Author: On Common Ground News

 By Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr.  The terms heir and beneficiary are often used interchangeably. However, they represent two different categories of individuals who may inherit from a deceased person. This misunderstanding has been known to cause conflicts between those who stand to inherit from the decedent, either as heirs or beneficiaries, due to a misplaced sense of entitlement. An heir is a blood relative who may be entitled to inherit from a decedent simply because he or she is a family member. When a decedent dies without a will, the order of inheritance is determined by Georgia law. The…

by Travis Hudgons Hundreds of people, mostly children, gathered in a Doraville shopping center parking lot to celebrate National Night Out.  The family-friendly event provided an opportunity for the community, especially children, to interact positively with police. During the warm Aug. 7 evening, the children were entertained with an inflatable slide, boxing demonstrations, a police-manned dunk tank and other activities.  “This is a way for the Police Department to repay our community,” said Capt. T.K. Gordan of the Doraville Police. Gordan said events like this help the community meet the police officers in a non-emergency setting. National Night Out is…

John W. Hollins, Jr. is proud of this year’s ATL Metro RBI senior baseball team. The team was named Southeast Regional champions in the Reviving Baseball In the Innercities MLB program.  Fifteen players and four coaches flew to Minnesota where the team competed on Aug. 8 in the RBI World Series, which was held at the Neiman Sports Complex in St. Paul, Minnesota. Although the Southest Regional champs lost to the West Regional champions (Arizona) 7 to 5 in the first round, the Georgia team was honored to have the opportunity.   “RBI is so important to our community. Thanks to…

One of DeKalb County School District’s middle schools has claimed top honors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). McNair Middle School’s eighth grade STEM team was named Team of the Year by the Museum of Aviation Foundation in Warner Robbins, Georgia for the 2017-2018 school year. The team—made up of teachers Clare Gravolet, Tonya Green, Robert Russo, and Athalia James—became the foundation’s choice on Aug. 2 in a contest open to all Georgia teachers. As winners, the team will be awarded $1,000 at the 8th annual Georgia NASA STEM Conference on Aug. 25 at the Museum of Aviation…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is excited to announce the start of this year’s Congressional App Challenge (CAC), an open competition for all K-12 students who reside or attend a school in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District. “Science and technology are transforming our world and we must do all we can to ensure our kids are taking part in and helping shape the changing economy,” said Johnson. “I’m proud of the students who participate in the challenge. This competition has showcased some of the Fourth Congressional District’s brightest young minds as they take on cutting-edge technology that is becoming an increasing part of…

The City of Clarkston Police will hold an Active Shooter Awareness Class on Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Clarkston Library, 951 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. The Clarkston Police Department is providing the free class so that the public may learn what to do when an active, mass casualty shooting occurs. Class topics will include Avoid/Deny/Defend (ADD) survival tactics and techniques, local law enforcement preparedness, response and readiness; and U.S. Active Shooter events information and data. The class is open to the public. For more information, contact: Lt. Harry Hess, Clarkston Police at hhess@cityofclarkston.com or 404-292-9465.

DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will host “Coffee with the Commissioner” to meet and greet constituents In her district. The event is scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 15, 8 to 9 a.m., at Panera Bread, 8200 Mall Parkway, Stonecrest. This is an opportunity for residents to hear updates on what is happening in DeKalb County. Residents also will have the opportunity to meet representatives from various county departments to discuss any concerns. For more information, visit www.commissionermeredajohnson.com.

Those interested in uniting school communities while increasing student achievement and performance are invited to participate in DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) Principal Advisory Councils. Principal Advisory Councils are coalitions of parents, guardians, and teachers that serve their school communities at 112 DCSD schools. Councils act as a link between the school and the community, encouraging engagement with stakeholders, increasing transparency, monitoring progress, and participating in the selection of a school’s principal. Those interested in joining a 2018-2019 Principal Advisory Council can declare their candidacy now until August 31. Applicants are required to complete a candidate declaration form, which can…

An argument outside a grocery store is what police say may have led to the shooting death of Jeremiah Flemister on Aug. 7.  The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit investigators, Field K9 Unit and SWAT team members arrested 27-year-old Dra James of Decatur on Aug. 9 on a warrant charging him with felony murder in the incident. According to the warrant, an altercation that allegedly began inside the Kroger at 3479 Memorial Drive in Decatur spilled out onto the parking lot where Flemister, a Decatur resident, was shot and killed. Video surveillance captured the incident law enforcement officials said.…

DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Superintendent Dr. R. Stephen Green went door-to-door greeting parents and students during the annual Knock, Walk & Talk event. Green, accompanied by his wife and DCSD support staff, went door-to-door  Aug. 4 at the Clifton Glen Apartments in Stone Mountain. “We are continuing a dialogue with our local communities to hear what they wish to achieve over the course of the year,” Green said in a press release. “We will share the wonderful new things our school district has to offer, as well as the goals we have for the oncoming months. We welcome our…