Author: On Common Ground News

“We are a solid residential neighborhood” Stonecrest residents slam group homes, drive-throughs, gas stations by Valerie J. Morgan Stonecrest residents packed last night’s City Council meeting, slamming proposals for two group homes, a drive-through for a Popeye’s restaurant and an amendment to the Stonecrest Overlay District that would allow gas stations and other uses that currently are not permitted south of I-20 within the city’s borders. The City Council denied Special Land Use Permits (SLUPs) for a personal care home for veterans at 4185 Panola Road and a drive-through for a Popeye’s restaurant proposed at 8200 Mall Parkway (located in…

Gov. Nathan Deal, along with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston, today outlined updates to HB 918, which addresses state tax code. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration, now combines the 2017 Internal Revenue Code (IRC) bill, HB 821, with 2018 IRC updates. It also addresses the state revenue projections resulting from the Federal Tax Act. HB 918 would double the standard deduction for Georgia taxpayers for all filing statuses, effective Jan. 1, 2018. It would also reduce the income tax rate for individuals and businesses from 6 percent to 5.75 percent effective Jan. 1, 2019.…

Dozens of youths are learning about the legal system today at the Third Annual Youth Law Camp in Rockdale County. Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten and the Newrock Legal Society presented the day-long camp, open to students in the 8th through 12 grades in Rockdale and Newton counties. Students are participating in interactive civic activities such as mock trials and mock legislative sessions and are learning from an array of speakers including judges, lawyers, law enforcement officers and others. The free camp, founded by Judge Aten in 2016, is designed to educate, empower, engage and entertain students who are…

The office of Congressman Hank Johnson this weekend honored the late Justin Edwards, the son of DeKalb County activist Joel Edwards. Johnson’s wife, DeKalb Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and District Outreach Director Eric Hubbard presented the Citizen of Distinction Award to the family of the slain man on Saturday, Feb. 17. Justin Edwards was shot to death on Feb. 10 by an unknown assailant as he and his girlfriend were headed home. Police said Justin Edwards had stopped to check out two flat tires in the parking lot of an abandoned building on Memorial Drive and Boulevard in Cabbagetown around…

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics The No. 6 ranked Tucker Lady Tigers held off Grovetown 42-37 to be one of five DeKalb County basketball teams to advance to the Sweet 16 of their respective state tournaments on Friday. Jasani Buchanan (2-2), Kerrigan Johnson (4-4) and Kierra Guthrie (1-2) combined to hit seven of eight free throws in the final 1:16 of the game to seal Tucker’s trip to the Class 6A girls’ Sweet 16. Grovetown had trimmed a 28-19 lead by Tucker to one (32-31) behind two three-pointers by Marissah Tate and a layup by Tamiah Holmes with 3:43 to…

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $5 million to 20 homeless projects in DeKalb. These HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) program grants support national efforts to prevent and end homelessness. The grants also fund local efforts to permanently house and support those experiencing homelessness in the county. Project funds are restricted to serve the most vulnerable homeless populations as defined by HUD. Priority is given to the chronically homeless (those who have been homeless the longest), veterans, families and youth. DeKalb has made steady progress reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness through increased outreach, streamlined access…

OP/ED By Ed Williams Where is the American dream today?  We continue the struggle fifty-four years after the March on Washington. Many of our communities have high unemployment, poor education, and high crime and incarceration.    Many people have been faithful to the promises of America, and yet they are in peril and struggling to pay the bills and provide for their families.  Many of us continue to struggle, hoping for a better future.  We medicate our predicament to cover up the symptoms without addressing the root causes. In many communities, we do not control our economics, media, land, resources,…

By Valerie J. Morgan Bowing to pressure from the public, the Rockdale Board of Commissioners unanimously rescinded its contract on Feb. 13 for Greenhood Industries to conduct a feasibility study for mandatory uniform trash pickup and recycled household grease services. The 3-0 decision followed the Feb. 6 board work session where a crowd turned out to voice opposition to the contract, rejecting the idea they might be forced to use an outside hauler selected by county officials. Currently, there are several local trash service providers in the county. Residents may choose who they want to haul their trash. The…

The Rotary Clubs of Conyers and Rockdale hosted their annual luncheon in honor of the STAR Students and Teachers of the Rockdale County high schools on Feb. 15 at Conyers First United Methodist Church, 921 North Main St. N.W., Conyers. The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, now in its 60th year, is sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). Since its creation by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the STAR program has honored nearly 26,500 students and the teachers they have selected as having had the most influence on their academic achievement. To obtain the 2018 STAR…