Author: On Common Ground News

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt is hosting The Pastor’s Table, an event where local clergymen and clergywomen in Rockdale County can network and speak with the Chairman and other religious leaders, enjoy refreshments, and learn more about opportunities to serve the community. Nesbitt said senior-level ministry leaders whose churches are located in Rockdale  are strongly encouraged to attend. Space is limited to only one senior level leader or associate leader per house of prayer. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The topics will include, but will not be limited to: how local government and church leaders can collaborate…

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) has hired Katie Sanders to serve as Program Manager for North Georgia. Katie has a Biological Science degree from the University of Georgia and most recently served as District Program Assistant for Rockdale and Walton County Conservation Districts. Katie resides in Athens, GA. “With Katie already working one on one with Conservation Districts, she brings an experienced skill set to our team and will enhance our progression as an organization,” said GACD Executive Director Katie Sponberger. “We look forward to working with Katie to advance our conservation goals across the State.” Sanders will be responsible…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and MARTA General Manager/CEO Jeffrey Parker announced that $1.5 million dollars in capital improvements such as bus shelters, benches and bathroom upgrades are coming to the county. “DeKalb County has supported MARTA since its inception nearly 50 years ago,” said CEO Thurmond. “The county’s investment and partnership with MARTA has spurred economic development, affordable housing, greater mobility and access to jobs.” MARTA is also enhancing its partnership with Keep DeKalb Beautiful by increasing the annual maintenance contract from $75,000 to $150,000, to support shelter maintenance and county beautification efforts. Going forward, MARTA plans to install…

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the City of Atlanta will host the 30th Annual New Year’s Eve Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta on Dec. 31. This free and family-friendly event will include live musical performances by Jagged Edge, 112 “The Xperience,” and Better Than Ezra. The Peach Drop is an annual celebration on New Year’s Eve that began in 1989 at historic Underground Atlanta. Underground Atlanta will open its doors at 6 p.m. and the entertainment will start at 7 p.m. Admission is free. No weapons are allowed on the event premises and personal items such as handbags…

Rockdale County firefighters responded to a brush fire that broke out in a wooded area behind Voices of Faith Ministries, which is located at 1290 Sigman Road, Conyers.  The fire occurred on Dec. 27 around 3:30 p.m. Firefighters arrived on the scene a short time after the fire started and quickly contained and extinguished the blaze. The firefighters said they were returning from another fire in the north end of the county when they were dispatched to the church. One truck responded to the fire.  No injuries were reported and no one was at the church when the incident occurred.…

Two brothers from Virginia led Conyers Police officers on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle, killing one of the men and injuring the other, police said.   Demetris Taylor, 19, was killed after crashing into a tree. His brother, Lyndell Taylor, 23, a convicted felon was arrested on several criminal charges after being hospitalized for injuries.  The incident occurred on Dec. 22 about 4 a.m. after police ran the license plate of the 2018 Toyota Corolla the two men were in and discovered the car was stolen out of Virginia. Three officers attempted to box in the vehicle in the…

On Dec. 23 the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) to investigate a shooting incident. Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 3:30 a.m., DeKalb officers responded to a domestic disturbance involving a man and a woman in the 3000 block of Fire Oak Drive, Decatur.   It is believed that the male subject was holding a female hostage in a residence.  The responding officers were situated in a nearby driveway.  At some point, a gunshot was heard, which is when it is suspected the female sustained a gunshot wound from the male subject.…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested a suspect in the Nov. 28, 2018 shooting death of Rene Betancourt on Hatton Drive in Scottdale. According to the arrest warrant, the suspect, who is a juvenile, shot Mr. Betancourt in the face during a dispute on Dec. 11.  No reasons were given for the dispute. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, assisted by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, located and arrested the juvenile suspect at an apartment complex near Lithonia on Dec. 21.  The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the DeKalb County Jail before…

DeKalb County Judge Mark Anthony Scott has been elected presiding judge of the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit’s Accountability Courts for a two-year term beginning Jan. 1.  Scott will succeed Judge Tangela H. Barrie who has been, and will continue to be, involved with the Circuit’s Accountability Court Program since her election to the bench in 2008. Through its judicial system, DeKalb County continues to provide services to men and women who have come into contact with the courts due to drug addiction or mental health impairment. Additionally, through its Parental Accountability Court, it has worked to remove barriers for persons…

The city of Clarkston has hired Robin Gomez as its next City Manager. Gomez will succeed Keith Barker, who is retiring. The city council approved Gomez appointment unanimously on Dec. 4.  Gomez and his family will relocate from Fairmont, West Virginia, where he served as City Manager for three years.  During his tenure, he established a reputation and a successful track record for being a proactive economic development and redevelopment advocate and creator. Gomez brings vast experience in dealing with and resolving issues surrounding housing, affordability and blight in a small city setting, officials said in a news release. “Quickly…