Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA—Since being sworn in on Jan. 7, Mayor Connie Alsobrook has maintained a demanding and hands-on schedule centered around community engagement, citizen accessibility, economic development, youth involvement, and regional collaboration. While many citizens often see the ceremonial side of the office—ribbon cuttings, proclamations, festivals, and public appearances, Mayor Alsobrook says her first 100 days reveals just how much work happens behind the scenes to keep the city connected and moving forward. “The ceremonial side of the office still serves a purpose,” Mayor Alsobrook said. “Those events help support businesses, nonprofits, schools, youth programs, and community organizations. They create relationships,…

DECATUR, GA – The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) announced that DeKalb County has awarded a $200,000 Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Grant for the Candler Rd./Flat Shoals Parkway Area Plan Update.  The county will update the original 2007 LCI plan to identify new recommendations and investments that will align with MARTA’s upcoming major transit investments in the South DeKalb area. All major stakeholders, including key Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and MARTA, will come together to create a refreshed multimodal blueprint for the Candler Road/Flat Shoals Parkway area. Through the LCI plan update, the Candler Road/Flat Shoals Parkway neighborhood, greater South DeKalb area, and key stakeholders will…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Decatur man accused of gunning down a man who gave his ex-girlfriend a ride home from work.      A jury found Aaron La Var Beckles, 49, guilty on charges of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon stemming from the murder of Isaac Jackson, Jr., 47, on Dec. 4, 2024.  According to the investigation, Beckles had been involved in a tumultuous romantic…

ATLANTA— The Develop Fulton Board of Directors has unanimously approved a bond inducement resolution supporting up to $70 million in financing for the Georgia Tech Athletic Association to advance a comprehensive modernization of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology. The project will be financed through a combination of bonds, primarily federally tax-exempt, to be issued by Develop Fulton. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, and will support the renovation, enhancement, and modernization of one of college football’s most historic venues, ensuring it remains competitive at…

LITHONIA, GA—The Lithonia Post Office at 3035 Stone Mountain Street has closed without warning, leaving customers bewildered, On Common Ground News has learned. Pictured below: Lithonia Post Office, Saturday, 5.16.2026 The facility is usually bustling with customers, often with them forming long lines to mail packages and obtain other counter services. On Friday, a succession of customers turned around after reading a note posted on the facility’s front door. Others walked in to pick up mail from their P.O. boxes, asking one another what happened to the staff. The note posted on the facility’s front door stated: “WE ARE NOW…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its Regular Public Meeting on Thursday, May 21 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at 178 Sams Street, Room A1201 – A & B, Decatur.        The meeting agenda follows:  Agenda Callto Orde Adoptionof Agenda   III.            Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting of April 17, 2026 Report of Committees  Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report Preliminary Case Donitrix Jenkins v. Jevon Murry, Case No. 2026-5 Final Evidentiary (Enforcement) Hearing  Dianne C. Moore v. Johnny Mitchell, Case No. 2025-8 Dianne C. Moore v. Kimberly K. Washington, Case No. 2025-16 Public…

STONECREST, GA— New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the 55th birthday of Dr. Jamal Bryant during a special “Tailor Made Sunday” worship experience on Sunday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m.  The celebratory service will honor Dr. Bryant’s leadership, visionary ministry, and unwavering commitment to faith and community. Members and visitors from across the region are expected to gather for a dynamic morning of worship, celebration, inspiration, and fellowship. Designed to blend faith, fashion, fun, and gratitude, “Tailor Made Sunday” encourages attendees to show up with joy and appreciation for God’s grace. Worshippers are invited to wear their favorite suits,…

ATLANTA—Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered the Georgia General Assembly to convene for a special session on June 17 to begin creating new maps for Georgia’s Congressional, State Representatives and State Senate districts.  Kemp issued the call on Wednesday, May 13, in a proclamation. The new redistricting maps would become effective for the 2028 election cycle, he said. Kemp’s orders follow the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais that struck down a majority-Black district in Louisiana, altering established interpretations of the1965 Voting Rights Act. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Democrat who represents Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District, said the Republican Gov. Kemp’s…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a man who shot his pregnant girlfriend and abandoned her in a park. During a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, May 13, Donald Wooten, 27, was sentenced to 60 years to serve in custody. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie presided over the trial Wooten was found guiltyof Criminal Attempt to Commit a Murder, Criminal Attempt to Commit a Feticide, and Possession of a Firearm in connection with the shooting of his pregnant girlfriend, who was 25 at the time, on March 4,…