Author: On Common Ground News

LITHONIA—The Lithonia Market on Main will host its official opening for the 2021 season on Saturday, June 5, noon to 4 p.m., 6980 Main St., Lithonia. The outdoor Saturday markets, which run June 5 through Oct. 30, feature African-American farmers offering a variety of fresh, seasonal produce and artisans selling their products and services. On opening day, there will be music and free gifts for all customers, organizers say. Vendors will offer half price on EBT purchases. The market will be held rain or shine. Some highlights of this year’s market include a Juneteenth/Father’s Day Celebration on June…

The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections meeting for the purpose of conducting its normal monthly business will be held on Thursday, June 10, at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be conducted via teleconference (Zoom). Simultaneous public access to the meeting will be available via livestream on DCTV’s UStream channel https://video.ibm.com/channel/dctv-channel-23. To make a comment, join via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/97184078303  or by phone at 1-888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493. Public comments of two minutes or less may be made live via the teleconference. For those joining the meeting by telephone, be aware that phone numbers may be displayed to…

DECATUR – The opportunity to turn yourself in on a misdemeanor charge in DeKalb County and get an immediate bond has ended. The DeKalb County Jail’s “Warrant Relief” program began earlier this month and was extended until Thursday (May 27) to accommodate increasing interest by the public. The warrant relief program allowed individuals who have outstanding arrest warrants for certain misdemeanor offenses a chance to surrender but avoid being jailed. When misdemeanor suspects turned themselves in voluntarily, they received an unsecured judicial release – a free bond – if charges met the criteria. Warrant service for some offenses has been…

ATLANTA—Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday (May 29)issued an executive order regarding remaining COVID-19 guidelines for long-term care facilities, schools, and local governments. “As hospitalizations, cases, deaths, and percent positive tests all continue to decline – and with vaccinations on the rise – Georgians deserve to fully return to normal,” said Kemp. “With safe and effective vaccines widely available and the public well-aware of all COVID-19 mitigation measures, mandates from state and local governments are no longer needed.” Effective May 31, 2021, through June 15, 2021, this order eliminates rules for restaurants, bars, conventions, childcare facilities, live performance venues, and other organizations.…

DECATUR, GA –– An investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office’s Office of Professional Standards reports that a current DeKalb County Jail inmate was behind the threat of an explosive device yesterday at the DeKalb County courthouse in downtown Decatur. The judicial complex and several nearby businesses were evacuated on Thursday, May 27, for hours as law enforcement authorities from five agencies and Homeland Security performed a security sweep in search of the device. None was not found. The suspect has been identified as Joseph Michael Caquette, 47, of Atlanta, Georgia. According to records,  Caquette is currently in custody at…

CONYERS– A bicyclist who was shot multiple times at the intersection of Salem Road and Golfview Drive in Conyers on May 24 has died from his injuries, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office said. The victim, who was identified as Kelvin D.Battle, 34, of Covingto, was riding his bicycle when he was attacked at 4:47 a.m. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died, authorities said. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Unit at 770-278-8150.

Registration is now open for the nine-week “Chess for Success” program, which will be held every Saturday, June 5 to July 31, with a chess tournament planned for July 31. There will be $500 in prizes awarded to winners who are DeKalb County residents. Classes will start at 11 a.m. and conclude an hour later at 12 p.m. The training is designed for ages 8 – 18 and, thanks to DeKalb County, is free. Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, founder of Be Someone, says his mission is to check, challenge,  and change the mindset of America’s  youths by teaching them his magic…

 ATLANTA — Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand today announced a $1 million commitment to Morehouse College, part of their Black Community Commitment. The gift will help fund scholarships, technology, and educational programming for students studying journalism and sports-related areas of study. The Black Community Commitment is an initiative by Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand to directly impact the fight against systemic racism by focusing on social justice, economic justice, and race education and awareness. Morehouse joins the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Ida B. Wells Society in receiving gifts because of their roles “at…

The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections meeting for the purpose of conducting its normal monthly business will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be conducted via teleconference (Zoom). Simultaneous public access to the meeting will be available via livestream on DCTV’s UStream channel https://video.ibm.com/channel/dctv-channel-23. To make a comment, join via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/97184078303  or by phone at 1-888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493. Public comments of two minutes or less may be made live via the teleconference. For those joining the meeting by telephone, please be aware that phone numbers may be…