Author: On Common Ground News

As the General Assembly comes to a close today, the NAACP Branch in DeKalb County is urging state legislators to oppose a Senate bill that would reduce the voting time and days for Atlanta voters. Senate Bill 363, which was filed by Republican Senator Matt Brass of Newnan, would end voting time at 7 p.m., from the current time of 8 p.m. It would also permit only one day of Saturday or Sunday voting, but not both. DeKalb NAACP President Teresa Hardy said the bill is short-sighted, racist, suppressive, and goes against the wishes of the citizens of Atlanta. “If…

On Common Ground News extends its condolences to the family of former Gov. and U.S. Senator Zell Miller, whose homegoing celebration was held today, March 27, at 11 a.m., at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta. Gov. Miller passed away on Friday, March 23, 2018. He served in many public capacities and led an extraordinary career as a public statesman. During his time as governor, Mr. Miller established the HOPE Scholarship. President George W. Bush, President Jimmy Carter and President William J. Clinton  all spoke at the homegoing service. Today’s worship leaders were Bill Britt and Don Harp. A…

The deadline to apply for record restriction in advance of the DeKalb County job fair and record restriction summit has been extended to March 30. The job fair and summit is in partnership with Saint Philip AME Church and will take place April 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Saint Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Road, Atlanta. Record restriction may be available to citizens who have arrests by DeKalb County Police Department or Sheriff’s Office that did not result in a conviction. Record restriction can improve housing, job and financial access opportunities. To apply for record restriction, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/recordrestriction.…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested 36-year-old Royce Alex Stewart, a suspect in the murder of a female juvenile and an adult male. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office received warrants issued by the Decatur Police Department on March 25 for the arrest of Stewart, who is charged with two counts of murder and one count of theft by taking at Trinity Walk Apartments in downtown Decatur. According to the murder warrants, Stewart allegedly caused the victims’ deaths by assaulting them both with a knife.  No motive was given for the attacks.  A separate warrant charges him with…

by Mark Brock, DCSD Athletics Department A nice day for field events and track preliminaries on Saturday finished with defending champions Miller Grove Lady Wolverines and Lakeside Vikings holding leads heading into the track finals set for today, March 27, at Godfrey Stadium. The finals were moved from Monday to today due to the high winds and cool weather. The girls’ 4×100 meter relay gets things started at 4 p.m. Miller Grove is the defending girls’ champ and has jumped out to an early 50-29 lead over Cedar Grove with two wins and second in the field events and a victory…

All parents, students, teachers, staff and community stakeholders are invited to receive an update on the progress of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) from Superintendent/CEO R. Stephen Green at the annual State of the Schools Address on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a reception at the Robert R. Freeman Administrative & Instructional Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. This event also will be streamed live via Facebook at www.facebook.com/DeKalbCountySchoolDistrict. The event, hosted by Parent Councils United, gives community members a chance to receive a mid-year update on DeKalb County schools and provides an opportunity to…

At a special called meeting on March 21, the Stonecrest City Council approved an amendment to the city’s 2018 budget to fund seven new positions and four vehicles for the city’s operation. The special called meeting was held after council members deferred a decision on the budget adjustment at the regular City Council meeting on March 19. The council had several questions about the proposed adjustments to the contract for CH2M, the firm hired to oversee the management of the city. City Manager Michael Harris addressed those concerns and the council approved the budget 5-1. Councilmember Diane Adoma acknowledged receiving…

Hundreds of supporters flocked to the DeKalb County Police Department’s South Precinct in Decatur to help raise funds for a DeKalb County officer who lost his home to a fire on March 1. Officer Marty Williams, who has been with the DeKalb Police Department for eight years, said the outpouring of support has been overwhelming. The community came out on March 16 to support a fundraiser for Williams and his six children. “The turnout was bigger than I ever could have dreamed of. Not only did people show up to give monetary donations, clothes and toys but they wanted…

One hundred Lithonia High School athletes took a break from the action to give back to elementary school students with the gift of literacy. The high school students visited Stoneview Elementary School on March 22 and were paired with the younger children, to whom they read a book written by New England Patriots wide receiver Malcom Mitchell. During a visit he made recently to Lithonia High, Mitchell challenged 100 athletes to share the magic of reading with the elementary students. Mitchell talked about the importance of reading. He also told the story of how he struggled to read while a…