Author: On Common Ground News

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—The Rockbridge Coalition will host a community conversation with DeKalb County Schools’ Superintendent Norman C. Sauce, III, DeKalb School Board member Diijon DaCosta and State Rep. Venola Mason (District 94) on Thursday, Oct. 29. The meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Stephenson High School, 701 Stephenson Road, Stone Mountain. Topics include school redistricting, community recommendations and enrollment trends, legislative priorities, and getting out the vote for the Nov. 3 elections. The Rockbridge Coalition is comprised of residents in Stone Mountain, Lithonia and surrounding areas.  To register for the Coalition’s upcoming meeting, scan the bar…

DECATUR, GA- A DeKalb County man has been indicted for allegedly running over his estranged wife with his truck and then concealing her death.   On Tuesday, Oct. 13, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Nelson Clements, 64, on two counts of Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree, Reckless Driving, Hit and Run Resulting in Serious Injury or Death, Stalking, and Concealing the Death of Another in connection with the death of his estranged wife, Janice Frazier Clements, 58, on June 21, 2026.  The indictment alleges that Clements caused his wife’s death as he was pulling his truck out of…

DECATUR, GA –U.S. Department of Homeland Security officer has been indicted for allegedly shooting a man after an argument over noise.   On Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Quadrus Wilson, 49, of Marietta, on two charges of Aggravated Assault, False Imprisonment, two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree,Terroristic Threats and Criminal Trespass in connection with the incident on July 27, 2026.  According to the preliminary investigation, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded just after 2:30 a.m. to a report of…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Gwinnett County Police detectives have arrested a 48-year-old woman following an investigation into a fatal overdose that occurred on Oct. 13. Tanika Tavares has been charged with Felony Murder, Aggravated Involuntary Manslaughter by Causing Fentanyl Overdose Death, Sale of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance, and additional drug-related offenses in connection with the fatal overdose, the Gwinnett County Police Department said on Monday, Oct. 26.  According to the investigation, Gwinnett County Police officers responded on Oct. 13 to a residence in the 1100 block of Wetlands Court in Lawrenceville regarding an overdose. The victim was pronounced deceased.…

ROCKDALE COUNTY,GA – Rockdale County has completed a comprehensive rewrite of its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The updated UDO modernizes development regulations, expands housing options, gives property owners more flexibility, and creates more opportunities for community engagement in the development proces, county officials announced in a news release. The Board of Commissioners adopted the comprehensive UDO in phases on August 25 and September 22, 2026. The updated ordinance took effect on October 1, 2026, except for Section 9.5.3, which was adopted separately on October 6, 2026. The Planning & Development Department led the rewrite, which began in February 2025 as part…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Process Fugitive Unit and Field Operations Unit have arrested a suspect connected to an October 11 homicide in Decatur, Georgia. Sheriff’s Office deputies took Damian Edwards,18, into custody on Friday, October 16, at a residence on Mt. Zion Road in Morrow, Georgia.  Edwards faces one charge of felony murder and one count of felony armed robbery for his alleged role in the death of Anthony Lenard in the 1600 block of Treasure Cove. Officers responded to a person shot call on Oct. 11 around  11 p.m. and found a man, later identified as Lenard, inside…

ATLANTA – A group of state lawmakers with military backgrounds have petitioned Gov. Brian Kemp to bring home Georgia’s National Guard soldiers from Washington, D.C. before the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays.   State Representatives Sandra Scott (D-Rex); Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain); Eric Bell (D-Jonesboro); Derrick Jackson (D-Tyrone); and Floyd Griffin (D-Milledgeville); along with State Senators Kenya Wicks (D-Fayette); and Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia) cited recent safety concerns involving a National Guard member who was shot in Washington D.C. while responding to an operational confrontation on Oct. 18. The legislators also expressed their  concern about the mounting anxiety from soldiers prolonged separation from their families.  The…