Author: On Common Ground News

Story and photos by Mark Brock, DCSD Athletics Specialist DEKALB COUNTY, GA—AJ Holloway and Matthew Evans combined for 14 innings on the mound and allowed just two runs in a pair of complete game wins as the Redan Raiders swept the Fellowship Christian Paladians 9-0 and 5-2 in the first round of the Class 2A baseball state playoffs at Redan on Thursday afternoon. Holloway pitched a six-hit, complete game shutout in the 9-0 win to open the series. The game went scoreless until  the bottom of the third when the Raiders (23-4) struck for three runs after three consecutive…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Mesha Mainor (R-Atlanta) will hold a press conference to announce the lawsuit she has filed against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The press conference is scheduled Tuesday, April 30, 10 a.m., at the South Wing steps of the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. During the press conference, Rep. Mainor will also address oversight of prosecutors in Georgia, along with statistics concerning Fulton County jail inmates currently awaiting prosecution after being denied a bond beyond the 90-day threshold. “Citizens and family members must know they have a right to file a motion for a bond and the…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Police detectives are seeking help in identifying a suspect in a shooting at an apartment parking lot in Peachtree Corners. At 6:40 p.m. on April 11, officers responded to a shots fired call on at The Vines Apartments. A witness stated a black male approached the driver’s side of a truck in the parking lot and demanded money.  During the altercation, the suspect fired at the truck as it sped away.  Currently there are no known injuries. The suspect is described as a thin black male with short hair, wearing a black shirt, light colored…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections Office (DeKalb VRE) is encouraging all registered voters to make a plan to vote for the upcoming May 21, 2024 General Primary Election. Voters also are urged to remain aware of any possible impacts to local mail service in requesting and returning voter-related documents. “Our goal is to ensure our residents can vote with confidence by being prepared, informed and empowered before casting ballots,” said Executive Director of DeKalb VRE Keisha Smith. “With every election, we are working tirelessly to ensure an easy and seamless election experience for DeKalb County voters.” Here…

ATLANTA–Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) said he “fully supports” peaceful pro-Palestinian student protestors who were arrested at Emory University’s campus in Atlanta on Thursday, April 25. The Atlanta demonstration over the Gaza war was one of many protests on college campuses held this week across the U.S. Emory University’s Vice President for Public Safety Cheryl Elliott said in a message to the campus that 28 people were arrested on Thursday morning, including 20 Emory community members. “At 7:41 a.m. a few dozen protestors arrived on campus. When they arrived, these individuals ignored and pushed past EPD officers stationed on the Quad…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Gwinnett County grand jury on Thursday, April 25, indicted a Lawrenceville father and stepmother accused of killing a young girl, then delaying a call for emergency medical aid.  The stepmother, Natiela Barros, 34, is charged with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children for the Jan. 30, 2024 death of 8-year-old Sayra Barros. The child’s father, Cledir Mendes Barros, 37, is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of child cruelty.  “These defendants were supposed to protect and care for Sayra Barros. That was their primary responsibility as parents,”…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County is in the process of making major upgrades to improve EMS services—specifically the response time throughout DeKalb County. The county plans to add more EMT/paramedics, more   nurses and additional ambulances. Fitch & Associates, a nationally-known leader in EMS and Ambulance system consulting, is completing a review of DeKalb County’s EMS system as the county moves forward, county officials said on Thursday, April 25. In February, DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved $3.8 million in the 2024 budget to add 15 EMT/paramedics, five nurse practitioners, and five ambulances to enhance countywide service delivery.   County officials expect to…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Gwinnett County jury returned a guilty verdict on Thursday, April 25, against a Lilburn man who had more than 50,000 images and 200 videos of children being sexually abused and tortured. Following the verdict, Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Deborah Fluker followed the State’s recommendation and sentenced 76-year-old Roger Sheman Wright to 100 years in prison plus 20 years of probation. Wright also must register as a sex offender for life. Jurors returned the guilty verdict against Wright on all 10 counts of sexual exploitation of children. “Each one of these children in these images are victims…

 DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Human Services Office of Youth Services will host a Youth Health Fair on Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Clarkson Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston. The event is part of the county’s ongoing commitment to enhancing public health and ensuring all community members have access to critical health services. The health fair will offer free services to attendees, including sports physicals, hearing and vision screenings, car seats to families (while supplies last) ,and free hygiene kits. To promote continued vigilance against COVID-19, the event also will provide a $100 gift card…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—Head to Stone Mountain Village’s business district to enjoy free concerts every Friday evening during the months of May and June.  The 2024 Spring Tunes by the Tracks  series takes place from 7 to 9 p.m., rain or shine(unless severe weather) and features local indie artists, performing on a stage in the municipal parking lot on Main Street. The series kicks off with Diane Durrett & Soul Suga’ on May 3.  Bring a lawn chair. There will be beer, wine, and sodas available for purchase. Here’s the lineup for the Spring 2024 dates and artists for Tunes by the Tracks:  May 3 Diane…