Author: On Common Ground News

  When Samuel Dixon faced the cold hard fact that both his sons were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, he had a choice to make.  He could accept the illness and do the best he could as a parent or he could look Autism in the eye and say, “We’re bigger than you, and you are in for a fight.” Luckily, he chose the latter option. Dixon established Tomorrow’s Not Yesterday Foundation as a nonprofit for children and families who suffer from Autism. The young father of two boys explains his motivation began with his son, Malachi, who was first…

A crowd of about 200 protestors called for the resignation of Rockdale Sheriff Eric Levett and other county leaders as they rallied for justice for Shali Tilson and Jamie Henry.  Tilson, a 22-year-old Conyers resident, died on March 12 from severe dehydration after a 9-day stay at the Rockdale County Jail on misdemeanor charges. Henry, a 40-year-old Douglasville mother who was being held for Fulton County on a warrant, died on May 26 after being locked up for about 12 hours. Attorney Mawuli Davis, who is representing the families of the deceased, said the deaths are a result of “criminal neglect.” …

DeKalb County government’s mid-year finances are positive and its “rainy day” fund has grown to $89 million—enough to cover county operations for 1.75 months.  CEO Michael Thurmond said the county, which has a $1.2 billion annual operating budget, is close to meeting his year-end goal of having a full two months of funds in reserves to finance county operations.    Thurmond made the announcement on June 13 after presenting the FY2018 midyear budget amendments to the Board of Commissioners.  With the support of the Board of Commissioners, the county balanced the budget and projects a FY2018 midyear general fund balance…

StoneFest 2018 was held on June 9 at Atlanta Sports City (the former Kohl’s location). Organized by Patricia Willis of Six Degrees of Synergy, Inc., the festival featured live musical acts, new technology discussion panels, robotics demonstrations, local authors, and a variety of food and retail vendors. Willis said the goal of  StoneFest was to bring greater awareness of new technologies and STEM career opportunities. Photos by Travis Hudgons.

By Mackenzie N. Morgan DeKalb County police have been busy working two deadly shootings that occurred in broad daylight at plaza gas stations within a 24-hour period. Community activist Ed Williams said he was alarmed when he heard about the recent violence and implored DeKalb County officials to take action immediately. “The amount of crime in DeKalb County is unacceptable. We need more police on the streets and to also look into the root cause of such high levels of crime,” said Williams.  “We need police to work with schools to help decrease bullying, gangs, drugs, and increase student graduation…

With only a few weeks away from the July 24 runoff elections, DeKalb County Commissioner Gregory Adams says he has had enough of the “vicious lies” circulating about him.  “I didn’t run for office to be picked on, to be criticized, to be mocked, or to be humiliated,” Adams said during an emotional nearly three-minute outpouring at the end of the Board of Commissioners’ June 12 meeting. Adams didn’t say during the meeting who was attacking him. He elaborated the next day, leveling accusations at Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, who is challenging him for the District 7 Commission seat. Adams said during…

Residents at Brannon Hill Condominium in Clarkston are taking back their community with the help of Keep DeKalb Beautiful (KDB) and other volunteers.  KDB is partnering with Brannon Hill residents to host a community cleanup day on Saturday, June 23, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,  at the condominium, 1000 Old Hampton Drive, Clarkston. The Brannon Hill Community Celebration and Arts Festival also will be held that day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in honor of International Refugee Day.   Brannon Hill residents say they want to show pride and shed the image that their community is one of America’s…

Antioch AME Church, 765 S. Hairston Road, Stone Mountain, is hosting a Legislation Update and Candidates Meet and Greet on Thursday, June 21, 7 p.m.  All DeKalb County elected officials, local and statewide candidates who are running in the July 24 primary runoff and local and statewide candidates running in the November General Election have been invited.  The community is urged to come out and learn about Georgia’s new laws that will become effective on July 1.    Antioch AME’s Social Action Committee is sponsoring the event. The Rev. Vandy C. Simmons is senior pastor of the church.

  The City of Clarkston’s City Council will host its pre-Work Session mixer on June 27, 6 to 7 p.m., at Clarkston City Hall, 3921 Church Street, Clarkston.   The community is invited to mingle with elected officials, City of Clarkston staff members and other leaders before the regularly scheduled City Council Work Session begins.   Special guests at the mixer include Judy Rosemond, retiring principal of Jolly Elementary School, and Ayesha Grandison, Jolly’s new principal.  Those who attend the mixer can enjoy complimentary appetizers. 

Individuals inside a home on Emerald North Drive in Decatur told authorities they had to crawl along the floor to avoid being hit by bullets from a person firing into the house on June 10. Authorities said David Knight, 26, allegedly used an AR-15 to fire multiple shots from a vehicle outside the home. The Sheriff’s Office said they did not know why Knight, who lived on the same street as the victims, fired at the house.   The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office served Knight with nine warrants for felony aggravated assault weapon charges. Knight was arrested on June 13…