Author: On Common Ground News

Work soon will begin on the Martin Luther King, Jr. statue that will stand on the Georgia Capitol grounds. State officials announced that Atlanta-based artist Martin Dawe will create the statue, which is expected to be unveiled in early 2017. Gov. Nathan Deal said Rep. Calvin Smyre (Columbus), dean of the Georgia General Assembly, led the search to replace sculptor Andy Davis, who was killed in a 2015 motorcycle accident. “While the passing of Andy Davis was a tragic loss to his family and community, his contributions to this project and to the legacy of Dr. King will live on,”…

The Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will host DeKalb County’s District 4 Commissioner Candidate Debate. The two candidates in the runoff will square off in a debate Thursday, June 30, 7 p.m., at New Bethel AME Church, 8350 Rockbridge Road, Lithonia. District 4 runoff candidates are incumbent Sharon Barnes-Sutton, and businessman Steve Bradshaw. The debate will be moderated by Steen Miles, a retired journalist, author and former State Senator for Georgia’s 43rd District. She will ask questions and take questions from the audience. Everyone is welcome to attend. Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa…

Dr. Veronica Lester Flanigan, the first black female to graduate from Rockdale County High School, class of 1966, 50 years ago, passed away June 23, 2016. She was honored at the Citizens Progressive Club Trailblazer Banquet Sept. 2015. Dr. Flanigan was a member of Peek’s Chapel Baptist Church. Celebration of Life for Dr. Flanigan will be Sunday, June 26, 2 p.m., at Peek’s Chapel Baptist Church, 3185 Old Salem Road, Conyers.

DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May presented a revised 2016 operating budget of $1.337 billion to the Board of Commissioners that would provide additional funding to existing initiatives, including pay raises if approved. The recommendation allocates $6.5 million for pay increases to be implemented as the second phase of the county’s pay and class study, a research project that analyzed and compared DeKalb salaries with other similar organizations. Additionally, the administration is taking steps to identify other saving mechanisms.  A $4.6 million reduction in unused salary expenses is being offered from unfilled vacancies to defray departmental mid-year requests.  Other major changes…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested a suspect in the June 20 shooting death of a man on the Northeast Expressway in Atlanta. DeKalb Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested 25-year old Juan Carlos Moulier, Jr., of Atlanta on warrants issued by the DeKalb County Police Department for the felony murder of Tommy Jackson during an attempt to take money from him. Moulier is also accused of felony armed robbery. The arrest took place on June 22 without incident on the access road of Northeast Expressway. Moulier was taken to the DeKalb Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division prior to…

Conyers Police along with Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta are offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrests in two cases they are working. Police are seeking information about the Beasley Drug store  burglar. The suspect burglarized the downtown Conyers pharmacy on June 2 and June 5, stealing pharmaceuticals in mesh a laundry basket. The first time, the suspect broke in by smashing the store’s front door with a crowbar and the second time, by using a chunk of concrete. Conyers Police also are asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects who burglarized the Best Buy in Conyers on…

Public safety and code enforcement are the focus of an upcoming summit during which DeKalb residents can meet various government representatives and learn about services that can improve their neighborhoods and quality of life. “Working Together for a Cleaner and Safer DeKalb” is the theme of DeKalb County’s seventh annual neighborhood summit which will be held Saturday, July 9, 9 a.m. to noon, at Greater Travelers Rest Church—House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur “This summit will give residents the information they need to partner with their government to improve their neighborhoods,” said DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May.…

As part of a national partnership, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter participated in a community service event on June 20 at the Yellow Brick House nursing home in Lithonia. “The Longest Day” is one of the organization’s signature events to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association, which provides research and support for families facing the disease. Held annually on the summer solstice, teams across the globe create their own projects to fundraise and honor those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. The sunrise-to-sunset duration of the event symbolizes the arduous journey of both those living…

The Fulton County Department of Housing and Community Development is soliciting project proposals for Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds.  Funding is available for activities that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents of Fulton County. The funds are divided into the following categories: Up to 60% for Shelter activities and 40% to Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing activities. Eligible applicants must have both capacity and previous experience in the successful delivery of services that follow the ESG guidelines. Available funds are designated solely for eligible activities that result in improving access to quality housing and supportive services for individuals and families…

The Council for Community Enrichment in conjunction with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Tau Pi Omega Chapter held its annual scholarship awards reception at DeKalb Medical Center’s Keeton Auditorium on June 3. Nine high school graduates from across metro Atlanta were honored for their outstanding academic achievement, leadership and selfless acts of community service. In addition to the $9,000 in scholarships awarded, each student was given a “survival kit” to assist them as they prepare for their college experience. Scholarships were presented to: Jonesboro High School Senior Class President Peace Olaniran, who will be attending the University of Georgia…