Author: On Common Ground News

A colorful bouquet of flowers and balloons were placed on a bank outside of the South Deshon Zaxbys Restaurant in Stone Mountain where 17-year-old Elyse Purefoy worked as a cashier. The Arabia Mountain high school student, who was a member of the school’s dance team, collapsed and died on Monday during a summer training workout at Arabia Mountain High School in the City of Stonecrest. Students said she was running on the field with other members of the dance team when she collapsed. Zaxby’s Restaurant manager Kimberly Cuffie said, “We are saddened by what happened.We are all praying for her…

Geoffrey Lofton, program coordinator with University of Georgia’s  Small Business Development Center, will serve as the guest speaker for the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce upcoming luncheon. The luncheon meeting will be held on June 19, 11:30 a.m., at This Is It Banquet Hall, 2853 Panola Road, Stonecrest. Lofton will discuss the GLCC partnership as well as service offerings available at UGA’s Small Business Development Center in DeKalb County. Registration for the luncheon is $20 in advance or $25 at the door Chamber members are admitted free with advance registration. Visit https://www.greaterlithoniachamber.com

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has chosen Commissioner Larry Johnson to chair DeKalb’s 2020 Census Complete Count Committee. The goal of the Complete Count Committee is to ensure that accurate Census data is collectedtoprovide information critical for federal funding, government programs, and policies. DeKalb County is committed to ensuring every resident is counted. Approximately $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to communities across the country each yearbased on the U.S. Census, which is conductedto count the U.S. population and obtain other data every 10 years. For the first time, residents will be able to respond to the Census…

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanata plans to spend $1.5 million on initiative to fight HIV in DeKalb County. The funding stems from President Trump’s Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative to reduce new HIV infections by 75% in the next five years and 90% in the next 10 years. In 2017, Georgia had the second highest rate of new HIV diagnoses, and more than 58,700 people are currently living with HIV in the state. Gov. Brian P. Kemp, U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Kathleen E.…

  DeKalb County Extension has launched the fifth season of Fresh on DeK, DeKalb County’s Mobile Farmers Market, which travels throughout the county offering nutrition education and fresh grown fruits and vegetables for sale. The season is open now through Sept. 20. Fresh on DeK brings fresh fruits and vegetables to DeKalb County. Fresh on DeK’s purpose is to improve the health of the community, the viability of local produce and to preserve the environment for future generations by providing access to fresh produce and nutritional education programming throughout DeKalb County. The market accepts EBT, credit cards and cash. For a…

Conyers Police have captured armed robbery fugitive Calvin Smith. Police arrested Smith today around lunchtime after chasing him on foot in Olde Town. Smith and Trayvion Clark ran from a vacant residence, Sgt. Kim Lucas said in a news release. Code Enforcement officers Staton and King observed fresh gang-related graffiti this morning on the vacant residence. Accompanied by CPD gang detective Garcia, they were meeting with the homeowner in front of the house when the pair ran out of the back door. A foot chase ensued and a perimeter was quickly established to locate the squatters. Cadet Shelton Ragland spotted…

County government pushes to recruit more women    Top, L-R:Deputy Fire Chief Marian McDaniel, Kc Krizic, director of planning and development; Sue Sanders, director of Parks and Recreation and Facilities Bottom L-R: Roselyn Miller,  finance directo;, Jennifer Rutledge, County Clerk, director of legislative affairs; Toni Holmes, director of Talent Management Women and minorities are increasingly breaking barriers in Rockdale County, filling top-tier and other positions that historically have lacked diversity. Currently, six women serve among the county’s 12 directors and five serve among Rockdale’s 12 deputy directors. Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt says that while workforce diversity remains a work in progress, he is proud of…

This Old House By Sarita Mason OCG News Intern Denise Williams instantly recalled the rich wood scent that filled the Lyon home where she grew up. “The house still smells just like it did when I was a little girl,” said Williams. Williams, the niece of George and Betty Lyon, the couple who lived in the house for over 20 years, traveled back in time as she walked through the house for the first time in years. Williams was among several descendants of the Lyon family who visited on May 31 to witness the dedication of the 150-year-old home…

Grady Smith, Principal of vhb, fields questions from attendees at the open house held at theStonecrest Library. South DeKalb County residents had a chance to view three potential MARTA transit options at the June 5 open house, which was held at the Stonecrest Library branch. The meeting was one of several being held across the county as the public provides input for DeKalb’s comprehensive transit plan. Grady Smith, principal of vhb, the consulting firm DeKalb County government has hired to develop the county’s comprehensive transit plan, told attendees that he will spend the month of June presenting the transit…

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk and Tyler Technologies are hosting a series of free CLE lunch and learn training sessions on re:SearchGA beginning on Friday, June 14, 12 to 1 p.m. at the DeKalb County Courthouse, 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur. “We are excited to provide simple and secure access to court documents for the legal community to all courts in DeKalb County,” stated Clerk Debra DeBerry. “Launching re:SearchGA puts us in compliance with Senate Bill 407’s mandate for online access to court records. Our courts are also Tyler Odyssey clients, so those using the portal will have access to…