Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Ninety-two football players from DeKalb County high schools have signed scholarships to continue both their academic and athletic careers at colleges and universities across the nation this fall.  The number of signees this year marks the highest since DeKalb’s Class of 2014, which had 101 signees.   The Class of 2026 includes 10 athletes headed to top level college football programs in the Division 1 FBS, including Southeastern Conference schools Arkansas (Lithonia’s Zae’Quan Jackson) and Mississippi State (Lithonia’s Tico Crittendon). Southwest DeKalb’s Earnest Rankins, Jr. chose the ACC’s Florida State University. Another 10 DeKalb athletes signed with Division 1…

CONYERS, GA—A crowd turned out on June 25 for the official opening of the city’s Celebration Park, the newly renovated gathering space in Olde Town Conyers.  City officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony and an array of family-friendly activities to showcase the new park, which features a play area, pavilion and small amphitheater.  At the celebration, kids enjoyed a bubble party on the lawn with Big Idea Bubbles, balloon art, face painting, Pogo sticks, frisbees, and music provided by popular kids’ disc jockey, DJ Matt. The first 100 kids who arrived for the festivities were treated to Construction on the park began in November…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers Police are investigating a shooting involving a 15-year-old male that occurred early Thursday, June 25.   The shooting took place around 2:36 a.m. on Elliott Circle, which is located  in the vicinity of Irwin Bridge Road. The emergency call came into Conyers Real-Time Crime Center from a resident reporting that a teenaged boy had come to the front porch asking for help after being shot. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the teen suffering from a gunshot wound and provided medical aid. He was subsequently transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he is currently in stable condition,…

DECATUR, GA—Arts DeKalb invites residents, artists, arts organizations, and cultural leaders to participate in the upcoming community meetings designed to gather public input and help shape the future of arts and culture throughout DeKalb County. “Arts and culture play a vital role in bringing communities together, celebrating diverse perspectives and strengthening the fabric of our county. These meetings will provide an opportunity for residents to help guide future arts programming, cultural initiatives and creative investments that will benefit the entire county,” said Director of Parks Christopher Bass. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss topics including public art, cultural events, artist…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) is seeking the public’s help in locating an autistic 16-year-old boy who has been missing since June 18.  Micah Ford was last seen on June 18 around 3 a.m. near the 9300 block of Kensington Trail in Lithonia. Police said that Ford is 5’8, 120 pounds and has brown eyes and black hair. He is autistic and may move his hands in a shaking motion, click his teeth and walk in a bobbing motion. He may also stare off in space without moving, police said.  It is unknown what Ford was wearing when…

ATLANTA – The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) hosted Walmart’s Road to Open Call on Tuesday, June 23, marking Atlanta as the final stop on Walmart’s national 8-city tour.  Eight entrepreneurs were selected at the Atlanta event and will move forward as “Fast Pass” holders  from eight cities battling for a chance to have their product sold in  Walmart and Sam’s Club. The “Fast Pass” holders will next head to the “Golden Ticket” Open Call in early Octobe  in Bentonville, Arkansas, where  Walmart’s home office is located. The Open Call is one of Walmart’s largest sourcing events for Walmart and Sam’s Club.…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–– Nanolumens, a leading U.S. designer and manufacturer of LED visualization solutions, celebrated its 20th anniversary and the relocation and expansion of its global headquarters in Gwinnett County.  Located at 2221 Northmont Parkway in unincorporated Duluth, the new 45,000-square-foot facility brings together the company’s engineering, operations, sales, finance, and administrative teams under one roof, creating a centralized hub designed to support continued growth and innovation. The new headquarters represents a significant milestone for the company, which has called Gwinnett and the greater Atlanta region home since its founding in 2006, officials said. The facility features expanded warehouse operations,…

DEKALB COUNTY- Contractors for the Georgia Dept. of Transportation (GDOT) will close a portion of the existing Whitehall Forest Court SE entrance road to the neighborhood from Bouldercrest Road on Thursday, June 25, weather permitting. Crews will simultaneously open the new Whitehall Forest Court SE access to the neighborhood, positioned approximately 50 feet north of the old roadway. Weather and on-site conditions permitting, the new Whitehall Forest Court SE is scheduled to be open to traffic at 11 a.m. on June 25. Onsite signage will alert approaching drivers of the change in advance. The new entrance/exit roadway corrects the road alignment. This activity is related to the…

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County crews will require a road closure at 348 Fairview Street in Decatur to conduct repairs to a sewer line. The road will be closed beginning Thursday, June 25, for approximately four days until Sunday, June 28. Normal construction hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should be expected.  Motorists should expect delays stemming from the road closure. Precautionary signs and traffic flaggers will assist in moving safely around the closed off portion of the road. Construction crews will work diligently to minimize the length of impact to motorists. For…