Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved $1.86 million to purchase an additional 50 new patrol vehicles for the DeKalb County Police Department. The funding was generated from the one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) approved by voters in November 2017. “This investment of SPLOST funding supports DeKalb’s commitment to enhancing public safety throughout the county by providing our first responders with well-equipped vehicles to help them safely and efficiently perform their jobs,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “Thanks to the approval of the Board of Commissioners, our police department will have 100 new cars on the…

A Cobb County couple is now serving prison time after pleading guilty to charges of racketeering and conspiracy in connection with a commercial sex enterprise operating out of Dunwoody.  Samuel Leon Crenshaw, 51, and his wife, Darliene L. Crenshaw, 47, surrendered to authorities on Jan. 6 to begin serving their sentences.  Samuel Crenshaw entered a guilty plea to a single count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) during court proceedings on Dec. 28. He was sentenced to 20 years to serve seven years in custody, with the balance on probation.  Darliene Crenshaw pleaded guilty to…

On Jan. 5, at approximately 1434 hours, the two female subjects pictured above, possibly mother and daughter, entered 1279 Iris Drive, Coin Laundry, and stole clothing items from a washing machine.  If you recognize these suspects contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta 404 577-TIPS.

The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating three unrelated homicides and is seeking the public’s help in each of the cases.  Detectives say they believe the three women were known to their assailants and are asking for the public’s help in tracking down the persons of interest.    On Dec. 12, 2018, the body of 24-year-old Shantrelle Monroe was discovered behind a recreation area near the 900 block of Lake Drive Court.  On Dec. 23, 2018, the body of 59-year-old Laura Ann Cooley was found near a private residence on Eastwood Drive.  On Dec. 31, 2018, the body of 24-year-old Maya…

DeKalb County District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader was elected for a second term as presiding officer of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. Additionally, District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw was elected to a second term as deputy presiding officer.  The Board of Commissioners is required to elect a presiding officer and deputy presiding officer at its first meeting of each new year. Rader and Bradshaw, who served as officers of the commission in 2018, were unanimously re-elected on Jan. 8. “I am honored and humbled by the vote of confidence in us that has been expressed by our colleagues,” Commissioner…

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is inviting elected officials, county employees and the public to a meet the new director of Rockdale Water Resources (RWR) to the Rockdale County team on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 3 to 4:30 p.m., at Johnson Park, 1781 Ebenezer Road SW, Conyers.   Members of the community are encouraged to bring business cards as they meet and network with Director Angie Luna during the drop-in event. Luna has more than 12 years of combined experience working in government and management.  In her previous role as Director of Operations, she managed five utilities departments including Electric,…

DeKalb MLK celebration to feature business owners Juanita Baranco, Shelley Anthony, Charles Greene    DeKalb County will present its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration program, “King’s Vision: Humanity Tied in a Single Garment of Destiny,” on Friday, Jan. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.  The King Day charge will be delivered by Juanita Baranco, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Baranco Automotive Group. The 2019 tribute marks the 51st anniversary of King’s death and the 35th consecutive year DeKalb will host the employee-planned event honoring the life and…

The Rev. Dee Dawkins-Haigler was recognized for her commitment to diversity and inclusion in the state of Georgia by interim Secretary of State Robyn Crittenden on Jan. 10. Dawkins-Haigler said she was very honored to receive the Georgia Outstanding Citizenship Award presented by Crittenden, a history maker in her own right. Crittenden became the first African-American woman to serve as a statewide constitutional officer in Georgia history when by Gov. Deal appointed her to the position in November 2018 after Brian Kemp resigned as secretary of state to begin his transition as Georgia’s newly-elected governor. As an attorney, Crittenden, for…

   On Jan. 16 at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues Breakfast, Speaker  (R-Blue Ridge) announced that legislation was filed to create the Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics. House Transportation Committee Chairman Kevin Tanner filed that legislation as House Resolution 37, which has been assigned to the House Transportation Committee for consideration. “We are going to seize the potential of our ocean and inland ports to continue expanding our economy,” Speaker Ralston told the audience at the Eggs & Issues Breakfast. “To do so, we must have a freight logistics network that is second to none.” “I am…

The Lithonia Art Center is seeking interns and volunteers with various experience and expertise.  The center needs those with experience in curation, collecting, instruction, therapy, comic books, illustration, murals, fashion design, music production, architecture, carpentry, masonry, interior design, philanthropy, fundraising, web design, online retail management and event planning and any other experience that might be helpful.  Please email your resume and/or portfolio to: LithoniaArtCenter@gmail.com. Steve Paul of the Lithonia Art Center is currently teaching Comic Art & Anime Drawing classes to students at Mosaic Minds Art Academy. To sign up for classes, e-mail LithoniaArtCenter@gmail.com. Sun.”