Author: On Common Ground News

Notice is given that there will be introduced at the regular 2018 session of the General Assembly of Georgia a bill to amend an Act to incorporate the City of Stonecrest in DeKalb County, approved April 21, 2016 (Ga. L. 2016, p. 3538), and for other purposes.

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary said he is seeking another wholesale warehouse store after the abrupt Jan. 11 closing of the Sam’s Club at 2994 Turner Hill Road. The Stonecrest store is one of 63 that the warehouse giant abruptly closed across the nation, laying off thousands of employees. “I’ve already contacted Costco and they’re interested,” Lary said. Lary said he was outraged to learn the Stonecrest store was closing. Loyal members, who have supported the store for years, expressed their shock, and employees, who learned they no longer had jobs when they reported to work. “It caught us completely…

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is celebrating a milestone as Georgia’s first National Historical Park. The announcement comes as the nation observes this year’s MLK National Holiday and the 50th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s death. The historic site will be the first national park honoring an African American. President Trump signed the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park Act into law on Jan. 8, a week before the King holiday. The president was on his way to visit Atlanta to attend the national college championship football game when he signed the new law as King’s…

Republican Brian Strickland soared to victory in the Nov. 9 special election for Senate District 17, which covers parts of Rockdale, Newton and Henry counties. The election was held to fill the unexpired term of Republican Rick Jeffares, who stepped down to devote more time to his bid for lieutenant governor. Strickland, who vacated the House District 111 seat to run for the Senate seat, received 61.99 percent (5,001 votes) in the four-way contest, according to unofficial results. Phyllis Hatcher, the lone Democrat in the race, placed second with 35.36 percent (2,772 votes). Ed Toney received 2.45 percent (198), and…

The New Year is here and Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes is presenting a series of free workshops at its Conyers and Lawrenceville chapels to help you live your best life. The long-time family-owned business has partnered with healthcare professionals, financial planners, law professionals, grief counselors and others to discuss topics that impact everyday living. The Levett family rolled out the initiative during a weekend of free concerts it sponsored featuring jazz artist Kenny Lattimore at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center in Decatur, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with special events all year. The Levett family…

Vince Evans was sworn in as the City of Conyers’ new mayor on Jan. 10 before a packed audience that included his 90-year-old father-in-law at the Cherokee Run Golf Club in Conyers. Chief Superior Court Judge David Irwin administered the oath of office to Evans, as well as councilmembers Cleveland Stroud, who was re-elected, and the newly-elected Blair Barksdale. Evans is the city’s first new mayor in 20 years, succeeding Randy Mills, who served two decades as mayor and 8 years on the City Council. Evans served with Mills 18 years on the City Council, including 8 years as mayor…

DeKalb County demolished 17 single-family homes in 2017 in its targeted effort to wipe out blight from communities that have been plagued for years. In addition to demolishing single-family homes, DeKalb tore down four dilapidated buildings containing 68 units at the notorious Brannon Hill condominiums. Now, the county plans to seek court approval to raze another four buildings and stabilize a large sinkhole in the condominium complex. “DeKalb citizens deserve to live in safe and healthy communities, and in 2017, we made fighting blight a priority by funding initiatives and collaborating with key partners and agencies,” said DeKalb CEO…

DeKalb Cooperative Extension is now accepting plant orders through March 9 for its annual sale. Plant pickup is scheduled for Saturday, March 17, at the DeKalb Cooperative Extension Office, located at 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 200, Decatur. “Although this sale is just in its sixth year, we are excited to see it grow,” said Lynwood Blackmon, director of the DeKalb Cooperative Extension. “We are committed to helping citizens realize and understand the role they play in the beautification and sustainability of their own neighborhoods.” Plant varieties available include azaleas, blueberries, hydrangeas, gardenias and more. In addition, plant purchasers can attend…

Decatur Active Living is offering new and revised adult programs for 2018. In January, Walk Fit Decatur!, Trips for Seniors and our newly revised Lunch and Learn program launch. Walk Fit Decatur! will meet the second Saturday of each month in front of the Decatur Recreation Center for a 2.5 to 3-mile walk. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. Each walk is co-led by a Decatur professional who will discuss various topics with the group. Our first Trip for Seniors will be Tuesday, Jan. 16. The group will tour The King Center to celebrate MLK…

The joint regular meeting of the DeKalb Parks Bond Citizen Advisory Committee and the Initiative for a Green DeKalb Advisory Council is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m., at the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Headquarters, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker. The meeting will take place on the first floor in room 111. Information will be provided on greenspace acquisitions and current parks and recreation projects. For more information, contact Carol Underwood, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs administrative coordinator, at 404-371-2927 or cjunderw@dekalbcountyga.gov.