Author: On Common Ground News

An internationally-known jewel thief has admitted to stealing a high-priced necklace from a Dunwoody department store. During court proceedings March 29, 86-year-old Doris Payne pleaded guilty to a felony count of theft by shoplifting. She was sentenced to three years’ probation to serve 30 days in custody, which was reduced to time-served. Payne was also ordered to serve 120 days on house arrest by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Linda Hunter, who presided over the case. The shoplifting incident occurred on Dec. 3, 2016 at the Von Maur Department store at Perimeter Mall.  Payne was captured on surveillance video placing…

Parents and guardians are reminded that DeKalb County authorities will enforce the curfew for juveniles during Spring Break. Juveniles who live in DeKalb County must be home between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. The curfew ordinance was approved by the DeKalb Board of Commissioners on Sept. 24, 2013. District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson in conjunction with former Safety Director Cedric Alexander proposed the ordinance as a means to prevent juvenile crime, reduce juvenile victimization, promote parental supervision and provide for the wellbeing of the general public. “DeKalb did not have a juvenile curfew ordinance and had been utilizing…

By Ceasar Gaiters President of the South DeKalb Rotary Club JOHNS CREEK—More than 100 people attended the March 30 dedication for “The Wall that Heals,” a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located in Washington, D.C. The dedication in Fulton County was held a day after the observance of Vietnam Veterans Day in Georgia. As president of the South DeKalb Rotary Club, I had the opportunity to join several Rotarians from around the state, the Johns Creek Veterans Association, elected officials and veterans from all branches of service at the…

Former State Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler 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 and the Trinity Girls Network also were recognized with Presidential pins and certificates. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) honored Dawkins Haigler for 10 years of service as a state legislator and her tenure as president of the GLBC.

Jason Lary arose the day after the election, on his birthday, with the best present ever: Voters elected him as the first mayor of the new city of Stonecrest, giving him 52.20 percent of the vote (2,200). Lary, who turned 55 on March 22, galloped to victory in a three-way race, defeating Charles Hill and Doug Favors. Hill placed second, earning 39.4 percent (1,664 votes) while Favors came in third with 8.10 percent (342). Lary thanked his wife, Debra, for standing by him “through all of the sleepless nights.” He also thanked supporters for their dedication and hard work.…

DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann announced that a recent three-day attack on crime in the county has resulted in 106 arrests. Operation Safe DeKalb 2017 is the sixth such initiative by the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office Field Services Division that focuses on serving warrants and making arrests for felonies and misdemeanors with the assistance of other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. “To date, we have arrested 31 felony suspects and 98 misdemeanor suspects,” said Mann. “Among the felony arrests are two for murder, two for rape, and eight for aggravated assault. There were 13 arrests for violation of…

The movie, “Hidden Figures,” isn’t just a movie on the big screen. It’s the inspiration for DeKalb County Commissioner Gregory Adams first awards program. The new commissioner honored 18 female trailblazers at his inaugural Hidden Figures of DeKalb” awards luncheon on March 23 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center in Decatur. Adams was joined by DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, DeKalb Commissioners Larry Johnson, Jeff Rader, Steve Bradshaw and actress Kim Fields (sitcom “Living Single” and “The Facts of Life.”) in presenting the awards during Women’s History Month. “It was such a great program. I am so…

Attorney Dwight Thomas has filed a lawsuit on behalf of former DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton against DeKalb Ethics Officer Stacey Kalberman and the DeKalb County Board of Ethics. The suit, filed on March 21 in DeKalb County Superior Court, alleges Kalberman and the board violated state law by directing her to lobby the DeKalb County Legislation Delegation. The suit comes amidst three ethics complaints now filed against Kalberman and the board. Amos King and Rhea Johnson filed complaints on March 23 concerning Kalberman lobbying. Last week, State Rep. Vernon Jones filed an ethics complaint against her with the…

Water and sewer utility rates would go up 6 percent per year over a five-year period under a proposal Rockdale County officials are considering. The rate hike would amount to about $3 per month on an average water bill for residential customers, county officials said. Rockdale Water Resources is working with a consulting firm to study water and sewer rates to support replacement of the county’s aging infrastructure. The $57.4 million Capital Improvement Program includes $18 million for a new 3 MGD Wastewater Plant. The 3 MGD wastewater plant to increase the county’s existing sewer capacity for growing business opportunities.…

Rockdale County’s Johnson Park Recreation Center, at 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers, is undergoing renovation that is expected to take three months to complete. The project, which began March 13, includes a facelift, new non-slip flooring, paint, and new carpet throughout the facility. It will also provide a new check-in counter in the reception area and a separation wall with controlled access to the gymnasium. The pool area will also be renovated with new windows, a new pool deck, and new drains and grates. The gymnasium will receive new ventilation fans and the public restrooms will be renovated to be ADA…