Author: On Common Ground News

Gov. Nathan Deal has signed HB 930, legislation that creates the state-level Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (the ATL), which provides a new structure for coordinated transit planning and funding for the 13-county metro Atlanta region. The ATL will be responsible for developing a Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. Deal also allotted $100 million in 10-year General Obligation bonds in the FY 2019 budget to fund public transit.  “Georgia is a destination for all types of industries and people from all walks of life to come and enjoy…

  The Stonecrest Friends will have a “Super Book Sale” on Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road. There will be used books in all categories for sale including fiction/non-fiction, crafts and romance. Magazines, textbooks, encyclopedias, books on tapes/CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes also will be available. For more information, call 404-482-3828.

  A man convicted in connection with a deadly home invasion inside a Decatur apartment complex has been sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus 20 years.  Desean Subar, 26, was sentenced May 2 during court proceedings before DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson. Subar was convicted following a jury trial on charges of Murder, Felony Murder, Home Invasion, Armed Robbery and weapons offenses for the shooting death of Justin Bryant, 21.  Bryant was gunned down in his Cedar Brook Drive apartment on Jan. 29, 2016.  Subar and an armed accomplice stormed into the victim’s apartment with guns…

The DeKalb County Police Department Homicide Unit and the Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit are searching for a suspect wanted for the murder of 43-year-old Willie James Hammond on Feb. 13, 2018. The suspect, 19-year-old Taveyon McNeil, is believed to have fled the state. Warrants are being held on him at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Two other suspects have been identified, arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Hammond. Javien Evans, 17, is in custody at the DeKalb County Jail and Tamorris D’Tron Tyler, 26, is being held at the Rockdale County Jail. McNeil is described as 5…

Carolyn Fuller, who served as the Library Director of the Henry County Library System since 1999, has accepted the position of the Interim Library Director of The Conyers-Rockdale Library System. Fuller has a BS in Music Education from Concord College. She received her MS in Christian Education/Church Music, and her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Florida. During her tenure at the Henry County Library, Fuller oversaw the construction of five additional libraries. In 2012, Fuller was selected to inventory and catalog the contents of the Governor’s Mansion library at the request of Gov. Nathan Deal…

The DeKalb County Police Department is honoring officers who sacrificed their lives in service during its annual Fallen Officers Memorial Service on Wednesday, May 9, 10 a.m., at the DeKalb History Center, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur.  The service is part of the national recognition law enforcement agencies from around the country have planned during the month of May to pay respects to the officers and their families.  DeKalb will also recognize fallen officers from Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb County Marshall’s Office, MARTA, Pine Lake and Stone Mountain. The memorial service brings surviving family members, police…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has been selected to receive the 2018 “Champion for Change” award presented by the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence (WRC).  Boston will be recognized during the 15th annual Champions for Change awards luncheon and silent auction, sponsored by Southern Company, on May 10 at the Georgia Aquarium.  As a non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence, WRC each year honors members of the Greater Atlanta community who work to advance that mission. Boston was selected for her leadership and commitment to ending domestic violence in Georgia. “It is an incredible honor to…

DeKalb County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling is partnering with Men Stopping Violence(MSV) and Peace Baptist Church to host Because We Have Daughters® on Saturday, June 9, at Peace Baptist Church, beginning at 9 a.m.  MSV created the Because We Have Daughters® initiative in 2005 to give men an opportunity to deepen their bonds with their daughters. The program is based on seven core values: Awareness and understanding of societal pressures girls and women face: Active listening; Value girls’ voices. Awareness of space: Assertiveness, not aggression; Appreciation for non-traditional qualities; Stand up for what we learn together.  Because We Have Daughters® gives…

Rob and Vickie B. Turner will host the Cultural Exchange Community Breakfast meeting on Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m., at The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church/House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.  Rob Turner represents Stonecrest City Council’s District 2 and his wife, Vickie Turner, represents District 5 on the DeKalb School Board. “Our focus this month will be on our students. The breakfast will be sponsored by President Dr. Gary McGaha of Atlanta Metropolitan College. The college is excited to announce some new programs for potential students,” said Vickie Turner. “Application fees will be waived and staff will…

DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw plans to allocate $250,000 in park bond funds for the construction of a new Tobie Grant Recreational Center in District 4.  Bradshaw introduced the allocation during the May 1 Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole meeting. The allocation becomes official with a vote by the Board of Commissioners in the May 8 business meeting. “A new Tobie Grant Recreational Center will be a long sought-after amenity for DeKalb County,” Commissioner Bradshaw said. “It will be a center focused on the intergenerational physical well-being of the community.” The current center, located at the intersection of…