Author: On Common Ground News

By Ariel J. Allen To begin my  “start-to-finish” design series I will make a plan for the client through moodboards and virtual design and track it through the design process into completion with photography of the transformed space. I want to take the On Common Ground News’ readers on a journey as we discover the needs, look and feel my clients desire and how the process goes from start to finish. My blog will hold the blow-by-blow details but, you can see the details of some of the colors, textures and heart that go into my designs…

The family of Shali Tilson is suing Rockdale County Sheriff Eric J. Levett and other Rockdale officials over the negligent death of Tilson, Attorney Mawuli Davis announced today (March 27). The 22-year-old mentally ill man died of severe dehydration while in the custody of the Rockdale County Jail on March 12, 2018, nine days after he was arrested on misdemeanor charges for disorderly conduct, Davis said.  A year later, Rockdale officials maintain Tilson’s death is still under investigation. “The family cannot wait any longer for answers. This is our legal demand for accountability for those responsible for the tortuous and…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners are partnering again with WorkSource DeKalb to launch the 2019 DeKalb Works Summer Youth Employment Program. Applications will open on April 1 for both internship seekers and worksites providers. The six-week program runs from June 3 through July 26. DeKalb residents ages 14 to 24 are invited to apply for the program at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/intern once the link goes live on April 1.Interns will be paid $10 per hour. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions about the internship program should be directed to Jermaine Hampton at jlhampton@dekalbcountyga.gov, or 404-687-3806. WorkSource DeKalb…

Rockdale County Commissioner Post 1 Sherri Washington will host an “Eggs and Issues” brunch on Saturday, April 6, 10:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m., at Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green St. S.W., Conyers. Rockdale County School Board Chair and Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) President Katrina Young will be the special guest. The event is free and open to the public. There will be light breakfast, pastries, and refreshments served.

By Mark Brock DeKalb County School Athletics Miller Grove become just the fourth DeKalb County girls’ track team to win three consecutive DeKalb County Track and Field Championships title on Monday at Godfrey Stadium. A strong day on the track with three event wins and four runner-up finishes put the Lady Wolverines over the top with 127 points to 88.33 for Dunwoody in the final standings. Miller Grove joined Southwest DeKalb, Lithonia and Gordon with three consecutive wins. The Lady Wolverines took control of the meet by opening the track finals with a convincing win in the 4×100 meter relay…

By Mark Brock DeKalb County School Athletics A first-ever DeKalb County Track and Field Championships boys’ title went to the Martin Luther King Jr. Lions as they held off Arabia Mountain during Monday’s track finals 88-73. Martin Luther King Jr. held a 24-point lead (51-27) over Arabia Mountain in the boys’ meet with Tucker (23.50) in third, Dunwoody (23.00) in fourth and defending champion Southwest DeKalb in fifth (21) after the first day of competition. The Lions picked up three gold medals on the first day led by Keion Cush’s sweep of the discus (140’-06.00”) and shot put (47’-02.00”). TaQuan…

ATLANTA –Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, in partnership with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office announced the City and the Atlanta Police Department will examine existing evidence related to the Atlanta Child Murders cases – which first unfolded nearly 40 years ago. “As a mother and Mayor, my hope is that the city never forgets the young people and families who suffered through this heinous time,” said Mayor Bottoms. “This joint effort is rooted in equity and transparency and the victims of these crimes deserve our attention. My belief is that history will judge…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond will give his outlook for 2019 during two State of the County addresses in April. Business leaders and other community partners are invited to a State of the County address to be delivered during a ticketed luncheon on Thursday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta. The business luncheon is hosted by the Council for Quality Growth and DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $65 for Chamber members and $85 for non-members. Registration is required. To register for the luncheon, visit www.councilforqualitygrowth.org.…

   Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has stopped the construction of a gas station and convenience store planned at the corner of Evans Mill and Salem roads. Lary said the city is planning instead to buy the property and build a community park at the site, pending City Council approval. Lary’s promise follows protests by residents who have said at public meetings that they don’t want a gas station and convenience store in the middle of a residential area, even though the property was zoned commercial years ago when the area was rural. The mayor and Stonecrest City Councilman…

Left to Right: Lorraine Cochran-Johnson stands with Jan Costello, Nadine Rivers-Johnson, Herbert Love, andPhyllis Frierson, who are all board members of the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corp. DeKalb County’s Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is partnering with the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation to launch a super litter clean-up campaign in DeKalb. Cochran-Johnson says the initiative will culminate with a county-wide community cleanup day on Saturday, June 1. The effort is part of her larger mission to help make DeKalb a more attractive to residents, businesses and tourists. “Across DeKalb County there is an abundance of…