Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—Justin Gold, a 27-year-old Decatur man, has been sentenced to life in prison for the stabbing death of a family friend over a $125 debt.  DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced Gold’s conviction by jury trial. Jurors returned guilty verdicts Nov. 16 against Gold on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Knife during the Commission of a Felony in connection with the stabbing death of 38-year-old Antoine DePass. The fatal incident occurred on Sept. 11, 2018 at 1301 Thicket Way in Decatur, where Gold lived. DePass, a family friend, traveled to…

Innovative technology connects families with children waiting for adoption ATLANTA– The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) has announced an innovative pilot program to help match families with children in foster care who are eligible for adoption. The Adoption-Share’s Family-Match pilot is slated to begin on Dec. 1. Officials say the program will utilize technology with predictive models to assist case workers with finding adoptive families for waiting children. With a compatibility assessment developed by the former lead researchers from eHarmony, this program aims to decrease the time for adoption placement, match children…

DECATUR, GA—Due to the limited amount of remaining funds and the large number of pending applications, DeKalb County announced that it is suspending the acceptance of new applications for financial help through the DeKalb Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition (TLAC) program. The last day to apply for the program will be Wednesday, Nov. 24, at 5 p.m. “The TLAC program has been a tremendous success helping more than 2,000 families and landlords impacted by the pandemic,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “However, our resources are limited, and we need to suspend receiving new applications until additional state or federal funds…

Gwinnett County will open warming stations for residents to receive temporary, overnight relief from long-term exposure to expected frigid temperatures. Beginning the week of Nov. 22, the warming stations will be available from 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. Residents who visit the sites can warm up, eat a meal and get some rest. The County will announce the availability of the warming stations at GwinnettCounty.com.  The locations are listed below: Best Friend Park Gym, 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross (Bus route 35, stop 407 and 906) Buford Senior Center, 2755 Sawnee Avenue, Buford (Bus route 101 I-985, stop 19)…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Government is partnering with several faith leaders to distribute 4,000 boxes of produce and chicken during its Thanksgiving food distribution to fight COVID-19 food insecurity exacerbated by inflation. On Saturday, Nov. 20, DeKalb County and six local churches will celebrate Thanksgiving Day 2021 with a food distribution during which residents will receive one 20-pound box of food that will include fresh eggs, collard greens, sweet potatoes, shelled pecans, apples, oranges, bananas and a 10-lb. bag of chicken hindquarters. “Rising inflation is making it more difficult for families to put food on their tables,” said DeKalb…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Field Operations arrested 20 people on various Felony and Misdemeanor Domestic Violence charges during a two-day task force initiative that concluded last Thursday, Nov. 18. A total of 29 of 180 outstanding domestic violence warrants were cleared following 157 primary endeavors. Some suspects were wanted on multiple warrants. Felony warrant charges included Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree, Terroristic Threat, Child Molestation, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Felony Probation/Aggravated Assault. The individuals arrested on Felony charges are: Quotae Golatt for Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree Alexis Jade…

ATLANTA –Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and Attorneys General across the country are investigating whether Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, violated state consumer protection law by providing and promoting Instagram to children and young adults.   “We have become increasingly concerned with Meta possibly marketing to Georgia’s children despite knowing the risks posed to their overall health and safety,” said Carr. “We will not allow our state’s youngest citizens to become the targets of deceptive social media tactics and plan to work diligently to address this dangerous and alarming trend. Our consumer protection laws are put in place…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County received the 2021 Georgia County Excellence Award from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) at this year’s County Reconnect Conference. Rockdale, along with Baldwin, Coweta Spalding and Upson counties received the award for finding creative and innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities. The conference was held Nov. 12-15 in Savannah, Georgia. Rockdale was honored for its Accountability Court programs, which provide help for nonviolent offenders to change their lives and behaviors. The first Accountability Court program launched in 2007. The programs have a recidivism rate, or rate of people repeating criminal…

Photo provided by Sprouts Farmers Market.  SMYRNA, GA—Sprouts Farmers Mart will open a new format store on Dec. 1 at 2530 Cumberland Boulevard in Smyrna. The location will be its first Georgia Sprouts to feature the specialty market’s updated design and layout. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held before doors open at 7 a.m. Every customer on grand opening day will receive a free reusable bag with purchase. The Smyrna store features the grocer’s latest store design, which makes it easier for health-minded and food-centric shoppers to explore new “better for you” products. Features include: An Innovation Center showcasing new-to-market,…

 ATLANTA—Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced new funding and partnerships for two major initiatives for Atlanta families—the Child Savings Account Program and the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP). “The Child Savings Account and Youth Entrepreneurship programs are two of our Administration’s proudest achievements,” said Bottoms. “When I took office, I had a vision for a more affordable, equitable and resilient Atlanta – and that vision began with our children. These programs are another major investment in the future of our young people and the future of our city. Thank you to APS, Operation HOPE, the United Way of Greater Atlanta,…