Author: On Common Ground News

Left photo: Councilman Rob Turner and Mayor Jason Lary presented a proclamation to Robert Townsend and named Saturday, Aug. 17, as “Robert Townsend Day.”At right: City officials pose with Townsend and cast members who attended the Stonecrest documentary premiere, “Making The Five Heartbeats.” The Stonecrest Film and Entertainment Committee hosted actor, producer, director and screenwriter Robert Townsend recently for his premiere Stonecrest broadcast of “Making The Five Heartbeats. ” The 90-minute documentary premiere, which was held at New Vision Stonecrest 16 movie theater on Aug. 17, covered the challenges and the rewards in the production and release of the 1991…

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office Call Center has received several complaints from citizens who received phone calls from a man identifying himself as “SGT Al Jones,” stating he is with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office. The caller then informs the victim that they have missed jury duty and that in order to avoid a warrant being issued for their arrest they must pay a $2000 fine.The victims stated that they received the call from (770) 400-0774. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office will not contact any citizen to collect any type of fees. This is a scam. If anyone receives a similar…

An Eco Lab van was parked outside the restaurant early Thursday morning (Aug. 15, 2019). The company provides food safety solutions and products among other services. A team worked diligently to thoroughly sanitize Arizona’s, a popular restaurant located near the Mall at Stonecrest in southeast DeKalb County, in an effort to bring the restaurant into compliance with food safety standards. The scrub down, which included assistance from Ecolab, followed two unsatisfactory inspections received in a 24-hour period. The restaurant scored 21 on Aug. 13 and received a 46 on Aug. 14 during a re-inspection, where state health officials found new…

The City of Pine Lake will serve as an official waystation during the first ever Georgia Great PollinatorCensus on Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Pine Lake Clubhouse, 300 Clubhouse Drive, Pine Lake. The public is invited to be a part of the historical initiative as citizen scientists by helping record the numbers and types of pollinators that populate the state during late summer. The project, which is sponsored by the University of Georgia’s Extension Office, is open to Georgia residents of all ages. Participants do not have to be an entomologist to participate. The Pine…

Pictured left to right are members of the Stonecrest Housing Authority: Bill Bruckner, Chairman; Marty Garrison, secretary; Mayor Jason Lary; Nathan Alexander, Vice Chair; Diane Robinson; and Dennis Dae. The Stonecrest Housing Authority recently adopted a bond inducement resolution that will pave the way for a $70 million senior community.  The community will include a 238-unit, senior housing facility with 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms and a 14,000-square-foot  Senior Day Out Community Center to be located at 6757 Covington Highway. The Housing Authority was developed earlier this year by Mayor Jason Lary and the city council.  The authority consists of one representative from each council district.  The adopted resolution will allow the city to issue bonds of up to $40 million to help fund the development,…

To thank the community for 100 years of support, the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory is offering 100 free admission days throughout 2019 in celebration of the museum’s centennial. Free admission will be offered every Thursday during the month of August, between 1 to 4 p.m. at the Carlos Museum, 571 South Kilgo Circle, Atlanta. During visits, SmARTy Packs, tote bags that focus families’ time in the galleries with themed activities suitable for ages 5 and up, may be checked out for free at the information desk by leaving a driver’s license.

Pictured are Head Coach Marius Nolden, Council member George Turner, team members Skylon Jackson, Jaden Johnson and Daelyn House, Assistant Coach Anthony Jackson and Mayor Jason Lary. By Valerie J. Morgan Stonecrest city officials honored the DeKalb Lions, presenting members of the team and their coaches with a proclamation declaring Aug. 12 as DeKalb Lions Day.  The Lions made history in July when they became the first African-American youth baseball team from the United States and from Georgia in 11 years to compete in the 2019 Cooperstown Baseball World “Hall of Fame” Tournament. Council member George Turner, who…

By Mackenzie  N. Morgan A crowd of residents packed the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners’ Aug. 13 meeting to voice their opinions about short-term vacation rentals as the county prepares to present a new ordinance on Oct. 17 regulating the properties. The Rockdale Board of Commissioners heard mixed viewpoints on how the county should deal with the properties, which opponents say are a nuisance to neighborhoods. Vice Chair Doreen Williams ran the meeting in the absence of Chairman Oz Nesbitt. Rockdale County Director of Planning and Zoning Kc Krzic provided an update on the developing ordinance stating…

DeKalb County property owners will receive $131 million in property tax relief soon. Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson has announced that property tax bills will be mailed the week of Aug. 12. “DeKalb is committed to delivering high-quality services while providing substantial property tax reductions for the second consecutive year,” said DeKalb County CEO . The county rolled back the Combined Countywide Operational rate, which was 10.364 mills in Fiscal Year 2018 to 9.952 mills in Fiscal Year 2019, reducing the rate by 0.412 mills. The projected value of the millage rate rollback is $12 million, which will provide a…

On Aug. 4, at approximately 3 p.m., the two females pictured entered Home Depot, 1330 Dogwood Drive, and made a fraudulent purchase by using someone else’s Home Depot credit card information. Any information leading to the arrest of the suspects 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). Click: www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org Fraud