Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– Recent reports from frantic citizens indicate that phone scammers have re-surfaced in the metro area. Callers are posing as DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies or other employees of the agency. The familiar scam threatens innocent victims with intimidating threats of being arrested on a warrant – that does not exist – or for not appearing to serve jury duty. Then the scammer offers to help the victim avoid arrest by paying a fee, generally through prepaid money cards. “You are being targeted by a criminal,” warns Chief Deputy Randy Akies. “Just hang up. Do not engage in conversation…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—More than 1,000 Rockdale County voters have cast ballots since early voting began on Monday, May 2 , elections officials reported. As of Wednesday, May 4, a total of 1,294 residents had cast ballots, Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham reported.  On the first day of the early voting period, 621 ballots were reported as cast, Willingham said. “We have a long way to go, but I think what we’ve seen is that the numbers are growing. I think people are coming out because they want to have a voice in who they choose to represent them…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) is hosting an Electronics Recycling & Paper Shredding event for Rockdale residents and business owners on June 4, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the parking lot at 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. The free, half-day event will provide the public a place to safely discard and recycle old documents and electronics, regardless of working condition. There is a maximum of four banker boxes per vehicle allowed for paper shredding.  Participants must provide photo ID as proof of an address in the County for both, shredding and recycling. Professional electronics recycling and paper shredding companies will securely handle all items…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against a Lithonia man accused of killing a man, then dumping his body in a river to hide the death.   Jurors returned guilty verdicts on May 2, 2022, against 36-year-old Rondricques Brundage on charges of Felony Murder, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Concealing the Death of Another, in connection with the shooting death of 34-year-old Rodrell Matthews.   Matthews was reported missing by his family on July 13,…

ATLANTA— Gov. Brian P. Kemp on today(May 4)  signed SB 332, also known as the Inform Consumers Act, which prevents criminals from selling goods stolen from retail stores on any online marketplace platform. The legislation establishes financial and contact information requirements for high-volume sellers to online marketplaces and requires that such platforms establish an option for consumers to report suspicious activity. It also requires sellers to provide their contact information to consumers when their annual revenue on the marketplace exceeds $20,000. Sellers who do not comply will be prohibited from using the online marketplaces further, and the Attorney General is now…

DECATUR, GA.—DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is encouraging all elected officials, civic leaders, clergy and community members to join Pastor Quincy Lavelle Carswell II for The National Night of Prayer in DeKalb County. on Thursday, May 5, at 7 p.m., at The Covenant Church, 1700 Corey Boulevard Decatur, GA. The National Night of Prayer will bring together elected officials in solidarity and fellowship as they seek God’s divine wisdom. “The church plays a direct role in cultivating healthy communities,” said Pastor Carswell II, lead pastor of The Covenant Church. “The church has been at the core of community development and meeting…

COVINGTON, GA– State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will co-host the 2022 Mother’s Day “Brunch & Learn” on Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Founders Hall in Covington. To register for this free event, please click here. Rep. Carter is co-hosting this event with Newton County Commissioner Alana Sanders and Ashley Leyva, an Atlanta area realtor. Ms. Tracey Thurman, housing outreach coordinator for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, will serve as the special guest speaker. Participants will receive information on how to purchase a home in Georgia. This event will also include a discussion on financial planning, budgeting,…

The mission of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is “to ensure student success, leading to higher education, work, and life-long learning.” On Tuesday, April 26, the DeKalb Board of Education (BOE) by a vote of 4-1, voted to terminate the contract of our seventh School Superintendent in nearly 12 years. The question remains, does the actions of April 26 truly uphold the mission of the DCSD? For the past week there has been and will continue to be vigorous debate over the recent actions of the DeKalb BOE. As the DeKalb Pastors Christian Alliance (DPCA) we are not here…

DECATUR, GA–The DeKalb Human Services Department has scheduled a virtual public meeting for Wednesday, May 18, 10 a.m., to provide details regarding the 2022-2023 Human Services Grant application process. The Human Services Grant Program provides opportunities for community partnership with local organizations that can address identified service needs of DeKalb County residents. Eligible nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to be awarded a grant utilizing county general fund and victim assistance funds. Agencies that receive victim assistance grant funds must meet the county’s eligibility criteria and be certified to provide victim assistance programming through the State…