Author: On Common Ground News

  Two Rockdale County teens—a 15-year-old magnet school student and a 14-year-old high school student—are now in youth detention facilities charged with making threats against students and teachers in unrelated incidents on Dec. 17. Conyers Police said the15-year-old student posted a violent rant on his social media page regarding one of his teachers as he was working on an end-of-the-year project while also studying for exams. The suspect threatened to kill the teacher via a violent sexual act if he did not make the grade, as well as blow up the school. He then planned on killing himself. This suspect…

Families at DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will receive uninterrupted food services this holiday season thanks to School Nutrition Services’ Holiday Giving schedule. Daily hot lunch, on-the-go breakfast and snack services will go uninterrupted during Winter Break on Dec. 26, 27, 28 and 31, as well as Jan. 2 and 3 at two district locations, Stone Mountain Elementary and Woodward Elementary. Research shows that students who have access to meals during breaks have a reduced risk of experiencing adverse outcomes and physiological conditions, such as impaired concentration, health and wellness, as well as cognitive and emotional development. These…

Conyers Police are searching for a suspect who stole several “tag guns” from the shipping and receiving area from the Burlington store at 1485 Highway 138. Police said the male suspect was captured on store cameras taking the pricing tag guns on Dec. 7 around 5:40 p.m. Any information leading to the arrest of the suspect may result in a cash reward of up to $2,000. Tipsters will remain anonymous and are asked to contact Crime Stoppers with any information: 404-577-TIPS (8477) or www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org.

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Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms notified Atlanta Police Department officers that they will receive their first compensation adjustment on Dec. 21. On Oct. 1, Mayor Bottoms announced an historic comprehensive plan to raise compensation for APD members, signing the legislation into law two weeks later on Oct. 15. During her October press conference, she stated that the City would make an investment towards police compensation by January 2019. The disbursement of the first round of police pay raises on December 21st, delivers on the Administration’s promise ahead of schedule. “The City of Atlanta has a world-class police force and its members…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has proposed a three-percent pay raise and a $15-per-hour minimum wage to help retain and attract talented employees who are motivated to provide quality customer service to residents and businesses of DeKalb. The compensation enhancements are part of CEO Thurmond’s goal of maintaining a well-compensated, highly-trained workforce dedicated to putting customers first. On Dec. 11, Thurmond delivered to the Board of Commissioners highlights of his proposed FY2019 budget which includes a 3-percent raise for all county employees who did not receive a raise in October 2018. Additionally, the proposed budget increases the…

DeKalb County’s new Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran Johnson was sworn in by Judge Badelia Hargrove during a private ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Johnson announced in a statewide release today that her public Oath of Office ceremony will be held on Jan. 4, 2019, 3 p.m., at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. She said she is looking forward to the public attending. Judge Glenda Hatchett will administer the oath of office. Judge Penny Brown Reynolds will serve as the keynote speaker. The program also will include special guest Georgia Secretary of State Robyn…

Thousands flocked to welcome New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s new pastor, Dr. Jamal Bryant, on Sunday, Dec. 9. Bryant took the helm, igniting the crowd with a sermon entitled “Bite Me” in which he rebuked enemies—snakes—who try to tear down others. He invited those who had left New Birth out of despair to return, along with those seeking a church home where they can grow and become involved in ministry and the community. “I need New Birth to get the word out to everyone that our church is back on fire,” said Bryant. Atlanta businessman Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., chairman…

The city of Stonecrest will ring in the New Year with several new services planned, money in its reserve fund and no new taxes. The $9,168,400 budget includes a $250,000 reserve fund and represents more than a $2.5 million revenue increase or 41% over the 2018 budget. City officials say the revenue boost is primarily due to the city’s ability to now receive a state insurance premium tax. The tax, however, will not affect residents or businesses in the area.  Municipalities receive the tax from the state for property, casualty, and life insurance policies purchased by those within the city.…

Norfolk Southern Corporation, a major transporter of automotive products, coal and industrial products, is planning to locate its headquarters to Atlanta, a move that will create 850 jobs. Gov. Nathan Deal was joined by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Dec. 12 to announce that Norfolk  Southern will locate its headquarters in Fulton County. The new campus, which represents a $575 million investment, includes dispatch operations, operations and service support center, crew management center, corridor operations offices, national customer service center, administrative functions, marketing department and police communications center. “As a major hub for both transportation and innovation,…