Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA—DeKalb County government will provide the latest COVID-19 booster doses known as the bivalent vaccine at the Mall At Stonecrest on Saturday, Sept. 24.  The new booster shots offer better protection against the currently circulating COVID-19 variants, according to health officials. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  DeKalb is giving a $100 prepaid debit card to everyone who receives a COVID-19 vaccination or booster shot at the event. See-through bookbags filled with school supplies also will be distributed. Circus performers and other live entertainment will be provided. DeKalb County continues its efforts to encourage…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against a man accused of shooting and killing a tire shop employee who was assisting him with his car. Jurors returned guilty verdicts Thursday against 44-year-old Lashon Grace on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in connection with the shooting death of 53-year-old Antonio Holder. The fatal incident occurred on Feb. 27, 2021 in the parking lot of a tire shop located at…

   ATLANTA–Following Gov. Brian Kemp’s announcement that more than $1 billion in ARPA funds would be directed to the Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide cash assistance to qualifying Georgians, state officials say families are spending the money for basic needs and other purchases. The program launched on Sept. 20 with recipients receiving up to $350. Within the first three days, 272,873 Georgians on Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids®, SNAP, and/or TANF have received $95,505,550 and spent $30,090,461.42. Records indicate the top purchase categories are retail stores, utility bills, and grocery stores. The funds can be used for online purchases…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson announces extended hours at the property tax office located on Memorial Drive from Sept. 26 – 30 until 6 p.m. Customers paying their property tax bills will temporarily use the UGA Extension office entrance at the front of the building through Friday, Sept. 30. Seniors and customers with a disability parking placard may still check in at the Property Tax side entrance from Northern Avenue. “Each year, we see an influx of walk-in customers as the payment deadline approaches. Many are unaware of the automated payment systems we have in place to save…

DECATUR, GA –The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has raised the bar for employee benefits. Sheriff Melody M. Maddox is offering detention officers’ use of an all-electric vehicle for as long as they remain with the agency and in “good standing.” In a news conference today (Sept. 22), Sheriff Maddox handed the keys to new Chevy BOLT EVs to two current detention officers, launching a program that will include a fleet of up to 150 “take- home” electric vehicles for employee use at the 24-hour facility. “Detention officers who are certified jailers have one of the toughest jobs at this agency,”…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Lawrenceville man in connection with the Sept. 18 shooting death of Lecorey Jerrell Blevins in Decatur, Georgia. Charles Louis Gandy, 30, was arrested and taken into custody today, Sept. 22, at 1695 Graves Road, Norcross, without incident. According to the arrest warrant, Gandy is charged with Malice Murder and is accused of shooting Blevins several times with a handgun during an argument at a Columbia Drive residence. Blevins was transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where he is being held without bond. The booking photo was not yet available,…

STONECREST, GA— Janice Allen Jackson abruptly resigned from her position as city manager on Tuesday, Sept. 20, hurling the city into yet another talespin with its everchanging cast of leadership. Neither Jackson nor city officials are saying what led to her departure. Mayor Jazzmin Cobble, who spoke briefly with On Common Ground News while she was traveling today, said Jackson’s resignation was effective immediately. Cobble said the issue was a personnel matter and declined to answer several questions including whether Jackson would receive a severance package. Cobble issued the following statement: “As of Tuesday morning, Janice Allen Jackson & Associates, LLC.…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Hank Johnson, Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, is leading a coalition of Judiciary subcommittee chairs and members of the Judiciary Committee in introducing The Circuit Court Judgeships Act of 2022. The legislation would address the massive case backlog due to a shortage of federal judges in circuits across the country. Original cosponsors include Reps. Jerrold Nadler (NY), Steve Cohen (TN), Eric Swalwell (CA), Deborah Ross (NC), Shelia Jackson-Lee (TX) and Madeleine Dean (PA). The Circuit Court Judgeships Act of 2022 would create 51 additional circuit court judgeships across 8 judicial circuits. “Our…

TUCKER, GA—The Tucker CID (Community Improvement District) announced this week that a new brewery and Korean restaurant will open soon in Tucker. The Bite of Korea will offer authentic Korean dishes including its signature  Bulgogi‌ ‌quesadillas. Photos via Facebook. “We are extremely excited that Pontoon Brewery: The Lodge and Bite of Korea are set up to open in our district within the next few weeks. The Lodge’s taproom is complete and Bite of Korea’s staff is currently undergoing training,” the CID stated in its announcement. “Once all the permits have been confirmed and approved, we look forward to grabbing good…