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DeKalb native honored with ADC's prestigious JFK Award

Submitted by Arit Essien, 11Alive Contributing Blogger

Sunday, May 19th, 2013, 2:17pm

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DeKalb music official in running to lead FAMU marching band

Submitted by Associated Press

Monday, April 8th, 2013, 7:47am

DeKalb music official in running to lead FAMU marching band

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A DeKalb County Schools official is in the running to lead the famed marching band at Florida A&M University.

University officials say the search committee will meet Monday with two candidates for director of the Marching 100.

The two candidates are former Ohio University music professor Sylvester Young and Don Roberts, who is the instrumental music coordinator for DeKalb Schools.

In January, FAMU officials said they were starting over in their search for a new band director. They had planned to appoint Jorim Reid of North Carolina Central University, but they said Reid and the university disagreed over the duties of the band director.

The university changed the job following the hazing-related death of drum major Robert Champion.

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New police chief sworn in

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, April 1st, 2013, 10:25am

DECATUR, Ga. -- Cedric Alexander is now officially the DeKalb County Police Chief.

Alexander was sworn in Monday morning at the DeKalb History Center in downtown Decatur.

He will spend the rest of the day visiting various locations throughout the county, including Cedar Grove Middle School, the Lou Walker Senior Center and the Oak Grove Market.

April is National County Government Month. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis said the county will spend the month raising public awareness about the roles and responsibilities of local government.

This year's National County Government Month theme is Smart Justice: Creating Safer Communities.

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Gov. Deal fires back at civil rights leaders over DeKalb School Board

Submitted by Paul Crawley, 11Alive Reporter

Tuesday, March 12th, 2013, 9:22pm

Gov. Deal fires back at civil rights leaders over DeKalb School Board

ATLANTA -- Governor Nathan Deal (R-Georgia) announced Tuesday that he will name replacements Wednesday morning for 6 DeKalb County School Board members he suspended on February 25th.

His office also released a list of 60 possible candidates out of 403 that were interviewed by a special nomination panel since last Friday.

Deal acted under a 2011 law to remove the school board members after the DeKalb's accreditation was put on probation due to a "dysfunctional" board.

On Tuesday he also fired back at some civil rights leaders who've accused him of acting as a dictator with questionable racial intentions.

They met with him Monday to criticize his action as an unconstitutional disenfranchisement of DeKalb County voters.

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DeKalb County School Board elects new leader

Submitted by 11Alive on Wednesday, February 20th, 7:06 pm

DECATUR, Ga. -- The DeKalb County School Board elected Dr. Melvin Johnson as chairperson of the embattled school board on Wednesday afternoon during an executive session.

Before being named chairman, Johnson, a retired DeKalb County Deputy Superintendent, represented District 6 which includes feeder schools to both Stone Mountain and Stephenson high schools.

Early Wednesday, DeKalb County's controversial school board members, faced with the possibility that Gov. Nathan Deal may remove them from office, have suddenly decided to fight him.

The board members have been taking steps to sue Gov. Deal to try to stop the process that could lead to their removal.

Their lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Fulton Superior Court, just a block from the Georgia State Capitol, claims that the state law empowering the governor in certain circumstances to replace elected school board members violates the state constitution.

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Reed says he will seek reelection

Submitted by Michael H. King, Digital Executive Producer

Wednesday, February 13th, 2013, 5:25pm

ATLANTA -- During his fourth State of the City address, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced his intention to seek a second term in the mayor's office.

Reed began his remarks by teasing the audience about his future plans. Later in the speech, he said he had given his future considerable thought and that he would be with President Barack Obama during his visit to metro Atlanta on Thursday.

As the crowd held its collective breath, Reed laughed and said he would run again.

The audience broke into a cheering standing ovation as Reed laughed and said, "Fooled you!"

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Former poet laureate to speak at Emory graduation

Submitted by Associated Press

Wednesday, February 13th, 2013, 7:51am

Former poet laureate to speak at Emory graduation

ATLANTA -- A former United States poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet is set to speak at Emory University's commencement ceremony.

The university says Rita Dove will deliver the keynote address at the graduation ceremony on May 13. She will also receive an honorary doctor of letters degree.

Dove currently teaches English at the University of Virginia. She served as poet laureate and consultant to the Library of Congress from 1993 to 1995, and as poet laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2004 to 2006. She's known for her interdisciplinary approach and her collaborative ventures with composers, musicians and other artists.

Commencement will be held on the campus quadrangle with more than 14,000 people expected to attend.

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