Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—The Screen on the Square Movie Series will present “Wish” on Friday, Sept. 6, at 8 p.m., at the downtown Decatur Square. The GPS address is 101 East Court Square, Decatur. “Wish” is about a young girl named Asha who wishes on a star and gets a more direct answer than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her. Everyone is welcome to attend the free, family-friendly event. Bring your blankets and chairs and relax under the stars. Arrive early to secure your spot and enjoy the pre-movie festivities. There will be…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County’s first-ever comprehensive housing plan, a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the county’s growing housing crisis, was unanimously approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 27. “We’re at a critical juncture in DeKalb County’s history,” said Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, who championed the plan. “The housing crisis is affecting families across our community, and we need a comprehensive, coordinated approach to address it. This housing plan is our roadmap to ensuring that everyone in DeKalb has access to a safe, affordable place to call home. It’s about building a future where no one is left…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A 20-year-old man accused of killing a pregnant 16-year-old was released on a $56,000 bond on Wednesday, despite the demand of the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s office to keep the murder defendant in custody.  Jesus Monroy, the ex-boyfriend of the victim, was charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child (feticide) and making false statements or writings. Campos was charged in connection with the July 15 strangling death of Mia Campos, who was seven months pregnant at the time of her death.  “It is disappointing that (Superior Court) Judge Karen Beyers chose…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan CONYERS, GA — Conyers welcomed a sizzling new addition on Thursday, Aug. 29, to its main food highway. R&B star Usher Raymond opened his Dave’s Hot Chicken at 447 Hwy 138 SE at the former Krystal’s restaurant. Usher has teamed up with franchise owners Lawrence Kourie and Andrew Feghali to open multiple locations in the metro Atlanta area. The Conyers restaurant is the chain’s first location in Georgia. Lines of cars and hungry customers snaked around the building beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday during the restaurant’s soft opening. There was a steady crowd throughout the day and…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick is hosting two Labor Day weekend events to bring the community together for a day of fitness, fun, and to support important local causes. The inaugural District 1 Labor Day 5K Fur Run will kick off on Sunday, Sept. 1, at Mercer University, 2930 Flowers Rd. S, Atlanta. Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by an instructor-led warm-up session before the race starts. Participants are welcome to bring their pets, though it is not a requirement to join in the race. All proceeds from the event will…

DECATUR, GA— The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections (BRE) meeting for the purpose of conducting its normal monthly business will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 4:30 p.m., 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one printed page or less at a minimum font of 12 t electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov , The email must be  received between 35 and five minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting. The body of the email must include the citizen’s first and last name. BRE meetings are streamed live on DeKalb County’s UStream channel…

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will host local non-profit organizations at seven rail stations in observance of National Voter Registration Day 2024 on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Non-partisan voter registration activities will be held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Five Points, College Park, H.E. Holmes, Lindbergh Center, Doraville, Kensington, and North Springs Stations. National Voter Registration Day is the nation’s largest non-partisan civic holiday dedicated to helping eligible citizens register to vote. MARTA has partnered with community organizations to raise widespread awareness and promote voter registration and active participation in elections. To register to vote during the…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) will host its logic and accuracy testing on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, beginning at 9 a.m., to test equipment being used for the upcoming General Election. The testing and equipment storage will be conducted at the DeKalb VRE office located at 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032-1239.The logic and accuracy testing will occur in two phases: A)Advance In-Person and Election Day: Voter Registration & Elections Warehouse 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032 B)Absentee By Mail and Provisional: Voter Registration & Elections Tabulation Center 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Police and the DeKalb School District Police are investigating a school bus accident that sent about 19 students and the bus driver to nearby hospitals for evaluations today, Aug. 28. A vehicle collided with the school bus and the bus ended up on its side in a ditch, the district said. No one was seriously injured, authorities reported. District officials released the following statement concerning the accident: “At around 8:20 a.m. today, DeKalb County School Bus 1929, which had approximately 25 Salem Middle School students on board, was reportedly struck by a private passenger vehicle…

ATLANTA – In preparation for expected Labor Day weekend traffic congestion, Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announced the suspension of lane closures on Georgia interstates and state routes beginning Friday, Aug. 30 at 12 p.m. until 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3. While construction-related lane closures will be suspended, the department reminds travelers to exercise caution as crews may still work near highways, and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. In addition, incident management, emergency or maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route. Georgia DOT’s 7-day travel forecast for metro Atlanta interstates…