Author: On Common Ground News

The legal action to protect the city of Stonecrest in its court battle with former City Councilwoman Diane Adoma cost taxpayers in excess of $13,000, the city said in a news release on Sept. 20. The city had to go to court twice for hearings related to a temporary restraining order against Adoma, the latest hearing on Sept. 17. Adoma could not be reached at On Common Ground News’ deadline for comment. Stonecrest City Attorney Janet Scott and city staff members were in court initially for a preliminary injunction hearing on a temporary restraining order filed by the city against …

By Mackenzie N. Morgan A blaze swept over a wooded area at the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in the City of Stonecrest on Sept. 17. The fire, which was reported around 1 p.m., covered nearly 3 to 5 acres of woodland in a remote area south of I-20. Authorities did not confirm a cause but said that hot temperatures and low rainfall were probably factors. The DeKalb County Fire Rescue team worked relentlessly to contain the fire with help from the Georgia Forestry Commission, which brought in two planes carrying fire retardant and buckets holding up to 26,000…

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26, in the Bohan Auditorium, located in the Richardson Health Center at 445 Winn Way, Decatur. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m.  The public is invited to attend. Agenda items for the meeting include: The approval of minutes from previous meetings; The District Health Director’s Report, including service awards and retirements; Contracts for consideration, to include agreements with Empowerment of Resource Center, Amendment #2; Someone Cares, Inc., Amendment #2; and Positive Impact Health, Amendment #2; and The Board of Heath’s current financial status…

On Sunday, Sept. 22, repair work will begin for the Briarcliff Corridor Water Infrastructure Replacement Project. The project includes replacing 44,500 feet of water main in the Briarcliff Road/North Decatur Road area. Authorized contractors will install 12-inch or 8-inch ductile iron pipe within the road right of way with a single lane closure in place as work progresses. Work is expected to last approximately 24 months, unless unforeseen circumstances arise. Normal construction hours will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday – Friday. Construction in Emory Village area will be from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday – Thursday.…

Hundreds of family members and friends turned out tonight to remember Isaiah Reid and Jaime Hernandez, Jr., who were half brothers, and their friend, Brandon Gresham. Evangelist Renee Simpson of Bible Way Worldwide Outreach Ministry hosted the candlelight vigil, which was held on Hunting Creek Drive S.E. All three of the Salem High School students, ages 16 and 15,  were fatally shot by a homeowner after they exchanged gunfire on Monday at 4 a.m. on the lawn of a residence on White Oak Court in Rockdale County. Initially, the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office reported the incidence as a home…

Business community leaders had a chance to hear from the six candidates vying for the Stonecrest City Council District 5 seat vacated by Diane Adoma. The Stonecrest Business Alliance presented the Sept. 18 breakfast forum at the AEI StartUp Factory in the city of Stonecrest. Former Reuters journalist Michael Cooper served as moderator for the debate, which included candidates Nathan Alexander, Tammy L. Grimes, Barbara Hall, Dave Marcus, Virginia Pierce-Kelly and  Christopher Seabrook. The candidates fielded several questions focused on the business of the city including economic development, the Stonecrest Overlay District, comprehensive land use plan and city ordinances. The…

Nearly 60 volunteers joined the city’s staff and South DeKalb Family YMCA team in beautifying the front of Browns Mill Recreation Center recently.  Mayor Jason Lary and Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble were among those who gathered on Sept. 14 to plant more than 100 plants and improve the landscaping of the recreation center.       Stonecrest recently purchased the recreation center and began interior renovations that are near completion. Sean DePalma, the city’s parks and recreation director joined forces with Curtis Winston, the YMCA’s South DeKalb’s executive director on the Metro Atlanta YMCA’s Annual Days of Service, Sept. 13—14.   “It was a…

Registration is now open for the Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) Rivers Alive countywide cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Check-in, cleaning supply assignments and other activities will be headquartered at Johnson Park Pavilion, 1781 Ebenezer Rd SW, Conyers. Created by the Department of Natural Resource’s Environmental Protection Division and Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, Rivers Alive targets waterways as part of an ongoing statewide campaign to clean and preserve more than 70,000 miles of Georgia’s rivers and streams. Volunteers in Rockdale will support the effort locally by helping prevent the pollution of the County’s rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, and…

State Rep. Karen L. Bennett, chairwoman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Inc., announced that the 2019 Annual Legislative Conference will be held on Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta. This year’s theme is “Elevating Georgia: Sustaining Pathways for Tomorrow’s Future 2020 + Beyond.” The Leadership Luncheon, “Collaborative Insight: Envisioning Georgia – 20/20,” will be held at 12:30 p.m., in partnership with the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. Registration for the conference is $75.  To register visit https://gablackcaucus.ticketleap.com/alc19/

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Georgia broke records again in August – posting all-time highs in jobs and employment. Georgia added 20,800 jobs in August, pushing the total to 4.64 million jobs – a new record for the state. That number is up nearly 85,000 from the same time last year. Georgia had even more positive news in the August preliminary numbers. The state added to its labor force for the first time in six months and saw new unemployment claims fall. “August was the type of month I like to see for Georgia,” Butler said. “We…