Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb will host a virtual parade on Jan. 18, at noon, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Holiday. This year will mark the 19th year for the MLK Parade in DeKalb County and the theme is “Remember the Dream, Honoring the Dreamer.” Teresa Hardy, president of the NAACP DeKalb, said the 2021 celebration will encompass a variety of creative events to honor Dr. King and his contributions to society. “This momentous occasion will be celebrated via online streaming services and will reinforce the notion of teamwork…

Conyers, GA -The Conyers-Rockdale (Nancy Guinn Memorial) Library will change it hours of operation effect. Saturday, Feb. 6. In order to better serve the community, the Board of Trustees voted to adjust service hours to: Monday –Thursday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. This change will restore the library to its full hours of service and apply to all available resources, including appointments to Browse, Borrow, and Go, and curbside pickups. Director Brenda Poku said the new hours will optimize the library’s ability to provide services during periods that are more convenient…

NOTICE FOR SETTING OF QUALIFYING FEES FOR NOVEMBER 2, 2021 GENERAL ELECTION Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-131(a)(1)(A) notice is hereby given that the City of Stonecrest, Georgia has set the qualifying fees for the November 2, 2021 General Election, to elect Three Council Members. The qualifying fee is Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($450.00) for City Council Members. Qualifying dates will be announced at a later time. This 29th day of January 2021 Megan P. Reid City Clerk

DECATUR, GA – “Operation Fugitives 2021,” a multi-agency task force, deployed 60 law enforcement officials throughout DeKalb County to arrest suspects on Domestic Violence and Felony charges this week. The task force went to 155 locations in search of suspects. A total of 25 individuals were arrested on Jan. 26 during the operation and transported without incident to the DeKalb County Jail. Working in teams, the task force was able to clear 44 outstanding warrants. Led by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Field Uniform and Domestic Violence Units, the task force included authorities from the DeKalb County Police Department and…

Today, Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced that 418,584 Georgians who are 65+ have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Seniors who are 65+ are currently included in the expanded 1A criteria and are encouraged to make an appointment to receive their vaccine with a local health provider today. “Our top priority is getting vaccines in the arms of the most vulnerable Georgians: our seniors,” said Kemp. “Thanks to our expanded weekly allocation from the federal government, we will continue taking necessary steps to protect elderly Georgians – especially those in our nursing homes – frontline healthcare workers, and first responders. Demand for the…

Leaders outline critical needs facing communities hit by COVID-19 As the 1st Vice President of National Association of Counties, DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson and the National Association of Counties (NACo) today met (Jan. 28) with President Biden’s Economic Council Advisors to discuss the critical aid needed for state, local and territorial governments. The virtual meeting was broadcast at 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time by C-SPAN. Johnson provided opening remarks expressing how county governments are one of the nation’s largest employers, with a workforce of 3.6 million, or more than one percent of Americans. “We are on the frontlines providing essential…

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.…