Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA— Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) has received a $5 million, three-year investment from The Marcus Foundation to expand Level Up, its school-based mentoring program serving middle school students across metro Atlanta. The investment will help BBBSMA double Level Up’s annual reach from approximately 1,250 students today to 2,500 students by the 2028–29 school year. Funding will support expansion into added middle schools, the hiring of more mentors and the continued delivery of consistent, relationship-based support for students during a critical stage of their development. Level Up provides trained, full-time mentors, known as Lead Mentors, directly in…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue with the design of the McLendon Water Transmission Main Replacement Project. The county is hosting a public information open house about this project on Monday, Nov. 2, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the DeKalb County Tobi Grant Recreation Center, 593 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale.   The McLendon Water Transmission Main Replacement Project will address the aging transmission and distribution mains throughout the system by replacing these water mains, improving transmission-system reliability and enhancing water system resilience.  Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2028 and last until Summer 2030, barring any…

CONYERS, GA—Church and faith-based organization representatives are invited to attend their choice of a United in Faith Conyers Conversation hosted by Mayor Connie Alsobrook.  Faith leaders may attend on Nov. 10 or Nov. 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Conyers City Hall, 901 O’Kelly Street.  Similar to other conversational meetings hosted this year by Alsobrook and the City Council, the meeting is designed to encourage open dialogue among members of the faith-based community to assess needs and resources, discuss possible collaborations, and to build partnerships. “By bringing church and faith leaders into community conversation, we strengthen the connections that help us…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—The Rockbridge Coalition is joining a community conversation with DeKalb County Schools’ Superintendent Norman C. Sauce, III, DeKalb School Board member Diijon DaCosta and State Rep. Venola Mason (District 94) on Thursday, Oct. 29. The meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Stephenson High School, 701 Stephenson Road, Stone Mountain. Topics include school redistricting, community recommendations and enrollment trends, legislative priorities, and getting out the vote for the Nov. 3 elections. The Rockbridge Coalition is comprised of residents in Stone Mountain, Lithonia and surrounding areas.  To register for the Coalition’s upcoming meeting, scan the bar…

DECATUR, GA- A DeKalb County man has been indicted for allegedly running over his estranged wife with his truck and then concealing her death.   On Tuesday, Oct. 13, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Nelson Clements, 64, on two counts of Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree, Reckless Driving, Hit and Run Resulting in Serious Injury or Death, Stalking, and Concealing the Death of Another in connection with the death of his estranged wife, Janice Frazier Clements, 58, on June 21, 2026.  The indictment alleges that Clements caused his wife’s death as he was pulling his truck out of…

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…