Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County Board of Education Member Diijon DaCosta, Sr. has been named the County School Board Member of the Year. The Georgia Association of Black County Officials(GABCO) honored DaCosta for his outstanding service during GABCO’s President’s Reception celebrating Georgia’s county officials on Dec. 7. DaCosta is the most senior member of the DeKalb County Board of Education, currently serving as chair of the Board’s Policy Committee. He represents the Stone Mountain and Stephenson community clusters and has been a member of the Board since 2018. Over his tenure, he has held leadership positions as both vice chair…

DECATUR, GA- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced that 17 young adults have graduated from her office’s 2025 STRIDE pretrial diversion program. STRIDE, which stands for Stopping Trends of Repeat Incarceration with Diversion and Education, is a voluntary diversion program that holds young adults ages 17-24  accountable for serious non-violent crimes they have committed, while also ensuring their civic and career opportunities remain intact. Graduates successfully completed a 12-month program that encompassed several requirements including: cognitive behavioral counseling; monthly meetings; full-time work or school; community service; civic engagement; acts of restorative justice (restitution, letters of apology, etc.); and a book-based…

DECATUR, GA— Toady, DeKalb County announced the retirement of two distinguished department heads whose leadership and dedication have left a lasting impact on County government and the residents it serves, Benita Coakley Ransom, Director of Human Resources and Richard “Rick” Lemke, Director of Public Works. Ransom retires after nearly 15 years of faithful and exemplary service to DeKalb County, where she led one of the region’s most comprehensive and forward-thinking human resources operations. Throughout her tenure, she oversaw all facets of the County’s human resources administration, including talent acquisition, employee and organizational development, compensation, employee relations, human resources information systems,…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale Board of Commissioners recently honored four longtime staff members of the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office who received their Years of Achievement Awards for their dedication, hard work and commitment to the community.  Sheriff Eric J. Levett posed for pictures with the honorees and accepted the one on behalf of nvestigartor K. Pugh, who was not present: Investigator G. Levett – 35 years Captain D. Harris – 30 years Captain N. Lynn – 25 years Investigator K. Pugh – 20 years

ATLANTA—Georgia’s Democratic Congressional delegation, led by Rep. Hank Johnson, Jr. (GA-04) and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, is pressing Republicans to reverse the Trump global tariffs that are hurting the purchasing power of families nationwide.  The delegation has urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring S.J. Res. 88 to the House floor.  The bill, which passed the U.S. Senate this fall in a bipartisan 51-47 vote would terminate the national emergency declared to impose global tariffs. Rep. Johnson and Sen. Ossoff are joined by Sen. Raphael Warnock and Reps. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Lucy McBath (GA-06), and David Scott (GA-13). A recent report by…

DECATUR,GA – The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office, joined by the offices of the Solicitor-General, District Attorney and Sheriff, recently completed its food drive collecting more than 3,770 pounds of food to support the Atlanta Community Food Bank(ACFB) this holiday season.  The donation, including online contributions, will help provide more than 3,440 meals for families in DeKalb and neighboring communities. Customers visiting any tax office location were invited to drop off donations during the food drive from Nov. 1 through Dec. 5. “I am grateful to all who joined us to help our neighbors in need during our annual food drive. A special thank you to…

DECATUR,GA– Today, DeKalb County announced the retirement of Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Public Safety, Joseph H. “Jack” Lumpkin, Sr. Director Lumpkin has served DeKalb County since January 2018, bringing more than four decades of national law enforcement leadership, transformative community engagement strategies, and a steadfast commitment to public safety excellence. “Director Lumpkin has elevated the standard for public safety in DeKalb County,” said CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “His leadership, grounded in integrity, accountability, and innovation, has strengthened our departments, improved trust with the community, and positioned DeKalb as a model for modern, transparent, and responsive public safety operations.” As…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– In observance of Christmas Day on Thursday, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day on Thursday, Jan. 1, sanitation service for residential customers will run one day late for Thursday customers. The schedule will be revised as follows:  Monday, Dec. 22, and Monday, Dec. 29 – No change in collection service.  Tuesday, Dec. 23, and Tuesday, Dec. 30 – No change in collection service. Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 31 – No change in collection service. Thursday, Dec. 25, and Thursday, Jan. 1 – Christmas Day and New Year’s Day observed. No collection service. Friday, Dec. 26, and Friday, Jan. 2 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection days are Thursday, Dec. 25, andThursday, Jan. 1, will be serviced on Friday, Dec. 26, and Friday, Jan.…