Author: On Common Ground News

As cases of the latest COVID-19 variant continue to emerge throughout metro Atlanta and Georgia, residents of the greater Atlanta area now have an additional free resource to aid in mitigating community spread and illness. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), in collaboration with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has launched the ‘Home Test to Treat’ program, an entirely virtual community health intervention that provides free COVID-19 health services—at-home rapid tests, telehealth sessions and at-home treatments—in selected communities, with priority for individuals who are un- or underinsured or…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Deontavious Brewer, 24, of Lithonia, has been sentenced to life in prison plus five years after his murder conviction. Jurors returned guilty verdicts Aug. 10, 2023 against Brewer on charges of Felony Murder, Involuntary Manslaughter, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, and two counts of Aggravated Assault. On Tuesday, Judge David B. Irwin, who presided over the trial, sentenced Brewer to life for the felony murder charge, 20 years for the aggravated assault to serve concurrently, and 5 years for the possession of a firearm to serve consecutively. The case stemmed from an incident…

DECATUR,GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, the Path Foundation and Mercer University will hold a second public meeting to discuss the system of trails at Mercer University Thursday, Sept. 28, 6p.m. at the Mercer Administration and Conference Center, 2930 Flowers Rd. South, Atlanta. The meeting will take place on the second floor in the auditorium. The community is invited to attend and provide input on the results of the trail study. For more information, contact Paige Singer, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs division manager, at 404-687-3733 or pksinger@dekalbcountyga.gov.

DEKALB COUNTY,, GA— The DeKalb County Police Department is hosting a one-stop shop hiring event on Sept. 9, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., t 1950 W. Exchange Pl, Tucker. The department is seeking men and women who wish to serve the residents of DeKalb County. Candidates will have the opportunity to complete the hiring process and potentially walk away with a conditional offer of employment with a start date of Nov. 13, 2023. DeKalb’s starting salary for certified officers is up to $62,164 with a $5,000 sign-on bonus and up to $57,750 for non-certified individuals with a $3,000 sign-on bonus.…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–Five teens are dead and three others injured after a three-car collision that occurred shortly before 4 a.m. today(Sept. 4) on the SR 316 (University Parkway) westbound ramp at Interstate 85 southbound, Gwinnett County Police said. At least three of the teens in the Labor Day accident were students at Lakeside High School in DeKalb County, police have learned. The deceased—three females and two males—have   been identified as Katy Gaitan, 17, of Atlanta, Ashley Gaitan, 16, of Atlanta; Coral Lorenzo, 17, Atlanta, Hung Nguyen, 18, of Lawrenceville, and Abner Santana, 19, of Suwanee. Three additional persons were transported to…

The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold the following meetings on Monday, September 11, 2023. The board meeting is in-person and will be held in the J. David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. 12:30 pm BOARD MEETING Executive Session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters Work Session & Business Meeting 5:45 pm Community Input Session The meeting agenda is attached and can be accessed online by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org, click on Leadership, go to Simbli (formally known as eBoard) Home Page and click on the date for…

ATLANTA—The Atlanta Police Department (APD) is will host a recruiting event on Sept. 16, 8 a.m .to 2 p.m., at the Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters, 226 Peachtree Street SW, Atlanta. Prospective candidates can participate in interviews, complete preliminary assessments, and even receive conditional offers on the spot. Attendees are not required to bring any documents, although a list of recommended documents for expediting the process can be found online at joinatlantapd.org/events. For quick and convenient communication with a recruiter, citizens can also text “JoinAPD” to (404) 948 6787. The APD’s recruitment efforts have been extensive, with events held nationwide, including…

By Mark Brock Athletics Specialist, DeKalb County School District DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named Southwest DeKalb High School track coach Bob Mullen as the 2023 Boys’ High School Track and Field Coach of the Year for the State of Georgia. “I am very grateful for the honor of being chosen Coach of the Year,” said Mullen. “I would like to think my family, the athletes and coaching staff for all their support. Without them this honor would not have happened.” Mullen’s Southwest DeKalb track team repeated as state champions last spring brining…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County Sheriff Eric J. Levett will host the Slate of 8 Tribute Awards and Gala on Sept. 17 at Costley Mill Event Center. The event honors the first African-Americans to hold elected offices in Rockdale County Government. The historic “Slate of 8,” elected in 2012 include: Richard A. Oden, former Chairman of the Rockdale Board of Commissioners Ruth Wilson, former Clerk of Superior Courts Oz Nesbitt, Sr., Post 1 Commissioner (currently Chairman of Rockdale BOC) Phinia Aten, Chief Magistrate Judge Charles Mays, former Probate Judge RJ Hadley, former Tax Commissioner George Levett, Coroner Sheriff Eric J. Levett, presenter…

ATLANTA — The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is aware of the recent closures of locations by several formal wear retail stores, resulting in substantial implications for employees and customers. BBBs across the country received dozens of complaints regarding consumers who did not receive their orders after the locations closed. As of Aug. 29, 2023, the company has failed to respond to complaints filed by consumers with BBB. According to Savvi Formalwear, LLC’s website, the stores affected by this closure are the stores that were owned and operated by Tip Top Tux LLC (TTT, LLC), including Dapper & Dashing(MN), Nedrebo’s (WI), Al’s Formal Wear (TX, CO), American Commodore (OH), Dream…