Author: On Common Ground News

By Mark Brock DeKalb County School Athletics A first-ever DeKalb County Track and Field Championships boys’ title went to the Martin Luther King Jr. Lions as they held off Arabia Mountain during Monday’s track finals 88-73. Martin Luther King Jr. held a 24-point lead (51-27) over Arabia Mountain in the boys’ meet with Tucker (23.50) in third, Dunwoody (23.00) in fourth and defending champion Southwest DeKalb in fifth (21) after the first day of competition. The Lions picked up three gold medals on the first day led by Keion Cush’s sweep of the discus (140’-06.00”) and shot put (47’-02.00”). TaQuan…

ATLANTA –Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, in partnership with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office announced the City and the Atlanta Police Department will examine existing evidence related to the Atlanta Child Murders cases – which first unfolded nearly 40 years ago. “As a mother and Mayor, my hope is that the city never forgets the young people and families who suffered through this heinous time,” said Mayor Bottoms. “This joint effort is rooted in equity and transparency and the victims of these crimes deserve our attention. My belief is that history will judge…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond will give his outlook for 2019 during two State of the County addresses in April. Business leaders and other community partners are invited to a State of the County address to be delivered during a ticketed luncheon on Thursday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta. The business luncheon is hosted by the Council for Quality Growth and DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $65 for Chamber members and $85 for non-members. Registration is required. To register for the luncheon, visit www.councilforqualitygrowth.org.…

   Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has stopped the construction of a gas station and convenience store planned at the corner of Evans Mill and Salem roads. Lary said the city is planning instead to buy the property and build a community park at the site, pending City Council approval. Lary’s promise follows protests by residents who have said at public meetings that they don’t want a gas station and convenience store in the middle of a residential area, even though the property was zoned commercial years ago when the area was rural. The mayor and Stonecrest City Councilman…

Left to Right: Lorraine Cochran-Johnson stands with Jan Costello, Nadine Rivers-Johnson, Herbert Love, andPhyllis Frierson, who are all board members of the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corp. DeKalb County’s Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is partnering with the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation to launch a super litter clean-up campaign in DeKalb. Cochran-Johnson says the initiative will culminate with a county-wide community cleanup day on Saturday, June 1. The effort is part of her larger mission to help make DeKalb a more attractive to residents, businesses and tourists. “Across DeKalb County there is an abundance of…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs’ Browns Mill Recreation Center, in partnership with Zeta Sorority, Inc., Iota Eta Zeta Chapter and the DeKalb MLK Jr. cluster schools, will host a Health and Wellness Education Spring Fest Fair Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 5101 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia. The Health and Wellness Education Spring Fest Fair will be a free event for the family to enjoy. Residents are encouraged to come out to experience live entertainment, food demonstrations and receive educational information from healthcare professionals. For more information, contact the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural…

DeKalb County will host the first “Kites Over DeKalb Festival” on Sunday, April 14, noon to 4 p.m., at Wade Walker Park, 5605 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain. The free family event is open for all ages and will feature music, bounce houses, kite-flying demonstrations, contests and food vendors. Participants may bring their own kites or create one at the free kite-making station while supplies last. To access online registration, visit www.kitesoverdekalb.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Parks public education specialist, at 404-371-3643 or lsdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov.

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is accepting registration for youths ages 10 to 18 who would like to perform in its fourth annual Poetry Slam. The event will be held Friday, April 19, 7 p.m., at Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur in celebration of National Poetry Month. The deadline to register is April 5. The Poetry Slam will feature young poets and writers from DeKalb. Admission is $5. To access online registration, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click the “Register Now” button on the department’s homepage, or register in person at any DeKalb recreation center. For more information,…

Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, noted mentor and anti-violence and peace activist, is inviting the community to celebrate “Good Deeds Day” on Thursday, April 11, 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the Stone Ridge Events Center, 1750 Stone Ridge Drive, Stone Mountain. “There will be free food, free parking and I will be giving specific strategies to help students clearly understand there are consequences for every move they make in life,” said Hudson. Hudson, recognized around the nation for his mentoring work in the community through his nonprofit, Be Someone, will use a giant chessboard to teach strategies on problem solving and success.…

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. is hosting his annual “Lend A Ham” program just in time for Easter. The purpose of the program is to help senior citizens in need of assistance during the holiday. Frozen ham donations are being accepted 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. seven days a week at Courtesy Dodge, 1890 Dogwood Drive in Conyers until April 14. The hams will be distributed on April 14, 3 p.m., at the Olivia Haydel Senior Center, 1240 Dogwood Drive S.W., Conyers. The distributions are first-come, first-served. For more information, contact Andrea Lee, executive assistant to the…