Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County Police Chief James W. Conroy and CEO Michael Thurmond honored the county’s fallen officers during a memorial service, which was held on May 10 at the DeKalb Historic Courthouse in downtown Decatur. The memorial service recognized May as the month law enforcement agencies across the country honored those who have died in the line of duty. The service brought together surviving family members, police officers elected officials and community groups. DeKalb honored officers from Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb County Marshal’s Office and MARTA Police.

The I-85 corridor, closed since the bridge collapsed as a result of a March 30 fire, will reopen on May 15, officials announced. Gov. Nathan Deal, along with Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Commissioner Russell McMurry and State Transportation Board Chairman Robert L. Brown Jr., made the announcement on May 9. The northbound and southbound lanes of the I-85 bridge over Piedmont Road in metro Atlanta are projected to open to traffic by morning rush-hour on May 15. The new opening date is nearly two weeks earlier than GDOT’s most recent commitment of Memorial Day weekend, and five weeks ahead…

Rockdale County’s Board of Commissioners would grow from three to five seats and four new commission districts would be created under a legislative bill that would change the structure that Rockdale has had for 40 years. Some think Rockdale has outgrown its three-person commission, established in 1977, while others say it’s working just fine. The subject is one that will be discussed at a community meeting the Citizens Progressive Club is hosting on May 15, 7 p.m., at Bald Rock Baptist Church, 2284 Old Covington Road, Conyers. “It’s going to be a listening sessions for our state legislators to get…

Looking for a job in the construction field? WorkSource DeKalb and Archer Western are hosting a hiring event for the Snapfinger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facilities expansion in DeKalb County. The hiring event will be held on Thursday, May 18, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., at 4572 Memorial Drive, Decatur. Archer Western, a recognized expert in the building, civil, transportation and water sectors, is looking to hire several tradesmen for full-time, permanent employment for the Snapfinger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facilities Expansion. Trades needed: Carpenter Foremen Pipe Fitters Carpenters Pipe Layers Carpenter Helpers Concrete Finishers Equipment Operators General Laborers Subcontractor Needs:…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three suspects in the murder of a woman during a reported cellphone sale transaction in a Lithonia community on May 5. DeKalb Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit Deputies arrested Jamel M. Harris, 42, of Stone Mountain; Jakerius A. Henry, 17, Lithonia; and a juvenile on May 8.  They are each charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault and Criminal Attempt. Warrants had been issued for Harris on May 7.  All three suspects were apprehended on May 8 when they were located inside a burned out home on Old Wellborn Trace in Lithonia.  Sheriff’s K9 Viper led deputies…

Rockdale County has received a $100,000 federal grant from the Recreation Trails Program to build additional miles of shared use trails for mountain biking, hiking and walking. The trail connects the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Rockdale to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in the city of Stonecrest, located in southeast DeKalb County. The trail extends for more than 30 miles, passing many landmarks and picturesque beauty. Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt said the project is the perfect pathway to bridging the community and tourists with beautiful greenspace. “I’m very excited about this new opportunity to…

The Rockdale County Department of Transportation (RDOT) will temporarily close the railroad crossing to vehicular traffic at Rockdale Industrial Boulevard beginning Monday, May 15, 7 a.m. The railroad crossing will re-open on the morning of Friday, May 19. The closure is due to CSX maintenance work to level the tracks. A detour route will divert traffic to General Arts Road and Old Covington Highway.

  Decatur Business Association brings Motown/Funk to Decatur Square Pack a picnic, spread out a blanket and enjoy a Motown-themed concert on Saturday, May 20, 7 – 9 p.m., on the Square in Decatur. The free concert will feature the Atlanta Funk Society band, which will play classic hits from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, including “Superbad” by James Brown, “Underdog” by Sly and The Family Stone, and “Whatcha Gonna Do For Me?” by Chaka Kahn. For more information, visit www.decaturdba.com.   ATLANTA Malcolm X Festival boasts cultural art, music  Celebrate the birthday of international African icon, Malcolm…

Rockdale County Constitutional Officers—Clerk of Courts Ruth Wilson, Sheriff Eric Levett, Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert Jr. and Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart-Washington—presented Heritage High School senior Tony L. Wilson a $1,000 scholarship for his essay on the role of the Clerk of Courts on May 11. Wilson is only the second student from Rockdale to win the statewide essay contest, said Suzanne Cross, executive director of the Constitutional Officers’ Association of Georgia, Inc. (COAG). The scholarship, she said, has been awarded to students for more than 10 years. Rockdale Clerk Wilson (no relation to Tony Wilson) said she is delighted to…

The public is invited to learn about the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, its trails and self-guided tours. The Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance is hosting an open house on May 23, 1-7 p.m., at its office at 3350 Klondike Road, Lithonia (now the city of Stonecrest). Visitors are welcome to drop in, grab a snack, and speak with staff and board members to learn about the people and places that form the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA). “We work closely with our community partners to bring awareness of the historic, cultural, and natural resources which are important to…