Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs’ Friends of Flat Shoals Park will host a Book it to the Park book drive on Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Flat Shoals Park, 4522 Flat Shoals Pkwy. Decatur. The Friends of Flat Shoals Park began hosting the Book it to the Park event shortly after the installation of the new book box in 2017. The book box has been a success and is heavily utilized by youth in the community. In an effort to support literacy, we encourage the community to donate new and gently…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County’s N.H. Scott Recreation Center, 2230 Tilson Road, will host a Community Family Health Fitness Expo on Saturday, July 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event has something for everyone of all ages to enjoy whether they are seasoned fitness enthusiasts or just beginning their wellness journeys. The free event will include high-energy fitness demonstrations, exclusive vendor exhibits, nutritional workshops, music and more. Residents are encouraged to come and explore the latest trends in health and fitness with some of Georgia’s top fitness industry professionals and boost their knowledge and passion for a healthier lifestyle.

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Twin sisters Sanaa and Sole Frederick have qualified to represent Trinidad and Tobago in the 4×100-meter relay at this summer’s Paris Olympics that begin on July 26. “Wow, Olympians,” said Druid Hills track coach Henrietta George about her two track stars making the Trinidad and Tobago squad headed to the Olympics. “My coaches and I are ecstatic about Sole and Sanaa heading to the Olympics. It has been a joy to watch their dreams come true right before our eyes.” The pair had a stellar career at DeKalb County’s Druid Hills High School under the direction of track…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston today announced convictions by jury trial in the case against two men accused in the murder of Tic Toc Food Mart owner Tesfaye Birru. Birru, 57, was ambushed by three men and shot to death as he closed up his store for the night on Feb. 19, 2020. Police found  Birru’s body in the parking lot of the Tic Toc Food Mart located  in the 2700 block of Evans Mill Road in the city of Stonecrest. He had been shot multiple times, police said. Jurors found both Ronnie Miller, 46, and Ricky Character, 24, guilty…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that Denorris Hutchinson, 36, of East Point, has been convicted and sentenced to prison for trafficking two females, ages 15 and 17, in Fulton County. The 17-year-old, who had been reported as missing from Kansas City, Missouri, was recovered from a hotel in Fulton County as part of a multi-agency operation conducted in 2020. The Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit has now convicted 11 individuals for their involvement in the trafficking of this 17-year-old female. This total includes nine buyers and one seller, all of whom were previously sentenced to prison in a 10-defendant…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) announces its intention to adopt a 2024 millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 13.43 percent. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 18.69 mills, an increase of 2.213 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 16.477 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $350,000 is approximately $276.63 and the proposed tax increase for non©\homestead property with a fair market value of $350,000 is approximately $309.82. Each year, the Board…

CONYERS, GA— Springfield Baptist Church will host its annual Back 2 School event on Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m. to 12:00 noon. This much-anticipated community event will provide free school supplies, valuable resources and offer special performances, and a variety of fun activities to help students and families prepare for a successful school year. The event is open to the entire community, offering an excellent opportunity for families to gather essential supplies and information to support their educational journey. Attendees can look forward to an exciting morning filled with entertainment and the chance to connect with local educational and community resources.…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– There has recently been a renewed wave of scam phone calls from people claiming to be officers with the Gwinnett County Police Department.  Victims of these scams are often called randomly by people pretending to be police officers.  The names they provide may be a real officer’s name or a fake name with a fake badge number.  Generally, the scam caller threatens arrest, or some other action if money is not provided to them.   Variations on this scam include: A utility or service will be immediately terminated if payment isn’t received. A relative who has been arrested…