Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– Today, Aug. 34, tune in to DCTV Channel 23.TV to witness the historic unveiling of the John Lewis statue at 11 a.m. The ceremony, which will be live streamed, will be held in the Decatur Square. Crowds are expected to attend, but everyone can witness online, organizers say. The monument honors the late legendary Georgia Congressman John Lewis, who died July 2020 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Lewis was known for getting into “good trouble” through his nonviolent protests for civil rights.  Lewis, along with other noted civil rights activists led the landmark civil rights march that became known as…

Victim’s mother speaks out on son’s death WAYNE COUNTY, GA  – An 11-year-old juvenile charged in the death of Noah Bush, an 8-year-old Wayne County boy who was found drowned in May, confessed to his role in the homicide.  Atlanta Attorney Mawuli Davis, who is representing the family, said the11-year-old confessed to pushing Noah into a clay pit filled with water and holding his head under water until he died. The defendant was charged with Simple Battery, Involuntary Manslaughter, Concealing the Death of Another and Criminal Trespass. The judge sentenced the 11-year-old to the maximum penalty of two years in confinement.…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA —A fugitive shot and killed himself early today (Aug. 22) as Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T assisted the GBI and the U.S. Marshals in attempting to serve a felony murder warrant for his arrest. The suspect was wanted in Crawford County, authorities said. The incident unfolded at the Horizon Extended Stay Hotel on Old McDonough Highway, where the suspect had barricaded himself inside. Authorities were trying to serve the warrant when shots were fired during the standoff. No law enforcement officers were shot or injured. The suspect took his own life, authorities said. The suspect’s identity was…

DECATUR, GA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) recently held his annual “Week of H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Elevate),” which was comprised of a four-part grants workshop series, A Day in My Shoes, where the Congressman visited a local nonprofit, and the H.O.P.E Award ceremony that recognized the outstanding work of local nonprofits throughout Georgia’s 4th Congressional District. The grants workshops were held via Zoom to help teach constituents, non-profits, and government stakeholders how to write, apply for, and learn about the federal grants and Community Project Funding process. The workshops featured guest speakers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners (BOC) has moved another step closer toward redeveloping the Park Place community and Stone Mountain Tennis Center, a key gateway to the county. Commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 20, awarded a $217,000 contract to Sizemore Group, LLC for the development of a masterplan that will guide the area’s future. The comprehensive master plan will assess existing conditions and involve community feedback to develop specific land use, transportation, and open space recommendations. Priorities include transit-oriented development, housing diversity and strategic redevelopment. The master plan will be funded by proceeds from the sale of the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston is warning the community to beware of a warrant scam from someone claiming to be an investigator at the DA’s Office. According to those who have reported the calls, the “investigator” advises the person they’ve called that they have a warrant out for their arrest.  The caller claims that they can take care of the warrant if they pay them a large sum of money, generally $1,000 or more.  The “investigator” also warns the would-be victim that they have sent deputies to their house to take them into custody, unless they pay…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement is joining shelters and rescues across the nation for the Clear the Shelters adoption drive. As part of this annual campaign to place shelter pets in loving homes, Gwinnett Animal Welfare is offering free pet adoptions and will host a Clear the Shelters celebration on Saturday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center. During the event, attendees can enjoy hands-on activities, crafts, music, local vendors, face painting and more. All adoptable animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, and most pets can go home the same…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) is urging voters to prepare to vote in the upcoming General Election. While advance voting begins in October, there are several important actions voters can take now to ensure they are ready to vote. Here aresome helpful tips for DeKalb County voters: 1. If you haven’t already, register to vote at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/. The voter registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 7.   2. Double-check your voter status to ensure you are “active”: www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do. While voters listed as “inactive” can still cast a ballot this election, it’s easy to update your status to “active” online or by contacting DeKalb VRE…

DECATUR, GA– In observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised schedule as follows: Monday, Sept. 2 – Labor Day observed. No sanitation collection service. Tuesday, Sept. 3 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Sept. 2, will be serviced on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Wednesday, Sept. 4 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Sept. 3, will be serviced on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Thursday, Sept. 5 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Sept. 4, will be serviced on Thursday, Sept. 5. Friday,…