Author: On Common Ground News

Susan Neugent was recently recognized by Commissioner Kathie Gannon and Commissioner Jeff Rader with a dedication ceremony for the formal naming of the DeKalb County Animal Shelter’s Pet Adoption Center, in her honor. Family and friends joined DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, CEO and Founder of Lifeline Animal Project, Rebecca Guinn, Public Safety Director, Jack Lumpkin, and Animal Service Advisory Board Chair, Sonali Saindane to share this special occasion. “Before the Animal Services Advisory Board was formed and the new animal shelter was built by DeKalb taxpayers, hundreds of dogs and cats were euthanized,” said Commissioner Kathie Gannon, “DeKalb County,…

Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor James C. Ward honored military veterans with a special program on Nov. 10, ahead of Veterans’ Day.  The program was part of the church’s 150-year anniversary, which has included several special events the church has held throughout this year. Sunday’s 10:30 a.m. worship celebration featured Lithonia High School’s JROTC Color Guard Unit, a tribute to fallen soldiers, a presentation of special awards, was followed by a skydiving team exhibition. Congregation members gathered outside the church to witness the show, which was performed during clear skies on a brilliant sunny day. Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church…

The Community Interact Club of South DeKalb held an education event about polio during World Interact Week, Nov. 5, at the South DeKalb Family YMCA. Members of the club handed out information and pins to YMCA members and staff about polio and the fight to eradicate polio. Polio is an incurable, paralyzing disease that commonly affects children under the age of 5. Solomon Gaiters and Michael McCorvey took pictures with members and staff including Executive Director Curtis Winston, Assistant Director Wesley Triplett, Dafina Braithwaite, Joy Saunders-Fields, Anita Adams, Princess Bellamy and Lawrence Marbury. Rotary Club of South DeKalb President…

As President Trump traveled to Atlanta last week to, in part, tout his tax break program called Opportunity Zones, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) was introducing the Opportunity Zone Fairness and Inclusion Act, H.R. 4999, to bring inclusion, diversity, and fairness to the administration’s development program. Established in the GOP Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Opportunity Zone program is a tax benefit to incentivize development in poor neighborhoods. By providing this preferential tax treatment to investors, economically distressed communities supposedly to benefit through job creation, new housing, and community development. Although these tax benefits are touted as a…

L-R: Tammy Grimes, Dave Marcus, and Barbara Hall Stonecrest voters will return to the polls to elect the next District 5 City Councilmember.  Tammy Grimes appeared headed for a runoff with Dave Marcus, since no one in the six-way City Council race received more than 50 percent of the vote as required.  The special election was held to fill the unexpired term of former Councilwoman Diane Adoma. Grimes, a veteran educator who is an Instructional Support Specialist for DeKalb County Schools, received 698 votes (45.38 percent), while Marcus, a retired strategic planner and financial analyst, received 256 votes (16.64 percent). Barbara Hall,…

Rockdale County unveiled a new medical transportation program designated exclusively for vets in Rockdale on Veterans’ Day. The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners(BOC) rolled out the Veterans Transportation Program (VetTP) on Nov. 11 to commemorate those who have served in the United States military and who are in need of assistance getting to medical appointments at the Atlanta VA Medical Hospital in Decatur. “The transportation program will offer qualified veterans and their families transportation services for health care appointments,” said Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. “We are honored to provide this service to our Rockdale County veterans.” The partnership…

DeKalb Solicitor-General Donna Coleman Stribling DeKalb County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling is partnering with Men Stopping Violence to help DeKalb families build healthy relationships and learn to resolve conflicts peacefully. The community is invited to stand with Coleman-Stribling during an event— Because We Are Family—on Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Exchange Park Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. DeKalb families will participate in workshops improving communication and conflict resolution tactics. Space is limited. Families are encouraged to register at https://becausewearefamily.eventbrite.com. Coleman-Stribling received additional funding from DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond to expand domestic violence prevention programs through…

On Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 at approximately 4:07 p.m., the black male suspect pictured burglarized Help a Child Smile, 1810 Overlake Drive. The suspect was driving the silver Chevy Impala pictured above. Any information leading to the arrest of the suspects may result in a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.  Tipsters will remain anonymousand are asked to contact Crime Stoppers with anyinformation: Call 404-577-TIPS(8477). Click: www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org. BOLO CS 19-112690    

Rockdale County Sheriff’s investigators have developed new leads and identified two “persons of interest” in the armed home invasion of a 72-year-old North Rockdale man. The victim was attacked and tied up at gunpoint by two white males who burglarized his residence and stole his vehicle. The incident happened on Saturday, Nov. 9, in north Rockdale. Authorities said the men were wearing masks and were described as about average in size. The suspects loaded up the stolen items into the victim’s vehicle. The vehicle was later involved in a hit-and-run at GA HWY 20 and Hi Roc Road, where…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the attempted murder-for-hire case against a Stone Mountain woman. Jurors returned a guilty verdict Nov. 13 against Kecia Leann Wright, 50, on charges of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder and Aggravated Assault for orchestrating the attempted murder of her late husband, Kentrick Lindo, 46. The charges against Wright stem from a May 25, 2011 shooting incident involving Lindo. While turning at the intersection of Rock Meadow Drive and Rockbridge Road in Stone Mountain, bullets pierced the victim’s convertible, striking him in the left shoulder, and lodging into his…