Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The Global Leadership Academy for Homeschoolers (GLA) recently held its annual National Beta Club induction ceremony for 19 DeKalb Christian Home Educators’ (DCHE) students. The induction was held at the Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church. The students were selected for membership based on their academic standing and character. They join more than 500,000 members across the United States. National Beta Club is the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth group in the United States. Its mission is to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service, and leadership among elementary and secondary school students. The club will…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– As recent brisk morning temperatures mark fall’s impending arrival, DeKalb health officials are preparing to help protect county residents against the spread of respiratory illnesses. This Friday, Sept. 20, DeKalb Public Health will host a drive-thru vaccination event at its North DeKalb Health Center, 3807 Clairmont Rd. NE, in Chamblee. The hours for seniors and individuals with special needs are from 9 a.m. until 1p.m. For children (ages 6 and up), adults, and seniors, the hours are from 3 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is not required. Three variations of flu shot will be available – Fluarix, for…

 Walk-ins to use UGA Extension entrance, disabled to use main entrance  DECATUR, GA –Anticipating an influx of customers coming in to pay their tax bills this time of year, the DeKalb Tax Commissioner’s Office is temorarily re-routing walk-in traffic at its main office, located at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur. Walk-in customers will use the UGA Extension entrance at the front of the building Sept. 16–30, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Extended hours will be available Sept. 23–30 until 6 p.m. Customers with disabilities may still use the main entrance located off Northern Avenue. In-person service is also available…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—The Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) is seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects who took thousands of dollars using an “ATM Jackpotting” scam. On Aug. 27, two suspects entered a Texaco gas station located at 1670 Pleasant Hill Road in unincorporated Duluth. They made their way to the stand-alone ATM machine inside the business and began to simulate a transaction. The suspects introduced a form of malware into the machine’s software, allowing them to withdraw large amounts of cash without utilizing a legitimate bank card. On Aug.29, the same two suspects targeted a Chevron gas station located…

Lithonia, GA –The Freedom Dreams Mass Meeting will take place on Oct. 19, 12:00 noon, at First Saint Paul AME Church, 2624 Klondike Road, Lithonia. The event will feature the inspiring Albany Civil Rights Institute Singers and a lineup of passionate community speakers. Together, they will highlight the ongoing journey toward greater freedom and the power of collective dreams. In a tradition of unity and hope, this mass meeting seeks to honor the practice of coming together in the name of love, freedom, and a more inclusive American democracy. It’s a call for the community to reflect on its shared goals…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Weather permitting, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) construction partners will temporarily close interstate lanes at the locations below for the I-285/I-20 East Interchange project. The project will reconstruct the interstate system-to-system ramps at the I-285/I-20 East Interchange and add a combination of collector-distributor, or connecting lanes, and auxiliary lanes along I-20 east of the interchange and I-285 north of the interchange. Beginning Thursday, Sept. 19, 11 p.m., through Friday, Sept. 20, 5 a.m., overnight, traffic will be shifted to the widened left shoulder of the I-20 eastbound to I-285 southbound ramp in time for the Friday morning…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County Fire Rescue is hosting a Community Information and Feedback Meeting to discuss the future of fire rescue services on Thursday, Sept. 26, 5 to 7 p.m., at the J. P. Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers. This is an opportunity for the public to ask questions and offer recommendations that will help shape a new comprehensive five-year strategic plan to guide public safety efforts in the coming years. Meeting Details Date: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: J.P. Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers, GA For more information about the Reimagine Rockdale Together Strategic…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department has arrested a DeKalb County School teacher for multiple crimes against a child. Marcus Knight, 49, Lawrenceville, was charged with aggravated child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, and obscene internet contact with a child. Authorities said the 14-year-old victim was not a student of Knight. According to the investigation, detectives assigned to the Gwinnett County Police Department Special Victims Unit were alerted on Sept. 3 about a possible adult male having sexual intercourse with a child. The victim’s mother discovered sexually explicit conversations between the child and an unknown male…