Author: On Common Ground News

Water pressure has returned to all DeKalb County fire stations after a massive water main break that occurred early this morning (March 7).  The break created havoc, causing traffic jams, the closure of schools and businesses and water shortages throughout the county. Officials said a break in a 48-inch transmission main at 5718 Buford Highway, N.E., between Longmire and McElroy Roads in Doraville was responsible. Eight tankers were being brought into the county to supply water for fire protection and supply chillers at hospitals. The county’s water department is working with other agencies to address low water pressure. DeKalb…

Vending opportunities have closed for the ever popular Parade of Hats Fashion Show and Luncheon. The annual event will be held on March 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at St. Paul AME Church, 1704 Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road, Lithonia. If you have not purchased your ticket, you will need to do so this week. Tickets are $20 per person and include the fashion show, luncheon and special entertainment by the Beulah Boys, Larry Clay and Bridgette Maynor. State Rep. Billy Mitchell will be the special guest speaker and there will be an array of vendors offering unique clothing, hats, accessories,…

  Is your business registered for the Black Business Showcase, which will be held on March 13 at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center? Your registration includes several benefits: Recognition on stage during the program; On-site pre-certification for DeKalb County; Participation in the Business Exchange Networking Reception; Information on the County’s Small Business Loan Program; Business expansion through SPLOST; Documented in a preferred list of Black Businesses. Additional Benefits: DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson has invited Ashley Bell, Regional Administrator, for the Small Business Administration, Region 4, to meet and greet              the Black Business owners during…

Qualifying for the 2018 elections began on Monday, March 5 and ends on Friday, March 9 at noon. Here is a look at how some of the key local races are shaping up so far:   DeKalb County Board of Commissioners District 2, Jeff Rader, Incumbent District 3, Felton Wright District 7, Gregory Adams, Incumbent State Court Judges Johnny Panos (I) Alvin T. Wong (I) Board of Education, District 2 Marshall Orson (I) Board of Education, District 4 Allyson Gevertz Board of Education, District 6 Dijon “Twin” Dacasta Soil & Water Commission Carol Hayes …

Chief Judge David B. Irwin has qualified to run for re-election as a Superior Court Judge for the Rockdale Judicial Circuit. Judge Irwin was first elected in 1998 and has served as a Superior Court Judge since Jan. 1, 1999. Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Irwin was a trial lawyer for 17 years, a former Public Defender for the Rockdale Judicial Circuit and he served as a Member of the Georgia House of Representatives. Judge Irwin is married to Lisa Irwin, a retired Rockdale County public school teacher. They have two adult children, who were educated in the…

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that Amy Carter will serve as Deputy Commissioner for Rural Georgia at the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). At GDEcD, Carter will lead state efforts to help rural Georgia communities become more competitive for economic development projects and identify new strategies for attracting jobs and investment outside the Metro Atlanta region. This change will take effect on March 15. “Promoting the growth and success of rural Georgia is essential to securing a more prosperous state for generations to come,” said Deal. “Amy’s experience working with students and her time in public service have given her an understanding…

Work Session Agenda 03072018 FINAL VERFSION 030618 CITY OF STONECREST, GEORGIA Honorable Mayor Jason Lary, Sr. Council Member Jimmy Clanton, Jr. — District 1                                           Council Member Rob Turner- District 2 Council Member Jazzmin Cobble — District 3                                         Council Member George Turner- District 4 Council Member Diane Adoma — District 5 WORK SESSION AGENDA March 7, 2018 10:00 A.M. Stonecrest City Hall 3120 Stonecrest Blvd. Stonecrest, Georgia CALL TO ORDER: Mayor, Jason Lary ROLL CALL: City Clerk OPENING REMARKS: Mayor Jason Lary AGENDA ITEMS EXECUTIVE SESSION: WHEN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION IS REQUIRED, ONE WILL BE CALLED FOR THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: 1)…

by Mark Brock, DCSD Athletics Department A 13-4 run in the final three minutes of the second quarter helped propel the No. 4 ranked Miller Grove Wolverines to a 54-41 Class 5A boys’ semifinal victory over the Hiram Hornets at Fort Valley State University on Saturday. The win sends the Wolverines (23-7) to their eighth state championship game in 12 playoff appearances for a school that just started playing basketball in 2005. Hiram had cut a nine-point Miller Grove lead to just five (18-13) with 4:22 left in the first half on a pair of Devon Wilkerson free throws and a…

Congressman Hank Johnson has formally filed to run for re-election. The congressman filed his qualifying papers at the Georgia State Capitol this morning (March 5). “I have no doubt that when the voters look at my record fighting for the Fourth District – fighting for small businesses, consumers, women’s rights, equal pay and middle-income and working people – I will be re-elected,” said Congressman Johnson. Congressman Johnson serves on the Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) and Judiciary Committees. He is the top Democrat on the Judiciary subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet (IP). Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District includes portions…

The Family of Willie Whonya Lowery, Jr. is calling for a GBI investigation into Lowery’s death, which occurred at the DeKalb County Jail, the Davis Bozeman Law firm said. “While in the custody of DeKalb County jail, Mr. Willie Lowery was hung to death and the family deserves the Sheriff’s full cooperation with the GBI so the truth can be exposed,” said Attorney Mawuli Davis, who is representing the family. The Sheriff’s Office said the death of Lowery, 19, remains under internal investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards. Lowery had been in custody at the DeKalb County…