Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested a suspect today( Aug. 1) in connection with the murder of a Florida man in January. Decatur resident Kamren Dakel Pearce, 21, was taken into custody without incident at a residence on Cedar Lake Drive in Conley, Georgia. An arrest warrant charges Pearce with Felony Malice Murder in the shooting death of 30 year-old Fort Walton Beach, Florida resident Franklin Edwards. According to the warrant, the incident took place on Jan. 26, 2023 on Creste Drive in Decatur, Georgia, where the victim was found…

ATLANTA—In celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop, Mayor Andre Dickens announced the City of Atlanta and numerous partners are joining forces to present ATL 50 Hip Hop—a series of events from academia talks, movie series, a time capsule, a blockbuster concert and much more. The City is partnering with local businesses and engaging the community to celebrate the innovative style of music, dance and art that shaped Atlanta’s culture. “Atlanta’s role in the evolution of Hip Hop has been outsized and indisputable. It’s only fitting the City of Atlanta joins our community in celebrating the industry and culture we helped shape…

By Amos King Justice 4 Veterans When shots rang out in the small South Metro-Atlanta town, Hampton, Georgia, the quiet neighborhood was devastated. Four of its residents were gunned down and unfortunately killed by their neighbor, Andre Longmore. Mr. Longmore was living with his mother, Lorna Dennis, who apologized for her son’s actions, explaining that he was a United States Army veteran who had mental illness. Ms. Dennis stated that she tried to get help for her son, but she was told that nothing could be done unless he tried to hurt himself or others. The lack of good mental…

CONYERS, GA—Those seeking to buy a home can get help this weekend with resources by NACA’s Best in America Mortgage.  Rockdale County government is partnering with the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to host an event July 28-30, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Johnson Park Recreation Center, 1781 Ebenezer Road S.W., Conyers. NACA Founder and CEO Bruce Marks, Vantem CEO Chris Anderson, and others are holding a joint press conference today to kick off NACA’s Achieve the Dream homebuyer event.  The event will enable low- and moderate-income homebuyers to access NACA’s Best in America Mortgage: no down-payment, no closing…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia), Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) recently participated in the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus’ (GLBC) annual conference on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the EnMarket Arena in Savannah. The legislators, along with Rickie Keys, served as guest speakers for the conference’s “Operation Desert Georgia: Food Desert, Health Desert and Credit Desert” panel session. “Georgia has been the number one place to do business for many years,” said Rep. Carter. “However, we have much work to do to ensure that all Georgians have a good quality of life. This…

ATLANTA – MARTA’s Board of Directors on July 27 approved several projects in the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County and awarded a $226 million contract to New Flyer for fixed-route and MARTA Rapid buses.   The five-year contract with New Flyer includes 198 buses: 63 battery electric and 135 compressed natural gas (CNG). The first six MARTA Rapid 60’ articulated battery electric buses arrive next year and will be used for operations on the region’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line in Summerhill when it opens in 2025. Twelve additional articulated 60’ battery electric buses follow for Rapid lines on Campbellton…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that Dionte Johnson, 30, of Atlanta, has been convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison for assisting in the trafficking of an underage female. These crimes occurred at the Economy Hotel in Fulton County, where Johnson previously worked as a clerk. He is the sixth defendant to be convicted and sentenced to prison as part of a larger investigation that involves the trafficking of this juvenile victim. “Dionte Johnson used his role as a hotel clerk to further facilitate the trafficking of a child, and now he will spend his…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 3, 6 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677. Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493. Agenda I. Call to Order and Welcome to the Public II. Adoption of Agenda III. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of January 19, 2023 IV. Approval and Correction of the Minutes of the Special Called Meeting of March 13, 2023 V. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Called Meeting of July 20, 2023 VI. Introduction…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department has arrested Aurelio Angeles Bautista, 36,  of Dalton, after he pointed a green laser at the police helicopter flying in Pleasant Hill Road and Satellite Boulevard. On July 22, 2023, the air unit was conducting an air security check when they were hit by a green laser pointed at the cockpit. The helicopter’s flight crew was able to pinpoint the origin location of the laser and directed officers to contact two individuals at the location. After investigating, Bautista was arrested for Pointing a Laser at an Aircraft and booked into…