Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—City of Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary, Sr. appeared in federal court on Wednesday (Nov. 10) along with Lania Boone of Decatur to face charges related to the alleged misappropriation of $6.2 million in CARES Act funds the city received in 2020. Lary, 59, was charged with three counts: Wire Fraud, Conspiracy and Federal Program Theft during the first appearance hearing in Atlanta this morning before Magistrate Judge Regina Cannon. Boone, a bookkeeper who was hired to disburse the city of Stonecrest’s relief funds, was also charged at the hearing with conspiracy to steal relief funds. Boone, 60, was…

DECATUR,GA—A 46-year-old Decatur man has been sentenced to life in prison, after fatally shooting his wife while their four children were waiting in a car. James Beard, 46, was convicted on charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the fatal shooting of his wife, Angela Bishop, 38. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial today in the four-year-old murder case. The incident occurred on March 31, 2017 at the apartment complex where Beard lived, located in the 2900 block of Panthersville…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers will kick off the holiday season on Friday, Dec. 3, with the Olde Town Christmas Party featuring the Trucks on the Tracks food truck event followed by the Conyers Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4. Sponsored by the City of Conyers, the Olde Town Christmas Party and Trucks on the Tracks will take place on Railroad Street in the historic business district on Dec. 3, 5 to 8 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring their cameras for selfies with Santa and photos with special guests scheduled to appear. Guests will also enjoy…

Advance Voting Nov. 17 –24, Election Day is Nov. 30 DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb Board of Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb BRE) recently approved details for the upcoming runoff election, scheduled for Nov. 30, and for the designated advance voting period, scheduled for Nov. 17 – Nov. 24. DeKalb is hosting a number of runoff contests held in three cities: Atlanta, Tucker and Stonecrest.  In the City of Atlanta, DeKalb-Atlanta voters will return to the polls to vote for Mayor, City Council President, City Council Member Post 3 At-large, City Council Member District 5, and Board of Education Member District 7…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA–Because of inclement weather forecast for Thursday, Nov. 11, the Gwinnett County Veterans Day Ceremony at the Fallen Heroes Memorial is being moved indoors to the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. The ceremony will be held Thursday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.                        County Administrator Glenn Stephens will emcee the event with District 1 Commissioner Kirkland Carden, District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins III and District 4 Commissioner Marlene Fosque providing remarks. Maj. General (ret.) Ronald Johnson, a professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech, will be the keynote…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has proposed to the Board of Commissioners a $500 DeKalb Employee Vaccinations incentive. “These $500 in incentives would help promote a healthier, safer county workforce as we face the looming possibility of a COVID-19 and flu ‘twindemic,’” Thurmond said Thurmond proposed a $300 incentive for county employees who provide documentation by Jan. 31, 2022, that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 Additionally, Thurmond proposed a $200 incentive for employees who provide documentation that they have received Fall 2021 flu vaccination. DeKalb County has approximately 6,000 employees. If approved by the DeKalb County…

Gov. Kemp: American Peanut Growers Group to Open New Processing Facility, Expand Shelling Plant ATLANTA—Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced Nov. 9  Georgia-based American Peanut Growers Group (APGG) will invest $85 million in expanding operations in the state, creating 90 jobs. In addition to expanding its current Donalsonville shelling plant, APGG will open a new food processing facility on its 45-acre campus in Seminole County. “It’s truly exciting to see American Peanut Growers Group create jobs across rural south Georgia and celebrate the hardworking Georgians of Seminole County who put Georgia-grown food on the table for countless families in our…

DeKalb County Board of Ethics has cancelled its regularly scheduled meeting of November 18, 2021, at 6 p.m.  The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will hold a Special Called Meeting on November 17, 2021, at 6 p.m.    

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA— The Redan Lady Raiders basketball program was recognized for its work on the court and in the classroom with a pair of donations from the Support Her Sole Foundation and as a Sole School. Hibbet Sports District Sales Manager Troy Williams represented Hibbett and Nike in presenting the team with a $10,000 donation from the Support Her Sole Foundation. Redan was recognized as one of 10 women’s basketball programs across the country for their hard work, both academically and on the court. “We believe in…