Author: On Common Ground News

By Travis Hudgons The Decatur High School community mourned the loss of one of its bright stars.  Hundreds turned out on the evening of Oct. 24 for a candlelight prayer vigil at Decatur High School for 18-year-old graduate Kennedy Segars. She was killed in a DUI-related crash earlier this month.  The emotional gathering included remarks from friends and family members, prayer and singing. The Decatur High School cheerleaders performed a special cheer for Segars, who was on the cheer squad while at Decatur. “She was very special. She wasn’t average,” said Kennedy’s father, Marvin Segars. “She’s going to be missed.…

By Valerie J. Morgan The Democratic Party of Georgia’s is urging voters to cast their ballots in person during the early voting period, after learning that thousands of voters—4,700 of them in DeKalb County—never received absentee ballots they requested. The early voting period started Oct. 15 and ends Nov. 2. Rebecca DeHart, executive director for the Democratic Party of Georgia, said the DeKalb Board of Registration & Elections never mailed absentee ballots to an estimated 4,700 applicants who requested them—some of them as early as September. DeHart said the Party tracked a mailer that was sent to voters who requested…

Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams cast her ballot on Oct. 15, the first day of early voting, at The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall. Abrams posted a video about the event on Instagram:    “Today, I voted early with my family by my side. I voted early in my community, with my community, and most importantly, for my community. In the past, I always cast my ballot on Election Day. That’s when my parents would take me and my siblings to vote with them. But this year, we’re leaving nothing to chance. We’re getting our votes in early so we have time…

DeKalb County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling raised over $21,500 through her annual “Dancing with the DeKalb Stars” a domestic violence resource expo and fundraiser, for local non-profits, Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence and International Women’s House. The event, which was held at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center on Oct. 20 exceeded fundraising goals through ticket sales, sponsorships and a partnership with the DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts.  “Our goal for this event was to create a fun and safe environment for our community to learn more about the cycle of abuse. We also wanted Dancing…

The Rockdale County Courthouse is getting a new roof. County officials say the work, which was scheduled to begin on Oct. 22, was delayed a week as workers delivered building materials and blocked off nearby streets in preparation for the demolition.   Workers are now scheduled to begin removing the aging roof during the week of Oct. 29. Work is expected to be completed by Nov. 12. The courthouse will get an energy efficient “cool roof system,” officials said. “We are making progress in repairing and renovating Rockdale County infrastructure,” said Sue Sanders, director of Rockdale County Recreation and Maintenance…

A bounty of activities throughout the metro-Atlanta area await families and their children now that the weather is a little cooler and the foliage is turning into a riot of colors.  It’s officially the season for families to enjoy dozens of free events featuring treats and activities for the kids and opportunities for everyone to wear costumes, decorate and have fun. Listed here are some of the events planned. If you know of others, please e-mail us at editor@ocgnews.com and we will update the information. Voices of Faith Ministries sets Trunk or Treat Voices of Faith Ministries Rockdale Campus, 1290…

DeKalb County’s public safety workers will get a four percent pay raise in November. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved  DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond’s pay proposal on Oct. 23.  The $7.1 million salary increase goes into effect the first pay period in November 2018 and applies to approximately 2,100 public safety employees. “Last year, the county took steps to improve compensation for public safety,” said Thurmond. “With the support of the Board of Commissioners, these salary increases will further enhance the county’s recruitment and retention efforts.”    The salary increase applies to police officers, firefighters, E-911 employees, medical…

On Dec. 1, the Rockdale Democratic Party will hold elections for its executive board (chair; 1st vice chair; 2nd vice chair; treasurer and secretary), and for Post 2 Post holders (precinct captains). All of the positions are for two-year terms.  To run for post holder, candidates must live in the precinct for which they are running and have verifiable members of the precinct attend to vote.   To run for the executive board, candidates must be a post holder and have paid their dues for 2018.   Candidates running for precinct captains and the executive board must send their name…

The threat of rain did not prevent over 200 runners from crossing the finish line at the 9th Annual Race Against Violence 5K (RAV), which was held on Saturday, Oct. 20 in Conyers.   RAV has become an annual tradition for many people in the community as the participants, sponsors  and volunteers begin the weekend carbing up at the pre-race party hosted by Mellow Mushroom in Conyers on Friday night and then meeting at the Conyers First United Methodist Church at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday for the start of the race. The Rockdale County Task Force Against Family Violence, chaired…

Priscilla Davenport, breast cancer survivor, stands in front of her adopted MARTA bus stop she has sponsored for the past two years.In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Keep DeKalb Beautiful (KDB) is placing a pink ribbon on every sign adopted during the month of October as part of the Adopt-A-Stop (Marta), Adopt-A-Spot and Adopt-A-Road Programs.  Each Adopt-A-Program aims to reduce litter and blight in a focused area. To remain in good standing, each group is asked to complete and report four cleanups per year.  KDB will provide all the supplies and collect the materials at the end of each…