Author: On Common Ground News

Clarence Cuthpert, Jr., Chief Judge State Court of Rockdale County, has been appointed to chair the Budget Committee for the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution (GCDR).   Judge M. Cindy Morris, who chairs the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution, appointed Cuthpert on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, the date marking his two-year anniversary as State Court Judge in Rockdale County.  Cuthpert was appointed as State Court Judge by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Feb. 1, 2021. The new GCDR leadership role follows Cuthpert’s appointment on April 3, 2020 by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton as the first Probate Judge to serve on…

DEKALB COUNTY –Malachi Coleman, 21, of Stone Mountain was taken into custody without custody on Jan. 31, for the New Year’s Day murder of Jayce Pirtle, 19, by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit. Coleman was arrested at a residence in Decatur on a warrant charging him with Malice Murder and Aggravated Assault-Weapon in connection with the shooting death of Pirtle. The incident took place on Arbor Ridge Drive in Stone Mountain on Jan. 1, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office stated. No cause was given for the shooting. Coleman was transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where he is…

DECATUR,GA— The U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence has selected DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections to join the group’s inaugural cohort of Centers for Election Excellence. DeKalb County is the only jurisdiction in the state of Georgia to receive this prestigious recognition. As a Center for Election Excellence, DeKalb County was awarded $2 million and will join a select bipartisan group of election officials to share best practices and strategies in their ongoing pursuit of excellence. “The County is pleased to be a recipient of this funding in support of the Elections Department’s ongoing efforts to serve as a model…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–On Saturday, Feb. 4, DeKalb County Government is partnering with local faith leaders to celebrate Black History Month by distributing 5,000 boxes of food. “With grocery costs up nearly 15 percent, many DeKalb residents continue to struggle to feed their families,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “DeKalb County Government and our faith leaders are grateful to provide some relief to hardworking families.” Along with a 10-pound bag of chicken hindquarters, residents will receive one 20-pound box of food that will contain fruits, vegetables and a dozen eggs. Additionally, residents will receive cookies, fruit juice boxes, and cereal.…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Rhonda Burnough (D-Riverdale), Shelly Hutchinson (D-Snellville), Lydia Glaize (D-Fairburn), Phil Olaleye (D-Atlanta), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and Sandra Scott (D-Rex issued the following statements regarding the fatal arrest of Tyre Nichols of Memphis: “It is really unfortunate that the life of an individual is not valued,” said Burnough. “More importantly, it is a shame that none of those police officers were willing to stand up and do the right thing.” “Once again, we have an example of how the sanctity of life is observed for some lives but certainly not Black lives,” said Hutchinson. “It is shameful…

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth District, announced he has secured positions as a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I). He was also elected by his peers as the ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. He served as chairman of the Courts subcommittee during the 117th Congress. “It is an honor to serve on these committees. I am excited to get to work to continue using these positions to help deliver for the people of Georgia’s Fourth District,” said Rep. Johnson. “Alongside…

 STONECREST, GA– The Stonecrest City Council approved recommendations for the design of a formal kayak launch ramp and parking lot improvements at Everett Park during its Jan. 31 Special Called Meeting.  Stonecrest officials allocated $125,000 in funds from the Capital Improvement Plan at Tuesday’s meeting to support the design and construction of the project. The City previously accepted a $190,663 grant obtained by the South River Watershed Alliance to facilitate park upgrades at its June 29, 2022 Council meeting.  “Everett Park is a small gem that offers kayakers and other paddlers a huge opportunity to explore the riverside beauty of…

The long-awaited facility, which replaced the outdated Bruce Street Senior Center, is located at 2449 Bruce Street in the City of Lithonia. During the open house, visitors had a chance to tour the  facility, which includes a multipurpose room/dining hall, aerobics studio, library, billiards and game room, arts and crafts room, kitchen and classrooms. DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, DeKalb County Director of Human Services Damon Scott, Lithonia Mayor Shameka Reynolds and Senior Center Manager Hazel Gonzalez were among those who brought remarks and celebrated the milestone. Officials broke ground on the center on Aug. 28, 2020. #eastdekalbseniorcenter #meredadavisjohnson…