Author: On Common Ground News

  Since January 2017, DeKalb County’s blight remediation program has demolished or abated 292 vacant, abandoned or poorly maintained properties. The county’s efforts to eradicate blight has increased seven-fold from the previous year, 2016. In 2019, the county plans to conduct a first-ever comprehensive study of blighted properties in DeKalb. Approximately 139,000 parcels will be reviewed. “Fighting blight and beautifying DeKalb County improves quality of life and the health of our citizens,” said CEO Michael Thurmond. “The county has significantly increased our efforts to revitalize DeKalb by dedicating funding for blight programs and enhancing our partnership with the judicial system.”…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will provide students with free meals and snacks during the Winter Break, thanks to the district’s 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. The meals will be provided free of charge to all children in the DeKalb community at two locations: Stone Mountain Elementary and Woodward Elementary. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. on the scheduled dates. A non-perishable breakfast will be provided for students to…

The DeKalb NAACP held a swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 15 for its newly-elected officers. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson performed the oaths of office. The officers who were sworn in to serve for the 2019-2020 term are: Teresa Hardy, President Lance Hammonds, 1st VP Vaughn Irons, 2nd VP Edwina Clanton, 3rd VP Denise Brown, Secretary Sandy Johnson, Assistant Secretary Lisa Wright, Treasurer Members At Large: Gil Garland James Hall Shelby Hall Freda Hammonds Martha Jackson Vivian Moore Waymon Norwood, Jr. Angela Patrick Zepora Roberts D.E. Smith Louise Thomas Denise Thomas-Allen Cherry Willis Hardy said she…

The DeKalb NAACP will conduct its annual observance of Jubilee Day on Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to noon, at Rainbow Park Baptist Church, 2491 Columbia Drive, Decatur. Jubilee Day commemorates the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863 and is held each year by NAACP branches throughout the country. With the proclamation, slavery for blacks officially ended in the U.S. The NAACP DeKalb branch’s 2019 program will have an international theme, “Searching for Justice Worldwide!” “Prior to being emancipated from human bondage, many brave black men and women escaped to or immigrated to other…

Project Renewal, a shelter that assists victims of family violence, got an early holiday present.  Rockdale County State Court Judge Nancy Bills presented a $15,000 check to Vickie Stevenson, the shelter’s executive director. Bills, who serves as chair of the Rockdale County Task Force Against Family Violence, said the donation is the result of the 9th Annual Race Against Violence (RAV) fundraiser, held in October. Nearly 300 runners, along with 64 sponsors, supported the event. Stevenson thanked Judge Bills for the donation, saying the annual race helps Project Renewal with expenses that are not normally covered by grants. This year’s…

Effective Jan. 1, attorneys will be required to electronically file civil documents into all State and Superior Courts in Georgia. Although the new law, Senate Bill 407, allows fees up to $30  for e-filing, the Clerk of Superior and State Courts in Rockdale and DeKalb have announced their fees will be $19 per case, per party, and no additional fees after 10 documents. Normal statutory fees and credit card convenience fees apply. Under the new law, litigants can avoid the e-filing fee by filing remotely at https://georgia.tylerhost.net/ofsweb or by using a kiosk located within the courthouse. In Rockdale, there are…

The city of Stonecrest is gearing up to expand in 2019 and recently took the first steps toward finding a site to establish its Stonecrest City Center to house more  of its departments. The City Council passed a resolution on Dec. 17 to appoint a committee to enter into negotiations for a lease with an option to purchase the former Target building located at 8109 Mall Parkway in Stonecrest for the expansion.  The city plans to house the Department of Public Safety and Parks and Recreation in the 100,000-square-foot building, which is owned by Allen Family Investments, L.L.C.,  Lecester…

  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.