Author: On Common Ground News

Congressman Hank Johnson and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) recently awarded $8,200 in scholarships to 12 college students from Georgia’s Fourth District as a part of the CBC’s 2018 Spouses Education Scholarship program. “This year’s winners have excelled in the classroom and in their communities through service and their academic talents,” said Congressman Johnson. “Each year, these scholarships address a financial need and give these outstanding students a little breathing room heading into a new semester of furthering their education.” These scholarships will provide financial assistance for the 2018-2019 academic school year and is designed to support students of all majors who…

Former DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes-Sutton has won her lawsuit challenging the process for appointing members to DeKalb County’s Board of Ethics.  The Supreme Court of Georgia stated in a unanimous decision (9-0) that the delegation of power to four private organizations to make appointments to DeKalb’s seven-member Board of Ethics is unconstitutional. “As these private entities do not answer to the people as required by our Constitution, they are not authorized to wield the power to appoint public officials to the DeKalb County Board of Ethics,” Presiding Justice Harold D. Melton wrote in the ruling. Attorney Dwight Thomas, who…

The Judicial Council of Georgia Standing Committee on Judicial Workload Assessment presented the Rockdale County Magistrate Court with a 2018 Judicial Clearance Rate Excellence Award after the completion of a three-year clearance rate study of all Georgia courts from 2015 through 2017. Only the top 10 percentile of courts from each class were recipients of the award. Rockdale’s Magistrate Court ranked fifth out of 159 Magistrate Courts, with a clearance rate of 107.1 percent of its caseload.  The Council’s Administrative Office of the Courts’ congratulatory letter, Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten received along with the award, stated “Ideally, clearance rates…

  The DeKalb County Police Department is requesting assistance in locating a suspect wanted for felony murder and aggravated assault. The suspect has been identified as 46-year-old Van Johnson. He is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs and 235 lbs. Johnson may have sustained injuries during this incident and may be seeking medical attention. On Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, at 10 p.m. at 5038 Covington Hwy., police said the suspect saw a male driving away with the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect allegedly fired several shots into the vehicle as it was being driven away. The male subsequently struck a…

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that Inspire Brands will locate its new headquarters in Sandy Springs, creating more than 1,100 jobs and investing approximately $32 million in Fulton County over the next six years. “For the better part of the last decade, Georgia has cultivated a reputation as a hub for industry leaders,” said Deal. “When thriving companies like Inspire Brands choose to locate their headquarters in Georgia, they reaffirm the value of our highly skilled workforce and the strength of our low-tax, business-friendly climate to support long-term growth. We value Inspire’s commitment to creating jobs in Fulton County and…

Cynthia Welch, Rockdale County’s Director of Elections, will join fellow members of the Secure, Accessible & Fair Elections (SAFE) Commission on Thursday, Aug. 30  to review vendors seeking to replace  Georgia’s  current voting machines. The 18-member SAFE Commission will meet in Grovetown, located near Augusta, to look at systems that offer a verified paper trail. “We’re giving all vendors who have an interest in providing Georgia with a new voting system, the opportunity to do that,” said Welch. “The vendors had to respond to the Request for Information (RFI) by Aug. 24.  The meeting on Thursday, Aug. 30, will start the…

by Mark Brock, DeKalb County Athletics Austin Smith scored on a 17-yard quarterback draw straight up the middle to complete the Cedar Grove Saints rally to a 34-30 victory against Hewitt-Trussville (AL) in a nationally televised game on ESPN on Saturday. The game winning 28-yard drive was set up by Rashad Jordan’s play on special teams. The Alabama Class 7A Huskies were forced to punt with under four minutes to play from their own 14-yard line. A low snap slowed down the punt attempt and Jones came flying in from the left side to get his hands on the punt…

By Valerie J. Morgan Atlantans, like the rest of America, is remembering Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. While several pre-homegoing events are planned in Detroit, where Franklin will be laid to rest, many in Atlanta also are honoring the icon singer with tributes, stories and reflections ahead of her Aug. 31 funeral. The Rev. Jasper Williams, pastor emeritus of Atlanta’s Salem Baptist Church, discussed in a video what it means for him to be chosen to deliver the eulogy at the private funeral, which will only be open to family, friends, and invited guests. Williams also delivered the eulogy…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Nearly 100 people attended the first Rockdale County Nonprofit Appreciation Brunch on Aug. 20 at the JP Carr Community Center in Rockdale County. Sponsored by Post 2 Rockdale County Commissioner Doreen Williams, the event brought together local nonprofits in honor of national Nonprofit Appreciation Day held annually on Aug.17.  “Rockdale County has over 700 registered 501c3 organization and there’s so much good that goes on that people are not aware of,” said Williams. “This really gave us an opportunity to spotlight some of the agencies that slide under the radar and recognize the valuable contributions these…

Former DeKalb County School Board member Sarah Copelin-Wood was laid to rest on Thursday, Aug. 23, at the Chapel of Donald Trimble Mortuary in Decatur.   The Rev. Jerry D. Black of Beulah Baptist Church in Decatur officiated the funeral.   At the homegoing, Teresa Hardy, president of the DeKalb branch of the NAACP, presented a resolution honoring Wood, who had a long career as a community activist, which included serving 20 years with the NAACP.  Most notable among her committee memberships was serving as chair of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Rally for eight years. …