Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST—Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant repurposed New Birth’s planned drive-in worship service to a peaceful demonstration for justice on Sunday, May 31. Bryant decided to hold the demonstration on Pentecost Sunday following the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd as well as demonstrations across the country were held by angry protestors. Rioting ended in damaged property and disorder in Atlanta over the weekend. Pictured: (L-R) CEO Micheal Thurmond and Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant “What we are seeing from some is the unbridled rage and disappointment from a system that has repeatedly failed to protect them and unjust treatment at the hands…

NAACP DeKalb In addition to the marker being installed, NAACP DeKalb is pleased to announce the scholarship recipients for The DeKalb Remembrance Project Essay Contest. DeKalb students were invited to write an essay on this subject. There were more than 30 students who participated in the essay contest. “The marker stands as a tool to educate, equip and empower the students in our community,”  said Teresa Hardy, president of the NAACP DeKalb The historical marker lists the names of documented lynching victims in DeKalb County. The NAACP DeKalb congratulates these essay winners.

Saturday Voting, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – May 30 Last day county will mail Absentee Ballot –June 5 Election Day – Tuesday, June 9 All Mail Ballots must be returned to our office – June 9, 7 p.m. Runoff Election, if needed – Aug. 11

Mattie Lynn Bullard wasted away, covered in feces and maggots, according to a warrant issued this week charging her daughter, Olivia Lynn Walker, 49, of Lithonia with felony murder and elder abuse. The warrant, obtained by On Common Ground News on May 29, states that Bullard suffered a stroke in 2015 after having been under Walker’s care since 2010. The DeKalb County Medical Examiner ruled the victim’s death a homicide. Grady Memorial Hospital reported Bullard was covered in feces and partial rigor mortis had set in after admission to the hospital. The warrant state: “The victim’s body had severe bed…

DeKalb County will offer Saturday and Sunday early in-person voting this weekend. Voters can cast ballots at the main precinct, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, on Saturday, May 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday, May 31, noon to 4 p.m. The polls also will be open at The Gallery At South DeKalb precinct, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur, and the Dunwoody Library precinct on both, Saturday and Sunday, at the same times. Saturday only in-person voting will be available 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the following polls: Tucker-Reid Cofer Library, 5234 LaVista Road, Tucker Stonecrest Library,…

Construction to rehabilitate 350 linear feet of aging sewer pipe  DECATUR–On Monday, June 1, a single-lane closure is set to begin along Candler Road, between Valley Ridge Drive and Toney Drive, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. while crews work to rehabilitate approximately 350 linear feet of aging, ductile-iron sewer pipe. This section of Candler Road will reopen on Wednesday, June 3. The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has initiated this construction project as a part of ongoing maintenance to repair approximately 100,000 linear feet of sewer pipe to improve sewer service countywide. Motorists and MARTA passengers should expect…

DECATUR—The NAACP DeKalb County branch, Remembrance Project Coalition and Equal Justice Initiative are making sure that four black men from DeKalb County and thousands of other black lynching victims across America are never forgotten. The DeKalb civil rights organization worked with the Equal Justice Initiative to erect a blue historical marker in front of the DeKalb County Courthouse to memorialize the thousands of black men, women and children who were terrorized and violently killed by white mobs between 1877 and 1950. D.E. Smith, who serves on the NAACP DeKalb’s executive committee and who chairs the DeKalb Remembrance Project, said a…

STONECREST—Home Chef, a meal delivery service, has received more than 200 applications since it recently announced it was hiring for its wholesale distribution center in the city of Stonecrest. “We are extremely pleased with the turnout that Home Chef has had. We are excited about the job opportunities that the distribution center is making possible for those seeking jobs,” said Mayor Jason Lary. “Those who need a second chance also have the opportunity to apply.” Home Chef offers hourly jobs ranging from $11 to $14.50 and salaried positions from $40,000 to $75,000 a year. Home Chef’s facility, which is…

By Ed Williams African Americans fought in the American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War I and II and all the other conflicts even when they were being treated like second class citizens and denied liberty and justice. It was an African American Crispus Attucks, who is widely recognized as the first casualty of the Revolutionary War. African Americans do not need to be lectured about the meaning of patriotism, loyalty or when to protest. Black Americans are twice as likely as white Americans…

The Conyers-Rockdale (Nancy Guinn Memorial) Library is extending the curbside services from three days a week to six days a week. Curbside Services is now Monday through Saturdays by appointments only. Customers are encouraged to browse the PINES catalog at conyersrockdalelibrary.org and place items on HOLD for curbside pick up. The library’s Circulation Department will contact patrons when materials are available for customer pickup. When picking up HOLDS, patrons are asked to wear a mask and gloves. Staff members also will be in protective gear. To make an appointment to pick up materiasl or for more information, contact delam@conyersrockdalelibrary.org…