Author: On Common Ground News

Update: Advanced registration is require. To register for Zoom access, please click here. ATLANTA – The DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation, chaired by State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), will hold two additional virtual public hearings to discuss the proposed district maps for the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and DeKalb County Board of Education. Public hearings will be held this week on: Wednesday, Feb. 2, 12 p.m. via Facebook Live; to participate in this virtual hearing, please clickhere;  Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. To register for Zoom access, please clickhere. Wednesday, Feb. 9, 12…

Story Updated: Feb. 7, 2022, 6:28 P.M. DEKALB COUNTY, GA– A 34-year-old deputy has been fired from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office after being arrested by the DeKalb County Police Department on rape charges and sex trafficking, authorities said. Stone Mountain resident Derrick Gardner was charged with Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Rape, Child Molestation, Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, Enticing a Child for Indecent Purposes, and Aggravated Sexual Battery. DeKalb Police said they arrested Gardner on Sunday, Feb. 6, after responding to a 911 call and report of a rape. Gardner was taken into custody…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– An inmate has died of an apparent suicide while in custody at the DeKalb County Jail., officials said today (Feb. 7), according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Officers performing security checks discovered Jaquay Smith, 21, of Stone Mountain unresponsive inside a cell on Feb. 5. Emergency medical services were rendered immediately by jail medical staff and DeKalb Fire Rescue, but Smith was pronounced deceased upon his arrival at Grady Memorial Hospital, the news release stated. Smith was arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office without incident on Feb. 1, 2022, on warrants issued by…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA – Semaj M. Stephens, 12, has been safely reunited with his family. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO)had issued an advisory on Saturday (Feb. 5) asking the public to be on the lookout for Stephenson after he did not return home from school on Friday, Feb. 4. Stephens reportedly exited the school bus in front of his subdivision but his mother stated that he never returned home. On Saturday, Feb. 5, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Semaj M. Stephens was observed walking in his subdivision by a Rockdale resident who lived in the area. The resident immediately…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County will open three warming centers for residents to use overnight. Warming centers will be open in the following DeKalb County Fire Stations Fri. through Mon. night, Feb. 4-7, beginning at 8 p.m.: 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, social distancing and undergoing a temperature check.

DECATUR, GA –Hank Johnson (GA-04) has  sent a letter to Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell R. McMurry raising concerns that the agency’s planned expansion of the I-20 and I-285 interchange east of Atlanta in South DeKalb will exacerbate pollution and climate problems in the area and almost certainly be at the expense of the planning of heavy rail service down the I-20 East corridor. Johnson, a senior member of House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, wrote in the letter: “I am writing to share my significant concerns regarding the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) planned expansion of the I-20 and…

LITHONIA, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in a fatal hit-and-run accident. Police want to find the driver of the vehicle that  fatally struck Kenya Smith, 22, at 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 31. Smith was killed as she walked along Marbut Road near Lithonia Industrial Blvd. Investigators believe Smith was walking to work when a vehicle hit her from behind and did not stop. A passerby later noticed her and called police. The make and model of the vehicle are unknown, but it should have damage to its right front side. Anyone with information…

Stonecrest, GA—The Stonecrest Citizens Coalition will host a virtual Community Engagement meeting on Feb. 15 via https://bit.ly/SCCFeb152022mtg. Stonecrest City Manager Janice Allen Jackso, will be the featured speaker and will present relevant information on community issues and concerns within the City. The forum will include a Q & A segment. “The Stonecrest Citizens’ Coalition, Inc. strives to educate and engage citizens, influence public policy, and advocate for good government and a great community…,” said Malaika Wells, SCC President. “We are very glad that Ms. Jackson will be joining us to speak with our members and other Stonecrest residents…

CONYERS, GA– Excel Church will give away hundreds of boxes of groceries to the community on Saturday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the church campus located at 1151 Flat Shoals Road S.E. ConyersThe boxes contain fresh meat, produce, personal and household products. In addition to groceries, Worldwide Pandemic Solutions, LLC will be on site administering vaccinations and boosters to anyone ages 5 and older.   For 15+ years, Excel Church has hosted giveaways, family events and consistently provided resources for the community. “It’s a blessing to be able to serve our community amidst a pandemic…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA. – Rockdale County Board of Assessors is offering extended hours on Saturday, March 26, 8 a.m. – noon at their offices, located at 981 Milstead Ave., Conyers. “We owe it to the citizens of Rockdale County to be as accessible as possible to ensure they are able to ask questions regarding their property assessments and exemptions. We realize the need to sometimes do things outside of the scope of our daily operations to assist those who cannot get to our office during normal business hours. Our goal is to put citizens first with an emphasis on…