Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County Police Department Homicide Unit and the Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit are searching for a suspect wanted for the murder of 43-year-old Willie James Hammond on Feb. 13, 2018. The suspect, 19-year-old Taveyon McNeil, is believed to have fled the state. Warrants are being held on him at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Two other suspects have been identified, arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Hammond. Javien Evans, 17, is in custody at the DeKalb County Jail and Tamorris D’Tron Tyler, 26, is being held at the Rockdale County Jail. McNeil is described as 5…

Carolyn Fuller, who served as the Library Director of the Henry County Library System since 1999, has accepted the position of the Interim Library Director of The Conyers-Rockdale Library System. Fuller has a BS in Music Education from Concord College. She received her MS in Christian Education/Church Music, and her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Florida. During her tenure at the Henry County Library, Fuller oversaw the construction of five additional libraries. In 2012, Fuller was selected to inventory and catalog the contents of the Governor’s Mansion library at the request of Gov. Nathan Deal…

The DeKalb County Police Department is honoring officers who sacrificed their lives in service during its annual Fallen Officers Memorial Service on Wednesday, May 9, 10 a.m., at the DeKalb History Center, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur.  The service is part of the national recognition law enforcement agencies from around the country have planned during the month of May to pay respects to the officers and their families.  DeKalb will also recognize fallen officers from Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb County Marshall’s Office, MARTA, Pine Lake and Stone Mountain. The memorial service brings surviving family members, police…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has been selected to receive the 2018 “Champion for Change” award presented by the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence (WRC).  Boston will be recognized during the 15th annual Champions for Change awards luncheon and silent auction, sponsored by Southern Company, on May 10 at the Georgia Aquarium.  As a non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence, WRC each year honors members of the Greater Atlanta community who work to advance that mission. Boston was selected for her leadership and commitment to ending domestic violence in Georgia. “It is an incredible honor to…

DeKalb County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling is partnering with Men Stopping Violence(MSV) and Peace Baptist Church to host Because We Have Daughters® on Saturday, June 9, at Peace Baptist Church, beginning at 9 a.m.  MSV created the Because We Have Daughters® initiative in 2005 to give men an opportunity to deepen their bonds with their daughters. The program is based on seven core values: Awareness and understanding of societal pressures girls and women face: Active listening; Value girls’ voices. Awareness of space: Assertiveness, not aggression; Appreciation for non-traditional qualities; Stand up for what we learn together.  Because We Have Daughters® gives…

Rob and Vickie B. Turner will host the Cultural Exchange Community Breakfast meeting on Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m., at The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church/House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.  Rob Turner represents Stonecrest City Council’s District 2 and his wife, Vickie Turner, represents District 5 on the DeKalb School Board. “Our focus this month will be on our students. The breakfast will be sponsored by President Dr. Gary McGaha of Atlanta Metropolitan College. The college is excited to announce some new programs for potential students,” said Vickie Turner. “Application fees will be waived and staff will…

DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw plans to allocate $250,000 in park bond funds for the construction of a new Tobie Grant Recreational Center in District 4.  Bradshaw introduced the allocation during the May 1 Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole meeting. The allocation becomes official with a vote by the Board of Commissioners in the May 8 business meeting. “A new Tobie Grant Recreational Center will be a long sought-after amenity for DeKalb County,” Commissioner Bradshaw said. “It will be a center focused on the intergenerational physical well-being of the community.” The current center, located at the intersection of…

The City of Clarkston’s long-awaited streetscape project is finally getting under way, after seven years of planning, public meetings, and acquiring matching funds.  City officials kicked off the project with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 4. Officials said the $6.5 million transformation would include stormwater and utility infrastructure improvements, wider sidewalks, newly paved streets, a pedestrian bridge, and new gateways to the city.  City officials said the project is expected to be completed in 18 months.  “The project scope will include East Ponce de Leon from the I-285 interchange down to Market Street. Market Street from North Indian Creek to…

The DeKalb County Fleet Management Department was awarded the “Best Fleet” in North America Award sponsored by 100 Best Fleets in America and Governing Magazine. The county earned first place out of 38,000 public fleets and was recognized for distinguished customer service, sustainability practices and employee training.  “The DeKalb Fleet Management Department exemplifies all that is right about public service,” said Tom C. Johnson, founder of the 100 Best Fleets in America program. “The county has developed best practices that reduce the need for unscheduled repairs, maintenance costs and negative environmental impacts.”  Fleet Management maintains repair services for a fleet…

The community is invited to the Chapman Mill/Redan Park Community Garden Festival on Friday, May 11, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Redan Nature Preserve, 5345 Redan Road, Redan. Joelette C. Bembry, horticultural and natural resource agent for the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension, will teach workshops during the festival on “How to Plant Healthy Vegetables and Flowers.”  The outreach effort is designed to teach and encourage the community to grow and consume more vegetables and fruit, as well as to conserve the environment and live more healthy lives. Admission to the…