Author: On Common Ground News

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…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – On Wednesday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-4) and DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson (D-5) will host The Fourth Source, a resource fair designed to connect residents with local resources and services. The fair will be held at the Sanford Realty  Complex, 4183 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Decatur.  “Even when Congress is not in session, my work for the people of Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District never stops,” the Congressman said. “While hardworking Americans and Georgians continue to bear the cost of Republicans’ cruel and irresponsible policies, I’m working here at home…