Author: On Common Ground News

Kaylon Janard Jiles, 24, of Tucker and Traquan Alexander Mcleod, 22, of Decatur are in custody for the murder of Lawrenceville resident Eric Fisher, who was shot to death outside a Motel 6 in DeKalb County. The shooting took place in November 2017 after Jiles and Fisher got into an argument, DeKalb Sheriff’s spokesperson Cynthia Williams said.  Fisher was shot multiple times. Jiles fled the scene in a black sedan, according to reports. Four months later, Jiles  and Mcleod were arrested on Feb. 12 by the DeKalb Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit. Jiles, Mcleod and a third person were spotted at a…

DeKalb County is holding a toilet paper drive to benefit the metro Atlanta homeless community. Sponsored by the Office of DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, the toilet paper drive is in partnership with Love Rolls Inc., a local nonprofit, which has collected approximately 225,000 rolls of toilet paper and distributed 125,000 rolls to homeless individuals, people in need and those impacted by natural disasters. DeKalb County has a goal of collecting 3,000 rolls of toilet paper during this drive. “When people think about serving the homeless, needy and those who have gone through a natural disaster, they immediately think about…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan As the flu epidemic sweeps Georgia and across the nation, DeKalb County’s Board of Health reported its first pediatric death related to the flu. Miguel Jaimes Martinez, 15, a Cross Keys High School student, died from flu complications on Sunday, Feb. 11, according to DeKalb officials. DeKalb Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green issued a statement saying the school district was saddened to learn of the teen’s passing. “The entire DeKalb County School District is saddened by the news that one of our own has passed away due to illness,” Green said.  “Our thoughts and prayers are…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has selected Chuck Ellis as the county’s director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, effective Feb. 26. Ellis will manage the department’s 200 full- and part-time employees and a budget of $12.8 million. Ellis has served in government for 35 years, beginning in his hometown of Lexington, KY, where he had the unique experience of overseeing a 659-acre equestrian park that included therapeutic programs, indoor and outdoor programming and competition spaces and other programs and facilities dedicated to the public equine experience. Most recently, he served as director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts in…

Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced a record-breaking month of annual business registrations. In the month of January, the Corporations Division processed over 216,000 annual business registrations – more registrations in one month’s time than ever before. “We are proud to achieve another milestone in our agency,” said Secretary Kemp. “With our state-of-the-art eCorp filing system, filing your business in Georgia continues to become simpler. Feedback on our user-friendly filing system remains upbeat and positive, and the numbers reflect how easy it is to use. By streamlining this process, we simplify the lives of job creators – big and small…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston is inviting the public to join her in the fight to end domestic violence. On Saturday, Feb. 24, the District Attorney’s Office is hosting the third annual Love Run 5K to raise money and awareness about domestic violence issues. The event will kick off at 8:30 a.m. from the Decatur Square, located at 101 E. Court Street, Decatur. The 5K coincides with Teen Dating Violence Awareness month, which is observed during February. “We are excited to once again partner with the public in a fun and healthy way to focus attention on a…

Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, “Master Motivator Teacher and Mentor,” will hold his annual Spring Break Leadership Chess Camp April 2-6 in Stone Mountain. The week-long leadership camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with early drop-off and late pickup available. Hudson will use his signature chess skills and abilities as he offers information, insight and advice on the importance of making every move in life count. Hudson has trained more than 55,000 students and his goal is to reach one million youngsters as he continues to train new teachers/motivators to spread the positive life lessons learned through…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Former DeKalb County student Connor Owens’ career as a Navy pilot is finally taking flight this month. Owens’ accomplishment as a first-generation pilot comes during the national celebration of Black History Month. After years of training and dedication, the 23-year-old was commissioned into The United States Navy on December 15 as a Naval Aviator and reported for duty on Thursday, Feb. 8 in Pensacola, Florida to continue rigorous flight training for the military. “I’m definitely excited and looking forward to starting pilot training. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for a very long time and it’s…

By Travis Hudgons DeKalb County leaders are seeking to improve employment opportunities for those with minor arrests. At a Feb. 8 press conference, held at Saint Philip AME Church, officials gathered to announce DeKalb’s first record restriction summit and job fair. A record restriction, formerly known as expungement, is for those who have been arrested by DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Marshals or Police but never convicted or pled guilty. Additionally, those who have successfully completed a pre-trial diversion program are also eligible to apply. The press conference featured DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, Saint Philip Pastor, the Rev. William D. Watley,…

Men in DeKalb County will now have one less barrier to getting preventative health care, thanks to the DeKalb County Board of Health and health partners who have launched a new initiative. The board is opening a health and wellness clinic to provide free preventive care to low-income men who live in DeKalb. The clinic will open on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Board of Health’s T.O. Vinson Health Center, 440 Winn Way, Decatur. Patients will be served on Wednesday and Thursday evenings by appointment. Officials say the evening hours are being held to accommodate men who work during the…