Author: On Common Ground News

On Saturday, Oct. 21, 1 p.m., DeKalb County’s Miller Grove High School Marching Wolverines will host the Third Annual Battle of the Bands’ Gym Jamboree, which will be held at the school, 2645 DeKalb Medical Parkway, Lithonia. Participating high schools in this year’s event include Jonesboro HS, Salem HS, Forrest Park HS, Redan HS, McNair HS, Clarkston HS and Creekside HS. Admission is $10 for advance tickets or $12 at the door. Children under age 6 are admitted free. Parents and supporters are also urged to mark their calendars for Miller Grove’s Homecoming game against Columbia High. The game will…

Meet a Muslim, transgender woman, a blind person and a man who spent 27 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. All are speakers in a new “living books” program presented by the DeKalb County Public Library in partnership with Emory University’s IDEAS program. The Human Library Project kicks off on Monday, Oct. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore Street in downtown Decatur. The free program is offered to all ages. The Human Library is a place where people are…

The Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will host a “Community Impact” event on Saturday, Oct. 15 to bring awareness to childhood hunger. Free food will be provided to needy DeKalb County families from the Ronald E. McNair Pearls Closet Food Pantry. Lambda Epsilon Omega will also giveaway more than 300 backpacks filled with power snacks and supplies. The event will be held at McNair High School, 1804 Bouldercrest Road, SE, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. In addition to the free food and backpacks, the event will feature a budgeting seminar and workshops on hunger. “Good…

Today is the last day to register to vote and update your voter registration information. In order to participate in the Nov. 7 municipal elections and HOST and SPLOST referendums, you must register by today. You can register online and find out what elections will be held in your city or county. Visit registertovote.sos.ga.gov.

The Avondale Elementary School Education Foundation (AESEF) held its inaugural fundraiser – the AES Runs the World 5K – on Sept. 30 with 1992 Olympic gold medalist Kevin Young and local police officers leading the way as runners and walkers wound through Avondale Estates. Young, a hurdler and friend of PTA co-president Lynn Hampton, encouraged everyone to have fun. Neighbors came out to wave and show support. Race winners were Alex Compton of Big Peach Running Co. and 12-year-old Taleah Casurra. The 5K raised money to enhance academic programs at Avondale Elementary, which provides students with a global education through…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by guilty plea in the murder case against a man charged in the fatal attack of a pregnant woman. During what was scheduled to be a motions hearing on Oct. 5, Terique Dwayne Hall, 25, instead entered a guilty plea to murder, rape and weapons offenses in connection with the strangulation death of 20-year-old Ashley Mays, of Lithonia, and sexual assault crimes against two other women. Mays’ body was discovered in a hotel room by cleaning staff at the Quality Inn and Suites on Snapfinger Park Drive in Lithonia on…

Elevate your view this fall at Amicalola Falls State Park’s newest aerial adventure  By Mackenzie N. Morgan Zip your way into Fall this autumn at Georgia’s newest zipline canopy tour at Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge in Dawsonville, Georgia. Built by American Adventure Park Systems, the new level two zipline course promises guests the ultimate zipline experience with longer, higher and faster ziplines utilizing the safest technology in the industry. To celebrate the grand opening of Amicalola’s Aerial Adventure Park’s newest attraction, Georgia State Park officials, media and other special guests participated in a half-day zipline adventure on…

The long-time business owner and city councilman is vying to become Conyers’ new mayor.   Vince Evans easily rattles off a list of civic and business organizations that he’s given time to over the years—ranging from the Boys & Girls Club to the Conyers/Rockdale Chamber of Commerce. Evans says he believes in building up the community and he’s hoping to take on an even greater leadership role as he makes a bid to become mayor of Conyers. Voters in the city of Conyers are preparing to elect a new mayor to succeed Randy Mills, who, after serving 20 years, is not…

The city of Stonecrest is drawing national attention since it announced plans to create a town that would be named Amazon, Georgia inside the new city if the tech giant accepts the city’s bid to build its second world headquarters in Stonecrest. Mayor Jason Lary said he has been flooded with calls from media outlets across the country who want to learn more about Stonecrest’s offer to literally put Amazon on the map with its very own town. Along with calls from local media representatives, Lary has been interviewed by AP, CNN.com, Bloomberg and Fortune magazine, just to name a…

An Ellenwood man charged with sexually assaulting two young relatives has been convicted and sentenced to multiple life terms in prison. A DeKalb County jury returned guilty verdicts on Oct. 4 against Russell Cook, 56, on charges of rape, child molestation, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, cruelty to children in the first degree, and incest. The charges against Cook span two years, dating back to 2009 when the female victims, then 14 and 10, were in the Defendant’s care at his Ellenwood home. According to the investigation, Cook sexually assaulted the children on repeated occasions, often after physically restraining,…