Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County and the city of Atlanta have worked through arbitration and the city is now moving forward to expand its borders. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement on Sept. 26 that allows the City of Atlanta to annex 744 acres including Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia Power Co., Villa International, Synod of South Atlantic & Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Centers for Disease Control. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said the agreement addresses several concerns including traffic, development, infrastructure and outlines the responsibilities of both, the city and the county. The issues, county officials said,…

Diandra Abernathy, 41, was sentenced to 20 years to serve three with the balance on probation after pleading guilty to stealing more than $50,000 from an elderly Stone Mountain woman who was in her care. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said Abernathy was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $55, 407.619, and as part of the terms of her sentence, Abernathy is prohibited from working with the elderly. In 2014, the family of Sue Walker, who is now 90 years, hired Abernathy to assist her with medication, transportation, finances, and light housekeeping in the Stone Mountain…

Maxine Daniels was honored by staff members, family, friends and Pastor Kerwin B. Lee of Berean Christian Church at a farewell celebration, which was held on Sept. 22 at the Maloof Auditorium in downtown Decatur. Staffers and others showered Daniels with gifts and told her how much she would be missed. Maxine Daniels is retiring from her position as DeKalb County’s Director of Voter Registrations and Elections. Daniels, who served 16 years, was honored for her work at the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Sept. 26. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond and the board proclaimed Sept. 29—Daniels’ last day…

Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Chi Tau Omega Chapter, in partnership with NewRock Legal Society and other organizations, held a voter registration drive in Rockdale and Newton counties on National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 26. This year marked the fourth or fifth year the Rockdale and Newton volunteers have mobilized for the national event, said Debbie Hillman, who helped coordinate the effort. Although the groups held a daylong drive at the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office South Precinct, volunteers also visited schools and inmates, Hillman said. “We registered 26 high school students and 58 inmates,” said Hillman. Sundiata Washington, a Rockdale Magnet School senior…

   Rockdale Elections Director Cynthia Welch recently held a demonstration showing off the new “paper” ballot voting machines that will be used in the Nov. 7 Conyers municipal elections. Rockdale is the first county in Georgia to pilot the new machines, which will provide voters with a paper ballot they can examine before casting their ballot in a tabulator machine that counts the votes. “If they’re not satisfied with their vote, they can take it to a poll worker and request a new ballot and start all over. Once they are satisfied with their selections, they can cast the ballot…

The DeKalb County Board of Health, in partnership with Agnes Scott College, will host a community conversation, “Human Trafficking: What Everyone Needs to Know” on Oct. 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the college’s Campbell Hall Frances Graves Auditorium. The summit is being held to increase awareness of metro Atlanta’s prominence in human trafficking. The industry is big business in Georgia, generating nearly $300 million a year. On average, approximately 100 adolescent females are sexually exploited each night in Georgia, officials say. Speakers for the community conversation event include representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,…

DeKalb County’s Third Annual Fall Harvest Festival promises a whimsical twist this year. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at UGA Extension DeKalb County, 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur. Sponsored by the “Fresh on DeK” DeKalb Mobile Farmers Market, the free festival will feature fruit smoothie demonstrations, health education and medical screenings and lots of fresh produce for sale. “It’s going to be a very festive event, so that everyone can get something from it,” said Lynwood Blackmon, DeKalb Extension director and Mobile Farmers Market manager. “The education is the most…

The Stonecrest Burlington Coat Factory is now open for business. The new store celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 22 with city officials, community leaders and store representatives. Mayor Jason Lary, City Council members Diane Adoma and Jimmy Clanton and Eric Hubbard, who is the District Outreach Director for Congressman Hank Johnson joined Burlington Regional VP Terry Mosley and store manager Greg Sapp for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony was followed by a donation of three pallets of new store items to Helping Oppressed Mothers Endure, Inc. (HOME). The organization helps single, working or student mothers survive the…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Nearly 200 people joined sisters Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward-Woods of Decorating Den Interiors—“The Sisters and Company” for their 20-year anniversary celebration on Sept. 24 at their headquarters, 917 Main St., Stone Mountain. The pair said the red carpet affair was a way to say thank you to current and former clients for their support over the years, as well as an opportunity to show off their updated main studio area. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and were each sent home with a black swag bag. “It was so good to see so many of our…

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) will host a Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Permitting Program workshop on Friday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Department of Watershed Management, 4572 Memorial Drive, Decatur. DWM developed the FOG Permitting Program workshop to educate the public about the harmful effects of grease on the county’s sewer system. Discharges containing high concentrations of fats, oils and grease from food service establishments such as restaurants, schools, nursing homes and other public facilities can cause blockages or overflows of the sanitary sewer system. The workshop will provide an overview of…