Author: On Common Ground News

MARTA announces the hire of Dr. Shelton Goode as executive director of diversity and inclusion. Goode, who started work at MARTA in June, most recently served as director of diversity and inclusion at Oshkosh Corporation, and brings more than 20 years of human resource and business development experience to the agency. “Dr. Goode has a proven track record of leading diversity and inclusion programs for major companies while creating robust training and successful outreach programs within global organizations,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Goode to MARTA as we actively work to expand our diversity…

Stonecrest City Council member Diane Adoma is pleased to announce a Back-to-School event that will offer backpack giveaways, live entertainment and other activities as students prepare to head back to classes for the 2017-18 school year. The Savvy Foundation, City of Stonecrest and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church are partnering to launch the Summer LIFT & Blazing Back-to-School Festival on July 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at New Birth, 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia. The festival will celebrate the newly-formed city of Stonecrest while preparing students and parents for the upcoming school year and raising awareness for Minority Mental Health…

  State Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain) has announced his endorsement of Marsy’s Law for Georgia, a bill that would protect crime victims’ rights under the Constitution of the State of Georgia. “In order to be effective, the scales of justice must provide balance,” said Mitchell, who represents District 88, which includes portions of DeKalb County. “It’s common sense that the victims of crime should be given the same constitutional protections that the accused and convicted already receive. I support Marsy’s Law because it enforces these rights and balances the scales.” Marsy’s Law proposes a constitutional amendment, which, if adopted…

DeKalb County Commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader joined DeKalb Parks & Recreation and PATH officials to celebrate the unveiling of the South Peachtree Creek Trail at Mason Park on June 24. The new trail opened after a decade of planning and construction. A cheering crowd braved the rain to show their support for the newest addition to PATH in DeKalb County. This new trail will enable faculty, students, and employees the ability to reach the Clifton Corridor via alternate means of transportation. “Connectivity is the future, and by creating spaces to foster these connections, we are ensuring DeKalb will…

Officials said about 70 people attended the recent film workshop hosted by Rockdale County government, Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts and the Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council Film Office. The June 24 workshop brought together professionals, officials and those who were interested in opportunities available in Georgia’s film industry. Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. praised the collaborative effort, saying the workshop was a way to connect community residents with resources and opportunities. Topics ran the gamut—from how to put together acting portfolios to how to become vendors, Nesbitt said. “Often times, you see the film crews…

Lambda Epsilon Omega (LEO) and Upsilon Alpha Omega (UAO) chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority Incorporated partnered with the local community to revitalize the playground at Greenforest Christian Academy in South DeKalb County. More than 20 volunteers assisted in the efforts by installing a new playground, painting and cleaning the pavilion area, community benches and surrounding grounds. The service project is a part of AKA’s international program, Target IV Environmental Ownership. This target was created to ensure children have safe and inviting places to play. The AKA 1908 Playground Project℠ will restore and renew 1,908 existing community and school…

Congressman Hank Johnson and State Rep. Doreen Carter will host a panel discussion on healthcare on July 10, 6:30 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. There will be a meet-and-greet with light refreshments from 6:30-7 p.m.  The panel will start at 7 p.m. The panelists who will discuss the Senate’s healthcare bill and its impact on Georgians will include Laura Colbert, Georgian for a Healthy Future; Janel Green, Georgia Alliance for Social Justice; and a representative of Oakhurst Medical Center. Both U.S. Senators David Purdue and Johnny Isakson have been invited.

A second suspect is in custody in connection with the June 1, 2017 shooting death of Travis Elliot Ridley of Brookhaven. The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested 27-year-old Abel Asefan Asmelash of Stone Mountain, who had been sought by authorities since a warrant was issued for his arrest on the day of the incident.  He is charged with felony murder and armed robbery. On June 13, 2017, deputies arrested the first suspect, 24-year-old Edward Tavarez, of Norcross, on the same charges. Warrants allege that the three men may have been involved in a drug deal for an estimated…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Unit, in conjunction with the Pinellas County, Florida Sheriff’s Office, has apprehended a suspect sought on charges of sexually molesting a child. Warrants were issued on June 9 for 41-year-old Irwin Keith Littles of St. Petersburg, Florida. Littles allegedly raped a then 9-year-old child between January 2014 and May 2014 at a residence on Meadow Lane in Decatur. Littles is charged with felony child molestation, felony aggravated child molestation (sodomy), felony aggravated sexual battery and felony rape. Investigations into Littles’ whereabouts by the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office led to a location in N. Kenneth…

A former DeKalb County Commissioner accused of misappropriating funds intended for business travel has been indicted on one charge of Theft by Conversion. The Grand Jury returned the single count indictment Tuesday (June 2) against Stan Watson, 63, in connection with county-issued funds totaling approximately $3,000. The charge against Watson dates back to January 2016 when he served as District 7 Commissioner.  At that time, Watson requested and received advance checks for travel expenses related to upcoming business conferences. However, prior to attending those conferences, the Commissioner resigned his position in March 2016 to run for Tax Commissioner.  The State…