Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—A trio who broke into nearly two dozen businesses in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties have been arrested, DeKalb County Police announced. Police arrested Avante Green-Coley, 23; Onario Watson,17; and a 15-year-old juvenile in the string of early morning plaza burglaries. Police said the crew threw cash registers and other items out of the stolen car they were driving as police pursued them in a chase and captured them. The break-ins started on Thursday morning, June 18, with 14 combined commercial burglaries at shopping centers at 7655 Mall Parkway, 6746 Covington Highway, and 1232 S. Hairston Road in DeKalb…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County’s Board of Elections Director Cynthia Willingham is reminding voters to make plans now for the upcoming Special Election for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. The Special Election will fill the unexpired term of the late Congressman David Scott. The longtime congressman, who served 12 consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, died on April 22 at the age of 80 while seeking re-election to a 13th term.  Along with Rockdale, Georgia’s 13th Congressional District encompasses portions of five other metro-Atlanta counties: Clayton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry, and Newton counties.    While the winner of the Special Election will…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department has terminated Officer Myles Green #2474 following an internal investigation into a serious injury crash that occurred on June 5. Following the crash, the Police Department’s Accident Investigation Unit conducted a preliminary review and requested the Georgia State Patrol assume responsibility for the crash investigation. Separate from the crash investigation, the Gwinnett County Police Department conducted a policy review of Green’s actions. That investigation determined that Green, who was responding to an emergency call for service, entered the intersection against a traffic signal without first stopping and ensuring the intersection was clear.…

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announces that during July 4th Weekend, all interstate lane closures will be suspended beginning Friday, July 3, at 6 a.m. through Monday, July 6, at 6 a.m. to increase safety, ease travel, and reduce delays. Important Reminders for Motorists: While lane closures are suspended, construction crews may still be working near roadways, and some long-term closures could remain in place for safety reasons. Emergency or incident-related lane closures may still occur at any time, as needed. Stay alert, move over one lane when possible, and reduce speed when traveling through…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday at the free July 4th Chamblee Rocks Summer Concert featuring R&B sensation and Grammy Award-Winning Artist Robin Thicke at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Chamblee. Thicke will bring his smooth vocals and hit songs including“ Blurred Lines,”“Lost Without U,” and other chart-topping hits to the stage setting the tone for the night to end with a spectacular display of fireworks. Fireworks will light up the summer sky beginning around 9 p.m.  Parking will be very limited and will be available at Winter Construction, 5616 Peachtree Road and Chamblee Middle School, 3601 Sexton Woods Drive. For those who…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Ninety-two football players from DeKalb County high schools have signed scholarships to continue both their academic and athletic careers at colleges and universities across the nation this fall.  The number of signees this year marks the highest since DeKalb’s Class of 2014, which had 101 signees.   The Class of 2026 includes 10 athletes headed to top level college football programs in the Division 1 FBS, including Southeastern Conference schools Arkansas (Lithonia’s Zae’Quan Jackson) and Mississippi State (Lithonia’s Tico Crittendon). Southwest DeKalb’s Earnest Rankins, Jr. chose the ACC’s Florida State University. Another 10 DeKalb athletes signed with Division 1…

CONYERS, GA—A crowd turned out on June 25 for the official opening of the city’s Celebration Park, the newly renovated gathering space in Olde Town Conyers.  City officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony and an array of family-friendly activities to showcase the new park, which features a play area, pavilion and small amphitheater.  At the celebration, kids enjoyed a bubble party on the lawn with Big Idea Bubbles, balloon art, face painting, Pogo sticks, frisbees, and music provided by popular kids’ disc jockey, DJ Matt. The first 100 kids who arrived for the festivities were treated to Construction on the park began in November…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers Police are investigating a shooting involving a 15-year-old male that occurred early Thursday, June 25.   The shooting took place around 2:36 a.m. on Elliott Circle, which is located  in the vicinity of Irwin Bridge Road. The emergency call came into Conyers Real-Time Crime Center from a resident reporting that a teenaged boy had come to the front porch asking for help after being shot. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the teen suffering from a gunshot wound and provided medical aid. He was subsequently transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he is currently in stable condition,…

DECATUR, GA—Arts DeKalb invites residents, artists, arts organizations, and cultural leaders to participate in the upcoming community meetings designed to gather public input and help shape the future of arts and culture throughout DeKalb County. “Arts and culture play a vital role in bringing communities together, celebrating diverse perspectives and strengthening the fabric of our county. These meetings will provide an opportunity for residents to help guide future arts programming, cultural initiatives and creative investments that will benefit the entire county,” said Director of Parks Christopher Bass. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss topics including public art, cultural events, artist…