Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—The City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation has kicked off the design phase for the Memorial Drive Greenway, a planned linear park stretching from historic Oakland Cemetery to the edge of downtown.  Led by Pond & Company, the project will transform underused land into a vibrant public space connecting neighborhoods with input from residents and community stakeholders in shaping the final vision. The design team will draw upon the 2016 Memorial Drive Vision Plan as a foundational guide. The Memorial Drive Greenway will revitalize a half mile stretch of the corridor between Memorial Drive SE and Martin Luther King…

ATLANTA– DeKalb County is grieving the tragic loss of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who died in the line of duty on Friday, Aug. 8, while responding to a call involving a gunman who opened fire on the headquarters of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. Authorities have confirmed that the father of the 30-year-old gunman had alerted law enforcement before the shooting that his son blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal. The CDC played a key role in promoting vaccinations during the COVID pandemic and has been heavily criticized by vaccine…

Cat tested positive in Stone Mountain area  DEKALB COUNTY, GA—A positive rabies case was reported in the Stone Mountain area involving a cat. The cat was captured, euthanized and tested positive for rabies. Georgia is a rabies endemic state, and the virus is present all year long. It is not unusual for the county to report several rabies cases each year. When rabid animals are reported in a community, it is essential for residents to take proactive safety measures to protect themselves, their families, and their pets.  Health officials advise that residents: Avoid contact with all unfamiliar animals Health officials…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Federal investigators are working to determine what caused a small plane belonging to  All2Fly Flight School, based at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), to crash over the weekend at the corner of Clairmont Road and 9th Street in Brookhaven.  The national Transportation Safety Board joined the FAA and PDK officials in examining the wreckage. PDK Airport said preliminary radar data shows the Piper PA-28( tail number N1080H) departed PDK at 10:51 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, for a trip to Rome, Georgia, before returning to perform multiple “touch-and-go” training landings. At 12:45 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, the plane reportedly struck several trees,…

ATLANTA–Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) will spotlight local nonprofits in honor of National Nonprofit Day, during his 4th Annual “Week of H.O.P.E.”– Helping Other People Elevate initiative—Aug. 11-16.  During the initiative, nonprofit leaders will have a chance to learn about grant writing and funding, as well as celebrate outstanding nonprofits that are improving lives and helping to build stronger communities in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District.  Johnson plans to roll up his sleeves and volunteer at a food pantry to highlight those serving on the front lines to address food insecurity in communities.  Johnson said he hopes to inspire communities by emphasizing that, even…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA –Community leaders, residents, and family members gathered on Thursday, Aug. 7, to celebrate a woman whose impact reached far beyond DeKalb County, her hometown. DeKalb County officially renamed Ellenwood Park as the Alice White Bussey Legacy Park, honoring the late trailblazer, who broke barriers in business, government, and community service. Dr. Bussey passed away on March 7, 2025. The Decatur resident was 77. The 46-acre park, located at 4100 River Road in Ellenwood, was renamed to recognize Bussey’s decades of advocacy that helped bring vital resources to the park itself and the Ellenwood Library to the County Line/Ellenwood area,…

CONYERS, GA—The City of Conyers Police Department is set to enhance its emergency response capabilities with $1.3 million in federal funding allocated by U.S. Congressman David Scott to purchase a Mobile Command Vehicle for the City of Conyers. The funding is part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Federal Appropriations Bill, which awaits final passage by Congress. Lawmakers aim to approve the bill by Sept. 30, though enactment could occur later in the fiscal year. The state-of-the-art Mobile Command Vehicle will serve as an operational hub for strategic coordination between police, fire and other emergency workers during major incidents—enabling faster, more…

DECATUR, GA— The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections (BRE) will hold a Special Called Meeting for a board retreat and strategic planning session on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 10 a.m.  This meeting will be in person at the Courtyard Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory Hotel, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, GA 30030. Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one printed page or less at a minimum font of 12 to electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov which must be received between 35 and five minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting. The body of your email must include your first and last name. The BRE Special Called meeting will be held in-person and not live streamed. By…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb Regional Land BankAuthority Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 2 p.m. at 178 Sams Street, Training Room A1201-A & A1201-B (first floor), Decatur.   The public also can attend the meeting virtually at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81020464767?pwd=viAQ85iuujAGmr64keBGzGgsEARdd E.1 Meeting ID: 810 2046 4767 USA 602 333 0032 USA 8882709936 (US Toll Free) Conference code: 436320 The meeting agenda is as follows: Approval of June 12, 2025 Meeting Minutes Treasurer’sReport III.  Attorney’s Property Title Status Report Chairman’sReport ExecutiveDirector’s Report – Tamika Churchill ▪       Other VII. Adjournment