Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County officials said a tree growing out of a sewer pipe and a concrete junction box caused the massive sewage spill–6.4 million gallons of raw sewage—at Snapfinger Creek in unincorporated Lithonia. County workers discovered the spill on Aug. 23 and officials now say it is worse than the Nancy Creek spill, which spewed 3.9 million gallons of raw sewage and was initially reported last week as the biggest spill recorded in the last 10 years since the county’s consent decree. The consent decree is DeKalb’s binding agreement with federal and state authorities to improve its sewer system. County…

After a special called meeting that lasted more than four hours, the Tucker City Council voted against an 88-acre mixed-use development called “The Rise.” A packed house of supporters and opponents attended the Aug. 30 meeting, awaiting a decision on the proposed project. The plan called for retail and office space, apartments, a senior living center, new elementary school and daycare at the Sears warehouse site, located off Hugh Howell Road and Mountain Industrial Boulevard. Supporters said they believe the project would spur growth in Tucker, while opponents said they were concerned about traffic, parking, green space and worried…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of State Rex Tillers on Thursday (Aug. 31) demanding answers as to what steps the Department of Justice and the Department of State plan in response to the killing of innocent bystanders in US-backed counter-narcotics operations abroad. The letter was signed by Johnson and ranking members of the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees and other colleagues The letter calls for accountability in the wake of a joint review from the Offices of the Inspectors General of Justice and State that presented shocking conclusions regarding the role…

MARTA increases services, security for Labor Day weekend ATLANTA—Whether traveling to the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game or Dragon Con 2017, you’ll want to take MARTA to navigate the busy holiday weekend expected downtown. MARTA is increasing train frequency on Saturday, Sept. 2, and beefing up security presence at all 38 rail stations throughout the weekend, officials said this morning. “We anticipate an influx of weekend riders due to a holiday weekend filled with parades, festivals and sporting events,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker. “MARTA is working to meet the projected ridership demand by providing increased service to help ensure an enjoyable…

From L-R, DeKalb County Magistrate Court Ordinance Judges Matthew McCoyd, Hollie Manheimer and September Guy Berryl A. Anderson DeKalb County Magistrate Court judges are leading an effort to crack down on abandoned, dilapidated and burned-out properties in DeKalb County. The Magistrate Court’s Ordinance Division judges, who hear cases involving code enforcement, animal control and nuisance abatement, have put procedures in place for the county to tear down nuisance structures and recover the costs of demolition from property owners. Chief Judge Berryl A. Anderson said the dilapidated structures pose a hazard to county residents and her court can take action against…

Mayor Jason Larry (right) swears in Stonecrest’s new judges,  Jonathan Weintraub and Michael Sheridan. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCGNews Mayor Jason Lary administered the oath of office on Aug. 30 to Stonecrest’s first two municipal judges. Jonathan Weintraub was sworn in as the chief judge and Michael Sheridan took the oath for the judge pro tem. Weintraub and Sheridan are not newcomers to the DeKalb legal system. Weintraub was the county attorney for seven and a half years and served two years as deputy chief operating officer and legal counsel to the chief operating officer. Weintraub also served five years…

Front, L-R: Rita Samuels and Barbara Lester. Back, L-R: Cynthia Welch, Helen Butler, Meredith Lilly, Teresa Hardy, Rep. Doreen Carter, Leona Perry, Elaine Davis Nickens, Debbie Hillman and Maxine Daniels. Not pictured: Beatrice Williams and Rhonda Briggins-Ridly. State Rep. Doreen Carter honored 10 women in recognition of Women’s Equality Day and the 97th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Nearly 100 women attended the awards breakfast, which was held on Aug. 26 at the Lou Walker Center in House District 92 and co-hosted by Bettye Davis, director of the center. “I was overjoyed with…

Pastor Steven N. Dial, Sr. of Rainbow Park Baptist Church in Decatur this month will host his annual golf tournament to assist those seeking scholarships for GED testing. Dial said he founded the Rev. Clifton Dial Sr. Scholarship Foundation and started the golf tournament in remembrance of his late father. Rainbow Park Baptist Church began providing free GED and literacy classes in 2007. The scholarship foundation was created in 2009 to assist students in paying for the test and also provide educational materials such as books, practice tests, graduation cap and gowns and other needed supplies. To date, the foundation…

Written by Rockdale County Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. Rockdale County residents who desire to be married can apply for a marriage license in probate court. At least one of the parties must be a resident of the county or a resident of Georgia. If neither party is a resident of Georgia, the license must be issued in the county where the marriage ceremony will be performed. A marriage license is issued based upon a written application verified by the oath of the applicants. A blood tests is not required. When you arrive at the court, you’ll need a valid…

The DeKalb NAACP met with DeKalb Schools Superintendent Stephen Green and other district officials to discuss parents’ complaints about an offensive movie that was recently shown to students in a French language class at the DeKalb School of the Arts. Representatives of the civil rights organization said the movie, “The Triplets of Belleville,” depicted an animated caricature of bare-breasted African women in various dance routines. The organization called the movie racist, sexist, and misogynistic. Parents contacted the school, the School Board, superintendent and the DeKalb NAACP to express their outrage NAACP President Teresa Hardy and Lance Hammonds, who serves…