Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces the conviction by jury trial of a Stone Mountain man accused of shooting two teen girls, killing one. On Thursday, Nov. 6, jurors found Malachi Coleman, 23, guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, for the murder of Jayce Pirtle, 19, and the shooting of a 16-year-old girl. According to the investigation, on Jan. 2, 2023, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) responded around 5 p.m. to a call of a person shot in…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—State Rep. Rhonda Taylor, District 92, will host her final meeting for her 2025 “Constituent Speak” series on Saturday, Nov. 15.  The East corridor multi-county community meeting will be held from 10 a.m. until noon at the Conyers Rockdale Library, 864 Green St., Conyers. The meeting is being held a week earlier than previously scheduled to avoid the busy Thanksgiving holiday planning and travel, Taylor said. Taylor will be joined by State Rep. Viola Davis and State Sen. Emmanuel Jones as they provide updates ahead of the 2026 Legislative Session and gather input from community residents on their concerns…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County tax commissioner’s office located at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur will have extended hours for property tax customers Nov. 10 – 17 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. All tax office locations will be closed Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. “As the final deadline approaches for property taxes, we typically see an influx of taxpayers at the Memorial Dr. office. Please pack your patience,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson. To avoid long lines and wait times, payments can be made online, by phone, by secure drop box, and at any…

DECATUR, GA– Antwyn Brown has been appointed Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) for DeKalb County Government.  DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson stated that Brown will assist Chief Operating Officer Zachary Williams in overseeing the county’s operational departments and advancing DeKalb’s commitment to efficient, transparent, and customer-focused service delivery.  “Antwyn Brown brings exceptional experience, analytical skill, and a deep commitment to public service,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “His leadership will strengthen our operational effectiveness and ensure that DeKalb County continues to meet the needs of residents with excellence and accountability.”  A seasoned leader in public administration, Brown has more than two decades of…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County will honor the nation’s veterans with two back-to-back events: Gwinnett County’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony and Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson’s Gwinnett County Stand Down. Both events will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 11, with the Veterans Day Ceremony beginning at 11 a.m., followed immediately by the Stand Down event from noon to 2 p.m. The events will be held outside the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, located at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. The Veterans Day Ceremony will commence with a veterans’ march at the Fallen Heroes Memorial. All veterans who served honorably are encouraged…

CONYERS, GA- Residents and stakeholders  are urged to attend a critical town hall meeting, today, Nov. 5,  6 p.m., at Conyers City Hall, 901 O’Kelly St. City officials are holding the town hall to discuss several proposed changes to the city’s charter.  It is not known whether the town hall will be available to the public via live stream. Residents are urged to come in person, if possible.  The flier below posted by the City states the Conyers City Council meeting has been cancelled for today.  The TOWN HALL MEETING concerning the proposed charter changes is being held today in place of that…

DECATUR, GA– In observance of Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised schedule as follows: Monday, Nov. 10 – Normal sanitation collection service. Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day observed. No sanitation collection service.    Wednesday, Nov. 12 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Nov. 11, will be serviced on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Thursday, Nov. 13 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Nov. 12, will be serviced on Thursday, Nov. 13.  Friday, Nov. 14 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Thursday, Nov. 13, will be…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Anderson-Livsey Elementary School has been named the recipient of the Phi Beta Sigma (PBS) Impact Foundation’s 2025 National Adopt-A-School Grant.  At a recent celebration, members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. presented Anderson-Livsey Elementary Principal Christopher Jackson with a check for $10,000. “Receiving this generous $10,000 grant from Phi Beta Sigma means the world to our school community. It’s more than just funding—it’s a powerful investment in equity, inclusion, and joy,” says Jackson.  The Adopt-A-School initiative is designed to get fraternity members into their local school communities, working with teachers and administrators to assist students in improving their academic performance, social development, and leadership skills.  “We…