Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—To ease traffic congestion statewide during the Labor Day holiday weekend, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is suspending interstate highway construction-related lane closures from noon Friday, Sept. 4, through 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Lane closures will also be limited on major state routes that directly serve key tourist and recreation centers. Georgia DOT reminds drivers that crews may still work in proximity to highways to address safety and maintenance concerns that may require some long-term lane closures. In addition, incident or emergency-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route. “In an effort to…

DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will host a special webinar to provide information to residents interested in starting an online business. The Global Marketplace Online Sales Webinar will occur Thursday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m., and will feature technology experts, web developers and specialists who will share tips to maximize online sales using Google analytics and search engine optimization (SEO) as well as on- and off-page optimization. With the decline in brick-and-mortar shopping due to the spread of COVID-19, many residents have either lost their jobs and many small businesses have had to significantly reduce their employee base. Cochran-Johnson feels giving…

State Sen. Tonya Anderson (D – Lithonia) says help is on the way for people who have misdemeanors on their records to be discharged and gain employment and housing opportunities. Anderson told the Rockdale Democratic Party at its Aug. 29 meeting that her authored bill, Senate Bill 288, would require that an individual’s criminal history record ibe restricted when the charges have been dismissed, or there has been a disposition of the charges. The legislation was signed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on June 30 but won’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2021, Anderson said. She said there wasn’t enough…

A motion of continuance was filed today (Aug. 31) in the hearing between the City of Stonecrest and Metro Green Recycling Three, LLC. The hearing will be heard by DeKalb Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie. The city is seeking an emergency Temporary Restraining Order to halt the construction of the recycling pant. The hearing will be held via ZOOM on Sept. 3, 10 a.m.

Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office said this evening (Aug. 31) that Deanston AKA “Chip Chop” Wright is wanted for the murder of Omeish Stewart, the father of four children. Investigators said they received information that Stewart, the victim of a July 5 shooting, has died from his injuries. As a result of his death, the Sheriff’s Office has issued an additional warrant for Wright charging him with murder. Stewart’s family and the community are asking for help in locating Wright. Sources say Wright may have left the local area but may still be in the U.S. He has ties to Jamaica,…

ATLANTA—As Georgia grapples with navigating in-person and virtual learning this school year, Atlanta Technical College (ATC) is fusing innovation with ingenuity to host “limited labs” – a hybrid of online and in-person learning. ATC’s on campus approach is designated for key technical careers that require the face-to-face interaction for mastery of designated crafts. Wearing required personal protective equipment, students and faculty will engage in classroom learning for hands-on activities and training. The number of students is restricted per class to adhere to social distancing protocols. Both students and faculty will undergo onsite COVID-19 screenings and the facilities utilized during…

Dr. Sandra Ford and Mayor Jason Lary Greenforest and Salem to consolidate at new site   The DeKalb County Board of Health will open a new COVID-19 drive-through testing site on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the former Sam’s Club parking lot, 2994 Turner Hill Road. The site is where Stonecrest’s new City Hall will be built. On Tuesday, Sept. 1, operations at the following locations will conclude and shift to the new Stonecrest site on Wednesday morning, to form an expanded regional site, serving eastern and southern DeKalb County: Greenforest Community…

The Conyers Police Department(CPD) is welcoming two new K9 officers. K9 Kimmie, with handler Officer Kelli Behrend, and K9 Kratos, with handler Officer Brandon DeCosse.  At 2-years old, the Belgian Malinois are ready to continue training with their new CPD family and get to work.

STONECREST—Daisy Days, the celebration of the beautiful yellow daisies growing on Arabia, Panola and Stone mountains, kicks off on Sept. 1 with an added competition: the first people to finish hiking all three mountains will receive a monadnock-themed prize package in addition to the Daisy Days prize. The Daisy Days Triple Hike Challenge runs throughout the month of September and celebrates the fall flower bloom on metro-Atlanta’s massive granite outcrops. Instead of a large group hike, this year’s event is “Hike as you Like,” meaning that participants can hike the mountains on their own time and at their own pace,…