Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA –Beulah Community Family Life Center and the nonprofit, Maximum Impact Love are preparing to welcome approximately 2,000 attendees—their biggest-ever crowd—to a day filled with excitement at their 14th Annual Balanced Life Expo & Back-to-School Bash.  This free, community-wide celebration will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the Beulah Missionary Baptist Church campus, 2340 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur. This year’s event represents a significant expansion, merging the health and wellness focus of the Balanced Life Expo with the high-energy evangelism and family entertainment provided by Maximum Impact Love. Organizers say together, these two initiatives will transform…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– A DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office deputy has fired and arrested after an internal investigation revealed he was misusing Flock Safety technology. Sgt. Kabiru Salawu was charged with felony Violation of Oath of Office and misdemeanor Misuse of License Plate Data on July 17.  His employment with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has been terminated. “The public expects and deserves integrity from every member of this agency,” said Sheriff Melody M. Maddox. “The misuse of law enforcement technology or confidential information for any unauthorized purpose is a serious breach of the public’s trust and will not be tolerated. When…

CHAMBLEE, GA– Following a one-year hiatus, DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK) will host its Good Neighbor Day Air Show and Open House on Sept.19. Gates will open at 1-9 p.m.  “We are excited to bring back our air show,” said Hunter Hines, PDK airport director. “Due to airport construction, we were unable to hold the show last year. Good Neighbor Day has become an Atlanta tradition and the longest-running air show in the region. We look forward to welcoming residents, families, and aviation enthusiasts once again.” The event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, marking a new chapter for one of Georgia’s most…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale Board of Elections will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, July 21, at 1 p.m. The purpose of the Special Meeting is to call for a floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) Special Election to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The Floating Local Option Sales Tax is a new tool that Georgia counties and municipalities can adopt to lower property taxes for homeowners. FLOST allows communities to collect a 1% sales tax (in addition to existing local option sales taxes) for up to five years, with the option to renew. FLOST proceeds must be used exclusively to reduce…

CONYERS, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Education announced that Dr. Stephanie Johnson has been selected as the sole finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools. Johnson, Ed.D, currently serves as Deputy Superintendent and Chief Turnaround Officer for the Georgia Department of Education and brings more than 30 years of experience in public education. The Board voted at its meeting on Thursday, July 16 to identify Johnson as the sole finalist after a comprehensive search process that included stakeholder input, candidate screening, interviews, and deliberation. “The Board is confident that Dr. Johnson possesses the leadership experience, vision, and commitment necessary…

DECATUR, GA– In response to continued high temperatures, DeKalb County, in partnership with local service providers, is making cooling centers available to assist vulnerable residents seeking relief from the extreme heat. County officials encourage seniors, unhoused individuals, and residents without adequate cooling to take advantage of these locations during operating hours. The following cooling centers are currently available and open as indicated: Cooling Centers:  South DeKalb Day Center at New Life Community Alliance – 3592 Flat Shoals Rd., Decatur, 30034.   Frontline Response – 2585 Gresham Rd., Atlanta, 30316 Peace Baptist Church Annex – 3999 Covington Highway, Decatur, 30032 Golden Door Event Center – 2944…

CONYERS, GA—Mayor Connie Alsobrook spent time doing reading activities with about 30 children on July 8 at City Hall, officially launching The Mayor’s Reading Club, a literacy initiative of Georgia City Solutions, a nonprofit created by the Georgia Municipal Association.   Participants included 19 youths from the A.R. “Gus” Barksdale  Boys & Girls Club in Conyers. Young children and youths had a chance to not only participate interactive activities but also got a behind-the-scenes look at local government.  The morning began with each child introducing themselves, helping create a welcoming and inclusive environment. Participants then worked in pairs on tabletop icebreaker activities…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Gwinnett County businesses and residents have recently been targeted in a nationwide scam that impersonates local planning and zoning departments to request payment for non-existent fees.    Requests targeting Gwinnett businesses and residents come via an official-looking email that copies a real employee’s name, title and email address. These emails are designed to look like an official Gwinnett County communication and may include invoices requesting fraudulent application approval fees or counterfeit approval letters.   Gwinnett County will never request payment via a money order, wire transfer or suspicious links. All communications, payments and fees will be sent and processed through GwinnettZIP.com.    Businesses and residents should not send a wire transfer, click on any links or provide payment or personal information.   To report a suspicious email requesting zoning application fee, contact Gwinnett Planning and Development at 678.518.6000 or email P&D-PlanningZoning@GwinnettCounty.com.  …

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Decon Tyrone Hopkinsbey (also referred to as Deacon Hopkinsbey), of Atlanta, is facing charges of raping a woman as she slept in her Stone Mountain home on May 26. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with the assistance of Atlanta Police Department S.W.A.T., located Hopkinsbey, 50, on July 9 and took him into custody after a tense, hours-long standoff on Brownlee Road in southwest Atlanta. Authorities did not release details about what led to the standoff. No other information was released concerning the rape. Hopkinsbey was transported to the DeKalb County Jail where he is currently being…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-10) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026 that builds a nationwide, federally coordinated “test-to-treat” elimination program for hepatitis C (HVC). The bill is supported by more than 100 public health and education organizations and is the House companion to the Cure Hepatitis C Act introduced by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA).  “I am asking that we work together to raise awareness about hepatitis C – a silent killer – so that others at risk can…