Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is seeking community feedback after a proposal to close 27 schools primarily in South DeKalb was made public Thursday, Feb. 12.  The district said it is also considering expanding 11 schools as part of its Student Assignment Project (SAP), a districtwide effort designed to address declining enrolment, maximize resources, and ensure long-term academic sustainability. The project has been underway for 20 months with support from the HPM Building Group and 150 community leaders from throughout DeKalb who have been meeting monthly to share their ideas. “Declining enrollment is not just a number on…

Four candidates have qualified for the special election to represent House District 94, which covers portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.  Early voting begins on Monday, Feb. 16. Election Day is March 10. The Special Election runoff, if needed, will be held on April 7.   The District 94 seat was vacated in January by former Rep. Karen Bennett, who resigned amid federal fraud charges. Bennett admitted to illegally collecting $13,940 in unemployment benefits while running her physical therapy company, Metro Therapy, for a few months during the pandemic. She also received earnings as a pastor—$905  weekly—while drawing unemployment.  The candidates who have…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) is seeking the public’s help in identifying a porch pirate who stole packages that were delivered to a home in the Indian Ridge Community in Conyers on Jan. 6, at around 3:30 p.m.  The suspect entered the porch and walked away carrying three packages that were delivered. Anyone with information regarding the individual’s identity or whereabouts is asked to contact   RCSO Investigator Dwayne Turner  at 770-278-8166 or email him at Dwayne.Turner@RockdaleCountyGA.gov. Reference case  #263097. 

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction by guilty plea of a former DeKalb County Police officer charged with shooting and killing a man inside the man’s Stone Mountain home.  During a hearing on Feb.11, Russell Mathis, 32, of Tucker, entered a negotiated Alford plea to charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless Conduct stemming from the death of Marando Salmon, 37, on Nov. 4, 2022.  An Alford plea is a type of guilty plea where the defendant maintains their innocence, but acknowledges the prosecution has enough evidence that the case would likely result in a conviction. …

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – An Alpharetta man pled guilty to shooting and killing a stranger at a Norcross hotel after accusing his girlfriend of flirting. Demetrius Tyree Martin, 38, pled guilty to felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault for the May 2021 shooting death of  Enrique Romero Sanchez, 45. Martin agreed to serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole. “This killing was senseless,” Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “Violence is never acceptable, and we will always hold those who commit crimes like these accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We pray that the outcome of…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– In observance of Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 16, garbage, recyclable materials, and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised collection schedule as follows: Monday, Feb. 16 – Presidents Day observed. No sanitation service. Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Feb. 16, will be serviced on Tuesday, Feb. 17.  Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Feb. 17, will be serviced on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Thursday, Feb. 19 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Feb. 18, will be serviced on Thursday, Feb. 19. Friday,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by guilty plea in the case against Hannah Hackemeyer, now 20, who was charged in a single car crash that killed one passenger and injured  two others  in the Oak Grove community.    During a hearing on Feb. 11, Hackemeyer pleaded guilty to charges of Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree, Serious Injury by Vehicle, Reckless Driving and Possession of an Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area in connection with the wreck on Feb. 24, 2024.  Hackemeyer, who was 18 at the time, struck a tree while driving.  Lakeside High…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its Regular Public Meeting on Thursday, Feb.19, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at 178 Sams Street, Room A1201 – A & B, Decatur, GA. Agenda Callto Order Adoptionof Agenda   III.  Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting of January 15, 2026 Introduction of New Board of Ethics Member Report of Committees Ethics Officer’s Annual and Monthly Report Preliminary Cases  Malcolm Peeples v. Noah Hightower, Case No. 2025-12 Toni Covington Graham v. Emily Brian, Case No. 2026-1 Quinton Wright v. Rekejean Galbreath and Lascelles Powell, Case…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host her third annual Tech Demo Day on Thursday, March 12, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the South Wing of the Georgia State Capitol.  “I am particularly excited about this year’s Tech Demo Day because we are focusing on the future workforce in tech and beyond—our students,” said Rep. Kendrick. “I will highlight 10 students from Shiloh High School in my district during the event. I am also thankful for the partners who will be there as well.” Student honorees from Gwinnett County’s Shiloh High School include: Dante Roberts, Tania Hidalgo-Valencia, Luis Fernando…