Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – DeKalb County House Delegation Chair Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), Vice Chair Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Secretary Long Tran (D-Dunwoody), along with members of the DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation, will hold a virtual delegation meeting with DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. via Zoom. CEO Cochran Johnson will address the delegation regarding DeKalb County’s priorities for the 2026 legislative session, including intergovernmental coordination, policy needs impacting county operations and opportunities for collaboration between state and local leadership. The meeting will provide legislators with an opportunity to hear directly from the county’s…

Update: Warming Centers will open at 6 a.m. instead of 6 p.m. DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted freezing temperatures and hazardous wind chills weather forecasters are referring to as “Winter Storm Fern,” DeKalb County is activating warming centers for those in need of shelter.  The following locations will be open on Jan. 24-26 for the 24-hour activation: Exchange Park Intergenerational Center, 2771 Columbia Dr., Decatur Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Rd. SE, Atlanta St. Vincent de Paul, 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Rd,. Chamblee Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 593 Parkdale Dr., Scottdale, GA 30079 To support the early morning activation time, revised transportation pickups will be conducted…

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian P. Kemp declared a statewide State of Emergency today, Jan. 22,  ahead of Winter Storm Fern’s impact on the state this weekend. The Governor also directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) and mobilize any needed resources to address any potential needs around the state. The State of Emergency will run through January 29, 2026. “As forecasts continue to evolve, Georgians should be prepared for freezing precipitation that causes dangerous conditions and the potential for damage and power loss beginning Saturday,” said Gov.  Kemp. “I have been working closely…

Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has issued a Call for Special Election on March 11 to fill the House District 94 seat vacated by Karen Bennett of Stone Mountain. Qualifying will be held Jan. 26-28.  Bennett, 70, pleaded guilty today, Jan. 21, to making false statements to fraudulently obtain $13,940 of emergency pandemic unemployment assistance payments, reversing her Jan. 5 plea of not guilty, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta. Bennett resigned her seat effective Jan. 1, 2026, just days before she was charged with federal fraud on Jan. 5.  “Bennett was elected to represent her fellow…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and Sandra G. Scott (D-Rex) will host a virtual Homeowners Association (HOA) advocacy training meeting on Friday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., via Zoom.  The training is designed for both first-time and experienced advocates and will focus on how constituents can communicate with lawmakers and staff, understand the advocacy process and present their concerns regarding HOAs, Condominium Owners Associations (COAs) and Property Owners Associations (POAs). The training precedes HOA, COA and POA Advocacy Day at the Capitol, hosted by Reps. Davis, Schofield and Scott, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m., in room 216 of…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Due to predicted inclement winter weather expected this weekend, Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful announces that the county-wide shredding event scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 21. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Wheeler Park, 1400 Parker Road SE, Conyers, weather conditions permitting. The rescheduling allows for continued coordination with partners and ensures the event can be held safely and efficiently for all participants. Residents are encouraged to hold on to their documents and attend the rescheduled event for secure, on-site shredding of sensitive materials.  Updated Event Details: New…

What was the winning word that he cinched? Anyigba’s winning word described her performance at this year’s Bee: “valiant.” Ashley Green, a fourth grader at M.G. Barksdale Elementary School (BES), was named the runner-up.  Fifteen contestants, ranging from fourth to eighth grades who represented an elementary or middle school,  faced off in the RCPS Spelling Bee, which was held on Friday, Jan.16, at G.L. Edwards Middle School. In the final round, Green, who had also competed at the district level last year as a third grader, incorrectly spelled “pinnacle.”  Anyigba then correctly spelled “tectonic” and “valiant” to win the title as…

CONYERS, GA—Candace Chandler, a nearly 10-year employee and assistant to the Chief of Police in the Conyers Police Department, was named the recipient of the city’s 2025 Employee of the Year. The Employee of the Year Award is named for Dee Buggay, the city’s former human resources director, who exemplified every trait and attribute desired in a city employee and was the first recipient of the award. The award has been presented annually for 28 years. Chandler was surprised by the announcement at an employee appreciation breakfast, which was held at Cherokee Run Golf Club on Jan. 21. Chandler’s sons, Coby…

DECATUR, GA –The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service in Alabama, arrested a fugitive Thursday, January  15, after he stopped appearing for his murder trial. Authorities said Jeremy Collins , 29, initially appeared in court to face charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in connection with the August 2021 death of Keng Wilson. Collins failed to return to court during the trial and fled to Birmingham, Alabama, where he was later taken into custody following an altercation with law enforcement…