Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY—The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office said today that it has received several reports concerning a toy gun known as the “Splatter” gun and is warning parents to be aware of the dangers and consequences of their use. The battery-operated semi-automatic toy guns are posing serious safety concerns and   an increasing number of reports have come from the Rockdale County School District   Students are bringing the toy guns to school and putting students and staff at risk. Young people also are using the toy guns in TIK TOK challenges, a rising trend, the Sheriff’s Office said. The toy guns…

DECATUR, GA—Eddie Dubose, 56, of Lithonia, has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a female relative who was 13 years old. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on March 10 against Dubose on charges of aggravated sexual battery and child molestation, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston’s Office stated. The charges against Dubose date back to August 2016 when the female victim was staying with her mother at Dubose’s Lithonia home for a family reunion. Dubose assaulted the victim while others in the house were asleep. Two days later, the victim disclosed the assault to her mother, who…

WASHINGTON, D.C. —President Joe Biden is expected to sign into law government funding legislation that includes eight community projects secured by Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04). The projects, which total nearly $5 million and are included in the appropriations government funding package, respond directly to some of the most pressing needs in Georgia’s Fourth District. “Ensuring that constituents in Georgia’s Fourth District have the resources we need to make our community healthier, safer, stronger, and even more resilient is my number one priority,” Johnson said. “These investments support underserved areas and foster economic development, making a real difference in the…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA – A series of news headlines have blasted across metro-Atlanta over the past few weeks, offering a disturbing pattern involving teens in metro Atlanta: “16-year-old boy killed, 2 other teens shot near Atlanta fair” “Teen arrested on murder charges after police say he shot 9-year-old to death” “5 shot, 1 stabbed, teen killed in separate violent incidents in Atlanta overnight” “5 teens arrested after shooting, armed carjacking, police chase through metro Atlanta “16-year-old charged after car dealership security guard is shot and killed” Orrin Hudson, founder and executive director of the nonprofit, Be Someone, said such senseless violence shatters…

DECATUR, GA –The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will hold a virtual Parks Citizen Advisory Board Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 22, at 6 p.m. The meeting to discuss current park improvements and recreation projects will be conducted via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/89142202530. To join the meeting by phone, dial 888-270-9936, and use conference code 720766. For more information, contact Carol Underwood, administrative coordinator, at 404-371-2927 or cjunderw@dekalbcountyga.gov.

DECATUR, GA– Frigid weather is expected this weekend and DeKalb County is opening three warming centers for residents who need a place to go to stay warm overnight. Warming centers will be open in the following DeKalb County Fire Stations Friday through Sunday, March 11-13, beginning at 8 p.m. each night.: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294 Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta, GA 30316 Anyone staying in the warming centers must follow the county’s COVID-19 protocols that include wearing a mask,…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a board meeting on Thursday, March 17, 6 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom: https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677 Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493.  Agenda Adoption of Agenda Approval of the Minutes of February 17, 2022 III. Administrative Items Recognition of New Alternate Board Member Alex M. Joseph Discussion of Policy Re: Swearing In Board Members Discussion of Policy Re: Officer Nomination and Election Process Resolution Re: Process for Conducting Background Checks on Board Members Annual Report Re: Ethical Health of DeKalb County Agreement…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Ethics adopted its 2022 Regular Meeting Calendar on January 20, 2022. All public meetings will be held at 6 p.m. via Zoom and can be accessed at: https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677 or joined by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493. January 20, 2022 July 21, 2022 February 17, 2022 August 18, 2022 March 17, 2022 September 15, 2022 April 21, 2022 October 20, 2022 May 19, 2022 November 16, 2022 June 16, 2022 December 15, 2022 This calendar has been published on the DeKalb County Board of Ethics website located at…

GWINNETT COUNTY–Gwinnett County Commissioners will host several State of the District town halls to share updates about their districts, current and future County initiatives, and how new district maps signed into law by Governor Kemp in February may impact residents. Commissioner Jasper Watkins III will host the first town hall event, the State of District 3, on Tuesday, March 15,  6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center Auditorium. Learn more and see a full list of dates for the upcoming State of the District town halls.