Author: On Common Ground News

MARTA Police say the department has seen a 27 percent decline in crime, attributing the drop to several safety initiatives and its “Ride With Respect” program. MARTA officials gave an overview of those initiatives at a March 29 roundtable with media representatives. MARTA Police Chief Wanda Dunham said the “Part 1 crimes,” the tier that includes murders, rapes and assaults, were lower than the department has seen in the past five years, despite four homicides this fiscal year. Dunham said suspects had been arrested in all four of the homicides. A big part of the success in lowering crime, Dunham…

Jason Lary was sworn into office as the new mayor of Stonecrest on March 27 in a private ceremony at the Stonecrest Library. The ceremony was held immediately after the DeKalb Board of Elections certified the results of the elections that same evening. Judge Ronald Ramsey performed the swearing-in ceremony for Lary as well as the two who were elected to the Stonecrest City Council on March 21: Jimmy Clanton, the winner of the District 1 race, and Jazzmin Cobble, who was elected to represent District 3. Lary said plans are under way for a public swearing-in ceremony…

By Valerie J. Morgan The Atlanta community is mourning the loss of Ollisteen “Steen” Miles, a former state senator and well-respected journalist. She died on March 29 at the age of 70. She courageously fought cancer, sharing her journey through a Facebook support group, “Cancer, You Picked the Wrong Chick.” Miles was a former reporter for WXIA-TV and The Champion newspaper. Miles worked as chief media relations officer for MARTA in 2001, and in 2003, she hosted the talk show, “Faith in the City Forum,” bringing together leaders of diverse faiths to discuss public policy and current events. Miles, a…

The historic Macedonia Baptist Church in Conyers marked a milestone recently. The congregation, under the leadership of Pastor Billie Boyd-Cox, celebrated the retirement of its mortgage on March 26. “We thank God for helping provide the vision for us to do it. I prayed and said, ‘God, we can’t get to our future, as long as we have our past holding us back.’ He told me to use what we have just as the woman in the Bible who had only a cup of oil followed Elisha’s instructions to use what she had to pay her debts,” said Pastor Cox.…

Former State Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler and Jacqueline Mohair of Trinity Girls Network honored several state lawmakers and community leaders on Monday with Presidential community service awards. The nominees for the President Barack Obama awards included State Representatives Pam Stephenson, Howard Mosby, Billy Mitchell, State Senators Gloria Butler and Lester Jackson. Glenn and Valerie Morgan, publishers of On Common Ground News, also were recognized with Presidential pins and certificates. The newspaper, founded in April 1995, is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this month. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) honored Dawkins Haigler for 10 years of service as a state legislator and…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and WorkSource DeKalb have partnered to launch “DeKalb Works,” a summer internship program that pairs more than 300 DeKalb residents ages 14 to 24 with private and public sector employers. “Work experiences are a critical component of preparing youth for the transition to adulthood,” said Thurmond. “A job can often mean so much more than a paycheck, such as mentor connections, career path exploration and practical training, which increases future employability.” Applications are now available for the six-week program online at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/dekalbworks. To qualify, applicants must be DeKalb residents between the ages of 14 and…

ATLANTA Speaker series highlights local leading art and science experts Phi Beta Kappa Arts & Sciences invites the public to hear local experts speak for five minutes each at (En)Lightning Talks Atlanta on Thursday, April 6, 7:30 p.m., at the Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. (En)Lightning Talks Atlanta is a series of electrifying five-minute public talks by local experts in the arts and sciences.  Holly Frey and Tracy Wilson of the Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast will host the event. For more information, visit www.pbk.org/atlanta. Agnes Scott to host 46th Annual Writers’ Festival The 46th Annual…

Due to plumbing issues that will require extensive repairs, the DeKalb County Code Enforcement Division has temporarily relocated from its office at 1807 Candler Road, Decatur. Administrative staff will continue receiving complaints by phone at 404-687-3700 and email codeenforce@dekalbcountyga.gov. Code violation inspections will continue, though response times may be delayed.

If fines and fees on overdue, lost and damaged materials are keeping you from enjoying the great resources at DeKalb County Public Library there is a solution. In advance of its move to a new and improved catalog, the Library is offering a Fine Forgiveness program throughout the month of April. The amnesty initiative will provide an opportunity for residents to clear library records and for the Library to recover overdue materials. The Library Board of Trustees approved the Fine Forgiveness program to be held April 3-23. Library Director Alison Weissinger urges patrons to take advantage of the opportunity. “Don’t…

After 68 years of serving the Atlanta area, the Junior League of Atlanta’s (JLA) Nearly New Thrift Shop, located in the Toco Hills Shopping Center at 2927 N. Druid Hills Road, Atlanta, will close on April 30. Since opening its doors in 1949, Nearly New has served thousands of customers and raised millions of dollars to help support JLA’s charitable programs and activities. Named “Best Thrift Store” in 2013 and 2014 and “Best Vintage Clothing” in 2014 by INsite Magazine, the shop, run by JLA members, offers gently-used merchandise, including designer clothing, children’s clothing, household items, toys, books, jewelry and furniture.…