Author: On Common Ground News

Redan High senior Justin Whitening leads the pack as academic and youth leadership standout  By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist Ten athletes and one coach in the DeKalb County School District have earned honors as Atlanta/DeKalb Regional Positive Athlete winners for the 2020-21 school year from the Georgia Branch of Positive Athlete. Positive Athlete recognizes athletes for overcoming adversity, giving back to their school and communities in significant ways and for their infectious positive attitudes that makes those around them better on and off the field. Athletes are nominated by their coaches, parents, teachers, family members and fans. The organization…

Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson DECATUR, GA—Discover DeKalb has retained C.H. Johnson Consulting Inc. to engage in a comprehensive market analysis for the feasibility of a new event and hospitality epicenter, which may include a convention/conference center, performing arts center, and hotel. Johnson Consulting will be joined by TVS Design, an Atlanta-based architecture and design firm, for the study, which was made possible by discretionary funds of DeKalb Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. Last week, Johnson Consulting kicked off the project with a countywide tour and meetings with various stakeholders, including the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, the DeKalb County Board of…

L-R: Quandarius Patrick and  Michael Fleming By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist Quandarius Patrick gives up gold medal to competitor, sparks emotional moment for fans DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Quandarius Patrick, a senior at DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) Towers High School, demonstrated the ultimate example of sportsmanship after winning the second running of the Class 2A Boys’ State 110-meter hurdles on May 15 at McEachern High School. Patrick surprised those in attendance as he pulled Oglethorpe County sophomore Michael Fleming up to the top of the podium and switched…

By Al Chatman DeKalb County resident Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. often quoted William Cullen Bryant in saying, “Truth crushed to earth shall rise again;” then he would add, “A lie cannot live forever.” It appears that some members of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association(SMMA) and some Georgia legislators are trying to prove that these adages are wrong. They want us to believe that they can forever perpetuate the untruths promoted by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and other regressive organizations.  They want us to disregard the truth and believe that a lie can live forever. We…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason and his wife, Debbie, are celebrating 35 years of marriage today (June 7). The Larys had dinner at a Mexican restaurant. The mayor said he started the day the way he does every special occasion for his wife—Mother’s Day, her birthday, their wedding anniversary—by delivering a bouquet of flowers to her. She was at work when he made today’s delivery.  He said his wife’s eyes lit up with joy. “I always deliver flowers to her myself. One time—on our 19th anniversary, I had FTD to deliver her flowers and due to a storm, she didn’t get them…

Eligible offenders to get second chance under new law     SNELLVILLE—Gwinnett County Solicitor General Brian Whiteside plans to hold an informational session on records restriction for offenders who have committed non-violent crimes. Whiteside is planning to host the informational on Saturday, June 12, at the Juneteenth celebration hosted by Gwinnett’s Promised Land Community. The Juneteenth event is set for noon to 5 p.m. at 4540 Lee Road S.W., Snellville. Whiteside’s office is compiling a list of eligible offenders arrested in Gwinnett on misdemeanor crimes. Information will be provided on how those offenders may have their criminal records expunged.…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested a suspect in the May 18 death of a man during an alleged drug deal in Clarkston, Georgia. Omarion Butler, 19, Lawrenceville, was arrested on June 5on a charge of Malice Murder. Butler is accused of setting up a drug deal, robbing the suspected buyers and shooting Tavon Jones, causing his death. Butler was taken into custody without incident at a residence in Stone Mountain and transported to the DeKalb County Jail.   

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested Torre Dongrell Harris following the March 18 shooting death of Jai Hayes on Panola Road in Lithonia. Harris, 22, of Stonecrest, turned himself in to Fugitive Investigators without incident on a warrant charging him with Malice Murder. No probable cause was provided. Harris was booked into the DeKalb County Jail.  

As we sail into the month of June, social media is abuzz this month with posts about wedding anniversary celebrations. June is no doubt a popular month to get hitched. According to Bride magazine, the wedding season peaks in June and September. On Common Ground News salutes these couples as they and their families and friends celebrate their unions(Photos via Facebook):   Voices of Faith Ministries’ Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr. and First Lady Pamela are celebrating their eighth wedding anniversary today (June 7). Bishop Hawkins said he plans to take the love of his life out to dinner for seafood…