Author: On Common Ground News

https://youtu.be/PVHzSw1eD70 Attorney Noreen Banks-Ware swears in District 5 Councilmember Tammy Grimes on Dec. 17, 2019. Story updated: Tammy L. Grimes takes helm as Stonecrest District 5 Councilmember, first council meeting Jan. 13 Tammy L. Grimes took the oath of office on Dec.17, becoming the newest District 5 Councilmember for the city of Stonecrest. Grimes’ inauguration marked another chapter for the city, which became DeKalb County’s largest municipality with more than 50,000 residents when it was incorporated in 2017. Attorney Noreen Banks-Ware, a long-time friend of Grimes, administered the oath of office. Grimes was flanked by her husband, Reginald; son, Reginald…

Grady Memorial Hospital is making significant progress in its recovery following the break of a pressurized 24-inch diameter water pipe on Dec. 7, DeKalb Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson shared in her electronic newsletter. Repairs to the pipe were complete by Dec. 9, Monday morning, and visitation restrictions were lifted Tuesday. Electrical repairs continue in the affected patient care tower, and may take up to three weeks to complete. During that time, 30 percent of the hospital elevators will remain out of service, officials said in a release. Cleanup and repairs have begun in the patient units significantly damaged by flooding. “We hope…

Miss Nigeria, Olutosin Araromi, visited Stonecrest City Hall, two days after competing in the Miss Universe 2018 Pageant in Atlanta. Mayor Jason Lary presented Aaromi with keys to the city and congratulated Araromi for her participation in the Dec. 8 pageant, along with Araromi’s roommate, Zozibini Tunzi, Miss South Africa, who took the crown at the pageant. “It was a great honor to meet Miss Nigeria. On behalf of the City of Stonecrest, I presented her the keys to our city to show our appreciation and support for what she and and Miss Universe and others like them represent…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan The East Lake Family YMCA Active Older Adults senior group (AOA) has spent the past year putting their sewing needles to good use with one goal in mind—to bring a little extra warmth to the less fortunate during the holiday season. The group will be gifting over 50 handmade blankets to local homeless shelters, hospital patients and families in need. Fitness instructor and AOA member Ranette “Ray Ray” Clark, 56, helped launch the program nearly two years ago after a member suggested starting a knitting program. Other members with different niches from knitting to crochet…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by guilty plea in the murder and aggravated assault case against a Decatur man accused of killing a 6-year-old boy and attempting to strike a police officer with his car. During plea proceedings on Dec. 11, Meshon Williams, 18, entered a guilty plea to charges of felony murder, aggravated assault (eight counts), fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The extensive list of charges against Williams stems from a series of events spanning several days in…

On Friday, Nov. 22, at approximately 1:50 p.m., two suspects purchased a large amount of gift cards and other items using fraudulent credit cards at the Conyers Walmart, 1436 Dogwood Drive.  The suspects left the location in a silver 2017 Audi RS7 with a dealership tag displayed. Any information regarding these persons of interest may result in a cash reward of up to $2,000.  Tipsters will remain anonymousand are asked to contact Crime Stoppers with anyinformation, call 404-577-TIPS(8477) or click:www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org. BOLO CS 19-120397

News Update: District 5 Councilwoman-elect Tammy Grimes to be sworn in Tuesday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. at Stonecrest City Hall. Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary introduced the public to two new community leaders at the Dec. 9 City Council meeting: Revonda Cosby, the new executive director of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, and Tammy Grimes, who won the Dec. 3 runoff for the District 5 City Council seat. Grimes did not participate as a voting council member during the City Council meeting because she had not been sworn into office.   She cannot take the oath office until the…

DeKalb County’s District 4 is slated to receive some major upgrades. The Board of Commissioners approved $1.6 million for improvements at Avondale Dunaire Park, Needham Park, Mystery Valley Golf Course, funding for traffic radar signs and the expansion of the county’s summer jobs program for youths. Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, who represents District 4, secured the support of the board for the improvements at the board’s Dec. 10 meeting. The board allocated $1 million for capitol improvements at Avondale Dunaire Park, which is located at the intersection of George Luther Drive and Memorial Drive. Bradshaw said the…

Stonecrest District 4 Councilman George Turner and District 3 Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble will honor community volunteers in their districts during a Town Hall meeting on Dec. 19, 6 p.m., at Big Miller Grove Baptist Church, 3800 Miles E. Fowler Way, Stonecrest. The meeting will be held in the church’s Fellowship Hall. “It’s the season for giving and we wanted to honor the volunteers who have given all year to their community. They put in the work and their dedication and service means a lot to the city,” said Turner. Turner, who is heading the city’s 2020 U.S. Census Complete Count…

The December DeKalb Cultural Exchange Community Breakfast has been cancelled and will resume Jan. 11, 2020.