Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Expect road closures and detours as DeKalb County Watershed Management(DWM) construction crews replace sewer lines and manhole structures on 2nd and 3rd Avenues in Decatur.     Motorists are advised that construction will take place during the following periods: 2ndAvenue: Ongoing – Sept.19, 2025 3rdAvenue: Sept. 29 – Oct.17, 2025 Road closure and detour signs will be posted advising motorists of local traffic restrictions. These dates are subject to change based on weather conditions. Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should…

LILBURN, GA– The City of Lilburn invites the community to join a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept.13, at 10 a.m., to officially unveil recent beautification improvements at the Lilburn Community Garden located at 16 Camp Creek Drive. The garden is located across the railroad tracks from Lilburn City Park. Funded through SPLOST, the project has transformed the garden’s entrance and gathering spaces with thoughtful enhancements, including: A new split-rail fence and updates to the original garden sign Fresh pavers around the American flagpole A welcoming seating area with shade sails and Adirondack chairs Decorative lighting (installation forthcoming) An array of…

CONYERS, GA. – Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) honors 168 students recently named 2025 Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars – including four who earned the AP Capstone Diploma for their outstanding performance on the 2024-2025 exams. This marks an increase of 44 students from the previous year with all RCPS high schools represented among the AP Scholars. The number of RCPS students scoring 3 or higher also increased 38% from 538 students in 2023-24 to 742 students in 2024-25. “These results reflect the hard work of our students and the dedication of our teachers and staff,” said RCPS Superintendent Shirley Chesser. “We are…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County is mourning the loss of Firefighter Preston Fant, a 21-year veteran of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, who died in the line of duty while battling a warehouse fire on Monday, Sept. 8. On Tuesday, Sept. 9, flags across DeKalb County government buildings were lowered to half-staff in honor of Fant. At Fire Station 24 on Redan Road, where Fant was stationed, his colleagues stood solemnly alongside Chief Darnell Fullum, who reflected on Fant’s service and legacy during Tuesday morning’s press conference.  Fant, 53, is DeKalb County’s first firefighter to die in the line of duty…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, in partnership with the U.S. Marshals Task Force, arrested 14 suspects—including three juveniles—in connection with recent thefts and violent assaults in Stone Mountain, Georgia. On Aug. 26, deputies executed an endeavor at a residence on Copperfield Circle in Decatur, Georgia, to serve arrest warrants for four individuals wanted on charges of Armed Robbery and Aggravated Assault.  The operation resulted in an additional 68 warrants and the seizure of multiple illegal weapons and narcotics, including: 15 firearms (11 modified with illegal automatic switches) 220 grams of marijuana 77 grams of MDMA/Ecstasy 82 grams…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its regular public meeting on Thursday, Sept.18, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the 178 Sams Street, Room A1201 – A & B, Decatur.  Agenda  Callto Order Adoptionof Agenda   III.            Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of July 17, 2025 Committees – Updates Advisory Opinions – General Counsel’s Update Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report Preliminary Cases  Tonya Newberry v. School Resource Officer, Case No. 2025-6 Asya Perrymond v. Vanessa Collins,  Case No. 2025-7 Dianne Charlie Moore v. Johnny Mitchell, Case No. 2025-8 Public Comments Comments from the…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale Soil and Water Conservation District will host a presentation on urban gardening and farming on Friday, Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m., at the Rockdale County Extension Office, 1127 West Ave. S.W., Conyers. District Conservationist Brandon Bland will present the latest subsidies available via the USDA Young Farmers and Ranchers program. A package will be provided to explain all details of the program. The meeting is open and free to attend. 

DECATUR, GA — Greenforest Community Baptist Church’s Social Justice Ministry invites the community to its Business Expo on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Greenforest Early Learning Center, 3250 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. With the theme, “Let’s Build Wealth Together,” the expo aims to empower individuals and families with the tools and knowledge to pursue financial independence and entrepreneurial success. The event will feature free exhibits and workshops open to the public, covering topics such as: How to Start a Business Financial Literacy Smart Investment Strategies Building Wealth through Real Estate Investment The expo will feature a variety of vendors offering…