Author: On Common Ground News

Public pressure is mounting for swift action against the DeKalb County police officer who beat a homeless woman with his baton inside a convenience store. Today, the DeKalb Chapter of the SCLC and other civil rights organizations boycotted the Chevron, 3364 Glenwood Road, where the incident took place on June 4. They called for justice in the investigation involving Officer P.J. Larscheid, a white DeKalb police officer, who beat Katie McCrary, a 38-year-old black woman. Larscheid said police were called to the store after the woman was suspected of asking a customer for money. Nathan Knight of the DeKalb SCLC…

The Stonecrest City Council deferred a decision today on Mayor Jason Lary’s recommended appointment of the city’s first municipal judge, Attorney Michael Sheridan and Attorney Jonathan Weintraub as judge pro tem. The council deferred a decision on the appointment until Aug. 7. Council members said they needed more time to review and discuss the two attorneys’ credentials and others who applied for the positions. “These are the two best qualified people,” Lary said in a statement. “These attorneys would serve the city best as judges. They have been working in DeKalb County for years.” Sheridan, a Howard University graduate has…

Parents, did you put off your Back to School homework all summer? To help your child make the grade for having the proper immunizations and health services to head back to class, the DeKalb County Board of Health will offer special Saturday clinic hours. Immunizations, vision, hearing and nutrition screenings and sports physicals will be available on Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. by the DeKalb County Board of Health at: Clifton Springs Health Center, 3110 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur East DeKalb Health Center, 
2277 S. Stone Mountain-Lithonia Rd., Lithonia North DeKalb Health Center, 3807 Clairmont Rd. NE,…

The DeKalb County police officer who was captured on video beating a 38-year-old woman during arrest inside a convenience store has outraged civil rights activists who are demanding swift action. View the video here. Police Chief James W. Conroy said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now looking into the matter. Conroy said in a statement the GBI was asked to investigate following a meeting with DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, “who stressed the importance of a factual, independent investigation based on the new video evidence and other pertinent information.” The Police Department’s Internal Affairs had said a few…

Demolition crews began tearing down 28 of approximately 108 vacated units at the Brannon Hill condominium complex at 1000 Old Hampton Drive in Clarkston on July 13. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond and county officials held a news conference at the site to reiterate their promise to clean up the dilapidated complex, which has stood as an eyesore for over 10 years. The condos, where several fires have taken place over the years, had long been a haven for crime and homeless people living among tenants. It has been dubbed “the worst community in America.” As a result of absentee landlords,…

The Lithonia Amphitheater was filled with hundreds of party goers who attended the WindDown Wednesday “Party in the Park,” which was hosted by DJ Mix Master Mitch on July 12. The crowd danced to Old School hits and the sounds of Kasper and the 911 Band. The annual mid-week party came to the East for the first time ever because of renovation under way at Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. Mix Master Mitch says the Lithonia Amphitheater, 2515 Park Drive, will host WindDown Wednesday through Sept. 27. Guests may bring their own food, coolers, lawn chairs and blankets. Vendors also…

Written by Rockdale Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart Washington While most car owners in Rockdale make sure their insurance is current when it’s time to renew their registration, some often forget to get their emissions test done before they arrive at the Tax Office to renew. With a little planning, residents can make the renewal process a smooth as possible. Emissions tests are required every year in most counties in metro Atlanta, including Rockdale, and are valid for one year or one renewal. However, if you recently purchased a vehicle, you may not need to get one when it’s time to renew.…

Meet the Stonecrest City Hall Officials Pictured L-R from back row: Mayor Jason Lary; Wayne Wright, project manager; interim City Manager Michael Harris; Nicole Dozier, Community Development Director; Adrion Bell, Communications Director; Assistant City Manager Plez Joyner; Audrey Mays, Accounts Manager; Brenda James, interim City Clerk; and Lawfawnya Hardy, receptionist. Stonecrest marks milestone, moves into new City Hall The newly-formed City of Stonecrest marked a milestone on Monday. Officials opened its City Hall in a temporary suite at the Strayer University building, located at 3120 Stonecrest Center. The temporary City Hall will be located on the first floor of…

A DeKalb County Grand Jury has indicted a Decatur man in connection with the drowning death of his recently adopted 10-year-old son. Jurors returned a seven-count indictment on Tuesday against 43-year-old on charges of malice murder, felony murder, cruelty to children in the first degree (three counts), aggravated assault-family violence, and aggravated battery-family violence for the death of Kentae Williams. The victim died on April 28, 2017 following a series of alleged incidents involving the defendant. According to the investigation, neighbors witnessed Williams yelling at and threatening the child while dragging the victim by his neck into their Glen Hollow…

The DeKalb County Board of Health has received its first report of a human case of West Nile virus infection in the county, officials said. The patient, a 72-year-old male who lives in Brookhaven, is currently hospitalized. “It is unfortunate that one of our residents has contracted West Nile virus. However, this serves as a constant reminder that everyone should be vigilant in taking the necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites, as they are carriers of the virus,” said S. Elizabeth Ford, DeKalb District Health Director. The DeKalb County Board of Health is working to educate the public, including conducting…