Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA —The Magnolia (GA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.  and Big Bethel A.M.E. Church will host the grand opening of a community food pantry on Jan. 18, 1 to 4 p.m., at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church, 220 Auburn Ave. The pantry was established in response to rising food insecurity affecting families, seniors, and working households across Metro Atlanta. The initiative is supported by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, whose invaluable partnership strengthens the pantry’s capacity to provide consistent access to nutritious food, The Links stated.  “As Links, our charge is to respond when communities are in need,” said Lisa Rayam-Tucker, president of the Magnolia (GA) Chapter of The Links, Inc. “This food pantry represents our…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Fire Rescue invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of Fire Station #5 on Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with the ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The new fire station is located at 2100 W. Hightower Trail, Conyers, GA. The event will take place at the newly renovated fire station, located at  2100 W. Hightower Trail, Conyers, marking   an important milestone in the county’s commitment to public safety and emergency services. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend this free, family-friendly celebration Attendees will enjoy complimentary hot dogs,…

By Mark Brock DeKalb County School District Athletics Specialist Four Towers Titans players hit double figures on the way to a 63-36 Region 4-A Division 1 over the McNair Mustangs to complete the sweep at Towers on Tuesday night. Towers (5-11, 2-1) got to work in the opening period with 10 rebounds (five offensive) as they jumped out to a 13-2 lead. Three of Towers’ first six baskets of the game came on put backs, two by Corinthius Collins. CJ Winfrey’s layup with 4:28 remaining in the opening period made it 13-2. Winfrey finished the quarter with a three-pointer for…

DECATUR, GA—Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue with the launch of the Grant Drive Water Main Replacement Project. Crews will replace 6,600 linear feet of aging pipelines.  The line repair project is expected to last approximately seven months (February to August 2026), barring any weather delays.   This project is part of DeKalb County’s $4.27 billion capital improvement program to improve capacity and service of the watershed systems serving the community.  Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Police VICE Investigators have arrested a 36-year-old man for trying meet up with a 14-year-old female.   Jonathan Dismang, of McDonough, was arrested during an undercover internet investigation.   On Jan. 5, the VICE Unit conducted an ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) undercover investigation into a man who believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old female via the internet.   Dismang sent explicit pictures of himself and was requesting to meet up with the 14-year-old. He travelled from McDonough to a pre-determined location in Norcross to meet the female he was communicating with.  He was placed under arrest and charged…

DECATUR, GA –The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with the U.S. Marshal’s Office, has arrested a second suspect in the 2025 Ingles grocery store shooting in which two bystanders were seriously injured. Christian Earion Shamar Price, 28, was arrested at a Providence Point Way residence in Lithonia, Georgia without incident on Jan.13, 2026. Price was transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where he is being held without bond, authorities said. Price was being sought on an arrest warrant charging him with aggravated assault weapon in connection with a shootout inside the Ingles grocery store located at 4815 Rockbridge Road in Stone…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– During its Jan. 12, 2026Regular Board Meeting, the DeKalb County Board of Education elected Allyson Gevertz as the new Board Chair and Awet Eyasu as  Vice Chair for 2026. “I am honored by the board’s confidence in electing me as chair of the DeKalb County Board of Education. I’m so proud of the work of this board,” said Gevertz. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the superintendent, educators, and community to support student success and make thoughtful, transparent decisions in the best interest of our students.” “Thank you to my colleagues for selecting me to serve…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– The graduation rate for Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) students involved in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs remains exceptionally strong with 99.38% for the Class of 2025. RCPS continues well above the state-wide rate, which rose to 98.45%. This rate applies to students who complete a Career Pathway.  The state also released the district’s 2025 graduation rates for pathway completers in the areas of Advanced Academics, World Language, and Fine Arts. RCPS graduation rates in these areas all rose to 99.79%, 99.40%, and 100%, respectively.  Rockdale’s Superintendent Shirley Chesser said, “CTAE courses prepare students with real-world…

DECATUR, GA– The Arbor Day Foundation named DeKalb County a 2025 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit its community.  The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. Its network of more than a million supporters and partners has helped the organization plant more than 500 million trees in forests and communities across more than 60 countries. The Foundation’s Tree City USA program is now celebrating its 50th recognition season. The anniversary underscores the program’s rich history of growing healthier, greener, and…

Update: DeKalb County extends opening warming centers through Jan. 19 due to continued cold weather expected. DECATUR,GA– Due to forecasted freezing temperatures and hazardous wind chills, DeKalb County will activate warming centers beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, continuing through Friday, Jan. 16, 2026:  The following sites will be open for those in need: Exchange Park Intergenerational Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road SE, Atlanta St. Vincent de Paul, 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road, Chamblee Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur The following locations will be open on January 15 – January 16 (Thursday and  Friday) for the 24-hour activation: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham…