clarkston, Decatur, DeKalb County Marshal’s Office, DeKalb…

This is the time of year that politicians come around asking for your vote. Each one is friendly and courteous, shaking hands and smiling—to secure the vote. Many times, after the politicians win the elections, they refuse to meet with their constituents to discuss pertinent issues. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Amos King, founder of Justice for Veterans, is very disturbed about the lack of participation from politicians concerning the mental health and welfare of veterans in DeKalb County. On numerous occasions, he has tried to meet with various local politicians, but they have refused. King has had successful meetings with political…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Hundreds of people are expected to attend the Thursday luncheon on May 2, where DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond will deliver his eighth and final State of the County address. The reminder concerning the event published today, May 1, was incorrect. The program will be available on Thursday, May 2, via livestream on DCTV’s UStream channel at DCTVChannel23.tv. Thurmond, who has served as DeKalb CEO since 2016, will officially end his term in office on Dec. 31, 2024. “Lessons Learned” will be the topic of Thurmond’s 2024 State of the County address to be presented during the business…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA- DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw has announced two key groups who are supporting his bid to become the next CEO of DeKalb County as the three-week early voting period gets underway this week.  The May 21 election includes statewide, local and non-partisan seats. To kick off National Appreciation Month, Bradshaw is holding a “Veterans for Steve” press conference today, May 1, at 10 a.m., Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road NE in Atlanta. Bradshaw held a “Municipal Leaders for Steve” press conference at Callanwolde on April 29, the first day of Early Voting. Bradshaw has served on the…

By Mark Brock DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Following Area Golf Tournament play, DeKalb County has three individual golfers (two girls, one boy) heading to their respective state tournaments on May 20-21. Two of the golfers are set to travel to the Class 5A state championship being held at Okefenokee Country Club in Blackshear, Georgia. Arabia Mountain’s Avah Allen finished third overall at the recent Area 3-5A girls’ tournament by shooting a 97 as the top individual qualifier not on a state qualifying team. Allen adds the trip to state to her DeKalb County Golf Championships title. The other Class 5A qualifier…

DECATUR, GA– You can get some great gardening tips from your desktop or cell phone in May and June. DeKalb County Cooperative Extension is hosting virtual garden classes for free. Here’s a look at the schedule: Attracting Pollinators: May 9 at 6 p.m. Pollinators are not just butterflies and bees. Let’s learn about all the other pollinators are in Georgia and how to have a friendly space in your landscape for them. Cut Flower Gardens: May 16 at 6 p.m. Instead of always buying pre-cut fresh flowers, turn to your landscape for fresh bouquets. Gardening Tips & Tricks: June 13 at…

CONYERS, GA—The Taste of Spring Festival will be held in Olde Town Conyers in the city’s business district on Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. There will be live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and even a children’s business fair.  The Children’s Business Fair will be held in the Randy Mills Pavilion at City Center Park on Main Street. A car and bike show also will be featured from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., 939 Railroad St.  If you want to enter your car or motorcycle , here’s what you need to know: Registration will…

STONECREST, GA– Members of the DeKalb County House and Senate Legislative Delegation celebrated the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of its new Constituent Services Office on Saturday, April 27. The new office, now open at the New Black Wall Street Market in Stonecrest, Georgia, will provide dedicated office space for constituents to keep in touch with their state lawmakers. Plans are to initially open the office three days a week and rotate Saturdays. Officials said at the event that they are still working out the schedule and staffing details. Several elected officials attended the celebration including Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents…

ATLANTA, GA—DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond will deliver his eighth and final State of the County address on Thursday, May 2, 2024, 11:30 a.m., at the new Assembly Studios in Atlanta. Thurmond assumed office in 2016. His tern expires on Dec. 31, 2024. “Lessons Learned” will be the topic of Thurmond’s 2024 State of the County address to be presented during a business luncheon hosted by the Council for Quality Growth and DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Two local leaders will be recognized for their community contributions during the program. More than 650 Council and Chamber members, elected officials, business owners and…