Author: On Common Ground News

Early voting for the General and Nonpartisan General Election in Rockdale ended on Friday, May 18, with 5,312 ballots cast, Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Welch reported. The county has 56,656 eligible active voters and officials are urging voters who have not cast their ballots to come out on May 22, Election Day. In addition to several local races to be decided, county residents are being asked to support a referendum to build a $140 million courthouse complex. Some residents say the county is attempting to shove the referendum down their throats. County officials held its last and final meeting…

Lance Hammonds, candidate for DeKalb School Board, District 6 invites supporters, neighbors, VOF members, fraternity brothers and friends to an Election Watch Party on May 22, 7 to 10 .m., at the 
FunXcess, 
8000 Rockbridge Road, 
Lithonia. Hammonds is endorsed by the Georgia Federation of Teachers. You can also show your support by visiting: https://www.votelancehammonds.com/donate.

The Stonecrest City Council will hold its council meeting on Monday, May  21, 6 p.m., at Stonecrest City Hall. Public hearings will be held concerning several proposed ordinance amendments, including one on vacation rentals such as Air B & Bs,  a Special  Land Use Permit and rezoning. Agenda items include a resolution regarding a request for qualifications for a SPLOST project manager, and a n intergovernmental agreement with DeKalb County for HOST/EHOST. The meeting agenda is available here :

Gospel radio announcer Larry Tinsley will be honored on Monday, May 21, 1 p.m., by the Atlanta City Council for 50 years in radio broadcasting. The council plans to recognize Tinsley for his long service in the industry during the regularly scheduled council meeting at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave., S.W. Tinsley will be presented a proclamation.

Even with several local races, important judgeships and statewide races to be decided, DeKalb County voters did not take advantage of early voting in significant numbers. Only 21,545 voters had cast their ballots when the Early Voting period for the General and Non-Partisan Elections ended on Friday, May 18.  There are 471,449 active voters in DeKalb County. The total number of registered voters is 517,759. Elections officials are reminding voters to go out on May 22, Election Day. Voters should report to their assigned precincts on Election Day. The precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7…

The city of Stonecrest is finalizing plans for the upcoming Caribbean Carnival, which is expected to bring an epic crowd to the new city on Memorial Day weekend. “This will be the largest event Stonecrest has ever hosted. We’re looking forward to it,” said Mayor Jason Lary, who will be one of the grand marshals for the event, which kicks off with a parade on Saturday, May 26, 12:30 p.m., on Mall Parkway. Charles Baker, who has been working closely with city officials on behalf of Carnival, said 25,000 people are expected to attend the event, which celebrates Caribbean culture…

Southwest DeKalb High School band director James Seda has been elected into the American Bandmasters Association (ABA). As one of 13 new members, Seda joins recognized band directors from various public schools, universities and orchestras throughout the United States and Canada. Seda’s election also brings the total number of African-American band directors among the American Bandmasters Association to just six of 325 total members. Seda has served as director of bands at Southwest DeKalb High since 2001. Previously, he served as assistant director of bands at Southwest’s feeder school, Chapel Hill Middle School. A product of the Atlanta Public Schools,…

Main Street in Tucker was Ground Zero for a celebration on May 12. Hosted by the Main Street Tucker Alliance, this year marked the 63rd anniversary for the annual Tucker Day event. Thousands filled the streets to experience a parade, live music, dancing, arts and crafts, food and family-friendly activities. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Georgia set all-time highs again in April as the labor force and employed residents in the state continued to surge. The state continues to approach the 5-million mark for employed residents. At the same time, the state posted more than 4.5 million jobs and a labor force of more than 5.1 million. Both labor force and employed residents were records again in April. The jobless rate, meanwhile, dropped by .1 percent. “The state really is prospering,” Butler said. “We continue to see our current businesses expanding and companies moving to Georgia to…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the homicide case against three gang members, including a female decoy, tied to a deadly online dating scheme. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on May  16 against 28-year-old Demarco “Blazalino” Butler, 26-year-old Antonio “Killa” Avery, and 22-year-old Nashea Poole on charges of Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and weapons offenses for the shooting death of Jordan Collins, 23, and gunshot injuries to his brother, Chad Collins, 26. The incident happened on Sept. 1, 2016 in Lithonia at the…