Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County Board of Health has received its first report of a human case of West Nile virus infection in the county, officials said. The patient, a 72-year-old male who lives in Brookhaven, is currently hospitalized. “It is unfortunate that one of our residents has contracted West Nile virus. However, this serves as a constant reminder that everyone should be vigilant in taking the necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites, as they are carriers of the virus,” said S. Elizabeth Ford, DeKalb District Health Director. The DeKalb County Board of Health is working to educate the public, including conducting…

DeKalb County is replacing more than 4,000 vented sewer manholes. The new manholes are completely solid and will block rainwater, storm water inflow and debris from entering the sewer system. There are more than 65,000 manholes in the county and replacing the manhole covers will help to improve sewer capacity for future projects. In June, the county began replacing the manholes. The project should be completed by the end of the year, officials said. Preventing sewer overflows is a priority for the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) and the department encourages residents to help prevent sewer overflows by properly disposing…

State Sen. Tonya Anderson (D – Lithonia) announced a Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) contract award for a project in DeKalb County. The award, worth $467,000, will address a bridge rehabilitation on I-20/SR 402. The anticipated completion date is February 28, 2018. The project was advertised in February, bids were received on March 17, and contracts were awarded on March 31. “I am excited to announce a GDOT project award for DeKalb County,” said Anderson, who represents the 43rd District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Newton and Rockdale counties. “The metro Atlanta area has recently faced some transportation challenges in…

Rockdale County will host a workshop for parents and high school students, “How to Meet Your High School Guidance Counselor,” on Saturday, July 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at (e)station, 909 Commercial St., Conyers. At the free workshop, a professional guidance counselor with knowledge of the public education system will help lead parents and students in learning information about FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student AID), how to navigate the student loan process, and the benefits of building a strong, consistent relationship with their high school guidance counselor. “Through this ‘How to Meet Your High School Guidance Counselor’ course,…

More than 100 people attended an information session for the Logistics Education And Pathways (LEAP) program on July 10 at the Newton County Courthouse. Attendees learned about the opportunity to take tuition-free online courses available from Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain & Logistics Institute and the many job opportunities available in the logistics industry. The four online courses that make up the program consist of Supply Chain Management Principles, Warehousing Operations, Transportation Operations and Customer Service Operations. The pilot program, supported by donations from JPMorgan Chase and Schneider, is provided through partnership with Georgia Tech, the City of Covington, Newton County,…

Conyers’ Police have captured fugitive Jarvas “Big Show” McElroy of Covington, who was wanted for a spree of commercial burglaries in metro Atlanta. The 34-year-old “Big Show,” so nicknamed because of his 6’9” stature, had eluded law enforcement officials until his encounter with Conyers Police on July 7. Sgt. Travis Smith was patrolling high-risk burglary locations when he saw a man in dark clothing duck behind the 76 Foodmart at 1256 Green Street.  The man ran into the woods and Sgt. Smith called for additional units to establish a perimeter.  An intensive search began at 4 a.m. but was…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit has arrested 19-year-old Darnell Thompson of Decatur, considered a second suspect in the June 9 shooting death of Darin Thurman. Deputies arrested Iran King, 19, of Decatur on July 3. According to warrants issued, Thurman was shot several times as he sat in the driver’s seat of a vehicle on Glenwood Road in Decatur. Witnesses say King knocked on the vehicle window, pointed a gun at the victim, spoke to him and opened fire.  Another witness observed the suspect removing items from the victim’s vehicle after the shooting stopped.  Warrants allege that a handgun,…

The Mayor and City Council for the City of Stonecrest will hold public hearings on the following: Adoption of Procedures for Zoning Hearings Chapter 27- Zoning Ordinance Chapter 21- Sign Ordinance The Official Zoning Map of the City of Stonecrest The Comprehensive Plan Time & Location: The July 31, 2017 public hearing will be held at a Special Called Meeting of the City Council at 10:00am and the August 7, 2017 public hearing at the City Council Meeting at 10:00am. The location for both public hearings is the Stonecrest Library, 3120 Klondike Road, Lithonia, Georgia 30038.

CITY OF STONECREST, GEORGIA Honorable Mayor Jason Lary, Sr. Council Member Jimmy Clanton, Jr. – District 1         Council Member Rob Turner- District 2 Council Member Jazzmin Cobble – District 3          Council Member George Turner- District 4 Council Member Diane Adoma – District 5 WORK SESSION MEETING AGENDA July 17, 2017 10 a.m. Stonecrest Library 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia, Georgia I. CALL TO ORDER:   Mayor Jason Lary II. ROLL CALL: Brenda James, Interim City Clerk III. INVOCATION: IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE V. PUBLIC COMMENTS VI. MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of the July 5, 2017 City Council Meeting VII. ADOPTION OF THE…

The DeKalb County Police Department has reopened its investigation into Officer P.J. Larscheid’s use of force following the release of a video that shows him repeatedly striking a woman with his baton during arrest. The June 4 video is new evidence that surfaced over the weekend, said DeKalb Police spokeswoman Shiera Campbell. The one-minute, 39-second video shows Larscheid beating 38-year-old Katie McCrary as he held her on the floor inside a Chevron gas station on Glenwood Road in South DeKalb County. McCrary was suspected of solicitation. Larscheid stated in his incident report that McCrary told him she was a federal…