Author: On Common Ground News

TUCKER, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department is hosting the 2024 Youth Academy on April 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Police Headquarters, 1960 W. Exchange Pl., Tucker. The free program is an opportunity for DeKalb County youths ages 13 to 17 to learn how the police department works. During the one-day, in-person program, students will be given an overview of the department’s various units, including K9, SWAT, Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene, and more. Participants will learn what to do when they encounter the police. Participants who attend the program will receive lunch and a goodie bag. Parents or guardians can…

CONYERS, GA— Big Haynes Creek Nature Center (BHCNC), located at the Georgia International Horse Park (GIHP), is one of six recipients awarded the 2024 Wildlife-Viewing Grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR). In alignment with the state’s efforts to maximize outdoor educational opportunities for those with disabilities, BHCNC plans to add a freestanding, ADA-compliant canoe/kayak launch to better access the wetlands area. The launch will be installed on the Purple Trail, adjacent to the boardwalk and closest to the trailhead entrance. The grant, funded by the Georgia Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund, helps develop and enhance public wildlife-viewing options…

DECATUR, GA.— The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections meeting for the purpose of conducting its normal monthly business will be held on Thursday, April 11, at 4:30 p.m.  This meeting will be conducted in person at 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. 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 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting. The body of the email must include the citizen’s first and last name. Abusive, profane, or…

ATLANTA—Mayor Andre Dickens announced the appointment of Kristin Edwards to serve as the new Manager of Nightlife and Culture under the Office of Film, Entertainment and Nightlife. Mayor Dickens created the role early on in his Administration to serve as a liaison between the City and nightlife industry leaders, and to provide resources and educational opportunities to the nightlife industry like “Training Day” workshops. “Over the past few years, we have been able to foster better relationships between the City and Atlanta’s nightlife community, and we have seen some real results,” said Dickens. “Training Day workshops, direct outreach and other…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – Jaylen Anderson, 23, wanted in connection with a $200,000 real estate scheme that occurred over a year ago, has been arrested, Gwinnett Police announced today, March 29. Authorities said that Anderson was booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on Thursday, March 28. Anderson is accused of scamming two people in separate transactions of more than $100,000 each. The investigation was launched in January 2023 after two victims contacted Gwinnett County Police and reported being scammed for over $100,000 each. In both incidents, the victims were led to believe they were purchasing property in Ellenwood, Georgia, from a…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County will distribute 5,000 food boxes including fruits, vegetables and  chicken on Saturday, March 30. Each recipient  also will receive a box of Girl Scout cookies. “DeKalb County is continuing the fight against food insecurity and investing in and empowering young girls,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. The funding from the county’s purchase of the Girl Scout cookies will provide additional financial support for programs designed to promote academic success, leadership, financial literacy, and more. Local Girl Scouts will join DeKalb County, local faith leaders and community groups to distribute the cookies  and boxes of…

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced today(March 30) that, in a continuing investigative effort between the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Gang Task Force, search and arrest warrants were served today at two locations in the metro Atlanta area, effectively shutting down a sophisticated, multi-state criminal enterprise that included civilians, inmates, and staff involved in contraband introduction into GDC facilities. “Georgia will not tolerate those who put our communities at risk by trafficking drugs, weapons, and contraband both in and out of our correctional facilities,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “I want to…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has set in motion the sale of the Stone Mountain Tennis Center site in unincorporated Gwinnett County to Fuqua Acquisitions II, LLC for approximately $5.6 million. Fuqua Development is a real estate development firm specializing in urban retail mixed-use supercenters. The company has developed such notable local projects as Peachtree Corners Town Center and The Exchange @ Gwinnett near the Mall of Georgia, as well as the retail portion of The Battery at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. The sale to Fuqua Development will open the door to the site’s long-anticipated redevelopment, county…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Beulah Missionary Baptist Church hosted Cedar Grove High School administrators and football team leaders recently in celebration of the school winning the Georgia State Championship for the 2023-2024 school year. The state title was the second the school has earned in three years. The church presented plaques to the school leaders on March 24. The Cedar Grove Saints earned 499 yards and scored seven touchdowns, defeating the Savannah Christian Raiders 49-28 in the 3A Georgia High School State Championship, which was held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Charlie J. Henderson, chairman of the Beulah Family Life Advisory Board, applauded the…

By Mark Brock   DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Southwest DeKalb High School’s tennis team served up an ace as 18 of its members and two coaches partnered with the Atlanta Community Food Bank(ACFB) to help get food out to those in need. Coaches Daelyn Turner and Lance Davenport joined the team as they sorted and packed food items at the ACFB warehouse, located near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The group also packed food into care boxes for distribution  to supplemental food pantries, mobile markets and metro-area families and residents in need. The ACFB works with nearly 700 community-based non-profits in its mission…