Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY – The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from a third-party hotline today (Oct. 28) about a possible threat at a local Rockdale high school. After a thorough investigation, it was determined to be a hoax.  Several schools across the United States have received the same or similar threat. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) was contacted and provided support. The GBI will forward notification to the FBI for further review. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is committed to treating all school threats with the utmost seriousness.

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—On Saturday, Oct. 26, a crowd gathered to dedicate a community park in South DeKalb County, GA in honor of longtime civil rights activist John Evans, who in 1983 became the first black to serve on the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.    Cheers and applause erupted as the former 36-acre DeKalb County Shoal Creek Park III was renamed the John Evans Legacy Park. The park, located at 3075 McAfee Road in unincorporated Decatur, includes a children’s playground and a creek in a beautiful, serene setting that pays homage to the Muscogee and Creek Indigenous Nations.  The green space is one that…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Three men convicted of raping a woman at gunpoint while forcing her boyfriend to watch were ordered to serve life sentences.  Elijah Nil Curney, 20, was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years with the possibility of parole. Daquain R. Livingston, 21, was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years with the possibility of parole. Dashawn Andrettie Harris, 18, was sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years with the possibility of parole. Each must register as a sex offender, and they are prohibited from contacting the victims.  “We are pleased that the Court rendered a very strict…

ATLANTA—Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth District, announced that a website has been created with information for constituents on inauguration history and periodic updates about planned ceremonies that will take place in January 2025.  Since 1901, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) has been responsible for planning and executing the Inaugural Ceremonies of the President-elect and Vice President-elect at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. You can see the footage of the swearing-in ceremony of President William McKinley in 1901, the first inaugural ceremony planned by the JCCIC, and find out updates on inaugural activities at  inaugural.senate.gov.  “As a reminder,…

ATLANTA – To date, FEMA has approved more than $171 million in federal disaster assistance to more than 155,000 Georgia households to help them recover from Hurricane Helene. These funds are helping people pay for a temporary place to stay, home repairs and to replace their personal belongings, among other emergency needs. Nine Disaster Recovery Centers are open across the state, providing residents with one-on-one service to apply for assistance when they need it most. More than 12,700 people have visited these centers to date, and more are expected to open in the coming days and weeks, including mobile locations to meet people…

ATLANTA— Customers making Commercial Driver’s License road test reservations can now expect a dramatically shorter wait—from six weeks to just a few days, the Georgia Department of Driver Services(DDS) announced this week. Less than two years after Gov. Brian Kemp released recommendations to address Commercial Driver Shortages, DDS has eliminated the backlog of CDL road test reservations, officials said. The reduction in wait time, officials said, reflects DDS’s ongoing commitment to boosting service efficiency and supporting Georgia’s commercial transportation industry.  “One of the drivers of record economic growth Georgia has experienced in recent years is our robust supply chain network, of which…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–Gwinnett County Police Department and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) are partnering to host the National Prescription Drug Take Back initiative on Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event encourages people to drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at collection sites around Gwinnett County. This includes unused or expired prescription medications. The purpose of the event is to combat overdose deaths, accidental poisonings, or abuse.   The proper disposal of drugs can save lives and protect the environment since unused drugs that are flushed down the toilet can contaminate the water supply. Those who have tablets, capsules,…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County 4-H presents “Front Door Produce Fresh from the Farm,” offering 20-pound boxes of produce for $30. Orders can be placed online until Nov.14, 2024. The 20-pound box of produce will be available for pickup from the DeKalb County Extension office at 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 200, Decatur, on the week of Nov.18, just ahead of Thanksgiving. Order online at https://frontdoorproduce.com/products/dekalb-county-4h-fundraiser.  If you are an individual with a disability who may require assistance or accommodation in order to participate in or receive the benefit of a service, program, or activity of UGA, or if you desire more information, please…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will attend the Defend Black History Summit, where she will receive the Black History Award on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 1 – 5 p.m. at the Loudermilk Conference Center, Atlanta.    Rep. Carter’s nomination for the award came from the National Education Association (NEA) and Color Of Change. The NEA is a professional organization representing public school teachers, support personnel, higher education faculty and staff, retired educators, and students preparing to enter the teaching profession. Color Of Change is a nonprofit organization dedicated to civil rights advocacy, with a focus on utilizing online resources to…

By State Rep. Viola Davis, D-Stone Mountain DEKALB COUNTY, GA—As your state representative for Georgia House District 87, it is my responsibility to address the concerns of constituents, especially when state laws are called into question. Recently, one of my constituents approached me with concerns regarding a proposed crematory development along Memorial Drive, asking whether it would violate Georgia state law. The specific provision in question is O.C.G.A. § 43-18-72, which clearly states that crematories must be located at least 1,000 feet away from any residential subdivision platted and recorded with the superior court. The constituent who reached out wanted…