Author: On Common Ground News

 LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A Gwinnett County jury on Wednesday found a former Doraville Police officer guilty of killing a 16-year-old girl and dumping her body in the Dacula woods after abducting her as she walked to her home.  Miles Bryant, 23, was convicted of malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, and misdemeanor false report of a crime for the July 2022 death of Susana Morales. Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Tamela Adkins sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 12 months.  “We are profoundly sad for the Morales family,” said Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson. “The despicable…

Image of a Gwinnett County transit bus via Gwinnett County(not the actual bus involved in the hijacking. ATLANTA, GA—Transit union officials are blasting the Gwinnett County Transit agency after a passenger was fatally shot on Tuesday (June 11) during a terrifying bus hijacking by an armed gunman who forced the bus driver to cross Fulton, Gwinnett and DeKalb counties. Authorities have identified the hijacker as Joseph Grier, 39, a felon with 19 previous arrests. The identity of the passenger, who died after being taken to a hospital, has not been released.  The hijacking started around 4:30 p.m. in downtown Atlanta and spanned…

CEO candidate unites local leaders on a platform of good government, public safety, economic development and delivering for all DeKalb residents by focusing on people and not politics.   DEKALB COUNTY, GA – DeKalb County CEO Candidate Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is proud to formally release a distinguished list of enthusiastic local leaders united in support of her campaign for DeKalb County CEO. This list comes on the first day of early voting in the run-off election, where she seeks to become only the second woman to lead DeKalb County as CEO. Cochran-Johnson distinguished herself as the front-runner in a three-way-race against two fellow…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County Government will celebrate Father’s Day 2024 with its monthly food distribution partnering with local faith leaders to distribute 5,000 boxes of fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and protein on Saturday, June 15. “We are celebrating and honoring all fathers and father figures who have loved and supported their families,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. DeKalb County, local faith leaders and community groups will distribute 5,000 boxes of food on Saturday, June 15, beginning at 9 a.m., at the following locations: New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Rd., Stonecrest Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, 2340 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur Saint Philip…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 18 at6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Maloof Auditorium, located at 1300 Commerce Dr., Decatur, Ga. 30030.  Agenda  Callto Order Adoptionof Agenda III. Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of May 16, 2024 Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report Preliminary Cases 2024-6: Darren Petty v. Aaron Kimble 2024-7: Darren Petty v. Shaun Harris Probable Cause Hearing 2024-5: Michael Cooper v. Stephen Bradshaw Outstanding Cases Rhea Johnson v. Sharon Barnes Sutton – filed 05/27/2014 Viola Davis v. Sharon Barnes Sutton – filed 05/30/2014 (original plus…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Early voting for Rockdale County’s runoff races kicked off on Saturday, June 8, with 670 voters casting ballots. And on today, June 10, the total turnout climbed to 2,039, said Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Supervisor Cynthia Willingham. Saturday’s turnout surpassed the 505 voters who turned out for the first day of early voting for the May 21 primary, and the June 10 turnout has surpassed first two days in the primary, Willingham said. “It’s the biggest turnout for for local runoffs that we’ve in a long time,” Willingham said. The Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman’s race between long-time…

STONE MOUNTAIN—Voices of Faith Church, under the leadership of Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr., held its homecoming tailgate celebration on Sunday, June 9. This year marked the 12th year that Voices of Faith has held its homecoming tailgate celebration for the community. Bishop Hawkins and First Lady Pamela Hawkins, along with the church’s Stone Mountain and Conyers congregations, joined forces to welcome the community. The festivities included providing free food and an array of activities and family fun at the Stone Mountain campus located at 2500 Rockbridge Road S.W. Members and pastors of Voices of Faith North, located in Lawrenceville under…

LITHONIA, GA—A crowd attended the grand opening celebration of Royal Style Pharmacy and Retail on Saturday, June 8. The new store, located at 6516 Covington Highway, offers notary services, lamination, faxing, copying, scanning, and document printing and travel and vacation services. Lithonia Mayor Shameka Reynolds attended the festivities and helped perform the ribbon cutting ceremony. Guests had a chance to tour the new store, enjoy a fashion show and live entertainment. “Royal Style Pharmacy is more than just a pharmacy, as we aim to be your one-stop go-to shop for all health, beauty, fashion and travel needs,” said owner Omishola Adeyemo.…

ATLANTA– HouseATL, NAACP DeKalb, the Coalition for a Diverse Decatur/DeKalb, Georgia Advancing Communities Together, and Frontline Response will host a crucial event aimed at fostering dialogue on affordable housing in DeKalb County. The “Conversation with the Candidates” forum will take place on Thursday, June 13, 8:30 to 10 a.m. This forum will feature runoff candidates for DeKalb CEO and District 4 Commissioner, highlighting their housing agendas and strategies to address the pressing needs of the county’s growing unhoused population. Event Details: Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 Time: 8:30 – 10 a.m. Location: Frontline Response, 2585 Gresham Road S.E., Atlanta Registration: Limited space available; register…