Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA –– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested two suspects in separate homicide investigations on Friday, Feb. 27.  November 2025 Clarkston Adult Club Shooting Investigators took 22-year-old Robert Grady into custody this morning at a residence on Cedarbrook Drive in Decatur.  Authorities allege that Grady and another individual exited a Jeep and opened fire on three individuals inside a vehicle in the 1300 block of Brockett Road outside an adult entertainment club, leaving one man critically injured and resulting in the death of Gary Matthews, 31, of Lithonia, who was pronounced dead…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Comprehensive Housing Plan has begun community engagement with a series of “Community Conversations” that will be hosted across DeKalb County. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 4, from 5 to 7p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, and is championed by Commissioners Mereda Davis-Johnson and Commissioner LaDena Bolton.  The DeKalb County Comprehensive Housing Plan aims to serve as a blueprint for addressing housing challenges across the community, including housing affordability, supply, and preservation needs, to identify strategies that can alleviate housing pressures for existing residents and attract new residents to the county. The project management team will host…

CONYERS, GA—The Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival will burst into bloom Saturday, March 21, with the Running of the Torches, aceremonial fun run that brings the community together in the spirit of history,tradition, and connection. Beginning at 9:15 a.m., the event officially launches festival weekend while honoring the Georgia International Horse Park’s legacy as a 1996 Olympic venue and celebrating 30 years of Olympic history — rooted together in Conyers. Participants will recapture the excitement of the Olympic torch relay, running around the Grand Prix Olympic Stadium while carrying a pink ceremonial torch, acolor that symbolizes the festival’s spring tradition. The Georgia…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing 29-year-old from Duluth. Hector Eduardo Rodriguez Montano was last seen on Shackleford Court in Norcross on Feb. 16.   He is 6 feet tall, and 160 pounds. Montano was last seen wearing a gray hoodie, gray pants, and gray and white shoes. He has dark brown eyes and may currently have a shaved head and eyebrows.  Hector is known to hang around gas stations and parks.    Anyone with information on Hector’s whereabouts is urged to contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300. Photo via Gwinnett County Police

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Weather permitting, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) construction partners will temporarily close interstate lanes at the locations below for the I-285/I-20 East Interchange project. The project will reconstruct the interstate system-to-system ramps at the I-285/I-20 East Interchange and add a combination of collector-distributor (CD), or connecting lanes, and auxiliary lanes along I-20 east of the interchange and I-285 north of the interchange. Traffic impacts on the I-285/I-20 Interchange project from Friday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 6    DAYTIME CLOSURES:  Friday, February 27, through Friday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  I-20 Eastbound: Single, right- or…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Don’t miss your chance to elevate your brand, explore new business opportunities and build professional bonds. Register now for the DeKalb Chamber’s multi-chambers networking mixer on March 5.  The DeKalb Chamber will be joined by the Greater Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Black Chambers, and Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce at the event.  Event Details: Date: Thursday, March 5  Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m.  Location:  Distillery of Modern Art 2197 Irvingdale Way, Chamblee, GA  Admission: $30 for members | $50 for non-members  What’s Included With Registration: One complementary beer or wine drink ticket Heavy appetizers Excellent networking opportunities  Agenda: 5:30 – 6:20 p.m. Registration & Networking 6:30…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Two men are behind bars after Gwinnett County Police officers responded to a robbery and uncovered an online human trafficking operation.  Changze Li, 28, of Buford, GA has been charged with Pimping and Keeping a Place of Prostitution.   Dominique Gray, 40, of Winder,GA  has been charged with Reckless Conduct, Pandering, Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, False Imprisonment and Kidnapping.     Officers initially responded to the robbery call on Jan. 20 at 2000 Satellite Pointe in unincorporated Duluth.  When officers arrived at the apartment, Changze Li let them in, saying there was a…

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County will present its 42nd Annual MLK celebration, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy while celebrating the contributions of DeKalb leaders and others who have been involved in the fight for civil and human rights across the nation. The event takes place on March 5. The celebration will bring together community leaders, residents, elected officials, and local partners for a  program celebrating the spirit of service, justice, and unity that defines both Dr. King’s legacy and Black History Month. The program will be hosted by WSB-TV morning news anchor Lori Wilson and will feature a conversation with civil…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—An obsolete extended-stay hotel in Peachtree Corners soon will be transformed into long-term, affordable housing for homeless youths, youths aging out of foster care, vulnerable seniors and other at-risk populations.   The Gwinnett Housing Corporation (GHC), county officials and community partners are hosting a ceremonial groundbreaking on Wednesday, Feb. 25, to officially kick off the project.  The county has acquired the Spring Swallow Lodge at 7065 Jimmy CarterBlvd. for theconversion.  The total development cost is $14.5M, with Praxis 3 operating as architect and Aapco as General Contractor of the housing development, which will be called The Lodge. In addition to more than half of…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will partner with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and the Happy Helping Program to provide meals that service youths ages 18 and under during the summer. The program will run June 8 – July 17.  The Department is encouraging agencies to apply now to participate as a distribution site. To qualify as a site, 50 percent of children served must meet the income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program. Children who are members of households that receive food stamp benefits…