Author: On Common Ground News

By Valerie J. Morgan The Stonecrest City Council on Monday (Oct. 16) approved the annexation and rezoning of 11.63 acres at 6024 Covington Highway to MR-R2 (medium density residential) for a mixed-use development that would include a 160-unit townhome development. The council’s approval paved the way for Halpern Enterprises to bring its 24-acre parcel, which was split by the City of Stonecrest boundary, in its entirety into the city. The site was originally two parcels and was part of a plan for a large mixed-use project involving Halpern Enterprises, DeKalb Hospital Authority and Sunstate International, city officials said. Halpern is…

As early voting gets underway this week, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia and the Georgia State University Black Law Students Association are presenting a panel discussion that features former DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis. For the first time since the State Supreme Court unanimously reversed his wrongful conviction, Ellis will speak publicly about his ordeal of being wrongfully prosecuted. Ellis, now political director for the ACLU of Georgia, is one of three Georgians featured in a video series, “Voices of Smart Justice,” which the ACLU is debuting to highlight the importance of electing candidates in 2018 who…

Torchbearer: a person who leads or inspires others in working toward a valued goal This week’s Torchbearer is Priscilla Davenport, a DeKalb citizen who is a survivor making change in her community. Two years ago, in October, Davenport contacted Keep DeKalb Beautiful to join the organization’s Adopt-a-Stop program. She asked for her sign at the MARTA bus stop on Tilson Road to read “Pink Sister Surviving.” This month, Davenport is not only celebrating her two-year anniversary of picking up litter at this bus stop; she is also celebrating 13 years of being cancer free. Davenport fought and beat breast cancer,…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has been on the front lines of increasing awareness about cancer. This past Saturday(Oct. 13), Lary joined DeKalb County’s Marbut Theme School for its breast cancer awareness walk. Lary, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, is urging the public to get regular health checkups as he undergoes treatment an looks forward to recovery. “Early detection is the key ” he said.  “I’m exercising, eating better and keeping a positive outlook.”

Helping Hands Outreach Clinic, 2442 Lake Rockaway Road, Conyers, is hosting a series of workshops designed to teach individuals the basics of diabetes, how to self-manage diabetes, how to follow a diabetic-friendly diet, and therapeutic ways to manage stress, which can impact diabetes control. The first workshop, “An Overview-Diabetes 101,” was held on Sept. 18. The remaining five workshops in the series will be held every other Tuesday, through Nov. 27, 6 to 7 p.m., at the Helping Hands Outreach Center. The workshops have been scheduled as follows: Tuesday, Oct. 2 – “Dietary Management” Tuesday, Oct. 16 – “Weight Management…

ATLANTA – Democratic Party of Georgia Executive Director Rebecca DeHart issued the following statement: “Today, on the first day of in-person early vote, Georgians are going to the polls in large numbers to make their voices heard. Already, Georgians — particularly first-time midterm voters and voters of color — are participating at unprecedented levels. It is inspiring that so many Georgians who are hungry for change are using their power to bring about that change. There are some reports of isolated internet outages and a small number of machines not working. While our voter protection team is monitoring these issues, in…

CHRISTOPHER ANTONIO FLORENCE      MARCO FERNANDO WATSON Jury selection is underway in the murder trial against two alleged members of the Sex, Money, Murder gang and their reputed leader for a deadly home invasion in Stone Mountain that claimed the life of a baby. Kenneth Jackson, Christopher Antonio Florence, and Marco Fernando Watson are charged with Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and weapons offenses in connection with the murder of 9-month old Kendarious Edwards.  The incident happened on May 10, 2014 at the Lani Farm Road home of the victim’s…


Georgia Power in final stages of restoration effort  ATLANTA –As of noon today (Oct. 15), Georgia Power has restored power to 97 percent, or more than 375,000 customers, impacted by Hurricane Michael. Restoration is expected to be completed in the Albany area this evening and in the Bainbridge area by tomorrow night. The company has more than 5,800 personnel working around the clock to restore power for the approximately 15,000 customers located in the hardest hit areas of Southwest Georgia that received the most destructive damage from Hurricane Michael. All of Georgia Power’s resources are dedicated to storm restoration efforts…

Four percent across-the-board raise valued at $7.1 million Today, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond recommended to the county Board of Commissioners a four-percent public safety salary increase, effective the first pay period in November 2018. The total value of the proposed compensation increase is $7.1 million.  “DeKalb County is committed to ensuring that our community is safe,” said CEO Thurmond. “The county is taking a holistic approach to increase compensation for the men and women that play a critical role in protecting and serving DeKalb.”   The increase will apply to approximately 2,100 employees including police officers, firefighters, E-911 employees, medical…

Developer Vaughn Irons: Project still on track  Developer Vaughn Irons. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan Atlanta Sports Connection, Inc. has defaulted on its $2.25 million loan for the former Kohl’s building, located at 8010 Mall Parkway, but developer Vaughn Irons said the project is still moving forward.  The Atlanta Sports City Complex at the Mall at Stonecrest, known as “Tournament Central,” was scheduled to be sold on the DeKalb County courthouse steps on Oct. 2, according to a notice of sale under power, which was announced in the county’s legal organ. The owners of the building could not be reached…