Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County Cooperative Extension 4-H has opened registration for its exciting summer Ag Camp, which will be held July 8-12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the E.M.B.A.R.C. Youth Farm, 1185 Rock Chapel Road, in unincorporated Lithonia. E.M.B.A.R.C. is the acronym for Education, Market, Botanicals, Agriculture and Recreational Center and is the former site of the Bransby Outdoor Y. The free camp is open to students in grades 4 – 12 and will offer an array of outdoor activities including arts and crafts, pollinator activities, hikes, gardening, seed dispersal contests, and Solar S’mores. Space is limited. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/DeKalbCounty4-HEMBARC2024.…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department has secured 54 warrants for two suspects who shoplifted from nine Mall of Georgia stores and is seeking the public’s help in locating the women. On June 22, officers assigned to the North precinct responded to the Dick’s Sporting Goods store located at 3333 Buford Drive inside the Mall of Georgia. A store representative called 911 and reported observing two female suspects shoplifting large quantities of merchandise. The suspects left the store on foot and headed towards a white passenger vehicle parked just outside the store. When confronted by the store representative,…

All offices closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day DEKALB COUNTY, GA– In observance of Independence Day, the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office will be closed for the holiday on Thursday, July 4 and will resume regular business hours on Friday, July 5. As residents prepare to travel this holiday, vehicle owners are reminded to plan ahead and renew their registration early to avoid delays. “Ensuring your vehicle registration is current should be on your travel checklist before any road trip, whether it’s local or long distance,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson. “Driving with an expired car tag,…

ATLANTA—Pay raises for teachers and law enforcement officers, increased child tax emptions, lower state income tax and basic standards for rental homes are among Georgia’s new laws to take effect today, July 1. On Common Ground News has included a link in this story to all of the new laws that you can search by county, municipality or subject. Speaker of the House Jon Burns highlighted pieces of legislation passed in the 2024 session that he says will have a significant positive impact on Georgia. “The House had an incredibly successful legislative session this year prioritizing policies that make our state…

STONECREST, GA—Tributes continue to pour in for New Black Wall Street Market Founder Lecester “Bill” Allen. Today, June 29, marks one week since Mr. Allen’s passing. Mr. Allen, 80, died after a long illness. The family of Mr. Allen has not released any information concerning funeral arrangements. Meanwhile, dozens of people have stopped by the New Black Wall Street Market to pay their respects, writing messages in a memorial book where a portrait of Mr. Allen is now erected at the entrance of the market. Additionally, top dignitaries who knew Mr. Allen have issued statements reflecting on his contributions…

100 Black Men of DeKalb, Privi, City of Stonecrest, DeKalb CEO-Elect Lorraine Cochran-Johnson unite  as sponsors  STONECREST, GA —The 100 Back Men of DeKalb County will kick off its “Summer of Peace” at the newly-opened Privi at the Mall at Stonecrest.  The organization was joined by community leaders at a press conference on Friday to announce the program for youths ages 10 to 19 that will span five weeks, starting July 5 and continuing every Friday through Aug. 2, 2024. Held at the newly opened Priví at Stonecrest Mall, program will feature workshops, classes, and violence prevention training followed by a…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—The Gwinnett Police Department has received several inquiries about a social media video that shows people riding in the back of a moving truck.  The person who posted the video indicated that people in the back of the truck were tied up and possibly being trafficked. The Police Department issued the following statement: “Our officers stopped that vehicle on June 21, on I-85 Northbound near Sugarloaf Pkwy.  The back of the van had two families (eight people total including two juveniles).  They were not tied up or in distress.  They appeared healthy and agreed to speak with the…

CONYERS, GA—The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Alicia Pope, a 16-year-old Conyers teen. Alicia was 15 years old when she went missing on Feb. 24, 2024. It has been more than four months since Alicia disappeared, and authorities believe she may live in the local area or travel to Hampton, Georgia. Alicia is 5’6,” weighs 150 pounds and has brown eyes and brown hair. In an effort to bring more attention to Alicia’s case, her poster will be displayed on gas pumps throughout Georgia as part of a partnership between NCMEC…

STONECREST, GA—The family of New Black Wall Street Market founder Lecester “Bill” Allen has issued a statement concerning his death. C.H. Braddy, godson of Mr. Allen, on behalf of the family, has made a plea concerning conflict with the city over the land that Mr. Allen amassed as Stonecrest’s largest commercial landowner. Mr. Allen passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024 after a long illness. He was 80. Braddy told On Common Ground News that the family was under stress as it is making funeral arrangements while dealing with the conflict, which could be headed for a legal battleground. Braddy spoke…