Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by guilty plea in the case against a Decatur teen who shot an 11-year-old boy in the head outside a skating rink.  On Monday, Sept. 8, Cam’ron Mealing, who was 13 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to charges of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery, two counts of Armed Robbery, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under 18 Years Old in connection with the shooting on April 9, 2022.    According to the investigation, a little after…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The deadline to submit pre-application for the DeKalb Senior Tree Removal Program is Friday, Sept. 12, at the close of business. To qualify for funding, eligibility requirements are: Homeowner must be a DeKalb County senior citizen aged 62 years or older. Property for tree removal must be the homeowner’s principal residence. Homeowner’s total household income must be at of below 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) as defined by the federal government. For a family household size of 4 people the maximum income is $68,520. To apply, obtain a pre-application card using one of the following…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported today, Sept. 5, that an inmate housed at the DeKalb County Jail died following a medical emergency on Thursday, Sept. 4.  The inmate has been identified as Preston Gabriel Bush, 49, of Doraville, Georgia. The on-site medical team responded immediately and provided emergency care until EMS personnel arrived. The inmate was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased, officials said in a news release. Officials said no updates were available concerning two other unrelated in-custody deaths at the DeKalb County Jail reported by the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 26.…

CONYERS, GA–The City of Conyers released the qualifying results for its upcoming municipal races today, Sept. 5, at 2:42 p.m The three-day qualifying period for the Special Election to fill the City Council District 2, Post 2 seat ended today, Sept. 5, at 12:30 p.m. Three candidates—Jason Cosby, Shivern Jeter, and Sherri Washington—officially entered the race.  Jeter initially qualified on Aug. 20 for the District 2, Post 1 seat currently held by incumbent Charlie Bryant. However, she later withdrew from the race. On Sept. 3, Jeter qualified for the District 2, Post 2 seat, vacated by Connie Alsobrook, who is…

The following information is provided regarding upcoming elections in Conyers and Rockdale County: 1. City of Conyers Municipal Elections, November 4, 2025 The election will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Conyers elections are decided by plurality; no runoff will be held unless there is a tie. Only voters residing within the City of Conyers limits are eligible to vote in this election. All City voters will see the Mayor’s race on their ballot. Council District races will only appear for voters who reside in the respective district. There are currently 12,356 eligible voters in the City of Conyers. 2. Public Service Commission – Districts…

DECATUR, GA– Hundreds of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders gathered yesterday at the Emory Conference Center Hotel for the DeKalb County Small Business Summit, a tradition launched by CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson during her tenure as District 7 Commissioner and continued this year in her first term as CEO.  Over the past four years, the summit has become a cornerstone event for advancing economic development in DeKalb, equipping small businesses with the tools, training, and connections needed to thrive. Co-hosted by the Decide DeKalb Development Authority and the DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, this year’s summit was held under the theme “Navigating Small Businesses During Uncertain…

The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold the following meetings on Monday, September 8, 2025. The board meeting is in-person and will be held in the J. David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083.  11:30 a.m.  Board Meeting                     Executive Session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters.                     Work Session & Business Meeting  5:45 p.m.    Community Input Session The meeting agenda is attached and can be accessed online by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org, click on Leadership, go to Simbli (formally known as eBoard) Home Page and click on the date for the meeting agenda/information.  The meeting can be viewed…

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) awarded a total of 44 projects valued at approximately $201.8 million at the monthly State Transportation Board meeting held in July. The largest single investment construction project, valued at approximately $49.5 million, proposes to widen and reconstruct 8.443 miles of US 441/State Route (SR) 89 beginning at Orange Street and extending north of SR 122 in Clinch County. This contract and eight other construction projects total approximately $102.9 million and represent 51 percent of the total funds awarded. The largest resurfacing contract, valued at approximately $8.2 million, will mill, inlay and plant mix resurface 5.080 miles on US 78/SR 410…

UPDATED: Sept. 3, 2025 CONYERS, GA—Conyers voters will have a chance to elect a new City Council member for the District 2, Post 2 seat vacated by Connie Alsobrook, who stepped down to run for mayor and is facing Brad Smith in the two-way race.  Candidates will have only three days to qualify for the special election—Sept. 3-5—and pay the $252 qualifying fee.  Qualifying will be held at City Hall, 901 O’Kelly St., Conyers. Alsobrook qualified on Aug. 21 to run for mayor. She was elected in 2023 to a second four-year term on the council, which would have ended…