Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County residents have one more week to take advantage of the Operation Spring Clean Sweep 2018 campaign. The county is offering its final week of free residential curbside collection.  The DeKalb County Sanitation Division serviced 1,617 homes and collected 499 tons of items during the second weekend of the free bulky item curbside collection project, which was scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays throughout June. To date, 857 tons of items have been collected from over 2,518 homes.  Residents have an opportunity to place large items, including furniture and appliances, curbside for collection by the Sanitation Division. Collection schedules are…

More than $140 million in total scholarship funds were awarded by higher education institutions to DeKalb County students in the Class of 2018. Of the district’s 22 high schools that reported data, graduating seniors at those campuses earned a grand total of $140,697,601 from colleges, universities, as well as state, federal and private scholarship organizations. “This astounding total is proof positive that DeKalb County School District graduates are in high demand throughout the country,” said Superintendent R. Stephen Green. “By committing themselves to a disciplined academic career, the Class of 2018 will represent our community at a reduced—if not completely…

The city of Stonecrest is inviting community residents and interested stakeholders to provide input at the third and final open house on the Stonecrest 2038 Comprehensive Plan.  This event will be held on Thursday, June 28, 6 to 8 p.m., at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road.   The Stonecrest 2038 Comprehensive Plan will be used to help guide and shape the future growth and development of the city of Stonecrest. The plan will set the direction for land use/zoning, transportation, infrastructure improvements, natural resource assessment and protection, and healthy living initiatives over the next 20 years.  “This…

Stonecrest City Councilman Rob Turner, District 2, will host a Town Hall meeting on June 28, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road.  Turner will be sharing information on the city’s SPLOST program; the film commission, the city’s comprehensive plan and neighborhood cleanups. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Councilman Rob Turner at 470-381-8555. 

U.S. Army Lt. Kathy Willis Brown, a 1991 graduate of Columbia High School, was promoted to the rank of colonel during an official ceremony on Saturday, June 16, at the Mary Gay House in Decatur. Lt. Brown was appointed to the United States Military Academy by Congressman John Lewis in 1991. Since then, she has risen through the ranks of the United States Army, seeing tours of duty in South Korea, North Carolina, California and the Pentagon. Lt. Brown has earned more than 10 medals, including recognition of duty in the Iraqi Campaign, Global War on Terrorism, Korean Defense and…

Editor’s Note: The following letter was submitted by activist Josie Dean, who lives in Rockdale County.  The Rockdale County Think Tank Inc. would like to address the two deaths of inmates inside the Rockdale County Sheriff Department’s Jail. We would like to say that those two deaths were an atrocity and uncalled for.  The young lady inmate, Jamie Henry, 40, needed medicine and medical care and died shortly after inside the jail.  The other recent death of Shali Tilson, 22, inside the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Department Jail was simply an inmate who died of thirst. Thirst?? That is the story…

Rockdale District Attorney Alisha Johnson says she is thoroughly reviewing the evidence provided by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations in the death of Shali Tilson, 22. She said she is awaiting the results of the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office concerning the death of Jamie Henry, 40. Both died while in the custody of the Rockdale County Jail.  After completely reviewing all of the evidence, a decision will be made on whether or not to pursue formal charges, Johnson said in a news release dated June 15.   Johnson said her office has received numerous inquiries and requests regarding the March…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested Jerell Curtis, a 17-year-old suspect in the murder of Erasmus Pratt in Stone Mountain. On June 9, a warrant was issued for Jerell Curtis charging him with Aggravated Assault and alleging he shot Pratt in the face.  Pratt subsequently died as a result of the shooting and an additional warrant was issued on June 13,  Curtis’ arrest upgrading the charges to Murder. On June 19, members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit apprehended Curtis in an apartment off Fairington Parkway in Lithonia, where he was taken into custody without incident.

The DeKalb County School District’s new Early Learning Academy at Terry Mill Elementary School will host an open house on Thursday, June 21, 10 a.m.  The school is located at 797 Fayetteville Road SE in Atlanta. More than $3 million was invested to accommodate approximately 200 3-year-old students in pre-kindergarten at the new academy, which will open in August for the 2018-2019 school year. The academy will be offered free of charge. “The Early Learning Academy will awaken an early love of learning for our early childhood students,” said DeKalb Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green. “The Academy will also…

  The Rockdale County Board of Education (BOE) was recently honored as a 2018 Exemplary Board, the highest status in the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) Board Recognition Program. The Rockdale County BOE also earned Exemplary status in 2015 and 2016. The GSBA Board Recognition Program was paused and revised during 2017 to require an even higher level of commitment from school boards and individual members. “We are extremely proud that the Rockdale County Board of Education has again earned Exemplary status – the highest status conferred by the Georgia School Boards Association,” says RCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts. “Not…