Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will offer a Winter Break Camp, Dec. 20 – 23, Dec. 27- 30 and Jan. 3 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost of the camp is $10 per day for children ages 5-12. Each participant must provide his or her own breakfast, lunch and snack. To register, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click the “Register Online” button. Residents can also register in person at any of the locations listed below: Park staff will meet campers outside all recreation centers for curbside drop-off and pickup. Parents will not…

ATLANTA– As the holiday season kicks off, Georgia Power is inviting customers to show off their light displays and festive decorations on social media for a chance to win weekly prizes including home energy saving kits, and tickets to top Georgia holiday attractions and sporting events. The sweepstakes runs through Dec. 24, 2021.     Entering the sweepstakes* is easy:  Step 1: Follow Georgia Power on Instagram and “Like” Georgia Power on Facebook. Step 2:  Take a photo of how you are celebrating the holidays with festive decorations and lights at your home with friends and family. Step 3: Share your photo on Instagram…

Shooter leaves victim to die while hanging out at hookah bar   DECATUR, GA- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Decatur man accused of killing his cousin and later shooting a friend. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Dec. 3 against Jamal Rashad Kerns, 25, on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, in connection with the shooting death of Keschon Kerns,18, and the shooting of Malik Golar, now 24. The incident…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Hank Johnson (GA) and Jamie Raskin (MD) re-introduced The Bivens Bill, legislation that allows citizens to recover damages for constitutional violations committed against them by federal law enforcement officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Justice (DOJ) and federal prison officials. The lawmakers first introduced the Bivens Bill in 2020. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) introduced a companion in the Senate. The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Alex Padilla (CA), Ed Markey (MA), and Ron Wyden (OR). After the Civil War, Congress enacted…

LITHONIA, GA–The community engagement event to help shape the future of the historic Bruce Street School, DeKalb County’s first black school, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 12, 1-4 p.m. at 2449 Bruce Street. The meeting was moved to Sunday due to expected inclement weather on Saturday, Dec. 11. This event is the second in a series designed to gather community feedback and direct the historic preservation of the former school site. The event will be led by Martin Rickles Studio, an Atlanta-based interdisciplinary design studio, staff members from the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance and volunteers. Anyone interested…

STONECREST, GA—City officials said today that an interim director would be named to replace Brandon Riley, who has resigned as the city’s Parks and Recreation director, as the city reorganizes and creates a new Leisure Services Department. Riley’s last day with the city is Friday, Dec. 10. He will start a new managerial job on Dec. 13 with Operation Hope, a nonprofit that offers financial programming and coaching to empower and uplift communities. City officials said  the interim director, along with other department contacts, would be listed on the city’s web site for the public who may…

CHAMBLEE, GA—The Chamblee Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on Dec. 4 at Plaza Fiesta. Police responded to a call concerning a person shot at 7:03 p.m. They found an Hispanic male with a single gunshot wound to the upper-torso. Norberto Trevino, 42 of Brownsville, Texas, died from injuries at the scene, authorities said. The Chamblee Criminal Investigations Division is actively working the case and following up on all available leads. The Chamblee Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance with the investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any available information should contact…

The Wonder Years actor Kal-El Charles White to appear   Atlanta Mayor-elect Andre Dickens will join DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson for the closing ceremony of Johnson’s annual Tree of Love event on Dec. 18.    Johnson said he is excited about welcoming Dickens to celebrate the holiday event in DeKalb County. He said he is honored to have endorsed Dickens for his bid for office and believes Dickens will serve the city proudly as the 61st mayor of the city of Atlanta. Dickens won by a landslide—64 percent—in the Nov. 30 runoff with Atlanta City Council President…