Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Gwinnett County Police detectives have arrested Luis Soto and charged him with Home Invasion, two counts of Kidnapping, two counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of False Imprisonment, two counts of Armed Robbery, and one count of Impersonating a Public Official. On Dec. 6, 2023, officers assigned to Central Precinct responded to a home invasion at 1400 Herrington Road in unincorporated Lawrenceville. The victim reported three suspects, dressed in tactical gear and armed with guns, grabbed him as he was returning home and forced their way into his apartment. Once the suspects were inside the home, they zip-tied…

ATLANTA — A “candlelight musical experience” honoring the life and legacy of Dexter Scott King will be held on Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m., at Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary, 101 Jackson St. N.E., Atlanta, the King family has announced. The celebration will be  open to the public.     King, the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Corretta Scott King, died on Jan. 22 at his home in Malibu, CA after a 3 1/2-year battle with prostate cancer. He was 62.   “He gave it everything and battled this terrible disease until the end. As with all the challenges…

DeKalb to host second Medicaid re-enrollment even  DECATUR, GA — DeKalb County is hosting its second Medicaid re-enrollment event to help residents retain essential health insurance. “Thousands of DeKalb residents are facing the loss of essential Medicaid coverage,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. Approximately nine percent of DeKalb’s 780,000 residents are covered by Medicaid. DeKalb County is partnering with the DeKalb County office of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services and other state and local agencies to help residents access critical healthcare coverage. The free event will be held Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,…

Theater, exhibits, lectures, crafts, giveaways, film and food will showcase diverse art forms  DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Public Library has announced its array of programs and events to commemorate Black History Month. The theme for 2024 is African Americans and the Arts, which was chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. This theme honors the innovation and perseverance of Black Americans and how they have transformed visual arts, cultural movements, music and more, worldwide. “Black history can’t be limited to a single month. We work to celebrate the works and accomplishments of Black Americans all…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Government is partnering with local faith leaders and community groups to celebrate Black History Month by distributing 5,000 boxes of Georgia-grown fruits, vegetables and chicken hindquarters on Saturday, Feb. 3, beginning at 9 a.m.. “Because food insecurity affects one in nine Georgians, DeKalb County continues to partner with local faith and community leaders to provide relief for struggling families,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. The food distributions will be held at the following locations: Plaza Fiesta, 4166 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta Saint Phillip AME, 240 Candler Rd. SE, Atlanta New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office recently mailed homeowners information regarding senior homestead exemptions for the 2024 tax year. Seniors ages 62 and older are encouraged to check their exemption status online at DeKalbTax.org or call 404-298-4000 for assistance. “Changes to income limits that were passed in the legislature last year now allow more seniors to meet eligibility requirements for special exemptions. This was made possible by the collaborative efforts of this Office, the Board of Commissioners, the DeKalb Delegation of Legislators, and DeKalb voters,” said DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson. A homestead exemption significantly reduces the amount of…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will host a series of events to celebrate the ninth annual “Go Red for Women” events during the first week of February. The event schedule is as follows: Blood pressure checks on Thursday, Feb. 1, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Georgia State Capitol\ Annual Go Red for Women luncheon on Friday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m.  – 1 p.m., at Piedmont Rockdale Hospital, Conyers; Go Red for Women breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 3,  9 – 11 a.m., Chapel Hill Middle School, Decatur. During the event at the State Capitol, the American Heart…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—In commemoration of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston will present a community forum to raise awareness of labor trafficking on Wednesday, Jan. 31.  The forum will feature two separate sessions focused on the dangers of labor trafficking and will take place at 6 p.m. the Latin American Association – Atlanta Outreach Center, 2750 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta.    The community is invited to join the district attorney for Labor Trafficking: Hiding in Plain Sight, a conversation about the warning signs of labor trafficking, how to protect your community, and resources for victims. Attendees…

SNELLVILLE, GA—The Gwinnett County Police Department said three people were fatally shot during a double murder and suicide early today (Jan. 30) at an apartment complex at 2300 Country Walk in Snellville. The victims were identified as Corey Jones, 52, and his wife, Dana Farmer, 56, who both lived in the Snellville apartment where the shooting took place. The shooter was identified as Frank Wilburn, Jr., 27, of Loganville. When police arrived on the scene around 1 a.m., they found two men and two women with gunshot wounds. Both women were transported by paramedics, and one of them—Dana Farmer—passed away…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open five warming centers for residents on Wednesday, Jan. 31, and Thursday, Feb. 1, starting at 8 p.m. to use at the following locations: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta Anyone staying in the warming centers must follow the county’s COVID-19 protocols that include wearing a mask, social distancing and undergoing a temperature check. For…