Author: On Common Ground News

Students in grades K-12 are invited to take part in the 2018 Doodle 4 Google contest and create an uplifting doodle that tells the world “What inspires me.” From crayons to clay, graphic design, or even food, young artists can utilize any materials to bring their creation to life. Like all Google Doodles, each doodle must incorporate the letters G-o-o-g-l-e. Doodle 4 Google, is an annual competition in various countries, held by Google, to have children create a logo that will be featured on the local Google homepage as a doodle. One national winner will receive a $30,000 college scholarship,…

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners (BOC) adopted a $1.2 billion amended budget for 2018 in a 6-1 vote on Feb. 27. The budget includes pay raises for county employees who haven’t had an increase since 2016, increases for minimum wage earners and raises for the board. The budget also ends deficit spending and creates a $75 million rainy day fund. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond commended the board for its approval, saying the county is finally solving problems that have plagued the county for years. “DeKalb County’s fiscal house is now in order and we are solving problems that have…

Rockdale County officials unveiled an outdoor mural today (Feb. 27) at the J.P. Carr Gymnasium, located at 90 Hardin Street, Conyers. Artist Immanuel Reed created the image, which reflects the historical significance of Rockdale’s  African-American community. Students from Rockdale County Public Schools helped with the project which brought creative minds together. “We are grateful to all who helped with this design,” said Jason Redmond, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Operations. “The mural is something unique for the community.” To drive an appreciation for visual art, a second RYME mural will be unveiled at the Milstead Park splash pad in a…

The DeKalb County Police Department Traffic Specialists Unit has obtained warrants for the arrest of Ejigayheu Tsagaye, who is alleged to have struck 8-year-old Tluang Tha Men and her mother, Dawt Chin Sung as they attempted to cross Rays Road in Stone Mountain. The incident occurred on Friday, February 16, 2018 at 7 a.m. at the intersection of Rays Road and Central Drive in Stone Mountain. Tsagaye allegedly drove her Nissan Rogue northbound on Rays Road and struck the victims as they entered the crosswalk from Central Drive. The two victims were crossing the street to get Tluang on her…

By Mark Brock Athletics Specialist DCSD Athletics Department The No. 3 ranked Lithonia Bulldogs struggled from the field for much of the game before dominating overtime 15-3 in a 51-39 victory over the Flowery Branch Falcons on Thursday night(Feb. 22) at Lithonia. After trailing for the majority of the second half, the Bulldogs tied the game on a pair of Eric Gaines free throws with 10 seconds to play to send it to overtime. DJ Brown hit one of two free throws for Flowery Branch with 3:05 to play to make it 37-36 and it would be…

By Travis Hudgons Republican lawmakers have fast-tracked a bill to eliminate DeKalb County’s CEO position. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Meagan Hanson (R – Brookhaven, District 80) and Rep. Tom Taylor (R – Dunwoody, District 79), would abolish the county-wide elected position of chief executive officer. If HB961 is passed, the CEO position would end at the expiration of Michael Thurmond’s four-year term in 2020. The bill has angered some members of the DeKalb Delegation. “HB 961 passed committee to eliminate the DeKalb CEO position without so much as a notification to other members of the delegation. Unacceptable and unprofessional!,”…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said the county is making significant progress in addressing the problems in the county’s water billing process. Those problems include: Less than 1,300 bills, or 96 percent, remain held and are in the process of verification, from 37,000 held bills in 2017. There are 184,000 residential water customers and 10,000 business Significant investments have been made in call center operations with new staff, training and technology. There are 75 customer service representatives in 2018, compared to 25 representatives in 2014. Average wait time is 31 seconds compared to more than five minutes in 2016. More…

A coalition of residents and other citizens told the Stonecrest City Council at its Feb. 21 meeting that group homes, drive-through fried chicken restaurants and gas stations in the Stonecrest Overlay District are not welcome in the newly-formed city. The City Council denied two zoning proposals and deferred decisions on two others after hearing from the public. “We are a solid residential community… I’m getting sick and tired of people coming into black neighborhoods trying to put rooming houses, personal care homes and childcare homes in residential areas when there is enough commercial property available,” said Faye Coffield. Stonecrest Business…

A DeKalb County Grand Jury has indicted a local couple and three others on charges of racketeering and conspiracy in connection with a commercial sex enterprise operating out of Dunwoody and other metro areas. Samuel Leon Crenshaw and his wife, Darliene L. Crenshaw of Marietta, are each charged with one count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). George Moore, Tara Lee Gilleo, and Giovene Burkhalter face identical RICO charges for their alleged activities within the organization. Fifty-seven other men and women are charged with either prostitution or pandering in the 58-count indictment returned on Feb.…

In celebration of Black History Month, Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary presented each of the five council members with a commemorative plaque honoring them as the first elected officials of the historic city. Lary presented the plaques at the Feb. 21 City Council meeting. “What I want you all to remember is this day, 2018, in Black History Month, these are the folks that stood up the largest African American majority town in DeKalb County since Reconstruction of the United States,” said Lary, adding that Stonecrest also is the second-largest majority African American town in the history of the United States.…