Author: On Common Ground News

A Conyers husband is one of three men indicted in connection with an alleged drug trafficking scheme that claimed his newlywed wife’s life. Michael Dale Lavigne, 33, was indicted last Thursday by a DeKalb County Grand Jury on charges of Felony Murder (two counts), Conspiracy to Violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, in connection with the death of his wife, Alisha Stephens, age 35. Carlos Rodriquez, 19, and Juan Carlos Ortiz, 29,  alleged members of the Latin Kings criminal street gang,…

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Decatur- DeKalb Chapter, Inc. will host its “2019 Let’s Talk – Money Management & Real Estate Workshop & Networking” community event, on Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.to noon, at Exchange Park Intergenerational Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. There will be speakers presenting on Budgeting, Debt Management, Home buying, Selling, New Mortgage Programs and more. The event is free and open to the public.

The Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee’s meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m., at the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Headquarters, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker. The meeting will take place on the first floor in room 111. For more information, contact Carol Underwood, administrator coordinator, at 404-371-2927 orcjunderw@dekalbcountyga.gov.

Join Ranger Meredith at the Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve for an afternoon hike with your dog on Sunday, Jan. 13, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Bring water for you and your dog and dress appropriately for the weather. Guests will meet at the Nature Center, 3787 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. To register, visithttp://arabiaalliance.org/events/or call 770-484-3060. The event is free.

Join Habitats for Bats to build your very own bat habitat house on Saturday, Jan. 19, at Panola Mountain State Park, 2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge. Bats are an important part of the ecosystem, and you can help them out by putting a bat house in your backyard. Join the rangers at Panola Mountain State Park to make and take home your own bat habitat house. Workshop costs $10. Call 770-389-7801 to register. Registration required.

The Lithonia First UMC, Exousia Lighthouse International Christian Ministries and First St. Paul AME are sponsoring a food pantry on Saturday, Jan. 19, at Lithonia City Hall parking lot, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the food will be given away 10 a.m. to noon Free food will be provided on a first-come first-served basis. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The community event is in partnership with First African CDC, Atlanta Community Food Bank and the City of Lithonia. For more information, call 770-482-8136.

(CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE) Beginning with this week’s print issue, Allen will share her work as an interior designer on the second and fourth Friday of each month. Allen offers a fresh and creative approach to design that we hope will inspire you as you re-create your living spaces for the New Year or new season in your life. Allen helps clients use their own objects to create beautiful living spaces that reflect personal style.

Major K.D. Johnson holds the Officer of the Year award for slain DeKalb County Police Officer Edgar Flores during the Jan. 9 DeKalb County Police Department South Precinct Officer and Community Appreciation Awards ceremony. The program was held at the south precinct headquarters in Decatur. Congressman Hank Johnson was unable to attend the ceremony, but presented Flores with a U.S. Citizen of Distinction honor. Members of Flores’ family were present to accept the honor. During the ceremony, night-watch Captain Bell shows a portrait of Flores that was done in his honor. At the end of the ceremony, members of…

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved $1.86 million to purchase an additional 50 new patrol vehicles for the DeKalb County Police Department. The funding was generated from the one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) approved by voters in November 2017. “This investment of SPLOST funding supports DeKalb’s commitment to enhancing public safety throughout the county by providing our first responders with well-equipped vehicles to help them safely and efficiently perform their jobs,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “Thanks to the approval of the Board of Commissioners, our police department will have 100 new cars on the…

A Cobb County couple is now serving prison time after pleading guilty to charges of racketeering and conspiracy in connection with a commercial sex enterprise operating out of Dunwoody.  Samuel Leon Crenshaw, 51, and his wife, Darliene L. Crenshaw, 47, surrendered to authorities on Jan. 6 to begin serving their sentences.  Samuel Crenshaw entered a guilty plea to a single count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) during court proceedings on Dec. 28. He was sentenced to 20 years to serve seven years in custody, with the balance on probation.  Darliene Crenshaw pleaded guilty to…