Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County Medical Examiner is asking for assistance from the public in identifying a John Doe.  He was killed on Monday, July 24, after entering a residence on Beachwood Forest Drive in Lithonia and shot by the homeowner. The deceased is described as a black male, 20 to 30 years of age, no tattoos or scars and is 5 feet 6 inches tall.

A major sewer spill near Mill Creek Road in the Nancy Creek Basin in Brookhaven has been contained. County inspectors discovered that a 10-inch diameter pipe compromised by soil erosion caused the spill. The estimated 3.9-million-gallon spill initially was reported on Aug. 17 by DeKalb County to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Georgia Environmental Protection Division. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has directed staff to issue an emergency task order to have all pipes in the Nancy Creek area inspected to prevent any future spills. Additionally, staff has been instructed to conduct routine inspections of hundreds of miles of…

The DeKalb Medical Board of Directors has voted unanimously to adopt a minimum living wage policy, guaranteeing all employees of the health system that they will earn at least $12 per hour.  The change affects more than 200 employees. “Our employees spend their days caring for others and doing very important, but sometime under-recognized work” said DeKalb Medical CEO and Vice Chair of the Board, Bob Wilson.  “Every position in our organization plays a definitive role in the delivery of quality patient care.  It stands to reason that we should respect each position and every employee enough to pay at…

The Stonecrest City Council on Monday passed the final ordinance to enter into franchise fee agreements with local utilities including AT&T, Atlanta Gas Light, Snapping Shoals EMC, Comcast, and Georgia Power.  The utility companies will pay the city for rental and use of the city’s right of ways to run cables, gas lines, and wiring needed to provide utility service to city residents and businesses. Franchise fees range from three to five percent of a customer’s gas, telephone, cable and electric bills. This amount is set by Georgia’s Public Service Commission and is charged by most cities. “Throughout Georgia, utility…

Gwinnett County Commissioners recently accepted $1.5 million in state grant funds to widen Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth. Earlier this year, the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation applied for a Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) grant to supplement local funds from the 2014 and 2017 SPLOST programs. Construction will likely begin next year to widen the busy road from four to six lanes from Howell Ferry Road to the Chattahoochee River. “We are grateful for GTIB funds, which also contributed to the diverging diamond interchanges on Pleasant Hill Road and Jimmy Carter Boulevard,” District 1 Commissioner Jace Brooks said.

Conyers police are seeking a suspect who was caught on camera stealing a package from the front porch of a residence on Tree Leaf Lane on Monday, Aug. 14, 7:20 p.m. The suspect was occupying a dark-color, four-door sedan, possibly a Honda Accord. Contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta with any information 404-577-TIPS.  You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. To view the video, go to: https://www.youtube.com/ConyersPoliceDept.

On Monday, Aug. 21, people across the nation will have the chance to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event: The sun, moon and earth will align in a grand show, temporarily darkening the daytime sky, creating a total solar eclipse – something that hasn’t occurred in the continental U.S. for nearly 100 years. Residents in metro Atlanta are among the lucky ones. We can expect to see a 97 percent eclipse. The coast-to-coast eclipse will travel from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina and last about two minutes at its peak with the moon covering the sun. Observers outside the path of…

State Rep. Vernon Jones (D-Lithonia) announced that he will introduce legislation that would create a state commission on historic monuments during the 2018 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly. “The recent events in Charlottesville, Va., have spurred on calls for the removal of historical monuments and artifacts that honor a dark era in Georgia’s history,” said Rep. Jones. “While I have my personal beliefs on the matter, I propose that a bipartisan, systematic and transparent study be conducted in an effort to arrive at an inclusive solution.” Should this legislation pass and be enacted, this commission would hold statewide…

A crowd of people showed up to an evening solar eclipse workshop held on Thursday, Aug. 17 at the Hairston Crossing Library in Stone Mountain. Program participants received a free pair of eclipse glasses provided by NASA. Dozens of people hoping to snag a pair of the special solar glasses were turned away due to overcapacity. A Fernbank Science Center expert led a discussion on solar eclipses and viewing safety while fielding questions from an eager audience on topics ranging from the best viewing places, pets, and safely photographing the historic occasion. Justine and Victor McFarlane, who have 14 grandchildren,…

Rockdale County will test a paper ballot voting system being considered for Georgia when the city of Conyers holds its municipal elections in November. The Rockdale Board of Elections wants to replace its outdated voting machines, which are 15 years old, and move toward the new technology, which is being used in 17 jurisdictions across the nation, said Cynthia Welch, supervisor of Rockdale County Board of Elections & Voter Registration. The Rockdale Board of Elections approved the pilot at its Aug. 10 meeting and the city gave the nod on Aug. 16 to move forward with the project. Conyers voters…