Author: On Common Ground News

State Court Judge Kiesha R. Storey will host the Summer Teen Victim Impact Program (TVIP) presentation on Thursday, July 12, 5:30-7 p.m., in Courtroom A of the DeKalb County State Court Traffic Division, 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur. The quarterly TVIP meetings, hosted by Judge Storey, are being  held to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding, distracted driving, failing to wear seat belts, and other risky driving behaviors among teens and young adults. Courts and prosecutors in many jurisdictions send attendees to TVIP for traffic citations in addition to Department of Driver Services-approved driver improvement courses. For more information,…

Join SRWA on July 14, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for a canoe and kayak paddle from Panola Shoals to Klondike Road, a distance of about 6.5 miles. Novice and beginners welcome, You must bring your own snacks and water. The cost is $45/person or $35/person, if you bring your own canoe or kayak. Space is very limited, so reserve your spot today! Payment can be made via PayPal at www.southriverga.org or mail a check to SRWA, PO Box 1341, Decatur, GA 30031. Additional trip information will be shared with those who sign up.  If you have any questions, call Jackie at…

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (North Carolina) along with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for the publics assistance to identify remains that were found in Orange County 1998. NCMEC has created a new facial reconstruction for John Mebane Doe with the hopes that someone will see the images and recognize the child. Chemical isotope and pollen testing have revealed that the boy was likely not from North Carolina but from the US Southeast with the highest potential from Alabama and Georgia. John Doe is also being featured on NCMEC’s HelpIDMe Facebook page. Help ID Me highlights the…

By Valerie J. Morgan Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary says the city is increasing its efforts to crack down on illegal house parties in the city. Lary said the crackdown is in response to the growing number of complaints from community residents who say the parties at vacation rental properties have become a nuisance.   “In an effort to crack down on all of the illegal house parties that have been taking place here in Stonecrest, I have ordered our Code Enforcement Manager, Al Ferrell, along with his entire staff, to identify and shut down these events before they begin,” Lary…

DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and City of Lithonia Mayor Deborah A. Jackson held their Third Annual Old School/New School Fish Fry & Block Party on June 30 at Lithonia Amphitheater. There were health screenings, a petting zoo and a variety of vendors. The crowd was also entertained with dance performances by Lou Walker Dancers, Smooth Sophisticated Gents and Beulah Boys. Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson of the Be Someone mentoring program provided one-on-one training on how to get in the game.” Photos by Travis Hudgons

Motorists receiving a traffic citation in unincorporated DeKalb County now can sign up to receive text and email notifications of fines and upcoming court dates.  The system also will send notifications if a court date in the Traffic Division of DeKalb County State Court is missed, and inform the motorist of an option to immediately correct their default with the court before sanctions are imposed. Drivers can access the court’s notification system using smartphones, tablets or computers. They can also research how much they may owe in fines and costs. Anyone can opt-in to this program at www.courtinnovations.com/GADCSC.  “People expect…

Stonecrest City Hall staffers are training the next generation, offering summer internships to two local college students.  The intern initiative is offered through Jacob’s, a worldwide engineering company that is engaged in a public-private partnership to staff and run the city’s operations.  Jacob’s recently purchased CH2M.  Thirteen interns are a part of a four-city program, which also includes the Jacob’s regional headquarters located in Sandy Springs. This summer marks the first time that the year-old city has had interns.  Stonecrest has two interns who were selected by Jacob’s: Courtney McGinty, a rising sophomore  at East Georgia State College and Kolby…

DeKalb County has implemented a plan to continue senior services after the longtime provider, Senior Connections Inc., closed its doors on June 30. For more than 10 years, Senior Connections Inc. contracted with Deto to provide congregate and home-delivered meals, in-home services and senior center management in DeKalb County. Beginning July 1, Open Hand Atlanta will provide congregate and home-delivered meals. In-home senior services now will be provided by Jo Jo Home Healthcare Providers Inc. and Rem-Kits Health Care Services, Inc.  Adult day care and respite services will be provided by Rem-Kits Adult Day Care Services Inc. Senior center management…

Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth District, marched on the frontlines with thousands of peaceful protestors in Atlanta to denounce the Trump Administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.  Johnson kicked off the rally at the Atlanta Detention Center. The demonstration was among hundreds of  “Families Belong Together” rallies that were held across the country on June 30. Marchers called for an end to the separation of children from their parents at the U.S. border.  Rallies were held in all 50 states after 2,000 children and parents at the southern border were televised and heard through audio tapes that surfaced about…

Rockdale County State Court Judge Nancy Bills was elected to serve as president and DeKalb County State Court Judge Ronald Ramsey was elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Council of State Court Judges at its annual meeting.   As president, Judge Bills is also a member of the Judicial Council, which is the governing body of the state-wide Judicial Branch of Georgia. “When 129 of your peers ask you to serve, it’s an honor.  I deeply appreciate it and accept this honor on behalf of the people of Rockdale County. Without their faith and support, I wouldn’t…