Author: On Common Ground News

The Concerned Citizens in Opposition to Greenhaven will host a meeting, “A Conversation About HB644,” on Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to noon, on Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Sanford Realty Chapel Hall Shopping Center, 4183 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Decatur. The community is invited to discuss concerns and find out how the proposed city of Greenhaven would impact properties, business, the costs for municipal services and other increased service fees.

ATLANTA—U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has cited Morehouse College as one of the institutions doing outstanding work in helping to boost the lagging number of African Americans in the nation’s diplomatic corps. “People of all backgrounds should know that a State Department career is possible,” Tillerson said during a recent news conference in Washington, D.C. “We need to work harder to find those individuals. Twenty-five percent of our civil service is African American, but only nine percent of our foreign service specialists and five percent of our foreign service generalists are African American.” Tillerson said the Diplomats-In-Residence Program at…

Fifty-five established and emerging leaders have been selected to participate in Leadership DeKalb’s Class of 2018. In addition to announcing the Class of 2018, Leadership DeKalb welcomes its new Board of Directors Chair, Mitchell King (2014) of Georgia Power. “The Leadership DeKalb alumni and board are extremely excited about the quality, diversity and professional experience that the class of 2018 possess,” said King.  “We are certain the relationships created and knowledge gained while going through the Leadership DeKalb program will not only further prepare the class of 2018 for leadership in DeKalb County, but leadership regionally, as well.” The…

In preparation for Saturday’s first Atlanta Falcons preseason home game, MARTA is encouraging all fans to utilize the rail system for easy access to and from the new Mercedes Benz Stadium. MARTA rail services will provide extra trains to help fans get back home quickly. “We want all Falcons fans and visitors to have an incredible experience at the new Mercedes Benz Stadium,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker. “These friendly reminders will help to ensure that all of our game day patrons have a worry-free commute to and from the Mercedes Benz Stadium.” Helpful Tips: Make sure you…

DeKalb County officials said today that a tree growing out of a sewer pipe and a concrete junction box caused the massive sewage spill–6.4 million gallons  of raw sewage—at Snapfinger Creek in unincorporated Lithonia. County workers discovered the spill on Aug. 23 and officials now say it is worse than the Nancy Creek spill, which included nearly 4 million gallons of raw sewage and was initially reported last week as the biggest spill recorded in the last 10 years since the county’s consent decree. The consent decree is DeKalb’s binding agreement with federal and state authorities to improve its sewer…

Gov. Nathan Deal, joined by First Lady Sandra Deal, members of the King family, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, and other dignitaries,  on Monday unveiled the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue at the northeast quadrant of the State Capitol. The eight-foot-tall bronze statue was created with locally sourced materials by Atlanta-based sculptor Martin Dawe of Cherrylion Studios and stands atop a 36-inch pedestal made of Georgia granite. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the completion of a years-long effort to commemorate the life and works of Georgia’s own son, Dr. Martin…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has opened a donation collection center for victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and along the Gulf Coast. Collections began today at the DeKalb County Jail and the agency’s headquarters at 4415 Memorial Drive in Decatur.  The jail lobby is open 6:30 a.m. until 12 midnight and the headquarters lobby is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. “We are partnering with the American Red Cross for the convenience of DeKalb County and nearby residents who want to support this emergency response effort,” says Sheriff Jeff Mann.  The agency will collect items and…

DeKalb Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is offering tips to local residents who would like to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, which unleashed catastrophic flooding in Houston over the weekend.  At the request of DEMA’s emergency management counterparts in Texas, DeKalb offers the following tips: Do not send or transport unsolicited donations. Pay attention to agencies and volunteer organizations in the affected areas, which will list their specific needs. Only donate the items requested. Do not deploy to assist with cleanup until agencies have requested help. There are still damage assessments and basic repairs to infrastructure taking place. Due to the…

Jared Sawyer, the 19-year-old preacher, author and Morehouse College student who has appeared on national television, is in critical condition after a car accident. Sawyer was involved in a two-vehicle accident on Aug. 24. He was leaving his home in Decatur when he was exiting his subdivision and was T-boned on the driver’s side of his vehicle by another vehicle. The driver and toddler in the vehicle that hit him were not harmed. The accident occurred on the corner of Snapfinger Road and Rollingview Drive. DeKalb County Police and emergency workers arrived at the scene and Sawyer was rushed to…

Six candidates filed qualifying papers for the Tucker’s City elections, which will be held on Nov. 7. Four of the candidates are incumbents seeking re-election: Mayor Frank Auman, District1; Councilmember Honey Van De Kreke, District 2; Councilmember Matt Robbins and District 3Councilmember Michelle Penkava). In District 1, Van De Kreke will be challenged by Pat Soltys, while District 3 will see Penkava and challenger David Deaton on the ballot. Tucker’s City Council elections are staggered, meaning the three remaining seats will be on the ballot in November 2019. Here’s a look at candidates running in other municipal races in DeKalb: