Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA –– Following a brief standoff on Wednesday, Feb. 21, with multiple law enforcement agencies, an Atlanta man surrendered and was taken into custody by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect is accused of pointing a gun at his domestic partner and robbing her while in the presence of minor children. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Field Operations, with South Metro SWAT, arrested Anthony DeVaughn Edwards, 29, at an Oakley Industrial Boulevard apartment building in Fairburn, Georgia. According to arrest warrants, Edwards took a cell phone and apartment keys at gunpoint from the mother of his child during…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Equalization Office has relocated to 325 Swanton Way, 1st floor, Decatur. The office was formerly located at the Manuel Maloof Annex. The new office opened Tuesday, Feb. 20. All contact information, including phone numbers and emails, remain the same. The DeKalb County Board of Equalization is a panel of property owners appointed by the Grand Jury to serve the citizens of DeKalb County, GA.  Appointees are required to have at least a high school diploma, own real property in DeKalb County, and must complete at least 40 hours of certified training by the…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers will welcome spring with a new, free concert series starting Saturday, April 13, with the amazing sounds of Soul Cartel, a dynamic American band expertly combining the catchy grooves of funk music with the soulful melodies of R&B. Opening for Soul Cartel is KymBerli Dee, an artist who’s been wowing audiences for more than 20 years with powerful vocals specializing in the sounds of Neo-Soul and R&B. The Conyers Concert Series is scheduled for Saturdays on April 13, May 11, and June 8 from 6-10 p.m. and will take place on Bank Street in Olde Town Conyers. Food…

DECATUR, GA- DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) will host Good Neighbor Day Air Show and Open House on May 11 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which occurred on June 6, 1944 during World War II.  On that date, Allied forces invaded northern France by means of beach landings in Normandy. Antique airplanes, military aircraft, and DeKalb County fire trucks and ambulances will be on display during the open house from noon until 5 p.m. at PDK, 2000 Airport Road, Atlanta. Gates will open at 10 a.m. “We are excited to bring back our annual Good Neighbor Day, which is the longest-running air show in…

STONECREST, GA — On Wednesday, Feb. 21, Congressman Hank Johnson announced the winners of his 2023 App Challenge competition at Arabia Mountain High School, located in the City of Stonecrest.    Johnson honored three students from Arabia Mountain — Aubrey Allen, Jasmine Stamper, and Ariel Hibbert — for their winning app, Telepsy, a mobile application designed to simplify and enhance epilepsy management. This year’s challenge witnessed unprecedented participation with more than 70 students from seven schools who submitted a total of 23 apps. Johnson also recognized two of the three App Challenge judges, Laron Walker for his accomplishments in emerging technologies such…

Text amendments reflect necessary policy updates to diminish potential harm to gas and service stations, while ensuring public safety   DECATUR, GA. – On Feb. 14, DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson’s text amendments to the Video Surveillance System (VSS) ordinance were passed unanimously by the Board of Commissioners. Initially approved in 2022, the ordinance requires gas stations, convenience stores and high-risk businesses to operate a 24-hour VSS and regulates footage quality, storage and lighting. The ordinance was created to capture video footage of crime at gas and service stations, often the location for the highest incidents of violent crime in…

DECATUR, GA.— On Sunday, Feb. 25, construction crews associated with the Scott Boulevard Water Main Replacement Project Phase II, will conduct night work on North  Decatur Road near the intersection of DeKalb Industrial Way. The night work will take place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. through March 1. Signs and flaggers will be in the area to advise motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. Information about the Scott Boulevard Water Main Replacement Project Phase II can be obtained by calling the DWM Project Information Line at 1-800-986-1108 or emailing projectinfo@dekalbcountyga.gov.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council on Monday, Feb. 19, approved an ordinance that will prohibit all vehicles from making right turns on red lights in the Downtown, Midtown, and Castleberry Hill neighborhoods (24-O-1011). Officials said the new legislation aligns with the City of Atlanta’s commitment to enhancing pedestrian safety and supporting businesses, cultural attractions and residences in areas where there are high volumes of pedestrian traffic. The ordinance also acknowledges the Federal Highway Administration’s advisement that turning on red “should be prohibited where and/or when there are high pedestrian volumes.” Approximately 250 intersections will be impacted by the legislation, which will…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) invites the best and the brightest to attend the RCPS Teacher Job Fair on Saturday, March 2, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the RCPS Board Room, 960 Pine Street NE, Conyersa. Participants must pre-register by visitingwww.rockdaleschools.org/jobfair. The school district is seeking outstanding candidates for teaching positions for the 2024-2025 school year. All 22 RCPS schools will be represented and interviews will be held during the Teacher Job Fair. RCPS has 11 elementary schools, four middle schools, three traditional high schools, a virtual campus for grades 3-5 and 6-12 and four non-traditional schools (Rockdale…