Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners(BOC) got an earful from community members this week about a proposal for a lithium-ion battery storage system near the massive DC Blox data center campus that is under construction at the intersection of Rockbridge and Farmer roads. BOC Chairwoman JaNice Van Ness and Commissioners Tuwanya Smith and Doreen Williams have come under fire as construction crews move full steam ahead with the data center project and mull a proposal for the battery storage system.   At the board’s March 26 zoning meeting, residents described how blasting from the construction of data centers is…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A Jonesboro man was sentenced to life in prison for killing a man during an illegal gun deal. A Gwinnett County jury on Friday, March 27, found Righteous Love Williams, 23, guilty of felony murder, armed robbery, reckless conduct, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the September 2023 shooting death of 19-year-old Michael Paul Maddox II. Williams was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus five years. “We grieve with the family of Mr. Maddox,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “Our hope is that this outcome gives his…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive and Field Units have arrested a suspect in connection with a 2024 murder in Clarkston. Deputies took 26-year-old Christopher Hodges into custody at an apartment complex in the 1400 block of South Hairston Road in Stone Mountain, the Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release on Friday, March 27.  Hodges is wanted on a charge of malice murder in the death of Samuel Dorsey. Deputies say the arrest was made without incident. Hodges was transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond.

Voices of Faith Church volunteers @bishopghawkins spent Thursday, March 26, celebrating the strength, joy, and determination of students who participated in track and field events in the DeKalb County Special Olympics @dcsdathletics.  VOF has been volunteering for this event since 2022.  Today, there were over 300 athletes competing for the gold and we were inspired by all of them. Moments like these remind us that ministry goes beyond the walls. So grateful to serve and support. #VoicesOfFaith #ServeTheCommunity #SpecialOlympics #FaithInAction #LoveInMotion

STONECREST, GA—Local residents have alerted city and Georgia conservation officials that packs of feral hogs are destroying residential areas and threatening safety near walking trails in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.  Community sentinel Dave Marcus, a longtime Stonecrest resident, said in a social media post that wild boar tracks recently have been spotted off Evans Mill Road near Rock Springs and Woodrow roads. Marcus said students at nearby Arabia Mountain High School have been warned not to hang outside after dusk.  “This is a problem to take seriously. They easily can do hundreds of dollars in damage to a…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – To accommodate walk-in customers applying for homestead exemptions, the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s, 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur, will have extended hours March 25 through April 1 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., weekdays only. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be scheduled online at DeKalbTax.org or by calling 404-298-4000. Over 19,700 letters were recently mailed to homeowners who may be eligible for a senior exemption, or a basic homestead exemption for the current tax year. To avoid delays, homeowners can check their exemption status and apply online before the April 1 deadline. “Whether you’re a new homeowner, a senior, disabled resident, disabled veteran,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — Residents are urged to be aware of a jury duty scam reported in DeKalb County. Individuals have received calls from scammers posing as the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, claiming the resident missed jury service and must pay a fine to avoid arrest. Callers may instruct victims to purchase pre-paid cards or provide personal information. This is a scam, county officials said. The DeKalb County Jury Management Office will never request payment for missed jury duty, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office does not solicit funds or call individuals regarding warrants, said Chief and Administrative Judge Shondeana C. Morris. “We…

ATLANTA– In celebration of Women’s History Month, DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson alongside the Chairwomen of Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett, and Henry counties will come together for a timely conversation on leadership, service, and the future of local communities. The sold-out event will take place on Wednesday, March 25, with a reception starting at 5:30 p.m., at Fernbank Museum in Atlanta.  Collectively, these five leaders represent jurisdictions serving more than 3 million residents across the metro Atlanta region and embody a new era of leadership defined by collaboration, purpose, and impact. “There is something extraordinary about women coming together to…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office announced the capture of its most wanted fugitive, Brian Tripp, who was taken into custody in Pritchard, Alabama, with assistance from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. Tripp fled in January 2024, in the middle of his DeKalb County trial after being released on bond. The trial continued without him, and a jury later found him guilty of kidnapping, street gang charges, and other offenses. He was sentenced to life plus 65 years in prison. While on the run, Tripp faced additional serious charges. In April 2025, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted him for…