Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chair JaNice VanNess and Commissioner Tuwanya Smith will convene the board’s final 2026 town hall on Thursday, Dec. 11. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m., Crosspoint Christian Church, 4550 GA Highway-20. Three topics are on the agenda for discussion: Recycling Center (new fees) Government Structure Economic Development The community is urged to attend. Updates will be provided and there will be an opportunity for attendees to make comments and ask questions.  

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Join Rockdale County Parks and Recreation for a magical family holiday pajama party. The free Pajama Holiday Escape will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, 6 to 9 p.m., at Johnson Park, 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers.  Slip into your coziest pajamas and step into a festive winter wonderland filled with fun surprises, and holiday cheer. All ages are welcome. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more information, call 770-278-7529.

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The upcoming DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District meeting will be held Dec.12  at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time via Zoom. The December meeting agenda and November meeting minutes.           To join the Zoom meeting, click the link below: Https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84347508847?pwd=l7CSqChygqhTqAsZEFVZVwFdJ4UoqB.1  Meeting ID: 843 4750 8847 Passcode: 933192 One tap mobile +19294362866,,84347508847#,,,,*933192# US (New York) +13017158592,,84347508847#,,,,*933192# US (Washington DC) Join instructions https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/84347508847/invitations?signature=OFiT0QeUVcx65szszwrFIpVBx7yK9cvxieA2Hh8soZA The December meeting agenda and November minutes are below:

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale County is accepting applications for its 2026 Citizens’ Government Academy, a free, eight-week program designed to provide residents with an insider’s perspective on local government operations. The program runs Jan. 12 through March 16, 2026 and is limited to 25 participants. The goal is to help foster greater community involvement by educating residents about the inner workings of county operations and highlighting meaningful ways to engage with local government. “This academy represents our commitment to transparency and civic engagement,” said Rockdale Board of Commissioners’ Chairwoman JaNice Van Ness. “We want our residents to understand how their local…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Inmate Timothy Shane, who was on the run since Monday, is behind bars again after escaping from Grady Hospital in Downtown Atlanta while under custody of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office.  Shane was captured early Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Newton County after eluding authorities by stealing two vehicles, taking an Uber and another ride share, and going to a Dunkin’ Donuts during a wild escapade. Rockdale investigators worked the case with multiple authorities including the Atlanta Police Department, Covington Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Highway Patrol, which provided a helicopter…

CONYERS, GA–– Wing and Walmart are launching ultra-fast drone delivery in Metro Atlanta, bringing an essential time-saver to tens of thousands of homes just in time for the busy holiday shopping rush.  The Wing drone delivery service kicked off on Dec. 3 fat the following six Walmart stores across Metro Atlanta: Walmart Supercenter #2475, 1436 Dogwood Drive SE, Conyers, GA 30013 Walmart Supercenter #575, 12182 GA-92, Woodstock, GA 30188 Walmart Supercenter #3403, 3615 Charles Hardy Pkwy, Dallas, GA 30157 Walmart Supercenter #618, 4166 Jimmy Lee Smith Pkwy, Hiram, GA 30141 Walmart Supercenter #3201,135 Willow Lane, McDonough, GA 30253 Walmart Supercenter…

DECATUR, GA –The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested a man who was out on bond and left the courthouse shortly before his Dec.1, 2025 trial on rape and kidnapping charges was scheduled to begin. Authorities say Bryan Byers,46, reported to court on Monday, Dec. 1, to face charges related to a July 2017 incident but left prior to the start of the proceedings, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest. Investigators located and arrested Byers of Stone Mountain, Georgia, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 11:30 a.m. outside a library on Redan Road in DeKalb County.…

The DeKalb County community is honoring the life and legacy of Mrs. Mary Frances Edwards, a pioneering education leader whose passion, vision, and unwavering commitment transformed DeKalb County Schools and strengthened families across the region. Mrs. Edwards passed away on Nov. 29, after a long illness,   fher amily said.  She was 80 years old.  Mrs. Edwards’ journey of service began long before her election to the DeKalb County Board of Education in 1990. For more than 15 years, she was a tireless school volunteer and PTA president, working to unite parents and tackle challenges facing South DeKalb families. Her grassroots advocacy laid…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—A 45-year-old Decatur woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for shooting her husband to death, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office announced.   On Dec.1, Zenobia Harmon, 45, pleaded guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in connection with the death of her husband, Shedrick Harmon, 44, on Sept.19, 2022. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson, who presided over the plea hearing, handed down the 30-year prison sentence after the conviction by guilty plea. According to the investigation, officers…