Author: On Common Ground News

Dekalb County voters cast their ballots on Tuesday, May 19, in the 2026 General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election, setting the stage for races that will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Here is what DeKalb residents should know as they look ahead: At the top of the ticket, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic nomination for Governor. On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and businessman Rick Jackson did not reach the 50 percent threshold required to win outright and will face each other in a runoff on June 16. Runoffs are also…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Police are asking for the public’s help locating a woman who is the subject of a Mattie’s Call. Jacqulynn Foster (picture below), 81, was last seen May 19, around 6:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of Pounds Lane, Clarkston, GA.  Foster is 5’7”, 125 lbs., and wore a teal shirt, black pants, and blue tennis shoes. She also wore a gray scarf covering her head.  Anyone who sees Foster is urged to call 911 or 770-724-7710. 

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale Career Academy celebrated the opening of its new student enterprise for car maintenance, The Pit Stop, and the new Electric Vehicle/Hybrid Vehicle Dual Enrollment program. Academy officials and Georgia Piedmont Technical College at RCA held a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 15, to celebrate the new programs.  RCA CEO/Principal Dr. Corey Williams thanked the businesses and community partners including Georgia Power, Citizens of Georgia Power, the Development Authority of Rockdale County, and Rivian for their generous donations and Georgia Piedmont Technical College for their support in making the programs possible.  The Pit Stop student enterprise will provide car…

AVONDALE ESTATES, GA —For those spending Memorial Day weekend close to home, the community is invited to gather at the Avondale Estates Town Green for an afternoon of live theatre, music, and family-friendly programming at the Shakespeare Spring Series featuring Romeo and Juliet. The free event on Saturday, May 23, runs from 2 to 5 p.m. with family activities, culminating in the mainstage performance of Romeo & Juliet at 4 p.m. The event is part of A Shakespeare Happening Spring Series—an initiative designed to bring academic enrichment and high-quality, accessible theatre directly to the community, organizers say. This special production…

Story Updated at 1:45 p.m. 5.20.2026 ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA— Incumbent Doreen Williams and Melisa T. Mims are headed for a runoff for the Post 2 Board of Commissioners’ seat.  Since no one in the three-way race earned the required 50 percent plus one to win, Williams(45.49 percent of the vote) and Mims (28.73 percent of the vote)—the top two vote-getters–will be in the runoff on June 16.  Below are the results of the other Rockdale races.  To view the results of the statewide races and details of all of the local races,   CLICK HERE   The results for the local races…

ATLANTA –The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announces that during Memorial Day Weekend, all interstate lane closures will be the suspended beginning Friday, May 22, at 12:00 p.m. noon through Tuesday, May 26, at 5:00 a.m. to reduce anticipated travel delays, and increase safety for travelers.   Important Reminders for Motorists: While lane closures are suspended, construction crews may be still working near roadways, and some long-term closures could remain in place for safety reasons. Emergency or incident-related lane closures may still occur at any time, as needed. Stay alert, move over one lane, when possible, and reduce speed…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb Human Services Department announces the beginning of its 2026-2027 Human Services Grant cycle.  A Virtual Public Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, May 28, at 10 a.m. to provide details regarding the Human Services Grant Application process. The Human Services Grant Program provides opportunities for community partnership with local organizations that can successfully address identified service needs for the citizens of DeKalb County. Eligible non-profit organizations may apply for a grant utilizing the County General Fund and Victim Assistance Funds. Agencies that receive Victim Assistance Grant Funds must meet the County’s eligibility criteria and must also be certified to provide…

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed measles in three members of a metro Atlanta family. The family was not vaccinated and traveled internationally. While they were not infectious during travel, DPH is working to identify people who may have been exposed to measles through contact with these individuals once they returned home and developed symptoms.     Measles is very contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. Measles…