Author: On Common Ground News

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA — The City of Stone Mountain will begin Phase 1 of its Main Street paving project on Monday, July 22. The project will include milling, repaving, and striping to improve road safety and maintain infrastructure integrity throughout the area, city officials said. Project Overview: ●  Phase 1: The initial phase will encompass James B. Rivers Memorial Drive to East/West Mountain Street. During this phase, this section will be completely closed, with clearly marked detour routes to facilitate smooth traffic flow. ●  Phase 2: Following Phase 1, the project will progress from East/West Mountain Street to Poole Street. Like Phase 1,…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – Gwinnett County Police detectives have identified the victim and charged the suspect in connection with a deadly domestic incident that took place on July 11 at a residence on Glen Summit Lane in Snellville. Johnita Weaver, 61, has been identified as the victim, GCPD announced on Tuesday, July 17. According to a preliminary investigation, Weaver and Dumas lived together in the residence where her body was found on Summit Lane. Allen Dumas, 52, has been charged with Weaver’s murder. In addition to Murder, Dumas is facing charges of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Detectives have arrested Ernesto Garcia-Bailon, 20, of Norcross, in connection with a deadly shooting that happened behind a plaza on Sunday, July 14. The shooting occurred just after 9 p.m. in a wooded area behind a plaza located at 4840 Jimmy Carter Blvd. in Norcross, Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) said. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers attempted to render lifesaving first aid, but the victim died from his injuries, authorities said. Garcia-Bailon is charged with aggravated assault, felony murder, and malice murder. He is currently being held at the…

20-year-old man shot dead in assassination attempt on Trump at Bethel Park, Pennsylvania rally DECATUR, GA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), the U.S. House of Representatives’ leading legislator on court reform, released the following statement after U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed former President Trump’s classified documents case in Florida. Cannon dismissed the case against former President Donald Trump on today, July 15, in agreement with defense attorneys who said that special counsel, Jack Smith, was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. Defense lawyers said Attorney Merrick Garland violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause because it did not go through Congress…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A mother accused of stabbing her 5-year-old son to death then setting their Peachtree Corners apartment on fire will serve a life sentence in prison plus five years.  Azaria Shante Burton, 23, pleaded guilty to malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault family violence, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, first-degree arson, criminal attempt to commit a felony, and misdemeanor tampering with evidence in connection with the October 2023 death of 5-year-old Jayveon Pruitt.  “This is not motherhood as it should be,” Gwin County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “Mothers generally protect their young. This was…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA –Walter Hester has been charged with the murder of his wife, Clordette Hester, in connection with a domestic dispute, the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office said today, July 15. On Sunday, July 14, at approximately 1:29 p.m., Rockdale deputies responded to a call of a woman screaming and gunshots fired on Griffin Mountain Tail. Deputies found a deceased woman lying in the driveway when they arrived. Hester was rrested and charged with Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Firearm or Knife During Commission of or attempt to Commit Certain Felonies in connection with the murder of his wife. He…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its regular meeting on Thursday, July 18, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Maloof Auditorium, located at 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030.  Agenda Callto Order Adoptionof Agenda III. Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of June 18, 2024 Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report Preliminary Cases 2024-8: Monique N. v. DeKalb County Sanitation Department 2024-9: Gwendolyn Farris v. Alesia Brooks Public Comments Comments from the Board of Ethics VII. Executive Session to Discuss Pending Litigation and Personnel Issues Motion to Convene an Executive…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) final job fair before the 2024-25 school year starts will be held on Tuesday, July 16, at Ronald E. McNair Middle School, 2190 Wallingford Drive, Decatur. The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Certified and Classified opportunities are currently available. To attend the event, click HERE to pre-register, which is encouraged. For up-to-date listings of all opportunities available, Click  HERE, Most new hires and returning staff still receive sign-on bonuses and various incentives. Among them: New Hire Incentives (Teachers, Bus Drivers, School Resource Officers) Up to $4,000 Exemplary Teacher Transfer Incentives- Up…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– In response to National Weather Service forecasts of heat indices exceeding 100 degrees, DeKalb County is opening cooling centers Tuesday, July 16. For a list of available cooling centers, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/weather. DeKalb County recreation centers and libraries will be available as cooling centers during the locations’ normal business hours. Water fountains will be accessible at recreation centers and libraries. A room in each available recreation center will be designated as a cooling center and water fountains will be accessible. During cooling center activations, recreation center pools will be free to the public from 2 to 6 p.m. The…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Softball players from across DeKalb County high schools recently had the opportunity to attend a girls softball clinic at Tucker’s Cofer Park to get instruction on the fundamentals of the game. Coach Gary Anderson, a local DeKalb County youth softball coach, provided instruction to the 32 attendees in various aspects of the game of softball. Players learned base running, pitching, fielding and batting techniques in the morning session. Attendees at the clinic represented Clarkston Columbia, Druid Hills, Lithonia, Southwest DeKalb, Stone Mountain and Tucker High Schools. Coaches from Druid Hills, Lithonia, Southwest DeKalb and Tucker aided Anderson in…