Author: On Common Ground News

The Rockdale County Tax Commissioner’s Office will provide limited service on Friday, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. until noon, due to state computer system upgrades. The upgrades will impact motor vehicle in office transactions; however, renewals may still be completed online or at MVD self-service kiosks across the state. Property tax payments can be made in office all day. For more information, including online renewal information or MVD self-service kiosk locations, visit www.rockdaletaxoffice.org or call 678-278-9833.

The Cultural Exchange Breakfast, hosted by Stonecrest City Councilmember Rob Turner and DeKalb School Board member Vicki Turner, will be held Saturday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m., on the campus of The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church/House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur. The focus of the October meeting will be the final push to get people to the polls for the general election on Nov. 6.  Erica Hamilton, supervisor of elections for DeKalb County,  will be on hand to help familiarize voters with the voting equipment and provide any new information concerning voting. Fred Swann, candidate for Agriculture Commissioner,…

The proposed Atlanta Sports City complex at the Mall at Stonecrest, which was to feature a 15,000-seat stadium, multiple soccer and football fields, is in trouble. Atlanta Sports Connection, Inc. has defaulted on its $2. 25 million loan for the former Kohl’s building located at 8010 Mall Parkway. The property 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. No one could be reached to discuss the outcome of the sale, despite efforts to contact partners Patrick Henderson and…

Clarkston Police want to honor the “Good Samaritan” who chased a man who snatched a purse from an elderly woman at the Exxon gas station at 1051 Montreal Road. The purse snatcher slammed the woman to the ground and took off running. A man who witnessed the incident ran after him, got the purse back and returned it to the woman. The incident occurred on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m., Clarkston officials said. “I just want to shake his hand,” said Clarkston Police Detective J. McKinney. “This day and age no one puts themselves at risk to do anything…

The Gwinnett Department of Corrections is hosting a job fair on  Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Corrections Complex, 750 Hi Hope Road, Lawrenceville. The department is looking to fill several openings for Correctional Officer I and Correctional Officer II. Correctional Officer I pay starts at $32,623, and Correctional Officer II pay starts at $35,232. In addition, the department offers benefits, paid training, education incentives, tuition reimbursement and career advancement. The event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., will include human resources screenings, a tour of the facilities, an assessment consisting of job-related scenarios and interview boards. Candidates…

Attorney General Chris Carr is warning consumers to be on the lookout for scams and possible price gouging as Hurricane Michael approaches the Gulf Coast. Gov. Nathan Deal hA enacted a State of Emergency for 92 counties in Georgia. The State of Emergency shall be valid for a period of one week, beginning on Oct. 9, 2018 and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2018. “With pending inclement weather, we want to remind Georgia consumers that our Consumer Protection Division is at work to protect them from scammers and price gougers,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “Under Georgia law,…

DeKalb County recorded 42.1 percent fewer major sewer spills when compared to the same time last year. In September 2018, DeKalb Watershed Management (DWM) reported 22 major sewer spills for the year compared to 38 reported spills during the same period last year. The overall volume of major sewer spills also declined by 72 percent (13.7 million gallons to 3.8 million gallons).  “The decline in major sewer spills shows that DeKalb County is moving in the right direction,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “DeKalb is committed to protecting the environment and quality of life and supporting economic development.” County…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary will host “Straight Talk With the Mayor” on Oct. 8, 7 p.m., at City Hall. Lary said this month, his topic is entitled “Talkin’ Trash.” He will field questions from constituents and discuss steps the city is taking to crack down on illegal dumping and other code enforcement issues in the city.   Recently, more than 150 tires neatly stacked about three feet high were dumped on the shoulder of Evans Mill Road near Rock Springs Road, Lary said. “Unbelievable. Whoever did it must have come during the night,” said Lary. “We’re not going to put…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan DeKalb County District Health Director Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford is urging the public to take extra precaution while outdoors after health officials confirmed a West Nile virus-related death in the county on Oct. 4. The DeKalb woman was in her 90s and a resident of Dunwoody. According to health officials, this is DeKalb’s second West Nile case and first death from the virus.  “On behalf of the Board of Health, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time,” said Ford.  “Although it’s rare, in some cases, West Nile virus can…