Author: On Common Ground News

The new Lithonia-Stonecrest Kiwanis Club held a charter ceremony on June 2 during a breakfast meeting. The new club has 27 members, said Donald Fleary, who serves on the board of directors. Thomas Legall is president of the new club.     The original Lithonia club, which was chartered in 1992, had been inactive since 2001, Fleary said.  “Many of the members had moved away,” said Fleary. “We are excited about having this new club.”  Mayor Jason Lary, who attended the charter ceremony, welcomed the new club to the city. Lary acknowledged some of the previous community service work the…

  The city of Pine Lake will host an opening ceremony for its first public art exhibit on the city’s new art wall, “Public Works at Public Works,” on June 16.  The inaugural installation will feature photographs themed on nature and the environment in Pine Lake by Pine Lake photographers Jennifer Bridges, Cindy M. Brown, Matthew J. Collins, Dwight Harriman, Kari Loomis, Julie Odom and Danielle S. Ross.   The public is invited to a reception from 7 to 10 p.m. at the city’s Clubhouse, 300 Clubhouse Drive. Attendees may meet the artists, enjoy live music, and stay for the…

The DeKalb branch of the NAACP is partnering with the 4th Annual “I AM A FATHER 5K Run/Walk” to host its 2nd Annual Juneteenth: “A Celebration of Freedom” event. The celebrations will be held on Saturday, June 16, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Families, teams, and individuals will start the 5K at Greenforest Community Baptist Church, 3250 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. After returning the run/walk, the Juneteenth festivities will continue across the street at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. There will be entertainment, workshops, cultural foods and vendors. Juneteenth is the celebration that marks the freedom…

Four high school graduates from the class of 2018 were each awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Rockdale branch NAACP on June 4. The presentation was held at Antioch Baptist Church. The scholarship recipients were: Alexis Berry, a graduate of Salem High School, who plans to attend the University of West Georgia to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner. David Duncan, a graduate of Rockdale High School, who plans to attend Mercer University to pursue a career as a veterinarian.  Tredarius Lassiter, a graduate of Heritage High School, who plans to attend Tennessee State University to pursue a career as…

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson is urging the community to unite against gun violence plaguing neighborhoods. Johnson is hosting a Prayer with a Purpose Walk & Rally on Friday, June 15, 6:30 p.m., at New Life Church, 3592 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur.  “As concerned community activists and residents, we will not allow violence to continue to ravish our neighborhoods without a fight. It is time for us to rise up and show that we will not tolerate the senseless killings,” Johnson said. “Please come out and join us if you are willing to take a stand and be a voice…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced the 25 students who were nominated to attend a U.S. Service Academy: Military Academy (West Point), Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Merchant Marine Academy. Six of the 25 students who were nominated received appointments to attend a Service Academy. Every year, members of Congress nominate students to attend the nation’s military academies. Those nominees who are accepted into the academies are awarded four-year scholarships that include tuition, books, room and board, medical and dental care.  The average award per appointment is worth $425,000. “Each year, I consider it an honor to…

By Ruth A. Wilson, Clerk of Courts   The right to trial by jury is a cornerstone of our Democracy. It is both an obligation and a right of American citizenship. The U.S. courts cannot function properly without the active involvement and cooperation of the public. It puts the power in the hands of the people to decide guilt or liability. It should not be taken lightly under any circumstances. When you receive your jury summons, DO NOT ignore it under penalty of law and possibly an even greater inconvenience.  If you have an issue that prevents you from serving on…

WorkSource DeKalb announces its Mobile Career Center schedule for June. The center will be stationed at locations throughout the county to help put DeKalb residents back to work. The mobile unit brings job assistance to residents of DeKalb by conveniently traveling all over the county. Residents have access to services such as job search assistance, workshops, training and resume writing and interviewing tips. Businesses also use the mobile unit for interviewing, training, pre-employment screenings or recruiting. The Mobile Career Center also aids residents interested in applying for the DeKalb year-round internship program.  The program provides short-term internship opportunities for low-income…

By Valerie J. Morgan Rockdale County Sheriff’s officials say they are preparing for “agitators” this Saturday (June 9) as organizers rally to demand justice for two people who died in the custody of the Rockdale County Jail. Shali Tilson, 22, a Rockdale resident, and Jamie K. Henry, 40, died less than three months apart while they were held at the Rockdale County Jail. Their deaths have sparked an outcry from several activists and groups, including the Rockdale NAACP, which is demanding immediate action and accountability from Sheriff Eric Levett. Chief Deputy Dale Holmes, second in command at the Sheriff’s…

Democratic incumbent Steve Henson remained the winner of the State Senate District 41 race, after elections officials recounted the ballots on June 6. Challenger Sabrina McKenzie requested a recount after provisional ballots were counted and the election results were certified following the May 22 elections. Henson had 111 votes more than McKenzie. Elections officials said there was no change in the results. District 41 covers parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. While Henson narrowly dominated DeKalb, McKenzie received more support from Gwinnett voters.   After all of the DeKalb precinct ballots were recounted, DeKalb Supervisor of Elections Erica…