Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUTY, GA— There has been an outpouring of support and prayers, as well as offers to adopt the Labradoodle that was set on fire on Sunday, Dec. 5, in Decatur, rescue workers say. Police are still seeking the person(s) who set the dog on fire and Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta is offering a reward up to $7,000 in the case.   Witnesses saw the dog running on Lindsey Drive in Decatur while “engulfed in flames” and were able to put the fire out, DeKalb County Police said. The dog was hospitalized and listed in critical condition.  Dog…

DECATUR, GA— People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering a reward of up to $7,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty charges of the person(s) who set a dog on fire on Sunday, Dec. 5. Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta has offered a $2,000 reward, increasing the total potential reward from $5,000 to up to $7,000. According to the DeKalb County Police Department, witnesses saw that the large, tan-and-cream, male Labradoodle was running on Lindsey Drive while “engulfed in flames” between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. The witnesses were able to put out the fire, but the…

CLARKSTON, GA — Twenty-nine-year-old Shay Sheha immigrated to Georgia from Zanzibar two years ago and has already made a huge impression. So much so that he has been named the 2022 EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) winner for Georgia Piedmont Technical College(GPTC). In March, Sheba will to compete with winners from other schools in the Technical College System of Georgia. The statewide winner will be an advocate for Georgia, touting the many benefits of adult education services. Sheha is enrolled in the ESL (English as a Second Language) program while working at a local Amazon facility.…

DECATUR, GA – On Monday, Dec. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is holding a telephone town hall to update Fourth District constituents on what’s happening in Washington, including highlights on the American Rescue Plan, the bipartisan infrastructure law, the Build Back Better Act, and what they mean for Georgia. Johnson will also discuss how landlords and renters can access COVID-19 relief resources. WHO: Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) hosting telephone town hall 60,000 constituents are being called to participate. Atlanta Legal Aid Attorney Lindsey Siegel to discuss housing assistance. WHEN:             Monday, Dec. 13, 5:30-6:40 p.m. WHERE:          Constituents nd…

DECATUR, GA—A 30-year member of the “All Star Gangstas,” a New York subset of the infamous “Bloods” criminal street gang, has been sentenced to life without parole, plus 55 years in prison. During court proceedings on Wednesday, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams sentenced Leroy Starr Copney, Jr., 49, following his conviction Dec. 2 on charges of Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault (two counts), Criminal Street Gang Activity, and weapons offenses, in connection with the murder of Andrew Spencer, 30. The victim was gunned down on Dec. 29, 2016 at a QT gas station on Buford…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Human Services Department is recruiting volunteers to participate in its tutoring program designed to help DeKalb students improve their reading skills. Volunteer tutors are needed now to begin tutoring in January 2022. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Experience Corps is an evidence-based literacy program that improves the reading skills of children in kindergarten through the third grade. The department is working in collaboration with the United Way of Greater Atlanta, the AARP Foundation and the DeKalb County School District on this initiative. Recent data shows that DeKalb students on average have a…

DECATUR,GA– The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a board meeting on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677 Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493. Agenda I. Adoption of Agenda II. Approval of the Minutes of the November 17, 2021 Special Called Meeting III. Administrative Items A. Update on Search for Legal Counsel B. 2022 Board of Ethics meeting calendar C. Executive Session IV. Ethics Cases 1. Request for Dismissal 1. Jenna Bird v. Zack Ray [2021-7] 2.  Nailah Douglas v. Officer…