Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA–The City of Atlanta convened a citywide emergency coordination meeting to assess readiness for severe weather expected Friday night through Saturday, Oct. 10.  City departments, public safety agencies, emergency management officials and utility partners confirmed operational readiness, enhanced staffing and coordinated response plans. The primary concerns are damaging overnight winds, widespread power outages, fallen trees, heavy rainfall, localized flooding and an elevated tornado threat Saturday afternoon and evening. The City’s Joint Operations Center (JOC) was activated at on Friday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. Departments will maintain emergency staffing and coordinate through the weekend. Emergency shelters: The City is activating…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has declared a local State of Emergency as Hurricane Isaias approaches the northern Gulf Coast and threatens north and central Georgia with severe weather. The local declaration supplements Gov. Brian Kemp’s State of Emergency and authorizes DeKalb County to deploy the resources necessary to prepare for, respond to and recover from the storm. The DeKalb County State of Emergency took effect upon signature on today, Oct. 9, and will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, unless extended. County Closures and Cancellation All DeKalb County offices and facilities, including…

DECATUR, GA— The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has charged five inmates in connection with the death of inmate David Addo-Wright, 24, of Covington, GA. Authorities say deputies at the DeKalb County Jail found Addo-Wright in a cell with multiple wounds on Sept. 24. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The case was turned over to the GBI as is standard protocol for in-custody death investigations concerning the DeKalb County Jail.  The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday (Oct.8) announced the following inmates who have been charged in the death of Addo-Wright: Amir Andrews, 19…

ATLANTA—Gov. Brian P. Kemp today (OCT. 8) issued an updated State of Emergency for all 159 counties in preparation for Hurricane Isaias. The new Executive Order enables emergency management teams to make necessary arrangements and position needed resources ahead of the storm’s impact. He has also directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) beginning early Friday afternoon. “As we always do with weather events, we’re hoping for the best but preparing for the worst,” said Kemp. “I encourage all Georgians to take this storm seriously and prepare now by stocking up on food, batteries,…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Lilburn man convicted of sexually assaulting a teen girl was sentenced to five life sentences. A judge sentenced Gregory Leon Frazier, 52, to serve two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by three consecutive life sentences with the possibility of parole. In late July, a Gwinnett County jury found Frazier guilty on two counts of rape, two counts of aggravated child molestation, statutory rape, and aggravated sexual battery for assaulting the teen. “This sentence is a message that this behavior will not go unpunished,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “It is unconscionable…

 DECATUR, GA– Arts DeKalb is presenting a live Latin jazz concert, art, and culture celebration on Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at  the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur.  The free concert featuring the C.O.T Band and art exhibition by Mexican artist Miguel Millo will be held in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.  The celebration will bring the sound and spirit of Latin Jazz to life with bold rhythms, lively instrumentation and an energetic performance designed to get audiences moving. C.O.T. delivers an exciting musical experience from the first note to the final…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Former DeKalb County Police Sgt. Cameron Livsey, 47, has been indicted in connection with the cold case concerning the kidnapping and rape of two teen girls. The break came 15 years after DNA linked Livsey to evidence collected in 2011, DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston announced on Wednesday, Oct. 7.  A DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Livsey on Tuesday,  Oct. 6, on charges of Rape, Aggravated Sodomy, two counts of Kidnapping, two counts of Armed Robbery, two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb County Police Department is seeking the public’s help finding a suspect wanted in connection with a series of all-terrain vehicles (ATV ) thefts, luring victims through social media. Detectives have identified Jordan Wright, 21, who is currently wanted for three separate counts of Theft by Taking. Police said Wright could be linked to additional cases. In the theft cases, the suspect met victims through social media to buy an ATV. This led to an in-person meetup, where the suspect required a test drive. He then fled the area on the vehicle and cut off communication with…

CONYERS, GA – The Rockdale County Board of Education has earned the Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) 2026 Exemplary Governance Team Recognition, the highest level of achievement in GSBA’s Governance Team Recognition Program. This marks the 11th year the Board has received GSBA’s highest distinction. The recognition honors the governance team’s exceptional commitment to effective governance, continuous improvement, transparency, collaboration, strategic leadership, and accountability, all of which support strong district leadership and student success. “Receiving GSBA’s highest governance recognition for an 11th year reflects the Rockdale County Board of Education’s sustained focus on principled leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and meaningful collaboration,” said Superintendent…