Author: On Common Ground News

Thelma Hitchcock, age 89, of Athens, GA passed away after illness on Jan. 13, 2021. She was the sister of Kenley Waller. Mr. Waller and his wife, Myra, who are residents of DeKalb County are the owners of Kenley’s Sandwich Shop and Catering. Mr. Waller expressed his gratitude to family and friends who offered their condolences on social media. Private funeral services will be held Ton uesday, January 19, 2021 at The Chapel of Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home. Survivors include children: Sandra Hitchcock, Antoni Hitchcock and Byron Hitchcock; siblings: Joyce Porter, Ennice Martin, Johnnie Waller and Kenley Waller; 14 grandchildren;…

STONECREST–A team of DeKalb County healthcare workers were busy on Friday administering COVID-19 shots to registered senior citizens. Four lanes of vehicles formed at the drive-through set up on Jan. 15 at the future home of the Stonecrest City Hall complex located at 2929 Turner Hill Road. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond came out to get the vaccine around 11 a.m. and was assisted by DeKalb County’s Board of Health Director Dr. Sandra E. Ford. “All Americans must ban together to stem the tide of this deadly disease,” Thurmond told media attending the event. COVID-19 vaccines among DeKalb County’s minority…

ATLANTA–Today, Gov. Brian P. Kemp thanked the growing team of grocery store and supermarket companies operating in Georgia offering COVID-19 vaccinations to their customers. Publix, Kroger, and Ingles have all started providing limited vaccine appointments at select locations at stores in Georgia. “As we continue to enroll more providers in vaccine distribution and administration, it is vital for the state to work closely with Georgia’s business community – including fantastic grocery store companies like Public, Kroger, and Ingles – to get shots in arms as quickly and safely as possible,” said Gov. Kemp. “I greatly appreciate these private sector partners…

STONECREST—City Hall will be closed in observance of the MLK Holiday on Monday Jan. 18. City Hall  also will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 20, Inauguration Day for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Officials announced  the closing In light of the possible unrest at the nation’s Capitol and possible unrest in Atlanta.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with the DeKalb County Police Department, has arrested a suspect who allegedly murdered a man and assaulted his sister. Sheriff’s investigators today arrested 20 year-old Jameel Jamaal Stevens of Lawrenceville, Georgia on charges of Murder and Aggravated Assault. According to warrants, Stevens shot Tracie Raymond Hall on Oct. 28, 2020, causing his death, following a fight at an apartment complex on Brockett Road in Clarkston, Georgia. According to a separate arrest warrant, Stevens also used a gun to assault the victim’s sister, Nakitha Phillip, on the same date. Stevens was taken into custody…

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners recently approved a resolution to adopt a Tobacco-Free Campus Policy in November of 2020, in line with the Georgia Smoke-free Air Act of 2005. Smoking has been prohibited at all Rockdale County Government facilities effective January 2021. County officials say creating a tobacco-free environment in Rockdale is a large step toward creating a work environment that promotes good health. Studies show that smokers spend approximately 40 minutes a day on smoke breaks. The World Health Organization (WHO), American Heart Association (AHA), Georgia Public Health Department (GPHD), Center for Disease Control (CDC) all delineate the…

State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) has pre-filed and introduced several House bills during the first week of the 2021 legislative session to promote “black wealth” across the state. Rep. Kendrick will discuss the proposed legislation during an upcoming virtual press conference on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at 9 a.m. via Zoom. Advanced registration is required; to register for the press conference, please click here. “The Black community continues to be marginalized in its efforts to create wealth, and COVID-19 has further exasperated this issue by costing thousands of Black Georgians their jobs and businesses,” said Rep. Kendrick. “I am committed…

Advance voting begins Jan. 19, Election Day Feb. 9 DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) has finalized details for the special election to fill the vacant Georgia House District 90 seat, previously held by long-time lawmaker Pamela Stephenson. On Friday, Jan. 15, DeKalb VRE’s board unanimously approved early voting and drop box locations for the Democratic primary election. Advance voting begins Jan. 19 and concludes Feb. 5. Election Day is Feb. 9. “Our office has actively been planning to prepare for the special election and has already started mailing absentee ballot applications on Jan. 10, so some…

ATLANTA—Every year, The King Center in Atlanta leads the nation-wide observance of the national holiday commemorating the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. One of the marquee events of the King Center’s week-long holiday experience will be the “Beloved Community Awards” (formally “The Salute to Greatness” Award). The Beloved Community Awards recognize national and international individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence in leadership; pursue the universal quest for social justice and who are committed to creating the Beloved Community, a more just, humane and peaceful world, in the tradition of Martin Luther King, Jr. To register for the free…

DECATUR, GA—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb will host a virtual parade on Jan. 18, at noon, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Holiday. This year will mark the 19th year for the MLK Parade in DeKalb County and the theme is “Remember the Dream, Honoring the Dreamer.” Teresa Hardy, president of the NAACP DeKalb, said the 2021 celebration will encompass a variety of creative events to honor Dr. King and his contributions to society. “This momentous occasion will be celebrated via online streaming services and will reinforce the notion of teamwork…