Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction by jury trial and sentencing of a man accused of shooting and killing two people at an extended stay motel in unincorporated Decatur.  On Wednesday, Sept. 23, a jury found William Leftenent, 39, guilty of two counts of Malice Murder, four counts of Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in connection with the deaths of Lamar Pringle, 32 and Mariana Greene, 35, on May 28, 2024.  During a sentencing…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Four years after its closure, Michelle Obama Park at Intrenchment Creek will officially reopen, marking the return of an important natural and recreational resource for residents and visitors while celebrating a new chapter of connectivity, conservation, and community. DeKalb County will kick off the celebration with the park’s ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 9 a.m., 1600 Constitution Road S.E., Atlanta. The grand re-opening celebration will showcase the County’s $1.8 million Phase I investment in Michelle Obama Park and feature “From Forest to Fabric: Rethinking What You Wear,” an outdoor fashion event highlighting the connection…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Fugitive Kean Wiggins, 35, wanted for Murder out of the state of New York was captured on Thursday, Sept. 24, after gunfire involving multiple law enforcement agencies assisted on the case. Wiggins had been on the run for nearly 5 months wanted in connection with the May 6 killing of Shardonay Tyce in Albany, New York. Authorities from the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and Gwinnett County Police Department assisted the U.S. Marshals in Wiggins’ arrest.  Wiggins was captured after a standoff at a residence located in the 1900 block of Binnies Way in Buford. Along with Wiggins, an adult female at…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–Gwinnett County will host a series of community update and input events for the upcoming restoration of the Maguire-Livsey Family Big House — a landmark that reflects significant cultural heritage and historical contributions in the South Gwinnett community. The events will give residents an opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions and share perspectives that will help guide the site’s future. During each session, the project team will provide an overview of emerging themes and ideas for the restoration, and attendees will be invited to reflect on project priorities and goals. In-person session Date: Saturday, Sept.…

ATLANTA, GA–The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Law Enforcement Division Sgt. Ben Cunningham, a 27-year veteran of the Department.  Sgt. Cunningham passed away on Thursday, Sept. 24, following a possible medical episode while training in Cunningham’s career with DNR began with the Wildlife Resources Division in August 1999. He transferred to DNR Law Enforcement in December 2006 and promoted to Corporal in 2017 and Sergeant in March 2021.  Officials said that Cunningham was an outstanding Game Warden and supervisor in the DNR Law Enforcement Division, most recently serving as Sergeant…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) will resume its regular 7 a.m. start time for residential collection operations effective Monday,  Sept. 28, 2026. In July, DSWM temporarily shifted residential collection operations from 7 a.m. to 6 a.m. in response to extreme summer temperatures and heat-related considerations for employees working outdoors. The early start was implemented to help reduce employees’ exposure to extreme heat while maintaining consistent collection services throughout the department’s service area. With fall underway and temperatures beginning to cool, the temporary early start schedule will end. “Our employees are at the heart…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Police have arrested a suspect two days after the weekend murders of two young boys. Investigators arrested 18-year-old Julian Ellis on Tuesday night (Sept. 22) in connection with the shooting deaths of  the two brothers, Jamarion Rolle, 11, and Jakhi Clark, 12. Two women, ages 19 and 37, were also shot at the scene. The women survived and received treatment for their injuries.  Ellis is facing two counts of Felony Murder and six counts of Aggravated Assault stemming from the shooting on Sunday night (Sept. 20) on North Hairston Road in unincorporated  Stone Mountain.  Police have…

A record-setting 31 Gwinnett County Public Schools alumni are currently on NFL rosters or practice squads, the highest number in district history. Representing schools across the district, these athletes showcase the strength of GCPS athletics and the opportunities available for scholar-athletes to succeed at the highest levels of competition. Their success reflects years of hard work and dedication, along with the support of coaches, teachers, families, and school communities that helped them along the way.  “Seeing 31 former GCPS student-athletes on NFL rosters is something our entire community can take pride in,” said GCPS Director of Athletics Jason Holcomb. “It speaks…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— On Tuesday, Sept. 22, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the renaming of the DeKalb County Police Department’s East Precinct at 2484 Bruce Street in the City of Lithonia as the Chief Eddie Moody Precinct. The item was presented to the Board by District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson.  Eddie Moody, the first African American Chief of Police in DeKalb County, dedicated some three decades of his professional career to the DeKalb County Police Department. Moody, now 72, began his service with the Department in 1973 as a clerk typist and rose through the ranks…