Author: On Common Ground News

State Rep. Karen Bennett         Democratic Party of Georgia Chairwoman Nikema Williams By OCG Staff Georgia’s black lawmakers are blasting the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision to remove itself from adjudicating partisan gerrymandering cases, saying that politicians now have a “green light” to continue taking advantage of manipulating the boundaries in the redistricting process. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) issued a statement calling the  June 27 decision another step toward disempowering voters: “Today’s U.S. Supreme Court (5-4) decision not to adjudicate gerrymandering cases sends a clear and present warning that politicians will select their voters,…

DeKalb County has installed more than 3,500 water meters as part of its New Day Water Meter Exchange and Upgrade Initiative. The county has reached 10 percent of its goal to replace 30,000 water meters during the first year of the initiative. DeKalb is on track to replace 30,000 water meters during the first year of the New Day Water Meter Exchange and Upgrade Initiative. “The initiative has reached an important milestone in improving the accuracy of water billing service in DeKalb,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “The new meters are durable, efficient and include smart technology to accurately track…

A DeKalb County Grand Jury has indicted the driver accused in the hit-and-run crash that injured two girls who were playing in front yard of the 9-year-old’s home. Gabriel Jabri Fordham, 29, was charged with serious injury by vehicle, hit and run resulting in serious injury or death, reckless driving, failure to stop at a stop sign, and failure to maintain lane. The incident happened on March 29, 2019. According to the investigation, Fordham was allegedly driving recklessly at a high rate of speed as he traveled along Cherokee Valley Drive in Lithonia. The car went airborne as the driver…

Anthony Baggett                                                Shawn Darin Smith The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit arrested two armed robbery arrests. Sheriff’s investigators, with DeKalb County Police and U.S. Marshals, arrested Anthony Baggett, 17, and Shawn Darin Smith, 28, both of Decatur on June 26. A warrant charges Baggett with felony armed robbery on May 30.  According to the warrant, Baggett used a semi-automatic pistol to take $200 from Derrick Henry on Glenwood Road in Decatur. A Grand Jury Arrest Warrant…

Tracye Hutchins                                         Jarard J Tracye Hutchins, co-anchor of CBS Morning News, and radio personality Jarard J, of 107.5/97.5(WAMS),will co-host the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County’s Casino Royale Scholarship Gala on Aug. 10, 6 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 265 Peachtree St., Atlanta. “We’re very excited to have Tracye Hutchins return and we welcome Jarard J aboard as a newcomer to host this year’s scholarship gala,” said Dr. Naim G. Shaheed, DPM, who is chairing the event for the fourth year. …

Stonecrest Library will host a free movie on Friday, July 5, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The library will show Tyler Perry’s “A Madea Family Funeral” starring Cassi Davis and Patrice Lovely. Doors open 15 minutes before the movie starts. This event is funded by the Friends of Stonecrest Library.

Centennial Olympic Park gets ready for July 4  The Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, is bringing its annual Fourth of July Celebration back to Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta on Thursday, July 4. Music and a variety of food trucks will be available including ANGELFIRE7 BBQ, Atlanta Seafood Company, and Jerkbrothersatl. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the fireworks show will begin at 9:45 p.m. Visitors under 17 years of age are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian 25 years of age or older at all times. Admission…

First year students in the RCPS Student Athletic Aide Program Training Camp held June 2019. (Pictured left to right) Back row: Brianna Pinnock (Salem High School); Crosby McFall (Heritage High School); Isabella Cooper (Rockdale County High School); Anthony Neil (Edwards Middle School); Samaddi Burse (RCHS).  Middle row: Jasmine Davis (SHS); Trinayah Harris (SHS); Alexia Boyd (HHS); Christiana Damron (RCHS); Mya Solomon (HHS); Ebony Evans (RCHS); RCPS Athletic Director Dr. Kechia Rowles; Athletic Trainer Chelsea Ector. Front row – Oakland McFall (EMS); Abigail Sweeney (HHS); Imani Birden (HHS); SkyLah Parker (RCHS); Aliyah McKnight (RCHS); and Destiny Landy (HHS). …

By Sarita Mason For On Common Ground News African-American entertainers weren’t the only ones honored at this year’s BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 23. “The Exonerated Five,” whose lives were depicted in the Netflix documentary series, “When They See Us,” received a standing ovation for their courage and endurance. State Rep. Billy Mitchell, D-88, who lives in DeKalb County, said the “Exonerated Five” will be honored at the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) conference, which will be held Sept. 27-28 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Mitchell said the men deserve to be honored…

Mayor Jason Lary greets Shirley Smith, who visited the exhibit at City Hall with her grandchildren and Kayna Sanders, DeShawna Smith. The City of Stonecrest celebrated Juneteenth, the national commemoration of the June 19, 1865 announcement of the last slaves freed in the U.S., by hosting a black history exhibit at City Hall. The exhibit, which was set up in the Martin Luther King, Jr. High School Conference Room, featured local black history and history makers, including pictures and artifacts from the Flat Rock community, one of the oldest African-American communities in DeKalb County. Mayor Jason Lary said the…