Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County is mourning the loss of Firefighter Preston Fant, a 21-year veteran of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, who died in the line of duty while battling a warehouse fire on Monday, Sept. 8. On Tuesday, Sept. 9, flags across DeKalb County government buildings were lowered to half-staff in honor of Fant. At Fire Station 24 on Redan Road, where Fant was stationed, his colleagues stood solemnly alongside Chief Darnell Fullum, who reflected on Fant’s service and legacy during Tuesday morning’s press conference.  Fant, 53, is DeKalb County’s first firefighter to die in the line of duty…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, in partnership with the U.S. Marshals Task Force, arrested 14 suspects—including three juveniles—in connection with recent thefts and violent assaults in Stone Mountain, Georgia. On Aug. 26, deputies executed an endeavor at a residence on Copperfield Circle in Decatur, Georgia, to serve arrest warrants for four individuals wanted on charges of Armed Robbery and Aggravated Assault.  The operation resulted in an additional 68 warrants and the seizure of multiple illegal weapons and narcotics, including: 15 firearms (11 modified with illegal automatic switches) 220 grams of marijuana 77 grams of MDMA/Ecstasy 82 grams…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its regular public meeting on Thursday, Sept.18, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the 178 Sams Street, Room A1201 – A & B, Decatur.  Agenda  Callto Order Adoptionof Agenda   III.            Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of July 17, 2025 Committees – Updates Advisory Opinions – General Counsel’s Update Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report Preliminary Cases  Tonya Newberry v. School Resource Officer, Case No. 2025-6 Asya Perrymond v. Vanessa Collins,  Case No. 2025-7 Dianne Charlie Moore v. Johnny Mitchell, Case No. 2025-8 Public Comments Comments from the…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale Soil and Water Conservation District will host a presentation on urban gardening and farming on Friday, Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m., at the Rockdale County Extension Office, 1127 West Ave. S.W., Conyers. District Conservationist Brandon Bland will present the latest subsidies available via the USDA Young Farmers and Ranchers program. A package will be provided to explain all details of the program. The meeting is open and free to attend. 

DECATUR, GA — Greenforest Community Baptist Church’s Social Justice Ministry invites the community to its Business Expo on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Greenforest Early Learning Center, 3250 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. With the theme, “Let’s Build Wealth Together,” the expo aims to empower individuals and families with the tools and knowledge to pursue financial independence and entrepreneurial success. The event will feature free exhibits and workshops open to the public, covering topics such as: How to Start a Business Financial Literacy Smart Investment Strategies Building Wealth through Real Estate Investment The expo will feature a variety of vendors offering…

DECATUR, GA- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by guilty plea in the case against a Decatur teen who shot an 11-year-old boy in the head outside a skating rink.  On Monday, Sept. 8, Cam’ron Mealing, who was 13 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to charges of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery, two counts of Armed Robbery, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under 18 Years Old in connection with the shooting on April 9, 2022.    According to the investigation, a little after…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The deadline to submit pre-application for the DeKalb Senior Tree Removal Program is Friday, Sept. 12, at the close of business. To qualify for funding, eligibility requirements are: Homeowner must be a DeKalb County senior citizen aged 62 years or older. Property for tree removal must be the homeowner’s principal residence. Homeowner’s total household income must be at of below 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) as defined by the federal government. For a family household size of 4 people the maximum income is $68,520. To apply, obtain a pre-application card using one of the following…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported today, Sept. 5, that an inmate housed at the DeKalb County Jail died following a medical emergency on Thursday, Sept. 4.  The inmate has been identified as Preston Gabriel Bush, 49, of Doraville, Georgia. The on-site medical team responded immediately and provided emergency care until EMS personnel arrived. The inmate was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased, officials said in a news release. Officials said no updates were available concerning two other unrelated in-custody deaths at the DeKalb County Jail reported by the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 26.…

CONYERS, GA–The City of Conyers released the qualifying results for its upcoming municipal races today, Sept. 5, at 2:42 p.m The three-day qualifying period for the Special Election to fill the City Council District 2, Post 2 seat ended today, Sept. 5, at 12:30 p.m. Three candidates—Jason Cosby, Shivern Jeter, and Sherri Washington—officially entered the race.  Jeter initially qualified on Aug. 20 for the District 2, Post 1 seat currently held by incumbent Charlie Bryant. However, she later withdrew from the race. On Sept. 3, Jeter qualified for the District 2, Post 2 seat, vacated by Connie Alsobrook, who is…

The following information is provided regarding upcoming elections in Conyers and Rockdale County: 1. City of Conyers Municipal Elections, November 4, 2025 The election will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Conyers elections are decided by plurality; no runoff will be held unless there is a tie. Only voters residing within the City of Conyers limits are eligible to vote in this election. All City voters will see the Mayor’s race on their ballot. Council District races will only appear for voters who reside in the respective district. There are currently 12,356 eligible voters in the City of Conyers. 2. Public Service Commission – Districts…