Author: On Common Ground News

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…

DECATUR–The Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights plans to meet with City of Decatur officials to discuss the rash of racially-motivated incidents that have occurred in the City of Decatur over the past few weeks. The meeting will be heldon Friday, May 29, 10:30 a.m,. at City of Decatur City Hall,  509 N. McDonough Street, Decatur. Last night(May 27), a video surfaced of a white Decatur High School student holding a toy gun and using racial slurs.  Last month, several videos of white Decatur high school students using racial slurs were posted on social media.  Two weeks ago, a…

ATLANTA–Gov. Brian Kemp announced today (May 28) that he is renewing Georgia’s  State of Emergency order for the third time, extending the public health emergency order through July 12 to continue to fight against COVID-19. Kemp also announced more sectors that would open incrementally across Georgia as the state rebuilds its economy. Here’s a summary of what the governor said during the news briefing, which was live-streamed from the Georgia Capitol at 4 p.m.: “…On March 14, 2020, I issued an Executive Order declaring a Public Health State of Emergency in Georgia due to the impact of COVID-19. To…

Congressman Hank Johnson and George Floyd WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) delivered the following 1-minute House floor speech to bring awareness of racial disparities concerning COVID-19 and police violence against unarmed African Americans in light of the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, MN this week. Floyd’s death sparked rioting in Minneapolis on Tuesday and Wednesday following the May 25 incident in which a white officer kneeled for nearly eight minutes on the back of Floyd’s neck, while other officers stood by and did nothing to stop it. A bystander video-recorded the incident…