Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Jimmy David Mills, 60, received a life sentence for terrorizing a Brookhaven couple during a violent home invasion and stabbing, ending a nearly 5-year court case, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston’s Office announced this week. A jury found Mills guilty of Home Invasion in the First Degree, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Knife during the Commission of Certain Felonies, and Criminal Trespass in connection with the Sept. 20, 2020 incident, Boston’s Office stated in a press release.  Immediately following the guilty verdicts on July 31, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson, who presided over the…

Rockdale, GA – Chief State Court Judge V.T. McRae on Tuesday, Aug. 5, announced his intention to run for a full term in the 2026 election.  Gov. Brian Kemp appointed McRae in Nov. 2024 to fill the unexpired term of former Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr., who resigned to seek another office.  McRae stated that he is dedicated to ensuring justice, enhancing community service, and implementing innovative courtroom solutions for all. “I have dedicated my life to service—as a soldier, an attorney, and now as your Chief Judge. I fought for justice on the battlefield, in the courtroom, and on the bench. As a devoted…

CONYERS, GA –Long-time business owner and civic leader Brad Smith has announced his candidacy for mayor of Conyers in the upcoming November municipal election.  Praising outgoing Mayor Vince Evans for his leadership,  Smith said he plans to build on a momentum that continues Conyers’ foundation of fiscal responsibility and growth, and its cohesion within the City Council and staff leadership.   Smith said that he believes that his long-standing community service and business background in Rockdale County makes him uniquely qualified to lead the city.   Smith served eight years on the Rockdale County Board of Education and during his tenure, he said…

Update: The EBT Interactive Voice Response (IVR) went back online this morning, however, DHS is instructing Conduent to shut the IVR down temporarily, DHS said at 4:32 p.m. Aug. 5.  DHS encourages all EBT cardholders to download the ConnectEBT app on their Android or Apple device and to lock their EBT card between purchases and select the “lock my card everywhere” function to deny all in-state, out-of-state, and online transactions.  DHS will provide updates once the IVR is back online.  ATLANTA–The Georgia EBT call center, operated by Conduent for the Department of Human Services (DHS), is expected to resume service on Tuesday, Aug. 5, following a cyberattack on July…

DECATUR, GA–A 28-year-old Jonesboro, Georgia man has been arrested for fatally shooting a 34-year-old woman while stealing her Louis Vuitton purse from her.   The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit with assistance from United States Marshals Task Force arrested Travis Davis of Jonesboro on July 29 in connection with the murder and armed robbery.   According to arrest warrants, Davis allegedly shot Lorenza Tucker at a LaVista Road shopping center in Tucker, on May 30, while taking a Louis Vuitton purse from the victim.  Davis is charged with Felony Murder and Armed Robbery Weapon.  Investigators located Davis at a residence in…

STONECREST, GA— Students at six DeKalb County charter schools are starting the school year with brand-new Chromebooks, thanks to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Through its Operation School Adoption initiative, launched during Sunday’s service on Aug. 3, the Stonecrest-based ministry donated 152 laptops to bridge the digital divide for local students. New Birth also presented a $10,000 donation to the DeKalb County Schools District to support initiatives aimed at improving student achievement throughout the year. Recipients of the Chromebooks include DeKalb Arts Academy, DeKalb Preparatory School, Ivy Prep Academy, Kilombo Institute, Peace Academy and Utopian Academy for the Arts.  In addition to…

CONYERS, GA–The Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council (CREDC), in partnership with the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners and the Development Authority of Rockdale County (DARC), is seeking qualified development teams for the transformative redevelopment of a 35.5-acre site located at the intersection of Sigman Road and Iris Drive, near Interstate 20 in Rockdale County. This Request for Information (RFI) is aimed at gathering insights and expressions of interest from experienced developers specializing in large-scale, mixed-use projects. The vision for the property includes a vibrant live-work-play district that integrates commercial and office space, retail and dining, public parks, multi-modal transportation infrastructure,…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has appointed Alan Ferguson, Sr., Ph.D., as the County’s new Chief Housing Officer. “Dr. Alan Ferguson is one of the most accomplished housing leaders in the country,” said Cochran-Johnson. “His ability to deliver large-scale results while staying grounded in community values makes him the perfect choice to lead DeKalb’s housing strategy. We are honored to welcome him home.” A native of South DeKalb, Ferguson most recently served as Chief Housing & Real Estate Officer for the Atlanta Housing Authority, where he led efforts that delivered over 3,200 affordable housing units in fiscal year 2025, making major strides toward…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Please be advised that the meeting scheduled for tonight, Aug. 4, of the Rockdale County Water, Sewerage and Stormwater Advisory Council at 5 p.m. has been cancelled due to inclement weather. This meeting will be rescheduled at a future date and time. For more information on this Council, please visit:  https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/rockdale-county-water-sewerage-and-stormwater-advisory-council-rcwss-advisory-council/