Author: On Common Ground News

Civil rights activists condemned DeKalb County’s elected officials for their silence in the case involving the DeKalb police officer who beat a homeless black woman with his baton at a convenience store on June 4. Gerald Rose, president of the New Order National Human Rights Organization and Jose Dean of Black Man Never Forget, held a news conference on Tuesday outside the Maloof Auditorium in downtown Decatur to demand action in the investigation involving Officer P.J. Larscheid, a white DeKalb police officer who beat Katie McCrary, a 38-year-old black woman. Rose said elected officials should be as outraged…

DiJanelle Fowler, mother of 13-month-old Skylar Fowler, has been arrested in connection with the death of her child. On June 15, Fowler called 911 from Emory Physician parking garage advising that she had a medical emergency. Emory Police responded and found the mother and child in the car. The child was strapped into her car seat in the back seat of the vehicle and was pronounced dead on the scene. During the investigation, it was determined that the child’s condition and injuries were not consistent with the timeline given by the mother. It was also revealed that the mother…

DeKalb County removed 1,199 tons of debris from demolished buildings at Brannon Hill Condominium in Clarkston on July 13 and 14, completing Phase I of cleanup plans at the development. “I cannot overstate my appreciation for the hardworking men and women who executed a logistically challenging plan to cleanup this devastation and increase the quality of life for DeKalb residents,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “Blight contributes to diminished public health and safety, and though we still have far to go, this is a positive first step.” Phase I of the Brannon Hill cleanup was completed by 37 county…

Public pressure is mounting for swift action against the DeKalb County police officer who beat a homeless woman with his baton inside a convenience store. Today, the DeKalb Chapter of the SCLC and other civil rights organizations boycotted the Chevron, 3364 Glenwood Road, where the incident took place on June 4. They called for justice in the investigation involving Officer P.J. Larscheid, a white DeKalb police officer, who beat Katie McCrary, a 38-year-old black woman. Larscheid said police were called to the store after the woman was suspected of asking a customer for money. Nathan Knight of the DeKalb SCLC…

The Stonecrest City Council deferred a decision today on Mayor Jason Lary’s recommended appointment of the city’s first municipal judge, Attorney Michael Sheridan and Attorney Jonathan Weintraub as judge pro tem. The council deferred a decision on the appointment until Aug. 7. Council members said they needed more time to review and discuss the two attorneys’ credentials and others who applied for the positions. “These are the two best qualified people,” Lary said in a statement. “These attorneys would serve the city best as judges. They have been working in DeKalb County for years.” Sheridan, a Howard University graduate has…

Parents, did you put off your Back to School homework all summer? To help your child make the grade for having the proper immunizations and health services to head back to class, the DeKalb County Board of Health will offer special Saturday clinic hours. Immunizations, vision, hearing and nutrition screenings and sports physicals will be available on Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. by the DeKalb County Board of Health at: Clifton Springs Health Center, 3110 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur East DeKalb Health Center, 
2277 S. Stone Mountain-Lithonia Rd., Lithonia North DeKalb Health Center, 3807 Clairmont Rd. NE,…

The DeKalb County police officer who was captured on video beating a 38-year-old woman during arrest inside a convenience store has outraged civil rights activists who are demanding swift action. View the video here. Police Chief James W. Conroy said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now looking into the matter. Conroy said in a statement the GBI was asked to investigate following a meeting with DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, “who stressed the importance of a factual, independent investigation based on the new video evidence and other pertinent information.” The Police Department’s Internal Affairs had said a few…

Demolition crews began tearing down 28 of approximately 108 vacated units at the Brannon Hill condominium complex at 1000 Old Hampton Drive in Clarkston on July 13. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond and county officials held a news conference at the site to reiterate their promise to clean up the dilapidated complex, which has stood as an eyesore for over 10 years. The condos, where several fires have taken place over the years, had long been a haven for crime and homeless people living among tenants. It has been dubbed “the worst community in America.” As a result of absentee landlords,…

The Lithonia Amphitheater was filled with hundreds of party goers who attended the WindDown Wednesday “Party in the Park,” which was hosted by DJ Mix Master Mitch on July 12. The crowd danced to Old School hits and the sounds of Kasper and the 911 Band. The annual mid-week party came to the East for the first time ever because of renovation under way at Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. Mix Master Mitch says the Lithonia Amphitheater, 2515 Park Drive, will host WindDown Wednesday through Sept. 27. Guests may bring their own food, coolers, lawn chairs and blankets. Vendors also…

Written by Rockdale Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart Washington While most car owners in Rockdale make sure their insurance is current when it’s time to renew their registration, some often forget to get their emissions test done before they arrive at the Tax Office to renew. With a little planning, residents can make the renewal process a smooth as possible. Emissions tests are required every year in most counties in metro Atlanta, including Rockdale, and are valid for one year or one renewal. However, if you recently purchased a vehicle, you may not need to get one when it’s time to renew.…