Author: On Common Ground News

MARTA   will hold a public hearing on proposed bus service modifications on Monday, Sept. 16, at the DeKalb County Public Library, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur. MARTA representatives will be on hand for the community exchange session beginning at 6 p.m., followed by the public hearing at 7 p.m. The following routes will be discussed: Route 19: Clairmont Road Route 123: Church Street/North DeKalb Mall Route 823: Belvedere MARTA regularly evaluates bus route performance including scheduling, on-time performance, ridership, and safety. Modifications were recommended based on feedback received from customers and the Authority’s service analysis. All changes accepted by the…

A Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputy, Aaron Frank, has been arrested on improper sexual contact with a female inmate at the Rockdale County Jail. Frank was arrested and charged after confessing to have sexual contact with the inmate inside the women’s annex laundry facility, Sheriff’s spokesman Lee A. Thomas said in a news release. The Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division was notified of the assault on Sept. 6. The incident was alleged to have occurred on Aug. 28 or Aug. 29. CID Investigators spoke with Frank, a detention deputy and several inmates, including the victim and several witnesses. During interviews, Frank confessed…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan DeKalb County School District officially welcomed the community to the unveiling of its newest edifice – the new Ronald E. McNair Middle School. Located at 2190 Wallingford Drive in Decatur, the school is the first of its kind in DeKalb and features a modern architectural design and cool, sleek interiors. School officials and community supporters flanked the Sept. 4 ribbon cutting ceremony, which included inspirational remarks, performances by the McNair Middle School Chorus and a catered reception. During the program, attendees heard from several school officials including  Superintendent R. Stephen Green, DeKalb Board of…

Photo credit: Kelley Jordan Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary hosted one of several upcoming brunches at Arizona’s Steakhouse on Sept. 1 to celebrate the restaurant’s re-opening.  Arizona’s temporarily closed but reopened recently with a new manager and a new direction. The Mayor’s Sunday Brunch brought out Stonecrest residents, elected officials such as City Councilman Jimmy Clanton and State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, community leaders, and city staff to the ribbon cutting. “We are not going to let our best restaurant suffer and go out of business.  All of us have eaten here…

Adoma now focused on running   DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Clarence F. Seeliger has granted the City of Stonecrest a temporary restraining order against former City Councilwoman Diane Adoma, who had refused to vacate her seat as she runs for the office of mayor. Seeliger approved the order on Aug. 30, barring Adoma from City Hall offices and other areas and entrances that are not open to the general public. He also ordered Adoma to return all city property in her possession to the city of Stonecrest. Asked if she plans to vacate the seat now, Adoma…

Literary Festival to honor Coretta Scott King Book Awards, young adult authors The Friends of Auburn Avenue Research Library and Sisters of Today and Tomorrow will present “Celebrating Art, Music and Literary Works” on Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture & History, 101 Auburn Ave., Atlanta. Community Partners for the event include Big Bethel AME Church, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture & History, Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, Notes for Notes and Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. The Literary Festival, in its second year, will…

Six candidates have qualified to run for the District 5 Stonecrest City Council seat vacated by Diane Adoma.  The three-day qualifying period ended on Sept. 5. City Clerk and Elections Superintendent Megan Reid said the following candidates paid their fees to run for the seat and will be on the Nov. 5 ballot: Christopher Seabrook  Dave Marcus Tammy L. Grimes  Barbara Hall Virginia Pierce-Kelly, Founder and CEO of Butterfly Journey Human Services LLC Nathan Alexander The special election will be held at the same time that all of the municipal elections in DeKalb County will be held. Stonecrest Mayor Jason…

Denouncing the “utter financial failure” of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD), a coalition of DeKalb organizations is urging the community to reject the district’s proposed referendum for a $265 million General Obligation (GO) bond. Restore DeKalb, Operation LEAD, and The Covenant Church say they plan to defeat new taxes, request a forensic audit, and demand the immediate removal of Superintendent R. Stephen Green.  The schools chief has announced that he plans to work through the end of the 2019-20 school year but is not seeking to extend his contract with the district. The coalition said in a Sept. 5…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Superintendent R. Stephen Green will host his first “On The Scene with Dr. Green” event of the 2019-2020 school year on Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Redan Middle School, 1775 Young Road, Lithonia. Dr. Green will give a brief statement about the state of DCSD before answering questions from the audience. Throughout the 2019-2020 school year, Green will host the forums at seven locations. To learn more, visit www.dekalbschoolsga.org/on-the-scene.  

The DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department (DCFR) has added two new rapid response vehicles, expanding the total number of units to five. The additional vehicles are in service at Station 20 (Panthersville) and Station 21 (Dunwoody) and respond to emergency medical and fire suppression calls. DeKalb County added a rapid response vehicle at Station 21, which serves Dunwoody and surrounding areas. “DeKalb County has structured a strong countywide ambulance transport service system,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “Our firefighters are often the first on the scene and the most critical point of emergency response is…