Author: On Common Ground News

Washington, DC – Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA), today sent a letter calling on the Judicial Conference to refer Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Attorney General for potential violations of the Ethics in Government Act 1978. The members sent a letter one day after a second ProPublica report exposed that Justice Thomas failed to disclose the sale of properties to billionaire Harlan Crow.  The letter follows a request from the Campaign Legal Center urging the Judicial Conference to refer Justice Thomas to the Attorney General for failure to disclose luxury trips funded by Crow. “Justice Thomas reported his interest in [the Savannah] properties…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit made an arrest today, April 14, in the death of a man during an alleged drug deal on Glenwood Road in Decatur. Sheriff’s investigators located Charlie B. Buckholts, 20, of Stone Mountain, Georgia at an Indian Forest Trail residence and took him into custody without incident. An arrest warrant charges Buckholts with Malice Murder against Joshua Walker, who was found deceased in a silver van on March 18, 2023, after gunshots were heard by persons nearby. Authorities report that the victim and the suspect were allegedly acquainted through prior drug sales.…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry are inviting the community to attend a special town hall designed to share with residents the current economic development landscape in DeKalb. The DeKalb County State of Economic Development Town Hall will take place Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m. (doors open at 8 a.m. for registration and light breakfast) at the South DeKalb Senior Center, 1931 Candler Road, Decatur. Attendees will hear from experts who are at the forefront of the county’s short and long-range plans for growth and development. “One of my ongoing…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County has extended the application deadline for the 2023 DeKalb Virtual Career Academy (DVCA), the county’s seventh annual summer jobs training program, run by WorkSource DeKalb. The new application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 16, for the program, hosted by DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners. “As families continue to struggle to navigate high inflation and food prices, DeKalb County wants to help youth earn money to purchase much-needed items for school while learning critical job skills,” Thurmond said. The five-week program will run from June 5 through July 7. DVCA will…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has made an arrest in the March 29 death of a man during an alleged argument that led to a shootout on Kelly Street in Lithonia, Georgia. Sheriff’s investigators located 42-year-old Kali Smith of Lithonia at a residence on Laguna Drive in Decatur and took him into custody without incident. Arrest warrants charge Smith with Malice Murder and Aggravated Assault against Torey Shepherd, 21,  of Decatur, who was fatally wounded during the shootout. Smith was transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where he is being held without bond. Arrested: Suspect…

 ATLANTA— The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Cooling Program, administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS), will be available April 3, through July 31 or until funds are exhausted. The federally-funded program assists low-income, elderly, and disabled Georgians with cooling bills through direct payments to home energy suppliers. Beginning Monday, April 3, Georgia residents aged 65 years of age and older or those who are medically homebound may apply. Applications will be taken for all other eligible residents beginning May 1, 2023. Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) on a…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Board of Education is urging the community and school district employees to attend one of three town hall meetings to introduce Dr. Devon Horton, sole finalist for superintendent of the DeKalb County School District.  The public will have a chance to hear from Dr. Horton and provide feedback on his candidacy. The meetings are set for 6 p.m. and are expected to run about two hours. Here are the locations for the town hall meetings:   Wednesday, April 12, Chamblee High School, 3688 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee Thursday, April 13,  Ronald E. McNair Middle School, 2190 Wallingford Drive, Decatur Friday, April 14, DCSD Administrative &…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Charter Review Commission will meet Thursday, April 13, 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in person at the Manuel J. Maloof Center,1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. Free parking is available at the DeKalb County Courthouse parking lot. The hearing also will be livestreamed and can be viewed at this link: https://video.ibm.com/channel/dctv-channel-23. The public can leave comments for the Charter Review Commission at: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/form/charter-review-contacts. AGENDA Call to Order Roll Call Minutes From Previous Meeting of March 9 Introduction of Invited Guests: Any elected officials Report from Chair Unfinished Business Discussion on timeline and process New Business…

ATLANTA — City Council members Michael Julian Bond and Andrea L. Boone announced tonight (April 12) the passing of Carolyn Long Banks, acclaimed civil rights activist and the first Black woman to serve on the Atlanta City Council. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by her family. “Our community has lost a true trailblazer. Carolyn Long Banks will forever be known as a catalyst for extraordinary change in our city and across the nation. This is a somber moment for us all and I send my deepest condolences to her family. Throughout her life, she had an unwavering…