Archive for February, 2011

Clayton County Commissioner Wole Ralph (District 3) says that he is not guilty, and wants folks to keep an open mind about his recent arrest in Atlanta.

“I deeply regret this occurrence,” says Ralph via press release. “I am not guilty of these violations and I look forward to resolving this matter in court. I fully expect that I will be afforded the same due process as any other citizen and subsequently vindicated.”

Vice Chairman Ralph was recently arrested on charges of DUI, obstruction, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane. Atlanta police officers have challenged his claims of innocence, stating that he refused to cooperate, that they could smell alcohol on him, and he refused to take a field sobriety test according to the AJC.

Since being elected to office in 2004, Ralph has been nationally recognized for his leadership here and has received many awards as per the Clayton County website, including the Community Champion Award from Mothers Against Drunk …

Continue reading Innocent until proven guilty »

Sheriff Kem Kimbrough will be visiting different communities every Saturday during the months of February (10:00 AM through 4:00 PM) and March (Noon through 4:00 PM) to speak with Clayton County residents during a series of meet and greets.

“The community response has been very positive,” says the Sheriff. “People have come in and shared their concerns and have personally let me know what they need and what their expectations are.”

The public meetings will be held in the trailers donated by Clayton County Public Schools which were converted into law enforcement substations by the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office. “The purpose of the substations is to allow citizens to have better access to law enforcement as well as enhance law enforcement presence in the community and around schools,” says Deputy Alicia Parkes, Public Information Officer for the Sheriff’s Department.

Supervisors and deputies who are assigned to those substations will also be on site to speak with …

Continue reading Sheriff’s Substation Super Saturdays »

We should celebrate and encourage the positives happening in Clayton County - especially from our students, and Lovejoy High School Senior Darrel Jones has definitely accomplished some things worth celebrating.

Darrel Jones playing before the Board of Commissioners and public during a Business Meeting. (Warren Bond, Clayton County)

Jones will represent the very best of Clayton County and our public school system as he plays the violin at Carnegie Hall in New York City on February 19 as part of the 2011 American High School Honors Performance Series.

Darrel’s interest in playing the strings began as a third grader watching a video on string instruments in music class. Upon entering middle school he began playing the viola in the school’s orchestra, and this past summer at age 17, Darrel began taking violin lessons. He is now skillfully trained on both string instruments.

Darrel received a proclamation from the Board of Commissioners in January for his musical …

Continue reading Lovejoy high school senior plays Carnegie Hall on Saturday! »

From our local communities to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Clayton County is celebrating Black History Month in big ways, and at no cost to attendees.

Heritage Day Celebration: Historical Jonesboro has partnered with the Clayton County Archway Project to bring you an afternoon filled with fun, art, music, education, and most importantly, history, focusing on “The African-American Family”, February 19, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the National Archives at Atlanta(5780 Jonesboro Road, Morrow).

“There will be a tour of the artifacts and exhibits from 11-11:30 AM provided by Clayton County Historian Ted Key,” says Marie Barber, chairperson of Archway’s African American Historical committee. “We’re looking forward to making this a fun event for Clayton and the surrounding communities.”

Atlanta’s APEX museum, along with Lithonia’s Flat Rock Museum (home to comedian Chris Tucker’s ancestors) have donated many artifacts to share with Clayton County for the …

Continue reading Clayton celebrates Black History Month »