Author: On Common Ground News

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has been elevated to another level of service. Lary was ordained a deacon at Union First Missionary Baptist Church during the Lithonia church’s Aug. 5 worship service. Pastor Edward. L. Randolph, Jr. performed the ordination for Lary and Deacon Reginald Veasley, praying for both men and their wives, Debra “Debbie” Lary and Angel Veasley. “Serving as a deacon is a very important role. When we look at candidates for that office, the bible says in Acts that there are three qualifications: a man of good rapport, filled with the Holy Ghost and wisdom,” said Pastor Randolph,…

DeKalb County homeowners and businesses can now showcase their properties as potential locations and location scouts can easily secure locations and permits through a new online resource created by the DeKalb Entertainment Commission. The online portal is accessible at DeKalbEntertainment.com and via any mobile device. The system allows location scouts a one-stop portal to find, secure and pay for ideal sites throughout the county for film, television and commercial productions. The system streamlines permitting and approvals through every county department involved in the process. “The new system makes location identification and permitting a completely electronic process, with every county department…

Pastor James C. Ward of Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia is being honored again as an accomplished  songwriter. His latest work entitled “Nothin’ But Glory” has won an Editor’s Choice Award after being published by Shawnee Press, a division of Hal Leonard, one of the largest sheet music publishers in the world. “This is truly a blessing from God and is only a reality because of His favor,” said Ward. “It is truly an honor. It speaks to all of the people who helped me all along the way. Getting published is like getting a record contract. There are…

DeKalb County Police are seeking three suspects they believed are involved in several residential burglaries in the Smokerise community near Stone Mountain.  Eleven burglaries were reported between June 26 and Aug. 3, said DeKalb spokesperson Shiera Campbell.  Homeowners have reported jewelry and mail among the items stolen, officials said.  “There were a number of homes where there was forced entry and some where doors were left unlocked. The homeowners said they were away for just a few minutes and returned to find belongings missing,” said Campbell.     Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating suspects…

A DeKalb County firefighter was found dead on Wednesday, Aug. 8, by a crew member at one of the county’s fire stations.  Barrett Everett, 42, was found dead during a shift change at Fire Station 25, which is located on Rockbridge Road in Stone Mountain.  Captain Dion Bentley said firefighters had responded to a late night call on Aug. 7 and returned to go to bed at the station. A crew member found Everett deceased in bed during a shift change, Bentley said.  Flags were flown at half mass throughout the county to remember Everett, Bentley said.     “It…

The DeKalb County Office of Public Safety is one of the first large law enforcement jurisdictions in Georgia to join FirstNet – the nationwide public safety broadband network that gives first responders a reliable and highly secure connection to needed information.  The network is being built by AT&T in public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority, which was established by Congress.   “DeKalb County has embraced technology to aid crime reduction efforts and improve public safety,” said Joseph “Jack” H. Lumpkin, deputy chief operating officer of public safety. “FirstNet will enhance the county’s public safety response by providing unprecedented…

 By Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr.  The terms heir and beneficiary are often used interchangeably. However, they represent two different categories of individuals who may inherit from a deceased person. This misunderstanding has been known to cause conflicts between those who stand to inherit from the decedent, either as heirs or beneficiaries, due to a misplaced sense of entitlement. An heir is a blood relative who may be entitled to inherit from a decedent simply because he or she is a family member. When a decedent dies without a will, the order of inheritance is determined by Georgia law. The…

by Travis Hudgons Hundreds of people, mostly children, gathered in a Doraville shopping center parking lot to celebrate National Night Out.  The family-friendly event provided an opportunity for the community, especially children, to interact positively with police. During the warm Aug. 7 evening, the children were entertained with an inflatable slide, boxing demonstrations, a police-manned dunk tank and other activities.  “This is a way for the Police Department to repay our community,” said Capt. T.K. Gordan of the Doraville Police. Gordan said events like this help the community meet the police officers in a non-emergency setting. National Night Out is…

John W. Hollins, Jr. is proud of this year’s ATL Metro RBI senior baseball team. The team was named Southeast Regional champions in the Reviving Baseball In the Innercities MLB program.  Fifteen players and four coaches flew to Minnesota where the team competed on Aug. 8 in the RBI World Series, which was held at the Neiman Sports Complex in St. Paul, Minnesota. Although the Southest Regional champs lost to the West Regional champions (Arizona) 7 to 5 in the first round, the Georgia team was honored to have the opportunity.   “RBI is so important to our community. Thanks to…

One of DeKalb County School District’s middle schools has claimed top honors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). McNair Middle School’s eighth grade STEM team was named Team of the Year by the Museum of Aviation Foundation in Warner Robbins, Georgia for the 2017-2018 school year. The team—made up of teachers Clare Gravolet, Tonya Green, Robert Russo, and Athalia James—became the foundation’s choice on Aug. 2 in a contest open to all Georgia teachers. As winners, the team will be awarded $1,000 at the 8th annual Georgia NASA STEM Conference on Aug. 25 at the Museum of Aviation…