Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA—The City of Stonecrest will host its Fall Festival on this Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Southeast Athletic Complex, 5845 Hillvale Road. Get ready to follow the Yellow Brick Road to an unforgettable evening of family fun as the City of Stonecrest presents There’s No Place Like Stonecrest Fall Festival. Inspired by the beloved worlds of The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz and Wicked, the celebration will transform the Southeast Athletic Complex into a magical destination inflated with entertainment, activities and memorable experiences. From the wonder of hot air balloon rides to captivating magic shows, food and sweet treats, the festival promises an evening…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA— Rockdale County Elections Director Cynthia Willingham reported that 536 residents cast ballots on Sunday, Oct. 18, for the General and Special Election set Nov. 3, 2026. Sunday’s turnout brought the total for the 6-day Early Voting period in Rockdale to 10,376, Willingham stated. Sunday’s turnout in Rockdale was the lowest number since Early Voting began on Tuesday, Oct. 13, ending the evening with 1,918 voters.  Rockdale has 66,389 active registered voters. As of Sunday, the total number of active voters remaining to cast  ballots is 56,013.   Early voting continues: Monday through Friday, Oct. 19-23, from 8-5…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Lithonia High School’s Achilles Buchannan’s 50-yard touchdown run with just 3:50 left to play sealed the deal with a 20-17 victory over the Southwest DeKalb Panthers on Thursday (Oct. 15).  The late winning touchdown in the key Region 5-5A game came on homecoming  night at Hallford Stadium.  Southwest DeKalb’s Kelvin Saturday nailed a 44-yard field goal with 7:52 remaining in the game to put the Panthers (4-4, 2-2) up 17-14. An offensive pass interference call stalled the Panthers drive, which had gotten Lithonia to 17, and pushed them back. Lithonia came right back with a seven-play, 80-yard drive…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—A Decatur man has been indicted for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend, despite a no-contact order. On Tuesday, Oct. 13, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Laharry Ward, 57, of Decatur, on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Violating a Family Violence Order in connection with the death of Toyka Biggs, 43.   According to the preliminary investigation, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded just after 1:30 p.m. on July 21, 2026, to a report of an unresponsive person at an apartment complex on Friendly Heights Boulevard in unincorporated Decatur.  When police arrived, they found…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— A dead bat has tested positive for rabies in the Echo Cliff Court area of Atlanta. DeKalb County officials said the bat was tested on Oct. 15. Officials are urging  those  who live in the area to make sure their pets are vaccinated and to avoid contact with wild animals.  Officials say if an animal bites or scratches them, they should seek medical attention immediately. Georgia is a rabies endemic state, and the virus is present all year long. It is not unusual for the county to report several rabies cases each year. Vaccinations are effective in…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to inclement weather and Georgia’s state of emergency, DeKalb County’s free residential bulky item collection scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, was suspended.  DeKalb County’s Department of Solid Waste Management has revised collection for residential customers as follows:  Friday, Oct. 16 – Tuesday customers (Affected due to inclement weather) will be serviced.  Eligible items must be placed at the curb on Thursday, Oct. 15. Saturday, Oct. 17 or Friday, Oct. 23 – Wednesday customers will be serviced.  Eligible items must be placed at the curb on Friday, Oct. 16. Saturday, Oct. 24 or Friday, Oct. 30 – Thursday customers will be serviced.  Eligible items must be placed at the…

Voter turnout has more than doubled in Rockdale County since Early Voting began this week but still has a long way to go with nearly 60,00 people who have not yet voted. Cynthia Willingham, director of Rockdale County’s Board of Elections, reported that as of  5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, Rockdale’s voter turnout climbed to 6,622. Rockdale ended the first day of Early Voting, Oct. 13, with a voter turnout of 3,050.  However, across Georgia, voters came to the polls in record numbers on the first day of early voting, with more than 188,600 ballots cast, an increase of more than 53,000 voters over the 2022…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Nicole M. Golden is reminding residents that motor vehicle and property tax services are available at satellite office locations in DeKalb County. “With advance voting taking place at the Memorial Drive office park, customers doing business at the tag office can expect increased foot traffic and parking volume now through October 30th. We’re reminding taxpayers that the same in-person services are also available at the Clairmont Road and South DeKalb Mall satellite office locations,” said Tax Commissioner Nicole Golden. All tax offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., at…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson announced on Wednesday, Oct. 14, that she is allocating $5,000 to each of the five high school bands located within District 5 to support student musicians and strengthen band programs across the district. High school bands play an important role in the lives of students and their communities, Davis Johnson said. From band programs that instill discipline and build character to performances at football games, school events, and countywide celebrations, these students devote countless hours to honing their talents and proudly representing DeKalb County through competitions, parades, and community engagements,…