Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston this week announced the conviction by jury trial of Demario Flanagan, 47, for the murder of his girlfriend, Eternity “Destiny Johnson, 26. In addition to killing Johnson, Flanagan fired at three other women, striking two of them during a rampage at a gathering of family and friends.   Immediately after the verdict on Nov. 10, Judge Anna Davis, who presided over the trial sitting for DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Nora Polk, sentenced Flanagan to Life with the Possibility of Parole, plus 60 years to serve consecutively. Flanagan was convicted for Malice Murder,…

DECATUR, GA– Due to forecasted freezing temperatures and hazardous wind chills, DeKalb County will activate warming centers beginning Friday, Nov. 13, through Monday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m.  The only location being used for this activation will be “The Golden Door” at 2944 Ember Drive, Decatur. All transportation routes originate from Frontline Response Headquarters (2585 Gresham Rd. SE, Atlanta) and are scheduled for initial pickups starting at 6 p.m. and completed by 7:30 p.m. Following the initial routes, final sweeps will continue from 7:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.  Transportation Pickup Schedule:  Route 1 – North DeKalb / Chamblee-Tucker North DeKalb Senior Center – 3393 Malone Dr, Chamblee, GA…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Nicole M. Golden is reminding property owners the final installment deadline for property taxes is Monday, Nov. 16. Nearly 256,300 tax bills have been mailed to property owners, and 15,370 bills for City of Atlanta parcels located in DeKalb are expected to be mailed and available online Nov. 19. “County property bills were mailed and posted online mid-August. Owners who have not received a bill should contact my office at 404-298-4000 or access their bill online at DeKalbTaxGA.gov,” said Tax Commissioner Golden. Payments received after the deadline are subject to a 5% penalty and…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 on Tuesday, Nov. 10, to pass an ordinance ending the unattended tethering of dogs in unincorporated DeKalb County.  DeKalb joins Henry, Walton and Clayton counties, among others, in prohibiting owners from chaining or tying up dogs in one spot outdoors.  “A dog left tied up alone, day after day, month after month, suffers, and our old rules made that too hard to stop. This ordinance sets a clear standard: A dog on a tether must be attended, and dogs kept outside need enough room to move,” stated DeKalb District 2…

ATLANTA—District 1 City Councilmember Jason Winston is hosting a diaper distribution in collaboration with several community supporters on Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., at Ormewood Church, 1071 Delaware Ave. S.E., Atlanta. In its 5th year, the annual event will offer free diapers, baby supplies, and menstrual period products to District 1 families in need while supplies last. The event is made possible with support from Helping Mamas, Ormewood Church, Welcoming Atlanta, the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services. 

ATLANTA – The Georgia House Democratic Caucus convened today to elect its leadership team for the 2027-2028 legislative term. House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus) was nominated by the Democratic Caucus to serve as the 76th Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker of the House is chosen by the members of the House of Representatives on the first day of each biennial legislative session. The House will officially elect its Speaker when it convenes for the start of the 2027 session on Monday, Janu. 11, 2027. “Putting the needs of Georgia’s citizens at the center of our campaigns…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners recently celebrated the 40thanniversary of Gwinnett Parks with a proclamation, marking four decades of protecting natural spaces, expanding recreational opportunities and enriching the quality of life for residents across the region. In 1986, voters approved a referendum with a collective mission to preserve green spaces and provide accessible recreation for all.  Today, Gwinnett Parks and Recreation has grown into a vibrant network of more than 50 parks, with more than 145 miles of multiuse trails, community centers, athletic fields, aquatic centers, facilities, playgrounds and nature preserves that welcome millions of visitors…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) announced a proposal to consolidate and rezone select elementary and middle schools beginning with the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is the first phase of Future Ready RCPS, a three-part plan to create capacity, define opportunity, and build the future for students. The proposal responds to a sharp and persistent decline in school-aged children in the district, driven largely by decreasing birth rates and an aging population in the county. Across the district, RCPS has more than 5,000 open seats with elementary schools using about 62 percent of their seats and middle schools using…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Police has arrested one of its own police officers during a criminal drug investigation.  Officer Marius Tassy, 43, was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and taken to the DeKalb County Jail on a felony charge of Unlawful Practice of Pharmacy (GA Code § 26-4-40) and a misdemeanor charge of Sale of Dangerous Drugs (GA Code § 16-13-72).  Tassy is on administrative leave pending further investigation. He was hired by the DeKalb County Police Department on May 1, 2023. DeKalb County Police launched the investigation in late October. “The authority we are entrusted with as law enforcement…