Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Three violent inmates who escaped from the DeKalb County Jail on Sunday, Dec. 21, have been captured after a female Lyft driver  was ordered to take them to Miami, Florida, 600 miles away, authorities said during a press conference on today, Dec. 23. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of  Stevenson Charles, 24,  Yusuf Minor, 31; and Naod Yohannes. The men were arrested on Monday night and booked into the Broward County, FL  jail, after nearly a 24-hour manhunt that included multiple law enforcement agencies. The suspects reportedly received help from two accomplices in their escape…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA – Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) will host its Christmas tree recycling initiative, “Bring One for the Chipper,” providing Rockdale residents with an environmentally responsible way to recycle live Christmas trees after the holiday season. The Rockdale Recycling Center  will be open from Saturday, Jan. 3-10, 2026,, 9: a.m. to 1 p.m.. Rockdale residents are encouraged to bring their live, undecorated Christmas trees to be recycled and diverted from landfills. To celebrate the kickoff event on Jan. 3, the first 50 Rockdale residents who pre-register and drop off a tree that day will receive a free tree seedling, generously provided by…

UPDATED: 12.23.2025

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit and uniform patrol units are actively searching for three inmates who escaped from the DeKalb County Jail early this morning, Dec. 22.. The escape was discovered during a routine security check, which revealed the inmates were missing. Internal security teams initiated a search and are working closely with other local law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the individuals. “We take this breach very seriously and are working diligently to ensure these individuals are safely returned to custody as quickly as possible,” said Sheriff Melody M.Maddox. The fugitives are…

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson signed an executive order on Dec. 17 ending pandemic-era remote work and formally transitioning county government back to full in-person operations. Beginning Jan. 5, 2026, all DeKalb County offices under the CEO’s supervision will be staffed in person during regular business hours. The requirement ensures that residents can consistently access services, ask questions, and receive assistance when visiting County facilities, the CEO said. “In-person service matters,” Cochran-Johnson said. “Having staff present in our offices strengthens accountability, collaboration, and efficiency across County government and improves the experience for the people we serve.”  Executive Order…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s Office, on Dec. 17 arrested a person suspected of murdering a man on Oct. 4, and pistol whipping a woman during an alleged home invasion on Oct. 1. Investigators located Lithonia, Georgia resident Darryle Gerard Lawson, 31, on Glenwood Parkway in Decatur and took him into custody without incident. According to arrest warrants, Lawson is charged with Malice Murder in the shooting death of Allen Dewayne White in Decatur. No cause was given for the shooting. Lawson also is charged with Aggravated Assault Weapon and…

GWINNETT COUNTY GA—Three former Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) students have been nominated for “Music’s Biggest Night,” formally known as the Grammy Awards.  John Kadadu, Luc Bernadel, and Andrew Hitt all previously participated in the Grayson Technical Education Program at Grayson High School and were students of the music production program. The three students have each been nominated for their contributions to the following projects: John Kadadu, Duluth High School, Class of 2014 Engineer – Nominated for artist “JID” – Best Rap Album Luc Bernadel, Duluth High School, Class of 2019 Producer – Nominated for artist “FLO” – Best Progressive R&B Album Andrew Hitt, Lanier High School, Class…