Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb Criminal Justice Treatment Coalition, Inc. will host its second annual “Full Court Press Basketball Fundraiser” on April 27-28 at Decatur Active Living, 231 Sycamore St., Decatur. The coalition, which is the advisory council to the DeKalb Misdemeanor Mental Health Court (MMHC), helps to provide funding to assist MMHC participants with transportation, medication/treatment, clothing and hygiene items, housing, utilities, education and food. Derek Johnson-Cage, the coalition’s board chair, said the event is the nonprofit’s most critical fundraiser of the year, helping the mentally ill who are incarcerated for misdemeanors have a better quality of life. Said Johnson-Cage:…

The city has issued a Notice of Violation to property owners where the new cell tower was erected off of Evans Mill Road. The conditions of the property are in violation of the International Property Maintenance Code, according to Dakarta Richardson, a city code enforcement officer. Richardson cited the property owners for several dilapidated structures on the property, unmaintained grass and weeds and an uncovered pool.  The notice is similar to a warning that gives the property owner 45 days to comply with the city’s codes or face fines of up to $1,000 per day for each violation. “We are…

Councilman Rob Turner said the new city of Stonecrest is now poised to attract the film industry, creating economic development opportunities, jobs and tourism. Turner, who heads the city’s film advisory commission, said the city developed its strategic plan in 2018 and is now implementing some of the goals.  He said the city plans to host job fairs for those interested in the film industry, educational workshops and networking mixers, including a mixer that is scheduled March 29. The mixer, which will feature industry professionals, will be held 6:30 to 9 p.m. at AEI Startup Factory, 7310 Stonecrest Concourse, outside…

Mayor Jason Lary attended an African American Churches Transforming Society (AACTS) conference on Wednesday at Salem Bible Church and presented a proclamation to the Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr., pastor emeritus and conference host. AACTS was founded by Williams in 2014 after the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri.  The organization was founded to address the breakdown in the African American family, according to Williams, who told conference attendees, mostly clergy, that he intends to provide socio-economic and spiritual support to revive black families and restore their position in society. Williams referred to research indicating that more black men have been…

The judges and winners of the Hat Parade show off their beautiful crowns. Saint Paul AME Church in Lithonia hosted its 7thAnnual Parade of Hats fashion show and luncheon on Saturday, March 6, in Lithonia. The fashion show, which brings together hat lovers, businesses and the public, serves as a scholarship fundraiser for high school graduates in the community. This year, the event honored two DeKalb County students who will receive scholarships and care packages for school: Matthew Crawford, a senior at Arabia Mountain High School, and Samir Wadi, a senior at Miller Grove High School. Joyce Reid, who…

Rockdale’s native daughter and Pulitzer Prize recipient E.R. ShippandKatrina McCollum Young, president of the Rockdale County School Board and Georgia School Boards Association, presented the Lifetime Achievement award to Cleveland Stroud, who was the first African American elected official in Rockdale County.       By Mackenzie N. Morgan The Black Heritage of Rockdale County organization hosted its  symposium and inaugural induction into the Black Heritage of Rockdale Hall of Fame on March 16. More than 100 people turned out for the free community event, which was held at the J.P. Carr Community Center in Conyers. Ten living trailblazers were inducted…

Serial rapist Dominic Lawton will serve three life sentences for sexual assaults on three women, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has announced. Jurors returned guilty verdict against the 33-year-old Ocilla man on charges of rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, aggravated sodomy, and weapons offenses in connection with sexual assaults against three women in DeKalb County dating back to 2016. On Sept. 14, 2016, DeKalb County Police responded to DeKalb Medical Center in reference to a report of a kidnapping and rape. The 18-year-old female victim told authorities she had scheduled a date with the defendant at a Snapfinger…

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office has launched a new initiative this year to suppress, deter, and thwart street level crime in affected areas. The Deployment of the MCV (Mobile Command Vehicle) has been planned for different locations throughout Rockdale during the year. The MCV is currently located at Salem Road in the Ingles Plaza.
 Officials say the objective of the initiative is community outreach, educating the public with local crime trends and preventative practices, and building a solid infrastructure between residents of Rockdale County and local Law Enforcement. Every Division at the Sheriff’s Office will assist in this Street Level…

In celebration of National Procurement Month, DeKalb County is set to host its third annual Business Opportunity Reverse Trade Show and Procurement Summit on Thursday, March 28, 9 a.m. to noon at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The DeKalb County Purchasing and Contracting Department encourages current and prospective vendors and the general public to take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to do business with the county. Participants will have the chance to market their services directly to department representatives and talk with procurement staff. Mini-workshops will detail how to prepare…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office arrested 19 year-old Dequan Mosley of Decatur, Georgia on Tuesday, March 19. An arrest warrant was issued on February 20 charging Mr. Mosely with Felony Murder in connection with the death of Brandon Watts on May 29, 2018 at 901 Wesley Club Drive in Decatur.  According to the warrant, Mr. Watts had been stabbed several times with a knife. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit located Mr. Mosley at a residence in Lithonia where he was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail without incident.