Author: On Common Ground News

Atlanta – Record-breaking turnout continues as Georgia has surpassed 1 million in-person early votes, with 1,007,015 Georgians casting their ballots as of noon Oct. 20. In 2022, 894,412 Georgians had voted early in-person, marking a 12% increase this year.  “We continue to break records each day of early voting,” said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. “This is evidence that Georgians trust our election process. The strong turnout reflects the work our 159 county election officials do to make our elections free, fair, and fast.”  In addition to in-person voting, 48,916 absentee ballots have been accepted as of noon on Tuesday, bringing overall…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County officials  unveiled the newly expanded community recreation center at Lenora Park on Tuesday, Oct. 20.  The park’s transformation include the e park’s existing gymnasium into a modern facility with expanded amenities and gathering spaces for residents in Soth Gwinnett.  Funded by the County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax,(SPLOST) the facility includes an updated gym, as well as a new community room with a catering kitchen, dance studio, art room with pottery studio, game room, restrooms, locker rooms, offices and a reception area. The project also added a new drop-off area and parking for 73 vehicles. “This…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Country Lane will be closed to traffic on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Vista Trail and Woodland Hills Drive to facilitate tree removal work at 1108 Country Lane. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions.  For questions regarding this road closure, contact Whitney Anderson, office administrator: Boutte Tree, Inc. at 404-799-5472.

STONECREST, GA—The City of Stonecrest will host its Fall Festival on this Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Southeast Athletic Complex, 5845 Hillvale Road. Get ready to follow the Yellow Brick Road to an unforgettable evening of family fun as the City of Stonecrest presents There’s No Place Like Stonecrest Fall Festival. Inspired by the beloved worlds of The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz and Wicked, the celebration will transform the Southeast Athletic Complex into a magical destination inflated with entertainment, activities and memorable experiences. From the wonder of hot air balloon rides to captivating magic shows, food and sweet treats, the festival promises an evening…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA— Rockdale County Elections Director Cynthia Willingham reported that 536 residents cast ballots on Sunday, Oct. 18, for the General and Special Election set Nov. 3, 2026. Sunday’s turnout brought the total for the 6-day Early Voting period in Rockdale to 10,376, Willingham stated. Sunday’s turnout in Rockdale was the lowest number since Early Voting began on Tuesday, Oct. 13, ending the evening with 1,918 voters.  Rockdale has 66,389 active registered voters. As of Sunday, the total number of active voters remaining to cast  ballots is 56,013.   Early voting continues: Monday through Friday, Oct. 19-23, from 8-5…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Lithonia High School’s Achilles Buchannan’s 50-yard touchdown run with just 3:50 left to play sealed the deal with a 20-17 victory over the Southwest DeKalb Panthers on Thursday (Oct. 15).  The late winning touchdown in the key Region 5-5A game came on homecoming  night at Hallford Stadium.  Southwest DeKalb’s Kelvin Saturday nailed a 44-yard field goal with 7:52 remaining in the game to put the Panthers (4-4, 2-2) up 17-14. An offensive pass interference call stalled the Panthers drive, which had gotten Lithonia to 17, and pushed them back. Lithonia came right back with a seven-play, 80-yard drive…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—A Decatur man has been indicted for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend, despite a no-contact order. On Tuesday, Oct. 13, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Laharry Ward, 57, of Decatur, on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Violating a Family Violence Order in connection with the death of Toyka Biggs, 43.   According to the preliminary investigation, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded just after 1:30 p.m. on July 21, 2026, to a report of an unresponsive person at an apartment complex on Friendly Heights Boulevard in unincorporated Decatur.  When police arrived, they found…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— A dead bat has tested positive for rabies in the Echo Cliff Court area of Atlanta. DeKalb County officials said the bat was tested on Oct. 15. Officials are urging  those  who live in the area to make sure their pets are vaccinated and to avoid contact with wild animals.  Officials say if an animal bites or scratches them, they should seek medical attention immediately. Georgia is a rabies endemic state, and the virus is present all year long. It is not unusual for the county to report several rabies cases each year. Vaccinations are effective in…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to inclement weather and Georgia’s state of emergency, DeKalb County’s free residential bulky item collection scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, was suspended.  DeKalb County’s Department of Solid Waste Management has revised collection for residential customers as follows:  Friday, Oct. 16 – Tuesday customers (Affected due to inclement weather) will be serviced.  Eligible items must be placed at the curb on Thursday, Oct. 15. Saturday, Oct. 17 or Friday, Oct. 23 – Wednesday customers will be serviced.  Eligible items must be placed at the curb on Friday, Oct. 16. Saturday, Oct. 24 or Friday, Oct. 30 – Thursday customers will be serviced.  Eligible items must be placed at the…