Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Steve Bradshaw, former candidate for DeKalb County CEO and DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner, announced his endorsement today, May 23, for Larry Johnson in the Democratic primary runoff election for DeKalb County CEO. Bradshaw is a former U.S. Army officer and veteran of the first Persian Gulf War. He was elected to the DeKalb County Commission in 2016 and his fellow commissioners chose him twice, unanimously, to serve as the board’s presiding officer. Larry Johnson and Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, the former Super District 7 Commissioner, are expected to square off for the DeKalb County CEO seat in the June…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb Human Services Department’s Office of Youth Services is accepting applications for its Girls’ Clubhouse, a free summer program designed to expose DeKalb County female teens to personal, social, and professional development training skills they can use throughout their lives. The program will be held June 8 to July 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A weekly Saturday session will be hosted at South DeKalb Senior Center, 1931 Candler Rd., Decatur. The Girls’ Clubhouse program conducts group counseling sessions to enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of DeKalb teen girls. The program explores topics surrounding self-esteem, self-concept, crisis, problem…

DECATUR, GA– In observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will run one day late as follows: Monday, May 27 – Memorial Day observed. No sanitation service. Tuesday, May 28 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, May 27, will be serviced on Tuesday, May 28.  Wednesday, May 29 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, May 28, will be serviced on Wednesday, May 29. Thursday, May 30 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, May 29, will be serviced on Thursday, May 30. Friday, May 31 – Residential customers…

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…