Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA–Rockdale County Fire Rescue responded to a reported structure fire on Monday, Feb. 16, at 8:21 p.m. 909 Commercial Street in downtown Conyers. The building is currently undergoing renovations to become a future brewery. Upon arrival, crews encountered smoke and fire conditions within the structure and initiated an aggressive interior attack. Firefighters quickly contained the fire and brought the incident under control, preventing further spread throughout the building and protecting adjacent properties in the downtown area, said Fire Chief James Robinson.  The fire caused moderate damage to a utility room and a portion of the roof structure. No civilian…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – The NAACP DeKalb County branch will present its 2026 Black History Month program on Feb. 21, 10 a.m., at Rainbow Park Baptist Church, 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur.   The program, entitled “From Hidden Roots to 100 Years of Discovery – Remembering the History They Hoped We Would Forget,” marks the 100th anniversary Black History Month recognizing and commemorating the work of Carter G. Woodson, known as the founder of Black History Month.   The keynote speaker for the event is Daniel Black, Ph.D, a professor of African Studies at Clark-Atlanta University and frequent contributor to the Karen Hunter Show on XM-Sirius Radio. …

CONYERS, GA–Rockdale County Fire Rescue is on scene at a fire in downtown Conyers. According to reports, firefighters are responding to a blaze near a brewery and watch store . Developing. 

CONYERS, GA–  Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Superintendent Shirley Chesser has announced her plan to retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. The Rockdale County Board of Education will enlist the Georgia School Boards Association to conduct a national superintendent search to fill the vacancy, RCPS said in a news release tonight, Feb. 16.   “I want to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to enter into negotiations for a contract extension,” Chesser said in her notice to the Board. “After thoughtful consideration, I have made the decision to retire at the end of my current contract period. “It has…

Decatur, GA –Authorities are investigating the death of a 57-year-old inmate who died on Sunday at the DeKalb County Jail, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said on Monday, Feb. 16.  Michael Gafa, who had been in custody since September 2025, was found unresponsive in his cell, authorities said in a news release.  “On-site medical staff and DeKalb EMS responded immediately, however, Mr. Gafa was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. “The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office takes any loss of life in our custody very seriously,” said Sheriff Melody M. Maddox. “While there is no indication of foul play or…

Gwinnett County, GA– Fugitive Keleeyus Maquareus Long is in custody at the Gwinnett County Jail without bond on multiple charges including rape, robbery, and home invasion, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office said on Monday, Feb. 16. The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, located and arrested Long in Norcross, GA pm Feb. 11.  Long had active warrants for Aggravated Assault, Armed Robbery, Home Invasion – 1st Degree, three counts of Rape, Aggravated Sodomy, False Imprisonment, and Cruelty to Children in the 3rd Degree.  Long also was wanted by the City of South Fulton Police Department…

ATLANTA– Breakthrough Atlanta is seeking undergraduate college students for teaching internships this summer. Internships are available for an eight-week program teaching middle schoolers and a three-week program teaching rising 10th graders.  See below for virtual informational sessions that will be held on Monday, Feb. 16, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.  The paid internships support Breakthrough Atlanta’s dual mission to increase academic opportunity for highly motivated, underserved students and get them into college ready to succeed; and inspire and develop the next generation of teachers and educational leaders.  Teaching Fellows gain first-hand teaching experience through instructing students in Breakthrough Atlanta’s Summer Program, a program…

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist ATLANTA–Southwest DeKalb County High School senior Pilar King became the 15th DeKalb girls’ swimmer to become a three-time gold medal winner at the recent GHSA State Swimming and Diving Championships with a pair of big wins at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta. King, a University of Arizona signee, swam to the gold in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke to climb into that 15th spot in the long storied history of DeKalb County swimming history. She is the first Southwest DeKalb swimmer to claim three gold medals in state competition. The senior…

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist  MORROW, GA—Miller Grove high senior Demond Hutchins became the first Wolverine to claim a GHSA state wrestling title with his championship match win on Saturday at the Morrow Event Center. Hutchins entered the title match undefeated on the season to take on Morgan County’s Kaleo Wilcoxson (2 pins, a 7-5 decision to reach the finals) in the finals. Hutchins put together three takedowns through the first two rounds to lead 9-2 with one round to go. The senior then made it 45-0 on the season picking up a point and then a takedown to…