Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA — According to the National Retail Federation projections, this Valentine’s Day is anticipated to be significant, with consumer spending expected to reach nearly $26 billion. As consumers prepare to celebrate, there a few common scams that they need to be cautious of. Whether individuals are hoping to foster a new relationship or buying gifts for loved ones, it is crucial to be aware of these three scams regularly reported to BBB. Impostor websites From fraudulent jewelry sellers to online dating sites, consumers should remain vigilant for impostor websites. Scammers can easily take official photos, sale promotions, and logos directly from the website of a popular jewelry brand. With professional graphics…

DECATUR, GA— The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections will host a special called meeting on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 8:30 a.m. This meeting will be conducted in person at 384 Northyards Boulevard, Atlanta.. This meeting is open to the public.

DECATUR, GA–Families are invited to register their children ages 5-15 for an Easter egg dive that will be held on Saturday, March 9, noon to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the East Central DeKalb Community and Senior Center, 4885 Elam Road, Stone Mountain. The registration fee is $10 per participant. The pool will be filled with colorful eggs for participants to jump in the water and collect along with music, arts and crafts activities and more. Registration will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. To access online registration, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click “Register Online” button on…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA- A 39-year-old Atlanta man accused of fatally shooting a man on Valentine’s Day 2021 will spend the rest of his life in prison. Jamaar Bracey was found guilty on Thursday, Feb. 8, on charges of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Firearm during the commission of a felony stemming from Feb. 14, 2021 incident. Immediately following the guilty verdicts, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Shondeana Morris, who presided over the trial, sentenced Bracey to Life Without Parole plus 15 years to serve…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–The Rockdale County Board of Education will highlight five local black history trailblazers and community leaders:  E.R. Shipp (Rockdale County native, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, community historian), Sandra Roesser (the first African American member of the Board of Education),Tolbert Morris, Jr. (first African American male on the Board of Education and founder of the Helping Hands Outreach community health center), Dr. Samuel T. King (first African American Superintendent of Rockdale County Public Schools), Katrina McCollum Young (first African American Chair of the Rockdale County Board of Education and first African American female President of the Georgia School Boards Association). The event will be held on Feb.…

STONECREST, GA—3 Degrees Infrared Studio, located inside Privi at The Mall at Stonecrest, seeking to gift 7 deserving couples on Valentine’s Day. Submit a 500-word love story recommending a deserving couple by Saturday, Feb. 10, to: privimarketing@apdsolutions.com.The  winning couples will be revealed on Sunday, Feb. 11. Participants are invited to follow @privistonecrest on Instagram and Facebook, and tag 3 friends under the giveaway post for eligibility. Prizes include a couple’s Infrared Sauna Session at 3 Degrees Infrared Studio, light refreshments, couple’s personal training from Lion’s Cage MMA Gymnasium, and a gift bag filled with surprises. Winners must be available on Feb.…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A DeKalb County man has been charged with burglarizing two Dunkin Donuts in Gwinnett County. Lavan Hickman, 36, of Clarkston was arrested and booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on Feb. 3 and charged with two counts of felony Burglary. after a collective investigation involving the Gwinnett County Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division and Uniform Division, The first burglary occurred on Jan. 13.   Officers assigned to the West Precinct responded to a burglary call at the Dunkin Donuts located at 4941 South Old Peachtree Road in Peachtree Corners.  The front glass door of the business was…

ATLANTA – MARTA and its public art program, Artbound, will host Valentine’s Day customer appreciation events to foster connections, celebrate diversity, and enhance the transit system’s customer experience The highlight will be the inaugural MARTA Love Cam. Inspired by the kiss cam tradition at sporting events, the Love Cam is an opportunity for customers to capture images of love, friendship, kindness, and companionship while on their MARTA journey and submit those to be featured on MARTA’s social media channels on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Riders can start submitting pics on Monday, Feb. 12 and tag @MARTAtransit to be featured.  Riders can also snap…

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics  Specialist DEKALB COUNTY,GA—Southwest DeKalb High School’s boys’ basketball head coach Eugene Brown recently hit 300-career wins—a mileston  in his 17 seasons coaching in the school district. Brown got 300 (304-165, 64.8%) back on Jan. 9 with a 47-32 win over the Stephenson Jaguars. Brown spent 2001-2006 at Stone Mountain (108-58) and returned in 2014 to Southwest DeKalb where he has been for 11 seasons (196-107). “When you have a role in positively influencing the lives of young students, it is not about the records and accomplishment but the events and lessons that occur in between…