Author: On Common Ground News

By Mark Brock, DCSD  Student athletes are performing well on the field and in the classroom as 26 (16 valedictorians, 10 salutatorians) earn top academic honors from 16 of DeKalb County School District’s 19 schools that participate in varsity athletics. The group of 26 represents 13 of the 15 varsity sports offered by the district with three valedictorians and three salutatorians who participated in two sports during their high school careers. The athletes represent 59 percent (59.1) of those receiving the highest honors from the 19 schools with varsity sports. Arabia Mountain’s Resident Valedictorian Odette Nawoue (UGA) was a two…

Towers High School senior Michael Elliott ended his last semester on a high note like none other. He was among a group of 18 Towers’ students who traveled to Europe during Spring Break. The trip marked the first-ever international trip in the history of the 52-year-old school, which was founded in 1966.    The Towers Titans Band traveled to London and Paris for a week filled with music education and cultural activities from March 28-April 4. The band, band director, parents and school principal visited cultural landmarks and worked with brass band music masters. Elliott called the trip phenomenal. He…

By Valerie J. Morgan  Shali Tilson, 22, died of a blood clot due to dehydration while he was in custody on misdemeanor charges for nine days at the Rockdale County Jail, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has determined.  The autopsy, conducted at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur, stated that Tilson died on March 12 as a result of “pulmonary thrombi due to dehydration.” The autopsy also found that Tilson had “subdural hemorrhaging” and he was alone in his cell when he died. The manner of death was undetermined, the GBI said in a news release on May 24.…

  Congressman Hank Johnson easily defeated a virtually unknown challenger in the Democratic primary.  Johnson, who lives in DeKalb County, received 79.79 percent or 54,925 votes. Challenger Juan Parks received 20.21% or 13,916 votes.  Johnson will face Republican Joe Profit, who received 15,355, in the Nov. 6 General Election. Profit is a former running back for the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson thanked supporters for his victory. “I want to thank everyone for all your support,” Johnson said. “I take voters’ trust in me very seriously and will do all I can to maintain your faith in me. I look forward to…

Democrat Stacey Abrams swept the first contest in her bid to become Georgia’s first black female governor. She received a whopping 76.43% (422,482 votes) after an all-out television advertising campaign against her challenger, Stacey Evans, who received 23.57%( 130,264 votes). Abrams will learn the Republican challenger she will face in November after the July 24 runoff is held between S. “Casey” Cagle and Brian Kemp.  Cagle received 39%(236,319 votes), while Kemp received 25.56% (154,864 votes). Five Republicans competed in the gubernatorial race. Other Key Statewide Races  State School Superintendent Otha Thornton, Jr., Democrat, is in a runoff with Sid Chapman.…

The power of connection is amazing and infinite, especially when people, circumstances, and resources come together for a common good. Such is the aim of Six Degrees of Synergy, Inc., a DeKalb-based company specializing in strategic organization and project management. The company is led by Patricia Willis, an IT professional who has implemented financial systems in the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has more than 25 years of admirable and accelerated experience with global corporate entities in the industries of banking, media and entertainment, and telecommunications.  A visionary leader, Willis’ most recent venture is her role as creator of…

The DeKalb County Sanitation Division processed 264 tons of materials, including garbage, furniture and appliances, during the “2nd Annual Landfill Amnesty Day.” The Operation Spring Clean Sweep 2018 event provided a free disposal opportunity for DeKalb County residents, and was held on Saturday, May 19, at the county-owned Seminole Road Landfill located in Ellenwood. Among the items dropped off and processed were 194 tons of garbage and bulky items, 40 tons of yard trimmings, 30 tons of construction and demolition materials and 512 tires. More than 850 county residents participated in the event, saving residents a total of $9,224 in…

DeKalb County’s pools will open Memorial Day weekend starting on Saturday, May 26. The official season runs May 26 through July 27. Select pools will remain open on weekends through Labor Day, Sept. 3. Residents can splash into summer by visiting a neighborhood pool. The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs also offers various programs including swim lessons, water aerobics and more. For more information, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks or contact (770) 414-2113. Pool locations and hours of operation *Browns Mill Aquatic Facility 4929 Browns Mill Rd, Lithonia, GA 30038 Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, 1…

Library officials say parents can let their children can check out all the books and materials they want this summer without the worry of fines. The Library Board of Trustees has approved a Fine-Free Summer for materials in the children’s and teen’s collections beginning June 1 and running through Aug. 31.  Library Director Alison Weissinger wants parents and caregivers to encourage their children to read and enjoy library resources all summer.  “We know children lose ground in academics over the summer break. We want to take away any barrier to children and teens having books to read and enjoy over…

By Valerie J. Morgan DeKalb County voters overwhelmingly re-elected District 3 Board of Commissioner Larry Johnson and Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson to offices on May 22. The two incumbents, who are unrelated, commanded landslide victories in their races, early results showed.     Johnson, who has served 16 years on the Board of Commissioners, received 80.53% (16,704 votes) as he celebrated turning 50 on election night.  Challenger Felton Wright, a retired AT&T communications employee running for the first time, received 19.47% (4,039 votes).  Judge Johnson earned a third term with 64.67% (55,028 votes).  Challenger Attorney Genet Hopewell garnered 35.14…