Author: On Common Ground News

By Robert James | DeKalb County District Attorney Unemployment and underemployment are significant contributors to crime in DeKalb County. Helping people of working age find adequate employment goes a long way toward preventing crime. Having a criminal record, however, makes finding a job more difficult. But if you’re able to clear that blemish from your record, your chances of finding work – or perhaps finding a better job – are greatly improved. This is why I am creating an opportunity for qualifying individuals with DeKalb County felony arrest records to have their records cleared. On Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, from…

Michael Thurmond, Democratic nominee for DeKalb CEO, will have a watch night for the elections starting at 7 this evening at the Courtyard Downtown Courtyard Decatur Hotel, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur. Congressman Hank Johnson will be at the Decatur Marriott between 7 and 8 p.m.; the Hyatt Regency between 9 and 10 p.m.; and the Decatur Courthouse for a prayer vigil at 11 p.m. Supporters for the City of Stonecrest will gather around 7 p.m. at Arizona’s restaurant, located near the Mall at Stonecrest, Lithonia. In Rockdale: Supporters for write-in candidate Courtney Dillard will gather tonight at the Marriott Courtyard…

Attendees at the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce’s (GLCC) 23rd Anniversary and Scholarship Gala got a peek into Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s (GPTC) future. GPTC President Jabari Simama, who was the keynote speaker at the Chamber’s gala, unveiled an architectural rendering for a $25 million state-of-the-art transportation training facility that will be built in Lithonia. Simama told those attending the gala, which was held on Nov. 3 at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia, that they were seeing the rendering first. “This is going to be one of my primary legacies and I don’t intend to leave the college…

The city of Lithonia’s name is now etched on the National Register of Historic Places, officials have announced. Lithonia was placed on the nation’s list of places worthy of preservation and recognition on Sept. 19, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said in a recent news release. Officials say the new designation means the Southeast DeKalb County city is now eligible for economic incentives like those utilized in the development of Atlanta’s Ponce City Market. “We are looking forward to seeing new ventures attracted to the city via the tax incentives that are available to support historic preservation projects in…

If you’re selected for jury duty in Gwinnett County, you’ll get updates by text now. Gwinnett County Courts announced the launch of a text-based notification system to update jurors on their jury status. With the new texting platform, jurors receive automatic messages about their upcoming jury duty, as well as nightly updates throughout their service week notifying them whether or not to report for service.  The texting platform augments existing web and IVR-based systems. “Jurors have been asking for an easier, more convenient way to get their juror status. With our new text messaging system, jurors receive proactive text messages…

DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May will host a community meeting on Thursday, Nov. 10, 6:30–8 p.m. to address community concerns with high water bills and provide an update on the county’s status in mitigating those issues. The community meeting will be held in Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. On Sept. 20, May issued a moratorium through the end of 2016 on the disconnection of residential water accounts that have been contested through the Utility Customer Operations Center. Water customers who believe their bills are in error should notify the Utility Customer Operations Center at 774 Jordan Lane in…

DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry will host Adoption Day in DeKalb on Friday, Nov. 18, as part of National Adoption Month. Lunch will be served at noon and the ceremony finalizing several adoptions will take place in the Judicial Tower of the DeKalb County Courthouse in Courtrooms 5C, 5D, and 7C beginning at 1 p.m. November is recognized as National Adoption Month. The purpose of National Adoption Month is to focus attention on children in the Child Welfare system that are in foster care and freed, waiting to be adopted. National Adoption Day is Saturday, Nov. 19…

The Conyers Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating Pelora Turner, a 16-year-old female who was last seen by her family on Sept. 30. Iris Lang said her daughter left home walking to the library and never returned. Lang said she has not heard from her daughter for more than 30 days now. Lang is pleading for help in bringing her daughter home safely. She said Pelora’s health is at risk due to not having her medication for Lupus. Although a picture provided of Pelora to police shows the teen with braids, Pelora was wearing a straight, pressed…

A man who killed a gay rights activist will spend the rest of his life in prison. A DeKalb County judge has given Donte Lamar Wyatt four life sentences plus 41 years for the April 2015 crime spree that left a 37-year-old Atlanta woman dead. “This was a horrific, unspeakable crime, and he deserves nothing less than to spend the rest of his life in prison,” DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said of Wyatt. “Everyone should expect to be safe, especially in their own homes. What this man did was violate that sanctity for two DeKalb residents. We want…

ATLANTA Atlantic Station lures holiday shoppers with local artisans and craft beer Browse a curated selection of handmade arts and crafts and buy local craft beer at ‘Crafts and Drafts’ Saturday, Nov. 12, noon to 6 p.m., at Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive N.W., Atlanta. The family-friendly event is free and no ticket is needed for entry. Shoppers will have access to 50 of the best local and regional independent crafters. For more information, visit atlanticstation.com. Center for Civil and Human Rights presents lecture on indigenous people’s rights A panel of leaders, activists, and educators from Indigenous Nations…