Author: On Common Ground News

The City of Stonecrest has hired Clarence Boone, II as its new economic development director. Boone, who has 27 years of experience in brand development across a variety of industries, formerly worked as sales manager for Discover DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau from 2012 through June of this year. Boone was responsible for developing strategic business opportunities and economic impact formulas for several market segments during his tenure with Discover DeKalb. “I’m definitely pleased to join the city of Stonecrest.  I see a lot of potential that is yet to be realized and I look forward to utilizing my…

Residents across DeKalb County are experiencing a smoother commute now that contractors have finished resurfacing 50 miles of the worst streets and roads in the county. The paving is funded by DeKalb’s one-cent special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST). Arenda Hansard lives in the Carlisle Commonwealth community near Stone Mountain. “There were some bad roads but now it’s easier to go in and out of the neighborhood,” said Hansard. “They did a good job and we are satisfied with what is being done with the additional penny.” To date, the DeKalb Board of Commissioners have approved two resurfacing projects…

Homeowners for Better Government (HOFBG) in Rockdale County say disturbances and shootings have prompted them to call for an all-out ban on short-term vacation rentals. HOFBG is inviting other homeowner groups in Rockdale to join them for a town hall meeting to discuss the issue on July 18,7 p.m., at the Philogia Masonic Lodge, 1005 Milstead Ave. NE, Conyers. “We want a ban on short-term vacation rentals,” said Don Meyer, founder of Homeowners for Better Government (HOFBG). “Short-term vacation rentals have destroyed our neighborhoods and have put our public safety and quality of life at risk and we want them…

  CONYERS—Thermice Jordan Bevelle passed away on July 9, 2019 after suddenly becoming ill. She was 48. Mrs. Bevelle’s background in print and broadcast journalism afforded her a 28-year career in communications. Diane Larche’, a publicist who knew Mrs. Bevelle through her work as a journalist, said Bevelle always went the extra mile to be helpful and she prided her work ethic. “She was as sweet as could be. She will be missed,” said Larche. Thermice and Everett Bevelle married in 2003 and made their home on a horse farm in Conyers. Thermice was born on March 3, 1971…

  Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is inviting both middle and high school students who live or attend a school in the Fourth Congressional District to demonstrate their technology skills by developing a mobile application or game. “Science and technology are transforming our world and we must do all we can to ensure our kids are taking part in and helping shape the changing economy,” said Johnson. “I’m proud of the students who participate in the challenge. This competition has showcased some of the Fourth Congressional District’s brightest young minds as they take on cutting-edge technology that is becoming an increasing…

Families who are new to the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) can now access the district’s new online registration system. Parents or guardians can visit www.dekalbschoolsga.org/online-registration and navigate through a series of prompts to enter the information needed for school assignments and support services for their student. Officials say the new and secure system will make registration available on most Internet-enabled devices, reducing the probability of a trip to a school or registration center. Parents of students returning to the same school must submit updated information to the school before the ending of the school year or during summer registration.…

Sankofa Community Food Pantry will host its third drive-through food pantry on Saturday, July 20, 12 to 3 p.m. at 1240 Sigman Road N.W., behind the plaza. A variety of fresh produce and dry food items will be available to the public at no cost, while supplies last. ID is not required to obtain food and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 678-517-2538.

NORFOLK, VA – A Stone Mountain native and 2007 Miller Grove High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the service’s newest aircraft carrier. USS Gerald R. Ford. Petty Officer 2nd Class Jesse Kingsberry is an aviation machinist’s mate aboard the ship, which is named after the 38th President of the United States, and U.S. Navy veteran, Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. As a Navy aviation machinist’s mate, Kingsberry is responsible for working on aircraft engines. “What I do is similar to your regular neighborhood mechanic, except I do my job on an aircraft carrier at sea,” said Kingsberry.…

  By Ruth A. Wilson | Rockdale Clerk of Courts First of all, don’t panic. We will work with you. BUT, you must communicate with us. As soon as you can, contact the Jury Clerk at 770-278-7902 or Jury@RockdaleCountyGA.GOV as noted on your Jury Summons. Let us know what happened. If you are eligible to be excused, you may be asked to submit some paper work and then you are done. If you are eligible to serve, we may be able to simply reschedule you for a future Jury date. If you do not communicate with us, a series…

  The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the parents of an infant who died after ingesting an overdose of prescription drugs at their home. The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit arrested Rachelle Rattrey, 24, and Tabares Tony Wadley, 26, both of Decatur, on charges of felony second degree murder, felony second degree child cruelty, and possession of an ounce of less of marijuana. According to arrest warrants issued June 25, 2019 say that the 1-year-old male victim was found to be unresponsive when emergency services answered a 911 call to the residence on Bermuda Run Court earlier…