Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office  of Professional Standards is investigating the death of an inmate housed at the DeKalb County Jail.  Jail officers discovered a medical emergency inside an inmate housing unit on this morning (Wednesday, Feb. 12), where they found 35-year-old Regis Darnell Jackson unresponsive. Emergency medical services were performed on site by jail, health services staff, and DeKalb EMS.  Jackson was transported to Emory Decatur Hospital for further evaluation and treatment, where he was later pronounced deceased. A Macon, Georgia resident, Jackson had been in custody since August 2022 on various felony charges.  The county…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open four warming centers for residents on Thursday night, Feb. 13. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s.  The following centers will open starting at 8 p.m.: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta. North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee. (See pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline.)  Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur (See pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline.)  Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 593 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale  During warming center activation, transportation pickups will be available to Frontline International, according to…

DECATUR, GA—Grammy award-winning blues legend Bobby Rush will take center stage at DeKalb County’s Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur.   Hosted by DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson in partnership with District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah and Super District 7 Commissioner LaDena Bolton, this community event promises an evening filled with soul-stirring music, rich culture and storytelling.    Renowned for his high-energy performances, Bobby Rush defies age with his signature move—leaping into the air, arms wide, legs tucked—before landing smoothly into his dazzling routine. It’s…

CONYERS, GA—Get ready for a spectacular weekend of music, food and family fun as the 44th Annual Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival returns to the Georgia International Horse Park in March.  The festival, which takes place March 22-23, kicks off with an electrifying performance by Heart of Atlanta, the ultimate tribute to the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Heart.  From “Barracuda” to “What About Love,” Heart of Atlanta delivers a high-energy experience that will have fans singling along and dancing as the welcome Spring. The band’s two-hour performance on the main stage will be held on Saturday from 3 to 5…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Biffle Park’s playground is getting a major upgrade, thanks to a $50,000 grant from ParkPride, a nonprofit dedicated to improving parks in DeKalb County and Atlanta. With this funding, Friends of Biffle Park will be able to supplement the new playground that DeKalb County is building. The new enhancements will provide engaging and inclusive play structures for toddlers and elementary school-aged children, encouraging physical activity and imaginative play. Planned additions include a mini puppet theater, lemonade stand, and interactive panels featuring tic-tac-toe, movable gears and animal matching games. In addition, the grant will fund shaded coverings for six…

ATLANTA— With Valentine’s Day approaching, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) want consumers to be aware they may be targeted for romance scams, a deceptive form of fraud that preys on individuals seeking companionship.  These scams often start online but frequently escalate to requests for money or valuables sent through the mail, leading to devasting financial and emotional losses for victims.  “Protecting the sanctity and integrity of the mail is our top priority,” said USPIS Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale. “This includes protecting customers from mail-related crimes, including fraudulent schemes like romance scams. Public…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Want to learn more about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and how the movement will impact Black and Brown communities?  South DeKalb Improvement Association Education (SDIAE) and New Life Community Alliance will present “AI 101 Listening Session: Bridging the Digital Divide—The Role of AI Empowering Black & Brown Communities” on Saturday, Feb. 22.  The forum will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon at New Life Church, 3592Flat Shoals Road, Decatur(Rooms 105-107).  “Together, let’s explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can transform and empower Black and Brown communities in overcoming the digital divide,” said Donna Priest-Brown, who is coordinating the event.  For more…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), Georgia’s largest school district serving more than 180,000 students, has secured the highest possible bond rating from Moody’s Investors Service, the most recent data shows. Moody’s has affirmed the district’s Aaa rating on its outstanding general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT) debt, reflecting the district’s exceptional financial health and prudent fiscal management. Moody’s cited GCPS’ conservative budgeting, strong reserve levels, and commitment to responsible fiscal management as key factors in affirming the Aaa rating,  the county stated in a Feb. 10 press release. The district has strategically leveraged voter-approved sales tax collections to fund capital…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) recently introduced House Bill 25, the Dignity is Essential Act, which seeks to address hygiene inequity. HB25 would allow recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to purchase certain hygiene products, specifically diapers and menstrual hygiene items, should a federal waiver become available. HB 25 would mandate that if the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) permits states to allocate SNAP and WIC benefits for the purchase of these items, Georgia’s…