Author: On Common Ground News

Demolition crews began tearing down 28 of approximately 108 vacated units at the Brannon Hill condominium complex at 1000 Old Hampton Drive in Clarkston on July 13. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond and county officials held a news conference at the site to reiterate their promise to clean up the dilapidated complex, which has stood as an eyesore for over 10 years. The condos, where several fires have taken place over the years, had long been a haven for crime and homeless people living among tenants. It has been dubbed “the worst community in America.” As a result of absentee landlords,…

The Lithonia Amphitheater was filled with hundreds of party goers who attended the WindDown Wednesday “Party in the Park,” which was hosted by DJ Mix Master Mitch on July 12. The crowd danced to Old School hits and the sounds of Kasper and the 911 Band. The annual mid-week party came to the East for the first time ever because of renovation under way at Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. Mix Master Mitch says the Lithonia Amphitheater, 2515 Park Drive, will host WindDown Wednesday through Sept. 27. Guests may bring their own food, coolers, lawn chairs and blankets. Vendors also…

Written by Rockdale Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart Washington While most car owners in Rockdale make sure their insurance is current when it’s time to renew their registration, some often forget to get their emissions test done before they arrive at the Tax Office to renew. With a little planning, residents can make the renewal process a smooth as possible. Emissions tests are required every year in most counties in metro Atlanta, including Rockdale, and are valid for one year or one renewal. However, if you recently purchased a vehicle, you may not need to get one when it’s time to renew.…

Meet the Stonecrest City Hall Officials Pictured L-R from back row: Mayor Jason Lary; Wayne Wright, project manager; interim City Manager Michael Harris; Nicole Dozier, Community Development Director; Adrion Bell, Communications Director; Assistant City Manager Plez Joyner; Audrey Mays, Accounts Manager; Brenda James, interim City Clerk; and Lawfawnya Hardy, receptionist. Stonecrest marks milestone, moves into new City Hall The newly-formed City of Stonecrest marked a milestone on Monday. Officials opened its City Hall in a temporary suite at the Strayer University building, located at 3120 Stonecrest Center. The temporary City Hall will be located on the first floor of…

A DeKalb County Grand Jury has indicted a Decatur man in connection with the drowning death of his recently adopted 10-year-old son. Jurors returned a seven-count indictment on Tuesday against 43-year-old on charges of malice murder, felony murder, cruelty to children in the first degree (three counts), aggravated assault-family violence, and aggravated battery-family violence for the death of Kentae Williams. The victim died on April 28, 2017 following a series of alleged incidents involving the defendant. According to the investigation, neighbors witnessed Williams yelling at and threatening the child while dragging the victim by his neck into their Glen Hollow…

The DeKalb County Board of Health has received its first report of a human case of West Nile virus infection in the county, officials said. The patient, a 72-year-old male who lives in Brookhaven, is currently hospitalized. “It is unfortunate that one of our residents has contracted West Nile virus. However, this serves as a constant reminder that everyone should be vigilant in taking the necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites, as they are carriers of the virus,” said S. Elizabeth Ford, DeKalb District Health Director. The DeKalb County Board of Health is working to educate the public, including conducting…

DeKalb County is replacing more than 4,000 vented sewer manholes. The new manholes are completely solid and will block rainwater, storm water inflow and debris from entering the sewer system. There are more than 65,000 manholes in the county and replacing the manhole covers will help to improve sewer capacity for future projects. In June, the county began replacing the manholes. The project should be completed by the end of the year, officials said. Preventing sewer overflows is a priority for the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) and the department encourages residents to help prevent sewer overflows by properly disposing…

State Sen. Tonya Anderson (D – Lithonia) announced a Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) contract award for a project in DeKalb County. The award, worth $467,000, will address a bridge rehabilitation on I-20/SR 402. The anticipated completion date is February 28, 2018. The project was advertised in February, bids were received on March 17, and contracts were awarded on March 31. “I am excited to announce a GDOT project award for DeKalb County,” said Anderson, who represents the 43rd District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Newton and Rockdale counties. “The metro Atlanta area has recently faced some transportation challenges in…

Rockdale County will host a workshop for parents and high school students, “How to Meet Your High School Guidance Counselor,” on Saturday, July 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at (e)station, 909 Commercial St., Conyers. At the free workshop, a professional guidance counselor with knowledge of the public education system will help lead parents and students in learning information about FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student AID), how to navigate the student loan process, and the benefits of building a strong, consistent relationship with their high school guidance counselor. “Through this ‘How to Meet Your High School Guidance Counselor’ course,…

More than 100 people attended an information session for the Logistics Education And Pathways (LEAP) program on July 10 at the Newton County Courthouse. Attendees learned about the opportunity to take tuition-free online courses available from Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain & Logistics Institute and the many job opportunities available in the logistics industry. The four online courses that make up the program consist of Supply Chain Management Principles, Warehousing Operations, Transportation Operations and Customer Service Operations. The pilot program, supported by donations from JPMorgan Chase and Schneider, is provided through partnership with Georgia Tech, the City of Covington, Newton County,…