Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man in connection with a shooting death in July. Stone Mountain, Georgia resident Tremale Leeshon Hester, 19, was taken into custody without incident on Tuesday, Aug. 23, by DeKalb Sheriff’s office investigators at a food restaurant on South Deshon Road in Lithonia. An arrest warrant charges Hester with Murder in the shooting death of Lithonia resident Isaiah Artis,17, on July 17, 2022. According to the warrant, Artis was found dead after crashing a car into a telephone pole on Ashley Lane in Stone Mountain. Authorities say the victim had been…

Newton County, GA—The Newton County School System has been notified that a student at Mansfield Elementary School has tested positive for monkeypox virus. In addition, a student at Flint Hill Elementary School also is currently being tested for monkeypox, officials said. The school district notified parents at both schools via a School Messenger on Tuesday.  Parents of students considered to be close contacts, in accordance with CDC criteria, will receive separate communications advising them of next steps, district officials said in a statement. Due to HIPPA and FERPA regulations, Newton County School System cannot release information on individual students. Newton…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Government is partnering with local faith leaders to distribute 5,000 boxes of 100 percent Georgia-grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, and chicken hindquarters on Saturday, Aug. 27. Residents will receive about $45 worth of food on a first-come, first-served basis. “Hardworking families are struggling to keep food on the table because food prices have increased every month this year and are now 12 percent higher than last summer,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “DeKalb County and our faith partners are working to lessen the impact of these rising prices.” On Saturday, Aug. 27, beginning at 9…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Roads and Drainage Floodplain Management Office offers residents general floodplain management information on flood hazards, planning, prevention, and mitigation free of charge. This is part of activities under the Community Rating System Program (CRS) of the county. The service provides useful information on the following: Flood zone determination and flood risk assessment. Information on the Flood Insurance Rate Map and the Flood Insurance Study. Access to previous Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Information on Special Flood Hazard Areas and other High hazard flood areas such as the floodways and high velocity zones. Flood depths around structures and…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Charter Review Commission will hold its first public hearing and in-person meeting on Thursday, Sept. 1, 6 p.m.,  at the Manuel J. Maloof Center, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. Social distancing will be observed and masks are required. Free parking is available at the DeKalb County Courthouse parking lot for this evening event.  The hearing will also be broadcast on DCTV’s UStream channel. Public input is being sought as the Charter Review Commission thoroughly examines the County’s current form of government and delivery of services to all DeKalb citizens. Future public hearings will be held in locations…

STONECREST, GA– The Stonecrest City Council approved recommendations for the initial allocation of $9.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at its Aug. 22 meeting. City officials said the first phase will distribute $5.7 million aimed at residents and businesses as well as supporting both education and youth programs. The initial allocations approved at Monday’s meeting included the following categories: Small business support, $2 million Educational support, $1.2 million Residential assistance, $1 million Parks’ upgrades, $900,000) New youth programs, $500,000 Stonecrest Citizens Academy, $100,000 “This federal investment provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help restore the lives of individuals,…

STONECREST, GA– The Stonecrest City Council approved an ordinance to reduce the penalty for possession of one ounce of marijuana or less to a maximum fine of $100. The council approved ordinance 2022-07-01 at its Aug. 22 meeting and the ordinance became effective immediately, officials said. Possessions of any quantity of marijuana is still illegal under State law and penalties may include jail time. “The City of Stonecrest remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors,” said Mayor Jazzmin Cobble. “This ordinance does not legalize the possession of marijuana in Stonecrest. It eliminates jail time…

ATLANTA—Officials are working to contain a virus outbreak that has killed more than 700 birds at the Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, located in Henry County, south of Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Agriculture detected the H5N1 virus at Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary on Sunday, Aug. 21. Officials said the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was the cause of the birds’ deaths. HPAI poses little threat to humans, but birds infected with the virus should not be handled, officials said. The state Department of Agriculture announced that the virus had been detected in a domestic flock in Toombs County, resulting in the deaths…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia), along with DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and DeKalb County staff, will host a virtual community meeting to provide updates on Walden Pond on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 6 p.m., via Zoom. To register for Zoom access, please click here. Carter and Cochran-Johnson will be joined by Terry Phillips, deputy attorney for DeKalb County; and Tim Hardy, director of code compliance for DeKalb County. These DeKalb County officials will discuss the current and future status of code compliance and county actions regarding numerous issues concerning Walden Pond. “It’s important that residents in Walden Pond and Snapfinger…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–In June, Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) announced its multi-layered approach to enhancing school safety for the 2022-23 school year. One of the measures includes the addition of School Resource Officers (SRO) at each of the traditional high schools. Two designated law enforcement SROs will be on campus every day, officials said on Monday (Aug. 22). “Our Number One priority remains the safety of our students and staff,” RCPS Superintendent Terry Oatts said. “We appreciate our law enforcement partners and all that they do to keep our schools safe every day. We are grateful for their willingness to…