Author: On Common Ground News

Oakhurst Medical Centers, Inc. held its grand opening on Dec. 8 for its sixth location. The new facility is located in the Northlake Office Park professional building at 2295 Northlake Parkway, Suite 500, Atlanta. The nonprofit primary health care centers have provided affordable, culturally sensitive and accessible healthcare to the indigent and underinsured residents of DeKalb, Fulton and Rockdale counties since 1980. Oakhurst’s CEO Jeff Taylor was joined for the new center’s ribbon cutting ceremony by Board of Directors Vice Chair Daphne Byrd, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce President Katerina Taylor, Oakhurst founder Elizabeth Wilson and other officials. The 7,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art…

Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance’s Executive Director Mera Cardenas was recently honored during the Discover DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau’s 25th annual holiday gala. Cardenas was the recipient of the Bill Hardman, Jr. Award, a recognition presented to an individual who exemplifies outstanding service and dedication to Discover DeKalb’s mission of promoting DeKalb as a destination for tourism. Cardenas said she was deeply honored. “I was incredibly surprised, touched and honored to be recognized by Discover DeKalb,” Cardenas said. “I had no idea I was being considered. The Arabia Alliance and our…

Rockdale County Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. Over the past 11 months, we have made several changes to the Probate Court to enhance our efficiency and level of service to the citizens and legal community. Prior to the beginning of my first term as Probate Judge in January 2017, and subsequent thereto, I visited the probate courts of several surrounding jurisdictions, including Henry, Fulton, DeKalb, Walton, Athens-Clarke and Gwinnett counties to observe their operations. My primary purpose for these visits was to determine if their practices were more efficient than those used by our probate court. I appreciate those…

With temperatures falling in metro Atlanta and a mix of rain and snow expected on the way, DeKalb County officials are preparing an emergency plan. Weather forecasts call for a 70 percent chance of rain on Friday with the wintry mix of snow through Friday afternoon. “To prepare for possible inclement weather, DeKalb County has partnered with the DeKalb County School District and various cities within the county to ensure we are ready for a worst-case scenario. The county is also participating in a Web Emergency Operation Center event by the state to monitor the situation. We are coordinating with…

The Stonecrest City Council today voted to defer a decision on a resolution to change portions of the city charter, after a recommendation from Mayor Jason Lary. The matter now will be taken up by the council on Jan. 16, 2018. Lary made the recommendation after 10 people spoke during public comments at the meeting, which was held at the new City Hall. Five people spoke in support of the charter changes, which included a salary increase and reduced power for the position of mayor, while five opposed the changes with two opponents saying the seven-month-old city is moving too…

Story Updated: Stonecrest City Councilwoman Diane Adoma is challenging a proposed charter amendment concerning the expiration of her term as mayor pro tem – the person who fills in to run the City Council meetings in the absence of the mayor. Adoma said she wants Council members to honor their May 8 resolution electing her as mayor pro tem for two years. She said although she never received a signed document stating her length of service, City Attorney Tom Kurrie opined the mayor pro tem’s term was for two years, as stated in the city’s charter. Kurrie said today,…

The DeKalb County Police Department’s Homeland Security Unit has scheduled two Active Shooter Training sessions for places of worship in the month of December. The presentations are focused on providing places of worship vital information on how to develop an Emergency Operation Plan that will equip them to mitigate any incident they may face including vandalism, fire, and flood. Both sessions also will include “What to do in the Event of an Active Shooter.” The Emergency Operation Planning presentations will be held as follows: Tuesday, Dec. 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m., House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur Thursday,…

As state lawmakers prepare to convene for the 2018 Georgia General Assembly session on Jan. 8, the DeKalb Delegation is hosting a series of community meetings. State Rep. Howard Mosby, who chairs the DeKalb House Delegation, said the meetings will provide an opportunity for legislators to share updates, answer questions and receive input from the community on issues and concerns. It’s really a listening session to hear from constituents,” said State Rep. Howard Mosby, who chairs the DeKalb Delegation. “We expect that we’ll be dealing with Emory’s annexation into Atlanta, cityhood of Greenhaven, transportation and MARTA. Also, the ethics bill…

Following a nearly two-hour standoff at a residence on Snapfinger Road in Decatur on Dec. 1, authorities arrested Quantez D’Ante Tyre of Decatur for the Nov. 27, 2017 shooting death of 22 year-old postal worker Tyrika Terrell of Covington, Georgia. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. and Fugitive Units, along with the U.S. Marshal’s Office, located Tyre, 22,  at a relative’s home around noon on Dec. 1.  After other occupants abandoned him in the home, Tyre positioned himself with a weapon in an upstairs room, as Sheriff’s Office investigators attempted to negotiate his surrender. Shortly afterward, the suspect set…

The Georgia Department of Driver Services has received a $299,463 grant to convert court systems that are still using paper to transmit conviction data to an electronic system. DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore said the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) grant award provides for ongoing support for the Georgia Electronic Conviction Processing System (GECPS). The secure, electronic transmission of conviction data enables Georgia courts to post conviction data to individual driving records within 10 days, meeting federal requirements, Moore said. “These funds will help augment our court outreach efforts and ultimately improve the timeliness, completeness, and accuracy of court-reported…