Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a murder suspect. A Felony Murder warrant has been issued for 32 year-old Stone Mountain, Georgia resident Michael Blair Stewart in connection with the December 5, 2020 shooting death of 31 year-old Stone Mountain resident Jireh Kharnplay Morris on Bouldercrest Road in DeKalb County. According to the warrant,  Stewart should be approached with caution, as he is considered to be dangerous and may be armed. Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive…

Special Called Meeting Agenda 1. 2nd read and adoption of the proposed gas station moratorium 2. Approve the updated Purchasing Policy and designate a Purchasing Agent 3. Investigative inquiry and action related to the program administration of the CARES Act Relief Fund 4.  Stonecrest Convention and Visitors Bureau 5. Stonecrest Development Authority 6. Contract Management 7. Contract Amendment 8. Legal Services-Assistant City Attorney and such other assistant and special city attorney 9. Request to receive recommendation for award of external audit firm for purchasing card audit To view the agenda: https://ocgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Special-Called-Meeting-Agenda-with-packet-Jan.-29th-2021-6pm.pdf

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, working with the DeKalb County Marshals Office and the Brookhaven Police Department K9 Unit, has arrested a suspect on a Felony Murder charge related to the death of a 19-month-old child in Scottdale, Georgia. Sheriff’s investigators today arrested Kentavious Hardnett, 23, of Scottdale in Stone Mountain. According to the arrest warrant, the victim was in Hardnett’s care on Jan. 24, 2021 when the child was allegedly injured in a fall and died after being hospitalized. Hardnett was arrested without incident and transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where he is being held…

“It’s been a roller coaster ride …” Stonecrest Council member Jazzmin Cobble   STONECREST— City Council member Jazzmin Cobble has been dealt blow after blow from the corona virus. Cobble said she recently contracted the virus, along with her husband and their young son. The Cobbles survived their battle with the virus, but they lost two family members. “We have had a very difficult four to five weeks, starting with the passing of my aunt.  My family—my son, my husband and I—tested positive for COVID, and then two short weeks later, we lost my grandmother. Just buried her Saturday.…

Guests Include local health directors, national Urban League and Georgia budget expert DECATUR—On Saturday, Jan. 30, 11 a.m., Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) will host a Zoom town hall on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Included on the call will be Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, District Health Director of the DeKalb County Board of Health; Clint Odom, Vice President for Policy and Advocacy, Executive Director, Washington Bureau of National Urban League and Amanda Hollowell, Director of Strategic Campaigns for Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. The group will discuss: Phase I of the COVID vaccine distribution efforts; President Joe Biden’s 100-day COVID…

Get a behind-the-scenes look at their County government Applications are now open for Gwinnett Community Outreach’s signature programs, and those interested in a behind-the-scenes look at their local government are invited to apply. Last fall, 25 participants graduated from the Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy’s 11th cohort, the only cohort in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic. Participants learned about the history of their County government, took virtual and in-person tours of County facilities and had conversations with County leadership. In addition, 20 high school students participated in the 2020 – 2021 Gwinnett Youth Commission and were sworn in…

Rockdale County Clerk and Legislative Director Jennifer Rutledge lost her husband, Jack Kenneth “Kenny” Rutledge on Sunday, Jan. 17. Mr. Rutledge was tragically killed in an accident, 12 days after his birthday. He was 52. The family will receive friends from noon until 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28,  at Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 670 Tom Brewer Road, Loganville.  A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Melwood Cemetery, 5170 East Ponce de Leon Ave., Stone Mountain. Lindsey Tate will officiate. Jack Kenneth “Kenny” Rutledge was born on Jan. 5, 1969 in Conyers to the late Jack Thomas Rutledge…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is offering free, district-wide COVID-19 testing this week for employees – the first district in the state to do so – as part of its acquisition of comprehensive telehealth services secured last November in partnership with Kids’-Doc-On-Wheels, Inc. (KDOW), a nonprofit dedicated to affording school districts comprehensive telehealth and mobile medical unit services. Free COVID-19 testing is just one step in the comprehensive COVID-19 risk mitigation measures RCPS is taking to keep staff and students safe. RCPS will also begin offering free, district-wide COVID-19 testing for students starting Feb. 8. RCPS is on a…

Funding, assistance for homeowners, renters and small business owners to be discussed DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will host a special town hall to inform residents about the $900 billion coronavirus relief bill passed by the U. S. Congress in December 2020. The DeKalb County Coronavirus Economic Relief Bill Town Hall will be held Thursday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m., and will feature legal, real estate and small business experts who will discuss the bill and explain how it will aid residents suffering economically due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bill, known as the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act,…

STONECREST—Mayor Jason Lary announced at the  Jan. 25 City Council meeting that he was making an early return to the city’s helm, after being on medical leave since November to seek treatment for cancer. When Councilmember Tammy Grimes asked if the matter needed to be discussed in executive session, the mayor stated it was not necessary. “I’m back,” Lary said. After seeking advice from City Attorney Winston Denmark on how to procedurally handle the mayor’s early return, the city council agreed in a 5-0 vote at last night’s meeting to rescind Lary’s excused medical leave of absence until further…