Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA–A packed audience applauded as the processional with Stonecrest Mayor Jazzmin Cobble and her family and entered the room to deliver her first State of the City Address on Thursday, March 23, at the Privvi Event Center inside the Mall at Stonecrest. Cobble’s  address, a pre-recorded video presentation, was part of an evening program that featured radio personality Sasha the Diva, who served as moderator for a “fireside chat” between Cobble and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. The women discussed challenges and triumphs in moving a city forward through a transition. Cobble presented her first “key to the” to…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Board of Commissioners(BOC) Chairman Oz Nesbitt will host his 14th Annual Lend-A-Ham Giveaway on April 2, 3 p.m., at the Olivia Haydel Senior, 1240 Dogwood Dr. S.W., Conyers. Nesbitt has hosted the event annually to help needy families have a ham to enjoy for Easter Sunday dinner. Volunteers will be on hand to help distribute the frozen hams, a week ahead of Easter. The hams will be given away to those in need on a first come, first served. Anyone who would like to donate a frozen ham for the event is welcome to drop off one at…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain), Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) and Omari Crawford (D-Decatur) have introduced House Bill 794, which would remove the official designation of Stone Mountain Park as a Confederate Memorial . The proposed legislation would also remove the word “Memorial” from the park’s official title. HB 794 is co-sponsored by every member of the DeKalb delegation. “We have been waiting too long for action by the Stone Mountain Memorial Authority to act on needed changes to the false history of the park and the carving,” said Rep. Mitchell, whose district includes the park. “We do…

CONYERS, GA—The Conyers City Council recently approved a $69,401 contract with StreetScan to perform a detailed pavement condition assessment and inspection of roads throughout the city limits. The StreetScan inspection will provide essential pavement data that will be used by the city to help identify and prioritize specific repair and maintenance projects in future years. Data collection of pavement conditions is expected to be completed this coming week.  StreetScan’s data collection provides up-to-date condition information on streets managed by the city. The company employs the latest technology via cars scanning roads and the use of scooters scanning sidewalks outfitted with…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston today (March 22) announced a major development in the case of an unidentified homicide victim whose remains were found in the Tucker area nearly 30 years ago. The victim has been positively identified as Rebecca “Becky” Burke, 52.  The newly-formed DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force seeks information about Burke’s death. The cold case dates back to Sept. 16, 1993, when the remains of a woman were found in a wooded area behind the Fairfield Inn located at 2155 Ranchwood Drive (now the Quality Inn Northlake), and a vacant medical office at the…

DECATUR,GA—As part of its ongoing Bicentennial festivities, DeKalb County Government will celebrate DeKalb Day at the state capitol on Thursday, March 23, at noon. The celebration will include the presentation of resolution by the State House and State Senate. Additionally, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, the Board of Commissioners and the Bicentennial Commission will host a reception in the rotunda of the capitol honoring for current and former members of the DeKalb County House and Senate delegations. “We are proud of the outstanding public servants who are serving and have served DeKalb County in the Georgia General Assembly,” CEO Thurmond…

Major L. D. Robertson, DeKalb County Police Department’s South Precinct Commander, is inviting residents to meet with him, Officers of South Precinct, and other DeKalb County agencies at the following events: Major’s Night Out, Thursday, March 23, 6 p.m., Barker Bryant Memorial Park, 2300 McAfee Rd.  Go toward the back side of the lake in the park,  near Marion Cir.  This meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to meet with Major L.D. Robertson, Officers of South Precinct, and other DeKalb agencies to discuss any concerns and/or ask questions. Community Zoom Meeting, March 28, 6 p.m.  https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/82534838271 To join by phone: …

STONECREST, GA – On Sunday, March 26, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) presented 17 women in Georgia’s Fourth District with “Trailblazer” awards in recognition of their pioneering careers and service to the greater community. All the honorees in recognition of Women’s History Month were some of the firsts in their fields of endeavor. HONOREES: Ms. Cindy Ball: Chief of Strategy and Innovation for Rockdale County Public Schools, which consists of 22 schools and nearly 16,000 students. Ms. Cassandra Bryant: A DeKalb County community leader and advocate who has been on the front lines for seniors and workers since the 1970s. A…

DECATUR, GA– To accommodate walk-in customers applying for property tax exemptions, the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office, 4380 Memorial Drive, will have extended hours f March 27 – 30, and April 3 until 6 p.m. New this year, seniors, disabled veterans, disabled residents can now file online for special tax savings. Homestead exemptions provide a reduction in annual property taxes and are available to individuals who own and occupy the home in the county as of Jan. 1, including the City of Atlanta portion in DeKalb. Seniors must be 62 years of age by Jan. 1 to apply for senior…