Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– A former DeKalb County detention officer has been arrested on felony charges, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said on Sept. 15. Deshawn Robinson, 24, is facing felony charges including Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoid, Marijuana or K2 With the Intent to Distribute, Items Prohibited for Possession by Inmates, and Violation of Oath by Public Officer. He was arrested on Sept. 11 and has been released on bond, the Sheriff’s Office said. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and stated the agency has no further comment at this time.

ATLANTA, GA– DeKalb County will host a public memorial service for Master Firefighter Preston Fant on Thursday, Sept. 18.  Firefighter Fant’s body will lie in state beginning at 1 p.m., with the memorial service scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Truist Park, 755 Battery Ave., S.E., Atlanta.   Firefighter Fant died in the line of duty trying to save a colleague while battling a warehouse fire in Stone Mountain on Sept. 8. He was 53.  Fant, a 21-year veteran firefighter, is survived by his wife and five children.  The memorial service is open to the public. The service also will be…

ATLANTA – MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt has announced a restructuring of his leadership team with a renewed focus on operational safety, reliability and project delivery. “The way to rebuild public trust in MARTA is by delivering routine excellence every day,”  Hunt said.“I believe these organizational changes will strengthen accountability, create space for innovation, and enhance service delivery.” MARTA Chief Customer Experience Officer Rhonda Allen has been appointed Deputy General Manager and will oversee several critical departments including the Divisions of Customer Experience and Technology, Operations and Urban Planning, Capital Programs, Engineering & Infrastructure, Administrative Services, as well as…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—THE Rockdale County Board of Commissioners will host a community Town Hall discussion on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m.  at the Costley Mill event center, 2599 Salem Church Road, Conyers. 

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Norcross man was sentenced to life after he pled guilty to raping a 10-year-old girl. Alonzo Lopez Osveli, 32, entered a guilty plea on Sept. 11 in Gwinnett County Superior Court to charges of rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery and child molestation. Osveli was sentenced to life with the first 25 years in prison. He must serve every day of the 25 years, as well as register as a child sex offender for life. “We are pleased with this outcome,” Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “We pray the victim and her family can…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Unlike I-20 and I-285 on a typical morning or afternnoon, ,DeKalb Public Health is out to make sure  your fall and winter routine is flu-free and full speed ahead…within legal limits, of course. On Sat., Sept. 27, DeKalb Public Health will host a drive-thru vaccination event at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Rd. in Lithonia, 9 a.m. until 1p.m. Pre-registration is not required. Three variations of flu shot will be available – Fluarix, for children 6 months and older; Flublok for individuals 9 years and older, immunocompromised individuals, or those who would like a vaccine that may give…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Officials began mailing tax bills for City of Atlanta properties in DeKalb County on Sept. 15 for the 2025 tax year.  Nearly 15,000 bills were mailed by the tax commissioner’s office to property owners with a due date of Nov. 17. Bills also can be accessed online at publicaccess.dekalbcountyga.gov. In addition to City of Atlanta, nearly 250,000 DeKalb County property tax bills were mailed in August. Owners paying the full amount at once can do so by Sept. 30 to avoid late fees; owners paying in two installments have until the Sept. 30 and Nov. 17 deadlines. “Tax bills are…