Author: On Common Ground News

When the President referred to NFL players who are demonstrating as “sons of bitches,” he stirred up another debate. About race. You can weigh in, too. Tell us what you think. I’ll take a knee with Kaepernick before I ever stand with Trump By Jared Sawyer If you think racism does not exist, just post something on social media about players kneeling down during the national anthem and everyone will show their true colors. The singing of the national anthem and the flyover of jets used to be the most striking moments before a…

The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) has unanimously voted to revoke the certification of DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann. The council’s vote could lead to his removal from office. Mann has 30 days to appeal the decision. Mann was arrested on May 6 for public indecency after allegedly exposing himself in Piedmont Park in Atlanta and then running from a police officer during the incident. Mann made a plea deal in July and was banned from Atlanta parks for six months and was fined $2,000. Mann now will have 30 days to appeal the decision. Efforts to reach…

Rockdale County Schools Superintendent Richard Autry has announced his retirement three days after he was arrested for driving drunk. Autry, 53, was arrested on Sept. 24 in McDonough and charged with DUI and following too closely. McDonough Police said Autry had a blood alcohol level of .195. That level is more than twice the legal limit. Police found Autry after responding to an accident in the area of Georgia Highway 155 South and Henry Parkway, according to media reports. At the scene, Autry told police he wasn’t injured but police noticed he was impaired and leaning on a gas pump…

DeKalb County and the city of Atlanta have worked through arbitration and the city is now moving forward to expand its borders. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement on Sept. 26 that allows the City of Atlanta to annex 744 acres including Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia Power Co., Villa International, Synod of South Atlantic & Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Centers for Disease Control. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said the agreement addresses several concerns including traffic, development, infrastructure and outlines the responsibilities of both, the city and the county. The issues, county officials said,…

Diandra Abernathy, 41, was sentenced to 20 years to serve three with the balance on probation after pleading guilty to stealing more than $50,000 from an elderly Stone Mountain woman who was in her care. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said Abernathy was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $55, 407.619, and as part of the terms of her sentence, Abernathy is prohibited from working with the elderly. In 2014, the family of Sue Walker, who is now 90 years, hired Abernathy to assist her with medication, transportation, finances, and light housekeeping in the Stone Mountain…

Maxine Daniels was honored by staff members, family, friends and Pastor Kerwin B. Lee of Berean Christian Church at a farewell celebration, which was held on Sept. 22 at the Maloof Auditorium in downtown Decatur. Staffers and others showered Daniels with gifts and told her how much she would be missed. Maxine Daniels is retiring from her position as DeKalb County’s Director of Voter Registrations and Elections. Daniels, who served 16 years, was honored for her work at the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Sept. 26. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond and the board proclaimed Sept. 29—Daniels’ last day…

Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Chi Tau Omega Chapter, in partnership with NewRock Legal Society and other organizations, held a voter registration drive in Rockdale and Newton counties on National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 26. This year marked the fourth or fifth year the Rockdale and Newton volunteers have mobilized for the national event, said Debbie Hillman, who helped coordinate the effort. Although the groups held a daylong drive at the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office South Precinct, volunteers also visited schools and inmates, Hillman said. “We registered 26 high school students and 58 inmates,” said Hillman. Sundiata Washington, a Rockdale Magnet School senior…

   Rockdale Elections Director Cynthia Welch recently held a demonstration showing off the new “paper” ballot voting machines that will be used in the Nov. 7 Conyers municipal elections. Rockdale is the first county in Georgia to pilot the new machines, which will provide voters with a paper ballot they can examine before casting their ballot in a tabulator machine that counts the votes. “If they’re not satisfied with their vote, they can take it to a poll worker and request a new ballot and start all over. Once they are satisfied with their selections, they can cast the ballot…

The DeKalb County Board of Health, in partnership with Agnes Scott College, will host a community conversation, “Human Trafficking: What Everyone Needs to Know” on Oct. 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the college’s Campbell Hall Frances Graves Auditorium. The summit is being held to increase awareness of metro Atlanta’s prominence in human trafficking. The industry is big business in Georgia, generating nearly $300 million a year. On average, approximately 100 adolescent females are sexually exploited each night in Georgia, officials say. Speakers for the community conversation event include representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,…

DeKalb County’s Third Annual Fall Harvest Festival promises a whimsical twist this year. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at UGA Extension DeKalb County, 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur. Sponsored by the “Fresh on DeK” DeKalb Mobile Farmers Market, the free festival will feature fruit smoothie demonstrations, health education and medical screenings and lots of fresh produce for sale. “It’s going to be a very festive event, so that everyone can get something from it,” said Lynwood Blackmon, DeKalb Extension director and Mobile Farmers Market manager. “The education is the most…