Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and Park Pride will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new playground at Biffle Park, 5221 Biffle Rd. Stone Mountain, GA, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. A total of $325,798 was allocated to complete the newly created playground. Contributions were provided in part through Park Pride’s Grantmaking Program, the DeKalb County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and the Parks Department to complete the project. The public is invited to join county officials, parks staff, and the Friends of Biffle Park to the ceremony.

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will participate in a community conversation with the Urban League of Greater Georgia Atlanta on Thursday, Oct. 30,  6:30 – 8 p.m., at South Gwinnett High School Auditorium in Snellville, Georgia. “When education is underfunded, the future of our children and our workforce is at stake,” said Rep. Carter. “I am honored to join the Urban League of Greater Atlanta in this timely dialogue to ensure every student has access to quality education and every family has a pathway to opportunity.” “This is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action,” said…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County School District Superintendent Devon Horton was placed on paid administrative leave on Thursday, Oct. 9, after he was indicted on federal corruption charges in Illinois. A federal grand jury indicted Horton and three associates–Antonio Ross, Samuel Ross and Alfonzo Lewison–on 17 counts including fraud, theft, and tax evasion.  The indictment alleges Horton steered contracts to the three men, approved invoices for services that were not performed and received kickbacks while serving as superintendent of the Evanston-Skokie School District 65 in Illinois. Prosecutors allege District 65 made fraudulent wire payments and checks to the three companies that were…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA –One of Georgia’s most respected community leaders will be celebrated with the renaming of Flat Shoals Parkway as Dr. Gregory B. Levett, Sr. Parkway on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 3 p.m.  State Rep. Angela Moore (D-Stonecrest), who introduced the resolution to dedicate the road in honor of Levett, will host the ceremony at the corner of Wesley Chapel Road and Flat Shoals Parkway.    Levett has established a legacy of service to grieving families and the community since 1980 when he and his wife, Betty, founded the Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory.  The institution, which serves more than…

ATLANTA –Georgia residents can now receive vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, without a doctor’s prescription under  expanded access announced this week by state legislators.  State Representatives David Wilkerson (D-Powder Springs), Marvin Lim (D-Norcross), Karen Lupton (D-Chamblee) and Lisa Campbell (D-Kennesaw) issued the following joint statement regarding the access now available to Georgia residents.  “Every Georgian deserves access to life-saving vaccines without unnecessary barriers,” the lawmakers stated. “Our constituents deserve transparency when seeking access to healthcare, particularly following recent decisions by the federal government. This is about keeping our families healthy, our communities strong and ensuring that public health decisions are driven…

ATLANTA–U.S. Marshals with special assistance from Atlanta Police Department (APD) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team arrested Derrick Groves today (Oct. 8) in Atlanta, GA.  Derrick Groves was wanted for Aggravated Escape out of Orleans Parish, Louisiana, stemming from a high-profile escape where 10 inmates all escaped from a New Orleans Jail on May 16, 2025. Derrick Groves was convicted of Second-Degree Murder in New Orleans and by escaping, failed to appear for sentencing which carries the possibility of life in prison. Groves was the last remaining escapee on the run.  The U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force (SERFTF)…

CONYERS, GA– Foster families gathered this past Saturday, Oct. 4, at Elks Aidmore in Conyers for al training session led by national-recognized foster care expert, John DeGarmo, PhD. The event brought local foster parents together for an in-depth discussion on the emotional challenges of caregiving, including secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and ways to strengthen support systems for foster families. “The impact of a child’s trauma can take a significant emotional toll on caregivers,” said Dr. DeGarmo, founder and director of the Foster Care Institute. “Our goal is to make sure that foster families here in Conyers have the support and…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Police detectives are investigating a domestic shooting that left one man and one woman deceased on Wednesday, Oct. 8.   Around 9:41 a.m., officers from the Central Precinct responded to a person shot call in the 600 block of Clearwater Place in Lawrenceville.  When officers arrived, they located a female and male deceased in a bedroom.   Authorities said they believe the two were deceased from a gunshot wound and that the shooting is domestic-related.  A firearm was also located at the scene. Police said the two knew each other, though their exact relationship is still being…