Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has elected new leadership for 2026.  District 4 Commissioner Chakira Johnson was elected on Jan. 13 at the board’s first meeting of the year as Presiding Officer and Super District 7 Commissioner LaDena Bolton as Deputy Presiding Officer.  About Presiding Officer Chakira Johnson Commissioner Chakira Johnson represents DeKalb County Commission District 4 and brings more than 20 years of experience in civil engineering, local government, and community leadership to her role. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Commissioner Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will open online registration for the Georgia Pre-K lottery for the 2026–2027 school year from Feb. 1-28. Families can register online without submitting any paperwork. The registration link and additional details are available at www.rockdaleschools.org/preK. To qualify for Georgia Pre-K, children must be 4 years old on or before Sept.1. Parents will be notified by Monday, March 9, if their child is selected and will receive instructions for next steps. Students will be chosen through a random lottery drawing. Those not selected will be placed on a waiting list in the order drawn. For more information, visit www.rockdaleschools.org/prek or…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–A former DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office deputy accused of an inappropriate relationship with an inmate was sentenced to 12 years to serve two in confinement, District Attorney Sherri  Boston announced.   Joann Marks, 28, pleaded guilty on Jan. 12 to charges of Sexual Contact by Employee or Agent in the First Degree, Items Prohibited for Possession by Inmates and two counts of Violation of Oath by Public Officer.  DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson, who presided over the hearing and accepted Marks’s guilty plea, sentenced Marks.  Marks must turn herself into the DeKalb County Jail on…

 Isaac Newton Farris, Jr. featured guest speaker  ATLANTA— Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church will commemorate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a powerful MLK Day observance on Sunday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. The church is located at 220 Auburn Ave. NE, in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn District. Held at a critical moment for the nation, the observance will directly address renewed threats to democracy and voting rights. Featured guest speaker Isaac Newton Farris, Jr., senior fellow at The King Center and nephew of Dr. King, will reflect on Dr. King’s enduring moral leadership and its relevance to today’s civil…

ATLANTA —The Magnolia (GA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.  and Big Bethel A.M.E. Church will host the grand opening of a community food pantry on Jan. 18, 1 to 4 p.m., at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church, 220 Auburn Ave. The pantry was established in response to rising food insecurity affecting families, seniors, and working households across Metro Atlanta. The initiative is supported by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, whose invaluable partnership strengthens the pantry’s capacity to provide consistent access to nutritious food, The Links stated.  “As Links, our charge is to respond when communities are in need,” said Lisa Rayam-Tucker, president of the Magnolia (GA) Chapter of The Links, Inc. “This food pantry represents our…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Fire Rescue invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of Fire Station #5 on Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with the ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The new fire station is located at 2100 W. Hightower Trail, Conyers, GA. The event will take place at the newly renovated fire station, located at  2100 W. Hightower Trail, Conyers, marking   an important milestone in the county’s commitment to public safety and emergency services. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend this free, family-friendly celebration Attendees will enjoy complimentary hot dogs,…

By Mark Brock DeKalb County School District Athletics Specialist Four Towers Titans players hit double figures on the way to a 63-36 Region 4-A Division 1 over the McNair Mustangs to complete the sweep at Towers on Tuesday night. Towers (5-11, 2-1) got to work in the opening period with 10 rebounds (five offensive) as they jumped out to a 13-2 lead. Three of Towers’ first six baskets of the game came on put backs, two by Corinthius Collins. CJ Winfrey’s layup with 4:28 remaining in the opening period made it 13-2. Winfrey finished the quarter with a three-pointer for…

DECATUR, GA—Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue with the launch of the Grant Drive Water Main Replacement Project. Crews will replace 6,600 linear feet of aging pipelines.  The line repair project is expected to last approximately seven months (February to August 2026), barring any weather delays.   This project is part of DeKalb County’s $4.27 billion capital improvement program to improve capacity and service of the watershed systems serving the community.  Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Police VICE Investigators have arrested a 36-year-old man for trying meet up with a 14-year-old female.   Jonathan Dismang, of McDonough, was arrested during an undercover internet investigation.   On Jan. 5, the VICE Unit conducted an ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) undercover investigation into a man who believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old female via the internet.   Dismang sent explicit pictures of himself and was requesting to meet up with the 14-year-old. He travelled from McDonough to a pre-determined location in Norcross to meet the female he was communicating with.  He was placed under arrest and charged…

DECATUR, GA –The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with the U.S. Marshal’s Office, has arrested a second suspect in the 2025 Ingles grocery store shooting in which two bystanders were seriously injured. Christian Earion Shamar Price, 28, was arrested at a Providence Point Way residence in Lithonia, Georgia without incident on Jan.13, 2026. Price was transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where he is being held without bond, authorities said. Price was being sought on an arrest warrant charging him with aggravated assault weapon in connection with a shootout inside the Ingles grocery store located at 4815 Rockbridge Road in Stone…